Urgent need for blood and platelet donations

Donate by Dec. 19 and receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card

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.

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. Locations in and around Rivertowns are:

“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.

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.)

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).

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.

How to donate blood
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.

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.

Get lost in the beauty of the 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!

According to Corn Mazes America, the first modern corn maze was created in the early 1990s in the United States. By 1998 there were between 50-100  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! 

Below please find the Maze or Mazes within forty miles of Rivertowns.  

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.

A young singer-songwriter from Canada, Leif Vollebekk’s acclaimed sound and voice will warm up your soul and keep you cozy as autumn approaches, when he graces our stage on October 25th. Having been compared to Ryan Adams and Elliott Smith, his voice ‘’[Recalls] the great sounds of the past while simultaneously carving out the future in one swift falsetto.’’ He will croon, he will alternate between vibrato and falsetto, and he will enchant you every step of the way. Called “beautiful, memorable and moving” by NPR, Vollebekk’s performance, along with his quartet of amazing musicians, will put you in the middle of a picturesque scene, capturing your imagination and bringing you on a musical ride that you’ll never forget.

Date: October 25th, 2014

Time: doors open at 7:30pm, show starts at 8pm. 

Address: 52 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

Tickets & Info: http://www.purplecrayoncenter.org/calendar/event/291/

WESTCHESTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS  TRAFFIC ADVISORY
ASHFORD AVENUE C.R. 134 VILLAGES OF ARDSLEY & DOBBSFERRY
CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULE BRIDGE REPAIR WORK
ALTERNATING SINGLE LANE CLOSURE

RELEASE:    October 10, 2014.

ROADWAY:  Ashford Avenue.

LIMITS:    Ashford Avenue between Southfield Avenue and Saw Mill River Road (Rt.9A)

WHAT:    Bridge repair work.

IMPACTS:    There will be an alternating single lane closure controlled by flag persons within the above limits. Police personnel will be in place to assist with maintenance and protection of traffic.  Motorists are advised to use as an alternate route to avoid delays.

WHEN:        Previously scheduled work for Monday, October 13, 2014 has been cancelled. The  rescheduled work date is Tuesday, October 14, 2014 between the hours of 10:00 am  to 2:00 pm.

WHO:    Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation contract # 12-537.

For additional information please contact Westchester County Traffic Engineering Division at (914) 995-2555.

A message from the Hastings-on-Hudson Chief Police:

Once again this December the Croton Artisans are hosting their immensely popular Holiday Boutique. The boutique will take place December 13 and 14, at the Croton-on-Hudson Municipal Building, and is sponsored by Croton Council on the Arts. Admission is free.

The Croton Artisans will be selling handcrafted items including ceramics, Japanese paper art, half-hour portraits, scarves, oil paintings, knitwear, jewelry, and more. There will also be guest artisans participating in the Boutique. In past shows guest artisans have offered henna body art, wood bowls, watercolor paintings, luxuries for bath and home, pottery and fashion accessories. The Holiday Boutique is the perfect place to purchase unique handmade gifts for the holidays. Come shop and visit with the artisans while enjoying tasty treats and live music!

The 2014 Holiday Boutique is open as follows:

Saturday, December 13th from 10am-5pm

Sunday, December 14th from 11am-4pm

The Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building is located at 1 Van Wyck Street, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

If you would like more information on this event, or to schedule an interview, please contact Croton Artisan Publicity Coordinator, Jessica Miller, at 914-308-0990 or email jessica@jessicamillerpaintings.com.

An Oct. 9 Open House at the SWBOCES Center for Career Services in Valhalla will highlight the many career and technical education opportunities available on campus to the region’s high school students.

The event, to take place between 6 and 8:30 p.m., is an opportunity for the families of current students to see the work that’s been going on in classrooms since early September.

It is also an opportunity for the center to highlight its diverse range of programs and the career options it can offer prospective students looking to adapt to a changing job market. Families of high school students as well as school district staff throughout the southern Westchester region are encouraged to attend.

Students from the Culinary Arts Program will participate in the campus-wide event by passing around appetizers and other delicious snacks they’ve prepared. In addition, students in the Cosmetology Program will gain extra hours of practical experience by demonstrating hair-washing techniques and other related skills.

The Career Services Center is located at 65 Grasslands Road, Valhalla. Some of the programs available to high school students include automotive technology, certified nurse assistant, collision technology, commercial art, computer information systems, construction/plumbing, electrical construction, fashion design, graphic and interior design, pre-engineering, security, law and policy, TV video production and more.

No RSVP is needed to attend.

