Village Budget Passes Under Tax Cap
Transcription
Village Budget Passes Under Tax Cap
Visit larchmontledger.com for community news and event information! larchmont LEDGER May 2015 -- Volume 11 -- Issue 5 Complimentary Village Budget Passes Under Tax Cap BY STEPHEN E. LIPKEN Larchmont Village Treasurer Denis Brucciani outlined the 2015-2016 Budget at the Monday, April 20 Board of Trustees meeting. “The Tax Rate per $1,000 for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 is 338.90549 ($38). Total tax Levy for FY 201516 Calculation is $13, 189,137, up $270, 881 for increase of 2.09689%. Unused Tax Levy carried to next year is $3, 985,” Brucciani noted. However, Mayor Anne H. McAndrews delineated a 40% hike in Fixed Water Rate and 7.5% rise in Consumption Charge per cubic foot, both due to increased charges from New York City. “It’s not as bad as it seems,” McAndrews said. “Based on the size of my pipe, I pay $36.23 every six months. A 40% increase would be $50. With the cubic feet charge, $385 equals $414 for a six month period.” Introducing new Career Firefighter Charles Boettcher, Fire Chief John Caparelli stated, “Firefighter Boettcher transferred from the Fairview Fire District in Poughkeepsie, where he has worked since March 2012 and is a New York STEM-Tastic Saturday Returns with More Science/Tech Fun From left: Larchmont Firefighter John Adams; Lieutenant Bryan Doherty; Firefighter Jack Yannuzzi; new Firefighter Charles Boettcher, Jr.; Chief John Caparelli State (NYS) Compliance Code, Hazardous Materials and Emergency Medical Technician, receiving numerous awards.” Chief Caparelli reminded homeowners that organic ...continued on page 4 Assemblyman Steve Otis Hits Home Run for Little League Just in time for the start of baseball season, NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis has secured a $250,000 NYS grant for the Village of Larchmont to develop additional baseball fields at Lorenzen Park. The grant was announced in April by Fields for Kids and the Village of Larchmont. Fields for Kids president Jim Hanley provided good news regarding the status of the capital campaign for the Lorenzen project stating, “We are now just $25,000 short of our goal to make a new home for Little League at Lorenzen. With donations from the community we can make this ‘Field of Dreams’ a reality.” According to Village of Larchmont Mayor Anne McAndrew , “Our parks and fields are an essential part of life in Larchmont. They provide a ...continued on page 12 NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis presents a check for $250,000 to the Village of Larchmont Mayor Anne McAndrews, Larchmont-Mamaroneck Little League president, Bill Nachtigal, and Fields for Kids president, Jim Hanley. The monies will be used to help construct a home for the local Little League with two additional natural-grass baseball fields, renovation of the existing field, new team benches, fences, scoreboards and spectator seating. Photo credit: Suzanne Despins Children and adults alike will be amazed at this year’s offerings at the 2nd annual STEM-tastic Sat-urday on May 16th at the Hommocks Middle School from 11am to 6pm. With expanded hours and more activities than last year, the daylong festival of Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (and even Art!) offers everything from junk car construction to Intrepid Museum gravity experiments. Last year’s inaugural event drew over 2,000 visitors, ensuring that STEM-tastic Saturday would be back by popular demand. “This festival complements classroom learning with endless hands-on activities, opportunities to inter-act with leaders in STEM fields and numerous ways for youth to be experts,” says Mamaroneck School District Superintendent Robert Shaps. This year, artist George Hart will guide participants in building an enormous geometric cardboard sculpture. Festival goers can attend workshops on “green screen” video Jacqueline Didier 914.261.0547 [email protected] LARCHMONT BROKERAGE 1946 PALMER AVENUE juliabfee.com Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. 100 Beach Avenue editing, jump into 3D printing expos, construct and launch rockets, and build amazing creations with Keva Planks. STEM-tastic Saturday proves that science, technology, engineering and math can be jaw-droppingly fun. For ticket information, to volunteer or to exhibit, visit www. ...continued on page 12 U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. PERMIT NO. 5121 PRESOSRTED STANDARD 2 • May 2015 • Larchmont Ledger www.larchmontledger.com Winner of Larchmont 125 Logo Contest The Village of Larchmont’s Mayor, Anne McAndrews, has announced the winner of the Larchmont 125 Logo Contest is Sue Girardi-Sweeney, a local artist and art teacher. The winning design will become the signature mark to brand the quasquicentennial celebration which kicks off in September. “I entered the contest because who doesn’t like a little friendly competition especially between creative types?” said Girardi-Sweeney. “The recognition that goes along with having my design selected to represent Larchmont’s 125-year celebration is a real privilege.” On hand for the announcement and unveiling Sue Girardi with Larchmont Mayor Anne McAndrews and the were members of the Larchmont 125 Celebration winning logo design Coordination Committee as well as board members of Celebrate Larchmont, Inc., the nonprofit organization responsible for funding the upcoming milestone celebration. Also present were representatives from many local organizations, community groups and houses of worship. “Larchmont is full of talented, artistic people,” said Davis, “and they really rose to the challenge with this contest. I really enjoyed judging, seeing all the various entries,” continued Davis. “I love Larchmont.” The logo design competition was open to anyone of any age to bring early awareness of the impending anniversary and to generate excitement in the community. The committee received over 30 entries from artists as young as 7 years old. Logo contest finalists were Henri Kusbiantoro, Todd Nocero and Emily Shen, all Larchmont Village residents. Shen is a 15-year-old student at Mamaroneck a High School. The winning logo will be used on the organization’s website, larchmont125.org, and on commemorative merchandise such as posters , t-shirts and buttons. Information about the upcoming festivities can be found on www.Larchmont125.org. Great Fun at the Annual Spelling Bee The Friends of the Larchmont Public Library presented the third annual Spelling Bee for Adults and Teens on Sunday, April 19 in the Social Hall at Larchmont Temple, 75 Larchmont Avenue. The Bee attracted hundreds of spectators. Ellie Fredston, organizer of the Spelling Bee and Friends of the Library board member said, “The Bee provides an afternoon of fun whether you’re a participant or a spectator.” Lou Young, Larchmont resFrom left, “Friendly” Bee, Amy Ralston Seife, welcomed the “Quasqui Bees,” ident and CBS-TV news personmembers of the Larchmont 125 celebration committee Carmen White, Kitty ality served as Master of CereShirley, and Carey Federspiel. Photo Credit: Contributed by Dee van Eyck. monies. The judges for this year’s Bee were Nancy Seligson, Mamaroneck Town Supervisor; Anne McAndrews, Village of Larchmont Mayor; and George Latimer, New York State Senator. All proceeds from the Spelling Bee go toward programming at the Larchmont Public Library. The 3rd Annual Larchmont Spelling Bee was sponsored by Houlihan Lawrence and Ray Catena Lexus of Larchmont. • Mamaroneck Artists Guild’s 11th Annual Open Juried Exhibition and Events Works in a variety of media -- all 15 inches or smaller -- are featured in the 11th Annual Small Works Exhibition at the Mamaroneck Artists Guild Gallery, beginning Thursday, April 30, 2015 and continuing through Saturday, May 23, 2015. The works is this exhibition, selected from entries from across the nation by Juror, David Dunlop, demonstrates incredible creativity and skill achieved by artists working within the limitations of fifteen inches or less. A reception where the public can meet the exhibiting artists will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015, from 3 to 5 p.m. David Dunlop is a modern-day old master whose luminous landscapes draw• from both Renaissance techniques and contemporary science. His paintings have been shown internationally and are held in the collections of major corporations including Aetna Insurance, Citibank, Colgate-Palmolive, Delta Airlines, GE Capital Corporation, IBM, Cuba Tobacco - Photograph and Mobil. Dunlop has lectured extensively and in 2009 wrote and hosted the award-winning series for PBS “Landscapes Through Time”. He is currently at work on a second series. The Mamaroneck Artists Guild Gallery is located at 126 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont with hours Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon Patti Ettinger - Henny Penny - Acrylic to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Beginning Tuesday, May 26, 2015 and continuing through Saturday, June 20, 2015, local photographer Elisabeth Pollaert Smith presents a collection of photographs curated to fit on the wall of your “man cave,” be it a den, office, bar, pool room, or your entire home at the Mamaroneck Artists Guild Gallery. Pollaert Smith’s collection of “masculine” subjects includes commuter trains, vintage planes, classic cars, cigars, guitars, sailing, boxing, tennis, showgirls, soothing scenes, dramatic landscapes, and beer. Meet and interact with the artist at an Opening Reception on Saturday, May 30, 2015, from 4-6 p.m. In the spirit of the exhibit, the usual art gallery fare will be supplemented by beer and snacks. Elisabeth Pollaert Smith is an award-winning photographer and a former international corporate lawyer. She has studied at the London College of Printing, in the UK, and at the International Center of Photography, in New York and New Mexico. She has participated in numerous juried and group shows, and is a four-time finalist for Popular Photography magazine’s “Your Best Shot” competition. She is represented by Getty Images and teaches photography in Larchmont and Mamaroneck. Established in 1953 by seven local artists, the Mamaroneck Artists Guild, 126 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, is the oldest artist cooperative maintaining its own gallery in Westchester County. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Call 834-1117 for more information. ...continued on page 4 www.shorelinepub.com Larchmont Ledger • May 2015 • 3 Board of Education Considers Further Changes to Superintendent’s Recommended Budget With additional funds not anticipated when Dr. Robert Shaps initially presented the 2015-2016 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget on March 17th (and then subsequently made some revisions on March 21st and March 24th), the Board of Education explored new options at its April 7 meeting, including reducing reliance on fund balance, trimming reserves and further lowering the tax levy – all options aligned with the Board Finance Committee recommendations. Revised budget recommendations also include the addition of previously suggested staff positions as well as an increase in dollars allotted for prescription drug expenditures for employees. The extra available funds, which resulted from a $2 million correction in the TRS (Teachers Retirement System) contributions budget line combined with a $206,657 State Aid increase, reduce the overall budget from the latest figures presented on March 24th by $694,000 even after all of the program enhancement/ staffing positions are incorporated. The budget reflects an investment in educational programs, while for the third year falling under the State’s allowable tax levy cap and providing eligible community members with a New York State property tax rebate for the second consecutive year. “We are very pleased with how hard the District continues to work to balance the resources required for continuous improvement of our educational plan with the responsibility to our taxpayers,” said Mamaroneck Board of Education President Ann LoBue. “We’re in a favorable budgetary position now because of all the thoughtful, Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps strategic budgeting that has taken place in recent years.” Board trustee Steve Warner also commented on the District’s fiscal stewardship over the past five years, saying, “I believe all the financial metrics support the fact that the Administration and various incarnations of Boards have balanced the financial stress that everyone has faced with resourcing our schools to the benefit of the children.” Warner pointed out that since the 2009-2010 budget (including this year’s Superintendent’s Recommended Budget), the average annual growth in the District’s tax levy has been 1.2%, while inflation from 2009-15 has increased 1.5% per annum. He also said that while enrollment has increased almost 5% since 2010, the average annual growth in tax levy per student has amounted to only .4% While Board members expressed satisfaction with the newly revised budget recommendations, they agreed to “sit on” the recommendations and give the community time to digest/ comment on them. The Board resumed budget discussion at its April 21st BOE meeting, when the proposed ’15-’16 budget was adopted. The 2015-2016 Proposed Mamaroneck School District Budget will be brought forth to the community for a vote on Tuesday, May 19th, 2015. Polls will be open from 7 am-9 pm at each of the four elementary schools. Additional budget information and updates are posted regularly on the budget section of the District website. 