Posts Tagged ‘Dutchess County’

HVCS’ Cheese & Wine Tasting Party Nearly Sold Out

Tuesday, October 14th, 2014

Cheese & Wine Tasting PartyThere are only a few spots left at our Cheese and Wine Tasting Party on November 5th at the Beacon Pantry in (where else?) Beacon! If sampling delicious gourmet cheese, charcuterie and fine wines is your thing, then this is an event you don’t want to miss. We’ve got a total of only 10 spots, and they’re going fast! Reserve your seat in advance by getting your ticket today using this link:

https://www.hudsonvalleycs.org/cheese/

You can purchase your tickets on that page via PayPal, or call us at (914) 785-8277.

Cheese & Wine Tasting Party – Sold Out!

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Cheese & Wine Tasting Party

You’re invited to an exclusive VIP cheese and wine tasting party to raise funds for Hudson Valley Community Services (HVCS) at the Beacon Pantry on Wednesday, November 5th at 7:30 pm. Expand your palate and learn how to choose the perfect cheese and charcuterie platter just in time for holiday entertaining. Stacey Penlon, the Beacon Pantry’s owner and “expert du fromage” will guide 10 guests through the seven kinds of cheese, each paired with wines selected by local expert Bob Brink. All proceeds benefit HVCS’ array of services for people living with chronic diseases.

This event is currently sold out. If you’d like to be added to the waiting list, or to attend a future cheese and wine tasting event, please e-mail or call us at (914) 785-8277.

Photos from the Hairdressers’ Disco Ball 2014

Tuesday, August 19th, 2014

Red Carpet photos by Instapics/Cinderella For A Day

Crowd and show shots by Tracey Buzzanco and Melisa Pendergrass

More online:

Show and behind-the-scenes photos by Jo Ann Kraus

Dragon Boat Race & Festival

Tuesday, June 24th, 2014

Dutchess County’s first Dragon Boat Race and Festival is coming up this July 5th in Poughkeepsie on the Hudson River. That same morning, the public gathers for the Annual Balloon Launch and the festival will continue the excitement for the day featuring dragon boat races along the river and an Asian Cultural Festival with live music, events, arts and artisans, and food vendors.

Do you have a food truck? Do you make handmade craft items, art, or other unique offerings?

We invite you to secure your place to participate – whether you are a food vendor, or an artist selling handmade items; we anticipate this festive event to be well-attended! Other vendors will be accepted on a space-available basis.

Date: July 5, 2014
Location: On the Hudson River in Poughkeepsie – area surrounding the Hudson River Rowing Association Community Boat House
Details:

  • The event is scheduled from 8:00am until 3:00pm.
  • We can accommodate standard size booths (up to 10×10’).
  • Chairs, tents and canopies are not provided.
  • Vendors who market food or face painting must have their insurance agent mail or fax us a Certificate of Insurance showing current liability insurance coverage before space can be confirmed (Certificate must name Arts Mid-Hudson as an additional Insured: Fax: 845-454-6902)
  • Applicants selling products or arts must submit photos and a description of proposed items for sale

Read more on the Arts Mid-Hudson Web Site.

Click to download the vendor application form.

New Video on Our YouTube Channel: Where Are You Dining on April 23?

Friday, April 18th, 2014

HVCS Receives New Nutrition Services/SNAP Grant

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014

Hudson Valley Community Services (HVCS) announced today that it has received new funding from Hunger Solutions NY to start a Nutritional Outreach and Education Program this summer in three Hudson Valley counties. The main goal of the program is to connect individuals, working families and seniors who are food-insecure and need nutritional support with a variety of services, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Offering nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families, SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. SNAP is the new term for what was called the “food stamp” program.

Starting July 1, HVCS will hire three new staff members to perform outreach in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties to find working families and seniors who qualify for SNAP but who are not yet signed up for services. The program targets people who have nutritional deficiencies but may not know that they qualify for more help. “SNAP-eligible working families with children are both everywhere, yet not easily identifiable,” says Jeff Kraus, HVCS’ Executive Director. “Families assume that they are not eligible for SNAP because they are working, that SNAP is contingent on other assistance programs, and that they need to be citizens. But SNAP is more widely available.” Kraus also stresses that social stigma plays a role. “People think that they don’t ‘look’ like they need SNAP. And if they’re not receiving other benefits, they might also be unfamiliar with procedures for accessing government programs.” He cites the traditional government program office hours as an example. “If you’re working an hourly rate job, you can’t leave between 9 and 5 to go into an office to fill out paperwork. Our staff will be able to work around such barriers.”

HVCS staffers will guide applicants through the sign-up process and can connect them to emergency food closets and other services while the application is pending.

The new program will also identify and sign up senior citizens who face their own unique nutritional shortages. Older adults are often unaware of the eligibility considerations that affect them, and may suffer from mobility and transportation limitations. “Seniors also fear the potential stigma of getting help,” Kraus says. “Our goal is to remove any barriers that keep people from accessing this vital food program.” Staff will provide outreach and education to individuals with complex needs, such as mental health or substance abuse issues, as well as immigrants, who often assume they are not eligible for many programs due to their residency status.

“We are thrilled that Hunger Solutions NY has entrusted HVCS to start this program in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties,” Kraus says. “We’re creating jobs while helping the hungry and those on the edge of hunger. This is a win-win for the Hudson Valley.”

