The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle Releases

Buchwald Brings “Assemblyman On Your Corner” Series to Chappaqua

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           Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Westchester) announced that he will be launching, “Assemblyman on Your Corner,” a series of planned stops across his district in Westchester County in an effort to bring his office to the people he represents. Assemblyman Buchwald invites community residents to attend any of the sessions to ask a question or relay a problem they hope can be solved. The following stops are currently scheduled, with Chappaqua on Tuesday morning:

  • Sunday September 8th, 11am at Powell’s Clam Bar – 58 Halstead Ave, Harrison, NY 10528
  • Tuesday September 10th, 9am at Starbucks – 2 South Greeley Ave, Chappaqua, NY 10514
  • Sunday September 15th, 11am at Scotts Corner Market – 55 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge, NY 10576
  • Tuesday September 17th, 9am at Tazza Cafe – 382 Main St, Armonk, NY 10504
  • Wednesday September 18th, 5:30pm at Katonah Restaurant – 63 Katonah Ave, Katonah, NY 10536

“‘Assemblyman on Your Corner’ is an opportunity for me to bring my office out to you,” said Assemblyman Buchwald. “I have the privilege of representing the town of New Castle, and I want to make sure it’s as easy as possible for folks to discuss their concerns, ask questions and work with me to solve problems related to State government. One of the great joys of my job is hearing your opinions and helping people navigate state agencies on matters ranging from housing and growing businesses to taxes and the DMV. I look forward to hearing your voice Tuesday morning so that you can have full confidence your Assemblyman is listening.”

Since taking office in January,  Assemblyman Buchwald has relocated his district office to downtown Mount Kisco, which is easily accessible by bus and Metro North trains. Assemblyman Buchwald’s district includes the towns of Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge and the city of White Plains. Any resident who cannot attend the sessions is encouraged to call his district office at 914-244-4450.

Making Headway Honored As 2013 Top-Rated Nonprofit

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headwayMaking Headway Foundation of Chappaqua announced that it has been honored with a prestigious 2013 Top-Rated Award by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews about nonprofit organizations.

“We are excited to be named a Top-Rated 2013 Nonprofit,” says Catherine Lepone, Executive Director.  “We are proud of our accomplishments this year, including our commitment to fund a $1 million grant to a new neuro-oncology laboratory at NYU Langone Medical Center as well as  our many supportive services for children in the metropolitan area who are battling brain and spinal cord tumors.

The Top-Rated Nonprofit award was based on the large number of positive reviews that Making Headway Foundation received–reviews written by volunteers, donors and clients. People posted their personal experience with the nonprofit.  For example, one person wrote,
“The Making Headway Foundation changesnonprofit lives every day. The volunteers and professionals involved with this non-profit are caring, committed, and tops in their respective fields–seeking constantly to improve the quality of life for children with brain tumors and their families and caregivers.”

While the Top-Rated Awards run through the end of October, Making Headway was part of the inaugural group to qualify for the year.

“Savvy donors want to see the impact of their donations more than ever,” said Perla Ni, CEO of GreatNonprofits, “People with direct experience with Making Headway have voted that the organization is making a real difference.”

Being on the Top-Rated list gives donors and volunteers more confidence that this is a credible organization.  The reviews by volunteers, clients and other donors show the on-the-ground results of this nonprofit.  This award is a form of recognition by the community.

About Making Headway Foundation

Making Headway Foundation provides care and comfort for children with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research geared toward better treatments and a cure.

About GreatNonprofits

GreatNonprofits is the leading site for donors and volunteers to find reviews and ratings of nonprofits. Reviews on the site influence 30 million donation decisions a year. www.greatnonprofits.org

For more info about Making Headway, contact catherine@makingheadway.org, or call 914-238-8384.

World Cup Gymnasts Take 1st Place In State Qualifier

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World Cup Gymnastics Girls Team participated in the 2013 Flip Into Spring Meet hosted by Elite Gymnastics in Amityville, NY on March 15th through March 17th.  The spotlight was on the Level 4 Girls Team who took home the first place team trophy and a stack of all-around medals as well.

Ardsley native, Kate Michelini led the Level 4, 8-9 year olds by taking the 1st place, all-around medal with a score of 38.450.  She also earned 1st place on Vault with an incredible score of 9.900 , 1st place on Floor with a 9.800 and 2nd place on Beam with a 9.400.

Her teammates followed suit sweeping the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place all-around top spots.  Mackenzie Adair of Pleasantville earned 2nd place, all-around with a 38.400.   She took home two 1st place medals on Bars and Beam with scores of 9.500 and 2nd place on Floor with a 9.700 and 3rd place on Vault with a 9.700.  Karen Sasakura of Mt. Kisco took the 3rd place all-around spot with a 38.150.

