Habitat For Humanity Benefits

Columbia County Habitat for Humanity is in the midst of a ground breaking (pun intended) build in the heart of Hudson, NY. A Passive Townhouse.  What is a Passive house?  It's a highly energy efficient home built using a super tight building envelope and insulation. It stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter with minimal additional heating source.  Dennis Wedlick architect has partnered with Habitat to build the first affordable housing Passive home.

In support of Columbia County Habitat For Humanity, on Sunday January 27th at the popular Club Helsinki, local yet internationally known bass players, a cellist and me will perform. read on:

HOME BASS: 4 Strings, 4 Hearts for Habitat, will be a once-in-a-lifetime cabaret concert on January 27, 2013, at Helsinki Hudson in Hudson, NY. Hosted by Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole/Smashing Pumpkins), HOME BASS will feature special guests (in alphabetical order), Melora Creager (Rasputina), Meshell Ndegeocello, Tommy Stinson (The Replacements/Guns ‘n Roses) and friends, with a special appearance by NYC Subway Girl Cathy Grier. The event will be a unique and intimate evening celebrating the worldwide work of Habitat for Humanity, which is founded on the conviction that every family should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live.
These internationally-acclaimed, Hudson-based musicians – three bassists and a cellist – have never joined artistic forces before, and have chosen to come together for Habitat. HOME BASS will follow a cabaret style format, with rotating cast of players and special guests playing original songs and covers.  
The concert will benefit Columbia County Habitat and its innovative project, the Columbia Passive Townhouses. Now being built in Hudson at 244-246 Columbia Street, these revolutionary homes will reduce their owners’ energy consumption and costs by 90%. They are the first affordable housing to be built in New York State according to Passive House design and construction standards.

Supporting this type of organization brings community together, through volunteering, donated services and other types of involvement.

Habitat For Humanity also has a Re-Store: 829 Route 66, Hudson (Intersection of Route 66 and 9H, behind Village Dodge) Hours: Friday, 9-5 pm & Saturday, 9-4 pm

What is A ReStore?
A Habitat ReStore is a retail outlet selling donated, quality used and surplus building materials at a fraction of normal retail prices. Many Habitat organizations have successfully started ReStore operations. In addition to raising funds for home construction, our ReStore will also help the environment by encouraging the recycling of usable materials rather than their disposal.  Our goal is to keep materials out of landfills, while making home improvements affordable.

Columbia County Habitat invites the general public to shop, browse and buy surplus and reusable building materials. As a home improvement retail shop, ReStore attracts anyone looking for good bargains. Discounts can be significant, and all homeowners on a budget, as well as builders and contractors who want a good buy, can shop at our ReStore.

How ReStore works
ReStore’s operations consists of receiving (and selectively picking up) merchandise, pricing, displaying and selling merchandise, as well as data tracking for all the above. Volunteer staff runs the operation under the supervision of the Habitat’s Executive Director.  Receiving, pricing and displaying are done largely from Monday through Thursday, when the store is not open for retail business.

ReStore materials donated and sold include:

• Appliances: less than 5 years old
• Lumber
• Building/architectural items
• Insulation
• Cabinets/countertops
• Paint, stain and wall covering
• Doors, windows and screens
• Plumbing fixtures and hardware
• Electrical supplies and fixtures
• Roofing: shingles and flashing
• Flooring: tile, wood, laminate
• Tiles
• Hardware working tools

ReStore requests that donors call ahead to confirm which items we are currently accepting.

Volunteering at ReStore
The ReStore offers a casual, friendly retail environment. Volunteers play a major role in helping to keep the store stocked, clean, neat and functioning efficiently and professionally. Safety is important, and is emphasized no matter what task a volunteer performs.

Individuals  are needed on our operating days to assist with sorting and preparing donations, pricing, re-stocking and tidying up shelves and the sales floor, and with assisting customers with loading purchases or finding their way around the store.

what can you do?

• Volunteer to build- really- swing a hammer or......