4 • May 2015 • Larchmont Ledger www.larchmontledger.com The Selection Committee for the Mamaroneck School Board of Education Announces Endorsed Candidates The Selection Committee for the Mamaroneck School Board of Education, a citizen’s committee comprised of 24 elected independent and non-partisan resident volunteers representing each of the four Mamaroneck elementary school districts, has endorsed three candidates to fill the upcoming Mamaroneck School Board of Education vacancies: Two candidates, Melany Gray, a nearly 24-year resident of the district, and Roger H. Martin, a 20-year district resident are first-term incumbent members seeking re-election. Paul Bulova, who has lived in the district for nearly 11 years, is a new candidate for the Board of Education. Candidates for the Mamaroneck School Board of Education are voted on during the election on May 19, the same date as the Mamaroneck School Budget vote. Samuel Riter, Selection Committee Co-Chair, said of the two incumbents seeking reelection, “The Committee’s decision to endorse Melany and Roger reflects our belief that as current board members, their contributions have been instrumental in helping the Board pursue their goals in key focus areas including student engagement, student achievement, school climate, college and career readiness, community engagement and financial sustainability. These two individuals will continue to best serve and represent the interests of the community at large and will continue to be great partners to the five other Board members and Superintendent, Dr. Robert Shaps. As the current Vice-President of the Board, Melany has proven herself to be an effective and capable trustee for the community. Roger has successfully leveraged his experience as a career educator and has made key contributions across a number of initiatives, including in his role on the Board’s curriculum committee and as the Board’s liaison to the High School.” Of the new candidate, Riter said, “Paul is a dedicated parent of young children in the district. He is also a coach and PTA member who has volunteered his time and effort to supporting the school community. The Selection Committee feels his election to the Board will be a natural progression for him to continue contributing to our school district and add new and valuable perspectives to the Board.” Robin Nichinsky will be stepping down from the Board of Education at the conclusion of her third term in June. Riter said, “Robin has made an immeasurable contribution to the Mamaroneck community throughout her nearly decade-long tenure on the Board. She has selflessly volunteered countless hours and given more of herself than we could hope to acknowledge. She is a model for community engagement, and the Selection Committee is immeasurably grateful for her stewardship throughout the years. Our schools, our community and our children are all better off because of Robin.” The Committee for the Selection of Mamaroneck School Board Nominees was founded in 1946 to find qualified and committed candidates for the Mamaroneck Board of Education. This organization is made up of 24 private citizens who are elected representatives of the Mamaroneck School District. Members of the group spend each year attending school board meetings and study sessions, speaking with district resi- dents and meeting with district officials (including, but not limited to, the Superintendent, members of the Board of Education, and senior representatives of the PTA) in order to familiarize themselves with the issues facing the district. The Selection Committee then recruits, interviews and vets candidates for upcoming vacancies, with the goal of endorsing those candidates that it feels can best represent all segments of the community and their diverse interests, meet the needs and demands of the Board of Education position and poise the Mamaroneck Public School system for future success in the ever-challenging and global community. Selection Committee members themselves have staggered, three-year terms, and are elected via ballots set up near School Board polling locations. For more information on the Selection Committee or how to serve, visit www.selectioncommittee.org. Town of Mamaroneck Holds Drug Take-Back Events The Town of Mamaroneck will hold drug take-back events to help remove pharmaceutical drugs from Long Island Sound and educate residents about proper disposal of drugs. The events will be:Tuesday May 5, 2015 at the Senior Center/VFW on Post Road, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and Saturday May 30, 2015 at Maxwell Avenue Recycling Center/Town Yard, 8:00 to 11:00 am. Residents may bring expired and unwanted pharmaceutical drugs to remove them from medicine cabinets and dispose of them properly. The Town cannot accept pharmaceutical drugs from retail outlets, medical offices or other institutions. Medicines should never be washed down the sink or flushed down the toilet because they enter the marine environment unaltered after going through the sewage treatment plants. Sewage treatment plants do not treat pharmaceutical chemicals. In fact, certain chemicals disrupt the balance of the treatment system decreasing its effectiveness and even disabling it at times. The drugs can be thrown in the garbage or brought to drug take-back events for proper disposal. The Town received a grant from Citizens Campaign for the Environment, a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization, to hold the drug take-back events. Contact Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson (914) 381-7805, [email protected] for more information. Village Budget Passes Under Tax Cap ...continued from page 1 waste disposal is collected on the second trash pickup, Thursday for residents east of Boston Post Road (BPR); west of BPR, Friday, adding that the Fire Department received a $1,000 grant from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a non-profit organization donating $10 million in annual grants. Attention then turned to the environment. Trustee Peter Fanelli cautioned residents not to bring soda, juice or cans to the Flint Park turf fields, only water. Trustee Marlene Kolbert scored the use of plastic bags for store purchases, since fish in the Sound are eating them and dying, remarking Legislator Catherine Parker is introducing legislation to enact a County-side plastic container ban, which would make it easier for the Village to enforce. At the Work Session, Kolbert announced that her daughter Elizabeth won the Pulitzer Prize for her book, The Sixth Extinction, dealing with mankind’s eliminating species through abuse of the environment. Mamaroneck Artists Guild ...continued from page 2 Another event features David Dunlop, well known artist, author, teacher and lecturer will demonstrate how to create mixed media art using different printing techniques and combining photography with other media at the Mamaroneck Artists Guild Gallery on Sunday, May 17, 2015, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Dunlop is a modern-day old master whose luminous landscapes draw from both Renaissance techniques and contemporary science. His paintings have been shown internationally and are held in the collections of major corporations. Admission is $40 for the general public, $30 for MAG members. Reservations are required. Contact the Gallery at 914-834-1117 or [email protected] to reserve a seat. Participants are invited to view the 11th Annual Small Works Show, currently on exhibit and juried by Dunlop before and after the lecture. www.shorelinepub.com Larchmont Ledger The Village of Mamaroneck: Unchanged in Character over Time the residents and strong leadership in the village. “The key to the success of Emphasizing that everyone the Village of Mamaroneck . . . is in the Village of Mamaroneck that its character has remained works together, Mayor Rosenthe same,” asserted Mayor Norm blum boasted that the Village of Rosenblum at the Local SumMamaroneck “always has been mit’s monthly meeting on April and continues to be ‘The Friend17. He proudly noted that the ly Village’” and maintains that Village of Mamaroneck – with a “whether you are a 4th or 5th population of just under 20,000 generation resident or you’ve just - ranked 60 in CNN Money magmoved here, there are supports azine’s 2011 ranking of the 100 for you.” best small towns to live in the Mayor Rosenblum credits U.S. Leading off the Local Sumthe quality of life for the village’s ongoing popularity; Mamaroneck was recently named one of New York’s ten best small cities to live in by Movoto Real Estate. While the shops on Mamaroneck Avenue change, Mayor Rosenblum says that the village “is blessed because it has small stores” and that demand is still there, enabling the character of the village to remain. Harbor Island Park and Harbor are jewels of the village. Mayor Rosenblum pointed out that the Mamaroneck Harbor is the 2nd largest small boat harbor in the US, and Joe Germano (left) and Village of Mamaroneck Mayor Norm Rosenblum. Photo credit: that it provides the only John Gitlitz open public access to the mit’s planned series on “The wires around twenty years ago. Sound in the Bronx-Connecticut Changing Face of our CommuniAccompanying the busi- corridor. (One does not need to ty,” two lifelong Village of Mamaness development cycle over be a resident to access the sound roneck residents, Mayor Norm the years have been changes to from the Mamaroneck Harbor.) Rosenblum and unofficial village the faces living in the Village of While the picture for the historian Joe Germano, remiMamaroneck. Referring to the Village of Mamaroneck seems nisced about how the village has latest shift in demographics, rosy, there are some challenges changed over time, yet stayed the Mayor Rosenblum believes that and upcoming changes that the same. the Village of Mamaroneck “revillage is facing. Both men and their famiflects what the times are.” He As the popularity of the lies have contributed to the vilpraised Mamaroneck’s religious shops and restaurants on Mamalage’s long and rich history. Mayand cultural diversity and called roneck Avenue have grown, so or Rosenblum’s grandfather – a Mamaroneck “representative of have its parking woes. Business painting and general contractor America as a melting pot.” owners and residents believe - came to Mamaroneck in 1904; Calling the recent day labor- that the shortage of parking he built the first apartment ers’ lawsuit a “bump in the road,” spaces may be threatening the buildings in the village and conhe maintains that this event “ac- viability of its local businesses. structed many of the buildings tually represents the continuing The mayor has formed a parking that are still part of the village development of this country” committee and will be reviewing today, including the building ocand is “the same concept as you options with the village board in cupied by Molly Spillane’s. Likesee anywhere . . . a new group the coming weeks. Under conwise, Germano, who was born in comes in, starts taking jobs that sideration – and not without conthe village in 1925 and was in the others don’t want . . . it’s not troversy - are the use of multiMarine Corps in WWII, was an negative . . . this is America.” He space meters, limiting the length important figure in the village’s traced the influx of different ethof time a vehicle can park in deshistory. He owned and operated nic groups to Mamaroneck over ignated locations, and the conMamaroneck Garage, one of the time, citing the arrival of the Eustruction of a multi-level parking largest enterprises on Mamaropean Jews, the Irish, and the facility on Spencer Place. roneck Avenue, and was known Italians. Mayor Rosenblum asAnother new development for providing opportunities for serts that “there has been a 180° that has raised the concern of Mamaroneck High School stuturnaround” with regards to the some residents is the recent credents. day laborer situation, because of ation of a Transit Oriented DisBY LINNET TSE According to Mayor Rosenblum, the character of the village has by and large remained unchanged over time, with many of its buildings intact from 50-100 years ago. However, he pointed out that one event in particular had a dramatic impact on the character of the community; the coming of I-95 caused neighborhoods to be separated, people to lose homes, and ruined a favorite sledding hill. On a more positive note, the character of the village was improved by burying the trict (TOD) by the village board, accompanied by zoning changes that allow residential space above retail space in the area surrounding the train station. According to Mayor Rosenblum, the current plan calls for retail units at the ground level, with residential units above; 10% of the units built will be affordable housing. Asked about Historic Preservation, Mayor Rosenblum responded that there is “no standing method to demand that potential historic building be saved” without the permission of landowner. He cited two examples of efforts to get structures on the National Registry, the “Skinny House” on Grand St, and Walter’s Hot Dog Stand. To prevent future unwanted changes, as happened with the Mamaroneck movie theatre, Mayor Rosenblum noted that the village board just passed a zoning overlay, requiring that plans go before the Planning Board in order to obtain a demolition permit. He hopes that this will help restrict • May 2015 • 5 development and keep the character of the village intact. 