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Let's get even more personalized. Choose topics that interest you. Almost There! So, what do you do? Number of Employees Less than 50 , 1,, 2,, 5,, 7,, More than 10, I know this all sounds kind of rigid and business like, but if the goal is to make the most out of this Summer of and there will only be ONE Summer of , you must be intentional about making it happen. Jeff Whitaker is a lifelong communicator and storyteller. He is a certified trainer, coach and speaker with The John Maxwell Team. Connect with him at jeffwhitaker. Check out our full menu at jonandpattys.
The following morning, June 17, , she took the opportunity to frolic in the Atlantic Ocean in Ocean City. Christopher Clayton. Burger Bar online ordering available through our mobile friendly website. Visit us at www. I have been a music writer for almost 10 years, a professional DJ for more than 20, and an avid music listener and historian for more than 30 years.
So I am proud to put together a special 2 hour mix for 48 Blocks AC. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday there will be parties and events that celebrate the arts throughout every block in Atlantic City. To see a complete list visit www. Project One. Mixtape that people will be able to access if they miss my live performance.
A list of 48 Songs. Some songs will make you dance, some will make you think, some will take you back in time, some will be new but your ears will wonder where this music has been hiding. I am going to share 10 here. The complete list, as well as how to listen to the mixtape, will be at my website www. And I will say it. Friend or not. This song represents hip hop in its purist form, meaning superlative drums and creative lyrics. Though number 2 on this list they are always number 1 in my heart. Here are some fun ideas for your Summer. Relax For a Bit: Take some time for yourself this summer at a day spa.
The Lavender Lemon for Two at Serenity Massage Spa in Somers Point is a great 60 minute option that includes warm stones and lavender scrubs to relax all of your senses. The casinos and resorts in Atlantic City offer full service spas as well. Their neighboring casino hotels also offer wonderful amenities and summer spa specials. Follow that up with a visit to their rooftop pool for a full day of relaxation. Continuing your day of relaxation, there are so many places in the area to experience yoga and meditation.
Every Saturday morning at This class is donation based. Om Room Yoga in Somers Point offers a variety of classes in a welcoming environment. Grow Yoga in Galloway, Grace and Glory Yoga in Northfield, and the Leadership Studio in Atlantic City are all great places for a drop in baptiste style yoga class that will awaken your body, mind, and spirit.
Check out all of these great locations for class drop-in options.
Pathmark Coupon Match Ups 6/8 - 6/14 New to Couponing? This list is for personal use only and is the property of Living Rich Media, LLC. Donna Demczuk on ShopRite Coupon Deals – Week of 8/26; disqus_eizsgrfUr8. ShopRite Ad Preview - ShopRite Coupons, ShopRite Catalina - View all the deals at ShopRite for the coming week right here - How to save money at ShopRite.
For more fun on the mainland, visit Historic Smithville where you can shop, dine, and play. Local shops offer unique toys, gifts, food, and memorabilia. Families can ride on the train around town, the carrousel, and the paddle boats. Live entertainment and weekend festivals can all be found in Smithville. From concerts, to beach runs, BBQs, and sports camps.
There is a full list of happenings in the downbeach area. On the water, there is plenty to see and do as well. Surf School. Hop on the water on the Atlantic City Cruises boat where you can dolphin watch or enjoy a happy hour cruise. On or off the water, there is so much to do for your family on the Jersey Shore. Family Adventures: For the families with small children, Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township has been keeping childhood imagination alive since with timeless storybook.
Adult Fun: Check out www. Bring your. Breweries, wineries, distilleries, oh my! Try one of the trending locations making local spirits. Learn about the processes during one of the facility tours, then responsibly enjoy a beverage or two at their bar. Summer Concerts: What is summer without outdoor music? Check out these Summer Concert Series. Heritage Park is located at Mill Rd. Concerts run through August 13th. Smithville Fife and Drum Corp. Concerts run through September 8th. Concerts start July 14th at 6: Concerts at Ski Beach Free concerts are held every other Friday through September 28th from pm with music varying from Indie Rock to Hip Hop and various genres in between.
These concerts will be located at Ski Beach in Ventnor. Stay up to date on upcoming events by following our social media accounts. To Learn How Call: Levi JerseyShoreTours. In a shore community like ours, the smell of saltwater in the air, boardwalks, the distant cries of seagulls, and the warm sand between our toes brings a peaceful and comforting experience that one would be hard-pressed to replicate.
The buildings have been slipping into gradual disrepair ever since the colossal super-storm Sandy wreaked her havoc back in October of The area has been deemed off-limits, and there has yet to be any action taken to put a stop to the homes slowly sinking into the water beneath. It is a travesty, to say the least. The homes are beginning to sink. Now, the area is even surrounded by a giant metal fence to keep even the bravest of onlookers out.
This is yet another example of how climate change has negatively and dangerously impacted our own communities — an inconvenient truth, I know. Cars, air-conditioning, fast food, consumer goods prettily packaged in glistening plastic — all of the stuff we love has put a weight on our planet as perilous as a desperate heart clogged with cholesterol.
This article is primarily concerned with how erratic weather patterns caused by climate change have devastated certain parts of the Jersey Shore. First off, I have zero patience for climate change-deniers. This is not a conspiracy created by the liberal media or whatever the latest propaganda is that oil companies are feeding to Fox News or InfoWars ; it is a fact that everyone in our area has witnessed in horror. Scientific data shows sea levels are on the rise, eight-inches since to be exact.
We are inundated by Hollywood when it comes to natural disasters. Films like The Day After Tomorrow and offer plots that are as drastic as they are destructive. Reality is more abstract and elongated than this. A film only has about ninety minutes to get its point across; Mother Nature can take her time.
But as we have seen and experienced, her time grows much more catalyzed the more CO2 we pump into the air. Think about the financial devastation caused by climate change, as well. It has been reported that the redeveloper of Sea Village Marina has spent a million dollars on a new bulkhead surrounding the area. Bulkheads and levees are fine; however, as the icecap melts and the sea levels rise, any divider will have to grow higher and higher to keep up. This disheartening fact always makes me think of an impoverished country like Bangladesh.
It is estimated. But people still have doubts. The answer is simple and available to anyone who has access to Google or the Weather Channel for that matter:. Arctic Oscillation. Simply put, air moves from one place to another due to air pressure, specifically between the North Pole to areas further south say, the middle of the United States. Air pressure can be a lot higher in the Arctic, so the cold air moves south.
But as man made greenhouse gases build up more and more, the ice caps will continue to melt, sea levels will continue to rise, and places like Sea Village Marina will be the first to suffer the consequences. There are blatant examples of the negative effects of climate change all over South Jersey. Take Atlantic City: Poor areas, however, are not. Smack right in the middle of floodwater paths, residents in these areas have no idea what to do. All a person has to do is take a drive through these neighborhoods to see the flood-damaged, abandon-properties.
The evidence is all around us. No one knows what the future holds for Sea Village Marina. I cannot see residents being optimistic, though. Every day these properties are left neglected, the more they will sink into the water below. Being that they are the last of non-motorized houseboats in the state, this is the end of an era. It is a shame to say the least. But there is hope. The more people who educate themselves and make little changes in their daily routines regarding climate change, the more of a chance we have to get out of this mess.
All of the information needed is a mouse-click away. It only takes a proactive person to seek it out. Somers Point, Near Parkway. Between end of the school year parties, field trips, field day activities, and talent shows, everything is being crammed into a very short time before the clock runs out. Can anyone else relate? Well, I have good news for you: Surely at some point you will visit Ocean City this summer.
They have ongoing summer programs for kids of all ages. Linwood Library has great programs planned as well, that I know my kids will enjoy. Kids will be given a lego building project which they will construct in class and, at the end of the hour, they can discuss their creation with the group. How fun! They also have a full lineup of special family programs on Tuesday evenings, including: The Life of Mozart, presented by The Traveling.
Marci Lutsky is a local mom of seven year-old twins and can be reached at veggingattheshore gmail. Lantern, on July 3rd at 7: No matter what your kids are interested in, you can find something for them at one of the libraries. Some of these programs require registration so make sure to check the website for more detailed information. Our libraries are a valuable resource offering free and educational activities. Take advantage of these varied events not just in your town, but in surrounding towns too.
Over the summer I will be writing about more free activities. If you know of free fun that you want me to feature, I can be reached at veggingattheshore gmail. While growing up in Atlantic City, her parents often lent a hand or a meal to anyone in need. As a young adult, Sister Patty knew she too wanted to help others.
Through each experience she saw one great need that was not being filled. These women needed a place where they could go during the day to get off the streets. They needed a place where they could simply rest, have a cup of coffee, do laundry, have a healthy snack, and most importantly, be safe. It was named after Adelaide DiCici, a French woman who was on trial for feeding the people. In the years since, Adelaide's place moved out of the church basement and into a full house in Atlantic City, where they have been for the last 9 years. The address is not public and there is not a sign over the door.
This is intentional in order to safeguard their mission of creating a safe haven for homeless women. Many of whom are victims of abusive relationships and have experienced trauma. There is one strict rule and that is women only. The average age of the women are in their 50s or 60s, but they welcome all women, and have had women as young as 18 and as old as Many have disabilities or mental health issues. Place, they are able to meet with their social workers that assist them to get the medical care they may need.
Bible studies, music, pottery, and arts and crafts are made available. This would for August 2nd at the create an opportunity Linwood Country Club. If you would like get back on their feet. One of the many reasons why I co-founded the Linwood Farmers Market was to help connect local farms to people in our community. They are two of the most genuine and knowledgeable farmers, and. Happy Valley Berry Farm is one of the farms that participates in the Linwood Farmers Market each season selling their pesticide-free produce.
This summer they are trying something new by setting up a farmers market every Wednesday from in the cafeteria of the Bacharach Institute for Rehabilitation in Galloway. The market is open to the public, so if you find yourself in Galloway on a Wednesday, make sure to stop in and load up on fruits and vegetables.
Just about everything! When Shirley and Wes bought their farm in , they started by growing raspberries, and later diversified into vegetable production. Through trial and error they learned that growing berries in high tunnels made them free from disease and prolonged their shelf life. Several years ago they also started growing vegetables in high tunnels enabling them to grow cool season crops like carrots, beets, kale, and collards so that they could offer a winter CSA community supported agriculture.
Joining a CSA is a wonderful way to support a. Shirley and Wes are more than just farmers who sell fruits and vegetables. They are kind people who genuinely care about their customers. Once you get to know Shirley, you will keep going back for more. More information about Happy Valley Berry Farm can be found at www. Marci Lutsky is a food blogger at Vegging at the Shore, www. We invite you to relive your childhood while introducing the innocent themes off wonderment to an entire new generation.
As a rookie teacher seeking advice from her colleagues, Lori followed their lead and offered a pre-test to kick off the school year. One young man was the catalyst that would change the future of her teaching career. As she handed out the pre tests, this particular young man ripped up the test stating that he simply did not need it. They want to learn through hands on experience. In an effort to meet her student where he was, she gave him a job taking care of the former greenhouse. It was there that he began to thrive and Lori began to consider other avenues of teaching.
By , the program began to grow and students were choosing to work in the flower shop as their elective year after year. They learn how to work together as a team, how to run a cash register, and how to use math and measurements to make arrangements. They study geography and agriculture as they learn where the flowers are sourced from. In addition to the life skills they. Everyone participating in the class had the opportunity to make unique flower arrangements.
Students, teachers, and faculty in the district as well as community members were able to buy tickets and enter into an auction for their favorite flower arrangement. After 28 years, Lori Butrus is just as excited about her job as she was on day one. Every student is different. Eagle Greenery students who shared their favorite things about working in the flower shop.
Valerie Hilliard is a freshman in the beginners flower shop class who shared that she joined Ms. Freshman student, Turcoise Adams explains that working in the flower shop gives her hands on life experience and is preparing her for working in the real world. Seems robotic in some ways. The essential steps are to eat mostly foods derived from plants— vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes beans, peas, lentils —and limit highly processed foods. Here are our guidelines for building a healthy diet: Not all of the nutrients and other substances in foods that contribute to good health have been identified, so eating a wide assortment of foods helps ensure that you get all of the disease-fighting potential that foods offer.
In addition, this will limit your exposure to any pesticides or toxic substances that may be present in a particular food. You can eat all the broccoli and spinach you want, but for higher-calorie foods, portion control is the key. In recent years, serving sizes have ballooned. In restaurants, choose an appetizer instead of an entree, or split a dish with a friend. Fiber is fact! If you con-. Include green, orange, red, blue or purple, and yellow produce. The nutrients, fiber, and other compounds in these foods may help protect against certain types of cancer and other diseases.
Legumes, rich in fiber, count as vegetables, though are moderately high in calories. Choose whole fruits over juice for more fiber. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are good options. At least half your grains should be whole grains, such as whole wheat, barley and oats. Whole grains retain the bran and germ, and thus all or nearly all of the nutrients and fiber of the grain.
The refined carbohydrates in white bread, regular pasta, and most snack foods have little or no dietary fiber and have been stripped of many nutrients. Also, limit foods with added sugar, such as soda and candy. These are sources of empty calories that contribute to weight gain. Nuts, fatty fish, avocados, and vegetable oils supply healthy unsaturated fats. Recent research suggests these foods, though high in calories, tend not to promote weight gain because they are satisfying. For instance, substitute olive or canola oil for butter.
Fatty fish helps reduce heart disease risks and has other benefits, largely because. So many of my clients who start on a nutritional program with me, ask how they can cut back on foods that cause cholesterol, and what those foods are. Though a milligram daily cap on cholesterol intake has long been advised, there's abundant evidence that cholesterol in food has little, if any, effect on blood cholesterol in most people. Thus, many experts no longer recommend limiting dietary cholesterol found only in animal foods, notably eggs and shrimp.
The best way for most people to lower their blood cholesterol is to reduce saturated fats as in meats , and trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils in processed foods. A possible exception is people with diabetes, who should talk to their doctor about their overall diet. Some liquid calories come from healthy beverages, such as milk and percent fruit juice. But most come from soda and other sweetened beverages, and alcoholic drinks, which have lots of calories yet.
Soft drinks are a major source of sugar and calories for many Americans, especially children. Bottom line: Many cultures around the world emphasize the enjoyment of food, which often includes cooking and eating with others, as an integral ingredient to good health. Try to touch on the idea that eating healthfully involves "enjoying food and celebrating cultural and personal traditions through food. Nancy Adler is a certified nutritionist and practitioner in Linwood.
Learn about her practice at ww. Turcoise, Valerie, and fellow freshman, James Denesevich all agree that this will not be their last year taking their elective course in the flower shop. Lori Butrus has life long impacts on her students. Many previous flower shop students regularly come back to visit her including the original young man who started working on the water system in. Krystle J. Bailey is a motivational speaker, poet, and author of Nourish: Before incorporation, much of the land was owned by Revolutionary War vet Jeremiah Leeds, who settled his family near what would become Brighton Park, at the intersection of Park Place and the Boardwalk.
In a few years rooming houses dotted the strand, often replaced by the turn of the twentieth century with Second Empire Style Victorian hotels, with their mansard roofs full of windows. By , several grand palaces had been built along the boardwalk, too few of which remain today, with the iconic Marlborough-Blenheim, and sandcastle-shaped Traymore among those lost to wrecking balls.
Other hotels built. The most memorable Atlantic City hotel created in this era was also the most modern. Like the Ritz-Carlton several blocks away, the Claridge included hot and cold running fresh and salt water faucets in each guest room, with the idea being that bathing in salt-water had healthful benefits. Many famous faces stayed at the Claridge over the decades, from the s to the s, before the site was.
We offer a great workout environment with brand new equipment and certified personal trainers as well. Moreover, much national history has run through the Claridge. Martin Luther King Jr. Indeed, according to a New York Times article, Dr. King and his party were given rooms , , and , which allowed them to be wiretapped by J. Perhaps most importantly at least for this column the Claridge will also be the home to a kick-off party for the 48 Blocks Arts Festival, which will feature yours truly fully in-character portraying Nucky Johnson.
A beautiful blending of great music by the Matt Newsome and Friends band, delicious food catered by T. The South Jersey Wine Friends were also on hand with a large selection of Rose wines from around the world to sample and compare. Gina Wood Kite flying is a traditional pastime that spans generations.
They come in many different sizes and designs from. All you need is a nice, breezy day and your kite will sail into the sky. Be sure to watch for objects like trees and bushes, and make sure to have enough room to move around. Each team is given a set of beanbags with the objective to toss onto a tilted rectangular board.
Points are awarded for keeping their beanbags on the playing surface, and three points for shooting it into the hole. Boards come in regulation size and modified versions, like the three-hole washer. From wooded to Velcro, you and a friend may want to indulge in a game of paddle ball. Toss the ball back and forth using a wooden racquet. While at the beach, you may want to introduce your kids to a unique toy they are going to love, the Surfer Dude.
Just toss it into the ocean waves and watch as he surfs back to shore. The Surfer Dude uses a self-righting design to keep him upright and is powered by waves. No batteries are needed for this gnarly dude. With the help of a teammate, the object of the game is to throw disc into a circular can. Points are awarded for getting your Frisbee into the can or touching the top of it. If you manage to toss the Frisbee into the middle of the can is an automatic win. This unique game is fun to play, and it comes in different sizes, so you can take the game anywhere, from the lawn to the pool.
These games can provide many hours of fun-filled smiles and laughter for all. Thanks to the generous sponsors who have contributed many of the prizes we distribute throughout the summer:. The Bookateria Two, Ta-dah! The first five teens who complete every task on the list will receive a special grand prize. Children Summer Reading Program Explore great books and have the chance to win fantastic prizes! K-3rd grade Tues. Based on the primary election campaigns waged by both men, they each deserve to be their party's respective nominees.
Van Drew dominated the democratic primary, garnering more votes than his other three challengers combined. Van Drew also skillfully navigated politically shark infested waters. His primary challengers were running very hard to his left. It could have placed Van Drew. It didn't work. Van Drew was masterful in not taking the bait. It left him unmarked going into the general election, when his well-earned conservative democrat bonafides will serve him well.
