Jeff McKinney

Chatham Schools Ban Clowns

In response to the recent “creepy clown” hoax that is currently scaring the country, Chatham Central School District has decided to not allow clown costumes at school, school events or on school buses this Halloween. This ban applies to students, employees and visitors to upcoming school events. Although there is little evidence that anyone dressed as a creepy clown has broken any laws, Superintendent Cheryl Nuciforo, said that the school district had received reports of clown sightings. In a letter to parents, Nuciforo wrote that the district had spoken with law enforcement and were assured that there was no credible threat.

Nuciforo informed parents that the district’s safety procedures had been reviewed, and that police would be paying close attention to the campuses. “I want to assure you that the safety of our students is of the utmost importance to us here in Chatham and that makes school one of the safest environments for our children,” Nuciforo wrote. “All outside doors are locked throughout the day, our staff is on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary and we work very closely with our school resource deputy and other local law enforcement agencies to make sure our students stay safe and secure.”

As of now, there is no ban on clown costumes in the New Lebanon Central School District, including the Trunk or Treat event at Walter B. Howard Elementary School on October 31. The event, which takes place from 5-6 p.m., invites adults to decorate their cars and fill the trunks with treats. Kids in costume can then go from car to car, trick or treating. The district asks parents and students to avoid scary or gory decorations and costumes.

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Airbnb Sues New York Over Law Regulating Rentals

Airbnb, the online service that enables people to list or rent short-term lodging in residential properties, filed a lawsuit on Friday afternoon in Federal District Court in the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit is the companies’ response to a new law that allows the state to impose steep fines on Airbnb hosts who break local housing regulations. The Airbnb suit claims this law would cause it “irreparable harm”, and violates the company’s constitutional rights to free speech and due process, as well as the protection it is afforded under the Communications Decency Act, which is a federal law that says websites cannot be held accountable for content published by their users.

WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

So, what exactly is the issue with Airbnb that prompted this new law? Apparently, the concern is that Airbnb is making it easier to illegally rent out apartments for short periods to travelers, which decreases the amount of housing for full-time residents, and drives housing costs up. It has been illegal in New York to rent out an apartment for fewer than 30 days. However, some people have ignored that law, and have been using Airbnb to rent apartments for shorter periods of time. The new law gives authorities the power to fine hosts up to $7,500 if they are caught listing a property on Airbnb.

For now, it sounds like we will have to wait and see what impact the new law, and Airbnb’s lawsuit have on the housing and online rental market.

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Halloween Movie Night at New Lebanon Library, Ghostbusters!

This Thursday at the New Lebanon Library, the library will show the 2016 movie, Ghostbusters. The reboot tells the story of a ghost invasion in Manhattan, and the paranormal enthusiasts who band together to stop the other worldly threat. I saw the movie, and loved it!

OFFICIAL TRAILER:

Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones, and Chris Hemsworth.
Rated: PG-13 for supernatural action and some crude humor & language

SHOWTIME:
The library showing will be Thursday, October 27th at 6:30 PM

New Lebanon Library is located at 550 State Route 20, in New Lebanon, NY.

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Rufus Wainwright Performing at Basilica Hudson October 22

r-wainwright This Saturday, October 22, at Basilica Hudson, singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright will perform live for a special fundraising event. The performance is part of Basilica Hudson’s Pioneering People Series, a bi-annual program celebrating pioneering artists across a range of disciplines. The evening will kick off with a conversation between longtime friends Wainwright and Basilica Hudson Director and Co-Founder, musician Melissa Auf der Mauris.

The show starts at 8pm. General concert tickets begin at $50. Ticket packages including preferred seating, special gifts, and bar options are also available.

Click Here for more info and to purchase tickets.

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New Lebanon Library Crafts Event: Build A Mummy Figure

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Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at the New Lebanon Library, the library will host it’s Fun Family Crafts event. This month’s craft session will teach kids how to make their own mummy action figure for Halloween.