News from Westchester County.

A One Stop Shop! Connecting MWBE, SDVOB, & DBE’s to Purchasing and Contracting Opportunities May 14th – 8 a.m. – Noon Westchester County Center     At conXpo you will have the opportunity to hear exciting speakers, attend informative workshops and network with businesses and municipalities within Westchester County.   Come to conXpo to learn about different contracting opportunities and how to make your business succeed. Participants will include municipalities, colleges and universities, the New York State Power Authority, hospitals and more.     Workshop topics will include:   • Informing  MWBEs, SDVOBs, and DBEs about purchasing   and contracting opportunities • Showing how to successfully bid on RFP opportunities                                                 • Accessing capital to help grow your business                                                 • Guiding you through the New York State and Westchester   County MWBE Certification processes • Walking businesses through compliance requirements   Register here: http://bit.ly/conxpo2019 For any questions please contact: ce-mwob@westchestergov.com COUNTY EXECUTIVE LATIMER STATEMENT ON THE BEGINNING OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN.   “Ramadan is a chance for those who celebrate for self-reflection, spiritual cleansing, inner peace, and to practice compassion for those less fortunate. At a time when hatred toward one’s neighbor is rising, these are ideals we could all learn from. I wish a blessed and peaceful Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan to those who have begun their fast.” PRESS RELEASE   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 7, 2019         BOARD CELEBRATES JEWISH HISTORY & HERITAGE MONTH. Honors ADL NY/NJ, ADL NY/NJ Leaders and J-Teen Leadership Program.   White Plains, NY — On Monday night, the Westchester County Board of Legislators celebrated Jewish History and Heritage Month with a special ceremony honoring the Anti-Defamation League of New York/New Jersey; John B. Harris, former Chair of ADL NY/NJ and currently a member of the ADL National Executive Committe, and Evan Bernstein, ADL New York/New Jersey Regional Director; as well as J-Teen Leadership, a program of the UJA-Federation of New York.   In delivering the event's invocation, Rabbi Andrew Ergas of the Westchester Board of Rabbis noted that the gathering took place amid a recent wave of violent attacks at synagogues, churches and mosques across the world.   He added, "Here, in between the darkness and the light, we have to look backwards.  We have to remember that there have been dark periods before us, but we have always overcome them through light and through memory."   Legislator Mike Kaplowitz (D - Yorktown, New Castle, Somers) presented a proclamation to the ADL New York/New Jersey, and to Evan Bernstein, who was unable to attend due to illness.    Legislator Kitley Covill (D - Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers), presented a proclamation to John B. Harris, former Chair of ADL NY/NJ and currently a member of the ADL National Executive Committee.   The ADL, founded in 1913, is a leading anti-hate organization.  Among its many programs, ADL NY/NJ runs anti-bias and anti-bullying programs for school children and school personnel including programs in many Westchester schools.   "ADL has been on the front lines of combating anti-Semitism, fighting hate, educating, and advocating for justice and fair treatment for all," Harris said.   He added, "ADL remains for me as important today as it was at the time of its founding.  It works as an advocate, as a proponent for stereotyped minorities, and, we hope, as a conscience for a badly divided nation."   Legislator Nancy Barr (D - Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook), presented a proclamation to J-Teen Leadership, a program of the UJA-Federation of New York. J-Teen is a Westchester-based community service and leadership development organization that promotes community service projects planned by teens for teens. Nearly 1,000 teen volunteers participate annually in its programs.   Speaking on behalf of J-Teen Leadership, Abe Baker-Butler, Advocacy Chair and Elected Officials Liaison, said, "J-Teen has empowered me and countless other teens to harness their passions to repair the world."   Explaining that the group, founded with a service trip to New Orleans to help in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, also holds annual interfaith gatherings for teens in Westchester, Baker-Butler said, "J-Teen embraces the belief that by bringing teens together from different faith backgrounds, we can create a less divided future."   (L to R: Board Chair Ben Boykin, ADL’s John B. Harris, Westchester Jewish Council President Lisa Roberts, WJC Executive Director Elliot Forchheimer, Leg. Mike Kaplowitz) (L to R: Board Chair Ben Boykin, ADL’s John B. Harris, Leg. Kitley Covill, Westchester Jewish Council President Lisa Roberts, WJC Executive Director Elliot Forchheimer)       (L to R: J-Teen Leadership members Chris Suscal and Nathaniel Levin, Board Chair Ben Boykin, J-Teen Leadership Executive Director Guy Felixbrodt, J-Teen Leadership member Abe Baker-Butler, Leg. Nancy Barr, J-Teen Leadership Program Director and Leadership Coach Sarah Toledano, Westchester Jewish Council President Lisa Roberts, WJC Executive Director Elliot Forchheimer)       HEPATITIS A EXPOSURE HAS BEEN EXTENDED FROM APRIL 17th – MAY 3ʳͩ   AT WINSTON IN MOUNT KISCO.   Free Preventive Treatment Provided Tuesday –Friday by Westchester County Health Department.   (White Plains, NY) – The Westchester County Health Department is extending its recommendation to get a Hepatitis A vaccine to anyone who ate at Winston restaurant in Mount Kisco on May 2 and 3. The additional two exposure dates were added after health department staff interviewed restaurant workers as part of their disease investigation.   Today, the health department gave 78 people a Hepatitis A vaccine after learning yesterday that an employee with Hepatitis A worked while infectious.  Anyone who was at the restaurant from April 17 – May 3 may have been exposed.   The County Health Department will continue to offer free preventive treatment this week to individuals who ate or drank at Winston between April 24 and May 3. Advance registration for the county preventive clinic is highly recommended. To register, go to www.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/60.    Preventive treatment is only effective if given within two weeks of the last day of exposure.  Therefore, those who dined on April 23 had to receive preventive treatment Tuesday, and others must receive preventive treatment within two weeks of their exposure.   Anyone who was at the restaurant from April 17 – April 23 and has not yet been vaccinated is outside the period for preventive treatment and should contact their health care provider if they develop symptoms.   No one who had two Hepatitis A vaccines or Hepatitis A infection needs to be treated.  The health department will offer preventive treatment at the Health Department Clinic, 134 Court Street, White Plains, on the following dates and times:   ·         Wednesday, May 8, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., pre-register online ·         Thursday, May 9, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., pre-register online ·         Friday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., pre-register online   A parent/guardian to provide consent must accompany anyone under 18 years of age. Primary care providers also can treat restaurant patrons with exposure.   Sherlita Amler, MD, Commissioner of Health, said: “I urge anyone who is eligible for treatment to get a Hepatitis A vaccine. There are no special medications used to treat a person once symptoms appear, but Hepatitis A transmission to others can be prevented through proper handwashing. And a second Hepatitis A vaccine will provide lifetime protection.”   Hepatitis A is transmitted by consuming food or drinks or by using utensils that have been handled by an infected person. It may also be spread from person to person by ingesting something that has been contaminated with the stool of a person with Hepatitis A. Casual contact, such as sitting together, does not spread the virus.   Hepatitis A is generally a mild illness whose symptoms include fatigue, fever, poor appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, light colored stool and jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes. Not everyone infected with Hepatitis A will have all of its symptoms.  Symptoms commonly appear within 28 days of exposure, with a range of 15 to 50 days. Preventive treatment is only effective within two weeks of exposure to the virus, but symptoms typically do not appear until a person has had the virus for a few weeks. The illness is rarely fatal and most people recover in a few weeks without any complications.   Winston is cooperating with the Health Department and closed voluntarily on Tuesday to conduct a thorough cleaning.  After staff have been vaccinated and the restaurant has been re-inspected and approved by the Westchester County Department of Health, the restaurant plans to reopen later this week.   COUNTY EXECUTIVE GEORGE LATIMER STATEMENT ON NURSES WEEK 2019.   “Everyone will – at some point – need the assistance of a nurse. Whether they are bringing new life into the world, caring for those dealing with illness, sickness or trauma or making the final moments of one’s life comfortable, nurses are on the front lines of today’s health care. This week, just like we should every other week, we recognize nurses for the tireless, dedicated – oftentimes behind the scenes - work they put in. They care for us when we need it most and we must be sure to care for them.” WEEKLY UPDATE:  WESTCHESTER’S DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. The following is a weekly update from the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services with the latest information on upcoming events, programs, activities and services available to seniors, families and caregivers.   SATURDAY, JUNE 1 Racial and Ethnic Disparities of Alzheimer’s Disease / Exploring a Genetic Link: 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Westchester Community College, Gateway Center Davis Auditorium, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla - (800) 272-3900 Hear from a panel of renowned experts discussing Alzheimer’s Disease and the higher risk factors African-Americans and Hispanics face.  This free event is sponsored by the Alzheimer's Association with the help of several community partners.  Topics will include the latest on genetic research, treatment options and what community resources are available.  RSVP by calling (800) 272-3900.                  SATURDAY, JUNE 1 Senior Law Day Comes to Yonkers: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Grinton I. Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers - (914) 337-1500 Westchester seniors, their families and caregivers are invited to attend a valuable educational opportunity with free workshops and consultations on estate planning, elder law, social security, Medicare/Medicaid, avoiding common scams that target older adults and more.  Sign-up for a free 15-minute consultation with an elder law attorney, certified financial planner or geriatric care manager.  Free on-site parking and refreshments.  Contact Allan Houston, the Yonkers Public Library, at (914) 337-1500 or visit seniorlawday.info.       THURSDAY, JUNE 6 Livable Communities Villages Meet & Greet: Westchester Library System 570 Taxter Rd #400, Elmsford, 10:30a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (914) 813-6263 As a part of our extensive Livable Communities Village network, we invite you to learn about your fellow villages and navigate resources from the Westchester Library System with Elena Falcone, Director, Public Innovation and Engagement. We hope that you will take this opportunity to network, connect and engage. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to 914-813-6263/ jqsu@westchestergov.com           For more information about Westchester’s Department of Senior Programs and Services, visit seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com.   View in your browser Click here to sign up