The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Chance to View Beautiful Works at Seven Bridges Annual Art Gala: May 31

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“Middle School Students’ Art Reminiscent of NYC Gallery Openings”

Wait, Are we in West Chelsea? Seeing art lovers move through gallery spaces holding sparkling champagne while admiring paintings, sculptures, video and installation, you would think that we were in the West Chelsea Gallery District. In reality, the art lovers are Seven Bridges Middle School students ages 11 – 14 holding sparkling apple cider as they discuss the virtuosity of a string ensemble, the contents of a literary magazine and naturally, the VISUAL ARTS. 

For the last six years, Seven Bridges Middle School has put together an Annual Art Gala reminiscent of NYC gallery openings. Conceived by art professionals who also happened to be moms, this PTA-sponsored event brought the West Chelsea Gallery scene to the Chappaqua community. Six years since its inception, it is still going strong!

The sixth annual Seven Bridges art gala opening this year will take place May 31, 7:30-8:30 p.m!

Music Conservatory to Celebrate its Own Along with Stars at Golf & Tennis Classic

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White Plains Board VP and Hawthorne Student Set to Shine at Fundraising Event



WHITE PLAINS — On June 26, the Music Conservatory of Westchester will hold a star-studded awards dinner following its 16th Annual Golf & Tennis Classic (16th Annual Golf and Tennis Classic) featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame icon Darlene Love and Academy Award-nominated actor Chazz Palminteri. Yet, it’s two members within the not-for-profit community music school’s community who arguably might be the biggest stars of the show.

Larry Keiser

Laurence Keiser, who joined the Conservatory’s board in 2000 and currently serves as its Vice President, will receive the White Plains’ organization’s Distinguished Leadership Award for his years of service.  “He is incredibly generous in every way, supporting our mission, serving as Vice President, and connecting us to important community resources,” Jean Newton, the organization’s executive director, said.

“My philosophy may differ from that of some of my fellow board members, but we respect each other’s positions for the good of the Conservatory. I greatly respect the talents and dedication of those with whom I work,” Keiser said.

And while he’s “humbled” by receiving the honor, the White Plains resident stressed.

Alice

“I don’t do what I do for recognition. I do it out of love of music and this institution.”

Speaking of a love of music, Alice Cabral of Hawthorne will also have a big night on June 26. The 12-year-old voice student has shared her love of music with the Conservatory, and has honed her skills there since 2013. She will be the first recipient of the Darlene Love Vocal Scholarship that evening.

“Our Scholarship Program breaks down financial barriers, giving every student a chance to fulfill their musical dreams,” Newton said.  “Alice exemplifies this – she’s a dedicated, talented student and a wonderful young person.  We’re so proud of her.”

So is Alice’s mom Elsa Cabral. 

“It is an honor and a privilege to receive this scholarship under the name of Darlene Love. Alice is a very capable girl, she is persistent and responsible. I always tell her that with hard work, she can make her dreams come true.”

She continued, “I extend my thanks to the Music Conservatory. Thank you very much for believing in her and giving her this great opportunity.”


Chazz-Gianna-Palminteri
Darlene Love

Keiser and Cabral are part of a big evening for the Conservatory. Love will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for her career in the arts. Chazz and wife Gianna will receive the Arts Achievement and Community Leadership Award for their extensive film and theatre credits, charitable work, and arts advocacy.

Performances by Tony-celebrated artists will follow the awards ceremony.  Two-time Tony nominee Constantine Maroulis will emcee and perform along with Tony nominees Robert Cuccioli and Mary Bridget Davies. Tony winner Adriane Lenox will also perform.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the school’s Music Therapy Institute, which provides music programs for those with special needs, its Healing Our Heroes program which provides music therapy for returning military veterans, and its Scholarship program for low-income students.

To purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit www.mcwevents.org For more information or to schedule an interview with any of the honorees or performers, please contact Noah or Andrew at Endless Staircase at staircaseconsulting@gmail.com.

Horace Greeley High School Junior Victoria Xu Wins 2017 Congressional Art Competition

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Millwood Student to travel to Washington, DC, meet with Congresswoman Lowey, and have art displayed in U.S. Capitol

 Runners up from Pearl River, Tappan and Yorktown Heights

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that Victoria Xu, a junior at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua is the winner of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition for New York’s 17th Congressional District. Victoria’s acrylic on canvas, “Tonight on the Metro,” was judged to be first of 22 entries.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey with first place winner Victoria Xu together with (L-R): Daly Flanagan, Acting Director at Rockland Center for the Arts in West Nyack; Eileen MacAvery Kane, Instructor and Director of the Graphic Design Program at Rockland Community College in Suffern; and Carole Perry, Artistic Director and Curator at the Edward Hopper House Art Center in Nyack.

“I congratulate Victoria on winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Lowey. “I’m proud that her outstanding artwork, ‘Tonight on the Metro,’ will represent New York’s 17th Congressional District in the United States Capitol, where millions of visitors may see it.”

“The Chappaqua Central School District and Chappaqua Community are truly thrilled and proud of Victoria,” said Jennifer Schmidt, Art Teacher at Horace Greely High School. “Victoria’s painting is a testament to her technical and aesthetic ability.  She is an extraordinary artist with a strong work ethic, creative spirit and an admirable devotion to the visual arts. We appreciate the efforts of Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office in recognizing high school artists, and join in honoring Victoria, whose commitment to the artistic process reflects her dedication and respect for this discipline.  Victoria has been an inspiration to all of the Horace Greeley Community.”

