Sp16

PRICELESS

SPRING 2016

GL Vol. 5, Issue 1

• Women’s Bike Race and Map! • Political Perspective • Traveling the World • NEW Environmental Feature in Collaboration with

Written by young people for young-minded people

-

845.679.6997 solargeneration.net

TOC/MastheaD CONTENTS Restaurant Review: Garden Cafe ................. p. 10 Advice: Ask Sushi............................................p. 12 Travel: University of the World............... p. 14-15 Travel: Schooling in Other Lands .......... p. 16-17 Book Reviews...................................................p. 18 Fashion....................................................... p. 20-21 Women’s Cycling Grand Prix ................. p. 22-25 Things to do in the Hudson Valley...........p.26-27 Acting Out .......................................................p. 28 Politics ..............................................................p. 30 Environmental: Earth Guardians ...........p. 31-33 Drug Addiction Awareness .................... p. 34-35 The Art of ..................................................p. 36-37 Poetry ........................................................ p. 38-39 Wisdom of Animals .......................................p. 40 Wrestling .......................................................... p.42 Memories................................................... p. 44-45

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief/Publisher........................... Cathy McNamara Art Director.....................................................Grey Ivor Morris Executive Editor....................... Monique Winum Martindale Senior Copy Editor............................................... Julie Schmidt Editor.............................................................. Gabrielle Euvino SALES Marketing & Sales Director.............................Carolyn Handel Advertising Sales ................................................. Marie Shultis Sales & Distribution ................................................. Seth Allen DISTRIBUTION: 7,000 COPIES. Throughout the Hudson Valley and NYC. Published by GoodLife Publishing 34 Tinker Street, Woodstock, NY 12498 ONLINE VERSION: GoodLifeYouthJournal.com

SUBMISSION INFO: GoodLife accepts work done by young people aged 10 to 20 and pays $$ for accepted work.

Deadline: Winter: Nov 9th, Spring: Feb 9th, Summer: May 9th, Fall: Aug 18th • Permission: Need a parental email if you are younger than 16 (giving permission to publish your work & receive payment). Need address.

• Topics Examples: Lifestyle, music, book & movie reviews, sports & fitness, political & environmental.

• Writing strategies: Reflecting, Reporting, Explaining, Arguing, Opinion and Humor! Length 200 to 500 words Be CREATIVE and send work that you would be proud to have published. All articles must be appropriate for ages 10 to 100!

Work not used is stored for possible future publication.

Send submissions as Word documents to: Goodlifejournal@gmail.com Thanks, Cathy McNamara (Publisher) (845) 332-3353

Open Call for Young Writers, Photographers, Cartoonists and Webmasters! Volunteer and learn more about publishing.

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Publisher’s Letter BOARD OF SUPPORTERS AND MUSES

! u o Y k n a h T Cynthia Adler Joan Reynolds

Mary Ann Place Wendy Bass Mathias Zillmann and FB Team

Marilyn Manning Sandra Palmer Shaw Earth Guardians NY

Check out our Website

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com

Proven Ingenious Solutions

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f you stop “over thinking” everything, and simply live in the present, solutions come faster. Finding this zone reminds me of my problem-solving days of youth. The most effective solutions were simple and made in haste…stream-lined to their most elemental state with a bit of risk! Here are some proven winners:

Efficient waste removal of sandwiches:

When I was young, my reaction to lunch was unenthusiastic because my mom would serve the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches everyday. In fact, it turned into a bit of a battle where I was told I could not leave the table until I had finished. Well, who likes being told that?! So I would just sit there waiting until she had to go do something. When the coast was clear, I remember thinking, ‘How am I going to get rid of this sandwich?’

It was too big for the toilet. The best and nearest place I saw was a crack of space behind the fridge...no one would ever look there. She might return at any moment; I had to be quick. One swift toss of the sandwich and I regained my freedom.

Some time later, the day came when I was told we were going to be moving. For some reason, they had to move the refrigerator. There, like a great archeological site, were my fossilized peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, preserved by dehydration…a pyramid of artifacts recording several months’ time.

Efficient waste removal of gum:

• Articles • Photos Galleries • Fiction • Back Issues

• Adverising Opportunities • Videos and so much more!

Also join us on Facebook and join our mailing list to receive our Newsletter

Years later, I made a similar discovery when my two boys were about the same age as I had been. It was payback time! We were moving, and like with the fridge, our coffee table had a surprise when we turned it over! Hundreds of differently colored used pieces of chewing gum plastered beneath it.

I was about to scold the boys, but they quickly came up with a very logical explanation: “Mom, that’s where a person is supposed to dispose of gum! When we go to a restaurant that’s where all the other people put their gum…under the table!”. Young thinking...it’s funny.

This issue has a map for hikes and bikes, including the 2016 Woman’s Woodstock Grand Cycling Grand Prix! Catch up with the Earth Guardians protecting the earth. Special events not to be missed: the Woodstock Writer’s Festival,Woodstock Fashion Night, Ride The Ridge Cycling Event - benefiting High Meadow School in Stone Ridge, NY.

ON THE COVER: Chloe Rovitz photo by Becca White

Summer issue coming next!

Deadline May 9th.

• Permaculture • Art Interview

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this magazine do not reflect those of the publishers, nor are we responsible for the products and services advertised.

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www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 9

Reviews RESTAURANT REVIEW

Garden Cafe

By Finn Doering, age 13 http://sharpfinnsoup.wordpress.com/

Photo by Bogdona of Leah Fridrich NEW owner

I

decided that even though it would be a first, I should do a second review of one of my favorite restaurants, the Garden Café, since it has recently been purchased by a new owner and undergone a major renovation.

The Garden Café is now owned by Leah, a beloved longtime waitress from the area. She has been working as a waitress for 31 years, and this is her dream come true, finally owning her own restaurant.

When I sat down with my family and spoke to her, she said she had something great to work with since the former chef had a great menu and loyal fans. The changes, though, are huge. There’s obviously a lot of new space, since the restaurant has expanded into the clothing store that used to be next door. But there are also changes in the menu. Leah wanted to keep the favorites but also add some new dishes. She also changed the cooking oils to healthier options like coconut, olive and safflower, and made every last ingredient organic. She said it’s easy when you’re working with an inspired chef like Christine Moss.

As for the space, it feels like you’re in a modernized country farmhouse. Leah loves everything old and vintage from the 1930’s and 40’s.

All the lighting is antique, and there are vintage mirrors on the walls, gray-washed tables and benches, vintage metal chairs, and signs that look old and say “good food.” She was inspired by the gray colors of the sky. This makes the atmosphere relaxing, like you’re floating on a cloud. Billie Holiday was playing.

On top of all this, the café has one of the best locations in town, overlooking the village green with giant windows and amazing natural lighting.

I had a few of my old favorites and was introduced to some new ones, starting with the best smoothie ever made: Vivacious Violet. It contains vanilla soy milk, chocolate cashew ice cream, blueberry and banana. The best part is that it came with a paper Eco straw!

Leah sent us a couple of her new fave appetizers to try, and they were amazing. One special was a whole wheat baguette with homemade herbed cashew brie cheese, served with pomegranates and green apples. The tart green apples bring out the flavor of the sweet creamy cheese.

Next, we tried the Indian chickpea blini, which consists of a chut-

ney of dates, coconut, and cashews served on an Indian chickpea blini with tomato and sour cream. Sweet and spicy . . . a great combo. The chickpeas have great seasoning, and I loved the herbs in the pancake.

The tomato and sour cream on top balance the sweet chutney. They make the dish refreshing and cool your palate.

Next, we tried the tofu Satay with peanut sauce and scallions, served with orange ginger slaw. Another winning appetizer: golden brown tofu with creamy thick peanut sauce that had a kick to it and a cold refreshing slaw.

Then I went back to my favorite dish, the Macro Meal . . . brown rice, sautéed greens, arame seaweed, tofu, and tahini. This is as healthy as it is delicious. It’s an interesting combo which you normally wouldn’t think would work, but it does in your mouth, and that’s what I love about this place . . . how creative they are.

My dad tried the burger special made from red beans and sweet potato rice served with chipotle aioli. Definitely different . . . a bit too pasty for me, but the chipotle was delicious. I think the bun could have been crispier to balance it.

We also tried the portobello Panini -- portobello mushrooms with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, and garlic aioli on focaccia with salad. The focaccia wasn’t too thick, which I liked, and the aioli was light and creamy. I loved the flavor of the mushrooms.

According to Leah, the community made this happen. Customers are her family, and they feel at home when they’re at the restaurant, which she loves. The Garden Café is a family affair, and it’s likely you will meet Leah’s daughter, True, working hard making smoothies or serving tables with a big smile.

All in all, this lovely place remains one of my favorites and is even better than before!

“Customers are her family, and they feel at home when they’re at the restaurant”

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www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 11

Advice

Ask Sushi

Fluffy Advice by Griffin Stewart, Brooklyn, age 15

Questions by Lisa Grandelli Hello and welcome to another Ask Sushi with me, Sushi.

A lot of stuff has been happening in my world. I have been writing haikus and here is one of them: Chicken, I love you.

I who worship all of you, May all feel chicken.

Also, I have been working on a new way of eating chicken bones. I call it, “The Chicken Bone Machine.” It’s a way to hold the bones without the use of paws. It is especially helpful for me as I have to type on a computer to get these columns out. Like I always say, eat two birds with one stone. I know it’s probably my best invention since the dog pad. But enough about me. Time to answer some Sushi questions.

Question #1: What do you think about people who train their dogs to do tricks? What tricks would you train people to do?

Well, I have thought about this for a very long time. First, I would teach humans the basics like sit, roll over, stay, stuff like that.

Then I would get into the more interesting stuff like make chicken, give me chicken, and do a somersault. And now my Sushi wisdom to you. No one should have to do tricks for you or for me because everyone has free will and should not have to roll over for any one person or dog. And that’s my Sushi wisdom to you.

Question #2: I think my mom has a shopping problem…she always brings home a lot of stuff and it’s accumulating! What can I do?

Well according to an article written by Renee Morad in the Huffington Post, there are seven signs that a person is addicted to shopping.

“1. You have many unopened or tagged items in your closet. 2. You often purchase things you don’t need or didn’t plan to buy. 3. An argument or frustration sparks an urge to shop.

4. You experience a rush of excitement when you buy. 5. Purchases are followed by feelings of remorse. 6. You try to conceal your shopping habits. 7. You feel anxious on the days Page 12 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com

you don’t shop.” Does any of this sound like your mom?

In my case, I have been confronted about my eating of bones and some people even say that it’s an addiction, which -- I can quit whenever I want! But in general, it’s usually a touchy subject when things like this come up.

If someone tries to take my bone away, I usu-

“When I was name called, I figured something out.

If you do something out of spite it never works”

think up a new nickname for his friend.

It was Gwenyth. Then he really stuck with Gwenyth in a fun and silly way, never out of spite. In the end, everyone had a great time.

After that, the name calling didn’t really stick the same way. And sure, every once and awhile he may still get called Sophia, but when he does, he calls the friend Gwenyth and the name caller having an equal name, diffuses the whole situation almost every time. My pack member told me this one most important thing, “When I was name called, I figured something out. If you do something out of spite it never works. That’s why when I used the name more as a game or as a joke, then no one could touch me, because you have already made fun of yourself by allowing the name, and given them one too. What else is there to do?” And here is my Sushi wisdom to you, it is always good to have a sense of humor.

ally growl or howl or snarl, I mean, the list goes on for different noises I could make, like burble, grumble, stuff like that; but basically let’s get to the point. In general, if someone is addicted to something, it’s good to approach it with a level head and know what you are talking about. If your mom has these symptoms then you could show her this article and also recommend a 12 step program or psychiatry to deal with it. And here is my Sushi wisdom to you: remember to always love someone no matter their flaws. Addiction is a real thing. Real people get it and it’s no one’s fault but there is actual help for all kinds of addiction.

Question #3: Have you ever had a friend who has given you a nickname that really makes you mad? I have and when they call me it they just laugh harder each time.

This is a great question. Now, I The author Sushi and his interpreter, Griffin. haven’t personally had this experience, but one of my pack members has, and I will tell Question #4: It’s an election year! Do you you his story. One day, at his class one of his think a dog like yourself would make a good friends called him, Sophia, and it made him president? a little embarrassed. However, he didn’t take YES, a dog can run for president, and it it to heart or deny it. Instead of being mad would be a funny joke. or sad he decided to have a sense of humor Okay, dogs and dogettes! Sush-ya later and waited until a little later when he could alligator.

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 13

Special Travel Section

The University of the World

By Alexa Cappola, age 21

A

pproximately four years ago I 4) Research cheap travel options. Some was writing in this very magamay prefer to get a Eurail Pass, which is a zine about going away to coltrain ticket package. There are numerous lege, and now I find myself a options for long durations of time. Dependgraduate, with a bachelor’s degree, on a ing on where you want to go and the durafarm in the middle of Portugal. tions, this may be a good option for you, but How in the world did I get to this point the pass must be mailed to you, so I suggest in life? Well, I can tell you that it was not getting it in advance (before traveling). I did (and still is not) easy, but taking a break not have a pass when I traveled, so in many from work and school to travel the planet cases I used EasyJet, RyanAir, or bus servicis worth it. es. Flights are cheap and if you do not have At 21 years old, I am still discovering mya strict itinerary, you can get really cheap self every single day. Traveling has forced flights on certain days. They were also cheap me to realize that academic maturity is not since I was traveling during off season, startalways comparable to personal discovery. ing in January.

For some people, the two dovetail into one, but this is not true for all. In America, we are 5) Have a plan, but know that plans change programmed to believe that we must live to frequently. You need to be able to go with work, but if you’re brave enough to take the the flow and expect plans will change. For road less traveled, you may discover that you example: I am in Portugal now and did not want to work to live. expect to be here until three weeks ago. It is If you give adventure a chance, you may also very common to miss buses or flights in fact discover you are indeed a traveler at because you are in a foreign country and heart. there may be language barriers, which will Making the decision to put my academics also cause you to change your plans. and career on hold was difficult. Even now, I question if what I am doing is the “right” 6) Have travel insurance. You are more likedecision. What I am learning is that what is ly to get sick when traveling, because your right for me is not necessarily right for evimmune system is very low. This happens eryone. This trip is molding me into an inwhen you change environments frequently. dividual, forcing me to contemplate my own The authoress suggests setting aside extra money to Changes in climate, air, soil, insects, etc. are sets of morals, wants, needs and dislikes. live on when the journey is over. all factors that may cause illness. Go to the I am not just passively seeing the world doctor straight away if your illness is not a from a TV screen in America; I am actively common cold. It sucks traveling sick, especially if symptoms worsen seeing the world as an American Adventurer, making new connecin a non-English-speaking country. tions with people from across the world every day through shared philosophies, politics, and culture, and through similarities and of 7) Set aside extra money. If you are like me and want to travel after course stark differences. school, make sure you save not Since I am still on this jouronly enough money to travel, ney, I have decided to condense but enough money to live on my thoughts into a list of Ten when you get back to the U.S. (what I believe are important) I put money in a separate acTips for you if you are considcount that I cannot touch until ering traveling at any point in I go back to the U.S. to prevent your life. me from using it, because traveling (if you enjoy it) can be a 1) Eliminate financial liabilibeautiful addiction. I have met ties prior to departure. Basinumerous people who travel cally, what I mean is pay all your bills on time. The only debts I had until they run out of money. I myself have extended my trip already. on this trip were student loans and a phone bill. This is not possible This is perfectly all right . . . just make sure you will survive when you for everyone, but try to pay off debts in advance so you do not have get back home. to worry about them continuously when you are outside of the U.S.

“This is a journey of self-discovery”

2) Get a travel rewards card. This will help you gain travel points and in an emergency situation, it may come in handy.

3) Call banks to inform them you will be traveling and the countries you will visit.

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8) Know that it’s not necessarily a vacation. Traveling is hard, and you will get stressed. I have anxiety that worsened in the last few months of college. Therefore, know before you travel that you will be stressed and may get homesick in some situations. Always remember to breathe and sleep on it before you make any rash decisions. Keep

Travel a journal to vent and splurge on anything that will relax you in those irritating moments (in the words of Aziz Ansari, “Treat yourself ”). It is important to stay grounded and sane, especially when you are traveling alone. This leads to my next point...

Photos coutesy of Alexa Cappola

9) You are never alone. There are so many groups and sites where you can meet other travelers and locals, including couch surfing, Facebook, and (dare I say it but, yes) Tinder. Hostels also have numerous events and tours which are awesome for meeting people. I have made numer-

Exploring the back canals of Venice is an unforgettable experience.

ous friends that have kept in touch with me almost every week since I began traveling in January. You are only alone when you want to be. So, get out there and socialize!

10) This is a journey of self-discovery. You have a lot of time to think when traveling for such a long time, so open your mind to new experiences and relationships.

I guarantee you will surprise yourself! www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 15

Special Travel Section

Noel’s Travels

M

By Noel Fletcher, age11

My name is Noel Fletcher, and I usually live in Mount Tremper, NY. I was in fifth grade at Bennett School in Onteora School District up until the end of December. But now I’m spending 10 months traveling around the world with my parents.

This may sound like we’re going to every country ever (because that’s how I always thought of the phrase “around the world”), but we’re only going to about 12 countries. So far, we’ve been to Spain and Morocco.