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. The next breakfast meeting will take place on May 12, and the topic will be on health programs in the community. From paddle-boarding in the Ligurian Sea to a private tour of the Vatican, Bayside Travel planned the most extraordinary vacation for us. It was the trip of a lifetime! - Susan, Matt & Chris Mutti CALL BAYSIDE TRAVEL Family Vacation · Happiness Specialists 914-833-8880 www.luxurytravelservice.com Save Time. Make One Call. Have the Time of Your LifeTM BaysideTravelNY 6 • May 2015 • Larchmont Ledger SELMA, the Larchmont New Movie Matinee will be shown on May 20 at 11am and 2:30pm and May 28 at 6:30pm at the Village Center. Call 834-2281 for details. UPCOMING Bicycle Sundays, sponsored by Con Edison and Friends of Westchester County Parks will take place on the following dates: May 10, 17 and 31; June 7, 14, 21 and 28; and September 13, 20 and 27 from 10am to 2pm at the Bronx River Parkway from Westchester County Center in White Plains, south to Scarsdale Road in Yonkers. Visit westchestergov.com/ parks or call 864-PARK for details. LMC-TV is offering a filmmaking workshop entitled, “Make a Movie That Tells a Story” from June 29 through July 17, 10am to 3pm. To register, call 381-2002 or visit lmc-tv.org. The Larchmont Newcomer’s Softball Team invites those interested to join a gathering of pick up players ages 18-70 who play softball at Flint Park every summer Sunday from 8:30am to 10:30am. Email [email protected] for details. Kenise Barnes Fine Art, 1947 Palmer Avenue, Larchmont presents a new exhibition called eARTh day on view until May 23. Call 834-8077 for details. New York-Presbyterian Westchester Division, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains is offering the following: May 13 – Identifying and Managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; May 20 – Deep Breathing for Good Mental Health; and May 27 – A Healthy Outlook: Recognizing Depression in Later Life. Programs are from 7 to 8:30pm. Call 997-5779 for further information. ArtsWestchester presents ArtsBash, a cocktail reception on May 15 from 6 to 9pm. On May 16, Family Day from 1 to 5pm. Both events at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains. Visit artsw.org/artsbash or call 428-4220 for tickets. The Junior League of Westchester on the Sound is conducting a logo contest for the branding of their 65th anniversary, which will be celebrated throughout the upcoming League year, beginning September 2015. The contest is open to any student, grades K-12, attending school in the Sound Shore service area of JLWOS. The deadline for entries is May 18. The chosen logo will be unveiled at the JLWOS Annual Dinner on June 5. Send pdf www.larchmontledger.com CALENDAR OF EVENTS The Manhattanville College’s Castle Conversations speaker series, presented by Mastercard features Dan Rather speaking in a private home on June 24 at 7pm. For details, call 323-1277 or visit castleconversations.org. submissions to: [email protected] with “JLWOS 65th Logo Contest” in the subject line. An entry form must be completed and can be found at JLWOS.org. Westchester Country Club in Rye will host the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship June 9-14. For tickets, visit KPMGWomensPGAChampionship.com. The Larchmont Public Library, 121 Larchmont Avenue presents the following: May 5, 12, 19 & 26 at 10am – Chair Yoga with Vincenza Madonia (registration required); For additional information call 834-2281 and visit larchmontlibrary.org The Rye Historical Society announces a new exhibit called Immigration in Rye through November 2015 at The Square House Museum, 1 Purchase Street, Rye. For more information call 967-7588. Volunteer drivers are needed by At Home on the Sound, the aging-in-place organization serving older adults in Mamaroneck and Larchmont. The drivers take senior citizens to local appointments, on errands or shopping. For information, call 8993150 or visit athomeonthesound.org. 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 973-420-4966. MAY 6 At 6pm, Sunrise Solar Solutions will host a Seminar for Commercial Property Owners and Managers at Molly Spillane’s, 211 Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck. For more information, call 762-7622. 7 From 9:30am to 2pm, the American Heart Association’s 12th Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon & Learning Sessions will take place at the Stamford Marriott, 243 Tresser Blvd, Stamford, CT. For additional information, visit westfairgoredluncheon.heart.org or 640-3273. 9 From 7 to 10pm, the Harrison High School Band, Chorus, Dance and Or- The 30th Annual Bruce Museum Outdoor Crafts Festival will take place May 16-17 from 10am to 5pm at 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT. For more information, call 203-869-0376. On May 12 at 4pm, At Home on the Sound presents acclaimed German author Andrea Maria Schenkel at the Larchmont Avenue Church, 60 Forest Park Avenue. Call 6301873 for additional information. On May 9 at 8:30pm, Caramoor Center for Music and Arts, 149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah welcomes Eric Michael Gillett for the 21st Cabaret in the Music Room Benefit. For tickets, call 232-1492. chestra present Savor the Sounds: an Enchanted Evening filled with Music and Dance at Harrison High School Student Union. To purchase tickets, visit hhsbpa. coffeecup.com or mail a check $25 per person, payable to HHSBPA to Marisa Pierroz, 280 Harrison Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528. Road, Yorktown Heights. Visit walk4hearing.org for complete details. ton Post Road, Mamaroneck will hold a giant Tag Sale. Contact 698-4343 for further information. At 8pm, Blackout NYC A Cappella performs at The White Plains Performing Arts Center, City Center off Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains. For tickets, call 328-1600. At 10am, the Mamaroneck Artists Guild, 126 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont will host a Painting Workshop for children grades 5 and up. RSVP to 834-1117. 12 From 11:30 to 4:30pm, the American Red Cross will be at Mamaroneck Public Library, 136 Prospect Avenue taking Blood Donations. For appointments, call 1-800733-2767, 13 The Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers will hold the First Annual Museum Seniors Day featuring an online projection in the new Google Art Project with Laura Vookles followed by tea and petit fours in the Hudson Room. Visit hrm.org for details. Cerebral Palsy of Westchester’s Barrier Breakers presents their 8th Annual Wheelchair Basketball Tournament beginning at 5:30pm at the Westchester County Center, 198 Central Avenue, White Plains. Visit cpwestchester.org for details or call 937-3800, ext. 215. 14 At 11:30am, UJA-Federation of New York’s Westchester Business and Professional Division will hold their annual luncheon at Brae Burn Country Club, 39 Brae Burn Drive, Purchase honoring Daniel Singer and Debra Abrahams Weiner. RSVP to Nora Shapiro at 761-5100, ext. 12. 16 From 1 to 6pm, attend STEM-tastic Saturday at Hommocks Middle School, Larchmont. For tickets, contact [email protected]. At 11:30am, the 10th Annual Westchester/Rockland Walk4Hearing will take place at FDR State Park, 2957 Crompond The Westchester Chordsmen Chorus will perform “The Wonderful World of Disney Music” at Irvington High School, 40 North Broadway. Visit chordsmen.org for call 298-7464 for tickets and information. 17 From 2 to 4pm, acclaimed art educator and historian Suzanne Altman presents “Other Great Museums: The Brooklyn Museum, The Frick, The Jewish Museum and Others” at the Mamaroneck Library, 136 Prospect Avenue, Mamaroneck in the Community Room. Contact 698-1250, ext. 3 for further information. 19 The Mamaroneck School District vote on the budget will be held in the Elementary Schools from 7am to 9pm. For more information, visit mamkschools.org. The School Budget and School Board Trustee Elections for Harrison will be held from 7am to 9pm in Elementary Schools. For details, visit harrisoncsd.org 21 The Annual Larchmont-Mamaroneck Memorial Day Parade will begin at 7pm with assembly beginning at 6:45pm at the parking plaza at Larchmont Train Station. Email [email protected] for more information. 23 At 8pm, Westchester Community College presents The Ladies of Laughter’s Funny and Fabulous Tour in the Academic Arts Theatre on the Valhalla campus, 75 Grasslands Road. Call 606-6262 for details. 25 Harrison will have a Memorial Day Parade at 10am starting at Halstead and Thatcher Avenue. To join the parade, call 835-2052 or 527-0803. 30 From 9am to 5pm, the Mamaroneck United Methodist Church, 546 East Bos- The Harrison Players presents “Open Mic Night” from 7:30 to 9:30pm at the Veteran’s Memorial Building, 210 Halstead Avenue, Harrison. Call 698-4599 for information or visit harrisonplayers.org. JUNE 4 At 8pm, join the Food Bank for Westchester as they celebrate 10 Years of Hunger Heroes at Tappan Hill Mansion, Tarrytown. Call 923-1100 to attend. 6 From 7 to 10pm, the Rye Historical Society will hold their Annual Gala Benefit “Anchors Aweigh” at a beautiful waterfront private residence in Rye. For reservations or more information, call 9677588 or visit ryehistory.org. 13 At 3:30pm, the Japanese Women’s Chorus Hanamizuki and Ensemble VIVO Concert will be held at the Harrison Presbyterian Church, 181 Harrison Avenue. For details, email hanamizuky@gmail. com 14 From 1 to 4pm, the Neuberger Museum of Art Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, presents Family Second Saturdays: Hello Summer! Family Festival with guest artists from Harlem Needle Arts. Call 251-6113 for details. At 3pm, the Westchester Philharmonic presents Danail Rachev conducting and Joshua Roman on cello at the Concert Hall at the Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase. Call 682-3707 for tickets and information or visit westchesterphil.org. 15 Join ArtsWestchester and Tee It Up for the Arts with their golf tournament at Wykagyl Country Club, North Avenue, New Rochelle. To attend, call 428-4220, ext. 326. www.shorelinepub.com Larchmont Ledger Compelling Bronx Voices at Home on the Sound Thanks to two Lehman College educators, a collection of oral histories of life in the Bronx, recorded during the tumultuous 1970s and 1980s, has just become a compelling book. Bronx Voices and Faces will be the subject of a program May 26, when its co-editors, Emita Hill and Janet Butler Munch, visit At Home on the Sound. Subtitled Sixteen Stories of Courage and Community, the book presents men and women who were committed to preserving the stability of the borough and weathered the crime, arson, and drug dealers. Their voices are as eclectic as the Bronx itself and each played a positive role in a pivotal time; all deserve to be remembered. Their faces were captured by collaborating photographers. Emita Hill Dr. Hill, who interviewed the subjects, spent 20 years in the Bronx with many posts at Lehman, finishing as vice principal. She recently retired as chancellor of Indiana University Kokomo. Janet Munch, professor and librarian, will talk about the school’s rich research collection on the Bronx, which is often utilized by journalists and historians for their books. The program is free at the Larchmont Avenue Church, 60 Forest Park Avenue. The program begins at 4:00 pm, refreshments at 3:30. Use the Forest Park door near Wendt Avenue to reach the community room. Notable Neighbors Series, “THE FUTURE OF BROADCAST JOURNALISM” NBC “Today Show” co-anchor Erica Hill, NBC National News Correspondent Kate Snow and WNBC “Today in New York” co-anchor Michael Gargiulo will discuss the future of broadcast journalism on Monday, May 11 at 7PM in the Tiered Classroom at Mamaroneck High School. The evening, part