Inside Press, Author at Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk: The Magazines for New and North Castle

Westchester Circus Arts: Aerial Performances and More for Last Third Thursday

August 3, 2017 by Inside Press

On August 17th, the Armonk Chamber of Commerce will host its last Third Thursday of the season in downtown Armonk from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Westchester Circus Arts is the main event, bringing exciting, free hands-on workshops and performances. Watch mini aerial performances at 5:30, 6, 6:30, 7 & 7:30 p.m., with interactive workshops in between. Children can learn how to walk on the tight wire, juggle, spin plates and rings, hula hoops, walk on stilts and more!

Enjoy live music with School of Rock from 5-6:30 and with Vinyl Countdown from 6:30-8:30.

A host of additional merchant specials, activities and promotions will be posted on armonkchamberofcommerce.com beginning the week of August 7th.

Assemblyman Buchwald on the NTSB Meeting to Determine the Cause of 2015 Valhalla Train Crash

July 25, 2017 by Inside Press

July 25, 2017 –The National Transportation Safety Board met today to determine the probable cause of the February 3, 2015 Train and Car Collision at a Grade Crossing in Valhalla, New York.

Statement from State Assemblyman David Buchwald: “The Valhalla crash claimed six lives; four were residents of my State Assembly district. Metro-North and the New York State DOT should unequivocally commit to implement the NTSB’s safety recommendations on as expeditious a schedule as feasible. The NTSB determinations are a sobering reminder of the need to constantly monitor our at-grade rail crossing safety warning systems, and vigorously enforce rail crossing safety laws.”

“In the wake of the Valhalla tragedy, I sponsored the Rail Safety Act of 2016 in the State Assembly which was passed and signed by Governor Cuomo. The new law required increased Department of Transportation inspections of all traffic signals interconnected with at-grade rail crossing warning systems. To protect our citizens we must remain ever diligent in making certain safety systems at rail crossings are in perfect working order. Furthermore, we must continue to educate the public about rail crossing safety and make sure our law enforcement agencies are strictly enforcing our rail crossing safety laws.”

Assemblyman David Buchwald sponsored a law enacted in 2016 (Chapter 501 of the Laws of 2016) that required more stringent safety inspections at grade-level railroad crossings; aligned state requirements with federal regulations on railroad bridge inspections; and increased penalties on railroad companies that do not comply with various state laws and on drivers who commit railroad crossing violations.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Donald Fagen & The Nightflyers at The Capitol Theatre: August 3 & 4!

July 24, 2017 by Inside Press

Donald Fagen –musician, composer, vocalist, producer, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and co-founder of Steely Dan and The Dukes of September–has recruited a quartet of young musicians he’s been working with over the past few years to form a new band called the Nightflyers. At an exclusive August 3rd and August 4th performances at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York, Fagen and his band are expected to play songs from Donald’s solo albums, Steely Dan hits and as the Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer describes, “some swell surprises.” The Nightflyers features Connor Kennedy (guitar, vocals), Lee Falco (drums, vocals), Brandon Morrison (bass, vocals) and Will Bryant (keyboards, vocals). Visit The Capitol Theatre online for more info about this concern and other programming, and to purchase tickets: http://www.thecapitoltheatre.com/

About The Capitol Theatre:
Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, the theatre is located approximately 30 miles from NYC, conveniently accessible by I-95 and only one block from the Port Chester Metro North train station. In its distinguished history, the 1,835-capacity theatre has hosted concerts by the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Derek and the Dominos, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, David Bowie, Santana, Black Sabbath, Iggy Pop, and many more. Following a transformative renovation under the guidance of music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl, Wetlands, Relix, U2 3D), the theatre reopened as a rock palace on Sep 4, 2012, with a performance by Bob Dylan and has since hosted everyone from Al Green and My Morning Jacket to Sleigh Bells and Morrissey. The New York Times raved, “a rock theater that looks and sounds as good as the Capitol is something to celebrate,” while Billboard agreed that “the lavishly decorated theater–filled with mirrors, chandeliers and painstakingly restored detail–looks absolutely stunning, and sounds even better.”

At 3rd Thursday: 35 Classic Cars Parade Proudly ‘Round Armonk Square

July 22, 2017 by Inside Press

Story and Photos by Grace Bennett

Anyone who came to take in Armonk’s Classic Cars Show–the highlight of Third Thursday festivities in and around Armonk Square–received a special treat. From the corner of Bedford Road and Main Street, 35 Classic Cars could be found circling a bunch of times around the main thoroughfares; there was friendly waving and thumbs up from area spectators, and just as often, waves back from proud and friendly owners seated behind old time (although some new, too) fun and funky wheels. I imagined they were feeling pretty groovy with all the fanfare.

“It started out with ten cars and grew quickly,” noted Neal Schwartz, the Chamber’s president. All the while, other festivities were in progress on the toasty Square, including arts and crafts for the kids, live music by Gilbert, information and complimentary refreshments from member merchants, and more. For more info, please visit armonkchamberofcommerce.com

On Thursday, July 20, it was really all about the cars. “It’s just a hobby like anything else,” suggested George Drapeau, who together with Robby Morris, pulled together the show on behalf of the Chamber. “The older you get, the more you can afford to maintain it. You know: Bigger boys, Bigger toys?”

(L-R): Nancy Woodyard, Andy Block, and George Drapeau

And it seemed definitely such for Andy Block and his own special toy: a 1960 Red Cadillac, a “series 62 convertible,” he noted. Block, a 23 year resident of Armonk, generously shares his car too: he annually rides it in the town’s early winter Frosty parade and has offered rides in it “to ladies at events for the North Castle Historical Society.” His two kids, 23 & 21, he said, are “used to their father’s hobby. They want me to get buried in it,” he quipped.