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Published: 20 June 2012

Created: 20 June 2012

Last Updated: 26 June 2012

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On Thursday, June 7th the Quaker Ridge orchestra invited classically trained pop artist Jess Turner to do a showcase of her musical flair. With a program that demonstrated her command of the cello, piano, and guitar and also revealed a warm and sumptuous voice, Ms. Turner had students locked in sync with her alluring songs. Whether led in pensive thought through her fanciful lyrics in “Deeper” and “Shakespeare” or swinging with upbeat melodies in “Just the Way You Are,” the Quaker Ridge audience was truly captivated by Ms. Turner’s charismatic performance.

Jess Turner’s visit was one of several musical performances organized for Quaker Ridge, which together worked to expose the students to diverse sounds of music, from classical to modern, instrumental to vocal, local to international. But Ms. Turner’s unique fusion of her classical training and pop influences really separates her visit from other musical experiences. “I believe that a classical music background can mesh flawlessly with a pop music sensibility,” states Turner, who cinched her point with a cover of Carly Rae Jepsen’s hit “Call Me Maybe,” a show-stopping final number that had both district administrators and students boogying. Accompanied by Jessica Elkhatib on the cello and Jessica Li (high school senior intern) on the violin, this song especially revealed the higher purpose of the event. By creating popular sounds that incorporate these classical string instruments, both Turner and Elkhatib hoped to reemphasize the continued relevance, the “cool factor” of the instruments that orchestra students play. “People always respect pop artists more if they’re classically trained—their traditional knowledge adds an element of sophistication to their music,” says Elkhatib. As an orchestra teacher who enjoys diversifying her classical instrument lessons with refreshing, modern sounds, Ms. Elkhatib hopes to inspire in her students not only a lasting knowledge of how to play, but also of how to love to play.

With the overwhelmingly positive response, Ms. Turner herself enjoyed a first experience playing for a large group of children. “I really liked it. I didn’t anticipate that they would be so mature. One shy kid in the back asked ‘Why did you start writing music?’ which was unbelievably perceptive, mature, and intellectual. I think they’re really grasping what goes into creating music.” With insightful reflections from her experience at Quaker Ridge, Ms. Turner hopes to move forward to continue imparting important messages to young musicians. “What I need to emphasize is that I started somewhere. I remember seeing more mature and developed musicians when I was young and feeling incredibly intimidated and rather hopeless. Not only was I not good when I was their age I wasn’t even good when I hit 16!” With a successful experience for both performer and audience, Turner and Elkhatib plan to collaborate in the near future for follow-up song-writing workshops and other musically educational activities.

For more information on Jess Turner, please consult her website. Also be sure to check out her latest album in iTunes to sample the songs she played at Quaker Ridge:

This article was contributed by Scarsdale High School student Jess Li.

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Published: 27 June 2012

Created: 27 June 2012

Last Updated: 28 June 2012

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Grab the bug spray and blankets and head out for an almost free evening of fireworks in Westchester. For those with deeper pockets, I’ve included information on the Macy’s Fourth of July firework extravaganza and where to take in a world-class music concert that has fireworks. This year I’ll be seeing the fireworks at Disney in California, though, truthfully, I’d prefer to watch the Macy’s celebration on TV. Sorry Mickey.

July 3, 6:00 PM-10:00 PM, Kensico Dam Plaza, Valhalla

Head to the Kensico Dam Plaza in nearby Valhalla for some free local fun. There’s entertainment to celebrate Independence Day starting with a DJ show at 6:00 PM. From 8:00 PM-9:15 PM, Bensen-Scott Big Band will entertain the crowd. The firework show kicks off at 9:15 PM rain or shine. Come early or be prepared to walk a bit as parking spots may be in short supply. Kensico Dam, Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla (914) 864-PARK. www.westchestergov.com/parks .

July 3, 9:15 PM, Scarsdale Pool Complex, Scarsdale

Scarsdale’s very own annual fireworks display is open for all residents and held at the pool. Non-pool members may only enter the pool complex at 5:00 PM. A $2 fee will be charged to everyone who enters the pool after 5:00 PM. Come back the next day (July 4) for Carnival Day, held for pool members only from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM. Kids love the pool games, inflatables and this year, a sandcastle building contest. 311 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale Pool office (914) 722-1292.

July 4, 8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah

For something a bit more sophisticated, take I-684 to Caramoor in northern Westchester, land of Martha Stewart, Richard Gere, David Letterman and Alec Baldwin. Enjoy the orchestra of St. Luke's with Jamie Bernstein, host; Darius DeHaas, Carla Jablonski, vocals; John Musto, piano; Michael Barrett, conductor. Fireworks follow the concert (for ticket holders only). The sky will be lit up 15-20 minutes after the concert and can best be viewed by standing on Friends Field. Come early and enjoy pre-concert picnicking on the grounds. Tickets range from $30 to $70, children 16 and under are half price. Parking is free on-site on a first-come, first-serve basis. 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah (914) 232-5035 www.caramoor.org .

July 4, dusk, Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck

Just a short drive away and held in the beautiful 44-acre Harbor Island Park, the annual Fireman’s Fireworks Spectacular is a good free option for fireworks with easy parking. Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck, 777-7784.

July 4, 9:30 PM, New Rochelle Waterfront

Grucci Fireworks will once again light up the night in New Rochelle on July 4 thanks to a last-minute donor who stepped in to pay the bill. The “Spark the Sound” Independence Day Fireworks Display will begin at 9:30 PM rain or shine and be presented by the Gruccis of New York. The Gruccis were responsible for the firework programs for seven presidential inaugurations; the Lake Placid Olympics in 1981; the Los Angeles Olympics in 1985; the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002; the Athens Olympics in 2004; and the world's largest fireworks program ever produced for the grand opening of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah and the Atlantis the Palm Resort. So, it should be (really) good. The Fireworks can be seen from New Rochelle’s waterfront parks, especially Hudson (1 Hudson Park Road) and Five Islands (1 Lefevre Lane). Free (914) 654-2087.

July 4, 9:20 PM, New York City

The 36th Annual Macy’s Fourth of July firework display is impressive and perhaps the best in the country (sorry Boston). Approximately 40,000 shells explode at a rate of more than 1,500 per minute with fireworks reaching heights of 1,000 feet in the air. At about 9:20 PM on July 4, the 26-minute display will be set off from six barges positioned between 18th and 43rd Streets on the Hudson River. The Macy’s celebration dates back to 1958. The theme for 2012 is “Ignite the Night.” The best place to view the fireworks is on the New Jersey waterfronts of Hoboken (with a stop at Carlo’s Bakery?) and Weehawken. In NYC, the best views will be on the West Side Highway below 59th Street. For those with deep pockets, consider a water taxi tour (NY Waterway Tours, Circle Line, World Yacht Dinner Cruise, Pier 83 Rooftop Fireworks BBQ) where, for about $145 per person (complete with snack box), you can watch the show from a rooftop or a bobbing boat. You can also catch the fireworks action from the comfort of home on NBC. Starting at 8:00 PM, the one-hour special will feature celebrity performers including Katy Perry and Kenny Chesney. Macy’s Fireworks Hot Line (212) 494-4495.

July 4, 9:30 PM, Rye Playland, Rye, NY

A fireworks spectacular choreographed to music. July 4 holiday show on the Rye Playland pier at 9:30 PM. Fireworks also every Wednesday and Friday in July and August at 9:15 PM. Parking $5. 1 Playland Parkway, Rye, 914-813-7000. http://ryeplayland.org .

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Published: 07 June 2012

Created: 07 June 2012

Last Updated: 07 June 2012

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June 3 marks one year since Lauren Spierer disappeared. The 20-year-old Edgemont resident and Indiana University student was last seen in Bloomington, Indiana around 4:30am after a night out partying with friends. She was last seen wearing black pants, a white tank top and shirt. According to those with her that evening, Lauren was separated from her shoes and her phone at some point during the night.

It’s been a year without birthdays, holidays, family and friends for Lauren and a painful void for her family and friends.

The Bloomington Police Department say they have received over 2,600 tips on Lauren’s case. FBI, Indiana State Police, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (Team Adam) as well as civilian volunteers have all assisted in the search for Lauren. The Sycamore Ridge Landfill, which serves the Bloomington area, was checked for evidence between August 16th-26th.

According to Joseph Quartlers, the Bloomington Police captain who has been the press point of contact on the case, “The case of Lauren’s disappearance is still considered to be a very active investigation. Detectives remain assigned to the case with it being classified a “priority” case for them as it has since Lauren was reported missing. On average, two to three credible tips come in on a weekly basis and they can require extensive follow up by the investigators. “Credible” tips are determined by information that has obvious relevance or correlation to information already known to investigators.

In a statement sent out late last week timed with the one-year mark, Bloomington Police say:

The Bloomington Police Department continues to make inquiries on a variety of circumstances occurring in other jurisdictions. Inquiries have been made on approximately ten (10) unidentified bodies that have come to the attention of BPD over the course of the last year. Some of those bodies have been found in Indiana or in a contiguous state. Inquiries have been made on other missing person cases being investigated by other law enforcement agencies and on suspects arrested for serious violent crimes. Several individuals have been brought to our attention by other law enforcement agencies that may be familiar with the criminal tendencies of those in their communities who could be responsible for this type of incident. Inquiries such as those described will continue to be made if it appears that there is any potential to further this ongoing investigation. Hundreds of primary and secondary interviews have been conducted and investigators continue to make progress on many fronts.

As was stated in a previous release marking six months since Lauren disappeared, much has been done on this case and much continues to be done. That statement still holds true today. Some place significance on the date marking one year since Lauren disappeared, but the passing of time has not deterred the effort or commitment on the part of the Bloomington Police Department to provide answers to Lauren’s family and the Bloomington community.

The Bloomington police have looked into connections between Lauren’s case and the Michaela Shunick case. In that situation, 22-year-old Louisiana University college student “Mickey” Shunick went missing in the early morning hours of May 19th in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both women are blond and petite. According to Bloomington PD, “It should be noted that nothing of significance to the Spierer investigation came from the discussion held with police investigators in Louisiana.”

Police also looked into a possible link to Clyde Gibson, who has been arrested for two murders in New Albany, Indiana. At this time, officials say none of the information developed relates to Lauren’s disappearance.

This past Sunday, the Spierer family took to social media putting out a statement on the Facebook they made after Lauren disappeared called The Official Lauren Spierer Updates from Her Family. They wrote:

How to begin. A year ago, Lauren left Smallwood, walked a short distance to a friend’s apartment and as we all tragically know, the rest is history. Lauren’s story could be any young adult’s story on any college campus. We hope Lauren’s ending is never repeated. Here we are, one year after Lauren’s disappearance, knowing in this very instant, there are people who know where Lauren is. The cruelty is almost unbearable. Think about it….think about someone who means the world to you… .consider how you would feel if suddenly that person disappeared seemingly off the face of the earth. Think about how it would feel to wake up every single day knowing there is someone who could help you, give you answers and yet inexplicably refuses to do so. It is beyond comprehension. It is beyond “self preservation,” it is the conscious decision of someone, to destroy a family, every second of every minute of every hour of every day, over and over again for an indeterminate amount of time. It truly is, almost unbearable. I say almost, because we have an undying love for Lauren. Lauren is like a breath of fresh air, she is the bright spot in the day of those who know her. Lauren would never give up, she would fight for answers, she would be the loudest voice. We will never give up, we will fight for answers, and we will be her voice.

Sincerely,
Rob, Charlene and Rebecca Spierer

Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Bloomington Police Department at 812-339-4477 or by email at [email protected]

Jen is a freelance journalist who has covered the economy and markets for over a decade at a major financial news outlet. She lives in Scarsdale with her husband and 2 children. Jen has yet to bake a successful batch of cookies.