July 1, 2016 by The City Review New Rochelle

July 1, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 16 | www.cityreviewnr.com

The end! The New Rochelle High School Class of 2016 throws its caps in the air as Principal Reginald Richardson announces the end of the 118th commencement on Thursday, June 23. For coverage, see page 6. Photo courtesy City School District of New Rochelle

2 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016

July 1, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 3

Westchester pays tribute to

Orlando victims By SUZY BERKOWITZ Editorial Assistant In Westchester County, the LOFT LGBT Community Center in White Plains and the village of Mamaroneck held two separate candlelight vigils to honor the victims of the mass shooting in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, June 12. The attack, which took place at Pulse, an LGBT nightclub in downtown Orlando, killed 49 people and injured 53, making it the deadliest mass shooting in American history. The gunman, 29-year-old Omar Mateen, entered the nightclub around 2 a.m., armed with both a semiautomatic AR-15 assault rifle and a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, and began firing shots. After identifying himself as the shooter to an Orlando news station over the phone, Mateen held hostages inside the club’s bathroom until SWAT of-

Vigil participants set their candles down near the veterans’ memorial in front of the courtroom in Mamaroneck on Mount Pleasant Avenue. Photo/Chris Courtney

Students from the Westchester Sandbox Theatre, located in Mamaroneck, sing to community members iin front of the veterans’ memorial by the courtroom in Mamaroneck during the candlelight vigil for the victims of the mass shooting. Photo/Chris Courtney

From left, Harrison High School students Katelyn Daher, Angie Martinetti, Nadia Saghei and Cyle Rockoff attend the vigil in White Plains, holding signs in support of remembering the victims and protecting members of the queer Latinx community. Photo/Suzy Berkowitz

The names, ages and a brief biography of the 49 victims killed in the June 12 mass shooting in Orlando, Florida were displayed during a candlelight vigil at the LOFT LGBT Community Center in White Plains on Thursday, June 16. Photos/Suzy Berkowitz

ficers, FBI agents and local law enforcement breached the building’s walls using an armored vehicle. Once officials entered the premises, a gunfight ensued, killing Mateen. In the wake of this tragedy, community centers and organizations nationwide have been holding ceremonies and vigils in memory of those killed in the attack. The candlelight vigil held outside the LOFT LGBT Community Center, located on Bryant Avenue, brought out a crowd of approximately 150 people. The ceremony included a reading of all 49 victims’ names and ages, along with statements made by elected officials and community clergy members, including city of White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, a Democrat, and a spokesperson of U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, a New York Democrat. Other organizations representing those affected by the attack also attended the vigil, including the Westchester Hispanic Coalition and the American Muslim Women’s Association. According to Scott Havelka, LOFT director of programs and services, it was necessary to show alliances with other community organizations to

display a sense of unity and solidarity in the wake of this tragedy. “We knew we needed to organize something here in White Plains, and we thought it was important to collaborate with these groups to show that no one person represents an entire community,” he said. “We hope this vigil will help spark a continuing conversation so these mass shootings and hate crimes are not commonplace anymore.” The candlelight vigil held by the village of Mamaroneck in front of the courtroom on Mount Pleasant Avenue yielded a turnout of approximately 150 community members, and featured songs and poems sung by students from the Westchester Sandbox Theatre. “[The vigil] was an opportunity for people to honor those that unfortunately lost their lives and bring to light that it is very important that while the apparent target seemed to be the LGBT community, the reality is, this is a target that affects everybody,” Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, said. “I do what I think is best for the village of Mamaroneck and offer a venue for people to express themselves.” -with reporting by Andrew Dapolite

4 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016

What’s going on... 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. Both libraries will be closed for Independence Day weekend, from Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4.

Summer hours at libraries The main New Rochelle Public Library will be closed on Sundays through Sept. 4. The Huguenot Children’s Library will be closed on Saturdays through Sept. 4. The main library will be open on Saturdays through Aug. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Both libraries will be closed Saturday, Sept. 3 through Monday, Sept. 5 for Labor Day weekend. Regular Saturday hours will resume at both libraries on Sept. 10. The main library will resume its regular Sunday hours, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., on Sept. 11. The Huguenot Children’s Library will remain closed on Sundays. Summer hours at the main library are: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sundays: Closed. Summer hours at the children’s library are: Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays: Closed.

Library survey The New Rochelle Public Library board of trustees invites residents to take a few minutes of your time to provide some information about yourself and your use of the library. Please fill out the brief, 14-question survey, available in English and Spanish, through links on the library’s home page at nrpl.org. The closing date for submissions is Sunday, July 17.

Book sales The Friends Mini Book Sale will take place on Tuesday, July 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Friends Super Summer Book Sale will take place on Thursday, July 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday, July

8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All sales will take place 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 volunteers. Money realized from book sales are used to underwrite the library’s extensive public programs.

Teens Gamer Clash Tournaments On Wednesdays in July from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in the main library’s Teen Room on the second floor. A weekly walk on the gaming side for gamers of all kinds. Each week will be a new tournament challenge on either Xbox One or PS4. Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Grand Market The famous New Rochelle Downtown BID farmers market has returned to the Library Green, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit newrochellegrandmarket.com for more information on vendors and special events and programs.

Market crafts and garden experiences On Saturday, July 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Library Green. For ages 9 to 11. A talented craft instructor or chef helps young marketgoers create a wonderful take-home project or snack to eat—all inspired by the bounty of the farmers market and great children’s books. Also, right off the Children’s Room of the library, the abundant garden is the location for hands-on activities involving fresh vegetables and herbs.

Free creative writing classes In partnership with the College of New Rochelle, CNR, the New Rochelle Public Library is offering a free six-week creative writing class for high school students and a free six-week creative writing class for adults. The classes will be taught by faculty from the new MFA program in creative writing at CNR. The classes for adults will take place on Tuesdays, July 12 to Aug. 16 from noon to 1:30 p.m. The classes for high school students will be held on Thursdays, July 14 to Aug. 18 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Both groups will meet in the second floor meeting room. The CNR professors will guide and inspire participants in the writing of memoirs, fiction and nonfiction. No experience is necessary. Each of the two classes is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. Call 813-3706 or email communityrelations@nrpl.org.

Summer programs 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 through 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 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 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.

City news ‘Spark the Sound’ Independence Day Extravaganza On Monday, July 4, cap off your holiday evening with a viewing of the grand fireworks display at the New Rochelle waterfront. Produced and sponsored by the Grucci family, the city of New Rochelle’s annual “Spark the Sound” extravaganza will start at 9:30 p.m., rain or shine. Optimum viewing locations are Hudson Park, Five Islands Park and waterfront restaurants.

