Neighborhood News

Details: Published: 07 September 2011; Created: 07 September 2011; Last Updated: 08 September 2011; Hits: 4193

9-11memorial Sunday September 11, 2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Westchester is commemorating the event in many ways this week, and here is what’s happening:

At Scarsdale High School, two assemblies will be held on Friday September 9th at 9:00 am and 10:30 am. According to Student Government Advisor Neil Ginsberg who organized the event, Tracy Garrison-Feinberg from Facing History and Ourselves will be at the school and will show some film clips, discuss what happened, how we responded and what we can do today. According to Garrison-Feinberg, “This event shaped the 21st century, and is to continuing to shape it. It’s is a crucial part of who we have become.” Since the youngest students at the school were only 4 years old at the time and may not even remember 9/11, the assembly should provide them with historic perspective.

Heathcote Music Teacher and recording artist Katherine Bescherer has written and performed a 9-11 memorial tribute song titled, "The World is Upside Down." Discussing the song, Bescherer said, "For me as a songwriter, it was so important to mark the events of 9/11 in a song. However, as one might imagine, it proved to be an especially difficult song to write. I remember 10 years ago being so overwhelmed by the loss and the "attack" that some time needed to pass before I could even begin to sort through it and then approach it musically and lyrically. How do you write about that level of loss? How do you speak literally or poetically about such horrors? How do you write about the images?

Ultimately the song did come, and I have shared it with people who were very close to the attacks and personally impacted by loss, and they have all been powerfully moved by the song. One friend who witnessed the attacks out his classroom window that morning even printed out the words and reflected on them almost daily. It was a way to help him grieve and to help him process. The song was that for me too. And, to record it 10 years later was very important to me. I wanted to give it to others a way to remember and reflect through song. See Bescherer perform "The World Is Upside Down": here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52PyipoH_Ds

Westchester County and the United Way are hosting a commemorative event on Friday September 9, 2011 from 2 pm to 7 pm at the Westchester County Center. People from all walks of life will gather to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 at Serve and Learn: Westchester Remembers 9/11.

In an action to rekindle the spirit of unity that followed the tragic events of September 11, The Volunteer Center of United Way is inviting area residents to honor local victims and heroes by engaging in service to help build a stronger community. With the support of Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, his administration and the Westchester County Board of Legislators, this community-wide call to action is designed to engage people of all ages in a wide-variety of one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities. Serve and Learn: Westchester Remembers 9/11, will take place Friday, September 9, at the County Center in White Plains, NY, 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., and is open to the public for free. Learn more here:

Westchester Reform Temple at 255 Mamaroneck Road in Scarsdale will commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 at their Friday night service on 9/9 at 7:45. The service will honor those who perished and pay tribute to the responders. The D’var Torah will be offered by Paul Kirwin, father of congregant Glenn Davis Kirwin of blessed memory. Glenn worked at Cantor Fitzgerald. His memory is cherished by family, friends and the WRT community, along with the mories of nearly 3,000 victims of the 9-11 attacks.

Hitchcock Church on Greenacres Avenue in Scarsdale will present a Service of Remembrance, Reflection and Resilience on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 10:30 am. The regular morning worship service will include music, meditation, special prayers and liturgy appropriate for the day. Music has the power to provide solace, inspiration and hope. The Chancel Choir of the church and the New Choral Society orchestra will present movements from Faure’s Requiem, Brahms’ Requiem, Bach’s B Minor Mass and a piece by Glenn Rudolph, The Dream Isaiah Saw, which was written for and dedicated to all who perished on September 11, 2001. It is a powerful text, paraphrasing Isaiah’s vision of peace and harmony among God’s creation. This worship service, which will last about 1 hour, is free and open to the public and ALL are welcome. Childcare will be provided for those children in Kindergarten and younger.

Scarsdale Synagogue on Ogden Road will hold a special service called A Time to Remember on Sunday, September 11 at 9:45. As a congregational community, they will come together to share this time that will always be etched upon our national psyche. Through music and the spoken word the group will remember and commit themselves to a better and more hopeful future.

The JCC of Mid-Westchester at 999 Wilmot Road will hold a day of Chesed (kindness), Service and Remembrance, Good Deeds and Charitable Service on Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. The day will include a Remembrance Program at 1:00 pm as well as a Bone Marrow Registry, Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery, Collection of NEW toys, Collection for Overseas Troops, Children’s clothing collection, Cereal collection, Hair Donations for Locks of Love, Pet Adoption, Blood Drive, honey collection, home care/medical supplies collection. Learn more at: http://www.jccmw.org/

Also at the JCC of Mid-Westchester on Sunday September 11 at 4 pm, see the film "Love Hate Love" (2011, USA), Directed by Dana Nachman and Don Hardy, with Executive Producer: Sean Penn

It's been nine years since Liz Alderman's son Peter was murdered on 9/11, and five since Esther Hyman's sister was killed by terrorists on 7/7 in London. Ben Tullipan lives now minus his two legs and most of his hearing because of the one-ton car bomb that went off just several meters from where he was standing outside Bali's Sari nightclub. Every day, they are faced with a choice; succumb to despair, or find a way to survive. “Love Hate Love” follows these families on their journey, which takes audiences to five continents as they strive to build world-changing legacies from wounds that can never fully heal. Screening followed by panel discussion moderated by Barbara Nachman.
Tickets $10. Click here for details

On September 13, Concordia College will present a special concert dedicated to the memory of those lost on September 11, 2001, titled Requiem for 9/11, by composer Hollis Thoms. The performance will be featured at the Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts on the Bronxville campus of Concordia College. The concert features soprano Treva Foss, Instructor of Voice at Concordia College-New York. Dr. Jason Thoms will conduct the professional chamber orchestra in the Requiem for 9/11, along with Elgar’s Serenade for Strings and Barber’s Adagio for Strings.

Both the music and poetry of the commemorative piece are powerful and vivid. Hollis Thoms writes, “A year after 9/11, I came across ‘September 11, 2001: American Writers Respond’ edited by Willliam Heyen, and discovered five poems that seemed suddenly fresh and poignant, awakening me to return to that tragic day with new insights and I felt a creative urge to set five of these poems to music. I couldn’t get going with the work until I started to think about these five poems as a journey culminating in a setting of Rainer Maria Rilke’s famous poem, Herbst, which I had set to music almost thirty years before.”

Dr. Thoms and Ms. Foss will be presenting the Requiem for 9/11 three times this September, including a September 11 performance at Christ Lutheran Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD, and a September 12 performance at the Medicine Show Theater in Manhattan. This is a return performance of Requiem for 9/11 to Concordia College, where the New York premiere was presented in September 2008. Tickets for the 7:30pm concert are $5. For more information, contact the Music Department at 914-337-9300, x2292 or email jason.thoms@concordia-ny.edu.

(Pictured at top) The Rising is a memorial located in the Kensico Dam Plaza of Valhalla, Westchester County, New York, created by architect Frederic Schwartz. It stands against the backdrop of Kensico Dam, commemorating the September 11 attacks on America and remembering in a special way the men and women from Westchester County who were victims of those attacks.

Details: Published: 29 August 2011; Created: 29 August 2011; Last Updated: 29 August 2011; Hits: 4140

scarsdale-police-car200 Scarsdale10583 received many inquiries and comments about the gang fight in Scarsdale Village in the early hours of Sunday morning August 19th. In response, we followed up with the Scarsdale Police to inquire about their investigation and here is what we learned from Detective Thomas J. Altizio. “We have reviewed all of the videos and conducted several interviews with the victims. We have identified some of the individuals involved, and Detectives are out working on the case right now. It is an active investigation that we are working with the MTA Police on, and if there are any notable developments or arrests I will keep you updated.”

In other news from the Scarsdale Police Department:

Delivery details: A UPS delivery man called police on the afternoon of 8/24 about a delivery to Penn Boulevard. After the UPS man handed the resident the electronic pen and clipboard to sign for the package, the resident refused to return the pen and clipboard. Police spoke to both parties and the clipboard was returned.

A Fedex man also had a dispute with a resident at 9 am on 8/25. The Fenimore Road woman claimed that the Fedex man had thrown a package against her door and broken a glass panel. However the Fedex man said that as he was placing the package on the doorstep a small dog jumped onto the glass panel and broke it. Police found that the dog had a cut on its leg and also noticed that the glass panel had been pushed outside, not in. They documented the incident for Fedex.

Dobbs Terrace residents called to report that a Fedex Package had been stolen from their home on August 23rd. Police spoke to neighbors and found that one of them had brought the package into her house as the residents were out of town.

For Rent? On 8/25, three men came to the door of a home on 67 Weaver Street claiming that they saw a rental ad for the property on Craig’s List. The resident told them that her house was not for rent. The men provided a reference number for the ad. Police called to inquire and found that a home at 867 Weaver Street had been advertised for rent.

Fireworks: At 10 pm on 8/24 police were called about kids setting off fireworks at Hyatt Field on Boulevard. Police found the youths with an unused firework and a bottle of beer. They asked the kids to throw out the firework and the beer and to call their parents. Police waited while parents came to pick their kids up from the field.

Mischief: the Head of Campus for the French American School on Palmer Avenue called to report that the doors to three storage sheds that house bicycles and scooters had been broken overnight on 8/24- 8/25. This was the fourth time the doors were broken. All of the scooters and bikes were there but it appeared that the vandals had played with the equipment.

Stuck: An Evon Court resident called police at 7:20 am on 8/25 when she was unable to exit the CVS parking lot on Depot Place. Though her parking receipt had been validated, the gate failed to go up. A CVS manager was able to open the gate with a key.

Missing: A concerned Quaker Ridge father came to police at 2:28 am on 8/27 to report that his daughter and her friend had failed to return from a party on Hickory Lane. The girls were subsequently located.

An Elm Road woman called police on the morning of 8/26 to report a car that had been parked on her street for several days and was blocking her driveway. Police found that the car was parked illegally and already had several tickets on the windshield. They had the car towed to the Scarsdale Police Impound Lot.

Identity Thefts: Over $3,000 in fraudulent charges were made to a Webster Road man’s Chase debt and credit cards between 8/9 and 8/21. On 8/27 a Tisdale Road man reported that $28,242 in fraudulent charges were made to his debt and credit cards. The man still had possession of his cards and did not know how this had happened. On 8/28 a Canterbury Road man reported that $2,293 in unauthorized charges were made to his debt card at a Target Store in Brooklyn. Spier Road residents also reported unauthorized use of their TD Bank checking account and credit line beginning on 7/28/11. There were unauthorized transfers, withdrawals, deposits and use of a credit card and online accounts. The fraudulent activity could total “tens of thousands of dollars.”

Sideswiped: A Nelson Road man reported that his brother saw a Con Edison truck sideswipe his car while it was parked at his home on Nelson Road on August 25th.

Police were called to a Meadow Road home on 8/26 to stand by while an ex-wife removed property from the house.

Animals: A Grand Park woman reported that her dog brought a dead rabbit into the house at 5:30 pm on 8/22. Police removed the rabbit from the house.

A coyote was spotted on Mamaroneck Road near Garden Road on August 23rd at 2:36 pm and at 3:22 p.m. police were called about a coyote on Windmill Circle. At 4:27 p.m., another call came in about a coyote on Cayuga Road. Police searched but were unable to find the coyotes.

Details: Published: 16 August 2011; Created: 16 August 2011; Last Updated: 16 August 2011; Hits: 4809

spierer3 There’s still no sign of Lauren Spierer of Edgemont, missing since June 3rd, 2011 at Indiana University in Bloomington. As hope of finding her alive has dimmed, some pressed police to search area landfills and they have now complied. In the press release below, dated August 16, police offer the specifics of a search of the Sycamore Ridge Landfill that was launched on Tuesday with help from the FBI, Indiana University Police Department and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The search time is estimated to be two weeks. Also below, find a statement from Lauren’s family.

From the Bloomington Police: The Bloomington Police Department has begun looking for evidence at the Sycamore Ridge Landfill related to the disappearance of Lauren Spierer. The operation began at approximately 7:00 a.m. today. The Sycamore Ridge Landfill is located in Pimento, IN (Vigo County). The Department is being assisted by agents from the FBI, officers from the Indiana University Police Department and a search expert from Team Adam affiliated with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Approximately 20-30 law enforcement personnel from all of the agencies will participate each day. The area of interest within the landfill is estimated to be approximately 70’ X 120’ X 20’ and the search effort may take up to two weeks.

Preparations for this undertaking began within days of Lauren Spierer being reported missing on June 3, 2011. It should be noted that dumpsters in the area of 11th and College were included in the initial search effort by police that took place immediately after Spierer was reported missing. As an additional precaution, during the week of June 6th initial contact was made with the companies providing waste collection for the dumpsters located near 11th and College. It was determined that all waste from Bloomington is taken to a transfer station south of the city and then transported to the Sycamore Ridge Landfill. While working with the company that operates the landfill, Republic Services, waste that was taken from the city on and around the dates of Spierer’s disappearance was identified at the landfill site. That location within the landfill has remained isolated and secured since that time with no additional waste placed in the identified area.

As preliminary preparations for checking the landfill began, the decision was made to allow ongoing land search efforts to continue. Thousands of civilian and professional searchers covered a perimeter of 10-12 miles from Spierer’s last reported location. Additional specific rural locations that were identified as possible disposal sites were also searched both inside and outside of Monroe County.

The Team Adam landfill search experts affiliated with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children began working with investigators in early July even as other efforts continued. An extensive plan was developed including determining the number of personnel needed, what agencies would be able to contribute personnel, what safety equipment and tools would be needed and where that equipment could be obtained. Other logistical considerations include such things as wash stations, restroom facilities, shelter, food, water and daily transportation for search personnel from Bloomington to the Terre Haute area.

Once the plan was finalized, the week of August 15th was chosen as a start date for the operation. In the interim, the personnel and equipment resources that would be needed as part of the plan were identified and procured.

The following statement is being released on behalf of the Spierer family:

“Please keep all the members of the Bloomington Police Department and all other law enforcement agencies who are assisting in this incredibly complex undertaking to search the landfill safe. With sincere thanks and appreciation for their continued support in our efforts to find Lauren.”

Rob, Charlene and Rebecca Spierer

Details: Published: 25 August 2011; Created: 25 August 2011; Last Updated: 26 August 2011; Hits: 4587

stormjohnson3 Forecasters predict that a hurricane or tropical storm is coming our way this weekend. No one knows how severe the upcoming storm will be and whether or not there will be flooding or power outages. However most Scarsdale residents remember the March, 2010 storm and realize that high winds and rain can wreak havoc here. If you’re thinking about what you can do to get ready, the National Hurricane Center has provided the following list of essentials to weather the upcoming storm. You still have a day or two to gather what you need, so why not be prepared? Here is what they suggest:

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days.
Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days including non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices, snacks and foods for infants or the elderly. Make sure you have a manual can opener, paper plates and plastic utensils.
First aid kit including medicine and prescription drugs
Flashlight and batteries
Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio
Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set
Cash (with some small bills) and credit cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods
Keys
Special items for babies and the elderly
Toiletries, hygiene items, moisture wipes
Toys, Books and Games
Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag including insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, and social security card.
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Pet care items: including proper identification, immunization records, medications, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage,muzzle and leash
If you do lose power, report it to Con Edison by calling 1-800-752-6633. Con Edison tracks every call, so even if your neighbor has already alerted them, it's worth a call. Keep your Con Edison account number handy as they may ask for it.

If your home does flood, here are some do’s and don’ts sent to us by Hillary Shepard of Servpro in Scarsdale:

DO:

Ensure your electricity is turned off before entering a flooded structure.
Assume flood water is contaminated, and minimize contact with it.
Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for drying.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
Remove any valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place.
Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
DON’T:

Don't leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible.
Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
Don't use television or other household appliances while standing on wet floors or carpets.
Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Remediation companies like Servpro can pump out the water, dry homes or businesses and prevent mold. http://www.servproofscarsdalemountvernon.com/

Details: Published: 11 August 2011; Created: 11 August 2011; Last Updated: 11 August 2011; Hits: 4849

jocelyn Scarsdale resident Jocelyn Greenky-Herz loves to give advice. In fact, in 2004, Simon and Schuster published her first book of advice, The Big Sister's Guide to The World of Work: The Inside Rules that Every Working Girl Should Know (www.BigSistersGuide.com). She has appeared on numerous television and radio shows and is a featured speaker at universities, corporations and women's organizations around the country. She is an AOL Coach (www.coach.com) and a mentor within the Women of Tomorrow Mentor and Scholarship Program (www.Women-of-Tomorrow.com). She lives with her two children, dog, cat and numerous visitors and is a keen observer of life in town. Here are her answers to a few tricky questions about friendship:

Question: My friend is always invading my personal space and stands so close to me that I can’t think straight. I hate it. Help, how do I get her to stop?

Answer: Take a step back to put at least two feet between yourselves. If she moves forward, tell her you have been sick and don’t want her to get your germs. When you leave, do not kiss goodbye or do any air kissing and let her know how great it was to see her. The next time you see her, ensure you keep the two feet rule going and eventually she should get it.

Question: My supposed best friend ratted me out on a new pair of Gucci's to my husband that I wanted to keep secret. Do you think I should ditch her?

Answer:: I hate that. It happened to me as well. I have to say, it’s not the greatest thing on earth that she busted your trust. However, she was probably doing it for a laugh and to get you back for something else. I would have a good heart to heart and let her know to knock off squealing on you because it hurt you. Think twice before you tell her anything of real importance because she did show you her true colors.

Question: I go crazy when I call some of my friends and they jabber on only about their kids. It's just so annoying. What can I do?

Answer: Know what you are in for when you call that person. Get a bag of popcorn, pretend you are at the movies, put a timer on and listen. Once the 9 minutes are up, tell your friend you forgot to do something important and tell her how great it was to catch up and then, hang up. Your friend will think you are an amazing listener - and you have done your duty. Here's the real piece of advice, if you ever plan to share a meal with that person, you will be locked in for hours - so try and only make it a phone call.

Question: I told my close friend a secret that I wish I had kept to myself. What now?

Answer: Remind yourself that whatever you say to another human being - other than to clergy or a parent – may be repeated. Take your friend out to coffee and ask her to please keep it on the DL (down low for those of you who are learning the English language). I am sure she will say of course that she will keep it confidential but we all know that doesn't guarantee squat. Most likely your friend won't repeat a thing knowing how important it is to you. Next time, THINK, THINK, THINK before you repeat something that you consider sensitive.

Question: My friend makes plans with me and is either always late or cancels at the last minute. What can I do?

Answer: Uh, don't make plans with her! GET RID OF HER. Really, what kind of friend is that exactly? Even though she may listen to your trials and tribulations - anyone who is not respectful of your time should go bye-bye from your personal Rolodex. Don't put up with that malarkey and find friends who are considerate.

If you have comments about the questions above, or additional questions for Jocelyn, please post them in the comments section below.