They have a great selection of used books that you can browse as well as a large selection of videos on hand. Video titles range from the classic films to newer titles along with many instructional videos.

This is a great way to get books and videos at reasonable prices while helping to sustain a community service, the Howland Public Library.

A bit on Beacon:
Beacon is one of those towns (actually a city) that you just can’t help rooting for. As is the case with many of our river cities and towns, it has seen its share of ups and downs over the years but the good folks of Beacon just keep bouncing back.

It’s a beautiful city, wedged between the broad Hudson River on the west and majestic Mount Beacon on the east, with Main Street connecting the two. Main street is jumping with specialty shops and fine and fun food eateries. There’s art, history, and some of the friendliest folks along the river waiting for you in Beacon.

Plan a stop in Beacon and while there stop in at Beacon Reads.

Check here for Beacon listings.

July 19, 2008 - 3pm - 10pm
Live music will be going to set the mood (and pace) for the sampling of over 60 great beers from Keegan Ales, Ommegang, Captain Lawrence, Brooklyn Brewery, Chatham, Schmaltz, Warwick Valley, Southern Tier, Kelso, Southampton, Blue Point and more. There will be plenty of innovative pub grup on hand to match up with the brews.

You can get details for this event at:
http://www.terrapinrestaurant.com/events

Bring your own food, drink, to share
Liberty View Farm
340 Crescent Avenue
Highland, NY 12528
Click for directions

For more information contact:
Colleen Geraghty at 845-256-9233
or Billiam at 845-883-7004

Some people would say that it is axiomatic that the more things change, the more they stay the same. With some things, however, we would have to respectfully disagree. As you may know, United Spinal Association has had a long history of assisting veterans, both with and without disabilities, in securing their civil rights, government benefits and health care. Founded more than 60 years ago by a group of World War II veterans who had sustained spinal cord injuries on the battlefields of Europe and in the Pacific, United Spinal Association has been continuously fighting for the rights of veterans and their families at the federal, state and local levels. Building on its tradition of zealously representing veterans’ individual and group interests, United Spinal Association recently announced the launch of VetsFirst, a comprehensive, full-service veterans advocacy program.

The VetsFirst program is the embodiment of United Spinal Association’s commitment to ensuring that all veterans – past, present, and future – receive the health care and rehabilitation that they deserve, and that they are physically, emotionally and economically restored to the greatest extent possible for disabilities that were incurred as the result of their military service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized United Spinal Association to serve as a national veterans service organization.

Our VetsFirst program provides direct representation to individual veterans benefits claimants through a national network of VA-accredited veterans service representatives, legal representation in appeals of denied VA claims, legislative advocacy before Congress and state legislatures; and representation of veterans’ interests as a group before executive agencies and the courts. We have also entered into strategic partnerships with other veterans service organizations, such as Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), to enable us to expand our presence throughout the country and assist veterans in their own communities. In fact, United Spinal Association and VVA will be presenting an advanced training seminar for VA-accredited veterans service representatives during United Spinal’s August 2008 Independence Expo in Orlando. FL.

It is important for veterans to understand that although we have special expertise in SCI/D-related disabilities, we provide representation for veterans benefits claimants with all types of disabilities. Veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are facing complex conditions such as traumatic brain injury, poly-traumatic injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. These conditions affect every aspect of their lives; from health to employment, to finances and to family and social relationships. VetsFirst’s full-service approach to caring for veterans focuses on all of these concerns. Our services start with the transition from active-duty service member to veteran, but healing and securing benefits are only the beginning of the story. Veterans service organizations must also assist veterans, their families and survivors in returning to as normal a life as possible once the veteran comes home. Rehabilitation, community reintegration and continuing support are just as important as disability compensation and acute health care.

In sum, VetsFirst is designed to serve as a model for the next generation of veterans service organizations. Building on traditional roles, we are constantly seeking new ways to serve veterans.

Our country has chosen to honor service members whose selfless service to our protection and freedom has cost them dearly by promising to care for them and their families once their uniform is hung for the last time. As the nature of warfare is constantly evolving, so to must we who have dedicated ourselves to this national compact.

For more information on our services, please visit the VetsFirst section of United Spinal Association’s website.

VetsFirst

United Spinal’s VetsFirst program directly serves the needs of our veterans and their families. Our network of National Service Officers provides assistance and representation in claims for benefits and health care services before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal and state agencies, as well as legal representation before the U. S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and other federal courts. Our service officers and attorneys have recovered millions of dollars in benefits for disabled veterans and their families. VetsFirst also promotes the rights of veterans as a group though legislative advocacy and broad-impact litigation in the federal courts. VetsFirst services are available at no cost to all veterans and their dependents and survivors nationwide.

