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View this Issue of the
CTW Paper
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Previous Issues
Volume 4, Issue 5 - August 2011
Opening Our Hearts to Where We Live:
7th Annual Woodstock Volunteers Day
Hair at the Woodstock Playhouse
Come to Hunter: A Whole Lot of Hunter this Summer!
Come to Kingston:
Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, August 6
Come to Phoenicia: The Catskill Mountain Railroad
REAL Estate: PAY NO CAPITAL GAINS TAX!
The 1031 Exchange
Digging As You Like It
By Ed D. Vere
For the 16th season of the Woodstock Shakespeare Festival at the Comeau Property in Woodstock, Bird-on-a-Cliff Theatre Company presents As You like It. The opening performance is on Friday, July 29th. The play continues to run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at 5 pm, and through Labor Day weekend.
As far as scholars can tell,
As You Like It was written by William Shakespeare around 1599. Set in the
Forest of Arden, where the character Orlando carves his lover’s name in “every tree,” the play is considered one of Shakespeare’s most bucolic comedies, with a delightful feminist twist.
Although As You Like It was written at the end of the 16th century, producer/actor Elli Michaels and director/actor David Aston-Reese have changed the setting of this play to the 1950s. Yikes! Poodle skirts and Bongo Drums? What does this have to do with the famous 16th century Bard?
According to Aston-Reese, it has more to do with 21st century humans. “We’ve found that by presenting these classics in a more familiar setting, the audience [is] drawn into the story.”
Music director, Steve Russomano, who also performs as Amiens, is converting the traditional Shakespearean songs to Bebop music.
“We wanted to mix bongo drums with doo-wop songs,” says Michaels.
All this, according to Michaels and Aston-Reese, allows the audience to listen to the words more carefully. The challenge of Shakespeare is often the language. “I can hear and understand every word in this play,” says Aston-Reese. “And if I can, anyone can.”
Of course, the wonderful language of Shakespeare is incomparably beautiful. According to Aston-Reese, people blank out when they hear “thou dost i’faith.” Why is this? Mostly because the actors don’t understand what they are saying. Some of Shakespeare’s verse can at first sound like gibberish, but when the actor connects those words to their meaning, the lines fly off the stage with great clarity.
Michaels has noticed during rehearsals how much more understandable the language is when the actor finally makes that connection. Another mistake actors tend to make with Shakespeare is that they “rattle off” the words. They make beautiful sounds, but no sense. This results from thinking that the words alone will carry the meaning, which is lazy acting.
Suffice it to say the first thing a director needs to do with the text is to, as they say in the Bard biz, “table it,” essentially sitting around the table to discuss with the performers the connotation of the prose and verse.
Directing and acting for years in Shakespeare's canon of 37 plays, Michaels and Aston-Reese never cease to be amazed at how current and meaningful these plays remain. The main story line of As You Like It follows Rosalind (Terri Mateer) and her cousin Celia (Zoe West) as they flee the wrath of Celia’s father Duke Frederick (Richard Scofield). Celia puts on “poor and mean attire,” while Rosalind disguises herself, “all points like a man.” Rosalind meets and falls in love with Orlando, who has also run away to the Forest of Arden, where he discovers a cross-dressed Rosalind. From there, the fun begins.
The performances are free, but with a suggested donation of $5. Bring a picnic, a blanket, and the family.
For more Information: 845-247-4007 or www.birdonacliff.org.
Opening Our Hearts to Where We Live:
7th Annual Woodstock Volunteers Day
By Cassia Berman
Eight years ago, Sam Magarelli attended the 25th anniversary of the Woodstock Rescue Squad. “It was well-attended,” says Magarelli, who served on the Squad for many years as an EMT. “But it didn’t really have the voice of the whole town saying, ‘Wow, thank you for making this enormous effort, coming out at all hours of the night.’ So it occurred to me to get the whole community to realize that these volunteers shouldn’t be taken for granted.”