Then we went to Tanzania for two weeks, and now I’m in India. Next, our plan is to go to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Borneo, Australia, and New Zealand. I am begging to go to Hawaii, but we might not have enough money left.

If that happens, we’re flying across the Pacific back to New York!

We are not using suitcases. We’re backpacking. My parents are carrying my stuff, and I’m carrying my With the students at St. Bernadette, just outside Arusha, Tanzania. guitar. I’ve been playing guitar for eight years.

When I do math, I do “quests.” The quests include video lessons I’m doing roadschooling on eSpark. It was my mom’s idea to use that teach you a skill following the American curriculum, and eSpark eSpark outside of a school district. I am the first kid to ever do this keeps track of my progress within my grade level. At the beginning outside of a school district. I’m using eSpark for reading and math. I and end of a “quest”, I do a test to show what I know on the subject of learn about other subjects, such as social studies, science, and music, the quest. If I don’t get at least 80% of it right, I can’t move on until I from traveling. For example, I learned some music when I watched review and do another test. There are also games to play on separate “Bob Esponja” (Spongebob Squarepants) singing the Campfire Song apps, and I record a video that gets submitted to eSpark.

Song in Spain. I also got to see a flamenco performance in Seville.

Reading is pretty much the same. I read texts, watch video lessons, and write down some of what I have learned. eSpark is somewhat hard, but I am enjoying it. I prefer it to sitting in a classroom with teachers. It’s letting me get my education while being able to travel and spend most of my day out somewhere.

I am also keeping a daily journal, and learning a lot of interesting things. For example, I visited a school in Tanzania: St. Bernadette’s in Arusha. It is a private, poor school. It needs people’s help. To go to a school that is doing just fine would actually be boring. I am not exactly sure what makes this so, but I know.

The kids at the school were learning English, so I could socialize with the students and teachers. The school teaches both Swahili and English, even though most private schools only teach English and leave Swahili for home.

When we got to St Bernadette’s, we walked through the school quickly, getting a quick sample of each class’ lesson, then went outside. I saw kids about my age (or even younger, possibly) doing complex math that I would not be able to do. The kids in Tanzania are so Lessons at St. Bernadette are taken seriously by both the teachers and the students.

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happy to go to school (some kids don’t even have the chance), so they are very keen to learn.

Tons of kids surrounded me at break (recess), sometimes stroking my hair, sometimes touching my interesting white skin.

“Five times five!” The boy in front of me said.

“Twenty-five!” I replied.

Later in the day, the school acted like we were the Royal Family, and each class did a presentation for us. They did little plays (including a “drugs-are-bad-for-you-they’ll-make-you-rob-people” thing, where they used pieces of chalk as cigarettes), sang and danced, and even played games. I showed them Duck Duck Goose. I also played two guitar songs for them.

Then the kids asked me questions, from “What school do you go to?” and “What is the national flag of America?” to “What tribes are in America, and which tribe are you from?” (There are 120 tribes in Tanzania, so for them that was a completely natural question, even though I thought it was hilarious.)

One kid asked me, “Does the red in the American flag represent bloodshed, because that’s why most countries have red in their flags?”

I rightly said “no” to that one, and explained that it probably just came from the Union Jack from Britain. The same kid had misunderstood earlier on, thinking that I live in England, not America. They probably knew more about England, because England used to rule Tanzania and only gave it up 50 or so years ago.

Another question was, “What punishments do you have at your school?” I said that we sometimes lose recess and get suspended, but

We are taking Noel out of school, going “mobile school” with the help of an Apple endorsed educational program we’re going to be guinea pigs for.

Of course the world will be his school as well.

he was actually wondering about physical punishment, like a “slipper” or a “cane,” because they have that at St. Bernadette’s. (My dad says they had it when he was at school in England as well, but it is now against the law in both England and the U.S.) The school said that they rarely had any guests, which might be why they made us feel so special. We spent almost half a day there, and it was very interesting for me to see how important school is for kids in a poor country.

If you want to find out more about my travels, you can follow my vlog on YouTube here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EwaZluLXhqQ, and look out for more stories in GoodLife Youth Journal! www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 17

Book Reviews

By Hudson Fuller age 9 1/2

Mysteries of Cove: Fires of Invention by J. Scott Savage

The Hobbit by J.R.R.Tolkien

Photo by Edward Hutchinson

This book is a real cliffhanger.

I highly recommend it! The change of events is wild. When you think one thing is going to happen, it doesn’t. Instead, something totally unexpected happens. The characters get themselves into tight situations multiple times, including almost getting arrested for inventing. This book includes steampunk and dragons!

This book is very good because it is like you are there when you are reading it. It is an exciting medieval fantasy. The book is well-written and changes as you read it because the setting is always changing as the characters travel to Erebor to claim their home back from Smaug the dragon.

Finally, there are sequels that take place in the same world, called The Lord of the Rings

“When you think one thing is going to happen, it doesn’t.

Instead, something totally unexpected happens.”

Trilogy.

Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan This book is about birds having war with each other with swords. The book is written by a 12-year old and is really good! The birds need Swordbird to restore peace because the hawks were putting other birds in what was like concentration camps. Then some of the birds escaped. One of them was named Milton, who then flew off and searched for Leasorn Gems to summon Swordbird and restore the peace.

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Art

Casual Friday models: Eli Gallagher, Andie Langlois. Photo by Lucie Parker (stairs)

Statement from Nina Isabelle, Teacher

Fashion Trends

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n 2014 The Hudson Valley Sudbury Photography Cooperative contacted me to ask if I would teach their class. I readily agreed and we spent the better part of a year learning about the camera as a machine and how the mechanical variables of ISO, shutter speed, and aperture could be used and for what effects. We learned how to determine and achieve correct exposure and began talking about color theory and composition- all the while working to notice, develop, and articulate an authentic visual language.

The Sudbury students always seem to approach projects with an attitude that’s eager and dynamic. I’m continually amazed by how they push and question themselves and seem motivated to inspect the larger context. But, in the midst of this process and search there have been a few relentless questions that keep surfacing: What are the practical applications of photography and how can we best use photography to say and do what we mean?

What do we have to say that’s important and why should we choose photography as a language?

In the spirit of wanting to recognize the creative process as a means to envision and shapen reality, and really wanting that notion to sink in with the students, I gave them an assignment to develop a concept and present twenty images that might dictate or predict youth fashion trends for 2017. In the short span of two-and-a-half weeks the students produced a publication that successfully integrated photos, design, and text expressing a concept that challenged the complexities of traditional gender perceptions, beliefs, and identities. They titled the publication “They,” and in their own quirky, playful, and lighthearted way, They addressed socially and culturally relevant issues using an authentic language inherent to their generation. If you ask me, they nailed it!

Cocktail models: Lucie Parker, Wes Chaplin.

Photo by Donna Gordon (Elevator) Red Carpet model: Andie Langlois.

Photo by Lucie Parker (overalls)

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Lounge Wear model: Lucie Parker. Photo by Amelia Iaia (cart and grey wall)

by Starla Bolle, age 11

Fashion

Old Styles with a Twist

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ight now, some classic styles from the past are coming back, but this time, with a twist! One style that is really in right now is goth. However, it’s not traditional goth.

There’s still hair extensions and chokers and chunky black boots, but it’s not fully the whole 90s gothic thing.

Back then, people who dressedgGoth always acted sad and dreary, because that’s what the look represented. But now it’s just a fashion statement and you can have any personality you like, and have fun with the look this time around. Like now, you don’t really do the pale skin thing and instead of going full black with your clothing, you usually just maybe add a little maroon or navy. It’s your choice really.

But the big thing you cannot forget, and the thing that represents the goth look the most, is black lipstick. Dark purple is an okay substitute, but not the best. Remember, dark lipsticks smudge a lot, so be careful. The selfie camera can act as a mirror, so make sure to take lots of selfies to make sure your lipstick isn’t smudged.

Plus, you get a bunch of amazing pictures to share on your social media or with your friends!

Then you dot on the eye shadow and rub your lips together. If it gets too dry to rub in, you can put on more lip balm. By the end, the eye shadow should have spread over your whole lips. This will be COMING EVENT! matte, and if you want it to be more glossy, you can apply 2016 FASHION NIGHT at THE lip gloss over it.

BYRDCLIFFE BARN For a really cool galaxy look, use a layer of light purple eye shadow, April 30, 5:30 – 7:30pm | Byrdcliffe followed by another layer of blue Barn, 485 Upper Byrdcliffe Road, eye shadow. Just make sure not to Woodstock, NY completely blend them so that you get a layered look.

Finally, an unforgettable thing that you must do to complete the look, is to use black eyeliner. Put it on both lids, but don’t do a wing.

Eyeliner is essential!

