The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Cover Stories

Well It Can’t Be My Fault!

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crash cars twoBad Driving Habits In and Around Chappaqua

By Jordan Rosenthal

 As a teen and a new driver, I catch a lot of flack for the driving habits of my peers.  Sure, we are young and occasionally reckless, but do we really deserve all of this negative press?  Have we not just completed hours upon hours of mandatory supervised driving, classroom time, and the most stressful seven minutes ever–the road test?  Even if people say that all of that education fades quickly, we still have the upper hand on adults who are years out of the education system and simply pay homage to the DMV to finally replace that license photo from the age of big hair.  So, who’s the real culprit?

The Role of Age

To my fellow teen drivers, recognize that if people are calling on us to be safer, more respectful drivers, there must be a reason.  Sure, driving is exciting, exhilarating, and an opportunity to taste responsibility and freedom; our young age gives us a false sense of invincibility. But the statistics speak for themselves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, per mile driven, drivers ages 16 to 19 are three times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than drivers over 20 years old.  Numbers like that should sicken parents and teens alike.  Those statistics alone should be enough to encourage us to slow down, buckle up, and most importantly not look at that extra appendage we call a cell phone. Textinganddrivingsafety.com reports that drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to get into a car crash, and that’s at ANY age. Three out of every four teen drivers surveyed felt confident in their driving abilities while texting, yet they fail to acknowledge that false confidence is deadly, as car crashes are the number one cause of death among teens.*

But to that point, teens are not the only ones who use their smartphones at every possible moment.  While we are, for the most part, more tech-savvy, adults distract themselves just as often as teens do to send a quick text.  In fact, adults have many other distractions they have to manage.  Teens don’t have to deal with rowdy children in the back seat fighting over the imaginary line in the middle that “she crossed again!”  Furthermore, I have heard enough stories of spilled coffee, finishing makeup, and even shaving on the way to work to be quite sure adults find their own distractions.  Parents are urged to be good examples, and are charged with the responsibility of coaching their teen drivers. I know not everyone–including adults–signals before pulling away from the curb in good Driver Education fashion.

We Are No Exception

Detective Daniel Corrado of the New Castle Police Department emphasized that while both adults and teens are guilty of distracted driving, the only inherent difference is that adults understand through experience the subtleties of driving as well as the dangers of being reckless. Teenage drivers need time to learn the difference between when they are in control of the car and when they are not, as well as how to drive in various conditions: if they took Driver Ed in the summer, for example, they have not driven on the slick fallen leaves of autumn. Also, very few people realize that five seconds looking down at a cell phone while driving 30 miles per hour means you have traveled 220 feet.  That’s undoubtedly a low speed in the minds of most drivers, yet whatever occurs in that distance does not discriminate by age, gender, or supposed skill behind the wheel. Here in Chappaqua, the fight against bad driving has picked up momentum. Reports of numerous hit-and-runs have been heard, as well as witness accounts of people failing to parallel park correctly, a skill us teens are forced to perfect for the road test. The “Chappaqua Moms” Facebook group has been a hotbed of discussion and complaint about driving here in town. “I don’t think it’s about bad driving as much as it is about a self-centered attitude of entitlement and competitiveness and a general lack of consideration for our fellow drivers who may also have equally pressing needs to be wherever they want to go,” noted long time Chappaqua resident Penny Vane. “Our Smartphone technologies only serve to enhance and aggravate the risks and perceived rewards of driving self-absorbed and selfishly.”

Therein lies the answer to who is the culprit: any driver who takes his or her eyes off of the wheel at any time…so in other words, EVERYONE.  It cannot be a matter of finger pointing or blame-giving. New drivers, accept responsibility; old drivers, you too! If you can resolve to do one less distracting task while driving, everyone around you will benefit and the roads will be exceedingly safer.  Be smart, be savvy, know your habits, and realize we’re all in this one together.

tiki bookJordan Rosenthal is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, his favorite book was Tikki Tikki Tembo.

Editor’s Note:  DORC (Distracted Operators Risk Casualties), a non profit organization started by the Liebermans of Chappaqua after their son Evan died two years ago following a terrible car accident (see Evan’s Legacy story on page 10 too) has also spurred a great deal of conversation locally and state wide about teenage texting and driving, in particular. 
For more info, visit www.dorcs.org.

Shop Local, Chamber of Commerce Unites Residents and Merchants

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Hillary Clinton enjoying Chappaqua’s Summer Sidewalk Sales. Carlyn Simpson Photo*
Hillary Clinton enjoying Chappaqua’s Summer Sidewalk Sales.
Carlyn Simpson Photo*

By Paige Schoenberg

What do a restaurant, a preschool, a clothing retailer, and a dentist have in common? All are members of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, a local association that aims to bring together New Castle businesses and the community.

The Chamber was founded just over one year ago in 2012 by Rob Greenstein and Christine Yeres, who hoped to help local merchants expand their businesses while at the same time creating a sense of community that many felt had begun to fade over the years. When the Chamber was first formed, only a few of the town’s many businesses were members. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Chamber Board, that number has grown to include over 170 diverse local enterprises

A Community-Minded Mission       

The Chamber supports these and other establishments with the “Shop Local” initiative, which encourages residents to shop at smaller stores in Chappaqua and Millwood instead of at big-box chains. This helps merchants by increasing revenue and benefits customers by providing a unique, personalized shopping experience that cannot be found at larger retailers. As part of their plan to boost the local economy, the Chamber promotes the 3/50 Project, which reinforces the economic benefits of shopping locally. For every dollar spent at a local store, more money is returned to the community than would be if that money was spent elsewhere.

Of every $100 spent locally, $68 comes back to the town through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures, as compared to only $43 for every $100 spent in a national chain.

The Chamber also participates in the American Express Small Business Saturday, a nationwide program advocating the importance of supporting small businesses.

The program, which provides free marketing materials for merchants, is run by the American Express Company and backed by corporations such as Facebook, Twitter, and FedEx.

Helping Business and the Community Thrive Together       

One of four movie nights at Millwood Park this summer. © Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe
One of four movie nights at Millwood Park this summer.
© Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe

These campaigns are important to revitalize the local economy, but the Chamber recognizes that creating a sense of community is of equal value. To achieve their goal of making local businesses a part of the greater community, the Chamber has held several events, designed to increase spirit and bring residents into stores and restaurants. Recent events include the first annual Tails to Trails pet fair in Millwood, sponsored by Drug Mart and the Millwood Animal Hospital, and the May Madness Sweepstakes, which gave customers a chance to win one of four iPad minis by registering at participating merchants. Free family-friendly movies were shown in Millwood Park on Friday nights in June and July.

During July, the Chamber worked with the New Castle Recreation and Parks Department to host the Summer Concert Series, which featured the Chappaqua Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen and Neil Diamond cover bands, and local food vendors were on hand to provide refreshments.

The Chamber hopes that these kinds of larger events, in addition to the popular Sidewalk Sales in late July, will draw crowds from the surrounding area as well.

Ready for a Busy Fall       

New Castle residents have several upcoming events to look forward to. In October, the Chamber will organize its second annual Fall Festival in downtown Chappaqua. Planned activities include pie-baking and doughnut-eating contests, hayrides, and food tastings by local restaurants. Stores will sponsor activities, and merchandise will be available for purchase. The Chamber will be running a Community Day table to highlight future happenings.

Two returning events, the Taste of Chappaqua and the Holiday Stroll, will take place in November or early December. Last year’s Holiday Stroll featured carolers, ice sculptures, and refreshments as part of a joint event with the New Castle Historical Society’s annual tree lighting, at which the Horace Greeley High School Madrigal Choir and the Chappaqua Orchestra performed.

