NY State Rail Projects Getting $149M From Feds

September 26, 2011 11:46 AM

ALBANY — New York state is getting nearly $150 million in federal transportation funding aimed at upgrading passenger service in Amtrak’s Empire Corridor.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says more than $91 million will go toward adding a 17-mile second track between Albany and Schenectady, where the existing single track owned by CSX is shared by Amtrak and freight trains.

Another $58 million will fund track and platform improvements at the Albany-Rensselaer and Schenectady stations, as well as the relocation of signal wires on the Hudson Line south of Albany.

The projects are part of the state’s effort to boost high-speed rail service in New York, including trains traveling between Albany and the Buffalo region.

Construction on the projects is expected to start in late summer 2012.

Library ebooks for Kindle

Kindle users now have the ability to download eBooks from Mid-Hudson Libraries. Users can browse the collection of bestselling and classic eBooks and check out titles with their library card to their Kindle and Kindle Apps.

Check out the Mid-Hudson Library System site for more info and to check out Kindle-optomized ebooks. Click here to visit the Kindle page.

Opening At The Crandell: The Help

Opening tonight at The Crandell in Chatham, The Help

The Help was one of the surprise hits of the summer. Here is the trailer:

Rated PG-13
Drama
146 minutes

Showtimes
Friday, September 16 & Saturday, September 17 at 7:00pm & 9:15pm
Sunday, September 18 – Thursday, September 22 at 7:15pm

Ticket prices at The Crandell are $5 for adults and $4 for children under 12.
The Crandell Theatre is located at 48 Main Street in the Village of Chatham, NY.
For more information, visit The Crandell’s website

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‘The Water and the Word’ at New Lebanon Library

Tonight at the New Lebanon Library: ‘The Water and the Word’ with Ruth J. Abram.

From the New Lebanon Library:

Why do Americans value competition? Why when a problem is perceived, do we organize ordinary citizens into voluntary associations to solve it? What accounts for the undercurrent of suspicion of professionals and people in authority that exists in America? Why do our politicians frequently say the American people have the wisdom to know what is best for us? Why do we regard America as exceptional? Why is it common for Americans to grow up with one religious affiliation only to select one or more others during our lifetimes? Why do we send our children to Sunday schools? Why have many religious groups adopted a participatory, dynamic style of worship? Why are revivals a common part of America’s religious landscape? Why do most Americans believe that women and minorities must be accorded full and equal rights? Why do we eschew distinctions based on class? Why do so many Americans treat their ailments with natural therapies? Why do we assume that all children deserve a free education? Why do we celebrate philanthropy and philanthropists? Why, in short, are many aspects of American culture and thought that most of us take for granted, the way they are?

Explore these questions and many more with Ruth J. Abram. Her project, the Water and the Word, examines the impact of The Second Great Awakening, (a powerful religious revival, 1790’s-1840’s) on American life. The project uses the history of New Lebanon, NY to understand one of the most important periods of American history.

WHEN:    Thursday, 9/22
TIME:    6:30 pm
WHERE:   New Lebanon Library
550 State Route 20
New Lebanon, NY 12125
MORE: NewLebanonLibrary.org

Lebanon Valley Farmer’s Market

One of my favorite Sunday rituals, the Lebanon Valley Farmer’s Market, will be closing down for the winter in a few weeks so if you haven’t been yet, do it soon.

The Lebanon Valley Farmer’s Market features roughly 20 local farmers, some of whom are located less than five minutes away from the market. The list includes Hand Hollow Farm and Windswept Farm plus the newly opened Shaker Mountain Canning Co.. You can get home-baked breads, fresh produce, cheeses, home-made Mexican meals and various goat-milk products from the vendors who return every Sunday.

The market is located just north of the intersection of routes 20 and 22 in New Lebanon, New York.

Dates
Sundays, 10am – 2pm
June – October

Contact
Lebanon Valley Farmer’s Market
518-860-4292

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