My other current favorite trend that has come back is Heelys, at least at my school. They are basically sneakers that have wheels in the heels that are removable. If the wheels are in, you can basically skate around like you are on roller skates – it’s really fun and I’m OBSESSED with them. They come in multiple patterns and colors, and yes, they even make them for adults! If you went to a grocery store a few months ago, there would not be anything said about Heelys. Now there are signs banning them. Because apparently (eyeroll) they’re dangerous (not really). I just think they’re fun!

Jacket design, Makeup, modeling- All by Eden O’Clair

If you literally have no dark lipstick, a good trick is that you can use eye shadow as a substitute by first putting on Chapstick, and then a base lipstick (and if you have no good base lipstick, just put on a whole bunch of lip balm).

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 21

Date: Saturday May 7th, 8:00 AM Woodstock, NY

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Cycling to Win

he Catskill Mountains and the historic New York towns of Saugerties, Phoenicia, and Woodstock are the magnificent setting for the Women’s Woodstock Cycling Grand Prix (WWCGP). With over 50 miles of challenging and stunning terrain, this race attracts women cyclists of all ages, from around the country and Canada as well as locally. As it was created to highlight women’s skills and abilities, the event encourages all women to participate. Up until the ‘90s, men dominated athletics, and race coordinator Martin Bruhn wanted to change that.

Through the WWCGP, he hopes to draw attention to the potential that women have in cycling and sports in general.

Emma White, an 18-year-old local cyclist, already has ten years’ competitive experience and is the Silver Medal time travel world’s champion of 2015. In the interview below, she shares her experiences with cycling as well as her thoughts on the WWCGP. SCARLET DISKO: How old were you when you started cycling?

EMMA WHITE: I first started riding a bike when I was six years old. However, I didn’t start racing until I was nine.

SD: What inspired you to become a cyclist and start cycling competitively?

EW: My older brother, who’s two years older than me, inspired me.

I have been following his lead with the sport ever since.

SD: Can you explain the different types of bike racing and your favorite?

EW: Road racing is the most common type. Within road racing, there are stage races, which are longer road races that can be 6080 miles. Circuit races are shorter and typically 50-60 miles long.

In circuit races, you constantly bike a loop that is around 10 miles long. Crits or criteriums are even shorter loops that are about half a mile. Typically, you have an hour to bike around the half-mile loops which makes these races very fast, technical, and super fun.

The time trial races are my personal favorite. They can be anywhere from 6 to 20+ miles long. In a time trial race, you are on your own Champion cyclist Emma White conquers another tough incline.

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Interview by Scarlet Disko

and going as hard as you can with the most aerodynamic bike and equipment. You are racing against the clock and the times are compared to determine the winner. There is also cyclocross, which are usually shorter, usually about 40-50 minutes. Cyclocross is not judged by mileage, and has a separate season in the fall, is off road and more technical.

SD: Would you say the cycling seasons compare with track and field, as you have a cross-country season in the fall and a track and field season in the spring?

EW: Yeah, that is a good comparison. In cyclocross, you’re using a lot more of your body as you’re carrying things and running as well as biking. It’s more all-around, whereas track or road racing is more straightforward.

SD: What are the challenges that come with longer distances and times?

EW: With any sport, endurance can certainly do a number on your mind. It’s easy to believe that you cannot go any farther. Hydrating and eating are hard to keep up with. Cycling is a mental game.

SD: How many races have you participated in, and which one was your favorite?

EW: I don’t count. Between major and minor road races, I probably participate in about 20 by the end of the season. During the cyclocross season, races are every weekend from September to January.

My favorite races are the local ones because I like when other people in the country come to where I’m from. The Woodstock Grand Prix is super cool because it’s right in my backyard. But I also love traveling for the sport and seeing new places.

SD: How did you get involved in the U.S. National Team?

EW: I was under the coaches’ radar before I competed in the 2014 Nationals. I think my time trial was what clicked with them and made them decide to put me on the team. Following that year, I

Cover Story took home the silver medal in time trial at World’s. I have maintained a good relationship with the team and coaches as I continue to improve my skills.

SD: Is it intimidating to be so young on such a competitive level?

EW: I wouldn’t call it intimidating, I find it more encouraging. My coach, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kristin Armstrong, has completely enhanced my road racing experience. I can go to her for anything and she is very supportive. The other professional women I know are also helpful. Being at this level is a cool place to be at a young age; I can see what I am capable of becoming. I am really encouraged by it.

SD: Is it hard to maintain a racing career in college? Are you a full-time or part time student?

EW: I’m a full-time student at Union College in Schenectady, NY. It’s a small college, but I’m not living on campus, which has made a big difference for me.

The school is a 20-minute drive from my home. There are pros and cons, but as far as cycling goes, living at home is the best option for me. It allows me to go home and get a good night’s rest. Not to mention, the food is much better.

SD: Where has your racing taken you?

EW: It has taken me to Spain for the world championships in 2014.

The racing experience was unique and much different from what I’m used to. I have also been to Canada for multiple races. For cyclocross, I went to Belgium last fall. The rest of my races in cyclocross and road racing take me all over the United States, including California, Colorado, and Texas. I enjoy the traveling.

SD: Gearing up for the Woodstock Cycling Grand Prix, what are you expecting?

EW: If it’s anything like last year, it will be a great event and tough.

Last year, a lot of people from Canada and other parts of the country came.

SD: How competitive is the race?

EW: Very competitive. The woman that won last year had ridden for a long time. She was really strong and it was cool to see her succeed, even though I had a hard time keeping up with her.

SD: I’m not sure about the process for everything in regards to who competes in the Olympics, but do you think you would ever compete in them?

EW: Especially because I have a coach who has been in the Olympics, I could totally see myself doing it (obviously not this year, though). It is a good goal to reach for. With cycling, the world championships are more important than the Olympics.

However, when the Olympics happen they are such a big deal, so yeah, I’d love to be in them one day!

Photo: Emma at last years WWCGP 2015 in Woodstock, NY Coming Bike Event: Benefit for High Meadow School, Stone Ridge. Ride through the Shawangunk Mountains and Ashokan Reservoit (5 to 80 mile rides) . Sunday, June 5, 2016 . 3643 Main St., Stone Ridge, NY Call (845) 687-4855.

URL: ridetheridge.org on Facebook.

Local

Things in the Hudson Valley You Didn’t Even Know About!

By Jacob Internicola, age 12

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ello, Goodlife! I’ll be starting a column called… well, it’s in the title! There are many things in the Hudson Valley that I thought needed to be shared. Secret things, awesome events, hidden things and much more! Now, let’s get started!

Bridge Music

We all know the Mid-Hudson Bridge as the bridge that lights up at night. The one with the huge American flag, etc. But did you know that in the middle of the bridge, the most beautiful music can be heard?

The musician Joseph Bertolozzi is known for banging various items against the bridge to create a complex, unique sound experience. In the middle of the split centers of the bridge, there are two stations with different buttons that play some of Bertolozzi’s incredible music.

Wing’s Castle

Wing’s Castle

Wing’s Castle is an American marvel and found here in the Hudson Valley. It has been featured on TV shows, movies, and backgrounds for album covers and fashion shoots.

The architecture is extraordinary and looks exactly like a small medieval castle. Go and see it in Millbrook New York!

“Secret things, awesome events, hidden things and much more!”

Opus 40

Mid-Hudson Bridge

Note, you have to walk across the bridge to hear the music. Except, at the Highland entrance right before the bridge, there is a road on the left leading to a parking lot and you can listen to it on a radio station (95.3 FM) if you don’t want to cross the bridge. The radio station only works by the bridge, though. One more thing: next to the parking lot there are stairs down to a hiking trail! Have fun!

Minnewaska-Awosting

Located in New Paltz, NY, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of the more known state parks in Ulster County. It has beautiful scenery, great hiking trails, cliffs, and many lakes to cool down in spring and summer. It’s a perfect place to take photos!

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Opus 40 is a gigantic walkthrough sculpture park created by professor Harvey Fite that took 37 years to create. It has elaborate designs with many twists and arches and looks like a perfect place for inspiration. It is very peaceful, calming, and complex. I could see someone getting a novel idea just from looking at it. It looks like a scene from Alice in Wonderland.

Please go and see it in Saugerties, NY! For information on these places, go to: Bridge Music: www.josephbertolozzi. com/bridge-music/ Minnewaska: www.nysparks.com/ parks/127/details.aspx Opus 40: www.opus40.org/about/

Lake Minnewaska

Wing’s Castle: www.wingscastle.com/ About-Us.html

Local

Bruce Edwards hikes and points of interest

Local Hikes and Trails A longtime hiker, outdoor enthusiast and NYC musician. Bruce knows many good hikes in the Woodstock area and loves landscape photography.

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Photos by Bruce Edwards and Rachel Tricarico

Mt Tremper: Trail is a 5.7 mile out and back trail located near Phoenicia, NY recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking, accessible from March until November.

Overlook Mountain: 4.82 miles round trip from DEC parking lot to Fire Tower on Overlook Mtn Peak and back.