District 2 is a slightly center-right leaning district. If you're too conservative, you lose. If you're too liberal or progressive, you lose. The voting composition of the district is approximately: This is far less then is usually spent in a local council race by one candidate After winning his Party's Nomination, Grossman enjoyed a few days of peace and after glow.
Then, the first political attack was fired with blistering speed and market saturation intensity. The national media desperately wants the democrats to win back the majority of the United States House of Representatives. They are willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen. The 2nd Congressional District race is in the Top 10 of every major list in America, in terms of current republican districts that are the most likely to turn democrat. This is a big boost for Van Drew. A YouTube video clip of Grossman discussing "diversity" was recently unearthed.
Get ready. It will be the first of many. Grossman is a very well documented public figure with many hours of audio and video floating around the information superhighway. Van Drew won't have to lift a finger. This is not the type of campaign he wages in the first place. Van Drew does not attack first. However, if you attack him, he will then unleash his own disproportionate retaliatory response. That's only fair. Van Drew is the consummate gentleman, however, he's not a punching bag. Outside groups, along with other interested and uninterested third parties will be smothering Grossman with one attack after another.
Further, the political tactic these days is to conflate and use partial statements, and portray them as incontrovertible facts, and relentlessly attack a candidate.
Grossman will endure the same fate as President Donald Trump in this regard. The tactic is to put a candidate marked for electoral death on a daily uneasy footing, whereby they're placed in the position of always having to explain themself with one attack after another.
Therefore, they're losing in the court of public opinion. Van Drew has a nearly year voting record at all levels of government: His record is consistent and impressive. He votes against budgets that are not responsible. Van Drew is a rare democrat, who is not part of the typical monolith. He'll vote his conscience.
It's rare to find these days. Van Drew has also proven that he will work effectively with the other side. This is almost lost in today's politics. If Christie was right about something, he could earn Van Drew's support. If Van Drew didn't agree, he would vote against a measure. This gives Van Drew credibility, and although this issue is never poll-tested, I strongly believe that voters want our elect-.
Today, both parties refuse to support a measure proposed by their loyal opposition. It's become a filthy game of posturing to win the next election at the expense of doing what's right by the American people. In this issue, we've done a three question lightening round with Senator Van Drew, and, we'll do the same with Mr.
Grossman in the near future. What is your Van Drew philosophy of governance: We have actually helped to save people's lives; to make sure that our citizens get needed medical coverage from insurance companies. I have, and will continue to, work on a bipartisan basis, to work on both sides of the aisle. You can do important work. There is much more that brings us together then separates us.
Particularly these days, congress doesn't work together and look for common ground. I will do my level best to try find common interests. The behavior that I want to exhibit…I want to be a congressman that my children, grandchildren, friends, and the entire district can be proud of: That's Jeff Van Drew and he's trying to do what's right. The bad behavior certainly doesn't increase our confidence in the American system.
I would hope to act with honor, decency, and intelligence on behalf of the citizens of District 2," said Van Drew. Van Drew's campaign focus will be? The high cost of flood insurance or health insurance. The high cost of education. So many of the people that I know and meet throughout our diverse district, one characteristic that they have in common is that they are working their backs off with jobs and still having a difficult time paying their mortgage, taxes and other expenses. We must keep our commitment to our veterans. They have kept their commitments to us.
They're willing to bleed to death for us. They have to receive the kind of treatment and healthcare that they've earned. I don't want to hear about things such as homeless veterans, or veterans without educational opportunities. We can do better than that.
I'll be talking about that. The need for infrastructure improvement in our area. Some of our main businesses: We must expand our economic base; including Eds and Meds, so that we're not relying on one industry; rather to expand. We are very aware of the seasonal time frame and the structure of the timeline considers this in scheduling opportunities for public feedback. While summer is a time for the public to be on vacation, professional staff are working.
Or at least several TOD options? Will other options be elicited from residents in outreach sessions? By definition we already have TOD due to the fact that we have a train station in Chappaqua. Part of the Comprehensive Plan Update process is to explore options to improve what we have. A Draft Master Plan will be written up and available for public comment by September, and revision of the Draft Master Plan and Guidance on Environmental Review will take place through the fall. The MPSC will continue to meet monthly for the duration of the planning process, and four public workshops will be held.
More important than how many there are: As mentioned earlier the process is fluid. Timing of the public sessions will coincide with the deliverables and approval of those deliverables by the Master Plan Steering Committee. What did Pace answer? What purpose will it serve? You are confusing what was a Market survey with what will be a Comprehensive Plan Survey. What are the purposes of each of the four public engagement sessions?
And at what point in the process do they occur? To report on the progress being made and obtain public input regarding that information. They will occur when we have the information to share in a form accessible to the public. For Millwood and Chappaqua? Or a different emphasis for each? If there are future instances where meetings should be closed to the public due to the sensitive nature of the discussion, staff and consultants would inform the committee in advance.
Who is in charge of the Master Plan review? Staff and consultants are performing the technical analsyis which supports the plan update. Depending on the analysis to be discussed, the Town and Pace may determine that the meeting or a portion thereof should not be open to the public.
A staff level meeting will be held prior to the next meeting to map out forward progress of the Master Plan Update and to further define the public workshop. What do you believe right now is the purpose of the March 12 outreach at the Library? As defined by whom? Please see the workshop flyer under latest news [on the Town website: NCNOW has trimmed down. The town itself does a fine job as a community bulletin board, pushing out notices and announcements, so NCNOW will concentrate strictly on keeping track of the Master Plan process.
The process has been not-started, then false-started, restarted, derailed by the supervisor, then bypassed for Chappaqua Crossing—and possibly for Rosehill—and is now supposedly back on track. Town Board Meeting 8: Jan 28]. The meeting will be streamed live: Click HERE for agenda and packet of materials. THe presentation will be rescheduled.
Because Town Court was in session on Thursday, Town Board members met in the Chappaqua Library theater to vote on several amendments related to the retail zoning change for Chappaqua Crossing. Board members were somber, a handful of residents were present, Felix Charney of Summit Development sat listening from high in the raked theater. No questions or comments were allowed. In a vote, Town Board members approved alterations to the Town Development Plan and then the creation of a floating retail overlay district on the property, leaving approval of the preliminary development concept plan PDCP —the specifics of where on the property the retail zone will be applied and where buildings will be placed—for early in the new year.
