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Harrison REVIEW THE

March 31, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 13 | www.harrisonreview.com

Council OK’s Brightview center project 3-2 By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer

Westchester may soon see a Wegmans as the town/village of Harrison vets a proposal to construct the family supermarket chain on the Platinum Mile. For story, see page 9. Photo courtesy wegmans.com

In a 3-2 vote, Harrison’s Town Council issued final approval for the potential Brightview Senior Living Center on Lake Street which has elicited challenge from hundreds of West Harrison residents since last year. The developer has made several changes since the Planning Board issued a site plan approval in December, reducing the number of units, lowering the building height and setting it further back from the property line. The initial proposal would have put 160 units on the 7.3-acre site. The approved proposal allows for only 148 units on that property. “The applicant was very willing and gracious to have open discussions,” said Councilman Steve Malfitano, a Republican who voted in favor of the project. “We looked at this and thought in similar ways that the number of units that we had in [the initial proposal] was probably more than we wanted to see.” David Steinmetz, an attorney for the developer, added that the volunteer EMS corps, was ap12-unit reduction lowered parts pointed as the first executive of the building by up to 8 feet. director of the Harrison EMS. Regardless of the developer’s Paramedics Lucinda Mercado attempts to quell concerns over and Hector Fuentes were also the size and density of the buildnamed director and assistant diing, residents have continued rector, respectively. to argue that putting the senior The new contract allows the center on that lot will create a town to develop an oversight constant source of noise, light, committee to monitor the EMS’ odor and traffic and would put a business operations, which strain on the town’s emergency Singer said he was in favor of. services, reducing both quality “This gives us a chance to—I of life and property values for its call it bragging rights—to show neighbors. how good we’re doing,” he said. The plans for the senior cenSince Singer became executive ter have been subject to two director, the corps has made several changes behind the scenes, including using a new billing company capable of tracking

Town, EMS agree to first contract in more than decade By COREY STOCKTON Staff Writer One year after a dispute over funding and mismanagement, the relationship between the town/village of Harrison and its independent emergency medical services corps may be healthier than ever. Last week, the town signed a one-year contract with the Harrison Emergency Medical Services, EMS. According to Al Mignone, chairman of the Harrison EMS board of directors, the corps has not had a contract with the municipality it provides coverage to for at least 12 years. Last year, tensions between the town and the EMS reached a breaking point when the EMS

did not receive its quarterly subsidy of $137,500 from the town going into April. EMS said it would be forced to discontinue services after not receiving the funding necessary to help finance the operation. In return, the town said that it did not administer funding because the EMS was being mismanaged and lacked financial transparency. Officials from the town and the EMS each pointed to former Councilman Joe Stout, a Democrat who served on the Town Council until December 2016, as playing a crucial role in finding a solution between the two parties. Stout applauded the EMS’ attempts to make “goodfaith efforts” to resolve its issues

with the town since April. “They needed to spend some time on the business of the business,” he told the Review. “We never had a problem with care.” While those efforts addressed several points of contention between the two sides, the town remained skeptical, and continued to withhold its quarterly subsidy from the EMS. And instead, the town began administering monthly payments of $48,833, which it continued through the end of 2016. In September, after removing the former chief from the EMS, the organization restructured its ranks, abolishing the chief position. In the process, Eric Singer, an EMT with the corps and a captain in the town of Cortlandt’s

public hearings since the Planning Board issued the site plan approval. The final hearing, on March 23, ran for more than two hours, including a discussion of the changes made by the developer, commentary from the Town Council, and additional qualms against the development by residents. Some of those residents are members of Save Harrison, a community group which filed a lawsuit after the town approved an amendment to the zoning code last May to allow the Brightview center on the Lake Street property. The Westchester County Supreme Court dismissed that lawsuit in February. Last month, Al Pirro, an attorney for Save Harrison, said his client was planning on filing an appeal. Steinmetz confirmed that a notice of appeal has been filed. “We hope the neighbors recognize the futility of pursuing further litigation,” Steinmetz added. “It’s time to work together in a neighborly and productive fashion.” The continuing objections to the development from within the Harrison community drew the attention of two council members who voted against issuing approval for the project. Councilwoman Marlane Amelio, a Republican, said her decision to vote against the project was based on the accumulation of residents’ concerns rather than one specific issue. “When there are that many residents who express concern with a project like that, they should have a voice,” she said.

INSIDE

Beer Fest hits Westchester

EMS continued on page 8

Story on page 10.

BRIGHTVIEW continued on page 9

2 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017

April 2017

Planning ahead... SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

April Fools’ Day

Autism Awareness Month Mother/Son Kickball Noon, PRE NCAA Final Four

Children’s Book Day

Palm Sunday The Masters end

NYS ELA test makeup begins

Sexual Assault Awareness Day of Action

PTA meeting 7 p.m., PRE

One Act Festival 7 p.m., HHS

NCAA Championship Game

MLB opening night

NYSESLAT speaking tests begin Spring break begins, schools closed

World Parkinson’s Day

The Masters begin

PTA meeting 9:30 a.m., HHS

PT Council 9:30 a.m., LMK

Wellness Day PUR

Gr. K parent orientation 9:30 a.m., PAR

Gr. 2 Play 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m., PRE

SAT registration deadline

Board of Education meeting 8:15 p.m., LMK

Town/village board meeting 7 p.m., Municipal building

Stanley Cup playoffs begin

Architectural Review Board 7:30 p.m., Municipal building

Zoning Board meeting 8 p.m., Municipal building

World Health Day

NYS ELA test makeup ends

Good Friday

ACT test

Passover begins

Easter

Schools reopen

Book Fair begins PRE

Tax Day

SAT late registration deadline PTA meeting 9:30 a.m., LMK Passover ends

World Meningitis Day Science Symposium 7 p.m., HHS

PTA meeting 9:15 a.m., PAR

PTA meeting 9 a.m., HAS

Town/village board meeting 7 p.m., Municipal building

Board of Education meeting 8:15 p.m., LMK

Foreign Language Honor Society induction 7 p.m., HHS

Gr. K screening begins PAR

Parent Tour 9:30 a.m., LMK

Board of Education meeting 8:15 a.m., LMK

Parent Tour 12:30 p.m., HHS

SEPTA meeting 9 a.m., LMK

HHS/LMK Percussion Showcase 7 p.m., HHS

Planning Board meeting 7:30 p.m., Municipal building Harrison Fire Department Open House 10 a.m., Harrison Fire Station

Kindergarten orientation PRE

Gr. 2 Play 9:45 a.m., HAS

National Honor Society induction 7 p.m., HHS

Book Fair ends PRE

Earth Day

LMK/PTA Rec Night 7 p.m., LMK Make-A-Difference Senior Citizens’ Breakfast 9 a.m., PUR

IB Exams begin PTA meeting 9:30 a.m., PUR Gr. 6–8 Carnival 6:30 p.m., LMK

March 31, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 3

Bill would protect employee, student accounts

Interim judge appointed to fill vacancy By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

