April 13, 2006
In this issue:
Leatherman's Loop
MHA On The Move
Mamapalooza
Riverkeeper's Shad Fest
Seabands

The Daffodils have popped, the kids are refusing to wear their jackets, the days are longer and full of outdoor fun, and my favorite events of the year are finally here. Below are descriptions of some great happenings for the Spring-- time to get out and have some fun!

On Sunday, April 23, 2006, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River, NY will be transformed into a slippery, muddy, challenge course for hundreds of "Leathermen" (and women and children) who choose to run this annual 10K race.

The Leatherman's Loop is an annual competition of wills which includes crossing streams, picking through rocks and tree roots, and running with a pack of hundreds of other runners on beautiful forest trails. Maybe this sounds like mayhem, or maybe the challenge appeals to you in some way-- either way, maybe it's time for you to put all of that gym time to practice in the "real world".

This year the race is adding a special feature— a 'LeatherKids' race—allowing the entrance of children of all ages to the mix. Children ages 1 to 11 years are invited to join this race (younger ones with parent participation obviously). The kid's race will run ¾ of a mile in length, and yes, it will also include all the mud, stream fording, and fun of the adult race.

So, find your oldest sneakers, bring your sense of adventure and race over to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Cross River on April 23rd. The children's race begins at 8:20am and the adults at 9am.

For information or to register in advance visit www.leathermansloop.org.

Second Annual MHA on the move
5K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Kids' Race
Sunday, May 7, 2006
$20 pre-registration fee-- by April 24
$25 pre-registration fee-- after April 24
Sponsorship options from $100 to $10,000.
For more information, please call Caroline Turner, Director of Development, at 914-345-5900, extension 292 or e-mail her at turnerc@mhawestchester.org.

MHA invites you to a high energy event with celebrity guests and fun activities for the kids. Whether you choose to walk, run or be a cheerleader in the crowd, your support will help erase the stigma associated with mental illness and create community awareness for mental health. Celebrating 60 years of service to Westchester residents, our mission is to promote mental health and wellness through advocacy, education and direct services. Location: FDR Park, Yorktown Heights, NY. Time: Registration for the 5k will take place between 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m., the 1 mile kids' race will start at 9 a.m., followed by the 5K walk/run at 9:45 a.m. Cost: $20 pre-registration fee before April 24, $25 after, $25 Race Day, $15 Adults over 60 or MHA members, $10 Children (under 15), $15 Race day. Contact: Tracie McLee 914-345-5900 ext. 209, mcleet@mhawestchester.org, Development Associate/Special Events Manager, Mental Health Association of Westchester, 2269 Saw Mill River Road, Building 1A Elmsford, NY 10523. To make a donation online, visit www.mhawestchester.org

The Mental Health Association of Westchester County, Inc. (MHA), founded in 1946, is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting mental health in Westchester County through advocacy, community education and direct services. MHA serves as the leading resource for helping children, adults and families cope with domestic abuse, mental illness, advocacy concerns and trauma. Our mission is to provide quality services to those in greatest need and who are least likely to receive help elsewhere. We are committed to the belief that mental wellness is essential and that everyone has the right to quality mental health care. MHA never turns anyone away due to an inability to pay. Dedicated staff and volunteers bring vital services to more than 11,000 members of our community each year.

Mamapalooza
Saturday, May 20th, 2006
Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla, NY

MAMAPALOOZA Rocks the Burbs! with BE FIT Westchester is a hip & high-end festival for Moms Who ROCK! This is the first year of a Mamapalooza event in Westchester, the perfect chance to prove that suburban moms still rock too!

Mamapalooza will take place May 20th at Kensico Dam and will include: Mom Bands, Mom dance groups, WHUD hosts, Mom book signings (10 authors including I SPY author Jean Marzollo), Mom jewelry & art, Mom products of all kinds from local Mom-owned business, Mom massage, Mom related non-profits, Activity stations for kids, Fitness demonstrations, The Circus Arts Camp demonstrations, Yoga classes, Fitmobile, live kids music, kids exercise 'class', author readings, Mom sculpture, Health foods & snack giveaways, Food vendors, Jumper Castle, Clowns, storybook characters, Information booths for recycling, organic farming etc., & Raffles.

