The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Hope’s Door Partners with ‘Stop COVID-19’ Special Operations Group D

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Effort Helps the Northern Westchester Domestic Violence High Risk Reduction Team 

On Friday, May 29, Kevin Hansan, Pound Ridge Supervisor, Nicole Engel, Pound Ridge Director of Operations and Emergency Management, and Pound Ridge Police Chief David Ryan received and opened two pallets containing 500 protective face shields that were donated by Amcor, an international manufacturer of packaging solutions. Amcor, in an effort to support essential workers during a time of crisis, has repurposed one of its manufacturing sites to produce face shields. These shields, donated by the Amcor Flexibles North America Healthcare team, will be now used by police officers and emergency service providers throughout northern Westchester to enhance their protection against COVID-19.

Officer Tom Traudt, Pound Ridge Police Department; Chief David Ryan, Pound Ridge Police Department; Barbara Turk, Director of Development, Hope’s Door; Nicole Engel, Director Operations and Emergency Management, Pound Ridge; Kevin Hansan, Supervisor, Pound Ridge; and Cecily Tyler, Stop COVID 19 Special Operations Group.

The donation happened rapidly and is a testimony to how collaboration can have a true impact in a time of crisis. In April, Cecily Tyler, a member of Stop COVID-19 Special Operations Group (the “SOG”), reached out to Barbara Turk, Director of Development and Community Relations of Hope’s Door, to see how the SOG might help. Aware of the paucity of personal protective equipment for police officers and emergency service workers responding to domestic violence calls, Turk confirmed the demand for face shields with Janmarie Brown, Director of Community Services at Hope’s Door and a member of the Northern Westchester High Risk Reduction Team. Brown suggested Turk call Robi Schlaff of the Westchester County Office for Women, and Chief David Ryan of the Pound Ridge Police Department, to identify the best way these face shields could help county workers. The SOG reached out to Amcor, which was moved by the mission of the Westchester Domestic Violence High Risk Team, and organized the donation. Working together, they effected the delivery.

According to Chief of Police Dave Ryan, the incidence of violence in the home is on the rise during this pandemic.  The situation is dire, with victims and children trapped in their homes 24/7 with their abusers.  Chief Ryan recognizes the difficulties that victims face in seeking help while under such tight controls. “What we’re trying to do is work with our partners in government, other service providers, other law enforcement agencies, as well as domestic violence victims and survivors, to find new ways that victims can reach us for help,” he says.  “With these face shields, officers and emergency service providers who respond to domestic violence calls can now feel safer entering the premises with these face shields and their fabric masks. We are very grateful for the donation,” he added.

Lionel Charpentier, of Amcor, participating in the activity via Zoom from Chicago, said “You are doing great work, the thing we are doing here is helping you to do it more safely.”

“I am honored to be a part of this collaboration that is crossing state lines and service sectors and demonstrating both the altruistic spirit and determination to help as many communities as possible during this global pandemic,” said Tyler. 

Hope’s Door is a domestic violence agency located in Hawthorne, NY, whose mission is to end domestic violence and empower its victims to achieve safety, independence and healing from the trauma of abuse.  Hope’s Door has remained fully operational throughout the pandemic and the NYS PAUSE, with counselors and lawyers operating remotely and virtually. The Hope’s Door shelter operates 24/7/365, regardless of the pandemic or other external interruptions. Hope’s Door reopened their offices on Monday, June 8, 2020 after 12 weeks of working remotely.

The shields were made and shipped to Pound Ridge in Westchester County, NY by Amcor, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, home- and personal-care, and other products.

