August 10, 2006 - WestchesterGuardian.com

Transcription

VOL. I NO. I
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2006
Pirro’s Internet Sex “Stink”
by Richard Blassberg
Two weeks ago the Appellate
Division, Second Department, of
State Supreme Court, effectively
pulled the rug from beneath
Jeanine Pirro, literally tossing her
self-promotional career, together
with her quest for the State
Attorney General’s Office, into
the waste basket. In throwing out
the indictment and conviction of
Jeffrey Kozlow, Indictment # 01042
of 2004, Justices Crane, Krausman,
Rivera, and Dillon were not merely
reversing the conviction of one
out of more than one hundred men
prosecuted through Pirro’s, highly
publicized, Internet sting operation,
between July of 1999 and December
of 2005. Rather, they were declaring
the core theory under which the
Westchester District Attorney’s
Office had prosecuted the majority
of those ensnared in its sting to
have been fatally flawed, and
Constitutionally deficient.
In stating, “Ordered that the
judgment is reversed, on the law,
the indictment is dismissed,”
and remitting the matter back to
the Westchester County Court,
the Appellate Division, Second
Department, which had been
Inside...
Menendez sentenced to
Rape, Murder, pg. 3
Smoke-out At
Rocky’s Deli, pg. 5
Special Centerfold
Pullout Section, pgs. 18-19
historically very easy on Mrs. Pirro,
as well as her convicted felon spouse,
were now, finally drawing a line in
the sand. And, while it might appear
at first blush that the overwhelming
majority of the cases that were brought
to indictment through the sting could
be favorably impacted, only a very
few actually will be.
In making it’s decision the
Court’s finding was that the evidence,
upon which County Court Judge
Joseph Alessandro, sitting as the
trier of fact, had found Mr. Kozlow
guilty of five counts of Attempted
Disseminating of Indecent Material
To Minors in the First Degree,
was “legally insufficient.” The
Court found that the DA “failed
to establish that the Defendant’s
Internet communications with
an undercover police officer,
whom he believed to be a minor,
depicted sexual conduct within
the meaning of Penal Law Section
235.22(1) since they contained no
visual sexual images.”
In truth, very few of the more
than one hundred prosecutions
generated over 53 months by
Pirro’s high-profile sting operation
involved the transmission of visual
images. However, of those that did
not, only a mere
handful,
were
not disposed of
by plea bargains.
Two such cases
that went to trial
were
Kozlow,
case number 100,
subject of the
present decision,
and Paul Wicht,
case number 96, a highly regarded
Bronxville High School science
teacher who had taught at Byram
Hills High for eight years,
Wicht, from the very beginning
has maintained that he was induced
and entrapped, and that he is innocent
of the charges for which he was
tried. He was found guilty, after jury
trial, before Supreme Court Justice
Lester Adler several months ago, a
conviction that is the subject of an
appeal application currently before
that judge. Wicht’s motion to vacate
his conviction is primarily based
upon a glaring Brady violation,
the intentional withholding of
exculpatory information by the
Prosecution, in his case, not only
from the jury and the Defense, but
also from the Court, despite Adler’s
specific request for it from the
Prosecutor.
Specifically, Wicht’s motion
charges that Pirro’s Office lied to the
Court when asked if all of the e-mails
allegedly sent by the Defendant to the
“victim,” had, in fact, been presented
in evidence. From amongst scores of
e-mails, the first 23 of which were
actually exchanged between the socalled victim, and her former teacher,
Continued on pg. 2
PAGE 2
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN
Internet Sex Stink, continued from pg. 1
none of which contained any criminally culpable content, followed by many
more, actually instigated, and criminalized first, by detectives from the North
Castle Police Department, and then, by Pirro’s undercover sting operators,
number 23 was intentionally kept from the jury as well as the Court.
During pre-trial hearings before County Court Judge Robert DiBella,
Wicht had succeeded in compelling the Prosecution to release a “mirror
image” of the hard drive from his seized computer, knowing full-well that
his original e-mail correspon-dences with his former student, instigated by
the student, had contained nothing inappropriate, and were, in fact, beneficial.
Wicht was confident that once the jury was exposed to the last of his e-mails
to her, number 23, in which he had specifically suggested that it would be best
to end the correspondence, and then proceeded to do precisely that, that the
enticement and entrapment by the police and Mrs. Pirro’s operatives would
become obvious, and evident.
Index
In Our Opinion. ................................................................................... pg. 4
The Advocate:
Investigative Journalism: A Newspaper’s Finest Hour........................... pg. 5
The Court Report: Menendez Sentenced in Rape, Murder............... pg. 3
Freedom Isn’t Free: Voter Registration.............................................. pg. 6
The World Traveler: Thailand............................................................ pg. 7
Living Latino In Westchester.......................................................... pg. 8
Design Inspirations........................................................................... pg. 9
Great Chefs of Westchester.......................................................... pg. 10 Centerfold Pullout:
In short, it was no coincidence that Pirro’s Office omitted the one e-mail
correspondence, out of scores of them, that would most likely have established
Wicht’s innocence and convinced the jury that he had been induced and
entrapped. It is because he and his family had the courage and fortitude to
stand up for the truth, and were willing, and able, to pursue justice by rejecting
any, and all, plea offers, instead going to trial, that Paul Wicht now stands
eligible to benefit from the present Appellate Division Decision.
Unfortunately, there are numerous other men, who under similar
circumstances, were unlawfully induced, and entrapped by Pirro’s “slime
brigade,” and fell prey to the pressure and intimidation of her extreme
prosecutorial misconduct, her Internet Sex Stink. This tactic was designed
to distract and deflect attention from her and her husband’s unlawful
conduct. For those who knuckled under, and accepted the usual, “no jailtime” plea offer, Kozlow offers no legal remedy.
Nevertheless, for those who stood up for their own innocence, and, in a
broader sense, for the community at large, the People of Westchester, indeed, the
People of New York State, the Kozlow Decision, represents still further evidence
that Jeanine Pirro’s reign of terror is in it’s final fleeting moments. For the issue
to involve the “Crown Jewel” of her unending self-promotional propaganda, the
Internet Sex Sting, is clearly devastating to her current political effort.
However, of equal importance is the recognition by State and Federal
Tribunals of the magnitude and frequency of prosecutorial misconduct
perpetrated by the Pirro Regime, not only in her Internet operation, but
throughout her practices over twelve years as DA. For the many innocent
police officers and civilians, maliciously, and intentionally prosecuted and
imprisoned over that time Koslow is the promise of Justice tomorrow. n
Westchester County: Poised For Development............................ pgs. 11-14
Marriage & Family in Westchester............................................... pg. 15
Taking Judicial Notice..................................................................... pg. 16
Clip Out Community Calendar............................................... pgs. 18-19
Popcorn Movie Reviews:
Gabrielle & The Devil Wears Prada..................................................... pg. 20
Westchester Movie Theatre Directory........................................ pg. 21
Classified........................................................................................... pg. 22
Public Notice .................................................................................... pg. 22
Ask Sammy Z.................................................................................... pg. 22
The Westchester Guardian
188 East Post Road
White Plains, NY 10601
Tel. 914-328-3096
Publisher: Guardian News Corp.
Sam Zherka, President
Editor-in Chief
Richard Blassberg
Creative Consultant
Angela DeRosa
Published weekly on Thursday
[email protected]
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OUR MISSION - The Westchester Guardian will be a weekly news-
paper devoted to the unbiased reporting of events and developments that
are newsw orthy, and significant to readers living in, and/or employed in,
Westchester County. The Guardian will strive to report fairly, and objectively, reliable information, without favor or compromise. Our first duty
will be to the People’s Right To Know, by the exposure of truth, without
fear or hesitation, no matter where the pursuit may lead, in the finest tradition of Freedom Of The Press.
The Guardian will cover news and events relevant to resdients and
businesses all over Westchester County. As a weekly, rather than focusing on the immediacy of delivery, more associated with daily journals, we will instead seek to provide the broader, more comprehensive, chronological step-by-step accounting of events, enlightened with
analysis, where appropriate.
From amongst journalism’s classic key-words; who, what, when, where,
why, and how, the why and how, will drive our pursuit. We will use our
more abundant time, and our resources, to get past the initial ‘spin’ and
‘damage control’ often characteristic of immediate news releases, to reach
the very heart of the matter, the truth. We will take our readers to a point of
understanding and insight which cannot be obtained elsewhere.
To succeed, we must recognize from the outset that bigger is not necessarily better. And, furthermore, we will acknowledge that we cannot be
all things to all readers. We must carefully balance the presentation of relevant, hard-hitting, Westchester news and commentary, with features and
columns useful in daily living and employment in, and around the county.
We must stay trim and flexible if we are to succeed.
The Court Report
By Richard Blassberg
Menendez Sentenced in Rape, Murder
From Tragedy Comes All-Too-Familiar Message
Westchester County Court, White Plains
Judge Barbara Zambelli Presiding
White Plains, July 25- Ariel Menendez, 28, having been found guilty, on
May 29th, of the brutal rape and murder of 17-year-old Elizabeth Butler, a
year earlier, appeared for sentencing by County Court Judge Barbara Zambelli before a packed courtroom. More than thirty
relatives and friends of the young North Salem High
School senior had come seeking closure, and some relief from their grief. However, Menendez, convicted
of two counts of Murder, Rape, and Criminal Sexual
Act, had come with his own agenda.
When asked by Judge Zambelli if he wished to
make a statement, Defendant Menendez, standing
beside his Legal Aid Attorney Harvey Loeb, spoke
out angrily, “Of course I do.” Wasting no time, he acknowledged how much he hated his victim’s family,
and then proceeded to prove it by torturing them with
his version of the circumstances involved in his taking
of Elizabeth’s life. Still insisting that they had engaged
in consensual sex, declaring, “We both agreed to it,”
he went on to describe, in agonizing detail, how they
then began arguing, and he proceeded to strangle and
Ariel Menendez
stab her to death.
Many in the courtroom, devastated by the stark, matter-of-fact, account began weeping. As Menendez went on, suggesting that he had
been mistreated, his victim’s father, no longer able to contain himself,
shouted, “Shut up.” At that point the Defendant turned to face the Butler
Family cursing repeatedly until court officers succeeded in ushering him
from the courtroom. The proceedings were then adjourned for about
fifteen minutes.
Prior to Menendez, Patricia Butler, the victim’s mother had delivered a
statement in which she shared with the Court the impact that her daughter’s killing had had upon her family. Perhaps more objectively and calmly
than most mothers in her situation might have been able to, Mrs. Butler
acknowledged Menendez’ misguided feelings about his own victimization, telling him firmly, “You are a sociopath without a conscience.” And,
following with, “If you can’t have something you destroy it.”
