ANNUAL GARAGE SALE SET FOR APRIL 24, 25: OCCA will hold its annual garage sale fundraiser on Saturday and Sunday, April 24 and 25 in the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market Building (located in the alley behind the Cooperstown KeyBank). The official collection dates for donations of materials will be Saturday, April 17 through Friday, April 23. All donations are tax deductible: OCCA will provide a donation voucher to any donors so requesting. No televisions this year, please. Those interested in dropping off materials sooner, or who would like more information about volunteering to assist with the event, should call 607-547-4488 or e-mail [email protected] for further details.

NATURAL GAS PRESENTATIONS PART OF EARTH FESTIVAL SEMINAR SERIES: This Saturday, April 10 the Earth Festival Seminar Series will explore various aspects of natural gas drilling as four speakers from the environmental, oil and gas, and legal communities take the stage to share their perspectives and concerns.Beginning at 10:50 a.m., Otsego County Conservation Association Executive Director Erik Miller will explain how to recognize, document and report possible violation of environmental laws and regulations and who to call in the event of environmental harm or public safety issues. His talk, titled “Basic Forensic Watershed Monitoring Procedures,” is based on Pine Creek Waterdogs training course materials created by the Pine Creek Headwaters Protection Group in Pennsylvania.From 11:10-11:30 a.m., Lou Allstadt will present “How Not To Regulate Gas Drilling: The Ten Biggest Mistakes in New York’s Proposed Regulations.” Allstadt, a former Mobil executive, will focus on his concerns regarding the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s draft regulations for natural gas drilling.Orville Cole, president of Gastem USA, will then discuss “Local Protocols Designed To Enhance Safe Gas Exploration.” Gastem has recently drilled three wells in Otsego County – including the Ross 1 well in the Town of Maryland – using vertical hydraulic fracturing, with a fourth proposed.Attorney and Afton Board member Mary Jo Long will conclude the natural gas drilling portion of the Earth Festival Seminar Series with her overview of legal considerations for individuals and towns. The Earth Festival Seminar Series will run from 8:30 a.m. (registration) to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is preferred by April 9 at www.occainfo.org (click the "Seminar Series" link) or by phoning 607-547-4488 or 607-547-4020, but walk-ins can also pay at the door. The fee of $10 covers attendance at any or all of the presentations and refreshments, and includes admittance to the traditional Earth Festival activities held concurrently in both gymnasiums. The registration fee will be waived for students, and scholarships are available for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.Building on the success of its January renewable energy workshop, and in response to the growing public interest in alternative energy, the Otsego County Conservation Association has teamed with Wildlife Learning Company to offer this Earth Festival Seminar Series on topics ranging from energy audits and retrofits to natural gas drilling to zero waste. On Saturday, in the Milford Central School auditorium, industry professionals will give presentations on geothermal and solar thermal energy and Finnish wood stoves. The importance of energy audits will be discussed, as will both residential and commercial energy retrofitting. With the information and materials provided, home and business owners will be better able to assess renewable energy options and evaluate the compatibility of these energy sources with their individual sites and lifestyles.

‘GO GREEN FASHION SHOW PREMIERS AT EARTH FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY: The Milford Central School Education Foundation invites the community to attend its first “Go Green” Fashion Show scheduled for this Saturday, April 10 from 3-5 p.m. following the Earth Festival in Milford. The fashion show will begin with a reception featuring a catered buffet of hors d’oeuvres, desserts and beverages and a viewing of an Eco-Art exhibition in the small gym. Students, parents and friends will then model a variety of outfits and accessories that were created from recycled materials and old clothing. Judges for the show include Leslie Ann of WZOZ, textile designer Sally Jones of Oneonta, community volunteer and designer Cindy Seward, and master seamstress and designer Sally Rigby of Cooperstown. Prizes will be awarded and attendees can cast their ballots for the Viewer’s Choice Award. Guests will also be entered into a drawing for more than a dozen door prizes, and can purchase raffle tickets to win one of three major prizes including a $100 gift certificate to Alex and Ika restaurant, a $100 jewelry and accessory gift basket, and a $300 assortment of Arbonne skin care products. The show has also been sponsored in part by the following area businesses: Barnyard Swing, Cooperstown Weekly Rentals, Oneonta Redemption Center, Homestead Auto, Krol Welding, JS Ward Construction, Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground and Otsego Auto Crushers. The fashion show is open to the public and will benefit the MEF. Tickets are $10 each and tables of eight may be reserved in advanced for a reduced price of $60 per table. All proceeds will go toward this new foundation, an independent non-profit organization created to help fund scholarships, innovative student programming and community service projects that are not covered by the annual district budget. To purchase tickets to the show or raffle tickets, contact Lorre Gregory at 286-7721, ext. 8408, Lori Henry at 286-9949 or e-mail [email protected]  Tickets will also be available at Milford Central School on Friday evening, April 9 at the free movie showing of Wall-E, and during the Earth Festival on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CHURCH SCHEDULES COMPUTER COLLECTION:Earth Day Computer Recycling is set for Saturday, April 24from 8 a.m. to noon in the church driveway of First United Presbyterian (the “Red Door”) Church at the corner of Main Street and Walling Avenue (across from Friendly’s) in Oneonta. Deb Collins of DK Recycling will again collect for FREE the following items: computers, keyboards, monitors, mice, computer speakers, printers, copiers, print cartridges, scrap circuit boards, cables, disc drives, projectors, photo equipment, VCR/DVD players, telephone equipment, medical equipment, scientific equipment, and control modules.  NO TVs, stereos or stereo speakers, batteries, light bulbs, microwaves, or other appliances. For more information, call the church office at (607) 432-7520 or Deb at (607) 859-9400.

Darla M. Youngs

Administrative Director

Otsego County Conservation Association

PO Box 931, 101 Main Street

Cooperstown, NY 13326

607-547-4488

www.OCCAinfo.org