The Collector and the Artists: A Panel Discussion on Richard Feigen, Joseph Cornell, and Ray Johnson on Thursday, June 8 from 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Join us for an evening of stories and conversation about three influential art-world figures: Joseph Cornell, Ray Johnson, and art collector and dealer Richard Feigen, who championed both artists' careers. This intimate discussion between renowned gallerists Frances F.L. Beatty and Michael Findlay will be moderated by KMA Executive Director Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe. 

Frances F.L. Beatty, Ph.D., is Chairman of Adler Beatty, managing Director of the Ray Johnson Estate, and President Emerita of Richard L, Feigen & Co.

Michael Findlay is a poet, essayist, author, and Director of Acquavella Galleries in New York. 

Members $20. Non-members $25. Students $10. Event followed by a reception.

Purchase Tickets >

Looking forward to a fresh start in 2023? Why not plan for something fun on New Year's Day?

Celebrate the new year in the outdoors with a First Day Hike at one of the many events across the state and nation 

DEC, State Parks, and the Canal Corporation invite New Yorkers to kick off 2023 by participating in one of the many hikes being held at state parks, historic sites, wildlife areas, trails, and public lands across the Empire State.

The 12th annual event includes options for hikes that are staff - or volunteer-led hikes, with some locations offering multiple options allowing people the time and space to enjoy natures' winter wonders.

Most walks and hikes are family-friendly, and typically range from one to five miles depending on the location and conditions.

See photos from this 2021's event on DEC's Flickr album and check out photos from previous hikes on Flickr.

Many New Yorkers thrive in winter and are eager for falling temperatures and consistent snowfalls. To these hardy adventurers, a few extra layers of gear combined with the snowy terrain of parklands is winning recipe for fitness, togetherness and outdoor fun. If you've never been on a First Day Hike, save the date and get out there!

See State Parks website for a listing of hikes at State Parks locations .in your area

Join The Bronx Zoo for a family holiday festival now through January 8, 2023

During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. The celebration includes festive entertainment, seasonal treats, the Holiday Train, and classic holiday music. The walk-through experience is a beloved tradition, enchanting and fun for all ages.

Lantern Trails, Light Show Experiences, and More!

More than 360 lanterns representing almost 90 animal and plant species will connect you to the real wildlife and wild places that WCS staff works to protect through our field programs around the world and our zoos and aquarium in New York. 70 new lanterns representing 30 new animal species will make their debut at this year’s Holiday Lights!

This year’s Holiday Lights includes enhanced light shows that provide perfect photo ops for friends and family. On Astor Court, a new holiday tree show features synchronized musical light performances featuring more trees than ever before. And the walk-through Light Tunnel will dazzle you with animal-themed light shows.

Learn more and purchase your tickets HERE.

*Image courtesy The Bronx Zoo Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/bronxzoo

Former HamletHub editor, writer, professor, and Riverdale, NY resident adds “author” to her list of accomplishments!

Bayley Seton has just released her first book, a novel, titled “The Unmasking of the Truth”.

The novel tells the story of Billy Quinn, a sanitation worker in Brooklyn, and his Irish-American family. The sociopathic behavior of one of the Quinn’s adult children propels the family into mayhem and it becomes evident that Billy isn't the only one hiding behind a mask.

“The Unmasking of the Truth” is now available as a Kindle book, as an EPub and on BookBaby as a paperback (coming to Amazon in late December.)

Bayley Seton has worked as an editor, college professor, freelance journalist, and corporate technical writer. Bayley's journalism earned her a press club award in 2014. This is her debut novel. She lives in New York with her wife, sons, and a cat named "Nicodemus."

Read more

Business Expo and Networking event: – Thursday, October 27th, at Mulino’s Restaurant at Lake Isle Country Club, 660 White Plains RD, Eastchester, NY - Multi-state networking organization, Master Networks Tri-State Region, invites entrepreneurs, business people, and the community to attend their Business Expo and networking event.

Proceeds from this event will go to the Community Council fund which provides grants to local charities.  

Spooktacular FUN at The Bronx Zoo on Saturdays and Sundays NOW through October 30 (including the holiday, Monday, October 10).

Our annual family-friendly Halloween tradition is back at the Bronx Zoo. Come dressed in your Halloween best and enjoy!

Tickets must be purchased in advance. Please click HERE to reserve your spot.

The Armonk Outdoor Art Show will celebrate six decades of fine art and fine crafts this fall on Saturday, October 1 through Sunday, October 2. It’s an incredible milestone for this nonprofit, annual show, marking sixty years of raising funds for the Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc.

As visitors enjoy the exceptional artists, large selection of food and drink, and complimentary children’s activities, they are helping to support the library’s vibrant educational and entertainmentprograms at the same time.

When art show volunteers set up for that first show on the lawn of Armonk’s Methodist Church in 1961, they could not have envisioned the 9,000 visitors that would one day flock to Community Park’s field each year. Sixty years later the Armonk Outdoor Art Show remains almost entirely volunteer-run and offers the perfect community activity to enjoy on a fall day!

Consistently ranked among the top fine art and fine crafts show in the nation, our jury carefully selects approximately 140 artists each year from close to 600 applicants. The show’s chosen exhibitors are innovators in their fields, representing twelve different mediums including: oils/acrylics/watercolors, mixed media, printmaking/drawing/pastels, sculpture, photography/digital art, wearable art, and fine crafts. This extensive variety of mediums, styles, and price points ensures that all visitors can discover a piece that they just can’t live without.

New for this year’s 60th anniversary show is a specially commissioned exhibition entitled “The Art of Storytelling,” featuring work that utilizes a book as the artist’s “canvas.” This exhibition celebrates the connection between our art show and our local North Castle Public Library, highlighting the library’s vital role within our community. Just as art can elicit powerful emotions and transport the viewer to a world of
imagination, so too do the stories that are found in our favorite books. These compelling pieces will be auctioned to benefit the Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc.

Key Details:
• Saturday & Sunday, October 1 and 2 from 10:00am to 5:00pm, Rain or Shine
• Community Park, 205 Business Park Drive, Armonk, NY 10504
• ArmonkOutdoorArtShow.org showcases each artist exhibiting this fall
• Tickets go on sale in August and can be purchased through our website
• Follow us @ArmonkOutdoorArtShow for inspiration, announcements, and previews of our artists.

The Westchester Greater Hudson Valley Walk will be held on Sunday, October 2 at New York-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center in White Plains.

The Westchester Greater Hudson Valley Autism Speaks Walk is back to promote acceptance and raise vital funds for people with autism. This year, the Westchester Greater Hudson Valley Autism Speaks Walk will be held in person at New York-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center, bringing the community together to fuel the Autism Speaks mission and help create a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. 

To learn more and participate, click here.

To join the conversation on social by finding @autismspeaks on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter and using #AutismSpeaksWalk.  

White Plains Hospital Screenings Under the Stars presented by Westchester County Parks and Sharc Creative continues with the family comedy, Spider-man: No Way Home (2021-PG13) on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle.

County Executive George Latimer said, “What better way to end a week back in school then with an outdoor movie with your closest friends and family. Join us for a crisp Saturday night under the stars filled with fantasy, action and adventure!”

Parks Commissioner, Kathleen O’Connor said, “Even though summer is coming to an end, we still have fun-filled fall events planned! Take this opportunity to spend another lovely evening in our parks.”

The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and movies begin at sundown. Event is rain or shine. Admission and parking are free. Moviegoers should bring blankets, folding chairs, and a picnic. Refreshments will be available for sale.

The final movie in the series is The Addams Family 2 (2021-PG) on Friday, Oct. 21, at Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson.

The White Plains Hospital Screenings Under the Stars is presented by Westchester County Parks and Sharc Creative Inc with Westchester Parks Foundation, and support from Westchester Talk Radio, 100.7 WHUD, 107.1 The Peak, Palisades Mazda, The Premier Collection, Look Cinemas, Valley Bank, HamletHub, Robison Oil, Inspiria Outdoor, and Westchester Magazine.   

Movies may be cancelled due to inclement weather conditions.

Leadership Program Helps Community College Students Transfer and Earn Four-Year Degrees From Top Colleges and Universities

 The Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF) celebrates the latest college acceptances from their 15th cohort of  scholars in the Kaplan Leadership Program.  

Established in 2006, the Kaplan Leadership Program helps high-potential, low-income and underrepresented community college students complete their associate's degree, successfully transfer and go on to earn a four-year bachelor's degree at the nation's most highly-selective schools. The program focuses on a holistic approach – providing extensive tutoring, academic advisement services, leadership and career training, stipends for living expenses, and other resources and support to help them expand their personal goals, and eventually attain leadership roles in their professions and communities. 

The 2022 Kaplan Leadership Scholars and their college acceptances: 

• Marlon Arteaga, Union County College -  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• Elhadj Barry, Bronx Community College - Brown University

• Angel Beebe, Hudson County Community College - Smith College

• Fambougouri Diane, Bronx Community College - Tufts University

• Aïssata Diop, Bronx Community College -  Smith College

• Sybel Francois, Union County College - Claremont McKenna College

• Raquel Hernandez, Borough of Manhattan Community College - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

• Quiana James - Borough of Manhattan Community College - New York University

• Belicia Kensah - Union County College - Rutgers University - New Brunswick

• Gabriel Morillo - Bronx Community College - Haverford College

• Ndongo Njie - Hostos Community College - Princeton University

Students also received acceptances from Pomona College, Mt. Holyoke College, Occidental College, University of Rochester, University of Michigan, and Wellesley College.

Since KEF’s inception, Kaplan Leadership Scholars have been accepted to the country’s most competitive schools. This year, KEF has its first acceptances to Princeton University and Haverford College. Eighty-seven percent of Kaplan Scholars earn a bachelor’s degree. 

"While COVID-19 continued to create challenges for our scholars, given the fact that the diverse and resilient talent that the nation needs to fuel the economy can be found in our community colleges, we felt it was particularly important that we remain committed to our mission and celebrate the achievements of our students at this time,” says Nolvia Delgado, Executive Director of KEF. “This year’s cohort continues to represent the wide diversity that exists in U.S. community colleges, including non-traditional age students, recent immigrants, first-generation and ESL learners, and others pursuing degrees in education, STEM, computer science, medicine, law and other fields. We’re excited to continue to remove barriers and provide greater access to higher education for talented, motivated individuals."

For more information on the Kaplan Leadership Scholars and how to apply to be a scholar:

http://www.kaplanedlfoundation.org

Late summer is usually a time many families begin preparing to send their children back to school. This is a crucial time when healthcare providers need to communicate with families to add routine childhood and COVID-19 vaccinations to their back-to-school checklist.

During the 2020-2021 school year, vaccination coverage among kindergarteners nationwide dropped more than one percent. With most schools now back to in-person learning, efforts must be made to ensure:

• All school-aged children are up to date on their routine vaccines and have received recommended COVID-19 vaccines.
• Routine vaccination coverage is equitably distributed and sufficiently high to protect children, their families, and their communities against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Healthcare providers are trusted sources of information for parents and guardians. They can also help families make the informed decision to vaccinate. Here are some ways they can help catch school-aged children up on vaccination.

Healthcare providers can help make vaccines more accessible

• Send reminders to families whose children are behind on well-child visits and routine vaccination.
• Notify families when children are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. Tell them where they can find COVID-19 vaccines for their children if they’re not offered in the office or clinic.
• Offer vaccination-only appointments or hold vaccination clinics.
• Administer COVID-19 vaccines at the same time as other routinely recommended vaccines, if recommended and appropriate.

Help share the facts

Catch-up vaccination will require efforts from healthcare systems, healthcare providers, schools, state and local governments, and families by sharing the facts about routine and COVID-19 vaccines and answering families’ questions using resources such as CDC’s Quick Conversation Guide on COVID-19 Vaccines for Children.

 Facts about routine vaccines

• Vaccines are safe and effective for your child to receive at the recommended age, and at the recommended dose.
• Did you know your child may be eligible for free vaccines? CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program helps provide free vaccines to children who qualify.
• Getting your young child vaccinated may reduce disruptions to childcare and in-person learning and activities.
• Facts about COVID-19 vaccines
• Clinical trials and ongoing safety monitoring show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for children 6 months and older.
• Emerging evidence indicates people can get added protection by getting vaccinated after having been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. So even if a child has had COVID-19, they should still get vaccinated.
• COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines can be given at the same visit.

Healthcare providers should make strong recommendations

Healthcare providers should be encouraged to use every visit – including well-child checks, sports physicals, and other appointments – as an opportunity to administer COVID-19 vaccines, as well as other vaccines that are due or might have been missed because of pandemic-related disruptions. Routine vaccination and well-child visits or check-ups are all key to helping keep children safely in school, childcare, and participating in other activities.

Fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, but they can be infected with and spread the virus. There is no way to tell in advance if a child will get a severe or mild case. 

Vaccinating children is the single best way to protect them from post-COVID conditions and severe illness associated with COVID-19. Health departments have reported thousands of cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) since the beginning of the pandemic. Vaccination reduces the likelihood of MIS-C in children ages 12–18 years by 91%.

According to the CDC COVID DATA TRACKER, 75% of children 12-18 years of age are fully vaccinated, and 50% of those children have received a booster dose. For kids 5 and older, 71% are fully vaccinated, and 48% of those kids have received a booster dose. Rates dropped for both fully vaccinated and boosters in younger children. 

Vaccination is critical to helping protect those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. They include children from certain racial and ethnic minority groups and children with disabilities.

Help protect children by doing what you can to get kids caught up on recommended vaccines.