Hommocks Middle School, First Public School in NY to Launch

Transcription

Visit
larchmontledger.com
for community
news and event
information!
larchmont
LEDGER
December 2015 -- Volume 11 -- Issue 12
Complimentary
Hommocks Middle School, First Public
School in NY to Launch Rocket Composter
Hommocks
Middle
School, supported by the
Town of Mamaroneck, is the
first public school in New York
to launch a Rocket Composter,
which will remove food waste
from the waste stream and
reduce trucking and disposal
costs to the Peekskill facility that burns Westchester’s
garbage. At the same time,
the Rocket Composter , made
possible by a grant from the
Mamaroneck Tigers Team Becomes
State Champions Again
Mamaroneck Schools Foundation, will produce compost
that the school will use in its
garden and greenhouse and
make available to community members for use on their
lawns and other green areas.
“Most importantly, the
Rocket Composter provides
us with the opportunity to
educate students about the
importance of turning food
continued on page 11
Latimer and Otis Appear at Village Board Meeting
BY STEPHEN E. LIPKEN
Opening the Monday, November 16 Larchmont Board
of Trustees meeting, Mayor
Anne H. McAndrews pointed
to crossed French Tri-Color
Flags on her desk, with rendering of the Eiffel Tower
incorporated into the “Peace”
Symbol, expressing solidarity against terrorist attacks
in Paris France on Friday, November 13.
In more heartening news,
Mayor McAndrews congratulated the Mamaroneck High
School Girls Hockey Team for
their State Championship win,
2 years in a row on Sunday, November 15.
McAndrews then introduced New York State Senator
George Latimer and Assemblyman Steven Otis, who gave
legislative updates. “I have
been working with your Mayor
and to secure a State grant for
Lorenzen Park,” Otis stated.
“There is the burden of fixing your Stormwater pipes. I
teamed up with Assemblyman
John McDonald to get grants
continued on page 4
New York State Senator George Latimer (left) and Assemblyman Steven Otis.
Mamaroneck Tigers Field Hockey is State Champ for the 2nd year in a row
after defeating Ward-Melville 1-0 in double overtime in November. In the
tradition of Mamaroneck High School honoring its winning teams, the girls
arrived back to the high school with a fire truck escort.
Mamaroneck Town Awarded Grant
to Improve Water Quality
The Town of Mamaroneck was awarded a Long Island Sound
Futures Fund Grant to implement green infrastructure in the renovation of the
Town Center
parking
lot.
The $150,000
grant will be
applied
to
the total project cost and
will
enable
the Town to
include permeable pavement, rainwater harvesting, a biofilter,
two raingardens and eight catch basin filters in the renovations.
These improvements will reduce and improve the water quality of
the stormwater runoff from the Town Center running into Mamacontinued on page 5
JU
ST
LIS
TE
D
Janet Demasi
914.552.2750
[email protected]
Larchmont BroKEraGE
1946 Palmer avenue
juliabfee.com
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity.
6 Harmony Drive, Larchmont
Lovely Back Yard
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.
PERMIT NO. 5121
PRESOSRTED STANDARD
2
•
December 2015
•
Larchmont Ledger
www.larchmontledger.com
At Home on the Sound
Carolyn Fugere and Board
have Re-energized Larchmont Collaborates While Having Fun
Chamber of Commerce
The Larchmont Chamber
of Commerce is gearing up to
make the Village sparkle this holiday season. Chamber President
Carolyn Fugere says that holiday
decorations are going up to decorate the business district to give
Larchmont a festive feeling.
The Chamber is sponsoring a Shop, Sip and Stroll Night
on December 3 to encourage residents and friends to visit local
merchants to shop, peruse and
dine while enjoying everything
that Larchmont has to offer.
“Larchmont has an incredible reputation,” Fugere
comments. “Larchmont has
everything here and the Chamber wants people to realize that
fact.”
Fugere, with a 2015 Board of
eight volunteers including Theresa Finck, Diane Oldham, Drew
George, Sanjiv Jaswal, Megan
McCarthy, Diane Schwatka and
Nancy White have re-energized
the Chamber this past year.
They have sponsored and
taken part in many events in
2015 including a speed dating
networking night, a Home Improvement Day, a Wine Tasting,
a Sip, Snack and Stroll afternoon
and a Date Night, all to showcase
the business district and have
the Chamber members mingle
with residents of the community.
“We started with 33 members at the beginning of 2015,”
Fugere explains. “Now we have
about 100 members and the
numbers are growing. Date
Night in the fall brought many
new members. We have been
trying to help the business own-
ers in all different ways, like
showing them how to spruce up
their windows, training them to
build a website or teach them to
do more online.”
As the Brokerage Manager
of Julia B. Fee in the Village, Fugere is passionate about getting the
business owners involved in the
Carolyn Fugere
Chamber. “I go to conventions
to learn the latest technology so
that we can pass on this knowledge to the merchants. I feel we
are on track to create a spectacular business space here. I
think people are not aware of all
the new businesses that will be
opening soon.
“Working with the I Love
Larchmont group, we have become a team,” she proudly mentions. “All of our efforts are going
into one place, the goal is the
same—to make Larchmont the
Best.
“It has been a lot of work
and I brought on an intern from
Iona College to help me,” she acknowledges. “We are hoping for
more volunteers.”
A committee has formed to
incorporate the Chamber in 2016
when they will elect Board members. Dues will stay the same,
Fugere says. She is constantly
recruiting new businesses and
enticing them with the prospect
of sidewalk sales and date nights
to attract customers.
Now in December, the
Chamber is sponsoring a Selfie
Contest until January 1, 2016.
They are asking residents to post
a selfie on the Chamber Facebook page or email it to them at
[email protected]
and they will post it. The photo with the most likes will win
a $1000 shopping credit at any
Larchmont Chamber member
business.
Fugere also reminds the
community to join in the festivities at 3pm on December 5 for
the 2nd Annual ‘Light Up Larchmont’ at 120 Larchmont Avenue.
There will be a tree lighting in
Constitution Park with music,
crafts for the kids and of course,
Santa! After all the activities,
sponsored by the Larchmont
Professional Fire Fighters and
The Larchmont Police Benevolent Association, she is optimistic that attendees in the holiday
mood, will then explore the
streets in the Village to shop and
eat.
“From a business sense,
you have to care how the downtown looks. It becomes a living
thing. There is tremendous opportunity here. I think every other town will want to model their
area after us.”
Mamaroneck Artists’ Guild
126 Larchmont Ave, Larchmont, NY 10538
A Gift of Art
November 27 - December 24, 2015
Opening Reception
Saturday, December 5, 2015
6:00 - 8:00pm
10% discount on all merchandise purchased during the reception
November Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12 - 5pm
December 1 - 24 Gallery Hours: 7 days a week 12 - 5pm
Please call to check for additional extended hours
www.mamroneckartistsguild.org
914 834 1117
This exhibit is made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester
with support from Westchester County government.
On Wednesday, November 4th, At Home on the Sound
and WestFair Rides put their
collaboration into action at
a lovely fall evening, hosting
jointly a Friendraising cocktail
party at the venerable Larchmont Yacht Club.
The highlight of the evening was a performance of Irving Berlin songs interspersed
with tidbits of Berlin’s life story
by the “Six of Clubs”, members
of the fabled Blue Hill Troupe.
Leslie Molinoff, Vice President at Large of At Home on
the Sound and Dr. Jack Adler,
Chairman of WestFair Rides,
along with Dr. Catherine Wyn-
koop, President of WestFair
Rides, thanked the sponsors of
the evening, Gretchen and Paul
Massey, and the 130 volunteers
and supporters present for
their dedication to the missions of both organizations.
At Home on the Sound is a
not-for- profit membership organization serving Larchmont
and Mamaroneck Elders 60+
providing individualized services and group activities designed to enhance their comfort, safety and connection to
the community.
WestFair Rides is a notfor-profit organization serving Westchester County’s
residents 60+ and adults 21+
with vision impairment by
matching them with volunteer
drivers to keep health care
appointments, collaborating
with aging-in-place organizations, health care providers,
municipalities and other ride
programs to increase ride options for Westchester Elders.
It shares its ride management
platform with several organizations to drive down costs.
For information on services
of both organizations and how to
volunteer contact At Home on the
Sound www.athomeonthesound.
org and WestFair Rides www.
westfairrides.org
www.shorelinepub.com
Larchmont Ledger
•
December 2015
•
3
Mamaroneck Union Free School Board to Consider
Resolution for Community Bond Vote
BY DR. ROBERT I. SHAPS
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
As you’ll recall, we began
speaking last spring about the
possibility of recommending a
bond to improve Mamaroneck
High School’s physical education instructional spaces/
locker rooms, which have not
been renovated in memorable
history and include infrastructure original to the building.
Three sets of previous building
condition surveys dating back
for more than a decade have
identified the locker rooms as
a “Priority 1” project; however,
in each instance, it was decided to defer the work in lieu of
other academic and facilities
priorities.
On November 3, after
hearing District presentations
on why a bond is needed, as
well as the scope of the work
that would be required, and
listening to input from community members -- many of
whom have toured the spaces
in the past couple of weeks
-- the Board of Education ex-
pressed support for the proposed bond and agreed to put
a resolution on the agenda for
its November 17th meeting
that would authorize a community vote.
The overarching purposes of the District’s bond recommendations remain from
our original plan presented
last month: addressing health
and safety conditions relating to our physical education
spaces; re-purposing existing
space to enable us to deliver a
required NY State curriculum
for our growing population of
students, and providing resources necessary to serve as
the community’s designated
Red Cross Shelter. However,
based on our work with District architects, we have suggested a few revisions. After
scrutinizing each area to determine which components
could be removed without
jeopardizing the end-product, we lowered the estimated
cost of the project by more
than $2.3 million. We have
removed the Hommocks pool
Dr. Robert I. Shaps
locker room renovations,
which will be considered
along with recommendations
made by our District’s Safety
Committee in the upcoming
NY State mandated five-year
Building Conditions Survey.
We also advised the
Board on the projected overall
financial implications of this
capital project. In conjunction with the Board Finance
Committee, the District considered project costs in the
context of possible future
capital project needs, as well
as outstanding bond debt,
being mindful -- as with any
bond -- of taxpayer impact of
borrowing over many years.
Assistant Superintendent for
Business Operations Meryl
Rubinstein pointed out that
due to debt being retired, the
new borrowing will not increase overall District debt
service above its current 201516 level.
While the proposed timeline for a community bond
vote would be mid-January so
that work could be completed
during the summer of 2017,
the Board has made it clear
that a resolution passed on
Nov. 17th (or even an approved
bond voted on by the community in Jan.) would simply give
the District the authority to
borrow once numerous other
steps have been put in place
(State Education Department
approval, which takes approximately 42 weeks; bids finalized, etc.).
As stewards of our buildings, we recognize that we will
face the need for other capital work as time progresses.
Maintaining our facilities is
an important part of the responsibilities that come with
operating the school district.
There comes a time, however, when things can no longer
just be patched to be maintained… when infrastructure
such as plumbing and electrical reaches its end-of-life
and no longer functions the
way it was intended. In their
typical dedicated fashion, our
custodians have worked for
years repairing and providing
temporary fixes, but our physical education spaces/locker
rooms have reached their end.
Indeed, it is time now to replace, not repair.
We have created a special
section on our website under
District, “Bond: Improving PE
Instructional Spaces at MHS”
where we will be housing
bond-related materials in the
coming weeks. I hope you will
refer to this area on the website as you have questions and
seek information. Included
there you will also find a listing of any additional community tours we may offer.
4
•
December 2015
•
Larchmont Ledger
Local Summit Hosts Breakfast on Drug Abuse
in the Community
BY NINA RECIO CUDDY
Rarely a week goes by
without a story in the local or
regional press about the alarming increase in the availability
and use of drugs and controlled
substances across Westchester County, particularly among
young people. Two questions
on the minds of local residents
are “what does the problem
look like in our community?”
and “how can we address it?”
With the goal of shedding
light on these concerns, the
Local Summit invited three
professionals from the area,
with extensive but different
backgrounds on this issue, to
address the community at its
October 20 breakfast discussion at the Nautilus Diner. The
panel was comprised of William Hayes, Executive Director
of the Westchester Intelligence
Center of the District Attorney’s Office; Janet Buchbinder,
President of RADAR; and Dr.
Alan Dienstag, Clinical Director of the Community Counseling Center in Mamaroneck. The
result was a presentation that
provided both some good news,
but also words of caution.
Addressing the use of
drugs in our local schools,
panelist Janet Buchbinder, the
president of RADAR, a 501(c)
(3) non-profit organization, explained how RADAR collects
data about student drug use
and behavior by conducting
student surveys every two years
at Mamaroneck High School
(MHS) and Hommocks Middle
School. RADAR has been conducting surveys since 2006.
According to Buchbinder, who
shared highlights from the
most recent survey, the overall trend in the Mamaroneck
school district is an improving
one.
RADAR’s surveys, Buchbinder explained, are a respected tool for data gathering and
utilize the risk and protective
factor model approach. The
CTC (Communities that Care)
teen surveys that RADAR uses
were generated by the Center
for Substance Abuse Prevention in the federal government’s
Office of Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services. Buchbinder stated that the next
survey would be conducted in
Latimer and Otis Appear at Village Board Meeting
continued from page 1
for Clean Water Act infrastructure project…”
“So we now have a $200
million spending project over
a three year period. The first
$50 million applications were
due in September; $75 million
will be spent next year and another $75 million the following
year. Westchester Joint Water
Works applied for a drinking
water grant.”
Mayor McAndrews noted
that the Village did not have
much luck in obtaining grants
“because other communities
are more distressed.” “With
sewer lines, there are no criteria based on economic distress,” Otis replied.
“Here is my advice, re-apply to Environmental Facilities
Program (EFC) and see how it
‘shakes down.’ I am on the Local Governments Committee,
working with New York Conference of Mayors Executive
Director Peter Baynes to strategize on these issues.”
“It falls on the Village
Board to submit any bills for
Home Rule to get authority to
pass legislation that you normally cannot,” Latimer added.
“We have worked on parkland,
parking and taxing authority,
such as the Hotel Tax. Change
in Tax Cap Legislation is nil.
We tried to exempt capital
from your taxation; we already
do that with the schools.
“We rolled back the MTA
Payroll Tax for small businesses. Steve and I support legislation phasing out mandated
25% Medicaid that municipalities have to pay to the State.”
Police Lieutenant Ken
Olsen delineated a way to report criminal/terrorist activity
anonymously via Smart Phone,
text VLPDTIP 847411 or the “If
You See Something Say Something Hotline,” 866 SAFENYS
or 866-723-3697; Police 914834-1000.
Earlier, condolences were
expressed to Trustee John
Komar, whose brother Peter
David Komar passed away suddenly in Mount Kisco at the age
of 57.
rare to find
an
organization
that
provides this
particular
service solely
for its community.”
Dienstag
explained that
the Center’s
focus is on
prevention.
In this regard,
there
are
three areas
of concern:
Left to right: Alan Dienstag, William Hayes, and Janet Buchbinder. Photo courtesy of John Gitlitz
primary care,
which is de2016.
binder says we need to invessigned to keep a problem from
Risk factors are those that tigate what are the high-risk
developing; secondary care,
increase the likelihood a stu- transitions and changes in play
which is relapse prevention,
dent might engage in the use of
for those grades and to identify
and; tertiary care, which addrugs or alcohol. An example
problematic situations.
dresses the ancillary problems
of such a risk factor is poor paAnother area of concern,
in a family that accompany an
rental supervision. Conversely,
reported Buchbinder, is the
alcohol or drug problem.
protective factors are elements
comparative use rates of alThe Center works with
in a student’s life that would cohol among Mamaroneck
students in the 6th through 8th
buffer and/or discourage him
High students. The use rate is
grades, providing a prevention
or her from becoming involved measured by how many times
curriculum in the school inin drug or alcohol abuse. This alcohol was consumed in the
cluding “life skills training” and
would include, for instance, last 30 days. The survey re“advocacy training,” all aimed
family attachment or school
sults show that the MHS rate
at increasing the “protective
opportunities for pro-social of alcohol use in the 10th and
factors” and reducing the “risk
involvement. In our school 12th grades is above both the
factors,” as described by Buchdistrict, risk factors have been
County and national averages.
binder in her presentation. In
diminishing over time and
For example, Buchbinder told
addition, individual and family
protective factors have been the audience that in 2014, the
counseling is provided at the
increasing in the district. Bu- 12th grade national average use
Center.
chbinder noted that the one
rate was 37.4% and the CounThe Center also works
protective factor that has gone
ty rate was 49.4%. MHS had a
with parents because, in Diendown is religiosity, indicating
rate of 74.5%. However, binge
stag’s words, “parents are at the
less attendance by students at drinking (defined as 5+ drinks
foundation of efforts to prevent
religious services.
in a row in one sitting) reduced
drug and alcohol use among
However, there was also in MHS from 44.9% in 2006 to
adolescents.”
Dienstag said
mixed news in the most recent 27.9% in 2014.
parents need help in initiating
survey concerning alcohol use
If a family is facing an alconversations with their chilin the schools. Buchbinder cohol or drug abuse problem,
dren about drug and alcohol
explained to the audience that the community is fortunate to
use. “Prevention works,” insistalcohol remains “the top drug be able to turn to the Larched Deinstag, and so does drug
of choice for local teens.” She
mont-Mamaroneck Communitreatment. The agenda, he exreported, however, that the ty Counseling Center for help.
plained, should be to encourage
good news is that there has
The Center, which was estaband teach parents how to have
been a steady decline in alcohol lished about 35 years ago, is a
these important conversations.
use rate in 8th grade, showing a public not-for-profit organizaInterestingly, the age
delay in the onset of use of alco- tion that provides services to
group most affected by fatal
hol. This, she said, is a positive the local community without
overdoses (though not necesdevelopment because the later
regard to a person’s ability to
sarily heroin) is the group of
the initial use of alcohol by a pay and is subsidized by state
citizens who are 51 years and
student, the less the likelihood
and local governments as well
older. Hayes attributes part of
of developing an abuse probas the school district. Accordthis problem to accidental overlem.
ing to the Center’s Director,
doses of prescription meds by
On the other hand, BuchAlan Dienstag, the Center
older people and also to the fact
binder warned “use rates tend
“focuses on the needs of adthat an older body may be less
to go up by grade level from 6th olescents, young people and
resilient and therefore less able
grade up to 12th.” In fact, the
their families” and is set up
to recover from an overdose.
survey showed that the alco- to “provide a resource for the
Following the 51 and older
hol use rates doubled from 8th prevention of drug and alcohol
crowd, the next largest number
to 9th grade and also doubled problems in this community”.
of fatal overdoses occurs in infrom 9th to 10th grade. BuchIn Dienstag’s words, it is “very
dividuals aged 21– 30 years.
In the County, heroin is
responsible for the most fatal
overdoses, followed by cocaine
and then alcohol. Although
heroin is a bigger problem
“up-County” than in our community, it remains a concern
for local law enforcement.
Also showing up on the radar,
according to Hayes, is fentanyl, a powerful drug originally
intended for medical use as an
anesthesia. Hayes explained
that drug dealers are mixing
fentanyl with heroin, which is
what leads to many of the fatalities. According to Hayes,
fentanyl is coming in from overseas, particularly China, and
arriving in the United States by
very “low-tech means”, such as
UPS, FedEx and the US mail.
In examining the numbers of fatal overdoses within
the County in order to determine if there is a trend, Hayes
noted that in 2013 there were
72 fatal overdoses in the County
and 52 in 2014. However, as of
May 2015, there already were
26 fatal overdoses so what appeared to be a downward trend
may not materialize.
All panelists reminded the
audience that everyone could
help by properly disposing of
unused drugs in their medicine
cabinets. Hayes encouraged
community members to make
the disposal of unwanted and
unneeded medications a part of
their regular routine, advising
that many police stations have a
medical return box. The County also has specific days and locations for drug and medicine
disposal.
Town Supervisor
Nancy Seligson reminded residents not to flush away unused
drugs as they can end up in
Long Island Sound waters.
RADAR maintains a comprehensive website at www.lmradar.org. Information on the
proper disposal of drugs can be
found on the County website at
www.environment.westchestergov.com/medications.
This breakfast forum was
hosted by The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit, an
informal community council
that seeks to make life better
for all in the tri-municipal
area. Its monthly public meetings are held at the Nautilus
Diner in Mamaroneck at 7:45
a.m., usually on the third Tuesday of the month.
Larchmont Ledger
Readying Your Home for
Later Years
At Home on the Sound sees that growing older brings challenges that often interfere with the
safety and comfort of living at home. To address
the issue, the group has invited Catherine Marton
and David Hallerman on December 8 to show their
home design modifications that make lives easier,
safer and more independent at any age.
The pair will survey various efficient solutions
that combine safety with aesthetics yet avoid an
institutional look. The team has practical ideas for
the entire house — bathrooms, kitchen, entrances,
staircases, even outdoor spaces. Catherine Martone
is a licensed architect and certified aging-in-place
specialist; David Hallerman has been professionally involved with technology and its numerous
applications for individuals and the home for three
decades. They are partners at In Place ReDesign
Architecture. The program is at 4:00, preceded by
refreshments at 3:00. This program is free and open
to the public at Larchmont Avenue Church, Russell
Hall, 60 Forest Park Avenue, Larchmont.
•
December 2015
As members of the Board
of the Larchmont Public Library, we want to be sure everyone knows about the exciting “transformation” that
is about to take place at the
library. The main building
hasn’t been renovated in more
than 20 years—since before
the Information Age! Libraries are all about information,
so you can imagine how necessary it is to update this important community resource.
Our Children’s Library
was renovated in 2009, and
has twice won the Best of
Westchester Award. It’s a
beloved and bustling destination for young families. Now
it’s time to revitalize the main
library for everyone age 12
and older. There will be a new
technology center, a vibrant
young adult space, tutoring
and meeting rooms, quiet
reading areas, collaborative
spaces, new bathrooms, better lighting, better flow, and
furniture and electrical upgrades throughout.
There’s been a lot of
great conversation about
keeping the downtown area
of our community thriving,
and progress is clearly being made. (Thank you, Love
Larchmont!) We all recognize
how important it is to support
our wonderful local stores and
restaurants. But keep your library in mind, too. It’s a shared
public asset at the heart of our
downtown area. It’s a cultural
hub and an educational anchor - a community center at
the center of our community.
With everyone’s support, let’s
make sure this essential resource remains vital and relevant for many years to come.
Remember, the library
closes December 8th but,
throughout the renovation,
our staff will continue to provide library services in the Vil-
roneck Harbor.
Mamaroneck Town Center is across the Boston Post
Road from Harbor Island Park
and just 800 feet from the
West Basin of Mamaroneck
Harbor. As such, all of the
stormwater runoff from the
site travels directly to the Harbor untreated. Mamaroneck
Harbor does not meet New
York State designated water
quality standards. Town Supervisor, Nancy Seligson felt
it was critical to retrofit the
Town Center parking lot with
green infrastructure during
renovation if possible. “Mamaroneck has been a leader
in environmental initiatives
and this was an opportunity
to improve water quality in
Mamaroneck Harbor.” Town
Administrator Steve Altieri
added, “The time to implement these green infrastructure retrofits is during construction, so this grant is very
timely.”
The Town Center serves
as the community’s government center and police station. The Town’s municipal
offices and public service departments are housed here.
Portions of the facility’s infrastructure are in serious disrepair and in need of improve-
ment.
Without this grant
money, the Town would not
have had the necessary funds
to implement the green infrastructure elements into the
renovations.
The Town of Mamaroneck’s
residents frequent the Town
Center to apply for permits, attend meetings, pay taxes, attend
court, register for recreational
programs and more. The Town
looks forward to informing residents about the principles and
practices of green infrastructure
and explaining how this project’s
results will improve their quality of life with a harbor they can
more fully enjoy.
This Holiday Season
Give the Gift of a Well-Earned Vacation
lage Center (and, of course, the
Children’s Room will remain
open).
Learn more at www.
transformingfortomorrow.org
and look for a final year-end
fundraising appeal in the mail.
Jennifer Conley
Pamela Dubitsky, Chair
Lauren Gottfried
Maureen LeBlanc
Barbara Liptack
John McGarr
Iven Taub
Board of Trustees
Larchmont Public Library
George L. Bischof, Esq.
Wills, Trusts and Estates
Pelham Resident; Evening Housecalls
CALL
BAYSIDE TRAVEL
Vacation Specialists ~ Memory Makers
914-833-8880
Bischof & Bischof pllc
60 East 42nd Street, Suite 764
New York, NY 10165
(212) 867-9120
www.luxurytravelservice.com
[email protected]
www.bischoflegal.com
Save Time. Make One Call. Have the Time of Your LifeTM
Admitted in NY and CT
5
Mamaroneck Town Awarded Grant to Improve Water Quality
Letter to the Editor
To the Larchmont/
Mamaroneck community,
•
BaysideTravelNY
6
•
December 2015
•
Larchmont Ledger
Kenise Barnes Fine Art is presenting
a painting exhibit at the Gallery
located at 1947 Palmer Ave.,
Larchmont, featuring work by Brett
Eberhardt and Gregory Hennen. For
additional details call 834-8077.
UPCOMING
The Mamaroneck Public Library, 136 Prospect Avenue,
Mamaroneck, presents the following programs: The Library
Women’s Book Club meets in the
community room and no registration is required. The book for
December/January discussion
is “World Fair” by E.L. Doctorow.
Additionally, on December 17,
Mamaroneck Library Crafters
Club will meet in the community
room from 2-4pm.
Greenburgh Nature Center, 99
Dromore Road, Scarsdale presents: “Trains-Your ticket to the
Great Outdoors.” The exhibit
takes place 10-4:30pm, on Dec.
5, 6, 12 and 13. Presented by the
Yonkers Model Railroad Club
the exhibit is free for members,
non-members $10, seniors $9,
children $8. The cost includes
admission to all Manor House
exhibits.
The Greater Westchester Orchid
Society meets at the Harrison
Community Center, 216 Halstead
Avenue, Harrison on the second
Tuesday of each month at 7pm.
Those interested are asked to
contact Cordelia Dirlam at 973420-4966.
Through December 3: The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center and Iona College will
feature an exhibition commemorating Kristallnacht entitled,
“One Man Who Tried to Stop the
Holocaust”. The 22-panel exhibition pays homage to Jan Karski’s
courage during WWII. The gallery is located at the Iona College
Arts Center, Brother Kenneth
Chapman Gallery, 715 North
Avenue, New Rochelle. Gallery
hours are Monday - Thursday,
Noon - 5, Thursday evening 6:308 and Sunday Afternoon 2 - 5.
For more information contact
Julia Scallero at 696-0738 or [email protected]
The St. Thomas Church Christmas
Fair takes place December 5 at 168
West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck. The event starts at 10am,
with the café open for breakfast,
Christmas Carols at 11am and a live
auction at 1pm. For more information visit saintthomasmmrk.org.
Castle Conversations, at Manhattanville College, 2900 Purchase Street,
Purchase, presents their final speaker, Doris Kearns Goodwin, on Dec 2;
a noted presidential historian and
author of six New York Times best
sellers on America’s colorful presidents. For tickets call 323-1277 or
go to castleconversations.org.
Through December 18: Harrison
children can send their letters
to Santa. Letters should include
name and home address. Letters
should be addressed to North
Pole and may be dropped off at
Sollazzo Center, 270 Harrison
Avenue or The Recreation Department at Town Hall, 1 Heineman Place, or the Leo Mintzer
Center, 251 Underhill Avenue,
West Harrison mailboxes.
tory of Music and Newberger
Museum of Art, 735 Anderson
Hill Road, Purchase present the
following: December 10 at 5pm
Purchase Camerata in the Neuberger Museum of Art; December 11 at 7pm Handel’s “Messiah”;
and December 15 at 8pm Purchase New Music performed in
the recital Hall at The Performing Arts Center. To order tickets
visit www.artscenter.org.
The Westchester Sandbox Theatre, 931c East Boston Post Road,
Mamaroneck will present the
family musical “Alice in Christmas Land,” December 19, 20, 24,
26 and 27 at noon. Call 630-0804
for tickets.
December
3
The Larchmont / Mamaroneck
Center for Continuing Education
presents “Muses: The Goddesses
of Inspiration” from 9:30 – 11:30
at the Larchmont Temple, Rm.3,
75 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont. The cost is $35. For additional information call 698-9126
or go to LMCCE.org.
The Greenwich Ballet Academy
will perform “The Nutcracker”
at The White Plains Performing
Arts Center, 11 City Place. Performances are Dec. 5 at 2 and 7 and
Dec. 6 at 2pm. For tickets call
328-1699.
Fordham University School of
Professional and Continuing
Studies offers a two part course
on Landlord-Tenant Law from
10am to 2pm on Dec. 6 and Dec.
13. The cost of the course is $100,
and it will take place at Fordham’s Westchester campus. For
more information contact Salvador Rozenberg at sroze661@
hotmail.com.
Rye Historical Society, one Purchase Street, Rye presents the
following: On Dec. 5 from 7 – 9
pm the historical landmark will
be decorated for the season and
ready to receive guests. Costumed docents will guide visitors
throughout the mansion; on December 12 at 1pm they present a
special holiday treat – a puppet
show called “The Steadfast Tin
Soldier.” Cost for this is $10 per
person and space is limited. Call
967-7588 for a reservation.
Purchase
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
College,
Conserva-
The Community Resource Center Annual Gala will take place
at 6:30 at the Larchmont Shore
Club, 1 Oak Bluff Avenue. Honorees are Catherine and Joseph
Aresty and Steven Aresty. Also
honored will be Ruth Spiro and
The Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute. For more information or
to buy tickets go to crcny.org or
call Gail Vidales at 835-1512.
The League of Women Voters
will hold their Holiday luncheon
at noon at The Scarsdale Congregational Church, 1 Heathcote
Road, Scarsdale. To RSVP call
Kit Rosenthal at 723-5126
5
Westchester Board of Rabbis
and the Westchester Jewish
Council present a “Night of Jewish Learning and Celebration” at
Beth El Synagogue Center, 1324
North Avenue, New Rochelle at
6:45, $20 in advance or $25 at the
door. Westchester Rabbis lead
two sessions of classes followed
by a kosher reception. Register
online at www.wjcouncil.org or
call 328-7001 for details.
At 1 pm on December 5, The Cassatt
String Quartet will perform at The
Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers. Call 963-4550
for details.
Newpoli’s Traditional Italian
Christmas Celebration will be
held at 8pm at Westchester Community College Academic Arts
Theater, 75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla. Call 606-6262 for details.
The Harrison Players, present a
one man show “Pressure Makes
Diamonds” written, directed and
performed by Anthony J. Valbiro.
The performance takes place at
The Veterans’ Memorial Building, 210 Halstead Avenue. Tickets are $20 per person. There
will be a reception following the
show. For details call 630-1089
or email the harrisonplayers@
yahoo.com.
6
At 3pm a Holiday Concert is
presented by the Westchester Choral Society with Frank
Nemhauser, conductor, at Rye
Presbyterian Church, 882 Boston Post Road, Rye. General admission is $25, $10 for students.
For tickets and information go to
westcxhesterchoralsociety.org.
At 1 and 3pm, The Conservatory
of Dance in the School of the Arts
at Purchase College will present
performances at The Hudson
River Museum, 511 Warburton
Avenue, Yonkers. Visit hrm.org
for details or call 963-4550.
At 4 pm The Larchmont Temple,
75 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont hosts a free community
Chanukah concert featuring the
acapella group, SIX13, along with
Chanukah crafts and menorah
lighting at 4pm. Admission is
free, donation of canned goods
is appreciated. Call 834-6120 for
details.
At 10 am join Congregation
Emanu-El of Westchester, 2125
Westchester Avenue East, Rye
for a Chanukah Celebration for
families with young children, 6
months to 2nd grade and their
“Liza Lou: ColorField and Solid Grey”
is a current exhibit at The Newberger
Museum of Art, 735 Anderson Hill
Road, Purchase. Call 251-6100 for
details.
On December 10 at 5pm, Purchase
College Camerata, under the
direction of Purchase Professor
Bradley Brookshire, performs at The
Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase
College, 735 Anderson Hill Road,
Purchase. Contact 251-6110 for
information.
siblings. The event features latkes, crafts, music and lighting of
the menorah. For more information contact Jane Dubro at 9674382 X 21
Baseball and Hockey will sponsor the 4th Annual Mattress
Fundraiser Sale from 10am to
5pm. For additional information,
email [email protected]
7
At 7pm The Osteoporosis Awareness Group will host their Annual Holiday Party featuring
speaker Karla Diamond at Burke
Rehabilitation Hospital, Bld. #4,
785 Mamaroneck Avenue, White
Plains. For details call Susan at
260-9339.
13
The Saint Pio Foundation presents “White Christmas” a benefit
concert to be held at The Emelin
Theatre, 153 Library Lane,
Mamaonreck at 4pm. For tickets,
call 203-416-1471.
A free information session on the
adoption process will be held at
Port Chester-Rye Brook Public
Library, 1 Haseco Avenue, Port
Chester at 6:30pm. Presented
by Forever Families through
Adoption, the event is for anyone
interested or involved with the
adoption process. No registration is necessary. For more information or details call 939-1180
or email [email protected]
9
The Hudson River Museum, 511
Warburton Avenue, Yonkers
features, Arts in the Afternoon,
“Images of A Christmas Carol”
at 1:30pm and holiday tours of
Glenview and Nybelwyck Hall at
3 pm. The exhibits are free with
museum admission. Call 9634550 for more information.
