January 12, 2018 by The Rye City Review

RyeCity REVIEW THE

January 12, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 2 | www.ryecityreview.com

Boykin elected new chair of BOL By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

Sweet Charlie’s, a hand rolled frozen dessert chain, will be bringing its unique spin on the traditional sweet treat to Mamaroneck, its first New York state location, by the end of this month. For more, see page 6. Photo courtesy Facebook.com/ sweetcharlies

Cuomo continues pursuit of $55B Westchester-Long Island tunnel By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer In his annual state of the state address, Gov. Andrew Cuomo once again pressed for the construction of a long-debated tunnel that would connect Long Island to either Westchester County or Connecticut. On Jan. 3, Cuomo, a Democrat, said the state Department of Transportation, DOT, completed a final analysis that suggests building a tunnel connecting Long Island to Westchester would be “feasible” and could significantly lower the amount of traffic coming from Long Island.

“It would be underwater,” Cuomo said. “It would be invisible. It would reduce traffic on the impossibly congested Long Island Expressway and would offer significant potential private investment.” According to the DOT’s study, an 18-mile tunnel connecting either the city of Rye or the village of Port Chester to Long Island would cost approximately between $31.5 billion and $55.4 billion. In 2016, Cuomo secured $5 million for the DOT to test the plan’s feasibility. The idea of building a link between Long Island to either West-

chester or Connecticut dates back to the 1930s. The proposal grew in popularity in the 1960s when master builder Robert Moses and former Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, a Republican, pursued the idea. After facing significant opposition from both local and state-elected officials in Westchester and Long Island, the planned Rye-Oyster Bay bridge never materialized. In recent history, city officials and residents have strongly opposed any plan to build a tunnel to Rye as the idea has bubbled up from time to time. In 2016, in his state of the city address, former Rye City Mayor

Joe Sack, a Republican, questioned the feasibility of building the tunnel. He said he didn’t believe the DOT study would reveal that constructing a tunnel or bridge would be a good plan, and pledged to “topple the tunnel.” Newly elected Mayor Josh Cohn, a Democrat, is expected to deliver the mayor’s annual message on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in which he’ll have the opportunity to address Cuomo’s proposal. As of press time, Cuomo’s office has not specified any next steps the administration would take to pursue the tunnel. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

With bipartisan support, the Westchester County Board of Legislators has chosen Legislator Ben Boykin, a White Plains Democrat. Boykin was voted the new chairman of the Board of Legislators by a vote of 13-3 on Jan. 8. “Tonight starts the dawning of a new era in Westchester County,” said Boykin after being elected. “The election is over and it is now time for the difficult task of governing for all of the people of Westchester County.” The election of Boykin comes after derision from other progressive county Democrats, particularly from the political activism group Indivisible Westchester, who argued that Boykin’s apparent alignment with board Republicans ran counter to the progressive movement. The group urged that Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, who had support from the majority of the Democratic Caucus, was a better candidate for the position. Three newly elected Democrats all voted against Boykin. However, Boykin, garnered enough support from eight Democratic lawmakers and all five Republicans; Parker was never nominated as an alternative, but instead secured the position as new Democratic majority leader. Boykin will replace incumbent Board of Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat, who had served as chairman since 2014 under the tenure of former County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican. Kaplowitz took over the chairmanship from then Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, as part of a biparti-

san coalition of legislators that included former Vice Chairman Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, that helped to thin the impact of a Democratic majority on the board. Kaplowitz formed the coalition along with another Democrat, Legislator Virginia Perez, of Yonkers, and eight Republicans that worked in unison with the Astorino administration. Boykin will head a new Democratic supermajority that formed as a result of the November 2017 elections that helped to widen a Democratic majority by three seats to 12 out of the Legislature’s 17 seats overall. According to Boykin, among his priorities will be passing a law that bans guns shows on county facilities—a move that would codify a recently signed executive order from newly elected Democratic County Executive George Latimer—as well as reviving the Immigration Protection Act that was passed by the Legislature last year but was ultimately blocked by an Astorino veto. Boykin, who has a more than 40-year-long background in financial consulting, has been a member of the Board of Legislators since 2014 and has served as the vice chairman for the Committee on Budget and Appropriations. In addition to Boykin’s election as chairman, Perez was also elected as vice chairwoman and Legislator Mary Jane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hudson Democrat, was elected as majority whip. The chairman earns an additional $40,000 stipend on top of the $49,500 annual pay for serving on the Board of Legislators. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

2 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 12, 2018

January 12, 2018 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 3

4 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 12, 2018

What’s going on... Rye Free Reading Room

For more information on hours and programs, visit ryelibrary.org. The library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15 for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Great Library Escape On Saturday, Jan. 13 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for grades K–2, and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. for grades 3–5 in the Meeting Room. Registration is required for either session. Visit ryelibrary.org, click on “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.” Are you in grades K–2? Are you a team player? Do you like to solve fun puzzles? Then come to the Rye Free Reading Room for the “Great Library Escape.” But... It’s a secret! Are you in grades 3–5? Are you ready for a real-life gaming adventure? Are you a team player? Do you have what it takes to use critical thinking skills to search for clues and solve fun puzzles? Can you do this in one hour or less? If you answered yes to these questions, then come to the Rye Free Reading Room for a “library lockdown.”

Spin-A-Yarn On Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. Open to the public. Information needlework, fabric arts get-together. Bring your own project and supplies and work and chat.

Video Game Design with Unity On Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:50 p.m. at the Raho Technology Center. With Austin Olney. Video games are fun to play, but even more fun to make. Learn to program characters and worlds of your choosing. Create a 3-D video game with Unity, a powerful game engine. Utilize your imagination to create something that has never been done before. Space is limited. Registration is required. Visit ryelibrary.org, click on “Programs & Events,” the event date, and then “Register.”

Wiggle, Giggle Time On Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m. or 11 a.m. in the Meeting Room. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers. Please choose one session to attend. Children will wiggle to music, giggle to funny rhymes, and pretend to be wild and wonderful animals in this lively interactive program with “Dawny Dew” Halasz. Music is a natural connection tool. It brings people together and helps them interact with one another. Children are engaged with the use of puppets, felt board activities, nursery rhymes, and songs. This activity encourages active participation by parents and other caregivers. This 20-minute weekly musical program promotes early language skills and socialization. Please note that doors close five minutes after the program begins to prevent interruptions and help focus audience attention on the presenter. Please be prepared to enjoy the Children’s Room while waiting for the next session to begin. For more information, contact the Children’s Reference Desk at 231-3162.

Webinar: Standardized Test Prep & Study Skills On Wednesday, Jan. 17 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dr. Tony Di Giacomo, CEO and founder of Novella Prep, will discuss how decisions made by students

in grades 6–12 impact college planning while including options for juniors and seniors too. He’ll show how students can avoid stress when improving their scholastic performances and study skills, and how they can improve their performance on standardized tests. Please note that this event can be accessed anywhere that you have Internet access, by registering online at ryelibrary.org. After you register, you will be sent a link which allows you to join the live webinar.

Tales for Tots On Thursday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Children’s Room. Recommended for infants and toddlers. Simple picture books, finger plays, puppets, and rhymes encourage language development and instill a love of stories in children who are learning to talk.

Teen STEM: Hydraulic Claw On Thursday, Jan. 18 from 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Participants will design and build a hydraulic claw that works like the ones you see in the arcade. Irum Khan will show you how. Space is limited. Registration is required. Visit ryelibrary.org, click on “Programs & Events,” the event date, and then “Register.”

Graham Clarke’s Musical Fridays On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room. Recommended for toddlers and preschoolers. Families are always welcome. Rock out at the Rye Free Reading Room on Friday mornings when popular children’s musician Graham Clarke performs. Kids love Graham’s silly humor and fun songs and will enjoy moving and grooving to the beat with this energetic performer. Please arrive early to find parking; doors will be closed 10 minutes after show begins or when room is at “fire code” capacity, and no one will be admitted after that. Weather permitting, Graham’s performance will be outside on the Village Green where a larger audience can be accommodated.

Gadgets Science Fun Club On Friday, Jan. 19 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Meeting Room. For grades 3–5. Gadgets Science Fun Club offers children a chance to engage in hands-on, inquiry-based experiments. In this one-hour science club, participants will focus on a different STEAM activity each month with handouts to follow up at home. Through this program children will begin to see that science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts can be fun. Space is limited. Registration is required. Visit ryelibrary.org, click on “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.”

The Rye Arts Center The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton Road in Rye. For more information, call 967-0700 or visit ryeartscenter.org.

Free Arts Day On Saturday, Jan. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center. For the hundreds of families who enjoy the popular Maker Day, expect a similar vibe of festivity but embracing the full spectrum of the arts presented at the Rye Arts Center. The center’s Free Arts Day will provide you and your family with an afternoon filled with fun and creativity. Visitors will enjoy activities in music and theater that will include an improv workshop, a drum circle,

singing workshop and more presenting a variety of instruments. There will be hands-on opportunities for all ages, giving you a chance to dabble in a range of artistic media such as painting, drawing, ceramics, and more. In addition, you’ll be introduced to some of the Rye Arts Center’s cutting-edge STEAM programs that include everything from 3-D printing, to creative building, and more. Visitors with small children can enjoy an open house for Half Day for Half Pints to learn about the center’s always popular pre-K creative arts program. Early registration will be available for those who want to beat the rush for our 2018-2019 school year. Members of the Rye Arts Center will enjoy special discounts on class registration. Non-members will be able to join at discounted rates.

Gallery Exhibit: Works in Encaustic Opening Saturday, Jan. 13, through Saturday, Feb. 17 at the Rye Arts Center. There will be a reception on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Encaustic painting dates as far back as the 5th century B.C. The process involves heating a mixture of beeswax, resin and pigments, which are applied while hot to a rigid surface such as a wood panel, and further manipulated. Curated by Katharine Dufault, the “Some Like It Hot” exhibit will introduce the community to a brief history of the medium, and show the wide variety of techniques possible using hot wax. Participating artists include Christine Aaron, Anne Bedrick, Binnie Birstein, Kathy Cantwell, Katharine Dufault, Roxanne Faber Savage, David Fox, Lorraine Glessner, Leslie Giuliani, Laura Moriarty, Lisa Pressman, Pat Spainhour, Priya Tambe, Dietlind Vander Schaff, as well as students from both the Rye and Pelham art centers.

Adult BYOB Painting Workshop: Loosen Up and Paint On Thursday, Jan. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Rye Arts Center. For ages 21 and up. With Laura Anechiarico. BYOB for an evening of self-expression through paint. No paint-by-numbers, no pressure to be perfect. This workshop will start with a simple still-life and progress from there. Participants will be encouraged to work at their own pace, and in their own style. No experience necessary; if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush, make this the first time. All supplies included. (Remember, BYOB!). Online registration is required. Fee: $65 per session; members receive discount.

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 12, 2018 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 5

CHI distributes grants to first-time Homebuyers

Houlihan Lawrence’s Commercial Group Announces Completion of Sale of Five Multi-family Properties for $10,350,000

First-time homebuyers have received $1.2 million in grants form the Community Housing Innovations. Photo courtesy Facebook.com/communityhousinginnovations

Community Housing Innovations, CHI, a regional nonprofit housing agency, distributed over $1.2 million to 40 first-time homebuyers in Westchester and Long Island during 2017, including grants of $40,000 each to 16 first-time homeowners who moved into the Waterwheel Condominiums in the Village of Ardsley. Comprised of 22 newly constructed two and three-bedroom condominiums, the Waterwheel is a partnership between CHI and developer/builder/architect Ardsley Waterwheel Partners LLC, and Architectura, with offices in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Of the 24 remaining grants, which went to purchase and rehabilitate condominiums, co-ops and houses selected by the applicants themselves, seven went to homes in Westchester and 17 went to homes on Long Island.

In 1997, CHI established its Homeownership Program, which provides education and counseling to assist first-time homebuyers through the entire home purchase process and administers grants averaging $25,000 toward down-payment and home rehabilitation assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers. Funded by the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation, grants administered by CHI have made the American dream of homeownership a reality for more than 800 families and has distributed over $14 million in grants. CHI also provides foreclosure prevention counseling in Westchester. Income eligibility limits change annually. In 2017, families could earn a maximum of $99,814 for a household of four living in Westchester, and $99,277 for a family of four liv-

ing on Long Island. “We prove every day that our workforce can afford to buy a home with a little help from New York state and a commitment to responsible home ownership from applicants,” said Alexander Roberts, CHI executive director. “We look forward to continuing the program in 2018. We encourage families to apply for this funding.” An additional two manufactured homes were completed in 2017 and homebuyers are in contract to close in the next month or two. Homebuyer orientation sessions are free and open to the public. They begin again on Jan. 10 in White Plains, and Jan. 18 in Suffolk County. Those interested in obtaining a grant, counseling or education from CHI may register online at communityhousing. org. (Submitted)

Sale is Largest Commercial Transaction in Rye in 2017 In what was the largest commercial transaction in Rye in 2017, Houlihan Lawrence’s Commercial Group has announced the completion of the sale of a portfolio of five multi-family properties in Rye to a group of local investors. The

purchase price was $10,350,000. The properties include 240242 Purchase Street, 237 Purchase Street, 132-134 Wappanocca Ave., 193-195 Purchase Street and 199 Purchase Street/2 Natoma Street. The properties, which total 13 units, are all with-

in walking distance of the Rye Metro-North train station. The seller was Georgio Home, a custom home builder in Rye. Michael Rackenberg from Houlihan Lawrence Commercial Group represented the seller in the transaction. (Submitted)

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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 Reporter | James Pero ext. 20, james@hometwn.com Reporter | Franco Fino ext. 18, franco@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 Photographer Jen Parente Columnists John Carey, Rye City Council, Joe Murphy

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rolling out in Mamaroneck

Sweet Charlie’s offers 15 different toppings, including fruits, cookies and sauces. Photos courtesy Facebook.com/sweetcharlies

By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Sweet Charlie’s, a food chain known for its hand rolled frozen desserts, will be opening its first New York state location in the village of Mamaroneck by the end of the month. The dessert shop, located at 362 Mamaroneck Ave., formerly a Sprint mobile store, received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 8, 2017. “We really wanted to try and break into the New York market,” said Steven Billig, CFO and co-founder of Sweet Charlie’s. Brett Wien, franchise owner of the Mamaroneck location, said that after submitting his initial plans to the zoning board, he was told he would need to file for a special variance, because the shop’s location was in violation of Chapter 342-45 under the village code. The code states that on Mamaroneck Avenue, no fast-food restaurant, carry-out or delicatessen can be within 200 feet of another fast-food restaurant, carry-out or delicatessen on the same side of the street. To prevent any trouble down the line, during the village zoning board meeting on Dec. 7, 2017, the board made sure to clarify that under its code Sweet Charlie’s is defined as a fast-food restaurant. The goal this time around was to avoid any controversy like the one that ensued in July 2016 when Ralph’s Italian Ice & Ice Cream first opened on East Boston Post Road and was initially misclassified as a retail chain. The zoning board determined, after Ralph’s had opened, that it should have been identified as a

This non-fat yogurt based dessert is one of three options from Sweet Charlie’s.

fast-food restaurant, which led to several rounds of litigation, protests from neighborhood residents complaining of noise and safety issues, and, ultimately, the eventual closure of the Staten Island-based franchise. To avoid any such confusion, Wien said that the acquisition of the variance delayed their opening by five weeks, but it wasn’t the end of the world for him. Wien told the Review that the zoning board advised him at its Dec. 7 meeting to make sure he had all the correct permits in order to avoid a situation like Ralph’s. Despite that, Wien still has plans to open the shop by the end of January, much to the anticipation of locals in the community. Billig said they’ve been receiving emails daily of customers inquiring of Sweet Charlie’s presence in Mamaroneck. “It’s like 15 degrees out, so that’s exciting to know that people will want to get ice cream when it’s that cold,” Billig said. The shop will be open yearround from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., with outdoor dining locations in

Sweet Charlie’s has lines going out the door of customers wanting to try the hand-rolled ice cream.

the spring and summer. But what really has people screaming for Sweet Charlie’s ice cream is the unique way it’s made. “We’re going to literally make the ice cream right in front of the [customers] in less than 90 seconds,” Wien said. He describes the shop’s concept as something similar to Cold Stone Creamery, the difference being that Sweet Charlie’s makes the ice cream for each individual order. And to do that, employees start with one of three liquid bases, either the premium ice cream, nonfat yogurt, or nada-moo, a vegan alternative. Using the counter, which is set at 15 degrees below zero, the base

is converted into a sweet treat in front of the customer’s eyes. The dessert is then flattened out and rolled into strips and placed in a cup and garnished with toppings. “Everything is fresh and fun looking,” Wien said. Sweet Charlie’s offers 10 different flavors of its desserts and 15 different toppings for a flat rate of $7. “The product itself is amazing,” Wien said. For customers with food allergies, Wien said the shop will also have a separate machine to make ice cream for customers with food allergies. Kelly Wenstrup, a member of the zoning board, described this feature of the shop as, “a thing

Mamaroneck will become home to Sweet Charlie’s first New York state location. Photo courtesy Linkedin.com

you can’t get somewhere else.” She went on to say that Sweet Charlie’s would be “a wonderful addition if you come to Mamaroneck.” CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com

January 12, 2018 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 7

Westchester luxury home sales hit 10-year high

Westchester luxury home total sales volume surpassed $1 billion in 2017. Photo courtesy Facebook.com/ houlihanlawrence

Sales of luxury homes selling for $2 million and higher in Westchester County hit a 10year high in 2017 with 357 highend homes sold, a 4.7 percent increase from 2016, according to the Houlihan Lawrence Luxury Market Report. Sale prices for luxury homes rose slightly from 2016, with the median sale price at $2.6 million, up from $2.56 million. Total sales for 2017 topped the $1 billion mark, a 6.2 percent increase from the previous year’s volume. Two markets – Scarsdale and the city of Rye – accounted for approximately 43 percent of the total luxury sales in Westchester in 2017. Westchester’s top ten performing markets for luxury home sales selling for $2 million and higher were, in order of total sales: Scarsdale (79), Rye City (74), Mamaroneck (45), Bronxville (33), Harrison (26), Bedford (23), Byram Hills (16), Irvington (12), Katonah-Lewisboro (9), and Chappaqua (8). The single highest selling price in 2017 was $7,575,000 in Ma-

maroneck. Six of the top 10 sales were waterfront properties. Sales were strong in the $3 million to $4.9 million range with 93 homes sold, a 16 percent increase from 2016. The $5 million plus category was essentially unchanged from 2016 with 17 total sales. Meanwhile, sales of luxury homes selling for $1 million and higher in Putnam and Dutchess counties rose 9.8 percent in 2017. The median sale price was $1.5 million, unchanged from 2016. Total luxury sales volume in the two counties was $82.9 million, an increase of 3.3 percent from 2016. The top performing market in the Putnam-Dutchess area was Garrison with 10 sales of $1 million and higher. Pollena Forsman, the number one agent for single-family homes in Westchester every year since 2014, weighed in on luxury buyer trends. “This year buyers gravitated towards sleek, modern design with open floor plans. The desire

for masterfully renovated, or new, continues to dominate the mindset. The land equation was notable in 2017 too, with luxury purchasers seeking enough property for soccer/lacrosse and maybe even a pool someday… yet all trends must be tied with a bow on value,” she said. Commenting on the impact of recently enacted tax legislation, Anthony Cutugno, associate real estate broker of Houlihan Lawrence, said, “Major tax legislation passed in late December benefits corporations and is forecasted to help fuel the bull market yet another year. For homeowners, tax reform reduces the amount of property tax that can be deducted, increasing the after-tax cost of homeownership. Buyers’ purchasing power is reduced as well, and the impact is greatest in the luxury market -- higher home values equate to a larger reduction in purchasing power. We anticipate that declining purchasing power will exert pricing pressure on luxury inventory to offset the new math of tax reform.” (Submitted)

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8 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 12, 2018

ArtsWestchester awarded grant for new exhibit

Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester. Contributed photo

ArtsWestchester, the state’s largest, private nonprofit arts council, is the recipient of a $75,000 grant to fund a contemporary visual arts project that celebrates and illuminates the shared history of the brick industry in the Hudson Valley and its relevance to the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. This funding is part of $755 million in grants awarded through Round VII of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council, REDC, Initiative. ArtsWestchester joins 113 other private

and public-sector projects that will be receiving nearly $84.8 million in funds as part of the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council. The grant awarded to ArtsWestchester will fund a 2018 exhibition, called “Brick by Brick: The Erie Canal and the Building Boom.” The funds will allow ArtsWestchester to mount the exhibition and commission artists to create work inspired by the once significant Hudson Valley brick industry, which according to some historians, was comparable in magnitude and

impact to IBM and the nascent biotech companies of today. The exhibit will open in the fall of 2018. “ArtsWestchester’s exhibition is an exciting story about the economic development of New York state as it fueled industry from Buffalo to New York City along a super water highway the Hudson River,” explained Janet Langsam, CEO of ArtsWestchester. “Brick was manufactured in towns along the river as new building codes demanded more fire-resistant materials.” A recent study by Americans for the Arts concluded that the nonprofit arts and culture sector is a significant industry in Westchester County. The research indicates that the sector generates $172.3 million in total economic activity. It also delivers $25.8 million in local and state government revenue and supports 5,179 full-time equivalent jobs. In addition to the grant awarded to ArtsWestchester, the other following county arts projects will also receive funding under the REDC grants: • The Westchester Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains received $500,000.

This grant will fund a piano technology lab, recording studio, percussion studio, and new studios for jazz ensembles and music therapy. • Westchester Children’s Museum in Rye received $824,000. Funding from this grant will expand the museum’s exhibit and operational space in Rye Playland’s National Historic Landmark North Bathhouse. • The Glenwood Power Plant in Yonkers received $1 million. With the funds, a developer will embark on preserving and redeveloping this iconic turn of the century structure into a cultural destination and performance space for members of the Yonkers community. • Village of Sleepy Hollow on the Hudson and Pocantico Rivers received $195,000. This grant will help enhance the installation and landscaping of the village’s Headless Horseman Statue and public amenities. • The Picture House Regional Film Center received $27,000. This education grant will assist more students to learn through film. ArtsWestchester is located at 31 Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains. For more information, visit artswestchester.org. (Submitted)

ArtsWestchester will put the $75,000 grant towards an exhibit called “Brick by Brick: The Erie Canal and the Building Boom.” Photo courtesy Lynda Shenkman Curtis

AHA tackles heart health in Hudson Valley At their recent board meetings, members of both the American Heart Association’s, AHA, Westchester and Putnam Boards packed healthy snack bags for more than 100 children served through the Westchester Food Bank. The bags included healthy whole grain, low-fat, low-sugar snacks and beverages. The two regional boards are committed to the AHA’s Healthy For Good movement designed to create lasting change to improve heart and brain health, one small step at a time. “As part of the American Heart Association’s commitment to improving the lives and health of our communities, we are delighted to partner with the Westchester Food Bank in providing our neighbors in need with a heart healthy breakfast to start their day,” said Virginia Kuper, AHA Westchester board chair. The Healthy For Good movement addresses the obesity issue in American adults and children. More than two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese, putting them at risk for heart disease and stroke as well as many other chronic illnesses and conditions, according to the

AHA, and less than one percent of Americans have an ideal diet, as measured by sodium and sugar intake; fruit, vegetable and fish consumption; and more. Sadly, children are not immune from this health threat. About one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity in children more than tripled from 1971 to 2011. Among children today, obesity is causing a broad range of health problems that previously weren’t seen until adulthood. These include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels. Changes to lifestyle can be made incrementally - some small change today that will make a big difference tomorrow. The four key pillars of health include: • Eat smart: Make overall healthier eating choices each day. Know your daily calorie limit and aim for it. Read labels and choose mostly fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats or fish, and limit sugar, sodium and alcohol intake. Get delicious recipes and meal planning tips at heart. org/recipes. • Add color: This is the simplest way to start eating health-

ier: just look at your plate and add some color to it in the form of colorful fruits and vegetables. Add color to every meal and snack, because adding even one serving of fruits and vegetables each day is a great way to start building a healthier you. • Move more: Our bodies were built to move, so they need daily activity to be healthy. But working out doesn’t have to take over your life – in fact, you can start by simply adding a few 10-minute bursts of activity each day. Whether it’s walking or doing yoga or trying a new workout video, start slowly and build up to a total of 30 minutes of exercise daily, most days of the week. • Be well: For ultimate wholebody health, your mind and body need to rest, reset and recharge. Stress management, getting enough quality sleep or connecting with the world in a healthier way, can help create a calmer, healthier you. The AHA encourages employers to create a healthy work environment and promote a healthy lifestyle for their employees. The AHA has created the Healthy Workplace Food & Beverage Toolkit to as-

The American Heart Association’s Westchester and Putnam Boards created healthy snack bags to be distributed to children through the Westchester Food Bank. Contributed photo

sist companies achieve a culture of health free online at heart.org/workplacewellness. “The AHA can help local employers to create an environment where the healthy choice is the default or easy choice,” said Jennifer Miller, AHA senior director in Westchester. “And it doesn’t just benefit your workers. Maintaining a healthier workforce can lower direct costs such as insurance premiums and worker’s compensation claims. It will also positively affect many indirect costs such as absentee-

ism and worker productivity.” For example, at company meetings, organizers can make a policy to replace pastries and donuts with healthier yogurt and fruit. They can remove sugar-sweetened beverages as a choice at meetings, and only offer water or 100 percent juices. They can serve only the healthiest choices, like salad, whole grain breads or fruit, or lean meats or fish on the lunch buffet. They can set up walking paths and have fun fitness challenges. “These are the small changes we

encourage individuals to make in their own lives, and we’re asking organizational leaders to make those same choices for the health of their employees,” she said. Creating a healthier work environment can benefit everyone, and can help avoid the devastation and personal loss that heart disease and stroke causes in the lives of our community members. To learn more about workplace health, visit heart.org/foodwhereur. To get tips on improving your health, visit heart.org/gettinghealthy. (Submitted)

January 12, 2018 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 9

Empire City makes New Year’s resolutions reality Each New Year, people all over the world make promises to themselves to rejuvenate their lives, change bad habits, and better their quality of life. For some,

it means eating healthier or acting nicer, while for others it’s time for something new. The resolutions kick in, quickly followed by reality: how can

one suddenly afford the organic chicken rather than store-brand, or learn a new language without paying for lessons? How does one incorporate reading and

IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine at Empire City Casino now exceeds $2.7 million. Photo courtesy Empire City Casino

sleeping more into their daily routine when they have no new books and their mattress is sinking into the frame? All answers lead to Empire City Casino. This New Year, as visitors and “resolutioners” set their eyes on the casino’s IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars slot machine, which recently surpassed the $2.7 million. Winning $2.7 million would not only break the record for the highest-ever jackpot at any of New York state’s regulated casinos, but would also help keep resolution goals on track. A quick analysis of the past year’s top 10 resolutions people make shows how such a life-changing jackpot can turn the 2018 “new year, new you” from a motto into a lifestyle. Looking to lose weight or start a new diet plan? With $2.7 million, that personal trainer is only a call away. Made it a goal to read a book a month in 2018? $2.7 million can not only get you the hottest new e-reader, but several—or more— e-books with it. Heck, you can even hire someone to read them to you. Interested in learning new things? Invest that $2.7 million into lessons of your choice. Growing your rainy-day fund? $2.7 million could help a little

with that! Want to be a nicer person overall? $2.7 million will surely make you a little more cheerful and less stressed. In the market for a new job? Why not go into finance—you have 2.7 million reasons to learn how to manage money. Looking to give back? According to the Food Bank for Westchester, $2.7 million would provide 10.8 million meals to hungry families. You could cut back on alcohol – but winning $2.7 million does call for some champagne to celebrate! And now, you can afford the good stuff. Glass of Dom Pérignon anyone? Need more shut-eye in your life? With $2.7 million can get you the best mattress, pillows, and sheets on the market – and even have enough left over for the latest sleep therapy machine on the market. Want to expand your social circle? Win $2.7 million and instantly join Empire City’s company of millionaires: Howard G. of Long Island, who won $1,473,503 in October 2015; and Linda H. of Thornwood, who took home a “nearly there” million-dollar jackpot of $961,411 in November 2016 – maybe making some friends along the way. Available only at Empire City

Top 10

New Year’s Resolutions 1. Diet/exercise/lose weight 2. Read more 3. Learn something new 4. Save money 5. Be a nicer person/more patient 6. Get a new job 7. Volunteer/be more charitable 8. Drink less alcohol 9. Get more sleep 10. Make new friends Casino, the IGT Wheel of Fortune Triple Stars jackpot can be hit on one of only two machines, playing a $20 wager on the $10 denomination machine. Eager patrons are lining up to try their luck, hoping to fund their resolutions and refresh their lives. Let Empire City Casino help the New You become a reality. Stop by Manhattan’s closest casino and take your chance at winning the life-altering jackpot today. Empire City Casino is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. and is located at 810 Yonkers Ave. in Yonkers. For directions and public transit information, visit Empirecitycasino.com. (Submitted)

10 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 12, 2018

Harrison & Rye City Home Sales Listings provided by the office of Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni Photos courtesy Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Hotpads.com, Spotproperty.com & Maps.google.com

1 Ormand Place, Rye 11/15/17 $1,160,000

5 John Jay Place, Rye 11/6/17 $1,650,000

6 Yarmouth Road, Harrison 10/23/17 $880,000

8 Flagler Drive, Harrison 10/27/17 $4,400,000

11 Bentay Drive, Harrison 11/13/17 $590,000

12 Highridge Road, Harrison 11/17/17 $730,000

54 Drake Avenue, Rye 11/3/17 $3,050,000

54 Webster Avenue, Harrison 11/10/17 $965,000

60 Temple Street, Harrison 10/30/17 $250,000

63 Woodlands Road, Harrison 11/9/17 $3,025,000

70 Ellsworth Avenue, Harrison 11/21/17 $814,000

93 Taylor Lane, Harrison 11/6/17 $1,275,000

107 Bradford Avenue, Rye 10/27/17 $960,000

110 Apawamis Avenue, Rye 11/2/17 $1,100,000

647 Milton Road, Rye 10/27/17 $2,700,000

One Hook Road, Rye 11/10/17 $2,450,000

January 12, 2018 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 11

12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 12, 2018

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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of Formation of North Ledge Ventures, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 11/27/17. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1333A North Ave, Suite 523, New Rochelle, NY 10804. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Suburban Doorman, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 11/27/17. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 1333A North Ave, Suite 523, New Rochelle, NY 10804. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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January 12, 2018 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 13

14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 12, 2018

SPORTS

Going for the Gulden’s LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

There are certain times, during my coverage of high school sports, I thank the heavens that I no longer have to go through the grind of competitive athletics. Each summer, for instance, when I see area football teams suit up for the annual two-a-days summer slog, I can’t help but think; “Better them than me.” Each March, when I see baseball teams brave 40 degree weather—and the remnants of a Northeastern winter—to face some highly touted pitcher throwing in the mid-80s, I recoil in horror as I remember the unique pain of getting jammed on an inside fastball on a day where fans are bundled up like they’re gearing up for an Arctic expedition. Some things, I figure, are better left to the youngsters. But on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the 52nd annual Shoreline Wres-

tling Classic at New Rochelle High School, I saw something that made me realize that I simply don’t have the stomach—literally—for what it takes to be an athlete anymore. During an early-round match against an opponent from Port Chester, Huguenot 138-pounder Ryan McPherson began to cramp up. His coaches called a timeout and the training staff rushed over to get a handle on the situation. Now I’ve seen dozens of athletes cramp up over the years, and the protocol seems to be pretty standard; stretch out the cramping area, push some fluids and within a few minutes, the sidelined player is as right as rain. Only that’s not what happened this time. Instead, McPherson had the trainer squirt cafeteria mustard straight into his mouth. I was horrified. Now, a quick trip to Google informed me that, yes, mustard contains acetic acid which can help combat cramps, but it was jarring—both to me and some

other onlookers—to see a wrestler sucking down a bottle of French’s like it was Gatorade in the middle of the match, then return to the mat and earn a pinfall victory. As a notoriously picky eater with a lifelong aversion to mustard—I’m more of a plain meat and potatoes type of guy—I had to put myself in McPherson’s shoes and wonder if I would have done the same thing. The beauty of sport stems from its ability to force athletes to push their bodies beyond what is normally expected of them. That extra lap, those extra suicides, those multiple hours in the gym just to get the body ready to compete; that’s what sports are all about, and I get it. It worked out for McPherson, but for me, straight mustard might be a bridge too far. Next thing you know, someone would be asking me to eat veggie tofu.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

New Rochelle’s Ryan McPherson tangles with an opponent from Port Chester during the Jan. 6 Shoreline Classic. Early in the match McPherson cramped up, and chowed down on some mustard in order to get back on the mat. Photo/Mike Smith

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SPORTS

January 12, 2018 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15

Quick start helps Rye edge Eagles GIRLS BASKETBALL

league

RYE 44 EASTCHESTER 32 1/5/18

RYE HS

Game Notes: • Teaghan Flaherty led Rye with 27 points • Cassidy Mitchell scored 26 for the Eagles • Rye is currently 7-1 By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor A hot start pushed a surging Rye team past Eastchester on Jan. 5, as the Garnets downed the Eagles 44-32 at home. For Rye, who improved to 7-1 with the win, although victories have been in abundance in the early part of the season, a double-digit win over a league rival who advanced to the Class A championship game last year was a statement nonetheless. “We knew that every time Eastchester comes here they always play hard,” Rye sophomore Teaghan Flaherty said. “We knew we were going to have to play our best, and the girls really stepped up today.” Flaherty led the Garnets with 27 points and sparked an early run that saw Rye jump out to an 11-3 lead over the visitors early in the first quarter. That momentum, she added, helped set the tone for the night. “We always say we have to come out as strong as possible and we really did that today,” Flaherty said. “The bench’s energy, and everyone on the floor’s energy was really great after that.” Despite the slow start, Eastchester battled back into contention, and cut the Rye lead to six points heading into the fourth quarter. Cassidy Mitchell sparked the Eagles with 26 points, but the visitors were unable to sustain the comeback over the final eight minutes of the game. Coming into the contest, Flaherty explained that the Garnet defenders knew they would have their hands full with Mitchell, Eastchester’s standout who reached the 1,000-point mark last season. “She’s a really great player so we had to make sure that when she caught the ball we were all up on her and everyone else was back in deny,” Flaherty said. “Everyone had to be willing to help

to make sure she couldn’t get to the basket.” Rye center Ellie Dailey also helped the Garnets clean up on the glass, grabbing eight rebounds to go along with six points in the win. Winners of seven straight ballgames, the Garnets will face another league foe on Jan. 11 when they host a Harrison team that edged a good Pelham squad 41-34 on Jan. 6. As the team continues to improve, Flaherty hopes that these early wins will lead to continued success in the postseason. “It’s huge, because confidence is key,” she said. “As long as we keep doing good things on the court, we are going to get even better.”

Cassidy Mitchell drives past a Garnets player on Jan. 5. Mitchell scored 26 points for Eastchester.

CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Niamh Carty pushes past an Eastchester defender on Jan. 5.

Rye’s Ellie Dailey battles with Eastchester’s Nicole Patrylow in the paint. Dailey had eight rebounds and six points.

Teaghan Flaherty looks for a shot against Eastcheser on Jan. 5. Flaherty and the Garnets topped the Eagles 44-32.

16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • January 12, 2018

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