The 7th annual Volunteers Day will be held on Saturday, August 20th from 1-4 pm at Andy Lee Field by the Community Center, sponsored by The Volunteers Committee. The Alf Evers Award will be presented in the evening, which is given to a particular volunteer each year to recognize his or her extraordinary efforts. The night ends with fireworks at dusk.
The event recently changed its name to WHAIV: Woodstock Honors and Appreciates Its Volunteers, and includes food for every palate, a music festival and activities for kids.
“Some people thought it was an event only for the volunteers,” Magarelli explains. “We changed the name to be more reflective of what we’re trying to do—for the wider community to come out to honor and appreciate its volunteers.”
It’s all free for volunteers and their families. Others can purchase food at a nominal cost at the event or bring their own lunch, and pay $3 for the children’s activities.
“In the course of considering how to recognize them,” says Magarelli, “it became clear that you shouldn’t just limit it to the Rescue Squad, you should include the fire companies. Once you start thinking what makes this town work, it expands to include all the volunteers, because there are so many people in Woodstock who volunteer so many hours—to some degree thankless—making all kinds of things happen. They feed the hungry, respond to emergencies at all hours of the night, do town services and maintain the arts.”
Thus was born Woodstock Volunteers Day, whose mission is: “….to honor all our volunteers, to enhance the efforts of all our community organizations, to raise awareness about the wide circle of kindness and generosity in our community and to model for our children that our community values the volunteer spirit . . . A community should never take its volunteers for granted.”
WHAIV recognizes all the charitable, community and service organizations in our community. The Boards of more than forty organizations forward to WHAIV the names of volunteers. Ad-hoc events are recognized as well. Each volunteer receives a Certificate of Appreciation, attends lunch, and appears at the event as a Guest of Honor. This year, more than a thousand volunteers will be recognized, mostly those who volunteer locally, also including those who volunteer at regional organizations, such as Hospice, the American Cancer Society, or UlsterCorps.
How ironic it is that on one hand people are so eager to help one another, and on the other hand, this community can be so contentious.
Magarelli replies, “Woodstock is contentious, but I think that’s . . . tunnel vision of our community. Once you take a deep breath, step back, look at the whole community and see all the wonderful things that people are doing from their hearts, you realize that there’s a real community here. It’s rich in generosity . . . In volunteering, what we’ve noticed is that people set aside their politics, philosophies and opinions, and come to whatever organizations they support in a very diverse, open and humanitarian way.”
Magarelli concludes, “Volunteers Day is one day when the volunteers aren’t asked to do anything. We tell people to just come and enjoy the day, bring your family.”
With the usual volunteers forced to take it easy, there’s a need for other people to help set up, serve lunch, and clean up afterward. If you would like to volunteer to serve our volunteers, call WHAIV at 679-2713 or just show up with your helping hands.
Links: www.volunteersday.org
Cassia Berman teaches Qigong and T’ai Chi, and offers private energy healing sessions. Contact her at (845) 679-9457 or go to www.cassiaberman.com
Hair at the Woodstock Playhouse
A Summer of Love Rock Musical
by Robin B. Fre
An American Tribal Love-Rock Musical circa 1968, Hair is coming to Woodstock Playhouse August 4th-14th in the newly renovated hall with air conditioning and a “buy your seat” option. Appropriately, in Woodstock, The Tribe comes alive again. Come to the show, leave time behind, and be swept into a story that is so very familiar, dramatically musical, and lots of fun. Tickets are still available at the Woodstock Playhouse box office.
Hair Lore: The History of a Phenomenal Performance of Social Commentary
James Rado's childhood dream of writing a musical for the Broadway stage was finally achieved and continues to this day. Rado wrote two musicals for the University of Maryland, called Interlude One and Two. As a graduate student at Catholic University, he co-wrote both lyrics and music for Cross Your Fingers. A decade passed before he wrote another musical for the stage.
Rado met Gerome (Jerry) Ragni working on the off-Broadway play, Hang Down Your Head and Die, which was a flop. Rado liked Ragni's poetic writing, and asked Ragni to collaborate on a new musical. They began writing what would be named Hair in 1964.