Fun for the whole family or come with your favorite mom-friends for a ladies' day out!

Riverkeeper's Shad Fest
Honoring the 40th Anniversary of Riverkeeper’s Work
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Boscobel Restoration, Garrison, New York

The Annual Shad Festival and Hudson River Celebration is Riverkeeper's largest and most inclusive community outreach event, serving more than 1,500 adults and children from New York City, throughout the Hudson River Valley, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.

The festival is a day-long program of activities, family fun, education, and entertainment aimed at raising awareness of the health of the Hudson River, its communities and the New York City drinking water supply; encouraging personal well-being through exercise, outdoor activities, and the consumption of organic and all-natural foods and products; and offering entertainment and creative activities for adults and children.

Bringing together an audience that represents a broad geographic area, from urban areas to rural towns, the Shad Festival fosters a sense of shared responsibility for the River and the watersheds that support these communities, and raises awareness of lifestyle choices that contribute to both individual health and the health of the River's ecosystem.

The Shad Festival will take place Sunday, May 21, 2006 on the grounds of Boscobel, a historic, Federal-style mansion that overlooks one of the most beautiful and historically significant stretches of the Hudson River. Activities will include yoga for children, boat building, kayaking lessons, fly fishing, landscape photography, harnessed tree climbing, and a variety of environmentally themed arts and crafts. Environmental education for adults and children will be provided by Riverkeeper as well as other environmental/eco-driven organizations.

In addition to entertainment and activities, the 17th Annual Shad Festival will place strong emphasis on promoting the use of foods and products that are either certified organic or produced with minimal impact on the environment and public health. Previous in-kind supporters whose products exemplify these standards are Annie's Homegrown, Whole Foods Market Inc., Izze Beverages, Ben & Jerry's, Garden Burger, The Hain Celestial Group, Mount Kisco Seafood, Newman's Own, Prospero and Supreme Wines, Stonyfield, the Thanksgiving Coffee Company, and Tom's of Maine, to name a few. Our goal is to educate both children and adults about the benefits these products offer to individual health and society in general.

To purchase tickets or volunteer call: 1-800-21- RIVER x 231 or to order tickets online, click here. All proceeds from the event support Riverkeeper's core programs to protect the Hudson and the watershed areas.

The Northern Westchester Parent Child Group is hosting their annual fundraiser "Daffodils & Dancing" cocktail party April 29, 2006 at Historical Hall in Bedford, NY. This fundraising event allows us to fund scholarships and to provide classroom enrichment for our program. We are pleased to announce that we have many items that will be available for purchase during our live & silent auction. There will also be lots of great raffle items such as:

• Planting of 500 Daffodil bulbs
• Dinner for 4 with Private Tour of Blue Hill at Stone Barns
• Sensational Boston Red Sox tickets at Fenway
• NY Rangers and NY Mets Box Seats
• Wine Tasting for 10 with catering by 121 Restaurant
• Prepared dinners delivered to your home
• Photo Session with photographer Dennis Lee
• And much much more......

For more information on how to obtain tickets to this event call 914-234-4119, email nwpcg@aol.com, or visit www.nwpcg.com.

Since it's founding in 1980, NWPCG has been committed to providing a quality program in which both parents and children participate. We provide a safe setting in which children are nurtured, engaged and encouraged to discover their world together with their parents and teachers. At the same time, we offer a place for parents to come together to exchange ideas and experiences, to share successes and to tackle challenging parental issues under the guidance of a trained facilitator. NWPCG is a non-profit organization.

Last week, EssentialMom.com featured Seabands hair bands and unfortunately their web site was having some troubles-- please check back this week to order if you had any problems. Seabands apologizes for any inconvenience and hopes you will return!