Greetings from River City.
Harineta Rigatos, Digital Strategist announced the Newburgh Arts + Cultural Study (NACS), the first comprehensive inventory and assessment of the diverse arts and culture in Newburgh, led by the Newburgh Arts and Cultural Commission.  
“The Newburgh Arts and Cultural Commission and the City of Newburgh are proud to undertake the first comprehensive inventory and assessment of the diverse arts and culture ecology in the city: the Newburgh Arts + Cultural Study (NACS).” Gabrielle Burton-Hill is NACS advisor and Program Director and Joseph Forbes is founder of Scenic Art Studios.    
Through a community survey, focus groups, and interviews, NACS will gather qualitative and quantitative data to create an inventory of the broad range of arts-and-cultural activities and destinations to Newburgh. 
The study asks who is participating in creating cultural experiences for the public, how does arts and culture impact the city, and what supports are needed to promote equity, increase access and participation, nurture development, and build capacity. 

As evidenced in cities large and small, arts and culture are known to be powerful engines for business sectors, and benefit residents and visitors alike.  The project website, NewburghCulture.org, follows NACS social media, learn the survey’s results.  
 The study is a citywide conversation that takes stock of itself: who is participating in or creating cultural experiences for the public, how do they impact the city, and what supports are needed to promote equity, increase access and participation, nurture development, and build capacity.    
The NACS team includes project managers Naomi Hersson-Ringskog and Naomi Miller, who are working with project consultants Joy Bailey-Bryant and Eve Moros Ortega of Lord Cultural Resources. The team convened individuals from Newburgh’s broad spectrum of voices to serve on the Project Advisory Committee to guide the study.  
Additionally, a number of organizations and businesses are partnered in order to spread awareness and increase participation through as many stakeholders as possible. Follow newburghculture.org and its social media for latest updates. 
“The Newburgh Art and Cultural Study will be an invaluable tool for Newburgh   to better understand its arts and cultural assets, in order to best ensure an optimal future for Newburgh’s creative community and the public at large,” said Joy Bailey-Bryant, Vice President and project lead from Lord Cultural Resources. 

The last day of extended hours at Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, Wednesdays through Sundays, will be Saturday, Oct. 31.  Beginning Friday, Nov. 6, the site’s Fall/Winter hours will be in effect, Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., by reservation. 
Starting Nov. 6, both the Museum, which features over 1,300 objects from the collection, and the historic Hasbrouck House, where the General made his headquarters for 16 ½ months at the end of the Revolutionary War, will be open for visitors Fridays and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.   

Anne Vollmer, Publicity for 2020 Loaves & Fishes, Inc., announced the organization is requesting Thanksgiving foods or monetary donations to help  Newburgh school district residents in need.  COVID-19 and the economy are having an impact on the number of food insecure people, making this effort needed even more.   
It costs $40 to provide a family of four with a 10 to 12 lb. turkey, gravy, plain and sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, rice, stuffing mix, and fruit.  Please consider helping in their distribution efforts by donating any of these foods or sending a check to help defray the expense. 
Food donations will be welcomed on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the parking lot behind Sacred Heart School on 9W/Robinson Ave. and Ann St., the new location for the Deacon Jack Seymour Food Pantry.  For monetary donations, please send a check payable to Newburgh Loaves & Fishes, Inc., P.O. Box 2844, Newburgh, NY 12550. Your donation is tax-deductible and all will be used for food purchases   

 
The City of Newburgh is pleased to announce a new monthly bulk item pickup pilot program starting Wednesday, Oct. 28.  The monthly bulk item pickup pilot program is scheduled for the last Wednesday of each month for the remainder of 2020, and will be free of charge to all residents.  Additional scheduled bulk item pickup dates per the pilot program are Wednesday, Nov. 25, and Wednesday, Dec. 30.  
Under the pilot program, households can dispose of up to five bulk waste items.  Residents will have to schedule their bulk item pickup with the Department of Public Works division of Sanitation and put out their bulk items at curbside no earlier than the night before collection.  Multi-unit dwellings have the option of scheduling a pickup by referencing their individual unit.  
The collection of bulk items is limited to indoor/outdoor furniture, washers/dryers, and tires.  
Residents can call the Sanitation line at (845) 565-1082 or the Department of Public Works at (845) 565-3297 for more information regarding acceptable bulk items, to schedule a pickup, or with questions and concerns.  Information regarding non-pilot program bulk items and yard waste pickup can be found via the City website at cityofnewburgh-ny.gov/public-works/pages/bulk-items-and-yard-waste-pick-up.  
Each year the City of Newburgh affords its residents a Spring and Fall bulk item pickup event.  Due to the unprecedented times due to COVID-19, the City was unable to provide free of charge bulk item pickups to its residents during the first half of 2020.   
 
Please offer the gift of prayers--requested for Sanford Cohen, who is hospitalized in critical condition. 
As always, I close with my prayers for God’s’ blessings on your heads, my dears.