Stop COVID 19 Special Operations Group (the “SOG”) helped coordinate Amcor’s donation to the Westchester Domestic Violence High Risk Team. The SOG was started by a group of healthcare executives to accelerate the deployment of solutions and technologies against the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. Recent events have highlighted the tens of thousands of unseen front-line workers and volunteers that provide support to marginalized communities. Many of these heroes do not have the basic personal protective equipment. Stop COVID 19 Special Operations Group is focused on helping them complete their mission of improving the lives of others, critical in times like today.  Supporters of Stop COVID-19 SOG leading this initiative include Lorraine Marchand, Julia Monfrini Peev, Angela Rossetti, Maria Siambekos, Cecily Tyler and Michael Williams.

This news is courtesy of Hope’s Door.  Visit:  https://hopesdoorny.org/

 

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17th District Candidate Asha Castleberry-Hernandez Aims to Restore American Leadership

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Asha Castleberry-Hernandez

Asha Castleberry-Hernandez, 36, highlights her national security and foreign policy credentials as key strengths as a candidate for the 17th District Congressional seat. 

Castleberry-Hernandez joined the U.S. Army after the 9/11 attacks and was deployed to the Middle East in 2012, serving a 30-month deployment supporting U.S. Central Command in Iraq, Kuwait and Jordan.

In the Obama administration, she served as a special advisor at the State Department and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. She is now a Major in the US. Army Reserves.

Since Trump took office, Castleberry-Hernandez says she has seen American leadership on the global stage erode. She points to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord and pullback from nuclear non-proliferation efforts.

“I believe in American power. I believe that we should lead in the world,” she says. “When we pull out, Russia and China fill that vacuum. You are seeing that in Africa, you are seeing that even in the Middle East.”

At the same time, she stresses the need to “end these endless wars” and refocus spending towards addressing challenges at home.

Domestically, Castleberry-Hernandez says her top priority is addressing healthcare. She favors a public option as a pathway to an eventual single-payer plan, but believes that the latter is not affordable at this moment.

“If I could snap my fingers and give you Medicare for All, I would do it,” she explains. “We just don’t have the money to provide that right way.”

Overall, Castleberry-Hernandez’s domestic policy views skew towards the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. She supports a Green New Deal to reduce carbon emissions, reparations for descendants of slaves, the cancellation of student loan debt and a $15 minimum wage. She also favors repealing President Trump’s 2018 tax cuts and raising taxes for the top 5% of earners.

“I know what it feels like to live paycheck to paycheck,” she say. “I know what it is to face student loan debt.”

Along with raising taxes for high earners, Castleberry-Hernandez would look to end tax loopholes that these high earners use to lower their tax burden. She previously considered supporting a wealth tax, but says she researched the issue and believes it would not pass constitutional muster.

Castleberry-Hernandez now teaches Foreign Policy and Grand Strategy at Baruch College. She was previously a lecturer at Fordham University and taught at George Washington University in Washington D.C. She supports expanding STEM and believes community college should be free.

Castleberry-Hernandez lives in Elmsford with her husband, Vladimir, and their daughter Aaliyah.

“We need diversity in Congress,” she says. “We need more women. We need more people of color. We need more vets. We need more teachers like me.”

For more information visit www.ashaforcongress.com.

 

 

 

 

COVID-19 Antibody Testing Available at Northern Westchester Hospital’s Center for Healthy Living

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Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) has issued a release announcing the availability of serology COVID-19 antibody testing for community members living in the villages, towns (and hamlets within the towns) of:  Armonk, Bedford, Chappaqua, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, Pleasantville, Somers, North Salem, Yorktown, Pound Ridge, and Mt Pleasant. In order to accommodate the local community with minimal wait times and to maintain appropriate social distancing guidelines, all individuals coming for a test must be pre-registered and will be expected to wear a mask. In compliance with NY State Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, effective immediately and through July 31, antibody testing is available at:

Center for Healthy Living

480 South Bedford Road, Chappaqua, New York, 10514

Located in Chappaqua Crossing – Next to Whole Foods. Ample Parking

Hours of Operation:

Antibody testing will be offered Monday through Friday between 7am and 3pm through July 31st.  You can come anytime during this designated time period.