New York state Assemblyman David Buchwald has proposed legislation that would restrict employers and higher educational institutions from requiring students, employees and prospective students and employees to disclose personal social media account information. Photo courtesy pexels.com

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer In an attempt to adapt to an ever-changing landscape of social media and technology, state officials have introduced legislation that would prohibit employers and educational institutions from requiring workers and students to disclose personal online account information. On Feb. 21, state Assemblyman David Buchwald, a White Plains Democrat, proposed an amendment to the labor law aimed at protecting the privacy of students’, employees’ and prospective employees’ social media accounts. The bill, known as the Uniform Employee and Student Online Privacy Protection Act, would amend the state’s current labor law, which is enforced by the Department of Labor. The proposal would restrict employers from requiring employees and applicants to disclose any log-in names, passwords or other means of accessing a personal account or service through an electronic communication device, which includes computers, telephones and other personal gadgets. The act would also prevent higher educational institutions—colleges and universities—from requesting access to a student’s and applicants’ similar online accounts. “This is an issue that affects

all Americans,” Buchwald said. “It’s already problematic when government intrudes on our privacy. We want to make sure that there’s a basic principal at stake that says, just because you’re affiliated with a big business or a powerful educational institution, that doesn’t mean you’ve given away your privacy rights to them.” The act would restrict employers from penalizing or terminating employees that refuse to disclose any personal account information. The idea for the proposal came from the Uniform Law Commission, ULC, which provides nonpartisan uniform proposals to states throughout the nation. As of press time, only Hawaii and New York have introduced ULC’s proposal. “Cellphones and laptops are not just a means of communicating; they are now the essential place of storage for all details of a person’s life, personal as well as professional,” said state Sen. George Latimer, a Rye Democrat who endorsed the bill. “An individual’s constitutional rights extend, in this day and age, to modern technology which houses information as important as that which may found in their home residence.” According to the bill, the act would not prohibit an employer from complying with the federal Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, which allows companies

to monitor employee communication and screen applicants prior to hiring. In 2012, Maryland became the first state in the nation to prohibit employers from requesting personal username and password information. Similar legislation was proposed in 15 other states and was enacted in Illinois, Nebraska, Virginia and West Virginia last year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan non-governmental organization that serves members and staff of state legislatures nationwide. Buchwald told the Review the bill would permit the state’s attorney general to bring civil action against an employer or educational institution for violating the law; the attorney general could also impose a $1,000 fine for each violation of the law up to $100,000. “This can be a very effective prevention device, and companies will think twice about violating the law,” he said. As part of the bill, employers would still be able to require workers to disclose non-personal account information, such as a password to a work-related email address. The bill has been referred to and is awaiting approval by the state Labor Committee, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

Three months after the unexpected death of Harrison Town Justice Joseph Canella, town officials have appointed an interim judge to fill his vacancy until the upcoming general election in November. On March 23, Daniel Angiolillo, a former Republican justice of the New York Supreme Court, was selected to fill the vacant position, joining current Town Justice Pasquale Gizzo who has been receiving a stipend to cover the duty of Canella’s position. Harrison’s new interim judge was sworn in at the town court room on March 26. “It’s extremely rare that you would find someone with the experience of someone like Dan to take a position in a local court such as the town of Harrison,” said Councilman Stephen Malfitano, a Republican. “His experience is exceptional and we are extremely blessed and fortunate to have him.” Angiolillo, a resident of Harrison, was an associate justice of the New York Supreme Court 9th Judicial District, which covers Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties, serving in the Second Department of the court’s appellate arm. He was appointed to the Appellate Division by former Gov. George Pataki, a Republican, in 2006. Angiolillo served in that position until he unsuccessfully ran for re-election and was defeated by John Colangelo, a Democrat, in 2013. The newly appointed Harri-

The Town Council has appointed a former New York Supreme Court justice to temporarily fill the vacancy left by Town Justice Joseph Canella, who passed away last December. Daniel Angiolillo was sworn in to serve on an interim basis on March 26. Photo courtesy Harrison Town Court

son judge was first elected to the state Supreme Court in 1999. Prior to that term, Angiolillo was elected as a Westchester County Court judge in 1993. He began his law career as a private practice lawyer in 1977. Two years later, he began working as an assistant district attorney in Westchester County. According to Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, town officials selected Angiolillo because of his experience on the state Supreme Court. “When someone like him wants to be a part of your program, it’s a no-brainer,” he said. “We’re delighted to have him on board, and I think he’ll be an asset to the town.”

Malfitano added that Angiolillo expressed interest in taking the position, explaining that he had strongly desired to “serve his community and give something back.” Angiolillo, who will be paid an annual salary of $64,421, received his undergraduate degree in economics from Boston College in 1974 and his J.D. degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 1977. Last December, Canella, a longtime member of the Harrison community, passed away just 10 days before starting his second year of his first judiciary term at the age of 66. Canella had served as a town councilman from 2001 until the beginning of 2016, when he stepped down to become one of the town’s two judges. Canella, who died of a heart attack, also served on the Planning Board from 1991 to 1999, including five years as a chairman of that board. Since his death, Gizzo has presided over all town court cases on each of the two-days-perweek court calendar, which he had once been alternating with Canella. Gizzo was being paid an additional monthly stipend of $5,368 on top of his annual salary of $64,421. On Election Day, Harrison voters will select a long-term successor to the judgeship for a four-year term, which will run from 2018 to 2021. Town Attorney Frank Allegretti could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

She’s not crazy, her name just rhymes with it. Read Lenore Skenazy’s column every week in the Review. A past contributor to the Daily News and the New York Sun, Skenazy has also appeared on “The Daily Show,” been profiled in the New Yorker and even had her own reality TV show, “World’s Worst Mom.”

4 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017

What’s going on... Harrison Public Library

West Harrison Branch. For children up to age 4; siblings are welcome. Participants can wear pajamas and sing with Chloe during this evening class with songs, music and more. No registration required.

SCORE Workshop: Human Resources Visit harrisonpl.org for more information on programs and library hours.

Great Decisions On Tuesday, April 4 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program involves reading articles, watching videos, and meeting in a group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. You do not need a briefing book to participate. Videos and articles for discussion can be found online at fpa. org. A reference copy of the briefing booklet is available at the library. The program is facilitated by Joan Katen, adjunct professor of political science and peace and justice, with special guest speakers. The Great Decision series is free and open to the public. However, due to popularity, each session is on a first-come, first-served basis. April 4’s topic will be “Saudi Arabia in Transition.”

Pajama Party with Chloe On Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the

On Wednesday, April 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. In this introductory seminar, “Human Resources: Key Issues and How to Solve Them,” a Paychex human resource professional will present foundational knowledge on key HR issues that business owners face in today’s heavily regulated business environment. The presenter will also cover some of the steps that business owners can take to solve each issue discussed. There will be refreshments compliments of the Friends of the Harrison Public Library. Registration is recommended online or by calling the library at 835-0324.

