Swimmers to Honor John Needham
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Josh Glantz, Joel Talish and Joe Kaufman before starting the 10k swim in 2018. Saturday, July 29, 2023, marks 31 years that thousands of swimmers and volunteers will dive in to Long Island Sound off the shores of the Larchmont Yacht Club to make waves to fight cancer at the 31st annual Swim Across America - Long Island Sound (Westchester) open water swim. The Long Island open water swim is Swim Across America’s largest swim in the country with close to 1,000 participants – and this year will surpass raising $25 million for crucial cancer research for the swim’s local beneficiaries Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Columbia University Medical Center, Cancer Support Team and Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine. There are several different swim lengths available at the event and available for all ages including 2K, 5K, and 10K swims (10K is across Long Island Sound), or participants can fundraise and participate virtually via SAA My Way. Swimmers, land and water volunteers interested in participating can register here.
One of the many teams making a big splash and raising funds for cancer research is Team John, swimming in honor of beloved swimmer John Needham, who sadly lost his battle with cancer on June 1, 2023, just shy of his 70th birthday.
“John was loved by many in the broader Westchester swimming community,” said team co-captain Josh Glantz. “John participated in Swim Across America every year to raise money for cancer research. His friends from the pool now miss his laid-back nature, incredible and subtle sense of humor and supreme care for everyone in his swimming community.”
John Needham was also Josh Glantz’s Scarsdale neighbor. This year, John’s son Dan will be swimming the 10k alongside Josh, Joe Kaufman and Joel Talish, all with Team John, at the July 29 open water swim - swimming across Long Island Sound together in memory of their beloved father and friend. Joe and Joel are also Scarsdale residents.
“John will always be remembered as a beloved husband to Leanne and devoted father to his two children, Daniel and Caitlin, of whom he was always so proud and called his greatest joy, and his sister Sarah Needham,” said Joseph Kaufman, co-captain of Team John. “His teammates and swimming family at Westchester Masters Swim Association and the Scarsdale Town Pool keep his memory alive each time we dive into the water.“
Growing up, John was an All-American swimmer at Hamilton College in upstate New York. After attending Boston University Law School he found his true calling and joined the Legal Aid Society in Manhattan and, ultimately, in the Bronx, working tirelessly to defend the underprivileged and marginalized.
The Swim Across America - Long Island Sound event typically raises more than a million dollars each year. This year, its 31st year, the event is expected to break the $25 million mark for funds raised throughout the years! This incredible feat is due to the dedication of the many swimmers and volunteers. Josh Glantz is one of those who has been with the swim since its inception. Every year, his team changes its name to reflect who they are swimming for - whether it is someone courageously battling cancer, or someone dear they have recently lost, such as John Needham.
Eldad Blaustein Josh Glantz and John Needham in 2018
Team John is currently the leading team raising close to $60,000 to date - and growing. The 18 members of the team are seasoned swimmers and novices who all swim to make a difference in fighting cancer. Make your contribution to Team John here.
Swim Across America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1987 with its first open water event in Long Island Sound in Connecticut. Since that time, the organization has raised more than $100 million to fight cancer. In its 36 years, more than 100,000 swimmers and 150 Olympians have swum the circumference of the earth three times, uniting a movement to fight cancer that has created a groundswell of support spanning all generations. Today, more than 24 communities hold open water swims and charity pool swims each year, from Nantucket to under the Golden Gate Bridge, which support innovative cancer research, detection and patient programs.
Swim Across America’s funding of clinical trials for patients helped contribute to four FDA approved life-saving immunotherapy cancer treatments: Yervoy, Opdivo, Tecentriq and Keytruda. In June of last year, a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was published in The New England Journal of Medicine that showed a 100 percent success rate in treating patients in a phase 2 clinical trial for advanced rectal cancer with dostarlimab, an immunotherapy treatment produced by GlaxoSmithKline. The clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering was funded by early-stage grant funding from Swim Across America - Long Island Sound. More than 60 scientific grants are funded each year and there are now ten dedicated Swim Across America Labs at major institutions including: Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, John Hopkins Medicine Baltimore, Rush University Medical Center Chicago, Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center New York, Infusion Center at Nantucket Cottage Hospital, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland and San Francisco, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, The Swim Across America Pediatric Research Lab at Columbia University Medical Center New York, and at Meyer Cancer Center at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Feeding Westchester Honors Two
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Gloria DeucherFeeding Westchester honored Gloria Deucher and Heidi Seruya, both of Scarsdale, for contributing their time in the fight against hunger at a volunteer appreciation luncheon at Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Elmsford, NY on June 22, 2023.
Gloria Deucher has volunteered Monday to Friday for the past 10 years helping to sort and pack food at Feeding Westchester. And Heidi Seruya packs produce bags every Tuesday for the Child Feeding Program.
Within the past year, more than 3,900 volunteers contributed over 12,600 hours to Feeding Westchester. They helped pack food, stock shelves, run mobile food pantries, and so much more. For more information on volunteering at Feeding Westchester, go here.
