Harrison REVIEW THE
May 6, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 19 | www.harrisonreview.com
Harrison community adds another film to lengthy list By ANgelA JOrdAN Staff Writer An upcoming independent film, “Trouble,” is being filmed at the Harrison police station on May 13. The production company behind the project, Trouble-Free Inc., has also applied to film at 69 Buckout Road in West Harrison, and it is the 12th project to be shot in Harrison this year alone. According to Town Clerk Jackie Greer, the town/village of Harrison has served as a film site for several dozen television shows and movies over the past few years. She said that in addition to
the 12 filming applications submitted to her office this year, it was preceded by 38 applications in 2015 and 36 in 2014. When asked why she thinks Harrison gets so many requests from filmmakers to shoot within the town, Greer said, “I work well with the location people, and since we have a good working relationship, we have a lot of people coming back.” Greer also said that this good relationship brings back many return filmmakers. She cited the Amazon Prime television show “Red Oaks” as an example, and said that they’ve applied to film in Harrison
about five times so far and will be back to film more “in a couple of weeks.” Some other popular shows that have filmed in Harrison include “The Following,” which aired on Fox until 2015, “Madame Secretary” and “Elementary” on CBS, “Billions” on Showtime, “Blind Spot” on NBC, and the HBO series “The Leftovers,” which also used the police station. The community has also served as a site for several movies, including the HBO film “The Wizard of Lies” about the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme and “Blue Angel,” an upcoming independent drama starring Stanley Tucci.
Toasting success The popular Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail held its 10th annual event on Sunday, May 1. Participants willing to brave the inclement weather had the opportunity to ride a trolley and sample drinks and cuisine from many of the shops along the trail. For more, see page 6. Photo/Kiley Stevens
To film a project in Harrison, there’s a licensing fee of $1,000, plus an additional cost of $500 per day that the license holder is filming. According to the town clerk, this has provided Harrison with $46,000 in revenue since 2014. In addition to paying fees, Trouble-Free Inc. has also given a $3,000 donation to the Harrison Police Department for allowing the company to film at the station. A representative from Trouble-Free Inc. could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: angela@hometwn.com
County board votes to cede control of Rye Playland By JAMeS PerO Staff Writer A roller coaster ride between the management company Standard Amusements and Westchester County came to a close on Monday night after the county Board of Legislators voted overwhelmingly to move forward with a 30-year agreement transferring control of Rye Playland. “I cannot be more thankful to County Executive [Rob] Astorino and the Westchester Board of Legislators for their vote of confidence,” said cofounder of Standard Amusements Nicholas Singer, who sat in the audience as the votes were cast. “This is a wonderful day for Westchester.” On May 2, the Board of Legislators approved the agreement—which has undergone several transformations since its introduction in June 2015— committing the county and its taxpayers to $32 million in capital improvements for the ailing amusement park. The final vote passed by a margin of 13-4. While many legislators from both sides of the political aisle accepted the agreement, touting its pragmatism, Democratic legislators Catherine Parker of Rye, Ken Jenkins of Yonkers, Catherine Borgia of Ossining and Alfreda Williams of White Plains outright rejected it. “When you have a partner, that means you’re sharing in the risk, and sharing in the reward,” Jenkins said at Monday’s meeting. “But if we want to sit here and try to suggest this is a partnership arrangement; our partner is putting up $5 mil-
lion in four months, we’re putting up $32 million, tonight… I don’t know what you call that.” The ratified agreement will see Standard expand on its initial investment of $5 million, which will go toward new rides, and eventually invest another $27 million of its own money into the park over the course of a 5-year period. For now, the county will continue to co-manage the park with Standard, and according to county administration officials, the company will take over full control of the park’s management after 50 percent of the county’s agreed to capital investments have been made. Tentatively, the administration has set a date for transition for Nov. 1, 2018. According to the agreement, when the county has expended 50 percent of the $32 million in proposed capital projects, they will also begin sharing 8 percent of Standard’s profits; a number that will incrementally rise to 12 percent by the deal’s end. Projects outlined in the deal include rehabilitation of the park’s shoreline, infrastructure and new rides. Some members of the Democratic caucus have repeatedly warned against the agreement’s lack of profit sharing throughout deliberations, however. “If Standard wants to have a good public-private partnership with the county, they should go back and think about what they could offer,” Parker told the Review last week. A former, more expensive iteration of the agreement, PlAYlANd continued on page 5
INSIDE Huskies join Eastchester Sports Field Day Story on page 14.
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Moon rocks orbit Board of Education meeting
Eighth-grade science teacher Fred DePalma shows moon rocks to Harrison Central School District Board of Education Trustee Lindy Wolverton at the April 20 board meeting. Photo/Sarah Varney
By SArAh vArNeY Education Reporter The Harrison Central School District Board of Education approved a proposed $103 million 2016-2017 school budget at its April 21 meeting. The budget will now go before the public in a May 17 vote. Before the vote to adopt the budget, Superintendent for Business Robert Salierno gave the board a final budget summary. Among the highlights, Salierno noted that the district’s final share of state funds diverted to the state budget’s general fund, with the 2009 enactment of the Gap Elimination Act totaling $4.2 million.
Leo and Shades are two beautiful black siblings with sparkling eyes. Leo is a male and Shades is a female. Rescued by a Pet Rescue volunteer at the tender age of 5 weeks old, and adopted soon after, Shades and Leo were returned to Pet Rescue five years later when their owner ran into financial difficulty. Shy at first, these 5-yearold kitties cuddle together like the brother and sister they are. We strongly prefer these two bonded kitties be adopted together. Both
But the budget took a backseat to a display of moon rocks borrowed from NASA by Louis M. Klein Middle School teacher Fred DePalma. The process of borrowing moon rocks from NASA for educational purposes is arduous, he noted. Almost two years ago, he made the first call to NASA to see about borrowing some rocks to use with his eighth-grade science class. Initially, he connected to very helpful NASA employees who had “no idea where anything was,” DePalma said. In order to qualify to receive the rocks on loan, DePalma had to take NASA-required classes on the history of the rocks and the precautions and protocols for handling them. The loan is for
Leo and Shades get along with other cats, people and calm children. They are neutered/spayed, up to date with all vaccinations and microchipped. The adoption
two weeks. He received the rocks at the beginning of April. The rules and regulations that come with the rocks are lengthy. The rocks, which are packaged in clear resin, must not touch any surface other than the one in the special carrying case that accompanies the rocks. In addition, the rocks require a security escort, which in this case was provided by the Harrison Police Department. School Superintendent Louis Wool lauded DePalma’s determination. “Fred has not lost one iota of his enthusiasm for teaching and learning during his long career here,” he said. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
donation for each cat is $80. To meet Shades and Leo, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)
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What’s going on... Harrison Public Library
and SERP, how to extend your brand formatting emails, and an overview of LinkedIn for businesses. This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call 835-0324.
