The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Westchester

Harvest Moon Farm to Present a Longer, More Spectacular LUMAGICA Holiday Light Experience

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LUMAGICA Holiday Light Experience at Harvest Moon Opens November 18 to December 30

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. (October 14, 2022) – Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard in North Salem will once again transform into an enchanted forest after apple-picking season is over; and this year the LUMAGICA spectacular holiday trail is longer with several new and brilliant displays. 

The natural landscape of the Orchard is a canvas for design and creative and immersive storytelling and will be filled with over 750,000 lights, whimsical creatures, and many surprises. The over half mile trail will take visitors on a journey through six magical spaces, Sparkling Light, Into the Wonderland, Magical Trees, A Great Celebration, Treats and Sweets, and Beyond the Forest.

During the LUMAGICA experience, guests will enjoy enormous, illuminated displays including a 20-foot-tall reindeer and a soaring parrot offering plenty of photo ops as attendees wind their way through light tunnels all timed to a musical performance. To get into the spirit of the holidays, visitors can grab a warm drink and an illuminated wand on their way in to begin the trail. At the end of the trail, participants will be greeted by fire pits as well as hot food, cider donuts, and seasonal drinks available for purchase. It is a memorable holiday experience for all ages.

LUMAGICA will open November 18 and run through December 30 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at 130 Hardscrabble Road. The walk-through experience takes 45 minutes to an hour and is one of 30 LUMAGICA parks around the world. Tickets are free for children 2 and under and range from $28 and up depending upon the date and time selected. Parking is free. To purchase, visit https://feverup.com/m/119449?utm_source=partner%26utm_medium=pr_119449%26utm_campaign=lumagica_nyc.

About Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard

Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard is a family-owned and operated apple orchard located in North Salem, NY, in Northern Westchester County. It also grows a variety of vegetables and stone fruits and offers farm-raised meats that include chicken, duck, lamb, pork and its own 100 percent grass-fed beef and pasture-raised turkeys. In addition to the popular apple picking weekends, Harvest Moon hosts an annual Easter Egg Hunt, Hardscrabble Cider Live Music and Pizza nights, and several Pick-Your-Own events throughout the growing season. It also offers a 13- or 18-week summer/fall CSA program; the farm store and bakery are open seven days a week from April through Christmas. For more information, visit https://harvestmoonfarmandorchard.com.

News Courtesy of Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard.

Westchester County Launches $5 Million Business FIRST Grant Program for MWBEs, SDVOBs & DBEs

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Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses (SDVOBs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) impacted by COVID-19 pandemic encouraged to apply for grant funding

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY (September 19, 2022) – The Westchester County Office of Economic Development today launched a $5 Million round of Business FIRST Grant funding to support Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs), Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses (SDVOBs) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications will be accepted online starting today and the application period will remain open for about four weeks.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Minority- and Women-owned Business Enterprises, Certified Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises are important players in our local economy. They contribute to the diversity of our communities and, like many other businesses, have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are pleased to make relief funding available to these ventures, and help them both build back up and plan for a brighter future.”

Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said: “The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local business community is pervasive. We are committed to helping our small business community, including MWBEs, SDVOBs and DBEs, rebound and grateful to have funding available to invest in their next chapters.”

Westchester County Director of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development and Immigrant Affairs Martha Lopez said: “This $5 million round of grant funding is an extension of the County’s commitment to minority and women-owned businesses. We are proud to provide professional development, business development and networking opportunities to these entities throughout the year and are thrilled to now be extending financial resources to aid in their economic recovery.”

Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow provides immediate financial relief to organizations in Westchester County that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. This round of funding will provide qualifying MWBEs, SDVOBs, and DBEs with grants of up to $45,000. Grants will be provided on a reimbursable basis only and recipients must provide receipts to Community Capital before any funds will be disbursed. Those organizations needing help in completing their applications can email our partner Charlene Nixon, President and CEO of the Westchester Multicultural Chamber, to receive assistance at:  businessfirst@wmccnys.org.

To be eligible, the organization’s primary location must be in Westchester County. The organization must be currently open with plans to stay open, or temporarily closed with plans to reopen in 2022. To be eligible, MWBEs must be Registered with the County’s MWBE program or Certified by the New York State Division of Minority and Women’s Business, SDVOBs must be Certified by New York State as a Service-Disabled Veteran-owned Businesses (SDVOB) and DBEs must be Certified by a Certifying Partner in the New York State Unified Certification Program (NYSUCP).