Residents can also expect new lighted snowflakes in time for the holidays, which will add a bit of winter sparkle to the Rt. 120 bridge and throughout the downtown area.

The decorations are part of a combined effort with the New Castle Beautification Advisory Board to boost foot traffic by improving the appearance of Chappaqua’s downtown area.

Chappaqua Fall Festival Apple Pie Contest
Chappaqua Fall Festival Apple Pie Contest

The Chamber actively participates in town matters and encourages residents to get involved. Currently, the Chamber posts a weekly ChamberChat on the New Castle NOW website to publicize town meetings and community activities, as well as special promotions from merchants. The Chamber also sends updates through email blasts and the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. An independent Chamber website and mobile app is in the works.

zoo bookPaige Schoenberg is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Put Me in the Zoo.

*Editor’s Note: Carolyn Simpson of Doublevision Photographers graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Photography. Through her lens she has photographed many things, from the cobblestoned streets of Italy to the smiling faces of families at holiday time. With  over 20 years of experience, Carolyn strives to always capture the essence of the moment. She specializes in Events, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Portraits and Architecture Photography.

Technology in Town: Changing the Way Chappaqua Works

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hurricane-sandyBy Rachel Neuburger

The purpose of technology is to make life safer, easier, and more interesting for people everywhere. This has certainly been the case in New Castle, where recent technological initiatives have changed the way the town functions. New technological advancements and communication developments cover all facets of life in Chappaqua; here are just a few examples of the myriad benefits residents and students have received over the past year:

Adjusting Post-Hurricane Sandy

The ferocity of Hurricane Sandy, the infamous late-October storm, took many by surprise. Seventy percent of households in Chappaqua lost electricity, and schools were closed for almost two weeks as the town went through the lengthy process of rehabilitation. Sandy was a wake-up call for the town, as it was clear that the traditional system of communications would not suffice if a similar natural disaster were to occur in the future.

Before and during the hurricane, the town utilized a system called Nixle to cover its communication needs. The system sent advisory messages to citizens containing important safety information and reported road closings via text messages and email. What this system lacked, however, was an element of vital importance in emergencies: a telephone component. “The more information we can get to the residents,” said Town Administrator Penny Paderewski, “the better it is for everyone.”

Hence the reason, in early January of this year, a new safety system was introduced, called CodeRED. This new alert system sends not only emails and text messages, but also delivers “robo-calls,” pre-recorded messages with safety updates, to both cellular devices and home phones. These telephone messages are of particular importance during emergency situations–such as devastating hurricanes–and can be sent by the Town Administrator or Commissioner of Public Works.

coderedlogoIn addition to the implementation of CodeRED, the town has also established a new mapping system, viewable by residents on their computers, that shows where road blockages are during major weather situations. Just like CodeRED, this system will only be in operation during significant storms.

Bringing Schools Up-To-Date

The Chappaqua school district is dedicated to applying emerging technology to the learning experience–a commitment embodied in the hard work done by the district’s Technology Department. Led by Director of Instructional Technology Darleen Nicolosi, the department looks to evolve the understanding of what it means to be a 21st-century learner, and to help students use technology creatively, productively, and responsibly.

One of the most prominent and lauded examples of the Technology Department’s work can be found in the L.I.F.E. School, an alternative-learning community at Horace Greeley High School. For the 2012-2013 school year, the L.I.F.E. School received a grant for a one-year iPad program for juniors. According to program director Jon Hirsch, the iPads serve as an enormous game-changer for students, greatly benefiting the collaborative and research-oriented environment for which the program is known. The iPads are used to make videos, presentations, and projects, and their Internet capabilities allow for the use of Twitter and messaging as learning tools. “They are very helpful for communication and organization,” said L.I.F.E. school senior Olivia Sackler.

While Chappaqua high school students reap many benefits from the Technology Department, the department’s initiatives extend to all students. Elementary school classrooms are well equipped for the modern learning experience: each contains a Windows computer cluster with one computer connected to a presentation monitor.

