On Our Radar

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 31 December 2015; Created: 31 December 2015; Last Updated: 03 February 2016; Hits: 7898

Dr. Rechtschaffen1 Dr. Thomas Rechtschaffen of Scarsdale was selected as the AUA 2016-2017 Gallagher Health Policy Scholar. Dr. Rechtschaffen is a urologist with Advanced Urology Centers of New York (AUCNY) serving the Yonkers and Scarsdale communities.

At AUCNY, Dr. Rechtschaffen, who earned his BA in Biochemistry from Columbia University and his medical degree from NYU School of Medicine, treats all aspects of urology, but focuses on prostate-related disease, kidney stones, infertility and women's urological issues.

"Dr. Rechtschaffen's nomination is a testament to the efforts he has made over the last several years in participating in advocacy and volunteer activities" said Dr. Deepak Kapoor, President of Advanced Urology Centers of New York. "His appointment is an acknowledgement of the importance of independent urologists to the future of our country's health policy."

As a Gallagher Health Policy Scholar, which is highly competitive, Dr. Rechtschaffen will spend a full year engaged in critical seminars, conferences, national level meetings, receive mentoring from AUA physicians in senior roles and participate in a week-long health policy seminar for surgeons sponsored by the American College of Surgeons. Scholars also engage in other educational activities that ensure their immersion in and understanding of health policy issues of importance to urology. The award was created in honor of former AUA Executive Director G. James Gallagher.

Dr. Rechtschaffen lectures local physicians and community groups on ways to treat urological issues. He lives in Scarsdale with his wife and three children.

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 15 December 2015; Created: 15 December 2015; Last Updated: 15 December 2015; Hits: 7149

compostbag1 Rather than throw out food scraps from meals, why not turn this valuable resource into nutrient-rich compost?

On Tuesday night December 8, the Scarsdale Forum Sustainability Committee met with the Mayor, Village Board of Trustees and Village Management to propose a food scrap recycling program for Scarsdale. The proposal calls for a pilot program where 100 houses would be able to separate out food scraps from their regular trash to be picked up. Food scraps would then be brought to a commercial composting facility where it would be turned into compost. Scarsdale would be the first municipality in Westchester to launch such a program.

As those with kids in the elementary schools know, Scarsdale has been composting for years. On average, food scraps account for 15% of residential garbage. Since food scraps are collected with the regular trash, they end up at an incinerator in Peekskill, NY. However as the Sustainability Committee stated: Food scraps are a resource that can be turned into nutrient rich compost. Compost is a part of soil. If you've ever bought a bag of potting soil or topsoil, you've bought compost.

The Committee proposed a 12-month pilot program of 100 resident volunteers. The program would be open to all residents and participation would be free. Each participants would receive a starter kit that would include a small countertop pail (see right) countertopbin to collect food scraps each day, a supply of compostable liner bags (made from corn!) for the pail and a wheeled bin (see below) to store the bags of food scraps. Participants would bring this bin to the curb each week for collection. The Sustainability Committee was quick to point out that these bins are made specifically to handle food scraps and come with a locking mechanism to prevent any neighborhood wildlife from opening the bin.

brownbin For anyone interested in composting in your backyard, this program is intended to complement a backyard compost bin. Since backyard composting can only handle certain items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, grass clippings and the like (no meat, dairy, oils, processes food, etc.) this program would allow residents to compost other items. A municipal program that sends compost to a commercial facility can take all food scraps - including meat, dairy, bones, bread, rice and fish.

The cost of the pilot program has been estimated as approximately $45,000. The starter kit (countertop pail, curbside bin and package of liners) would account for approximately $3,500 of this cost. The balance comes from the cost of the weekly pickup, hauling the food scraps to a commercial composting facility and a tipping fee charged by the facility. Scarsdale would be the first community in Westchester to have a food scrap recycling program. However there are many successful programs in neighboring areas and throughout the country. The Sustainability Committee extensively studied other towns and cities to inform the structure of the proposed pilot program.

"After studying other communities we took their best practices and formulated our plan," said Ron Schulhof and Michelle Sterling, Forum Sustainability Committee members.

Food scrap recycling is already happening in four elementary schools, with the fifth to start in January. Westchester Reform Temple instituted a zero waste policy for their facility this year and already a number of events are being held without any waste (and with all food scraps going to a compost facility). There are also residents who compost on a small scale on their properties. Many of the parents of kids in the schools who are sending their food scraps to be composted have asked when is this coming to our homes?

This program will answer that need. The Sustainability Committee believes that once people start composting, it makes so much sense. It also feels good to not only minimize your trash but to take what was formerly thought of as trash and have it turned into useful compost.

If you are interested in participating in the pilot program, or want to voice support for it, email the Mayor at [email protected] to let him and the Village Board of Trustees know.

Details: Written by: Stacie M. Waldman; Published: 01 December 2015; Created: 01 December 2015; Last Updated: 01 December 2015; Hits: 22418

PearlmanPic1 I'm usually the one taking pictures of everyone else, but now my kids are old enough to grab my phone and snap photos of me. Scrolling through my iPhone picture gallery one day, I noticed lines, creases, dark spots, and unevenly textured skin on my face. All over my face! I'm barely 40 so how could this be? I was never one to burn in the sun, so I figured the years of being the tannest kid on the block were finally catching up with me. Was this the norm? Did I have to be okay with these wrinkles, splotches and brown spots?

Although not one to obsess over my age or looks, seeing pictures of myself beginning to actually look "aged" got me thinking about ways that I might halt or reverse some of these signs of aging. Being married to a doctor and having a master's degree in public health meant that I wasn't going to buy a Groupon or head to some random "med spa" to have a treatment. And although I do enjoy the temporary glow that a facial provides, it wasn't doing enough for my tired looking skin for an extended period of time. My frequent jaunts to Sephora result in spending hundreds of dollars on skincare products. I knew there had to be a better way to take care of my skin and halt or even reverse some of the signs of aging.

A friend recommended Pearlman Aesthetic Surgery, a Park Avenue practice headed up by Dr. Steven J. Pearlman. Dr. Pearlman, known to insiders as "Dr. P," is board certified in both head and neck surgery and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, which was the first selling point for me. Also past-president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, I knew this guy was trustworthy. He carries his own line of carefully developed, medical-grade skincare products sold only through his office, customized for age, skin type, skin color, texture, and skin challenge. Dr. P seemed like the whole package!

After describing my skin concerns and being evaluated in the office by Donna Fay, one of Dr. P's beauty experts and a master aesthetician, she suggested a MicroPen procedure. The MicroPen is a device with 12 small micro needles that mechanically run over the surface of the skin. These hair-fine needles puncture the skin in a minimally invasive way to stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate the skin. It's like setting the re-set button for collagen induction.

So what are the benefits to micro needling? PearlmanPic3 After as little as one session, (although three to five successive treatments are optimal,) I was told I could expect the following:

• Natural collagen stimulation
• Reduced brown spots and lessening of sun damage
• Reduced pore size
• Reduced lines and wrinkles
• Skin to appear younger, tighter, and more radiant
• Skin texture to even out

MicroPen also effectively reduces acne scarring (which I don't have) and skin discoloration.

I relaxed in the reclining medical chair as Ms. Fay cleansed my skin and applied a numbing cream to minimize the mild, sandpaper-like feeling of the MicroPen. The music in the exam room served as a distraction from the buzzing hum of this magical device as it poked hundreds of holes in my face, breathing new life into my skin with every micro-poke. Less than 10 minutes later, my body was working its own magic by producing new collagen. It really was that simple.

I was told to expect to look a bit red after the treatment but that the redness wouldn't last more than a couple of days. My redness progressively increased for a couple of hours afterwards but settled down by the evening and I was comfortable going about my normal business the next day. (Redness can last up to two days in some people.)

pearlmanpic2 After my MicroPen session I read that skin-envy celebrities Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Aniston, and Kim Kardashian are regular MicroPen users. So are all the flawless-face women that work in Dr. P's office! Within a few days, I could see why. My skin looked brighter, tighter, and my brown spots were less apparent. My skin looked more "awake," and the skin texture had improved enormously. I simply looked brighter...younger. I can only imagine what successive treatments could do if my skin looked radiant after just one treatment. ("MicroPen treatment" is item number 1 on my Chanukah wish list!)

Dr. P was kind enough to give me samples of his skincare line to try and these have only enhanced the effects of the micro needling treatment. His expertly formulated, science based skincare is fortified with the most proven ingredients on the market. For example, Dr. P's products contain Vitamin C which helps with collagen production, improved skin elasticity, and protects the skin against harsh environmental factors. They contain hydroxy acids which improve the overall look and feel of the skin as well as green tea, a well-documented anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory that can help slow the skin aging process. A morning and night time routine is recommended, and although not a substitute for micro needling, it has added to my skin's fresh and healthy-looking glow. Even my mom has noticed how great my skin looks, and she is the skeptic of all skeptics when it comes to products and procedures.

A quick trip into Manhattan to Dr. P's office, just north of Grand Central Station and around the corner from Bloomie's is all it takes to experience this quick and easy route to more vibrant, healthier, brighter, and tighter skin. For me, it is worth the trip to the city to experience a true medical professional who understands and promotes the science behind perfect skin. As Ali Pearlman, wife to Dr. P and communications manager of the practice said, (with glowingly perfect skin,) "MicroPen is my healthy addiction." I can certainly see why.

Pearlman Aesthetics
521 Park Avenue NY, NY 10065
mdface.com

This article is sponsored content from Pearlman Aesthetics.

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 23 November 2015; Created: 23 November 2015; Last Updated: 23 November 2015; Hits: 6279

sweetpotato Award winning cookbook author, teacher and Westchester resident Rinku Bhattacharya writes the blog, Spice Chronicles and is the author of two cookbooks, The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons, Simple, Sustainable Indian Flavors.

She lives in Westchester in a small and rather chaotic home surrounded by a leafy backyard where she shares her food capers with her gardener husband, two young children and a foodie cat named Benji. Rinku and her family lead a simple and sustainable lifestyle.

Rinku's practical approach to seasonal Indian cooking is showcased on her blog, "Spice Chronicles." As a working soccer mom, Rinku intimately understands the challenges of getting dinner on the table with limited time to do so: a scenario that inspires recipes that are practical, foolproof and healthy.

Since 2006, Rinku has taught culinary classes that focus on Indian food, seasonal living and the essentials of spices from her home-based cooking school. She offers courses at Westchester Community College; Hilltop Hannover Farm; and the Hudson Valley Hospital Center. During the summer, she is often found in farmers' markets, doing demonstrations and learning from local farmers. cranberries

If you're thinking about adding some Indian spice to your holiday table, check out her recipe for sweet potatoes with shallots, coriander and garam masala and her cranberry and clementine chutney.

Click here to see a video of Rinku making curried chick peas with bell peppers in a film made by Scarsdale's Amy Stern.

The recipe can be found here.

rinku Follow Rinku on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Details: Written by: Joanne Wallenstein; Published: 18 November 2015; Created: 18 November 2015; Last Updated: 18 November 2015; Hits: 9786

passenger Two Edgemont grads, brothers Sam and Andrew Drozdov, have designed an app for the Metro North train schedule that they claim is faster, easier to use, and an overall better experience than all the alternatives. Since they launched it in late August, they have grown to over 1,000 monthly active users with a 5 star rating in the App Store.

The app, called Passenger-Commute can be downloaded here:

The two brothers have spent many hours commuting to and from the city and after a long time of searching for a friendly train schedule, they decided that they should just build their own.

Andrew graduated from Edgemont in 2009, studied computer science at the University of Michigan, and now is in grad school at NYU for computer science with a focus in artificial intelligence. At Passenger, he focuses on making it easy for the team to scale to new platforms and railroads.

Sam graduated from Edgemont in 2013 and is now a sophomore at the University of Maryland studying computer science. Last year he took the year off to study in Silicon Valley in a program called Make School. There he focused on the design of Passenger and making sure that users have an excellent experience every time they use Passenger. He also assists in software development. passsengersam

Right now Passenger is a mobile app that make it easy to lookup the train schedule for people commuting on Metro North Railway. They are expanding to other platforms (web, Android) and other train stations (LIRR is coming soon). They believe commuting doesn't have to be something people dread doing everyday. They want to help and right now and think they can improve the daily experience by helping people decide what train to take.

Passenger offers a quick and easy way to look up the train schedule. There are many little details that make Passenger enjoyable, such as automatic switching of stations based on time of day and alarms that you can configure to go off before your train departs or arrives. You can also see the weather in the app and if you tap the weather, you get a daily inspirational quote.

passengerAndrew They also offer 24/7 customer service and have a feature that lets users "Chat With Us" directly from within the app. Users often will offer feedback, feature requests, point out bugs, or even ask for directions while getting around the city (this really happened).