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To listen to WDFH's live program stream: click on one of the webcast links (above left).

Aside from listening live, there are two ways to listen to selected WDFH public affairs programs on your computer: manually by clicking on a link, and automatically by having new episodes downloaded to your computer.

  • Manual (click to listen):  To listen manually, this is the page.  The links are below.

  •  Automatic Downloads:  To get a free subscription to our podcasts so that programs are automatically downloaded to your computer, please visit our podcast page.


Programs available for online listening — click to listen below:

  • OutCasting — a unique public radio program giving voice to LGBTQ youth issues, produced right here at WDFH!

  • In Focus — local news discussion on issues in the lower Hudson valley

  • Eyes on Westchester — local news discussion on issues in central and northern Westchester

  • Recovery Talk — recovery from illness, addiction, trauma, domestic violence, and more; interviews with people in recovery as well as professionals in the field

  • Village Green — environmental sustainability

Having a problem hearing our online audio?  Info...

 


LGBT YOUTH ISSUES

OutCasting

OutCasting is WDFH's new public radio program giving voice to LGBTQ youth issues.  Heard on WDFH every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m.  Produced biweekly.

More about OutCasting, including LGBTQ community resources and the Trevor Project suicide hotline...

Enter the following address into your podcatching software to subscribe to the OutCasting podcast (the subscription is free):

http://wdfh.org/outcasting.xml

More podcasting info


Joseph Birdsong

On this eighth edition of OutCasting, Mady talks with Joseph Birdsong, a YouTube vlogger and musician.  Mady and Joseph talk about growing up gay in a small southern town and the transition to college.  Joseph is known on YouTube as disneykid1 and was previously a part of the YouTube channel 5Awesomegays.

On this seventh edition of OutCasting, we are joined by singer/songwriter and transgender activist Ryan Cassata, a recipient of the Harvey Milk Memorial Award.  Ryan talked with Travis and performed several songs in WDFH's live performance studio.

On this encore broadcast of the first edition of OutCasting, we talk with Mary Jane Karger about the roles of Gay-Straight Alliances in local schools.  Mary Jane is the Hudson Valley regional co-chair and a national board member of GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).  Also, we decode what all those letters in LGBTQ actually mean.

On this sixth edition of OutCasting, we look back at Prideworks, a regional convention of hundreds of LGBTQ youth and their straight allies.  OutCasting was there and brought back interviews about more sex education that is inclusive to all, whether their sexual orientation or gender expression, and about queer cinema.  Also, a workshop was held at which Dr. Jallen Rix, a talked about his experiences as a "survivor" of so-called "reparative therapy," an often religious-based effort to try to "cure" homosexuality.  Dr. Rix joined us by telephone from his home to discuss this controversional and often damaging approach.

On this fifth edition of OutCasting, we observe and discuss the importance of World AIDS Day, December 1.  Joining us are Twanna Hines, the coordinator of the Comprehensive of Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program and co-chair of the Youth Outreach Committee at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, and Santo Barbagiovanni, CHAPS program supervisor with AIDS-Related Community Services.

On this fourth edition of OutCasting, we talk with Alex Sanchez, an author of novels focusing on LGBTQ youth, including Rainbow Boys, The God Box, and most recently Boyfriends with Girlfriends.  Also, a discussion of portrayals of LGBTQ people in the media and literature and of how traditional and new media differ in their treatment of LGBTQ people and issues.

On this third edition of OutCasting, we talk with David Diamond, a volunteer with the Westchester chapter of PFLAG — Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.  We will also discuss online reader comments responding to an article about OutCasting in the October 6 edition of The Journal News.

On this second edition of OutCasting, we talk with Dan Savage, the nationally-syndicated columnist, author, activist, and co-founder of the It Gets Better Project.  We also discuss the rash of teen suicides that led to the naming of October 20 as Gay Spirit Day.

On this first edition of OutCasting, we talk with Mary Jane Karger about the roles of Gay-Straight Alliances in local schools.  Mary Jane is the Hudson Valley regional co-chair and a national board member of GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).  Also, we decode what all those letters in LGBTQ actually mean.

 


  • OutCasting — a unique public radio program giving voice to LGBTQ youth issues, produced right here at WDFH!

  • In Focus — local news discussion on issues in the lower Hudson valley

  • Eyes on Westchester — local news discussion on issues in central and northern Westchester

  • Recovery Talk — recovery from illness, addiction, trauma, domestic violence, and more; interviews with people in recovery as well as professionals in the field

  • Village Green — environmental sustainability


LOCAL NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

In Focus

WDFH's local public affairs discussion program, hosted by Jane Botticelli and Vinny Cohan, with regular guest Gary Cahill, publisher and reporter of The Gazette in Croton-on-Hudson.

Enter the following address into your podcatching software to subscribe to the In Focus podcast (the subscription is free):

http://wdfh.org/infocus.xml

More podcasting info

hosted this week by Jane Botticelli

The annual Eagle Fest event will take place on Saturday, February 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in several locations along the Hudson River in our area, including the Echo Small Boat and Canoe Launch in Croton.  Binoculars and guides will be available in some locations.  If the weather is inclement, the alternative date is Sunday, February 5.  It is a great opportunity to see many bald eagles who reside in great numbers each year as they "winter over" here.

