Inside Press

Compelling Reasons Trader Joe’s Should Choose Millwood as its Next Location

October 6, 2015 by Inside Press

By Grace Bennett

10) A Fitter Customer Profile. Trader Joe’s Management could one day boast the greatest influx of fit citizens in its corporate history. Each day, hundreds of trim and toned men and women will pour into the market after cycling along our popular North County Trail, walking their dogs at gorgeous Gedney Park (check out the beautiful fall scene here), or pumping iron at nearby Club Fit for an energy boost—and for generous replenishments of your discounted nuts and produce.

Gedney Park Pond
Photo by Marianne Campolongo

9) A Spike in Healthy Item Sales. Following a flu shot at Drug Mart, it will be a natural response to stock up on Vitamin C packed juices, not to mention pounds upon pounds of organic chicken and root veggies for homemade soup.
8) The “Chappaqua Moms” Facebook Factor Busy commuter Chappaqua Moms are addicted to many of your frozen entrees and desserts already and have been loyally commuting to White Plains for them. BUT (and especially after a successful petition spearheaded by Chappaqua Moms), bring Trader Joe’s to Millwood and Chappaqua Moms will soon be comparing notes about their favorite buys of the week ALL THE TIME in must read threads on Westchester County’s most populated and chattiest “Moms” page, now 5,500 people strong.
7) Cover Story Possibility The publisher of Inside Chappaqua is always open to cover story ideas. Joe, if he’s handsome and generous, could be a contender.
6) Specialty Food Shoppers Galore. After stocking up on wine for Passover at Dodd’s next door, for example, a stop at Trader Joe’s for quality gefilte fish and gluten-free matzah will be a matz.
5) Noshers Galore. Of course we already love the treats at Tazza’s when we stop in for our morning java, but who can resist the free noshes at Trader Joe’s? Those yummy mini samples of chili this and quiche that! I know it would take care of those lunch hunger pangs that begin at 10 a.m. for me! Plus: After burning so many calories on the trail, our inclination to nosh–and then shop, of course–is limitless.
4) Cool Celebrity Customers Vanessa Williams, Helen Williams, Ben Stiller, Etc. Just keep cool when Millwood and Trader Joe’s are tapped to be a set for a future movie.
3) Free Enhanced Security. Trader Joe’s will have free additional security when any of our Secret Service residents stop in to shop.
2) Hillary. She was recently spotted shopping at a local supermarket and quipped to someone eyeing her oddly that she needs to eat too. My hunch is she will be a regular.
1) Bill. I apologize in advance for any slowdown at the checkout counter when he engages your staff on national and world policy matters.

Come on, guys! — Grace

More reasons via Facebook from savvy New Castle readers:

11. “It would be fabulous for the many vegetarians in the area as well as those who keep Kosher.” Andrea Dresner Weinreb

12. “It’s easy to get to from Route 100 and the Taconic. I shopped at the Eastchester store yesterday and their parking lot is much smaller than Millwood’s and they have only one way in and one way out. The Millwood shopping center already has two entryways and could easily add more.” Michelle Hecht

13. “The traffic on the northbound Taconic from 5-7pm is significant. Lots of potential shoppers passing by!” Michelle Hecht

14. “I was just in the Hartsdale store, second time this week and again they’re sold out of the Chocolate Croissants! The very nice customer service person told me they would have more this afternoon.. well that would have been great news if they were in Millwood. So instead of shopping there once a month, it would be once a day for this Chappaqua Mom!!! Ann Styles Brachstein

North Shore-LIJ to Change Name to Northwell Health

September 28, 2015 by Inside Press

Eighteen years after the historic merger that created the North Shore-LIJ Health System, its Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a name change for New York State’s largest private employer and health care provider–Northwell Health.

“Being highly visible and clearly understood within and beyond the New York metropolitan area requires strong brand recognition,” said Michael J. Dowling, the 21-hospital network’s president and chief executive officer. “The Northwell Health name is a reflection of our past and a beacon of our future. It’s unique, simple and approachable, and better defines who we are and where we are going.”

The new Northwell Health name will be the centerpiece of a broad rebranding and marketing campaign that will launch in 2016, beginning a multi-year process to build recognition of the new name and distinguish the organization in a cluttered health care market. As a first step, the health system will begin introducing the new brand to its more than 61,000 employees, 10,000+ affiliated physicians and other internal audiences, including more than 13,000 nurses.

