





"Aim High"... What used to be the slogan for my beloved Air Force, can take on quite a significant meaning for us all. Akin to "shoot for the Stars", we should all take the time to Aim High in our lives. Having goals, dreams, hopes and wants helps us strive to reach our full potential. I say this, not in a materialistic way, but in a way that makes us think of how we can better ourselves and those around us.
Throughout this issue, you will see a lot about "investing." Investing in oneself can take many forms, and we hope to walk you through a few of those. From your physical and mental health to your money and entertainment, investing in you and your loved ones being at the forefront of your mindset can work wonders.
I want to thank you for investing your time, your attention, and in some cases your business efforts with us here at WCL. I hope we can help you, as much as you have helped us.
Cheers,
At
our commitment to promoting the next generation of talent is as important as our
year history. From the most established partner to the newest member of the team, we work with you to understand your objectives, goals, and fiduciary responsibilities. And we’re here
you all year long—not just during tax season.
1: “Speed Networking” with the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce
2: Members from the “Warriors Art Room” take a trip to Heaths Heart Forge in NY 3: Nicole from Great Awakenings Brewery is ready to show you a whole new beer experience 4: Dakin’s 5K for Cookies is coming back May18th at Stanley Park, Westfield. 5: The ladies of Boutique Med Spa in W.Springfield can help revitalize your look. 6: Galentines flower event with Blooms 7: Members of the Mass Hire Youth Services attend local networking event
The benefits of starting a proper skincare routine at a young age show up as we get older. Looking in the mirror at age 35, and seeing few, if any, wrinkles can be our reward for sticking to a consistent skincare routine.
When is the right time to begin using skincare products? Amber ChampagneMatos, licensed esthetician, and owner of Champagne Apothecary in Westfield, says as early as possible.
“We get kids as young as 10 or 11 due to acne and hormonal changes,” Champagne-Matos says. While people often look to skincare to reverse aging, she explains that it’s about being preventive, that’s why she recommends starting at a young age – as soon as oily skin and acne start showing up.
Champagne-Matos says it’s important to be consistent with any routine. She recommends starting with the basics – a quality cleanser and moisturizer. At around age 21, it’s time to add an eye serum because the thinnest skin on our bodies is under the
Dermaplaning to remove old/dead skin cells
eyes, and notes Champagne-Matos. It’s also time to think about adding anti-aging products to your routine, she says.
Champagne-Matos developed her own line of skincare products called Ethyst because she found that many anti-aging products were made for mature skin. Some of her clientsespecially those in their middle years – have hormonal issues, and products made for those issues are often aggressive and can cause the skin to age, she said.
For more information, visit champagneapothecary.com
Nikki Kane, a licensed esthetician at Puffer’s Salon and Day Spa in Westfield echoes Champagne-Matos’ advice about beginning a skincare routine during puberty when acne starts popping up. Adding regular facials to a morning and nighttime skincare routine helps keep acne under control, she says. “Don’t pick at acne,” she advises, “we do extractions – leave that to us.”
Puffer’s offers an acne facial that Kane recommends for young clients. When acne is under control, clients can maintain healthy skin with the Tulesara (a Sanskrit word meaning moving toward balance) facial by Aveda, a gentle, hydrating, and nourishing treatment.
Kane also stressed the use of sunscreen to prevent skin damage. Other facial treatments that can help maintain healthy skin as clients age are dermaplaning, which removes dead skin cells and peach fuzz, and Celluma Light Therapy, which improves cellular health, reduces signs of aging, and eliminates acne.
For more information, visit puffersdayspa.com
For those who want to enhance their appearance as they age, Bella MedSpa by Dr. Craig Schacher, a facial and body medical spa in Westfield, offers noninvasive and minimally invasive anti-aging technologies and cosmetic procedures without the downtime and expense of surgery. Kelly-Ivy Subocz, BellaMed’s clinical supervisor and director of training, said patients come to the spa with specific concerns.
Many younger patients want to look better in selfies, she said. “In their 20s and 30s, their biggest concerns are keeping the skin hydrated and protected. They are starting to see signs of aging, so they are very interested in lip filler and baby Botox.”
A variety of options are offered at Bella MedSpa – from IPL laser, which evens skin tone and color to the VI Peel, which Subocz said is one of the most effective peels on the market, and LaseMD, a fractional resurfacing laser treatment that can help improve many skin concerns, including sun damage, melasma, active acne, scars, and texture. Subocz sees patients from their 20s into their 60s and 70s. “Ultimately, our goal is to tailor treatment to what the patient is concerned about.” For an older patient who doesn’t want to have a surgical face lift, that may be a thread lift, a non-invasive procedure that lifts skin.
“It’s all about getting the biggest improvement possible.”
For more information, visit mybellamedspa.com
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Kim Slade is here to help raise awareness on safety, education, and action surrounding substance use here in the City of Westfield. Armed with years’ experience in prevention and harm reduction, Kim has a heart of gold and is here as an asset to the town’s Health Department and the community it serves.
Q: INTRODUCE YOURSELF! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT IS YOUR WHY?
A: Military spouse, mom of two, and grandmom of one. I’ve lived all over the country: from Alaska (twice) to Charleston, South Carolina, as well as North Carolina and Virginia Beach. I’ve even lived in Cape Cod and New Mexico. I love traveling and trying new foods thanks to my exposure to a mosaic of people, places, and cultures across the country. Most importantly, family, friends, and my community come first. It feels right being here. It means so much to finally be settled somewhere where there’s such diversity.
Q: HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN THIS LINE OF WORK?
A: After moving to Kodiak Island in Alaska in 2012, I was fortunate to help a hospital as the Community Coordinator. Here I focused on Substance Use with special care to youth, obesity, and suicide. We invented programs that were based on evidence and used grassroots to tackle these issues at the core. This included working with military personnel located on the Coast Guard base for suicide prevention and how to identify and respond to others in crisis. After a 5-day ferry from Kodiak to Washington, a drive down the Pacific Coast and across the southern states, we landed in Cape Cod where I worked with Barnstable County for six years in Substance Use Prevention & Harm Reduction. Covering fifteen towns throughout Cape Cod, we specialized in securing Bureau of Substance Abuse (BSAS) grants even during the pandemic.
Q: WHAT IS A SUBSTANCE USE OUTREACH COORDINATOR? WHO ARE THE PARTIES YOU ENGAGE WITH?
A: It depends on the needs of the community. For Westfield, it’s my wheelhouse to assess the overall landscape, which includes identifying gaps in resources
as well as engaging community members and organizations to help form strategic plans. We will talk with elected officials, treatment and harm reduction centers, housing, schools, youth support, law enforcement, and the media. These conversations set the tone to ensure community members have equitable access to quality resources that coincide with major social determinants of health. These aspects include health care, social and community contexts, the neighborhood and built environments, access to education, and economic stability.
Q: HOW ARE YOU HERE TO HELP SHAPE THE HEALTH OF WESTFIELD?
A: It’s my goal to connect with the community and help identify strategies to address using the Opioid Settlement Funds in a way that specifically meets the needs of our community. It must be tailored to the local community because what works for us might not work for somewhere else.
Q: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO ACHIEVE IN YOUR NEWLY APPOINTED POSITION?
A: It’s important to implement the strategies that help strengthen the capacity of our community as a whole in ways that are sustainable. This process is nonlinear: once the implementation phase arrives, it is vital to troubleshoot what isn’t working and to be open to adjusting what will work better.
Q: WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE THE COMMUNITY OF WESTFIELD TO BE AWARE OF?
A: Many community members want to see movement now, others want to build up community engagement, and still some want every piece of the puzzle to be in place before action is taken. We’re looking at both short- and long-term strategies: those that can be implemented quickly to take action now as well as sustainable strategies that address the community as a whole instead of one specific aspect.
Q: WHAT ARE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THIS ROLE OR MISSION?
A: This role is not a one-on-one counselor or social worker, but instead a bridge between city officials, residents, and community organizations. We believe
“My family, friends and community come first.”
CONTINUED >
“This role is not a one-on-one counselor or social worker, but instead a bridge between city officials, residents, and community organizations.”
coordinator
relationship cultivation is key and that you need to build relations to have community readiness and love. This process is community-driven and deliberate; we are trying to do what’s right for the community.
Q: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS FOR A CITY WHO INVESTS IN A SUBSTANCE USE COORDINATOR?
A: The community can leverage someone who is a liaison to service providers across the continuum, and is skilled in assessing strategic planning and will implement evidence-based practices that are tailored to meet the needs of our local community.
Q: WHERE CAN WE FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CURRENT EFFORTS?
A: We are revamping the official City ‘Substance Use’ pages online with a landing page dedicated to information on the Opioid Settlement Funds. This should include an expenditure dashboard for spending, key data from conversations, updates for community members, and additional information for how to get involved.
Q: WHAT TYPE OF FEEDBACK WOULD BE USEFUL AND RELEVANT FROM RESIDENTS?
