August 25, 2017 by The Eastchester Review

Eastchester REVIEW THE

August 25, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 34 | www.eastchesterreview.com

Int’l production company to host benefit concert

DATING WITH DISABILITIES Andrew Kranichfeld, a Westchester native, is working on a dating app called Love is Blind, which he hopes will help alleviate some of the problems that disabled people face when trying to find love. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Pinterest.com

Bronxville political group focuses on local voter issues In anticipation of the Westchester County general election on Nov. 7, the Greater Bronxville Indivisible, GBI, group is sponsoring three free presentations on important local issues affecting voters. The goal is to promote public understanding, foster constructive discussion and enhance civic engagement. • Sept. 26, 7 p.m. - Yeager Room, Bronxville Library - Westchester County Clerk Tim Idoni will speak about the functions of county government and how its decisions affect our community. • Oct. 4, 2:30 p.m. – Yeager Room, Bronxville Library - Donald Hughes, president of the Syracuse-based Hughes Environ-

mental Consulting, will discuss the environmental and public health risks posed by a hotel development currently underway on the grounds of the defunct marble quarry on Marbledale Road in Tuckahoe. The 3.5-acre lot has functioned as an open “mixed industrial waste dump” and automobile storage and repair site since the 1930s. • Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. - Visual Arts Center, Sarah Lawrence College - David McKay Wilson, finance reporter and tax watch columnist for The Journal News, will speak on the impact of County Executive Rob Astorino’s strict “No Tax Increase” policy on the county government and its long-term financial out-

look. The Journal News is sponsoring this event. GBI’s first presentation was on July 25 at the Reformed Church and included a discussion on the closure of the Indian Point nuclear reactor. Michael Dulong, a staff attorney at Riverkeeper, talked about the more than 20 years of controversy that has surrounded the plant, including the environmental risks to county residents and the plant’s numerous operational problems, as well as the potential consequences of losing 25 percent of the region’s electricity production and the economic impact of its closure. He also addressed the complex legal challenges ahead, including

a lawsuit filed by Astorino to delay or block the closure. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Entergy Corp., the company that owns and runs the plant, agreed that the two operating reactors will be shut down in 2020 and 2021. “People tend to downplay the importance of local government, yet this issue, among others, brings to the fore the importance of decisions that are being made at the local level,” said Dulong at the meeting. Free parking is available at both the library and the college. For further information, contact Bruce Anderson at Bruceanderson99@icloud.com or call 630542-9393. (Submitted)

On The Quays, a New York City-based international production company will present “An Afternoon with Keiji Ishiguri & On The Quays,” a benefit concert in their series of “Hometown Concerts - the How About Love Tour” at the St. James the Less Parish Hall on Sunday, Sept. 17 in Scarsdale. The 4 p.m. concert benefit will be hosted by Broadway performer and Westchester resident Albert Guerzon, soon to be seen in “Escape to Margaritaville” on Broadway. The benefit will also feature Westchester natives Ryan McGovern, Dakota Martin, Erica Sweany, Ester Barroso-Guerzon, and young performers Gabby Adams and Anthony Gjelaj. Ishiguri will be organizing the concert and music directing the afternoon. Ishiguri grew up in Eastchester and performed at St. James and has gone on to perform, music direct, and teach throughout Westchester and New York City. In addition, the concert will spotlight On The Quay’s cast of “RENT,” which will be presented at the Cas Di Cultura, Aruba’s Nation Theater, this fall. This marks the first time “RENT” will have been performed in Aruba and the first major professional production at the Cas Di Cultura. This past September, Aruba joined only a handful of Caribbean countries to offer legal samesex civil unions. The evening is a benefit for “On The Quays,” their future events, and the production headed to Aruba. Rounding out the concert cast are Johnny Newcomb from Broadway’s “American Idiot,” Magdiel Cabral, Thomas Green,

and Michael Quadrino from the cast of “RENT.” “On The Quays” was founded in September 2016 by Nicola Murphy, Quadrino, Ishiguri, Matt Engle and Jenna Tanzola. The collective is inspired to tell relevant and engaging stories and is committed to sharing perspectives that promote equality, empathy and understanding. This production of “RENT” previously played a sold-out, critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. “’RENT’ for a new generation with a faultless cast, exquisite performances, and vocals that move the soul,” said ScotsGay Magazine of the production. Anthony Rapp from the original Broadway cast of “RENT” called the cast “dynamic, authentic, and extraordinarily talented.” Rapp also acted as artistic consultant on the original Edinburgh production. The production will be featured in a new book—“RENT FAQ” by Tom Rowan—coming out October 2017. The book chronicles the history of the musical, its legacy, and significant productions it has given rise to worldwide. “On The Quays” will also donate a portion of the proceeds from the evening to The Children’s Village. There will be a small reception after the concert where attendees are encouraged to learn more about “On The Quays,” “RENT,” enjoy light refreshments, and participate in a raffle. More information on the company can be found at OnTheQuays.com. For concert tickets, visit HowAboutLoveScarsdale.brownpapertickets.com. (Submitted)

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Mom of slain Manhattanville student sues The mother of Robby Schartner, a Manhattanville College student who was struck and killed last year after returning to campus from White Plains, has filed a lawsuit against the driver and the bar where she allegedly consumed alcohol for hours. Donna Juliette Ann Hall, Schartner’s mother, is challenging that The Pub, a bar located on Elm Place in Rye, continued to serve the driver, Emma Fox, while she was “visibly intoxicated,” just before the incident. On Oct. 9 last year, Schartner, of Fishkill, was walking along Westchester Avenue, returning from a night out in downtown White Plains, before Fox, 24, struck and killed the 21-year-old with her car, a 2012 Nissan Sentra. Fox, who has been charged with an aggravated DWI and first-degree manslaughter for striking and killing the student, was traveling eastbound at around 5 a.m. when the incident occurred. At the time of her arrest, police measured Fox with a blood alcohol level of 0.21; the legal limit in

Donna Juliette Ann Hall, the mother of Manhattanville College student Robby Schartner, who was struck and killed last year by an allegedly intoxicated driver, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Emma Fox and the bar where she was served alcohol hours before the student’s death. File photo

New York state is 0.08. The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 11, states that the bar “carelessly and unlawfully” provided alcohol to Fox, who was “unable to walk properly, had slurred speech, had bloodshot eyes, and openly and obviously smelled from consumption of alcohol,” between approximately 12 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.

After Schartner’s death, the Manhattanville College administration decided to modify its shuttle bus service in response to criticism from the student body about the safety of its schedule, which made its final return to campus at 1:30 a.m. The college reinstated Friday and Saturday late night hours for the Valiant Express, which had been nixed in 2015. Typically, the shuttle bus returns to campus as late as 3:30 a.m. under that current schedule. Fox is due to reappear in White Plains City Court on Aug. 31, after a number of her previous court dates were adjourned. She was released from Westchester County Jail last November on a $100,000 bail. Stephen Lewis, an attorney representing Fox, did not respond to a request for comment. James Finneran, the owner of the bar, and Anthony Mamo, and attorney representing Hall, could not be reached for comment as of press time.

PROUD MEMBER of the

-Reporting by Franco Fino

Empire Casino celebrates Labor Day weekend Looking for action over the Labor Day weekend while bidding adieu to the summer? Look no further than Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway! The raceway’s two signature stakes races for 3-year-old trotters and pacers—the Yonkers Tro and Messenger Stakes—will be contested on Saturday night, Sept. 2. A pair of promotions center around those Triple Crown events, the t-shirt giveaway and a free wager on the Yonkers Trot, which includes two-horse exacta box. Since there’s still plenty of barbecuing to do, the casino is giving away a nifty, three-piece BBQ set with the Empire City logo on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. While at the casino, attendees can take a chance on the record-breaking $2 million jackpot currently available only at Empire City Casino on the IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine in the Gotham Palace. The Yonkers Trot/Messenger Stakes t-shirt give away will be on Saturday, Sept. 2. The first 3,000 Empire Club Members to visit the promotions booth beginning at 4 p.m. will receive a free Yonkers Trot/Messengers Stakes t-Shirt, while supplies last. The Yonkers Trot free exacta wager will be on Saturday, Sept 2. The first 500 Empire Club Members to visit the promotions

On Saturday, Sept. 2, the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway will be giving away Yonkers trot raceway tickets for the first 500 Empire Club members. Contributed photo

booth beginning at 4 p.m. will receive one two-horse exacta box for the Yonkers Trot. This is limited to the first 500 Empire Club Members, and one race ticket per Empire Club Member, while supplies last. The Labor Day BBQ set giveaway is on Monday, Sept. 4. The first 3,000 Empire Club

Members to visit the promotions booth beginning at 10 a.m. will receive a free gift, a three-piece BBQ Tool Set with the Empire City logo on each handle, while supplies last. For more information contact John Cirillo at 260-7436, or email JohnnyCigarpr@aol.com. (Submitted)

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What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library

Bronxville Public Library For more information on library hours and programs, visit bronxvillelibrary.org.

Tween/Teen Tinker Crate

For more information on hours and programs, visit eastchesterlibrary.org.

World Landmarks Trivia Challenge Through Thursday, Aug. 31. For Summer Reading Game participants. Along with the library’s summer reading, it will be featuring trivia questions on the Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Taj Mahal, and the White House. All players will receive a “passport” to “travel” to these destinations. Visit the library website or call the children’s librarians at 721-8105 for more information.

Bedtime Math’s Summer of Numbers Through Thursday, Aug. 31. Registration is ongoing, online or in person. For grades K–5. Bedtime Math’s Summer of Numbers is back again. Bedtime Math makes it super easy for caregivers and children to explore math together. Every night, you can solve one kid-friendly math problem and get prizes. Visit the library website or call the children’s librarians at 721-8105 for more information.

Through Thursday, Aug. 31. Head over to the Teen Room the whole month of August to take advantage of the “Tinker Crate.” Many different types of materials will be left in the crate in order for you to use your imagination and build whatever you’d like to take home. Don’t forget to sign up for the Tween & Teen Summer Reading Program, if you haven’t already.

Adult Reading Bingo This program runs through Aug. 31. Sign up at any time during these dates. Join the library for its annual Adult Summer Reading Program. The goal of this program is to broaden your horizons and read some books you would not normally choose to read on your own. For every book you read, you will gain an entry to win one of four grand prizes: a Bow Tie Cinemas gift certificate; a Kindle Fire tablet; Park Place Bagel & Topps Bakery gift cards; or a wine and cheese gift basket Complete a row of bingo and you will also receive a smaller prize. To participate, sign up at the Reference Desk to receive your bingo card and blank raffle tickets or register online.

Elder Law Asset Protection On Saturday, Aug. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30

a.m. This is an informative seminar where you will learn: how to protect your assets from nursing home costs; the three most important legal documents you will need to protect your estate; how to qualify for government-paid aides to care for you in your home; and which trust is ideal for second marriages and blended families. Presented by Pat Micek, a lawyer. Registration is required by calling 358-4235.

Adult Coloring Group

Sept. 11 Memorial Service You are cordially invited to attend the town of Eastchester’s annual Sept. 11 memorial service. The service will be held in the lobby of Eastchester Town Hall on Monday, Sept. 11, beginning 8:35 a.m. for a brief service to reflect on the events of that tragic day and remember all of the lives that were lost. Please feel free to pass this invitation to your families and members of your organizations. Please RSVP to Patty George at pgeorge@eastchester.org or call 771-3303.

Westchester Italian Cultural Center

On Mondays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Coloring has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. Come and be creative and meet new friends, all while listening to tranquil music. Coloring sheets and materials will be provided.

The Westchester Italian Cultural Center is located at Generoso Pope Place in Tuckahoe. For more information, call 771-8700 or visit wiccny.org.

Learning Life Through Music

Children language classes

On Wednesday. Aug. 30 from 10:30 p.m. to 11 a.m. For all ages. Participants will learn important life skills and ideas such as manners, respecting others, hygiene, healthy eating habits and exercise, sharing and loving yourself, all taught through original music that kids and parents love—you and your child will be singing our songs long after you leave the class.

There are two fall language classes for children starting in September. Trial classes are available for $40 upon request by calling 771-8700 to register. Mommy & Me, for ages 1 to 3, will be held on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., starting Sept. 21 through Nov. 30. This is for 10 sessions, with no class on Nov. 23. Fees for members is $300; for non-members, $400. Impariamo Insieme, for ages 4 to 10, will be held on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting Sept. 23 through Dec. 2. This is for 10 sessions, with no class on Nov. 25. Fees for members is $300; for non-members, $400.

Social Needlers On Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon. This is a weekly knitting and crochet hour. Socialize while making beautiful items which we donate to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York.

Tuckahoe Public Library For more information on library hours and programs, visit tuckahoe.com/library.

One-on-One Computer Classes On Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. These are 30-minute sessions by appointment. Register by calling the library at 961-2121.

NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital The NewYork-Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital is located at 55 Palmer Road in Bronxville. For more information, visit nyp.org.

Joint Replacement and Surgery Patient Education Every Wednesday from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. in the NYP Lawrence lobby Conference Room. Are you tired of knee, hip or shoulder pain? Have you scheduled joint replacement surgery? All are welcome to attend this pre-operative joint replacement patient education class to learn about the surgical and rehabilitative experience, and meet the hospital’s multidisciplinary team who can answer your questions. To register, call 787-2119.

Local news Local discounts with library card The Eastchester and Tuckahoe public libraries invite you to support small local businesses. Your library card will get you a discount at some area businesses: Hamilton Cleaners, Kawer’s Tuckahoe Paint and Glass, Mill Road Wines & Liquors, Pinot’s Palette, Robert’s Flowers, and Wild Orchid of Westchester. All you need to do to receive your discount is show your library card at the time of purchase. Don’t forget to take a picture and post on social media using #mylibraryshopslocal. For more information, visit eastchester.org.

Adult language courses Learn to speak Italian, or improve your speaking skills, in one of WICC’s many Italian language classes. The center offers three levels of classes to ensure that you can find a class that is suitable for you. Call 771-8700 for more information or to register. The First Time Learners course is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Italian. The course focuses on Italian phonetics, starting with the alphabet and syllables, common phrases and basic grammar. Students can expect to master simple sentences and engage in basic conversation. The course will be held on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. starting Sept. 23 through Dec. 2. This is for 10 sessions, will no class on Nov. 25. Fees for members is $300; for non-members, $400. The Beginner course is designed for students who have minimal knowledge of Italian and have a low level of proficiency. The course offers opportunities to improve all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The course will be held on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting Sept. 23 through Dec. 2. This is for 10 sessions, will no class on Nov. 25. Fees for members is $300; for non-members, $400. The Intermediate course is designed for those students who already have a good knowledge of basic Italian grammar and wish to improve fluency in all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Class activities are all designed to allow students to engage in conversation and improve their linguistic competence. The course will be held on Tuesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. starting Sept. 19 through Nov. 28. This is for 10 sessions, will no class on Oct. 31. Fees for members is $300; for non-members, $400. Still not sure which class is right for you? Trial classes are available for $40 upon request. 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.

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Eastchester REVIEW THE

170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

New app hopes to make dating accessible for all

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com

By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter

Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Franco Fino Staff Photographer

Jen Parente Columnists

Mary Marvin, Richard Forliano 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. Community Events If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.

The Love is Blind app will provide extensive dating profiles, video clips and captions to make the dating app accessible to everyone. Photos courtesy Facebook.com/LoveisBlind

Delivery For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Classifieds & Legals To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27. Postmaster Send address changes to The Eastchester Review c/o HomeTown Media Group, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Visit us online www.eastchesterreview.com

Follow us on Twitter, @eastchesterview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/eastchesterreview The Eastchester Review is published weekly by Home Town Media Group for an annual subscription of $45. Application to mail at the periodicals postage rate is approved at White Plains, N.Y., 10601. Periodicals postage paid at White Plains and additional mailing offices.

Andrew Kranichfeld, creator of Love is Blind, was interested in creating the app after experiencing discrimination on other dating apps because he is blind. Photo/Andrew Dapolite

After experiencing discrimination for being blind while using online dating services, Andrew Kranichfeld decided to create his own dating app in hopes of making dating more accessible for disabled people. Kranichfeld’s brainchild is Love is Blind, LIB, a dating app with a goal of creating a safe space for disabled people to make meaningful connections. A Westchester native who lost his eyesight from cancer in 2010, Kranichfeld said that since going blind he’s found online dating to be Love is Blind is an app that wants difficult, between meeting his ideal match, and finding apps that are acto help disabled people find their cessible for people who are blind. perfect match without worrying For an app to be accessible to people with disabilities, it must meet about being discriminated against. the standards set under the Americans with Disabilities Act, ADA, a civil rights law that prevents discrimination of people with disabilities in public and private places. The ADA says that an app must follow the guidelines under the World Wide Web Consortium, W3C. The W3C is a community that works to create standards for the web to make it accessible for everyone. In 2008, the W3C released its updated version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, which said that web developers should include alternatives to text by offering things like content in video form, video captions and sign language interpretations. Yet, most of the dating sites out there offer any of the above. “A lot of [dating apps] out there are not fully accessible for blind people,” Kranichfeld said.. “There are certain things that aren’t labeled correctly for screen reader [software].” He noted Bumble specifically, saying, “I couldn’t use it at all.” The other issue that he found with apps like Tinder was even though he put that he was blind in his profile, he would still receive negative reactions from matches. Kranichfeld said that when his disability would come up over private messages, he would get “all kinds of reactions from anger to confusion.” These reactions are something that people with disabilities often face when participating in online dating. “Disability and sexuality [are] still so taboo,” said Andrew Gurza, a Canadian-based disability awareness consultant and a wheelchair user living with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects motor functions. “It’s still so taboo that nobody wants to talk about it.” Gurza explained that he attributes the negative reactions he receives while using dating apps to people being scared of disability. “The things [disabled people] face online is just blatant ableism,” he said. “[Users who’re] behind a keyboard, or behind a screen, feel a lot more comfortable to say inappropriate things.” Gurza discusses some of these issues on his weekly podcast “Disability After Dark.” In the episode “Gimps on Grindr,” Gurza opens up about his experiences with being gay and disabled on Grindr, a social networking app for LGBTQ men, where he found users would immediately turn him down because of their own assumptions on how he was able to perform sexually while being wheelchair-bound. “When people say [hurtful] stuff to me and type those things online, when I’m simply trying to connect with somebody, it’s one of the most painful things I’ve experienced,” he told the Review. With LIB, Kranichfeld intends for disabled and nondisabled to be open about their dating preferences without judgment. “I want [users] to pre-select who [they’re] willing to date,” he said. “Then [they] wouldn’t match with anyone outside of those subcategories of people.” Kranichfeld plans to go beyond these specifications, by requiring users to make more detailed profiles that include things like video clips and photo captions. “I’m trying to get a lot of feedback from the disabled community,” he said. Working with Kranichfeld on the dating app is Jaime Urteaga, founder and CEO of Digital Chair, a marketing, web design and video production company based in White Plains. “There’s a definite need, a definite problem to solve. [Kranichfeld’s] experienced it, I think a lot of other people have experienced it, too,” Urteaga said. “The more people hear about it, the more they become aware this is an issue.” Urteaga said that the app is only in its first phase, which has involved creating a landing page at LoveisBlindapp. com, and encouraging people to sign up for the app’s newsletter. The app doesn’t have a set release date, but Kranichfeld hopes to launch it by April 2018. For more information and updates on the app, visit LoveisBlindapp.com. CONTACT: taylor@homtewn.com

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Soundlink tunnel being studied; details sparse

Despite confirmation that a study regarding a tunnel between Long Island and potentially Westchester County is underway, little detail regarding its completion has emerged. File photo

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Despite affirmation from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration that a study regarding the construction of a potential tunnel from Long Island to Westchester has begun, little has been offered in the way of detail. Though $5 million was included in the 2017 state budget to carry out the study, state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat, said he has yet to be informed on further details after a New York state Department of Transportation official confirmed that the study was underway last month. “I assume what we’re seeing now is that they’re going to start doing the study they talked about,” Latimer said. Despite little information on the tunnel proposal, which was revived in January 2016 by the governor and is being eyed to link either Connecticut, Westchester or the Bronx to Long Island, its prospect has generated a great deal of controversy. Latimer, who is currently running in a Democratic primary for county executive against county Legislator Ken Jenkins, of Yonkers, said he still opposes any plan to link Westchester to Long Island.

“We as a [state] Legislature can’t stop them from studying the tunnel,” he said. “The only reasonable thing to do is to express that the tunnel is not a good idea.” Likewise, Jenkins said he feels the project would be a foolish investment. “We do have a plethora of other things to utilize infrastructure dollars on,” he said, “instead of trying to get people out to the Hampton’s faster.” Worries over adverse impacts from a tunnel connecting the county to Long Island have been at the forefront of concern. Specifically, lawmakers have called attention to the potential for exacerbated traffic conditions on interstates 95 and 287. Various iterations of a bridge connecting Long Island to Westchester have cropped up throughout the past half-century, including a now-infamous proposal conjoining Long Island’s Oyster Bay with the city of Rye. That plan—championed by then-Gov. Nelson Rockerfeller and famed builder Robert Moses—was eventually nixed due to local opposition and lack of funding. And more recently, in 2007, a plan to build an underground tunnel spanning 16 miles and costing $10 billion was side-

lined following continued public and political backlash, and ramifications of the economic downturn. Another strong opponent of the Cuomo plan has been County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican who is running for re-election this year and is also a political rival of the governor’s. Bill O’Reilly, Astorino’s campaign manager, derided the most recent proposal from Cuomo, calling it a “pie-in-the-sky scheme.” “This is what we’re discussing while trains and subways derail and the funding and toll pricing remains unclear for the new Tappan Zee Bridge,” he said. “Only in New York.” Cuomo has consistently touted the proposal as a means to cut down commute times and free up traffic for motorists taking the Long Island Expressway or Northern State Parkway. “Don’t tell me [building a Soundlink bridge] is not economic; cars and trucks would save hours, literally, with that one modification,” Cuomo said last April. “It’s only 12 miles, it can be done.” A call to a state Department of Transportation representative was not immediately returned. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

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Astorino recognizes R.E.A.L fathers

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino recently recognized fathers in the Responsible, Employed, Active, and Loving, R.E.A.L., Parenting Program for Stronger Families with a graduation ceremony at Playland Amusement Park. Conducted in partnership with Family Services of Westchester, R.E.A.L. works to remove barriers to employment, teach parenting skills, and give non-custodial parents the opportunity to eliminate most of their state-owed child support arrears. “There is no better feeling than handing out these diplomas,” said Astorino during the ceremony on Thursday. “These men made a conscious decision to make their lives and their children’s lives better through hard work and dedication. We applaud these upstanding individuals and everyone that has worked so hard to make the R.E.A.L. Parenting Program the success it is today.” R.E.A.L. Parenting Program classes include the art of communication, financial literacy, surviving the job and developing

values in children. R.E.A.L. is marked by three milestones: • Phase 1 – Completion of the 10-week parenting and job training program which provides a 25 percent reduction in stateowed child support arrears. • Phase 2 – Employed for more than 90 days; which provides another 25 percent reduction in state-owed arrears. • Phase 3 – Non-custodial parent pays child support for 12 consecutive months; which reduces state-owed child support to $500. One of this year’s graduates, Clinton Bess, completed all three phases. “The R.E.A.L. Parenting Program has been a complete life changer for me and my children,” Bess said. “It has given me the opportunity to completely start over. Today, I am a better father and financially stable. Thank you to everyone who has made this a reality.” Susan Wayne, president and CEO of Family Services of Westchester, said it is a pleasure to col-

laborate with the county on the R.E.A.L Parenting Program. “We truly value our partnership, which in my perspective, aligns our missions,” Wayne said. “We both want to be able to ensure that those in our community who are less fortunate, or who have run into difficult times, are at least given the opportunity, when practical, to move forward and start fresh.” Also at the ceremony was Department of Social Services Commissioner Kevin McGuire. “The cumulative outcomes of R.E.A.L. prove that it is successful,” McGuire said. “A program like this should not only continue for years to come, but expand to reach more non-custodial parents who want and need a second chance.” Astorino announced the R.E.A.L. Parenting Program in April 2016 as a first-of-its-kind initiative in New York, saying: “We owe it to our kids—and we owe it to our dads who have fallen away— to try and give them a second chance.” (Submitted)

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‘Annie’: A review By MICHELLE JACOBY Contributor Westchester Broadway Theatre proudly presents its 201st production with “Annie”; what a celebration! Opening night started with the Bob Fitzsimmons Scholarship awarded to Nicolas Tabio, a senior from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains. The scholarship was awarded to the valedictorian who is a member of the National Honor Society. Well-deserved by this student, he has been involved with the dramatic arts as an actor, director and co-founder of Crusader Productions, an independent student-run theatre company. The scholarship is given annually to a Stepinac High School senior that has excelled in the theater arts programs. Fitzsimmons was a graduate of the high school who died suddenly at the age of 37 in March 1992. He was the public relations director of

the Westchester Broadway Theatre, WBT, as well as a performer, producer, writer and director. The celebration continued with the announcement of a special guest in the audience; Margaret Hosier, who played Annie in the first production of the show in 1983 at WBT. Most people know of the American classic comic strip “Little Orphan Annie,” that debuted in 1924, the true inspiration for “Annie.” Sometimes the story behind the scenes is just as exciting as the tale on stage. Martin Charnin bought a coffee table book based on the comic strip and fell in love with the character. He shared his idea

