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CityREVIEW NewRochelle March 3 & 10, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 7 | www.cityreviewnr.com

County adds provisions to proposed immigration law

Center Court

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

New Rochelle’s Jarett Haines celebrates a basket during the Huguenots’ 59-33 win over Fox Lane in the Class AA quarterfinals on Feb. 24. Haines had 16 points to lead his team back to the Westchester County Center. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith

Westchester lawmakers push to ban sale of synthetic weed By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With a new piece of legislation, Westchester lawmakers will look to piggyback on a recently passed New York City law blockading the spread of a synthetic marijuana known commonly as “spice.” The county legislation, introduced jointly by Republican legislators David Tubiolo and John Testa, would enact a countywide ban on the sale of the synthetic drugs—which are currently sold legally over-thecounter under state law—by

amending portions of the county’s consumer protection code. “We’re doing what we can to make our county as safe as possible,” said Tubiolo, of Yonkers. “These are deadly toxins.” In New York state, both the sale and consumption of the drug have been under increasing scrutiny over the past year, spurred in part by 33 Brooklyn residents who overdosed this past summer on a popular brand of the product sold under the moniker “K2.” The side effects experienced by users of that strain of the drug included extreme disori-

entation, loss of motor control, and erratic behavior that required police intervention. According to Testa, of Peekskill, at times, the reach of drugs like K2 has hit close to home. Earlier this year, Testa explained, White Plains first responders were called to intervene after multiple individuals began exhibiting what he described as “strange behavior.” Later, Testa said, it was determined that they had ingested synthetic marijuana which had been sold to them only a block away from the county government’s White Plains headquar-

ters. “It was a wake-up call for us to pay attention to this and combat it in Westchester,” Testa said. This past summer, the drug also swept multiple Yonkers residents which resulted in police intervention according to Yonkers Police Sgt. Dean Politopolous. While regulators on both a state and federal level have made attempts to quell the spread of synthetic marijuana —most notably through a 2012 congressional act that BAN continued on page 11

The Westchester County Legislature’s Democratic Caucus has added new provisions to its recently proposed Immigration Protection Act, which sets forth a policy on immigration enforcement, in an effort to strengthen the language in the bill. On Feb. 8, Democrats first introduced the proposed legislation, which aims to prevent Westchester County from aiding the federal government in investigations made on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and national origin. The legislation was submitted to codify existing policies while also drawing from model ordinances put in place by the New York state attorney general’s office to alleviate concerns about the treatment of immigrants living in county. The Democratic Caucus’ proposal comes in wake of President Donald Trump’s recent initiative to deport undocumented immigrants nationwide. “The intent of this act is to alleviate fear and create protections for our county’s immigrant population without violating federal law,” said county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat. “All too often members of our community, documented and undocumented, are fearful of calling the police or utilizing county services.” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, agents

have arrested 41 people in the New York metropolitan area in February, according to the federal department. With a growing fear of many more immigration raids to come, on Feb. 24, county Democrats added four new conditions to the proposal, including language that prohibits county officers and officials from honoring requests made by ICE and Customs and Border Protection, CBP, that do not give rise to probable cause, and protects Westchester from liability due to false arrests and imprisonments. Additionally, county Democrats specified that municipal services should be made available to all who are eligible notwithstanding their immigration status, and that confidential information shared amongst county departments should remain safeguarded. According to Joe Sgammato, the press secretary representing the county Democratic Caucus, the new provisions are intended to fortify parts of an existing executive order previously made by former County Executive Andy Spano, a Democrat, in 2006, which relates to confidential information and immigration status. Sgammato added that with uncertainty about the opinion of current County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, the Democratic Caucus has proposed new provisions to the Immigration Protection Act to prepare LAW continued on page 5

2 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017

Save the Sound ‘frustrated’ with lack of progress By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With a federal lawsuit alleging EPA violations between the environmental advocacy group Save the Sound and Westchester County approaching the two-year mark, officials at the nonprofit are growing increasingly impatient with alleged inaction on the part of several communities. “Save the Sound is frustrated with the lack of progress,” said Tracy Brown, director of Save the Sound’s Western programs. “We need schedules with more meaningful deadlines than what [defendants] brought to the table.” A settlement conference was held earlier this month and allowed the 11 municipalities named in the suit to update both a state district judge and members of Save the Sound on where their respective communities stand. Brown, who attended the conference, said that while schedules outlining work have been drawn up for most of the

communities, some continue to lag behind. So far, aside from the village of Mamaroneck, which was under a 2014 consent order from the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC, to conduct an evaluation of its sewers, Brown said other communities have floundered in taking significant steps toward doing the same. “We’re asking for—in the case of each of the communities in the Long Island Sound watershed—[communities] to do a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study and then have a coordinated strategy for their repairs,” she said. A lawsuit filed in 2015 originally targeted the named communities’ adherence to the EPA’s Clean Water Act, alleging that deficient and neglected sewer infrastructure has led to untreated waste entering the Long Island Sound via sanitary sewer overflows. But Roger Reynolds, legal director for Save the Sound, said that federal suit has since been put “temporarily on hold.”

“We are working toward a resolution where the [municipalities] would create a regional solution,” Reynolds said. “But if that doesn’t happen, then the litigation process—which is not ideal—would be the way to go.” Specifically, Reynolds said, instead of litigation, the group will push to see greater cooperation between communities who manage common infrastructure and are situated in a mutual network of waterways, and ideally a more clearly defined assessment of the problem itself. “It’s not about any specific town or community, it’s the entire problem,” Reynolds said. “It’s one big system that flows in and out of each other.” Reynolds said similar cooperative solutions have shown some efficacy in the past, some of which are taking place in New York state. Reynolds points to a similar effort launched in Albany, New York, in 2015 that leveraged a DEC consent order to bring multiple cities, villages and

As a lawsuit alleging EPA violations in many of Westchester’s Sound Shore communities drags on, members of the environmental advocacy group Save the Sound, which sued the county in 2015, are growing increasingly impatient. File photo

towns together to rectify pollution spurred by deficient sewer infrastructure under mandated deadlines. Among the initiatives to stem from a consent order in Albany, are various intermunicipal sewer agreements that also add clear deadlines and definitions to communities’ pollution problems. According to Reynolds, a settlement with the Westchester communities named in the lawsuit may be nearing. He estimat-

ed a decision may be coming in the next two months. “We just really want to see

the problem get solved,” he said. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

WESTCHESTER COMMUNITIES NAMED IN FEDERAL LAWSUIT • Port Chester • Harrison • Rye City • Larchmont • Mamaroneck town and village • Rye Brook • Scarsdale • New Rochelle • White Plains • Pelham Manor

March 3 & 10, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 3

Mayor, Aragon talk city plans with Local Summit

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, right, speaks of the city’s ambitious transformation plans with New Rochelle Commissioner of Development Luiz Aragon on Feb. 14. Photo/John Gitlitz

By LINNET TSE Contributor Although downtown development is not a new priority for New Rochelle, the city’s current downtown revitalization plan— launched one year ago—is the most ambitious plan in the history of the city, according to New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson, speaking at the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit’s breakfast program on Feb. 14. New Rochelle Commissioner of Development Luiz Aragon explained that preparation for the current comprehensive plan began soon after he assumed his post four years ago. The city began asking “what New Rochelle could be, who we are, and how we relate to surrounding neighborhoods.” The redevelopment plan aims to preserve the 90 to 95 percent lower-density residential portion of the city that residents love and to focus on the downtown area in order to create a vibrant, pedestrianfriendly downtown hub that surveys show is desired by the local population. Innovative redevelopment plan facilitates process for developers After decades of flirting with economic development plans, which brought some successes and some setbacks, what is different this time around? According to Aragon, it’s because they have “eliminated the political angle.” Aragon explained that in

December 2015, a year after city officials approved a master development agreement with RDRXR, a joint venture between Renaissance Downtowns and RXR Reality, the City Council passed a master zoning plan that created a downtown overlay zone, DOZ. The DOZ encompasses 279 acres of land around New Rochelle’s downtown area and train station, and consists of six zones with varying densities. In total, this mixed-use, form-based zoning plan allows for more than 12 million square feet of new construction, including 6,400 new residential units, approximately 1 million square feet of new retail space, and more than 2 million square feet of new office space. At the same time, the city also completed the lengthy and often cumbersome State Environmental Quality Review Act, SEQRA, requirements for the entire redevelopment area, essentially making the DOZ “shovel-ready” for developers. Aragon shared that the city has taken it a step further by guaranteeing site plan approval by the Planning Board within 90 days for projects in the DOZ envelope; no City Council approval is needed prior to getting building permits. A key piece of the development plan, especially for residents concerned about the impact of development on the tax base and on services, is the creation of a Fair Share Mitigation Fund. Aragon noted that all DOZ projects are required to contribute to the fund, which

will cover public costs associated with the redevelopment, including an estimated $6 million of improvements required by the New Rochelle public schools to accommodate additional students resulting from the development. Although tax abatements are a reality of development, Bramson assured the audience that the fund will ensure that New Rochelle taxpayers will not bear the cost of development. Key downtown projects underway Aragon reported that there has already been a flurry of interest from developers. The city has already approved development plans for about 1,000 new housing units. One key project that is just underway is RXR’s $120 million, 28-story mixed-use building at 587 Main St., on the former site of Loews Theater. It will house 280 luxury rental apartment units, with commercial space on the ground floor and a 10,000-square-foot black box performance theater which will be managed by the city. Aragon described several other nearby projects in the works, including two mixed-use buildings on Huguenot Street and the newly completed residential building, The Lombardi, on the corner of Park Place and North Avenue. Already nearly 90 percent occupied, The Lombardi is changing the face of that neighborhood, and has been so successful that the developer is SUMMIT continued on page 11

4 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017

What’s going on... New Rochelle Public Library

Visit nrpl.org for information on these and other events and programs.

Library hours Main library hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Huguenot Children’s Library hours: Mondays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays: Closed.

Lunchtime Express Yoga On Mondays from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., and Wednesdays from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. Free sessions of easy yoga to help reduce stress and relieve tension continue to be offered during the lunch hour at the New Rochelle Public Library. Participants do not need to change out of work clothes, and mats will not be needed for these sessions of breathing, relaxation and meditation techniques. The drop-in sessions do not require advanced registration. This program is made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library. Donations are gratefully accepted.

Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library Book Sales The Friends of the New Rochelle Public Li-

brary will be holding a mini book sale on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main library lobby. The book sales include popular novels, mysteries and nonfiction in hardcover and paperback, to children’s books, CDs and DVDs. Proceeds from these sales allow the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library to provide funding for quality children and adult programming, and will help the library by contributing to various projects and improving service to the community. The Friends welcome prospective volunteers. The volunteer executive board of the Friends, a 501(3) (c) organization, accepts donations of tens of thousands of books each year. With the help of active members, the group processes and sells the recycled books in the library’s lobby. Money realized from the sales go directly back to the library, as the funds are used to underwrite the library’s extensive public programs and for special projects not covered by the library’s operating budget.

Free programs for infants and preschoolers The New Rochelle Public Library and the Huguenot Children’s Library, HCL, are offering a great array of free programs for infants, toddlers and preschool children this winter-spring season. Participation is drop-in, on a first-come, firstserved basis. The free programs are made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library and the Partnership for the Huguenot Children’s Library. Most do not take place on days the New Rochelle public schools are closed for vacations. Nursery Rhyme Time, for children ages 6 months to 2 years old, is a joyful blend of stories, songs and finger plays. It is held at the main library on Fridays, through May 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., and at HCL on Mondays, through May 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Toddler Time, for children aged 2, are lively

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sessions that engage children and their parent or caregiver in music and games. It is held at the main library on Fridays, through May 26, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at HCL on Wednesdays, through May 24, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 3, 4, 5’s - Stories & Crafts, for ages 3 to 5, are sessions of stories, songs, and a take-home craft inspired by seasons and picture book themes. A bilingual (English and Spanish) session takes place at the main library on Mondays, through May 22, from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Another session, in English, takes place on Thursdays, through May 25, from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sessions at HCL take place on Tuesdays, through May 23, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and on Thursdays, through May 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Preschool Fun & Fitness, a program for children ages 2 to 5 and their parent or grandparent, is a fun-filled hour of movement, games and healthy eating and lifestyle tips, conducted by the health and fitness team from Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital’s Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Services. Registration is required. Call Ruben at the WIC office at 637-1677. The sessions will be held in the main library’s Meeting Room and stage on Mondays through June 19. Baby Steps, for newborns to children age 3 years old, are half-hour sessions of fun and early socialization through music, movement and finger games, with Nora Maher. They will take place on Saturdays through April 15, from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the main library, and from 11:30 a.m. to noon at HCL. Yoga Tots, for children ages 2 to 3, is taught by Budding Buddhas Kids Yoga instructors. Toddlers have fun “playing yoga” with puppets, props, songs, and games. The sessions will take place on Tuesdays through April 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the main library, and from 11:30 a.m. to noon at HCL.

Free tax help On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main library’s Meeting Room on the first floor. Trained AARP volunteer counselors will be available to assist participants in preparing and filing their tax returns on a first-come, firstserved basis. You must bring: whatever tax-related materials are needed to complete your returns; an official photo identification and a Social Security card (or other comparable official documentation); for all other people who will be listed on the tax return, a Social Security card or other official documentation is required. The volunteer counselors must be able to confirm the Taxpayer Identification Number, SSN or ITIN, and the correct spelling of all names as recorded by the Social Security Administration, or they cannot complete the return.

Creative writing class The New Rochelle Public Library is offering a free four-week creative writing class, which will be taught by graduate students from the new MFA program in creative writing at The College of New Rochelle. The class will be held Tuesdays in March, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The MFA candidates will guide and inspire participants in the writing of memoirs, fiction and nonfiction. No experience is necessary. The class is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. Please call 813-3706 or email communityrelations@ nrpl.org.

Apostle O’dell Lyerly Foundation Inc. Memorial Scholarship Awards for school supplies The Apostle O’dell Lyerly Foundation Inc., AOLF, a nonprofit entity in New Rochelle, is currently distributing Memorial Scholarship Award applications for higher education school supplies to high school seniors. Applications are circulated to New Rochelle High School, Mount Vernon High School, and the New Rochelle Public Library. To receive a paper or electronic application, please call 563-9982 or email aolfinc@yahoo.com. Memorial Scholarship Awards are need-based. Completed applications with supporting documents are due by Sunday, April 30.

Westchester County news County golf courses scheduled to open The six Westchester County-owned golf courses are scheduled to open for the season on Wednesday, March 15, weather and conditions permitting. Tee time reservations may be made online at golf.westchestergov.com. Reservations may also be made by calling the individual courses. Walk-up reservations will also be accepted at the courses. The courses are: Mohansic in Yorktown Heights; Maple Moor in White Plains; Saxon Woods in Scarsdale; Hudson Hills in Ossining; and Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake, both in Yonkers. Any available E-Z Reserve spots will be sold at the courses. E-Z Reserve enables golfers with a Westchester County Park Pass to block out a regular Saturday or Sunday tee time for a period of 25 weeks. More information about Westchester County golf courses is available at golf.westchestergov. com. 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.

March 3 & 10, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 5 LAW from page 1

for any potential plan in the future to repeal Spano’s executive order. In Westchester County, the current county executive can repeal any executive order made by someone who previously held the position. But, according to Ned McCormack, the communications director for the county executive’s

office, Astorino has no intention of rescinding Spano’s order. “When County Executive Astorino came into office, he went through and rescinded a number of executive orders, but not this one because he thought it had merit,” McCormack told the Review. McCormack declined to comment on the proposed legislation however, which he confirmed the county administration has

Westchester County Democrats have added more to their recently proposed Immigration Protection Act, which has garnered support from several state and county officials, including county Legislator Ken Jenkins, left, who plans to run for county executive this year.

not even read to this point. “We want to make sure the county and all its citizens are taken care of, but we first want to wait and see when the [bill] is final,” he said. The bill, which was referred to the committees on Budget and Appropriations, Legislation, and Public Safety and Social Services on Feb. 13, is sponsored by eight Democrats on the Westchester County Board of Legislators. If passed in committee, the bill would then require the vote of nine members of the full 17-member Legislature for it to be approved. County Legislator David Gelfarb, a Rye Brook Republican, said he could not support the legislation without hearing from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety first. “I think we should do everything we can to promote legal immigration and protect hardworking immigrants that contribute to our county,” he said. “However, we need to hear from [the Department of Public Safety] on how it might impact them.” On Feb. 27, a number of Democratic elected officials held a rally in support of the proposed law in White Plains,

On Feb. 20, residents and elected officials gathered in downtown White Plains to protest President Donald Trump’s recent federal initiative to deport undocumented immigrants. Photos/Franco Fino

including state Sen. George Latimer, of Rye; state Assemblyman David Buchwald, of White Plains; county Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, of Ossining; and county Legislator Ken Jenkins, of Yonkers, who recently announced his bid for county executive this year.

