Brave New World of Apps
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It wasn’t love at first sight, but after we spent some time together I was head over heels. I am a middle aged woman, still deeply in love with my husband of almost three decades, but I had fallen in love again. The object of my new affection was sleek, well built, powerful, fast and fun. I had bought an iPhone
Last year, my previous phone - a Blackberry - was faltering, so prior to purchasing a new device I spent a great deal of time researching three smartphone platforms: BlackBerry, Droid and iPhone. Given the fast paced New York way of life coupled with the lack of overlap between my husband’s schedule and mine, I seem to spend more time with my phone than my spouse. The right choice of a new phone was critical.
So many factors to research! - and so unqualified for this task – but I went up the learning curve quickly: screen size, battery life, mega pixels, graphics quality, connectivity, call integrity, etc., not to mention cost and carrier plan specifics. And that’s how I met my iPhone.
When I purchased the phone, the salesperson introduced me to the world of apps. How useful and what fun! Here are a few of my favorites (in no particular order):
• GasBuddy – provides gas prices by price or location
• Flixster – find movie times and locations, view trailers, read reviews, etc…
• iRetouch - photo editing on your phone
• HopStop - provides options/directions for travel between two points within various cities/locations. Great in Manhattan!
• NYC Subway Map
• Sit Or Squat: Bathroom Finder (sponsored by Charmin!) - locates public toilets; provides reviews of cleanliness, etc… Of five stars maximum: 2 ½ or more indicate ‘sit’; fewer than 2 ½ indicate ‘squat’.
• Open Table – make reservations at OpenTable.com restaurants
• Tip Calculator
• Epicurious – great in the supermarket when you need recipes (with a list of ingredients) for dinner, etc.
• Google Translate – like having many foreign language dictionaries at your fingertips
• Merriam -Webster Dictionary
• US Open Tennis – was wonderful for obtaining current scores, match locations, player stats, etc…
• iHandy Flashlight – I never thought I would use this until I went to a very dark restaurant and couldn’t read the menu. Apparently, neither could anyone else because the restaurant was a sea of iPhone flashlights.
My only gripe so far with apps for the iPhone is that I can’t seem to locate a Metro-North schedule for my phone, but this app is available to Droid users. I suppose every couple has a tiff now and then.
Please share your favorite apps!
SHS Girls Tennis Team Gives It Their Best
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This hasn’t been an easy year for the Scarsdale Girls Varsity A Tennis Team. The girls tennis team has an imposing history. Undefeated in their league for many years there’s a large display of banners in the gym that attest to the team’s supremacy season after season. However, unlike most team sports, the tennis team’s success is dependent on the talent of the students who come out for the team. Experienced players often start out young, taking lessons and playing in tournaments well before they get to SHS. Some of the community’s most talented players don’t even come out for the team – preferring to use their time to play tournaments and work on their rankings.
So though Coach Roane can select the best talent from the pool, encourage the players and set the line-up, once on the court the girls are on their own. And this is not to say that this year’s team is without talent – in fact there are many skilled players on the team and it’s hard to put your finger on exactly what has gone wrong this season. As of Monday October 3rd, the team’s record was 1 win and 4 losses in the league and 2 wins and 5 losses overall. The match against Mamaroneck on Monday October 3rd was called due to rain but looked promising before the clouds rolled in.
Team Captains Michelle Furnari and Jenna Karp are seniors and veterans. Michelle, a four-year varsity player is a tournament level competitor and is playing first singles. She looks energetic and confident on the court and in Monday’s match against Mamaroneck she breezed by Sarah Yakelis 6-3, 6-2, finishing well before the rain began. Senior Chloe Kaufman has returned to the team after taking a hiatus during her junior year and is also playing singles along with sophomore Adrienne Travis who played second singles in Monday’s match and was off the court quickly, winning 6-2, 6-0. Sophomore Lindsay Rokito played third singles on Monday and will resume her match when it is rescheduled.
The doubles teams have had mixed success this season, with many matches ending in stressful super tie breakers. Seniors Jenna Karp and
On the fourth court sisters and twins Colette and Carine Torres have moved up to Varsity A this year from Varsity B where they played as freshmen. They report that they started playing seriously in sixth grade and are enjoying playing together. They follow in the footsteps of the Rokito twins who graduated last year and played for the Varsity team for several years. New to the team this year are two freshmen cousins -- Carolyn Zelicof and Kate Rabin who are playing doubles together. They are energetic and savvy on the court and sure to lead the team to success in future years.
