Jeff Lewis

New York Disability Advocates and Hudson Valley Service Providers are holding a virtual rally tomorrow to raise awareness regarding the intellectual and developmental disabilities workforce crisis and discuss potential solutions. Diana Hess is the Chief Development and Communications Officer for Jawonio in New City, and she says without adequate state funding, agencies inclined to hire those with intellectual and developmental disabilities can’t offer competitive wages to hire skilled direct support staff…

The online rally starts at 11am tomorrow on Facebook. For more information on the DSP shortage and workforce crisis, visit https://nydisabilityadvocates.com/workforce

If you have blocked off your license plate to skip through the EZ Pass tolls thinking you won’t be charged, guess again. Rockland state senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick says the governor has signed his bill, increasing penalties on those who try to cheat the system…

The bill raises the maximum fine if you’re caught with blocked-out plates from $200 to $300.

Rocklanders can learn about Parkinson’s thanks to the work of a local organization. The Parkinson’s Wellness Project comes to Pomona this week to help people learn more about it. Susan Lust is the director of the Project, and says the “Learn to Move, Move to Learn” Parkinson’s Wellness Expo and Concert and TulipFest Expo will help those who suffer with Parkinson’s, best cope with the disease…

Executive Chef guest Aleta Gelb has Parkinson’s, which disrupted her career as a chef, but says activities as simple as singing and laughing help her cope and get back on track…

The Parkinson’s Wellness Expo and Concert and TulipFest Expo is a free event and features live music, a wine tasting and kosher buffet, and a Tulip Victory Garden Planting. It is this Wednesday, October 20th at Palisades Credit Union Park. For more information on how you can get involved or register, go to www.ParkinsonsWellnessProject.org or call 845-300-4511.

Of course, as you probably know, it’s Medicare Open Enrollment time. Experts say you should review the plan you have, in case you can get something better and more tailored to your needs. Mark Brownstein is with Emerald Medicare in Nyack and Stony Point, and says you’ve probably been pummeled with lots of confusing ads and offers for assistance…

Brownstein is also the host of “Medicare Mark On The Air” right here on WRCR, and he can be reached at 845-358-1220. Medicare Open Enrollment runs through December 7th.