On Friday evening, October 24, 2014 at the CV Rich Mansion in White Plains, N.Y., The Mental Health Association of Westchester (MHA) will hold its fall benefit, Denim and Dreams, to support mental health services in Westchester.

In recognition of her visionary leadership in creating a cutting edge integrated healthcare system which has transformed the way community healthcare services are delivered, Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, President and CEO, HRHCare, will be honored with the MHA on the move Award.

“Ms. Nolon’s commitment to those with inadequate access to healthcare has continued without pause for nearly four decades. It will be a privilege to confer this well-deserved award.” said MHA’s CEO, Dr. Amy Kohn.

The evening, which begins at 7pm, includes cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, and live music by Curtis Winchester, Gil Parris and Friends.

For 37 years, Anne Kauffman Nolon has guided the growth and development of HRHCare. As one of the largest community health centers in New York State, HRH Care has grown from a single primary care site in Peekskill, NY to a network of 18 directly operated Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in the Hudson Valley and Long Island; an additional four health centers through a sub-recipient agreement with Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC); and a regional migrant voucher program, serving a nine-county agricultural area in southeastern NYS. With a staff of almost 1,000, HRHCare serves nearly 110,000 patients through 400,000 visits annually.

Ms. Nolon was named a Geiger Gibson Distinguished Visitor in Community Health Policy at the George Washington School of Public Health and Health Services where she focused on health care policy for improving access to care for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. She remains committed to improving access to culturally competent health care services for new immigrants and increasing the awareness of young professionals by leading international health professional exchanges to Mexico, Ecuador and Haiti.

Ms. Nolon has served as a member of the Board of the Community Health Centers of New York State (CHCANYS) since its formation and has served as a member of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) for her entire career. Over these many years, she has been appointed as Chair or Vice Chair of the Farmworker Committee (10 terms), Vice Chair of the Legislative Committee, Chair of the Homeless Health Committee. She is currently serving her second term as the Vice Chair of NACHC’s Health Policy Committee.

MHA is honored to recognize Ms. Nolon’s committed and continued focus on providing essential health care to the underserved both locally and, through leadership roles, across the United States.

To purchase tickets, go to www.mhawestchester.org. For more information, contact Constance Moustakas at 914-265- 7511 or email development@mhawestchester.org.

A community-based mental health agency, MHA has been helping Westchester County residents for 68 years through direct services, professional and community education and advocacy. MHA supports more than 25,000 individuals annually through a comprehensive array of mental health services striving to help each individual to achieve their personal goals and to lead independent and healthy lives.  For more about MHA, visit www.mhawestchester.org.

This is not your average open mic! The big stage, amazing acoustics, high-end equipment, and experienced sound engineer create a concert-like experience in The Purple Crayon's friendly, laid-back environment. Come to play or just to watch!

7:30 pm sign-up/doors
8:00 pm music

Cost: $8

2 songs per artist, limit of three musicians per act. One cover per set is allowed (we love to hear your originals!)
Adults and teens welcome.

Sorry, to keep the flow of the event, no drum sets, amps or electric keys are allowed. Grand piano and a guitar amp are available and hand drums are ok.

Address: 52 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

Contact info: info@purplecrayoncenter.org

Ok, so its officially Fall now.  October has crept up on us way too quickly.  That being said, I love Fall and all that it brings, from apple picking to the leaves changing gorgeous colors, to Halloween and my favorite holiday of all Thanksgiving, which will be here before we know it! Yom Kippur (the day of atonement) starts at sundown tonight and for those of you observing, I wish you an easy fast.  Whether you are spending part of your weekend in temple or not, Rye Brook HamletHub has found lots of fun activities to enjoy with friends and family...enjoy!

Home Depot Kids Workshop-

This Saturday from 9-12 at the Home Depot, since it’s the first Saturday of the month, it’s time for the free hands-on Kids Workshop and this week’s super fun activity is learning How to Build an EMS Truck for Fire Safety Month.  This activity is appropriate for ages 5-12.  All kid get to keep their craft, receive a FREE certificate of achievement, a Workshop Apron, and a commemorative pin while supplies last.  Children must be present at the store to participate in the workshop and receive the kit, apron and pin.  Kids Workshop activities are scheduled on a first come/first served basis. Please do not arrive before 9:00 a.m.  Home Depot prefers people to register online to help them better plan their craft kit quantities needed.

Sam Bridge Nursery Fall Activities

Scarecrow Building- Join Sam Bridge Nursery in Greenwich for their 15th Annual Build-A-Scarecrow Workshop! Anytime between 10am & 2pm Oct. 4th, 11th, 13th, 18th & 25th. $35 per scarecrow.  You bring a long sleeve shirt, long pants and any accessories you may want to add. They provide the frame, head, hair, face pieces, stuffing and place to make a mess.  Get creative!! After each workshop, a winner will be chosen. The winners from each workshop will be entered to win a grand prize at the end of the month. So fun!!!

