Libraries in Somers and Shrub Oak will be getting money to make some comfort-related renovations to their buildings. This comes from New York State Public Library Construction grants and was sponsored by Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Patterson.

The grants are awarded by the NYS Public Library and are funded through the 2008-09 enacted state budget.

• John C. Hart Memorial Library in Shrub Oak: $22,760 for installation of a new air conditioning unit;

•Somers Library: $72,500 for replacement of hot water boilers.

In total, the Public Library Construction Grant program is awarding over $14million to libraries across the state this year.

Ball in his comment yesterday with the announcement realizes the value of public libraries in each community.

“As our economy continues to downturn, residents turn more and more to their libraries as a source of entertainment and place to socialize. That’s why I am so pleased to announce these grants and to see that so many of our libraries are able to expand, not just their facilities, but their services
as well,” stated the assemblyman.

There’s still time to join in the second event of The Big Read at a reading of the stage version of “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines. The story is set in Louisiana and tells about two young men from their plantation upbringing to dealing with prejudice.
Romulus Linney, who wrote the play version of “A Lesson Before Dying,” will attend a reading of his play version of the story next Tuesday in Westchester County with local actors. The reading will be followed by a conversation between Linney and John Dillon, director of  the theatre program at Sarah Lawrence College. Linney  has written three novels, 13 plays and 22 short plays. His daughter is the well-known actress Laura Linney.

This reading is directed by Mara Mills and features Michael King, VanElliott Chambless, Thomas Kramer, George Croom, Marilyn Anderosn, Charisse Brown and Daniel Basiletti.

The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), is presented in Westchester through a partnership among ArtsWestchester, the Westchester Library System, Westchester Community College, and more than 40 local organizations. The goal is to promote literary reading among teens and adults, and to encourage readers to engage in the type of activities that foster critical thinking.

Seating is limited, please RSVP to Lauren Milo at (914) 428-4220×235 or lmilo@artswestchester.org.

The Play and the Playwright

Thursday, March 10th, 8 pm

Westchester Community College, Classroom Building Room 200, 75 Grasslands Road,  Valhalla

Alan Schwartz, known as Al N. Saxon, announces that PublishAmerica is preparing to release later this month, the sequel to his historic novel, “A Bridge Between Two Worlds.” The first book is about, “the onset of prejudice in the 1600-era of the Historic Triangle of Virginia,” writes Schwartz in an email.

Here is a copy of the colorful jacket cover from Publishamerica.

Schwartz says the book follows the flight of a pair of young lovers and their Atlantic Ocean crossing.

“Heaven Above/Beyond Dreams” is the 247-page sequel, he explains, which follows the couple’s relocation and how they settle in America and establish roots.

“I have always been an avid reader of history and fan of the likes of F. Van Wyck Mason, Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, and such,” says Schwartz. “Seafaring stories inspired my desire to incorporate the trans-Atlantic voyage, into the first novel. I also used my life-long interior decorating experience.”

He and his wife, Audrey, live in Nanuet and have traveled in the United States and aboard, he adds.

Both books are available in major bookstores, he says, and also online from PublishAmerica. He said he is hoping to schedule author appearances this spring.

It’s Dr. Seuss’ birthday — he would have been 105! So this snowy Monday morning is a fine time to recall the wonderfully humorous. Thanks to poster named Steve C for letting me know.

Theodor Seuss Geisel was born March 2, 1904  in Springfield, Mass. (and died Sept. 24, 1991). An illustrator and cartoonist,  he was best known for his books that captured the imagination of children and adults. These include “Green Eggs and Ham” and “Cat in the Hat.” I recall television shows and even a musical play based on his rhymes and stories.

For major fans there is a Dr. Seuss called  Web site called Seussville. And Google, of course, has a special header for the day.