A: We’d love to hear how residents feel the settlement funds could be best used as well as new approaches to think outside the box. Think big! We are seeking to pursue quality initiatives in order to address substance use.
Q: HOW ARE WESTFIELD RESIDENTS INVITED TO COLLABORATE? HOW CAN PEOPLE INTERESTED TAKE ACTION?
A: Community members are encouraged to fill out the online survey (), join community listening sessions, and call or send emails to us here in the Health Department.
Q: WILL THERE BE AN UPCOMING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP?
A: Yes! Keep tuned for dates on the website or contact the Health Department directly.
Q: IT’S THE YEAR 2124: WHAT DOES WESTFIELD LOOK LIKE FROM YOUR STANDPOINT?
A: I see Westfield as a recovery-friendly community full of support: friends, family, and businesses that accept others without judgment. This includes equitable access for all, discouraging stigmas, and encouraging healthy language.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Kim Slade
Email: kimberly.slade@cityofwestfield.org
Phone: (413) 572-6334
Address: 59 Court St 210D
Deb Mulvenna
Email: d.mulvenna@cityofwestfield.org
Phone: (413) 572-6213
Address: 59 Court St
“I see Westfield as a recoveryfriendly community full of support: friends, family, and businesses that accept others without judgment. This includes equitable access for all, discouraging stigmas, and encouraging healthy language.”
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When your life is full of commitments, responsibilities, and distractions, it can be easy to let self-care fall by the wayside. But putting yourself at the top of your priority list delivers a wealth of advantages.
Dallas Pilecki, M. Ed., LMHC is the co-owner of Serendipity Psych in Westfield. He encourages people to recognize the value of self-care.
“The best investment we can make is in ourselves,” says Dallas, “because it allows us to be better for everyone else in our lives. You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
Individuals may hit a low point before recognizing the problem. Selfcare can fall to the wayside for many years when work and family needs take priority, and that can lead to low mood, irritability, and feeling a sense of loss or lack of joy.
“It’s not selfish to invest in yourself,” says Dallas. “If you’re happy and investing in yourself and you’re making progress, others will see that.” He notes that being a healthier person with better boundaries makes your relationships healthier.
Dallas identifies mind, body, and spirit as the three components of self-investment. Care of the mind might be through professional development or adding more knowledge, including focusing on your hobbies and interests. Body care refers to physical health: creating good sleep hygiene and being active. Spiritual care addresses emotional and spiritual needs and can incorporate activities like journaling, meditation, and yoga.
There are four initial steps to prioritize self-care:
1) Define your goals for personal growth and pinpoint areas you want to focus on first.
2) Take a tangible step toward one of these goals within 48 hours. Start with a small, achievable task to gain momentum.
3) Dedicate the next three to four weeks to prioritize self-care by scheduling activities aligned with your goals. Mindful scheduling makes your objectives meaningful and facilitates lasting change.
4) Share your goal and action plan with someone close to you. Rather than seeking accountability, sharing your self-care journey is happy news to tell someone who cares about you.
Dallas sees meaningful connections between family and friends as being a key ingredient to a happy life.
Being in the moment to create memories and family traditions can bring deep satisfaction.
“Meaningfulness comes through being present, not treating events and commitments as a burden,” explains Dallas. “If you’re there, be there, and do not let distractions creep in.”
Relationships require investment, too. Open communication is one of the top priorities for a relationship. Holding in emotions and frustrations can lead to resentment, according to Dallas.
“Sometimes we feel unheard, but we never gave people a chance to hear us.” Planning time for check-ins helps avoid those frustrations.
“People always want more chances to make memories,” notes Dallas, “but if we can be more present, we have the potential to create them every day.”
Dallas Pilecki M. Ed., LMHCWith all the talk of “investing” that you will see in this issue, I feel this is the perfect opportunity to discuss a few local community members and organizations that really help to make our community thrive. Now, understand that there are too many to list, so I really am just going to try to scratch the surface here.