As a result of the last census, there is a plan in the works in Albany to possible reconfigure certain State Legislative Districts, including that of State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef of Ossining.  The result would be to eliminate the portion of her District that now includes parts of Putnam County.  The State Senate District now held by Suzi Oppenheimer, however, would change in that the Town and Village of Ossining would become part of the 38th Senate District, which is in Rockland County.  There is a push against the plan and the Governor has indicated he may veto such a move.

There will be a public meeting at the Ossining Public Library on February 2, at 7:30 p.m. regarding the problem of "Library Overlap" involving residents of the Ossining School District, (the tax entity that pays for the Library) who also live in Briarcliff Manor or Yorktown and support their own local libraries through other property taxes.  Possible solutions will be discussed by state representatives, and a task force will be organized among those interested in donating their time.

hosted this week by Jane Botticelli

Ossining High School announced that four seniors have been chosen as semi-finalists in the Intel Science Talent Search competition.  They are Frances Russell, Evan Olin, Emily Prentiss, and Amelia Clements.  Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a chance to become a finalist in the competition.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection will soon begin a major project to upgrade and replace much of the internal mechanisms and structure of the Croton Dam.  The agency also announced plans to downsize the original project, which would have included enlarging the dam to deal with spillway issues when there are major storms in the area.

Democratic State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer announced that she will not seek re-election this year, as she requires shoulder replacement surgery, which will involve a lengthy recovery period.  Senator Oppenheimer is 77 years old and has served in public office for 28 years as both state senator and mayor.  Bob Cohen, a Republican who has challenged Sen. Oppenheimer in the past, announced that he would seek to replace her.  The Democrats have yet to name a candidate for the seat.

hosted this week by Melinda Battle

The Village of Ossining has filled a vacancy with Ingrid Richards, who had been interim assistant village manager since last spring.  The part-time position commands a salary of $50,000 and there was a field of fifteen candidates from whom Ms Richards was chosen.

The Ossining school board has held all informational meetings on the proposed $41.5 million budget and has decided to send it to the public for a vote on March 6.  There will be no tax impact if the budget is adopted; necessary repairs will take place and some of the original wish list items from last year's defeated $69+ million proposal will also be included.

The People's Caucus in Briarcliff Manor has nominated two candidates to replace the outgoing Robert Mayer and Anthony Capasso.  Robert Murray is an attorney with planning board experience and Mark Pohar is a registered nurse now working in administration at St John's.

hosted this week by Melinda Battle

Briarcliff Manor is unusual in its electoral process in that the village, founded in 1902, holds a People's Caucus open to all residents eligible to vote.  This year's caucus will be held on Wednesday, January 11, at 8:00 p.m. at the Briarcliff Manor Middle School theatre.  Up for nomination are two board seats being vacated by Robert Mayer, who is not seeking re-election, and Anthony Capasso, whose term is up and who is unsure if he will try again.  Gary Cahill explains the procedure for nomination.  If more than two candidates are nominated on the 11th, the issue goes to an actual vote on January 25 at the youth center between 3:00 and 9:00 p.m. to narrow the field to two.  Briarcliff is proud of its 110-year history of non-partisan politics.

Ossining school board's suggested $41.5 million improvement package was met with some skepticism at a recent meeting.  At issue are the approximate $18 million dollars in critical infrastructure repairs which were included in last spring's $69 million dollar referendum, which was defeated.  The repairs still need to be made, but Ossining High School principal Joshua Mandel says that additional classroom space is necessary to offer sufficient instruction to an anticipated increased number of students.  Other improvements are folded into the new amount, which because of debt retirement is not supposed to increase taxes.  The school board meets on January 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Roosevelt Educational Center to decide if the referendum will go to a spring vote.

Ossining-based Community Markets is looking to install a winter-month farmers market in the old Blockbuster building in Croton.  The building, which has been vacant for over a year, is located in the Van Wyck II shopping center.  Residents are concerned about parking for existing retail stores in the center as well as traffic on the street.  The planning board will meet soon; Community Markets hopes to open on February 11 for Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

hosted this week by Jane Botticelli

The Town and Village of Ossining newly elected officials began their new terms on January 1 with an inaugural ceremony held at noon at the Ossining Community Center.  At least 150 people attended the ceremony as ten new officials were sworn in, including a new Town Supervisor, Susanne Donnelly, and several judges for the new Town Court — John Fried and Michael Tawil.

The Town of Ossining recently signed a new contract with its Teamsters Union (Highway and Parks workers) that contains provisions requiring payment of health insurance premiums for the first time, which are variable depending on the level of compensation.

Ossining Public Schools will again float a bond referendum for capital projects in the amount of $41 million.  There will be a public meeting on Tuesday, January 3, at A.M.D. Middle School, and Saturday, January 10, at Ossining High School.

hosted this week by Melinda Battle

Community Based Services (C.B.S.) runs 20 or so group homes in the lower Hudson region, including one on Hawkes Close in Ossining.  The house directly adjacent has been vacant for over three years, and C.B.S. would like to take it over as well.  It is thought that, should this happen, it would be the only instance of two such homes next door to each other in New York.  It should be noted that the residents, with mild developmental issues, have so far been good neighbors.  New York's Padavan Law on site selection in these cases may preclude approval; the town attorney is investigating.

Last spring, Ossining residents defeated a $69 million referendum which included about $18 million in critical repairs and the balance to cover upgrades for projected enrollment growth.  The school board explained then that due to retiring debt, very low interest rates, and hungry contractors, it was a good time for the bond, but residents disagreed.  A new vote is planned for June 2012 for $41 million, which will include the critical repair work and a reduced amount for upgrades.  Informational meetings will be held on:

§         Tuesday, January 3, at 6:30 p.m. at Anne M. Dorner Middle School;

§         Thursday, January 5, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ossining Public Library; and

§         Saturday, January 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Ossining High School.

Bethel Homes, a senior residential services provider in Ossining, celebrates its 100th anniversary.  Founded in 1911 at Bethel Methodist Homes in Brooklyn, the nursing home relocated to an estate in the Camp Woods section of Ossining in 1920.  A new building was erected in 1954 and they expanded about ten years ago.  Now located on Narragansett Avenue in Crugers and Springvale Road in Croton, Bethel has become a fixture of Ossining area senior care.

hosted this week by Jane Botticelli

Gary remembers two men who had a great impact on the people of Ossining and who passed away recently: Thomas Camberiere, who was the former Mayor of Ossining and owner of Rocky's Millwood Deli, and Stan Carney, who was the custodian of Park School for 39 years and retired several years ago at the age of 84.

State Education Commissioner John King visited Ossining and congratulated the School District on two creative programs: the Science Research program at Ossining High School, which has won awards and resulted in a number of Intel Scholars, and the First Steps program which, through largely private funding, identifies families with preschool children in need of literacy and language instruction as a family so that the children come into the school system prepared to succeed.

hosted this week by Melinda Battle

Ossining approved its 2012 budget; their fiscal year follows the calendar.  Although the state has mandated a 2% tax increase cap, there was a public hearing just before the budget vote and Ossining board members voted to override that, calling it "unreasonable," among other things.  Taxes will go up 4.23%, meaning an increase of about $120 per year for the average homeowner.  The good news is that there are no town layoffs planned; five positions will clear by the end of the year through attrition.  Mayor Bill Hanauer reiterated his belief that there should be no reductions in necessary services.

There are 14 municipalities in the Northern Westchester Energy Action Coalition, including Croton, Ossining, Cortlandt, and Peekskill. S ome proposed action items are to put solar panels on municipal buildings, convert government vehicles to hybrid or electric, and other ideas.  One that has been put into action has been to replace traffic signals' bulbs with L.E.D.s, which consume only 10-20% of that used by traditional high-pressure sodium bulbs.  The N.W.E.A.C. estimates a two-year payback.  County and state roads are in various stages of doing the same.  Some concern over the origin and quality of the bulbs has been expressed.

Briarcliff schools have two more years on their capital facilities plan but the viable proposals for fixing the contaminated fields range from $1.4 million to $3.65 million.  Other minor work will be incorporated into the work.  A low-interest-rate bond proposal vote is slated for May 15.

Croton has a new village historian.  Dorothy Dymes Pezanowski, a third-generation Croton resident, will take up the position vacated when Mary Lambruschi passed away in October.  The position is strictly voluntary.

hosted this week by Jane Botticelli

Briarcliff Manor Public Schools announced that that first meeting of its Ad Hoc Committee on Facilities will take place at Briarcliff Manor Middle School Cafeteria on Thursday December 8, at 9:00 p.m.  The public is invited to join the committee as voluntary members.  Among the issues expected to be discussed is the remediation of the contaminated soil on the practice fields at the high school and middle school complex.

Briarcliff Manor Public Schools came to an agreement with its teachers recently.  There will be a three year contract with increases of 2.3% per year, as well as changes to the health insurance benefit package, including lifetime premiums and a minimum service period before obtaining lifetime coverage.

On Saturday, December 10, at 10:00 a.m., there will be a site inspection by the Briarcliff Manor Planning Board at the Chilmark Shopping Center.  The Board is considering the application of the owner of the shopping center, Urstadt Biddle Properties, for an amendment to the current site plan to allow for building a large C.V.S. store on the property. The site inspection is open to the public and will focus on the effects such development will have on parking and traffic flow in the area.

hosted this week by Jane Botticelli

Briarcliff Manor high school and middle school practice fields, which have been closed since 2010 due to soil contamination concerns, can be remediated through one of seven possible options, which were presented at a public informational meeting recently.  The audience heard from a toxicologist and the Department of Environmental Conservation.  The Briarcliff School Board will either decide on one of the options or hold further info sessions.

The Croton E.M.S. just contracted with Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps to have OVAC provide a paid E.M.T. available 24/7 to the Croton Service.  This will enable them to build up their own volunteer staff in order to continue to provide 24 hour service and should result in increased response rates and decreased response time.

The Baker-Collyer Cheer Fund in Ossining is seeking donations in its 96th year of providing holiday food baskets to needy area families.  The goal this year is $16,500.00, and donations may be made by sending a check to the Offices of the Town of Ossining, payable to Baker-Collyer Cheer Fund.


  • OutCasting — a unique public radio program giving voice to LGBTQ youth issues, produced right here at WDFH!

  • In Focus — local news discussion on issues in the lower Hudson valley

  • Eyes on Westchester — local news discussion on issues in central and northern Westchester

  • Recovery Talk — recovery from illness, addiction, trauma, domestic violence, and more; interviews with people in recovery as well as professionals in the field

  • Village Green — environmental sustainability


LOCAL NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Eyes on Westchester

A local public affairs discussion program, hosted by Melinda Battle, with regular guest Faith Ann Butcher, Editor-in-Chief of The Northern Westchester Examiner.

Enter the following address into your podcatching software to subscribe to the Eyes on Westchester podcast (the subscription is free):

http://wdfh.org/infocus.xml

More podcasting info

A rash of youth deaths in the Yorktown area over the last few years has contributed to the reason new supervisor Michael Grace pushed for the formation of a Community Affairs Board.  Despite various programs and the local Teen Center, endangered teens continue to be a concern.  The new Board will focus on youth and seniors but will also reach out to the whole community.  Yorktown's Bruce Apar has been pegged to chair the all-volunteer board.  For 24/7 assistance or further info, please call 914-275-6887.

Opposing Nan Hayworth for Congress this year will be Mayor Tom Wilson of Tuxedo Park, Cortlandt Council member Richard Becker, Wappinger Falls mayor Matt Alexander, and Duane Jackson, aka the "Times Square Hero," a street vendor who spotted a NYC bomb in 2010, thereby averting serious trouble.

And then at length we discuss the new redistricting announced on January 26, expected to go into effect January 2013.  Several towns are affected by the new legislative borders.

On January 17, Governor Cuomo shared his budget for the next year.  Included is, as promised last year, an increase in school aid.  Needier districts are in line to receive more, but all districts need to measure teacher performance.  New York State pays more per student than any other state.  The governor also pushed for mandate relief on the local level and promised no raise in income tax levels.  He has brought a $10 billion deficit down to $2 billion.

January 19 unemployment figures show the fewest new applications since the recession started in 2008.  The housing market also shows improvement with more homes selling, although market values are still much lower than four years ago.

Teatown Lake Reservation and the Saw Mill Audubon Society will present the annual Eaglefest on February 4 at Croton Point Park.  There will be guided tours and entertainment as well as much information on the annual southerly migration of the bald eagle to the lower Hudson valley area.  Admission will be $5 and the festival extends up to Peekskill's River Green Park.

A performance of "The Vagina Monologues" in Mahopac will benefit the Westchester Women's Resource Center; Faith Ann Butcher will be one of the readers.  February 10 and 11 at 8pm, and Feb 12 at 2pm, the Freight House Cafe on Rte 6.  $25 for performance, $35 includes refreshments and wine.  No tickets at the door — call 845-628-1872 to purchase.

On January 10, Reactor #2 at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Facility was offline due to a leak.  We are assured that there has been no danger to the public.  On January 12, coincidentally, there was a public hearing in New York City.  The Riverkeeper group spoke about the age of the equipment.  Even though the initial public comment period is over, it is possible the Nuclear Regular Commission may reopen it.

Governor Cuomo has stated his desire to begin work at long last on the aged and decrepit Tappan Zee Bridge by the end of 2012.  Former Governor Paterson has wanted a private-public funding option, but that is not legal in New York State for state projects.  Part of the funding may come from union retirement funds and public bonds.  The Bear Mountain and Newburgh-Beacon Bridges, meanwhile, are due to see their tolls increase.

The Yorktown Fire Department had its busiest year on record in 2011, responding to 778 emergency calls.  As there is a separate ambulance service, those calls were not medical in nature.  In 2009, there were 614 (fewer in 2010), but Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm accounted for about 140 calls last year.  Cats in trees may have added to the total as well; no figures were available.

Susan Siegel, voted out as Yorktown supervisor, and Jim Martorano, a 20-plus-year veteran of the town board, have always had the best interests of Yorktown and its residents to heart.  Mr. Martorano says he always kept three things in mind: serving the people of Yorktown, staying clear of partisanship and gossip, and making lives better.  Ms Siegel, who has been active in the Yorktown area for decades, feels that good government is the bottom line.  Dave Paganelli succeeds Mr. Martorano on the board, and Michael Grace was sworn in as Supervisor on January 1.

We discuss some of the points made in Governor Andrew Cuomo's State of the State address last week and review his progress in his first year.  As a comparatively young leader, Governor Cuomo seems to be trying to "think outside the box" and come up with creative solutions to our problems as well as keep New York a progressive and forward-looking state.

The Yorktown museum, located upstairs at the Community Center on Commerce Street, is featuring a creative exhibit of miniatures that are housed in antique clocks.  Called "Time to Celebrate," the exhibit runs until the end of February.  Somers' museum, in the Elephant Hotel, is showcasing, appropriately enough, circus memorabilia from pre-Civil War days.  And at the Ossining Cultural Center, there is a display of an actual prison cell from "Sing Sing," along with an electric chair for some shocking verisimilitude.

As the public comment period has been extended to January 11, we look at hydraulic fracturing, a.k.a. hydrofracking, in the Marcellus shale: what it is and why we should care.  Governor Cuomo says it will improve upstate economies and allow for power to fill the vacuum if Indian Point is closed.  The Citizen's Campaign for the Environment (www.citizenscampaign.org) and other concerned groups say the damage factor is too big.

To share your views with the governor, go to www.governor.ny.gov and click on Contact, or write him at

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York State
N.Y.S. State Capitol Building
Albany NY 12224

You can also write to the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation at 625 Broadway, Albany NY, 12233-6510, attention "DSGEIS comments," (http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58440.html).

Yorktown passed its 2012 budget, but not without some re-votes due to confusion on the part of some board members.  After the third round when all went well, it turns out that New York State law would have required the original budget to go into effect after all.

Fatal accidents in Somers and Mahopac and on the Bear Mountain Parkway have created concern at the Department of Transportation.  Discussion is ensuing about banning the use of cell phones, among other things.  A median suggested a while back for the Bear Mountain has been in the planning stage, but there is no money for the project; accidents may push that agenda forward.

Community partnerships among several non-profit groups in the Yorktown area are helping with the difficulty those entities are facing finding donation funding.  By combining resources, they have been able to help make ends meet.

Voters in the Hendrick Hudson school district voted by an almost two-to-one ratio against the proposed $25 million bond in a December vote.  Part of the money was earmarked for classroom upgrades, repairs to fields and fences, fixing the broken septic tanks in two elementary schools, roof repairs to one school, tech upgrades, music and art programs, and the like.  Included in the bond, however, was $11.2 million for a new community-use performing arts center at the high school.  In a high turnout, voters emphatically stated (1,777 to 977) that the bond was unacceptable; thoughts are that the theatre was the breaker.  A referendum for the important repairs may be added to the May school budget vote.

As part of the municipal housing settlement, 31 communities in the area need to provide at least 750 low-income housing units.  North Castle developer Crabapple Properties has proposed some single family units on the Cider Mill property as well as some middle income properties.  In order for them to create low-income spaces, North Castle needs to pass the law supporting the settlement.  Outgoing supervisor Weaver is in favor, incoming supervisor Arden is not.

Senator Greg Ball headed up a roundtable discussion recently in Yorktown with local officials and representatives of Con Edison and N.Y.S.E.G. to assess the response to recent storms.  Among other things, it was determined that Con Ed's practice of proactive tree trimming near power lines was helpful; customers were 66% less likely to lose power in those cases where branches were kept at least ten feet from transformers.  N.Y.S.E.G. has agreed to step up their tree-trimming efforts.  Communications issues were also discussed; Con Ed's "all hands reporting 24/7" policy also received kudos.

At around 2 a.m. on December 9, the Westchester legislature agreed on the 2012 budget, despite a lack of concession from the unions on contributing to their healthcare costs, among other things.  The bipartisan vote was 16-1 (a Democrat was the holdout) in favor.  The budget has saved 187 jobs, kept the nature centers open, continued legal aid programs, kept 22 positions in the probation department, and still avoided a tax increase.  Some facets may still be vetoed by County Exec Rob Astorino; it will be a done deal by December 27.

The Westchester Medical Center has a shortfall of $61 million and is facing layoffs of 250 people.  Its proposed budget is $871 million.  The state will be helping.

The state has extended tax hikes on those making more than $200,000 annually, but most Dutchess and Ulster small business owners with less than $1.25 million in payroll will no longer be required to pay the M.T.A. tax, only corporations and municipalities (not schools).  Flood relief from Irene and Lee is forthcoming.

Blythedale Children's Hospital unveiled a new $65 million unit to help children with complex medical needs.  This is the hospital's first renovation and, started in 2009, the unit adjoins the existing building.  Northern Westchester Hospital has healthy cooking classes for cardiovascular patients and their families.

We share a bunch of holiday-oriented happenings around the county including tree lightings, charity gifting options and concerts among others.  Tune in for details!

The Hudson Valley Hospital Center in Cortlandt near Peekskill recently unveiled a beautiful new cancer treatment facility.  The space, which adjoins the existing hospital by a bridge, is scheduled to open on December 1 and will provide state-of-the-art techniques to test, treat, and monitor cancer.  One goal was to provide a level of care that patients must currently travel to New York City or elsewhere to find.  Bruce Lindenbaum was a major donor for the new clinic in memory of his wife, Cheryl, who passed away from breast cancer in 2005.  www.hvhc.org

The town of Bedford has been the focal point for the Energize Northern Westchester initiative.  Called Energize Bedford, the program, which has been in place for about ten years but needed some new public push, offers an energy analysis of residents' homes followed by recommendations for upgrades to improve energy efficiency.  The analysis is offered free or at a reduced cost to households with income under twice the county median of $209,000 per year.  After the analysis, owners are given a list of suggested upgrades and local contractors to choose from, and subsidies and low-interest financing options are available.  www.energizenorthernwestchester.org or energizebedford.org

Some New Castle neighborhoods which are on septic are sullying the Croton watershed.  Almost 300 parcels in the town are being considered for upgrade to town sewers, but the additional flow of an estimated 200,000 gallons per day is worrying Yonkers residents.  Although the extra sewage would be a very small fraction of the amount handled in the county facility there daily, residents are worried about odors and other issues.  The N.Y.C. Department of Environmental Protection has cleared the way for land use by offering to sell it for one dollar, and the MS4 program will help financially as well.  If Yonkers executive Jenkins goes up against Rob Astorino for County Executive, as is rumored in some circles, will that change his perspective?


  • OutCasting — a unique public radio program giving voice to LGBTQ youth issues, produced right here at WDFH!

  • In Focus — local news discussion on issues in the lower Hudson valley

  • Eyes on Westchester — local news discussion on issues in central and northern Westchester

  • Recovery Talk — recovery from illness, addiction, trauma, domestic violence, and more; interviews with people in recovery as well as professionals in the field

  • Village Green — environmental sustainability


HEALTH

Recovery Talk

WDFH's pioneering program about resilience in recovery from illness, addiction, trauma, and more, hosted by Robyn Leary.

Enter the following address into your podcatching software to subscribe to the Recovery Talk podcast (the subscription is free):

http://wdfh.org/recoverytalk.xml

More podcasting info

Robyn died unexpectedly on June 6, 2011, and starting with the June 13 episode, we will be presenting earlier programs in her memory.

Sub-Saharan Africans suffering from AIDS get a helping hand from New York high school students.

Leah Horowitz and Dana Kayser are seniors at New Rochelle High School in New York.  Leah Horowitz is president of the Face AIDS chapter whose mission is to help raise money and awareness for HIV and for those who suffer from it.  Dana Kayser is the organization’s vice president.  Together they work to help the 24.5 million adults and children in sub-Saharan Africa who are living with HIV.  Tune in to this show and learn about the kind of work young Americans are doing for others less fortunate around the world.  And why.

Autism:  What is it?  How is it treated?  And what are the scientific outcomes of treatment?

On this edition of Recovery Talk, Meghan Shawn O’Reilly-Green, treatment team leader at the Brooklyn Autism Center in Brooklyn, New York, discusses the challenges that face educators and therapists who work with autistic children.  Ms. O’Reilly-Green has been working as an Applied Behavioral Analysis therapist for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over eight years.  Tune in and learn what all this means, and what it means for families and their children afflicted by this disease.

Date rape, the stigma of addiction and recovering from it, and combat stress injuries and recovering from them

Pam Woll is an addiction treatment consultant and trainer based in Chicago.  In recent years, her focus has been on trauma and the resilience that protects us and the many processes that help people get back in balance.  Ms Woll has a lot to say about returning veterans with combat-stress injuries and what it takes to begin recovery.

New technologies in neuroscience step to the forefront in treating depression, PTSD, stroke, and Parkinson's

Dr. Ross Hoffman, a former cardiologist, is Robyn Leary’s guest on this edition of Recovery Talk.  Dr. Hoffman left a lucrative heart practice seeking a solution to one of his children’s neurological problems.  He wound up developing an electrical brain stimulation device that’s used on the skull via electrodes and delivers direct electrical stimulation to the brain, which, in the end, resets abnormal brain signals.  This is big news for those who suffer from depression, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), Parkinson’s disease — even TBI (traumatic brain injury).  Tune in and stimulate your brain.

The Betty Ford Institute

Garrett O'Connor, M.D., is chief of the Betty Ford Institute which, by name, is appended to the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California.  Tune in and learn what's going on in the nation's foremost think-take on recovery.

Autism:  What is it?  How is it treated?  And what are the scientific outcomes of treatment?

On this edition of Recovery Talk, Meghan Shawn O’Reilly-Green, treatment team leader at the Brooklyn Autism Center in Brooklyn, New York, discusses the challenges that face educators and therapists who work with autistic children.  Ms. O’Reilly-Green has been working as an Applied Behavioral Analysis therapist for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over eight years.  Tune in and learn what all this means, and what it means for families and their children afflicted by this disease.

Date rape, the stigma of addiction and recovering from it, and combat stress injuries and recovering from them

Pam Woll is an addiction treatment consultant and trainer based in Chicago.  In recent years, her focus has been on trauma and the resilience that protects us and the many processes that help people get back in balance.  Ms. Woll has a lot to say about returning veterans with combat-stress injuries and what it takes to begin recovery.

New technologies in neuroscience step to the forefront in treating depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stroke, and Parkinson's disease

Dr. Ross Hoffman, a former cardiologist, is Robyn Leary’s guest on this edition of Recovery Talk.  Dr. Hoffman left a lucrative heart practice seeking a solution to one of his children’s neurological problems.  He wound up developing an electrical brain stimulation device that’s used on the skull via electrodes and delivers direct electrical stimulation to the brain, which, in the end, resets abnormal brain signals.  This is big news for those who suffer from depression, PTSD, Parkinson’s disease — even traumatic brain injury.  Tune in and stimulate your brain.

Understanding the integration of psychotherapy and twelve-step programs

Dr. William A. Knack, a well-known thinker in the field of addiction treatment, is Robyn Leary’s guest this week on Recovery Talk.  Dr. Knack is a clinical psychologist and associate professor at the State University of New York, College at Old Westbury.  In this interview, Dr. Knack discusses his recently published article, "Psychotherapy and Alcoholics Anonymous: An Integrated Approach," published in the Journal of Psychotherapy Integration.

In his article, Dr. Knack argues that integrating AA self-help and psychotherapeutic approaches yields a more significant outcomes than either approach in isolation.

Keon Center:  a place where the not-so-profitable get paid

Rebecca Davis is the Workshop Director at the Keon Center, a non-profit agency that provides programs and paychecks to the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled.

Located in Peekskill, New York, the center has been paying the mentally handicapped for their work since 1954.

On this edition of Recovery Talk, we learn how empowering is the labor and socialization of the handicapped — and how it has transformed lives.

Three-part series on women in the military returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan:

A portrait of women warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan

Former Marine Lance Corporal Jessica Goodell was a diesel mechanic before she took off for Iraq.  In Iraq, she volunteered for an assignment in Marine Mortuary Affairs.  There her job was picking up and recovering body parts of the dead and sending them home.  Join Robyn Leary on this edition of Recovery Talk and learn the inside story of some of the unfathomable and grizzly realities of war.  (Part 3 of a 3 part series).

Iraq and back

Before Colonel Olson started her career helping veterans, she served in the Air Force for 25 years.  She was part of the first generation of female military pilots with nearly 4,000 hours of flying time.  Tune in on this edition of Recovery Talk with Robyn Leary and learn what Iraq and back is all about.  (Part 2 of a 3 part series.)

Women warriors: she’s back, but she’s not the same

Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead is Robyn Leary’s guest on this edition, the first of a three part series on WDFH's Recovery Talk.  General Halstead served in the U.S. Army for 27 years and was the first female graduate of the United States Military Academy to be promoted to General Officer.  She served in both Afghanistan and in Iraq, commanding over 20,000 soldiers.  Tune in and learn what it’s like to re-enter from the harrowing experiences in combat and what it takes to readjust to civilian life.  (Part 1 of a 3 part series.)


  • OutCasting — a unique public radio program giving voice to LGBTQ youth issues, produced right here at WDFH!

  • In Focus — local news discussion on issues in the lower Hudson valley

  • Eyes on Westchester — local news discussion on issues in central and northern Westchester

  • Recovery Talk — recovery from illness, addiction, trauma, domestic violence, and more; interviews with people in recovery as well as professionals in the field

  • Village Green — environmental sustainability


ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY

Village Green

Village Green explores environmental and social issues reflecting the greening of our communities – here in the lower Hudson valley and across the globe.  Village Green, hosted by Maxine Margo Rubin, builds awareness and promotes grassroots efforts in the areas of energy use, alternative energy sources, food and local farming, water and land use, and more eco-friendly personal habits.

Enter the following address into your podcatching software to subscribe to the Village Green podcast (the subscription is free):

http://wdfh.org/villagegreen.xml

More podcasting info

Ossining Organic Garden, the Cornell Co-op Extension, eco-art and sustainable landscape design

Our guest this week on Village Green is Donna Sharrett, a master gardener who helped organize and now runs the Ossining Organic Community Garden.  She is also an eco-artist who uses the land to create natural designs called "knitted sticks."  We discuss the intergenerational aspect of the Community Garden and its special component of accessibility for those people who are wheelchair-bound.  In addition, we talk about her art, which has been recognized by critics and curators around the world as soulful and beautiful and that humanizes its materials.

Hudson River water quality, Riverkeeper Shad Fest

Our guest this week on Village Green is John Lipscomb, the boat captain for Riverkeeper, a Westchester based environmental organization.  Mr. Lipscomb patrols a 200-mile stretch of the Hudson by boat from the Battery in N.Y.C. to Troy, seeking out polluters and reporting them.  He is the "neighborhood watch" for the river.  He does habitat mapping and navigational surveys and conducts studies to see how fast and well the river flushes impurities out of the system.  We discuss water quality and the Shad Fest and other issues involving the river.

Cleantech, Energy Trading, and Energy Efficiency

Our guest this week on Village Green is Dan Unter, a corporate and technology attorney with Cleantech Law Partners.  We discuss renewable energy, energy trading, and energy efficiency.  We also get into the problem with Chinese drywall and why it is important to use natural/green products to build new homes and office buildings.  Cleantech will lead us to a cleaner, greener planet, as it is important to work with new energy companies, municipalities and to work to enact legislative changes via building codes and zoning laws to produce more sustainable practices, products, buildings, and energy.