The names of all of the health system’s hospitals will remain intact, in recognition of their rich and unique community-based histories, such as: North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New Hyde Park, Staten Island University Hospital, Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, Huntington Hospital, Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco.

“While we have considered many different ideas over the years, our Board of Trustees selected a new name that signals a clear vision for the future of health: Northwell Health,” said board chair Mark L. Claster. “All those associated with this organization clearly are proud of our heritage and deeply grateful for the extraordinary support we receive from the communities we serve. Yet, our trustees recognized the need for a more consumer-friendly name that did not confine us geographically and reflects our emergence as a regional health care provider with a coverage area that extends beyond Long Island.”

With the continuing shift in the nation’s health care delivery system and the growing emphasis on health and wellness promotion and disease prevention, Mr. Dowling said, “We wanted a name that underscores our focus on keeping people well and better managing their health, rather than only treating them when they are sick or injured. The future of health care is about guiding and engaging consumers in a very different way.”

Earlier this year, the health system began working with branding consultants Monigle and Interbrand to develop a new company name and brand platform. In addition, the marketing communications firm J. Walter Thompson was brought in to develop a broad communications program. “Leveraging the new Northwell Health name, we will build strong recognition regionally and nationally, with the goal of elevating our reputation among both consumers and medical professionals,” said Ramon Soto, the health system’s chief marketing and communications officer. “We have a powerful story to tell and we believe our new name is the ideal platform to deliver that message.”

The health system’s current name stems from the 1997 merger of the North Shore Health System and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System name has proven to be confusing to consumers, the news media, medical professionals and even the health system’s own employees. In addition, the health system’s name is not well recognized among consumers outside of Long Island, so the goal is to develop a marketing/communications plan for Northwell Health that will be driven by a compelling, powerful brand vision that resonates with the public.

Since the creation of the North Shore Health System in 1992 and its eventual 1997 merger with LIJ Medical Center that created the North Shore-LIJ Health System, the organization has evolved into a vast clinical, educational and research enterprise. It has grown over the years to become the largest private employer in New York State and the 14th-largest health system in the nation, with annual revenues of nearly $8 billion. Among the milestones over the past two decades include:
• the 1999 establishment of a biomedical research arm, now known as The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, which includes more than 1,500 scientists, investigators and other employees ;
• the 2010 expansion into Manhattan with the addition of Lenox Hill Hospital and the 2014 opening of Manhattan’s first freestanding emergency center, Lenox Health Greenwich Village;
• the 2010 founding of New York State’s first allopathic medical school in 40 years – the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, which graduated its first class in May of this year and will be renamed the Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine;
• the 2013 creation of the health system’s own health insurance company, CareConnect;
• the 2014 addition of two Westchester County hospitals, Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco;
• the August 2015 strategic affiliation with Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn,;
• the September 2015 addition of Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead in eastern Long Island;
• the September 2015 launch of the School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies at Hofstra University;
• a major ambulatory expansion that now includes about 450 outpatient physician practices throughout the metropolitan area;
• the largest ambulance transport system on the East Coast and the New York area’s first hospital-based, helicopter emergency medical service; and
• strategic alliances with such internationally renowned institutions as the Cleveland Clinic, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

Beyond its hospitals, the health system also offers a full continuum of care through a broad network of skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation programs, home care, hospice services, urgent care, primary care and specialty services throughout the metropolitan area, as well as access to more than 2,100 clinical research trials that have enrolled over 15,000 participants.

“This has been an incredible journey over the past two decades,” said Mr. Dowling. “The name change and rebranding campaign represent a very exciting milestone that positions us for even greater success in the years to come.”

