The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle Releases

Program for 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Gedney Park

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Memorial-300The Town of New Castle would be honored by your presence at its September 11th Memorial Ceremony.   The ceremony will take place at 6:30p, New Castle 09/11 Memorial, Gedney Park, 149 Millwood Road, Chappaqua, NY.

The program will consist of :

EMERGENCY RESPONDERS/ COLOR GUARD

New Castle Police Department

Chappaqua Fire Department

Millwood Fire Department

Chappaqua Volunteer Ambulance Corp.

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp.

Westchester EMS

INVOCATION

– Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe

Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

– Girl Scouts

MUSICAL SELECTION

– Girl Scouts   “God Bless America”

– Horace Greeley Madrigal Choir “Set me as a seal”

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

– Robert J. Castelli, Former N Y State Assemblyman

READING OF THOSE LOST ON 9/11 FROM NEW CASTLE – Michael Wolfensohn

CLOSING REMARKS

– Justin Wagner – Candidate for NY State Senate

BENEDICTION

– Reverend Dr. Martha Jacobs

First Congregational Church of Chappaqua

 

Shop AND Bid at the New Benefit Shop of Bedford Hills

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antique jewel

The Benefit Shop of Bedford Hills, which has become the first stop for many local designers and homeowners searching for antiques and collectibles, is going global. With the inaugural auction planned for Sunday, September 21st,  collectors can shop and bid from a greatly-expanded inventory of over 500 lots.

Whether viewed at the auction site (an 8,000 sq ft warehouse at 27 Radio Circle, Mt. Kisco, NY) or online at www.thebenefitshop.org, bidding will be easy and accessible.  Auction-goers will find  items at all price points—from low to lofty—and everyone is invited to join in the fun. Included are period antique and contemporary furniture, original artwork, carpets, lighting, antique and modern decorative objects as well as a large selection of fine quality sterling silver flatware and serving pieces. In addition there are over one hundred lots of period antique to contemporary fine quality jewelry and watches, including many diamond and platinum period Art Deco pieces which have been with the same family for eighty years.

All are invited to preview the items September 18 and 19 from 10am to 5pm and September 20 from 12pm to 6pm. You may also arrive early and  preview items the morning of the sale, September 21,  from 9am to 11:30am.

Not around that day? Register for absentee bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com or Invaluable.com—both are open for bids for two weeks before the auction.  Prior to the auction, call 914-864-0707 to register for telephone bidding.

antique earringsThe full catalog will be posted online by September 5 and will be viewable  at  thebenefitshop.org and on the Benefit Shop’s Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/thebenefitshop.  Additionally, items will be posted on Instagram @BenefitShopAuctions.

For the next auction in late October, donations and/or consignments are welcome (consignor receives 80% of sale price). Contact Pam Stone at 914-864-1919.

Amazing as the prospect of an awesome auction in Westchester is, perhaps even more extraordinary is that, as a nonprofit, The Benefit Shop distributes all profits to worthy local charities. The largest beneficiaries to date have been Northern Westchester Hospital and the Mt. Kisco Boys and Girls Club. Funds have also been given to over twenty others including the Westmoreland Sanctuary, the SPCA/Humane Society and the Katonah Community Center.

The Benefit Shop is located at 720 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, 914-864-1919. Visit the only tag sale with a permanent address, Mondays through Saturdays,  from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

 

 

Harvard U. Buddhist Chaplain to Lead Teachings in Chappaqua

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Lama Migmar Tseten

 Lama Migmar Tseten – Tara Empowerment and Teachings in Chappaqua

Lama Migmar Tseten, a Buddhist Chaplain at Harvard University and founder of the Sakya School of Buddhist Studies and Mangalam Studio in Harvard Square, will lead a weekend workshop in Chappaqua, including Meditation, Tara Empowerment, Transmission, Mindfulness teachings and discussion.  Come and receive a deeper understanding of the dharma. No prior Buddhist knowledge or experience required. All will benefit from his insight. This is a wonderful, unique and special opportunity as it is the first time Lama Migmar has come to our area! And, in this day and age, the practices of mindfulness and compassion are a needed gift to our communities!

