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Inside Press

Plans for County’s March 3 Covid Commemoration: “One Year Later”

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 In the lobby of the Michaelian Office Building where the County’s “Ribbons of Remembrance” memorial now stands, County Executive George Latimer will host a commemoration of the County’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. To date, Westchester County has lost over 2,000 lives to the virus. The commemoration will take place on Wednesday, March 3 beginning at 11 a.m. To watch live, tune into www.facebook.com/WestchesterGov.

Latimer said: “What today is about is remembering those we have lost not as merely an integer or statistic, but as human beings and the valued members of our community that they were. While in this last year we have rallied together in so many ways,, it is imperative we also take time to grieve and heal together.”

The solemn event will begin at 11a.m. with an interfaith prayer service lead be Father Luke Hoyt from Holy Innocents Catholic Church, Rabbi Annie Tucker from Temple Israel Center and Imam Shaffieq Chace from Islamic Center of New Rochelle.

Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Westchester residents are strong, resilient and also compassionate people.  One year later, we commemorate those we have lost and honor those who worked so hard to keep us safe.”

 

Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler said: “One year ago, all of our lives changed forever. I am proud of the work of my department, and health care workers county-wide, as we faced this crisis of unprecedented proportions.”

The prayers will be followed by remarks from Latimer and other invited guests, poems read by the County’s Poet Laureate B.K. Fischer and the County’s Youth Poet Laureate Danielle Kohn and a musical interlude from a string quartet made up of students and faculty from White Plains High School. 

Following the program at 12p.m., Latimer will lead the County in a moment of silence remembering those we have lost.

This commemoration will continue again later in the evening when Latimer will lead a County-wide applause for health care workers in recognition of the life-saving, stress-filled work they have done during these tumultuous times.

On Wednesday, March 3, Latimer will also direct flags at all County facilities to be flown at half-staff in honor of the over 2,000 Westchester residents who have died from COVID-19.

News courtesy of the Office of the Westchester County Executive

Governor Cuomo Announces $25 Million in Additional Funding for Nourish New York

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States Goal is to Deliver New York-Produced Agricultural Products to Families in Need Through July

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced an additional $25 million has been directed to New York’s network of food banks and emergency food providers to support the Nourish New York program through July 2021. Since the Governor launched Nourish NY at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, 21 million pounds of surplus agricultural products have been purchased from New York farmers and delivered to more than 1.3 million households in need across New York State. Purchasing and food distribution using this third round of funding – which was first announced during the Governor’s 2021 State of the State Address – are currently underway. Since the launch of Nourish NY, a total of $60 million has been invested in the program. 

“New York is on the path to recovery from the pandemic, but there is a continued need to assist families and our farmers across the state who are still struggling,” Governor Cuomo said. “Since its launch last spring, the Nourish New York initiative has had incredible success in connecting our agricultural producers with food banks in every corner of the state to bring fresh local foods to families in need. This third round of funding will help ensure that no New Yorker goes hungry and households have access to nutritious foods – while also supporting New York’s agricultural economy.”

The Nourish New York program provides funds to New York’s food banks and emergency food providers, who then purchase agricultural products from New York farmers and dairy manufacturers and deliver the food to families in need. Emergency food providers can use Nourish New York funds to:

  • Set up food-drive through events/giveaways;
  • Distribute dairy vouchers that can be redeemed in grocery stores for products like cheese, yogurt, milk, sour cream, and butter, throughout the state, and/or;
  • Purchase products directly from New York dairy/food manufacturers for their feeding programs.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers experienced a drastic supply chain shift, which resulted in the loss of markets and income and in the waste of fresh surplus foods, particularly fluid milk. Simultaneously, the demand for food through emergency food providers escalated across the state. Seeing the opportunity to feed residents and aid farmers, the Governor launched the Nourish New York initiative. This initiative provided $25 million in funding for the first round and $10 million in the second round of the program for the purchase of foods grown, raised, or processed in New York State and has served as an important alternative revenue stream for farmers and dairy processors during the pandemic.  More than 4,150 farms have been impacted through the program.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Over the last 10 months, the Nourish New York program has helped feed more than one million families with nutritious dairy, fruits and vegetables, and so much more, and helped make sure our farmers had a market for their products. We are proud of the connections that have been made and thank the Governor for the continued commitment to purchase goods from New York State farmers and ensure that all New Yorkers have access to healthy foods.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, “Throughout the pandemic, resources for many have been stretched due to job loss and other hardship.  Nourish New York, an example of the Health Across All Policies initiative, allows food banks and farmers to fill a vital public health need by ensuring that the nutritious foods that keep us healthy are reaching the tables of families who need it the most.” 
Feeding New York State Executive Director Dan Egan said, “Nourish New York has enabled our food banks to provide top-quality New York-origin food to our neighbors in need. It has strengthened the relationships between food banks and farmers. We applaud Governor Cuomo for recognizing that this program needs to continue.”

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher said, “This additional funding for Nourish NY is good news for many farmers and low-income people who are still dealing with fallout from the pandemic. The program has coordinated a pathway to move food from farms to food banks in every region of the state, compensating farmers for their products and reducing food waste at the same time. It has proven to be a lifeline for people in need, and we thank Governor Cuomo for continuing the program.”

The Nourish New York initiative has been led by a special task force created by Governor Cuomo, which includes:

  • Kelly Cummings, Director of State Operations and Infrastructure
  • Richard Ball, Commissioner of Agriculture
  • Rossana Rosado, Secretary of State
  • Karim Camara, Executive Director of the Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services
  • Fran Barrett, Director of Non-Profits
  • Mike Hein, Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

News release courtesy of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Office

Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc to Host An ‘Outregis’ Auction March 24

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MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. –  A collection of television history crosses the block at The Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc. in its Red Carpet auction Wednesday, March 24, at 10 am, when it offers items donated by the family of the late Regis Philbin. The longtime TV host was once dubbed the hardest working man in show business and given the “outregis” nickname by  longtime colleague Kathie Lee Gifford.

Signed celebrity memorabilia highlights include this lot of three items relating to Jerry Seinfeld ($200-$1,500) with a candid photo of Regis and Seinfeld, a Seinfeld-signed copy of Seinfeld The Coffee Table Book along with a coffee book table in the shape of a book.

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1953 and serving in the U.S. Navy, Philbin (1931-2020) began an illustrious career in television. He started out as a page for the Tonight Show before getting his big break as Joey Bishop’s sidekick on The Joey Bishop Show. It was here working with Bishop that Philbin said he learned how to interview people and set him on his path as a TV show host. Holding a Guinness world record for the most hours on U.S. television, he is best known for co-hosting a syndicated morning talk show, Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, which started in 1983 in New York and syndicated nationally five years later. Philbin retired from the show in 2011, which continued with other co-hosts. He died in July 2020 and the items in this auction came from his Greenwich, Conn. estate.

“His family donated much of Regis’s cherished memorabilia and objects, ranging from awards, posters, books and photographs to Letterman jackets. The collection of nearly 200 items really shares the story of his life and career,” said Pam Stone, owner and founder of The Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc. “Regis was raised in the Bronx and spent most of his career in New York so it’s absolutely fitting that these items are being sold to benefit the Bronx Food Bank.”

In his career, Philbin met and worked with a slew of well known personalities and owned several signed items relating to them. An auction highlight is a lot of three items relating to Jerry Seinfeld ($200-$1,500) including a candid photo of the two, a Seinfeld-signed copy of Seinfeld The Coffee Table Book  along with a coffee book table in the shape of a book.

Other celebrity memorabilia includes a poster depicting Philbin with comic Don Rickles ($100-300) when the two did a show together and a Burt Reynolds-signed Golden Gloves poster ($100-500) inscribed “Regis / So I told you I was a contender…”

This elegant blue glass award made in Poland ($200-600) is inscribed “A Giant Of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts, Regis Philbin,” presented by the Library of American Broadcasting in 2014.
Presented to Regis Philbin by WWE’s Vince McMahon is a WWE champion belt ($100-500) in its original box commemorating Monday Night Raw’s 1,000th episode in 2012.

