Mamaroneck REVIEW THE
February 24, 2017 | Vol. 5, Number 8 | www.mamaroneckreview.com
Sandbox brings Building Dept. protocol under scrutiny
BRAVE THE SHAVE
By JAMES PERO Staff Writer
Next month, Molly Spillane’s will host its first St. Baldrick’s event in support of the largest private funder of cancer research grants. With a goal of shaving 40 heads and $15,000 in donations, the event will provide an opportunity for local residents to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer cures. For story, see page 6. Photo courtesy stbaldricks.org
Shore Acres fire, investigation may lead to demolition By JAMES PERO Staff Writer Following a recent blaze on a single-family home in the village of Mamaroneck’s Shore Acres neighborhood and a subsequent investigation for possible arson, the village will push for the remaining structure’s
total demolition. The fire, which took place earlier this month at 947 Shore Acres Drive, suddenly engulfed a vacant home that has sat unoccupied for nine years. According to Village Manager Richard Slingerland, despite the home’s vacancy, evidence discovered at the scene of the
fire and apparent “activity” in the house have spurred an investigation from the Westchester County Cause and Origin team which is designed to handle instances of possible arson. “The building was completely involved, meaning there were flames throughout, which is highly unusual,” Slinger-
land said. “When the [village] Fire Department showed up, the building was completely engulfed.” In the meantime, the village Building Department will conduct an analysis of the damaged house to deem whether or not the FIRE continued on page 8
As the village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees takes preliminary steps toward revising village zoning code to accommodate the now-controversial Westchester Sandbox Theatre, the efficacy of the village Building Department has fallen under scrutiny. Last week, the village board voted to schedule a public hearing on a resolution that would alter C-1 zoning districts villagewide to allow for “performing arts studios” and “performing arts schools” to apply for special permits. The initiative—which comes after the East Boston Post Road theater was cited with multiple building code violations and found to be non-compliant with zoning laws in December— marks a shift in an approach which would have altered the entirety of the C-1 district to allow theaters seating up to 125 people. According to Trustee Keith Waitt, a Democrat, the ideological shift from board Democrats comes as a result of concerns over how theaters would continue to negatively affect noise and traffic in surrounding neighborhoods. “The idea of having theaters in a C-1 district was not acceptable,” Waitt said. “There is no
real place to have a theater.” Mayor Norman Rosenlbum, a Republican, who initially criticized Democrats’ hesitance toward approving a change in C-1 districts, said that he will keep an open mind on upcoming changes. “I’m very much in favor of continuing a review,” Rosenblum said. Residents that live near the theater—more than a dozen of which showed up to a recent public hearing on the topic— have complained of excessive noise, parking conditions, and, as a result of attendance, safety concerns, since the issue over Sandbox boiled to the surface last month. According to village resident Meg Yergin—who lives adjacent to the theater—while complaints are just now surfacing regarding Sandbox, the conditions have been ongoing for some time. “Right now in the small stretch of [Boston] Post Road, between Sophia Street and the end of Stuart Avenue, our neighborhood contends with five popular businesses operating without a parking lot,” said Yergin, citing various storefronts in the area like Sandbox and a popular restaurant, Andrea’s 25 North. “The majority of these businesses operate into the night, disturbing our quiet neighborhood.” SANDBOX continued on page 5
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February 24, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 3
Save the Sound ‘frustrated’ with lack of progress By JAMES PERO Staff Writer With a federal lawsuit alleging EPA violations between the environmental advocacy group Save the Sound and Westchester County approaching the two-year mark, officials at the nonprofit are growing increasingly impatient with alleged inaction on the part of several communities. “Save the Sound is frustrated with the lack of progress,” said Tracy Brown, director of Save the Sound’s Western programs. “We need schedules with more meaningful deadlines than what [defendants] brought to the table.” A settlement conference was held earlier this month and allowed the 11 municipalities named in the suit to update both a state district judge and members of Save the Sound on where their respective communities stand. Brown, who attended the conference, said that while schedules outlining work have been drawn up for most of the
communities, some continue to lag behind. So far, aside from the village of Mamaroneck, which was under a 2014 consent order from the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, DEC, to conduct an evaluation of its sewers, Brown said other communities have floundered in taking significant steps toward doing the same. “We’re asking for—in the case of each of the communities in the Long Island Sound watershed—[communities] to do a Sanitary Sewer Evaluation Study and then have a coordinated strategy for their repairs,” she said. A lawsuit filed in 2015 originally targeted the named communities’ adherence to the EPA’s Clean Water Act, alleging that deficient and neglected sewer infrastructure has led to untreated waste entering the Long Island Sound via sanitary sewer overflows. But Roger Reynolds, legal director for Save the Sound, said that federal suit has since been put “temporarily on hold.”
“We are working toward a resolution where the [municipalities] would create a regional solution,” Reynolds said. “But if that doesn’t happen, then the litigation process—which is not ideal—would be the way to go.” Specifically, Reynolds said, instead of litigation, the group will push to see greater cooperation between communities who manage common infrastructure and are situated in a mutual network of waterways, and ideally a more clearly defined assessment of the problem itself. “It’s not about any specific town or community, it’s the entire problem,” Reynolds said. “It’s one big system that flows in and out of each other.” Reynolds said similar cooperative solutions have shown some efficacy in the past, some of which are taking place in New York state. Reynolds points to a similar effort launched in Albany, New York, in 2015 that leveraged a DEC consent order to bring multiple cities, villages and towns together to rectify pollution spurred by deficient sewer
As a lawsuit alleging EPA violations in many of Westchester’s Sound Shore communities drags on, members of the environmental advocacy group Save the Sound, which sued the county in 2015, are growing increasingly impatient. File photo
infrastructure under mandated deadlines. Among the initiatives to stem from a consent order in Albany, are various intermunicipal sewer agreements that also add clear deadlines and definitions to communities’ pollution problems. According to Reynolds, a settlement with the Westchester communities named in the lawsuit may be nearing. He estimated a decision may be coming in the next two months. “We just really want to see
the problem get solved,” he said. Due to ongoing litigation, Mamaroneck Village Manager Richard Slingerland declined to comment. Rye City Attorney
Kristen Wilson could not be reached for comment, as of press time. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
WESTCHESTER COMMUNITIES NAMED IN FEDERAL LAWSUIT • Harrison • Larchmont • Mamaroneck town and village • New Rochelle • Pelham Manor
• Port Chester • Rye City • Rye Brook • Scarsdale • White Plains
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What’s going on... Mamaroneck Public Library
Visit mamaronecklibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs.
