June 21, 2013 - Rising Media Group

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Vol 108 Number 25
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Friday, June 21, 2013
America’s Great Forgotten
Garden in Our Own Backyard
Yonkers’ Best & Brightest:
YPS Middle-High School
Untermeyer Park and Gardens, located at 945 N. Broadway. Photo by Donna Davis.
Salutatorian Marissa Alsaloum and Valedictorian Plamen Kamenov.
By Dan Murphy
In the hustle and bustle of the City of
Yonkers, many of the more than 200,000 residents don’t realize that a 43-acre wonderland
of gardens, greenspace and Persian and Roman
architecture lies in the northwest hills of their
city with views of the Hudson River.
The Untermeyer Gardens were on the
estate of attorney Samuel Untermeyer, who
bought the 150-acre estate called Greystone in
1899. After John D. Rockefeller built Kykuit,
Continued on Page 8
Yonkers’ Korean War Heroes
Army Master Sergeant Stephen Chupak Jr.
Army Master Sgt. Stephen Chupak Jr.
By Andrew Tobia
Stephen Chupak, Jr., was born on August
28, 1917 to Stephen, Sr., and Anna Chupak,
in Monessen, Pennsylvania, about 30 miles
south of Pittsburgh. His parents were emigrants from Eastern Europe: some sources list
them as from Austria, while others as from
“Slovakland,” a part of what was at the time
the country of Czechoslovakia.
Stephen was their fifth child; he was preceded by sisters Anna and Mary, and brothers
Peter and John. He had a younger brother, Julius, who was born in like 1920 or early 1921.
By 1925, the family had moved from Monessen to Yonkers, settling at 23 Croton Terrace.
In Yonkers, Stephen, Sr. worked as a
weaver for the Alexander Smith and Sons
Carpet Company, which produced some of the
world’s finest rugs in its heyday. Though the
company no longer exists, its buildings do —
they’re on the National Register of Historic
Places and today house the YoHo Artist Community.
I was not able to find much information
about Chupak’s personal life while growing
up, though I did find quite a bit about his family.
Family {subhead}
While still living in Pennsylvania, Stephen, Sr. was drafted into the Army for a time
during World War I. This may have helped
influence the career choices of his sons, as
Continued on Page 5
More Than 1,000 Miles Logged
So Far in Walk 20 Challenge II
By Dan Murphy
Meet Plamen Kamenov and Marissa Alsaloum, the valedictorian and salutatorian for Yonkers Middle-High School for 2013. Both will
graduate with the highest, weighted grade-point
averages out of all of the Yonkers High School
seniors graduating this week from the seven
Yonkers public high schools.
Valedictorian Plamen Kamenov is number
one in YPS, with a 103.5 GPA, from Yonkers
Middle-High School’s International Baccalaureate Program. His favorite courses are biology
and physics, and advanced placement calculus.
His favorite teachers are IB biology teacher Ms.
Kaszczak, IB English teacher Ms. Libutti, and
AP calculus teacher Gina Garcia.
Kamenov will graduate with seven IB classContinued on Page 8
Students Spell Success
At Exchange Club Event
From left, second place winner Ariana Ortiz, third place winner Lika Masic and first place winner Laurenz Clairebelle D. Quinto.
The Exchange Club of Yonkers held a luncheon June 13 where it honored the three winners of its 49th annual Fifth Grade City-Wide
Spelling Bee, which was held June 3 at Saunders High School. More than 80 students from
Yonkers public and parochial schools participated in the event.
The first place winner was Laurenz Claire-
belle D. Quinto of School 5, second place was
Ariana Ortiz from Foxfire School, and coming
in third was Luka Masic of Our Lady of Fatima
School.
Each winner was presented with a plaque
and a check for $300, $200 or $100, respectively, and a $100 check was also presented to
Continued on Page 2
Yonkers’ Young Poets
And Photographers
Mayor Mike Spano and Council Majority Leader Wilson Terrero present a recognition certificate to Suzzane Johnson from the Yonkers Will Library, who walked more than 85 miles in the
first Yonkers Walk 20 Challenge.
Yonkers On The Move began its second
walking challenge June 1, which will run until
July 31, and this time it’s adding something
new.
Yonkers Walk 20 Challenge II participants can continue to submit their individual
steps/miles or form a walking group/team. To
date, 24 participants in the first of four Yon-
kers Walk 20 Challenges have walked more
than 1,000 miles – and they just may exceed
their 2013 citywide walking goal of 2,000
miles by Nov. 30.
More than 12 of the first 24 walk challenge participants attended a recognition
ceremony at Yonkers City Hall on June 12.
Continued on Page 8
“Serenity” by Mia Blas, the 11th grade first-place winner.
Yonkers Public School students recently
participated in the Search for Creativity contest,
where they used their imaginations to complete
their masterpieces. Pictured below and on page
9 are the four winning photographs, along with
the top four poetry winners from YPS High
School seniors.
Continued on Page 9
PaGe 2 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - FRiday, JuNe 21, 2013
Yonkers Youth has Night to
Remember at Mets Game
Educators and Biz Leaders
Support Common Core Standards
Nine-year-old Ernesto Martinez, center left, and Ryan Heinzerling, center right, meet Mets
legends Mookie Wilson and John Franco after throwing the ceremonial first pitch in tandem
June 11 at the 11th annual Starlight Night at Citi Field.
Wendy Nadel, executive director of Yonkers Partners in Education; Dr. John King, state commissioner of education; and Dr. Marsha Gordon, CEO of the Business Council of Westchester.
Ernesto Martinez, a 9-year-old boy from Yonkers who is battling Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, got the opportunity of a lifetime June 11 at
the 11th annual Starlight Night at Citi Field when
had the coveted chance to walk onto Citi Field and
throw the ceremonial first pitch before the New
York Mets game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
More than 300 seriously ill children who
spend a significant portion of their lives in hospitals and clinics attended the event and enjoyed a
night of fun, food and baseball at Citi Field, courtesy of the Mets and ARAMARK. The event included face painting and clowns, and the children
received a special visit from Mr. Met, along with
New York Mets greats John Franco and Mookie
Wilson.
Diagnosed with ALL in 2009, Ernesto received chemotherapy treatments every week for
two years before finally settling into remission,
which he has now been in for one year. Despite
low times during hospital stays, he kept a positive
attitude which he puts forward to this day, and in
the future he wants to become a doctor to help other children facing similar illnesses and challenges.
For Ernesto and the other 275,000 seriously
ill children that Starlight’s NY*NJ*CT chapter
supports each year, childhood can be very difficult, as these kids can feel alone and isolated. The
Starlight Great Escapes program introduces children to others with similar concerns and provides
them with outings and trips, such as Starlight
Night at Citi Field, to help them forget about their
sicknesses – if only for one night.
For more information on the Starlight Children’s Foundation, visit www.starlight-newyork.
org.
At last week’s “Building a College- and
Career-Ready Workforce for the Future” breakfast for area business leaders, hosted by Yonkers
Partners in Education and The Business Council
of Westchester at Xaviars X20, State Education
Commissioner Dr. John King and GE Foundation President and Chairman Robert Corcoran made the case that the Common Core State
Standards are necessary to building up the workforce of tomorrow.
The event engaged business leaders in an
important discussion on the widespread adoption of the rigorous CCSS in kindergarten
through 12th grade education, the opportunities
and challenges it presents, as well as the positive impact CCSS will have on creating a more
vibrant economy.
“We need the Common Core if Westchester, New York and our country are to succeed
in the global knowledge economy,” said King.
“College and career readiness is the driving
force behind workforce development.”
“We are at a defining moment in the history of public education,” added Corcoran. “The
need to raise student achievement and college
– and career-readiness in K-12 education is ur-
gent – which is why CCSS is so crucial … you
can support this initiative by being advocates for
higher standards and higher performance.”
YPIE Chairman David Westin said that as
leaders look for the next generation of a trained
workforce, the community needs to do what it
can to prepare students. “There is a lot we can
do together to be a part of this effort,” he said.
“This is the center of what YPIE is all about”
“We need to invest in students for our businesses of today and tomorrow,” added event
co-host Marsha Gordon, CEO of The Business
Council of Westchester. “We need to count on
schools to produce students that can carry out
the needs of the workplace.” She also encouraged businesses to support the work of educators and cited YPIE’s leadership role in fostering
this partnership.
Mary Murray of IBM Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs added: “Part of our
mission is to promote workforce development.
Working with YPIE, The Business Council of
Westchester and the Yonkers Public Schools is
extremely valuable. We can only accomplish
these important goals through these valuable
partnerships.”
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The Exchange Club’s “2013 Youth of the Year” Wasif Ali with Mayor Mike Spano.
Students Spell
Continued from Page 1
the School 5 library.
Also honored as the Exchange Club’s
“2013 Youth of the Year” was Wasif Ali, salutatorian of Lincoln High School, who was
awarded a $1,000 scholarship form the club.
She said she will use the scholarship to attend
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, studying economics and finance with a minor in engineering.
The Exchange Club of Yonkers encourages and promotes involvement and “giving
back” to the community. Scholarship applicants were rated for their scholastic achievements as well as their actions and efforts volunteering with various community events,
community service agencies and projects.
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Friday, June 21, 2013 - Yonkers RISING - PAGE 3
This, Too, is Texas to Yonkers
by Eric W. Schoen
the newspapers and on teleKim Kardashian and her
vision. So one member of the
new baby; Amanda Bynes
City Council got the bright
and her wigs, her whirlpool
idea to arrest those who purexploits and her wackiness;
chase fake Gucci and Coach
and Lindsay Lohan and her
bags sold like hot dogs and
never-ending rehab drama.
pretzels on the streets of
Pick up any newspaper or put
New York.
on the “boob tube” and you
My lawyer friends tell
might think there is nothing
me that it would be virtually
else going on in the world.
impossible to prove someone
But despite what you
knowingly purchased an illemight think, there is real
gal counterfeit. If you want
news deserving our attention
to stop the purchases from
and exploration!
taking place, go after those
Just 27 Percent Grad Rate
who produce and sell the
Eric W. Schoen
at WCC
bags. The sale of fakes on
When I read it I could not believe it. Accord- the streets of New York isn’t something that just
ing to a Center for Urban Future report, 35 per- started yesterday!
cent of community college students in New York
Illness at Westchester Magazine’s
State who are full-time graduate within six years.