of The Center for Continuing Education’s “Notable Neighbors“ series, will be moderated by New York Times columnist Alina Tugend. Whether you grew up with Walter Cronkite’s famous nightly sign off “and that’s the way it is,” sip your coffee to the banter on The Today Show, or troll through Reddit and Buzzfeed to get the latest news, the evening promises to offer insight on the ever-changing world of broadcast journalism and how to be a smart consumer of information. Among the topics that will be covered are the interaction of print and broadcast journalism and how “citizen journalism” and digital media have impacted what we see on the news. “One of the topics of interest to me,” says Tugend, “is how broadcast journalists distill information coming from all different types of sources – from cell phone videos to tweets - against the time pressure of putting together a broadcast and being first with the news.” She Erica Hill added, “Also, when there were only three major networks, broadcast journalism played a role in bringing people together – everyone saw more or less the same news. Now, many people only read or view journalism that reinforces their point of view. What role – or responsibility – does broadcast journalism have in combating the nation’s increasing polarization?” The panel will also discuss the need for journalists to cultivate personal relationships via digital platforms to increase ratings and how different generations consume news. “All of the participants are literally our neighbors,” said Blythe Hamer, Executive Director of The Center. “Their willingness to share their experiences and perspectives with us will give us a real window into the inner workings of how the news is reported.” High school students will be admitted free of charge. The panelists will offer career advice at the close of the evening. The cost for tickets for adults is $25. For further information or to purchase tickets, visit The Center’s website www. lmcce.org or call 914-698-9126. May 2015 • 7 High School Students Recognized with Top Honors at FBLA’s Spring Leadership Conference in Rochester For the second year in a row, Mamaroneck High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter travelled to the New York State Spring Leadership Conference in Rochester, NY and was named New York State Chapter of the Year. Competing against 130 chapters from around the State, Mamaroneck students won top awards in 18 of the 60 competitions, including First Place recognitions in Community Service, Cyber Security, Mobile Application Development, and Networking Concepts and Second Place awards in Digital Design & Promotion, Entrepreneurship, FBLA Principles & Procedures, Local Chapter Annual Business Report and Outstanding New Member. In addition to the competitions, students immersed themselves in educational workshops to sharpen their core business skills, visited an information-packed exhibit hall, expanded their networks and attended motivational keynotes on a broad range of business topics. Gillian Sweeney was elected State Historian, and Sophia Danzinger tied for District 3S Vice President. “We recently began collaborating with Mr. Jadav’s computer science students, and this has been a wonderful partnership that has broadened our impact and enabled us to distinguish Mamaroneck in new ways,” said Maria Siciliano, MHS’s Future Business Leaders of America advisor. “Our Chapter of the Year award represents the hard work, perseverance and effort of all 48 FBLA student members attending from Mamaroneck HS. I couldn’t be more proud.” Future Business Leaders is the largest and oldest student business organization, with a quarter million members and advisers in over 6,500 active middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Its mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. The association is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. 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 Marchese Builders Inc - General Contractors - Management - Site Work - • State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . saved $362 with Allstate Call me to find out if you can save now. 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Lou Gehrig (1903-1941) played baseball for the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1939. Known as the “Iron Horse,” Gehrig played in 2,130 consecutive games, a record that stood for 65 years. In 1939, he was diagnosed with ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, now commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease. He lived with his wife, Eleanor, in the Stonecrest Apartments at 21 North Chatsworth Avenue in Larchmont from 1934 to 1940. Marty Appel, who lived in Larchmont for 20 years, is considered the leading authority on the New York Yankees. His (L to R) Dee van Eyck, LHS VP, Programs Chair; Marty Appel, honoree; Nancy White, LHS President; George Latimer, NYS Senator; Stephen Roldandi, LHS Treasurer; and Laura Maloney, LHS VP, Membership Chair. Photo Credit: Stephen van Eyck twenty books include “Pinstripe Empire: The New York Yankees From Before the Babe to After the Boss,” and the children’s version, “Pinstripe Pride.” As the Yankees public relations director, he knew and worked with Lou Gehrig’s widow and would always call her the morning after “Pride of the Yankees” was on TV to tease her about how good she looked in it. (Actress Teresa Wright played Eleanor in the film.) Appel currently heads his namesake public relations firm, Marty Appel Public Relations, a major boutique agency based in New York City serving clients largely in the world of sports but also in publishing, education, consumer products, medicine, and not-for-profit. For more information, contact LHS Programs Chair Dee van Eyck at 914-522-8394 or [email protected]. dubrovinik restaur ant JOIN US FOR MOTHER’S DAY! A Taste of Croatia! Proprietors ‘Jerry Tomic’ and Nada Bernic, their chefs and staff welcome you to a celebration of the spring season featuring the delightful cuisine of Croatia presented in modern style. A delicious melding of the Adriatic, Mediterranean, Italy and Europe prepared with the finest ingredients. Our seasonal outdoor patio overlooking the lush herb farm is now open! Multi-level dining rooms, cocktail lounge, free-standing wood burning BBQ grill for fish and meats, grapevines hugging the brick walls, soothing fountain, and world class temperature controlled wine cellar. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Weekday prix fixe luncheon: $20.95 Live music Sunday evenings. Private Party Facilities & Catering for all types of events. Valet Parking Reservations: 914-637-3777 www.dubrovnikny.com 721 MAIN STREET, NEW ROCHELLE, NY Ristorante Siena Enjoy fine, affordable Tuscan-style Italian dining. Make your reservations for Mother’s Day! 969 Main Street, New Rochelle 914-235-0300 sienanewrochelle.com MHS Students Launch “BrainSTEM”, Focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math The first issue of “BrainSTEM, an electronic STEM Journal written and produced by students at Mamaroneck High School, has just been published and is now available online. This debut publication, which may be the first of its kind on the high school level, includes articles and personal narratives such as This Season in STEM (news about recent discoveries in each of the disciplines), A New Class of Antibiotics, Why Gravity Keeps Me Grounded: What Science Means to Me, or New Species Discovered, as well as teacher/ community member spotlights and book/Original Science Research reviews. “With the growth of STEM as both an academic and career path, this journal gives students an inclusive avenue for exploring and sharing their interests in all things STEM,” said Mr. Garbarino, MHS science teacher and faculty advisor for the STEM journal. “The range of topics included and the number of students who contributed are quite impressive. Students worked hard to put this together, meeting at lunch, after school, and over email.” BrainSTEM was conceived by MHS senior and editor-in-chief Max Schechter during his Original Science Research internship last spring at Rockefeller University, where he was paired with a mentor in a lab and had the opportunity to be involved with science outreach and education for middle school students in NYC. “I saw university journals out there such as Triple Helix, which about 20 colleges are members of, but hadn’t seen any high school publications like this. I was impacted by the outreach being done to the general public through Rockefeller Uni- versity and wanted to bring that to Mamaroneck,” Schechter said. “It’s a way for everyone to be exposed to a wide array of science issues and generate interest even from non-science lovers.” After pitching the idea for a STEM Journal to MHS Principal Elizabeth Clain and Mr. Garbarino last spring, Schechter began to make it happen in the fall. His first meeting brought out 20/25 students, who were interested in helping by either writing articles, supplying photographs or creating illustrations. “I’m very happy with the final product,” Schechter added. “It’s so unique to have a publication like this that is completely student-run and of such high caliber. The articles are so well-written, and there’s such a great variety of pieces. The fact that we had so many kids willing to do the work on this shows how much interest in STEM there really is here at our high school. It’s good to be able to share that with everyone.” Schechter hopes the publication will live on long after he graduates from the high school. And so does Ms. Clain. Michael J. Apollo Awarded Youth Provider of the Year The Town of Mamaroneck/Village of Larchmont Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) announces that Junior Member, Michael J. Apollo, Jr., 16, has been honored as Youth Provider of the Year by the Westchester Emergency Medical Services Council’s Public Information Committee. In order to be nominated for this award one must have met the eligibility and criteria stipulated by the committee requiring individuals to be between the ages of 14 and 18, maintain first aid certification, and active membership in a first response agency. Having satisfied these requirements and combined with his dedication, maturity and skills, Apollo stood out among his fellow members, both senior and junior, as worthy of nomination. Having only joined in May 2014, Apollo had already dedicated just shy of 900 hours to the organization by Mid-February 2015. “Michael Apollo quickly won respect among all members of the Corps for his great sense of professionalism and always wanting to learn more. The other members Michael J. Apollo have also expressed enjoyment volunteering alongside of him” says LVAC President Grant Nishanian. Having been the sole Mandarin speaking first responder on a recent call, Apollo was able to translate for three patients, ensuring they received the best pre-hospital care and allowing doctors and nurses to have a full picture to be able to work with. His study of Mandarin has already come to use in a setting beyond the walls of a classroom. “The patients felt at ease knowing that someone spoke their language. Mr. Apollo’s skills really made a difference that day” says Kris Mueller, Crew Member and Membership Committee Chairperson. The award from Westchester County EMS Council will be presented to Apollo at their annual awards ceremony on May 14th, held in conjunction with National EMS Week. The Town of Mamaroneck/Village of Larchmont Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) provides emergency medical services to the residents and visitors of the Village of Larchmont and the Unincorporated Area of the Town of Mamaroneck. Whenever called upon for an ambulance, they respond with EMTs and a Paramedic, each of whom is trained to help in a professional manner. New members are welcome. Drivers, attendants and EMTs are all needed. Free training is provided. For more information, visit www.larchmontvac. org. www.shorelinepub.com Larchmont Ledger State of County Address Declares Westchester “Smarter, Safer, Stronger” On April 22, 2015 Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino delivered an optimistic and strong message in his annual State of the County address, stating that Westchester was “growing smarter, safer and stronger each day.” Despite the increasing costs of Albany’s unfunded mandates and the automatic escalation of labor costs, Astorino said an increase to the county property tax levy was out of the question. “It’s a pledge (not raising the tax levy) I have kept for five years and I am making it again tonight, because county government has to be on the side of every young person, couple, senior and business in Westchester that is struggling to make ends meet so they can stay here,” said Astorino. To help hold the line on taxes, Astorino has held the line on spending. This year’s County Executive Robert Astorino county budget is less than the non-profit sector that generated budget he inherited in 2010. $129 million and accounted for Among the cost saving measures instituted to lower costs were ac- 1,600 jobs. • Capital projects investtions to competitively bid inmate healthcare services, successful- ments are close to surpassing the $1 billion mark (since 2010) and ly transfer operation of county mental health clinics to not-for- help create over 2,000 construcprofits and getting seven of eight tion jobs per year while providing needed rehabilitation to our roads, government unions to agree bridges, sewers and parks. to chip in for their health care. • As part of Astorino’s These actions save the county Safer Communities initiative, $10 million per year. more than 350 volunteers were The new $25 million Playland agreement with New York- trained in Youth Mental Health based Standard Amusements will First Aid, and another 400 service providers and advocates also save taxpayers money, as well were trained as “community as secure the long-term future of Playland. Standard Amusements champions” with the mission of being a go-to local resource will invest $23 million in capital in terms of awareness and eduimprovements perhaps as soon cation when it comes to suicide as later this year, introduce new rides and attractions and make prevention. • The administering of an up-front $2.25 million payNarcan was credited with saving ment to the county and pay an 12 lives from heroin overdose in annual fee of $300,000, that escathe past year. Police officers who lates each year. In addition to the Playland went through the county Departagreement, Astorino highlighted ment of Health’s Narcan program administered the antidote. other positive news in the past year: Astorino hailed a recent • The county’s Patriot Second Circuit Court of Appeals Housing Initiative has found homes for 265 veterans (since decision which said actions by HUD to financially penalize the 2013). • The Industrial Devel- county were indeed subject to juopment Agency (IDA) assisted on dicial review, as a “major victory 16 economic development proj- against an aggressive and overreaching federal government,” ects that generated more than and a win for local zoning and $400 million in private investhome rule. The county remains ment, along with 3,400 permaon schedule in fulfilling the nent and construction jobs. terms of the 2009 federal hous• The Local Developing settlement agreement with ment Corporation (LDC) assisted currently 223 units occupied and on a number of projects in the can be a catalyst for strengthening families, then this may be the most important role the county ever plays.” Astorino announced a new Safer Communities initiative with the development of a new mobile phone application called the Westchester Safety App. Expected to be available later this summer, the app will offer real-time traffic, weather and storm reports, and disaster preparedness tips via smart phones. It is being developed by Interlecta, a Westchester-based IT company, in conjunction with the county’s Department of Public Safety. The download of the app will be free, and there is no cost to taxpayers. And coming in May, the county’s “A Job’s Waiting for You Training” program gets under way and matches long-term unemployed workers with hard to fill jobs in health care such as MRI technicians through a training program that, upon successful completion, guarantees the trainee a job. The goal is to place 500 individuals in four years and ultimately expand the program beyond the health care field. Astorino concluded his speech by saying, “Westchester is a place we love, where we raise our families, run our businesses and call home. Our past is a source of pride, our future is bright and together we will continue to make Westchester smarter, safer and stronger.” May 2015 VNS Westchester’s Spring Benefit Gala Two distinguished leaders in the healthcare community will be honored by Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester (VNSW) at its 17th Annual Spring Benefit Gala on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at the Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison. A long-standing and celebrated Frank A. Corvino 454 units with financing in place. Among the new initiatives unveiled by Astorino was the new Westchester Economic Development office that will open a Manhattan office at 125 Park Avenue, directly across from Grand Central Station. The office will be functional and open for business starting in May. The purpose for the office is to aggressively promote Westchester’s many assets, offerings and competitive advantages to companies and entrepreneurs looking to leave New York State. Astorino said, “Our message is simple. To those companies in New York City looking to Fairfield County or Jersey City, or perhaps the Carolinas, Florida or Texas, before you decide to leave New York State, you need to take a look at Westchester.” The county’s new fatherhood initiative is designed to celebrate the critical role of the father, provide key tools and support, and help those in at-risk situations navigate and overcome potential barriers they may have to becoming effectively involved dads. Former New York Knicks all-star Allan Houston was in attendance and his foundation will partner with the county in the initiative. “Over the course of the past 50 years, the critically important role of the father in the family has been diminished,” said Astorino. “A good and present dad is good for moms and good for kids. And if the county • tradition on the Westchester County springtime social calendar, the VNSW spring benefit will this year recognize the generous spirit of healthcare innovator and visionary Frank A. Corvino, chairman of the Greenwich Hospital Foundation; and Dr. Sumir Sahgal, a champion of leveraging healthcare information technologies to enhance care for chronically-ill homebound patients. The festive evening will also showcase the important work of VNSW and inspire giving to support its high-quality home health and community healthcare services. Michael Gargiulo, news anchor at NBC4 New York, will serve as emcee. In addition to the awards ceremony, the event will feature a spectacular silent auction, gourmet dinner, and decadent desserts. “This year’s honorees exemplify the collaboration across the spectrum of healthcare organizations that is necessary to improve healthcare for all in our region,” said Timothy P. Leddy, interim president and chief executive officer, VNSW. “Both Frank Corvino and Dr. Sumir Sahgal, and their respective organizations, are valued partners of VNSW. It is our privilege to express our heartfelt thanks to them for helping us fulfill our mission of providing the highest level of care to patients, their fam- • 9 ilies, and caregivers in the comfort of their own homes.” Proceeds from VNSW’s Gala will support a wide range of programs for residents of Westchester, the Bronx, Dutchess, Putnam and Rockland counties. These include free health screenings, health education programs focusing on preventative care and chronic disease management, and home care services for uninsured and under-insured patients. Community funding is critical, says Leddy, as these services are not reimbursed by government or other funding sources. “Healthcare today is vastly different than it was 15 or 20 years ago,” said Leddy. “With fewer and shorter hospital stays for many patients, we are experiencing a greater need for home healthcare throughout our entire service area. We invite residents of Westchester and adjacent communities to join us on Dr. Sumir Sahgal May 12 to recognize the contributions of our honorees and to celebrate our 100+ years of service to the region.” The gala is co-chaired by Mahopac resident Debra Swee, communications consultant and VNSW board member, and Michael Wilson, co-owner, Wilson & Son Jewelers of Scarsdale and Mt. Kisco, and resident of Stamford, CT. Tickets for the event, which takes place on May 12 from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison, may be purchased for $300 each at www. vns.org. For information on Sponsorship Opportunities, Journal Ads or contributions to the Silent Auction, contact Joyce Infante, Director of Development, at JInfante@vns. org or (914) 682-1480, ext. 649. 10 • May 2015 • Larchmont Ledger www.larchmontledger.com Koslowe Gallery Presents “That was Fabulous!” The Paintings of Stephen L. Crohn To celebrate artist Stephen L. Crohn (1946-2013), best known as “the man who couldn’t get AIDS,” more than 30 of his paintings will be on public view for the first time (and available for purchase) in “That Was Fabulous!” The Paintings of Stephen L. Crohn fnow through June 2015 at Westchester Jewish Center, Koslowe Gallery, Rockland and Palmer Avenues, Mamaroneck. Crohn died from suicide at age 66 on August 24, 2013. The exhibit is presented by local Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community organ-izations and initiatives; spearheaded by The LOFT: LGBT Community Services Center for the Lower Hudson Valley and the Crohn family and in partnership with Mosaic of Westchester and the Westchester Jewish Center, Koslowe Gallery. Crohn made medical history and international headlines in the late 1980s and 1990s when researchers discovered that he possessed a genetic variation that rendered him immune to HIV. As a result, he dedicated much of his life volunteering as a research subject for the scientific community. While his contributions to HIV/AIDS research have made him a critical figure in gay, medical and academic circles, think the series represents the world as Steve would have loved to see it… people, ideals, thoughts and goals all shared regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, money, station in life or country. A rainbow is a promise of a bright day to come,” said Stephen’s sister, Carla Crohn Friedman. A portion of proceeds from paintings sold at the exhibit will go directly toward LOFT programming, including suicide prevention. From 2013 to the beginning of 2014, The LOFT experienced an increase in suicides among their members and participants and is eager to increase Crohn was a prolific painter of more than 1,000 abstract expressionist works. “It’s an honor that Stephen’s family came to The LOFT and asked us to take the lead in sharing with the community his legacy as an artist and raising awareness about who he was beyond the medical renown,” said Judy Troilo, Executive Director of The LOFT LGBT Community Services Center for the Lower Hudson Valley. In the gallery, which is in the lobby of the Westchester Jewish Center there will be nearly 30 paintings exhibited. “The Koslowe Gallery has been looking for an opportunity to collaborate with the LGBTQ community. We’re thrilled to have found the means for that partnership in Steve Crohn, an accomplished, moving painter. His work is vibrant and affecting in its abstract representation of the raft of emotions he felt for many years. We look forward to additional fruitful collaborations in the future,” said Amy Levine-Kennedy, curator of the Koslowe Gallery. Featured at the exhibit will be The Rainbow Series, seven paintings that will be loaned to and on display at The LOFT. The Crohn family hopes for the series to become a permanent acquisition for the organization. “I ADELPHI NEW YORK STATEWIDE BREAST CANCER HOTLINE & SUPPORT PROGRAM HEALTHY MOM Checklist • Findouthowtogetafreeorlow-cost mammogram. • Findoutaboutbreastcancerprograms inyourcommunity. • Talktosomeonewhohasbeenthere. WE ARE HERE TO HELP!!! 800.877.8077 breast-cancer.adelphi.edu support and prevention services to the LGBT Community. The Koslowe Gallery in Westchester Jewish Center is open every day, 9:00 am through 7:30 pm. This award-winning exhibition space is home to revolving exhibitions that mirror the evolving Jewish world, in microcosm. Through fine art, folk art, sculpture and photography, their thematic shows are culled from contemporary artists, historical content, museum and private collections. For more information call 914-698-2960 or email Amy Levine-Kennedy at [email protected] New Camp Allows Campers to Feel Proud to Play like a Girl Having run a summer camp software company for 14 years and seeing a significant shift in summer-time needs for children and families, Ed Metzendorf, a Larchmont resident, decided that Westchester was in need of an all girls weekly summer camp that focused on skill development. sports, STEM and the arts. However, Next Level also gives the girls additional opportunities such as cooking, creative writing, cross fit/ yoga and even cheerleading. The camp’s mission is to inspire girls of all abilities and interests to explore new possibilities, develop confidence, and participate in fun-filled learning in While researching an ideal location for such a camp Ed was connected with the Ursuline School, a private school in New Rochelle, and his dream is being actualized with the launching of Next Level Day Camp for Girls this summer. Next Level is a skill-based camp that inspires girls of all abilities and interests in grades 3rd through 9th. Ed’s goal for every camper is best summed up by saying “at the end of a week no matter what level you are we will not only help you grow as an athlete, student or artist but most importantly as a person.” Program offerings focus on a structured environment. These attributes are highlighted in the “daily circles” as well as a camp wide activity every afternoon. The expert staff at Next Level consists of local teachers, coaches, parents, and college athletes who encourage the girls to experience new challenges, explore their passions, and try something new. Every day the staff will work with the girls to make the most of “teachable moments” that occur on the field, in the studio or the classroom. Campers will utilize Ursuline’s state-of-the-art turf field, air-conditioned gymnasium and three outdoor tennis courts for its athletics programs which feature popular sports such as lacrosse, basketball, soccer, field hockey, and volleyball. Indoor activities such as dance, art and creative writing for the young campers will take place in Ursuline’s air conditioned classrooms. Additionally, girls looking for an intensive STEM program can take advantage of Next Level’s “Camp within a Camp” program which is run in partnership with the Stem Alliance of Larchmont-Mamaroneck. Run by local teachers, the program will allow the girls the chance to build, tinker and code for three hours every morning. Many girls may choose to stay for the rest of the day to take advantage of Next Level’s other offerings. Besides skill development, Next Level’s goal is for their campers to develop self-esteem, self-confidence, cooperation, fairness of play and leadership skills. In order to help facilitate that Next Level has teamed up with My Remarkable Self to facilitate hands-on classes using roleplay, games, projects and small group discussions that focus on self-esteem, friendship, anti-bullying and teasing and communication building. To learn more, visit the nextleveldaycamp.com. The camp runs from June 29 - August 7, 9am to4pm. Call early as some sessions are at or near capacity. www.shorelinepub.com Larchmont Ledger Larchmont Resident Paul J. Massey, Jr. Honored by Bridges to Community BY LINNET TSE AND CARLA BERRY On Wednesday evening, April 22, Larchmont resident Paul J. Massey Jr. was honored by the Ossining-based international not-for-profit community development organization, Bridges to Community (BTC), at their annual Leadership Dinner held at Tribeca 360 in Manhattan. Massey was awarded BTC’s 2015 Outstanding Vision and Commitment to Action Award for his years of dedication and support of Bridges to Community’s work. Bridges’ two-part mission is to improve the lives of impoverished communities in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic through volunteer service trips, and to simultaneously educate and transform those volunteers to be more aware of the ways they can impact lives for the better. Bridges works in the areas of housing, education, health, and economic development. His dedication to Bridges’ work is exemplified by his three service trips to Nicaragua with groups from St. John’s Episcopal Church in Larch- mont. Even while running his firm and juggling other volunteer commitments, Massey has taken several weeks to travel to Nicaragua with each of his children to experience first-hand the issues confronted by those living in the developing world. With his children, PJ, Sarah, and Greta, Paul J. Massey Jr. addressing attendees at the they worked alongside Bridges to Community Leadership Dinner community members to help build houses and im- ing the lives of thousands of children and adults. He has prove local families’ lives and served as CEO and founding futures. Reflecting on his trips to Nicaragua, Massey writes, partner of Massey Knakal Re“Our family owes a debt of ality Services until just a few gratitude to the St. John’s com- months ago, when the firm munity for encouraging our was acquired by Cushman & involvement in and support- Wakefield. In addition to now serving as President, New York ing the work of Bridges. All the Investment Sales of Cushman Masseys have been enriched & Wakefield, Massey is Presby this unique experience.” ident of the Board of The New Since his first trip to Nicaragua in 2008, not only has York Pops and serves on the Board of the Tenement MuseMassey been an enthusiastic um in New York City. supporter of Bridge’s work, To learn more about Bridges but his firm, Massey Knakal, to Community’s programs, projhas also supported Bridges, ects, and volunteer trips, see the helping Bridges to expand into new communities and touch- Bridges to Community website. • May 2015 • 11 The Murray Avenue Elementary School PTA wishes to thank the following businesses in our community for their generous support of our Winter Gala. With their help we were able to raise needed funds to help support our students. Thank you! A Mercurio Sons ABC Cakes Addison Street Spa Anderson’s Book Shop Angel Nails Applause Aroma Coffee Roast Art of Dressing Augie’s Family Style Restaurant Auray Gourmet Badger Day Camp Ballet des Enfants Beadz Bill Wang Photography Bradley’s Bread & Cocoa Bu-Tique Bullseye Glass Co Burn Center Stage Boutique Chat 19 Cherry Lawn Farm Market Chit Chat Wines Chris Bojanovich Photography Clutch Corriander Modern Indian Creation Yoga Creative Corner D’Agostino Clothiers Decoration Day Designers Corner Diet Center of Larchmont Dream Spa & Salon Durian East Coast Skate Shop eb Barrett Ellen Marie Day Spa Embassy Cleaners Emelin Theatre Equinox Estelle Gourmet Euro Nate Hockey Everything’s Hair Excel Martial Arts Fiore Pilates Firefly Salon Flower Bar Foley’s Hardware Frankie & Fanucci’s Futterman’s Stationary Half Time Hampshire Country Club Hiawatha’s Martial Arts & Fitness Home Fair Camera Jay’s Wine & Liquor Jillian McAlley Photography LLC Joy Alexander Photography Judy Gartman Kurt Sauer Opticians, Inc La Riserva Trattoria Larchmont Laser Larchmont Liquor & Wine Larchmont Meateria Larchmont Music Academy Larchmont Nursery Larchmont Tavern Lifetime Fitness Love by Bella Fiora Lusardi’s Madison Kitchen Mancino Tailors & Clothiers Mathnasium Maxime & Friends Medallion Jewelers Miller’s Mount Tom My Gym Nail House Nautilus Diner New Rochelle Racquet Club Nicky’s Pizza NYSC Larchmont NYSC New Rochelle One2One Bodyscapes\ Palmer Jewelers Peridot Fine Jewelry Plaster Palace Polpettina Post Wine & Spirits Raw Power Crossfit Raymond Opticians Red Mango Rye YMCA Sherwood’s Stanz Starbucks Stephanie’s Kloset Stitch by Stitch Tequila Sunrise The Corner Store The Cut Above The Ice Cream Parlour The Voracious Reader Tony’s Nurseries Top 10 Nails Town of Mamaroneck Toy Box Tres Magnifique Villa Maria pizza Village Merchantile Village Paint Supply Vintage 1891 Wallach Jewelry Designs Warren Tricomi Salon CT Wendy Gee Wraps & Things Write On! YogaSpark 12 • May 2015 • Larchmont Ledger www.larchmontledger.com Assemblyman Steve Otis Hits Home Run for Little League STEM-Tastic Saturday Returns with More Science/Tech Fun place for recreation, exercise and perhaps, most importantly, for the community to come together. We are so grateful to Steve for securing the funds to help expand and improve this much needed resource.” Assemblyman Otis added, “I have had the pleasure of working closely with Fields for Kids and the Village of Larchmont for over three years to make this field improvement project a reality. This state grant and the private fundraising efforts will mean more kids will have access to good quality fields delivering more games, lmstemalliance.org or email the STEM Alliance at [email protected]. The STEM Alliance of Larchmont-Mamaroneck is a NY non-profit whose mission ...continued from page 1 more hits and more fun.” Larchmont-Mamaroneck Little League (LMLL) president Bill Nachtigal said, “Our league is one of the largest in the country and we simply have not had enough playing fields. We have over 1600 players ranging in age from 4-18 and have been sorely pressed for space. This grant will help us complete our vision of having a field complex that we can call the home of LMLL.” “The Lorenzen project has been part of an overall plan by Field for Kids (FFK) to improve and increase fields in Larchmont and Mamaroneck for all team sports. We started a fundraising campaign in 2008 and through money contributed by donors, the LMLL, the Village of Larchmont and now this grant, we now need only $25,000 in donations to reach our $1.7 million goal,” says Hanley. “We plan to start work this summer so time is of the essence. Donors who contribute by May 15 will have their names inscribed on a plaque at Lorenzen,” he adds. To make a donation or request additional information contact fieldsforkidsmamk.org.” ...continued from page 1 is to organize STEM education and enrichment initiatives in order to inspire a community where all are empowered to em-brace STEM passions to solve problems. The Alliance’s vision is to serve as the network that connects the community to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math knowledge as a means of solving problems and fostering innovation. Fall in Love with the People, Food and Gems of Columbia There is so much to enjoy in Columbia, from historic fortresses and churches to stylish hotels and restaurants. This South American country is celebrated for five things: Gold, emeralds, coffee, flowers and friendly people. Granted Colombia wasn’t always a popular destination because until recently, it was viewed by many as a danger zone. Now things have changed. Cartagena, facing the Caribbean, is the most popular destination in the country. As tourism began flourishing in recent years, hip bars and restaurants opened their doors. Stylish hotels such as the Tcherassi changed the face of Cartagena. You can explore this tropical city by foot. You can walk along the cobblestone streets of the walled city and take in the sights of the charming colorful buildings. Visit Plaza Trinidad, the oldest area of the city. One must visit the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress. It was built in 1657 by the Spanish to protect the town from pirates, and today you can wander its tunnels and view the city from a higher vantage point. There are also some museums such as the Palacio de la Inquisicion which tells the story of the Spanish Inquisition. The Emerald Museum provides a glimpse into Colombia’s splendid gems. For the best views of Cartagena, head to La Popa Hill , the highest point in the city. The lush courtyard and 17th century monastery here match the beauty of the view. Before nightfall, head to Café de Mar and drink a local Aguila beer while watching the sunset over the Caribbean and then enjoy a spectacular dinner at one of the local restaurants before heading to Getsemani for salsa and people- watching. A few days in Cartagena will have you falling in love with the people, food and flavor of this fascinating city. While December is the height of the tourism season, you can go at other times of the year for smaller crowds and lower prices. Cartagena isn’t the only spot to savor in Colombia. Too often travelers forget about Bogota, Colombia’s capital. It is located a little more than an hour away by plane from Cartagena and has a completely different geography. This enormous city is divided into 20 districts and six zones, ranging from the colonial neighborhood of La Candelaria to the artsy La Macarena. For instance, the G Zone also known as the Gourmet Zone, is currently experiencing a culinary explosion and luxury hotels are opening up all over the place. Before seeing anything, head uphill to Montserrat. Sitting at 11,000 feet above sea level and home to a 17th century church, this has been a pilgrim destination since the 1620’s. The highlight is the view from the top, where the magnitude and natural beauty of Bogota can be fully appreciated. Article written by Carlos Castro, Bayside Travel. Barbara Nichuals is the President of Bayside Travel in Bronxville, Eastchester Travel and Earlfield Travel in Larchmont. Licensed Travel Insurance Agent. For a free consultation call 833-8880 or visit www. luxurytravelservice.com www.shorelinepub.com Larchmont Ledger • May 2015 • 13 Kitchen & Bath Insider© - #174: Even Lucy is Refacing! BY PAUL BOOKBINDER, M.I.D., C.R. To be more accurate, the statue of Lucy is going to be refaced. The likeness of Lucille Ball, in her hometown of Celoron, New York, is so bad looking that the town has decided to have her refaced. The newspaper headlines vary but my favorite is “Upstate Town Terrorized by Demon Lucy Statue”. Thank goodness refacing is now considered an acceptable method of rejuvenating a scary, sad looking statue or kitchen. The mayor of Celoron, Scott Schrecengost, has chosen to reface Lucy, rather than replace her, because it is considerably less expensive to put a new face on a 400lb bronze statue than to replace it completely. And, it can be done much faster that starting a new statue from scratch. Interestingly these are the same reasons most people chose to reface their cabinets rather than replace them. It comes down to convenience and cost. With our hectic schedules, many people don’t want to have their lifestyles disrupted any longer than necessary. It’s hard enough getting everything done that we’re supposed to each day without having construction going on for several weeks. Refacing takes much less time than replacing a kitchen and is much less stressful than a total renovation. And in most cases it’s usually more economical than a new kitchen. I say “usually more economical” because there are factors that can increase the costs of refacing. When you select thermofoil replacement fronts the cost is about 50% less than buying and installing new, all-wood cabinets. However, if you choose special shapes or wood fronts the savings begins to diminish. Another factor that can add to the expense of Lowey Applauds Approval of MTA’s Federal Application to Implement Rail Safety Technology Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (Westchester/Rockland), the Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee, applauded the Federal Railroad Administration’s impending approval of the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) application for a$967 million loan to install positive train control (PTC) technology for Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Commuter Railroad. This loan will allow MTA to install life-saving safety improvements on commuter rail lines. “I’m pleased that MTA’s application to install positive train control technology will be approved by the Federal Railroad Administration,” said Lowey. “Securing this funding will help ensure that disastrous events like the December 2013 Metro North accident never happen again. Over the last year, I have worked tirelessly to highlight the need for additional resources to help commuter railroads install PTC, and I will continue to work with federal and state officials to ensure that MTA gets the resources it needs to keep its riders safe.” The loan application was approved by the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program (RRIF) program. Under this program, the loan funding can be used to acquire, improve, or rehabilitate intermodal or rail equipment or facilities, including track, components of track, bridges, yards, buildings and shops; refinance outstanding debt incurred for the purposes listed above; and develop or establish new intermodal or railroad facilities. Direct loans can fund up to 100% of a railroad project with repayment periods of up to 35 years and interest rates equal to the cost of borrowing from the government. Eligible borrowers include railroads, state and local governments, government-sponsored authorities and corporations, joint ventures that include at least one railroad, and limited option freight shippers who intend to construct a new rail connection. By law, railroads are expected to implement PTC systems, which prevent collisions and derailments by ensuring that trains are not travelling at excessive speeds, by December 31, 2015. In the aftermath of the December 1, 2013, Metro-North crash, the Federal Railroad Administration launched a “Deep Dive” safety assessment of Metro-North’s operations. In a January 2014 spending bill, Lowey required DOT to release its report to Congress, which highlighted deficiencies in Metro-North’s safety protocols and training. refacing is changing the layout of your kitchen. You realize the greatest saving when no alterations are made to the floor plan. If you intend on changing more than 10% of the cabinets in the kitchen it makes more sense to think about replacing all of them. The selection of replacement fronts has recently expanded exponentially. Now, Lucy’s new face could be anyone; Ethel, Marge, Wilma, or best of all, a pretty image of Lucy, as was originally intended. In your home, you can reface with real wood, choosing from maple, cherry, alder, birch, pine or exotic woods. If you want to go with laminate fronts there are close to a hundred colors to chose from, and now the laminates can be textured or hand-crafted with a glazed finish or Italian high gloss lacquer, just like real wood. Add to this all the modern internal conveniences that you find in new kitchen cabinets and refacing becomes a viable alternative. Although, in the past, refacing used to conjure up a less-than-beautiful solution, where the material used to cover the cabinets and doors didn’t look real and would peel off in a few years. While this may have been true years ago, the materials and adhesives used for refacing today have improved dramatically. Most contractors who offer this service now replace the door and drawer fronts and cover the cabinet with the same material the new fronts are made of. Today, a custom refacing job, if done properly, looks just like a new kitchen and lasts just as long. If you’re terrorized because you’re living with a scary looking kitchen, like the folks in Celoron are of their statue, it might be time to consider this wonderful solution. Granted, it’s not for everyone, so it’s in your best interest to speak with a professional designer for their input, however, most kitchens will benefit from refacing. And considering Lucy was one of the most talented, beautiful and funny women in TV’s history, it is only right that her statue get a face-lift. Managing Digital Assets in your Estate Plan BY BERNARD A. KROOKS. CERTIFIED ELDER LAW ATTORNEY Let’s face it, we all have an online presence, whether we like it or not. Think about all the online accounts you have such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, to name a few. Also, add in all your email accounts, frequent flier miles, bank and brokerage accounts and all the bills you pay online. I’ll bet that if you made a list of these, you probably have more thank you think. For a while it was just an interesting theoretical problem: what would happen to these accounts upon your death or if you became incapacitated. Now, it has evolved into an interesting legal dilemma. Do you want to allow someone else access to your online accounts if you became incapacitated or passed away? What needs to be done to ensure that this happens? Also, what do you want to happen with your digital assets (all those pictures you have posted on Facebook and Instagram)? Should they stay online or be removed? Let’s start with passwords. You know that you’re not supposed to reuse passwords, and that you should change your passwords on a regular basis (how many of us really do that?). Maybe you have made the decision not to change the password for some sites, or to use the same password for your car rental and airline reservation accounts. Even so, you probably have a lot of passwords, and it might seem like a full-time job just to manage them. Now think about allowing your family member or other trusted person access to those passwords in the event something happens to you. Do you write them down somewhere? That would be very insecure, and a lot of work — you need to update the list every time you change a password (or add a new account). Where can you keep it that it is available and secure? A password-protected file on your computer? Which computer and how hard is it to break the password protection on your favorite word processor, and what happens if your computer hard drive fails (as it most assuredly will, sooner or later)? There are some online services that will store you passwords in an encrypted space. This way, you have only one password to remember (the one for the online service). How do you pass along the password information on death or disability — without giving anyone access right now? Look into something called a “dead man’s switch.” The concept is borrowed from train locomotives. In the electronic world, it works like this: you set up an account, and it sends you a message every 30 (or 60, or 90 — you usually can change the timing) days. You respond by telling the program that you’re still OK, and nothing happens for another cycle. But if you don’t respond, it decides something has happened to you, and it sends a message (which you have written in advance) to the recipient(s) of your choice. You can see how that might make sense. You write a message telling your daughter the login information for your password management program, and a list of major accounts for her to look into. All you have to do is remember to update that message each time you change your password, and respond to the messages you get every month. The rest takes care of itself. Think about what documents and arrangements you need to prepare in advance. Should there be a provision in your power of attorney, your trust and/or your will about digital assets? Probably, but recognize that the law is still unsettled when it comes to whether your executor or agent under a power of attorney has access to your digital assets. You may recall (or may not recall) that when you signed up for your online account you checked a box called a “terms of service agreement.” This lengthy, boilerplate document likely has some discussion about what happens to your account if something happens to you and it possibly prevents your fiduciary from accessing your digital assets. Whomever you appoint as your fiduciary will have to overcome this hurdle along with state and federal privacy laws in order to manage your digital assets upon your incapacity or death. There are some new developments on the horizon. A national group, the Uniform Laws Commission has drafted and approved a Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act. The Act attempts to make digital assets available to fiduciaries. They even spent a great deal of time on deciding what constitutes a “digital asset.” States, howev- If you find yourself upstate, stop by the Lucille Ball Memorial Park to visit with Lucy (after the work has been completed) and see what a difference a new face can make. 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 914-777-0437 or www. dreamworkkitchens.com. er, have been slow to adopt this Act. More importantly, the online industry is against the Act and is taking the position that the “check the box” boilerplate provisions in the terms of service agreement generally require them to protect your privacy and not disclose information to your fiduciaries. This issue will likely be resolved by the court system in upcoming years. So, what should you do? At a minimum, make a list of all your accounts and passwords and keep it in a safe place. Speak with your estate planning attorney about how to best ensure that your fiduciaries will have access to these accounts (if that is what you want) if something happens to 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. 14 • May 2015 • Larchmont Ledger www.larchmontledger.com Mother’s Day for Every Palate! Mom deserves her special day. If you are planning to dine out on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, here are a few suggestions that cover a wide variety of tastes. Special Hint: Mother’s Day is a big restaurant day, so be sure to reserve a table early; you can even take Mom out any time during the weekend to keep it more stress free. Enjoy! Dubrovnik, 721 Main Street, New Rochelle 914637-3777 For years Jerry Tomic, a native of Croatia, dreamed of bringing a true taste of home to Westchester. The flavorful cuisine of Croatia served in a refined atmosphere. He premiered Dubrovnik and it became a hit: Westchester’s first restaurant devoted to Croatia, a multi-level 85-seat establishment with seasonal outdoor patio, state of the art temperature controlled wine cellar, al fresco woodburning BBQ for meats and fish, lush seasonal herb garden, and bar/lounge. Talented chefs man the kitchen and they will transport you to the beautiful Adriatic in flavorful style. Jerry Tomic, his wife ‘Jackie’ Kaszas, and partner Nada Bernic insist they will be using all the finest ingredients in the seasonal marketplace. Most everything is house made from the bread to desserts. Try the Warm Octopus Salad; Steamed Mussels; Bay Scallops on the Shell; Fresh Cod Filet with grapes, olives, pearl onions; Mama Tereza’s lobster, shrimp, scallops, fish, clams and mussels steamed in a seasonal broth over pasta; Grilled Rack of Lamb; or whole roasted fish prepared out on the BBQ. “Fresh food, simply prepared is the Croatian way”, says Tomic. Special Mother’s Day menu. Open 7 days for lunch and dinner. Reservations suggested. Private party facilities. Valet parking. www. durbrovnikny.com Rio Bravo Tacos & Tequila, 1879 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 914-341-1546 The artsy red statue guarding the Palmer Ave. entrance to this new Mexican restaurant just hints at the many south-of-the-border pleasures waiting inside. It is a sprawling 200-seat environment strewn with colorful Mexican art and artifacts, multiple seating areas with a big bar/lounge for socializing. Brothers Edgar and Hector Brambila also operate a Rio Bravo in Fairfield, CT. and have 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. www.shorelinepub.com Edward Shapiro, President and Publisher [email protected] Helene Pollack, Editor [email protected] Cynthia Pena, Art Director [email protected] The Larchmont Ledger is published monthly by Shoreline Publishing, Inc., 629 Fifth Avenue, Suite 213, Pelham, NY 10803. 914738-7869. The entire contents of the Larchmont Ledger is copyrighted by the Larchmont Ledger. 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 www.larchmontledger.com 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. another one in the works in Westport. The menu is loaded with flavorful surprises: Milanesa Chicken Tacos, hand battered fried chicken wrapped in a tortilla covered with melted cheese, roasted poblano crema, pico de gallo and mixed cabbage; Torero Steak Fajitas, a giant portion of wood grilled marinated skirt steak; Southwestern Caesar Salad, a spicy twist to the traditional Caesar with corn, tomatoes, cotija cheese and chicken Milanesa, tossed with chipotle-ranch dressing; and Square Knot Salmon, achiote and lemon seared salmon with roasted pineapple. Happy Hours Monday thru Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm featuring half price house drinks and appetizers. Large selection of Tequilas at Classifieds the bar and you can also build your own Margarita. www.riobravotacosandtequila.com (Morris Gut is a restaurant consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for over 25 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: [email protected]) PERSONAL/ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT -- SEEKING OPPORTUNITY Experienced lower Westchester administrative/personal assistant seeking project assignments including administrative/computer work, correspondence, bookkeeping, personal shopping, event/holiday planning, mailings, calendar management, etc. from full home office or offering on-site flexibility. For further information, including local references, please contact [email protected] or call Margaret at 914-738-0089. 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. EXP. BOOKKEEPER AVAILABLE 25 Years Corporate Finance Experience at Verizon Communications. Knowledge of Quickbooks, Microsoft Excel and Word. Call Karen, 914-582-6749. References Available Upon Request. 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] PLOT FOR SALE Single plot, excellent location, Kensico Cemetery. Priced to sell at $2000. Cemetery offering same plot for $3000. Call me at 561-641-1453. M. Weiner. MATH TUTOR MATH I LOVE IT I TUTOR IT -- ALL LEVELS Columbia MBA, Perfect Score MATH SAT. Text Chris, 914-815-2429. WOMAN SEEKING APARTMENT Woman of good character, with references seeks large studio apt. with kitchen and bath, ample storage space, private ent. and off street parking in a nice residential or estate area. Rent negotiable. Contact: 914-318-4678. 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 [email protected] HOUSE FOR SALE Beautiful 5 bd, 3 bth Colonial in Scarsdale, FR with fireplace, FDR, Eat-in-Kitchen, large Playroom, tons of storage. 3200 sq. ft. on double lot, many new upgrades, great schools, low taxes. Call 914-874-3314 for info. 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: _______________________________________________________________________ www.shorelinepub.com Larchmont Ledger • May 2015 • 15 What’s Happening at Larchmont Public Library Better Posture Means Better Health Believe it or not, the way you sit and stand as well as move your body has a tremendous impact on your health and well-being. Poor posture can lead to significant health problems as Eve Silver we grow older unless we seek to correct things. The library invites the public to join Certified Alexander Technique Instructor, Eve Silver, on Saturday, May 9 at 11:15am, for an introductory workshop on the benefits of the Alexander Technique. The workshop is also being given on Friday, May 29 at 11:15am, at the Larchmont Public Library. Both workshop sessions are free. The Alexander Technique is a method that works to change habits of how we move in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method, which helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities. Eve Silver is committed to helping others find a way to explore and improve habits that can cause pain, fatigue and tension and is a fully qualified teacher of the Alexander Technique. She successfully completed a three-year, 1600-hour training course at the Ameri- can Center for the Alexander Technique in New York, and has been certified to teach the Alexander Technique by the American Society for the Alexander Technique (AmSAT). AmSAT is the largest professional association of certified Alexander Technique teachers in the United States and establishes and maintains the nation’s highest standards for teacher training, certification and membership. Silver is a member of The Alexander Associates of Westchester and has a private and group teaching practice in Rye and New York City. For more information about Eve Silver and the Alexander Technique, visit Eve at www. evesilverat.com a cookbook loaded with recipes to try. You do not need to bring a cookbook or participate in the cookbook swap to enjoy the barbeque presentation by Chef Zehe. Joerg Zehe is an Executive Chef who has fine dining kitchen experience across an array of classical and progressive cuisines. With over 15 years of experience he is expert in all facets of restaurant management. Prior to opening Apiary, Zehe cooked in several of New York’s most notable restaurants including Ed’s Lobster Bar, Matsuri, Bolo and Maloney & Porcelli. The arrival of warmer temperatures signals a number of things, one of them being the start of barbeque season. If you are an outdoor grill king you’ll want to join Chef Joerg Zehe from Larchmont’s APIARY on Monday, May 11 at 7pm, at the Larchmont Public Library. Chef Zehe will be presenting barbeque seasoning secrets that will make you the talk of your neighborhood. Chef Zehe will have food samples for you to try so ing Alzheimer’s advocate Meryl Comer’s Slow Dancing With a Stranger is a profoundly personal, unflinching account of her husband’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease that serves as a much-needed wake-up call to better understand and address a progressive and deadly affliction. On Sunday, May 3, at 4pm, in the Larchmont Village Center, Meryl Comer reads from and discusses this timely and much-needed book. Refreshments will be available at 3:30pm. When Meryl Comer’s husband, Harvey Gralnick, was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease in 1996, she watched as the man who headed hematology and oncology research at the National Institutes of Health started to misplace important documents and forget clinical details that had once been cataloged encyclopedically in his mind. With harrowing honesty, she brings readers face to face with this devastating condition and its effects on its victims and those who care for them. Detailing the daily realities and overwhelming responsibilities of caregiving, Comer sheds intensive light on this national health crisis, using her personal experiences—the mistakes and the breakthroughs— to put a face to a misunderstood disease, while revealing the facts everyone needs to know. Pragmatic and relentless, Comer has dedicated herself to Meryl Comer Reads from Her Learn the BBQ Latest Book on Secrets of Local Alzheimer’s Emmy-award winning Chef broadcast journalist and lead- Chef Joerg Zeha you can taste the difference. Simultaneously, the library is having its first ever cookbook swap. Bring your favorite cookbook with you to the program and you’ll be given a ticket that will allow you to select the cookbook of your choice from those that are brought to the event by those participating. It’s sort of like a “white elephant” party but for cookbooks. Everyone is sure to come home with Meryl Comer fighting Alzheimer’s and raising public awareness. “Nothing I do is really about me; it’s all about making sure no one ends up like me,” she writes. Deeply personal and illuminating, Slow Dancing With a Stranger offers insight and guidance for navigating Alzheimer’s challenges. It is also an urgent call to action for intensive research and a warning that we must prepare for the future, instead of being controlled by a disease and a healthcare system unable to fight it. 43rd Annual Seniors Art Exhibit Opens The Larchmont Public Library presents the 43rd anniversary exhibit of artworks by art students at the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Senior Center. The exhibit will be on display in the Oresman Gallery in the Larchmont Public Library from May 2 through May 30. The exhibit is free and open to everyone during normal library hours. Additionally, there will be a reception honoring the artists on Saturday, May 9, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. The exhibit, featuring the works of seniors attending the art class led by artist and instructor Patricia Minor-Sutherland, will include artworks from every medium including oils, watercolor, acrylic, pastels and graphic pencil. The exhibit will feature 80 works by artists that include Barbara Datino, Stella Lasker, Norma Mano-Luther, Angela Forenza, Norma Perciasepe, Robert Polstein, Robert Reid, Terry Price, Ruth Rutchik, Barbara Girardi, Soledad Sambrano, Jesse Seligson, Vincenzo Sperandio, Kay McCarrick, Varsha Mehta, Irene Wielgus, Donald Levine, Barbara Fix, Lynn App, Jock Maggard, Mary Anne Martucci and Mary English. The Larchmont-Mamaroneck Senior Center offers art instruction throughout the year on Wednesdays. The classes are held at the VFW Post located at 1288 Boston Post Road, in Mamaroneck. Artist and Instructor, Patricia Minor-Sutherland, has been teaching the art class at the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Senior Center for 43 years. She is a full-time artist and has had her paintings exhibited in the Museum of Colorado, Medici Center for the Arts in Philadelphia, The Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville, KY, the Biennial Invitational Museum of Contemporary Art in New York and many others. She is a founding member of the Reilly League of Artists in White Plains. For Information about the art classes available at the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Senior Center contact the Center at 834-8840, or online at http://www.townofmamaroneck.org/community_services/senior_center.html. Women Business Owners Government Contracting Forum Despite their growing ranks, women-owned businesses still capture a small percentage of government-contracting dollars. That means big opportunity--if you know how to work with the various government contracting agencies. Women own an estimated 9.1 million businesses in the United States, but they collect just 5 percent of government contracting dollars designated for small firms each year—which represents a huge potential opportunity for women business owners. If you are a woman and own your own business and would like to gain insight into this lucrative area, visit the Larchmont Public Library on Saturday, May 16 at 2pm, for an informative workshop session featuring a panel of successful businesswomen, each of whom has successfully negotiated and been awarded government contracts that have helped them to build their businesses. The panel features Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D, head of the Consumer Safety & Sustainability Group for Consumer Reports, Marie Wiggins, Executive Director of the New York Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC), Toan Huynh, Co-Founder and co-owner of The Saucy Sauce Company and Senior Executive at Cloud Sherpas, and Carmen Huertas-Noble, founding Director of the Community & Economic Development Clinic (CEDC) at CUNY School of Law. The workshop will help women to obtain government contracts at every level of business including school board, local, state, and federal agencies but will primarily focus on how to obtain contracts with local school districts. You will learn how to be more proactive and how to focus on what you do best and apply those to your research into all types of contracts. Additionally, the workshop will include the best methods for how to follow up and be “pleasantly persistent”. With the U.S. government as the world’s largest single purchaser of goods and services, pursuing government contracts is a worthwhile market opportunity for many small businesses— including women-owned firms. The workshop is provided free of charge and no reservations are necessary. For more information about this or any of the other programs scheduled at the Larchmont Public Library, visit www.larchmontlibrary.org. 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