Announcing the 2015 Spelling Bee
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Friends of the Scarsdale Library are gearing up for the fifth annual Adult and Teen Spelling Bee, to be held on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 7:30 PM in the Scarsdale High School Auditorium.
The Spelling Bee, a Scarsdale institution in the making, is an important fund raising event for the Scarsdale Library. Over the past four years, monies raised through the Spelling Bee have been used to make significant technology upgrades to the Library's community room, to enhance the children's room with improved lighting and carpeting, to plan a business center for the community, and to upgrade the entrance and lobby. Proceeds from this year's Bee will be used to fund a high-level speaker series, bringing quality programming to Scarsdale and making the library the intellectual hub of the community.
The event provides a great evening of entertainment to the community during the winter doldrums. Trivia games, music, a silent auction, and emcee Ed Coleman, the radio voice of the New York Mets, will keep audience members regaled between rounds of the Spelling Bee. Audience members can play along silently with the contestants and cheer for their friends and neighbors participating in the Bee.
Participants in the Spelling Bee compete as teams of up to three people. Anyone of high-school age and above may participate, and the entrance fee is $150 per team. Two rounds, the first written, and the second oral, winnow the field of teams down to the finalists and ultimate champions. As four-time contestant Janice Starr notes, "My team-mates and I will be back because this is such a fun event, and there is so much community spirit that evening."
Besides participating on a spelling team, sponsorship opportunities are available to businesses and individuals. Contact Spelling Bee co-chairs Renu Lalwani at (914) 472-4310 or Carolyn Mehta at (914) 584-5903 to discuss sponsorship levels.
The deadline to enter as a team is December 15, 2014. Only 20 teams will compete, so get your application in soon in order to avoid being shut out of this fun event. Application forms are available at the Library or online at http://www.scarsdalelibrary.org/friends. For more information, contact Renu Lalwani or Carolyn Mehta.
Enterovirus D68: What You Need to Know
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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The news that children in Michigan, Rhode Island and New Jersey have died from the Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has struck fear in many local parents and experts warn the Enteroviruses and flu pose a greater risk to residents here than another health threat, the Ebola virus, which is spreading rapidly in West Africa.
EV-D68 is an upper respiratory virus that is usually mild and common cold-like in presentation but can also be serious in some cases, requiring hospitalization. Since Enteroviruses are most common in the summer and fall months their incidence should decline as fall becomes winter but in the interim parents should be vigilant in monitoring their children.
Here are some questions and answers about the virus:
Who is at risk for contracting EV-D68?
Children are at higher risk than adults for becoming infected since they have not often developed immunity to it as adults have. Children with asthma seem to be at higher risk for serious complications from the virus.
How can you prevent your kids from coming down with the virus?
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends regular hand washing, avoiding contact with people who are sick and staying home if you're sick, covering coughs and sneezes and disinfecting home and school surfaces well and regularly. Washing hands or using an alcohol hand sanitizer is especially important before eating and after coughing or sneezing and before touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Dan Weiser, M.D., is a pediatric oncologist and medical director of the intra-abdominal solid tumor service at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore. His patients who have cancer are more susceptible to bugs and viruses, as treatment for their disease makes them immune-compromised. "I tell the parents of my patients to follow standard hand hygiene recommendations as well as other routine infection-prevention techniques such as sneezing and coughing into the elbow. To protect healthy individuals, children with a presumed contagious illness should stay away from other people and not share cups or eating utensils."
What are the signs and symptoms of EV-D68?
EV-D68 is a non-polio virus that causes a fever (although not always), runny nose, sneezing, coughing, muscle and body aches, and possibly temporary muscle paralysis in some patients. Symptoms are very similar to the common cold and somewhat similar to the flu. A few children who tested positive for EV-D68 this summer developed a polio-like virus, but it's not clear if this was caused by the virus or not.
Extra precautions should be taken for asthmatic children. According to the CDC, EV-D68 is transmitted through contact with infected persons who cough, sneeze, or touch a surface that is then touched by others who are susceptible to the virus. Sue Ugliarolo, Director of Scarsdale Friends Nursery School, said, "I will send children home if multiple symptoms exist. A child with a runny nose who is happy, running, and eating is different from a child with a runny nose who is lethargic, cries easily, and has no appetite." She added, "We do take temperatures at school with an ear thermometer. Children who are not well are miserable at school." Mrs. Ugliarolo stresses to preschool parents that they need to be partners in helping to keep the school environment healthy. The guidelines of the school outline how parents can determine if a child is well enough to attend school. "It's important that parents feel like they can be open and honest with us in regards to their children's health," she continued. "I've seen kids at school who say they vomited their breakfast that morning and here they are in school, only to be sent home and be out over the next several days."