Hanging out one day at the Whitney Museum of American Art, they were struck by a James Dine painting entitled “Hair,” and commented, “What a strange name for a painting.” Several months later, they knew the title for their new musical, a performance that spoke and sung about what was happening in their world, their time, their lives, in the Summer of Love 1967.
Galt Macdermot, composer, set the words to music. Said MacDermot, “I write alone . . . they would bring me the words and I 'heard' the music.” MacDermot wrote the first score in three weeks, starting with the songs “I Got Life,” “Ain't Got No,” and “Where Do I Go?” Written as an unconventional art piece, “Aquarius” later became the Hair anthem.
They designed the show as a musical for Broadway, but no producer would take the unconventional play to the stage. Determined to get their words and music heard, they accepted a six week run in a new experimental theater being promoted by Joseph Papp, who had previously organized the free Shakespeare performances in Central Park. Papp was thrilled by the avant-garde of experimental theater, and funded the first production.
Hair premiered off Broadway in the East Village at the Public Theater on October 17, 1967 for a limited run of six weeks. The show finally opened on Broadway at the Biltmore Theater on April 28, 1968. This August, as part of the “Summer of Love 2011” line-up, Hair is on Broadway again at the St. James Theater.
43 years is a long run for a musical, even by Broadway standards. During that time, Rado's dream Broadway musical went through many changes, as each cast revised with many interpretations, much analysis, and even more controversy.
The play is a dynamic portrait of the early Seventies. The much-maligned Vietnam War was taking American lives and had become the focus of a strong anti-war movement. Students were taking over college campuses. Violence and riots emerged in the black community. Issues such as gay rights, pacifism, environmentalism, religion and astrology, all of which remain valid issues today, are incorporated into the lyrics of Hair. As a part of that culture, and as an anthropologist, I see the circle.
Yes, a nude scene, inspired by a real incident in which a man stripped naked in protest to the war, is included in the Woodstock performance. Different cultures handled the nudity according to social standards. The French embraced the nude scene, while the London cast found nudity hard to act. The Swedish were reluctant, but in Copenhagen, they thought it wasn't enough, and actors walked up and down the aisles nude. Germans played the nude scene under a sheet labeled “censored.”
Many of the songs wove integral anti-war themes into the performance. Most notably, the play contains the famous quote, “White men are sending black men to kill yellow men to protect the land they stole from red men.”
Hair in Woodstock: Summer of Love 2011
The director of the upcoming Woodstock performance, Sidney Eric Wright, a Harvard graduate in his late 20s, spoke to CTW about how his generation, most in their 20s, relates to a script written over 40 years ago.
SEW: This is my first professional show, though I've always been aware of the art of direction. I decided to go full force into directing and choreography . . . I am young, but the cast is always young, and I relate better to The Tribe . . . As director, I'm telling the cast to focus on the story, because it's so easy to get lost in the songs, which are very powerful.
CTW: What do the lyrics and songs mean to such a young cast?
SEW: This is a definitely a period piece, but we have to reflect what it says to our lives and our lifestyle. This way we give tribute to the play and the people involved through all these many years.
The Woodstock Playhouse is yet again under new management. The interior has been redesigned, replacing the old benches with proper red theater seats. The director informed CTW that he was planning something very special for the final scene, in terms of utilizing the stage and space options. The final scene of Hair is most commonly associated with the 1979 film, in which the frame is flooded with a crowd of hundreds protesting the war in front of the White House. It remains to be seen what tricks the director claims to “have up my sleeve,” to perform as a poignant finale.
Introducing the Cast: The Young Tribe
In the middle of a late July heat wave, CTW organized a photo shoot with the full cast. Due to the heat, we were forced to the air-conditioned Playhouse for indoor shots, with The Tribe draped in various positions over the new rows of theater seats.