Having used the brief adjournment time to deal with another matter involving the release of a Legal Aid attorney from the case of another
defendant, and the assumption of the case by a privately retained counsel,
Zambelli called for Menendez to be returned to the courtroom for the
resumption of his sentencing. ADAs Perrone and Branca-Santos, who had
successfully prosecuted the case, now returned to the Prosecution table as
the Defendant rejoined Defense Attorney Loeb.
Declaring, “Mr. Menendez, you raped strangled, and stabbed Elizabeth
Butler to death, and have shown no remorse,” Zambelli then proceeded,
PAGE 3
straight away, to sentence Menendez. “For Count One, First Degree Rape,
I sentence you to a determinate twenty-five years, plus five years of post
release supervision, and registration as a sex offender. For Count Two, Second Degree Murder, I sentence you to Life Without Possibility of Parole. For
Count Three, Criminal Sex Act, I sentence you to Twenty-Five Years. And,
for the Fourth Count, First Degree Murder, I sentence you to Life Without
Possibility of Parole.” The pronouncement of sentence completed, Elizabeth
Butler’s family and friends broke into a spontaneous round of applause.
June 5th of last year Ariel Menendez, then 27, who had been dating
Elizabeth Butler, a seventeen-year-old North Salem High School senior,
enraged that she had attempted to break off her relationship with him,
gained entry to the Butler’s SUV and attacked her. The incident occurred
in the parking lot near the Hygrade Market, across from the Croton Falls
Rail Road station, where Elizabeth worked part-time and
where she had met Menendez a year earlier.
Tragically, her lifeless, savaged, body was discovered
by her parents. The heinous crime had sent shockwaves
through the normally peaceful Northern Westchester
community, the circumstances, perhaps giving brief
pause for thought to parents regarding the company kept
by their teen-aged children.
Analysis:
If Elizabeth’s life, and her family’s bitter loss, are not
to be in vain, we must all give more than brief pause to
consideration of their all-too-common plight. There are
those who might ask how it was that someone the likes
of Ariel Menendez could manage to work his way into a
seven-month relationship with Elizabeth? And, Mrs. Butler openly admitted that she wished she could have done more
to protect her. However, those who have raised a daughter
through the teenaged years, and into adulthood, know only too well how vulnerable adolescent girls may truly be.
At sixteen and seventeen girls are physically, hormonally, and emotionally thrust into a very different circumstance than they have ever experienced.
For some there is a strong need to receive attention, to love and be loved.
Often those needs make such young women, particularly vulnerable to older,
possibly predatory, males. Just beginning to find their confidence socially, adolescent girls may find the attention of older males, flattering, encouraging,
and fun. They are too busy exploring relationships, sex, and sometimes drugs,
and/or alcohol to question, or even be aware of, the possible motives of older
companions.
As parents we must never lose sight of the fact that our most important
role in life is parenting. One cannot be too careful of who it is that our kids are
hanging with when they’re not at home. Still, try as we might to be involved,
and yet not too overbearing, it’s a very narrow line that must be walked.
Sometimes it’s difficult to make seventeen-year-old girls, in love, see what we
see in their boyfriends, and pushing too hard may only make the forbidden
fruit appear the more sweet. Given that Elizabeth had already decided that
she was no longer interested in Ariel Menendez, to that extent her parents
had done all that they might. Unfortunately, nobody could foresee the depth
of this predator’s dark side. n
PAGE 4
In Our Opinion...
In our opinion, there’s been entirely too much conjecture over the
last few years, regarding the ultimate solution, to the crumbling and
congested Tappan Zee Bridge. While experts and politicians have
weighed in, may of them, numerous times, projected costs have
continued to rise and conditions have continued to deteriorate.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude that there is, in fact, a workable solution, one for which there is a model. The site of the Newburgh
Beacon Bridges, just 30 miles up river, once posed a similar problem,
throughout the 1970’s. The original span, consisted of one lane of traffic in each direction, totally adequate, until the completion of Interstate 84, in 1971, when it quickly became an unbelievable bottleneck.
After years of suffering, it was ultimately determined that a second
bridge would have to be constructed adjacent to the original. Upon
completion of the new span, a three lane artery from West to East, it
became possible to convert the old span to a three lane artery, once
the center median was eliminated, with traffic flowing in the opposite
direction. The net result was three-fold increase in roadway capacity.
While many of the proposals, to date, including a tunnel, or a new
supersized bridge with, a railroad, may appear to offer a solution,
they come with totally unacceptable price tags, and with equally unacceptable ecological consequences. Therefore, we believe the time
for mulling over the situation has passed. It is equally urgent that we
both promptly construct an additional right of way, a new bridge, and
perform major rehablitiation on the existing one. That’s our opinion,
what’s yours?
as for perennial Sue Kelly
Representative Sue Kelly, Chairwoman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on oversight and investigations, up to four weeks
ago, had strongly supported the Bush Administration’s aggressive interdiction of terrorist financial resources. Declaring that her record
would strongly suggest support for a “sophisticated and aggressive
program” such as the Administration has been pursuing, she, nevertheless, made an abrupt turn-about when she opened a hearing with,
“Many in Congress who should have been briefed by this Administration were not.”
The Congresswoman would appear to be responding to her changing
constituency, and to the very real possibility of a Democratic landslide in New York this fall. She is obviously attempting to re-align
herself with Democrats, and some liberal Republicans who have been
speaking out against perceived Due Process and Separation of Powers violations under this president. Just how successful this late tactic
will prove to be will be discovered come November 7th.
Our Readers Respond...
To the Editor:
For more than four years since the death of my nephew, Robert Viscome, those
who loved and miss him dearly have endured much pain made the more unbearable
by the existence of too many unanswered questions. In breaking my public silence I
want to make it clear that I speak for myself only, moved to do so by the words of a
campaign spokesperson for Jeanine Pirro.
Replying to a reporter’s question regarding her acceptance of thousands
of dollars from beer and alcohol companies, he said, and I quote, “THE LAST
TIME I CHECKED, PROHIBITION ENDED.” That was such a cold and callous statement from the camp of the woman who was so quick to try and use
teen drinking as another venue to sell herself and her misguided, self-serving
crusade against underage drinking.
Robert was left to die like a dog on the side of the road, two doors away
from Pirro’s own home while more than 20 young adults made a conscious
decision not to call for emergency medical assistance, because of their concern
about the alcohol and drug evidence they chose to instead clean up. I want to
point out the incredible insensitivity of Mrs. Pirro from that day to this, with
regard to our loss.
It was disgraceful enough that she never prosecuted those young adults,
not even seeking community service. Most people have come to believe that
her daughter played a role in that decision. So now I am asking Mrs. Pirro a
simple question seeking a simple yes or no answer. “Was your daughter at the
Porzio residence at any time that dreadful afternoon?”
Four years ago, Mrs. Pirro was the CRUSADER against teenage alcohol
abuse. Now she accepts their campaign contributions. What kind of message
does that send? For an individual who states that she is passionate for crime
victims, and that she knows the ethical way to handle a crime, Mrs. Pirro certainly does not appear to understand the difference between two simple words,
RIGHT and WRONG.
Shortly after Robert’s passing, Mrs. Pirro began a campaign to rescue her
image, not by going after those who played a direct role in his death, but by
creating a smokescreen of concern about under-aged drinking with a series of
well-circulated, premeditated public relation blitzes. It was not about getting
to and exposing the facts.
Everyone involved in Robert’s death, from the young adults to those who were
elected to serve the public, Police Chief Dave Hall to Judge John Voetsch, and everyone in between, all walk around haunted by their actions and lack of accountability. There’s no getting even. This was never about getting even. This is about
two very simple words that Mrs. Pirro does not seem to understand, RIGHT and
WRONG.
Ray Viscome
West Harrison
To the Editor:
Is the recent rotation in the matrimonial part historic or novel? Does anybody know what was contained in the reports of Inspector General Spatz?
Name Withheld
We invite our readers’ comments. Please email your letters to
editor@Westchester Guardian.com. For verification purposes we ask
you include your address and a daytime phone number.
The Advocate
Richard Blassberg
PAGE 5
Rocky’s Smokeout
Investigative Journalism:
A Newspaper’s Finest Hour
In a democracy government has the obligation to conduct its business
in accordance with the prevailing rules of lawful conduct. In the United
States that set of rules is our Federal Constitution, the contract to which the
governed, and those who would govern, have agreed to adhere. In essence,
those who would enforce the law, must live by it.
It was no coincidence that the Founding Fathers placed a very high priority on the guaranty of a free and unfettered Press, and, in fact, made that
right one of the subjects of the first of ten amendments to the Constitution,
comprising the Bill of Rights. Under the First Amendment, that established
freedom of speech and association, the right to a free and independent
press was specifically guaranteed, thus ensuring a perpetual “watchdog”
over the activities of government.
It’s the primary responsibility, indeed, the mandate, of a free press, as
protected under the First Amendment, to vigilantly observe and report the
conduct of government, without favor or exception. Not since Daniel Ellsberg and the “Pentagon Papers,” in the 1970’s have we seen such controversy over the Times, or any newspaper’s exposure of the federal government’s
unconstitutional and illegal activity.
Unfortunately, whether for reasons of rivalry and competition, or simply their failure to perceive the underlying threat to our free society posed
by a culpable, muted press, major New York newspapers, The Post, and The
Daily News, have attacked the Old Gray Lady as treasonous and disloyal,
for exposing the Administration’s unlawful, covert activities in their attempt to track the finances of persons suspected of supporting terrorism.
Thomas Sowell, a Post columnist who can usually be counted upon for a
reasonable approach in such matters, went so far as to refer to “The Times’
Anti-Patriots,” insisting, “Americans may be dying” because of what terrorists have learned from them.
Sowell attacks “the public’s right to know” as a mere hollow excuse,
and naively dismisses any notion that terrorist operatives might well have
suspected that their money transfers were under American government
surveillance. He cites the revelation during World War II, by the Chicago
Tribune that the United States had figured out the Japanese Code, as a comparable betrayal of an important government secret. He then, incredibly
remarks, “Fortunately, for this country, the Japanese didn’t read the Tribune, or didn’t believe it.”
What Thomas Sowell, and others who espouse his position, should
know from history, is that in a free society those who represent themselves
as observers and reporters of critical newsworthy events, cannot presume
to manage the news, to pick and choose that which they believe their readers have a right, or a need to know. Government at every level, not merely
the administration in Washington; police departments, for example can
always be counted upon to attempt to justify their unlawful activities and
abuse of power in the name of public safety and security.
