Yorktown and Cortlandt region

Younger students in Yorktown got a hands-on lesson in gardening and plant biology, and older students are teaching them. Here’s the story from the Yorktown School District:

At the Mohansic Elementary School, about 30 YHS students from the Operation Grace Club will be working with students in both the YHS Life Skills class, as well as students at Mohansic, to garden together.

The Operation Grace Club is a service organization for students to help make a difference in our community (sponsored by the F. Grace Foundation).
The Life Skills class has been growing a vegetable garden in one of the high school courtyards this year, and will continue to do so this summer). An educator from Hilltop Hanover who has been teaching the students about pollination is also taking part.

Hundreds of runners came out for a 5K run at FDR Park in Yorktown for the The Mental Health Association of Westchester County.
Here’s an write-up from the sponsors:

300 hundred runners, walkers and friends who showed their support of MHA, and helped to promote awareness of the importance of mental health. Congresswoman Nita Lowey helped kick-off the festivities, which included music, food, entertainment and awards, saying: “We have to do even more with mental health research in Washington and I will take back that message. We need to resolve the issues that cause mental illness. We will continue fighting together.” Special guests Gerri Willis, host, The Willis Report, Fox Business Network and Lou Young, Emmy award winning CBS News Reporter, both longtime supporters of MHA on the move: Run/Walk, were at the starting line to cheer on the runners; and Sarah Hreyo, Miss Westchester, was on hand giving out ribbons to the winners of the Kids’ Race.

“On this morning, our community stands together in support of MHA, in support of accessible mental health services and in solidarity with all those who care about serving and supporting the individuals and families that turn to us,” said Dr. Amy Kohn, MHA CEO.

Yorktown players cheer Ryan Fagan after his homerun against Mahopac during the baseball game at Yorktown High School on May 10, 2012. Yorktown beat Mahopac 5-2. ( Xavier Mascareñas / The Journal News )

See more photos in a gallery online, and go to LoHud.com for the story.

Also, see a video from the game: Yorktown-vs-Mahopac-baseball

Here’s the info on an art exhibit at the Hudson Valley Hospital Center:

If your soul is longing for a simpler time when swimming in the local pond and drying off under the sun were the ultimate summer entertainment, then you must visit “Local History and Color,” the latest exhibit at Hudson Valley Hospital Center’s Art for Health Gallery.

“Local History and Color” celebrates the works of five local artists with very different styles, but one thing in common: the enthusiasm they bring to their work through the use of color. On exhibit from May 4 –September 3, are the works of local artists Robert and Andrew Barthelmes; Cheryl Vlachos, Phyllis Smith and Carol Carpentieri.

The exhibit is currently on display in the lobby and in Hospital’s main corridors. An opening reception will be held on Friday, June 1 from 4-6 p.m. in the lobby. The exhibit will also be a featured stop on a tour of local art galleries as part of Peekskill Open Studios June 2-3. The weekend long celebration of art features visual and performing arts by more than 100 artists in their studios, performance spaces and 15 special exhibitions in galleries and other venues throughout Peekskill, NY.
“We are very excited to be part of the Peekskill Open Studios tour this year,’’ said Suzanne Ashley, curator of the Hospital’s Art for Health program, which consists of 13 fine art galleries throughout the hospital. “Robert Barthelmes’ Finktown with its historic look at Peekskill is particularly relevant. We are very fortunate to have all these talented artists on exhibit.’’
Robert Barthelmes “Finktown” is a series of watercolors that tells the story of Peekskill’s neighborhoods during the artist’s childhood in the 1940s and 1950s. “Finktown” is a snapshot in time of an area around lower Main Street and is named for John Fink, the man largely responsible for the development of the area. The series celebrates the simple working class neighborhoods that flourished throughout the northeast during that time.
“In reality it was an ordinary place, but by illuminating these scenes of life there, Finktown is brought back, and it becomes, however fleetingly, a rich extraordinary place,’’ said Barthelmes, who is now retired after a 31-year career as creative director with Conde Nast Publications.
The work of Andrew Barthelmes, Robert’s son, is also on display, and while it too celebrates street life, it does so in a more modern and urban style. The younger Barthelmes received his BFA from the School of Visual Arts in 1996 and been in several group and solo shows in the New York area.

Cheryl Vlachos is an accomplished American Oil and Watercolor painter. Vlachos’ landscapes have a surreal quality and she is considered one of the new school of Hudson River Painters. A Cortlandt Manor resident, Vlachos work has been exhibited in many galleries in New York City, SoHo and throughout Westchester, Connecticut and Rhode Island. She as been a professional art director and graphic designer and is an art teacher for adults and children.

Phyllis Smith, a painter and photographer, describes her intricate paintings as “complex, deliberate and precise microcosms found close to the earth.” Smith’s work is rooted in nature and she uses her skill as a painter to delve deeper into subjects she often initially discovers through her photography. A native New Yorker, she returned to complete her fine arts degree in 1998 after a career as an advertising production manager. Her work has been exhibited throughout New York, Westchester and Connecticut.

