THE
CityREVIEW NewRochelle May 20, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 12 | www.cityreviewnr.com
City mulls banning sale of Out of this world commercially bred pets On May 9, visitors of all ages observed the Transit of Mercury from the Playland Boardwalk in Rye. The astrological event, in which the planet Mercury passes between Earth and the sun, occurs roughly 13 times per century. For story, see page 9. Contributed photo
New Rochelle school budget, $106M bond pass convincingly By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter New Rochelle residents voted to approve the proposed 20162017 school budget of $250 million along with a $106 million bond for extensive renovations and repairs to district schools by a 70 percent margin. A smaller bond for repairs and renovations of $50 million was trounced in December 2015. Unofficial results show 2,640
votes in favor of the budget versus 1,122 votes in opposition. Similarly, the bond was successful with 2,699 votes, against 1,070 naysayers. City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne expressed his gratitude to the community for supporting both the budget and the bond. “The community has reaffirmed its support for public education,” he said. “This will enable us to make the needed
improvements that our children and our community deserve.” Current Board of Education Vice President Rachel Relkin was re-elected to her seat on the board and newcomer Todd Kern won the seat vacated by Naomi Brickel. Relkin received 2,212 votes and Kern received 1,863. James O’Toole, a 2015 New Rochelle mayoral candidate, kept the race close, winning support from 1,718 voters. Fourth-place finisher Vincent
Malfetano got just 813 votes. Moments after the bond passed, Osborne and current Board of Education President Lianne Merchant sat down with Todd Ritzenthaler, the project’s architect, and signed a set of documents to trigger the bond sales and set the construction bidding process in motion. Ritzenthaler is with CSArch, the engineering and design firm budget continued on page 8
By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant Looking to join the village of Mamaroneck and the town of Mount Pleasant, New Rochelle is considering banning the sale of commercially bred cats and dogs in local pet stores likely obtained from so-called “puppy mills.” If passed, pets would have to be obtained from either an animal shelter, humane society or nonprofit rescue organization registered with the New York state Department of Agriculture, according to a draft of the law. The penalty for violating the proposed law would be a $250 fine for each day the violation continues, imprisonment for no more than 15 days or both. The proposed legislation is being sponsored by Mayor Noam Bramson, a Democrat. Bramson told the Review that he received comments from the community leading up to his draft proposal. “Members of the community suggested that a law of this kind would reduce demand that supports inhumane conditions,” he said. Cindy Knowles, co-owner of Furrylicious, the only pet store in New Rochelle located at 1469 Weaver St., said that her store only uses breeders licensed and inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA. But, due to the pending city law, her business could be forced to close its doors. Knowles added that laws are not
supposed to shut down reputable stores like hers, which she coowns with her sister. “Shutting down a shop like mine that is regulated and gives consumers full consumer protection will not do one thing to close an unlicensed, substandard breeder,” she said. “We do everything right.” The New Rochelle City Council briefly discussed the proposal at its May 10 meeting, but the council decided to hold off on making a decision until an active lawsuit in New York City is settled. The New York Pet Welfare Association, a group that advocates that anyone should be able to have a purebred pet if they choose, is awaiting an appeal from the 2nd District Court after its challenge was dismissed. The group is fighting the New York City Council on two public laws recently passed that ban the sale of pets to city shops by breeders without prior veterinarian approval and the sale of purebreds/specially bred puppies less than 12 weeks old. Knowles mentioned the recent public law passed in the village of Mamaroneck which led to National Breeders, formerly located at 154 Mamaroneck Ave., closing down after residents repeatedly raised concerns about the source and treatment of the puppies on sale there. “Mamaroneck passed that law when it is really PETS continued on page 5
2 • The city review • May 20, 2016
May 20, 2016 • The city review • 3
RTP, beach operations search likely scrapped
New Rochelle celebrates Arbor Day
City officials marked Arbor Day with a tree planting at Ruby Dee Park at the Library Green, assisted by children participating in the New Rochelle Public Library’s Family Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 29. Photo courtesy city of New Rochelle
About two months ago, six applications were submitted as requests for qualifications in regard to the management of Rye Town Park over the course of 20 years. Some commission members have now expressed interest in regrouping and starting over. File photo
By ANGELA JORDAN Staff Writer With an inability to come to a consensus and concerns over potential conflicts of interest, it seems the plan to seek out new management for Rye Town Park and Oakland Beach may fall by the wayside. The Rye Town Park Commission is still deliberating on the request for qualifications, RFQ, applications that were submitted almost two months ago, but the process likely won’t carry on much longer with some members of the park’s governing commission disagreeing on how to move forward. The Rye Town Park Commission is a six-member committee of representatives from the town of Rye, the villages of Port Chester and Rye Brook, the city of Rye, and the Rye Neck section of the village of Mamaroneck, which establishes policies and regulations for Rye Town Park, a 62-acre park located at 95 Dearborn Ave. in the city. The park is a shared asset between the city and town of Rye. In regard to the official status of the RFQ selection process, Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, a Democrat, said it is still ongoing. “We are going to set up a work session or discussion to review the various submissions, and determine if any of them are worth pursuing,” Zucker-
man said. “Several members [of the commission] felt it would be unfair to dismiss some of the submissions without going over them and reviewing them first.” Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla, a Democrat, told the Review that the RFQ process has been “very broad and open-ended.” “We didn’t get input [on the management of the park] from constituents first,” Pilla said, referring to the RFQ sent out in January. “We put the cart before the horse.” Pilla suggested doing a request for proposals for the restaurant, which overlooks Oakland Beach, instead, since Seaside Johnnie’s lease, the current tenant, is up at the end of the year. Following that, Pilla mentioned then completing a master plan of the park with input from residents of the town and city of Rye before sending out another solicitation for new management of the park. Rye City Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican, also said that the committee should begin by putting out an RFP strictly for the restaurant, and then take more time to figure out management for the overall park. “It doesn’t seem like the responses we got are responses that we can work [with], except for the city of Rye’s response and perhaps Seaside Johnnie’s because they are already there,” Sack said.
However, the responses to the RFQ have led Sack and Zuckerman to clash on more than one occasion over potential conflicts. Sack is the mayor of the city of Rye, which submitted its own proposal for the park, while Zuckerman works as a legislative aid for the Westchester County Board of Legislators, which just approved an agreement with Standard Amusements for the right to manage Playland; United Parks, the managing company for Standard, also submitted a proposal to manage Rye Town Park. In total, there were six responses to the RFQ for the park submitted by a March 18 deadline, including one from Seaside Johnnies, who is exclusively interested in continuing to run the restaurant and snack bar/concession stands that they already operate, in addition to potentially managing the parking lot. The other applicants are all private developers. They include Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, which is known for redeveloping Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan; Caspi Development, which owns several properties in Westchester and New York City; and Southwest Capital, whose founder Salvatore Gizzo owned and managed the Surf Club, a catering hall in New Rochelle, between 1992 and 2013. -with reporting by Christian Falcone
CONTACT: angela@hometwn.com
The city of New Rochelle, in conjunction with the New Rochelle Public Library, celebrated Arbor Day with a tree planting in Ruby Dee Park at Library Green on Friday, April 29. Deputy Mayor and Councilmember for District 3 Jared Rice, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bill Zimmermann, Public Works Commissioner Alex Tergis, Deputy Public Works Commissioner
Scott Pickup, Planning and Sustainability Director Nina Arron and arborist Paul Rebholz were joined at the ceremony by children enjoying the library’s vacation week programming which included crafts and saplingplanting. “Today’s tree planting is evidence of our commitment to greening our city. The benefits of trees are enormous; in our
parks, lining our streets and in our yards. We are proud that this is our 25th year as a Tree City,” Rice said. Trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, conserving water and preserving soil. The city of New Rochelle’s goals for tree planting are outlined in GreeNR, the city’s sustainability plan. (Submitted)
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4 • The city review • May 20, 2016
What’s going on... The New Rochelle Public Library
The New Rochelle Public Library has reopened the Memorial Highway entrance, but the Lawton Street entrance is scheduled to be closed for construction and is expected to be completed by fall 2016. While construction is underway, the only handicapped-accessible entrance will be the reopened Memorial Highway doors, which have a ramp leading down from street level. There will be additional handicapped-designated parking spaces on Memorial Highway. The only book drop at the main library will also be located by this doorway. Patrons may also return books by using the book drop at the Hugh Doyle Center located at 94 Davis Ave., or in front of the Huguenot Children’s Library, located on North Avenue in front of New Rochelle High School. Visit nrpl.org for information on these and other events and programs.
Book sales On Saturday, May 21, Tuesday, May 24 and
Thursday, May 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main library’s lobby. A large array of quality used books—from popular novels, mysteries and nonfiction in hardcover and paperback, to children’s books, CDs and DVDs—will be available for purchase at very affordable prices. The executive board of the Friends of the Library coordinates the book sales, with the assistance of other Friends’ volunteers. Money realized from book sales are used to underwrite the library’s extensive public programs.
Avenue. This family-friendly event’s activities will consist of kite workshops, health and wellness expos, DJ music and food. In the event of rain, the event will be rescheduled for Sunday, May 22. For more information about the event, contact Michelle Oliveros at 654-2048.
The United Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Association of New Rochelle
‘Cameos and Selfies’ concert
Memorial Day events
On Sunday, May 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the talented chorale group Cantemus returns to the Ossie Davis Theater at the New Rochelle Public Library for a delightful performance of classics, pop tunes, opera and Broadway melodies—all woven together with an engaging and often humorous narrative. The ensemble of singers, under the direction of Jena Smith and accompanied by pianist Marianne Salzman, will perform “Cameos and Selfies,” an intimate portrait of choosing our paths in life— what we find in the world, our joys, sorrows and satisfactions. A donation of $2 is suggested at the door. The concert is made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library.
On Sunday, May 29 at 9 a.m., there will be a memorial service and grave flag replacement at the main entrance of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, located at 95 Kings Highway in New Rochelle. On Monday, May 30 at 10 a.m., there will be a traditional service and wreath laying at Memorial Plaza, located at Memorial Highway and Main Street. The New Rochelle High School Band will perform. Also on Memorial Day, from noon to 6 p.m., there will be a water service at Glen Island Park followed by a veterans appreciation event—an allday concert and barbecue, featuring the American Bombshells, Third Stone, Rock Hard and Ron Vitti & the Reunion Band. There will also New York state Second Regiment Continental Army reenactors. Great food will also be provided by AJ Burgers and Pronto Pizza. Exhibits, games and fun will be available for all. Bring a blanket or chair and stay for the day. At 2 p.m., USMC aircraft will be landing in the park. Come meet and greet the crew and our troops. The park event is made possible by the support/ contributions of New Rochelle Chevrolet, Monroe College, Sound Associates of Yonkers, Manhattan Beer Distributers, Pepsi, Stop & Shop, Westchester County and the city of New Rochelle. The United Veterans Memorial and Patriotic Association is looking for volunteers to help with these events. Contact Peter Parente, president, at 557-5556 for more information.
Davenport Park Kite Day New Rochelle’s fourth annual Kite Day will take place on Saturday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Davenport Park, located on Davenport
The College of New Rochelle
Summer programs at Ward Elementary The College of New Rochelle Graduate School provides summer programs at William B. Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle for children ages 3 to 10. The program runs from June 30 through July 29, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Young Explorers, for children ages 3 to 5, will participate in group activities involving small group instruction for literacy and early number sense, music and movement, dramatic play, creative arts and block building. Children ages 6 to 8 in the Explorers program will engage in group activities including social studies, STEM programs, literacy and math, nature, dramatic play, outdoor play and movement. The oldest campers, ages 8 to 10, will be part of the Discovery program which features hands-on STEM projects in LEGO robotics and 3-D printing, literacy and mathematics enrichment, social studies and science, outdoor experiences, creative arts, and music and movement.
The 3-D printers are funded by New Matter’s Educate and Inspire Grant. Mentor teachers and CNR graduate students work collaboratively, creating developmentally appropriate curriculum based on the goals of the Common Core for each classroom. Designed to be engaging and enriching, the curriculum’s themes connect the learning across subject areas. Small group and individualized instruction is integrated into the daily program in order to insure the progress of each child. The camp is located at the Ward Elementary School in New Rochelle. Tuition is $1,250, with limited scholarships available. For further information regarding this opportunity, email Dr. Candace Barriteau Phaire at csp@cnr.edu.
Middle School Drop-In Program The Middle School Drop-In Program offers a variety of activities for youth in grades five through seven, completed as of June 2016. It runs from June 27 to Aug. 5 (no program on July 4) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The program takes place at both Isaac E. Young and Albert Leonard middle schools. Activities include, but are not limited to: arts and crafts, sports (tennis, basketball, volleyball and soccer) and board games. A peanut-free lunch is also included. This year, due to cutbacks, there is a $60 supply fee in order to register. Applications are available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday in the Youth Bureau Office, 515 North Ave. in New Rochelle, and online at newrochelleny.com/youth. For more information, contact the Youth Bureau at 654-2045.
Summer day and preschool camps Registration continues for the city of New Rochelle Department of Parks and Recreation Summer Day Camps and Preschool Camp. All run from July 5 to Aug. 12. The Summer Day Camps will be held at William B. Ward and Jefferson elementary schools. For graduating kindergarteners through fifth grade, these camps features sports, games, performing arts, nature, tennis, weekly swimming and themed activities as well as day trips. The cost for Ward school camp is $600, $650 after May 20, for the six-week session, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Early drop-off and day trips are offered at an additional charge. The cost for Jefferson school camp is $580, $630 after May 20. Three-day trips will be included. Camp hours are 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. The Preschool Camp will be held at Webster school. For children ages 3 to 5 (campers must be 3 years old by July 2, 2016), this camp features social learning through arts and crafts, music, movement skills, language, literature, indoor and outdoor play, and weekly themed special activities. Cost is $800 for the six-week session, $850 after May 20. Camp hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Application deadline is May 20, or until all spots are filled. For further information or to register, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 654-2087. To download a brochure and forms, visit newrochelleny.com/programs. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
May 20, 2016 • The city review • 5 pets from page 1
pre-empted by New York state law; nobody challenged it,” she said. “State law pre-empts municipalities from shutting down reputable and good stores and breeders.” Dana Rocco, shelter manager at Humane Society of Westchester, located at 70 Portman Road in New Rochelle, said almost all of the purebreds received by the shelter were previously purchased from pet stores. Formerly called the New Rochelle Humane Society, the nonprofit organization has been in operation since 1911 and serves 19 communities in Westchester County. “Obviously we’re very supportive of the passing of the law,” Rocco said. “A responsi-
ble, private breeder would never, ever give his puppy to a third party to sell them. [Such breeders] would want to meet you to make sure that the puppy they’re selling you is a match for your family—these are their babies.” Rocco added that responsible breeders would also have their pets screened for health, behavioral and temperamental concerns as well, as a breeder would also factor in both the prospective owner’s and the pet’s personalities. A prospective owner is also likely to be invited up to the breeder’s property and might even meet the pet’s parents. “You’ll know that you found a responsible breeder if they’re asking you more questions than you’re asking them,” Rocco said.
SCHOOL NEWS?
The New Rochelle City Council is considering an amendment to the city’s code to ban the sale of commercially bred cats and dogs from so-called “puppy mills.” Though currently tabled, if passed, the amendment would require pets to be obtained from either an animal shelter, humane society or nonprofit rescue organization, like the Humane Society of Westchester in New Rochelle, pictured. Photo/Bobby Begun
Contact OUR EDUCATION reporter
The Furrylicious owner said the store would stop obtaining pets from a breeder if they were no longer USDA-compliant. Knowles also stated that her store provides full transparency with pet records and breeder information. But Knowles warned that shutting down a reputable pet store would only “push people toward an unregulated black market” of breeders and would take away protections set in place by the USDA in the Animal Welfare Act first passed by Congress in 1966. “If anyone wants to shut down bad breeders, then they have to go after the bad breeders,” she said. CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
sarah varney
sarah@hometwn.com
6 • The city review • May 20, 2016 THE
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Saltaire:
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Modern, sustainable seafood delights
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Saltaire, located at 55 Abendroth Ave. in Port Chester, opened in late September at the former Willet House. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant As you approach the restaurant on Abendorth Avenue in Port Chester, you may catch the scent of the sea coming from where the Byram River empties into the Long Island Sound. Its handsome brick building bears navy blue signage with its name: Saltaire. Open for about seven months now, the location has become a renowned foodie favorite in the village’s continued expansion of its restaurant scene, As you enter, right above you is a roof painted the same navy blue; the last remnant of the Willet House, a popular steakhouse that closed in 2014. To your right, you find the dining room with its high ceiling, low chandeliers that take you back in time, and vintage maps of various regions known for their seafood. To your left is the bar room, with a brick wall, tin ceiling, high chairs and vintage photos of fishermen. Let’s not forget the fresh oyster
bar right at the bar’s edge, with an in-house shucker that will deftly scoop out whichever of the 12 varieties you prefer; just tilt your head back and slurp. Seafood, local produce and meats are delivered every weekday from New York City markets—all seasonal, sustainable, farm-raised and never frozen—with the menu printed in-house daily to feature only the best quality ingredients, simply prepared. There is no middle man; no phone calls to purveyors or wholesalers. Quality is of the utmost importance to both the owner, Les Barnes, and the executive chef, Bobby Will. If a fish doesn’t work out, it will be replaced on the menu the next day. “Frozen fish is a four-letter word,” says Barnes, a city of Rye resident. He knows seafood, having frequented fish markets since he was just 5. “I grew up in the fish and restaurant business; going to the Fulton Fish Market with my dad at 4 in the morning,” he adds.
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The main dining room features vintage chandeliers and maps from various regions known for their seafood.
Barnes is also the owner of London Lennie’s, a seafood restaurant named after his father that has been serving patrons for more than 50 years in Queens. He took over the family business when he was just 23 years old after earning a degree in hospitality management. Barnes’ next step was set to be an oyster shack, until the Willet House space became available, that is. “Port Chester is a fairly popular restaurant town today, and it just made sense,” he says about the decision to create Saltaire. Where the name comes from makes sense, too. “There was an oyster I used to buy out of Canada called Salt Aire [from Prince Edward Island]; it reads like the salt air of the ocean, but [the restaurant name] is one word,” Barnes says. “It has a nice ocean feel to it.” Saltaire focuses on seasonal seafood and produce, not on a particular cuisine, according to Will, a Greenwich, Connecticut resident. Thanks to the young chef’s skills in the kitchen—he attended the Culinary Institute of America—and his knowledge of seafood from growing up on the Atlantic coast of Ipswich, Massachusetts, it seemed like fate when he met Barnes following a call from a recruiter while backpacking in Eastern Europe. “I literally got off the plane
from Turkey and in eight hours, was talking to Les over coffee in Tarry Market about the opportunity,” Will says. “It didn’t feel like an interview; it felt more like a discussion of what we liked and didn’t like… things just fell into place. “Fish has been a big part of my life—not just as a chef, but my overall life,” Will says, adding that his background has a great influence on how he deals with fish, particularly preferring to buy fish whole and butchering it himself. The idea is to see which ingredients complement the quality of the seafood, “what gives each dish its own characteristics and personality,” he says, adding that Saltaire is a “sea-and-farm-to-table restaurant with global inspiration.” One example is mussels with a Thai carrot and coconut broth, enhanced with grilled lime, white sesame and cilantro; a dish Will learned upon traveling to Thailand and learning how to make fresh
curry paste from scratch. Not your taste? There’s something for everyone, from steak lovers to kids, like the carbonara generously laced with fresh lobster that is still sweet to the taste, and a dessert featuring pie crust-flavored pop rocks for the tart at heart. “We want people to… feel like they can have a romantic date, but also come in on a Sunday with their family,” the executive chef says. “Les understands the idea that quality and the guests’ experience is the most important factor.” CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
SALTAIRE OYSTER BAR AND FISH HOUSE 55 Abendroth Ave., Port Chester, NY 10573 939-2425 saltaireoysterbar.com
Saltaire’s lobster carbonara, considered a house specialty, is laced with bacon, sundried tomatoes and generous lobster chucks that are still sweet and tender. Photo/Sibylla Chipaziwa
May 20, 2016 • The city review • 7
CNR to give honorary degrees to outstanding women
Robin Roberts
Elizabeth Bell LeVaca
to both men and women in that school • the planned expansion of the School of Nursing to include programs in the health professions to address the critical workforce needs in the healthcare field • the implementation of an institutionwide technology plan to address academic initiatives, such as online learning, technological competency and technological infrastructure upgrades. A registered nurse, LeVaca earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing and certifications as a clinical nursing specialist and as a nurse practitioner from The Catholic University of America and has been a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honor Society, for more than two decades. She is a past board member for the AIDS/HIV Services Group in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Hospice of D.C., and the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation. She is the founder of the Ralph and Mary Fischer Bell Foundation that provides scholarships to various schools and organizations. Roberts is a television broadcaster and the co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Under her leadership, the broadcast has won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program. Roberts launched her new production company, Rock’n Robin Productions, in September 2014, which creates original broadcast and digital programming for ABC and other networks, ranging from documentaries to lifestyle reality series and live special events.
“Robin Roberts is an accomplished woman who has excelled in her profession, while also demonstrating tremendous strength, perseverance and courage when faced with personal health challenges. She has used these experiences to help others in significant ways, and we are honored to recognize her as a role model who reflects the college’s values of both professional achievement and service to others,” Huntington said. In 2014, Roberts received the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and was named one of Glamour magazine’s Women of the Year. She has appeared on the Hollywood Reporter’s New York Power List multiple times, and was voted the Most Trusted Person on Television by a Reader’s Digest poll in 2013. Her public battle with a blood and bone marrow disease and subsequent bone marrow transplant inspired her to create programming that led to an increase in bone marrow donor registration. For this endeavor, she received awards and honors from many organizations around the country, including The Susan G. Komen Foundation, The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program and Gilda’s Club. Roberts joined ESPN as a sportscaster in 1990, where she stayed until 2005. She began contributing to the ABC News show “Good Morning America” as a featured reporter in 1995, and was named co-anchor in May 2005. (Submitted)
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Charlie is a gorgeous 2 1/2-year-old male tabby. He is great with other cats and would be happiest in a home with a young cat like himself who loves to play. He would also do best with school-aged children. He is neutered, up to date with all vaccinations, microchipped and ready to join your household. The adoption donation for Charlie is $80. To meet him, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or visit the Harrison Kitty Cottage during an open house and see his posting on NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
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The College of New Rochelle, CNR, will mark its 109th commencement on Tuesday, May 24, at The Beacon Theatre, awarding approximately 1,000 baccalaureate and master’s degrees on students from its four schools and conferring honorary degrees on Robin Roberts, television broadcaster and co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and Elizabeth Bell LeVaca, chair of the board of trustees at The College of New Rochelle. Roberts will give the commencement address. LeVaca has served as a member of the board of trustees of CNR for more than 14 years and has been chair of the board since 2013. She will step down as board chair after commencement. “The College of New Rochelle is truly blessed that Elizabeth Bell LeVaca chose to continue the enduring history initiated by her mother, alumna Mary Fischer Bell, class of 1934, nearly 83 years ago. The college is considerably stronger today as a result of Elizabeth’s extraordinary leadership, generosity, and guidance,” noted Judith Huntington, president of The College of New Rochelle. Under LeVaca’s leadership as chair, the college has undertaken many significant initiatives, including: • the implementation of an institutionwide, collaborative strategic plan that provides the goals and framework for the future of the college • the receipt of more than $15 million in federal and state grants, which has revolutionized the college’s ability to deliver outstanding educational opportunities and achieve superior student outcomes • the development of a unique shared services collaboration with Marist College that has greatly accelerated the completion of CNR’s strategic objectives in technology • the historic decision to transition the all-women School of Arts and Sciences to coeducational, thus expanding its mission to provide quality education
INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
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8 • The city review • May 20, 2016
Bigelow Tea CEO discusses ethical leadership HUD monitor recommends suing Harrison By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer
Cindi Bigelow, president and CEO of Bigelow Tea, hosted an ethical and moral leadership talk at Iona College on Thursday, May 5. Photo courtesy Dawn Insanalli
Understanding who you are, what you do, and why it matters is key to ethical leadership, said Cindi Bigelow, third-generation president and CEO of the family-owned Bigelow Tea, speaking at Iona College on Thursday evening, May 5. She visited the campus as part of the Iona series Advancing Ethical and Moral Leadership, sponsored by the college’s School of Business. “It’s important to have a statement that describes who you are that everyone can rally around,” Bigelow told a crowd of students, faculty, staff and visitors. “We truly care about our consumers, our workers, our community, our product and where that product comes from. Do the right thing and good things will follow.” Bigelow described taking teams from the company to tour tea plantations in Sri Lanka and India, where authentic Bergamot oil is produced in Italy, and lemon groves in California. “Knowing how the source of our products is produced, that it’s grown and harvested sustainably and in way to ensure quality for the customer, is vital. Do what you’re supposed to do and don’t cut corners,” she said. Bigelow Tea has earned the designation of a “Zero Waste to Landfill” company. Cindi Bigelow described the “green teams” that work at their Fairfield, Connecticut headquarters and its two other manufacturing plants in the United States.
“I don’t tell them what to do. I just say, ‘I know we can do better, let’s work on it.’” Helping support the well-being of employees, listening to and meeting the needs of consumers, and supporting the communities are not just the right thing to do; they’re good business, Bigelow said, noting that the same lessons apply to nonprofits as well as publicly held companies. Iona College President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., who launched the series to give practical examples of ethical leadership for young people, said Bigelow and her family-owned business are known for being committed to good business practices and integrity. “Cindi and her family clearly exemplify the type of business ethics that we want to instill in students,” he said. “And Bigelow Tea, the U.S. market leader of specialty teas that produces more than 1.7 billion tea bags annually, offers a perfect example of a company that is successful and ethical in its practices, proving that success and ethics are not mutually exclusive.” Charles Cante, Ph.D., interim dean of the business school, said, “Bigelow Tea is known globally for its corporate social responsibility, sustainability initiatives and work with veterans.” Before being named CEO in 2005, Bigelow spent 25 years in all areas of the company her grandmother founded in 1945.
Headquartered in Fairfield and employing 350 people, Bigelow Tea is the national market leader of specialty teas and maker of “Constant Comment” tea. Bigelow initiated the Annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge, which has donated $1.2 million to charities since 1987, and Bigelow’s Tea for the Troops Project has donated 4 million tea bags to U.S. service men and women. The Iona lecture series was inaugurated last fall with a talk by William McGurn, Wall Street Journal columnist and former chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush. “We believe our students and our nation greatly benefit in learning though the experiences of others how to navigate our complex world where ethics and values often conflict with business situations and decisions,” Nyre said. Founded in 1940, Iona College is a private coeducational institution 20 miles north of midtown Manhattan with a total enrollment of more than 3,900 students and an alumni base of more than 40,000 across the world. The college is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona’s School of Business is accredited by AACSB International, a highly acclaimed distinction awarded to just 5 percent of business schools worldwide. (Submitted)
In his third biennial report, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development monitor James Johnson suggested that the U.S. Department of Justice take legal action against seven municipalities, including the town/village of Harrison. As a result of a 2009 settlement with HUD, Westchester County must develop 750 affordable housing units in 31 predominantly white communities, including Harrison, by the end of 2016. Johnson’s report, released on April 29, concluded that the county had reached all of its annual benchmarks and is in compliance with the settlement, but listed seven municipalities whose zonings were considered exclusionary.
Johnson reported that these municipalities had zoning restrictions, lack of development incentives and an overall lack of progress in meeting the region’s affordable housing needs. In turn, the monitor suggested that the Justice Department pursue litigation against these communities. Westchester County Legislator David Gelfarb, a Rye Brook Republican who represents Harrison, said the monitor’s recommendation to file charges against a municipality was without legal merit. “The settlement, in the first place, never contemplated the [Department of Justice] suing individual towns,” he said. “Harrison has no obligations under the settlement because Harrison never signed the settlement.” Gelfarb added that while the settlement mandates details such
as how many units may be considered rentals or may be designated for seniors by age restriction, it does not specify how many units must be developed in each of the 31 municipalities. However, since Harrison is yet to make any inroads on the affordable housing front, the county recently stepped in. In September 2015, the county purchased a two-bedroom condo unit on West Street in Harrison to convert into an affordable housing unit. The county bought the unit for $296,355, and is listing it for $175,000. Harrison officials contend that The Avalon development planned near the Harrison Metro-North station is expected to deem 20 percent of its 143 units as affordable housing upon completion of the project. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com
budget from page 1
Just minutes after the $106 million bond was approved, City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne, architect Tom Ritzenthaler and Board of Education President Lianne Merchant signed off on the contracts necessary to kick off the bidding process. Photo/Sarah Varney
that carried out the district’s fiveyear Buildings Condition survey. J. Michael Orifici with Capital Projects Consulting of Pelham will serve as construction manager for the project. “We’re all ready to go,” Ritzenhaler said. “It’s rolling right along. I think people will be surprised to see things moving so fast.” Some of the repair work is
set to start once school is dismissed for the summer on June 24. Repairs and renovations to the district’s 11 schools are set for completion by spring 2018, according to the administration. Currently all of the district’s school buildings are rated unsatisfactory and most have health and safety issues. New Rochelle High School
has the unfortunate distinction of needing the most work done. Repairs and a roof replacement there will cost approximately $36 million. William B. Ward Elementary School needs $13 million in remediation and Columbus Elementary School requires $10 million in repairs and renovations. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
May 20, 2016 • The city review • 9
Mercury Transit makes way for total solar eclipse SUNSPOT MERCURY
Appearing as a small dot in relation to the sun, the Transit of Mercury is only viewable using specialized telescopes and occurs roughly 13 times per century.
By ANDREW DAPOLITE Contributor For the first time in nearly a decade, the planet Mercury passed between Earth and the sun on Monday, May 9, allowing people from across the globe to view our solar system’s smallest
planet from further than 50 million miles away. And while the excitement around the celestial event was palpable throughout North America and Europe, prime viewing locations for the phenomenon known as the Transit of Mercury, according to
Passers-by gaze up at the sun using solar eclipse glasses. The next total solar eclipse in the United States will occur on Aug. 21, 2017.
A young girl observes the planet Mercury’s trip across the sun on May 9. On average, Mercury is positioned 48 million miles away from Earth.
Charles Fulco, a NASA solar system ambassador, there are even more impressive celestial events to look forward to. Last year, Fulco left his post as a science teacher and planetarium director at Port Chester Middle School in order to promote one of the most significant astronomical occurrences ever observed from planet Earth: a total solar eclipse. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, fully blocking the sun from our earthly viewpoint. Last seen coast to coast in the United States in 1918, the phenomenon will be viewable on Aug. 21, 2017. Based on its latitude, New York state will experience only a partial solar eclipse, but nonetheless, it will be a significant sight to see. Fulco, an avid astronomer and science consultant with Westchester roots, was accepted by NASA as part of an outreach program. He is currently in the process of traveling along the 2017 solar eclipse’s path of totality—12 states between Oregon and South Carolina—meeting with school superintendents and teachers to explain the oncein-a-lifetime event. “Don’t keep the kids inside,” Fulco said. “Seeing the stars come out in the middle of the daytime and seeing the moon shadow coming at you at 2,000 mph, it’s amazing.” So far, Fulco has traveled through nine out of 12 states, also showing teachers the best methods for students to safely look at the sun. On May 9, as a precursor to the solar eclipse, Fulco provided views of the Transit of Mercury from the Playland Boardwalk in Rye. Equipped with specialized telescopes and solar eclipse glasses, onlookers witnessed the more common celestial event. The Transit of Mercury occurs roughly 13 times per century, however during the last occurrence in 2006, rain clouds blocked the sight. “I wasn’t sure if people would care, but the wow factor was through the roof [on Monday],” Fulco told the Review. “People were in such disbelief. I explained to some the mathematics of [the transit] but I told people to just appreciate it. You’re not going to see it again for a while.” According to Fulco, what
On Aug. 21, 2017, the United States will witness a total solar eclipse from the Pacific to Atlantic coasts for the first time since 1918. The vantage point on Earth where the eclipse can be seen is known as the path of totality, approximately 200 miles wide. Photo courtesy eclipse2017.org
people find most interesting is how small Mercury really is in relation to the sun. “The transit gives you a nice scale of our solar system and how fast Mercury moves,” he said. However, “fast” in astronomical terms is relative, as it took approximately seven hours for Mercury to cross the sun from our earthly vantage point. Fulco spent five hours on
the boardwalk with enthusiasts ranging from pre-kindergarteners to senior citizens, with the majority of stargazers from the local area. “I was very happy that the people from Rye were so excited and so inquisitive,” Fulco said. “To see a 4-year-old girl so interested, rattling off facts about the solar system was amazing.” Throughout the summer, Ful-
co will resume his travels to the remaining states along the solar eclipse’s path of totality for what he expects will be a thrilling event next year. “A total eclipse is the coolest thing you will ever see in your life,” Fulco said. “I’ve been to four continents chasing these things, so to have one happen in my own country is like the backyard for me.”
Charles Fulco, a NASA solar system ambassador and science consultant, provides views of the Transit of Mercury last Monday from the Playland boardwalk in Rye, utilizing specialized solar telescopes. Contributed photos
10 • The city review • May 20, 2016
May 20, 2016 • The city review • 11
Blind author guides kids in caring for the environment By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Editorial Assistant When Andrew Kranichfeld started holding programs for schoolchildren based on his first book, “Karen’s Garden,” he would first show them fresh produce. Then he’d pull out a bag of Doritos and tell them to look at the nutrition facts. “On the back, it would have many ingredients. You don’t even know what half the stuff is,” he chuckled. “I could usually sound them out when I could see, but it wasn’t easy.” See, Kranichfeld is blind, but he doesn’t let that get in the way of doing what he loves, like running, cooking, going out to eat, enjoying live music and writing. At age 32, he is a children’s book author with a focus on the environment and gardening. His latest book, “Oliver Saves the Nature Center,” came out in December 2015 and has themes of Earth science, ecology, community and environmentalism— all topics he feels children should be more aware of during what he feels is an important time in human history. The book stars a character based on Kranichfeld’s older brother, Oliver, who worked at the Rye Nature Center as an environmental educator for five years. Kranichfeld himself used to volunteer there as a summer
Andrew Kranichfeld reads his book, “Karen’s Garden,” to students at the Rye Country Day School. Kranichfeld is blind. Photo courtesy Andrew Kranichfeld
camp counselor while at Rye High School. A month or two after turning 26, Kranichfeld learned that he had a brain tumor, which was misdiagnosed twice. His first medical opinion resulted in chemotherapy that made the tumor grow a little bigger. His vision went from being a little blurry, “like wearing glasses with Vaseline on them,” to getting much worse.
“Karen’s Garden,” published in September 2012, is Andrew Kranichfeld’s first book. It is dedicated to his mother, who passed away two years prior to its release.
When his doctors realized their first mistake, Kranichfeld was then given steroids intravenously, and he lost his sight and gained a lot of weight soon after. “After I went blind, and getting the brain tumor, I was looking for an outlet for not just creativity, but a way to [produce] something that people would enjoy and learn from, and writing a book seemed like the right way,” he said. When he holds programs for children, Kranichfeld tells them to be mindful of what they’re putting into their bodies and that being in touch with nature—by gardening, for example—is important. “When you grow the plants yourself, you know they’re fresh; they’re nutritious,” Kranichfeld said. “If you buy them at the store, they might be covered in pesticides, they might have wax on them, they might be old—you don’t really know.” He stresses the importance of growing food locally, and tells the children he talks to that gardening is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. “You’re outside, digging in the earth, connecting with Mother Nature. Everyone these days— young and old people—is always on their cellphones, computers or iPads, so it’s a very im-
“Oliver Saves the Nature Center” is Andrew Kranichfeld’s latest book. The main character is based off of his older brother who used to work at the Rye Nature Center.
portant message for little kids that you shouldn’t be on these gadgets all day,” he said. He ends his visits by showing children the adaptive technology he uses every day, including Facebook, Google, texting and using various iPhone apps. He shows students apps that can tell him money denominations and help him get dressed by identifying the colors of the clothing he picks out. “Getting to spend time with a disabled person, students learn that they’re just a normal person. I’m just different in that I can’t see,” he said. Kranichfeld grew up in Rye, in a household that he called “a unique place,” located in a large field, surrounded by hedges on 4 acres of land near a brook in the backyard. The property also had three greenhouses, only one of which was used for growing food. There was an outdoor garden, too, where his mother had friends and some coworkers use part of, like a coop. “People would have their own sections where they’d grow their own fruits and vegetables and they’d share them with each other,” he said.
His mother, Karen, passed away in March 2010 after battling leukemia—just days before Kranichfeld learned of his brain tumor. “I really loved my mom; we were very close,” he said, adding that “Karen’s Garden” is a tribute to her. The book is also important to him because his mother was only 59 when she died. “This was a way that I could not only tell her story, but maybe get some really young kids into gardening—in a way, passing on her legacy of gardening to other people,” he said. His family also travelled to some interesting places when he was younger, like camping at a game reserve in Botswana and visiting the J.N. Ding Darling wildlife refuge on Sanibel Island, Florida. He credits his childhood experiences, especially visiting these places he saw as “untouched nature,” as one reason why he cares for the environment. He also played hockey at Rye High School for three years. He dabbled in other sports, like soccer and softball, but hockey is the one that stuck.
Although he lives in the Bronx, Kranichfeld still has many fond memories of Rye. “As a community, Rye has really stood behind me,” he said. He mentions an event called the Chowder Cup, a fundraiser on ice, when he was given the nickname “Chowder” after skating for the first time in five years since losing his sight. With his latest book, Kranichfeld tried to think of a subject that would be relevant to current events and would engage both children and their parents, since they buy the books. His audience—at least for now—is children because of the books he read when he was young, like Dr. Seuss. He said that although the books were fun, their messages left a huge impression on him. “We are sort of at a turning point in history where we really need to start doing something about climate change. That’s what I try to put into my books,” Kranichfeld said. “If everyone starts to make little changes in their lives, it does make a difference.” CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com
12 • The city review • May 20, 2016
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May 20, 2016 • The city review • 13
Sitting down with the swami next door RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
When he was 19, Richard Slavin, a nice Jewish boy from the suburbs of Chicago, went backpacking in Europe for two months. “Hey,” I told him. “I have a son about to do the same thing.” “But,” Slavin added with a twinkle, “I never came back!” With that, he gave a hearty laugh, as jolly a sound as the ice cream man’s bell. Pure joy. He could laugh now—he was laughing now, in a conference room in Midtown for a book tour, because at 60-something and bald, he is no longer the wandering hippie he was in 1970. In fact, he is no longer even Richard Slavin. Today he is Radhanhath Swami, leader of the Hare Krishnas. The swami was dressed in coral-colored robes and a coral sweatshirt that he took off in the warm corporate office. His assistant jumped up to fold it for him, but the swami—spiritual leader to millions—nonchalantly did it himself. This is not a guy who lives a Kardashian life. He’s a monk. He sleeps on the floor. He rises at 4 every morning for chanting and meditation, and breakfast isn’t until 9! So how does a suburban American kid end up living in India, leading a congregation that feeds 300,000 impoverished kids a day, along with running a hospital, an orphanage, a handful of eco-villages and about a dozen schools for the very poor? The swami smiled and raised his eyebrows as I asked. He looked as surprised as me.
And by the way, in between all these India duties, the swami travels the world to lecture everywhere from Google to Harvard on things like spirituality and stress. “I have to admit to them that swamis have as much stress as them,” he chuckled. “It’s just a matter of how you deal with it.” The journey from footloose teen to spiritual leader is what his first book, “The Journey Home: Autobiography of an American Swami,” was about. It was a bestseller. His latest book, “The Journey Within: Exploring the Path of Bhakti,” is about the spiritual lessons learned along the way. The lessons did not come easily. After he landed in Europe, Slavin hitchhiked across the continent in search of truth. “I was going to cathedrals and synagogues to study, because I really believed in the unity of all religions,” he recalls. He studied Islam in Turkey and Iran. By the time he got to India to study the religions there, he “became a very serious ascetic. I would never sleep inside any building, because I considered that too luxurious. So I slept under trees, or in caves.” Now, readers, here I must confess something: This man grew up one suburb way from me. He went to my rival high school and is just about 10 years older. When we discussed our favorite childhood haunts, he gleefully recalled the local pancake house and summers on Lake Michigan, though, “As a swami, I can’t tell you what we used to do when we’d sneak onto the beach.” Another laugh. The point is, he comes from a background very familiar to me.
But most of us did not go off and sleep in caves. How on earth did his parents react? When he finally returned to America for the first time, he says, “It was a culture shock for me and a culture shock for them. My father and brother came to meet me at the airport. The only luggage I had was a begging bowl. They didn’t know what to think. But we adjusted to each other in a very sweet and wonderful way.” That’s probably because the swami was not the caricature that many of us had or even still have of the Hare Krishnas—lost souls in loose robes chanting in the streets and offering flowers, cult members. “In every religion, there’s wacky people,” the swami said matter-of-factly. Because the Hare Krishna religion was first established in America in 1966, right around the time of the counter-culture, the two got entwined in the public mind. Lost souls did join. So what? Hare Krishna is not an American fad. It’s an ancient Indian religion that says we are all one— humans, animals, all of us who seek sustenance here on earth. And when we chant the name of Krisha—God—we get closer and closer to realizing that connectedness. That doesn’t sound any dippier than going to church or temple. And if it makes people ready to build schools, respect nature and provide for the very poor, more power to it—and the former Richard Slavin. (But if my son is reading this, please note: Do not stay away for 40 years!) CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
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Faith leaders address youth sentencings Dear Gov. Cuomo, Majority Leader Flanagan and Speaker Heastie, As faith leaders from many backgrounds, traditions and beliefs, we write to you united by our great concern for the future of children in our communities. Too many are being swept up into the adult criminal justice system and getting trapped in a cycle of poverty and crime. We all know children who have faced down difficult circumstances and rebuilt their lives. But the lack of age-appropriate interventions for 16- and 17-year olds in the adult system, as well as the heightened exposure they face to violence and abuse, is making it difficult and in many cases impossible for even the most intelligent and capable teens to become productive and successful members of our communities. As a state, New York is failing these children. Today, we humbly ask you to raise the age at which children are automatically charged as adults. Currently, New York is one of
two states where youth as young as 16 automatically end up in adult courts, jails and prisons. Passing the raise of the age proposal will enhance public safety and offer youth age-appropriate interventions (including, when necessary, incarceration). In 2013, nearly 34,000 16and 17-year olds were arrested and faced prosecution in the adult system—the vast majority for non-violent crimes.We should be better than that. Adult prisons do not focus on rehabilitation, and are not designed to meet the needs of children. National studies show that young people confined in adult facilities are much more likely to face traumatic physical and sexual violence than those in juvenile facilities. This lack of age-appropriate intervention and increased exposure to violence also leads to higher rates of recidivism and, as a result, higher costs for the
Respectfully, J. Bruce Baker, pastor, All Souls Parish/Presbyterian Church, Port Chester; Bob Berson, Ethical Culture Society of Northern Westchester; Rabbi Jonathan Blake, Westchester Reform Temple, Scarsdale; Rabbi Jeff Brown, Scarsdale Synagogue; Rabbi Aaron Brusso, Bet Torah, Mount Kisco; J. Cooper Conway, priest in charge, St Paul’s on the Hill Episcopal Church & Trinity Episcopal Church, Ossining; The Rev. Doris K. Dalton, Memorial United Methodist Church of White Plains; The Rev. Noelle Damico, Member United Church of Christ Metro Association; The Rev. Dr. Susan G. De George, Stated Clerk Hudson River Presbytery; The Rev. Dr. Gawain de Leeuw, OA, Rector St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, White Plains; The Rev Joyce Dugger, Protestant chaplain, Hofstra University; Wayne Francis, lead pastor, Authentic Church, White Plains; The Rev. Dr. Steven Meredith Garmon, Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation, White Plains; The Rev. Jeffrey A. Geary, White Plains Presbyterian Church; Rabbi David Greenberg, Temple Sharaay Tefila, Bedford; The Rev. Susan C. Harriss, Christ’s (Episcopal) Church, Rye ; The Rev. Sarah E. Henkel, White Plains Presbyterian Church; Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan, Pleasantville Community Synagogue; The Rev. Dr. David R. Holder, founder and senior pastor; Ministers Gregory Adegbola, Dierdra Clark,
justice system as a whole. Our current law sets young people up to become re-offenders: research has shown that young people who go through the adult system are much more likely to reoffend than those in the juvenile system. From a public safety perspective, raising the age is about being both smart on crime and tough on crime—an approach that numerous law enforcement officials from around the state have endorsed. By creating a path to more positive outcomes for more children, raising the age would lead to crime reductions and help foster safer, more livable streets throughout the state. Thank you for your consideration of this matter. We are ready to stand by you and move forward with this important policy change. It goes without saying that all New Yorkers will be better off under this approach.
Gregory Millings, Marlon Simpkins, Alex Smith, Sherin Swift, John Udochi, New York Covenant Church, New Rochelle; Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, Chappaqua; Jone Johnson Lewis, clergy leader, Riverdale-Yonkers Society for Ethical Culture and Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture; Rabbi Chaim Marder, Hebrew Institute of White Plains; Rabbi Shira Milgrom, Congregation Kol Ami, White Plains; The Rev. Darren M. Morton, Ed. D., Macedonia Baptist Church, Mount Vernon; The Rev. Dorothy Muller, Hudson River Presbytery; Pastor Jim O’Hanlon, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Rye Brook; The Rev. Dr. Lillian F. Reynolds, minister for Community Based Programs, Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon; The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Rosborough, Briarcliff Congregational Church Apostle A.S. Rose Upon this Rock Ministries Inc., Mount Vernon; The Rev. Erwin Lee Trollinger Jr., Baptist Church, White Plains; The Rev. Dr. Verlin D. Williams, Union Baptist Church, White Plains; Dr. Edward O. Williamson, pastor-teacher, Bethel Baptist Church, White Plains; The Rev. Claire Woodley, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Mohegan Lake; Perry Wootten, pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Ossining; Bart Worden, clergy leader, Ethical Culture Society of Westchester; The Rev. Dr. Robert E. Young, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Peekskill. (Submitted)
SPORTS
14 • The city review • May 20, 2016
A day at the old ballpark LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
At 31 years old, I’ve come to the realization that I’m not a spring chicken anymore. That being said, I wouldn’t call myself “old,” unless I was comparing myself to the crowd at Governor’s Ball. On Sunday, however, I felt every bit the geriatric ward resident at the place I was most afraid of it happening: the baseball field. For the last 10 years, my buddies and I have spent most of our weekends in the spring and summer lacing up our cleats to compete in one of New York City’s adult baseball leagues. In that time, I’ve seen us grow from a team filled with young, post-college upstarts into a ballclub stacked with wizened vets who get by on guile more than athleticism. But Sunday, man, did we look old.
We’ve gotten off to a good start this year. We came into the weekend 9-2, fresh from beating a couple of hurlers who spent the last few years pitching in the minor leagues. But this weekend, we squared off against the kryptonite of just about anyone over 25 years old: teenagers. I knew we were in trouble as soon as we got to the field. We straggled into the park about 45 minutes before game time, which is about as much time as we normally need to stretch and cajole our aching joints into something resembling baseball shape. But our opponents, average age 18, had been there for over an hour, playing a pickup game before we were set to play a double header. They spryly bounced around the turf, chattering loudly, whipping the ball around the infield. It was way too much energy for someone my age to see that early in the morning. The game played out pretty predictably: they just never let up.
Every time they got on base, they’d take another, forcing our catcher—who’s squatted behind the plate for 95 percent of the 2,100 innings we’ve played in the last decade—to throw over and over again with a labrum he hasn’t had since 2012. Even when we took the lead, nothing could dampen their enthusiasm. They simply put together good at-bat after good atbat, tiring out our aged pitching staff, myself included, until they ended up coming out on top in both games. But our humiliation on the field was nothing compared to the way we felt afterward. On Monday, I was too sore to tie my shoes. Our catcher said he was typing left-handed at work, as the pain in his shoulder had his throwing arm dangling uselessly at his desk. Our first baseman, whose balky hamstrings once again became an issue during a rundown play, worked from home, as he was unwilling—or unable—to get off his
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On Sunday, Sports Editor Mike Smith’s baseball team lost a tough double header to a bunch of teenagers. This week, Smith is really feeling his age. Photo courtesy Mike Smith
couch in the morning. We’d been beaten by better teams, but never by teams who simply “out-youthed” us. It was a sobering moment, indeed. But the great thing about playing once a week is that old
guys like us have plenty of time to recover. The next time we play these whippersnappers will be in June. We’ll know their tendencies, remember what they did last weekend and hopefully use our minds to strike a winning blow
for all the geezers out there. Or maybe we’ll just get lucky and they’ll all be at Randall’s Island, grooving to Kanye.
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SPORTS
May 20, 2016 • The city review • 15
THE ROUNDUP Baseball
New Rochelle Edgemont
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In the consolation game of Eastchester’s Dom Cecere Tournament, the Huguenots shook off a first-round loss to the hosts in order to hang a shutout loss on the Panthers. The Huguenots took advantage of six Edgemont errors, and despite being held scoreless from the second through fifth innings, did enough to come away with the win. New Rochelle collected five of its hits against Edgemont starter Mike Book. The opening round of the Cecere tourney was played on Monday, May 9.
Ossining New Rochelle
9 6
After both teams rallied for four first-inning runs, the Indians came away with the win on Tuesday, applying constant pressure to the Huguenots’
Matt Long makes a throw from the hole against the Eagles. Photos/Mike Smith
pitching staff to come away with a 9-6 win. The Huguenots racked up 11 hits on the afternoon, but the Indians were able to do damage in big spots, getting a three-run double from Bob Dipillo and a three-run homer from Paul Cozzolino to pick up the victory. The Huguenots, currently
sitting below .500, are not assured of a spot in the Class AA postseason. The baseball season came to a close on May 18, and the seeding meeting is currently scheduled for Thursday, May 20, after press time.
Emmy Yarmy controls the ball during an April contest against Mamaroneck.
Softball The New Rochelle softball team is gearing up for the first round of the Class AA playoffs, which will begin on Friday, May 20. No. 15 New Rochelle enters the first round as the underdogs, taking on No. 2 John Jay-East Fishkill. The Huguenots finished up the season with two straight tough losses, bowing in the finals of Clarkstown North’s John Sullivan Tourney on May 15, falling 5-3 to the hosts and being shutout by Harrison 9-0 in the regular season finale on May 16. John Jay won its final game of the regular season, topping Suffern 6-2 on Monday. The Patriots and Huguenots will square off on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at John Jay High School.
Lacrosse
Mason Newman throws a pitch against Eastchester on May 9. On May 14, the Huguenots won the consolation game of the Dom Cecere Tournament at Eastchester High School.
Neither the boys’ nor girls’ lacrosse teams from New Rochelle qualified for postseason play. The first-round of the lacrosse playoffs was played on Wednesday, May 18. -Reporting by Mike Smith
Haitam Coughlin carries the ball during an early season win against Albertus Magnus. The Huguenots failed to qualify for the postseason.
16 • The city review • May 20, 2016