News

GRAMMY-AWARDED PERFORMING ARTIST EILEEN IVERS RELEASES CHILDREN’S BOOK “WILL SOMEONE PLAY BLUEY?”

By

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK – May 4, 2022 – Eileen Ivers, a Grammy-awarded violinist and educator, released her debut children’s book, “WILL SOMEONE PLAY BLUEY?”, that teaches kindness and respect for each other. Ivers, known for her unique musical style and blue violin, “Bluey,” connects her musical and family experiences in the heartwarming story.

Eileen’s Music School is a magical place. When the children go home, the instruments speak. Drake the drum, Finn the flute and the other instruments tease and bully Bluey, but the scorned violin finds a true friend in Priscilla the piano. Ivers, the children’s book author, was inspired to conceive of the book during the pandemic. “While Covid shut down my concert tour schedule,” says Ivers, “this unexpected pause enabled me to refocus my creative energy into writing this children’s book.”

“WILL SOMEONE PLAY BLUEY?” is a playful picture book perfect for children, ages 4-10. The book, written in rhyme and rhythm, explores the concepts of self-confidence and standing up for yourself. Ivers also wrote the book after her son experienced bullying on the school bus. “I was proud to see him return the next day and stand up for himself,” says Ivers. “This inspired me to want to write something that would help children not only feel better if they had been the victim of bullying but would also help children understand the impact of bullying and the importance of recognizing and celebrating our differences.” Ivers hopes that, through the lessons presented in the book, parents and educators can explore discussions on anti-bullying, diversity and being kind.

Ivers regularly tours, performs in concert halls, headlines music festivals, and has guest starred with over 50 symphony orchestras to date. She’s been called a “sensation” by Billboard magazine and “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” by The New York Times. “She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing” says The Irish Times.

“WILL SOMEONE PLAY BLUEY?” is available on Amazon – in both print and Kindle editions, through Barnes & Noble, and booksellers everywhere. The audiobook will be available for readers and listeners. More about Ivers and her work can be found at www.eileenivers.com.

ABOUT EILEEN IVERS
Grammy-awarded performer, composer, producer, educator and 9-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion Eileen Ivers is known for her unique musical style and her signature blue violin, “Bluey”.
Eileen lives in New York with her husband and son. When her son was bullied on the elementary school bus, Eileen was proud to see him learn to return the next day and stand up for himself. This led her to connect musical and family experiences in authoring her first children’s book, “Will Someone Play Bluey?”
After graduating magna cum laude in mathematics, Eileen Ivers has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Arts, honoris causa, from her graduate and post graduate alma mater Iona College for her “lifelong commitment to innovation, excellence and deep dedication to bringing people together through music.” 
Look for the audiobook of “Will Someone Play Bluey?” and your child can hear the instruments come to life throughout the book as the author reads in rhyme and rhythm.
For more information about Eileen Ivers: http://www.eileenivers.com

Investigation Update: Skoufis Receives Utilities Documents

By

As part of the ongoing State Senate investigation into skyrocketing utility prices, Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) shared he is in receipt of hundreds of pages of responses to his committee’s information and document requests. 

All utilities, power producers, and regulators that the committee solicited answers from have submitted responses; Senator Skoufis, as chair of the Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee, and his team are in the process of reviewing the documents. A final report and legislative recommendations will be released upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Senator Skoufis provided the following statement:

“Our committee remains laser-focused on uncovering any wrongdoing or negligence related to surge pricing, billing system errors, and the state’s action – or lack thereof – as utility regulators. New Yorkers continue to receive unsustainable and, frankly, shocking home energy bills, and we can’t let these utilities run roughshod over our wallets without asking the tough questions. If there was any foul play, we owe it to constituents to hold those bad actors accountable and make meaningful changes to state law that will ensure this never happens again.”

RCC begins national search for the college’s 8th president

By

(ROCKLAND COUNTY/May 4, 2022) — Rockland Community College (RCC) announced today that Dr. Michael A. Baston will be stepping down from his position as president of the College in July and has accepted a new position as President of Cuyahoga Community College located in Cleveland, Ohio. An interim president will be selected by the Board of Trustees for RCC and that individual will serve while a national search takes place to identify a successor.

“We are appreciative of Dr. Michael Baston’s leadership and inspiration during his time at RCC, especially in light of the unique challenges we faced over the past two years. We are committed to finding a new president for the College who will continue to amplify and expand on the mission and vision of RCC. Rockland Community College has been serving the surrounding community for over six decades providing educational opportunities for individuals at all ages and stages of life. We will continue to fulfill that mission while embracing and moving forward with many of the initiatives developed over the past several years. The next president will continue to carry forward the work we have always done in serving our diverse community,” stated Martin Wortendyke, Chair of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Baston has served as president of Rockland Community College in Suffern, New York since 2017. He led numerous initiatives spurring growth and increasing educational pathways. Under his guidance, the College launched a new hospitality and culinary arts center, Career Skills and English Skills Academies to address middle-skills workforce needs, and secured $30 million in grants, capital and other funding including back-to-back Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institution awards, the largest grants in RCC history.

“This was a difficult decision.” stated Baston. “I have truly enjoyed leading Rockland Community College over the past five years and while the pandemic presented unique challenges, I believe the RCC campus community is stronger and more prepared for the future than ever before. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I know my successor will be welcomed with open arms and lead RCC into the next exciting phase of its history.”

Translate »