Dates: September 20th and 21st, 2014

Times: Saturday 12-5 Tara Empowerment, Sunday 10-12 Meditation, & 1-3 Teachings on Mindfulness
Where: This event will be held at a private residence in Chappaqua, seating is limited, reserve space early! Participants are asked to please email dlauter@me.com for location details or visit Tara Hudson Valley face book page for further event details, https://www.facebook.com/tarahudsonvalley

Registration: $100 includes both days, or $50 Tara Empowerment, $25 Meditation,

$25 Teachings on Mindfulness, reserve space & register by email: dlauter@me.com,

or call cell 631-365-3803

Lama Migmar Tseten has been serving Harvard as a Buddhist Chaplain since 1997. He is Founder of the Sakya School for Buddhist Studies and Director of Mangalam Studio. He received both a traditional and a contemporary education in India, graduating with an Acharya degree in 1979 from Tibetan Institute of Sanskrit University, Varanasi, India, and with first position every nine years among four schools of Tibetan Buddhism. He was awarded a medal for academic excellence, by His Holiness The Dalai Lama. He was also recognized as Khenpo for his scholarship and service to the Dharma by His Holiness Sakya Trizin.
Lama Migmar served as the head of Sakya Center in Rajpur, India, and the Sakya Monastery in Puruwalla, India, from 1981 to 1989, taking care of the well being of several hundred monastic residents. During this time he reintroduced the original form of the geshe educational system of Tibet, with degrees from kazhipa up to the rabjampa degree, with a curriculum that included all of the eighteen major texts, which are known as the Dragchen Chogyed.

Additionally, Lama Migmar supervised the editing and publication of over 50 rare volumes of Sakya literature including the 31 volumes of Sakya Lamdre and the rare Golden Manuscripts of the Five Founding Masters of Sakya. He founded Sakya Institute for Buddhist Studies in Cambridge, MA in 1990. Lama Migmar leads retreats at Buddhist centers throughout North America and Europe.

Tara Hudson Valley: Tara Hudson Valley, located in Chappaqua, NY, is a new Dharma practice group, under the direction of Lama Migmar Tseten, dedicated to serving Westchester County, Western CT, NYC and surrounding areas. Continue practicing Green Tara and Medicine Buddha with us, as well as wonderful meditation and mindfulness studies. For more information on upcoming meditation events and dharma festivals please send message or contact email: dlauter@me.com, cell (631) 365-3803. Local coordinators are Daniel Lauter and Donna Soszynski-Lauter. We welcome your help and attendance! We do not profit from this event. All proceeds go toward his expenses in coming here and as fund raising for the Sakya School of Buddhist Studies to help create more events like this in our Westchester, Western CT and NY Metro Areas. May all beings benefit!

Green Tara: Green Tara represents ultimate enlightenment, the wisdom manifestation of compassion, awakening of the Buddha nature within us and overcoming fear. The gentle and heartfelt Bodhisattva Tarawas born from the tears of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva ofcompassion. She offers us a hand to lift us up to a mountain ofenlightenment qualities. Tara belongs to the Karma family ofunobstructed compassionate activity, symbolized by her greencolor and is the Wisdom Consort of the Transcendental BuddhaAmogasiddhi. In a previous eon, in the presence of the BuddhaNga Dra, the Beat of the Drum, she took the vow to onlyincarnate in female form to ceaselessly protect beings from thefears of samsaric life and to guide them upon the path ofenlightenment. She is known as the Swift One, due to herimmediate response to those who request her aid. Tara is often called the Shooting Star! She is the mother of the Buddhas of the past, present and future; the Great mother, the Prajnaparamita; the matrix of ultimate truth itself, Shunyata. She sits on a lotus flower with her left leg resting on her right thigh and her right leg steps down gracefully in front of her. Her left hand is held in front of her heart with palm outward, thumb and ring finger touching so the other three fingers point upwards in the mudra of granting protection. Her right hand rests on her right knee with the palm facing upward in the mudra of generosity.

 

Second Annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival

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Peter Sis
Children’s Book Author Peter Sis with fans appreciating his books and autograph.

Over 80 Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators to Participate

September 27

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Authors Covering Multiple Genres and Reading Levels, Author Readings, Illustrator Demos, Book Signings, Hudson Valley Llamas, Local Food Vendors and The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale

More than 80 renowned children’s book authors and illustrators will be participating in the second annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival (CCBF), recently voted “Best Bookworm Event” by Westchester Magazine. The Festival will take place on Saturday, September 27, at Robert Bell Middle School in Chappaqua, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Books will be available for sale, local food vendors from around the region will offer great eats, and the 5th Annual Great Chappaqua Bake Sale will be selling baked treats and raffle tickets to benefit Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign to end childhood hunger. Admission and parking are free, and the event is rain or shine.