Burger Bash
In Westchester, that number drops to 27 percent.
Let’s hope those who got ill at Westchester
The Westchester number is the second-lowest in Magazine’s Burger Bash recover quickly. Accordthe state outside of New York City.
ing to news reports, a staff member of the magaThe report says the low graduation rate is zine tasted all 29 burgers and did not get ill. As
hurting employment opportunities. That might be someone who loves hamburgers, can I get that job
true, but the more important questions are: Why is next year?
the graduation rate so low? And what are the comWhere are the Good Summer Movies?
munity colleges doing to increase it?
Is it me, or are there no good movies out
Westchester Community College is just that there? We have multiplexes and stadium seating,
– Westchester’s community college. With the cost but if there is nothing good to watch, what’s the
of private colleges skyrocketing, community col- purpose of “fancy shmancy” theaters. The more
leges and state universities play an important role screens they add, the worse the movies get.
in educating our current and future leaders.
Two and a half hours of “Superman?” I
Honestly, shouldn’t we be hearing outrage on walked out of ‘This is the End’ as I could only
the low graduation rate numbers from the candi- take so much ridiculousness. “The Internship” had
dates running for county executive as well as our a few good scenes, but I would only give it two
state leaders who provide funding for the college? stars, at best.
Sen. Espada Goes to Jail;
NSA Listening to our Conversations
No Ethics Reform for NYS
and Reading our Emails
How can we have a New York State senator
Are you truly surprised that the National
representing one of the poorest areas of the Bronx Security Administration is listening to your teleactually living in Westchester? Even to the point phone conversations and monitoring your emails
of having shelled lobsters delivered to his Ma- and texts? The person assigned to me probably is
maroneck address. Something is seriously wrong quite bored.
with this picture!
Do you really believe that this all started on
Sen. Pedro Espada, the senator in question is President Barack Obama’s watch? Do you think
sentenced to five years in prison for using a Bronx this was not going on under President George
non-profit that was supposed to provide health Bush? My wonderful readers, you certainly are
care for the poor as his personal piggy bank. At smarter than that!
his sentencing, Espada showed no shame. As the
Hot Topics – 500,000 Harley motorcycle
judge pointed out, at least the money he looted owners descend on Rome and get blessings from
from the non-profit paid for items for his wife ver- Pope Francis. The Polish Center in Yonkers is besus his girlfriend.
ing sold to the Mormon Church – you read it here
Do you remember when Gov. Andrew Cuo- first.
mo said that “state government is a joke ... it really
The date engraved on former New York City
is a joke?” And now we hear that there will be no Mayor Ed Koch’s tombstone is incorrect. Texas
ethics reform coming out of Albany this year.
Gov. Rick Perry is all over radio and television
Some hope for New York residents who are encouraging businesses to move from New York
tired of a state government in shambles. Accord- State to Texas due to over regulation and the “Big
ing to the New York Post, U.S. Attorney Preet Gulp” syndrome. Come on Gov. Perry, Texas baBharara told the Capitol Tonight program “you gels and pizza don’t compare to New York.
can expect more cases to come because there is
Yonkers Public Schools lead the Big 5 New
a lot more corruption that has not been brought York city schools in graduation rates. This despite
to light.”
the serious budget cuts that have hit the district.
Go for it, Mr. Bharara!
We end this week on a positive note, congratPurchase a Fake Coach Bag
ulating the students, faculty and administrators in
and Get Arrested
the Yonkers schools for this achievement!
The New York City Council is so large that
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.
it makes it hard for members to get their names in com.
‘Yonkers – From the River’
At Dolphin Restaurant
A reception for “Yonkers – From the River,”
a photo exhibit by photographer John Maggiotto,
will take place Thursday, June 27 from 6 to 8 p.m.
at Dolphin Restaurant, benefiting the post-Sandy
rebuilding efforts of the Yonkers Paddling and
Rowing Club. There is no admission fee.
Many know Hastings resident and photographer John Maggiotto’s iconic photographs on
marble. Lesser known is that Maggiotto is also
commodore of the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing
Club. His new show, “Yonkers – From the River,” will benefit the rebuilding of YPRC’s historic
“75th Jubilee” boathouse on the Hudson River,
which lost 20-feet of decking during super storm
Sandy.
“Being on the river has its joys and its hazards. Sandy was one of the latter,” said Maggiotto. “The storm surge brought four feet of water
into the boathouse and destroyed the deck and
dock.”
“Yonkers – From the River” features 20
of Maggiotto’s vibrant photos from the unique
perspective of his kayak – low to the water, just
higher than what a carp leaping out of the Hudson sees. Highlights include many river views of
the nearly 100-year-old, two-story Yonkers Pier –
one of the last surviving dayliner piers along the
Hudson, a close-up of the Domino Sugar plant,
and the setting sun shining on the now-changing
Glenwood Power Station, known as “Devil’s
Horns” by kayakers because of its twin chimneys.
A portion of Dolphin Restaurant’s proceeds
during the June 27 opening reception for “Yonkers – From the River,” and 20 percent of the
sales of Maggiotto’s photos for the duration of the
show will help YPRC rebuild after the devastation of Sandy’s storm surge last fall. YPRC members have already removed debris and shored
foundations, and a new 30-foot dock is partially
funded by grants from Westchester Community
Foundation and the Hudson River Improvement
Fund.
Dolphin Restaurant is located at 1 Van Der
Donck St., Yonkers, NY 10705. For more information, contact Lenore at Lenore.Person@gmail.
com of 914-420-6864.
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Yonkers Inventor of FM Radio
Edwin Armstrong Honored
Edwin Armstrong
Mayor Spano and the City of Yonkers will
formally pay tribute to its one-time resident and
hometown hero, Edwin Armstrong, inventor
of wideband FM radio, with a commemorative
plaque dedication June 17 at 1 p.m. at HudsonFulton Memorial Park in Yonkers. The ceremony
will include members of the Yonkers Historical
Society, Armstrong enthusiasts and family members.
In honor of the celebration, a radio transmission is being planned from the Armstrong
radio tower, located on the Hudson River in
Alpine, N.J. Also joining the ceremony will be
Armstrong family members who will accept a
proclamation from Mayor Mike Spano on the
momentous occasion.
Born in New York City in 1890, Armstrong
moved to 1032 Warburton Ave. with his family
when he was 12 years old. Years later, as an undergraduate student at Columbia University, he
created several inventions in his parents’ attic,
including a regenerative circuit – the foundation
of modern radio – in his family’s home on Warburton Avenue.
In 1937, Armstrong developed perhaps his
most notable accomplishment when he created
wideband FM radio technology. A year later, he
constructed the first wideband FM radio station
in Alpine, along with the Alpine Tower. The 425foot tower that led to modern wideband FM radio still stands today, overlooking Yonkers and
the Hudson River in the Palisades of New Jersey.
Yonkers Public Schools Leads
Big 5 in Graduation Rate
Yonkers Public Schools leads the “Big 5”
New York State city school districts in graduation
rates, maintaining stability in 2012, with a percentage equivalent to the district’s 2011 rate. Yonkers was reported to have a 72.1 percent graduation rate; New York, 64.7 percent; Syracuse, 51.1
percent; Rochester, 48.6 percent; and Buffalo,
47.8 percent.
The data released last week by the state Department of Education includes August graduates
and is based on the 2008 cohort. Yonkers also outperformed much smaller regional urban districts
– Mount Vernon with a reported 65.8 percent
graduation rate and Peekskill with 70.3 percent –
and for the second year in a row is less than 5 percentage points away from the state average – 76.7
percent, which dropped 0.1 percent from 2011.
Yonkers Public Schools also leads the Big 5
in Aspirational Performance Measures, achieving
the highest one-year gain – rising from 9 percent
to 22.8 percent. Further data also indicates that
more minority students in Yonkers graduate on
time than the state average; 71.5 percent of Hispanic students graduated on time in Yonkers, as
compared to the state average of 57.8 percent; and
66.9 percent of black students in Yonkers graduated on time compared to the state average of 58.1
percent.
“To maintain stability, and improve college
readiness amid years of curtailed programs and
skeletal staffing is truly a testament to the dedicated students, educators, staff and families of
the Yonkers Public Schools,” said Superintendent
Bernard Pierorazio. “Our focus now is on restoring vital resources to our schools so that we may
provide the best environments possible for our
students, who in the face of crisis have shown
their conviction to succeed.”
This September, the district plans to add pupil support personnel and reinstate physical education, art and instrumental music programs for
elementary- and middle-school students, areas
that have been curtailed in recent years. The district is also investigating the potential to restore a
full complement of athletics by spring 2014.
“The Yonkers Board of Education is committed to the restoration of programs and services
that are crucial to our students,” said Board President Dr. Nader Sayegh. “Our students, staff and
families have demonstrated impressive perseverance throughout the constraints of budgetary cuts
and it is our goal to implement the meaningful
academic and social enhancements in our schools
that our students so richly deserve.”
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PAGE 4 - Yonkers RISING - Friday, June 21, 2013
Area Allstate Agent
Receives Community Award
Allstate
Insurance
services products,” said
agent Lynda Chervil,
Linda Collora, New York
whose office is located at
regional sales leader at
1071 Yonkers Ave., has reAllstate. “She also makes
ceived the Agency Hands
a point of getting involved
in the Community Award
personally by dedicatfor her commitment to
ing her time and efforts
volunteering in the comto making a difference in
munity. With this award
people’s lives.
came a $1,000 grant from
“Allstate believes it is
The Allstate Foundation
very important for corpofor the Westchester Chilrations to take an active indren’s Museum, which is
terest in the communities
set to open in Rye.
they serve,” she continued.
“Lynda is an active
“Allstate is proud to supand respected member of
port the Westchester ChilAllstate Agent Lynda Chervil
the business community,
dren’s Museum through
protecting people with insurance and financial The Allstate Foundation.”
Urban Park Symposium
Was Well Attended
Yonkers Committee for Smart Development, Groundwork Hudson Valley and the New
York League of Conservation Voters Education
Fund hosted a well-attended and well-received
symposium, “What is an Urban Park, Anyway?”
on June 8 in Yonkers.
A substantial audience from Yonkers,
Bronxville, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Irvington,
Ossining, New Rochelle, White Plains and
even Jersey City listened attentively and asked
perceptive, thought-provoking questions of the
knowledgeable panelists. Topics ranged from
specifics about Yonkers parks and community involvement, addressed by Yonkers Commissioner
of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Yvette
Hartsfield and Groundwork Hudson Valley Executive Director Rick Magder; to the broader arena
of private/public partnerships and funding opportunities, addressed by Christopher Rizzo, board
member of New Yorkers for Parks and Friends
of Van Cortlandt Park and Dark Westphal, senior
associate with the Support Center for Nonprofit
Management and a Bronx parks advocate.
An overview of the form, style, uses and
benefits of parkland and open space was discussed by Linda Cooper, regional director at
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and
Historic Preservation; and Meg Walker, vice
president of Project for Public Spaces. Marcia
Bystryn, president of NYLCV, was Moderator
and handled the question-and-answer portion of
the program.
The mission of all three co-sponsors is the
education of the public on topics surrounding
open space, quality-of-life and environmental
conservation. “What is an Urban Park, Anyway?” could be considered a successful effort in
the meeting of this mission.
$1.5M Energy Efficiency Project Veterans Honored at Annual
Completed in Yonkers
Appreciation Day this Month
Mayor Mike Spano was joined last week by
New York Power Authority President and Chief
Executive Officer Gil Quiniones to announce the
completion of energy efficiency upgrades at nine
municipal facilities in the City of Yonkers at the
E.J. Murray Memorial Skating Ice and Roller
Skating Rink. In total, this project will save the
city more than $249,000 annually in energy and
reduce climate-changing greenhouse gases by approximately 578 tons every year.
“The City of Yonkers is making great progress and our partnership with the New York
Power Authority is showing results,” said Spano.
“Energy-saving improvements are a commonsense way to cut costs and protect the environment at the same time. In addition to keeping our
critical infrastructure in a state of good repair, we
are ensuring a more comfortable, safe and productive work environment for the city workforce
and constituents.”
The upgrades are improving safety and quality of life in Yonkers. For example, light levels
have been dramatically increased in the Will Library’s Children’s Reading Room that will help
the next generation of young people meet their
potential. Lighting that was damaged by flooding
during Hurricane Irene has been replaced in the
tunnels that run underneath the Yonkers Water
Treatment Plant – critical infrastructure for Yonkers.
New color changing lights on the City Hall
clock tower enable the city to highlight causes
such as autism awareness in blue or breast cancer
awareness in pink. Now visible from the Tappan
Zee Bridge to the north and the George Washington Bridge to the south, the clock tower will also
mark holidays and ethnic celebrations.
“I am pleased to support the mayor and our
director of sustainability as we move ahead with
energy efficiency programs that reduce costs and
help the environment,” said City Council President Chuck Lesnick. “That’s like ‘selling ice in
the winter’ to achieve a double return on our joint
investment with NYPA. This is indeed a collaborative effort in that, since its inception six years
ago, the Yonkers Green Policy Task Force, in its
capacity as an environmental advisory board to
the City Council, has helped to target specific
ways to promote sustainable smart growth that
have been proven to reduce carbon emissions and
save money for our city.”
The City of Yonkers is cutting energy costs
and improving the bottom line across all of its energy-consuming assets, including city buildings,
the vehicle fleet, streetlights and traffic signals
and water delivery. As a result, city government
is helping to grow a more attractive, healthy and
vibrant city for all those who live and work in
Yonkers.
NYPA has taken the lead in carrying out the
governor’s Build Smart NY initiative, a comprehensive statewide program launched in December
2012 to improve the energy efficiency of government buildings by 20 percent by the year 2020. In
support of this goal, NYPA plans to finance and
implement $450 million in energy efficiency improvements at state facilities over the next several
years. The Power Authority will also undertake
an additional $350 million in similar improvements at county and local government facilities.
To learn more about the initiative, visit
www.buildsmart.ny.gov.
To date, NYPA and the City of Yonkers have
partnered on $15 million in energy efficiency
projects, saving taxpayers more than $1.6 million
per year and reducing greenhouse gas emissions
by 7,713 tons annually. Yonkers has been a NYPA
customer since 1976. In 2012, as a result of purchasing NYPA’s low-cost electricity, the city
saved more than $800,000, compared to standard
utility rates.
Completed City of Yonkers Energy Efficiency Project At Nine Sites {subhead}
1.) Department of Public Works Vehicle Repair Center – The installation of lighting upgrades
and new heating system controls to reduce energy
use.
2) E.J. Murray Memorial Skating Rink – The
installation of lighting upgrades for the skating
rink and office areas to reduce energy use.
3) Grinton I. Will Branch, Yonkers Public Library – The installation of high-efficiency
lighting upgrades and a full update of the library’s
computer monitoring systems to reduce energy
use.
4) Robert W. Cacace Justice Center – The
installation of high-efficiency lighting upgrades
and a full update of the building’s computer monitoring systems to reduce energy use.
5) Water Bureau and Treatment Plant – The
installation of lighting upgrades and the replacement of electrical equipment damaged by Hurricane Irene flooding.
6) Yonkers City Hall – The replacement of
metal halide fixtures with high-efficiency LED
lighting on the roof, which illuminate the building’s clock tower, and the installation of LED
lighting in the City Council Chamber and Ceremonial Court Room to reduce energy use
7) First Police Precinct – The installation of
a new boiler heat timer to reduce natural gas consumption.
8) Second Police Precinct/Fire Station No.7
– The installation of a new boiler heat timer to
reduce natural gas consumption.
9) 87 Nepperhan Ave., a city building – The
installation of a new boiler heat timer to reduce
natural gas consumption.
Mayor Mike Spano and the Yonkers Office of Veteran Services last week announced
that the city will honor area veterans at this
year’s Veteran’s and Service Members Appreciation Day, on Saturday, June 29 from noon to
4 p.m. at the John F. Kennedy Marina in Yonkers.
The mayor invites all veterans residing in
Yonkers to the festivities, including food, refreshments and live entertainment, who will
be performing music from the Korean War era
to the present day. Face-painting, balloons and
children entertainers also will be available. In
case of inclement weather, the event will take
place at the E.J. Murray Skating Rink from 1 to
4 p.m., at 348 Tuckahoe Road.
The city also will honor its veterans this
month, when Spano, the Yonkers Veterans
Central Committee and the Office of Veteran
Services hosts its annual Medal of Honor Ceremony for Civil War veteran and one-time Yonkers resident, Capt. Heermance, on Saturday,
June 15 at 11 a.m. at Oakland Cemetery.
Heermance was recognized for this bravery at the Battle of Chancellorville during the
war and was awarded the Medal of Honor. In
addition, on Saturday, June 29, the city will
host its annual Korean War Memorial Ceremony at Salvatore Sialiano Park at 10 a.m.
Free tickets for Veterans Appreciation Day
are available at the Office of Veteran Services
at 120 New Main St., Yonkers. More information is available at www.yonkersny.gov or by
calling 914-377-6700.
Stew Leonard’s to Host
‘Wine of California’ Class
To educate and excite oenophiles of all
levels, Stew Leonard’s Wines of Yonkers is offering a class dedicated to the wines of California on Friday, June 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. in
the conference room on the second floor of the
store, at 1 Stew Leonard’s Drive.
Led by wine specialist Paige Donahoo,
students will explore why California produces
most of the wine in the U.S., and why it has
become a world-class wine region. Stew Leonard’s chefs will also prepare classic American
fare like sliders and apple pie to showcase a
number of notable California wines.
Featured wines will include: Caymus
2010 Cabernet Sauvignon/Napa ($82.99), fullbodied and supple-textured, a complex mix of
plum, blackberry, black licorice and spices;
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon/Sonoma ($46.99),
elegant aromas of cherries and plums open to
a soft, silky mouthfeel boasting a spectrum of
red and black fruit flavors with a hint of spicy
oak; and Louis M. Martini Cabernet 2010/Alexander Valley ($26.99), 91 points from Robert Parker, an exotic, utterly beguiling cabernet
with expressive dark red fruit, grilled herbs,
licorice and dried flowers.
Tickets to the class are $25 per person and
may be purchased at the store or by calling
914-375-4713.
Donahoo joined Stew Leonard’s Wines
of Yonkers in 2002. In addition to being certified as a wine specialist through the Society
of Wine Educators, she has earned intermediate and advanced certificates as well as a year
of diploma from the Wine Spirits Education
Trust.
Brooke Needs a Home
Yonkers Green Policy
Task Force Wins Award
The City of Yonkers Green Policy Task
Force was awarded a coveted Green Seal Award
by the Federated Conservationists of Westchester County at its annual dinner meeting last week
at Lenoir Nature Preserve.
Since 1965, FCWC has brought together
concerned citizens, numerous community organizations, educators, and diverse professionals
committed to preserving and rehabilitating the
natural resources of Westchester County through
research, workshops, educational events, expert
testimony and other areas of impact.
Each year, the board awards an environmental organization for its impact on environmental issues.
“The Yonkers Green Policy Task Force has
tackled several major issues since its inception in
2007, two of which have recently been installed
in Yonkers city code – Green Building Standards
and Steep Slopes Ordinance – in addition to other
work in environmental policy affecting qualityof-life issues such as a summertime gas-powered
leaf blower ban, vehicle idling, improvements in
local recycling, its unique newsletter and more,”
said Steven Levy, president emeritus.
The Task Force is comprised of seven community volunteers, each appointed by a City
Council member, and a representative selected
by the city administration. The City Council
mandate to the Task Force is to provide advice
on issues that have an impact on the health of
Yonkers residents, on the conservation of the
city’s resources, and on the overall health of the
environment.
Its members compile research on and submit potential “green” legislative initiatives to the
City Council; work on environmental quality-oflife improvements for the Yonkers community;
apply for and administer environmental grants;
define public health issues for the city; and foster
educational outreach for Yonkers students and
the community-at-large.
“The GPTF was thrilled to receive FCWC
recognition for its tireless efforts on behalf of the
City of Yonkers,” said Chairperson Terry Joshi.
