The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

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Local Jeweler Supports the SPCA of Westchester

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Scott and his American Bulldog rescue
Walk down King Street in Chappaqua, NY and you’ll spot tons of local businesses. Be it a clothing store, nail salon or a jewelry store–they’re all over. Many of these businesses have been around for decades and have well served the residents of the area. However, these businesses are not just good for selling products to locals, but many also grant significant support to various charities. Desires by Mikolay, one of the jewelers in town, is well known for its support of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, or better known to many as the SPCA located in Briarcliff Manor.

Scott and Tara Mikolay, the powerhouse husband and wife team that owns Desires, became involved with the SPCA in 2008 because of their joint passion for animals. The couple has had six of their own rescue dogs over the years, ranging from an Australian Cattle Dog to an American Bulldog, so the idea of supporting a charity to raise awareness and support for rescue animals was a “natural fit,” according to Tara.

Tara and Scott care so deeply for the SPCA that they wanted to expand their contributions beyond the personal level by getting their business involved. Since 2008, they have hosted Shop for a Cause, a charity shopping event where they donate 10% of the night’s proceeds to the SPCA. This year, Desires had record success, raising over $4,000 over the course of the evening. The night was so successful because of the staff’s dedication to the cause, as well as the love and support brought in by each client.

In total, Desires has raised more than $45,000 for the organization through the annual holiday event as well as by offering “Gifts with Impact” throughout each year. Tara explained that it is incredibly useful to have “a platform in one of the most generous towns in the country.”

Mini, a beloved pug rescued by the Mikolays. She passed away this year at 16 years.
Although shopping for jewelry is one great way to help the SPCA, there are many other ways to get involved. The SPCA is always in need of committed volunteers and they have an Amazon wish list with products they need for the shelters. Even something as simple as liking the SPCA on Facebook can make a difference and according to Tara, “your impact, however big or small, is so meaningful.”

Tara explained that the SPCA is more than just a rescue organization. Their programs range from taking tireless care of each dog they take in to working to change animal abuse laws and education.

Tara and Scott’s connection to the SPCA runs deep. “Rescuing dogs for us is the only option. There are so many dogs in need and we have been blessed with the love of all of our dogs,” Tara said. The couple is even on the lookout for a companion for their current dog, Gus, and they will certainly be looking to rescue. With more than 1,300 orphaned animals rescued at the SPCA last year alone chances are Gus may just find a “furry friend” there.

Think Fit For Kids 2018 Raises Funds for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research

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Jumpy castles, hoop games, Zumba for kids, face painting–the annual Think Fit For Kids (TFFK) Family and Fitness event, generously hosted at Club Fit in Briarcliff, is a community fundraiser that has been going strong for eight years.

As we went to press with this issue, the 2018 TFFK team of volunteers, is ensuring that the event on Sunday, March 4, 2018 meets its goal of raising $250,000 to support state of the art pediatric brain cancer research. Getting ready for TFFK involves the support of corporate sponsors, with more than 75 local merchants all donating the food, DJ music, entertainment and photography.

Since 2011 when Chappaqua’s Kim Gilman and Amy Weinstein approached Club Fit’s owner, Ellen Koelsch to sponsor the TFFK event, $1.5 million has been raised for A Kids’ Brain Tumor Cure Foundation, which currently funds two extremely promising projects at Massachusetts General Hospital and Memorial Sloan Kettering. Most excitingly, a Phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of combining immunotherapy agents in children with brain tumors has now expanded into a large-scale clinical trial at 58 centers in 13 countries. This study brings new hope to children across the globe who have run out of treatment options and may provide a completely new avenue for battling deadly brain tumors in children.

Cancerous brain tumors have now surpassed leukemia as the leading cause of cancer death in children. There are 28,000 children battling brain tumors in the U.S., including some in our community, and an additional 4,300 will be diagnosed this year.

Through Horace Greeley High School’s club, SHARE (Students Have A Responsibility Everywhere), enthusiastic student volunteers help before, during and after the TFFK event.  In addition to manning a booth at Community Day to publicize the event, SHARE hosts a Ben & Jerry’s fundraiser in Mt. Kisco. “It’s great to see many Greeley students come to get ice cream and help out this cause and raise community awareness around the dire need for funding pediatric brain cancer research. Plus, we always have fun scooping ice cream!” says Alice Heyeh, a SHARE Community Partners Executive, HGHS ’18.

