<h1>&nbsp;Urgent need for blood and platelet donations</h1> <h2>Donate by Dec. 19 and receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card</h2> <p>The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors from Rivertowns to give now to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season.</p> <p>Blood and platelet donations often decline during the holidays. Regular donors are busy with holiday activities, and travel and severe winter weather may cause blood drive cancellations. Yet donations remain critical for patients like 4-year-old Wyatt Monacelli who is in the midst of intense chemotherapy treatments for leukemia. He has received a number of transfusions since his diagnosis in June and will likely need more.&nbsp;Locations in and around Rivertowns are:</p> <p></p><table class="'articleList' style=width:100%;table-layout: fixed;"><tbody><tr class="hidemeonmobile"><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">town</th><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">date</th><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">time</th><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">location</th><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">address</th></tr><tr><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;font-weight:normal;">Greenwich</th><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">12/1/2018</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">First Presbyterian Church</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">1 West Putnam Ave</td></tr><tr><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;font-weight:normal;">Greenwich</th><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">12/8/2018</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">8 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">Greenwich Public Safety Complex/New Greenwich Police Department</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">11 Bruce Place</td></tr><tr><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;font-weight:normal;">Greenwich</th><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">12/12/2018</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">Greenwich Town Hall</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">101 Field Point Road</td></tr><tr><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;font-weight:normal;">Ridgefield</th><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">12/13/2018</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">Ridgefield Park &amp; Recreation Center</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">195 Danbury Rd.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p> <p>“We are fortunate to have had so many donors give the gift of life to our child so far throughout the course of his treatment, and even more so, we are lucky to have had a supply of blood available for him when he needed it,” said Julianna Monacelli, Wyatt’s mother.</p> <p>Donors are urged to give now to ensure that families like Wyatt’s don’t have to worry about the availability of blood this winter. In thanks for helping meet the urgent need around the holidays, all those who come to donate blood or platelets now through Dec. 19, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)</p> <p>Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).</p> <p>Another way to help keep the blood supply strong is to host a Red Cross blood drive this winter. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.</p> <p><strong>How to donate blood</strong><br>Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.</p> <p>Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Get lost in the beauty of the&nbsp;season! Strolling (or running, skipping, walking) through a corn maze is one of the adventures of fall (and it’s perfect for all ages!) Lucky for us, Connecticut is home to several corn mazes that boast beauty, art, and creativity!</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cornmazesamerica.com/media.php">According to Corn Mazes America</a>, the first modern corn maze was created in the early 1990s in the United States. By 1998 there were between 50-100 &nbsp;and a decade later, 2008, it’s estimated that there were over 800 corn mazes in the United States! We did some searching but could not find the exact number of corn mazes that exist in American today, but safe to say, the number exceeds one thousand!