Pre-registration is required 24 hours in advance and can be completed at https://bit.ly/3dFyuSG

Upon arrival please bring:

  • A copy of your confirmation email (from pre-registration). No prescription is needed but pre-registration is required.
  • A copy of your insurance card (copayments are waived)
  • Please know that you will be asked screening questions and will be masked upon entry per NYS regulation

Information about Antibody Testing:

What is serology (antibody) testing? After a simple blood draw, the antibody test may determine whether or not people who have been previously infected or exposed to COVID-19 have antibodies in their blood. Antibodies are proteins in the blood made by one’s immune system that help fight infection.

What does a negative result mean? Negative means that COVID-19 antibodies were not detected in your blood. Most commonly, this indicates you have not been infected with the COVID-19 virus. A negative result does not rule-out early or recent infection and antibody testing should not be used to diagnose COVID-19 infection.

What does a positive result mean? A positive result indicates that you have COVID-19 antibodies in your blood. This means you have been exposed to COVID 19 and developed antibodies. At this point scientists are unsure how detected antibodies impact immunity and protect against re-infection.  Therefore, it is important to note that regardless of your test result, it is essential that you continue to adhere to the Governor’s Executive Order and the New York State Department of Health guidelines for masking, social distancing and hand washing.

Why participate? Scientists are still working to understand many things about COVID-19, like how it travels from person to person, why it affects people differently, if it is a seasonal disease (meaning it can come back year after year like the flu), and if people can be infected again. That’s why these efforts are so important for you, your family and the community as a whole.

Reminder- Pre-registration is required 24 hours in advance and can be completed at https://bit.ly/3dFyuSG.

Participants will receive a confirmation email after successful pre-registration.  Please note that pre-registration takes 24 hours to be processed so please plan accordingly so there are no delays when you arrive for your test. 

Testing continues to be available for first responders and essential workers who live or work in the towns served by NWH and for family members of NWH staff.

Why participate? Scientists are still working to understand many things about COVID-19, like how it travels from person to person, why it affects people differently, if it is a seasonal disease (meaning it can come back year after year like the flu), and if people can be infected again. That’s why these efforts are so important for you, your family and the community as a whole.

Reminder- Pre-registration is required 24 hours in advance and can be completed at https://bit.ly/3dFyuSG.

Participants will receive a confirmation email after successful pre-registration.  Please note that pre-registration takes 24 hours to be processed so please plan accordingly so there are no delays when you arrive for your test. 

Testing continues to be available for first responders and essential workers who live or work in the towns served by NWH and for family members of NWH staff.

News and photo courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

 

On Call Stylist Asia Dent Offers Organic ‘Farm to Table Hair Products’ & On Trend Salon Services

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By Asia Dent

I am a Northern Westchester based hairstylist who works exclusively with a line of certified organic, ammonia free, cruelty free, fair trade, farm-to-table hair care products. Simply Organic Beauty is a line of biodynamic, ecofriendly hair care and hair color products that are made on a state of the art biodynamic /organic farm in Bologna Italy. As a hairstylist with over 20 years of experience and former salon owner, I have worked with a plethora of hair care lines. With the ever growing concerns regarding climate change and our carbon footprint I have researched the trends in the beauty industry and believe that the farm to chair approach of this company is right in step with today’s consumers desire to incorporate organic beauty products into their ever expanding green lifestyle choices. As a resident of Bedford Village for over a decade I support the Bedford 2020 campaign I am thrilled to be able to offer a service that is in line with the ethos of conservation and green living.

As the former owner of Lift Hair Studio, a boutique salon in Astoria, Queens I have seen firsthand how the trends in the beauty industry continue to evolve to satisfy the needs of clients that want to use products that are healthier for their hair. In my search to source the best products for my clients, I have continued to raise the bar for myself by attending seminars, taking classes with the leading industry brands and going to trade shows to stay abreast of the newest techniques and hair care lines. 