Michael DeVries as Oliver Warbucks, and Kaylin Hedges as Annie perform “Together At Last.” Photos/John Vecchiolla

with Charles Strouse, a composer, and Thomas Meehan, a writer, both successful in their own right. It took some convincing but all came together to create the musical. The musical was set in New York during the FDR presidency and set the stage in the Great Depression. New York City was facing a financial crisis, and the writers wanted to create a musical that is based on love and family. Annie’s quest to find her missing father and mother during these hard times seemed like the perfect setting to create a story of hope, promise and optimism, especially coming from a child. Peyton Ella plays spunky Annie with the acting chops and voice that leads you to truly believe the sun will come out tomorrow! Her ray of sunshine is Daddy Warbucks, played by Michael DeVries. Grace Farrell is the beautiful soul in the triangle of hope, played by Celeste Hudson. A story always needs a good villain, and no one does it better than Susann Fletcher as Miss Hannigan, the head of the orphanage. She’s loud and mean, drinks a lot, slurs her words and attempts to be nice when the right people come around. Her accomplices Rooster, Miss Hannigan’s brother, and his partner, Lily St. Regis, are played effortlessly by Adam Roberts and Aubrey Sinn. The smooth talking Roberts has a

Meet the Orphans of “Annie”: from left, Ruby Griffin as July; Anika Bobra as Tessie; Peyton Ella as Annie; Gabriella Uhl as Kate; Nora Kennedy as Pepper; and Maureen Henshaw as Duffy. In basket, Haylie Shea Christiano as Molly.

comical, animated way of moving on stage as he tries to con his way into a big reward. The chemistry between the three is devilishly fun to watch! John-Charles Kelly as Franklin D. Roosevelt is as presidential as you get. He handles worldly issue, his cabinet and still has time to sing with Annie. Let’s not forget the other feisty orphans that come equipped with dirty knees, messy hair and big attitudes: Anika Bobra, Haylie Shea Christiano, Tahilia Ellie, Ruby Griffin, Maureen Henshaw, Nora Kennedy, Molly Lyons, Sasha Murray, Lucy Neureuther, Ella Stanley, Lauren Sun, Gabriella Uhl, and alternating as Annie is Kaylin Hedges. Sandy, Annie’s dog, is smartly played by Sunny, a terrier mix. Sunny was rescued in 2012 and trained by Bill Berloni. Sunny stayed with the show on Broadway until 2014 and has been out with the national tour ever since. It takes a big cast to create a show with personality and heart, other talents include: Robert Abdoo as associate director/choreographer; Kelly Black; Laura Cable; Joseph Cullinane; Jesse Lynn Harte; Carl Hulden; Ryan Alexander Jacobs; Kelsey Self; Rochelle Smith; Roger Preston

Smith; and Billy Clark Taylor. Director/choreographer by Mary Jane Houdina; musical director by William Stanley; set design by Andrew Gmoser; and sound design by Mark Zuckerman. An idea that started from a comic strip about a red-headed girl lead to a Broadway musical, winning seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, and eventually became a motion picture in

1982, “Annie” has stood the test of time. The story of hope, promise, optimism, and of course, the sun, “Annie” is a show for everyone! This Bill Stutler and Bob Funking production of “Annie” is playing now through Sept. 10 at the Westchester Broadway Theatre. For additional information, please call 592-2222 or visit broadwaytheatre.com.

From left, Aubrey Sinn as Lily St. Regis, Adam Roberts as Rooster, and Susann Fletcher as Miss Hannigan perform “Easy Street” in the Westchester Broadway Theatre’s production of “Annie.”

12 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • August 25, 2017

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August 25, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 13

SPORTS

14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • August 25, 2017

Adding insult to injury LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

You would figure, that with the team standing 20.5 games behind the Nationals in the NL East, we simply wouldn’t have to talk about the Mets anymore. But for some reason, the Amazin’s seem determined to generate headlines—albeit not the ones they’d hope for. On Monday night, the Mets announced that struggling starting pitcher Steven Matz would undergo season-ending surgery to repair a damaged nerve in his arm. The news, on the surface, is fairly commonplace. Pitchers— especially those who don the blue and orange—routinely suffer debilitating injuries that can cut a season short. But in true Mets’ fashion, there was more to the story. Just hours before the announcement, manager Terry Collins announced that the team was shutting Matz down indefinitely despite the fact that he

wasn’t injured. Then came the reports from organizational higher-ups about the hurler’s irritated ulnar nerve. Again, this seems pretty standard, especially for the Mets. Managers have some leeway in revealing the ailments suffered by their players and maybe some signals got crossed prior to Collins’ press conference. But then, sources within the team confided that Matz had been injured all year long, his pitching arm, at times swelling up to the size of a grapefruit, and that Mets’ staffers had been giving him game-day pain-killing injections to keep him in the lineup. Their reasoning? They wanted to help the young southpaw get over the “mental hurdle” of pitching with pain. Even for a team like the Mets, this is a new low. Pitching—especially young pitching—is the most important commodity in the major leagues today. And at every turn, the Mets have done everything within their power to mishandle its promising staff.

