Clarkstown, NY

Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack has announced the start of the 22nd annual Coats for Kids program, which seeks gently-used coats from Rockland residents and provides them to people who may otherwise not be able to buy a warm winter coat. The program runs until Dec. 23.

Donors can bring the coats to local drycleaners who have agreed to participate in the program and will clean the coats for free. The coats will then be distributed to needy people through area nonprofits.

Participating dry cleaners include the following: June French Cleaners, 4 Haverstraw Road in Congers, 845-268-3677845-268-3677 Fine Line Cleaners, 37 South Main Street in New City, 845-634-4950845-634-4950 Personal Touch Cleaners, 301A North Main Street, Spring Valley, 845-425-3313 845-425-3313 and Tiffany Cleaners, 6B Red Schoolhouse Road, Chestnut Ridge, 845-352-9732845-352-9732

People in need of a coat can contact the following organizations: People to People of Rockland, 212 West Nyack Road, Nanuet, 845-623-4900 845-623-4900 Community Action Program, 176 North Main Street, Spring Valley, 845-352-4167 845-352-4167 and Community Action Program, 37 Clove Action Avenue, Haverstraw, 845-429-9241 845-429-9241.

The program was started by Gromack 22 years ago when he was a member of the state assembly.

This year it is being sponsored by the Byne Group, New Born Printing, Florian Association of Rockland County and 100.7 WHUD Radio.

Celebrate India's Independence at Rockland County India Day Parade - August 14

Rockland County will join its local Indian population by celebrating India's Independence day with a parade this Sunday August 14, 2011.

India achieved it's independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. In India the day is a national holiday.

Rockland's celebration will begin with a parade at 11:30 AM starting at the New City Library and proceeding down main street to the courthouse where after the hoisting of the Indian flag, a festival will take place with some fun activities planned for people of all ages.

The event is an effort by the Indian Culture Society to promote Indian culture to the young people of this generation. The program at the courthouse will be a combination of both traditional and modern. On hand will be vendors selling decorative Indian clothing, Indian costume jewelry, and Indian food. The kids there will have a chance to join some Indian cultural dance classes.

It's a way to recognize that although we may be different, we are all the same. It's a melding of two cultures and a great way to show respect for each other!
So plan on coming and join the fun!

Flickr photo by rednivaram

Help Make Waves! - Swim for United Hospice of Rockland Sunday Aug 14 - Pay it Forward

Cancer is unfortunately not a stranger to most of us. We've all lost a loved one to the dreaded disease or are closely connected to someone who did. If you're a swimmer, here's your chance to Pay it Forward and give back to others by doing what you love to do best - You can participate in a Swim America event for the benefit of cancer and cancer research.

In Rockland County, the Town of Clarkstown will be participating in the Swim Across America event for the first time. The Rockland swim will be held on Sunday August 14 at the Germonds pool in West Nyack. Marathon swimmer Skip Storch will lead the event and you'll have a chance to meet him after the race when he'll be available to sign autographs.

You can still register for the event either on your own or with a team. Teams need to be no less than 5 nor more than 10 members. You'll have your choice of doing a 1/2 mile or one mile swim and everyone that participates gets a lap counter, t-shirt and towel.

With your help they're sure to reach their goal of raising $10,000 for United Hospice of Rockland.
So whether you plan to swim for cancer or just participate as a spectator, we hope we can count on your support for a great cause and together, we'll Pay it Forward and do our part to help fight cancer.

Flickr Photo by terren in Virginia

Want to Stroll Around the Lake? - New Lakeside Trail and Boardwalk in Congers NY

With the warm weather, most of us are heading outdoors to exercise. For the strollers, walkers, bikers and joggers amongst us, there is a new lakeside trail and boardwalk to explore that runs around much of Congers Lake in Rockland County NY.

The trail was just recently completed and dedicated this past week in a ceremony that took place at the entrance to the path on Lake Road, just before the intersection of Route 303 in Congers.

Right now the path only goes around part of the lake. It goes around the north and south portions of the lake along route 303 and through Congers Lake Memorial Park on Gilchrist Road. The path right now is 1.7 miles long but when its completed it will be a total of 2.6 miles. It took years to complete the first 1.7 miles of the path but the remainder is expected to go more quickly. So now, instead of walking on a strip of blacktop a little higher than the water, there's a new 10-foot-wide elevated promenade that runs along part of the lake and connects at places with walking and cycling paths and is beautifully landscaped along the way.

The walking path is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. It's a great venue for all ages, parents with strollers, seniors, bikers, joggers, scooters, and roller bladers. I'm looking forward to using it. Will I be seeing you there?

If you're planning on visiting and making use of the path, there is a small parking lot across from the Congers Fire Department. Also, visitors can part at the community center of the Congers Lake Memorial Park on Gilcrest Road and take the walking path to the boardwalk.

Flickr photo by Eustaquio Santimano