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

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.

Residents of Tuxedo, NY face a peculiar situation. The local high school, built up over the last 30 years into a quietly elite academic institution, may lose a chunk of its student population next school year. Or not. Continue Reading

The Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce kicks off the new year with its first meeting Wednesday, January 9th at 6 p.m. This week’s chamber meeting takes place at LiveTechnology, located at 16 Sterling Lake Road in Tuxedo Park. Continue Reading

Monday afternoon and evening the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will hold a public hearing on the permit application for the proposed Patrick Farm development along Rt. 202 at Rt. 306 between Pomona and Wesley Hills. The proposed multi-family housing project involves 497 large scale homes, including 410 multi-family apartments on a 200 acre property. Continue Reading

What happens when a hometown turns on its newspaper? Well, The Journal News is finding out these days as an editorial decision has gathered national headlines and harsh criticism. The now infamous interactive map of pistol permit holders in Rockland and Westchester counties has nearly everyone, from average readers to advertisers to Rockland officials across the spectrum, including the sheriff himself, lining up to throw stones.

Suffern Middle School students are using videoconferencing to learn about the ultimate act of bullying — genocide. In a project closely tied to the sixth-grade curriculum, Barbara Biddy and Jennifer Fruhling’s sixth-grade classes are taking part in the One Million Bones project, a social arts project promoted by NYC-based nongovernmental organization Global Nomads, Students Rebuild and CARE International to bring attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. Continue Reading

The Journal News stepped into a visceral thicket of American beliefs when an article on gun ownership by Dwight R. Worley, published on December 23, included a map of people who have pistol permits. The article had the ominous headline: “The gun owner next door: What you don’t know about the weapons in your neighborhood.” Continue Reading

Erin knows her way around the Sloatsburg Public Library. Her mother, Annmarie McAnany, is children’s librarian and also regularly helps corral Sloatsburg UMC Food Pantry donations.

Erin McAnany, practically raised in the library, wanted to pitch in too. With her mother’s input, she worked out a creative way to contribute to the community. A student at Sloatsburg Elementary School, Erin set up shop at the recent library Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair to sell homemade items that promised a bit of holiday magic. Continue Reading