*Reservations are required as spaces are limited. Please call (203) 869-3418 or email maggie@sambridge.com to sign up.

Hayrides-The nursery will also be offering FREE Hayrides to their Pumpkin Patch! From Now until October 31st. Fridays 2pm - 4pm, Saturdays 10am - 4pm & Columbus Day 10am - 4pm

Pumpkin Painting- Oct. 4th, 11th, 13th, 18th & 25th. Anytime between 10am & 2pm. $8/pumpkin

All ages welcome, fun for the whole family!  For more info on any of the above, click here! 

TD Bank Opening Celebration

The speculation over what is going to occupy the former space that was the Mobil Gas station for many years comes to an end with the opening of TD Bank on the corner of Ridge Street and Bowman Avenue, opposite the Rye Ridge Shopping Center.  And on Saturday October 4^th, from 10-2pm, join them for their grand opening celebration with the chance to win prizes and more!

Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

This phenomenal sight that you won’t believe until you see it for your own eyes, begins this weekend!-Starts Oct 4 and 5^th and runs for 28 nights…so get your tickets ASAP as it does sell out!  “See more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o' lanterns in this elaborate walkthrough experience. Meander through an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape and discover a breathtaking display — all made of jack o' lanterns!  Oooh and ahh at intricate pumpkin portraits of characters from Washington Irving’s famous tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  Tumbling acrobats and circus characters will put a smile on your face, and a special 10^th anniversary pumpkin cake will whet your appetite for…more pumpkins!

Witness the incredible sight of gourd-filled Jack-in-the-Boxes springing up and bouncing around. See slithering ground snakes, a giant spider web, and go gaga over a collection of shrunken Little Monsters. Gaze in amazement at a working doomsday grandfather clock.

A giant sea serpent adds some hiss to the Undersea Aquarium while comical, squash-eating Venus pumpkin traps sprout in the garden. Blaze's perennially popular Jurassic Park includes a triceratops, a pterodactyl, a brontosaurus, and a T-Rex!

Come gawk at more jack o'lanterns than ever before. Tens of thousands of visitors experienced last year’s Blaze^®, which was sold out EVERY NIGHT! Complete with sound effects, elaborate synchronized lighting and the second volume of an all-original soundtrack by recording artist Richard Christy, this not-to-be-missed spectacle is the area’s most innovative Halloween happening.”

Recommended for all ages.  Tickets cost: Adults, $20; Children 3-17, $16  (Saturdays $25, $20) 
FREE for children under 3 +.  To buy tickets or learn more, click here.

Honey Weekend at Wave Hill

Oct 4 & 5 from 10-1-Join Wave Hill for their super fun honey weekend. 

First up,  for this Family Art Project classic, outfit yourself with wings, antennae, a pollen cup and a kazoo to hum with. Buzz around in a cardboard hive of six-sided cells and forage in the flowers. Join in a bee parade and dance at 12:30PM, weather permitting. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon. 


There is also a Candle Making workshop (11-3), honey tasting (11-4), honey extraction demonstration (12-3), hives and honey information station (1-3)

For more information click here!

Boo at the Zoo

Me and my kids absolutely love Halloween and everything to do with it! Boo at the Zoo is no exception.  It's so much fun!! Weekends at the Bronx zoo, including Columbus Day and Halloween, will feature hay mazes, costume parades, musical theater, magic, and more. Visit bats, owls, vultures and other winged icons of Halloween, then embark on a trip back in time as you ride their Dinosaur Safari! Weekends until Nov 2.  You can save $5 off tickets when you purchase them ahead of time online 

Rye Nature Center

Send the Dads and Kids to the Daddy & Me Animal Show on Saturday, October 4th at 9:15 am!  Fathers can drop-in with their kids for this fun-filled animal adventure. $10/family members, $15/family non-members.

Also on Saturday, at 3pm, there will be the Bee Program! Join an FRNC naturalist as we examine the life of a honeybee. Learn how they communicate, spot the queen and even sample some honey! $5.00/person members, $8.00/person non-members. To learn more about either program or the Nature Center in general, click here.