“FCWC itself has been working on behalf of the
environment for the past 40 years, so it was a
particular honor to receive a Green Seal Award
from this venerable Westchester County institution.”
Council President Chuck Lesnick first proposed the Task Force, which was created by
Council Resolution on Earth Day in 2007, and
further encouraged the Administration to hire a
sustainability manager to address municipal energy efficiency amongst other issues.
“The Task Force has worked tirelessly to encourage the city to change its thinking to green,
one footprint at a time,” he said. “Its volunteers
have put in countless hours assisting the city on
policy, public awareness and even grant writing.
Their selfless public service improves our quality of life and makes our city a better place in
which to live and work.”
Meet Brooke at the Yonkers Animal Hospital.
The Yonkers Animal Shelter has many pets
up for adoption.
Brooke is a young dog about 8 months old
and weighs 40 pounds. She is light tan with
some brindle mixed in, and is very active and
loves to play ball or Frisbee – but what she likes
best is the doggie pool. She doesn’t just stand or
sit, Brooke tries her best to submerge herself and
splash around! This is a dog who would love a
home near the beach or lake.
Visit Brooke 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.
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Friday, June 21, 2013 - Yonkers RISING - PAGE 5
Stewart-Cousins Pushes for Bill
Making State Pay for Mandates
Yonkers Recognizes Gun
Violence Awareness Month
A bill that requires the
mandate as “any state law, rule
state to fund any mandated
or regulation which establishprogram imposed on local
es a new program; requires a
governments and school dishigher level of service for an
tricts passed the Senate on
existing program, which a muMonday with strong support
nicipal corporation is required
from Democratic Conference
to provide; and which results
Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousin a net additional cost to such
ins. The bill would protect lomunicipal corporation.” It
cal municipalities from bearing
requires the state to provide
the cost of programs created
school districts and local govand/or originated by the state
ernments “compensation or
and allow local officials to set
funding…of the full amount of
their own priorities without the
the net additional costs” of any
possibility of future unfunded
unfunded mandate it imposes
mandated programs disrupting Democratic Conference Leader upon localities.
Andrea Stewart-Cousins
their budgets.
Stewart-Cousins has been
“Unfunded mandates create real struggles one of the leading voices in the Senate calling for
for local governments and school districts, so any mandate relief for local governments and school
steps we can take to relieve those burdens are districts. Over the years, she has sponsored and
welcome news,” said Steward-Cousins. “Cash- passed numerous mandate relief laws which have
strapped local governments have had to make dif- saved taxpayer dollars and allowed for more efficult choices through the recession and unfunded ficient operation of government.
mandates have made that task even more difficult.
“I will continue to push my colleagues on the
This legislation places the responsibility of fund- need for mandate reform because local governing state-mandated programs where it belongs – ments are being crushed by these excessive costs,”
on the state.”
she said. “I was proud to support this bill in the
The legislation, S.1294, defines an unfunded Senate and hope it is ultimately enacted into law.”
Police Commissioner Charles Gardner with Mayor Mike Spano and Council Majority Leader
Wilson Terrero promoting the Gun Tip Hotline.
Teens Can Enjoy Cool
Activities on Hot Nights
The county’s largest community center, the
Westchester County Center, will open its doors
for teens to beat the heat and summer doldrums
as they socialize, work on athletic skills and stay
physically active in a safe, drug and alcohol-free
environment during Open Gym nights.
During the program, teens in grades six to 12
can have fun in air-conditioned comfort while they
shoot hoops, play chess or other board games, or
compete in traditional recreational activities like
foosball, Noc hockey and ping pong. Teens will
be supervised by adult staff of the county Parks
Aug. 4: LeAnn Rimes
Aug. 11: Rock and Blues Fest
Aug. 18: Kenny Rogers
Aug. 25: TBA
Sept. 1: Gavin Degraw
Sept. 8: Kenny Loggins
Sept. 15: Smokey Robinson
Additional seating has been added this year
after a successful 2012 Summer Concert Series at
Empire City Casino. Ticket prices start at $15 and
can be purchased at www.empirecitycasino.com or
by calling eTIX at 1-800-514-3849.
In recognition of New York State’s declaration of June as Gun Violence Awareness
Month, Mayor Mike Spano and the Yonkers
Police Department last week announced the
city’s efforts to promote greater gun safety in
the community, including its renewed promotional plans for the Yonkers Police Gun Tip
Hotline and the free dissemination of trigger
locks for legal guns.
“While our nation’s headlines sadly
continue to report unnecessary gun violence
plaguing our schools and neighborhoods,
our Yonkers Police Department is taking a
two-prong approach in supporting New York
State’s gun awareness initiative to keep illegal
guns off our streets and promote gun safety,”
said Spano. “I encourage residents to take advantage of the programs offered by our police
department, as their assistance will make a big
difference in the quality of life for our residents.”
As part of Yonkers’ initiative this month,
YPD continues to promote its Yonkers Police
Gun Tip Hotline, 914-377-GUNS (4867). The
hotline was created as an easy and anonymous
way for citizens to report an illegal handgun
to police. The citizen is paid $500 after the
handgun is recovered and determined to be
illegal. Starting June 15, “Got Guns?” promotional advertisements will be on display at
local Metropolitan Transit Authority train stations, including the Yonkers, Glenwood and
Ludlow stations, as well as at local bus stops.
“I was happy to sign on to the statewide
Gun Violence Awareness Month resolution
earlier this year as I believe our local governments has a responsibility in keeping our
streets and residents safe,” said Spano. “Our
Gun Tip Hotline is one way to do that. With
the assistance of our community and YPD,
I believe Yonkers can do its part promoting
awareness of this national epidemic.”
Since the inception of the Gun Tip Hotline in October 2010, the YPD has recovered
39 illegal handguns; 13 have been recovered
since January of this year. All were deemed to
be illegal.
Funding for the program is provided by
federal forfeiture funds.
Additionally, YPD is offering a limited
number of gun trigger locks to Yonkers’ legal
gun owners. According to Westchester County law, no person who owns or is custodian
of a weapon shall store or leave such weapon
out of his or her immediate possession or control without having first securely locked the
weapon in an appropriate safe storage depository or rendered it incapable of being fired by
use of a safety locking device appropriate to
that weapon. Residents may contact YPD’s
Community Affairs Division Monday through
Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 914-377-7375
to schedule the pick-up of a trigger lock at 36
Radford St.
“During this month YPD is eager to join
other communities in an attempt to remind
the public of the dangers associated with guns
and gun-related violence with our increased
promotion of the ‘Gun Tips’ program and by
offering free gun locks to those residents that
legally possess firearms so they can better secure those weapons and protect our residents,”
said Charles Gardner, YPD commissioner
Preliminary 2012 Uniform Crime Report
statistics show Yonkers to have the fourth
lowest crime rate among the largest cities in
the nation, and the lowest among cities on the
East Coast.
Fleet and, upon the US’s entrance into World
War II, took part in the Battle of the Macassar Straits, the first naval offensive of the war.
He served actively in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and in the Mediterranean Sea. In
1943, he married Frances Boardman from Ticonderoga — at this time, he was a Chief Petty Officer stations in Philadelphia. He appears
to have made the Navy his career — by 1950,
he was still serving, now as a Chief Machinist’s Mate aboard the USS Dyess, a destroyer
in the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean.
Chupak’s only younger sibling, his
brother Julius, graduated from Franklin Junior High School in 1936. During junior high,
Julius made many contributions to the Herald
Statesman’s Junior’s Page, submitting many
jokes, stories and drawings to competitions,
particularly during 1934 — he never won, but
received many honorable mentions. Though I
could not determine which one, Julius graduated from high school in 1940 — possibly
the only Chupak son to do so. He went on to
college — again, I could not determine which
one — and completed three years before being drafted into the Army in the last group of
the November 1943 Draft Call. He survived
the war and lived a long life, passing away
on May 12, 1999 in Winter Haven, Florida,
where he lived. He is interred in Florida National Cemetery, Section 135 Site 700.
Army Career and Later Life {subhead}
Contrary to his early life, Chupak’s career
in the Army and later life are relatively well
documented. He left Saunders Trade School
in 1933, after completing only one year, for
unknown reasons.
He worked for a short time at a bakery
before enlisting in the Army on his 19th birthday, August 28, 1936. He underwent basic
training, probably at Fort Dix, New Jersey,
before being assigned to Company I of the
64th Coast Artillery Regiment, an anti-aircraft
artillery unit based at Fort Shafter in Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Hawai’i. He spent
four years with the Coast Artillery, alternately
serving with the 64th, 52nd and 62nd regiments, becoming an expert machine gunner,
and in anti-aircraft and coastal artillery.
Chupak’s conduct was excellent and his
rose steadily in rank: from Private to Private
First Class/Specialist in one year; Private First
Class to Corporal in two months; and from
Corporal to Sergeant in eight months. He was
promoted to Sergeant on June 13, 1941, while
still stationed in Hawai’i. Then, in early July,
he missed some time without the proper leave
— this wasn’t a serious-enough offensive to
get him Court Martialed or dishonorably discharged, but he was demoted back to Private
on July 17, 1941.
Despite this minor setback, Chupak redoubled his efforts. In November 1941, he
was specially chosen for a group of 1,000 men
to establish Fort Pepperrell (now known as
Pepperrell Air Force Base), the US’s first military base in Canada. Here, he was assigned to
the Ordnance Detachment of Newfoundland
Base Command, the organization responsible
for building Fort Pepperrell and other installations in Newfoundland.
Less than a month after arriving in Newfoundland, Chupak was re-promoted from
Private directly to Corporal, skipping the rank
of Private First Class. On May 15, 1942, he
was promoted to Technician Fourth Grade, or
Technical Sergeant, a highly specialized rank
analogous to Sergeant. Three days later, he
was transferred from the Ordnance Detachment to the 12th Ordnance Service Company,
where he served as Foreman of the Ordnance
Warehouse. He also served as a Drill Instructor, and was specially assigned to train Canadian soldiers in the use of machine guns.
On August 24, 1942, Chupak requested
leave and permission to marry his fiancé, Ann
Polack of Yonkers — regulations at the time
prohibited active duty soldiers from marrying during wartime. His direct commanding
officer in the 12th Ordnance, First Lieutenant
Alphonse J. Graffeo, wrote him a glowing
recommendation, highly praising his work
and dedication.
