Westchester Guardian

PRESORTED STANDARD PERMIT #3036 WHITE PLAINS NY

Vol. V No. XVII

Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly

Job Hunting in Tough Times

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Shifting Gears Page 5

Eye on Theatre Page 4

Life

Page 13

The Merry Gardener Page 10

The Holocaust Remembrance Page 13

Ed Koch Movie Reviews Page15

Your Resume is the Key

By Robert Scott, Page 2 westchesterguardian.com

The Spoof Page17

Weir Only Human Page 22

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The Westchester Guardian

Of Significance Feature Section............................................................................2 Cover.........................................................................................2 Radio.........................................................................................2 Community Section....................................................................4 Eye On Theatre........................................................................4 Auto..........................................................................................5 Books.........................................................................................7 Business.....................................................................................8 Community...............................................................................9 Garden....................................................................................10 Religion...................................................................................11 Health.....................................................................................12 Ed Koch Movie Reviews........................................................15 Show Prep...............................................................................17 The Spoof...............................................................................17 Government Section................................................................18 Economics..............................................................................20 Investigation............................................................................20 Legal.......................................................................................21 OpEd Section............................................................................22 Legal Notices.............................................................................23

Westchester’s Most Influential Weekly

Guardian News Corp.

P.O. Box 8 New Rochelle, New York 10801 Sam Zherka , Publisher & President publisher@westchesterguardian.com Hezi Aris, Editor-in-Chief & Vice President whyteditor@gmail.com Advertising: (914) 562-0834 News and Photos: (914) 562-0834 Fax: (914) 633-0806 Published online every Monday Print edition distributed Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Graphic Design: Watterson Studios, Inc. wattersonstudios.com

westchesterguardian.com

FeatureSection Job Hunting in Tough Times

By Robert Scott Millions of downsized workers are desperately looking for work. Additionally, other millions of recent high school and college graduates have poured into the job market.

Job hunting is a tough and often discouraging task requiring your full attention. Your home can serve nicely as a base of operations. For equipment, you’ll need a phone, an answering machine, a computer and printer, a simple briefcase, and a notebook for recording appointments and information gleaned in your job search..

Set up a regular schedule and follow it faithfully. Let friends know you’re looking for a job.

They can often supply leads to job openings.

Don’t become discouraged if every interview doesn’t yield a job offer. For starters, it’s good to have an idea of the specific industry in which you’d like to work: publishing, banking, retail sales or one of the service industries.

Studies have shown that the most qualified person is not always the one who is hired.

Instead, it’s often the person best able to convince an employer that he or she is the right person for the job.

The two big hurdles to successful job hunting are your résumé and your performance in a job interview. In July, Westchester Community College is offering one-day intensive courses on each of these topics. Westchester Guardian readers can save themselves time and $90 by following the advice in this two-part article.

Your Résumé, an Advertisement for Yourself

No matter what well-meaning advice-givers may tell you, prepare a résumé. Just because they may have landed a job without one doesn’t mean that résumés aren’t important. In fact, résumés are absolutely essential--the one aspect of the job search over which you have completes control. A résumé will probably never get you a job on its own. But a good résumé can get you an interview, while a bad one will put you out of the running.

The competition for the job you are seeking may be fierce. Therefore, your résumé must say clearly, “YOU NEED ME.” The most effective résumés are error-free, well-organized, no longer than two pages and printed on white, off-white or ivory 8-1/2- by 11-inch bond paper.

A résumé is nothing more than a concise summary of your educational background and employment history--if any--accompanied by some selected personal information about your skills and talents. Avoid unconventional layouts unless you are looking for a creative job (such as artist, designer or art director).

Résumé Do’s and Don’ts Be brief and to the point. Stick to facts and include only pertinent information. Don’t be cute or chatty. Keep the tone straightforward and businesslike. Avoid mentioning any negative information. Above all, don’t lie, Avoid explaining why you left a previous job. Having been let go early in your career won’t keep you from being hired by a new employer.

Don’t let a professional résumé service do anything other than type your résumé and print it. Writing your own résumé compels you to think about yourself and inventory your assets, thus preparing you to answer a broad range of interview questions.

RADIO

May Ann Esposito On the Level with Narog and Aris New Rochelle, NY -- Mary Ann Esposito, the author of Ciao Italia Five Ingredient Favorite: Quick and Delicious Recipes from an Italian Kitchen, creator and host of the long running PBS series Ciao Italia is Richard Narog’s and Hezi Aris’ guest on the On the Level radio show heard between 10 am and 11 am this Tuesday, April 26th. The show is heard live on WVOX-1460 AM on your radio dial and worldwide on www.WVOX.com. The opening segment will feature Yonkers Philharmonic Orchestra Maestro Richard Sadewhite.

For those who live and breathe radio, listen to Hezi Aris on Good Morning Westchester when he and the host, Bob Marrone, discuss all things Westchester at 7: 35 AM. Listeners and readers are invited to send a question to WHYTeditor@gmail.com for possible use prior to any shows’ airing and even during the course of an interview.

The Westchester Guardian

FEATURE Laws against discrimination forbid employers from requesting a photograph or asking questions about an applicant’s age, sex, race or religion. However, no law says you cannot freely attach a photograph or offer personal information in your résumé that might help you get the job.

Now Write Your Résumé Center your name and address and telephone number at the top of the page.

Personal data--birth date, height, weight, health and marital status (if applicable)-should appear first because that’s where it’s expected to be.

Your educational information should follow unless it’s an inadequate credential for the job sought. But if it’s the highlight of your career so far, put it ahead of any job experience. Mention the highest degree you attained and major fields of study. If you earned any honors, note them--but don’t elaborate. Include any skills that might be business-related, such as knowledge of a foreign language or shorthand, touch-typing or familiarity with computer software.

Your work experience should come next. A listing in reverse chronological order is the usual format and the best, since it puts the applicant’s lowest level of experience at the end. This information is the core of most résumés, and should be an important part of yours unless you’re at an entry level or have little experience for the job you’re seeking. For each job you’ve held, show your job title, the company name and--if you think it will be helpful—its function. Then state your duties. As you write, use active verbs like created, developed, established, improved and saved to produce a positive image of yourself.

Give yourself credit if credit is due.

Omit the names and addresses of references to keep them from being bothered unnecessarily, but add, “References furnished on request.” Be prepared to supply these in an interview, and be sure to tell each person whose name you give that you have listed them as a reference.

Start Your Job Search With your résumé prepared, start by developing leads to jobs and generating interviews. The main thrust will be a letter-writing campaign. At the same time, in parallel campaigns you also should answer newspaper want ads and register with employment agencies.

Your search can start on the Internet.

You will be looking for the names and addresses of the major firms in selected fields. A telephone call to the companies on your list will enable you to learn the name of the person in charge of recruitment—the one who knows which departments are hiring. (“Human Resources Department” has replaced the older term, “Personnel Department.”)

Next, send a letter addressed to this person enclosing a copy of your résumé.

A cover letter and résumé will almost always elicit a response. An impersonal mass-produced résumé mailed without a cover letter is more likely to signal to employers that yours is a mass mailing, causing it to wind up unread in a wastebasket. Besides, a cover letter will give you an opportunity to talk about yourself in greater detail.

Surveys show that most unsolicited letters written to top executives get read. Four out of five draw some kind of response. Although most of these responses may be polite refusals, some of your letters may bring you one step closer to your goal—an interview.

Want Ads Most desirable job openings are never advertised in newspapers or on the Internet. If you were to limit yourself to such ads, you’d be isolating yourself from three-quarters of the job market. Once an ad for a good job is published, however, the competition for it becomes intense.

Don’t ignore ads--just be aware of the odds. Check them not only in local daily and Sunday papers but also in papers in nearby areas. Trade journals, professional magazines and major metropolitan dailies such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal are good sources of want ads.

Respond to any ad that sounds interesting.

Employment Agencies and Recruiters Both perform the same service: seeking job openings from companies and referring likely candidates. Recruiters (so-called “head-hunters”) operate in the higher salary brackets, and are more likely to specialize in a particular occupation or industry. You’ll do better by concentrating on established employment agencies that are familiar with your field. Don’t hesitate to register with more than one.

Look for Part 2 next week with tips on how to handle job interviews.

Robert Scott, a retired book publisher, is a writer and editor.

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The Westchester Guardian

CommunitySection , APRIL 8, 2010 EYETHURSDAY ON THEATRE

And Then There Were Nuns

By John Simon

One of the differences between a play and a musical is that a play wants to be believed, whereas a musical is content to be enjoyed.

So even though the musical Sister Act is largely concerned with belief -- in God or man or a fusion of the two -- it is perfectly pleased to be sheerly enjoyable, which it mostly is.

Doris Carter, a black nightclub chanteuse who calls herself Deloris Van Cartier, stumbles onto her nightclub owner and gangster lover, Curtis, with a smoking gun over the stool pigeon gang member he has just offed. She escapes. To prevent her from becoming a key witness, he orders his three henchmen to retrieve her alive or dead. Eddie, a former schoolmate smitten with her, now an ineffectual policeman, finds her a safe hiding place in South Philadelphia, where the action is

laid. It is a church and convent she is to inhabit in nun’s habit for a month. A foulmouthed atheist, she wants none of it, and

Mission Statement

The Westchester Guardian is a weekly newspaper devoted to the unbiased reporting of events and developments that are newsworthy and significant to readers living in, and/or employed in, Westchester County. The Guardian will strive to report fairly, and objectively, reliable information without favor or compromise. Our first duty will be to the PEOPLE’S RIGHT TO KNOW, by the exposure of truth, without fear or hesitation, no matter where the pursuit may lead, in the finest tradition of FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. The Guardian will cover news and events relevant to residents and businesses all over Westchester County. As a weekly, rather than focusing on the immediacy of delivery more associated with daily journals, we will instead seek to provide the broader, more comprehensive, chronological step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened with analysis, where appropriate.

From amongst journalism’s classic key-words: who, what, when, where, why, and how, the why and how will drive our pursuit. We will use our more abundant time, and our resources, to get past the initial ‘spin’ and ‘damage control’ often characteristic of immediate news releases, to reach the very heart of the matter: the truth. We will take our readers to a point of understanding and insight which cannot be obtained elsewhere.

To succeed, we must recognize from the outset that bigger is not necessarily better. And, furthermore, we will acknowledge that we cannot be all things to all readers. We must carefully balance the presentation of relevant, hard-hitting, Westchester news and commentary, with features and columns useful in daily living and employment in, and around, the county. We must stay trim and flexible if we are to succeed.

neither does the wise and witty Mother Superior. But Deloris stays.

The body of the show consists of the clash of wills between these two women, and of Deloris taking in hand the wretched nuns’ choir and molding them, with jazzed up approach and funny transformation, into a first-class swinging gospel chorus. The gangsters, who eventually infiltrate the church disguised as nuns, are foiled; Doris, Mother Superior and the nuns form a happy friendship as they ready for a terrific performance for the pope’s visit.

Out of this rather improbable story (based on a movie), with music by Alan Menken, book by Glenn Slater, and lyrics

by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, comes a show whose first act is perfectly delightful, and whose second is a bit less effective. Menken is an eminent composer of stage musicals (e.g., Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast) as well as screen ones (e.g., The Little Mermaid, The Hunchback of Notre Dame), and the repeated winner of every conceivable award. The Sisters score has a lot of fun intertwining the sacred and the secular, and even in its weaker numbers is far superior to something like Frank Wildhorn’s current score for the appalling Wonderland--19 numbers in search of a tune.

The dialogue and lyrics are always competent and sometimes pleasingly impudent (an elderly sister: “I’m a nun.

My life’s been like the Stations of the Cross, but without the laughs.”) Or Deloris to the nuns (not dated at the time of the movie): “Let your funky behavior/ Show that you and the Savior/ Got each other like Sonny and Cher.”) And if the ending is too good to be true, that’s how it usually is in musicals.

Jerry Zaks has directed with his customary savvy, the choreography by Anthony Van Laast is agreeable enough, and allows the amusingly extravagant, constantly changing nuns’ costumes (by Liz Brotherston) to swoosh and swirl ravishingly. Klara Zieglerova’s scenery is good with both high Gothic and low Phillie, with Natasha Katz’s lighting as always masterly.

Patina Miller, from the successful British cast, is an expert Deloris, as adept with the early sass as with the

later reverence. As the Mother Superior, Victoria Clark delectably traverses the path from ironic disapproval to conversion to Deloris’s contribution, to the extent of embracing even showbiz lingo (aka Yiddish) with supreme artistry.

Both women sing superbly. Fred Applegate is enormously appealing as a jolly Monsignor, and Marla Mindella’s self-effacing novice grows into winning womanhood, The numerous others are no less on target. Sister Act is subtitled “A Divine Musical Comedy,” no competition for Dante’s musicless one, but for such very human exaggeration forgiveness may indeed be divine.

A nun is at the center of High by Matthew Lombardo, about goings-on at a live-in rehab, under the supervision of a somewhat slippery priest, Father Delpapp. Sister Jameson “Jamie” Connelly is commandeered into taking on an especially difficult case, Cody Randall, homosexual, drug addict, and male whore, with the death from overdosing of a 14-year-old bedfellow additional guilt.

The play is a battle of wills among the three of them, she being a former addict herself and foulmouthed to boot as well as tough as nails; Cody either totally uncooperative or aggressive to the degree of stripping naked and trying to rape the nun. Her tough love eventually prevails, even as she has to fight the priest as well.

Continued on page 5

The Westchester Guardian

EYE ON THEATRE

And Then There Were Nuns Continued from page 4 Periodically, we get Jamie’s sentimental, would-be poignant soliloquies about her troubled past.

The plot is far-fetched, deficient in both logic and theology, but not without melodramatic and comedic elements of mild interest. Under Rob Ruddiero’s direction, Stephen Kunken is good as Father Delpapp, and Evan Jonigkeit rousing as Cody. But, of course, the drawing card is Kathleen Turner.

Ants-suited, heavy-set, butch to the point of brutality, she barks out most of her dialogue in her dark abrasive voice, but manages to be softer in the soliloquies. Her act is the theatrical equivalent of a fifteen-round heavyweight-boxing bout.

The best thing about High (meant to refer both to drugs and to Jamie’s longing to be high above the fray in the stars) is David Gallo’s scenery. For the soliloquies, Gallo uses nothing but an

infinite-seeming starry sky; for the rehab and a scene in a street gutter, he achieves marvels with strikingly minimal white sets against a black background.

By the time you read this, High will have deservedly closed.

John Simon has written for over 50 years on theatre, film, literature, music and fine arts for the Hudson Review, New Leader, New Criterion, National Review, New York Magazine, Opera News, Weekly Standard, Broadway.com and Bloomberg News. He reviews books for the New York Times Book Review and Washington Post.

He has written profiles for Vogue, Town and Country, Departures and Connoisseur and produced 17 books of collected writings. Mr. Simon holds a PhD from Harvard University in Comparative Literature and has taught at MIT, Harvard University, Bard College and Marymount Manhattan College. To learn more, visit the JohnSimonUncensored.com website.

SHIFTING GEARS

A Taste of Green Sports: The Hybrid Honda CR-Z

A car doesn’t have to be ugly to be fuel efficient. Nor does a car have to sacrifice pizzazz to save the planet.

By Roger Witherspoon Starting with those dictates, the challenge to the guys with the crayons at Honda was to come up with a low end, compact sports car, which had hybrid technology and better gas mileage than the little, Plain Jane, Honda Fit or its stalwart workhorse, the Honda Civic. So the designers threw out the old templates, melted their crayons drawing something that oozed a sense of hot and, since they couldn’t think of a clever name for it, settled on the CR-Z. Outside, the CR-Z is a stunning little sports car with a tapered front and aggressive little grill, sliding to a flared rear end.

From its profile, the CR-Z resembles a jet engine waiting to be ignited. It is the kind of car that easily passes the whiplash test – it fairly screams for a second glance.

And there is nothing about it that says, well, Honda.

That part’s the good news. The rest of the car needs some work.

Under that sloping hood is a two-part power system: the gasoline engine, and the electric motor. The primary power comes from a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder gas engine producing just 122 horsepower, followed by an electric motor feeding off a 100-volt, nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The combination is mated to a sixspeed manual transmission that, in typical Honda fashion, is quick and responsive.

The car is not as fast as it looks, however, and the handling is, well, ordinary.

This is not, however, a full hybrid in that you can’t drive on just the electric motor. Rather, the motor serves as

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

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The Westchester Guardian

SHIFTING GEARS

A Taste of Green Sports: The Hybrid Honda CR-Z

an augmenting system for the gasoline engine, shutting it off when you are idling or stopped. That boosts fuel efficiency to an EPA estimated 37 mpg. That is still good fuel mileage, and places the CR-Z fifth among all cars behind the 50-mile per gallon Toyota Prius, 42 MPG Honda Civic Hybrid, 41 MPG Honda Insight, and the 39 MPG Ford Fusion.

The power system in the CR-Z differs from other hybrids in another manner: it is not automatically activated when you turn the car on. While the electric motor does shut the gasoline engine off when you are in gear, if you turn on the car to warm it up, the gasoline engine just keeps chugging away. The car is also noisy at higher speeds, something that comes as a surprise given its svelte shape and the fact that Honda’s are generally quiet cars.

Unlike the Honda Civic which has four seats – even though the ones in the rear have very little leg room – the CR-Z

is not designed for rear passengers. There is no second row of seats, just two bins on a shelf, or you can lay the trunk lid down and extend the rear cargo area. There are usable storage areas for cell phones and other items, including a small pop up bin on top of the dash.

The test car had a navigating system and a 6.5-inch screen and voice recognition. Surprisingly, however, the CR-Z only offered AM/FM radio and a singledisc, CD player but no satellite radio system or capability. Lack of satellite radio is surprising for a $23,000 car, but the navigation system is a good one. And the backup camera is crystal clear. The sound, from a 360-watt system with seven speakers, was more than enough to envelope the small passenger compartment.

The car does have Bluetooth for easy cell phone pairing, and the layout of the dash was eye catching, with back-lit blue dials surrounded by a pulsing red line

which let you know how fuel efficient you were. You can make up for the absence of satellite radio by bringing along your iPod, MP3 player or USB drive and plugging into the car’s sound system.

If there is a major problem it is that the sight lines are atrocious.

The rear side windows are small triangles, which means you can’t really see traffic out of them and you have to depend on the small side mirrors to see if any cars are approaching. That makes changing lanes something of a rolling guess. The rear roof tapers and then is cut off in a four-inch square back. That little window slit is not enough to see what is behind the car, particularly at night.

There are always tradeoffs when you have a roadster. But Honda needs to rethink that one. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution initially had a wide spoiler across the center of its back window which pretty much blocked out everything except oncoming Mack Trucks. They dropped that spoiler in the 2011 edition of the Evolution because it blocked too much of the rear view. Instead, they mounted a spoiler at the end of the trunk, where it is functional, attractive, and not a road hazard. The hatchback design of the CR-Z doesn’t lend itself to that solution, but the current system leaves a lot to be desired and is not up to Honda’s usual thoughtful standards or the promise of

Top Tips for Maintaining Your Motorcycle or ATV More than 15 million all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles have been sold in the U.S. over the past 10 years. Along with the thrill of the ride, or the convenience of chores made easy, comes the responsibility of maintaining these machines.

Typically, most guys and gals with a garage – or at least the garage mentality – know that regular vehicle maintenance comes with the territory, much like owning a car. But knowing what to do, and actually doing it correctly, can

lead to two totally different results. The owner’s manuals that come with the vehicle contain a lot of good information including a full maintenance schedule, but here are a few items you don’t want to miss:

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2011 Honda CR-Z

MSRP: $23,310 EPA Mileage: 31 MPG City: 37 MPG Highway As Tested Mileage: 34 MPG Mixed Performance / Safety: 1.5-Liter, SOHC, 4-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 128 pound/feet of torque; 100.8 volt electric motor; 6-speed manual transmission; power assisted Rack & Pinion steering; anti-lock brakes; vehicle stability assist; daytime running lights; 16-inch alloy wheels; fog lights; high density headlights; dual stage front and side airbags; side curtain airbags.

Interior / Comfort: AM/FM radio; 360-watt, 7-speaker sound system; CD and MP3 player; iPod and USB port; tilt & telescope steering wheel with fingertip audio and cruise controls; navigation system with voice activation; Bluetooth. such a good looking car.

But nearly all new iterations of a car have design pains. And if one is in the market for an attractive, fuel efficient roadster, the CR-Z isn’t a bad place to start.

Roger Witherspoon writes Shifting Gears at www.RogerWitherspoon.com

Changing the oil and checking fluid levels – As with any motorized vehicle, regular oil changes are a must. Be sure to follow your vehicle’s oil change schedule and, if the vehicle’s been sitting all winter, check all fluids.

Check tire pressure – Check the tire pressure on all tires and follow manufacturer recommendations for air pressure levels.

The Westchester Guardian

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AUTOMOTIVE

Top Tips for Maintaining Your Motorcycle or ATV Inspect or replace the spark plugs – This is a good time to replace your spark plugs, as it is a surefire way to help get your machine started more easily after its winter hibernation. Inspecting the old one is also a good way to give you an indication as to how your engine was running.

Check battery connections – After sitting idle all winter, you’ll want to check the battery connections for possible corrosion and ensure they are solid.

Changing, cleaning and oiling the air filter – This is probably the most overlooked aspect of regular maintenance. Putting oil on an air filter may seem counterintuitive, but it is an essential step when replacing the air filter on many motorsports vehicles. Air filter

maintenance is important in everything from a small off-road motorcycle to larger ATVs like the Yamaha Grizzly 700. Let’s take a closer look at this important step.

“Anyone that has spent a day on dusty trails and then taken a look at their air filter can attest that the foamy exterior is likely covered in dirt and debris,” says Travis Hollins, Yamaha’s ATV product planning manager. “You need that moist, sticky filter oil to catch the dirt and other particles that otherwise can foul up the engine and cause long term damage.”

The reason many miss this detail is due to the fact that most air filters are not sold with the oil already applied. So, anyone cleaning or replacing an air filter will need to add the oil. It is a simple three

Some ATVs, like this Yamaha Grizzly, need sticky oil applied to their air filter.

step process: Step 1: Remove the air filter; Step 2: Clean the filter with a specially

recommended cleaner and rinse with water. Step 3: Allow the newly cleaned filter to dry, and then re-apply your filter oil. Your local dealer can provide more advice and recommendations, or you can look up more information on your manufacturer’s Web site. Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A., as an example offers a step-bystep instructional video online at: https://www.yamaha-motor. com/outdoor/service/viewservicetip. aspx?ls=outdoor&tid=10 For many gear heads, tinkering with the engine and doing regular maintenance provides just as much satisfaction as a long trail ride or day at the track. A little time investment in the garage can payoff in hours of good riding.

BOOKS

Yonkers Native Mary Ann Bernal Launches Second Installment of “The Briton and the Dane” OMAHA, NE -Historical Fiction author, Mary Ann Bernal’s greatly anticipated sequel to “The Briton and the Dane” is now available in both print and electronic format, in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. “The Briton and the Dane: Birthright” is the second book in the historical fiction trilogy, and was published in association with The Literary Underground.

“The Briton and the Dane: Birthright” is an action-packed adventure, sprinkled with a dash of romance, where deception, treachery and betrayal impacts not only the reign of Alfred the Great but also the lives of Lord Richard and his family, in the ongoing struggle to keep the AngloSaxon Kingdom of Wessex free from Viking rule.

As Bernal said in a recent interview,”Alfred the Great reigned during the late ‘Dark Ages’ where historical documentation was disrupted by the Viking onslaught. However King Alfred was inspired by the great Charlemagne and founded a seat of learning at his court in Winchester. He founded schools and universities, promoted the translation of

religious and ancient texts into English, and made the books readily available to the common people. King Alfred was a benevolent ruler who left a legacy that future Kings of England tried to imitate, and is the only King in British history to be called ‘Great.’”

Bernal became interested in the genre and fell in love with medieval England after having read Sir Walter Scott’s “Ivanhoe.”

Then along came the great Hollywood epics such as “Knights of the Round Table,” “Prince Valiant,” “The Black Shield of Falworth,” and “The Vikings,” to name a few; add to the mix “Camelot” and an incurable romantic Anglophile was born.

Raised in Yonkers, New York, Bernal moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 2004 to be near her son and his family. She has traveled to the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Italy, both for pleasure and research. Her third novel, “The Briton and the Dane: Legacy” is due for release in 2012.

“The Briton and the Dane: Birthright” can be found on-line at Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and can be ordered through any independent bookseller. Links can be found through

The Literary Underground at http:// www.litunderground.com.

For more information on Bernal and “The Briton and the Dane” series, visit http:// www.maryannbernal.com.

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BOOKS

The Retired (Try To) Strike Back, Chapter 2

By Allan Luks The four retired friends agree to apply to their life insurance company’s grant program to make an educational film that will encourage the great number of retirees living alone –fourteen million widows, widowers and those who are separated – to date again and establish new relationships. Connecting with someone can end the loneliness that brings on stress and harms health and shows that the retired are still vital. And also shows that the retired – at least these four friends – can still be leaders for society.

They choose to meet this afternoon at a diner in Queens to discuss their project, because they believed that, this week, retired customers receive a fifty percent discount. Except Myron, who told them about the discount, didn’t hear the radio ad say it was only for evening dinners.

They unsuccessfully protest to the waitress that the ad wasn’t clear, their Danish and coffee should be covered, with Myron first removing his hearing aid so the waitress can’t accuse him of faulty hearing. The victorious waitress leaves – and they’re annoyed.

Bob, whom the others need to direct the film, again criticizes the film idea, even though the proposal has been submitted.

“The most we can get is $30,000. That’s far too little. I know how much is needed from when I shot commercials. I keep saying, we’ll end up with a film that everyone expects from the retired: plain and dull.”

“When I taught high school science,” argues Kenny, “I consulted on educational films, which were low budget and came out interesting.”

“Kenny, we’re not talking about a film on how to mix chemicals, but how to mix people, including the when, where and how of sleeping with each other,” Bob replies.

Bob’s face shifts into what the others call his angry smile: “Although Kenny, if we do the film, are you thinking we’ll use actors and select you as the one who’ll show how to correctly meet and romance a woman who’s in her sixties or seventies?

And then Hollywood will finally notice you?”

Kenny, for over forty years, has acted in amateur productions. He has a handsome, large face with still thick hair that’s

only partly gray; but as he’s gotten older, his body has lost weight, making him appear unbalanced.

Kenny stays silent, while Bob and his smile continue: “Imagine a scene in the film of a retired man and woman, who’ve just met and are wondering what’ll happen in bed and whether they should reveal any physical problems they might have. This is sensitive, it has to be right. They’ve entered a bedroom. Kenny, you’re our male actor for this scene. You’re undressing, just partially, but our viewers – if anyone ever watches the film – see your sagging stomach and rear. That’s an attractive scene? Viewers will look away.”

“Most retired men don’t have everything still in proportion,” replies Steven, whom the others have nicknamed The Social Work Defender. “Bob, you’ve complained so often about the phoniness of the commercials you used to shoot.

Being retired now, no job pressures, we’re free to make the most truthful move. Our aging bodies are the truth, right?”

“Bob, keep an open mind,” argues Myron. “I’ve started collecting information about the retired who live alone, so we can use real data to shape the film. For example: Most retired closely watch their dollars. Yet how freely should they spend money when they first meet someone to prove this worry hasn’t gotten them down? Our film can offer suggestions.

“I also found reports saying the retired can be sexually active into their eighties.

But what if they meet someone and one or the other is physically unable to do it?

When do they admit this? They need advice. Bob, we can help a lot of people change with this film.”

“The film really is an opportunity to show that so many of the retired can feel vital again,” adds Steven.

Bob laughs, “Hey, my doctor told me not to read long books, I should switch to short stories. That’s his joke for older patients. Should I now tell him I may make a film, if we get the grant, and it represents a rare opportunity to prove we don’t belong on the sidelines? Except I have no idea how long the movie will take to make? Will he and I both laugh?”

Allan Luks is a nationally recognized social works leader and advocate for volunteerism.

He is the former head of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City and is currently a visiting professor at Fordham University, where he teaches several courses in nonprofit leadership. He is also a nationally recognized author, most notably for The Healing Powers of Doing Good, a landmark book on the important health benefits of volunteering.

You can learn more about Allan at http:// allanluks.com.

BUSINESS

NYSERDA Announces Initiative to Reduce Energy Use and Costs by Commercial and Multifamily Building Owners NEW YORK, NY -- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today launched a pilot to help the commercial building sector and multifamily buildings reduce their energy use, save on operating costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the FlexTech Benchmarking Pilot, eligible customers will receive energy benchmarking and onsite energy assessments that will provide recommendations on low-cost building system upgrades.

“As energy prices continue to rise,

benchmarking a building’s energy consumption is an important tool for building owners to help control costs and protect our environment,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “We encourage building owners to participate in this pilot.”

Benchmarking can be a gateway to engaging in energy efficiency and can enable building owners, property managers and facility operators to better understand and manage energy consumption. It will also help applicable New York City facilities comply with Local Law 84, a component of the Greener, Greater Buildings Plan that requires building owners to benchmark energy consumption.

The pilot augments traditional

NYSERDA FlexTech incentives by providing commercial, industrial and institutional applicants up to $7,000 in benchmarking services per site with no cost-share. For larger projects, the costs above $7,000 will be shared

by NYSERDA and the applicant.

Multifamily applicants may receive up to $3,000 in benchmarking services per site with no cost-share.

Commercial, industrial and institutional facilities equal to or greater than 50,000 square-feet that pay into the electric System Benefits Charge are eligible to participate in the pilot program. For more information visit, http://www.nyserda. org/programs/flextech.asp.

Multifamily buildings that pay into the electric System Benefits Charge

are also eligible to participate in the benchmarking pilot. Visit NYSERDA’s Multifamily webpage, http://www.getenergysmart.org/MultiFamilyHomes/ Default.aspxf, for more information.

NYSERDA offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and funding to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

NYSERDA professionals work to protect our environment and create clean-energy jobs. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been developing partnerships to advance innovative energy solutions in New York since 1975.

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Page 9

COMMUNITY

Easter—A Time of Hope for a New Rochelle Church

By Peggy Godfrey

The celebration of Easter may give hope to all who felt the devastation of the historic Union Baptist Church on Main Street in New Rochelle situated next to Monroe College. The fire that took place February, which started in the church’s bell tower, quickly spread throughout the whole building. After the fire subsided, shaky walls, which were dangerous, had to be demolished. Since that day, their faithful congregation has continued to support the restoration of this historic church. The Shoprite supermarket has even offered to help this congregation restore their l00 year old historic church.

The Union Baptist congregation’s roots go back to l915 when the first Baptismal Service for Blacks was held in New Rochelle. The name Union Baptist was made official shortly thereafter. Their original church was located at Webster and Union Avenues. But in l972 they purchased the present building on Main Street and Locust Avenue from the Salem Baptist Church because their white congregation had declined in numbers. At that time the county historian had called the church, “special architecturally.’

In l993 it was cited for being architecturally and culturally important by Westchester County and listed in its inventory of historical places. The designer of the Church, Arthur Bates Jennings, had created a Neo-Romanesque style for the building. It was recognized as having one of he oldest Black congregations in Westchester. Only a few churches are left from this turn of the century design which featured a “unique open-door design.” ( J. Dozler, Standard Star, 10/1/94). The New York Landmarks Conservancy at that time had also given the Church money to help restore its windows.

On a fence in front of the church’s remains is a banner that says, “This is

not how the story ends. ‘We will rebuild.’

Psalm 11:3.”

The Rev. Reginald L.Hudson, Pastor of Union Baptist Church, said he was very appreciative of all the support received throughout the entire community including Shoprite, Interreligious Council, the New Rochelle BID, all the business community and the residents who showed tremendous love and support. “This is the greatest time of the year for the church and it is great to see this outpouring of love.”

He added he is making plans to clean up the site by working in stages before continuing to the next step and then to rebuild the church.

Deacon Robert Gontcharuk of the Holy Name of Jesus Church in New Rochelle reminds us all that the greatest of all the mysteries of the Christian faith is Jesus’ triumph over death itself. ‘At Easter time,” he said, “We are able to face our fears, worries, and life’s struggles with a tremendous sense of hope, confidence and trust. This Easter we stand together as a family of faith in the hope and trust that the struggles to rebuilt this church will be overcome with Jesus’ love.”

Peggy Godfrey is a freelance writer, and a former educator.

Nurse of the Year 2011

The Kiwanis Club of East Yonkers will host its second annual Nurse Appreciation Awards Dinner on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 7:00 PM, at the Riverview Caterers (Warburton Avenue in Hastings-on-Hudson).

The event kicks off National Nurses week May 6-May 12 and will recognize Yonkers resident Linda Bohan RNC, MS with the first distinguished Service Award for over thirty years of exceptional work in the field of maternity and community nursing and health education.

The award ceremony and dinner will also recognize Conception Fernandez, RN, from Regency Extended Care, Awilda Colon, LPN, Saint Joseph Medical Center Nursing Home, Nasmoon Sutherland, RN-C from Saint Joseph’s Medical Center and Lissy Mullakary, RN from St Johns Riverside Health Care.

Members of the general public who wish to attend must contact the event chair, Annette Volino, at 914-776-6767 in order to reserve a seat.

Eastchester

Gracious home in mint condition in California Ridge area. Features include Lg Formal LR and DR, EIK with Granite and stainless steel. Great room w fireplace, and cathedral ceilings. Beautiful level property 2 stone patios + 2 car garage…..$1,239,000

Page 10

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

FASHION

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Dates and Ticket Information • Black Tie President’s Preview and Dinner – Thursday, April 21 • Opening Night Cocktails – Wednesday, April 27 • Decorator Show House opens to the public – Thursday, April 28 to Thursday, May 26 For ticket sales and information for all events related to the 39th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House, please call (718) 893-8600, ext. 245. More information is available on this website: http:// www.kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org/

By Barbara Barton Sloane NEW YORK, NY -The Kips Bay Decorator Show House – the most high-profile renovation project in the country – will be held in an Upper East Side mansion located at 163 East 63rd Street in Manhattan, from April 28-May 26, 2011.

The striking, neo-Federalist style home is the former residence of John Hay “Jock” Whitney, the charming diplomat and art connoisseur, and boasts unique historic details acquired during his travels abroad, including Versailles parquet flooring and a Norfolk pine library.

Sister Parish famously re-decorated the modern top floor of the home when given the directive from Betsy Cushing Roosevelt Whitney to create “a very special place for a very special husband.”

The Kips Bay Decorator Show House raises approximately $1 Million annually for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, a nonprofit organization that provides essential after-school and enrichment programs for more than 12,000 young people at 10 locations in The Bronx. The show house

receives as many as 20,000 visitors during its four-week run and has raised more than $17 Million since its inception in 1973.

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Beauty / Fashion Editor Barbara Barton Sloane keeps us informed on the capricious and engaging fashion scene. As Travel Editor, she is constantly globe-hopping to share her unique experiences with our readers; from the exotic to the sublime.

THE MERRY GARDENER

Housing That’s for the Birds - Bluebirds That Is!

By Marilyn Elie Now is a good time to think about adding a bird house to your back yard.

Get it up now while there is still time for it to be used this season. Different birds prefer different kinds of houses, so first decide what kind of bird you want to attract. You can’t go wrong if you start with bluebirds.

Bluebirds were in decline in our area the 80’s because they are cavity nesters and lost their habitat. They like to live in holes in trees trunks. Urbanization destroyed most of the old apple orchards in Westchester that had the gnarled trees with the cavities they loved. Invasive species such as the English sparrow and starling out competed bluebirds for the scarce spaces that remained. It was only when many people began putting up blue bird houses and laying out bluebird trails that the species made a comeback.

Download simple plans with directions for making a blue bird house along with tips for attracting blue birds from the web site of North American Bluebird Society , http://nabluebirdsociety.org. You will also find a stern note on the importance of monitoring for pesky English sparrows. English sparrows are classified as an exotic invasive species. They are bullies and will enter a nest site to peck holes in bluebird eggs or attack and kill nestlings.

It’s important to check your bird houses frequently to make sure sparrows have not moved in. For excellent advice on this and pictures of bluebirds and nests visit http:// www.sialis.org/nestseabl.htm.

It’s easy to tell the nests apart, even if you don’t see a sparrow enter the house.

Bluebird nests are loosely woven circles made from long dry grasses. The eggs are very pale blue, occasionally white. If you see a messy, elliptical mass of grass with bits of yarn and trash you have an English sparrow. The eggs are speckled brown and white. Since they are classified as pests the nest can be removed and discarded.

While I could throw away an empty nest, discarding a nest with eggs or young was highly problematic the first year. However, when you think about it, it is not unlike weeding your garden and pulling out loosestrife or onion garlic weed. Those invasive plants drive out native species and the wild life they support. English sparrows do the same with our native birds. Humans have favored one species over another since we first settled down on farms and left hunting and gathering behind, so screw up your courage and do not add to add to the English sparrow population.

Bluebirds like their nest facing an open lawn or meadow. However, it is much safer for the babies if there are bushes nearby so that they have a place to hide for a week

after they fledge.

Mount the nest four to five feet off the ground.

Bluebirds prefer this height and it makes it convenient for the human who will be checking the next box regularly. The female blue bird does the incubating and is quite docile. Checking once a week or so to make sure things are OK is not a problem.

Once the eggs have been laid, the birds are very attached to their nesting site and do not mind a weekly interruption. They will quickly return once you leave. Count the eggs, and later count the nestlings.

Squirrels, raccoons, snakes all enjoy eating birds eggs and baby blue birds. Incubation is in about 14 days.

The birds are born naked and it takes another two weeks for them to get their feathers and take their first halting maiden flight. Watch the calendar and stay away from the nest box when it is close to fledging time. You do not want to startle the babies from their nest prematurely.

Once they leave, they do not go back. That is why they need cover from predators, especially domestic cats that kill thousands of song birds each year. It takes about a week for the babies to become strong flyers.

In the meantime the parents are never far

Male Eastern Bluebird

away and will continue to feed the juveniles until they can make it on their own.

Bluebirds will frequently raise a second brood. When the fledglings have gone, take out the old nest, throw it away and clean out the box. This will get rid of any blow fly larvae. Blow flies are a fly like insect that lay their eggs in bird nests. When the larvae hatch, they come out at night and feed on the blood of the baby bluebirds.

They weaken or even kill the babies.

Predators, insects, lack of habitat, food shortages – it is not an easy life being a bird. Do your part to make it a little easier.

Include some bushes that bear berries and provide cover, put out a bird bath or add a water feature for thirsty, dusty birds. Then sit back and enjoy the wonders of bird song and the beauty they bring to your yard.

Your comments, questions, and photographs from your garden are always welcome. Address inquiries to themerrygardener@gmail.com.

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Page 11

religion

The Silent Extermination of Iraq’s ‘Christian Dogs’

By Raymond Ibrahim Republished with express permission of the author. First published on April 19, 2011 in FrontPageMagazine. com, http://www.meforum.org/2878/ iraq-christians-persecution.

Last week an Iraqi Muslim scholar issued a fatwa that, among other barbarities, asserts that “it is permissible to spill the blood of Iraqi Christians.” Inciting as the fatwa is, it is also redundant. While last October’s Baghdad church attack which killed some sixty Christians is widely known—actually receiving some MSM coverage—the fact is, Christian life in Iraq has been a living hell ever since U.S. forces ousted the late Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Among other atrocities, beheading and crucifying Christians are not irregular occurrences; messages saying “you Christian dogs, leave or die,” are typical.

Islamists see the church as an “obscene nest of pagans” and threaten to “exterminate Iraqi Christians.” John Eibner, CEO of Christian Solidarity International, summarized the situation well in a recent letter to President Obama: The threat of extermination is not empty. Since the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime, more than half the country’s Christian population has been forced by targeted violence to seek refuge abroad or to live away from their homes as internally displaced people. According to the Hammurabi Human Rights Organization, over 700 Christians, including bishops and priests, have been killed and 61 churches have been bombed. Seven years after the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Catholic Archbishop Louis Sako of Kirkuk reports: “He who is not a Muslim in Iraq is a second-class citizen.

Often it is necessary to convert or emigrate, otherwise one risks being killed.” This anti-Christian violence is sustained by a widespread culture of Muslim supremacism that extends far beyond those who pull the triggers and detonate the bombs.

The grand irony, of course, is that Christian persecution has increased exponentially under U.S. occupation. As one top Vatican official put it, Christians, “paradoxically, were more protected under the dictatorship” of Saddam Hussein.

What does one make of this—that

Iraqi man grieves at the funeral of his two brothers, slain for being

under Saddam, who was notorious for human rights abuses, Christians were better off than they are under a democratic government sponsored by humanitarian, some would say “Christian,” America?

Like a Baghdad caliph, Saddam appears to have made use of the better educated Christians, who posed no risk to his rule, such as his close confidant Tariq Aziz. Moreover, by keeping a tight lid on the Islamists of his nation—who hated him as a secular apostate no less than the Christians—the latter benefited indirectly.

Conversely, by empowering “the people,” the U.S. has unwittingly undone Iraq’s Christian minority. Naively projecting Western values on Muslims, U.S. leadership continues to think that “people-power” will naturally culminate into a liberal, egalitarian society—despite all the evidence otherwise. The fact is, in the Arab/Muslim world, “majority rule” traditionally means domination by the largest tribe or sect; increasingly, it means Islamist domination.

Either which way, the minorities— notably the indigenous Christians—are the first to suffer once the genie of “peoplepower” is uncorked. Indeed, evidence indicates that the U.S. backed “democratic” government of Iraq enables and incites the persecution of its Christians. (All of this raises the pivotal question: Do heavyhanded tyrants—Saddam, Mubarak, Qaddafi, et al—create brutal societies, or do naturally brutal societies create the need for heavy-handed tyrants to keep order?)

Another indicator that empowering Muslim masses equates Christian suffering is the fact that, though Iraqi Christians amount to a mere 5% of the population, they make up nearly 40% of the refugees fleeing Iraq. It is now the same in Egypt:

“A growing number of Egypt’s 8-10 million Coptic Christians are looking for a way to get out as Islamists increasingly take advantage of the nationalist revolution that toppled long-standing dictator Hosni Mubarak in February.”

The destruction of Iraqi churches At least Egypt’s probprotection to the al-Qaeda connected lems are homegrown, Libyan opposition, Iraq’s indigenous whereas the persecution of Iraq’s Christians Christians continue to be exterminated— is a direct byproduct of U.S. intervention. right under the U.S. military’s nose in More ironic has been Obama’s approach: Iraq. You see, in its ongoing bid to win the Justifying U.S. intervention in Libya much coveted but forever elusive “Muslimlargely in humanitarian terms, the presihearts-and-minds™”—which Obama has dent recently declared that, while “it is even tasked NASA with—U.S. leadership true that America cannot use our military has opted to ignore the inhumane treatwherever repression occurs… that cannot ment of Islam’s “Christian dogs,” the mere be an argument for never acting on behalf mention of which tends to upset Muslims. of what’s right.”

True, indeed. Yet, as Obama “acts on Raymond Ibrahim is associate director of the behalf of what’s right” by providing military Middle East Forum

Page 12

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

HEALTH

Assemblyman Katz Tours Innovative Health Facility YORKTOWN, NY -- As the Ranking Member of the Assembly Mental Health Committee, Assemblyman Steve Katz (R,I-Yorktown) is working to highlight the success of innovative mental health facilities such as Green Chimneys, a Brewster-based special education school and residential treatment center featuring organic farming and a wildlife education center.

“For 60 years, Green Chimneys has been a safe haven for children with special needs. Using innovative therapies and compassionate staff, this school has grown to become a leader in special education that schools and facilities across the state should be inspired by,” said the assemblyman.

Assemblyman Katz continued, “Although I am a newcomer in Albany, as the Ranking Member of the Mental Health Committee, I have met with many individuals, groups and organizations from all over New York State who share in Green Chimneys’ mission to help children with special consideration. There are many schools doing great work, like

Green Chimneys, but often in the paper we only hear about the problems in this field. I hope that by raising awareness of the good work done at Green Chimneys other institutions will be inspired to follow their positive example.”

Last month, following a New York Times report on the appalling conditions in state-run homes for individuals with developmental disabilities, Assemblyman Katz called on Governor Cuomo to take immediate action. He said, “Speaking as the voice for those who cope everyday with severe disabilities, we cannot allow these awful actions to go unpunished. It is clear the current system is indeed broken and turns its back on those it is supposed to serve and protect.”

While the assemblyman is working with the governor and his legislative colleagues to pass stricter laws to protect the disabled, he also wanted to highlight the good work being done in the field by touring Green Chimneys and meeting with other local groups such as Putnam ARC (PARC).

“Right here in our own community,

Holding a week-old baby calf, Assemblyman Steve Katz (right) stands with Green Chimneys Executive Director Joe Whalen (left) to discuss the importance of innovative therapy for children.

like Green Chimneys. These programs should be the model for both privatelyrun and state institutions as we try to improve and reform mental health care in the state,” said the assemblyman.

Green Chimneys was founded in 1947 by Sam and Myra Ross and has since grown from serving a dozen youth to serving thousands annually through a variety of animal and nature-based programs and therapies. In addition to serving children with special needs, Green Chimneys also works with runaway, homeless and foster care youth, offers summer camp, nursery, pre-school and after-school programs for local children, and holds family-friendly community events throughout the year. Additionally, Green Chimneys partners with local schools to offer field trips through their more than 300 acres, wildlife rehabilitation center, organic children’s farm, and multi-acre sustainable farm. To learn more about Green Chimneys visit their website at www.greenchimneys.org.

we have wonderful people doing so much to improve the lives of those with development and physical disabilities. We need to talk about this good work and the positive life-changing impact of institutions

New York State Assemblyman Dr. Steve Katz represents the 99th District serving the communities of Pawling, Paterson, Carmel, Southeast, North Salem, Somers, and Yorktown.

or cultural remedies, such as kohl eye makeup.

More information on lead poisoning prevention can be found on the Health Department’s website, www.westchestergov.com. Residents in some neighborhoods in Yonkers, Mount

Vernon, New Rochelle and White Plains may be eligible for free home lead safety inspections. For more information, call the Healthy Neighborhoods Program at 914-231-2533 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health

County Health Department on Dr. Oz Show Second-hand Shopping Hazards You Don’t Want to Bring Home NEW YORK, NY -- Reduce, reuse, recycle are watchwords for today’s thrifty shoppers, but there are some hazards to watch out for when you buy secondhand goods. On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, Assistant Commissioner Peter DeLucia will appear on “The Dr. Oz Show” to advise consumers what to avoid when they buy used pottery, pillows and small kitchen appliances. The segment is set to air at3:00 p.m., on Fox 5. It is the second time the County Health Department has been invited to appear on the program.

“I was thrilled to join Dr. Oz and have this opportunity to showcase the work of the Westchester County Health Department,’’ DeLucia said.

In this segment, DeLucia provided useful strategies for reducing the likelihood of bringing hazards into your home: • When purchasing gently-used linens and decorative pillows, wash and dry them at high heat before bringing them

into your home to avoid bringing little hitchhikers such as bedbugs along for the ride.

• Don’t buy used small kitchen appliances as those that had been kept in warm moist places, such as kitchens or bathrooms, are more likely to house roaches.

• Colorful glazed pottery – the kind you might bring home as a souvenir from a trip abroad – is likely to contain lead.

While consumers don’t have access to the specialized equipment that the health department uses to test for lead, you can buy inexpensive test kits at a hardware store. Better still, don’t risk putting food inside the pottery and instead use the pottery as a planter or for display only.

Lead poisoning continues to occur, especially among young children. The most common culprits are lead paint from old housing, but lead poisoning has also occurred from lead paint in pottery

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Page 13

COMMUNITY

The Holocaust Remembrance Program “Let’s Make this Personal” YONKERS, NY - The Holocaust Remembrance Program will be presented May 2, 2011 – May 6, 2011 from 10am12pm and 12pm-2pm at Lincoln Park Jewish Center, 311 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY. As the Passover/Easter season approaches the JCY-Westchester Community Partners are reminded of why story telling customs endure. Every culture and religion has an oral tradition of passing stories from one generation to the next. For example, at the start of every Seder (the ritual meal that celebrates the beginning of Passover) the leader will read this sentence from the prayer book (Haggadah): “Anyone who expands upon

the story of the exodus from Egypt is praiseworthy.”

The Holocaust Remembrance Program brings history alive and becomes relevant to each individual. It makes it personal and encourages students to be “upstanders,” instead of bystanders.

To some, the fact that sixty years have passed makes the Holocaust seem like ancient history which doesn’t relate to today’s world. And yet, revealed over and over are the tragedies – genocides that intolerance and hatred have caused.

Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur. The world can no longer say “we didn’t know.”

Each year The Holocaust Remembrance program brings actual

Holocaust survivors to Lincoln Park Jewish Center to speak directly to students from Yonkers. Many of these students know very little about those horrific times.

Sometimes they’ve only heard from those who deny the Holocaust ever happened.

The Holocaust Remembrance Program speakers tell their own stories, simply and from the heart. A Q &A follows each presentation. Often the questions we hear, such as “did you ever see your mother again?,” “why didn’t you run away?,” “did you return to your village and speak to

your neighbors?,” and “did you ever wear a Jewish star again?,” reveal that yes, these students both empathize and sympathize with the speakers. Striving to make the phrase “NEVER AGAIN!” this way has become a reality.

It is important to remember that this is the last generation of children who will ever hear personal, true stories of the Holocaust from a survivor. Learn more by contacting Randee Ginsberg at 914-4235009, or by directing email to rginsberg@ jcy-wcp.com.

The Holocaust Remembrance Program is coordinated by JCY-Westchester Community Partners in partnership with the Yonkers Public Schools, Lincoln Park Jewish Center, and The Holocaust and the Human Rights Education Center Speakers Bureau.

LIFE

How the Ostrich Really Felt

By Alisa Singer

Last month a touching story was reported in The Chicago Tribune about Kristine Casey, the 61 year old woman who acted as a surrogate for her daughter and son-in-law, successfully delivering her own grandson, Finnean. Kristine is probably the oldest woman in the State of Illinois to give birth which, even without the surrogacy, is obviously quite remarkable. But to give birth as a surrogate, and then to your own grandson, is truly astounding. The background to this miracle of modern science is the daughter’s sad history, having tragically experienced the loss of stillborn twins and a miscarriage. By the time Kristine made her incredible proposal the family was clearly due for a real blessing, however bizarre.

Maybe the only acceptable emotion to feel as one reads this amazing story is profound satisfaction for the fairy tale outcome. But having gotten past the warm, fuzzies (and I really am happy for them all) a host of other less PC feelings crowded onto the scene. I’m wondering if you can relate as I tick them off, more-orless in order of occurrence: 1. Admiration – Undergoing pregnancy and delivery at the age of 61 is quite a courageous undertaking, not

even counting all of the painful fertility procedures that led up to the pregnancy.

(I’m afraid to get a flu shot.)

2. Mild revulsion– To tell the truth, this was my first reaction. You have to agree it’s a little cringe-worthy – a bit Harold and Maudish. Somewhere Mother Nature is shaking her head.

3. Delight– The idea that a carefully concocted cocktail of hormones can cause a senior citizen’s uterus to cavort like a teenager’s is quite entertaining. I wonder how the hormones affected the rest of her – did she develop pimples and the urge to sneak out of the house at midnight? An unexpected craving to watch a Justin Bieber video?

4. Curious – So many questions: How will little Finnean handle Mother’s Day? Does Hallmark make a card: “To the best grandmother mother ever.” (How about to the only one, ever.) And what about the family tree project in third grade? And then there’s the question of Kristine’s husband – is he Finnean’s grandfather or his stepfather?

5. Defeated – Casey has now set the bar for meaningful second acts laughably

over all of our heads. Think you’re going to get any kudos for volunteering at the local hospital or library after retirement? Huh! And offer to babysit your grandchildren for a

weekend? Until now that may have seemed mildly heroic, but after this, any stint shorter than nine months will barely earn you a “thanks mom”.

Continued on page 14

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THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

The Westchester Guardian

How the Ostrich Really Felt Continued from page 13 6. Concerned -- Talk about helicopter parenting. This is a far cry from helping with the homework. And though Kristine’s family’s circumstances were uniquely compelling, there’s no telling where this may lead. Our kids may develop a whole new claim of entitlement: “Come on mom, just this once.

You know how I feel about stretch marks.”

7. Resentful – Remember how you felt toward the kid that set the curve in high school? Kristine, you annoying overachiever. Was this really necessary?

8. Guilty – Here I am with an unoccupied womb and not even a vacancy sign hanging around my waist. What a slacker.

So what prompted this extraordinary act of selflessness? According to the article, after her retirement in 2007, Casey was seeking something more meaningful than the traditional activities of a woman of leisure – long walks, meditation, socializing, etc.. She found her answer after attending a class which included an exercise in creating life goals. That particular

exercise somehow involved a collage featuring the image of an ostrich which, according to the article, wore “…an expression of wonder and joy”. Casey, made up her mind that she, too, would experience the feeling that ostrich felt, and so, quite naturally, she decided to give birth to her grandson.

So what had the ostrich actually done to produce the ecstatic expression that Casey found so inspiring? The article doesn’t provide more details so I painted my own mental picture: I visualized a large, post-menopausal bird with skinny legs looking down at an enormous egg lying between her feet. “Whoa! How did that happen? Well that will teach me to

keep my head in the sand too long!” And I think Casey got it wrong – it wasn’t wonder and joy the old bird was feeling. More like stunned bewilderment.

Which leads me to my final emotion – relief. My son recently brought over to the house the adorable puppy he had bought for his longtime girlfriend. I watched the new parents with amusement as they fussed over his toilet training and argued about approaches to discipline. (My son favored a firmer approach; his girlfriend, having raised the pup’s older brother, was more forgiving). And when I offered to babysit the little tyke for an afternoon I was quite relieved by their response: Rather than finding my offer to be paltry, they actually seemed both grateful and pleased.

Well I suppose that’s the advantage of

having a puppy for your grandson - you’re not expected to give Illustration created by and courtesy of Alisa Singer.

Alisa Singer’s humorous essays have appeared in a variety of print and online newspapers and magazines across the country and in Canada. She is the author of various gift books designed to entertain and amuse baby boomers. Her newest book, “When a Girl Goes From Bobby Sox to Compression Stockings…She Gets a Little Cranky,” is available at www.Lulu. com. You can learn more about her work by visiting her website: www.AlisaSinger. com or contacting her at ASingerAuthor@ gmail.com.”

News & Notes from Northern Westchester

By Mark Jeffers Welcome to another edition of “News & Notes from Northern Westchester,” where we take a look at the happenings up here in the northern part of the county….

I hope everyone had a great Easter and Happy Passover. I’m still eating chocolate eggs and have just tackled this giant white chocolate bunny; my diet must start next week…

Three cheers for the Fox Lane Sports Boosters Club, the brand new scoreboard is up and running on the turf field at the Fox Lane campus, it looks great!

My favorite sports radio show returned to the airwaves on April 27th as“The Clubhouse” gang will once again be broadcasting live from Grand Prix New York in Mount Kisco from 7 to 8 pm every other Wednesday night on WFAS AM1230. Please join host Brian Crowell, a PGA pro, and co-host Mark Jeffers (oh, that’s me…) for good food, good fun and great local sports action! “The Clubhouse” is an informative, interactive bi-weekly radio talk show that features local golf pros and touring sports celebrities. It also covers golf trends, local and national sports action and will take on all aspects in sports. A fun Interactive show with contests during each broadcast. Okay, enough self promotion, I hope you get a

chance to listen; it really is a lot of fun….

Now here’s an event you won’t want to miss…“Notes for Japan…

Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert” being held on May 1 at Purchase College’s Performing Arts Center.

Bicycle Sundays are back…the course runs on the Bronx River Parkway from the County Center to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers, starting on Sunday May 1.

Here’s a fishy story…friends of our’s had a blast as they took part in the Mount Kisco Recreation Department’s annual fishing derby. The fish my friend caught keeps growing every time he tells the story…

Former Northern Westchester resident, Grammy Award winner and rocker Peter Frampton will headline the Paramount Center for the Arts’ Red Carpet Night Gala on June 18, for tickets call 739-2333.

This fundraiser is for the dogs, literally, a walkathon and pet fair benefiting homeless animals will be held April 30th at FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights, for more information call 941-2896, ext. 22.

In a battle of sectional champions, the girls lacrosse team from Fox Lane held on to defeat Lakeland/Panas 10 to 9. On the boys side, John Jay’s Mike Lupinacci scored four goals and had three assists to lead John Jay over

Arlington 17 to 11.

While you’re doing your spring cleaning and run across a book you are finished with, why not donate it to the Friend Book Donation Day on Saturday, April 30th at the Bedford Free Library.

And speaking of cleanup, it’s Katonah Cleanup Day on April 30th from 10am to 2pm presented by Katonah Memorial Park Association and Katonah Village Improvement Society, call 232-8017 for more information.

Happy birthday to my darling wife and happy Earth Day to all of you, you see they both fall on April 22nd each year…

Congratulations to Bedford’s Mike Giordano as he was named the MAAC pitcher of the week.

And as we all know, many school district budgets will come up to vote this May, my only advice is that you use your right…and vote.

Mark Jeffers successfully launched MAR$AR Sports & Entertainment LLC in 2008. He is also the local host and producer of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, a columnist for Sport & Technology, a member of the National Sports Marketing Network, National Writers Union, Sports Video Group and the co-host of the bi-weekly sports radio program, “The Clubhouse.”

The Westchester Guardian

MOVIES

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Ed Koch Movie Reviews

By Edward I. Koch

Movie Review: “In a Better World” (+)

The Daily News movie reviewer, J.N., gave this film four stars while A.O. Scott of The New York Times trashed it. I loved it.

The story takes place primarily in Denmark with some scenes occurring in Africa, probably the Sudan. Anton (Mikael Persbrandt) is a physician working in Africa. He is estranged from his wife, Marianne (Trine Dyrholm), who lives in Denmark with their 10-year-old son, Elias (Markus Rygaaard). Two other main characters are Claus (Ulrich Thomsen) and his son, Christian (William Johnk Nielsen). \When Elias is victimized by a bully while attending school, Christian saves him. When Anton returns from Africa and is attacked by an adult bully in a school playground, he refuses to defend himself, being a pacifist. The incident affects the two boys who witness the scene. Thereafter, they plot a violent revenge against the bully. It involves a car bomb. \Christian’s tormented inner feelings are revealed. He resents his father, Claus, thinking Claus is responsible for the death of his mother who died of cancer not long ago. The scenes in Africa involving Anton include the actions of a local tribal petty tyrant and his followers raping and torturing women, reminiscent of Darfur.

All in all, the different plots absorb the audience. Some in the audience gave vent to sobbing. The movie has been around for awhile, but received little attention. Trust me, it is well worth seeing. (In Danish, Swedish and English, with English subtitles.)

Movie Review: “Source Code” (+)

Another incomplete movie which would permit me to give it either a plus or minus rating. I decided to go the plus route since I had been somewhat engaged and felt good when I left the theater. The aerial scenes of Chicago are excellent, and the acting of the principals is up to snuff.

The principal character is Captain Colter Stevens ( Jake Gyllenhaal), an Army helicopter pilot home from Afghanistan. He wakes up on a train not knowing where he is or why he is there. Sitting across from him is a beautiful young woman, Christina Warren (Michelle Monaghan), who seems to know him but calls him Sean. As the train approaches the City of Chicago, it suddenly blows up.

Colter is then looking at a video screen talking with a Pentagon security agent, Captain Colleen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga). She explains that he is on the train to locate a bomber whom they know wants to blow it up and, with a second bomb, the City of Chicago.

Colter learns that he is really dead and in a special program that allows him to relive his life for an eight-minute period. He has to go through several eight-minute periods before he is successful in identifying the bomber.

Manohla Dargis found much more depth in this movie than I did. In her New York Times review she wrote: “What is it about our times (or cinema) that provokes existential crisis in some of the more interesting action heroes? Like the running men in the Bourne movies and in The Adjustment Bureau, Stevens doesn’t just jump through action-flick hoops, he also confronts some Big Questions – Are we alone? Are we free? Do we have free will? – the importance of which become clear as the outlines of Stevens’s true circumstances are revealed. In classic films noir, the characters rarely have real choices; their paths are riddled with bullets and preordained. ‘Build my gallows high, baby,’ Robert Mitchum says to the femme fatale ( Jane Greer) in the glorious Out of the Past. She and her co-conspirator, fate, comply.”

I did not perceive these deep psychological aspects but rather an incomplete science-fiction script that nevertheless entertained me.

Gyllenhaal is credible in his part and I bonded with him. The film, totally action in nature, has no sex scenes, excessive violence, or the use of excessive profanity. It is a totally clean-cut sci-fi picture.

I will grant Dargis that the picture contains one deep issue: When fate decides that all those on the train are scheduled to die, can our hero return and, after reliving the scene several times, change fate and save their lives? Sci-fi films must convey a certain amount of common sense and believability if they are to hold the audience enthralled. This one succeeded in that goal.

Henry Stern said: “We saw Source Code a week after we saw Limitless and they are both in the same category – adult sci-fi rather than action sci-fi, fantasy based on violence.

“Source Code is dominated by Jake Gyllenhall, whose father, a film director, is descended from a Swedish family ennobled in 1652

by Queen Christina, Jake’s mother, Naomi Foner, whose mother is a Jewish Hollywood screenwriter related to New York intellectuals.

His uncle Anders is vice president for news of McClatchy Newspapers. His sister, Maggie, is the well-known actress. What a pedigree.

“We recommend this attractive, exciting series of eight-minute movies, particularly to those who are not overly attached to the form of narrow-mindedness known as reality.”

Watch Ed Koch’s Movie Reviews on www.MayorKoch.com.

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MOVIES

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Ed Koch Movie Reviews

By Edward I. Koch

Movie Review: “The Conspirator” (+)

This film, directed by Robert Redford, is well done and worth seeing, yet I left the theater thinking it could have been much better.

I couldn’t help comparing it to Ken Burns’ documentary, “The Civil War,” which I have seen many times. I’ve always been blown away by its majesty, and I learn something new each time I watch it.

To be fair, Burns’ movie is about the war itself while “The Conspirator” revolves around one incident: the conspiracy to kill President Lincoln shortly after the Civil War had ended. The drama focuses on whether or not one alleged conspirator, Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), was in fact guilty or was she an innocent woman hanged with her alleged conspirators to satisfy public opinion at the expense of justice and fairness.

Most of the facts are well known. Mary Surratt, a southern sympathizer, ran a boarding house in Washington, D.C. where she lived with her daughter, Anna (Evan Rachel Wood), and her son, John ( Johnny Simmons). John met with the conspirators in her home. The leader of the group and assassin of President Lincoln was John Wilkes Booth (Toby Kebbell).

Mary Surratt was defended by a Union officer, Frederick Aiken ( James McAvoy), who was induced to do so much against his will

by Reverdy Johnson (Tom Wilkinson), a Maryland senator. The question raised early on in the film was whether or not it was lawful to try Surratt, a civilian and American national, before a military commission rather than a regular jury in a Federal court. One problem I had with the picture was there was no indication that the courtroom scenes were verbatim from the court records, and I doubt they were. I had the distinct feeling they were contrived to heighten the deeply conveyed feeling of unfairness of the military court toward her.

Other members of the Lincoln Cabinet whom the conspirators sought to kill included Vice President Andrew Johnson, Secretary of State William H. Seward, and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton (Kevin Kline). Stanton feared that the murder of the President and attempted murders of Cabinet members could cause not only panic in the country but a revival of the anger that caused the war.

Stanton’s intention was to punish the conspirators, including Mary Surratt, using methods that were portrayed as not always legal. Little compassion is extended in the script toward Stanton. Whether he was right or wrong deserves more explanation.

In his New York Times review, A. O. Scott raised the issue that the film is seriously flawed since it makes no reference to the reason the Civil War was ultimately fought – to end slavery. Scott’s analysis is right on. That is what Burns did in his documentary which was so compelling and made it a film to be seen again and again while one viewing of “The Conspirator” will suffice.

Henry Stern said: This is a good movie. It showed what Washington, D.C. looked like in the 1860s, a basically Southern town inhabited by kindly white people, except those who were plotting to murder the President who had freed the slaves.

The acting was good, the dialogue understandable, and the plot plausible. The problem with movies like this is that we don’t know how much is true and how much is screenplay. We like to think the movie is mostly true, but some of it probably isn’t. If you have never seen a hanging up close, this is your chance to remedy that omission. Anything we learn about American history is useful knowledge if it is true. We never know whether she was a conspirator or just a landlady, but she was treated unfairly by Secretary of War Stanton and his minions.

Movie Review: “The Double Hour” (+)

This Italian film is brilliant. It would have been even better if the subtitles, which faded in and out, were always visible. Nevertheless, because the action is so dramatic, I was glued to the screen and enjoyed the tension and mystery which poured from it.

In his New York Times review of the movie, Stephen Holden, wrote: “Attention armchair sleuths: After viewing the Italian psychological thriller The Double Hour, you may want to see it a second or even a third time to decipher its secrets. The movie, which won its stars, Ksenia Rappoport and Filippo Timi, awards at the 2009 Venice Film Festival, will put mystery bloodhounds on a scent that after about the 20-minute mark is suddenly lost.”

Rappoport (Sonia) and Timi (Guido) are superb. They portray unusual grace, sensitivity and believability in difficult circumstances.

What you see is not always what it seems. A retired NYPD detective, with whom I saw the film, explained a few things to me that I missed, one of which included the fact that Sonia who is hospitalized was hallucinating.

Guido, a widower and former policeman, works as a security guard at a private estate. He frequents a dating club where he meets Sonia, a hotel chambermaid, and the two become physically involved. While the couple engages in intimacy in the woods surrounding the estate, robbers, ready to cart off furniture and works of art, drive in and take them hostage. A bullet ultimately injures Guido and Sonia when Guido assaults the guard watching them who seeks to engage in sex with Sonia. I won’t describe other sequences for fear of depriving you of surprise after surprise.

I hope you are quicker than I was to understand all that happens. If after seeing the picture there is something you didn’t understand, send me an e-mail and I’ll explain it to you as it was explained to me. The movie is fascinating and well worth your time. (In Italian, with English subtitles.

Watch Ed Koch’s Movie Reviews on www.MayorKoch.com.

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Page 17

SHOW PREP

The Games People Play

By Bob Marrone The noteworthy industrial psychologist Robert Mager has based his career on the simple and elegant truth that consequence defines behavior. Allowing for the complexities that enter into consequences to varying degrees, such as guilt, morality, ambition and more, the overriding reality is that people avoid things that make their lives miserable and are drawn to things that bring them pleasure.

Doctor Mager even subtitled his seminal work, Analyzing Performance Problems, “You outta gotta wanna,” to underscore the point that bad executives and those ignorant about human motivation are blinded by what they think people should want to do.

The logic is simple and sound: Leave a bad waiter a good tip and you can expect to get bad service again. Make a job so convoluted and difficult, throwing in little or no recognition, and you can expect your employees to take shortcuts. Don’t dock the pay or discipline of a frequently late worker and you can expect the bad habit to continue. Make crime pay, and crime is what you will have. Even God read the book. Few people have sex because of the commandment to go forth and multiply. They do it because it feels good. No big O and the species would

soon cease to exist. Get the flu and the good lord will make your body ache so much you just want to lay down. That’s His way of making sure your organism will direct all its energy towards fighting infection. God loves Mager’s book! Rumor has it He even showed up at the book party.

Okay, where am I going with this?

Well, unfortunately, political strategists, PR hacks, radio talk show hosts (that one hurt) and politicians read the book it too. The double edged sword here is that behavioral science is best understood without the condiments of right, wrong or welcome. What matters most is the objective and what one is willing to do achieve it. For not always the best of reasons, Nino Machiavelli figured this out a long time ago. But even he did not expect that what was, for him, insight learned over years of working the royal waiting rooms of the city states of Italy during the middle ages, would one day be an applied science.

To use the behavioral models to maximum amoral benefit it is best to remember the words of Shakespeare: “nothing is right or wrong, its thinking that makes it so.” The goal, the objective, is everything.

President Barack Obama gained office by declaring that he was a different kind of politician. The inexperienced, if idealistic, former senator from Chicago learned the 2 column hard way that people are not interested in the details, or even the truth, if they

have to work to figure it out. His almost professorial way of laying out problems for public discussion just does not resonate with the electorate. He also learned that any position firmly taken would illicit a firm opposite one laced with insulting epithets and sound bites. The health care bill was socializing medicine. Obama hates America, they said. George Bush and Clinton before him went through the same thing. On both sides of the aisle, professional political consultants are paid lavishly to figure out what a candidate, or office holder, needs to say to gain popularity and hold onto office, regardless of ones true positions. How else could the counties most respected centrist, John McCain, rightly praised for his independence, go on the sully his reputation and even risk the countries future, by allowing such an unqualified and polarizing figure as Sarah Palin on his ticket. In this last go round, he even said he never called himself a maverick.

Similarly, from local city councils to the chambers of the United States Senate and the White House, no one gets in without lots of money. Corporations, political action committees and unions put up the cash for office seekers. Does anyone really think they do it with no consideration for how the candidate will treat their interests. Members of Congress run every two years, which means that they really serve for little more than one. The rest of the time is needed for fund raising, campaigning and drumming up union or business support. Only

Kindles Feud with Amazon;Get Angry aboutNoticed Carrying Ads! THE SPOOF

By Gail Farrelly

When Amazon announced that it would be selling a new Kindle model “Kindle with Special Offers,” one with advertisements, for $114 ($25 cheaper than the standard Kindle), the news was greeted enthusiastically by some. But not by all.

The Kindles themselves are appalled and disgusted. Head Kindle Hedda spoke up for her colleagues, saying, “It’s disgusting and tawdry to add to our work by demanding that we hawk ads.

How would you like to spend your life walking around with a sandwich board of ads hanging around YOUR neck? How

blatant can you get about promotion?”

The Kindles are unappeased by the fact that the ads will only display on screen savers (they appear while the Kindle is in the “Off ” position) and on the home page -- not interfering with the reading of books. “Let me make it perfectly clear,” Head Kindle Hedda announced, “I can say without qualification that we are not at all happy to welcome the new member of the Kindle family.”

Quoting the late Mollie Sugden in her role as Mrs. Slocombe in “Are You

then can they worry about Joe or Jane citizen.

Talk show hosts talk of socialist or fascist conspiracies, another one does shows on the premise that there are shadow people from another planet or elsewhere living among us. Soup companies feed you too much salt, the baker hits you with too much sugar. Network TV is embarrassing with its stream of insipid reality show involving adolescent sex, housewives of the miserable and the diseased etc. Other well educated people design restaurants so that you will grow uncomfortable in twenty minutes and vacate a seat. They even know what collars make you spend money. Always, you are being played through consequences imposed by others. Pop up adds, long walks to get milk so you will though the entire store, and phone menus designed to discourage you from talking to an “expensive human being. In all of this the objective is to make money.

To tell you the truth, I don’t have an answer for this save that each of us needs to look at the true motivations behind what people do. Honesty, forthrightness and good intentions are the tombstones of value. The meek and the decent shall inherit the earth alright…six feet under.

Listen to Good Morning Westchester with Bob Marrone from 6-9 a.m., from Monday through Friday. Direct email to Bob Marrone at Bob@WVOX.com, and visiting 1 columnwebsite. the BobMarrone.com

Get Noticed

Being Served?” the little Kindle added, “And I am unanimous in that.”

Gail Farrelly (www.FarrellySistersOnline. com) writes mystery novels and short stories as well as Op-Eds. She also publishes satire pieces (Gail Farrelly’s satire and parody stories) on TheSpoof.com, a British website.

Her latest mystery novel is Creamed at Commencement: A Graduation Mystery.

The first chapter is available on her website.

Gail is working on a fourth mystery, The Virtual Heiress.

Legal Notices, Advertise Today

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914-576-1481

Legals@WestchesterGuardian. com

Page 18

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

GovernmentSection Murtagh Announces Drug Testing Bill

YONKERS, NY -- Yonkers City Council Minority Leader John Murtagh (R) today announced he will be introducing public safety legislation before the Yonkers City Council that would require random drug testing of Yonkers officials, including the mayor, deputy mayor, members of the Yonkers City Council, Yonkers Board of Education volunteers and employees, police officers, firefighters, and all those operating city machinery or vehicles. The bill is to be proposed as “The Government Safety Act.” Minority Leader Murtagh, calling the legislation long overdue, has often had to vote on financial settlements in accident cases involving city vehicles. He cited random drug testing among federal employees as a model for his bill.

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“If a Yonkers employee is driving a public vehicle or performing in a ‘high risk’ job, the public reasonably deserves to know that the city is doing what it can to ensure that drugs and alcohol are not an issue,” Mr. Murtagh said. “Yonkers has an excessively large fleet of ‘take-home’ cars, and the city has a responsibility to make sure their drivers are sober and safe. Let’s not wait for some tragic accident to pass this bill; let’s do the smart thing and pass it before a tragedy occurs.”

Mr Murtagh has helped lead the successful fight for term limits in Yonkers, the author of the new Ethics Code for the City of Yonkers and the Board of Education, and he successfully amended the Rules and Procedures of the City Council to increase public participation.

Ossining Town Councilman Peter Tripodi Declares Bid for Ossining Town Supervisor OSSINING, NY -- The youngest elected official in Westchester County, Ossining Town Councilman Peter Tripodi, declared his bid for the Ossining Town Supervisor’s position on Friday, April 22, 2011.

Councilman Tripodi has set his sights on the chief executive position in the Town of Ossining. “As our current supervisor is leaving a mess for someone else to clean up and pursues higher political office, I am asking the taxpayer’s to let me clean up that mess. I would want nothing more than show the residents of this great town that I am up to the challenge others could not complete. The Supervisor’s position has been used as a retirement job or a stepping stone to higher political office, but I plan to use this position how it was meant to be used; to serve the taxpayers of the Town of Ossining” Among his Democrat colleagues, Tripodi has consistently been a lone voice. He is the only elected Republican in Ossining.

Rather than alienate himself from his colleagues, Tripodi remains a statesman and treats them as the professional

colleagues they are. “While we have our disagreements the one thing we as a board lack is a strong willed leader. I plan to lead a bi-partisan board and solve longstanding issues in addition to creating a more accountable government.”

Tripodi will lay out his priorities and formally announce his candidacy on Friday April 29th, 12:00 at the Ossining Police Headquarters at 507 North State Rd, Briarcliff Manor NY 10510. He plans to run on the Republican, Independence, and Conservative lines.

Learn more at the www.PeterTripodi.com Website and/or direct email to ElectPete@ gmail.com

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Page 19

GOVERNMENT

Richard Martinelli’s Announcement of Candidacy for Mayor of Yonkers “My family and I are standing before you today because Yonkers, this wonderful city that we call home is facing financial perils unprecedented in history. We are not unique. Along with other cities around our nation we face difficult decisions. Many of the things we will have to do will be unpopular…Many choices we will have to make will be painful. But these decisions will have to be made.

“The people of our city and country are speaking out, they’re demanding that their governments fiscal house be put in order.

“To be successful, the next Mayor of Yonkers must aggressively act to do more with less.Just like in business all applicants are not suited for the job… I KNOW I AM!!!!

Good evening ladies and gentlemen… my name is Richard Martinelli and I am a candidate for the job of Mayor of Yonkers!!

“I seek this position not as a result of political ambitions, not as one who looks to public service asa form of permanent employment, but rather as a business man who is convinced that Government must be run more like a business and less…well ...like government.

“I believe in a new day for Yonkers.

As mayor I will form partnerships within government tobring about a balanced budget.

I will work with commissioners to find ways to do more withless. I will streamline government and make it more productive.

“As mayor, the buck stops with me.

“I will reduce the salary of mayor by 10 % and require at least the same for all commissioners and department heads and key personnel. I will reduce the size of the car fleet to only what is absolutely necessary.

I will be driving in my old reliable Mercury Milan to work, enjoying every minute of it. I will reduce the staff of the mayor’s office and I will eliminate unnecessary costs whenever and wherever they are found and this includes cars, gas, phones and political hiring.I will treat our work force fairly. We have some of the best teachers and firemen and policemen in the country…But they will be called upon to help in this endeavor to reign in costs.We will not and cannot pit one member or union against another…A common purpose unites us…and that is to restore our city to a place that allows us…once again…to be proud to claim it as our own.

“The unpopular decision… made by the business owners, but avoided by the politicians

is a big part of the problem. As mayor I will bring an ability to make tough decisions and as always make decisions that are based on the best interest of the shareholders, you the citizens ofYonkers.

“As mayor, I would strive to form partnerships within government.

Having served 10 years on the city council I want to work constructively with the city council to reign in costs and move our city forward.

“I want to form partnerships with other elected officials on the county state and federal level to assure that Yonkers is getting what it deserves.

“I will attempt to streamline government services with a commitment to be business and consumer friendly, with our municipal employees providing the highest quality of service to our citizens.

“I am here today to officially begin a journey. This journey will be all about the City of Yonkers and the great-unrealized potential we have. It will be about family, my family and yours.I am proud to have been raised in Yonkers and a graduate of Roosevelt High School. My wife Beth Ann and I chose Yonkers as the place to raise our three children all of whom attended Yonkers Public schools.

“As you know my mother and father have lived in Yonkers for over 50 years. Not only can we claim the oldest printing establishment in the city…but my five brothers and I can claim the longest serving, oldest living former mayor of Yonkers, my dad Angelo Martinelli.

“My vision for Yonkers is the product of a lifetime living, learning and working in and for this city.

“The truth be told…being out of office for almost six years has been an eye opener for me. It has given me the opportunity to objectively assess where we are and where we should be going…I am concerned with the future…not the past. My focus as mayor will be to lead this city forward putting our financial house in order, making our government transparent, developing ournatural gifts… and most importantly restoring confidence in our education system so that our children and grandchildren will do what Beth Ann and I did…and that is to choose Yonkers as their home “Thank you for coming tonight and thank you for your support.”

TED LIMI ING SEAT BLE ILA AVA

Westchester 2011 Friends of NRA 19th Annual Banquet Monday, May 16, 2011 Time-6:00 PM to 11:00 PM Doubletree Hotel 455 South Broadway Tarrytown, NY 10591 Live and Silent Auctions, Games, Drawings, Door Prizes Firearms, Art, Jewelry, Shooting Accessories, Specialty Items Featuring the 2011 NRA Gun of the Year Colt 1911 Cal. 45 100 Year Anniversary Commemorative Banquet Ticket -$60 each Cash Bar Open All Evening Benefactor Ticket - $160: One Banquet Ticket plus $200 worth of Bucket Raffle Tickets Liberty Sponsor Ticket - $310 Includes: Dinner-2011 NRA Sponsor Sculpture “Unbearable Itch”; Sponsor hat, tax receipt and one year subscrition to “Traditions” magazine. n V .I.P. (Very Involved Patriot) - $2,000 per table of 10.

Includes per person-dinner, soft sided rifle case, n $100 worth of Bucket Raffle tickets and a raffle ticket for a drawing for a rifle for the V.I.P. table only!!! n Each person has a 1 in 10 chance of winning a new Custom Henry Golden Boy .22 S/L/LR with NRA seal scroll on brass receiver with a 20” walnut stock.* VIP tables will receive “Preferred Seating” arrangements!! * Based upon availability. The committee reserves the right to substitute a rifle of equal value if the Henry is no longer available from the NRA Foundation inventory.

THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL FIREARMS RAFFLE FOR THOSE WHO DONATE A CASE OF CANNED GOODS TO THE FOOD BANK OF WESTCHESTER. EACH CASE OF FOOD RECEIVES 5 RAFFLE TICKETS. ALSO, ALL RESERVED TABLES SEATS (not including V.I.P table), WILL BE IN A DRAWING FOR A FIREARM!!!!

Page 20

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

economics

America’s New Economic Leper Class

loosing their jobs out of no fault of their own, which also equates to the lose of their health coverage, and in many cases their homes and their entire life savings and assets; after three long years of economic failure and hardship inflicted upon fellow Americans. Many of our elected politicians have not only failed to correct our economy, but have also abandoned the needs of American families suffering from unemployment. In typical American fashion our main line media and politicians are telling us the recession is over, and it’s a jobless “recovery.” Such a lie offers little consolation and hope for America’s unemployed and businesses struggling to survive.

Ironically while our politicians are telling us the recession is over, the following facts will refute this claim. It has re3cently been reported on how grim this recession is- even for the very affluent Lower Hudson valley. The foreclosure rate for Westchester County is higher than the state average, with our northern neighbors in Putnam County reporting a foreclosure rate that is double the state rate. What is surprising when local officials were questioned by the media as to the cause of them, a few stated they had no plausible explanation. We should expect a more honest and intelligent answer from our government and elected officials. Did it ever occur to them the reason for the high foreclosure rates is the high unemployment rate. This is a sad observation on our

government policy makers if they fail to see the economic consequences when heads of households loose their jobs. What we are experiencing is a market failure by Wall Street and our government’s inability to remedy after three long years.

The cause of our economic blindness and insensitivity to the suffering of our fellow Americans who have fallen victim to the boom and bust cycles of Free Market Capitalism may lie in the fact that our elected officials benefit from a socialist employment system whereby their salaries and benefits are paid for by the state via our tax dollars. They are also insulated from economic downturns. Many of which continue to receive salaries and health benefits when out of office. Ironically, there are many politicians today who believe national healthcare is socialism. Though they are the recipients of it receiving their salaries and benefits from the state paid for by the taxpayers- double standard to say the least.

So as our nation’s economy continues to falter, our main line media along with many of our politicians have forgotten our nation’s unemployed by calling it a jobless recovery?

Making unemployed Americans the new leper class may feed our denial but it will not correct the problem. Like leprosy, unemployment is also contagious, and has reached epidemic proportions, Washington has failed to develop a vaccine to cure our nation of this long term financial ailment.

Regretfully, not a single politician has come forth to promote some form solid legislation or laws to assist the 15 million American’s currently unemployed and/ or loosing their homes.

Our economic woes will continue

as long as we have such high unemployment. In essence, our nation has eliminated approximately 20-30% of our consumer spending do to this high unemployment rate. Simply speaking, if 20-30% of our consumers are unemployed, making them financial cripples for years as a result of lower credit scores.

America has penalized the victims who are the solution to our recovery. Our politicians believe it is better to run from the new “leper” class rather then to find a cure, and to prevent it from spreading. In simple terms we have killed the goose that lays the golden egg. Regretfully, it is not that capitalism has failed; it is the lack of targeted regulations, greed, arrogance, and outsourcing, failure to plan for the long term, and lack of an economic safety net for Americans during economic downturns.

I believe the French philosopher Alexis De Tocqueville said it best regarding his observation of the American ethos “American’s to alleviate their pain as a nation will pursue banal and petty pleasures that guts their soul, while their fellow American’s suffering, they will touch them but feel nothing. An observation that holds true today.

For as a nation today, if we deny the needs of our suffering fellow American’s during these economically trying time, we would be denying our nation of its morality.

some residents of the Hudson Harbor Condominium claim that this tree will block their view of the Hudson River.

Village Administrator Michael Blau was all too ready to make their request a reality.

After all, under his direction, and at the behest of the developers, other dedicated trees met the same fate. [The] Westchester Guardian readers may remember how a few months ago how we gave mention of the destruction of several dedicated trees that were cut down to make way for the renovation of Pierson Park. The Village of Tarrytown swears that the families who dedicated those other trees were duly informed of this matter but the families beg to differ.

All of this tree drama reminds me of

the Dr. Seuss book “The Lorax.” In this quintessential Earth Day story, Lorax, a staunch environmentalist, speaks for the trees because the trees have no tongues to speak with for themselves. He speaks out against a capitalist character by the name of Once-ler who cuts down all of the trees in order to make some money by marketing a useless product. If there was ever a parallel between two stories, this would be it.

Like many other municipalities, the Village of Tarrytown has a tree ordinance. The tree ordinance protects all trees whether they are on private, public or commercial property. If a tree needs trimming, or cutting down, an application must be made and off one must go to the tree commission and its warden. They will

review it and decide what is to be done with a tree. But guess what?... There is no commission, and no warden either. As usual, it seems these sort of decisions fall on the shoulders of Village Administrator Michael Blau and as usual, Michael Blau interprets village code to suit whatever issue he must contend or deal.

On November 24, 2010, Jim Cilberti, the purchaser of that ‘danged,’ dedicated tree met with Michael Blau to voice his concerns about the tree being moved once again. He pleaded his case, reminded Mr. Blau of his brother’s contributions to the country and to the village. Still Mr. Blau said the tree had to go. The contractors had moved it once already, but now Continued on page 21

The Forgotten Faces Behind the Great Recession

By Dr. Richard Cirulli

By now Americans are well aware of The Great Recession that has plagued our nation for the past three years, which for many is a depression that offers no end in sight.

Regretfully, as a nation we have lost our conscience and morality in our denial of the hardships and suffering it has caused to millions of Americans. This only reinforces the fact that as a nation we have failed both economically and morally.

In years past our nation has prospered and benefited by and large under a Laissez –faire economy that promoted an entrepreneurialism that fueled our nation’s economic growth and prosperity. In light of our current economic debacle we may need to question the infallibility of such a system and seek economic solutions by making modifications to this free-market model. Free Market economics may have performed well in America’s post World War II years when we dominated the world markets, exports, manufacturing and the nation had the ability to create good jobs. This is no longer the case in America as 15 million Americans still remain unemployed or underemployed.

Our current economic debacle is now manifesting the dark side of unregulated Free Market Economics; whom many believe is the cause of the 2008 financial debacle that has paralyzed our economy for the past three years. As our nation’s unemployed continue to remain idle after

Dr. Richard Cirulli is a professor of Economics and Finance at a number of colleges in the Greater Hudson Valley Area. He also has a monthly cable show, The American Economic Condition, airing on the White Plains Cable network starting in April He can be reached at profcirulli@optonline.net.

INVESTIGATION

Greed, Lies and Trees

By Nancy King Monday April 18th, took us back to the Village of Tarrytown. On the agenda was that sappy, sticky issue that had to do with the plan that was allegedly in place to cut down a dedicated tree, planted by Jim Cilberti, in honor of his brother Frank, a Korean War Veteran. As it stands, the tree was already moved once and moving it again would surely cause the death of this young tree. Moreover, the only reason that this tree was scheduled to either be cut down or moved again is because,

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

Page 21

INVESTIGATION

Greed, Lies and Trees Continued from page 20 it was obstructing the view of a paying homeowner and it was going. But wait, where is the tree commission and the tree warden? Is Mr. Blau both of these entities? No, like the Once-ler in Dr. Seuss’s story, Michael Blau is the commissioner of “development” or in layman’s terms, he’s the commissioner of “give me more money”. Without ever informing the developer of Hudson Harbor, of a tree ordinance, Mr. Blau allowed the developer to move the tree. He was actually about to sanction a third move of this tree in lieu of chopping it down. And on top of all this, Mr. Blau told Mr. Ciliberti that his decision was made in concert with the entire

village board.

Mr. Blau’s elitist attitude, or maybe it was his thought that he was smarter than the average taxpayer, finally looked like it may have backfired on April 18th. The members of the board, and Mr. Butler in particular, stated that they knew nothing of the plan to move Mr. Cilberti’s tree and actually intimated that they knew nothing about the other trees being hacked down either. As a matter of fact, when it was brought forth that the contractor for Hudson Harbor had moved the trees, the whole board seemed rather surprised.

They too appeared to wonder where the tree commission and the tree warden was / were, when all of those trees were hacked down and their memorial plaques, thrown away. I’m sure the good taxpayers of Tarrytown might be wondering why the

developer of Hudson Harbor hasn’t paid a fine for the illegal removal and movement of those trees. If I were to wager a bet, its because the village administrator gave them carte blanche to do whatever the heck they wanted.

By the end of the meeting, the village board assured Mr. Cilberti that his tree would never be touched. Whether or not they would replace Emilia Kelly’s tree or Jessica Santo’s tree is anybody’s guess. I’m guessing that unless they have a relentless family member, their trees will never be replanted and they will never be re-issued a dedication stone. And in a cruel twist of six degrees of separation, after discussing the fate of these memorial trees, the board discussed Arbor Day and passed a resolution that Tarrytown would continue to be designated a “Tree City”.

Of course there are so many other issues that Tarrytown faces. There is a budget to be adopted, a fire truck that doesn’t fit into a fire house and the disciplinary hearing of a DPW worker. Though Jim Cilberti’s victory was a small one, hooray for him and the residents of Tarrytown. He had the fortitude to expose Mr. Blau’s lies on that November Day for the entire board and the community to see. Courage manifests itself in different forms and Jim Ciliberti certainly demonstrated that last Monday.

He is the Lorax who speaks for the tree which some seem to be chopping as fast as they please.

Nancy King resides in Greenburgh, New York. She is an investigative reporter for The Westchester Guardian.

LEGAL

Major California Property Rights Victory for Landowners in Eminent Domain Abuse Fight National City Violated Federal Constitution and State Laws NATIONAL CITY, CC -- A California gym that mentors at-risk kids scored a knockout legal blow against eminent domain abuse in California. Last week, April 21, 2011, Judge Steven R. Denton of the Superior Court of California ruled in favor of the Community Youth Athletic Center (CYAC) and against National City, Calififornia, in one of the most important property rights cases in the nation.

The Court struck down National City’s entire 692-property eminent domain zone in the first decision to apply the legal reforms that California enacted to counter the disastrous U.S. Supreme Court Kelo decision in 2005. This ruling, which found that National City lacked a legal basis for its blight declaration, reinforces vital protections for property owners across the state, and underscores why redevelopment agencies should be abolished.

The Court also ruled that National City violated the Due Process clause of the U.S. Constitution in failing to provide the CYAC with statutorily required information prior to an important public hearing.

Finally, in a holding with implications well beyond redevelopment law, the Court also held that when the government retains a private consultant to perform government functions—in this case, documenting the existence of alleged “blight” in National City—documents that the private consultant produces are public records subject to disclosure under the California Public

Records Act. The Court also set a clear standard for what government agencies have to do in searching the records of their private consultants in response to a Public Records Act request.

VIDEO: This 3-minute video spotlights this fight.

“After Kelo, the California Legislature limited a city’s ability to declare ‘blight’ based on trivial things like ‘lack of parking’ and required real evidence and documentation from redevelopment agencies,” said Dana Berliner, a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice, which represented the CYAC for free. “National City completely ignored the new law when it decided to threaten the CYAC and nearly 700 other properties with eminent domain for private development. The Court’s decision holds that the new law placed real restrictions on redevelopment agencies and that National City violated the law. This is the very first case interpreting the changes to the law that went into effect on January 1, 2007, in response to the Kelo decision.”

Berliner said, “This decision will go a long way in protecting Californians throughout the state against eminent domain abuse.”

Clemente Casillas, the CYAC President, said, “I hope National City does the right thing now and throws in the towel so we can get back to focusing all our attention on helping to grow the kids in our community.

The city can have redevelopment, but that

has to be done through private negotiation, not by government force.”

IJ Senior Attorney Jeff Rowes said, “Redevelopment agencies always use private consultants to come up with blight studies. The Court ruled that the documents and data produced by those consultants are public records, just like government-produced documents. That ruling will help everyone trying to fight a blight designation of their neighborhood,

and it will also help the media and anyone else trying to get more information about government projects. We’ve been saying for years that the city’s blight study lacked any information the CYAC needed to do a meaningful review. The court agreed, saying it was mostly jargon and that the city should have given the CYAC more time and continued the public hearing when the CYAC requested it.”

Continued on page 22 FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

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Page 22

The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

LEGAL

Major California Property Rights Victory for Landowners in Eminent Domain Abuse Fight Continued from page 21 California Governor Jerry Brown has proposed eliminating local redevelopment agencies across the state. These agencies, which are run by the cities they reside in, have taken properties they didn’t own only to hand that land over to those with more

political power. They have driven city after city in California to the brink of bankruptcy, often for nothing more than private gain.

“National City has been labeling this area blighted since the 1960s,” said Rowes.

“This decision provides another example of a redevelopment agency that is out of

control and should be abolished.”

The CYAC got almost everything it asked for in this lawsuit. The Court invalidated the city’s redevelopment plan amendment that authorized eminent domain, declared that the city violated the Public Records Act, declared that the city

Initial Map of Newly Reshaped County Legislative Districts Unveiled

By Ken Jenkins WHITE PLAINS, NY - The Westchester County Board of Legislators presented an initial map of newly reshaped county legislative districts based on 2010 Census data Thursday morning, April 21, 2011, at a meeting of the Board’s Committee on Legislation. Joining the legislators in the presentation was Dr. Andrew Beveridge, Professor of Sociology at Queens College and the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, who had been retained by the Board to analyze the 2010 Census population shifts and create this first draft of the county legislative district lines.

The new map of county legislative lines can be viewed at: http://www.westchesterlegislators.com/Committees/2010_2011Term/ LEG/Redistricting/index.htm.

The Board’s Committee on Legislation, chaired by Legislator John Nonna (D-Mount Pleasant), will be meeting again on Monday, April 25, 2011, to continue open discussions of the proposed new district lines. Legislators have been asked to bring to the meeting particular concerns from their communities about the reshaping of the districts they each serve. Nonna indicated that the Committee on Legislation will meet as needed to accomplish this task.

Dr. Beveridge remarked in the

Committee on Legislation meeting today that the newly proposed county district lines were drawn with respect to present contiguity and keeping districts with a plus or minus of five percent of 55,000 residents within each district. The 2010 Census showed that Districts 1 and 6 were above the plus-five percent mark, while District 16 was under the minus five percent mark, thus necessitating some changes.

While some concerns were raised about newly drawn lines on the map splitting specific local election districts, the legislators concurred that there was actually less reshaping of the districts than in 2000, when the county legislative map was

OpEdSection Weir Only Human

Youth is Wasted on the Young

By Bob Weir

Dave turned slowly in the king-sized bed, wincing slightly as the pain in his lower back reminded him of his herniated disc. The digital clock on the end table read: 2:34 a.m. About halfway through the night, he thought, as he turned on his side and folded the pillow under his head. David Robinson was struggling through another night of restless sleep, while trying not to disturb his wife, slumbering peacefully next to him. Thank God one of us can enjoy a sustained sleep, he was thinking. Imagine how tough it would be to get through each day if we were both insomniacs? It wasn’t always this way, he thought, beginning a trip down memory lane. I remember a time

when I would sleep like a bear for eight or ten hours and then jump out of bed like a tiger, ready to face the world with all its challenges. That was when melatonin was in abundant supply in my brain, rather than in the medicine cabinet. He muffled a sigh and continued with his silent reverie. David, my boy, that was a long time ago; back in the Stone Age, known as your youth. George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Youth is wasted on the young.” Well, I can’t say I blame them.

After all, they didn’t have to do anything to get it. It’s not as if you have to work hard to achieve your youth; it just happens. When you’re a little kid, you want to be a big kid.

When you’re a teenager, you want to be an adult. Then you sail into your 20’s, 30’s and 40’s without looking back, or forward either.

Perhaps it happens in your 50’s or even 60’s, but at some point you begin to wonder where all the years went. There seems to be an imperceptible timeline that you cross just before it occurs to you that you’ll never be young again. That realization becomes apparent when you begin turning down social invitations that you once looked forward to with great anticipation. The cocktail parties, loud music, dancing till dawn, soon give way to dinner and a movie, classical concerts, and nightly sitcoms. But, the news is not all bad. If you’ve planned properly, you have a retirement income that provides security. Therefore, you don’t have to put up with the rat race mentality that begins each day rushing for the 6:15, struggling with office politics, and worrying about the mortgage and other monetary responsibilities. A brisk walk on the treadmill sums up your exercise quotient for the day, instead of grunting with weights for an hour, just before a five-mile jog. You no longer aspire to resemble the likes of Brad Pitt, or Tom

violated the CYAC’s due process rights, and gave the CYAC nominal damages.

The CYAC is finally free from the threat of eminent domain for the first time in nearly four years.

Richard M. Segal, Brian D. Martin and Nathan R. Smith from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in San Diego, acted as pro bono local counsel. last redrawn. “Westchester does not have a serious re-districting problem,” explained Dr. Beveridge, “and as a result there were no massively redrawn district lines.”

The Committee is expected to continue its review of the newly drawn county legislative districts before presenting a finalized map to the full Board and calling for a public hearing on the matter.

“Any necessary changes in redistricting that are made must best serve the residents of Westchester, and this Board is making sure the decision-making process is both open and thorough,” said Board chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “Today’s discussions and the Board’s high level of agreement on redistricting signal that we’ve made a big step forward.”

The Public are encouraged to submit comments to www.westchesterlegislators. com/commentsGeneral_2.htm.

Committee meetings are open to the public.

Cruise, but you’d like to believe you’re as fit as you were 20 or 30 years ago, even though you find yourself rooting for the older set of thespians, like Clint Eastwood and Sean Connery.

You remember when U.S. Presidents were older than you, and now they seem like kids. If you’ve had children, they’re grown and perhaps have blessed you with grandchildren. Now you really begin to appreciate the rewards of age because you can have all the enjoyment of playing with the little darlings, hugging and kissing them, and walking in the park while holding their hands. But when all the fun and games are over, they go back home with their parents, freeing you of the diaper changing, bathing, and middle of the night feedings that used to make strolling zombies out of you and your wife. Been there and done that, you say to yourself. Life is a test, and we passed.

Now let someone else study for it. I mean, who would want to go back and struggle Continued on page 23

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

The Westchester Guardian

LEGAL NOTICES

OPED

Youth is Wasted on the Young Continued from page 22 through all the challenges that accompany the journey from youth to senior citizen? Who would want to deal with the life altering decisions that must be made at each stage of growth? Who would want to go through the school years again, the acne problems, the first date, the complexity of romance and the insecurity of love, the choice of a career, the selection of a mate, and the responsibility of having children? Who would want to go through the problems of raising children again? Who wants to go through the Little League games, the dancing and music lessons, the snowman building, the bicycle riding and the driving instruction? Who would want to do it all over again? Me. Bob Weir is a veteran of 20 years with the New York Police Dept. (NYPD), ten of which were performed in plainclothes undercover assignments. During his early years with NYPD, Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree, cum laude from New York Institute of Technology. He retired as a sergeant after supervising patrol in Midtown Manhattan, the busiest precinct in the country.He would eventually move to Flower Mound, Texas, where he began a writing career that started about 12 years ago having his first book published in 1999. Bob went on to write and publish a total of seven novels, “Murder in Black and White,” “City to Die For,” “Powers that Be,” “Ruthie’s Kids,” “Deadly to Love,” “Short Stories of Life and Death,” and “Out of Sight,” are available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Booksa-million, and other major online book sellers. He also became a syndicated columnist under the title “Weir Only Human”.

Page 23

FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER In the Matter of a Proceeding under Article 6 FU No. 117336 of the Family Court Act Docket No. V-07474-10 ERENDIRA PEREZ, Petitioner,

-againstELVIS JIMENEZ, Respondent

SUMMONS (Publication)

IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: ELVIS JIMENEZ, WHO RESIDES OR IS FOUND AT: ADDRESS UNKNOWN IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, TEXAS OR NEW YORK a petition under Article 6 of the Family Court Act having been filed with this Court requesting: SOLE LEGAL AND PHYSICAL CUSTODY OF THE MINOR CHILD, BARBARA JIMENEZ. YOU AND EACH OF YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this Court at 53 SOUTH BROADWAY, 4TH FLOOR, YONKERS, New York, on April 21, 2011, at 2 P.M. in the noon, of that day to answer the petition and to be dealt with in accordance with Article 6 of the Family Court Act. On your failure to appear as herein directed, an inquest hearing will be held in your absence.

On your failure to appear as herein directed, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.

Dated: February 21, 2011 TO THE ABOVE-NAMED RESPONDENT: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Mary Anne Scattaretico-Naber, Judge of the Family Court, Westchester County, dated and filed with the petition and other papers in the Office of the Clerk of the Family Court, Westchester County.

SC Barlow LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/28/2010. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to C/O Seavest Inc. 707 Westchester Avenue, Suite 401 White Plains, NY 10604.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Westchester Creative Arts Therapy Projects, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/15/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 25 Constant Avenue Yonkers, NY 10701. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Ayrie Golden Eagle Strategic Holdings, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/12/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Corporation Service Company 80 State St Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Registered Agent: Corporation Service Company 80 State St Albany, NY 12207.

Lexington Capital Associates Lexington Capital Associates, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/14/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC P.O. Box 376 Great Neck, NY 11021. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of LINK NY REALTY, LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC).Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/07/2011.NY office location: Westchester County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of any process to: C/O LINK NY REALTY, LLC, 51 Rockledge Rd. #11C, Bronxville, NY 10708. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Blueluxe LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/9/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Joshua Friedman 25 Lake St Apt 5F White Plains, NY 10603. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Fidelity Tax Services LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/7/2010. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 64 Morningside Ave Yonkers, NY 10703. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Eco-Mail Development, LLC Authority filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/17/2011.

Office location: Westchester Co. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 2/19/10 SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC 38 E Lake Drive Katonah, NY 10536.

DE address of LLC: 2711 Centerville Rd Ste 400 Wilmington, DE 19808. Arts. Of Org. filed with DE Secy. of State, PO Box 898 Dover, DE 19903.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Takeoff Dotcom NY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/16/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 98 Woodland Ave New Rochelle, NY 10805. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Main Street Medical Staffing, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 2/18/2011.

Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to Craig R. Parker, Esq. 52 Main Street Bedford Hills, NY 10507. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

PNC Realty LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/21/2011. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 73 Rodman Oval New Rochelle, NY 10805. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE is hereby given that a license, Serial # Pending for beer & wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer & wine & liquor at retail in Restaurant known as New Tokyo Inc DBA Hanada. Under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1889 East Main Street Store #6, Mohegan Lake NY 10547 for on-premise consumption.

BUONINFANTE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP, NO. 2, L.P. Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 4/15/11. Office in Westchester Co. SSNY design. Agent of LP upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LP 685 Esplanade Pelham Manor, NY 10803. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation MLS Moki, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY 4/8/2011. Off. Loc.: Westchester Cnty. SSNY designated as agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o The LLC, P.O. Box 5, Alpine, NJ 07620. Purpose: all lawful activities

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The Westchester Guardian

THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2011

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