Daily Archives: August 15, 2011

South Salem NY Homes | Reading, Writing & Chocolate: Great Books for Fourth and Fifth-Graders – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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Working in the Katonah Village Library, I am surrounded by great books to read. Whenever parents ask for a book recommendation for their fourth or fifth graders, my “go to” author is Richard Peck.

Richard Peck writes realistic fiction with humor, quirky characters, and historical time periods. The companion books, A Long Way from Chicago (a Newbery Honor book) and A Year Down Yonder (a Newbery Award winner), take place in the heartland of small town Illinois during the 1920’s and 1930’s. A brother and sister from Chicago spend the summers with their ornery grandmother and wackiness ensues.

Three of my additional favorites from this master storyteller are: The Teacher’s Funeral – the old crabby teacher of the one-room schoolhouse has died and a replacement must be found by September; Here Lies the Librarian – two brothers in a small Indiana town help out when the fate of the only library in town is up for grabs; and Fair Weather – a Midwestern farm family gets the chance to visit the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 where unusual sights and characters abound.

Richard Peck gives the reader strong characters, visual settings, humor, adventure, and wonderful language. His stories are peppered with “old-timey” phrases that will keep you laughing.

Adults can enjoy all of these novels, as well as Richard Peck’s short story collection, Past Perfect, Present Tense. He really does have something for everyone.

Most of these books are available on CD-audio which would really be a treat for the whole family to listen to while driving to the beach or to visit grandparents. Make sure to stop by a local farm stand or general store when you are on your next car trip and buy some rocky road fudge to make the experience even sweeter!

On a personal note: This writer is looking to rent a small house or 2 bedroom apartment in the Katonah/Cross River/South Salem area. Please call me at the library with any leads—there may be a box of Perugina chocolates in it for you!

via bedford.patch.com

Armonk NY Real Estate | Boating on the Hudson; Expect Heavy Delays on Route 22 – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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Many sailors, kayakers and windsurfers have been worried about access to the Hudson River since the sewage leak in Ossining. 

But there are other issues facing boaters.

The website boatingonthehudson.com/

 

Warning: From Aug. 15-17, there will be two lanes closed on I-87 at Exit 7 in the Rivertowns during the repair of the Route 9A overpass.

As for construction on local roads, the big issue should be on Route 22 from Aug. 17-31 in North White Plains. It’ll be down to one lane each way, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and that will mean huge delays, say officials from the state Transportation Department. 

Here are some local construction projects (in addition to the ongoing work on 84, 684, 87, 287, etc.):

Rockland County

Spook Rock Road, Montebello, between Viola Road and Grandview Avenue, one lane closed on Aug. 16. 

Putnam County

Route 6 between Star Ridge Road and Argonne Road, one lane blocked, dayside.

Route 9D, one lane blocked between Bank Street and Peekskill Road, dayside.

Westchester County

Chappaqua: Route 120 between Hunts Place and Greeley Avenue. Lane closures possible 24/7.

Harrison: Route 120 between Cottage Avenue and New King Street. Alternating traffic at times between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

White Plains: bridge inspection Aug. 16 on Grant Avenue between Morningside and Clinton.

White Plains: bridge inspection Aug. 17 on Lake Street between North Kensico and Horton Mill. 

Dobbs Ferry: Route 9 between Lake Drive and Langdon. Night time road work. 

via bedford.patch.com

Katonah NY Real Estate | Flash Flood Watch in Effect for the Lower Hudson Valley – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Lower Hudson Valley and much of the tri-state area.

The Weather Service is predicting an additional two to four inches of rainfall through Monday evening, with a possibility of higher rainfall amounts locally.

A Flash Flood Watch means conditions could develop that lead to flash flooding. The Weather service has yet to issue a flood warning, but residents are encouraged to monitor their local weather forecasts to see whether such an alert has been made.

 

Here’s the forecast for areas in the lower Hudson Valley:

Northern Westchester: Rain and possible thunderstorms through Sunday evening. More showers and thunderstorms likely on Monday, with up to an additional one inch of rain. 

Southern Westchester: Rain and possible thunderstorms through Sunday evening. More showers and thunderstorms likely on Monday, with up to an additional one to two inches of rain. 

Rockland: Rain and possible thunderstorms on Sunday. More of the same weather is likely on Monday, with up to an additional one inch of rain. 

Town of Southeast, Putnam: Scattered showers with possible thunderstorms after 4 p.m. On Monday, chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11 a.m. Up to three-quarters of an inch of new rainfall.


via bedford.patch.com