Greenburgh Insider: Alzheimer's and the African American community.

 

link below to presentation before Greenburgh Town Board during Black History month.

Today is the last day of Black History Month. At our last Greenburgh Town Board meeting Esther McCarthy presented the town with an interesting presentation: Alzheimer's and African Americans. According to the Alzheimer's Association "Black  Americans are twice as likely as older Whites to have Alzheimer's or another dementia." Researchers haven't identified the cause. Higher rates of cardiovascular heart and blood vessels disease could play a role.

According to the Alzheimer's website half of African Americans say they have experienced discrimination while seeking care for a person with Alzheimer's.   Ms. McCarthy, a resident of Greenburgh, discusses some of the services offered by the Alzheimer's Association and some treatments, information that can slow down the progression of the disease. Sadly, there is no cure at this time.

The Alzheimer's Association has a 24/7 helpline: 800-272-3900.  Thank you Esther McCarthy for your presentation at the Greenburgh Town Board meeting.

Link to presentation is below:

https://youtu.be/Kh8N69w8ty8

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Snow angels wanted for tomorrow---

We need more volunteers.

Click onto the links below to volunteer or ask for help

GREENBURGH SNOW ANGELS ACTIVATED FOR STORM 

With Predicted Snow this Week, More Volunteers Needed!

 

It’s been such a mild winter, we haven’t needed any Snow Angels yet this season. But now with predicted snow coming tomorrow and a possible school delay/cancellation, we are putting another call out for high school-aged teens to assist who may need volunteer hours and are interested in shoveling out seniors in need.  The snow angels program is in our 32nd year. About 5 years ago students took over the administration of the snow angels program--matching volunteers with recipients.

 

Ardsley High School student Zach Weinhouse is the leader of the Greenburgh’s Snow Angels program this winter after assisting in this important effort for the last three years. He is eager for further help and welcomes your participation.

 

Interested volunteers can fill out this form: https://forms.gle/gLGHq3RgRue57PRt8

Fixed-income seniors in need of assistance can fill out the help request form here: https://forms.gle/SJJUfpQSzGPEwzHT9 or can call Zach directly at 914-839-0301 if they can’t get online. Assistance is not guaranteed as this is a volunteer effort, but our hard-working crew will do their best to serve our seniors. We are so appreciative of their service.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor

 

Greenburgh Insider: Car dealership proposed to replace Sporttime in N Elmsford.

link to Town Board discussion below.

In recent weeks we have highlighted some good economic development news taking place on Central Ave. Barnes & Noble, golf simulator businesses, a cat hotel, Crumbl cookies all are coming to Central Ave- replacing vacant storefronts!  The good economic development news is taking place in other neighborhoods as well.

On Tuesday  an initial presentation was made to the Greenburgh Town Board regarding 380 SawMill River Road, former Sportime. The new owner seeks to convert the now vacant space to a new car dealership which will include a full update of the property (new landscaping, facade improvements, etc.). I believe their vendor is Jeep/Dodge/Ram.  At the meeting (link below) the applicant indicated that there would be less traffic from a dealership than from Sportime. They also expressed interest in working with the town -having an apprenticeship program for our youth.

This is a special use permit (Planning Board approval) and amended site plan (Town Board approval).

In meetings with them prior we have asked for: 

• verification that no car carriers will off-load on Rt. 9A
• new sidewalks along the site's frontage
• on-site stormwater improvements

All are expected as part of the formal submission to the Town in a few weeks. 

In general, there has been significant investment in this northern Elmsford portion of the Town. (Westys, ShopRite, Regeneron have all contributed significant sidewalk improvements). Sportime actually moved within the Town in its relocation to Lawrence St. 

. Also of note, United Refrigeration is to the immediate north of 380 Saw Mill River Road and is before the Planning Board to expand its business and remain in the Town.

Here is the link - https://youtu.be/q0Ocg0ns0wA

We welcome your thoughts during the review process. E mail townboard@greenburghny.com.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Community Job Fair on Tuesday, April 11th from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

 

The Department of Community Resources at the Theodore D. Young Community Center invites all local businesses and professional training programs to our second annual Community Job Fair on Tuesday, April 11th from 9:00am – 2:00pm.

The Department of Community Resources at the Theodore D. Young Community Center invites all local businesses and professional training programs to our second annual Community Job Fair on Tuesday, April 11th from 9:00am – 2:00pm.  This is an excellent opportunity to connect many of our educated and skilled residents with local businesses and job training agencies.  Your participation in this event will help to form professional relationships that support employment and job creation in the Town of Greenburgh.

 

If you are interested in participating in our Community Job Fair, please RSVP to Tina Harper by April 3rd by email to tharper@greenburghny.com or by phone at (914) 989-3620.

Greenburgh Insider: Crumbl Greenburgh opening in mid March on Central Ave--looking to hire Greenburgh residents!.

 

Another new business on Central Ave. 250 cookie flavors.

Crumbl Greenburgh will be opening at the Dalewood Shopping Center in Hartsdale in mid March of this year. This is the latest in a string of  good news developments for Central Ave.  Barnes & Noble, 2 golf range simulator businesses, a hotel for cats are just some exciting new developments for the Ave.  Central Ave is becoming a destination location for shoppers.  It's very exciting.

Everyone is super excited that this fantastic, family-friendly company will be opening up in Hartsdale.  Know someone looking for work? They've just opened up for job applications!

Crumbl is a cookie company that has 250+ flavors that rotate weekly with a selection of 6 cookies per week. The fun and excitement comes when you try each week’s new flavors with friends and family. They are viral on social media with over 3.5m Instagram followers and 6.5m on TikTok with 62.3M likes. This will be their first location in Westchester county and massive success is expected. 

Interested in joining their team?  Click on to the following link:
https://j.wrkstrm.us/33dfa156/crumbl-cookies/hartsdale-48556/baker-and-mixer-position-crumbl-cookies-4f1024f4

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: There is an election on Tuesday Feb 28 for County Legislator.

 

It's an uncontested race with only one candidate. Early voting till Sunday.

Please vote in a special election in County Legislator District 12 to replace former County Legislator/Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky!  The special election will be on Tuesday, February 28, polls are open from 6am to 9pm at your usual polling location (unless you received a notice in the mail stating otherwise).  Early voting is available from today until Sunday February 26 at the Hastings Public Library and Greenburgh Town Hall (see exact hours here: https://citizenparticipation.westchestergov.com/voting/early-voting-2023).  

 

There is no Republican candidate running. David Imamura is the only candidate seeking the job of Legislator in district 12. He has the Democratic and Working Families Party endorsement. David is an attorney who lives in Irvington with his wife and almost two year old son.  He previously served as Chair of the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, and Co-Chair of the Westchester Asian American Advisory Board.  He helped draft the Westchester County Immigrant Protection Act and would be the first Asian American County Legislator in Westchester's history.  

 

Please make sure to vote!

 

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Happy Cat Hotel & Spa coming to Central Ave.

 

New and exciting businesses to replace vacant storefront.

Barnes & Noble coming back to Hartsdale.

2 golf simulator businesses coming to Edgemont.

more good news planned for the avenue

Coming to Central Ave---another exciting new business: Happy Cat Hotel.

In recent weeks we have shared some exciting news about Central Ave. Barnes & Noble is coming back to Hartsdale. Two golf simulator businesses are opening up. The Avenue is starting to come alive again --with new, creative businesses replacing vacant storefronts. Continuing the exciting news: Happy Cat Hotel & Spa plans to open in the late spring--313 Central Park Ave.  This is the kind of business that we want on Central Ave. Not only will the Happy Cat Hotel & Spa make cat lovers happy (and their cats engaged and happy too) but many people who bring their cats to the hotel will also spend some time doing business with the other shops on Central Ave---helping them succeed.

PAUL FEINER
Greenburgh Town Supervisor

Greenburgh Insider: Significant progress is being made on our efforts to build a sidewalk on North Washington Ave.

 

The sidewalk will enable pedestrians to safely walk from West Hartsdale Ave to Central Ave (near Trader Joes).

 Significant progress is being made on our efforts to build a sidewalk on North Washington Ave. The sidewalk will enable pedestrians to safely walk from West Hartsdale Ave to Central Ave (near Trader Joes). This sidewalk was proposed shortly after a sidewalk was built on Columbia Ave in Hartsdale . Residents of N Washington Ave and the Colony took a walk along the road highlighting the need for this safety enhancement. The sidewalk is expected to be completed in April.  The next sidewalk to be built around town after this sidewalk is completed is the sidewalk on Hillside Ave. That sidewalk will enable pedestrians to safely walk from Route 119, the Bailey School to Parkway Gardens . Construction of that sidewalk is expected to start in May. 

PAUL FEINER 

Greenburgh Insider: An important message to all veterans from the Veterans Advisory Committee.

 

Participating in the settlement could have negative ramifications.

Town of Greenburgh, Veterans Advisory Committee: Notice to all Veterans and their families.

 

There has been a constant barrage of news stories, and ads in reference to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). Veterans are receiving phone calls, email solicitations, and letters advertising the settlement and promoting legal services. “Claim your settlement Now” is the daily tagline.

 

The Veterans Advisory Committee strongly urges all Veterans NOT to respond to these solicitations before contacting their Veteran Service Officer. A Veteran Service Officer (VSO) is a formally trained, and certified volunteer specializing in Veteran benefits. They are normally members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or the American Legion. VSO’s continually receive updated information on all Veterans programs including the CLJA.

 

Participating in the settlement may have serious financial impacts to the benefits a Veteran is currently receiving, and may cause the Veteran to lose further benefits. As of today, there is still no cap on legal fees in reference to the settlement and lawyers may charge up to 65% of your settlement in fees.  