“In the days since the Immigrant Protection Act was written and introduced, we have seen a huge swell in grassroots support,” Borgia said. “At a time in our nation when divisions run deep, it is encouraging to see so many of my neighbors ban together to say we must pass this

bill to help our immigrant brothers and sisters.” George Longworth, the commissioner of the county Public Safety Department, could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

6 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017 THE

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Molly Spillane’s is hoping to bring the Mamaroneck community together to “brave the shave” at its first annual St. Baldrick’s event. For the past eight years, Stephen Carty, owner of Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester and Molly Spillane’s in the village of Mamaroneck, has hosted a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event at Mickey Spillane’s to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Over this time, the bar has managed to raise more than $300,000. With a new location scheduled this year, Carty is hoping for a high turnout and for Molly Spillane’s to raise $15,000. As of press time, they have raised more than $4,000. The event will be held at Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck on Saturday, March 25. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to raise funds to help find cures for children with cancer, was started in 1999 by Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnel, who came up with the idea to raise donations by promising to shave their heads. The idea behind the event is to show solidarity with children who have lost their hair from chemotherapy. Leading up to the event, participants raise money to be donated to the charity. In 2016, there were 1,233 St. Baldrick’s events held worldwide and more than $38 million raised. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation prides itself on being “the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.” Its website goes on to explain that 70 percent of the money raised every year goes toward research, 26 percent of funds goes toward fundraising for the events, and 4 percent goes toward the business side of the charity.

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ranked as the team with the top donations, having raised more than $2,000. “If we can just help one child with the funds raised here… it’s great for everyone,” Carty said. Carty explained that one of the reasons the charity appeals to him is that St. Baldrick’s provides you with a list of cancer fighters and survivors in your area so that you can sponsor your own St. Baldrick’s event. This year, Molly Spillane’s is honoring 8-year-old Margaret Sheker from Larchmont. Sheker is a cancer survivor, having overcome acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is a form of blood and bone marrow cancer. Ashley Ferrara, co-organizer St. Baldrick’s attendees shave their heads to show solidarity with children who lose their hair from cancer treatment.

“As charities go, it’s one that I felt was so upfront, no question where the money was going,” Carty said. Carty added that he intends to host St. Baldrick’s at Molly Spillane’s for eight years, and then switch back to Mickey Spillane’s for another eight. The owner explained that Mickey Spillane’s had a lot of involvement from police and fire departments. “Our first event [that] we had in Eastchester, it really was community driven,” Carty said. To date, the Eastchester EMS has gotten involved with Molly Spillane’s and is currently The first St. Baldrick’s event was held on St. Patrick’s Day, making green a popular color at these events. Photos courtesy St.Baldricks.org

Molly Spillane’s has a fundraising goal of $15,000. The money raised from these events goes toward cancer research grants.

of the event and director of banquets at Molly Spillane’s, said she is working on reaching out to another local child as well. This is Ferrara’s first year participating

in fundraising for St. Baldrick’s and although she doesn’t intend to shave her head, she has CONTINUED on next page

March 3 & 10, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 7 already raised $800 of her $2,000 goal. The event has gotten everyone in the Molly Spillane’s family involved. Jake Terenzi, a part-time bartender at Molly Spillane’s and co-organizer of the St. Baldrick’s event, said that getting on board with the event was an easy decision. He said that it sounded like a great idea, and wanted to help out as much as he could. When he first got involved with the event he hadn’t planned on shaving his head, but has since changed his mind. “It’s for the kids, I mean why not. Hair eventually grows back,” he said. Terenzi explained he has two goals for the event. One is to raise $2,000; he is currently at $525. His other goal is to get as many people to shave their heads as possible, which he explained has been harder than raising donations. Last year, Mickey Spillane’s was able to get 38 “shavees”; Molly Spillane’s has a goal for this year of 40 people. As of press time, Molly Spillane’s has more than 10 people signed up to shave their heads, including Carty’s wife, Geraldine Carty. “My wife, five years

ago, shaved off her hair,” Carty said, adding that she raised roughly $20,000, and now shaves her head every year for the event. Ferrara said that Trendon Lynch and Liam Quinn, both bartenders, are also planning to have their heads shaved. And as the event day nears, Carty is hoping to get more of the local police and fire departments, and even the mayor, to participate. “We’d love everyone to get involved, [because cancer] has touched everyone’s life,” Carty said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com

Molly Spillane’s event 211 Mamaroneck Ave. Mamaroneck, NY March 25, 6 p.m.

In 2016, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation saw a total of 46,261 shavees. As of now, there are more than 13,900 shavees registered. Photo courtesy St.Baldricks.org

8 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017

March 3 & 10, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9

The Only Mart to offer organic goods

The Only Mart organic market is the only place in New Rochelle which offers organic produce, including apples, avocados and mangoes. Photos/Sibylla Chipaziwa

By SIBYLLA CHIPAZIWA Assistant Editor When June Lu moved to New Rochelle last summer, she noticed a downtown area with much potential, but absent from that landscape was one thing: an organic market. Enter The Only Mart. Housed in the Art Deco building at 518 Main St. that was once called the Palace, a former nightclub, the store boasts a bright, large floor area and a high ceiling. Large windows line the storefront, with artwork on the walls done by a local student. With the slogan “Originally from New Rochelle,” owner Lu wanted the market to be healthy and convenient for all patrons of the city: residents, commuters, and even college students. “We guarantee the quality of our goods, and spend a lot of time negotiating their prices,” Lu said. “I want to make sure people can afford healthy food.” The Only Mart opened at the

end of January and provides organic produce, which is handpicked by the owner from local distributors that also supply Mrs. Greens, Fairway and Whole Foods in neighboring communities. “I did not understand why there wasn’t a good, localized, organic market. I don’t want to spend half a day in White Plains with my kids to shop for groceries,” Lu said. “My store is not like Whole Foods where you have hundreds to choose from. Here, I preselect items. I’m bringing high quality and affordable prices.” Lu talks to her customers, asking them to share thoughts on pricing and what they’d want to see on sale. She said that she’s even willing to price-match items if customers find goods at a lower price elsewhere. “I’m working section by section to reduce prices,” she told the Review. Lu, a Chinese-American, also wanted the store to feature uniquely Asian products, including popular Japanese snacks and

drinks like Pocky, of which Lu offers 10 flavors. There is also a café at the front of the store, where patrons can enjoy bubble tea, a Taiwanese tea-based drink that has tapioca balls which are sucked up through a big straw. There is also a gift section in the back that will be completed soon, and will feature unique and fair-trade items. “Every single gift, I want it to be special,” Lu said. Given the amount of floor space the store has, Lu wants to help support the local arts by holding performances in the future. “I hope I can do something for local artists and local business owners,” she said. “I’d be happy to host events and talks.” Lu has a background in international business and finance, and left a wholesale business to open The Only Mart. She fell in love with New Rochelle after learning more about the city’s rich history, and wanted to help make a difference in the downtown area after speaking to other local business owners. “This is a neighborhood store; a community store,” Lu said. “I hire local people, and I serve local people.” CONTACT: sibylla@hometwn.com

June Lu, owner of The Only Mart, organizes candles made from soy wax in the gift section.

518 Main St. New Rochelle, NY 355-4465 facebook.com/theonlymart

The Only Mart is housed in the Art Deco building at 518 Main St.

The store has a large floor space, with a wide selection of healthy food options, including snacks from the U.S. and Japan.

Women in STEAM leadership panel On Wednesday, March 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Women in Innovation and The Rye Arts Center will celebrate International Women’s Day with their second annual panel discussion on Women in STEAM leadership. Women in Innovation is a community focused on elevating women who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in

Westchester and Fairfield counties. It brings together women who are accelerating the pace of change across industries including technology, digital media, advertising, marketing, IT, venture capital, entrepreneurship, engineering and science, biotech and pharmaceuticals. Its goal is to empower women in innovation by hosting events that feature top speakers and great

networking opportunities. It also strives to educate women with the latest innovation and technology trends so they can stay at the forefront of change in their fields. The panel discussion will be followed by networking. Daughters are welcome to attend. The fee is $5 per person to be paid online at ryeartscenter.org. The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton Road in Rye. (Submitted)

10 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017

March 2017

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Ash Wednesday

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Read Across America Day

SATURDAY

World Wildlife Day

National Women’s History Month

Elementary/Intermediat All County Chorus 4 p.m., SUNY

Red Cross Month

Elementary/Intermediate All County Orchestra 11 a.m., SUNY

Youth Council applications due Half Day Elementary – Parent/Teacher Conferences

Zoning board 7 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

Board of Education meeting 6 p.m., Columbus

SEPTA executive meeting 7:30 p.m.

Daylight saving time begins

Holi

Spring Equinox

SEPTA general meeting 7:30 p.m.

International Women’s Day

World Kidney Day

NRHS Winter Sports Awards 3:15 p.m.

National Art Honor Society Induction 7:30 a.m., NRHS

State of the City address 6 p.m., City Hall

School board budget review session 7 p.m., NRHS

Ides of March

Community Engagement Committee Noon, City Hall

NCAA Selection Sunday

National Pi Day

TheaterWorks Musical 7:30 p.m., NRHS

Purim play 1 p.m., Hugh Doyle Senior Center Musical 7 p.m., ALMS

St. Patrick’s Day

School board budget review session 7 p.m., NRHS

St. Patrick’s Day luncheon 11 a.m., Hugh Doyle Senior Center

City Council public hearings 7 p.m., City Hall

TheaterWorks Musical 7:30 p.m., NRHS

World Poetry Day

School board budget review session 7 p.m., NRHS

PTA Council regular meeting 7 p.m., NRHS

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

Diabetes Alert Day

School board special meeting 6 p.m., ALMS Planning Board 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

Health & Safety Committee 10 a.m., City Hall Planetarium 7 p.m. Corporation for Local Development 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place Industrial Development Agency 7:30 p.m., 90 Beaufort Place

Elementary/Intermediate All County Band 11 a.m., SUNY

MS/ES Students & Ajkun Ballet Spring Recital 7 p.m., NRHS

Purim begins at sundown Musical 7 p.m., ALMS

TheaterWorks Musical 7:30 p.m., NRHS

March 3 & 10, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 11 BAN from page 1