Annie McCormack, a Pearl River resident and a junior at Pearl River High School, came in second place for her photograph entitled “Reservoir;” Avery Schwarz, a Tappan resident and junior at Riverview High School, came in third for his “Royal Guards” mixed digital media; and Isobel Watson Ley, a Yorktown Heights resident and a junior at Yorktown High School, received an honorable mention for her watercolor, “The Hoatzin.”  

“Our region is fortunate to be home to so many excellent young artists,” said Lowey. “I congratulate Annie, Avery, Isobel and all of the participants in this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Their artistic talents are excellent contributions to the Lower Hudson Valley’s cultural identity.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Each spring, students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in June in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

Congresswoman Lowey hosted the 17th Congressional District awards ceremony at the Nanuet Public Library on Monday, May 8th. The three judges who chose the winners were Daly Flanagan, Acting Director at Rockland Center for the Arts in West Nyack; Carole Perry, Artistic Director and Curator at the Edward Hopper House Art Center in Nyack, and Eileen MacAvery Kane, Instructor and Director of the Graphic Design Program at Rockland Community College in Suffern.

In addition to promoting arts through the annual Congressional Art Competition, Congresswoman Lowey has been stalwart in her defense of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and served on the prestigious National Council for the Arts in recognition of her leadership.

 

Buchwald’s Election Law Update Benefits North Castle in Upcoming Special Election

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The Town of North Castle is one of the first beneficiaries of a new law passed by State Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) that reduces the cost of holding special town elections. Back in 2014, North Castle held a special election, triggered by a voter-initiated petition, at a cost of nearly $50,000. Part of the reason for the high town cost of these special elections across New York State was a requirement that the town pay for two to four member voter registration boards in each and every election district in the town. In North Castle, which has eleven election districts, the state law therefore mandated hiring at least twenty-two temporary workers. Assemblyman Buchwald won unanimous legislative support for changing the law to allow one or more boards of registration to serve this function for the entire town, as the town board finds fit to carry out this task.

At the time of passing the bill, which with the signature of Governor Andrew Cuomo became Chapter 372 of the Laws of 2015, Assemblyman Buchwald didn’t know which towns would first save money. However, it turns out that North Castle is having another special election this upcoming Tuesday, May 23. This one will allow voters to decide whether the local receiver of taxes should be elected or appointed. The new law enabled North Castle to consolidate voter registration efforts into three locations in town, one in each of the hamlets comprising the town, Armonk, Banksville and North White Plains. The upcoming election will cost the town thousands of dollars less than the special election held in North Castle just three years ago as a result of this change.

“I am pleased that the change in state election law I initiated not only started with a special election in North Castle, but also sees North Castle become one of the first towns to benefit,” said Assemblyman David Buchwald. “Thanks to this new law, North Castle residents will make their voices heard on May 23 with the knowledge this election is costing local property taxpayers less than before.”

“When it comes to mandate relief, Assemblyman David Buchwald walks the walk.” said North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro. “This change in state election law is saving our taxpayers real money while maintaining the ability for people to vote in town special elections. I applaud the Assemblyman’s continuing efforts to work with our town to find meaningful solutions to unfunded mandates. We have a real partner in Assemblyman Buchwald and I know that his is fighting for us in Albany.”

Assemblyman Buchwald’s 2015 legislation was endorsed by the Association of Towns of the State of New York. The Association represents over 900 town governments. “Before this legislation, towns assumed great expense to be able to hold special elections within their borders,” said the Association’s Executive Director, Gerry Geist. “The Association of Towns is thrilled to see a town be able to offer more residents the opportunity to exercise their voices in special elections at less cost to taxpayers, truly putting a positive twist on the phrase ‘doing more with less’ that we hear so often these days. This legislation is a win-win for towns and New Yorkers everywhere, and the Association of Towns is proud to have worked on this legislation with Assemblymember Buchwald.” 

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‘Plant a Succulent Party’ Offers Chance to Create Unique Plant Gifts at The King’s Scribe on June 2 & 3

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Get ready to roll up your sleeves for a fun, creative activity and the ‘perfect’ end-of-year gift solution. ‘Give with Love.’

While she might be the driving force behind an event inviting visitors to create ‘succulent plants’ as gifts, Alissa Sampogna, the spunky owner of The King’s Scribe in Chappaqua, would like to reassure visitors in advance that you don’t need a green thumb to successfully create a ‘succulent.’ 

“I’m not much of a gardener,” notes Sampogna, “I manage to kill a plant just by looking at it the wrong way!” But succulents, Sampogna explains, “are super low maintenance so they’re a perfect house plant for someone like me! Not to mention that they look really cool in their funky, spiky shapes!”

With the end of the school year coming up soon, a ‘succulent’ may just be the perfect gift idea for a favorite teacher, or even for your graduating senior, for dad, or truly for anyone who will appreciate that you have created a living gift that grows with time.

And, not to mention, it’s a chance for the whole family to have some fun and get creative, too!

Visitors will gather together at The King’s Scribe where Alissa and her staff will provide everything you need to create a potted work of art—“potting soil, decorative gravel and moss at our outdoor potting bench,” elaborated Sampogna, “Then choose your mini succulent and plant it inside from a variety of cool ceramic vessels that can be re-purposed if your plant outgrows them.”

Kids will love participating in hand crafting a special gift for their dad on Father’s Day or for their favorite teacher at end of school. Because they’re so easy to care, a succulent plant is also smart and easy dorm room decor for the new college-bound grad, too. 

The event will take place over two days at The Kings Scribe, 1 King Street, Chappaqua, on  Friday, June 2, from 1-4 p.m., and Saturday, June 3, 10-2 p.m.   — Grace Bennett