Community youth fishing trips The New Rochelle Police Department and the New Rochelle Police Foundation announce the 2016 Community Youth Fishing Program for boys and girls ages 10 to 15. There are four Wednesday trips scheduled for this summer: July 6, July 13, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. Participants must arrive at the Fort Slocum Road Dock by 9 a.m. The boat returns at approximately 2 p.m. Lunch, soft drinks and equipment will be provided. The trip is open to New Rochelle residents only and pre-registration is required. Forms can be downloaded online at newrochelleny.com or are available at NRPD headquarters front desk, located at 475 North Ave. For more information, call

Det. Fudge at 654-2080.

Parks and beach are open The beach season officially began during Memorial Day weekend. Hudson Park Beach is open every day, conditions permitting, through Monday, Sept. 5. Beach hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hudson Park Beach includes a tented food court area, playground and picnic area. For the best value, frequent visitors are encouraged to purchase an Omnicard, New Rochelle’s Parks and Recreation’s identification card. As an added plus, the Omniplus plan or Family Pass covers all beach access fees. The Omnicard is also your pass to enter Five Is lands Park, Davenport Park, Cameron Dock, Sharkey Park and Neptune Park. Omnicard fees: • Adult Resident (ages 14 to 61): $40. • Adult Resident Plus (Omincard + Hudson Park Beach pass): $75. • Non-resident: $65. • Non-resident Plus: $125. • Senior Resident (ages 62 and up) Lifetime card: $40. • Senior Resident Plus (Omnicard + Hudson Park Beach pass): $35 per season. • Family – New Rochelle Residents only: $125. • Family – Non-residents: $250. Hudson Park Beach fees: • Adult Resident with Omnicard: $5. • Resident Guest: $5. • Resident Senior: $5. • Resident Senior Plus: Free. • Family Omnicard: Free. • Non-resident with Omnicard: $5. • Non-resident Guest: $10. • One-Day Pass: $10.

Weekend valet parking The city of New Rochelle reactivated valet parking services in the downtown area. This whiteglove valet service allows downtown restaurant patrons to drop off their cars at the New Rochelle Public Library’s south parking lot, between Lawton Avenue and Memorial Highway, and pay a flat $5 fee to park until midnight, eliminating the need to circle for a space or worry about expired meters. The city is working jointly with the New Rochelle Downtown Business Improvement District to provide this service. Valet parking services will be overseen by LAZ Parking, and will be available from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday, through Labor Day weekend. 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.

New to the Review Franco Fino has joined the Review as a staff writer. Fino is a recent graduate of Manhattanville College, where he received a B.A. in Communications & Media Studies in May 2016. While attending Manhattanville, Fino served as the executive editor of the college’s independent student news publication, Touchstone. Prior to joining this

Franco Fino

company, he spent several months in 2015 working as a reporting intern at The Queens Tribune. Fino currently resides in the Bronx, and enjoys spending much of his free time golfing in Westchester County, and leisure cooking his favorite Italian dishes. Reach Fino at 653-1000 ext. 18 or franco@hometwn.com.

July 1, 2016 â€˘ THE CITY REVIEW â€˘ 5

Fourth of July happenings in Westchester Place

White Plains White Plains High School 550 North St.

Yonkers Cross Country Shopping Center 8000 Malk Walk

Rye Playland 1 Playland Parkway

Valhalla Kensico Dam 1 Bronx River Parkway

Larchmont Manor Park Park Avenue

Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Best view from Pierson Park in Tarrytown and Kingsland Park in Sleepy Hollow

New Rochelle

Event

Date & Time

Entertainment, food and fireworks

Friday, July 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Rain date: Wednesday, July 6

Music and fireworks

Friday, July 1 Music at 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Fireworks

Friday, July 1 at 9:15 p.m. Sunday, July 3 at 9:15 p.m. Monday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

Music and fireworks

Sunday, July 3 Music at 8 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Races, music and fireworks

Monday, July 4 Music and races at 7 p.m. and fireworks will follow

Fireworks

Monday, July 4 at 9 p.m.

Fireworks

Monday, July 4 at 9:30 p.m

( New Rochelle waterfront )

Best view from Hudson Park, Five Islands Park and waterfront restaurants

6 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016 THE

CityREVIEW NewRochelle 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com

Class of 2016 declared

ready for the world

Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Suzy Berkowitz ext. 30, suzy@hometwn.com Education Reporter | Sarah Varney ext. 17, sarah@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Corey Stockton Staff Photographers Bobby Begun, Andrew Dapolite Intern Justin Grant Columnist Lenore Skenazy

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Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Osborne declares the Class of 2016 ready to graduate, and Board of Education President Lianne Merchant accepts the graduates before they receive their diplomas.

Though dark clouds loomed in the distance, New Rochelle High School’s Class of 2016 still looked happy as they assembled on McKenna Field for the school’s 118th commencement on Thursday, June 23. The ceremony began with a salute to the flag, followed by the school’s chorale singing the national anthem and “God Bless America.” New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson greeted the graduates and their friends and family, as the sun slowly started to peak through the clouds. “Not one of you wants to hear a long speech from the mayor,” he said to laughter and applause. “Congratulations on this milestone… and make us proud in all that you do.” Although this graduating class would be the last to officially wear gender-specific caps and gowns—boys in purple and girls in white—some students chose to dress ahead of the change, including valedictorian Talia Kornreich, who donned a purple outfit.

Class President Diana Calautti challenges her classmates to make an impact on the world as they see fit upon leaving New Rochelle High School, in college and beyond.

Graduates call out to friends as they line up to receive their diplomas and a handshake from Principal Reginald Richardson.

Salutatorian Samuel Barton addresses his classmates.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson gives a short but sweet speech to the graduating class.

“Attending New Rochelle High School has enabled us to lift the tension, devices and… lenses of race, religion, sexuality and gender identification out of our [view]…. We are able to filter out all of the discriminatory CONTINUED on next page

Graduates shake hands with Principal Reginald Richardson upon receiving their diplomas. Photos/Sibylla Chipaziwa

July 1, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 7 [things] in order to see the individual,” she said. “Attending [this school] has been a gift.” When Principal Reginald Richardson approached the podium, the Class of 2016 in particular cheered him on. “You are now young adults who are more than ready to successfully compete in the world,” he said. “I ask that you remain intellectually curious and dedicate yourselves to being lifelong learners.” After Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Osborne declared the class ready for graduation and Board of Education President Lianne Merchant formally accepted the graduates, Class President Diana Calautti—who also wore a purple cap and gown—addressed her classmates as the sun finally shined. “As you go through life, keep that question in the back of your mind: What impact do you want to make on the world?” she said. “Today, I challenge you to make your own meaning in life.” Out of the 740 graduates, more than 90 percent of the class will be going to college or continuing education in the fall, a testament to the strength of the school district’s curricula. -Reporting by Sibylla Chipaziwa

Soon-to-be graduates line up, eager to receive their diplomas. Photos/Sibylla Chipaziwa

The New Rochelle High School Chorale sings the national anthem and “God Bless America” to open the commencement ceremony.

A graduate flashes a smile.

A graduate shows off his outfit under his purple gown.

A graduate rushes for a hug from the principal as her classmates look on.

8 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016

new rochelle HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2016 Jesus Abarca Jose Abarca Max Harris Abrams Adam Ackerman Antonio M. Acosta Christian T. Adams Martin Adamu Joseph Adelfio-Rivera Karina Aguilar Noemi Aguilar Valdovinos Lisbeth Aguirre Ann Odufa Akamiokhor Maryam Alimohammadi Adrian Almodovar Julissa Alonso Lizeth Alonso Tatiana Alonso Gabrielle N. Altman Diana A. Alvarez Hugo S. Alvarez Joselyn Alvarez Alexandrea V. Amazan Kamal Andre Amjad Keimara Nairae Amos Diana C. Anaya Jesus Anaya Marisol Anaya Jeremy D. Andrade David Robertho Anevil Lucia A. Antoine Michael Apollo Donavin J. Aponte Emanuel A. Arenas Andrea Hazel Arevalo Vanessa Arica Wendy Arreguin Manuela Arroyave Jareed Devon Askew Marsha Auguste Ahmed Awad Ebony Ayala Jose Antonio Ayala Luis Manuel Ayala Steven Ayala Michael Ayewah Nigel Akil Bailey Michael Baker Jillian Elizabeth Banks William Banks Claudia Barajas Jorge Barajas Pedro Ivan Barajas Sergio Barajas Katherine Barba Brandon Barias Jonathan Bar-Ness Abril Barragan Julia C. Barrios Lauren Ryan Barry Hannah Bartell Nicholas Barton Brian A. Bartucca

Haseeb Bashir Jazmin Becerra Ivana Bell Ivanna Kendra Berrios Aldair Berrospe J. Jesus Berrospe Dante Betterson Sarah Nan Ji Betts Charles B. Birnbaum Kharisma Taylor-Ann Black Christophe Blades Victoria Blige Olivia A. Bloch Christian Blomberg Benjamin Blum Joseph Boettigheimer Brielle Bonetti Giselle Bookal Evan Bookchin Jayson Daniely Bossuet Martine Bowman Jordan C. Bozier Justin Bozier Nicole Marie Brady Kyrel Brickle Santiago Briseno Arianna Brown Amanda Browne Owen A. Bruce Samuel Burton Kyle Buzo Jackson Byrnes Mitzi Cabezas Jose Cabrera Kimberly Gabrielle Cabrera Nicholas Anthony Cacciola Catherine Cacsire Diana Rose Calautti Kyler Ashton Callands Isabel T. Caltabellotta Juan Antonio Camarena Efrain Campos Gaytan Joshua G. Canessa Cristina N. Cantiello Athziry P. Capistran Joseph Capraro Jesus Cardenas Dajah Carew-Williams Dontai M. Carey Andre’ Carter Andre L. Carvalho Phylicia Cash Dillon Cass Anthony Caviness Mariana Ceja Gonzalez Carmelina Celentano Jayson C. M. Cene Tempii Champion Skye Chandler Cybill N. Charles Marisol Chavez Mayra Chavez

Brandon Kong-Fu Chen Rabazar Chikoti Jordan Chin Paula Chirinos Alyssa Cimino Christian Cintron Cesar Ivan Cisneros Janet Cisneros Yasmin Cisneros Luke Joseph Clifford Dylan Cohen Leam F. Cohen Madeleine A. Cohen Tyler Jack Cohen Samantha Leigh Cohn Matthew J. Colello Josue D. Collado Amanda Marie Conca Adrian Contreras Mayra G. Contreras Sarah Contreras Jasmine Nadia Cooper Monae Janelle Cooper Alyssa C. Cordaro Marissa A. Cordaro Kayla Correa Jhane’ E. Correia Justin Palmer Cossifos Haitam Coughlin Elizabeth Anne Cox Aaron Malik Crosswhite Jeleidis Cruz Sol Alexander Cruz Tania Cruz Jose Cuevas Pjay Cummins Justin F. Curtis-Fridenvalds Marylou Mercedes Dalo Symone Darius Dylan Surya Dasgupta Aren Davey Tyshen Marquese Davidson Lovesey Davies Keyonnie Davis Kourtney Davis Marc Anthony Davis Michael DeBartolo Denisse DeDios Alvarez Ariella Caterina Delgado Fatou Y. Dembele John M. DeVita Ashley Sarai Di Pietrantonio Anya Di Salvo Daniel Diaz Maricella Diaz José Daniel Diaz Ramirez Azariah A. Diaz-Ngom Alison DiBuono Mohamed F. Djalo Craig Kishroy Dubery George R. Duggins Lyric Dupree

Andres E. Duran Saa Mikaiel J. Ebanks Aaron Echevarria Julia M. Eckley Asha Jolomi Edjang Michael Eggers Pamela Ann Ellerbe Patrick R. Elysee Samuel Jay Emanuele Nadayea Encarnacion Alejandra Espinosa Fidelis F. Essel Carlos D. Estrada Stefano Falero Kobe Familara Juliana Farias Christina Faust Eduardo Fenton-Rodriguez Julie K. Ferguson Aryana Terez Fernandez James Ferrara Valentina Ferrara Alicia Marie Ferrullo Devon Feuer Brian Figueroa Jacqueline Maria Figueroa Kyle Filippi Miyah Marie Fitzgerald Lauren Fitzpatrick Antonio Martin Flores Dejanee Foster Christopher James Fowler Emir Fragoso Nicholas Fraioli Irving Armando Franco Johanna Frick David Friedenberg Kenyi Frisancho Haley Fullerton Johanna V. Funes Jason Gaffney Emma Gallagher Jose Dejesus Galvan Maria A. Galvan Samantha Galvin Caleb Jay Gantz Reed Morrison Gantz Alejandra Garcia Blanca Belen Garcia Esteban Garcia Jennifer Garcia Jonatan Garcia Kevin John Garcia Daniela Garrido Junior Jefferson Gbra Isabella S. Gierlinger Rodolfo Gil Shaunyce Gilbert Nathan C. Giltwit Emily A. Ginsburg Bryant Godoy Daisy Godoy

Salvador Godoy Edwin Andrew Gomez Henry Eulisis Gonzales Enrique Gonzalez Guadalupe Gonzalez José Gonzalez Kaitlyn Elyse Gonzalez Luis J. Gonzalez Luz Clarita Gonzalez Lopez Samuel Gonzalez Stephanie Gonzalez Adam Benjamin Goodwin Nicola Gordon Alex Gorky Brandon S. Gould David A. Graff Amari Graham Rosmery Yaneth Gramajo Amber K. Grant Nicolette Greco Paris L. Green Benjamin Greenfield Geraldo Raziel Grijalva Gabriella M. Guerrero Michelle Guerrero Leah Gulloso Seth Halpern Ziare N. Hamilton James Isaiah Earl Hardee Jasmine Keturah Hardee Kaiya K. Harrell Yanik Harrell Kayla Harris Shana Marie Harris Kibree Notoya Harrison Miles Alexander Harvey Jolisa Henry Pierre Henry Rukiya A. Henry-Fields David Herman Antonio Hernandez Carlos Hernandez Cristian Hernandez Ivet Beatriz Hernandez Jocelyne Hernandez Jonathan Rafael Hernandez Oscar Hernandez Alejandra Herrera Fabian Herrera Cheyenne D. Hicks Christian Hilo Christopher Ryan Hinchey Katrina Hodges Jacara Hollis Elijah Reese Hosein Christopher James Hough Jayelle M. Howell Jennyfer Huerta Oliver Hughes Gabriela Hurtado Ruhaab Hussain Kento Igarashi

Alexa Luz Isales Adam R. Itzkowitz Akkad Nsima Ivey Maya Iyiana Jackson Raquel S. Jackson-Monte Brittany Marie Jacome Fanneh Jalloh Jessica Jeffrey Christina Jellen Shaunee Jemmott Tatiana Flora Jenkins Terry E. Jetter Randee A. Jewell Amelia Jimenez Timothy Adam Jimenez Misael O. Jimenez Gabriel Yoni R. Jimenez Garcia Zulem Cristal Jimenez-Tellez Arun Job Andrew Johnson Asia M. Johnson Kalia G. Johnson Rachel Johnson Janeane A. Jones Jiani G. Jones Kevin Jones Maafra Jones Victoria Jones-Alleyne Ashley Joseph Withny Joseph John Juarez Lizbeth Julca Bradley Khan William Michael Kann Jody. C. King Alexis Grace Kelley Deanna Rashelle Kerr Timothy Kessler Brandon Klee Kyle Andrew Koger Talia Kornreich Courtney R. Lally Naomi Lyeanne Lambert Amir Jay Landrine Amira Landrine Adam Landy Nicole Lashley-Simms Joshua Laufer Brittany Lebron Daizha Lee Kendall Lee Shoshana M. Levenson Phillip Z. J. Lewis Kaitlyn Lindo Andrew Joseph Lise Kristi Taylore Lise Coree M. Little Anna Livaccari Naquan Anthony Lloyd Tyriq Logan Cumberbatch Adraine M. Long Matthew Longo

July 1, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9

new rochelle HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2016 Alejandro Lopez Allison Lopez Arturo Lopez Essence Lopez Jinnell Victoria Lopez Johanna Lopez Jose De Jesus Lopez Marilyn Lopez Miriam Lopez Nasiem Lopez Sabrina Marabelle Lopez Miguel Angel Lopez Lopez Gisel Lopez Valdovinos Cameron Lora Ravi Louis Karina Lovera Mario Lozano Oliver Malcom Lustin Tirzah Janice MacDonald Alejandro Macias Alejandro Madrid Fernanda M. Madrigal Kimberly Magana Diana R. Magistro Victoria Maldari Ayla A. Maldonado Tracy Maldonado Bryan A. Maldonado Teni Alan Mancia Elizabeth Ashley Maravilla Jennifer Marin Benjamin Markell Ricardo Marques Marie A. Marricco Kevin Francis Martin Serena-Lee Martin Jorge Martinez Michael Martinez Mynor Martinez Andrew M. Marzullo Serena S. Mathai Shawn Mathew Jamarr S. Matthews Lauren Maxwell Denis Mazariegos Sophia McCann Scott W. McDermott NaiAsia McGregor Samuel A. McKay Erin McKenna Kelly Elizabeth McLeer Jeremie Mede Moussa Andres Medina Antonio Medina Darlin Medina Rebecca A. Meisler Jorge Mejia Juan Mejia Alex Joseph Menard Laura Alicia Mendoza Ramses Mercado Hernandez Mariana Teresa Meyering

Mariela Perez Leah Isabela Meza Kevin Ruiz Graciano Adam Anis Souda Oscar Perez Marissa Miceli Joseph W. Sabato Cassandra Sperry Roel O. Perez Ramirez Massimo Miceli Stephen Samuel Sacco Carolyn Spillane Jada L. Perreira Ty-Ree Milteer Jody Sainvil Mikayla Stanton Brandon Pesco Briana Minutella Ashira N. Sajous Matthew Staropoli Joshua Joseph Peterson Claire Moloff Lauryn Salvador Eric Stenroos Nathaniel Platzner Deanna Molucci Jeanpiere Erick Samaniego Sammy Stone Mark Poggioli Wayne Moore Aaron Samuel Brooke Strutin Gregory Powell Nathalie Moraes Shantall A. Sanabria Tamara Suarez Garcia Kiyem Powell Carlos Morales Alejandro Sanchez Jacques Sullivan Jayson A. Prince Alexander Moravec Alejandro Sanchez Ricky L. Sullivan Daniel Moreira Luiz Carolina S. Sanchez Zachary A. Sweetland Sophia T. Procario-Foley James T. Moriarty Jackeline Sanchez Mustafa Syed Alexandra C. Prugh Ashara Morris Samantha Sanchez Qadeer Abdul Syed Omar Pulido Sandoval Ricardo Mosby Stephany Sanchez Benjamin M. Tait Nolan Quinn Steven O. Moses-Malliet Yulian J. Sanchez Valdez Melissa Ann Talt Cloe Quiñones Fadimatou Mossi Christian Sanders Psalm V. Tanner Olivia A. Quinones Kadidjatou Mossi Adriana Sandoval Brandon F. Tarazona Kelly Rabanales Jorim Motley Tadiwanashe Taremba Rachel Rabanales Alecia M. Sandoval Maria Tonka Mrdelja Daneyal Raja Luca Andrea Sanna Savannah Milan Taylor Jadel Munguia Arif Ramadhan Muombwa Cristal Santizo Chanelly Tejada Stephanie Munguia Brandon Ramirez Christopher Manuel Santizo Joshua Tejada Saul Muñoz José Raul Ramirez Yuliza Santizo Gramajo Sarain Isabel Tellez Emely Celine Munroe José Leonel Ramirez Stephanie Santos Benjamin Thomas Vera Muntean Yusvel Aidee Ramirez Garcia Joshua E. Satterwhite Jeremiah Joseph Thomas David Nathaniel Myrie Christopher Ramos Elissa Savarese Keelan A. Thomas Jessica Nicole Nalerio Jonathan Ramos Benjamin Schanzer Noah Thomas Manesi Nambala Justin Raul Rangel Jessica Schaub Tyler Thomas Gisselle Naranjo Rosa Karina Rangel Virginia Schiavetta Servanna Thompson Michael A. Nardoni Sydney Recchia Sophia Schillace Wendkouni C. Tiendrebeogo Chayenne Adaora Nebolisa Kathryn E. Regan Marcus Chance Schomber Kelly B. To Shannon Adaobi Nebolisa Andrew Cole Renzetti Adam Schwartz Daniel Joseph Todino Martin C. NnajioforJorge Miguel Resendiz Brandon Scott Darius Tomlinson Ifeakandu Kevin Resendiz Allison Seiden Ana Claudia Torres William Nowlin Cristian Restrepo John C. Semenza Liliana Torres Charlotte O’Brien-Russell Ariel Reyes Nicole Senerchia Maria Laura Torres Lara Gabriela Ocasio Giselle Reyes Comfort Sesay Myesha Torres Miguelangel Oceguera Kevin Reyes Aleena Shabbir Ulises Torres Jaida Oliver Kyna Reyes Daiena Shahid Yesenia Torres Andres Oliveros Michael Angelo Reyes Mehreen Shaikh Janna Torres-Volz Karina Oliveros Ricardo Reyes Jinesh Shaji Esmeralda Toscano Chiedozie Onyeukwu Zulema Reyes Veton Sharaxhija Ty’Saan Towns Alec Q. Orlofsky Maria Reyes Contreras Rebeca Alejandra Trinidad Matthew Ryan Shearer Armando Ortiz Victoria Reyna Nuku K. Tsiagbe Jake Shore Elizabeth Ortiz Jackson Riemerschmid Altin Tuci Wolfgang Alexander Siemsen Victoria Alexandra Oseguera Sindy Abigail Rivas Kayla Tufo Eli Sills Ima Otto-During Kristian Rivera Ryan Tupper Samuel Silverman Chelsea Ovalle William J. Roberts Lecent Amelia Tyrrell Jordana G. Simon Jeamilette Pacheco-Quilodran Crystal Renee Robinson Princess I. Uche Taylor Sims Antonio Padilla Brianna Rodriguez Donald Ukaegbu Kevin Singletary Raquel Padilla Denisse Rodriguez Denis Ulaj Geovanni A. Singleton Maxine Yvanka Paillant Julian Rodriguez Taylor Rose Ullrich Ariana E. Sirabian Noorulain Paracha Kyajuan W. Rogers Christopher Valdovinos Julian Byrne Slade Vanessa I. Parente-Colin Jacob E. Romer Estefania Valdovinos Je’Von A. Smith R.L. Paul Fernanda Romero Juan Daniel Valdovinos Madeline F. Smith Gustavo E. Peña Contreras Jacqueline Rooney Melissa Valdovinos Vivian V. Smith Lorena Penagos Alexis Rosario Steven Valdovinos Ahmed G. Sobti Tiason E. Pendarvis Ariana C. Rosario Cindy Valencia Brianna Rose Soltau Joseph R. Pereira David Alexander Rosenstein David Valencia Eduardo José Sorto Ruween Edmund Perera Allison Rosenthal Gabriela Valencia Susana Sosa Kevin Perez Daniel Benjamin Rothbart Jennifer Valencia Cristian Soto Lorena Perez Frank Ruiz Lizbet Valencia Santiago Soto

Valeria Valencia Abraham Valencia Vargas Steven A. Varada Salazar Deisy Vargas Denise Alejandra Vargas Elizabeth G. Vargas Marily D. Vasquez Freddy Velasquez Lizbeth Velasquez Mariana Velazquez Johan Veliz Paul J. Vetrano Javier Vilcapoma Alondra Villanueva Jonathan Villanueva Michael Steve Villanueva Nellman Villavicencio Steven John Villegas Delaney Walker Emmanuel Walker Jhinelle Walker Jamel Wallace Ja’Quan D. Wallace Mekhi A. Washington Dante Watkins Jade Watts Alexis Weddle Jacob Weingast Jessica Wekselblatt Liam R. Weldon Warden West D’Waynne J. White Edney Jessica Whittaker Joseph D. Wigfall Anaiya Hanee’ Williams Daniel Williams Justin Lawrence Williamson Emily Wilson Jamahl L. Wilson Jaylen C. Wint Brianna R. Wohlrabe Lily Danielle Wolfe Tatiana A. Wright Connor Wynne Grace A. Wynter Tiffany Xu Elizabeth M. Yarmy Cindy Yi Nathalie Yoguez Randy Ypanaque Maxim Lee Zaino Eric Zair Julianne G. Zarcone Ana Esther Zelaya Lopez Gerardo Zepeda Lisbet Zepeda Shira G. Zisholtz David Ephraim Zogo Mboulou Noah Zomback

10 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016

July 2016

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Down to Earth Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Twin Lakes at NRHS

Independence Day

Board of Education organizational meeting 6 p.m.

Ramadan ends

Down to Earth Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Twin Lakes at NRHS

Tour de France begins

Downtown BID Grand Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Library Green

Spark the Sound fireworks 9:30 p.m., Hudson Park Beach

Wimbledon ends

Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Week starts

Humane Society of Westchester Dog Wash 10 a.m., 70 Portman Road, New Rochelle

Municipal Arts Commission 6 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

City Council COW meeting 7 p.m., City Hall

Historical and Landmark Review Board 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

City Council regular meeting 7 p.m., City Hall

Planning Board meeting 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

Corporation for Local Development meeting 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place Industrial Development Agency meeting 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

Board of Appeals on Zoning 90 Beaufort Place

Down to Earth Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Twin Lakes at NRHS

Downtown BID Grand Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Library Green

Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Week ends

Down to Earth Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Twin Lakes at NRHS

Downtown BID Grand Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Library Green

Lighted Boat Parade 8:30 p.m., Hudson Park Beach

11 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016

Business Briefs Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester welcomes new board members Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester voted in new officers and three new members for its 2016-17 board of directors. Susan Yubas, of Rye, will serve as board chair; Kathleen McArdle, of Port Chester, will serve as vice chair; Joanne Ciaramella, Esq., of White Plains, will serve as secretary; and Charles Trainor, of Briarcliff Manor, will serve as treasurer. Mary Gibbons Gardiner, Jean LePere and George Whitehead have been named the newest members of the board. Larchmont resident Gardiner is a vice president, financial advisor and senior partner of the Gardiner Epstein Group at Morgan Stanley. She focuses on wealth management for families, executives and business owners. As a certified divorce financial analyst, Gibbons’ team specializes in helping women in transition, especially during divorce and widowhood. Gardiner is a member of Westchester Community College’s Salon Series and has co-chaired the YWCA’s Women’s Marketplace on several occasions. Brewster resident LePere is the regional corporate and community engagement manager for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Dedicated to health, wellness and finding a cure for cancer, she is an involved board member of Visiting Nurse Services in Westchester; a member of Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps, New York State Collaborative for Palliative Care and New York State Cancer Consortium; a professional advisory board member of Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey; and a grants reviewer for the New York City affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Hopewell Junction resident Whitehead is a partner at PKF O’Connor Davies LLP, specializing in the commercial audit practice focusing on the manufacturing, retail, distribution, construction and technology industries. He has be an active volunteer with HPCW, serving on the development advisory board since 2014. He is a certified public accountant. Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester is located at 1025 Westchester Ave., Suite 200, in White Plains. For additional information, visit hospiceofwestchester.com or call 682-1484.

New senior vice president of operations joins Westchester Medical Center Westchester Medical Center is proud to welcome James Y. Lee as senior vice president of operations. In his new role, Lee will oversee all ancillary services and clinical support areas on the Valhalla and Poughkeepsie James Y. Lee campuses, including pharmacy, radiology, laboratory and respiratory care and clinical service lines. Lee’s goal in his new position is to guide the organization’s ancillary services and service lines in continued quality improvement and growth. Lee brings extensive experience in community hospital, academic medical center operations, leadership, management consulting and a passion for service excellence to Westchester Medical Center. Prior to his appointment at Westches-

ter Medical Center, Lee served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at NewYorkPresbyterian/Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville. Lee earned an MBA from Cornell University, completed his administrative residency at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, and earned a B.A. in economics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He lives in Greenwich, Connecticut, with his wife and two daughters and enjoys traveling and cooking in his free time.

Scarsdale Medical Group welcomes new OB/GYN Scarsdale Medical Group, a multi-specialty practice serving Westchester and Fairfield counties and the surrounding Hudson Valley area, is pleased to announce that Dr. Elizabeth Hung is joining these areas in the practice of gynecology. Hung earned her undergrad- Dr. Elizabeth Hung uate degree and master’s degree in public health from Yale University where she was also a teaching fellow. She received her medical degree from the University of Vermont, College of Medicine and completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island and served as administrative chief resident. Hung has authored a number of publications and has been the recipient of various awards, including the Berlex Resident Teaching award and the Cancer Research Training Award from the National Institutes of Health. She also served as research fellow at the National Cancer Institute from 2002 to 2004. Hung is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has been providing obstetrical and gynecologic care to women of lower Connecticut and Westchester County since 2008. “It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Hung to Scarsdale Medical Group,” managing partner Dr. Kenneth Croen said. “Her experience and commitment to women’s health is an asset to our team and to the women in our community.” Hung joins OB/GYNs Drs. Ronald Reiss, Beth Simon and Claudia Useda. For more information on Scarsdale Medical Group, visit scarsdalemedical.com or to make an appointment call 723-8100.

Weichert, Realtors recognized for outstanding performance Nicholas Germak, regional vice president of Weichert, Realtors, recently announced that the Larchmont office was recognized for outstanding performance in May. The office led its sales region, which is comprised of offices throughout Orange, Dutchess, Westchester Mindy Krause and Rockland counties in New York and Fairfield County in Connecticut, for new home dollar volume. Additionally, Mindy Krause and Frank Sanchez of the Larchmont office were individually recog-

nized for their success. Krause was the top associate in the sales region for resales and resale revenue units, while Sanchez led for new home dollar volume. Invite these talented neighborhood specialists in to learn about the real estate services Seth Sullivan that Weichert, Realtors has to offer. They can be reached in Weichert’s Larchmont office, located at 2090 Boston Post Road, or by phone at 833-0800. Since 1969, Weichert, Realtors has grown from a single office into one of the nation’s leading providers of homeownership services by putting its customers first. A family of full-service real estate and financial services companies, Weichert helps customers buy and sell both residential and commercial real estate, and streamlines the delivery of mortgages and home and title insurance. Weichert leverages its customer website, weichert.com, one of the most visited real estate websites in the nation, to help families and individuals realize the dream of homeownership through quick and easy access to listing information and the services of its real estate professionals nationwide. For more information, Weichert’s customer service center can be reached at 1-800-USA-SOLD (878-7653).

Bronxville native receives RED Award

David Tait, left, nominated Dr. Seth Sullivan for the Vasculitis Foundation RED Award.

Bronxville native Dr. Seth Sullivan, clinical educator and hospitalist at Norwalk Hospital, recently received the 2016 Vasculitis Foundation Recognizing Excellence in Diagnostics, RED, Award. Sullivan was nominated for this prestigious award by New Canaan, Connecticut, resident and former patient David Tait. Tait nominated Sullivan for the award after being under his close care. Sullivan identified and diagnosed Tait’s medical condition as Churg-Strauss Syndrome, an extremely rare form of vasculitis that was the singular cause of all Tait’s seemingly unconnected ailments. “In researching David’s medical history and taking into consideration all his late-onset medical problems, we were able to look at the big picture,” Sullivan said. Dr. Jason R. Orlinick, chairman of the Norwalk Hospital Department of Medicine, said, “I have had the good fortune to work with Dr. Sullivan for many years and cannot think of a better recipient of this award. He is among the most thoughtful and caring physicians I have met and am fortunate to have him as a colleague.” Western Connecticut Health Network is the region’s premier, patient-centered health care organization serving residents of Western Connecticut and adjacent New York. With this recent affiliation, the organization is anchored by three nationally recognized hospitals, Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital and Norwalk Hospital, as well as their affiliated organizations. In addition to the three hospitals, the continuum of care offered includes numerous medical practices and sub-specialties across the region, home health care services, a nationally renowned biomedical research institute, the Western Connecticut Health Network Foundation, the Norwalk Hospital Foundation and other affiliates. For more information, visit wchn.org. The next Business Briefs section will run in August. Please send any submission for our August edition to news@hometwn. com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email. Each submission may include one picture. If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.

