Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Village of Ossining’s Bicentennial Harborfest: Explore the natural beauty of Ossining’s waterfront with this daylong festival for the whole family. See the tall ships, enjoy a boat ride, and learn more about Hudson River preservation efforts from the crew of the Clearwater Sloop. Featuring a wide range of vendors, food, live entertainment and fireworks. Free. 10:00am – 9:00pm. Harbor Square, 1 Harbor Square, Ossining. 914-941-3554. www.celebrateossining.com.
Friendly Squares Dance Club announces two free square dancing fun nights on Monday, September 16 and Monday, September 23 from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at Katonah Methodist Church Parish Hall, 44 Edgemont Road in Katonah led by Sandy Corey. Square Dancing is a lot of fun and a great way to exercise your body and mind. It is also an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. This event is open to singles, couples and families. The attire is casual and no experience is necessary. For more information, contact Barbara at (914)248-8554.
Article and Photos by Zarah Kavarana
Early on Sunday, July 14, the Chappaqua Swim and Tennis Club was flooded with swimmers of all ages who were eager to jump in the pool and swim to raise money for the grassroots organization, Swim Across America.
The event helped raise both money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment. This was Swim Across America’s second year hosting the event at the Chappaqua Swim and Tennis Club. In 2012, the event raised $30K, which made it the third most successful Swim Across America event in the New York area. According to Media Chair, Jean Fufidio, the total amount raised for this year is currently in the process of being tallied, but the number is already well over last year’s mark.
Swim Across America, Inc. was originally founded in 1987. Through the years, it has united and attracted over 5,000 recreational and competitive swimmers, Olympians, kayakers, boaters, and volunteers in the fight against cancer. Today, it offers 50 swims in 14 different states with multiple chapters. Swim Across America has raised more than $40 million, which has ultimately gone toward research and prevention programs at some of America’s most well regarded hospitals and managed-care facilities.
Silver medalist in the 1976 Olympics and volunteer coach, Bobby Hackett, highlighted the benefits of the event.
He said, “It’s a community getting together for a cause and everybody here knows somebody who has directly or indirectly been impacted by cancer. For me, it’s an opportunity to give back and raise some funds to hopefully make peoples lives better.”
To describe Swim Across America, Fufido said, “Swim Across America is a community-minded organization where it’s national in scope, but local in heart.”
The Long Island Sound Chapter, which includes a large number of Westchester County members, is now the largest in the organization and has raised over
$12 million since its start in 1992. In 2012 alone, it raised $1 million with support from its community. The chapter has a goal of raising $1.2 million this year.
Swimmers had options to fit their comfort and experience levels. They could swim one mile or half a mile, individually or with a team.
Participants came out for a variety of reasons, ultimately uniting together against cancer.
19 year-old Henry Simon decided to take part as a tribute to his father, David Simon, who died of cancer in 2007.
He said, “It really started when Coach Dan brought Swim Across America to the Chappaqua Swim and Tennis Club. He asked me if it was okay making a Team Karen and David because my Dad was a big part of this club when he was still alive, and a lot of kids knew him. I really just do it in honor of him so that everyone doesn’t forget and remembers that it [cancer] touches everyone, not just a few people.”
10 year-old Joseph Weiner also participated for the ones he has loved and lost.
“The event helps raise money to help fight cancer and people I know have died from having that and it’s really sad. I do the best I can to help.”
Following the event was a free swim clinic from former Olympic swimmer and Katonah resident, Bobby Hackett. He worked with attendees, giving them helpful tips that would greater improve their skills. Hackett would first explain, then demonstrate the hint, and call a few swimmers at a time into the water to try out what they were just taught.
Complimentary food and beverages were available throughout the event, and a kiddie pool was open for the little ones. Medals, t-shirts, and beach towels were given to those who participated.
Many of those who could not or chose not to swim made a pledge to the Swim Across America website: www.swimacrossamerica.org. Inside Chappaqua readers are also encouraged to donate what they can to this influential cause.
Story and Photos by Zarah Kavarana
Chappaqua’s annual Summer Concert Series had residents singing, dancing, and laughing at its first show on July 10, which featured Tramps Like Us, a Bruce Springsteen cover band.
For over 25 years, the Summer Concert Series has contributed to the uniqueness of Chappaqua. Each year, 100s of people gather at the Recreation Field for good food, good music, and good company. So far, this year’s event is more successful than ever with a record number of attendees from both Chappaqua and surrounding Westchester towns. The field was packed with Springsteen-lovers of all ages.
“It’s a great community event to get people to downtown and hanging out in the summertime,” said Solveig McShea, one of the organizers of the Summer Concert Series. “It’s something fun to do outside and it’s just really about getting family and friends out listening to music.”
Inside Chappaqua Magazine rose to the occasion too with a June/Summer cover story—an interview by Robert Greenstein with Chappaqua resident Mark Salore, leader of Tramps Like Us. The magazine’s mailing to 10,000 homes and other local distribution and online efforts helped assure that virtually every household in the area was aware of the incredible lineup this summer.
The event began at 7p.m.., as will all other scheduled shows in the Summer Concert Series. Attendees have the opportunity to walk around, purchase dinner, chat with friends, or just set down a blanket and chairs in the grass and relax.
The pre-show featured young students from Music in Chappaqua, who sang popular hits before the crowd at the field’s gazebo to help build their confidence and performance skills.
Tramps Like Us came on at around 8 p.m. and sang numerous Springsteen favorites, like Dancing in the Dark and Born to Run. The band also brought Christmas in July by performing Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Lead singer and Chappaqua resident Mark Salore, jumped out into the crowd to greet his audience and even singled some out to sing song lyrics.
The event is sponsored by the New Castle Recreation and Parks Department, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, Music in Chappaqua, in addition to the following local sponsors:
Gold Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Diamond Sponsors
As the main sponsor of the Summer Concert Series, Janet Angier, the Director of Music in Chappaqua, said that the school’s donation was out of appreciation for the Chappaqua community.
“We want to give back,” she said. “Chappaqua has really been good to us. We’ve been in business for 20 years now, and we’ve seen all kinds of students come through and do really great things, so we just want to say thank you to Chappaqua.”
Many sponsors said that the Summer Concert Series was a brilliant way to get the public to take note of what their businesses have to offer.
Casey Deluca, Intern for Desires by Mikolay said, “We really just wanted to get the word out about what we do. We’re a jewelry store, we do free jewelry cleaning, and we’re a family-owned business.”
“We’re here trying to promote a healthy lifestyle by talking to some parents and some children,” said Matthew Benjamin, Director of Business Development at The Gym of Armonk. “We have a lot of youth programs at the gym. We even host bar mitzvahs and we have camp-oriented programs for kids in our gym and our actual basketball court on the gym. So we thought it would be a great time to meet people here, show them more about the gym, and get them to join.”
Each of the sponsors are given their own stations, where they put out their own offerings.
Some organized a number of fun activities for concertgoers. Jodi’s Gym, WeeZee, and World Cup will keep kids busy with arts and crafts, gymnastics rotations, and a giant spinning top, while Cathy’s Hair Room is offering hair braiding and extensions. Others are putting together goodies for attendees to take home. Music in Chappaqua is setting out glow bracelets and is sponsoring a raffle for one full week of camp. Desires by Mikolay is putting out beach balls and Ring Pop gift bags for the kids. Additionally, the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival is selling “pinkalicious” cupcakes and gluten free s’mores.
Sponsors such as The Gym of Armonk, New York Organ Donor Network, and Temple Shaaray Tefila have own information tables, where people can visit and find out more about each group.
Food vendors will be serving up their delicious creations throughout the series. They include Gail Patrick’s Cafe, Le Jardin du Roi, King Street Restaurant and Bar, Quaker Hill Tavern, and Sherry B Dessert Studio.
The Summer Concert Series will continue on July 17 with the Chappaqua Orchestra, July 24 with One Hot Night, a Neil Diamond cover band, and July 31 with Holla Back, a 1980s tribute band. All concerts are free to members of the public, so come out and join the fun!
In the event of poor weather conditions, the concerts will be held in the Chappaqua Public Library auditorium. For questions regarding the status of the concerts, please call the Recreation and Parks Department events hotline 238-2540.
By Zarah Kavarana
Conifer’s current plans were initially presented to board members in April, when they put forth a much more suitable proposal that addressed the concerns of visual impact, pedestrian and traffic circulation, and parking. To appease the concerns of both the public and board members, Conifer decreased the number of affordable apartment homes from 36 to 28, about a 22 percent reduction.
Architect Stephen Schoch spoke about two of the potential concepts up for discussion. The first has a height of three to four stories, with three stories on the sides of the building, and four in the middle. The second is only three stories, keeping the building to a more preferred height. Schoch noted, however, that this design would have a larger mass and would go out to the property line. The first plan would therefore have much more recreational space than the second. He suggested going with the first plan because it would be more visually appealing.
Board members did not state how they intend to vote on the rezoning legislation and special permit currently in consideration for the project. They did, however, have much to say on the proposal.
Supervisor Susan Carpenter said that she supports the project, but 54 Hunts Place is not the right location. She encouraged members of the public to welcome the residents of this site by saying, “Our community can support them.”
Robin Stout, councilman, thanked Conifer for being so responsive to the requests of the Chappaqua community and its board members. He felt that any apparent issues could now be overcome.
Board members Jason Chapin and John Buckley both had strong reservations on the project.
Buckley felt that despite the changes that have been made, the project was still much too big.
Chapin agreed that it’s oversized and would not blend in. He did acknowledge the growth of the project, but ultimately gave it a thumbs down.
He said, “While this amounts to several steps in the right direction, it is not enough for me. I have too many reservations about this project. I also don’t think all the conditions and standards required for a special permit have been met, and therefore, the project should not move forward.”
The audience was packed with Chappaqua residents who were ready to speak about the new proposal.
One of which was Steve Goldenberg. He made a point that there will never be a perfect project on the table. Residents and board members will have to make compromises, otherwise the project will never be completed.
Another resident Bill Spade, proposed that the project is too big to be squeezed onto a small parcel of land, and that this was the fault of the developer. Because the county pays for the land per-unit, there is a financial incentive for the developer to add on as many units as possible.
In response to the many who claimed that the location will stigmatize the residents of the apartments, Chappaqua resident, Nancy King suggested otherwise.
She said, “Are we the kind of people who think less of others because of where they live? If so, what does that say about us?”
After listening to each of the Chappaqua residents, the board voted to adjourn both public hearings connected to the affordable housing project until the next meeting on July 23. Members believed that this would be an appropriate amount of time for Conifer to produce documents containing environmental and financial information that would be vital in the entirety of the process.