Organizations who received funding from the federal government through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) are eligible to apply but the use of the 2022 Business FIRST grant funds should not duplicate purposes. Organizations who received a Business FIRST Grant in 2020 or 2021 from Westchester County are not eligible for this grant opportunity, nor are organizations who received a Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the SBA.

The Westchester County Business FIRST grant program is being administered by the Westchester County Office of Economic Development through the American Rescue Plan.

 

For more information on the application process, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/business-first-programs/grants/.

 

About Westchester County Business FIRST

Westchester County Business FIRST: Financial Investments for Recovery and a Sustainable Tomorrow is a grant program designed to offer immediate financial relief to small businesses and nonprofits in Westchester County that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Westchester County Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life.  This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. For information, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/. 

 

News Courtesy of the Westchester County Office of Economic Development

 

JazzFest White Plains Launches with Free Performances!

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Headliners include the Joey Alexander Trio; the Buster Williams Quartet “Something More”; Grace Kelly and Ragan Whiteside

I’RO & The Afro Latin Exchange perform at the White Plains Farmers Market on September 14, 2022 on the first day of JazzFest White Plains, which runs through Sunday.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (September 14, 2022) – JazzFest White Plains began its five-day run Wednesday with a free performance by I’RO & The Afro Latin Exchange.

The concert at the White Plains Farmer’s Market was the first of three free noon weekday concerts that will occur this week in downtown White Plains. The festival will conclude on Sunday with a free, six-hour Jazz & Food Festival on Mamaroneck Avenue between Main Street and Martine Ave.

This year’s headliners include the Joey Alexander Trio; the Buster Williams Quartet “Something More”; Grace Kelly and Ragan Whiteside and Friends. Free and ticketed performances will occur on downtown streets and in venues that include ArtsWestchester, Grace Episcopal Church and the White Plains Public Library.

“Since its origins in late-19th-century New Orleans’ Black communities, jazz has been a wellspring of new ideas in American culture, and it has inspired musicians around the world,” said Janet Langsam, ArtsWestchester’s CEO. “JazzFest celebrates this genre’s glorious history of innovation while showcasing the exciting artists of today for glimpses of jazz’s future direction.”

Other notable artists scheduled to perform at the 2022 JazzFest White Plains are: Miki Hayama and Richie Goods, the Albert Rivera Quintet, the Carlos Jimenez Mambo Sextet, the G. Thomas Allen Quartet and more.

The eleventh-annual JazzFest White Plains is produced by ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains and the White Plains Business Improvement District.

For a full festival schedule and to purchase advanced tickets, visit artsw.org/jazzfest.

About ArtsWestchester

For over 50 years ArtsWestchester has been the community’s connection to the arts. Founded in 1965, it is the largest private not-for-profit arts council in New York State. Its mission is to provide leadership vision and support to ensure the availability accessibility and diversity of the arts. ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County. ArtsWestchester helps fund concerts exhibitions and plays through grants; brings artists into schools and community centers; advocates for the arts; and builds audiences through diverse marketing initiatives. In 1998 ArtsWestchester purchased the nine-story neo-classical bank building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue which has since been transformed into a multi-use resource for artists, cultural organizations and the community. A two-story gallery is located on the first floor of ArtsWestchester’s historic building on Mamaroneck Avenue.

News Courtesy of JazzFest and ArtsWestchester

Rep. Mondaire Jones Votes to Lower Cost of Insulin for Working Families

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Today, Rep. Mondaire Jones voted for landmark legislation to deliver lower insulin costs for working families.  By capping out-of-pocket expenses, the Affordable Insulin Now Act will ensure that New Yorkers pay no more than $35 for a monthly supply of insulin.

“Today, the House took a key step forward in the fight to lower health care costs for working families,” said Rep. Mondaire Jones. “I proudly cast my vote for the Affordable Insulin Now Act to cap outrageous insulin prices at $35 per month. I will never forget how, in October 2019, I spoke with a mother in Tarrytown who drove to Canada each month just to buy insulin for her son, as she could not afford it in Westchester. This vote is for her.”

Congressman Mondaire Jones with the Parker family in White Plains.

