The Westchester Arts Project was developed from the desire of host David Morrison to introduce Westchester to some of it’s local artistic talent. In this 30 minute episode, the first of what is hoped to be many, David introduces us to artist Gun Orachantara, who gives an introductory course in the art of sketching.

For more than 30 years, the Ossining Village Fair has been one of Westchester’s largest and most successful yearly public events. Thousands of residents attend while over 150 vendors and community organizations present themselves and showcase their wares.

New Rochelle native, Artie Tobia with his band performing “$50 Bill” at the Palace Theatre in Danbury, CT.

The Artie Tobia Band

The Palace Theatre

Footage provided by Evan Dalcher & Peter Barossi

I first learned of Chris Cornell about a year ago when I began my social media experience by signing up on Twitter. Chris is a Westchester businessman who runs a successful custom framing shop in the town of Pleasantville. He is also a big believer in the power of social networking and the editor of TwitterProfessor.com, a blog whose mission is to “Build Communities Through Social Media.”

During our numerous Twitter based connections, I discovered that Chris has taken his knowledge of art and his talent at community building and applied it to what I believe is his greatest passion, baseball. He is the curator of a website called BaseballArt.com, a site that, through Chris’ hard work and brilliant use of Facebook and Twitter, has quickly become the go to destination for anyone who believes that baseball is more than just a game.

BaseballArt.com features the work of dozens of artists creating baseball-themed artwork who deserve to be recognized. BaseballArt.com features these artists, as well as the galleries, museums and websites where their work can be found. BaseballArt.com also presents their fans with information and news related to baseball art, and looks to foster communication about baseball art from members of its community.

Visit BaseballArt.com. You will be amazed at the amount of talented artists who have been inspired by America’s pastime.

Baseball Art on Facebook

Baseball Art on Twitter

TwitterProfessor.com

This film was produced by Ivy Fuld and Rob Sampogna as part of a class called “Reel Change for Nonprofits” at Jacob Burns Film Center’s Media Arts Lab.

Led by JBFC Faculty Member Theresa Dawson, the class allows students to learn how to use the media to communicate its mission, and how to make public service announcements (PSAs) and short films an effective part advocacy work.

Located in Pleasantville, The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary, and world cinema; promoting 21st century literacy; and making film a vibrant part of the community. Housing a state-of-the-art theater complex, a 27,000 square-foot Media Arts Lab, and a residence for international filmmakers, the JBFC campus provides opportunities for people of all ages to discover, explore, and learn through the power of film, media and 21st-century technology.

Since they opened their doors to the public in 2001, more than a million people from the tri-state area have gone there to see over 3,000 films from every corner of the globe. Over 65,000 students in grades 3-12 and college have participated in their education programs, more than 50% of them from underserved communities throughout the tri-state area. Their participation, including transportation, is funded entirely by the JBFC, thanks in part to support from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

Learn more about The Jacob Burns Film Center

This is the JBFC from JBFC Media Arts Lab on Vimeo.

One day my father and a few friends were sitting at the bar at a Manhattan restaurant they would frequent for lunch. The topic of conversation came around to all the things that were wrong with the world. Everyone had their own complaint to add to the exchange. After a while, one of my fathers friends, an Italian waiter who wasn’t part of, but happened to be listening to the conversation, decided to contribute his own observation, “Non è il mondo, è le gente.” (It’s not the world, it’s the people.) Considering that few other professions allow you to observe people more closely than waiting and bartending, they all quickly agreed. The world is fine, the problem is with the people in it.

Okay, you’re asking where I am going with this. What does this have to do with the The Yorktown Teen Center? Well, if you want to see how the actions of a few individuals can affect a little corner of the world, you’ll want to view this story.

I consider myself an optimist. Sure, we all have our problems, and there are plenty of evil, rude and selfish people crawling around, but I believe the world is in as good a shape as it has ever been in and that most of the people out there have good hearts and intentions. Unfortunately, the bad news and jackasses seem to get all the press.

When I mentioned to a friend that I was looking for a subject to cover for my next Westchester Project video, he immediately told me of the good work done by his friend, Yorktown resident Helena Rodriguez.

For years The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester operated the Yorktown Teen Center. It provided a vital service to the community, giving the working parents of Yorktown a safe place to send their kids for the few hours between school dismissal and the time the parents got home from work. In early 2009, due to extreme budget cuts, The Boys & Girls Club was forced to close their satellite units in Yorktown and Tarrytown. Fortunately for Yorktown, Helena Rodriguez recognized that losing the Teen Center was not an option. Although her children are both of college age, and the closing of the Teen Center had no impact on her personally, Helena took on the challenge of keeping the Yorktown Teen Center open. It became her “mission”.

I envisioned a short video with Helena as the interview subject and a little b-roll of the Teen Center cut in around her. It wasn’t until I drove up to Yorktown to meet with Helena that I realized there was so much more. I found that one of Helena’s many great qualities is her ability to draw from the unique talents and passions of the people around her. I interviewed board members, supporters and volunteers. Each one has made a significant contribution to furthering the successful rebirth of the Yorktown Teen Center. Each one stated that they have gained as much as they have given from the experience of working with the Teen Center and with Helena.

For now my optimism has been bolstered. It’s not the world, it’s the people.

I hope you have time to visit the websites listed below to learn a little more about some of the people interviewed for this story.

Yorktown Teen Center

The Justin Veatch Fund

The Harrison Apar Field of Dreams Foundation

Esteban Rivera

You know it’s summer when you see signs for the Ossining Village Fair. For more than 25 years, the Ossining Village Fair has been the largest and most successful yearly public event in the town of Ossining. Thousands of residents attend while over 100 vendors and community organizations present themselves and sell their wares to willing buyers.

This year the Village Fair had its best year yet. Unhindered by the cloudy skies and occasional sprinkles, 0ver 15,000 attendees and 130 Non-Profit and Artist/merchandise vendors participated in the fair. Fair attendees kept their feet moving to the sounds of music on 3-stages plus WFAS-FM broadcast live from the top of Main Street for 4-hours.

The Ossining Village Fair is produced by the Ossining Chamber of Commerce.
They would like to thank the sponsors who helped make the Fair possible:

Entergy • Optimum • Open Door • Police Athletic League • Village of Ossining

Mark your calendar for the 30th Annual Ossining Village Fair, which is Saturday, June 12, 2010