&nbsp;</p> <p dir="ltr">Below please find the Maze or Mazes within forty miles of Rivertowns. &nbsp;</p> <p></p><table class="'articleList' style=width:100%;table-layout: fixed;"><tbody><tr class="hidemeonmobile"><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">Place</th><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">Town</th><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">Address</th><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;">Phone</th></tr><tr><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;font-weight:normal;">Plasko's Farm</th><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">Trumbull</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">670 Daniels Farm Road</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">203-268-2716</td></tr><tr><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;font-weight:normal;">Castle Hill Farm</th><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">Newtown</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">25 Sugar Lane</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">203-426-5487</td></tr><tr><th style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;text-align: left;font-weight:normal;">Benedict's Home and Garden</th><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">Monroe</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">480 Purdy Hill Road</td><td style="border: 1px solid black;padding:5px;">203-268-2537</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p> <p dir="ltr">Most corn mazes are open on weekends, but we recommend calling ahead of time or checking the Farm’s website for exact dates and times of operation. In addition to the joys of getting lost in the cornstalks, many of the farms offer fun fall activities including hayrides and pumpkin picking.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p></p> <p>Tasting: White Wines for Summer</p> <p>&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;June 12th from 7:00 - 8:00 pm</p> <p>With the arrival of the summer solstice and hot, humid weather many crave light, chilled, refreshing white wines. Often with a lower alcohol level than red wines, crisp whites keep you refreshed, revitalized and less dehydrated. White wines are extremely versatile and can be paired with hot or cold foods or simply sipped and savored on their own.</p> <p>Don't miss this great opportunity to taste a selection of fabulous white wines from around the globe&nbsp;that are refreshing summer sippers! Discover your favorites for beating the heat!</p> <p>A reservation fee of $10 per person will be collected and applied as a store credit toward purchases made the evening of the tasting&nbsp;<em>only</em>. If you must cancel, avoid forfeiting your credit by cancelling the reservation at least 24 hours in advance.&nbsp;To reserve call us at 914-579-2280 or send an&nbsp;<a href="mailto:contact@bestwinepurveyors.com?subject=Friday%20Night%20Tasting&amp;body=Kindly%20include%20your%20name%2C%20phone%20number%2C%20and%20the%20number%20of%20guests%20in%20your%20party%20and%20we%20will%20call%20you%20to%20confirm%20and%20settle%20your%20charge.">email</a>&nbsp;to us.</p> <p><strong>Best Wine Purveyors 210 Marble Avenue Pleasantville</strong></p>

<p><a href="undefined" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>The talk is geared to parents of teens! &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Time management is a challenge for everyone, but it is a particularly daunting challenge for middle and high school&nbsp;students. There is an expectation that "at their age" they should be independent and know how to get things done&nbsp;on their own. But teens are busier than ever. Between homework, school, afterschool activities, family, friends,&nbsp;jobs, and more, teens often find that their time is truly NOT their own. Add to that the fact that they often lack the&nbsp;tools to most effectively manage their time.&nbsp;</p> <p>Perhaps it’s a little unrealistic for parents to expect their teenagers to instinctively know&nbsp;how to manage time - But, given the right tools, we can help them help themselves!</p> <div>This Workshop will cover the following topics and there will be plenty of time for Q&amp;A</div> <ul> <li>The FIVE mindsets parents need to start their teen on to acheive time management awareness</li> <li>How to create a “Personal Homework Profile” to better understand how your teen tackles homework</li> <li>How to help your teen create a sense of time and develop “future awareness”</li> <li>How to pick an appropriate paper or electronic academic planner so that they can properly plan their time</li> </ul> <div>Leslie will also have copies of her newest book (baring the same name as the workshop!)&nbsp;“What’s the Deal with Teens and Time Management”,&nbsp;which&nbsp;takes parents through a step-by-step process of teaching&nbsp;their teens the time management skills they need to succeed — at school, at work and in life!</div> <p>The book is a user-friendly guide full of best practice solutions for helping teens stay on top of their homework, avoid&nbsp;procrastination traps, get out the door in the morning with minimal conflict, and manage the use of their&nbsp;electronics. &nbsp;In a readable, breezy and witty fashion, Josel opens the door to the world of time management, what&nbsp;it really means, why it’s important and why your teen probably doesn’t “get it.” &nbsp;And throughout the book, Josel&nbsp;offers up the “Triple Ts” – her tried and true Tips, Tools and Techniques – to provide support and guidance for&nbsp;parents looking to help their teens understand, develop and implement time management skills.</p> <p>Time Management is a Life Skill that Doesn’t Come Naturally to Everyone. But It Can be Learned.</p> <p>About The Instructor /&nbsp;Leslie Josel is the founder of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.orderoochaos.com/" rel="nofollow">Order Out of Chaos</a>, an organizing consulting firm specializing in student&nbsp;organization and chronic disorganization and creator of the award-winning “Academic Planner: A Tool for Time&nbsp;Management”®. She brings over a decade’s worth of professional experience working one-on-one with teens and&nbsp;their families, speaking to teachers, parent and professional groups across the country, as well as the perspective&nbsp;of a mother of a time-challenged teen, to create a parent’s indispensable guide through the time management&nbsp;journey with their teen.</p> <h2><a href="http://www.eventbrite.com/o/wtercooler-1162479793?s=32467003" target="_blank">W@tercooler</a></h2> <h2>Thursday, February 26, 2015 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM (EST)</h2> <div id="event_network"> <h2>North Broadway, Tarrytown, NY</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div>

<p><a href="undefined" target="_blank"></a></p> <p>This workshop, to be held on tuesday March 10, 2015 at from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at <a href="mailto:W@tercooler">W@tercooler</a>&nbsp;in Tarrytown, &nbsp;is for individuals, companies and Non-Profits who are looking to save hundreds of dollars annually by maintaining their own WordPress websites.</p> <p>As a company,&nbsp;how you are viewed&nbsp;by the public and your customers is&nbsp;as important as the product or service you provide, customer service, and the integrity of your company. Staying current in your customers’ "digital" eyes lets them know that this same attention to detail carries through to what you do.</p> <p>For Individuals taking this class will also allow you to add a highly marketable skill to your resume, or make yourself more valuable to your current company.</p> <p>This workshop is for those of you who have taken on, or have been given the responsibility, for maintaining a&nbsp;WordPress&nbsp;website for your company.&nbsp;</p> <p>The process of updating a website can feel intimidating, but there is&nbsp;really very little you can do to “break” a WordPress site.&nbsp;</p> <p>You’ll leave this class with the confidence to:</p> <p>• Add pages and schedule blog posts</p> <p>• Create links to other websites and to your own PDFs</p> <p>• Add “anchors” (links that jump to a particular place in the text)</p> <p>• Alter the navigation menu</p> <p>• Change slideshow images</p> <p>• Create a form</p> <p>• Change your sidebar widgets</p> <p>• Learn legal best practices (Intellectual Property, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, etc.)</p> <p>• Learn to do basic Search Engine Optimization (SEO)</p> <p>In this 90 minute workshop you will learn how to perform all of the basic WordPress functions and gain resources for help in the future, should you need it.&nbsp;Register now, and start gathering the tools you need to be more successful in your business, your job, and your future!</p> <p>Please bring your laptop or tablet if you have one to follow along, or to illustrate questions you may have.&nbsp;Please E-mail Lynn Amos at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:lynn@fynelyne.com">lynn@fynelyne.com</a>&nbsp;with any additional topics you would like to have covered.</p> <table id="templateContainer" width="600" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> <table id="templateBody" width="600" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table width="600" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <p><strong><a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=860d819e88&amp;e=e107e1c30e" target="_blank">Register today&nbsp;</a>and get the tools you need to rock WordPress!</strong></p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="top"> <table id="templateFooter" width="600" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top">&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>Lynn Amos, founder of&nbsp;<a href="http://www.fynelyne.com/FyneLyne/"><strong>Fyne Lyne Ventures</strong></a>, has more than 25 years’ experience working with New York City metro area business owners, creating marketing communications materials. She started her career as a magazine Art Director in New York City then moved on to direct the marketing efforts of small businesses based in New Jersey, Long Island, Fairfield County, and Westchester County before opening her own award-winning design consulting firm in 2006. She has been designing for the web since 2002, and is known for her expertise in custom WordPress design.</p> <p>Lynn has a bachelor’s degree in fine art from the University of New Mexico and studied graphic design at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. She works with small- and medium-sized business owners who don’t have an in-house art or marketing department as well as partnering with larger design firms who occasionally need additional hands on deck.