Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
March 4, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 10 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Mayor: Flood project could run village $10M By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
SECTION, WON Tommy Spero makes a save against Suffern in Mamaroneck’s Feb. 28 section final win over the Mounties. Spero and the Tigers topped Suffern 5-1 to win their first section title since 2009. For story, see page 15. Photo/Mike Smith
Village board attempts to address parking congestion By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer The Board of Trustees in the village of Mamaroneck passed an amendment to the village code that restricts the amount of consecutive days a vehicle may be parked on any street from 21 to seven days. This amendment to the vehicle abandonment code, passed during the Feb. 22 Board of Trustees meeting, comes after months of complaints from residents who have been demanding a solution to overcrowded parking villagewide. Laura Abbate, of the Wash-
ingtonville neighborhood, has been a strong advocate for a solution to the problem for more than two years. Abbate, who has lived in the village her entire life, is glad to see the amendment passed, and believes it will mitigate part of the parking problem. Many residents have experienced trouble finding available parking spaces throughout the village. “Our street in particular [Washington Street] gets very congested,” she said. Although Abbate has a driveway that can fit more than two cars, she said that her tenant, a local teacher
and mother of two small children, often has to park three to four blocks away. Abbate has done some of her own research in her quest to fix the issue, including counting cars that haven’t moved and demanding traffic studies be conducted. “We’ve had two snowstorms and there were at least 11 vehicles that haven’t moved since the first [storm on Jan. 22],” she said as of Feb. 26. Abbate told the Review that she’s so passionate about this issue because she’s the fourth generation in her family to live in the Washingtonville
section of the village. “It’s my investment,” she said. “I live there and I’ve always lived there.” Abbate also believes that with more housing being built and the industrial area of the village expanding, parking spaces will become even more coveted. Village Manager Richard Slingerland told the Review that village employees have been observing these vehicles left for several weeks at a time throughout the village. “They become targets for vandalism and theft and it also takes parking continued on page 10
After nearly a decade of anticipation, the second iteration of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ wholesale flood mitigation plan for the village of Mamaroneck—which was released in January—has made its way to public comment. This time around however, officials warn, it may be the last opportunity to see the plan to fruition. On Thursday, Feb. 25 at the Emelin Theatre, representatives from the Army Corps, as well as officials from the village, New York state and federal governments, held the first public forum on the $72 million proposal to mitigate flooding in the village and surrounding area. According to Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, though the federal government is proposing to foot 65 percent of the project’s bill—with the state and Westchester County also chipping in—the village could pay anywhere from $7 million to $10 million of its own money. This sum would be covered by bonds that would last over a 30-year period, Rosenblum said. Severe flooding has been a major issue in both Mamaroneck and surrounding areas of the Sound Shore, with flood events that have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in damage. One of the worst storms on record, which occurred in April
2007, resulted in approximately $50 million in total damage to the village and dumped 7.5 inches of rain in just 45 hours. To mitigate against such future occurrences, the plan aims to reduce the severity of flooding by a combination of deepening and widening large swaths of the Sheldrake and Mamaroneck rivers, in addition to adding approximately 4,300 feet of retaining wall, a 350 foot-long culvert and multiple levees along the water. In doing so, engineers speculate they could drastically shrink the size of the village’s current severe flood zones and save millions of dollars in flood damage each year. Additionally, according to the drafted document, the plan may provide compensation to private property owners whose land would be affected by potential construction, depending on the scope of the project. According to Eugene Brickman, the chief deputy engineer for the Army Corps who also worked on a 1986 iteration of the same flood mitigation project, the most recent report serves two primary purposes. The first purpose, he told the audience, which nearly filled the theater, is that it will serve as a reference point for members of Congress that will be in charge of giving the project its proper approvals. “This is where Congress says flood continued on page 10
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2 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016
March 4, 2016 • The MAMARONECK review • 3
Larchmont resident sues Mamaroneck By JAMES PERO Staff Writer The village of Mamaroneck will contend with a civil lawsuit after a Larchmont resident sustained serious injuries resulting from dangerously degraded side-
walks on Mamaroneck Avenue, the lawsuit alleges. Nora Nigro, a teaching assistant at Mamaroneck High School, suffered a compound fracture in her arm resulting in six to seven screws, according to attorney Robert Menna. The
The area of Nora Nigro’s alleged fall, located between 424 and 426 Mamaroneck Ave., was also the site of work done by the utility company Con Edison.
impetus for the September 2015 fall, Menna said, was a damaged and jagged piece of sidewalk. The lawsuit was filed this January. The location—which the lawsuit indicates is between 424 and 426 Mamaroneck Ave.— is the exact spot where a similar incident occurred in 2013 when an elderly woman fell and sustained minor injuries, Menna said. Despite allegations that the sidewalk caused Nigro’s accident, sidewalks on Mamaroneck Avenue were recently the subject of a series of renovations by the village. In October 2014, the village began a project to remove and replace old trees which had been damaging sidewalks along Mamaroneck Avenue due to their overgrown roots. The trees—18 large elm trees—were slated to be removed and the soil was replaced with more malleable soil so that roots could spread beneath the walkways. When the project was in the beginning stages of being planned in September 2014, Village Manager Richard Slinger-
A resident of Larchmont is suing the village of Mamaroneck after suffering a compound fracture to her arm in September 2015. The culprit, her attorney claims, was a jagged sidewalk on Mamaroneck Avenue. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
land said that three to five people were injured each year as a result of faulty sidewalks. Menna said that despite the village’s efforts to repair the sidewalks, this specific area escaped the village’s improvements. “They picked out a few areas to repair,” the attorney said. “But they didn’t update this area.” According to Slingerland,
however, all the projects on Mamaroneck Avenue had been completed by June 2015, and after the incident allegedly took place. Also named in the lawsuit is the utility company Con Edison, who, according to the suit, was contracted by the village prior to the accident to perform work in the area and excavated part of the sidewalk in the process. Given the amount that Nigro
is seeking—which was not disclosed in the lawsuit—the case will be heard in New York state Supreme Court. According to the lawsuit, the number exceeds the jurisdictional limit of all lower courts. According to the New York state court system, the jurisdictional limit of town and village courts cannot exceed $15,000. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
4 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016
What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library
policy numbers. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Westchester County Department of Health at 813-5192. Appointments are available in English and in Spanish.
at 698-0098. Tickets and information on shows are also available on emelin.org.
Larchmont Public Library
On Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m. The inimitable Ron Thomason founded this traditional yet eclectic band 40 years ago, and Emelin is delighted that their anniversary tour will include a return visit to the theatre. Performing songs that demonstrate the full emotional range of the genre, there’s no other bluegrass band quite like them. Tickets are $39 each. See more at emelin.org/event/ bluegrass-all-music/dry-branch-fire-squad.
Visit mamaronecklibrary.org for more information on these and other events and programs.
All ages story and craft hour On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to noon in the Children’s Room on the second floor. No registration required. There will be stories that will appeal to kids of all ages and their caregivers, and a craft simple enough for the little kids and creative enough for the big kids.
Create and Make Lab On Monday, March 7 from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Homework Room on the second floor. This is a drop-in program for children in second through seventh grade. This activity focuses on science, crafting and other assorted fun. Caregivers are not required to attend but must be available at the end of the program. No sign-up required.
Free math study help On Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Teen Room on the lower level. Arithmetic got you down? Need some help with homework or maybe just a refresher? Former high school math teacher Lynne Prior will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about middle and high school math.
Learn basic e-textile weaving skills On Thursday, March 10 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room on the lower level. Create a bracelet or pet collar out of reflective parachute cord fibers. Open to ages 10 and up. Space and materials are limited. Call 630-5875 to register.
Bilingual Storytime/Hora del cuento bilingüe On Thursday, March 10 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Room on the lower level. A drop-in Spanish/English storytime for all ages. El jueves, marzo 10 desde las 4 p.m. hasta las 5 p.m. en el Community Room. Únase con nosotros una hora de cuentos español y inglés que consiste en historias, canciones y artesanías para niños/as con un/a cuidador/a.
Information session: ‘Do You Need Health Insurance?’ Make an appointment for a one-on-one information session with a Westchester County health department navigator, who will be in the library’s Tech Room on Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Representatives will answer questions about health insurance-related topics, including essential plans, Medicaid, Child Health Plus and health coverage for business owners’ employees. Clients should be prepared with their Social Security numbers, documents for legal immigrants, birth dates, employer and income information and insurance
The library will be closed for construction until the summer of 2016. Existing shelves will be moved to the Village Center and the Burchell Children’s Room will remain open. For more information about the library’s relocation, call the Reference Desk at 834-2281 ext. 3, email larchmontlibrary@wlsmail.org or visit larchmontlibrary.org.
LEGO free play On Sunday, March 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For ages 5 and up. A parent or caregiver must attend. Come to the library and see what you can create from the library’s LEGO collection. This program will be self-guided and adult supervision is required at all times.
Dry Branch Fire Squad
Room on the Broom On Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m. with another show at 1:30 p.m. The witch and her cat are flying happily on their broomstick—until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. So begins this “high-energy treat” (The New York Times) filled with songs, laughs and scary fun adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of “The Gruffalo.” A Tall Stories production. For ages 3 and up. Tickets are $15 each. See more at emelin.org/event/family/ room-broom.
The Improvised Shakespeare Company
On Tuesday, March 8 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. For ages 3 and 4. Learn about the viscosity of certain liquids and see what makes objects move faster—corn syrup, water, oil or dish soap. Glitter and food coloring will be involved, so wear old clothing and expect to make a mess. A free ticket is required to attend this event. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 3 p.m. on the day of the program.
On Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m. Based on an audience member’s suggestion of a title of a play yet to be written, this “reliably clever and funny improv troupe” (The New York Times) creates a fully improvised Shakespearean masterpiece right before your eyes. Nothing is planned or rehearsed. The dialogue and characters are created as you watch, resulting in an evening of off-the-cuff comedy using the language and themes of William Shakespeare. Tickets are $42 each. See more at emelin.org/event/comedy/ improvised-shakespeare-company.
DIY: Clearing House
Mamaroneck Artists Guild
On Wednesday, March 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Michael P. Coords Activity Room. For grades six to eight. No registration required. The library emptying the craft closet. Stop by and create one of its previous DIY projects or make something original using the materials found. Snacks will be provided.
‘Shouts And Whispers’
Full STEAM Ahead: Discovery Tubes
Stories and Crafts: Marshmallow Robots On Thursday, March 10 at 3:30 p.m. For ages 5 to 7. Boop! Beep! Boop! Come for silly stories about robots and make your own tasty robot snack. A free ticket is required to attend this event. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 3 p.m. on the day of the program.
DIY Kids: Marble Magnets On Friday, March 11 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Online registration is required. Turn your designs into magnets. To register, visit larchmontlibrary.org/programs/diy-kids-marble-magnets/.
Emelin Theatre The Emelin Theatre is located at 153 Library Lane in Mamaroneck. The box office is open Wednesday to Saturday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and two hours before every show, and can be reached
H. David Stein, photographer, and Larry Gordon, artist, will be featured in a two-person show at the Mamaroneck Artists Guild, located at 126 Larchmont Ave. in Larchmont. “Shouts And Whispers” will run through March 26. Stein’s photographs are paired prints with subtle white flowers contrasted with even more subtle black flowers. Some are hand-cut to allow the flowers to grow over the mats. Gordon uses transparency, overlapping shapes and images. His paintings aim at a joyful and playful celebration of color embracing color. The shapes become dematerialized and abstract. Meet and interact with the artists at an opening reception on Saturday, March 5 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free and open to the public. This exhibition is made possible, in part, by ArtsWestchester with support from Westchester County government. Call 834-1117 or visit mamaroneckartistsguild.org for more information.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Winter farmers market The indoor Mamaroneck farmers market is
open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, located at 168 W. Boston Post Road. The market will run until April 16. Mamaroneck’s staple farmers market goods will return, including local produce, fresh fish, pasture-raised meat, eggs, artisanal breads, baked goods, pickles, prepared foods to go and savory yogurt. Several new vendors will join in 2016 as well, including GoGo Pops, Natural Contents Kitchen and The Cheese Guy. In February, renowned Lani’s Farm will also begin selling their unique produce. For more information or a full list of markets and vendors, visit DowntoEarthMarkets.com.
St. John’s Episcopal Church Conversation on domestic violence The St. John’s Episcopal Church Women will host an important conversation on domestic violence on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. at the church, located at 4 Fountain Square in Larchmont. The discussion will be about defining domestic violence, warning signs of domestic violence and ways to end it. Guest speaker Kym McNair will be featured during the conversation. This talk is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
Rye Arts Center Women’s Day panel discussion In celebration of International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8, attend a community event at 7 p.m. held at The Rye Arts Center, located at 51 Milton Road in Rye. A panel discussion, called “Women in Emerging Digital Media Leadership,” will feature Tina Exarhos, former CMO of MTV; Fran Hauser, former president of Time Inc. and digital and venture capitalist; Tiffany Pham, founder and CEO of Mogul; Shenan Reed, president of MEC Digital; and Johanna Zeilstra, entrepreneur and founder of Womensdebate.org. The discussion will be moderated by Suzanna Keith, social media executive. The Q&A will be run by Kim Berns and Deborah Sanguineti of Rye TV show, “What’s My Brand?” For more information and to register for this free event, email skconcepts@hotmail.com or call 925-0753.
The Woman’s Club of Mamaroneck Bingo Night The Woman’s Club of Mamaroneck invites you to join them for an evening of fun on Bingo Night on Friday, March 11. The event will take place at the club’s headquarters, located at 504 Cortlandt Ave. Games begin at 6:30 p.m. Member fee is $4 and guest fee is $6, and both include one card good for eight games. Additional cards are available for $4 each. There will be prizes, and coffee and dessert will be served. RSVP to Flora Casterella at 906-0914 or fcasterella@aol.com. The Woman’s Club of Mamaroneck has open enrollment, so consider joining today. 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 4, 2016 • The MAMARONECK review • 5
County to fund $58M in Rye Playland projects
County Executive Rob Astorino has amended his Playland agreement with Standard Amusements that includes the addition of 11 capital projects totaling $58 million, which will come at the county’s expense. File photo
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer In an effort to address a significant number of crucial renovations at Rye Playland, an agreement between Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and the park’s management company, Standard Amusements, was amended on Feb. 22 to include $58 million in county-funded capital projects. However, the amended contract still requires approval of the Westchester County Board of Legislators by a March 31 deadline, otherwise the agreement can be terminated by Standard. The amended contract also allows for the extension of the co-management period between the county and Standard into the fall of this year. The amendment comes after an extension of the co-management period that occurred last October, which prolonged the period until March 31. The projects included in the amended deal—which would see Standard Amusements increase its investment in the park by $5 million to about $30 million—would tackle 11 different capital projects, at a total cost of $58 million, to provide renovations to various rides and structures, in addition to the rehabilitation of the park’s shoreline, all of which would be paid for by the county. According to the amended agreement, the two parties will outline a date for when the capi-
tal projects will be carried out by the county, a timeline that the agreements states must be finalized before by Aug. 31. The original deal between Standard Amusements and the county was finalized in June 2015 after lengthy deliberations between the county and multiple management companies. Under the terms of the amended agreement, after a lump sum of $2.75 million, the county will receive a $300,000 annual fee from Standard Amusements, which would increase by 2 percent every year, putting the county’s total amount of money received from the deal at about $13 million over the next 30 years. Yet, the county will now spend millions of dollars on capital infrastructure upgrades that were not part of the initial agreement. According to Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, this disparity of investment would put taxpayers on the line. “The entire idea was that in having the partnership it would reduce the burden to the taxpayer,” she said. “With the number as it stands, I don’t know that we [can] get to that place.” Parker said a more reasonable amount of money for the county to receive annually from the agreement would be about $1 million per year with a 2 percent increase; a figure that would bring the county to about $41 million during the lifetime of the agreement.
Parker also said she doesn’t currently have a plan to fight the amended agreement, but will continue to review the terms until the March 31 deadline. “The entire Board of Legislators needs to take a look at what the changes are,” she said. According to Ned McCormack, communications director for the county executive, however, there are other aspects of the deal that work in the county’s favor. While the original agreement had the county bringing in about 7.5 percent of the park’s profits, the amended agreement will see that rate rise in 10-year increments, with the county earning 8 percent for the first decade, 10 percent for the next, and finally 12 percent for the last. The amendment does add another $18 million to the $40 million in known capital projects to the park, which the county outlined in a five-year list of capital projects, he said. According to McCormack, he’s hopeful that the new agreement—which is currently being reviewed by the county Board of Legislators and three board subcommittees—will be approved before the March 31 deadline. “This agreement provides a very serious path to save Playland,” he said. Nick Singer, of Standard Amusements, could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
Correcting the record In the Feb. 26 article “Income inequality hits Mamaroneck schools hard,” it stated that school district administrators and teachers shifted their focus in helping individual students from enrichment to instruction. The focus has shifted from enrichment to remediation.
6 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016
Mamaroneck THE
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Senegal puts Mamaroneck High School on the map
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By SARAH VARNEY Education Reporter
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Mamaroneck High School sophomores Colin Lavin, left, and Tim Sommer, far right, pose for a selfie with a trio of Cem Lambaye students. Just 30 students can be accommodated on the trip to Senegal. Photos courtesy Jamie Schiff
A few members of the Students for Senegal Club at Mamaroneck High School used to think that lions ran wild in the streets of the West African country of Senegal, but now that the organization has been around for four years, they know better. In this country, too, dangerous wild animals are kept in nature preserves far from populated areas. While the distance between Senegal and Mamaroneck is about 4,000 miles, the gap has been bridged by AP Chemistry teacher Amary Sek, a Senegalese native who left his country 40 years ago. Sek, who spearheads the high school club and its 24 members, recently traveled to the country over the winter holiday break to deliver books and other goodies. The club makes the trip to the village of Lambaye every two years, Sek, who grew up poor in the village, said. Students for Senegal started out as a small club in 2009, and is now a separate nonprofit organization that strives to foster cross-cultural exchange and extend the gift of education to the people of Senegal, according to its website. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $75,000 and has sent more
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Visit us online www.mamaroneckreview.com Follow us on Twitter, @mamaroneckview Like us on Facebook, facebook.com/mamaroneckreview The Mamaroneck Review (permit #16661) is published by Home Town Media Group weekly for an annual subscription of $32. Application to mail at the peridcals postage rate is approved at Port Chester, N.Y., 10573. Periodicals postage paid at Port Chester and additional mailing offices.
The Students for Senegal Club gathers beneath its logo. The club at Mamaroneck High School currently has about 40 members. Photo/Sarah Varney
Sophie Miller, an 11th-grade member of Students for Senegal, hangs out with a group of middle schoolers in Lambaye. Group members say they feel like rock stars when they arrive at the village.
than 30 preschoolers to school in Lambaye. The organization has also expanded chapters to Hommocks and Fieldston middle schools. Students for Senegal evolved from the childhood stories Sek used to tell his students after school. Although Sek left Senegal years ago, his memories of growing up are fresh. “I would tell [students] stories about how I grew up, how things were in my village,” he said. “More and more students would come and listen, and then one day a student came up with the idea to have a formal club.” Since its inception, the club has undertaken numerous fundraisers and charity drives and has raised a total of $100,000 toward its goal of building a Learning Center for Lambaye. The Learning Center will have a women’s center, a preschool and a meeting room. The students organize all the fundraisers themselves, Sek said. Once a year, they hold a gala event as their biggest fundraiser. Lambaye currently has a population of nearly 13,000, but Sek said economic conditions are not so different from the way they were when he was growing up there, and that the area is still quite poor. Senegal is a country about the size of South Dakota, sandwiched between Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Mali, with a population of 13 million. A secular Muslim country, 52 percent of the population is under 19 years old, according to a 2013 census. While the value of an education is understood in more populated areas of Senegal, such as Dakar, the capital city, the message has been slower to trickle down to more rural areas like Lambaye, Sek said. It is common for fathers to
take one or more of his children away from a home village to the city to become street vendors. “There is an exodus of many of the men,” Sek added. “They are leaving their wives and kids behind and often they are not given support.” Like many African countries, the culture is warmly receptive to visitors. “They are honored when someone comes to visit. They make lots of food; there is dancing. It is a very big deal,” Sek said. Jamie Schiff, a senior member of Students for Senegal, bears out Sek. “Their [Senegalese hosts’] welcoming attitude and the way in which they received us was like nothing we’d ever experienced before,” she said. Students for Senegal has donated thousands of books in both English and French, Senegal’s official language, and have founded a small library at the school. One of Sek’s stories fostered “Smiles for Senegal,” a 2015 drive that collected hundreds of toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste for their peer students in Lambaye. When Sek mentioned using a stick as dental floss, the Students for Senegal Club discussed how to promote dental health in the country. Since the club’s involvement with the students at Cem Lambaye, the passing rate for students taking the critical exam that enables them to move on to high school has increased from 30 percent to 70 percent. Mamaroneck High School students in the Students for Senegal Club benefit from their involvement as well. “You can see your efforts pay off firsthand,” junior Molly Nodiff said. CONTACT: sarah@hometwn.com
March 4, 2016 • The MAMARONECK review • 7
Fire rips through Halstead Avenue home The village of Mamaroneck Fire Department responded to a call at about 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 1028 Halstead Ave. According to Mamaroneck Fire Chief Craig Casterella, the village Fire Department was on the scene within three minutes. The residents of the home, the Lisella family, all escaped to safety before the house was completely engulfed in flames. The town of Mamaroneck, Har-
rison and Port Chester fire departments also responded to the scene, which took place near the Mamaroneck-Harrison border. However, the house was quickly engulfed in flames and was left scorched beyond recognition the following day. Casterella told the Review that the fire was very intense and moved quickly. The Cause and Origin, C&O, Team, a group of trained experts
The fire, which began on the right side of the house, blazed through all three floors of the single-family home. Photos/Andrew Dapolite
who assist in determining the cause and origins of fires, also responded to the scene, as is typical protocol for house fires. “[The fire] originated from outside, [on] the right side of the house, and we know it was some kind of electrical [fire],” Casterella said. Louis Santoro, deputy mayor for the village of Mamaroneck and a volunteer firefighter for the town of Mamaroneck, was also on the scene at the time of the blaze. Although he was not responding as a firefighter, he told the Review that it took firefighters two hours to control the fire at the single-family home. He added that they fought the fire from both inside and outside the home. Casterella said, “My men did an excellent job that night. I have the right people.” Since the home was destroyed, an online GoFundMe fundraiser page accepting donations toward the family’s recovery was started by Elizabeth Maffei, a relative of the family. As of press time, the page had received $25,980 in donations. -Reporting by Kiley Stevens
The fire destroyed a home on Halstead Avenue in Mamaroneck on the night of Sunday, Feb. 28, and took firefighters from several communities to help with the blaze. Pictured is what was left of the structure the following morning.
8 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016
th 10
Hudson Valley sets the table for By Suzy Berkowitz Editorial Assistant The Hudson Valley has long been a source of fresh air and fresh food, and the culinary creations it has to offer will be showcased during the 10th biannual Hudson Valley Restaurant Week. Presented by The Valley Table, a regional food magazine, Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, running from March 7 through March 20, incorporates more than 200 restaurants from Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties, 127 of which are located in Westchester. The event kicked off on Monday, Feb. 29 at X20 Xaviars on
the Hudson in Yonkers with a special Toast to the 10th celebration. Chefs, sponsors and county executives from participating regions all came together to recognize the event’s decade milestone, the impact it has had on businesses, tourism revenue and exposure, and to enjoy the sampling of fine cuisine on hand for the event. “Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is really a celebration of everything that has made the Hudson Valley a great dining destination,” said Janet Crawshaw, founder of restaurant week and publisher of The Valley Table. According to Crawshaw, the event launched in 2006 with 70 participating locations, and has vastly expanded, now bring-
ing out roughly 250,000 diners and generating $10 million in revenue. Restaurants throughout the area utilize the promotional opportunity to highlight unique dishes that will keep diners hungry for more while expanding
Peter Kelly, chef, owner of X20 Xaviar’s on the Hudson and co-chair and founding board member of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, pours locally sourced wine for guests at the Hudson Valley Restaurant Week kickoff event on Tuesday, Feb. 29. Photo/James Pero
the profile of the Hudson Valley as a go-to source of fine dining. Well-known chef Peter Kelly, owner of X20 Xaviars on the Hudson, co-chair and founding board member of Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, opened his first restaurant in the Hud-
son Valley back in 1984 and said restaurant week has helped put the Hudson Valley on the map as a premiere dining location. “It’s nice to see the Hudson Valley coming into its own,” Kelly said. “It’s amazing to see that this is now home to some of the most renowned chefs. They’re beginning to see what I’ve known for 30-plus years.” In Harrison, Anthony Delfino, owner of participating restaurant Delfino’s on Halstead
Avenue, is excited to showcase a meatball dish in a truffle polenta as an appetizer and a lobster and avocado omelet for Sunday brunch. Delfino said his location has consistently participated because it’s a great opportunity to find new customers and show them standout dishes. “I’m most excited about the menu we’ve put together,” he said. “We’ve created something continued on next page
Participating location Chat 19, an American grill in Larchmont, will be showcasing a balanced menu consisting of chicken, fish, meat and pasta dishes for diners to try. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
March 4, 2016 • The MAMARONECK review • 9
Hudson Valley Restaurant Week’s Themed Cocktails Hudson Valley Drake Manhattan created by The Iron Horse Grill in Pleasentville
2 1/4 oz. Tuthilltown Hudson Baby Bourbon 1 oz. Graham’s 10-year Tawny Port • 1 (1/2 oz.) bar spoon maple syrup • Dash of angostura bitters • •
Pour all ingredients over ice into a mixing glass • Stir the drink and strain into a cocktail glass • Garnish with brandied cherries
Westchester Whiskey Sour created by Madison Kitchen in Larchmont
2 sprigs fresh rosemary 3 oz. 287 Whiskey • 3/4 oz. White Oak Farm maple syrup (Yorktown Heights) • 1/4 oz. rosemary simple syrup • 1 oz. lemon juice • 1 oz. triple sec •
Restaurant week sponsors Widow Jane Distillery, left, based in Brooklyn, New York, and Dennings Point Distillery, based in Beacon, New York, provide samples of their products during Tuesday night’s kickoff event. Photo/James Pero
different and unique that people will really love.” Another participating location, an American grill on Palmer Avenue in Larchmont called Chat 19, will be showcasing a balanced menu of chicken, fish, meat and pasta dishes this year to accommodate all different tastes. Manager Maurizio Caputi said restaurant week is a great opportunity to gain clientele that wouldn’t normally frequent the location. Westchester County Execu-
tive Rob Astorino recognized how much restaurant week has grown. “This is really a great opportunity to sample the restaurants you’ve always wanted to try,” he said. “It’s a half a billion dollar industry; it’s growing leaps and bounds.” The event runs for two weeks every spring and fall, showcasing the quality and service of eateries from the mid- and lower Hudson Valley regions. A list of participating restaurants
can be found at valleytable. com, and each location’s prix fixe menu can be found on their corresponding website. Offers include three-course dinners for $29.95 and three-course lunches for $20.95, not including the cost of beverages, tax and tip. Diners interested in sampling participating restaurants’ menus can make reservations on opentable.com or call locations directly. CONTACT: suzy@hometwn.com
•
Crush large sprig of rosemary by hand and add to shaker • Add all ingredients and ice to shaker • Shake vigorously for 15 seconds • Strain mixture into martini glass and garnish with remaining rosemary sprigs and orange slice
The Hudson Hop created by The Tap House in Tuckahoe
1 oz. blood orange juice 6 dashes of The Hudson Standard Lovestruck Bitters • 1/2 oz. St. Germaine • •
Shake and pour over snifter with ice • Top it off with Capt. Lawrence Freshchester Pale Ale
The Southside Sazerac created by the Saint George Bistro in Hastings-on-Hudson • • • • • •
2 1/2 oz. high-proof rye just under 1/2 oz. simple syrup 3 dashes aromatic bitters 2 dashes orange bitters Delaware Phoenix Walton Waters Absinthe Large orange twist
Fill a rocks glass with water and ice to chill it • Combine the rye, simple syrup and bitters in a cocktail shaker • Add ice and shake well • Discard the ice and water from the rocks glass, then spray or coat the inside with absinthe • Strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into the glass • Garnish with the orange twist
Le Express Fizz created by Le Express Bistro and Bar in Poughkeepsie Italian restaurant Delfino’s on Halstead Avenue in Harrison will be participating in Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, showcasing unique standout dishes from their menu, including a lobster and avocado omelet as a brunch dish. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
2 oz. Laird’s Applejack brandy 3/4 oz. apple cider syrup • 3/4 oz. lemon juice • 1 local farm-raised egg white • •
Shake all ingredients well for 30 seconds • Garnish with sage
The Apple Royale Created by the Iron Horse Grill in Pleasantville
1 oz. Harvest Spirits Core Apple Brandy 4 oz. apple cider or apple juice • 1 oz. sparkling wine or champagne • •
Hudson Valley county executives, chefs and guests toast 10 years of restaurant week at X20 on the Yonkers waterfront. Photo/James Pero
Chill all ingredients • Into a cold martini glass, add two drops bitters, swirl it around • Pour ingredients • Add cinnamon stick and serve • Note: For apple cider, we use Thompson Cider Mill
10 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016 parking from page 1
away spots for other people who live in the area,” he said. To accommodate residents who may need to leave their cars for extended periods of time for valid reasons, the village will grant extensions as long as the owner of the vehicle provides information ahead of time, and applies for a temporary permit from the village. Now that the amendment to the code has been made, the vil-
lage must officially file it with the New York State Department of State. According to Slingerland, any time a local law is adopted by a municipality, it must be filed with the state department, which maintains records of all local laws. Once the law is officially acknowledged by the state department, the law will go into effect. Slingerland said the village will begin sending out information to its residents regarding the change, and is working with vil-
lage police to develop a warning system to ease residents into the new law. Mamaroneck Police Sgt. Sandra DiRuzzo said that because the village is still working on a plan of action to incorporate a warning system and police the new code, the Police Department could not comment on their involvement in enforcing the new code as of press time.
