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Mamaroneck REVIEW THE

April 1, 2016 | Vol. 4, Number 14 | www.mamaroneckreview.com

Former funeral home location proposed for apartments By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer A Rye-based rental agency has proposed a site plan for a four-story apartment building located on the site of a former funeral home. Elk Homes originally proposed the new apartment building in November 2015. O’Neill Funeral Home used to occupy the site dating back to 1945. The apartment building would include 13 units, comprised of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, in addition to an exercise room.

Although this apartment building is not being marketed as an affordable housing complex, two of the apartment units will be rented at a below-market rate. According to Assistant Village Planner Greg Cutler, this means that the apartments will be rented at a rate of 30 percent of 80 percent of the area median income, but the housing is not considered Section 8 or public housing. For example, in 2013, the area median income for Mamaroneck was $88,184. Eighty percent of that number is $70,547. Thirty percent of $70,547 is $21,164,

Paws of

love

A dog mingles with attendees during the 12th annual Pet Rescue Gala, held on March 4 in New Rochelle. For more, see page 10. Photo/Louis Vaccaro

and that figure is what the below-market rate would be for an apartment. The plan for the apartment building is currently in the site plan review stage. According to Cutler, the village of Mamaroneck Planning Board is requiring Elk Homes LLC to prepare additional renderings that show the proposed apartment building from different sides of the street before they move forward and near approval of the plan. Cutler added that some members of the Planning Board are concerned with the height of the building and how it would look from

a street level viewpoint. Bibbo Associates LLP, an engineering firm out of Somers, will spearhead the land development and site planning, if the project is approved. Also included in the plan were six parking spaces to be located on the site of the apartment building. Going forward, Elk Homes will, at least temporarily, remove those six spaces from their revisions to allow for more green space, according to Cutler. Cutler added that any revisions made will also have to APARTMENTS continued on page 9

Town allows building moratorium to lapse By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Officials in the town of Mamaroneck will exceed the deadline to revamp their residential site plan laws after the clock runs out on a three-month moratorium barring tear downs. According to Supervisor Nancy Seligson, a Democrat, although the town board initially planned to have a revamped site plan law in place before the moratorium lapsed, the process turned out to be more complex than expected. “We thought initially that we could change the law and pass a new law within the timeframe,” Seligson said. “But we recognized some of the requirements from the site plan law put too much of a burden on the singlefamily home.” The process, she said, may continue into late April or early May, as a recent public hearing necessitated a new draft of the law that will lead to another public hearing, tentatively scheduled for April 20. According to the supervisor, the board will continue to tinker with the law, tailoring it to affect only developments that they claim are endangering the character of their community; namely ones that regrade land, tear down trees, and add multiple homes to lots where there was previously only one. And while the current moratorium prevented such occurrences in theory, according

to Town Administrator Steve Altieri, there were no projects actually being prevented by the ban. As a result, Seligson said that she doesn’t expect any influx of projects now that the moratorium has ended. Going forward, Seligson said, part of the discussion will center on making the revamped law less burdensome on renovations to single-family homes. Current changes to the site plan law that the board has reviewed so far would require what Seligson described as a “burdensome amount” of documentation for residential construction; an amount she thinks residents shouldn’t have to undergo for a simple home addition. Therefore, she said, as part of its review process, the town will examine what threshold will trigger more stringent site plan laws. “We have to capture the community interest,” she said, “and not saddle them with too many requirements that wouldn’t have an impact.” The moratorium, which was passed on Dec. 22, 2015, was instituted as a response to what residents and town board members considered a concerning trend of residential development in the town of Mamaroneck. According to Altieri, the town has seen 23 tear downs of residential homes in the past three years. TOWN continued on page 8

2 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016

April 1, 2016 • ThE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3

Mamaroneck Review to launch new, improved website

Mamaroneck THE

REVIEW

The mamaroneckreview.com is under construction By ChRISTIAN FALCONE Editor-in-Chief If you haven’t already noticed, the website for The Mamaroneck Review has been dormant for some time now. No, we haven’t given up on the web. Rather, it’s because the site is currently under construction and a new one is being created to provide viewers with an enhanced digital version of

our Mamaroneck newspaper. This new website has been in the works for more than a month and is set to launch shortly, under the same domain name. The new mamaroneckreview.com promises to offer a fresh look, improved functionality, an array of features and a uniqueness that has long been missing from our online presence. Speaking on behalf of the

company, we’re excited to put the old, archaic site to bed in favor of launching something visually appealing and worthy of complementing our traditional print product. And on a personal note, my hope and goal is to create a website that becomes more visible, timely and slowly forms its own distinct identity. All you have to do is stay tuned. I think, this time, we got it right.

Larchmont outlines first draft of $18M budget By KILEY STEVENS Staff Writer The village of Larchmont has created its first draft of its 20162017 municipal budget, which, as it currently stands, is $18.2 million, a 1.97 percent increase over last year’s budget. To stay within the tax cap, the village would have to make approximately $390,000 in cuts. However, the village Board of Trustees has already voted to allow itself the ability to override the cap, although village officials have yet to determine if they plan to do so. Further, the village also has to deal with a budget gap of about $460,000. Property taxes are projected to increase by 3.05 percent if the budget is adopted in its current construct. There is $480,500 set aside for capital budget projects, according to Village Administrator Justin Datino. Some of those projects, which are not specifically in the budget line items, include computer and equipment upgrades for the Police Department and Village Hall, $8,500; new vehicles and equip-

ment for the Department of Public Works, $50,000; preliminary design documents for an expansion plan for the second floor of Village Hall, $15,000; and improvements to both the Police and Fire departments, $22,500. Datino added that $113,725 from village coffers will be set aside for road resurfacing, which is in addition to $116,000 the village receives from the state. Datino said that in terms of salary increases, the Police, $168,509 in total, and Fire, $49,242 in total, departments will both receive raises as identified within their contracts. However, the current budget does not include proposed raises for nonunion village employees. There are no layoffs proposed in the tentative budget as it stands. Although the current budget exceeds the tax cap of 0.12 percent by 0.38 percent, Datino indicates that there are a few ways to stay within the cap, including the possibility of staff reductions in the Fire Department, Department of Public Works and part-time clerical staff positions. In addition, recommended replacement of village computers may be put on hold, and improvements to the village’s

