May 6, 2016

Eastchester REVIEW County board votes to cede control of Rye Playland SORRY THE

May 6, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 19 | www.eastchesterreview.com

The village of Bronxville has decided to backtrack from a recent increase in parking meter hours after hearing complaints from residents and merchants.

For story, see page 8.

File photo

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

Bronxville Farmers Market opens under new management

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Pascale Le Draoulec said she witnessed the rise of the farm-totable movement when she was a newspaper reporter and restaurant critic for the New York Daily News from 2001 to 2007.

Now, she’s on the other side of the table.

Le Draoulec, who has been managing three farmers markets in Westchester County, now also runs the Bronxville Farmers Market, replacing Mary Liz Mulligan, who retired at the end of 2015.

The market, co-sponsored by the village of Bronxville and the Chamber of Commerce, opens

on Saturday, May 7 for its 15th season. Thirty-five vendors are expected to set up booths.

This also marks the market’s first year without Mulligan, who thinks the market is in good hands with her successor. “We have the same mission, which is to help the farming industry in New York state,” she said.

Le Draoulec said her markets in Irvington, Hastings-onHudson and Chappaqua are each unique to their own communities, and she wants her newest market to be representative of Bronxville’s small village feel.

However, she plans to add her own personal touch to the market. Le Draoulec is arranging live music for the opening week-

end, and plans to have live entertainment for each subsequent week. This is partially in an effort to create an atmosphere that feels more like an agora and less like a supermarket.

“What I’ve always heard and what vendors always tell me about Bronxville shoppers,” Le Draoulec said, “[is] they’re always in a hurry. They come and buy and they leave.”

She said she wants to try to slow it down so vendors in Bronxville get more exposure and customers enjoy a wholesome experience.

Part of the experience Le Draoulec aims to create is a family-friendly market. “I want families to shop the market to-

gether,” she said. To inspire that, she orchestrates activities for children. She said she wants her markets to help kids learn about real food and how it tastes. “I love the idea of bringing kids into the mix, getting them off their devices for a little while,” she said.

Le Draoulec said she also aims to bring the community together. She designs her markets with a “dinner party philosophy” in mind. She hopes friends will meet at the market, make dinner plans and find every ingredient on site. “We’re bringing it all to you and you just have to buy it and take it home and do very market continued on page 9

A roller coaster ride between the management company Standard Amusements and Westchester County came to a close on Monday night after the county Board of Legislators voted overwhelmingly to move forward with a 30-year agreement transferring control of Rye Playland.

“I cannot be more thankful to County Executive [Rob] Astorino and the Westchester Board of Legislators for their vote of confidence,” said co-founder of Standard Amusements Nicholas Singer, who sat in the audience as the votes were cast. “This is a wonderful day for Westchester.”

On May 2, the Board of Legislators approved the agreement—which has undergone several transformations since its introduction in June 2015— committing the county and its taxpayers to $32 million in capital improvements for the ailing amusement park. The final vote passed by a margin of 13-4.

While many legislators from both sides of the political aisle accepted the agreement, touting its pragmatism, Democratic legislators Catherine Parker of Rye, Ken Jenkins of Yonkers, Catherine Borgia of Ossining and Alfreda Williams of White Plains outright rejected it.

“When you have a partner, that means you’re sharing in the risk, and sharing in the reward,” Jenkins said at Monday’s meeting. “But if we want to sit here and try to suggest this is a partnership arrangement; our partner is putting up $5 million in four

months, we’re putting up $32 million, tonight… I don’t know what you call that.”

The ratified agreement will see Standard expand on its initial investment of $5 million, which will go toward new rides, and eventually invest another $27 million of its own money into the park over the course of a 5-year period.

For now, the county will continue to co-manage the park with Standard, and according to county administration officials, the company will take over full control of the park’s management after 50 percent of the county’s agreed to capital investments have been made.

Tentatively, the administration has set a date for transition for Nov. 1, 2018.

According to the agreement, when the county has expended 50 percent of the $32 million in proposed capital projects, they will also begin sharing 8 percent of Standard’s profits; a number that will incrementally rise to 12 percent by the deal’s end.

Projects outlined in the deal include rehabilitation of the park’s shoreline, infrastructure and new rides.

Some members of the Democratic caucus have repeatedly warned against the agreement’s lack of profit sharing throughout deliberations, however.

“If Standard wants to have a good public-private partnership with the county, they should go back and think about what they could offer,” Parker told the Review last week.

A former, more expensive

INSIDE Sports Field Day in Eastchester Story on page 15.

playland continued on page 5

2 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016

May 6, 2016 • The eastchester review • 3

Cuomo reaffirms plans for Soundlink connection

By ANGELA JORDAN Staff Wrter Following the recent adoption of the New York state budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo again brought up his plan to build a bridge or tunnel across the Long Island Sound.

During his remarks at the Association for a Better New York luncheon on April 12, Cuomo, a Democrat, doubled down on his initiative to build a connection between the mainland and Long Island.

In early January, he proposed to connect Suffolk County to Westchester, the Bronx or Connecticut via tunnel, but during the April luncheon, he was more specific suggesting building a bridge between Nassau County and Westchester or the Bronx.

“Don’t tell me [building a Soundlink bridge] is not economic; cars and trucks would save hours, literally, with that one modification,” Cuomo said. “It’s only 12 miles, it can be done.”

The first step in pursuing this project would be to conduct a feasibility study that would look at the practicality of the idea, and would measure the cost of construction and future maintenance, in addition to how it would affect factors like traffic and the environment. In January, Cuomo said he would like to spend $5 million conducting a feasibility study for his proposed tunnel.

According to state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, there were no funds in the adopted state budget that were specifically itemized for a feasibility study, but the money could potentially be collected by the governor’s office from a larger pool designated for multiple potential projects, most likely the state Department of Transportation’s $27 million capital budget.

While there is currently no timetable to complete the feasibility study, state officials expect the study to be conducted soon.

Latimer described the opposition

to the project as “significant in both Westchester and on Long Island,” and reiterated his personal, ongoing opposition to the project, citing excess traffic, the cost of construction and environmental impact as some reasons to reject the idea.

This new proposal hit close to home particularly in the city of Rye, where a bridge was proposed by Robert Moses and former Gov. Nelson Rockefeller in the late 1960s and pursued for several years thereafter. However, facing significant opposition from both local officials and state legislators at the time, the Oyster Bay-Rye Bridge never came to fruition.

When Cuomo initially announced a revival of this idea in January, Rye City Mayor Joe Sack responded in his State of the City address with strong opposition to the idea pledging to “topple the tunnel.”

Sack told the Review in January that if a feasibility study were to be conducted, he would want to take an active role in monitoring its completion. He

Gov. Andrew Cuomo reiterated his intentions earlier this month to build a bridge that runs from either Westchester County or the Bronx to Long Island. The idea continues to be criticized by Westchester officials as being too expensive and impractical. File photo

said he didn’t believe “any legitimate feasibility study would indicate that a tunnel or bridge

would be a good idea.”

Sack could not be reached for additional comment as

of press time.

CONTACT: angela@hometwn.com

4 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016

What’s going on...

Eastchester Public Library

Visit eastchesterlibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs. The library will be closed on Sunday, May 8 for Mother’s Day.

EPL Film Series On Friday, May 13 at 1:30 p.m. “Bridge of Spies” will be screened. During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane.

Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers’ only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan (Tom Hanks), recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man’s freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court. Rated PG-13; running time: 142 minutes.

Bronxville Public Library

Battle of the Books meeting On Saturday, May 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 2016 Teen Battle of the Books program is a team activity requiring a commitment to read five books and attend practices up until the countywide battle on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Those interested in participating in Battle of the Books are asked to read “Counting By 7s” by Holly Goldberg Sloan in advance of the May 7 practice. Copies are available at the Circulation Desk.

Open to those who will be entering grades seven to 10 in the fall. Please contact Elizabeth Portillo at 793-5055 or eportillo@wlsmail.org if you are interested in being a part of this program.

Bronxville Library. Limit is 10 books per patron.

On Wednesday, May 11 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Join in for another tween/teen science day dissecting owl pellets. An owl’s body has a unique way of getting rid of bones and waste of its food and you’ll be taking apart those pellets to find out what the owl ate. All materials will be provided, including gloves.

For ages 10 and up. Please register online and leave child’s name and age in the comment box.

controlled game situations and scrimmages. Camp staff will work closely with each athlete to help them maximize their potential and ensure a positive experience.

The camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14, and will run from June 27 to July 7 at Bronxville High School, located at 177 Pondfield Road.

Camp hours are 9 a.m. to noon, and the fee is $199. For more information, visit eastchester.org/ departments/recreation/index.html or email broncohoops@gmail.com.

Hidden Gems of Westchester County

Bronxville Sports and Science Camp

On Thursday, May 12 from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Come learn about the different parks and trails right in your own backyard. Discover places like Kensico Dam, Croton Point Park, Lasdon Park, and hiking, biking and walking trails throughout the county and more. Presented by Friends of Westchester County Parks.

The mission of the Bronxville Sports and Science Camp is to provide children with experiences in a variety of sports, enrich them in the field of science exploration, and empower them with decision-making skills. Blending the disciplines found in sports and academics with this life lesson theme provides children with a camp experience that will be both valuable and memorable.

The camp is specifically designed for boys and girls entering grades K–6 and is presented by the Eastchester Recreation Department. There are four sessions, all in July. The camps will run weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bronxville School, located at 177 Pondfield Road. For more information, visit eastchester.org/departments/recreation/ index.html or email bronxvillesportsandsciencecamp@gmail.com.

Owl pellet dissection

Tuckahoe Public Library

Visit bronxvillelibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs.

Book donation drop-off On Saturday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring in your gently used books for the ongoing library book sale. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the

Visit tuckahoelibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs.

Singalong with Miss Elaine On Monday, May 9 at 11:30 a.m. Open to newborns through age 6. Join in the kids’ singalong with Miss Elaine. Registration is required by calling the library at 961-2121.

The Reformed Church of Bronxville

Puzzle Time

Bach Festival

On Friday, May 13 at 4 p.m. Open to ages 3 to 6.

Let’s do puzzles together. Registration is required by calling the library at 961-2121.

The Reformed Church of Bronxville, located at 180 Pondfield Road, will present a two-day music festival featuring the exquisite works of Bach.

Proclaimed by Felix Mendelssohn as “the greatest music in the world,” audiences will have the opportunity to hear compositions written for a variety of instruments and choirs.

On Saturday, May 14 at 3 p.m., the festival will commence with a three-hour Bach marathon featuring world-class musicians performing on historic instruments, including viola da gamba, baroque flute, baroque cello, baroque violin, harpsichords (German, Flemish and French) and organ. The burgeoning program will offer solos, duets and trios. Performing will be Judson Griffen, Christopher Collins Lee, Joseph Trent, Pat Neely, Anneke Schaul-Yoder, Helga Bartus and Sandor Szabo.

On Sunday, May 15, the Bach Festival will culminate with a spectacular gala concert featuring the church’s Chancel Choir, Kirksingers, chapel choir and orchestra. The program will include Bach’s Cantata No. 140 and Cantata No. 196, as well as the E major concerto for violin performed by renowned violinist Christopher Collins Lee. Audience members are invited to sing Bach’s chorales from the hymnals.

Admission to the two-day event is free with a reception to follow. For more information, call 337-6776 or visit reformedchurch.org.

Eastchester Recreation Department Summer camps registration Visit eastchester.org/departments/recreation/index.html for more information on summer camps.

These camps are also open to Tuckahoe and Bronxville residents. You can also reach the Parks and Recreation Department at 771-3311 or recreation@eastchester.org.

Registration is underway at Eastchester Town Hall, located at 40 Mill Road, during the regular business hours of Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Town Hall will not be open on the weekends.

Late registration rates are currently being charged. Camp registration will close on Sunday, May 15. After May 15, the department will only accept registrations if there are openings in your child’s age group; otherwise they will be put on a waiting list. If you have more than one child attending one of the camps, there is a $50 discount off the original camp price for each additional child in the same family; the first child pays full price.

Bronco Hoops summer basketball camp Bronco Hoops Basketball Camp is rooted in teaching the fundamental skills and strategy of basketball in a manner that is both fun and educational. Each day, athletes will participate in skill-based stations that focus on individual player development. Those skills will then be utilized in

Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

May 6, 2016 • The eastchester review • 5

Purchase to host summer appraisal camp

playland from page 1

iteration of the agreement, which was introduced in March, would have put taxpayers on the line for $58 million in proposed capital projects, with the inclusion of costly projects for the park’s colonnades and tower, totaling $20 million.

Critical renovations to the park’s historic pool were also removed from the current agreement after costs to improve the structure soared to an estimated $10 million.

The agreement struck between the county and Standard comes after years of negotiations between the administration of Republican County Executive Rob Astorino and various private partners. As one of his goals upon taking elected office in 2010, Astorino set out to alter the future of Playland, sending out a request for proposals to reinvent the park for the 21st century that same year.

Previously, in 2014, a proposed agreement between the county administration and Ryebased nonprofit Sustainable Playland Inc., Astorino’s preferred choice, was shot down after pushback from Rye residents who decried the agreement’s addition of an 82,000-square-foot field house in the park’s parking lot which abutted a residential neighborhood.

Now, however, Astorino’s

Co-founder of the management company Standard Amusements, Nick Singer, left, spent time at Playland as a child, and will now help direct the future of the park. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

administration is confident that the newest deal will benefit both taxpayers and the 88-year-old amusement park’s future.

“We started with a blank piece of paper for how to save Playland six years ago,” Astorino, a Republican, said in a released statement following ratification of the agreement with

Standard. “Now we are taking a historic step forward. The capital, the operator and the vision are in place to protect both taxpayers and the Dragon Coaster for years to come.”

Playland will open for the season on Saturday, May 7.

CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat who has been vocal about her disapproval of the agreement, was one of four Democrats to vote against the 30-year deal on Monday night in White Plains.

Have you ever wondered if you could turn your hobby into a career? If you have a hobby you are passionate about, you may have wondered how you might be able to spend more time with your hobby and less time at work. Or maybe you are one of those lucky people whose hobby is actually an adjunct to your job, but you have not taken steps to monetize the hobby into a part of your business so you can do both at the same time.

“Who is going to hire someone who loves to study the decorative and/or fine arts?” you may ask yourself. That is the question I asked myself when I, Alison Ho, marketing and communications coordinator at the American Society of Appraisers, was a real estate professional and my hobby was antiques. When I finally decided to segue into a new career, I looked to appraising antiques and decorative arts.

So I know from experience, it is possible to change careers and/or turn a hobby into a career.

But you do have to get some formal training.

Enter the American Society of Appraisers. ASA is a worldrenowned and respected international organization devoted to the appraisal profession. As the oldest and only major appraisal organization representing all appraisal specialists, ASA is devoted to providing the highest possible standards in all areas of ethics, professionalism, education and designation criteria. The society has allowed me to grow as an appraiser and has given me many opportunities and outlets, from program development to speaking engagements, teaching assignments, appraisal assignments and peer contacts.

Follow us on Twitter

ASA offers not only the full Appraisal Studies Program, but also an Appraisal Summer Camp, which is a boot camp for fast-tracking one’s education, perfect for those looking to actually make a career move, expand a current career by monetizing knowledge, or just get a feel for appraising to see if a career move is the right one for them.

The fifth annual Summer Appraisal Camp takes place from June 3 through June 19 at Purchase College. This accelerated summer program enables students to earn your Purchase College Appraisal Studies Certificate in just a little more than two weeks.

Sometimes, all you need for success is the right connection, the right education and a choice of educational opportunities.

Learn more about becoming a personal property appraiser by visiting ASA online at appraisers.org or calling 800-272-8258.

(Submitted)

@ eastchesterview

6 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016

Eastchester REVIEW THE

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Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com Editor-in-Chief | Christian Falcone ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com

Mamaroneck hits the

wine trail

Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com

By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer

Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com

Patrons of the village of Mamaroneck hit the dusty trail on Sunday, May 1 for the 10th annual Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail, an event held by the Chamber of Commerce to promote local businesses. The trail included 19 stops along and around Mamaroneck Avenue, where participants sampled different wines and signature dishes. According to the chamber’s administrator, Pam Moran, despite the day’s cool and rainy weather, the event brought out approximately 300 people.

“Considering the weather, it was very well-attended and we did not have bad reviews of any of the trolley stops,” Moran said.

She added that approximately 200 people preregistered for the event, while another 100 or so showed up at Harbor Island Park to register the day of.

A large crowd gathered near the park’s entrance at 12:30 p.m. to wait for the trolley to take them along the trail, where the Chamber of Commerce passed out wristbands and complimentary

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Community Events

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Smoked brisket served atop a cheddar cornbread and garnished with pickled jalapeño was one of the Smokehouse Tailgate Grill’s featured dishes during the 10th annual Mamaroneck Wine Trail.

umbrellas to the half-soaked patrons standing in the rain. Once on the trolley, people shook out their umbrellas and got warm as they headed toward the wine trail. Clare Santora, of Pelham, told the Review that this was her fifth time attending the wine trail.

“There are all different types of food, and you get to try many different types of things,” she said. Santora added that normally, she and her friends walk from stop to stop, but because of the rain, they decided to take the trolley for the first time. Although the event is a great way to spend a day with friends, it

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Tony Cables, center, a server at Smokehouse Tailgate Grill on Mamaroneck Avenue, serves wine and jokes with patrons at last week’s 10th annual Mamaroneck Wine Trail event.

also benefits restaurateurs in Mamaroneck.

Richie Becker, owner of 360 American Grille on Mamaroneck Avenue, said that his restaurant has been participating in the wine trail since the restaurant’s opening four years ago.

“We get some of our best customers from [the wine trail] every year,” said Becker, adding that he loves the event. For the day’s event, his restaurant showcased dishes of Brussels sprouts with gorgonzola, smoked brisket and a southwestern salad: a mix of lettuce, black beans, roasted corn, cheese, peppers, onions and cranberries with a cranberry blush vinaigrette. “[The event] brings people in to see the friendly village of Mamaroneck,” Becker said. He added that hopefully, the event introduces people to the many restaurants on Mamaroneck Avenue, and brings them back again in the future.

Jim Mulcahy, of Larchmont, said that this kind of event is exactly how merchants get more customers.

“They’re displaying their wares for us, obviously so that we will come back again,” he said. Mulcahy has been a professional in the produce business for more than 40 years, and has been attending the wine trail for the last five years with a large group of friends whom he has known for nearly 50 years.

“We’re still hanging tough,” he laughed. His crew of people was the liveliest of the bunch, filling the small entryway of the Smokehouse Tailgate Grill, a

The Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail, which took place on Sunday, May 1, allowed participants to try wine and food at 19 different restaurants and shops in the village. Photos/Kiley Stevens

new restaurant on Mamaroneck Avenue.

The Smokehouse, as it is known colloquially, made its debut on the wine trail this year.

Co-owner of the restaurant, Mike Hofer, told the Review that in New Rochelle, where

their other storefront is located, there aren’t as many community events like the wine trail.

“Events like these are one of the reasons we wanted to open in Mamaroneck,” Hofer said.

CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com

A look inside the trolley, which bused patrons from Harbor Island Park to 19 different stops along the trail.

May 6, 2016 • The eastchester review • 7

Bronxville students Walk to School for Earth Day

Some students made new friends and took in the scenery and fresh air ahead of class.

Bronxville Elementary School students and their families left the car keys at home and instead walked to school as part of the annual spring tradition, Walk to School for Earth Day, which took place from Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22.

Students, parents, guardians, siblings and dogs have been walking together on the sidewalks all week to get to school where they were greeted by their principal, Tricia Murray, and members of the Student Council.

The students received colorful stickers and were congratulated for being environmentally aware.

“It’s a very tangible way to reduce our footprint,” Murray said.

“It’s also a happier morning. Everyone is in a good mood, perhaps because they walked, and they’re excited to get their stickers. It’s

nice to have that interaction with the students in the beginning of the day, and I think it sets a nice tone for the rest of the day.”

Murray said she’s seen the difference in the amount of cars that arrive for pick-up and dropoff during the week, from 100 cars and a long line along Midland Avenue down to about 20 cars that arrive in the morning.

Karin Drakenberg Goodson, a mother of two boys in Bronxville elementary and middle schools, started the idea in 2009 by sending an email to a few Bronxville parents. She wanted to remind them about Earth Day and encourage them to walk to school that day. Since then, her Walk to School for Earth Day initiative has grown to a whole week and garnered support from the entire community. Earlier this week,

Mayor Mary Marvin and Police Chief Christopher Satriale, who have been supportive since the beginning of the initiative, greeted students as they walked to school.

“Bronxville is a really walkable town,” Drakenberg Goodson said about the 1-square-mile village. “The event is about raising awareness about the environment, the importance of getting daily exercise and spending quality time with your family.”

But mostly, she said she hopes to inspire students and their families.

“Although many students already walk or ride a bike to school, I hope to inspire more people to get into the habit of walking not just around Earth Day, but all year-round,” she said. (Submitted)

Bronxville Elementary School students and their families walk to school from Monday, April 18 through Friday, April 22 in honor of Earth Day.

Elementary school students cross the street at Midland Avenue during the Walk to School for Earth Day week, with help from parents. Photos courtesy Bronxville school district

8 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016

Springtime issues and questions on the radar Bronxville meters run later, parking fines increase BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin

As the warm weather graces the village, I bring to your attention issues particular to this time of year and seasonal questions that we have fielded for your fellow citizens at Village Hall as of late.

• When does the leaf blower ban take effect?

Our gas-powered leaf blower ban begins on Wednesday, June 1 and extends through Friday, Sept. 30. In addition to the high intensity noise they produce, small gas-powered engines generate pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in large quantities relative to the size of the engines. The particles emitted are respirable and inhalation of these airborne dusts can exacerbate asthma in children and aggravate respiratory diseases, especially in the elderly. The village takes this ban very seriously and we plan a vigorous enforcement this season. Violators are subject to fines of up to $250. Please help us monitor this regulation on your own property.

• What can I throw out on garbage days and what do I do to dispose of other items?

Our garbage trucks only collect normal household waste. If you have other items that need to be disposed, call our Department of Public Works at 337-7338 and arrange for a bulky waste pickup. Items such as carpeting, furniture, mattresses and box springs are picked up on a weekly basis. Refrigerators (with Freon and doors removed), air conditioners (with Freon removed), washers, dryers, televisions and computer monitors are picked up during the second week of each month. The village cannot accept car batteries, construction debris, stone and concrete, propane tanks, tires, bathtubs and water heaters for removal.

The service costs $20 and all items should be placed curbside by 7 a.m. on the morning of the scheduled pickup.

• Why does the village not install “Children at Play” and/or “Slow Children” signs in neighborhoods with many children?

State and federal traffic standards reject these signs because

they openly suggest that playing in the street is acceptable and they give parents and children a false sense of security, as the sign is assumed to provide protection when in reality it does not. Studies demonstrate no evidence that these signs result in reduced pedestrian collisions or lower vehicular speed.

If the village placed these signs, it would suggest that Bronxville allows children to play in the streets which assumes a level of responsibility and liability that is not prudent. Since children live on every residential block in the village, if used, these signs would be needed on every road. On the other hand, signs that alert drivers to playgrounds are encouraged because the parks are often located in places where a reasonable driver would not expect a large group of children. Sagamore Park is a prime example.

In the same vein of safety concerns, bicycles may only be ridden on village sidewalks if the rider is younger than 11 years old. No one is allowed to ride bicycles or skateboards on the sidewalks in our two business districts.

In addition, per New York state law, when a pedestrian is in any of the village’s crosswalks, cars must yield in both directions.

However, when crossing in midstreet, pedestrians must yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway.

• Could the speed limit in the village be lowered to increase safety?

The villagewide speed limit is 30 mph, the lowest allowed in New York state. The only exceptions are marked school zones.

Any further reduction requires state legislation, which would be predicated on documented data demonstrating accident rates, speeding data and great traffic volume, something Bronxville cannot demonstrate. Speed reduction where it is not warranted can unintentionally lead to increased traffic, congestion and pollution.

• Can my family get their birth certificates or copies thereof at Village Hall?

Birth certificates can only be issued by the municipality in which an individual is born, so only residents born at Lawrence Hospital can receive theirs at Village Hall at a cost of $10.

If born in any other hospital in New York state, a certificate can be obtained from Albany by following instructions on the state’s website. The cost is $35 and takes several weeks. The village has no authority to issue any other documents, save for death certificates. We can also only issue handicap driving permits and signage to residents of the village.

• When is the second half of property tax bills due?

Tax bills will be mailed out during the first week of June 2016, following the school budget vote on Thursday, May 19.

Taxes may be paid without penalty if they are received in person at Village Hall or postmarked no later than Thursday, June 30. In an effort to save time, money and paper, you will notice that in this bill the second half stub and return envelope have been included. Please save it for the December payment. We will be sending out an e-alert as a reminder as the June 30 deadline draws near.

Our e-alert system relays important and topical civic information and I urge all residents to sign up. Simply go to the village website and add your e-mail address at the prompt.

A property tax bill is determined by two factors: the property’s taxable assessment and the tax rate of the taxing jurisdiction. The tax rate is determined by the amount of tax levy to be raised from the assessing unit and the unit’s total taxable assessed value. The property tax rate is determined by dividing the total amount of money that has to be raised from property tax (the tax levy) by the taxable assessed value of taxable real property in a municipality.

For example, if our levy is $2 million and we have a taxable assessed value (the sum of the assessment of all taxable properties) of $40 million, then the tax rate would be $50 for each $1,000 of taxable assessed property. An individual’s share of the tax is calculated by multiplying the tax rate by your individual assessed value minus exemptions such as STAR. Property tax rates are set by the school and village boards.

The assessor is responsible for determining your property’s assessed value but he has no role in determining property taxes.

Bronxville parking meters now run from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., a timeframe which Mayor Mary Marvin expects not to deter customers from local businesses. File photo

By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The village of Bronxville Board of Trustees has decided to adjust the hourly timespan during which parking must be paid for by meter.

Mayor Mary Marvin, a Republican, said she received backlash from local business owners after the village planned to extend metered parking hours— which ran from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.—until 9 p.m. But after some internal discussion, Marvin and the village board backtracked and as a result meters in Bronxville now expire at 7 p.m.

“Frankly, we listened to the people who live it every day and we said, ‘You know, you make a good point,’” she told the Review.

Marvin said that much of the clamor over the change originally proposed was brought to her attention by Susan Miele, executive director of the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce.

Miele said she approached the mayor several times asking her to reconsider the metered parking hours.

“The mayor is great about listening to what the chamber has to say because we represent the business district,” Miele said.

The executive director said late-running meters threatened to impairing businesses that rely on evening customers, such as restaurants, movie theaters and exercise studios like SoulCycle.

She added that the village has been experiencing more parking congestion than it is accustomed

to, partially due to the Kensington Road project—a construction project featuring two four-story condominiums and a two-level underground garage— which has temporarily jeopardized 176 parking spaces during construction.

Marvin said the reason for initially extending meter hours was to deter Metro-North travelers headed into the city from using village streets as a parking lot.

But when the Chamber of Commerce told the mayor that the parking fare would negatively affect businesses, the board decided to end metered hours at 7 p.m. instead of 9 p.m.

Marvin said that this compromise would still aide the board in their mission to discourage Metro-North riders from parking on the street, while not crippling local businesses.

The board is currently investigating ways to optimize the parking spaces that already exist.

During an April 11 meeting, the Board of Trustees authorized Village Administrator Jim Palmer to hire Walker Parking Consultants to asses parking trends in the downtown area of Bronxville.

This study would help the village determine where meters should have low time limits and where meters should allow lengthy parking.

The Kensington Road garage, which the mayor expects to be available for parking in January or February 2017, will also help to alleviate parking pressures in Bronxville. The garage will provide 309 parking spaces, 106 of which will be set aside for

residents of the new Kensington Road condominiums.

Last year, the Review reported that village officials were considering a two-level parking deck near the Metro-North station on Kraft Avenue. Marvin said the project is no longer the main solution to the village’s parking concerns.

“We had somebody configure a deck and it was much too big,” the mayor said. “It just didn’t fit the whole village-scape.”

Marvin added that the village has not commissioned a second design for the deck, and that they will likely reconsider the project only after the Walker study and the Kensington garage are completed.

Miele said she asked Marvin not to postpone the parking deck project, but admitted, “Because of the numerous initiatives, there’s only so much they can do at once.”

Marvin said that in order to make up for the revenue lost by shortening parking hours, the village is increasing parking fines from $20 to $25.

The village of Tuckahoe Board of Trustees also changed the schedule of fines for parking violations, increasing some fines by $5 or $10, and also increased parking meter fees. Meters in Tuckahoe now charge 25 cents for 15 minutes. Tuckahoe Mayor Ecklond, a Republican, said that “a quarter for a quarter” was on par with the rates for short-term parking in Bronxville and Eastchester.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

May 6, 2016 • The eastchester review • 9

Bronxville teachers enhance instruction

During a recent lesson study, Bronxville Elementary School teachers observe students in order to refine and analyze their classroom lesson. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district

Bronxville Elementary School teachers have been participating in a long-term professional development, called lesson study, over the last four years, in which teams of teachers collaboratively plan, observe, refine and analyze their classroom lessons. Given the success of the method, which originated in Japan and has been credited for the improvements of the country’s math and science program, Bronxville Middle School math teachers also incorporated lesson study into their teaching this year.

“One of the main benefits is that it improves instruction because the teachers are looking at and analyzing what’s going on in the classroom during the lesson and they’re collecting student work and analyzing it,” Assistant Principal Adrienne Laitman said.

“They’re making improvements based on what they’re noticing and then they’re re-teaching the lesson and determining whether the students are more successful.”

As part of the lesson study, one member of the group of teachers, who collaboratively designed a particular lesson, teaches it to his or her students while the rest of the group members observe and take notes. Then, they reconvene and refine the lesson based on what worked and what didn’t work before a second member of the group teaches the lesson.

“It’s a very elaborate process,” said Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mara Koetke, who added that it’s recommended

that teachers do a cycle of lesson study twice a year. “This is a focused, pointed opportunity for teachers to learn from each other and then refine something, which doesn’t happen as much as people might think.”

Koetke said lesson study is not meant to evaluate teachers, but it’s more about establishing a culture where visitation is welcomed and feedback is encouraged and accepted. She said the innovative approach to teaching establishes a commitment among teachers to improve on important, cornerstone lessons.

Middle school math teachers Connor Mitchell and Jennifer Oliveri and high school teacher John Ruiz, who teaches an eighth-grade math course, were recently involved in a lesson study together. Instead of giving their students the mathematical formula to find the volume of 3-D shapes, they gave two pieces of paper to the students and asked them to make two different styles of containers. The students had to determine which container would hold more popcorn and then come up with the mathematical formula for volume.

“The rich and meaningful conversations students had with each other at the conclusion of the lesson proved that helping kids understand a general formula for volume, which is the area of the base times the height, would lead to longterm understanding of the concept,” Oliveri said. “The lesson was aligned with the Bronx-

ville Promise in terms of students’ ability to think critically through reasoning and conceptualization, and innovation by developing a bias towards experimentation to build understanding.”

Oliveri said that having the opportunity to collaborate in the lesson planning process with fellow teachers was an excellent experience.

“The intellectual conversations we had regarding the course material and even educational philosophies gave our lesson purpose and focus,” she said. “Each of us became personally invested in delivering an effective and engaging lesson for our eighth-graders. Furthermore, it was interesting to see that as math teachers each of us initially attacked the concept of volume from a different angle.”

As a result of this teaching method, Laitman said, teachers are more comfortable collaborating and having others in their classroom. It also impacts them beyond the particular study lesson they taught and many teachers said they’ve started to rethink the rest of their lessons.

“This has been such a longstanding successful form of professional development in the elementary school, so we were really thrilled that some middle school teachers were willing to try it and had a very positive experience,” Koetke said. “It’s a really good data point for the district and we’re hoping to scale it up.” (Submitted)

market from page 1

Chef Zachary Golper, co-owner of Bien Cuit, a bread bakery that will be featured at the Bronxville Farmers Market, which is under new management this year. Photo courtesy Pascale Le Draoulec

little to it,” she said.

A first-generation American with French immigrant parents, Le Draoulec said she ensures that the staples—cheese and bread—are available every week.

While particular vendors will be at the market each Sautrday, some vendors will rotate between Le Draoulec’s four markets in an effort to bring a variety of specialty products to each community.

Rotating vendors also help to diversify the market. Le Draoulec said she has a reputation for managing well-gyrated markets.

Too many of one type of vendor,

she said, can create unnecessary competition and spitefulness, which can often make the market feel hostile. “The whole point of this process is for everyone to do well,” she said.

But Le Draoulec is not entirely averse to competition, especially when it comes to pie.

She holds best pie contests in her markets each year, and she hopes to carry that tradition into Bronxville. She suggested trying the first one in the fall during apple season, but wants to leave the pie style up to the recommendation of Bronxville marketgoers.

Pie has become a staple at Le Draoulec’s markets. And in

2002, she wrote “American Pie: Slices of Life (and Pie) from America’s Back Roads,” a novel recounting her cross-country road trip in her Volvo named Betty, guided by homemade pies.

CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

Bronxville Farmers Market Date: May 7 to Nov. 19, on Saturdays Time: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Stone Place

10 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016

Keeping the Covenant HISTORICALLY SPEAKING Richard Forliano

in Bronxville. She was Eastchester’s last Overseer of the Poor. It would not be until the depth of the Great Depression that her position as Overseer of the Poor would be abolished and changed to federal welfare officer. In 1940, Dusenberry retired as the public welfare officer. Upon her retirement, she continued her work at helping those who could not help themselves by founding the Bronxville League for Service.

Starting as early as the mid19th century, individuals joined houses of worship, founded local charities and participated in local civic and service organizations. While most of these good people might never have read or heard about the Eastchester Covenant, in a very real sense they were following the spirit of our founder families who designed our community centuries ago.

To a large extent, the answer to the question of the extent that the people of this town have ad-

hered the spirit of the Eastchester Covenant is in the eye of the beholder.

In the next article, single events from the 19th and 20th centuries and two from the 21st century will be described: the founding of Mount Vernon in 1850; the village of Tuckahoe from 1930 to today; the meeting outside Town Hall after 9/11; and the ceremony at Town Hall on June 24, 2014 where town officials resigned the Eastchester Covenant. It will be up for the reader to decide whether these events stem from Eastchester’s origins or are simply accidents of history.

Please contact us at historian@eastchesterhistoricalsociety.org about any comments or questions you might have about this column.

Also, any questions about sources of information will be addressed.

Village of Mamaroneck adopts new sewer fees The present Waverly School, built in the late 1890s, was the high school for Tuckahoe and Eastchester until 1928. The inscription carved in marble connects the selfless spirit of our first Puritan town fathers with the citizens of today. Photo courtesy Richard Forliano

sentence, this inscription carved in marble connects the selfless spirit of those first town fathers with us today.

In Colonial times, Eastchester was surrounded by manors ruled by lords appointed by the crown.

Heathcote Manor, the present village of Scarsdale, Phillipsburg Manor, the present city of Yonkers, and Pelham Manor to the west were such communities. Their lands were worked by tenant farmers who had little to no say in decisions affecting their lives. To the contrary, the citizens of Eastchester in Colonial times were land-owning citizens who made important decisions at town meetings controlling their lives.

In both the 17th and early 18th centuries, the farmers of Eastchester would make courageous stands when the right to elect their own representatives to a Colonial assembly were threatened. During Leisler’s Rebellion in 1689, 70 Eastchester farmers took up arms against what they considered to be an attempt to close down the Colonial assembly. Over five decades later in 1733, the land-owning farmers of Eastchester refused to allow

a corrupt royal governor to fix an election to the Colonial assembly.

Most of the 26 articles of the Covenant are either archaic, obsolete or abandoned. No longer do we have a day in the spring set aside for the killing of rattlesnakes. Most serious disputes today are handled by the courts, not by third party arbitration.

The Puritan communal ideal of all families living on equal size lots was abandoned in a span of less than two decades. The practice of voting to exclude “obnoxious people” from moving into the community and insuring that a new arrival could only purchase land after a vote of the inhabitants ended most likely before the last man put his signature on the Covenant.

But in other ways, the spirit of the Covenant and the hopes of the founding families live on.

Town records show that there was a local official called the Overseer of the Poor that dates back to the dark days of the American Revolution. It was the responsibility of this individual to provide for people who could not take care of themselves with the support of the local commu-

Village of Mamaroneck residents will see their water bills rise after the recent passing of a new law amending the fee structure.

The law, which was passed by the village Board of Trustees on Monday, April 25, will go into effect immediately and will total residents’ water usage in the fall and winter—off-peak months— and devise a bill based on that amount.

According to Mamaroneck Village Manager Richard Slingerland, the new law is designed not to charge residents for using water that doesn’t enter the sanitary sewer system, which is why water usage during the summer months—when

At a glance On average, water bills for residents are expected to rise $10–$15 per billing period New water bill rates will be decided by calculating the amount of water that residents discharge into the sanitary sewer system be evaluating water usage during non-peak months

residents water their lawns and fill their pools—will not be factored in.

Previously, all residents were charged a fee based on the value of their property.

Village Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat, said that the fee helps increase revenues, which will be of assistance since the village is currently up against a tight tax cap, with the latest budget coming in $68 under the mandated cap limit.

In March, Slingerland told the Review that the average resident can expect their bill to increase by $10 to $15 as a result of the new law.

-Reporting by James Pero

p u blishes

Mamaroneck THE

REVIEW

Harrison REVIEW

THE

Eastchester CityREVIEW NewRochelle REVIEW THE

THE

INSIDE

A perplexing question that is very difficult to answer is in what ways the tens of thousands of citizens who have lived in the historic town of Eastchester have adhered to the spirit of our most precious and important document, the Eastchester Covenant.

Three hundred and fifty-one years ago, the Puritan founders of the town began signing the Eastchester Covenant. For the next 18 years, the male heads of households either signed or put their mark on what they considered to be a sacred document.

In doing so, they pledged their adherence to the 26 articles that acted as a blueprint or framework for our community.

An important directive from the Covenant was to “plainly deal with one another in Christian love.” In 1683, a year after the last man signed the Covenant, this mandate was fulfilled when a small church was built; the first building designed for worship in Westchester County.

The very same year that the first church opened its doors, a vote was taken at a public meeting to follow Article 14 in the Covenant to build a schoolhouse and hire a school master.

Soon thereafter, a school master was hired, but it would not be until 1726 that the first schoolhouse would be built. Free public education in the 18th and 19th centuries were available in one-room schoolhouses that dotted the landscape of the then nearly 7,000-acre community. In the mid-19th century, the availability of free public education provided an avenue for upward mobility for the descendants of its first inhabitants and the influx of Irish and German immigrants.

Compassion, integrity, cooperation, charity and generosity are time-honored virtues that implicitly connected our Puritan forefathers who signed the Eastchester Covenant. On the north wall of the Waverly School, there is an inscription: “We came to learn, we leave to serve.” The present Waverly School that was built in the late 1890s was the high school for Tuckahoe and Eastchester until 1928. The origins of that saying are not known. But in one short

nity. It was not until the depths of the Great Depression of the 1930s that this position was abolished and replaced with a federal welfare officer. Charities, service organizations and houses of worship, some of whose origins date back to before the Civil War, are committed to helping those who cannot help themselves.

Nineteenth-century historians describing the history of Eastchester as early as 1848 published transcripts of the Eastchester Covenant. The sophisticated reading public was well aware of this, our most important and precious document. One very prominent person who possibly read the Eastchester Covenant was a larger-than-life woman named Amie Dusenberry.

Miss Amie, born in the 1880s, was the last of the Masterton clan that pioneered the marble industry in Tuckahoe. She attended church and taught Sunday school at the Reform Church

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY

www.hometwn.com | 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601 | (914) 653-1000

May 6, 2016 • The eastchester review • 11

legal notices

legal notices EASTCHESTER UFSD NOTICE OF ANNUAL DISTRICT ELECTION AND VOTE The Annual District Public Election and Vote of the qualified voters of the Eastchester Union Free School District of the Town of Eastchester, Westchester County, State of New York, will be held at the Eastchester Middle School for those persons residing in the Eastchester High School/Middle School Election District and at 235 Garth Road for those persons residing in the Garth Road Election District on May 17, 2016 between the hours of six (6:00) AM and nine (9:00) PM EDT, for the purpose of electing three members of the Board of Education of said District for three (3) full terms of three (3) years, and one member of the Board of Education of said District for term commencing on May 18, 2016 and expiring on June 30, 2018.

One (1) member of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2016 (position currently filled by Mary Messner Martin) and expiring June 30, 2019.

One (1) member of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2016 (position currently filled by Judah Holstein) and expiring June 30, 2019.

One (1) member of the Board of Education for a full term of three (3) years, commencing July 1, 2016 (position currently filled by Paul Doyle) and expiring June 30, 2019.

One (1) member of the Board of Education for a term of two years (2) years, commencing May 18, 2016 (position currently filled by Dr. Cheryl Smith) and expiring on June 30, 2018.

PROPOSITION NO. 1 - For the adoption of the budget for the school year 2016-17 for the schools comprising Eastchester Union Free School District of the Town of Eastchester, Westchester County, State of New York, approved by the Board of Education of said District, to be submitted to the qualified voters of the District at the Election and Public Vote to be held at the Eastchester Middle School and 235 Garth Road, of said District on May 17, 2016 between the hours of six (6:00) AM and nine (9:00) PM EDT, for the raising of the net sum required for said budget in one sum by tax upon the taxable property of said District.

A copy of the budget for the school year 2016-17 to be voted on at the Annual District Public Election and Vote to be held on May 17, 2016, may be obtained by any taxpayer in the District at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, and at each school in the District between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and three (3:00) PM, EDT, on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen days immediately preceding May 17, 2016, the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE - Nominating petitions for candidates for the office of school board member must be filed with the District Clerk between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and five (5:00) PM, EDT, by April 18, 2016, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. A copy of each candidate’s statement of expense may be obtained by any taxpayer in the District at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and five (5:00) PM, EDT, on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the five days immediately preceding May 17, 2016, the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote.

On May 10, 2016, the second Tuesday preceding the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote, the Board of Education will convene a Public Hearing at eight (8:00) PM on the proposed budget.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE - The Board of Registration, Eastchester Union Free School District, Town of Eastchester, Westchester County, New York, will meet to prepare the register of the qualified voters of the District for the District Public Election and Vote of the School District, which will be held on May 17, 2016 at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, Eastchester, New York, on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and 12 Noon (12:00) PM EDT. Please note that new voters may register at such time and location on any business day prior to and including May 11, 2016, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Vote at the location at which you are registered. You cannot vote if your name does not appear upon the register, except as in accordance with NY Education Law Sec. 2019-a.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE - Any person shall be entitled to have his name placed upon said register of the qualified voters of the District provided that at the foregoing meeting of the members of the Board of Registration, such person presents himself or herself personally for registration and is known or proved to the satisfaction of such members of the Board of Registration to be then or thereafter entitled to vote at the school election to be held on May 17, 2016.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE - The said register of the qualified voters of the District, when prepared, will be filed in the Office of the Clerk of the District at the Administration Building, 580 White Plains Road, in said District and will be open for inspection by any qualified voter of the District at the said office of said Clerk between the hours of eight (8:00) AM and five(5:00) PM, EDT, during each of the five days, Saturday nine (9:00) AM to twelve (12:00) PM, Sunday excepted, prior to May 17, 2016, the date of the Annual District Election and Public Vote.

Applications for absentee ballots may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the District and must be received by the Clerk of the District prior to four (4:00) PM on May 11, 2016 if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, and/ or prior to four (4:00) PM on May 16, 2016 if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. Absentee ballots must be received by the Clerk not later than five (5:00) PM on May 17, 2016. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued, to date, will be available in said office of the Clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of election, Saturday nine (9:00) AM to twelve (12:00) PM, Sunday excepted, and that such list will also be posted at the voting place or places.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE – a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part; and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website. Voting on BUDGET AND TRUSTEE ELECTION will be by machine ballot.

Dated: April 1, 2016 Lisa Sanfilippo, District Clerk

SCHOOL NEWS?

Contact OUR EDUCATION reporter

sarah varney

sarah@hometwn.com

PROBATE CITATION

File No. 2015-1217 SURROGATE’S COURT – WESTCHESTER COUNTY SECOND AMENDED CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent

TO: IRENE DANTONA MELOCHIK a/k/a IRENE DANTONA MARKOWICZ Vladimir Rajcok, whose whereabouts are unknown, and if he is deceased, to all the unknown distributees, heirs at law and next of kin of Vladimir Rajcok and to all the unknown distributees, heirs at law and next of kin of FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL, their guardians, committees, conservators or assignees, and if any of them survived FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL but have since died or become incompetent, their successors in interest, executors, administrators, legal representatives, devisees, legatees, spouses, distributees, heirs at law, next of kin, committees, conservators, guardians or any person having any claim or interest through them by purchase, inheritance or otherwise.

A petition having been duly filed by FRANK MASICK who is domiciled at 9218 Dayton Pike #73, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee 37379.

YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Westchester County at 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. , 18th Floor, White Plains, New York on May 18, 2016 at 9:30 o’clock in the fore noon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the Estate of FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL lately domiciled at 1 Rivervue Place, Tuckahoe, New York admitting to probate a Will dated October 9, 2002, a copy of which is attached, as the Will of FLORENCE ANN SABOL a/k/a FLORENCE SABOL deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that [ X ] Letters Testamentary issue to: FRANK MASICK Dated, Attested and Sealed BRANDON R. SALL Hon._____________________________ April 8, 2016 Surrogate

_____________________________ Chief Clerk

Howard Garfinkel, Lauterbach Garfinkel Damast & Hollander, LLP Attorneys for Frank Masick, Petitioner

Tel: 845-368-4400

49 North Airmont Road, Suite 101, Suffern, New York 10901 Address of Attorney

Fax: 845-368-4446

[NOTE: This citation is served upon you are required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.]

Purchase to host summer appraisal camp Have you ever wondered if you could turn your hobby into a career? If you have a hobby you are passionate about, you may have wondered how you might be able to spend more time with your hobby and less time at work. Or maybe you are one of those lucky people whose hobby is actually an adjunct to your job, but you have not taken steps to monetize the hobby into a part of your business so you can do both at the same time.

“Who is going to hire someone who loves to study the decorative and/or fine arts?” you may ask yourself. That is the question I asked myself when I, Alison Ho, marketing and communications coordinator at the American Society of Appraisers, was a real estate professional and my hobby was antiques. When I finally decided to segue into a new career, I looked to appraising antiques and decorative arts.

So I know from experience, it is possible to change careers and/or turn a hobby into a career.

But you do have to get some formal training.

Enter the American Society of Appraisers. ASA is a worldrenowned and respected international organization devoted to the appraisal profession. As the oldest and only major appraisal organization representing all appraisal specialists, ASA is devoted to providing the highest possible standards in all areas of ethics, professionalism, education and designation criteria.

The society has allowed me to grow as an appraiser and has given me many opportunities and outlets, from program development to speaking engagements, teaching assignments, appraisal assignments and peer contacts. ASA offers not only the full Appraisal Studies Program, but also an Appraisal

Summer Camp, which is a boot camp for fast-tracking one’s education, perfect for those looking to actually make a career move, expand a current career by monetizing knowledge, or just get a feel for appraising to see if a career move is the right one for them.

The fifth annual Summer Appraisal Camp takes place from June 3 through June 19 at Purchase College. This accelerated summer program enables students to earn your Purchase College Appraisal Studies Certificate in just a little more than two weeks.

Sometimes, all you need for success is the right connection, the right education and a choice of educational opportunities.

Learn more about becoming a personal property appraiser by visiting ASA online at appraisers.org or calling 800-272-8258.

(Submitted)

12 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016

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May 6, 2016 • The eastchester review • 13

A step into the shoebox philosopher’s shoes RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

Most people moving to the Upper West Side in New York City neither expect to live in a mansion with a pool in the back, nor are looking to live in an apartment the size of a 2001 Honda Accord.

However, that’s exactly what Felice Cohen did for four years.

Although she recently moved two avenues away into the relative luxury of a 490-square-foot studio—“There’s tons of space!”— she squeezed everything she learned about appreciating the small things into a new book, “90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet (...or More).”

“I wanted to leave my fulltime crazy busy job,” says Cohen, now 45, explaining her micro-housing decision. “And I wanted to finish writing my first book, ‘What Papa Told Me.’ It’s about my grandfather, a Holocaust survivor.” She also wanted enough time to travel, ride her bike and play tennis.

(Who doesn’t?) The catch was: She didn’t want to leave the city to do it. She didn’t even want to leave Manhattan.

That’s exactly the kind of creative soul former Mayor Michael Bloomberg was thinking of when he announced a complex of mini-apartments ranging from 260 to 360 square feet to be built in the East 20s. He proudly touted the fact that these would let regular folks find affordable homes for a mere $2,000 to $3,000 a month.

That’s a billionaire for you.

Cohen’s apartment measured just 12 feet by 7.5 feet, but the tab for her prime location between Lincoln Center and Central Park was $700 a month, which meant she didn’t have to work full time to afford it.

“My father was a bankruptcy attorney,” Cohen said in a phone interview. She grew up knowing not to spend what she didn’t have. She also took note of her grandmother’s trajectory, going from a 13-room house, to a twobedroom condo, to a nursing home room. “When she died, all her possessions fit into one cardboard box,” said Cohen. Surely there was a lesson there on how little we truly need.

But it took even Cohen a little

while to absorb that lesson. Before she moved into the Hondasized space, she packed up 77 boxes and put them into storage.

So what was her tiny place like? It’s possible you’ve actually seen it. A video “tour” of Cohen’s apartment has garnered more than 11 million views on YouTube. In it, you see that she doesn’t have a kitchen, but she does have a fridge, a hot pot and a toaster oven. She’s got a loft bed, of course—in New York, when you need space, the only place to go is up. And she’s got a desk, a comfy reading chair, and a bathroom that looks completely normal (to a New Yorker).

Come to think of it, my husband and I lived in about 400 square feet for a few years and it didn’t seem nutty either.

Which is precisely Cohen’s point: “We can all live without half of what we own. We have closets full of clothes we barely wear. We save something for ‘just in case,’ and just in case never comes. People will say, ‘I want to save this in case I lose weight.’

I say by the time that fits again, it’s going to be out of style.” The solution? Edit, edit, edit.

It should come as no surprise that Cohen’s other job is a professional organizer. If you can’t

afford her $150 an hour services, she’s got a couple of great suggestions: Go through just one section at a time—your kitchen cabinets, sock collection, whatever. Set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. And remember, you don’t have to toss the things you love. Give them to a friend or a charity. What you’re getting rid of may end up helping someone else.

In the end, Cohen got rid of her tiny apartment only because she was evicted. It doesn’t get more Manhattan than that. That’s when her grandfather stepped in.

“He said, ‘Enough already!

Buy a place! You lived in a shoebox to write about my life. Now make sure you buy some good furniture and enjoy your life.’”

He gave her a down payment for the new studio.

By the time Cohen moved in, she had gotten rid of those 77 boxes in storage. It’s likely most of us could get rid of whatever we’re storing, too. “It’s about living large on your own terms,” summed up Cohen. “Not being stressed to pay bills for stuff you don’t even use.”

Maybe freedom’s just another word for nothing left to store.

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Steps to prevent heart disease Want to prevent a heart attack? Take a walk and eat an apple.

According to the American Heart Association, AHA, 80 percent of heart disease and stroke cases can be prevented with lifestyle changes, like walking and eating healthier. The AHA is encouraging Americans to focus on seven simple lifestyle changes to lower risk for heart disease and improve overall health.

More than one in three adults have some form of cardiovascular disease. About 80 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American men and women.

Even children are at a higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes because of poor lifestyle habits.

“While treatment and research advances in cardiac care can save a great many lives, significant movement on the needle has to come on the prevention side,” said Dr. Patrick Thomas, chief of cardiology at Hudson Valley Hospital Center and AHA board president in Putnam County.

“There are simple things everyone can do to lower their risk of the No. 1 and No. 5 killers— heart disease and stroke.”

Get active.

“Exercise is the single most important thing you can do to improve your overall health.

The goal is at least 30 minutes of brisk exercise daily,” said Thomas, who gets up early to run on the treadmill before work.

“Along with gaining strength and stamina, exercising regularly can lower blood pressure, keep body weight and blood sugar under control and increase your HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol.”

You don’t have to join a gym or run in a 5K. Start small by incorporating physical activity into your daily routine like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the farthest end of the parking lot or using half of your lunch break to take a brisk walk.

Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check.

High levels of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, can clog your arteries, increasing your risk of heart

attack and stroke. HDL helps clean out that bad cholesterol from the arteries. Improve your cholesterol by exercising regularly and limiting saturated fat and cholesterol.

One in three Americans have high blood pressure, which can increase risk for stroke, the No. 5 killer. Get your blood pressure checked routinely since it has no outward symptoms. Reducing sodium, losing weight and exercising can help manage blood pressure, as well as blood pressure-lowering medicines.

Eat healthier.

“For most meals, half your plate should be fruits and vegetables,” Thomas said. “Limit empty-calorie foods like soft drinks and junk food.”

The AHA also recommends consuming fish twice a week, like salmon, and eating more whole grains. Enjoy low-fat yogurt for breakfast and fruit for dessert or snacks.

Lose weight.

More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. The AHA recommends starting by knowing your healthy weight range and daily calorie goals, and aim to get there in small increments. You can shed 24 pounds a year by dropping just 2 pounds a month, and losing as few as 10 pounds decreases your heart disease risk.

Use an online calorie calculator to know how many calories you should consume to maintain a healthy weight. Then start enjoying plenty of fiber and nutri-

ent rich fruits and vegetables, adding lean proteins and whole grains. Add in exercise while reducing the calories you take in for sensible weight loss.

Reduce blood sugar.

Diabetes can quadruple your risk of heart disease or stroke.

Manage or prevent diabetes by eating healthy foods, controlling your weight, exercising and taking medication prescribed your doctor.

Stop smoking.

With one in five deaths caused by smoking, going smoke-free can help prevent not only heart disease and stroke, but also cancer and chronic lung disease.

Visit nysmokefree.com for resources.

Visit mylifecheck.org for more information and a free heart health action plan and visit heart.org for more lifesaving information, recipes and tips to live a longer, stronger, healthier life.

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke— America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. AHA team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases.

The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of its offices around the country. (Submitted)

14 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016

Pinstripe panic LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

Look, I get it. It’s still early.

But for you Yankee fans out there, if the panic bells aren’t going off yet, I imagine the alarm is primed and poised to erupt sooner rather than later.

Over the weekend, the hapless Yanks traveled up to Boston to take on the surging Red Sox, and suffice it to say, things did not go well. The Sox swept the Bombers in three straight games, culminating in a Sunday night slugfest that saw New York’s inability to protect a lead to an 8-7 Red Sox victory.

But as giddy as I am about the Red Sox’s play this early in the season—at 15-10 they are in first place in the American League East—I’m far more excited about the Yankees’ struggles throughout the first month of the season.

Right now, the cellar-dwelling

Yankees are 8-15, and for the first time in a long time, they have the chance to be a legitimately miserable ballclub all season long. And I couldn’t be happier.

Since I’ve been following baseball, bad Yankee teams have been few and far between. Sure, fans have had their complaints about the club over the last few years, but 85-win seasons are more a mark of mediocrity than anything else. I’m talking about bad, here. The kind of label reserved for those early 1990s Stump Merril-led teams that featured historic players such as Kevin Maas and Matt Nokes.

Since the Yanks started winning championships again in the mid-90s, lack of success has been a relative term. Of course the team would suffer through a down year here and there, but the situation never felt dire. When things went south, they’d simply outspend everyone else to bring in top free agents in an attempt to turn things around.

SPORTS

But now, it appears as though the organization is taking a different approach. They seem content to simply wait out the bad contracts, like the ones they gave to Mark Texiera, CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez (who, coincidentally, is one of the few guys in pinstripes who is actually producing), get a little bit younger and rebuild for the future.

It’s a solid plan, but not one that many fans—who are forced to pay exorbitant prices to see a game at the sterile mall they call Yankee Stadium—have the patience for. Monday saw incensed fans calling in to WFAN to call for the various heads of Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and much-maligned third baseman Chase Headley.

If George was still around, they say, changes would be coming and heads would roll.

But here’s the thing; in the long run, it makes sense for the Yankees’ brass to play it safe.

The paradigm of success in the

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LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @eastchesterview for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

The New York Yankees are off to a dreadful start this year, and nobody is happier than Sports Editor Mike Smith. But could a terrible year actually be the best thing for the Bombers? Photo courtesy Google Images

MLB is shifting. Teams like the Royals—who have long been the laughingstock of the AL Central—are suddenly the darlings of the baseball cognoscenti, whereas the Yankee model of overpaying for aging homerun hitters now seems antiquated.

So while I may be enjoying what looks like a terrible year for the Yankees, a 70-win season might ultimately be the best thing for the ballclub. It would serve to reinforce the idea that the Yankees need to rethink their general philosophy and catch up

with the rest of baseball.

And I bet they’ll do it too—at least until they offer Bryce Harper $1.5 billion in 2017.

Old habits die hard.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

SPORTS

May 6, 2016 • The eastchester review • 15

Eagles host Sports Field Day

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Saturday, April 30, Eastchester High School hosted a day of games to benefit United States veterans, inviting Harrison High School to participate in a sports field day that raised money for the Building for America’s Bravest program. Although the day proved to be a split, with Eastchester winning two out of the four matchups, it was a runaway success in terms of allowing Eastchester’s student-athletes to give back to the community.

“Every season, we try to give back in some way,” Eastchester Athletic Director Jay Karol said.

“Whether it’s spending time with senior citizens or holding our annual breast cancer awareness games, this is something we are always doing.”

Building for America’s Bravest, BFAB, Eastchester’s partner for the spring event, is a program of the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and is dedicated to building custom “smart homes” for disabled American service members. Throughout the day, money raised from 50/50 raffles and merchandise sales went to supporting the charity.

Talks between Eastchester High School and BAFB began around a year ago and when it came time to actually schedule this

Eastchester’s Jess Becchetti throws a pitch against Harrison. Becchetti allowed eight hits in a 12-4 softball win over the Huskies.

Members of the VFW Color Guard perform before a lacrosse game between Harrison and Eastchester on April 30. Eastchester hosted a day of sporting events in an effort to raise money for the Building for America’s Bravest program.

year’s Sports Field Day, Karol said, Harrison seemed like a natural opponent.

“They’re a league game and they’re always competitive,” Karol explained. “So I spoke with [Harrison athletic director] Stu Hanson and I knew that coaches and athletes from both schools were super excited about it.”

The day kicked off with a baseball game, which Harrison won 8-3, and was followed by a girls’ lacrosse showdown, which the Eagles won 13-10. Eastchester stayed hot in a 5:30 p.m. softball game,

downing the Huskies 12-4 thanks to the offensive contributions of freshman Emile Olivier and junior Sophia Tiso who combined to drive in a total of eight runs on the day. Pitcher Jess Becchetti allowed just eight hits in seven innings of work to pick up the win.

The VFW Color Guard performed at Haindl Field prior to the day’s final event, a 13-10 Harrison win in a boys’ lacrosse game.

According to Karol, however, the final scores were secondary to the larger message: supporting our returning troops and fostering the idea of community

A Harrison lacrosse player shakes hands with an Eastchester firefighter prior to an April 30 game against the Eagles.

An Eagles’ runner dives back into second base during an April 30 softball game against Harrison at Haindl Field.

Photos/Bobby Begun

were the big winners on the day.

“We do different events to educate our kids on the importance of giving back,” Karol said. “It’s important to teach our student-athletes how sports can be a medium for a bigger goal and teach them how to become better citizens.”

Contact: sports@hometwn.com

16 • The eastchester review • May 6, 2016