The Inside Press

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Inside Press

Westchester County Seeks Nominations for First WOW Awards

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Committee Wants to Honor Extraordinary Women in the County

Celebrating the power, strength and independence of Westchester County women, members of County Executive George Latimer’s team formed a committee to pay tribute to local women and honor them for their contributions during the pandemic.

This year’s #WOWConversations makes a triumphant return, after being cancelled last year due to COVID-19. The discussion will now be held virtually, and the committee putting together the empowerment event is also seeking nominations for its first WOW Awards.

                        Watch this short video for information on how to nominate someone. 

County Executive George Latimer said: “Women have had to overcome obstacles in order to really seize the opportunity that’s not always available to them. WOW conversations allows for women to   exchange ideas and stories, and talk about shared experiences.”

Committee member Robi Schlaff, Director of the Westchester County Office for Women said: “When I think of the unbelievable contributions women in Westchester have made to the County in so many different fields from academics to education and philanthropy, I think this year, what we really wanted to do is celebrate that.”

The committee is seeking nominations in the following categories:

*Healing Hands: Highlighting health and wellness

*The Next Generation: Spotlighting women working with children in education or childcare

*Women Supporting Women: Showcasing a local woman who continues to lift others

*Community Response: Identifying women helping the community with basic needs like                  

  housing or food.

*Keeping the Faith: For women who have provided spiritual guidance

*Business: Featuring an outstanding businesswoman or entrepreneur

Shari Rosen Ascher, the County’s Director of Policy and Programs for Small Business and Chambers of Commerce said: “We want women to feel comfortable to speak up and speak out. Our committee was dedicated to coming up with creative ways to bring women together in a way to make them feel comfortable and included so we can continue to rise.”

Crystal Collins, the County’s Director of Faith Based Initiatives and Urban Affairs says winners will be recognized during the #WOWConversations virtual event which will bring together women of all backgrounds to discuss topics like leadership and business.

“With women taking on so many different positions and roles in the community, workplace and home,” Collins said, “…and when this crisis happened, we want to highlight what showed your strength?”

The nomination process is open now until February 28. Click this link to nominate someone.

Those nominating an ordinary woman doing extraordinary things are asked to submit a photo and short essay. The committee will later decide who the winners are and reveal them at the online event March 25.

“Celebrating women who have done so much in the County is such a positive thing in a year where we have evolved so much,” said Martha Lopez, the County’s Director of Minority Women’s Business Program and Immigrant Affairs, “I think it’s important that we celebrate these women who have stepped up to the plate.”

News Courtesy of the office of the Westchester County Executive

 

Worrisome Stats Point to Need to Discuss Cancer Screenings with Your Doctor

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MOUNT KISCO, NY– In conjunction with National Cancer Prevention Month this February and with declines in cancer screenings during the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Lev Davidson, director of Northwell Health’s Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), urges patients to discuss cancer screening with their physicians.       

Dr. Lev Davidson, director of Northwell Health’s Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH)

“Patients are putting off screenings until it’s potentially too late for effective treatment because the disease has advanced so far,” says Dr. Davidson. “This is an unnecessary tragedy.  While no two people have the same cancer risk, those at high risk due to heredity or other factors, should not delay screening.”

The downward trend in cancer screenings is worrisome. In 2020, the American Cancer Society’s statistics report noted a 29% decline in the cancer death rate between 1991 and 2017. Findings released in May by the Epic Health Research Network showed that preventive screenings for cervical, colon and breast cancer from a data set of 2.7 million patients declined between 86 and 94% in March 2020 compared with average volumes in the prior three years. As of summer of 2020, the National Cancer Institute predicted that declines in screenings for colon and breast cancer could result in 10,000 lives lost.

“Many people have postponed cancer screenings due to fears of contracting Coronavirus during a visit to a hospital or physician office,” says Dr. Davidson. “Certain cancers require in-person diagnostic tests, while others, such as colon cancer, may have an at home test kit option for people who are at low risk. There are now alternatives to screening that are better than not screening at all, and telehealth is an excellent option for having that discussion with your physician.

