The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Assemblyman Buchwald on the NTSB Meeting to Determine the Cause of 2015 Valhalla Train Crash

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July 25, 2017 –The National Transportation Safety Board met today to determine the probable cause of the February 3, 2015 Train and Car Collision at a Grade Crossing in Valhalla, New York.

Statement from State Assemblyman David Buchwald: “The Valhalla crash claimed six lives; four were residents of my State Assembly district. Metro-North and the New York State DOT should unequivocally commit to implement the NTSB’s safety recommendations on as expeditious a schedule as feasible. The NTSB determinations are a sobering reminder of the need to constantly monitor our at-grade rail crossing safety warning systems, and vigorously enforce rail crossing safety laws.” 

“In the wake of the Valhalla tragedy, I sponsored the Rail Safety Act of 2016 in the State Assembly which was passed and signed by Governor Cuomo. The new law required increased Department of Transportation inspections of all traffic signals interconnected with at-grade rail crossing warning systems. To protect our citizens we must remain ever diligent in making certain safety systems at rail crossings are in perfect working order. Furthermore, we must continue to educate the public about rail crossing safety and make sure our law enforcement agencies are strictly enforcing our rail crossing safety laws.”

Assemblyman David Buchwald sponsored a law enacted in 2016 (Chapter 501 of the Laws of 2016) that required more stringent safety inspections at grade-level railroad crossings; aligned state requirements with federal regulations on railroad bridge inspections; and increased penalties on railroad companies that do not comply with various state laws and on drivers who commit railroad crossing violations. 

An Invite to Join Melissa Clark at a Literary Luncheon Benefit

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New York Times Food Writer and Prolific Cookbook Author Melissa Clark will be speaking at the Moderne Barn to benefit the Friends of the North Castle Public Library

Melissa Clark

Monday, November 13, 2017

Moderne Barn @ 11:30 a.m.

480 Bedford Road, Armonk, NY 10504

 TICKETS $85

ON SALE SEPTEMBER 27

http://www.friendsncpl.org  

Food writer and cookbook author MELISSA CLARK is staff reporter for the New York Times Food section, where she writes her popular column “A Good Appetite” and appears in a weekly cooking video series.  Melissa has written 38 cookbooks, including her latest, Dinner: Changing the Game. She had been honored with awards by the James Beard Foundation and IACP and selected for the Best Food Writing Series. Melissa is a regular guest on the Today Show and Rachel Ray.  She has also been a judge on Iron Chef America and a frequent guest host on the NPR radio show The Splendid Table and on The Leonard Lopate Show on WNYC.

Melissa will lead a discussion on her new book Dinner: Changing the Game with a question and answer period, plus a book signing. (Books will be available to purchase). The event will be held at Moderne Barn Restaurant in Armonk, NY featuring a three course luncheon, featuring a recipe from Melissa’s book, for $85.  Space is limited.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library Inc.  The Friends exists to help the Library achieve its maximum usefulness and benefit to the community as its informational and cultural center.  They create an awareness of the resources, educational and cultural programs and other activities made available to the North Castle community by the Library.  These resources, in turn, not only benefit North Castle and Westchester County, but also residents of neighboring towns and counties. The ARMONK OUTDOOR ART SHOW, currently in its 56th year, is also sponsored by the Friends–which will be held this year on September 23 & 24. 

The Melissa Clark luncheon is the 3rd speakers event in a series entitled Chefs are the New Rock Stars. Previous speakers included Ruth Reichl and Eric Ripert.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Donald Fagen & The Nightflyers at The Capitol Theatre: August 3 & 4!

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Donald Fagen –musician, composer, vocalist, producer, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, and co-founder of Steely Dan and The Dukes of September–has recruited a quartet of young musicians he’s been working with over the past few years to form a new band called the Nightflyers. At an exclusive August 3rd and August 4th performances at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York, Fagen and his band are expected to play songs from Donald’s solo albums, Steely Dan hits and as the Rock & Roll Hall Of Famer describes, “some swell surprises.” The Nightflyers features Connor Kennedy (guitar, vocals), Lee Falco (drums, vocals), Brandon Morrison (bass, vocals) and Will Bryant (keyboards, vocals). Visit The Capitol Theatre online for more info about this concern and other programming, and to purchase tickets: http://www.thecapitoltheatre.com/

 

Donald Fagen & The Nightflyers

About The Capitol Theatre:
Designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb in 1926 and listed in The National Register of Historic Places, the theatre is located approximately 30 miles from NYC, conveniently accessible by I-95 and only one block from the Port Chester Metro North train station. In its distinguished history, the 1,835-capacity theatre has hosted concerts by the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Derek and the Dominos, Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, David Bowie, Santana, Black Sabbath, Iggy Pop, and many more. Following a transformative renovation under the guidance of music entrepreneur Peter Shapiro (Brooklyn Bowl, Wetlands, Relix, U2 3D), the theatre reopened as a rock palace on Sep 4, 2012, with a performance by Bob Dylan and has since hosted everyone from Al Green and My Morning Jacket to Sleigh Bells and Morrissey. The New York Times raved, “a rock theater that looks and sounds as good as the Capitol is something to celebrate,” while Billboard agreed that “the lavishly decorated theater–filled with mirrors, chandeliers and painstakingly restored detail–looks absolutely stunning, and sounds even better.”

