Applause Westchester increases class offerings
 Applause Westchester opened its doors at 114 W. Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, in January 2008 and with every following season has increased its class offerings to accommodate more and more Westchester children who enjoy the magic of performing.  The number of classes it now offers increases to 39 (up from 23 in its Spring/Summer semester). This fall, it is also doubling the size of its performance space and adding new classrooms too. 
The goal of this performing arts program is to bring the magic of music, theatre and dance to children everywhere, exposing them to wonderful music and cultivating an appreciation for the arts. New offerings include: Singing, and Acting for TV and Film (for Kindergarten-5th grade); and Applause Weekend Workshops (for 5th - 9th grade).  These are in addition to its current classes:  Broadway and Rock ‘n’ Roll Babies (4 months-3 years); Little Stars (3-4 years); Stars (4-5 years); and Superstars classes featuring Broadway, Hip Hop; and Pop Star (Kindergarten-5th grade).
One mom, Beth Levine of Rye, raved about the program, “All the teachers’ hard work, and the kids’, really shows. Such great enthusiasm from everyone just radiates through the room at the performance. All of the teachers’ positive energy makes a difference, which is hard to find at other local classes.”
 Applause Westchester is located on 114 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck. For more info, call 500-2599 or visit  http://www.applauseny.com

Lawley team expands with insurance specialist
 Alan M. Kaye, an insurance specialist, joined Lawley Insurance’s Westchester County office in Elmsford as an account representative.
Kaye, who has extensive charitable ties in Rye, White Plains and Rye Brook, most recently worked at NFP Property & Casualty in White Plains. Prior to that, he was associated with First Financial Resources in Greenwich, CT. Educated at the University of Hartford and the State University of New York at Albany, Kaye is a licensed broker for Life, Accident and Health and Property & Casualty.
Kaye has been involved with the National Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, the Westchester Children’s Museum, Save the Children, the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Westchester, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. An honoree of Westchester Business Council’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars, he has helped raise more than $15 million for charity over the past decade.
Kaye lives in Rye Brook with his wife and two children.

Aspire Boutique Salon now in Tuckahoe
Previously located in Scarsdale/north end Eastchester, Aspire Boutique Salon
has relocated to 70 Main St. in Tuckahoe across from Village Hall.
The salon has new additions with barber Danny, who is on the cutting edge in styles for men and boys. Men cuts are $16; children 12-and-under are $14. The salon also offers facials and hot towel shaves.
There’s full service for women with shampoo, cuts, blow outs, color, and massage therapy with Sandy Thompson to help relax and calm these long stressful days. Prices are $65 for 30 minutes, $100 for 60 minutes and $140 for 90 minutes. In a serene atmosphere, boutique owner Deborah Scannell is always on the cutting edge of style and comfort for men and women age 15 up.
At Aspire, there is always something new and with you in mind, as customer service is their top priority. They have limited cut designs and are always introducing new and up coming designers, from laid back to dressy from work to a night on the town. Have fun with your wardrobe and accessories and great finds for gift giving.
For more information, visit Aspireboutiquesalon.com or call 337-3400.

Murphy Brothers celebrating 30 years
Murphy Brothers Contracting has recently been ranked at number #33 in Remodeling Magazine’s latest Remodeling 550 list for 2009. Reported in the August ’09 issue, the Remodeling 550 is an annual list of the largest remodeling and home improvement companies in the USA based on residential remodeling revenue.  In a recent separate industry publication, Qualified Remodeler Magazine, Murphy Brothers was listed at number #224 out of 500 businesses nationally, with a view toward remodeling projects only. (Sept. ’09 issue)
Murphy Brothers Contracting, owned and operated by brothers, Chris and Sean Murphy, and located in Mamaroneck, specializes in new construction, whole house renovations, additions with custom kitchens and baths and light commercial projects. 
Celebrating its 30th year in business, the company recently partnered to build and present DreamHome 2009 in Armonk, a designer show home with many green features which was open for public tours, with proceeds benefiting Open Door Family Medical Center. Murphy Brothers Contracting is committed to green building practices and looks for ways to incorporate smart energy-saving and resource-conserving methods in all their renovation projects, believing that building green can be beautiful, comfortable as well as environmentally responsible.
For more information, call 777-5777 or visit www.murphybrothers.com.

Coldwell Banker introduces powerful online tool
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage agents in Connecticut and Westchester County are tapping into a new online tool that helps them more easily manage many of the aspects of the real estate transaction in a more efficient way – and it gives their clients easy online access to view the ongoing progress of their sales transaction. It’s called HomeBaseSM.
Consumers who participate in online banking and bill paying services will find the HomeBase system shares the same intuitive ease of navigation and security protocols found in these popular Web-based services. The HomeBase system is also a greener way to conduct real estate transactions by reducing the amount of paper used: documents can be scanned and uploaded digitally or generated electronically from existing templates.
 The HomeBase system also serves as a communication hub for the sales associate and client, providing the same inherent content organization process found in many social media platforms. In some cases, other important parties such as the mortgage company, title agency and home appraiser can be linked in as well. HomeBase can also keep clients informed when there is a key development in their transaction.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, a leading residential real estate brokerage company in Connecticut and Westchester, operates nearly 50 offices with more than 2,000 sales associates serving the communities of Connecticut and Westchester County, N.Y. For more information, visit www.ColdwellBankerMoves.com.

Daniel R. Alcott, Esq. named to ‘2009 New York Super Lawyers’
Daniel R. Alcott, Esq., partner at The Dorf Law Firm, LLP in the practice area of tax exempt not-for-profit organizations, has been named a 2009 New York “Super Lawyer” in Nonprofit Law for the second year in a row. Only five percent of the attorneys in the New York metro area are named to the list. Alcott has extensive experience representing public charities, private foundations, venture philanthropists, trade associations, museums, commercial co-venturers, corporate sponsors, professional fundraisers and socially responsible profit seeking businesses dedicated to supporting charitable causes. 
Alcott is recognized by his peers as an expert on nonprofit governance and serves on the board of directors of Governance Matters (formerly the Alliance for Nonprofit Governance), a not-for-profit membership corporation dedicated to improving governance in the not-for-profit sector. 
He received a B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1988 and a law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1992, where he was selected as a member of the American Journal of Law and Medicine. He is licensed in New York and Connecticut and is admitted in the state and federal courts located in those jurisdictions.
With offices in Mamaroneck and Manhattan, The Dorf Law Firm, LLP was recently inducted into The Westchester County Business Hall of Fame as recipient of the 2009 “Small Business Success” award sponsored by The Business Council of Westchester.

Planit Sports: “It’s not what you play... It’s wear you play!”
Planit Sports, formerly Scarsdale Sports, has been serving the Westchester community for almost a decade, and is now excited to celebrate their 2nd anniversary under new management at its new location: The prestigious Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center in Scarsdale/New Rochelle.
The new, much larger store offers an extensive line of Under Armour and Nike Apparel for children and adults.
Planit Sports is a sports apparel and sporting goods retailer, and as a proud member of the community we are happy to help with whatever an individual’s needs may be. We continue to provide the best in team apparel and sporting goods.
At Planit Sports, kids are encouraged to be themselves – kick around a soccer ball, bounce a basketball or just try on their favorite sweatshirt. We want everyone who visits to be comfortable in our clothing, and our store!
For sport or just for fun, from the football team to the PTA, or anyone who wants to show school spirit, Planit Sports can provide everything from the gear and uniforms to the t-shirts and Sweatshirts.
Planit Sports also offers great gifts for coaches, teachers and kids – from flannel pj’s and hooded sweatshirts to T-shirts and sweatpants -- And we personalize while you wait.
Contact Planit sports at 472-6900 or visit www.planitsportsusa.com.
 Mira Imaging reopens and accepts insurance
Mira Imaging, a state-of-the-art imaging center, owned and operated by experienced, board certified radiologists, has re-opened and is now accepting insurance. Conveniently located at 600 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 102, Harrison, Mira offers patients digital mammography, bone density, ultrasound, ultrasound-guided breast and thyroid biopsies and stereotactic breast biopsies in a comfortable, spa-like setting. Free parking. Appointments available immediately. To schedule an appointment or for additional information, call 468-1000.