The request was ultimately granted and,
on September 10, 1942, Stephen and Ann
were married at Most Holy Trinity Church.
His oldest brother, Peter, was his man of honor, and his sister Anna was Ann’s matron of
honor. Ann graduated from High School of
Commerce and worked at Rex Products Corporation in New Rochelle.
After his wedding furlough, he was sent
to Europe attached to the 75th Infantry Division which fought in the Rhineland, ArdennesAlsace and Central Europe campaigns, including the famous Battle of the Bulge of the
Ardennes-Alsace Campaign.
While in Europe, Chupak served first
with the Army Service Forces Personnel Replacement Depot. He was given a brief furlough after the war ended, but was brought
back to Europe shortly after to help with the
salvage of war materials — in this capacity,
he served with the 9301st Technical Service
Unit-Ordnance and the 40th Ordnance Depot
Company. Chupak was promoted first from
Technical Sergeant to Sergeant First Class
sometime in 1950, and from Sergeant First
Class to Master Sergeant sometime between
January 1951 and July 1952.
On November 27th, 1945, shortly after the end of WWII, Ann gave birth to their
first child, Stephen, III. In post-war Germany,
where Chupak was stationed, his wife Ann
and son were allowed to live with him. Their
second child, Carol Ann, was born in Munich,
Germany, in November 1951.
Chupak was scheduled to leave Germany
permanently in November 1952 but, in midAugust of that year, he contracted leptospirosis, also known as Weil’s disease, which is a
bacteria infection caused by consumption of
water contaminated with animal urine. He
passed away from the infection on August 24,
1952, just four days before his 35th birthday,
in a hospital in Stuttgart, West Germany.
His remains were returned to the US and
a funeral was held on Friday, September 16,
1952 at St. Nicholas of Myra Church. He was
interred at St. Joseph’s Cemetery with full
military honors. His family was large and remembered him fondly — they took out In Memoriam notices in the Herald Statesman every
year on his birthday until the paper closed.
I’m sure he was direct descendants living today, though I was not able to locate them.
Chupak is the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, American Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, World War II
Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal
with Germany Clasp, Asiatic Pacific Service
Medal and European African Middle Eastern
Service Medal.
Department.
Admission and parking are free for these
events.
Open Gym will run Mondays through Fridays from 6 to 10 p.m., beginning Monday, July
1 and will run through Friday, July 26; there will
be no Open Gym on Thursday, July 4 and Friday,
July 5.
The Westchester County Center is located at
198 Central Park Ave., White Plains. For more information, call 914-995-4050 or log on to www.
countycenter.biz.
Empire City Casino
Summer Concert Series
Some of the biggest names in entertainment
are coming to Empire City Casino at Yonkers
Raceway this summer. The 2013 Summer Concert
Series kicks off this weekend with KC & the Sunshine Band in June 16.
The full summer schedule includes:
June 23: Travis Tritt
June 30: America
July 7: Chris Isaak
July 14: Blues Traveler
July 21: Three Dog Night
July 28: Kansas
Yonkers’ Korean
Continued from Page 1
you’ll read below. He passed away on April 3,
1976. Anna — his wife, Stephen, Jr.’s mother
— passed away five months later, on September 21, 1976.
Sometime shortly after Julius’ birth, Chupak’s oldest sibling, Anna, appears to have
married one John Ockasi. They had a son,
John, before Mr. Ockasi’s death, after which
Anna appears to have moved to Yonkers.
There, she married one Andrew Pollack and
lived until her death on August 26, 1978.
His sister Mary married one Alvin Reilly
in 1934. They made their home together at 1
Oneida St. That is, unfortunately, all the information we were able to find on her.
By 1930, Chupak’s oldest brother Peter
was serving as a Cadet in the Merchant Marine aboard the SS Pennsylvania. In late December 1930, he joined the crew of the SS
Santa Clara, which made trips to Talcahuano,
Chile. Through the years, he rose to the rank
of Quartermaster before leaving to take a job
with the Texas Oil Company in New Rochelle. He married one Elizabeth Knapp during this time and made his home at 433 Nepperhan Ave. (later at 173 Sweetfield Circle).
He enlisted in the Coast Guard on December
19, 1941.
By 1942, he had risen to the rank of Coxswain Third Class. By 1943, he was serving
aboard an assault transport vessel in the Pacific Theatre. By the time he was honorably
discharged in 1945, Peter had risen to the
rank of Boatswain’s Mate First Class and
participated in six invasions — Kwajalein
in the Marshall Islands, Los Negroes in the
Admiralties, Aitape in New Guinea, Saipan,
Guam and Peleliu (now known as Palau). He
was wounded during Peleliu and spent three
months in hospital in California before his
discharge. He was highly decorated. He returned to Yonkers and continued working the
Texas Oil.
Chupak’s next oldest brother, John,
worked as a distributer for the the Herald
Statesman before enlisting in the Navy in
1931. By 1939, he was assigned to the Asiatic
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PAGE 6 - Yonkers RISING - Friday, June 21, 2013
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Daniel J. Murphy, Editor-in-Chief
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[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
25 Warburton Ave, Yonkers,
NY 10701
www.risingmediagroup.com
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Group, LLC 25 Warburton Ave., Yonkers,
N.Y. 10701
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POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
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East Yonkers Kiwanis
90-Plus Celebration
Yonkers seniors who have reached 90 years
of age are honored each year by East Kiwanis
at a gala luncheon, and Kiwanis has launched a
search for potential honorees.
“This year marks the 16th annual 90-Plus
Celebration of the lives of those who have lived
or worked in Yonkers or served their nation in
the military,” said event Chair Vickie Volino
Moore.
This year’s luncheon will be held Sunday,
Oct. 27 at Dunwoodie Golf Club’s ballroom.
During the event, which is free to all honorees,
special certificates of appreciation will be presented. Entertainment will be provided and interesting anecdotes illuminating aspects of each
honoree’s life will be offered.
For reservations, call Moore at 914-4205180.
Legal Notices
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Notice of formation of LAW
OFFICE OF CHRISTINA T.
HALL AND ASSOCIATES
PLLC Arts. Of Org. filed with
the Sect’y of State of NY
(SSNY) on 04/15/13. Office location: Westchester.
The street address is:.600
Mamaroneck Avenue, Ste.
400, Harrison, NY 10528.
SSNY has been designated
as agent of the LLC upon
whom process against it
may be served. SSNY shall
mail process served to: LAW
OFFICE OF CHRISTINA T.
HALL AND ASSOCIATES
PLLC, 600 Mamaroneck
Ave. Ste. 400, Harrison, New
York 10528. Purpose: any
lawful act.
Notice of formation of TINA’S
TIDYCREW, LLC Arts. Of
Org. filed with the Sect’y
of State of NY (SSNY) on
04/03/13. Office location:
Westchester. The street address is: 600 Mamaroneck
Avenue, Ste. 400, Harrison,
NY 10528. SSNY has been
designated as agent of the
LLC upon whom process
against it may be served.
SSNY shall mail process
served to: TINA’S TIDY
CREW, LLC, 600 Mamaroneck Ave. Ste. 400, Harrison, New York 10528.
Purpose: any lawful act.
Notice of formation of POLYGON DROPOUT MEDIA
L.L.C. Of Org. filed with the
Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY)
on 1/25/2013. Office location: Westchester. The street
address is: 335 Collins ave,
Mt Vernon (Fleetwood) New
York, 10552. SSNY has
been designated as agent
of the LLC upon whom
process against it may be
served. SSNY shall mail
process served to: Michael
Patterson, 335 Collins Ave,
MT Vernon (Fleetwood), NY
10552. Purpose: any lawful
act.
#6408 5/17 – 6/21
#6409 5/17 – 6/21
Application for Authority of
DIMENSION CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT OF
NYC LLC filed with the Secy.
of State of NY (SSNY) on
5/8/13. The LLC was formed
in NJ on 3/18/13. Office loc.:
Westchester County. The
SSNY is designated as agent
of LLC upon whom process
against it may be served.
The principal business loc.
and the address SSNY shall
mail copy of process to is
33 Kincaid Dr., Yonkers, NY
10710. The required office
address in NJ is 4 Lakeside
Dr. S., Lacey, NJ 08731.
Cert. of formation filed with
Andrew P. Sidamon-Eristoff,
State Treas., 226 W. State
St., Trenton, NJ 08608. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
#6420 6/21 – 7/26
Notice of formation of Columbus Coffee, LLC Arts.
Of Org. filed with the Sect’y
of State of NY (SSNY) on
06/11/13. Office location:
Westchester County. SSNY
has been designated as
agent of the LLC upon whom
process against it may be
served. SSNY shall mail process served to: The LLC at 9
Jackson Avenue, Tuckahoe
NY 10707 Purpose: any lawful act.
#6407 5/17 – 6/21
Notice of Formation of
A.O.T.G LLC Arts. of Org.
filed with SSNY on 4/11/13
Office Location: Westchester
County . SSNY designated
as agent of the LLC upon
whom process against it may
be served. SSNY shall mail
process to: Alumnus 493
South Broadway Yonkers Ny
10705. Purpose: any lawful
purpose.
#6419 6/14 – 7/19
#6421 6/21 – 7/26
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT: WESTCHESTER COUNTY. HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK,
Pltf. vs. LAWRENCE MAINIERO, et al, Defts. Index #64572/12. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale dated May 16th, 2013, I will sell at public auction in the
Lobby of the Westchester County Courthouse, 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.,
White Plains, NY, on July 3rd, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., prem. k/a 13 Baiton St. a/k/a 15
Baiton St., Yonkers, NY. Said property lying and being in the City of Yonkers, County
of Westchester and State of New York, being shown and designated as Lot No. 6 and
part of Lot No. 5 on a certain map entitled “Map of Archer Heights on Trenchard St., 2nd
Ward of Yonkers, NY” made by Geo. Raynor, C.E. dated May 30, 1892 and filed in the
Westchester County Clerk’s Office, Division of Land Records on June 19, 1892 in Vol.
12 of Maps at page 6. Approx. amt. of judgment is $282,093.84 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. JOHN
N. ROMANO, Referee. COHN & ROTH, Attys. for Pltf., 100 East Old Country Rd., Ste.
28, Mineola, NY. #82713
#82713 5/31 – 6/21
Notice
Yonkers Community Action Program
is seeking community members to stand
for election to the Board of Directors. If
interested please submit letter of interest
and resume to [email protected] or
fax to 914-423-5938.
View your favorite
paper
online ...
log on to
risingmediagroup.
com!
Help Wanted
Sales People for the Alperiz-Mizrahi Agency
Looking for team members who are self-motivated, have great marketing skills and are driven for success. This is not a job but a career in a Yonkers office location to open soon.
Customer sales associates available in
*Banking products, mortgages.
*Property and Casualty
*Life and health
Administrative staff positions also available
Requirements:
* Confidence and high energy to work in a
fast paced environment.
* Strong communication skills.
* Ability to quickly learn various computer
software applications.
* Desire for success and willingness to learn.
* Ability to take on and overcome challenges.
* Sales experience is required.
* Insurance licenses are a plus***.
* Bilingual--Spanish is a plus.
Health benefits, paid vacation and sick days. Base, commission and bonuses potential salary
from $40k-$70k, depending on your work ethic. Please email your resume to [email protected] or [email protected]
FRiday, JuNe 21, 2013 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - PaGe 7
Seniors and Health Care
Hot Topics in Health Care: ‘Leading Elder Care Attorney’
Medicare Solvent Until 2026? Recognized at Awards Dinner
By: Michael LaMagna,
retiring each day. In even
Esq.
more alarming developIn what certainly can
ments, the Social Security
be touted as good news,
Disability Trust Fund is
the Medicare trustees rescheduled to become deported in their annual
pleted in 2016.
report that the Medicare
If the retirement fund
Trust Fund, which holds
becomes depleted, it is not
all payroll deductions, is
likely that benefits will
scheduled to remain solstop completely; Medivent until the year 2026.
care will pay less and less
This is two years greater
of the projected benefit,
then reported last year.
based on what is contribThe main consideruted. To fix the Medicare
ations for the brief extenand Social Security Dission were the improving
ability solvency issues
economy and slowing
would include raising the
health care costs.
payroll tax or decreasing
Michael LaMagna
The slowing health
benefits, two very unpopucare costs can be attributed, at least in part, to lar political moves that all sides appear relucthe Affordable Care Act, new policy limitations tant to promote.
on the Medicare Part C or Medicare Managed
This article is provided for informational
Care Plans, reduced hospital re-admissions, and purposes only. Nothing in this article shall be
payment changes to health care facilities. The construed as legal advice or should be relied
impact of the Affordable Care Act, which goes upon as such. Michael LaMagna is a partner
into full swing Jan. 1, 2014, remains to be seen. at Helwig, Henderson, Ryan, LaMagna and
Although this was certainly good news, the Spinola, LLP, practicing elder law/probate/distrustees cautioned that there is still significant ability/wills, trusts and estates, health care regwork to be done with respect to Medicare and ulatory, Medicare appeals, Social Security and
Social Security, the federally funded programs. general legal practice in both New York and
It is well known that the programs are not Connecticut. Email him at Mlamagna@hhrls.
sustainable in their current forms, especially com, call 914-437-5955 or visit www.HHRLS.
since there are approximately 10,000 people com for more information.
Apply for Disability Benefits
From the Convenience of Home
By Susan Sobel
Social Security District Manager in Yonkers
Have you been thinking about applying
for Social Security disability benefits but unable to visit a Social Security office to complete the interview? We have good news: You
can complete your application for Social Security disability benefits from the convenience
of your home.
Get started at www.socialsecurity.gov/
disability.
The application process involves determining whether you have sufficient work to
be eligible for Social Security, the severity of
your medical condition, and your ability to
work. Because we carefully review so many
cases – more than three million each year – it
can take us three to five months to determine
whether you are eligible to receive benefits.
The amount of time it takes to make a decision on your application can vary depending
on a number of factors, such as the nature of
your disability; how quickly we obtain medical evidence from you, your doctors, hospitals
or other medical sources; and whether we need
to send you for a medical examination to obtain evidence to support your claim.
We have several important initiatives to
speed up the process. For example, our Compassionate Allowances initiative allows us to
fast-track certain cases of individuals with
very severe disabilities. Two hundred different
types of disabilities qualify for this expedited
decision, and the list continues to expand.
Since Compassionate Allowances began in
2008, the agency has fast-tracked more than
250,000 disability applications, getting benefits to people in a matter of days instead of
months.
Learn more about Compassionate Allowances at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.
Another way we speed up decisions is
with our Quick Disability Determinations initiative, which uses technology to identify applicants who have the most severe disabilities
and allows us to expedite our decisions on
those cases. Read more about Quick Disability Determinations at www.socialsecurity.gov/
disabilityresearch/qdd.htm.
There are things you can do to help speed
up the decision process, too. The more information you provide up front, the less time it
will take us to obtain the evidence we need –
and the faster we can make a decision on your
application. The types of information needed
include medical records or documentation;
the names, addresses and phone numbers for
any doctors, hospitals, medical facilities, treatment centers or providers that may have information related to your disabling condition;
the names, addresses and phone numbers for
recent employers and the dates you worked for
each employer; and your federal tax return for
the past year.
If you’re not able to work due to a disability and getting to an office is troublesome,
don’t worry. You can apply online for Social
Security disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.
Baby Massage Offered
At Wainwright House
Wainwright House is offering “Joyful Baby
Massage” weekly starting Thursday, June 27 at
260 Stuyvestant Ave., Rye.
There are many good reasons to massage
your baby, and it is healthy for both mother and
child. You can begin baby massage at any time,
as soon after birth as you feel ready.
Oil and laminated take-home massage notes
are provided at this program; participants only
need to bring a couple of soft towels, big enough
to wrap around your baby.
For more information, go to www.wainwright.org or call 914-967-6080.
From left, attorneys Richard Scanlan, member; Anthony Enea, managing member; and
George Sirignano Jr., member, all of Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP in White Plains, at the
Above the Bar Awards held recently at Pace Law School where Enea was named Westchester County’s leading elder care attorney.
Elder law attorney Anthony Enea, managing partner at Enea, Scanlan and Sirignano, LLP
in White Plains, was named Westchester County’s
leading elder care attorney at the Above the Bar
Awards, held June 6 at Pace Law School. The
award presentation is considered the region’s premier showcase of top legal talent.
Enea was honored for his legal accomplishments, leadership qualities and outstanding success in the field of elder law. Approximately
200 lawyers, judges, elected officials and friends
turned out for the seventh annual event, recognizing outstanding legal work in the Westchester
business community.
“It is always an honor to be recognized by my
peers and colleagues – especially for work that I
find so personally rewarding,” said Enea, who has
spent the past three decades protecting the rights
of seniors and the disabled. His practice areas include elder law; Medicaid planning and applications; wills, trusts and estates; guardianships and
estate litigation.
A strong leader in the Westchester legal community, he is the immediate past chair of the New
York State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section, a
member of the Council of Advanced Practitioners
of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys,
and is a past president of the organization’s New
York Chapter.
Enea is on the Guardianship Advisory Committee of the Office of Court Administration for
the State of New York and is the former editorin-chief of the “Elder Law Attorney” for the New
York State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section.
In addition to being named Westchester’s
leading elder care attorney, he has been recognized
with numerous other peer-review designations, including Westchester’s Top 25 “Super Lawyers”
and “Best Lawyer” (Best Lawyers in America,
2011-13); and is an “AV” rated pre-eminent attorney (Martindale-Hubbell, 2002-13).
Enea’s commitment to community service
has led him to become vice president of the Westchester County Bar Foundation, treasurer for New
York State’s Association of Mentally Ill Children,
as well as a member of both Somers’ Board of Ethics and the Business Development Board of the
Hudson Valley Bank.
Enea can be reached at 914-595-4081 or
[email protected]. For the latest news, visit Enea,
Scanlan and Sirignano online at www.esslawfirm.
com.
Advertise on our Seniors and Health Care
Page! Call today: 914-965-4000
PAGE 8 - Yonkers RISING - Friday, June 21, 2013
Is My Job the Worst
Job in America?
America’s Great
Continued from Page 1
By Dan Murphy
As a proud member of the Westchester journalistic community, I was surprised by the recent
www.CareerCast.com survey, which found the
job of newspaper reporter (hard copy not online)
was ranked as the worst job in the United States.
CareerCast.com, a career website owned by
Adicio, Inc., ranked 200 jobs from best to worst
based on five criteria: physical demand, work
environment, income, stress and hiring outlook.
The firm used data from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics and other government agencies to determine the rankings.
Low pay, hi stress and the poor outlook for
the future of newspapers were the reasons for the
ranking. Cuts to newsroom staff, shrinking budgets and competition from online publications
have created the dire economic conditions that
print newspapers, and journalists now face.
The dire numbers cited by CareerCast.com
and the many other online media sites that covered this story include:
The Newspaper Association of America,
via the Pew Research Center, estimates that the
industry earned approximately $49.2 billion in
2006. By 2011, that total had dropped by well
over half to $23.9 billion taking many jobs with
it, including thousands of newspaper reporter
positions.
Editor & Publisher reports a steady decline
in the number of daily newspapers since 1985,
when there were 1,730 in circulation. The industry held steady near 1,450 in the mid-2000s, but
closures in the latter half of the decade left the
nation with a low of 1,382 dailies.
Some prominent dailies migrated to online
models, such as, The Ann Arbor (Mich.) News,
which publishes twice weekly. The New Orleans
Times-Picayune transitioned to a three-timesweekly newspaper in 2012. The Seattle PostIntelligencer became online-exclusive in 2009.
But all is not lost for the future of journalism and the newspaper that you can still hold in
your hand.
I – Hyperlocal, community-oriented newspapers (like Rising) have been able to survive the
storm. With the decline in the daily local newspaper, many residents and families are looking to
their local weekly newspaper for positive news
and coverage.
II – Journalism is not a dying art. Thousands
of students, reporters and bloggers are still flocking to the profession. We will always need someone to cover the news.
