The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

New IPic Theater in Dobbs Ferry Aims to “Redefine the Movie-Going Experience”

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By Nancy Huehnergarth and Grace Bennett

Dobbs Ferry, NY, April 29— Couples who are looking for an extraordinary night out at the movies may wish to consider the premium plus seating at the new iPic theater, which will open in Dobbs Ferry on May 5th. The words plush, luxurious and romantic barely do justice to this innovative, dine-in movie theater that offers intimate two-person pod seating with reclining chaise lounge chairs, blankets, pillows and exotic cocktails and delicious food ordered at the touch of a button.

Fully reclining premium chairs (personally designed by IPic’s CEO Hamid Hashemi) in the two seat ‘pods’ each come with a cushy blanket, and a box of popcorn awaits you too. IPic describes how it wishes to give theater goers as comfortable an experience watching movies out as they would have staying home. “No more sticky floors or crying babies or wondering if you will have a seat,” said one IPic representative. It was indeed a very comfy, pleasurable and delicious theater going experience for two Inside Press visitors.

iPic’s “Dining in the Dark” menu (which requires little or no cutlery) has been created by a James Beard award winning chef, Sherry Yard, and the cocktails by one of the country’s top mixologists, Adam Seger. CEO Hamid Hashemi, Yard and Serge were all on hand to answer questions to press who were invited to experience IPic and share news about the opening and offer a sense of the experience with our readers. The American/International menu includes vegetarian and gluten-free items too plus a carry in option: just leave enough time before the show.

IPic, headquartered in Boca Raton, has 16 million members already in their 15 locations in the country.  In this 16th venture into Westchester, IPic’ staff say they are continuing the company’s mission to eliminate all the reasons people have stopped going to the movies, “whether it’s the sticky floors or crying babies. We want to present an experience like no other.”

Seats should be reserved in advance and if you join one of iPic’s membership programs, you’ll get first dibs at tickets to upcoming blockbuster movies as well as discounts. While you’ll pay a steeper price for your iPic seats, the sumptuous surroundings and staff pampering are well worth it. Just make sure you don’t get too cozy in your pod seating. It’s so comfortable and relaxing, you may doze off and miss half of the feature film!  Visit IPictheatres.com for membership and price information.

 

 PHOTOS BY Grace Bennett

Master Mixologist Adam Seger uses hefty amounts of Ginger, made from scratch, in several of the cocktails.


Ready to dine as you enjoy the movies? ‘Ninja’ wait staff are just a button call away. “They will speak softly and take your order.”
Had dinner already? IPic offers an innovative cocktail menu if you simply want to enjoy a drink with your popcorn. P.S. A box of popcorn is included with premium plus seats too.

Hands on Opportunity at Westmoreland Sanctuary’s Floral Lecture & Workshop Series

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Five Events are Planned

As part of its 60th Anniversary celebration, Westmoreland Sanctuary is honored to announce its 2017 Floral Lecture & Workshop Series. This series is comprised of five different events for the enjoyment and hands-on involvement of the general public to better identify invasive plant species while creating and customizing floral arrangements to take home for display. Registration is now open for the first event, Early Spring Blooms, which takes place at Westmoreland Sanctuary, located at 260 Chestnut Ridge Road in Mt. Kiso, on Thursday, May 11th. Residents can register online at www.WestmorelandSanctuary.org or by calling 914.666.8448. 

  Early Spring Blooms, a two-hour lecture and workshop starting at 10:00am on May 11th, features two prominent specialists in their respective fields. Nadia Ghannam, Floral Artist with a BFA from Cornell University, will spearhead the workshop portion by demonstrating a creative seasonal mix of spring floral designs. Participants then create their very own arrangements to take home. Steve Ricker, Director of Conservation and Wildlife Management at Westmoreland Sanctuary for 25 years, is also an invasive plant specialist who will discuss ways to identify and properly dispose of invasives that may negatively impact one’s home garden or property.

Ann Paul, Director of Westmoreland Sanctuary, stated, “We’re thrilled to offer the community our annual Floral Workshop & Lecture Series that any flower enthusiast or local garden club member would enjoy and appreciate. Every year, unwelcome plant and animal species come into our area through New York City ports which threaten our native wildlife.  While part of the series will address the identification, understanding and proper eradication of these invasives, it also embraces the beauty of various seasonal flowers and allows for attendees to customize their very own arrangements to proudly display at home. This is part of our mission to finds new ways Westmoreland Sanctuary may continue to enrich, enhance and educate so the joy of being outdoors with nature can be more fully appreciated,” Ms. Paul concluded.

The remaining four Floral Lecture & Workshop  Series dates and themes are as follows: June 8th is Flower Potluck (bring your own flowers, twigs, weeds and vines from your garden and we’ll supply the rest; lecture by Tim Stanley); August 3rd is Foraged Flowers (locally foraged summer flowers arranged in Bell Jars); September 21st is Late Summer Bouquets (create late summer bouquets as seasons’ switch); December 7th is Winterscapes (designing your own holiday wreath and tablescape; lecture by Glenn Ticehurst). WAG Magazine and Halstead Quinn are proud sponsors of the entire Floral Lecture & Workshop Series.

About Westmoreland Sanctuary

Westmoreland Sanctuary is a Nature Center & Wildlife Preserve founded 60 years ago through the vision of philanthropist Helen Clay Frick, daughter of Henry Clay Frick. An initial contribution of 30 acres in 1957 has since grown to 640 acres of beautiful contiguous, preserved land today – for free public use – with some of the finest hiking trails and outdoor vistas offered anywhere in Westchester County.

