OSSINING WEEKLY WEB BLAST DECEMBER 24, 2020
Village & Town Information
**LAST WEB BLAST OF 2020 - NEXT ONE WILL BE ON JANUARY 7, 2021**
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Helpful Information from the Village of Ossining, Westchester County & New York State |
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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. |
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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.
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Thank you for your service Mayor Gearity! |
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Westchester County Update |
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Westchester Women’s Advisory Board Holds First Virtual Town Hall Event Entitled “Staying Sane in a Pandemic” Click here for more info
Westchester County Releases Two New COVID-19 PSAs in Collaboration with Peekskill & Port Chester Faith Leaders Click here for more info
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We want to slow the spread, we want to avoid shutdowns, and together we can do it. We slow the spread by being smart during the holiday season. It's a difficult situation and people need to come together. There's a feeling of safety in your home and there's a feeling of safety when you're with your family, but it just takes one person infected who doesn't know it and living room spread happens.
The deadline to sign up for a health plan through NY State of Health has been extended. New Yorkers until December 31 to enroll in a health plan that begins on January 1. "As the pandemic continues, it is especially important for New Yorkers to have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance," said Donna Frescatore, NY State of Health Executive Director. Visit their website or call 1-855-355-5777 to enroll.
New Yorkers can see the COVID numbers and understand the risks. Governor Cuomo feels we can and will avoid a shutdown because we can slow the spread and if we do, the hospitals can manage the increase in cases. This is now a footrace between the vaccine and COVID, and as we slow the spread we also have to accelerate vaccine distribution at the same time.
New York State's independent COVID-19 Clinical Advisory Task Force approved the Moderna vaccine. Their unanimous vote to approve the Moderna-developed vaccine followed the FDA vaccine panel's vote to recommend it for Emergency Use Authorization. The formal authorization by the FDA is expected imminently, and the state anticipates receiving 346,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine next week.
The Department of Health issued guidance on administering "extra" doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from vials. COVID-19 vaccine providers have consistently been able to withdraw more than five doses from one five-dose vial of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. As a result, after consulting with the FDA and the manufacturer, the State Department of Health issued guidance permitting vaccinators to withdraw more than five doses from a single vial, and to use any extra vaccine that can easily be drawn up in a syringe to meet the 0.3 milliliter dose requirement. But extra vaccine fluid from more than one vial cannot be combined to produce extra doses.
The largest publicly accessible fast-charging station for electric vehicles in the Northeast is here—and it's at JFK Airport. The ten-port charging station with high-speed 150kW chargers is part of a joint initiative by the New York Power Authority and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that will reduce New York State's carbon footprint and improve air quality by incorporating electric vehicle technology throughout NY's airports. The EV charging hub will help decarbonize the transportation sector and get New York closer to its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.
As NYS rolls out their vaccination program, it's critical that underserved communities are not left behind. These communities, which are predominantly communities of color, got hit the hardest during the pandemic, which laid bare existing disparities in our health care system. NYS is doing everything they can so that New York is equitable in vaccine outreach and provides a model for the nation.
To that end, NYS announced the new NYS COVID-19 Vaccine Equity Task Force, co-chaired by Secretary of State Rossana Rosado, Attorney General Letitia James, National Urban League President & CEO Marc Morial, and Healthfirst President & CEO Pat Wang. This Task Force will break down barriers to vaccination, build confidence in the vaccine and ensure there is a fair and equitable distribution of the vaccine across the state.
Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways have agreed to require pre-departure COVID tests before passengers leave from the U.K. to New York. In the wake of a new, more contagious variant of the COVID-19 virus found in the United Kingdom, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Delta Airlines have voluntarily agreed to our request to require their passengers to receive a negative COVID-19 test before they travel from the United Kingdom to New York. With this move, New York joins the list of 120 countries with a similar requirement on flights from the U.K. The first virus came to New York via Europe, and we don't want history to repeat itself with this new variant.
To help with vaccination efforts, New York is developing Community Vaccination Test Kits. These kits will provide communities, particularly those located within health care deserts, with the supplies and resources needed for standing up vaccination sites. They will include materials such as schematics on assembling the space, chairs and tables, computers and other equipment needed to administer the vaccine.
With Christmas and Kwanzaa coming up this week, followed by New Year's Eve, we all need to do our part to stop the spread. And we can do so by celebrating in different ways this year. This year Governor Cuomo encourages New Yorkers to celebrate smart so the virus doesn't spread to the point where the hospital capacity is at risk. It's been a long year and he hopes New Yorkers celebrate the holidays—but please celebrate smart.
New York's Wadsworth Laboratory has begun aggressive research of the new, more contagious COVID-19 strain discovered in the U.K. Already, Wadsworth has looked at more than 3,700 virus sequences identified in New York. It has yet to find the U.K. variant present in any of the random samples. Additionally, Wadsworth and the Department of Health have made agreements with six hospitals from across the State to obtain additional samples for further research and are making arrangements with other hospitals to do the same. If the variant is already here, we want to know, and we want to be able to aggressively trace it.
It's important we continue our vaccination program through the holidays. With Christmas and Kwanzaa rapidly approaching, Governor Cuomo calls on hospitals, nursing homes, and medical personnel to continue providing vaccinations throughout the holidays to ensure nursing home patients and frontline health care workers are protected as quickly as possible.
We're in a footrace between the vaccination program and the growing spread of COVID. So far, 89,000 New Yorkers have received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose. 22,000 New Yorkers received their first dose at 90 nursing home facilities, during just the first two days of a federal-private partnership program in which New York is participating. As we continue to roll out the vaccine, Governor Cuomo reminds all New Yorkers to stay vigilant, especially over the holidays—wear a mask, social distance, continue to wash your hands. Celebrate smart. Happy holidays, New York.
The State is working on a plan to allow fans to attend the Buffalo Bills' first home playoff game in more than two decades under strict COVID-19 protocols. Under the proposal, which is being developed cooperatively between the Bills and the State Department of Health, fans in attendance would be required to receive a negative COVID-19 test result before being allowed into the stadium and contact tracing would be conducted after the game.
The Department of Financial Services issued guidance that will help expand New York's hospital capacity. DFS is directing insurers to suspend certain preauthorization and administrative requirements to help hospitals implement New York's "surge and flex" protocol. With this action, hospitals will be able to quickly transfer patients between hospitals, better balance patient load and more.
The New York State Department of Health has authorized the use of extra doses that have been found in Moderna vaccine vials. We have learned that many 10-dose vials of the Moderna vaccine have enough of the vaccine for 11 doses. (The Pfizer vaccine, similarly, found to have extra doses.) The Department of Health issued guidance on administering these extra doses.
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Matrix Consulting Group was selected by the Village of Ossining to conduct the Police Reform and Reinvention Collaborative. This study is a collaborative effort driven by the community, and we want to hear about your experiences and opinions regarding the Ossining Police Department.
Please take the time to complete the survey so that your feedback can be included in the study. The survey is completely anonymous, and individual responses will never be shared with either law enforcement or government officials. Only the Matrix team can see the responses, which we will use to present a summary of our findings.
If you prefer to leave feedback by audio, please call our toll free number (866) 262-9756 and leave a voicemail.
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La villa de Ossining seleccionó a Matrix Consulting Group para llevar a cabo el Colaborativo de reforma y reinvención policial. Este estudio es un esfuerzo conjunto impulsado por la comunidad, y nos gustaría escuchar acerca de sus experiencias y opiniones sobre el Departamento de Policía de Ossining.
Tómese un momento para completar la encuesta, para que podamos incluir sus comentarios en el estudio. Esta encuesta es completamente anónima, y nunca se compartirán las respuestas individuales con los cuerpos policiales ni con funcionarios gubernamentales. Solo el equipo de Matrix podrá ver las respuestas, y las utilizará para presentar un resumen de los hallazgos obtenidos.
Si tiene alguna consulta, no dude en comunicarse con Ian Brady a la dirección ibrady@matrixcg.net. Gracias por su tiempo.
Si prefiere dejar sus comentarios a través de audio, llame a nuestro número gratuito (888) 958-1384 y deje un mensaje de voz.
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PUBLIC NOTICE
TO RESOLVE TRAFFIC & PARKING SUMMONSES ISSUED IN THE
TOWN OR VILLAGE OF OSSINING
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So that we can reduce persons having to appear in Court on traffic or parking matters, and to expedite resolutions in resolving traffic or parking infraction matters, pleased be advised that you have the ability to plea your traffic or parking matter by email/mail.
If you received a traffic infraction before the Justice Court of the Town of Ossining, involving a violation of the Vehicle and Traffic law, the person handling your ticket is the Town Prosecutor. The Town Prosecutor can be reached at vtlviolations@villageofossining.com.
If you received a parking infraction before the Justice Court of the Town of of Ossining, (which handles ALL Village Parking matters), the person handling your ticket is the Deputy Corporation Counsel. The Deputy Corporation Counsel can be reached at parkingviolations@villageofossining.org. |
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**NEW COMMUNITY CENTER WIFI**
Password for all WIFI Networks:
95Broadway
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Dear Community Members:
The Ossining School District is engaging in a strategic planning process to establish key goals for the next three-five years. A brief electronic survey is open for community members who are residents without students currently in the school system. To participate, please follow this link or go to the link provided on the district website and complete the brief survey by November 24th. Your opinions and recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
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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: Saturdays from 9AM-1PM
Where: Near Market Square at the corner of Spring & Main Streets, Ossining, NY
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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
Info: If you miss it- don't worry, we post them to CYP'sYouTube Channel
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FREE Weekly yoga classes
When: Tuesday 9:15am-9:45am, Wednesday 7:00pm - 7:45pm
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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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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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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
Contact: For more information contact St. Matthew’s at 914-941-1715
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Green Ossining Launches ‘Green Ossining Sustainability Partnership
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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. visit www.theatero.org.
Where: Theater O @ 25 State St, Ossining, NY 10562
Contact: (914) 487-4322
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REGISTRATION FOR 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 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
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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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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.
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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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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. |
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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 . |
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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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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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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
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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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Ossining Emergency Shelter |
If you or someone you know needs a place to stay on a cold winter's night, Ossining and Briarcliff's local houses of worship provide adult shelter and a warm meal every night of the week from December through March. Meet in front of The Open Door before 9 pm. Transportation is provided to the place where the shelter is for the night. All are welcome. No drugs, drunkenness, or weapons |
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