OSSINING WEEKLY WEB BLAST APRIL 9, 2020
Village & Town Information
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The Village of Ossining is committed to share up-to-date and relative information regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. In our weekly web blasts you will find this section dedidated to new information. For previously shared information, please visit the Village of Ossining's dedicated
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page.
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Helpful Information from New York State
Mental Health
The State is partnering with the company Headspace to provide New Yorkers with free meditation and mindfulness resources. We can't underestimate the impact this public health crisis has on mental health. New Yorkers can access a collection of free guided meditations, along with at-home mindfulness exercises and additional resources to help address rising stress and anxiety. Visit
www.headspace.com/ny.
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Department of Labor
The State Department of Labor will immediately make $600 in additional weekly unemployment benefits available to all New Yorkers. New York is also extending the period covered by unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks, for a total of 39 weeks. A reminder for those who have difficulty enrolling for UI: any claim you file will be backdated to the date you became unemployed. If you are eligible, you will be paid all benefits due.
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Support First Responders
To help support our First Responders, New York created the First Responders Fund. The fund will assist COVID-19 health care workers and first responders with expenses and costs, including child care. The State Department of Health is accepting donations for the fund, and received an anchor $10 million contribution from Blackstone. Donations can be made electronically at
www.healthresearch.org/donation-form or by check mailed to "Health Research, Inc., 150 Broadway, Suite 560, Menands, NY 12204." Donors should specify the donation is for "COVID-19 NYS Emergency Response."
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Student Loans
Student loan borrowers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can obtain relief for loans not covered by the CARES Act. Available relief includes 90 days of deferred monthly payments, waived late fees, no negative reporting to credit agencies and enrolling eligible borrowers in available long-term assistance programs. New York student loan borrowers should visit the Department of Financial Services' website for more information about available student loan relief.
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Advisory For Those Being Released From Isolation
New York State has released an additional advisory for
persons being released from isolation. This document indicates when exposed persons can safely return to work. Westchester’s Department of Health has updated its coronavirus help page to include this advisory, as well as a series of frequently asked questions regarding isolation. These documents can be found
here.
If a person exposed to or infected with coronavirus finds that their employer requires
proof that they are eligible to return to work, letters may be requested
here.
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Voting
Governor Cuomo has issue an Executive Order to ensure New Yorkers can vote by absentee ballot in the June 23rd elections. No one should have to choose between their health and their civic duty.
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To honor those we have lost to COVID-19, Governor Cuomo has directed all flags on state government buildings to be flown at half-staff. Every single New Yorker we have lost to this vicious virus is in our hearts. The flags will remain lowered while New York remains on PAUSE.
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Helpful information from Westchester County
Westchester County’s effort to
connect small businesses with federal resources continues. Bridget Gibbons, Director of Economic Development, is soliciting volunteers to help staff this program. If you are interested in supporting this endeavor, more information is available
here.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer, through the Office of Economic Development, is conducting a
survey to assess the economic impacts related to COVID-19. We strongly encourage Westchester businesses to take the survey. The survey results will inform strategies to speed recovery and will shape emergency relief programs and support. The survey window closes April 10. The survey is available
here.
County seeking volunteers to help Small Business Owners complete applications for Assistance Programs. Anyone interested in volunteering to help should email
EconomicDevelopment@westchestergov.com.
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What is the Village of Ossining doing?
The Village of Ossining is paying close attention to the situation in New York, the country, and around the world. We are closely collaborating, planning, and coordinating with the Town of Ossining and local non-profits.
Staff is regularly participating in conference calls with Westchester County and the State of New York to receive regular updates from both agencies.
We are working in conjunction with Feeding Westchester to set up mobile food pantries for various days and times in walkable areas in the Village to distribute bags of food to our neighbors in need. Our Community Center has been converted into a hub for staff to pack what is to be distributed.
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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.
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GoFundMe for people who want to make smaller donations to collectively send meals.
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Our Phelps Hospital family is deeply moved by all of the offers of help we have received from community members. Thank you. One way you can help is to take care of those on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. Let's come together to support the team at Phelps Hospital. By ordering a delivery from a local restaurant, we'll help support our local businesses while providing nourishing, comforting food to our front-line caregivers. Having the support of the community will mean so much to them and will help keep them going during this marathon. Please consider supporting however you can. Our doctors, nurses, techs, respiratory therapists, radiologic technologists, case managers, security officers, and teams in food and nutrition, emergency management, environmental services, facility management, and more are all critical parts of our Phelps family. To a person, they are committed to ensuring we may continue to serve all those who entrust their care to us during these challenging times.