I chose Simply Organic Beauty because amongst other things, the products have been formulated in the pursuit of the health and wellness of both stylist and their clients. Ultimately what you put on our scalp and skin is as important to your health and wellness as what you eat. It is my wish to harmonize the health and beauty of my clients by offering these amazing products, which have replaced the harsh and harmful chemicals found in traditional salon products with certified organic ingredients, rich nutrients, amino acids, and essential oils that leave my clients hair looking and feeling healthy, vibrant and beautiful!

Salon North

I am currently a mobile hairstylist that specializes in customized color, precision haircuts, keratin treatments, on trend blowouts and special event styling. I offer my services at private homes, offices and special event venues as well as a private one-on-one salon in Bedford. In my work as a hairstylist I have also made it a point to give back to the community and have donated my time and talents to help families at risk, people suffering with life threatening illnesses and families of incarcerated women, as reported in local media.

Lastly, as the Covid pandemic has altered not only our lives but the way we will conduct our businesses going forward and in an attempt to provide my clients with safe, professional and best in class services, I have recently received a Barbicide Covid-19 certificate. This certification ensures clients that I have been trained in all of the latest disinfection and sterilization procedures and will utilize completely sanitized tools throughout every service. 

To book an appointment, call 646-592-3306. Follow @AsiaDent on Instagram, and visit www.salonnorthhair.com

On the Precipice: Choosing to End Your Marriage AND Preserve Your Family

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And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

Anais Nin (quoted in Broken Open: How Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow by Elizabeth Lesser)

Well darkness has a hunger that’s insatiable
And lightness has a call that’s hard to hear
I wrap my fear around me like a blanket
I sailed my ship of safety ’til I sank it
I’m crawling on your shores

The Indigo Girls, Closer to Fine

By Neil Kozek, Esq. and Michelle Lewis, Esq.

No matter how we feel about our marriage, choosing to divorce can be terrifying. Remaining in an intact nuclear family is a source of tremendous comfort, providing stability, certainty, and social acceptance that may feel impossible to replicate outside its confines.

On the other side of divorce, we may be unable to imagine that an exciting, rewarding, or happy new life awaits us. While that new life may present opportunities to realize our most desired and passionate dreams for ourselves, the fear of the unknown may also be a source of mystery and anxiety. Peering over the edge of our known lives, we may only be capable of seeing darkness. Should we jump into the icy waters of the unknown? Or should we stay in our lives, unfulfilled, but safe? 

There is something about ending our marriage that frightens us to our core: if we are not a member of our family unit, not someone’s wife or husband, then who are we? If we do not share a home with our children every day of their childhoods, are we still a full-fledged parent? The prospect of divorce may fill us with shame and guilt as well as uncertainty.

Another obstacle to making the decision to divorce is our fear of the divorce process itself. We have all known or heard about family, friends, and even celebrities who have been consumed by their divorces, their lives going up in bitter flames of hate, judgment, and disgrace. We have heard the cautionary tales about attorneys who prey on vulnerable clients, promising them the sun, the moon and the stars, and their spouse’s head on a spit, only to leave them alienated from their own children, broke, and bereft. Sometimes it feels like even the most uncomplicated divorces become unnecessarily nasty, expensive, and protracted.

A traditional divorce process can give the more monied spouse the ability to exercise financial control by withholding support, transferring or wasting assets, and engaging in soul crushing litigation over every issue. Likewise, it can give the primary caregiver of the children the opportunity to play the role of victim, persuading the children that the other parent is selfish, cruel, or even dangerous. These fears are not unfounded, and many families unwittingly find themselves crushed and broken by the powerful tides of divorce litigation.

We have all heard that children whose parents are divorced come from “broken” homes. Parents who are divorced are “single” parents. The prevalent images in our culture surrounding divorced families are images of sad and unsupervised children, torn between embittered, frazzled and lonely parents. It is common knowledge that these children are at risk for educational, social, and emotional distress and failure to reach their potential. Who would choose this for their children? Persuaded by these pervasive images and beliefs, it is understandable that many unhappy couples have decided that the price of personal freedom at the potential expense of their children’s wellbeing is too high. Staying married seems to be the safest course.