Several of Philbin’s many awards are on offer, including an elegant blue glass award made in Poland ($200-600), inscribed “A Giant Of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts, Regis Philbin” presented by the Library of American Broadcasting in 2014 and an American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial Award ($300-600).

Jackets, especially Letterman style ones, relating to his TV career or his years at Notre Dame are on offer, including a 2002 Golden Bear Letterman jacket ($100-300) for Worldwide Pants Incorporated, the production company founded by David Letterman. Also represented in the sale are his Adidas Letterman jacket, marked ND Irish ($100-300) and a 1953 Notre Dame Champion windbreaker ($100-300).

Graduating Notre Dame was a source of pride and Philbin’s mementos here range from a signed Notre Dame digital print by Kathleen Keifer ($100-300) and a signed piece of wood art of the Fighting Irish mascot, by Erik Warren ($50-200) to a Notre Dame vs Navy football ($50-100) inscribed with his name from Oct. 31, 1992 along with other sporting items, a commemorative dish and desktop accessories.

Philbin was a big fan of sports entertainment, especially WWE wrestling and often had wrestlers on his show like The Destroyer and Hulk Hogan. In 2012, WWE chairman Vince McMahon presented Regis with a WWE champion belt to commemorate Monday Night Raw’s 1,000th episode ($100-500).

The monthly Red Carpet sales feature collections of antique, Midcentury Modern, brand furnishings, sterling, china, crystal, jewelry and fine art. With a mission of  “to donate, to discover and to do good,” the foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit and auction proceeds support community organizations. Consignors get a tax deduction, the buyer gets a great deal and local non-profits get much needed funds.

The auction gallery is at 185 Kisco Ave, Suite 201. For more information, https://www.thebenefitshop.org or 914-864-0707.

News courtesy of the Benefit Shop Foundation.

UJA-Federation of New York’s 2021 Westchester Women’s Symposium

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Turning ideas into action: That was the core message of UJA-Federation of New York’s 2021 Westchester Women’s Symposium on Wednesday, February 24, 2021. Local female thought leaders addressed an audience of more than 200 about the passions they pursued in order to create an impact in their communities.

In the panel “Building Bridges and Fighting Hate,” Atiya Aftab and Annette Rotter, of The Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom, discussed their commitment to building relationships between Muslim and Jewish women. Alexandra Rosenberg and Stacey Saiontz, of the Town of New Castle Holocaust & Human Rights Committee and E.N.O.U.G.H – Educate Now On Understanding Genocide And Hate, talked about their work to educate local children and create community awareness about the Holocaust. The panel was moderated by UJA’s Hindy Poupko.

The panel “Advocating for the Vulnerable” featured Cindy Kanusher, Esq. of PACE Women’s Justice Center, Robi Schlaff, Esq. of Westchester County Office for Women, and Judy Siegel, Esq. of Pro Bono Partnership speaking on their legal and advocacy work to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and to support nonprofits that serve vulnerable populations. The panel was moderated by Beth Goldman of New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).

UJA’s event chairs were Michele Gregson, Giselle Weissman, and Nicky Ziman.

About UJA-Federation of New York 

Working with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, UJA extends its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 4.5 million people each year. To date, UJA has allocated $64 million to help respond to the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Aid has supported New Yorkers facing food insecurity, UJA partner organizations providing essential health and human services to New Yorkers, Jewish Community Centers, low-income students, single parents, and ensuring dignified Jewish burials. For more information, please visit www.ujafedny.org.

 

News courtesy of the UJA-Federation of New York

Governor’s Update on State Vaccination Program

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This update about the State’s vaccination program is via a release from the Governor’s Office:

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state’s vaccination program. As of 11 a.m, today, New York’s health care distribution sites have administered 96 percent of first doses received for week 1-9 first doses. The week 10 allocation from the federal government is beginning to arrive in New York State, and New York’s health care distribution sites have administered 85 percent of doses so far delivered. 