 

The settlement does provide desperately needed financial relief for those Veterans who developed cancer after exposure to these deadly carcinogens. However, it does not provide a benefit to all Veterans without impacts.

 

To insure your benefits are maintained, and services continued, please talk to a Veteran Service Officer BEFORE you take any action. If you do not have a Veteran Service Officer, the Veterans Advisory Committee will help you find one nearby. Simply contact Paul Feiner, Town Supervisor at 914-989-1590, and he will direct your request to a committee member.

 

Protect your earned service connected benefits by fully researching the settlement, and how it will affect you individually before you act. A trained Veteran Service Officer (VSO) can assist you with information in your decision on whether to participate in the settlement based on your individual case status.

 

The Veterans Advisory Committee is not offering legal advice, and does not endorse nor oppose Veterans applying for the CLJA settlement. We strongly advise caution as Veterans proceed with this process.

 

Greenburgh Insider: Black History month--movie SELMA to be screened at Library Saturday.

 

This Saturday at 2 PM--Greenburgh Library presents...

 This Saturday, Feb 18th at 2pm at the Greenburgh Public Library there will be a screening of the movie “Selma” and a discussion after the movie. The event is co-sponsored by the Greenburgh Human Rights Advisory Committee, White Plains/Greenburgh NAACP and Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus.  Register through the library website.  A great way to celebrate Black History month.  Selma is a 2014 historical drama film. It is based on the 1965 Selma to MOntgomery voting rights marches  led by Martin Luther King Jr, Hosea WIlliams and John Lewis.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Greenburgh library (2/15)-meet the first American to play pro basketball behind the Iron Curtain.

 

Feb 15th- an interesting lecture sponsored by the Greenburgh Public Library.

Kent Washington is a legendary figure in Poland--the first African American and American to play pro basketball behind the Iron Curtain.

The Greenburgh Library will be sponsoring an interesting program on Wed February 15 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. The speaker: Kent Washington, the first African American --  the first American- to play pro basketball behind the Iron Curtain.  Kent was so popular in the then Communist Poland that soldiers assigned to crack down on public gatherings as part of a national martial law decree would abandon their tanks to seek his autograph. Kent discusses his memoir----he is a legendary figure in Poland.

I interviewed Kent  on my WVOX radio show recently (link below). The link to the  Greenburgh Library description of the program tomorrow evening is also below.

The Greenburgh Library sponsors some amazing lectures, concerts and programs year round. Check their website frequently! You won't be disappointed.  A fitting program during Black History month.

https://greenburghlibrary.libcal.com/event/10196443

Please find the link here - https://youtu.be/pb2j5vv2BhE

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Insider: Black History Month: The African Diaspora experiences of local residents.

 

We welcome more stories and interesting experiences.

THE AFRICAN DIASPORA EXPERIENCE: Living Narratives of Greenburgh Residents

 

Last year we launched a new town initiative – archiving African American Stories – that we’d love to keep growing with your help. Have a story to tell about your family history in Greenburgh and beyond?  Please email pfeiner@greenburghny.com, including a photo or more if you have any. We may reach out to record an interview.

We'd like to share these stories on Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday weekend  and during Black History month.

 

In honor of Black History Month, we welcome you to visit our website where we’ve compiled the stories so far: https://sites.google.com/view/greenburgharchives, which include: 

• Councilman Ken Jones writes about his aunt, Anna Bernard, a Parkway Gardens resident who was the first African American to be admitted to the NY Bar.
• A fascinating report by Bishop Preston, noting "the marks of slavery still burn bright." Bishop Dr. Wilbert G. Preston is the Pastor of Christ Temple and chairs the Greenburgh Housing Authority. 
•  Eugene Rutherford, is a lifelong resident of Greenburgh, Storyteller and retired Teacher/Educator. 
• Tina Harper of the TDYCC interviews Greenburgh resident Charlotte Phoenix, PhD, about her incredible grandfather's life journey from Mississippi to Michigan. 
•  Civil Rights Stories: Elaine Finsilver recounts how she was so active on the local front for the fight for justice in the 1960s she missed MLK Jr's famous speech; the text of Bill Greenwalt's sermon from 2020 on the 1963 March on Washington; and Mike Sigal on his participation in the Civil Rights Movement.
•  Ron Cook, first African American to integrate Ardsley schools in 1965, as interviewed on Paul Feiner's WVOX radio show in 2018. 
• Tina Harper of the TDYCC interviews Greenburgh resident Diana Bason about growing up in White Plains and Greenburgh.
• From the Civil Rights movement to the recent swearing in of Georgia's first African American Senator, Greenburgh resident Barbara Johnson Armstrong witnesses history.

 

The Greenburgh Archives project will be shared with the Westchester Historical Archives, The Greenburgh Library history room, and the Greenburgh historians. It's our hope that future generations will appreciate these stories and learn from your experiences.

Paul Feiner