Today it’s the War On Terrorism. Thirty years ago, at the time of the
Pentagon Papers, it was the Vietnam War. And, thirty years before that, it
was the unlawful internment of Japanese-Americans during World War
II. The simple fact is that no enemy of the United States, Japanese, North
Vietnamese, or Muslim Terrorist, should ever be vested with the power to
deny American citizens their Constitutionally guaranteed right to know, by
a free press that would culpably conspire to conceal the unlawful activities
of their own government in the name of loyalty or patriotism. n
Left to right, Gerard Pilarge, Manager Tom Dickenson, Geovanny Romero
By Maureen Keating
Rocky’s Deli in Millwood is an
iconic, locally-owned, 24 hour establishment, dating to the ‘60’s. Forty
full and part-time employees serve
approximately 1500 customers a day,
who never need to wonder if this little
joint off of the Taconic, at the interserction of Highway 100, Route 120 and
Route 133, is open. Customer service
is the order of the day.
Rocky’s serves a diverse clientele
of contractors, construction workers,
executives, students, fishermen, moms
and dads on their way to and from
work, sports fanatics, and ballerinas,
who all jam themselves into the galley
style establishment everyday, to pick
up nourishment, and until recently,
for some, a pack of cigarettes. The latter category could generate over $100
a day in profit for this small business.
On June 1st, cigars, cigarettes, and
other tobacco products were removed
from display at the cash register with
no fanfare. A brief note from current
owner, Greg Santone, and manager
Tom Dickenson, was taped up on the
counter.
“Dear valued Rocky’s customer,”
it read, “With the ever growing evidence that the use of tobacco, smoking and secondary smoke are more
harmful than ever imagined, and
having witnessed in recent years the
horrible effects of cancer on friends,
family members, customers and others, we have made the very dificult decision to stop selling cigarrettes, cigars
and tobacco products, effective June
1st. We truly hope our loyal customers will understand by continuing to
come to “Rocky’s” for the good food,
and service that we will continue to
provide. Thank you!”
Tom Dickenson said, “It was the
moral thing to do even though it’s a
big financial risk.”
“Rocky’s Deli should be recognized and rewarded for taking such
a brave stance”, according to Ann
Marwick of the American Lung Asociation’s “Power Against Tobacco Coalition”, now headquartered in Elmsford. This state funded initiative is
targeting small, local mom and pop
businesses, encouraging them to end
retail tobacco marketing and sales,
which manufacturers currently direct
at enticing children and teenagers, in
order to replace current smokers.
Marwick said, “Shopping at
Rocky’s Deli and other businesses
that stop selling tobacco is a direct
step anyone can take in making our
neighborhood air cleaner and our
lungs healthier.” n
PAGE 6
Freedom Isn’t Free
Vicki Mayfield
Voter Registration
After attending the NAACP’s 60th Annual Regional Civil Rights Advocacy Training Institute,
Saturday, April 22, 2006 in Somerset, New Jersey,
I re-evaluated the organization because it was the
second time in 10 years that I had become a member, and had faced a certain situation. I recently
joined the Mount Vernon Chapter, and had previously been a member of the Greenwich, Connecticut Chapter.
The above convention was held at the plush,
Double Tree Hotel in Somerset April 21 to 23.
The theme was Closing the Gap. And, just by observing the age of the attendees, mostly over 60,
and remembering the NAACP’s silence on the
Voting Rights Act and it’s diminishing membership, I was reminded of my own frustration with
my local branch. In trying to get their sponsorship of an informational panel discussion on the
approaching expiration date of the Voting Rights
Act, I felt as though most of the talk was just so
much rhetoric.
Nevertheless, I did attend the Activism: Enhancing Advocacy Training session. The facilitator was Jonathan L. Lewis, a Non-violence Educator and Civil Rights Activist from Kingston,
Rhode Island. He was wonderful, filling the room
with college and high school students, as well as
adults, as he appealed to us all. I had never felt so
much love. It was a refreshing experience. I told
him about what I had been doing, about the Voting Rights Act, and he said I could contact him. I
must admit, the educational part at the NAACP
convention was on the mark.
I was living with my family in Greenwich the
first time I joined the NAACP, back in the summer of 1995, after learning that five boys in Greenwich High School had substituted a hate message,
instead of a random initial, to accompany their
yearbook photographs. One boy wrote “kill”, another boy wrote, “all” the next, “ni”, and the next,
“gg”’ and the last wrote, “ers.” Put together, the
letters spelled out KILL ALL NIGGERS. In the
Greenwich Time, Thursday, June 15, 1995, Robert
Brown, president of the Greenwich NAACP chapter, said he did not have a reaction [to the hate message] because he was, “waiting to get al the facts.”
I was not officially asked to join the NAACP. I
joined because I was attracted by the very young
and attractive president of the Coalition for Justice, Joyce McKenzie. I had contacted Ms. McKennzie after meeting with the students from high
school about this cryptic hate message. She appeared to be a vivacious, uneducated diva, who
was fighting her own legal battles, and raising
five children. The Greenwich community appointed her as the spokesperson for local African
Americans on the hate message issue, though
she would tell them she was not Black. All the
same, the NAACP reached out to Joyce, and she
reached out to me, to join with her.
As for the five Greenwich High School boys
who wrote the hate message, some rich person
telephoned Mr. Roy Innis, of CORE, (Congress
Of Racial Equality), in New York City, to come
teach the boys about being Black in America. Innis brought them to Harlem, to volunteer with
the poor and unemployed for the whole summer.
And that was that.
To me, a crisis bigger than the Greenwich High
School hate message was now at hand, with the expiration of the Voting Rights Act, and the question
of why it sunsets every 25 years, as though to haunt
us. Concerned once again, I went to the NAACP,
this time in Mount Vernon, to ask them to encourage their members to attend my informational panel discussion on the Voting Rights Act. I assumed
with the champions of the Civil Rights movement
acknowledging that this information was important for the public, they would allow me to get Congressman Charles Rangel to sit in on the panel discussion to offer his personal observations.
Thus far, the local chapter has yet to say, yea
or nay, to the idea, even though I have become a
member, and have paid to attend the Civil rights
Advocacy Training Institute. Our long-term, elderly president simply will not release the reins.
She’ll promise and bait me, as she reportedly
did with other members, until they gave up, and
then act surprised that members have left the
chapter. I know that without long term directors, there’d be no NAACP for me to join. But,
this fight against racism is a fight that calls for
the physically young, as well as the wisdom of
the past.On the trip home form the convention,
one of the elders was advising a new president
from a different chapter, who was a passenger in
our van. She told her to have a card party to raise
money. I smiled and said it was a great idea. She
then went on to share her idea of selling food.
I interjected, just like the old “rent parties.” The
“class-off ” elder looked at me and turned her
back. Out of kindness, the new president and
I made a few jokes and then stopped talking.
I propose that the NAACP set up a National
Elder Council for state and local chapter long
term members, who have retired. They might
meet twice a year and all chapters might attend
a National All Region Convention Honoring
Long Term Member/Retirees and their accomplishments. The Elders of the Council could be
organizers and training lecturers, reminding the
young and all others, why it is that we must be
vigilant, and loyal to the NAACP. The convention could be devoted to the elder’s past, current
and future works. Some might leave with plaques
and there could be a roll call for the ones who
have passed within the year. In my mind’s eye, I
can see them strutting around the hotel lobby in
their kenta sashes, being honored by all whom
they might pass.
At the Northeast Regional, this April, I did
not see one elder honored for hard work and
counsel to the local chapters. I saw a few canes
and walkers, but none walking up to receive honors. The rich history of the NAACP cannot afford
to lose or wound devoted long term members.
They must be recognized.
The retirees of the Elder Council of the
NAACP would attend a local chapter at least once
a month, to counsel the new presidents and to observe the meeting. They would be responsible for
recruiting other elders to the National Council,
and for giving encouragement to each chapter’s
enrollment. They say, “it takes a village to raise
a child,” but they never mention the elders of the
villages. I say, “If it takes a village to raise a child,
it takes the elder’s wisdom to raise the village.” n
PAGE 7
men get a taste of monastic life, and some devote
their lives to it.
More importantly, is how Budhism is expressed in the small acts of puja, or worship, as
well as in ordinary behavior. Ordinary folk will
stop at a local shrine to a local deity and offer
prayers, flowers and incense or light candles.
They can be found everywhere, in much the
same way that Hindu shrines of every size, shape
and incarnation can be found in India. These acts
offer the Thai regular communication with their
faith; there is nothing in Thailand resembling our
once-seventh of the week, cafeteria style religiThat honor must surely go to the King of osity here.
Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej. No other monI was not surprised to learn that King Bhumiarch has proven to be such a source of leader- bol Adulyadej travels throughout his kingdom,
ship and outright adoration, if not worship, of not for show, but with an active interest in the
his people. To call His Grace, graceful, would hinterlands of Thailand. The King has initiated
perhaps sum it up best. To maintain this grace numerous projects to improve the lives of the
for seven years longer than Senator Byrd’s been still poor farmers, though they are not nearly as
a congressman, is clearly remarkable. Corona- poor as they were before his reign began. That
tion Day, May 5th, 2006, marked his 60th year he is revered as a deity, by many of the simpler
on the throne.
folks may be a tad disturbing to some westernMy friend and I knew, before we arrived ers, but it is hardly idol worship in the crude pain Bangkok, that there was a special gracious- gan sense of the word, and merely confirms the
ness about this country. Having walked way too true spiritual dimension of the people’s lives and
much in his flip-flops, the day before leaving In- of that of the monarch.
Thailand
Who Is King of
Worldly Kings?
dia from New Delhi, my friend had developed a
rather nasty, and somewhat open, wound on his
right foot. No sooner had we entered the boarding area, but he was approached by a Thai Airlines associate, who asked him if he would like
some first aid. After the exhausting and exhilarating, yet less than sanitary week in India, this
was a delightful treat. His wound was cleaned
up and wrapped free of charge. Before we knew
it, we were on our way with a couple of cold
Singha beers at altitude, waiting for someone to
pinch us.
This simple act of thoughtful kindness resonated with us for the rest of our stay in Thailand, and it wasn’t the last. One can’t help but
admit that there’s a connection between the Buddhist faith and the national character. One does
not witness, in Thai Buddhism, what we would
expect to see when we think of Buddhism here,
dominated as it is by Japanese and Tibetan forms;
spiritual leaders holding forth and leading group
meditation sessions. This certainly can be found,
especially in the monasteries where most young
Sure, Thais can be just as aggressive as the
rest of us when it comes to making a buck or, in
their case, a Baht. And perhaps a farang, (foreigner), from the Thai pronunciation of franc,
or Frenchman, can’t see through what may be
a mere facade of civility, to impress outsiders,
Photos: Gun Orachantara
which is what our cynical age would want us to
Orachan Photography
conclude, yet it is genuine and enviable and a
major reason why I’ve returned over and over
again, in my years of living, learning, and travel- Thai Airways (www.thaiair.com) is consistently ranked among
the highest in terms of traveler satisfaction, worldwide.
ing in Asia. W. T.