Jandery DeLaCruz, manager of volunteer services with Heidi Seruya of Scarsdale and Nancy Lyons, director of volunteer services.
A Party in the Streets of Scarsdale: Music Festival Brings Thousands to the Village
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The Del BocasThe Scarsdale Music Festival returned better than ever to the streets of Scarsdale Village on Saturday June 3rd . With two stages, there was no break in the music, permitting one band to set up as the next one played.
The bands were first-rate and the crowd loved it, singing, dancing and rocking out on Chase Road. We arrived to see Scarsdale hometown favorites The Del Bocas performing covers of crowd pleasers like “I Melt with You,” Tom Petty’s American Girl, Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee and even The Beatles, I want to Hold Your Hand.” Lead Singer Erika Radin was pumped… jumping, grooving and clearly enjoying herself as much as the crowd enjoyed her performance.
The event lasted a mega seven hours – and the audience built as they day went on. We caught The Velcrows singing Steeley Dan and “Tied to the Whipping Post” by the Allman Brothers, tunes that resonated with some of Scarsdale’s boomers. Rennie Pincus and Friends with Lovelight added a country twang, staring out with Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” followed by another number that got the audience moving – The Grateful Dead’s “Bertha” and Arlo Guthrie’s “City of New Orleans.”
Rennie Pincus and Friends with Lovelight
Long Island-based Bombzr took the north stage around 4:00, playing their unique style of funk, jazz and soul fusion. Front man Rich Bombzr (sax, keys, talkbox) led a spirited set, backed by other band members on guitar, keys and drums. The band exhibited great musicianship, and a well-rehearsed tight sound.
Taking the south stage around 5:00 was Scarsdale’s own Rachel Bochner (SHS Class of 2015), an up and coming pop vocalist currently cutting her chops in NYC and other venues. Accompanied by an acoustic guitarist, Bochner sang to a crowd that included many of her longtime local fans and supporters.
And there was lots more to enjoy, beyond the music. Zachys hosted a large liquor and wine tent where visitors could sample both wines and mixed drinks. At the Family Fun Zone, hundreds of children were doing crafts, having their faces painted, trying out instruments from Hoff Barthelson and just having fun chasing bubbles.
Community organizations including SNAP, SVAC, the Scarsdale Forum and the Conservation Advisory Council hosted tables where they engaged with residents and encouraged participation.
A nice array of food trucks and booths from local restaurants were doing a brisk business. There were steak sandwiches from One Rare Steakhouse, pizza, lemonade from Meritage, cookies from Baked in Color, Longford’s ice cream and lots more.
Also new this year were two big bars on Spencer Place. Beer and wine were for sale and drinking was permitted in the streets.
The Velcrows
Marcy Berman Goldstein, the head of the Scarsdale Buisness Alliance and the producer of the event said the Music Festvial was a big success.
She said, “We are so proud of our exceptional, family-friendly event, which drew over 5000 attendees. With 10 extraordinary bands performing on two live stages, delicious food options from over a dozen vendors, and expanded activities, there was something for everyone. The VIP Grand Tasting Tent placement, with prime viewing of both stages, and beer and wine consumption permitted throughout the festival venue were great enhancements this year!
We could not have succeeded without the generosity and support of our talented musicians, event sponsors, participating vendors and community partners, and the Village of Scarsdale. We are also grateful to the community for their support of the Scarsdale Business Alliance and this year’s charitable recipient, the Center for Cancer Care at White Plains Hospital.
The SBA is thrilled to continue to enhance the vibrancy of our downtown center by bringing cultural arts and diversity, and expanding our community’s connection to Westchester County and the greater Tri-State area. We look forward to next year's event!
We look forward to building SMF from its great foundation. We have sent surveys out to attendees who purchased tickets to gather specific feedback so we can continue to grow and improve the festival. We look forward to connecting to even more people and businesses throughout the Tri-state area. Anecdotally, we have heard amazing feedback and comments about this year's festival. In particular, attendees have commented on the amazing energy throughout the day, extraordinary talent of the musicians, the ability to purchase and consume alcohol throughout the venue, and the expanded offerings of food and activities.
Assembly Member Paulin’s Legislation Making the Dissemination of Deepfake Images a Crime Passes in the New York State Legislature
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Assemblymember Amy Paulin’s (D-Scarsdale) legislation (A.3596A/S.1042A) to protect residents from the harm of “deepfake” images disseminated in online communities has passed in the New York State Legislature. Her legislation makes their nonconsensual use a criminal offense, and now awaits the signature of Governor Hochul to be signed into law.
“Deepfakes” are fake or altered images or videos created through the use of artificial intelligence. Many of these images and videos map a face onto a pornographic image or video. Some create a pornographic image or video out of a still photograph. These pornographic images and films are then posted online without the consent of those in them – often with devastating consequences to those portrayed in the images.