Greenburgh Nature Center

As always, the Greenburgh Nature center has lots of fun activities for the whole family!  This Saturday at 11AM kids age 5-7 can go on a Gem Hunt.  The slightly older kids ages 8 & up can also participate at 2pm. “Think rocks are dull and boring? Think again! Discover the treasures of the earth while learning about many local gems and crystals. Each participant receives a geode to take home. Note ages for each session. Members $8, Non-members $12”

On Sunday at 11:30am, come to Teaching Trails: A community path for environmental education.  “Guided Trail Experience through the woodland forest. Discover who left that track, which tree makes the best animal home, or which mushroom make the best dinner. Program runs approximately 45 minutes. FREE!”

And finally, at 2pm on Sunday, watch out for “Alien Invaders- Come explore some of the most fascinating plant and animal species to ever invade our lawns, lakes, and forests during an engaging and interactive stroll around the GNC property. Members $5, Non-members $8”.

Click here to learn more about the Greenburgh Nature Center.

Muscoot Farm

There’s quite a few fun activities going on at Muscoot this weekend.  All weekend from 12-4 in the Main House Artist Gallery “See the Westchester Area Basketmakers Guild's "A Bounty of Baskets" exhibit in the main house on October weekends. Also, 10/5, 11 & 12, 18 & 19, and 25 & 26. 

On Saturday from 12-3 there will be a fun Pumpkin Patch and Sunday from 12-3 join Muscoot on their Mushroom Walk.

Visit http://muscootfarm.org to learn more.

Scared by the Sound

2014 marks the 15th consecutive year of Scared by the Sound Haunted House and also their return to Historic Playland Amusement Park. With their original location by the Long Island Sound completely refurbished, the only things left churned up by Hurricane Sandy are the surviving scary creatures still lurking and awaiting your arrival! Come experience for yourself Crypt Walk, The Haunted Wine Cellar, Creepy Morgue, Tunnels of Doom plus some all new scenes. In addition, don't forget to try and test your survival skills in the all new outdoor Black Out Maze. Open weekends in October plus November 1st and parking is free. Amusement Park Rides Are Not Open for this Event. Please note, this is a walk-through dark attraction. Night time event may be too scary for children under 10 years of age, alone or with an adult. Strobe lighting and fog may be in use during this night time event. Persons adversely affected by these effects are advised not to enter.Open Saturday October 4th from 7-11pm.  You can buy tickets online and download the $1 off coupon here. 

Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones museum is an amazing place for the kids.  Located about 20 minutes north of Rye Brook, in Norwalk, CT, it's perfect for the whole family! This weekend, in addition to the regular museum that you can walk around on your own schedule, there are the following planned activities.

On Saturday from 10:45 - 11:15AM come to Mutt-i-grees!  Enjoy a special canine storytime and discussion followed by a visit from a shelter dog. Shelter dogs courtesy of P.A.W.S.  Free with museum admission. For children ages 4 and older. Children under 4 can meet the visiting dog at 11:05.

Also Saturday from 2-2:30pm, don’t miss Around the World: Creative Kids – Ethiopia. Ages 2 and up. Free with museum admission, but tickets required from the Welcome Desk. Limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis.

And finally, also on Saturday from 3:30-4pm, witness incredible performances by Talent Education Suzuki School (TESS).  Enjoy a mixed ensemble of student performers and their musical gifts. TESS (Talent Education Suzuki School) is the best music school for early childhood music in Fairfield County. They offer classes for children ages 3 to 18 in violin, piano, cello, and guitar as well as a Suzuki Babies class for children ages 0 to 3. The Mixed Ensemble performing at Stepping Stones represent all ages and levels from these four instruments and will showcase music by Bach, Paganini and more.  Click here to learn more about any of the above programs!

Crafts at Michaels

Every Saturday, Michaels offers a Craft for the kids from 10-12.  This weekend’s activity is creating Hand Painted Halloween Rocks.  Let the kids craft while you shop. Come by for their Event … and take home a completed project. Includes supplies. Plus, get free Halloween face painting at Kids Club Events in October. Ages 3 and up. Click here to register!  

Another fun event at Michaels this weekend is the Annual Great Pumpkin Event, also on Saturday October 4^th but from 12-3pm.  Just $6 per 9” craft pumpkin, includes supplies. Offer available while supplies last.

Crafts at Lakeshore

There will also be crafting going on at Lakeshore!  From 11-3pm this Saturday, the kids will be able to create a super fun and super cool FREE craft ! This week's activity is to create a "Makin’ Music Drum.” Click here to learn more.

Spooky Fall Adventures At the NY Botanical Gardens

Bring your whole family to enjoy this exciting annual tradition at the Garden. This year, The Haunted Pumpkin Garden combines the spooky fun of Halloween festivities with an astonishing display of the most eye-catching and intriguing pumpkins and gourds. To buy tickets click here.  To learn more click here.