Carol Carpentieri describes herself as “self taught” saying her age has allowed her to shed inhibitions and express herself joyfully through art. Her whimsical work explores her world through a variety of medium from oil and acrylics, watercolors to sculpture. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Carpentieri lives in South Salem where she enjoys gardening. Her work has been exhibited at the Katonah Museum.

The “Art for Health” program seeks to display the works of both emerging and established artists. It is unique because of its scale and the quality of the artwork that it brings to a hospital setting. “Art for Health” now has more than 350 pieces of fine art on display. Many of the works are by artists who have exhibited in museums and galleries internationally. Most of the artworks are donated. In 2010, “Art for Health” received a community service award from ArtsWestchester.

Peekskill will have a special presentation at its Memorial Day Service, May 28. Lt. Colonel Ricardo Singleton, an active member of the U.S. Army for 28 years will be the guest speaker. Read below for more information on the event:

Lt. Colonel Ricardo Singleton will be the guest speaker at Peekskill’s Memorial Day Service on May 28 at 10 a.m. in Monument Park. Singleton, who is a Peekskill resident, has been a member of the United States Army for 28 years. He obtained his commission through the Reserve Officers Training Corp at Fordham University in January, 1985.

Singleton returned from a tour of duty in Laghman, Afghanistan last month, where he was Deputy Commanding Officer of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, a unit introduced by the United State government, consisting of military officers, diplomats, and reconstruction subject matter experts, working to support reconstruction efforts in unstable areas of Afghanistan.

His most recent tour is one of many he has served. He has also served in Operations Joint Endeavor in Bosnia, Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

Singeton is a member of the American Legion Post 274 in Peekskill and a Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard. Lt. Colonel Singleton is the recipient of two Bronze Stars, a Joint Service Commendation Service Medal, Two Department of State Meritorious Honors Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, eight Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, and other awards.

In addition to his membership with the American Legion, SIngleton is a member of the St. James A.M.E. Zion Church, Beacon, NY, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6396, Mount Vernon, NY, The Reserve Officer’s Association, The Civil Affairs Associat

The Ossining Union Free School District has announced that it will go live Friday on Pinterest, the latest online social networking outlet. Read below for more from the district on it:

Ossining Schools are already on Facebook, Twitter and the Internet. Now, the District is going live Friday on Pinterest, the web-based virtual bulletin board that is one of the fastest growing social network sites.

“Being connected with the Ossining community is a top priority for the administration and Board of Education,” said Deputy Superintendent Ray Sanchez. “We are always looking for new ways to reach our constituents. Pinterest, a virtual bulletin board, is gaining in popularity so we wanted to have a presence there.”

Unlike Facebook or Twitter, Pinterest is primarily visual. Users pin photos, illustrations and even videos to a virtual bulletin board. On the Ossining Pinterest site, you will find four separate boards – one for athletics, arts, academics and a general board. Users can follow all of Ossining’s Pinterest boards or choose just one. Although Pinterest boards are public, users should “follow” boards for the most up-to-date and complete information.

“We’re using Facebook, Twitter, our Web site and our weekly O-Blasts, which are emailed news updates, and now we have Pinterest,” said Assistant Technology Director Jennifer Forsberg. “Different sites appeal to different types of people but the goal of all of these communication efforts is the same. We want people to know about the great things happening in Ossining schools.”

In February, the District launched its own app for mobile devices. The app puts all of the District’s online information in one, easily accessible place. Once you open the app on your phone, you can tap into the parent portal, staff links, quick links and stay connected sections on the district’s web page. Pinterest will be added to the links provided through the mobile app.

To check out Pinterest, go to www.pinterest.com/oufsd

This Saturday, Ossining will honor Dr. Robert Seebacher, proclaiming the day in his honor. Read below for more information from The Gold Standard on the event:

Dr. Robert Seebacher of Ossining, Chairman of the Mid-Hudson Ambulance Service and an orthopedic surgeon at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, will be honored by the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps (OVAC) on Saturday, May 19, 2012, when “Dr. Robert Seebacher Day” will be proclaimed in the Town and Village of Ossining.

Activities will take place at OVAC Headquarters, 8 Clinton Avenue, from 9 AM to 5 PM and will include a special presentation at 2 PM to Dr. Seebacher who has played an integral role in establishing a multi-community regional EMS model to enhance pre-hospital care, reducing duplication, enhancing patient outcomes and reducing costs.

The Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps is inviting the greater Ossining community to attend this annual celebration of Emergency Medical Servi ces Week (EMS). National EMS Week is May 20-23 and is set aside each year to publicize safety, educate the public about their local EMS System and to honor those who provide day-to-day life saving services on medicine’s front line.

The Mid-Hudson Ambulance Service was established by the Towns of Ossining and New Castle and the Village of Ossining. It presently serves those communities and the Village of Croton with state-of-the-art pre-hospital care. It is staffed by the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps volunteers, and supplemented by paid paramedics.