Conversational English On Thursdays from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Practice everyday English with Tania. Free. Open to all. Registration is required online or by calling the library at 948-2092.

English for Japanese Speakers On Fridays from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the Richard E. Halperin Memorial Building. This class is for Japanese speakers learning English. Practical everyday conversational English is taught, and always tailored to the stu-

dents’ needs. This class is taught by Julie Jacobs. Class is held once a week on Friday mornings and follows the Harrison school district calendar.

Conversational Spanish On Fridays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Harrison Branch. Do you want to learn or improve your Spanish skills? Learn to speak Spanish with these basic lessons with Mariella. ¡Aprende un nuevo idioma!

Harrison Recreation

The Orchestra Now On Saturday, April 1 at 8 p.m. The Orchestra Now, TON, is an innovative orchestra in residence at Bard College that is preparing a new generation of musicians to break down barriers between modern audiences and great orchestral music of the past and present. This concert, led by TON’s associate conductor and academic director, features a prelude to a Hitchcock film, distinctly American Third Symphony, and a wondrous symphony based on David Bowie’s album “Low.” For more information and for tickets, visit artscenter.org.

Please be aware that parents must have a current 2017 ID card to register children for all programs. Please be prepared to show proof of residency with a current utility bill and driver’s license. A school report card or progress report is required for a child ID card. 2017 resident IDs and pool passes are now available for purchase. The spring/summer brochure is currently available online, and new programs and applications are added regularly. Visit harrison-ny.gov/recreation for more information on programs and the Recreation Department.

On Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is seven brothers from the south side of Chicago who come from an extraordinary musical family; their father is jazz legend Phil Cohran. The band freely mixes the brass band tradition with generous doses of hip hop, soul and funk, creating an intoxicating and boisterous blend. For more information and for tickets, visit artscenter.org.

Springtacular

Monthly meeting

On Saturday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ron Belmont Pool Complex. Rain date: Sunday, April 23 at 1 p.m. For ages 2 to 8. Come out and enjoy a fun-filled day with rides and a fun hunt. Separate hunts will be conducted for each age group. Youngsters should bring a bag/bucket for the hunt. Hunt items will consist of chocolate, candy and mini toys. For further information, call the Leo Mintzer Center at 949-5265, the Sollazzo Center at 670-3179, or the Harrison Recreation Hotline at 670-3039.

The next monthly meeting of the Woman’s Club of Mamaroneck will be held on Tuesday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the clubhouse, located at 504 Cortlandt Ave. in Mamaroneck. The program for the evening will be presented by members of the Mamaroneck Historical Society. Harrison residents and new members are always welcome. If interested in joining the club, leave a message at 6989749.

Harrison school news

Ninjago City Adventure opening weekend

Feeley Fund annual appeal

Put your ninja skills to the ultimate test in the all-new LEGO Ninjago City Adventure—a 2-story, 2,300-square-foot Asian-inspired interactive play area at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester. Ninjas-in-training can test their balance, agility, strength and endurance with more than 20 interactive features on their quest to become a Spinjitzu master. Children in martial arts uniforms will receive $5 off their regular-priced admission ticket in the month of April. The adventure takes place from Friday, April 7 to Sunday, April 9. Starting at $15.95; children under age 2 are free. Hours: Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester is located at 39 Fitzgerald St. in Yonkers. For more information, visit legolanddiscoverycenter.com/ westchester or call 866-243-0770.

The annual appeal for the Eugene J. Feeley Harrison High School Student Aid Fund has been mailed to the community. For 70 years, the Feeley Fund has enabled needy and worthy Harrison High School graduates attend accredited colleges and/or schools. Since 1947, more than 1,000 students have received loans or grants to pursue their post-high school education and training. The Feeley Fund needs you to share our confidence in the future of our Harrison youth. Please respond to the request by sending your contribution to: The Feeley Fund, 255 Union Ave., Harrison, NY 10528. For questions or more information, call Lola Geiger at 939-7066.

Performing Arts Center at Purchase College The Performing Arts Center is located on the Purchase College campus, at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. For more information and for tickets, call the box office at 251-6200 or visit artscenter.org.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Woman’s Club of Mamaroneck

LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester

Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at noon. Though space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to news@hometwn.com.

March 31, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 5

SUNY Purchase announces philanthropy lecture Rye may sue Port Chester over United Hospital The School of the Arts at SUNY Purchase College is pleased to announce that Risë Wilson, director of philanthropy for the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, will be presenting this year’s Jandon Business of the Arts Distinguished Lecture. The event is free, and will take place on Monday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Humanities Theater. A reception will follow. Wilson will speak on innovation in arts philanthropy as it relates to her work at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation. Under her leadership, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation

Risë Wilson, director of philanthropy at the Rauschenberg Foundation. Photo courtesy creativetime.org

By JAMES PERO Staff Writer

Risë Wilson will be presenting at the Jandon Business of Arts Distinguished Lecture at Purchase College, SUNY. Photo courtesy purchase.edu

has deepened its commitment to artists and organizations whose work addresses issues of social justice, giving careful thought to the kind of support that such work requires. Ravi S. Rajan, dean of the School of the Arts, said, “As a center for educating future arts managers and entity creators, we are proud to welcome Ms. Wilson as this year’s annual Jandon Business of the Arts lecturer. Philanthropy is an important part of most artists and arts managers’ lives, and we look forward to hearing from Ms. Wilson about her bold approach to supporting the arts and social justice

through early stage funding.” Established in 2012 through a generous gift from the Cecil family to mark the occasion of Donald Cecil’s 85th birthday, the Jandon Business of the Arts Distinguished Lecture supports the arts management program at Purchase College. This endowed lecture reflects Cecil’s lifelong commitment to excellence in education, leadership in business and passion for the arts. It is presented annually along with the Jandon Business of the Arts Student Achievement Award, which is given to a student in the arts management B.A. program. (Submitted)

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CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REPORTERS

COREY STOCKTON corey@hometwn.com

FRANCO FINO

franco@hometwn.com

After the removal of a major traffic mitigation facet to Starwood Capital’s $450 million plan to revamp the former United Hospital site in neighboring Port Chester, the Rye City Council will now consider litigation. “These Article 78s are never a slam dunk, so I’m not going into this with any delusions,” said Rye Mayor Joe Sack, a Republican. “But they served this one to us on a silver platter.” According to Sack—who said the city will wait to file a lawsuit against Starwood until the April 6 deadline to do so in hopes of negotiating with the developers out of court—a major provision that would have added two lanes of traffic to one of the development’s major exit points was removed from the project at the last minute. Specifically, the Rye City Council’s focus has been on two