SUMMIT from page 3 Westchester lawmakers will work to block the sale of legally sold synthetic marijuana that have swept the state for the past several years. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org

listed many of the compounds found in those drugs as Schedule I substances, the most serious class—the fight has often been a battle from behind. According to Tubiolo, while state and local governments have banned many of the compounds found in the commercially sold drugs, manufacturers have skirted embargos by altering their recipes by just a few molecules. “We were aware that people had been changing the chemicals,” Tubiolo said. “We’re trying to be pre-emptive.” The county law currently before the Westchester Board of Legislators hopes to combat what lawmakers

have described as a “cat-and-mouse game” of altering chemical cocktails by providing a broader definition of the banned substances that might catch more products in its net. Now, Tubiolo said, lawmakers will move forward in hashing out details of just how the ban will be enforced, whether through the county Department of Health, consumer safety, law

enforcement or all three. Testa said a law could potentially be introduced as soon as this summer, but not before legislators receive additional input from relevant agencies as well as the public. “Hopefully it’s [introduced] sooner, rather than later,” Tubiolo said. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

considering another project in that area, according to Aragon. Near the Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, on Burling Lane, a developer has bought all the properties except one, in a plan that calls for a total of seven luxury rental buildings. Two have been completed and plans for a third—the Millenia—was approved by the Planning Board in July; it includes plans for a tropical forest atrium running the height of the building. At the northern end of the DOZ, in a depressed stretch of North Avenue between New Rochelle City Hall and Iona College, a developer has purchased property on both sides of the street. Mixed-use residential and commercial spaces are planned for both buildings, with 114 units for the building on the east side of North Avenue, and 74 units planned for the building on the west side. Other approved projects mentioned by Aragon include a 300bed dormitory for Monroe College students on Locust Avenue, on the site of a parking lot, and a 200-unit apartment building at 10 Commerce St. Waterfront development plans In addition to the downtown redevelopment plans, New Rochelle has just completed its Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan and is awaiting state approval. Although much of the New Rochelle waterfront is private, the plan seeks to create more public access, potentially using the New Rochelle marina and Echo Bay as gateways. With regards to Echo Bay, the City Council recently approved relocation of its Department of Public Works main facility, clearing the way for development of that area. Aragon shared that the Planning Board is currently reviewing a proposal that City Council just approved with

developer Twining Properties to transform Echo Bay to a “South Street Seaport type of experience.” The plan calls for four city blocks to be created with 450 residential units, 200 hotel beds and 100,000 square feet for retail space. Further opportunities and challenges The New Rochelle Transit Center and train station, home to Metro-North, Amtrak and the BeeLine bus service, could become an even bigger draw by the early 2020s. Referring to MetroNorth’s plans to complete a link from New Rochelle to the west side of Manhattan and to Penn Station, Aragon described the New Rochelle train station as a future “Grand Central North.” Anticipating the need for more high-quality retail as new residential units are completed, the city has just retained Buxton Consumer Analytics to help identify retailers that meet current and future needs. Regarding the potential impact on residents of lower-economic means, Bramson pointed out that social equity issues were a huge part of the conversation as plans were formulated. He emphasized that New Rochelle’s diversity is a quality that this plan strives to preserve, and that ensuring a robust supply of affordable housing is key. The city requires 10 percent of new housing units be affordable housing; in addition, developers can get bonus points for an additional 10 percent. While the proportion of higher-income housing may increase, in absolute numbers, there will be an increase in affordable housing units. Responding to a question about lower-income residents potentially being displaced by the development, Aragon explained that most of the new construction will replace parking lots and commercial structures, not residential facilities.

Any displaced residents will be given priority for the affordable housing units. With the downtown development projects potentially creating thousands of jobs over the next decade, the city will be creating a First Source Referral Center, which should also benefit lower-income residents. The center, which will be managed by WESTHAB, a regional nonprofit, and funded by developers, will work with the construction trades, labor unions, and developers. According to Bramson, the center will offer a job-training, job-placement program that will help New Rochelle residents take advantage of short-term job opportunities while acquiring long-term career skills. Responding to a question about flood mitigation issues, Mayor Bramson noted that most of the building is on land that are already hardscaped. In addition, projects must submit plans showing that there is no additional water runoff. Finally, Bramson and Aragon confirmed a rumored change in New Rochelle traffic patterns. As part of the redevelopment plan, Main and Huguenot streets will both become two-way streets. Although the mayor initially was skeptical, he was persuaded by discussions with retailers and with the results of computer modeling, which showed that by enabling people to reach their destinations more directly, traffic would also be reduced. Looking beyond the immediate impact to New Rochelle, Bramson spoke of more farreaching benefits to its neighboring communities, such as Larchmont, as well as the entire county. The mayor hopes the redevelopment plan will enable New Rochelle to attract millennial and empty nesters from the larger New York metropolitan area and compete with cities like White Plains and Stamford.

12 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017

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March 3 & 10, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13

Danny and the dinosaur(s) RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

If anyone could lay claim to the excuse “I’m not fat—I’m big boned,” it’s the titanosaur on view at the American Museum of Natural History. This creature has a thigh bone 8 feet tall. Taller than Shaq! That’s not just a big bone; it’s the biggest bone in the biggest dinosaur ever discovered. And yet, the titanosaur began life in an egg the size of a “large grapefruit,” said Danny Barta, a Ph.D. candidate in the museum’s Richard Gilder Graduate School. Barta is studying dinosaur growth—how do you go from the size of a piece of fruit to something 120 feet long, especially when you’re a vegetarian? “They must have spent most of their day eating,” Barta said. It just goes to show that anyone hoping an all-kale diet will do the trick may end up sorely disappointed. (And extinct.) The titanosaur is so big, you see it burst into a grin, Holy moly! It doesn’t even fit in one of the museum’s cavernous rooms. Instead, its giant skull sticks out into the hallway, like a dog who can’t wait to go for a walk. And, for the record, what’s on display is not the actual skeleton. It’s a 3-D scanned cast of the bones, which is in some ways even more amazing: Something 100 million years old has been recreated by a technology that didn’t come into its own until the 2000s. But if you’re hankering for “real” relics, all you have to do is turn around. There, on display for the first time, are about 30