Rising by 54 percent from 2014 to 2019,  the cost of insulin has created an affordability crisis for the 9.4 percent of New Yorkers living with diabetes.  Americans currently face an average price of $98.70 for a unit of insulin – ten times higher than in other wealthy nations.  One in four Americans who rely on insulin has been forced to ration doses due to high prices, a last resort with potentially fatal consequences.  

The Affordable Insulin Now Act will require private health insurance plans to cover insulin, limiting monthly cost-sharing to $35 or 25 percent of a plan’s negotiated price – whichever is lower.  It also requires Medicare prescription drug plans to limit cost-sharing for insulin to $35 per month.  This legislation comes as House Democrats continue working to advance comprehensive reform addressing the high cost of prescription drugs.

News from the Office of Congressman Mondaire Jones

Westchester County Office of Economic Development Announces Return of Launch1000

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The Westchester County Office of Economic Development announced Launch1000, an innovative, fully remote, self-paced program designed to turn concepts and ideas into business plans and startups, will return in 2022. New to the Program this year is the addition of a dual language cohort (English/Spanish) with a minimum of 100 seats available. All Launch1000 programming will be available in both English and Spanish, and bilingual participants will be supported by bilingual coaches and mentors. There will be workshops for just for the dual language cohort, as well as workshops combining the English-only and the bilingual Launchers.

(L to R): County Executive George Latimer, Deborah Novick, Jose Hidalgo, Bridget Gibbons, Carola Bracco and Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Following the success of our inaugural Launch1000 program, we were inspired to give more residents the opportunity to get their ideas off the ground and turn them into de-risked businesses and nonprofits. We are excited to add a dual language cohort to the program and make this opportunity accessible to more residents.”

Born out of a global pandemic, Launch1000 offers Westchester County residents the opportunity to gain critical business knowledge, connect with mentors and help their idea gain traction. In 2021, 218 residents completed the program and launched a diverse range of small businesses and nonprofits. The program is led by entrepreneurial expert Pam Hoelzle, who has coached tens of thousands of early-stage entrepreneurs. Launch1000 requires a commitment of 10-hours per week and is designed for individuals who can commit to steadily working on their idea throughout the remainder of 2022. Launchers who successfully complete the program will receive a $1,000 grant to help defray startup costs.

Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said: “The Launch1000 program is an investment in growing and diversifying Westchester’s small business community. This program provides education, mentorship and a supportive community to help residents to take their ideas from concept to completion. And, it places a critical focus on de-risking to help participants bring viable and sustainable ventures to market.”

Westchester County Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Deborah Novick said: “In its first year, Launch1000 helped 218 business and nonprofits get off the ground. Sixty-five percent of these Launchers had no prior business experience. This program is proof that all it takes is an idea to start down the path to becoming your own boss and launching a new venture. We look forward to helping our 2022 Launch1000 participants become business owners and nonprofit leaders.”

Whether an individual is in the infancy of exploring an idea, hopes to create an avenue for working from home, aspires to create a business to support and improve their local community, or already has a concrete business concept, Launch1000 provides the tools to test ideas and move forward. As participants move through the phases of the program, they will receive feedback and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs, as well as introductions to relevant organizations and individuals within the Westchester business community. The program is completely online, so it can be completed from the safety of home, and is open to residents anywhere in the County. To ensure that a lack of technology does not prevent anyone from applying to the program, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development will provide laptops to residents who need them.

Applications will open this spring and interested individuals are encouraged to apply early. Potential participants can learn more about Launch1000 by visiting: WestchesterCatalyst.com/Launch1000. Organizations who would like to host an infosession (virtual or in-person) about the program and individuals who are interested in supporting Launch1000 by mentoring participants or otherwise sharing their expertise should contact Deborah Novick at 914-995-2998.

In addition to Launch1000, the Westchester County Office of Economic Development offers a suite of programs and resources to support businesses and entrepreneurs including: Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator, Element 46 Incubator, the RXR Volunteer Program, and other programs.

A full directory of businesses and nonprofits who have graduated from Launch1000 is available at: https://launch1000.orbelay.com/.

NEWS & Photo COURTESY OF  The Westchester County Office of Economic Development works to improve the County’s economic well-being and quality of life.  This includes a broad range of activities to attract, create and retain jobs, and to foster a resilient, pro-growth and inclusive economy. For information, visit https://westchestercatalyst.com/.