Katonah Village Improvement Society

Visit our new Site!

KVIS will be transitioning to a new site this year to afford more robust functionality and an enhanced web experience to better serve you.  Please visit our new site at www.KatonahVIS.com and share your thoughts!

Town Forum Thursday May 5th 2011

This year's town forum will be held Thursday May 5, 2011, at Katonah Public Library, beginning at 7:30. A great opportunity to meet and share your thoughts with hamlet community, civic, and business leaders. Can't make it? Send comments or questions to info@kvis.us

KVIS SCHOLARSHIP - THANK YOU SENIORS!

This year's application period has closed and the results are being considered.  Thank you to all the worthy candidates.  We are so very proud of all of your accomplishments and great work for our community.

KVIS Annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser - March 19, 2011

Snow reports…School closings…Roof rakes?  WHERE’S THE WINE?

Come thaw out at the annual KVIS wine tasting where we’ll celebrate the beauty of all
the seasons as seen through the wine barrels of vintners.  Please join us on: Saturday, March 19, 7:30p.m., at the Katonah Village Library.  

The annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser Event is more than a Katonah tradition, more than a fundraiser for our community group, its an opportunity to kick off the social spring by joining old and new friends after a long cold winter. Enjoy socializing, wine, food, live music, and of course raffles.

Tickets are $50 per person (must be 21 or older of course!)  For more information e-mail us at info@kvis.us

This popular event sells out every year, so while some tickets may be available at the event, reserve a place early by preordering tickets via check or money order to: KVIS Events Box 263 Katonah NY 10536 

Printable Invite: Download Kvis wine tasting 2011

SAVE THE DATE: Spring Cleanup Scheduled for Saturday April 30th

-- KVIS SPRING CLEAN-UP -- Why is Katonah so special? Because we care. After a remarkably heavy winter snow, our hamlet is in particular need of a good spring cleaning. Save the date - Saturday, April 30th. As in prior years, KVIS will hand out routes and bags in front of the Katonah Village Library. Come as a group or individually, and know that every little bit helps. This is an especially rewarding activity for families and a great way to pass on the tradition of community action. In 2010, prowling the nine routes throughout the downtown hamlet, and well beyond, the community collected hundreds of pounds of refuse. This year promises to be just as productive!

Bedford 2020

See Bedford 2020: http://www.bedford2020.org/B2020/Home.html

SAVE THE DATE
Bedford 2020 Environmental Action Day
SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2011
Sponsor: Bedford 2020 Coalition and Bedford Central School District
Date: Saturday, January 29, 2011, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Location: Fox Lane High School, Route 172, Bedford, New York
Event Website: http://www.bedford2020.org/Action/

Mission: The mission of the Bedford 2020 Environmental Action Day is to engage all members of the community in a full day of education, discussion and networking with the goal of building awareness, facilitating actions and securing commitments by residents, businesses, religious entities and civic associations to change behavior in such areas as energy usage, food/agriculture, transportation, waste/recycling and water/land use.
Background: The Bedford 2020 Coalition is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that was created to assist the Town of Bedford in the implementation of the Climate Action Plan that was passed in February 2010. Our goal is to engage every member of the community to participate in a joint effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% by 2020 and to create a sustainable community that conserves its natural resources. Over the past three months, Bedford 2020 has created nine Task Forces, five that are subject matter based: Energy,
Waste/Recycling, Water/Land Use, Food/Agriculture and Transportation and four that are user based: Schools, Businesses, Religious Entities and Civic Associations. The Environmental Action Day will showcase the work of these Task Forces and provide ways to get involved for all members of the community.

Event Format: This full day event will build on the awareness, education and excitement generated by the Bedford Environmental Summit that was held in 2009. The Environmental Action Day will launch the activities of both the Bedford 2020 Coalition and Energize Bedford, the Town of Bedford’s home energy upgrade program. The day will include speakers, lectures, workshops and an Expo featuring local actions to meet environmental challenges. Coffee and tea in the morning, followed by lunch will be served.

Registration: Registration information will be made public in early January. Check our event website (http://www.bedford2020.org/Action/Home.html) for details. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $10 students – includes coffee/tea and lunch.

EXPO Application: If you are interested in taking a booth please download the Expo information sheet and application on our website. (http://www.bedford2020.org/Action/Expo.html) Expo fee is $100 per table for businesses, $50 per table for nonprofits.
Donations: We do not expect the ticket prices to cover the expenses of the event. Donations of any size will help defray event expenses and fund Bedford 2020 projects. To donate, go to our donations page (www.bedford2020.org/Action/Donate.html) or send a check to the Bedford 2020 Coalition, P.O. Box 812, Bedford Hills, NY 10507.
Partners (List in Formation): The following organizations have already signed on to work on the Environmental Action Day, with the nine Task Forces or with the Board of Directors of Bedford 2020 Coalition.

This list will grow as we publicize the event. Bedford Energy Advisory Panel, Town of Bedford, EarthMarkets, SmartPower, Rainbeau Ridge, Bedford Farmers Club, Millstone Farm, Rusticus Garden Club, Bedford Garden Club, Bedford Central School District, Northern Westchester Hospital, Zero Waste, Armstrong House, Westchester Land Trust, Table Local Market, Mt. Kisco Seafood, Ginnel Realty, Lloyd Bedford Cox Insurance, Curtis Instruments, Kelloggs and Lawrence, Bedford Chiropractic, Computer Experts Group, Diamond Property Management, Katonah United Presbyterian Church, Antioch Baptist Church, St. Mary’s Church, First Presbyterian Church of Katonah, St. Matthew’s Church, Temple Shaaray
Tefila, Harvey School, Katonah-Lewisboro School District, and Rippowam-Cisqua School, Katonah Village Improvement Society, Bedford Conservation Board, Hopp Ground Garden Club, Pound Ridge Land Conservancy, Katonah Village Improvement Society, Bedford Hills Neighborhood Association, Katonah Museum of Art, Synergist, Bedford Hills Lions Club, Bedford Village Lions Club, Katonah Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Village Chamber of Commerce, Bedford Village Business Association, Katonah United Methodist Church.

Katonah Village Forum - Wednesday May 19 - Thank You!

The Katonah Village Forum was held Wednesday, May 19, at 7:30pm at the Katonah Village Library Garden Room.

Community members shared their vision to preserve and enhance Katonah, including a lively and productive discourse with our panelists, including:

Supervisor, Lee Roberts

Town Planner, Jeff Osterman

Dept. Public Works Director, Kevin Winn

Acting Police Chief, Ed Collins

Chamber of Commerce Co-President, Jennifer Cook

KVIS Chair of Govt. Affairs Committee, Sten Sandlund

KVIS extends heartfelt thanks to our panelists and neighbors for their support, candor, and community. 

Didn't make it?  Your thoughts, suggestions, and concerns for Katonah are always welcome:  INFO@KVIS.US

Cleanup Day - Saturday May 1, 2010

-- KVIS SPRING CLEAN-UP  --

 

Why is Katonah so special? Because we care.

The community turned out in force on a beautiful day May 1 and gave Katonah a good spring scrubbing.  Especially rewarding was the energetic and enthusiastic participation of children and teens throughout the village.

Prowling the nine routes throughout the downtown hamlet, and well beyond, the community collected dozens of bright orange bags full of refuse - - including perhaps the strangest item, a large wire snowman sculpture that had been discarded at the southern end of Bedford Road.

Thanks to all the participants and volunteers that made this event a success and keep our community special (and clean).

KVIS Annual Plant Sale - Saturday May 14, 2011

Beauty on a budget - and for a cause! Saturday May 14 2011 is the date for KVIS' biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Downtown Plant Sale. Order a wide variety of plants ahead of time. For information e-mail: info@kvis.us Download KVIS_PLANT_SALE_ORDER_FORM-2010

APRIL 10, 2010 Wine Tasting Toasts another Great Year for KVIS

The Annual KVIS Wine Tasting Fundraiser was another unqualified success, due to the tireless and creative efforts of KVIS member Bill "Tish" Tisherman, former editor of Wine Enthusiast and proprieter of Wine for All, and his corps of cheerful volunteers. 

The community turned out on a beautiful evening to enjoy the company of old and new friends and the treat of a five distinct well-balanced and artfully described flights of wines.  The familar lower level art gallery rooms of the Katonah Village Library were transformed into cozy sipping stations with locals as smartly-dressed waitstaff doling out appetizers to compliment the vintages.  See Dorothy Coletta's feature in the Katonah-Beford Patch:

http://bedford.patch.com/articles/what-katonah-grapes-and-jimmy-choo-have-in-common

Thanks to Tish and all the volunteers for another smashing success.

KVIS MINUTES FROM 2009 ANNUAL MEETING..

Katonah Village Improvement Society Annual Combined KVIS and Katonah Village Library Meeting Minutes January 26, 2009

IN ATTENDANCE Dorothy Coletta, Deb Shanley, Bill Tisherman, Gina Reid, Van Kozelka, Gail Ames, Pam Veith, Lisa Salzano, Al Widmer Jack Whalen, Ed Kozelka, Mary Tschorn, Susan Scofield, Peter Willman, Deirdre Courtney-Batson, Lynn Lovett, Lois Haibt, Peter Chryssos, Frank Veith, Boo Fumagalli, Charity Brotmann, Rima Marschke, Floyd Rappy, Susan Black, Nisa Geller, Betsy Fisher, John Mucciolo, Gerard Voege, Ken Roberts, Betsey Weir, Mike Berardino, Robin Jones-Tropiano, Nisa Gellar

KVIS President, Lydia Landesberg, started the meeting by welcoming all those in attendance. She then asked for a motion to approve the 2008 Annual Meeting minutes. Lisa Salzano motioned, Mike Berardino seconded and motion carried.

KVIS TREASURER’S REPORT Lisa Salzano circulated the annual treasurer report and noted that she was pleased to announce that KVIS spent more than was raised over the past year. A total of $72,000 had been raised over the past 7 years and only $47,000 had been spent in the past. Surplus funds were given in increased funding to the library, the Community Center of Northern Westchester, Halloween safety, Town Forum, increased community service and John Jay Homestead History Camp scholarships and Katonah Historical Walking Tour project. As of December 31, 2008 balance in all accounts was $38,638.97. Lisa then presented Van Kozelka, Katonah Village Library Director, with a $2,000 check for the annual KVIS donation.

KVIS NOMINATIONS

Nisa Gellar then read the nominations for the KVIS 2009, 2010 and 2011 classes and KVIS officers. Robin Jones-Tropiano motioned to accept the nominations; Lisa Salzano seconded and motion passed.

KVIS 2008 RECAP

Lydia Landesberg recapped the KVIS 2008 accomplishments, which included: • Completion of the Katonah Historical Walking Tour/brochure • Wine tasting • Spring and Fall clean up days • Plant sales • Town Forum • Increased Community Service and John Jay History Camp scholarship awards • Emergency Preparedness Presentation in conjunction with the Bedford Police

KVL BUSINESS Gina Reid reported on KVL 2008 accomplishments. Libraries across the country are thriving; our library is flourishing and circulation is up every year. Infrastructure repairs include replacing the roof and HVAC system. Surveys have shown that the community would like a more comfortable, usable and updated library environment. Renovations currently under way will reflect the last five years of planning, fundraising and community input.

KVL NOMINATIONS Gina Reid read the nominations for KVL officers and trustees. Motion was made to approve nominations, seconded and motion carried.

KVL TREASURER’S REPORT Gail Ames presented an update on the KVL finances. Did very well considering the economy. Leftover money being applied to renovations. Can tell by membership renewals that the economy is going to impact library in 2009. Town of Bedford will provide the same amount of funding to the library as last year. A $310,000 bequest was made to the library and over $100,000 was raised at the gala fundraiser. Very close to having renovations paid for completely. Applied for NYS grant to cover shortfall.

KVL 2008 RECAP Van Kozelka reported on the library’s busy and innovative 2008: • Baby Lap Time (Mother Goose, rhymes and songs) now offered 4 times per week. • Collaborated with Family University on three parenting workshops. • Family Fun Days. • Summer reading games. • Children photo contest. • Adult book discussions. • Grant from National Endowment for Humanities. • Teen offerings included comic drawing workshop, animated film series, college interview workshop and teenage volunteer programs. • As a result of community survey, library will be open on Sunday’s from 1-5 starting 3/1. • Library will continue to offer popular adult programs such as Great Decisions Group, book discussion groups and local author appearances. • An Open Mic poetry event was held. • Working on 2009 Concert Series. • Technology changes have allowed library visitors better access. • Two laptops from Vincent Liebell’s office as a result of NYS funded library grant • Working to improve communication with the community. • Library going ‘green’ in March and will no longer mail out newsletter.

GUEST SPEAKER Van introduced the guest speaker for the evening, KVL trustee and author Jude Blundell, who recently won the 2008 National Book Award for What I Saw and How I Lied.

Respectfully submitted by Dorothy Coletta.