Divorce, however, does not have to extract this kind of cost. Not only can you eschew the highly adversarial litigation process; if you and your spouse are aligned, you can preserve your family and protect your children’s wellbeing. Closing the door on the chapter of your lives in which you lived under one roof is certainly painful and sad, but it is not the end of your family’s story. As one door closes, a new one opens, and you and your spouse can begin a new chapter as co-parents in separate homes who support one another and coordinate your children’s care with maturity and respect.

The first and most important step is to have a frank discussion with your spouse about your decision to end the marriage and your goal of doing so in an out of court process that preserves and strengthens your ability to parent your children together. If you can agree on these goals, then the next step for each of you is finding and selecting an attorney who understands and supports your goals. Look for attorneys trained in collaborative divorce or mediation, as they will have the necessary tools, techniques, skills, commitment, and experience to help you restructure your family without destroying one another or your children.

In collaborative divorce, you and your spouse will meet with your attorneys and often will work as part of a team with a financial neutral and a trained mental health professional. Collaborative divorce may appeal to you if you want to have an attorney safeguarding your interests in the room during negotiations, if your finances are complex and the knowledge you and your spouse have about the finances is unequal, or if you feel that overwhelmingly strong emotions might derail a settlement without the assistance of a trained professional.

In mediation, you and your spouse will typically meet with a mediator who does not represent either of you but is trained to facilitate dialogue concerning your interests and to assist you in generating and choosing the best options to settle your case. Mediation is particularly well suited to couples who share financial information, have comparable levels of financial sophistication, and have some reservoir of trust in one another. It can also be an excellent choice for couples who substantially agree on parenting issues or whose children are grown. Be mindful that mediated agreements should always be reviewed by independent attorneys for each spouse. In either process, trust is going to be an important factor.

So as you stand uncomfortably on what may feel like the precipice of a high cliff, whipped by the winds of indecision as to whether to leave your marriage, know that if you decide to plunge, you do not have to be shattered on the rocks or tossed by the frothy waves below. If you and your spouse choose your attorneys and your divorce process wisely, you can successfully separate with dignity and respect, your relationships with your children intact and your finances preserved.

Mr. Kozek is a litigator, collaborative attorney, and founding member of Kramer Kozek LLP, a boutique Matrimonial Law Firm practicing in suburban and metropolitan New York City. He is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), a pioneer of New York’s trend toward out-of-court dispute resolution which includes founding the New York Association of Collaborative Professionals (NYACP )and serving on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals (IACP). Mr. Kozek has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America, Top 25 attorneys in Westchester County, and is rated “AV” by Martindale Hubble as pre-eminent in both ethical standards and legal ability. He lectures and has written extensively on the topics of divorce, Collaborative Practice and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).

Ms. Lewis is also a member of Kramer Kozek LLP where she concentrates her practice exclusively on Matrimonial and Family Law matters, focusing on Collaborative Divorce, Mediation, Mediation Review and Litigation. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the NYACP. Ms. Lewis began her career in ADR while focusing on Family Law and earning her Juris Doctorate from Harvard University prior to joining Kramer Kozek.  Ms. Lewis recently received accolades for her pro bono service to separated and divorcing spouses from the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley. Ms. Lewis has been practicing law since 1998.

Mr. Kozek and Ms. Lewis are both active members of the Family Law Sections of multiple bar associations including the Westchester County, Westchester County Women’s, American and the New York and New Jersey State Bar Associations. Both have been recognized for their achievements in Collaborative and Family Law by New York Metro Super Lawyers.

For additional information about Neil and Michelle or to learn more about Kramer Kozek LLP, their website is kramerkozek.com and the firm’s main number is 914-683-3500.