July 22, 2016 by The Eastchester Review

Eastchester REVIEW THE

July 22, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 30 | www.eastchesterreview.com

HUD monitor resigns after 7 years By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

In the wake of the shootings of Dallas police officers on July 7, an act precipitated by the sudden deaths of two African-American civilians in Minnesota and Louisiana at the hands of law enforcement, Westchester County took to the streets to react with planned events in White Plains and Mamaroneck. For coverage, see page 8. Photo/Bobby Begun; photo/Chris Courtney

Bronxville bids farewell to retiring faculty members With a combined teaching experience of more than 150 years, eight Bronxville School teachers and faculty members retired at the end of the school year. Donna Bianco, Jim Brogan, Janet Corvini, Tim Curran, Virginia Gentile, Mary Schenck, Glenn Stockton and Chuck Yochim, who have made a difference in the lives of hundreds of students, said they’ll miss the daily interactions with their committed colleagues and curious students.

“Retirement is bittersweet,” said Schenck, who taught English at the middle school and high school for more than 30 years. “I will miss working with young people who are so full of energy and enthusiasm and watching them develop into even more thoughtful writers and readers. I will miss the daily interactions with my colleagues who have become my second family.” Schenck said she’s looking forward to traveling with her

husband and discovering new passions. While Gentile, an elementary school skills teacher at Bronxville for 19 years, is not sure what retirement might bring, she said she is looking forward to the next chapter of her life. “My greatest joy as a teacher has been working with children and being a part of their success as young learners,” Gentile said. “Witnessing the excitement and pride young students displayed as they became capable readers

was a wonderful reward. What a gift it has been to touch the lives of so many, and to be touched in return. I will miss their energy, joy and innocence.” Yochim, who taught math at the middle school for 23 years, said he will miss the interactions with his students and colleagues, but he is ready for life’s new adventure. After starting his first career as a radio broadcaster and journalist, publishing his work FACULTY continued on page 5

The court-appointed monitor overseeing Westchester County’s compliance with a 2009 affordable housing settlement will resign seven years after accepting the assignment. James E. Johnson sent a letter to Judge Denise Cote on July 18, announcing his impending resignation, which he said would be on or before Aug. 10, his sevenyear anniversary as monitor. Johnson did not disclose his reasoning for stepping down, but did say that he also retired from his law firm, Debvoise & Plimpton, in March. Johnson said he is committed to working with his replacement, who will be appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice following consultation with the county and approval by Cote. As a result of a 2009 settlement with the federal government under the watch of former County Executive Andrew Spano, a Democrat, Westchester agreed to build 750 units of affordable housing in 31 of its wealthiest communities by the end of 2016. However, Johnson’s letter suggested that he expected the terms of the settlement to continue beyond that timeframe. “Accordingly, the new monitor should recognize that the assignment may extend for months,

if not years, beyond the end of this year,” he wrote. The relationship between Johnson and County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, has been shaky throughout the settlement. During his State of the County address in April, Astorino accused Johnson and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, of making unfair demands of the county in order to provoke “a settlement that never ends.” Earlier in the year, Johnson had recommended that Cote hold the county in contempt of court and subject it to $60,000 fines. Ned McCormack, communications director for the county executive, told the Review, “The county’s position from the start is that Westchester will fully comply with its obligations under the settlement, but that the federal government has no right to expand the terms or the length of the agreement.” McCormack added that all the Astorino administration asks of the new monitor is that he looks at the terms of the settlement “objectively and fairly.” County Legislator Michael Kaplowitz, a Democrat and chairman of the county Board of Legislators, said he and the monitor have had a more cordial working relationship. He added MONITOR continued on page 10

2 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

July 22, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3

Bronxville Middle School builds lunar colonies

Bronxville Middle School sixth-graders work together to investigate what it takes to live on the moon before building their own models of possible lunar colonies. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district

As part of an i2 Learning experience from May 16 through May 20, Bronxville Middle School sixth-graders worked together to investigate what it takes to live on the moon. During the week, they discovered how to supply water, food and air to the moon before building their own models of possible lunar colonies. The students applied their science, technology, engineering and math skills through a variety of hands-on, interdisciplinary activities. They learned about the geology and topography of the moon in order to decide how they could build their colonies. “It brought the whole sixth grade together,” science teacher Frank Viggiani said of the project. “The students spent the entire week building up all of the

skills they had learned into the final project. They were presented with real-life situations and had to solve everything on their own. Every colony was different and had a different perspective.” As part of the learning experience, the sixth-graders built and tested air filters made out of shoe boxes, coffee filters and powder. They also tested water filters, planted seeds in greenhouses, crafted astronauts’ suits and space rockets, and built robotic arms out of cardboard, straws, paper clips and tape. Some lunar colonies featured cell towers for communication with Earth, as well as transportation, shopping malls, emergency room centers and solar panels. “It’s cool that on Earth, we have all these supplies, and water and oxygen are just there,”

sixth-grader Kiki Tormey said. “But on the moon, we have to supply it and bring it, which is harder than you think.” Viggiani said he was impressed by the students’ creativity and knowledge and the variety of projects put on display for parents at the end of the week. I2 Learning, an organization that works with world-class scientific and academic institutions, provided training to all sixth-grade teachers at Bronxville Middle School. The organization has developed its programs through partnerships with MIT, the American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Science in Boston, as well as leading STEM organizations such as Stanford, Woods Hole and Harvard. (Submitted)

Eastchester celebrates Hutchinson’s birthday On Saturday, July 23 at 4:30 p.m., direct descendants of Anne Hutchinson will arrive in the community room of Eastchester Town Hall as one of the last legs of a five-day, three-state celebration of Anne Hutchinson’s 425th birth anniversary. “Most 17th-century voices are silent, but Anne Hutchinson’s voice can still be heard,” said Eve LePlante, author of “American Jezebel.” The program will focus on the previously unknown legacy of Hutchinson on lower Westchester and the Bronx after her tragic death in a Native American massacre in 1642. Lissa Halen, curator of the Eastchester Historical Society will conduct a brief visual slide show on the history of the Hutchinson River. And for the first time, people from this area will get to meet the direct descendants of Hutchinson. This event is being sponsored by the newly formed Anne Marbury Hutchison Foundtion, Founding Mothers and the Eastchester Historical Society. (Submitted)

Anne Hutchinson

4 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library

sensory experience designed to help kids learn and have fun. Kids will be able to play instruments, try out interactive music and dance during the show. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is required for both children and caregivers. For more information or to register for this program, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or jheifetz@wlsmail.org.

EPL Film Series: ‘Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe’ Sneaker Mania: A Craft with Ms. Patty Children entering grades four and five participating in the summer reading game are welcome to attend this craft activity on Monday, June 25 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to decorate a paper sneaker. This activity is free and open to the public, and registration is required. For more information or to register for the activity and the summer reading game, stop by the Children’s Room.

Summer Book Chat and Advisory Group Children entering grades four and five are welcome to attend this book chat on Wednesday, July 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This program, aimed at avid readers, will be in book talk format. A librarian will begin the talk by highlighting a book they have enjoyed, and participants will be asked to bring their own titles to share. Participants should not give away the ending of the books they share. After the discussion, participants will be able to offer feedback about what kind of books they would like to see in the library. Refreshments will be served. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is required. For more information or to register for this program, contact Jonathan Heifetz at 721-8105 or jheifetz@ wlsmail.org.

Sensory-Friendly Music and Movement Show Children ages 2 to 11 are welcome to attend this program on Wednesday, July 27 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Join Mr. Matt of Turtle Dance Music for this sensory-friendly music and movement show, a musical experience designed to engage with children through songs, movement, stories, projections and interactive music technology. The show is crafted to be inclusive for all children, and a great time for parents and caregivers. Each song in this show is accompanied by a hands-on visual and

The library will be screening the film “Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe” on Friday, July 29 at 1:30 p.m. Food critic Max Vandeveer is a gluttonous gourmand whose appetite is killing him. His doctor tells him he needs to lay off the fine dining, or else. That prescription gets a little easier to follow when a highly unusual killing spree hits the fine restaurants of Europe: a murderer is knocking off four-star chefs. At the same time, the murders make the invitation to prepare dessert at a lavish dinner less than auspicious for famous pastry chef Natasha. This screening is free and open to the public, and registration is not required. Rated PG; running time: 112 minutes.

Bronxville Public Library

Adult Coloring Group Adults ages 18 and over are welcome to join the adult coloring group on Monday, July 25 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Coloring has been proved to reduce stress and anxiety. The activity will include relaxing music and light refreshments. Coloring sheets and material will be provided. The activity is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.

Manic Monday: Tie Dye T-Shirt Children entering grades five and up are welcome to join the library’s tie dyeing activity on Monday, July 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Shirts will be provided. This activity is free and open to the public, and registration is required.

For more information or to register for this activity, call 337-7680.

Seniors Movie Series: ‘Pal Joey’ The library will be screening the movie “Pal Joey” on Tuesday, July 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. This movie tells the story of a nightclub entertainer who is also a heel. He romances a wealthy socialite to get her to finance his own nightclub, then falls for a chorus girl he hires for the club. This screening is free and open to the public, and registration is not required. Not rated; running time: 111 minutes.

Armelle for Kids Children and adults of all ages are welcome to explore the rich diversity of world music on Tuesday, July 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the library lawn. This activity will include an interactive and multicultural performance. In the event of inclement weather, the activity will be held in the Yeager Room.

about bees and pollination on Monday, July 25 at 4 p.m. This activity will allow participants to explore science and insects. This activity is free and open to the public, and registration is required. For more information or to register for the activity, call 961-2121.

Eastchester school district news Join Music Boosters Help is needed to continue the support of music education in Eastchester in grades K-12. A full board is needed for the 2016-2017 school year. Please consider applying, no experience is necessary. To apply and for more information, visit eastchestermusicboosters.wordpress.com.

Eastchester High School driver education

Toddlers age 2 are welcome to join the library’s play date activity on Wednesday, July 27 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. This activity will include a fun free play for children, featuring tunnels, scarves and instruments. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.

Get your license at 17. Information about the driver education program can be found at eastchester.k12.ny.us. The summer program runs for approximately 6 1/2 weeks, usually beginning the last week in June and ending mid-August. Class meets every day for 90 minutes. The driving school sets each student’s schedule based on the application submitted. Hours run between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. All details are available on the application. If you have any questions, call 332-7700.

Dinosaur Fossil Hunt

Bronxville events

Children ages 5 and up registered for the summer reading program are welcome to hunt for dinosaur fossils during this activity on Wednesday, July 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is required. For more information or to register for this program, call 337-7680.

Bronxville Farmers Market

Tots of Fun: Play Date

Fresh Friday Activities Children in grades five and up are welcome to the library on Friday, July 29 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for fresh activities. Stop by the teen room during this drop-in program and check out the library’s craft programs, including making slap bracelets. This program is free and open to the public, and registration is not required.

Tuckahoe Public Library Science Specials with the New Canaan Nature Center Children ages 5 to 10 are welcome to learn

On Saturdays through Nov. 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located at Stone Place at Paxton Avenue, rain or shine. Browse offerings from more than 30 vendors. Visit bronxvillefarmersmarket.com for more information.

The Bronxville Pops Concert Band The last concert will be held on Thursday, July 28, starting at 8 p.m. on the Great Lawn in front of The Bronxville High School, located at Pondfield Road and Midland Avenue. Enjoy live music under the stars. Bring a blanket, bring a chair. For more information, email thebronxvillepops@ gmail.com or call 525-1819. 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.

July 22, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5

Students act out Shakespeare to analyze language

Bronxville Middle School students, who read William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Meg Weiss’ English class, acted out scenes from the play to better understand the meaning behind the author’s words. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district

Bronxville Middle School seventh-graders who were reading William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Meg Weiss’ English class took a different approach to analyzing Shakespeare’s language. Assisted by costumes and props, they collaborated in groups and acted out scenes from the play to better understand the meaning behind the author’s words. “A lot of this has helped us become more creative in the ways we understand our writing,” Avery Widen said about her experience. “Instead of just reading and talking about [the play], we can actually re-enact it now and it helped us understand the exact

circumstances of why characters are saying certain words.” Students said they experimented with different tones and facial expressions while acting out the play to further analyze the language. “We can see how Shakespeare punctuates and uses his words,” Widen said. “We can see how Shakespeare uses more formal language for some of the more distinguished characters and uses slang for some of the characters who aren’t as educated, so we can use that knowledge from our re-enactment to understand what words mean from the actual play.” The exercises of acting out

the play were designed to get the students involved in Shakespeare’s language. Students said that reading the text out loud, listening to it, acting out different scenes and presenting it in groups to the rest of the class helped them understand the author’s language. The experience encouraged them to be creative, think critically and engage the world, which are skills closely aligned with the dispositions of the Bronxville Promise. Check out the video of Bronxville Middle School students acting out scenes from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream by visiting bronxvilleschool.org or vimeo. com/171929603. (Submitted)

FACULTY from page 1

mitment to be lifelong learners. The best part about her job, she said, has been the opportunity to watch her students grow and develop. Upon retirement, Corvini plans to serve as the presidentelect of the Westchester County School Music Association, continue performing as a clarinetist

with several community bands and travel. The Bronxville School wishes continued success to the beloved faculty members as they embark on the next chapter of their lives and thanks them for their dedicated decades of service to their students. (Submitted)

could be his next job. With 15 years behind her as an elementary school music teacher at Bronxville, Corvini said she has enjoyed working with faculty members who have the vision, courage and com-

From left, Tim Curran, Janet Corvini, Virginia Gentile, Mary Schenck, Donna Bianco, Jim Brogan and Glenn Stockton, and Chuck Yochim, not pictured, retired from teaching at the Bronxville school district this year. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district

6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Eastchester REVIEW THE

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Local chef awarded

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Guadalupe Hernandez has been working at The Spotted Pig in New York City since May, learning the ins and outs of the restaurant business under renowned chef and co-owner April Bloomfield. Photo courtesy Facebook

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Guadalupe Hernandez, 43, recently received a culinary grant from the James Beard Foundation to undergo a women leadership mentor program. She was one of 21 women selected nationwide. Photo courtesy Guadalupe Hernandez

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant Guadalupe Hernandez has been cooking for a living ever since immigrating to the United States from Mexico to be with her husband in the early 90s. Once here, Hernandez cared

for the elderly to both make money and improve her English, bringing meals from home to work. “Sometimes when I’d warm up my food and they’d see me eat, my clients would ask what the food was,” she said. “Eventually, I started cooking for them.” She became a private cook to mostly elderly clients, so she had to be mindful of various dietary restrictions, including lowsodium and low-fat. Hernandez, a resident of Rye, decided to become a professional chef and enrolled in culinary school two years ago. Having had her fill of cooking privately, she also started looking for restaurant jobs,

only to be told that she didn’t have the requisite experience. “But I have been cooking for almost 20 years; I know how to cook a steak, I know how to cook an egg,” she’d say. Hernandez, 43, started volunteering and earning internships, finally gaining restaurant experience. She then noticed culinary scholarships and grants, and began applying for those, too. Hernandez applied for one particular grant within hours of its deadline. Earlier this year, the James Beard Foundation, a culinary nonprofit organization, notified Hernandez that she was one of 21 women selected nationwide

for its Women in Culinary Leadership grant. “I decided to apply because I felt I met the requirements they were asking for,” she said. “I’m so honored to have received this grant. I’ve worked hard to be at this level.” The James Beard Foundation’s mission is to “celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire.” The nonprofit is named after James Beard, called the “Dean of American cookery.” After his death in 1985, his Greenwich Village brownstone was transformed into the foundation’s base for culinary heritage and programs. Candidates of the leadership grant will participate in either a six- or 12-month mentor/grantee program. The program exposes candidates to the front and back of house of a restaurant. Front of house means the areas that guests are exposed to, and back of house covers the kitchen, employee areas and offices. All candidates have had some form of culinary or hospitality experience through school or past employment. Hernandez in particular will mainly focus on back-of-house aspects. Now in its third season, the Women in Culinary Leadership Program offers hands-on mentorships, giving women the chance to break through the culinary world’s “glass ceiling” by working with industry leaders

and building restaurant and/or kitchen skills. “There are so many wonderful women in the industry, but that’s not enough,” said Shelley Menaged, manager of special projects and student programs for the James Beard Foundation. “We’re giving these women a leg up… a chance to take it to the next level.” Hernandez started her mentorship this past May at The Spotted Pig in New York City, under renowned chef and co-owner April Bloomfield. The restaurant offers a fusion of American and Italian cuisines. “I’m like a sponge trying to learn as much as I can,” Hernandez told the Review of her experience so far. As a woman of color in a white, male-dominated industry, Hernandez says she does not experience discrimination based on her gender and race anymore. “I don’t think there’s a big difference now between men and women, especially in the kitchen,” she said. “If you go to the back of a restaurant, especially the prep team, most of them—if not 100 percent—are Hispanic. Being in an environment like that, it’s awesome because I can work with everybody. There’s no racism. We all want to work.” A representative from The Spotted Pig could not be reached for comment. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

July 22, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 7

Bronxville students experience careers in medicine The Bronxville School hosted more than 30 doctors from all specialties of the NewYorkPresbyterian/Lawrence Hospital on May 23 to expose students to a variety of careers in the medical field through a number of hands-on activities. The Careers in Medicine event, which brought together more than 170 students from the Bronxville School and neighboring districts, provided students with an opportunity to speak with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, dieticians and physician assistants. Doctors taught students how to perform CPR, skin suturing and venipuncture, and how to intubate a patient with anesthesia. They also practiced laparoscopic surgery as if they were doing it on a real patient and performed simulated arthroscopic surgery in order to take out a piece of bone from the knee. “We were thrilled to host this event and be able to expose our students, along with students from other local schools, to the exciting fields

within medicine,” Bronxville High School Principal Ann Meyer said. “Many of our students express interest in becoming a doctor but few have had the opportunity to explore the range of options that exist in the medical field. The physicians that joined us brought interactive, exciting activities to give our students a hands-on look at their specialty. The evening was a huge success. We want to thank all of the medical professionals who took time out of their busy schedules to engage with the high school students and demonstrate the passion and joy of practicing in the medical field.” Bronxville High School sophomore Hadley Barr, whose grandfather was a spinal orthopedic surgeon and inspired her interest in the medical field, said she enjoyed the hands-on experience. “That was really cool for me to do,” said Barr, who performed a simulated arthroscopic surgery by snipping out pieces of the menis-

cus. “I’ve never been able to interact with anything before that’s this close to being in a hospital. I think that when you start to do and see things for yourself, then you get to learn about them and get more of an experience. You get to see what it’s actually like, and that can either drive you to do more of it or take you away from it.” Bronxville High School senior Jeanne Chrisanthopoulos said experiencing the different medical fields and opportunities at the event helped steer her in the right direction. “I went to a cancer research lab, but the hands-on experience with surgery is more interesting than research,” she said. “This validated that for me.” Dr. Susan Campanile, internal medicine physician at the NewYork-Presbyterian/ Lawrence Hospital, organized the event and collaborated with Meyer to bring it to fruition. She said she wanted to bring 21st century learning to the school and provide doctors with a community service opportunity.

Bronxville Middle School sixth-grader Caroline Ircha and Bronxville High School senior Jeanne Chrisanthopoulos practices laparoscopic surgery. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district

“As a community, we have the responsibility to teach the students or to at least expose

the students to medicine, so that those who are interested in medicine can have some

type of one-on-one conversation,” Dr. Campanile said. (Submitted)

8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Westchester speaks out

on high-profile killings

Hundreds of protesters of all races and denominations rally in downtown White Plains at a justice march in the wake of two African-American civilian shootings by police this month. Photos/Bobby Begun

Justice marchers’ moods and messages are easy to observe during the rally in White Plains.

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant Gun violence has always been a hot topic in the news, and lately, civilians and members of law enforcement have both been targeted in what some call a racist agenda, and what others call retaliation for how minorities are treated. On Thursday, July 14, local organizers held a rally calling for police reform in the wake of two civilian deaths of AfricanAmerican males at the hands of law enforcement that sparked outrage across the nation. Hundreds of participants of all ages and races marched for justice through downtown White Plains. WESPAC, an organization based in White Plains that focuses on peace and justice activism, led the rally. The march, which began at 6 p.m., started at Calvary Baptist Church and ended at Court Street, where a stage was set up for speakers to address racialized policing, police accountably, transparency, reform, and improving relations between communities and police. On hand were members of the Westchester Coalition for Police Reform, a subdivision of the Westchester Martin Luther King Jr. Institute for Nonviolence. The coalition handed out

The Rev. Franklyn Richardson, of Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, addresses hundreds of supporters in downtown White Plains at the conclusion of a march for justice and police reform on July 14. Richardson offered suggestions to address racialized policing.

Republican Mayor Norman Rosenblum of the village of Mamaroneck places a candle at a memorial during a vigil on held on July 15 in honor of the slain Dallas police officers. Photo/Chris Courtney

brochures demanding police reform on both county and state levels, including establishing both independent oversight structures and a special prosecutor to investigate and discipline police misconduct. The impetus of the White Plains rally were the murders of Alton Sterling on July 5, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile on July 6, in

Minneapolis, Minnesota, as well as other civilians shot and killed by law enforcement during the week of the Fourth of July. In response to those shootings, five Dallas CONTINUED on next page

July 22, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 9 police officers were gunned down, and several others were injured by Micah Johnson, an Army Reserve veteran of the Afghan War. The shooting took place during a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest for Sterling and Castile. That was recently followed by the shootings of three Baton Rogue police officers on July 17 by Gavin Long, a former Marine who served in Iraq. Kenneth Chamberlain Jr., a co-founder of the coalition, is no stranger to police shootings. He lost his father, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., to bullets from White Plains police officers in November 2011. The shooting took place at 135 S. Lexington Ave., Chamberlain Sr.’s home, which marked the first stop on the march. Chamberlain Sr., an African-American and former U.S. Marine, was shot when police responded to a LifeAid alert. Chamberlain Sr. refused help when emergency personnel arrived at his residence, leading police to break down the door to his apartment. Police used a Taser to try and subdue Chamberlain Sr., who police said was wielding a butcher knife, and also shot him twice. He later died at White Plains Hospital. In 2012, a grand jury decided against indicting the police officers involved in the shooting. This year, 639 civilians have died at the hands of law enforcement, as of press time, and 66 police officers have been killed in the line of duty over that same timeframe. Now, as a country tries to unite behind a common cause, the importance of building relationships between police and the communities they watch over

Imam Ali, of Yonkers, addresses the gathering of supporters at the White Plains police reform rally. He shared his vision for an America that lives in unity and with respect for all walks of life. Photo/Bobby Begun

Many rally participants brought out their children, bearing signs and T-shirts with important messages to all. Photo/Andrew Courtney

reminiscent of civilians hugging and mingling with members of law enforcement in Dallas following the shootings played out more than 1,500 miles away. Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, feels that the re-

cent events are a result of political correctness and “different groups representing their own agendas.” “I think there has to be honest and open dialogue among all parties,” he told the Review. “The first line of defense this country has is our uniformed personnel: your police, your fire, your EMS. And when you go after them, you’re going after everybody.”

A police officer looks on at a memorial adorned with candles in memory of the five Dallas police officers ambushed and killed on July 7 through July 8.