10
From 11:30- 2:30, The Larchmont/Mamaroneck Center for
Continuing Education holds a
class on Knitting Christmas Tree
ornaments and will focus on
learning to knit a ball shaped ornament. The class takes place at
the Larchmont Temple, Rm. 2, 75
Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont.
Cost is $45 which includes a materials fee. For details call 6989126 or register at LMCCE.org.
12
The Mamaroneck High School
14
At 11:30am the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center
directors will present a power
point presentation called “Monuments and Memorials in Germany: Creation and Controversy” at the Community Synagogue
of Rye, 200 Forest Avenue, Rye.
For more information call 6960738 or go to www.hhrecny.org.
16
At 6:45 The Mamaroneck Public
Library, 136 Prospect Avenue,
will host an Identity Theft workshop presented by Oscar Capel.
Call 315-6595 for details.
20
Westchester Philharmonic annual Winter Pops concert takes
place at 3pm in The Concert Hall
at The Performing Arts Center,
Purchase College, 735 Anderson
Hill Road, Purchase. For additional information call the Westchester Philharmonic Box Office
at 682-3707.
21
Westchester Jewish Center at
Palmer & Rockland Avenue in
Mamaroneck present “Jazz it Up
A Little” featuring “Trio Shalva”
a contemporary jazz group. For
tickets call WJC office at 6982960 or online at admin-asst@
wjcenter.org.
Larchmont Ledger
•
December 2015
•
7
Seventh Annual Polar Plunge: “Freezin’ for a Reason”
Over 350 intrepid swimmers braved the frigid waters of
Long Island Sound at Glen Island
Park, New Rochelle on Saturday, November 14 at the Seventh
Annual Polar Plunge, “Freezin’
for a Reason” to raise money for
3,500 athletes of Special Olympics
NY-Hudson Valley Region; Special
Olympics New York has 65,665
athletes competing in year-round
Olympic-style sports.
The Westchester-wide event
encompassed multiple schools
including Holy Child of Rye;
Iona Prep, New Rochelle; Mercy
College, Dobbs Ferry; Rye High
School; Rye Neck High School; Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville;
Stepinac School, White Plains;
Sacred Heart of Yonkers; St. John
and Paul School, Larchmont and
Westchester/Putnam Knights of
Columbus (K of C).
Participants raising a minimum of $125 received an official
Polar Plunge sweatshirt. It costs
approximately $400 to support
one athlete for one sports season.
Those not brave enough to go into
the water could donate $20 and
receive a sweatshirt labeled “I was
too chicken to plunge” and stay
inside the “Chicken Coop,” a small
pen although no one was observed
there.
Regional Director NYC Special Olympics Bill Tawpash reported that Westchester K of C member Chris Cohen, Pelham, was the
top fundraising individual; top
fundraising team was NYC legal
firm Norton Rose Fulbright.
Fundraising Rye High
School Crew Team, Hockey, Swim
and Dive Teams competed against
each other. Winning Hockey
Team Assistant Coaches Jim Bannon, Tom Bailey and Head Coach
Peter Thomas had to plunge wearing tutus.
“We exceeded expectations
and now have raised $95,000,
“Kaitlin Brennan, Special Olympics Associate Director of Development exclaimed. “People from
all over the County are here and
we are ready to take the Plunge at
noon.”
“I am so proud to be part of
this. I was recruited to be on this
Committee a year ago when I did
the Plunge the first time,” George
Oros, Chief of Staff to County Executive Rob Astorino noted. “I was
delighted to find out that a lot of the
Larchmont Student Star in
Little Shop of Horrors
In November, “Don’t
feed the plant!” echoed
from the stage as sixteen
middle and high school students from around Westchester County performed
in the new classic musical,
Little Shop of Horrors, with
the White Plains Performing Art Center Conservatory
Theatre.
The cast featured Kathleen Fox of Mamaroneck
and Kate Jaffee of Rye Brook
as Pat Martin and Mrs. Luce,
two smooth-talking business people trying to profit
from the plant.
Little Shop of Horrors
Kathleen Fox
is a gleefully gruesome musical spoof of the 1960 Roger
Corman Film. This monster musical is about a hapless florist shop clerk, Seymour, who offers his
tender love and care to a plant that feeds on human blood. This plant, Audrey II, named after Seymour’s secret love, quickly becomes a fascinating attraction in neighborhood called Skid Row. The
score, composed by Alan Menken with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman follows the style of early
1960s rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown.
The production was directed by Ariana Moses, WPPAC’s Director of Education, with music direction by Paul Loman and choreography by Lexie Fennell Frare. Production design include Scenic
Design by Katie McGeorge, Lighting Design by Catherine Clark, Costume Design by Antonio Consuegra, Properties Design by Anastasia Ferraro, Sound Design by Jovany Gertler, and Puppet Design
by Michael Bush and Fergus J Walsh.
Little Shop Of Horrors is a production of the WPPAC Conservatory Theatre which includes actors in 7th through 12th grades. Their program is both artistic and educational, holding students to
high standards while providing them with the tools necessary to meet those standards.
money they raise actually goes to
the cause rather than to overhead.”
“This is a wonderful cause
and we are very happy to be plung-
ing in honor of the people who will
be enjoying our donations,” Micky
Wright, 90, New Rochelle, the oldest plunger stated. Ms. Wright has
been a Polar Bear Swimmer since
her early 20’s.
Donations can be made online
at www.SpecialOlympicsNY.org.
TAKE THE ALLSTATE
CHALLENGE
Put your policy to the test.
DRIVERS WHO
SWITCHED SAVED
$498
A YEAR ON AVERAGE
ON AVERAGE, DRIVERS WHO SWITCHED FROM:
Geico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . saved $562 with Allstate
Progressive . . . . . . . . . . . . saved $467 with Allstate
State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . saved $362 with Allstate
Call me to find out if you can save now.
Geoffrey Csenge
(914) 834-6262
2097 Boston Post Rd.
Larchmont
[email protected]
Savings based on national customer-reported data for new policies in 2012. Actual savings vary. Discounts subject to terms, conditions and
availability. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. © 2013 Allstate Insurance Co.
75447
8
•
December 2015
•
Larchmont Ledger
Lee H. Perlman Featured
Speaker at Fall Breakfast
To kick off its annual
campaign year, UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Business and Professional
Division hosted speaker Lee H.
Perlman, president of Greater
New York Hospital Association
Ventures and CFO and executive vice president of GNYHA,
at its fall breakfast. The event,
the Division’s largest to date,
brought 175 guests to Willow
Ridge Country Club in Harrison to hear from Perlman, a
Larchmont resident and dedicated volunteer and philanthropist with strong ties to
UJA-Federation.
Guests were asked to
bring new toiletries to the
breakfast for donation to families in the Fresh Start program,
which aims to provide those
families with much-needed
personal items not covered
by federal government SNAP
benefits. Board members and
guests brought these toiletries
to the Mary J. Blige Center for
Women in Yonkers, which is
run by Westchester Jewish
Community Services,
a
UJA-Fede r a t i o n
beneficiary
agency. The
center provides women and girls
in
Yonkers
with
skills,
resources,
and support
to help them
pursue their Guest Speaker Lee Perlman of Larchmont (center) with
goals and be- (from left) Event Chairs Jason Friedland of Scarsdale and
come self-suf- Bonnie Hagen of White Plains, and Division Chairs Susan
ficient, confi- Taxin Baer of Scarsdale and Ben Blumberg of Larchmont
dent women.
“The fact that my gift
ness and Professional Division
makes a difference in Israis committed to sustaining
el, around the world — and
UJA-Federation’s network of
right in my own backyard — life-enriching agencies by
is one of the reasons I got inbringing together like-minded
volved with UJA,” said Susan individuals with shared inTaxin Baer of Scarsdale, who
terests, values, and purpose.
co-chairs the Westchester Through its work, the Division
Business and Professional Diworks to help its neighbors in
vision with Ben Blumberg of need — in Westchester, New
Larchmont.
York, Israel, and 70 other counThe Westchester Busitries.
Show Your Shop Local Spirit
Win a $1000 prize!
To enter, post your selfie on the Larchmont Chamber of Commerce
Facebook page or email it to [email protected] and we will
post it for you. The photo with the most “likes” will win. Must be 18 or
older to enter, contest ends 01/01/16. The prize is a $1000 shopping
credit at any Larchmont Chamber Member business.
WWW.LARCHMONTCHAMBER.ORG
Sponsored by
Larchmont
Chamber of Commerce
EPL/Environmental Advocates Scores
Senator Latimer Highest in the Senate
for 2015
One of New York State’s most acclaimed environmental advocacy organizations, EPL/Environmental Advocates, released their “Report Card”
for all New York State Legislators in November,
with Senator George Latimer (D-Westchester)
earning the highest grade for the 2015 legislative
session.
“It is an honor to be recognized for my commitment and dedication to protecting the environment,” Latimer said. “I believe protecting our
environment is always the right thing to do, for today, tomorrow and for our children’s tomorrow.”
Senator Latimer received a grade of “81”, as
did several of his Senate colleagues from around
the state.
EPL/Environmental Advocates focused on
legislative initiative in the 2015 session including
closing hazardous waste loopholes in the law,
enhancing and repayment of the state’s Environmental Protection Fund, and banning toxic
chemicals from children’s toys. Senator Latimer
State Senator George Latimer
supported those measures, and is a co-sponsor of
the legislation.
“We can and must do better. I work hard in my role as an elected steward of the environment.
We desperately need a bi-partisan commitment from Senate to move good legislation forward; without it, the ecological health of our entire state falls short,” Latimer added.
During his time in the State Assembly and Senate, Latimer has consistently received among the
highest grades in this annual environmental report card.
Annual Menorah Workshop Attracts Kids of All Ages
pink wooden pushke (charity
box). The rabbis provided pennies for students to place in
the pushke, but also seen was
customers and we are just very
thankful for our community.
We want to keep providing this
for our community and chil-
The 2nd Annual Menorah Workshop, a joint project
of Alef Bet Preschool
in New Rochelle,
Rochel Butman, Director; Chabad of
L a rc h m o nt- M a m aroneck, Rabbi Mendel
Silberstein; Chabad
of Pelham, Rabbi Levi
Groner and Chabad of
Scarsdale, Rabbi Avrohom and Sara Butman was held at Home
Depot, 55 Weyman
Avenue, New Rochelle
on Sunday, November
22, “with two shifts
of children, 85 each,”
according to Rabbi
Groner.
Parents and students from Southern
Westchester, River- Rabbi Mendel Silberstein’s son, Yisrael, 7 puts money in “pushke” (charity box).
dale and the Bronx
enjoyed sufganiot (donuts) a large pile of donated dollar dren.”
provided by Chabad as they bills.
