August 16, 2013 - Top Class Limousine

Transcription

WESTCHESTER’S OLDEST AND MOST RESPECTED NEWSPAPERS
PRESORT-STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
White Plains, NY
Permit #7164
Vol 108 Number 32
www.RisingMediaGroup.com
Friday, August 16, 2013
Top Class Limousine
Terrero & Pineda Face Off in
Celebrates 25th Anniversary Second District Council Race
Top Class Limo CEO John Khader, middle, with family and current and former Council members Chuck Lesnick, Wilson Terrero, Dee Barbato, Symra Brandon and Christopher Johnson.
The family owned and operated company,
New York’s Top Class Limousine, founded by
John Khader back in 1988, recently celebrated
its 25th anniversary.
Khader’s interest in cars and the limousine
industry drove him to starting his own business
in 1988, on Nepperhan Avenue in Yonkers.
Since then, Top Class Limousine has been
located at 24 Ashburton Ave. He said quality
service is hard to come by, and this is why he
hires drivers and successfully trains them to
be chauffeurs. Khader stands by the company
name and knows that Top Class Limousine has
to exceed expectations while delivering quality, reliable and safe service.
Top Class Limousine specializes in weddings, proms, casinos, nights out – and all speContinued on Page 10, with More Photos
Mayor Mike Spano and Council Majority Leader Wilson Terrero, with Council Minority Leader
John Larkin, left, council President Chuck Lesnick and Councilman Michael Sabatino, back,
Pastor Ezequiel Herrera of the nearby Good Shepherd Church, and Robert Voorhees, representing Assemblymember Shelley Mayer. Photo by Greg Baldwin.
Spreading the ‘Good
News’ in Yonkers
“Good News in Yonkers.” I was
excited that someone was trying
to do what our Yonkers Rising
newspaper was doing: to give
the people of Yonkers an alternative message and to highlight the
many good things and people of
this great city.
McAfee moved to Yonkers
32 years ago with her husband,
Toby, from Ohio. “I had friends
who lived in Yonkers and showed
us around and we fell in love with
the beautiful homes immediately,” she said. “We bought our
home in Park Hill in 1981 and
have lived here ever since.”
Question: What do you like
about Yonkers?
Answer: “I like the proximity to New York City and the proximity to the Hudson River. And I
love our neighborhood, where we
have been very involved in our
community. That’s what Yonkers
Jane McAfee with her dogs, Maggie and Casey.
is – a group of different communities and neighborhoods.
By Dan Murphy
“Toby has served on the Park Hill AssociaEvery week for the past few years, I have
tion Board and I’ve run the house tours and the
enjoyed reading an email blast from Jane
spring cleanup. We also work with the parks deMcAfee highlighting the positive news, events
partment, police department and the mayor’s ofand happenings in the City of Yonkers, titled
Continued on Page 8
Onondaga Indians Visit Yonkers
Kayakers from the Onondaga Nation paddle into Yonkers.
Yonkers welcomed more than 400 Onondaga
Nation native people in canoes and kayaks at JFK
marina last week in celebration of the “Two Row
Wampum Renewal Campaign,” commemorating
the 400th anniversary of the Two Row Wampum
Treaty, a document made of beads that represents a
peace pact between the Five Nations of the Haudenosaunee and Dutch traders in upstate New York.
The historic canoe trip started down the Hudson on July 27 and concluded at the United Nations
in New York City on Aug. 9, in an effort to bring
awareness to the treaty and to the Hudson River’s
ecology.
Yonkers’ own Bill Dennison of Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club has been paddling with the
group since the start of its journey. The floating
delegation was met by kayakers in the water, such
as Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick
for a celebration on land, including a traditional
native greeting. Deputy Mayor Sue Gerry welcomed all to the city.
Lesnick and Science Barge “Captain” Bob
Walters joined the group in Piermont on Wednesday night for stories and music, and then paddled
off to Yonkers to the festive beat of a Native American drummer.
See more photos on page 2
City Council District 2 candidate Corazon Pineda, right, speaking to district residents. Photo
by Donna Davis.
By Dan Murphy
The most interesting City Council race this
year is in the second council district, representing
southwest Yonkers and the growing Latino community in the city. Incumbent Councilman and
Majority Leader Wilson Terrero is running for reelection and is being challenged by first-time candidate Corazon Pineda.
Terrero and Pineda, both Democrats, both obtained the required amount of signatures to appear
on the ballot in a primary Sept. 10, and with no Republican running in this overwhelmingly Democratic district, the winner of the primary will be the
next city councilmember from the second district.
The race is important for several reasons: At
the city Democratic convention in May, the mem-
bers present voted not to endorse a candidate for
the second district. Many believe this decision not
to endorse Terrero was made because of Terrero’s
willingness to work with Republicans on the City
Council and Mayor Mike Spano on re-districtingand helping craft the last two city budgets, which
were passed 7-0 on the Council.
Pineda, who has the help and support of
Democrats who believe Terrero has turned away
from his party, said: “The reason I’m running is
because I question the lack of leadership and representation we now have. Wilson has not been visible in the district and I thought that the best way
to get better representation is to run for Council.”
Terrero stands by his record of representing
Continued on Page 8
Police Precincts Celebrate
National Night Out
Enjoying a tug-of-war at the 3rd Police Precinct’s National Night Out. Photo by Donna Davis.
Police Precincts all across Yonkers on Aug.
6 celebrated the 30th annual National Night Out,
which involves more than 15,000 communities
throughout the nation and is designed to heighten
crime and drug prevention awareness, generate
support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, and strengthen police-community relations.
More than 1,000 residents came out to spend
an evening outside with their neighbors and the
Yonkers Police Department. Events included police demonstrations, children’s activities, enter-
tainment and food, and a special presentation by
the Westchester County Police Aviation Unit.
Yonkers Police Department officials also recruited residents for the upcoming police exam.
“National Night Out is a great opportunity for
our residents to interact with their local police and
community,” said Mayor Mike Spano. “Yonkers
has the greatest police department in the country
and these events will remind our neighbors that our
police are here to serve and keep our streets and
families safe.”
See more photos on page 9
PAGe 2 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - FRidAy, AuGust 16, 2013
Yonkers Teens Take On the Appalachian Trail
From left, Homero Avila, Alivia Acosta, Elaine Asare and Darius Elliot pose at the top of the
steepest climb with a view of Maryland in the background.
Native People Make Stop in Yonkers
Onondaga Nation members with city officials at JFK Marina.
The Green Team celebrates its arrival at Harper’s Ferry, W.V. From left are (back row) Elaine
Asare, Homero Avila, Lisa Addane, Doris Osei, Olivia Wiggan, Sara Smith Sell, Leonardo
Gobbato (middle row), Darius Elliot, Alivia Acosta (front row), Curt Collier, Khalid Saleh and
Sheikh Uddin.
By Sara Smith Sell
The annual Green Team camping trips
have become a thing of legend among Groundwork Hudson Valley’s youth employees. From
the night hikes, which inevitably involve excessive screaming, to going days without electricity, these trips are remembered fondly for
years.
This year’s trip was no exception, but it
had an added twist.
The Green Team not only camped, but
also hiked nearly 20 miles on the Appalachian
Trail across Maryland with members carrying
all of their gear including tents, sleeping bags,
food and – most importantly – water, on their
backs. The 10 members of Green Team 2013
represent five different high schools in Yonkers and collectively speak more than seven
languages.
The trip began July 25 with two nights of
camping at Stokes State Forest in New Jersey
and ended with a two-night stay at the National
Conservation Training Center in West Virginia.
The Green Team is a summer employment
program for high-schoolers run each year by
Groundwork Hudson Valley. The employment
term for the Green Team is seven weeks, with
most of this time spent working in Yonkers on
local projects, including work in community
gardens, work on a Groundwork bird and dragonfly habitat at Lenoir Nature preserve, and a
mapping project of local community assets.
The work the Green Team does in Yonkers
helps to prepare members for the work they do
on the trip, and the work they do on the trip
helps them to understand their work in Yonkers.
“Our goal is to help the youth understand
that they are connected to a much larger environmental network,” said Curt Collier,
Groundwork’s director of youth programs.
“By working with professionals they can understand that their work is related to a much
larger picture. It’s a great way to contextualize
the work.”
The focus of the Green Team’s trip this
year was the Appalachian Trial, and the first
full day out members spent the day cutting
down invasive ailanthus trees at Wallkill National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. “I liked
cutting down the trees because it was a challenge and I enjoy physical labor,” said Sheikh
Uddin a senior at Yonkers High School. “I
actually broke a pair of loppers trying to cut
down one tree.”
On July 28, after a breakfast of freezedried eggs and ham – traditional backpacking
food – the crew set out for its first full day of
hiking. Dead on their feet after eight miles of
hiking, the group members stopped for the
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night at Crampton Gap shelter, one of many
shelters on the Appalachian Trail. The next
morning the youth made breakfast, packed up
camp and set off for the trail like old pros. This
last day of hiking ended with a swim in the Potomac River before the group triumphantly arrived in Harper’s Ferry, W.V.
“I was nervous right before we left on the
hike; I didn’t know what to expect. Even though
I was relieved when we finished, I missed it. I
missed hiking with everyone and sharing tents,
although having a bed again was cool,” said
Olivia Wiggan, a junior at Saunders.
The backpack and tent rentals were donated by REI Yonkers, who invited the teens
to their Ridge Hill store before the trip for a
fitting.
The capstone of this adventure was the
two days the youth spent at the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation
Training Center in Shepherdstown, W.V. This
trip, which was funded through a grant from
the National Park Service, was arranged so the
youth would arrive at NCTC in time to make
a presentation to a group of 50 school teachers
from across the East Coast who are part of a
program called “A Trail to Every Classroom.”
Groundwork Hudson Valley’s Green
Team was selected by the National Park Service to present at this conference as a model
youth program.
The youth spoke enthusiastically about
its experiences on the trail and its takeaways.
For many of the youth, this was their first time
camping, their first time without electricity,
and their first time hiking. “It was cool to teach
people who are going to teach others about the
Green Team and about what a unique opportunity we have in Yonkers,” said Leonardo Gobbato, a junior at Saunders. “I think there should
be Green Teams all over the country.”
All of the school teachers and NCTC staff
were impressed by the youth and their presentation. “People came up to me all evening
commenting on how articulate and insightful
our youth were during their presentation,” said
Director Collier.
The Green Team is a program of Groundwork Hudson Valley, a community-based environmental nonprofit located in Yonkers. Other
signature programs are the Science Barge, Saw
Mill River Coalition, Free-A-Tree Vine-Cutting, Saw Mill River Daylighting, Our Folks,
and Get Fresh Yonkers, which includes the
Community Garden Network, Saw Mill River
Farmers’ Market, Community Supported Agriculture, and the Real Fare Entrepreneur’s Club.
