THE
CityREVIEW NewRochelle February 23, 2018 | Vol. 6, Number 4 | www.cityreviewnr.com
Killian gets GOP nomination for Senate By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Boundless Adventures, an aerial outdoor park with several obstacle courses, will open its first New York state location in Harrison this month. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy Lorrie Funtleyder
Puppy mill law introduced to state Senate By JAMES PERO Staff Writer A move by Mamaroneck lawmakers to blockade against the sale of pets from so-called “puppy mills” has gained traction on the state level, after a new piece of legislation was proposed last week. Much like a law passed by the village of Mamaroneck in 2016, the bill, introduced to state lawmakers by Sen. Michael Gianaris, a Democrat, on Feb. 15, would ban retail pet stores from buying their pets at for-profit breeders with the hope of cur-
tailing the operation of “puppy mills,” mass breeders with a reputation of over-breeding and treating pets inhumanely. “With thousands of good animals in need of homes, there is no need for notorious puppy mills to supply pet stores,” said Gianaris in a released statement. “Our four-legged companions should be treated with respect, not like commodities.” When the village of Mamaroneck’s local law passed in 2016, it became the first local municipality in all of New York state to prohibit the sale of for-profit pets through what
was dubbed by local activists as a “puppy mill law.” The ban was in response to a now-shuttered local business called Best Breeds, owned by Richard Doyle, who has since been barred from selling animals in New York state after falsifying records and mistreating animals at his store. Since then, the village of Port Chester has also passed its own puppy mill law, and an initiative on the county level to ban the sale of pets from puppy mills was introduced in 2016, but wasn’t brought to a vote. California became the first state in
the country to enact such a ban on a statewide level in October 2017. Under the proposed state law, pet stores would only be allowed to acquire their pets from rescue shelters and humane societies but would be allowed to retain a portion of the adoption fees usually charged by a shelter during an adoption process. Currently, the state bill has no sponsor in the Democratic-majority Assembly and will still have to make its way through a Republican-controlled Senate. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
With the Republican nomination in the rearview, former Rye City Councilwoman Julie Killian will prepare to take on Democratic candidate and state Assemblywoman Shelley Mayer in an upcoming special election for a crucial state Senate seat. On Feb. 7, Killian won the nomination in a vote by Republican district leaders over candidate Dan Schorr, a former inspector general in Yonkers and previous candidate for Westchester district attorney. Both Schorr and Sarmad Khojasteh, who stepped aside just days prior to the nomination process, have pledged their support for Killian. The nomination will kickstart Killian’s second attempt to win the 37th District state Senate seat after a failed bid to unseat current Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, in 2016. Because of a special election, there will be no primary following the nomination process. Similar to her bid in 2016, Killian—who served on the Rye City Council between 2012 and 2017—will run on a platform of reform and bucking an Albany establishment through term limits and a redistribution of school aid. Both Democrats and Republicans consider the open seat— which was vacated by Latimer, who assumed his role as county executive in January—to be a critical one as Republicans currently maintain just a one-seat majority in the state Senate. In New York, Democrats currently
control the Assembly and governorship. While Killian will position herself as an alternative to establishment politicians, Mayer will look to capitalize on a reinvigorated Democratic voting base, fueled in large part by opposition to President Donald Trump, that prompted an influx of Democratic votes across the county in November. The resurgence catapulted Latimer and local Democrats across the county to a convincing win over seven-year incumbent County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, and established a new super majority of Democrats in the county’s Board of Legislators. Both candidates will look to establish a quick presence in an expedited race that will be decided in a special election on April 24th, a date decided by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, earlier this year. The seat is one of two open seats in the state Senate and the winners will face a quick re-election turn around in November when state legislators will run for a new two-year term. The 37th Senate District encompasses the cities of Yonkers, White Plains, New Rochelle and Rye; the towns of Eastchester, Harrison, Mamaroneck, Rye, Bedford and North Castle; and the villages of Harrison, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye Brook and Port Chester. Killian could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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American Cancer Society seeks drivers in Westchester Hommocks hosts talk on teenagers and social media The American Cancer Society needs more volunteer drivers to support the Road to Recovery program, which provides cancer patients with free rides to receive treatment in Yonkers and lower Westchester. This year, an estimated 110,800 New Yorkers will be diagnosed with cancer, and for some getting to treatments can be their biggest roadblock. A successful transportation assistance program can be a tremendous, potentially life-saving asset to the community. That’s why volunteering for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program is so important. “Every day, we have cancer patients in need of a ride to and from their treatments across Westchester County,” said Maribel Palacios-Perez, program manager at the American Cancer Society. “Even the best treatment can’t work if a cancer patient can’t get there.” Locally, the greatest need is for drivers who can pick up patients at their home and take them to Memorial Sloan Kettering in Harrison, Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York-Pres-
The American Cancer Society is seeking volunteer drivers in Westchester for its Road to Recovery program. Contributed photo
byterian/Lawrence in Bronxville, St. John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, Westmed Medical Group in Rye, White Plains Hospital in White Plains, Phelps Hospital-Northwell Health in Sleepy Hollow, New York-Presbyterian/ Hudson Valley Hospital in Croton, and Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco. Nationally, the American Cancer Society currently has nearly 10,000 Road to Recovery drivers but the need for drivers is greater than the number of volunteers. More than 40 percent of transportation requests are unmet. Volunteer drivers are needed to help give cancer patients a much-needed ride. The organization screens and trains all volunteer driver and coordinates the rides for patients. Volunteer drivers donate their time and can pro-
vide as many rides as they want. Agreeing to drive a patient to and from treatment once every six or eight weeks would be tremendously helpful, according to Palacios-Perez. • All drivers must have: • A current, valid driver’s license • A good driving record • Access to a safe and reliable vehicle • Regular desktop, laptop, or tablet computer access • Proof of car insurance The American Cancer Society stands shoulder to shoulder with cancer patients and those supporting them, focused on improving patient access to quality care, including transportation. To learn more about volunteering for the Road to Recovery program, visit cancer.org/road. (Submitted)
Latimer approves gun show ban on county property By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, has signed a bill into law that would prevent gun shows from being held on county-owned property. The approval comes just after the Westchester County Board of Legislators, BOL, passed the bill in a 12-5 party line vote on Feb. 5. With his signature, county officials have officially codified an existing executive order to ban gun shows on county property that Latimer made earlier this year just days into taking office as county executive. “There is quite a debate in society at large about the roles of guns and the role that guns have played in the violent deaths of individuals,” Latimer said during a press conference. “So to me, it’s very logical to say, as was said by [former County Executive] Andy Spano almost 20 years ago, that
this type of show is not appropriate in this type of facility.” Gun shows on county-owned property were previously banned after the shooting that took place at Colorado’s Columbine High School in 1999, in which 13 people were killed by two students. After the incident, Spano, a Democrat, issued an executive order banning gun shows. In 2010, former County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, lifted Spano’s executive order, which allowed for gun shows to be held on Westchester public properties once again. A show was scheduled to occur at the county center in 2013, but was cancelled after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings in 2012. Last year, the BOL passed legislation in a 9-8 vote banning gun shows on county-owned property; however, the bill failed to capture a supermajority approval and was vetoed by Astorino.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a Democrat, has signed a bill into law that was approved by the county Board of Legislators on Feb. 5, banning gun shows on county-owned property. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org
The vote was sparked by a gun show that occurred at the county center in January 2017. With the Legislature’s bill becoming law, current and future county executives can no longer lift the ban without the Legislature’s vote of approval. CONTACT; franco@hometwn.com
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The Hommocks Roaring Robots and their coaches accept the first-place trophy for their innovative project design at a First Lego League robotics qualifying event. Photo courtesy Jill Bock
“Please turn off your smartphones and notice your discomfort.” That’s how a recent information-packed panel discussion organized by the Hommocks Middle School PTA began. Moderated by Dr. Alan Dienstag, Psy.D., clinical director at the Larchmont Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center, “Social Media- Our Children’s Secret World,” addressed parents’ concerns about teenagers’ use of social media, smartphones, and the internet. At a time when many teens depend on “likes” to boost self-esteem, and apps are taking the place of face-to-face interaction, it is critical that parents pay attention to the use and misuse of technology. Panelists brought a wide range of expertise to help parents navigate the many ways in which social media affects their children. Tim Nelson, Hommocks guidance counselor, discussed the impact at school, which can range from distraction to students becoming less adept at managing
social situations. Michael Delohery, assistant District Attorney and chief of the High Technology Crime Bureau, highlighted the potential illegal uses of the internet and how to keep children safe. Dr. Juna Bobby, practicing physician and creator of MindBodySpace, addressed concerns about sleep deprivation that can result from overexposure to technology. Dr. Colleen Jacobson, clinical psychologist and professor at Iona College, presented important research about the correlation between rising rates of depression and increased screen time. Laurie Wolk, parent educator and author of “Girls Just Want to Have Likes: How to Raise Confident Girls in the Face of Social Media Madness,” encouraged parents to monitor use and to mentor their kids on how to use tools in a positive way. Dienstag cited surveys about middle school age children and the prevalence of “sexting” and exposure to pornography. He
urged parents to provide a perspective for their children that reflects healthy and realistic relationships. A common theme throughout the evening was the benefit of creating non-screen family time. Parents may underestimate how much influence they have in setting boundaries for their children’s use of social media and smartphones. As Dienstag emphasized, devoting time and attention to becoming role models for our children can help them build stronger relationships at home and with their peers. Additional information about this talk and valuable resources for parents can be found on the Larchmont Mamaroneck Community Counseling Center’s website at communitycounselingcenter.org. (Submitted) The Community Counseling Center is a non-profit agency providing individual, family and group counseling, crisis intervention and school-based prevention programs to adolescents and families.(Submitted)
City of New Rochelle’s
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What’s going on... New Rochelle Public Library
For more information on hours and programs, visit nrpl.org.
Bokandeye African Dance & Drums Performance On Saturday, Feb. 24 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ossie Davis Theater of the main library. This is Bokandeye’s 22nd annual performance at NRPL. Traditional movements and rhythms of African village life will reverberate throughout the Ossie Davis Theater, and the audience will be swept up by this exhilarating performance by Bokandeye African Dance and Drum Troupe and students, directed by the fabulous Anthony Wooden. Be sure to arrive early. Free and open to New Rochelle residents only. All sessions will be first-come, first-served basis. These free programs are made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library and the Partnership for the Huguenot Children’s Library.
One-on-One Assistance On Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Handleman Business Opportunity Center on the second floor of the main library. A trained staff member provides assistance with online applications for jobs, schools, social services, TASC preparation, and more; help finding eviction information and housing referrals, food stamps, services for mental health and substance abuse drug addictions; and support for computer needs such as setting up an email account, creating a PowerPoint presentation, and fine-tuning a resume or other document. Drop-in.
Lunchtime Yoga Express On Mondays from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the main library’s Ossie Davis Theater/Meeting Room. Guided by yoga instructor Nora LeMorin, these mid-day sessions are designed to help relax and strengthen, and involve traditional and adapted poses that are practiced either standing or seated in chairs, no mats required. Free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Steps to Success: Homework Help On Mondays through Thursdays from 3 p.m. until 10 minutes to closing time in the Children’s Room and Teen Room. College students and volunteers are on hand to offer homework help to assist elementary school students and middle school students (up to grade eight) in organizing homework needs, locating appropriate resources, and strengthening reading skills. The free homework help service is offered September through May, except during school vacation weeks. The Steps to Success program is offered in conjunction with the Youth Bureau of the City of New Rochelle, Monroe College, and Westchester Library System.
Free AARP Tax Help On Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free tax assistance through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program, TCE, and
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, VITA, will be offered at the New Rochelle Public Library. Trained AARP volunteer counselors will be available. These sessions will be held in the library’s Meeting Room and on the stage of the Ossie Davis Theater, except during school vacation weeks, when they will be held in the Community Gallery. Tax filers are advised to arrive early, as they will meet with a tax advisor on a drop-in, first-come, first-served basis. The library opens at 9 a.m. on these days. The TCE tax assistance program is free. Tax preparers have all the necessary forms to complete e-filing. Participants must bring with them last year’s return and supporting documentation, as well as an official photo identification and a social security card, or other comparable documentation. When applicable, the following should also be brought to the session: W-2 and W-2P forms from each employer, if a salary was earned; unemployment compensation statements; SSA-1099 form if Social Security benefits were received; all 1099 forms (1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-misc., etc.) showing interest and/or dividends and original purchase price of sold assets; 1099R form from the payer of your pension or annuity; all forms indicating federal income tax paid; childcare provider information (name, employer ID, Social Security number); and Social Security numbers for all dependents.
Friends Book Store On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Friends Bookstore, located in the main library’s lobby. The Friends of the NRPL Book Store is where you’ll find bargains from popular novels, mysteries and nonfiction in hardcover and paperback, to children’s books, CDs, and DVDs. Proceeds from these sales allow the Friends to provide funding for quality children and adult programming, as well as assisting the library by contributing to various projects and improving service to the community.
Job Search Coach On Tuesdays from 4:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in the main library second floor Conference Room. A trained job search coach assists individuals looking for a new or improved job by helping with writing resumes and cover letters, identifying suitable jobs, completing online job applications, searching for jobs on the Internet, networking, honing interview skills and completing follow-ups. Drop-in. Free.
Health Care Navigators On Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the main library’s Conference Room on the second floor Receive one-on-one assistance with open enrollment to purchase, change or renew coverage in a qualified health plan; enroll or renew coverage in Medicaid and Child Health plus; and enroll in the new Essential Plan for lower-income New Yorkers from a health navigator from the Westchester County Department of Health. Appointments are recommended. For an appointment, please call 995-6350.
Author presentation & book signing On Thursday, March 1 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Ossie Davis Theater of the main library. Biographer Susan Ronald, whose previous works include the highly-praised “Hitler’s Art Thief” and “Heretic Queen,” will speak about her newly released book, “A Dangerous Woman: American Beauty, Noted Philanthropist, Nazi Collaborator - The Life of Florence Gould.” Ronald will introduce attendees to
millionaire socialite expatriate Florence Gould: part grifter, part arts patron, 100 percent self-invented American. Ronald’s meticulously researched look at a complicated, seductive and utterly amoral woman operating in fraught political times. Free. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
Senior Benefits Information Center On Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the main library’s Conference Room on the second floor. Trained counselors help those 60 and older understand and manage Medicare health insurance and access related services to which they are entitled such as food stamps, weatherization and heating assistance, home repair, and caregiver support. Dropin. Free.