Board members read prepared statements. After the meeting, Greenstein reiterated that although the Town Board does not intend to share PDCP approval authority with the Planning Board, it will seek Planning Board participation in reviewing the project. Absent from the zoning amendment was the 15, square foot limit on restaurants desired by Whole Foods; instead, there appeared only a limit of 7, square feet on carry-out food establishments.
Any grocery must be between 30, and 45, square feet, personal services—with the exception of medical services—remain prohibited, truck delivery start-time was changed from 5: The video of the meeting is embedded at bottom. Statement by Rob Greenstein. Statement by Adam Brodsky. Statement by Lisa Katz. Statement by Elise Mottel. Statement by Jason Chapin. Town press release on retail zoning approval. Summit Development press release on retail zoning approval. Summit Development letter to Town Board setting out additional mitigation measures. December 19, by Christine Yeres.
See them below. In January , at the beginning of my second year on the Town Board, Summit Greenfield submitted a petition seeking to establish a new zoning district called a Planned Campus Development Site. After many public hearings and much public resistance, the Town Board rejected the proposal on December 12, Since that time, the Town Board and the residents of New Castle have been presented with various applications by Summit Greenfield for the development of this site. I have struggled with the question of whether Chappaqua Crossing should be rezoned to allow retail uses.
On the one hand, allowing retail at Chappaqua Crossing would serve an important community need by enhancing the commercial tax base. On the other hand, the Supplemental Findings Statement considered the potential impacts of the proposed retail development and determined it would have significant adverse traffic impacts, some but not all of which could be mitigated.
I am also concerned that the revised retail Preliminary Development Concept Plan, which now relocates the grocery store to a free standing building in the southern portion of the project site and reconfigures the remaining retail stores proposed for the site, is less than ideal. Summit Greenfield initially proposed placing retail stores in the existing office buildings, which would allow those facilities to be adaptively reused while supporting the remaining office and research uses. Having new freestanding buildings on the site is not what I prefer, though I recognize that Summit Greenfield may have certain constraints in terms of creating a space acceptable to Whole Foods.
The Town Board will ensure that Summit Greenfield implements the required mitigation measures to reduce the adverse traffic impacts, including, without limitation, improvements to Roaring Brook Road, turning lanes, and restricting delivery hours to retail users.
Further, I intend to press Summit Greenfield to work harder to incorporate traditional neighborhood design concepts into the Preliminary Development Concept Plan and to adaptively reuse the existing buildings. For tonight, I intend to vote in favor of the resolutions before us. This has definitely been the most comprehensive, complicated and controversial land use proposal that I have been involved with in my seven years on the board - and maybe in the history of New Castle. At its height, the company used , square feet of office space and had 7, employees working We learned to deal with all the traffic, including trucks, cars and shuttle buses that came with such a big and successful company.
We also relied on the significant property taxes that benefited the Town and school district. I want to tell you briefly why I was willing to consider the proposal. First, Summit Greenfield has rights like everyone else to propose changes to their property. Second, I was interested in exploring the adaptive re-use of the empty buildings at Chappaqua Crossing.
I also thought filling some of our retail gaps would appeal to most people. And I believed that increasing our commercial tax base by almost 50 percent would provide relief to all of the residential taxpayers in town. In fact, there were almost 20 public hearings over more than two years. All of the involved and interested agencies as well as environmental, planning and engineering, traffic, real estate and other experts provided dozens of reports and contributed to the process. The public was heavily involved and provided hundreds of comments. During this process, my fellow board members and I have debated, at times, vigorously, numerous aspects of the issues before us.
We have taken the requisite hard look at the potential environmental impacts which resulted in a comprehensive Findings Statement issued by the Town Board last year. Personally, I struggled with many issues, from concerns about traffic and neighborhood character to potential impacts on the hamlets. I weighed the opinions and suggestions from everyone involved. I also fought hard for transparency, integrity and professionalism throughout the review process. I am comfortable that the process allowed everyone an opportunity to be heard.
In the end, I realize there will never be a perfect proposal or a decision that pleases everyone. I also know that change often causes fear and uncertainty. As an elected official who serves the town as an at-large representative, I feel obligated to make my decision based on what is in the best interest of the entire town and I know that may mean disappointing people who I respect, including friends and neighbors. I have decided to vote in favor of the zoning change with the understanding that the Preliminary Development Concept Plan still needs to be approved.
First, I would like to thank my fellow Board members and all town and government employees who worked tirelessly to get us where we are today. When I ran for Town councilwoman, I promised to act with integrity and in the best interests of our community, and I have worked hard to keep that promise. And I have weighed this decision as to whether to allow the Chappaqua Crossing property to be zoned for retail, in addition to its current office and residential zoning, very carefully. On the one hand, I understand the argument that it is important to increase our commercial tax base in order to alleviate financial pressure on our residents.
I also understand that some of our residents would welcome a supermarket in Chappaqua, and especially a Whole Foods if, indeed, it does come to New Castle. I recognize these arguments, and, in fact, have no personal objections to them. However, I need to analyze those potential benefits and then weigh them against the potential detriments. Over the past year, I have spent countless hours analyzing and studying the materials regarding Chappaqua Crossing.
I have sought to review the facts and thoughtfully analyze this project that will substantially impact our town. After reviewing all the information and expert reports, I believe that Chappaqua Crossing is an inappropriate site for the retail development proposal that we have in front of us tonight.
While I realize that many residents would like to see the site remain undeveloped, I do not believe that the status quo is a viable option either. And, in fact, I might have been able to vote for this plan as first conceived with a grocery and some ancillary retail in a smaller scale shopping center. But I feel that in the last year Summit Greenfield has run away with this proposal.
I believe that the site warrants development; however, I do not believe that the current retail center is in the best interest of the town, its residents or its merchants. While a Whole Foods or other supermarket may be a welcome addition to New Castle, I do not believe that allowing a supermarket plus additional retail development of a size that approximately equals the size of the downtown Chappaqua business district is an appropriate action.