-with reporting by Andrew Dapolite

CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

Residents of the village of Mamaroneck lay candles in front of the memorial at the village courtroom on July 15.

becomes a focal point. Appreciation and admiration for the work of local police was shown in a candlelight vigil held in the village of Mamaroneck on the evening of Friday, July 15, which honored the police officers killed in Dallas on July 7 through July 8. Participants gathered at the memorial in front of the Mamaroneck courtroom to light candles and show gratitude to the men and women in uniform who protect and serve their communities. Police officers from the area were present, and scenes

A police officer from the village of Mamaroneck speaks with a resident at the Dallas candlelight vigil. Emphasis on positive relations between law enforcement and communities is seen as one solution to the tensions felt nationwide. Photos/Chris Courtney

10 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Interesting facts I have learned as mayor BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin

Sitting in the mayor’s chair, I have learned so many interesting and important facts about the village that I never knew as a 28-year resident. So this week’s column is a distillation of some information that hopefully will elicit the same response in you: “I didn’t know that.” • Bronxville has 2,300 addresses in the village, but more than 10,000 people use Bronxville as their postal address. • In 1898, at the time of its incorporation as a village, Bronxville had 300 citizens. • Sixty percent of our residents live in single-family homes and townhouses, while 40 percent reside in apartments, co-ops and condominiums. • In the most recent census, ethnicity in the village was 20 percent Irish-American, 11 percent Italian-American, 11 percent German-American and 10 percent EnglishAmerican, with all other ethnicities below double digits. • Per the same census, the village has 3,358 female residents to 3,060 male. • Twenty percent of the land in the village is tax exempt. • The Bronx River was actually rerouted and the village border changed to accommodate the construction of the Bronx River Parkway. • There are 1,356 parking meters in our village and they all work (most days!). • Bronxville has more than 70 acres of parkland. • The original soil at the Alfredo Fields, near Siwanoy Country Club, was sold and trucked to Queens for the World’s Fair in 1939. • Scout Field, both upper and lower, is Westchester County parkland, with more than 95 percent of the actual field areas in the cities of Yonkers and Mount Vernon. • Bronxville residents pay more in property taxes to Westches-

ter County (approximately $8 million per year) than they do to run village government. • With the exception of the Hasidic village of Kiryas Joel in Orange County, Bronxville is the only other community that is co-terminus with their school district and has the municipality issue both school and village tax bills. • When United Water or Con Edison needs to do repairs underground, it is their responsibility to repave and repair the disrupted surfaces. Lately, repairs seem to take much longer because the work is now subcontracted out to different entities. • Homeowners are responsible for the care, maintenance and replacement of sidewalks abutting their property. The village is responsible for road maintenance. • According to a Con Edison study, the cost to relocate the overhead electrical lines in Bronxville would be approximately $62 million. In addition, there would be a charge to connect individual homes, which would average between $18,000 to $25,000 per dwelling. If the overhead lines from the feeder substations that run through adjoining communities are not buried as well, Bronxville would still lose power if the lines are hit. • Crews from the village Department of Public Works cannot remove tree branches or debris near a wire until Con Edison has determined the wire is not live and poses no danger. • Our Police Department offers many ancillary services to residents, including security survey of homes or businesses to assess vulnerabilities and suggest ways to increase security; a vacant house check for residents on vacation; a key file service allowing homeowners to keep a key at the Police Department for emergencies; and the assistance of officers who are certified infant seat technicians to inspect or in-

stall car seats. All of these services can be requested by calling the police desk at 337-0500. • As part of their duties, police officers report all non-working streetlights. If a light remains out for several days, it means there is an electrical issue requiring assistance from Con Edison. • Kevlar police vests last only five years before the fibers start to decompose. • A 14-year-old providing alcohol to a 20-year-old can still be charged with the crime of providing alcohol to a minor. • The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law sets the minimum speed of 30 mph for villages. It can be lowered only with evidence of exceptional circumstances, such as a designated school zone or proof that an area has a history of multiple serious accidents caused by conditions particular to that stretch of road. • In 1960, villagers voted 5-to1 for Richard Nixon over former resident John F. Kennedy. • The village has no countyowned roads and only one state road, Route 22. Only Route 22 cannot be repaved or upgraded by the village’s capital plan. If you notice, the state built Route 22 in Bronxville with no catch basins, adding to our flooding issues. • In 1934, 301 babies were born at Lawrence Hospital. Last year, the total exceeded 2,500. Village government is responsible for the production of their birth certificates. • Palumbo Place is named for Joe Palumbo, the longtime village public works director. Leonard Morange Park, on the west side, is named after the first village resident to die in service of our country in World War I. • Famous people who called the village home included John F. Kennedy, Eddie Rickenbacker, Beat writer Lawrence Ferlinghetti, baseball Commissioner Ford Frick, Elizabeth Custer, Jack Paar and Marvin Bower.

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MONITOR from page 1

that Johnson, while “far from perfect,” conducted his job professionally. “The monitor engaged in a very important study, the Huntington study, which has helped clear the way for a lot of communities to see that they do not have exclusionary zoning,” Kaplowitz said. Last week, in what turned out to be his final action as monitor, Johnson removed two communities from a list of seven which he recommended that HUD sue; Croton-on-Hudson, Harrison, Lewisboro, Pelham Manor and Larchmont remain on the list. Both Kaplowitz and McCormack said that the county lawmakers and the administration, respectively, would work to meet but not exceed the terms of the settlement before the end of the year. But according to Cote, the county is currently in breach of the settlement. On July 8, Cote ruled that the county was violating two terms of the agreement. She claimed that the county failed to introduce and implement an affordable housing public education campaign, and that it failed to

James E. Johnson, the court-appointed monitor who has been overseeing Westchester County’s compliance to a 2009 affordable housing settlement, will step down seven years after he was appointed to the post. Photo courtesy Debevoise.com

develop and submit an approved Analysis of Impediments, AI, a document which lists possible systemic roadblocks in creating affordable housing. The county has submitted eight AIs since the settlement, each of which has found no exclusionary zoning. HUD has

rejected each of the county’s analyses. As a result of Cote’s ruling, the county was ordered to hire a consultant to help them complete the analysis. The county, however, has appealed the ruling. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

Rye looks to create Department of Public Safety The city of Rye is moving forward with plans to scrap its police and fire departments in favor of a joint Department of Public Safety. Although it will require a public referendum, if approved, Rye would become just the third jurisdiction in Westchester with such a department. Currently, only the city of White Plains and the county have departments of public safety. The move would combine the roles of police commissioner and fire administrator into one leadership position. The proposal, which was introduced in late May, would be the first major step in creating the city’s first public safety commissioner, and is being considered in part to help streamline the Fire Department’s oversight and free up city funds to hire additional firefighters. Throughout the past several years, concerns have been raised over the department’s decreasing number of volunteer firefighters and paid

