RyeCity REVIEW THE
August 4, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 31 | www.ryecityreview.com
Master plan update moves forward, stokes tensions By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
with heart
Big Picture Foundation brought children from the U.S. and Syria together to enjoy an afternoon at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The foundation works with children to help fundraise through works of art they create. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Roundhillcolormill.com
String of larcenies prompts Rye, Harrison PD search By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Rye and Harrison police departments are separately searching for several suspects that have been breaking into motor vehicles. According to the Harrison police Chief Michael Olsey, eight break-ins have been reported just in the last several weeks in the town/village of Harrison. Most recently, there were two reported larcenies that occurred on Tuesday, Aug. 1, during the night at Irving Place, which is located near Halstead Avenue. “I would really urge residents
and commuters to lock their car doors,” Olsey told the Review, adding that the department has several suspects that are believed to not be from any of the surrounding communities. Since the larcenies occurred, the Harrison police have adjusted their patrols to help deter any future break-ins that may occur, according to Olsey. According to Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano, a number of similar larcenies have occurred in the city of Rye within the last several weeks which has promoted their Police Department to issue an official safety advisory, warning homeowners and com-
muters to lock their car doors and keep a close watch on suspicious activity. The city manager said cars that were left unlocked were specifically targeted, and a number of small exposed portable items, including cellphones and wallets, as well as loose change were stolen. “In these instances, the [burglar] usually takes loose change and anything valuable they can find,” Serrano told the Review. “It’s important to lock your doors and to also report to the police if you see somebody lurking around at night.” Serrano added that on one oc-
casion in the last couple of weeks, the suspect was able to steal one resident’s car after not having any issue opening an unlocked door. There is currently no information on the model of that car or when the larceny occurred. Around the same time last year, a number of homes were burglarized on Harbor Lane, Oakland Beach Avenue and Riverside View in Rye. The string of intrusions sparked a search for a suspect believed to be a resident of Rye who was targeting homes with unlocked doors. LARCENIES continued on page 7
An effort to revamp the city’s master plan has been gaining steam as committee meetings and discussions crop up with greater frequency. Though talks of updating the comprehensive plan—which is an all-encompassing document meant to steer future development and vision for the city of Rye—have been on the table for more than two years, the push toward materializing a new plan has never been as tangible. Since June, a Master Plan Steering Committee responsible for formulating recommendations has held multiple meetings discussing major demographics research, goals and opportunities. This month, the city also rolled out a new website—ryeplan. com—devoted solely to documenting and publicizing continual updates. According to Councilwoman Julie Killian, a Republican and member of the steering committee, the pace of deliberations over the master plan has been accelerated by the hiring of a consultant—BFJ Planning—in late April. “We have a consultant now,” she said. “That always gets things going.” Killian said updating the master plan, which hasn’t undergone a major revamp since its adoption in 1985, will help guide the city in two major arenas: sustainability and technology. “We have to account for what we have in place now and what there will be going forward,” she said. “Like, right now there’s Uber, and in the future, there will be driverless cars. What does solving our parking problem
mean if there are more driverless cars?” A recent ad hoc public survey conducted on July 27 prompted residents to predict where they see Rye in the next five to 10 years and garnered responses like “too little land” and “sustainable and green.” While the process has brought members of the Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee, Planning Department, City Council, Board of Education and the community together, it has also riled some partisan tensions. According to Councilwoman Emily Hurd, a Democrat, the process, she feels, has been less than transparent. “I only heard about the last meeting from a resident,” Hurd told the Review. Hurd said that while meetings have been posted online, there has been little effort on the part of her Republican council colleagues to ensure that Democrats are kept abreast of updates. Currently, members of the Master Plan Steering Committee include Mayor Joe Sack, Killian and Councilman Terry McCartney, all Republicans. The process of updating the plan will likely continue on throughout the year and possibly the next as the steering committee gathers data and insight into how to proceed with the revamp, according to Killian. A meeting scheduled for Sept. 26 will mark the first public meeting on the plan where residents will be free to give their input on an update. Sack, McCartney and Councilwoman Danielle Tagger-Epstein, a Democrat, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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Astorino announces opioid task force
Sal’s Pizza manager dies at 49 On Saturday, July 22, Salvatore DeRose Jr., manager at Sal’s Pizza, died at the age of 49. He had worked for the family business, which had gained a loyal following after 53 years, since he was 13 years old. “I think that [Salvatore DeRose Jr.] brought a sense of family to Sal’s [Pizza],” said Anna Maffucci, of Mamaroneck. Mayor Norman Rosenblum described the pizzeria as “an integral part” of the village community. “It’s also a great place for people to meet, eat and have a good time,” he said. DeRose Jr. was born on July 21, 1968, to Salvatore Sr. and Teresa DeRose. DeRose Jr. leaves behind his wife Maria DeRose and four children, Alexandra, Nicole, Salvatore III, and Cristina DeRose. “[Salvatore DeRose Jr.] always went out of his way to provide the best customer service, and made sure everyone was happy,” said Stephen DeRose, DeRose Jr.’s brother. The pizzeria, located at 316 Mamaroneck Ave., is most known for dishes including its Sicilian and salad slices, a slice of
A new task force designed to galvanize the county’s resources and stem the tide of a rising opioid epidemic was announced last week by Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. Photo courtesy Westchester County
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer On the heels of the recently formed initiative, Project WORTHY, designed to help combat a growing opioid epidemic in Westchester, the county has introduced a task force that aims to focalize police resources toward a crackdown on dealers. The task force will conjoin members of the county’s Public Safety Department, prosecutors, criminal investigators and local police chiefs in an effort to both assess and confront the problem of opioid abuse through the use of data and targeted enforcement. “It’s not enough to put our best resources into the fight against opioid addiction,” said County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican. “They must be coordinated, and that’s the idea behind the task force.” According to Astorino, who announced the coalition together with District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, a Democrat, and Public Safety Commissioner George Longworhth on July 27, the district attorney’s office will also dedicate three analysts to help the task force compile data and trends regarding the opioid crisis. Data presented through Proj-
ect WORTHY, which stands for Westchester Opioid Response Team Helping You, shows that Westchester has been anything but immune to the growing crisis of drug abuse. According to statistics collected between 2010 and 2015, the number of fatal opioid overdoses in the county has risen dramatically, jumping 200 percent in five years from 27 to 83. That trend is mirrored on the national level where in 2015, the National Institute on Drug Abuse recorded more than 52,000 opioid related fatalities across the country. Contributing to the rise in both heroin and opioid related overdoses has been the rise of the often fatal drug fentanyl; its potency has been known to cause overdoses just by coming into contact with one’s skin. Scarpino said, in addition to tracking and understanding the problem through statistics, increased coordination through the task force will also result in more arrests and ultimately the removal of heroin through the prosecution of dealers. “The task force is dedicated to going after dealers, not users,” he said. One way the task force hopes to
accomplish a crackdown on dealers, Scarpino said, is by assisting local police departments—outfits which may otherwise lack the necessary resources—in their investigations of illegal drug distribution and enforcement. “Individual police departments that determine that heroin and opioid dealers are operating in their communities will be able to call upon these dedicated resources to assist them in their investigation,” he said. “Note that I said ‘assist them.’ We are not going to take over their investigation.” Scarpino said that while the task force is ready to move forward, its role in helping mitigate a growing drug crisis is fluid, and will likely be a “learning process.” In addition to the assembling of a task force, the county also formalized an Overdose Response Initiative, ORI, last year, which is meant to track and investigate any suspected overdose in the county with the goal of ultimately identifying suppliers. Through the ORI, overdoses are treated as crime scenes and warrant a full-on investigation as opposed to their prior classifications as accidents. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
Sal’s Pizza is located in the village of Mamaroneck and has been in business for 53 years. File photo
pizza topped with lettuce, Italian dressing and tomatoes. “It’s like the best pizza around…. I enjoy eating there on my lunch hour, or later after work with friends,” said Patrick McEvily, of Yonkers. “It’s a really nice
place.” On July 28, The Church of the Resurrection in Rye held a mass for Salvatore DeRose Jr. The pizzeria was also closed that day in observance of his passing. -Reporting by Taylor Brown
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What’s going on...
For more information on hours and programs, visit ryelibrary.org.
Family Storytime Yoga On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on the Village Green, weather permitting. Master storytime yoga teacher Elisha Simpson narrates international folktales and interprets them through yoga to give children a way to connect and discover their inner world of creativity, body and imagination.
Picasso’s Pyrenees On Saturday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Presented by Travellati Tours. Back by popular demand, Elizabeth Kemble, founder of Travellati Tours, presents “Picasso, Haviland and Céret—or How a little town in the Pyrenees became a center of modern art.” About 100 years ago, a little mountain town in the French Pyrenees called Céret became a center of modern art. Upand-coming artists such as Picasso, Braque, Matisse, and Gris spent summers here in the teens of the last century. It was here that Picasso and Braque developed analytical cubism. This group became known as the School of Céret. After WWI, another wave of artists and writers including Soutine, Dufy, and Cocteau descended on the town. During WWII, artists fleeing Nazism settled there, among them Chagall, Dubuffet, and Tzara.
Rye Library Writers On Saturday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Ogden Nash Room. Share work and brainstorm with fellow writers and be encouraged in a welcoming and supportive environment. Discuss works in progress, writing topics, the writing process and individual writing joys and challenges. Open to novice and experienced writers.
Calligraphy course Starting Monday, Aug. 7 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Join resident expert Mary Jackson as she returns for the hugely
popular program on this stylish form of writing. This is a four-session workshop running on consecutive Mondays. To get the most out of this class, it’s advised to attend all four sessions. Adults are welcome. By registering for the first class, you will be automatically registered for the next three. Register at ryelibrary.org by going to the Calendar of Events. Please call 231-3172 to register if the online form isn’t working for you.
Auxiliary Board of the Rye Free Reading Room.
Ryebrary Summer S.T.E.A.M.ers
Starting Tuesday, Aug. 8 from 6 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. in the Meeting Room. “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971) will be screened. This is part of the library’s summer drive-in movie series. Kids will pick up the “box cars” they designed and created at the previous Family Fun Night and “drive-in” to the “Ryebrary Theatre” to watch the feature film. There will be fresh popped popcorn and juice boxes. Rated: G; running time: 100 minutes.
On Friday, Aug. 11 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. All Ryebrary S.T.E.A.M.ers who are entering kindergarten through second grade in September are invited to join the librarians every Friday in the new “S.T.E.A.M. LAB,” where literacy meets S.T.E.A.M. Each month, participants will read a book together. Then, taking inspiration from the story, kids will be taught how to think with their hands and minds. It’s inquiry-based learning combined with a hands-on activity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, or mathematics. Aug. 11’s book is “11 Experiments That Failed” by Jenny Offill. Children do not have to pre-read the book. The STEAM activity will have participants making “floam”. Pre-registration is required online. Visit ryelibray.org, go to “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.”
Family Fun Night: S.T.E.A.M.y Nights and Happy Hearts
Summer STEAM workshop with ArchForKids
On Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Meeting Room. For children entering grades K–5 in September. On Aug. 10, Terry Taylor, a familiar face at the Rye Arts Center, will read from one of her children’s books: “Meet Genna and Russ, the Generous Kids.” Through the story, children will learn real lessons in generosity and kindness, and then she will show children how to create a polymer clay happy face heart. Participants will create two hearts: one to keep and one that will be shared with children at a local hospital. Signed books and other merchandise will be available for purchase after the workshop. Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is required. Visit ryelibray. org, go to “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.”
On Friday, Aug. 11 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Meeting Room. For grades 3–5 only. “Live Green, Make a Sustainable Village”: Design and construct an entire village designed to live in harmony with the earth’s environment. Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is required. Visit ryelibray.org, go to “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.” This event is sponsored by TD Bank.
Family Summer Drive-In Classic Movie Series
Here Comes the Sun workshop On Saturday, Aug. 12 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Meeting Room. For ages 9 and up only. Come to the library and learn about our favorite star:
the sun. Participants will have fun performing a variety of activities and experiments related to the sun and solar power. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required for this event. Visit ryelibray. org, go to “Programs & Events,” “Kids,” the event date, and then “Register.”
Rye Town Park Summer Storytimes At Rye Town Park On Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. at Rye Town Park. Recommended for infants through preschoolers. Enjoy sunshine, stories and engaging activities by the seaside with the Rye Free Reading Room’s talented librarians. Rye Town Park will charge a reduced parking fee of $2 for attendees.
Rye Youth Soccer Fall 2017 registration Online registration is open at ryeyouthsoccer.org for fall intramural soccer for boys and girls grades K–5. The season will begin Saturday, Sept. 16 and end Saturday, Nov. 4, with no games on Sept. 30. Complete details on dates and times of the program can be found on the website. Questions? Contact Patti Adimari, registrar, at pattirys@optonline.net or 967-5273. Scholarships are available upon request. Please note: coaches should also register to coach in their online account. 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.
Graham Clarke’s Musical Summer Fridays On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the Meeting Room. For ages 12 months and up. Families are welcome. Rock out at the Rye Free Reading Room this summer when popular children’s musician Graham Clarke returns for a special summer series. Kids love Graham’s silly humor and fun songs and will move and groove to the beat with this energetic performer. Please arrive early; doors will be closed 10 minutes after the show begins and no one will be admitted after that. This event is sponsored by the
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170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 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 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 | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer Corey Stockton Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Jen Parente Columnists John Carey, Rye City Council, Lenore Skenazy, Joe Murphy 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. 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.
proves power of arts By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter With the summer in full swing, Kim Tamalonis, president and founder of Big Picture Foundation is working to challenge children in the local and global communities to come together through the arts. Big Picture Foundation, BPF, is a nonprofit foundation that works with middle and high school students from the U.S. to help fundraise for refugee organizations, and collaborate through creative projects with children from the more than five different countries. “[BPF] will hopefully allow [the children] to go into our world with a really global view and that will help them be successful citizens,” said Brit Rothstein, BPF board president. This summer, Tamalonis has given children the task of participating in BPF’s global art challenges. These themed art projects include things like inventing their own candy, creating their own music, and designing their own fictional creatures. Tamalonis wrote on bigpicturefoundation.com, “The themes give participants a fun way to communicate with other kids around the world.” She has also encouraged children to host their own Nights of a Thousand Dinners parties, which help raise money to end poverty by asking guests at the dinner parties to collect donations that will be given to United Nations Association of New York City, UNANYC, a nonprofit organization that helps to educate members of New York on the goals of the
From left, Kim Tamalonis, president and founder of Big Picture Foundation and Jehanne Anabtawi, board member of Blossom Hill Foundation. Photos courtesy blossomhill-foundation.org
Children in Big Picture Foundation take a trip to the Metropolitan Museum where they were able to learn about and create art. Photo courtesy Bigpicturefoundation.com
United Nations. The UNA-NYC will eventually put these funds toward helping build a school in Kenya. “I’m not asking kids to do math here, I’m asking them to find fun ways to make a difference, to make our world happier [and] more positive,” said Tamalonis, a Rye Middle School art teacher. Tamalonis explained that as the foundation continues to grow, she tries to encourage the BPF kids to take on their own projects. She first began working with her art students in the fall 2015 semester on a project to help give back to refugee children. Tamalonis, who’s from Greenwich, Connecticut, explained that she had her students begin brain-
storming ways they could use art for change. She described them as “heroes of the contemporary art world.” She explained that the project was sparked by her interest in the news of the escalating Syrian civil war. “I was stunned by a world that didn’t galvanize to save people who were so desperate that they were fleeing their homes to take their children in the dead of night on ill-fated rubber dinghies,” Tamalonis told the Review. Through the project, Tamalonis and her students donated handmade cards and sketchbooks to Studio Syria, a nonprofit that provides art and educational opportunities for Syrian refugees. The students then sold their art at The Rye Arts Center, and raised
$3,000 for Blossom Hill Foundation, a nonprofit that works with children in conflict zones. After this initial project, children began to hear about the work Tamalonis had done through word of mouth, and the following year she was approached by a student interested in putting together another fundraiser. “Instead of it being small and contained, immediately I had so many kids [wanting to be] involved,” she said. Now two years later, Tamalonis is working with more than 200 children in Rye as well as kids from Greenwich and refugee children. Because of all the work that the children were doing, she felt it was necessary to distinguish the work in her art classes from the fundraisers, and formed BPF in December 2016. “Kids are becoming leaders on their own,” she said. “They’re finding ways to take on the challenge of using art to do outreach work.” Tamalonis said that in time, she wants to be able to open up the program to more students in the metro area. She explained that the expansion of BPF, which only recently
received its 501(c)(3) status, and the work it does is contingent on them raising more funds to support hiring of more staff. She said that her plan is to spend the summer developing grant proposals and talking to art centers around Westchester and Fairfield counties. Rothstein explained that their immediate goal is to be able to get more students, families and schools across the world involved. “I hope the program helps nurture future leaders who understand the need for public service [and have] respect for world cultures,” Tamalonis said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
The work that Rye Middle School students created raised $3,000 for Blossom Hill Foundation.
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Big Picture Foundation kids are spending the summer running lemonade stands to raise money for the foundation. Photo courtesy Bigpicturefoundation.com
Students from Rye Middle School created works of art that they sold to raise money for the Blossom Hill Foundation.
August 4, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 7 LARCENIES from page 1
Several robberies of items in motor vehicles throughout the city of Rye and the town/village of Harrison have prompted their respective police departments to be on the lookout for a suspect that is allegedly not a resident of the two communities. Photo courtesy wonderopolis.org
One homeowner encountered the suspected intruder, a woman, during the night; however, no one was arrested, and the investigation eventually curtailed. According to Serrano, those
robberies are similar to the recent larcenies in the sense that relatively comparable items were stolen. Small portable items and loose change were also stolen last summer.
Rye City Public Safety Commissioner Michael Corcoran could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
Rye City’s
Official Newspaper Hospice of Westchester to host “In Celebration” Gala Hospice of Westchester, HOW, will host its 16th annual “In Celebration” Gala Cocktail Reception on Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Westchester Country Club in Rye. The event, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will feature special guest speaker Stone Phillips, an Emmy Award-winning news anchor and correspondent. In honor of the organization’s 25th anniversary this year, the evening will honor HOW’s patients and their families, as well as its exceptional and compassionate staff and volunteers. The event will also celebrate the life of Anna L. Shereff, founder of The Anna & Louis H. Shereff Caregiver and Complementary Care Programs at HOW. Phillips is a former co-anchor of the award-winning newsmagazine Dateline NBC. During his 15 years at NBC News, he also served as a substitute anchor on NBC Nightly News, Today, and Meet the Press. Prior to his tenure at NBC News, Phillips
spent more than a decade at ABC News, where he served as a network correspondent for “World News Tonight” and later “20/20.” In 2012, he launched StonePhillipsReports.com and served as a special correspondent to “PBS NewsHour” with a story about head impacts in youth football. In 2013, Phillips produced an independent documentary, “Moving With Grace”, about relocating his aging parents and the onset of his mother’s Alzheimer’s disease. The film was broadcast on PBS stations around the country. He is currently working on a documentary about neurodegenerative disease and a promising new target for treatment. “Our ‘In Celebration’ Gala Cocktail Reception is always an evening where we thank our supporters for their strong devotions to our organization and our mission. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary this year, we thought it was more important than ever to recognize our patients and their families, as well as our excep-
tional staff and volunteers,” said Mary K. Spengler, chief executive officer of HOW. “We are thrilled to have Stone Phillips join us for this wonderful event, and look forward to hearing him speak about his own experiences that tie so closely to our mission.” The “In Celebration” event co-chairs are William F. Flooks, Jr., former board chair; Michelle Geller, board member, Dr. Terry Geller, James P. O’Toole, former board chair and event emcee, and Susan Yubas, board chair. The evening will offer fabulous cocktail party fare, entertainment, and the opportunity to enjoy a lovely evening with friends while celebrating HOW’s 25 years of service in the community. Proceeds from “In Celebration” will be used to support The Anna & Louis H. Shereff Caregiver and Complementary Care Programs. To purchase tickets or sponsorships, contact Holly Benedict at HBenedict@hospiceofwestchester.com or call 682-1484 ext. 122. (Submitted)
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Astorino volunteers as a summer reading buddy Man drowns at Renaissance Westchester Hotel
County Executive Rob Astorino reads to a group of pre-kindergarten students as part of his participation in JCYWestchester Community Partners’ summer reading program. Contributed photo
County Executive Rob Astorino volunteered Wednesday for JCY-Westchester Community Partners’ Summer Reading Buddies at Yonkers’ Riverfront Library. He worked one-on-one with a first grade student on a summer reading assignment and also read to an audience of pre-kindergarten students. Summer Reading Buddies is a six week program that helps Westchester’s children combat the “summer reading slide,” when literacy skills that are learned over the school year are lost over the summer. The summer reading slide is one of the
most significant causes of the achievement gap between youth from lower income and higher income families, according to JCY. The program is funded in part by the Westchester County Youth Bureau. At the program, volunteers are paired with children in preschool through sixth grade to read one-on-one or in small groups, build literacy skills and complete their summer reading assignments. Resources are provided to parents to foster literacy in the home. In 2016, more than 1,000 students and 385 volunteers participated.
Summer Reading Buddies is run by JCY-Westchester Community Partners, a division of the Family Service Society of Yonkers, in partnership with the Yonkers Public Library, the City of Yonkers, Westchester County and Con Edison. The program is available at the Yonkers Riverfront Library, the Mount Vernon Public Library and the Ossining Public Library. For more information about Summer Reading Buddies or to volunteer, please contact Madeline Finesmith at Mfinesmith@ jcy-wcp.com or call 423-5009. (Submitted)
Trevor Wilson, of Brooklyn, drowned at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel on July 30. Police are currently ruling the death accidental. Photo courtesy Marriot.com
The Harrison Police Department is investigating the death of a man who drowned at the Renaissance Westchester Hotel on July 30. According to police Chief Michael Olsey, police responded to the call at around 7 a.m. and discovered Trevor Wilson, 28, dead at the scene of the hotel’s pool. The Police Department’s de tective unit is currently investigating
if there was any foul play; however, at the moment, Wilson’s death is being deemed accidental. Wilson, of Brooklyn, was not alone at the time of his death. Olsey said another group of individuals not connected to the victim were also present. “As far as we know, at the moment, he was in the pool by himself,” the chief added. According to Olsey, the pool
area was closed for guests at the time of Wilson’s death. However, the deceased and other individuals had gained access to the facility. The other individuals, not yet named, are currently being questioned by police about the incident. As of press time, the medical examiner is conducting an autopsy on the body. -Reporting by Franco Fino
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Mosquitoes with West Nile virus in Westchester This season’s first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus in Westchester has been confirmed by the Westchester County Department of Health. The area surrounding the positive mosquito batch in Mount Vernon has been inspected by the health department, which has treated nearby catch basins that to protect against further mosquito breeding nearby. “West Nile virus has been present in the Hudson Valley for many years, so this season’s first positive should remind residents to protect themselves and their families by removing standing water around their homes every week and by using repellents daily when spending significant time outdoors,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “As a county, our proactive and comprehensive strategy to combat mosquito-borne illnesses has proven effective, and includes advice and resources for our residents.” As of July 20, when the first positive batch was confirmed in Westchester, 163 batches of mosquitoes from Westchester were tested for West Nile virus by the New York State Department of Health. The state health department has identified 99 positive mosquito pools throughout New York so far this year. Symptoms of West Nile encephalitis, a severe infection, usually occur from three to 14 days following the bite and include high fever, headache, confusion, muscle aches and weak-
As of July, 163 batches of mosquitoes in Westchester County have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Photo courtesy Westchester County
ness, seizures, or paralysis. Most people who are infected with West Nile virus will not show any symptoms. People over the age of 50 are at the highest risk for a severe disease. West Nile virus is not to be confused with Zika. To date, no mosquitoes in New York State have tested positive for Zika and there have been no locally-acquired cases. “We will continue to monitor mosquito activity,” said Westchester County Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler. “We recommend that residents take personal protection measures and remain vigilant in removing standing water on their property where mosquitoes can breed.” Amler said that favorite mosquito breeding sites include buckets, plant pot saucers, clogged gutters, pet bowls, old tires, as well as children’s pools and toys. Residents should also minimize spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk, and apply insect repellents according to
the label directions when enjoying activities outside. In addition to larviciding, the county also gave away free fathead minnows and mosquito dunks to residents this spring. The minnows help to curtail the mosquito population in ponds and water by feeding on mosquito larvae and pupae before they develop into adult mosquitoes. The mosquito dunks serve the same purpose in birdbaths, rain barrels and unused pools. Free mosquito dunks are still available, and residents can make arrangements to pick them up by calling 813-5000. Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property that could serve as potential mosquito breeding grounds should report it to the health department by calling 813-5000 or emailing hweb@ westchestergov.com. For more information about preventing West Nile virus, visit health. westchestergov.com/west-nilevirus. (Submitted)
Looking for a happy, friendly, outgoing and beautiful dog? Look no further—Serena is the one for you! This beautiful hound/Lab mix is about a year old and 37 pounds. She is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped. Make her part of your family for an adoption donation of $300. Come meet Serena! Call 834-6955 or visit NY-PetRescue. org. (Submitted)
12 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • August 4, 2017
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Notice of Formation of Molly Ness, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/23/2016. Office: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: LLC, 4 Oakwood Avenue, Rye, NY 10580. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
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LTM BOOKS, LLC d/b/a LTM BOOKS, whose whereabouts is unknown, must answer Deborah Ford Rogers’ and GRITS, Inc.’s complaint for declaratory action within thirty (30) calendar days of July 21, 2017 to hold null and void the agreement signed by and between the parties on or about July 2015 in Case Number: 44-CV-16-900404.00, Circuit Court of Limestone County, Alabama. Done the 21st day of July 2017. Honorable Brad Curnutt, Clerk of Circuit Court of Limestone County, Alabama 200 West Washington Street, 1st Floor Athens, Alabama 35611 Michael C. Lambert Attorney for Plaintiffs Deborah Ford Rogers and GRITS, Inc. 112 West Market Street, Athens, Alabama 35611
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August 4, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 13 By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor
Port Chester adds Dolby Cinema experience
AMC Theatres’ Port Chester location has opened a Dolby Cinema in June, providing a unique experience for moviegoers. Dolby Cinemas at AMC is a premium service that combines superior sound and image technology with comfortable and innovative seating—it’s almost as if the movie comes to life, with surround sound and seats that pulsate along with the action. The Dolby experience has three components: dramatic imaging, moving audio and innovative seating. Surprisingly crisp pictures with brightness, contrast and color that look as close to real-life images as possible is ex-
pected; a black screen will indeed look black. Sound comes from all over the cinema, including above you. The reclining seats are not only comfortable and spacious; they are motorized, pulsating with every sound, from an expensive engine revving to the bass of a great score. Stuart Bowling, director of Content and Creative Relations at Dolby, said its partnership with AMC has been about two years in the making. AMC had originally been developing its own luxury cinema concept before Dolby Cinema entered the market. “[AMC] was very interested in the elements of Dolby Cinema and how that could elevate the entertainment experience for customers, and how we could work together,” Bowling said. Bowling added that this program was a 10-year plan, but it is now rapidly ahead of schedule due to the overwhelming response AMC has had every time a Dolby Cinema has opened. “Moviegoers are very intrigued about what it is,” he said, adding that reviews and in particular social media have contributed to the hype and growth.
What sets Dolby Cinema apart from other luxury movie offerings is the elevation of the movie on screen, especially the focus on the “immersive audio system.” Dolby works with AMC to design the layout of the theater so that no matter where you are seated, you still have a great view. Screens are wall to wall, and floor to ceiling. Walls are matte black to help control ambient lighting so there are no distractions. Images are screened using Dolby Vision’s state-of-the-art laser projection, enabling viewers to see more details, making it engaging. “Your standard movie theater produces an image with a contrast ratio—the difference between light and dark—of around 2,000-to-1,” Bowling said. “On a Dolby Vision projector, it’s an excess of a million-to-1; that’s why filmmakers love it.” Bowling said that all these elements make for a stronger connection between the audience and the film. To date, there is only one other movie theater in New York state that uses Dolby’s technology— AMC Empire 25 in New York City. There are more than 70 locations worldwide. For more information on tickets and movies that have been adapted for this unique experience, visit amctheatres.com/dolby. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
AMC Loews Port Chester 14 is one of few locations fitted with a Dolby Cinema, which offers moviegoers a unique experience using some of the best sound and image technology. Rendering courtesy Dolby/AMC Theatres
14 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • August 4, 2017
SPORTS
WCC announces return of basketball Westchester Community College, WCC, has announced the return of its men’s and women’s basketball teams
with the new seasons beginning later this year. New coaches have been hired and were introduced at a press confer-
ence on Wednesday, July 26, at 10 a.m. in the Hartford Hall Boardroom on the college’s Valhalla campus.
Nesta Felix, Westchester Community College’s new women’s basketball coach, and Sean Kelly, the men’s basketball coach. Photo courtesy GoWccVikings.com
August 4, 2017 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • 15 A national search attracted more than two hundred highly qualified applicants including former professional basketball players and highly touted coaches from a variety of competitive levels. Sean Kelly has been named the men’s coach and Nesta Felix has been tabbed as the women’s coach. “This promises to be an enriching experience for many of our students, not only those who will field the teams,” said Dr. Belinda S. Miles, president of WCC. “The student athletes will have an opportunity to showcase their skills on the court, while their fellow students will be able to show their enthusiasm and exhibit school spirit during the upcoming season. This will truly enhance the overall college experience for all.” “I am pleased to be able to announce that basketball is returning to Westchester Community College,” said Mike Belfiore, WCC athletic director. “We have begun to recruit players for both teams and look forward to the fall when our student-athletes will again be able to compete against other institutions in the region.” Kelly, whose Bronx Community College teams posted a 74-43 record over five seasons, advancing to an NJCAA regional title game and two regional Final Fours, also coached at Bergen Community College. At that New Jersey institution, he led the team to an undefeated 30-0 regular
season campaign in 2009. Prior to Bergen, he was an assistant coach at Mercy College. Kelly earned his B.A. at the University of Scranton and his M.A. at Teachers College, Columbia University. Felix was the women’s basketball coach at Yeshiva University from 2012 to 2015 and was named the Hudson Valley Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year in 2014. She also has coached at Woodlands High School in Hartsdale, New York with a 15-5 record, currently coaches a Scarsdale, eighth-grade tri-county girls basketball team, and was assistant women’s basketball coach at Monroe College from 2002 to 2008. She received her B.A. from Iona College and her M.A.at Monroe College. This fall marks the return of the men’s and women’s basketball after a two-year hiatus. Both teams will compete at the Division II level. Practices for the new teams begin in October with the regular season games commencing in November 2017. Members of the press were invited to a press conference at the college on Wednesday, July 26 at which time the details of the new coaches and dates for upcoming games were announced. Meanwhile, prospective college students interested in trying out for the teams should contact Westchester Community College’s new athletic director at Michael.Belfiore@sunywcc. edu. (Submitted)
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16 • THE RYE CITY REVIEW • August 4, 2017