The cast members have been collecting their “hippie” garb and look like, well, Woodstock residents. Enduring the oppressive heat, the entire Tribe lay on the grass in the hot sun. Suddenly, a deer came out of forest, pausing, curious, and ever so trusting of these people dressed in colorful costume. When everyone gathered together, posed, filled with youthful energy, the deer remained, curious, calm, and safe. We regarded it as a blessing.
Kenny Francoeur, 21, plays the part of Berger, leader of The Tribe. Francoeur claims to have connected with his “animal self” to get into his character fully. For the part, he researched the late 60s and 70s in New York City. He says, “[This] cast is fun and all fantastic. We are bonding as a tribe.”
J. Ralph, 28, performs as Dionne, and is often known as the powerhouse voice who sings Aquarius.
CTW: Who is Dionne exactly?
JR: [Dionne] is the black girl, who is there for her voice. She is the voice of the tribe. But she is an integral part. She stands up for individual members. Dionne is the mother, one of the leaders, and speaks her mind always. She is also a loving, nurturing hand when one is needed.
CTW: How has this play affected you?
JR: I can relate to a woman coming out of her shell . . . who is just beginning to own who she is, what she wants to represent and stand for. I feel like I'm the same place in my own life, while still remaining open to the new. I'm at a moment in my life where I can say “This is me and I own that!”
Casey Gill, 21, plays the main character of Sheila, and has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She sings “Easy To Be Hard,” “Good Morning Starshine,” and “I Believe in Love.”
CG: Being in Woodstock is walking in shoes of the characters. [You] become someone in the 70s. I love the honesty of this production.
Tim Fuchs, also in his 20s, performs as the protagonist, Claude.
TF: My family is very musical, and now I [get to] work with all these great people in Woodstock!
CTW: Did you know about Hair before you took the part?
TF: Yes, I did the play before, played a minor character. Now I play the lead! To do it in Woodstock is really living the part and the past.
This story has been loved and grown for over 40 years; a country torn apart by a contested war, in which blacks are second class citizens, and sexuality, pacifism, and patriotism, in the decade of love and peace, are all brought to the forefront with classic songs that still remain current anthems.
Remember your past, or try on hippie for a change. Come join The Tribe, sing timeless songs, and think. Peace and Love, and Come to Woodstock!
Links: www.woodstockplayhouse.org
Come to Hunter: A Whole Lot of Hunter this Summer!
By Chloe’ Valentine
Fresh air, festivals, free events, music, zip-lining excursions, sky rides, hiking, golfing, dining, lodging and more all in Hunter Mountain this Summer! Surrounded by views of the breathtaking Catskill Mountains, you’ll find yourself either at a bike race, Celtic festival, camping, wine and brew festival, the crazy race, at free “Bongo” night or possibly at one of the many restaurants with scrumptious menus, outdoor dining, or riding the zipline above the green and glorious land.
On August 13th and 14th you can enjoy Hunter Mountain’s “Brats and Brew” German Festival. On August 20th there will be a free event called “Bongo Night,” which will take place on Main Street in Tannersville between 5 and 8 pm. Please bring a drum or sax, harmonica, your voice, or even a washboard and make some noise!
The Celtic Festival taking place on August 20th and 21st will feature fantastic entertainment from the Emerald Isles, plus world-class Irish-American bands and dancers. The kid’s tent will feature Andrew Simmons wildlife show, Mike the Juggler, and much more. The Festival will have traditional Irish foods and lots of cold beverages. Camping is available Saturday, August 21rst, on site for $15.00 per night.
August 26th through 28th, WDST presents “Bluestock” at Hunter Mountain, a festival which promises “Peace, Love and Blues.” Daily line-up and day tickets available now for this three day music festival with such great artists as Buddy Guy, Gregg Allman, Elvin Bishop, Joe Louis Walker, The Alexis P. Suter Band, Trampled Under Foot, and Albert Cummings. Special guest host for the event is Steven Seagal, who will also be performing in his blues group, Steven Seagal and Thunderbox. For ticket prices and other festival events please go to www.bluestock.com.