Fall Flicks at Cross County Center

On Friday, October 3, 7PM, Cross County Shopping Center will be hosting the second of their fall movie series, FALL FLICKS, that will take place this October!   This Friday’s movie is “MALEFICENT”!  There will be pre-show entertainment, food Trucks, prizes and much more! So head to The Green, in the center of the mall, to watch family-friendly movies. Bring your own chairs and blankets to enjoy all the entertainment Fall Flicks has to offer! The event begins at 7PM and the show will start as soon as the sun goes down (about 7:30pm).  Click here to learn more.

Rye Library Preschool Storytime

On Saturday October 4^th, from 11-12, children ages 3 1/2 & up, and their caregivers can listen to age-appropriate stories and participate in fun games, rhymes and other activities to develop pre-literacy skills and an interest in books and reading.  Felt boards and other props are sometimes used to enhance stories and model future classroom experience.  A fun craft project is designed around the Story Time's theme or a seasonal topic.  Parents and caregivers are asked to assist younger children using scissors, glue and other art materials.  60 minutes. Call 914-231-3162 or click here 

Apple and Pumpkin Picking

If you haven’t gone apple picking yet, this may be your last chance.  Some orchards are done for the season already because of a lighter than usual apple crop. Don’t miss out on your chance to apple pick- it’s one of the best parts of fall!  Below are some of my favorite orchards and activities that are happening this weekend.  A great activity for the whole family to enjoy together!

At Barton’s this weekend,  October 4 & 5 from 9-6pm Entry $3 to Farm (includes hayrides, live music, animals, kiddie hay maze, pumpkin slide). Add on a Fun Pass "if you dare" for Corn Maze, Haunted House & Fun Park!  Drink Shack, Donut Hut, 2 Kitchens & more.. Saturday 10/4 features Jake's Country Band & Sunday 5th is Hot Rod! WEEKENDS & HOLIDAY 10/13 Barton's runs Full Attractions, Music & Picking. Fun Pass $9.50. plus Admission to Farm $3. 

At Harvest Moon unfortunately their apple trees have been picked clean L (there are apples in bins that you can fill up the bags with.) But every weekend throughout October, they will be celebrating their Fall Festival from 10-5!  There will be live music, hayrides, pumpkins, apple cannons, bounce house, pony rides, face painting, farm animals, food vendors and BBQ food!$3 admission, Special $6 Fun Pass!  Live Music, Demos, Games, Corn Maze. 

Other orchards worth mentioning are  Dr. Davie's Farm, Stuart Farms, Wilken's and Silverman's (pick your own has ended here too), Outhouse Orchards 

Stamford Nature Center

A little further north, the Stamford Nature Center is a hidden gem with a fun playground and all sorts of fun activities going on this Sunday!

-Farmer's Market

The Farm Market will be located conveniently on the Meadow. New and additional vendors will offer a wider variety of fresh, local items. The Market will also feature a different food truck each week so you can enjoy lunch at one of our picnic tables by the Bendel Pond. We'll be selling our very own products from Heckscher Farm — fresh eggs, maple syrup and yarn. Each Sunday, activities for families will be led by one of our environmental educators.

-Market Madness- 10-3:30pm- Note, This is the last one.  You can support local farmers and explore the SM&NC through hands-on activities and crafts.

-Scarecrow Making, Sunday, October 5 & 12, from 2 - 4 pm. Join the SM&NC for their 5th annual scarecrow making program and create a scarecrow for the Harvest Festival contest! Families will create a life-size scarecrow that will be exhibited and entered in their scarecrow contest at Harvest Festival (Oct. 18 & 19), then can be picked up in time to grace their lawns for Halloween. Materials are provided but families are encouraged to bring clothing or accessories to help with their creation. One scarecrow per family. Supplies are limited and are first-come, first-served.

Members: Free | Non-Members: Free with gate admission.

For more, visit their website.

At the Teddy Bear Clinic, Greenwich Hospital pulls out all the stops to help kids feel comfortable in a healthcare setting. Now in its 16th year, this popular mini-hospital under tents will pop up again to care for a menagerie of stuffed animals in an atmosphere of learning and fun.

Whether it’s a broken tail, a missing nose, a tummy ache or just a checkup, doctors, nurses, technicians and others will be on hand to confer with your child as they diagnose and treat furry patients. Prevention, too, is stressed, with experts offering child-friendly activities and tips for sun protection, good nutrition, strong bodies and more.

The event is held RAIN OR SHINE. Parking is available in the hospital’s staff lot on Lake Avenue.  Questions? Call 203-863-3627 or toll-free 888-357-2409. FREE.  Click here to learn more.

Westmoreland Sanctuary

Two fun events this weekend at Westmoreland.

First up, on October 4 at 11am, join them on their FBI Hike –“Everyone knows the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but what is the FBI out in the forest?  Join Westmoreland Sanctuary staff as they hike along the trails hunting for evidence of the FBI.  You will discover who the FBI are, and what are they doing in the woods.  Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water. $5 per person for non-members and free for members.

And on Sunday, October 5 at 1pm see learn all about Slithering Snakes .  “They are creepy and crawly and have a bad reputation.  Come to Westmoreland Sanctuary to get the inside scoop on snakes.  Find out how snakes can actually help our environment and what types may live in your yard.   Learn how to identify a venomous snake. At the end of the program, meet our snake ambassador, Hobbs. $5 per person for non-members and free for members.”

Visit http://www.westmorelandsanctuary.org to learn more. 

-Egg Collecting

At Stone Barns, and for the younger clientele (ages 4 & up), "Step into the shoes of a farmer and pitch in with the all-important job of collecting eggs. Head out to the egg-mobiles (mobile hen houses), learn how our hens enjoy pasture-based lives and take home a half-dozen farm-fresh eggs.

Important: All participants must wear closed-toed shoes and long pants for this program. Youth must be accompanied by at least one ticketed adult, and all people attending the program must buy a ticket. Each family or group takes home a half-dozen eggs."

There are two times available on Saturday October 4^th.  Tickets for this do sell out so be sure to get your tickets in advance.   The times are, 11-11:45 or 12-12:45.  Prices are as follows: Member adult $10.80, adult $12.00, member youth $10.80, youth $12.00.

Click here to buy tickets or learn more.

On Saturday October 4th (12:30-1:15 and 1:30-2:15) you can join in on a family-friendly tour for ages 4 and up.  Explore the farm and some of their favorite seasonal highlights. Join them for a walk around the farm to take a closer look at the animals that they’re raising and the vegetables that they’re growing! 

Please note that all youth must be accompanied by a ticketed adult.   Ticket prices are as follows: member adult $9.00, adult $10.00, member youth $9.00, youth $10.00. 

Note- this does sell out so be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time!

Maritime Aquarium

At the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, CT, this fun exhibit invites you to do something you've tried to NOT do all your life:  touch jellyfish!  Gently touch the tops of live moon jellies as they pulse in our new exhibit!

How is this possible without being stung? The stinging cells of moon jellyfish hang on tentacles below their bodies. Also, their sting is known to be relatively benign for most people.  Click here to learn more:

Bruce Museums Extreme Habitats: Into the Deep Sea

From now until November 9^th, you can check out this incredible exhibit! Explore the vast and extraordinary deep sea, the last frontier on this planet.

•             Discover the extremophiles that form the foundation of a hydrothermal vent
•             Witness the bizarre appearances and adaptations of deep-sea species
•             Learn about the technology that makes deep-sea explorations possible
•             Feel like you are in a deep-sea submersible as you look through view ports

To learn more click here 

Greenwich Beaches

The beaches in Greenwich are open year round, but Park/Beach Passes are required from May 1 to October 31.  Click here to learn more 

Remember, it’s always a good idea to call ahead to ensure a scheduled activity is still running.  Email me at ryebrook@hamlethub.com and let me know if we missed any super fun, family friendly events and/or if you would like to advertise with us!

Photo Credit: Kelly Schwark

 Medications are the leading cause of allergy-related sudden deaths in the U.S., according to an analysis of death certificates from 1999 to 2010, conducted by researchers at Montefiore Medical Center andAlbert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. The study, published online today in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, also found that the risk of fatal drug-induced allergic reactions was particularly high among older people and African-Americans and that such deaths increased significantly in the U.S. in recent years. 

Anaphylaxis is the term used for a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur within seconds or minutes following exposure to an allergen. Until now, data on trends in anaphylactic deaths—or even the number of yearly deaths from anaphylactic shock—has not been well-defined. One reason: unlike countries such as the UK, the U.S. doesn't maintain a national registry for anaphylaxis deaths. 

"Anaphylaxis-related deaths in the U.S. have not been well understood in recent years," said Elina Jerschow, M.D., M.Sc. director, Drug Allergy Center, Allergy and Immunology Division of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, and assistant professor of medicine, Albert Einstein College, the lead author of the study. "We hope these findings will help in identifying specific risk factors and allow physicians to formulate preventative approaches."