INSIDE THE BUDGET PROPOSED 2016-2017 VILLAGE BUDGET

Total expenditures

$18.2M

Total revenues

$17.75M

Budget gap

$460,601

Tax rate increase

3.05%

Department of Public Works’ communication radios could be cut from the capital budget. Other possibilities include stretching the road life of police patrol vehicles from 4.5 years to six years, and putting repairs to village curbs and sidewalks on hold. “This budget preserves the delivery and quality of all of the services the residents have come to expect. It does it in a very fiscally conservative way,” Datino said. Some of the major increases attributed to this year’s tentative budget include salary increases, debt services, health insurance and workers’ compensation insurance, making up the majority of the increase over the current budget. Mayor-elect Lorraine Walsh could not be reached for comment as of press time. CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com

4 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016

What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library

El miércoles, abril 6 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?’ 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.

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.

Bilingual Storytime/Hora del cuento bilingüe On Wednesday, April 6 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.

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 5 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 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.

Larchmont Public Library 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.

Saturday Sahaja Meditation

Grow It Green Expo

Every Saturday in April at 11 a.m. Imagine being able to awaken your spiritual energy and to experience and enjoy the many benefits of meditation almost immediately. Sahaja Meditation, while sharing many of the fundamentals of traditional meditation techniques, is unique because of how quickly it can help you achieve self-awareness. It is even possible to attain self-realization almost right away. Many people who practice Sahaja Meditation actually had a physical experience in their very first session. Whether you have a physical experience your first time or not, you will feel calmer, more relaxed and better focused every time you meditate. Try it for free and see.

On Sunday April 10 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Larchmont Temple, located at 75 Larchmont Ave. in Larchmont, will host the Grow It Green Expo. This is free and open to the public. The expo includes a keynote address by Kim Eierman of EcoBeneficial and workshops presented by The Sheldrake Environmental Center, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Greenburgh Nature Center, Rye Sustainability Committee and Green Jay Landscaping. Homeowners and landscape professionals can learn how to create beautiful landscapes with native plants, mulch-mowing, capturing rain water, edible gardens and heirloom seeds, all without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Meet an Olympic gold medalist On Friday, April 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Larchmont Yacht Club, located at 1 Woodbine St. in Larchmont. Meet 2012 Olympic rowing gold medalist Esther Lofgren, and learn what it takes to bring home the gold. The presentation will begin at 6 p.m. A cash bar will be available. Space is limited, so advance reservations are required. Register online at larchmontlibrary.org/rowing or call the Larchmont library Reference Desk at 834-2281. Sponsored by the Friends of the Larchmont Public Library.

Town of Mamaroneck Recreation Second annual 5K Bunny Hop Join the town for its second annual 5K Bunny Hop and 1-mile Lil Bunny Hop on Sunday, April 10. The run/walk will begin and end at Memorial Park on Myrtle Boulevard. Registration is now open through the Recreation Office. For more information, call 381-7865.

St. Thomas Episcopal Church Indoor 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. For more information or a full list of markets and vendors, visit DowntoEarthMarkets.com.

Community events Annual furniture drive On Saturday, April 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mamaroneck High School students will sponsor the annual furniture drive to benefit Westchester’s furniture bank. They will be collecting items which Furniture Sharehouse will redistribute, free of charge, to families in need. The drive will take place in the parking lot at the high school, 1000 W. Boston Post Road, rain or shine. Only basic home furniture in good condition will be accepted, so before you load up your car, please visit furnituresharehouse.org to make sure your furniture meets the donation guidelines. For more information or donation questions, contact Leslie Garwood at lgarwood10@gmail.com or 315-1982.

LMCTV Teen Summer Filmmaking Workshops Geared for young people ages 13 and up, LMCTV’s summer filmmaking workshops are an opportunity to learn hands-on video and filmmaking skills. With scriptwriting, cinematography, computer video editing and more, participants will write, shoot, direct, act in and edit their own movie. Each workshop is held Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for three weeks at LMCTV’s Studio 2, located at 145 Library Lane in Mamaroneck. Workshop I runs from July 5 to July 22 (no class on July 4) and Workshop II from July 25 to Aug. 12. Led by independent filmmaker and LMCTV staff member Dena Schumacher, the workshop is in its 16th year. Open enrollment starts now. Space is limited, so please visit lmctv. org or call Matt Sullivan at 381-2002 ext. 202 to sign up today.

Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce A Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail It is, once again, time to raise your glass on Sunday, May 1 in the village of Mamaroneck as the Chamber of Commerce hosts the 10th annual A Taste of Mamaroneck Wine Trail. Back by popular demand, this much anticipated event invites you to climb aboard the trolley and ride along to the many village restaurants for a taste of wine and a sample of their most delectable foods. Mamaroneck offers a variety of cuisines from around the world. For only $50, you can enjoy the tastes of many cultures with your family, friends and neighbors. Registration for the event will begin at 12:30 p.m. at Harbor Island Park and the trolley will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Pre-registration is strongly recommended. To have your name added to the paid guest list in advance, visit mamaroneckchamberofcommerce.org to pay with a credit card; mail your check to Mamaroneck Chamber, 430 Center Ave., Mamaroneck, NY 10543; or contact the chamber at 698-4400 or chamber10543@optonline.net. 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.

