Inside Press

by Michall Jeffers

Both Michael Martinez and Aaron Gold have lived in Chappaqua nearly their whole lives. They’ve taken advantage of our wonderful school system, and benefitted from our excellent library. Now, both of these extraordinary young men have chosen to give back to the community.

They’re the tutors this year for the library’s free Individual Internet and Computer Help program, and boy, are they terrific.

I’m a smart person who’s feeble minded when it comes to computers. Working with Michael, a 17 year old Senior at Greeley, has helped me to learn how to operate a laptop, and to navigate Windows 7. I’d heard, before we had our first session, that he was an extremely intelligent individual; but ever since, I’ve been knocked out by his patience and his intuitive knowledge of what I need to understand.

“Everyone has a different learning process,” Martinez explains. “This is very interactive. I like having the chance to help people. It’s rare that students our age get a chance to teach; it’s great to be able to pass on to others what we know.

The people taking the lessons know so much more about most things than we do! Aaron and I have been exposed to computers since first grade, so we’ve had years of experience.
The skills come with time,” he
assures me.

Gold,16, and a Junior, is equally dedicated. “Sometimes people are afraid of technology, but the truth is, in 20 years everything will be computerized. I’m not great in math, so I can relate to people who are struggling to learn. I really enjoy getting to see people open up as they
begin to comprehend. They
teach us, too.”

Both young men agree that it’s good for their students to bring in specific questions to their 45 minute sessions. Both understand the value of good communication. They are serious, sensitive to the needs of others, and very hard working. And they’re enthusiastic about what they teach.

“Try something new,” proclaims Gold. “Computers are cool!” Martinez nods in agreement, then smilingly greets his next student, ready for the work to begin.

Visit or call the Chappaqua Library, 238-4779, ext.2,
to schedule a session.

Michall Jeffers is a well respected Cultural Journalist. She and her husband, John Warner, are longtime Chappaqua residents.

by Pamela Brown

Approximately 12 million Americans suffer from food allergy, a potentially life-threatening medical condition, and five Chappaqua families have embarked on a mission to educate and enlighten the public. “People might not realize having a food allergy means someone can die if they eat one of the allergens and aren’t treated in time,” said Stacey Saiontz, whose son, Jared, 3, suffers from food allergies to dairy, egg, wheat, and several other foods. “Fortunately, few people ever witness the severity of a food allergic reaction and often we don’t know how any given person will react to foods they’re allergic to. The result is few people understand how much is at stake for the kids who are food allergic. My hope is one day Jared won’t have to worry about what he puts in his mouth and can eat and touch anything he wants,” said Saiontz.

To shed light on food allergy, Saointz and the Stein, Brown, Singer, and Paley families created Chappakids4acure, and on October 2nd participated in Westchester’s first “Walk to Find a Cure for Food Allergies” sponsored by The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN). “We wanted to come together to make a difference and raise awareness. It was amazing! 200 friends and family members from Chappaqua came out to support Jared, Ryder Stein, Spencer Brown, Zach Paley, and Jordana and Kayla Singer. It was such a special team because it was all our food allergic children’s friends who support them on a day-to-day basis,” said Saiontz. Chappakids4acure had the largest team, raising $24,000 for FAAN, a non-profit organization that raises public awareness through education, advocacy, and research. “It was a great opportunity for us to join together for a special day for our kids and raise much-needed funds to find a cure for these life-threatening allergies.”

As a result, three Chappaqua elementary schools and parents of food allergic children have formed a food allergy support group. “From the principal and working it’s way down, everyone is aware of our son Ryder and his needs and is beyond committed to assuring his safety while at school,” said Julie Stein. “Children are our future and their sense of togetherness, tolerance for difference, protecting each other–that’s something we all should learn from.”

Stein stresses the need for continued awareness. “The numbers of children affected is on the rise. That’s why opportunities for fundraisers are crucial as we work toward a cure,” she said Stein. “These children have been dealt a challenging hand and our job as a community is to support, nourish, and keep them safe.”

For more information on Food
Allergy, visit FAAN at
www.foodallergy.org

by Rich Monetti

On every playground, soccer field or baseball diamond, we see children who lag well behind in the key physical skills required to become a good athlete. Derek Jeter was probably never one of those kids, but the distinct skills which separate him from his peers, are part of several building blocks that a proper sports trainer can utilize to assist children compete on the playground.

In alluding to the all-star shortstop’s sport’s IQ, Nick Serio of Kombine Sports in Mt. Kisco says, “Derek Jeter is in the right place at the right time–all the time.”

As Kombine’s director of Sports Performance and Youth Development, Serio understands the elements needed to improve every child’s ability. So by providing baseball “smarts” to place your sports-challenged athlete in the right spot for a game-saving backup, confidence rises and the rest of her game progresses.

According to Serio, whereas ongoing conversations about game situations may provide a kick-start for one child, increasing strength and endurance may be the catalyst for another. “Becoming strong enough to hit the cutoff player or being able to always get back on defense,” he says, “builds a foundation for future success.”

Of course, there is no ceiling for instilling confidence. Tapping into and honing existing strengths lets children maximize their game-day ability. For instance, a good trainer understands that increasing speed first requires the proper form before such an improvement translates into enhanced performance on the field.

“We’ll practice sports-like actions,” he says, like reading the nuances of a pitcher to know when to steal a base or learning how to slide.

Encompassed within all these x-factors, a trainer should also be attentive to improving coordination, which to some may seem like an impediment which cannot be overcome. “There’s no such thing as a kid who cannot be an athlete,” Serio says.

Proprioception, which gives a sense of relative position of neighboring body parts, is a key component to coordination and can be improved through balance and stability work. In turn, as the physical hurdles fall, a trainer can bring hand-eye coordination and other factors to align into one working system.

Still, finding a sport that best suits the abilities of a particular child can take time–especially if it is one not within the confines of “traditional” games. “Allow them to explore other sports,” he says, “and once they become comfortable with something,” he adds, “encourage them through and through.”

In the long, medium and short term,” Mr. Serio says, “have the child set realistic goals.” It sounds like a winning prescription for success.

Rich Monetti lives in Somers and works in the after school program at Mt. Kisco Childcare.