Pictured at top: Adrienne Travis and Michelle Furnari
Vidal Succeeds Cohen as Chair of the Scarsdale Republican Town Committee
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Katrina Vidal has been elected as the new Chairman of the Scarsdale Republican Town Committee (SRTC). Vidal was elected to succeed outgoing Chairman Bob Cohen at the committee’s September 20th meeting. The Scarsdale Republican Town Committee is the Republican organization for the Village of Scarsdale. The Committee supports fiscally responsible candidates for Westchester County, New York State and National offices. Outgoing Chairman Bob Cohen with assistance from Vidal, was responsible for the committee’s growth in size and influence during the past year. Steve Fuchs is now the Vice Chairman and will work to continue to inform the community about Republican positions and candidates.
The SRTC is currently supporting Dr. Iris Pagan's campaign for County Legislature for District 5, which includes Scarsdale and parts of White Plains and Harrison. Pagan advocates a reduction in county taxes and spending and opposes the affordable housing settlement.
League Explores Five Corners Roundabout
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Would a proposed roundabout ease traffic at the Heathcote Five Corners or simply exacerbate the congestion? That was the question on the table at the League of Women Voters community discussion on Tuesday night September 20th at the Crossway Firehouse. The event drew a cross section of League members, former trustees, Village managers and residents who live near this difficult intersection.
Creighton Manning Engineers, the consultants hired by the Village to analyze the feasibility of a roundabout, presented their Phase II report and Peter Strauss and Assistant Village Manager Justin Datino, were on hand to answer questions. The session was moderated for the LWV by Deb Pekarek who asked for questions, rather than comments, but got some of each.
Former Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens explained that the Village Board had assigned an Ad Hoc Committee to look into a roundabout and they had hired traffic consultants Creighton Manning to do a study at an estimated cost of $35,000. The group was then shown a presentation about how a roundabout could work, including animations of traffic flow and video of a similar roundabout in Glens Falls, New York.
According to the engineers, here are some of the benefits of roundabouts:
- Safest intersections -- reduce conflict points
- High capacity with minimal delay
- Flexible for unusual conditions
- Aesthetic gateway
- Environmentally sound solution - reduced vehicle emissions
- 35% fewer accidents
- 75% fewer fatal accidents
- 45% fewer pedestrian accidents when a roundabout is constructed
The proposed single lane roundabout design for Scarsdale would includes pedestrian islands for safe crossing and lit signage. A
landscaped center island would add greenery and aesthetic appeal. The roundabout would be 105 feet in diameter and would require the Village to make right-of-way land acquisitions. Engineers demonstrated how the roundabout would reduce waiting time to get into and around the intersection.
The total estimated cost of the project is $1,900,000, with $1.5 million for construction, $220,000 for engineering and $175,000 for inspections. The Village hopes to fund 75% of the project through state or federal funding.
The presentation included extensive testimony from Glens Falls residents where despite an increase in traffic volume, the roundabout was found to reduce delays.
A merchant there whose business is located right on the circle was skeptical at first but now thinks the roundabout is great. Another resident said, “No one wanted it to begin with and now everyone loves it.”
In the question period, several disgruntled neighbors voiced their concerns about traffic from the Heathcote School at Palmer Avenue and Innes Roads when school lets out. Michael Malina wanted to know how the roundabout would alleviate the gridlock near his home. A Fox Meadow woman questioned how many accidents there have been in the past few years and wanted to know why the Village would spend these funds if accidents were not an issue. Another woman wanted to know if there was data about children’s safety crossing at the pedestrian crosswalks. Larry Bell questioned whether the width of sidewalks would need to be reduced and voiced his concern about a tight overlap at Heathcote Road on Weaver Street.
The group spent a considerable time reviewing the merits and demerits of the proposal and the League will hold their consensus meeting on the issue on October 3rd.
Pictured at top: Former Mayor Carolyn Stevens, Pamela Rubin (member of the Ad Hoc Five Corners Traffic Study Committee), Peter Strauss (Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee), Justin Datino (Assistant to Scarsdale Village Manager), Marylou Green (Scarsdale League of Women Voters President), Deb Pekarek (Scarsdale League of Women Voters Planning and Zoning Chair), and Steve Godlewski (Creighton Manning Engineers). Photo Credit: Angela Manson
James Blake to Visit Quaker Ridge Golf Club
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The Westchester Children’s Museum (WCM) announced that tennis champion James Blake will be this year’s featured celebrity pro at the Annual Tennis Outing. The event will be held at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale on Monday, September 19, 2011. Each tennis outing participant will have the opportunity to rally with Mr. Blake, as well as attend a buffet breakfast and lunch with this tennis legend where he will sign autographs and participate in a Q&A session.
In addition to the tennis outing, the Westchester Children’s Museum will simultaneously host its Fifth Annual Golf Classic at Quaker Ridge Golf Club. This is an opportunity to tee it up on the par-70, 6,772-yard A. W. Tillinghast design – often called “Tillie’s Treasure”. Ranked 40th in the United States by this month’s issue of Golf Magazine, Quaker Ridge is frequently mentioned when accomplished golfers are asked to name the best course in the Metropolitan New York area. As in years past, the event will feature tournament competition, on-course contests, as well as a brunch to kick off the outing. Cocktails and dinner with an auction and raffle will wrap up the eventful day. The Charity Tennis and Golf events will both raise funds for the completion of the Westchester Children’s Museum exhibit designs and construction.
The event’s featured pro, James Blake, is a crowd favorite that has played many historic matches at the US Open. James achieved a career high ATP ranking of number four and has won ten tournament titles. James has also been a regular member of the United States Davis Cup team. In 2007, James won the decisive match for the United States to win the Davis Cup World Group championship. James is also the author of memoir called Breaking Back, which is a New York Times Bestseller. James was born in Yonkers and grew up in Fairfield, CT. He attended Harvard University.
“We are so excited to have James Blake’s support at our annual charity tennis outing,” said Andrea Tucker of Scarsdale, Co-Chair of the event. “With the backing of a renowned world champion, we are more excited than ever to continue our efforts to raise funds for the Westchester Children’s Museum.” Now that the Museum’s lease of the Rye Playland North Bathhouse has been unanimously approved construction and renovations are moving forward.
Tucker, a Heathcote mother of three, offered the following comments on how she became involved with the Museum. “I became interested in helping to bring a children's museum to Westchester after visiting the Long Island Children’s Museum. My kids always enjoyed themselves when visiting and I was disappointed to learn that our community did not have a similar destination for our youth. I found that other local families were committed to developing such a place and then heard about Westchester Children’s Museum. While inquiring about volunteering, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Corinne Zola, a fellow member of Quaker Ridge Golf Club, is President of the museum. “
Tucker continues, “After becoming involved with Westchester Children’s Museum, I assisted in the planning for its annual Quaker Ridge golf outing. Corinne and I strategized how best to engage the community and felt that bringing professional tennis players on board each year would be an added incentive for our supporters. Last year, our inaugural tennis event sold out; it was headlined by Jim Courier. Tennis Champion James Blake will be joining us this year. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to interact on and off court with a top U.S. tennis player while supporting a worthwhile community cause. “
“I must also recognize the many Scarsdale residents who have volunteered their time and effort to make this event a success, from members of the tennis committee to the Board of Directors and donors. Without all the wonderful volunteers who believe in the mission of the Westchester Children’s Museum, none of this would be possible. So a special thank you goes out to my fellow village residents for once again rallying behind a great cause – no pun intended!”
For more information, corporate sponsorship opportunities, golf participation or to purchase tickets to either the tennis or golf event, visit: www.discoverWCM.org/events
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In addition, The Scarsdale Fire Department wants you to putt for pink. On Monday October 3, the Scarsdale Fire Department is holding a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and the UFFA Local 1394 at Fenway Country Club. The scramble golf format begins at 11am that morning, the locker room opens at 9am. For $225 player fee includes greens fee, cart, complimentary t-shirt and gift bag, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner and a reception with an open bar at Saxon Grill. Caddy fee is additional.
Enjoy one of the state’s premier golf courses while helping our town’s bravest and the battle against cancer. Sponsorship advertising opportunities are available. For tickets and more information about the event contact Patrick Gorham at 914-740-5516 or scarsdaleputtforpink@gmail.com.