The city of Rye is moving toward the creation of a new branch of city service—the Department of Public Safety—which will be charged with oversight of both the police and fire departments. File photo

staffing levels. Currently, fire Lt. Kurt Tietjen—the highest ranking Rye Fire Department member—takes care of much of the day-to-day administration of the department. According to Tietjen, the position is a “logical step” in getting the department back on track, despite the department still needing additional paid firefighters to help assist their current staff of 17. Because the public safety commissioner position would require alterations to the city’s charter, however, the creation of such a position would also be required to go to public referendum, allowing residents to

vote on the upcoming November Election Day ballot. The position’s creation would also require the approval of both the New York state and Westchester County departments of civil service. To fill the new hybrid role overseeing the fire and police departments, the city is expected to turn to Police Commissioner Michael Corcoran, who was hired in February. Corcoran told the Review that no one has yet formally approached him for the role, but said he works in conjunction with the Fire Department frequently. -Reporting by James Pero

11 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Business Briefs Fordham Westchester’s Ravazzin Center awarded $500K grant by county Fordham University’s Ravazzin Center, an extension of the school’s Westchester campus, has been awarded a $500,000 grant by Westchester County for its work with the Children and Family Institute. The Ravazzin Center, part of Fordham’s Graduate School for Social Service, GSS, will use the grant money to evaluate a care model aimed at reducing the risk of homelessness for children in foster care. Over the course of three years, GSS researchers will evaluate several components of the program’s work with homeless youth, including outreach, education, employment opportunities, and connections with families and support systems. The Fordham research team will also assess a network of peer-to-peer “navigators,” foster care teens who help other teens “navigators,” or foster care the social service system. “Sometimes youth don’t feel that the professionals understand them,” said Janna Heyman, Ph.D., professor of Social Work and chair of the Ravazzin Center. “Having a young person that can say, ‘I’ve been there,’ and who can help connect them to professional support and guidance makes a big difference.” The Ravazzin Center has spent the past two years studying how Westchester County helps its foster care youth. Its research revealed a gap in communications that has led to the implementation of the peer-to-peer approach. The previous research also helped identify factors that lead to homelessness, such as the number of times a child has been moved from home to home. “Now, we identify the youth that have been moved several times and understand that’s when we should bring in peer-to-peer navigators and professionals to further support them,” Heyman said. The next three years will be devoted to implementing the program and evaluating its various components—from education to housing, to peer-to-peer programming. The Ravazzin Center was established in 1995. Its mission is to empower social workers and communities to meet the needs of an aging society through development and dissemination of knowledge. Fordham University’s Westchester campus is conveniently located off Interstate 287, Interstate 684 and the Hutchinson River Parkway. The 3-story, state-of-the-art building sits on 32 landscaped acres in West Harrison. Fordham Westchester is home to the Fordham School of Professional and Continuing Studies, Gabelli School of Business, Graduate School of Education and Graduate School of Social Service. It is also home to four institutes: the Beck Institute on Poverty and Religion, Children FIRST, National Center for Social Work Trauma Education, and the Ravazzin Center on Aging.

Furniture Sharehouse 2016 Designers’ Committee kickoff promises stunning results Prominent area designers gathered at Mamaroneck Self Storage recently to search through stacks of unique items from the Furniture Sharehouse inventory, as well as new items

donated by local home furnishing vendors, to begin the creative process that will result in 10 stunning vignettes to be featured in the Furniture Sharehouse’s upcoming gala, “The Power of Ten: Celebrating 10 Years of Furnishing Families.” The hallmark of the gala, these signature “Designer Vignettes” are part of the Gala Silent Auction, and an integral part of the evening’s fundraising. Since opening its doors in 2007, Furniture Sharehouse has provided more than 54,000 items of free furniture to more than 10,000 individuals in need, including more than 5,000 children, to fill their empty apartments and help them rebuild their lives. The “Power of Ten” gala will help raise much-needed funds to furnish hundreds of families each year moving from homelessness, escaping domestic violence, struggling with poverty, and recovering from personal or natural disasters. Mamaroneck Self Storage is providing storage and studio display space for the furnishings to be used to create the designer vignettes. Refreshments for the kickoff meeting were generously sponsored by Mist Home Vintage and Modern, located at 614 Fenimore Road in Mamaroneck, putting the designers in the mood for “browsing and brainstorming.” “The Power of Ten: Celebrating 10 Years of Furnishing Families” gala will be held on Friday, Oct. 28 at Mamaroneck Beach & Yacht Club. For more information on ticket and sponsorship packages, contact Rose Cappa-Rotunno at events@ theeventdepartmentny.com or call 747-0519.

Houlihan-Parnes leases The Westchester Bank’s 5th branch

White Plains-based Houlihan-Parnes Realtors LLC announced that it has represented The Westchester Bank in a 10-year lease for a 2,050-square-foot storefront bank branch space located at 301-305 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck. Jamie Schwartz of Houlihan-Parnes Realtors represented the tenant. John Manous of HoulihanParnes Realtors represented the owner. Schwartz said, “We were once again able to find the perfect space for The Westchester Bank’s fifth bank branch. The space was formally a RadioShack that had occupied the storefront for over 25 years. It was not on the market at the time of our search, and we were able to negotiate a deal for the space prior to RadioShack rejecting the lease in its bankruptcy proceeding and vacating the space. It’s one of the prime storefront locations on Mamaroneck Avenue in the central business district, near many other national and regional banks.” John Tolomer, president and CEO of The Westchester Bank, said, “As we continue our strategic growth of our bank branch system, Mamaroneck is a desired location both from a consumer and commercial business banking aspect. As the leading community bank in Westchester County, The Westchester Bank is also recognized as one of the fastest-growing

community banks in the country, with total assets in excess of $570 million, loan balances in excess of $470 million, and deposits of $476 million.” Norm DiChiara, AIA of Norman DiChiara Architects P.C., designed the branch. Houlihan-Parnes Realtors LLC is a nationally affiliated, multi-faceted real estate investment company headquartered in White Plains. Its companies and affiliates are engaged in the acquisition and ownership of all types of commercial real estate investment property in the continental United States. Its various companies and affiliates specialize in commercial mortgage finance, investment sales, property management, and leasing and mortgage servicing. For more information, please contact James J. Houlihan at 694-6070 ext. 324 or by email at jjh@ houlihanparnes.com. The Westchester Bank is a New York state chartered and full service, FDIC-insured commercial bank offering state-of-the-art technology with a comprehensive line of business banking products to businesses and consumers, including business and personal checking, business lending, commercial mortgages, savings accounts, CDs, money market accounts, Interest on Lawyer Accounts (IOLA), attorney escrow accounts, and tenant security accounts. The Westchester Bank is headquartered at 12 Water St., White Plains, with branches located at 2001 Central Park Ave., Yonkers; 464 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains; 994 Broadway, Thornwood; and 51 South Moger Ave., Mount Kisco.