“The availability of virtual resources permits patients to talk to their physician to assess whether they need a cancer screening, or can safely postpone a screening and reassess later,” he adds, “Much of this depends on whether the screening is routine or whether there are symptoms and the nature of the symptoms. It is very important to have these discussions with your physician to assess the situation.”

Dr. Davidson advises that, “When you come to Northern Westchester Hospital for a screening, we have measures in place to assess your health before you arrive and to monitor you when you are here, as well as strict protocols that make patient visits safe.” 

NWH’s safety measures include thermal cameras for temperature checks, pre-screenings, social distancing, mask mandates, limited visitation, strict cleaning protocols, and spreading out patient appointments to limit waiting room traffic.

           For more information on the Northwell Health Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital, visit https://nwh.northwell.edu/cancer-institute

This News is Courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

 

Friends of Karen March 12 Benefit Magic Show!

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Join Friends of Karen virtually for this fun event for all ages from the comfort of your home with your family. It is sure to be a captivating evening and provide entertainment for the mind. Enjoy with friends who have a true passion for helping children! Be entertained by Asi Wind, a NYC based Corporate Mentalist (mind reader) who is one of magic’s most influential thinkers and performers. 

Since 1978 Friends of Karen has been providing emotional, financial and advocacy support for children with a life-threatening illness and their families to help keep them stable, functioning and able to cope.

To purchase a Sponsorship, Tickets, Host Opportunity, or Silver Screen ad, visit: https://marchmagic.friendsofkaren.org/

Two years ago, Friends of Karen celebrated its 40th Birthday.  https://www.theinsidepress.com/friends-of-karens-40th-birthday-celebration-at-rye-playland/

Harckham and Otis Introducing Bill to Create Emergency Small Business Grant Program

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Part of a Package of Legislation That Includes More Loans and Allow Tax Deferments

Albany, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblyman Steven Otis announced today that they are introducing legislation that will earmark up to $100 million of federal disaster relief funds sent to the state for an emergency small business grant program.

Sen. Pete Harckham with Nick Crecco, co-owner of Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac with his brother John Crecco, in the empty ballroom at the villa. Credit: Office of State Sen. Pete Harckham / Tom Staudter

“The financial situation for small businesses across the state right now is dire, and we cannot wait any longer to give them the help they need to survive,” said Harckham. “Giving businesses access to emergency grants so they can pay bills and remain open is a must. We asked them to ‘take one for the team,’ so to speak, and now we need to reciprocate with a level of assistance that ensures their viability and continuance.”

Otis added, “As we decide where to target pandemic business relief, we must prioritize small businesses that can survive but need a boost to keep the doors open until our economy recovers. At stake are local jobs and the small businesses that are vital to every community.”

The new bill (S.4688) would utilize a fraction of the next coronavirus pandemic disaster relief funds that Congress and the Biden / Harris administration are expected to disburse soon to the states; Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has requested that New York receive $15 billion.

Once the federal government sends the funding to New York, the new bill would then authorize a state agency to set up the parameters for the emergency small business grant program, focusing on those businesses that had been asked by the state to remain closed during the pandemic.

This new legislation is part of a package that includes two earlier introduced bills that will offer small businesses and not-for-profit organizations additional financial resources to help keep them afloat while they grapple with the financial devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The first bill, S.3406, will establish a state of emergency loan program and will also guarantee loan repayment to the certain financial institutions that eligible small businesses statewide have been turning to for help. The second bill, S.2993, will allow small businesses and small landlords to defer certain taxes during the Covid-19 declared state of emergency and permit installment payments later on.

Harckham and Otis noted that this legislative package will help ensure employment for countless New Yorkers. As the pandemic spread through New York last spring, it was mandated that residents stay at home unless their occupations were deemed essential and businesses across the state were temporarily closed. This has had a devastating effect on the state’s economy, impacting small business owners and their employees, as well as their vendors and other associated small businesses.

