The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

HL’s Shop for a Cause Boutique and Raffle for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer: A Hit!

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Annual Shop for a Cause Event at the Chappaqua office of Houlihan Lawrence

A Shop for a Cause holiday boutique drew dozens upon dozens of residents and visitors alike to downtown Chappaqua on October 15; everyone came to support a wonderful cause and to keep one step ahead of holiday gift giving ideas and purchases.

“The event was a huge success,” stated Brian Murray who recently came on board to manage the Chappaqua Houlihan Lawrence office. “The generosity and support from the community was outstanding. We raised 25% more than the previous year.”

A variety of gift items (and services)–from dazzling original jewelry and creative handbags–to wonderful baked goods on tables indoors and out, were sold or raffled to raise awareness for the nationwide Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. And of course, there was free popcorn again.

 

Chappaqua's Alicja Bohmrich
Chappaqua’s Alicja Bohmrich
Fran Seeve managing a bake sale at the Shop for a Cause
Fran Seeve managing a bake sale
Brian Murray and his wife Erin and baby
Brian Murray, his wife Erin and their baby

 

 

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hlshop16-wines
Margaret Skriloff selling wine and more.
hlshop16-gynandpocketbooks
Answers to your gynecology questions with Dr. Sadaf Lodhi (R); and the owner of a handbags selection.

hlshop16-jewelry

Harvey Admissions to Host Fall Open House

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harvey-school-sign-photoKatonah – The Harvey School will host its annual fall admissions open house Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon for families exploring educational options for September 2017 in the middle school or upper school.

Director of Admissions William Porter, Middle School Head Dr. Brendan Byrne and Upper School Head Phil Lazzaro will speak to Harvey’s academic mission, goals and program features and offer a Q/A segment.

In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to tour Harvey’s 125- acre campus and its academic buildings and athletic facilities.

Located on Route 22 in Katonah, The Harvey School is a coeducational college-preparatory school for students in grades six through 12.

For more information, visit www.harveyschool.org or call Admissions at 914-232-3161, ext. 138.

 

 

 

CFRAH to Town of New Castle: Halt Conifer Project Until MTA Addresses Safety Concerns

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Chappaqua for Responsible Affordable Housing (CFRAH) has written to the New Castle Town Board asking that it halt further approvals for the Conifer 28 unit affordable housing project until a full safety evaluation is performed by MTA. Earlier an MTA safety inspection team informally took a first look at the Conifer site at the request of our supervisor, Rob Greenstein. The safety team expressed grave concerns in the event of a derailment to such extent that they would recommend against granting Conifer the easement and “no build agreement” necessary for the Conifer project in view of its closeness to the MTA/Metro North tracks.54huntsplace

The safety team saw the potential for building collapse, loss of life and injury to occupants.  The Conifer apartment building would be fifteen feet from the tracks and supported by columns from the ground floor open parking area, supporting the three residential floors above. These factors, the MTA safety team logically concluded, would make the proposed residential building vulnerable to collapse in the event of a derailment.

CFRAH was shocked to learn that MTA upper management directed the safety inspection team not to do an on-site analysis and evaluation of risk in the event of derailment or other accident.  Historically there have been derailments in Chappaqua. CFRAH reminded the Town of the unpredictability of railroad accidents and the example of the horrible grade crossing collision in Hawthorne that took the lives of six commuters, two of whom were from Chappaqua.south_and_east_elevations

No explanation has been given for the MTA’s refusal to allow its safety experts to conduct the complete analysis. CFRAH has urged the Town to insist that the MTA safety experts be authorized and directed by MTA to  evaluate the risks to the occupants of the proposed Conifer apartments in the event of collision or derailment or other unforeseen events involving the railroad and its proximity to the project.

To read the letter sent to the board, in its entirety, please see our Facebook group “Chappaqua for Responsible Affordable Housing”.

“Breaking News in The Town of New Castle”

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Rob Greenstein
Rob Greenstein

 The fall kick-off networking party for the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce will take place next Wednesday, October 19th beginning at 6:30pm.  Cost:   $25 members; $35 non-member   All are invited.  Members and non-members will have the opportunity to make new contacts, meet new friends, reconnect and hear some interesting and new information about what’s going on in the Town of New Castle as it relates to the business community.  

Speakers:

Rob Greenstein – Town Supervisor

Adam Brodsky – Streetscape

Lisa Katz –  Arts  & Culture

Hala Makowksa – Millwood Business & Development

Danielle Gootzeit – Exceptional People Committee

Steven Wolk/Jennifer Mebes Flagg –  Sustainability Advisory Board

Gathering at a recent Chamber event
Gathering at a recent Chamber event

 


 

Choosing on November 8: The Only Logical and GREAT Choice is Hillary Clinton

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By Grace Bennett

There has never been more at stake over who we grant power to over our futures, and whose words we allow to wield power over us, too.

Do we want to hand the world’s most critical mantel of power to as volatile an individual as Donald Trump?  In our hearts most of us know the honest answer at this point.

Trump has spewed so many hateful, demeaning words at minorities, at people with disabilities; they will have their own special place in the history books.  And of course, the now infamous ‘sex tapes’ and practically daily reports  (no need to rehash in this particular forum) have proved the final straw into a mindset that demeans women and offers a brutish high five, and wink, wink that it’s ok to sexually assault women. That’s what “real men” do, right?  It’s just too bad that at no point in his life, did anyone think to Grab him by his Gilded Collar and tell him–on behalf of his daughters, at least–to please, grow up.

Photo Grace Bennett/Inside Press
Photo Grace Bennett/Inside Press

Eventually, a candidate’s words will segue into an expectation that he or she take action that impact lives. If you haven’t yet, please do ponder the potential consequences of Donald Trump’s angry, impulsive finger resting anywhere near the nuclear code–as so many four star generals who emphatically support Hillary Clinton have done, along with the ever growing list of Republicans (of still sound mind) who are jumping off the runaway Trump Train.

Hillary Clinton–the historical and indomitable first woman candidate nominated by her party for POTUS–consistently projects a positive, inclusive outlook.

She offers intelligent, well researched ideas on how to address a multitude of issues affecting us, nationally and internationally. There isn’t a topic that she and her staff have shared with the Inside Press that hasn’t gone through considerable research with relevant experts. At a hyperlocal level, it has been overwhelming to manage the flow of information, and even at the national level, the press can barely keep up with her thoughts, ideas, vision, etc.

She is the only logical choice this November. And, in truth, a great choice. I have faith along with so many millions more that she will serve our nation well and persevere through the myriad of challenges we face here and abroad.  Hey, even Trump admits that she is a fighter who doesn’t quit, and I thank him for that, anyhow.

I endorsed her in the primary agreeing with Bill Clinton that she is the ultimate ‘changemaker,’ * and it will come as no surprise to anyone at this point to state that with unbridled enthusiasm, I endorse our fully deserving Chappaqua neighbor now, too.

— Grace

*http://theinsidepress.com/why-im-with-the-change-maker/