Echo Lake is also accessible from here. Note: Be sure to park in the parking lot and not on the street to avoid getting TICKETED!

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s Platte Clove Preserve: Area is comprised of 208 acres, with beautiful waterfalls and trails at the head of the rugged and scenic Platte Clove near the Town of Hunter in Greene County.

s McDaniel Road: 4.5 miles from Woodstock Village and down the road from the Tibetan KTD Monastery, Indian Head Mtn. is pictured in distance.

Opus 40: is made from millions of pieces of indigenous bluestone, laid by hand, creating a labyrinthine world of finely fitted stone, with ramps and terraces constructed around pools and trees and fountains. s

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Thorn Preserve: 60 beautiful acres with sweeping grassland habitat for birds, butterflies and pollinators, wetland and ponds, a profoundly peaceful area.

These attractions and many others can be found on the Web at : http://parks.ny.gov/ recreation/trails/trails-in-new-york.aspx Bruce Edwards is available for hikes and tours. E-mail: brucenyc1@yahoo.com or call Cell: (646) 661-0641.

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 27

Performance

ACTING OUT

By Jack Warren, age 18

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“Actors as young as seven years old can be heard speaking the words of fairies, gods, lords, queens and other characters of the Shakespeare canon. ” Photo provided by New Genesis

New Genesis Productions, Wayfinder and Voice Theater are three of the local groups who are letting kids explore all the joys and challenges of live performance.

Photo provided by VoiceTheater

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Photo by Matthew Wright

hy are so many teenagers drawn to acting? It seems almost counterintuitive. When caught in the throngs of adolescent awkwardness, convincing people that you’re a real human being with thoughts and emotions can be difficult enough, let alone being in front of an audience.

Still, theater groups offer two treasured resources of teenagerdom: friends and an excuse to hang out with them. The theater crowd is fantastically diverse, featuring everyone from divas to dorks to misfits, with tastes ranging from Glee to Hamilton to Hamlet. Even harder than finding friends, however, is finding one’s identity, and theater succeeds in that department, as well.

What better way is there to figure out who you are than by pretending to be someone else?

I have experience with two very different thespian communities. The first is New Genesis Productions, a youth Shakespeare troupe based in West Shokan, NY. New Genesis specializes in workshopping Shakespeare’s dense language line by line so that it may be spoken with understanding and bravado.

The longer plays are sometimes cut to fit rehearsal time and audience attention span, but the Bard’s words are kept unchanged and intact. This is particularly impressive in the summer intensives, in which, after just two weeks of rehearsal, actors as young as seven years old can be heard speaking the words of fairies, gods, lords, queens and other characters of the Shakespeare canon. The more dramatic plays are reserved for a master class, in which actors spend months analyzing the minutiae behind characters’ motivations and physical lives. Such devotion to the text allows actors to better delve into the minds of more simple-speaking, less Elizabethan characters, as well as the writers who begat them. Their last performance was a production of Romeo & Juliet set in the seedy underworld of 1970s glam rock, directed by Phil Mansfield and accompanied by the Paul Green Rock Academy show band. Coming soon is a Memorial Day weekend performance of Richard III, directed by Lesley Sawhill, as well as a collection of scenes directed by Brandon Sawhill-Aja to be performed at the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice in August.

To sign up for workshops or learn more, visit newgenesisproductions.org.

The Wayfinder Experience is on a very different side of the drama spectrum.

Traditional components of the youth theater group, such as the stage, the audience, and the script, are done away with in favor of improvisation, character-building, and saving the realm.

Participants spend the week learning about complex fantasy worlds, wielding foam swords, casting spells, and playing a two-day live action role play game in which monsters are slain and evil is fought. But don’t mistake Wayfinder for a plain and simple sword camp. “Improv” is taught in the style of the Upright Citizens Brigade, the improv comedy group that produced Amy Poehler and recent Oscar-winner, Adam McKay. (The Wayfinder staff has even included a few UCB alums!) Additionally, the live action role play component inspires players to immerse themselves in their characters and the world surrounding them. Campers frequently joke about telling out-of-touch relatives that they go to “method acting camp,” but they’re not half wrong. The high stakes of the game world forces players to explore a wide range of emotional situations from defeating terrible foes, to negotiating alliances, to healing fallen comrades, to watching friends eaten alive by demons.

This has the added benefit of attracting kids who wouldn’t normally touch a stage with a forty-nine-and-a-halffoot-pole, and even has the potential to change their minds. After all, if you’ve faced down a necromancer, what’s an audience going to do? To sign up for day camps, overnights, and one-day events, visit wayfinderexperience.com.

These are only two of the many theatrical opportunities available to young folks in the area. If you’re less Shakespeare and more Broadway, check out the New York Conservatory of the Arts, or NYCA. For more general acting workshops and modern theater productions, look up Voice Theater. Lastly, but not leastly, there is the tried and true institution of the Drama Club. Most schools offer something akin to a theater program, and if yours doesn’t, well, then you have a job to do. There are few things more fun than playing pretend with your friends, and theater kids know that that doesn’t stop when you get older.

Advice

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 29

Cover Story

Politics 1. Do you think you would make a good president? And what would you do to make your presidency remembered?

A: I have strong ideas about what this country (and the world) needs, and I feel I know how to express my ideas, so in theory, yes, I think I would make a good president. But being the president is a lot more work than many people know. It requires constant attention and would leave hardly any time for my main passion: animals. So I wouldn’t want to really be the president.

If I were president, the main principle for me would be “together.” I would work to bring people together and create a vibrant country and world that works for everyone. Where every being, human and otherwise, can live the way that works best for them, and do what makes them feel most fulfilled, and live harmoniously and respectfully with all the other beings of the country and the world.

2. If you got into office what would you do to improve the quality of school lunches?

A: Well, I would make sure kids get less GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and more organic and local food. I would want them to have bigger portions, and more time to sit and eat. I would develop school programs where kids get to grow their own food. I would make sure lunch is served outside on nice days, and I would make lunch free.

By Miriam John, age 13 5. Do you think politics and voting will change in your lifetime?

A: Absolutely! Things are always changing; nothing stays the same. I am positive that politics will change in my lifetime. I’m not sure how exactly things will change, but this is what I hope for our political future: First of all, I think having two parties has to go. We either need more known parties, or no parties. I think when we divide people up into two different political groups, all we are doing is causing unnecessary arguments. People say, “That person is from the other party. They aren’t like me at all.” And more often than not, they either want nothing to do with that person, or they start a conflict with them. It is rare when two people of opposite parties can say, “Okay, you have opposite beliefs from me, but that’s okay. We are still both wonderful people who only want the best for our country.”

This kind of talk is what we need more of.

I’ve also been wondering lately if having a single president is really the best thing. With the parties the way they are, half the people in the country don’t get what they want for up to eight years at a time! I think we need a new political system. I think it’s time for the people of this country to come together and ask, “What kind of political system will work for EVERYONE? How can we build a country, and a world, that is based on the needs and wants of every single inhabitant of this earth?”

This is a very big question that will require a very big answer, and a lot of working together, but families do this all the time, and all the inhabitants of the earth are one big family. We just need to all realize that, and then everything can come together.

3. What are the most important political issues for you at this moment?

A: I think the refugee crisis is a really important issue. People are 6. Voter turnout is generally low. How could more people be persuadcoming into this country (and others) “illegally” because it’s not ed to vote? safe where they live, and then the law forces them to leave! I strong- A: I think there are three main reasons why some people don’t vote: ly believe that we should be welcoming to anyone who comes into For one thing, a lot of people feel that they don’t have any power. our country, instead of pushing them away and making them go “What can one person do in the midst of millions?” they think. And back into dangerous places. We are all in life together, no matter so they don’t think it’s worth it to go through the trouble of voting if where we come from. There is no such thing as a “foreigner.” We they won’t make a difference anyway. People need to know that they are all each other’s family and I think we should start recognizing can indeed make a difference. that more.

Secondly, if someone doesn’t like any of the candidates, they obviThere is also something I notice in general about this country, and ously won’t feel very motivated to vote. I think having a system that although it’s not only a political issue, it certainly makes its way into allows more candidates to get into the general election would make it politics a lot. What I notice is that people divide themselves from each likely that more people would vote. other a lot. We have something inside us that tells us to make the disLastly, a lot of people have very busy lives and just don’t have tinction between “us” and “them.” We make these divisions time to vote. I’m not sure what can be done about that, so many ways: racially, politically, gender-ally, etc. We but if people feel especially inspired by a candidate, You Got to Vote notice just about everything that is different between they are obviously more likely to make the time to https://vimeo.com/156963153 people and often use that noticing of differences to vote.

