Sloatsburg may not be getting a signature project soon but it may get more gear for the Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department. And good gear helps save lives.

At the Village Board meeting last Tuesday, SFD Second Assistant Chief Chris Morse made an appearance with a small contingent of firefighters to present the board with  an itemized list of gear and equipment upgrades the department needs to bring the department into compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and to meet various other state and agency requirements. Morse also spoke at the board’s January 8 meeting. Continue Reading

The East Ramapo School District finds itself sinking deeper into discord and community angst. Journal News reporter Khurram Saeed interviewed the two East Ramapo School Board members who resigned abruptly this past week — Stephen Price, a 20 year board member, and Suzanne Young-Mercer, elected in 2010, both submitted their resignation letters to East Ramapo District Clerk Cathy Russell on Monday. Continue Reading

Eric Albert has been been quietly building a comedy home base in Sloatsburg, and Friday night will be the one year coming out celebration for Characters Comedy Night.

On the last Friday of the month for the last year, Albert has turned the upstairs room at the restaurant into a laugh factory, attended by an enthusiastic hometown crowd and people who come in for the shows from the surrounding area. Continue Reading

They don’t call politics a contact sport for nothing. Dylan Skriloff over at the Rockland County Times takes no prisoners when reporting a story. Skriloff’s journalistic stock is rising as a source of breaking news and inside information. The young editor and associate publisher of the Rockland Times has just landed a new radio gig as host of the Thursday edition of WRCR 1300 AM’s show — the Raymour & Flanigan Community News Hour. Continue Reading

All those Sloatsburg Community Pool members out there, here’s a chance to have your two cents counted. Sloatsburg Village Trustee Peter Akey, who shares village cultural and recreational oversight, is soliciting community advice on tree replacement at the village pool. Continue Reading

Suffern High School senior Ben Silver was named an Intel Science Talent Search 2013 Semifinalist, which is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition. Silver is one of 300 semifinalists selected from more than 1,700 entrants representing some 190 high schools in 30 states and one U.S. high school abroad.

The Intel Science Talent Search brings together some of the best young scientific minds in the United States to compete for $1.25 million in awards each year.

Silver entered the competition with the project, The Relationship between White Matter Integrity and Self-Awareness in Multiple Sclerosis using Diffusion Tensor Imaging, a project he developed as part of his participation in Scientific & Technological Investigative Research (STIR), a three-year science research program governed by State University of New York at Albany. STIR students design and conduct authentic, graduate-level research with the guidance of a professional mentor. Over its 17-year history at Suffern High School, STIR has produced one Intel Finalist and more than 10 Semifinalists.

“With the Intel competition, you read about kids with these incredible projects,” said Silver. “To see my name and project on that list is such an honor.”

Silver’s selection as a semifinalist wins him a $1,000 award from the Intel Foundation, with another $1,000 going to support the STIR program at Suffern High School.

“We are immensely proud of Ben and the research he has conducted,” said Suffern Principal Pat Breen. “Suffern High School has a proud tradition of nurturing student achievement in science, technology, engineering and math and I look forward to congratulating future winners.”

“To be named one of 300 semifinalists is quite an honor,” said Suffern STIR teacher Wendell Hala. “It’s getting hard to win in this ‘STEM Age’ as more schools develop their programs. But Ben has been a pleasure to work with over the last three years; as a person, he has a lot to offer beyond the science.”

Forty finalists will be announced on January 23; these students will have the opportunity to compete for additional awards and attend the Intel Science Institute in Washington, DC in March, where the students will compete for $630,000 in awards provided by the Intel Foundation. Each finalist receives at least $7,500, while the top winner will be awarded $100,000.

“Each year, the Intel Science Talent Search honors high school seniors poised to lead in U.S. scientific innovation,” said Wendy Hawkins, executive director of the Intel Foundation. “This year, these young scientists are tackling some of the world’s greatest challenges in topics ranging from environmental conservation solutions to medical treatments.”

Photo and information courtesy of Jennifer Citrolo, Ramapo Central Schools.

Local members of the Sloatsburg Senior Center enjoyed the patter of an old-fashioned dinner theater show last Wednesday when the trio that makes up A Touch of Sinatra entertained the center. Continue Reading

With a bold look to the future, Tuxedo may have not only created a solution for the long-term viability of its high school, but positioned the town as a beacon for higher education. The Tuxedo Union Free School District held an open forum last week in which the district’s consultant presented its finding on the future of the school, and the recommendations for George F. Baker High School called for a dynamic repositioning of the high school. Continue Reading

If you’ve visited Grab & Go in central Sloatsburg lately, odds are you’ve met Mike Williams. Mike tends the counter most days and along with his brother Richie helps run the local beer store. Grab & Go has greatly expanded its selection of craft beers lately and is working on several new offerings, including beer by the cup.

The store is now holding a raffle to support the Sloatsburg Volunteer Fire Department, with tickets set at $2. The raffle prize is your very own True Brew home brew kit, complete with all the items necessary to attempt your own craft concoction.

“It’s a rewarding hobby and the proceeds go to our local fire department, who are always running towards disaster,” said Mike Williams. “With the home brew kit, you can experience the satisfaction you get when opening that first bottle of your own brew creation.”

Grab & Go also launched its online site Sloatsbeer.com, created by Richie Williams and aimed at those beer lovers who just want to take their time and browse for something rich and malty. Williams uploaded a good amount of the store’s stock for viewing, from the latest craft beers to pints, domestic brands, and new sales items.

Grab & Go has scheduled a special day devoted to beer lovers. The store will host a Craft Beer Tasting Event Saturday, January 26 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The event is sponsored by Defiant Brewing, a local micro brewery located in Pearl River, NY, which will be on hand with several kegs of its very own brew for beer connoisseurs to sample. The very definition of craft beer involves small, independently brewed suds with a low production but higher quality beer.  So, here’s a chance to try some out with a simple trip into Sloatsburg.

Buy a few raffle tickets while you’re at the store to show your support for the Sloatsburg Fire Department, the guys always driving big trucks fast towards danger.

Grab & Go Craft Beer Tasting Event, sponsored by Defiant Brewing, takes place Saturday, January 26 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Call 845.712.5444 for more information.

Photo of Mike Williams courtesy of My Meals And Deals.

It’s the season of winter song as school choirs show their stuff this week. Elementary schools throughout the Ramapo Central School District celebrate with Winter Concerts Thursday and Friday.

Sloatsburg Elementary School led off the week when proud parents, grandparents and siblings crowded the gymnasium for the school’s K-2 Winter Concert Wednesday morning. Led by music teacher Alice Biss, kindergarten, first- and second-grade students delivered spirited performances of international songs and old favorites.

“Ms. Biss, our vocal music teacher at Sloatsburg, does an excellent job preparing students for these special concerts,” said SES Principal Eric Baird. “As their principal, it is always great to observe the genuine enthusiasm and pride that the children convey while they are performing for an audience.”

Viola and RP Connor Elementary Schools have their concerts Thursday morning, while Cherry Lane and Monetebello hold their Winter Concerts Friday morning. Additionally, Suffern Middle School will hold its Art Show and Music Night Thursday evening, with the music starting at 7:30 p.m. A followup Music Night at the middle school will be held Monday, January 14 beginning at 7 p.m.

Photo and information courtesy of Jennifer Citrolo, Ramapo Central Schools.