Supervisor's Update – Friday, July 31, 2020

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Last Updated: 31 July 2020 31 July 2020

Supervisor's Update – Friday, July 31, 2020

 

This week we will say goodbye to July. To help celebrate this special summer Friday, join us for our fifth virtual summer concert. The shows are emceed by Mike and Miriam Risko, this week featuring the acoustic-based rock/pop group Skyfactor. Originally formed in NYC, this group’s tours have come to The Cutting Room, The Bitter End, and Garcia’s at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre. Maybe you caught the sneak peek earlier in the week?  We are excited to see their show tonight. Tune into the live streamed show starting at 7 on the Town of Ossining Facebook Page.

 

 

We hope to possibly offer a couple more encore performances in August and possibly September as well so stay tuned. Additionally, make sure you take full advantage of the local businesses offering meals, drinks, or treats tonight. This is especially important on Fridays when I hope you’ll order a delicious local meal to eat while enjoying the concert. Call early with your order and request a 6:45 pick up time, this way we won’t overwhelm our local businesses with a hundred phone calls all at once. Thank you for your continued patience as our local businesses maneuver through these difficult times. Your support is literally keeping neighbors and neighborhoods afloat. Here is the list of local eateries open this week. We update the list based on what we hear, so if we missed someone, please let us know.

 

 

Speaking of our local businesses, you may have noticed some upgrades have been made on North State Road to ease accessibility and make the area nicer. We are so pleased we were able to add in a bike lane, as we have seen a big increase in cycling with the pandemic, and this makes the road safer for everyone. Thanks to some help from the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce, and our Highway department we added some lovely planters with flowers along the route as well. The flowers and flags were paid for by a special purpose fund of the Town, and organized by the Greater Ossining Chamber. We hope efforts like these will make the area an even more comfortable and inviting place to visit, shop, and eat.

 

 

Other Town services have been up and running as well. Our Court reopened to the public with their walk-up window this past week, which is open weekly Monday through Wednesday from 9:30-11:30 am, and Thursdays and Fridays from noon-2pm. We have taken many additional steps to keep our Court employees and the public safe, so please follow the directions shared with you if you are visiting the Town Court.

 

Hurricane Isaias reached Puerto Rico today and is expected to reach Florida soon. It will likely climb the coast over the weekend and reach us as a tropical storm early next week. We can expect strong winds, heavy rainfall, and some flooding along the waterfront and low-lying areas. Beachgoers should be weary of high surf and dangerous rip currents. Please keep an eye on the forecast next week, keep all of your mobile devices charged in case of power outages and remember – do not touch downed power lines! You can notify Con Edison in the event of a power outage via their website and mobile app. In the Unincorporated Town, our Highway Department is set and ready to get to work if there are downed trees or limbs in the roadways.

 

The Municipal Building at 16 Croton Avenue in Ossining continues to be open to the public with reduced office hours. If you must attend to something in person, we are open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 2:30. We understand many people are being called back to work, and these hours may not be convenient for you. Our Clerk’s Office has done a terrific job of transitioning to online accessibility for so many of its forms and functions. To request a marriage license, dog license, cabaret license or other popular requests, visit the Clerk’s page on Town of Ossining website. As a reminder, if you are visiting Cedar Lane Dog Park, your dog must be registered with the Clerk’s Office.

 

 

Another great online feature is for those who enjoy our waterfront from the actual water. Boat Ramp permits are available through our Community Pass program. You can pay for your permit completely online – hassle free. In the past, permits were sold through the Ossining Boat & Canoe Club but they are not accepting cash for boat permits at this time.

 

 

With the waterfront in mind, I would like to extend a “thank you” to everyone who has cooperated with us to keep the parks clean and safe. We have invited on a new part time employee on board this week to help set up areas for permitted gatherings. The Ossining Police department will be enforcing the regular 9pm park closing times (and possibly a tiny bit later at Engel for now, so you do not miss the spectacular sunsets). By closing on time you help our Town team be able to handle clean up of the areas before people start using them all over again. Park use has grown markedly since March, as you can imagine. Now, with the heat wave we want to make sure to take extra care of these spaces so you can escape the heat. As a reminder, during the week you can stop by the Ossining Community Center to take advantage of our cooling center, open Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm. We have noticed an increase in “lost” masks on our parks and on sidewalks around town. These masks most likely fall out of pockets, off car dashboards, or out of bags, but the reason does not matter. The CDC reminds us that you should not fiddle with your mask, touch it, or take it on and off unless you can immediately wash your hands. That means your mask should not have the chance to fall on the ground outside and get lost. They are good little helpers and we need to be sure to wear them any time we interact with people outside our household.

 

 

This brings me to something else that you should be careful not to lose. The United States Department of Agriculture issued a warning this week to be on the lookout for mysterious and unsolicited seeds from China. The seeds have appeared all in mailboxes across the country and sometimes come in packaging labelled for jewelry. The USDA reviews foreign seeds to make sure they will not have a negative impact on the environment. These seeds have not been reviewed and the USDA is requesting that anyone who receives the seeds contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. Do not throw away the seeds where they can reach soil in a landfill or other conditions. Keep the packaging and seeds in a safe location, away from pets or children.

 

 

New York State expanded the number of Restricted States listed in their Travel Advisory. Restricted States are determined by their current positive case numbers using a formula balancing active cases and total population. The Travel Advisory requires a 14 day quarantine for anyone returning from a Restricted State, even if you are a New York resident returning home. I know there has been some confusion about the advisory and which states and territories specifically are included. I encourage you to review the COVID-19 Travel Advisory section of the New York State website before and after traveling.

 

 

This week members of the Ossining Community Equity Task Force participated in the 400+ Years of Inequality with Dr. Angel Acosta. The event was hosted by the Coalition for Understanding Racism through Education (CURE) from Larchmont Mamaroneck. Anyone who is interested in the timeline discussed in the class can review the materials here.  The timeline is very large, below is a small piece of extensive history discussed.

 

 

On Friday last week I was honored by the Gullotta House as an “unsung hero”. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Town employees who have helped during this crisis. I continue to be inspired by the dedication of essential service employees and everyone else who has chosen to help in their community. Here is a photo of all five “unsung heroes”, safely in our masks for the quick picture. Congratulations to Irene Amato, Perry DiNapoli, Cinthia Gullotta, and Laura Rey Iannarelli.

 

 

A quick reminder to all parents of fur babies. Whether walking in a park, on the sidewalk, or in a wooded area it is important to pick up after your pooch. Many first-time pet owners fostered or adopted pets starting in March when shelter animals urgently needed homes. If you have welcomed a new addition to your household, you have probably taken on a lot to make them feel comfortable. You may be exploring new parts of town or our Dog Park or never-before-noticed paths – but it is unlikely you are the only person using that space. Please clean up after your dogs. Save newspaper bags, bread bags, and other creative options so you always have something helpful on hand.

 

 

Starting in August, the Ossining Public Library will be hosting interactive workshops via Zoom to help the class of 2020 in their job hunts. The initiative is a collaboration between #GrowWithGoogle, the American Library Association, and the Public Library Association. The workshops are available as both morning and evening sessions, each week focusing on one of four topics: online job searching, resumes / cover letters, interviews, and networking. Sign up on the Library’s Website to get ahead of the curve.

 

 

Perfect for middle school, high school, and college students looking for a safe way to have a positive impact, The Ossining Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help with food packing. The pantry has seen a drastic rise in need, while also balancing the medical needs of their older, at-risk volunteers. Sign up with friends for whichever days work best and help prepare the bags that are distributed throughout town. Volunteers are needed to unload the food trucks Fridays 9-11:30, pack food into bags Mondays from 2-4, and deliver bags from the Pantry to distribution points Tuesdays 2-4. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you’re interested in volunteering.

 

 

For anyone who owns a business, I would like to once again remind you that the Town and Village have cloth masks available if you need them. The masks are washable and reusable. We do not want businesses to have to delay opening because they may not have the masks they need. Masks can be requested by calling (914) 762-6002, emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or filling out our easy-access google form in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

 

 

Business have faced some daunting challenges over the past few months. If your business purchased PPE, plexiglass barriers, or other protective equipment you may be eligible for reimbursement. The Westchester IDA is offering grants to businesses and non-profits with 51 or fewer employees. The IDA will also offer zero interest loans of up to $25,000 for expenses, rent, and utilities. For more information on these programs, contact Bridget Gibbons (914)995-2952 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The County Office of Economic Development has partnered with RXR Volunteer network to help businesses with completing financial assistance forms, legal advice, social media strategy, graphic design, e-commerce setup, financial forecasting, virtual event production, hiring, PR, etc. Businesses can review the resources available at the Westchester Catalyst website.  