III – Online news is not killing print. The
trouble with online newspapers is that online revenues do not come close to the revenues for print
advertising, and there has been no online model
for newspapers that covers the cost of news coverage, nor produce a profit. Patch.com, the most
ambitious plan to provide hyperlocal news coverage online, is said to be breaking even.
Westchester hardcopy local newspapers,
most of which have an online version available,
are also not making a significant profit. Most are
also breaking even; some are losing hundreds of
thousands of dollars every year, with generous
support coming from their publishers.
And while we agree with CareerCast.com
that the future of newspapers will be online, a
financial model, where the readers pay for their
online content, must be found so that reporters
can be paid a decent salary and online publications can make a profit.
IV – One fact missed by CareerCast.com is
the enjoyment that most reporters take in covering the news for their readers. Yes, it is stressful;
yes, it’s not the best paying job, but there is satisfaction when you can make a difference that is
read by many.
According to CareerCast.com, the top five
best jobs are actuary, biomedical engineer, software engineer, audiologist and financial planner.
The worst jobs are oil rig worker, actor, enlisted military personnel, lumberjack and newspaper reporter.
Yonkers’ Best
Fordham University; Macaulay at Hunter College; New York University; Northeastern University; and St. John’s University.
Alsaloum will attend the State University
Honors Program at Stony Brook where she will
major in biology and sociology. “My brother
goes to Stony Brook and it has a good science
department,” she explained.
Both Kamenov and Alsaloum thanked their
YPIE college advisor Michelle Rios and YPIE’s
Naviance program for their help in finding the
right college.
Continued from Page 1
es and three advanced placement courses under
his belt. He received the George Eastman Young
Leaders Award and is a member of the National
Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor
Society, as well as the Superintendent’s Honor
Society and Principal’s List.
He earned fourth place in the Science
Olympiad Fossils in 2009 and first place in 2008.
Kamenov’s extracurricular activities include the
Culture Club, Biodiversity Club, Chemistry
Olympiad, Science Olympiad, Newspaper Club
and Photography Club, on which he served as
vice president. In his free time, he volunteers
with Project 1000, the Red Cross and the Step
Out Walk to Stop Diabetes.
Who helped Plamen achieve academic success?
“My parents and my teachers. The high
school is more like a community,” he said.
Kamenov has a younger brother attending
PEARLS elementary school.
He applied to 11 colleges and universities,
including Harvard, Columbia and Cornell, where
he was placed on the waiting list for each. He
was accepted to the State University of New
York at Binghamton and Stony Brook, McGill
University, New York University, University of
Rochester, Macaulay Honors City College and
City University of New York colleges: Brooklyn
and Queens. Kamenov will attend SUNY Stonybrook’s State University Honors Program and
will major in physics.
“I took a tour of the campus and the
Brookhaven National Laboratory,” he said. “The
opportunities for me in physics research and labs
blew me away.”
His advice for future aspiring valedictorians
is as follows: “Find out where your passions are
in education, and have a realistic set of goals.
Also appreciate your parents and teachers.”
Salutatorian Marissa Alsaloum will graduate the IB program with a 102.3 GPA. Her favorite courses are IB anthropology, IB biology
and AP calculus. Marissa, who said, “I loved all
of my teachers,” pointed to anthropology and IB
history teacher Ms. Selimaj, biology teacher Mr.
Kaszczak, calculus teacher Ms. Garcia, and IB
English teacher Ms. Libutti as some of her favorites
Alsaloum has taken a total of seven IB
courses and three advanced placement courses,
and participated in a variety of activities including the Biodiversity Club and the Chemistry
Olympiad. She is a writer for The Broadcaster,
The Yonkers Grapevine, and the editor of Lines
and Strokes Literary Magazine.
She participated in the Columbia University Science Honors Program and the Manhattan
College Summer Engineering Program. In her
spare time, Alsaloum has volunteered with Project 1000, holding the position of team leader,
and has tutored chemistry. Her community service includes participating in the Making Strides
Against Breast Cancer Walk, the Yonkers Riverfront Library Holiday Event, and the Yonkers
Middle/High School Open House Night.
Alsaloum thanked her parents “for teaching
me the value of education and placing an emphasis on a love of academics;” and her teachers “for
giving me the benefits of learning.” She has an
older brother who graduated from Yonkers Middle-High School two years ago, and a younger
brother who is in the 10th grade at Yonkers.
She applied to 16 colleges and was accepted
to State University of New York at Stony Brook
Honors; SUNY Binghamton; University of California at Berkley, Los Angeles; and San Diego,
in Sleepy Hollow, Untermeyer vowed to create
“the world’s greatest garden” in Yonkers and
commissioned Welles Bosworth to design Untermeyer Gardens in 1912.
Untermeyer opened the gardens to the
public and thousands of visitors came to Yonkers to enjoy what had become one of the country’s greatest gardens, filled with 50,000 tulips,
3,000 species of orchids and flowers from all
over the world, and the 60 greenhouses grew
the seedlings for the next year’s garden.
After Untermeyer’s death in 1940, the estate was subdivided, with a 43-acre piece that
includes the gardens taken over by the city and
used as a park. Over the next 60 years, the park
and gardens were neglected due to financial
constraints by the city, and the lack of a foundation to help fund the gardens’ maintenance
and restoration. (Untermeyer did not leave an
endowment for his gardens.)
Three years ago, Untermeyer Gardens
Conservancy, a non-profit organization, was
formed to facilitate the gardens’ restoration
in Yonkers. Under the leadership of Gardens Conservancy Chair Stephen Byrns, who
has called Untermeyer Gardens “America’s
More Than 1,000
Continued from Page 1
Mayor Mike Spano, Council Majority Leader
Wilson Terrero and a representative from Assemblyperson Shelly Mayer’s office praised
those present for their commitment to becoming more active.
In addition, Spano reminded the more
than 40 people present that being active and
eating right are good steps to take to prevent diabetes, which is a growing problem in
Yonkers as well as the country, and said he
is happy that this year Tibbetts Park Yonkers
will host the Step Out to Stop Diabetes Walk
on Sept. 28.
He also reveled he had a recent weight
loss that he said was motivated in part by the
kick off of YOM’s 2013 walk season.
Councilperson Terrero reinforced the
mayor’s message and committed to encourage
residents of all ages to take at least one-step
toward a healthier lifestyle.
For the second challenge, a group/team
should consist of at least two or more individuals who walk together on a regular basis. If
you walk at lunch with co-workers, join others before or after work to walk around a track
Great Forgotten Garden,” the Untermeyer
Gardens Conservancy has partnered with the
city, sought out grant money and donors and
worked with community groups to help build a
solid foundation for the gardens’ future.
Today, Untermeyer Park is open to the
public from dawn to dusk.
The walled garden is open Monday
through Saturday from 7 a.m. to sunset, yearround. On Sundays from April through October, the walled garden will remain open from
noon until dusk.
Guided tours of the walled garden and
The Temple of Love are offered Saturdays at
11 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. throughout the
summer. There is a $10 suggested donation for
those over the age of 12.
And while a trip to Untermeyer Park and
Gardens is still a great day in the summer sun,
imagine what the park and gardens could be.
That is the vision of the Untermeyer Gardens
Conservancy, who will host a Summer Solstice
Sunset Soirée on Tuesday, June 25, honoring
Marian Sulzberger Heiskell.
For more information, call 914-512-0436
or visit -untermyergardens.org.
Yonkers Rising will feature the Untermeyer Park and Gardens and the Untermeyer
Gardens Conservancy in several stories over
the summer.
or the neighborhood, or want to ask others to
join you to walk, why not record your steps/
miles and let us know your group/team name?
There are two options for recording your
steps or miles: First, go to www.walkyom.org
and follow the directions to enter your team’s
name. Individuals on the team will enter their
own steps/miles under the team’s name. If
members walk alone in addition to their group
walking efforts, they can add on those steps/
miles on as well!
You can also print a copy of the Healthy
Steps Passport from the website. If you do so
as a team member, remember to enter your
team’s name before submitting your completed Passport as instructed.
Second, individuals or a team can enter
their steps/miles online or on a completed
paper Healthy Steps Passports. For details
on how to get a Healthy Steps Passport, visit
www.walkyom.org, call 914-943-6368 or email [email protected].
The second challenge ends July 31.
Yonkers on the Move, a citywide walking campaign promoting a more active lifestyle for residents of all ages, kicked off the
first of several walk challenges April 3 at City
Hall with Spano, other elected officials, community organizations and residents.
CITY OF YONKERS
PUBLIC NOTICE AND PUBLIC HEARING
2013 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND PROPOSED DRAFT BUDGET
In accordance with the federal regulations, 24 CFR, Part 91, the City of Yonkers has prepared a draft Annual Action Plan for 2013
submission for its Community Development Programs. This document is a requirement for direct assistance under the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding programs including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment
Partnerships Program and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. This plan includes the proposed draft budget for 2013.
The City of Yonkers will hold a Public Hearing on July 17, 2013 at the Yonkers Riverfront Library,Community Room A & B, Larkin
Center, Yonkers, NY at 6:00 pm to solicit citizen comments on the Annual Plan.
Comments: The comment period is from June 21, 2013 to July 22, 2013. The City of Yonkers intends to submit the Annual Action Plan
to HUD on July 24, 2013. Interested persons are encouraged to express their views on the proposed draft budget by e-mailing
[email protected]. Non-English speaking individuals and those who require the information in an alternate format or who
require special accommodations at the public hearing, may contact the Office of Community Development at (914) 377-6650 to request
guidance and assistance. All comments received by 4:30 pm on July 22, 2013 will be considered.