“At our inaugural Festival last year, more than 4,000 visitors had the chance to talk to and have their books signed by their favorite children’s authors and illustrators,” said Dawn Greenberg, executive director of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival.   “We hope even more visitors discover us this year.  Reading is the number one predictor of a child’s success–our goal is to get Westchester reading, and to have fun doing it!”

This year’s authors and illustrators include many who participated last year, such as Alyssa Capucilli (Biscuit), Bruce Degen (Magic School Bus series illustrator), Dan Greenburg (The Zack Files) J.C. Greenburg (Andrew Lost series), Victoria Kann (Pinkalicious), Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted), Wendell Minor (Galapagos George illustrator), Jerry Pinkney (The Tortoise and the Hare illustrator), Jean Van Leeuwen (Oliver and Amanda Pig series) and Bernard Most (How Big Were the Dinosaurs? ).  New authors/illustrators this year include Christopher Healy (Hero’s Guide trilogy), Doreen Rappaport (Helen’s Big World), Steve Sheinkin (The Notorious Benedict Arnold), Carol Weston (Ava and Pip) and Jacqueline Weitzman (You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum), among others.  A complete list of CCBF authors/illustrators can be found at http://www.ccbfestival.org/authors/.

Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Helen Perelman. Photo Grace Bennett
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Helen Perelman. Photo Grace Bennett

In addition to book signings, author readings and illustrator demonstrations, families will have the chance to participate in a variety of activities such as gymnastics with Jodi’s Gym. Here are more examples of additional sponsors and the activities they have planned:

 

o   GaGa, life-size games and airbrush tattoos courtesy of Kiwi Country Day Camp

o   a collage activity with internationally-acclaimed mixed media collage artist Michael Albert, courtesy of the Chappaqua Learning Center

o   science activities with science author Vicki Cobb

o   music with children’s entertainer Miss Rhea

o   sensory play with WeeZee – The Science of Play

o   soap making with Kensico Soap Bar in Thornwood

o   costumed character appearances sponsored by Breeze

o   live llamas from Hudson Valley Llamas

Food available for purchase will include BBQ from Chappaqua’s Le Jardin du Roi, pizza, popcorn and hot dogs from Bellizzi in Mt. Kisco and wraps, sandwiches and salads from Village Social in Mt. Kisco.

CCBF is a not-for-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting literacy and community.  Major sponsors of this year’s Festival include Kiwi Country Day Camp, Chappaqua Learning Center, Regeneron, Breeze Gifts, Cartwright and Daughters Tent and Party and Booktopia Fairs, with in-kind donations from DDR Public Relations and Inside Chappaqua.

Local sweets shop Hall of Scoops crafted two new flavors to benefit CCBF – Pinkalicious (created with the permission of and guidance from Pinkalicious author Victoria Kann) and Rocky Read, to be sold at Hall of Scoops in the month of September, with a portion of the proceeds going to the CCBF.   Those who visit Hall of Scoops should also check out the full-wall mural on the south side of the building, generously painted by Chappaqua artist Sophie Mendelson.  The mural is dedicated to CCBF, and depicts scenes from the Book Festival and around Chappaqua.

Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Bruce Degen. Photo Lauren Sabol
Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival 2013, Bruce Degen. Photo Lauren Sabol

CCBF is sponsoring JCY-Westchester Community Partners, which develops intergenerational programs to meet the literacy needs of children in Westchester communities such as Yonkers, Mount Vernon and Elmsford. CCBF Executive Director Greenberg said, “We wanted to be able to support and promote literacy for families that don’t have the resources of a town like Chappaqua.”  JCY-WCP will have a booth at the festival with Clifford the Dog, where visitors can learn about JCY-WCP’s various literacy programs.  “We will also be supporting JCY-WCP year-round, including sending a group to their Summer Reading Program at Yonkers Riverfront Library,” said Greenberg.

This year’s Book Festival poster was designed by award-winning author/illustrator Peter Sís, a resident of Hastings-on-Hudson.  Sís’s design depicts a child being taken on a journey with the help of a book-shaped flying machine.

Vicki Cobb, author of science books for children, said of last year’s Festival, “On beautiful autumn afternoons, when the sun is shining and the leaves are glowing with color, people crave gatherings like this – an excuse to connect with people, ideas, beauty…All these events embody the individual’s need to know that, yes, there is a person behind a creative work, someone who has touched me or touched his/her pen to a beautiful book.”

2014 poster 150KBCCBF is the only children’s book festival in Westchester County and was inspired by Book Day at Sunnyside, which was discontinued in 2012 after 15 years.  CCBF will take place at the Robert Bell Middle School, directly across the street from the Chappaqua train station (a 50-minute train ride from Grand Central Terminal).  Event parking is free at the Chappaqua train station. The Festival is rain or shine.  For more information, (and for the most up to date list of participating sponsors), visit www.ccbfestival.org or follow the CCBF at www.facebook.com/chappaquachildrensbookfestival.

Westchester Officials Stand Firm In Support Of Israel

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"Let us be clear: Westchester stands with Israel in this difficult time." State Assemblyman David Buchwald as he opened his address--the first of many offered by a bipartisan gathering of public officials early this eve at White Plains City Hall."
“Let us be clear: Westchester stands with Israel in this difficult time.” State Assemblyman David Buchwald opening his address–the first of many offered by a bipartisan group of public officials affirming their unequivocal support for Israel at White Plains City Hall.  Photo by Grace Bennett

(Compilation of statements here supplied by David Buchwald’s office)

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester), along with Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Eliot Engel, hosted a press conference with federal, state, county and local elected officials at White Plains City Hall to demonstrate their support for- and solidarity with- the people of Israel in the midst of the conflict there.

“My heart is with the people of Israel,” said Assemblyman Buchwald. “It saddens me that innocent families are once again being subjected to unconscionable acts of violence. I wholeheartedly support Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks, and I pray that this conflict soon comes to an end.”

“The loss of innocent life on both sides is deplorable,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland). Hamas is responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence, and is putting not only innocent Israelis at risk but ruthlessly using Palestinian civilians as shields. Israel, the only democracy in the region and our steadfast ally, has every right to defend innocent civilians under terrorist threat from the onslaught of Hamas’ rockets just as the United States would respond were we here in the Lower Hudson Valley under constant attack. Continued U.S. support for Israel’s defense is critical, and a Palestinian “unity government” that includes the terrorist group Hamas must not receive U.S. assistance.”

“No one will ever forget September 11, 2001, a day when terrorists attacked us on our own soil. As a result of that terrible day, America had to take steps to defend herself and her citizens against future attacks, much as Israel has had to do for decades,” said Congressman Eliot Engel. “Hamas is a terrorist organization whose sole purpose is to destroy Israel. The Hamas rockets that have been fired into Israel have forced the hand of the Israeli people, who have a right to defend themselves against the threat of terror.

The strong bipartisan support for Israel in Congress is indicative of the strong support for our valued allies across America. I thank the Westchester Jewish Council and its member organizations, the UJA-Federation of New York in Westchester, and Assemblyman Buchwald for hosting this event, and everyone who came out to show support for Israel.”

Congresswoman Nita Lowey: “Hamas is responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence…”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey: “Hamas is responsible for the ongoing escalation of violence…”

Buchwald, Lowey and Engel were joined at the press conference by a cross-section of Westchester leaders from every level of government. They included: Democratic Conference Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins; State Senator George Latimer; State Assemblymembers Sandy Galef and Amy Paulin; Westchester Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett; Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Michael Kaplowitz; Vice-Chairman of the Board of Legislators James Maisano; County Legislators Benjamin Boykin, Peter B. Harckham, Catherine Borgia, Catherine Parker and Alfreda Williams; Westchester County Clerk Tim Idoni; White Plains Mayor Tom Roach; Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner; Harrison Town Board Member Marlane Amelio; Pound Ridge Town Board Member Daniel S. Paschkes; Special Assistant for Community Affairs in Governor Cuomo’s Office David Lobl; Representatives from the offices of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney and Yonkers Mayor Michael Spano; President of the Westchester Jewish Council Paul B. Warhit; Westchester Regional Chair of the UJA-Federation of New York Martine Fleishman; and New York Region Assistant Director of the Anti-Defamation League Michael Arlen. Reverend Dr. Gregory Robeson Smith of Mt. Hope AME Zion Church provided the opening prayer. Attendees used the occasion to voice their support for Israel during this time of crisis.

