The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Christine Pasqueralle

Mezzapalooza – A Helping Hand Through Music

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The very dedicated Mezzapalooza Board of Directors of Briarcliff. (L-R): Dan Shine, Mike Vincent, Andy Hite, Marc Milano, Matt Cooleen, Sergio Prosperino, Chris Fenimore, Matt Sesti. Not pictured: Peter Veritas and Brendan Kenney.  

If you love listening to live music outdoors – especially as the weather warms up and want to support a worthwhile cause at the same time – come out to Mezzapalooza on Saturday, May 11 at the Law Memorial Park Pavilion in Briarcliff Manor. Back after a four-year hiatus, the event promises a night full of music, food, and fun – all in support of Ossining resident Scott Rowe and his family.

Mezzapalooza (a 501c3) was originally created in 2012 after the tragic passing of Briarcliff resident John Mezzatesta. The community came together to honor and lend a hand to the family of one of Briarcliff’s favorite sons. As a testament to John’s memory, Mezzapalooza unites the community each year in support of a local family by offering its help and support. Mezzapalooza is back for 2024, promising an amazing evening to help support the Rowe family.

When the event first began in 2012, it was in a very organic way. As Marc Milano, member of the Executive Board says, “Mezzatesta was a legend of Briarcliff – active in everything from Little League to the fire department. The community was shocked by his death. A group got together and wanted to do something for his family and to honor him.” That’s when a few local dads that happened to play in bands decided to have a big “Battle of the Bands” party to help raise money for the family. Attendees enjoyed live music, food, and a live auction. It was so successful that the Board said, let’s do it again next year and find another family to help.

Milano was a member of one of the original bands from the inaugural event – The Lost Souls, which will be part of the line-up again this year. “Mezzapalooza came to be known as helping hands through music, as well as a village community event. We wanted to keep raising money for families in town who could really use it.” The event last took place in 2019 at St. Theresa’s Church. But then COVID hit, and the event went dormant for a few years. As Milano explains, “This past year, there were some younger families in town who had heard about Mezzapalooza and wanted to bring it back to help another local family. We reconstituted the Board and learned of a family going through a struggle. John Mezzatesta was a lion of Briarcliff – everyone knew him. The Rowe family is like that for Ossining.”

Scott Rowe, a resident of Briarcliff Manor, has an immense zest for life – and family means everything to him. Unfortunately, since July 2022, when Rowe was found to have several pulmonary embolisms, he has been in and out of the ER and the ICU and is fighting every day. He continues to be in the care of the Briarcliff Manor Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. His constant support system includes wife and high school sweetheart Michelle, daughters Maddie (19), Lily (14) and family dog Boomer. Proceeds from Mezzapalooza will benefit Scott and his beautiful family.

The Mezzapalooza Board of Directors is comprised of a large group of long time Briarcliff residents who are active in all areas of the Village and are quite generous in donating their time. The founding members, Andy Hite, Matt Cooleen, and Mike Vincent played a huge role in getting this remarkable event started in 2012 and their guidance has been instrumental in the current reboot.

Mezzapalooza takes place on Saturday, May 11 at The Pavilion at Law Memorial Park in Briarcliff Manor. From 6-11 p.m., guests can enjoy live music from bands No Mersey, Orange Jelly Project, and The Lost Souls – all donating their time for this truly worthwhile cause. Guests (21+ only) may BYO and there will also be a pizza truck, cash bar, plus a live auction and raffle of some amazing items and experiences.

For tickets and more information, please visit mezzapalooza.org

Words that Inspire at the Poetry Café at the Briarcliff Manor Public Library

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Zach Gerstein, founder of BMPL’s Poetry Café
PHOTO BY EVAN TRAINOR

Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility” said William Wordsworth in 1798. Centuries later, poetry may not be flying off the shelves, but there is still a massive and loyal audience. Since October 2022, the Briarcliff Manor Public Library (BMPL) has been hosting Poetry Café events where poets from all walks of life can come, share, and be inspired by one another’s works. And you do not have to be a professional to participate.

The café was started by Zach Gerstein, the library’s Reference Librarian, who stated, “I have been hosting poetry events since autumn 2009, when I ran the Peripatetic Poetry Corps at the Bean Runner Café in Peekskill. Since then, I’ve done series in Mahopac and Putnam Valley.” Gerstein continued, “The Poetry Café here at the BMPL was modeled after the very successful poetry café at the Florida Public Library, in Orange County, NY, which I have attended for nearly 15 years”.

Robert Milby, who was Orange County’s Poet Laureate from 2017-19 has hosted many of the Florida Library poetry cafés over the years. They began there in 2006 after a poetry reading series was suggested by its former Library Director, Madelyn Folino. The library hosts one reading per season and it consists of featured poets and an open reading, all hosted by Milby. The featured poets tend to be local to the greater Hudson Valley and the series has flourished after almost 18 years.

Gerstein has organized five cafés at BMPL since October 2022. Past cafés have featured poets Mary Wu, Bill Greenfield, Malcolm Netburn, Sean Singer, Sarah Bracey White, David Rigsbee, Vincent Bell, Jared Harél, Jared Beloff, Ellen Devlin, and Juan Mobili. The April 2024 event is slated to include Barb Jennes and Harriet Shenkman and there is a café in the works for July with Mary Lou Butler and Kristine Esser Slentz.

A great deal of enthusiasm for the cafés has been expressed by both the poets and the public at large. Sarah Bracey White says, “This was an opportunity to go where no one knows me and I can be part of a writing community. There is no judgement and people are responding to the poets’ content. It encourages people to express themselves through poetry. Poets in the audience don’t feel intimidated by others – it’s an encouraging environment for everyone to share their works.” White was happily surprised during her first visit to the BMPL Café when she headed to the second floor and saw a quote of her own stenciled onto the wall. It reads “Libraries showed me the world beyond my limited horizon.”

Bill Greenfield has been participating in various poetry readings throughout the Hudson Valley for the past ten years, which is how he met Gerstein. He describes his work as “down to earth” and his fourth book of poetry, The Ever-Shrinking Universe was recently published by Broadstone Books.

Mary Wu sees the café as a way to make poetry more accessible and less intimidating as well as bring the community together through artistic expression. “When I was growing up, poetry always seemed like this esoteric and mysterious genre of writing. However, it is thanks to Reference Librarian Zach Gerstein and (former) Library Director Donna Pesce for dispelling this myth by bringing the poetry cafe to the Briarcliff Manor Public Library”, Wu said. “I had the pleasure of sharing my poems from my poetry book Kaliedoscope (available on Amazon) at the very first poetry café that had an amazing turnout of audience members and supporters and eclectic and gifted poets sharing their works and writings. It was such a warm and welcoming place to be that shed light to the power of words through poetry.”

Reaction to the café has been extremely enthusiastic. They’re a wonderful way to help bring community members together. Gerstein said, “So far, most people prefer to just listen to our featured readers instead of signing up for the open mic” – but perhaps that may change in the near future. Upcoming café events will take place exclusively on Saturday afternoons, as that time slot tends to work best. People enjoy the social aspect of coming to the café. “Usually, they begin to arrive about 30 minutes before the readings and stick around afterwards for a good long while to chit-chat.”

The BMPL poetry cafés have become a new staple for the library and its community. They have brought together many talented writers sharing their stories and have hopefully inspired others in attendance to do the same. As White told me, “Life seduces my pen and poetry helps me arrange my thoughts about it.”

A Total Refresh with Youtherapy

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If you’re in the market for a little refresh, or just want to feel extra-great about yourself (and frankly, who doesn’t?), check out the recently-opened Youtherapy Medical Spa in Chappaqua, located at 91 Bedford Road. Founded by Dr. William Greenberg, Youtherapy offers a full range of services to help people look and feel their best. I spoke with Dr. Greenberg about the new Chappaqua location, treatment options and how to feel refreshed and confident.

Dr. Greenberg has been helping patients feel their best for more than 20 years. He opened his first practice, Skin Thera P in 2003 on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, with the goal of offering luxury treatments in a comfortable and medically-driven setting. The combination of science and medicine allows Dr. Greenberg to reverse the common signs of aging by lifting, resurfacing the skin, and improving its foundation using modern, FDA-approved technologies. Youtherapy has locations in Manhattan, Scarsdale, and Chappaqua – which opened in April 2023.

“Many women don’t want to age quickly – they want to look natural and maintain their natural beauty. We are doing procedures in a non-artificial way. We specialize in making sure we’re doing the minimum necessary, such as using bio stimulators – the latest and greatest technology. Most places don’t use this yet but we do – treatments such as collagen stimulation for crepey skin.”

It’s the use of proven science and the latest technologies that help set Youtherapy and Dr. Greenberg apart from other practitioners – helping patients discover they don’t need to live with bothersome imperfections brought on by aging. Dr. Greenberg has seen an influx of Northern Westchester clients coming to Youtherapy’s Chappaqua location – even those that were originally coming to Scarsdale. And having two Westchester locations gives clients a greater ease of convenience – there are four days per week of availability between the two offices.

Dr. William Greenberg

“Like Going to the Gym for your Skin”

If you’re new to the medspa experience and don’t know where to begin, Dr. Greenberg offers a variety of options to help make patients feel their best. “If you’re starting to have animation lines, botox is a great place to start. For those in their 20’s and 30’s treatments such as Jet Plasma – which is a painless collagen stimulation, help the skin look smoother. It’s like going to the gym for your skin.” Other popular options include facials, peels, and skin boosters such as SKINVIVE which help those well into their 50’s and give skin a healthy, youthful glow.

“We offer the latest and best ways to improve the way you look, enhancing your beauty in a natural way. All procedures are safely administered by highly-trained technicians – many who have been with me for over 10 years.” Treatments are medically supervised to ensure the patient’s safety and Dr. Greenberg is available to offer complimentary consultations.

Help for Weight Loss

In addition to the many treatments on offer, Youtherapy’s Chappaqua location has also seen a huge popularity with weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic. “There’s a big demand but not a lot of places are currently offering it. We’re making it accessible. Patients get a high level of service and don’t have to wait weeks for appointments.” Youtherapy is always offering quality, natural results using only vetted, latest and greatest treatments.

In addition, Youtherapy offers consultations for CoolSculpting® and EMSCULPT NEO, which help patients lose fat while building muscle at the same time. Youtherapy is one of the few practices in Westchester to offer EMSCULPT NEO.

Whether you’re newly interested in cosmetic treatments, not exactly sure where to start or just looking for a safe, clean, and modern location closer to home, check out Youtherapy in Chappaqua. Dr. Greenberg and his staff will take the time to assess your needs, provide high-quality service and help give you back the confidence you may have been lacking. And we can all do with a little more of that.

This Kid is on Fire… Marco Lamberti!

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Marco Lamberti
Photo by Donna Mueller

If you like live music and classic rock – especially the Rolling Stones – you must check out an upcoming show of the band Crossfire Hurricane. This local group plays with a fiery passion (no pun intended) and really gets the audience going. Oh, and did I mention its drummer Marco Lamberti is only ten years old?

I recently had the chance to speak with Marco and his dad Mike about how the band came to be, musical influences and what the future holds for the band and this rock star-in-training.

Mike Lamberti had been playing keyboards in the band Whoz Ya Daddy for some time now and one day during the 2022 holidays, Whoz Ya Daddy’s lead vocalist Chuck St. Troy came to their house to jam with Marco, who had just received a Ludwig drum kit for Christmas. Chuck was so impressed with Marco’s skill, jamming to songs by the Beatles, Stones and The Who, that he suggested playing a gig.

With Mike on guitar, and adding Matt Rocchio on bass guitar and Rick Agosta on guitar, the band headed to an open mic night at Pete’s Saloon in Elmsford. The audience loved them, and Crossfire Hurricane was born as a Rolling Stones tribute act. The band describes itself as a “high energy performance tribute band”, performing the music of The Rolling Stones from the 60s to the current period.

Since then, the band, along with Marco’s talents, have really taken off. Crossfire Hurricane has played gigs all across Westchester and the surrounding area at venues including Pete’s Saloon, Carmine’s Deli (Elmsford) and Lucy’s (Pleasantville). Some of his favorite songs to perform live are Jumpin’ Jack Flash and Gimmie Shelter and asked who were his dream musicians to jam with, the answer is Pete Townshend, John Lennon or Keith Richards.

Father/Son Bond as Fellow Musicians

When asked what it was like being able to play with his young son, Mike replies,”Playing in a band with my son Marco has been a wonderful experience and I cherish every moment of it. As time goes by, I am truly amazed by his progress as a musician and his maturity for such a young person. All the band members look forward to playing with him and feel this project is something very special.”

As for working with his dad, Marco shared many of the same sentiments. “Performing with my dad is a lot of fun. He and I went to see the Rolling Stones when I was five years old which was an amazing experience. My dad has been a musician for many years and is always willing to help me.” It’s the mutual respect and shared passion of music that has become an amazing bonding experience for the father-son duo.

Marco has been interested in making music for a while now, despite his young age. “As far as I can remember – I loved drumming. I used to go to my dad’s gigs and watch his band perform. Every Christmas I would ask for a toy drum set which would be destroyed by the end of the year after hours of hitting it.”

When he was gifted his Ludwig kit in 2022, Marco’s playing became more serious and his talent could really be developed. It was at this time that he knew he wanted to perform just like his dad. “After complaining to my father that he gigged and I didn’t, Chuck came to our house one evening to jam. My dad played guitar, Chuck sang and played Sax and me, on drums. He was amazed how many classic rock songs I knew and could play on drums.” Both father and son share a love of classic rock, some of their musical influences being the Beatles, The Who, and of course the Rolling Stones.

Music is in Marco’s blood, as Mike has also been playing guitar and keyboards for many years. His own musical journey helped to solidify Marco’s as well. Mike says, “One evening I decided not to perform a gig on Long Island and headed down to the Thirsty Turtle in White Plains to hang out. There was a band on stage which announced their keyboard player was leaving.

A ‘Life-Altering Moment’

The Lamberti Family

After the show, I approached the drummer (Mike DeBartolo) and asked if I could audition. I landed the spot as the keyboardist and spent many years with the band. It was one of the most life-altering decisions I ever made. I joined the band and met my wife Carla shortly afterwards, got married and had kids. Marco, and my daughters would attend the summer concerts and from a young age they loved hearing music. Marco, from day one, was mesmerized by Mike DeBartolo and in many ways contributed to his love of drumming.”

It’s a real treasure for father and son to perform together while helping to bring the joy of music to their audiences. As Marco says, “When the audience claps and gets excited about the music there is nothing better than that.” But as a current fifth grade student, there are other things that sometimes take precedent over performing. “My parents have stressed the importance of school and the shows are always scheduled on the weekend. I also enjoy playing soccer, baseball and hanging with my friends.”

As for the future of Crossfire Hurricane, it certainly seems like a bright one. The band has lots of gigs booked for Spring 2024 and beyond (more info can be found at crossfirehurricanestonestribute.com).

When asked where they see the band in years to come, the answer is simple, “Our goal is to be the number one Rolling Stones Tribute Band on the East Coast.”

During Times of Stress: Reasons to Turn to The Therapists at REPOSE

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Megan Kordenbrock, LMSW, at Repose
Photo by Donna Mueller

It goes without saying, the holiday season can be a very stressful time. For some, the psychological trauma of world events may be deeply felt. But the reasons can also be more mundane. Between all the commitments. overbooking and family drama, anyone can feel overwhelmed. Add in the daily stressors already in our lives and some may find the need to reach out for some professional guidance. This is where Repose can help.

The Repose practice started early in the pandemic as a remote option for those seeking therapy. Now with an office space in Pleasantville, Repose provides clients with a holistic approach to therapy, honoring the connection between mind, body, and spirit. Its mission is to help people gain clarity, heal, and overcome challenges so that they may live with greater ease. As their website states, “Although we cannot cure our wounds, we can heal them.” Repose is here to help those who seek it and in a gentle and inclusive way.