 

 

The Ossining School District hosted an online conversation with parents this week about their reopening plans for the 2020 school year. Please visit the District’s Reopening Website for more information.

 

 

Make a clean break from screen time by picking up a great story. Ossining schools have launched their Ossining Loves to Read Program. Students can request books, leave book reviews, and set up book deliveries to their home. Check out the program at the Ossining Loves to Read site. The BookMobile has also announced the dates and times it will be traveling this summer.

 

 

The Tri-State Mask Making Group has put out a call for graduation gowns and choir gowns. Clean out your closet! The gowns will be transformed into protective medical masks. Our school colors can go to very good use, so why not? TSMMG has made and donated countless cloth masks and PPE to our community since March. Gowns can be dropped off at 119 Edgewood. If you want to support the Tri-State Mask Making Group, you can donate through their GoFundMe campaign.

 

 

Westchester County will be hosting two drive-in movies in the Playland parking lot this year. Tickets are available online only at wcparks.ticketleap.com/drivein.

 

 

Green Ossining volunteers will be at the Farmers Market every Saturday from 9:30am - 11:30am. We now have two locations for food scraps drop offs: the Farmers Market and Cedar Lane Park. You can pick-up your pre-purchased food scrap recycling kits at the Farmers Market. Kits are not available for sale in-person at the Market, but learn more about getting your own and the Ossining Composts program by visiting: www.ossiningcomposts.org.

 

 

On Saturday, 8-1 Sing Sing Kill Brewery is hosting a virtual Singer/Songwriter Showcase from 8 to 10pm. The event will be streaming live on the Brewery’s Facebook page.

 

 

For everyone who has helped make masks and other PPE, there is an upcoming Sewing Machine Maintenance discussion on August 3^rd. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shared the event information with us, though the event’s host is a group in the Carolinas. If you have been hand-stitching masks next to a broken Singer or other machine, this Repair Café event may be perfect for you.

 

 

The IFCA thrift store at 138 Spring Street has reopened and donations will be accepted again starting August 3^rd. The thrift store sells new and gently used clothing, shoes, bedding, dishes, pot/pans, costume jewelry and handbags. It’s a great find for new parents, new homeowners, and just-moved families.

 

 

I know a lot of people started home gardens as prices rose at grocery stores. For teens looking to hone their skills, the Ossining Public Library is holding outdoor gardening classes. Register here.

 

 

Grab your yoga mats - the Mind, Body, Spirit Ossining program is holding its first in-person event of the 2020 summer season! Join in for some socially distanced relaxation at the waterfront’s Engel Park on Saturday, August 8 at 9am. Register for this FREE class through the Community Pass section of the Recreation and Parks site. A second class is already scheduled for Saturday, August 22 at the same time. Register now for either class.

 

 

Also on Saturday, August 8 Green Ossining is hosting an event to clear an invasive species from Crawbuckie Nature Preserve. Volunteers must wear a mask, gloves, long pants/long shirt preferred if sensitive to poison ivy, and bring loppers or saws. Please remember that hydration is crucial during this heat wave so bring water (and a snack). Pre-registration required by Friday, August 7^th through the Community Pass Program.

 

 

LEGO lovers will be thrilled to participate in this in-person building class. Available through our Recreation and Parks Department, this class is great for kids who want to build. Sign up now through Community Pass for this Snapology class.

 

 

Ossining Matters has announced they will be holding a drive-in movie fundraiser on Saturday, August 15 at Brookside Elementary School (30 Ryder Rd, Ossining). The featured film is Sonic the Hedgehog, a family-friendly movie. Tickets go on sale TOMORROW at noon.

 

 

On August 20th, 2020 from 3PM to 7:30PM stop by OVAC for a Blood Drive at 8 Clinton Ave, Ossining. Blood supplies are very low due to the cancellation of large donation events at colleges and offices. If you would like to donate please go to NYBC.org or NYbloodcenter.org and search for location or "Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps". Once you set up an account you can schedule your donation time. If you have any questions you can direct them to OVAC through their Facebook page.

 

 

Many of us have been separated from our elderly relatives during the Coronavirus Crisis. As nursing homes reopen, I know many people are still nervous to risk bringing the virus with them. Here are some senior-friendly tech solutions to help keep in touch. As a reminder, residents of the Town can sign up for daily R-U-OK calls from our Senior Services Program. Call (914) 762-1350 to sign up.

 

 

Food Distribution events have been taking place since early March through a number of channels, including the Gullotta House which also helps support local restaurants while serving those in need. Gullotta House has distributed over 75,000 meals throughout Westchester, and will be hosting their weekly Food Distribution today starting at 4pm at the Ossining Stop & Shop.

 

 

Information about what is available right now to help people is included in our easy-to-access COVID-19 Resources Document. This is a joint effort by the Town and Village to organize information during this hectic time. The document lists information on legal assistance, WiFi access, services for seniors, and much more. If you cannot find what you need in this doc, you are welcome to reach out to the Town offices. Our Town staff will respond to all calls and emails.

 

 

Right now, weekly on Tuesdays, there are three pickup food distribution locations running during the day. A number of organizations are coordinating together to keep these distributions ongoing.

 

 

For children under 18, the Ossining School District is continuing its summer food program Monday through Friday at Park School (22 Edward St, Ossining).

 

 

The Ossining Food Pantry offers food and gift cards to the Ossining Farmers Market. The Pantry is expanding their list of recipients, providing fresh produce, and delivering meals and gift cards to residents who need an extra hand. You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to apply or for more information. As a reminder, all food distribution programs are for Briarcliff residents too.

 

 

It is with heavy hearts that we share that this year’s beloved Earth Day festival has been cancelled. The event was originally pushed from April to September in hopes that crowds would feel safe in gatherings. The Green Ossining festival plans to return in April 2021.

 

 

Please continue to be safe out there and have a good weekend.

--Dana

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!

Town Board Work Session and Regular Meeting - Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Details

Last Updated: 28 July 2020 28 July 2020

Town Board Work Session and Regular Meeting - updated July 28, 2020

Tuesday, July 28, 2020, 7:30pm

THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD VIA VIDEO CONFERENCING ONLY

Pursuant to Governor’s Executive Order 202.1 dated March 12, 2020

Members of the public can view the meeting via computer or mobile app:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86749288942?pwd=cGRzOFc4NkQrSTU0eVZEczNBMTVqZz09

Please note password for this meeting: 707820

Members of the public can listen to the meeting by dialing in via phone:

Meeting ID: 867 4928 8942

(929) 205-6099

**Please note that by dialing in, your phone number will be visible to the host, participants, and attendees of the meeting.**

Work Session Agenda (begins at 7:30pm):

1. Presentation by Ecogy Energy of Proposal for Construction of a Canopy Solar System at 75 Ryder Road (Maryknoll)

2. Discussion of Draft Local Law, "Temporary Outdoor Dining Permits" -- Town Planner Valerie Monastra

3. Update on Capital Projects (General Fund) -- Town Comptroller Dale Brennan and Budget Officer Victoria Cafarelli

 

07 28 20 Via Video Conference

pdf TOWN OF OSSINING VOUCHER DETAIL 07 28 20 (26 KB)

Supervisor's Update – Friday, July 24, 2020

Details

Last Updated: 24 July 2020 24 July 2020

 

This week we will share our fourth concert of the year. We switched to a virtual format this year so people could enjoy the concerts without worrying about crowds or exposure. Funny enough, this week is the first Friday without heavy rain in the forecast – so virtual performances have been a silver lining for our 2020 Summer Concert Series. Place your dinner order with a 6:45 pick up time so you will avoid missing any of tonight’s concert. Chris and Nancy will be performing TONIGHT starting at 7, tune in live on our Facebook Page.

 

 

Each week we share a list of local businesses offering meals, drinks, or treats. This is especially important on Fridays when I hope you’ll order a delicious local meal and enjoy our concert. We have asked a lot of our businesses since March and we are proud of their resilience. Our businesses are owned by our neighbors, each adapting to the new health guidelines as they are unrolled by the State. I ask for your continued patience as they maneuver through these difficult times. The list is updated each week, so if we missed someone, please let us know. Show your love, support local businesses.

 

This week we lost Geoffrey Harter, a former Town Board Member. Geoffrey served the Town for 24 years and was a Recreation Advisory Board member before then serving many years as the Town Liaison to the Rec Board. He was a wonderful person, very giving and clearly devoted to the Town, as well as his beautiful family, who still lives in Ossining. In memoriam, his family is asking that donations be made in Geoff's name to the Alzheimer's Association or the FDR Veterans Hospital of Montrose. We will be honoring Geoffrey at our July 28^th Town Board Meeting.

 

 

We held a number of meetings this week to discuss increased use of our parks. Since March there has been an explosion in the amount of foot traffic in our parks. This has impacted the amount of garbage left behind and made people uncomfortable about crowding, especially at our waterfront Engel Park. As we shared earlier this week, we are taking some extra steps to help keep our parks beautiful. You may have seen Chief Sylvester talk about some of these extra steps in his recent Facebook Live post. We are encouraging a carry-in-carry-out policy for garbage in the parks. There is so much garbage that our pails are overflowing, making it difficult to keep up with our lean, mean Parks crew. We have added extra bins and extra workers on the weekends. Our parks officially close at 9pm and alcohol is not allowed. The Police Department will be doing extra patrols to help enforce these rules to help ensure we are able to keep up with the demand for pleasant outdoor spaces. Similarly, gatherings of more than 20 people require a permit at the Louis Engel Park picnic areas. I know our parks have been a wonderful outlet during the outbreak and a much needed escape from the heat. If you are interested in reserving a space, please be courteous to your neighbors and apply for a permit through our Community Pass program. Please do whatever you can, also, to help us help you by wearing your masks, socially distancing with those not in your household, and picking up after yourself when you leave.

 

 

I would like to remind everyone that masks are required any time social distancing is not possible. Unless you can tell the future, you need to bring a mask with you whenever you leave the house. Masks and social distancing are key defenses against the spread of the Coronavirus. This also means you should pick up the phone if you see an incoming call from “NYS Contact Tracing.” The person on the other side of that call has been trained by New York State to alert you that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. They can connect you with medical resources, groceries, senior/child care, and other necessities. It is crucial that you pick up this call. There have been recent reports of scammers requesting that people install software on their computers to aid with the tracing. Do not worry, here is some helpful information about what a Contact Tracer can and cannot request. As a reminder, official calls will only come from the “NYS Contact Tracing” Caller ID.

 

 

States have slowed – or stopped! – their reopening plans because of the nationwide rise in case numbers. We have to make every effort to protect our health and the health of our neighbors. This week, New York State added ten more states to their Travel Advisory. I know there has been some confusion about the advisory and which states specifically are included. I encourage you to review the COVID-19 Travel Advisory section of the New York State website before and after traveling.

 

 

The Governor has also unveiled the COVID Rent Relief Program. Households can apply for a rental subsidy, which would be sent directly to the renter’s landlord. This is not a loan and renters would not be required to pay this money back. The State has established a section of their website with information about the program and a detailed FAQ section. Applicants for the program are eligible if they have lost income between April 1st and July 31st, 2020. Additionally, applicants must provide some information on gross income and rent payment amounts. For more information, please review the COVID Rent Relief Program site.

 

 

On Tuesday, I attended the Unity Rally and Vigil held at Market Square to hear discussions of the impact our Black and Latinx communities can have by joining together to combat systematic racism. I am proud to see the continued activism and calls for progress. We continue to work together on looking at how we can make change at all levels and appreciate all the efforts many of our young people have made to continue to keep this critical issue in the forefront. Thank you to the organizers.

 

If you are interested in having a positive impact on our community, there are a number of upcoming opportunities to safely get involved. The Ossining Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help with food packing. The pantry has seen a drastic rise in need, while also balancing the medical needs of their older, at-risk volunteers. You can join the team and help prepare the bags that are distributed throughout town. They are looking for volunteers to unload the food trucks Fridays 9-11:30, packing food into bags Mondays from 2-4, and delivering bags from the Pantry to distribution points Tuesdays 2-4. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you’re interested in volunteering. Other ways to get involved include registering to vote. You can also register to be a poll worker, which helps decrease long lines at polling stations. There is currently a shortage of poll workers, due to fears of the virus. Lastly, you can help us get the word out about the Census, which consistently undercounts chidren and non-English speakers.