12 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016

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July 1, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13

Armchair blaming: Of haters and gators RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

There was an outpouring of online sympathy for the parents of the little boy killed by an alligator at a Disney resort in Orlando, Florida last week, which just goes to show that sometimes the Internet has a heart, and sometimes it calls for blood. The question is why. In contrast to the half a million people who signed a petition against Michelle Gregg, the mom whose 3-year-old son got into the gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo, leading zookeepers to kill the 400-pound gorilla named Harambe, commenters did not go nearly as insane over the fact that officials “put down” several Disney-area alligators without being positive which of them, if any, dragged 2-year-old Lane Graves to his death. It was with relief that I found far more comments castigating those who would blame the gator parents than actual parental castigation. It’s like the high road was the cool place to be this time. “It’s ridiculous to blame the parents who were sitting a few feet away and did all they could to save him,” read a typical online comment. And, on Twitter, “Pray for his family. Don’t judge.” Compare to: “#GorillaIncident MOM IS TOTALLY AT FAULT SHOOT HER.”

So, what accounts for the vast difference in response to these two incredibly rare toddler/animal tragedies that took place at family-friendly places? Well first of all, of course, the 2-year-old died. There’s no way to say that the Graves haven’t suffered enough. (And what an eerily sad last name.) Also, even as the story broke, we heard that the father desperately tried to open the alligator’s jaws and couldn’t. No one could dare accuse that dad of not doing enough. Then, too, there’s the question of racism—although I think many people were jumping on the Cincinnati mom before they knew she was African-American. Graves was white. And there’s even the question of species-ism: Gorillas look like us; alligators don’t. (At least, not like most of us.) But even more than all that, I think that so many people were eager to flog the Cincinnati mom because the mob needed someone to blame (that’s what mobs do), and moms are a favorite target these days. This is the era when we have come to believe that mothers can and must be in control of their kids at all times. Any mom who takes her eyes off her kids—and we hear about it—is automatically a public enemy. (Think of all those moms berated for letting their kids wait in the car a few minutes or play at the park

unsupervised.) So if anything bad happens to an unsupervised kid, it’s the mom’s fault. But with the alligator incident, the mob seems to be aiming not at the mom, but Disney. “I say the Grand Floridian is responsible for not having signs posted about the gators!!” read one typical comment. The similarity here is that if there’s any entity we love to blame more than moms, it’s corporate America. So if we truly believe a mom should be thinking, “Well, I know this has never happened once in 38 years of the gorilla exhibit, but what if today my kid tries to get in—and does? I better be preparing for that!” then we are also quite capable of thinking, “Well, just because we are one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and not once has a guest ever been killed by an alligator, nonetheless we should be constantly warning vacationers about that gruesome possibility.” In both cases, the crowd has found someone it can secondguess after a once-in-a-generation (or two) tragedy. That way it doesn’t have to contemplate the unpredictability of life, or the fact that there is no such thing as perfect safety, or perfect parents. It can simply sit back and blame. Armchair blaming has become America’s favorite coping mechanism. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Swim Across America starts summer fundraising Intent on making another big splash for cancer-related causes, Swim Across America, Long Island Sound Chapter, SAA-LIS, has kicked off its 24th season. SAA-LIS, which last year raised more than $1 million for cancer research, prevention and treatment through swimming events, will offer nine opportunities to swim and volunteer in Westchester and Rockland counties this season, states chapter President Tony Sibio. The nonprofit will have its first swim at the New York Athletic Club in Pelham on July 8. Seven more participation opportunities are scheduled in the four-week period ending Aug. 6. “This will be the 24th summer that SAA-LIS swimmers are taking the plunge to raise crucial funds that help in the fight against cancer,” Sibio said. “Over the years, we have had many devoted individuals and teams swim in support of, or in memory of, those affected by cancer. This year in particular we are encouraging teams that have participated in the past to reunite and participate once again, whether they are swimming, kayaking, proactively seeking donations or cheering on swim participants. These teams, no matter their size, play a big role in our fundraising success.” All proceeds raised stay local, supporting cutting-edge cancer research, as well as patient care and support in New York. Beneficiaries include The Cancer Support Team, The

Tommy Palazzo Fellowship for Columbia University and Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at Presbyterian Medical Center, United Hospice of Rockland, and The Swim Across America and DeMatteo Research Laboratories at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The summer program will encompass eight pool swims (with the option of half-mile and 1-mile efforts) plus an open-water swim course on Long Island Sound that will offer participants the option of swimming 2K, 5K or 10K. The open-water swim, which starts at Larchmont Yacht Club and ends at Larchmont Shore Club, has been recognized by the World Open Water Swimming Association as one of America’s Top 100 Open Water Swims. Those interested in participating in 2016 Swim Across America-LIS events can regis-

ter to swim, kayak, volunteer to help, or sponsor a swimmer at swimacrossamerica.org/long_ island. Donations can be sent to SAA-Long Island Sound, P.O. Box 217, Larchmont, NY 10538. Swim Across America Inc. was founded in 1987 and currently offers nearly 30 swims in 15 states. The organization has raised more than $60 million for cancer research and prevention programs at the country’s finest hospitals and managed-care facilities. The Long Island Sound chapter was started in 1992, and has grown to be the largest in the organization, having raised more than $15 million since its inception and more than $1 million in 2015 alone. For more information about Swim Across America Long Island Chapter, call 769-8411 or visit swimacrossamerica.org. (Submitted)

The full roster of participating locations, dates and times NYAC Travers Island, Pelham, NY July 8, 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. [night swim and barbecue to follow] Westchester Country Club, Rye, NY July 9, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Chappaqua Swim & Tennis Club, Chappaqua, NY July 10, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Germonds Pool, Clarkstown, NY July 10, 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Coveleigh Club, Rye, NY July 20, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Orienta Beach Club, Mamaroneck, NY July 23, 6:15 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Lakeside Field Club, North Salem, NY July 24, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. [night swim and barbecue to follow] Long Island Sound Open Water, Larchmont, NY July 30, 6 a.m. to noon Lake Isle Country Club, Eastchester, NY Aug. 6, 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Section 8 housing list to open The city of New Rochelle Section 8 Housing Program will open its waiting list for applications from July 5 through July 7 until 11:59 p.m. The federally subsidized program provides rental assistance to

families who are either very low income, elderly, disabled or veterans. Preference is given to New Rochelle residents and veterans in the aforementioned categories. Eligible applicants will be

placed on a waiting list in the order in which they are received. Applications may be submitted electronically only at the following website beginning July 5 at 9 a.m. to waitlistcheck.com/NY113. (Submitted)