Dr. Jerschow and colleagues analyzed death certificates from the U.S. National Mortality Database and found that medication-related anaphylaxis was the most common cause of death (58.8 percent). Additional causes identified included unspecified anaphylaxis (19.3 percent), venom (15.2 percent) and food (6.7 percent). Further analyses revealed fatal anaphylaxis due to medications, food and unspecified allergens was significantly associated with African American race and older age; and fatal anaphylaxis rates due to venom was more common in white, older men.

Of the 2,458 deaths identified between 1999-2010, 1,446 were from medications. The culprit drugs were not specified in most of the cases (approximately 74 percent). However, among those with an identified culprit drug, nearly half were antibiotics, followed by radiocontrast agents used during diagnostic imaging procedures and chemotherapeutics that are used in treatment of cancer.

During the years studied, there was a significant increase in fatal drug anaphylaxis, from 0.27 per million in 1999-2001 to 0.51 per million in 2008-2010. The increase in medication-related anaphylaxis deaths likely relates to increased medication and radiocontrast use, enhanced diagnosis and coding changes.

"Anaphylaxis has been dubbed 'the latest allergy epidemic,'" said Dr. Jerschow. "The U.S. and Australia have some of the highest rates of severe anaphylaxis among developed countries. We hope these results bring increased awareness of the need for a better understanding of anaphylaxis deaths.

Miles Applebaum is missing and we need your help to find him. He is 21 years old and has been missing since yesterday a.m. He was last seen leaving his house in Armonk, NY at 9:50 a.m. yesterday. He was last seen in his green Volvo, license #Z524CL, with a Temple University sticker on his windshield. Please help us get word out. If you see him, or if you have any information that would be of help to us, please let us know. Time is of the essence. And, please share this with everyone you know and can -- we need to get the word out and find him. I'm pasting his picture here so you know what he looks like.

Scientists at the Food and Drug Administration are studying the next generation of screening and diagnostic devices, some of which borrow from the world of entertainment. Soon, three-dimensional (3D) images in actual 3D might help your doctor find hidden tumors and better diagnose cancers, thanks to the regulatory work being done by a team at FDA’s Division of Imaging, Diagnostics, and Software Reliability.

The team is led by Division Director Kyle Myers, a physicist with a Ph.D. in optical sciences. It includes Aldo Badano, Ph.D., a world-renowned expert in display evaluation technology, and Brian Garra, M.D., a diagnostic radiologist doing research in regulatory science at FDA.

They are studying how clinicians receive visual information and analyze it to diagnose a disease. At the center of their research are breast cancer screening devices, which are making the leap from traditional two-dimensional (2D) screening such as mammography to 3D breast tomosynthesis, 3D ultrasound and breast computerized tomography (CT). This technology is very exploratory and years away from becoming standard in your doctor’s office.

back to top

New Era in Breast Cancer Detection

There are many new technologies being developed for breast cancer screening, especially 3D alternatives that may eventually replace today’s 2D mammography. FDA has already approved two of these state-of-the-art devices: The Selenia Dimensions 3D System, which provides 3D breast tomosynthesis images of the breast for breast cancer diagnosis; and the GE Healthcare SenoClaire, which uses a combination of 2D mammogram images and 3D breast tomosynthesis images.

The technologies under development include 3D breast tomosynthesis, which artificially creates 3D images of the breast from a limited set of 2D images. Tomosynthesis reveals sections of the breast that can be hidden by overlapping tissue in a standard mammogram.

“The problem of overlapping shadows has confounded breast cancer screening because mammograms don’t show cancers that are hidden by overlapping tissue,” Myers says. And compounding the problem is overlapping tissue that can look like cancer but isn’t. “The new technologies we’re studying overcome these barriers,” she adds.

Another benefit of 3D breast tomosynthesis: It’s more accurate than mammography in pinpointing the size and location of cancer tumors in dense breast tissue, Myers says. With 3D breast tomosynthesis, doctors can detect abnormalities earlier and better see small tumors because the images are clearer and have greater contrast.

“Clinical studies have shown that 3D breast tomosynthesis can increase the cancer detection rate, reduce the number of women sent for biopsy who don’t have cancer, or achieve some balance of these two goals of this new screening technology,” she adds.

There’s also a lot of research and development in 3D ultrasound, which automatically scans the breast and generates 3D data that can be sliced and examined from any direction. Garra, who is a leader in this field, says 3D ultrasound improves breast cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue.

“Both 3D breast tomosynthesis and 3D ultrasound detect breast cancer. But for radiologists and other doctors, there are many more images to examine, and that can reduce the speed at which studies can be interpreted,” he says.