I’ll start with a little background on me, and my hopes and vision for local small businesses. My first introduction to business was not exactly exciting. Many of you were probably used to seeing me drive around in my big camouflage JDog trucks. While the work wasn’t the most fun, I was able to use my “recogizableness” (is that a word?) to make some great connections. Through meeting people like Duane Desilets (Park Square Realty), Rene Gauthier (Nextgen Roofing), Nabil Hannoush (ShortStop Bar & Grill), and MANY more, I was able to use my platform as a business owner to do some good. Together we were able to hold fundraisers for local firefighters, Vets Inc, Homeward Vets…the list goes on. Things like these helped me realize that small businesses do more than just sell goods and services. Small businesses actually care about you, the members of the community! Now, as the Publisher of Westfield City Lifestyle, my goal is to help not only the community, but the businesses that make this community what it is. Through advertising, networking, and connecting, we can all get stronger. There are more options than Amazon out there, and I plan to show you as many of them as I can. From shops like Hilltown Chic, to Team Link Brazilian Jui Jitsu, to Circuit Coffee, Westfield has a plethora of growing opportunity.
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is at the forefront of helping small local businesses in the area. Executive President Amanda Waterfield knows very well what it takes to run a small business, as she has not only helped many in their ventures, but she has walked the walk herself. Here is what she had to say:
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce is at the forefront of helping small local businesses in the area.
Q-HOW HAS BEING THE GWCC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IMPACTED HOW YOU VIEW SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS?
A-From my interaction with small business owners, it’s clear that running the business is as much work as doing the job; meaning that doing your own marketing, payroll, bookkeeping, customer service, and everything else that helps a business be successful takes a huge amount of time, energy, and focus. Small business owners’ work is never done.
Q-WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE BIGGEST BENEFIT TO CHAMBER MEMBERS?
A-Membership provides Chamber members with the support mechanisms that help a business succeed, including advocacy, visibility, education, and referrals.
Q-WHAT IS THE CHAMBERS GOAL WITHIN THE COMMUNITY?
A-One of our goals is to serve as a resource for business referrals – if a resident is looking for a recommendation, we can provide informed direction. Our larger vision is to improve our communities by helping develop a richer business community, which contributes to more enjoyable places to live and work.
Recently, I had a chance to speak with the Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, Col David Halasi-Kun. The 104th FW has been an integral part of Westfield since 1947 and has since been one of the largest employers in the city. I was lucky enough to spend just over 20 years there, so I have seen firsthand the bases dedication to the community.
Q- WHAT IS THE 104TH FW’S MAIN GOAL WHEN IT COMES TO LOCAL COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT?
A- Our main goal when it comes to local community involvement is to tell the story of the 104th Fighter Wing and to make sure that our surrounding communities
Small businesses do more than sell goods and services. Small businesses actually care about you, the members of the community.
understand the contributions our Citizen Airmen make to defend this nation, and that the Barnestormers are ready to respond here in the commonwealth when called into service by the governor.
Q-SINCE TAKING COMMAND, HOW HAS BEING INVOLVED WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY CHANGED YOUR VIEWS ON SUPPORTING SMALL AREA BUSINESSES?
A-Since taking command, I have a much deeper appreciation of the symbiotic relationship we have with local businesses. Our guardsmen work, live, and spend locally. We rely on our small business employers to recognize the importance of the work our guardsmen do, and to support their time spent training and deploying with the 104th. The Fighter Wing is a large economic engine in the community, employing over 1,000 people and injecting over $100 million annually into the local economies through payroll alone and millions more through the awarding of military contracts.
I want to thank Amanda and Col Halasi-Kun for their contributions here, and to our community. I also want to thank the vast amounts of others that help make our community a home.
Retirement marks the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance and sound financial choices. A key element of effective retirement planning is diversifying your income sources. While staples like 401(k)s or IRAs are foundational, it's equally important to branch out.
Tax considerations significantly influence retirement strategies. Each financial action, from asset sales to account withdrawals, can carry tax consequences. Knowing these details can greatly influence one's overall retirement income. Tactics such as Roth IRA conversions can help distribute tax liabilities over time, allowing for tax-free withdrawals later on. Using strategies like tax-loss harvesting can balance out capital gains, ensuring proactive steps to reduce tax impact.
Annuities have long been recognized as a popular retirement income source. An annuity is essentially a financial contract that can offer a steady and predictable income, with options that might even extend to lifetime payouts. Retirees should also be aware of certain drawbacks. These might include fees
and expenses, issues around liquidity, and potential concerns related to inflation.
Delving into the world of Alternative Investments, retirees can consider assets such as hedge funds, private equity and real assets, among others. These investments may promise higher returns and provide diversification away from traditional stocks and bonds. However, the complexities of these investments mean they often come with challenges like illiquidity, higher fees and the need for a thorough understanding of the investment itself.
The backbone of many retirement plans, Social Security Income, provides a safety net for millions. Established with the intent of financial assistance, the amount one receives depends on various factors. There are also strategies retirees can employ to maximize these benefits, such as deciding on the optimal time to claim or considering the implications of working while receiving benefits.
You only get one retirement. In the ever-evolving world of finance, staying updated and flexible is essential to ensure the continued relevance and efficiency of one's retirement strategy.
Disclosures
Securities offered only by duly registered individuals of Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals of Csenge Advisory Group, LLC. MAS, Csenge Advisory Group, LLC and Impact Wealth, LLC are not affiliated entities.
Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Our firm is not permitted to offer and no statement made during this presentation shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency.
Every retirement journey is distinct, and each vision merits expert guidance. Impact Wealth is based in Boulder Colorado. You can contact them at Impact@ImpactWealth.com.
APRIL 2024
EVERY WEEKEND IN APRIL!
77 Mill St. Westfield - Mill at Crane Pond, F Entrance, Parking Lot #3 | 1:00 PM
Refresh, Recycle, Renew. Hunt for treasures and reclaim parts of history that have been forgotten and discarded. Elm Brook Farm features antiques, farm tools, industrial salvage, repurposed furniture, signs, and collectibles. Adventures are to be had every weekend from 1-5 pm at the Mill at Crane Pond, F Entrance, Parking Lot #3 off Crane Ave in Westfield, MA
APRIL 3RD
Par 4 the Course / ShortStop Bar & Grill 99 Springfield Rd. Westfield, MA | 5:30 PM
Join local Realtor, Joanne Papadimitriou, with Coldwell Banker, Jeannie Boudreau, Mortgage Officer with Westfield Bank, and several other real estate professionals. Mingle while you play, have a drink and enjoy some food. You will have the opportunity to talk to the experts about buying or selling a home. For info, registering for this FREE event, email jpapasells@gmail.com - text 413-244-2970
APRIL 6TH
Log Cabin - 500 Easthampton Rd. Holyoke, MA | 6:00 PM
Join us for a Kentucky Derby themed evening of dinner, dessert, drinks, dancing, raffles & much, much more!!! Tickets are $100 per person & proceeds support our Western Mass Mom Prom beneficiaries ~ The CHD Cancer House of Hope & Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen & Pantry! Get your tickets today before they sell out.
APRIL 6TH
The Barn at Westfield River Brewing Co. 707 College Hwy. Southwick, MA | 6:00 AM
All the way from North Carolina the nations premier tribute to Nirvana will be live in the barn to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the late Kurt Cobain. Capacity is limited so we strongly recommend purchasing early! • All Ages • Indoor show • Doors 6pm • Opener 6:30pm • Nirvani 8:00pm
APRIL 20TH
Huntington, MA (check entrance info for starting point) | 9:00 AM
The country’s oldest continuously run whitewater kayak and canoe races are taking to the Westfield River once again this April. The Westfield River, running down from the Berkshires through the Hilltowns of Western Mass, has been given Wild & Scenic designation by the National Park Service for its scenic, historic character and free flowing waters.
APRIL 25TH
The Boylston Rooms - 122 Pleasant St. Easthampton, MA | 6:00 PM
Come sample local brews and enjoy eats from Myers catering while supporting a good cause. Our proceeds for this event will be given to the Easthampton Community Center to assist them with the great work they do. Prior to the creation of this non-profit, the Easthampton Firefighters Association hosted annual beer tastings.
Investing in good quality beer can be a lucrative endeavor for those with a discerning palate and an eye for opportunity. As the craft beer movement continues to gain momentum, more consumers are seeking unique and flavorful brews every day, creating a growing market for high-quality beer offerings.
Bright Ideas Brewing, nestled in Westfield, Massachusetts, is a prime destination for beer enthusiasts and investors alike. With a focus on innovation and quality, Bright Ideas Brewing consistently produces a diverse range of exceptional beers that appeal to a wide audience. Whether it’s their meticulously crafted IPAs, rich stouts, or refreshing lagers, Bright Ideas Brewing offers something for every palate.
For investors looking to add Bright Ideas Brewing to their portfolio, visiting the brewery and connecting with the team can provide valuable insights into their brewing process, future releases, and investment opportunities. Building relationships with the brewery staff and staying informed about upcoming beer releases can offer investors a competitive edge in acquiring sought-after brews for their portfolio.
Bright Ideas Brewing offers more than just exceptional beer; it provides a captivating ambiance that enhances the overall experience for visitors. Patrons can relax in comfortable seating areas, chat with friends, or engage with the friendly staff while enjoying their favorite brews. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast, or a casual visitor, the inviting ambiance of Bright Ideas Brewing makes every visit memorable.