Gillibrand leads charge to keep gays in the military
From The Daily Beast

WASHINGTON - New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has secured an agreement from the Senate Armed Services Committee to hold hearings on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” gays-in-the-military policy this fall. It would be the first formal re-assessment of the policy since Congress passed it into law in 1993. Recently, Gillibrand tried to add an amendment to the Military Reauthorization Act that would have temporarily suspended the policy, but withdrew it when she determined the amendment would not pass. This is her latest attempt to solidify support from her left for her 2010 primary election to retain her seat.

Greenway announces $75,000 trail grant program
From The Register-Star

The Hudson River Valley Greenway has applications available for the 2009 Greenway Conservancy Small Grant Program, with $75,000 in matching grants for funding for trail planning and design, construction and rehabilitation, and education and interpretation.

NOTES
Fred Dicker reports in The New York Post that former MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow, a major Republican fund-raiser and activist, is endorsing Democratic Attorney General Andrew Cuomo for governor....The Daily Mail and The Register-Star recently completed a wonderful redesign of their web sites. Unfortunately, they are charging readers to look at articles more than a few days old. Good luck with that....Columbia County's CCScoop says it is changing to a non-profit web site, and asking for donations. Good luck with that.