 

At 3rd Thursday: 35 Classic Cars Parade Proudly ‘Round Armonk Square

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Story and Photos by Grace Bennett

Anyone who came to take in Armonk’s Classic Cars Show–the highlight of Third Thursday festivities in and around Armonk Square–received a special treat. From the corner of Bedford Road and Main Street, 35 Classic Cars could be found circling a bunch of times around the main thoroughfares; there was friendly waving and thumbs up from area spectators, and just as often, waves back from proud and friendly owners seated behind old time (although some new, too) fun and funky wheels. I imagined they were feeling pretty groovy with all the fanfare.

“It started out with ten cars and grew quickly,” noted Neal Schwartz, the Chamber’s president. All the while, other festivities were in progress on the toasty Square, including arts and crafts for the kids, live music by Gilbert, information and complimentary refreshments from member merchants, and more. For more info, please visit armonkchamberofcommerce.com

On Thursday, July 20, it was really all about the cars. “It’s just a hobby like anything else,” suggested George Drapeau, who together with Robby Morris, pulled together the show on behalf of the Chamber. “The older you get, the more you can afford to maintain it. You know: Bigger boys, Bigger toys?” 

(L-R): Nancy Woodyard, Andy Block, and George Drapeau

And it seemed definitely such for Andy Block and his own special toy: a 1960 Red Cadillac, a “series 62 convertible,” he noted. Block, a 23 year resident of Armonk, generously shares his car too: he annually rides it in the town’s early winter Frosty parade and has offered rides in it “to ladies at events for the North Castle Historical Society.” His two kids, 23 & 21,  he said, are “used to their father’s hobby. They want me to get buried in it,” he quipped.

Save the date August 17th for 4th Thursday! 

 

 

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Chappaqua’s Streetscape Project: JULY 13

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Per the Town of New Castle: All are invited to attend a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Chappaqua Infrastructure and Streetscape Project. It will take place July 13, 10 a.m., at 200 South Greeley Avenue in Chappaqua.  “We are very excited to get started on this monumental project that will include replacement of critical infrastructure and new wider sidewalks, effective new spaces and charming details throughout Chappaqua’s downtown. More importantly, the Streetscape work will have new crosswalks and traffic/parking improvements that will make it safer for residents to walk around our downtown.” 

The project, town officials say, “will accomplish the much-needed repair, replacement and upgrading of critical infrastructure systems in our downtown business hamlet, including sanitary sewer, stormwater, water mains and roadways. 

In the Spring of 2015, the Town enlisted the services of the international engineering firm WSP. In the Summer of 2015,  a Streetscape Committee was formed chaired by New Castle Deputy Supervisor Adam Brodsky chaired. 

The committee was made up of members of the Architectural Review Board, Beatification Board, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, merchants, residents and Town staff. 

The Streetscape Committee met many times, including taking several field trips, giving serious consideration to the overall theme of the Hamlet with a goal toward making it as pedestrian friendly as possible and an eye toward being fiscally responsible with resident tax dollars. On May 9, 2017, the Town Board voted to award the Downtown Infrastructure/Streetscape Project to ELQ Industries, Inc., a construction company located in New Rochelle, NY.

The genesis of this project is for infrastructure replacement.  Nearly century old water mains are years beyond their design life of 75 years.  Sewer mains, installed over 50 years ago, are corroding from the outside in from sitting in acidic and unstable soil. This shift in the position of the main and manholes has contributed to the spike in sewer blockages which wreak havoc on our downtown businesses. This is evidenced by the pricing of the project–approximately 80% of the cost and over a hundred pages of plans are dedicated to the piping under the ground.  Some of the major Infrastructure elements:

  • Replacement of approx. 1,650 feet of 12-inch water main • Replacement of approx. 2,650 of 8 inch and 15-inch sewer mains • New storm water management systems along N. and S. Greeley to alleviate flooding • New Traffic signal at the intersection of King and Greeley with formalized crosswalks
  • The project also includes streetscape improvements: new lighting, sidewalks, curbing and landscaping. Residents can look forward to new wider sidewalks, attractive new public spaces, new crosswalks and traffic/parking improvements.
  • Some of the major Streetscape Elements: New Concrete Sidewalks with Brick Paver Trim • Decorative Brick Crosswalks • ADA Compliant Tactile Warning Surfaces • Bluestone in Public Gathering Areas • New Granite Curbing • Ornamental LED Lighting • New / Refinished Benches • Trash Receptacles • Fluted Bollards • Bicycle Racks • Seating Walls • Ornamental Fencing • Planter Boxes with Plantings • New Trees with Identification Plaques and Grates • Clock

The contract contains the following completion milestones that the Contractor must meet:

  • October 1, 2017 — Installation of new water system • October 1, 2017 — Installation of new sewer system north of Rite Aid on North Greeley Avenue • March 2, 2018 – Completion of all remaining sewer work in the Chappaqua Hamlet • November 20, 2018 — Completion of the entire project

The Town promises to minimize the disruption. Some residents are already experiencing this inconvenience with the preliminary gas line replacement work currently being done by Con Ed. To help mitigate these issues, the Town’s construction management firm, Boswell Engineering, will be located in our hamlet in the former EZ Sports space with a 24/7 presence.  Merchants are being kept informed of project scheduling, and how to stay safe during construction. Go to www.DowntownStrong.com to find out more about the project.  Residents can also sign-up for project updates.