Rockets aimed at innocent Israeli civilians have continuously been launched from Hamas-controlled Gaza. Israel has responded with airstrikes in Gaza in an effort to protect its people and restore peace. Terrorism has no place in our world; Israel has the right to defend itself and its civilians against such heinous acts, noted Assemblyman Buchwald. He hopes that the current threat to innocent life of both Israelis and Palestinians will soon be ended.

Governor Andrew Cuomo made the following statement on July 14, 2014 on this issue: “Over the past week, rocket attacks on Israel by terrorist organizations have put six million lives at risk. For years, rockets have targeted the Israeli population; what were once indiscriminate acts of terror have now become an onslaught. Friends stand together in times of crisis, and the people of New York stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Israel. Our state has always had a special relationship with Israel. We are home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. At a time of upheaval across the Middle East, Israel remains a bulwark of democracy and a beacon of courage and freedom. We strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself. As New Yorkers, we have experienced global terrorism firsthand. At my direction, New York’s Department of Financial Services has aggressively cracked down on institutions that bankroll terrorist organizations. And we will continue to work closely with our ally Israel to fight global terrorism.”

“I join with many New Yorkers in calling for a peaceful resolution to the continuing strife in Israel and the Gaza Strip, while also recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks launched against it,” said Democratic Conference Leader Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

“Like all sovereign nations, Israel has an absolute right to defend itself.

My daughter Sarah is a photographer living in Jerusalem. While I worry about her, I am proud of her commitment to Israel. My thoughts and prayers are with her and the State of Israel,” said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin.

“We must continue to support our ally, Israel, as it defends itself against this onslaught of terrorist attacks. I hope that these senseless acts of violence will cease and Israel and its neighbors can finally sit down together and negotiate a true lasting peace,” said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef.

“Israel is the only true democracy in the middle east. The people of Israel share our love of freedom and opportunity. I stand with Israel and pray that a solution will be achieved that will finally bring peace to all people of the middle east,” said Westchester Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz.

“I’m proud to stand with Israel. The only true free and democratic society in the middle east as it stands up to aggression by neighbors who unfortunately reflect dictatorship and ties to terrorism,” said Westchester County Board of Legislators Vice Chairman Jim Maisano.

“In times of crisis it is important to know your friends are beside you and so we stand today with the nation and people of Israel and pray for a peaceful resolution of this conflict and for the protection of the innocent whatever their background,” said White Plains Mayor Tom Roach.

Though he wasn’t able to attend the event, Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino issued a statement of support that said, “Peace-loving peoples and nations across the globe must remain united and aggressive in working to defeat terrorism and in working to achieve a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine. At times it seems this will forever be a fruitless endeavor but we mustn’t waver in our faith and resolve to make it so.”

Similarly, State Senate Co-Leader Jeffrey Klein issued a statement of support, saying “Our sacred bond with the people of Israel remains ironclad and is stronger than ever before. In these challenging times, we are proud to stand up and support one of our closest allies as it defends itself from enemies foreign and domestic. No matter how difficult circumstances may arise, the Israeli people will continue to have our unwavering support for generations to come.”

“Now is a time to put politics aside and support Israel as she struggles to defend herself against Hamas, a terrorist organization whose mission is to destroy the Jewish State and make life miserable for Israelis and Palestinians alike. Now is a time for solidarity,” said Westchester Jewish Council President Paul B. Warhit.

“We are proud to stand in solidarity with our Westchester community in support of Israel. UJA federation of NY supports the State of Israel in its pursuit of peace and security for all its citizens. These are very challenging days and it is in times like this that we are reminded of the responsibility and commitment we have to the people of Israel. Because of UJA-Federation of New York’s strong network of nearly 100 remarkable agencies, we’re ready to spring into action when crisis hits. And we are on the ground responding in Israel,” said Westchester Regional Chair of the UJA-Federation of New York Martine Fleishman.

“The Anti-Defamation League expresses solidarity with the government and people of Israel and is proud to stand with the Westchester Jewish Council, UJA-Federation of New York in Westchester and Assemblyman David Buchwald as hundreds of rockets continue to be launched from Gaza, threatening millions of Israeli civilians. We are proud to be part of the Westchester community as it supports Israel’s desire to live side-by-side in peace with its neighbors,” said Lawrence W. Bahr, Anti-Defamation League’s Westchester Advisory Board Chair and Evan R. Bernstein, Regional Director New York for the ADL.