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Vol 110 Number 6
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Friday, February 6, 2015
32nd Annual Mike D’Ambrosio Assemblymember Mayer Proposes
Reform Post Silver Corruption
PAL Poster Contest Kicks Off
Last year’s PAL poster contest winners, Christina Ljulic and Colin Norwak, with the Yonkers
police officers that will be on the 2015 poster, Sgt. John Viviano Sr. and (son) Officer John
Viviano Jr. Photo by Ed Whitman.
By Dan Murphy
The Yonkers Police Athletic League held
its kickoff for the 32nd annual poster contest
at City Hall on Jan. 30. Last year’s winners –
Christina Ljulic and Colin Nowak – joined
with Mayor Mike Spano, Police Commissioner
Charles Gardner, Poster Contest Chairwoman
Margaret Staruch and others to highlight the
contest, which is open to fifth- and sixth-graders
who live in Yonkers and who attend a public,
private or parochial school in the city.
Continued on Page 10
First African-American
Yonkers Police Officer Dies
By Dan Murphy
The passing of Rita Gross-Nelson, after a brief
but valiant battle with cancer, at the age of 77 last
week resulted in an outpouring of memories and
recollections of Yonkers’ first African-American
female police officer, volunteer and public servant.
Mayor Mike Spano summed up the feeling
of many in the city when he said: “I am deeply
saddened to hear of the passing of my friend, Rita
Gross-Nelson, a Yonkers trailblazer and community activist. Rita was no stranger to being first. As
the first black female police officer in the Yonkers
Police Department and the first female officer promoted to the rank of detective, Rita not only paved
the way for so many other minority and female officers, she set the bar.
“A consummate professional and dedicated
community member, Rita prided herself on giving
back to Yonkers through volunteerism and membership in several service organizations,” he continued. “My thoughts and prayers are with Rita’s
family.”
Born in 1937 in the Bronx, the daughter of
Edmund O. and Aurelia Austin, Rita moved with
her family to Yonkers in 1946 and attended Public School No. 1, Longfellow Junior High School,
and graduated from Roosevelt High School. She
served in the U.S. Air National Guard from 1950
Rita Gross Nelson
to 1957, and was honorably discharged as an airman third class.
Rita married and began her career with the
City of Yonkers in 1964 as a parking enforcement
Continued on Page 8
By Dan Murphy
Sheldon Silver is now the former speaker of
the New York State Assembly, after resigning his
leadership post (not his Assembly seat) last week
after his arrest and indictment on charges that he
used his political power in exchange for legal fees
and payments totaling $5 million.
According to the New York Times, Silver
did not step down quietly, instead proposing “a
plan that the speaker had formulated on Sunday
in which he would retain his title, but temporarily relinquish some important duties to five other
members, including the responsibility to negotiate the state budget, which must be finished by
April 1.”
At this moment, during a Democratic Assembly conference held Jan 25, several New York and
Westchester Democrats stood forward and did the
right thing: They prevented the madness of having
Silver continue as Assembly speaker.
Yonkers Assembly member Shelley Mayer
stepped forward and joined with 30 Assembly
Democrats, including Westchester Assemblymen
David Buchwald and Steve Otis, to present a letter
to speaker candidates seeking to replace Silver outlining a set of reasonable, common-sense reform
proposals for the Assembly.
The letter, from the Reform Caucus of Assembly Democrats, reads:
“Although this is a difficult time for the Assembly, we believe it does provide a unique opportunity to reflect and consider how we as a body
Assembly member Shelley Mayer
wish to move forward to provide a better internal
process for ourselves and better government for
our constituents.
“After careful consideration, we have determined that reform can provide greater transparency, increased member participation, changes in
Continued on Page 8
On This Day in
Yonkers History…
By Mary Hoar
President, Yonkers Historical
Society
Monday, Feb. 9
Feb. 9, 1909: The Common
Council approved the establishment of a third police precinct in
south Yonkers, and a search for a
site for the station was immediately
started.
Feb. 9, 1922: Quick thinking
by Federal Sugar House employee
David Condon saved two boys
from being carried out into the swift
current of the Hudson. Fifteen-year
old Harvey Bryant and 14-year old
Raymond O’Hara were playing on
a cake of ice near the shore when
it suddenly broke loose and drifted
out. Condon heard their screams,
spotted the two boys on the river
between the two sugar refineries,
and immediately called the police.
Sgt. Jerry Linehan and Patrolmen Henry Murphy and Henry
Kressick threw a rope to the boys,
now drifting 40 feet from the shore. Because
it was dusk by the time they were pulled to
Fred and Adele Estaire in 1919.
shore, the boys most probably would not have
been seen by the tugs and ships if the tide had
Continued on Page 5
Yonkers High School Girls Team – a Family Affair
It is good to see the spirit of sports, and teamwork and dedication, coming back to the athletics program at Yonkers Public Schools. As all of
us who have played high school athletics, or who
have children in sports, realize, there is much more
to participating in athletics than the final score.
The Yonkers High School girls’ varsity basketball team has created a group of hardworking
The Yonkers High School girls’ varsity basketball team with Coach Meagan Fitzpatrick.
players that has formed a close-knit family. From
freshmen learning the tricks of the trade to seniors
offering helping words of encouragement – and
everything in-between – these girls have created a
bond that can’t be broken.
“Dedication to what we do here has kept us
coming back,” said Coach Meagan Fitzpatrick, explaining that every member of the Yonkers team
has remained dedicated throughout the season.
Every girl has shown up to every practice and
every game, ready to put in 100 percent of their
effort.
Not only a strong player, but also an exuberant and courageous leader, Capt. Angelina Meile
keeps these girls together, said Fitzpatrick. “Although we aren’t always victorious, every game
we play is important,” she said. “We play together
and we play to the buzzer without giving up.”
Unfortunately, many of the younger members
of the team don’t get as much playing time as they
could. This is due to a lack of resources, as well as
the limitation to exclusive varsity athletics found
in Yonkers Public Schools. However, as athletes,
Continued on Page 8
PaGe 2 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - FRiday, FebRuaRy 6, 2015
Ducks Weather the Cold
To Stay in Yonkers
‘The Mysterious Yiddish Code’
Presented at Will Library
Ducks, geese and a swan chillin’ in the Hudson River on the Yonkers waterfront. Photos by
Donna Davis.
Judy Skoog, left, and Mina Crasson.
Historian and historical dramatist Mina
Crasson will present “Jonas Phillips and the Yiddish Code,” a fascinating talk of local interest
about the Revolutionary War, on Sunday, Feb. 22
at 2 p.m. at the Yonkers Public Library, Grinton
Will branch, 1500 Central Park Ave., Yonkers.
Crasson presents the fascinating story about
how a different Phillips – ardent American patriot Jonas Phillips – confounded the British dur-
New!Business
ing the American Revolution. Music to accompany the presentation will be presented by Judy
Skoog.
This program, sponsored by Friends of the
Yonkers Public library is open to the public free
of charge and will take place in the 325-seat Pincus Auditorium.
For more information and directions to the
library, call 914-337-1500.
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Yonkers Rising photographer Donna Davis found a bunch of ducks, geese and swans
trying to stay warm in the Hudson River next
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day, but enjoyed the company of mallards and
geese.