 

 

For anyone who owns a business, I would like to remind you that the Town and Village have cloth masks available if you need them. The masks are washable and reusable. We do not want businesses to have to delay opening because they may not have the masks they need. Masks can be requested by calling (914) 762-6002, emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or filling out our easy-access google form in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

 

 

Business have faced some daunting challenges over the past few months. If your business purchased PPE, plexiglass barriers, or other protective equipment you may be eligible for reimbursement. The Westchester IDA is offering grants to businesses and non-profits with 51 or fewer employees. The IDA will also offer zero interest loans of up to $25,000 for expenses, rent, and utilities. For more information on these programs, contact Bridget Gibbons (914)995-2952 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The County Office of Economic Development has partnered with RXR Volunteer network to help businesses with completing financial assistance forms, legal advice, social media strategy, graphic design, e-commerce setup, financial forecasting, virtual event production, hiring, PR, etc. Businesses can review the resources available at the Westchester Catalyst website.  

 

 

The Ossining School District has unveiled their reopening plans for the 2020 school year. Please visit the District’s Reopening Website for more information.

 

 

Ossining Schools are holding returns for the district-issued Chromebooks (and the power cord) until August 6^th. Stop by the OHS gym on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9 and noon to drop off your Chromebook. The district needs to catalogue the condition of each Chromebook and add updates so they can be ready for a possible district-wide distribution in the fall. If your child does not need their Chromebook for a summer program, the district asks that you return it sooner rather than later.

 

 

Make a clean break from screen time by picking up a great story. Ossining schools have launched their Ossining Loves to Read Program. Students can request books, leave book reviews, and set up book deliveries to their home. Check out the program at the Ossining Loves to Read site. The BookMobile has also announced the dates and times it will be travelling this summer.

 

 

The Ossining School District is looking for Mentors. Join them for an informational Zoom on Wednesday, July 29. If you’re interested in coming on board, check out their Google Form sign up.

 

 

The Tri-State Mask Making Group has put out a call for graduation gowns and choir gowns. Clean out your closet! The gowns will be transformed into protective medical masks. Our school colors can go to very good use, so why not? TSMMG has made and donated countless cloth masks and PPE to our community since March. Gowns can be dropped off at 119 Edgewood. If you want to support the Tri-State Mask Making Group, you can donate through their GoFundMe campaign.

 

 

Many of us have been separated from our elderly relatives during the Coronavirus Crisis. As nursing homes reopen, I know many people are still nervous to risk bringing the virus with them. Here are some senior-friendly tech solutions to help keep in touch. As a reminder, residents of the Town can sign up for daily R-U-OK calls from our Senior Services Program. Call (914) 762-1350 to sign up.

 

 

Tonight, the Gullotta House will celebrate its 5th year anniversary. The organization has done so much good work during this very difficult time, having held countless food distribution events since March. This event is raising money with this annual fundraiser (postponed from an April date). I am so excited to be among these very charitable folks being honored tonight as “Unsung Heroes” beside Irene Amato, Perry DiNapoli, Cinthia Gullotta, and Laura Rey Iannarelli. It’s not too late to buy a last minute raffle ticket at  www.gullottahouse.org or jump onto the Gullotta House Facebook page for their live-streamed auction.

 

 

A quick PSA: dog poop cannot teleport itself into trash cans. We hope that technology will someday exist, but until then you have to pick up after your pooch yourself. You can use leftover empty grocery bags, bread bags, or newspaper bags. The important thing to remember is to keep our parks, sidewalks, neighbors’ lawns, and wooded areas clean.

 

 

The IFCA thrift store has reopened! Closed for renovations prior to the pandemic, the thrift store sells new and gently used clothing, shoes, bedding, dishes, pot/pans, costume jewelry and handbags. Donations are not being accepted just yet (wait until August). Perfect for new parents, new homeowners, and just-moved families.

 

 

The Ossining Rec still has room in some of their summer programs. Check out their full Summer Catalogue for all the info on our Summer Playground Programs, Chess Wizards, Lap Swimming, Kayaking and more! You can register now for next week's Basketball Clinics.

 

 

Our Census numbers are slowly growing but we are still hovering in the low 60 percent area. Ossining loses $2,500 a year for each non-responding resident. That is millions of dollars we do not want to miss out on. Share information about the Census and make sure this issue makes it into the national spotlight. I know some people may feel more comfortable answering in their native language. The good news is that the Census can be completed in your preferred language either online or by phone.  Click here to fill out the Census now in your preferred language (it only takes 10 minutes). The Census is a new concept for many people, so remember: the Census is a count of each resident and is completely confidential by law.