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A Meal Train is active for Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps. mealtrain.com simplifies the process of giving and receiving meals and more.
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*The Village makes no representation that donations are tax deductible. You should always check with your tax professional
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Making Passover, Easter, and Ramadan Digital This Year
Here’s what you need to think about if you’re trying to transform your annual in-person holiday into a digital experience. It can be done! But it’s going to take some work.
Why are you doing this anyway? Get clear first.
This pandemic is an enormous societal interruption. With Passover and Easter upon us, many of us can’t gather in the way we’ve always gathered. So we need to ask: Why do you in particular do this in the first place? What is the central need to come together around this holiday as a community this year? What is it that we want to preserve, or focus on, or remember? Is it, first and foremost, a religious observance? Is this about family togetherness? Is it about continuity? Is it a marking of a specific time of year? Your gathering can incorporate church services, or can
incorporate hiding eggs around the house. (Or both.) But to figure out what you want to do, first we have to know: Why are we doing this?
Decide if the source of inspiration comes from within the group or from outside.
Is the community the source of content, or will you be watching an external source — say, a virtual rabbi or a streaming church or prayer service — together? Some families may want to watch a service together, and then eat and talk over Zoom. For Passover, will you be watching someone else’s Seder, or will you host the ritual internally? Figure out whether your community is turning in to each other for inspiration and guidance, or turning out. And organize, and assign roles, accordingly.
Whether matzo or deviled eggs, have a food plan.
Though food isn’t the purpose, it still holds convening powers. When do you eat? How central will it be this year? Does everyone still prepare one dish, to keep tradition, or bring their own full meal? If it’s Passover, think about who brings what. If it’s Easter, what might you have each person prepare, in part to prime them, as they think about coming together. If it’s iftar during Ramadan, do you mark it only with those you are sheltering in place with? Or do you breakfast digitally, with others?
Use your invitation to begin to create a world.
An invitation must help your guests wrap their heads around this new way of gathering this year. Give context to this gathering. “Can you believe that for some of us, this will be our 40th Passover together?” Tell the story behind why you’re doing it this way this year. “But this year, we need to do it in a new way.” Tell them who is invited. How long will it go? What will you be doing? And tell them what they’ll need to participate — that includes a laptop and Wi-Fi!
Give your gathering a name that helps people understand what it is.
Is it “Easter Service”? That makes me think we’ll be gathering together to watch a broadcast from a church and then maybe have a discussion after. Is it “Wacky First Night High Jinks Seder”? That’s something totally different. The name is an opportunity to signify the intention, from the sacred to the profane.
Help your guests prepare themselves.
Think about everything people would need to prepare in advance. Do they need to prepare a Haggadah reading? Do you need to distribute text to them? Do they need a second monitor to watch a streaming service? Do they need four glasses? Giving people tasks to do ahead of time helps them prepare emotionally for the evening as well. They arrive invested.
Ritualize getting people who aren’t technologically comfortable onto Zoom.
At any event, giving participants a meaningful role increases the likelihood it will be a great gathering. Buy now, some people use Zoom every day, and some people have never used it and will need help — and they’ll need that help well in advance. Appoint a person, or a number of people, as Ministers of Technology, or Zoom Honchos. They can reach out to do training. Ensure that everyone has done a dry run and knows how to get on, how to mute and how to chat. Waiting until the event will result in exclusion and frustration. Instead, make it a way to proactively connect the generations ahead of time.
Create unique and meaningful orders and sequences for people to participate in your event.
Maybe you’ve asked everyone to bring a symbolic object, or show off a dish, or introduce the people in their own home with them. The order in which you do this can have meaning, if you design it that way. You could have people go from north to south, from sleepiest to most alert, oldest to youngest. Figuring that out can be half the fun — or you can make this as serious as you want. Make meaning by bringing order.
On Zoom, shorter is sweeter.
Every interaction needs to be both slowed down and shortened. Everything will take longer on Zoom because of the coordination costs — and attention rates are lower, too. So this year, focus only on what’s essential for your people to mark this holy day. And have a conversation ahead of time about what people think that is. And, at least this year, skip the rest.
Let’s remember the edict of inviting outsiders into community, who may be strangers, isolated or alone.
Observances like Passover or Easter often have components of being of service to those away from their existing communities. Now many of us are more isolated than ever. If you’re asking your community to bring new friends and strangers to the community, plan meaningful introductions. In the early portion of your event, have the person who invited them write an introduction, and have the community welcome them in.
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Let's all wash our hands to prevent the spread of viruses
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If you are using a gmail account for FOILS, to please check your spam for communications from the Village and the Town. This is especially important when dealing with FOILS – regarding to acknowledgement letters and receipts of the information.