About North Shore-LIJ Health System
The nation’s 14th-largest health system, North Shore-LIJ delivers world-class clinical care throughout the New York metropolitan area, pioneering research at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, a visionary approach to medical education highlighted by the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, and healthcare coverage to individuals, families and businesses through the CareConnect Insurance Co. Inc. North Shore-LIJ cares for people at every stage of life at 21 hospitals and about 450 outpatient physician practices throughout the region. North Shore-LIJ’s owned hospitals and long-term care facilities house more than 6,600 beds, employ more than 13,300 nurses and have affiliations with about 10,300 physicians. With a workforce of more than 61,000, North Shore-LIJ is the largest private employer in New York State. For more information, go to www.northshorelij.com

Adopt-A-Dog Puts on the Fun: September 20

September 18, 2015 by Inside Press

Puttin’ on the Dog Festival to Draw Thousands of Four Legged Friend Fans

Adopt-A-Dog, an Armonk, NY-based nonprofit rescue/adoption organization for dogs and cats will host its popular annual “Puttin’ on the Dog” festival on Sunday, September 20th, at Greenwich, CT’s Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. The event is expected to draw thousands of Fairfield and Westchester County dog lovers gathering to show off, pet, and, hopefully, adopt four-legged friends. The day of fun, music, competitions, demonstrations and activities marks the 28th time this important fundraiser has been held to aid Adopt-A-Dog in its mission to provide dogs with a safe, healthy and quality environment while they await adoption.
Shiloh. Photo by Meg Reinhardt

Billing itself as the largest event of its kind between New York and Boston, the “Puttin’ on the Dog” organizers are hoping to draw 5,000 pet lovers from the Tri-State area during the seven-hour program, organizers said. The festival will feature dogs and cats for adoption, 50 vendors and live music performed by CT R&B band Billy and the Showmen. Adopt-A-Dog encourages owners to enter their dogs into one or more of the 12 different competition categories such as “Pooch Who Can Smooch” (the kissing contest), “Who Saved Who” (dog/person look-a-like contest), “Adopt-A-Dog Alumni” (distinguished graduates of the shelter) and the famous Dog Costume Contest. Deadline for mail or online entries is Thursday, September 17.

“The show of community support we receive at ‘Puttin’ on the Dog’ touches us deeply as we continue to advocate for lifetime care and ownership of dogs,” said Executive Director, Kristen Rice. “We especially value the contributions of our sponsors who appreciate that the mission of our event remains the same as it did since its inception – finding loving homes for wonderful animals in need.”

Pet Pantry Warehouse will be returning as the Presenting Sponsor. Premiere sponsors include Reckson, a Division of SL Green, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists and First County Bank. Additional sponsorships are still available.
Kristen Rice, executive director

The event runs from 10AM-4:30PM. Tickets can be purchased online for $15 for adult admission or $25 with our special family package or at the main entrance gate at the event. Children under 12 are admitted free. For more information about the “Puttin’ on the Dog” festival, sponsorship or how you can help, visit www.adoptadog.org or call (914) 273-1674.

About Adopt-A-Dog
Adopt-A-Dog is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal shelter, rescue and adoption center. Since its inception in 1981, Adopt-A-Dog has aided in the placement of more than 13,500 companion animals in Westchester County, NY, Fairfield County, CT and throughout the Northeast. Known for its dedicated staff of animal advocates and innovative adoption procedures, Adopt-A-Dog aims to reform the animal welfare industry and educate future pet owners to promote lifetime ownership and care. Adopt-A-Dog has been providing a broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, spay and neuter programs, humane education and animal rehabilitation programs. The year 2015 marks the organization’s 28th anniversary of “Puttin’ on the Dog,” its annual fundraising and adoption event, which ensures the continuation of fulfilling its mission: To Save, Socialize and Secure Loving Homes for Unwanted or Abandoned Dogs & Cats. Adopt-A-Dog’s headquarters and shelter is located in Armonk, NY.
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FREE Square Dancing Nights!

September 8, 2015 by Inside Press

Friendly Squares Dance Club announces two free square dancing fun nights on Monday, September 21st and Monday, September 28th from 7:30-9:30pm at Katonah Methodist Church Parish Hall, 44 Edgemont Rd, Katonah, NY. Square dancing is a lot of fun and great exercise for both the body and mind. It is an enjoyable activity for all ages and also an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. This event is open to singles, couples and families. The attire is casual and no experience is necessary. For more information, contact Tee at (914)433-2919.

Vital Expansion Planned at Sunshine Children’s Home & Rehab Center

September 8, 2015 by Inside Press

* Expansion Necessary to Accommodate Burgeoning Waitlist
* NY State Issues Certificate of Need to Accommodate Growing Demand for Care

Ossining, NY–The Sunshine Children’s Home & Rehab Center, which specializes in the care and treatment of medically complex children (all who require long-term residential care and many whose lives are terminal) is planning to expand its home at 15 Spring Valley Road. This expansion will enable Sunshine to improve the quality of life for the current number of children who live there, as well as to reduce the number of waitlisted children who are in dire need of the kind of care that this 55-year old facility provides.

