The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle Releases

Chance to View Beautiful Works at Seven Bridges Annual Art Gala: May 31

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“Middle School Students’ Art Reminiscent of NYC Gallery Openings”

Wait, Are we in West Chelsea? Seeing art lovers move through gallery spaces holding sparkling champagne while admiring paintings, sculptures, video and installation, you would think that we were in the West Chelsea Gallery District. In reality, the art lovers are Seven Bridges Middle School students ages 11 – 14 holding sparkling apple cider as they discuss the virtuosity of a string ensemble, the contents of a literary magazine and naturally, the VISUAL ARTS. 

For the last six years, Seven Bridges Middle School has put together an Annual Art Gala reminiscent of NYC gallery openings. Conceived by art professionals who also happened to be moms, this PTA-sponsored event brought the West Chelsea Gallery scene to the Chappaqua community. Six years since its inception, it is still going strong!

The sixth annual Seven Bridges art gala opening this year will take place May 31, 7:30-8:30 p.m!

Horace Greeley High School Junior Victoria Xu Wins 2017 Congressional Art Competition

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Millwood Student to travel to Washington, DC, meet with Congresswoman Lowey, and have art displayed in U.S. Capitol

 Runners up from Pearl River, Tappan and Yorktown Heights

Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced that Victoria Xu, a junior at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua is the winner of the 2017 Congressional Art Competition for New York’s 17th Congressional District. Victoria’s acrylic on canvas, “Tonight on the Metro,” was judged to be first of 22 entries.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey with first place winner Victoria Xu together with (L-R): Daly Flanagan, Acting Director at Rockland Center for the Arts in West Nyack; Eileen MacAvery Kane, Instructor and Director of the Graphic Design Program at Rockland Community College in Suffern; and Carole Perry, Artistic Director and Curator at the Edward Hopper House Art Center in Nyack.

“I congratulate Victoria on winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Lowey. “I’m proud that her outstanding artwork, ‘Tonight on the Metro,’ will represent New York’s 17th Congressional District in the United States Capitol, where millions of visitors may see it.”

“The Chappaqua Central School District and Chappaqua Community are truly thrilled and proud of Victoria,” said Jennifer Schmidt, Art Teacher at Horace Greely High School. “Victoria’s painting is a testament to her technical and aesthetic ability.  She is an extraordinary artist with a strong work ethic, creative spirit and an admirable devotion to the visual arts. We appreciate the efforts of Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office in recognizing high school artists, and join in honoring Victoria, whose commitment to the artistic process reflects her dedication and respect for this discipline.  Victoria has been an inspiration to all of the Horace Greeley Community.”

Annie McCormack, a Pearl River resident and a junior at Pearl River High School, came in second place for her photograph entitled “Reservoir;” Avery Schwarz, a Tappan resident and junior at Riverview High School, came in third for his “Royal Guards” mixed digital media; and Isobel Watson Ley, a Yorktown Heights resident and a junior at Yorktown High School, received an honorable mention for her watercolor, “The Hoatzin.”  

“Our region is fortunate to be home to so many excellent young artists,” said Lowey. “I congratulate Annie, Avery, Isobel and all of the participants in this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Their artistic talents are excellent contributions to the Lower Hudson Valley’s cultural identity.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. Each spring, students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in June in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol.

Congresswoman Lowey hosted the 17th Congressional District awards ceremony at the Nanuet Public Library on Monday, May 8th. The three judges who chose the winners were Daly Flanagan, Acting Director at Rockland Center for the Arts in West Nyack; Carole Perry, Artistic Director and Curator at the Edward Hopper House Art Center in Nyack, and Eileen MacAvery Kane, Instructor and Director of the Graphic Design Program at Rockland Community College in Suffern.

In addition to promoting arts through the annual Congressional Art Competition, Congresswoman Lowey has been stalwart in her defense of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and served on the prestigious National Council for the Arts in recognition of her leadership.

 

Support Builds for Buchwald’s Bill to Force the Release of President Trump’s State Tax Returns

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Over 40 Assembly members sign onto Buchwald’s legislation

In less than two weeks, over 40 members of the New York State Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors of Assemblyman David Buchwald’s bill to force the release of New York State income tax returns for statewide elected officials, including the President of the United States. With these quick pledges of support, the bill (A.7462/S.5572-A) is already over halfway towards obtaining the 76 votes needed to pass on the Assembly floor. 

On April 26, State Assemblyman David Buchwald and State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the legislation that would direct the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) to release the tax returns within thirty days of enactment of the bill, going back five years, and then continuing each year the elected official is in office.

The legislation doesn’t just apply to the President of the United States. It applies equally to any Vice President that files New York State income tax forms, as well as the U.S. Senators representing New York, and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller. Most of these officials, including Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand, routinely make their tax returns available. And with respect to the Presidency, for over 40 years, transparency of the President’s tax returns the norm as well. The tax returns released by New York State under the legislation would redact social security numbers and other personal information the disclosure of which would violate federal law.

The Buchwald-Hoylman Bill ended up being introduced the same day the White House released its one-page handout on its tax reform proposals.

“This bill is essential for New Yorkers to have confidence in our tax system, to understand the potential motivation for tax reform proposals from our top elected officials, and to gain insight into potential conflicts of interest,” said Assemblyman Buchwald (D-Westchester).  

When introducing the bill Assemblyman Buchwald said, “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy can be outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.” 

New Legislation Aimed to Direct the Release of State Returns of Statewide Elected Officials

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Buchwald: “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy can be outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”

 Hoylman: “If lawmakers in Washington won’t force President Trump to release his tax returns, lawmakers in Albany should do it instead. New Yorkers deserve to know if statewide officials – including Trump – pay their fair share of taxes.”

 Albany April 26, 1017 – Assemblyman David Buchwald (D – Westchester) and State Senator Brad Hoylman (D – Manhattan) announced the introduction of legislation that would require the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) to release income tax information and returns for statewide elected officials, including the President of the United States. This legislation is the only one of its kind in the nation.

The bill would require the most recent five years of tax returns be posted to the NYSDTF’s website within 30 days of enactment of the bill, and in the future within 30 days of when the elected officials take the oath of office. Future tax returns would be posted within 30 days after they have been filed with NYSDTF, until the elected officials leave office. Other statewide elected officials affected by this legislation include the Vice President of the United States, the U.S. Senators representing New York, along with the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller. The legislation instructs NYSDTF to redact social security numbers and other personal information the disclosure of which would violate federal law.

 “Now is the time for legislative action to ensure the transparency of high ranking elected officials’ tax returns,” said Assemblyman David Buchwald. “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy canbe outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.”

“If lawmakers in Washington won’t force President Trump to release his tax returns, lawmakers in Albany should do it instead,” said State Senator Hoylman. “We have a unique opportunity to advance the cause of presidential tax transparency. New Yorkers deserve to know if statewide officials – including Trump – pay their fair share of their taxes and avoid conflicts of interest.”

“Presidential candidates release their tax returns so the American people know they are focused on job number one — serving the country in a role with extraordinary power. Donald Trump’s refusal speaks volumes about his values, but does not give the public or the press the most important information about his conflicts and incentives. New York can solve that,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “Thank you to Senator Hoylman and Assemblyman Buchwald, professor Daniel Hemel, and the many Americans pushing for good government.”

“Every presidential candidate since Richard Nixon has released his or her tax returns, except Donald Trump,” said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York. “Americans have the right to know if the President is putting his business empire, or the interests of the public, first. We commend Senator Hoylman and Assemblyman Buchwald for introducing a common sense solution to the problem that brought out tens of thousands of New Yorkers for Tax March.”

 The overwhelming majority of Americans—80%, according to one recent survey—say the president should release his returns. But thus far Trump has rebuffed those demands, and in Washington House leaders won’t even allow a vote on a bipartisan bill that would require the returns to be released.

Governor Cuomo,  Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand have already posted their returns online. 

Antiques Appraisal Day at the Horace Greeley House Museum: April 22

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with Expert Evaluations provided by Rago Arts and Auction Center

It’s time to dust off your treasures! Do you have a family heirloom or garage sale treasure that you’d like to have appraised? Here’s your chance!

On Saturday, April 22, from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., visitors are invited to stop by the New Castle Historical Society, located in the Horace Greeley House Museum in downtown Chappaqua, with their antique treasures for an Antiques Roadshow-style Appraisal Day. Special guest experts Sebastian Clarke (generalist), Katherine Van Dell (jewelry), Mick Byers (fine art), and Jennifer Pitman (silver), of the Rago Arts and Auction Center, will conduct the appraisals.

The event is co-sponsored by the Rago Arts and Auction Center of Lambertville, NJ.  Rago is a renowned venue for auction, private sale, and appraisal. Specialists from Rago appear frequently on the hit PBS series Antiques Roadshow. For more information about the Rago Arts and Auction Center, please visit www.ragoarts.com.   

A ticket for this Antiques Roadshow-style fundraising event includes the evaluation and appraisal of your antique treasure(s) by the expert appraisers. A ticket to the event costs $15 for NCHS members and $20 for non-members. Each guest may bring up to two items.

To kick-off the event, Rago specialist and Antiques Roadshow regular, Sebastian Clarke, will discuss his experiences ‘on the road’ in a talk titled “Tales from the Road” from 10 am to 11 am. There is a recommended donation of $10 to attend the talk.

To make a reservation for this event, please call Cassie Ward, Executive Director of the NCHS, at 914-238-4666. Walk-ins are also welcome. For more information about the New Castle Historical Society and this event, please visit www.newcastlehs.org. All proceeds from the event will benefit the New Castle Historical Society.