One of their therapists Megan Kordenbrock, a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), explains here how therapy can help and how to begin the process and wellness in general–whether it’s during this busy end-of-year season, or whenever the time feels right to you.

Megan joined the Repose team in July 2023 and has been a LMSW since 2011. She works with clients remotely as well as in the Pleasantville office, and having the option of either is very helpful for many clients. “People enjoy the flexibility of therapy online but also enjoy using the office in person. Being together in the room is awesome. However, for some people, it’s hard to get out of bed, but they can still go to therapy, and can do trauma-processing work online as well.”

Repose is always adapting to people’s needs whether they prefer remote or in-person sessions. Megan’s practice has mostly been in interpersonal violence work–domestic violence and sexual assault, helping those victimized as both children and adults. She works with survivors of trauma and has seen the ways in which people can heal and develop new ways of being and coping with their feelings. “With trauma and suffering with mental health: you think you are your symptoms. But I explain to people, there is nothing wrong with you. Something happened TO you. Your mind and system adapt with ways of dealing with it. We are taking the shame out of it and helping people find ways of coping with it.”

As the world has changed, so has our approach to seeking therapy. “We lived through a shift in how our world functions.

I work with a lot of college students who had a lot of losses–big and small. It was just how life really changed during pandemic–it was a lot to deal with, but we’re ready to move on as a culture.”

On Processing Feelings

One of Megan’s main philosophies is that of feelings. “You can’t heal what you can’t feel.” As a society, we tend to try and intellectualize situations and sometimes brush our feelings aside. The practice of being able to ‘sit in’ your feelings and really recognize them and give them a voice is an important part of any healing journey. “Being able to slow down in a way that’s safe and notice that feelings are just feelings–they just want to be felt. Can you slow down and step out of the back and forth of your mind. Ask yourself–’what am I feeling?’ I find that men and boys especially are socialized not to be in the feelings’ realm. Therapy is a safe space to feel what you’re feeling. The relationship element with the therapist is the most important ingredient for change and growth.”

Although therapy has become such a wide-spread part of how people work through their feelings and trauma, for some, there is still an apprehension towards trying it out. “It’s normal to feel a mix of both curious and anxious. People have often developed sound coping mechanisms to get by and not feel what they’re feeling. It can be overwhelming to take those feelings out. Trauma-informed therapy is so important –it’s a pacing thing. Going at a safe pace not to avoid but to say ‘we can do this together’ in a way that’s not overwhelming. You go slow. Especially for those that experience a lot of hard things–it can be scary.”  As both the world and our personal lives become more stressful seemingly by the day, the holiday season can be one that exacerbates our daily stresses. Megan shared some very helpful tips for coping and thriving through the new year.

“Whatever season of life you’re in, your relationship to the holiday season will change. There’s always a lot of expectations–spending time with others, rituals, travel, feeling the joy of the season. There’s a lot of transitions that are happening. Routines go out the window and it can be very disorienting–especially for kids in college kids who are navigating their new independence.” People grieving a loss or dealing with loneliness may find difficulties come up. “It can be a really painful time–do I celebrate or not?” Megan suggests planning ahead to help alleviate any unnecessary stresses.

“Know yourself. What season of life am I in and find a way to come up with a goal or mantra. Maybe it’ connection or rest. What are your priorities and how can they ground you? Consider what to say yes to or not. Have intention around a plan and how you want to spend your time.” She also suggests leaning on others so that not everything is fully on you. “Think ahead–there’s a big mental load that comes around during this time.” And don’t forget about prioritizing yourself–which we all know can be difficult. “What fills your cup? It may be time with friends, time alone, exercise, cooking, etc. It’s easy to lose these things first but make sure they’re a part of your time too so you’re not always just giving, giving, giving.”

Most importantly Megan says, just allow yourself to feel what you’re feeling. “It’s ok to have a rest day or a hard day or even feel like you’re having a good time when you thought you wouldn’t.” Your feelings are constantly shifting, but remember: your feelings belong to you and are always valid.