It’s not too late to donate to the cause. Visit www.thinkfitforkids.org for additional information.

Getting a Strong Start to 2018

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By Scott M. Kahan

It’s almost spring and now is the time to give your finances a “spring cleaning!”

With the stock market sell off and continued volatility after record highs, interest rate increases, new tax laws 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 return of volatility in equity prices and rising interest rates, 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. New tax laws have ushered in much confusion. With a limitation of $10,000 for SALT deductions, (State and local tax), along with various other impactful changes, now is the time to review your 2018 taxes. Even though you may be in a lower tax bracket, you still could end up paying more tax due to the lower allowed deductions. Check your withholding tax to make sure you are not under or over paying your taxes during the year. Then look to see if you are fully funding your retirement plans and look for all possible deductions to minimize your income tax. When you file your 2017 taxes, make sure to do a projection for 2018 as well.
  • 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.

A simple review can help bring focus to your overall financial picture. A qualified Certified Financial Planner Professional can help ensure your financial affairs are consistent with your current and long-term goals and objectives. Get a strong start for 2018!

Coming March 15 and 16–Creative Arts Therapy Workshops

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Creative Arts Therapy Workshops
EXPERIENCING THE ART WITHIN YOU

Thursday and Friday, March 15 and 16

“Focus on the journey, not the destination.
Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.”
Greg Anderson, Author

Join us as we celebrate National Creative Arts Therapy Week. Come and explore the artist within as we share our
experience of dance/movement, art, drama and music.
The Greens at Greenwich Creative Arts Therapists are partnering
with the Bruce Museum for two exciting workshops.

Art and Music Therapy

Thursday, March 15, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
Facilitated by Deborah Shaw-Appel, Art Therapist
and Kimberly Williams, Music Therapist

Dance/Movement and Drama Therapy

Friday, March 16, 5:30 to 7:30pm
Facilitated by Beth Liebowitz, Dance/Movement Therapist
and Maria Scaros, Drama Therapist, Executive Director, The Greens

Workshops will be held at the Bruce Museum
1 Museum Drive, Greenwich

RSVP »

March 15 & 16 Thursday & Friday

Please Join Us! Appreciate how the arts awaken joy and discovery through the creative process of music, dance/movement, drama and art.

Space is limited. Register now. You may attend both workshops or one of them.

Call 203.531.5500
Email mscaros@thegreensatgreenwich.com

World Cup Gymnast Scores a Perfect 10

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CHAPPAQUA, New York–World Cup Gymnastics girls team kicked off the meet season at home during the Josh Ward Invitational state qualifying meet which was renamed this year in honor of one of their young coaches who passed away after a short battle with cancer.  

The World Cup gymnasts honored their coach by putting out some outstanding performances.  The highlight of the entire competition came from one of World Cup’s younger competitors, eight year old Emma Namba from Pelham, NY.  Namba scored World Cup’s first ever 10.0 on the Balance Beam!  To score a 10.0 is an extremely rare feat and speaks to how hard Emma has been practicing in the gym to achieve perfection!  Namba dominated the middle Level 3 competition by earning 1st place medals in each event including a 9.9 on Vault, a 9.7 on Bars, a 9.7 on Floor and secured the all-around first place title with a 39.3.  The Level 3 Team took home the first place trophy.

Other highlights of the meet included a sweep of the top all-around spots by World Cup gymnasts on the older Level 3 Team.  Lauren Chase of Pleasantville lead the pack with a 37.45 and placed 1st on Bars with a 9.25, 2nd on Vault with a 9.5 and 3rd on Beam with a 9.5.  Armonk native, Alexa Goldberg finished 2nd place all-around with a 36.95 and took home the first place medal on Vault with a 9.65 and 2nd place on Bars and Floor with a 9.15 and 9.35 respectively.  Olivia Selkin who hails from Greenwich, CT finished 3rd place all-around with a 36.75 and took home two 3rd place medals for Bars with a 9.05 and Floor with a 9.3.  Gabriela Olego of Mt. Kisco, who competes in the younger Level 3 division, finished 3rd in the all-around with a 37.75 and took home a 1st place medal in Floor with a 9.5 and two 3rd place medals on Bar and Beam with a 9.3 and 9.6 respectively.