Sara Smith Sell is the youth leader at
Groundwork Hudson Valley and an alumnus of
Sarah Lawrence College.
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Friday, August 16, 2013 - Yonkers Rising - PAGE 3
This, Too, is
Kentucky to Yonkers
By Eric W. Schoen
And the “educrats”
Water, test scores and
said, “Don’t worry, be
late summer bargains –
happy!” The tests won’t be
plenty for everybody this
used to evaluate teachers
week!
or schools. They are setWater, Water Everyting the new baseline from
where…But is it Safe?
which we will go forward.
What’s up with the
Were the test results
county and water in Yonreleased last week meant
kers? Everyone knows
to shock the system? Were
Yonkers has the best drinkthey meant to demoraling water in the country. It
ize students, teachers and
is so cold and refreshing
administrators? Were the
that you can drink it right
“educrats” and politicians
out of the faucet. People
kidding when they said we
come from far and near to
should not be worried?
Eric W. Schoen
drink water in our Yonkers
The state education
homes and apartments.
commissioner compared New York to KenThe federal Environmental Protection tucky, which implemented the new tests and
Agency warned the county in 2006 that it failed had a similar drop in scores. Maybe these
to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act; words from the state song of Kentucky, “My
note that 2006 was during County Executive Old Kentucky Home” will make New Yorkers
Spano’s administration.
feel better:
The EPA required the county to implement
“‘Tis summer, and people are gay;
water treatment systems to prevent contaminaThe corn-top’s ripe and
tion from cyrptospiridium. Sounds scary! This
The young folks roll on the little cabin
microbial pathogen can cause cryptosporidi- floor
osis, a potentially fatal illness that includes diAll merry, all happy and bright;
arrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. That’s
By ‘n’ by hard times comes-a-knocking at
dangerous!
the door
Fast forward to 2013: We have a new
Then My Old Kentucky Home, good
county executive (Rob Astorino) and the prob- night!”
lem is still not fixed. So last week we had the
Late Summer Bargains
U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New
I have shared with you the website www.
York, an office that should be fighting corrup- savored.com. Recently, downtown Yonkers’
tion, filing a complaint against Westchester own superb restaurant Zuppa has been added
County on behalf of the EPA charging that parts to the list of restaurants offering patrons a disof Yonkers and Westchester could be consum- count. Zuppa joins X20 and Savored, two great
ing contaminated water.
restaurants that should be on your culinary
Westchester is at war with the county over agenda.
a housing settlement; I won’t rehash the details.
In Times Square and in the mood for a pasBut do we really need to also be in a battle re- ta fix? Olive Garden’s $9.99 never ending pasta
garding safe water? And seven years after we bowl is back; your choice of unlimited pasta,
were warned? This issue has put a cloud (no breadsticks and salad. The beauty is that the
pun intended) over all of Westchester’s water.
$9.99 price applies whether in high-rent market
While on the topic of water, this is another Times Square or in Kentucky!
summer without the Sprain Ridge Pool. This,
Go to www.groupon.com and grab the
after promises that it was going to be fixed. New York Botanical Gardens visit for a famMayor Spano is upset. Southern Westchester ily of four for $35; the regular price is $80.
residents are upset.
Find great deals on Groupon for The Bayou in
So what’s up with the county and water in Mount Vernon, Slave to the Grind in BronxYonkers?
ville, La Panetiere in Rye and San Martino in
Abysmal Results on State Tests by New York Yonkers.
Students
The Starbucks Treat Receipts campaign
For years we had state “educrats” extolling ends Aug. 18; make any purchase before 2 p.m.
rising test scores in New York State. Several and save your receipt, then come back after 2
times a year they would march before the cam- p.m. and any cold grande size drink is only $2.
eras saying how wonderful students in New
Looking to save calories? The mocha light
York State were doing.
frappucino is only 130 in a grande, and the new
Tests scores were going to be an important cool lime refresher is only 60 calories for a
part of new teacher evaluation plans that were grande. The combination lime and green tea is
being put into place; the be-all and end-all of a refreshing treat as summer draws to a close!
education in New York State, as well as the rest
Labor Day is less than three weeks away;
of the nation.
the Jewish holidays are three weeks away.
So what happened last week? New tests Don’t let summer get away from you without
were introduced and scores plummeted. Stu- having some fun! But please, don’t speed on
dents complained they were never taught the the road, as this is Speed Week in New York.
material that was covered on the tests. Teach- Be like me and drive slow and safely, please!
ers complained that they never received proper
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@
training.
aol.com.
Train Station to be Highlighted
During Yonkers Riverfest
The Yonkers Train Station. Photo by Donna Davis.
Visitors to Yonkers Riverfest on Saturday, Sept. 7 will have the opportunity to take
a guided tour of the renovated Yonkers Train
Station to learn about its classical architecture
and its rich 102-year history. Tours will take
place at the station with local historian Mario
Caruso at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. The tours are free
and sponsored by the Metro-North Railroad
Commuter Council.
Built in 1911, the Beaux Arts-style Yonkers Train Station was designed by Grand
Central Terminal architects Warren and Wetmore. It became part of MTA’s Metro-North
Railroad Hudson Line in 1983. Recent improvements in and around the station have enhanced the potential of the surrounding area
as part of the city’s and Metro-North’s “smart
growth” goals. They include the station’s full
renovation in 2004, an adjacent public plaza
built around a newly uncovered (or “daylighted”) section of the Saw Mill River in 2012,
and several private development projects.
In addition to station tours, there will be
family-friendly activities for children at an
MNRCC booth located near the station, along
with a drawing to win a day at Grand Central
Terminal that includes round-trip tickets on
Metro-North, lunch at world-famous Junior’s
Restaurant, free Grand Central audio tours, a
one-year membership to the New York Transit Museum, and commemorative centennial
merchandise.
MNRCC’s participation in Yonkers Riverfest is part of the Grand Central Terminal
Centennial Celebration that commemorates
the 1913 opening of the iconic New York City
terminal. In addition to Yonkers, Metro-North
and MNRCC has offered historic tours of the
Pelham Train Station and will offer two talks
about the history and impact of the Brewster
station Sept. 15.
For more information, visit www.pcac.
org or www.grandcentralterminal.com/centennial.
The Infrastructure Project to
Perform at Jazz & Blues Series
Tuition Assistance • Jobs • Training
The Infrastructure Project
The Yonkers Downtown/Waterfront
Business Improvement District will host the
seventh concert in its Jazz and Blues at Dusk
series with The Infrastructure Project as the
featured performer Friday, Aug. 16 at 6:30
p.m. at the waterfront amphitheater.
“We are thrilled to have this great outdoor space where people of all backgrounds
and ages can come together and have a great
time dancing to soulful
sounds of jazz. We’re
really excited about the
upcoming performance
with The Infrastructure
Project,” said Dan Lipka, executive director
of the Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID
The band consists
of two experienced musicians from Westchester County and two upand-coming musicians
from New York City
and Washington, D.C.
Vocalist Mala Waldron, who has previously lived in Yonkers,
has been performing
professionally
since
age 15. She studied jazz
piano, voice and composition from SUNY
College of Old Westbury. Tony Jefferson of
Peekskill is an accomplished drummer with a
passion for woodwinds
and a melodic approach
on the drums.
The idea is for young musicians and experienced musicians to come together and
bring an interesting and enjoyable twist to
jazz lovers.
For more information, visit www.YonkersDowntown.com.
Looking for 50 Homeowners
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Roof Diagnostics Solar is now qualifying 50 homes for a FREE home
solar system. Call 845-694-3536 to see if your home qualifies!
845-694-3536
PAGE 4 - Yonkers rising - Friday, August 16, 2013
Trade Licensing Exam For
‘Operation Backpack’ Seeks
Plumbers and Electricians Upcoming Donations of School Supplies
Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni with, from left, Trades and Licensing Department
Director Edward Brady, and staff Carol Bonanno, Louis Campisi and Steven Reese.
Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni reminds plumbers and electricians seeking a license
to perform work in Westchester that Sept. 14 is the
next scheduled exam for 2013. Applications, which
can be obtained at the Office of the Westchester
County Clerk in White Plains or downloaded from
www.WestchesterClerk.com, must be received by
Aug. 14. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
Westchester County law requires that plumbers and electricians performing their trade within
county borders be licensed. “This law is strictly enforced to insure the safety and protection of those
who live and work in Westchester,” said Idoni.
“We also have field inspectors who travel throughout Westchester to insure that plumbers and electricians are properly licensed and insured while
working on a job.”
The plumbing and electrical boards require
tradespeople to go through a detailed application
process, pass an examination and submit sufficient
proof of insurance before a license will be issued
or renewed. Requirements to apply for a license
include:
* Journey-Level Plumber: Application fee of
$25 and proof of successful completion of a fiveyear apprenticeship of plumbing work under the
supervision and employ of a licensed plumber.
* Master Plumber: Application fee of $50 and
proof of five years of experience or apprenticeship
in the employ of a licensed master plumber and an
additional five years experience as a journey-level
plumber under the supervision and employ of a licensed master plumber.
* Master/Special Electrician: Application fee
of $50 and proof of 11 ½ years of electrical experience, seven and a half of which must be on the
journey level.
Unlicensed plumbers and electricians are
urged to take advantage of the remaining exams
being offered in September and November this
year. “It is against the law to perform any plumbing
or electrical work without a Westchester County license and if caught, you risk heavy fines that can
run as high as $5,000 a day,” cautioned Edward
Brady, director of the Trades Licensing Department.
For more information regarding trades licensing, the application and exam schedule, call 914995-2657, email CC-Licensing@westchestergov.
com, or visit the Office of the Westchester County
Clerk at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,
White Plains between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ( arrive
by 4:30 p.m.), Monday through Friday, excluding
legal holidays.
Scholarships Available for
Parish-Based Elementary Schools
The Archdiocese of New York has announced the implementation of the “Children’s
Scholarship Partnership – Regionalization
Rewards Program,” and applications are now
being accepted at 129 participating regionalized and parish-based archdiocesan elementary
schools.
Effective in September, 1,000 partialtuition scholarships will be offered to public
school children who wish to attend these Catholic elementary schools. The maximum scholarship amount for the 2013-14 academic year
is $2,800, with the actual amount awarded per
student to be calculated on a sliding scale determined by the family’s income and the target
school’s tuition.
Scholarships are available to incoming
public school students in grades one through
six; however, kindergarten children from all
schools will be eligible, not just those entering
from the public school system. Scholarships
are renewable through grade eight if a family demonstrates continued financial need and
funding remains available.
Since these are partial-tuition scholarships, families are responsible for tuition and
fees not covered by the award.
Funding for these scholarships is provided
by the Children’s Scholarship Fund, a national
scholarship organization, and the Archdiocese
of New York, as part of its recent regionalization process. The Children’s Scholarship Fund
currently administers three other archdiocesan
scholarship programs, and the application process and awarding of these new scholarships
will be modeled after those existing programs.
To apply for the scholarship and for more
information, such as a list of participating
schools and income eligibility scale, visit www.
scholarshipfund.org/nyc/howtoapply.html.
Assessment Results Introduce
New Baseline for Student Success
The 2013 New York State math and English language arts assessments for grades three
through eight are the first to measure Common
Core Learning Standards and, as such, have
been introduced as a new baseline from which
to measure achievement moving forward.
New York State Education Commissioner
John King last week released the new assessments’ results and cautioned school communities – who will likely see significant reductions
in proficiency levels – not to view the results as
a decrease in student performance, “but rather a
raising of standards to reflect college and career
readiness in the 21st century.”
Similar to school districts throughout the
state, Yonkers Public Schools incurred a significant drop in proficiency levels as measured
by the new assessments, with 16.4 percent of
students reaching proficiency in ELA and 14.5
percent in math. Consistent with previous years,
however, Yonkers maintained the highest levels
of proficiency of the Big Four city school districts, including Buffalo (11.5 percent ELA, 9.7
percent math), Rochester (5.5 percent ELA, 5
percent math) and Syracuse (8.7 percent ELA,
9.7 percent math).
“The scores define a new baseline to measure achievement and reflect the marked increase in rigor of the Common Core and the
recent integration of these standards into the
curriculum,” said Superintendent of Yonkers
Public Schools Bernard Pierorazio. “We are
clearly not satisfied with the results but advocate
for the standard’s increased expectations and the
transition to a more accurate understanding of
true college and career readiness. It is from this
baseline that we may adjust best practices within
the classroom and provide the necessary support
to properly prepare our students for success in
post-secondary study and beyond.”
Yonkers Board of Education President Dr.
Nader Sayegh added that the district reached
out to families prior to the assessment’s April
administration to explain that the anticipated
low results would not have punitive effects on
schools, teachers or students.
“We wanted our parents and staff to understand that these tests do not measure progress
from years past,” he said. “Instead, they are the
new benchmark from which to measure future
achievement.”
Adopted by the New York State Board of
Regents in 2010, the transition to the Common
Core Learning Standards is an ongoing process.
Yonkers Public Schools began Phase I of its
implementation during the 2011-12 school year,
introducing administrators and teachers to the
new standards and articulating the differences
between Common Core and the previous standards.
In 2012, Phase II began with professional
development for educators that targeted classroom application of the Common Core curriculum. In 2013-14, Phase II continues with educators using the results of the 2013 assessments as
a baseline to assess current practices and modify
classroom application to meet the increased expectations.
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Once again, Westchester County is teaming up with various nonprofit agencies and
businesses to collect school supplies for children in need. This year, the goal of Operation
Backpack is to surpass last year’s donations,
which filled more than 1,000 backpacks.
“These supplies are vital to many of our
children,” said County Executive Robert Astorino. “Our goal is to help as many children
as we can.”
The program is spearheaded by the county Department of Social Services, but there
are many partners, including Operation Prom,
Sharing Shelf, WFAS, Kids Klosest and State
Farm.
“We are pleased to again be part of this
initiative, which makes a real difference,” said
Deborah Blaatt of Sharing Shelf.
State Farm agent Lisa Vitiello made the
same point, saying: “I got involved last year
and this year I have recruited some of my fellow agents to help, as well.”
Collection bins are set up in various government offices and area businesses. Collection sites include:
* Westchester County Michaelian Office
Building, 148 Martine Ave., White Plains;
914-995-2100
* Department of Social Services Central
Office, 112 East Post Road, White Plains; 914995-5000
* Mount Vernon District Office, 100 East
First St, Mount Vernon; 914-813-6164.
* Peekskill District Office, 750 Washington St., Peekskill; 914-862-5078
* White Plains District Office, 85 Court
St., White Plains; 914-995-5889
* Yonkers District Office, 31 Warburton
Ave., Yonkers; 914-231-2653
* Sharing Shelf, 47 Purdy Ave., Port
Chester; 914-305-9550
* Kid’s Kloset, 845 N. Broadway, White
Plains; 914-522-2812
* WFAS, 365 Secor Road, Hartsdale;
914-693-2400
In addition, several State Farm offices are
collecting supplies, including:
* Lisa Vitiello, 282 White Plains Road,
Eastchester; 914-337-4810
* John O’Brien, 2016 Central Park Ave.,
Yonkers; 914-793-5100
* Bob Weber, 626 North Ave., New Rochelle; 914-712-3000
* Mark Link, 111 Fifth Ave., Pelham;
914-712-3680
* Vivian Lem, 590 Central Park Ave.,
Scarsdale; 914-725-5000
* Delores Clemons, CLU, ChFC, 562
Kimball Ave., Yonkers; 914-663-6688
* Tom Broderick, 211 Main St., New Rochelle; 914-632-6000
* Mike Lanza, 761 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers; 914-476-2287
* Gene A Lanza, 761 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers; 914-476-2287
* Tamara Lanza, 18 Halstead Ave., Harrison; 914-835-6000
* Edgar Almanzar, 477 Central Ave.,
White Plains; 914-358-9712
* Kathy Davidoff, 239 N. Broadway,
Sleepy Hollow; 914-524-9535
For more information, contact Matthew
McCarrick, staff assistant of community education for the Department of Social Services,
at 914-995-4979 or by email at [email protected].
Help Grandparents Provide
Back-to-School Supplies
The Grandparents Coalition of Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs
and Services is once again accepting donations
to help seniors who are raising their grandchildren to pay for school supplies.
“This is a very worthwhile program,” said
Astorino. “I encourage people to generously
help.”
About 4,740 grandparents in Westchester County have sole responsibility for raising
their grandchildren. Many of them receive little or no subsidies to care for them, and often
have to leave retirement and return to work.
Some must hold down two jobs to meet expenses and even then skimp on their personal
and medical needs to pay expenses for school
supplies for their grandchildren.
Through the Westchester Public/Private
Partnership for Aging Services, the Grandparents Coalition welcomes tax-deductible gifts
of $20 – but any amount is welcome.
Send contributions to the Westchester
Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services,
9 S. First Ave., 10th floor, Mount Vernon, NY
10550-3414; Attn: Corina Sonara (program
administrator with the Grandparents Coalition).
A form to accompany the donation is
available to download on the DSPS website at
www.westchestergov.com/seniors.
Library Presents Music Event
New York Cabaret unlimited will present
“Cookin’ with Cole” on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2
p.m. at the Yonkers Public Library, Grinton Will
Library, 1500 Central Park Ave. The program
is sponsored by Friends of Yonkers Public Library, and admission is free of charge with no
tickets are required; seating will be in the 325seat auditorium.
“Cookin’ with Cole” features the great
songs of Cole Porter, including “Let’s Do It,”
“Begin the Beguine,” “My Heart Belongs to
Daddy,” “So In Love,” “Night and Day,” “Anything Goes” and many others.
New York Cabaret unlimited features four
singers, Rhonda Liss, Michele Abrams, Michael
Fisher and Gary Skidmore; a bassist, Geoff
Morrow; a narrator, Linda Levine; and Walter
Levine, the director, arranger and pianist.
For more information or directions, call the
library at 914-337-1500.
Friday, August 16, 2013 - Yonkers Rising- PAGE 5
Zox Kitchen:
Summer Desserts
Chef Alan Zox
By Chef Alan Zox
One of my favorite food blogs these days
is “Clean,” written by Dr. Alejandro Junger.
He is an internist, cardiologist and functional
physician who is having a profound impact on
healthy eating that focuses attention on relieving inflammation in the gut. His first book,
called “Clean,” has been a big hit and his second book published earlier this spring is called
“Clean Gut: The Breakthrough Plan for Eliminating the Root Cause of Disease and Revolutionizing Your Health.” Used copies are less
expensive at www.Amazon.com.
Dr. Junger has also helped support a delightful newsletter on healthy eating that I have
enjoyed for over a year. (See Junger’s colleague
Dhru Purohit to register for their free newsletter at www.cleanprogram.com, or visit my blog
at www.zoxkitchen.com for other food articles
and recipes.)
Today I have chosen to share a delicious
recipe from the “Clean” newsletter that I have
tried on several occasions with excellent re-
sults, called “spicy rhubarb compote.” It’s
ideal as a sweet and savory accompaniment on
scones, ice cream, chicken and lamb.
Don’t be afraid to experiment in the kitchen and use what’s available during different
seasons of the year. Try your own combination
because if it seems good to you, chances are
others will think so, too.
Spicy Rhubarb Compote
Ingredients:
2 cups of rhubarb
1/4 cup coconut nectar or granules
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
Dash of sea salt
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon of ginger, peeled and diced
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400. Slice the ends off the
rhubarb and then slice into 1-to-2-inch-long
pieces and place into a shallow baking dish.
Cover with all dry ingredients and add the vanilla and begin drizzling the balsamic vinegar
over everything (an excellent replacement for
cane sugar with a savory, tart flavor).
Mix everything together until the rhubarb
is well covered. If it seems too dry, add more
balsamic and even a ¼ cup of water. Bake in
the oven until the rhubarb is tender – about 15
minutes. Keep stirring occasionally and check
to make sure it’s not turning too dark, or burning.
Remove from the oven and serve warm
over anything you like, including freshly sliced
chilled peaches, blueberries, raspberries or vanilla ice cream. It also goes well with pancakes,
waffles and French toast.
For more, visit www.zoxkitchen.com or
www.facebook.com/zoxkitchenArticle.
Email Chef Alan Zox at azox@zoxkitchen.
com.
Casino Holds Contestant Search
For ‘The Price Is Right’
“Come on Down!” will be the call to post
at Empire City Casino on Tuesday, Aug. 20
as contestants have a chance to take the first
step to compete and win big on “The Price Is
Right,” when the iconic CBS television game
show comes to another home for big winners
from noon to 3 p.m.
Fans and applicants alike are welcome to
enter at Empire City starting at midday when
“The Price Is Right” Contestant Search returns
to Yonkers. Applicants will have the opportunity to explain why they want to be a contestant on the game show and two lucky winners
from the New York Contestant Search will be
flown to Los Angeles to see the show and have
a chance to be called as a contestant on “The
Price is Right!”
The contestant search will be held in the
Good Time Room on the third floor of the casino. Participants must be U.S. legal residents
18 years of age and over, answer questions
such as “Why do you want to be on The Price
Is Right?” and have a completed application
and eligibility form.
Other eligibility restrictions apply. For
more information, go to www.empirecitycasino.com/promotions/#PriceIsRightContestan
tSearch.
Volunteer Project to Honor
Victims and Heroes of 9/11
Kitchen & Bath Insider:
They’re Killing Us Slowly
By Paul Bookbinder, M.I.D.,
volatile organic compounds,
C.R.
at very competitive prices (alThe most difficult part of
though they will never be as
writing these articles myself
inexpensive as cabinets made
(instead of hiring a profesin countries where the aversional) is that as the deadage hourly wage is less than
line approaches the pressure
a U.S. dollar).
mounts and it gets more and
Some of these same
more difficult to come up with
countries sell granite couna new topic that you might
ters with high levels of radon,
find interesting or amusing.
a cancer causing, radioactive
After all, what could possigas. Just shut off the lights
bly be new after writing 154
and see them glow! But hey,
Paul Bookbinder
Kitchen and Bath Insiders?
they’re cheap!
I thought of tackling the topic of “standing
Consider, instead, quartz composite counyour ground” in the remodeling process, but tertops which are certified by various environLiz felt the topic was too close, and too soon, mental organizations as to their lack of harmful
to current events. I came up with “whistle emissions, or buy granite that has acceptable
blowing in the cabinet industry,” but realized radon emissions.
I don’t have a whistle. So, stumped, I’m taking
Now, I’m not saying that everything made
the easy way out and falling back on one of in America is great. In fact, some of our stuff
my favorite topics, the dreaded imports that are could stand a little room for improvement, but
slowly killing us just as sure as a direct attack at least there are some government standards
on our homeland.
to adhere to. And I’m not saying that expoThey put arsenic in our orange juice and sure to some chemicals is all that bad. When I
lead in our kids’ toys, and there’s even sulfur was an industrial arts teacher, for many years I
in our sheetrock. God only knows what’s in taught both woodworking and printing. In print
the cabinets. And yet we keep importing prod- shop we handled type that was made primarily
ucts and produce from that big country in the of lead and washed our hands with kerosene.
east.
Having dinner with a friend (a product liabilSo really, what’s the big deal? Where’s ity attorney) the other day, I mentioned this
the harm in a little arsenic, or lead, or hydro- and said it didn’t seem to adversely affect me!
gen sulfide gas, when you can save a couple Her reply was: “Think of what you could have
of bucks? Haven’t you heard? We’re still in a been!”
recession. Health is a small price to pay when
So sit back, take a deep, formaldehydeyou’re talking about saving money.
filled breath, and watch the kids sip arsenicBut if you are concerned about avoiding laced apple juice while putting their leadthe perils of hazardous material exposure when painted toys in their mouths. It really doesn’t
eating, buying toys or homes, or remodeling, matter much because the hydrogen sulfide gas
you must use your common sense (see K&B coming from the sheet rock will eventually kill
Insider No. 123: Common Sense, Priceless!).
you, anyway.
The best way to begin is by reading labels,
Unless, of course, you decide to spend a
assuming you still can read after exposure to couple of extra bucks and buy safe products
all those noxious fumes. If not, have your BFF from a country you can trust.
(best friend forever) read the label for you. If
Paul Bookbinder, M.I.D., C.R., is presithe product does not have a label, ask the pro- dent of DreamWork Kitchens, Inc., located in
prietor for a Material Data Safety Sheet, which Mamaroneck. A master of design from Pratt
lists the properties (both harmful and inert) of Institute and EPA-certified remodeler, he
the product.
serves on the Advisory Panel of Remodeling
In the remodeling industry, most cabinet Magazine. A member of the National Kitchen
and countertop manufacturers have been mak- and Bath Association, he is also a contributor
ing a concerted effort to clean up their act. Now to Do It Yourself magazine. He can be reached
you can purchase American-made cabinets that for questions at 914-777-0437 or www.dreamhave little or no harmful ingredients, such as workkitchens.com.
Westchester Nature Center
Hosting August Events
On Sunday, Aug. 18, a “Dragonfly-by”
will take place at 2 p.m. at Marshlands Conservancy, Boston Post Road (Route 1), Rye.
View these fantastic wonders in flight. For
more information, call 914-835-4466.
On Saturday, Aug. 24 a butterfly garden volunteer cleanup will begin at 9 a.m.
at Lenoir Preserve, Dudley Street, Yonkers.
Bring work gloves and help spruce up this
beautiful space. For more information, call
914-968-5851
On Sunday, Aug. 25 will be the first fall
migration bird walk, beginning at 7:30 a.m. at
Marshlands Conservancy. Bring binoculars to
view warblers, vireos and raptors starting to
make their way south. For more information,
call 914-835-4466.
On Monday, Aug. 26, the fourth Monday
bird walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Croton
Point Nature Center, Croton Point Avenue,
Croton-on-Hudson. Bring binoculars for a
hike with members of Saw Mill River Audubon. For more information, call 914-862-5297
or go to www.sawmillriveraudubon.org.
Westchester’s 9/11 memorial site, “The Rising,” at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla.
Sept. 11 is a solemn day of remembrance
for all Americans. It also is an opportunity for
those who live and work in Westchester County to volunteer in the community as a way of
honoring those whose lives were lost or were
forever changed by the tragic events on this
day in 2001.
To commemorate the 9/11 National Day
of Service and Remembrance, Westchester
County government and The Volunteer Center
of United Way have again joined together to
present “9/11: Serve & Remember,” more than
25 service events and activities organized by
area nonprofit organizations, from Sept. 3 to
11.
“Volunteering is one of the best ways to
honor the victims and families affected by the
tragic events of 9/11 and to pay tribute to our
first responders and other heroes,” said County
Executive Robert Astorino. “There are volunteer opportunities across the county that are
suitable for people of all ages who want give
back. I encourage people to sign up now at the
website of The Volunteer Center.”
Detailed information is available at www.
volunteer-center.org/service2013, and early
registration is encouraged.
“As an agency devoted to increasing volunteerism in Westchester and our surrounding
communities, we see this as a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages and interests
to join together in service to build a permanent
and positive legacy that rekindles the spirit of
unity that followed the tragic events of Sept.
11,” said Alisa Kesten, executive director of
The Volunteer Center. “The Volunteer Center
will help connect individuals to activities that
match their interests.”
The culmination of “9/11: Serve & Remember” week is a day of activity at Kensico
Dam Plaza in Valhalla on Sept. 11, the site of
Westchester’s 9/11 memorial, “The Rising.”
There, visitors can donate new and gently
used soccer balls, footballs and baseballs that
will be used by U.S. troops abroad (through
the nonprofit Let’s Play It Forward, Inc.); and
children and adults can create word and math
flashcards that will be donated to local schools
and after-school programs. Donation booths
and volunteer activities will take place from
noon to 6:45 p.m.
There will also be a blood drive Sept. 11 at
the Westchester County Center.
Westchester County’s formal memorial
ceremony will take place Sept. 11 at The Rising beginning at 7 p.m.
Other service projects during the nine-day
event include: creating an American flag for the
five senses with adults who are developmentally disabled at Richmond Community Services in Yonkers; removing vines from trees at
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown
Heights; blood and food drives; veteran and
military outreach; helping at a soup kitchen;
painting and restoration work; and sorting and
packaging clothing for those in need.
Times and dates will be posted on the
website as they become available.
View your favorite paper online!
Visit RisingMediaGroup.com
PAGE 6 - Yonkers Rising - Friday, August 16, 2013
Legal Notices
Classifieds
ANTIQUES • ART • COLLECTIBLES
Most cash paid for paintings, antiques, furniture, silver, sculpture, jewelry, books, cameras, records, instruments, coins, watches, gold,
comics, sports cards, etc. Please call Aaron at
914-654-1683.
Coins • Currency • Jewelry
at Hudson Valley Numismatics. Experienced
collector will identify your holdings, help you
determine fair value, and make you a strong
offer or sell for you on consignment. We also
write appraisals, handle estates, and arrange
charitable donations nonprofit organizations.
ANA R-1164851 Reach us at: 914-6493317, [email protected] or http://www.
marchaeology.com. References available.
Voice and Piano Lessons Beginners to advanced Voice Therapy Dr. David
Fairchild Doctorate in Voice from Columbia
University 914-337-6405 Web site Dr David
Fairchild.com
Experienced Home Health
Care Available - Experienced person
looking for overnight work taking care of the
elderly. Experience with Cancer, Diabetes and
Alzheimers Disease. Please call Eleanor at
914- 328-2322 or 914-308-2485
STOVE BUSINESS: Pellet, Gas, WoodBurning. Great History, StrongCustomer Base
w/ Growth Potential. Seller relocating forces
sale.Other businesses also available.Call Broker WM Smith 845-255-4111
FLORIDA LAKEFRONT CONDO
LIQUIDATION! Brand new construction. Lender says SELL! 2 bed, 2 bath only
$199,900 was $365,000. Luxury interiors,
resort -style amenities, minutes to downtown
& all major attractions. Last opportunity to
own a new Florida condo BELOW builder
cost. Limited number available. Call now &
ask about our Fly -N -Buy program 877 -333
-0272, x 89
RINALDIFLEAMARKETS.COM Every Sunday Weather Permitting 900 Dutchess
Turnpike (rt44) Poughkeepsie NY. Free Admission & Parking, Great Food & Bargains.
Vendors Wanted! Please visit RINALDIFLEAMARKETS.COM See Ya There!
AIRLINE CAREERS begin here– Get
FAA approved Aviation Maintenance Technician training. Financial aid for qualified students– Housing available. Job placement assistance. Call AIM 866-296-7093
HAS YOUR BUILDING SHIFTED
OR SETTLED? Contact Woodford Brothers
Inc,for straightening, leveling, foundation and
wood frame repairs at1-800-OLD-BARN.
www.woodfordbros.com. “Not applicable in
Queenscounty”
HAS YOUR BUILDING SHIFTED
OR SETTLED? Contact Woodford Brothers
Inc,for straightening, leveling, foundation and
wood frame repairs at1-800-OLD-BARN.
www.woodfordbros.com. “Not applicable in
Queenscounty”
ABSOLUTE FARMLAND LIQUIDATION
COOPERSTOWN
LAKES
REGION! 5acres -Views -$14,900 10acres
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FAMILY CAMP FOR SALE Beautifully Finished Cabin on 5 Acres, Woods and
Nice Lawn, Quiet County Road, Stocked
Fishing Pond & Guest Cabin Only $69,995.
Call 800 -229 -7843 or see photos of over 100
different properties at www.LandandCamps.
com
SAWMILLS from only $4897.00
-MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own
bandmill -Cut lumber any dimension. In
stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.
NorwoodSawmills.com 1 -800 -578 -1363
Ext.300N
SAWMILLS from only $4897.00
-MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own
bandmill -Cut lumber any dimension. In
stock ready to ship. FREE Info/DVD: www.
NorwoodSawmills.com 1 -800 -578 -1363
Ext.300N
Discover Delaware’s Resort Living
without Resort pricing! Milder Winter’s &
Low Taxes! Gated Community with amazing
amenities; New Homes mid $40’s. Brochures
available 1 -866 -629 -0770 or www.coolbranch.com
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best
selection of affordable rentals. Full/partial
weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily.
Holiday RealEstate. 1-800-638-2102. Online
reservations: www.holidayoc.com
CASH for Coins! Buying ALL Gold &
Silver. Also Stamps & Paper Money, Entire
Collections, Estates. Travel to your home.
Call Marc in New York 1 -800 -959 -3419
THE MUNICIPAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
FOR THE CITY OF YONKERS
1511 Central Park Avenue P.O. Box 35
Yonkers, New York 10710
Notice of formation of MT.
VERNON CHICKEN, LLC
filed with the Secy. of State
of NY (SSNY) on 6/20/13.
Office loc.: Westchester
County. The principal business loc. is 65 E. Prospect
Ave., Mt. Vernon, NY 10550.
SSNY designated as agent
of LLC upon whom process
against it may be served.
SSNY shall mail copy of
process to Ashish Parikh,15
Nicolosi Dr., Staten Island,
NY 10312. Mgmt. shall be
by one or more members.
Purpose: Any lawful activity.
#6424 7/12 – 816
Notice of formation of
ARTISTRY
DANCE
PROJECT,LLC Arts. Of Org.
filed with the Sect’y of State
of NY (SSNY) on June 26,
2013. Office location: Westchester County. The street
address is: 70 MEMORIAL
PLAZA PLEASANTVILLE,
NY 10570. SSNY has been
designated as agent of the
LLC upon whom process
SSNY shall mail process
served to: LORI SPADA 53
EAST 92ND ST APT 2R NY,
NY 10128 Purpose: any lawful act.
#6427 7/12 – 8/16
Formation of 4319 Katonah
Avenue, LLC filed with the
Secy. of State of NY (SSNY)
on 6/18/13.
Office loc.:
Westchester County. SSNY
designated as agent of LLC
upon whom process against
it may be
served. The
principal business loc. and
address SSNY shall mail
process to is John B. Mulligan, 68 Devoe Ave., Yonkers, NY 10705. Mgmt. shall
be by one or more members.
Purpose: Any lawful activity.
#6430 7/19 – 8-23
Notice of formation of
Westrock Legal Nurse Consulting, LLC. Art. Of Org. for
Artistic Gift Bags L.L.C. filed
with the Sect’y of State of NY
(SSNY) on 11/16/10. Cert of
Amendment (name change)
filed with the Sec’y of State
Office in Westchester County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC
it may be served. SSNY shall
mail process to: 46 Dehaven
Drive, Apt 2E, Yonkers, NY
10703. Purpose: any lawful
purpose.
This RFP contains submission requirements, scope of services, period of services,
terms and conditions and other pertinent information for submitting a proper and responsive proposal. Prospective Offerors desiring any explanation or interpretation of the
solicitation must request it at least seven (7) calendar days before the RFP due date.
The request must be addressed to Joseph Shuldiner, Executive Director, at the address
stated below. Any information given to a prospective Offeror about this solicitation will
be furnished to all other prospective Offerors as a written amendment to the solicitation.
All responses to the RFP must be enclosed in a sealed envelope and labeled as follows:
General Counsel Legal Services RFP, MHACY, Due Date and Time: Monday September 16, 2013, 4:00 P.M. The RFP response must be addressed to Joseph Shuldiner,
Executive Director, Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers, 1511 Central
Park Avenue, P.O.Box 35, Yonkers, New York 10710.
Proposals must reach MHACY no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday September 16,
2013. Late submissions will be handled in accordance with the provisions in Form HUD5369-B titled “Late Submissions, Modifications, and Withdrawal of Offers.” Proposals
will be held in confidence and not released in any manner until after the contract award.
Proposals will be evaluated on the criteria stated in the RFP. Negotiations may be conducted with contractors who have a reasonable chance of being selected for the award.
After evaluation of the proposal revisions, if any, the contract will be awarded to the responsible firm(s) whose qualifications, price and other factors considered are the most
advantageous to MHACY. MHACY reserve the right to reject any and all proposals.
Notice: Contact with members of the MHACY Board of Commissioners, or MHACY
officers and employees other than the contact person shown above, prior to the execution of a contract with the selected respondent(s) could result in disqualification of a
proposal. In fairness to all firms, during the RFP process MHACY will not meet in person
with anyone representing a potential provider of these services to discuss this RFP. This
does not exclude meetings required to conduct business not related to the RFP, or possible personal presentations after written proposals have been received and evaluated.
Joseph Shuldiner
Executive Director
DATE: Monday, August 12, 2013
#1202 8/16 & 9/5
LEGAL NOTICE
Public Notice
Yonkers Municipal Civil Service Commission
NOTICE is hereby given, pursuant to law, that the Yonkers Municipal Civil Service Commission of the City of Yonkers, New York will hold a Public hearing on September 17,
2013 at 5:00 p.m. in City Hall.
Subject to approval of the Civil Service Commission of the State of New York, the proposed amendments to the Rules and to Appendices “A”, “B” and “C” and of the Rules of
the Yonkers Municipal Civil Service Commission, positions in the Exempt, Non-Competitive Class and the Unclassified Service within its jurisdiction, be added/deleted/amended and be approved as follows:
ADD:
UNCLASSIFIED
Commissioner of Information Technology
EXEMPT
Deputy Commissioner of Information Technology (2)
Secretary to Human Rights Commission
Notice of formation of 24
Harding Avenue, LLC filed
with the Secy. of State of NY
(SSNY) on 6/12/13. Office
loc.: Westchester County.
The principal business loc.
is 24 Harding Ave., Yonkers,
NY 10705. SSNY designated
as agent of LLC upon whom
process against it may be
served. SSNY shall mail
copy of process to John B.
Mulligan, 68 Devoe Ave.,
Yonkers, NY 10705. Mgmt.
shall be by one or more
members. Purpose: Any
lawful activity.
#6428 7/19 – 8/23
Notice of formation of Freedom’s Gate LLC Arts. Of Org.
filed with the Sect’y of State
of NY (SSNY) on 6/26/2013.
Office location: Westchester
County. The street address
is: 32 Harney Road Scarsdale, NY 10583. Legal Zoom.
com Inc. has been designated as agent of the LLC upon
whom process against it may
be served. SSNY shall mail
process served to: Legal
Zoom.com Inc. 7014 13th
Avenue Suite 202 Brooklyn,
New York 11228. Purpose:
any lawful act.
#6431 7/19 – 8/23
Formation of 3200 Netherland Avenue, LLC filed with
the Secy. Of State of NY
(SSNY) on 6/18/13. Office
loc.: Westchester County.
SSNY designated as agent
of LLC upon whom process
against it
may be served. The principal business loc. and address SSNY shall mail process to is John B. Mulligan,
68 Devoe Ave., Yonkers, NY
10705. Mgmt. shall be by
one or more members. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
#6429 7/19 – 8-23
LEGAL NOTICE
You &
Yours First Aid/CPR LLC
has filed articles of organization with the Sect’y of State
of NY (SSNY) on 6/26/2013.
Office Location: Westchester County, NY. SSNY has
been designated as agent of
the LLC upon whom process
The address to which the
SSNY shall mail a copy of
any process against the LLC
served upon him or her is
PO Box 53, Shrub Oak, NY
10588 The company is organized to conduct any lawful business for which limited
liability companies may be
organized.
#6432 7/26 – 8/30
Notice of formation of StemTerra, LLC, a domestic
Limited Liability Company
(LLC), filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY)
on 07/19/2013. NY office location: Westchester County.
Principal office of LLC: 40
Iselin Terrace, Larchmont,
New York 10538. SSNY
mail process to Gregg Fisher
40 Iselin Terrace, Larchmont,
New York 10538. Purpose:
Marketing consulting and research.
#6433 7/26 – 8/30
Notice of Formation : Leitenberger Design Group LLC
Articles of Organization filed
with the Secretary of State of
NY (SSNY) on June , 2013.
Office location: Westchester County. SSNY has been
designated as agent upon
whom process against it may
be served. The Post Office
address to which the SSNY
shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served
upon him/her is: 2 Beech
Place, Valhalla, NY 10595
Attention: Gus Leitenberger.
Dissolution date: None. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
NOTICE OF FORMATION
of Seiffert Media Advisors,
LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC), filed
with the Secretary of State of
NY (SSNY) on 07/11/2013.
Office location: Westchester County. Principal office
of LLC: 80 Secor Road,
Scarsdale NY 10583. SSNY
it may be served. SSNY will
mail process to Alan Seiffert,
80 Secor Road, Scarsdale
NY 10583, upon whom and
at which process may be
served. Purpose: Any lawful
business activity.
#6434 7/26 – 8/30
NOTICE OF FORMATION
OF MPJ&E LLC. Arts of Org
filed with Secy of State of
NY (SSNY) on 6/25/13. Office location: Westchester
County. SSNY designated as
agent upon whom process
may be served and shall mail
copy of process against LLC
to principal address: 108 E.
Prospect Ave Mount Vernon,
NY 10550. Purpose: any
lawful act.
Notice of formation of a limited liability Company (LLC),
Up One Notch LLC, filed
with the Secretary of State
Office location: Westchester
County SSNY designated as
agent of Up One Notch LLC
mail a copy of process to: Up
One Notch LLC, 255 North
Avenue Suit 1561, New Rochelle, NY 10802. Purpose:
Any lawful purpose.
Notice of formation of The
Kirill Organization, LLC, a
domestic Limited Liability
Company (LLC), filed with
the Secretary of State of NY
(SSNY) on 05/30/2013. Office location: Westchester
County. Principal office of
LLC: 2 Consulate Dr, Apt 1O,
Tuchaoe, NY 10707. SSNY
mail process to Kirill Azovtsev, 2 Consulate Dr, Apt 1O
Tuchaoe, NY 10707, upon
whom and at which process
may be served. Purpose:
Real Estate Investment.
#6437 8/2 – 9/6
#6436 8/2 – 9/6
Notice of formation of Southern Westchester Immigration Center, LLC, a domestic
LLC, Arts. Of Org. filed with
the SSNY on 07/29/2013.
Office located: Westchester
County. SSNY is designated
as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be
served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC, C/O Leo
Sosa 434-A South Broadway, Yonkers 10705.General
Purposes.
#6439 8/9 – 9/13
Dated: July 2013
Yonkers, New York
#1201 8/9 – 8/23
#6426 7/12 – 8/16
#6425 7/12 – 8/16
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR
GENERAL COUNSEL - LEGAL SERVICES
The Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY) hereby solicits proposals from attorneys or law firms offering to provide General Counsel legal services
to MHACY as specified in this Request for Proposals (“RFP”).The proposal package
may be obtained in person at the office of the MHACY, 1511 Central Park Avenue,
Yonkers, NY 10710.
Wilson Soto, LLC Articles of
Organization filed with the
Secretary of State of New
York (SSNY) on 10/14/2010.
Office in Westchester County. SSNY is the designated
agent of LLC upon whom
served. SSNY shall mail
copy of process to 281
South Broadway Yonkers,
NY 10705 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
#6435 7/26 – 8/30
#6438 8/2 – 9/6
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of Winstonian Properties LLC Arts.
Of Org. filed with the Sect’y
of State of NY (SSNY) on
7/25/2013. Office location:
Westchester County. SSNY
has been designated as
agent of the LLC upon whom
served. SSNY shall mail process served to: The LLC 53
Pershing Avenue, Yonkers
NY 10705. Purpose: any
lawful act.
#6444 8/16 – 9/20
Seniors and Health Care
Hot Topics in Health Care:
New Labeling Standards Protect
Those Coping with Celiac Disease Affordable Care Act Questions Remain
Standing at a local suease, these new standards for
permarket with nutritionists
gluten-free food labels have
and advocates for the celiac
been a long time coming.”
community, Congresswoman
“For people with celiac
Nita Lowey last week hailed
disease, eating food containnew standards issued by the
ing gluten can make us very
U.S. Food & Drug Adminsick. This critical new fedistration for labeling gluteneral standard lets those of us
free foods, saying they would
coping with celiac disease
help protect families in the
and gluten intolerance, and
Lower Hudson Valley coping
every shopper in America,
with celiac disease.
know exactly what products
Celiac disease is an inare gluten free and safe for us
herited auto-immune condito eat,” said Linda Freeman,
tion that makes it impossible
president and founder of the
to digest gluten, a protein Congresswoman Nita Lowey Hudson Valley Chapter of the
found naturally in wheat, barCeliac Disease Foundation.
ley and rye.
“For people with celiac disease, it is a
Under the new guidelines, only foods major step for the FDA to at last issue its rulcontaining 20 parts-per-million of gluten or ing concerning gluten-free foods. Celiac disless can be labeled and marketed as gluten- ease is very common but remarkably underfree. The standard also requires foods with the diagnosed. This ruling will increase awareness
claims “no gluten,” “free of gluten” and “with- and facilitate further diagnoses,” said Dr. Peter
out gluten” to meet this newly-established def- Green of the Celiac Disease Center at Columinition for “gluten-free.” The standards go into bia University. “Many people have worked
effect in one year, but food companies are be- behind the scenes to push legislation through
ing encouraged to comply with the new laws requiring these new standards. We express our
as soon as possible.
gratitude to Congresswoman Lowey for her
There previously had been no single, uni- efforts on this and many other important food
form standard for the meaning of “gluten-free” allergy issues.”
on food labels.
First introduced by Lowey in 1999 and
The FDA’s establishment of new guide- signed into law by President George W. Bush
lines for the definition “gluten-free” was rein 2004, the Food Allergen Labeling and Conquired under the Food Allergen Labeling and sumer Protection Act required that the FDA
Consumer Protection Act, landmark food al- issue standards for the term “gluten-free.” It
lergy legislation authored by Lowey.
also required food packaging to clearly list any
“These new consumer protections are a of the top eight ingredients that cause allergic
victory for families coping with celiac dis- reactions, including milk, egg, peanuts, tree
ease,” said the congresswoman. “Nearly a nuts, fish, Crustacean shellfish, soy and wheat,
decade after the Food Allergen Labeling and as well any food allergens used in spices, natuConsumer Protection Act was signed into law, ral or artificial flavorings, additives and colorI am pleased that our federal government has ings.
finally set clear, uniform standards that will
Lowey is also an original cosponsor of
rein in a fast-growing, unregulated market the Gluten in Medicine Disclosure Act, which
and provide consumers and families the tools would require medicine and pharmaceutical
they need to protect their health. For the mil- manufacturers to disclose on the label if a
lions of Americans who suffer from celiac dis- medication contains gluten.
St. John’s Hospital Hosting
Senior Computer Classes
St. John’s Riverside Hospital’s senior computer learning center will be sponsoring two
computer classes to cover Microsoft Windows,
Word processing, spreadsheets, database, handling pictures, e-mail, and the Internet.
The cost is $10 for eight hours of the basic
course (two hours weekly, for four weeks), and
classes start Friday, Sept. 6 from 8:30 to 10:30
a.m.
Or, attendees can pay $15 for 16 hours
of the advanced course (two hours weekly for
eight weeks), which starts Friday, Oct. 4 from
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Classes will be held on the S1A Level (visitor’s parking entrance) of the Cochran School
of Nursing-Computer Lab at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Andrus Pavilion, 967 N. Broadway, Yonkers.
For more information or to register for
classes, call Cecilia Pugliese at 914-964-7525.
Nominations Sought for
Senior Hall of Fame
Do you know a senior who is making or has
made a positive difference in Westchester County
through their professional life, volunteer work or
both? Maybe they head an environmental, arts or
civic organization or a business; or perhaps they
Proudly serving the City of Yonkers
Nick Sprayregen, Publisher
[email protected]
Daniel J. Murphy, Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]
Bayan Baker, Assistant to Editor-in-Chief
[email protected]
Paul Gerken, Advertising Sales
[email protected]
Gregory Baldwin, Administrative Asst.
[email protected]
Member of the New York
Press Association
914-965-4000
Fax 914-965-2892
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NY 10701
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volunteer at a hospital, after-school program, charity or other non-profit.
If so, Westchester County Executive Robert
Astorino invites you to nominate them to the Westchester Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, now in its
31st year.
“The Hall of Fame is a special tradition that
honors seniors who have given their time and energy to improve the quality of life in their communities or the county at large,” said Astorino. “Don’t
miss this great opportunity to shine a spotlight on
people who merit special recognition for their contributions.”
Those selected will be inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame at a festive luncheon Friday,
Dec. 6 in the Grand Ballroom at the Westchester
Marriott Hotel.
Nominees are required to be at least 60 years
old, live in Westchester and not be a past Hall of
Fame honoree. They must also be an outstanding
leader or advocate whose contributions have improved the quality of life for people of any age.
Nominations based on paid professional work
must reflect innovative solutions to fulfilling unmet community needs.
Nominations are due by Sept. 13 and may be
submitted online at www.westchestergov.com/seniors; a list of past inductees is there as well. Or,
if you prefer to mail your nomination, contact Annette Alve at [email protected] or call her
at 914-813-6414.
Gala sponsors are the Westchester County
Department of Senior Programs and Services,
Westchester County Parks and the Westchester
Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.
DSPS Commissioner Mae Carpenter said that
seniors have helped Westchester to be known for
its renowned quality of life
“Westchester County did not become the
Golden Apple only because of its beautiful and
wondrous greenery, rocks and rivers,” she said.
“Today’s older generation molded a way of life that
reflects the caring and generosity of its people.”
All nominations will be reviewed by a judging committee of past Senior Hall of Fame honorees, members from DSPS’ Aging Network, the
county’s Senior Council and the Older Americans
Act Advisory Council.
By Michael LaMagna, Esq.
Educating
consumers,
As the dog days of sumwhich is a hallmark of the new
mer are winding down, things
law, has certainly been slow
are certainly getting interesting
and training “navigators” or
regarding the Affordable Care
the educators who will be asAct and more specifically the
sisting consumers through the
Healthcare Exchanges.
new health care purchasing
This week, Health and Hurequirements is proving to be
man Services announced that
just as challenging. The adminits website, www.healthcare.
istration just reduced the traingov, is now enabled to open
ing requirements and the grants
personalized health care acset aside for hiring and training
counts. This is seen as a first
these navigators in at least 34
step in the process, which is
states haven’t been released and
anticipated to be the conduit for
will not be released until late
Michael LaMagna
40 million people to sign up for
August, leaving one month prihealth care plans. The site is reor to the Oct. 1 commencement.
quired to be fully operational Oct. 1 to purchase
As I said, the dog days of summer are upon
health plans, which will begin coverage Jan. 1.
us and the cool autumn days are coming sooner
Although accounts can be opened now, pre- than we know. Stay tuned for all the latest demiums and actual plan information will not be tails.
available until late September. The delay in disThis article is provided for informational
seminating information is becoming a hallmark purposes only. Nothing in this article shall be
of the health care exchanges. Other websites are construed as legal advice or should be relied
being launched to make up for the deficits.
upon as such. Michael LaMagna is a partner at
The websites, www.healthlawanswers.org Helwig, Henderson, Ryan, LaMagna and Spinola,
and www.healthlawfacts.org, both affiliated with LLP, practicing elder law/probate/disability/wills,
AARP, allows consumers of all ages to educate trusts and estates, health care regulatory, Medithemselves on the upcoming health care changes. care appeals, Social Security and general legal
But consumers will have to wait to know which practice in both New York and Connecticut. Email
companies, which plans, costs and coverage de- him at [email protected], call 914-437-5955
tails.
or visit www.HHRLS.com for more information.
Morreale is New VP and CIO
At St. John’s Riverside Hospital
St. John’s Riverside Hosfirst 10-gigabit infrastructure
within a hospital setting in the
pital last week announced the
U.S., advanced voice recogniappointment of Daniel Morreale
tion to improve physician docuto the position of vice president
mentation, designed and impleand chief information officer.
mented the first RFID system for
Morreale received his
integrated patient identification
bachelor degree from Marist
and medication administration,
College and a master of arts
as well as having launched the
from Long Island University.
first successful health exchange
He brings more than 30 years of
in New Jersey with interconexperience in the field of infornected physician practices cremation systems.
ating “Virtual Medical Homes.”
Morreale was also appointHis accolades include the
ed by the governor to the New
Chime Innovator of the Year
Jersey Commission on Health
Daniel Morreale
Award, the Chime CollaboraInformation Technology, is a
tion of the Year Award, recogFellow of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives, and an nition by Computerworld Magazine as one of the
active board member of the New Jersey Chapter “premier 100 IT leaders,” the Safety Net Award by
National Association of Public Hospitals for his
of HIMSS.
He has published numerous articles on health advancement of CPOE, as well as the Smithsonian
information exchanges, health care reform, mean- Center of Innovative Technology Honors Laureate
ingful use, technology adoption and the physician Award for his work on a comprehensive electronic
experience. Morreale previously implemented the health record.
PAGE 8 - Yonkers RIsing - Friday, August 16, 2013
Wiggles Awaits a Forever Home
One-year-old Wiggles can be visited at Yonkers Animal Shelter.