Music short by Cynthia Adler: create conflict, even war. I believe we could create such a better country, and a better world, if we turned that 7. Is voting an important responsibility of a citizen? around and started noticing all the things that make us similar, and Should it be legally required, as in some European countries? all the things that bring us together. I think we are all one big American A: No, I do not think voting should be legally required. I believe a family, and worldly family! law like that would take away too much freedom. I believe that people should be free to make their own decision about whether voting 4. Do you enjoy debating with your friends? Do they agree with you is the right thing for them to do. Some people have beliefs against or have arguments? voting, and some people just don’t want to, and I think people have A: Yes, at the weekly program I go to, called Earthwalk, there is the right not to vote if they don’t want to. But if people just don’t a group of kids including me who talk a lot about politics. Those know that they can make a difference, or they just never thought of kids agree with me. I haven’t talked about politics with many other voting, I think we might be able to do more to tell people that they friends though. might want to consider voting.

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Interview

EGNY Sigi Sage Mannino Goes To Nepal:

Photo by Shiv Marabito

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n March 8th, Earth Guardians New York co-founder and Programs Director, Sigi Sage Mannino left for a two-week journey in Kathmandu, Nepal to help rebuild, after the devastating 7.8 magnitude Earthquake that struck and killed over 9,000 people and injured approximately 23,000 people a year ago. During this Event thousands of houses were destroyed leaving entire villages in ruins while archaic temples and buildings throughout Nepal were left as dust. Including the presence of Karma Triyana DharmaChakra Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Woodstock, NY, there are many people in the Hudson Valley who have strong ties to Nepal, Tibetan Buddhism and consider Kathmandu a sister community. EGNY is honored and excited that Sigi has chosen to support Nepali families in need, and expect that he will find it to be an invigorating and enlightening experience.

Working on the front lines, with ALL Hands and Project Nepal, to help the progress within this beautiful nation rebuilding and restoring houses affected by the Quake, he hopes to gain a worldly perspective on the damages that influence their everyday lives and will share his many experiences with Sigi stands in front of the ancient Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, one of the largest in the world. our community, upon his return.

Sigi will be sending updates about the work he is doing, so stay tuned to our website and facebook page.

EARTH GUARDIANS ON THE WEB: TWITTER: @earthguardianz WEBSITE: earthguardians.org FACEBOOK: facebook.com/EarthGuardiansTribe CONNECT WITH CREWS: earthguardians.ning.com YouTube: youtube.com/earthguardiankids

Do Your Part

As we approach the warmer weather, it’s time to break out our walking shoes, bikes, roller blades, skateboards, unicycles, scooters, longboards etc. to get to the places we need to go! Not only is it great exercise, but it is also a fantastic way of cutting down your carbon footprint.

Driving a car is bad for the environment, your health and is extremely expensive; here are a couple of facts: 1)By not driving just one day, you will reduce your CO2 emissions by 26 lbs and save about $3.

2)The average person loses 13 pounds of body weight during their first year of commuting by bike.

3) One quart of motor oil can contaminate 2 million gallons of fresh water.

4)The United States sends other countries almost $1 billion each day for oil to power our cars, trucks, planes, trains, and ships.

5)The average car owner spends about $10,000 each year on carrelated expenses. A bike’s upkeep is almost nothing.

6)In Japan, 15% of commuters bicycle to work. In the Netherlands, 50% of commuters bicycle to work. Less than 2% of U.S. commuters bicycle to work.

Finding other ways to get around, other than driving, is great for not only the planet, but also your mind, body and soul! This spring, take action in your life to create a new healthy habit!

www.earthguardiansNY.org www.facebook.com/EarthGuardiansNY www.hands.org/projects/nepal-earthquake-response www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com •• Page Page 31 31

Bees and Pesticides

By Forrest Tinney, age 14

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o you spray your flower beds with pesticides? Do you plant or other foraging bees keep coming back to the flowers for the next two weeks, eat GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)? If so, you are a filling the hive with nectar and pollen for the colony. Fast forward a month; it’s part of a problem plaguing the entire world’s bee population: mid-summer and everything has bloomed and gone to seed. There is nothing colony collapse disorder, or CCD. Last year, beekeepers lost to eat. Your colony starts eating the honey that was made out of the nectar 23.1% of their colonies over the winter, and for the first time the summer with neonicotinoids in it. The pesticides in the honey start messing with your losses exceeded the winter losses at 42.1%! Obviously, this is a catastrophic senses, making it hard to remember where the hive is. After a while, all of the foraging bees have lost their sense of problem because more than 30% of direction and are unable to return the world’s fruits and vegetables are to the hive. The loss of population pollinated by honeybees! has made the hive vulnerable to atYou may ask, “What is the mysterious thing killing all of these bees?” tack by other hives. It has also made Well, the answer to this question is: it impossible for the bees in the hive a group of pesticides called neonicto keep the brood warm on cold nights. The loss in population has otinoids. These pesticides are sprayed also doomed the hive for winter, beon just about every farm that sprays synthetic pesticides, herbicides, funcause they don’t have any foragers to gather honey for winter and to raise gicides, or fertilizers. These pesticides a brood. are also genetically engineered into The catastrophe caused by neonicsome GMOs, including corn and soy beans. You may ask, “What do these otinoids is immense, especially for pesticides have to do with bees?” people who rely on honeybees for a Imagine a beehive with bees flying in living, and, more importantly, those and out, looking for some nice tasty of us who eat food. A great movie nectar. Now imagine you are a bee about CCD is “The Vanishing of the flying out of this hive and you find Bees” on Netflix™; it goes into great Neonicotinoids are a class of neuro-active insecticides chemically similar to nicoa flower bed bursting with flowers. detail on how CCD works and what tine. Its use was linked in a range of studies to adverse ecological effects, including You grab as much nectar and pollen causes it. honey-bee colony collapse disorder (CCD) and loss of birds due to a reduction in as you can and head back to the hive Thank you for reading, and please insect populations. to tell the other bees about the flowers. You fly back with other foraging bees don’t use neonicotinoids or any other synthetic pesticide. and grab some more of this nectar and pollen, but what you don’t know is that To learn more about bees and beekeeping, visit the Website of Hudson Valley yesterday all of the flowers were sprayed with neonicotinoids. You and the Bee Supply at www.hudsonvalleybeesupply.com

Plastic Project

By Julep Poort-Baucom 10 yrs old.

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The world needs help...

e and my friend Izzy want to do something we call the Plastic Project. We will look around the neighborhood for colored plastic and at the end it will be a giant interactive rainbow!

Have you ever been under a rainbow?

Once we finish, we can tell everyone we have been under a rainbow, because technically we will have. Adults and kids like me can walk right under it (except the adults will need to bend down). This world can change but the reason it isn’t is because people don’t believe it can, it’s true if we don’t work together we can’t do anything but if we work together the things we can make right exceeds farPage 32 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com

ther than you can believe. Want to help us? There are so many things you can do (recycling etc.). We want to make a change for everyone’s future. Adults can change their future too -- it doesn’t matter what your age is, you can do ANYTHING.

arth Guardians all over the world are taking local actions to create global change every day. Beginning on each equinox and solstice, thousands of Earth Guardians, join each other in protecting the earth, air, water and climate. In the Spring from March 21st-June 21st, we Protect Our Earth-- this season, focusing on soil regeneration. As science begins to note that soil plays an important role in climate stability, we will be working to build healthy soil in our own communities.

With a Global Soil Sequestration Challenge, Earth Guardians and those who protect the earth are invited to build soil where you live, by planting bio intensive gardens, planting trees, regenerating soil and projects like that.

In Our Own Neighborhood:

rerilebuJ leinaD otohP

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Protect Our Future:

EG Boulder Crew

The Earth Guardians Boulder crew will

(Above) Earth Guradians’ eco-village on Vancouver be working on an exciting project called Island, BC. (Below) Eco Artist Jennifer Zackin and #SoilForLife that focuses on reinvigorating others will create art out of soil and seed in a Saugerties, the soil in order to reinvigorate the earth and the NY location.

Beginning at the end of March, Eco Artist Jennifer Zackin, (and Earth Guardians New York’s Art Director) and the incredible Long Spoon Collective will lead a permaculturally directed Nitrogen fixing community art project called, “Re:Seed Saugerties”.

The mission is to regenerate a corner lot of land and bring it back to fertile growing soil, while learning from each other, sharing with each other and beautifying the community. This project will include the Boys and Girls Club, local schools, food growing community and anyone who passes by.

Keep in touch with the EGNY crew to learn more about participating in this project, there will be many ways to engage, from designing on up!

The Long Spoon Collective:

is asking all the tough questions and having fun too!

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Where does all our food come from? Who should own land? What can we do with recycled materials? What does it feel like to work together?

This year Long Spoon is finding the answers by growing food, learning skills, teaching, and connecting with neighbors. There is great excitement about the Long Spoon teaming up with Earth Guardians NY, to mentor young people ready to take serious environmental actions, in their lives, everyday!

community. Daniel Jubelirer, EG Boulder’s local actions coordinator is heading this project that includes aspects of art and education as well as hands in the dirt activities for people of all ages.

Soil for life is a community initiative to harness the power of soil to sequester carbon, simultaneously building healthy food systems and directly reducing the amount of climate disrupting greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere, while building community.

Techniques such as bio char, perennial food forests, organic composting and holistic animal grazing, all of which build soil and help sequester CO2 into the land.

Both projects will be bringing art, music, community engagement together to educate about soil regeneration and collaborative effort.

If you want to get involved, or register your project with Protect Our Future, visit www.earthguardians.org/pof

Solar Alternative

recently took a trip to Germany with my family. We started our journey in Frankfurt and explored the Rhine and Mosel river valleys. I noticed much stronger infrastructure for solar panels and wind turbines. The U.S. could learn a lot from Germany, mainly to use much more green energy.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, “Global warming is already having significant and costly effects – and these consequences will only intensify as the planet’s temperature continues to rise.”

There is a limited amount of coal and natural gas to power the world. For example, with coal, you burn it once and it’s gone. However, the world will never run out of sunlight. If we switch to solar power or another alternative, we aren’t going to lose our source of energy over time. With solar power, you use it once and then you use it again and again because it’s renewable.

I also believe that renewable energy sources such as solar energy are

Lyle Bicking, age 13

more efficient. We need to move fossil fuels from the places they are mined to the places they are converted into electricity, which means we are spending money on gas to get the fuel to the place it needs to be.

Whereas with solar power, we don’t need to move it because it’s collected and generated in the same place.

In 2014, Germany generated 27.3 percent of electricity from renewable sources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass, compared to only 13 percent in the United States. On July 25, 2015, Germany got 78 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, setting a new world record.

To adopt these greater energy alternatives in the U.S., we first need to raise awareness on the issue. There is no question Earth is warming and that dirty energy is a cause of it. These cleaner alternative power sources are desperately needed to reduce the amount of gas escaping into the atmosphere. We need to pay attention to Germany’s energy plan because ours is not enough. www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 33

Community

RT 212 Coalition: INTERVIEW

on DRUG ABUSE

DRUG ABUSE is never an easy topic to discuss but it is becoming a growing issue within the community. The Rt. 212 Coalition is a grassroots organization that was founded by Shayna Micucci and Kasandra Quednau. The aim of the group is to raise awareness about drugs/drug addiction and to link resources to alleviate the damage of drug abuse. I got the chance to sit down and speak with them a little further.

Interview by Ryan Goetz Subject: Addiction Question: In your opinion does having a significant other or sober partner help in the rehabilitation process?

Kas: You mean having a boyfriend or a girlfriend? Not if they’re using!

There’s a huge aspect of aspect of codependency that happens in addiction.

Shayna: Another challenging aspect to having a relationship when one per- Ryan Goetz interviews Kasandra Quednau and Shayna Micucci, founders of the Rt. 212 Coalition as Caleb McNason is using is that the other person is mara listens at Yum Yum Cafe, Woodstock. always walking a fine line because the Ryan: So you’re saying that giving but not buying them food is okay. other person is not totally themselves when they are using. It can Do you think you should ask to see their wallet? And if they do have be a really tricky thing to navigate. If they can stick it out, you have money, do you choose not to buy them [groceries] because if they’re to wonder where they’re at. Are they on the enabling side or pro- going to eat a meal, [what if they] then use the money to get drugs? moting healthy living? It can be very difficult to find the balance.

Kas: That’s a good point. If you’re in the position to do so, it holds them accountable and makes them more aware of what they’re Ryan: Would you agree that offering food and housing enables the doing, and how they’re manipulating you. It’s important to make addict to have more money to feed his or her addiction? them aware that you’re not going to allow them to manipulate you.

Kas: It’s hard. I would never suggest leaving a person hungry or If they’re working and making money and not using, they would be able to afford to cover those things for themselves. Part of leaving it up to that person is teaching them ‘Okay, you have ability, so take charge.’

“Some people may view the experience of getting arrested as rock bottom, but some people might not.”

homeless but if you are giving them money, know it’s probably going to be used to buy drugs. Enabling is a slippery slope; if you love the person you don’t want them to be in danger Shayna: Yes and there are ways to assist with food unless someone is selling food for drugs…which I don’t think is typical. If you want to buy someone groceries and show them how to cook, you’re not enabling—you’re making sure your loved one has something to eat.

The homeless factor is tricky because housing someone that is using is enabling. If there are agreed-upon terms. like ‘You can’t live here if you’re going to be using,’ they still have a safe place to turn in. I do think it walks a slippery slope. Giving money is enabeling in every way Page 34 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com

Ryan: Would you agree that an addict is not going to get clean until he or she is ready?

Kas: Absolutely! One hundred percent I think that the best way to encourage someone to get clean is by letting them know that you are there when they want to reach out for support. Before my friend passed away, we took a long ride and I told him I’d bring him to the detox right then and there. Even though he said he wasn’t ready, I still contacted him every day. I told him, ‘If you want to get help, I’m here to help you help yourself.’ I’m an addict in recovery.

No one was going to help me until I was ready to help myself.

Ryan: Do you mind if I ask you a question? When did you realize, and what helped it get into your head that you needed to change?

Kas: I got arrested and sentenced to two and a third to seven years in prison. I had tried numerous times to get clean before that, without any success. The only way I was able to get clean was by being forced…to be locked and put away…from friends, the people, places and things. I couldn’t get to the drug; I couldn’t get to the people; I was isolated. That’s why I’m so proud of those who try to do it on their own because, I don’t know if I could have.

Ryan: So you’re saying that cutting ties from past friends is a big part of getting clean?

Community Kas: Yes. Shayna: Some people may view the experience of getting arrested as rock bottom, but some people might not. Coming from a lens of never personally struggling with addiction, but knowing and loving people that have, I think that going to jail–while maybe not their bottom–may enable them to get clean if they’re around long enough. Everyone’s bottom might be different.

I don’t know if everyone has to be ready. There are people that aren’t ready but end up getting help and are on the road to recovery. There are people that won’t do anything and won’t let anything help them until they believe they are ready. I think it could work both ways.

Ryan: What is the mission or purpose of the Route 212 Coalition?

Kas: Well, Ryan, we looked at it as, What would make the biggest impact on the community? What is the most realistic way that we can make that impact?

We got down to discussing how to help an addict; and how you really are going to have a hard time unless they’re ready and ask for help.

Concentrating our efforts there would not be as effective as concentrating our efforts on prevention, education, support, and awareness and ending the stigma.

Ryan: Kind of like a community awareness program?

Shayna: We do some education for the community; we offer support groups because there are a lot of people such as family and friends who need support. Anyone is welcome to come. In addition, we also connect with other resources that are in our county and try to collaborate and bring more awareness for the county as a whole and see what other projects we can help with or take on. We need to help people that are struggling; the families also need help.

Insurance is a big issue too, and we’ve been talking with people in the county about that.

There are a lot of different things that come into play. More than anything, by the two of us working really hard to network and establish relationships with other organizations such as the town board, the local police department, and the County Executive’s office, we are now able to voice what the community lets us know they need. We are a liaison to bridge the gaps between what the community needs and how we can get it done.

Shayna: Now we can go to those places and say, ‘These resources don’t exist and people need them. How can we make this happen?’

Check out the Rt. 212 Coalition at http://www.rt212coalition.org.

To Be Continued...

Photos by Dylan McNamara

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 35

Art

The Art of...

Jonathan Rowan I am a fifteen year old artist operating in Saugerties, N.Y. I prefer to work with cut paper and/or watercolor, and I enjoy depicting and the human form. I am influenced largely by Arthur Rackham, Lotte Reiniger, and Alphonse Mucha, and I have a fascination with line and contour.

Muhammed Kashan Mahmood

Age 13. This work is part of the Woodstock Artist Association and Museum (WAAM) Outreach program in conjuction with the J. Watson Bailey Middle School in Kingston, NY.

Page 36 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com odlifeyouth-

Art

Jenna Papageorgantis

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”

—Pablo Picasso

Phoebe Eis Age 12

Unicorns do normal things too!

Jospehine Internicola Age 10, from a series of comics I made called Jet Pack Kitty

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 37

Poetry Poetry

New Beginnings

By Kyiah Giannelli, age 13 The wind blows the field violently

Piece by piece it engulfs everything in its path

Creating uncertainty

Ripping its prey apart

About what is to come,

One by one

The sky lets out an enormous clap of thunder

Every gust of wind Drop of rain

Making the ground tremble The heavens open up to release a beam of lightning Of hope for better times The raindrops fall

One by one creating a glistening pool of silvery elixir The beast, a swirling churning funnel of debris, is out of control

An Untold Story

by Laura Van Aken, age 13

Everyone has an interesting story.