Karen Terns started the “Crazy Race” five years ago. This year, the race will take place on August 30th between 11 am and 4 pm in Tannersville on Main Street, which will be closed to traffic.
With many unique and inventive race cars, there will also be vendors, a live DJ, and trophies and prizes for “wackiest, weirdest” and so forth cars awarded.
Hunter Mountain is the home of the longest and highest zipline canopy tour in North America, with five miles of ziplines. There are ziplines reaching heights of nearly 600 feet above the ground for the bigger thrill-seeker, as well as “family friendly” zips, canopy tours and adventures for all ages and ability levels. NY Zipline Tours have an impeccable safety record and have been building and operating tours across the globe for over 25 years. For more information please contact NY Zipline Tours at 518-263-4388 or at one of the websites listed below for Hunter Mountain events information.
Please come join us for a fun-filled summer of festivals, free events, adventures, dining, lodging, camping, and music in Hunter.
For more information, visit: Links: www.communityevents.com www.huntermtn.com
Come to Kingston:
Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, August 6
By Lynda M. Herbeck, publisher
It is my pleasure to write about some events happening just a few miles south of Woodstock. Just like our town, Kingston has much to offer visitors. I recommend taking the time to explore some of the boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and both natural and historical attractions spread throughout this community.
Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 6th. Start the day with the not-to-be-missed delicious food at the Farmer’s Market on Wall Street. Then head over for live music and beautiful art at the Cornell Street Studios Summer Craft Fair. And at the end of the day, you can ride a kayak into the sunset along the Hudson River.
The Kingston Farmer’s Market is open every Saturday along Wall Street from 9 am to 2 pm. On August 6th, crafts will be featured on John Street as well. I love this weekend market because traffic is diverted away from Wall Street. It’s safe to wander around on the black-top roads and sample a huge variety of raw and prepared foods. Many boutiques and restaurants are within walking distance. The sidewalks are shaded by overhanging scaffoldings, perfect for hot or wet days. Participants are proud of their reputation for being there rain or shine! www.KingstonFarmersMarket.org
Head over to Cornell Street Studios by 11:30am if you’re interested in some Zumba fun for kids with Alicia Bailey. This is only one of several events at their Summer Craft Fair, which also features the artwork of Hudson Valley Etsy, who describe themselves as “A group of artisans who reside in the Hudson Valley Region of New York State,” who “have members ranging from Westchester up to the Catskills.” Vektor and the 5 Creations will be performing doo-wop music. The Craft Fair is located at 168 Cornell Street, just off Broadway Ave. You can find more information on Cornell Street Studio’s Facebook page.
What could be a better way to end the day than with a kayak ride along the Hudson River and Rondout Creek? Meet some new friends at the Kingston Point Beach on Delaware Ave at 5:30 pm for the Hudson River Sunset Paddle. Everything you need will be provided, including fishing gear and knowledgeable tour guides. The cost is $25 for Kingston residents and just $10 more for visitors. Rumor has it that all the local turtles, osprey, and seagulls will be attending this event. It isn’t necessary to RSVP, but I recommend you do. www.ForsythnatureCenter.org
I am looking forward to enjoying this special Saturday in Kingston with my friends. You should bring friends and family too. Transportation from Woodstock is easy. By car, travel down Route 28 and follow the signs. Trailways and Ulster County Area Transit are ready to take you there by bus. Or you can call a taxi. I’ll see you there!
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Come to Phoenicia: The Catskill Mountain Railroad
By Jill Paperno
In my first article for CTW, I explored the The Catskill Mountain Railroad. The train boarded in Phoenicia, allowing me a glimpse at the recently named “6th coolest town in America” by Budget Travel Magazine.
Many people wandered the small town, deciding whether to have a great pizza at Brio’s, waiting in line to get into Sweet Sue’s, or to visit the increasingly respected art galleries. It is well-known in our area that one must visit Phoenicia before purchasing a gift, as shops such as The Tender Land Home sell vases, jewelry and pottery made by local artists at reasonable prices.