Sasakura also earned two 2nd place medals on Vault and Bars with scores of 9.750 and 9.450 consecutively, and two 3rd place medals for Beam with a 9.350 and Floor with a 9.600.  Marni Chernis also from Mt. Kisco secured the 4th place all-around spot with a score of 37.550.    In the 6-7 year old division, Pleasantville native, Sara Wilson also took a top spot earning the 3rd place all-around medal with a score of 36.900.  She also placed 3rd on Beam with a 9.400.  And, Waccabue native Kess Dardani, who competed in the 10-12 year old division, finished 2nd place all-around with a 36.400.  She did it with a great Bar routine earning 1st place with a 9.450 and a Vault that earned her a 3rd place medal with a 9.250.  Her teammate Kaylie Greene from Mt. Kisco took home a 3rd place medal on Bars with an 8.750.

“The girls are trying hard and looking very confident,” said head coach, Lazar Gakev.   “They have been aggressive and focused in practice and it showed on each event.  They truly deserve the win”.

The Level 5 girls took home a several individual medals.  In the age 7-9 division, Presely Kmeta-Suarez of Briarcliff was an all-around 2nd place medalist with a score of 36.525.  She also took home two 3rd place medals on Vault with a 9.125 and on Beam with a 9.250.  The age 12+ group had Bedford native, Maya Nahor, take home the 2nd place all-around medal with a 34.300.  Her teammate Kaylie Giston from Somers took home a 1st place medal on Floor with a 9.200 and a 2nd place medal on Vault with a 8.775.  And, Kara O’Rourke from Darien, CT received a 2nd place medal on Bars with an 8.600.  In the age 10-11 division, Angelina Criscuolo from Pleasantville was proud to take home the 2nd place all-around medal with a 36.400 and earned a 1st place medal on Bars with a 9.400.  Briarcliff native, Taylor Calman earned a 3rd place medal on Floor with a 9.350.

The level 6 girls also had some notable individual awards.

In the age 12+ division, Eliza Dickson took the 3rd place metal on Beam with an 8.400.  Brianna Ferrari, age 10-11 took home the 2nd place medal for Vault with a 9.300.  Justine Valentino did her part by earning the 1st place medal on Vault with a 9.450 and 2nd place on Floor with a 9.300.

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.

“Swim Across America” Comes to Chappaqua

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swimmerSwim Across America of Long Island Sound (SAALIS) announced today that it will hold a Chappaqua, NY-based swim event that will raise money and awareness for cancer research, prevention, and treatment. This is the second year that Chappaqua Swim and Tennis (CST) Club in Westchester has hosted a Swim Across America event. In its inaugural year, CST raised $30K, becoming the third most successful Swim Across America pool event in the New York area.

This year the swim will be held on Sunday, July 14, between 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. at CST and offers swimmers of all ages and from all area pools the opportunity to swim one mile or half mile individually or with a team.

In addition to swimming in CST’s event, Bobby Hackett, 1976 Olympic silver medalist in the 1500-meter freestyle and Katonah resident, will host a free swim clinic on competitive training techniques.   “It was really wonderful to participate in CST’s event last summer,” said Hackett, who has participated in many Swim Across America events in the past.  “It’s always so moving to join fellow swimmers of all ages and abilities, who are motivated to make a difference.”

For Dan Levy, coach of CST’s champion swim team, Swim Across America is not only a way to honor loved ones whom our community has lost to cancer.  “Seeing young swimmers who are eager to use their athletic abilities to raise funds to fight cancer is always inspiring, but I am also touched by adults who swim laps with us for this cause – many of whom are recreational swimmers,” commented Levy.

“Everyone is welcome to join us,” added Liz Fuerstman, president of CST. We invite anyone in Westchester to participate with us either by swimming or making a pledge to our site. Whether you swim, volunteer, or become a sponsor, Swim Across America is a great opportunity for our community to come together for a worthy cause.”

About Swim Across America

Swim Across America, Inc. was founded in 1987 and currently offers nearly 50 swims in 14 states.  The organization has raised over $40 million for cancer research and prevention programs at the country’s finest hospitals and managed-care facilities.

The Long Island Sound chapter was started in 1992, and has grown to be the largest in the organization, having raised over $12 million since its inception, and over $1 million in 2012 alone.  Beneficiaries include: Swim Across America & the DeMatteo Research Labs at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the Tommy Palazzo Fellowship for Pediatric Oncology Research at Columbia-Presbyterian Children’s Hospital, the Cancer Support Team of Westchester, the United Hospice of Rockland County.

 

June 25: United Way Volunteer Center Honorees to Include Chappaqua’s Jill Gottlieb

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jillgotliebThe Volunteer Center of United Way will honor its 2013 Leadership Westchester graduating class on June 25. Among those honored will be Jill Gottlieb of Chappaqua, coordinator, Caregiver Center Replication Program of Northern Westchester Hospital,.

Most people would jump at the chance to learn about leadership concepts taught at the top business schools today. And they’d probably be thrilled to find out ways they could best use their talents to make an impact in their communities. “Leadership Westchester” does just that, and every year 20 professionals in the Westchester business and nonprofit world are selected for this unique nine-month program. On June 25, Leadership Westchester, a program of The Volunteer Center of United Way, will honor this year’s graduating class at a special ceremony to be held at the Gateway Center at Westchester Community College in Valhalla. It also will present Karen Schatzel, vice president and Housing Committee chair of the League of Women Voters of Westchester, with its 2013 Alumna of the Year award.

Now in its 18th year, Leadership Westchester affords participants an invaluable opportunity to gain a thorough understanding of nonprofit board responsibilities and key management tools needed in future volunteer leadership positions. Monthly seminars are designed to refine leadership skills and to share important trends in Westchester’s contemporary social, political, and economic climates.

“Leadership Westchester not only prepares you to be a better, more authentic leader in your professional, volunteer, and personal life, but also helps you define what is important to you and how you can have a positive impact on others,” says Alisa H. Kesten, executive director of The Volunteer Center. Participants graduate with a clear direction about how they can use their skills and passions to assume positions of influence and impact, particularly as board members at nonprofit organizations in the region

The 2013 Leadership Westchester graduates are:

Francely Bernard of the Bronx, director of resource development, United Way of Westchester and Putnam

Patrick Brennan of Fishkill, vice president of information technology, The Westchester Bank

Maire Brosnan Katavolos of Nyack, executive director, Community YMCA of Northern Westchester

Karen Cheeks-Lomax of Mount Vernon, executive director, My Sisters’ Place

Olivia Ecker of Tarrytown, facilities coordinator, communications, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ed Forbes of Mount Kisco, digital team leader, The Journal News

Jill Gottlieb of Chappaqua, coordinator, Caregiver Center Replication Program of Northern Westchester Hospital

Jennifer Gruenberg of Scarsdale, board member, White Plains Hospital and Westchester Community College Foundation

Mary Jo Jacobs of New Rochelle, human resources consultant

Ann Kilbourne of Hartsdale, manager of planning and analysis, Bunge Global Agribusiness

Marjorie Lang of Irvington, administrative vice president, M&T Bank

Sharon Masciovecchio of New City, development director, March of Dimes

Drew McKay of White Plains, project manager, Arben Group, LLC

Elizabeth Phillips of Peekskill, director of health education services, Hudson River HealthCare

Frankie Shahar of New Rochelle, vice president of communications and marketing, Association of Development Officers

Deborah Silverman of Rye Brook, financial consultant

Julie Sootin of Pleasantville, director of development, Westchester Children’s Museum

Katherine Stipicevic of Tuckahoe, senior manager, PepsiCo

Raymond Wong of Mount Vernon, relationship manager, Small Business, TD Bank

John Wool of West Harrison, director of admissions, Berkeley College (Westchester Campus)

Karen Schatzel (LW ’98), Leadership Westchester’s 2013 Alumna of the Year, is an Irvington resident. She received the 2012 Circle of Giving Award from the Westchester Community Foundation for her demonstrated courage and leadership in guiding the League of Women Voters’ efforts to push for compliance with the 2009 housing settlement entered into between the County and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Schatzel has served on the boards of Abbot House, the Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct, the Irvington Historical Society, and the board of education of the Abbott School. She is currently on the board and chairs the Committee on Directors of the Louis August Jonas Foundation, and is past president of the Fortnightly Club, a social organization in Tarrytown, Sleepy Hollow, and Irvington. In addition, she has been an active volunteer with Historic Hudson Valley since 1997.

“I once heard Pace Law Center’s John Nolon comment: ‘We too often think of leadership in terms of elective office, but leadership of a different type is critically needed from those who have the knowledge, insight, and passion to make a contribution,'” says Schatzel.

Each year there are opportunities for participants to learn more about a variety of challenges that face our community. Schatzel says that, for her, “from education to municipal government to the penal system, Leadership Westchester gave me a much deeper understanding of where volunteer leadership was needed in the community.”

Support for Leadership Westchester comes from The Volunteer Center’s strategic partner, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, and from a wide range of corporations and nonprofits. For more information on the program and to receive an application for 2013-14 Leadership Westchester, call The Volunteer Center at 914-948-4452 or visit www.volunteer-center.org/leadership.

About The Volunteer Center of United Way:

Recently awarded a Top-Rated Nonprofit designation, The Volunteer Center is a one-stop resource devoted to increasing volunteerism in Westchester and our surrounding communities.  We encourage adults to serve, youth to build character, families to bond, young professionals to lead, mature adults to share their wisdom and businesses to support our community.  Through organized volunteer projects, as well as by connecting individuals to nonprofit organizations, The Volunteer Center helps people take action to strengthen the quality of life in their community. Over 254,000 hours of service were devoted last year to 500 nonprofits at a value of over $7.7 million. In September 2011, The Volunteer Center was designated one of ten Regional Volunteer Centers in the State of New York, covering the Mid-Hudson Valley.  For more information, visit www.volunteer-center.org.