The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

fundraiser

Mezzapalooza – A Helping Hand Through Music

by

The very dedicated Mezzapalooza Board of Directors of Briarcliff. (L-R): Dan Shine, Mike Vincent, Andy Hite, Marc Milano, Matt Cooleen, Sergio Prosperino, Chris Fenimore, Matt Sesti. Not pictured: Peter Veritas and Brendan Kenney.  

If you love listening to live music outdoors – especially as the weather warms up and want to support a worthwhile cause at the same time – come out to Mezzapalooza on Saturday, May 11 at the Law Memorial Park Pavilion in Briarcliff Manor. Back after a four-year hiatus, the event promises a night full of music, food, and fun – all in support of Ossining resident Scott Rowe and his family.

Mezzapalooza (a 501c3) was originally created in 2012 after the tragic passing of Briarcliff resident John Mezzatesta. The community came together to honor and lend a hand to the family of one of Briarcliff’s favorite sons. As a testament to John’s memory, Mezzapalooza unites the community each year in support of a local family by offering its help and support. Mezzapalooza is back for 2024, promising an amazing evening to help support the Rowe family.

When the event first began in 2012, it was in a very organic way. As Marc Milano, member of the Executive Board says, “Mezzatesta was a legend of Briarcliff – active in everything from Little League to the fire department. The community was shocked by his death. A group got together and wanted to do something for his family and to honor him.” That’s when a few local dads that happened to play in bands decided to have a big “Battle of the Bands” party to help raise money for the family. Attendees enjoyed live music, food, and a live auction. It was so successful that the Board said, let’s do it again next year and find another family to help.

Milano was a member of one of the original bands from the inaugural event – The Lost Souls, which will be part of the line-up again this year. “Mezzapalooza came to be known as helping hands through music, as well as a village community event. We wanted to keep raising money for families in town who could really use it.” The event last took place in 2019 at St. Theresa’s Church. But then COVID hit, and the event went dormant for a few years. As Milano explains, “This past year, there were some younger families in town who had heard about Mezzapalooza and wanted to bring it back to help another local family. We reconstituted the Board and learned of a family going through a struggle. John Mezzatesta was a lion of Briarcliff – everyone knew him. The Rowe family is like that for Ossining.”

Scott Rowe, a resident of Briarcliff Manor, has an immense zest for life – and family means everything to him. Unfortunately, since July 2022, when Rowe was found to have several pulmonary embolisms, he has been in and out of the ER and the ICU and is fighting every day. He continues to be in the care of the Briarcliff Manor Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. His constant support system includes wife and high school sweetheart Michelle, daughters Maddie (19), Lily (14) and family dog Boomer. Proceeds from Mezzapalooza will benefit Scott and his beautiful family.

The Mezzapalooza Board of Directors is comprised of a large group of long time Briarcliff residents who are active in all areas of the Village and are quite generous in donating their time. The founding members, Andy Hite, Matt Cooleen, and Mike Vincent played a huge role in getting this remarkable event started in 2012 and their guidance has been instrumental in the current reboot.

Mezzapalooza takes place on Saturday, May 11 at The Pavilion at Law Memorial Park in Briarcliff Manor. From 6-11 p.m., guests can enjoy live music from bands No Mersey, Orange Jelly Project, and The Lost Souls – all donating their time for this truly worthwhile cause. Guests (21+ only) may BYO and there will also be a pizza truck, cash bar, plus a live auction and raffle of some amazing items and experiences.

For tickets and more information, please visit mezzapalooza.org

A Rousing Gala Offered Poignant Messages and New Support to Friends of Buttonhook Forest

by

Walkabout Clearwater Chorus and Bethany Yarrow performing at the Friends of Buttonhook Forest fundraiser at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center    Photos by Alexander Harris

Chappaqua, NY– Responding to the evening’s ultimate goal–to save the beleaguered Buttonhook Forest which belongs to the Chappaqua Central School District; its ancient history and precious wildlife is being threatened with ultimate destruction by developers–hundreds gathered with great intention on April 18, 20230 for a first time fundraiser on behalf of saving Buttonhook and to participate in a most colorful program at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center.

For a few hours, everyone had a chance to enjoy, to truly revel in, a most unique and ultimately gorgeous compilation of traditional music and remarks offered by leaders both from within the both the Native American community and from Friends of Buttonhook Forest.

Stephen Leonardo, an adopted member of the an adopted member of the Ramapough Tribe, set the anticipatory mood with the exquisite sound of the Native American Flute he played. Chief Dwayne Perry of the Ramapough Lunape Nation and Jessica Ryan, vice chair of the Tribal Council of the Brothertown Indian Nation, delivered poignant messages surrounding the sacredness of the Buttonhook site after Friends’ member Victoria Alzapiedi greeted both the honorary guests and the community’s attendees. 

Stephen Leonardo
Grandmother Nancy Andry, middle, prior to the evening fundraiser on behalf of saving Buttonhook Forest

There was a special screening of the extraordinary ‘Sing the Water Song’, a masterful video depicting the sheer joy and vitality and sense of community that water brings. Grandmother Nancy Andry’s remarks followed the screening, re-enforcing the concept of water’s sacredness. She also conveyed her profound appreciation to those working to save Buttonhook.

Award winning area musicians Jon Cobert and Tom Chapin performed Earth Day themed songs, including Happy Earth Day, and engaged the audience in harmonizing This Pretty Planet. Attendees were also treated to powerful songs by the Walkabout Clearwater Chorus, Bethany Yarrow, and Patrick Stanfield Jones on Acoutic Guitar.

Jon Cobert (left) and Tom Chapin performing at a fundraiser to save Buttonhook Forest

Included in the program as well, conveying the urgency of the situation: a screening of a Buttonhook Forest PSA which was followed with remarks by Tyler Chase, documentary filmmaker, L’ORAGE Productions.

 

        

Call for Help from this Humanitarian Effort Underway To Assist Those Crossing at Border from Ukraine into Slovakia

by

HOW ANYONE CAN HELP

By Kristen Salomon

We are working together with our friends in Slovakia to assist those crossing the border into Slovakia from Ukraine. The group in Slovakia–Aubrey Mathis, Isobelle Ouzman, Addy Akram, and Miloš Ogurčák–are working hard to organize other volunteers, and to provide logistical support, transportation, food, supplies, shelter, medical supplies and compassion. We have secured a house near the border that can house many people, give them a place to rest, eat, shower and relax a bit while they figure out their next steps. We have on the ground support to help them and if you or someone you know has family still in Ukraine and can make it to the Slovakia border, we can help you help them! This is purely a humanitarian effort; all organizers and volunteers are unpaid. Every dollar goes to welcoming and assisting refugees from Ukraine regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation. This is just people helping people! Please help us help them! Share, donate, encourage, follow our efforts in our Facebook group Ukraine Border Aid or on Instagram @ukraineborderaid or email us at ukraineborderaid@gmail.com if you need assistance. Every drop creates an ocean…we are humbly grateful for your help!❤️🙏.  Donations can be made here:  https://gofund.me/6d9450fb

Who We Are

Aubrey Mathis is a small town Louisiana boy who served in the US Air Force as well US Department of Homeland Security. He now lives and teaches in Slovakia through his company Fat Europe. Aided by his UK born wife Isobelle Ouzman, a freelance artist, the couple got to work immediately as the war began to do whatever they could to help. They have made countless trips to the border to provide supplies and transport refugees from the border into Bratislava. Inspired by their humble generosity, we have formed a group to assist in transportation, shelter, food and supplies for those refugees arriving at the Slovakian border of Ubla. Addy Akram is a Member of the Regional Parliament as well as Town Councilor, as well as owner of a language school based in Slovakia. He is a friend of Aubrey’s and jumped into help from Eastern Slovakia. He’s been working tirelessly helping with logistics, finding and making space available to house refugees, and providing assistance where needed as they plan their next steps. Milos Ogurcak is a Slovak native who usually spends his time traveling Europe building skate parks. He recently returned from Germany and also jumped in immediately to assist Addy and providing aid directly to the border.

Local Contacts

Ivana Denniston is a Slovak born New Yorker, jewelry designer, former esthetician, and active humanitarian. Her father served as an Honorary Diplomat to Ukraine. She maintains close ties to her family and friends in Slovakia and immediately wanted to help. She contacted Addy and the collaboration began.

Kristen Salomon is a California born New Yorker, Diplomat of Acupuncture, who provides local community aid for food insecure and homeless New Yorkers, as well as international medical aid.

Kristen & Ivana are close friends and immediately began to discuss ways to assist the efforts of those above.

“We are all heartbroken and as we pray for peace, we will do all we can to help those in need. Please help us help others! Donate, share, encourage, all positive support is appreciated.”

 

Virtual Cooking Class with Chef Dale Talde of Goosefeather

by

On Monday, February 7th, from 6-7 p.m., the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF) bringing back its “At Home” series with a live, virtual culinary experience featuring nationally recognized Chef Dale Talde of Goosefeather in Tarrytown. The chef will host a fun hour of cooking along with instructions to whip up a signature cocktail.                                                   This event offers ticket holders a chance to grab a coveted seat at the restaurant, selected by ESQUIRE as one of the “Best New Restaurants in America, 2020.” The cost of tickets are $50 per household. Proceeds from the event benefit the Chappaqua School Foundation (CSF), a non-profit recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  

For further convenience, attendees have the option to purchase a $75 recipe ingredient grocery bag courtesy of DeCicco’s in Millwood. Participants will be responsible for scheduling and picking up the bag on February 6. Details will be sent via email following registration for the event. 

PURCHASE TICKET AND OPTIONAL INGREDIENT KIT HERE: https://chappaquaschoolfoundation.org/at-home-series-dale-talde/  

About Chef Dale Talde

Prior to opening the acclaimed Goosefeather in Tarrytown, Filipino-American chef Dale Talde made a name for himself with his eponymous restaurant, TALDE, which opened in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood in 2012. He went on to open a TALDE in Miami, Florida and in Jersey City, New Jersey. Dale debuted his first project in Manhattan with the opening of Massoni at the Arlo NoMad Hotel in November 2016. His second Manhattan restaurant called Rice & Gold opened in October 2017 at the 50 Bowery Hotel in Chinatown. In Florida, Dale also had three locations in the food hall Grandview Public Market in West Palm Beach. They were called The Corner, Clare’s and Little Red Truck. Dale was also a three-time cheftestant on Bravo’s Emmy Award-winning culinary show, “Top Chef.” He competed in Season 4, “All Star” Season 8, “Top Chef Duels”, and became one of the show’s most popular cast members. Dale has competed on “Chopped,” “Iron Chef America,” “Knife Fight” and was also head judge on “Knife Fight” Season 4, as well as guest judge on both “Chopped” and “Beat Bobby Flay.”

-Courtesy of Chappaqua School Foundation

Feed Me Fresh to Support MKCCC’s Need-Based Scholarships

by

Becki Fleischer with the Shaves at a previous Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening event.

Mount Kisco Child Care Center (MKCCC) 17th Annual Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening event on Saturday, September 25 will benefit MKCCC’s need-based scholarship program. In its 50th year, MKCCC’s Scholarship Initiative, which is a combination of government subsidy, private, family and corporate foundation support, corporate and individual donations, and proceeds from special events, enables MKCCC to fulfill its mission of providing children with access to affordable, safe, high-quality early care and education.

Over the last five decades, MKCCC’s exceptional program has served close to 7,000 area children.The Center is committed to its successful service model–balancing families who can pay the full fee for care with families who require need-based scholarship support to attend. MKCCC is proud of its diversity, which benefits the children, families, and the community, and is committed to creating an environment that fosters the practice of understanding, cooperation, tolerance, and respect.

Feed Me Fresh: An Edible Evening showcases delicious food from local restaurants that subscribe to the same culinary philosophy as MKCCC–serving locally grown and sourced food and supporting local agriculture. Through its Feed Me Fresh seed-to-table nutrition program, MKCCC has created a hands-on curriculum that builds a natural appreciation for fresh, whole food. Tickets are available for $275 per person ($250 each before September 1st). For information about tickets, donations, and sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://mkccc.org/events/17th-annual-feed-me-fresh-an-edible-evening/ or contact Helen Bock, 914.241.2135 or bock@mkccc.org.