When should you worry (or when should you call the doctor)?
Occasionally, children develop wheezing and become very short of breath. If either of these symptoms occur, you should have your child promptly examined. If your child has asthma, be sure they take their medicines regularly and have their inhalers handy.
Can a doctor test for the virus?
According to the CDC, as of October 10, 2014, there have been 691 confirmed cases of the virus across the nation. Most doctors offices and laboratories don't have the ability to test for and diagnose specific enteroviruses. There are likely many more than 691 cases of EV-D68, but only severe cases that have required hospitalization have been laboratory-confirmed. Mild cases of the virus subside on their own and are not laboratory-tested.
Is there treatment?
Treatment consists of supportive care at home in mild cases or in a hospital in more severe cases if there are breathing problems. Anti-viral medications have not been shown to be effective in fighting EV-D68.
What about the flu? Should children still get the vaccine?
Though parents are focused on this new virus, it is important to remember that influenza sickens more children every year than enteroviruses, including D68. The CDC ranks influenza as one of the top ten causes of death in children. If you haven't scheduled a flu vaccine appointment yet, consider doing so as cases have started being reported. It's very important to vaccinate your children against measles and other common, avoidable diseases. Dr. Judy Stone, an Infectious Disease physician and blogger with the Scientific American Blog Network, emphasized, "It's important to keep the risk of Enterovirus in perspective--influenza, whooping cough, and measles are far more worrisome, and are preventable with immunizations." In fact, once virtually eradicated in this country, there were 592 cases of measles in the U.S. as of August 1st; measles can be fatal in children.
Are you concerned about EV-D68? Is your school doing anything different in terms of hand washing or sending kids home even if they "only" have colds? Please share in the comments below.
Stellar Season for the Scarsdale Girls Varsity Tennis Team
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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We asked Coach Jennifer Roane for the secret sauce behind the success of the Scarsdale Girls Varsity Tennis Team, and she answered in one word: consistency. Simply put the girls are getting the ball back, playing a steady game and waiting for their opponents to make the errors.
Their patience has paid off and the team has now has won all of their League matches and dropped only one non-league match with a narrow 4-3 loss to Horace Mann. They trounced their Mamaroneck rivals 6-1 and New Rochelle 7-0 and as of October 1 they are 9-1.
Beyond the wins, the girls look happy on the court and look great in their cool team uniforms. Roane reports that during practices rather than compete for positions, the girls have asked to work on strategy and teamwork. While watching a match, one of the mother's of a senior player remarked, "this team has bonded," and watching the team dynamics it is evident that they support each other.
The team includes many returning players, a few who moved up from the Varsity B team and one
freshman. Roane explained that she would only take a freshman on the team if the newcomer would play – and freshman Phebe Denison is playing and enjoying the companionship of the upperclassmen.
We stopped by to see a few matches and were impressed with the girls' athleticism, sportsmanship and positive energy. Playing first singles is senior Kim Zou who has beautiful strokes and drives the ball hard. She bound off the court at the second match against opponent Ursuline defeating Sophie Moeller 6-0 in the first set and ahead 3-1 in the second when Moeller had to retire due to illness. Zou worked on her tennis this summer at Kela Tennis in Mt. Vernon and strengthened her game.
Playing second singles sophomore Ashley Granieri usually wins, but plays long matches. At the September 22 match against Ursuline she beamed as she told me she had won 6-1, 7-5. Even when her opponent called for a line judge, Granieri kept her cool and played her game. However, against Horace Mann she was not as lucky. Granieri played until 8 pm losing the match in a third set tiebreaker with a score of 10-8. Most of the team and the parents hung in to watch and cheer her on. Another returning player is senior Adrienne Travis who is one of the captains and plays third singles for the team.
This year senior team captain and 4-year varsity player Kate Rabin is paired with junior Jessica Tsai at first doubles and they are having a terrific season. Last year Rabin partnered with Granieri who is now playing singles.
Junior Elin Johansson is playing second doubles with Allison Schein and in a tough match against Horace Mann split the first two sets and won 10-7 in a third set tiebreaker. Nina Lurie, who moved up from the B team this year also rotates into second doubles. Johansson's partner from last year, Francesca Johnson is out with an injury.
Playing third doubles are Anshe Barmecha and Kayle Waterhouse , and in fourth doubles are Dorianna Marambio and freshman Phebe Denison.
This week marks the end of the regular season. The girls will undoubtedly move onto the sectionals later this month.
Vintage Cars On Display in Scarsdale
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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For the second time in just two weeks Scarsdale Village was the setting for a major event on Sunday October 5th. Following the Southern Westchester Food and Wine Festival on September 21, the Scarsdale Concours d'Elegance returned for their 11th annual auto show on the streets of downtown Scarsdale. I am not a car buff, but I couldn't help but be impressed with the amazing array of vintage cars on display. There were some that dated back to the era of Henry Ford, convertibles with big wings, plus a Cadillac Eldorado, Fiats, Porsches and corvettes that reminded me of just how old I am.
The cars aren't only beautiful ... they are valuable. I asked the owner of this 1911 Packard what it's 
worth and he told me the last offer he turned down was for $1.2 million. Pretty good considering that he found the car in a barn in January 2007 in good condition and restored it.
Check out this 1958 Chevy Impala, 1963 Corvette, and this 1948 Tucker that looks like it belongs on a movie set.
Cars aside, with the Del Bocas playing good old-fashioned rock 'n roll and Lange's grilling outside the event had all the makings of a wonderful street party.
Proceeds will be donated to Scarsdale and Edgemont Family Counseling Service, The Warrior and Family Assistance Fund and the Scarsdale Foundation.
Here's a list of the winning cars:
Best in Show – 1911 Packard Model 30 – Michael DeAngelis
Best Italian Car – 1968 Maserati Mexico – Walter Eisenstark
Best American – 1954 Chevrolet 3600 Pickup – David Marinelli
Best German – 1955 Mercedes Benz 300SL Gullwing – Bob Kerekes
Best Competition Car – 1954 Jaguar XK120M Bradley Farrell
Best Muscle Car – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 RS - Frank Chicherchia
Most Exciting Car – 1963 Jaguar XKE Lightweight – Robert Torre
Most Outstanding Coachwork – 1939 Cadillac Series 75 Conv – Jim Barnes
Founder's Choice – 1959 Porsche 356A Barnett Black
Oldest Car – 1911 Packard Model 30
Best Hot Rod – 1948 Tucker – Bob Kerekes
Miller Motorcars Award – 1960 Aston Martin - - Mike Odierna
Chubb Collector Car Insurance Award – 1961 Jaguar MK9 Saloon – Greg Arnold
BlackRock Award – 1958 Jaguar SK 150s – Dave Porter
Best Porsche – 1967 912 Softwindow Targa – Lee Farhadian
Best Ferrari – 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 – Francesco Spadaro
Monticello Motor Club – 1984 Porsche 959 Prototype - Jim Freeman
Judge's Award – 1969 Ford F250 Ice Cream Truck
Maroon & White Community award – 1960 Chevrolet Corvette – Marlo Moss
Save Scarsdale Public Television
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This letter was sent to Scarsdale10583 by Andrew Sereysky of Walworth Avenue: The Scarsdale Village Manager's office has proposed merging the Village's Cable Television operations (Cablevision channels 75 and 76 / Verizon channels 42 and 43) with the City of New Rochelle. The Board of Trustees will consider this proposal on Tuesday, September 23 at 6 pm.
The proposal is opposed by the Scarsdale Cable Television Commission, a group of Scarsdale residents appointed by the Village Board of Trustees to advise them with regard to cable policy and The Scarsdale Inquirer.
The Commission opposes this merger proposal because:
- It will severely limit the availability and flexibility of the Village's Cable Television office to meet the needs of our Village and residents.
- One of Scarsdale's current Cable Television contractors would become a full-time New Rochelle employee (with benefits) who would be shared with Scarsdale, but Scarsdale would be required to split the cost equally with New Rochelle, despite the fact that New Rochelle's population is more than four times as large.
- More importantly, the proposal does nothing to address the lack of locally relevant programming for Scarsdale residents and community organizations. Despite ample existing resources, Scarsdale residents and community organizations currently are not able to receive training, equipment or assistance from the Village to produce local programming or to cover local events (yet many of our neighboring towns offer this and more with similar resources).
The Commission has its own proposal to increase efficiency and deliver significantly improved cable television services to the Scarsdale community using currently available resources, including:
- Providing interested Scarsdale residents and community organizations with access to training, equipment and assistance o produce and air programs highlighting issues of local importance.
- Making programming and meetings accessible to residents via the Internet or mobile device.
- Partnering with the Scarsdale Public Library to provide enhanced resident access to their events and programming.
The Commission urges all concerned Scarsdale residents to contact Mayor Steves and the Board of Trustees to express their opposition to the New Rochelle merger proposal and register their support for the Commission's alternative plan. The Mayor's e-mail address is: mayor@scarsdale.com.
Andrew Sereysky
57 Walworth Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 10583-1422