Where? 244-246 Columbia Street, Hudson, NY Between September 2012- February 2013, there is a call for volunteers: Individuals, businesses, schools, faith-based groups or community organizations.To volunteer, Volunteer Coordinator  email volunteer@columbiacountyhabitat.org.

• Donate materials including paper goods, cardboard etc to the Re-Store's recycling bins by GreenFiber (a local manufacturer) who then recycle into cellulose insulation. Habitat Executive Director Brenda Adams explains, “Thanks to GreenFiber, we now have a new revenue source. It’s also another way for Columbia County residents to support Habitat. From August through October, we recycled 11.76 tons of material, which made 917 bags of insulation and earned us $294.” There are two GreenFiber recycling containers at the ReStore, located at Route 66 and 9H in Greenport. GreenFiber accepts cardboard boxes, paper of any color, magazines, books (with covers), newspapers and corrugated cartons. The only materials that can’t be accepted are pizza boxes and greasy paper. Look for the frog on the green dumpsters in the ReStore parking lot. It’s ALWAYS open.

GreenFiber’s blow-in cellulose insulation is a natural fiber product made of 85% recycled content, providing homeowners with an environmentally-friendly choice for building, renovation and re-insulation projects. The company’s manufacturing process is low impact, because cellulose is produced in electrically driven mills that consume relatively little energy when operating and none otherwise.
GreenFiber products use locally available raw materials, further reducing its corporate carbon footprint. Established in 2000 and headquartered in Charlotte, NC, US GreenFiber LLC is the largest manufacturer of natural fiber insulation, fire and sound products. To date, GreenFiber has diverted nearly 3 million tons of recycled materials from landfills. One ton of recycled paper: saves 17 trees, saves 4,000 kilowatts of energy and provides enough GreenFiber blow-in insulation to cover the attic of a 2,500 square foot home. GreenFiber sells to building supply retailers, manufactured housing builders and insulation contractors in the U.S. and Canada

For more information: 518-828-0892 | 829 Route 66 Hudson, NY 12534 

And if you're not in the area find a local chapter and get involved.

Habitat For Humanity Columbia county

Sunday January 27th Columbia County Habitat For Humanity benefit concert Club Helsinki, Hudson NY 7pm, I will be making a special guest appearance and joining my set will be bassist Dan Kleederman.

It's going to be a crazy fun night of music and support of a wonderful organization.

From Rural Intelligence webzine: Hosted by comely rock goddess Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole/Smashing Pumpkins), with multi-Grammy nominee Meshell Ndegeocello, “personification of rock n’ roll” Tommy Stinson (The Replacements/Guns ‘N’ Roses), and beguiling cello maven Melora Creager (Rasputina), Home Bass will honor and benefit Habitat for Humanity’s Columbia County chapter and its innovative Columbia Passive Townhouses, which offer affordable, sensible housing for low-income families. (Passive Townhouses reduce their owners’ energy consumption and costs by 90%.)

This organization is making such a difference in the community. They are providing sustainable neighborhood low income-housing. Connecting volunteers and the local community while empowering the future owner is amazing to see. Another great community gem is Habitat For Humanity's Re-Store - where reusable building materials are donated and available for purchase.  You can also recycle your paper goods in bins supplied by a cellulose insulation manufacturer in the Albany area, GreenFiber. In turn they are provide insulation made from recycling paper to Habitat's projects. The Re-Store is located at 829 Route 66, Hudson (Intersection of Route 66 and 9H, behind Village Dodge).

Presidential inauguration on MLK day

It's an important day for our country.  The timing of Barack Obama being sworn in for his second Presidential term and the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. is very inspiring.

Today I think of a non-violent and peaceful society.  I will be singing from 3-6pm at Grand Central mezzanine just above the 4/5/6 platform and near the shuttle corridor. Dan Kleederman will join me on bass we'll be rehearsing our set for Sunday 27th appearance Habitat For Humanity gig in Hudson NY with Melissa Auf Der Maur, Melora Creager, Meshell Ndegeocello and Tommy Stinson. 

If you happen to be out and about come by and allow me to film you for my What's Your Inspiration? project, and how Dr. King's life has inspired yours.