&nbsp;</p> <p>There will also be a special guest,&nbsp;<strong>Michael J. Wieser, Esq</strong>., who will be available to answer questions&nbsp;about legal issues pertaining to websites. Michael is a&nbsp;business lawyer and serial entrepreneur who assets that "everything I’ve experienced lead me to creating a law practice to work with innovative entrepreneurs and helping them reach their goals and achieve the full potential of their businesses."</p> <p>All attendees for this workshop will be automatically entered to win&nbsp;<strong>TWO raffles</strong>, one for a 1-hour&nbsp;complementary&nbsp;<strong>SEO&nbsp;work on your website</strong>&nbsp;by Lynn Amos (a $150 value), and another to receive a One-on-One&nbsp;<strong>Legal Health Check&nbsp;</strong>with Michael Wieser!</p> <table width="600" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top"><em>W@tercooler is located at&nbsp;</em>21 North Broadway | Tarrytown, NY | 10591 | 914.332.1400 |&nbsp;<a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=7b0cdc695b&amp;e=e107e1c30e" target="_blank">www.watercoolerhub.com</a></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p></p> <h1><strong>This Week's Events + Workshops</strong></h1> <div> <div>This week's <a href="mailto:W@tercooler line">W@tercooler line</a> up includes Lynne Lori Sylvan's on-going Improv Class on Monday, Brett Scudder's Suicide Awareness and Prevention Support Group on Wednesday, and a not-to-be missed screening of Jill Liflander's The Journal Project on Saturday evening. See more details and registration links below! <div> <p><strong>MON Feb 16, 7:15-9;15pm</strong><br><strong>In The Flow - Improvisation for Everyone with Lynne Lori Sylvan</strong></p> <p><strong>Ongoing - Every Monday, 7:15-9:15&nbsp;</strong>Come explore improv in a safe supportive environment; a gentle fun remedy for social anxiety and/or boredom. &nbsp;This class meets&nbsp;every Monday evening and drop-ins are welcome&nbsp;(fee is $35), but&nbsp;ask the instructor about multiple class discounts.&nbsp;<a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=d14340eaf3&amp;e=e107e1c30e" target="_blank">Email&nbsp;Lynne&nbsp;Lori</a><a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=ca17debbb1&amp;e=e107e1c30e">&nbsp;</a>for additional info and to register. Class fee is $35&nbsp;for drop in, and multi-class discounts are available. All payments through instructor.</p> </div> </div> <div> <p><strong>WED Feb 18, 7-9pm</strong><br><strong>Suicide Prevention &amp; Awareness Support Group with Brett A. Scudder of&nbsp;</strong><strong><a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=d5a31c5d18&amp;e=e107e1c30e" target="_blank">SISFI</a>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p>Brett Scudder will be leading his on-going&nbsp;Suicide and Depression Support Group at <a href="mailto:W@tercooler during">W@tercooler during</a> January. Are&nbsp;you struggling with life challenges that are affecting your mental, emotional, psychological and physical health?&nbsp;Are you having suicidal thoughts, attempted or lost a loved one to suicide or feeling&nbsp;depressed and facing emotional distress and life challenges from loss?&nbsp;There are many people who are suffering and struggling with life challenges and&nbsp;need help coping. This support group will provide peer support, resources and tools to move through these life challenges&nbsp;while enhancing your health and wellness.&nbsp;To&nbsp;RSVP to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:Ask@sisfi.org">Ask@sisfi.org</a>&nbsp;/ 917.651.1889 to let them know you're coming.&nbsp;<strong>FREE</strong><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <strong>SAT Feb 21, 7-10pm</strong><br><strong>Screening Party for Jill Liflander's The Journal Project</strong> <div>Whether you missed Jill Liflander's "The Journal Project" or rocked the stage as a secret special surprise flash mob dancer or stealth musician - - -Join us on&nbsp;Saturday,&nbsp;February 21st&nbsp;at 7pm for a "Watch the Video" party at&nbsp;<a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=69ecafd6d6&amp;e=e107e1c30e">W@tercooler</a>&nbsp;(plus more interactive audience participation)!&nbsp;So what is this Journal Project you speak of??&nbsp;Area choreographer Jill Liflander received a grant from RAW (<a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=d0af00a69e&amp;e=e107e1c30e">Rivertowns Artist Workshop</a>) and Arts Westchester in Spring 2014 to create an evening-length dance piece. She built an autobiographical story weaving her childhood experiences of using art as a refuge from trauma with her present day involvement with visual art and movement to bring you The Journal Project. Join us on the 21st!&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong><a href="http://westchesterwatercooler.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=4d0c8c3757d9702f18457f5d7&amp;id=0a54245b62&amp;e=e107e1c30e" target="_blank">RSVP</a></strong>!</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div><a href="mailto:W@tercooler">W@tercooler</a> 21 North is located at Broadway<br>Tarrytown, NY 10591<br><br><strong>HRS:</strong><br>M-F, 9-5:30<br>Weekends/Eves w/Res<br><br><strong>TEL:</strong><br>914.332.1400<br><br><strong>CONTACT:</strong><br><a href="mailto:info@watercoolerhub.com">info@watercoolerhub.com</a></div> </div> </div>