“The hands-on menorah
assembled and painted wood“As a company with Home making is the best way for our
en menorah kits furnished by Depot, we do a workshop the children to get involved in the
Home Depot while Klezmer first Saturday of every month, Holiday, especially ChanuMusic played on a Milwaukee to try to make the kids as re- kah, the Holiday of Light,”
Wireless Speaker.
sourceful as possible, using Groner observed. We light
A special menorah made hammers
and
tools…and a candle every night and inof royal blue PVC piping, con- bonding with their parents,” crease the light to combat the
structed by Home Depot em- Store Manager Tienette Cov- darkness which unfortunateployees provided a table dec- ington stated. “We started ly we are witnessing all over
oration, along with a Chabad this workshop for our Jewish the world.”
“Say, aren’t you
a famous San Marzano
tomato from Italy?”
“Please, no photos now.
You can catch me at the new
DeCicco & Sons in Larchmont.
Ciao, baby!”
Look what’s in store in our new Larchmont store!
• Full-Service Craft Beer & Wine Bar with
growlers and crowlers to go
• Thousands of craft beer varieties
• Spacious upstairs dining area
• Distinctive catering
• Complete Event Planning
NE
W
EN
GL
AN
D
TR
W
Y
PA
LM
ER
EN
AV
U
E
PI
NE
BR
OO
KD
R.
HAR
R ISO
N DR.
Quality First Foods, Quality First Service:
• Fresh local vegetables & fruits
• Premium quality local meat & poultry, including
All-Natural varieties
• Fresh seafood delivered daily
• Comprehensive grocery, dairy and frozen selections
• Full-service deli featuring Boar’s Head products,
fresh chef-prepared entrees, sides, salads and more
• Fresh homemade cookies, pastries, cakes & confections
• Vast international cheese selection
ADVANCeD “GreeN” TeCHNoLoGieS! This is DeCicco’s sixth and newest location and is the most energy efficient
and sustainable one, with anticipated LEED and “green” chill certifications. According to John DeCicco, Jr.: “DeCicco & Sons strives to make
food shopping fun, convenient, educational and earth friendly. This store reflects this – and our ‘Quality First’ mission – more than ever!”
2141 Palmer Avenue • Larchmont, NY 10538
(between Harrison Drive & Pine Brook Drive)
Visit us at DeCiccoAndSons.com Like us at facebook.com/deciccoslarchmont
•
December 2015
•
Larchmont Ledger
BRATING
LE
AN
RY
CE
10
NIVERS
A
Fully Insured
Since 1980
421 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY 914-738-6705
HOURS: Mon-Fri 8:30-5pm
GIFT
CERTIFICATES
AVAILABLE!
All offers expire
1/31/16
Saturday 9-3pm
The Perfect Holiday Gift Ideas!
Vehicle Remote Start Systems!
Great
Holiday
Gift!
Buy Now
Install
Later!
Starting as low as
$249.00
*Installed
Call for details.
Specializing in all Smart Keys -- Mercedes, BMW & Mini
Pioneer
AM/FM CD Radio
Rear View Mirror
with Monitor
No Guessing on What’s Behind You
20%
OFF
Starting at
DEHL50MP
$79.00
Installation extra.
Back Up Sensors
“Hear it Before You Feel it.”
20%
OFF
Includes rear camera.
Installed
Mobile Video System
Drop Down
or
*Installed
Bluetooth Car Kit
30%
OFF
$279.99
*Installed
Hi and Low
Settings
Buy 1 or 2
$220.00
*Installed each
*Call for price. Some vehicles will vary depending on year, make and model. Money back guaranteed.
The Realtor for You .... Buying or Selling
Lori Brooks
Licensed Real Estate Sales Agent
[email protected]
www.loribrooks.randrealty.com
2015 Independently Owned and Operated by the Rand Family
Call
Heated Seats
Hands Free
Car Kit with
Caller ID
1315 North Avenue
New Rochelle, NY 10804
914-576-1112Office
914-755-2908Cell
914-636-3566Fax
Our
Specialty
Head Rest
$259.00
2-Sensor System
$399.00
Henry Kissinger and William Burns
Speak in Westchester
Westchester Community
College in Valhalla presented
the institution’s annual President’s Forum event, Building
a World Order: Strategies and
Tactics, featuring former Secretary of State Dr. Henry A.
Kissinger and former Deputy
Secretary of State William J.
Burns on Sunday, November
15 in the Academic Arts Theatre. Lester Crystal, longtime
Executive Producer of the PBS
NewsHour and former President of MacNeil Lehrer Productions was the moderator.
In a thought provoking Dr. Belinda S. Miles, president of Westchester Community College; Dr. Henry
discussion, Kissinger and Burns Kissinger; Lester Crystal, moderator of the event, longtime Executive Producer of
spoke about building a global the PBS NewsHour and former President of MacNeil Lehrer Productions; former
architecture of security and co- Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns (left to right).
operation, hoping that governments can learn from crucial
episodes in recent conflicts.
Kissinger is the former United States Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, diplomat
and political scientist, whose opinion continues to be sought by Presidents and world leaders. Prolific author of books on politics and international relations, Dr. Kissinger is currently founder and
chairman of Kissinger Associates, an international consulting firm.
Burns is the former United States Deputy Secretary of State who holds the highest rank in the
Foreign Service, Career Ambassador. Dr. Burns was Ambassador to Russia and Jordan, and was Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs. He speaks Russian, Arabic and French and is
currently President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The President’s Forum, a fundraising event for student scholarships and faculty and institutional development, has been presented by the college’s Foundation for the past 30 years.
Larchmont Ledger
Annual Benefit Honors Local Residents
The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center
honored James and Pat Houlihan and Harris and Cookie
Markhoff on October 22 at
their annual Benefit held at the
Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht
Club. Bronxville resident James
Houlihan and his wife Pat (Left)
were honored with the Bernard
J. Rosenshein Courage to Care
Award. Mr. Houlihan is the
managing partner of real estate
firm Houlihan-Parnes. Pound
Ridge residents Cookie and
Harris Markhoff (far Right) received the Eugene M. and Emily
Grant Spirit of Humanity Award. Harris Markhoff is a founding partner in the law firm of Danziger
& Markhoff LLP. At left Center, Valerie Moore O’Keeffe, Chair of the Holocaust and Human Rights
Education Center, and to her right is Millie Jasper, HHREC Executive Director.
MHS Students Selected for Area All-State Concert
The Area All State Concert was held in November at
the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center drew the participation of the very best high
school musicians throughout
Westchester County. Being
selected to perform in this
concert and representing one’s
high school at this high level is
a milestone honor for any high
school musician. Thirty-four
accomplished musicians represented Mamaroneck in Area
All-State Ensembles - String
Orchestra, Symphony Orches-
tra, Concert Band, Women’s
Chorus and Mixed Chorus.
These high school musicians
were chosen to be a part of
these top ensembles based on
their ratings at the NYSSMA
Solo Festival last spring. More
than 1000 students from 60+
school districts audition for
placement in the groups.
On November 17th , at the
Board of Education meeting,
the following MUFSD students
were honored; Michayla Baigel, Jared Berger, Will Fishell,
Jesenia Laureano, Kyle Lefler,
Seamus O’Brien, Natalie Bunta,
Lauren Emerson, Jacob Keleman, Skyler Lesser-Roy, Grace
Maffucci, Victoria Revich, Rebecca Shinkar, Chase Thede,
Betsy Amaya, Patricia Ballard,
Lauren Barragan, Francine
Erfe, Hannah George, Shira
Julie, Lucie Le Blanc, Evan Macaluso, Chloe Malushaga, Rebecca Mancuso, Ian Melamed,
Hector McKemey, Sam Morton,
Kiku Ono, Olivia Pollack, Spencer Robinson, Atoosa Scheuer,
Julia Shen, Alexander Sirota,
Hayley Weisstuch, Yi Zhao.
Selection Committee seeks applicants to fill Mamaroneck
School District Board of Education Vacancies
The Selection Committee is
looking for qualified candidates
to fill anticipated 2016 term vacancies for the Mamaroneck
Union Free School District Board
of Education. As a member of
the Board of Education, together
with the Superintendent and District personnel, a candidate will
contribute to the following key
responsibilities:
Developing
District education priorities and
goals and monitoring and evaluating progress; Establishing policy;
and Approving contracts, bonds
and influencing how the community’s tax dollars are spent with
the annual budget.
They are seeking community minded, team players who
care deeply about the local public schools. An ideal Board member should have strong communication skills and be able to
discuss, analyze and synthesize
information while building consensus across multiple constituencies. Experience with children
in or just out of the Mamaroneck
School District is a plus, but not
a requirement. Members of the
Board of Education are US Citizens, over 18 years old, and residents (must have over one year
in-district residency) who are
elected to three-year terms.
Board members are expected to attend two Tuesday evening meetings and one Tuesday
morning meeting a month and
should plan to give approximately 10 hours/week overall to Board
activities.
If you are interested in applying for the Board of Education
or would just like to learn more
about the position, email Jamie
Bernard or Lauren Lambert of
The Committee for the Selection of School Board Nominees
at
info@selectioncommittee.
org. The application due-date for
the Committee’s endorsement is
January 31, 2016.
More information on the
Selection Committee, the application process, and the area’s school representatives to
the Committee can be found at
www.selectioncommittee.org
•
December 2015
•
11
Hommocks Middle School, First Public School in NY to Launch
Rocket Composter
waste back into nature’s best
and being good stewards of
the earth,” said Hommocks
Principal Dr. Seth Weitzman,
who worked with the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Robert
Shaps, to write a grant proposal to the Mamaroneck Schools
Foundation and see the project
through to installation and
training of both students and
staff.
In the past, Hommocks
would generate about 12 bags
of trash every day at lunch
weighing approximately 156
lbs, and the students were told
to just throw everything away.
With the help of We Future Cycle, a non-profit organization
specializing in school lunch recycling and large scale sustainability programs, Hommocks
took on the task of educating
1200 middle school students
on where the garbage goes
when one casually “throws
something away”. Students
learned that what they considered garbage was actually fully
recyclable material; all they
needed to do was sort.
While students themselves will not operate this
large sustainable solution (the
approximate size of a hot water
heater, turned on its side, in
someone’s home), now located
outdoors between the Hommocks cafeteria and garden,
they have been practicing the
prerequisite process of source
separation in the cafeteria.
The recycling station
is set up for students to first
empty excess liquids into a
bucket and then sort their containers into either milk cartons or plastic commingled.
Then they sort any remaining
plastics or aluminum foil also
into commingled, leaving only
food waste and single-serve
paper products. The food
waste goes into a bucket to be
fed to the Rocket Composter.
Paper products as well as single-serve plastic wrappers,
chip bags, Capri Suns, and
plastic baggies are left for the
trash.
Training for custodians, who will be operating the
Rocket Composter by filling
the Rocket in lieu of dumpsters, also took place.
Data was collected on
how much recyclables and
food waste were being taken
out of the waste stream. “We
Future Cycle helped us do a
‘before’ and ‘after’ data analysis,” Dr. Weitzman said. “And
the results are quite astonishing.” The initial audit day
was spent just counting and
weighing every bag of trash. A
pile of 11 bulging bags weighing
156 lbs. was accumulated within the two-hour time span of
lunch.
After sorting, Hommocks
had two bags of commingled
recycling, one bag of milk cartons, 28 lbs. of excess liquid, a
whopping 77 lbs. of food waste,
a bin of paper and only 20 lbs.
of trash. That is an 86% reduction while feeding valuable resources into recycling.
