Jeff McKinney

Big Changes for Chatham Village

There are three exciting projects on the horizon for the village of Chatham. Let’s start at the top of Main Street and work our way down.

That big brick building sitting at the top of Main Street (between River and Austerlitz Streets) has been going through some renovations over the past few years and the building’s future is now coming into focus. MetzWood Harder Insurance, which currently has an office on the circle, will be moving into the main floor of the building with the remaining space being converted into apartments. The current addition to the building will be removed to make way for parking and green space. If the planning board approves, construction should begin this summer.

Heading down Main street, our favorite movie theatre, The Crandell Theatre, is hoping to make some cosmetic adjustments to the theatre’s facade. Chatham Film Club President, Sandi Knakal, recently went before the village Planning Board to discuss some upgrades planned for the theatre. The Planning Board asked her to come back with paint color for approval. Personally, I’d love to see the 1960’s-looking facade restored to its original 1920’s look.

Finally, at the southern end of the village, the Planning Board announced that the planned addition to the Chatham Plaza would have little or no negative impact on the local environment. This decision clears the way for the next step in the review of the proposed project to expand the existing Price Chopper supermarket. That plan calls for an addition to the existing structure that will increase the size of the supermarket from 23,000-square-feet to 40,000 square feet and eliminate one of the retail spaces. The largest vacant space is currently the old video-rental store at the north end of the plaza so it sounds as if the plan is to build onto the back of the plaza to create a Price Chopper that envelopes the other stores. Sounds good to me because we could really use a larger supermarket. I will keep an eye on this story and continue to update you with new info.

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Photo by S. Davis

Annual Hudson Children’s Book Festival

Tomorrow (May 5, 2012) is the fourth annual Hudson Children’s Book Festival. More than 80 authors and illustrators will be at the Hudson Junior and Senior High School for the festival and they will be joined by the national ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Walter Dean Myers.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include hundreds of books to browse, authors and illustrators to talk to, live performances, arts & crafts workshops, food and giveaways.

The live performances will take place throughout the day and include:

Johnette Downing performs Reading Rocks. Downing is an award-winning author and musician for preschoolers through third graders who is known as the “Musical Ambassador to Children.”

Aaron Nigel Smith’s Call to Action. Smith founded FUNdamentals of Music and Movement, an arts program favored by early educational centers. Call to Action should have kids up and dancing.

John Farrell with the John L. Edwards School’s second-grade students. Farrell and the students will perform a song they wrote together then Farrell will perform several of his interactive songs and stories. Farrell is a local performing artist and songwriter.

WHEN: Saturday (May 5, 2012)
TIME: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
WHERE: Hudson Junior and Senior High School
FEE: Admission is free
MORE INFO: Visit http://hudsonchildrensbookfestival.com/

At The Crandell: The Avengers

Opening at The Crandell, The Avengers!

The Avengers is a little, indy film that you probably haven’t heard of. Just kidding! It’s one of the most anticipated, big-budget films in the history of movies.

Here is the trailer:

Rated: PG-13
Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
Running Time: 142 minutes

Show Times:
Friday 5/4 & Saturday 5/5 at 7:00pm & 9:45pm
Sunday 5/6 – Thursday 5/10 at 7:15pm

Ticket Prices:
Adults: $5.00
Children Under 12: $4.00

The Crandell Theatre is located at 48 Main Street in the Village of Chatham. Visit CrandellTheatre.org for more info.

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Linda Worster Concert @ New Lebanon Library

This Friday (May 4) at the New Lebanon Library: Linda Worster in concert!

The New Lebanon Library is proud to host local singer/songwriter Linda Worster.
Join us for coffee, tea, snacks, and wonderful music that proclaims the joy and explores the struggle of inner discovery.

WHEN: Friday (May 4)
TIME: 6:00-8:00 pm
PLACE: New Lebanon Library (550 State Route 20, New Lebanon)
Phone: 518-794-8844
Email: leb@taconic.net

Update on 347 Warren St. in Hudson

About a month ago, I mentioned the plans to turn the lot at 347 Warren Street into an outdoor food court with multiple food trucks and a beer and wine garden. Last week, Michael Davis (the property owner and architect) presented his plans to the Hudson Planning Commission, who unanimously approved the idea.

347 Warren Street is within a local and nationally registered historic district, which means that the project will now have to go before the City of Hudson Historic Preservation Commission and ultimately, the New York State Liquor Authority will have to approve permits. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that all of this can happen quickly so that we can enjoy the outdoor dining area this summer.