COMMUNITY GARDENERS WANTED IN OSSINING

Town and Village of Ossining residents are invited to participate
in the Ossining Organic Community Garden.

The garden located in beautiful Cedar Lane Park, with raised and ground level garden beds, native perennial & edible flower gardens, mulch, leaf compost, drainage, standpipes & deer fencing.

Only A Few Plots Available to Village & Town of Ossining residents!

Gardeners should expect an average of 4 to 5 hours of work weekly towards the maintenance & upkeep of their plot & the community garden.

• All gardeners will be required to sign a contract of rules & deadlines to ensure a pleasurable working environment for all.
• Beginner gardeners are encouraged to share their plot with a friend.
• Applicants younger than 18 years old are required to sign up with an adult who will accompany & assist them with their garden.
• Raised garden beds are available for gardeners with limited mobility.

Costs:  $10 for single raised bed, $20 for double raised bed.

A current Ossining Parks & Recreation ID card is required.
($4 ID cards for the garden only will also be available)

Payment is due upon receipt of plot assignment.

Download the flyer here...

To sign up and for more information or application please contact:

Ossining Recreation and Parks 
Joseph G. Caputo Community Center
95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562  (914) 941-3189

---

The garden is also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ossining-Organic-Community-Garden/389769441112.

Ossining Organic Community Garden’s 350.org event in the news:

About the Ossining Organic Community Garden from Bill Cary’s Journal News blog.

http://yorktown.lohudblogs.com/2010/10/10/350-org-global-work-party-2010/
Click on the highlighted “350.org global work party” to see a gallery of photos of the gardeners.

Arts Calendar at the Ossining Public Library

---

The Westchester Collaborative Theater Presents
Winterfest 2011 Reading Event

The Ossining based Westchester Collaborative Theater is producing a staged reading of eight original one-act plays at its WCT Winterfest 2011 event. The plays were generated from the WCT Lab program and will be performed by resident members of the WCT Company.

 Dates:          Friday, December 2nd at 7:30 pm
                        Saturday, December 3rd at 2 pm
                        Performances will be held in the Ossining Public Library
                        Budarz Theater, 53 Croton Ave, Ossining

A “talk-back” with writers, directors and cast members is scheduled following the December 3rd performance.

The plays being performed are:
Civet Duty by Marshall Fine
Blackout by Gabrielle Fox
Midnight Musings by Mark Jason Williams
Does Anybody Like Me? By Joseph McDonald
Level Up by Pat O’Connor
Road Kill by Carol Mark
Stained Glass by Misha Sinclair
Bump and Grind by Alan Lutwin

Free Admission   —   Refreshments Available!

The Westchester Collaborative Theater is an Ossining based, multi-cultural cooperative theater company. Our stated missions are furthering the skills of our members, developing new plays of merit and fostering cultural enrichment in our neighboring communities.

For more information or to reserve seats email: wctcompany@gmail.com

---

Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come Brought to Life by the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival’s Staged Reading of Dickens’ Christmas Carol

A new holiday tradition was started a few years ago when the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival presented a staged reading of the Fezziwig section of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in the Mansion at Boscobel. 

The tradition will continue and expand in December when the actors return to the Mansion for three consecutive weekends to read of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come from the classic novella.

Performances are: Friday, December 2 at 7pm; Saturday, December 3 at 6pm; Friday, December 9 at 7pm; Saturday, December 10 at 6pm; Friday, December 16 at 7pm; Saturday, December 17 at 6pm.

Tickets for all performances are $75 and may be purchased at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/202127.

For more information visit www.hvshakespeare.org or call 845-809-5750.

"Lead on!" said Scrooge. "Lead on! The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit!" In the warm glow of the great entry hall of the Mansion at Boscobel, decorated for the holidays, HVSF actors Richard Ercole, Eleanor Handley, Katie Hartke and Stephan Paul Johnson, will retell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. Under the direction of HVSF Founding Artistic Director Terrence O’Brien, the actors will take the audience along on the long night’s journey from Christmas Past to that which is Yet-to-Come in their trademark style, closer to Dickens than Disney, bringing the text to life without extra frills. The reading will be followed by a special holiday celebration feast and libations in the lower hall.

"It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour."

---

Mike Risko Music Holiday Showcase

Featuring the Mike Risko Band performing holiday tunes from their new CD "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Followed by Holiday performances by Mike Risko Music School Students. Saturday December 17, 2011 2:30-4:00 pm at the Budarz Theatre at the Ossining Public Library. CD's will be available for purchase at the show.

We will have personal shoppers available to help you pick out just the right gift for your musician or potential musician for the holidays!

www.mikeriskomusicschool.com

You Can Help Your Older Neighbors
by Volunteering with
Community Helping Hands

Community Helping Hands is a non-profit, Aging in Place OrganizatioWn.

CHH was formed to assist older adults who choose to stay in their own homes as they age.

We are looking for volunteer fundraisers, administrators, event planners and drivers. Whether you have an hour to spare or can devote more time, we have an opportunity for you.

Please contact us at 914-346-7773
P.O. Box 708 Ossining, NY 10562
communityhelpinghandsossining@gmail.com

Working hand in hand to build a community that welcomes and honors our senior population.

Become a Therapeutic Foster Parent

 

Leake & Watts has a New Therapeutic Foster Boarding Home Program in Westchester County.

We are Looking for Families Interested in Becoming
Foster Parents for Youth ages 5-18

There are many children with special needs in Ossining and other Westchester communities that are unable to live with their own families and need temporary care until their families are able to care for them again.

Call us today at (914) 375 -8795, or text (914) 882-7043 to learn more.

Download Therapeutic Foster Boarding Home Program flyer [PDF]

www.leakeandwatts.org

Significant Tree List Nominations Solicited

Ossining has an important Tree Ordinance that protects our trees from unnecessary destruction and also provides that the Village Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) should compile a list of nominations of trees in the Village to be added to the Village’s "Significant Tree List."

Please help the EAC compile the nomination list by recommending your own favorite tree. Trees to be nominated must be located on your property. The Ordinance defines a tree as “any woody plant having at least one well-defined trunk with at least a [diameter at breast height] of four inches and having a clearly defined crown."

A Significant Tree is a single tree or grove of trees selected “on the basis of specimen quality, historical significance or other unique characteristic.”  The law further provides that the designation must be agreed to by the property owner.

The EAC needs your help with nominations for inclusion on the Significant Tree List.  The ultimate decision whether to approve the submitted nominations will be made by the Village Board of Trustees, but providing the EAC with pictures, locations, and a statement of why you think the tree or grove should be so honored, along with owner’s permission note or name, will be a great help and can be a fun and learning experience for you and your children.

For more information or to nominate a tree, email Ossiningtreelist@gmail.com.

Westchester County launched its Home Energy Assessment program on September 1st. The program will be offering limited free home energy assessments for 2,000 Westchester County residents on a first come first serve basis. The assessments will be offered by a team of Home Energy contractors from:

• Bright Homes Energy Ideas v  Comfort Solutions v  Green Star Energy Solutions
•  All HVAC Service v  Bright Home Energy Solutions v  Franszoso Contracting.

Home owners are eligible for the program if they meet all of following criteria:
   a. The prospective Client’s property must be located in Westchester County.
   b. The person calling the Call Center must be the owner of the property.
   c. The prospective Client’s dwelling must be 4,000 square feet or less.

Homeowners will be directed to call 211 for an appointment beginning September 1 to May 31, 2011.  A representative will screen the prospective homeowners to determine whether they qualify for a free home energy assessment and answer any questions.  An authorized contractor will then call the homeowner within 24 hours to schedule an appointment.

Residents Plan Memorial Bench in Honor of Supervisor Martha Dodge

A local group of residents have teamed up with the Town of Ossining to honor Town Supervisor Martha Dodge, who passed away in December 2009 after a fight with cancer, by erecting a bench and memorial in her honor at Louis Engel Waterfront Park.

Several of Dodge’s friends approached her husband, John Codman, about how best to memorialize Martha’s enthusiasm for protecting the environment and the Hudson River, and to commemorate her service to the Ossining community. A public bench honoring Dodge at the Ossining waterfront seemed the perfect solution.

A dedicated fund has been established to help fund the bench and memorial and to landscape the site. Those wishing to donate to Martha’s bench and memorial should mail the donation to: Town of Ossining, Supervisor’s office, Attn: Martha’s Bench, 16 Croton Ave, Ossining NY 10562. Please make sure to include the words “Martha’s Bench” in the “re:” line of the check. This is a dedicated fund. All donations received will go towards the purchase of the bench and memorial, landscaping, and upkeep of the site.

The Town will have a dedication ceremony with the Codman-Dodge family once the bench and memorial have been installed.

The Hon Martha L. Dodge, Town Council member and Town Supervisor, passed away on December 27, 2009 after a brief and courageous fight with cancer.

For more information, contact the Town of Ossining at 914-762-6001.

---

For information on Memorial Gifts or Donations, please write or call OVAC at (914) 941-3941. OSSINING VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE CORPS INC. P.O. Box 523, Ossining, New York 10562 http://www.ossiningvac.org Photo: Martha Dodge and Sam Luben, Chief of OVAC, signing of agreements to create an Ambulance District for Ossining & part of New Castle. Versatile Dodge had 'spirit of public service' - Dedication on LoHud.com http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009912310334

Outdoor Ossining Farmer's Market through December 18!

Shoppers will find many farm products including fish, pasture raised meat and poultry, pickles, produce, specialty foods, artisanal cheeses, cider, apples, pears, cider donuts, crusty bread and baked goods.

Since 1991, farmers markets developed and managed by Community Markets have been successfully serving all three purposes – making locally-grown produce and locally-made products readily available and, at the same time, providing an ideal place for the community to come together to share news and gossip, thoughts, and ideas, and improving nutrition.

Sponsored by Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce - Corner of Main and Spring St. - Saturdays 8:30am-1pm, Rain/Shine, 5/28 - 12/17

---

Winter: Westchester Farmers' Market

Founded 2012 | Sponsored by Village of Croton-on-Hudson
Croton Harmon Train Station, Parking Lot a (1 Croton Point Ave.)

SATURDAYS 9AM-1PM - RAIN OR SHINE

2012 SCHEDULE JANUARY 7TH - MAY 19TH

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's "About Boating Safety" (ABS) course is certified by the
National Association of State Boating Law Adminstrators and meets the boating safety course completion requirements of most states.

The Fee is $75 per person. This basic boating safety course also includes the NYS PWC operator certification.

For more information contact Raymond Hitney 914-319-3470, vfc@force67.com

- Planning Board Calendar - 2012
- Recreation Activity Brochure - Winter 2012
- Register for Recreation Department Programs
- Refuse Schedule & Info - 2012
- Sanitation-Recycle Calendar - 2012
- Senior Services Monthly Activity Calendar

A permanent Household Materials Recovery Facility (H-MRF) will open on the Grasslands campus at Valhalla in early 2012. The H-MRF will accept household hazardous waste and other items that cannot be set out for curbside collection or recycling. Curbside Recycling Guide - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle