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Celebrating a Milestone: The Diamond Jubilee of the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center

In an era marked by the unpredictable twists of fate, the significance of cherishing the institutions that anchor our community has never been more pronounced. This year, the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center stands as a beacon of hope and resilience as it celebrates its 60th Anniversary. Under the theme “Serving Our Beloved Community: Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow,” the center is not just commemorating a milestone but is renewing its commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and non-violent community that mirrors the ideals of its namesake, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The highlight of this Diamond Jubilee is the Annual Awards Benefit Gala, scheduled for Sunday, April 28th, 2024, at the prestigious Paramount Country Club in New City, New York. From 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the event promises to be an evening of reflection, celebration, and forward-looking aspirations, encapsulating the essence of community service and dedication that has defined the center since its inception.

In a heartfelt appeal to the broader community, the center encourages individuals and businesses to extend their support by purchasing an ad in the gala’s journal. With both virtual and physical editions being prepared, this journal offers a unique opportunity for sponsors to convey congratulations to the honorees, share messages with the center’s family, or promote their businesses, all while contributing to a noble cause. The call for tax-deductible contributions via the journal ad form signals a collective effort towards sustaining the center’s impactful programs.

This year’s gala shines a spotlight on distinguished organizations and individuals who have exemplified service and leadership. Among the honorees are Andre Early, Social Action Chair of Kappa Alpha Psi and Deputy Commissioner of Westchester Parks and Recreation; BRIDGES, a nonprofit advocacy group for people with disabilities; Sherry McGill, an educator and ERCSD School Board member; the historic New Hempstead Presbyterian Church; and the New York Civil Liberties Union, led by Executive Director Donna Lieberman. These awardees represent the diverse ways in which commitment to community and civil liberties manifests, embodying the spirit of the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned.

Since its humble beginnings as a Reading Room in 1964, the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center has evolved into a cornerstone of Spring Valley and its neighboring hamlets. Offering licensed after-school and summer programs for youth, the largest food pantry program in Rockland County, and a plethora of health, educational, and community initiatives, the center has played a pivotal role in nurturing the fabric of the community.

As the center marks this historic occasion, it invites the community to join in celebrating the achievements of its honorees and to contribute to the ongoing mission of building a stronger, more inclusive society. The Diamond Jubilee of the Martin Luther King Multi-Purpose Center is not just a celebration of what has been accomplished but a rallying cry for what can be achieved together in the days to come.

State of the Web Address: A Leap into AI Productivity w/ Tom Ossa

In an enlightening virtual event held on Zoom this morning at 10 am, Tom Ossa, the CEO of RockWeb Systems Inc., led the annual State of the Web Address, focusing on the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing productivity across various business operations.

This year’s address honed in on the cutting-edge capabilities of AI technologies like Chat GPT and Midjourney, showcasing their potential through a series of live-case scenarios. Attendees had the opportunity to witness firsthand how these AI tools could be leveraged for tasks such as crafting press releases, fine-tuning website content, and streamlining data organization—activities central to the efficiency of modern businesses.

“The State of the Web Address” title is meant to be a humorous play on words, and typically follows the State of the Union, State and County addresses that are conducted each year by various Governments. However, the seminar – and in recent years, webinar – has been very technology focused. Ossa estimated this is the 8th State of the Web Address he has conducted in the past 10 years, on topics such as web design, digital marketing, smartphones, data management, and more.

Ossa, who is also at the helm of RocklandWeb.com, a pioneer in web design and digital strategy, shared insights into how custom AI chatbots are becoming indispensable tools for businesses aiming to optimize their customer engagement and operational workflows. He also told personal stories of how his early embrace of commercial AI systems helped him to successfully navigate through a very challenging time last year for his now-17-year old company’s growth.

The event underscored the significance of integrating AI technologies like Chat GPT and Midjourney into business processes, not just as a trend but as a strategic move towards achieving greater productivity and competitiveness in the digital era.

For those inspired by the State of the Web Address and interested in exploring the potential of custom AI chatbots for their businesses, Tom Ossa invites you to visit RocklandWeb.com/go to book an appointment. The initiative represents a promising opportunity for organizations looking to embrace AI and transform their operations for the better.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the insights shared by Tom Ossa at the State of the Web Address highlight the critical role of AI in shaping the future of business productivity and innovation.

Rockland County Residents Disrupt State of the County Address to Protest County Stance on Israel/Palestinian War

Pomona, NY, March 26, 2024 – In a show of solidarity with Palestinians, Rockland County residents representing Rockland for Palestine and Rockland for Ceasefire came together to disrupt County Executive Ed Day’s State of the County address. They denounced his silence and complicity in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

Amid Israel’s devastating actions resulting in the loss of thousands of Palestinian lives, including children, and the suffering of millions, Day has failed to condemn these atrocities. Instead, he has shown unwavering support for Israel’s policies, attending gatherings that overlook the plight of Palestinians and even celebrate their suffering.

Rockland for Palestine and Rockland for Ceasefire refuse to stand idly by while genocide continues. Their disruption of the State of the County address serves as a powerful reminder that those in positions of power cannot ignore human rights abuses and must be held accountable.

“It is unacceptable for Ed Day to prioritize political interests over Palestinian lives,” stated a spokesperson for Rockland for Palestine. “We demand he stop aligning with those who advocate for the death of Palestinians and instead listen to his constituents and take a stand against the atrocities in Gaza.”

This disruption underscores the urgent need for solidarity with the Palestinian people and emphasizes the importance of holding elected officials accountable for their actions. The groups demand a permanent ceasefire, a Free Palestine, and accountability for Israel’s war crimes.

Rockland for Palestine and Rockland for Ceasefire are grassroots organizations dedicated to advocating for the rights and dignity of Palestinians. They work to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and to promote justice and equality for all Palestinians.

Rockland Realtor Supports People to People Hunger Relief Efforts

West Nyack, NY, March 27, 2024 – Mark Dari, a realtor with Howard Hanna Rand Realty, has once again demonstrated his commitment to community by organizing a food collection to benefit People to People, Rockland County’s primary hunger relief organization.

“People to People is lucky to have Mark Dari’s support,” said CEO Diane Serratore. Since 2021, Dari has spearheaded an annual food collection drive that has contributed thousands of pounds of food to the organization’s pantry. “Mark’s dedication to helping People to People provide for our neighbors in need is truly admirable,” Serratore added.

Dari initiated the food collection by distributing customized reusable grocery bags featuring his realtor information and details about People to People to his West Nyack neighbors. “I knew about People to People’s mission and the community’s need for assistance,” Dari explained. “I wanted to leverage my connections to make a positive impact.”

His efforts yielded over 300 pounds of donated food in 2021. Encouraged by the response, Dari expanded his outreach to include colleagues at Howard Hanna Rand Realty in 2022. By 2023, he had set up a collection table at DeCicco’s in New City, where the generosity of donors surpassed his expectations, resulting in over $3,000 worth of donated food.

“Mark exemplifies the spirit of People to People: neighbors supporting neighbors,” said Serratore. “Food insecurity is a pressing issue in Rockland, and Mark’s dedication is making a meaningful difference.”

For those interested in supporting Mark Dari’s food collection efforts, please contact him at [contact info]. Financial contributions can be made at https://bit.ly/helpfeedrockland.

Elijah Reichlin-Melnick Criticizes MTA’s Approval of Congestion Pricing

Rockland County, NY – Former State Senator and current State Senate candidate Elijah Reichlin-Melnick issued a statement today condemning the MTA’s approval of congestion pricing:

“Today’s MTA vote approving congestion pricing is another slap in the face to Rockland residents. Without exemptions for people from counties without good transit options, congestion pricing is nothing but a regressive tax that burdens middle-class and working families the most.

“Rocklanders still don’t have consistent and viable public transit options into New York City. Until that happens, this new toll will not reduce traffic coming from Rockland and will unfairly tax working people up to thousands of dollars per year. We must make significant infrastructure investments west of the Hudson River, and Rockland County needs to be exempt from congestion pricing until that investment is completed.”