As a non-profit charity organization, Westmoreland Sanctuary’s mission is to secure and preserve land for the enjoyment and enrichment of all through Environmental Education and Conservation Programs. Westmoreland celebrates 60 years of conservation, preservation and appreciation of nature throughout 2017. To learn more about our Anniversary, Environmental Educational programs along with important Conservation initiatives… or to make a Donation, please visit: www.WestmorelandSanctuary.org  

 

 

Media and Politics Panel Held by the League of Women Voters of New Castle

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(L-R)L Jeanne Zaiono, Ph.D., Jon Klein, Jerry McKinstry and Phil Reisman PHOTO BY Grace Bennett

The news was on the minds of many when the League of Women Voters of New Castle held their “Media and Politics: The Impact on Our Democracy” forum on Thursday, April 6, at the Chappaqua Library. Jeanne Zaino, Ph.D., Political Analyst and Professor at Iona College moderated the engaging and informative conversation. Panelists were Jon Klein, Cable News Producer, Director and Executive; Jerry McKinstry, Political Strategist and Journalist and Phil Reisman, Columnist and Radio Talk Show Host. The program was videotaped by New Castle Community Media Center and can be viewed online. For more information go to http://www.lwvnewcastle.org

Here’s a link to the video:  https://vimeo.com/212346141

Ronni Diamondstein (second from left) with the LWV Media and Politics Moderator and Panelists.  PHOTO BY Steve Biren

State of the Art Classroom Learning Tools Explained at CSF Fundraiser

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Middle school students from Seven Bridges Middle School demonstrate projects from the STEAM curriculum.

April 28, 2017  Briarcliff Manor— Donations and grants to the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) provide funding for special projects that can otherwise be well out of reach of the Chappaqua Central School District’s budget; the CSF’s annual gala has thus always been vital to gathering support from parents inside the Chappaqua Central School District. This year, as in past years, a group of kids who have benefited were on hand inside the Trump National Golf Club to enthusiastically show hundreds of attendees all that they and their classmates are learning–thanks to these purchases. For more information about the Chappaqua School Foundation, visit www.chappaquaschoolfoundation.org

PHOTOS BY Grace Bennett

Two third graders in the Chappaqua School District demonstrate how new 3D Virtual Reality Computers are being used to help them learn.
Third grade Grafflin teachers Warren Whitney (left) and Mara Cohen with the girls–all fans of the 3D technology obtained by a CSF grant in the $30K-$40K range, stated Cohen. “We’re very excited for all the different uses for it.”
Two 7th graders after they finished explaining the science of ‘Hydroponics’ which is, they assured the Inside Press, “The future of agriculture.”
(L-R) Greeley students Katie Mendez (right) and Aidan Leitch gave visitors the lowdown on a variety of inventions on the tables; they are the inventors. These included a drone, and also a prosthetic in progress, according to inventor Katie, who pursued the project on behalf of her mom who was born with one missing limb. According to Greeley Science teacher Mike DeBellis, the robotics tools and parts were possible thanks to a $2500 CSF grant.

New Legislation Aimed to Direct the Release of State Returns of Statewide Elected Officials

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Buchwald: “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy can be outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”

 Hoylman: “If lawmakers in Washington won’t force President Trump to release his tax returns, lawmakers in Albany should do it instead. New Yorkers deserve to know if statewide officials – including Trump – pay their fair share of taxes.”

 Albany April 26, 1017 – Assemblyman David Buchwald (D – Westchester) and State Senator Brad Hoylman (D – Manhattan) announced the introduction of legislation that would require the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) to release income tax information and returns for statewide elected officials, including the President of the United States. This legislation is the only one of its kind in the nation.

The bill would require the most recent five years of tax returns be posted to the NYSDTF’s website within 30 days of enactment of the bill, and in the future within 30 days of when the elected officials take the oath of office. Future tax returns would be posted within 30 days after they have been filed with NYSDTF, until the elected officials leave office. Other statewide elected officials affected by this legislation include the Vice President of the United States, the U.S. Senators representing New York, along with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller. The legislation instructs NYSDTF to redact social security numbers and other personal information the disclosure of which would violate federal law.

 “Now is the time for legislative action to ensure the transparency of high ranking elected officials’ tax returns,” said Assemblyman David Buchwald. “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy canbe outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”

“If lawmakers in Washington won’t force President Trump to release his tax returns, lawmakers in Albany should do it instead,” said State Senator Hoylman. “We have a unique opportunity to advance the cause of presidential tax transparency. New Yorkers deserve to know if statewide officials – including Trump – pay their fair share of their taxes and avoid conflicts of interest.”

“Presidential candidates release their tax returns so the American people know they are focused on job number one — serving the country in a role with extraordinary power. Donald Trump’s refusal speaks volumes about his values, but does not give the public or the press the most important information about his conflicts and incentives. New York can solve that,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “Thank you to Senator Hoylman and Assemblyman Buchwald, professor Daniel Hemel, and the many Americans pushing for good government.”

“Every presidential candidate since Richard Nixon has released his or her tax returns, except Donald Trump,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York. “Americans have the right to know if the President is putting his business empire, or the interests of the public, first. We commend Senator Hoylman and Assemblyman Buchwald for introducing a common sense solution to the problem that brought out tens of thousands of New Yorkers for Tax March.”

 The overwhelming majority of Americans—80%, according to one recent survey—say the president should release his returns. But thus far Trump has rebuffed those demands, and in Washington House leaders won’t even allow a vote on a bipartisan bill that would require the returns to be released.

Governor Cuomo,  Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand have already posted their returns online.