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St. Thomas Aquinas College will Celebrate Earth Day with Upcoming Community Event

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(SPARKILL, N.Y. — April 19, 2022) In just four days, St. Thomas Aquinas College (STAC) will host “STAC Springs to Life: An Earth Day Celebration” on Saturday, April 23 from 12 PM – 6 PM to celebrate Earth Day 2022. This free event is open to the public of all ages.

Led and organized by STAC students from the School of Business and the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the event will showcase STAC’s commitment to the importance of sustainability, the environment, and respecting our planet through the creation of innovative experiences that fuel dialogue and inspire change. 

“Our students are increasingly aware of environmental issues, such as the effects of plastic waste, threats to water quality and availability, global climate change and associated extreme weather events,” said Dr. Bianca Wentzell, STAC Dean of the School of STEM. “They recognize that we cannot solve these issues without clear and respectful communication, compromise, and culture change. One of the first steps toward finding solutions is bringing members of the community together to learn, hear each other’s perspectives, concerns, and get inspired by what we all bring to the table.”

There will be activities for all ages that will highlight four key areas:

  • Discovery World – Discover many fascinating things about our planet through various organizations, clubs, students and faculty. Our world will showcase the following – The Sparkill Creek Watershed Alliance, The Rockland Conservation and Service Corps (RCSC), and STAC faculty member, Dr. Dent. Dr. Dent will showcase how the carbon dioxide acidifies our waterways which has a direct effect on wildlife.
  • Flora and Fauna – Featuring nature-themed activities such as pot painting/seed planting and a chance to learn more about reptiles during Erik’s Reptile Edventures Show. Join the Dean of the School of STEM, Dr. Bianca Wentzell in a plant identification demonstration. Take a nature walk and learn how to keep yourself and your family safe, while learning to appreciate the flora found throughout the area we call home.
  • Tinkerland – A place where kids of all ages can come get creative. Get your free STEM kits, make your own headphones and grow your own crystal garden. Paint and decorate bird feeders and wind chimes. Bach to Rock will be there with their Instrument Petting Zoo.
  • The Pantry – Here you can touch, taste, and see locally sourced produce and enjoy food and beverages from local vendors. We will also have a cooking demonstration from Executive Chef Jack Kiggns who will talk you through how to source local grown food and avoid waste when cooking. NJ Composting Council will share the benefits of composting. A dietician will also be on hand to talk us through the many benefits of healthy eating and the plant-based diet. Rockland Bee Club will also be here with an observation beehive and a sample bee hive. 

To view a full list of events, please visit https://www.stac.edu/earth-day. This event will be held on the front lawn on STAC’s Sparkill campus located at 125 Route 340.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERS FREE DRIVE-THRU RABIES SHOTS FOR CATS, DOGS, AND FERRETS MAY 1st

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NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert today announced that free rabies shots (vaccinations) are available for cats, dogs, and ferrets belonging to Rockland residents on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Robert Yeager Health Complex, 50 Sanatorium Road in Pomona (In the parking lot in front of Building F). No appointment is needed. The shots are free; however, a $5 donation per animal will help defray our costs.

Please download and print a Rabies Vaccination Release FORM and bring the completed and signed form to the clinic. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, all attendees must remain in their vehicle and limit the number of passengers in the vehicle. Face masks or cloth face coverings are required for everyone in the vehicle. Please check Facebook.com/rocklandgov for any weather-related cancellation before arrival.

“Animal rabies continues to be a public health problem in Rockland County. We remind all residents to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date,” said Dr. Ruppert.

To get their free rabies shot:

  • Your dog, cat, or ferret must be healthy.
  • Your pet must be older than three months.
  • Your dogs must be on a leash.
  • Your cats and ferrets must be on a leash or in a top-opening container.

New York State law requires that all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age. Owners can be fined up to $250 if they fail to get their pets vaccinated and keep them up to date. All animal bites and animals suspected of having rabies must be reported to The Rockland County Health Department at (845) 364-2656. After hours, callers should contact the sheriff at (845) 364-8600.

“No one wants their beloved pets to get sick with anything, especially if it’s preventable with vaccinations. Please take advantage of this opportunity to get your dog, cat, or ferret vaccinated against rabies to protect them and the other members of your family from this disease,” said County Executive Day.

For more information on animal rabies or the rabies vaccine, call the Rockland County Department of Health at (845) 364-2656 or visit our website: http://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/environmental-health/rabies/. 

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