Sound Shore

This showed up in my in-box recently:

The works of twelve artists from the New Rochelle Art Association will be on exhibit through Feb. 26  in the Marjorie and Norman Alexander Gallery at the JCC of Mid-Westchester, 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale.

The exhibit is part of the Association’s centennial celebration.  A closing reception will be held in the JCC’s gallery from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 26.  All are welcome.

The exhibiting artists are Cristina Cerone-New Rochelle, Kenneth Dinkel-Armonk, Debra Friedkin-Sleepy Hollow, Faith Goldstein-Yorktown Heights, Rose Marie Greco- Bronx, Lorie Gurian-White Plains, Gina Kingsley-New Rochelle, Kathleen Nesi-Pelham Manor, Lisa Post-New Rochelle, Ruth Raskin-Scarsdale, Mary Jo Viola-Yonkers, Mitchell Visoky-White Plains,

The Jewish Community Center of Mid-Westchester,  a beneficiary of UJA-Federation of New York, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the community by providing cultural, social, educational and recreational/fitness programs, human services and Jewish identity-building opportunities to people of all ages and backgrounds.

For more information, visit the JCC of Mid-Westchester website at www.jccmw.org .

This just in from the Bronxville Library:

“The Bronxville Public Library announced today that Library Director Laura Eckley has submitted a letter of resignation, effective Feb. 3.  Ms. Eckley is leaving to become director of the Larchmont Public Library.

“Laura has been a true asset to our library, and we appreciate her dedication and expertise,’’ said Kathy Mullen, President of the library’s Board of Trustees.  “While we are sad to see her leave, we wish her all the best in her new endeavors.”

Eckley joined the Bronxville Public Library in 2003 and was named Library Director in 2009.

“It has been both a privilege and a honor to work at the Bronxville Public Library for the past nine years,” said Ms Eckley in a resignation letter sent to the board earlier this week.  “It was a truly rewarding experience to serve the community.”

Details regarding the search for a replacement will be released after the next board meeting scheduled for Feb. 8.”

The press release gives no information on how—if at all—Eckley’s resignation will affect the lawsuit she brought against the library after a raise to $100,000 was rescinded several weeks after it was instituted. The suit also charged that Eckley was the victim of gender discrimination, pointing out that men in positions of similar responsibility made much more than she.

A number of Southern Westchester seniors will be among the 43 honored at the 29th Annual Westchester Senior Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon on Dec. 2 at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown. The Senior Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS), Westchester County Parks and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services. It is co-sponsored by Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester and Putnam (VNSWP).

Among the seniors being singled out for special honors are:
• Joan DiPalma, RN, of Rye, a former operating room nurse who launched and expanded the “Ask the Visiting Nurse Program,” a community outreach initiative that provides seniors with health screenings and one-on-one health discussions and counseling with nurses from VNSWP. DiPalma has served on the VNSWP board since 1984 and was chair from 1999 to 2003. She also is a board member of Hospice and Palliative Care of Westchester.
• Louise D. Muller of Pelham, who at various times has served as president of the Pelham Board of Education, Southern Westchester BOCES, the Westchester Putnam School Boards Association and the Westchester Children’s Association.

Other local residents being recognized are:
BRONXVILLE: Dr. Joan O’Gorman, PhD.
HARRISON: Paula Tarantino, Charlotte Vaughn
LARCHMONT: Ruth M. Lewis, Robert Waldman
MAMARONECK: Friedhilde Milburn, Josie Santangelo
NEW ROCHELLE: Betty A. Barker, Maurice Brick
RYE: Lou Jaskow, Helen Roman, Thomas M. Saunders

The event takes place in the hotel’s Main Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; tickets are $50 each. For more information, call Caryl Weinstein at (914) 813-6425.

From left, Bronxville’s Gretchen Richter (3) and Helen Wood (4) return to midfield after scoring against Rye Neck during the section finals at Arlington High School in Lagrangeville on  Nov. 06, 2011.  For more photos check out the gallery.  ( Ricky Flores / The Journal News )

Longtime Scarsdale resident and poet Ann Cefola will launch her newest book, “St. Agnes, Pink-slipped” from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 15 in the newly restored library at Trinity St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 311 Huguenot St., New Rochelle.

Cefola got inspiration for the title of her book after hearing that St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains had changed its name.

“She picturred the displaced saint trudging up North Street,” a publicist said. “That image became the inspiration for the title of her new poetry chapbook” available from Kattywompus Press.

“In the early 2000’s, so many people in Westchester had been downsized,” Cefola said. “Who would think it could happen to a saint?”

The event will feature a reading by the poet and refreshments. It is free and open to the public, although the church is accepting donations to its building repair fund.

To learn more about Cefola, visit www.anncefola.com. For information on the church and directions, visit www.trinitystpaul.org.

The JCC of Mid-Westchester in Scarsdale is holding its fourth annual look inside the college admissions process with a special discussion set for 7:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 18.

The discussion, moderated by Mamaroneck-based college admissions consultant Betsy F. Woolf,  features deans from several top colleges and universities and is designed for parents and students interested in finding out how college admission decisions are made. This year’s guest speakers represent Binghamton University, Swarthmore College, Syracuse University, Union College, the University of Chicago and Vanderbilt University.

Advice includes how to make a student’s application stand out; the impact on today’s economy on college admissions; how grades, connections, athletics, interviews, essays and scores are weighed; and the difference between a well-rounded student and a well-rounded class.

Pre-registration is required. Pre-registration and information is available at www.jccmw.org.

The JCC is at 999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale.

Sound Shore and Lower Hudson Valley residents, this is what your neighborhood looks like from space:

(Photo by Ron Garan)

Astronaut Ron Garan, who was born in Yonkers, is now floating high above Earth, orbiting the planet aboard the International Space Station. He’s been doing all sorts of things, from working with space robots to chatting with reporters about missing Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit. He’s also been snapping a lot of photos, including the one above, and posting them to his TwitPic account. Amazing stuff. Happy browsing.

Garan is due back in September. Safe travels, sir.

Four southern Westchester students are among the more than 2,900 winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by the colleges and universities they will be attending. They are among 8,300 National Merit Scholarship winners nationwide, and will get between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of study at the institution.

The area winners are:
• Nina K. Goldman, Bronxville, Bronxville High School; Tufts University
• Emily S. Semaya, Larchmont, Mamaroneck High School; Carleton College
• Julia L. Goldberg, Scarsdale, Horace Mann School (Riverdale); Tufts University
• Scott M. Jacobson, Scarsdale, Scarsdale High School; Tufts University

The Juniors Leagues of Bronxville, Central Westchester, Northern Westchester, Pelham and Westchester on the Sound are holding a Legislative Breakfast with local legislators from 9 to 11 a.m. May 20 at Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillsdale Ave., Greenburgh.

Invited legislators are expected to speak about the economic, legislative and health challenges in the state and county schools in regard to providing better nutritious food for children.

Among those invited are Congresswoman Nita Lowey; Christina Rohbatynskyi, director of Food Bank for Westchester; Nancy Huehnergarth, director of NYSHEPAA; Delly Beekman, president of the American Junior Leagues International; and Mary Ann Sullivan, supervisor of food services for Yonkers Public Schools.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Amy Nay of News Channel 12.

Local municipalities and residents were among those honored by the county recently at its annual Earth Day celebration for their environmental efforts.

The honorees included:
• The Village of Bronxville for being one of Westchester County’s 2010 “top three” municipalities with the highest overall recycling rate of 71%
• The Village of Scarsdale for being one of Westchester County’s 2010 “top three” municipalities with the highest overall recycling rate of 68%
• The Town of Eastchester for conducting a model organic yard waste “give-back” program providing usable gardening material for local residents
• The Town of Mamaroneck for collecting vegetable oil locally for refinement and beneficial reuse
• The Village of Mamaroneck for collecting vegetable oil locally for refinement and beneficial reuse
• The Village of Tuckahoe for collecting vegetable oil locally for refinement and beneficial reuse
• The 4th Grade Teachers and Students of Edgewood Elementary School, Scarsdale, for development and implementation of an exemplary Earth Education “Ecosystem Project”
• The administration, teachers, students & parents of the Rye Country Day School, Rye, for development of a comprehensive school sustainability program

Also given a “notable mention” was James Petronella for dedicated volunteer services assisting the Village of Tuckahoe with local recycling collection, education and outreach programs