Who What When Where: RiverdaleY Newsletter June 2007

Enjoy a candle-lit live cabaret, including Starbucks coffees and teas, wine and sweets.

Come see what all the buzz was about on opening night the Riverdale Y’s arts festival in November -- it was standing room only! $18

“Sarah Jane Cion is one of the major young talents on piano today and she is destined to become one of the more recognized jazz pianists of her time.” -- Jay Leonhart $12

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER takes a wacky look at some famous brothers throughout history and showcases other songs written by the Walton brothers. MBK received the NYC 1997 Backstage Bistro Award for Best New Musical. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you may even drool a little. $12

Buy tickets here...

Ken Peplowski (with Joe Cohn, Ted Rosenthal, Gary Mazzaroppi, and Chuck Redd) will present a “Benny Goodman Concert” at the Y on Saturday, March 1, at 8 pm. Clarinet virtuoso and band leader Peplowski, chosen by Goodman himself for his final touring orchestra, has been entertaining audiences for more than 30 years. Peplowski has been a featured performer with the American Jazz Orchestra and has appeared at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. He has performed regularly in New York’s major clubs, such as the Blue Note, Fat Tuesdays, Eddie Condon’s and Jimmy Walkers. His own group performs on a regular basis at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Peplowski has made numerous extensive tours of Europe, Brazil, England, Mexico and Japan. Peplowski’s debut album as bandleader was “Double Exposure.” The title calls attention to his proficiency on both clarinet and tenor saxophone. Peplowski, who continues to garner worldwide recognition, spends much of his time traveling as a solo artist or as a leader of his own quintet.

Riverdale Y Welcomes Sandy Mislow, Our New Inclusion Coordinator

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Sandy Mislow to the staff of the Y. Sandy began on January 2 as the Y’s first Inclusion Coordinator. Her position was made possible through a grant from the JE & ZB Butler Foundation.

Sandy will be working with all of the departments in our agency to help increase programs, and services for people with special needs. In addition, she will be establishing a model of working in cooperation with synagogues, schools and other community organizations to assist with opening the “gates” of the Jewish and general community to people with disabilities.

Prior to coming to the Y, Sandy worked at The Shield Institute as the Coordinator of Staff Development and Training as well as the Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction. She, her husband Brad and their two children live in Riverdale and participate in programs at the Y.

Sandy’s first projects at the Y will be to develop social skills and social playgroups for children which will begin at the end of February. She will also be the lead coordinator of the Y’s upcoming Community Forum on Inclusion to be held on February 13, 2008 at 7:00 pm.

Time to escape the cold and think about the summer!!! Join us for our annual Camp Kehilla Reunion on Saturday, February 9th at the Riverdale Y. It will be a great opportunity to connect with old friends and hopefully make new ones as well. Campers will also have a chance to reminisce with their previous counselors while engaging in their favorite camp activities. The reunion will take place at the Y from 7:00 -9:00 PM; dinner will be served to all camp families. The entire camp staff is excited to see all of our campers reunite as we gear up for summer, 2008!

If you plan on attending this year’s camp reunion please R.S.V.P. by Thursday, February 7th to Barbara Beer at (718) 548-8200, ext. 206 or via e-mail at BBeer@RiverdaleY.org.

Dance Department

So much is happening in our new Dance Department.

Our toddler crowd is having a wonderful time whirling about like winter storms, leaping over snow drifts and galloping like herds of zebras in their Creative Movement classes. Our Tappers are banging out great rhythms to the beat of the latest music, our Jazz and Hip Hop kids are too funky for words and our beautiful ballerinas are gracing the studio with elegance and panache.

Monday nights the Ballroom crowd dances away with Teens at 6:30pm and Adults at 7:30pm. The Saturday Night Ballroom Parties just keep getting bigger and better with Linda Andrews (see below).

Our Adult Ballet group is flourishing and remember, we also offer Jazz, Pilates/Ballet Barre, and Ballet Stretch for adults. It’s a great way for us grownups to stay in shape and have fun at the same time.

Please note: it is not too late to join most of our Winter / Spring classes. Dance classes run until the first week of June, in what is a longer session than the standard class calendar.

For more information and online registration visit the Riverdale Y Dance School web page at www.riverdaley.org/dance

Terror-Free Investing

Deputy New York State Minority Leader Senator Jeff Klein will speak in the Y's theater on Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 pm on his recently released analysis entitled: Terrorist Treasury, New York’s Public Pension Fund: Investing in Our Enemies and his new bill, The New York Terror Free Investment Act of 2007

The report, compiled with the assistance of Conflict Securities Advisory Group, Inc. a research and consulting firm that specializes in the assessment and management of global security risk - i.e., the risk associated with corporate ties to countries of security concern, terrorism or weapons proliferation, reveals that the NYS pension fund has approximately $12 billion invested in 235 companies that have direct dealings with terrorist states.

“In this century we face a different kind of enemy than in previous times. Americans should not be financiers of a war against ourselves. As citizens of New York we can show that we are still as united against terrorism as strongly as we were on September 11, but New York’s future can not be in conflict with the crusade for moral righteousness that this country faces on a daily basis. It is our responsibility to oppose the specter of terrorism that looms large over our families and our future by immediately divesting our finances from terrorist states,” said Senator Klein.

To address the issue, Senator Klein has introduced legislation, The New York Terror Free Investment Act of 2007, to limit the investment of public retirement funds in corporate or financial entities doing business in or with the nations of Iran, Syria, North Korea and Sudan, which have been designated by the U.S. State Dept. as state sponsors of terrorism.

Many other states have enacted or proposed legislation regarding divestment from Iran, including: California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Missouri.

See the event here...

Sports & Wellness

Swim Team News

Our first swim competition against the Whitehall Dolphins was indeed a success. We were out numbered, but not outsmarted as we took first place in as many as 12 out of 20 events.

We had four swimmers join the team in the last two weeks, all did a terrific job, but one stands out as a ringer. Zoe started began slowly and steady, than quickly picked up speed leaving everyone behind. Speed and technique drills paid off for the Riverdale Y. The relays were awesome only a tiny, tiny glitch when one of our swimmers dove unexpectedly onto coming traffic. You could feel the adrenaline from all the kids in the air.

Congratulations to all the Riverdale Rapids!

Women's Self-Defense

This class is intended for women who are interested in Physical Fitness, Concentration, Coordination, Confidence, Discipline & Awareness under the realm of Self-Defense. Those who choose this class will be able to sculpt and tone their bodies while gaining knowledge on using the swift hand and foot-techniques of USA GOJU-RYU KARATE, in a non-violent way, to protect themselves, as well as their loved ones. It is a practical, motivational and confidence building class that will surely enhance your mind, as well as your body. The class is taught by Sempai Crystal Rodriguez. Registration for classes are held during the last two weeks of January 2008, and is by Appointment Only! Classes begin Sunday March 2nd, 2008.
To schedule an appointment call, (917) 468-4123, and ask for Mrs. Rodriguez.
Classes are held on Sunday’s at 12:45pm – 2:00pm.

Click here for registration...

Who What When Where

Cabaret Saturday Nights

Riverdale Y Welcomes Sandy Mislow, Our New Inclusion Coordinator

Mid-Winter Camp

Dance Department

Senior Center Calendar: