eastchester review 11-21-2014

November 21, 2014 | Vol. 2, Number 46 | www.eastchesterreview.com

Eastchester REVIEWTHE

Mickey Spillane’s rooftop dining OK’d for variancesBy JOHN BRANDI

Staff Writer

Eastchester’s zoning board unanimously approved Mick-ey Spillane’s request for three variances related to alterations to its second-floor rooftop din-ing area leaving the plan to cre-ate rooftop dining in Eastches-ter one step closer to reality.

At its Nov. 13 meeting, the Zoning Board of Appeals found that the variances would generally not harm the charac-ter and environmental condi-tions of the surrounding White Plains Road neighborhood, ac-

cording to the adopted resolu-tion. The three variances, vot-ed on favorably by four of the five zoning board members, all represent a deficiency in feet a property can have for front and side yard setbacks.

The board wrote in its reso-lution that it believes the call to fix the façade of the restau-rant will “benefit the town as a whole.” The board also found the variances will not impact traffic, as “two municipal park-ing lots are located in the im-mediate vicinity of the site and are sufficient to accommodate parking demands.”

Noise, a concern of neigh-boring residents at past zoning board meetings, will also be addressed, and according to the resolution, rooftop equip-ment will be replaced with more efficient, quieter models and sound proofing materials will be incorporated into the walls to “minimize potential noise impacts.”

The project is likely still on track for a March 2015 con-struction start date and a ten-tative summer 2015 comple-tion, as previously mentioned by the project’s architect John Iannacito.

The approval for the vari-ances follow the restaurant changing its architect in April and then submitting a second proposal to the town’s Build-ing Department more recently in September. The notable dif-ference between the two appli-cations is the live one calls for a higher ceiling for the second story, according to Iannacito.

The bar and restaurant, located at 429 White Plains Road, seeks to expand the ex-isting second-story banquet room and build a connecting

ROOFTOP continued on page 13

CONDOS continued on page 8

By CHRIS EBERHARTStaff Writer

A long, narrow access drive leading to a rundown aban-doned building at 100 Pond-field Road in Bronxville con-tinues to be a riddle that baffles and may prevent redevelop-ment of the site.

Since July, the village’s Planning Board has been vet-ting an updated proposal by the Yonkers-based real estate firm Pondfield Court, LLC that would redevelop the aban-doned three-story building into four stories of luxury con-dominiums at the former loca-tion of the Morgan Manhattan storage facility. The updated version of Pondfield Court’s 2013 plan would construct 11 bedroom units—two one-bedroom units, eight two-bed-room units and a two-bedroom duplex—a 22-space parking lot on the ground floor, and a fitness center and resident lounge on the second floor.

Pondfield Court originally bought the property in 2011 for $1.12 million.

But the property, a land-locked warehouse offset from the street and enclosed by buildings on each side, is only accessible by a narrow alley from Pondfield Road.

The alleyway is not owned by the property owner, nor does Pondfield Court have ex-clusive rights to an easement there, allowing for the right to use the alleyway.

Neighboring properties also have a right to use the alley-way for parking. Topps Bak-ery, located at 106 Pondfield Road in front of the 100 Pond-field Road property, also has a

right to the easement and uses the alley to take deliveries to the space between the back of the bakery and in front of 100 Pondfield.

The alleyway and its pe-culiar circumstances have the Planning Board members ex-pressing doubts about the over-all project.

“This is the most crowded place in Bronxville and this kind of a thing just doesn’t seem practical to me,” Plan-ning Board member Anne Longobardo said. “The de-sign is beautiful, but that’s really the worst location you could’ve chosen.”

There were also safety con-cerns stemming from the nar-row access drive that were raised in an Oct. 29 memo from the office of the New York State Building Code to Bronxville’s Superintendent of Buildings Vincent Pici. The memo was reviewed and an-swered by the developer, but Planning Board members said they were not satisfied with the developer’s responses.

“A lot of the concerns were noted but weren’t answered,” Planning Board member Gary Reetz said. “If the developer isn’t going to answer our ques-tions, I don’t know how we can proceed.”

The attorney for the de-veloper, Michael Zarin, of the White Plains-based law firm Zarin and Steinmetz, said during the Nov. 12 Plan-ning Board meeting, they re-sponded to as many issues as they could, but there wasn’t enough time between Oct. 29, when they received the memo,

Luxury condos proposed

Though the sign Burnham Road is still in place, the street will now be known in Eastchester as Farella Way. For story, see page 6. Photo/John Brandi

The right Way

2 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • November 21, 2014

November 21, 2014 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 3

Federal ruling may impact affordable housingBy CHRIS EBERHART

Staff Writer

A federal district judge’s recent ruling in Washington D.C. and a pending Supreme Court case could completely change the complexion of the affordable housing saga in Westchester County.

Both are taking aim at dis-parate impact liability, which is defined as when a “defen-dant can be held liable for dis-crimination for a race-neutral policy that statistically dis-advantages a specific minor-ity group even if that negative ‘impact’ was neither foreseen nor intended,” according to Judicial Watch, a nonprofit, nonpartisan education group that’s devoted to promoting transparency, accountability and integrity in government, politics and law.

In Westchester County, dis-parate impact has been used in the federal monitor’s analyses to show evidence of exclu-sionary zoning in Westches-ter municipalities based on socio-economic factors and

race, respectively. Under one analysis, the Berenson analy-sis, seven municipalities in the county were deemed as having exclusionary zoning; under the other analysis, the Huntington analysis, six municipalities were identified.

The latest report, complet-ed on Sept. 8 by the federal-appointed housing monitor Jim Johnson, it analyzes the “discriminatory impact,” or disparate impact, but “does

not make findings with re-spect to whether any munici-pality drafted its zoning code with the intent to discriminate against minorities.”

But U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said in a Nov. 3 decision that plaintiffs must show intent, or disparate treat-ment, and arguments for dis-parate impact liability “appear to be nothing more than wish-ful thinking on steroids.”

“This is yet another exam-ple of an administrative agency trying desperately to write into law that which Congress never intended to sanction,” Leon wrote in his decision against disparate impact. “It is nothing less than an artful misinterpre-tation of Congress’s intent.”

Gustavo Velasquez, assis-tant secretary for Fair Hous-ing and Equal Opportunity, said the federal department of Housing and Urban Develop-ment, HUD, is reviewing the ruling and is “considering its options on an appeal.”

In Westchester, County Executive Rob Astorino, a Republican, has been at odds

Federal district judge Richard Leon struck down the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s longtime held standard of disparate impact, or use of statistics, under the Fair Housing Act to prove discrimination in municipalities.

with HUD over the implemen-tation of a 2009 affordable housing settlement, between his predecessor then Demo-cratic County Executive Andy Spano and HUD. The agree-ment was for the county to build 750 units over a seven-year period, complete an anal-ysis of impediments, which is a review of the barriers that prevent affordable hous-ing, and promote fair housing practices.

The build out in Westches-ter is ahead of schedule and legislation that promotes fair housing was passed. All that remains is the analysis of im-pediments, which has been the source of contention between Astorino and HUD.

Ned McCormack, spokes-person for Astorino, said Le-on’s ruling supports Astorino’s narrative that HUD is over-reaching in its authority.

“[This decision is] signifi-cant for the 2009 settlement and throws into question why HUD turned down the coun-ty’s eight analyses of impedi-ments,” McCormack said. “HUD says [the county] has exclusionary zoning based on data, but the judge is saying

you need to prove intent which the county has been saying all along…Clearly, HUD is trying to expand the law and has been in Westchester.”

In his decision, Leon refers to HUD’s 1968 Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimi-nation in the sale, rental or fi-nancing of dwellings and in other housing-related activi-ties on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, famil-ial status or national origin. In February 2013, HUD formal-ized the use of the disparate impact standard under the Fair Housing Act.

This was subsequently used in discriminatory cases against mortgage lending institu-tions—including Wells Fargo in 2012, when the bank paid a $175 million settlement af-ter the Department of Justice accused the bank of discrimi-nating against minority bor-rowers, and Bank of America in 2011, when the bank paid $335 million to settle a simi-lar case.

Robert Popper, a senior at-torney for the nonpartisan Ju-dicial Watch, said Leon was “rightfully unsparing in his decision” and called the ruling

a “welcomed decision.”“The court properly identi-

fied the fact that HUD was try-ing to draft disparate impact standard into statute,” Popper said. “[Disparate impact] can still serve to show intent, and that’s how it originally was de-signed, but it has morphed into a surrogate for intent, even if there clearly is none.”

Disparate impact liability will be further scrutinized in the coming months when the U.S. Supreme Court hears the final appeal of a Texas court case—Texas Department of Housing and Community Af-fairs v. the Inclusive Commu-nities Project, a Dallas-based group advocating integrated housing. The Inclusive Com-munities Project sued Texas officials under the Fair Hous-ing Act for allocating a dispro-portionate number of federal low-income housing tax cred-its to minority neighborhoods.

This will be the third time the Supreme Court has accept-ed a disparate impact liabil-ity case. The previous two—Magner v. Gallagher in 2012 and Township of Mt. Holly v.

HOUSING continued on page 12


What’s going on...

to make a tornado, a rainbow and more. A West-chester Children’s Museum “Museum without Walls” STEM program. Made possible through generous finding by the Friends of the Bronx-ville Library.

Parenting workshop: Holiday Buying Help

Parenting consultant Joan Tananbaum, MA, leads an interactive workshop to help parents through the hoilday season. Topics include; holiday stressors, family anxiety, gift-buying anxiety and sibling disputes. Special emphasis will be placed upon holiday shopping and how to navigate the saturated field of “educational toys.” Open to parents of children ages 2 to 4. A story time and craft will be provided for your children while you are in the workshop. Please register by phone at 337-7680 ext. 34 or email at [email protected].

“Paws on Pillows” On Sunday, Dec. 14, from 10:30 a.m. to

1:30 p.m. come help bring comfort to animals in Westchester shelters. Volunteer to help make beds and toys for our furry friends in need. These made-with-love beds and toys will be do-nated to help bring healing comfort to the dogs and cats at the Animal Shelters in Westchester. No experience necessary.

Free pie delivery for Thanksgiving

Topps Bakery will offer free delivery of your Thanksgiving Day pie from 7 a.m. through noon on Thursday, Nov. 27. in Lower Westchester within a five mile radius of the Bronxville store. You can get your 10” serving 6 to 8 slices Ap-ple or Pumpkin pie delivered to your home for $22 each, or 2 for $42. Other flavors are avail-able such as: Cherry, Peach, Pecan, Blueberry, Mince, Coconut Custard, prices vary slightly based on flavour. Cream and custard pies; Choc-olate, Key Lime, Lemon Meringue, Banana, Boston will not be available for delivery but are available at the store. Email [email protected], or call 337-4258, you may also stop in the store located at 106 Pondfield Road in Bronxville to make your order. Orders must be made by 8 a.m. on Nov. 24, to take advantage of this offer. Pies must be reserved with a credit card at time of order.

Book saleEvery Tuesday the EPL is holding a Friends

book sale from noon to 3 p.m.

Preschool Story TimePreschool Story Time Thursday session

begins at 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Storytime is designed for children who are three to four years old and can stay in the program without a caregiver.

In-person registration is required. Registra-tion has begun. In order to register you must show proof of age for child.

Limited to Eastchester and Tuckahoe li-brary cardholders only. Non-residents will be placed on a waiting list.

Japanese Mothers’ Program Japanese Mothers’ Program on Tuesdays

from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The program introduces popular English-language element ary-level books to Japanese parents and

Deadline for our What’s Going On section is every Thursday at 3 p.m. Though

space is not guaranteed, we will do our best to accommodate your listing. Please send all items to [email protected].

Eastchester Public Library features discussions in Japanese, translations of the books with an emphasis on pronuncia-tion. For more information about the program, please call 793-5055 and speak to Mariko.

4th and 5th grade reading buddies 4th and 5th grade reading buddies returns.

This monthly book club is drop-off and en-courages independent discussion of relative-ly challenging books. We will be discussing Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book,” the 2009 Newbery Medal winner. Copies will be available at the circulation desk.

Refreshments will be served. Pre-registra-tion is recommended. The event is open to all with 17 total spaces available. Monday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Contact Teresa Chang via phone at 721-8105 or email at [email protected].

Online pre-registration is recommended for book clubs, and is open. Refreshments will be served. Copies of the books are available at the Circulation Desk.

EPL Film SeriesIn November, the library will be showing

an encore presentations of two of their Friday films. On Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m., Jersey Boys directed by Clint Eastwood will be shown. On Nov. 30, the 2014 HBO production of Billy Crystal’s one-man Broadway show, 700 Sun-days will be screened.

After a short hiatus, the library’s Friday films have resumed. Friday films are shown at 1 p.m.

Check out the library’s monthly calendar or call the library for more information on the EPL Film Series.

With the conclusion of Battle of the Books comes a return to our monthly book clubs for grades 2 to 5.

Sukey’s CircleJoin for a fun music and movement program

with Sukey Molloy. This event is for ages 6 to 36 months old. Online pre-registration is re-quired and begins on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 9 a.m. Contact Teresa Chang at 721-8105 or email at [email protected].

Get started on your tax return earlyEach year, the IRS and the New York State

Department of Revenue cut down on the amount of paper forms that they provide to li-braries for public use. Popular forms, such as the 1040 for federal or the IT-201 for New York State, often run out quickly.

All of the needed forms can be printed out online, at this link for federal or at this link for New York State. If we do not have the forms you need at the library, we would be happy to print up any forms you need at the adult refer-ence desk at a charge of 10 cents per page.

Friday films return to the libraryIn November, there will be showings of en-

core presentations of two of the Friday films. On Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m., “Jersey Boys” (2014) directed by Clint Eastwood will be shown. On Nov. 30, the 2014 HBO production of Billy Crystal’s one-man Broadway show, “700 Sun-days” will be screened.

After a short hiatus, the library’s Friday films have resumed. Films are shown at 1 p.m. Check out the monthly calendar or call the library for more information on the EPL Film Series.

Mystery Club at the library On Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., the Mystery

Club will host a special guest, mystery writer Jane K. Cleland. The meeting will launch Jane’s latest Jodie Prescott Antiques Mystery, Blood Rubies. The meeting will include a reception and a book-signing. New members are always welcome.

Knit and Crochet ClubJoin the Knit and Crochet Club on Wenes-

days at 7 p.m.

Anime ClubThe Anime Club meets on Tuesday, Nov.

25 at 4 p.m. Call to register at 961-2121. For more detailed information about this and other programs at the Tuckahoe Public Library, visit tuckahoelibrary.org.

Bronxville Public Library

Science in the Library: Westchester Children’s Museum

What could be more fun than hearing the “Wizard of Oz” story and learning how Doro-thy encountered some basic scientific principles on her journey along the yellow brick road? Hands-on activities give each student a chance


Letters to the Editor

Community Fund needs your helpTo the Editor,I am writing to remind all of our residents that The Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester

and Tuckahoe has launched its annual campaign for 2014-15. While we are off to a strong start, we have a lot of ground to cover to reach our goal of $550,000.

As president of The Community Fund, I am often asked why one should donate to the Fund. I respond by asking them to imagine our community without the EVAC ambulance or transporta-tion, home help and activities for our seniors through the Senior Citizens Council and Gramatan Village. Our Community Fund supports counseling services at subsidized rates for those in need at the Counseling Center, drug and substance abuse education through the Maxwell Institute, sup-port for children and adults in our community who have suffered the loss of a loved one through the Bereavement Center of Westchester, and my personal favorite, free flu shots with New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital. These are just some examples of the wonderful agencies we are fortunate to have at our grasp.

Many thanks to those of you that have already made your contribution. Your early support helps us determine the level of financial assistance we can provide to the 24 agencies and programs that service our area. And, I strongly encourage those that have not yet made a donation to do so. A con-tribution to The Community Fund is a fantastic return on your dollar. What better way to insure that we continue to live in a safe and desirable community. Every dollar raised here stays here.

Please visit thecommunityfund.org for information on the agencies and programs The Commu-nity Fund supports and/or to donate online. And if appropriate, please remember The Community Fund in your company’s matching gift, employee giving or United Way campaigns.

Katharine OutcaltPresident, The Community Fund

Silly, isn’t it?To the Editor,Why do people have guns? In the United States we have law enforcement to protect us. There are

local, county and state police, and federal law enforcement agencies. We also have some in security-type positions carrying guns.

The right to bear arms should remain.The right to bear arms was really put in place to protect early Americans from Native American

attacks. It has nothing to do with someone with a gun selling drugs or a person with a gun on drugs.It is a known fact that drugs can destroy brain cells, affect a person’s judgment, their ability to

react and ability to reason.This whole thing is crazy. Silly, isn’t it?

Kent Iarocci, Rye

About Letters to the EditorPublication is not guaranteed. We reserve

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Deadline for submission is Friday before publication. The maximum length of letters that appear in our pages is 625 words, but letters are usually significantly shorter to ac-commodate space needs.

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We do not accept unsolicited Op-Ed submis-sions, film reviews, or food reviews.


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Staff WritersJackson Chen, Alina Suriel

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EastchesterTHE

REVIEWStreet renamed to honor fallen DPW worker

Eastchester’s Burnham Road will be renamed Farella Way in honor of Nicholas Farella, a town public works employee who lost his life on the job last year.

By JOHN BRANDIStaff Writer

Eastchester officials have given their approval to rename a street, in honor of a town De-partment of Public Works em-ployee who lost his life on the job a little more than a year ago.

The Town Council unani-mously approved a motion to rename Burnham Road to Farella Way, at its Oct. 7 meet-ing, to honor Nicholas Farella, who was 42 at the time of his death.

Farella, who worked in the town’s Highway Department, died as a result of injuries sustained while working on Water Street on Oct. 7, 2013. At around 2:15 p.m., Farella was holding onto the back of a sanitation truck on the pas-senger side, using the rear side steps to gain footing, when the vehicle backed into a telephone pole, pinning him. He was taken to Jacobi Medi-cal Center in the Bronx, where he died during emergency surgery.

Farella, a resident of Scars-dale, worked for Eastchester for more than five years.

Rocco Latella, general fore-man of the town’s Highway Department, told the Review in a phone interview, that Farella, who he called Nicky,

was a great guy, a hard worker and that “he loved coming to work.”

Supervisor Anthony Co-lavita, a Republican, de-scribed Farella as a “kind” and “peaceful” guy. The super-visor said Farella’s memory won’t be forgotten by friends and family, especially now with the street dedication.

“He was beloved by his fel-low co-workers and he will be greatly missed,” Colavita said.

Still, since the Highway Department is also located on Burnham Road, town of-ficials thought it would be an appropriate choice, according to Colavita.

“This way, his name will be associated with the Highway Department, and he’ll be re-membered in perpetuity with matters pertaining to the High-way Department,” he said.

Along with the street re-naming, a seating area and a plaque bearing Farella’s name, were placed in front of the Highway Department. This came through donations and contributions from co-workers, who also did work to the site as well, according to Latella.

Farella, who was the neph-ew of former Eastchester Town Justice Domenick Porco, is survived by his wife Jennifer Farella and his 10-year-old

daughter, Victoria. An investigation into Farella’s death by the New York State Depart-ment of Labor Public Employ-ee Safety and Health bureau, PESH, was started on Oct. 8, 2013.

The Highway Department was issued two violations: one regarded as serious for not providing employees with proper “training and educa-tion” who operate and work around sanitation trucks. The second violation, listed as non-serious, was for the failure of the Highway De-partment to notify PESH of Farella’s death within the re-quired eight-hour timeframe.

A follow up investigation, conducted in September 2014, found that both violations were abated due to the High-way Department taking ac-tion such as providing workers with written safety procedures and recognizing that a fatality must be reported to PESH in the time allowed in a letter.

Ed Molitor, a communica-tions specialist with CSEA, said that, countywide, there hasn’t been any other fatalities since Farella’s death.

Jennifer Farella could not be reached for comment as of press time.

CONTACT: [email protected] plaque was placed in front of Eastchester’s Highway Department to honor Nicholas Farella.

A closer look at the plaque placed at the Highway Department for Nicholas Farella. Photos/John Brandi


Flood project taking shape

Now that the FEMA flood mitigation grant project is reaching fruition, more resi-dents are focusing on it and interested in learning some of the nuts and bolts of the plan.

As a recap, the Village of Bronxville was awarded a haz-ard mitigation grant in 2012 for stormwater drainage sys-tem improvements. Though the project greatly benefits the Bronxville school campus, it also aids neighbors on Mead-ow, Willow, Midland Avenue and even Bolton Gardens.

Based on a cost benefit analysis, factoring in the storm events of 2008 and 2011 in which the school alone had losses upwards of $28 million, FEMA determined the project to be cost effective at a dollar value of $6.8 million. The vil-lage then entered into a fund-ing agreement with FEMA whereby FEMA would cover an unprecedented 75 percent or $5.1 million of the cost with the village and school district evenly splitting the remaining 25 percent or $1.7 million as the local match.

Following the financial ap-provals, the village contracted with Folchetti and Associates to do the engineering work and the school also hired an engineering firm to review and tweak plans where necessary.

The engineers from FEMA, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, who specialize in flood mitigation projects nationwide further refined the very detailed plans—en-gineering costs alone topped $800,000—to produce a multi-faceted system with four pri-mary components:

Two Flow Diversion Structures

A new flow diversion struc-ture will be installed in the alignment of each of the two existing primary water con-veyance trunk lines to divert excess runoff, that otherwise accumulates as floodwaters, to the proposed stormwater pump station.

Stormwater Pump Station A new system will be con-

structed in the parking lot on the school campus to deliver the excess runoff diverted from the existing trunk lines to the Bronx River.

Five diesel powered pump-ing units will be installed with a pumping capacity of 100,000 gallons per minute.

A below grade concrete wet well will be built to receive the pump suction lines and to pro-vide temporary runoff storage during pumping.

Construction of an archi-tectural wall enclosure around the pumping units for aesthet-ics and noise attenuation.

Below Grade Piping Network

A new below grade storage piping network will be con-structed below the existing nat-ural turf field, Hayes Field, on the school campus. The pip-ing network will provide peak runoff attenuation allowing pumping units to operate at a more uniform and efficient rate. The stormwater storage capacity will be approximate-ly 45,000 cubic feet.

New Conveyance System Pipe

A new system will be in-stalled from the pump station location to the Scout Field directing the excess runoff to the Bronx River via Laurel Brook. The new forcemain will cross Midland Avenue extending across library and Village Hall property to the area near the intersection of Palumbo Place and Gram-

atan Avenue. A new stabilized drainage channel will also be constructed on Scout Field to direct excess runoff from the forcemain pipe.

The end result is best cap-tured in the picture below, representing the flooded areas pre-project and the areas after the above system is installed. Specifically, the pump sta-tion will capture and deliver excess stormwater runoff to the Bronx River before flood-ing occurs under most storm event conditions and do so because it will utilize a dedi-cated forcemain pipe, not the existing gravity based system, so that stormwater can reach the Bronx River. The exist-ing gravity system (although equipped with valves to stop water from flowing from the Bronx River into the line) is unable to function under se-vere storm events because the flood stage of the Bronx River becomes considerably higher than the lowest catch basin elevation, near the school, thereby reducing any ability for water to exit the pipe.

Construction is expected to begin in January 2015 with a completion date of August/early September 2015.

As a final point of clarifi-cation, the FEMA funding is separate from the funding for the school field project. My understanding is that they will be voted on at the same time to make it easier for residents to vote on only one day and also save money on a dupli-cate voting procedure.

and the Nov. 12 meeting to re-spond substantively to every-thing in question.

Zarin said the developer plans to address the concerns raised and return to the Plan-ning Board at its Dec. 10 meeting with an updated and finalized plan for the board’s approval.

Charles Urstadt, a Bronx-ville resident and chairman of Urstadt Biddle Properties, Inc., a self-administered real

estate investment trust, sug-gested, instead of the pro-posed development, a mu-nicipal parking lot on the 100 Pondfield Road site.

Urstadt mentioned traffic flow concerns and potential impacts on school enrollment as “but two of the critical ad-verse effects of development for residential use.”

The best solution avail-able to the village board is to condemn the property and

convert it to parking for the benefit of village residents and merchants, according to Urstadt.

“Taking this positive step is more than a reasonable solution to the problem, and I argue that in the long run it will be profit-able for the village,” he said.

Zarin and Urstadt did not return calls for additional comment as of press time.

CONTACT: [email protected]

CONDOS from page 1

Bronxville’s Planning Board is vetting Pondfield Court, LLC’s proposal to turn a vacant warehouse into luxury condominiums, but the property is landlocked and only accessible by a long and narrow access drive that has put the project in jeopardy. Photo courtesy Google Maps


Fourth grade boards the Half MoonBy HELENA MCSHERRY

Contributor

Last week, fourth graders at the Bronxville School took a fun-filled voyage of discovery on Henry Hudson’s ship, the Half Moon.

Through an in-school field trip offering hands-on activi-ties and the examination of replica artifacts, a historian from the New Netherland Museum brought to life the experience of sailors aboard the Half Moon, the culture of the Algonquian Indians in the Hudson River Valley and the interaction between the Al-gonquians and the European settlers.

The program, which was funded by the Bronxville School Foundation, enhances the fourth grade’s study of the Age of Exploration within the New York State Social Studies Curriculum and the Common Core State Standards.

The children were intrigued to learn about the rigors of dai-ly life aboard the Half Moon. They tried on replicas of the traditional apparel worn by Eu-ropean sailors. Fourth grader Jon Angoni said, “It was fun to see all of the clothing, but even more fun to try it on.”

Students also saw and smelled samples of the limited food choices aboard the Half Moon such as cheeses and dried fish. Fourth grader Sa-mantha Torres enjoyed learn-ing about the different types of food, but said, “They did not look very appetizing.”

The historian also capti-vated students with stories of Algonquian life and shared replica artifacts of tools and wood carvings. The students reflected on how all of these items came from the resourc-es of the land and how mak-ing them required a great deal of careful craftsmanship. The historian shared how the Al-gonquians hunted deer and bear for meat and used their fur to make clothing, and stu-dents were able to compare samples of replica fur skins

worn by the Algonquians with the wool clothing worn by the European sailors.

The children then partici-pated in an exercise called the Trade Game and broke into groups, in which they played the roles of the Europeans and Algonquians and traded goods. Fourth grader Verena Rasinski said, “It is fun to learn about the European settlers and the Native Americans, but I really love the activities.”

After the exercise, the chil-dren reflected on the strate-gies they used to negotiate in their roles and how they saw things play out as a result of their conflicting interests. In the end, the children realized that many of the difficulties

they had encountered in try-ing to barter with each other were similar to what actually happened between the Euro-peans and the Algonquians. When the historian asked for any final questions following the Trade Game, fourth grad-er Montgomery Daub asked, “Can we do it again?”

Fourth grade teacher Mr. Chao said it was wonderful to see the children so immersed in the curriculum.

“The multidimensionality of the learning reinforces the curriculum in such a meaning-ful way,” Mr. Chao said. “I am so grateful to the Bronxville School Foundation for afford-ing this opportunity to our stu-dents in the fourth grade.”

Carolyn Niehaus from the New Netherland Museum helps fourth grader Lucie Curran try on slops, which were part of the traditional garb worn by sailors aboard Henry Hudson’s ship, the Half Moon. Photo courtesy Helena McSherry


Hello, my name is July, and everyone says I’m a sweet and cuddly, bouncy puppy. At just seven months old, I’m very curious and active but also very attentive and just learning how to be a dog. I’m so lucky to have volunteers teaching me to walk on a leash without pulling and jumping up and how to sit on command. I was so scared when I was abandoned on a busy boulevard in Queens and luckily Pet Rescue saved me, as I was next on Animal Care and Control’s euthanasia list. I show my thanks every day with loads of kisses. I get along well with older kids and other dogs and I just love being petted and hugged. I’m about 40 pounds and think I’m a mastiff/pit mix. My professional evaluation gives me an excellent behavior rating. I easily give up my food or toys if taken away and show no aggression. I am spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm tested and even micro-chipped. I’m hoping you will pay $250 to make be part of your home. To find out more about me, please contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at 834-6955 or on the web at NY-PetRescue.org.(Submitted)

Buy the book

Humorist Garrison Keillor understands reading. He stated, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.” There is an upcoming book which attests to that statement. It is the long awaited “Out of the Wilderness: The Emergence of Eastches-ter, Tuckahoe, and Bronxville, 1664-2014” and it has been in the works for over two years.

With this forthcoming vol-ume celebrating Eastchester, Tuckahoe and Bronxville’s 350th anniversary you will have the opportunity to read not books but chapters you can open again and again, each by a different author. Those authors are all volunteers who were in-vited to contribute a chapter on their local interests. And con-tribute they did, taking their unique styles and interests and performing a labor of love re-searching their topics and writ-ing their chapters.

Wondering what’s in the book?

Here are some clues but just “buy the book” and enjoy. Book launches include one at Concordia College on Dec. 11 and a book signing at Eastches-ter Historical Society’s Marble Schoolhouse during its annual Victorian Christmas Party on Dec. 13.

1. Ever try to explain East-chester and its two villages to someone? How puzzled were they Anne Hutchinson’s name came up and the fact that she began construction of her home near Co-op City and that was once part of Eastchester? Have no fear: a chapter is devoted to the town’s physical borders and the history and politics which transformed these southern boundaries.

2. Speaking of iconic Anne Hutchinson, she’s not just the name of a river. But was she the first American feminist? Why were her views considered he-retical and how did they cause her to venture first to Rhode Is-land and then to Eastchester?

3. “Keeping the Covenant” is the motto of the anniversary year. This 1665 document—

the original is in Town Hall—laid a groundwork which is still adhered to today. From locks on doors to protecting farms at church time to ridding the area of rattlesnakes to dis-missing ‘obnoxious’ visitors, the covenant set a tone for how to live and thrive together. Dis-cover new insights into how this unique document has been a cornerstone for the town.

4. A 1790 town census in-cluded 25 slaves. Even in 1820, a scant seven years before slav-ery was abolished in New York State, the town census identi-fied 20 slaves. When did slav-ery begin in Eastchester and how long did it last?

5. “Horrors” and “Neutral Ground” are often used in the same sentence describing this area during the American Rev-olution? Why? How did East-chester react to our country’s Revolutionary and Civil wars? Were there really battles here and did Washington sleep here or visit here? Whose side were tavern owners like Morrell, Hunt, Fowler and Ward on dur-ing the Revolution?

6. Sports. From country clubs to boxing matches, they all shaped this town. Which country club had the filmmak-er D. W. Griffith as a found-ing member? For that matter, which one counted Babe Ruth as a frequent player? Whether football, baseball, ice-skating, you name it, so many local ath-letes were part of professional sports. Not just professional but local amateur athletes are also represented in this volume.

7. Up until the 1900s water-front property was considered “sub-prime.” That includes Eastchester’s two border rivers, the Bronx and Hutchinson.Yet, even the first settlers lived and prospered along these rivers. How did these two rivers en-compass the spectrum of Amer-ica during all those 350 years?

8. For almost a century, Tuckahoe was considered the “Marble Capital of the World,” yes, even over Italy. Ever won-der where those quarries were? Maps, maps and more maps not only help us pinpoint those lo-cations but also give us insight into how Eastchester, Tucka-hoe and Bronxville developed

into the town and villages they are today. Property maps trace our transformation from rural to suburban and it was longer than most people would think.

9. From the Roaring 20’s through the Depression, East-chester was a part of it all. Step into Eastchester during those two decades.

10. Commuters take for grant-ed our rail system. All aboard to read how this means of transpor-tation transformed the area.

11.Churches and schools are the hearts and souls of commu-nities. This publication breathes new life into the history of the ar-ea’s many churches and schools.

This is but a smattering of topics presented in the book. But it is not merely the top-ics which will draw readers to the publication but the people involved in the town and vil-lages all those 350 years. Their history parallels the history of America. Along the rivers it was the farmers and mill own-ers. In the quarries it was the masons and stonecutters. In the churches and schools it was the congregations, students and their leaders. In sports, it was the players and coaches. Scat-tered throughout the book are chronicles of the many that lived, worked and played in this unique area.

I will admit to, and apolo-gize for, a bit of self-promo-tion here. I wrote a chapter on the 350 years of Eastchester’s border rivers. Like the other authors, though, I was guided through my research and writ-ing by Eloise Morgan, Bronx-ville’s village historian and Richard Forliano, Eastchester’s town historian. Neither ever like their name mentioned, evidence of another trait, their humility. All of us are indebted to them for their knowledge but even more for their kind-ness to us and their unswerving dedication to the publication of the book. So, that’s just anoth-er reason to “Buy the Book.” Buy several copies to give as gifts. The recipients, you and the many who pre-ordered this coffee table book, I assure you, will have a gift to open again and again. It’s a colorful, en-riching and most of all fasci-nating treasure.


Parker announces countywide plastic bag banBy JACKSON CHEN

Staff Writer

Westchester County Leg-islator Catherine Parker an-nounced a new bill she is sponsoring that proposes to limit the use of plastic bags and Styrofoam containers by retailers in Westchester.

Parker, a Rye Democrat, in-troduced the bill, which is be-ing co-sponsored by four other Democratic county legislators, including Majority Leader Catherine Borgia, of Ossining, during a Nov. 12 press confer-ence at the Mamaroneck Town Center.

“Judging from the preva-lence of plastic bags and poly-styrene objects as litter and garbage in our environment, this legislation is long over-due,” Parker said. “When it comes to doing the right thing in terms of safeguard-ing our environment and nat-ural resources for future gen-erations, there should be no second guessing.”

The bill, which remains in the preliminary draft stage, proposes to regulate retailer and food establishment use of plastic bags and polystyrene containers, more commonly known as Styrofoam. Instead, retailers would be required to provide reusable or recyclable paper bags to customers as checkout bags. The new law, if adopted, would also restrict businesses that use Styrofoam as any form of loose fill pack-aging, like packing peanuts that cushion fragile shipments.

Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker, a Rye Democrat, announces a new bill she is sponsoring that proposes banning plastic bags. Photos/Bobby Begun

Various Westchester legislators and local elected officials were on hand at the Mamaroneck Town Center on Wednesday, Nov. 13, for the announcement of proposed legislation that would ban plastic bags throughout the county.

Approximately 50 students from Mamaroneck High School attend the press conference in a show of support for a plastic bag ban.

However, the restrictions in the bill don’t include plastic produce bags, garment bags or large-sized garbage bags. In the proposed bill, violators would be liable for up to $500 after a hearing.

Several communities in the county have already enacted plastic bag bans, including Rye, when Parker was a coun-cilwoman on a majority Re-publican City Council.

In 2011, Rye was the first community in Westchester to ban the distribution of plastic bags. In the years following, the Village of Mamaroneck adopted its local ban in 2012 and the Village of Larchmont followed suit in 2013.

According to Parker, the lo-cal legislations of these com-munities would be able to work in conjunction with the county legislation, as most of

it is similar. But for some municipali-

ties, a plastic bag ban is seen as too imposing. In Tuckahoe, Trustee Stephen Quigley, a Democrat, sponsored a plas-tic bag ban that was ultimately voted down by a Republican-led Village Board of Trust-ees last year. Quigley said he supports Parker’s bill as an idea and it should, in theory, accomplish what he was at-tempting in Tuckahoe.

“Alternatives to plastic bags are essential to sustainabil-ity because we have a huge amount of waste with these bags,” Quigley said. “The bio-degradability is for hundreds of years and they’re petroleum-based products.”

The trustee added that even if his bill in Tuckahoe had passed, it would not have accounted for the litter that could potentially

County Legislator MaryJane Shimsky, a Hastings-on-Hud-son Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill, said the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson is work-ing to figure out how to defend against the suit.

“Countywide government is perfect, instead of passing it 8,000 people at a time, we can pass it one million people at a time,” Shimsky said. “That is not only better for the envi-ronment and our local govern-ments, but at the same time, it’s easier for the supermarkets because you have less of a patchwork quilt of legislation to work with.”

Much like Hastings, the Town of Mamaroneck was threatened with legal action when its board proposed a plas-tic bag ban. The pending law-suit caused the town to with-draw the proposal.

“It didn’t make sense for the Town of Mamaroneck and my town board didn’t have the stomach to take on the super-market industry on its own in a lawsuit,” said Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Nancy Selig-son, a Democrat. “That’s why it makes sense for the county to address this issue and take the action.”

Shimsky said she expects people to come in to voice their concerns of the bill, which would prompt discus-sion among the Westchester County Board of Legislators, which must ultimately approve the legislation before sending it to the county executive’s office for his approval. Parker added

that she would meet with rep-resentatives from the grocery and plastic bag industry to un-derstand the effects of the pro-posed bill on them.

County Legislator James Maisano, a New Rochelle Re-publican who serves as vice chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators, said there are many pros and cons to look at.

“I’m open-minded and hap-py to consider it, but I do know there [are] some issues I’m concerned about,” Maisano said.

According to Maisano, legislators dealt with a similar bill a few years ago which ul-timately didn’t get past an en-vironment and energy subcom-mittee of the board. That bill was squashed due to public health concerns of the reusable bags from salmonella and since the majority of the county’s plastic bag garbage is inciner-ated debunking claims that the bags end up in landfills, he said.

The new bill is currently being drafted by the county’s Law Department and there is no estimation as to when it will move forward, according to Parker.

“We will bring in all the stakeholders and we will have a thorough review before it leaves the committee,” she said. “My belief is that this [bill] will prevail.”

The Food Industry Alliance declined comment until the bill was completed.


have come from neighboring communities.

“I think a countywide re-striction is probably better for everybody because our com-munities blend into each other,” Quigley said.

Tuckahoe wasn’t the only community that was met with resistance with its local laws re-garding plastic bag bans. Hast-ings-on-Hudson is currently facing a lawsuit to overturn its ban on plastic bags that was filed by the Food Indus-try Alliance, a statewide trade association that represents the grocery industry. Parker said that the board should tackle a regional solution instead of “municipalities coming up with their own legislations and then having to defend it.”


Mt. Holly Gardens Citizens in Ac-tion, Inc., in 2013—were settled be-fore the case was heard by the Su-preme Court.

Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Mike Kaplowitz, a Yorktown Democrat, had no comment when reached other than to say the county attorneys are reviewing Judge Leon’s decision.


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HOUSING from page 3


rooftop dining area. Ianna-cito told the Review that the existing second story will be expanded upwards and out toward the back of the build-ing, leading out to a rooftop garden area. Design plans indicate that the surface area of the second floor will be in-creased from 1,217 square feet to 1,617 square feet with an en-closed 1,024-square-foot, open-

air rooftop dining section. The architect also said the

interior pre-existing bathrooms and coat room on the second floor will be pushed toward the sides and back with the idea to create more open space and so the restaurant can add a few more tables to the existing ban-quet room.

The rooftop bar proposed will now be forwarded to the

Planning and Architecture Re-view boards, respectively, that will ultimately determine the project’s fate.

Mike Devivo, general man-ager of Mickey Spillane’s, and Stephen Carty, owner and op-erator of the bar and restau-rant, could not be reached for comment as of press time.


ROOFTOP from page 1

Mickey Spillane’s restaurant, at 429 White Plans Road, was granted approval from Eastchester’s Zoning Board of Appeals to move forward with the proposed addition of a rooftop dining area. Rendering courtesy John Iamacito

Foundation launches fall campaignThe Bronxville School

Foundation has launched its fall fundraising campaign. Founded in 1991 by a group of dedicated citizens, the foundation raises funds to provide students with educational experiences be-yond the scope of the school’s budget.

“Thanks to the Bronxville community’s commitment to excellence in education and the generosity of our donors, the foundation is able to pilot inno-vative programs, support teach-er development and provide state-of-the-art technology and enhancements to our school,” said Ashley Hanrahan, chair-man of the board.

Last year, the foundation awarded a record number of ex-citing grants totaling $567,000, including the hardware and teacher training for the district’s technology upgrade across all three schools, visiting lectur-ers, numerous professional development opportunities for our faculty to enrich the cur-riculum, and cutting edge ath-letic equipment to train and track the progress of student athletes. The foundation also provided essential funding for the completion of the newly opened concession building and bathrooms at the Bronco track and turf field. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $7 million to strengthen the curriculum through innovative programs, faculty training and enhanced educational resources, and to provide new technologies and improvements to our school fa-cilities and equipment.

The foundation relies al-most exclusively on its fall

Fifth grade teacher Stephanie Kennedy and her students Preston Maze and Caroline Ircha working with Chromebooks and Google Apps for Education. Photo courtesy Helena McSherry

campaign for grant money. “In order for the founda-

tion to be able to continue to award grants at this level, it is critical that we increase our an-nual fundraising effort. School families and community mem-bers along with corporate matching sponsors are the key to our success,” said Christine Fitzgibbons, ice president of development.

Beginning with its 2014 fall campaign and ending with its 2015 spring grant process, the foundation will be building on its tradition of excellence and

reviewing grant applications from administrators, faculty, students and parents.

“It is this community’s tra-dition of generosity and com-mitment to quality education that allows us to transform innovative grant ideas into re-ality,” said executive director Peggy Williams.

For more information on the fall 2014 campaign and to make donations, please contact executive director Peggy Williams at 395-0515 or visit www.Bronx-villeSchoolFoundation.org. (Submitted)

14 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • November 21, 2014 SPORTS

For the first time in about as long as I can remember, I won’t be making my way up to the Carrier Dome this year.

It has become something of an autumn tradition for me over the years; hitting the road early the day after Thanks-giving, making the four-hour drive up NY-17 to Syracuse and stalking the sidelines of the iconic venue as Section I’s top teams took to the gridiron to battle for a state title.

This year, however, Section I won’t be sending any teams up north after a quarterfinal sweep at the hands of burgeon-ing Section IX powers.

Five classes, five teams, and five losses this weekend ended our area’s hopes of claiming a state titlist, as our neighbors to the north continued to close the gap between the two sec-

A section sweeptions. But unlike some local fans, I’m not ready to proclaim that the sky is falling.

Not yet, anyhow. Over the last few years,

Section I’s dominance over Section IX—our geographic opponent in all quarterfinal games—has certainly been eroding. In the first 15 years of the state tournament—from 1993 to 2008—Section I squads posted an impres-sive record over their Section IX counterparts, going a com-bined 51-11 and outscoring their opponents by a whop-ping margin. In the last few years, save a 2010 Section I sweep, that simply hasn’t been the case. Since 2011, Section IX has gone 14-5 against our local squads, cul-minating with last weekend’s whitewashing.

So what does this mean? Are we beginning to fall be-hind the rest of the state in the football arms race?

I don’t think so.

Neither does heralded Rye coach Dino Garr, whose Gar-nets lost a 21-17 heartbreaker against powerhouse Cornwall on Nov. 15.

“I can only speak for what happened in our game,” Garr told the Review. “But I don’t think this means that Section I is in dire straights.”

I’m inclined to agree. Like many other things,

athletic dominance is a cycli-cal thing. We see it happen on the micro level right here in the section. Oftentimes, even historically dominant pro-grams go through dry spells. Why can’t the same be true for our section as a whole?

It’s not that we haven’t been sending some fantastic teams to the state playoffs. This year’s Rye squad—with its record setting offense and stingy defense—might be one of the most talented teams I’ve seen in my time here. Teams like Woodlands and Tuckahoe, two smaller

Chester’s Angel Suarez finds a hole in the state quarterfinal game against Tuckahoe on Nov. 15. Suarez carried the ball 41 times on the day as Chester beat Tuckahoe—one of five victories by onetime Section I doormats on the weekend. Photo/Mike Smith

programs whose seasons were marked with a certain tenac-ity and resilience, simply ran into two tough customers in Millbrook and Chester, two Section IX squads that seem

destined to make an appear-ance in Syracuse this year.

So chalk it up to bad breaks, tough luck or a good run of talent up north. Just don’t count Section I out.

You never know when things are going to turn around.

Follow Mike on Twitter, @LiveMike_Sports

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November 21, 2014 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • 15SPORTS

Lax standouts sign

On Nov. 14, Eastchester lacrosse player Jordyn Di-Costanzo made school his-tory, signing her NCAA Na-tional Letter of Intent to play for Manhattan College next year. The signing makes the senior attack player the first Eagles’ female lacrosse player to commit to a Division I la-crosse program.

DiCostanzo, a three-year captain on the Eastchester la-

crosse team, scored 65 goals for the league champion Ea-gles last year and will enter her senior season with over 200 career points. She made a verbal commitment to the Jas-pers last spring, but officially put pen to paper on Friday in the Eastchester High School gymnasium surrounded by her friends, family and team-mates.

DiCostanzo was one of

two Eagles to sign her letter of intent last week, as goalie Katie Feigenbaum also made her plans official. Feigenbaum will be enrolling in Division II Saint Thomas Aquinas Col-lege next year.

The Eagles are looking to improve upon last year’s showing by defending their league title and looking for their first postseason win. -Reporting by Mike Smith

Jordyn DiCostanzo, center, signed her National Letter of Intent on Nov. 14 at Eastchester High School. The senior will be playing for Manhattan College next year, making her the first player in the program’s history to commit to a Division I program. Contributed photo

Broncos capture state titleBy MIKE SMITHSports Editor

Four years ago, the Bronx-ville girls soccer team cap-tured its first ever state title. On Sunday, Nov. 16, the Bron-cos again found themselves at the summit of Class B with a 3-0 win over Port Jefferson in the state finals.

After holding on against Westhill in a hotly contested 1-0 semifinal matchup, Bronx-ville dominated Port Jeffer-son in the finals, controlling the action from the opening whistle. Sophomore Mason Warble got the scoring started just 12 minutes in and Cait-lin Fryer and Lucy Kohlhoff tacked on insurance goals in the second half. Port Jefferson never managed to put pressure on the Broncos, mounting just three shots on goal against keeper Charley Warble.

“I just thought that we were

prepared, that we peaked at the right time,” said Bronxville coach Don Cupertino. “You never know if you’re going to have a good day or a bad day, but we just put a lot of pres-sure on them and they couldn’t handle it.”

Given the recent successes of the Bronxville program, Cupertino was not surprised that the Broncos were up to the task of taking on the Sec-tion XI champs.

“A lot of this has to do with history, we’ve got a couple of girls on this team who were there as eighth graders so they know what this is about,” Cu-pertino said. “They have a lot of experience, and I think playing on those teams, the other girls who came before them helped prepare them for this.”

The Broncos will lose seven seniors—five of whom were starters—to graduation, in-

cluding standouts like Fryer, Kolhoff and Charley Warble, but Cupertino remains confi-dent. The coach believes his team will be able to rebuild from within, as it does ev-ery year. Taylor Sears will be back, providing a steady hand on the defensive side of things, Cupertino said, while the var-sity squad will also benefit from the maturation of its JV players.

“It’s always about the pro-gram, never just about one year,” Cupertino said. “We had a big JV class, and brought four of those girls up to varsity for the playoffs, but losing our keeper [Charley Warble] who has been with us for five years, that’s a big loss.”

Cupertino said that a num-ber of the girls will be getting ready for next season by play-ing on club teams this offsea-son. He also hopes to use sum-mer league games as a way to

get ready for 2015, something he said was invaluable to this year’s squad.

“The summer league we’ve

played in for the last two years has helped,” he said. “We hope it will give some of the young-er girls a chance to come out

and get them acclimated to the system.”


Bronxville’s soccer team celebrates with the state championship after blanking Port Jefferson. The Broncos have won two state crowns in the last four years. Contributed photo

Caitlin Fryer scores a goal in a 2014 playoff game. Fryer scored one of Bronxville’s three goals in the 3-0 state championship win against Port Jefferson on Nov. 16. Photo/Mike Smith

16 • THE EASTCHESTER REVIEW • November 21, 2014 SPORTS

Tigers fall to ChesterBy MIKE SMITHSports Editor

On Saturday, Nov. 15, the Tuckahoe Tigers ran into their biggest test to date, in the form of a big, physical Sec-tion IX team from Chester. Despite the toughness that has been the Tigers’ calling card all year, however, it would be the Hambletonians that would advance to the state semifinals with a 36-21 win.

Chester got off to good start, scoring the first 14 points of the ball game. But towards the end of the first half, Tuckahoe would find its footing, scoring a touchdown on an Enoch Penney-Laryea run and succeeding on a two-point conversion to enter the half down 14-8. On the first drive of the second half, An-thony Castracucco would bust a 67-yard touchdown run to give the Tigers their first—and only—lead of the game.

Eventually, the size of the Hambletonians up front and an impressive 48-carry day from Chester running back An-gel Suarez proved too much for the Tigers to overcome,

as Chester scored the next 22 points of the ball game. Ches-ter’s line, comprised of four players over 260 pounds, was simply too physical.

“Their game plan was sim-ple, they just wanted to run the ball and control the clock” said Tuckahoe coach John D’Arco, Sr. “When they do that, and we turn the ball over, there’s not really much that we could do.”

Despite the loss, D’Arco was pleased with his team’s defensive effort, especially in their ability to shut down the pass against a Chester team that had thrown for 35

touchdowns this year. “When you’re playing a

team with three or four touch-down passes a game, your first assumption is that you have to stop the pass,” he said. “We thought they might try to throw a little more, but really, they didn’t need to.”

That Tuckahoe was even in a position to contend in the Class A regional game is a tes-tament to the work of assistant coaches Pat Gallo and Bill Magner, added D’Arco. With roughly 10 of Tuckahoe’s 21 players playing their first year of varsity football this season,

work ethic all year,” D’Arco said. “These kids worked hard, they were tremendous over-achievers.”

The Tigers won’t have much time to dwell on the Chester loss, however, as D’Arco said that preparations for next season could begin as early as next week. In ad-dition to getting the off-season weight training regimen under way, the team will also look to replenish its ranks with some new players, the head coach said. Although the Tigers will

have a number of returning seniors on next year’s squad, the rising junior class has just three players on the roster.

“I told the guys that we’re going to have to be conscien-tious about recruiting in the off-season, it’s going to be a little more aggressive than just word-of-mouth this year,” D’Arco said. “We’re going to have a strong core group coming back, but we’re going to need to get some more players.”


it came down to the coaches—and the athletes—to make the most of it.

“We had a tremendous

Two Tuckahoe players bring down a Chester receiver on Nov. 15. Tuckahoe was able to stop Chester’s explosive passing attack on the day but still lost 36-21.

Joe Dedvukaj makes a stop on Chester’s Angel Suarez. Suarez would finish with 307 yards on a whopping 41 carries in the 36-21 win over Tuckahoe. Photos/Mike Smith

Anthony Castracucco finds a lane. Castracucco’s 67-yard touchdown in the second half gave the Tigers a brief lead against Chester.

Enoch Penney-Lareya breaks a tackle against Chester. The Tuckahoe offense was able to put up three scores against the vaunted Hambletonians’ defense, but it wasn’t enough.


Lifestyles of Westchester County/NOVEMBER 2014 VOL.15 NO.108

INSIDE WESTCHESTER COUNTYINSI

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Avoiding the Christmas Credit CrunchHow to effectively manage credit this holiday season

Page-turning PresentsGreat gifts for people who love to read

2014Holiday toys predictions


How to send gifts to faraway friends and family

Travel gifts can make for unexpected and unique holiday gifts.

Travel gifts wrapped and ready for holiday giving

The holiday season is a time to share

happy experiences with friends and family. But reconnecting with loved ones come the holidays is not always possible, especially when family and friends are spread out across the country, if not the globe. Even though these people may not be close geographically, they’re still close in our hearts and, therefore, still on our holiday shopping lists.

Some issues arise when sending gifts to faraway friends and family. Distance necessitates shipping gifts or making travel arrangements. To make that process less complicated, consider these suggestions.

Package gifts wisely. When shipping gifts, exercise caution to ensure the item arrives on time and in one piece. The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for the shipping industry, and packages may endure a few bumps along the way. For fragile items, use extra packing peanuts, newspaper or other protective wrapping material. Choose

the right size package so the gift does not move around much inside of the box. If the gift is expensive, insure the package in the event it gets lost or damaged. Also, you may want to spend a little more money to have the shipment tracked and a confirmation sent when the package is delivered. This can offer some peace of mind during a hectic time of year.

Take advantage of free shipping offers. Many retailers offer discounts on shipping rates during the holiday season. Shop at retailers that offer such discounts, as shipping costs can be exorbitant depending on the sizes of the packages being sent. In addition, online retailers may allow you to ship the gift directly to its recipient, which can help you ensure the gift gets to its destination on time.

Give gift cards and certificates. Gift cards are an easy item to ship, and can be sent within the regular mail for the cost of a stamp. Certain retailers may have digital gift cards or certificates that allow buyers to email a special

code to the gift recipient, who can then redeem the code for a purchase credit. This is a convenient, fast and inexpensive way to send holiday wishes.

Don’t forget about inspections and customs procedures. Items shipped out of the country may be delayed by customs inspectors at their ultimate destination. Assume that certain packages may be opened or detained, and ship such packages early so the gifts still arrive on time. Packages that look unusual or like they’re hiding something may be prone to inspection more so than others. Be honest about declarations of value and what is contained in the package. Also, realize certain items, like fruits, vegetables, plants, or seeds, may be prohibited. Learn the international shipping rules for your gift’s destination prior to sending anything.

Distant family members and friends may be out of sight but certainly not out of mind come the holidays. When it comes to sending gifts, ship smart.

Certain gifts are standard fare come the holidays. Adults often receive clothing while kids typically get toys. But shoppers who want to employ the element of surprise this season may want to consider travel-related gifts to put smiles on the faces of their loved ones.

Many people cannot afford to travel. Gifting travel enables couples or families who may not have the means to get away to hit the road in style.

When giving the gift of travel, shoppers should consider gift certificates or vouchers that can be applied to flights or lodging. Many travel businesses and websites now offer gift registry services that make it easy for shoppers to pay for getaways for their loved ones. Some travel agencies also incentivize travel gifts by offering coupons or discounts to shoppers who purchase travel packages for friends or family members.

Those on the lookout

for travel-inspired gifts can explore the following options.

Airline gift certificates: A gift certificate makes it easy for travelers to book their own flights at their leisure. These certificates typically can be applied to any flight the airline offers and may even be transferable.

Frequent flier miles: Find out if your frequent flyer miles can be deposited directly into your loved one’s account. Later on he or she can redeem the miles for a desired flight.

Luggage: Frequent travelers may appreciate new luggage. Monogrammed tags can help make luggage easy to identify at luggage carousels in crowded airports.

Small ship voyages: Some cruise lines offer working vacations, where passengers participate in some of the responsibilities aboard the ship. These voyages are ideal for someone who enjoys being active and a part of the travel experience.

Scuba lessons: Travel enthusiasts who frequently jet off to tropical locales may want to learn to scuba dive, which means they must be certified after taking lessons. Foot the bill for those lessons so their next water adventure is complete.

Traveler’s checks: Sometimes the best gift is the simplest one. Traveler’s checks may seem like an outdated notion in the era of credit cards, but they’re still available. Banks and credit card companies are the best place to find traveler’s checks. These checks are safer than bringing cash along on a trip because they provide travelers with protected purchasing power for the duration of their trips. Prepaid gift cards also can be used for travel. Just confirm that the card is accepted by retailers at your loved one’s travel destination.

Travel gifts can bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. These unique gifts are a novelty that’s not often found tucked under the tree.


2014 HOLIDAY TOY PREDICTIONS

Parents often find themselves waiting in long lines to snag the hottest toys for children’s holiday gifts. Shoppers arrive at retail stores in droves to grab the newest video game consoles or must-have dolls or action figures.

From Cabbage Patch Dolls of the 1980s to the Elmo craze of the 1990s, every generation seems to have its own “must-have” holiday gift. This year, holiday shoppers may want to start shopping early if they hope to land any of the following items that figure to be this year’s hot toys.

“Frozen”-themed toys: Mega-retailer Walmart predicts that toys inspired by the smash hit film “Frozen” will continue to be hot commodities this holiday season. To meet demand, the retailer already is stocking up on the popular characters and other products banking on the popularity of the film. If the special girl in your life is still enamored with all things “Frozen,” it’s a smart

bet to start your holiday buying early this year.

“Hunger Games” athletic items: Fans of the “Hunger Games” trilogy, be it the books, movies or both, are familiar with lead character Katniss’ prowess with a bow and arrow. Bows inspired by the movie are in demand and will appeal to both girls and boys testing their archery skills.

Beats by Dr. Dre: Music-lovers still consider these headphones must-have items. They’re especially prevalent among the teen market. Available in a variety of colors, users can coordinate their Beats headphones with their clothing or accessories.

Lego Minecraft: It was only a matter of time before Lego got in on the action of one of the hottest games to sweep the Internet and video game console world. Minecraft is a digital building game

that has enthralled gamers of all ages. Now Minecraft enthusiasts can recreate on-screen worlds in tangible Lego versions.

Xeno: Xeno is a “friend-toy” that is neither robot nor doll, but an interactive pet. Made from nontoxic elastic material and including eight sensors, the creature is a moving, reacting companion. Xeno even can dance to music. And parents will love that Xeno does not need to be taken for walks.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: On the heels of summer blockbuster inspired by these gifted turtles, fans of the weapon-swinging shelled warriors will certainly want to surround themselves with all things turtle, so expect to see plenty of movie-inspired gifts on store shelves this season.

The holiday season is on the horizon, and it’s never too early to begin shopping for the toys and games experts predict will be this year’s must-have items.


Eco-friendly gift ideas for ‘green’ giving

Music lessons and other gifts of service do not require a great deal of natural resources, making them ideal eco-friendly gifts.

Giving eco-friendly gifts is now easier than ever before. As more and more people are conscious of reducing their impact on the planet, the demand for environmentally conscious products and services has grown.

Choosing earth-friendly gifts is not only generous, but gift-givers also can rest assured they’re doing their part to safeguard natural resources for future generations. The following are some gift ideas for the eco-conscious people on your holiday shopping list.

Locally made productsLocally made products

make great holiday gifts. Such gifts are not produced halfway around the world, meaning they don’t contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and global

warming like products that need to be flown or driven across the globe. Craft fairs and artisan shops are good sources for locally made gifts, which also are a great way to support businesses in your community.

Gifts of serviceA massage or music

or tutoring sessions are examples of gifts of service. These gifts do not require much use of natural resources, and recipients find their personal nature very thoughtful. Gifts of service also can include tasks you do yourself for the gift recipient, rather than paying another person to handle. For example, teach a senior member of your family how to navigate their new smartphone or agree to help them shop for groceries.

Recycled goodsWhen many people think

of recycling, they tend to picture piles of discarded plastic bottles, glass jars and aluminum cans. While the end product of many of these recycled pieces is new cans, bottles and jars, recycled materials also can be turned into new and unique pieces. Trivets and spoon rests made from recycled and melted wine bottles make for clever and attractive gifts. Recycled fire extinguishers have been turned into vases, and you can even find bike parts that have been used to make wind chimes and belts if you know where to shop.

Natural giftsNatural gifts are among

the most environmentally friendly ones you can give. Foodies may appreciate

an herb-growing kit that enables them to experiment with freshly picked basil or thyme in the kitchen, while tree-growing kits and flower seed packets are nice stocking stuffers for budding gardeners. Offer to purchase a living Christmas tree for a relative, so that he or she can plant the evergreen after the holidays

have come and gone.

AntiquesNew, shiny gifts are

not the only ones that have appeal. Gifting a sentimental piece of family history is an earth-friendly way to share the holidays. Pass down a cherished piece of jewelry or, if you do not have anything

in your own collection, browse antique shops for items that have interesting histories.

The holiday season is often a time of excess, but giving doesn’t have to be detrimental to the environment. Givers can seek out earth-friendly gifts and share even more this time of year.


As the cost of living continues to rise, holiday shopping also has become much more expensive in recent years, and it can be easy for shoppers to overextend themselves financially come the holiday season.

According to a recent Gallup poll, the average American plans to spend around $790 per holiday season, although many go above and beyond that amount. Starting off the new year in debt is a recipe for stress, which can have negative repercussions for the rest of the year.

In addition to overspending during the holiday season, many people stretch themselves thin on Valentine’s Day, birthdays, and Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. One way to make shopping more manageable is to establish spending limits that dictate how much each family member can spend on each gift he or she buys.

It is important to exercise tact when approaching the subject of gift limits.

How to establish gift spending limits

Holiday spending limits can help individuals avoid overspending come the holiday season.

The Dining Lab at Monroe, home to great meals and the State Champs

Discuss the topic with friends and family members with whom you usually exchange gifts long before the holiday season. Agree on a reasonable amount of money each person will spend on gifts. If necessary, ask everyone to write down a figure and then determine the average, using that figure as your spending limit.

Establishing a spending limit makes it easier for every family to afford their holiday purchases. If there are six people on your shopping list and you’re spending $50 per person,

you know to allocate $300 for gifts. Saving and budgeting can be adjusted accordingly.

When no such limit is established, you may go overboard to compensate, even if you cannot afford to do so.

Another way to save money is to suggest giving the gift of experiences rather than tangible and potentially costly gifts. For example, take a loved one out for dinner or suggest going on vacation together to make better use of your collective funds. A well-timed extended family vacation in lieu of gift exchanges may alleviate the stress of the holiday season, much of which can be traced to holiday spending.

Establishing a gift-giving strategy and budget for each person to work with can make for a more peaceful holiday season by freeing up time to spend with loved ones and placing the focus on family instead of shopping.

Anyone who has enjoyed a meal at the Dining Lab Restaurant at Monroe College knows the food is tops. So, it turns out, are the students preparing it. On Nov.1, the Monroe Culinary Team was crowned 2015 State Champions at the American Culinary Federation, ACF, New York State Championships. Monroe squared off against the state’s culinary elite and managed to earn five gold medals in a competition that judged overall teamwork on culinary skills and menu production. The victory was especially satisfying for the Monroe squad, a mix of three veteran seniors and two underclassmen, who had come so close in recent years. The team now turns its attention to

the ACF Regionals in Buffalo next month, where they try to earn the right to represent New York in the national culinary competition.

Less than a week after being crowned state champs, the culinary team was back in competition in New York City at the 146th annual Salon of Culinary Art Competition. This event, organized by the prestigious Société Culinaire Philanthropique, pairs a Monroe confectionary and savory team in the preparation of a magnificent culinary table. The confectionary team displayed awe-inspiriting chocolate sculptures, sugar showpieces and cakes. The savory team accented the table with gorgeous platters

of meat, seafood and poultry and other table sculptures. Weeks of preparation paid off as Monroe was awarded the grand prize for buffet presentation. The confectionary team was also honored as “best of show” for its extraordinary sugar sculpture, and Monroe took home its third Marc Sarrazin Cup in four years.

The Monroe students now return to campus to continue honing their professional skills by serving real customers in the Monroe Dining Lab Restaurant in New Rochelle. A three-course price fixed menu of Contemporary American cuisine is just $25. Reservations can be made at [email protected] or by calling 740-6421.


Effectively manage your credit this holiday seasonSpending is synonymous

with the holiday season. According to the U.S. Census Monthly Retail Trade Survey, spending rose throughout the holiday season in 2013, when consumers spent more than $300 billion in the month of December alone.

If spending and the holiday season go hand-in-hand, so, too, does January and the financial hangover that results from having spent so much in November and December. Many consumers find themselves in considerable debt come the new year, having decided to put many of their holiday purchases on plastic when the season was in full swing. But just because the holidays are a season of spending does not mean the first months of the new year need to be an exercise in extricating yourself from

but they’re not as valuable if you overspend and end up paying substantial interest charges.

Avoid retailer credit cards. Retailer credit cards also entice shoppers with deals. When purchasing items in-store, customers often are asked if they would like to earn a percentage off of their purchase by signing up for a retailer credit card. Such discounts may fall anywhere between 10 and 20 percent, a deal that many men and women may find too tempting to resist. However, retailer credit cards often come with much higher interest rates than standard credit cards. Unless you know you can pay off the balance immediately, decline the offer to sign up for a retailer credit card, opting instead to pay for your items with cash or a preexisting card that carries a much lower interest rate.

Use only one card. Using multiple cards when

making holiday purchases is a great way to lose track of how much you have spent. Even though the Internet makes it easy to check balances on all of your cards multiple times per day, managing credit is still easier if you only need to log in to a single account to monitor your holiday spending. Make a daily effort to monitor that spending, as it’s free to view your balance online and such monitoring can greatly reduce the likelihood that you will overspend.

Don’t exceed your credit limit. One of the biggest yet most preventable mistakes consumers make come the holiday season is exceeding their credit limits. Exceeding your credit limit not only means you will have a rough month of January when the bills come due, but such a mistake also has a more long-term effect, as your credit score suffers anytime

you exceed your limit.

Know your interest rates. Though it’s best to only use a credit card when you know you can repay the balance in full when the bill arrives, some consumers simply must carry a balance. In such instances, know the interest rate held by a particular card before you swipe that card to make a purchase. Some cards hold variable interest rates, which means the interest charged back in June may be far lower than the interest you will be charged in January. Before using any of your credit cards, determine which one holds the lowest interest rate and use that one when making holiday purchases.

Though spending might be synonymous with the holiday season, consumers need not accept credit card debt as a harsh reality of January. Taking steps to manage credit effectively when holiday shopping can make January a more enjoyable time of year.

debt. The following are a few ways shoppers can effectively manage their credit this holiday season.

Don’t use credit just to earn bonuses. One way to fall into significant debt is to justify your use of credit cards as a great way to earn miles, points or cash-back bonuses. While such

rewards can be appealing, if you’re afraid that you will overspend this holiday season if you put everything on plastic, then don’t do so just so you can earn bonuses. Credit cards should only be used when you have enough money to pay off a balance in its entirety before you incur any interest charges. Those rewards might be tempting,


Great gifts for people who love to read

Many people love to read, and such people do not often cause headaches for holiday shoppers. Readers typically are easy to shop for come the holiday season, when shoppers stuck on what to get a friend or family member can always fall back on a book or two if they know their loved one likes to get lost in a good book.

But books aren’t the only gifts shoppers can give the readers on their lists this holiday season. The following are a few gift ideas no book lover can balk at.

E-reader: Before buying an e-reader, shoppers may want to first learn where the intended recipient of this thoughtful gift stands on the book versus e-reader debate. Some book lovers feel a sentimental attachment to traditional books, while others love the versatility of e-readers, many of which serve as tablets that allow users to peruse the Internet, play games and, of course, read books. If your friend or family member does not have an aversion to e-readers, then this might make the ideal gift. The price of e-readers varies depending on their

capabilities, but you can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars depending on which model you ultimately choose.

Storage: For those readers who prefer traditional books, a new bookshelf can help them store their favorite titles. Books take up a lot of space, and avid readers tend to buy many new books each year, so homeowners and apartment dwellers alike will no doubt appreciate the extra space to store their collections. But even e-reader enthusiasts may find their storage filling up faster than they might have liked. To remedy that problem, holiday shoppers can buy a Wi-Drive with ample extra storage space so readers who keep both books and movies on their e-readers and tablets have plenty of extra space to store all of those new books they plan to read in the coming year.

Decorative bookends: Those who have a passion for books and home décor might appreciate a unique set of handcrafted bookends to store the books they

keep on their desks or those they keep out as decorative accents that guests can enjoy when visiting. Such gifts will please your friends or family members who have a flare for interior decorating while also appealing to their love of literature.

Book club membership: A membership to a Book of the Month Club may be right up the alleys of those readers who read too fast to join a local reading group or simply don’t have the time to devote to a community book club. Such memberships often sell classic titles and the latest bestsellers at a fraction of the cost of the publisher-established prices, and members typically can order as many books as they would like. This can be a great way for readers to find new titles and keep the books coming in without breaking the bank.

Avid readers are passionate about their books, and holiday shoppers can feed those passions by giving their favorite readers gifts that indulge their love of literature this holiday season.

One of the best steaks in NYC and Westchester

There are more than

24,000 restaurants in New York City. But there are only 100 coveted spots on Zagat’s list of “Top 100 NYC Restaurants.” Benjamin Steakhouse beat out all but 14 restaurants in the city on this year’s list, coming in at No.15.

So what does this have to do with Westchester? Well, not only do we have our very own Benjamin Steakhouse right here, and we don’t have to go anywhere near the West Side Highway to access it, one might even say that Westchester influenced Zagat’s list.

We named Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester the “Best Steakhouse” and “Best Rib Eye,” Westchester Magazine, as well as “The Best of Westchester” two years in a row, for 2013 and 2014.

Owners Benjamin

Prelvukaj and Ben Sinanaj, along with Chef Arturo McLeod, aren’t dedicated to keeping up with food trends; they’re dedicated to doing what they do, the best way they know how to do it. So it’s no surprise they credit much of their success to the signature flavor they achieve by dry-aging their six different cuts of steak for 28 days in special aging boxes. They’re also committed to using only the best USDA prime beef.

Located in Hartsdale, Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester is offering a prix fixe specialty Thanksgiving menu, for those who do not want to cook or host,

but are in search of the perfect place to celebrate the holiday with their loved ones in Westchester County. The traditional

menu features puree of pumpkin soup, traditional turkey with stuffing, roasted yams, potatoes au gratin and cranberry relish. The fireplace, a centerpiece of Benjamin Steakhouse, lends itself to a cozy Thanksgiving feast. The restaurant also offers private rooms for your next event or family holiday celebration. These newly renovated spaces can host from 10 to 300 guests—perfect for any occasion.

Benjamin Steakhouse Westchester is located at 610 West Hartsdale Road White Plains, New York, 10607. Call (914) 428-6868 to make a reservation or to reserve your next event.


Gifts to keep kids engagedHow to save on high-tech gifts

Select gifts that will have a longer shelf life, guaranteeing more opportunities for play.

Shoppers can employ several strategies to save money on gadgets this holiday season

Gadgets are among the most popular gifts come the holiday season. In 2013, CreditDonkey.com surveyed shoppers to determine what they planned to give during the holidays, and electronics were second only to gift cards among the most popular gifts to give. Sixty-three percent of respondents cited their intentions to give electronics, while the survey also found that 76 percent of people planned to request electronics as holiday gifts.

Gadgets figure to be popular gifts again this holiday season. Unwrapping the latest tablet or a big-screen television can be exciting, but electronics can be expensive. Those who plan to give their loved ones the latest gadgetry should be happy to learn there are ways to do so that don’t require breaking the bank.

Scale back. Oftentimes people are buying more computer or data than they actually need. For example, when buying computers, it’s tempting to go for those that boast the most memory, but that extra memory is only useful to those people who truly need it. A less expensive model that suits your loved one’s genuine needs will make for an impressive and more practical gift.

Determine necessity. Some gadgets are more a desire than a necessity. Decide if a particular device will be an asset to your loved one or just another trendy item that soon will be gathering dust. Look for devices that your loved one will make the most of. If the purchase is not warranted, save your money and look for something else.

Consider refurbished items. Don’t shy away from refurbished items, as the discounts can be steep. Refurbished items are often just items that were returned to the store because they’re not needed or because the item was malfunctioning. Returned items are factory-tested and then repackaged. Opt for refurbished items that carry a manufacturer-backed warranty for greater peace of mind.

Consider open box items. Just because packaging is dented or torn does not mean the merchandise inside is damaged. Purchasing a product that’s not inside a pristine box can sometimes yield a 10 to 15 percent discount at retailers that offer open-box specials. Just verify that all cords, manuals and other accessories are inside the box before leaving the store.

Peruse previous generation models. Manufacturers release a new version of their devices seemingly every year. That doesn’t mean last year’s phone, video game console or computer is any less effective than the updated version. Models from previous years likely won’t be much different from the latest models, but they do figure to be considerably less expensive.

Look for coupon codes. When researching products, search for coupon codes for desired electronics and retailers. Web-based retailers may post coupon codes that add up to significant savings. Just ensure that the total cost after taxes and shipping fees are calculated makes the purchase worth your while.

Skip the warranty. Extended warranties often cost more money than potential repairs. In addition, after a few year’s time, your loved one may be looking to upgrade his or her gadget anyway, making the extended warranty an unnecessary expense.

Gadgets make for popular yet expensive holiday gifts. But holiday shoppers can save money on electronics by employing a few savings strategies.

Store aisles are filled this time of year with every must-have gift retailers can advertise. Children often plead and beg for the hottest toys weeks ahead of the holidays, hoping to find their requests wrapped up come the big day.

But once the gift wrap is torn away and kids have played with their presents for a day, some already grow bored with their new belongings and cast them aside. Certain toys are not engaging enough to warrant extended periods of play — no matter what the advertisements boast.

No gift-giver wants to spend money on a present only to have it collecting dust days later. With that said, employing these strategies can help anyone select a gift that will continue to inspire and excite children long after the holiday season has come and gone.

Don’t believe the hype. It’s easy to fall hook, line and sinker for ultra-popular

trendy gifts. While such gifts may have popular appeal, that does not mean they’re a perfect fit for your child. When shopping for youngsters come the holiday season, choose a gift because your child will truly enjoy it and not because it’s the trendy item of the year.

Focus on the play factor. Too often shoppers get caught up in toys’ appearances. Instead, think about how the toys will work with imaginative play. The more a child can envision himself doing with a particular toy, the more likely he or she will exhibit a continued interest in that toy.

Look for minimal bells and whistles. Kids often find toys that leave more room for imagination more interesting than toys that are loaded with gadgets. Children prefer to make up their own stories and create modes of play that are more about what they like rather

than the “right” way to play or win.

Choose gifts that grow. Shoppers want to select gifts that are age-appropriate for children so they will be safe during play time. But shoppers also should look for toys and activities that can be modified and grow with the child as he or she ages. A game that gets progressively harder through levels or a toy set that can be supplemented as kids grow older may make good gifts. Musical instruments also can grow with a child, as the instruments become easier to master with practice.

Figure out the child’s interests. Toys that cater specifically to a child’s interests will be the most warmly received. It may take going the extra mile to find a gift that matches a child’s interest rather than picking up the first trendy gift you see, but the results will be well worth it.


How to simplify the process of returning gifts

Returns are an inconvenient reality of the holiday season. Whether you’re returning clothes that don’t fit or big-ticket items that don’t suit your lifestyle, the idea of making those returns is unlikely to inspire enthusiasm. However, the following are a few ways to simplify the process of returning gifts so it goes as quickly and as smoothly as possible.

• Gingerly open packages. Much of the frustration associated with returning gifts can be traced to returning the items in boxes that were torn apart when opening the gifts. Before tearing into a package or removing tags from any clothing, consider the gift and if you think you might want to return it. Some stores will not allow returns unless packaging

is completely intact, while some clothing retailers will only accept returns that include the original tags. So examine all gifts before you go tearing into any packaging so your initial excitement may impede your ability to return ultimately unwanted gifts.

Don’t delay a return. Men and women who wait to return an item may be making things more difficult on themselves. Some stores only allow returns for a predetermined number of days after the product is purchased, while others may not offer cash back after that period has expired. If you know you want to return a gift, do so soon after receiving the gift to minimize the headaches that come from procrastinating with regard to returning gifts.

Bring the original receipt. When possible, bring the original receipt instead of just the gift receipt. Returns made with only a gift receipt may only be eligible for store credit or a retailer may not give you full credit for the amount spent on the gift. In the latter case, without the actual receipt, you likely won’t know how much store credit you deserve or how much cash back you can expect.

Know the return policy before visiting the store. Return lines can be long, and no one wants to finally make it to the front of the line only to be told an item must be returned via the mail or that returns are subject to fees they don’t want to pay. Save yourself the time and frustration of a failed return by researching the retailer’s return policy before you head out to return any items.


Give the gift of indulgence this holiday season

Did you know?Though there is no official data that declares the best-selling holiday toy

for children of all-time, it’s fair to assume the lovable “Sesame Street” figure Elmo is high on the list of most popular holiday toys. Much of that

popularity can be traced to the introduction of Tickle Me Elmo in 1996. Though not the first Elmo doll, Tickle Me Elmo became the must-have gift of 1996, when parents searched far and wide for the doll that laughed when users tickled its stomach. During the holiday season of 1996, many people paid far beyond market price just so their children could wake up on Christmas or Chanukah and have a Tickle Me Elmo doll to call their own. Since 1996, Elmo has been reincarnated many times over, and each Elmo doll seems to inspire its own craze come the holiday season. Released in 1998, Walk ‘N’ Talk Elmo was a popular children’s gift, as was Rock ‘N’ Roll Elmo (1999), Tickle Me Elmo Surprise (2001), Chicken Dance Elmo (2002), and SHOUT Elmo (2005). In 2006, Mattel®, the company that produces the Elmo dolls, announced a special commemorative Elmo to mark the 10-year anniversary of the introduction of Tickle Me Elmo. That, too, sparked a buying frenzy, as some reports indicated private sellers were selling the latest Elmo, known as TMX Elmo, for thousands of dollars.

The holiday season is rife with tradition. Families have their own unique traditions, whether it’s gathering at Grandma’s to enjoy a holiday meal or singing carols together around the neighborhood with friends who live nearby.

One tradition that seems to have made it into many families’ holiday celebrations is indulging in delicious baked goods. Desserts are a big part of the holiday season, when many people relax restrictions on their diets to enjoy some of their favorite cookies and cakes. While such delicacies are often served

at dinnertime, homemade baked goods also make great gifts come the holiday season. Whether a friend or family member is a fully devoted foodie or simply a person who loves a decadent dessert, gifting homecooked baked goods is a great way to show your loved ones just how much you appreciate them. This holiday season, give the gift of decadence by cooking up the following recipe for “Sticky Chocolate Gingerbread” courtesy of Maxine Clark’s “Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers” (Ryland, Peters & Small).

Sticky Chocolate GingerbreadMakes an 8-inch cake

21⁄3 cups dark molasses6 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70

percent cocoa solids), grated13⁄4 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons ground ginger5 ounces whole pieces preserved

stem ginger, drained and roughly chopped

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

1⁄2 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar, sifted (to remove lumps)

2 medium eggs, beaten1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda2 tablespoons milk, warmed A pinch of salt Extra-large crystallized ginger

pieces, to scatter (optional) A deep 8-inch square cake pan or

8 x 6 x 3-inch oval cake panPreheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and

line the base and sides of the cake pan with nonstick parchment paper.

Put the molasses in a pan and heat

gently until hot, but do not allow it to boil. Remove the pan from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until melted.

Sift the flour, ground ginger and salt together in a bowl. Add the stem ginger and toss it around in the flour until every piece is coated.

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the eggs, then the molasses and chocolate mixture and finally the flour mixture. Dissolve the baking soda in the milk and gradually beat this into the batter.

Pour into the prepared cake pan, scatter with the crystallized ginger, if using, and bake for 45 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 F and bake for another 30 minutes. (If using the oval pan, cook for about 45 minutes at the higher temperature, then about 1 hour at the lower temperature, as it will be deeper.) A metal skewer inserted into the center should come out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and let cool completely. When cold, store in an airtight container for at least a couple of days to mature and become sticky. Don’t worry if it sinks a bit in the middle — this is normal.

eastchester review 11-21-2014

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