Bilingual Storytime / Hora del cuento bilingüe On Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. A drop-in Spanish and English storytime for children ages 6 months to 7 years old with siblings and caregivers. Lunes de 10:30 a.m. hasta 11 a.m. Una hora del cuento en español y inglés para niños de los 6 meses a 7 años con hermanos y cuidadores/as.
Teacher in the Library On Mondays from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Children’s Room. Free homework help for children in grades K–5 when school is in session. This program follows the Mamaroneck school district schedule.
College planning presentation On Wednesday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. Join Novella Advisors founder
Dr. F. Tony Di Giacomo for a presentation and discussion on the many choices parents and students must make during high school. Learn essential study skills; course sequencing plans starting as early as eighth grade; authentic resume building; cultivating personal agency; identifying vocations and careers; navigating the complexity of today’s admission process; and take home tangible tactics. RSVP to Ellen McTyre at emctyre@wlsmail. org or 698-1250. If you can’t attend this session, email tony@novellaadvisors.com for future dates.
ian name, telephone number, email address, school name and grade in school. Questions? Please call the Teen Library at 630-5875.
Church is located at 168 W. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. For more information, visit downtoearthmarkets.com.
Larchmont Public Library
At Home on the Sound
Gentle Chair Yoga with Arlene
AARP income tax assistance On Fridays through April 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Room. AARP tax aide volunteers will offer free tax preparation and assistance at the Mamaroneck Public Library. Assistance is available on a drop-in basis for seniors and low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
Free SAT practice test On Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Community Room. For students in grades 7–12. This is your chance to register for an academic practice SAT exam. Upon registration, Adam Ratner, Brienza’s Academic Advantage advisor, will schedule a score report review at a time convenient for you. During the session, he will breakdown your score to understand areas of strength and weakness and develop a custom preparation plan. To register, please email mamkteens2017@ gmail.com and include your name, parent/guard-
Visit larchmontlibrary.org for more information on library hours and programs.
Annual Larchmont Spelling Bee Registration is open now through Thursday, March 23. The fifth annual Larchmont Spelling Bee has become a community tradition and is one you don’t want to miss. Team registration is now open and is available online at friendsoflarchmontlibrary.org/spellingbee. Entry forms are also available at the front desk of the Larchmont library. The spelling bee will be held on Sunday, April 2 at 4 p.m. in the Social Hall at Larchmont Temple, located at 75 Larchmont Ave. in Larchmont.
Rare Archie Comics memorabilia exhibit A touring exhibit of Archie Comics memorabilia is currently on display in the Burchell Children’s Room at the Larchmont Public Library. The collection on display is owned by Nancy Silberkleit, who took over as CEO of Archie Comic Publications in 2008 following the death of her husband, Michael, whose family owned the business since the 1940s. The exhibit includes licensed products related to Archie and his gang, including pins, perfume, a key chain, a puzzle, a baseball cap, a Veronica doll, and other novelty items. Many are one-of-a-kind items and quite rare. The exhibit is on view throughout February during normal library hours and is free.
Downsizing Your Home On Wednesday, March 1 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Village Center. No registration required. If you’re thinking of selling your home and finding a more carefree, liberating life, then this free seminar was designed precisely for you. There will be a panel of industry experts who will provide valuable advice and helpful tips on topics that include how make your home market-ready, the value of staging your home, whether or not remodeling is a good idea and a good value, and what to look for in new properties such as condominiums. Refreshments will be available.
Stories and Crafts: Dr. Seuss’ Birthday On Thursday, March 2 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For ages 5 to 7. Online registration required. Come on in for a fun storytime, with cats in hats and stories that rhyme. Then celebrate Seuss with a fun birthday treat that you make yourself and then get to eat.
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Down to Earth Winter Farmers Market On Saturdays through April 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check out local vendors offering food of the season and other goodies. St. Thomas Episcopal
On Monday, Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. Yoga instructor Arlene Towers specializes in yoga for older adults. This class is appropriate for men and women at all fitness levels. Fee: $10 payable to the instructor. Open to At Home on the Sound members only. The class will be held at United Methodist Church, 546 E. Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. Visit athomeonthesound.org for more information.
Louis Uchitelle talk On Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Journalist and author Louis Uchitelle has covered economics and business for The New York Times since 1980. He has taught journalism for many years at Columbia University. Don’t miss this enlightening and informative presentation about manufacturing, subsidized markets, the influence of multinational corporations, the trade deficit, employment, and the preservation of manual skills in a nation that once valued them highly. Free and open to the public. Refreshments served at 3:30 p.m., lecture begins at 4 p.m. at Russel Hall in Larchmont Avenue Church, 60 Forest Park Ave. in Larchmont.
Larchmont-Mamaroneck Senior Center Painting classes Enrollment is now open for painting classes at the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Senior Center. Classes take place every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the VFW Post, located at 1288 Boston Post Road. Students bring their own supplies. Oils, acrylics, color pencils, pastels and watercolors are taught by Patricia Miner-Sutherland. For more information, contact Cathy at 834-8840.
Furniture Sharehouse MHS annual furniture drive On Saturday, March 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mamaroneck High School students will sponsor their annual furniture drive to benefit Furniture Sharehouse, Westchester’s furniture bank. They collect items, which Furniture Sharehouse redistributes free of charge to families in need. The drive takes place in the parking lot of Mamaroneck High School, at 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. Furniture Sharehouse helps you “recycle with a difference!” For more information, or donation questions, please contact Leslie Garwood at lgarwood10@gmail.com or 315-1982. 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.
February 24, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 5
Rye schools find new supt. in Chappaqua
SANDBOX from page 1
By FRANCO FINO Staff Writer
With the zoning laws governing the Westchester Sandbox Theatre under scrutiny by the village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees, processes and protocol at the village Building Department will also take a front seat. Photo courtesy Westchester Sandbox Theatre
Trustee Leon Potok, a Democrat, said that if the owner of Sandbox, Dan Ferrante, had not failed to renew a special permit granted in 2008, the board may have had a chance to review issues regarding the theater’s impact on surrounding residents. “Unfortunately for the Sandbox, when its special permit expired in 2011, they didn’t come back for renewal,” said Potok at the public hearing last week. “All of the issues that have arisen in the last six years would have come up if they had come back for a special permit.” According to Building Department records, Ferrante, on behalf of the theater, was required to apply for a special permit in 2008 to operate a “dance and music school.” While that permit was granted in the same year, it expired in 2011, and according to multiple members of the Board of Trustees, it was never renewed. Ferrante told the Review earlier this month that he was “unware” that the permit had expired. While the Board of Trustees will now consider a change in zoning code that would allow for the Sandbox and businesses
like it to provide acting classes and small-scale rehearsals via a special permit process, Potok said the engine driving the theater’s violation of the zoning code—in addition to the violations of the state fire code— may be a more fundamental problem. Among the building code violations were multiple electrical violations, and also New York state fire code violation issues as a result of the theater section of the building’s lack of a sprinkler system. To help address the flaws in enforcement, Potok said that the village board may be inclined to turn inward and assess what he described as gaps in the Building Department’s enforcement. This week, the Board of Trustees began initial discussions on how to best streamline and clean up Building Department procedures and processes. “We’ll retain a consultant with experience in municipal operations,” Potok said. “It’s a question of what the processes are, and whether or not they can be improved upon so we don’t have things falling through the cracks.”
HAVE A NEWS TIP? CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REPORTER
Potok added that the village will be evaluating processes of the Building Department as opposed to personnel. Recently, a controversial business, Ralph’s Italian Ices & Ice Cream, located just across the street from the Sandbox Theatre on Boston Post Road, has been the subject of public backlash and scrutiny from village land use boards after it was deemed wrongly classified as a retail establishment by the Building Department last summer. According to Trustee Victor Tafur, a Democrat, Ralph’s is just another example of a flawed process. “[Ralph’s and Sandbox] are two reflections of issues with interpreting the code and the timing of the enforcement,” Tafur said. “It raises a lot of flags.” A change in village zoning law allowing Sandbox to continue its operations as an acting school will be vetted by the board and an interested public in the coming weeks, with the first public hearing on the proposed change set to take place in early March. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
JAMES PERO
james@hometwn.com
The Rye City School District Board of Education has found its man, naming Dr. Eric Byrne as its next superintendent. Byrne, who has been serving as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at the Chappaqua Central School District for six years, will formally be appointed to the position at the next board meeting on Feb. 28, and he will officially take over as superintendent on or around July 1. “It’s an honor and privilege to have been selected as the finalist for the position,” Byrne said. “The reputation of the Rye City School [District] is quite incredible, and I look forward to working with their terrific faculty and strong administrative team.” Byrne began his career in education as a science teacher in the New York City public schools. He received his doctorate and a master’s degree in education from Fordham University; he also received a degree in natural science from Fordham.
The Rye City Board of Education has announced the selection of Dr. Eric Byrne as its next district superintendent of schools. Photo courtesy Rye City School District
“After a rigorous selection process, the choice was clear,” said Board of Education President Katy Keohane Glassberg. “Dr. Eric Byrne’s background and experience as a leader in curriculum development and implementation is extraordinary.” In October 2016, Byrne was appointed as the acting superintendent of the Chappaqua school district for a brief stint, following the resignation of former Superintendent Lyn McKay, who stepped down while wrestling
with the sexual abuse scandal of teacher Christopher Schraufnagel; Byrne served in that capacity until January 2017. He also previously served as principal of Chappaqua’s Roaring Brook Elementary School. As for the Rye district, Byrne said it would be premature to highlight a blueprint for the future; however, he said he will begin an “extensive entry process” once appointed. He added that, as part of that process, he will meet with stakeholders groups, administrators and teachers to devise a comprehensive plan. “First, I want to take a look at what’s happening in Rye; see the strengths and opportunities for the district, and then we’ll have a much better sense of a plan,” he said. Byrne will take over for Dr. Brian Monahan, who has been serving as the district’s interim superintendent since Aug. 1, 2016, following the departure of Dr. Frank Alvarez, who stepped down from the post in July 2016. CONTACT: franco@hometwn.com
6 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Mamaroneck THE
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ranked as the team with the top donations, having raised more than $2,000. “If we can just help one child with the funds raised here… it’s great for everyone,” Carty said. Carty explained that one of the reasons the charity appeals to him is that St. Baldrick’s provides you with a list of cancer fighters and survivors in your area so that you can sponsor your own St. Baldrick’s event. This year, Molly Spillane’s is honoring 8-year-old Margaret Sheker from Larchmont. Sheker is a cancer survivor, having overcome acute lymphoblastic leukemia, which is a form of blood and bone marrow cancer. Ashley Ferrara, co-organizer
By TAYLOR BROWN General Assignment Reporter Molly Spillane’s is hoping to bring the Mamaroneck community together to “brave the shave” at its first annual St. Baldrick’s event. For the past eight years, Stephen Carty, owner of Mickey Spillane’s in Eastchester and Molly Spillane’s in the village of Mamaroneck, has hosted a St. Baldrick’s head-shaving event at Mickey Spillane’s to raise awareness for childhood cancer. Over this time, the bar has managed to raise more than $300,000. With a new location scheduled this year, Carty is hoping for a high turnout and for Molly Spillane’s to raise $15,000. As of press time, they have raised more than $4,000. The event will be held at Molly Spillane’s in Mamaroneck on Saturday, March 25. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to raise funds to help find cures for children with cancer, was started in 1999 by Tim Kenny, John Bender and Enda McDonnel, who came up with the idea to raise donations by promising to shave their heads. The idea behind the event is to show solidarity with children who have lost their hair from chemotherapy. Leading up to the event, participants raise money to be donated to the charity. In 2016, there were 1,233 St. Baldrick’s events held worldwide and more than $38 million raised. The St. Baldrick’s Foundation prides itself on being “the largest private funder of childhood cancer research grants.” Its website goes on to explain that 70 percent of the money raised every year goes toward research, 26 percent of funds goes toward fundraising for the events, and 4 percent goes toward the business side of the charity.
St. Baldrick’s attendees shave their heads to show solidarity with children who lose their hair from cancer treatment.
“As charities go, it’s one that I felt was so upfront, no question where the money was going,” Carty said. Carty added that he intends to host St. Baldrick’s at Molly Spillane’s for eight years, and then switch back to Mickey Spillane’s for another eight. The owner explained that Mickey Spillane’s had a lot of involvement from police and fire departments. “Our first event [that] we had in Eastchester, it really was community driven,” Carty said. To date, the Eastchester EMS has gotten involved with Molly Spillane’s and is currently The first St. Baldrick’s event was held on St. Patrick’s Day, making green a popular color at these events. Photos courtesy St.Baldricks.org
Molly Spillane’s has a fundraising goal of $15,000. The money raised from these events goes toward cancer research grants.
of the event and director of banquets at Molly Spillane’s, said she is working on reaching out to another local child as well. This is Ferrara’s first year participating
in fundraising for St. Baldrick’s and although she doesn’t intend to shave her head, she has CONTINUED on next page
February 24, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 7 already raised $800 of her $2,000 goal. The event has gotten everyone in the Molly Spillane’s family involved. Jake Terenzi, a part-time bartender at Molly Spillane’s and co-organizer of the St. Baldrick’s event, said that getting on board with the event was an easy decision. He said that it sounded like a great idea, and wanted to help out as much as he could. When he first got involved with the event he hadn’t planned on shaving his head, but has since changed his mind. “It’s for the kids, I mean why not. Hair eventually grows back,” he said. Terenzi explained he has two goals for the event. One is to raise $2,000; he is currently at $525. His other goal is to get as many people to shave their heads as possible, which he explained has been harder than raising donations. Last year, Mickey Spillane’s was able to get 38 “shavees”; Molly Spillane’s has a goal for this year of 40 people. As of press time, Molly Spillane’s has more than 10 people signed up to shave their heads, including Carty’s wife, Geraldine Carty. “My wife, five years
ago, shaved off her hair,” Carty said, adding that she raised roughly $20,000, and now shaves her head every year for the event. Ferrara said that Trendon Lynch and Liam Quinn, both bartenders, are also planning to have their heads shaved. And as the event day nears, Carty is hoping to get more of the local police and fire departments, and even the mayor, to participate. “We’d love everyone to get involved, [because cancer] has touched everyone’s life,” Carty said. CONTACT: taylor@hometwn.com
Molly Spillane’s event 211 Mamaroneck Ave. Mamaroneck, NY March 25, 6 p.m.
In 2016, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation saw a total of 46,261 shavees. As of now, there are more than 13,900 shavees registered. Photo courtesy St.Baldricks.org
8 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Daniel Warren students celebrate 100 days
FIRE from page 1
structure is unsafe and should be allowed to stand. According to state law, the village may order the demolition of the home and charge the cost of its destruction back to the property owner, Norris Fox— who is listed as the most recent owner according to property records—but will first be required to wait a state-mandated period of time designed to give homeowners an opportunity to remedy the situation. The process, Slingerland said, could take up to a month. The home has been vacant for nearly a decade, stuck in limbo as a so-called “zombie house.” These homes, many of which came as a side effect of the 2008 housing crisis, are characterized by their longstanding vacancy, mired in the processes of foreclosure and bank-owned mortgages. Oftentimes, during long periods of transient ownership, houses stuck in foreclosure limbo will deteriorate to unsafe conditions. Slingerland said the village has approximately 20 of such homes like 947 Shore Acres
After a blaze extensively damaged a property in the village’s Shore Acres neighborhood, officials will look to seize upon state law to knock the structure down. Photo/James Pero
Drive which are in various stages of foreclosure. According to a lawsuit launched by Citimortgage in 2014 against Fox, both the bank and the county sought to foreclose on the house’s $565,000 mortgage. Mayor Norman Rosenblum, a Republican, who called the damaged structure an “extreme danger,” said homes like 947 Shore
Acres Drive aren’t isolated. “This is something that directly affects the immediate neighborhoods and overall village,” he said. Among the issues, he said, are aesthetics and the potential danger when falling into dilapidation. CONTACT: james@hometwn.com
Daniel Warren Elementary School kindergartners celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 14. Photo courtesy Rye Neck school district
Daniel Warren Elementary School kindergartners celebrated the 100th day of school on Feb. 14 by using the number 100 in a variety of ways. Through the meaningful and enriching activities, students commemorated how much they have grown and learned since September. “Every day in our morning
meeting we count the days of school, which builds a number sense for the kindergartners,” teacher Connie Levin said. “One hundred is a very big number to them and the activities helped make it into something concrete and much more tangible.” Throughout the day, the students practiced counting to 100 by ones and 10s, solved
puzzles, constructed necklaces and shared their creative art projects, which were made out of 100 items, for the milestone event. Besides having fun on their 100th day of school, the students also gained a better understanding of place value and numbers through the activities. (Submitted)
Harper is a sweet and friendly boy, about a year old and 30 pounds. He knows some basic training, loves playing in the yard with all his furry friends, and seems to be housebroken, too. He would do best in a home with a fenced-in yard and older children due to his lively, puppy-like personality. Harper is neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, and microchipped. Make him part of your family for an adoption donation of $300 to Pet Rescue. To meet Harper, call 834-6955, visit NYPetRescue.org, or meet him in person at 7 Harrison Ave. in Harrison. (Submitted)
February 24, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 9
10 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 24, 2017
Business Briefs BioInc@NYMC forum focuses on growing, supporting innovation
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino offered congratulations and thanks to Danone North America, which recently announced it will remain in Westchester County and move its headquarter offices and accessory food laboratory to downtown White Plains. The new location at 100 Bloomingdale Road will become home to more than 400 Danoners beginning early next year during a move to a re-imagined space that previously served as a retail location. “Danone North America is a terrific company,” Astorino said. “Westchester is proud to be a past partner and is excited to be part of its future success. Many thanks to Danone for its continuing investment in Westchester.” Danone’s North American companies, which include well-known brands such as Dannon and Evian, said in a press release that it recognizes that today’s talent prefers to be in an open and flexible working environment that inspires creativity and inclusiveness. Key factors in the relocation decision were the development of a modern, flexible workplace that will fully leverage technology, enhance collaboration, and align with the company’s unique culture and global brand, along with the location in a vibrant community accessible via mass transit. “We prioritized efficient and flexible design solutions for the changing style of our workplace that we envision for our future,” said Dessislava Miteva, the company’s chief people officer and vice president of human resources. “Increasingly we are working in open and flexible spaces that can adapt to the continually evolving needs of our company and our people. We want as much open space as possible to maintain the sense of community we currently have, to encourage informal and ad-hoc communication, and to ensure as much freedom and autonomy as possible in an energetic and exciting workplace. Additionally, being within walking distance to restaurants, shopping and mass transit are important for our company.” Economic viability of the needed construction and ongoing operating and tax considerations were also factors in the site selection, the company said. Danone North America has been working closely with the state of New York, Westchester County and the city of White Plains to secure the assistance needed to help support Danone North America’s growth agenda. Pivotal to Danone North America’s plans were the approval of a zoning amendment by White Plains to allow the company to move its accessory food laboratory, as well as the financial assistance awarded by the county’s Industrial Development Agency and by the state of New York, Empire State Development through its Excelsior Jobs Program and Capital Grant programs. This support will allow the company to expand its operations, attract new talent, update its office design, and retain its research and development team’s innovative accessory food laboratory. “We are deeply grateful for the support and patience of the city, county and state, which have helped to keep our company in the area and allow us to significantly update and upgrade the setting in which we work, which will allow us to continue to be a significant contributor to community stability and growth here in White Plains,” Miteva said.