In addition, the music classrooms at the elementary schools are equipped with SMART boards and other SMART technology that enhances music lessons and allows students to view concerts from the convenience of the classroom. With these tools at hand, younger students can learn in an interactive fashion, exploring the wealth of learning opportunities that will be available to them in years to come, while simultaneously establishing fundamental research and study skills.

Perhaps the most unexpected and unique of this year’s technological initiatives, however, can be found at Seven Bridges Middle School: through a Chappaqua School Foundation grant –one of the most common sources of funding for technological projects–art students use Cintiq drawing tablets to design three-dimensional artwork, which is then produced in real life using a state-of-the-art 3-D printer. This printer has greatly enhanced the art and graphic design classes offered at the school.

While thus far this incredible design tool is only in use at Seven Bridges, middle school students across the district have access to many other tools, including Macbook laptop carts. These laptops have been used in every core subject as well as in language, art and music courses, and come with programs such as Garage Band, iMovie and iPhoto, which are often used in class projects.

Public opinion has been highly positive for improvements introduced this year, and the Chappaqua School Foundation is consistently supporting new initiatives with its many grants and projects. As these and copious other recent technological initiatives show, the town of New Castle and the Chappaqua Central School District are devoted to using 21st century innovation to make life easier, safer, and more enriching for all residents, whether they are raising a family or learning their ABCs.

stripes bookRachel Neuburger is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was A Bad Case of Stripes.

Cameras and iPhones and Kindles, Oh My!

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By Amelia Abemayor

Technology.

iphone2It’s all around us; in our homes, our schools, even hidden in the deep depths of the earth. But what is it, really? By definition, technology is the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes. However, in a world where the number of Facebook friends defines a person and cell phones have practically become extensions of our bodies, technology has truly developed into more than just a simple dictionary definition.

Whether you’re a new-age Kindle or Nook owner or prefer to stick to plain old books, it is hard to imagine that we once lived in a world where technology did not have a major presence in everyday life. As society grows more and more dependent on technology, it seems as if we are losing the ability to survive without it. Just thinking about a day without my electronics gives me the chills, and leaves me wondering: what technology can we not live without?

I first looked at myself, your everyday teenage girl (who, according to her parents, happens to be a “technology addict”). I chose a random, standard day, and set out to go about my life normally; but this day was different. It was a day sans technology: I went to school with no phone, no laptop, and essentially (what felt like) no dignity. I soon realized the drastic effects technology has on me. Whether it is in class, or simply sitting at the school lunch table, technology’s presence has become irrevocably entwined with my life.

While I sat there with nothing but my backpack, my friends and peers were attached to their phones and practically drooling over their computers. Even teachers and staff throughout my classes relied on every piece of technology in their classrooms to teach. The struggle soon became real. It was hard to come to the realization that my life had been controlled by my electronics all this time, but I still tried to stick the day out.

camera2That was, of course, until I got home. I felt empty, like something was missing; the withdrawal symptoms really hit when I got home from school. Unfortunately, my experiment failed miserably as I checked every single notification possible the second a computer was in sight.

Although my attempted research was unsuccessful, I was still eager to further investigate our world’s relationship with technology. I talked to friends, family, even my 84-year-old grandmother. The answers were all different and unique in their own way, just like every update of the iPhone. Some said they could go days without the buzzing and beeps, while others said they would experience the same withdrawal affects I dealt with that day.

It’s really crazy to think about. Could you go a day, even an hour without air conditioning? What about no cars, trains or planes? It would feel like the apocalypse, or the return of the Middle Ages. Technology has become so completely ingrained in our lives that it would be virtually impossible to eliminate it for even a day.

All in all, our love-hate relationship with technology keeps on growing and growing as our world keeps on advancing. Soon enough, the thought of a technology-free world won’t even be present in our minds. The world we live in today, and the future that awaits us, is constantly depending on technology in every single way.

amelia bookAmelia Abemayor is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Amelia Bedelia.