The 77 lbs. of food waste
were mixed with woodchips
and leaves and fed to the
Rocket. It takes two weeks for
the material to move through
the Rocket, undergoing fast
tracked decomposition thanks
to the unique design of the
in-vessel composter. The output needs to rest for an additional 4 weeks to complete
the nitrifying process and can
then be used as rich compost
in Hommocks’ own garden or
greenhouse.
The Recycling Club and
Student Government continue to play leadership roles in
explaining the food separation
process to fellow students.
To create usable compost,
equal parts of organic food
waste and wood chips must be
combined with some already
usable compost. Hommocks
is using the Town’s wood chips
and compost, which happen
to be conveniently located on
the middle school property.
The Town has been supportive of this effort and views the
Rocket and related lessons on
managing food waste as an
important part of the community’s overall sustainability initiatives.
Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson said,
“The Rocket is a great way to
reduce waste and the associated costs for the Town and
Village Joint Garbage Commission, a co-sponsor of the
MSF grant. The Town has been
interested in promoting food
composting for several years,
and this is a big step forward
in composting and educating
our kids about composting. We
are very pleased to support the
effort.”
In September, the Environmental Protection Agency
and United States Department
of Agriculture announced
the United States’ first-ever
national food waste reduction goal of 50% by 2030. In a
public service announcement
currently running on LMCTV, Town of Mamaroneck
resident and Sustainability
Action Professor Beth Radow explains for homeowners
how they, too, can reduce food
waste and save money. “I have
been a champion of bringing the Rocket Composter
to Hommocks and am proud
of the leadership the Mamaroneck School District has
taken on this critical national
issue,” Ms. Radow said.
A community education
day is planned for this spring,
after Hommocks has had some
experience with the Rocket
and mastered the composting.
Community members will be
invited into the school to learn
about composting; upon leaving, they will receive a goody
bag that includes “100% Genuine Hommocks Compost” and
can be used for community
members’ gardens.
“Food waste has the
most negative economic value among waste stream but it
could be a good renewable resource when well collected and
processed,” said Gerardo Soto,
managing director of NATH
Sustainable Solutions, an organic waste consultancy that is
the U.S. Rocket distributor.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony with local dignitaries that
officially launched the Rocket
took place at Hommocks Middle School on Monday, November 23rd .
Read all of our newspapers at www.shorelinepub.com
12
•
December 2015
•
Larchmont Ledger
Where to Dine During the Holidays!
The Holiday Season is here,
so whether you’ve been naughty
or nice it’s time to make plans
with friends and family. If you
are going out, here are some festive venues for every palate, each
offering a good dose of Holiday
cheer…
MULINO’S HOLIDAY FEST!
It is over-the-top during the
holidays and it begins with the
bright lights and smell of chestnuts roasting at the entranceway.
Take home a bag of them. The
annual Christmas Holiday Fest
at Mulino’s lasts right thru the
season and it’s a sight to behold!
The fountain garden is beautiful
as is the lavish dining room and
bar/ lounge. General Manager
Gimmy Cavagna and his staff
are keeping the premises spiffy
as ever: gesticulating Christmas
decorations galore, holiday carolers, life size toy soldiers, the
bursting colorful floral displays
and handsome multilevel seat-
ing area. The Cold Seafood Platter is a wonder and fine to share
as is their decadent version of
Linguine Carbonara; plump tender Rack of Lamb served on the
long bone; delicate Dover Sole
finished off in the dining room;
and perhaps for dessert have the
wait staff whip up warm Zabaglione with fresh berries. And, oh
that smooth Italian cheesecake.
Open 7 days thru the Holiday
Fest. Bring the whole family. The
place sparkles! Valet parking.
Reservations advised. Mulino’s
of Westchester, 99 Court Street,
White Plains 914-761-1818 www.
mulinosny.com
ITALIAN CLASSICS & VINTAGE
PHOTO GALLERY!
Proprietor Michael Vivolo and his wife Margaret of La
Riserva, 2382 Boston Post Road,
Larchmont (914-834-5584), have
been serving ‘the Italian classics’
here for over 38 years and the refreshing atmosphere and friend-
ly ambiance keep it a treat. Be
seated in the lovely refurbished
dining room, now part vintage
photo gallery, and let the friendly
staff suggest such specialties as:
flavorful Polenta al Gorgonzola
with shrimp; fresh Spiedini oozing its cheese; Angel Hair Abissi
Marini, thin egg noodles in a
light cream sauce with shrimp
and mushrooms; Veal Chop alla
Griglia, with mushrooms and
roasted potatoes; or Branzino
Mediterraneo. Michael’s son
Dean operates Trattoria Vivolo
in Harrison. Private party facilities. Open 7 days for lunch and
dinner. Free parking. www.lariservarestaurant.com
A TASTY MEXICAN HOLIDAY
FIESTA!
The artsy red statue guarding the Palmer Ave. entrance
to the new Rio Bravo Tacos &
Tequila in Larchmont is just a
hint of the south-of-the-border
pleasures waiting inside. It is a
“Enjoy the regional cuisine of Italy
in a vintage diner atmosphere!”
Morris Gut, Shoreline Newspapers
“One of the highest rated
restaurants in Westchester!”
Zagat Restaurant Survey
“Robust Italian cuisine served out
of a charming diner!”
White Plains Examiner
Regional Italian Cuisine
Now Open 7 Days
Saturday & Sunday
Lunch & Dinner
from Noon to 10 pm.
for
Chef/Proprietor Dean Vivolo
JOIN US FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Reservations: 914-835-6199
www.trattoriavivolo.com
301 HALSTEAD AVENUE
HARRISON
(across from Metro-North)
sprawling 200-seat restaurant
strewn with colorful Mexican art
and artifacts, multiple seating
areas in the front, side and rear,
along with a big galloping bar
for socializing. Personable hosts
and owners are brothers Edgar
and Hector Brambila who also
operate a Rio Bravo in Fairfield
and Westport, CT. General manager Omar Topete and his staff
will give you a tasty tour thru the
menu. An adorable guacamole
cart will come whizzing by to
test your palate. And the menu:
we have come to describe it as
Mexican/Tex-Mex, and it will
surprise you. The signature tacos
are overloaded and delicious!
Rio offers Happy Hours Monday
thru Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm
featuring half price house drinks
and appetizers. There is a large
selection of Tequilas at the bar,
and you can also create your own
Margarita. Rio Bravo Tacos &
Tequila is located at 1879 Palmer
Ave., Larchmont. Open for lunch
and dinner 7 days a week. Private party facilities for up to 60
guests. 914-341-1546. www.riobravotacosandtequila.com
HOLIDAYS AT THE DINER!
Chef-owner and personable host Dean Vivolo of Trattoria Vivolo, 301 Halstead Ave., Harrison (914-835-6199), serves his
robust regional Italian cuisine
out of a vintage diner just across
from Harrison’s Metro-North
station. Sit at the counter, tuck
into a booth, or take a table in
the rear greenhouse and enjoy
the surprising contemporary
and traditional flavors emanating from his kitchen: tasty
thin-crusted pizza; Crostino di
Polenta topped with wild mushrooms, gorgonzola and tomato
sauce; Grilled Rack of Lamb;
Braised Lamb Shanks; Boneless
Rabbit; Lasagna Bolognese al
Forno; and wonderful Spaghetti a la Vongole. Good wine list.
Sparkling lights evenings. Open
7 days for lunch and dinner. Free
parking.
www.trattoriavivolo.
com
GAUCHO CHEER!
Gaucho Grill is of the most
dynamic restaurants in Westchester, this Argentinean/Latin/
Italian themed venue always
offers vibrant food and atmo-
sphere, casual yet sophisticated.
Proprietors Alan Nussbaum and
his wife Maria Rubiano are amiable hosts who watch over this
sprawling 225-seat multi-faceted establishment with a diligent eye. There are private and
semi-private party facilities for
up to 80 guests for all types of
occasions. The private banquet
room is beautifully appointed.
Chef Angelo Magno’s specialties
run the gamut from hefty steaks
and chops, classic Italian dishes
and beautifully plated Latin favorites. The Technicolor Sunday
Buffet Brunch is a sight to behold
and enjoy. Daily Happy Hours
in the bar/lounge keep things
buzzing. Open 7 days for lunch,
dinner and Sunday brunch. Valet
parking. Gaucho Grill, One North
Broadway, White Plains 914-4379966 www.gauchogrillnewyork.
com
(Morris Gut is a restaurant
marketing consultant and former
restaurant trade magazine editor.
He has been tracking the food and
dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached
at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: [email protected])
Third Annual Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk to
Ring in the Season
For the third year, the
Westchester Jingle Bell 5K
Run/Walk, scheduled to take
place on Saturday, December
12, will bring runners and families together to raise funds to
benefit arthritis research. The
Jingle Bell Run, which features
a holiday costume contest, kids’
zone and fun run, music and
a sponsor expo, will be held
at Purchase College at 10 a.m.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
inside the Performing Arts
Center.
More than 1,000 people
including competitive and recreational runners, walkers,
medical and corporate teams
and families are expected to
participate this year. The race,
which is timed by NYC Runs,
is run on a USATF-certified 5K
course with finisher awards in
each age bracket.
“The Jingle Bell Run/Walk
started in 2013 and has grown
significantly in just two years
-- from raising $48,000 in 2013
to raising $90,000 last year,”
said Jeffrey Gelfand, Managing
Director of Finance and Global
Wealth Management at Morgan
Stanley, and the 2015 Jingle Bell
Run Corporate Chair. “I look
Jared Heller, Jingle Bell Run Youth
Honoree
forward to working with the
Arthritis Foundation and the
community to host a successful
Jingle Bell Run and reach our
goal of raising $150,000 for arthritis research.”
Arthritis affects more
than 50 million Americans
or roughly one in five adults.
More than 300,000 children
also live with juvenile arthritis
(JA) including 14-year-old Jared
Heller, from Somers, this year’s
Jingle Bell Run Youth Honoree
who was diagnosed with arthritis when he was three years old.
Heller first participated in the
Jingle Bell Run two years ago
and decided he wanted to help
other kids like him by raising
money during his Bar Mitzvah
project to send kids to the Arthritis Foundation’s summer
camp for kids with JA. “My purpose is to raise awareness that
arthritis doesn’t only affect
adults. Kids get arthritis too,”
Heller said.
“When people think of
arthritis, they automatically
think of minor aches and pains,
but it is much more than that,”
said Dr. Stephen Smiles, Clinical Associate Professor and
Co-Director of the Center for
Arthritis & Autoimmunity at
NYU Langone Center, and this
year’s Jingle Bell Run Medical
Honoree. “Arthritis is the nation’s leading cause of disability. Here in New York, more than
3.6 million people struggle with
the disease.”
“The Jingle Bell Run is a
fun and festive way to ring in
the holiday season, enjoy the
camaraderie of family, friends,
and fellow runners, and support an important cause,” said
Dana Miele, Race Director.
To learn more and to register for the Westchester Jingle Bell
5K Run/Walk, visit www.jbr.org/
westchester or call 212-984-8702.
Larchmont Ledger
Special Needs – Special Trusts
BY BERNARD A. KROOKS, CERTIFIED
ELDER LAW ATTORNEY
Generally speaking, there
are two kinds of special needs
trusts. Those set up to handle
money owned by the beneficiary (like a personal injury
or medical malpractice settlement, for instance) are usually called first party special
needs trusts. Those set up by
someone other than the beneficiary, to handle money not
belonging to the beneficiary,
are usually called third party
special needs trusts. These are
the kind of special needs trusts
that a parent, grandparent or
other relative sets up for a family member with disabilities
and these types of trusts will
be the focus of this article.
What kind of property can
go in to a third party special
needs trust?
Any property someone
wants to leave or give to a person with a disability can (and
usually should) be placed in a
third party special needs trust.
Homes, cash, stock and bonds
are all common third party
special needs trust assets.
Keep in mind that there will
likely be tax consequences of
contributing different kinds of
assets to a trust. It is important for you to understand the
tax and other ramifications
prior to transferring assets to a
Are all inheritances properly viewed as third party
trusts, since they come from
someone other than the
beneficiary?
This is one of the common misconceptions for those
not closely familiar with special needs planning. An inheritance can be left outright to
someone, or in a trust for their
benefit. In the case of a trust, it
can be designated for the support and maintenance of the
beneficiary, or for their special
and/or supplemental needs.
If an inheritance is left
outright to a person with a disability, it might be transferable
to a trust -- but probably only
to a first party special needs
trust, since the beneficiary
had an absolute right to possess the property outright. If
an inheritance is left in a support trust, it may be a third
party trust but not necessarily a third party special needs
trust. Only if a trust contains
money from someone other
than the beneficiary and includes language limiting its
use to special or supplemental
needs will it be considered a
Can an inheritance which is
not left to a third party special needs trust be fixed?
Sometimes. Each case is
different and must stand on its
own facts. This is an important question which should be
asked of a qualified attorney.
Expect the response to be “let
me ask you a few more questions.” The likelihood is high
enough, though, that the possibility should definitely be
addressed. Failure to fix this
problem could result in the
loss of Medicaid or Supple-
mental Security Income benefits.
Are all third party trusts
funded with inheritances?
Absolutely not.
Many
people create third party
trusts for their children, loved
ones, friends or family members while the person creating
the trust is still living. This is
often the case when a family
wishes to engage in estate tax
planning and wants to make
provisions for a child with a
disability. By creating the trust
during lifetime, other relatives
can contribute funds to it, as
well.
Are all third-party special
needs trusts irrevocable?
No. First party special
needs trusts must be irrevocable, but the same is not true
for third party special needs
trusts. Third party special
needs trusts may be revocable
or irrevocable. It is important
that the beneficiary not be able
to revoke the trust, but there is
no reason someone who is not
Kitchen & Bath Insider© - 15th Annual Holiday Gift Guide
BY PAUL BOOKBINDER, M.I.D., C.R.
I hope that you already got your flu shots this
year, but even the latest vaccine won’t protect you from
the virulent strain of the holiday virus known as “Catalog
Fever”. (Also referred to by its’
street names, “I Have to Have
That, Flu”, and, for Steven King
fans, “Captain Trips to the Internet”). This year I’ve decided
to give some of the following
items as gifts, rather than
keeping them all for myself. So
here we go, with some new gift
ideas and some old favorites
that are still available.
Some of these things are
soooo clever, they are almost
impossible to resist. Take the
Apple Peeler & Corer, ($34.99)
from Home Trends, now
owned by QCI Direct. Reminiscent of Jackie Gleason’s The
Honeymooners Chef of the Future episode, in one easy motion “it can core ‘A’ apple” and
peel it too!” Rumor has it that
you can also use it to peel potatoes. If you don’t get the catalog, check them out at www.
QCIdirect.com. QCI also took
over Picket Fence, who has
their own clever gadgets. It’s
worth a look.
The book, Grilling for
Dummies, available at www.
Amazon.com ($14.73 new;
but only $1.63 in the pre-read
version, has changed my life.
Previously, cooking something on the grill gave me a
major anxiety attack, as there
is a very fine line between raw
and burned. But this book explained how to grill almost everything perfectly, every time,
without the stress. And at
Cool Materials you can get the
remote, Talking Digital Grill
Thermometer which will alert
you when the food on the grill
reaches the proper temperature. Only $60.00 at www.coolmaterial.com.
If you’re looking to save
money (and leftovers) consider
the Food Saver Vacuum Sealer
available from Costco. You can
buy in bulk, then divide and
freeze, or make extra meals
and freeze them. At our house,
we call it the “food sucker” but
it’s really an “air sucker”; extending the life of frozen foods
from weeks to months. It takes
a couple of tries to learn how to
use it, but at $119.99 (on sale),
it pays for itself in a few weeks.
The Deluxe Ring Pull Can
and Jar Opener, previously
called the “Can Claw” (not
Craw, for Get Smart aficionados) is worth its’ weight in
gold (at $1,072 an ounce!). It
can open those hard to pull off
aluminum lids on various cans
and open jars effortlessly. Only
$3.99 online at organizeit.com.
While you’re shopping,
don’t miss out on the Simmermat from Kitchen Kapers. At
$19.99, this product is a lifesaver. Forget about soups boiling
over, and no more burned spaghetti sauce. This cleverly designed gadget lifts the bottom
of your pan just above the heat,
preventing the direct contact
that creates overheating. The
Simmermat, and many other
fascinating others are available
at www.kitchenkapers.com.
Are you cursed with a
small space between two base
cabinets? You can purchase
the slim Laundry Cart from
Organize.Com, (not to be confused with OrganizeIt.Com).
This ingenious space filler is
at home in the kitchen as well
as the laundry room. It has
three shelves, and rolls out for
easy access. At only $22.53, “it’s
cheap at half the price”! Available on the Internet at www.
organize.com.
I’ve ordered so many
great things, I thought I’d have
no money left, and would have
to give Can Claws to Liz and
the kids this year. However,
after consulting with my accountant, by sharing all this research with my readers, these
expenses appear to be deductible! But, until they come
out with a true vaccine for
Catalog Fever (instead of a tax
loophole), I suppose that we’ll
continue to suffer through the
catalog season year after year.
I could go on and on, but I
hear the mailman at the door,
and if I guess right, he’s putting
another 5 or 6 catalogs in my
mailbox at this very moment.
Before I go to check the mail,
I’d like to take this opportunity
to wish all of you a very joyous
holiday season and a happy
and healthy new year.
Paul Bookbinder, M.I.D.,
C.R., is president
of DreamWork
Kitchens,
Inc.
located in Mamaroneck, New
York. A Master of Design (Pratt
Institute), and E.P.A. Certified
Remodeler, he serves on the
Advisory Panel of Remodeling
Magazine. A member of the National Kitchen & Bath Assoc.,
he is also a contributor to Do It
Yourself magazine. He can be
reached for questions at 914777-0437 or www.dreamworkkitchens.com.
the beneficiary cannot be given the authority to terminate
it.
What kinds of things may
a third-party special needs
trust pay for?
Though there may be
limitations in Medicaid rules
about what a first party special
needs trust can pay for, there
are almost no limitations on
third-party trust distributions.
The trustee must remember
this, though: some distributions may have the effect of
reducing -- or even eliminating
-- some or all of the beneficiary’s public benefits. Keep in
mind that this may not always
be a bad result; especially if the
quality of life of the beneficiary
is improved.
Conclusion.
The take-away message:
third-party special needs
trusts are much more flexible
and can be much more beneficial to a person with a disability than the more-restrictive
first party special needs trust.
•
December 2015
•
13
However, sometimes you don’t
have a choice. Moreover, individuals can actually have both
types of trusts. When doing
this type of planning for your
family, it is imperative that
you work with an expert who
understands all the relevant
issues and who can properly
guide you.
Bernard A.
Krooks, Esq., is a
founding partner
of Littman Krooks
LLP and has been
honored as one
of the “Best Lawyers” in America for each of
the last seven years. He is past
President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
(NAELA) and past President of
the New York Chapter of NAELA. Mr. Krooks has also served
as chair of the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar
Association. He has been selected as a “New York Super Lawyer” since 2006. Mr. Krooks may
be reached at (914-684-2100) or
by visiting the firm’s website at
www.elderlawnewyork.com
League of Women
Voters Seeks
Student Nominees
Nominations of Westchester County high school
students are sought for the 16th annual Students Inside Albany conference, which will be held May 22 –
25th, 2016 in Albany. The last day nominees will be accepted is Friday, December 11th, 2015. The conference,
sponsored by the League of Women Voters of New York
State Education Foundation, Inc., is designed to increase students’ awareness of their responsibility in a
representative government and provide the tools necessary for meeting that responsibility. This interactive
conference will bring together high school students
from across the state to learn about New York State
government and the process by which citizens can participate in the policy-making arena. As part of this program, students will also tour the Capitol and observe
both the Senate and Assembly in action by spending an
afternoon shadowing their legislators.
The League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns
sponsors students; all their expenses are covered, including travel and three nights at the Hilton Albany
in downtown Albany. The participants will receive a
student membership in the League of Women Voters of Westchester County, which includes an e-mail
newsletter, and invitations to meetings on government
related topics.
For more information, contact Susan Goodwin at
914-332-7969 or via email at [email protected]
by Friday, December 11th, 2015.
14
•
December 2015
•
Larchmont Ledger
Coping with Stress Discussed at Fathers’
Forum Westchester
In November, Fathers’
Forum Westchester presented a meeting on Coping with
Stress. Speakers included
Dr. Hilary Weiss Cooper and
Dr. Dan Brenner, who led
an informative and thought
provoking discussion on the
topic. As with all Fathers Forum meetings, they seek to not
only educate, but also provide
strategies to help dads better
address important issues.
Discussed at the meeting
were the origins of stress as
it can originate in many settings - school (in and outside
the classroom), home, athletic
fields, social gatherings, and
more. There is a difference
between “normal” stress and
anxiety which can be an indicator of a bigger problem. Be
sensitive to changes in behavior, e.g. irritability, nervousness, crying or sadness.
There is an importance
to teaching kids to cope with
stress at an early age. 20%-35%
of students that enroll in college in the area fail to graduate
in five years. The principal
reason is not academic related, but more often due to the
students inability to manage
stress and demonstrate resilience. Developing these skills
at an early age leads to higher
success rates for students at all
levels.
Children miss nothing
when it comes to observing a
parents behavior. How we, as
parents, react to stressful situations provides a model for our
children, the speakers noted.
Explaining how one can
minimize stress at home, the
experts said to make rules.
Credibility is built on consistently following up on your
rules. There is a need to say
no to children. By saying no
to children, we teach them to
say no to themselves. When it
comes to a heated situation,
discipline with a smile is important. Know that you, the
parent, are in control. As soon
as you raise your voice, you
have lost.
The hectic schedules of
today’s kids foster stress the
experts conclude. Allow your
children independent time.
Consider writing a statement
that provides detail to all family members about goals and
expectations.
Business Cards
$73. per issue. Prepaid only. Just mail us your Business Card and Full Payment and we’ll take care of the rest. Mail to:
Shoreline Publishing, 629 Fifth Ave., Suite 213, Pelham, N.Y. 10803
Let us handle the
creative side
of your business.
Website design, logos, brochures, mailers, annual reports,
flyers, business cards, signage, event materials and more...
shorelinecreative
Call 914-738-7869 or email [email protected]
for complete details.
larchmont
LEDGER
PUBLISHING, INC.
Edward Shapiro, President and Publisher
[email protected]
Helene Pollack, Editor
[email protected]
Alyssa Holcomb, Entertainment Editor
[email protected]
Cynthia Pena, Art Director
[email protected]
Mary DeYoung, Account Executive
[email protected]
The Larchmont Ledger is published monthly by Shoreline Publishing, Inc.,
629 Fifth Avenue, Suite 213, Pelham, NY 10803. 914-738-7869. The entire
contents of this newspaper are completely copyrighted. No portion may be
reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The views, opinions
and content of this publication does not necessarily reflect that of the staff
of Shoreline Publishing.
Larchmont Ledger
Harrison Herald
www.harrisonherald.com
New Rochelle Review
www.newrochellereview.com
The Pelham Post
www.thepelhampost.com
The Bronxville Bulletin
www.thebronxvillebulletin.com
Westchester Jewish Life
www.westchesterjewishlife.com
wsn2day.com
Formerly Westchester Senior News
Shoreline Publishing accepts the submission of articles, events and items of interest no more than 500 words with .jpg photos for inclusion in Shoreline newspapers
and websites. Email to: [email protected] or Shoreline Publishing,
629 Fifth Avenue, Suite 213, Pelham, NY 10803. Shoreline Publishing reserves the
right to edit or omit any submissions.
Classifieds
The next Fathers’ Forum Westchester meeting
will be held on Saturday December 5th at Mamaroneck
High School. The Topic will
be Internet Safety for Kids and
Teens, with speaker Dennis
Spina, a Police Investigator
from the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children
Task Force. Discussion will
center on the role of digital
technologies in children’s lives
and providing real life examples of the risks these technologies present and strategies to
better protect children.
The Fathers Forum Westchester Board includes Phil
Moran (Chairman), Billy Cooper, Kevin D’Arcy, Bill Finck,
Chris Harshman, Ernie Patti,
Jeff Porphy, Evan Stern and
Chris Verni. To learn more,
visit www.fathersforumwestchester.com
New York Politicians Recognized as
Defenders of Children
The First Focus Campaign
for Children, a national bipartisan children’s advocacy group,
recognized Representative Eliot
Engel (D-NY) for his leadership
on issues important to children
during the 114th Congress (20142015).
“Lots of politicians talk
about kids’ issues, but few back it
up,” said Bruce Lesley, president
of the Campaign for Children.
“Representative Engel delivered
for kids.”
“Healthy, safe and well-educated children are an essential
part of our society and future. I
am honored to be named a 2015
First Focus Campaign for Children Defender of Children, and
privileged to be able to fight for
the policies and funding that keep
our children healthy and happy.
I look forward to continuing to
work with outstanding partners
like the First Focus Campaign for
Children to ensure kids across
America are valued and cared
for in a way that does our country
proud and builds a strong future
generation,” said Congressman
Eliot Engel, a senior member of
the House Energy and Commerce
Health Subcommittee.
The advocacy organization
recognized as “Champions for
Children,” 50 Members of Congress including New York Senator
Kirsten Gillibrand (D) for their extraordinary efforts to protect and
improve the future of America’s
next generation. An additional
50 Members were recognized as
“Defenders of Children” including Senator Chuck Schumer (D),
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D)
and Congressman Sean Patrick
Maloney (D}for their support of
policies that advance the well-being of children.
The First Focus Campaign
for Children is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with
First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. The
Campaign for Children advocates
directly for legislative change in
Congress to ensure children and
families are a priority in federal
policy and budget decisions. For
more information, visit www.
campaignforchildren.org
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.
IN-HOME VOICE LESSONS
Piano, Harp, Songwriting, Music
Theory, Audition Preparation.
Reliable, Professional Instruction for
All Levels and Ages! New York STA,
AHS, MTNA, www.studioofvocalarts.
com, [email protected],
917-838-1489
SPANISH TUTOR
High school students and adults.
Classes in your home by experienced native Spanish teacher. Call
Leonor @ 914 631 0003 or email
[email protected].
AMER. HISTORY MAVEN WANTED
Patriotic American History Maven
wanted to showcase positive,
inspiring, humorous stories of
unsung heroes from all walks of life,
from our 1776 Founding Fathers till
today. Joe: 914-552-7094 [email protected]
NEWBORN CARE SPECIALIST
I would be very happy to be your
Newborn Care Specialist or Nanny for
your infant or toddler. I am looking for
fulltime/weekend position with 23 years
experience. CPR certified. Driver’s license.
Call Eva: 917-596-1540.
NANNY
Attend to two children in pvt. home,
one child has special needs in speech.
Supervise & engage in play, transport
to activities & help in light cooking &
laundry. Cert. in ped., first-aid, CPR
pref. M-F 9-5pm. $12.45/hr. Speak
English & Tagalog. Stay-in pref. Temp.
Contact Cathy at nannyresume2014@
gmail.com
TUTORING SERVICES
Outstanding Tutoring by a Ph.D.
in Math, English, History, Regents,
SAT, ACT. All levels. Critical thinking
and study skills taught. Dr. Liss.
(914) 315-9382.
Classified Ad Form
7 newspapers over 100,000 readers -- 1 price, prepaid $118.00 for 4 lines, add’l
lines $12.00 per line. Ad runs in 7 papers for 1 month. Make check payable to:
Shoreline Publishing, Inc., 629 Fifth Avenue, Suite 213, Pelham, NY 10803
1) __________________________________________________________________________
2) __________________________________________________________________________
3) __________________________________________________________________________
4) __________________________________________________________________________
5) __________________________________________________________________________
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________________________________________________
Larchmont Ledger
•
December 2015
•
15
What’s Happening at the Larchmont Library
A Holiday Tradition
Continues with
Charles Dickens
On Monday evening, December 14, at 7:00pm, a Westchester holiday tradition will
again take place at the Larchmont Public Library as librarian Frank Connelly performs
Charles Dickens’ timeless classic A Christmas Carol. This will
be the tenth consecutive year
that Connelly has performed
the piece, fully decked out in
frock coat and stovepipe hat.
Connelly’s reading of
Dickens’ most famous work
takes the audience back to Victorian Era Britain; a time when
there was both strong nostalgia for old Christmas traditions as well as an initiation
of new Christmas practices
that are with us today, such as
Christmas trees. The story is
credited with being one of the
greatest influences on Christmas traditions now practiced
the world over.
There are perceived coincidences regarding the read-
Frank Connelly as Charles Dickens
ings of A Christmas Carol by
Dickens and later by Connelly. In 1853, A Christmas Carol
was chosen by Dickens for his
first public reading and his
performance was an immense
success. Connelly, after performing numerous unknown
minor authors with questionable success, chose the piece
for his first public reading of
a Dickens work in 2005, precisely 135 years after Dickens’
final performance. Connelly’s
reading quickly became his
biggest success. Dickens read
the tale in an abbreviated version 127 times usually decked
out in a frock coat and stovepipe hat. Connelly, reading
the same abridged version as
Dickens, has quite a distance
to go before he reaches 127
readings and while he claims
to be working on it, he does
perform the work decked out
in a frock coat and stovepipe
hat. Dickens read the text of A
Christmas Carol as his “farewell reading” shortly before
his death in 1870 and with his
readings of A Christmas Carol,
Connelly makes it clear that
he is bidding farewell to no
one. However, Connelly does
concede that he has no control over anyone wishing to bid
farewell to him. Dickens was
able to generate a tidy income
from A Christmas Carol while
Connelly has yet to earn anything for his annual effort.
While the characters and
the story are indeed familiar to all of us, it is Connelly’s
reading that keeps it fresh and
that brings out the story’s true
meaning and character. Con-
nelly has made it his mission to
perform the reading in a fashion that is as true to its writer
and as historically accurate
to the original 127 readings as
possible. Connelly’s reading of
A Christmas Carol has become
one of the premier holiday traditions in Westchester County and it simply is not to be
missed. Best of all is the ticket
price to attend Connelly’s performance – FREE – which may
account for Connelly’s inability
to earn a living performing the
piece.
It’s not that he’s just
not that into you—
it’s that there’s not
enough of him
The shortage of college-educated men is not just
a big-city phenomenon frustrating women in New York
and Los Angeles. Among young
college grads, there are four
women for every three men
nationwide, except in certain
pockets, like Silicon Valley,
where a primarily male job
market drives the economy.
Join author Jon Birger
at the Larchmont Public Library on Sunday, December 6
at 4:00pm, and hear him read
from his new book, DATE-ONOMICS: How Dating Became
a Lopsided Numbers Game
(Workman, August 2015).
Using a combination of demographics, game theory, and
number crunching, financial
and tech journalist Jon Birger
explains America’s curiously
lopsided dating and marriage
market—and what every single,
college-educated, heterosexual
woman needs to know.
And this numbers game
has wider implications. Birger shows how this unequal
ratio explains the college and
post-college hookup culture;
the decline in marriage rates;
even the seemingly paradoxical problem that the more
attractive the woman is, the
more difficult it can be for her
to find a partner. He reaches
back to explore the origins of
the college gender gap—a combination of the pill, Title IX,
and developmental differences
between boys and girls.
Then there’s what to do
about it, from what college to
attend (any with strong sciences and math), to where to
hang out (in New York, try a
firemen’s bar), to where to live
(Colorado, San Jose, Seattle),
to embracing the power of the
marriage ultimatum.
Jon Birger is a contributor
to Fortune magazine. A former
senior writer at Fortune and
Money, he’s an award-winning
freelance journalist who has
written for Time, Barron’s, and
Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and
has appeared on MSNBC, CNN,
CNBC, National Public Radio and
Bloomberg Television. He lives
with his family in Larchmont.
Refreshments will be
available at 3:30pm. Birger’s
appearance is sponsored by
the Friends of the Larchmont
Public Library.
For more information
about this or any of the other
programs offered at the Larchmont Public Library, visit www.
larchmontlibrary.org.
Seriously, choosing a
Medicare Advantage Plan is not easy.
We work hard to make it easier.
Depending on the Medicare Advantage Plan, benefits may include:
$0
Plan premium
Copays or low copays for doctor visits
Copays for generic drugs
Prescription drug deductible

Dental and vision care/hearing

Transportation services

Over-the-counter pre-paid cards up to $75/month
Contact us for eligibility and enrollment.
[email protected] | agewellnewyork.com
We’re here for your call.
Toll Free 1.866.586.8044
TTY/TDD 1.800.662.1220
AgeWell New York LLC is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the New York State Medicaid Program. Enrollment in AgeWell New York LLC depends
on contract renewal. The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information contact the plan. Limitations,
copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, premium and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year. You
must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium unless paid for by the state medical assistance program. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may
vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call customer
service at 1-866-586-8044 or (TTY/ TDD) 1-800-662-1220 seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time or visit agewellnewyork.com. Medicare
beneficiaries may also enroll in AgeWell New York LLC through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center located at www.medicare.gov.
H4922_AWNY_4002_16_FILE & USE 08312015
“May your walls know joy,
may every room hold laughter,
and every window open
to great possibility.”
– Mary Anne Radmacher
juliabfee.com
larchMont broKerage • 1946 PAlmEr AvENuE • 914.834.0270
Mortgage Financing available • 1.855.298.5650
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.
© 2015 Citibank, N. A. equal housing lender, member FDIC. Citi, Citibank, Arc Design and Citi with Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc.