January 5, 2018 by The Eastchester Review

Eastchester REVIEW THE

January 5, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 1 | www.eastchesterreview.com

County Exec. Latimer bans gun shows on county property

Tap into the spirit

Diner Brew Co., a cidery based in Mount Vernon, was founded by New Rochelle native Chris Sheldon with the intent to offer customers a unique twist on traditional hard ciders. For story, see page 6. Photo/Taylor Brown

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

Students share experiences during Voices Assembly Bronxville High School students heard from four of their peers—Lyric Abbott, Samantha Huss, Edward McCann and Viena Pentikainen—who spoke about moving outside of their comfort zone during the annual Bronxville Voices Assembly, held on Dec. 19. Abbott, a junior, talked about the mental and physical challenges of spending six weeks cycling hundreds of miles a day from Charleston, South Carolina, to the Santa Monica pier in California with an American Challenge group of about 12 other young adults last summer. She discussed

how the experience taught her to be resilient, push herself through challenges and define her own limits. Huss, a junior, talked about her experience during a service trip to Nicaragua, where she helped build houses for local families. During her trip, Huss created a bond with a young girl, whom she inspired to gain confidence to go against the norms of her village’s expectations. Huss helped her to understand that girls are strong and capable of doing anything they set their minds to. Huss said the experience reminded her that each person has the ability to

inspire someone else. McCann, a senior, spoke about how going out of his comfort zone to audition for the school musical his freshman year turned into the most fulfilling experience. Despite his initial hesitation, McCann decided to pursue his love for music and try out for a role in “Sweeney Todd.” As a result, he discovered a new passion for theater. Pentikainen, a junior, discussed how moving from Finland to the U.S. her freshman year intensified her anxiety symptoms. She shared with her peers how spending time in nature and the

remote mountain trails of Norway over the summer helped her embrace the world around her. The Bronxville Voices Assembly series, organized by history teacher Bill Meyer, was created in 2011 to provide a place for students to share their passions and interests with their peers. “It has become an opportunity to further develop community across the whole school,” Meyer said. “At the heart of a Bronxville education is the development of voice within our students, and out of this sense of voice comes a deeper sense of purpose and calling in the world.”(Submitted)

An executive order signed by new County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, will forbid controversial firearm and knife shows on county-owned property—a move that a new Democratic majority hopes to eventually codify into law. “This venue was created decades ago,” said Latimer at a Jan. 2 press conference, as he gestured around the Westchester County Center. “It is a tremendous showplace for Westchester County; it is a showplace for family entertainment.” The executive order will effectively reinstate a ban that was struck down by former County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, upon taking office in 2010. A ban had existed prior to Astorino’s election and was initially signed by former County Executive Andrew Spano, a Democrat, in the wake of the Columbine shootings in Colorado. Latimer’s executive order— which will not impact the legality of shows on private property— marks a culmination of controversy over the past year which saw Democrats and Republicans, as well as an invigorated electorate, debate whether or not to continue hosting shows. Earlier this year, a piece of legislation banning the shows was passed by the county Legislature’s Democratic majority but was never signed into law by Astorino who instead vetoed the measure. While county Democrats contend that the shows would increase the likelihood of illegal gun sales as well as work to promote “gun culture” in Westchester, Republicans maintained that

disallowing the shows infringed on residents’ constitutional rights. One gun show last year turned particularly controversial after a Democratic legislative aide snapped pictures of Confederate and Nazi memorabilia and books being sold and displayed inside the show, giving rise to Democratic calls for its removal. Last year’s show marked the first in nearly two decades after several were cancelled due to mass shootings in Columbine High School and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. The debate over guns in Westchester has also made its way into local conversations, particularly in the town/village of Harrison, the village of Rye Brook, and the town of Mamaroneck, the latter of which briefly attempted to ban carrying weapons on its public property—an initiative that was quickly dropped after vehement public backlash. Rye Brook, however, successfully passed a local law restricting where gun stores can set up shop last year after a gun store in Harrison began operating in proximity to an elementary school, spurring public outcry. That store continues to operate. According to Latimer, Democratic lawmakers will work to pass legislation that will ban gun shows on county-owned property in a more permanent fashion this year, aided by the help of a new super majority in the Legislature. According to tentative dates on a web page for Northeast Collectors, the trade organization that runs Westchester’s gun shows, there were dates already slated for 2018 for another gun show event, but no contract had been agreed to. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

2 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 5, 2018

January 5, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3

Bronxville hospital welcomes its first baby of 2018 At 5:49 a.m. on Jan. 1, NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital welcomed the hospital’s first baby delivered in 2018. Zachariah Ducombe, born to Liyana Baker, was 8 pounds, 4 ounces and 21-inches-long. He was delivered by Dr. Nitasha Jain, a ColumbiaDoctors OB/GYN, who practices with NewYork-Presbyterian Medical Group Westchester. Baker, who is from New Rochelle, and is a certified nurse’s assistant, has two other children. Ducombe joins his one-year-old brother, Zephania, and his threeyear-old sister, Anna-K. Ducombe wasn’t due until Jan. 12. Baker said that she began having labor pains on New Year’s Eve. The next thing she knew she was in the hospital preparing to deliver her son. “He is such a sweet baby, cries very little and he eats a lot,” Baker said. NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital’s Maternity Center offers 23 private, hotel-like post-partum rooms complete with bathrooms and showers, flat-screen televisions and free

Zachariah Ducombe, born Jan. 1 at 5:49 a.m.

Liyana Baker, mother of the NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital New Year baby.

Internet. The rooms are designed for maximum comfort with relaxing colors, soft lighting, carpeted floors and special reclining chair/ beds for partners. The Maternity Center also features a state-of-the-art nursery for newborns and a new Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery for babies

with special needs or those who are born prematurely. NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital provides support for breastfeeding mothers with an on-site lactation specialist and follow-up support after discharge. The hospital delivers an average of 1,300 babies annually. (Submitted)

Tuckahoe school board to hold special vote At its Jan. 9 workshop and special meeting, the Board of Education of the Tuckahoe Union Free School District publicly discussed and unanimously voted to schedule a special public vote on Tuesday, March 14, at which time the issue of whether to purchase the premises located at 110 Ridge St. in Eastchester will be placed before the school district’s voters. The board also voted to accept the terms of a contract of sale for the purchase of the property lo-

cated at 110 Ridge St., which is contingent upon the passage of this special vote. Due to fiscal prudence, the district has sufficient funds in its undesignated fund balance to pay the cost of the property should the voters approve the purchase. Polls will be open on March 14 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following election district poll places: District A—Tuckahoe Community Center; District B —William E. Cottle School; Dis-

trict C— Union Corners (Chester Heights) Fire House. District residents planning to vote must be registered. Qualified residents with the appropriate identification and residency proofs may register to vote at the office of the district clerk on any school day between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. More details about the special vote are available on the district’s website at tuckahoeschools.org. (Submitted)

Village of Eastchester’s

Official Newspaper

4 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 5, 2018

What’s going on... Eastchester Public Library

721-8103. For more information, contact Amelia Buccarelli at 721-8109 or abuccarelli@wlsmail.org.

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

Strayer, senior vice president and wealth management advisor of Merrill Lynch, and Liz Maccarone, financial analyst with Merrill Lynch. Please register by calling 337-7680 ext. 24 or email bronxvillelibrary@gmail.com.

Tuckahoe Public Library

Book Donation Drop-Off

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

Teen Advisory Group Meeting On Monday, Jan. 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come enjoy some pizza, socialize with friends and help plan the library’s Escape the Room Program. Registration is required online as space is limited. For more information, contact Amelia Buccarelli at 721-8109 or abuccarelli@wlsmail.org.

Teen Room Decorating Night On Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Come by and help us decorate the teen space for winter. Materials will be provided, just bring your creativity. Online registration suggested. For more information, contact Amelia Buccarelli at 721-8109 or abuccarelli@wlsmail.org.

Basics Computer Class On Thursday, Jan. 11 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This series of six classes will start January 2018. The classes are designed for people with little or no computer experience and topics will vary each week. Topics will be navigating the Internet, sending emails, opening and downloading files from your email, attaching a document to an email, saving a document to a flash drive, and much more. Registration is required for each class and the classes will have a 10-person limit. You can register online, in person, or by calling the Reference Desk at

On Saturday, Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon. Bring in your gently used books for the ongoing library book sale. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Bronxville Library. Limit is 10 books per patron. Books will be screened for suitability before being accepted. Here are a few things to consider: books must be in good condition; no mildew, musty odors, stained pages, torn covers or pages, broken spines, excessive writing or highlighting; no textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines or workbooks, law or medical books; no books on technology, science or travel that are more than two years old.

Mondrian-Style Glass Art Craft On Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Design a unique piece of art in the style of Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian, using glass paint. All materials will be provided. Space is limited. Please register by calling 337-7680 ext. 24 or email bronxvillelibrary@gmail.com.

Drop-In DIY Puzzle Craft On Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 4 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. For ages 4 and up. Drop by the Children’s Room and create your very own puzzle. All materials will be provided. First come, first served.

Women & Money Roundtable: What’s Going on in the Market On Friday, Jan. 12 from 11 a.m. to noon. Join the library for an easy-to-follow discussion on what has been going on in the financial markets. We will reveal what’s been moving the markets and why, then take a look ahead to see what may happen. We will also share some secrets for positioning your portfolio in these uncertain times. Presented by Julia

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

Medicare seminar On Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 2 p.m. If you are on Medicare and/or Medicare- and Medicaid-eligible, join this formal presentation with a licensed senior benefits advisor from AgeWell New York Health Plans and learn more about choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan. Registration is required by calling the library at 961-2121.

Ayurveda workshop On Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. Join the library for a special talk on the art of Ayurveda. The word “Ayurveda” means “Science of Life,” and represents the oldest system of medicine. The basis of Ayurveda lies in prevention, supporting the immune system, and the body’s natural ability to repair and resist disease. Dr. Somesh Kaushik combines the unique treatments of Ayurveda with naturopathy to achieve optimum healing benefits. Registration is required by calling the library at 961-2121.

Yoga for Teens On Wednesday, Jan. 10 from 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Learn the basics from popular teacher, Peggy Belles. Go at your own pace. Registration is required by calling the library at 961-2121.

Eastchester Rotary Club High school service opportunity

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The Eastchester Rotary is looking for high school-age members for its Interact Club, which meets one to two nights per month and develops service initiatives locally and worldwide that are supported by the Eastchester Rotary, part of Rotary International, a prominent worldwide service organization. This is a community-based group, and is open to Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Bronxville residents who can be students attending any public or private high school, no matter where it is located. Maybe you or someone you know has participated in the past, or are interested in joining. The Interact Club will have its own directives and leaders, and will be directed by Eastchester Rotary members Dr. Joe Comizio and his wife Carolyn Comizio. This is a great service opportunity, and has been very popular and successful in the past. Please join, and feel free to pass this along to your friends who may be interested. Please respond by email to rotary@comizioorthodontics.com with your interest and contact information: name, high school you attend, age, school year, cellphone number and email address.

Community news Eastchester Little League - TEB Softball Online registration is now open for the follow-

ing programs in 2018: Winter Instructional Clinic (i.e. hitting, throwing, fielding, etc.); Winter TBall Clinic; and Winter Pitching Clinics (Baseball and Softball). Registration is also now open for the 2018 spring season (tee ball, baseball and softball). There is a new “Challenger” Division to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4 to 12, to enjoy the game of baseball and softball. Please note that the winter clinics will be starting on Sunday, Jan. 7, so please register today. There is a separate winter registration for Tee Ball players (ages 4 and 5). If you are unsure of your child’s “playing age,” there is a chart on eastchesterll.org under “Home” and then “Age Determination.” As done last year, there will be player assessments and uniform fittings for the 2018 spring season in February. It is vital that parents register their children for the spring season no later than Feb. 4, so they can be included for the spring. Sign up today by visiting eastchesterll.org and clicking on the “Registrations” tab.

Eastchester schools news Stockings for Soldiers The Eastchester Teachers Association, ETA, is running its annual drive to send filled stockings to soldiers. The ETA is partnering with Homes for Heroes, the Never Forget Foundation, and the Pearl River American Legion, which will ship and deliver the stockings to soldiers overseas, returning veterans, and to the Montrose VA Hospital. Parents are invited to send in items to help fill almost 200 stockings purchased by the ETA. Donated items can be given to homeroom teachers in a bag, envelope or box to the attention of Clare Delongchamp, Eastchester Middle School, or they can be dropped off at the Easchester High School Security Desk. Items which can be included in stockings: tuna packs; breakfast bars/power bars; trail mix/dried fruits/nuts/sunflower seeds; microwaveable food; cereal in single packs; snacks/candy/gum; Q-tips; powdered drinks: iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch; toilet paper/baby wipes; toothbrushes/toothpaste/ dental floss; Vaseline; foot powder; eye drops/ nose drops; sunscreen; socks/gloves; playing cards/ crossword puzzles; magazines/books; DVDs/new CDs; iTunes gift cards; AT&T phone cards; Best Buy gift cards; Christmas candy and decorations; room fresheners. Do not put in anything that can crumble, break or spill. Please do not include any pork products. It is also nice to add a cheerful holiday card.

County news Golf course closings The six county-owned golf courses closed for the season after play on Sunday, Dec. 31. The courses are Dunwoodie, 231-3490, and Sprain Lake, 2313481, both in Yonkers; Maple Moor, 995-9200, in White Plains; Mohansic, 862-5283, in Yorktown Heights; Saxon Woods, 231-3461, in Scarsdale; and Hudson Hills, 864-3000, in Ossining. The courses are expected to reopen in March, weather and conditions permitting. The exact date will be announced. 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.

January 5, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 5

BMS eighth-graders examine freezing point of substance Eighth-graders, who have been studying the characteristic properties of different substances in Jean Windels’ and Jennifer Zopp’s science classes, recently completed a laboratory experiment to solidify their knowledge. Using wireless temperature probes, which were generously

funded by the Bronxville School Foundation, the students worked in groups to investigate the freezing point of a mystery substance. Throughout the experiment, they heated their assigned substance, allowed it to cool and tracked the temperature until the substance froze or became a solid.

“The probes worked beautifully, and we didn’t have to worry about a multitude of wires snaking all over the lab,” said Windels, a science teacher and eighthgrade team leader. “Equipped with the freezing temperature of the substance, the students were able to figure out how many dif-

The students study different characteristics of substances to figure out their mystery substance.

Students use wireless temperature probes to study their substances.Photos courtesy Bronxville school district

ferent substances were being tested and which groups had the same substance.” The students will use these same skills when they tackle the annual “sludge” test at the end of January. During a weeklong

collaboration, they will receive a sample of “sludge,” containing a mixture of liquid and solid components, and will be tasked with separating the substances based on their characteristic properties, including boiling point, freezing

and melting point, density and solubility. The science experiment fostered the students’ critical thinking skills and allowed them to engage in self-directed learning. (Submitted)

6 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 5, 2018

Eastchester REVIEW THE

P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

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 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

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New Rochelle native

brewing up success By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Diner Brew Co., is putting a unique spin on traditional hard ciders. Chris Sheldon, the founder and head cider maker at Diner brewery, currently sells seven different ciders, including Cidre Des Huguenots, a farmhouse hard cider, Herbalist’s Cider, a lavender coriander hard cider, and Checkmate Sour Cider, a hard cider fermented twice with German and Japanese yeast. “[The ciders] are always going to drink like a dry prosecco or champagne, made from apples, not grapes,” Sheldon told the Review. The ciders fall between 7 and 8 percent alcohol. Sheldon, a native of New Rochelle, said this was important for him because these percentages put his ciders at an alcohol level that falls between that of beer and wine, when a majority of ciders on the market typically fall under that percentage. “It’s nice for the wine drinker, and it’s nice for the beer drinker,” he said. “I wanted to be able to hit both markets.” Sheldon first began trying his hand at brewing in 2008 while he was a junior at Boston College. Sheldon said he and his roommate were feeling unsatisfied with the beer made available to them in stores and at bars, so they sought out a beer-making kit to create their own. While the initial product wasn’t

Chris Sheldon, founder of Diner Brew Co. Photos/Taylor Brown

Pedro Santos, a cider maker for Diner Brew Co., bottles the Cidre Des Huguenots by hand.

satisfactory, Sheldon said, “it kind of like sparked an interest.” He went on to say, “That’s how you start, by fumbling along and trying your best and following your recipe.” After they had run out of ingredients, Sheldon took the kit and made his first batch of cider. “I just listened to someone’s

instructions, used the equipment I had, [and] made sure I was sanitary with my process,” he said. “At the end of the day, the cider that I made that very first time was inspiring.” Fast forward nine years later, and Sheldon has his ciders on tap in 16 different retailers in New York, including Smokehouse in

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Mamaroneck, Growlers in Tuckahoe and DeCicco & Sons in Larchmont. “The passion grew into an obsession, which then started taking over all of the livable spaces I was in,” he said. Sheldon said after realizing that cider making had begun taking over his life, he knew he had to turn it into a profession. Sheldon knew he would need help running his business, so he turned to Pedro Santos. The two met at a meeting of the Dogs of Wort, a homebrewing club in New Rochelle, which Sheldon co-founded. Santos shares a similar background to Sheldon in how they both became home brewers during college. “I just got tired of drinking what was available,” said Santos, who attended college in Puerto Rico. He began working with Sheldon a month ago, and has already witnessed the rapid growth of Diner Brew Co. “I think it’s going to grow really big, to the point that we’re going to get more employees, expand and move somewhere bigger,” Santos said. Part of what has made Sheldon’s product so popular are his unique

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Diner Brew Co., a cidery brewery in Mount Vernon, sells seven different ciders.

Tea is brewed for the Herbalist Cider.

flavor twists on hard ciders. “I don’t want my ciders to ever be comparable to an apple-based malt beverage,” he said. With his products Sheldon hopes to be able to expand people’s expectations and understanding of what can be done with a hard cider. He showcases this desire in two of his drinks, the White Shiro Miso hard cider and the Double Perk, a coffee cider. “This is kind of pushing boundaries,” Sheldon admits. He explained that his dream for the company doesn’t stop there. Sheldon currently holds a farm cidery license, which allows him to produce and sell cider in New York State, and is working on acquiring his farm brewery license, which would allow him to brew and sell beer as well as cider in New York State. Sheldon said he sees the company growing in many different directions, but despite his business’ success, he intends to take things slow. For a full list of places with Diner Brew Co. on tap, or to order their merchandise, visit Dinerbrewco.com. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com

January 5, 2018 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 7

Empire City Casino announces comedy shows in January Make a New Year’s resolution to laugh a priority with Empire City Casino, the destination for a pair of Wednesday Night Comedy shows on Jan. 17 and Jan. 31. Comedy Central funnyman and MSG Networks’ ”The Bracket” host, Yannis Pappas, headlines on Jan. 17, while onthe-rise Westchester native standup Paul Virzi tops the bill on Jan. 31 in the casino’s popular Good Time Room. Pappas has appeared on AXS TV, TruTV, VH1 and “Good Morning America,” and was the first comedian to ever do standup on the new “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon. His album, “Let Me Be Yannis,” was awarded Album of the Year for 2016 by SiriusXM Comedy, and his half-hour Comedy Central special is available on Amazon, iTunes and ComedyCentral.com. Pappas will be joined by featured stand-up Adrienne Iapalucci and Tom Cassidy as the host. Bronx-born Iapalucci competed on season seven of the hit NBC television series, “Last Comic Standing,” while Cassidy launched his career in Philadelphia at The Laff House

Comedy Club. Virzi’s 2015 debut comedy album “Night at the Stand” reached No. 1 on iTunes and No. 4 on Billboard’s Top 100. Virzi has made appearances on a gamut of television programs including TruTV’s “Comedy Knockout,” AXS TV’s “Gotham Comedy Live,” the NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” FOX’s “Redeye,” and has also written for the ESPN ESPY Awards. He was first attracted to stand-up comedy at age nine when he watched Eddie Murphy’s “Raw.” Joining Virzi is featured comedian Randy Syphax, who has performed in the New York Comedy Festival, and the evening’s host, Bronston Jones, who stands at 6 feet 7 inches tall with giant-sized jokes called “certifiably unique”

by LA Weekly. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are sold at the door the night of the show. Admission is $5 for Empire Club members and $25 for non-members. Non-members can stop by any promotions booth prior to the show and join

the Empire Club for free. Elite Club and President’s Club members gain free admission. All attendees receive a complimentary drink ticket. While visiting Empire City, patrons can try their luck on the IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine, where the record jackpot, only available at Empire City, is fast-approaching the $2.7 million mark. (Submitted)

Adrienne Iapalucci, featured standup for Yannis Pappas.

Tom Cassidy, host of the Jan. 17 Empire City Casino comedy night.

Yannis Pappas, headliner for the Jan. 17 comedy show. Photos courtesy Empire City Casino

8 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 5, 2018

Thank you to our village staff BRONXVILLE TODAY Mayor Mary Marvin

As the year came to a close, I took stock of all that goes on in our village of 6,500. As many of you saw during the tax season, our administrative staff is professional, helpful and always in good humor. The same is true of our court and parking staff and Building Department, even under some of the most difficult of circumstances. Our two justices conduct a court known for its fair and progressive approach. And our Police Department— what a group of kind, patient and competent officers. (80 percent of who could be my children!) The leadership at the top by Chief Satriale and Lt. Bunyan lead by example and it is a very cohesive department. The DPW staff is second to none; most of them stay with the village for decades and take great pride in keeping their village neat, clean and beautiful. They care deeply about the families on their route and worry when they don’t see you. It is truly an honor and an inspiration to work with people who care so deeply about their jobs and their village and do it with such dignity and competency. As a result of 2008 and the reset of the financial environment, we now have one of the smallest

staffs for our size, making their efforts even more admirable and appreciated. The village also has many boards staffed by volunteers that serve to enhance the quality of life in the village. They include: Finance Committee: Edward Forst, Leighton Welch, William Barton, Donald Gray, and Elizabeth Favaro. Planning Board: Gary Reetz, chair; James Murray, vice chair; Adrienne Smith; Rene Atayan; Larry Vranka; Michael Goldman; and Mark Wood. Design Review Committee: Maureen Hackett, chair; Maggie Marrone; Stephen Hawkey; and Lawrence Vranka. Zoning Board of Appeals: William Fredericks, chair; John Browne; Eric Haims; Stuart Mackintosh; Martin Murrer; Sheldon Reynolds; and Charles Law. Ethics Board: Donald Kennedy, John Priesing, Wendy Riggs, Williams Slattery, Marilyn Wood Hill, and William Primps, counsel. Board of Assessment Review: Robert Shearer, chair; Lisa Connors; John Hill; David Harris; and Gene Piper. Library Board of Trustees: Sarah Normand, president; Peter Thorp; Julia Murphy; Darcy Kaye; Ruth Walter; Susan Finch Moore; Catherine Bird; Katy Barrett; and Pippa Colvin. Bronxville Green Committee: Mary Liz Mulligan, chair; Jess Atrio; Susan Checklick; Em-

ily Conway; Matthew Daly; Ellen Edwards; Pam Lippe; Mayor Mary Marvin, liaison to village of Bronxville; Judith McNatt; Wendy Murphy; Ellen de Saint Phalle; Dave Phillips; Gretchen Pingel; Judith Schwartzstein; Hillary Sheperd; Gene Westmoreland; Mary Westmoreland; and Penny Fujiko Willgerodt. Bronxville Giving Garden: Jess Atrio, volunteer coordinator; Suzy Checklick, farmer; Nicki Piercy Coddingto, graphic design/website; Mayor Mary Marvin, liason to village of Bronxville; Mary Liz Mulligan, director; Wendy Murphy, education programs; Dave Phillips, farmer; Gretchen Pingel, articles; and Eben Thurston, social media. Friends of Bronxville Library: Margaret Mager, president; Lia Gravier, vice president; Christopher Goff, secretary; Thatcher Drew; Jennifer Gordon; Elizabeth Maitland; Ellen Politi; and Darcy Kaye, trustee. The village simply cannot function without the hundreds of hours of volunteer service given by all of our committee members. We welcome any resident to offer their time and talents to a board. Sometimes a certain skill set is helpful, but in general the only requirement is interest and availability. Please reach out to us via mayor@vobny.com. I can guarantee you the work is always interesting and the service gratifying.

BMS explores innovation in Math Craft

Bronxville Middle School sixth-graders work on a project called “Tessellation Monsters” in Jennifer Oliveri’s Math Craft class. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district

Bronxville Middle School sixth-graders are gaining new experiences and a deeper appreciation for math through Math Craft, a new course designed to allow students to creatively explore the relationship between math, the arts and technology. The curriculum, which was designed by math teachers Brittany Braia, Jennifer Oliveri and Rachel Sugarman over the summer, challenges students to apply their knowledge of math to discover innovative ideas and projects. They get to design, analyze, manipulate, calculate, scale and think critically through a variety of hands-on learning experiences. Oliveri’s students are being introduced to the Pythagorean theorem, the Fibonacci sequence, Möbius strips, the golden ratio and Pascal’s triangle, among other topics, throughout the course to challenge and expand their mathematical minds. During a recent class, they worked on a project called “Tessellation Monsters” incorporating some of these concepts. Using a 2x2-inch piece of cardstock, the students created a shape of their choice before cutting it out and tracing it repeatedly on a piece of white paper until no blank space remained. When done, the students styled and col-

ored their shape to resemble a type of monster. “A tessellation is any pattern made of repeating shapes that covers a surface completely without overlapping or leaving any gaps,” Oliveri said. “We are using tessellations to teach students a mathematical rule of repetition called translation. Simply put, this means shifting or sliding the position of a shape without changing any of its other features.” While combining the creativity of an art project with the challenge of solving a puzzle, Oliveri said the students use tessellations to learn about the many facets of geometry. “Many people don’t typically think of math when they look at beautiful designs, but math provides many tools that help us create and analyze patterns,” she said. Students said they enjoy their Math Craft class because it’s relaxing and allows them to creatively express their ideas. “I enjoy how you have to make each puzzle piece so that when it’s joined together with all the other ones it makes a pattern and a cool design,” sixth-grader Lucas Sulimirski said. “I was trying to get camels all lining up so their humps doubled as legs for the ones on the top.”

Meanwhile, students in Braia’s class created spirolaterals, which are geometrical figures formed by the repetition of a simple rule, and can range from basic to elaborate, depending on the angle and number of patterns used. The students formed the base pattern by drawing line segments of a number’s multiples summed up to a single digit until repetition occurs. The pattern is turned a fixed angle after each segment is drawn, either clockwise or counterclockwise. “This project takes students’ prior knowledge of multiples and incorporates an artistic alternative,” Braia said. “As a class, we investigated the spirolateral design the number five would make, by listing its multiples and adding any two-digit multiples together to make a single digit, until repetition occurred. Once the students understood the method, they were encouraged to work with different integers and their multiples to manipulate new designs for each number.” For their next projects, students in Oliveri’s class will creatively explore how to use a scale factor to proportionally enlarge objects. Students in Braia’s class will focus on using a compass to create circles and complete an art project. (Submitted)

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BCW announces new board members The Business Council of Westchester has announced the election of a slate of new board members that bring a diverse range of experience and talents to the county’s largest and most influential business organization. “We are truly honored to have such a distinguished group of business leaders joining our board of directors. They bring many years of experience in the fields of healthcare, biotech, sports marketing, education and real estate. We are fortunate to have these proven leaders join our board as we move forward with major initiatives in 2018,” said Marsha Gordon, BCW president and CEO. Elected to three-year terms were five new board members.

Kristin Bernert, senior vice president of Business Operations for the New York Knicks and Westchester Knicks. Photo courtesy liberty.wnba.com

David Campbell, vice president of LeChase Construction Services in Armonk. Photo courtesy linkedin.com

Erin Loosen serves as associate director of Government Affairs & Public Policy for Regeneron. Photo courtesy linkedin.com

Dr. Joseph Ricca serves as superintendent of schools for the White Plains City School District. Photo courtesy whiteplainspublicschools.org

Lynn Richmond is the executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Montefiore Medicine. Photo courtesy modernhealthcare.com

Kristin Bernert

David Campbell

Erin Loosen

Dr. Joseph Ricca

Lynn Richmond

is senior vice president of Business Operations for the New York Knicks and Westchester Knicks. After overseeing the WNBA New York Liberty’s business development for five seasons and basketball operations for two seasons, she was promoted to her current position in October 2016. In her current role, Bernert oversees all aspects of business operations, including marketing, ticket sales, sponsorships and player relations, as well as the Knicks entry into the new e-sports league with the NBA and NBA 2k. Bernert has nearly two decades of sports business experience, previously serving as president of the Los Angeles Sparks. She also worked as vice president of Team Business Development for the NBA and WNBA.

serves as vice president of LeChase Construction Services in Armonk. As a builder, Campbell has added value to projects nationwide for top construction firms since 1987. He has held various leadership positions in project planning, project management and executive management. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Warren National University and served as adjunct professor at New York University in the construction program from 1997-1999. Campbell received certification as a cost consultant from the American Association of Cost Engineers International and both CM-Lean and CM-BIM certifications from the Associated General Contractors of America.

