THE
CityREVIEW NewRochelle February 24, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 6 | www.cityreviewnr.com
County to mull new gun show laws in committee By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
County executive: ‘We will not be silent on travel ban’ By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Amidst a nationwide debate about a policy on immigration, President Donald Trump’s recently blocked travel ban on seven predominantly Muslim nations has captured the interest of top elected officials in Westchester. On Feb. 10, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, appeared before a crowd of nearly 200 MuslimAmericans at the Andalusia School in Yonkers to proclaim his support for those of the religious group living in the county.
“I stand here beside you today and every day to reaffirm our friendship, to let you know that as the county’s top elected official, that not only are you welcome here, but that the contributions of our Muslim-American community are essential to us,” said Astorino, who’s up for re-election this year and unofficially has said he plans to seek a third term in office. As the county executive since 2010, Astorino has established arelationship with the school and mosque. In 2013, he appointed Sonia Chinn, a former teacher at the Andalusia School,
as a member of the county Human Rights Commission, the first Muslim to be appointed to the commission since it was established in 1999. Shortly after Chinn’s departure after relocating to Texas for work, Astorino appointed another Muslim-American to the post, naming Ghada Salim to the commission in 2015. According to 2014 numbers provided by the county Board of Legislators, there are roughly 14,000 Muslims living in Westchester, comprising 1.4 percent of the county’s total population. Astorino, who addressed the
worshipers at the mosque as his friends, said that while he supports “careful screening” of those who seek to enter the country, he does not believe the controversial ban targets a specific religion. “Please know, and make no mistake about it, I would never support a religious test on who comes into our country,” he said. However, the travel ban, which is currently on hold because of a decision by the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, has other elected officials in the ASTORINO continued on page 8
Bipartisan support and public input has reinvigorated a Democratic initiative looking to tighten control over gun shows countywide, after a veto from Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, derailed a potential ban last month. According to Joe Sgamatto, a spokesman for the Board of Legislators’ Democratic Caucus, the potential legislation— which will expound upon a set of Republican initiatives introduced simultaneously with Democrats’ proposed ban on gun shows held at county facilities—came as a result of sweeping public comment. New provisions would seek to bolster security at shows, enforce proper signage, and potentially impose an age restriction for attendees. In addition to the dozens of public testimonies that flooded the Westchester County Convention Center earlier this month on the Republican laws regulating gun shows, Sgamatto said lawmakers received a torrent of phone calls railing against the legislation, which— even after the public hearing— was introduced to the legislative floor unchanged. “We already had 36 voicemails by the time we got to the office in the morning,” said Sgamatto referring to the day following the legislation’s introduction. The Republican legislation that Democrats will look
At a glance A set of Republicanintroduced provisions on strengthening gun show regulations will be sent back to committee Democrats will look to seize on the increased scrutiny over the proposed laws to add a number of stipulations, including potential age restrictions on gun shows held Increased overnight security and greater communication with law enforcement may also be on the table
to strengthen is an extension of New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s model New York Guns Show Procedures. According to a statement from county Legislator Ben Boykin, a White Plains Democrat, among the potential additions to the regulations may be overnight security for private gun shows in addition to provisions mandating greater cooperation with law enforcement when privately held shows do take place. Some of the proposed laws GUN continued on page 5
Follow us on Twitter @cityreviewnr Like us on facebook.com/cityreviewnr
2 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 3
State DMV increases railroad crossing violations
The New York state Department of Motor Vehicles has increased the points assigned to motorists for violating traffic infractions made near railroad crossings. Photo courtesy wikipedia.org
The New York state Department of Motor Vehicles is cracking down on motorists that violate traffic regulations near railroad crossings. In August 2016, the DMV increased the points assigned to automobilists from three to five for infractions made near railroad crossings in an effort to prevent train crashes at the nearly 2,700 crossings statewide. The announcement was made recently during a state legislative budget hearing on transportation on Feb. 15. “If you are knowingly reckless at railroad crossings, you are putting yourself, those around you, and those in the train at risk for a catastrophe,” said state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat. “I’m pleased that the state government is taking seriously the con-
cerns of Westchester residents by showing how important it is to be careful at these crossings.” Prior to the change in the rules of the road, a traffic infraction near a railroad crossing only warranted a fine and a three-point penalty, which is the same value for speeding one to 10 mph above the speed limit anywhere else. In New York, the DMV may suspend drivers’ licenses if a motorist accrues 11 points in an 18-month period. According to Theresa Egan, the executive deputy commissioner of the state DMV, the new rule aims to protect motorists rather than punish them. “It’s very difficult to change behavior, [but] saving lives is certainly [our] main priority,” she said. The change in the DMV regulations comes just two years af-
ter the deadly Metro-North Harlem Line train crash in Valhalla in which six individuals were killed as a result of a train’s collision with an SUV. The crash was the deadliest in Metro-North history; it was also the deadliest crash in the country since the Washington Metro train collision in 2009, in which eight passengers were killed. “In my mind, the rule change comes directly from the unfortunate tragedy [in Valhalla],” Buchwald said. Initially, changes to increase the points for railroad crossing violations were rejected by the DMV, according to Buchwald, who introduced legislation in 2015 for a law change related to traffic infractions near railroad crossings; that proposal was made before the DMV changed the rule. -Reporting by Franco Fino
4 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
What’s going on... New Rochelle Public Library
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
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 soon. While construction is underway, the only wheelchair-accessible entrance will be the reopened Memorial Highway doors, which have a ramp leading down from street level. There will be additional wheelchair-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.
Library hours Main library hours: Mondays, Tuesdays and
Free sessions of easy yoga to help reduce stress and relieve tension continue to be offered during Monday and Wednesday lunch hours at the New Rochelle Public Library. Monday sessions are held for 30 minutes, from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., and Wednesday sessions are 45 minutes in length, from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. Yoga instructor Nora LeMorin leads the gentle yet invigorating sessions, helping participants return to work with renewed energy and focus. Traditional and adapted poses will be practiced either standing or seated in chairs to balance, stretch and strengthen the body while calming the mind. 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 Library will be holding a mini book sale on Tues-
days, 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 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, Feb. 25 to 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, Feb. 28 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. 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.
Follow us on Twitter @ cityreviewnr
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 5 GUN from page 1
would apply to both public and privately held gun shows in the county. County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, told the Review that she would also pursue a possible age restriction for both public and private shows held in Westchester. “I’m applying the same sort of law that you have for children in bars,” Parker said. “You have to be 21 years old to drink and you have to be 21 years of age to even be at a bar.” Exactly what those age re-
Across the aisle, Legislator Jim Maisano, a New Rochelle Republican, who has been outspoken over his opposition to a ban on gun shows, said while constituents in his district had little to no feedback on the laws, he and his Republican colleagues are open to working with Democrats on retooling some provisions. “We’re very open to having a conversation,” Maisano said. On the county level, tensions over increased regulation on gun shows reached a fever pitch last month after a piece of legislation, passed by the Board
I’m applying the same sort of law that “ you have for children in bars. You have to be 21 years old to drink and you have to be 21 years of age to even be at a bar.
”
– LEGISLATOR CATHERINE PARKER, on proposed gun show legislation strictions would be, how they would be enforced, or whether they will find their way into a final product, Parker said, would come as a result of committee deliberations.
of Legislators in a partisan vote by Democrats that effectively banned gun shows at countyowned facilities, was vetoed by Astorino. The ban, which was unsuc-
cessfully floated in 2010 by Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, who plans to run for county executive this year, came in response to a gun show held at the County Center last month, and would have reinstated an embargo from former County Executive Andrew Spano that lapsed when Astorino took office in 2010. According to Phil Oliva, a spokesman for the Astorino administration, January’s gun show netted $47,000 in revenue for the county and saw 8,000 visitors, both of which exceeded expectations. Now, according to Parker, Michael Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat and chairman of the Board of Legislators, will continue to mull an override of Astorino’s veto which would require a bipartisan supermajority vote of 12 legislators in order to overturn the decision. Whether that override would garner the necessary bipartisan support, Parker said, remains unclear. But Maisano told the Review he doesn’t see himself or his Republican colleagues shifting their stance any time soon. According to Oliva, the most
Westchester lawmakers will weigh a new proposed set of tightened regulations on gun shows across the county after a torrent of public feedback. File photo
recent round of proposals being assessed by county legislators may fare better than an outright ban.