Approximately 10 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but New York’s vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.   

“New Yorkers have been doing their part to keep the infection rate down, and we’re continuing to do everything we can to get shots into arms as quickly and fairly as possible,” Governor Cuomo said. “It’s working – we’ve made it past the post-holiday surge and our numbers continue to go down every day – but our issue remains lack of federal supply. With new leadership in Washington we are now expecting another increase in doses for week 11, allowing us to vaccinate even more New Yorkers every week and bringing us one step closer to winning this war and becoming the first COVID-free state.”   

A screening tool, Am I Eligible?, https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ has been updated for individuals with comorbidities and underlying conditions with new appointments released on a rolling basis over the next weeks. Starting next week, local health departments will also receive vaccine allocations for these individuals. New Yorkers can use the following to show they are eligible:

  • Doctor’s letter, or
  • Medical information evidencing comorbidity, or
  • Signed certification 

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state’s vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government’s Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows. Beginning week 9, allocation totals are inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program. The allocation totals below include 40 percent of the week 10 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday. 

To date, New York’s health care distribution sites have administered 96 percent of first doses received from the federal government for weeks 1-9 but due to the federal government’s limited allocation, appointments have filled up quickly. New Yorkers seeking to determine eligibility and schedule an appointment at a state-run mass vaccination site, can visit the ‘Am I Eligible’ website. New Yorkers may also call their local health department, pharmacy, doctor, or hospital for additional information and to schedule appointments where vaccines are available. 

The COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker Dashboard is available to update New Yorkers on the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The New York State Department of Health requires vaccinating facilities to report all COVID-19 vaccine administration data within 24 hours; the vaccine administration data on the dashboard is updated daily to reflect the most up-to-date metrics in the state’s vaccination effort. 

New Yorkers who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process can now call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at STOPVAXFRAUD@health.ny.gov. Hotline staff will route complaints to the appropriate investigative agencies to ensure New Yorkers are not being taken advantage of as the State works to vaccinate the entire eligible population.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received – 2,335,250

First Doses Administered – 2,109,690; 90%

Second Doses Received – 1,284,300

Second Doses Administered – 984,100  

 

Region Total Doses Received

(1st and 2nd)

 Total Doses Administered

(1st and 2nd)

 % of Total Doses Administered/Received

(1st and 2nd)
Capital Region 228,670 189,524 83%
Central New York 191,470 166,654 87%
Finger Lakes 216,700 193,038 89%
Long Island 452,000 393,401 87%
Mid-Hudson 340,370 270,048 79%
Mohawk Valley 103,685 83,321 80%
New York City 1,617,410 1,365,944 84%
North Country 116,705 107,786 92%
Southern Tier 114,075 105,394 92%
Western New York 238,465 218,680 92%
Statewide 3,619,550 3,093,790 85%
 

 

 1st doses fully delivered to New York for Healthcare Distribution Sites 2nd doses fully delivered to New York for Healthcare Distribution Sites TOTAL CUMULATIVE
Week 1

Doses arriving 12/14 – 12/20

 90,675 0 90,675 N/A
Week 2

Doses arriving 12/21 – 12/27

 392,025  0 392,025 482,700
Week 3

Doses arriving 12/28 – 01/03

 201,500  0 201,500 684,200
Week 4

Doses arriving 01/04 – 01/10

 160,050 90,675 250,725 934,925
Week 5

Doses arriving 01/11 – 01/17

 209,400 45,825 255,225 1,190,150
Week 6

Doses arriving

01/18- 01/24

 250,400 428,100 678,500 1,868,650
Week 7

Doses arriving

01/25 – 01/31

 250,400 160,450 410,850 2,279,500
Week 8

Doses arriving

02/01 – 02/07

 320,525 208,800 529,325 2,808,825
Week 9

Doses arriving

02/8 – 02/14

 317,700 244,500 

 

 

 

 

 562,200 3,371,025
Week 10

Doses arriving

2/15 –  
2/21*

 142,575 105,950   248,525 3,619,550