History meets science: Sailing the Hudson on a sloop

Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Apologies for the late send today, but we’re still on Mexico time. We’ve made it Guanajuato, where the pace is slower, the bougainvillea is blooming, and there’s a saltwater pool at our Airbnb. We’re actually visiting friends who sold us our home in Albany (aka The 518 HQ). They’ve decamped permanently to Mexico 👋 Hola Paul & Fawn!

Today, we’re taking you down the Hudson River aboard the Clearwater sloop, where history meets science.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Inspiring the next generation on a Hudson River sloop ⛵️ 

Reported and written by Avery Webb, a sophomore at Emma Willard School in Troy, this story is part of our Youth Climate Reporting Project, generously supported by Partners for Climate Action Hudson Valley and the Youth Climate Action Fund. Read more stories from this series.

The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has been a driving force in preserving and protecting the Hudson River for more than 50 years. The nonprofit organization’s long history of activism for the estuary officially began in 1969, when it was founded by musician/activists Pete and Toshi Seeger in response to pollution on the river.

Based in Beacon, NY, the organization owns and operates the sloop Clearwater, a replica of the single-mast sailboats that were common sights on the river centuries ago. The sloops were tailored for navigating the winds, depths, and currents of the Hudson. They came into use with the settlement of the Dutch during the 17th century, in order to transport goods throughout the region. The sloops also offered passengers a leisurely sail down the Hudson, on day trips or week-long excursions to towns all along the estuary. 

By the 1890s, faster and more powerful steamships had replaced sloops as the main mode of transportation on the river. With its authentic replica, the Clearwater has brought the sloop back to the Hudson in homage to its historic past. 

Today, the mission of the Clearwater is to educate students and the public on the environmental wonders of the Hudson, fostering awareness and a sense of stewardship as they sail its waters. Through hands-on activities, Clearwater programs focus on the ecology, history, and environmental challenges of New York’s most important waterway. In a very real and fun way, the sloop inspires a connection with the river that is vital to protecting the Hudson for future generations.

Btw, the Clearwater is available for public sails and private charters. More info here.

😎 WEATHER WATCH

Last week, we asked y’all if we should keep or remove the weather section. The majority of readers (65%) voted to drop it, as we expected. Andrea suggested keeping the quote: “I enjoy the poetic descriptions of the season.” We agree!

Andrew, who runs the Keep Albany Boring blog, suggested that it might be more useful to describe the week’s weather (“it’s gonna be a wet week ahead”) rather than just showing the temps. We’re mulling this one. For today, here’s what we’ve got…

🙅 Saratoga Springs has passed an ordinance limiting short term rentals to 150 days per year. Hosts will be required to get licensed, carry $300,000 in insurance, and submit fire inspections. Violations carry fines up to $7,500. Residents pushed for these restrictions due to disruptive tourist activity, and many feel the new rules actually don’t go far enough. [Times Union]

🚧 Albany Eyesore Report: Locals are getting super irritated with Air Albany, the moldy skeleton of a luxury dorm development near UAlbany that has been stalled for three years. “We are totally disgusted with this thing here," says Vincent Rigosu, president of the Eagle Hill Neighborhood Association. Meanwhile, the Central Warehouse demo has been paused, pending a judge’s review of the contracting process. Gee, we need to get better at this whole urban planning thing.

🏡 Selling The 518 premieres Monday at 7 am on the Travel Channel. Hosted by Voorheesville native Rebecca Cavalieri of Gabler Realty, the reality show goes beyond property listings to explore the people, businesses, and hidden gems of the Capital Region (hmm… sounds familiar!) This should be interesting to watch 😅 

⭐️ = The 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ ⛳️ More than 10,000 attendees are expected at the 19th annual Adirondack Sports Summer Expo in Saratoga this weekend. Connect with outdoor sports enthusiasts at the Northeast’s premier event for running, biking, triathlons, paddling, hiking, recreation, health, fitness, and travel. Sat, Sun, 10a—4p, free.

