Rep. Tom Allen Announces $828,269 in U.S. Dept. of Transportation Grant to Maine
Funding to allow the Greater Portland Transit District to buy three clean fuel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Tom Allen today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded an $828,269 grant to the State of Maine. Representative Allen secured an earmark for the grant in the last Congress through the Section 5309 Bus Discretionary Fund for Fiscal Year 2005. The grant will allow the Greater Portland Transit District (GPTD) to update its fleet through the purchase of three 35 foot accessible clean fuel Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses to replace diesel fuel buses.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Representative Allen has been a leader in the effort to improve air quality through the development of vehicles powered by alternative fuel sources, like the CNG bus. The grant is part of a $2.4 million FY 2005 federal grant to the Maine Department of Transportation.

Snowe, Collins announce funds for Maine Historical Society

(Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan M. Collins (R-ME) today announced that a $122,682 Museums for America grant has been awarded to the Maine Historical Society (MHS) from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The funds will be used to convert the Maine Historical Society's current card-based catalog to a digital collections management system through Maine InfoNet, a statewide, web-accessible cataloging system. The project will assist MHS with exhibit design, development of education resources, acquisitions decisions, and publications while providing the public with easy access to research collections.

IMLS is an independent federal agency that supports all types of museums, from art and history to science and zoos, and all types of libraries and archives, from public and academic to research and school. Museums for America Grants strengthen museums' ability to serve the public more effectively by supporting high-priority activities that advance the institution's mission and strategic goals.

NYTimes bestselling author to speak
Gray library hosts Tess Gerritsen

On Saturday, August 6 the library will only be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon so that the staff may participate in the special events of the day. As many of you know, Tess Gerritsen, Maine author and New York Times best selling author will be appearing at Stimson Hall at 2 p.m.

This is a big event for the Gray Public Library and they are excited about the opportunity to bring a noted author like Tess Gerritsen to Gray. Many thanks go to Marie Morey for setting up this event and being the contact person with Ms. Gerritsen. Tess Gerritsen is the author of medical mystery thriller such a The Apprentice, The Surgeon, The Sinner, Bloodstream and Body Double. Her new book Vanish will be out August 26. Signed bookplates will be availalble that can be put into the new book. Ms. Gerritsen will be speaking and signing books. We hope that many of you will be able to attend.