flood from page 1
CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com
Residents were welcomed to a question and answer session with Army Corps representatives, where they were able to voice their potential concerns and get further information about the tentative flood mitigation project. Photos/Hector Mosley
The village board has passed an amendment to a code that previously allowed cars to park on a public street for up to 21 days at a time. With the new amendment, cars must be moved after seven days to free up parking spaces for residents. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
have a news tip? Contact your local reporter
kiley stevens
kiley@hometwn.com
‘Yes, you can build this project in accordance with the report,’” Brickman said. The other purpose, he explained, would be for any future budgeting purposes. “That’s where you get the money to do the construction,” he said, adding that Congress will use the project as a sort of checklist in coming up with cost estimates. According to the Army Corps timeline, the draft of the project will be submitted in September 2016 and then be altered accordingly. The timeline projects that a final draft will be reviewed by Congress in early 2017. While the plan may be a major step toward actualization, the assurance that work will be done is far from guaranteed. Similar plans have been deliberated since the 1970s when major
flooding led to the formulation of the first Army Corps study in 1986. The 1986 plan, according to the Army Corps report, was eventually rejected due to major funding concerns. The most recent report shows that this plan came in at an estimated cost of $156 million, based on 2015 inflation-adjusted dollars. Interest in the project was renewed after the 2007 floods, which necessitated the assistance of FEMA operations. Fast-forward to today and now at stake is a chance to reduce Mamaroneck’s flooding by wide margins, according to the report. The current report indicates that the project could reduce both the flooding risk of structures in Mamaroneck by 86 percent and the annual damage incurred from flooding by ap-
proximately $3.2 million. Rosenblum views this iteration of the project as a critical juncture for helping prevent future floods in the region. “The village could never afford this on its own,” he said. “I see no reason why we wouldn’t want to go forward with this.” Among the potential benefits of the project is an increase in quality of life and potentially increased property values for residents, Rosenblum said. According to Brickman, now, more than ever, lawmakers and residents of Mamaroneck will play a critical role in providing a clear path to actualization. “I worked on this project in the 1980s,” Brickman said. “Rarely does anyone get two bites of the apple.” CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
Elected and appointed officials along with engineers from the U.S. Army Corps provide details on a more than $70 million flood mitigation project that has been decades in the making for the village of Mamaroneck.
March 4, 2016 • The MAMARONECK review • 11
Why I’m chewing the instruction manual RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
Man versus man. Man versus nature. Man versus himself. We learned in high school English that these are the three great themes in all literature, to which we must add one more: Man versus newly purchased dishwasher. Oh, perhaps there are those who would quibble that “The Old Man and the Maytag” just does not carry the same gravitas as a grizzled grump in a boat moping about a marlin. (That was the basic plot, right? With some metaphors thrown in?) But that’s only because they are not sitting in my kitchen examining, once again, a bunch of strangely slimy plates and still-milky glasses that just spent the past 90 minutes getting the wash of their lives. A wash courtesy of our new, ergonomic, Europeanmade dishwasher with more buttons than a BlackBerry and all the cleaning power of a bar of Motel 6 soap. “Read the manual,” said my husband when I called him at work to complain that the dishes looked as if they’d been licked by a camel with a cold. Read the manual? Perhaps he’d like me to perform a double cornea transplant while I’m at it. Maybe I can pop over to Afghanistan and hammer out some kind of evening of healing songs
and stories with the Taliban, too. Did I mention the manual for this machine is 55 pages long and includes a section on, among other things, how to “Delay Start” the wash cycle? As if it’s a NASA launch and there’s a funnel cloud headed toward Cape Canaveral? Manuals are great for people who read manuals. I have a husband and son who sit down and actually absorb the information, connecting the words to the diagrams to the real-world thing in front of them. They poke and prod, and suddenly the thing lights up or rings or records a TV program they then can play later. Bully for them. The other 98 percent of us open randomly to a page, see a line like “Press and hold the 1 and 3 buttons and at the same time, turn on the dishwasher with the ‘On’ button” and wail in there-goes-my-marlin despair. Here, you try reading about that “Delay Start” feature: “To delay the start of the wash [or NASA launch—L.S.], press the 18 button until the desired delayed start time appears in the time display. The delay start is set in one-hour steps up to nine hours. If the Delay Start button is pressed after the ninehour mark the delay start feature will be cancelled and must be reselected.” Copy that, Houston? I mean, typing it out, word for word, I do get the basic idea: Goof in
pressing button 18 and you have to start again. But that’s just one tiny paragraph about one tiny button for one ridiculous feature I will never, ever use. There are still another 54.5 pages about all these other features: the “optic indicator” (the thing has eyes?) and the “data plate” (calling HAL!) and everyone’s favorite, the “non-return valve.” How I love to curl up with a good page or two about non-return valves! The thing is, I don’t want a dishwasher that requires years of study. I don’t want anything in my house that requires years of study, be it my phone, my digital toaster (guess which spouse bought that?) or my master’s degree. I got one of those in less time than it is taking me to calm down about THIS STUPID NON-WASHING DISHWASHER! AND MANUAL! Update: When the toasterbuying dishwasher-decider-inchief arrived home, he thumbed through the 55-page marriage destroyer and discovered the problem. I hadn’t put in precisely the right amount of detergent: two flat tablespoons. No more, no less. How could I have missed the “Adding Detergent” instructions? There they are, just 28 fascinating pages in. Right after the marlin eats the old man and licks his bones clean. Next time, when I choose the dishwasher, I know what I’m going to get. A marlin. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Enjoy April Fools’ Day at a live comedy show By MARA RUPNERS Contributor We all know the drill. Come April 1, it is wise to watch one’s step. Be on your toes. Read anything and everything with a healthy dose of skepticism, and think twice before agreeing to run a strange errand. On this day, outlandish tales, practical jokes and silly pranks of all kinds abound. It’s harmless and in good fun, and we all get caught up in it—but have you ever stopped and wondered why? The origins of April Fool’s Day are hazy, as a quick Google search will tell you. There are many theories. One has to do with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in parts of Europe during the 1500s, which moved the new year from late March to Jan. 1, and opened up the opportunity for peasants to try to fool their neighbors into celebrating New Year’s festivals on the wrong day. Other theories tie the holiday to the Vernal Equinox, or the arrival of spring, with its fickle weather. Others see its roots in ancient festivals—
Hilaria, a Roman end-of-winter celebration; the medieval Festus Fatuorum (Feast of Fools) that evolved out of the Saturnalia; the northern European Festival of Lud, who was a Celtic god of humor; or perhaps even the Hindu spring festival of Holi. Many of these theories sound far-fetched enough to be April Fool’s tales themselves, and in the end, we will probably never know. And, in the end, it really doesn’t matter. What does matter is that, in our fast-paced and intense world, we take a day each year to lighten up, play along, and have a really, really good laugh. On that note—and this is no joke—The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College is getting in on the April Fool’s Day fun by presenting one of the funniest live shows you will ever see. Experience Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” as they team up for “Two Man Group”—a riotously funny, interactive and completely improvised tour de force. They will play the fools, so you don’t have to. The performance begins at 8 p.m. on Fri-
day, April 1. Tickets are $45, $50 and $60, and good seats are still available. Also at The Center this month: Montana Rep’s new production of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” on March 10; Irish fiddle sensation Eileen Ivers and her band on March 11; a National Theatre Live screening of “Les Liaisons Dangereuses” on March 12; the renowned baroque orchestra and chorus Apollo’s Fire performing Bach’s “St. John Passion” on March 13; and a Rising Alternative screening of Puccini’s “Tosca” on March 20. Visit The Center’s website for complete event details and tickets.
Mara Rupners is the director of marketing at The Performing Arts Center. The Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, N.Y. 10577 Box Office: 251-6200 Hours: Tuesday-Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and on weekends before performances Website: artscenter.org
12 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016
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A golden week LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
When you look at the sports landscape this time of year, championship week in Section I couldn’t possibly come at a better time.
I mean, just take a gander at what’s going on around the world of sports: the Super Bowl has come and gone, the interminable slog toward the NHL and NBA playoffs continues, and the most exciting news coming out of MLB Spring Training these days concerns the daily commute of Mets’ outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Mamaroneck goalie Tommy Spero raises his arms in victory at the Brewster Ice Arena. With a 5-1 win over Suffern, Mamaroneck won its first section crown since 2009. Photo/Mike Smith
SPORTS
(Editor’s note: on Monday, he took a horse to the ballpark!) Not real exciting, but at least the last week has been a godsend in terms of generating a little sports buzz, locally. It helps, of course, that this was a pretty strong year for teams in the area. Mamaroneck’s ice hockey team and Rye’s girls basketball squad proved as much with some well-deserved section titles. But the sports hysteria went far beyond the teams that happened to bring home the gold; it was just about the atmosphere in general. It’s been pretty much established that few venues across New York state can consistently get quite as rowdy as the Westchester County Center. The arena, which traditionally hosts the semifinal and championship rounds of the boys and girls basketball playoffs, certainly did not disappoint this year as area fans turned out in droves to pack both levels. On Feb. 28, during the second half of the Class A girls finals between Ursuline and Rye, Garnet fans in attendance seemed to take over the gym as
Two Mamaroneck Tigers embrace after winning the section title on Feb. 28. Photo/Mike Smith
March 4, 2016 • The MAMARONECK review • 13
The Rye girls basketball team celebrates its section title win at the Westchester County Center on Feb. 28. For Sports Editor Mike Smith, following the title runs of our local squads has made up for a dearth of pro sports drama in the last two weeks. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
Rye extended its lead, supporting their girls—and good-naturedly joshing the opposition— until it seemed like the foundation was shaking. And it wasn’t limited to the County Center; Mamaroneck fans headed up to the Brewster Ice Arena two hours early to secure a good vantage point for the game. And once the game started, as the Tigers dominated Suffern in each facet of the game, you could sense the anticipation boiling over in their fans, ready to erupt when that final buzzer sounded. And boy, did they ever. I know I often write about sports fans behaving badly. They’re easy targets. But this past weekend, I was heartened to see the opposite: fans taking cues from their team, getting loud, and helping to raise the stakes in the some of the biggest games of the year. The fact that these fans were so heavily invested in the outcome of these games— and by extension, the success of these student-athletes—is always fantastic to see. When the alternative is scour-
Taylor Maurer drives to the hoop in front of a packed house at the Westchester County Center. Photo/Andrew Dapolite
ing the sports pages for quotes about Yoenis’ latest Palomino, it kind of makes you wish that championship week could
last a little longer.
Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports
14 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016
SPORTS
Titans foiled in finals again ICE HOCKEY
DIVISION 2
FINALS
PELHAM RTH @BREWSTER
5 1 2/28/16
Game Notes: • Pelham has won the last three Division 2 titles • Rye Town/Harrison has reached the last two section finals • The Titans graduate just three players from this year’s team By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor For a program that didn’t reach its first section final until 2015, Rye Town/Harrison is quickly becoming acclimated to playing in championship games. On Sunday, Feb. 28, the Titans squared off against Pelham for the Division 2 crown for the second year in a row. Although Pelham came out on top with a 5-1 win, the Titans have shown that they expect to be in the championship conversation for years to come. According to Rye Town/Harrison coach Jason Head, one glance at this year’s final score
Max Chalfin tangles with a Pelham player at the Brewster Ice Arena.
proves that the Titans came into Sunday’s title game with more confidence than they did a year ago, when they were trounced by an eight-goal margin by the same Pelicans team. “We were ready, we knew we could play with them and we executed,” Head said. “I think we gave a tremendous effort.” The two teams battled through a scoreless first period until Stefan Mikalos gave Pelham its first lead of the game with 1:02 remaining. Although the Titans
Ike Murov chases down a puck at the Brewster Ice Arena. The Titans lost the Division 2 Championship to Pelham for the second year in a row.
complained that goalie Joey Livornese had been interfered with, the goal stood and sent the Pelicans heading back to the locker room up 1-0. In the opening minutes of the second period, however, Rye Town/Harrison roared back, tying the game on a goal by Doug Harrison. “I think that first goal should have been waived off, but it wasn’t,” Head said. “But everyone knows the type of hockey team we are; we’ve come from behind before and we’ve been resilient all year.” Unfortunately for the Titans, Harrison’s goal would be final bright spot, as the Pelicans were able to extend their lead to 4-1 by the end of the second period and add an insurance goal in the first minute of the third. “[Pelham] did a great job getting in front of the net and disrupting things for Joey,” Head said. “And they were able to capitalize on their chances.” Despite Sunday’s loss, Head is confident that the Titans will be in a position to contend for Pelham’s crown next year. The team will graduate three key seniors, including Livornese, Harrison and leading scorer Max Picker, who finished the season with 43 goals, but return a few offensive standouts, including Jackson Schultz, and the entire defensive unit, led by Clay Korpi and Matt Milone. Sam Smith, who served as
Doug Harrison pushes the puck up the ice against Pelham on Feb. 28. Harrison scored the Titans’ lone goal in a 5-1 loss.
Livornese’s backup in net, will get the chance to vie for the starting job next year alongside a pair of freshman goalies poised to make their varsity debuts. Head is hoping that the goaltending transition will be
as smooth as when Livornese stepped into the crease after the departure of former standout Jamie Ketchebaw. “Everyone overlooked Joey [Livornese] when we had Ketchabaw, but when he got his
chance, he proved what kind of player he was,” Head said. “We know what kinds of players we have, and I’m excited to see what’s coming up.” Contact: sports@hometwn.com
Max Chalfin battles for the puck with a Pelham defender on Feb. 28. Photos/Mike Smith
SPORTS
March 4, 2016 • The MAMARONECK review • 15
Tigers capture section title ICE HOCKEY
DIVISION 1
FINALS
MAMARONECK 5 SUFFERN 1 @BREWSTER
2/28/16
Game Notes: • Will Kirk’s hat trick set the tone for Mamaroneck against the Mounties • Tommy Spero made 22 saves in goal • Mamaroneck’s first section title since 2009
By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor On Feb. 28, the Mamaroneck Tigers turned in their finest performance of the season in what was inarguably their biggest game to date. Squaring off against highly-touted Suffern at the Brewster Ice Arena, the Tigers out-skated, out-hit and outworked the Mounties to come away with a 5-1 win—and their first section title since 2009. Mamaroneck struck first,
Tiger players embrace after the final buzzer sounds at the Brewster Ice Arena.
finding the net on a Michael Carducci goal just five minutes into the first period, but the Mounties came right back, evening the score on a power play just
two minutes later. All signs pointed to the sort of back-and-forth barnburner that area fans have come to expect between the two powerhouses,
Will Kirk controls the puck against Suffern. Kirk had three goals in Mamaroneck’s decisive 5-1 win over the Mounties.
Mamaroneck celebrates after winning the Section I championship on Feb. 28. The win marks the Tigers’ first title since 2009.
until Mamaroneck, fueled by Will Kirk’s hat trick, found another gear and pulled away for good. “The kids really wanted it today, we went hard to the net and got a few early goals,” Mamaroneck coach Mike Chiapparelli said. “They showed they have the will to win and that they’ll do whatever it takes.” In addition to Kirk’s three goals, Carducci and Jason Bienstock served as the main facilitators, combining to dish out five assists on the day. Mamaroneck’s penalty kill also shined, allowing just one Suffern goal on six power play opportunities. “We took a lot of penalties and gave them some chances,” Chiapparelli said. “But our depth has been important [to] us all year and it made a difference today.” Goalie Tommy Spero notched 22 saves, including a few key stops late in the game to preserve the win. According to Chiapparelli, Spero’s effort came as no great surprise. “We know Tommy is one of
the best goaltenders in the state, if not the best,” the head coach said. “He told me when he was just 8 years old that he was going to win a section title, and now he has.” Despite coming into the playoffs as the top seed, the Tigers were nearly eliminated in the semifinal round. On Feb. 26, Mamaroneck saw its season slipping away, trailing visiting Scarsdale 2-1 with just four minutes to play, but a late rally against the Raiders kept the Tigers’ season alive. According to Spero, surviving the scare against Scarsdale put the Tigers in a good mindset heading into Sunday’s championship game. “It was a major motivation boost for us,” Spero said. “It gave us some energy and we carried that into today and we left everything we had out there on the ice.” The Tigers will take their first steps toward a potential state title on March 5, when they take on Section X champion Massena at the Sport-O-Rama. Contact: sports@hometwn.com
16 • The MAMARONECK review • March 4, 2016