⭐️ 💯 “Osi Audu: The Self in African Art” opens at Opalka Gallery, with a reception on Friday featuring music from the Alan Thomson Jazz Trio. Audu’s work is “designed to trigger aesthetic chills.” We literally have goosebumps in anticipation! Fri, 5:30—7:30p, free.

⭐️ 🐦‍🔥 Planetarium: Fire at No Fun is bringing the heat 🔥 Channel your inner phoenix and dress accordingly as the dance floor ignites with hot, costumed abandon. Sat, 8—11p, $10.

⭐️ 🧙 The Science of Wands & Wizardry, miSci’s magical school features hands-on wizarding classes in herbology, alchemy, potions, astronomy, and zoology, plus there will be special performances, all-day planetarium shows and walk-through stargazing. Sat, 11a—5p, $20-$25.

⭐️ 🖼️ Art Night Schenectady offers a vibrant, walkable showcase of local creativity. This month, we have our eye on Pockets Full of Lichens and Seeds, an exhibition of en plein air paintings by artist, designer and avid rock climber Joe Klockowski. Better known as the graphic designer behind Wooleybearz and Nine Pin Cider, these intimate works highlight Joe’s creative range. Gallery 5 Schenectady’s Pop-up with a Purpose Exhibition, 236 State Street, Fri, 5:30—9:30p, free.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

🌽 Proctors raises the curtain on “Shucked,” the Tony Award-winning musical about “an an unlikely hero, a lovable con man and an a-maize-ing battle for the heart & soil of Cob County.”

TONIGHT

🎙️ Poetry Open Mic at the Albany Social Justice Center features local Afro-Latino poet Adonis Richards, also known as “Sincerely, Donnie.” 7:30-9:30p, donation requested.

FRIDAY

🕵️‍♂️ Albany’s Gateway Dinner invites you to a Murder Mystery Dinner. We’ve got our eye on the cook, but maybe it’s the busboy?

SATURDAY

💼 The Capital Job Fair is your chance to meet with hundreds of local and national employers. No need to pre-register but be sure to bring copies of your resume, of course.

🎨 Collar City Coterie, a costumed model and artist club, will host Nurture of Nature, a Mother Earth-themed figure drawing event at Towers at the Hudson.

🏆️ Nanny’s Double-Dutch League is putting on its 3rd Annual Sky’s the Limit Tournament at Albany’s Washington Avenue Armory.

🍁 The Maple Syrup Festival at the Menands Market Pavilion celebrates everyone’s favorite pancake topping with food trucks, live music and balloon animals for the kiddies.

👩‍🔬 Bring the kids to Women in Science at NYS Museum and meet inspiring scientists from around the state, learning about their disciplines, current research projects, and collections.

☠️ Drink and dance to death disco at the Larkin Hi-Fi for Penetration Death Trip night.

🎙️ If you love the music of Simon & Garfunkel, then get to Cohoes Music Hall for this special tribute featuring some of the best performers from around the Capital Region.

SUNDAY

🏳️‍🌈 Vote with your wallet at the Big Gay Market in Troy, which benefits Camp Unirondack’s Queer Youth Advocacy Retreat.

🏃‍♀️ lululemon at Crossgates Mall hosts Miles Ahead: Running in College and Beyond, an event geared for local collegiate runners looking for careers in the fitness industry. Free.

🧑‍🚒 Brown’s Brewing Company hosts the Firehouse Chili Cookoff, celebrating the culinary talents of our firefighting heroes.

🎻 Troy Savings Bank Music Hall hosts the Next Generation Festival featuring classical music performances from the most talented collegiate musicians at RPI, UAlbany, Bard and more!

🍁 The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center in Albany invites you to their annual maple boil down. Sample pancakes made from their own chicken eggs, and tour this wonderful 1-acre urban farm. 1-4p, free.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

🦫 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]