Local Expert Provides the Latest on Zika
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Scarsdale's Dr. Susan Klugman is the Director of the Division of Reproductive and Medical Genetics at Einstein/Montefiore where they are now seeing pregnant patients at risk for Zika infection. She is an obstetrician with a specialty in genetics. Though she runs a general obgyn practice most of her days are spent in the Reproductive Genetics Department at Montefiore seeing pregnant patients whose fetuses are at risk for genetic disorders. She also see patients considering pregnancy, patients at risk for hereditary cancer syndromes and patients whose family members have genetic disorders
Since we have an expert in our midst, Scarsdale10583 asked Dr. Klugman for the latest information on Zika – and here is what she shared:
You recently attended a national meeting where Zika was discussed. Tell us what you learned?
The meeting was over a month ago and so much has developed since! Just last week, with certainty the CDC declared that Zika does in fact cause microcephaly. This is unprecedented! This is the first time that a mosquito bite is associated with a severe birth defect. We are keeping current through the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Centers for Disease control (CDC) and the NYS Department of Health. Plus at Montefiore we have a team addressing this issue. We have pediatricians, obgyns, pathologists and others on the team
What has been your experience with Zika at the hospital? Have you seen any cases? What advice are doctors giving these patients?
We are currently screening all patient who have had travel to one of the countries with known Zika and we are also screening pregnant patients who have been sexually active with partners who have travelled to one of the known countries on the CDC list. As of April 27,2016 there are 36 cases of Zika infection in pregnant women in the US. All of these cases are associated with travel outside of the US and 8 are sexually transmitted. Any positive cases at Montefiore are followed by an interdisciplinary team along with the Department of Health, as mentioned above.
At what point in a pregnancy can tests show whether or not a fetus has been affected by the virus?
This is a very difficult question to answer. We can tell if a woman has an active infection by blood and/or urine tests if performed at the appropriate time (i.e. close to the time of infection). However there is uncertainty as to whether or not a fetus is infected if a mother shows signs of infection. For example, an amniocentesis can be performed to look for Zika in amniotic fluid but even if it is found to be positive that does not mean the fetus is infected. Also, if a patient is positive for Zika and her fetus has microcephaly, we cannot assume with 100% certainty that the microcephaly is due to Zika. There are other causes for microcephaly.
Currently , it is believed that those patient with microcephaly had Zika exposure late in the first trimester to early in the second trimester. Patients who have Zika exposure are at risk for miscarriage and those exposed late in pregnancy make have poor growth or fetal death. In addition, there are many neurologic issues that may affect the fetus.
The CDC's recommendation is that women and men avoid pregnancy/conception for 2 months if they have travelled to an area with known Zika infections and men avoid conception for 6 months if they have had a Zika infection. Women with Zika virus disease should wait until at least 8 weeks after symptom onset before attempting conception. No data are available regarding the risk for congenital infection among pregnant women with asymptomatic infection.
Concerning travel, what are your recommendations?
Avoid travel to destinations where local transmission of the Zika virus has been reported (that means where infected mosquitoes have transmitted the virus to people) There are good recommendations for prevention on the CDC website if patient has to travel.
When do you think a vaccine will be available?
This is unclear
How long do you think it will take for the situation to be controlled?
That is a very difficult question to answer. Hopefully there will be government funding soon to help combat the problem and research the options for control and possible elimination of the virus.
For more information please check the CDC website or call Dr. Klugman's office between the hours of 9 and 5 :914-287-7730 Tuesday and Thursday OR 718-405-8150, Monday to Friday.
Expressions of Motherhood on Canvas
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Scarsdale artist Alla Goldburt-Annopolsky will show her work at a solo exhibit at Masterpiece Framing in Harrison from April 25 to May 22. This exhibition of 12 paintings is part of a larger collection of 182 pieces completed over the span of a year as a way for Annopolsky to connect her dual roles as a new mother and a working professional. "Going back to work full-time while still devoting myself to my son, I felt splintered," says Annopolsky. "Each day I collected fragments of thoughts and feelings. Each night I poured them onto canvas. With every painting I felt more whole, with renewed ability to experience love for my family and fulfillment in my work."
There will be a reception for the opening on Saturday April 30th from 6 -8 pm.
Alla came to United States from the former Soviet Union in 1980. She graduated from the Pratt Institute, in Brooklyn, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She has been painting all her life, influenced by her late mother, the Russian artist Berta Kuznetsova. Alla's artwork has been shown in numerous galleries, including the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City. Alla continues to hold a full-time job in IT and paints every chance she gets.
We asked Alla a few questions about herself and her work and here is what she shared:
When did you begin the series of paintings about motherhood that you will exhibit?
AG: I started this series of paintings on January 1, 2002. At that time, as happy as I was in my new role as a mother, I also felt tired and sleep deprived, after going back to work. I no longer had the freedom to paint when I wanted, or as long as I wanted to, obviously. In my studio I was able to find peace, and the sense of accomplishment that I felt after completing a single painting motivated me to continue that painting journey.
-How many children do you have and when do you have time to paint?
AG: I have one son, who is 15 years old. During the time of the Art Marathon, I was painting at night after getting my son to bed. This was my time to invest in myself. Being a working Mom, I couldn't imagine doing anything away from my son during the time he was awake, as the feeling of guilt of being away most of the day was too strong. This nighttime in the studio became my escape. I no longer felt tired, I felt like I was walking on air once I began painting every day.
Now that my son is older, life is still busy but in different ways. I continue to find solace in my studio in the evening after most of the day's challenges are behind me. It continues to be my escape.
-How long have you lived in Scarsdale and what do you like about living here?
AG: My husband and I moved to Scarsdale in 1999.
When we decided to buy a house, Scarsdale was at the top of our list. After coming to Scarsdale for the first time in the fall of 1998 around Halloween time, we fell in love with the area and, specifically, with the first house we saw here, which we purchased! We love the people and the sense of community. Through the years we have made very special connections. We also enjoy the proximity to Manhattan which we visit frequently.
-What are you hoping to convey about motherhood through your paintings?
AG: A mother at peace with herself can give a lot more to her child and to the family. People/mothers find their escape in various areas. I found it in art. Creating art helped me to recharge, and to reconnect with myself. I would like to share my experience with other mothers, those who might be going through challenging periods in their lives and those who have already found balance. I hope to encourage these women to continue to invest in themselves and appreciate art in the process.
Alla's website can be found at www.allaannopolsky.com. She also can be reached at [email protected].
The Masterpiece Art Gallery hosts shows for local artists and provides framing services for the public. The gallery is located at 243 Halstead Ave., in Harrison, NY. More information can be found at framingmasterpiece.com or by calling 914-835-6686.
Scarsdale Boys Compete on Ski Race Team
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Even though the winter was short on snow, it was a busy one for William and Charles Lemerond. Both boys competed on the U10 Mohawk Mountain Alpine Race Team in Connecticut. William, a third grader at Heathcote, joined the team last year. Charles, a first grader at Heathcote, joined the team this year.
Practice began in early December even before snow was on the ground, with the two participating in dry-land training to prepare for the upcoming season. Once snowmaking started, the boys had practice every Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am until 3:00 pm. Race days were even longer - the boys needed to be at the race hill by 6:30 in the morning to register, gear up and inspect the course.
William and Charles started skiing in earnest when they were three and have never looked back. William enjoys the challenge of mastering steep, narrow terrain and Charles loves going fast and making giant slalom turns. Both boys have developed strong friendships with their teammates.
William had a very successful season, 
placing on the podium in two of five United States Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) races and winning the year-end USSA Skills Quest competition for which he was awarded a signed photograph of his favorite skier, Ted Ligety. Charles ended the year with his first top ten finish and has high hopes to follow in his big brother's footsteps in the coming years.
Tuition Assistance Availabe from the Scarsdale Foundation
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Students who graduated from Scarsdale High School and/or live in Scarsdale and who have complete their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance. For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Foundation awarded $110,000 of need-based grants to students attending private and state-supported colleges.
Applications should be submitted online to the Scarsdale Foundation's website, scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, June 6, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted. Please contact Scholarship Committee Chairs Randy Guggenheimer ([email protected]) and/or Beverley Sved ([email protected]) with any questions. Please note "Scholarship Inquiry" in the subject of your email.
The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may also be donated to a specially earmarked Scholarship Fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, with monies to be used for 2016-2017 recipients, enabling the Foundation to carry on the tradition of helping our students in need to pursue a college education. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation's website or mailed to the Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
For more information regarding the work of the Foundation, please visit their website, scarsdalefoundation.org.
Leading Ladies: Lots of Laughs at SHS
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This past Friday and Saturday night, the Scarsdale High School Drama Club put on its third and final play for the year, "Leading Ladies," which is written by Ken Ludwig and premiered at The Alley Theatre in 2004.
This gut-busting comedy follows two down-on-their-luck English Shakespearean actors, Jack, played by Egzon Muja, and Leo, played by Dillon Orlando. To try to earn a little money, they perform "Scenes from Shakespeare" on the Moose Lodge circuit in Pennsylvania. When they hear that an old lady, played by Catherine Zhao, in York, P.A. is about to die and leave part of her fortune to her two long lost English nephews, Max and Steve, the actors resolve to pass themselves off as her beloved relatives and get the cash. The trouble is, while on their way to York, they hear from a friend of the woman's family, Audrey, played by Mary Cecil, that the relatives aren't nephews, but nieces!
To their surprise, "Max" is short for "Maxine," and "Steve" for "Stephanie." After a lot of pleading, Leo convinces Jack that they should still pretend to be the old woman's relatives by dressing as the women. Romantic entanglements abound, especially when Leo falls head-over-petticoat in love with the old lady's vivacious niece, Meg, played by Isabella Bailey, despite her engagement to Reverend Wooly, played by Marco Pompa. Leo's and Jack's desperate attempts to keep themselves under cover (and in high heels) had the audience non-stop laughing.
These actors and actresses, along with the other members of the cast, Michael Hoffman, Eliot Huh, Alexa Trujillo, and Eliza Auchincloss, and the Tech Director, Steve Bogardus, and crew, Josh Cohen, Alex Hart, 
Karina Schepis, Nina Zacharia, Ilana Tamir, Jack Baldinger, Patrick Dwyer, and Maddie Hart, worked hard for months, with many time constraints. With the help of the club's advisor, Sarah Robbins, as director and Robby Chappell and Daniella Ashman as assistant directors, they performed what Ashman called, "One of the hardest, but funniest, Drama Club productions of which I've ever been a part."
Sadly, it is too late to see this amazing show, but be on the lookout for details about next year's musical to premiere in late November! (Photos by Jon Thaler -- see more here.)