Innovative industries, including biomed and tech, have put the Hudson Valley on the map and attracted researchers, entrepreneurs, and startups to New York state. Expert panelists shared their thoughts on growing innovation in New York, the impact it has on the economy, and obstacles that researchers and inventors face. As 2017 begins, these industries look to Congress to protect their intellectual property rights to their inventions, technologies, and advances in medicine that make them successful job-creators in the Hudson Valley. The panel was held at BioInc at New York Medical College, BioInc@NYMC, and moderated by Randi Schwartz, director of BioInc@NYMC and associate dean for academic administration at New York Medical College School of Medicine. The panel featured experts including Larry Gottlieb, president and CEO of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, HVEDC; Amy Gallup Klann, Ph.D., counsel at Leason Ellis; Marc Zemel, managing director at MKM Ventures, CEO and co-founder of MOE Medical Devices and Retia Medical; Josephine Young, associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; and Brian Pomper, executive director of the Innovation Alliance. Nathan Tinker, executive director of NewYorkBIO, was a guest speaker. The health care industry in the Hudson Valley, which includes pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical companies, is the largest area employer, as with 2015 data gathered by the HVEDC reporting 158,707 jobs. Additionally, area medical research universities like panel host New York Medical College provide a highly skilled workforce, and also fuel a need for inventors in the life sciences. “BioInc@NYMC is like no other resource in the Hudson Valley. We’re proud to offer biotech entrepreneurs and startups a place to launch successful businesses. We welcome the Innovation Alliance to New York, in an ongoing effort to connect our local innovators with a strong network and up-to-date information on issues that impact them directly,” Schwartz said. “Innovation isn’t a linear concept. Even though we wish it were to be as simple as having an idea, executing a plan, and seeing success, to be truly competitive and successful in 2017 we must take many factors into consideration. Knowing the regulatory policies in place, the patent system to protect our work, the latest in academia and research, how to connect with investors—innovators take an idea and create so much more. Like any attentive constituency, the Innovation Alliance exists to help educate and advise from a first-hand perspective, and we are proud to be here today in the Hudson Valley alongside such great talent,” Pomper said. “New York is home to a bioscience community that is unparalleled—not only do we have one of the largest communities in the world, but the strongest in terms of resources, jobs, academia, clinical trials, and innovators. NewYorkBIO exists to support the development and growth of New York’s life science industry and today’s discussion explored some of the most important issues to our members, including protecting intellectual property rights and supporting patent holders. I’ve had a chance to meet some of the Hudson Valley’s inventors and patent holders at today’s
event, and I’m happy to be here at BioInc at New York Medical College to visit their innovative space,” Tinker said. “Today’s panel demonstrated not only the variety in talent in the Hudson Valley, but the variety of opportunities and resources available to entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers. My experience in biology, coupled with my current legal practice focus on the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, has allowed me to experience many important proceedings and analyses,” Gallup Klann said. Zemel shared his story of innovation and growth as an entrepreneur here in the Hudson Valley. As the CEO and co-founder of two startup, he knows the challenges of developing specialized technology and growing a business. Since 2011, he has helped oversee the advancement of MOE Medical Devices, a startup developing nanosecond pulsed electrical plasma treatments for dermatology, and Retia Medical, a cardiovascular monitoring company, in his role as CEO. Additionally, Zemel holds 18 patents (issued or pending) and understands the importance of the U.S. patent system. “I’m a patent-holder, and I have worked long hours over the years to bring my ideas to fruition. I’m proud to call the Hudson Valley home, and to be surrounded by support I need to survive. Our elected officials must hold the highest priority in protecting the small inventors, like me, who contribute to the American economy. This includes voting against legislation that weakens our patent system—for without the patent system, I wouldn’t be here today,” Zemel said. Startups have found success in Westchester County due to its close proximity to New York City, the opportunity to collaborate with other small and mid-sized businesses in the area, and the business-friendly environment fostered by the HVEDC. The Hudson Valley manufacturing industry is an integral partner of the area’s biomed and tech innovators and has contributed 44,800 jobs in the region, according to a 2016 NYS Labor Department Report. This industry innovates new processes and technologies that help area businesses produce a more advanced product for the client, in a shorter amount of time. “The Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation is proud of how far our region has
come, in terms of innovation and job growth. NY BioHud Valley is a great example of how we’ve taken a cluster and turned it into a strong network of biomed and biotech companies—and it is vital we stay on the cutting edge of policy changes and proposals to help our members succeed and bring jobs to New York,” Gottlieb said. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Commerce found that intellectual property industries supported 45 million jobs and contributed $6 trillion dollars to the U.S. gross domestic product. Yet also in 2016, legislation was introduced in Congress that proposed broad changes to the patent system that would hinder the ability for inventors to protect their intellectual property rights. At the BioInc@ NYMC panel, innovators and patent-holders in the Hudson Valley voiced their concern for potentially harmful legislation in 2017. A working paper conducted by Harvard Business School and New York University professors for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 2016 found that innovation and startups benefit immensely from the protections patents offer. Obtaining a patent sets a startup up for long-term success: employment growth increases by 36 percent after the first patent is approved, and sales growth increases by 51 percent over the next five years. The study also found that patents help many innovators reach the ultimate financial goal. A startup with a patent approval is twice as likely to end up listed on the stock exchange. American innovators, abundant in the Hudson Valley, look to lawmakers to prioritize policies that protect and promote their work. Although much remains to be seen as the new incoming administration sets its legislative priorities, innovation remains the backbone of the Hudson Valley and the U.S. The BioInc@NYMC panel and event offered a unique opportunity for interaction and discussion between experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and small inventors alike. The next Business Briefs section will run in February. Please send any submission for our February edition to news@hometwn.com, with “Business” in the subject line of your email. Each submission may include one picture. If you have any questions, email us at news@hometwn.com.
