OSSINING WEEKLY WEB BLAST October 1, 2020
Village & Town Information
Helpful Information from the Village of Ossining, Westchester County & New York State
The Village of Ossining is committed to sharing up-to-date and relevant information regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. In our weekly web blasts you will find this section dedicated to new information. For previously shared information, please visit the Village of Ossining's dedicated Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page.
Each week, Mayor Victoria Gearity prepares a Mayoral Monday Message for the Ossining community, which focuses on current Board and community issues. This message also includes various public interest matters, including programs, services, and events going on in the Village.

Westchester County Update
Do you know a senior who is making a positive difference in Westchester County through his or her professional life, volunteer work or both? If so, Westchester County Executive George Latimer invites you to submit a nomination to the Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, now in its 38th year. Click here for more info

Westchester County Department of Correction (WCDOC) opened a newly designed special housing unit to support residents suffering from significant psychiatric impairment, who require intensive evaluation and treatment within a specialized mental health setting. The purpose of the new Acute Mental Health Unit (AMHU) is to help inmates with mental health concerns and co-occurring disorders begin a path towards recovery using a range of clinical supports and services. Some residents require intensive supports to ensure their safety as well as the safety of the corrections personnel in the facility, and the AMHU will promote both safety and recovery. Click here for more info

The Croton Point Park parking lot will be transformed into a drive-in theater, presenting The Addams Family (PG, 2019) on Friday, October 9, and Goosebumps (PG, 2015) on Saturday, Oct. 10, allowing movie-goers to enjoy classic, family-friendly films in a socially-distanced way. The movies are presented by New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital as part of Westchester County Parks’ Screenings under the Stars series. Click here for more info

Learn that change can be good with new fall exhibit and train show, “Autumn Changes: Change can be Good,” in the Conservatory at Westchester’s public garden, Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial, in Somers, which opens Friday, Oct. 9. Dates, times and tickets available at LasdonPark.org.

Westchester County gears up to safely celebrate Fall and Halloween in the Hudson Valley. “Westchester With Care” unites businesses countywide in a pledge to safeguard residents and visitors returning to work and play. With COVID-19 restrictions beginning to ease, restaurants, shops, hotels and attractions throughout New York’s Westchester County are uniting to make residents and guests feel safe and secure as they once again venture into the community. Westchester County Executive George Latimer and Tourism & Film Director Natasha Caputo will sit down – virtually – with Historic Hudson Valley (HHV) President Waddell W. Stillman as HHV’s famous Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze opens to the public once again. Westchester With Care, an initiative of Westchester County Tourism & Film, is enlisting area businesses and nonprofits to help fight COVID-19 and safeguard the health and wellbeing of all who live, work and play in our beautiful destination just north of New York City. All participating organizations are required to take an online pledge. Click here for more info

Following his weekly Covid-19 briefing, Westchester County Executive George Latimer rolled up his sleeve and got a flu shot at the Westchester County Department of Health in White Plains. Standing with Commissioner of Health Sherlita Amler, MD, the two will encourage all Westchester County residents to get a flu vaccine this year, because it is one more effort we all can take to protect public health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here for more info
New York State Update
New Yorkers who are currently unemployed can apply to be a paid poll worker without losing their unemployment benefits. Poll workers are vital in ensuring that Election Day runs smoothly and Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order that allows New Yorkers who currently collect unemployment benefits to sign up for temporary work on November 3rd. Sign up to become a poll worker. 

The State launched the "COVID-19 Report Card" dashboard to give parents and teachers confidence in schools reopening. The data available online will include: Number of positive infections of students and staff by school and school district; number of students and staff on-site; and percentage of on-site students & staff who test positive. The dashboard is available here. 

Mental health resources are still available to New Yorkers who need it. We do not underestimate the impact this pandemic is having on mental health. New Yorkers can call the State's hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to get free emotional support, consultations and referrals to a provider. Free meditation and mindfulness resources are additionally available at headspace.com/ny.

