The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

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

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DrBrionesMediD14aR01aP02AL10. 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 travelling more.
3. Improve your mood and self esteem.
2. Improve body contouring, skin tightness and reduce cellulite.
1. And, of course, feel younger!

Dr. 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.

The Next Celebrated Mother

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Lifeworx founder Bal Agrawal presents a Celebrated Mom award to last year’s recipient, Janet Hanson.
Lifeworx founder Bal Agrawal presents a Celebrated Mom award to last year’s recipient, Janet Hanson.

During challenging times, strong women rise to the occasion. Despite obstacles posed before them, these women find solutions and conquer the seemingly insurmountable. Lifeworx, a business which provides child care, elder care, housekeeping and lifestyle services, has made it their mission to recognize these women for their achievements. This year at its fifth annual event on May 8 at the Lotos Club in New York City, Lifeworx’s Celebrated Mom award will be announced and bestowed upon a most worthy recipient.

The recipient of the Celebrated Mom award is someone “who has excelled professionally and has been an inspiration to the community while having gone through life challenges,” Lifeworx CEO Bal Agrawal relates. These women are mothers pursuing successful careers while dealing with a significant life challenge. They serve as role models to others and are actively involved in a charity. Previous honorees include Carol Evans, the founder and CEO of Working Mother Media (2010), Hannah Storm, co-anchor of ESPN news (2011), Ali Wing, founder and CEO of Giggle (2012) and Janet Hanson, founder and CEO of 85 Broads (2013).

Lifeworx’s Compassionate Mom Gift will also be announced at the event. This honoree is a woman living in the greater New York area who has at least one child under the age of 16 living with her and under her care for most of the days of the week, during the school calendar year. She is currently facing difficult circumstances such as illness, death, divorce or other severe health of her own or those of a child, spouse or partner and does not have access to services provided by friends or family nor the financial resources necessary to secure child care or household services and does not receive assistance from social services. The Lifeworx Foundation steps in to provide help during her time of need.

Lifeworx grew out of Agrawal’s personal trials and tribulations. “As a single parent managing home, family, work and illness of my late wife, I have first-hand experience of what most moms often face,” he recounts.

Anticipation is running high for this year’s event. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served and the celebrated mother will share her story. For further info, please contact Christine Law at christine@lifeworx.com or 
914-458-9917 – Sarah Ellen Rindsberg

Ride for Life at SpinSational on March 22 to Benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation

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spinsational-wheelJoin Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s Club of Briarcliff Manor and SpinSational Fitness Studio at their third Annual Spinathon, March 22, at SpinSational Fitness Studio on 450 North State Road in Briarcliff  Manor. There are 35 bikes per session. Reserve a cycle by enrolling: pcfclub.briarcliff@gmail.com. Adults are $30 per spin class and kids $20 per class. Must be 4 ft. 9 inches to participate.

Spinning sessions are as follows:

7:30am-8:00am; 8:30am-9:00am; 9:30am-10:00am; 10:30am-11:00am; 11:30pm-12:00pm; 1:00pm-1:30pm, 2:00pm-2:30pm.

New this Year: ***Family Sponsors ***

Recognition on the 
Day of the Event:

Gold Sponsor: $500 includes 
4 spin classes and 10 raffles

Silver Sponsor: $250 includes 
4 spin classes and 5 raffles

Pediatric Cancer Foundation President Cheryl Rosen embraces this event and thanks the sponsors: “On behalf of PCF, we are deeply honored that Pediatric Cancer Club of Briarcliff Manor and Barry Coleman, owner of  SpinSational, are hosting their third Spinathon to benefit our children’s charity. Barry opened his studio up to this special cause because he loves giving back to the community and the children. He calls the event, Ride for Life. President of the Briarcliff Manor Club, teenager Jordana Cohen, with her sister, Camryn, who produced this event, demonstrates that our mission to … hold the hand of a child can begin at any age and with any type of event. Jordana and Camryn are role models for so many other teens.”

Pediatric Cancer Foundation has been a leader, raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer for 40 years. As a non profit organization, PCF funds the vital work of hospitals by allocating money for treatment, patient/parent care, fellowships and research equipment in the study of pediatric cancer.

The Foundation supports several hospitals in the New York City metro area and their affiliates including:

  • NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York
  • The Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at NYU Langone Medical Center
  • Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at Westchester Medical Center

Green Initiatives: Plastic Bag Ban & Solar Permit Reform Considered

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RecycleBinSaplingThis new year heralds a series of environmental initiatives under consideration by New Castle town officials.

Several ideas are being generated by a key environmental group in town–the Sustainability Advisory Board. This all volunteer group is comprised of several New Castle residents. Its chair, Steven Wolk, explained that they try to find ways to help New Castle become more sustainable. These include proposals to:

• Ban most plastic bags in stores.

Communities that already have bag bans, according to Wolk, include San Francisco and Rye. The underlying reasons for doing so include the impact single-use bags on the environment, such as sewer clogging and pollution of water bodies. Wolk also explained that both the manufacture and transport of plastic bags takes an enormous amount of energy. The bag ban would allow for some exceptions, he added, such as  dry cleaning bags and bags that are used for fruits and vegetables. The goal is to implement the ban in a way that resonates positively for residents and businesses, Wolk explained. It is expected that the proposed ban will be presented to the town board before this summer.

 • Adopt what is called uniform solar permitting. 

This means that New Castle could have the same permitting type for solar installation that is used elsewhere. The benefit of uniform permitting, according to Wolk, include a reduction of the cost of installation, which in turn would lead to a reduction of the cost for solar in general.  The permitting proposal could be presented to the town board by this spring.

• Increase New Castle’s recycling rate.

Currently, about 24 percent of the waste in town is recycled, Wolk says. He believes that the figure could rise to 60 percent or more, a level that he feels could have a positive effect on the environment. A higher rate of recycling means saving tens of thousands of dollars, according to an estimate the board cites. By recycling, Wolk believes, people can have a social impact.

• Begin an educational initiative for community residents. 

The goal would be to drive home the importance of being sustainable and how to become more sustainable. Several ideas are being considered, including screening videos at the Chappaqua Library for the public and holding discussions right after.

During his interview for this story, Wolk brought up three pillars of sustainability. These include promoting social interests, trying to become more environmentally conscientious, and ensuring a bright economic future.

Within the board, members act as managers for the initiatives, according to Wolk. He holds the role for the solar permitting proposal, while Nicole Lewinter has it for the plastic bag ban. Board member Dick Goldsmith is the manager for the recycling initiative while the educational initiative is being led by Maxine Margo. The board could use volunteers, Wolk explained, and it is “absolutely recruiting.”

In an interview, Supervisor Robert Greenstein described environmental ideas that he is interested in. One initiative would be to have pails located downtown that have the option for recycling. These containers could include merchant sponsorship, which would be noted with plaques. The supervisor would also like for them to be classy and is interested in getting the beautification committee involved.

Aside from desired initiatives, changes are already set for 2014. New Castle’s website lists several enhanced recycling items that have been added for this year. They include waxed coated containers (such as for ice cream, butter, juice, milk and frozen foods), plastic bags with the numbers one to seven, and aseptic box containers that have broth, soup or juice. Residents can also take advantage of New Castle’s recycling center. It is located at 210 Hunts Lane in Chappaqua and is open between Wednesday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. and again from noon to 2:30 p.m.

Tom Auchterlonie is the former local editor of the Chappaqua-Mount Kisco Patch.

Temple Beth El Appoints New Senior Rabbi

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rabbi jaffeeThe Board of Trustees of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester has announced the hiring of Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe as its new Senior Rabbi effective July 1, 2014. Rabbi Jaffe will succeed Rabbi Joshua Davidson, who left Temple Beth El over the summer to become the Senior Rabbi at Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York. Interim Senior Rabbi Alan Fuchs will continue to lead the congregation until June.

Rabbi Jaffe will assume responsibility for a congregation of over 520 member families, with a growing Nursery School, a vibrant Religious School, and a commitment to innovative worship, lifelong learning and social justice.

He has served Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco as Rabbi since 2006.  In 2010, he took on the oversight of the synagogue’s educational programming, from Preschool through adult education. He looks forward to becoming part of our Chappaqua community.  As he stated at today’s congregational meeting, “this is the optimal opportunity for me and my family–to work with the clergy and the families at Temple Beth El.”

According to Temple Beth El president, Lisa Davis, “with his intellect, spirituality, and warm, engaging personality, Rabbi Jaffe energized the (search) committee and the board in a way we only imagined possible.  We are confident that he is the right person to lead Temple Beth El into a bright, exciting future.”