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Yonkers Downtown
International
International
Restaurant Week
Mon.
Mon. Feb
Feb 2nd
2nd - Sun
Sun Feb.
Feb. 8th
8th
Take a fabulous culinary trip around the world when the Yonkers Downtown BID presents
its Fourth Annual International Restaurant Week. You will have the opportunity to dine in
some of Westchester’s best restaurants at an incredible discount for lunch and dinner.
Lunch: 20% Discount
Dinner: 25% Discount
visit yonkersrestaurantweek.com for details
Presented by
The Yonkers Downtown BID which
X20 - XAVIER'S
ON THE HUDSON
71 WATER STREET
(914) 965 - 1111
maintains the economic vitality of the
district by providing the local business
community with a variety of services
including marketing and promotion, and by
presenting a year-long program of special
LA BELLA HAVANNA
35 MAIN STREET
(914) 920-9777
events for the entire family.
Street Film Series, Arts and the Yonkers
Riverfest which attracts more than 30,000
1 VAN DER DONCK STREET
(914) 751-8170
Present this Certificate to your server
when paying the check for your meal
in order to receive a 20% discount on lunch
and a 25% discount on dinner
(Valid only during Yonkers International Restaurant Week 2/2/15-2/8/15)
Reviews
Our free signature events include the annual
Jazz, Blues and More Concert Series, Main
Yonkers Downtown
International Restaurant Week
DOLPHIN RESTAURANT
Discount Certificate
GUAPO COCINA
MEXICANA
10 WARBURTON AVE
(914) 920-5900
visitors from throughout Westchester.
NAWAB
2 Hudson Street
(914) 909-9700
Iron Chef Peter Kelly’s X2O Xaviars on the Hudson
was voted Westchester/Hudson Valley’s Most Popular
Restaurant, and Zagat’s described X2O as
“Magnificent” and “Unbelievable creative”
La Bella Havana voted “Latin All-Star Restaurant” &
“Best of Westchester” - Westchester Magazine
Nawab voted “Best Indian/Pakistani Buffet” Westchester Magazine 2014
Dolphin voted “Best New Restaurant”
Yonkers Chamber of Commerce
ZUPPA RESTAURANT
AND LOUNGE
59 MAIN STREET
(914) 376-6500
Giovanni’s IV
Classic Italian Cuisine
GIOVANNIS IV
25 MAIN STREET
(914) 375-1429
Khangri
Japanese Restaurant
KHANGRI
22 WARBURTON AVENUE
(914) 968-2134
Zuppa voted “Best Italian Resturant”
- Westchester Magazine
THE PIZZA Place
15 Main Street
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-969-6660
www.YonkersDowntown.com
92 Main Street
(914) 709-1050
Khangri “Hands down the best sushi we have found in
the area” - yelp.com
Ask your friends or try for yourself, the new
Downtown Yonkers has world class restaurants.
YONKERS
BREWING CO.
92 Main Street
(914) 226-8327
*Visit Yonkersrestaurantweek.com for all the details. Discounts excludes alcoholic beverages, taxes, gratuity as well as Sunday
Brunch at X20; All-you-can-eat at Khangri. Individual restaurants determine what menu items qualify for the discount.
Friday, February 6, 2015 - Yonkers Rising - PAGE 3
Farewell to a Yonkers
Hero: Martin Staub
Yonkers bid farewell to
one of its heroes last week
with the passing of Martin
Staub, a Holocaust survivor
and a U.S. veteran of the Korean War.
Martin Staub, a resident
of Yonkers since 1957 – the
same year he became a member of the Lincoln Park Jewish Center – died late Saturday evening, Jan. 31.
Staub was born Sunday, Sept. 13, 1925 in Merk,
a small village in Hungary,
and was sent by the Nazis to
forced labor and extermination camps during World War
II. Staub was in Auschwitz
until Jan. 18, 1944, when the
Germans – fearing the approaching liberation forces
of the Allies and wanting to
hide their crimes – evacuated all the prisoners on a
forced march, which Staub
survived.
Liberated later that year,
Staub left Europe and first
lived with relatives on Marion Avenue in the Bronx, but
by Nov. 29, 1949 he moved
to Oshkosh, Wisc., where he
worked making chairs. Within a few months, Staub had
learned to speak, read and
write English and was drafted into the United States Army. Staub trained
in Fort Jackson, S.C., where after four months
Commanding Officer Capt. Davis appointed
him squad leader.
Staub was one of the few Holocaust survivors to have served in the armed forces of the
United States.
Returning from serving during the Korean
War, Staub arrived in New York City in March
1953, where his previous union card allowed
him employment as a cabinet maker in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn. There he also
met a man who knew Staub’s parents, whom
he described as “very honest people,” and on
the strength of that hired Staub to work in his
watch and timepiece business on 47 Street in
Manhattan.
Staub joined the business as a partner and
traveled throughout Europe, using his multiple
language skills to buy and sell watch parts. He
Martin Staub
built it into a business spanning three continents headquartered in New York City, with offices in Kowloon, Hong Kong; Illzach, France;
and Basel, Switzerland – employing hundreds
of people, in factories and offices, until his retirement a few years ago.
Still living in Brooklyn, Staub met a man
who introduced him to a woman whom he
described as “speaking just like you!” (with
a heavy accent) – and that is how he met and
married his wife, Irene, who survives him,
along with their son Arthur Staub and daughter
Audrey. They also have two grandchildren living in Boston, Mass.
Staub’s funeral was held Tuesday, Feb. 3,
with burial in Paramus, N.J., in the plots of the
Lincoln Park Jewish Center, with which he and
his family were members for 58 years.
Yonkers Rising published a long account
of Staub’s remarkable story in the issue of May
23, 2014.
Serving Our Country
Army Pvt. Shanae Minott, granddaughter
of Phinette Irvin and niece of Alayire Smith,
both of Mount Vernon, has graduated from basic
combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition
and core values, and received instruction and
practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training,
drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading,
field tactics, military courtesy, military justice
system, basic first aid, foot marches and field
training exercises.
***
Air Force Airman Elias Dejesus, a 2013
graduate of Saunders Trade and Technical
School in Yonkers and son of Marisol Cruz and
step-son of Albert Dejesus of Yonkers, graduated from basic military training at Joint Base
San Antonio-Lackland, in San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eightweek program that included training in military
discipline and studies, Air Force core values,
physical fitness, and basic warfare principles
Air Force Airman Elias Dejesus.
and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn
four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of
the Air Force.
To join the Exchange Club of Yonkers contact
Vice-President David Tubiolo at 646-596-3375
Make Rising Media Group a part
of your advertising plan.
Call today! 914-965-4000
This, Too, is: What
Were They Thinking?
By Eric W. Schoen
as some said they were getMeasles. Super Bowl
ting too close for comfort
advertisements. Politicians
in their probe of Albany
as weather forecasters.
politicos?
Marijuana in high school.
Silver is tarnished and
Ethics in Albany. Imposter
dethroned. The U.S. athair care products. Drivtorney says “stay tuned”
ers unable to traverse our
regarding more announceroads when the weather is
ments concerning unethical
bad. Umbrellas stopping
behavior by politicians in
subways.