Budding Authors Get A Chance to Shine

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By Liora Fishman

chapp-libraryAs winter approaches, the 34th Annual Friends of the Chappaqua Library Young Writers Contest will begin to accept entries from gifted student writers in the Chappaqua school district. The contest acknowledges the wide range of exceptional and inventive writers in the community and gives all students the chance to try their hand at writing a variety of genres, from poetry to nonfiction to short stories. The contest accepts student-written literature and showcases the talent of the applicants in the form of first, second and third place prizes. Winners are presented with certificates and monetary prizes, and a bound copy of all the work is placed in the stacks of the Chappaqua Library.

The Young Writers Contest is a program offered through Friends of the Chappaqua Library, a group that meets monthly to coordinate events that enhance the community’s interaction with the Chappaqua Library.  The group hopes to promote creativity and literary inspiration through the contest by “encouraging students around the district to share their writing in a more public way than just turning it in for a grade,” explained Cheryl Ehrlich, coordinator of the Young Writers Contest.

Contestants may submit one piece per category, for a total of three works. Often, students choose to submit works they have completed in school, though some choose to create their pieces outside of school. Eva Sibinga, former Greeley student and winner of the 2012 Young Writers Contest’s Fiction section, submitted her story 
“A Decision at Hopewell” after completing it for her Creative Writing class. “That piece was actually the only thing I’ve ever submitted to a contest,” said Sibinga. “I regret not submitting to the YWC other years, though. I really  love the Chappaqua Library, and it felt good to participate in something that they sponsor.”

For many students who often find themselves immersed in the science and math departments in school, the contest is a means for literary expression and creativity that they would otherwise be unconnected with. “At school I’m often very focused on math and science, [but] I really enjoy English and I love this outlet–it’s my way of keeping in touch with that side of me,” said Rachel Neuburger, 2012 Honorable Mention recipient for her non-fiction piece, “Confessions of an Obnoxious Vegetarian.”

The contest has a long history of maintaining integrity in regard to its choices of winners, insisting on strict procedures writers must follow in order for their piece to be reviewed by the judges. “The Young Writers Contest has been sponsored by the Friends of the Chappaqua Library for close to 35 years, and I just carry on the traditions that came before me. I’ve streamlined certain procedures, but the rules don’t change,” added Ehrlich.

One of those rules is the “blind” policy, which insists that those submitting pieces omit their names on their writing. Should a writer’s name be on his or her entry, the panel of judges will not review the piece. “In years past, some coordinators would white out the names, but really, this isn’t fair to the other submitters who follow the rules,” said Ehrlich.

However, a new element of the contest utilizes the ease of the Internet, allowing submissions to be made online. This development was first put into effect in the 2013 Young Writers Contest, setting the precedent for the future contests in hopes of being more environmentally friendly and straightforward. Students can upload their work as a PDF to the Chappaqua Library’s Submittable account.

The Young Writers Contest encourages students to create a piece of writing to take pride in and fosters creativity and experimentation in regard to students’ writing. “It’s a really positive way to get yourself out there and get some feedback on your writing, and get comfortable with the idea of sharing your form of expression, which can be scary but is often very rewarding,” said Sibinga.

Additionally, the contest showcases the student talent that would otherwise be unrecognized. “[The Young Writers Contest] shows how much talent there is in the district, and I think it inspires students to throw their work in the mix and get involved,” said Neuberger.

Ehrlich couldn’t agree more: “It’s as much about the submitting as the winning,” she explained. “Sure it’s great to win, but the act of submitting lets you feel the value in your work. You also on some level declare to yourself ‘I am a writer.’ Writing is a life skill that lets you communicate with and persuade and move others.”

The deadline for the 2014 Young Writers Contest, expected to be in late March, will be announced shortly.

harry potterLiora Fishman is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, she loved the Harry Potter books.