Singha Beer (www.boonrawd.co.th/) is a very good lager
that you will probably resort to, more than once, for refreshment while you’re there. Want a taste before you go?
Try one of these nearby Thai restaurants:
Ardsley: Thai House “Thai & Vegetarian”: 914.674.6633
Mamaroneck: Bangkok Thai 914.833.1200
Scarsdale: Siam Orchard: 914.723.9131
Sleepy Hollow: Thai Garden: 914.524.5003
Thornwood: Swaddee House of Thai Food: 914.769.8007
Tuckahoe: Garlic & Pepper Restaurant 914.771.8200
White Plains: Reka’s Thai Restaurant 914.949.1440
Yonkers: Thum Raa Thai Cuisine 914.965.1800
If you’re into exploring more out-of-the-way
sites in this beautiful country, check out:
http://lonelyplanet.com
PAGE 8
Living Latino in Westchester
down. She would say a word such as “raindrop” and
I would follow by repeating the word. Even though
I made this connection with her I also needed to be
around people that I could relate to. Eventually, I
connected with other children of the Latino culture
and that sense of safety that I felt in my bilingual
education classroom expanded outward, allowing
me to broaden my territory in this new country. by Eridania Camacho
When I first came to this country in 1975 from
the Dominican Republic, I was ten years old and
didn’t speak a word of English. There were only a
few Latino families in my community and even
though we were dispersed throughout the city we
all managed to connect. It was a culture shock
to come from a farm, where we only had a radio,
to a city - albeit small but a city nonetheless - to
a different country with a different language and
culture, and to experience winter for the first time. The transition was a difficult one as we tried to
adjust to our new life. Of course, we preferred to
be in the warmth of our homeland. After all, in the
days prior to coming here, I was laying under a tree
daydreaming. But this is “the land of opportunity”
and we understood that this was our new life and
that we needed to adjust, and so, the assimilation
process began. I attended Post Road Elementary School in
White Plains. It was a frightening experience
being so young and unable to communicate. The
only sense of safety I felt was when for one period
a day I was sent to a different classroom for my
bilingual education. In that classroom there was a
link between the two cultures and it allowed me to
comfortably explore my new possibilities. My first friend was an English speaking little girl
with whom I walked home after school. One rainy
day, we were both huddled under her clear plastic
umbrella watching the raindrops as they rolled
Why is there such controversy around bilingual
education? Bilingual education has gained a
negative stigma, and often kids feel that they are
being ghettoized by being in this program. There is
also concern in this country towards the growth of
the Latino community, and politicians sometimes
use scare tactics that play into people’s fears, leaving
them feeling that they are losing their cultural
identity. And finally it’s about money and the everincreasing property taxes that is of concern to so
many people. There’s also hidden racism.
The English Only Movement is an advocacy
group whose goal is to cast bilingual education
as ineffective by making claims that bilingual
education does not work and that it is weakening
the English language. This movement is a heavily
financed group that, along with U.S. English, and
English First, spearheaded the legislation H.R.
123 bill, also known as the “Bill Emerson English
Language Empowerment Act of 1996”, that makes
English the official language of the United States. According to James Crawford of the Institute
for Language and Education Policy website, the
English Only movement is no longer an obscure
group. “These people include those who want
to preserve our common language and avoid
ethnic strife; bigots seeking to roll back civil
rights advances for language minority groups,
conservatives hoping to impose a sense of national
unity, liberals who fear that bilingual education
discourages assimilation; Euro-ethnics who resent
‘unfair advantages’ enjoyed by Hispanics and
Asians today; politicians attempting to exploit a
national mood of isolationism and xenophobia and
Americans that feel threatened by diversity, among
other unsetting changes, in short Hispanophobia.” English Only proponents will argue that our
founding fathers never had to cope with language
diversity and that our forefathers did not have
all of the accommodations that newcomers
have. They will say they had to learn their newly
adopted language - they had no choice. And that
by providing bilingual education we are prolonging
the assimilation process. However, according to Mr. Crawford, this
country has a history of language diversity. Over
18 different languages excluding Native American
languages were spoken in 1664 when the island
of Manhattan was ceded from the Dutch to the
British. The Contineental Congress did not object
to printing its journals and other official documents
in German and in French. There was no such thing
as English proficiency requirements to become a
U.S. citizen until 1906 and, before World War I,
bilingual education was common with other groups
such as the Welsh, Czechs, Norwegian, Spanish,
French and German, depending on the group that
had political clout. Today, evidence shows that while the number
of minority language speakers is increasing, so
is the rate of language assimilation. Evidence
suggests that newcomers are learning English and
losing their languages at a much faster rate than
ever before. People often don’t realize that it takes
approximately 6 to 7 years for a child to become
completely fluent in a language. “For adults, it is much more difficult because
they do not have the time to dedicate to learning,”
points out Marian Valentin, a history teacher in the
White Plains School District. The National Research Council (NRC)
Report, Does Bilingual Education Really Work,
indicates that bilingual education in teaching
limited-English-proficient (LEP) is a valid
approach to overcoming language barriers. It also
points out that bilingual education is only one
element in ensuring the success of LEP students. Another NRC study shows that other factors,
such as enabling these students to meet rigorous
academic standards, are as important but go
unaddressed or ignored. Lucy, a recent graduate of Harrison High
School, said that even though she supports bilingual
education and intends to attend college to become a
bilingual teacher herself, she resented being placed
in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
class because she revealed that she spoke Spanish at
home. “Educators need to realize that there may be
other issues related to a child’s lack of advancement
Continued on Pg. 9
Living Latino, continued from pg. 8
academically rather than making the assumption
that it is a language barrier. English is my first
language.” Sergio Troncoso, a Harvard graduate, and
author of The Last Tortilla and Other Stories, views
bilingual education as a very complex issue. “For
instance,” he stated, “my brother Rodolfo, who is
superintendent of the Socorro School District in El
Paso, Texas, struggles between meeting the demands
of the state, as well as the federal government. There
are two sets of rules, one handed down by the state
and another set of rules by the federal government. It is very difficult for educators to do what they feel
is right for the students. Bureaucrats are interested
in pushing whatever agenda a given administration
may have at the time. But it is also about money
and not about the kids.” Both Mr. Troncoso and Ms. Valentin believe
in total English emersion that is provided through
the ESOL program as a way of teaching students
English. They both agree that students learn faster
by being taught in English. Though Mr. Troncoso
feels that in school districts where there is a large
proportion of Latinos, the majority of the teachers
should be bilingual so that they can communicate
with the parents. If the teachers communicate in
the parent’s native language, a barrier will be broken,
enabling the parents, teachers and administrators
to communicate. Mr. Troncoso remembers his
babysitter, who was not doing well in school but
was her mother’s translator, told her mother what
was convenient to her so that she wouldn’t get in
trouble. While there maybe debate over the effectiveness
of bilingual education, it is a necessary component
in the assimilation process. What seems to be clear
is that reform is needed. And while we think of
possible solutions, it is incumbent upon policy
makers to be sensitive towards the needs of the
population that they aim to serve. n
Design Inspirations
By Veronica Imperatrice
It’s 1960, we are sitting around our dining room
table, as we so often did, listening to our father
share some wonderful stories. We are Italo-Americans, living in a moderate community in The Bronx.
Our home was filled with art, music, fine Italian Provincial furnishings, including a magnificent 12 ft. mural, featuring the ancient ruins of
Italy. We were fortunate to have a baby Grand piano grace our living room. And Dad, as a concert
pianist, would perform for us, from time to time.
But as I said this was the 60’s, and I thought it
was time to revamp this classic living room. So
my Dad graciously gave me the opportunity to
help create our new look, straight from Bloomingdales. Everything was ultra contemporary.
Then, only two years later, I got married and
decorated our new apartment. And guess what?
I did everything Italian Provincial, neo-classic,
PAGE 9
and of course, I included a fabulous mural, above
our sofa. Proving, that we so easily become influenced by a fad, a look, a time. I thought that way,
and then realized that the 60’s “look” was not me.
Don’t become a victim to this kind of thinking.
Create a look that feels right for you. It’s far better to listen to the many memories of your childhood, the places that you frequent, and love to revisit, and be inspired by those thoughts. Remember,
a fad is just that, soon to be forgotten and replaced.
What fun it is to hold the hand of the one
you love, and begin the journey of building the
lifestyles and selecting the items you dream of.
Whether you are doing just one room or a complete
home, “plan your work and work your plan.” The end
result, will be more gratifying than you can imagine.
It’s not how much money you can afford to
spend, but how much of yourself you are willing
to invest in making your selections, and then executing them. I believe that color, like music, fills a
room and captures a mood that is good for the soul.
So let’s begin with what you and your significant
other loves or hates when it comes to color. Most people
know what they don’t like, even more than what they do!
Be bold when making your paint choices. Darker
shades in smaller rooms, with contrasting trim, could
create a warm, comfortable look that will surprise you.
There are many molding styles that are terrific to
add to a room, if you like a more traditional look. Chair
rail molding in a dining room is a perfect addition
that affords you the choice of wallpaper, and or paint.
As a decorator I have often been asked, “Where do
I begin?” Well, I will be answering that, and many other questions you might have in upcoming columns. n
PAGE 10
at home with... The Great Chefs of Westchester
Panzanella:
Measure 1/2 lb of Flour into a bowl
(approx. 4 cups)
Add a Pinch of Salt.
Add a “Pinch” of Block Yeast* to
2 Cups of warm water, letting it rest a little, till
frothy. (*ask your bakery for some, if the store manager cannot order it for you. Alternatively, try 2 pkgs.
of instant yeast; check expiration dates.) Make a well
in the flour and slowly stir in:
Chef Andrea
We love to eat in their Restaurants and cannot
help but wonder, what do they make at home for
their families and friends? So, we decided to ask!
Each week, our Food column will feature a special
Guest Writer-- a professional Westchester chef! The
articles will focus on a simple recipe that is not on
their restaurant or catering menu, food preparation tips, gadgets they cannot live without, wine and
menu pairings, a favorite holiday recipe, staples they
always keep on hand or how to salvage a dish that
didn’t quite work out right.
Chef Andrea, owner of Chef Andrea Restaurant,
in West Harrison, learned to cook professionally,
at cooking schools in Salerno and at Santa Maria
in Abruzzi. Before emigrating to the United States,
Chef Andrea worked at restaurants in Capri and on
the Amalfi coast. This week, Chef Andrea, offers us
Panzanella, (“belly filling bread”) a dish from his
native Napoli, and Fluke Involtino.
Chef Andrea
of
Chef Andrea Restaurant
97 Lake St., East, West Harrison, NY 10528
914.328.1414
Open For Open for Lunch & Dinner
11A-11P, M-Sun
Catering Available
1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil and the Yeast-Water
mixture, a little at a time, stirring constantly. Knead the
the dough, a little, adding a little more flour as needed,
until dough comes together in a ball, and is not sticky
or stiff. Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces, roll out
flat, cover with a damp cloth and set aside, to rise in a
warm place, approximately 2 hrs. (If you do not divide
the dough before the first rising, you will lose the air
pockets when you divide the dough later. Cook the
bread on your grill, placing the bread high over the
coals, about “one palm high over grill, “ at a medium
heat. Pull down hood, checking bread periodically.
When bread is golden brown, turn over, and add toppings to taste: fresh mozzarella, sliced plum tomatoes,
fresh basil, sliced pepparoni or prosciutto, cracked
pepper, fresh green pepper, and a drizzle of fresh olive
oil. (Place on a aluminum foil or a tray, first, to avoid
a grease fire.) Pull down hood of grill again and cook
a little longer, until golden brown. Serve with a glass
of wine. Dish is easily customized for each guest.
Tips & Influences:
Favorite Gadgets: A wood and charcoal
brick grill, in the backyard, at home. Chef Andrea adds Cherry or Hickory wood chips when
cooking. He loves to smoke salmon on the outdoor grill.
Major Influence: Il Giardino, a restaurant in
Lazio, Italy, where most of the menu is cooked
on outdoor grills behind the restaurant.
Can’t Cook Without: Balsamic Vinegar from
Modena, Strawberry Balsmic Vinegar, Extra
Virgin Olive Oil, Fresh Lemons and Parmegiana Regianno.
Fluke Involtino
In his occasional free time, Chef Andrea loves to fish,
and another family favorite is
Fluke Involtino-Take filets of Fresh Fluke, sprinkle with
olive oil, Mix together fresh Basil, Parsley, a little
Ricotta into a remoulade and spread over the Fluke.
Roll tightly and place in an aluminum foil pouch,
sealing the ends and place on the grill for approximately 20 min; cook with the hood down.” Serve
with a salad, a glass of wine, and enjoy!
The Chef says....
“if you want to cook, it must be from
the heart, otherwise, you best do something else!”
Westchester County
Poised for Development in the Twenty-First Century
Yonkers City Council President Chuck
Lesnick is very optimistic about the
many development proposals currently
on the drawing boards, particularly the
Ridge Hill project. Ridge Hill, a proposed
mixed-use development, intended for a
parcel of more than one hundred acres
in the northwestern section of the city,
is bounded on the west by Interstate 87,
on the east by the Sprain Brook Parkway,
north by Jackson Avenue, and south by
Tuckahoe Road. Despite its proximity to
major arteries, however, there have been
serious questions raised with regard to
access and traffic.
Mr. Lesnick believes that there are viable solutions to the traffic and access
concerns which have been raised by citizens and civil organizations, as well as officials in adjacent communities. Visited
recently at his City Hall offices, Lesnick
shared proposals, which would require
both State and County government cooperation, in the creation of direct access to
the site from the Sprain Brook Parkway,
in addition to existing access from I87
and Tuckahoe Road.
Yonkers
PAGE 11
SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION
PAGE 12
New Rochelle
Mayor Noam Bramson, formerly a New
Rochelle City Councilman, expressed pride
and satisfaction in the enhancement of the
downtown section of the city by the New Roc
City project and the first Avalon residential
tower, that is more than ninety percent rented. He indicated that he is looking forward
to the construction of a number of residential and commercial projects currently under
consideration, including a second phase of
the Avalon complex slated to contain some
600,000 square feet of apartments, fifty percent larger than the first building.
Asked to characterize the current surge in
construction in New Rochelle, and elsewhere
in Westchester, Mayor Bramson responded,
“Developments in New Rochelle and in cities across Westchester, are bringing about a
transformation that is quite dramatic.” He
went on to discuss two “mixed-use” projects
presently before the Planning Board that he
believes will positively impact the city.
Bramson revealed that Trump Plaza will
be a 400 foot tower, the first two floors of
which will contain approximately 140,000
square feet of retail space, while the remaining, more than thirty-five floors, will house
187 luxury condominium units. The Mayor
also pointed out Le Count Square, a planned
joint venture between Cappelli Enterprises
and the Longhitano Brothers, which, when
completed, will be the largest construction project ever erected in New Rochelle.
With some 900,000 square feet of diversified space, the development will contain two
residential towers, a tower containing office
space and a hotel, as well a s 250,000 square
feet of retail establishments.
In light of recent attention nationally, and
specifically in New Rochelle, to the concept
of Eminent Domain, the Mayor voiced his
position. Bramson declared, “It is, and always has been the City’s goal that property
transfers associated with development occur
in a private, consensual, fashion.”
PAGE 13
Peekskill
Mayor John Testa spoke with pride, when asked
to characterize development in the City of Peekskill, declaring, “Over the past four years Peekskill
has done a complete turnaround.” He quickly cited
Chapel Hill, the first project in the city successfully
constructed by developer Martin Ginsburg, and the
Ginsburg Development Corporation, on property
previously owned by the Catholic order Sisters of
the Good Sheperd.
Apparently the formula worked out so well that
Ginsburg is currently engaged in the completion
of construction of Riverbend, on the waterfront,
on lands formerly owned by Saint Joseph’s Franciscan Sisters. Testa pointed out that the Sisters at
Saint Joseph’s did well enough in the sale of their
property that they were able to construct and operate a much needed housing facility for seniors, that
will be a source of perpetual income for their order.
And, still another religious order, Episcopal Nuns
of Saint Mary’s have sold property to the Ginsburg
Development Corporation.
Mayor Testa explained that all three of the developments, the property for which was acquired from
religious orders, represent a win-win-win situation,
firstly, for the sellers who could put the money to
good purposes, secondly, to the developer who
obtained desirable properties for residential and
commercial development, and thirdly, for the city’s
taxpayers, as millions of dollars in property and improvements come onto the tax rolls,
Mount Vernon Mayor Ernie Davis when
asked what development project under construction in his city was likely to have the most
positive impact, quickly replied, “The Roundabout.” The mayor was, of course, referring to
the, soon to be completed, traffic rotary, situated at the intersection of Gramatan and Lincoln Avenues, which will contain a decorative
pool and a seventy-nine year-old statue of an
American soldier who served in the SpanishAmerican War.
Asked to explain its particular significance,
and how he felt it might impact development
in Mount Vernon, Davis responded, “Much of
the soul of our city is invested in that site which
thousands of cars will come through every day.
A lot of development will be stimulated by its
positive presence” When probed further, regarding any current proposals before the City,
Davis cited the “Alexander,” a residential complex of some one hundred condominium units
Mount Vernon
that he claimed was inspired by the success of
the commercial development on Sanford Boulevard which houses Target, Best Buy, Staples,
and CVS, amongst other retailers.
When asked the strategy being pursued by
Mount Vernon, in its effort to compete with
other, perhaps larger, more financially advantaged, municipalities within the County for
attractive development proposals and investment. Mayor Davis replied, “We try not to
get bogged down in paper work. We attempt,
whenever possible, to fast-track the procedures,
no jumping through unnecessary hoops, while
being careful not to compromise the public’s
interest in reasonable architecture and function. If you invest in our city, we want you to
be sure that your investment is safe.” He went
on, “Of course, in a city like Mount Vernon it’s
advantageous to have a mayor with a degree in
architecture.”
PAGE 14
White Plains
PAGE 15
Marriage and Family in Westchester
Rejection brings out the worst in people. Sometimes
it leads us into painful denial.
A mother or father’s self-esteem does have an
impact on their children. If a mother is feeling sad
and rejected, she may project these feelings of sadness onto her children. If a father is feeling anger
and self pity, he may not know it, but it can unconciously be projected onto his children.
Communication is vital in all relationships. Talk
with your children about self-esteem, group pressure, and peer pressure; share your own early experience as a child. When you do this, make sure it is
done in a safe environment. Do not wait until you
are angry with your child, to criticize him or her,
for he or she will remember it forever - whether it is
conscious or unconscious.
By Dr. Maria Munoz Kantha
Feeling Loved And
Accepted Is A Challenge
In All Families
Raising children in Westchester County can be
a challenge. Often, we think that a home and a good
school is the answer. In more ways than one, parents in general start out wanting something good
for their children. That’s why I am convinced that
it’s never too late to start communicating with your
children.
One of the most difficult issues children must
deal with, is peer pressure from friends, classmates
and siblings. While parents want to help raise their
children’s consciousness and development, many
factors come up in their children’s thoughts. In my
practice, I constantly hear from youngsters as young
as ten years old, “I’m not good enough,” “I’m not accepted,” I’m not attractive,” “I’m too fat,” “I’m ugly,”
“too short,” “too dumb”, “I’m a geek.” These developmental issues impact children of all ages and often
are carried out into their adult lives.
The opposite of being loved and accepted is rejection, something we’ve all experienced at one time
or another in our lives. Think for a moment, who
among us has never felt failure, humiliation, anger,
depression, fault or just disapproval from something
we’ve done.” Whether it is by our loved ones, teachers, colleagues, or a neighbor, it happens to all of us.
If your children struggle with communication,
then ask them to write down their feelings in a diary
or notebook. My son wrote me lots of letters during his latency and adolescent years. He wrote them
when he was sad, angry, confused, or struggling with
our family rules and boundaries. When they write,
it makes them think about the restitution at hand.
I remember raising my 20 year old son. One of
the most painful moments in his life was when two
of his friends in high school committed suicide. We
sat in our family room with some of his friends to
discuss this painful process. They revealed feelings
of guilt, selfishness, and anger over not picking up
on their peer’s depression. I remember asking about
their friends and families. They responded that both
boys had problems and poor communication within
their families.
Patterns of communication are usually built up
over years within a family system We get used to each
other and sometimes we expect certain responses
from each other. But once our children become adolescents, it changes. Our communication patterns
with our children change with age, and we must listen without judgment. By that, I mean one must try
to hear more clearly what children are saying to us.
Try to refrain from making these statements:
• My middle child is lazy. He or she will do anything to avoid doing homework or anything. He/
she is fat/ lazy and does not care.
• My adolescent is a real problem; he is not doing anything, and is not involved in sports. He will
probably drop out and work in McDonald’s.
• My daughter is not ambitious; all she cares
about is boys and fashion.
• I don’t believe you, you’re a liar.
Do:
• Praise your children
• Spend special time together
• Play with your children
• Have family meetings
• Watch TV together
• Talk with your children’s friends
• Establish rules that work
• Always reassure your love for them
• Educate your children about the internet
• Talk to your children about addictions
• Talk to your children about gangs
• Set boundaries
• Always think about what you are going to say. n
PAGE 16
Taking Judicial Notice
Judge Ken Lange
Building A Practice
Recently, I returned to the private practice of
law, after twenty years of public employment. It
brings back memories of a similar venture, when I
was a much younger lawyer. In 1964, I heeded the
advice of the late Judge James Hopkins to broaden
my legal horizons. Turning my back on a secure and
fun job as an Assistant District attorney, I embarked
on a new career, in general practice, in the Village of
Mount Kisco.
I had lots of help and encouragement. Then, as
now, lawyers take in cases that they are less than enthusiastic about pursuing, themselves. Sometimes, it’s
because unfamiliar subject matter requires time-consuming preparation before anything meaningful can
be done for the client. Usually, the prospects for getting paid, are far from certain. For established attorneys, the arrival in town of a young lawyer, with lots
of empty office hours to fill, is as welcome as a new
real estate closing. If the newcomer had prior public service credentials, that might assuage any fears of
turning clients over to a charlatan, and the referring
lawyer might still receive a portion of any fee.
The first day I sat at my new desk, thanks to the
lawyers who were my landlords, I found I already
had two new clients. Coincidentally, I also had the
company of flying insects, since the window screen
was not yet in place. (In fairness, it should be said
that my landlords did not charge me any rent for a
full year.) Both cases required immediate action, so
I didn’t have much time for reflection.
The first matter was an admiralty case. My law
school offered only one course in admiralty law and
I had not taken it. The learning curve was going to
be steeper than usual. My first acquired wisdom,
about admiralty cases, was that the complaint was
called a “libel”. The caption of my new case read:
The United States of America vs. 1400 Dozen Silk
Scarves., etc. It didn’t sound like it was going to be a
rollicking adventure on the high seas.
In fact, the case involved a U. S. Customs seizure of goods from a vessel tied to a pier in New
York Harbor. The seizure was several years earlier.
Recently, the Government had sent a notice to the
client threatening the imminent sale of the goods at
auction. This subject cargo also included thousands
of deodorant sticks, hundreds of banlon sweater
sets, thousands of pairs of socks and rolls of textiles. The cargo had been loaded on an Argentine
freighter, but not listed in the ship’s manifest. Even
I could surmise that this cargo was destined to be
smuggled into a South American Port, without payment of duties.
My new client was the intended recipient of
the goods, a Swedish sea captain apparently “on the
beach,” and safely ensconced in Montevideo, Uruguay. How he had selected a small general practice
law firm in northern Westchester, was only one of
the questions I had. First, it was necessary to hold
off the auction sale.
The case was assigned to an Assistant U. S. Attorney whose first name was “Dawn.” My expectations of a female adversary vanished when a man’s
voice answered Dawn’s extension. My comfort level
rose when I realized that he was probably as young
and inexperienced as I. He said that the Government’s position was that my client was a crook, and
it would not release any goods to him or his agent
until $20,000 in fines, penalties, storage charges and
interest were paid. The Government also insisted
that I produce my client in the U. S. for a deposition
as a condition for release of the cargo. This idea did
not have much appeal to my client.
I managed to secure a temporary stay of the sale
from Dawn, to allow me a chance to investigate. I
also worked up enough courage to ask him about his
name. He explained that his mother was expecting
a girl, that she delivered at dawn, and really wanted
to use that name. When she discovered that she had
delivered a boy, she named him “Dawnald.” Everyone called him “Dawn.“
My accommodating adversary also gave me the
name of a Manhattan customs lawyer who had previously contacted him on behalf of the captain. The
experienced specialist told me that he had rejected
the case because of the poor prospects for success,
and the unwillingness of the client to pay a retainer
up front. He counseled me against formally appearing in the case without a retainer. My landlords had
the same advice.
I wrote to the client, telling him what I had
found, and requested that he send me a $500 retainer if he wanted me to spend any more time on
his case. His terse response, by mail, from Montevideo was, “No cure, no pay.” I assumed that my newfound prudence had cost me my first client. I now
had more time to devote to my second client.
“It’s a claim against the United States for bombing her family’s beer garden, in Germany, during
World War II,” was the description of the matter
given to me by the referring lawyer. I replied, authoritatively, “We were supposed to bomb them;
they declared war on us”. He asked me to withhold
judgment, until I could meet with the client. He
believed that she had some papers from some U.S.
Government agency about filing claims, and that the
deadline was fast approaching.
A nicely dressed, middle aged German-American lady was the first client to sit in my new client’s
chair. She brought me a pamphlet from the U. S.
Foreign Claims Settlement Commission, and some
German butter cookies she had baked. I learned that
our government was indeed honoring claims for
damage done by our armed forces during the war in
Europe, provided the claimant could show U. S. citizenship by a certain date in 1939. She produced her
citizenship papers, showing that she qualified and
her cookies were winners.
She explained to me how her parents owned a
small building in Ludwigshafen, Germany, that had
a beer garden downstairs, and residential apartments
upstairs. She and her two siblings had inherited the
property when their parents died. The U.S. Eighth
Air Force frequently targeted a chemical plant at the
end of the block, and some of the bombs fell short,
leveling the building. Her siblings, as German citizens, had filed a claim after the war with an agency
of the German government, and had been compensated. They include her in the claim, but that part
Continued on pg. 17
Judicial Notice, continued from pg. 16
was rejected because of her U.S. citizenship. She was
referred to the American agency, whose pamphlet
was now on my desk.
The deadline for filing claims was July 15, 1964,
less than a month away. We would eventually need an
appraisal by a licensed German property appraiser,
as to the value of the building at the time of the loss,
1944. This was to be computed in Reichmarks, (the
German currency during the Nazi regime), converted to current D-marks and then to U. S. dollars. Her
family no longer lived in Ludwigshafen, and she had
no idea of how we were going to find a qualified appraiser. As time grew short I decided we would have
to make our own estimate of the value of the building in order to meet the filing deadline. We guessed
at $60,000, and $20,000, for her one third share. I
got the claim in before the deadline, and promised
to try to find an appraiser.
Shortly thereafter I was a guest at a small cocktail
party. Another guest asked what I did for a living. I
replied, “You won’t believe it, but I’m trying to collect
from our Government, for enforcing customs laws,
and for damage done in Germany by our bombers in
World War II.” It didn’t get the laugh I expected. The
man I was speaking with told me that he had been
born in Germany, but as Jews his family had fled to
America when he was a little boy. He told me that
quite recently he had received compensation he never
expected, for bank accounts of his deceased parents
had been confiscated by the Nazis during the War.
He asked me what city in Germany was involved in
the bombing claim. I told him that one of the banks
involved in his case was in Ludwigshafen. He had
stopped there a few months ago, while on a business
trip, and met the bank president. This was a person
who had doggedly pursued him to see that he received
the compensation due. They were now friends, and
corresponded regularly. He suggested that he write
him for a referral to a local appraiser.
It was still a long shot, but now I had real hope
that we might be successful. The law prohibited any
legal fees, except a small percentage of actual recovery. My client agreed to pay the appraiser.
When, at long last, the written appraisal arrived from Germany, my client gave me an informal
translation. The property had actually been worth
more than we guessed! There were more months of
waiting for a response from the Commission. After a letter to her Congressman, we got an offer of
the amount of our claim of $20,000. My client was
thrilled to take it. Every Christmas, thereafter, she
dropped off a box of butter cookies for me! Fortunately, other paying cases came in during the year it
took to recover for our Country’s errant bombs.
Several months after my request for a retainer
had been tersely rejected by the sea captain, an envelope arrived at my office, from Montevideo. Folded
inside a piece of paper, with no note, was $500 in
U.S. currency! We were ready to set sail in Admiralty Court! After asking Dawn to check if the goods
were still in the Customs House I fashioned a general denial type of answer to the Government’s libel. I then started the process of wheedling Dawn
away from the deposition of the captain. Maybe the
Government could do it in Montevideo and we could
both get a trip out of it!
I tried to get access to the goods for inspection, to see what sort of condition they were in after
several years. Access was denied but suddenly the
Government relented, gave up the idea of deposing
the captain, and drastically reduced the amount of
money they wanted to and incredible $2500!
The captain sent me a bank check by return mail,
with written instructions to pick up the goods, have
an auctioneer look at them and sell them for the best
price I could get. He said that I could retain half of
what the goods sold for as my fee!
I got to meet and thank Dawn for his help when
I paid the money due at Foley Square. Since I had no
idea how big a truck I needed, I hedged by borrowing a truck and two helpers from my father’s air filter
business in Manhatan. When the steel doors at the
Customs House loading dock opened, I was stunned.
The load was clearly big enough to fill the big box
truck we brought. We weren’t allowed to open any of
the packages until they were on our truck, but everything was securely wrapped in brown paper with no
signs of water damage. While the men were loading
the truck, I opened one of the packages. It contained
tightly packed and beautifully colored women’s silk
head scarves.
The men from the auctioneer I had found in the
Yellow pages then proceeded to disparage our treasure as “out of style” and “garbage.” The final straw
was their remark that the silk scarves were cheap because there were made in Japan!
“Where else do you expect silk to come from?”
I replied boldly. Their best offer to us for the entire
truckload was $5000. With newly acquired chutzpa,
I rejected the offer.
We quickly formulated a fall-back plan. I called
on one of those bargain stores, then in the Cortlandt
Street neighborhood, whose name suggested they
bought and sold odd lots of goods. The owner liked
the scarves, and said he would take the rest of the
PAGE 17
truckload, sight unseen, for $10,000. This was twice
what we had just been offered, but before I could
respond, he said, “Of course there will, there will
be a separate “finder’s fee” for you, of $5000. I told
him I had a separate fee arrangement with my client, and that he should just add the fee to the price
offered. I literally skipped out the door with a check
for $15,000!
In my letter to the captain, enclosing his check, I
asked him how he had selected the law firm that referred the case to me. He replied that when he asked
at the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo to find a “New
York Lawyer,” they handed him a huge lawyer’s dictionary, apparently covering the entire State of New
York. Starting at the beginning, he saw a Swedish
name, and he wrote to them. It turns out that my
landlords also maintained a small o ffice in the hamlet of Bedford, New York, that was listed near the
front of the directory. The first named partner had a
Swedish name, and it began with an “A.” It is in such
ways that a lawyer builds a successful practice!
As a pleasant postscript, my landlords waived
any referral fees on these first two cases in exchange
for hearing me tell the stories. They also installed a
screen on the window. n
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PAGE 18
community calendar
CLIP AND SAVE
thursday, august 10, 2006
Westchester Arts Council presents:
• Inu-Yusha, The Movie 3: Swords of an
Honorable Ruler. 4:30pm, New Rochelle
Public Library. (914) 632-7878.
• Glass Painting Workshop for
Children, 1pm at the Rye Historical
Society. (914) 967-0700.
Cartooning: Mike Teeter will guide
young cartoonists on a treasure hunt
of humorous lines. Please register,
space is limited. 4pm. Ages 7-10. FREE.
Chappaqua Library, 195 S. Greeley,
Chappaqua. (914) 238-4779. www.
chappaqualibrary.org.
Screening Under the Stars: A screening
of The Sandlot at dusk. Fun and games
at 8:15pm. Rain date Aug. 17. FREE.
Parkway Field, Marble Ave., Pleasantville.
(914) 864-PARK.
Sounds of Summer: Jerry Cordone,
Tribute to Old Blue Eyes, Thursday 122pm. Renaissance Plaza, Main Street/
Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains.
Quartet. 6:30-8pm. FREE. Pierson
Park, W. Main St., Tarrytown. (914) 6742005. www.jazzforumarts.org.
Cortlandt House, 246th & Broadway.
10:30am. FREE. Woodlawn Playground,
Van Cortlandt Park , Van Cortlandt Park
East, Kepler Ave., Bronx. (718) 430-1890.
friday, august 11, 2006
Games in the Castle: Chess & checkers
for children grades 1-6. 1-5pm, White
Plains Public Library.
Family Movie Night Voter’s Choice: The
Putnam Valley Parks and Recreation Sunset
Series presents the movie voters chose as
their favorite. Activities begin 7pm, movie
8pm. FREE. Leonard Wagner Memorial
Park, Putnam Valley. (845) 526-3292. www.
pvsunsetseries.com.
Jazz At Pierson Park at the Hudson
River. Broken Reed Saxophone
Fire Safety Magic Show: Steve Luker
and special guests from the New York
City Fire Department. Rain venue: Van
saturday, august 12, 2006
Young Scholar Lecture Series, Rye
Historical Society, 1pm. (914) 967-7588.
Sachiyo Ito & Company: The premier
Japanese dancer in the U.S. Sachiyo
Ito and her company perform a range of
dance styles that synthesize Eastern and
Western theatrical traditions. 7:30pm.
FREE. Untermeyer Park, 945 North
Broadway, Yonkers. (914) 375-3435.
www.untermeyer.com.
The Hudson Valley Shakespeare
Festival presents A Midsummer
Night’s Dream. a tale of fun and
frolic for all ages. 2pm. FREE. The
Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and
the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge,
Ridgefield, Conn. Reservations required;
seating is limited. (203) 438-5795. www.
ridgefieldplayhouse.org.
Pruyn Sanctuary Walk: Take a walk
with leader Anne Swaim. Dress for
the weather. Rain or shine. Meet
at the office/Garden entrance of
Pruyn Sanctuary, off Route 133,
Chappaqua. (914) 666-6503. www.
sawmillriveraudobon.org.
History Hike: Spend two hours with staff
learning about the farm’s early years. The
farm’s turn of the 20th century buildings
and grounds are full of history. 1-3pm.
Muscoot Farm, Route 100, Somers. (914)
864-7282. www.westchester.gov/parks.
Veteran’s Park, Norwalk, Conn. (203)
854-7807.
sunday, august 13, 2006
Village of Mamaroneck Council on the
Arts presents River City Slim and Zydeco
Hogs, 7pm, Harbor Island Park. (914)
777-7722.
Ecuadorian Festival: Celebrate
Ecuadorian culture with performances,
food, vendors and more. 10am-7pm.
FREE. Croton Point Park, Croton-
on-Hudson. (914) 864-PARK. www.
westchestergov.com/HeritageFestivals.htm.
Jazz at Untermeyer Park: Carlos
Jiminez Quintet. Rain venue: Charles
Cola Senior Center on site. 4-6pm.
FREE. Untermeyer Park, North
Broadway, Yonkers. (914) 674-2005.
www.jazzforumarts.org.
Heartbeat Dixieland Band: Enjoy great
Dixieland music. 6-8:15pm. FREE.
All About Crabs: Come see many
breeds of crabs. 10am. Marshlands
Conservancy, Route 1, Rye.
PAGE 19
Items for inclusion in our clip and save Community Calendar
must be free and open to all. Items are published, subject to the
discretion of the Editor, and space availability. Calendar listings
are due by 12 Noon, Monday, two weeks prior. Space is extremely
limited. Email listings to: [email protected]
monday, august 14, 2006
Nina’s Tragedies. A serio-comic look
at an Israeli teenager’s coming-of-age
and his attraction to his beautiful but
emotionally fragile Aunt Nina. The film is
set over a span of six years in modern Tel
Aviv, and flawlessly shifts tones between
eccentric whimsy and wistful poignancy
as it explores the rejuvenating powers
of love. Winner of 11 Israeli Academy
Awards. Directed by Savi Gabizon, 2003.
Color. 1 hr. 50 min., Hebrew w/subtitles,
DVD. 2pm & 7pm, White Plains Public
Library. (914) 422-1480. Limited seating.
Read The Book/See the Movie: Read
the book, watch the movie and then
discuss. Today’s movie is Sounder, by
William Armstrong. Call for time. Children
entering grades 4-6. FREE. Please
register, space is limited. Chappaqua
Library, 195 S. Greeley, Chappaqua. (914)
238-4779. www.chappaqualibrary.org.
Stories in the Library. Children can
attend one storytime each week. Every
Monday. Movers and Shakers, walkers,
under age 2 with an adult - 9:30am;
Nursery Rhyme Time, 2- and 3-year olds
with an adult - 10:30am; All Together
Now, birth to 5-year olds with an adult 11:30am; Great Stuff for Good Listeners,
kindergartners and up - 4:30pm. Free.
The Chappaqua Public Library, 195 S.
Greeley Ave., Chappaqua. (914) 2384779.
tuesday, august 15, 2006
Mount Vernon Summer Breeze
Concert Series featuring Glenda Hospie
Davenport. 7-8:30pm, Mount Vernon City
Hall Plaza, One Roosevelt Square, Mt.
Vernon.
Tales & Trails Storytellers. 11am.
Tuckahoe Public Library, 71 Columbus Ave.
Registration required. (914) 961-2121.
6:30pm. FREE. Putnam Valley Leonard
Wagner Memorial Park, Putnam Valley. (845)
526-3292. www.PVSunsetSeries.com.
Doc Roc. This well-known Rock Band
performs ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. All ages.
Russian Story Time. Interactive
storytelling, games, singing and
dancing in Russian. Meet new friends.
For children ages 3-7. Open to the
public, registration required. 4-5pm.
Mamaroneck Public Library, 136
Prospect Ave., Mamaroneck. (203) 9751134. www.evrikacenter.com.
wednesday, august 16, 2006
Caring for the Wounded during the
Revolutionary War. There will be an
outdoor talk and demonstration about
the use of St. Paul’s Church as a military
field hospital during the Revolutionary
War. Activities for the children before the
program. Beverages provided. FREE.
Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site,
897 S. Columbus Ave., Mt. Vernon. (914)
667-4116.
Pajama Story Time. Children are
encouraged to wear pajamas and bring a
stuffed animal. No registration required.
Ages 3 1/2 - 5. FREE. 7pm, Hendrick
Hudson Free Library, 185 Kings Ferry
Road, Montrose. (914) 739-5654.
Bank of America Summer Sounds
Concert: Night of Italian Music. 7:30pm,
Hudson Park Bandshell, New Rochelle.
(914) 428-4220. www.westarts.com.
Airborn Jugglers and All-Star Dyn-OMite Disco Review. Airborne jugglers
at 6pm, the disco review at 7pm. Rain
date Aug. 17. FREE. Calf Pasture Beach,
Norwalk, Conn. (203) 854-7807.
Holistic Moms Network Meeting.
There will be a meeting of the Northern
Westchester chapter of the Holistic
Moms Network, a national non-profit
organization that serves to generate
support, education and knowledge about
holistic living and mindful parenting.
Today’s topic: Gender and Education,
7:30pm. FREE. Katonah Healing Arts
Alliance, 15 Parkway, Katonah. (914)
261-7417. www.holisticmoms.org.
thursday, august 17, 2006
Masks: Jamie Ross will help treasure
seekers create a 3-D bird mask. 3:30pm.
Ages 7-10. FREE. Chappaqua Library,
195 S. Greeley, Chappaqua. (914) 2384779. www.chappaqualibrary.org.
The Sounds of Summer. Renaissance
Plaza, Main St. & Mamaroneck Ave.,
White Plains, 12-2pm.
Rhythm & Blues: A live concert for family
audiences featuring the group NRG,
performing Old School R&B will be held
from 12-2pm. FREE.
Safe and Sound Class: Learn about
car seat safety for children from birth
to 5 years old. First-time parents and
grandparents are encouraged to attend.
Registration required. 7pm. FREE. Tender
Beginnings at Greenwich Hospital, 5
Perryridge Rd., Greenwich, Conn. (203)
863-3655. www.greenhosp.org.
PAGE 20
Popcorn Movie Reviews
“Gabrielle”
Gabrielle, filmed in France rated R, with some nudity,
running time eighty-five minutes, is a period piece set in Paris
of the nineteen-twenties. The title character, a woman in her
mid-forties, has been married for ten years to Jean Hervey,
a wealthy and accomplished businessman. Their home is an
urban mansion with no fewer than six kitchen help, and four
chambermaids.
The drama opens with Jean Hervey walking from the Metro to his home,
arriving earlier than usual, and sharing his thoughts about his situation with
viewers. Feeling very good about himself, he speaks of his relationship with
his wife, Gabrielle, as though she were an object of collected art. He makes
it clear that he is not particularly interested in her sexually, and is grateful
that aspect of their marriage calmed down after the first five months.
Mindful that he is coming home early, however, as yet not having seen
his abode and the cadre of servants therein, this viewer fully expected Mr.