Harvest Market redesigns store
Harvest Market on the Sound, 703 W. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck, welcomes you to come in and experience a newly redesigned store. All of their chef-prepared foods are made fresh daily. To the menu, they’ve added macro vegetarian organic dumplings, noodles and sushi. Also, they lightened up the menu to include more proteins & vegetables.
Please mention Sound & Town to receive a 10% discount on any purchase over $50.
The Produce Department now includes a larger selection of organic products plus a larger selection of new exotic fruits and vegetables.
The Meat Department is now offering Sterling Silver Brand meats. Only the top 12% of all beef qualifies for the Sterling Silver Brand. Hand selected for superior marbling aged to perfection.
Among many fresh new additions, the market now has seating available in their Café; Bobby Grill will prepare, cook and serve any dish you desire.
In terms of catering, they will accommodate any size party – they also provide entertainment (bartenders, DJ’s, servers, variety of characters, please ask for Angelo, Bobby, or Peter).
All businesses can fax over their lunch orders at (914) 205 – 3745. Harvest Market is now open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
For more information, call 205-3743 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Salon POSH creates relaxing atmosphere
Treat yourself to a cutting edge style at Salon POSH, a premier new addition to Westchester. Owned and operated by 29-year-old Westchester native Diane Cermele, this full service hair salon is like no other. Besides the incredible interior decorating and lighting, architectural design, and spectacular view of the harbor, this staff has a combined experience of 50+ years. They specialize in unisex precision cuts, creative color and highlighting, Hair Extensions, Japanese, Brazilian, and Keratin Straightening, and Special Occasion hair. Diane’s mission is “for the client to have an extraordinary experience by top stylists in an ultra Posh atmosphere at an affordable price.” Come meet Diane, along with her talented staff; Kim Felice, Gina Acuti, Kristine DeRenzis, and Melissa Suoto. This staff truly enjoys working together and it creates a warm and relaxing atmosphere for the client. 
Salon POSH also specializes in Bridal Parties and strives to create a memorable experience for the Bride and her Bridal party. Sunday weddings are also welcome. For your convenience, a make-up artist is also available. Hours of Operation are Tues 10-6, Wednesday, 10-6, Thursday, 12-8, Friday, 10-6, and Saturday, 9-5. Call 899-3333 for more information. Mention this article and get a 15% discount (first time customers only).

Westchester Medical Group announces name change to WESTMED Medical Group
The Westchester Medical Group, a multi-specialty group medical practice based in White Plains that has served patients in the Hudson Valley since 1996, announces the change of its name to WESTMED Medical Group. At the same time, WMG is rolling out a newly designed Web site, which will enable patients to participate more actively in their health care and keep them in better touch with their doctors.
“Our name change, which is modern and concise, represents our vision for medicine,” said Simeon Schwartz, MD, president of the WESTMED Medical Group. “WESTMED is a model of the future of medicine—right now—today--because we provide a broad range of quality, coordinated medical care; we offer a full service experience for patients; and we work to prevent major procedures and surgeries.”
New innovations have been added as well: Patients will be able to view their virtual medical record 24/7 and see lab and radiology results, pay bills, schedule appointments, request prescription renewals and much more.
WESTMED Medical Group has locations in White Plains, Purchase, Rye, Scarsdale, Eastchester, Yonkers and Bronxville. The practice is widely known for its effective integration of high-efficiency business practices and cutting-edge technologies to continually improve health care delivery to Westchester residents. For more information, visit www.westmedgroup.com.

Cooking demo at La Panetiere
La Panetiere’s October cooking demonstration will be on a day of your choice from Wednesday, Oct. 14 through Friday, Oct. 16 at 11:30 a.m. in which they will take you through the steps on how to prepare a Crèpe Suzette. The demonstration will be followed by a three-course luncheon with the Crèpe Suzette being served for the dessert.
The price of each luncheon is $30 per person, which does not include beverages, taxes, and gratuities. A check or cash would be appreciated for payment at the end of the event.
For reservations call 967-8140.
Visit www.lapanetiere.com for additional details and more upcoming events.

Send us your Business News!
The next Business Briefs section will run Nov. 6. Please send any submission for our November issue to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Friday, Oct. 23. Each submission can include one picture and must be between 175-225 words. If you have any questions, email Editor Dan Gabel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .