Eastchester REVIEW THE
June 10, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 24 | www.eastchesterreview.com
GROOVIN' There was party happening in Bronxville on June 3 and 4 for the village’s annual sidewalk sale and street fair. For more, see page 6. Photo/Corey Stockton
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June 10, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3
County, state officials push for Esplanade bill By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer Westchester County legislators are leaning state representatives to approve a bill drafted in March that would establish restrictions on landlords of mostly senior tenants. The so-called Esplanade bill, named for the White Plains senior living facility which forced out its residents last November to convert the property into a luxury apartment complex, was sponsored in March by state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, and state Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Yonkers Democrat. The Assembly version of the bill has 25 co-sponsors; StewartCousins is the sole sponsor of the draft in the Senate. The current draft of the bill proposes to outlaw the termination or non-renewal of leases for tenants who are disabled or older than 65 without court approval. The bill also regulates the rate and frequency at which a landlord may increase rent. The law would further require that landlords notify applicable tenants of this law in print on the rental application. However, the bill does not protect seniors from eviction due to justifiable causes including non-payment of rent. “If there’s a legitimate reason to remove a tenant, that’s allowed,” Buchwald told the Review.
The Esplanade senior living facility on Lyon Place in White Plains recently forced its residents out to make room for a new luxury hotel, a move which drew the attention of state legislators who drafted a bill to prevent other assisted living centers from similar moves. Photo/Corey Stockton
Buchwald said many of the seniors who lived in the Esplanade expected that facility to be their last home, and they were displaced and burdened by the necessity to move when they were ousted. The Westchester County Seniors and Constituencies Committee met with representatives for three state legislators last month to discuss the status of the bill. During that meeting, Westchester County Legislator Mary
Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-onHudson Democrat, said that oftentimes seniors and people who are disabled have the most difficulty in relocating, either due to physical or psychological issues, or a combination of both. Former county Legislator Bernice Spreckman, a Yonkers Republican who chaired the committee, urged state legislators to move the bill onto the voting floor quickly, claiming that the Esplanade bill could help draw attention to other senior issues. “We need a start, not only so that doesn’t happen— what happened [at the Esplanade]—but also other things that I see going on in independent living that have to be watched carefully,” Spreckman said. Rachel Estroff, chief of staff for Assemblywoman Shelly Mayer, a Yonkers Democrat, said the bill has not moved forward yet in either state house because state legislators want to protect landlords and tenants from unintended consequences. One such consequence Buchwald said he hopes to prevent is discouraging developers from building senior housing for fear of legal restrictions. “It’s a slightly heightened level of responsibility when you’re renting out your building all to seniors because you know that they’re a slightly more vulnerable population,” he added. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
Falcone named associate publisher of the Review Christian Falcone, editor-inchief of the Review chain of weekly newspapers, has recently been named associate publisher of our White Plains-based parent company Home Town Media Group. With his new title, Falcone will now serve dual roles, still maintaining his position as editor-in-chief of the company’s five publications: The City Review New Rochelle, The Eastchester Review, The Harrison Review, The Mamaroneck Review and The Rye City Review. Howard Sturman, publisher of Home Town Media, offered his assessment of what Falcone’s new title will afford the company. “We’re excited about Chris’ promotion,” Sturman said. “After spending nine years with Home Town Media, he will en-
able us to raise our public profile to a new level.” Falcone first took over the position of editor-in-chief in April 2013. Since then, he successfully led a rebranding of Home Town Media and a redesign of all elements of its five newspapers, leading to the creation of the Review identity. Prior to that, he spent several years on the beat covering the city of Rye as a reporter for the company’s Rye newspaper, before transitioning into an associate editor role for that same paper. As a reporter, Falcone was awarded numerous distinctions for his writing, including seven New York Press Association awards, largely for in-depth and spot news reporting. His most notable work con-
Christian Falcone
sisted of weather-related disaster coverage of the 2007 floods, Tropical Storm Irene and Hurricane Sandy; uncovering the strife within a local political party; exposing the president of a local nonprofit for failing to pay property taxes; and helping to uncover financial theft by a golf club manager, who was later sentenced to state prison.
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What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library
Robert the Guitar Guy The library will feature a performance by Robert the Guitar Guy on Saturday, June 11 from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Children of all ages are welcome to this entertaining program, which will feature singing, storytelling and singalong songs. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
Reading Buddies Book Club Children in second and third grade are welcome to the Reading Buddies Book Club meeting on Wednesday, June 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tony DiTerlizzi’s book “Kenny & the Dragon” will be discussed. Copies of the book will be available at the Circulation Desk. The program is free and open to the public, and registration is suggested. For more information or to register for the program, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or by email at jheifetz@wlsmail.org.
16 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The chat is aimed at avid readers and will be run in a book talk format. The librarian will start out by highlighting a book that he has enjoyed, and participants will be asked to bring in their own titles to share. Participants will be reminded that the goal is to get their friends to want to read the book, so they shouldn’t give away the ending. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is suggested. For more information or to register for the program, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or by email at jheifetz@wlsmail.org.
Film Screening The library will be screening the film “Hello, My Name is Doris” on Friday, June 17 at 1:30 p.m. With help from her best friend’s granddaughter, a smitten woman concocts schemes to get the attention of a younger co-worker in her office. This screening is free and open to the public. Rated R; running time: 95 minutes.
Bronxville Public Library
Book Chat and Advisory Group
Electronic Board Day
This program, appropriate for children in fourth and fifth grade, will be held on Wednesday, June
Tweens and teens are invited to a STEMthemed program involving electronic playgrounds
on Monday, June 13 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. These boards have up to 130 different types of experiments, including alarm clocks, AM radio, LED strobe lights and sirens. Participants are welcome to bring a friend or try to activity alone. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
Author Andrea Davis Pinkney The Eastchester, Bronxville and Tuckahoe libraries have sponsored a musical afternoon featuring author Andrea Davis Pinkney, along with guitarist Rami Vamos, who will be performing on Monday, June 13 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Concordia College, located at 171 White Plains Road in Bronxville. The performance will include book readings with musical accompaniment, author Q&A, books for purchase and a book signing. This performance is free and open to the public, and reservation is suggested. For more information about the performance or to reserve a ticket, call 395-4507.
Superfoods Cooking Demonstration Come learn about brain-boosting superfoods on Tuesday, June 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Join the Healthy Chef Lady, Angela Rivera, as she shows participants how to make delicious recipes using five brain-boosting foods that are practical and easy to find in any supermarket. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is required. For more information or to register for the demonstration, call 337-7680 ext. 24 or email bronxvillelibrary@gmail.com.
Father’s Day Craft Children ages 3 and older are welcome to participate in a craft project on Thursday, June 16 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Come show appreciation for fathers by crafting something beautiful. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.
Family Film Screening The film “Hero Quest” will be screened on Friday, June 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. This film is a fairy tale about the grand life journey of 10-yearold Savva, a boy devoted to helping his mom and fellow villagers to break free from the vicious hyenas. This film is not rated; running time: 87 minutes.
Village Lutheran Church Good News Coffee House The next Good News Christian Coffee House will be held on Saturday, June 11, featuring Frank Rendo with special guest comedian Pat Shea. The Coffee House opens at 7 p.m. with coffee and pastries. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Village Lutheran Church is located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 337-0207.
Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation Annual Dance Party The second annual Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation Dance Party will take place on Wednesday, June 15 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
at Lake Isle Country Club, located at 660 White Plains Road in Eastchester. The Loukoumi Foundation will be awarding one child in attendance with their career dream day. Children should enter a cell phone video, no more than 30 seconds long, to Loukoumi@aol.com, saying what they want to be when they grow up and why, to be entered into the contest. For more information or to purchase tickets for the dance, visit LoukoumiFoundation.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. Late registration rates are currently being charged. Since it is past the May 15 deadline, the department will now 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 edu cational. Each day, athletes will participate in skill-based stations that focus on individual player development. Those skills will then be utilized in controlled game situations and scrimmages. Camp staff will work closely with each athlete to help them maximize their potential and ensure a posi tive experience. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14, and will run from June 27 to July 7 at Bronx ville 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 bron cohoops@gmail.com.
Bronxville Sports and Science Camp The mission of the Bronxville Sports and Sci ence Camp is to provide children with experiences in a variety of sports, enrich them in the field of science exploration, and empower them with deci sion-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 spe cifically 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 bronx villesportsandsciencecamp@gmail.com. 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.
June 10, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5
CWA union workers return to Verizon jobs By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers unions called an end to their 45-day strike against Verizon last week, coming to a tentative agreement which, if approved, would last until August 2019. The multi-union strike was the country’s largest and longest since a two-week long strike against Verizon in August 2011. More than 36,000 Verizon employees on the East Coast, 800 of whom were from Westchester County, returned to work on Wednesday, June 1, awaiting the final approval of a new contract that would create 1,400 new jobs, provide a 10.5 percent pay raise over the life of the agreement, and renege cuts previously made to pension and benefits. The benefits portion of the four-year agreement would be retroactive, dating back to Verizon workers’ previous contract which ended in August 2015. However, the wage increases are not retroactive and will only go
into effect on Aug. 2 of this year. To try and combat the latest strike, Verizon employed thousands of contractors and employees on special assignment to fill in for union employees. As the picket line broke on May 27, Verizon employees donning red shirts and signs continued to waive at honking trucks driving down Main Street in White Plains, outside The Verizon building. Linda Campanelli, of New Rochelle, chief steward for Verizon employees in the CWA who has worked for the company for 34 years, said she was most concerned with protecting employee pensions and reducing work-mandated travel. Campanelli said the strike was not primarily aimed at gaining a pay raise. “Everything that we had, that’s what we wanted to keep,” she said. This included the hope that Verizon would agree not to transfer employees to different regions for up to two months at a time, an ability they sought during contract negotiations. The new health care plan in the tentative contract will save
the company money, according to a Verizon press release. As a result of the strike, Verizon had cancelled workers’ health care coverage on April 30. Shop steward Nick Tompkins, a Carmel resident, said another concern of the strikers was to protect the employees of the wireless department who had been working without a contract. “It took [the unions] a long time to organize any wireless employees, and it’s important to get them on board so that they’re on the same scale as us,” he said. As part of the agreement, about 165 Verizon Wireless employees will receive contracts, 65 of whom have not previously been under contract. The tentative agreement followed a meeting by both parties moderated by Thomas Perez, secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor, and Allison Beck, director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. In a press release, Verizon’s Chief Administrative Officer Marc Reed said, “The new contracts will help ensure that Verizon employees continue to re-
Members of CWA Local 1103 broke their picket line in front of the White Plains Verizon building on Friday, May 27 and returned to work on Wednesday, June 1, awaiting the final approval of a four-year deal. File photo
ceive solid wages and excellent health care and retirement benefits. They also include key changes sought by the company to bet-
ter position our wireline business for success in the digital world.” As of press time, the CWA has not voted to ratify the agree-
ment. The deadline for the ratification vote is Friday, June 17. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 10, 2016
Eastchester REVIEW THE
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Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Suzy Berkowitz ext. 30, suzy@hometwn.com Reporter | Corey Stockton ext. 16, corey@hometwn.com Education Reporter | Sarah Varney ext. 17, sarah@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com
Bronxville Chamber of Commerce takes sales to the streets
More than 52 businesses participated in the annual spring sidewalk sale and street fair organized by the Bronxville Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4. Businesses affiliated with the chamber offered discounts— some up to 70 and 80 percent off on select items—and held raffles and giveaways. Susan Miele, executive director of the chamber, said even though the event can help drive
participation in the chamber organization, the goal is to bring attention to the businesses in Bronxville. She said the street fair and sidewalk sale drive customers to the stores who may not regularly shop there. “It’s really beneficial for the merchants because they get to make room for the next season’s merchandise,” Miele added. Stores on Pondfield Road and Kraft Avenue set up clothing racks advertising discounted items and special offers.
Park Place was closed off to traffic and became the prime location of the street fair. Lange’s Deli and Mini’s Prime Meats & Specialties set up grills in the street and sold hotdogs and hamburgers; Wild Ginger also set up catering equipment. Large tables draped in checkered cloths were set on the street for patrons to eat or enjoy live music. Four members of SHA!Capella, a group of Bronxville High School students who sing a ca-
The Bronxville Wellness Sanctuary, one of more than 52 businesses participating in the street fair, offers free chair massages and chair Reiki at their street booth on Park Place.
Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer James Pero Staff Photographers Bobby Begun, Andrew Dapolite Intern Justin Grant Columnists Mary Marvin, Richard Forliano, Lenore Skenazy Letters
The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes.
Members of SHA!Capella, an a capella group of Bronxville High School students who have performed at Madison Square Garden, sing “Royals” by Lorde. Photos/Corey Stockton
Community Events
pella and have performed the national anthem at Madison Square Garden, sang beneath a tent on the corner of Park Place and Kraft Avenue. Country Mist, a southern rock band, returned after an acclaimed performance at last year’s event. Miele said the chamber’s biannual events—they host a fall sidewalk sale, too—help drive traffic to businesses which rely on face-to-face interactions. “This is one of the few communities left standing where most of the businesses are still mom and pop shops,” she said. -Reporting by Corey Stockton
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Country Mist performs to a crowd of shoppers, dancers and diners at the corner of Kraft Avenue and Park Place.
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From left, Axel Cortijo, Marissa Reda and Matthew Weiler, trainers at the Bronxville Fitness Club, offer free 30-minute training sessions, a fitness assessment and a raffle for a free 30-day membership at their booth on Park Place.
Noel Thayer, owner and audiologist at the Bronxville Hearing Center, attracts shoppers to her Park Place booth using ears of corn.
June 10, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 7
BMS students design original board games Bronxville Middle School students in Greg Di Stefano’s technology class have been working together to design their own board games. The innovative project, which spanned several weeks, allowed the students to be creative as they invented new games and rules and created prototypes using a 3-D printer and wood carving machine. The process began with students playing traditional games in class. Then they were asked to make one new rule for their favorite board game, and then create all new rules before taking the leap to incorporate their own ideas into a brand new game that someone else might enjoy playing. The students designed each aspect of the game on a computer and made paper prototypes of those original games to exercise their ideas before they commit to fabricating them. “One of the big driving forces behind this kind of project is that they have to use a computer and automated machinery in order to realize their ideas, so we’re not just making pretty pictures on a computer, we’re making something that would come to real life,” Di Stefano said. “Student
voice is a really big aspect of this.” One group collaborated on reinventing Connect 4 by adding a third player that can make alliances and sabotage the game. Another group rediscovered the 1990s as they created a New York City subway map-themed game around the TV show “Friends.” Bronxville Middle School eighth-graders Molly Denning, Caitlin Mooney and Sasha Paradase, who created the “Friends” board game, said the rules require their characters to take the subway and overcome different obstacles, such as a delayed train or a lost MetroCard, in order to get to the Central Perk Café first. “We made everything,” Mooney said. “We made the board, the cards and the rules and that was probably my favorite part, because with other board games you don’t have that much freedom.” Paradase said she enjoyed the creative process and thought it was rewarding to see their idea come to life. “We printed our game pieces on a 3-D printer and it’s really cool the way they turned out,” she said. “They look
like ordinary game pieces, except they’re made out of plastic and we made them ourselves.” Di Stefano said the project encourages students to think in different ways. Besides acting as designers, they had to also be cognizant of the end user and make sure whoever plays their game would have a good experience. Throughout the process, he said, they made discoveries along the way and learned how to overcome challenges. “You give the same project to every single student and I won’t get two identical results back, which makes it pretty challenging, especially for me, but it also makes it a highly rewarding situation,” he said. By the end of the school year, all middle school students will have designed a board game and taken home a copy. The challenging project encourages students to make discoveries on their own, think critically and collaborate with classmates, which are skills closely aligned with the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise. To watch a video of students creating their own board games, visit bronxvilleschool.org. (Submitted)
Bronxville School wins Pioneer Award for Technology The Bronxville School was awarded the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center, LHRIC, 2016 Pioneer Award for Technology during a ceremony on May 13. Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Quattrone and Director of Technology Jennifer Forsberg accepted the award on behalf of the district. “Under the leadership of Jennifer Forsberg, and with key support from instructional technology specialist Brad Ashley, the district has made significant and rapid progress with respect to the way we use technology in creative and constructive ways that advance teaching and learning,” Quattrone said. “She has not only introduced new applications, but she brings a strong systems perspective to the table. She has reached out in a thoughtful and effective way to parents on issues of digital citizenship and data privacy. We are fortunate to have her skills and expertise.” According to LHRIC, the Bronxville School received the
From left, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Mara Koetke, Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Quattrone, Director of Technology Jennifer Forsberg, K-12 Instructional Technology Specialist Brad Ashley, Bronxville Elementary School Principal Tricia Murray and Network Specialist Lawrence Daniels. Photo/Colette Connolly
award for demonstrating regional leadership through its innovative initiatives and programs that encourage global citizenship, leadership, critical thinking and innovation in its students through the use of technology. LHRIC committee members said the district presents a model for others to follow and is on the leading edge of instructional technology trends.
Every year, the LHRIC Pioneer Awards are presented to a school district, teacher and director of technology from the Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties in recognition for their innovative uses of technology that change teaching and learning. The 22nd annual Pioneer Award ceremony was held at the Edith Macy Conference Center in Briarcliff Manor. (Submitted)
8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 10, 2016
Asking Albany to be conscious of spending Orchestra earns high accolades at music festival BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin
In response to calls to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature from virtually every local government for relief from unfunded state mandates, the governor answered at a press conference in mid-May with a twofold solution: spend less money at the local government level and consolidate smaller communities with neighboring municipalities. Neither of these alternatives are grounded in fact or community support, which prompted me to write this defense of small towns and villages and their vital role in shaping the fabric of New York. On the spending directive, our village has complied in spades. Our Police Department, Department of Public Works and administrative staff are at their leanest in over half a century. The village percentage of your tax bill has steadily decreased so it is approximately 18 cents of your village tax dollar. The state budget has not followed suit. What solely drives our current local municipal tax increases are our obligations to the New York state government. For example, just in my tenure, our debt to the pension fund has risen from five figures to more than $1.155 million. In addition, we now pay a state mandated payroll tax for the Metro-North equating to almost half a tax point as well as our share of a staggering $1.3 million “MTA platform maintenance tax” assessed via your town taxes. Residents using the same trains and platforms in Connecticut towns and villages pay none of these fees. Another example: there is also a New York state law that sets local reimbursement rates for municipal vehicular tickets and caps the local share at $15 regardless of the ticket amount.
So if your fine is $125, $110 is sent to Albany and the village actually loses money when police and judicial time are factored in. In the recent legislative session, a bill providing for raises for district attorneys and an increased requirement for indigent legal defense will also be funded solely at the local, not state level. Currently, 200 unfunded mandates come down the pipeline to the local governments. It is quite easy to say state taxes are not outpacing local ones when you have a “trickle down” system to absorb the costs. Local governments become the final stop on the money train. And it doesn’t appear the end is near, as the governor will not support a bill currently proposed that would require the state to fully fund any new or expanded mandates passed by the Legislature and approved the governor. The governor’s solution to our local “overspending” is consolidation of our communities. As he has repeatedly said, “I support consolidations. I think if you said to the taxpayer of most districts in the state, ‘I know you like your home and identity, but is it worth $2,000 a year to have my name and identity?’” The statistics simply don’t bear this out. Since the most recent revision of the Consolidation Law was enacted in 2007, one community in the state, Altmar, population: 407, has consolidated with their neighbor. The governor has been a zealous proponent of consolidation since he was attorney general. His office at the time actually submitted a bill allowing any citizen of New York state to start the process of dissolution of a village, regardless of whether he or she lived in that village, by garnering the support of just 10 percent of the residents who voted in that village’s last mayoral election. To put the governor’s bill in context, a non-resident would need
to find only eight Bronxville residents to force a villagewide referendum or vote on dissolution. The incredibly flawed bill was amended several times but the new bill that was passed has provisions that require communities to vote on their own dissolution before consolidation plans and financial impact statements are produced. The village of Seneca Falls went this route and is now mired in years of litigation as to cost sharing and financial obligations with its merged town. Consolidation is not a quick fix panacea. Based on the federal census of local governments per capita, there is also no correlation between the number of governmental layers and a person’s relative tax burden. Two of the most intensely governed states are New Hampshire and Oklahoma, yet they are two of the least taxed. New York and New Jersey are near the bottom in governmental units, yet near the top in tax burden, which again is the result of the “trickle down” policy of payment. As to service delivery, if we consolidated with Tuckahoe and Eastchester, we would need the same number of snow plows and operators as no taxpayer would want to wait until noon as the plows worked in two other communities. The same is true with garbage. Trash on the streets at noon on a summer’s day is equally unacceptable. The pension obligations also don’t disappear with consolidation nor do decades of individual municipality’s debt obligations. “Spend less” and “consolidate” have political appeal in their simplicity of message, but they simply don’t correlate either with the facts or the sentiment of the electorate. During his press conference on May 17, Gov. Cuomo said, “You [the local governments] have to be most cost conscious.” We ask the same of Albany.
The Bronxville High School Orchestra performed in the New York State School Music Association spring festival on May 17 and earned the highest possible accolade, a Gold with Distinction award. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district
The Bronxville High School Orchestra participated in the New York State School Music Association spring festival held at Lehman College on May 17. The talented musicians earned the highest possible accolade, a gold with a distinction award, and performed a Level 6 repertoire, which is the most difficult NYSSMA level. Orchestra director Denise Lutter said the students earned Gold with Distinction for demonstrating an exceptional level of technical and artistic skill in each of the evaluative categories for all three selections. The group performed CONCERTO Grosso, Op. 6, No. 1 by Arcangelo Corelli, Aria from Suite No. 3 in D by J. S. Bach, arranged by Leopold
Stokowski, and Concerto Grosso No. 2 by Ernest Bloch. NYSSMA-trained adjudicators evaluated the students on tone, intonation, balance, technique, accuracy and execution, rhythm and interpretation. “Not only did the high school students play a difficult repertoire, they performed without a conductor,” Lutter said. “Following the students’ performance, the adjudicators complimented them on their leadership skills and the depth of their musical interpretation. From my vantage point, this is the highest praise, as it means the students understand the art form at a level that allows them to craft musically expressive performances independently.”
Congratulations to the following students on their outstanding performance: Allegra Alfano on first violin, Henry Anderson on cello, Peter Brennan on double bass, Ellie Briskin on viola, Eva Cagliostro on double bass, Sophie Geer on double bass, Kirsten Ircha on viola, Remi Laurence on first violin, Delfina Maldonado on first violin, Alexander New on cello, Virginia Pennoyer on second violin, Dryden Quigley on second violin, Katie Quigley on viola, Fallon Raviol on first violin, Hillary Rizzo on first violin, Lucy Rizzo on second violin, Andrea Shephard on second violin, William Tague on second violin, Abigail Thomas on double bass and Xavier Zhang on first violin. (Submitted)
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June 10, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9
Sarah Lawrence hosts first audio fiction awards Elementary students take ducklings to swim
From left, Sarah Lawrence College President Karen R. Lawrence, first place winners Rijn Collins and Lea Redfern, and Sarah Awards co-founders Martin Johnson and Ann Heppermann. Photo courtesy Judith Schwartzstein
Sarah Lawrence College announced the winners of its first annual International Audio Fiction Awards competition at WNYC &WQXR held on Friday, April 1 at the Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in Manhattan. During the awards, the first, second and third place winners, as well as the winner in the best new artist category, were announced. More than 200 writers, producers, sound artists and musicians from around the world had submitted their works for the new audio fiction competition. Sarah Lawrence College President Karen R. Lawrence said the awards were in keeping with the college’s mission to cultivate new talent and reward creativity. “Thank you to awards found-
er Ann Heppermann for making this first year of the awards competition such a great success,’’ Lawrence said. “The number and quality of submissions demonstrated to us that there is great deal of talent out there. The college is very proud to encourage and showcase that creativity.’’ Winners received a total of $3,750 in cash prizes and their works will be featured in a special hour on KCRW, which also supports The Sarah Awards-associated podcast “Serendipity.” For more information, visit thesarahawards.com. Heppermann, co-founder of the awards and a member of the Sarah Lawrence writing faculty, said she and awards co-founder Martin Johnson, creative director at Ljudbang productions in Stockholm, were very pleased
with the outcome of the first awards ceremony and hope to expand the competition next year. “For the first year of this competition, it was everything I could have expected and more,’ said Heppermann, of Brooklyn, a documentary artist, reporter and producer, whose own stories have aired nationally and internationally on NPR, the BBC and on numerous shows. “I see this as a turning point to something great and amazing for audio fiction.” Sarah Lawrence College, renowned for creative approaches to education, including a strong focus on writing, launched the competition in January as part of its mission to inspire intellectual curiosity and creative experimentation. (Submitted)
Bronxville Elementary School’s youngest students, who had been tending to their classrooms’ ducklings and chicks, had the opportunity to take four ducklings out for their first swim on May 25. The kindergartners gathered around a small pool outside their classrooms to watch the ducklings frolic in the water. As part of an annual tradition that spans decades, the students tended to their classrooms’ incubators by checking the temperature and humidity and cared for the eggs prior to the birds’ arrival. They also made scientific observations and wrote down their discoveries. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the children to learn about the life cycle of ducks and chickens,” kindergarten teacher Gail Mathias said. “The children’s love for these animals is so endearing and comes as naturally as ducks take to water. This unit of study is enjoyable not only for the kindergartners, but also for students in other grades who come back year after year to visit the newly born chicks and ducklings.”
Bronxville Elementary School kindergartners, who had been tending to their classrooms’ ducklings and chicks, take four ducklings out for their first swim on May 25. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district
During the lesson unit, which placed a strong emphasis on writing and science, the students learned about the different parts of the egg and the growing embryo. Once the chicks, which took 21 days to hatch, and the ducklings, which took 28 days to hatch, arrived, the students observed their behaviors, noted their characteristics, drew illustrations and wrote down their observations. “They also made compari-
sons of the ducks and chicks,” Mathias said. “Ducks have webbed feet and swim, while chicks have clawed feet and don’t swim.” As part of the experience, the students read “Chickens Aren’t the Only Ones,” “Make Way for Ducklings” and “The Ugly Duckling,” and wrote goodbye letters to the chicks and ducklings before sending them off to their new home at a local farm. (Submitted)
10 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 10, 2016
June 10, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 11
12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 10, 2016
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June 10, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13
Goodbye to my neighbor RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
When your grandmother dies, everyone knows what to do. Send a note, or at least express condolences. But when a neighbor in your apartment building dies, there isn’t really any protocol, maybe because there are so many different kinds of neighbors: The ones who live to clomp, the ones who put their garbage in the recycling, the “Hi, how are you?” buddies who chat for the length of an elevator ride. But as I walk past the door of my neighbor who died last week, my heart does a weird little plop, and my eyes sting. She was 95, so you couldn’t call it an untimely death. But with her went a piece of joy wrapped in our neighborly obligations. Lolita Llora Walters was born in 1921 to immigrants from Spain. I can tell you her whole life story because every other day or so, I would try to stop by her home, in part for fun and in part because the thought of her sitting there watching TV by herself made me queasy. Most of the times when I’d knock on the door, I was greeted by a cheery but exasperated “Where have you been?” Into the armchair next to hers I’d sink, in an apartment decorated in Old Lady Classics: China plates in the breakfront, a cuckoo clock on the wall, figurines of birds, dogs and saints sat on the shelves under seascapes and city scenes. These shared the wall with a few animal paintings by a
family friend named Mr. Levine, long dead, who used to be an illustrator for the World Wildlife Fund. Many days, Lolita would point to a Levine of meticulously rendered antelopes grazing against a stark white background and explain, “Mr. Levine did not like to paint sky.” For my part, especially as Lolita grew more and more housebound, I’d try to give a taste of the outside world. “Work was insane today,” I’d say. Or, “I’ve just been making soup,” and I’d give her a little overview of the shopping I’d done in the neighborhood. Then we’d share everything from gossip to history. Here’s a bit of the latter: When Lolita was 7—that’s 1928—her older cousins were being taken by their parents to study at a convent in Quebec. Lolita joined them for the journey, but when they got there, the cousins hated it. Not Lolita! She begged to stay. Although she was an only child and the cousins were heading home, her parents acquiesced. Thus, Lolita was educated by French-speaking nuns until she was 17. Summers and holidays, she’d come back home to Queens, and so she remembers going to the movies with her parents. She saw “On the Good Ship, Lollipop” when it was a brand new hit, and so was its star, Shirley Temple. She attended the opening of Radio City Music Hall. When my family watched old movies on Netflix, Lolita would sometimes join us, because for her, Charlie Chaplin wasn’t film history. He was the guy she grew
up watching. “They don’t make movies like that anymore,” she’d say, and she was right. Now the movies talk. When Lolita graduated high school, she moved out to California and quickly got married. By age 20, she had her daughter, Linda—a little girl so pretty that Lolita’s friend told her, “You should put her in the movies.” That friend was Betty White. Everything changed when Lolita’s husband, a pilot, died in a car crash when Lolita was about 22. She moved back to Queens to be near family and raised her daughter here. I heard a lot about the daughter, including the fact, revealed to me very early on after we moved into the building in 2010, that she had died from rheumatoid arthritis about 20 years ago. That meant Lolita had no immediate family, which made being able to tell stories about Linda in her high school years (bullied) or Linda at college (brilliant) or Linda’s nursing career (a true calling, she worked with kids with cancer) even more urgent. Other moms could talk about what their kids or grandkids were up to. Lolita didn’t have that luxury. I couldn’t take the place of her beloved daughter. I wasn’t related. I wasn’t always around. I didn’t stay that long, most visits. But my mom is gone, and so was her child. A neighbor dies and it’s not like losing a grandmother, but sometimes, it sort of is. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Phoebe is a 1-year old Miniature Pinscher “Min Pin” mix who weighs only 7 pounds, but don’t let her size fool you; she has the energy and stamina of any big dog! She loves to go on walks and dreams of a fenced-in backyard or someplace safe where she can run around. Phoebe is a little lovebug who is super affectionate and a champion cuddler. She can be a little shy when she first meets you, but give her five minutes to be your best friend. Phoebe gets along great with her furry foster siblings, but she’s still learning to accept dogs she meets on her walks. She recently had hip surgery and needs to start using her leg more now that she is healing. With lots of exercise and TLC, she should make a full recovery. Phoebe would love a home with older children and an experienced owner. Phoebe is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm-tested and microchipped. Why not donate $300 to Larchmont Pet Rescue and make Phoebe part of your home? To learn more, call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
Westchester honored with CIO 100 award Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino recently announced that the Department of Information Technology will be among the 100 organizations honored by CIO Magazine for the development of the TeleCorrections Inmate Kiosk and Video Visitation System. “Our technology team does a terrific job of expanding services, maximizing efficiencies and saving taxpayer money,” Astorino said. “I am proud that Westchester County’s IT has received national recognition for its efforts.” The county’s IT department is responsible for a variety of services that range from maintaining the Westchester Telecom Network to enhancing public safety. Specifically, the department was cited for its custombuilt TeleCorrections Inmate Kiosk and Video Visitation System, which allows inmates to
securely communicate face-toface with people outside the jail, such as a family member or probation officer. The system also provides inmates with controlled access to their commissary balances, court dates, bail amount and visitation schedule. The system was deployed at the Westchester County Jail in Valhalla in November 2011. The Department of Correction estimates that the TeleCorrections system saved the county $400,000 in 2015 by reducing travel and time for probation officers, as well as the wait for bail expediters to meet with inmates, thus reducing the cost of incarceration. By expanding the program across all housing units and allowing visitor access from mobile and tablet devices, usage grew from 1,000 visits in the first year of the program to 1,100 visits each month. Westchester was one of four
municipalities to be honored among the CIO 100, including the city of Long Beach, MiamiDade County and Michigan. In addition to the CIO award, Westchester has been named one of the top 10 digital counties in the United States for the past three years, and 10 times since 2005. CIO Magazine’s 29th annual award ceremony will be held on Aug. 16 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Recipients of this year’s CIO 100 Award were selected through a threestep process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative IT and business initiatives. Next, a team of external judges (many of them former CIOs) reviewed the applications in depth, looking for leading-edge IT practices and measurable results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges’ evaluations and selected the final 100.(Submitted)
14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 10, 2016
SPORTS
Remembering the Greatest LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
Since the news of Muhammad Ali’s death broke on Friday, June 3, it’s been implied that it is unlikely we’ll ever see another sports star quite like the former heavyweight champ. But while sports journalists are often prone to hyperbole and quick to anoint people, teams and eras as “The Greatest,” when it comes to Ali, I think they’re pretty much on point. Ali’s legacy is not a simple one to unpack. In the ring, it’s probably easiest: he was brilliant. Whether it’s the younger version of Ali, who moved like a middleweight, or the older, postsuspension Ali, who was able to absorb a tremendous amount of punishment to dish out straight right hands, he was, if not the best fighter ever, certainly on the shortlist of most accomplished boxers to ever lace
up the gloves. Outside the ring, things get more complicated. Ali’s brash persona, the prefight predictions, the post-bout proclamations; these seem almost commonplace to us now. At the time, however, they were revolutionary. There had been trash talkers before, of course, but Ali’s verbal dexterity and razor sharp tongue were an art form. Sometimes, he could be cruel; just ask Joe Frazier who resented Ali for most of his life following their trilogy of fights. But he was never boring. “The Lousiville Lip” fired off insults with the same grace he fired off jabs, and that was part of what made him such a captivating sports figure. Like most things with Ali, his gift of the gab was often imitated and very rarely duplicated. No subsequent sports star’s press conferences have resonated so deeply with the American public. It’s not that people don’t talk trash anymore; it’s simply that
nobody has ever done it as well as Ali. Ali brought speech, particularly in the political sphere, to the table, something that is largely absent from the sports world today. Ali’s conversion to Islam, his outspoken views on racial injustice both in our country and abroad, his unwillingness to fight in the Vietnam War, and subsequent battle with the U.S. government made him a polarizing figure. His views alienated some, uplifted others, but ultimately made him the most transcendent figure in sports history. These days, you won’t find too many athletes willing to take principled stands, especially not with millions of dollars and advertising revenue hanging in the balance. Michael Jordan, who is maybe the only American sports figure to challenge Ali’s level of celebrity for his athletic performance, once declined to support a candidate in his native North Carolina, famously quipping, “Republicans buy sneakers, too.”
On June 3, Muhammad Ali died at the age of 74. Today, it’s important to remember Ali as both an unparalleled fighter and warrior for social justice. Photo courtesy of mitos-del-deporte.wikispaces.com
Regardless of where you stand—or stood—on Ali’s politics, his impact on the world cannot—and should
not—be denied. There will only be one Muhammad Ali. But hopefully, his memory will inspire others to
continue to fight.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
SPORTS
June 10, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15
Broncos headed to states GIRLS LACROSSE
CLASS C
REGIONAL FINALS
BRONXVILLE 18 SCOTIAGLENVILLE 1 MOHONASEN HS
6/3/16
Game Notes: •B ronxville has outscored its regional opponents 37-4 in the last two games •T he Broncos were led by Olivia Jensen’s five goals and dominant performance on draws •B ronxville will play Section III Skaneateles on Friday, June 10 By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On June 3, Bronxville’s girls lacrosse team punched its ticket to the Class C state semifinals with a resounding 18-1 win over Section II champion ScotiaGlenville at Mohonasen High School in Rotterdam, New York. Through the first two games of the state tournament, the Broncos have been every bit as dominant as expected, but will likely be tested when they head up to Tompkins Cortland Com-
Olivia Jensen protects the ball on May 25. Jensen has been dominant for the Broncos in the playoffs.
munity College this weekend to compete in the state semis. Between Saturday’s 18-1 win and another one-sided victory in the regional semifinals against Millbrook High School on June 1, Bronxville has outscored its last two opponents by a whopping 37-4 margin. Against Scotia-Glenville, it was Lilly Grass, Mason Warble and Olivia Jensen who supplied much of the punch early on, giving the Broncos an insurmountable lead by the half. Jensen led with five goals on the afternoon,
Ellie Walsh chases down a defender during Bronxville’s section final game on May 25. Walsh had two goals and an assist in the Broncos’ regional final win against Scotia-Glenville.
while Grass added two goals and three assists, and Warble netted a hat trick. “I don’t know if we could have predicted the scores, but from research we knew that lacrosse is still kind of emerging in other parts of the state,” said head coach Sharon Robinson. “So we felt confident heading in.” In addition to the play of its stars, the fact that Bronxville Mason Warble drives toward the net. Warble picked up a hat trick in Bronxville’s commanding win over has fared so well without ju- Scotia-Glenville. nior midfielder Beth Finley in the lineup is a testament to the Broncos’ depth. Finley, who suffered a season-ending injury in the team’s Section I championship win, has been replaced by JV call-up Fiona Jones, who has acquitted herself nicely in the star’s absence. According to Robinson, Bronxville’s depth has been a strength all season long, but the team’s ability to rally after Finley’s injury has been a pleasant surprise. “Beth is a phenomenal player and we miss her dearly,” said the head coach. “But I think it has inspired the team, and makes them realize how finite this, high school sports, really is.” With the win over ScotiaGlenville, the Broncos advance Lucy Hanrahan goes after a ground ball. Photos/Mike Smith to the Class B state semifinals this weekend, where they will 4, the Lakers topped the Blue acuse team, it’s a bit different press time on Friday, June 10 at square off against Section III’s Devils 12-1 with a balanced at- than playing a team from Albany 2:30 p.m. If the Broncos prove Skaneateles, which last won a tack that saw 10 different players or Dutchess County,” said Rob- victorious, they will take on eifind the net. inson. “So we’re trying to up the ther Mount Sinai or Honeoye state title in 2014. Bailey Herr and Mae McG- ante in practice and raise our in- Falls for the Class C state title on In Skaneateles, the Broncos Saturday, June 11 at 2:30 p.m. will see a team that similarly lynn both had two goals for the tensity to get ready.” Bronxville’s game against rolled through its opposition. Lakers. “We know that playing a Syr- Skaneateles will take place after CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com Against Chenago Forks on June
16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • June 10, 2016