 

 

Green Ossining volunteers will be at the Farmers Market every Saturday from 9:30am - 11:30am. We now have two locations for food scraps drop offs: the Farmers Market and Cedar Lane Park. You can pick-up your pre-purchased food scrap recycling kits or buy one at the Farmers Market. For more information on the Ossining Composts program visit: www.ossiningcomposts.org.

 

 

On Saturday Sing Sing Kill Brewery is hosting a virtual Singer/Songwriter Showcase from 7 to 9. The event will be streaming live on the Brewery’s Facebook page.

 

 

If you are interested in learning about white privilege in a mindful way, you will want to sign up for Deconstructing White Privilege with Elisha Simpson. You remember Elisha from our Mind Body Spirit Ossining program. She’s pairing yoga and meditation to help people approach a topic that can be difficult for some people to understand. This effort to teach and help us grow is an important first step for many. To learn more about the class, visit the class Events Page.

 

 

Teatown Lake Reservation is hosting a Meet the Reptiles event on Sunday, July 26^th. Hold onto your hats people because this event is actually in person! Bring a blanket or a chair, and join Teatown’s reptile Animal Ambassadors on the lawn. Masks required. The event is free for members and only $5 for non-members. Pre-register at the Teatown website.

 

 

For everyone who is interested in learning about home cooking, New York- Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital is offering their next virtual cooking class on Tuesday, July 28. The classes focus on healthy eating options, this week’s meal: Spanish Tapas lead by Chef Emilie Berner. Register by calling 914-734-3780 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

 

Get engaged at the state level. County Legislator Catherine Borgia and your State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef are holding a joint Town Hall Meeting. This event will be held through WEBEX (another zoom-type platform). Register here and set a reminder for this July 28^th event.

 

 

The Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce is hosting a zoom lesson on domestic violence, social services, and COVID-19. These compounding issues may not be visible to those outside their circumstances. Learn more about the event and how to register on the Greater Ossining Chamber of Commerce website.

 

You may see some interesting looking planes fly overhead next week. Planes are headed to the New York International Air Show, which will take place this year from July 29-30 at Stewart Airport. The headliners this year are the Air Force Thunder Birds.

 

 

On July 30, Sing Sing Kill Brewery is hosting Pub Talk: Food Insecurity, Climate Change & Agriculture starting at 5pm. For ticket information and more, check out SSKB’s Facebook event.

 

Food Distribution events have been taking place since early March through the Gullotta House which also helps support local restaurants while serving those in need. Gullotta House will be hosting their weekly Food Distribution today starting at 4pm at the Ossining Stop & Shop.

 

 

Westchester County will be hosting two drive-in movies in the Playland parking lot this year. Tickets are available online only at wcparks.ticketleap.com/drivein.

 

 

Ossining Matters has announced they will be holding an August drive-in movie fundraiser. The movie title and location have not been announced yet, but we are excited for this fundraiser.

 

 

For everyone who has helped make masks and other PPE, there is an upcoming Sewing Machine Maintenance discussion on August 3^rd. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shared the event information with us, though the event’s host is a group in the Carolinas. If you’ve been hand-stitching masks next to a broken Singer or other machine, this Repair Café event may be perfect for you.

 

 

Information about what is available right now to help people is included in our easy-to-access COVID-19 Resources Document. This is a joint effort by the Town and Village to organize information during this hectic time. The document lists information on legal assistance, WiFi access, services for seniors, and much more. If you cannot find what you need in this doc, you are welcome to reach out to the Town offices. Our Town staff is responding to all calls and emails.

 

 

On Tuesday, there are three pickup food distribution locations running during the day. A number of organizations are coordinating together to keep these distributions ongoing.

 

 

For children under 18, the Ossining School District is continuing their summer food program Monday through Friday at Park School (22 Edward St, Ossining).

 

 

The Ossining Food Pantry offers food and gift cards to the Ossining Farmers Market. The Pantry is expanding their list of recipients, providing fresh produce, and delivering meals and gift cards to residents who need an extra hand. You can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to apply or for more information. As a reminder, all food distribution programs are for Briarcliff residents too.

 

 

Please continue to be safe out there and have a good weekend.

 

--Dana

 

If your business, non-profit, or community group has an event that you would like to submit to be a part of the Supervisor's Update, please e-mail a flyer and brief description to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We are happy to pass along events that provide a benefit to the community and support our local economy. Thank you for helping us to highlight all the best Ossining has to offer!