Rising waters, warming temps: Can Gen Z save the Hudson River?

In partnership with

Happy Thursday, Capital District! Today, we’re launching a new project, generously supported by the Youth Climate Action Fund, looking at climate-driven threats to the Hudson River. Plus, get your guide to a beautiful fall weekend 🍁 🥳 

Let’s dive in, shall we?

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Rising waters, warming temps: Trouble on the Hudson

Long before Henry Hudson explored its waterways in 1609, the Hudson River sustained numerous Native American tribes along its lushly forested shores. The Lenape called it Muhheakunnuk, The River that Runs Both Ways, owing to its defining feature as a tidal estuary.

The mighty Hudson has always been a vital source of sustenance and commerce, first for fishing and transportation, and now for tourism.

But today, the river is facing a plethora of threats as a result of climate change, including rising sea levels, more frequent flooding and warming temperatures. These changes will disrupt ecosystems, endanger riverside communities, and threaten the biodiversity of one of America’s most important waterways.

Starting this week, The 518 is launching the Youth Climate Report to look at climate-driven risks on the Hudson River and what’s being done to address them. We’ll be publishing these stories from the perspective of Gen Z writers. Perhaps more than any other generation, these young people understand the existential threat and challenge of climate change.

We invite you to follow along here. Our first story—Rising Waters: How Climate Change Threatens the Hudson—sets the stage for the series.

We’re inviting young writers (ages 16 to 24) to develop story ideas and report on them for The 518. Writers for this project will be paid per article, thanks to the generous support of Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley and the Youth Climate Action Fund, which is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.

Interested writers should contact: [email protected]. Also, if you know of climate change initiatives focused on the Hudson that our youth writers should cover, please reach out!

Reader poll: Where are you getting your Thanksgiving turkey?

Tuesday’s story on where to get the best pasture-raised turkey in the Capital Region prompted readers to tell us where they’re getting their Thanksgiving bird. A majority of y’all (62%) said you’re not even having turkey for the big meal 😲 What’s happening in America??

Nancy Cavillones wrote in to tell us that her mom always orders her turkey from Honest Weight Food Co-Op, where the birds come from Stonewood Farms and Misty Knoll in Vermont (which has something of a cult following). We would have included Honest Weight on our list but they’re no longer taking orders for Thanksgiving turkey. Nancy says you still might be able to get your hands on one after pre-orders are filled. Ask in the meat section. Btw, our own bird is coming from Misty Knoll via Honest Weight 🦃 😋

🌞 WEATHER WATCH

Why we’re fall-ing in love with Wayfair

It's no secret that Wayfair is a fun place to shop, but in a world where every penny counts, we're not just looking to have fun. Our goal is to save big on quality home goods as we gear up for the holidays. In case you're wondering, "Is Wayfair legit?" or "Is Wayfair furniture good quality?", we can confidently answer yes to those questions, and if you read Wayfair reviews, you’ll find that thousands of customers agree with us.

But there are even more reasons to love Wayfair, and Brad's Deals rounded up their top reasons. Brad (yes, it's a real guy) was a broke college student who found cheaper ways to shop and shared them with his friends in the early 2000’s. Now their experts search the web to find the best deals, and share them with users. To join the club, all you need is an email address.

See their top 5 reasons to love Wayfair.

🚚 Amazon is hiring seasonal workers for flexible, part-time positions, starting at $19.50-$20 an hour, for its Granville Delivery Station. New employees also get a $1,000 sign-on bonus. But what’s the work really like? Get the lowdown from anonymous Amazon warehouse workers here.

🥃 Troy photographer/DJ/marketing exec Jamel Mosely has reopened Troy’s beloved bar, the Whiskey Pickle—now simply called The Pickle. The crispy new name is sure to be rolling off everyone’s tongue at Saturday night’s grand re-opening party with DJ Intell Haysfield. [Times Union]

👷In case you missed it, watch this incredible video of a large moving van absolutely plowing into a DOT work zone, nearly hitting a highway worker. It’s a good reminder to pay attention, slow down and move over when you see crews on the road.

❄️ Second call! First Friday Albany is seeking local artisans & merchants who want to sell their wares during the upcoming Winter Wonders Market. Best of all—it’s free to sell! This special event will showcase local makers & merchants in various venues during First Friday on Dec. 6. Sign up to spotlight your unique wares by emailing [email protected]

⭐️ = 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ Art Night Schenectady | Fri, 5—8:30p, free. It’s only been 3 months since Schenectady revived its monthly cultural celebration and it’s getting some attention. Within a 10-min walk, you can drop into any number of cool venues, including Bear & Bird Gallery and Boho & Brass, visit a unique artist collective in the oldest home in town, and much more! Keep an eye out for the free drink vouchers scattered across the 15+ participating venues.

⭐️ Odie Leigh | Fri, 7—10p, $24.40 (hurry, tix are going fast). What began as a pandemic wager between her hip-hopping dude roommates has turned into a genuinely 🔥 indie music career with Mom + Pop Records. Don’t miss her catchy tunes and southern twang at Lark Hall.

⭐️ A Hudson Valley Reckoning | Sat, 2—3p, free. Notable author Debra Bruno gets personal with New York’s history of slavery by way of her Dutch ancestors' slave-holding past, and tells of the connections she has forged with the descendants of the enslaved people her family once owned.

⭐️ Fool Me Once, Michael Mills Magic | Sat & Sun through Nov. 23, $30. Proctors Theatre. This master of the sleight of hand also owns Saratoga’s hip underground cocktail lounge, The Misfit.

⭐️ Nutcracker Tea | Sun, 11a and 3p, $49 and up. The Historic Canfield Casino hosts the Saratoga Youth Ballet for a live performance from the Nutcracker Suite and a reading of the Nutcracker story. That’s not all, this whimsical event also includes tea, artisan shopping, and a silent auction. Don't forget to get a photo with Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy!

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

It’s a bit of a trek to Pleasant Valley, but the Llama Tour at Lilymoore Farms looks worth the drive!

TODAY

Sometimes, you just wanna see dudes in tight shorts pummel each other in spectacular fashion. Tonight, AEW presents Collision at the MVP Arena. Here’s a primer to AEW, the first serious competitor to WWE in decades.

Siena College is raising the curtain on its rendition of Guys & Dolls! with shows through Nov. 23.

This is the last weekend to see Steamer No. 10 Theatre’s showing of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

FRIDAY

Join Ranger Jakob for a full moon hike from the Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville. This is a members-only event, but you can sign up here.

The Historic Albany Foundation is hosting a warehouse social. Dig into vintage bathtubs full of refreshments, plus there will be plenty of pizza and preservation tales to share.

Put on your best whites and dancing kicks for Bachata Room’s 5th anniversary All-White Social on Friday.

Hudson-Mohawk Weavers' Guild 46th Annual Show & Sale is the largest show of handwovens in the Northeast. Fri & Sat.

SATURDAY

Meet your new fav author at the Upstate Writes Book Festival at the historic Cohoes Library.

Pentatonix redefines a cappella for this joyful Christmas show at the MVP.

SUNDAY

Get to the Clifton Park Center Mall for the popular indoor Malta Flea Market.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

💌 GET IN TOUCH!

Got a cool event, personality or place we absolutely need to cover? Or have something to say about the newsletter? Drop us a line at [email protected]!