At the Phoenicia station, I visited the Railway Museum before departure. There, I learned that the train I was about to board dated back to the early 1900s, carrying folks to their vacation spots. The Great Depression and WWII contributed to the railroad’s closure, which ran its last train in 1954. It wasn’t until July 4th, 2008, due to the undying love of volunteers, that the Catskill Mountain Train took off once again.
Throughout the summer, until September 5th, the Catskill Mountain Railroad departs from the Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia, Friday-Sunday, for an Esopus Scenic Train ride. As departure time grew near, we stepped outside to see the conductors in full uniforms, along with a woman in a 19th century dress holding a parasol.Passengers pulled out their cameras, the train whistle blew, and we boarded.
It was a trip back in time, not only technologically, but due to the placementof the tracks, which allowed us a view of the Esopus River that I’d never seen before. Ordinarily, you can only get a peek of the Esopus as you speed past it in a car.
The train crossed over Route 28, a road I'd travelled many times, but had never seen a train cross, and had assumed the old RR signs were defunct and never removed. As we crossed over the road, people waved and smiled.
We passed Sleepy Hollow Camp, where many trailers hide behind the trees and shrubs, and the remains of the old Emerson Hotel, with impeccable structures among the little that remains of the original building. Finally, the mighty Esopus River emerged. I was carried alongside the river, closer than I’d ever been before. The water turned from brown to blue, from almost stagnant to rushing waves, and then back to its natural state. When coming to a stop, the train whistles blast, warning both animals and people of its approach.
By the time we left our final destination in Mt. Tremper, the train was full, children were playing with harmonicas, and cameras were clicking away. Watching the Esopus in awe and feeling time expand, I understood why the Dalai Lama visits the Menla retreat, and why the Karmapa had just visited KTD for two days. I came to Woodstock 25 years ago, because the natural habitat feeds me with its birds, bees, deer, and even bears. With the area’s music, art, and people, I share that need for natural beauty and free expression.
Today, as we look to flying cars, private jets, and gas-fueled scooters, one wonders if we could use some less toxic form of transportation, with the stress-reducing meditation one experiences when looking out the window of an old train. I'd vote for the return of the Catskill Mountain Railroad. If you take the trip, you might feel the same.
Link: www.catskillmtrailroad.com
21ST CENTURY SAUGERTIES
by Christina Starobin
If the 9th Annual Saugerties Artists Studio Tour is any indication of upcoming Saugerties events for August, expect an exciting month. On August 13th and 14th, (10am - 6pm), Saugerties painters, sculptors, photographers, illustrators, and all manner of visual artists open their studios to the public to peruse and purchase their works. The opening reception for the Artists Studio Tour will be held August 12th at Opus 40, from 5-7 pm. A 30 minute video created by Michael Nelson, photographer and member of the tour, features interviews with several of the tour artists and can be viewed on Woodstock and Saugerties' Cable TV. Check local listings for the dates and time.
We must remember that the Internet is not life, nor is it art. Viewing reproductions of the artwork online is not in any sense similar to viewing that art in person and meeting the artists. I was reminded of this at the Kiersted House Gallery opening, on July 9th, when I approached several of the artists directly.
Michael Ciccone, featured sculptor, when asked what tour visitors should expect, said, “I would like you to leave with a good taste in your mouth. You can’t expect everyone to like everything.” Sandy Hoffman, featured illustrator, schooled at Cooper Union, presents illustrations that astound. His collection of newspaper editorial illustrations and album covers are also quite wonderful. Other featured artists include Barbara Bravo, an organizer of the event, who no longer only produces pottery, although she still enjoys making porcelain tea sets. She creates tiles that are joined together to create unique pictures, like “The Saugerties Reservoir,” which will be on display. Ellen Perantoni, painter and 26-year resident of Saugerties, whose painting “Peace and Tranquility at Esopus Bend,” of a golden glowing sunset, has produced landscapes in oil color for 10 years, inspired by the Hudson River School. Jeff Schiller’s sculpture, “Overlook Mountain from Highwoods,” is a dark metal creation, massive and inspiring, which has been part of the tour for seven years, after being moved from Brooklyn and Staten Island.
Last year, 150-200 people visited artist Howard Goldson in his studio during last year’s tour. “We talk about our process, our issues,” said Goldson. “Why do we do this? We don’t make any money. Art chooses you.”
On August 5th, visitors to Saugerties can also attend the third of four free Saugerties Sunset Concerts, themed, “Where the Mountain Meets the River,” at 6:30 pm at Tina Chorvas Waterfront Park, featuring Darelle London, Bill Kelly and Lyn Hardy.
Part of the magic on these Saugerties summer days and nights are the miniature lighthouses that have popped up on Partition, Main and Market Streets like so many tiny doll house mushrooms. There is a lighthouse for every taste, from the Hudson River classics, to collages of twigs, decoupage extraordinaire and Surrealist. Maps can be obtained at Town Hall, Village Hall, Smith Hardware or online. If you catch a film at the Orpheum you will emerge to each tiny lighthouse being lit with its own solar powered beacon.
Devised by Marcus (Skip) Arthur and Carol Zaloom, the lighthouses will be featured on Main Street until late September. Each lighthouse will be auctioned on October 1st at Kiersted House, 119 Main Street, to benefit the artists, charities, and various local non-profits, commemorating the Saugerties Lighthouse, which has been, since 1869, “the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Hudson River.”
Don’t miss it. And, like life’s best things, it’s all free. Links: (www.saugertiesarttour.com) (www.village.saugerties.ny.us)
Publisher’s Note:
The "Shine on Saugerties" public art event/auction is organized by the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce. More info about "Shine on Saugerties" is available at www.WelcomeToSaugerties.com.
REAL Estate: PAY NO CAPITAL GAINS TAX!
The 1031 Exchange
By Blanca Aponte
This month, CTW is featuring a step by step guide to explain the process of how a 1031 Exchange works. If you are intending to sell an investment property and expect to acquire more investment properties, you should consider a 1031 Exchange. You may use part of your gain for this process and pay taxes only on the portion you wish to keep.
Step 1. Speak with your accountant to determine what your basis or net profit is subject to Capital Gains tax.
Step 2. List the property for sale, including a statement which indicates the propery is being offered as a 1031 Exchange, and that the buyer will cooperate. Make sure your attorney contacts the Qualified Intermediary to order the exchange documents.
Step 3. Enter into a 1031 Exchange agreement with your Qualified Intermediary, in which the Qualified Intermediary is named as principal in the sale of your relinquished property and the subsequent purchase of your replacement property. The 1031 Exchange Agreement must meet with IRS Requirements, especially pertaining to the proceeds.
Step 4. At closing, the closing statement reflects that the Qualified Intermediary was the seller, and the portion of proceeds in the exchange go to your Qualified Intermediary, who will then place those funds in a separate escrow account. The closing date of the relinquished property escrow is Day 0 of the exchange, which is when the exchange clock begins to tick. You must identify replacement properties within 45 days, and the identified replacement property must be acquired by the taxpayer within 180 days.
Step 5. The taxpayer sends written identification of the properties to the Qualified Intermediary, on or before Day 45 of the exchange. It must be signed by everyone who signed the exchange agreement.
Step 6. Taxpayer enters into an agreement to purchase replacement property, again including a statement of cooperation to complete a 1031 Exchange. The intermediary is named as a buyer, though again the deeding is from the true seller to the taxpayer.
Step 7. After closing, the Qualified Intermediary prepares a final accounting which is sent by to the taxpayer.
Step 8. Taxpayer files form 8824 with the IRS when taxes are filed.
Blanca Aponte is a Real Estate Broker and Owner of Casa Blanca Real Estate Services.
Aries (March 21 to April 19)
Yee-ha! Yooz gots quite a month ahead, dear Aries :). Venus, the planet of love, is in a house which is said to bring her much joy, and for you that means yummy yummy yummy you got love in your tummy. Mercury is in retrograde, so don’t be surprised when old thoughts, concepts, and even people are re-evaluated.
Taurus (April 20 to May 20)
Mars, your planetary ruler of couples is cornered by three wicked planets. Therefore, your relationships may encounter turbulence. In the words of Margot Channing, “Fasten your seat belt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Communication is key, so watch not only what you say, but also how you say it.
Gemini (May 21 to June 20)
Try not to get too frustrated when new plans and ideas don’t take off as anticipated. Mercury, the Ruler of Gemini, is in retrograde for most of the month, creating as many delays for you as there are late flights getting out of JFK Airport. Find some inner peace. Provisions may be found at Not Fade Away, if necessary.
Cancer (June 21 to July 22)
Don’t be surprised if you catch yourself having an “Anthony Weiner” moment. Self-gratification may be inevitable for you crabby crabs as Mars is in Cancer, creating more inner heat than you know what to do with. Four words to remember prior to indulging your own needs: “There will be consequences.”
Leo (July 23 to August 22)
Nothing says Happy Birthday like Venus in Leo. Welcome to the party, one in which you can fully enjoy the pleasures of life. Venus brings joy, fun times, favorable circumstances, seduction and enhanced sentimental availability. Rock on, Leos! Dinner at New World Home Cooking should keep things good and spicy. Celebrate life!
Virgo (August 23 to September 22)
Neptune takes one step backwards and leaves Virgo's house of couples for a while. Bummer. For once, this step is taken by Neptune, and an illusion might disappear and reality (hark that word) will set in, leaving you frustrated. For awhile, things seemed so good for you, but in the words of R.E.M., “That was just a dream, just a dream.”
Libra (September 23 to October 22)
Mars will face Uranus, leaving Libra to face some serious challenges. You may feel like one of those “Sister Wives” as you have minimum control on things pertinent to your life. Issues develop quickly and may all go in the wrong direction (or so it seems for now). Chin up, long you live and high you’ll fly, but only if you ride the tide. This too shall pass.
Scorpio (October 23 to November 21)
Look for new enterprises and doors of opportunity to open for you this month. You should be singing Yippy Ki-Yay as Jupiter fully supports Venus, creating many pleasurable moments in the month ahead. Shidizzle my nizzle, it’s good to be you.
Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21)
While others are seeking that perfect summer read, you might want to park yourself at the Self Help section at the Golden Notebook here in town. The unimaginable may become a reality for you and spiritual symbolism will suddenly become significant for you Sad-gee Sagittarii. Everybody has to evolve sometimes, so stop dragging your knuckles.
Capricorn (December 22 to January 19)
You may find yourself prone to saying things like, “Life sucks,” this month. The planets have aligned in such a way that there seems to be no winning for you. It’s like an inter-planetary conspiracy. No matter how you pick and choose your battles, you’re destined to get shot down every time. So why bother? Hang low and loose and shine it on for now.
Aquarius (January 20 to February 18)
It’s easy to be misconstrued or to misconstrue something somebody else has said, so listen carefully before you speak. The passing of Venus, the Sun and Mercury through Aquarius' house will help make emotions manifest freely. A person close to you will become a focus point, enabling you to gain some inner wisdom about yourself. So express yourself, don’t repress yourself, but do it with care and diplomacy, thus maintaining the peace.
Pisces (February 19 to March 20)
The planets have gone all kur-ray-zee on you this months Pisces. The sign of the fish may as well be salmon swimming upstream when it comes to love, but in business, it’s calm and steady waters for you. If you’re not a workaholic, become one. It’s the safest bet for you, and will keep you out of harm’s way in the romance department.
Johnny D is an aspiring comic author, from Santa Monica California, who dropped into Woodstock while dropping out of the Hollywood scene. Send rebuttal to vibeisgood@msn.com
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