The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

What to Consider Before Photographing your Next Event

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toast photoBy Steve Lesnick

You’re planning a big event, a special day that will be remembered for years to come.

But, there’s no way around it: You are about to spend some serious cash!

So what about photography? There are lots of options. You can have your friends use their phones. You can ask Uncle Joe since he has a digital camera. You can get the cheapest guy you can find. You can fly in the fabulous photographer from London. Or, you can hire the well-rounded, versatile photographer.  Overwhelming, I know.

To make this decision, you have to ask yourself two questions:

1) What do I want to have five years from now to remember this event? (An album, framed pictures, photos on the computer, all of the above?)

2) How important is it to me?

Photographers come in all shapes and sizes, with different levels of talent and expertise. There’s the brand new photographer with a high-end digital camera, the event photographer who only shoots events and nothing else, and the well-rounded photographer who has a lot of experience in many things photographically.  The challenge is to pick the one that has enough skills to match your needs and level of expectations, and is still able work within your budget.

The important thing is to make sure your photographer understands your needs and is open and honest with what he/she is going to give you. It’s really a question of who you’re comfortable with, who is going to blend in with everyone at your event, and who will fulfill your needs.

Steve Lesnick is currently a NYC 
advertising photographer with over 20 years of experience. Due to his love of all things that are happy, he has expanded into event photography. He lives in Westchester with his wife and two 
teenage daughters.

Men: Busy Work Schedule Leaving No Time to Exercise?

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By Derek Alberto

If I had a dollar for every time I heard the excuse, “I don’t have time to exercise,” I would certainly have a lot more money than I do now.  We all lead busy lives.  We all have 24 hour days.  People who exercise don’t necessarily have more time than others, they’ve just determined that what they’re getting out of exercise is worth more than whatever else they could do during that time (sleeping, grabbing drinks with friends, watching TV).

Andrew Samalin
Andrew Samalin

Making time for exercise, even if it’s just 10 or 20 minutes at a time, is your first step to making it a permanent part of your life.  If you want to accommodate exercise into your busy schedule, you must make it a priority!  One of the biggest mistakes many people make is allowing their scheduled workout to be bumped off of their schedule too easily. Don’t know where to begin?  No problem! Give Prescriptions for Fitness a call at 914 238-0500, and I will be happy to put together a personalized fitness program tailored to your needs and goals.

For those short workouts, try interval training.  When it comes to burning fat, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of the most effective ways to do so.  HIIT involves intervals of exercise followed by intervals of low intensity exercise or complete rest. Numerous studies have found that those who performed HIIT burned significantly more body fat–and in less time–than those who did steady-state cardio programs.

Interval periods can be conveniently timed using various smartphone apps, an inexpensive interval timer, or stop watch.  Experiment with interval durations.  Examples of interval periods are: 20 seconds exercise/10 seconds rest, 30 seconds exercise/15 seconds rest, 60 seconds exercise/60 seconds rest, etc.

The major reason HIIT works so well for dropping body fat is due to the greater calorie burn (or EPOC–excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) that’s maintained after the workout is over. In other words, you burn more calories and more body fat while you’re sitting around doing nothing. The body generally takes anywhere from 15 minutes to 48 hours to fully recover to a resting state. As exercise intensity increases, the magnitude and duration of EPOC increase.

Still don’t think you have time to exercise? Perhaps then it’s time to look at your priorities and responsibilities. Of course we all have obligations to others, but don’t forget about the obligation you have to yourself to take care of your body and your health!

Matt Stoltz
Matt Stoltz

Remember, exercise gives you energy and keeps you healthy to keep going in that busy life of yours!  So don’t think of exercise as another to-do to squeeze in on your already busy schedule. Instead, think of it as maintenance for your health and a way to de-stress and do something for you! Don’t forget to visit us on the web at prescriptionsforfitness.net and “Like” us on Facebook.

Derek Alberto, ACSM Certified Personal Trainer, Health Education M.S.Ed., has been training men, women, and children of all ages and abilities for over three years at Prescriptions for Fitness.

“See and Be Seen” at Eye Designs of Armonk

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Ingrid Kessler and her daughter, Alana
Ingrid Kessler and her daughter, Alana

On a crisp, drop dead gorgeous May day, area residents had the opportunity to “See and Be Seen” on a red carpet runway for a last spring Oliver People’s Trunk Show.  Eye Designs of Armonk joined hands with New Beginnings to introduce their latest line of Oliver People’s always fun and fashionable eyewear. Here being seen inside Eye Designs is Ingrid Kessler of Armonk and her daughter Alana. On the red carpet, meet Zoe, who enjoyed strutting the red carpet too to the lively music over the speakers.  Even this publisher got in on the fun modeling a pair of shades and orange/pink spring dress!  Hosting the half day event was blogger Stacy Geisinger.

– Grace Bennett

Zoe on the runway
Zoe on the runway

Tramps Like Us

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Tramps Like Us to Kick Off Town Summer Concert Series

Chamber Head Interviews Mark Salore, 
Leader of the Band–and Chappaqua Dad!

By Robert Greenstein

Mark Salore and Brian “Bo” Ognan performing in White Plains at the 4th of July celebration at White Plains High School for a crowd of approximately 15,000 people.
Mark Salore and Brian “Bo” Ognan performing in White Plains at the 4th of July celebration at White Plains High School for a crowd of approximately 15,000 people.

The New Castle Summer Concert series is a great tradition bringing families together to celebrate community and listen to great music.  Performances will be held on Wednesday nights on July 10, 17, 24, 31. This year the Chamber is working with the Recreation & Parks Department and assisting in event planning, booking performers and improving the overall concert experience.  

Besides having lots of food vendors, this year we hope to have activities for kids, merchants showcasing their services and lots of pre-concert activities like wine tastings & happy hours. Since Tramps Like Us, www.trampslikeus.com, a very popular Bruce Springsteen tribute band, will be kicking things off on July 10th, I decide to catch up with Mark Salore, who happens to be a Chappaqua dad and leader of the band.

How was your band formed, and how many guys are in it?  

The band was formed in late 1989-1990, by the insistence of a club owner in Greenwich Village. We performed there regularly, as a classic rock band which included the music of Bruce Springsteen.  He wanted a Springsteen tribute band in his club as he had dozens of other tribute acts, but none featuring his favorite, Bruce Springsteen. Thus the forming of Tramps Like Us. The band is made up of five members.

Have you always been a Bruce Springsteen tribute band?

No. The band originally started out as a classic rock cover band/original band in the early 80s.

Are you all big Bruce Springsteen fans?

Yes everyone in the band is a big Bruce Springsteen fan, some bigger than others but you need to love the music in order to do what we do and be good at it.

How long have you lived in Chappaqua, and is anyone else in the band local?

I moved to Chappaqua in 1998. My drummer and I grew up in Ardsley and he still lives there. The other members are from New York City, New Jersey and CT.

What makes your Springsteen tribute band different from the others?

There are a few different things that I feel separates us from other Springsteen tribute bands, and there are several of them out there. First of all, I believe our musicianship is second to none.

Our keyboard player Kenneth Hope, has been composing music since the age of four. Ken’s impeccable musical credentials include studies at the Schmidt Conservatory of Music, and he has studied extensively with Maestro Stahl (conductor of the NBC Symphony Orchestra and San Diego Philharmonic Orchestra).

Our bass player Jon Sanborn, is the son of the world renowned saxophone player David Sanborn. He has played with artists such as Eric Clapton Steely Dan and Harry Connick Jr. to name a few.

Our saxophone player, Brian Ognan, has played with many major acts himself such as Sam and Dave, Hall and Oates, Taylor Dayne, Joan Jett, Georgia Satellites, Don Henley, John Entwistle and many others. Both have degrees from the Berklee College of Music.

Rudy Feinauer, our drummer, has performed or recorded big names in the music industry himself.

Mark with Carter, who goes to Grafflin, his wife, Lori, and Michael who is at Bell. Photo by Carolyn Simpson
Mark with Carter, who goes to Grafflin, his wife, Lori, and Michael who is at Bell. Photo by Carolyn Simpson

Rudy has also taught drums and percussion at colleges and public schools, as well as gives private lessons. Rudy graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Percussion from the New England Conservatory of Music.

Another thing that separates this band from other tribute bands is we do not look to impersonate or look and dress like the act that we pay tribute to. Most tribute bands look to find members who are look-alikes or impersonators of the act they are paying tribute to which seems to take precedence over musicianship and the love of the music they are playing–and the final result is that the music suffers.

Everyone in this act loves the music they play and I believe it comes across very well to the audience during our performances.

How many Springsteen songs do you play?

Our repertoire of songs is constantly growing and right now I think it’s about 120 songs.

What’s your favorite Springsteen song to perform?

I have a handful of songs that are my favorite ones to play in no particular order they are Backstreets,  Lost In The Flood, Thunder Road and Jungleland.

What’s the best venue you’ve ever played?

That’s a very tough question to answer…with almost 25 years of performing we played hundreds of different venues. Some of our favorite ones to perform at our Showcase Live in Foxborough  Massachusetts which is connected to Gillette Stadium, BB Kings in Time Square in New York City and of course the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

What’s the biggest venue you 
played at?

I believe the biggest venue or crowd we ever play too was in North Hempstead Beach Park in Long Island. We played for a Fourth of July event a few years back and there was an  estimated 15,000 people. Also, a few months back, we were featured on live TV on Fox 5’s morning Show: Good Day NY which was quite a thrill.

Have you ever met Bruce Springsteen?

Photo by Carolyn Simpson
Photo by Carolyn Simpson

The band has several direct connections to Bruce Springsteen the most notable one would be his former manager and producer Mike Appel who’s in constant touch with Bruce and is a very good friend of mine personally and big fan of the band. He has spoken to Bruce about us dozens of times and told him how good the band was in his opinion. On one occasion Mike brought Bruce to one of our performances at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Unfortunately, in this case, the show was sold out and there was a long line of people waiting to get in. Bruce decided it probably wasn’t a good idea to go in at that point as it may cause a problem with the crowd control. I met him after that show at a bar a few blocks down from the Stone Pony and had a nice long conversation with him. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have been invited to several shows as a VIP guest and was invited backstage. I have met all the members of The E Street Band on several occasions.

How many Springsteen concerts have you been to?

Not as many as people would think. I know dozens of people who’ve been to hundreds of Springsteen concerts and a lot of people I meet ask me that same question. I would probably have to say since seeing him first in 1978, I have seen him a total of 30 to 35 times.

What advice would you give to kids who are starting a band?

Be persistent and dedicated as it’s very hard when you start out. Pick a handful of your favorite songs and try to learn them as best as possible. I think it’s important to play original music as well but before one could get to that step I believe they need to be able to perform songs that they like and understand the whole concept of music the way it’s written and performed and go from there. Also, If you do not study with the teacher, ask friends or parents for  help if it is available as I did when I was growing up. I was fortunate to have an older friend who played guitar and was able to teach me some things that I could not figure out by myself. That went a long way for me as anytime I hit a stumbling block, my friend was there to get me back on track.

I grew up a huge Jimi Hendrix fan, and anyone knowing his music knows just how incredible his guitar playing was as well as very complicated and original unlike anyone before him. I spent hours and hours in high school sitting in my room trying to learn Hendrix songs that today, you can just go to YouTube and watch a free instructional video of how to play whatever song you’d like. I would suggest that kids take advantage of this free technology with whatever instrument they are playing. I wish I had that available when I was just getting started.

How do you balance your music with other obligations–wife, children, job, coaching your kids sports?

I’m not really sure how I do it? I somehow find the time to be able do the all the bookings, managing, promotion, PR, website, newsletters, etc. for the band, which is a great deal of work. I do have a very good support system at home. My wife does all the bookkeeping and accounting, as well as shuffling our kids to and from sports on the weekends when I sometimes disappear for 2 or 3 days at a time. I have two sons, ages 12 and 10, and I feel extremely lucky to be able to coach them in football, basketball and baseball in whatever spare time I can create. I am a very busy guy, but it’s all good… No complaints here!

Besides your concert on July 10 to kick off the Summer Concert series in Chappaqua, any other big concerts coming up?

We have a rare local gig at a brand new smaller intimate type venue in Mt. Kisco called MTK Tavern on Friday, June 14th in which I’m really looking forward to seeing a lot of my friends from town.

Our summer schedule is packed with a lot of outdoor summer concerts in the tri-state area and several private country club events in and around Westchester, as well as some corporate family parties. We are also doing a few fundraising events as well. We have a big fundraising concert that is in the works for Sandy Hook, CT on July 27. You can always find our latest schedule on our website: www.trampslikeus.com.

Still4Hill:

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Blogging for the former 
First Lady, Senator, 
Secretary of State and…

by Ronni Diamondstein

hillaryThere’s no doubt from the media buzz around Hillary Clinton’s future since she left the office of Secretary of State that many people, not only in Chappaqua, but across the nation and world, have not given up hope that she will fulfill what many see as her destiny.

Numerous websites and blogs have followed Clinton since she lost the presidential nomination in 2008, and more are sprouting up now that her future political plans remain a mystery. You can find them on the web, on Facebook and Twitter. Still4Hill continues to be one of the most prominent. The blogger, who wishes to remain anonymous, was a supporter of Clinton’s candidacy and joined forces with others in a group called PUMA (People United Means Action.) During the 2008 Democratic National Convention, they were disgruntled by its Rules and By Laws Committee decision to reassign various delegate votes.

The motivation to branch out with the blog, Still4 Hill, came when Clinton was appointed Secretary of State in the fall of 2009.  “After several trips to Asia and Africa I realized that she wasn’t getting that much coverage in the press, and I wanted to keep a record of what she had done,” says Still4Hill.  The blogger’s mission is to record her achievements as Secretary of State. For the past four years the blog has promoted Clinton’s accomplishments and drawn traffic to the site from around the world. “An international crowd comes to the blog,” says Still4Hill.  “It is significant for me that when she made an important speech, they came to the blog.”  And  Still4Hill is proud of the fact that the London Times used the Still4Hill blog for research on the Secretary of State.

Now that Clinton is out of office, Still4Hill, with its subtitle Hillary Clinton: Making Femininity Presidential, continues posting to keep tabs on her as a “citizen diplomat.” Still4Hill intends to follow Clinton’s accomplishments, posting news and comments about her speeches at such events as the Women in the World Conference.  Her support and admiration for the former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State is sincere.  “I’m not pushing her for 2016. She’s served her country and done her part. I’d support any decision she makes. ”

Still4Hill (still4hill.com)is not the only cheerleader for Clinton. Other blogs dedicated to Hillary Rodham Clinton include Supporters for Secretary of State Clinton on Facebook, It’s Time Hillary Clinton for President and Blogs for Hillary to name a few. Time will tell if their devotion and blogging will pay off and if she will be, “the next President of the United States.”

Ronni Diamondstein, owner of Maggie Mae Pup Reporter, is a Chappaqua based freelance writer, PR consultant, award-winning photographer and a School Library Media Specialist and teacher who has worked in the US and abroad.