Great Decisions Discussion: International Migration
Accomplished high school students will be offering computer help to senior citizens on Mondays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Halperin building on a drop-in basis. Participants will be able to learn the basics, including the Internet, email, Microsoft Word and how to save photos. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. For more information, call 835-0324.
The library will host a discussion about foreign affairs and current events concerning international migration on Tuesday, May 10 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Halperin Building. The talk will be moderated by Joan Katen, a leading expert on Middle Eastern politics, a writer, and a distinguished adjunct professor at Pace University. The discussion series will continue on May 24 with a talk on Korean choices. Participants are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions in the series. The book “Great Decisions 2016” will be available for participants to use before the discussion. This discussion is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register for this discussion, call 835-0324.
SCORE Workshop: Introduction to Social Media for Business
How to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits
Be introduced to online marketing via social media on Monday, May 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Halperin building. This strategic framework will help beginners and experienced practitioners alike. The workshop will include strategy, seasonality and the content calendar, a social media platform overview with usage stats, Google Plus
This lecture will be hosted on Tuesday, May 10 from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., and will be given by Robert K. Leitner, certified financial planner, Financial Advisory Network. The lecture will cover how seniors can maximize their social security benefits before new rules take effect. Leitner will discuss how the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 will change
Drop-in computer help for seniors
Social Security strategies for seniors. It will now be more important than ever to maximize Social Security benefits by claiming at the appropriate time. This lecture is free and open to the public. Registration is required. For more information or to register for the lecture, call 948-2092.
Millennium Book Club: ‘The Forgotten Seamstress’ “The Forgotten Seamstress” by Liz Trenow will be discussed on Wednesday, May 11 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Halperin Building. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Harrison Public Library. This book discussion is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.
Chloe’s Sign & Play On Fridays from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Halperin building. Give your child the gift of language. This is a fun class where families can learn to communicate with their pre-verbal children using American Sign Language. Based on the awardwinning Baby Signing Time series, this class will give parents a window into the hearts and minds of their little ones. Through fun songs, stories and games, parents and children will learn many useful signs for everyday communication.
Juried Art Competition: Exhibit your Work at the Library Artists who are interested in exhibiting at the Harrison Public Library for approximately one month during 2017 are invited to submit samples of their artwork for review by a Juried Art Committee sponsored by the Harrison Council for the Arts. Artists can submit their work on Friday, May 13 anytime from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Halperin building. All samples must be picked up the next day, Saturday, May 14 anytime from noon until 5 p.m. Eleven artists will be awarded one person shows by the library’s jury and three alternate artists will also be chosen. Group shows featuring two, three or four artists will also be considered if these artists register and submit work together. Two-dimensional art only is eligible and the samples must be in the form of two different pieces of the actual art (preferably framed), 12 copies of the artist’s work either in the form of 35mm slides or photos or prints (all different/representational of the artist’s work), and a resume. Artists will be notified of the jury’s decision by mail no later than June 30. If awarded exhibit time, artists will be asked to call Dan Briem at 6703117 and provide three choices for a monthly exhibit in 2017. The library will confirm each artist’s date by mail and they will be asked to sign the Art Exhibit Agreement, which must be returned immediately. The applicable fee is due three months prior to the exhibit date.
English class for Japanese Speakers This class, which will be held on Friday, May 13 from 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in the Halperin building, is for Japanese speakers learning English. Practical everyday conversational English is taught, and always tailored to the student’s needs. This class is taught by two instructors Julie Jacob and Leo Shinozaki. This class is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.
A Taste of Harrison A food festival hosted by the Friends of the Harrison Public Library will be held on Sunday, May 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will receive a wristband that will allow them to visit all participating restaurants to sample all featured food and drinks and be entered into a raffle. Free parking will be available and the Senior Minivan will accommodate those who choose not to walk. Wristband prices are $20 in advance for adults and $25 the day of the event and $10 for children ages 5 to 12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. For more information or to order a wristband, visit harrisonpl.org. To order a wristband via mail, make out and send a check payable to Friends of the Harrison Public Library, 2 Bruce Ave., Harrison, NY 10528. Please include name, address, phone and number of tickets. Wristbands will either be mailed or participants can pick them up either at the main library or at the West Harrison branch on the day of the event. For more information, contact Albina Hicks at 835-4575, Angela Kaufman at 835-2429 or Connie Perrotta at 315-1922.
Harrison Recreation For further information, call the Leo Mintzer Center at 9495265 or the Sollazzo Center at 670- 3179. You may also call the Harrison Recreation hotline at 670-3039. Most applications are available on harrison-ny.gov.
Summer day camp registration The are four day camps that offer numerous sports, arts and crafts, swimming, music and other weekly special events for your children. Children in grades one through eight as of September 2015 are eligible to apply. Camp starts Tuesday, July 5 and runs through Friday, August 12. Registration fees: $475, $250 for the second child, $175 for the third and subsequent children; check payable to Town/Village of Harrison. The deadline for registration is Thursday, May 12, at which time campers will be placed on a waiting list with no guarantee of a spot. The late registration fee after May 12 will be $50 per child; after Thursday, June 16, the fee will increase to $100 per child.
St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester Spring Sprint 5K run/walk The auxiliary board of St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester will host the Spring Sprint 5k Run/ Walk on Saturday, May 7, starting at the hospital’s campus at 275 North St. in Harrison. Check-in begins at 8 a.m., and the run/walk begins at 9 a.m. For registration information, visit stvincentswestchester.org or call 925-5401. Proceeds from the event will benefit St. Vincent’s mental health and addiction recovery services for children, adolescents and adults. Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.
May 6, 2016 • The hArrISON revIew • 5 PlAYlANd from page 1
which was introduced in March, would have put taxpayers on the line for $58 million in proposed capital projects, with the inclusion of costly projects for the park’s colonnades and tower, totaling $20 million. Critical renovations to the park’s historic pool were also removed from the current agreement after costs to improve the structure soared to an estimated $10 million. The agreement struck between the county and Standard comes after years of negotiations between the administration of Republican County Executive Rob Astorino and various private partners. As one of his goals upon taking elected office in 2010, Astorino set out to alter the future of Playland, sending out a request for proposals to reinvent the park for the 21st century that same year. Previously, in 2014, a proposed agreement between the county administration and Ryebased nonprofit Sustainable Playland Inc., Astorino’s preferred choice, was shot down after pushback from Rye residents who decried the agreement’s ad-
Co-founder of the management company Standard Amusements, Nick Singer, left, spent time at Playland as a child, and will now help direct the future of the park. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat who has been vocal about her disapproval of the agreement, was one of four Democrats to vote against the 30-year deal on Monday night in White Plains.
dition of an 82,000-square-foot field house in the park’s parking lot which abutted a residential neighborhood. Now, however, Astorino’s
piece of paper for how to save Playland six years ago,” Astorino, a Republican, said in a released statement following ratification of the agreement with
administration is confident that the newest deal will benefit both taxpayers and the 88-year-old amusement park’s future. “We started with a blank
Standard. “Now we are taking a historic step forward. The capital, the operator and the vision are in place to protect both taxpayers and the Dragon Coaster
for years to come.” Playland will open for the season on Saturday, May 7. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
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Harrison REVIEW
THE
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 Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com Editor-in-Chief | Christian Falcone ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Suzy Berkowitz ext. 30, suzy@hometwn.com Education Reporter | Sarah Varney ext. 17, sarah@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | Lindsay Sturman ext. 14, lindsay@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writers James Pero, Angela Jordan, Kiley Stevens Staff Photographer Bobby Begun Columnists Ron Belmont, 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.
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If you have an event you would like to share with the community, send it to news@hometwn.com.
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Mamaroneck hits the
wine trail By KIleY STeveNS Staff Writer
Patrons of the village of Mamaroneck hit the dusty trail on Sunday, May 1 for the 10th annual Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail, an event held by the Chamber of Commerce to promote local businesses. The trail included 19 stops along and around Mamaroneck Avenue, where participants sampled different wines and signature dishes. According to the chamber’s administrator, Pam Moran, despite the day’s cool and rainy weather, the event brought out approximately 300 people. “Considering the weather, it was very well-attended and we did not have bad reviews of any of the trolley stops,” Moran said. She added that approximately 200 people preregistered for the event, while another 100 or so showed up at Harbor Island Park to register the day of. A large crowd gathered near the park’s entrance at 12:30 p.m. to wait for the trolley to take them along the trail, where the Chamber of Commerce passed out wristbands and complimentary
Smoked brisket served atop a cheddar cornbread and garnished with pickled jalapeño was one of the Smokehouse Tailgate Grill’s featured dishes during the 10th annual Mamaroneck Wine Trail.
umbrellas to the half-soaked patrons standing in the rain. Once on the trolley, people shook out their umbrellas and got warm as they headed toward the wine trail. Clare Santora, of Pelham, told the Review that this was her fifth time attending the wine trail. “There are all different types of food, and you get to try many different types of things,” she said. Santora added that normally, she and her friends walk from stop to stop, but because of the rain, they decided to take the trolley for the first time. Although the event is a great way to spend a day with friends, it
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Tony Cables, center, a server at Smokehouse Tailgate Grill on Mamaroneck Avenue, serves wine and jokes with patrons at last week’s 10th annual Mamaroneck Wine Trail event.
also benefits restaurateurs in Mamaroneck. Richie Becker, owner of 360 American Grille on Mamaroneck Avenue, said that his restaurant has been participating in the wine trail since the restaurant’s opening four years ago. “We get some of our best customers from [the wine trail] every year,” said Becker, adding that he loves the event. For the day’s event, his restaurant showcased dishes of Brussels sprouts with gorgonzola, smoked brisket and a southwestern salad: a mix of lettuce, black beans, roasted corn, cheese, peppers, onions and cranberries with a cranberry blush vinaigrette. “[The event] brings people in to see the friendly village of Mamaroneck,” Becker said. He added that hopefully, the event introduces people to the many restaurants on Mamaroneck Avenue, and brings them back again in the future. Jim Mulcahy, of Larchmont, said that this kind of event is exactly how merchants get more customers. “They’re displaying their wares for us, obviously so that we will come back again,” he said. Mulcahy has been a professional in the produce business for more than 40 years, and has been attending the wine trail for the last five years with a large group of friends whom he has known for nearly 50 years. “We’re still hanging tough,” he laughed. His crew of people was the liveliest of the bunch, filling the small entryway of the Smokehouse Tailgate Grill, a
The Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail, which took place on Sunday, May 1, allowed participants to try wine and food at 19 different restaurants and shops in the village. Photos/Kiley Stevens
new restaurant on Mamaroneck Avenue. The Smokehouse, as it is known colloquially, made its debut on the wine trail this year. Co-owner of the restaurant, Mike Hofer, told the Review that in New Rochelle, where
their other storefront is located, there aren’t as many community events like the wine trail. “Events like these are one of the reasons we wanted to open in Mamaroneck,” Hofer said. CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com
A look inside the trolley, which bused patrons from Harbor Island Park to 19 different stops along the trail.
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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices opens in Rye Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties recently announced the opening of its Rye office, located at 22 Purchase St. in the heart of downtown Rye. This gives the company a total of 53 offices and nearly 1,800 agents, increasing their market presence in Westchester County. Heading the office is Harrison resident Margaret Grasso. “Our Rye outpost provides us with a centralized location for our clients and agents,” Grasso said. “It is the perfect place to serve Rye, Harrison, Rye Brook and residents of the surrounding communities.” Grasso currently represents Grasso Development Corp., one of the most respected home builders in Westchester County. For more than 80 years, the Grasso family’s honest, hands-on project management and construction has created incredible homes throughout the county. With her husband, Jeffrey, Grasso will continue to oversee the sales of Grasso Development Corp. projects while leading the Rye office. “Margaret brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge of the Westchester County market,” said New England and
Margaret Grasso, of Harrison, is the head of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ new Rye location. Grasso and her husband Jeffrey will continue to oversee the sales of Grasso Development Corp. while leading the Rye office. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
Westchester Properties President and CEO Candace Adams. “Our company’s values are aligned with Grasso Development Corp. We are thrilled to have her on our team and leading our Rye office.” Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties became one of the network’s first affiliates when it transitioned from Prudential Real Estate in September 2013. Since then, the brokerage has become the network’s sixthlargest affiliate for volume and expanded into Westchester County in July 2015, opening offices in Eastchester, Scarsdale and Larchmont. Grasso can be reached at the Rye office of Berkshire Ha-
thaway HomeServices Westchester Properties at 967-1300 or MargaretGrasso@bhhswestchester.com. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties is a leading real estate brokerage firm with over 1,800 realtors in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Westchester County. Selectively chosen by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and HomeServices of America, the global reach, financial strength and fresh brand make Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England and Westchester Properties the premiere real estate firm in the Northeast. For more information, visit bhhsNEproperties.com. (Submitted)
Village of Mamaroneck adopts new sewer fees At a glance
Village of Mamaroneck residents will see their water bills rise after the recent passing of a new law amending the fee structure. The law, which was passed by the village Board of Trustees on Monday, April 25, will go into effect immediately and will total residents’ water usage in the fall and winter—off-peak months— and devise a bill based on that amount. According to Mamaroneck Village Manager Richard Slingerland, the new law is designed not to charge residents for using water that doesn’t enter the sanitary sewer system, which is why water usage during the summer months—when residents water their lawns and fill their pools— will not be factored in. Previously, all residents were
On average, water bills for residents are expected to rise $10–$15 per billing period New water bill rates will be decided by calculating the amount of water that residents discharge into the sanitary sewer system be evaluating water usage during non-peak months
charged a fee based on the value of their property. Village Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat, said that the fee helps increase revenues, which will be of assistance since the village is currently up against a tight tax cap, with the latest budget com-
ing in $68 under the mandated cap limit. In March, Slingerland told the Review that the average resident can expect their bill to increase by $10 to $15 as a result of the new law. -Reporting by James Pero
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8 • The hARRISON RevIew • May 6, 2016
Purchase to host summer appraisal camp Have you ever wondered if you could turn your hobby into a career? If you have a hobby you are passionate about, you may have wondered how you might be able to spend more time with your hobby and less time at work. Or maybe you are one of those lucky people whose hobby is actually an adjunct to your job, but you have not taken steps to monetize the hobby into a part of your business so you can do both at the same time. “Who is going to hire someone who loves to study the decorative and/or fine arts?” you may ask yourself. That is the question I asked myself when I, Alison Ho, marketing and communications coordinator at the American Society of Appraisers, was a real estate professional and my hobby was antiques. When I finally decided to segue into a new career, I looked to appraising antiques and decorative arts.
So I know from experience, it is possible to change careers and/or turn a hobby into a career. But you do have to get some formal training. Enter the American Society of Appraisers. ASA is a worldrenowned and respected international organization devoted to the appraisal profession. As the oldest and only major appraisal organization representing all appraisal specialists, ASA is devoted to providing the highest possible standards in all areas of ethics, professionalism, education and designation criteria. The society has allowed me to grow as an appraiser and has given me many opportunities and outlets, from program development to speaking engagements, teaching assignments, appraisal assignments and peer contacts. ASA offers not only the full Appraisal Studies Program, but also an Appraisal
Summer Camp, which is a boot camp for fast-tracking one’s education, perfect for those looking to actually make a career move, expand a current career by monetizing knowledge, or just get a feel for appraising to see if a career move is the right one for them. The fifth annual Summer Appraisal Camp takes place from June 3 through June 19 at Purchase College. This accelerated summer program enables students to earn your Purchase College Appraisal Studies Certificate in just a little more than two weeks. Sometimes, all you need for success is the right connection, the right education and a choice of educational opportunities. Learn more about becoming a personal property appraiser by visiting ASA online at appraisers.org or calling 800-272-8258. (Submitted)
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Seasonal updates and Mother’s Day wishes HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont
Spring weather has finally arrived and volunteers recently grabbed shovels and trowels to help plant a habitat in West Harrison for pollinators and butterflies. Hopefully, two planting beds will be installed this year. Pollinators need our assistance. There is mounting evidence that many pollinators are in decline. Creating a habitat will encourage pollinator diversity and abundance. Flowering plants that bloom at varying times of the year will supply nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. I am happy to report that Harrison was named the 44th safest community in America by Safewise.com, a web-based security organization that ranks communities based on FBI crime statistics. Several factors, including rates of violent crimes and crimes against property, were evaluated. Public safety and health were also used to determine the rankings. It is reassuring to know that Harrison has been recognized for this very important quality. The Friends of the Harrison Public Library present this year’s “A Taste of Harri-
son” on Sunday, May 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. I encourage everyone to stop in at participating restaurants in downtown Harrison and lend your support to this very popular library fundraiser. Be sure to visit all of the restaurants and enjoy a delicious sample of the chefs’ specialties. You may order wristbands online via the library’s website, harrisonpl.org. The library will provide maps and wristbands and all participating businesses will have a balloon outside their establishment. There will be ample free parking in the commuter parking lots. Order your wristbands now: adults: $20 in advance and $25 day of event; children ages 5-12: $10 in advance and $15 day of event. Make your check payable to Friends of the Harrison Public Library and mail to Friends of the Harrison Public Library, 2 Bruce Ave., Harrison, NY 10528. Please include name, address, phone and number of tickets. Arrangements will be made by either mail or the wristbands will be delivered to you or you may pick them up at either the main library or West Harrison branch. For additional information, call Albina Hicks at 835-4575; Angela Kaufman at 835-2429; or Connie Perrotta at 315-1922. Be sure to mark your cal-
endar for this year’s Japanese Festival. On Sunday, May 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Harrison’s Japanese community will be hosting a Harrison-Japan Spring Festival in Ma Riis Park and the Sollazzo Center. If it rains, the event will take place in the Veterans Building. Traditional Japanese performances, including a tea ceremony and Japanese drums and dance, will be featured along with Japanese games, food and beverages. There will also be a raffle and profits will benefit several organizations, including the Harrison Recreation Center. I hope to see many new friends and familiar faces supporting this very worthwhile event. For more information, visit thematsuri.org. Recently, I attended the Westchester County Association’s conference which focused on the transformation of our region into a national hub. In order to move forward, local leaders will concentrate on the repair and upgrade of infrastructure. Officials will also study economic trends and will work toward enhancing publicprivate partnerships. It was a very informative meeting and I look forward to participating in the challenges that lie ahead. In closing, I would like to wish our entire community a Happy Mother’s Day.
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10 • The hARRISON RevIew • May 6, 2016
Other Central Ave. Bridge shut down for 6 months Carver Center Annual Appeal campaign nearly final Residents of Rye and Harrison may find themselves taking an unexpected detour, as a bridge on Central Avenue will remained closed for at least six months while undergoing a slew of critical renovations. The bridge, which is situated over a Metro-North Railroad crossing on Central Avenue next to the Rye Roadhouse restaurant, closed on Monday, April 25 so that Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MTA, officials can perform routine repairs needed to keep the bridge operational. During this period, the bridge will remain open for pedestrian traffic
but not for vehicles, according to city officials. Data from the New York State Department of Transportation, DOT, indicates that the bridge last received a grade of 4.04 from the state organization. According to DOT guidelines, any bridge that receives a grade below five is automatically classified as structurally deficient. According to a memo from Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano, residents in the area can expect some noise disturbances, as some work may take place overnight as opposed to during the day. Serrano stated that trains passing under the
work zone are required to blow their whistle in accordance with federal law. Nancy Gamerman, a spokeswoman for the MTA, told the Review that in all, the project, which she described as “extensive,” will cost an estimated $1.9 million, all of which will be funded from state sources. The project will remove the bridge deck and lead paint, replace the steel girders which support the bridge’s structure, and also install new decking that will be topped with a waterproof membrane, according to Gamerman. -Reporting by James Pero
The bridge on the west end of Central Avenue will be closed for six months after MTA officials announced $1.9 million in repairs. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
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Harrison REVIEW REVIEW Mamaroneck THE
Eastchester CityREVIEW NewRochelle REVIEW THE
THE
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www.hometwn.com | 170 Hamilton Ave., Suite 203, White Plains N.Y. 10601 | (914) 653-1000
Stephanie Barrett, of Greenwich, Connecticut, and Tom Murphy, of Rye, are hard at work this spring as they put the finishing touches on the Carver Center’s Annual Appeal campaign. With a “close the gap” goal of $300,000 to reach by June 30, the campaign co-chairs discussed the impact of Carver’s work and its new after-school program conducted at Port Chester’s five elementary schools. “As funding becomes tighter across school districts, Carver helps to meet growing need by providing college prep classes for high schoolers, after-school homework help, and daily hot meals for 1,300 children. I want to be sure that the annual appeal goal is met so that these programs can continue,” explains Barrett, a public school teacher in Greenwich. Murphy adds, “Port Chester has a 16 percent poverty rate, so it’s critically important for Carver to continue offering a fully stocked food pantry as a way to
Stephanie Barrett
Tom Murphy
minimize food insecurity. Also, Carver provides the only community swimming pool in the area. Everyone should have access to water safety lessons, no matter the cost.” With a total fundraising goal of $3.7 million almost complete for fiscal year 20152016, funds raised through the annual appeal support critical needs such as the pool, food pantry, and maintenance of the increasingly well used facility. Both Barrett and Murphy also
serve on the Carver Board of Directors. Carver’s mission is to build brighter futures through programs that serve, educate, and empower. Each year, more than 10,000 children, adults, seniors, and families are served through the community center. Annual appeal contributions can be sent to Ariana Aguilar, Carver Center, 400 Westchester Ave., Port Chester, NY, or made online at carvercenter.org. (Submitted)
May 6, 2016 • The hArrISON revIew • 11
Inside the frenetic mind of a busy mom:
‘A Mother’s Art Marathon’ By ANgelA JOrdAN Staff Writer
In 2002, Alla GoldburtAnnopolsky was “splintered” between being a brand-new mother to her son Benjamin, while simultaneously working full time in IT, so she decided to paint about it. During that time, she creat-
ed 182 pieces, 12 of which are currently on display at Masterpiece Framing in Harrison. The art gallery, which is located at 243 Halstead Ave. in Harrison and owned by the artist’s husband Igor Annopolsky, was packed to the brim on the evening of Saturday, April 30 with admirers of the artist’s work as live music played and
Alla Goldburt-Annopolsky, a Scarsdale resident and artist, has her collection “Mother’s Art Marathon” currently on display at Masterpiece Framing in Harrison. The inspiration for the work is her experiences as a young working mother in 2002.
wine and refreshments were served. At the heart of GoldburtAnnopolsky’s collection, “A Mother’s Art Marathon,” is the therapeutic release that the work provided for the young, stressed, working mom at the time. “Art has been something that has always saved me in the past,” she said. “I shared with my dad that I was having a difficult time managing my work and my son at home, and he said, ‘Maybe you should paint.’” Despite working full time in IT, Goldburt-Annopolsky’s background is in fine arts. Her late mother, Berta Kuznetsova, was a renowned artist in Russia, and after immigrating to the United States in 1980, Goldburt-Annopolsky obtained a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. However, one of the struggles Goldburt-Annopolsky faced when attempting to paint again was a daunting nature of taking on large pieces. That difficulty inspired her to create a series of small pieces every day, which was more manageable than undertaking huge projects. “The idea came to me on Jan. 1, and I thought I would survive a year, but I didn’t,” GoldburtAnnopolsky said, in regard to completing only 182 out of a planned 365 pieces of art. “At the time when I finished, I was a little angry at myself because my commitment was for a year, but then I realized that it’s really part of my story. I stopped when things eased off and I came back to my senses, so to speak.”
The show was hosted at Masterpiece Framing at 243 Halstead Ave. on April 30 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and featured live music.
“Summer Shadows,” oil on canvas, 7” x 5”, 2002.
Alla Goldburt-Annopolsky with husband and the Masterpiece art gallery owner Igor Annopolsky.
“Blue Hair,” oil on canvas, 7” x 5”, 2002.
Alla Goldburt-Annopolsky at her art exhibit opening with her son Benjamin, 15. Photos/Angela Jordan
During that period, Goldburt-Annopolsky also kept a diary of what she did every day, which now serves as an insight into each individual piece and allows her to recall exactly what she felt each day as she sat down to paint. While she said she has not shared that diary with the public, she has shared it with her son who is now 15 years old. Goldburt-Annopolsky said she is sharing this collection 14 years after it was created because her son has grown older and more independent, freeing her to pursue other things. “Now that I have some time to myself, I was able to invest in doing something with these pieces because before then, as any mom knows, there’s just not enough time,” she said. Goldburt-Annopolsky also wanted to share her work because she wanted to see what other motherhood-inspired artists were creating. It was then that she stumbled upon
the Museum of Motherhood, an organization that collects “articles, books, artifacts, images and research on the science, art and history of all aspects of procreation, birth and caregiving,” according to its website. Goldburt-Annopolsky wrote up her project and submitted it to the museum, which was accepted, and she will be speaking about her experiences at the organization’s 2016 Motherhood Conference at Manhattan College on May 6. Goldburt-Annopolsky has art work on display in numerous galleries, including the Museum of Russian Art in Jersey City, New Jersey, and she currently lives in Scarsdale with her husband and son. “A Mother’s Art Marathon” opened on Monday, April 25 and will remain on display at Masterpiece Framing until Sunday, May 22. CONTACT: angela@hometwn.com
“Seeing Myself,” oil on canvas, 7” x 5”, 2002.
“Keeping Out and In,” oil on canvas, 7” x 5”, 2002.
12 • The hARRISON RevIew • May 6, 2016
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lEGAl NOtIcES Notice of Formation of Jivotovski LLC. Research Company filed with NY Secretary of State on 03/22/2016. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 7 Parade Lane, Rye Brook, NY 10573. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of AGN Advisory, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 4/1/2016. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 611 Webster Avenue, New Rochelle N.Y. 10801. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Stonewall Consulting LLC. Articles of Organization filed 03/08/16 with Secy of State (SSNY). Office location: Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o LLC, 104 Stonewall Circle, West Harrison, NY 10604. Purpose: any lawful act or activity. NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Harrison Central School District hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for the following: RFB #15/16-31 Chromebooks Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “RFB #15/16-31: Chromebooks” on the outside. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 13, 2016 by the Purchasing Agent (or his duly designated representative), Harrison Central School District, Business Office, 50 union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 6303011; Fax: (914) 835-2715, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.empirestatebidsystem.com or from the district Business Office beginning Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent Dated: May 3, 2016 NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Harrison Central School District hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for the following: RFB #16/17-03 Service and Maintain Andover Electronic Control System Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes
marked “RFB #16/17-03: Service and Maintain Andover Electronic Control System” on the outside. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2016 by the Purchasing Agent (or his duly designated representative), Harrison Central School District, Business Office, 50 union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011; Fax: (914) 835-2715, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.empirestatebidsystem.com or from the district Business Office beginning Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent Dated: May 3, 2016 NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Harrison Central School District hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for the following: RFB #16/17-04 Elevator Maintenance and Service Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “RFB #16/17-04: Elevator Maintenance and Service” on the outside. Bids will be received until 2:15 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2016 by the Purchasing Agent (or his duly designated representative), Harrison Central School District, Business Office, 50 union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011; Fax: (914) 835-2715, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.empirestatebidsystem. com or from the district Business Office beginning Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent Dated: May 3, 2016 NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Harrison Central School District hereby invites
the submission of sealed bids for the following: RFB #16/17-02 Plumbing Services Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “RFB #16/17-02: Plumbing Services” on the outside. Bids will be received until 2:15 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2016 by the Purchasing Agent (or his duly designated representative), Harrison Central School District, Business Office, 50 union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011; Fax: (914) 835-2715, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained at www.empirestatebidsystem.com or from the district Business Office beginning Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent Dated: May 3, 2016 NOTICE TO BIDDERS The Harrison Central School District hereby invites the submission of sealed bids for the following: RFB #16/17-01Pneumatic Controls/HVAC Bids shall be submitted in sealed envelopes marked “RFB #16/17-01: Pneumatic Controls/ HVAC” on the outside. Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2016 by the Purchasing Agent (or his duly designated representative), Harrison Central School District, Business Office, 50 union Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528; (914) 630-3011; Fax: (914) 835-2715, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read. Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the same office beginning Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The Harrison Central School District is not responsible for bids opened prior to the bid opening if bid number and opening date do not appear on the envelope. Bids opened prior to the date and time indicated are invalid. The bidder assumes the risk of any delay in the mail, or in the handling of the mail by employees of the Harrison Central School District, as well as improper hand delivery. The Harrison Central School District reserves the right to waive any informalities in the bids, or to reject all bids, or to accept any bid which in the opinion of the Board will be to their best interest. By order of the Board of Education Gene George, Purchasing Agent Dated:, May 3, 2016
May 6, 2016 • The hArrISON revIew • 13
A step into the shoebox philosopher’s shoes RHyMES MES WItH cRAZy RAZy Lenore Skenazy
Most people moving to the Upper West Side in New York City neither expect to live in a mansion with a pool in the back, nor are looking to live in an apartment the size of a 2001 Honda Accord. However, that’s exactly what Felice Cohen did for four years. Although she recently moved two avenues away into the relative luxury of a 490-square-foot studio—“There’s tons of space!”— she squeezed everything she learned about appreciating the small things into a new book, “90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet (...or More).” “I wanted to leave my fulltime crazy busy job,” says Cohen, now 45, explaining her micro-housing decision. “And I wanted to finish writing my first book, ‘What Papa Told Me.’ It’s about my grandfather, a Holocaust survivor.” She also wanted enough time to travel, ride her bike and play tennis. (Who doesn’t?) The catch was: She didn’t want to leave the city to do it. She didn’t even want to leave Manhattan. That’s exactly the kind of creative soul former Mayor Michael Bloomberg was thinking of when he announced a complex of mini-apartments ranging from 260 to 360 square feet to be built in the East 20s. He proudly touted the fact that these would let regular folks find affordable homes for a mere $2,000 to $3,000 a month. That’s a billionaire for you. Cohen’s apartment measured just 12 feet by 7.5 feet, but the tab for her prime location between Lincoln Center and Central Park was $700 a month, which meant she didn’t have to work full time to afford it. “My father was a bankruptcy attorney,” Cohen said in a phone interview. She grew up knowing not to spend what she didn’t have. She also took note of her grandmother’s trajectory, going from a 13-room house, to a twobedroom condo, to a nursing home room. “When she died, all her possessions fit into one cardboard box,” said Cohen. Surely there was a lesson there on how little we truly need. But it took even Cohen a little
while to absorb that lesson. Before she moved into the Hondasized space, she packed up 77 boxes and put them into storage. So what was her tiny place like? It’s possible you’ve actually seen it. A video “tour” of Cohen’s apartment has garnered more than 11 million views on YouTube. In it, you see that she doesn’t have a kitchen, but she does have a fridge, a hot pot and a toaster oven. She’s got a loft bed, of course—in New York, when you need space, the only place to go is up. And she’s got a desk, a comfy reading chair, and a bathroom that looks completely normal (to a New Yorker). Come to think of it, my husband and I lived in about 400 square feet for a few years and it didn’t seem nutty either. Which is precisely Cohen’s point: “We can all live without half of what we own. We have closets full of clothes we barely wear. We save something for ‘just in case,’ and just in case never comes. People will say, ‘I want to save this in case I lose weight.’ I say by the time that fits again, it’s going to be out of style.” The solution? Edit, edit, edit. It should come as no surprise that Cohen’s other job is a professional organizer. If you can’t
afford her $150 an hour services, she’s got a couple of great suggestions: Go through just one section at a time—your kitchen cabinets, sock collection, whatever. Set a timer for 20 or 30 minutes, so you don’t feel overwhelmed. And remember, you don’t have to toss the things you love. Give them to a friend or a charity. What you’re getting rid of may end up helping someone else. In the end, Cohen got rid of her tiny apartment only because she was evicted. It doesn’t get more Manhattan than that. That’s when her grandfather stepped in. “He said, ‘Enough already! Buy a place! You lived in a shoebox to write about my life. Now make sure you buy some good furniture and enjoy your life.’” He gave her a down payment for the new studio. By the time Cohen moved in, she had gotten rid of those 77 boxes in storage. It’s likely most of us could get rid of whatever we’re storing, too. “It’s about living large on your own terms,” summed up Cohen. “Not being stressed to pay bills for stuff you don’t even use.” Maybe freedom’s just another word for nothing left to store. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Steps to prevent heart disease Want to prevent a heart attack? Take a walk and eat an apple. According to the American Heart Association, AHA, 80 percent of heart disease and stroke cases can be prevented with lifestyle changes, like walking and eating healthier. The AHA is encouraging Americans to focus on seven simple lifestyle changes to lower risk for heart disease and improve overall health. More than one in three adults have some form of cardiovascular disease. About 80 million U.S. adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of American men and women. Even children are at a higher risk for obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes because of poor lifestyle habits. “While treatment and research advances in cardiac care can save a great many lives, significant movement on the needle has to come on the prevention side,” said Dr. Patrick Thomas, chief of cardiology at Hudson Valley Hospital Center and AHA board president in Putnam County. “There are simple things everyone can do to lower their risk of the No. 1 and No. 5 killers— heart disease and stroke.” Get active. “Exercise is the single most important thing you can do to improve your overall health. The goal is at least 30 minutes of brisk exercise daily,” said Thomas, who gets up early to run on the treadmill before work. “Along with gaining strength and stamina, exercising regularly can lower blood pressure, keep body weight and blood sugar under control and increase your HDL, the ‘good’ cholesterol.” You don’t have to join a gym or run in a 5K. Start small by incorporating physical activity into your daily routine like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the farthest end of the parking lot or using half of your lunch break to take a brisk walk. Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check. High levels of LDL, the “bad” cholesterol, can clog your arteries, increasing your risk of heart
attack and stroke. HDL helps clean out that bad cholesterol from the arteries. Improve your cholesterol by exercising regularly and limiting saturated fat and cholesterol. One in three Americans have high blood pressure, which can increase risk for stroke, the No. 5 killer. Get your blood pressure checked routinely since it has no outward symptoms. Reducing sodium, losing weight and exercising can help manage blood pressure, as well as blood pressure-lowering medicines. Eat healthier. “For most meals, half your plate should be fruits and vegetables,” Thomas said. “Limit empty-calorie foods like soft drinks and junk food.” The AHA also recommends consuming fish twice a week, like salmon, and eating more whole grains. Enjoy low-fat yogurt for breakfast and fruit for dessert or snacks. Lose weight. More than 60 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. The AHA recommends starting by knowing your healthy weight range and daily calorie goals, and aim to get there in small increments. You can shed 24 pounds a year by dropping just 2 pounds a month, and losing as few as 10 pounds decreases your heart disease risk. Use an online calorie calculator to know how many calories you should consume to maintain a healthy weight. Then start enjoying plenty of fiber and nutri-
ent rich fruits and vegetables, adding lean proteins and whole grains. Add in exercise while reducing the calories you take in for sensible weight loss. Reduce blood sugar. Diabetes can quadruple your risk of heart disease or stroke. Manage or prevent diabetes by eating healthy foods, controlling your weight, exercising and taking medication prescribed your doctor. Stop smoking. With one in five deaths caused by smoking, going smoke-free can help prevent not only heart disease and stroke, but also cancer and chronic lung disease. Visit nysmokefree.com for resources. Visit mylifecheck.org for more information and a free heart health action plan and visit heart.org for more lifesaving information, recipes and tips to live a longer, stronger, healthier life. The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke— America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. AHA team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of its offices around the country. (Submitted)
14 • The The hARRISON RevIew • May 6, 2016
Pinstripe panic lIVE MIKE Mike Smith
Look, I get it. It’s still early. But for you Yankee fans out there, if the panic bells aren’t going off yet, I imagine the alarm is primed and poised to erupt sooner rather than later. Over the weekend, the hapless Yanks traveled up to Boston to take on the surging Red Sox, and suffice it to say, things did not go well. The Sox swept the Bombers in three straight games, culminating in a Sunday night slugfest that saw New York’s inability to protect a lead to an 8-7 Red Sox victory. But as giddy as I am about the Red Sox’s play this early in the season—at 15-10 they are in first place in the American League East—I’m far more excited about the Yankees’ struggles throughout the first month of the season. Right now, the cellar-dwelling
Yankees are 8-15, and for the first time in a long time, they have the chance to be a legitimately miserable ballclub all season long. And I couldn’t be happier. Since I’ve been following baseball, bad Yankee teams have been few and far between. Sure, fans have had their complaints about the club over the last few years, but 85-win seasons are more a mark of mediocrity than anything else. I’m talking about bad, here. The kind of label reserved for those early 1990s Stump Merril-led teams that featured historic players such as Kevin Maas and Matt Nokes. Since the Yanks started winning championships again in the mid-90s, lack of success has been a relative term. Of course the team would suffer through a down year here and there, but the situation never felt dire. When things went south, they’d simply outspend everyone else to bring in top free agents in an attempt to turn things around.
SPORTS
But now, it appears as though the organization is taking a different approach. They seem content to simply wait out the bad contracts, like the ones they gave to Mark Texiera, CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez (who, coincidentally, is one of the few guys in pinstripes who is actually producing), get a little bit younger and rebuild for the future. It’s a solid plan, but not one that many fans—who are forced to pay exorbitant prices to see a game at the sterile mall they call Yankee Stadium—have the patience for. Monday saw incensed fans calling in to WFAN to call for the various heads of Brian Cashman, Joe Girardi, and much-maligned third baseman Chase Headley. If George was still around, they say, changes would be coming and heads would roll. But here’s the thing; in the long run, it makes sense for the Yankees’ brass to play it safe. The paradigm of success in the
The New York Yankees are off to a dreadful start this year, and nobody is happier than Sports Editor Mike Smith. But could a terrible year actually be the best thing for the Bombers? Photo courtesy Google Images
MLB is shifting. Teams like the Royals—who have long been the laughingstock of the AL Central—are suddenly the darlings of the baseball cognoscenti, whereas the Yankee model of overpaying for aging homerun hitters now seems antiquated.
So while I may be enjoying what looks like a terrible year for the Yankees, a 70-win season might ultimately be the best thing for the ballclub. It would serve to reinforce the idea that the Yankees need to rethink their general philosophy and catch up
with the rest of baseball. And I bet they’ll do it too—at least until they offer Bryce Harper $1.5 billion in 2017. Old habits die hard.
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Eagles host Sports Field Day By MIKe SMITh Sports Editor On Saturday, April 30, Eastchester High School hosted a day of games to benefit United States veterans, inviting Harrison High School to participate in a sports field day that raised money for the Building for America’s Bravest program. Although the day proved to be a split, with Eastchester winning two out of the four matchups, it was a runaway success in terms of allowing Eastchester’s student-athletes to give back to the community. “Every season, we try to give back in some way,” Eastchester Athletic Director Jay Karol said. “Whether it’s spending time with senior citizens or holding our annual breast cancer awareness games, this is something we are always doing.” Building for America’s Bravest, BFAB, Eastchester’s partner for the spring event, is a program of the Stephen Siller
Tunnel to Towers Foundation and is dedicated to building custom “smart homes” for disabled American service members. Throughout the day, money raised from 50/50 raffles and merchandise sales went to supporting the charity. Talks between Eastchester High School and BAFB began around a year ago and when it came time to actually schedule this year’s Sports Field Day, Karol said, Harrison seemed like a natural opponent. “They’re a league game and they’re always competitive,” Karol explained. “So I spoke with [Harrison athletic director] Stu Hanson and I knew that coaches and athletes from both schools were super excited about it.” The day kicked off with a baseball game, which Harrison won 8-3, and was followed by a girls’ lacrosse showdown, which the Eagles won 13-10. Eastchester stayed hot in a 5:30 p.m. softball game, downing the Huskies 12-4
thanks to the offensive contributions of freshman Emile Olivier and junior Sophia Tiso who combined to drive in a total of eight runs on the day. Pitcher Jess Becchetti allowed just eight hits in seven innings of work to pick up the win. The VFW Color Guard performed at Haindl Field prior to the day’s final event, a 1310 Harrison win in a boys’ lacrosse game. According to Karol, however, the final scores were secondary to the larger message: supporting our returning troops and fostering the idea of community were the big winners on the day. “We do different events to educate our kids on the importance of giving back,” Karol said. “It’s important to teach our student-athletes how sports can be a medium for a bigger goal and teach them how to become better citizens.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
A Harrison lacrosse player shakes hands with an Eastchester firefighter prior to an April 30 game against the Eagles. Photo/Bobby Begun
SPORTS
May 6, 2016 • The hArrISON revIew • 15
Huskies split with Eagles SOFTBALL
EASTCHESTER 12 HARRISON 4 EASTCHESTER HS
By MIKe SMITh Sports Editor
league
4/30/16
Game Notes: • Harrison totaled nine hits on the afternoon but couldn’t break through against hurler Jess Becchetti
• Eastchester scored the first five runs of the game
• Harrison is currently 7-3 on the season
On April 30, Harrison traveled to Eastchester for the second game of a season series with the Eagles. But despite topping Eastchester last week, the Huskies ran into a stiffer challenge the second time around, falling 12-4 to their league rival. As the 7-3 Huskies look to finish the remainder of the 2016 regular season, they hope that their tough loss to Eastchester will motivate them to hang on to the top spot in the league standings. At Haindl Field on Saturday,
Harrison simply wasn’t able to capitalize on scoring chances, plating just four runs, despite cobbling together an impressive nine-hit effort against Eagles’ starter Jess Becchetti. Stevie Carpiniello shined for Harrison, going 2-4 with an RBI, but Eastchester, led by sophomore Sophia Tiso’s four-hit, four-RBI day, proved to be too much to deal with at the plate. “We still had nine hits, our offense was the same as it was in game one, but [Eastchester] just didn’t make any mistakes,” Harrison coach Dean Marino said. “They had a lot of great, clutch hits, and they really seemed to find the gap.” Becchetti picked up the win for the Eagles, while sophomore Sydney Braiotta, who allowed six earned runs in 3.1 innings, was saddled with the loss; but so far this season, the young hurler, along with freshman Taylor
Stevie Carpiniello swings the bat against the Eagles. Carpiniello had two hits and an RBI in the 12-4 loss.
Day, has been invaluable to the Huskies. Both pitchers have appeared in every game this season and give Harrison a solid 1-2 punch. “When we started this year,
Kristy Iannachino crosses the plate on April 30.
our main concern was having these two young pitchers,” Marino said. “But they are getting better every day, they’re pitching in every game and they’re different types of pitchers, so that really throws the hitters off.” With nine games left to play in the season, the Huskies’ one league loss still puts them atop the conference standings, and a game against Pelham scheduled for Thursday, May 5, after press time, could go a long way toward determining who emerges as the league champion. But more of a pressing issue than Harrison’s opponents,
Sydney Braiotta throws a pitch against the Eagles.
Christina DeCarlo chases an Eastchester runner back to the base. DeCarlo’s leadership has been invaluable to the 7-3 Huskies this year. Photos/Bobby Begun
Marino said, is the weather forecast. Right now, the regular season is scheduled to end on Saturday, May 14, but rain could throw a curveball into the proceedings. Faced with four potential rainouts in the coming days, Harrison might be scrambling to make up games right up until the Section I seeding meeting. “Right now, it looks like we’re not going to see the sun until Monday,” the head coach said. “The league games have to be played, so we’ll see what happens.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
16 • The hARRISON RevIew • May 6, 2016