April 1, 2016 • ThE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5

Redevelopment of Rye Town Park being mulled By JAMES PERO and SIBYLLA ChIPAzIWA Review Staff Rye Town Park and the Oakland Beach area could soon see an extensive overhaul. The Rye Town Park Commission, which sets policy at the park, will mull over proposals from six applicants intent on taking over operations of the park after a recent solicitation for qualifications of potential developers and management companies. The deadline to submit qualifications was March 18. The outcome of the upcoming selection process could have farreaching effects for a park that in many ways is outdated and in need of upgrades. Among the applicants are some familiar faces to the area, including Nicholas Singer, co-founder of Standard Amusements—the management company currently in the midst of negotiating a deal with Westchester County to operate Playland—as well as the city of Rye and Dan Biederman, a developer most known for his work at Bryant Park in New York City,

but also previously affiliated with Sustainable Playland Inc., the group initially chosen to redevelop Playland before backing out. Other applications include Southwest Capital Inc., Caspi Development and Seaside Johnnies, the current restaurant overlooking the Oakland Beach area of the park. While a similar request for proposals was sent out in 2013, it attracted zero attention. The most recent round, which has asked respondents to take control of the development and operation of the park, has been a stark turnaround. According to Rye Town Supervisor Gary Zuckerman, a Democrat and member of the commission, a more aggressive method in sourcing candidates paid off this time around. “I expected that there would be a number of responses this time because [the commission] reached out more broadly than we did last time,” said Zuckerman, who took elected office this year, adding that the commission actively reached out to candidates they felt might be interested. Some of the proposals received

for Rye Town Park offer aggressive plans. Singer’s concept would bring in a wider away of events, food options and even lodging facilities, and possibly rides to the park. On the less expansive side, the city of Rye emphasized retaining the park’s current character and building on what is already there. The city and town jointly fund operations at the park and capital improvements. The park is situated along Forest Avenue in the city of Rye and incorporates 34 acres of parkland. Rye City Manager Marcus Serrano said taking over operations of the park would be more about expanding services to residents. According to Zuckerman, the commission will be tasked with sifting through the options and deciding what’s best for the park’s future. “This is the beginning of the process, not the end of it,” he said, adding that there isn’t a deadline for making a final decision and that the process will take as long as necessary. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com; sibylla@hometwn.com

A request by the town of Rye seeking new management and the possible redevelopment of Rye Town Park has attracted a field of six candidates, including some familiar faces in Rye. File photo

Town of Mamaroneck

Official Newspaper Mamaroneck Schools

6 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016

Mamaroneck THE

REVIEW 170 Hamilton Ave., White Plains, N.Y. 10601 Tel: (914) 653-1000 Fax: (914) 653-5000

Publisher | Howard Sturman ext. 21, publisher@hometwn.com Executive Vice President | Ira Ellenthal ext. 31, irathal@hometwn.com Editor-in-Chief | Christian Falcone ext. 19, chris@hometwn.com Sports Editor | Mike Smith ext. 22, sports@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 25, sibylla@hometwn.com Editorial Assistant | Suzy Berkowitz ext. 30, suzy@hometwn.com Reporter | James Pero ext. 20, james@hometwn.com Reporter | Kiley Stevens ext. 23, kiley@hometwn.com Education Reporter | Sarah Varney ext. 17, sarah@hometwn.com Graphic Designer | Arthur Gedin Graphic Designer | Jim Grasso Advertising | John Oleynick ext. 29, john@hometwn.com Advertising Coordinator | Sibylla Chipaziwa ext. 27, ads@hometwn.com Staff Writer Angela Jordan

Mamaroneck’s farmers market springs into action

By NICOLE REED Contributor On a recent Saturday morning at the Mamaroneck Winter Farmers Market, a little girl came to visit Allan Cohen at his Orwasher’s Bakery stand. She waited patiently while he talked to another customer. Her eyes lit up when he finally turned to her and said, “Good morning! Would you like your cinnamon roll?” “Yes,” she exclaimed with her arms outstretched. As she ran back to her mother, her words, “Thank you, Allan!” filled the

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Allan Cohen at the Orwasher’s Bakery stand at the Mamaroneck Winter Farmers Market.

air. Cohen turned to his customers in line and said, “I remember when her mother was pregnant with her. They come to the market every week, and now she’s 5 years old.” The Mamaroneck Winter Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, located at 168 W. Boston Post Road. It’s right off of Mount Pleasant Avenue, just two blocks away from downtown Mamaroneck Avenue. All the vendors are local farmers and food companies that travel to market and back in a day. They sell fresh fish, pastureraised meat, chicken, eggs, delicious local produce, artisanal cheese, hummus varieties, savory yogurt, breads, pickles, locally roasted coffee, baked goods, prepared foods to go and more. Farmers market shopping is also known as “direct marketing” or “relationship agriculture.” There are no middle distributors at the market. Customers buy directly from the producers. For Ed Trotta of Trotta Foods, he sells his family’s Italian specialties here because the experience goes back to his childhood when one knew the store owner. Today, he brings fresh and smoked mozzarella, a wide variety of pastas and sauces and more. He sources

his ingredients locally whenever possible and offers seasonal products, such as spring pea and goat cheese ravioli and arugula pesto. Trotta grew up in his family’s food business, but for the entrepreneur next to him, Sean Carmody of Taiim Shack Mobile, growing a small food company is a brand-new adventure. Carmody got his start as a line cook at a busy Middle Eastern restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island. When he moved back home to Westchester County, he discovered Taiim Falafel Shack in Hastings-on-Hudson. He worked for the owner, Zamir Iosepovici, until Iosepovici was ready to sell the business. Carmody was first in line to buy Taiim’s hummus line, and now he builds upon Taiim’s wellloved varieties. In discussing his plans for spring, Carmody looked across the market to the bountiful produce at Lani’s Farm stand. “I’m starting to see the sorrel come in over at Lani’s. I’m eager to see what I can create with it,” he said. Lani’s Farm is one of the most renowned farms in the region for their unique and incredible produce. Owned by farmer Steve Yoo, they currently bring 30 varieties of greens alone to Mamaroneck. They also have root vegetables, spring flowers,

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.

Fresh eggs are available at Stone and Thistle. Photos courtesy Nicole Reed

Fresh produce such as broccoli raab and red Russian kale on display at Lani’s Farm stand.