Dr. King inspired me to have a conscious and seek out truth, to believe in peaceful protest, to understand that only with a voice can we be heard.  I learned that music is a powerful tool against ignorance and hate. that is what I will sing about today.

some words from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's last address April 3, 1968 at Riverside Church given the night before he was assassinated.

"....only when it was dark enough can you see the stars......non-violence or non-existence that is where we are today...we got to stay together and maintain unity...."

Moon Hooch "Cave Music"

I love to share the music of other musicians whom I discover as I travel throughout the city.  Enjoy the sounds of Moon Hooch.

I discovered Moon Hooch playing outside at Columbus Circle. They play an amazing brand of house music with the uncharacteristic instrumentation of drums and two saxophones. They call it "Cave Music–It's like House, but its more wild, more jagged, more free, more natural to live in." Cool stuff!

intro words + music by C. Grier "Through My Eyes" singerfish publishing SESAC

edited by Dan Kleederman

The Back Of The Busk webseries

Back Story to the clip: Last October, Mithun Bhat and Nick Capezzera saw me performing in Grand Central and filmed my performance for their up and coming web series, "The Back Of The Busk." In turn I filmed them for my Inspiration Project. The next day, Mithun and crew traveled to Union Square to interview me for their episode.

It's fun to see how my episode turned out. In it I sing my songs: What Fools Do, Good Thing, Through My Eyes, and Comin' Back To Me.

Check out inspirations from Mithun, Michael, Nick, and Hardy the rest of the film crew, and to help in better context, one from Music Under NY musician Delpin Tardio whom I mentioned in the Back Of The Busk interview.

Happy New Year

Numerically speaking we start 2013 with a clean slate and so the New Year should be Happy. Ever mindful that we ended 2012 on such a low note of tragedy with societal angst and finger pointing, I can only hope the next 12 months will bring us more peace and love into the world. Whether it is standing up and speaking out against rape, gun violence, environmental abuse, or any other action that hurts others, I will be there to do my share. And I hope you will too. If there is anything close to being called a resolution, I guess this is it. But also remember to champion and seek out the good stuff too. The endless news cycles of horrors shouldn't obscure the cool stuff, the fun and inspirational experiences that do occur every day somewhere in the world.

In reflecting on my personal and professional 2012, I am thankful I stayed healthy and in good voice. Singing in public spaces to a non-paying audience (although technically a metro swipe is payment of sorts, and I do accept contributions) over hours, continues to develop my performing skills in ways unimaginable. 

In 2012 from Joe's Pub to the Hudson Opera House, Club Helsinki to Celebrate Brooklyn!, I ventured onto those stages with high tech sound and lights, I could sense how my public performance experiences taught me a comfort within myself and my art. To in a way, not take myself so seriously. I chose to consider less my impact on the audience as I was performing and stayed more in the moment helping to bring out why I love to sing and play guitar in the first place.  

In 2012 I became more of a filmmaker, spending hours editing clips for my website and ever developing "Inspiration Project" where I film people I meet mostly during my Music Under New York performances, and ask "What's Your Inspiration?"  I currently have more than 200 videos on my site and youtube channel  I also wrote theme songs to web series "Subway The Series" and "HerStory," not to mention writing a song for Eve Ensler's new movement "One Billion Rising" set for February 14, 2013.

In 2013, my wish is to perform more "above ground," sharing the stories of NYCSubwayGirl from concert stages to House concerts. And to continue to create short films, the wonderful exposés of the inspirational people I meet underground. I look forward to creating and producing my first full length recording in over 10 years. And I hope to find a "team" to help me realize my dreams and goals.  I know I can't do this on my own.   

I start the New Year with a wonderful guest appearance in Hudson, NY January 27th at Club Helsinki to benefit Habitat For Humanity with musicians Melissa Auf Der Maur, Melora Creager, Meshell Ndegeocello and Tommy Stinson. Also, in keeping with my 2013 wish to work with others, Dan Kleederman (another Music Under New York artist) will be joining me on the bass. 

I return to Music Under New York performances as the weather allows.

I'd love to hear from you and would appreciate any thoughts you might have on how to help me achieve my goals. I wish you the best in seeking and achieving yours.

Happy prosperous New Year,

Cathy

NYCSubwayGirl

Here's the short film I created in 2012 which was shown at FilmColumbia Festival this past October as the opener to Dustin Hoffman's film "Quartet" about aging retired Opera performers.

Year End Giving

I am sending best wishes to everyone during this Holiday Season. As 2012 comes to a close I divvy up my busking proceeds and donate a portion to organizations I feel are doing wonderful work. Personally I support organizations who are dedicated to arts and education, but also to those who create sustainable measures for our planet and the environment, and those who work hard for justice and equality.  

There are a few days left before 2012 clicks forward to 2013. I have a section on my site where I list the Champions I support. I urge you to take a moment and join me in supporting what ever organizations you feel have worked hard so we can have a more beautiful, educated, sustainable, peaceful and truthful planet for all.

All the best for a Happy and Healthy New Year,

Cathy

NYCSubwayGirl

Happy Holidays

here's a little clip I put together of some iconic NY locations and fun subway performers, including a guest appearance from a 4 legged friend.

For a Greener Holiday

Here's some ideas on how to be more environmentally thoughtful for the Holiday shopping, gift giving season.

In the NYC area there are 2 champion organizations who know about the 3 R's -  Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I urge you to check them out and learn more about how you can make a difference in dealing with reducing, reusing and recycling your waste:

Broadway Green Alliance great tips on where to recycle things

Lower East Ecology Center, in January they kick off a multi-location "After The Holidays E-waste Drive" to collect unwanted electronics that should be disposed of with thoughtful concern for our health and environment.

and the NRDC has a great blog called This Green Blog by Sheryl Eisenberg check out her latest, Green Your Holidays

Shopping has an environmental cost, especially online shopping with extra packing and shipping cost of transporting those gifts door to door.  Did you know that 25% more waste is produced between Thanksgiving and New Year's? Be mindful of how to reuse packing boxes and materials.  When shopping, bring bags with you so you don't arrive home with so much unnecessary waste.

Recycle old wrapping paper, cards, boxes and packing materials.  I collect throughout the year and reuse.  What to do with the plastic bubble wrap shipping envelopes?  I reuse those too, either covering over the address to add the new one, or filling a box with them as packing materials.

Most wrapping paper and cards use toxic paint and dye.  I try and reuse those as much as possible. I also take last years Holiday cards and cut off the covers and find a creative way to send a "new" card to family and friends. Or make Christmas tree ornaments by cutting out shapes and holiday images. 

For wrapping paper, I save and trim off any old tape or ripped sections.  This year I used all old paper to wrap gifts.  In our family with people as far away as Oregon, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan and Florida, we were happy to pack our Christmas packages with boxes and packing that we reused from previous packages.  In our apartment with little space, I do break down the box and store flat in the back of the closet.  Sure I need to use extra packing tape that way, but it's better than throwing the entire box out.  so much better to use an already existing box. Imagine the energy used to take a cardboard box and turn it into a new one.  I'd rather just use the old one.

When I get those pesky Styrofoam packing peanuts I fill up a small plastic bag like one you can get at the veggies aisle at the grocery store. With an old twist tie from a bag of bread, I tie off the bag.  These small packs of packing I reuse to fill my boxes and more importantly the recipient doesn't get to open a box with Styrofoam peanuts flying all over the place. If I can't use them, then I donate to a local shipping store. 

My thoughts:

1-Reuse wrapping paper. Think twice before crunching up wrapping paper, take a moment and fold and save for next year.

2-Reuse boxes and packing materials.  If you can't reuse, find a local shipping store and donate your boxes and packing materials.  They are happy to have them.

3-create new creative cards and ornaments form old Holiday cards.

4-Bring your own shopping bags with you to the store to reuse multiple times instead of gathering more waste.

Not bad, all these gifts were wrapped with reused paper!

