New Castle Releases

Thank you!

The Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival team sends their thanks to the New Castle community for its amazing support of the Festival – demonstrating, once again, the community’s unwavering dedication to education and children’s literacy.

For those of you wondering exactly how it all turned out, read below.

Thousands of Book Lovers Flock to Chappaqua for Inaugural Children’s Book Festival

Story by: Dori Busell
Photos by: Lindsay Hand

Deemed a huge success by organizers, attendees, authors and sponsors, the first annual Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, held on October 5, drew close to 4,000 people from Westchester, New York City, Rockland, and Connecticut to downtown Chappaqua.  For some attendees, this was the first time they had been to Chappaqua, and the Festival provided a great opportunity for the town to show its unique flavor and its love of, and dedication to, education and literacy.

Approximately 65 children’s and middle-grade authors and illustrators were on hand throughout the day to meet with fans, sign copies of their books, and even read excerpts. Organizers report that the authors sold about 80 percent of the available books, with many authors selling out just hours into the festival.

Over 30 local area businesses and organizations sponsored the Festival and offered crafts and activities for children.  For a complete list of sponsors, click HERE.

As part of its Shop Local campaign, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce coordinated a successful merchant promotional booklet to publicize the town’s local merchants and encourage Festival attendees to go shopping. Approximately 950 booklets were distributed to Festival attendees that purchased books on site.

In addition, The Great Chappaqua Bake Sale, which partnered with the Festival to sell desserts and treats throughout the day, also marked the day a success – raising $20,000 for Share Our Strength.

“I can’t say thank you enough times,” added Dawn Greenberg, Executive Director of the Festival and owner of Aurora. ” Thank you to our volunteers, our 30 sponsors, the authors who gave us a shot and mostly to the parents and children of Chappaqua and Westchester who love to read. We can’t wait to see what the 2014 Festival will bring next September.”

If you are interested in getting involved with the Festival next year, please contact: Dawn Greenberg (dgreenx@yahoo.com), Madeline Finesmith (madeline.finesmith@verizon.net) or Solveig McShea (mcsheas1@verizon.net).

Thank you to these Chamber members for being sponsors of the Festival:

Aurora, Jodi’s Gym, Kiwi Country Day Camp, Ann Herrero, CFP (Edward Jones Investments), Auntie Penny, Breeze – Chappaqua and Katonah, Center for Aligned Healing, DDR Public Relations, Inc., Desires by Mikolay, Houlihan Lawrence – Chappaqua, ICD Contemporary Jewelry, Inside Chappaqua, It’s From Me, LLC, Korth & Shannahan Painting, NewCastleNOW.org, Pets a Go Go, Play Care Nursery & Preschool, Steps Forward, Tactile Tote, The Camp Connection/The Teen Connection, Wells Fargo, and World Cup Schools

CAREERS for People with Disabilities (CAREERS) celebrated 26 years and 214 successful clients at their Annual Anniversary Celebration, sponsored by PepsiCo Enable and The Standard and held at the White Plains Crowne Plaza on September 24^th.

The event highlighted the success of CAREERS clients; individuals with disabilities who have been successfully trained and placed in jobs throughout Westchester and Putnam Counties, as well as offering thanks to corporate and foundation sponsors. For sustaining CAREERS’ supported work programs, Awards of Appreciation were given to BJ’s Charitable Foundation, Costco, Hitachi Metals America, the Hitachi Foundation, H.O.P.E for Youth Foundation, Hudson City Savings Bank, TD Bank, The United Way of Westchester & Putnam and Wells Fargo. Other contributing event sponsors were honored including Curry Automotive, Chappaqua’s Marianne & Patrick Brown, The Kitson Law Firm, ShopRite Supermarkets and Universal American.

“Special thanks to the many employers who give our clients the opportunity to prove that abilities far outweigh disabilities. You make a real difference every day for your employees and the community and have helped make CAREERS the most successful supported work program in the area,” CAREERS Executive Director Tina Cornish-Lauria said. “We are proud to offer these services free of charge to disabled individuals and their employers.”

Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale was named Employer of the Year for their accommodating and enthusiastic support of CAREERS client Frank DeSimone, an IHM staff member for seven years. Candice Sciarrillo, manager of Carmel Cinema, received the Supervisor of the Year Award for her advocacy on behalf of three CAREERS’ clients, including implementing sensitivity training for all staff. CAREERS’ client Nick Simon was named “Employee of the Year” for his outstanding performance at the White Plains Target, where he has worked for ten years.

Also honored with the Outstanding Program Support Award was Greg Lau, Case Manager and Transition Coordinator for the City School District of New Rochelle. Barry Creighton from A & P in Greenburgh was named Co-Worker of the Year for his ongoing support and friendship with CAREERS client John Lefurgy.

About CAREERS for People with Disabilities, Inc.

CAREERS’ mission is to insure disabled individuals find sustained, meaningful employment in the communities in which they live. Since 1987, CAREERS has made over 2,200 job placements and provided support services to well over 6,000 people with disabilities in Westchester and Putnam Counties. Already in 2013, CAREERS has placed 90 people in new jobs — a 58% increase over last year at this time.

For more information on CAREERS programs for disabled individuals or employers in need of qualified help, contact CAREERS’ Valhalla office, which serves central and lower Westchester at 914-741-8500, or the Carmel office, which serves northern Westchester and Putnam Counties, at 845-225-8007. For more information, please visit www.careersforpeoplewithdisabilities.org, or friend us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CAREERSforPeople.

20 Great Things about Music in Chappaqua:

 1. Amazing Faculty: We have the most enthusiastic, caring, supportive, encouraging, accomplished and dedicated teachers available.

2. Beautiful Facility: We have clean, modern interior design, relaxing lobby with visibility into all lesson studios
3. High End Equipment: We have 4 Steinway grand pianos, fully equipped Rock rehearsal room
4. Fantastic Performance Venues: Our performances take place at notable venues such as Steinway Hall, The Wainwright House, Rockwood Music Hall and Bitter End in NYC, where so many stars have launched their careers.
5. Flexible Teaching Locations: We offer lessons in both our studios or in the comfort of your own home
6. Regular Performance Opportunities: We offer year round performances including Open Mic Nights, Singer-songwriter shows, Formal Recitals and Rock and Roll shows
7. All Genres Of Music: We teach all styles including Classical, Jazz, Broadway, Folk, Bluegrass, Country, Pop, Hip-hop, Rock, Progressive Rock, Metal and everything in between.
8. All Instruments: We teach all instruments including Piano, Voice, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Clarinet, Flute, Saxophones, Trumpet, Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums and Songwriting.
9. Custom Tailored Curriculum: We listen to you, your desires, needs and wants and custom tailor your private lessons or Rock Workshop experiences to suit your personal artistic and educational requirements. Any level from the absolute beginner to the professional who is preparing to go into the recording studio. We welcome you all and look forward to helping you.
10. Positive Learning Environment: Not only are the teachers and the facility wonderful, but at Music in Chappaqua, you can also make lots of friends performing or collaborating in rock bands, songwriting sessions and recitals.
11. Easy Scheduling: We are open 7 days per week all year round and generally follow the public school calendar and have extremely flexible summer opportunities
12. All Ages: Whether you’re an early childhood beginner or an adult student looking to improve their skills, we encourage all of you to call us and tell us your dreams.
13. We Listen to You: We love our students and want the best for them, we listen to you and match your teacher with your learning style, music preferences and personality.
14. Summer Rock And Roll Camp: We have an amazing summer camp called the New York Rock Academy. This highly successful day camp runs for 6 week long sessions every summer. The motivating force at New York Rock Academy is excitement! Regardless of their level, students will be encouraged to explore the music they truly love. Kids and teens are placed into bands with others of similar age, taste and playing ability, and immediately begin making music.
15. Confidence and Self Expression: We inspire our students with enthusiasm and exuberance. We believe that successful musicians don’t only need to learn the notes, but that real music making requires that they also be confident and comfortable in their own skin. This is what we teach.
16. Award Winning Students: Whether you are interested in classical music competitions, NYSSMA, NYSMTA, singer-songwriter or vocal competitions, Music in Chappaqua’s students are winning across the board. Let us know if you are interested in competitions and we will prepare you to perform at your highest potential!
17. Incredibly Successful Alumni: We are so proud of the many students who have moved on from Music in Chappaqua to study at great educational institutions such as The Manhattan School of Music, Interlochen Arts Academy, Duke University, Yale University, Princeton University, Stanford University and furthermore, continued into thriving careers in music such as world renowned mezzo soprano Stephanie Marshall who began her studies with Music in Chappaqua’s director, Janet Angier.
18. Beautiful Landscaping: Please enjoy our gardens. It’s so nice that we received The Beautification Award from the Town of New Castle in 2003, so please enjoy sitting in our garden or use our picnic tables at the back.
19. Giving Back to The Community: Every year we sponsor local groups and activities including this past summer’s sponsorship of Chappaqua’s Summer Concert Series 2013. We appreciate you in New Castle and enjoy giving back.
20. A Trustworthy Business For 20 Years: Let’s start another wonderful 20 years together!

Seeking B’nai Mitzvah Student with the Most Compelling Video Essay – November 1^st Deadline!

WHAT: B’nai mitzvah students are being offered a chance to win a free bar or bat mitzvah at WeeZee World of “Yes I Can” in Chappaqua, NY, voted Westchester Magazine’s “Best of Westchester” for Best Party Place.  The “Mitzvah at WeeZee” competition asks b’nai mitzvah candidates to submit a video essay by November 1^st explaining why they would be the best student to do their mitzvah project working with children on the autism spectrum at WeeZee World of “Yes I Can,” an 18,000 square foot sensory play space located in Chappaqua, NY.

The contestants will be judged on: message and appropriateness to theme, creativity and presentation. The five finalists will be notified; their names and videos will appear on WeeZee’s Facebook and YouTube pages and website. The public will then vote for one readers’ choice winner from the five finalists and try to “sway” the opinions of WeeZee’s team of judges. The five finalists have the opportunity to increase their chances of winning by getting a high number of people to like their video on WeeZee’s Facebook and YouTube pages. The winner will have the highest combined scores from both social media and the judges.

For a complete list of rules and info about the contest, please go to: www.weezeeworld.com/mitzvah;  or, contact Kelly Harned at 914-752-2100 x-5008, kharned@weezeeworld.com.

WHEN:  The deadline for video submissions: November 1, 2013 at 5pm EDT

WHO:  WeeZee… World of Yes I Can!, located at 480 Bedford Road in Chappaqua, NY, is Westchester’s only “family health club for kids” offering kids and parents 18,000 square feet of sports, fitness and “sensory” fun, enjoyment and relaxation. Designed for kids of all abilities, ages 1-12, the colorful, interactive play space boasts an expansive gym equipped with the latest state-of-the-art sports, fitness equipment and games, along with a host of highly engaging, interactive and imaginative sensory activities that exercise and strengthen intellectual, physical and social skills.

Wee Zee is now offering varied and affordable Bar/Bat Mitzvah party packages that include the use of its expansive 18,000 square foot sensory gym facility as a location for bar/bat mitzvah parties, along with a full party experience featuring venues for adults and children (set up separately or together) to eat, dance and enjoy teen favorites in the WeeZee gym including WeeZee’s Sports Pro Zone, Rock Wall, Sport Simulators, Mechanical Bull, Half Pipe and Mini Zipline. Assistance with fine food catering, DJ entertainment, photo booths, and other special activities is also available.   Families can also choose the Integrated Mitzvah-Event Package, giving b’nai mitzvah students the opportunity to work with children on the autism spectrum as the focus of their mitzvah projects.

Staffed by a team of Sensory Coaches, WeeZee is a matrix of large space and small rooms containing 150 plus unique attractions including a “Rainforest & Storm Zone,” a “Vibration Station,” an “Oxygen Bar” and “Cyber Action Floor;” as well as Sport Stalls and Reaction Training to help with hand-eye coordination; and a Music Room with a sound studio and a Karaoke room, to name just a few. The equipment and programs at WeeZee are based on a plethora of research by the Autism community.

WeeZee is an inclusive play space where all children can benefit from the activities and programs.  Parents are invited to “get fit for free” or unwind in the “Zen Den” that features dim lighting, soothing music, iPads and few full-body massage chairs – while their children are fully supervised as they follow their Sensory Fitness Plan or engage in Free Play. WeeZee also hosts parties for birthdays, graduations and bar/mat mitzvahs. WeeZee’s popular after-school program and summer camp include transports from many elementary schools in Westchester County.

PRESS:  Dawn Dankner-Rosen/Jen Topiel
DDR Public Relations
914-747-2500