Spring pansies are in bloom at the indoor farmers market at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Mamaroneck.

dried bean varieties, frozen vegeta-bles and more. Yoo was inspired by his father to begin farming. “My father always loved to do anything related to the dirt,” he explained. Raised on a farm in Korea, his father immigrated to America as an adult in the late 1970s. While living in the Bronx, the elder Yoo would find abandoned lots to cultivate. “Wherever he found a place to grow, he’d go there, clean it up, and start planting,” he said. This is the first season Lani’s Farm has participated in the Mamaroneck Winter Farmers Market. They are known as a longstanding vendor at the Larchmont Farmers Market, and celebrated for their produce— and their sampling station. Another new addition in Mamaroneck is Go-Go Pops from Cold Spring, New York. They make delicious popsicles, as well as prepared salads and soups to eat on site or carry out. “Everything we make is all-natural. Any produce we can buy from local vendors, we do,” said

chef and owner Greg Miller. Not only are there several new vendors in Mamaroneck, the returning favorites keep introducing new products. Sohha Savory Yogurt just launched a drink made from yogurt and sea salt called aryan or doogh in the Middle East, depending on the region. They also started selling soap at the suggestion of one of their customers. Sohha co-founder, John Fout, explained that a regular customer said, “I’m going to eat half of this yogurt and put the other half on my face.” Fout was amazed, and it gave them the idea to make yogurt whey soap. “Now I have people telling me that they’ve stopped buying body creams because this soap is so regenerative,” Fout said. The Mamaroneck Winter Farmers Market runs through Saturday, April 16. The following Saturday, April 23, the Larchmont Farmers Market will open for the 2016 season in the Metro-North parking lot off of Chatsworth Avenue. Both farmers markets are managed by Down to Earth Markets.

April 1, 2016 • ThE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7

WVOX holds annual St. Pat’s broadcast

Howard Sturman, publisher of the Review newspapers, stopped by Dudley’s on the waterfront in New Rochelle for the annual WVOX St. Patrick’s Day live broadcast. Sturman also hosts his own radio show, “The Home Town Hour,” on the local radio station.

On Thursday, March 17, Dudley’s in New Rochelle played host to WVOX’s annual live St. Patrick’s Day broadcast. The event marks the festive gathering of some of the

elite in Westchester politics for a day of community celebration and camaraderie. This year, the broadcast honored Herman Geist, the former chairman of the West-

chester County Board of Legislators and director of Westchester Medical Center, and the late Sal Generoso, a New Rochelle elected official and business and civic leader.

Former Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe with Gregorio Alvarez, host of the WVOX show “Momentos Latino.” Photos courtesy Kevin Elliott

8 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016

Harrison woman wins $1M from lotto ticket The New York State Lottery announced that a woman from Harrison won a $1 million prize on a Scratch-off on Valentine’s Day. Joyce Derenzis, 56, bought the winning $5 Scratch-off ticket from Trotta’s West Street Pharmacy, located at 15 Halstead Ave., last month after a strange encounter with her mother that made the big win seem like fate. “I was with my mother who has Alzheimer’s,” Derenzis said. “She was talking to me and thought my birthday was Feb. 12. Then she looked at me and told me I was going to win a lot of money.” Feeling lucky, the former bartender and waitress purchased two tickets of Wheel of Fortune, which she chose because it is her mother’s favorite game show, and then gave them to her boyfriend to scratch. Derenzis said that when her boyfriend reappeared with the ticket, he was speechless. At first, she thought that the prize must have been a mistake. She returned to Trotta’s and had an employee scan it, who came around the corner and gave

TOWN from page 1

Since then, the trend has also spread to the village of Larchmont, which passed a villagwide six-month moratorium on residential subdivisions and demolitions after experiencing similar trends in development. The village is currently facing a

lawsuit after denying an appeal from a developer looking to tear down a historic property on 40 Ocean Ave. A second appeal for a property on Thompson Avenue will also be heard by the village Board of Trustees on April 4. Town Councilman Tom Murphy, a Democrat, said now that the moratorium has ended, the

site plan laws will revert back to “the status quo.” Neither Murphy nor Seligson were able to provide a specific timeframe for when a law might be proposed, but told the Review that one will be proposed imminently. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com

Trotta’s West Street Pharmacy, where 56-year-old Joyce Derenzis bought a Scratch-off worth $1 million on Feb. 14. Photo/Angela Jordan

Derenzis a congratulatory hug. So far, Derenzis has not announced any big plans she has for her winnings, which she has decided to take in a lump sum payment of $536,058 instead of the $1 million annuity. “I can’t think. I’m blank,” she

said. “But I do know I want to help my kids and the humane shelter; I am a big animal lover.” Derenzis is the 22nd person to win a lottery prize of $1 million or more in New York state since the beginning of the year. -Reporting by Angela Jordan

After a miscalculation, the town of Mamaroneck’s moratorium on residential development will lapse without any residential site plan law in place. File photo

Grow It Green Expo plants its seeds

Larchmont-Mamaroneck’s Grow It Green Expo will be held on Sunday, April 10 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Larchmont Temple, located at 75 Larchmont Ave. This expo, which is free and open to the public, is being held to inspire and educate the community on the best practices for yards and gardens. The expo will feature workshops from The Sheldrake Environmental Center, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, Greenburgh Nature Center, Rye

Sustainability Committee and Green Jay Landscaping. This expo will help homeowners and landscape professionals learn how to create beautiful landscapes with native plants, mulch mowing, capturing rain water, edible gardens and heirloom seeds without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The expo is sponsored by The Larchmont Environmental Committee, the village of Mamaroneck Committee on the Environment, the town of Mamaroneck Sustainability Collaborative, The Larchmont Garden Club, The Larchmont Temple Social Action Committee and Foley’s True Value Hardware Store. For more information or to pre-register for the expo, visit GrowitGreen.eventbrite.com. (Submitted)

The workshop schedule for the day will be: 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Keynote: Improving Our Environment, Yard by Yard 2:30 p.m. Healthy Soil, Beyond Pesticides 3 p.m. Water, Water, Everywhere 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em 3:30 p.m. Neighbors Gone Native Panel 4 p.m. Backyard to Table: Edible Gardens 101 4:30 p.m. Seed Basics: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, GMO, Hybrid: What’s the difference? 5 p.m. Homeowner/Landscaper networking and refreshments

