The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Why You’ll Feel Your Best with Dr. Maria Briones!

by

treatment-strategy10. She can help you to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and diabetes.

9.    Her patients show a decreased risk of hypertension, osteoarthritis and cancer.

8.    You’ll have more energy and find movement easier.

7.    Enjoy a better attitude and quality of life.

6.    You’ll love wearing cuter clothes!

5.    Be less self conscious about your body.

4.    Enjoy traveling more.

3.    Improve your mood and self esteem.

2.    Improve body contouring, skin tightness and reduce cellulite.

1.    And of course, feel younger!

DrBrionesMediD14aR01aP02ALDr. Maria Briones’ specialty is Internal Medicine and Weight Loss. She is Board Certified in Internal Medicine & holds a Diplomate in Bariatric Medicine. Contact her at (914)241-6249 for 
an appointment, or visit her website, brionesweightloss.com 
for further information.

Fine & Fun Benefits of Being a Part of WeeZee…

by

weezee10. Kids leave WeeZee’s World saying “YES, I Can!!”

9.  ZEN-Den for parents who need a MASSAGE knowing their child is SAFELY Learning (oops! Playing!)

8. BIRTHDAY Celebrations are most unique & affordably out of this world

7.  FOCUS-phonz in the After-School Zone–improve Memory Skills while doing Homework by stimulating the middle inner eardrum!

6. FUN Zone–HOLIDAY Play–structured FUN for your kids when schools are Closed!

5. Judgment-FREE Zone–“Geek is GOOD” at WeeZee…

4. CAMP Sensational… our Summer Day Camp for 3-12 year olds. 10 different Theme Weeks.

3. Swing Bean Café sells homemade healthy snacks and has seating for all ages.

2. Parents’ Night Activities engage parents in a world of Sensory Exploration.

1. WeeZee kids IMPROVE Academic, Athletic, and Social Skills by 30%!

Top Ten Reasons to Enroll Your Child in Preschool Gymnastics

by

jodysBy Jodi Levine

10. GYMNASTICS is a positive and fun introduction to movement.

9.   GYMNASTICS participation early on leads to healthy fitness habits to last a lifetime.

8.  GYMNASTICS improves overall balance, strength, flexibility, body awareness, confidence and coordination like no other sport.

7.  GYMNASTICS helps to develop strong bones.

6.  GYMNASTICS  improves reading readiness.

5.  GYMNASTICS improves motor skill development.

4.  GYMNASTICS helps kids to focus and set attainable goals.

3.  GYMNASTICS allows children to focus on  their own skill development and their personal best  (it’s non competitive).

2.  GYMNASTICS is the foundation of movement education and all sports.

1.  GYMNASTICS is sooooooo much fun!

Jodi Rosenwasser Levine is the founder/director of Jodi’s Gym in NYC and Mt. Kisco. She has been loving gymnastics for over 
40 years!

Great Parks in Westchester County

by

Manor-ParkStory and drawings by Dylan O’Keefe

Spring is upon us, and what better way to embrace the changing of the seasons than to get out and explore the splendor of the natural world around you. As residents of Westchester County, we are lucky to have so many beautiful public parks to hike, fish, picnic, etc.  Whether you are looking for a challenging hike on dynamic terrain, or an easy scenic area to relax and socialize with friends and family, Westchester Parks have something to offer everyone; young and old alike.

As a long time resident of Chappaqua, I have been able to visit many of the parks our county has to offer. Here are ten of my favorites:

1. Manor Park, Larchmont:

After entering the park on its smooth tarmac pathway you will be struck by its extraordinary view of the Long Island Sound, its quaint gazebos, and the glacially striated rocks spanning the 5000 ft. shoreline.  Historically the land has passed in ownership from the Siwanoy, to the Dutch, to the nephew of John Jay.

2. Whippoorwill Park, Chappaqua: 

I found this park’s hilly and dense terrain the best for long hikes in solitude. A wandering body in nature leads to a more fluid and creative wondering mind.  The area also allows tent camping with permission from the town.

3. Rockefeller Preserve, Sleepy Hollow: 

Donated by the Rockefeller family in 1983, this 1,233-acre park features dirt, tarmac and gravel trails, great for running, jogging or walking through dense tree lines. The park even allows for horse riding.  The area looks out onto the Hudson with picturesque views of the Tappan Zee Bridge, a sight that is far more attractive when seen from a distance of three miles.

bird4. Gedney Park, Chappaqua:

A New Castle favorite, this family friendly 126-acre park features playgrounds, picnic areas, sporting fields and hiking trails.

5. Kensico Resevoir, Mount Pleasant:

Technically not a park, but contiguous to both Cranberry Lake Preserve and Kensico Plaza Dam Park, the reservoir offers fishing and boating to permit holders. Cranberry Lake has elementary trails with swamps, cliffs, and woodland scenery.

6. Teatown Lake Preservation, Yorktown-Cortlandt-New Castle:

This 834-acre nature preserve operated by a not-for-profit hosts a summer camp and environmental education programs to adults and children alike. The park itself features hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty, and scenic lakeside views of regional flora and fauna.

7. Muscoot Farms, 
Katonah:

Once privately run, this family friendly farm was acquired by the county in the 1960’s and has been a public park ever since. Its 777 acres offer visitors hiking trails, and educational tours of barns lively with farm animals.

8. Bear Mountain State Park, 
Rockland County:

Although located in Rockland County, the Bear Mountain Bridge connects the park to mountainous trails in Westchester County consisting of challenging routes up steep hills to moderate paths through low wetlands and swooping valleys. The mountain lookout on the west side of the park has breathtaking views of the Hudson valley. Though some might view the Bridge as an eyesore in the valley, I see it as a beautiful juxtaposition between the intelligent design of civil engineering and the naturally selected design of the surrounding flora.

9. Burden Preserve, Armonk: 

Perfect for long walks in solitude. Being amongst the trees in this park brings an oasis of serenity that is both cleansing and refreshing compared to the din of a town or city. Nature gives us a window to our biological roots and leads us to ask what took us from a species that swung from the limbs of trees to the bipedal creatures we are today. It gives us the perspective that even with all of our technology, we are still so connected to our animal roots– for good or for bad.

10. Croton Gorge Park, Cortlandt: This scenic park features undemanding trails with fountains and bridges.  Sitting below the colossal New Croton Dam, this park is another great example of nature meets civil engineering.

I am sure I left some great Westchester parks out so if you have any comments or suggestions email me at dokeefe@albany.edu or follow/ tweet @DylanOKeefe. In hiking always remember to pack the provisions you need with you, carry out what you carry in, and tell someone if you plan to journey alone.

To learn about our county parks: 
visit: http://parks.westchestergov.com/

Dylan O’Keefe, Greeley Class of 2010, is in his junior year at SUNY Albany.

KEY Ways to Keep New Castle Clean

by

clean up 4by The Town of New Castle Beautification Advisory Board
Photos courtesy of NewCastleNow.org

1. Don’t throw trash out of car windows.

 2. Dispose of litter in the appropriate receptacles available around Town.

 3. Secure the lids on the refuse cans and recycled paper so the wind doesn’t scatter the contents. Remember that refuse containers are to be placed out no sooner than the night before pick up and brought back  in by day’s end.

4. Don’t leave garbage in plastic bags; animals can and will easily tear them and scatter the contents.

5. Instruct your gardener NOT to blow leaves onto the roads, the gutters or the streams.

clean up 56. Gather fallen tree limbs and brush, tie them in bundles no longer than four feet and leave them at curbside.  The Town picks up throughout the year. Consult the Refuse Calendar Schedule for your area and, remember, the town will not pick up piles left unbundled.

7. As you jog or walk through your neighborhood, please pick up any litter and, in particular, the yellow plastic tape left over from Hurricane Sandy.

8. If you put up Tag Sale signs or flyers, remember to go back and take them down as soon as possible after the event.

9. Embrace our motto, Be Neat to the Street, and  keep your property clean to the curb.  If every resident were to do this regularly, our streets would be consistently clean!

clean up one10. Join us at our annual “Clean Up Day” to be held on April 27.  This year, to thank participants, the Beautification Advisory Board is giving discount cards to all volunteers.  These coupons, offered by the organization “Thank You for Caring”, provide a 20% discount at participating restaurants and shops throughout our region.  For further information, visit mynewcastle.org  or call Town Hall at 238-4771.