In analyzing the tax benefit to our town of the requested retail rezoning, I have not been presented with any credible information to show that our residential taxpayers will receive a substantial reduction in their tax bills. I think that Summit Greenfield has substantially over-estimated the tax revenues that will likely be generated by the grocery-retail project. While it is true that commercial taxes will go up if retail is permitted at Chappaqua Crossing and if the development is successful, the commercial tax base will still represent only a very small percentage of our entire tax base.
So even if the retail center at Chappaqua Crossing is successful, the tax benefit to the community likely will be small. In fact, when weighed against the potential for home owners who live close to Chappaqua Crossing to claim that their tax bills should be cut because the assessed value of their homes has decreased as a result of the project, and the potential decrease in the assessed values of the existing downtown commercial real estate, I worry that the development could actually negatively impact taxes.
The roads and infrastructure to and from the site are already terribly overburdened. This will be made much worse if Chappaqua Crossing emerges as a retail shopping center. This will carry over to other town roads. The proposed mitigations from Summit Greenfield that you heard about tonight are not enough. The proposed retail project is just too big. I also believe in planning before developing which is a major reason why I ran for the Town Board, and why I believe I was successful in the election. The Chappaqua Crossing property has essentially been removed from the master plan process.
Approving the zoning for this plan now will make Summit Greenfield the master of our master plan, and everything else will have to be contorted to fit around it. Ultimately, Summit Greenfield is an investor out to make money, and, if I were in their situation, I would likely also be asking for all I could to maximize my investment and not be concerned with the long-term impact on the quality of life in our town. No one can fault them for that. But while I understand the importance of development, I believe that the proposed retail development at Chappaqua Crossing in the version before us tonight is not good enough for our Town.
It is neither the right development, nor the right size, nor the right vision for our community. And the Planning Board shares many of my concerns too. I believe, as they do, that development needs to be appropriate and thoughtful, and the town needs to guide it. In growing our town, we must be careful not to irreparably damage the neighborhoods, lifestyle and nature of our town.
All of that defines our unique culture and makes New Castle the special, attractive place that it is. Our job as your representatives is to protect the quality of life for the citizens who live here, and not let inappropriate development bulldoze what we all love about New Castle. I have been wrestling with this decision for my entire year in office. I clearly understand the arguments on both sides and have truly taken them to heart. It is completely understandable for the residents in proximately to this development to be concerned about their home values and quality of life.
I understand the gravity of this decision and the impact it will have on my friends and neighbors. I have to take into account that most of the office space on the property is vacant and functionally obsolete. I know that in New Castle, residents have high expectations. We count on having world-class schools and first class services. But if we want to maintain those things, our elected leaders need to make smart financial decisions.
The State is passing down unfunded mandates to local governments while at the same time capping the revenues we can derive from real estate taxes. In the long term, the only way to preserve the things we enjoy in New Castle is to adapt to changes and ensure that our relatively small stock of commercial properties is kept in productive use.
For a long time, we enjoyed the benefits of the tax revenue that the company provided to our community, while accepting the inconveniences of having 7, employees working at the site on a hour basis. Looking ahead, I believe the property will be able to support retail uses, and that our community will benefit not only from increased tax revenues, but from having a Whole Foods, gym, good restaurants and other uses at the site. The status quo — vacant, obsolete office space and a hole in our commercial tax base — is not the best choice for the Town in my opinion.
The vast majority of speakers who spoke at our public hearings expressed concern regarding traffic. I will be the first to admit that this project will add traffic to our local roads. But I also am persuaded that the road improvements and other mitigation work that Summit Greenfield will be required to perform will alleviate most traffic impacts and provide other benefits to our community. I am humbled that I am one of the five decision makers casting a vote tonight, and I assure you I have had many hours of introspection on what is the answer to this conundrum.
This has not been an easy decision to reach. I know there will be residents who are affected by this project more directly than others. But the Town has spent 10 years working on solutions for this property, and it is time to decide and bring this process to a conclusion. I will be voting in favor of the resolutions that are before us tonight. The question before this Board is whether to change our zoning to allow retail development at Chappaqua Crossing. I am voting in favor of allowing retail development on the site. I know there are some residents who would prefer that Chappaqua Crossing did not change.
The property is essentially idle, and its buildings are mostly vacant. The problem with that view is that it is not economically sustainable. Our property taxes make our community unaffordable to many young families, drive-out our seniors and empty nesters, and ultimately will drive down our property values. In , approximately Currently, according to Town Assessor Phillip Platz, approximately 91 percent of our tax roll consists of residential properties.
That is unsustainable. The bottom line is—we must increase our commercial tax base. I have been saying this since I ran for Town Board in I was always in favor of a high-end specialty grocery store - like Whole Foods - at Chappaqua Crossing. I believe that the majority of residents are looking forward to having a Whole Foods at Chappaqua Crossing.
I believe that health and fitness related uses, new restaurants, and some other retail stores, also will be welcome additions to our community. As Supervisor, my job is to make the best possible decisions for all of our Town residents. When I sized-up the situation with Chappaqua Crossing, I came to the conclusion that we should try to reach the best possible solution for our entire community. Kicking the can down the road was not an option. Denying the rezoning application, or imposing a moratorium, were options, but not good ones in my opinion.
I could not go back and rewrite history. To get the residents of New Castle the best outcome, the best amenities, the best aesthetics, and the tax dollars we need, I chose to foster a working relationship with Summit Greenfield. Besides the road improvements on Route and Roaring Brook Road, some of these mitigation measures are as follows:.
This will reduce the amount of retail that would generate deliveries. Replacing retail with the gym use also reduces traffic impacts. They were a magazine that focused on medicine, and healthy living. The magazine never ran advertisements for cigarettes. Instead, it began warning readers of the dangers of smoking even before the Surgeon General did in Tobacco and liquor stores will be prohibited at Chappaqua Crossing. This property will return to a vibrant commercial center while keeping up the tradition of healthy living. The property will be a community-oriented, walkable retail development.
The Town now has a tremendous opportunity to not only help put the Chappaqua Crossing campus into productive use, but to rejuvenate our existing business hamlets at the same time. It is now time to finish our Master Plan update and turn our undivided attention to our existing business hamlets. When I started the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, one of my goals was to help revitalize our existing business hamlets. When Pace Land Use Law Center conducted their public outreach as part of the Master Plan update, participants repeatedly focused their attention on downtown Chappaqua Hamlet.
Likewise, when AKRF conducted their Competitive Effects Analysis for Chappaqua Crossing, they recommended that the Town explores ways to attract greater consumer interest in the downtown. I plan to propose the creation of a Business Improvement District to offer incentives to new and expanding businesses and for business recruitment.
While this Town Board did not agree on everything, I truly believe we put aside our differences and each of us worked together and acted in the best interests of the community. We also looked out for the interests of the neighbors who will be most affected by this development. A community is the product of many voices and views, with different perspectives.
An important job of an elected official is to listen to those voices and allow them to build something together. No one gets everything they want, and no one is left out. As a community, we share the burden, and as a community we change, grow and improve. We are, here in New Castle, a special community. I believe that we are building a better New Castle by our decision, one that provides more for the community while maintaining those assets and values that drew us to this Town.
Chappaqua Crossing will bring new and different amenities for our residents while enhancing our commercial tax base. For me, that is the bottom line. I look forward to continuing to work with all of our neighbors, including Summit Greenfield, to ensure that this development is in the best interests of the community. Besides the road improvements on Route and Roaring Brook Road, some of these mitigation measures are as follows: At a special meeting held on Thursday, December 18, , the Town Board adopted three important resolutions relating to the Chappaqua Crossing project.
First, the Town Board decided that additional environmental review was not required with respect to the project changes proposed by the Applicant earlier this year. Among other things, the Applicant now proposes placing a Whole Foods in a standalone building, rather than inside the existing buildings on the site. Second, the Town Board decided to amend the Town Development Plan to allow retail development in place of some of the existing office space at Chappaqua Crossing. All three resolutions carried by a vote. Early next year, the Applicant is expected to submit a preliminary development concept plan to the Town Board that depicts the final layout and design features of the proposed retail development.
The approval follows a decade of often contentious debate that included more than public hearings and meetings that cleared the way to allow the first new uses on the acre property. The Town had previously approved units of housing including 20 affordable. The Board also passed resolutions that a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on the retail zone was not needed and to amend the previous adopted Findings Statement. In January the Board will vote on two remaining items: Plans will then be submitted to the New Castle Planning Board for site plan and subdivision approvals in early About , square feet of the building is currently leased by a mix of tenants including Northern Westchester Hospital and Mount Kisco Medical Group.
Chappaqua Crossing is the largest commercial taxpaying property in a town in which only 3 percent of the tax base is commercial. The parameters of the retail zone including the types and sizes of the specific retail and related uses that would be acceptable were specified by that draft local law.
The current Town Board and the Planning Board made modifications to the uses which are reflected in the approved plan and include a gym. Estimated annual cost: Felix Charney, President of Summit Development, said that the ownership team was pleased to have finally reached this important milestone. We appreciate the efforts of Supervisor Rob Greenstein the Town Board and the prior town boards to finally bring the environmental and zoning review to a conclusion and we look forward to continuing to work with the town to create what we are confident will be a genuine asset to the town and its residents.
In voting in favor of the retail zoning, Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein said: Robert J. Now, almost ten years to the day and after having spent millions of dollars on studies and appearing at over meetings with Town officials, neighbors, and stakeholders in front of four Town Boards, this Town Board is now ready to vote upon legislation that would allow the development of retail uses at Chappaqua Crossing.
We realize that, while the tremendous benefits of Chappaqua Crossing far outweigh any perceived negative impacts to the Town, completion of Chappaqua Crossing cannot be undertaken without change. To ameliorate any perceived impacts associated with these changes, S-G is committed to expend considerable amounts of money, effort, and property to improve traffic flow, enhance aesthetics, create effective buffers for residences closest to the project site, provide recreational opportunities, improve Town infrastructure, and provide synergistic benefits to the downtown business community.
Some of these actions expand upon the mitigation measures identified in the and Findings Statements, while others represent new financial and other responsibilities we are willing voluntarily to assume. Perform landscaping and planting upon the Buffer Properties in a manner satisfactory to the Planning Board as part of the Retail Overlay site plan approval process. Future trail connection — At no cost to the Town, provide any easement s that the parties agree linking on-site trails and the overall development to any new off-site trails established near the project site.
Delivery hours - deliveries to retail users at Chappaqua Crossing will be restricted to certain hours. Jitney - Provide free jitney shuttle service between Chappaqua Crossing, the Chappaqua hamlet, and the Chappaqua Metro-North railroad station, with scheduled service during business hours. Of course, these benefits do not include the considerable additional tax revenue that will be generated from the operation of Chappaqua Crossing. We hope that a favorable vote by the Town Board on our rezoning application and proposed Retail PDCP will provide a foundation for us to explore ways in which we can work together to provide additional opportunities for the Town.
In particular, we remain interested in facilitating a discussion with the Town and community at large to study the possibility of relocating your municipal offices and police station to the iconic cupola building at Chappaqua Crossing. We also would welcome a discussion with Town leaders, residents and retail merchants on measures that may improve your existing business districts and help revitalize downtown Chappaqua.
As we hopefully turn this important corner, we look forward to working collaboratively with the Town of New Castle to finally bring this project to fruition. The Chappaqua Farmers Market thanks the community for its wonderful support this year. Chappaqua Cares will be collecting toys Mt. Music in Chappaqua. Hours before Town Board votes on zoning—8: The 8-point letter ends: Frankly, a broader enabling law should work better than the more limited approval that [Summit Greenfield] seek[s].
Town Board From: Planning Board Re: Local Law Referral re: Chappaqua Crossing Date: December 18, Prior to enactment of such legislation, the Town Board must enact amendments to Chapter 60, Zoning, of the Town Code to permit such retail use. That enabling legislation has been previously referred to the Planning Board for review and comment. Development of this parcel will have long term impacts on the Town.
The best possible planning strategies should be utilized for the long term interests of the Town and the sustainable viability of the project. As proposed, there would be a multi-family residential zone, an office zone, and, now, a retail overlay on a defined portion of the office area. Consideration must also be given to the future of the site and how it may evolve through time; conditions and ownership will change.