The younger Level 4 girls also swept the top spots during the competition.  Mt. Kisco native, Amanda Olego was the all-around champion with a score of 37.075.  She also won 1st place on Bars with a 9.325, on Beam with a 9.250 and on Floor with a 9.8 and took 2nd place for Vault with an 8.7.   Teammate Grace McClullough from Pleasantville was 2nd place all-around with a score of 35.95 and placed 2nd on Bars with a 9.250.  Mt. Kisco native Sasha Goldman secured the 3rd place all-around medal with a 35.6.  The older Level 4 gymnasts Annika Murphy from Croton on Hudson took home the silver all-around medal with a score of 35.575 and earned a 2nd place medal on Bars with a 9.150 and on Beam with a 8.975 and a 3rd place medal on Vault with a 8.45.  Here teammate and Scarsdale native, Gordana Zimberg took home the bronze all-around with a 34.775 and placed 1st on Beam with a 9.15 and 2nd on Floor with a 9.25.  Senika Manchanda of Tarrytown, who competed as a middle level 4, took home the 3rd place, all-around medal with a 36.85 and 2nd place medals on Bars with a 9.575 and Beam with a 9.325.  The Level 4 team went home with the 2nd place trophy!

The younger level 5 all-around champion was Scarsdale native, Sofia Gisbert who earned a 36.250 and earned 1st place on Bars with an 8.85, on Beam with a 9.0 and a 2nd place medal on Floor with a 9.45.  Her teammate Eliana Chorost of Rye was the 2nd place, all-around champion with a score of 35.30.  Chorost also earned 2nd place on Vault with a 9.05 and 2nd place on Beam with an 8.85.  Older Level 5 gymnasts, Denise Kotronis of Hastings on Hudson was the 2nd place, all-around winner with a score of 34.475 and earned 1st place on Bars with an 8.15 and 2nd place on Vault with an 8.775.  Katonah native, Georgia Nekos was 3rd place, all-around with a score of 33.975 and won 1st place on Vault with an 8.825, 2nd place on Beam with an 8.55 and 3rd place on Bars with a 7.45.  The level 5 team came home with the 2nd place trophy.

Dani Halperin, who hails from Chappaqua, was 2nd place, all-around champion in the Level 6 junior competition earning a 37.30 all-around and taking home two 2nd place medals for Bars with a 9.15 and Beam with a 9.45.

Brooke Giardina of Waccabue, a level 7 senior competitor, was the 3rd place all-around champion earning a 36.275.  She also took home two 3rd place medals for Bars with a 9.3 and Beam with an 8.5.  Level 7 junior, Natalie Calman of Briarcliff, took the 2nd place all-around medal with a 37.15.  She also took home 1st place on Floor with a 9.825.  The Level 7 team took home the 2nd place trophy.

Level 8 Senior Madison Higgins of Bedford was the all-around champion with a score of 36.35 and received two 1st place medals for Vault and Bars with scores of 9.15 and 9.45 respectively and two 2nd place medals for Beam and Floor with scores of 8.45 and 9.3 respectively.

Pleasantville native, Katherine Colella who competed as a Level 8 Senior was the 2nd place, all-around medalist earning a score of 36.275.  She also was 1st on Bars with a 9.425, 2nd on Vault with a 9.05 and 3rd on Floor with a 9.6.

World Cup’s XCEL Platinum team was definitely feeling the home advantage when they outperformed other teams that had double and/or nearly triple the amount of competitors to take home the 1st Place Trophy with a score of 28.  XCEL junior competitor, Julia Hansburg from Bedford won the all-around with a 36.8 and received first place on Bars with an 8.9 and Floor with a 9.5.  She also placed 2nd on Vault.  Senior competitors Arielle Wilson of Pleasantville and Katherine Grimes of Croton on Hudson were the 1st and 2nd place all-around champions receiving scores of 37.95 and 37.8 respectively.  Wilson also placed first on Vault and Bars with a 9.8 and  a 9.65 and placed 2nd of Floor with a 9.2.  Grimes placed 2nd on Bars with a 9.5.

World Cup Gymnastics has been training State, Regional and National Champions for over 20 years.

World Cup Gymnastics is deemed one of the most revered recreational and competitive gymnastics programs in the state offering mommy and me classes for infants, pre-school gymnastics, school-age recreational gymnastics, tumbling for cheerleaders and competitive teams.   For more information, please call 914-238-4967 or visit www.worldcupgymnastics.com.