fossilized bones from the museum’s “Big Bone Room”—a room Barta compares to a library’s “oversize book section.” These bones include a leg bone the size of a 7-year-old North American Studentis (that is, a third-grader), and vertebrae that look like snow tires. They’re all part of a longnecked plant-eating diplodocus dug up by the museum’s dinosaur hunter Barnum Brown (yes, named for the circus meister himself), with Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1897. Ironically the men had gone to Wyoming seeking fossil evidence of ancient mammals, the bones of which do not make for amazing crowdpleasers. Instead, they found this giant beast, which launched the museum’s dinosaur collection. Barnum would go on to discover the first tyrannosaurus rex. Barta actually hails from Wyoming himself, and when he went on trips to the local museum, he fell in love with the dinosaurs. Now he spends his time studying the specimens at the museum and heading out to find more. He spent last summer in Mongolia’s Gobi Desert, which sounds like a dream come true. “You wake up, you have breakfast—we’re in a tent—and then you walk around and look to see if there are any bones or eggshells sticking out of the ground. And probably every few minutes you’re seeing something. Oftentimes, it’s just some fragments, but sometimes it can be part of a skeleton,” he said. Sign me up! “We had really nice weather—it barely topped 100,” Barta added. “And we experienced one sandstorm.” Okay, maybe he doesn’t re-

ally need my help. Once someone discovers what looks like a decent set of bones, the team carefully covers these with the tools of the trade: tin foil, paper towels or toilet paper. “Fossil collecting has hardly changed at all since Barnum Brown’s day,” Barta said. With the bones protected, the team digs a trench around the skeleton and covers the whole thing with a plaster of Paris “jacket.” Then they dig it up, and ship it to the museum, where three “preparers” excavate the bones, using brushes, dental picks and a whole lot of patience. But what excites Barta is that the Gobi site has yielded dozens of specimens of one of the dinosaurs he is studying most intently, the “Haya griva” (named for the Hindu god Hayagriva). Adults of this species are about the size of a beagle, the littlest ones are the size of crows. What he has now are a series of skeletons, affording him a sort of time-lapse look at how they grow. “Each is a snapshot from a stage of life,” Barta explains. Imagine if the only skeleton left of humans 100 million years from now was that of a 5-year-old. Future earthlings would assume Homo sapiens generally grew to the height of a Great Dane. So how do you get a full picture of the life cycle of an animal that’s extinct? “Any living animal, we could watch,” Barta points out. But with dinosaurs, you need skeletons of all different ages. That’s what he has in front of him now. And if he or anyone else ever needs a different dino to study, the museum has tons more—literally. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

It’s a mouthwatering March in Westchester There are plenty of tasty opportunities for visitors in Westchester County this March. “With more than 100 Westchester restaurants participating, Hudson Valley Restaurant Week offers diners every cuisine imaginable,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “The county is also thrilled to be participating in New York’s Maple Festival this spring. Bring the whole family for a pancake breakfast and discover how maple syrup is made right here in Westchester.” Fit for Foodies The most popular foodie event is back. Spring Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, HVRW, takes place from Monday, March 6 through Sunday, March 19. More than 100 Westchester County restaurants will be participating in HVRW from classic favorites to brand new spots. Participating restaurants offer a threecourse, prix fixe dinner menu for $32.95 per person (plus tax, beverage and gratuity) and may offer a three-course lunch menu for $22.95 per person (plus tax, beverage and gratuity). For more information on Spring Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, visit valleytable.com/hvrw.

A Sweet Spring Celebrate New York’s Maple Festival on Saturday, March 18 and Sunday, March 19 and, and Saturday, March 25 and Sunday, March 26. Visit White Oak Farm, the only commercial producer in Westchester County and the closest sugar house to New York City offering visitors tours of the beautiful sugar house and the opportunity to learn how maple syrup is made. No registration necessary for tours. Complete your sweet experience by enjoying a delicious pancake breakfast at Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center, which is just up the road from White Oak Farm. Advanced registration is required for the pancake breakfast. Visit brownpapertickets.com/profile/128237 to purchase pancake tickets. Stay and Play At The Ritz-Carlton New York in White Plains, luxury hotel packages allow visitors to experience everything that makes the hotel unique. The Ritz Carlton has several special offers this spring, including the Reconnect Package and the Discover With You Package. Visit ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ new-york/westchester/offers for

more information. The Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown is offering many opportunities for rest and relaxation. Visit its spa or enjoy delicious dining at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Find out more information at marriott.com/ hotels/hotel-deals/nycwe-westchester-marriott. For the latest events and happenings in Westchester, log onto visitwestchesterny.com, like on Facebook at facebook.com/westchestercountytourism, follow on Twitter @westchestertour or call 1-800-833-9282. View the new travel guide by visiting instagram.com/visitwestchesterny. To view the Westchester County Destination Guide, please visit bit.ly/2cCFErf. Tourism & Film is Westchester County’s official destination marketing organization. Its mission is to generate economic benefits by enhancing the image and promoting Westchester County as a premier business and leisure destination in the Hudson Valley region. The Tourism & Film office in Westchester County is a division within Astorino’s Office of Economic Development. (Submitted)

Muffin is a charming, pastel dilute calico mix, about 7 months old and kittenish as can be. Grayish with a wonderful contrasting ginger face, she is very playful and gets along well with her foster’s other cats and kids. She will be wonderful as a family cat. Muffin is spayed, up-todate with all vaccinations and microchipped. The donation for Muffin is $100. To meet this lovely girl, please contact Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133, or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