“I am not sure how much longer our business will be able to survive without substantial financial assistance,” said Nick Crecco, who is co-owner of Villa Barone Hilltop Manor in Mahopac with his brother John Crecco. “The emergency small business grant program will let us continue to hang on, which, in the long run, will benefit our employees, our guests and our community at large.”

John Crecco added, “We lost more than a year of event bookings, and now we need more help so we can fully re-open in the months ahead. This is a business we built up, and I’m optimistic that we can build it back up again. Thankfully, it looks like the help we need is on its way.”

This information is via a News Release from Senator Harckham’s office.

State Senator Pete Harckham represents New York’s 40th District, which includes the towns of Beekman, Pawling and the village of Pawling in Dutchess County; the towns of Carmel, Patterson and Southeast, and the village of Brewster in Putnam County; and the city of Peekskill, the towns of Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown, the town/village of Mount Kisco, and the villages of Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson, Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County. 

State Assemblyman Steve Otis represents New York’s 91st Assembly District, which includes Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, the City of Rye, the Town of Rye and the Village of Rye Brook.

 

Black History Month Events Taking Place in New Castle

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New Castle’s Council on Race and Equity (CRE) has announced programming for Black History Month events in collaboration with the New Castle Historical Society and the Chappaqua Library.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally established by educator and historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) in 1926, Black History Month as we currently know it began as Negro History Week, a week long celebration and opportunity to highlight the accomplishments and contributions of African Americans to our country as well as encouraging the study of African American history. 

In 1976, the celebratory week, anchored by the February birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, was extended to a full month and decreed to be observed nationally as Black History Month. 

This year, in continuing the 95 year tradition, the CRE states that it celebrates this year’s Black History Month theme of  “The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity”. The 2021 theme explores the rich and nuanced tapestry that is the Black family.

The CRE expressed its thanks to the Town of New Castle for the Black History Month proclamation, issued Tuesday, February 2, 2021., and shared the following events and programs, hosted by the Chappaqua Library and New Castle Historical Society, which will be occurring throughout the month of February.

The Chappaqua Library has several events planned celebrating Black History Month, including a teen lecture series on Mondays and an all ages concert featuring Karlus Trapp on Monday February 15. There is also a fantastic Art Lecture series occurring each Friday this month featuring Black artists. 

Details for all can be found on the Chappaqua Library events page. 

https://www.chappaqualibrary.org/events

The New Castle Historical Society is presenting African American Heritage Foodways in New York on Wednesday, February 10th 7PM –  Offering an opportunity to look at New York’s colonial period and ponder a different root to our food lineage, guided by culinary historian, Lavada Nahon.

Free. Registration is required. 

https://www.newcastlehs.org/event/online-lecture-african-american-foodways

CRE + Chappaqua Library program – Saturday, February 27th at 1PM, the CRE and Chappaqua Library will be presenting a co-sponsored Zoom presentation and discussion on exploring exploring racial issues in art in the Black and minority communities, featuring the work of Salman Toor from his first solo exhibition at the Whitney as well works on contemporary issues from the Whitney collection of Black artists. 

More information can be found on the Chappaqua Library events page. 

https://www.chappaqualibrary.org/events

Black History Month Read-Aloud with the CRE + Chappaqua Library Children’s room

The CRE has partnered with the Chappaqua Library Children’s room for a read-aloud series in honor of Black History Month! Every Thursday in February, both the CRE and the Chappaqua Library will be posting recordings of BIPoC New Castle community members (along with some of our very own CRE team leaders!) reading their favorite books aloud for a virtual storytime. 

A few of the titles you can expect to see (and hear!) throughout the month include Me & Mama written and illustrated by Cozbi A. Cabrer and Mae Among The Stars written by Roda Ahmed and illustrated by Stasia Burrington.

This week’s selection is A Gift for Amma written by Meera Sriram and illustrated by Mariona Cabassa is read by Johanna Nayyar!