OVAC, established in 1958, is an award winning volunteer ambulance service utilizing the highest level of Advanced Life Saving (ALS) Paramedics. In addition to being offered by the Mid-Hudson Ambulance Service, Advanced Life Saving care is available to the citizens of Ossining and the surrounding communities of Croton-on Hudson and Briarcliff Manor via a Tri-Community Area Fly Car Service.

Phelps Memorial Hospital Cent er sponsored the first A.L.S. course for OVAC members and provides medical oversight of the agency through the services of Dr. Emil Nigro, Director of Phelps Emergency Medical Services. This class graduated the first volunteer A.L.S. Technicians (NYS Emergency Medical Technicians Level III) in Westchester County.

The activities on May 19 will include the showing of apparatus from the Ossining Fire and Police Departments, as well as the New York State Police. Children may tour the equipment and learn about safety issues. Free CPR classes will be offered twice during the day from 10 AM to noon and at 1 PM to 3 PM. Pre-registration for the CPR classes is required at ovactraining@gmail.com. Entertainment will be presented throughout the day as well.

Last Veterans Day, the VA New York/New Jersey Healthcare Network launched Family of Heroes, an interactive online training simulation where families of the region’s 800,000 veterans learn critical skills to manage challenges faced by families adjusting to post-deployment life – including how to identify PTSD and suicidal intent and how to motivate the veteran to seek help at the VA.

The Family of Heroes 1-hour training is freely available to veterans’ families in the greater metropolitan New York area and New Jersey and is accessed from any internet-connected computer at www.familyofheroes.com. VA Hudson Valley Health Care System is excited to be partnering with over 30 veteran organizations in the region to reach out to families of veterans and inform them about the training and how to access it.

“The Family of Heroes training utilizes an innovative web-based educational gaming technology to reach and engage families on a large scale and provide them with tools to identify when their veteran needs help and how to connect them with the VA health care,” at VA Hudson Valley.

By engaging in three practice conversations with three emotionally responsive veteran avatars, including a husband with PTSD and TBI, a wife with depression and a son experiencing thoughts of suicide, family members learn to de-escalate arguments, resolve disputes and, if necessary, direct their veteran to seek help at the VA.

The training is a result of collaboration between the area VA Healthcare Network and Kognito Interactive, an award-winning developer of online role-playing simulations. Family of Heroes was developed utilizing feedback from over 100 veterans’ families around the country and VA psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other VA clinicians and experts in PTSD and mental health issues associated with post-combat adjustment).

To view a short demonstration of the training and learn more about this project, go to: https://visn3.kognito.com/ptsd/ A one-year VA study is under way to further evaluate the training simulation.

For Veterans seeking information about VA Care:
VA Hudson Valley Health Care System offers Veterans primary and specialty care, women’s health, long term care, mental health/residential care to include PTSD, substance abuse and  treatment for homeless veterans.  VA Hudson Valley services are available at the two main campuses in Montrose and Castle Point and the six Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) in Carmel, Goshen, Monticello, New City, Pine Plains, Port Jervis and Poughkeepsie.

Any Veteran seeking eligibility information about VA care, please call 914-737-4400, Ext. 2306 or 845-831-2000, Ext. 5100 for more information.

Three Yorktown students won silver medals at a science fair. Here’s the write-up from the district:

– From May 3-6, 2012, during the world’s largest international science fair for projects focusing on sustainability, the International Sustainable World (Energy, Engineering and Environment) Project Olympiad, (ISWEEEP), three students from Yorktown High School’s science research program won silver medals and scholarships valued at $600.00 each. Two of the three students presented their research in energy: Junior Linus (David) Hamann won for his research presentation entitled, “Forecasting and Managing Solar Energy – Developing algorithms to handle the fluctuating supply of solar energy.” Junior Tanvi Tiwari won for her research presentation entitled, “Optimization of Ground-Source Well Locations.” Senior Miwa Wenzel won for her entry in the environmental category with her research presentation, “The Distribution and Co-Occurrence of Eurycea bislineata and Introduced Boraria stricta in Freshwater Streambeds: Evidence of Competition for Space?”

From left to right:  David, Tanvi and Mina.

David Arturi, a senior at Somers High School, is hosting a car show this weekend to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“Engines of Excellence” will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the school, 120 Primrose Street in Lincolndale (10504).

This project started from an independent study program through WISE.  The car show started off being for the class and to benefit a charity, “but the more time I put into it, the more important it became to me,” he said in an email exchange  today with The Journal News/LoHud.com

Arturi  said the show is in honor his uncle who passed away from Leukemia. All of the proceeds will go to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

“I’ve spent a great amount of time recruiting cars, organizing the event, dealing with legal work, and advertising,” he said.

The show is mainly focused on classic cars, but there will be high-end foreign imports such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, Mercedes along with some as “funny cars and dragsters.” The cars, he added, will come from local car clubs and residents of Somers.

There will be no cost to attend, but donations are suggested. Food and beverages will be available. For those who want to donate to Arturi’s cause before or after the car show, go to this website.

Rain date  is June 2.