Noah Syndergaard spent the offseason bulking up—against the recommendation of the team’s trainers—and then refused the organization’s “suggestion” that he get an MRI. He made a grand total of five starts this year. Matt Harvey, once the shining star of the staff, hasn’t pitched since June. Zack Wheeler? He’s part of the walking wounded, too, which isn’t really a surprise considering he hadn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2015. Sure, some of it is dumb luck, but how much does the Mets’ general ineptitude factor into the team’s inability to keep its player’s healthy? This had the potential to be a big year for the Mets. Coming off two straight trips to the postseason, with a wealth of young stars on the mound, the team seemed poised to wrest control of the city’s attention from the big-brother Yanks. Instead, Mets fans were treated to a season filled with heartbreak, confusion and anger.

Team Buckets wins title

New York Mets’ lefthander Steven Matz will miss the rest of the season after undergoing elbow surgery this week. The team’s mishandling of the young hurler is just one of many missteps this year. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

And with a front office seemingly incapable of doing the right thing by its players, there sure doesn’t seem like an easy fix.

But even if there was one, I sure wouldn’t trust the Mets to make the repairs. They’d probably amputate

the wrong arm anyway.

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On Aug. 20, Team Buckets won the Eastchester Adult Basketball Summer League, beating Brick Squad 71-68 at Leewood Park. From left, the team was comprised of Greg Lyons, Victor Palumbo, Rob Mariani, Mike DeCecco, Brian Byrnes, Tom Pinto and Joey Retta. John Fiorello and Justin DeMassi are not pictured. (Submitted)

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SPORTS

August 25, 2017 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15

Broncos aim to defend crown By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor After winning the Class B sectional title last fall, the Bronxville girls’ soccer team is hitting the pitch this year with a renewed sense of purpose—and a desire to defend their crown. With a huge group of returning players, longtime coach Don Cupertino is expecting big things from his club this fall. The Broncos return 21 players from last year’s team, including seven starters, which the head coach said has been beneficial early-on in the 2017 campaign. Prior to the official start of the preseason on Aug. 20, the Broncos spent four days sequestered at a team camp that Cupertino believes will help speed up the learning process as well as build camaraderie. “The girls have handled it very well so far,” he said. “We took them away. It’s great for our leaders to teach the younger girls the right way to play and what is going to be expected of them this year.” Bronxville’ title defense was dealt a significant blow last spring, as leading scorer Alex Doukas suffered an ACL injury during the lacrosse season that will keep her out of action for the year. But Cupertino believes that the injured star will be able to fill the same role that side-

Alex Doukas fends off a challenge in 2016. Doukas will miss the upcoming season due to an ACL injury. Photos/ Mike Smith

Rachael Peacock brings the ball up the sidelines in the Class B title game last fall. Peacock comes into the year as one of the Broncos’ top returning players.

lined captain Beth Finley did last year, serving as a complement to the coaching staff and as a resource for the younger players on the team. “[Doukas] has already started to do that, we’ve seen her be a leader every step of the way,” Cupertino said. “And we are really expecting her to be almost an assistant coach for us.” In Doukas’ absence, much of the offensive load will fall on the shoulders of junior midfielder Rachael Peacock. Cupertino praised the standout’s vision and said that her continued emergence as a talent will be integral for the team’s success this year. “[Rachael] is going to have a big part in our offense, this year,” he said. “She’s always around the ball, she sees the field so well and I think she will be able to do big things for us.” Defensively, Cupertino admits that players may still be moved around somewhat, but he had high praise for Victoria Ruffo, who may be asked to play a variety of roles for the club this year. The Broncos will once again play a difficult non-conference schedule in order to prepare for the inevitable playoff push, and should be tested early on as they will face powerhouse teams like Arlington, Pleasantville and Irvington in the first few weeks of the season. “We couldn’t get all of the cross-over games we normally get, but we will be playing against some of the very good Class B schools,” Cupertino said. “Our first five or six games of the season, they are going to be very tough and I think it’s going to give us a good indication of where we are.” The Broncos celebrate a goal in last year’s Class B title game. The team has its sights set on another sectional crown this year.

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16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • August 25, 2017

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