Sunshine’s expansion plans and facility discussions began four years ago with the goal of enhancing support of the care, health, and positive psychological growth of the children who live there. Plans to do this include the increase of its square footage from 19,000 to 146,000 to create long-needed space for additional beds, essential specialty medical equipment and circulation areas, improved classroom space for the onsite school, rooms for visiting families, etc.

“These 33 acres and the Sunshine Children’s Home have become a lifeline for our families over the past 55 years. We are known as a ‘second home’ for the families of the children who need to live here and the only home that these children have ever known,” said Linda Mosiello, who has served as director of the Sunshine Children’s Home since 2009. “We are so very grateful to have been granted this Certificate of Need from NY State, which shows that the planned expansion size is more than appropriate for the size of our site and its surrounding acreage, and moreover, comports with the bulk and dimensional requirements of the Zoning Code.”

She continued, “We desperately need this space in order to improve the quality of care and living for our children and to make room for the overwhelming number of children who need to be here. Our goal is to soon be able to care for them with better medical facilities and to provide a true school experience for them, as our current space for school is housed in a makeshift addition.”

Mosiello offered details regarding Sunshine’s long-planned, careful process including research, studies and approvals to date:

● In 2014, the Sunshine Children’s Home was granted a Certificate of Need by the New York State Department of Health. The Home is currently operating at 100% capacity, and has a waitlist of over 70 sick children, all of whom will need the resources that Sunshine provides for the duration of their lifespan, which is limited for 50 percent of the children in care. The planned expansion will allow the facility to increase from 54 to 122 pediatric nursing facility beds in order to make somewhat of a dent in the waitlist.
*Note: Including Sunshine, there are currently only nine nursing facilities in New York State with dedicated pediatric nursing units, two of which intend to cease pediatric operations in the near future. Only three of these facilities are able to fully address special-needs pediatric care. The need to expand the Sunshine Children’s Home has never been higher.

● The application for the expansion project was first filed in December, 2014, following several months of pre-application meetings with the town, and was revised after three months of meetings with the town. This review process began after a year-long approval process from the New York State Department of Health.

● The application’s traffic study, conducted by a professional traffic engineer with over 25 years of experience in traffic engineering, shows that the proposed project will not result in any significant adverse impacts on traffic. No existing levels of service in the town or surrounding areas will change as a result of the project. The traffic study for this project was reviewed by the town’s traffic consultant, who has extensive expertise in traffic engineering and whose firm has more than 60 years of history in Westchester County. The town’s traffic engineer concurred with the results of the study.

● Environmental reports detailing the project’s impacts on wetlands, tree removal, steep slopes, rock removal and water usage were prepared by Sunshine and agreed upon by the town. Field tests indicate that there is adequate water supply to service the proposed addition without impacting water supply at neighboring properties. In fact, the reports identify the impacts of the project and demonstrate that they will not at all be significant including water usage and sewage disposal.

● The Sunshine Children’s Home has worked with both the Department of Health and the Westchester Office of Emergency Management on the formulation of their Indian Point Evacuation Plan. It is a well thought out, state-approved response that does not draw upon town or local resources. A preliminary update of this plan to reflect a new projected census has been drafted and will follow the same approval process as the previous plan, which includes working with nearby hospitals and nursing homes to jointly handle evacuations, and covers both the shelter and the transportation of residents. It also includes a “Shelter in Place” response which details specific contingencies for incidents at Indian Point. Sunshine is required to conduct mock evacuations and Shelter in Place drills at least twice a year.

The mission of the Sunshine Children’s Home and Rehab Center is to create a loving and supportive environment that provides the highest level of quality pediatric care for children who need it. The Home takes in children from birth to 18 years of age who require post-acute medical care and/or rehabilitative therapy, combined with psychological and developmental interventions. About 46 percent of the children in residence require palliative care, while an equal percentage of others improve enough with care to be discharged to a group or community facility, or ideally, at home with their families. For more information, visit www.sunshinechildrenshome.org.