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Astorino thanks Danone for continued Westchester investment
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February 24, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 11
Sudden onset unattractiveness RHYMES WITH CRAZY Lenore Skenazy
When you go to the periodontist for oral surgery and all you’re worried about is the potential pain, you may forget to ask whether you will spend the next couple of weeks looking like a chipmunk beaten up by a gang of biker squirrels. Or at least I forgot to ask. So now when I look in the mirror, I see a face with golf ball bulges turning purple, lips stretched wide like taffy and my jaw the shape of a juice box. On the subway, I wrap my scarf as high as I can and try to ignore the fact that now when I breathe, I fog up my glasses. When I dared to venture out to the bakery (perhaps the source of this whole problem), I ran into an acquaintance and had to act like I wasn’t melting from shame (and the boiling scarf). “It’s, uh, great to see you too! Bye!” Even at home, I am surprised to feel sickeningly selfconscious around those nearest and dearest. Surely, beauty is not purplish-skin deep? Or is it? Being suddenly disfigured, even temporarily, made me wonder how other people— the gashed, pocked and bloated—face the world. So I asked around. My Upper East Side friend Mandy recalled the time she went to a fancy restaurant for lunch and ate something that made her feel like her throat was closing up. “Then I looked at my arm and there were all these blotches on it and I was starting to panic,” she said. “So
I staggered across the street and bought a big bottle of Benadryl and the pharmacist told me to take a double dose right now, and I was like, ‘Okay.’” The problem was, that night she was meeting a new guy. They had tickets to “An American in Paris.” So she ran home, changed into clothes that covered as much of her as possible, and met her date at the theater. The show, as far as she can recall, was delightful. “But I fell asleep and the guy kept elbowing me gently to wake me up, till my head lolled back on the seat again,” she said. Each time she fell back asleep, she snored. “And every time I would wake up, I was furiously itching myself all over.” It may not come as a huge surprise that they did not date again. But for Mandy, at least, the sudden onset unattractiveness was short-lived. Marisa, a grant writer in Manhattan, went through chemo 12 years ago, just a year after her husband died. Their son was in second grade. Today she is the proud mom of a college freshman, but the permanent loss of her eyelashes and eyebrows still smarts. “I get called sir a lot, then they look and go, ‘Oh, sorry,’” she said. What surprised Marisa most was how hard it has been to adjust. “I can be as vain as the next person, right?” Of course, right! It’s not just you, Marisa! It’s all of us. When entrepreneur Kathryn picked up MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant illness, the disease manifested itself in black holes on her face the diameter of a pencil eraser. As she noted matter-of-factly, even when psychological researchers show very young kids
pictures of people with some kind of physical imperfection, the kids “attribute that they’re stupid, lazy, dishonest, evil— things that are all truly NOT indicated by how somebody looks.” We are a culture hardwired, it seems, to distrust the imperfect, no matter how dumb and cruel that is. Genevieve fainted at the Herald Square subway station last August, breaking all her front teeth. “Luckily for all the other passengers, I was off the train before it happened,” she said. Yes, she’s a comedian—for real. But going out in public wasn’t funny. That first week, “Even with the check-out person at Duane Reade, I was talking with as little space between my lips as possible, trying to hide these jagged teeth.” Gone was the perk that noncelebrities and the non-disfigured take for granted: The ability to be invisible. Genevieve stopped going out, “until I woke up one day and realized: I don’t see people anymore!” She decided to bite the bullet (as well as she could) and go back onstage. “After six months of hiding from the public, I told the audience that I had broken all of my front teeth. Then I immediately covered my mouth,” she said. THAT got their attention. So she told them, “That’s a fun trick you can use on first dates. Mention you have a terribly unattractive physical impediment, and then hide it. You will hold their attention the rest of the night.” And then, if they can see beyond whatever it is, you’ve got a winner. CONTACT: lskenazy@yahoo.com
Astorino highlights African-American heritage trail
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino highlights the county’s African-American heritage trail and announces the 2017 Trailblazer Award winners at the Jay Heritage Center in Rye on Feb. 13. Photo courtesy Westchester County
In celebration of Black History Month, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino was joined on Feb. 13 by Barbara Edwards, chair of the Westchester County African American Advisory Board, at the Jay Heritage Center in Rye to unveil the new Westchester County Guide to African-American History and Heritage and to announce this year’s Trailblazer Award winners. “Black History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the many contributions African Americans have made throughout the United States,” Astorino said. “Westchester County is home to several unique sites for visitors to observe this important month and our updated Guide to African American Heritage and History is a roadmap to discover the rich African-American culture in our backyard.” The guide, produced by the Westchester County Office of Tourism & Film, maps various historical destinations throughout the county that date back to the 17th century, and can be found online at westchestergov. com. Natasha Caputo, director of the Office of Tourism & Film, said this guide is designed to give visitors and residents the best way to explore the county’s historical landmarks. “This guide gives visitors and residents alike a comprehensive way to follow our AfricanAmerican trail and explore the great historical landmarks we have here in Westchester,” Caputo said. “Not only does the guide have information about each destination on the trail, but we have included a map, information on events, art exhibits, notable Westchester residents and information on transportation and accommodations.”
Astorino also highlighted four landmarks on the trail: • The Jay Heritage Center, located in Rye, not only is the childhood home of Founding Father John Jay, but it was the home of several generations of people, both free and enslaved, who worked for the Jay family. Jay was the founder of the Manumission Society of New York, which advocated for the abolition of slavery and established schools to educate free AfricanAmericans. The Jay Heritage Center houses various artifacts, including a manumission document declaring freedom for a Westchester slave. • Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow, a property of Historic Hudson Valley, is a nationally significant late 17th- and early 18th-century milling and trading complex that was part of a vast 52,000-acre estate owned by the Anglo-Dutch Philipse family. Enslaved individuals of African descent operated the commercial center of the estate in what is now the village of Sleepy Hollow. • Philipse Manor Hall in Yonkers, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, served as the Lower Mill complex for Philipsburg Manor in the 17th century and contributed significantly to the development of New York’s commercial life. The records of their business and lives indicate that enslaved Africans were vital to their success and the development of Westchester. • St. Paul’s Church in Mount Vernon, a National Historic Site, was the center of community life in the 18th and 19th century. Many of the 9,000 interred in the cemetery are persons of African descent buried here in the 19th and 20th centuries. The church records at St. Paul’s include the
sexton’s book and burial records denoting the race of those entered into the historic graveyard. In addition to promoting the history and heritage of AfricanAmericans in Westchester, Astorino and Edwards announced the honorees for this year’s Trailblazer Award ceremony. For the past 18 years, Westchester County honors individual African-Americans each year with this award for their commitment to service, and generous use of their talent, which together create a bright future for us all. Edwards, who has worked with the county to coordinate the Trailblazer Awards for the past 18 years, spoke about the significance of the award and how it has shaped the county. “The history of AfricanAmericans in Westchester has significantly shaped the development and richness of Westchester County,” Edwards said. “The 2017 Trailblazers, who will be honored this next week, inspire us by continuing the legacy of our ancestors’ perseverance, while making a positive impact for future generations.” The 2017 Trailblazer Awards winners are: • The Elizabeth Catlett Award for Arts and Culture – Vinnie Bagwell • The Betty Shabazz Award for Civic Engagement – Eddie Mae Barnes • The Rev. L. Alger Adams Award for Publishing – Sandra Blackwell • The Robert C. Weaver Award for Housing – Mack Carter • The Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award for Human Services – Nathaniel Fields • The Dr. Valiere Alcena Award for Health Services – Judith Watson, RN (Submitted)
12 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 24, 2017
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SPORTS
Highs, lows of the postseason LIVE MIKE Mike Smith
There’s no question when it comes to postseason athletes, the intensity and pressure for our coaches and student-athletes get ratcheted up tenfold. And while that may be all well and good 99 percent of the time, creating indelible moments for our local sports stars, win or lose, sometimes the
grand stage of the playoffs can shine a light on some more negative aspects of the game. Don’t get me wrong; there has been no shortage of absolutely fantastic moments over the last week. Kate Robbins’ third-quarter buzzer-beater against Pelham that propelled Rye to a come-from-behind win over the Pelicans; the Harrison boys’ team putting together an unheard of upset of Ardsley from their spot as the No. 24
seed; heck, even the atmosphere in Scarsdale High School’s gym as Mamaroneck’s boys tried— and ultimately failed—to rally back from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter of their Class AA playoff game against the Raiders; these moments all represent sports at its finest. But there have also been a handful of moments over the last week or so that kind of make you scratch your head. One early playoff story that
February 24, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 13
has gotten a fair amount of press has been the brawl that transpired between members of the Peekskill girls’ basketball team after a hard-fought loss to Tappan Zee on Feb. 18. According to observers, Red Devils’ players began arguing with one another following the game, leading to a fracas involving fans, parents and punches. Police were called and one woman was hospitalized, turning an already disappointing end to the season into something much worse for the Red Devils. I can’t speak to the underlying tensions that led to the fight, but one would have to assume that the pressure cooker of postseason
Following his team’s double-overtime loss to New Rochelle on Saturday, White Plains basketball coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter to voice his displeasure with the officiating. When it comes to the postseason, even great games can be marred by controversy. Photo courtesy twitter.com
play factored into it somehow. Of course, not all scandals— for lack of a better word—are quite as dramatic. That same day, in a first-round meeting between league foes New Rochelle and White Plains, the Huguenots escaped with a thrilling double-overtime win over the Tigers in what, if you just looked at the box score, one would assume was a classic showdown. But White Plains coach Spencer Mayfield took to Twitter after the game to fire back at the officials for what he saw as an uneven performance in which New Rochelle accumulated 32 chances at the foul line to his Tigers’ scant five. Did the referees cost White Plains the game? I couldn’t tell you. But I can say that, from a coaching standpoint, it’s impossible not to get frustrated when the numbers are that skewed. And sometimes, the ire of fans is directed at the governing body of local sports. When the leading scorer on Scarsdale’s hockey team, Ben Schwartz, was ejected from the final game of the regular season, Raider fans expected him to serve his mandatory
one-game suspension during the team’s first-round playoff game against Rivertown—which most expected to be an easy win for Scarsdale, even without the standout winger on the ice. But Rivertown forfeited the game, and Schwartz’ suspension was carried over into the highly-anticipated quarterfinal matchup between Scarsdale and No. 2-seeded Suffern, despite vocal protests from the Raider faithful. Many felt that Section I misinterpreted the rule and believed that the decision to hold Schwartz out for the Suffern game put an asterisk next to the Mounties’ 5-3 win on Feb. 21. No matter what happens in the postseason, no matter who wins, no matter how games go, there’s going to be grousing, complaining, and, in some instances, some undignified behavior. But as the playoffs continue, let’s just hope that the good moments outweigh the bad, and even those tough losses and bad situations provide our athletes— and our coaches—with some valuable life lessons.
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14 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 24, 2017
SPORTS
Tigers rally falls short BOYS BASKETBALL
class aa
FIRST ROUND
SCARSDALE 61 MAMARONECK 58 SCARSDALE HS
2/18/17
Game Notes: • Mamaroneck rallied from a 13-point deficit • Will Tuck led all scorers with 27 points • Scarsdale will host No. 11 seed Horace Greeley on Feb. 23, after press time By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor A spirited run by Mamaroneck fell just short on Feb. 18, as the No. 14-seeded Tigers nearly overcame a second-
Will Tuck releases a jumper in the lane. Photos/Mike Smith
half deficit to upset No. 3-seed Scarsdale in the first round of the Class AA playoffs. Despite climbing out of a 13-point hole to take their first lead of the
Tommy Martin finds an open teammate on Feb. 18. Martin had 12 points and eight rebounds.
game with 4:08 left in regulation, the Tigers were unable to hold on, dropping the postseason opener to their league rivals, 61-58. Despite the loss, Mamaroneck head coach Ty Carver was pleased with the way his team came out against the highly ranked Raiders, especially in the 17-3 run they went on to start the fourth quarter to take a 48-47 lead. “I’m extremely proud of this team, in the way they played with effort, pride and desire over the course of 32 minutes,” Carver said. “Unfortunately, [Scarsdale] just made one or two more plays than us down the stretch.” The Tigers fourth-quarter spurt was sparked by senior Will Tuck, who scored a game-high 27 points and sophomore Tommy Martin who had 12 points and collected eight rebounds on the day. “[Martin and Tuck] were great,” Carver said. “And you could especially see it in the way that [Tuck] had been practicing the two days before it, I’m really proud of those guys.” Although the Tigers were unable to put the Raiders away, Carver said that the challenge of playing playoff basketball against a league rival in a packed gym is something that should serve his returning players well. “For our first-year players, it was a great experience to see the way they played in an environment like that,” he said. “For some of the second year players, I think that this game will help them understand what kind of
Jared Bader rises up for a shot against Scarsdale. The Tigers erased a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter but still came up short.
mentality they need to have going forward.” The biggest takeaway from the season, Carver added, is that his players will need to approach each game with the same determination and intensity that they had against the Raiders. “I want these guys to give a consistent effort; 32 minutes a game for 20 games,” he said. “If we brought it every game during the regular season, we could have been better than a No. 14 seed and would have had a better opportunity to reach our goals.” After the game, however, Carver said he just wanted his players to focus on the positives. “I told them how proud I was to be their coach,” he said. “They competed, they gave it their all, they stuck together and they never gave up.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
Will Tuck drives to the lane against Scarsdale. Tuck had 27 points in Mamaroneck’s 61-58 loss to the Raiders.
SPORTS
February 24, 2017 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • 15
Tigers roar back for win ICE HOCKEY
division I
QUARTERFINALS
MAMARONECK 4 CLARKSTOWN 1 HOMMOCKS MS
2/21/17
Game Notes: • Clarkstown held a 1-0 lead heading into the second period • Harrison Schreiber, Michael Carducci, Harrison Fried and James Torre scored for Mamaroneck • The Tigers will take on North Rockland on Feb. 24, after press time By MIKE SMITH Sports Editor One of the perks about being the reigning state champion is that when you find yourself down by a goal early on, you know there’s no reason to panic. On Feb. 21, Mamaroneck fell into an early hole against Clarkstown in the Division I quarterfinals, but dug itself out to score a convincing 4-1 win over the Mall Rats and move one step
Michael Carducci moves the puck along the boards on Feb. 21 against Clarkstown. Carducci put the Tigers ahead for good with his goal in the second period.
closer to repeating as section champs. Clarkstown drew first blood just 3:30 into the game when Kyle Ryder scored on a wraparound goal to punctuate a first period that was marked by the Mall Rats’ aggressiveness. But heading into the first intermission trailing 1-0, Mamaroneck center Michael Carducci said his
Tigers weren’t worried. “We’d expected them to come out hard; we’ve seen them twice, and both times we did, they outplayed us in the first,” Carducci said. “But in the locker room, we just stayed calm and talked about getting back to basics.” And that’s exactly what the Tigers did, evening the score just two minutes into the second period on
Tommy Spero makes a save in the second period against Clarkstown. Photos/Mike Smith
Harrison Schreiber works behind the net on Feb. 21. Schreiber evened the score with his rebound goal in the second period.
a Harrison Schreiber rebound, and taking the lead 11 minutes later when a wrister by Carducci found the back of the net. As the Tigers began to cut down on the miscues, their time of possession improved and they were able to score two more goals in the third—one by Harrison Fried, the last coming on an empty netter by James Torre—to send the Mall Rats packing. “It just took us a few shifts, at least for my line, to start feeling it,” Carducci said. “But every turnover was kind of a punch to the gut, especially early on.”
Tiger goalie Tommy Spero, who was flawless outside of the first two minutes of the game, said the Tigers’ slow start could be attributed to the first-round bye they received by virtue of earning the top seed. On Feb. 19, Clarkstown earned a first-round win over Rye Town/Harrison to advance to the quarterfinals. “I think we were at a little bit of a disadvantage because they already had a game and they had gotten into the flow of the playoffs,” the netminder said. “But I like the way we finished the
Harrison Fried sends a shot toward the net against the Mall Rats.
hockey game.” As the Tigers now look ahead to a semifinal round matchup with North Rockland on Feb. 24, Spero believes that the early scare against the Mall Rats will serve to get the team’s younger players ready for more playoff hockey. “It’s huge, it gives the kids a huge boost of confidence and they’ll realize that playoffs are just like the regular season,” Spero said. “They just have to come to play hard.” CONTACT: sports@hometwn.com
16 • THE MAMARONECK REVIEW • February 24, 2017