Albany and close to home.
A little cold weather,
Everyone knows Albany is
snow and ice and the world
“pay to play,” and Cuomo
around us has gone nuts!
– who had a great opporEric W. Schoen
Does New Jersey Gov.
tunity when he was elected
Chris Christie have a medigovernor the first time to
cal degree? Did he really say “parents need clean up Albany – expects us to believe that
to have some choice” in deciding whether to after the jails are full of crooked New York
vaccinate their children. Wasn’t measles de- politicos he is going to mandate and impose
clared eliminated in the U.S. in the year 2000? ethics reform?
There are more than 100 confirmed casIt is not easy driving with ice and snow
es of measles so far in 2015 that spread out on the ground. Many people – including this
across 14 states, and last year, there was a re- writer – are not adept at driving when our
cord outbreak of measles in which 644 cases roads are in far-from-perfect condition. Most
were diagnosed across 27 states. The latest of us have enough food to feed an army beoutbreaks apparently started at Disneyland in tween the cupboard and our freezer, yet when
California – the happiest place on earth.
we hear that snow is on its way we run to
We have a vaccine that is more than 95 the grocery store to be sure we have enough
percent effective. The links between the mea- naughty goodies to fill our stomach.
sles vaccine and autism have been debunked
We drive our cars on snow- and ice-covby our nation’s top scientists. Chris Christie ered roads without the knowledge and skill
vaccinated his children, but in his quest for necessary to maneuver in less-than-ideal conthe presidency he states “parents need to have ditions just so to make sure the Entenmann’s
some choice?”
donuts are there to help us weather the storm.
The Super Bowl: Everyone in America
For my receding hairline, I like to use
celebrates even if like me, they haven’t a clue high-end hair products by Paul Mitchell. They
about football. Millions of dollars are spent on keep the few hairs that I have in pristine concreating commercials that are supposed to be dition. They are on sale at salons, but quite often you can get a better deal on the expensive
the best our brilliant marketers can produce.
An insurance company runs a commer- gels and conditioners at retailers.
So I buy my normal hair gel, put it on my
cial featuring a kid talking about how he’ll
never be able to get married or travel the hair and when it dries, all of a sudden I have
world with his best friend because he died in a flakes falling from my head. No, they were
household accident. Household accidents sure not flakes of snow. I call Paul Mitchell and
are an important issue, but discussion of them they tell me the product I bought was an imon the biggest sports day of the year surely poster and that they only sell their products in
doesn’t whet your appetite for more chips and salons where people get their hair cut.
You see these products in most health and
guacamole.
And did the Brady Bunch commercial re- beauty aid stores and big box retailers. Who
would have thought my $15 hair gel was fake?
ally stimulate your desire for a Snickers bar?
And then we hear of the No. 7 train in
Since when are politicians weathermen?
Have they been certified by the American Me- New York City stopped cold on a snowy winteorological Society like Al Roker or a Sam ter day filled with riders. Was it the ice, sleet
Champion to forecast snow, sleet and rain? and snow that stopped the train in its tracks?
Do we really need Mayor Bill deBlasio or Well, not really. Someone dropped an umbrelGov. Andrew Cuomo to tell us that there is la on the tracks and it knocked out the servers
that make the trains run. The trains stopped
going to be 6 to 12 inches of snow and ice?
Tell us what you are going to do to get running and because of this, the tracks iced
our streets ready so that we can drive. Leave up, requiring deicing.
Thousands of New Yorkers were upended
the weather forecasting to the sometimesimperfect forecasters with meteorological de- all because of a wayward umbrella that probably flew out of a commuter’s hands as they
grees and experience.
So Jeb Bush smoked marijuana in High were awaiting a train. Isn’t it hard to believe
School. And he was a bully. Whether he is that an umbrella can cause so much drama in
your cup of tea or java for the highest office the year 2015?
So, I ask you, my friends, what were all
in the land, do we really care about his high
school escapades? Aren’t you more concerned of those involved in these various escapades
with what he is going to do to put the unem- thinking? Your guess is as good as mine!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@
ployed back to work and keep our country
aol.com and follow him on Twitter @ericyosafe from terrorism?
Cuomo will not approve a budget with- nkers. Catch the Westchester Rising Radio
out ethics reform? Didn’t the good governor Show featuring Dan Murphy and Eric Schoen
abruptly shut down the corruption-probing on Thursdays at 10 a.m. on WVOX 1460 on
Moreland Commission close to a year ago, the A.M. dial.
City Hall Offices
Sustain Water Damage
Offices at City Hall sustained water damage over the weekend due to an unsanctioned
activation of the sprinkler system on the building’s third floor, stated Mayor Mike Spano last
week.
Damage was confined to offices within the
city’s Law Department and the Office of the
Mayor. The city is working with its insurer to
further investigate the cause and extent of the
damage, but Office of General Services employees will immediately begin to repair the historic
building.
PaGe 4 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - FRiday, FebRuaRy 6, 2015
Congressman Applauds
Obama’s 2016 Budget
Congressman Eliot
ture, with $94.7 billion in
Engel, a senior memproposed budgetary reber of the House Energy
sources for the Department
and Commerce Commitof Transportation, a $478
tee, applauded President
billion (over six years)
Barack Obama’s proposed
transportation reauthoriza2016 budget for its comtion proposal, and a $144
mitment to helping the
billion commitment (over
middle-class and improve
six years) for transit and
funding for education, all
passenger rail programs.
while maintaining fiscal
“Committing
ourresponsibility.
selves
to
improving
The fiscal year 2016
our aging infrastructure
budget proposal focuses
shouldn’t be a partisan ison helping the middlesue,” said the congressclass, by using the tax
man. “Every day our roads
code to make work, eduand bridges become more
Congressman Eliot Engel
cation and child care more
and more structurally deaffordable for millions of
ficient, putting us on a
American families. The president’s plan would dangerous path that will ultimately cost us more
also put an end to budget cuts implemented in money to fix later on. If we get serious about
2011 as part of the now infamous “sequester.”
tackling the infrastructure difficulties facing us,
“I did not vote for the sequester in 2011 be- we can rebuild America and create a lot of good
cause it was bad policy then, just as it remains jobs in the process. I believe the president’s budbad policy today,” said Engel. “The mindless get takes this issue seriously, and I hope that my
austerity measures taken four years ago have colleagues in Congress will take it seriously, as
been counterproductive to our economic recov- well.”
ery, limiting its potential by curtailing governWith regard to the environment, the presiment spending in research, education and de- dent’s budget makes a strong commitment to
fense. Our economy has improved drastically in clean energy by directing billions toward green
spite of austerity – not because of it. I applaud technologies and programs to incentivize the
President Obama for offering a budget that fi- states to tackle global warming. And after cutnally ends sequestration, which will allow us to ting the Environmental Protection Agency budgrow the middle-class and put more Americans get for years, the 2016 budget proposes a slight
back to work in the industries that drive innova- funding increase for the EPA, from $8.1 billion
tion.”
to $8.6 billion, a reflection of administration and
In addition to ending the sequestration, the agency plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
president’s proposed budget includes $70.7 bil“I’m not a scientist, but I listen to them,
lion in discretionary funds for education, a 5 just like the majority of Americans,” said Engel.
