The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

New Castle Releases

Sierra Club Endorses Ali Boak for State Senate

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State Senate candidate Ali Boak stands poised to take up the mantle of environmental advocates everywhere with news of her endorsement this week by the influential Sierra Club. The group credited Boak’s steadfast dedication to renewable energy and environmental preservation in announcing its endorsement.

 “Ali Boak is the clear choice for the State Senate’s 40th District,” said Ed Berry, Political Chair of Lower Hudson Sierra Club. “We need a representative in Albany who will stand up to powerful oil and natural gas companies, support renewable energies, and preserve our environment for future generations. Ali has the vision and record of leadership to be a powerful partner to the Sierra Club and friends of the environment across New York.”
“I’m proud to have the endorsement of the Sierra Club,” said State Senate candidate Ali Boak. “For generations, the natural beauty of the lower Hudson Valley has inspired artists and nature lovers, and drawn countless families to our towns to live and work. I take very seriously the need to protect this special land and water and as your next state senator, I look forward to working hand in hand with key environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, to advocate for environmentally-friendly policies in Albany.”
Founded in 1892 by legendary conservationist John Muir, the Sierra Club is the largest and most influential grassroots organization in the country. It’s two million-plus members and supporters have lead the charge in passing some of the nation’s landmark environmental legislation. The group has also most recently focused its efforts on encouraging the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and green jobs.
Closer to home, the Lower Hudson chapter has been a leader in the fight against the Algonquin Pipeline and the push to close Indian Point Nuclear Plant, both efforts that Boak has strongly supported in her campaign for the State Senate’s 40th District.

“One Team – One Dream” Save the Date for Greeley High School Athletes Fighting Cancer: November 6

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 Greeley Athletes and Local Foundations Combine Efforts to Raise Awareness and Funds for Pediatric/Adolescent Cancer

hghs-making-headway High School students from Horace Greeley have partnered with the Gardner Marks Foundation and The Making Headway Foundation to host “One Team – One Dream”, the 3rd Annual Athlete Walkathon, to support Pediatric/Adolescent cancer research and programs that assist these children and their families.

The event, scheduled for November 6th, will raise awareness and funds for Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors affecting kids and young adults.  Currently, local students, athletes, and families are helping to make this event a success are working on getting representatives from every sports team in the High School as well as many other local sports groups and organizations to participate.  This grassroots event was created in memory of Gardner Marks (Greeley Class of ’08) who was an athlete at Greeley. Gardner lost his life due to complications from cancer.  The Greeley Sports Boosters is sponsoring the Walkathon and are helping to promote the cause.

Anyone who wants to help fight against Pediatric/Adolescent cancer is welcome to participate in the Walkathon.  The event is scheduled on November 6th, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Horace Greeley High School Competition Field. This year’s slogan, “One Team – One Dream” focuses on the power that individuals can have by working together as part of a universal team. Please donate or sponsor individuals online at www.greeleysportsboosters.org.  And, we would love to have you walk with us on the day of the event!

Pediatric/Adolescent cancer is the leading cause of death by disease among all kids in the United States.  Currently, there are almost 400,000 kids fighting cancer, with an estimated 16,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed each year.  Many years ago, the 5-year life expectancy after diagnosis was only 50% for kids with cancer.  However, thanks to large investments in cutting edge research and treatments, the rate of children who pass away due to a cancer diagnosis has been cut in half.  Many of these medical breakthroughs have come as a result of the direct investments by individuals and local charities.  Additionally, organizations like The Making Headway Foundation and The Gardner Marks Foundation are investing in quality-of-life programs that directly provide a holistic set of services to pediatric/adolescent cancer patients and their families.  The 3rd Annual “One Team, -One Dream” Horace Greeley Athlete Walkathon is a wonderful way that local families can participate in the fight against pediatric/adolescent cancer.

Proceeds from this event will be split evenly to support two local non-profit organizations. The Gardner Marks Foundation is devoted to raising money toward helping families in need of financial support, logistics, and mental health. Now in its 20th year of operation, The Making Headway Foundation provides care and comfort for kids with brain and spinal cord tumors while funding medical research geared toward better treatments and a cure.   100% of donations will go directly to pediatric cancer research or services.  For more information or to donate visit https://makingheadway.ejoinme.org/Greeley2016.

CFRAH to Town of New Castle: Halt Conifer Project Until MTA Addresses Safety Concerns

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Chappaqua for Responsible Affordable Housing (CFRAH) has written to the New Castle Town Board asking that it halt further approvals for the Conifer 28 unit affordable housing project until a full safety evaluation is performed by MTA. Earlier an MTA safety inspection team informally took a first look at the Conifer site at the request of our supervisor, Rob Greenstein. The safety team expressed grave concerns in the event of a derailment to such extent that they would recommend against granting Conifer the easement and “no build agreement” necessary for the Conifer project in view of its closeness to the MTA/Metro North tracks.54huntsplace

The safety team saw the potential for building collapse, loss of life and injury to occupants.  The Conifer apartment building would be fifteen feet from the tracks and supported by columns from the ground floor open parking area, supporting the three residential floors above. These factors, the MTA safety team logically concluded, would make the proposed residential building vulnerable to collapse in the event of a derailment.

CFRAH was shocked to learn that MTA upper management directed the safety inspection team not to do an on-site analysis and evaluation of risk in the event of derailment or other accident.  Historically there have been derailments in Chappaqua. CFRAH reminded the Town of the unpredictability of railroad accidents and the example of the horrible grade crossing collision in Hawthorne that took the lives of six commuters, two of whom were from Chappaqua.south_and_east_elevations

No explanation has been given for the MTA’s refusal to allow its safety experts to conduct the complete analysis. CFRAH has urged the Town to insist that the MTA safety experts be authorized and directed by MTA to  evaluate the risks to the occupants of the proposed Conifer apartments in the event of collision or derailment or other unforeseen events involving the railroad and its proximity to the project.

To read the letter sent to the board, in its entirety, please see our Facebook group “Chappaqua for Responsible Affordable Housing”.

12th Annual Feed Me Fresh Will Benefit Mount Kisco Child Care Center

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fmf2015aMount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC) will host its 12th Annual Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening event on Saturday, September 24, 2016 beginning at 6:00pm. The fundraiser will celebrate 45 years of dedication to working families in the community and is hosted by Eric Hadar at Ivanna Farms in Bedford Corners, NY.

This year, MKCCC is honoring a dedicated friend, supporter and board member, Linda Mahon. In addition to nearly 10 years of service on MKCCC’s Board of Directors, including a term as Co-President in 2011, Linda was also co-chair of the 4th Annual Feed Me Fresh gala in 2008. Linda has been involved with a number of important local causes over the years, including the John Jay Homestead House and the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. One of the founding partners of the Center, The Junior League of Northern Westchester, will also be honored at this year’s event.  In 1971 they helped define MKCCC’s mission which has remained unwavering, 45 years later. The JLNW has been serving the community with philanthropic contributions for over 60 years. The evening’s Honorary Co-Chairs are Blakely Brodbeck, Kate Horn, Jessica Inglis, Jennifer Madden, Stuart Marwell, Jim Wood, and Lee Manning-Vogelstein. Kelly Sullivan, of Quaker Hill Tavern in Chappaqua, is the returning Event Chair.

Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening showcases delicious food from local restaurants that subscribe to the same culinary philosophy as MKCCC – serving locally grown organic food and supporting local agriculture. Guests will also enjoy a lively jazz ensemble, open bar and fabulous live and silent auctions as well as a ‘Raise the Paddle’ giving opportunity.

The event’s Champion Sponsor for 2016 is Eric Hadar. 

Tickets are available for $250 per person. For information about tickets, donations, and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Helen Bock in the Development Office at 914.241.2135 or hbock@mkccc.org    For more information and for a full list of sponsors, visit www.mkccc.org/feed-me-fresh-event.