Hervey to find his Gabrielle in some compromising position, an afternoon
delight of sorts. No such luck. Instead he comes home to what would seem
a “Dear John” letter.
She is off for the day in pursuit of the most obnoxious male in their circle
of friends, a cynical bore, to whom we have been previously introduced in
her husband’s earlier reflections. Upon her return, the less than intriguing
fireworks begin. Though it is painfully obvious that there has been little love
in this decade long marriage, Jean Hervey is no less hurt by the discovery.
What follows raises only the question as to whether he tortures himself
or the audience the most.
We are told in the promotional literature that the film premiered in the
Venice Film Festival of 2005. We are also informed that most of director
Chereau’s films are “marked by a dark unrelenting penetration of the
human psyche.” The Popcorn Guy would agree that this effort is both dark
and unrelenting.
The POPCORN GUY rates this film 1 out of 4 Bags of Popcorn
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“The Devil Wears Prada”
The Devil Wears Prada 20th Century Fox. Running time
1 Hr., 46 min. Based upon the book by Lauren Weisberger, Rated: PG-13; some sensuality. Anne Hathaway, Meryl
Streep, Stanley Tucci, Simon Baker, Emily Blunt, Adrian
Grenier. Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna. Directed by
David Frankel.
The Devil Wears Prada, depicts the travails of a young
college grad determined to survive her first foray into the
working world. Smart, but Fashion-Challenged Andy, (Anne Hathaway)
improbably lands a job as the Second Assistant to the editor of “Runway
Magazine, Miranda Priestly ”(Meryl Streep): the High Priestess of Fashion
and the reigning Queen of Couture. The movie depicts the inner workings of
a magazine that is required reading for those on the cutting edge of fashion.
On another level, the movie accurately portrays the painful transition from
school to the working world, that is a right of passage for so many of us.
Armed with a BA from Northwestern, Andy longs to work at the New
Yorker, with the literati, but instead finds herself at Runway Magazine, surrounded by couture crazies. Working hellishly long hours, for a boss who
is demanding, capricious, narcissistic and abusive, (which is why they call
it work, not party), Andy makes very little money. Attractive and thin by
a normal person’s standards, Andy is the focus of snarky comments from
her co-workers, all of whom seem to exist on a third world daily calorie allotment, to fit into whatever couture castoffs (sizes two to zero) come their
way. As Andy reaches for the corn chowder at lunch, Nigel, the Art Director, (played by the always wonderful Stanley Tucci), helpfully points out,
“that the main ingredient is cellulite.” Andy has the job “a million girls would
kill for”; trouble is, she isn’t one of them! None the less, Andy, is determined
to tough it out for a year to get a reference for a job at the New Yorker.
Realizing that her casual look is jeopardizing her career at Runaway,
Andy enlists Nigel to transform her into a cover girl. The pay rots in this job
but the perks are awesome...! Nigel is also pivotal in transforming Andy’s
attitude from condescension into appreciation for the achievements of the
magazine and its’ contribution to the world of fashion through the years.
Andy learns many things in the course of this movie: how to accomplish
amazing feats and still meet cute writers (Simon Baker, whose fans miss
him, desperately!); the toll long hours and commitment to a job will take on
relationships and the impact that a small group of people ultimately have on
what we all will be wearing 6-18 months later. Andy questions borderline
anorexia as a valid life-style, wonders if changing her look is worth selling
out to save her job, and if any job is worth selling out a loyal co-worker and
friend. “Everyone wants to be us,” says Miranda, as she steps from a limo in
Paris. But does Andy? Go see for yourself.
Anne Hathaway is a talented actress and perfectly cast as Andy. It would
be easy to play Miranda as a cardboard character but Meryl Streep humanize Miranda to a greater extent than she is portrayed in the book. Beneath
an icy demeanor, Streep manages to convey the drive, intelligence and vision, needed to produce one of the most successful magazines in the history
of publishing, month after month, year after year. Emily is convincing as
the long-suffering first assistant and Andy’s immediate supervisor. Grenier
plays Andy’s charming boyfriend.
This is an excellent movie, with a great script that delivers laughs as it
raises serious questions, and actors who fully realize their characters. You
don’t have to be a fashionista to enjoy this movie, but the clothes are to die
for! Popcorn Girl rating: 4 Bags of Popcorn! Go see this movie!
PAGE 21
Westchester Movie Theaters
Bedford:
Larchmont
Peekskill:
Clearview’s Bedford Cinema
Clearview’s Larchmont Playhouse
Paramount
Route 22. 914.234.7300
1975 Palmer Ave. 914.834.3001
1008 Brown St. 914.739.2333
Bronxville:
Mamaroneck:
Pelham:
Bronxville’s Clearview Cinema
Clearview’s Mamaroneck Playhouse
Picture House
84 Kraft Ave. 914.961.4030
243 Mamaroneck Ave. 914.698.2200
175 Wolf Lane. 914.738.7337
Greenburgh:
Mohegan Lake:
Pleasantville:
Clearview’s Cinema 100
UA Cortland Stadium 11
Jacob Burns Film Center
Greenburgh Shopping Cntr., Knollwood Rd. 914.946.4680
3131 E. Main St. 800.326.3264 X625
364 Manville Rd. 914.747.5555
Multiplex Cinemas
320 Saw Mill River Rd. 914.747.6000
Hawthorne:
Saw Mill Multiplex
121 Saw Mill River Rd. 914.747.6000
Mount Kisco:
Port Chester:
Clearview’s Mount Kisco Cinema
Loew’s Port Chester
144 Main St. 914.666.6600
40 Westchester Ave. 845.326.3264
New Rochelle:
Rye:
Regal New Roc City 18
Clearview’s Rye Ridge Cinema Twin
33 Le Count Place. 800.326.3264 x275
1 Rye Ridge Plaza, Rye Ridge Shopping Cntr. 914.939.8177
Scarsdale:
Fine Arts Cinema
Archway Shopping Center. 914.723.6699
White Plains:
City Center 15: Cinema Deluxe
Mamaroneck Ave. & Main St. 914.747.6000
Yonkers:
Cross County Multiplex
2 South Drive. 914.376.7100
Clearview’s Central Plaza
2630 Central Park Ave. 914.793.3232
UA Movieland
2548 Centra Park Ave. 800.326.3264 X638
Yorktown Heights:
UA Jefferson Valley
Jefferson Valley Mall. 800.326.3264 X639
PAGE 22
CLASSIFIEDS
help wanted
real estate
Bartenders Wanted
Westchester County night
club. Very busy location.
Experience a must, and
over 21. Call Dominica
FOR RENT
Mount Vernon - 1-bdr apt
in a building. Sec 8 ok.
$950. Avail immed. Call
Maribel
914-636-0018
Licensed Security Wanted
Westchester County night
club. Busy location. Experience a must. Fri and Sat
night. Call Dominica
914-636-0018
914-632-1230
FOR RENT
Mount Vernon - 2-bdr apt
in a building. Sec 8 ok.
$1250. Avail immed. Call
Maribel.
914-632-1230
INVESTMENT PROPERTY
Mount Vernon - Five story
w/up with 18 apts. Very
nice building. Many Sec 8,
good tenency. RR. $202k.
Asking 7.5 x RR 1,550,000.
Ask for Sam
FOR RENT
Yonkers East - 3-bdr apt,
two floors, 1.5 baths, very
nice kitchen. Wood floors,
1 parking spot. Tenant
pays utilities. $1750. Call
Maribel.
914-576-1481
914-632-1230
Are you looking for a job? A place to live?
Do you have something you want to sell?
Nothing gets better results than placing an
ad in the Classified Section.
To place an ad call us at 914-328-3096.
We’ll be happy to help you!
PUBLIC NOTICE
Women Celebrate Courage and the Vote
Women’s Equality Day Reformed will hold its 5th annual celebration and awards ceremony on
Friday, August 18, between 12 Noon and 1:30 p.m. at the Michaelian Building’s 8th Floor’s large
conference room, 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains.
The ceremony commemorating the 86th anniversary of women’s suffrage (August 26) will recall
women’s courageous fight for equality and the vote, and the outstanding contributions of today’s
Westchester women. The 2006 Honoree is Christine Mortell Plazas, business professional, 25-year
community volunteer, and co-founder of the Interracial Women’s Leadership Roundtable to promote racial understanding among women leaders and businesses in Westchester.
The theme “Courage” will also highlight women in service to our country including veterans,
Gold Star and Blue Star Mothers, the Nurse Cadet Corps, and the famed “Rosie the Riveter” (an
Ossining native) and her WWII companions. Scheduled guest speaker is National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Jacqueline L. Russell, Battalion Commander of the 101st Signal Battalion in Yonkers.
According to Committee spokesperson Regina Riely, “The day honors our feminist foremothers and celebrates with and for women of all voting persuasions. The ceremony that has taken
place in the County for over thirty years honors a new group of Westchester women whose views
celebrate the continuity of life and the inviolable dignity of each human being, where courage is the
name of the game.”
There is limited capacity and a security check with photo ID at the county building. Seek longterm (3 hour) parking to avoid having to leave the ceremony. For additional details, call Joy 914803-0057, or Judy 914-329-5163.
Judith Anderson, co-chairperson of the day’s events invites participation; “Our society is where
it is today – for better or worse – inclusively with the voices of women. Let us reflect on that power
and that responsibility.”
Ask Sammy Z.
“As Real As It Gets”
Santo A. (Yonkers)
Q. Sammy, where do you think the real estate market is going in the near,
and long term?
A. I think the residential market, along with the commercial markets is
heading down, in some parts of the country more than others. In areas such as
New York, Florida, New Jersey, and Arizona I would expect a larger downward
tick in values than in areas that didn’t appreciate as much. Higher interest rates,
extremely high oil and gas prices, and high taxes, are squeezing the consumer,
slowing the economy, and causing an increase in foreclosures, and houses on the
market.
We all know what drives value, “supply and demand.” A high supply coupled
with a low demand leads to falling prices. However, for the long term, especially
for those holding rental property, if they stay the course, they will do very well.
Jennifer B. (White Plains)
Q. I’ve caught my boyfriend cheating on me, twice, Both times with pretty
little floozies. I’m sick and tired of it. He’s 39, and acting like he’s 21. I really love
him and don’t want to lose him to one of these younger girls. What should I do?
A. Well, I guess the guy has no respect for you, and wants to move on. It’s
apparent that the guy’s taste has changed and he now prefers pretty little floozies.
If you want to keep this guy you must compete with the pretty little floozies, or,
just let go, dump him, and get a life.
Questions for Sammy Z. should be E-mailed to [email protected].
PAGE 23
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August 10, 2006 - WestchesterGuardian.com

Transcription

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