CDBG $3,091,469
Administration
$618,294
Administration
YMCA
YWCA
$10,000
$10,000
Code Enforcement
$150,000
DHB Code Inspectors
Economic Development
Community Planning Council
Economic Development Projects
Family Service Society of Yonkers
Loan Program
$15,000
$422,235
$25,000
$392,550
Sub Total
$854,785
Section 108 Loan Repayments
$327,621
Section 108 Loan Repayments
Public Facilities
South Broadway BID
Public Facility Projects
The Blue Door
Westhab
Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID
YMCA
YWCA
$50,000
$392,550
$37,000
$22,500
$50,000
$75,000
$50,000
Sub Total
$677,050
Public Service 15%
Other
Aisling Irish Community Center
Arab American Foundation
Arc Westchester
Catholic Charities
Fine Arts Orchestral Society
Hamm & Clov Stage Company
JCY Westchester Community Partners
Living Transformation International Center-Employment
Public Service Projects
The Male Glee Club
Untermyer Performing Arts
WestCOP-Victim Assistance Services
Westchester Disabled on the Move
Women's Enterprise Development Center
Yonkers African American Heritage
Yonkers Columbus Day Celebration Committee
Yonkers Downtown Waterfront BID
Food Pantries
Living Transformation International Center
Yonkers First Arabic Baptist Church
Senior Programs
Family Service Society of Yonkers
JCY Westchester Community Partners
Hudson River Museum
North Yonkers Preservation and Development
$14,000
$4,000
$10,000
$12,500
$4,000
$4,000
$4,000
$10,000
$17,220
$4,000
$12,500
$8,000
$7,000
$7,000
$4,000
$4,000
$7,500
$12,000
$10,000
$10,000
$28,000
$8,000
$20,000
Youth
Dominican American Cultural Association of Yonkers
Dominican American Club of Yonkers
Family Services of Westchester BBBS
Hudson River Museum
JCY/Community Partners
Nepperhan Community Center
Program Reach, Inc.
Westhab
WJCS - A Different Start
Yonkers Puerto Rican Day Parade
After Schools
Cluster Community Services
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church
Iglesia San Andres
North Yonkers Preservation and Development
YMCA
YMCA - Teen
Yonkers Community Action Program
Day Care Programs
Queen's Daughter Day Care Center
St. Peter's Child Care Center
Summer Programs
Cluster Community Services
Iglesia San Andres
YCAP
YMCA
$6,000
$5,000
$7,000
$8,000
$15,000
$50,000
$7,000
$7,000
$10,000
$4,000
$7,000
$10,000
$7,000
$7,000
$7,000
$7,000
$7,000
$10,000
$8,000
Public Service Total
$8,000
$9,000
$6,000
$10,000
$463,720
CDBG TOTAL
$3,091,469
HOME $958,036
Administration 10%
CHDO 15%
Housing Rehabilitation Program
$95,804
$143,705
$718,527
HOME Total
$958,036
ESG $214,556
Administration
Homelessness Prevention
Rapid ReHousing
Payment for Shelter
$16,092
$78,464
$80,000
$40,000
ESG Total
$214,556
FRiday, JuNe 21, 2013 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - PaGe 9
Westchester’s Generosity Helps
Local Non-Profits Thrive
From left, the Rev Eric Swensson, Jim KIlloran and Mayor Thomas Roach.
“My World is Art” by Wasif Ali, the 12th grade first-place winner.
Nicholas Di Napoli Sr. and Frank Di Fusco, both from Twins Electric Corporation,
with Killoran.
“Lean on Me” by Meril Benny, the ninth grade first-place winner.
From left, Michael Brathwaite, vice president/financial advisor of CFP Urban Markets
Group, Morgan Stanely/Wealth Management; and Michael Lulkin of Kensington
Vanguard National Land Serices.
By Dan Murphy
The people of Westchester’s generosity to
local non-profit groups comes in different ways.
Many lend their time and volunteer their service
to help organizations get the services to those
who need it, but residents also reach into their
pocket and donate to these many organizations
through charity events, golf outings and other
fundraisers.
Habitat for Humanity of Westchester is one
of our favorite local volunteer organizations.
Habitat recently held its American Dream Luncheon to honor its partners who helped Habitat
provide families with a new home.
The organization has been able to bring
together volunteers from Westchester high
schools and colleges, local companies, churches
and synagogues, to help build houses and create
community gardens.
Habitat for Humanity Westchester Executive Director Jim Killoran honored the following local individuals, schools and companies
for their support, with American Dream awards:
Bronxville Reform Church, Bob Manzi, Jimmy
Rodriguez, William Garofalo, French American
School, William Semedio, School 23, Citrin
Cooperman, Home Depot, David Simkins, Lucy
Simkins, DeCiccio’s Family Market and MasterCard.
Habitat of Westchester also thanked the following volunteers who helped make a difference
in the Rockaways after Hurricane Sandy: Bank
of America, Ali Giglio, Bishop Gibbs, John Gobel, Twins Electric, Murphy Brothers and MasterCard.
Killoran thanked the volunteers for their
work in more than 20 Westchester towns and
cities where Habitat has been able to build new
affordable homes. “We will not stop until everyone has a home in this beautiful community,”
he said.
White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, County
Executive Rob Astorino and Yonkers Mayor
Mike Spano were among the elected officials in
attendance at the lunch lending their support.
“I can’t think of a better example of humanity than Jim Killoran. Everything he believes in,
he does. He believes in the goodness of everyone,” said Astorino.
Killoran and Habitat Westchester were
thanked for doing what a great community organization must do to succeed – bring people of all
ages and backgrounds together, provide a muchneeded service to those who need it most, and
raise the funds necessary to keep it all going.
Killoran and Habitat for Humanity Westchester does all of this and more. Check out all
they do and consider volunteering or making a
contribution, at www.habitatwc.org
We will highlight the many community
organizations and non-profits that help make
Westchester a great place to live, work and raise
a family in the weeks to come. Send us your
ideas to [email protected].
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“AAA” by Cameron Holder, the 10th grade first-place winner.
Yonkers’ Young Poets
Continued from Page 1
“Chores,” by Jamileth Hernandez,
Lincoln High School
I’ve folded all my laundry
And put it in the drawer
I’ve changed my linen, made my bed
And swept my bedroom floor
I’ve searched the house for pencils
And sharpened every one
There are so many things to do
When homework must be done
“Summer Beach Love,” by Alexis M. villafuerte, Lincoln High School
His love is the beach on a warm July day
His hugs are the warm sun on my skin, gentle
& comforting
His words are the sand, ones that sink you in,
making it hard to walk away
His absence is the salt air,
Knowing of its presence,
Feeling it, around me even though I’m not
physically seeing it
But it’s his love that’s the water.
It drowns me out & sinks me in $ I lose
Grip on reality and see the sky go further away
“Love Lyric,” by Amelia Aguero,
Lincoln High School
Love is something I have never felt.
But seeing your smile is what makes me melt.
Feeling your warmth every time we hug
Is like a lightning bug brightening up my day.
“Life Lyric,” by Elias Almanza, Lincoln
High School
Life is something we all share
Just like oxygen in the air.
The way we live it, it is up to us
With a negative or with a plus
Life is something we could cherish
We’ll never know when we’ll perish
Live each, and every single day
Smell the flowers, stop and play.
PaGe 10 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - FRiday, JuNe 21, 2013
Lucy Eisler Memorial Basketball Tournament
The Lincoln Park Jewish Center in Yonkers recently hosted the annual Lucy Eisler Memorial Basketball Tournament.
This year included a special guest appearance by Chris “Skywalker” Lowery, director of the Dunleavy Milbank Children’s Aids Society in Brooklyn. He is a graduate of Xaverian High School
in Brooklyn, where he won the New York City CHSAA AA Championship in 2005, and has won 87 slam dunk competitions throughout North America.
Lowery played college basketball at Daytona College in Florida. Photos by Robert Kalfus. The event is organized each year by Nathan Eisler, son of Lucy Eisler, in her memory, and is a
fundraiser for the Lincoln Park Jewish Center, and to benefit the Dunlevy Milbank Children’s AIDS Society.
Flag Day Celebrated with ‘Color it Proud’ in Yonkers
Americanism Award recipient Lou Navarro presents a trophy to the Civil Air Patrol for its
participation in the recent Memorial Day parade.
Sophia Creo, a first-grader from St. Paul the Apostle School, with (from left) Councilmen
Dennis Shepard, John Larkin and “Color it Proud” Chair Sam Riti, and council president
candidate Liam McLaughlin. Sophia wrote the Pledge of Allegiance in the stripes of her flag.
Lesnick Marks 54th Birthday
With Fundraising Celebration
Children line up to receive their awards.
Last week, in observance of Flag Day, the
Yonkers Central Committee of Veterans Organizations held its annual “Color it Proud” ceremony at
Saunders Trades and Technical High School.
Event Chairman Sam Riti presided over
the contest, in which public and parochial firstthrough fourth-grade students from Yonkers participated, with first- and second-graders coloring
their own American Flag, and third- and fourthgraders submitting an essay on what the flag
means to them.
One hundred and fifty students and their
families attended the ceremony and each received
a flag, trophy and certificate of appreciation from
Mayor Mike Spano, Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins,
Assemblymember Shelley Mayer and the Yonkers
City Council.
The Yonkers Police Honor Guard presented
the colors and “God Bless America” was performed by Robert Bisaccia, who rounded out a
patriotic evening.
Lou Navarro was presented with the Americanism Award for his work in community service
for veterans and the Air Civic Patrol was honored
for marching in the Yonkers Memorial Day parade.
Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Bernard Pierorazio and his staff helped support the
event.
From left, Yonkers resident Gloria Fields, Adam Brill, New Rochelle Mayor and county executive candidate Noam Bramson, and Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick.
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Yonkers City Council President Chuck
Lesnick celebrated his 54th birthday Thursday
night at Heritage Grill with an event that attracted long-time friends and supporters, elected officials and musicians.
One of the primary goals of Lesnick’s
birthday fundraiser was to bring attention to restoring music and arts programs in the Yonkers
Public Schools, and 2012 Yonkers Junior Idol
Maya Katyajini Ghosh Lisbin represented the
young talent of Yonkers and sang to standing
ovations.
Music and song were also performed by
Uncharted Territory featuring Steve Golub, Les
Harper and Francisco Monroy; recording artist Donna Pretlow; and “The Enchanting Neo-
phyte,” Anna Fleshler.
Among the approximately 100 guests that
attended were U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel,
state Assemblyman David Weprin, New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson – who is the Democratic nominee for Westchester county executive, state Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow, and
Yonkers City Councilman Christopher Johnson.
Lesnick, who is term-limited from running
for council president this fall, is seeking a position with the Obama Adminstration and has not
ruled out a run for future office. “I’ve been waiting for many months for the president to make
a decision, but I understand that things move
slowly in Washington. But I want to continue to
serve the public,” he said.