City of New Rochelle’s

Official Newspaper

SPORTS

14 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016

Perception versus Reality LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

In today’s sports landscape, professional franchises must often wage wars on two distinct fronts: on the field and in the court of public opinion. Last week, two of our local teams made high-profile signings that represent how tricky it can be to navigate the rocky terrain of winning ballgames while sating their fans’ desire to root for a likeable team. The first of these moves came on June 23, when the New York Knicks made a big splash by pulling off a trade for former NBA MVP Derrick Rose. Although he is still just 27 years old, Rose has been hampered by injuries over the last four years and hasn’t been a viable NBA star since 2012. But with just one year left until he hits free agency, it would appear as though the Knicks’ newest acquisition may be less about what Rose can do

on the court and more about the optics of the situation. Rose may never be the player he once seemed destined to become, but he’s still a name. He’s the kind of player whose resume is sure to elicit a positive response in a fan base that has had little to cheer about over the last few seasons. But more than that, it seems, the play for Rose might be a calculated move by Knicks’ President Phil Jackson to announce to other NBA stars that New York is ready to win now. Despite his diminished production, Rose is still the kind of player that carries a lot of cache within NBA circles. Will bringing him aboard make the Knicks a more viable landing spot for another bigname free agent, be it Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard or Joakim Noah? It’s certainly possible. It remains to be seen what Rose has left in the tank, and he most likely won’t be a long-term solution at the point guard position. But if bringing him in can

help reestablish a culture of winning in Madison Square Garden, at least in theory, then perhaps this could be considered a coup for Jackson and the Knicks. On the other side of the spectrum, however, was the New York Mets’ decision to bring back Jose Reyes on June 25. As far as pure baseball moves go, this one makes sense. Reyes—who was recently given his outright release by the Colorado Rockies after the emergence of potential Rookie of the Year candidate Trevor Story—is costing the Mets the league minimum, salarywise, and could potentially serve as a valuable fill-in at third base, with David Wright likely done for the season. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for a team that, right now, is in desperate need of an offensive spark. But that, of course, is only half the story. Reyes may have been one of the most popular Mets during his

Last week, the Knicks and Mets both made moves that grabbed the back pages. But it will take some time to parse out just what these moves mean for New York sports. Photo courtesy wikipedia.com

first go-around with the team, but is also coming off a two-month suspension after a domestic violence incident. To that end, all the statements released by both the Mets and Reyes since the signing have been carefully worded to address—and downplay—his scandal away from the field. The Mets’ organization seems to know that a large section of their fan base could be turned off by Reyes’ actions and are eager to mitigate the fallout over bringing him back. Will Mets fans welcome his

return with open arms? General Manager Sandy Alderson certainly seems to believe that if Reyes can inject some life into the lineup, the talented infielder’s past transgressions will simply seem like a blip on the radar. So what’s more important: Winning the public relations battle, or winning on the field? Nowadays, with the amount of scrutiny faced by those in front-office positions, it feels like the two are so intertwined. Will the goodwill engendered by the Rose move lead to big

things on the court? Will Reyes lead to “bad karma” for the Metropolitans? For better or worse, the one thing that the majority of fans care about is the final result. And while both the Rose and Reyes moves might make for interesting stories right now, it’s unlikely that we will know which direction the narrative will take until we see the teams’ final records.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

TO COVER LOCAL SPORTS, YOU NEED A

LIVE MIKE! Follow Mike Smith @LiveMike_Sports stats • recaps • commentary Follow @cityreviewnr for Mike’s live, in-game action updates

Audi and Bentley, 4 months old, were found in an auto body shop covered with dirt and grime. They clean up nicely, don’t they? This delightful duo are purr machines and once they get their motors running, they will race right into your heart. Audi and Bentley are microchipped, neutered, in excellent health and up to date with all vaccinations. The donation for these two light red tabby boys is $80 each. To meet Audi and Bentley, please call Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133 or visit NY-Petrescue.org. (Submitted)

SPORTS

Month 00 & 00, 2016 • THE CITY REVIEW • 15

Footballers hit the gridiron By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Although the high school football season doesn’t officially kick off until August, local teams have been working tirelessly over the last few weeks to prepare for the upcoming campaign. With several programs participating in passing challenges and preseason camps this month, it looks as though area squads are champing at the bit to hit the gridiron this fall. According to Mamaroneck head coach Anthony Vitti, whose squad hosted Rye Neck, Rye, Saunders and Truman at the annual Tiger Football Camp this past week, summer practices are an integral part of the process for high school players. “Every year, you have a different group of kids, so you want to use this to build a bit of collegiality and put in some of the concepts you’re going to be working on during the year,” Vitti said. “You want to get a feel for the different personnel and the personality of the team.” At the Tiger Camp, teams split time between running position-based drills and light scrimmaging, and Vitti believes that flexibility gives teams a chance to test themselves against new competition while laying some of the groundwork and philosophy the team will be employing once the preseason officially starts in August. “It’s pretty fluid. You get to see a lot of teams and we’re kind of mixing and matching

A Rye lineman participates in a drill at the Tiger Football Camp on June 26. Five schools took part in the annual football camp at Mamaroneck High School last week.

as the week goes on,” he said. “As it moves along, the smaller drills become bigger drills, and because kids haven’t been tackling or blocking live in about six or seven months, it’s a good opportunity to get ready within ourselves.” But the Tiger Camp hasn’t been the only game in town. On June 11, Mamaroneck was one of a handful of schools to participate in the Big Apple 7 on 7 Shootout, which was held at Harrison High School. Unlike their

Mamaroneck head coach Anthony Vitti oversees a drill at the Tiger Camp on June 26.

A Rye Neck player chases down an opposing ball carrier on June 26. Photos/Mike Smith

work this week, which featured focus on line play, the Big Apple event focused on teams’ backs and receivers and allowed squads to brush up on their passing game. “[The Big Apple] gives kids a chance just to go out and compete,” Vitti said. “And we had some great performances from some of the younger guys.” In addition to team-oriented endeavors, there have also been events geared to individual players. On June 25, New Rochelle hosted a two-day college prep camp that offered position-specific instruction from college coaches. Although the schedule begins to relax as the season approaches, most teams will run near-daily strength and conditioning sessions, and some will even send groups of linemen to compete at skills-based challenges at the Carmel and Spring Valley high schools in late July. “I know we’re going to be working out four days a week,” Vitti said, “but it’s really multisport training, open to anyone who wants to get bigger, faster and stronger.” The Section I football season will officially open on Aug. 15. CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

A Mamaroneck receiver competes against a defensive back.

16 • THE CITY REVIEW • July 1, 2016