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About Mount Kisco Child Care Center:

Mount Kisco Child Care Center is a non-profit, NAEYC-accredited childcare facility serving families in Northern Westchester since 1971. MKCCC provides exceptional and affordable early care and education to a diverse group of children from three months to eleven years of age. Experienced and professional teachers, an innovative curriculum, unique programs, such as the JEWEL Intergenerational Program and Feed Me Fresh, its garden-to-table, sustainable nutrition program, and a state of the art facility contribute to create an exceptional early childhood education experience.

MKCCC is located at 95 Radio Circle, Mount Kisco, NY. For additional information, please visit www.mkccc.org

White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness Celebrates 1st Anniversary in Armonk with Family Fun Day

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White Plains Hospital, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and Equinox Fitness Club are partnering to celebrate the one year anniversary of WPH’s Medical and Wellness facility in Armonk with a Family Fun Day on Saturday Oct. 1.  The event, which will feature a variety of games and activities for children and adults alike, will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 99 Business Park Drive parking lot and is free and open to the public.

For Kids

Children can enjoy a day of fun-filled activities including a visit to the Ted E. Bear clinic, which uses stuffed animals to explain how to treat a variety of ‘boo boo’s and alleviate fears for children surrounding medical care. The first 100 children will receive a free teddy bear to take home.

For Grown-Ups

Equinox will also be on hand offering an array of classes and demonstrations to help families get active and stay in shape. For those looking to really break a sweat, the Armonk Fire Department will be running an obstacle course designed to be as fun as it is challenging.

For All

The new state-of-the-art White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness facility will be on open for tours with physician meet-and-greets. Mammogram scheduling and on-site flu shots will also be available.

The afternoon includes something for everyone including live music, balloon sculpture, raffles and free giveaways, food trucks and pumpkin painting, courtesy of DeCiccos. To give back to the community, guests are asked to bring canned goods for donation to the Armonk Food Bank. A rain date is set for Oct. 2. For more information call (914) 681-2628.

The White Plains Hospital Medical and Wellness facility opened in late 2015 and features an urgent care center, comprehensive imaging center, and multispecialty outpatient physician practices in a variety of specialties, including primary care, pediatrics, endocrinology, neurology, cardiology and more.  The modern, spacious facility is located at 99 Business Park Drive in Armonk, just off route 22 and I-684.

“We hope area residents will come out to enjoy some fabulous activities and meet their neighbors at WPH Medical and Wellness,” said Frances Bordoni, VP of Business Development and Ambulatory and Physician Services at White Plains Hospital.  “We are thrilled to have been welcomed so warmly into northern Westchester over the past twelve months, and are looking forward to another great year providing outstanding healthcare services to members of the Armonk community.”

About White Plains Hospital

White Plains Hospital (WPH) is a proud member of the Montefiore Health System, serving as its tertiary hub of advanced care in the Hudson Valley.  WPH is a 292-bed not-for-profit health care organization with the primary mission of providing exceptional acute and preventive medical care to all people who live in, work in or visit Westchester County and its surrounding areas. Centers of Excellence include the Center for Cancer Care, The William & Sylvia Silberstein Neonatal & Maternity Center and The Ruth and Jerome A. Siegel Stroke Center. The Hospital’s Flanzer Emergency Department is the busiest in Westchester County, seeing nearly 57,000 visits a year. White Plains Hospital performs lifesaving emergency and elective angioplasty in its Joan and Alan Herfort, M.D. Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and Marie Promuto Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.  White Plains Hospital also has outpatient medical facilities in Armonk and New Rochelle.  The Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and earned its recognition as a Top Performer for Key Quality Measures® in 2015 and 2013. The Hospital is also an eleven-time winner of the Consumer Choice Award, an honor given to the nation’s top hospitals by the National Research Corporation, and received Magnet® designation in 2012 from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).  In 2014 and 2016, White Plains Hospital received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades®, given to only 10% of hospitals nationwide. For additional information, visit http://www.wphospital.org.