On Wednesday, September 30th, restaurants in New York City were able to reopen for indoor dining starting at 25 percent. All restaurants that choose to reopen must adhere to strict safety protocols, including increased ventilation and air filtration standards, temperature checks and face coverings when not seated, among other safety protocols. Read more about NYC's indoor dining reopening here. 

SUNY is expanding its free diagnostic tests. Developed by SUNY Upstate Medical University, all SUNY campuses will now administer the FDA-approved saliva swab COVID test to all students, commuters and faculty at SUNY state-operated colleges, universities and hospitals. These free tests, with results in 48 hours, will help the colleges better monitor the infection rate and keep both students and staff safe. 

Ads from the "Mask Up America" campaign have been seen 30 million times. The national campaign, with videos featuring the voices of Paul Rudd, Billy Crystal, Morgan Freeman, Ellen Pompeo and more, have aired more than 90,000 times on TVs across the country and reached millions. Watch all the ads here. 

The COVID eviction moratorium has been extended until January 1, 2021. Residential tenants are protected from eviction if they are suffering from financial hardship due to the COVID-19 public health emergency under the Tenant Safe Harbor Act. Previous Executive Orders also prohibit charges or fees for late payments for tenants facing financial hardship. No New Yorker should be forced from his or her home as a result of COVID. 

Colorado has been added to the State's COVID-19 Travel Advisory. Arizona and Virginia have been removed from the list and visitors from these two states no longer need to self-quarantine upon arriving in New York. See the full list here. 

International travelers arriving in New York must self-quarantine. Travelers arriving in New York from Level 2 and Level 3 countries must complete a 14-day quarantine and fill out the NYS Department of Health traveler health form. The order applies to almost all foreign nations, and will aid in the state's robust contact tracing efforts and further prevent the spread of COVID-19. Learn more here. 

Cost should not be a barrier for essential workers to access mental health services. The State Department of Financial Services is extending its emergency regulation requiring NY health insurers to waive out-of-pocket costs, including cost-sharing, deductibles, copays and coinsurance, for in-network mental health services for New York's frontline essential workers until November 27. 

The state is working with Orthodox Jewish community leaders to develop an action plan encouraging community members to follow Coronavirus guidelines. Governor Cuomo had a productive meeting with leaders of the community to discuss how to work together to contain the spread of COVID that we're starting to see in some religious communities across the state. We will develop an action plan to protect the health and safety of these New Yorkers. 

The State has issued updated guidance for taxis, for-hire vehicles and other transportation services. Drivers are encouraged to transport passengers with the windows down to increase ventilation, and to implement physical barriers between rider and driver, in addition to the mandatory mask wearing requirement for both drivers and passengers. See the updated guidance here. 

