Greetings from River City. If you are feeling a bit like Road Runner, welcome to the crowd. It seems most of us are feeling it rather a lot. Here, Here, No…Here-ish. Is it any wonder that children and teens might be having psychological problems and that adults might be suffering from anxiety and getting a tad cranky?  Although I seem to be making a bit light of current events, the state of our country is serious and cannot go on if we are to remain intact as a nation. 
 
Safe Harbors Ann Street Gallery’s 1x1x1 artist series features artist, Daniel Giordano’s exhibit, Stink Stank Stunk, until Jan. 28. 1x1x1 is Ann Street Gallery’s series featuring one artist, one work, for one month in the Gallery window. 1x1x1 aims to be a nimble platform giving artists experimental space for solo exhibitions. The Gallery is at 104 Ann St. 
 
The Newburgh Farmers Market is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz, 107 Broadway until Apr. 30. Support local farmers and get some local goodies! Enjoy fresh and local produce from Common Ground Farm, Huertas Farm, Little Earth Farm, Body Mind 1 Sourdough Bread, and more. Check out https://www.facebook.com/NewburghNYFarmersMarket/or https://www.instagram.com/newburghnyfarmersmarket/. 

 
Newburgh Drum Circle on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of Every Month from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Safe Harbors Lobby at the Ritz (on the Green when weather permits), 107 Broadway.  Join them starting Jan. 11 – 25, February 8 – 22 and beyond! All levels of experience welcome. Bring your own drum. As health guidelines evolve, they will follow all New York State and Federal health protocols provided. 

 United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is challenging you to a 21-Day Equity Challenge that will share resources about specific equity topics in our community for each day of the challenge. You can choose to read an article, watch a video, or listen to a podcast - or delve more deeply into the topic by engaging with all three. Depending on your choice, each challenge will take from a few minutes up to an hour daily. 

“The 21-Day Equity Challenge began on January 17, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. This is a powerful opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of how inequality affects our lives and our community. To sign up, go to www.uwdor.org/21dayequitychallenge. 
To find out more, go touwdor.org/mlk2022.  

 
From the Food Bank of the Hudson Valley: “As we welcome the new year, we wish to thank you for being such a valued friend and supporter. With your help, we made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of our neighbors in need.”  

“Thank you for being a valued partner in our fight against hunger. Your support helps improve and change lives on a daily basis. We wish you a happy and peaceful New Year!” Food Bank of the Hudson Valley, 195 Hudson St., Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520; (845) 534-5344. 

Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh has been selected as a beneficiary of Hannaford supermarket’s Fight Hunger program in January. 

For each $2.50 specially marked reusable bag that shoppers purchase at Hannaford’s Vails Gate location, the supermarket will donate $1 to Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh. Since 1972, Meals on Wheels has delivered hot, noontime meals to residents of Newburgh and New Windsor who are confined to their home and unable to provide their own meals. You know that Newburgh’s MOW founder, the late Fredericka Warner, is smiling from Heaven.  

The Hannaford program is designed to make it easy for shoppers to give back to their local communities while supporting the environment. The bags are available at Hannaford’s various registers and at the reusable bag rack.

For more information about Meals on Wheels of Greater Newburgh, call (845) 562-3490 weekday mornings, or go to http://www.mealsonwheelsnewburgh.org.  
 
A video tour of the City of Newburgh is now available for viewing online! Watch a series of community highlight videos to learn all there is to know about living, working, and doing business in the City Newburgh! Watch the video on the City of Newburgh website. 
 

Free Masks & Hand Sanitizer Distribution: The City of Newburgh continues to provide PPE for businesses or organizations in need at NO COST. Organizations or businesses may contact the City of Newburgh Planning & Development Department at (845) 569-9400 to submit a request and arrange a pick-up time for FREE face masks and hand sanitizers! 
 
The Downing Pond Outlet and Third Street Storm Sewer Project will commence in January of 2022 through December 2022. The project involves the installation of a new outlet control device and new storm sewer infrastructure on Third Street between Robinson Avenue (9W) and Johnston Street. 

Temporary NO PARKING signs will be posted in the construction corridor throughout the duration of the project. Partial road closures along Third Street should be anticipated. Read about the Downing Pond Outlet and Third Street Storm Sewer Project at City’s website.  
 

Heat Hotline: If you are facing winter heating concerns in your rental apartment and your landlord has not addressed the issue, call the Heat Hotline at (845) 569-7495. City Staff will assist in finding a solution as soon as possible. 
 
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program: New York State recently launched a program to help low-income residents pay off overdue water bills during the pandemic. The program allows all eligible New York households to pay up to $2,500 for a wastewater or drinking water bill, or $5,000 for both. Apply online or call the toll-free state hotline at 1-(800) 342-3009. 

Home Energy Assistance Program: For those struggling to afford the rising cost of heating expenses, help is available through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). HEAP provides eligible households with assistance in meeting their home energy needs including financial assistance in paying utility and oil bills for each heating season. Prospective HEAP applicants are encouraged to apply online. 
 

The City of Newburgh Transportation Advisory Committee will convene a virtual meeting through Zoom videoconference on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m.  The Committee meets once a month on the second Wednesday of each month to discuss safe and effective multi-modal transportation networks for the city’s residents and businesses. If you have questions or ideas, e-mail transportation@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov.  
 
From Newburgh Habitat: “Together, with our families, supporters, and volunteers, Habitat Newburgh builds much more than just houses. We build community. Our homeowners join their neighbors in cleaning streets, planting trees, advocating for safer neighborhoods, and hosting cookouts. We build better lives through homeownership. A gift from you today will ensure we can continue our work.” Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh, 125 Washington St., Newburgh, NY 12550-5537.  
       
As always, I close with my prayers for God’s blessings on your heads, my dears.