The Yonkers Animal Shelter has many pets
up for adoption.
Wiggles is an adorable young cocker spaniel about 1 year old and weights about 25 to 30
pounds. He was found as a stray in Yonkers a
couple of weeks ago. Wiggles was well cared for,
groomed and well fed, but no one has come to
claim him. He loves people and is very affectionate. He likes some dogs – but not all.
Visit Wiggles at the Yonkers Animal Shelter,
120 Fullerton Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
weekdays and noon to 3:30 p.m. weekends. Inquiries may be emailed to LeslieM147@ gmail.com
or by phone to 914-377- 6730 during business.
County Pools Hosting
Numerous Events this Summer
Just when you thought summer couldn’t possibly be even more fun, three Westchester county
pools are offering special events and programs for
you and your family.
Saxon Woods’ “Got Talent!” will take place
Saturday, Aug. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Willson’s
Waves Pool at Willson’s Woods Park, Mt. Vernon.
Got a special talent you’d like to show off?
Enjoy an afternoon of music and fun, with a
special barbecue plate for $12 at the concession
stand. Join the show or watch the performance;
prizes will be awarded.
Register in the pool office on the day of the
event; 914-813-6990.
Public Safety Day will take place Saturday,
Aug. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at Tibbetts Brook
Park in Yonkers.
Spreading the Good
Continued from Page 1
fice to make our neighborhood better. And when
City Hall gets a call from Park Hill, they respond
because they know that we help ourselves.”
McAfee started her career in real estate 20
years ago. “When looking for a home, buyers
are not only looking for a house, but a community, and if you want to sell a house you also
have to sell the community, whether its in north,
south, east or west Yonkers,” she said.
“I didn’t think that realtors were selling my
neighborhood of Park Hill so I became a real
estate broker and wanted to sell Yonkers. Both
my husband and I were pro-Yonkers and it was
a tough sell back then,” continued McAfee, who
is now an associate broker with Houlihan Lawrence Yonkers.
Q: How did you start “The Good News in
Yonkers?”
A: “I have always believed in Yonkers, and
we would always go down to the waterfront and
enjoy the river, even when there was little happening. But over the years so many good things
have happened in the downtown waterfront, and
I realized that many people in Yonkers didn’t
know what was going on, and some hadn’t been
down to the waterfront in 20 years.
“Yonkers was turning around and I wanted
to spread the good news that was happening, and
that was the reason and the start of ‘The Good
News in Yonkers.’ There was no paper like Yonkers Rising when I started it seven years ago,
and there continues to be a media dependency
to look for the tragic stories, and there wasn’t
much room in the local media for the good
things going on in Yonkers.
“Whether it was Bezcak moving into their
new building, or Zuppa becoming the first brave
pioneer downtown, these were things that people didn’t know about and I had a network of
contacts from real estate, and my friends who
believed in Yonkers, that I could email to.”
What started out as a simple Word document with five items on it for the first issue
seven years ago is now a constant contact email
blast (Mayor Mike Spano and Council President
Chuck Lesnick use the same platform) with
events, concerts, community organizations, city
news, artist and musician performances, real
estate listings and information, pet news, and
more.
“With constant contact I taught myself how
to do it and I can design ‘The Good News in
Yonkers’ by myself,” said McAfee. “I’m not a
graphic artist – I’m a real estate broker, and the
readers love it.”
Originally emailed out to 100 people,
McAfee’s ‘Good News in Yonkers’ now has a
mailing list of 1,000 and growing. “I only send
to people who ask to be on it,” she said. “I also
deal with many real estate brokers and I put
them on the list, because it doesn’t hurt to sell
Yonkers to them.”
McAfee had been approached by advertisers who want to monetize ‘The Good News in
Yonkers,’ but she has refused. “I don’t make one
cent on ‘The Good News in Yonkers.’ I want it
to be purse and just the good news about Yon-
See what our local heroes do on a daily basis and learn how to keep your family safe. See a
bloodhound tracking demonstration at 2 p.m. with
the county’s department of Public Safety, and a
fire safety demo by members of the Mount Vernon
Fire Department; 914-231-2865.
Water aerobics in the Lazy River will take
place Monday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday,
Aug. 20 at 11 a.m.
Join aerobics instructor Carol Migliorelli for
a vigorous 45-minute workout against the current
in the lazy river. The cost is $10 per person, and
no pre-registration is required. Water shoes are
recommended, and children must be tall enough
to walk in 3 feet of water. All pool rules apply.
For more information, visit www.westchestergov.com/parks.
kers,” she said.
McAfee toils five or more hours after her
job to collect the good things happening in Yonkers for her email blast. It usually is sent out to
subscribers late on a Wednesday or Thursday –
or Friday at the latest – whenever McAfee can
find the time to put out another edition with love
for Yonkers.
“In the beginning I found it difficult to find
events to promote, but now there are more than
enough events, and I have established wonderful contacts, and friendships, with the many
community organizations and businesses in
Yonkers who are making the city a better place
to live,” she said. “They are doing good things
and they deserve to have people made aware of
them – they deserve the publicity that I try to
give them.”
Events for submission must be current or
immediate and must be happening that weekend or the following week. “I read the mayor’s
newsletter and many others and we share information. I rewrite submissions to make sure it’s
just the facts,” she explained.
The response to McAfee’s work has been
great. “Every single week I get emails from
readers thanking me, and telling me how they
joined the Hudson River Museum after visiting,
or how they loved the Science Barge, or how
families plan their weekend from ‘The Good
News in Yonkers,’” she said. “It is these emails
that keep me going at 1 a.m. some nights. It
gives my joy giving other people joy.”
The Cross County Shopping Center’s recent chalk artists program and the concerts held
at Ridge Hill and Empire Casino are events that
McAfee pointed to as a sign that businesses in
Yonkers are also spreading good news.
“We have a 35 percent open rate for the
‘Good News’ within the first three days, which
is very high. They want to read it and I don’t ask
for anything. I also get a lot of click-throughs
from readers who want to learn more,” she said.
Q: How is the Real Estate Market?
“The market in Yonkers turned on a dime
on Jan. 1 of this year. Inventory was down and
buyers started coming out and wanted to buy before interest rates go up. If a house is priced to
the market it will sell, and some with multiple
offers.”
McAfee predicted that home values will
rise by about 5 percent a year for the next three
to five years.
“The sellers that list with an experienced
agent, and listen to their advice, get the best results,” she said. “Simple touch-ups to a home
will help sell. The first listing now is not at the
home but online, and your home must be in
clean and crisp move-in condition.”
If anyone is interested in receiving “The
Good News in Yonkers” free of charge, or if
anyone would like a free consultation if they
are thinking about selling their home, contact
McAfee at [email protected] or
914-262-8836.
“I hope that ‘The Good News in Yonkers’
helps a little bit to strengthen our communities
within Yonkers and brings other people to Yonkers,” added McAfee, who is one of the unsung
heroes in Yonkers that make the city great.
The Future of Daily and
Hyper-local Newspapers
By Dan Murphy
The news last week that Amazon founder
Jeff Bezos purchased the Washington Post brought
wide coverage and interest from across the country,
and again raised the question that every publisher,
editor, reporter and our readers want to know: Can
your daily newspaper survive?
Will Bezos, who has captured the online
market with www.Amazon.com and has become a billionaire, put to use his innovation and
tech-savvy knowledge to use and transform the
Washington Post into a newspaper that can turn a
profit? The Washington Post has lost $134 million
over the past four years, with a $49 million loss
this year.
The New York Times continues to lose money
and recently sold the Boston Globe to John Henry,
the owner of the Boston Red Sox, for $70 million.
The Times bought the Globe in 1993 for $1.1 billion.
The Wall Street Journal also continues to lose
money, but also has a wealthy owner, Rupert Murdoch, who is willing to bear the burden. Murdoch
also loses about $40 million every year on the New
York Post, with no complaints. He uses his profits
from Fox TV to pay for his newspapers red ink,
and Bezos could do the same and use his bottomless wallet to pay for loses at the Washington Post.
The Journal News, New York Times and Wall
Street Journal all have a paid online subscription
model, along with free online offerings of their papers. And while generating some revenue, they do
not even come close to paying for the lost revenues
coming from their print versions.
Many are hoping that Bezos can find a business model that all newspapers can use to avoid
the losses and shrinking readership that plague the
industry. The news last week that the Journal News
laid off 26 staff members shows that here in Westchester, our daily newspaper continues to bleed.
The cuts were part of an across-the-board
reduction by the Journal News’ parent company,
Gannett, to cut 280 jobs at its papers nationwide,
and will make it more difficult for the Journal
News to cover Westchester, Rockland and Putnam
counties with its now 206 employees, including 17
fewer reporters.
The cuts will exasperate the problem that we
hear again and again from readers of the Journal
news in Westchester: The paper does not include
Terrero and Pena
the second district and working with the mayor
and city government to provide services, programs and improvements to southwest Yonkers.
Last week, Terrero joined with Spano to re-open a
renovated step walkway in Nodine Hill at Walnut
Street and Van Cortlandt Park Avenue, which had
been closed for 20 years.
“It’s been more than 20 years since the closing of the Walnut Street and Van Cortlandt Park
Avenue steps. I’m ecstatic that we now have a
mayor that cares for the quality-of-life issues that
affect our community, and that when requested, is
willing to work with me to improve the lives of
our city residents,” said Terrero, who added that
another access route to be completed soon will
be at Beech and Oak Streets. “Sometimes small
things have a big impact within the community.
These steps do not only provide a vital shortcut
to a destination, but exemplify the commitment of
community leaders who want to restore Yonkers
back to its former glory.”
“I want to thank the City Council and Majority Leader Terrero for supporting this important
project, and our city’s outstanding Department of
Public Works and Parks employees for doing such
a great job,” added Spano.
Pineda, who moved to Yonkers when she was
16 and is a financial professional with AXA advisors, said the second districts has too much crime
and violence, and with continued cuts to programs
in the Yonkers Public Schools and the inability
to pass an affordable housing ordinance, puts the
blame on Terrero for not stepping up for the people
in the district.
“I want to be an activist for new, quality, affordable housing. My opponent has held a new
affordable housing ordinance up in committee,”
she said. “It’s time that the people in the second
have someone to represent them. Wilson hasn’t
done the job of bringing our community and the
city together.
“Extra-curricular activities have been cut in
our schools, and we still don’t have full-day prekindergarten. I want to use my finance background
to dissect the budget and make sure our schools
are being properly funded,” continued Pineda,
who vowed to work with the Democratic caucus
on the Council.
“Of course I’m invisible to my opponent, because she just moved into the district,” said Terrero, who disputed many of Pineda’s claims. “As
the majority leader on the City Council, we have
invested with record amounts of city funding for
education ($213 million), and restored teaching
positions, guidance counselors and art teachers,
and our libraries are now open on the weekends.
“My opponent says that crime is up, but statistics show that crime is down and Yonkers is one
of the safest cities in the country,” he continued.
“New businesses are opening up in Yonkers at the
fastest rate in years, creating jobs for my community. The new development on the Waterfront, and
at Ride Hill, has made Yonkers a destination for
people to come and for our residents to enjoy.”
Terrero also pointed to his work to keep
property taxes low and to pass a budget on time,
without cutting any city services in this year’s budget. “Our schools are doing better, we have one
the highest graduation rates of the ‘Big 5’ state
enough coverage of their local community.
Which brings us to the future fate of local
community newspapers, including the one you are
now reading. We all know that there is a need, and
desire, for a local paper that highlights Westchester and the local towns, villages and cities in our
county.
But whichever one or more of the 50 local
newspapers that print or are online are facing the
same challenges as the Washington Post, New
York Times and Journal News: a shrinking readership and declining revenues.
Classified ads are down and becoming extinct; subscriptions revenues have also declined;
and many local papers offer them free throughout
the county. Advertisers want the best bang for their
buck, and want to renegotiate to lower rates.
Most local newspapers in Westchester also offer online versions of their paper, with very few
charging for the service. Online advertising continues to increase for most, but the revenues don’t
equate to their lost print ads.
Young readership is also a growing problem
with your daily and weekly newspaper. Some of
our Westchester residents in their 20s have never
read a print version of a newspaper, except perhaps
for a project in high school or college. They collect their news exclusively online, and expect to
get that information for free.
Online only newspapers haven’t fared any
better. America Online recently cuts its websites
across the county from 900 to 600 and is expected
to lose $160 million this year. The Daily Voice,
another good online news source in Westchester,
founded by Westchester publisher Carll Tucker,
declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early May and
laid off 50 staffers. Newsday abandoned its Westchester news site in June.
All three added to the online opportunities for
Westchester readers, but all three could not afford
to run their site with online advertisements alone.
Every reporter, editor and publisher of a
newspaper is watching to see if Jeff Bezos can do
what he does best – find new ways to sell old things
– and show us all how to make it work.
Former Washington Post Chairman Donald
Graham said that owning a newspaper is not just
a business but a “public trust.” Part of the public
trust may involve paying to read your local news
online.
schools, and we are evaluating ways to bring back
full day pre-k, which is very important,” he said.
Four years ago, Terrero was elected to the
Council by the narrowest of margins, defeating
Virginia Perez by less than 20 votes. Pineda, who
has the support of Perez in her bid to defeat Terrero, claimed in a press release that Terrero “cheated and disenfranchised the voters during his 2009
race.”
“I am unwilling to cede these streets to senseless violence, corruption and dirty politics. Wilson
Terrero may have stolen our voice when he committed fraud in the last election, but he did not steal
our spirits and our willingness to stand up against
corruption,” she said.
Terrero responded: “I cannot focus on the
negative attacks; I want to focus on the needs of
my community. I thank the voters of the second
district for electing me four years ago and I ask for
their vote again.”
“My opponent says crime is up and the police
department doesn’t do its job. She says the streets
are dirty and the DPW doesn’t do its job. She says
our education system is broken and our teachers
aren’t doing their job. But our streets are safer, we
have improving schools and our economy is improving,” said Terrero, who pointed to his working
with Spano and the Republicans on the City Council to move the city forward. “I have partnered
with our Democratic Mayor Spano, and the Council Republicans, to do what is best for the city. We
cannot ignore the fact that we have a Democratic
mayor, and I have been consistent in my efforts
to work together with anyone – it doesn’t matter
what party you belong to – for a vision of a better Yonkers. Sometimes it is difficult to work with
people who don’t have the best interests of the city,
and think more about themselves and their future.”
Pineda said she is walking the district “tirelessly, knocking on doors and meeting the voters
to listen to their concerns and issues. I’m learning
about how they are being unrepresented and I’m
going to be victorious,” she said.
Terrero said he will continue “doing the hard
work and getting results and helping people in my
district every day. It’s a part-time job but I do it
full time. I question if my opponent really knows
what’s going on in the district.
There are three underlying issues in the Terrero-Pineda Council race: One is the partnership between Mayor Spano and Majority Leader Terrero,
and their strained relations with Council President
Chuck Lesnick and Council Democrats.
The second is a split in the Democratic Party
between the leadership and its two Latino-elected
officials – Terrero and County Legislator Virginia
Perez. She was also denied an endorsement by the
City Democratic Party at its convention, and many
Latino Democrats in attendance were upset that
the party snubbed its two Hispanic incumbents.
The third issue is the ongoing battle between
Terrero and Perez over the future leadership of
the Latino community in southwest Yonkers. The
feud between the two hasn’t ended, since Terrero
defeated Perez four years ago, and many believe
Perez helped recruit Pineda to run against Terrero,
and Terrero’s staffer in his Council office, Nerissa
Pena, is challenging Perez for County Board.
We will highlight the Perez-Pena race next
week.
Pineda will run on the Working Families
Party line, and Terrero has the Independence Party
line in the November general election.
Police Bring Community Together with ‘Night Out’
Kids enjoy the county police helicopter at first precinct NNO.
Officers from the 2nd Police Precinct at National Night Out.
Councilman Mike Breen with three members of the St. Joseph’s School softball team at first
precinct NNO.
Mayor Spano with Councilman Dennis Shepherd and First Deputy Chief William Cave.
Two girls enjoy meeting Mayor Mike Spano, with Mayor’s Chief of Staff Steve Levy, at fourth
precinct NNO.
Mayor Mike Spano, Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assemblymember Shelley Mayer. Councilmembers Michael Sabatino and Chuck Lesnick, YMCA Director Shawyn Patteron Howard,
Freddie Brown from the National YMCA, and SNUG team members Charles “Flip” Barnette
and John Thompson.
Photos by Donna Davis
Police officers from the third precinct with Councilman Wilson Terrero.
Police officers from the fourth precinct at NNO.
PAGe 10 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - FRidAy, AuGust 16, 2013
Top Class Limousine Celebrates 25th Anniversary
A ribbon-cutting ceremony held 25 years ago for the opening of Top Class Limo. From left
are City Court Judge Michael Martinelli, former Assemblyman and current Mayor Mike Spano,
former Mayor John Spencer, former Councilwoman Symra Brandon, and John Khader.
John Khader with limousines in his Yonkers garage. Photo by Donna Davis.
Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett with John and Maha Khader.
Top Class
State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins presented a proclamation to John Khader.
25 Years in Yonkers
By Donna Davis
Top Class Limo’s recent company picnic was a special one, as Mayor Mike Spano,
State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Deputy
County Executive Kevin Plunkett recognized
the long-standing contributions that CEO/owner
John Khader and Top Class Limo have made to
the city and county over the years.
John and his wife, Maha, have four girls and
one boy; their eldest child, Gianna, works in the
office with her father, and his sister Lauren is office manager.
John’s parents immigrated to America from
Jordan in 1965 and raised three boys and four
girls. He worked for a limo company, before,
with help from his sister, and purchased his first
limo, a 1985 Lincoln stretch.
For John, the burgeoning New York City
hip-hop and club scene provided steady work,
with names such as Big Daddy Kane, KRS-1 and
the Jungle Brothers making up his clientele. He
was able to purchase the building at 24 Ashburton and by the late 1990s, Top Class Limo became one of Westchester’s best limo companies
– with many weddings requesting their service,
becoming “The Real Wedding Specialists.”
John said he wants his customers to be comfortable knowing they have a company with the
credentials, insurance and experience to make
their wedding, prom or night on the town a safe
and special occasion.
The latest addition to the Top Class fleet is
a green trolley, which you may notice driving
around Yonkers.
cial occasions – and Khader said it’s important
to have a diverse fleet to offer his clients. His
fleet consists of antique Rolls Royces, stretch
specialty SUVs, party buses, and even a Rolls
Royce Phantom.
Top Class Limousine is proud of its staff,
level of service and quality of product, but the
company’s greatest pride comes from its service to the community. Throughout the years,
Khader has generously provided free services
and given donations to countless organizations and charities. He has helped schools raise
funds, sponsored sports teams, donated to
cancer research, and has participated in many
PBA memorial outings, just to name a few.
His generosity continues daily as he selflessly gives back to a community that has given him so much.
For all his generosity and service, Khader
and Top Class Limousine have been recognized by many organizations, government officials and agencies. Top Class Limousine has
been voted a Best Weddings service in “The
Knot” since 2007. It has also been the winner
of the brides’ first-choice award on wedding
wire.com since 2010.
The company was even recognized by
“Limousine Digest” as a leader in technological advancements for safety and monitoring of
its vehicles.
Khader’s dedication to safety led him to
become a member of the Westchester Taxi and
Limousine Commission. Being in this position
allows him to make sure that other companies
follow the same emphasis on safety that he and
his company have had for 25years. Khader’s
caring nature has led him to take further steps
in ensuring that his coach builders are creating
vehicles with passenger safety as a priority.
The www.westchestergov.com headline
says it all: “Limo Company Honored For AntiDrinking Efforts.” Being a family man, Khader put his foot down with substance abuse by
teenagers on prom night.
There is nothing more fun to a high school
senior than being in a limousine on their prom
night with their friends; the lights, the music, the stares from onlookers; the substance
abuse…
Substance abuse has been a major problem for parents, school officials, limousine
operators and innocent students for years, but
Khader has taken the initiative to clean things
up on prom night. Every year, he and his staff
work hard in educating parents and students
about the dangers of substance abuse on prom
night. Top Class Limousine’s website has
downloadable educational material for parents
and their kids to read together. Chauffeurs are
even trained to recognize and deal with substance abuse.
Khader’s commitment to passenger safety
in and out of his vehicles shows through his
fatherly care of children on their prom night.
Top Class Limousine is a model provider
of limousine service. It gives back to the community, cares about its customers’ safety, and
works hard at providing quality and reliable
service. Khader started the business 25 years
ago as a small, one-man limo company, and today he leads the way into the future at the top
of his class.
Mayor Mike Spano, joined City Council
members, State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins
and Deputy County Executive Kevin Plunkett
to congratulate Khader and Top Class Limousine on 25 years. Yonkers Rising also thanks
Top Class for its commitment to Yonkers.
Editors’ Note: If you know of a local business celebrating an anniversary or a special
day, contact Yonkers Rising at [email protected].
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OFF*
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with this ad
Car Wash l Oil Change l Detailing
999 Saw Mill River Road
Yonkers, NY 10710
(914) 963-8787
www.starautospa.com
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*Not to be combined with any other promotion. Expires 7/31/13

August 16, 2013 - Top Class Limousine

Transcription

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