* Benefits counseling services
* Individual representation before the VA and other federal agencies in benefits and health care matters
* Legal representation on appeals of denied benefits claims
* Comprehensive veterans advocacy
* Assistance with military medical evaluation board proceedings

The event attracts approximately 30 vendors and 2,000 garden enthusiasts a year. In keeping with the style of the Garden Sale founders, the vendors offer a wide selection of heritage and contemporary plant material, much of it locally grown.

While you are there be sure to spend some time touring and enjoying the site. It has it all! History, spectacular Hudson River views, a well maintained estate house, and world class garden. Clermont was the Hudson River seat of the politically and socially prominent Livingston family of New York for more than 230 years.

Take a look at Clermont:
View of Mansion
View of Hudson River from Clermont

Poughkeepsie, NY , April 29, 2008: Brook in Waterland in Rhinebeck New York was the setting Saturday, April 26th for the 4th Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition. This competition highlights the Hudson Valley Regions wines and the growing interest the public has for them. The competition was open to all commercial wineries in the Hudson Valley AVA using New York State fruit, but more exclusively, Hudson Valley fruit.:

Seventy nine wines made in the Hudson Valley were entered in the competition. Overall the wines from the 18 wineries that entered scored higher than in the past three competitions, suggesting to all present, a continuing improvement in winemaking for the area.

The winners of the 4th Annual Hudson Valley Wine Competition by class and variety are:

Sparkling:
Brotherhood Winery NV Blanc de Blanc –Silver Medal, Best Sparkling Wine
Clinton Vineyards NV Sparkling Seyval Peach – Bronze Medal
Applewood Winery Stonefence 2006 Hard Cider– Bronze Medal

White Hybrid:
Benmarl Winery 2006 Seyval—Gold Medal, Best in Class and Best White Hybrid
Magnanini Winery 2006 Bianco Amable (Seyval) — Silver Medal
Brotherhood Winery 2006 Seyval Blanc—Bronze Medal
Bashakill Winery 2006 Whitetail (Cayuga) –Gold Medal, Best in Class
Brimstone Hill Vineyards 2007 Cayuga – Silver Medal
Adair Vineyards 2007 Cayuga—Bronze Medal
Whitecliff Vineyards 2007 Awosting White (Seyval/Vignoles)–Silver Medal, Best Hudson Heritage
Benmarl Winery 2007 Traminette – Bronze Medal

White Vinifera:
Millbrook Vineyards 2007 Tokai Fruilano – Gold Medal, Best in Class, Best White Vinifera
Millbrook Vineyards 2006 Chardonnay –Gold Medal
Benmarl Winery 2007 Riesling – Bronze Medal
Brotherhood Winery 2005 Riesling—Bronze Medal

Labrusca (Native) Grape:
Hudson-Chatham Lindenwald White Niagara/Diamond—Silver Medal, Best in Class

Red Hybrid:
Benmarl Winery 2006 Baco Noir—Gold Medal, Best Red Hybrid
Benmarl Winery 2006 Frontenac—Silver Medal
Bashakill Winery 2006 Blue Heron (Chancellor)—Bronze Medal

Red Vinifera:
Millbrook Vineyards 2005 Cabernet Franc –Gold Medal, Best in Class, Best in Show, Best HV Wine
Millbrook Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Franc Block 3—Gold Medal
Applewood Winery 2006 Cabernet Franc – Bronze Medal
Oak Summit Vineyards 2006 Pinot Noir – Silver Medal, Best in Category
Millbrook Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir—Silver Medal
Bashakill Winery 2006 Copperhead (Pinot Noir)—Bronze Medal
Brotherhood Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon—Silver Medal
Hudson-Chatham 2005 Merlot—Silver Medal, Best in Category
Baldwin 2006 Merlot—Bronze Medal

Grape Sweet Wine:
Bashakill Winery 2007 Osprey (Vignoles)—Silver Medal, Best in Class
Bashakill Winery 2007 Whitetail (Cayuga)—Bronze Medal
Bashakill Winery 2006 Osprey (Vignoles)—Bronze Medal

Fruit Wine:
Brookview Station 2007 Pomona (Apple/Pear) – Gold Medal, Best in Category, Best in Class
Adair Vineyards 2007 Peche –Gold Medal, Best in Category

Dessert Wines:
Clinton Vineyards NV Cassis – Gold Medal, Best in Category, Best in Class, Best Dessert Wine Warwick Valley Winery NV Pear Liquior –Gold Medal, Best in Category
Warwick Valley Winery NV Black Currant—Silver Medal
Palaia Winery NV Mead—Bronze Medal

Port:
Brotherhood Winery NV Ruby Port—Gold Medal, Best in Class
Hudson Chatham Winery Paperbirch Raspberry Port—Silver Medal

For more information on the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association visit www.hvwga.com
Video of the competition can be seen here.

Information on the wine competition contact Debbie Gioquindo 914.474.7780

Toddlers on the Trail – Wildflowers and Critter Walk.
Monday, May 19th, 10am-12noon.
Join Debbie Biltonen, a local naturalist, and her toddler son and explore the forest searching for wildflowers and critters. Ages 2-6 are welcome, accompanied by an adult. Children need to be able to walk or be in a carrier; jogging strollers cannot be used. Reservations are not required. Meet at the Coxing Trailhead. Walks average 1.5 miles and move at a toddler’s pace.

Take this opportunity to spend some time with the little ones. Enjoy the forest and savor the looks of amazement and excitement as your toddler discovers the wonders of the woodland.

You can get details at the Mohonk Preserve website.

I have a few favorite viewing places of my own. The view from Olana is one of my favorites. You can see the Hudson River and a good deal more including the Catskill Mountains off in the distance.

From just behind the Vanderbilt Mansion there is a great view of the river,, Ulster County, and the distant Catskill Mountains.

The riverfront at Newburgh Landing gives you a dramatic view of the Hudson River as it cuts through the Hudson Valley Highlands with Storm King Mountain on the right and Breakneck on the left.

The southern view of the Highlands and river is just as eye pleasing when viewed from riverside in the village of Cold Spring.

Climb up to the lighthouse at Stony Point and enjoy a super view of the Hudson expanding out into Haverstraw Bay. Whatever your pleasure, there are countless spots along the river where you can access a great view.

For those who are capable of multitasking their passions for Hudson River views, there are many places along the Hudson River where one can dine to a river view, tour the river, balloon over the river, or find a restfull inn alongside the river. If you need help getting started take a look at this mapped out “Passion for Hudson River Views”.

Five sites in New York’s 19th Congressional District are listed on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund National Priority List, a designation of the nation’s most severely polluted locations:
• Hopewell Precision site in Hopewell Junction
• Brewster Well Field in the Village of Brewster
• Carroll and Dubies Sewage Disposal in Deer Park
• Nepera Chemical Company site in the Town of Hamptonburgh
• Shenandoah Road Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site in the Town of East Fishkill

Because of the serious challenge of cleaning up water pollution, I’ve asked the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to come to East Fishkill for a special Field Hearing this Friday. The Field Hearing, “Water Resources Contamination and Environmental Cleanup in the Hudson Valley,” will be held Friday, April 11th at 9:30am in the East Fishkill Town Hall.

The hearing is open to the public.

The hearing will examine how the EPA is currently working with the State of New York, local governments, and private groups. I want the hearing to spur the federal government to redouble its commitment to water clean up in the Hudson Valley.

Sincerely,

Thanks for the boost John. You’re still the one!

For those of you who adhere to tradition and seek real butter on your popcorn there is very little choice these days. Therefore, I’ll let you in on one of the Sojourner’s little secrets. You can still get real butter on your popcorn in the Hudson Valley.

Aside from a great array of alternative and classic films, Upstate Films in Rhinebeck still serves popcorn in its classic form. With real butter. Yes, it is an option, but you can get it.

You can check out their film schedule at http://www.upstatefilms.org/. You will have to go there in person to get your popcorn buttered.

Make sure to get there early and take in a bit of Rhinebeck. Upstate Films is located right in the middle of the village so you can walk out of their door and right into a classic Hudson Valley short walk village. It’s a well preserved village with lots of shops and history.

By attending this very important hearing you will show EPA and everyone else that YOU WANT THIS FIXED NOW, NOT LATER!

There will be reporters there that you can talk with and tell how living in this situation has affected you and your family. This is a rare opportunity to be heard and to help move this very important and long standing issue along.

East Fishkill Town Hall: 330 Route 376, Hopewell Junction
Informtion: http://www.hopewell-junction-citizens-for-clean-water.org/