The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

The Inside Press

Area Library Programming you Don’t Want to Miss

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Round up by Beth Besen and the Inside Press

Don’t miss Beth’s story too on how “The Library” remains a vital community resource:  http://theinsidepress.com/how-our-libraries-stack-up-in-todays-digital-world/

Briarcliff Manor Public Library

Interested in re-inventing your adult self? Check out “What’s Next In My Life and Career?” Discovering Possibilities after 50 Thursday, March 23, 6:30-7:30 p.m. This program is offered through the Westchester Library System’s WEBs Career & Educational Counseling Service. Thinking of travel to Cuba? Join Our Librarian in Havana: Hemingway’s Cuba–librarians will speak on their recent visit to Havana, Cuba with special focus on American novelist Ernest Hemingway and his time there; Thursday, March 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Additional programming can be found online: http://www.briarcliffmanorlibrary.org/calendar.html

Chappaqua Library

This spring, the Chappaqua Library stage welcomes: Dance educator and Steffi Nossen School of Dance faculty member, Kristina Todd Nelson, on Wednesday March 21 and 28 from 10-10:30 a.m.; Kristina will teach Story Dance as part of the “Story Hour” program.

Additional upcoming stage guests include authors Lisa See and Sebastian Junger. Coming this fall: a month-long celebration of Broadway.

On Thursday, April 6, 7-9 p.m., The League of Women Voters of New Castle forum “Media and Politics: The Impact on our Democracy” will address the impact of these issues on the 2016 Presidential election and on future elections. Moderated by Jeanne Zaino, Ph.D., Political Analyst and Professor at Iona College with Panelists Jon Klein, Cable News and Internet Executive; Jerry McKinstry, Media Strategist and Journalist; and Phil Reisman, Columnist/Radio Talk Show Host.

 For more info, visit lwvnewcastle.org

Jeanne Zaino, Ph.D.
Jon Klein
Jerry McKinstry
Phil Reisman

 

 

 

 

 

Mount Kisco Library

Popular with so many, craft workshops will again be offered this spring: Earring making will take place on Tuesday, March 14, 4-5:30 p.m.; for every pair made, another pair will be donated to a women’s shelter. Kids from school-age through teen will enjoy making and flying their own Tyvek kites, Thursday March 30, 4:30-6 p.m.; registration required. Home-made rain sticks help usher in April showers on Thursday, April 6, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; registration required. Button snails to decorate a garden on Monday, April 10, 4-5 p.m. Kaleidoscope making on Tuesday, April 11, 2-3 p.m. https://mtklibraryfoundation.org/index.html

Mount Pleasant Public Library

Come see the Pleasantville Children’s Center Art Show, now through Thursday, March 23rd. Ongoing Baby Time, Toddler Storytime and Pre-School Storytime programs continue every week, along with knitting groups, reading groups and ESOL classes; check the library calendar for days and times: http://mountpleasantlibrary.org/en/about-new/events/calendar

North Castle Library

Dave Barry. Photo by Ezra Goh.

Best-selling humorist and author Dave Barry comes home to Armonk to speak before a live audience in “Dave Barry: A Homecoming,” Thursday, April 6, 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are on sale now online, via phone and, as space permits, at the door; proceeds raised will benefit Barry’s hometown St. Stephen’s Church and the North Castle Boy Scouts. Copies of Barry’s latest book Best. State. Ever. will be available for purchase on site, and the author will sign his books following the event. http://www.northcastlelibrary.org/

Ossining Library

10th year anniversary celebrations began this month and will continue for another six months with an extensive community outreach program–look for strategically located tables set out in the community (park, supermarket, train station) to inform, to engage the public in conversation, and to sign up new residents for library cards. Additionally, Reference Librarian Linda Levine, received a grant from Lifetime Arts for a creative aging special mural art workshop, going on right now. Cultural Program Specialist Carry Cubillos, received a grant from ArtsWestchester for an eight-week dance program that will include Samba, Salsa, Tango, Merengue, May through June.Artist, Shiela Hale of Katonah, is displaying her beautiful creation of book art at the library. The exhibition will be on display until the end of April on the second floor of the library. The exhibit titled “Lost & Found” – Including Scholar’s Desk & Volumes from a Black Library.“I am a lover of books, Shiela says, “…I like to see them lined up on shelves and stacked in towers. I always have one in my handbag and one in my car.”

http://www.ossininglibrary.org/pages/calendar/indexCalendar.html

First Responders Honored at NWH with Stayin’ Alive Grants

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Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run in May

Stayin’ Alive, Inc. is a 501(c)3 whose mission is to raise money for the First Responders of Northern Westchester to help them purchase equipment that is not supported by their budget. The annual Stayin’ Alive 5K Fun Run is held every May and the profits go directly to grants for First Responders.

At a Grant Award Ceremony at Northern Westchester Hospital in late November, co-founder Christy Saltstein stated: “First Responders play a key role in the safe functioning in all of our communities. Stayin’ Alive was formed as a direct result of an extraordinary life-saving collaboration of First Responders after our husbands were involved in an accident during Hurricane Sandy.