Thus, this iconic building which is the centerpiece of Chappaqua Crossing stands empty. An integrated, mixed-use campus would offer new opportunities to consider this building for adaptive reuse as housing, or as retail space that might have more flexible requirements than a grocery store, provided that the aggregate totals for retail and housing square footage currently in place or contemplated for the site are not exceeded.
If, however, the property is divided into separate zoning districts, consideration should be given to a special carve-out for the Cupola Building for mixed-use, provided again that aggregate square footage totals for housing, office and retail space for the site are not exceeded. Frankly, a broader enabling law should work better than the more limited approval that they seek. Sabrina D. Steinman, Esq. Nicholas Ward-Willis, Esq. Bedford wishes to join with the Town of New Castle, Chappaqua, and the surroundings areas of Westchester County and beyond in paying tribute to Henriette Suhr for her untiring efforts to enhance the quality of the environment for the benefit of not only the current inhabitiants of planet Earth but primarily for future generations.
We are reducing emissions and making a difference through community programs that span five action areas, including: Bedford programs are led by the work of nine Task Forces staffed with over 90 community volunteers. Visit bedford Between October 1 and December 1 New Castle Police Officers issued tickets to drivers caught using a hand held electronic device. The program decals are seen on vehicles in the Horace Greeley High School parking lot.
Driver inexperience makes distracted driving a particularly dangerous behavior for young drivers. That is why as of November 1, probationary drivers and junior drivers will lose their licenses for days if they are convicted of using a hand held electronic device. Distracted driving is not limited to the young. Experienced drivers are just as likely to engage in this dangerous behavior. Of the tickets issued the youngest driver was 16 and the oldest was The median age was Drivers receive 5 points on their license and a hefty fine but the saving of a life is priceless.
The Hands Off the Phone and on the Wheel initiative will continue with periods of targeted enforcement throughout the Town of New Castle. Richard Crabtree died on Friday, December On Saturday, December 20, at 9: Patricks Church in Bedford. Click to see the New York Times notice of his death. Town Board will vote on the zoning legislation at 8: Last night, Bob Kirkwood, chair of Planning Board, proposed a way forward with the Chappaqua Crossing application that could lessen the impacts of the proposed retail development.
In a letter shared with Town Board members, Kirkwood proposed that that the Town Board give the town and the developer more flexibility to plan the site as genuine mixed-use. Kirkwood began:. Chairman Bob Kirkwood: This is a fairly important piece of property to the town, and the applicant has gone through a long process of [environmental review] showing, in my view, that significant impacts can be avoided or mitigated to a great extent, though perhaps not completely.
This would assure that our local parking codes are is observed, that the property is planned in an integrated fashion. It seemed to me that the constraints we have placed on the applicant and the property for purposes of study should not be the ones we place on the property for ultimate development.
Planning Board member Tom Curley: If I could just relate some history on this subject that must be on the record: When Dick [Brownell] was chairman and Sheila [Crespi] and I and Dick were looking at this plan, one of the things we said about the proposed retail overlay is that if we were really interested in doing a service—good planning in the town—was not to treat this as a single-use district—which it essentially is: Again, I want to say the applicant worked with us under the terms of the proposed legislation for quite a period of time to try to get the best result.
So the history is what it is. That I leave that to the attorneys. Planning Board Counsel Les Steinman: It seems to be imminent on the major pieces of legislation, so this is the opportunity, if you want to use it, to make those comments. Planning Board member Sheila Crespi: Planning Board counsel Nick Ward-Willis: Planning Board member Michael Allen: I tend to agree. So if we were able to widen the retail overlay to include larger portions of the site we would at least give the developer future opportunity to amend that plan. Planning Board member Dick Brownell: I remember we had discussions about this last year and even a little bit this year.
To a certain extent, mixing everything together and giving it free-form may create too much consternation as to what-all is going to happen. I think that within limits there should be flexibility. You remind me of something else I meant to point out—that in meetings past a large part of the discussion was around the adaptive reuse of some of the office property. And this overlay would seem to preclude any retail from entering those former office buildings.
Exactly right. So with those two points—and the third one: And if I can put an exclamation point on that: In nothing we discussed were any of us contemplating, in turning it into a mixed-use overlay, that the number of retail would go up. It was just the distribution of those numbers. And if the numbers could go down for purposes of maybe mitigating some of the impacts that the community is unhappy with or would be easier to do, that would be potentially a good thing if the applicant were willing to do that. And if it turns out that if , square feet of office space is going to be decommissioned, or turned into something else that makes sense—but not retail—then I can agree.
The limitations have to be modest as to where the mixing [of uses] occurs. I think you have to keep in mind that those types of specifics are in the law that is not before you tonight. That really seems largely to have fallen off from what we saw before this latest plan. And as that starts to fall off the plan, we have these gyrations about abandoning basements and abandoning parts of buildings.
The adaptive reuse I think has to be an incentive in a way. But I think we should go forward with that set of caveats. We should maybe address that in addition to whatever thoughts we might have about true mixed use of the property. It would be a mixed-use building. That seems to be more of a reactive than a proactive approach to the design problem.
I totally agree. No, I understand. This is helpful. And it should be allowed to go forward in parallel with such things as, for example, supermarket construction. So that would be my take on it. I think the applicant is always able to knock the buildings down. Right, but [the proposed three-zone proposal] would require them to put them back as office. So where do go from here? Should we try to offer some thoughts to the Town Board?
Yeah, superdelegates were never really his problem, and him tilting at that particular windmill isn't terribly impressive. Townhouse The more people who educate themselves and make little changes in their daily routines regarding climate change, the more of a chance we have to get out of this mess. It seems as if you are talking about technical analysis or response to technical analysis that has yet to be performed. If you are considering renovations or new construction be sure to stop by Restoration Unhinged at Tilton Road, Northfield or give them a call at or It is a shame to say the least.
They make the decision on this. Ward-Willis cautioned them that they might want to get the memo to the Town Board before they consider the retail local law on Thursday, December 18, in a meeting at which the Town Board intends to vote on the retail zoning change, the Town Development Plan amendments and some amendments to the Supplemental Findings Statement.
In the video below, the discussion on a single mixed-use zone for Chappaqua Crossing runs from the minute mark to the 1-hour and minute mark:. December 12, We continued our Chappaqua Crossing public hearings.