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major arteries; exit ramps from Interstate 287 and Interstate 95 that already see a high volume of traffic. The project, the City Council worries, may only exacerbate current conditions. Sack said the deviation from the traffic plan—for a project which is proposing 730 units of housing in addition to 90,000 square feet of retail space—will force vehicles into adjacent Rye neighborhoods through one of its back entrances. “We had relied on the fact that it was in there,” Sack said. “We are shocked and dismayed that it was taken out at the last minute without telling us.” According to village of Port Chester officials, who voted in favor of accepting a set of crucial zoning changes allowing the project to move forward earlier this month, the two lanes were taken out due to their own traffic concerns; at least for the time being. “If we make Boston Post Road into an eight-lane super

highway, it’s going to make it very unsafe for people to cross it,” said outgoing Port Chester Mayor Dennis Pilla, a Democrat. “And it won’t help the aesthetics either.” According to Pilla, while the construction of those lanes is not currently in the plan, Starwood will be required to keep empty where the lanes were slated to be built, in order to afford the board an option to construct them at a later date. The decision on whether to add the lanes would be the purview of the village board and would likely come after a postimplementation traffic analysis, Pilla said. Additional lanes had been previously included in the project as per the recommendation of traffic consultants hired by the village, the city, and also the New York state Department of Transportation. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

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6 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017

Harrison REVIEW

THE

Rye Neck student gives back through

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By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter With prom season only a few months away, Camryn Sullivan, a senior at Rye Neck High School, created The Prom Collective, an event that helps make prom more financially accessible for students. On March 25, Sullivan held a four-hour shopping experience at Mamaroneck United Methodist Church that allowed girls in nearby Westchester communities to find their perfect prom outfit at an affordable price. While Sullivan did not charge for the dresses and accessories, customers were encouraged to make a small donation to benefit the church. “We were not expecting money but people felt like they wanted to contribute,” Sullivan told the Review. Sullivan founded The Prom Collective as part of her school’s Independent Learner Program, an elective class offered at Rye Neck High School, requiring students to conceptualize and implement their own community service project. Sullivan chose this project after recognizing that not all students are able to afford the everincreasing costs of prom night. “Prom [has gotten] so expensive over the years,” Sullivan said. According to a nationwide survey conducted by Visa in 2015, families in the U.S. planned on spending more than $900 for prom night. Expenses

typically range from purchasing a gown or tuxedo, event tickets, hair, makeup and nails, limousine rentals, as well as afterprom activities. Sullivan wanted to relieve some of this financial burden, by offering girls the opportunity to pick out a dress, accessories and makeup for prom. And the event went off better than expected according to Sullivan, who ended up receiving more dresses than she had originally anticipated. Sullivan said that she received donations from friends, church members and customers of her mother’s Larchmont-based store, Village Mercantile. Clothing racks were filled with more than 50 gently used gowns in all styles, sizes and colors. Tables displayed a variety of necklaces, bracelets and earrings, as well as eye shadow palettes, lipsticks and purses. Sullivan reported that by the end of the event more than half of the dresses donated had been taken home by shoppers. Jailene Almonte-Valerio, a senior at Port Chester High School, held up a blue gown, one of the two dresses she had chosen to bring home with her. “This one just [caught] my eye,” she told the Review. “I like the back [and] the straps are really cute.” The shoppers mostly consisted of girls in their senior year of high school that went into the event unsure of what they were looking for, but ended up

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Daisy Gutierrez looks at potential prom dresses available at The Prom Collective. Photos/Andrew Dapolite

leaving with a completed outfit. Sullivan explained that in doing this project, she wanted to combine her two passions: giving back and helping people in need. She said that to make The Prom Collective happen, she received assistance from her mother as well as Dr. Valerie Feit, her teacher from the Independent Learner Program, and Karen Burger, her pastor at Mamaroneck United Methodist Church. Sullivan, who is attending the University of Rhode Island in the fall, says she hopes that the event will continue on in future years, even if that means passing down the responsibilities to another student. Sullivan said that the collective donation made to the Mamaroneck United Methodist Church was just under $100, while numerous girls went home with a prom outfit they loved. “I definitely felt as if the event was a success due to the fact that a majority of the dresses were taken and the girls seemed very happy with what they got,” she said.

Camryn Sullvan, right, and her mother Vonnie, helped girls find affordable dresses and accessories for their upcoming prom nights at The Prom Collective, held on March 25 at the Mamaroneck United Methodist Church.

CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com

Camryn Sullivan collected more than 50 donated dresses, along with accessories including shoes, purses, jewelry, and makeup for The Prom Collective.

March 31, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 7

8 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017

Saving lives, Wegmans, and the cleanup HARRISON HAPPENINGS Mayor Ron Belmont

On Wednesday, April 5, the American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive in memory of former Harrison town clerk, Joey Acocella Jr. This event will take place at the Veterans Memorial Building, 210 Halstead Ave., from noon to 5:30 p.m. To donate, call 1-800-Red-Cross or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor key word: Harrison EMS. Walk-ins are welcome. LongLiveNY.org will also be there to provide organ donor information. This is a wonderful way to change the lives of patients in need. Once again, I would like to remind residents that on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2, the town/village of Harrison will hold its annual Spring Spruce Up event. Volunteers are needed to clear debris from various municipal locations. Several areas will be targeted for sprucing up and all are welcome. We have

had great success in the past and I encourage all residents to take part this year. Our roadways and parks are greatly improved by the efforts of all involved. Please contact my office to sign up. As many of you know, Wegmans Food Market, a high-end, family-owned grocery store headquartered in Rochester, New York, is planning on opening a store on Corporate Park Drive in Harrison. The project involves demolishing three existing, underutilized office buildings on the property. The Planning Board recently voted to adopt the necessary proposed zoning amendment and the matter will be on the Tuesday, April 6 town board agenda for a public hearing. The annual appeal for the Eugene J. Feeley Harrison High School Student Aid Fund has been mailed to the community. For 70 years, The Feeley Fund has enabled needy and worthy Harrison High School graduates to attend accredited colleges and/or universities. Since 1947, more than 1,000 students have received loans or grants to pursue their post high school edu-

cation and training. The Feeley Fund needs you to share in the future of our Harrison youth. Should you be interested in contributing, please respond by sending your contribution to: The Feeley Fund, 255 Union Ave., Harrison, NY 10528. For more information, call Lola Geiger, at 939-7066. Please take note of the following alert from the Internal Revenue Service: The IRS emphasizes that if someone owes money, the first contact from the IRS is likely to come via mail. The IRS will not ask for credit card numbers over the phone, nor request a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. If you are victim of this IRS scam, please notify the Harrison Police Department at 967-5111. In closing, as the winter season comes to an end, our highway crews continue to repair our municipal roadways. I am asking residents to please report pothole locations to our Department of Public Works office at 670-3128. Targeting areas that are hardest hit will expedite the process and help to restore our community’s infrastructure.

MPI Westfield to host industry day Meeting Professionals International, MPI, WestField Chapter, will host an event as part of the second annual Global Meetings Industry Day, GMID, on April 5. MPI will join forces with the advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business, MMB, and meetings industry organizations worldwide to showcase the real impact that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows and exhibitions have on people, business, and communities. The second annual Global Meetings Industry Day, MEETNOW 2017, will be held on Wednesday, April 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Doral Arrowwood, 975 Anderson Hill Road in Rye Brook. For more details or to register, visit mpiwc.org/meetinginfo.php. “Organizations such as MPI will help us demonstrate the crucial role meetings play in building personal relationships, driving positive outcomes, and supporting strong communities,” said Richard Harper, executive vice president at HelmsBriscoe and co-chair of MMB.

Meeting professionals organizations, association chapters, corporations, destinations, partners and other supporters are coming together to hold events supporting this international day of advocacy. Last year, events were held throughout North America, Latin America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia, along with robust conversations online and more than 40 million social media impressions. Proclamations of support were issued by the governors of Maryland and Kentucky, along with the mayors of Ottawa, Edmonton, Phoenix, Baltimore, Buffalo and Mobile, Alabama. The Empire State Building and Niagara Falls were illuminated in blue in celebration of GMID. “GMID helps share the meetings industry’s value story, ensuring that the media, elected officials and general public understand the benefits of face-to-face,” said Paul Van Deventer, chief executive officer and president at Meeting Professionals International and co-chair of MMB. “Showcasing the industry’s strength through this global movement allows us

to better advocate and generate widespread conversation.” To learn more about GMID, visit meetingsmeanbusiness.com/ GMID. Follow and participate in the digital conversations at @MeetingsMeanBiz on Twitter and by using the hashtags #MMBusiness with #GMID17. Meeting Professionals International is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. Founded in 1972, the organization provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities and business exchanges, and acts as a prominent voice for the promotion and growth of the industry. MPI has a global community of 60,000 meeting and event professionals, including more than 17,000 engaged members and its Plan Your Meetings audience. It has more than 90 chapters and clubs in 24 countries. MPI WestField is one of the local chapters of MPI, which covers Westchester County and Fairfield County, Connecticut. For more information, visit mpiwc.org. (Submitted)

EMS from page 1

Nearly a year after Harrison EMS said it would have to discontinue services due to lack of funding, the organization has agreed to a one-year contract with the town for the first time in more than a decade. File photo

more data. The town’s 2017 municipal budget shows that funding to EMS has been reduced by about 10 percent—$60,100—from the 2016 budget. According to Mignone, the town requested EMS reduce its budget before entering into a yearly contract. The department will receive $521,900 in funding this year. Since April, the EMS board of directors has also undergone personnel change, including the additions of Vincent Straface and Sharif Nesheiwat. Mignone said

that although the corps was in a period of austerity while funding was month to month, now that its future is more secure, the board of directors will begin its longterm planning process. In an interview with the Review in September, Singer shared his vision of expanding the corps’ community outreach and social media presence. In March, EMS initiated its CPR teaching program, Harrison Emergency Lifesaving Program, HELP, which it plans to administer regularly around town.

Ron Benson, public information officer for the EMS, said it was also stationing ambulances downtown and in West Harrison for several hours each day. He said the EMS is working to send a message to the town. “We’re here,” he said. “We’re looking to serve and be there for the residents and the businesses.” Neither Jonathan Kraut, an attorney for the town, nor Mayor Ron Belmont could be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

March 31, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 9

Town makes headway on Wegmans proposal

BRIGHTVIEW from page 1

By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer

After a March 23 public hearing, the Brightview Senior Living Center proposed for 600 Lake St. has received final approval from the Harrison Town Council. As part of the approval, the developer will only be allowed to build 148 units, a reduction from the originally proposed 160. File photo

And freshman Councilman Richard Dionisio, a Republican who campaigned for a seat on the Town Council last November in opposition of the Brightview development, said he was astonished that the board approved the development given the volume of public outcry. “It doesn’t fit,” he said. “And I understand the residents. They did a wonderful job representing themselves and explaining to the board how they felt.” Both Amelio and Dionisio, along with Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican who supported the

project, are up for re-election this November. In May, before Dionisio was elected to the board, the Town Council voted unanimously to approve the zoning text amendment which allowed senior living centers to be built on several residential properties within the town, including the site of the now-defunct Lake Street Quarry. That property, then owned by Lawrence Barrego, had been operating in violation of several town zoning codes for decades. In 2014, to settle a land use dispute with the town, Barrego

agreed to sell the property to the developer of a senior living facility, to discontinue all excavation, and to sell all heavy machinery still on his quarry property. In return, Harrison waived more than $800,000 in violation charges. According to Belmont, turning this property from a noisy quarry site to a senior living facility was meant to improve the quality of life for the owners of neighboring properties. Pirro could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: corey@hometwn.com

JCC bomb threat suspect arrested in Israel By ANDREW DAPOLITE Contributor Half a world away, a 19-yearold man was arrested at his home in Israel for allegedly leveling bomb threats against Jewish community centers throughout the U.S., which forced the evacuation of local centers in New Rochelle and Tarrytown late last month. The arrest was made by Israeli police on March 23, and the name of the teen has not been released. According to Israeli police, his motive remains unclear. The teen is the second individual arrested in a case involving more than 100 phone threats. On March 3, Juan Thompson, a former journalist from Missouri, was charged with one count of cyber stalking and is believed to be responsible for at least eight of the threats. Authorities do not believe Thompson and the teen are connected. According to Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld, the teen used satellite equipment and advanced computer technology to obscure his identity and location. The FBI investigated more than 100 calls made as part

of an ongoing hoax within the last two months, concluding in the arrest of the teen on March 23 at his home in the city of Ashkelon, located along the southern coast of Israel. “It should be noted that a large number of law and order organizations throughout the world collaborated professionally with the Israeli police, which enabled a coordinated, cross-border investigation integrating the technological know-how of multiple enforcement bodies,” Rosenfeld said in a statement. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions echoed Rosenfeld’s comments, citing the cooperation among each country’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies. “Today’s arrest in Israel is the culmination of a large-scale investigation spanning multiple continents for hate crimes against Jewish communities across our country,” Sessions said. “I commend the FBI and Israeli National Police for their outstanding work on this case.” While all of the threats across the country proved to be hoaxes, the scare made national news

headlines, with “#IStandWiththeJCC” trending across social media platforms. Growing anxiety prompted President Donald Trump to address the issue in his first address to Congress on Feb. 28. At the 999 Wilmot Road location in New Rochelle, Karen Kolodny, the executive director of JCC of Mid-Westchester, said that about 200 people were evacuated from the building on Feb. 27, including 100 staff members and adult patrons and roughly 100 children, only two hours after the Tarrytown center was evacuated after receiving similar threats. No injuries were reported during either evacuation. In a recent statement released by JCC of Mid-Westchester, Kolodny remarked on the recent outpour of community support. “We are grateful for the remarkable support we have received from local civic, political and faith-based community leaders, and extend once again our appreciation for their commitment to helping make the JCC of Mid-Westchester, a welcoming community convener,” Kolodny said.

Harrison is seeking to break the ice on a developer’s plan to replace an old office complex at 106-110 Corporate Park Drive with a Wegmans Food Market. According to Mayor Ron Belmont, a Republican, the Harrison Town Council is planning to approve a change that will allow the company to operate in the special business district of the town. “We’re moving full-speed ahead on this,” he said. “It’s going to be a great thing for our town, and it’s a no-brainer for that area.” The supermarket would be the first of its kind in Westchester County. Wegmans is a privately owned regional supermarket chain headquartered in Gates, New York, which is located near the city of Rochester. The company, which owns 92 stores across the

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mid-Atlantic and New England regions, is known for selling locally sourced food and has operated since its founding in Rochester in 1916. The land planned for construction is located in an SB-O district, which requires special approval from the Town Council. That zoning code restricts buildings to be constructed up to 4 stories high. “I do believe that this is something the community would be happy to have,” said Councilman Rich Dionisio, a Republican. “I would support [the zoning change] if it meets all the criteria. I can’t see anything but a positive for Harrison with this.” The zoning change would pave the way for Normandy Real Estate Partners, which owns an abundance of property on the “Platinum Mile” along the Interstate 287 corridor, to construct the family-owned supermarket, approximately a 125,000

square-foot, 2-story grocery store, which will also include a café area, at the Corporate Park Drive location. The proposal would include the replacement of three existing underutilized office buildings, which are located near the EastRidge Enrichment Center and White Plains Daycare and Preschool at 109 Corporate Park Drive. Those facilities, located at the rear of the property, will not be a part of the project. Wegmans, in partnership with developer Steiner NYC, a Brooklyn-based firm, is planning to open a second location in the New York metropolitan area along Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Admiral’s Row, which is located along the east River, in 2018. In Harrison, there will be a public hearing for the zoning change at the next meeting, scheduled for April 6. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com

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10 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017

Homestyle Caterers hosts

The Westchester County Center was overflowing on March 25, literally, as Homestyle Caterers hosted the Beer Fest of Westchester. More than 1,200 lovers of beer and cider filed into the center to sample beverages from more than 300 breweries, some as far away as Iceland. Al Ciuffetelli, owner of Homestyle Caterers and event organizer, said his company wanted to improve on the previous year’s event at the center, which is located in White Plains, adding more food and entertainment in the form of Shilelagh Law, which claims to be New York’s thirstiest band. “There was somebody who did the [Beer Fest last year], but it didn’t work out,” Ciuffetelli said. He told the Review that people approached his company to host the beer fest this time around. “We [gathered] 300 craft beers, instead of 200,” he added. “There are some local wineries here as well.” The festival took six months of planning for it to ultimately come to fruition. “It wasn’t an easy job, it was very difficult because of the timing, especially after St. Patrick’s Day,” Ciuffetelli said of locating and organizing the different manufacturers. Ciuffetelli added that Homestyle Caterers, which operates a Nathan’s food truck out of the White Plains space, has hosted

many events at the County Center. “It’s a good thing for people to utilize this facility,” he said.

“That’s our goal, to make the County Center great again.” -Reporting by Sibylla Chipaziwa

March 31, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 11

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12 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017

LEGAL NOTICES NOTICE OF ANNUAL PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING, ELECTION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS AND VOTE ON BUDGET OF HARRISON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT HARRISON, NEW YORK NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing on the Budget of the qualified voters of the Harrison Central School District, Harrison, New York, will be held at the Louis M. Klein Middle School on May 3, 2017 at 7:15 P.M. for the purpose of presenting the Budget for the 2017-2018 school year. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a copy of the statement of the money which will be required for the ensuing school year for school purposes may be obtained by any taxpayer in the District during the fourteen days immediately preceding the Annual School District Meeting, May 16, 2017, except Saturday, Sunday or Holiday, at each of the following schoolhouses in which school is maintained during the hours designated, and at any public or free association library in the District, and on the District website. • Harrison High School - 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. • Louis M. Klein Middle School - 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. • Elementary Schools - 9:00 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.: Harrison Avenue School, Parsons Memorial School, Purchase School & Samuel J. Preston School • Office of the District Clerk - 8:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Real Property Tax Exemption Report prepared in accordance with Section 495 of the Real Property Tax Law will be annexed to any tentative/preliminary budget as well as the final adopted budget of which it will form a part, and shall be posted on District bulletin board(s) maintained for public notices, as well as on the District’s website. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual School District Meeting of the inhabitants of the Harrison Central School District, Harrison, NY, qualified to vote at School District Meetings and/or Elections of said District will be held at the places hereafter set forth on May 16, 2017 between the hours of 7:00 A.M and 9:00 P.M., prevailing time, for the purpose of voting on voting machines for the appropriation of necessary funds to meet the necessary expenditures for the school year 2017-2018, on all propositions duly filed with the Board of Education, and to fill three (3) vacancies on the Board of Education. The qualified voters will fill the following vacancies: The office of Kelly Mulvoy Mangan, a member of the Board of Education, which term expires on June 30, 2017, for a new term commencing July 1, 2017 and expiring on June 30, 2020. The office of Robert C. Sullivan, Jr., a member of the Board of Education, which term expires on June 30, 2017, for a new term commencing July 1, 2017 and expiring on June 30, 2020. The office of Melinda (Lindy) Wolverton, a member of the Board of Education, which term expires on June 30, 2017, for a new term commencing July 1, 2017 and expiring on June 30, 2020. Each vacancy shall be considered a separate and specific office and a separate petition is required to nominate a candidate for each office. The petition shall be directed to the District Clerk, shall be signed by at least 33 qualified voters of the District, shall state the residence address of each signer, the name and residence address of the candidate, and shall describe the specific vacancy on the Board of Education for which the candidate is nominated which description shall include at least the length of the term of office and the name of the last incumbent, if any. Forms complying with these requirements may be obtained from the Office of the District Clerk, 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 3:30 P.M., prevailing time, Monday through Friday. Petitions are due not later than on April 17, 2017 at 5:00 P.M. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for Absentee Ballots may be obtained at the Office of the District Clerk, 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, New York. Written requests for absentee ballots must be made at least 7 days and not more than 30 days prior to the Annual School District Meeting, May 16, 2017. If the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, the completed application must be received by the District Clerk no later than 3:45 P.M. (Prevailing Time) on May 9, 2017. If the Ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter, the completed application must be received by the District Clerk no later than 3:45 P.M. (Prevailing Time) on May 15, 2017. No absentee ballot shall be counted unless it shall have been received by the District Clerk not later than 5:00 P.M. on May 16, 2017. A list of all persons to whom Absentee Ballots shall have been issued will be available for inspection to qualified voters of the District at the Office of the District Clerk, on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, between the hours of 8:30 A.M. (Prevailing Time) and 3:30 P.M. (Prevailing Time). Any qualified voter may file a written challenge of the qualification of a voter whose name appears on such list, stating the reasons for the challenge. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that for the purposes of voting, the School District has been divided into four (4) election districts and that an accurate description of the boundaries of these school election districts is on file and may be inspected at the Office of the District Clerk on weekdays when school is in session, during regular work hours, 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., at the Administrative Offices, 50 Union Avenue, Harrison, NY. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the 2017 School District Election and Budget Vote will be held at the following polling places in the School Election Districts hereinafter set forth: Election District A - At the Harrison Avenue School in Harrison, New York. Said Election District A comprises a portion of the area formerly constituting the area of Union Free School District No. 6 of the Town of Harrison, Westchester County, New York, which encompasses the area designated as the boundary line for attendance at Harrison Avenue School. Election District B - at the Samuel J. Preston School in West Harrison, New York. Said Election District B comprises the area formerly constituting the area of Union Free School District No. 7 of the Town of Harrison, Westchester County, New York, which encompasses the area designated as the boundary line for attendance at Samuel J. Preston School. Election District C - at the Purchase Elementary School on Purchase Street, in Purchase, New York. Said Election District C comprises the area formerly constituting the areas of Union Free School District No. 2 of the Town of Harrison and Rye, Westchester County, New York, and Common School District No. 5 of the Towns of Harrison and North Castle, Westchester County, New York, which encompasses the area designated as the boundary line for attendance at Purchase Elementary School. Election District D - at the Parsons Memorial School in Harrison, New York. Said Election District D comprises a portion of the area formerly constituting the area of Union Free School District No. 6 of the Town of Harrison, Westchester County, New York, which encompasses the area designated as the boundary line for attendance at the Parsons Memorial School. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to Education Law, Section 2035, Subdivision 2, the Board of Education has adopted a rule with respect to the submission of questions or propositions to be voted upon by voting machines at school district meetings or elections requiring any petition or request from qualified voters for the submission of questions or propositions to be voted upon at any such meeting or election, and reserving to the Board of Education the right to edit such questions or propositions without changing the substance thereof for the purpose of preparing ballots for voting machines. FURTHER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that although voting machines will be used to record the votes on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, there will be no registration of voters in advance of said meeting. Accordingly, all persons shall be entitled to vote as aforesaid who present themselves at the polls, who are not challenged while in the polling place, and who execute a statement, to be provided by the Board of Education, indicating that they possess the following qualifications: 1. A citizen of the United States; 2. Eighteen years of age; and 3. A resident of the district for a period of 30 days next preceding May 16, 2017. Pursuant to Education Law Section 2018-c, all new persons offering to vote at any school district meeting or election for which registration is not required, shall provide one form of proof of residency. Acceptable proof of residency shall be a driver’s license, a non-driver identification card, a utility bill, or a voter registration card.

By order of the Board of Education, Harrison Central School District. Dated: March 31, 2017 Harrison, New York Christine Beitler, District Clerk

March 31, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 13

My pillow’s smarter than your pillow RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy

If you’ve been wondering what to do with all that extra cash you’re so sick of, I hope you hightailed it over to the Luxury Technology Show last week in Chelsea. Otherwise, you might not be aware of some of the must-haves coming soon, or already upon us, like the smart pillow. Now, a truly smart pillow would have a mallet that knocked you over the head every time you couldn’t sleep. (Well, every time you were in BED and couldn’t sleep. You wouldn’t want the pillow/mallet chasing you around the apartment.) But this smart pillow, the Zeeq, does things like detect when you are snoring. Then it gently vibrates so you’ll shift position. This is an improvement on the old “smart device” you may have employed, also known as “your spouse,” who would gently (or not) kick your shin when you started sawing logs. For $299, the Zeeq also streams music, and since it, like everything else in the world, is linked to your phone, which is linked to your life, Zeeq also keeps a record of how your sleep correlates with how much you ate, walked, ran, exercised, napped, drank wine and guzzled coffee during the day. Then, as you start trying to calculate out all the connections between those variables—hmm, five blocks of walking and one latte plus a nap minus a Chardonnay—you find your eyes swimming. And so, it works! Other booths were filled with

high-tech wrinkle reducers, headsets that look like iPhone earmuffs, apps to interact with your dog when you’re on the road, and earbuds that do everything but revive the dead. So it was refreshing to stumble upon a booth selling something that didn’t seem too hard to operate. “OPEN CAN!” I commanded, and voila! The voice-activated garbage can opened up. This can is not actually on the market yet, explained Mia Fields, who works for simplehuman, a line of home goods found at Bed Bath & Beyond and beyond. But come May, you will at last be able to talk to your trash receptacle. And if you don’t feel like chatting, a wave of the hand opens it, too. I didn’t want to mention that there are already garbage cans on the market where you press a little pedal with your foot, no voice recognition or batteries are required. So I shut up (like a garbage can messing with its owner) and asked Fields about the other item on display: A light-up makeup mirror. The mirror’s lights are controlled by, what else? Your phone. But this is not a question of “off” and “on” or even “daylight” versus “Hollywood.” “There are 50,000 different light settings,” Fields said. So, for instance, “If you want to do your makeup based on the lighting in your office, you can take a photo in the app and mimic the same lighting on the mirror.” This struck me as the most first world solution to the most first world problem I’d ever heard. But when I mentioned the mirror to two of my friends, they both thought it sounded fantastic. A male friend has a similar

reaction when I tried to describe the “Fizzics” geegaw at the show. “If you take a can or bottle of beer and do a normal pour”— the Fizzics demonstrator proceeded to pour a can of beer into a plastic cup—”the bubbles are all different sizes. You lose the flavor and aroma.” You do? I didn’t want to drink the beer, so the demonstrator obliged by drinking it for me and shaking his head to indicate this sub-optimal beer experience. BUT, put your can or bottle into the “Fizzics” machine, and the ultrasound technology controls things so precisely that when you press a lever and the beer comes out, the bubbles are perfect and the head is more impressive than the snow on Mount Fuji. The demonstrator drank this beer for me too, exclaiming at its creaminess and aroma. “The micro-foam locks all the flavor in!” His eyes looked slightly glassy as the next customer came up to ask for a demonstration. But it was a happy glassy. And then there were the folks selling the LumiDiet—a belt the size of the one you get if you’re heavyweight champion of the world (no pun intended), except it’s lined with red LED lights. When the lights are on, the belt melts the pounds away. The marketing specialist, Jay Lee, said, “We recommend you use it prior to exercise, for better, faster results.” Yes, I’ll bet that helps. “Can I eat while I wear it?” I asked, causing Lee to snap, “You can’t eat five hamburgers a day and still lose weight.” Maybe technology still can’t do everything we need it to. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Earth Day photo contest announced