National Governors Association Vice Chair Asa Hutchinson and Governor Cuomo called on Congress to prioritize state and local aid. The pandemic is a national problem, affecting all states, and it demands a bipartisan and national solution. Read the joint statement. 
Voluntarios de Green Ossining estarán en el Farmers Market todos los sábados, comenzando el 11 de julio de 9:30 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. La ubicación tendrá múltiples propósitos: como un lugar de entrega de desechos de alimentos para los participantes en el programa, y como un lugar de recogida de kits de reciclaje de desechos de alimentos que se han comprado previamente. Los kits no estarán a la venta en el mercado. Para obtener más informaciónes sobre cómo precomprar un kit de reciclaje de desperdicios de alimentos y sobre el programa Ossining Composts, visite: www.ossiningcomposts.org.
Green Ossining volunteers will be at the Farmers Market every Saturday, starting July 11 from 9:30am - 11:30am. The location will serve multiple purposes: as a food scrap drop-off location for participants in the program, and as a pick-up location for food scrap recycling kits that have pre-purchased. Kits will not be for sale at the market. For more information on how to pre-purchase a food scrap recycling kit, and on the Ossining Composts program visit: www.ossiningcomposts.org.
The Ossining Recreation & Parks Department has many great upcoming Special Events and program offerings that are now open for registration.
**NEW COMMUNITY CENTER WIFI** 
Password for all WIFI Networks: 
95Broadway
THE OSSINING AND BRIARCLIFF MANOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES
ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Ossining Public Library is closed until further notice. Readers can still access their Digital Library services such as e-books here. No late fines are being charged, and due dates are also being automatically extended.
Upcoming Programs in the Village and Town of Ossining
October
Ossining’s Down to Earth Farmers Market will be open regular hours this Saturday
What: See the full vendor schedule at downtoearthmarkets.com
When: Saturdays from 9AM-1PM
Where: Near Market Square at the corner of Spring & Main Streets, Ossining, NY
Honoring Empowerment
What: CYP's Virtual Fundraiser
When: Friday, Oct 2. 7pm
Info: For over a decade, CYP’s has provided trauma and socially conscious resources to support girls who are sexually trafficked, meeting them where they are at, in the criminal justice and child welfare systems. 82% of CYP participants report they have an increase in self-awareness, resilience and stability in their lives. We need your help to continue thriving.
Your support is key to the development of alternative to incarceration programs to Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) and within the criminal justice system, and to continue our self-care and trauma informed training program and mindfulness trainings for Westchester County’s Social workers, expanding CYP’s well-trained staff.
Contact: CYP Elisha Simpson, 914-319-4010, icanhelp@crossoveryogaproject.org crossoveryogaproject.org
FREE Weekly meditations
What: Join Elisha every week for a great way to start or end your day with a short meditation filled with love!
When: Tuesdays 8:30am & Wednesdays 8:30pm
Where: Streamed live Facebook: facebook.com/CYPconnect/ Instagram: instagram.com/crossover_yoga_project/
Info: If you miss it- don't worry, we post them to CYP'sYouTube Channel
Contact: Elisha Fernandes Simpson, MSW, ERYT, icanhelp@crossoveryogaproject.org 914.319.4010
FREE Weekly yoga classes
When: Tuesday 9:15am-9:45am, Wednesday 7:00pm - 7:45pm
Where: Facebook: facebook.com/CYPconnect/
Don't miss Ossining Village Trustee Omar Lopez's podcast - "Omar Lopez Talks to the People"
What: Every Sunday, Ossining Village Trustee Omar Lopez releases a new podcast covering local issues and interviewing officials and community members. From improving parking to legalizing backyard chickens, no issue is to too large or small.
When: New episodes available every Sunday
Information
Ossining’s Museum in the Streets (MITS)
What: MITS is a free, self-guided walking tour and consists of 25 numbered panels with images and explanatory text about the architecturally and historically significant buildings within the Downtown Ossining Historic District.
When: On a 24/7 basis
Where: The tour starting point is located on the north side of the Ossining Open Door Medical Center at 247 Main St. in Downtown Ossining. However visitors one can also begin at any of the numbered panels and take as few or as many panels as desired.
Contact: miguel.hdz@verizon.net for further information
The Westchester-Fairfield Joint Electrical Apprenticeship Training Committee (WFJEATC), Local Union #3 IBEW, will conduct a recruitment from September 15, 2020 through September 14, 2021 for 15 Electrician apprentices. To request an application, email wfjeatc@jibei.com. For more information on this program, click here. For more information on NYEAC, click here.
St. Matthews Headstart Daycare Early Headstart & Headstart Program
What: High quality research based curriculum, screenings and services to support healthy development and promote school readiness; family support, nutrition, guidance and access to community resources.
Hours: Head Start Hours 9:00 – 3:00pm/Daycare Hours 7:00-9:00am & 3:00-6:00pm
Info: Income Eligible Click here for flyer
Contact: For more information contact St. Matthew’s at 914-941-1715
Green Ossining Launches ‘Green Ossining Sustainability Partnership
Theater O Classes!
