The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

A December Day that Dazzled

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Photos by Mike Feist

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Editor’s Note: The snow had not yet arrived on Saturday, December 7th; it seemed Old Man Winter was giving our downtown another reprieve and tipping its hat to an autumn that dazzled and was intent on dazzling some more with reasonable temps and clear skies.  Well, thank you Old Man…the day’s morning to dusk roster of activities brought residents with their families out of their homes and into the streets to appreciate everything from an ice sculpting–sponsored by Desires by Mikolay for the Chappaqua Millwood Chamber of Commerce–to resident caroling, a Community Sing featuring  scores by the Chappaqua Orchestra, holiday tunes by the Chappaqua Singers and a Horace Greeley High School choir, who continued to entertain visitors outside the Horace Greeley House too, preceding the New Castle Historical Society’s annual Holiday tree lighting.  Special thanks go to Mike Feist, a senior at Briarcliff high School, for his generous time and his great eye in  capturing  these holiday images for Inside Chappaqua Magazine.

Open Mic at The Purple Crayon

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PurpleCrayonSecond Friday of every month

7:30 pm doors & signup, 8:00 pm music

$5 entry fee

This is not your average open mic! The big stage, amazing acoustics, high-end equipment, and experienced sound engineer create a concert-like experience in The Purple Crayon’s friendly, laid-back environment. Come to play or just to watch! With a beautiful room, great sound and an inviting atmosphere, it’s a great place to try out new or old material, or just take in some local talent.

7:30 pm sign-up/doors

8:00 pm music

Ages 10 and up are welcome. Ask us about recording your set!

The Purple Crayon Center for Learning and Social Innovation is a multipurpose nonprofit space in Hastings-on-Hudson. We offer programs to help people pursue their passions and live engaged, creative lives. Our co working space provides affordable, flexible workspace, workshops and discussion groups, and access to a supportive network of peers and experts for entrepreneurs, freelancers and other independent workers. Live!@TPC, our live music series, invites nationally known artists to perform in a unique, intimate venue to create an elevated concert going experience, and also includes a monthly open mic night to spotlight local talent in a beautiful setting with excellent sound and a supportive group of performers and audience members.

www.purplecrayoncenter.org

Tel: 914-231-9077

Be Aware: Signs of Melanoma

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Dr. Lydia Evans
Dr. Lydia Evans

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Chappaqua Dermatologist Lydia M. Evans, M.D. answers some crucial questions on the subject.

What causes melanoma?

While excessive sun exposure increases your risk for melanoma, there is also a genetic predisposition in some individuals. Melanomas can develop in areas of the body that have never been exposed to the sun, and are also rarely found in the eyes and other body cavities. People with fair skin and blue eyes are at the highest risk, but no skin color is immune to this type of cancer.

Can melanoma ever be detected early?

Early detection of melanoma is vital, since the prognosis is directly related to how deeply the tumor penetrates into the skin. It is recommended that you try to examine your skin yourself once a month, and have a skin cancer screening body check by a dermatologist once a year. Melanoma is a complicated and sometimes aggressive tumor. Early detection with surgical excision remains the most effective therapy.  If you see a questionable spot on yourself or your loved one, don’t ignore it. A simple skin exam can do much to save a life.

What are the warning signs of melanoma?

The warning signs that can help individuals identify suspicious lesions are known as the ABCDEs.

A = asymmetry. If you draw an imaginary line down the center of a mole, the two sides should look the same.  If the mole appears to be asymmetric, it may be abnormal.

B = borders. Melanomas often have jagged borders; the edges may be scalloped or notched.

C = color.  More than one color may indicate a problem, although normal moles can sometimes have some color variation. Melanomas range widely in color from black, brown and blue to red, pink, orange and tan.

D = diameter.   Traditionally a diameter of six millimeters (about the size of a pencil’s eraser) or greater was considered a warning sign. However, many early melanomas are smaller than six millimeters, and many normal moles are larger.

E = evolving.  Any lesion evolving: a spot changing in size, shape or color, or becoming raised after being flat.

How important is it to use sunscreen all  year round?

Because there appears to be a relationship between sun exposure and melanoma, photo protection is crucial in prevention.

Make certain that your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB light. UVA light stays at a fairly constant level all year round, so it is important to wear a sunscreen all year round, not just during the summer months.

–Ronni Diamondstein

Melanoma Resources

The American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org
The Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com; 
The National Center for 
Biotechnical Information,
The Library for the National 
Institute of Health, 
www.ncbi.nlm
Learn more about 
Lydia Evans, MD, at 
www.lydiaevansmd.com

Support “My Hope Chest”at ICD Jewelry on December 6

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Hope-chestBy Virginia Shasha

Last December, my world stopped, with words one hopes never to hear: breast cancer. Through denial, fear, anger, tears, I was determined to survive.

My friends, family, and ICD colleagues supported me throughout my treatments.  I took my life back, and returned to work, coming out on Community Day: I was overwhelmed by the support of my Chappaqua friends.

I found a way to “pay it forward.” There is a small foundation, My Hope Chest, that raises money for reconstructive surgery for uninsured women, most of whom do not enjoy the encouragement I was so fortunate to have. Varda has graciously offered to help aid them through ICD. We will be holding a special event at the store for the benefit of My Hope Chest on Friday, December 6th.

I gratefully wish everyone who expressed their cares a healthy year filled with life’s joys.

For more information, visit www.myhopechest.org

Virginia Shasha is a 
Chappaqua resident and 
director of private sales at ICD Contemporary Jewelry.

Chappaqua Fair “a Resounding Success”

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Nicole Brake, owner of Broomstick Sweeties, with her spouse Robert
Nicole Brake, owner of Broomstick Sweeties, with her spouse Robert Brake, owner, Metro North Computer Consulting, Inc.

“At the Chappaqua Craft and Gift Fair benefitting the Bell PTA on November 9th, our vendors and shoppers didn’t miss a beat, in spite of last year’s fair cancellation due to Hurricane Sandy. Funds raised cover costs for academic and cultural enrichment, parent education, and field trip scholarships. In addition, this year Bell launched an After School Enrichment program; pilot classes include an organic gardening class, rock band, mathematics teams and table tennis! Through this event and others, future offerings may possibly include robotics, Mandarin and computer software development. Special thanks to Carin Khatchikian, Vendor Coordinator and Bell parent of 7th grade twins!”

–Peggy Macchetto, Bell PTA Chair 

 

 

Gathinjua Yamokoski, founder, True African Art
Gathinjua Yamokoski, founder, True African Art