“[Astorino] has said he would be open to [the laws],” Oliva said. “We look forward to looking at the legisla-
tion when it comes back from committee.” CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
6 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017 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 Christian Falcone Associate Publisher | Editor-in-Chief ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Assistant Editor | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com General Assignment | Taylor Brown ext. 30, taylor@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lynne Starr ext. 29, lynne@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Corey Stockton, Franco Fino Staff Photographers Andrew Dapolite, Aaron Kershaw, Charlie McLaughlin Columnist
Lenore Skenazy Letters
The community’s opinion matters. If you have a view to express, write a letter to the editor by email to chris@hometwn.com. Please include a phone number and name for verification purposes.
Harrison veteran fights for his title By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Staff Sgt. Thomas Varbero has been trying to change a misprint on his discharge papers for 71 years. Varbero, a 96-year-old World War II Army veteran, served in the military from February 1943 until February 1946, when he was honorably discharged. But upon receiving his discharge papers, he noticed that his last grade rank was listed as a private, instead of his title as a staff sergeant. He said he brought this issue to the attention of an officer at Army Camp Beale in California. The officer informed him that he could wait at the camp for new paperwork, but that it could take up to three months to receive them. The second option was to go home, and the new paperwork would be mailed to him. Varbero chose the latter. “They never mailed it,” he said in an interview with the Review at his Harrison home. Upon returning to Westchester County in 1946, Varbero, in his mid-20s at the time, wanted
to focus on working and raising a family with his wife. One of his chores was also renovating his Harrison home, the home he was born and raised in. Today, the house now has six bedrooms and three baths. “My wife and I took this whole apartment out,” he said. The walls of his refurbished home are filled with memories from his past. Some of these show him at 50 years old in Newfoundland, Canada, where he said he built five log cabins over 35 years. Other photos include Varbero on a hunting trip, gearing up for a boat trip on the lake and his old camping ground. Tom Varbero, Varbero’s grandson, speaks fondly of the outdoor activities he participated in with his grandfather. He said that he was very close with his grandfather growing up, and that everything his grandfather did for him was to help teach him and his siblings a life lesson. The time spent with his family helped distract Thomas Varbero from thoughts about his time in the Army. “I didn’t care,” he said. “I wanted to forget… that experience.” But his feelings changed in
Community Events
If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.
Delivery
For home delivery or to subsribe, call (914) 653-1000 x27.
Classifieds & Legals
To post your notices or listings, call (914) 653-1000 x27.
Postmaster
Send address changes to: The City Review New Rochelle c/o HomeTown Media Group, 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203 White Plains, N.Y. 10601
Visit us online www.cityreviewnr.com
Follow us on Twitter, @cityreviewnr Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/cityreviewnr The City Review New Rochelle (permit #16661) is published weekly by Home Town Media Group for an annual subscription of $45. Application to mail at the periodicals postage rate is approved at White Plains, N.Y., 10601. Periodicals postage paid at White Plains and additional mailing offices.
Thomas Varbero, 96, speaks animatedly of his time in the Army at his home in Harrison.
recent years as his grandchildren began asking him more about what he had done in the war. “A while back, I [started] thinking; I said, ‘I got to get this straightened out before I die,’” he said. Varbero said the position of staff sergeant was given to him after he injured his knee in a car accident. He was told he would require surgery, and that he wouldn’t be able to fight anymore because he would need a cane to walk. Varbero was given an opportunity to serve his country in a different way, and he became an interpreter from Italian to English. “I was more qualified because I knew five dialects,” he said. Varbero was awarded his title as staff sergeant after beginning his work at a prisoner-of-war camp in Monticello, Arkansas. Varbero’s granddaughter, Marlene Varbero, said that he still frequently talks about his time with the POWs. She said how even though they were prisoners, he would provide them with more food than he was supposed to. Thomas Varbero also said that his fluency in Italian worked to his advantage when it came to learning more about the enemy. “I wanted to get into their system, to get more information that I could pass on,” he said. “I got a lot of information like that by talking their dialect.” Varbero said that over years, he has complained that this promotion wasn’t reflected in his discharge paperwork, but to no avail. Varbero explained that around 15 years ago is when he started to seriously pursue a resolution. He spoke to veteran affairs centers in places like Harrison, the Bronx and Castle Point in Wappingers Falls, New York. But he was directed toward Virginia, where the Army Review Board Agency, ARBA, is located. In December 2016, he wrote to the board. In the letter, he included a copy of his discharge papers, an application for correction of military record, which allows military personnel to dispute changes to their military records, and a letter explaining his request. Varbero wrote, “I feel my ser-
Thomas Varbero only has one photo taken of himself from when he first entered the U.S. Army as a private. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
vice to my country should be honored by having this correction made.” His only concern is being able to show his family that he has earned service stripes. His grandson, Patrick Varbero of the Harrison Police Department, said that he believes the corrected paperwork is something that his grandfather deserves. The Army Board for Correction of Military Records, AMBCMR, is one of 14 boards under ARBA. The board oversees requests for changes of military paperwork. But changes such as Varbero’s have been difficult to argue because of U.S. Code Title 10 Section 1552(b), which says that if a request for changed paperwork is to be made, it needs to be done within three years of noticing the error. There have been, however, exceptions made to this rule when it is in the interest of justice.
A December 2015 court case seen by ABCMR was similar to Varbero’s situation in that Army personnel had a misprint on their discharge papers. Even though more than three years had lapsed since the person had noticed the error, the board made an exception and decided to see the case. Despite this, the court still ruled that the person didn’t provide sufficient evidence to support the claim that they ranked as a specialist grade four before being discharged from the Army. This position is above a private, and below a corporal. The only paperwork Varbero has left from the Army are his discharge papers. As of press time, Kat Connolly, the VA staffer at the White Plains district office for U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, a Democrat, has been contacted, where a case file has been created for Varbero. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 7
‘Extraordinary Women’ series to feature 3 movies
“Mastera,” about Cuba’s literacy movement, is one of the movies featured in the New Rochelle Public Library’s “Extraordinary Women, a Film Series,” in collaboration with the Zonta Club of New Rochelle.
The New Rochelle Public Library and the Zonta Club of New Rochelle will present a threepart film series, “Extraordinary Women,” on three Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in March. The free movies will be shown on the big screen of the Ossie Davis Theater. The award-winning 2014 film “Maestra” will start the series on Thursday, March 2 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The movie documents Cuba’s literacy movement that mobilized 250,000 volunteers to teach 700,000 people to read and write in one year, 1961. Nearly half of the teachers were under 18 years old. More than half were women. “Maestra” explores the poignant and powerful story through the personal testimonies of the young women who went out to teach literacy in rural communities across the island—and found themselves deeply transformed in the “Great Unsung Women of Computing” is the last movie in the “Extraordinary process. “Queen of Katwe,” released Women” series. Photos courtesy New Rochelle Public Library in 2016, will be shown on ThursIt is the colorful true story of world rapidly changes when day, March 16, from 7 p.m. to a young girl selling corn on the she is introduced to the game 9:45 p.m. streets of rural Uganda whose of chess, and, as a result of the
support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. Directed by Mira Nair, the Disney film is based on the book by Tim Crothers. The film stars David Oyelowo, Oscar winner and Tony Award nominee Lupita Nyong’o, and newcomer Madina Nalwanga. “Great Unsung Women of Computing: The Computers, The Coders, and the Future Makers” will conclude the series on Thursday, March 30 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Three short documentaries in one, this film reveals the “hidden” female pioneers who revolutionized the computing and Internet technology we use today. “The Computers” profiles six women who created the world’s first modern, programmable computer, ENIAC, as part of a secret World War II project. “The Coders” highlights two women who invented Java and Flash. “The Future Makers” introduces us to a superstar of today: Andrea Colaço, who invented 3-D gesture-recognition technology. (Submitted)
8 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Construction trades info session
ASTORINO from page 1
county, specifically Democrats, worried about Astorino’s support for the ban and that it does in fact unfairly target Muslims. The ban placed restrictions on individuals entering the country from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Phil Oliva, a spokesman for Astorino, confirmed that the county executive does support a temporary suspension on accepting refugees into the country. For that reason, county Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, said Astorino is part of the problem associated with the travel ban. “It doesn’t support the values of Westchester residents,” she said. ‘It’s unfortunate that [Astorino] is directly aligned with what’s in direct opposition to our residents.” Astorino’s speech follows another debate on the county level related to immigration, as the county Board of Legislators’ Democratic Caucus recently proposed an Immigration Protection Act, which was referred to the committees on Budget and Appropriations, Legislation, and Public Safety and Social Services on Feb. 13. That legislation, which is sponsored by Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, an Ossining Democrat, aims to stem the tide of recent efforts by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, and Customs and Border Protection, CBP, to detain and transfer an individual for immigration and investigation purposes.
On Feb. 10, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino joined a crowd of Muslim-Americans at the Andalusia School and mosque in Yonkers to show his support. Photo/Aaron Kershaw
While as many as 680 were arrested in the first week of February throughout Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, San Antonio, and New York City areas by raids conducted by ICE agents, according to Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, the legislation seeks to codify language 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. “With all the news reports of immigration raids, even in New York [state], this act is a step we must take to follow the law and make sure our county does not practice any type of discrimination,” Borgia said.
Interested in a career in the construction trades? Attend an information session presented by RDRXR and WESTHAB, in partnership with the city of New Rochelle, on Wednesday, March 1 at 11 a.m. at the NR Future office, located at 247 North Ave. The event will feature speakers from RXR Realty, Hudson Meridian Construction, New Rochelle and WESTHAB, who will outline the upcoming downtown construction projects, hiring requirements, and employment opportunities. This informational workshop complements the city’s goal of maximizing work opportunities for residents as redevelopment of the city begins, said Develop-
ment Commissioner Luiz Aragon. “Our goal is not to just create jobs, but to create careers,” he said. “By partnering with RDRXR and WESTHAB in this first initiative and beyond, we will be able to offer a true conduit to a successful future.” “This is a huge opportunity, especially for our city’s young people who are not currently in school or working,” said Councilmember Jared Rice. “The construction industry is multifaceted and there are many opportunities. I urge everyone interested attend one of the information sessions, to find out how they can benefit.” The initiative will continue with OSHA training and a career
fair in the early spring and the opening of WESTHAB’s First Source Referral Center at the NR Future office. Funding for this initiative has been provided through the Community Benefits Fund agreement, at no cost to taxpayers. For more information, visit newrochelleny.com or call the city Department of Development at 654-2185. (Submitted)
This also comes as a backdrop for an upcoming county executive race that will likely highlight treatment of the Muslim community as one of the campaign’s talking points. Last month, county Legislator Ken Jenkins, a Yonkers Democrat, called on Astorino to denounce the president’s travel ban, labeling it unAmerican. “There is no place for this; not here, not in Westchester,” said Jenkins, the lone Democrat to have announced that he will run for county executive this year. “The county executive needs to denounce these actions that have no place in Westchester County.” CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
Harper is a sweet and friendly boy, about a year old and 30 pounds. He knows some basic training, loves playing in the yard with all his furry friends, and seems to be housebroken, too. He would do best in a home with a fenced-in yard and older children due to his lively, puppy-like personality. Harper is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300 to Pet Rescue. To meet Harper, call 834-6955, visit NYPetRescue.org, or meet him in person at 7 Harrison Ave. in Harrison. (Submitted)
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9
10 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
The Classifieds • Advertising that gets results OUR RATES:
$42.50 for up to 4 lines. Each additional line $2.00. Classifieds ads appear in all five of our publications.
AUTO DONATIONS Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 315-400-0797 Today! Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, benefiting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call 914468-4999 Today!
CAREER TRAINING Medical Billing and Coding Career Training at Sullivan and Cogliano Training Centers Call 1-888-535-9909 or click learn.sctrain.edu Financial Aid Available to those who qualify. sctrain.edu/disclosures
FINANCIAL CONVENTIONAL & BANK RATE FINANCING, Fix’n Flips, Hard-Bridge Loans, No DocumentsStated Income Programs, $100K-$100 Million, Purchase-Refinance, SFH-1-4, Multi-family, Mixed Use, Commercial, 888-565-9477
HELP WANTED AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here-Get trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866296-7094
LAWN AND GARDEN Privacy Hedges-SPRING BLOWOUT SALE 6ft Arborvitae (Cedar) Reg $129 Now $69 Beautiful, Nursery Grown. FREE Installation/ FREE delivery, Limited Supply! ORDER NOW: 518-536-1367 www.lowcosttrees.com
MISCELLANEOUS SAWMILLS from only $4397.00- MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmill-Cut lumber any dimension. In stock ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD:† www.NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-578-1363 Ext.300N
M O D U L A R C O N STR U CTI O N EINSTEIN MODULAR CONSTRUCTIONwholesale factory direct pricing. Visitwww. EinsteinModularConstruction.com to view plans and invoices. We will build any plan. 845-734*Emc2(3622)
REAL ESTATE LAKEFRONT LAND SALE! Feb 25th. 1 DAY ONLY! 6 ac-146’ Waterfront - $99,900! 15 TO CHOOSE FROM! Beautiful Finger Lakes Wine Country! Off season prices, low int rates,stunning wooded homesites! Call 888-905-8847 to register! NewYorkLandandLakes.com Sebastian, Florida (East Coast)Beach Cove is an Age Restricted Community where friends are easily made. Sebastian is an ìOld Floridaî fishing village with a quaint atmosphere yet excellent medical facilities, shopping and restaurants. Direct flights from Newark to Vero Beach. New manufactured homes from $94,900. 772581-0080; www.beach-cove.com.
WANTED TO BUY Buying Diamonds, gold, silver, antique and modern jewelry, better furs, U.S. and foreign coins, paintings, bronzes, complete estates. Highest prices paid. Call 914-260-8783 for appointment.
HOW TO REACH US:
Email: ads@hometwn.com Phone: (914) 653-1000 x27 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601
Publish your LLC notice in our newpapers! New York State law requires that all LLC companies publish a Notice of Formation within 120 days of forming or else your LLC will be suspended. All five of our newspapers LE G A L NO are designated by the Noti TICE ce o G S f o ld Fo r m Westchester County Clerk man, at filed L with LC. Arts i o n o f for this urpose. (S S N NY S of O locat Y) on 1/ ecy of S rg. io 0 tate 2 n : / So Allow us to guide you 1 SSN Y is d uthchest 7. Office e o e r f s C ign LL ounty through what can be an . a g C upon ated as unnecessarily complicated SSNaYi n sst i t m awy hbom proacgeesnt s hall m e se Jack rv a process. We provide the Road Eichman, il process e d . , NYC 1 to 34 S any la template for your tent : wful 10820. Purp on activit o y. se: publication along with the notarized affidavit signed by the publisher. For more informationemail us at ads@hometwn.com.
DEADLINE:
Placement, correction or cancellation of an ad may be phoned in any time before noon on Monday for publication
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 11
You don’t always have to say something RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
If you see something, say something. That campaign, launched in New York after 9/11 and rolled out nationally in 2010, suggests that anyone and anything we see could be out to get us, so our job is to immediately alert the authorities. What a wonderful way to turn kind, caring citizens into paranoid busybodies who don’t even actually help each other. All they do is call 911 and smile smugly. “People are submitting thousands and thousands of tips a day,” says Joshua Reeves, author of “Citizen Spies: The Long Rise of America’s Surveillance Society.” He has examined these tips, including gems like, “Someone is standing next to a water fountain, checking their wristwatch.” And, “I saw a suspicious person watching her daughter on the playground.” As a result of being asked to err on the side of extreme caution, Reeves said, “There’s this sort of extended paranoia throughout the culture that everything is a potential signifier or terrorism or crime.” Consider this sign I saw on New Jersey Transit last week. It began with the usual, “If you see something, say something,” but added, “If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.” Ah, but what if you have been primed by years of going through airport security, being forced to ditch your 4 fluid ounces of Head & Shoulders in case it’s a bomb? At some point, our common sense gets corrupted and even the most innocent
items and activities don’t “feel right” anymore. And so we turn to the authorities. In turn, the authorities just keep getting more... authority. You see something like this happening at schools, with kids being told to report any possible bullying to the adults in charge; and on college campuses, where the same goes for students encountering the slights known as “microaggressions.” Of course, no one wants real harassment going unchecked. But our young people are being taught that they are not competent enough to examine or solve interpersonal problems on their own. To Reeves (and now me), this is the one-two punch of the problem: Not just that we overreact to innocent “triggers,” but that we are told to outsource the solution. Two examples: On the subway, there are signs that say (I’m quoting from memory): “If you see a sick passenger, do not attempt to help them yourself. Alert an MTA employee or the police.” So we’re not supposed to exercise basic compassion? Only the authorities are qualified to help another human? Example No. 2: We have also been told to dial 911 if we see a child waiting in a car. This makes us believe that a few minutes’ car wait is automatically dangerous, even though most of us remember waiting in the car when WE were kids. But once again, our common sense has been curdled by constant warnings of the worst-case scenario—in this case, the rare deaths of kids FORGOTTEN in cars for hours. So now, if we’re not seeing terrorists, we’re seeing terrible parents.
But here’s the thing. When parents tell me about coming out of Walgreens only to find someone dialing 911 and screaming at them for “abandoning” their child, the screamers don’t seem to recognize that THEY were watching the child. THEY could make sure no kidnapping occurred. (An extremely unlikely crime anyway.) THEY could hang out a few minutes, making sure the parents returned, and then say something like, “Hi! Just watching to make sure you got back soon. Your kid is so cute. Have a great day.” That’s what good Samaritans do. Opening a Child Protective Services investigation on a mom who dashed in to get some Tylenol is what good Samaritans do NOT do. Yet today’s Samaritans are asked to spy on their neighbors and turn them in. Reeves has felt this in his own life. He and his wife have four kids, and the oldest, age 7, goes to karate six blocks away. “We would love to be able to send him over there by himself but we won’t do it,” Reeves said. They fear that a citizen pumped with fear and armed with a cellphone could call 911 to report a case of child neglect. Usually, this will not happen. But if we want to create the kind of place we’d like to live, a place where onlookers wave to kids and help them cross the street, we have to dial back the culture of dialing up the cops. Asking citizens to assume the worst at all times is making us paranoid. But asking us to involve the authorities is even creepier: It’s making us forget how normal and nice it is to be kind. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Hudson Valley rich in African-American history Black History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the many contributions AfricanAmericans have made throughout the United States. Westchester County is home to several unique sites for visitors to observe this important month. The newly enhanced Guide To African American Heritage and History, at escapes.visitwestchesterny.com/aaht, gives visitors a roadmap to discover the rich African-American culture here in the Hudson Valley. “Visitors of all ages can come for the day or stay for the weekend to gain a better understanding of African-American art, history and literature in our region,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “Families from all cultural backgrounds can explore everything from 17th century landmarks to African-American art collections to a historic cemetery, right here in the Westchester County.” Westchester’s rich African-American history After growing up in the Westchester community of Rye, Founding Father John Jay established a homestead for himself and his family in the northern Westchester community of Bedford. Enslaved and free Africans lived and worked at Jay properties in Bedford, New York City, Albany, Fishkill and Rye throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries. John Jay Homestead is a National Historic Landmark and is operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The Education and Visitor Center includes a main exhibit gallery with a welcome desk and gift shop, a map-model of the property, computer kiosks with exhibit content, and period news magazines featuring articles relevant to Jay’s life. A 2011 ad-
dition to the building features a video viewing area, and an activity center with a replica governess’s cart, similar to one the Jay children rode in, and discovery boxes full of interesting items. Around the corner in the horse stalls, visitors can see realistic models of horses and experience a sound and light show emphasizing the importance of horses to the Jay family and Bedford Farm. Philipsburg Manor, a property of Historic Hudson Valley, is a nationally significant late 17thand early 18th-century milling and trading complex that was part of a vast 52,000-acre estate owned by the Anglo-Dutch Philipse family. Enslaved individuals of African descent operated the commercial center of the estate in what is now the village of Sleepy Hollow. Today, costumed interpreters demonstrate and talk about various aspects of colonial life that affected the culture and economy of those who lived and labored at Philipsburg Manor. The interpreters offer regular performances of vignettes dramatizing aspects of African slavery. In addition, the site offers popular school programs and a lively calendar of special events. Visitors experience hands-on tours of the water-powered gristmill, manor house, barn, activity center, and slave garden. The visitor center includes a shop and cafe. St. Paul’s Church, a National Historic Site, completed in 1787, was located in Eastchester, later considered part of Mount Vernon. Built along the old Boston Post Road, it rested in the midst of farmhouses and taverns. The earliest reference to African-Americans in Eastchester appears in the town records dated April 23, 1672. The entry records the sale of a “Negro woman” to Samuel Adams of
Fairfield, Connecticut, by Moses Hoitte. The church and taverns were the center of community life. Many of the 9,000 interred in the cemetery are persons of African descent buried here in the 19th and 20th centuries. The church records at St. Paul’s include the sexton’s book and burial records denoting the race of those entered into the historic graveyard. Saluting the First Lady of Song Dubbed “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. Raised in Yonkers, Fitzgerald lived and worked at a time when, for her, entrances to most white-owned clubs were through the back door. She literally conquered the bigoted, the insensitive, and the racist with love through song while serving as an ambassador for both music and our country. African-American artist Vinnie Bagwell created this bronze statue entitled “The First Lady of Jazz Ella Fitzgerald” in her honor in 1996. It stands next to the Metro-North station in Yonkers. Planning a visit To learn more about AfricanAmerican historical sites, travel and transportation information, visit visitweschesterny.com and the county’s African American Advisory Board website at africanamerican.westchestergov.com/ african-american-advisory-board. For the latest events and happenings in Westchester, visit visitwestchesterny.com, like at facebook.com/westchestercountytourism, follow on Twitter @ westchestertour, or call 1-800833-9282. View the travel guide on Instagram, instagram.com/ visitwestchesterny. To view the Westchester County Destination Guide, please visit bit. ly/2cCFErf. (Submitted)
12 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
SPORTS
Highs, lows of the postseason LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
There’s no question when it comes to postseason athletes, the intensity and pressure for our coaches and student-athletes get ratcheted up tenfold. And while that may be all well and good 99 percent of the time, creating indelible moments for our local sports stars, win or lose, sometimes the
grand stage of the playoffs can shine a light on some more negative aspects of the game. Don’t get me wrong; there has been no shortage of absolutely fantastic moments over the last week. Kate Robbins’ third-quarter buzzer-beater against Pelham that propelled Rye to a come-from-behind win over the Pelicans; the Harrison boys’ team putting together an unheard of upset of Ardsley from their spot as the No. 24
seed; heck, even the atmosphere in Scarsdale High School’s gym as Mamaroneck’s boys tried— and ultimately failed—to rally back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter of their Class AA playoff game against the Raiders; these moments all represent sports at its finest. But there have also been a handful of moments over the last week or so that kind of make you scratch your head. One early playoff story that
has gotten a fair amount of press has been the brawl that transpired between members of the Peekskill girls’ basketball team after a hard-fought loss to Tappan Zee on Feb. 18. According to observers, Red Devils’ players began arguing with one another following the game, leading to a fracas involving fans, parents and punches. Police were called and one woman was hospitalized, turning an already disappointing end to the season into something much worse for the Red Devils. I can’t speak to the underlying tensions that led to the fight, but one would have to assume that the pressure cooker of postseason
Following his team’s double-overtime loss to New Rochelle on Saturday, White Plains basketball coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the officiating. When it comes to the postseason, even great games can be marred by controversy. Photo courtesy twitter.com
play factored into it somehow. Of course, not all scandals— for lack of a better word—are quite as dramatic. That same day, in a first-round meeting between league foes New Rochelle and White Plains, the Huguenots escaped with a thrilling double-overtime win over the Tigers in what, if you just looked at the box score, one would assume was a classic showdown. But White Plains coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter after the game to fire back at the officials for what he saw as an uneven performance in which New Rochelle accumulated 32 chances at the foul line to his Tigers’ scant five. Did the referees cost White Plains the game? I couldn’t tell you. But I can say that, from a coaching standpoint, it’s impossible not to get frustrated when the numbers are that skewed. And sometimes, the ire of fans is directed at the governing body of local sports. When the leading scorer on Scarsdale’s hockey team, Ben Schwartz, was ejected from the final game of the regular season, Raider fans expected him to serve his mandatory
one-game suspension during the team’s first-round playoff game against Rivertown—which most expected to be an easy win for Scarsdale, even without the standout winger on the ice. But Rivertown forfeited the game, and Schwartz’ suspension was carried over into the highly-anticipated quarterfinal matchup between Scarsdale and No. 2-seeded Suffern, despite vocal protests from the Raider faithful. Many felt that Section I misinterpreted the rule and believed that the decision to hold Schwartz out for the Suffern game put an asterisk next to the Mounties’ 5-3 win on Feb. 21. No matter what happens in the postseason, no matter who wins, no matter how games go, there’s going to be grousing, complaining, and, in some instances, some undignified behavior. But as the playoffs continue, let’s just hope that the good moments outweigh the bad, and even those tough losses and bad situations provide our athletes— and our coaches—with some valuable life lessons.
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
SPORTS
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13
THE ROUNDUP ICE HOCKEY DIVISION I
FIRST ROUND
White Plains New Rochelle At Ice Hutch
6 5 2/19/17
Despite trailing 4-1 late in the game, New Rochelle scored four goals in the final 8:44 of the contest to make things interesting against White Plains on Sunday. That late rally, however, wasn’t quite enough to push them past a solid Tigers team. Tommy Barry and Nick Scollard shined for the Huguenots, as both players finished with a goal and two assists on the day, but White Plains’ winger Miles Tillman broke a 5-5 tie with two minutes remaining to send the Tigers to the quarterfinal round Two days later, the Tigers fell to North Rockland who will advance to a semifinal showdown with top-seeded Mamaroneck.
GIRLS BASKETBALL CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
New Rochelle 53 Clarkstown South 51(2 OT) At Clarkstown South HS
2/18/17
The Huguenots picked up their second win against Clarkstown last Saturday, this time in a Class AA first-round game. The two teams battled throughout regulation and two overtime periods, but in the end, Nia Bailey’s reverse layup with under a minute to play decided the game
Michael Swift makes a play for the puck against White Plains. The Huguenots fell to White Plains 6-5 in the first round of the Division I playoffs.
in favor of the Huguenots. Amina Wiley was a force down low for New Rochelle, scoring a team-high 19 points. The Huguenots will play topseeded Ossining on Feb. 24, after press time
BOYS BASKETBALL CLASS AA
FIRST ROUND
New Rochelle White Plains At New Rochelle HS
62 55
(2 OT)
2/18/17
Two league rivals squared off
Nick Ramondelli heads for the net on Feb. 19. Photos/Jen Parente
in the first round of the Class AA playoffs on Saturday, and when the dust had settled, it was the higher-seeded Huguenots who came out on top. White Plains appeared to have the game locked up, but a threepoint buzzer beater from Jarrett Haines sent the game into overtime where the deeper Huguenot team outlasted their visitors. Haines finished with 29 points and 14 rebounds to propel the Tigers to the Class AA quarterfinals. They will will host Fox Lane on Feb. 24, after press time. -Reporting By Mike Smith
Karina Sirabian squares off against White Plains goalie Justin Schulz. Schulz made 28 saves in the game.
Babyak wins 3 golds Bronxville High School junior Andrew Babyak has won a silver medal and three gold medals at the Section I Boys Swimming Championship finals, which took place at Felix Festa Middle School in West Nyack on Feb. 8. Babyak, who swims for the New Rochelle-Bronxville combined team, placed first in the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle individual events. He also won a gold medal in the 200-yard freestyle relay as a member of the team, which currently holds the fastest time in the state in that discipline, and a silver medal as a member of the 400-yard freestyle relay. Following his outstanding performance, Babyak has qualified for the New York State Championship for the fourth consecutive year, which will take place on March 3 and 4 at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, New York. In addition, Bronxville High School sophomore Tim Cush-
Bronxville High School junior Andrew Babyak won a silver medal and three gold medals at the Section I Boys Swimming Championship finals, and has qualified for the New York State Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Photo courtesy Bronxville school district
man, a fellow member of the New Rochelle-Bronxville swim team, qualified for the state
championship after finishing fourth in the 100-yard backstroke. (Submitted)
SPORTS
14 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Wallace claims section crown By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor The most anticipated match at the Section I wrestling tournament may not have been a championship bout after all. On Feb. 11, the top wrestlers in the area convened for the biggest tourney of the year at Arlington High School, but it was a semifinal battle between two New Rochelleans that stole the show. Facing off at 170 pounds, Huguenot senior Jordan Wallace scored a narrow 3-1 victory over teammate Jake Logan and rode that win to a convincing victory in the finals and a top spot on the podium. Coming into Saturday’s event, New Rochelle head coach Eddie Ortiz took a look at the brackets and lamented that his two standout grapplers were on a collision course for a meeting in the semis. Both Wallace, who entered the tournament as the top seed in the weight class, and Logan, who was seeded fourth, would have been prohibitive favorites to win the title in any other year. But Wallace edged Logan in the semis, scoring a few early points and wrestling a strong defensive match to beat his teammate for the second-straight week. “It was a tough semifinal match, both guys wrestled well,” Ortiz said. “But I told them no matter who won, they had to be good sports after the match and become their teammate’s biggest cheerleader in the final.” After topping Logan in the semis in a hard-fought bout, Wallace proved why both wrestlers were so highly regarded, scoring a dominant 15-4 decision over Horace Greeley’s Jacob Ferreira in the finals. “I don’t want to take anything
Eastchester’s Steven Bilali takes on Suffern’s Bryan Nicpon in the 152-pound semifinals. Photos/Mike Smith
Harrison’s Jay Martins squares off against John Jay’s Matt Kramer. Martins fell to Kramer, but came back to take third place at 126 pounds.
away from Ferreira, he’s a great wrestler,” Ortiz said. “But it wasn’t just me; just about every coach felt that the way that the seeding worked out was unfortunate because both [Wallace and Logan] are two of the top guys in the state.” For Wallace, who became New Rochelle’s all-time wins leader this year, winning the 170-pound title was just one of the goals for the winter season. The senior will head to the state championships in Albany next week where he hopes to become New Rochelle’s first state titlist since superheavyweight Malcolm Allen won the crown in 2011. “He’s done a great job, he got a lot of
confidence from all the work that he puts in and from what a competitive person he is,” Ortiz said. “He set his goals really high; he’s going for the state championship so there’s still
some work to be done.” Logan, who wrestled back to take third place on Saturday, made the all-state team with an at-large bid and should certainly have a bright future as one of the area’s top wrestlers. “He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with,” Ortiz said. “As a sophomore, he’s already one of the best wrestlers in the upper weight classes and that’s something that’s usually reserved for juniors and seniors.” A number of other local wrestlers had strong showings on Saturday as well. Mamaroneck’s Crew Fullerton placed second in the 132-pound bracket, Harrison’s Jay Mamaroneck 132-pounder Crew Fullerton tops Suffern’s Pat Canty in the quarterfinals. Fullerton placed second in his weight class.