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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
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Ossining Union Free School District
New York State extended its closure of schools to April 29th.
Grab & Go Breakfast and Lunch Program-
Beginning Monday, March 30th Grab & Go Breakfast & Lunch will just take place at Park School from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Please contact Alita Zuber at
azuber@ossiningufsd.org
or Starr Dinio at
sdinio@ossiningufsd.org
with any questions. Thank you.
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ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
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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.
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Upcoming Programs in the Village and Town of Ossining
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Ossining’s Down to Earth Farmers Market will be open regular hours this Saturday
When:
Saturday from 9AM-1PM through April
Where:
Near Market Square at the corner of Spring & Main Streets, Ossining, NY
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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
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Webinar: Introduction to Lake Management,
Algae
What:
Algae: that thin, slimy layer of green muck whose persistence is enough to make you want to drain the lake altogether. But what is algae anyway? Join Teatown’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, Lindsay Yoder, for Part 1 of our Introduction to Lake Management Webinar Series! We’ll discuss the physiological mechanisms behind algae growth, negative impacts, the potential for harmful algal blooms, and management strategies. This series is ideal for homeowners, lake association members, and municipal leaders interested in learning more about steps they can take to better manage lakes on their property. It is most suitable for beginners.
When: April 22 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Where:
This is part of a webinar Series
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Free parking at Teatown until further notice
Parking fees at Teatown have been discontinued until further notice.
Please park safely in designated parking lots and not along public roadways.
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Mandala: A Mindful, Creative Practice
What:
The mandala is a symmetrical design that has historically appeared in art forms, architecture and ceremonies around the world. This day retreat is designed to introduce participants to the experience and practice of creating their own, unique expression.
When:
Sat., May 2, 2020
Where:
The Center at Mariandale
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Virtual book discussion: Nature's Best Hope
What: In this new book, Tallamy shows how homeowners everywhere can turn their yards into conservation corridors that provide wildlife habitats. Because this approach relies on the initiatives of private individuals, it is immune from the whims of government policy. Even more important, it’s practical, effective, and easy—you will walk away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard. Join us for an interactive virtual discussion on Tallamy’s new book. Participants will receive the access code via email the day before the program. Programs require pre-registration. Online registration available until 24 hours before the event.
When:
May 7, Thursday, 10am - 11am
Where: Program to take place over Zoom. Max 20 participants, pay what you wish.
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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.
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Green Ossining Launches ‘Green Ossining Sustainability Partnership
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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
Contact:
For more information contact St. Matthew’s at 914-941-1715
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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. Middle School and Pre-K/K classes resume 12/2. Elementary Classes resume 1/13. High School Auditions are 12/6-8. visit
www.theatero.org.
Where: Theater O @ 25 State St, Ossining, NY 10562
Contact: (914) 487-4322
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REGISTRATION FOR SUMMER and 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.
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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.
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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 2019-Check website for schedule of Classes/Boot Camps
Where:
WESTCHESTER & BRONX Ossining Public Library, Ossining NY Sacred Heart School, Hartsdale, NY
St. Margaret of Cortona School, Riverdale, NY
Contact:
Eduscape College & Test Prep Dr. Gayle Marchica, Principal Mobile/Text 914.886.5043 Office 914.941.4148
info@EduscapeAssociates.com
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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
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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
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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
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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 Winter 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.
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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
.
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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]
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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.
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Reflection/Discussion Series: Spiritual Journey Surprises
What:
If you are longing for a new view of how spiritual growth happens, you may enjoy five sessions of pre-reading some chapters, reflecting prayerfully and discussing with others the profound content of the book Falling Upward by Richard Rohr.
When:
Tuesdays, May 5 and June 2, 2020
Where:
The Center at Mariandale
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The Seven Pillars of Forgiveness
What:
People often ask “How do I actually start the process of forgiveness? Are there any practical things I can do?” This weekend retreat offers profound access into our ability to forgive, through a depth of content and experiential processes – connected with the Seven Pillars of Forgiveness.
When:
Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17, 2020
Where:
The Center at Mariandale
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Heart Speaks to Heart: Biblical Women in Conversation
What:
This guided retreat invites us into heartfelt conversations with Biblical women across the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Each day offers ample time to be with these women through drama, reflection and rituals. Our retreat guides are also available for individual spiritual conversations throughout the retreat week.
When:
Sunday, May 17 to Friday, May 22, 2020
Who:
With Nancy Sheridan, SASV
,
Nicki Verploegen, PhD
Where:
The Center at Mariandale
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