Dining Out for Life Mid-Hudson Kick-Off

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

Join HVCS, Mid-Hudson Subaru, and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce for our Dining Out for Life Mid-Hudson Kickoff Party! It starts with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 outside the Poughkeepsie Ice House on the banks of the beautiful Hudson River. Once inside, enjoy free appetizers and a cash bar provided by the awesome staff of the Ice House. (They’re also donating a portion of your bar tab back to HVCS.) Help us start the two-week countdown to Dining Out for Life! Everyone is welcome to attend – restaurant owners, volunteers, supporters, clients, sponsors – we’d love to see you there!

“Show Your Love” Ball presented by BigGayHudsonValley.com

Thursday, January 16th, 2014

On Friday, February 14th, Big Gay Hudson Valley will host its first-ever Valentine’s Day event for the Hudson Valley LGBTQ community and their friends and allies. Created for everyone – single and the partnered – the “Show Your Love” Ball will take place at the spectacular Locust Grove Estate on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie from 7pm to 11pm.

Tickets are $80 per person. Get yours here.

Upon arrival guests will receive a glass of sparkling wine from Clinton Vineyards, and the night will feature a four course meal and open bar featuring beer and wine catered by Ed Kowalski of Crave Restaurant & Lounge in Poughkeepsie. Hudson’s very own Ophelia Nightly will serenade attendees with her fabulous voice and keep spirits lively with her divine sense of fun and camp. At the end of the meal, guests will enjoy an interactive collection of dessert stations featuring a variety of selections from local artisans like Hudson Chocolates, Adirondack Creamery, Trixie’s Oven, and Sprout Creek Farm. In addition to live entertainment, music and dancing will be served up by Superior Sounds.

Please note that gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available for all courses. Please indicate any special dietary needs when you purchase your tickets online.

A portion of the proceeds from the “Show Your Love” Ball will be donated to local Hudson Valley LGBTQ not-for-profits. Guests will have the opportunity to “show their love” for Hudson Valley LGBTQ organizations that they feel most connected to by sending a valentine to one of the groups listed below:

* Hudson Valley Community Services
* GLSEN Hudson Valley
* Hudson Pride Foundation

At the end of the night, each organization will be given a percentage portion of the evening’s proceeds based on the number of valentines they receive.

Dress for this event is “cocktail fabulous” (ie: look good for a night on the town.) Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, January 15th at 12 noon. Tickets are $80 per person with just 110 seats available. Purchase your tickets now and don’t miss this opportunity to Show Your Love for the Hudson Valley LGBTQ community this Valentine’s Day.

The Menu
~Passed Hors d’oeuvres~
New England clam chowder served in espresso cup with fried clam skewer
Tuna tartar served in mini tuile with wasabi cream and pickled ginger
Spicy Thai beef dumplings with black tahini
Mini duck sliders with pear kimchi
Fig and fontina purse with lavender
Chicken & waffle skewers with maple aioli

~First course~
Roasted red pepper bisque with lump crab salad and fried sunchokes

~Plated Salad~
Local delicata squash and endive salad served with toasted pepita seeds, arugula, farro and crown maple-whole grain mustard vinaigrette

~Entrée choice of one~
Coffee-ancho chili rubbed sirloin served with barbequed potato gnocchi, broccoli rabe, cherry tomatoes and heirloom carrots

Pan seared Scottish Salmon served with coconut cauliflower puree, salted peanut foam and cilantro gel and mango tapioca

Organic Carrot “farrotto” (risotto made with farro) served with coriander carrot puree, lambs lettuce and black garlic.(vegan/gluten free)

~Dessert~
Interactive Stations with offerings from Hudson Chocolates, Adirondack Creamery, Sprout Creek Farm, and Trixie’s Oven

Hudson Valley No Name-Calling Week

Tuesday, January 14th, 2014

No Name-Calling Week (® GLSEN) is an annual, national educational event that strives to end bullying of all kinds. In the Hudson Valley, the event runs from January 20 through January 24, 2014.

Hudson Valley No Name-Calling Week is co-sponsored with GLSEN Hudson Valley by the Center and the Safe Schools Round Table, with support from Ulster, Dutchess and Orange counties as well as participating schools and organizations.

 

The Safe Schools Round Table of the Hudson Valley, co-chaired by the Center and GLSEN Hudson Valley, brings together educators, youth service professionals, students, parents, and community leaders to advocate for safe school environments for all students.

For more information, resources and support, contact the Center at 845-331-5300 or safeschools@lgbtqcenter.org.

Trivia Night to Benefit HVCS at Chill Wine Bar, Beacon

Monday, December 30th, 2013

TriviaNight_ad_300x250newdateAnswer and ye shall receive! Join Hudson Valley Community Services for a little casual competition at Chill Wine Bar in Beacon, NY on Wednesday, February 19th. Trivia Master Todd (TMT) asks the questions while you and your teammates supply the answers. The team of four with the highest score by the end of the night will win a cash prize!

$20 donation at the door to benefit HVCS’ programs and services
Cash bar – Chill will donate a portion of your bar tab back to HVCS
Tapas menu available

7:00 – 8:00 pm: Welcome and team formation. Bring your entire team, link up with others or we can randomly assign you to a team that needs members

8:00 – 8:45 pm: Round 1

8:45 – 9:00 pm: Break

9:00 – 9:45 pm: Round 2

9:45 – 10:00 pm: Bonus round and prize ceremony

RSVP here or call us at (914) 785-8277.