Martins took third place in the 126-pound division, Eastchester’s Steven Bilali finished fourth at 152 pounds, and New Rochelle’s Aidan Lilly took fourth at 220 pounds. The state tournament will kick off on Feb. 24 at the Times Union Center in Albany. The semifinal and final rounds are scheduled for Feb. 25. CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Jordan Wallace, left, battles against New Rochelle teammate Jake Logan in the 170-pound semifinals at the Section I wrestling tournament on Feb. 11. Wallace topped Logan 3-1 and went on to win the title with a brilliant performance in the finals.
INSIDE
Lifestyles of Westchester County/FEBRUARY 2017 VOL.6 NO.1
INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
THE
CityREVIEW NewRochelle February 24, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 6 | www.cityreviewnr.com
CAMPS SUMMER PROGRAMS
Destination Science: The fun science day camp
Summer Challenge Camp at Thorton Donovan
The Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp
The best summer ever at Rye Y
16 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
The Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp The Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp is coming to Westchester County. It will be held July 24–28 at Steiner Sports in New Rochelle. After 15 years running the successful Bruce Beck - Ian Eagle Sports Broadcasting Camp in Montclair, New Jersey, it is a thrill to bring this venture to Beck’s home county. This is not a camp which teaches how to hit a gamewinning home run in baseball or connect on a last-second shot in basketball. It’s a specialty camp that allows kids the opportunity to learn the nuances of broadcasting from some of the top announcers and sports personalities in the New York metropolitan area. Among the scheduled guest lecturers is the voice of the New York Rangers, Sam Rosen, and Fox Sports play-by-play man, Kenny Albert. Youngsters will learn about field reporting from Fox 5’s and New York Red Bulls host, Tina Cervasio, and they will be exposed to the art of
interviewing by Jimmy Roberts of NBC Sports. Sports talk radio has exploded in recent years, and Mark Malusis of WFAN will be on the scene as kids brand their own show and field questions from callers. Campers will also learn how to read from a teleprompter. Plus former players, such as David Diehl, Ray Lucas and Carl Banks, will be on hand to discuss the relationship between broadcaster and athlete. They have all made successful transitions to this fascinating industry. The camp includes a road trip to MetLife Stadium, where campers will go behind the scenes for a illuminating tour. Not only will they see parts of the stadium they never knew
existed, but they’ll visit the press box, the announcement booth, and witness where the coaches conduct their postgame press conferences. It will be a road trip to remember. It should be an unforgettable week of insight, knowledge and fun. It will be interactive in every way. And it’s an opportunity to become part of the next generation of sports broadcasters. As someone who has been in the sports broadcasting industry for 39 years and in the New York market place for 35 of them, Beck believes that he has a unique perspective on what it takes to be successful. More importantly as a lifelong camp person, he understands how to nurture today’s youth and
make their experiences come to life as they chase their dreams. He began announcing when I was 8 years old in his mother’s kitchen. Beck would take her cooking utensils and hold them up like a microphone and start announcing. Unfortunately,
there were no outlets for kids at that time. And while 8 may be too young to start in this camp, age 13 is not. If you have a passion for sports and an interest in broadcasting, Beck promises this will be one of the greatest weeks of your life.
For more information, visit brucebecksportsbroadcastingcamp.com, email info@brucebecksportsbroadcastingcamp. com, or call 472-7869. Follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @brucebeckcamp. (Submitted)
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 17
Destination Science: The fun science day camp Destination Science is designed to excite kids ages 5 to 11 about science and to build great life skills in campers. Weekly themes combine science and engineering with unique projects, outdoor games, problem solving and many great take-homes. The day camp’s top notch, enthusiastic educators and leaders make STEM learn-
ing an adventure! 2017 Themes Robotic Mystery Camp: Robots rule! Build your own Rescue Bot to save EG and the power crystal. Become a forensic science detective and solve the MicroBot mystery. Engineer with magnetic benders, a super sound amplifier, an electronic catapult game, and construct
your own working VR goggles. Journey into Space & Movie Making Camp: Build your own motorized Mars Rover, use solar power to collect Martian samples, and join the Mars rover race. Explore the moon telescopically, golf to our inner and outer planets, dig into earth science, and prepare for the solar eclipse. Produce your own “Out of this World” stop motion movie. Crazy Contraption & Demolition Camp: Enter the Contraption - Demolition Think Tank to create and build electronic contraptions that spin and race. Engineer space forts and pods to withstand meteorite impacts, high winds and to sustain life in space. Explore Newton’s Laws, forces of flight, game inventing and more. Coaster Science & Mad Chemistry Camp: Create a wacky wall coaster and three mini electronic rides to take home. Burst into the world of chemistry with the Destination Science mad lab complete with
experiments that will blow your mind. Race your way into physics with the all new race car catapulting speedway. Locations: Larchmont - Larchmont Temple, 75 Larchmont Ave. Mount Kisco - The Saw
Mill Club, 77 Kensico Drive New Rochelle - The College of New Rochelle, 29 Castle Place Scarsdale - Scarsdale Congregational Church, UCC, 1 Heathcote Road Tarrytown - Temple Beth
Abraham, 25 Leroy Ave. White Plains - The Presbyterian Church, 39 N. Broadway Early Bird Savings: Save $30 per week; ends March 31. For more information, call 888909-2822 or visit destinationscience.org. (Submitted)
18 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Future Stars offers specialty camps For more than 36 years, Future Stars has been providing families in Westchester, Manhattan and Long Island with the finest specialty camp programs. The lineup of its specialized sports camps, STEAM education programs, and arts and entertainment opportunities, is unrivaled. Programs and curricula are individually designed to provide stimulating and challenging syllabi that is both ageand level-appropriate. Future Stars’ directors and coaches are mature, experienced educators who are passionate about their craft and highly motivated to share their enthusiasm with all of the eager campers. Future Stars’ SUNY Purchase College location is a sprawling 500-acre campus located in the heart of beautiful Westchester County. It offers weekly day sessions for ages 4 to 16, from June 19 to Aug. 25. Endless acres of playing fields, training areas and two new lighted turf, football and baseball fields. As many as
six full soccer fields, 12 shortsided fields and NCAA regulation baseball and softball diamonds are expertly maintained for daily use. Facilities also include 14 newly surfaced deco tennis courts (six lighted), three full indoor and four outdoor basketball courts. Campers will also utilize three indoor gymnasiums, racquetball and squash courts, training rooms, an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool, a videotape analysis room and cafeteria. Campers can choose and combine weeks from 19 individualized specialty programs: tennis, soccer, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, football, multi-sports, field hockey, cheerleading, volleyball, circus arts, magic, softball, diving, horseback riding, swim, academic, STEAM education, and Rising Stars (our youngest campers). Supervised swimming is included, as is instructional swim for Rising Stars. Lunch options and doorto-door transportation from most of Westchester is also available.
Future Stars is a very special place for children to spend a fun filled, exciting summer. Thousands of campers over the years have enhanced their skills, tucked away lifelong memories, and made lasting friendships at Future Stars Camps. The camp philosophy is to provide every camper a fun, safe and encouraging environment in which they feel comfortable and secure. Future Stars’ goal is to create the perfect atmosphere so that each camper may maximize his or her potential. Through its limited enrollment policy, Future Stars gets to know each camper and recognize their individual needs. Everyone is encouraged to play with confidence, enthusiasm, and a genuine love of the game. Please visit fscamps.com for more information and a tour of the beautiful camp sites. Future Stars looks forward to working with you for many years to come and is certain you will “Hit a Winner This Summer with Future Stars.” (Submitted)
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 19
The best summer ever at Rye Y Rye Y camps, for youth ages 3 to 14, are led by a team of full-time professional directors and committed summer staff who serve as professional role models to campers. The socialemotional, cognitive, and physical development of all youth are nurtured and celebrated. The camps are accredited by the American Camp Association with low counselor-to-camper ratios. Campers choose from a variety of camps and can attend from one week to eight weeks. Camps are held at the Rye Y and the Osborn School in Rye. Kinder Camp, for children ages 3 to 6, introduces young ones to the camp experience in a warm, supportive environment. Activities include swim lessons, crafts, music, sports and more. Half- or full-day options. Discovery Camp, for ages 4 to 11, is a full-day camp packed with swim lessons, STEM, crafts, music, performing arts, sports, filed trips and special guests to keep campers engaged and excited every day. Campers gain new abilities, challenge
themselves with the unexplored, and learn to work with others as a team. Sports Camp, for ages 5 to 12, has both full- and half-day options and is designed for sports enthusiasts who want to develop both their individual and team skills. STEAM Camp, for ages 6 to 11, challenges campers to question, explore, plan, discover, analyze and understand the world through the lenses of science, technology, engineering, art and math. Gymnastics Camp, for ages 6 to 14. Beginner and advanced gymnasts are welcome. Drills, games and teamwork are utilized to build gymnastics skills. Fulland half-day options available. Adventure Camp, for teens completing grades 6–9, is designed for campers who like to be on the go. Campers travel to a different great summer destination every day, including a water park, camp-outs, amusement parks, baseball games and more. Teen Fitness Camp, for ages 11 to 14, is a fun way to get fit over the summer. Participants
work indoors and out with certified personal trainers to achieve individual goals. Activities include swimming, sports, games, strength training, spinning, Pilates, agility training and more. Campers choose from three-day or five-day options. Leaders in Training, for youth who have completed grades 6–8, is new this year. Youth develop as leaders through coaching in activity planning, camper supervision and more, while earning community service hours. Counselors in Training Program, for teens who have completed grades nine and 10, is designed to challenge participants to grow as leaders both at camp and within the community while earning community service hours. For more information, or to register for any of the above camps, visit ryeycamps.org, call 967-6363 or email camp@ryeymca.org. An early bird rate is in effect for those who register before March 1. The Rye Y offers financial assistance for families who qualify. (Submitted)
Live at Play Group Theatre At Play Group Theatre, PGT, Summer Theatre, you don’t just study theatre, you live it. Walk through the front door and you are immersed in a community of young artists eager to support each other and challenge each other to new heights. Every inch of the colorful building is brimming with sparks of creativity. Make your way into the black box theatre and you’ll see middle school students determined to master three-part harmonies for a musical number around the piano. Head upstairs on your tip-toes or you’ll distract the teens hard at work writing original material for their upcoming show. Sneak next door into PGT’s brand new dance studio where a group of kids are filming a music video. Get a good laugh in the lobby as you pass through an improv class. And don’t leave without peaking into The Play Group Theatre’s state-ofthe-art MainStage theatre where students are bringing a fully
produced musical to life. “My favorite part of camp is seeing how playfully the staff and students collaborate on such intensive and disciplined work,” says camp director Rachel Berger. “The joyful process feeds into a polished final product, and students transform over the course of a few short weeks.” Whether rehearsing a show tailor-made to fit each student, taking a class in Shakespeare, or gallivanting through the building for a surprise scavenger hunt, PGT offers students a multifaceted means to explore the world of theatre. At PGT, students not only learn about theatre, they are given an environment where experimentation is encouraged, every voice is heard, and students are rewarded for their individuality. Teen Co. student Elliot Huh recalls his favorite camp memory. “I loved seeing our script all put together for the first time and seeing how all of our weird and funny ideas
had made their way in. Somehow, it all became one story,” he said. Young Actor’s ensemble member Eesha’s favorite camp moment was singing songs from their show at a senior living home and using their skills as artists to brighten someone’s day. Jada’s favorite part of camp was getting an award for her work in dance class. PGT’s artistic director Jill Abusch said, “Students today spend hours staring at screens and preparing for standardized tests. At PGT, students learn with their full bodies. Staff members don’t teach to one type of student, but allow all students to take a step forward.” From a trip to Broadway, to rigorous classes with New York professionals, to spontaneous dance parties, PGT Summer Theatre cultivates a wellrounded young artist. Don’t miss out... get in on the act! For more information, visit playgroup.org. (Submitted)
20 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Debate camp offers 2-week public speaking classes
The Lumos Debate Camp helps students learn public speaking in a stress-free atmosphere. This two-week day camp runs in July and August from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and is held at Berkeley College in White Plains. “We want to make it really easy, low-pressure and fun,” said Zephaniah Chang, the camp’s director. Chang explained that often public speaking is only taught a few times a year during school, and it can be scary for children when they feel like the whole class is watching them. He said that for children who may be reluctant to join the camp can go to a two-day public speaking trial during the April school vacation. This gives students a brief overlook of what the twoweek camp will be like. The two-day workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs $65. The program is available for children ages 11 to 15.
“We don’t want it to be like extra school,” Chang said. “There’s no textbooks, teachers [or] lectures.” Chang added that those who would enjoy the camp are students who like to argue, and are more analytically minded. This camp is also beneficial for students who are shy, because the camp is where they are able to build up their self-confidence. There is a maximum of a 6-to-1 ratio of students to teachers. The two-week sessions are made up of 50 to 70 students. These students are broken up into groups of 12, with two instructors per group. “All of our instructors have four to five years of competitive debate experience,” Chang said, explaining that the instructors are mostly college-aged, because they are able to connect better with the students. Students first learn the basics of debate, including the necessities of a solid argument.
They are given easy subjects to debate including things like summer versus winter or cats versus dogs. Throughout the course, students are given one-on-one feedback to help improve their skills. Chang said that the subjects become more complex as the camp goes on, and subjects like the U.S. increasing its spending in the Middle East become topics of discussion. For harder subjects like this, students reference articles to help gather evidence for their arguments. The last two days of the camp are where students are able to use the skills they’ve gained to compete in a debate competition amongst the other members of the camp. The camp is currently offering $575 off of the $1,650 two-week tuition rate if you use the code “FEBDISCOUNT” and sign up by Feb. 28 at lumosdebate.com. -Reporting by Taylor Brown
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 21
A summer camp challenge
crazy hat days, petting zoos, and themed science programs. Groups are kept small, with roughly 12 to 14 campers per group with two supervising counselors. The staff is all welltrained and are either current elementary school teachers or college students majoring in education. All staff members undergo a through background check and training. The Sports Fitness program focuses on developing sportsspecific skills while still allowing campers time to participate in activities, such as arts and crafts, bowling, and treasure hunts. The sports covered by the Sports Fitness program include soccer, tennis, basketball, football, volleyball, golf, street hockey, and swimming. Counselors overseeing each athletic station and instructing skill development are all current or former athletes in that specific sport. As a father of a little girl, I appreciate that the camp also offers door-to-door busing and daily lunches that are included in the enrollment price. Even more important than busing, food service, athletics, and fun is the fact that parents can have peace of mind while their children are at camp. Parents can rest assured knowing that their children are
in a safe environment and being supervised by adult counselors, who have backgrounds in education. In fact, this is the opposite of the current trend in Westchester, where camps are populated predominantly with counselors-in-training and other extremely young, inexperienced counselors. The summer at ThorntonDonovan concludes with a beautiful award ceremony highlighting every camper’s achievements. Awards, certificates, and trophies are handed out with the grand finale centering around the Camper of the Year Award, which is earned through exhibiting excellent sportsmanship. Unfortunately, I was beat out for the award by my older sister, but thankfully I won an even greater prize; that is, becoming the director of admissions for Thornton-Donovan School and also the aquatics director at the Summer Challenge Camp. Any families looking to learn more about the school or camp are welcome to meet me at Thornton-Donovan’s upcoming open house on March 26 and April 23. If you would like to speak sooner, please feel free to contact the school at 632-8836. (Submitted)