April 1, 2016 • ThE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9

legal notice

APARTMENTS from page 1

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING AND ANNUAL MEETING AND ELECTION OF THE SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEES OF THE MAMARONECK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing of the qualified voters of the Mamaroneck Union Free School District, Westchester County, Mamaroneck, New York, will be held in the Tiered Classroom at Mamaroneck High School at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2016 for the presentation of the budget document. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting and Election of the Mamaroneck Union Free School District, Westchester County, Mamaroneck, New York, will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, for the purpose of voting upon: Adoption of the budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year; and 2 — Election of Two members of the Board of Education for full three-year terms, beginning July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2019, to succeed Nancy Pierson and James Needham. The vote will be taken between the hours of 7 o’clock a.m. to 9 o’clock p.m. in each of the four election districts at the following places: 1 — Central Election District: The voting place of this Election District shall be the Central School, Palmer Avenue, Larchmont New York. 2 — Mamaroneck Avenue Election District: The voting place of this Election District shall be the Mamaroneck Avenue School, Mamaroneck Avenue, Mamaroneck, New York. 3 — Chatsworth Avenue Election District: The voting place of this Election District shall be the Chatsworth Avenue School, Larchmont, New York. 4 — Murray Avenue Election District: The voting place of this Election District shall be the Murray Avenue School, Murray Avenue, Larchmont, New York. A qualified voter shall vote at the place herein above designated within the School District and Election District in which such qualified voter resides. Voting machines will be used to record the vote. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that personal registration of voters is required. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that for the purpose of preparing a register for each election district, the members of the Board of Registration shall meet at Mamaroneck High School, 1000 W. Boston Post Road, on the following day and for the indicated hours: Wednesday, May 11, 2016 Superintendent’s Office from 7:00 -10:00 a.m. Conference Room N101 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that the Board of Registration shall meet during the Annual Meeting and Election at the election districts (each elementary school) for the purpose of preparing a register for meetings or elections to be held subsequent to such Annual Meeting or Election. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that immediately upon the completion of the register so prepared by members of the Board of Registration, and not later than five days prior to Tuesday, May 17, 2016, the register shall be filed in the District Clerk’s office and thereafter shall be open to inspection by any qualified voter of the school district between the hours of 9 o’clock a.m. and 4 o’clock p.m. on each day up to and including Monday, May 16, 2016, except Sundays and also available for inspection on Saturday, May 14, 2016, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any person who shall be registered with the Board of Registration of the school district, and who has voted in 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015 in a School District election, or who shall be registered to vote in general elections, shall be entitled to vote at said election without re-registering with the School District. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that petitions nominating candidates for office of member of the Board of Education must be filed in the Office of the District Clerk, 1000 West Boston Post Road, Mamaroneck, New York, between the hours of 9 o’clock a.m. and 5 o’clock p.m. not later than thirty days preceding the date of election of members, to wit, April 18, 2016, and shall be subscribed by not less than 25 qualified voters of the district. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that copies of the text of any resolution which will be presented to the voters at this Annual Election and a statement of estimated expenses for the ensuing year will be completed and copies made available at each schoolhouse in the district in which a school is maintained, from 9 o’clock a.m. to 3 o’clock p.m. on each day other than a Saturday, Sunday or holiday during the fourteen days immediately preceding said Annual Election, to wit, May 3, 2016 to May 17, 2016, inclusive, and also on said Annual Election Day. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any and all further propositions to be placed upon the voting machines shall be by petition filed in the Office of the District Clerk not later than thirty days preceding the day of election, to wit, April 18, 2016, and shall be subscribed by not less than 64 qualified district voters. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that applications for absentee ballots may be applied for at the Office of the Clerk of the District. Such application must be received by the District Clerk at least seven days before the election, if the ballot is to be mailed to the voter, or the day before the election if the ballot is to be delivered personally to the voter. A list of all persons to whom absentee ballots shall have been issued will be available in the said office of the clerk on each of the five days prior to the day of the election, except Sundays and also available for inspection on Saturday, May 14, 2016, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. NOTICE IS FURTHER 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 By order of the BOARD OF EDUCATION Joanne Rice, District Clerk

legal notices Notice of Formation of 249 MAMA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 2/25/16. Office location: Westchester County. NY Sec. of State designated agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served, and shall mail process to 4 Rittenhouse Rd, Bronxville, NY 10708. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Grenway Partners, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on 08/13/15. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY, 11228. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of Clever Choice Electric LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State on 2/24/16. O f f i c e l o c a t i o n : We s t c h e s t e r C o u n t y. S S N Y i s d e s i g n a t e d a s a g e n t o f L LC u p o n w h o m process against it may be served.SSNY shall mail process to 255 Huguenot St., New Rochelle. NY 10801, (914) 741-6793. Purpose: any lawful activity. Notice of Formation of NDR Life Coaching, LLC. Arts of Org. filed with NY Secy of State (SSNY) on March 7, 2016. Office location: Westchester County. SSNY is designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 8 Waters Edge, Rye, NY 10805. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Elk Homes LLC, a rental agency based in Rye, has proposed a new apartment building on the former site of a funeral home in the village of Mamaroneck. Rendering courtesy Elk Homes LLC

be checked by the Harbor and Coastal Zone Management Commission for consistency against the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program, a doctrine that dictates how land located by the waterfront is developed and maintained, before the board issues the final approval for construction. A green roof plan is also proposed for the building, which would incorporate plants on

the roof space of the apartment building. Cutler told the Review that those plants would help mitigate some of the storm water that collects on a roof by entering the storm water system at a slower rate, and in turn, mitigate flooding. Residents would be able to access the roof, according to Cutler. In 2012, the village developed a comprehensive plan that was approved by the Planning Board

that identified a need for more housing within the community, according to Gary Hirsch, chairman of Elk Homes. Hirsch told the Review that his proposal is consistent with that plan. Hirsch said they will continue to revise and review the site plan, and will be back to discuss the plan further at the April 13 Planning Board meeting. CONTACT: kiley@hometwn.com

Legislator Parker to speak at LWV luncheon With government budgets under continuing stress, Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker from District 7 will discuss “Making Westchester’s Economic Development a Model of Sustainability in the 21st Century” at the League of Women Voters’ annual luncheon on Friday, April 8 at noon at the Orienta Beach Club in Mamaroneck. The luncheon is sponsored by local chapters of the League of Women Voters, including those of Larchmont-Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Rye, Rye Brook, Port Chester and Harrison. Legislator Parker has represented District 7 since 2013. She serves on the Westchester County Board of Legislators’ Environment and Energy Committee as well as the committees

for Budget and Appropriations, Labor/Parks/Planning/Housing and Community Services. According to her legislative biography, during her years on the Rye City Council prior to being elected to the county Legislature, Parker “worked hard to pass responsible budgets that added to reserves and kept to the tax cap.” She considers herself an environmentalist. “With the support and partnership of environmental groups throughout the county, Parker believes the county will move forward on legislation that reduces our reliance on fossil fuels, cleans our water and air, and protects our communities from flooding,” according to Parker’s biography. Budgeting and environmental

issues are topics of central concern to the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization aimed at engaging citizens in improving government at all levels. Proceeds from the annual luncheon benefit the local chapters and allow them to continue such activities as moderating local candidates’ debates, developing voter guides, registering new voters and hosting panels on local questions. Tickets are $55 per person and may be purchased by mailing checks made out to “LWVNYSEF” to: LWV-LM, P.O. Box 811, Larchmont, NY 10538. $15 of the ticket price is tax deductible. For more information or to purchase tickets by credit card online, visit LWVLM.org. (Submitted)

10 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016

Pet Rescue’s

annual gala a roaring success

On Friday, March 4, hundreds of animal lovers gathered at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle to party and celebrate more than 30 years of success at Pet Rescue. Since its inception in 1982, Pet Rescue has grown leaps and bounds, and the ever-expanding network of adopters, fosters and donors basked in the warmth of Friday evening knowing they are all making the world a better place, four paws at a time. The night was also a great fundraising event, and the incredibly generous outpouring of gifts for the silent and live auctions was something to behold. All the volunteers are grateful for the tremendous community support. Pet Rescue is a 501(c)(3)

From left, John Mara, of Harrison, president of the New York Giants; Harrison Mayor Ron Belmont; and Scott Shannon, of Purchase, from WCBS 101.1 FM, have a chat during the Pet Rescue Gala. Photos/Louis Vaccaro

From left, Joan Stone, of Cos Cob, Connecticut; and Arnie and Roberta Ursaner, of Purchase, get settled at a table.

nonprofit animal rescue organization founded in 1982, whose mission is to aid homeless and abused cats and dogs, provide necessary medical care and find them loving, forever homes. Since its beginning, the group

has rescued more than 15,000 animals and has earned a Guidestar Exchange Seal listing. Pet Rescue also works to decrease the population of homeless dogs and cats through its spay/neuter programs. (Submitted)

Joanie Silbergleit, left, and Jane Fastiggi, both of Mamaroneck, take a moment while browsing auction items.

From left, Anna Silverstri, of Pleasantville; Michele Haag, of Hawthorne; Jamie Prospero, of Thornwood; Natalie Gjokaj, of Thornwood; Lori Pfeiffer, of Hawthorne; and Maria Prospero, of Briarcliff, socialize over drinks and snacks.

April 1, 2016 • ThE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 11

April 2016

Planning ahead... Sunday

Monday

TueSday

WedneSday

ThurSday

Friday

SaTurday

1 Autism Awareness Month

2 NCAA Final Four

April Fools’ Day

NCAA Championship

NYS ELA Exam

VOM Board of Trustees work session 5:30 p.m., Courtroom

Mamaroneck Town Council meeting 5 p.m., Courtroom

Larchmont Board of Trustees reorganization meeting 7p.m., Village Hall

Mamaroneck school board study session 7 p.m., MHS Library Classroom

Larchmont Planning Board meeting 8 p.m., Village Center

VOM Board of Architectural Review 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Board of Trustees regular meeting 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

VOM budget review 5:30 p.m., Courtroom

TOM Sustainability Collaborative meeting 6 p.m., Larchmont VFW Deer Ad Hoc Committee 7:30 p.m., Harbor Island Park

NYS ELA Exam

World Health Day

Mamaroneck Town Council meeting 5 p.m., Town Center

The Masters begins

VOM budget work session 5:30 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Zoning Board of Appeals meeting 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Rye Neck Board of Education meeting 7 p.m., MS/HS Community Room

NYS Math Exam

VOM Council of the Arts 7 p.m., Regatta Conference Room VOM Planning Board meeting 7 p.m., Courtroom

ACT Test

NYS ELA Exam

NYS Math Exam

VOM budget review 5:30 p.m., Courtroom

Tax Day

NYS Math Exam

VOM Board of Traffic Commissioners 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Ethics Board meeting 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room

Boston Marathon

VOM Board of Trustees work session 5:30 p.m., Courtroom Larchmont Board of Trustees meeting 7p.m., Village Hall

19 Mamaroneck school board meeting 7 p.m., MHS Tiered Classroom VOM Budget Committee meeting 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room VOM Committee for the Environment meeting 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Mamaroneck and Rye Neck schools closed VOM Board of Trustees regular meeting and budget adoption 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room

Mamaroneck Town Council meeting 5 p.m., Town Center

VOM Board of Architectural Review meeting 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Earth Day Passover begins

Rye Neck Board of Education meeting 7 p.m., MS/HS Library Harbor Coastal Zone Management Commission 7:30 p.m., Courtroom

Mamaroneck and Rye Neck schools closed

VOM Recreation and Parks Commission meeting 7 p.m., Harbor Island Park

Rye Neck High School Spring Concert 7 p.m., PAC

VOM Planning Board meeting 7 p.m., Courtroom

VOM Parking Ad Hoc Committee meeting 7:30 p.m., Regatta Conference Room

Larchmont Board of Architectural Review meeting 8 p.m., Village Center

Passover ends

VOM Clean and Green event 10 a.m., Harbor Island Park

12 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016

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April 1, 2016 • ThE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 13

Let’s not be elder-hostile rHyMes es WitH craZy Zy Lenore Skenazy

Why do grandparents and their grandchildren get along so well? They share a common enemy. Okay. Old joke. But the truth is, they share another common enemy that is not a relative. It’s risk. When it comes to kids and seniors alike, society’s goal seems to be creating a zero-risk existence. This is as pointless and insulting for the older generation as it is for the younger. “Surplus safety” is what Bill Thomas calls the cosseting that goes beyond being helpful and actually dampens the joy of human existence. Thomas is a Harvard-trained doctor who has always been shocked by the way we treat elders (a term he much prefers to “seniors.”) He’s the guy behind the Eden Alternative, which, among deeper changes, also brings plants and animals into nursing homes so there’s something for folks to care for that grows and changes. He’s also the author of “What Are Old People For? How Elders Will Save the World.” And he founded the Green House Project, a kind of confusing name since it has nothing to do with greenhouses. First piloted in Tupelo, Mississippi, but now coming to Manhattan, the project replaces nursing homes with comfy, shared houses instead. The residents all live on one floor, with a big, country kitchen in the center. Days revolve around making dinner, with everyone pitching in any way they can, and then eat-

ing the meal together, staff and residents. Everyone has a purpose, and the days have meaning. It’s so simple. It makes me ill to think of elders being wheeled into institutional cafeterias with no one asking anything of them, because they’re not people anymore; they’re more like packages. Which brings us back to surplus safety—the kind that treats old people like antiques to be preserved in climate-controlled comfort where nothing ever changes. Maybe that does lengthen one’s days on earth, but old people are still humans, and humans crave novelty, even if it involves a little risk. “Risk is just the probability that things will turn out differently than expected,” Thomas explained over breakfast near Grand Central one day, when he was down from his home in Ithaca. “Now we use it mainly to mean downside risk—your car might burst into flames.” But the upside of risk is that even when something bad happens, you are now faced with something new to adjust to. For instance, if you got lost, you have to find your way home. To do this, you may have to steel yourself to ask a stranger for directions. Once you do, you realize, “Hey, that wasn’t so hard!” For kids as well as elders, Thomas says, “You need to be exposed to risk to grow. You have to be put in a situation where things can turn out differently than you expect. When we make a fetish of the downside of risk, we also get rid of the upside of risk.” Helicopter parents try to remove all risk from their kids’ lives

because the question of “What if?” is looming: “What if my child gets abducted on the two-block walk to school?” Less recognized is the way we do the same thing to our elders, denying them the joy still left in life, because what if? “Don’t go to Europe, dad. What if you get sick and you’re away from your doctor?” It’s not that we deliberately want to stunt our elders. It’s that we don’t realize how vital novelty is to the soul at any age. “From a neurological point of view, the nervous system craves novelty,” Thomas said. “It needs novelty. Without novelty, the nervous system can’t make new connections.” So how can we give novelty back to our elders, if only to make sure that when we grow old no one is saving us from new experiences? The answer is simple: We have to start believing in our elders, the same way helicopter parents have to start believing in their kids. We have to trust our loved ones to roll with some punches. These days, Thomas travels around the country hosting a multimedia presentation called The Age of Disruption Tour. On stage singing (a skill he only mastered a few years ago) and playing guitar (ditto), and sometimes striding on stilts (major ditto), Thomas asks audiences to see growing into elderhood as just another stage of life, not that different from when they grew into adulthood from adolescence. It can be a time of growth, but it’s not without risk. Or at least, it shouldn’t be.

Introducing our new restroom critic: Robert Barrows “Newspapers and magazines have all kinds of critics: movie critics, restaurant critics, theatre critics, book critics, art critics... and as a public service, they should probably have restroom critics, too,” says Robert Barrows, an advertising executive and restroom critic in San Mateo, California. “As to qualifications, I have a slightly enlarged prostate, so believe you me, I know a thing or two about restrooms.” Now, there are all kinds of restrooms. First, there are public restrooms: restrooms in trains, planes, buses; restrooms in ballparks, restrooms in gas stations, pay toilets on the street, and many more places to go when you gotta go. Next, there are the higher quality restrooms: restrooms in restaurants, restrooms in stores, in fancy hotels, and if you must, restrooms in private houses, if they’ll let you in. There are also restrooms anyplace you can get away with it: in the bushes, in an alley, behind a tree, and when you gotta go, you gotta go... just watch out for any surveillance cameras and you might want to put a hood over your face just in case someone is out there with a cam-

era phone, too. You never know when someone’s taking a picture and you could wind up all over the Internet and also on tonight’s news. So, what kinds of things might a restroom critic say? (“What a dump!” would be way too easy a thing to say and besides, it’s already been used…) Here are some thoughts about restroom criticism: If it’s an awful restroom, you could say things like: 1) Just pee there, don’t poop there. 2) Better hold your nose. 3) Be sure to watch where you step. 4) Get out of there as fast as you can. 5) Better bring your own toilet paper. 6) You expect me to sit on that thing? 7) Even my dog wouldn’t pee there. 8) Or just plain “Yuck.” If it’s a nice restroom, you could say things like: 1) Take your time and relax. 2) Enjoy a good book. 3) I’ll be sure to go there again. And, if it’s a really nice restroom, you could give it a “royal flush.” Now, along the lines of going and looking for a good place to

go when you’re on the go, Barrows has also developed a concept for a board game called “Robert’s Restroom Game.” (His wife drew a layout of it and if you would like, he can email you a PDF of the layout.) And, you could also compile a book that would make great “bathroom reading,” and you could probably get some big toilet paper company to sponsor it and give away a year’s supply of toilet paper (which will vary with every person, but I’m sure that the toilet paper companies already have the statistics on how many rolls most people use). By this time into the article, I’ve got to go, too... so please give me a call if you would like any additional information and have a comment or two. And oh, here are some words of advice from a very frequent restroom user: 1) Whenever you have to go to the bathroom, be sure to put the answering machine on, and... 2) Never force it. Happy trails! Robert Barrows, Restroom Critic Tel: 650-344-4405 Email: barrows@barrows.com Website: barrows.com

CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com

Hank is an adorable beagle/ basset mix, weighing about 38 pounds. He is so sweet and friendly, and though he loves his human foster brother, he dreams of a fur-ever home. Hank is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm-tested and microchipped. Why not donate $300 to Larchmont Pet Rescue and make Hank part of your home? To learn more, please call 8346955 or visit NY-PetRescue. org. (Submitted)

14 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016

SPORTS

Orange you glad it’s March? liVe MiKe Mike Smith

The funny thing about sports fandom is that, sometimes, it makes for strange bedfellows. As an avowed supporter of the Boston Red Sox, I’d rather chew off my right arm than root for the hated Yankees. But come August, if the Yanks find themselves out of playoff contention while the Blue Jays and Sox are battling for the division lead, you’d better believe that I’ll pull for the Pinstripes to take 2-outof-3 in a road series up in Toronto. I’m not proud of it, but I’m a practical man. But to be perfectly honest, I sometimes find myself rooting for the enemy even when my own teams don’t stand to benefit from the outcome. Sometimes you just have to support great storylines. On Sunday night, No. 10 Syracuse knocked off top-seeded

Virgina to claim a spot in this year’s Final Four. Being a lifelong fan of the Villanova Wildcats, I spent most of my life hating the Orange, one of their chief rivals in the old Big East Conference, so it came as quite a shock to some of my friends that I went nuts about Cuse’s big comeback win over the Cavaliers. One friend even asked me if I’d hit my head. But really, I was just rooting for the storyline. I mean, how many times does something like this happen? Not often. With their 68-62 win over UVA, the Orange become the first No. 10 seed in history to make it this far in the tourney. Only LSU and George Mason— two No. 11s— have made the Final Four as lower seeds. But it wasn’t just the fact that Syracuse—who many believed should not have even made the tournament—won that had me pumped. It was the manner in which they erased a 16-point deficit with nine minutes to go, putting forth the kind of effort

that defensive-minded basketball coaches will use as a teachable moment for years to come. With the season on the line, Syracuse unleashed a ferocious full-court press, forcing turnovers and generally unsettling the methodical Cavaliers as they made their way back into the ballgame. The last 10 minutes of that ballgame served as a testament to unselfishness; five men on the floor, buying fully into a gameplan and leaving every last bit of themselves on the court. Even if they fell short in the comeback bid, what Syracuse did in the second half would have been talked about for years by the Orange faithful. But as it stands now, Syracuse is just two wins away from cutting down the nets and celebrating a national title that even the most ardent fan would have believed impossible just two weeks ago. So yeah, I still hate Syracuse, but I’ll be rooting for them on April 2 when they try to take down North Carolina, who happens to

For most of his life, Sports Editor Mike Smith has rooted passionately against the Syracuse basketball team. On March 27, however, Smith couldn’t help but cheer on the Orange. Photo courtesy Wikipedia

be the last No. 1 seed still standing. It’s a heck of a story; the kind of plucky underdog narrative that sports fans are drawn to regardless of personal rooting interest. If they end up playing Villa-

nova in the finals, however, I’ll be singing a different tune. Inspiring sports tales are great and all, but I’ve been waiting a pretty long time to see my Wildcats get back to the promised land.

If I need my David and Goliath fix, I can always stream “Hoosiers” on Netflix.

Follow Mike on Twitter @LiveMike_Sports

SPORTS

April 1, 2016 • ThE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15

Panthers set to defend title By MIKE SMITh Sports Editor

Olivia Dunne throws a pitch on March 25. Photos/Bobby Begun

After claiming its first Section I title since 2002 last season, the Rye Neck softball team is retooled and eager to defend its crown. With a host of returning players and an infusion of youth, the Panthers are hoping for big things in 2016. Last year, the Panthers stormed through the postseason and knocked off four-time Class C champion Valhalla in the section finals. This spring, a handful of returning starters hope to lead the Panthers back to the playoffs and add to the legacy left by last year’s squad. “We’ve got six returning players and the great thing is that all six players played last year,” head coach Joan Spedafino said. “They respected the seniors who left, and they are looking to continue on in their footsteps.” This year, the Panthers feature four senior captains, as Jackie DeCiccio, Rosella Salanitro, Nicole Yannuzzi and Katie Fraoli will provide the veteran leadership Rye Neck will need to continue on its current path. The key to the Panthers’ success this year will be its battery. Samantha Yannuzzi, who has spent the last three years behind

Rosella Salanitro digs a ball out of the dirt. Salanitro will be one of the veteran leaders on this year’s team.

Alicia Rodriguez takes a swing during a preseason scrimmage.

the plate for Rye Neck, will once again handle catching duties, while Olivia Dunne, who started in the infield for Spedafino last year, will be tasked with replacing hurler Diana King, who racked up 258 strikeouts last season en route to being named the Westchester/Putnam Softball Player of the Year. The head coach believes that Dunne could turn some heads this season. “I’ve seen a lot of good things from her,” Spedafino said. “She’s spent a lot of time in the offseason getting stronger and working on her pitches, so we’re seeing her increase her speed and her accuracy.” The Panthers will also feature a few new faces in Alexa Garcia, who will likely serve as the team’s shortstop, and Alicia Rodriguez, who will play first base and spell Dunne on the mound. “Having the new players, I think everyone has adjusted nicely,” Spedafino said. “Everybody is just being open-minded and working hard.” The Panthers open the season on April 4 against Haldane, and will once again be playing in a tough league that includes Dobbs Ferry, Hastings, Irving-

Mary Cintron fields a groundball during a March 25 scrimmage at Rye Neck High School. Cintron is one of several players hoping to make an impact for the Panthers this season.

ton and Blind Brook. On April 30, Rye Neck will travel across town to take on Mamaroneck in the annual “Pink Game,” which is played to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. Even though there are some question marks for the Panthers’ newer players, the head coach knows that her squad will need

to be ready for each and every game. “Absolutely, whoever is the reigning champ, other teams want to come out and play them and beat them,” she said. “But we can’t look at it like that, we just have to try to come out and get better every single day.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com

16 • The MAMARONeCK Review • April 1, 2016