Another promising technology—the dedicated breast CT system—creates a full 3D representation of the breast. The scan is taken while the patient lies face down on a bed with her breast suspended through a cup and the X-ray machine rotates around it. For patients, the procedure is more comfortable than regular mammography because the breast isn’t compressed. Also, there’s less radiation exposure than during a CT exam of the entire chest because only the breast is exposed to X-rays.

Health care practitioners using this technology have to learn how to read and interpret hundreds of high-resolution images produced by the scanner. But what makes the task easier is that the images have less distortion than mammography, and the system is optimized to differentiate between the breast’s soft tissue and cancer tissue.

“These images will be very different from 2D mammograms. They’re truly 3D images of the breast from any orientation. You can scroll through the slices—up and down, left and right—and get a unique view of the breast like never before,” Myers says. “It gives doctors tremendous freedom in how they look at the interior of the breast and evaluate its structures. It’s almost like seeing the anatomy itself.”

back to top

New Era in How We See

How can radiologists look at these images and convert them into three dimensions? That’s where Badano’s work comes in. His research lab is exploring various display device technologies to improve how radiologists review 3D images. The studied technologies include devices supported by mobile technologies and special-purpose 3D displays developed specifically for 3D imaging systems.

“These are no longer conventional images, so you need to examine them in the 3D space,” he says. “Using a 2D display might no longer be ideal.” Device manufacturers are building on technologies developed primarily for other markets, including the gaming industry, to show 3D images in actual 3D. But the work is painstaking and far from ready for a medical use.

“As people have experienced in movie theaters and when playing videogames, 3D displays have problems, including the image resolution and added noise. When wearing 3D glasses, our brain needs to separate the images from the left eye and the right eye and reconstruct a 3D object,” Badano says. “In the lab, we’re doing experiments to see how different technologies handle these tradeoffs.”

One of the challenges is that 3D displays for medical imaging require better resolution. For a medical use, the specifications are high—“and so are the stakes,” he adds.

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

September 30, 2014

You’re Invited!

Come support the Dobbs Ferry Youth participating  in the first Annual Westchester County Battle of the Books.

Battle of the Books is a book-based trivia tournament for Westchester youth. Our team, of 9 enthusiastic teens, “The Dobbs Ferry Worldy Warriors”, will compete by answering trivia questions based on the 5 books above.

Regional Mini-Battle:
Ardsley Literary Lions

vs.

Dobbs Ferry Wordly Warriors

Date: 10/01/14
Time: 6:15 pm
Location: Dobbs Ferry High School Commons

Come support and cheer on the
Dobbs Ferry Wordly Warriors!

Contact person: aquick@wlsmail.org or (914) 231-3055

The Dobbs Ferry Wordly Warriors would like to thank the following donors for their generous support:

Cabrini Immigrant Services, Dobbs Ferry Ambulance, Dobbs Ferry Touchdown Club, Hi Smiley Foodmart, NY Bagel Authority, R.A. Sanzo Inc., Sam’s Italian Restaurant, Terri Optics, Tomatillo, The Bloom and Orville-Nammour Families

(Donors at the time of printing.)

Party with entertainment by Dobbs own DJ Rooney, and food for sale by the Dobbs Ferry Dawg House to follow competition.

Two open enrollment sessions for Project Lifesaver—the free, public-safety program that uses radio-frequency to help find seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia who wander from their homes—will take place on Monday, Sept. 29 and Monday,  Oct. 13. This technology greatly aids in the finding of a missing person, and can also help give some comfort to families during a difficult time. Both sessions will take place at the ElderServe Safe Center for Seniors, located at 92 North Ave., New Rochelle. Caregivers can sign up their loved ones either day from noon to 3 p.m. Through Project Lifesaver, people are fitted with special bracelets. Then, should they wander off, specifically trained and equipped police from the county’s Department of Public Safety can find them by tracking a radio signal that the bracelets transmit. To be eligible for Project Lifesaver, a senior must live in Westchester, be dependent upon the person he or she lives with and have a tendency to wander. Since Project Lifesaver began in 2008, county police officers have found 10 seniors who wandered. Project Lifesaver is sponsored by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) and its Livable Communities initiative as well as the Westchester Public / Private Partnership for Aging Services and International Project Lifesaver.  It is administered by ElderServe, which is part of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. For more information and to register, contact Crystal Johnson at ElderServe at (914) 365-1983 or cjohnson@hebrewhome.org. Westchester County also offers Project Lifesaver bracelets for children with autism and other developmental disabilities whose parents are looking for an extra layer of security. This program is run by the county Department of Community Mental Health and the Department of Public Safety, in partnership with Westchester Jewish Community Services and the Autism Family Center. Families interested should call WJCS at (914) 761-0600, ext. 228, for more information.