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, first-served 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 old 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 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 9:50 a.m., and at HCL on Mondays through May 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Toddler Time, for children aged 2 years old, 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 25 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and at HCL on Wednesdays through May 23 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 3, 4, 5’s - Stories & Crafts, for ages 3 to 5 years old, are sessions of stories, songs, and a takehome craft inspired by seasons and picture book themes. A bilingual (English and Spanish) session takes place at the main library on Mondays through May 21 from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Another session in English takes place at the main library on Thursdays through May 24 from 2 p.m.
to 2:45 p.m. Sessions at HCL take place on Tuesdays through May 22 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. and on Thursdays through May 24 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Preschool Fun & Fitness, a program for children ages 2 to 5 years old 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. Please call the WIC office at 365-3677. The sessions will be held in the main library’s Meeting Room and stage on Mondays through June 18. Baby Steps, for children ages newborn to 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, March 3 through March 31 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the main library, and from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at HCL. Yoga Tots, for children ages 2 and 3 years old, 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. 27 through March 27 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the main library, and from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at HCL.
New Rochelle news Alternate side parking restrictions suspended for winter months Parking regulations are suspended due to street sweeping operations during the winter months from through March 31. A complete listing of streets is located in the City Code Article X Schedule 31284. Reminder: Parking regulations exist throughout the city for other reasons than just street sweeping. Please carefully review the posted parking restrictions against the list as non-street sweeping related parking regulations will be enforced. 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.
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6 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018 THE
CityREVIEW NewRochelle P.O. Box 485 White Plains, N.Y. 10602 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 | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lsturman@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Nancy Kaplan ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Franco Fino Staff Photographer Jen Parente
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Taylor Brown General Assignment Reporter Boundless Adventures, an outdoor aerial obstacle course, will open its first New York state location in Harrison next month. With nine different eco-friendly, treetop courses, participants are given the choice of four different skill levels with 14 different courses. The first skill level, yellow, starts at 10 feet off the ground, and the most difficult level, black, is 45 feet in the air. Although Boundless Adventures isn’t affiliated with SUNY Purchase College, the park will be located on the campus at 735 Anderson Hill Road. “The park will give students the opportunity to partake in new challenging and exciting physical education classes,” said Chris Bisignano, athletic director at SUNY Purchase. “The park will also provide additional on-campus jobs and generate funds for the college.” Lorrie Funtleyder, who owns and operates the business with her husband, Brian, said they first got the idea for the obstacle course after visiting a similar style of park in 2012 on a family vacation. “[We] just didn’t look back from there,” she said. Funtleyder said that what attracted her family to the outdoor obstacle courses was how it helps families step away from technology to focus on a common goal. “I think that with all the phones and electronics, it’s sometimes hard to communicate with your
children at this point,” she said. The courses include zip lines, rolling elements, ladders, and bridges. Safety is encouraged on the obstacle courses, and participants wear fullbody harnesses on a belay system, which is a series of ropes secured to a safety line at all times. Prior to beginning Boundless Adventures has 14 different courses of varying skill levels. the courses, customers are asked to sign a waiver, and given a 30-minute park will be open on a seasonal instructional lesson on the course rotation. “We look forward to welcomthey will be going on. Participants are then given ing Boundless Adventures to our campus,” Bisignano said. “We three hours to enjoy the course. “The reason we named the hope that, once the park is up and company Boundless Adven- running, community members will tures is because you don’t have take advantage of this unique exto have boundaries in your life if perience and enjoy a new treetop you don’t want them,” said Funt- view of our beautiful campus.” Tickets begin at $54 for ages 7 leyder, of Rye Brook. “It’s all about testing your boundaries and to 11 and $59 for ages 12 and up. For more information, visit being the best you [can] be.” Boundless Adventures hosts boundlessadventures.com. individual customers, as well as groups of campers, parties, and CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com nonprofit organizations. Funtleyder said the park is made for anyone “ages 7 to 97.” According to Funtleyder, members of the community have already began responding positively. “People are excited because it’s something that’s good for everybody,” Funtleyder said. The grand opening of the park is on March 31. Thereafter, the
Each course has one to two zip lines.
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Boundless Adventures offers special deals from summer camps, corporate retreats, and groups of friends. Photos courtesy Lorrie Funtleyder
For younger children, Boundless Adventures recommends the Exploration or Motivation courses.
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Manhattanville to offer graphic novel workshops
The MFA Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville College presents graphic narrative and novel writing workshops for adults and teens. Photo courtesy Manhattanville College
The MFA in Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville College aims to become a hub for graphic narrative and novel instruction, starting with its graphic novel writing workshops to be held on Saturday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. These workshops are targeted at aspiring youth and adult graphic novelists. The adult workshop features instruction by Paul Levitz, past president of DC Comics and Manhattanville College MFA program adjunct professor, and will apply an advanced look at story construction, emphasizing character and story. Barbara Slate, author of “You Can Do a Graphic Novel,” will teach a youth workshop for ages 10 to 18 focusing on the mixing of drawings and words. Artistic ability is not a re-
quirement for participants nor are supplies or drawing talent needed. A special guest keynote presentation will be made by Colleen Doran, whose graphic novel adaptation of the Neil Gaiman story, “Troll Bridge,” became a New York Times bestseller. Doran’s talk at 1 p.m. is free and open to the public. “There’s a real need for advanced educational programs to support the creative growth of the graphic novel field, and I hope that Manhattanville’s MFA program can provide a good home for one, taking advantage of the New York area comics community as a resource and integrating them into their long-standing literary programs,” Levitz said. “These workshops are a great entryway for someone to intro-
duce themselves to the mechanics of graphic narrative and novels,” said Lori Soderlind, director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Manhattanville College, who is spearheading the program’s graphic novel instruction. “When word and image are combined, we have a new narrative that takes the reader on a completely different journey. We are seeing steady demand for these programs and have brought leaders in the graphic novel space to Manhattanville for this workshop, our summer writers week program, and plan to introduce yearround graphic novel instruction.” Registration for each day-long workshop is $75 and includes a brown bag lunch. To register and for more information, visit mville.edu. (Submitted)
8 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018
Rye creates committee to oversee tunnel project
The Rye City Council created the Long Island Tunnel Advisory Committee on Feb. 8 to oversee the stateproposed construction of a tunnel linking Westchester County to Long Island. Photo courtesy NYSDOT
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer The Rye City Council unanimously approved establishing a committee to collect information on Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed construction of a tunnel linking Long Island to Westchester County, which recently picked up steam after the state began soliciting ideas from private investors. Known as the Long Island Tunnel Advisory Committee, the council created the ad hoc board on Feb. 8 to oversee the proposal, which suggests connecting either the city of Rye or the village of Port Chester to the town of Oyster Bay on Long Island, among other locations. “This project is still a long way away, but of course Rye’s concern is great,” said Rye City Mayor Josh Cohn, a Democrat, who added that a tunnel would promote congestion around the 95 and 287 interstates. “We’re all familiar with how difficult it sometimes is to get on either of those roads during lengthy traffic times.” The advisory committee will be made up of two members from the city Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Committee, three residents from neighborhoods near the pro-
posed location of the tunnel at the Rye-Port Chester border, and two others which haven’t been specified as of yet. In late January, the state Department of Transportation, DOT, issued a request for expressions of interest, REOI, seeking input from private investors on engineering, environmental, operations and financial considerations for a future proposal. An REOI is used to assess interest in a project and to solicit ideas and information from interested parties. “It seems like that is a concrete action towards furthering this project, and it is very important to have a group oversee the development and stay on top of it,” said Rye City Councilwoman Emily Hurd, a Democrat, of Cuomo’s REOI. The state’s REOI was sent out just after the release of an 87-page document last month underlining how much it would cost to construct the bridge or tunnel and how much revenue it would generate in tolls per year. The DOT’s study indicates that an 18-mile tunnel connecting Westchester County and Long Island could cost approximately between $31.5 billion and $55.4 billion, and could potentially produce
$500 million in tolls per year. In 2016, the governor secured $5 million for the DOT to test the plan’s usefulness. Cuomo described the construction of a tunnel as “feasible” last month and said it would help alleviate a great amount of traffic pouring out of Long Island. With the creation of the ad hoc committee, the new city administration will echo sentiments expressed by previous administrations. In 2016, former Rye City Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican, promised to “topple” any proposal that would connect Long Island to the Rye area via a tunnel. City officials and residents have always opposed plans to build a tunnel to Rye as the idea has materialized on numerous occasions since the 1930s. Master builder Robert Moses and former Gov. Nelson Rockefeller, a Republican, pursued building a Rye-Oyster Bay bridge in the 1960s; however, it failed to come to fruition after facing opposition from local and state-elected officials in Westchester and Long Island. As of press time, Cuomo’s office has said REOIs are due no later than April 2. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
February 23, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 9
RECORD NUMBER OF BREWERIES IN NEW YORK Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced that New York state is now home to 400 breweries, surpassing the previous record of 393 breweries set in 1876. The number of breweries has skyrocketed in New York since Cuomo hosted the state’s first Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit in 2012, with 243 new breweries obtaining licenses, and beer being brewed in 57 of the state’s 62 counties. Additionally, 202 new farm brewery licenses have been issued since the Governor’s farm brewery law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2013. “Once one of the largest producers of beer in the country, New York continues to lower the costs of business by modernizing laws and rolling back red tape to restore the Empire State as the standing leader in the craft beer manufacturing industry,” Cuomo said. “The enormous growth New York’s craft beverage sector has experienced in recent years is a testament to the innovation, entrepreneurship and hard work of our brewers, who are creating jobs, driving tourism, helping our local farms, and instilling pride in every corner of this great state.” “Existence of craft breweries telegraphs that downtowns are vibrant places to gather and socialize,” said state Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul. “The upstate resurgence is visible in brewing rooms across the state— young entrepreneurs living their dreams, new production jobs in formerly abandoned buildings, and farms that have new markets for their products. The hundreds
of brewers across the state are boosting our economy with an increase in jobs and visitors. I look forward to celebrating their continued success for years to come.” On Jan. 1, 2013, Cuomo’s farm brewery law went into effect, mirroring the highly successful 1976 Farm Winery Act that lead to the tremendous growth of wineries and grape production throughout New York state. The new farm brewery license allows craft breweries that use ingredients grown in New York to conduct onsite tastings, open restaurants, engage in self-distribution, and open up to five no-fee off-site branch stores anywhere in the state. In just five years, 202 licenses have been issued, in addition to 29 farm brewery branch stores with tasting rooms now operating throughout New York. The farm brewery law has also led to a resurgence in New York’s hop and barley production.
Diner Brew Co., based in Mount Vernon, is one of the newest kids on the block. Photo/Taylor Brown
According to Cornell University, in response to a rising demand for locally sourced agriculture, the acreage of hops grown in New York state nearly doubled from 2014 to 2016, while the acreage of malting barley increased by 374 percent over the same twoyear period. New York is also now home to 13 malt houses, all of which have opened following the demand generated by the new farm brewery license. These have also generated employment and
Broken Bow Brewery in Tuckahoe features a taproom where one can sample beers and bring their own food if hungry. Photo courtesy Broken Bow Brewery
economic development for supporting industries, including bottling, construction, freight, printing and advertising, as well as growing agri-tourism in the state, augmenting New York state’s $100 billion tourism industry. The first commercial brewery in colonial America opened in Manhattan in 1632, after settlers quickly realized the state’s climate was ideal for growing hops and barley. New York state’s agriculture sector expanded throughout the 18th century and received a significant boost when the Erie Canal opened in 1825, helping promote the use of locally grown ingredients in beer production—a strong suit of New York’s craft beverage industry today. Later in the 19th century, the state benefited from an influx of English, German and Irish immigrants who brought with them brewing skills that propelled New York into a thriving beverage boom. Between 1840 and 1900, New York grew more hops and brewed more beer than anywhere else in the country, with the number of breweries peaking in 1876 at 393. By the close of the 19th century,
developments in pasteurization, refrigeration, rail transport and bottling shifted the brewing industry from small-scale production for local consumption to an industry dominated by enormous breweries. By 1910, the number of brewers in the state fell to 194, while an epidemic of downy mildew devastated the state’s hop production, followed by the Prohibition in 1920, which finally killed off the industry. When beer production was legalized following the 21st Amendment in 1933, only a small handful of breweries in the state reopened. Today, a new generation of entrepreneurs are reviving New York state’s position as a leader in craft brewing. In October 2012, Cuomo hosted the state’s first Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit, bringing together dozens of beer, wine, cider, and spirits producers, as well as farmers, researchers, industry officials, and tourism experts, who discussed with state officials, specific legislative and regulatory issues facing the beverage industry. Immediately following the summit, the governor implemented a host of regulatory
changes to spur growth in the craft beverage industry, in addition to launching an aggressive marketing campaign to capitalize on the “buy local” movement. Additionally, institutions including Cornell University, SUNY Morrisville, the Geneva Experiment Station and Hartwick College’s Center for Craft Food and Beverage are now engaged in research and offering testing of barely, malt and beer quality, while colleges including Erie Community College, Niagara Community College, the Culinary Institute of America, Schenectady Community College, Morrisville and Hartwick now have programs to train New York state’s next generation of brewers. Cuomo’s reforms have led to a nearly 290 percent increase in the number of breweries since the governor’s first Wine, Beer and Spirits Summit in 2012, growing from 103 in 2012 to 400 today. This includes 10 large breweries, 44 restaurant breweries, 151 farm breweries, 144 microbreweries, and 51 breweries that hold both farm and micro brewing licenses. (Submitted)
10 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018
New Rochelle Home Sales Listings provided by the office of Westchester County Clerk Timothy C. Idoni Photos courtesy Zillow.com, Trulia.com, Hotpads.com, Spotproperty.com & Maps.google.com
1 Overman Place, New Rochelle 1/19/18 $580,000
10 Alpine Road, New Rochelle 12/14/17 $585,000
10 Watkins Place, New Rochelle 1/5/18 $425,000
13 3rd St., New Rochelle 1/10/18 $361,089.67
15 Beechtree Drive, Pelham 12/21/17 $1,325,000
15 Willow Drive, New Rochelle 11/20/17 $465,000
66 Skyview Lane, New Rochelle 12/19/17 $699,000
72 Flandreau Ave., New Rochelle 1/5/18 $476,000
82 Vaughn Ave., New Rochelle 1/5/18 $770,000
99 Washington Ave., New Rochelle 1/5/18 $720,000
106 Glenwood Ave., New Rochelle 12/22/17 $1,025,000
107 Kensington Oval, New Rochelle 12/29/17 $1,750,000
130 Meadow Lane, New Rochelle 12/29/17 $580,000
426 Pinebrook Boulevard, New Rochelle 11/30/17 $550,000
1270 North Ave., New Rochelle 1/3/18 $253,000
82 Mountain Ave., New Rochelle 12/29/17 $699,000
February 23, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 11
Business Briefs United Way new hire to help forge future path
United Way of Westchester and Putnam, UWWP, announced that Drew Coburn has joined the organization as chief impact officer. In this newly created role, Coburn will be responsible for working with president and CEO Alana Sweeny to advance the mission of United Way and take the organization into the future. “I was looking for someone with fresh eyes, someone who could help me and our team examine every aspect of what we do here—from programs, to communications, to bringing the different functions of the organization into more effective relationship with one another,” Sweeny said. “Of all those we interviewed, I felt Drew had the right demeanor, the right intellect, an unusual ability to listen to others, and equally an ability to facilitate the kind of teamwork we need to really gel and gain momentum.’’ Coburn comes to United Way after nearly 20 years in large advertising and branding agencies on Madison Avenue, where he worked on a variety of client businesses spanning North and South America. Most recently, He was director of strategy at Cubism Group, where he worked on brand and marketing issues of mission-based organizations from higher education to social service, including Abbott House, Yonkers Partners in Education, Children’s Village and Mercy College. He currently serves as New York state chairman of Destination Imagination, a creative problem solving organization for K–12 students. “After a 90-minute first interview, I was all in,” Coburn said. “The people were too good to be true… everything was right out there on the table— the opportunities and challenges, not just for United Way, but for our counties. And with each member of the team I met thereafter, the picture just got better and better. I ask you, how lucky am I?” Coburn said that he has already delved into the culture and the mission of United Way of Westchester and Putnam and finds that his investigations are helping him to better understand the organization and its role in the community. “I think we find ideas and answers as professionals, fathers, spouses, friends… by listening, listening, listening to others,” he said. “Our brains grow quiet and function much better when we do less talking and more listening.” Coburn is a graduate of Princeton University and holds two Masters degrees from Columbia University School of International Affairs and Mercy School of Counseling. Coburn says that his family is at heart of his inspiration, and adds that he is “simply mad” about his wife of 35 years, Julie, a teacher in Edgemont, and his kids, Matt and Sarah, now living the life out West, and “dearly missed out East.” UWWP works with agency partners, government, business and education leaders to solve complex community problems. It work to support children, parents and families living on the edge, to get them the support they need to become self-sufficient and thrive to the benefit of the entire community. UWWP is located at 336 Central Park Ave.,
White Plains, NY 10606. For more information, call 997-6700, visit uwwp.org, facebook.com/UnitedWayWP, and Twitter @UnitedWayWP.
autism consulting, mentoring, and college coaching services for individuals on the autism spectrum. “Amy was diagnosed with autism when she was 11 years old, and so her perspective and skills as a Keane & Beane names managing member self-advocate will be a huge asset to our organization as well as to our trainees,” Madfis said. Keane & Beane, P.C. is pleased to announce that Gravino shares her personal experiences and Judson Siebert has been named managing member professional expertise as a national speaker. She of the firm. Siebert will serve as the third managing has given two TED talks and presented to numermember of Keane & Beane, P.C. since its formation ous audiences about autism and sexuality; preventin 1980. He succeeds David Glasser, who has led ing and ending bullying; issues related to girls and Keane & Beane since 2000, and Edward Beane, a autism; growing up on the spectrum; and autism founding member of the firm. and transitioning to secondary education. “It is a distinct honor to be selected by my colGravino’s writing has been published in a varileagues, particularly in light of the example set, and ety of outlets, including the textbook “Exceptional legacy established, by my predecessors,” said Sie- Children: An Introduction to Special Education,” bert on his appointment. the Reader’s Digest book “The Best Life Stories,” According to Glasser, “Jud exemplifies the core Autism Spectrum Quarterly magazine, the official values underlying the success of Keane & Beane, blog of Autism Speaks, and more. She is now auP.C., a steadfast commitment to client service and thoring “The Naughty Autie,” a memoir of her exadherence to the principles of teamwork and colle- periences with dating, relationships, and sexuality giality. His intellect, character, confidence and hu- from the firsthand perspective of a woman on the mility will provide strong leadership to the firm in autism spectrum. the years to come.” Gravino serves on the board of directors of the Siebert joined Keane & Beane, P.C. as an asso- Golden Door International Film Festival of Jersey ciate following his graduation from law school in City and co-facilitates the Morris County chap1985. His practice is devoted to land use, real prop- ter support group meetings for ASPEN-NJ. She erty litigation, municipal administration and litiga- received the Advocates for Adults with Autism tion and real property tax issues. Raised in Indiana, Award from Yes She Can in 2017. he is a graduate of Purdue University and the ElisYes She Can Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizaabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. He tion, founded in 2013 to address the unemployment resides in Somers, New York. crisis of adults with autism: only 2 in 10 adults with Glasser will remain in charge of Keane & Beane’s autism are employed. Yes She Can created and imtransactional real estate and business groups, and plements a unique job skills development program continue his practice in trusts and estates. based on intensive experiential learning in an au“Our success is the product of our people,” said thentic business setting. The organization operates Siebert, “most of whom, like me, have spent a sig- Girl AGain boutique in White Plains, New York, nificant portion of their careers at Keane & Beane. where trainees are coached by clinical professionThis longevity is the result of a firm culture that als and prepare and sell used American Girl dolls emphasizes collective effort to advance our clients’ and accessories while learning business processes, interests.” workplace social interactions and emotional reguWith its main office in White Plains, New York, lation. Girl AGain boutique is located at 4 Martine Keane & Beane, P.C. has provided legal services Ave., White Plains, NY 10606. to businesses, municipalities, school districts, nonFor more information, visit yesshecaninc.org. profit organizations, individuals and families since Sotheby’s names Fugere its formation in 1980. The firm serves the New manager of the year York City metropolitan area and Hudson Valley region with practice areas that encompass business Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s Inand corporate transactions, municipal and educaternational Realty recently antion law, elder law, trusts and estates, labor and emnounced that Carolyn Fugere, ployment, land use, environmental and real estate manager of the firm’s Larchmont law, with a litigation practice complimenting these brokerage, has been named the fields, including client representation in commercompany’s 2017 Manager of the cial, private and public labor and employment, Year. Fugere was chosen from guardianship, estate, real property, tax certiorari among 16 brokerage managers Carolyn Fugere and environmental disputes. Keane & Beane, P.C. for the honor, winning the award further serves its clients through its Fishkill, New for the second time in her career with the firm. York, and New York City offices. “Carolyn continuously proves an amazing asset For more information, contact Barbara Durkin at to our company with her outstanding support and bdurkin@kblaw.com or visit kblaw.com. leadership,” said Paul Breunich, president and chief executive officer of William Pitt and Julia B. Fee SoAustism self-advocate joins theby’s International Realty. “She is resourceful and Yes She Can Inc. board always finds ways to work through any issue, large Marjorie Madfis, president of or small. Additionally, Carolyn is a superb teacher Yes She Can Inc., is delighted to and role model, especially to new agents. Her pheannounce that Amy Gravino has nomenal training and educational programs encourjoined its board of directors. Yes age new agents and give them the ability to confiShe Can Inc. is a Westchester dently work with both buyers and sellers. I am proud County-based nonprofit dedicated to recognize Carolyn as our Manager of the Year.” Under Fugere’s leadership, the Larchmont broto helping young women with aukerage has for four consecutive years witnessed an tism spectrum disorders develop Amy Gravino increase in the average sale price of transactions in the necessary skills for employwhich it has participated. The brokerage has also ment and greater independence. Gravino is a certified autism specialist and the increased its market share in the Mamaroneck president of A.S.C.O.T. Coaching, where she offers school district each year during Fugere’s tenure,
outperforming the market by 20 percent in 2017. Breunich attributed the accomplishment to Fugere’s boutique style of operations and hands-on guidance and support of her sales force. “Carolyn has placed an emphasis on attracting and developing new talent in the industry and providing education in the office on a daily basis,” he said. “It is hardly a surprise to see a correlation in increased productivity among new sales associates with the company.” Fugere’s commitment to the community extends beyond the Larchmont brokerage. Upon moving into the Larchmont managerial role in 2014, she immediately volunteered to serve on the Larchmont Chamber of Commerce board, where she was appointed to the role of president. Fugere worked to increase their funding by more than 400 percent after reviving their membership from a dozen active members to well over 100. “It is an honor to be named Manager of the Year,” Fugere said. “The Larchmont brokerage could not have achieved its success without our amazing group of agents, who bring deep knowledge of current real estate conditions and our communities, as well as a dedication to focusing on what is best for our clients and building relationships that will grow for generations. If we believe that everyone deserves the exceptional, then we have to be exceptional, which is why we are focused on consistently improving ourselves and giving our clients the best service possible. In conjunction with our brand’s reputation and global reach, I am confident my team will realize continued success in 2018.” Fugere, who has been in the real estate industry for more than a decade, initially led William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty’s operations in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and the Berkshires, Massachusetts. During her time in this region, the firm’s sales volume grew at a rate that far exceeded the general market growth, leading the company to become the largest brokerage in total dollars and units in Litchfield County. Today in Larchmont, Fugere manages 67 agents serving Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye Neck and other communities throughout Southern Westchester County. Founded in 1949, William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty manages a $3.9 billion portfolio with more than 1,000 sales associates in 26 brokerages spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Westchester County, New York. William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty is the largest Sotheby’s International Realty affiliate globally and the 31st largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States. Sotheby’s International Realty’s worldwide network includes approximately 20,000 sales associates located in approximately 880 offices throughout 70 countries and territories. A full-service real estate firm headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty provides ancillary services including commercial services through its affiliation with Building and Land Technology, a second-generation development company based in Stamford, Connecticut; William Pitt Insurance Services; and an award-winning global relocation division. For more information, visit williampitt.com and juliabfee.com. The next Business Briefs section will run in March. Please send any submission for our March edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email. Each submission may include one picture. If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.
12 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018
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February 23, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 13
14 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018
SPORTS
The fault in our (MLB) stars LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
On Monday, Major League Baseball unveiled its latest attempt to speed up the sport’s pace of play, announcing new rules it will implement in the 2018 season to shorten game times and, hopefully, stem the tide of dwindling viewership. But in looking at the MLB’s new changes, which include limiting time between innings and putting a cap on the number of mound visits per game, I have to wonder; is any of this going to help? It’s no secret that over the last 20 years or so, baseball hasn’t been able to tap into the psyche of the nation’s youth the way it once had. The growing popularity of the NBA and NFL certainly have had something to do with the decline, as has the purported lack of action in the game, especially when compared to the other major sports or the myriad other things that kids today can pull up on
their TV, computer screens or smartphones. And as baseball—which remains the American sport most rooted in its history and traditions—struggles to connect with a younger audience, several pundits and league executives have opined that the biggest factor in baseball’s diminishing fan base is that younger spectators, by and large, are turned off by the length of games. The average game, which clocked in at around 2 hours and 30 minutes back in 1965, today runs more than three hours. Now, a popular opinion among MLB decision-makers seems to be that tweaks to the way the game is played can help shorten the duration of a contest, thereby attracting more fans. But in my mind, the problems of the sport range far beyond shaving a few minutes off a game. The biggest problem facing Major League Baseball right now is the fact that the league has not found a way to market its stars. Baseball’s biggest names, guys like Mike Trout and Bryce Harp-
er, don’t seem to move the dial the way that, say, NBA greats like LeBron James and Stephen Curry do. And that’s as much a function of the way the two sports are played, as it is a lack of an attempt on the part of baseball to sell its top guys to the general public. If you tune into a Cavs-Warriors showdown, be it in the regular season or the NBA Finals, you know you’re going to get a healthy dose of Curry and James. NBA stars drive the action of a game, constantly have the ball in their hands, and, by and large, have a bigger impact on each contest than do their baseball counterparts. If you’re watching an Angels game, on the other hand, you’ll probably see Trout—who is well on his way to Cooperstown— step up to the plate four times and maybe have a few defensive chances when his team is in the field. That means there’s less of a chance that a player like Trout can influence the game, be it with a mammoth home run blast or a stellar defensive play. And the sad thing for baseball is that there’s really no way to
On Feb. 19, Major League Baseball announced new rules aimed at shortening game times in 2018. Sports Editor Mike Smith thinks the MLB would be better served to learn how to market young stars like Aaron Judge. Photo courtesy Wikipedia.org
work around that, unless you are willing to drastically change the very fabric of the game. Of course, this isn’t to say that I mind the way baseball is now. As a true baseball fan, I relish the periods of inactivity before the pitch, if only because of the way it contrasts with the truly dramatic moments of a game in order to make it more compelling.
I don’t want to see pitch clocks, wacky extra-inning rules or other gimmicks introduced in order to make the game more palatable to prospective fans. But if the MLB can’t start to find better ways to market its up-and-coming players, especially ready-made stars like Aaron Judge, it’s going to run into even bigger problems in the years ahead.
So I, for one, hope Judge blasts a bazillion homers this year, gets his familiar gap-toothed smile all over the airwaves and vaults into position as a true sporting icon. And if he can do it all while the Yankees still miss the playoffs? Even better.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
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SPORTS
Fullteron, Logan claim section crowns By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Feb. 10-11, the area’s top wrestlers took to the mat at Sleepy Hollow and Clarkstown South high schools to compete in the annual D-I Section I Tournament. When the dust had settled, some familiar local faces took their spot atop the podium earning well-deserved championship honors. Among grapplers in The Review’s coverage areas, New Rochelle 182-pounder Jake Logan and Mamaroneck’s 145-pounder Crew Fullerton both won titles and cemented their spots as two of the best wrestlers in Section I. Logan, a junior, entered the 201718 as one of the most promising wrestlers in the area and was the topranked 182-pounder all season. In the finals on Sunday, he put a stamp on his terrific season, pinning Horace Greeley’s Jacob Ferreira with 10 seconds left in the first period. Logan had previously topped Ferreira twice, earning a 5-4 win at Eastern States and a 3-1 decision at the Westchester County Championships on Jan. 20, but Sunday’s match— which served as the show-closing finale—lacked the drama that made their first two matches so compelling. “It was definitely nice for Jake to get that moment because coming into the tournament, there was a lot of chatter that [Ferreira] was going to beat him,” said New Rochelle coach Eddie Ortiz. “But I don’t think Jake did anything different; he just saw an opportunity, finished a takedown and got him on his back.” Mamaroneck senior Fullerton also put together a strong finish to his Section I season, pinning Ossining’s Farouk Capalbo in the semis before earning a 6-2 decision over Yorktown’s Pat Patierno in the 145-pound finals to earn his first-ever Section I crown. According to Tigers’ head coach Femi Wheeler, Sunday’s victories were simply a case of the standout putting everything together. “He always had the potential to do this,” Wheeler said. “It was just a question of him continuing to improve to get to where he needed to be.” Both the Tigers and Huguenots fared well overall, as New Rochelle earned a second-place team finish—scoring 115 points to eventual champ Fox Lane’s 145—while Mamaroneck tallied 85 points, which was good enough for a 10th-place showing. The Huguenots had a second-place finisher in 220-pounder Aidan Lilly and the Tigers had one in Trent Wechsler, who fell to Greeley’s
February 23, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 15
Mamaroneck’s Crew Fullerton walks to the center of the mat following a quarterfinal win at Sleepy Hollow High School. Fullerton won the 145-pound title.
Eastchester’s Steven Bilali competes at Sleepy Hollow High School. Bilali placed second in the 170-pound division.
Harrison’s Tyler Joseph competes at the Section I championships on Feb. 10. Joseph placed second in the 113-pound bracket.
Jake Logan wraps up a Fox Lane opponent on Feb. 10. Logan won the 182-pound final the following day, pinning Jacob Ferreira in the first period. Photos/Mike Smith
Aaron Wolk in the 160-pound finals. “We probably set our goals a little bit higher, but I think it’s important to set lofty goals,” Wheeler said. “And I think for the guys who made it, it’s a little bittersweet for the guys watching them, but it’s just going to light a fire under them for next year.” The Section I titlists—and a few, as of yet unannounced at-large bids—will now set their sights on the state championships, which will be decided on Feb. 23-24 at the Times Union Center in Syracuse. According to Ortiz, success in the state tourney comes down to natural talent and the ability to treat the state’s biggest stage as though it was just another tournament. “I think the biggest thing for the wrestlers is really just managing those emotions,” Ortiz said. “A guy like Jake has wrestled in tougher tournaments, but the scope and the magnitude of this one – the finality of the season – a lot of times guys just feel more pressure.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
16 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018
INSIDE
February 23, 2018 • THE CITY REVIEW • 17
Lifestyles of Westchester County/FEBRUARY 2018 VOL. 6 NO.1
INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTY
camp PROGRAMS The natural gifts of camp Top ten things you never knew about camps
Summer camp at the Brunswick School Being away from home builds self-esteem, independence
18 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018
The Natural Gifts of Camp By Richard Louv Every summer, when I was in junior high and high school, my buddy Pete Sebring would disappear for a few weeks to a camp in the mountains west of Colorado Springs. I resented it. For me, those humid July weeks back in Kansas dragged, and then Pete would come home telling tales of adventure — as if he had been to some alpine Oz. As it turns out, that camp shaped Pete in ways neither of us realized at the time. He credits his summers in Colorado with giving him a foundation for success and longevity — more than three decades — as a teacher. “The camp encouraged me to invent activities, such as pioneering, survival hikes and overnights, and identifying native plants of central Colorado,” he says. “Once while picking ground plums, which tasted like raw green beans, we uncovered an ancient hunting site full of arrowheads, charcoal, and flint chips. I also encountered brown bears, coyotes, pumas, and wolves — one white and one black. Only the kids with
me believed me.” I was one of those who didn’t believe that Pete had encountered wolves. This morning, I checked the history: The Colorado Department of Resources reports that, while wolves were, by official measure, eradicated in the 1930s, “there have been sporadic reports of wolves in Colorado over the decades” — none confirmed. They may have been wolf-hybrids or dogs or, just maybe, wolves. “Their night howls were long, sonorous, and unnerving,” Pete recalls. One more reason I wished I could have gone to summer camp with him. Still, during those years, I had my own adventures — a freerange childhood spent fishing and chasing snakes and building forts in the woods. Those experiences shaped my life every bit as much as Pete’s time at camp shaped his. Today, too few children and young people have either experience — free-range or camp. In my book, Last Child in the Woods, I describe how young
people can likely tell you about the Amazon rain forest, but they’ll likely be hard pressed to describe the last time they explored the woods in solitude or lay in a field listening to the wind and watching the clouds move. Nature is becoming an abstraction, something to watch on the flip-down TV screen from the back seat of a minivan. In 2005, “Generation M: Media in the Lives of Eight- to Eighteen-Year-Olds,” conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, revealed that children are plugged into some kind of electronic medium an average of five-and-a-half hours a day, “the equivalent of a full-time job, and more time than they spend doing anything else besides sleeping.” One reason kids aren’t going outside as much is parental fear. News and entertainment media have conditioned us to believe that life outside the front door is far more dangerous than it actually is, at least from stranger-danger. Nonetheless, this fear is unlikely to go away, which is one of the reasons parents are likely to value camps even more
in the future than they do today. Risk is always a part of life, but camps can offer parents the reassurance that their children will be safe as they receive the gifts of nature. The physical benefits are obvious; others are more subtle but no less important. For example, research shows that nature experiences significantly reduce children’s stress. Free play in natural areas enhances children’s cognitive flexibility, problem-solving ability, creativity, self-esteem, and self-discipline. Effects of Attention Deficit Disorder are
reduced when children have regular access to the out-of-doors. Studies of outdoor-education programs geared toward troubled youth — especially those diagnosed with mental-health problems — show a clear therapeutic value. Children are simply happier and healthier when they have frequent and varied opportunities for experiences in the out-of-doors. Nature-oriented camps also help care for the health of the earth; many studies show that nature play in childhood is the chief determining factor in the
environmental consciousness of adults. Clearly there’s more to camp than s’mores. Pete could have told us that. In fact, he did. Richard Louv is the author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder and chairman of the Children & Nature Network (www.cnaturenet.org). Originally published in the March 2014 Camp e-News. Reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association.©2014 American Camping Association, Inc.
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TOP TEN THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT CAMP Camp has become a staple of the summer season. Each year, millions of children, youth, and adults head to the hills, lakes, valleys, and parks to participate in the time-honored tradition of camp. And, while most people easily conjure up images of campfires and canoes, there is a lot more to the camp experience. Here are ten things you may not have known about the camp experience. 10. Camp is older than dirt, almost literally. Started in 1861, the camp experience turned an impressive 150 years young in 2011. The secret behind the longevity? “Camps are adapting to meet the needs of today’s campers,” says Tom Rosenberg, president/CEO of the American Camp Association. “At the same time, the impact camp has on campers, the life-changing experience, has remained after all these years.” 9. Camp is worth its weight in gold, and then some! The camp experience is life-changing – developing friendships and memories that last well beyond the final campfire. And, there is a camp for literally every budget. Often camps offer special pricing or financial assistance, and some camp experiences qualify for tax credits or for payment with pre-tax dollars. Visit ACA’s Affording Camp page for more information. 8. Green is “zen.” Research shows that first-hand experience with nature, like those at camp, reduce stress in children and help them better handle stress in the future. In addition to teaching children how to be good stewards of the environment, camps are teaching children how to enjoy the world around them and take a minute to breathe deep and feel the nature, which ultimately teaches them how to de-stress the natural way. 7. Mommies and Daddies do it too. Camp is not just for children and youth. There are family camp experiences, and camps for single adults, senior adults, and any adult that wants to relax and enjoy all camp has to offer. Adults benefit from the same sense of community, authentic relationships, and self-discovery that children do. Camp is an excellent vacation option, allowing adults to try a variety of new activities in a safe and fun environment. 6. Try this on for size! Camp is a great place to try new activities and hobbies. Afraid of rock walls? According to ACA research, 74 percent of campers reported that they tried new activities at camp that they were afraid to do at first. And, those activities often leave lasting impressions. In the same survey, 63 percent of parents reported that
Summer Camp at The Brunswick School
their child continued new activities from camp after returning home. 5. Manners matter, and often linger. The camp experience teaches more than just archery or lanyard making. The entire experience is made of teachable moments, perhaps one of the biggest is how to live with a group of people. Campers learn to pick up after themselves, respect each other’s property, and to say “Please” and “Thank You.” 4. Veggies taste better with friends. Hollywood and fictional novels may have given camp food a bad reputation, but in truth, camps are constantly exploring healthy food options, and often are at the forefront of things like allergy specific diets, healthy snack options, and vegetarian meals. According to ACA’s 2011 Emerging Issues survey, 90.7 percent of responding camps indicated that healthy eating and physical activity was an important or very important issue. 3. If everyone else went to camp, maybe there’s something to it! Camp has played an important role in the lives of some of the most talented people in history. ACA’s family resource site offers a list of notable campers – including business professionals, celebrities, artists, and great thinkers. 2. Camp gets those neurons pumping! Education reform debate and concern over summer learning loss have pushed academic achievement into the spotlight. Research shows that participation in intentional programs, like camp, during summer months helps stem summer learning loss. In addition, camp provides ample opportunity for developmental growth, which is a precursor to academic achievement. And, because of the “hands-on” nature of camp, often children who struggle in traditional education settings do well at camp. 1. Camp builds leaders for the 21st century and beyond! Independence, resiliency, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and the ability to relate to other people — these are the skills that tomorrow’s leaders will need, and the skills camp has been adept at building for 150 years. For more information on preparing your child for an independent, fun-filled summer, visit ACAcamps.org. Or, follow ACA on Facebook and Twitter for helpful hints and camp information. Contact Public Relations at 765.346.3391 or pr@ACAcamps.org to interview an ACA spokesperson or for more information about preparing for camp. For customizable public service announcements or article reprints, visit our Press Room.
SPORTS CAMP The Brunswick Sports Camp, now in its 75th, year will continue to develop and improve athletic skills of children ages 5 – 14. This camp is designed for the travel athlete as well as the first timer; we will meet your campers’ needs. Our awesome curriculum gives campers core and recreational sports. With over 10 hours of athletic instruction, designed and implemented by varsity coaches, and 15 hours of participation in games, your camper will have the greatest summer ever. Additionally, each camper will have a chance to win fun, daily competitions in baseball, squash (taught by Varsity Squash Coach Ryan Abraham), basketball, football, tennis, or lacrosse, and campers will have opportunities to participate in games like
badminton, speedball, handball, flag football, four-square and so much more. Your camper will get all of this while learning the importance of good sportsmanship and the fundamentals of each sport. Brunswick School’s facilities boast 600 yards of playing fields, nine swimming lanes with an adjustable-depth platform, two hitting tunnels, a bullpen and dugouts, and plenty of indoor space for use during rainy days or exceptionally hot weather. DAY CAMP WELCOME TO CAMP BEARLOCK! Brunswick School’s Day Camp is designed to provide fun and engaging activities for boys and girls entering grades K-4. This two-week full-day program will feature swimming, athletics, STEM, artistic expression, and daily
Camp Adventures. Schedules vary, however, all campers will receive daily swim time and lessons in the Brunswick Natatorium, and experience Bearlock athletics designed to expose campers to a variety of skills and games through a physical education lens. Artistic Expression includes traditional camp art as well as dramatic play designed to instill confidence and the “willingness to try,” and Camp Adventure includes various activities such as karaoke, science and expeditions to local nature centers, campfire stories, orienteering, scavenger hunts, and team-building exercises. Last but not least, our STEM component exposes campers to activities in which they build, create, and problem-solve using a variety of engineering tools and media.
20 • THE CITY REVIEW • February 23, 2018
Being Away from Home Builds Self-esteem, Independence
separations, such as sleepovers at a friend’s house, can simulate the camp environment. Involve children in the process of preparing for camp. The more they own the decision, the more comfortable they will feel being at camp. Make sure to understand the camp’s philosophy on how issues, such as homesickness, are addressed. Talk candidly with the camp director to understand his/ her perspective on the adjustment to camp life. Discuss what to expect at camp before leaving for camp. Consider role-playing anticipated situations, such as using a flashlight to find the bathroom. Reach an agreement ahead of time on calling each other, but make sure to honor the camp’s policy on phone calls. Send a note or care package ahead of time to arrive the first day of camp. Acknowledge missing One of the many joys of parenthood is helping children navigate new waters. And, while often these situations are met with hesitation, slight anxiety — or in the case of some first-time campers, homesickness — it is these moments that develop the twenty-first century skills needed in adulthood. New situations, such as going away to camp, serve as teachers in life’s classroom — developing leadership, self-esteem, teamwork, independence, and problem-solving. It’s important, even critical,
for parents to help children overcome any feelings of hesitation in order to help them grow. Take camp, for example. From a child’s perspective, camp is fun, fun, fun! Parents know that camp provides immeasurable growth opportunities, and is a vital part of childhood. As the day approaches, even the most excited campers sometimes get nervous about being away from home. “Homesickness is completely normal,” said Michael Thompson, consultant, author, and psychologist in a recent PBS
Parents article*. “If a child loves his or her parents and has a good home, why wouldn’t he or she feel some longing for mom, for dad, for the dog, or for home cooking?” It is up to parents, then, to help ease the transition to camp, and help their children grow from the experience. The American Camp Association® (ACA) suggests the following advice to help alleviate anxiety and get a jump start on life’s lessons. Encourage independence throughout the year. Practice
the child, in a positive way. For example, saying “I am going to miss you, but I know that you will have a good time at camp,” lets the camper know that families are thinking about them, but confident in their ability to adapt to camp. Pack a personal item or two from home, such as a stuffed animal. Avoid bribing behaviors. Families send the wrong message when they link a successful stay at camp to a material object. Families should focus on the real rewards — like new found confidence and independence. Don’t plan an exit strategy. If a “rescue call” comes from the child, offer calm reassurance and put the time frame into perspective. While most incidents of homesickness pass quickly, parents know their child best. If parents have concerns (for example, the child is not eating or sleep-
ing, or appears overly anxious), they should immediately talk to their camp director. Camp staff are trained to identify and ease homesickness, and are a valuable resource for parents as well as campers. For more information on preparing your child for an independent, fun-filled summer, visit www.ACAcamps.org. Or, follow ACA on Facebook and Twitter for helpful hints and camp information. Contact Public Relations at 765.349.3317 or pr@ACAcamps. org to interview an ACA spokesperson, or for more information about preparing for camp. For customizable public service announcements or article reprints, visit our Press Room at www. ACAcamps.org/press-room. *Michael Thompson, Ph.D., “Helping Kids Beat Homesickness at Sleep-Away Camp,” PBS Parents, May 2011.