Sustainability education and environmental literacy programs

Our guests this week on Village Green are Westchester area high school students Amelia Schwalb of the Hackley School and Gaemin Lee of Horace Greeley High School.  They were co-leaders of the Education/Activism group at a recent Summit on Sustainability, sponsored by the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation, CELF, which promotes curriculum on issues of sustainability for grades K-12.  We also have Patti Bressman, Program Director of CELF on the show.  Collective action of students and educators is of great importance in teaching topics which relate to issues affecting the environment.  Bringing young people together to participate in environmental forums is essential to teaching students about climate change, human rights, farming, alternative energies, sustainable design, and social activism.

How herbal remedies can be used to promote personal health and help to remove toxins within our bodies and in the water we drink and the air we breathe

Our guest this week on Village Green is Bonnie Rogers, a clinical herbalist and herbal educator who believes there are healthy solutions to many health issues that do not require the perpetual use of pharmaceuticals.  Her philosophy is to eliminate chemicals from people’s lives, and she does this by working with plants and water filters, as we need to eliminate the toxins contained in the water we drink and the air we breathe.

Home energy efficiency, comprehensive home energy assessments

Our guest this week on Village Green is Thomas Bregman, Director of Energize Bedford, a community-based energy efficiency program which works to dramatically increase home energy efficiency upgrades.  We'll talk about how homeowners can apply for home energy audits and what local communities can do to encourage residential efficiency, as a staggering 53% of greenhouse emissions come from single family homes.

Better School Food and Slow Food, as well as what ties food security, climate change, the economy, and peak oil together

Our guest this week on Village Green is Dr. Susan Rubin, Founder of Better School Food and Slow Food Westchester.  We’ll talk about what we need to do to improve the food environment in schools and how that intertwines with food security, climate change, peak oil, and the economy.  Within our daily lives, we seem to be disconnected to nature.  We must reconnect with the land in order to nourish ourselves and our children and better understand the world around us.  After all, our sustenance and survival depends on what the earth gives us, and we must take care of it in order to better take care of ourselves.

Adventures in eco-conversion — ways to reduce your environmental impact

Our guest this week on Village Green is Colin Beavan, the founder and executive director of the No Impact Project, an international environmental non-profit initiative that encourages others to make choices that better their lives and lowers their environmental impact.  Colin spent a year of his life in which he and his family attempted to reduce their net environmental impact to zero.  He produced a documentary and wrote a book called No Impact Man detailing of those adventures in eco-conversion.

We'll talk about cows, elevators, candle light, bicycles, solar panels, toilet paper, Farmers’ Markets, planting gardens, and pot-in-pot refrigeration.  We will delve into the trials and tribulations of washing clothes in your bathtub, having a compost box with worms in your apartment, and what surprises that might bring in the warmer months, and much, much more.

How meditative music in the form of Vedic chants are used to grow crops, and the connection between spirituality and sustainability

Our guests this week on Village Green are Elizabeth Taggart and Sam Katz.  Elizabeth is the owner of Amba Farms, a 2.5 acre organic farm in Bedford, New York.  She is also a teacher and practitioner of Transcendental Meditation.  Elizabeth studied under the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, also known as the guru to The Beatles.  Sam Katz, is a graduate of Maharishi University and has been a certified T.M. instructor since 1974.  He and his wife Melody are directors of the T.M. program in Westchester, and they serve as the national directors for T.M. Expansion. 

 

We’ll talk about how meditative music, in the form of Vedic chants, are used to grow crops.  We will also discuss how spirituality affects sustainability and the benefits of slow food and its importance on nutrition and health.  We all need to nourish our bodies and our intelligence and follow our spiritual paths, as according to Vedic knowledge, it is pure consciousness, energy, and creativity that underlies all nature.

Legal challenge to Indian Point Nuclear Plant’s license renewal, status of G.E.’s clean-up of the Hudson River, and Riverkeeper’s continued work to protect the drinking water of 9 million New York City and Hudson Valley residents

Our guest this week on Village Green is Phillip Musegaas, Hudson River Program Director at Riverkeeper.  He oversees attorneys and investigators whose mission it is to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Hudson River.  Phillip is also the Indian Point Policy analyst and has helped prepare legal challenges to the license renewal of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant.

We'll talk about the where the legal battle stands in determining whether the plant can renew  its license, as the facility continues to heat the water and kill aquatic life in the Hudson River.  We will also discuss the status of G.E.’s clean-up of the river, as well as the fight to stop hydrofracking in the most pristine areas of New York State.

 


  • OutCasting — a unique public radio program giving voice to LGBTQ youth issues, produced right here at WDFH!

  • In Focus — local news discussion on issues in the lower Hudson valley

  • Eyes on Westchester — local news discussion on issues in central and northern Westchester

  • Recovery Talk — recovery from illness, addiction, trauma, domestic violence, and more; interviews with people in recovery as well as professionals in the field

  • Village Green — environmental sustainability


 

Midnight run documentary (2006), also broadcast nationally on the Pacifica program Sprouts and on other community radio stations across the United States.

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