who joined Regeneron in 2012, serves as associate director of Government Affairs & Public Policy. She is a seasoned corporate affairs professional focused on growing Regeneron’s local, regional and state presence. During her tenure at Regeneron, Loosen has held numerous positions. Currently, she has primary responsibility for Regeneron’s New York State government affairs and also supports Regeneron’s Washington, D.C. based federal Public Policy team. With a strong background in legislative affairs and deep understanding of economic development, Loosen is poised to help support and grow Regeneron’s leadership position in the life-sciences industry.

serves as superintendent of schools for the White Plains City School District. Previously, he served as superintendent of the Elmsford school district and the East Hanover Township School District in East Hanover, New Jersey. Ricca is an expert in the fields of academic achievement, character education, social and emotional learning, instructional technologies, professional evaluation, equity in education, community relations and curriculum development. As superintendent of schools, he has worked to create and support the highest quality educational organization while maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency. Ricca, who began his career as a history teacher, has served as an assistant principal and principal as well as a superintendent of schools/chief educational officer.

is the executive vice president and chief strategy officer for Montefiore Medicine with responsibility for Strategic Planning, Public Affairs, Government and Community Relations, Health Policy and Community Health. Richmond guides the organization’s strategic direction and its relationships with external constituents, including elected and governmental officials, community and the public, as well as leading the development and implementation of an integrated, enterprisewide strategy across Montefiore and Einstein. She is responsible for Montefiore’s participation in the New York State/Federal Waiver program known as DSRIP and oversees DSRIP initiatives.

In addition to the new board members, Anthony Justic, partner of Maier Markey & Justic, was re-elected chairman. Michael Fosina, president of NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital, is joining the executive committee. (Submitted)

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14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • January 5, 2018

Jeets’ dilemma LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

If I had ever had the good fortune of being a beloved professional sports star, there’s one thing—for sure—that I wouldn’t be so quick to do; namely, risk my athletic legacy by jumping headfirst into a front-office role. Now don’t get me wrong; I understand the allure that these decision-making jobs hold for former pros. With few exceptions, successful professional athletes who attempt to make that leap are driven, single-minded repositories of knowledge in their fields and confident that their unique vision can turn even the most hapless franchise into a winner. But you have to wonder: does the risk match the reward? Over the last few months, retired Yankee great Derek Jeter has made another splash in the sports world, putting together an ownership group to take over the failing Miami Marlins. Since assuming control of the organiza-

tion, Jeter has followed up with a reportedly disastrous meeting with season-ticket holders by jettisoning the team’s biggest draws in Giancarlo Stanton (to the Yankees, no less), Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon and announcing plans to actually raise ticket prices in 2018, earning him exactly zero good-will from the Marlin “faithful.” But while it remains to be seen if Jeter’s plan eventually leads the fish back to prominence, one thing is certain: the beginning has been rocky to say the least. If he does fail in his new role with the Marlins, however, Jeter will have plenty of company. New York fans are well acquainted with former stars stepping into new positions after their retirements and otherwise damaging the legacy they built in their playing days. Knicks fans remember all too well the tenure of Isiah Thomas, who followed up a Hall of Fame professional playing career with disastrous stints as the general manager and team president of the New York Knicks. Even Michael

SPORTS

Jordan, who assumed controlling ownership of the Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats in 2010, has guided the team to a less-than-impressive 188-288 record. Of course, MJ is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time, so I’d imagine the Hornets could lose 70 games a year without it counting too heavily against his reputation, but how many people—at least in New York—now view Thomas as a failed GM, rather than an alltime great player? But in the end, I would guess that it is precisely that daunting challenge that makes this a great opportunity for Jeter. If he can somehow make the Marlins a viable contender, he will have accomplished something that very few retired athletes can lay claim to. At the very least, however, if the Yankees win a title with Stanton anchoring the lineup, he can be assured of his own ticker tape parade down New York’s Canyon of Heroes. So that’s something.

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

Derek Jeter has had a rocky start to his tenure as the co-owner of the Miami Marlins. And there isn’t a long history of athletes having success behind the scenes. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

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