SPORTS

14 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017

A shot at greatness LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

The last time I took in a showdown between New Rochelle and Mount Vernon at the Westchester County Center, the result was undoubtedly the best game that I’ve had the privilege of covering during my tenure at the Review. In the 2013 Class AA finals, a game in which the Knights were heavily favored over the Huguenots, the finish—New Rochelle standout Khalil Edney’s half-court, game-winning, buzzer-beating heave— remained atop ESPN highlights for weeks. The aftermath of what became known as “The Shot,” however—the fans storming the court, the conference by the officials and the wild Huguenot celebration— may have been more memorable than the play itself. Between the confusion and the

euphoria in the building, it reminded me a lot of the Best Picture announcement at the Academy Awards last Sunday. It would have been a wild scene no matter where it took place; Mount Vernon High School, New Rochelle’s O’Brien Gymnasium, or a blacktop court at a random playground. But the fact that it took place at the County Center just made it feel more important, and now there’s a chance for a repeat performance when the two teams square off in the Class AA quarterfinals on Friday night. Every year, athletes, sports writers and basketball fans alike look forward to Championship Week. From Monday to Sunday, there’s a full slate of games at Westchester’s most famous arena featuring the best teams from all around Section I going at it for the ultimate prize in local basketball. It’s not that the games seem to matter more at this time of year; it’s that they actually

do. Every team comes into this week just two wins away from hoisting the gold ball, and you can invariably see that in the pace of the games. Each possession, each shot, each defensive stop is its own mini drama in a four-quarter game that is already chock full of narrative arcs. It’s impossible to not get caught up in all the hoopla, regardless of if you have a dog in the fight or not. Now, I have no way of knowing if this year’s teams are going to reach the promised land. The Review has three teams still alive as of press time, and the Tuckahoe boys, the top seed in Class C, will kick things off on Wednesday afternoon, after press time. But regardless of how it turns out for Tuckahoe, New Rochelle or Eastchester’s girls, one thing is for certain; each of these ballclubs has a unique opportunity ahead of them. It’s unlikely that any of these teams will, like those 2013

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

New Rochelle senior Jarett Haines grins after the Huguenots’ Class AA quarterfinal win against Fox Lane on Feb. 24. With the win, the Huguenots earned the right to play at the Westchester County Center this week. Photo/Mike Smith

Huguenots, find themselves as the darlings of the national sports media, but you don’t need

a “shot” to make this a worthwhile experience. All you need is a chance.

Follow Mike Smith on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

SPORTS

March 3 & 10, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 15

Huguenots head to County Center BOYS BASKETBALL

class aa

QUARTERFINALS

NEW ROCHELLE 59 FOX LANE 33 NEW ROCHELLE HS

2/24/17

Game Notes: • Jarett Haines had a team-high 16 points • The Huguenots held the Foxes to just 18 points through three quarters • New Rochelle will play top-seeded Mount Vernon in the Class AA semifinals on March 3 By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor Just six days after surviving a double-overtime scare in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs, the New Rochelle basketball team put all doubts about its seeding to bed, as it punched its ticket to the Westchester County Center with a convincing 59-33 home win over No. 5 seed Fox Lane on Feb. 24. As the No. 4 Huguenots gear up for their first appearance in the Class AA semifinals since their section-winning run in 2013, they are hoping that their momentum will carry them to another gold ball. Leading the Foxes 24-16 at halftime, the Huguenots applied pressure in the third quarter, out-

Tyeshon Martin goes up for a layup against Fox Lane.

scoring their opponents 14-2 in the frame. According to senior point guard Jarett Haines, who finished with a team-high 16 points, the team discussion during halftime centered on the importance of not allowing the visitors back into the game. “Coach [Rasuan Young] told us that the first three minutes were going to determine the game,” Haines said. “So we got out there, started strong, and I told my guys to keep calm, and from that point, the clock was on our side.” Haines capped off the win with eight of his 16 points com-

Jake Armiento splits two defenders on his way to the basket. Armiento had 10 points on the day.

ing in the fourth quarter, but said the key to the Huguenots’ victory was their defensive effort from the outset. “We had determined that their guards were a little shaky, so we just made sure that we had to step up the pressure,” he said. “So we pressured, got a couple of big steals and finished on the other end.” For the Huguenots, who advanced to the quarterfinals on the strength of a double-overtime first-round game against White Plains, that first postseason game was something of a wakeup call. Jake Armiento, who had 10 points in New Rochelle’s win over Fox Lane, believed that the White Plains game helped the Huguenots approach a long week of practice with some added intensity. “That game was really a shock, because we thought, coming in, that we’d be able to win that first-round game easily,” Armiento said. “But I think we realized that there are no easy games in the playoffs, so we needed to prepare better.” The Huguenots will be back in action on March 3 in the Class AA semifinals against top-seeded Mount Vernon at the Westchester County Center. Although the Knights have bested New Rochelle

Jarett Haines takes the ball to the hoop against Fox Lane on Feb. 24. Haines had 16 points to lead the Huguenots to a 59-33 win. Photos/Mike Smith

in two previous meetings between the league rivals this year, Armiento is confident that the up-tempo Huguenots can find some success this time around. “There’s definitely no letup now that we know it’s Mount Vernon,” he said. “We’re one of

the fittest teams around and there are a lot of teams we can run out of the gym. Mount Vernon might not be one of those teams, but if we just focus on what we need to do, this is definitely going to be a very good game.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

Jaylin McGhee drives in the Huguenots’ Class AA quarterfinal game against Fox Lane.

16 • THE CITY REVIEW • March 3 & 10, 2017