William Raveis in Rye gets new salesperson Mary McCabe has joined the William Raveis Rye office, located at 78 Purchase St. McCabe comes to Raveis with a wealth of experience and a strong network of industry and client connections. Prior to selling real estate, she owned and operated a successful Larchmont restaurant called Bellizzi. Her passion for real estate resulted in her transition into the business in 2013. She has since built a successful career in the residential market. McCabe works with buyers and sellers across Westchester and Connecticut as licensed real eastate salesperson. She can be reached at 217-0032 or Mary.McCabe@raveis.com. William Raveis is the largest family-owned real estate company in the Northeast. It is ranked fifth in the leading real estate companies of the world, and is the world’s largest luxury real estate network, with 3,500 offices. For more information, visit raveis.com. The next Business Briefs section will run in August. Please send any submission for our August edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email. Each submission may include one picture. If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.

12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

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July 22, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13

Fear-Pokémongering RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

By now, even if you have not yet played Pokémon Go, you are more aware of it than your own breathing. You have read that the app has been downloaded more than any app, and that it has actually convinced kids to leave the house to go play outside—a miracle! But you have probably also heard about the player who stumbled upon a dead body, and the two guys who walked off a cliff (but lived), and the 15-year-old who didn’t look up and got hit by a car. (She’s alive, too.) And then there were those four guys arrested in a black BMW somewhere in Missouri for waiting in a secluded area and robbing the Pokémon players who stopped by. So if you are part of the vast web of Very Concerned Adults whose life’s purpose seems to be dreaming up terrible things that can happen to kids anytime they venture beyond the kitchen, you can relax. You’ve got your stranger-danger stories. Phew! Now you can remind us that anytime people are headed outside, especially kids, they had better think long and hard first. Following this incredibly predictable script, a bunch of our local TV stations are solemnly warning us about scenarios they have made up in their heads. Reports CBS New York, “there are worries that sex offenders might use the app to lure children.” And says NBC New York, the app “could potentially put young people

at risk.” Note to news editors: Worries are not the same as “realities.” What’s more, pretty much anything can “potentially” put young people at risk, including eating dinner (they could choke!), playing baseball (they could get hit by a bat!) and attending school (what if they fall off the stage during a production of “Annie?”). As delightful as Pokémon Go is to play—I love it and I’ve never played videogames (or whatever this is) before—it almost seems to be more exciting to the authorities who can spit out a new set of warnings faster than you can say, “Air Time!” And so all the way across the country, the San Francisco Police Department took it upon itself to tell moms and dads that they should “know where [their] kids are going when playing with the app” and “set limits”—as if parents couldn’t possibly do that themselves. As if this whole “kids going outside” thing is just so new and crazy. The ‘Frisco Fear-mongers also published this Pokémon Go Safety Tip: “Know your surroundings and pay attention to where you’re going/who is around you. Slow car paralleling a person on foot might be a sign it’s a getaway car.” Um, yeah. Except that with literally 15 million people playing this game across the entire country for the past week, we have that one BMW in Missouri to point to as an actual menace. Meantime, over in England, which you’d think has bigger problems to freak out about, the authorities are warning that

the app could be used to make children “easily accessible to criminals”—and they don’t even have the game there yet! It’s almost like there’s a parallel universe out there: Game players get points for finding Pokémon, and the warning class gets points for dreaming up Hollywood horror movie plots. But the warners also get massive publicity, because nothing sells like kids in peril. Even if they aren’t in peril. (Can I remind us all here that stranger-danger is the least likely of crimes?) So the other morning, I was walking around my bustling, leafy Queens neighborhood when I saw one mom showing another mom the app. The explainer had her 10-year-old son with her. “Can he go out on his own to play?” I (a stranger!) asked. “Oh no, no, no,” she said, as if I’d queried, “Would you bathe your child in acid?” The other mom agreed: No way. “What age do you think you’ll let them play on their own?” Answered Mom No. 1, grimly laughing: “28.” The Pokémon game is so fun, so simple, so sharable, it is as if the company invented the 21st century equivalent of the ball—a toy kids can play with on their own, or in a group, or when they’re walking down the street. But the ball came of age before the warning industry, indeed before the dawn of history, so kids simply got to go outside and play with it. Imagine that. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

If we had to describe Tilly in three words, it would be: stunning, athletic, endearing. Her looks are striking. She is a beautiful blond and white dog with eyes that look attentively into yours. Tilly is so attractive, people must stop to say hello. She enjoys being active, like running with one of our sporty dog volunteers throughout Harrison. She is very muscular with a lean body that makes her look like a proficient agility dog. Tilly would do best in a home with someone who is dog-savvy, can give her a predictable routine and continue her training program, to which she responds well. She is a wonderful communicator, very affectionate and would make a wonderful companion. Tilly is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm-tested and microchipped. Why not donate $300 to Larchmont Pet Rescue and make Tilly part of your home? To learn more, visit NY-PetRescue.org or call 834-6955. (Submitted)

14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016

Mike drop LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

I feel like over the past few years, I’ve devoted a lot of space in my column to retirements. Whether it was Derek Jeter’s emotional farewell at the end of the 2014 season, David Ortiz’s historic 2016 season or Tim Duncan’s perfectly understated announcement last week, I’ve always had a fascination with an athlete’s decision to hang ‘em up. And now, I understand why. A few weeks ago, I told some of my teammates on my men’s baseball team that this, indeed, would be my final season. My body is too battered, my arm is hanging on by a thread, and lately, I realize there’s more I want to do in life than spend every single weekend of my summer on a hot, dusty field somewhere in the five boroughs. I couldn’t tell you the last time I went to the beach. So I decided that, no matter what, 2016 would be my last summer playing baseball. Baseball has been a constant in my life ever since I was old enough to play T-ball. With the exception of two years in college when I decided that living the fraternity life was more important to me than taking the mound, I’ve been out there on the diamond.

So as confident as I am that my decision will stick, I can’t help but wonder how I’m going to deal without the sport I love. Now don’t get me wrong; I’m not equating myself to the figures I mentioned above. These guys were titans in their fields, and I’m a weekend beer league player who had a spectacularly unsuccessful collegiate career that saw my ERA rise way higher than my GPA ever would. But still, when something has been so important to you for so long, it’s always tough to walk away. And to be perfectly honest, I’m starting to rethink my stance on the whole farewell tour. My teammates spoke to a few other players around our league and word of my impending retirement got out. I may not have been one of the best players out there, but I served as a player, manager, league official, photographer— and on some occasions, sports psychologist—to a wide array of people I would never have come into contact with otherwise. Sure, my own guys wanted me to stay on; I don’t think any of them want the unenviable task of running our team after all. But the pleas to stick around for one more year that came in from opposing players, coaches and umpires? That was touching. Watching Ortiz at this year’s MLB All-Star game, being

SPORTS

hounded by other, younger MLB stars to keep on playing, I understood that as much as these season-long farewells are about saying goodbye to the game, they are also a chance to gain validation from peers, which, no matter how many accolades these guys may accrue over the course of a career, may be the most important thing. I took what will likely be my last-ever at bat on Sunday afternoon. My team may be playoff bound, but as the skipper, I can’t, in all honesty, envision giving a guy who is hovering around the Mendoza Line a meaningful postseason at bat. On a 1-0 count, I turned on a letter-high fastball and drove a pitch into the left centerfield gap for what will likely be my last-ever hit on a baseball diamond. Five years ago, it would’ve been a double. But now, creaky knees and all, I didn’t see any reason to push it. I made a hard turn around first, and shrugged as I headed back to the bag, where the opposing first baseman, a huge teddy bear of a guy I’ve played against for the last decade, greeted me with a grin and a warm hug. It was a close game, it was a big spot, but he also knew it was time to say goodbye. After the game, both teams decided that a couple of pizzas and a few cold ones were in order. We hung out behind the backstop, trading war stories from

On Saturday, Sports Editor Mike Smith may have collected his last hit in 25 years of playing baseball. As he prepares to hang up the cleats for good, he is starting to understand just how hard it is to say goodbye. Contributed photo

games across Brooklyn, The Bronx, Queens and Atlantic City. Their first baseman starting harping on my looping curveball, and I had to quickly remind him that in 10 years, he still nev-

er got a hit off me. We parted ways, dirty, sweaty, tired and happy, and once again, he implored me to give it one more shot. I’m not going to rethink it.

But now I understand why saying goodbye can be so damned hard.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

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

SPORTS

July 22, 2016 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15

Local team ready for tourney

Rye’s Katie Popp blows past a defender at the Westchester County Center. Popp was selected to a Hudson Valley basketball team that will be competing in an annual state tournament.

By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Friday, Aug. 5, a handful of the top basketball players in Section I will head to Johnson City, New York, to take on the best teams from across the state at the annual Basketball Coaches Association of New York, BCANY, Summer Hoops Festival. With a deep talent pool headlined by a number of 2016 All-State selections, Hudson Valley coach Kristi Dini is confident that her squad will have a strong showing at the prestigious tournament. Entering into her fourth summer as the Hudson Valley coach,

Dini said she has seen interest in the summer festival rise through the years. This year, tryouts, which were held over three days in June, attracted 35 potential players, nearly double the turnout most years. “Section I has some strong teams and even though some sections hand-select their teams and asked players to participate, we thought this was the most fair way to pick a team,” Dini said. “Ideally, the goal is to bring up a roster filled with talented players.” Talent will not be a problem for the Hudson Valley squad. Eight of the 12 players selected for the team received All-state

Katie Popp looks for an open teammate at the County Center. Photos/Mike Smith

honors last winter, including both Korina Guerra and Katie McLaughlin from Ursuline High School, Katie Popp from Rye High School, and Avery LaBarbera from Harrison High School. “[Tryouts] were really exciting but it can be stressful,” LaBarbera said. “There were a lot of good players, not a lot of girls that I knew, but it was an honor to be selected.” For Popp, a rising senior who played on the Hudson Valley team two years ago but had to pull out of the event last year due to an injury, the 2016 festival represents one last chance to bring back gold for the area. “It’s definitely more exciting, as a senior knowing it’s going to be our last chance,” Popp said. “I think I’ve played either alongside or against pretty much all of the girls, I’ve known a lot of them my whole life, and we definitely have big aspirations.” According to Dini, who previously coached at Somers High School, her time as a Section I coach allows her to enter the tournament with a good idea of just what her players are capable of. “I knew all of them coming in, either having coached against them or scouted them,” she said. “But on their high school teams, they’re not playing on a team where every player is as good as they are, so some of them might be playing completely different roles here.”

Avery LaBarbera, a rising junior at Harrison High School, competes during a playoff game in 2016. LaBarbera was one of 12 girls selected to the Hudson Valley basketball team that will be competing at the BCANY Summer Hoops Festival in August.

Avery LaBarbera drives to the hoop during a 2016 game against Eastchester.

Because BCANY rules state that teams cannot practice until the week of the event, the Hudson Valley team will have to work quickly to form a cohesive unit.

“We haven’t been together for an official practice, and we have to get the girls used to playing with each other,” the coach said. “That means putting in offenses, press breakers, a taste

of how you want to defend; it’s a lot to do in four days. It’s not easy. But these girls always rise to the challenge.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • July 22, 2016