Following passage of the bill, Assemblymember Paulin said, “Regardless of the motivation for creating and distributing deepfakes - whether it was to humiliate, coerce, control or distress an individual – under this legislation the perpetrator will be prosecuted under the NYS Penal Code and if convicted spend up to a year in jail. Deepfakes can have a lifelong impact on someone because it’s on the web, and doesn’t come off easily. That’s why we needed to update the law to make their online dissemination a criminal offense.”
According to recent cybersecurity data, deepfakes are growing exponentially - doubling every six months. Deepfakes also disproportionally victimize women. Of those currently circulating online, research shows that over 90 percent depict non-consensual porn featuring women.
There is also significant evidence that intimate image abuse harms women more and in different ways than it harms men. Researchers have found that the mental health impacts on women are akin to those suffered by victims of sexual assault. These effects include anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and worsening physical health and financial harm either through time off work or through withdrawing from online spaces. In some cases, there have been reports of attempted suicide and self-harm.
When women’s images are posted onto pornography sites, they are humiliated, shamed and often receive demeaning and frightening messages from men who have viewed their images. Women have also reported feeling unsafe and constantly on alert while in public or around men they don’t know and trust. The threat of violence is exacerbated when personal information about the victim is shared alongside the image.
This type of intimate image abuse has also been used as a mechanism for “shutting women up.” Some women may shut down their blogs, avoid websites they formerly frequented, take down social networking profiles, refrain from engaging in online political commentary, and choose not to maintain potentially lucrative or personally rewarding online presences.
“The sharing of and threats to share these images can be used in abusive relationships as a mechanism of coercion and control,” said Assemblymember Paulin. “Women in abusive relationships often already find it extremely challenging to leave or go to the police for a myriad of reasons. It is clear that intimate image abuse makes leaving abusive relationships and reporting the perpetrator harder still. This legislation is a first step to prevent the proliferation of deepfakes, amending the Penal Code so that they can be prosecuted as the serious offenses they are.”
Rock Out in Scarsdale On Saturday June 3rd
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Scarsdale will rock out at the third annual Music Festival in Scarsdale Village from 12 – 7 pm. This year the event will feature two live stages, allowing bands to perform continuously all day.
In addition to the line-up of great music there will be food trucks, a Grand Wine Tasting tent and Family Fun Zone with a dazzling array of activities for the kids. It’s an ambitious community event and everyone is encouraged to come to the Village to enjoy it.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Who’s playing
Where to park
If you can’t walk or ride to the festival, free parking is available in the Freightway Garage and adjacent outdoor parking lot (72 Freightway) as well as the lower two levels of the Christie Place Garage (64 East Parkway).
Admission
Though the festival is a free community event, there is a suggested minimum donation of $10 per adult.
Kids’ wristbands are available for purchase ($35 in advance/$40 on-site) to participate in most of the Family Fun Zone activities.
Attendees 21+ can enjoy great beer and wine by the glass, available for purchase at two main bars and you can drink throughout the Village.
Entrance to the Grand Tasting Tent requires a designated wristband ($30 in advance/$35 on-site).
All food and non-alcoholic beverages are pay-as-you-go.
Food Trucks
You won’t go hungry as you enjoy the music. A selection of savory and sweet offerings from Green Street Food Truck, Longfords Ice Cream, Meritage, One Rare Italian Steakhouse, Pizza Vitale Truck, Poke Motion Truck, Popojito, Rockland’s Kettle Corn Truck, and Westchester Burger Truck will be on site.
Also, the Scarsdale Police Benevolent Association will host its annual BBQ Bash, and the Scarsdale Uniformed Firefighters Association will be serving brisket and pulled pork sandwiches.
Wine Tasting
The Grand Tasting Tent, presented by Zachys, will feature a selection of fine wines from around the world, spirit cocktails and craft beer. Guests will have the chance to taste, talk and learn from industry experts in this uniquely curated tasting event. It is a VIP experience with prime stage viewing not to be missed!
For the Kids
This year’s expanded Family Fun Zone is presented by Scarsdale Moms, and will feature numerous vendors and activities geared towards pre-school and elementary-aged children, including balloon artists, face painters, arts and crafts, DIY slime, beading, STEAM activities, sports, music demonstrations and more!
Where to find it all
Here’s a map of the festival in the Village.
It’s a Zero-Waste Festival
A wonderful aspect of the festival is that the Scarsdale Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) each year makes the event “zero-waste.” They do this by working with the festival food vendors to make sure everything they serve in is compostable or recyclable.
At the event the CAC has several “zero-waste stations” with recycling, compost and trash bins. The stations are staffed by volunteers who speak with people as they are disposing items and ensure everything goes into the proper bin.
The amazing effect of this effort is that the event, even with its thousands of attendees, generates almost no trash, and the bags of compostables and food scraps will be returned to the earth as compost.
This year the CAC is once again helping to make the event zero-waste. They’ll also be at the event signing up residents for Scarsdale’s food scrap recycling program, or if you’d like to join the program just email composting@scarsdale.com!
See you in Scarsdale on Saturday June 3 from 12 – 7 pm. Tickets here.