Stayin’ Alive shares the same commitment in supporting First Responders as Northern Westchester Hospital and we are delighted to partner with them today to make our 2016 grant award announcement.”

A video was then shown that documents the heroic efforts of the First Responders during Hurricane Sandy and also gives the background of how Stayin’ Alive was started.

First responder recipients of Stayin’ Alive grants with NWH staff

Joel Seligman, the President & CEO of Northern Westchester Hospital, spoke about the importance of First Responders in our communities and the commitment of the hospital in working with them to provide the highest level of care. Michele Berliner, co-founder of Stayin’ Alive then presented 2016 grants. This year, Stayin’ Alive granted almost $30,000 in equipment to local First Responders.

Recipients included those from the Armonk Independent Fire Company, the Banksville Independent Fire Company, the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Independent Fire Co. of Mount Kisco.

Getting a Strong Start to 2017

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BY SCOTT M. KAHAN

With the stock market hitting record highs, potential interest rate increases and the ongoing uncertainty as to what is going on in Washington, now is the time to organize. Here are a few quick things to address to get started.

Review your portfolio.

With the rally in equity prices, it’s probably a good time to review your asset allocation. A simple way to re-balance your portfolio is to first set what percent of your portfolio should be in each asset class. Then when reviewing your portfolio, the sectors that have gone up will be over weighted and should be reduced, while the underperforming sectors will be under weighted and can be added to. If you follow this practice, it forces you to sell high, buy low and take the emotions out of investing.

Review Your Taxes and Cash Flow.

If you are getting large tax refunds each year, review your withholding. Financially, it’s actually better to get a small refund or owe a small amount. When you get a refund, it’s your money being returned to you with no interest. In other words, you gave the government an interest free loan. Adjust your withholding or estimated tax payments to ensure you are not over or under paying your taxes by too much. Then look to see if you are fully funding your retirement plans. If not, use that extra money each pay check to fund your retirement plan. The retirement plan contribution usually is tax deductible thus saving you even more in taxes.

Review Your Estate Planning.

When was the last time you looked at your wills and other estate planning documents? Make sure all beneficiaries are in place in retirement accounts. Review to make sure you have named guardians for minor children. If you have avoided setting up your estate plans, now is the time to address this important issue.

Scott M. Kahan, is a Certified Financial Planner® professional and President of Financial Asset Management Corporation, a fee-only wealth management firm located at 26 South Greeley Avenue in Chappaqua. Call Scott Kahan at 914-238-8900.

Triumph for Byram Hills Varsity Hockey

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Byram Hills’ 5th Annual Pink the Rink fundraiser against breast cancer was a great night for BH Varsity Hockey, as the team won for the 4th consecutive year against their Route 22 rivals Fox Lane 11-1. The bigger victory was that the team achieved their goal and raised over $10,500 toward breast cancer research. The Bobcats sported pink hockey sweaters and socks, and Fox Lane got into the spirit with bright pink skate laces.

“We are so proud of our boys and girls,” said Charity Lunder, whose daughter is the goalie, the only girl on the team. “With four sets of siblings on the team, it’s a school record. My son Robert (a senior) and my daughter Grace (a junior) are wrapping up three years of playing on the same team, a dream come true for parents!”

The game took place before an enthusiastic crowd at Brewster Ice Arena, with Bobcats Ethan Behar and Robert Lunder scoring hat tricks. The Bobcats record is 7-4, and they expect to notch more wins in the weeks ahead. The team extends thanks to all in the Byram Hills Community, as well as Fox Lane, who contributed to the success of this campaign.

Promise of Spring

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I’m thrilled to be into a fourth year of publishing Inside Armonk Magazine, and to add finishing touches to an early spring edition while basking in an unseasonably warm late February day. Please enjoy this edition chock full of “strong starts” snapshots into North Castle living with a special spotlight on the North Castle Public Library…and on many area libraries in fact. I often wondered how our libraries are faring in this increasingly digital world, so was delighted to read that they continue to engage us with ever evolving and innovative programming. Please enjoy the issue, and the always welcome promise of spring!  In sweet anticipation of it, I joined many area merchants for an enjoyable evening of networking hosted by two Castle Chambers, per below!  — Grace

A Two-Chamber Affair at The Seafood Grille

Members of both the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce and the Armonk Chamber of Commerce met in February to network and enjoy tastings recently at Armonk’s exciting newcomer, The Seafood Grille. Everyone enjoyed ocean delicacies ranging from sesame crusted tuna and Japanese sea scallop to Maine lobster and buratta salad and crunchy halibut tacos. Pictured (L-R): Neal Schwartz, president, Armonk Chamber; owner Michael Mazzella and his wife Taeko; Dawn Dankner Rosen, President, Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber; and Michael Weinberg, Chappaqua Chamber member.
Armonk Chamber’s Stacy Wilder (right) and Susan Goldstein.