College Racquet Club, CRC, is located in Bronxville on the campus of Concordia College. The facility includes three indoor hard courts, three outdoor hard courts, two clay courts and a squash court. The original mission of the CRC was to provide tennis and instruction to all levels of players, from the weekend warrior to the nationally ranked player. The CRC offers comprehensive junior programs from beginner, age 10 and under, to intermediate, advanced and elite high performance programs. CRC also offers adult instruction from beginner, intermediate, drill classes and USTA league competition for men and women. The goal is to help people have fun with tennis while they improve their skills and compete. The staff is directed by Con-
cordia men’s and women’s tennis coach Neil Tarangioli, who is nationally recognized and has won more than 20 Coach of the Year awards. The staff includes head pro Brian Simunyola, a renowned pro in the area; Vito Galatioto, a former college player; Addie Brennan, a former college player; Penny Phiri, USPTA certified pro; and Andrey Boldarev, a former four-time NCAA All-American player. CRC refers to everything it does as a team and takes a holistic approach to coaching. The staff integrates fitness, footwork, strokes, focus, and relaxation techniques, as well as strategy/tactics and fun. The summer program starts on June 26, right after the CRC spring classes. Spots are still available for the spring classes. CRC offers classes for begin-
ners through advanced players. There will be two-, four- or eight-week sessions. Some classes will require a tryout. Registration begins Feb. 21 and closes April 15. Information and brochures can be obtained by calling the CRC at 961-3955 or visiting collegeracquet.com. Typical classes consist of instruction, drilling, point play, games, and conditioning. Every Friday is “Fun Friday,” and CRC has special events such as soccer against the pros, tennis, baseball, relay races, and, on really hot days, water balloon fights. CRC uses the indoor courts for the programs, so there is class rain or shine. The staff is top quality, the kids are well-behaved, and the facility is great, so the CRC hopes to see you on the courts “summer and beyond!” (Submitted)
P U B LI S H ES
Harrison REVIEW REVIEW Mamaroneck THE
THE
Eastchester CityREVIEW NewRochelle REVIEW THE
THE
INSIDE
Nearly 25 years ago, an energetic little boy found the camp of his dreams—a camp where you could develop friendships, learn a sport, develop your mind through creative games and interactions, and see the world around you in a new light. Twenty-five years ago, that little boy was I, Steven H. Schlitten, and that magical camp was the Summer Challenge Camp at Thornton-Donovan School in New Rochelle. While that boy might have changed into an adult, the camp has remained and still thrills each new camper as it has for the past 40 summers. Located on the 6-acre Thornton-Donovan campus, the Summer Challenge Camp offers two distinct camp programs along with an additional academic enrichment program. Campers ages 3 to 7 are members of the Play School program, while ages 8 to 14 are athletes in the Sports Fitness program. Campers ages 3 to 7 have the opportunity to participate in daily arts and crafts, athletics, dance, karate, music, free play, swim instruction, and free swim. Every week, special activities are provided to the campers including pirate treasure hunts, pajama days,
College Racquet Club for all levels
INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
www.hometwn.com | 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601 | (914) 653-1000
22 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017
February 24, 2017 • THE CITY REVIEW • 23
How to keep kids entertained all summer long Summer vacation often starts with high expectations. Children are excited about the prospect of fun days outdoors playing with friends, while parents anxiously await relaxing months without the responsibilities of school and extracurricular clubs. But once summer vacation arrives and the first few days have passed, parents often find that the litany of cheers and giggles transform into a chorus of “I’m bored.” Many parents pore over ideas that will keep their children busy throughout the summer. Many activities that come to mind tend to be expensive, so if cutting costs is a priority, parents might need to think outside the box to come up with entertaining ideas that won’t break the bank. Camp Summer camp is a popular way for kids to spend their summers, but many camps are expensive. The American Camp Association has found that over-
night camps can cost anywhere from $325 to $780 a week. Day camp fees may be $100 to $275 per week. Parents who send their children to camp for an entire season might pay anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000 for the seven- to nine-week program. Parents looking for an alternative to costly camps should consider local programs that offer summer activities. Libraries, schools and childcare centers may have programs that run the length of summer and are considerably less expensive than more formal camps. A YMCA or even a swim club may also put together activities. Parents whose children attend afterschool sporting classes, such as karate or soccer, may find that the organizations offer a camp or summer program. Day Trips If a parent is off for the summer, then day trips may be a possibility. Schedule a few day trips to different locations that the kids are excited to see.
Newspapers routinely print “Go See It” or “Just Go” listings that highlight local events. The family can gather around the table and decide which outings would be interesting and then mark them on the calendar. Some parents purchase season passes to amusement parks and take the kids several times over the summer. In either case, bring snacks and lunch from home when possible to keep costs in check. Kid Swap Chances are many of your neighbors are also facing the same difficulties as they try to find ways for kids to spend their summer afternoons. Parents can get together and set up a schedule for entertaining the kids. For example, one parent is responsible for the whole lot one day, while the next day another parent takes a turn. This gives parents the opportunity to take a break from parental responsibilities and enjoy some quiet time. And for the children, time spent in a pool, watching movies,
playing video games, or riding bikes is often more enjoyable with friends in tow. Fun Projects Children often want to feel useful, and may enjoy the responsibility of some easy tasks in and around the house–so long as the tasks are fun. Washing the car with a hose and a bucket of sudsy water is a fun way to cool off during the hot summer days and get a chore done. While parents should not expect
a perfect job, they can rest assured that the kids will have at least an hour of fun in the sun and water. Set aside a patch of the yard that children can turn into their own personal gardens. Encourage digging in this area and provide seeds or seedling plants as well as kid-sized gardening tools. Each day the kids can check on the progress of their gardens. Some home-improvement
and craft stores sponsor free learning activities for children. They can be held in the morning or afternoon and will teach interesting skills that can be put to use again at home. Summer vacations are soon to arrive, and parents can be armed with a list of enjoyable– yet inexpensive–ways to keep kids busy. Reprinted from ACAcamps. org by permission of the American Camp Association.
with your other children, or some “date nights” with your spouse or friends. If you have apprehensions, work to resolve them. If you are worried that your camper is not going to know anyone, set up a pre-camp get-together. If you are worried about your camper’s medical needs, be-
come friendly with the camp nurse. If you are anxious about their food allergies, talk to the camp’s head cook. Make a camper-sick plan for yourself. :) Make sure there is only excitement and optimism coming from you, and share your anxiety with another adult. Pack self-addressed enve-
lopes in their luggage. Whether they are flying or driving, refrain from bawling until they can’t see you. Take a deep breath, trust, and remind yourself that you are giving them an awesome gift. Reprinted from ACAcamps. org by permission of the American Camp Association.
Preparing for Camp: Tips for Campers (and Parents!) I love those rare moments of parenthood when I am not preparing for the next thing. Most of the time as a parent, I feel as if my day is full of getting something ready. Small things like breakfast, sack lunches, and backpacks. Big things like preparing my children to become productive adults. Our job as a parent is to prep! It’s spring, and summer camp is on the horizon. Here are some things that you can do to prepare your camper and yourself for camp.
Camper
Plan several sleep overs. Resist the urge to pack their bags for them or to check on them while there. If they have a phone, have them leave it at home. This is a good way to practice not having direct or constant contact. Have them write a good ol’ letter to someone. You will thank me when you receive a letter from camp! Gear up physically. If you
have purchased hiking boots, break them in with a long walk. Especially for teenagers, have them take a mini-vacation from their devices. A couple of hours or a weekend. Have them write a statement for their social media pages. “Peace out Facebook, I won’t be sharing my day-by-days with you, I will be at camp.” Your teenager may not post that, but maybe something like it. Make a homesick plan. It’s great to love your home. It’s sometimes part of the process, and it’s a confidence booster when a camper gets through it. Make a happy place plan and write it down. This is an amazing opportunity to learn a life skill. Today’s youth go to technology to escape, and studies show this increases their stress. Some ideas might be: taking 10 deep breaths, traveling to a happy place in your mind, packing a certain stuffed animal, shooting hoops, or tossing a football. They are capable
of this independence. Your plan should NOT be, “Give it a couple of days and if you don’t like it, we will come get you.” This will set them up to give it a couple of days and knock the confidence right out of them. Let your camper know what to expect with correspondence. You don’t need to write everyday, but let them know what to expect.
Yourself
You are giving your child an incredible gift. I cannot promise you that they won’t lose some socks, that they will love every meal or activity, and that they will adore every counselor. But you are preparing them for college and beyond; you are giving them the freedom to gain confidence, independence, and leadership skills; and you are instilling in them that they can do it. What do YOU want during their time at camp? Think about a vacation, time to organize, time to have one-on-one time
24 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 24, 2017