What: Theater O offers classes in all things theater for children ages 3+:  From Acting to directing, play writing to design, Improv! to Musical Theater and more. Our faculty is comprised of seasoned professionals who excel in their craft. Listen, Learn, Imagine, Perform & Join the Play. visit www.theatero.org.
Where: Theater O @ 25 State St, Ossining, NY 10562
Contact: (914) 487-4322
REGISTRATION FOR FALL CLASSES at LOGREA now open online
What: Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Theatre Dance and Mommy and Me
When: March 16th for CURRENT Students; March 30th for NEW students
Where: Logrea Dance Academy, 2 Dale Ave, Ossining NY 10562
Info: Beginner to Advanced training. Discounts available. Scholarship auditions in September.
Contact:  For more information or to REGISTER, please visit our website:  http://newsite.logreainfo.com or call us at 914-941-2939
Ossining Athletic Booster Club
What: The Ossining Athletic Booster Club is a not-for-profit volunteer organization established in 2001 to promote the athletic programs of the Ossining School District, recognize their achievements, and support Ossining's student-athletes and coaches by funding items not in the school budget and awarding scholarships to worthy graduating seniors of Ossining Athletic Booster Club members and donors.
CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Admissions Test -TACHS PREP CLASSES & BOOT CAMPS
What: Prepare with us for the TACHS – Test for Admissions to Catholic High Schools. This course will heavily concentrate on the Reading, Language, Mathematics and Reasoning skills covered on the TACHS Examination. During class, students will practice timing, test taking strategies and extensive drill and review of all TACHS Exam topics. Register online at https://www.eduscapeassociates.com/tachs-exam-prep-classes/
When: Fall 2020-Check website for schedule of Classes/Boot Camps
Contact: Eduscape College & Test Prep Dr. Gayle Marchica, Principal Mobile/Text 914.886.5043 Office 914.941.4148 info@EduscapeAssociates.com
Therapeutic Foster Parents NEEDED
What: Family Services of Westchester is looking for individuals who are interested in learning about becoming a Therapeutic Foster Care Parent! We are looking for loving people willing to open their homes and hearts to a child in need of a stable, safe home environment.
Contact: Please contact Melissa Aversa, Home-finder & Recruitment Specialist at (914) 358-5828
Volunteers Needed - English-Spanish Translators  
What: The Ossining School District needs volunteers! Volunteering offers an opportunity to serve the community and can be a rich, rewarding experience. The district is seeking bilingual English-Spanish volunteers to serve as translators at district and school events. These events include but are not limited to, parent-teacher conferences, parent engagement nights and college fairs. We are dedicated to ensuring all members of our diverse community have equal access to Info and can fully participate in the educational life of their children. An Infoal flier is attached. Please kindly share this Info with members of your agency and/or community. Individuals with some time to serve as a translator and who are interested in making a difference may fill out an online form to be added to the district’s translator database. We welcome and greatly appreciate your help!
When: Ongoing
Where: Ossining Union Free School District
Contact: Ms. Ferzeen Shamsi at (914) 762-5830, ext. 4309
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NEIGHBORS LINK: Ossining Site
What: Neighbors Link is recruiting volunteers for its Ossining Site. Programs include ESL tutoring and a Parent Child Together class. We offer great training to our volunteers as well.
When: MONDAYS: 10-12: ESL tutoring 1-3: Parent Child Together Class FRIDAYS: 10-12: ESL tutoring
Contact: Amy Werner, Volunteer Manager at awerner@neighborslink.org if you are interested in becoming a part of our volunteer team. https://www.facebook.com/NeighborsLink/ https://www.neighborslink.org/
Mike Risko Music now accepting registrations
What: Mike Risko Music, just named a Top 100 Music School/Store in the world by NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) is now accepting registration for Fall session music lessons.
When: Call or email today to schedule a free trial and/or find out about our programs
Where: All programs are offered at Mike Risko Music right here in Ossining.
Info: Design your own schedule and take music lessons on any instrument or voice in our state of the art studios. All ages, levels and instruments are welcome! We even have programs for adults.
Contact: Mike Risko Music Mail@riskomusic.com www.mikeriskomusicschool.com 144 Croton Avenue Ossining NY 10562 914-762-8757
Safety Tips from the Ossining Fire Department
Sign Up for NIXLE Alerts: The Village of Ossining has launched a program to help notify the public of emergencies, road closures, hazardous conditions, and other incidents concerning the public within the Village of Ossining. This program, called Nixle, is a free program and allows members of the public to receive these messages in email, text message, and on an internet web site. Village of Ossining residents are urged to subscribe to receive emergency messages only by texting 10562 to 888777 on their cell phone, or to receive a full complement of messages, including community updates residents can visit www.Nixle.com and click the sign up now! button.
Sign up for ConEdison Customer Alerts via Text: Use your cell phone to text REG to OUTAGE (688243) and follow the prompts. You will need your account number and zip code. To retrieve your account number, log in to My Account or check your next bill. This information is also located on the ConEdison website at coned.com/text.
Tri-State Mask Makers are creating masks for those in need - healthcare workers to neighbors in nursing home.

Your donation will allow many sewists to continue with their work of love.
The Ossining Micro Fund is a non-profit organization offering interest-free loans to individuals and families who encounter unexpected financial obstacles. Our philosophy is to “pay it forward” – when a loan recipient repays a loan, the money becomes available to help another person in need. Click here for information .
*The Village makes no representation that donations are tax deductible. You should always check with your tax professional
What can you do?
As many of you know, our local food pantries and non-profits have been coming together to ensure our community does not go hungry. We can’t thank these organizations enough for all their help. Below you will find links to our local non-profits that have been working in partnership with the Village of Ossining to distribute food to people who need it. If you would like to provide donations or volunteer support we encourage you to do so*.

These efforts will continue through this COVID-19 pandemic and thereafter. We are proud to say that many of our local restaurants are also taking donations toward providing meals to those in the community that cannot leave their homes. We will be including this information in a section of our Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) web page.

Please send emails to webblast@villageofossining.org if you know of any other Ossining based agencies that are providing food during this time so that we can add them to this list.

We appreciate your commitment to our community.
Any New Yorker who sees excessively priced consumer goods and services that are used primarily for personal, family or household purposes to prevent or respond to the Covid-19 virus should file a complaint with the New York State Division of Consumer Protection.

or
Consumer hotline +1 800-697-1220
Volunteer New York’s program to connect small business owners to trained volunteer professionals who can provide PPP help is now back online. Unlike other opportunities on their website, this one is specifically for small business owners who want to receive consultations.
 
Following are links for both English- and Spanish-speaking business owners:
  1. Link to opportunity for English-speaking business owners
  2. Link to opportunity for Spanish-speaking business owners
  3. Link to main page showing both opportunities
WEB BLAST FORMAT 
Do you have an event, Info or picture of the Village of Ossining that you would like included in this web blast? If so please submit to webblast@villageofossining.org. All Info must be submitted by noon on the Wednesday prior to the distributed web blast. Submissions included in this listing are intended solely to inform of events and Info of general interest to subscribers. The Village of Ossining does not necessarily endorse or support organizations or entities whose events and / or activities are listed above. The Village makes no representation as to the accuracy thereof, nor does it assume any liability in connection with same. Please don't print this e-mail unless necessary.
All submissions must follow the format listed below:
Title:
What: [Limit description to 100 words or less]
When:
Where:
Info: [May include a single flyer]
Contact: [Name of organization/ individual, phone, email]
Religious Organizations
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for Ossining Prison Ministry, Inc.
What: Volunteers for a hospitality program at the Sing Sing Correctional facility that is held
When: Saturdays, Sundays, and most major holidays; from 8am to 11 am or 12pm to 2:30pm.
Where: Sing Sing Correctional Facility 354 Hunter Street, Ossining NY 10562
Info: Our organization provides hospitality to the visitors who come to visit their loved ones. We also provide toys, puzzles, and games to the people in the facility to help normalize the visiting time.
Contact: Dorothée Caulfield, Director, Ossining Prison Ministry, Inc. deaconfee@gmail.com