Aspiring student photographers and artists who demonstrate their talent and knowledge about how the power of the sun can help our planet can win some great prizes in the “Are You a Solar Superstar? Make a Difference One Ray at a Time” contest. Sponsored by Sunrise Solar Solutions LLC, the contest calls for entries that show how solar power makes the Earth a better place. “Earth Day [April 22] isn’t just about promoting renewable energy, it’s about demonstrating our support for the protection of the environment,” said Doug Hertz, Sunrise Solar Solutions president. “We are committed to the communities we serve here

in the Hudson Valley, and we want to help educate children and their parents about the power of renewable energy.” The contest is open to all middle and high school students attending schools in Westchester and Rockland counties. The contest calls for students to create an original piece of artwork or a photograph that demonstrates how solar power makes our Earth a better place and how it can help us save energy and reduce our carbon footprint. Entries should be submitted as a JPEG file via email to earthday@sunrisesolarllc.com by Friday, April 14. Two grand prize winners will be selected; one from the high

school and one from the middle school category. Each of the top winners will receive a $200 Amazon gift card. Two second-place winners will also be selected and will each receive a $100 Amazon gift card. In addition, all entries may be showcased in a traveling public gallery display, as well as on the Sunrise Solar Solutions website, Facebook page, and in Sunrise Solar Solutions marketing materials and/or advertisements. For more information about the “Are You a Solar Superstar? Make a Difference One Ray at a Time” contest, call 747-2500 or email earthday@sunrisesolarllc. com. (Submitted)

Edward, about 5 1/2 years old, is the sweetest cat ever. He never hisses, swats, growls or even bats an eye, no matter what. He is a handsome boy with distinctive “black cat” markings: fascinating gray eyebrows, a gray/black tabby tail, and amazing light golden eyes. Edward has been diagnosed with diabetes and is receiving two injections a day to properly treat it. An easy kitty to medicate, he is fine with nonaggressive cats and has lived with dogs comfortably. Currently in short-term foster care, he is now ready for a long-term foster home with possibility to adopt. Edward is neutered and up-to-date with all vaccinations. To meet Edward and to learn about fostering this very special cat, contact Pet Rescue at 835-3332 or 835-4133 or visit NY-PetRescue.org. (Submitted)

14 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017

The first pitch LIVE MIKE Mike Smith

The Major League Baseball calendar is set to kick off on April 3, and while every team’s fan base comes into the season with a host of questions about playoff chances, roster spots and divisional races, I’ve got another question as we wait for Opening Day. Will President Trump throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park? Now, before huge swaths of readers begin to turn the page, alarmed at politics creeping into the sports section, fear not; this isn’t a politically charged column. But for some reason, presidential first pitches have always been an interest of mine, and after hearing reports this week that Trump was considering making the long walk out to the mound this year, I’m wondering

if he will go through with it. There’s a long history of presidential first pitches, dating all the way back to William Howard Taft in 1910. Every sitting president since then has undertaken the task at least once, be it before Opening Day, the MLB All-Star Game or a World Series contest. The degrees of success have been, well, varied. Franklin Delano Roosevelt famously hit a newspaper camera back in 1940. In 2009, Barack Obama made waves for his first pitch at the All-Star Game in St. Louis, and was derided for his decision to wear jeans, and worst of all, a Chicago White Sox pullover. George W. Bush, on the other hand, fired a perfect strike from the mound before the first World Series game in New York City following the events of 9/11 in what even his most ardent critics would agree was a moment that transcended our national pastime.

So what will President Trump do? I have no idea. There’s no doubt that the president has a long history with baseball. He played the game in high school and was a longtime fixture at Yankee Stadium when the Bronx Bombers were owned by his pal George Steinbrenner. He fashions himself as a man of the people, and what better way to demonstrate that by participating in a century-old tradition that is about as American as it comes? On the other hand, he similarly revels in the idea of being an iconoclast, of breaking away from the trappings of the presidency, so maybe he will forgo the pitch? Not to mention, the crowd in Washington, D.C.—a city in which Trump drew just 4 percent of the vote in the presidential election—might not give him the warmest reception, something that might also scare him away from stepping on the field.

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SPORTS

Major League Baseball’s Opening Day is coming up on April 3. Sports Editor Mike Smith wonders if our newly elected president will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Photo/Mike Smith

But if he’s reading—he isn’t— I’d urge him to get out there on Monday, throw out the first pitch, and let us get on with the baseball season as if was simply business as usual in the Capitol.

It may not fix the problems facing this country, it may not bridge any political divide between our citizens, but it will, for at least a few minutes, possibly distract us from the grave

problems facing our nation. And at its core, isn’t that what baseball is all about?

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

SPORTS

March 31, 2017 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • 15

Huskies eye opener By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor The Harrison softball team might be a young one, but to hear head coach Dean Marino tell it, the Huskies already have plenty of experience. With a host of underclassmen slated to play important roles for the team this year, Harrison will continue to grow as a program, without relinquishing their spot as one of the top teams in Class A. Last season, the young Huskies far exceeded expectations, finishing with an 18-4 record despite starting five freshman players. This year, with five sophomores leading the charge, Marino feels that his players have enough varsity games under their belts so that the team’s relative youth shouldn’t be an issue. “I think I would be concerned if they were all first-year varsity players,” he said. “But having

Sydney Braiotta throws during a preseason bullpen session. Photos/Mike Smith

four girls make all-league, honorable mention all-section, we’re not really worried about that this year.” Chief among the returners

Pitcher Tamara Day warms up in the Harrison gym on March 28. Day will be one of Harrison’s top hurlers this year.

are Harrison’s terrific hurlers, as sophomore Tamara Day and junior Sydney Braiotta will once again handle pitching duties for the ballclub. Day, a hard-thrower, and Braiotta, who relies more on craft and guile, may have different approaches in the circle, but the results were unmistakable last year. According to Marino, the luxury of having two top-flight pitchers means that he will be able to mix and match his lineups as the season goes along. “A lot of it will come down to what type of team we’re playing, and that will help me make my decision,” he said. “Last year, for the first 10 games or so, we split the games; after that, it generally came down to who was hotter at the time.” The duo will be throwing primarily to sophomore backstop Kristi Iannacchino, who has displayed great power at the plate and could be one of the Huskies’ top bats this year. But despite the amount of talent on the roster, the first few weeks of the season could be difficult for the Huskies. Harrison is currently slated to open up on Friday, March 31 at Lakeland before hosting Pearl River on April 4. The Pirates and Yellowjackets were two of the top teams in the area last season, and preseason weather means that the Huskies may begin the season without having had practice time outside. “We always try to take on the best teams, but to face these two teams so early isn’t ideal,”

Shortstop Gina Nuvoloni steps to the plate on March 28.

Head coach Dean Marino works with a player during a preseason practice.

Marino said. “We are aiming to have an outdoor scrimmage on Thursday at Silver Lake, which might be OK, considering the turf, but there’s only so much work you can put in the gym. You want to be able to see what the girls can do on the field.”

But regardless of how much outdoor work there is before the start of the season, Marino is confident that his group will be in the mix come playoff time. “Last year, if you asked me before the season, I would have said we were a .500 team, and

we ended up going 18-4, so we have high expectations this year,” he said. “But we’re still young, so it’s going to be big on the girls to follow through and perform when it counts.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • THE HARRISON REVIEW • March 31, 2017