NEWS YOU CAN USE
Schedule changes on Metro-North
The Metro-North Railroad will implement minor changes to certain train schedule beginning Sunday, April 3.
Changes to the schedules are planned for Hudson, Harlem and New Haven line customers to accommodate various construction projects, to better reflect actual running times and to improve operational reliability.
A new Friday-only train will also be added to the New Haven line.
For more information and the schedule adjustments visit https://mta.info/mnr/html/serviceupdates.htm?story=685 and pick up a new timetable at Info Booths or ticket windows.
Gas Prices
Gas prices in New York City are averaging $3.79 per gallon as of Sunday, March 20. This is a one cent drop from last week.
Nationally the average is $3.53.
The city’s average gas price is 85.9 cents per gallon higher than at the same time a year ago and 32.7 cents/g above last month’s price.
Schumer calls for bus license audit
Senator Charles Schumer recently called on the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to conduct an audit of licenses issued to drivers of low-cost tour buses.
Schumer called for this audit after evidence emerged that the driver of Saturday’s deadly crash on I-95 may have provided false statements and documents in order to continue operating as a driver.
To help protect customers of these buses Schumer wants to make sure drivers have safe driving records and valid licenses.
“Only a complete vetting of the licenses and driving records of drivers operating these low-cost carriers will prevent people who have no business behind the wheel of a vehicle that carries dozens of passengers from getting there,” said Schumer.
There are over one hundred tour bus companies registered with the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) operating in New York that transport tens of thousands of travelers a month.
Arab-Israeli peace discussion
Queens College students are set to interview high-level foreign affairs experts on how the revolts in the Middle East will affect the prospects for Arab-Israeli peace on Thursday, March 24.
The inquiring students are enrolled in the college’s Center for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding.
The interviewees will include Robert Danin, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations at LeFrak Hall on one of the countries most diverse campuses.
Assembly votes to extend unemployment
The state assembly recently passed legislation to help unemployed New Yorkers receive extended federally funded unemployment insurance benefits through 2011.
The bill awaits Senate passage.
The new bill will amend state law and allow New Yorkers to qualify for a third year in the program helping an estimated 166,000 unemployed New Yorkers.
Extending unemployment benefits is a fundamental step toward strengthening New York’s economy and aiding those who need it most as they continue searching for job opportunities, said Assemblymember Mike Miller.
Queens eligible for emergency funding
Congressmember Anthony Weiner announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deemed Queens is eligible for federal funding to help cover the costs of the December blizzard.
Queens has been approved for Category B funding for emergency protective services. The funding can be used to cover the costs of emergency repairs, search and rescue, and the installation of warning devices, among other measures.
State and local governments, as well as certain non-profit organizations, are eligible for assistance.
It is estimated that the blizzard that hit the area cost the city over $60 million, exceeding the snow budget for the whole year.
Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Did you remember to change your clocks for Daylight Savings?
Well, Fire Commissioner Salvatore J. Cassano is also urging New Yorkers to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
“Over seventy percent of fire-related deaths occur in homes not equipped with working smoke detectors,” said Cassano. “Checking and changing your smoke detector batteries when you change your clocks is the simplest way to protect yourself and your family from a fire.”
Start of Maple Syrup Season
Get out the pancake mix – it’s maple syrup season.
From late winter until early spring is prime time for collecting sap for sugar maple trees that will be turned into delicious syrup.
To celebrate the season the 16th Annual Maple Weekend on March 19-20 and March 26-27. This celebration will take place at over 100 sugarhouses throughout New York, where visitors can see the syrup process first hand and take part in free tours.
New York maple syrup accounts for nearly 20 percent of the nation’s maple production, ranking New York third behind Vermont and Maine, respectively
The tours will take place between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Some sugarhouses are also offering pancake breakfasts, gift shops and horse-drawn sleigh rides.
For more information and for a list of participating sugar houses, visit www.mapleweekend.com.
Win Ray-Ban sunglasses
The Food & Shops at LaGuardia Airport are giving their Twitter followers a chance to win Ray-Ban sunglasses.
Two winners will be announced each Friday in March starting on the eleventh. To win participants must follow @shoplaguardia and tweet hash tag #springshades for a chance to take home the sunglasses. Two tweeting followers will be chosen at random.
The contest will run until March 25.
Get 10 free trees for spring
With spring about to bloom, the Arbor Day Foundation is offering ten free trees for you to plant.
The dogwoods will be sent to you between March 1 and 31, the optimal time for planting these trees, with instructions on how to plant the them enclosed. These white-flowering trees that will grow to between 6-12 inches are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced for free.
It is just $10 to become a member of the foundation and receive trees that “have showy spring flowers, scarlet autumn foliage, and red berries which attract songbirds all winter,” according to John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation
This is part of the non-profit foundation’s Trees for America campaign.
To become a member and receive your ten trees join online at www.arborday.org/March or send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE DOGWOOD TREES, Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by March 31, 2011
Nearly $1 million in rebates still available
Rebates up to $555 are available for New Yorkers who replace their old appliances with ENERGY STAR appliances.
These rebates will be given out on a first-come, first-serve basis, with rebates starting at $50.
Once a qualifying purchase has been made, you can reserve a rebate online or over the phone. You must then submit a signed copy of the application and the required receipts within 14 days in order to complete the application process.
For consumer guidelines on this program, call 877-NY-SMART or go to www.NYApplianceSwapOut.com.