Everyone from the woman in the military suit, To the baby who is just leaving the hospital.

The person who doesn’t leave the house,

Spark of lightning

The person who walks with their head down,

Slowly dies out

The person who walks around with a smile,

Only to be reborn again in the future Creating a new beginning

The person who insists they aren’t that interesting….

They all have a story.

They all are interesting people, And so are you.

It always seems that the people who we Ignore day in and day out Once had an interesting life.

It could have been good or bad,

Whichever Way You Choose

Happy or sad, It could build you up

By Kaitlana Viglielmo, age 15

It’s just looking back.

That’s all it really is.

All this time I’ve just been looking back.

I can’t live in the past, I can’t live in the future, So why do I keep doing this?

This living in the past?

Worrying about the future?

The present is where we’re at And no one needs to know What you think, What you want...

Page 38 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com

Only time will tell us where we’re going to be tomorrow, And nothing is going to change where we were yesterday.

Here’s life.

Its right here in front of you.

Take it.

Don’t look back.

Don’t think ahead.

Live.

Or knock you down.

We all need to stop and listen.

Pay attention to those who “Aren’t anything out of the ordinary.”

Because I bet that they have An untold story That’s waiting to be heard.

The House

I

Poetry

By Sarah Perry, age 7

Photo by Chloe Rovitz

magine a house white, clean, classic. Simple but amazing. It cleans, cooks, warms your bed, and makes your life simple but amazingly easy. You can relax.

Now imagine that same house realizes what it’s doing. It’s tired of doing all the work you once complained of. Tick-tock seven o’clock, time to get up C. Bradbury 877. Tick-tock-tock-tock-tock…stop, why am I doing this? Why do I do this for you? Why am I the maid and not you? Are you don’t even say thanks, the house begins to think. It shifts its’ body to the right pushing, pushing. At last your advanced

house feels movement. It tries to speak again.

“Tick-tock-stop hello Mr. Featherstone, Mrs. Featherstone, Amber, Max…why don’t you answer me anymore? Do you love me? Do you?”

The house wants you to need it, because it does not need you. All of a sudden, the house feels something hot and warm. It can’t decide what it is…is it the sun? The house doesn’t know, so it begins to make breakfast, your eggs, toast, and bacon. Then it remembers you hadn’t eaten your dinner last night; they must of gone out for dinner. So the house resumes making breakfast and again feels a flash of something hot. The house now knows what the hot and warm thing is – a fire.

The house burned and burned and burned. As it did, it cursed you for not being there, for what it had done for you.

Then it begins to rain, and the house stops burning. The house is thankful for the rain. As the house slowly gets up, it forgets about it all, and begins to cook breakfast, lunch, plus dinner.

Imagine a house white, clean, classic. Simple but amazing. www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 39

Philosophy

The Wisdom of Animals

By Miriam John age:13

O

ver the three years I’ve kept mice and fish (and the many years I’ve had a cat), I have learned a lot about animals, and about life in general. Animals are very wise and like to share their wisdom with you telepathically, if you can quiet your inner chatter enough to hear them.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from my animals: “This I want to say to all of humanity: let love take over.”

-Yin (betta fish) “Cats purr to filter the four purposes of life: to love others, to receive love from others, to find yourself, and to gain experience about life.”

-Kiwi (cat) “We each have our own pieces of wisdom. Together with the universe, our wisdom comes together to create a beautiful future. Through our thoughts and feelings, we express and share our wisdom.”

-Yin (betta fish) “Every moment in the past was a now at some point, so you can be in the past and have it be now.”

-Raindrop (mouse), responding to my question on how to remember her when she dies.

I once asked my coldwater minnow, Neora, if she wanted me to release her into the wild.

Neora: No. Me: Why not? You would be so free!

Neora: I am free here in my aquarium. I chose to be with you. That is freedom of choice, and that is the best kind of freedom.

“If you aren’t sure whether you want to get into a new relationship with someone, ask your heart. If you have a heart connection with them (like your heart is merging with theirs; like there is an energetic cord between you) then the relationship is right.”

-Raindrop (mouse) I want you to think about what would happen, if every time you could fight (without causing harm to you or those you love), you did fight.”

-Dolphin (betta fish) “Everything that happens has do to with love shifting our bodies to whatever form is right.”

-Yin (betta fish) “Goodnight, it’s alright, don’t fight the night.”

-Yin (betta fish) responding to my worry that he wouldn’t make it through the night (he was sick). “[When someone dies] the light is not less strong; rather, it is intent less on one thing and more on the whole of beingness.”

-Dolphin (betta fish)

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www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 41

Sports

Recalling My Wrestling Tournament

By Adam Perry age 11

A

s the buzzer ends the match before mine, my heart rate increases dramatically. I feel the adrenaline. I go to the desk to check in, saying my last name, Perry, loudly. I glance to my left, making eye contact briefly with my opponent. I walk onto the mat in my shoes, feeling the sticky soap and water solution. Placing my foot on the side of the rectangle, I wait for the referee to blow his whistle.

Sounding almost like a train whistle, it blows, and the match has begun.

I circle, maintain eye contact, and shuffle my feet, all while keeping a low center of gravity. I wait for him to make the first move. Finally, he shoots for a double leg, but just barely saving myself, I sprawl in time. Kicking my legs out, I catch him with my right arm under his left arm and my left around his neck. I run right, trying to flip him over onto his back to pin him, but he manages to bridge and escape as if he were a cheetah. We are both back in the neutral position. The score: I have two points, he has one. I decide to shoot.

I manage to catch his left leg, picking him up and slamming him down. “Take down Green, two points Green,” the ref shouts at me.

Being Green, I finish him off with the head and arm or headlock, pinning him on his back.

I stand up, jumping, happy. I win my match.

“I finish him off with the head and arm or headlock, pinning him on his back. ”

Page 42 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com

Holidays

www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com • Page 43

Memories

In Memory of Maya Gold

F

rom the time she was a toddler Maya was a regular and enthusiastic audience member at our Hudson River Playback Theatre shows where people are invited to tell their personal stories and see them enacted on the spot. Maya always sat in the front row, always spoke up, always with a huge Maya-smile on her face.

When she was seven she and Elise came to a performance for Human Rights Day. It opened with readings from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. After the readings, Maya raised her hand. She was not smiling. “I heard a lot of ‘he’ and ‘him’,” she said.

“But no ‘she’ and ‘her’.”

She was absolutely right. Visionary though the Declaration is, its language is completely sexist. And seven-year-old Maya was affronted. She understood the relationship between language and justice. We reflected her comment in action, to her satisfaction.

Blog http://mayasgifts.elisegold.org “Maya’s Declaration”, a story from Jo Salas.

The Maya Gold Foundation was created in response to the tragic death of 15-year old Maya Gold, a New Paltz High School student who took her own life in October of 2015. A loving daughter, sister, and friend, Maya was a social activist, an inspired student, and creatively engaged in many aspects of life. She loved to travel and dreamed of working with children in Nepal, and the Maya Gold Foundation will help carry out her vision.

(September 1, 2000-October 2, 2015)

Pictured: two works of watercolor art by Maya from 2011. Portrait of Maya June 1, 2015

Page 44 • www.goodlifeyouthjournal.com

The mission of the Maya Gold Foundation is to empower youth to access their inner wisdom and realize their dreams. http://www.mayagoldfoundation.org

Memories

Harold Giles Reilly

I

t is a month today that I received the news that every parent of an addict dreads. I just wanted to take the time to say thank you to everyone who sent cards, love, hugs and prayers. Also for the churches all over the world that held masses for Harold. The community center for giving us the beautiful new space to honor my beautiful young man.

The Woodstock Reformed Church for allowing their wonderful father Josh Bode to conduct the memorial.

All who helped out, all who spoke and all who came.

It’s not easy but I have hope we will make progress in this horrible epidemic of heroin raging through our youth. Harold, you are in my thoughts and in my prayers forever and a day.

—Mummy (Sanchia Playfair)

Photo by Dylan McNamara

“Harold Giles Reilly (Figureda)... had a great head on his shoulders and a sense of humor that could brighten anyone’s day at any moment”

Harold and Rocky

Photo by Dylan McNamara

Life is such a mystery. You never know when you’ll encounter someone who moves you or makes you laugh or simply just makes the best of the worst situations.. Harold Figureda was particularly good at all of that. With a great head on his shoulders and a sense of humor that could brighten anyone’s day at any moment, he had so much potential. It’s a real shame that he was taken from us so soon.

Much love goes out to you, Harold. Much love to you too, Henry Figureda Reilly, and anyone else who has been affected. I know there’s not much I can do to help, but I’m here if you need me... I love all my friends and family so much. I hope you all know that, and if any of you need help in any way, just know there’s no shame in asking.. RIP Harold... You’ll be deeply missed, my man...

—Joda Hoffman