Happy Solstice,

Cathy NYCSubwayGirl 

Ab + Zu Concrete Jungle Jam

Ab + Zu are percussionists who normally perform inside a moving subway car.  Personally I don't have the balance (what I call subway legs) or the lack of fear I'll impale someone with my guitar neck, so I stick to the stations.  Zu commented on my Emotional Creature t-shirt (Eve Ensler's new play worth seeing).

I have known Ab + Zu for many years and we are always happy to see each other, but this was the first time they actually jammed with me. I'm happy to have caught it on tape. I filmed them for my "What's Your Inspiration?" project when I was first developing it.  

What inspires Ab + Zu?  "Good energy and positive vibes...if you embrace it, it will embrace you."

Jungle words and music C. Grier SESAC Singerfish Publishing

What's Your Inspiration?  

http:/nycsubwaygirl.com 

Singing Holiday song to rescued Equines

This is a clip of me singing a holiday song at an amazing equine sanctuary. The back story: On a recent December Sunday I visited Equine Advocates Sanctuary in Chatham, NY. I have visited the sanctuary multiple times since first hearing about the rescue of a NYC Carriage horse named Bobby. For me, any time a carriage horse is off the streets is a happy ending. To learn Bobby was initially headed for slaughter then saved to live his life out in a sanctuary, I was curious to see for myself his new home. Since then I have happily performed for various events benefiting Equine Advocates.  

Susan Wagner the President and executive director and her sister Karen invited me to return to walk through pastures singing a holiday song Susan adapted for a virtual Holiday Greeting card.  Always one for a good time, I grabbed my guitar and with friend and EA board member Elizabeth Hess, we met Susan and Karen to film the song set to the music of Winter Wonderland. We had a blast wandering around each paddock inviting the equines to join in.  I learned that equines have a good sense of humor and fortunately for me they weren't spooked and neither was I.

I hope you enjoy this fun little holiday greeting as much as I did.

Here are some past clips I made of my visits to the Sancturary:

Bobby Rescued Carriage Horse

In my first visit to EA Bobby a NYC carriage horse had arrived after being rescued from slaughter. 

Speaking with Susan Wagner I asked her my favorite question "What's Your Inspiration?" Her inspiration for starting Equine Advocates was a rescue horse named Gandolf, but her inspiration in life is fear of doing something everyday that she can't stand, so she did something that she liked to do-rescue equines.

Return vist for Bobby's 1st year "Re-Birthday" at Equine Advocates

June 25, 2010  Cathy and Ron Wong are Bobby's sponsor.  You too can sponsorone of the many equines at the sanctuary

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Times Square real life in split second frames

every once and a while a photographer comes along and captures perfectly the experience of an underground performer. November 29th happened to be such a day. Maybe it was that odd scenario where in the midst of so many strangers, a few friends passed by at just the right moment.

images by Nousha Salimi:

singing for friend Jorge Vargas (Broadway + film make-up artist)

a surprise visit by Music Under New York Coordinator Tim Higginbotham

a chance hug from friend Roger Rees (exceptional actor and director)

On rare occasions, I have the joy of a spontaneous jam with other musicians. The next group scheduled after me to perform was Music Under New York group Yes Noyes, and they happily joined in to the delight of those passing by.

It's these moments captured here that show the real time life of the underground captured in split second frames.  I especially like the couple kissing off to the left.

Thank you Nousha

Winter Walk celebration

What a fun gig singing inside Culture+Commerce Project during this year's Winter Walk in Hudson NY. My good friend Sherry Jo Williams owns the shop (we met years ago as neighbors in the East Village) and another good friend photographer  Lilian Haidar (she has photographed me for years including doing the images for my 1998 Retracing CD) came along and captured these shots. People walked up and down the vehicular-less Warren Street, stopping in front of shops and listening to the music inside. It was a piece of small town America at it's best.

inside looking out

 outside looking in

images by Lilian Haidar photography

Winter Walk Hudson New York

Culture + Commerce Project 428 Warren Street, Hudson New York

Happy Thanksgiving

As we head into our Thanksgiving celebrations, I send wishes for a peaceful time of reflection, and gathering with friends and families.  I can't stand how the Black Friday consumption frenzy pulls people out of the quiet time zone into a need to get the best deal on stuff. I choose to join in the idea of buy nothing day  

Try and stay away from the computer Thursday.  Look to the sky, find a star, make a wish, smile at someone, anyone.  Makes you feel good.

MTA Culture Connections back online

After almost 3 weeks of service interruptions, closings and commuter disruptions, most of the transit systems are open and functioning.  MTA transit information

The MTA website had been used exclusively for up to the minute reports and information.  I am happy to share that the main website is now back online, meaning links to the cultural side have returned.  If you haven't ever visited these sections I encourage you to take a look, there is so much art throughout the city in public spaces.

Arts For Transit  mosaics, sculpture, and more, here's a wonderful clip about the Arts For Transit program aired on PBS

Poetry In Motion  found in subway cars and stations, poetry to read, recite and inspire.

and of course important to my world: 

Music Under New York is the program created to showcase music in the transit stations.

Post Sandy information about the flooded South Ferry station is that it continues to be closed.  Artists Doug and Mike Starn created the Arts For Transit installation.  I had a wonderful email exchange with Mike regarding the condition of the flooded station after the storm, he wrote, "the map piece we did is all about the changing island- the same island drawn in 1640 and we over laid with the contemporary map--- climate change will also have its affect on the island, and we think seeing some of that evidence would be a good thing."

Donating my tips to buy food

by now most of our area is back to work, trains, tunnels and transit almost to 100% pre Hurricane schedules.  But there are still pockets of devastation, people without power, without homes, and a sense of urgency to get back to "normal."  I know it seems trivial, but today and all this week I will sing for NY and will be donating the contributions I receive to help those in need.

GrowNYC/Greenmarket and local community kitchens will be providing healthy food for those affected by Hurricane Sandy and relief workers. So I will be taking the contributions to the Union Square farmers market purchasing food as an immediate way to help.  

where to find me 

(this week: Tuesday 13th in Grand Central Graybar corridor from 12-3, Wednesday 14th Columbus Circle uptown 1 platform 12-3), Thursday 15th WhiteHall SI ferry terminal 3-6, Friday Nov 16th at Union SQ 12-3)

I have been singing with the Music Under NY program since 1999, I sang throughout the 9-11 disaster and find comfort in being able to provide music in public spaces. Now through the contributions of commuters I have a wonderful way to help.

here's a short film I created to show my world as a subway musician

Veterans Day

Ever mindful of the continued crisis in the wake of Storm Sandy, I honor our National Guard who were sent to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq now using their skills and efforts here at home. But I am also heartened to learn while listening to a wonderful NPR program this morning, of an organization called Team Rubicon. 

Team Rubicon unites the skills and experiences of military veterans with medical professionals to rapidly deploy emergency response teams into crisis situations. And they are on the ground now working hard in the disaster areas hard hit by Storm Sandy.

I am a peace activist, but I can also appreciate and honor our Veterans of our Military and National Guard.

I hope today's event is full of joy and pride.

I look to a future and a Country that does not go to war. One that does not invade, occupy or drone others in the name of our freedom.

listen to Weekend Edition Sunday on NPR story: Veterans Deploy To Northeast After Superstorm Sandyby QUIL LAWRENCE 

If You Care

tip of the week: A shout out to household product company If You Care 

their mission statement:

If You Care kitchen and household products are carefully and deliberately crafted to have the least environmental impact and the lightest carbon footprint possible, while at the same time, delivering to the consumer, the highest quality and most effective results.

Storm Sandy Recovery Help

WNYC the local public radio station has a great post with info on how to help the recovery after Storm Sandy.  You can find it here.

MTA link for the latest transit information

I'm hearing from more and more musicians who were thankfully okay during the storm and are now getting back to their work.

You'll be able to find me next week:

Tues Grand Central Graybar corrdior near track 11 12pm-3pm

Weds Columbus Circle uptown 1 platform 12pm-3pm

Thurs White Hall SI ferry terminal 3pm-6pm

Friday Union Square above N/R 12pm-3pm

Hope your commute is getting easier to get around.