percent increase over the previous year, as well “Climate change is already here and it will take
as a $1.5 billion increase in Head Start funding. the leadership of the United States to tackle the
The budget also includes a $750 million increase issue globally. This budget prioritizes our enviin grants for states to develop and expand pre- ronment in a way that is fitting of the size and
school programs for 4-year-olds who come from scope of the problems facing it, and I wholelow-income households.
heartedly support the president’s plan to fight
“What the president’s budget does is make against the effects of man-made global warming.
a substantial increase to education funding at a
“Republicans should be taking a real seritime when our schools need all the support they ous look at all of these proposals,” he continued.
can get from Washington,” said Engel. “It is no “The president’s plan would reduce the tax bursecret that one of the keys to improving a child’s den on the middle-class, increase much-needed
chances for academic success is engaging them dollars for infrastructure projects, support our
early, which is why I was happy to see a signifi- public schools, and end the damaging and uncant monetary commitment for Head Start and popular sequester. As our economy continues to
expanded pre-kindergarten. New York has led pick up steam, it is imperative for government to
the way in the fight for truly universal pre-K. I remain focused on smart policies that will ensure
am happy to see President Obama take a page every American feels the recovery. I believe this
from the Empire State’s book and make it a real proposal does just that, and I hope in the coming
priority for the entire country.”
weeks we can work across the aisle with our ReThe proposed 2016 budget also makes a publican colleagues to formulate a budget that
significant investment in our aging infrastruc- keeps America moving forward.”
Three Students Recognized for
Excellence in MLK Essay Contest
Three winning essays for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest from among
more than 500 submissions have been selected
by Mayor Mike Spano.
Ray Trayfors, fifth-grader at Casimir Pulaski School; Karla Garcia, sixth-grader at De
Hostos School; and Ata Amponsah, senior at
Yonkers Middle/High School have been chosen
as the elementary, middle and high school winners, respectively.
“I was very impressed to read the submissions from our Yonkers students and see how
they channel Dr. King by effecting positive
change in their neighborhoods and communities
each and every day,” said Spano.
The winners recited their work at the city’s
annual Black History Month celebration Feb. 5
at City Hall. See photos from the event in next
week’s Yonkers Rising.
Youth Bureau to Award
$6 Million for Programming
Grants totaling more than $6 million – $2 million annually for 2015, 2016 and 2017 – will be
awarded under Westchester’s Invest-In-Kids program, announced County Executive Robert Astorino last week.
“Invest-In-Kids is a vital partnership between
Westchester County and our non-profits to provide
essential services with far-reaching, positive results for our at-risk youth population,” he said. “I
am excited to partner with these 30 agencies for the
next three years.”
Dr. Iris Pagan, executive director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, said the grants are
being awarded to 50 programs as part of a threeyear request for proposals process. The annual
grants include $1.7 million provided through the
Invest-in-Kids program and $352,000 in anticipated grants provided to the youth bureau by the New
York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Under Invest-In-Kids, the grants will fund approximately 65 percent of each program for calendar years 2015-17, and the agencies will match the
grant to 35 percent. Under the terms of the grant,
all programs will be provided free of charge and
must operate year-round.
Astorino has committed to keep the funding
level for the three-year cycle to provide non-profits
with certainty with respect to their funding.
The dollar amounts of grants sought was almost triple the available funding.
“Unfortunately, demand outstripped our resources,” said Pagan. “But, the process is designed
to give each application an objective review. We
apologize for the extra time needed to award the
grants, but we needed it to ensure every application
got a careful evaluation and every award would
produce positive results.”
Under Westchester County’s procurement
process, contracts to award the grants will be submitted to the Board of Acquisition and Contract
for approval. Programs not selected to continue the
Invest-in-Kids or OCFS contract with Westchester
County will be offered pro-rated compensation for
their programs through Feb. 13.
Established in 1993, Invest-In-Kids addresses
the needs of at-risk youth in 11 urban communities,
including Elmsford, Greenburgh, Mount Vernon,
New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, Port Chester,
Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown, White Plains and Yonkers.
Comic Johnny Lampert
Comes to Empire City Casino
Johnny Lampert, the
Lampert has performed at such renowned
nationally-renowned covenues as the Gotham
median and a regular at
Comedy Club and the Imsome of the best comedy
prov, and has made nationclubs from coast to coast,
al television appearances
is set to bring his highon MTV, A&E, Comedy
level laughs to Empire
Central, NBC, HBO and
City Casino, 810 Yonkers
AXS TV’s “Gotham ComAve., for another awardedy Live!” He has worked
winning
Wednesday
with such comic geniuses
Comedy Night, on Feb.
as Dana Carvey and Chris
11.
Rock.
Headline
Lampert
Jackson, the semifiwill be joined by featured
nalist on the 2014 reboot
performer Erin Jackson,
of NBC’s “Last Comic
and emcee Gibran SalStanding,” has appeared
eem.
Comedian Johnny Lampert
on AXS TV and “The ElDoors will open at
len DeGeneres Show.”
7 p.m. and the show will
Hoboken Comedy Festival champion Salbegin at 8 pm. Admission is $5 for Empire Club
Members and $25 for non-members; Elite Club eem has just completed his own web series,
and President’s Club members gain free admis- “Hashtag Heroes.”
For more information, visit www.empirecsion to the show.
All patrons will receive a free drink ticket. itycasino.com or call 914-968-4200.
Library Presents Tribute to
The Harlem Renaissance
The Xoregos Performing Company and Yonkers Riverfront Library will present “Harlem Remembered: A Tribute to the Harlem Renaissance,”
on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Riverfront
Auditorium.
This evening of free performances is co-sponsored by the City of Yonkers, Mayor Mike Spano,
the Yonkers Public Library Foundation and the
Friends of the Yonkers Public Library, and all are
invited to enjoy the poetry, drama and music of the
Harlem Renaissance.
The program features two prize-winning
plays by women playwrights from the 1920s. “The
Hunch,” a comedy by Eulalie Spence (1894-1981),
won second prize in Opportunity magazine’s 1927
literary contest.
Xoregos Performing Company will also
proudly present the world premiere of “Exit, an
Illusion,” by Marita Bonner (1899-1971), the firstprize winner in the 1927 Crisis magazine contest.
Also on the program is “Tell Me Again,” a
lively and humorous collection of southern black
folktales collected by Joel Chandler Harris and
Zora Neale Hurston, and dramatized by Dave
DeChristopher. There will also be performances
of poems by Georgia Douglas Johnson, Langston
Hughes and Sterling A. Brown.
Rounding out the program will be songs by
William Grant Still, Duke Ellington and Kurt Weill
(with lyrics by Langston Hughes), featuring singer
Tatiana Owens.
The show is the creation of artistic director/
choreographer Shela Xoregos, with music director/
pianist Clark Baxtresser and a talented cast of actors and singers; fashion designer Raiza Peña created the costumes for the production.
The Yonkers Riverfront Library is located at
One Larkin Center and is handicapped accessible.
Parking is available at the nearby Buena Vista
Parking Garage and the Warburton Parking Garage; limited metered street parking is also available.
For more information, call 914-337-1500,
ext. 457, or visit www.ypl.org/harlemremembered.
Cat-Killing Case Opens Door
For Education About Abuse
The recent arrest in the Yonkers cat-killing
case shed light on the dire need for education
and resources for homeless animals and the
people trying to help them. This story received
nationwide attention, as many people were upset over the details that emerged. The Cat Protection Council is calling on the media to meet
with its members, as well as representatives of
other rescue groups, to tell their story.
It is suggested that such as story could expose the limited number of animal cruelty officers available to handle the 1,000 or more calls
and investigate animal cruelty cases per year,
and show how the spay/neuter clinic of the new
Yonkers Animal Shelter is still not being used –
even though it’s been open for a year and a half.
The Cat Protection Council would like to
see animal cruelty highlighted, including what
to do if someone sees or suspects animal cruelty, numbers to call, and more.
“The media can be so helpful in situations
like this – examining causes, informing people
who would not otherwise have any idea about
the needs of the voiceless and their protectors –
yet might become engaged after learning about
them,” said council spokesperson Kiley Black-
man. “Especially now, during brutal winter
weather, it’s the perfect time for the media to
show compassion for the most helpless members of our society. The animals have nothing;
the press would be doing a wonderful and gracious service by devoting a segment to showing
how caring people can help them.”
The story could let the public know what
more needs to be done: How do people with
low incomes get medical treatment for their
sick pets? How do they get them spayed or neutered?
The number of animal shelters and number of animals they can accommodate – and the
need for more this area – could also be highlighted, and reporters could meet with rescue
groups to discuss their importance and the difficulties they face.
The rescue groups need help – they have
no facilities for holding animals for recuperation or adoption; they don’t receive any funding; they spend their own money for pet food,
litter and medical care; and volunteers (and
group officers) don’t receive any compensation.
For more information, email [email protected].
VSA Updating Korean War
Monument at Lasdon Park
The Westchester County Veterans Service
Agency, in conjunction with the Veterans Advisory Board, will be updating the Korean War
veterans monument at Lasdon Park in Somers,
announced County Executive Robert Astorino
last week.
Astorino urges anyone with information regarding a Westchester resident who died in the
Korean War and whose name does not currently
appear on the monument to contact Vito Pinto,
head of Westchester’s VSA, at 914-995-2145 or
914-995-2146.
“It’s vitally important to the residents of
Westchester County that we remember all those
who die in defense of our country,” said Pinto.
“I urge everyone who may know of a serviceman
killed during the Korean War to review the list
of names on the Korean War veterans monument
and to let me know immediately if someone is
missing.”
The current list of Westchester County Korean War servicemen killed in combat can be
found at veterans.westchestergov.com/news-andevents/updates-to-korean-war-memorial-plaque.
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Winter Fun in
Downtown Yonkers
A number of events will be happening
throughout Yonkers this month.
Feb. 2 through 8: Yonkers International Restaurant Week
Feb. 7: Take Your Child to the Library Day
Feb. 8: Weekend Movies at Your Library:
“Belle” and “Frankie and Alice”
Feb. 9: Miss Kat’s Crazy Winter Days
Feb. 14: Weekend Movies at Your Library:
“Malcolm X”
Feb. 16 through 20: Yonkers schools closed
for winter recess; “School’s Out, the Stars Are In”
Feb. 17: Mardi Gras
Feb. 20: Food Fun With Fernanda
Feb. 22: Weekend Movies at Your Library:
“King: A Filmed Record” and “No Good Deed”
For more information, visit www.yonkersdowntown.com.
Concordia Offering a
Year of Free College
The Concordia Promise dual credit program aims to start to solve the student debt crisis
With a mission to provide access and opportunity to the “highest-value Lutheran Christian
higher education possible,” Concordia University announced last week the Concordia Promise
dual credit (early college start) initiative.
The Concordia Promise offers high school
students the unprecedented opportunity to complete one year of a liberal arts undergraduate degree cost-free. Program information is available
online at http://concordiapromise.com/.
According to data released in November
by the Institute for College Access and Success,
seven in 10 graduating seniors (69 percent) at
public and private nonprofit colleges had student loans in 2013, with an average debt burden
of $28,400. While the Wisconsin Association of
Independent Colleges and Universities reported
that out-of-pocket net tuition at Wisconsin’s private, nonprofit institutions was less than $5,500,
increasing costs for higher education has led to
staggering levels of lifelong debt for more and
more students and their families.
The Concordia Promise helps solve this crisis. Under the program, enrolled students pay a
reduced tuition cost of $50 per credit hour. Students are then eligible to participate in the Concordia Promise Plus, a scholarship in the amount
paid for the dual credit courses that is applied
toward their undergraduate tuition if students
choose to attend Concordia University Wisconsin or Ann Arbor.
“At our core, we are dedicated to ensure
that a lifelong Christ-centered education is within the reach of more and more students,” said
Concordia’s President the Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry. “The Concordia Promise pays forward to a
student’s undergraduate experience, and makes
an excellent Concordia education an opportuni-
ty that is more affordable, more accessible, and
ultimately, more valuable.”
“Our first focus is to prepare students for a
lifetime of success,” added Dave Burgess, executive director of Racine High School. “The
Concordia Promise dual credit program provides a remarkable advantage, academically
and financially, for students to pursue their future goals, while completing their high school
diploma.”
During the spring semester of 2015, the
Concordia Promise is being made available exclusively to Lutheran and Christian high schools
and home-school families nationwide. Plans to
expand the program to private and area public
high schools are under discussion.
“We are living in a time of exceptional
disruption in higher education,” said Dr. Bernard Bull, assistant vice president of academics
who oversees Concordia’s Office of Continuing
and Distance Education, where the program is
housed. “This crisis calls on us, as a Christian
institution, to step up and lead the innovation of
better solutions to meet the challenges we face.
The Concordia Promise is one way that we can
make a significant impact for students.”
For more information on this program,
contact Concordia’s Dual Credit Coordinator
Kathryn Baganz at [email protected]
or 262-243-2077.
Concordia University is a nonprofit, Lutheran higher-education community serving
more than 8,900 students online; at two residential campuses in Mequon, Wis., and Ann Arbor,
Mich.; and at 10 satellite centers. The school is
affiliated with The Lutheran Church-Missouri
Synod and is part of the Concordia University
System, a nationwide network of colleges.
Learn more at www.cuw.edu and www.
cuaa.edu.
Writing Institute at SLC
Brings Classes to Scarsdale
The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence
and the Scarsdale Public Library have partnered to offer classes set to take place at the library March 4 and 11. The classes cost $80 for
Scarsdale residents and $100 for all others. To
register, visit www.slc.edu/ce/writing-institute
or call 914-395-2205.
“Writing Dialogue That Works,” taught by
Deborah Laufer, will take place March 4 from
1 to 3 p.m.
All writing comes alive with strong dialogue – memoir, fiction, non-fiction – which
lets us step outside the author’s perspective and
hear the characters speak for themselves. In
this class, talk about what makes dialogue effective using principles from playwriting. Find
character “voice,” create conflict in a scene,
and explore the many ways in which characters
pursue their objectives.
Laufer’s plays have been produced at
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Cleveland
Playhouse, Geva Theatre Center, Cincinnati
Playhouse in the Park, Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, Portland Stage and 80 other theaters in
the U.S., Germany, Russia and Canada.
“Write Now!” taught by Patricia Dunn,
will take place March 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.
There are two things most writers need and
crave – time and space. In this class, give yourself the gift of time. In the nurturing space at
the Scarsdale Library, find and begin to write
the stories you live every day. Using histories,
memories and senses as launching pads, begin
to transform the ordinariness of your lives into
extraordinary fiction and nonfiction.
This class is for those who want to write
but don’t yet believe they have anything to
say, as well as for those who want to write but
need the time and space in which to do it. The
instructor will focus on craft, but most importantly, she will get you to write!
Dunn is the director of Sarah Lawrence
College’s Writing Institute, where she has been
teaching for the past 11 years. She is the author
of “Rebels by Accident” (Sourcebooks Fire,
2014). Her work has appeared in Salon.com,
The Christian Science Monitor, the Village
Voice, the Nation, LA Weekly, and others. She
holds a masters in fine arts degree in creative
writing from Sarah Lawrence College.
Charles Farrell and Gayle Storm, stars of
“My Little Margie” from 1954.
on this
Continued from Page 1
pulled them into the shipping lanes.
Feb. 9, 1929: The Morsemere Dial Twisters was organized at the home of Ralph Condit Jr., 410 Bellevue Ave. Condit was chosen
as chairman of the group and Henry Ilig Jr. as
secretary-treasurer. The purpose of the group
was to further the interest of radio in North
Yonkers.
tuesday, Feb. 10
Feb. 10, 1917: A naval militia in Yonkers
was formed at Library Hall, and after the meeting, 58 men enlisted. The group was sworn
into service shortly after.
Feb. 10, 1926: The New York Telephone
Company installed free telephones at the residences of Mayor Walsh, Corporation Council
Hume and City Engineer Sheridan. Under an
agreement between the city and the phone
company, Yonkers was entitled to one free
telephone for every 100 utility customers. City
Clerk Kettell insisted the full quote was not
in use and the city was entitled to more free
phones.
Feb. 10, 1935: Off-duty Yonkers Police
Department Patrolman Alexander Reid made
a flying tackle to catch a fleeing pickpocket as
he ran out of the Strand Theater.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Feb. 11, 1916: Noted Irish Tenr John McCormack performed a concert at the Palace
Theater in Yonkers. He sang the “Star Spangled Banner” for the first time in public at this
performance, as a tribute to Yonkers on the occasion of his first visit. He announced he believed all public American concerts should end
with the singing of this song.
Advance tickets were sold at a cost ranging from $1.50 to $3, and one of the first persons to reserve a box for his performance was
noted actress Billie Burke Ziegfield of Hastings. According to The Statesman, Burke had
been a Yonkers resident “for a season” before
marrying Florence Ziegfield.
Michael Keane of Ridge Drive in Park
Hill, the American representative of British music publisher Boosey and Company,
brought McCormack over to the U.S. to perform.
Feb. 11, 1926: Lincoln Park was shaken
by a dynamite blast during excavation work
on McLean Avenue. A faulty explosive system caused a large blast that knocked down
telephone, trolley and light poles. Stones were
hurled in all directions.
thursday, Feb. 12
Feb. 12, 1916: The up-and-coming brother-and-sister dance team of Fred and Adele
Astaire appeared at Proctor’s Palace of Yonkers in a vaudeville program headed by “The
Bank’s Half Million.” The Palace featured
only the “highest-type vaudeville,” and had reserved seating at the price of 25 cents; regular
seating was 10 cents for the matinee and 15
cents for the evening performance.
Feb. 12, 1930: Peene’s Wharf Corporation
presented a claim for $150,000 in damages for
Officer Ole Anderson, from the private
collection of YPD Deputy Chief George Rutledge (ret.), used with his permission.
damage done by the Nepperhan River diversion to its property on the Hudson River. The
company claimed the Plaza flume was depositing fill just south of its property, making it unfit
for shipping.
Friday, Feb. 31
Feb. 13, 1921: Workers building the new
golf course on Tuckahoe Road near Grassy
Sprain Road uncovered what was believed
to be an Indian burial ground. A skull and an
almost complete skeleton were discovered –
and, no, it was not the one that ended up at
Sherwood House!
Feb. 13, 1923: The steamer Ben Franklin
of the Ben Franklin Transportation Company
snapped its propeller trying to break through
the thick ice off the Yonkers coast. It was put
into dry dock for repairs, and the company had
to use other company vessels to keep the river
schedule.
Feb. 13, 1933: News of Prohibition Repeal was just received in Yonkers when a car
pulled up to the curb at McLean Avenue near
Caryl Avenue. Two women lugged sections of
a large still from the rear seat of their car. They
tossed the liquor-making equipment over a
fence piece by piece, and then fled in their car.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Feb. 14, 1917: The five-story Park Hill
Apartments on South Broadway immediately
adjoining the Park Hill Station of the Putnam
Railroad were finished.
Feb. 14, 1927: Det. William Comey arrested a man for unlawful entry when he was
found asleep in a Fairview Street bathtub. The
arresting detective had arrested the same man
several days ago for allegedly burglarizing the
nurses’ home at the homeopathic hospital.
Feb. 14, 1931: Charles Farrell and Virginia Valli, two major motion picture stars,
slipped into Yonkers City Hall to obtain a marriage license. They were married by the Rev.
Ralph Houston in the parsonage of the First
Methodist Church at North Broadway and
Ashburton Avenue.
Charlie Farrell played Gail Storm’s father,
Vern Albright, in the long-running 1950s television series “My Little Margie.”
Sunday, Feb. 15
Feb. 15, 1864: Citizens of Yonkers opened
the Sanitary Commission Fair to raise money
to benefit soldiers and sailors wounded in the
Civil War.
Feb. 15, 1892: Teutonia Hall was dedicated.
Feb. 15, 1910: In a scene out of the old
west, Yonkers Police Department Mounted
Policeman Ole Anderson halted a runaway
horse and wagon on Palisade Avenue after the
driver became trapped between the horse and
the wagon shaft. Galloping alongside the runaway, Anderson grabbed the reins and stopped
the animal.
For more information on the Yonkers
Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, visit www.facebook.com/YonkersHistoricalSociety, or follow the group on
LinkedIn and Twitter @YonkersHistoric. For
information on membership in YHS, call 914961-8940 or email [email protected].
View your favorite paper online!
Visit www.risingmediagroup.com
PAGE 6 - Yonkers Rising - Friday, February 6, 2015
Legal Notices
Classifieds
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MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS: -5+ years
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at least 250,000 square foot or more, managing 15+ employees, project work scheduling,
hiring employees, employee discipline, managing inventory, training janitorial employees,
computer skills, good organizational skills, etc.
Salary starts at $48,000 To apply call 612-2083441 or 612-331-1165 and send your resume to
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Also seeking ---Part Time Janitor/Cleaner Growing janitorial company is searching for experienced, reliable parttime janitor / cleaner needed in White Plains,
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Licensed therapists needed for Early Intervention SLP, OT, PT, SI, SW,
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Legal Notices
SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER
DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAMP TRUST
2006-NC2, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-NC2, Plaintiff
against
ROSANNA PUNTIEL, WENDY PUNTIEL, et al Defendant(s).
Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 26, 2013.
I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Lobby of the Westchester County
Courthouse, 111 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, White Plains, N.Y. on the 18th day of
February, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. premises All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the
buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the City of Yonkers,
County of Westchester and State of New York and known and designated as Lot Nos. 134
and 136 on a certain map entitled, “Map of Lots comprising a portion of the well known Scott
Estate, Woodlawn Heights, Yonkers, N.Y.” dated April 5, 1892 made by George C. Hollerith
and filed in the Westchester County Clerk’s Office, Division of Land Records, on July 27,
1892 as Map Number 1035, bounded and described as follows: Beginning at a point on the
westerly side of Glover Avenue where it is intersected by the division line between Lots 135
and 136 on said Map, which point is also distant 325 feet southerly from the corner formed
by the intersection of the southerly side of Scott Avenue with the westerly side of Glover
Avenue; Thence along said division line between Lot No. 135 and 136 and parallel with
said southerly side of Scott Avenue, South 74 degrees 51 minutes 30 seconds West 100
feet; Thence along the easterly line of Lots 116 and 117 on said map and parallel with said
westerly side of Glover Avenue South 15 degrees 8 minutes 30 seconds East 50 feet to the
point on the division line between Lot 117 and 118; Thence on a course North 74 degrees
51 minutes 30 seconds East along the division line between Lots 133 and 135 on said map
to the westerly side of Glover Avenue; Thence along said westerly side of Glover Avenue
North 15 degrees 8 minutes 30 seconds West 50 feet to the point or place of beginning.
Said premises known as 17 Glover Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y. 10704.
(Block: 6240, Lot: 14).
Approximate amount of lien $ 915,834.33 plus interest and costs.
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.
Index No. 14170-11. John C. Guttridge, Esq., Referee.
DeRose & Surico
Attorney(s) for Plaintiff
213-44 38th Avenue
Bayside, N.Y. 11361
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to law, that the Mayor of the City of Yonkers, New York will
hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 4:30pm, in the Mayor’s Reception Room, Second Floor, 40 South Broadway, Yonkers, New York, on the following Local
Law, to wit:
LOCAL LAW NO. 1-2015
AMENDING CHAPTER 15 “Finance and Taxation” – Increasing the income eligibility for the
senior citizen rent increase exemption.
#134202/06/2015
Notice of formation of Beauty
and the Details Event Planning, LLC Arts. Of Org. filed
with the Sect’y of State of NY
(SSNY) on 11/24/2014. Office location: Westchester.
The street address is: 263
Drake Ave #2. SSNY has
been designated as agent of
the LLC upon whom process
against it may be served.
SSNY shall mail process
served to: Kyle Strozier, 263
Drake apt #2, New Rochelle,
NY; 10805. Purpose: any
lawful act.
Notice of formation of 77st6d, LLC Arts. Of Org. filed
with the Sect’y of State of
NY (SSNY) on 12/24/2014.
Office location: Westchester
County. The street address
is: 157 Walsh Road, Yonkers
NY, 10701. SSNY has been
designated as agent of the
LLC upon whom process
against it may be served.
SSNY shall mail process
served to: 77st-6d, LLC, 157
Walsh Road, Yonkers, NY,
10701. Purpose: any lawful
act.
#6604 01-09 – 02-13
#6605 01/16 – 02/20
#6606 01/16 – 02/20
Notice of formation of Icebox
Studio, LLC, a domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC),
filed with the Secretary of
State of NY (SSNY) on
01/06/2015. Office location:
Westchester County. Principal office of Icebox Studio
LLC: 640 Pelham Road #3H,
New Rochelle, N.Y. 10805 .
SSNY designated as agent
of Icebox Studio LLC upon
whom process against it may
be served. SSNY shall mail
process to Incorp Services,
Inc. 99 Washington Ave.,
Suite 805- One Commerce
Plaza, Albany, NY 12210,
upon whom and at which
process may be served. Purpose: Graphic Design
#6607 01/16 – 02/20
Notice of formation of Limited
Liability Company (“LLC”).
Name: KAT CANTWELL
VIRTUAL ASSISTANT LLC.
Articles of Organization filed
with Secretary of State of
New York (“SSNY”) on January 16, 2015. Office location:
Westchester County, NY.
SSNY has been designated
as agent of the LLC upon
whom process against it may
be served. SSNY shall mail
a copy of any such process
served c/o Katrina Cantwell,
69 Central Parkway, Mount
Vernon, New York 10552.
Purpose: to engage in any
lawful act or activity within
the purposes for which limited liability companies may
be organized pursuant to the
Limited Liability Company
Law provided that the limited liability company is not
formed to engage in any act
or activity requiring the consent or approval of any state
official, department, board,
agency, or other body without such consent or approval
first being obtained.
#6608
01/23/15 – 02/27/15
THE CITY OF YONKERS/YONKERS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUREAU OF PURCHASING,
One Larkin Center, 3RD Floor, Yonkers, New York 10701 (Located in the Yonkers Riverfront
Library Building across from the Metro-North train station) will receive sealed Bids for the
following projects until 2:00 PM, on the dates below. Sealed Bids will be publicly opened
and read at the address above in the 3rd Floor Finance Conference Room. Solicitation
documents are available for downloading from the Empire State Purchasing Group website
at http://www.empirestatebidsystem.com/. The City welcomes and encourages participation by local and minority and women owned business enterprises.
1.Bid 5899 – Opening date 2/25/2015 – Electrical construction to interface with new
emergency back-up generator.
2.Bid 5900 – Opening date 3/4/2015 – Twelve month contract to purchase Smith Blair
Pipe Repair Couplings.
3.Bid 5901 – Opening date 3/4/2015 – Clow Hydrant Repair Parts, Extensions and Repair Kits
4.Bid 5902 – Opening date 3/4/2015 – Purchase of twelve ISG Infrasys X380, or equal,
thermal imaging cameras.
5.Bid 5903 – Opening date 3/4/2015 – Thirty-six month contract to service diesel particulate filters as needed.
6.Bid 5904 – Opening date 3/6/2015 – Waterproofing the front foundation at the Police
Athletic League Facility.
7.Bid 5905 – Opening date 3/6/2015 – Furnish and deliver 150 lb. cylinders of liquid chlorine as needed.
8.Bid 5906 – Opening date 3/6/2015 – Furnish and deliver repairs/parts for Kennedy fire
hydrants as needed.
9.Bid 5907– Opening date 3/6/2015 – 36 month contract to purchase International truck
parts and service.
10.Bid 5891A – Opening date 3/4/2015 – School 18 emergency utilities, windows, and
doors.
#134102/06/2015
AGENDA FOR ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
February 3, 2015
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: A Public Hearing will be held before the Zoning Board of Appeals of the City of Yonkers on TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2015 at 6:00 P.M. sharp, in the
Ceremonial Courtroom, Yonkers, New York (building is accessible to the handicapped), on
applications for Appeals from the Building Commissioner’s decisions and applications for
Variances under the provisions of G.O. # 4-2000, as amended:
NEW HEARINGS
# 5428– Improvement to a Non-Conforming Use – Andrew Romano, Esq., on behalf of
A. Santiago, owner, on premises know as 157 Vernon Avenue aka 86 Edgewood Avenue,
Block: 6371, Lot: 17, Zone: T
#1339 01/16/15 – 02/06/15
MIKE SPANO
Mayor
Dated: January 30, 2015
Notice of formation of VickyMac Jewelry LLC Arts.
Of Org. filed with the Sect’y
of State of NY (SSNY) on
December 12, 2014. Office location: Westchester.
The street address is: 421
8th Ave #21 New York, NY
10116. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC
upon whom process against
it may be served. SSNY shall
mail process served to: Victoria McAllister, 421 8th Ave
#21 New York, NY 10116.
Purpose: any lawful act.
# 5429– Improvement to a Non-Conforming Use – Nicholas L. Faustini, RA, on behalf of
the Estate of Victoria Dariano, Robert Bartolomo, executor, on premises know as 7 aka 11
Ryder Place, Block: 6323, Lot: 12, Zone: S-50
# 5430– Area Variance – Zarin & Steinmetz, on behalf of RSIS Realty Corp., owner, on
premises know as 667 aka 665 McLean Avenue, Block: 6211, Lot: 1, Zone: B
# 5431– Improvement to a Non-Conforming Use & Area Variance – Andrew Romano,
Esq., on behalf of F & D Denteler, owner, on premises know as 60 Elissa Lane, Block: 4365,
Lot: 130, Zone: MG
JOSEPH CIANCIULLI
CHAIRMAN, ZBA
#134302/06/2015
Friday, February 6, 2015 - Yonkers Rising - PAGE 7
Seniors and Health Care
Seniors Meet with Lawmakers Commission on Human Rights
At Legislative Speak-Out
Honors Dr. Olivia Hooker
Dr. Olivia J. Hooker
Seniors meet and speak with County Executive Rob Astorino.
More than 150 seniors joined with Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino to
voice their concerns to elected officials at Friday’s legislative speak-out and breakfast, an annual event held at the County Center in White
Plains.
“Events like this keep politicians grounded
in what really matters,” said Astorino. “It gives
us an opportunity to engage in frank, one-onone conversations with all of you, and then
promote your ideas to improve the entire community.”
This year’s speak-out – “Affording Aging in Place” – focused on keeping seniors in
their homes and communities. Issues raised at
the event will be published in the “White House
Conference on Aging Survey” and distributed
to Westchester’s elected officials.
Mae Carpenter, commissioner of the Department of Senior Programs and Services, said
an AARP study released recently indicated that
60 percent of working Baby Boomers could be
headed out of New York, carrying with them
more than $105 billion every year. However, an
AARP study from 2013 indicated that if New
York Baby Boomers reverse course and remain
in the state they will enrich it by $179 billion
a year.
The speak-out was hosted by Carpenter;
County Legislator Bernice Spreckman, chairwoman of the Board of Legislators’ Committee
on Seniors and Constituencies; the Aging Network; the Senior Councils; and the Westchester
Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.
Nicole is Ready to Play!
The Yonkers Animal Shelter
has many pets available for adoption.
Nicole is a beautiful, 1-yearold blue nose who arrived at Yonkers Animal Shelter a few weeks
ago as a stray. She’s a nice combination of energy and manners and is
easy to walk, making her a volunteer favorite. Nicole would be fine
with another dog and would make
a great addition to a family with no
kitties, as she does not play nicely
with cats.
Nicole weighs about 50
pounds. She loves the snow – running in it and fetching a big ball that
was meant for winter play. She has
a beautiful coat that is smooth and
shiny; although her background is
unknown, it is obvious she was well
cared for.
Visit Nicole at the Yonkers
Animal Shelter, 1000 Ridge Hill
Blvd., between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
weekdays and noon and 4 p.m.
weekends. For more information,
call 914-377-6730 during business
hours or 201-981-3215 at any time,
or email lesliem147.
Nicole will make a nice addition to your family.
Social Security Dedicates
A Day to the New You
By Julissa Javier
Social Security assistant district manager,
Yonkers
Proudly displaying your new last name on a
marriage certificate is only the first step in legally
changing your name. Now that the wedding and
honeymoon are over, you need to tell Social Security so you can get a corrected Social Security
card.
Feb. 18 is “Get Another Name Day.” It’s
the perfect day for you to get a replacement, corrected or original Social Security card – but only
if you really need one. Of course, you can do this
any time, but you should do it as soon as possible
after your name changes.
If you have changed your name, whether
due to marriage, divorce or for another reason,
the way to change your name with Social Security is to apply for a corrected card. This ensures
that your legal name matches our records, thus
avoiding possible problems in the future – such
as a delay in obtaining any federal tax refund
owed or not getting full Social Security credit for
all your earnings.
There are a number of other reasons you
may want to get a Social Security card, such as
starting a new job, verifying eligibility for government services, opening a bank account, obtaining medical coverage, filing taxes and legally
changing your name. In most cases, unless an
employer or other entity specifically requests to
see your card, all they really need is your number.
But, be cautious when sharing your Social
Security number, as people who commit fraud
or want to steal your identity will often ask for
it. Always verify the identity of anyone who is
asking, whether you’re online, on the phone or
face-to-face.
If you just had a baby, he or she will need
a Social Security number. The main reason is to
show your child’s dependent status on your tax
return. In most cases, you apply for your newborn’s Social Security card and number, as well
as the baby’s birth certificate, in the hospital.
If you need a new, replacement or corrected
Social Security card, you can find all the details
at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber, including
the “Learn What Documents You Need” page,
which lists the specific documents we accept as
proof of age, identity and citizenship. Each situation is unique, but in most cases, you simply need
to print, complete and either mail or bring the
application to Social Security with the appropriate documentation (originals or certified copies
only).
After you receive your Social Security card,
don’t carry it with you. To reduce your risk of
identity theft, keep your card in a safe place with
your other important papers.
Learn more about your Social Security card
and number at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.
The Yonkers Commission on Human Rights
will be celebrating 100 years of human and civil
rights history in America by celebrating the life
and contributions of Dr. Olivia J. Hooker, who
will be turning 100 on Feb. 12.
The commissioner will commemorate and
document the many achievements Hooker has
made in her century on Earth on Saturday, Feb.
21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hudson River Museum,
511 Warburton Ave.
This program will entail a sightseeing tour
through a century of history (1915-2015) given
from Hooker’s unique perspective. This event has
been specially created to celebrate the 100-year
presence of Hooker and her many contributions
to the struggle for equality for all.
The afternoon will include “Mistress of Ceremonies” Yolanda Johnson, a performing artist
and active recitalist/lecturer; “Bishop of Jazz” Rio
Clemente, who will perform selected Hooker favorites; an original poem written for the occasion
by a student from PEARLS Hawthorne School;
and a tribute from the USCG Aux Flotilla 6-8, and
an appearance from a local youth Color Guard.
RSVP is required for this free event; call Sonya Davenport at 914-377-6274 or 914-377-6280.
The Yonkers Commission on Human Rights,
enacted by the City of Yonkers in October 1963,
actively promotes human rights awareness and
outreach in the community through special events
and activities. Its participation in the community
has served as a model for dialogue and coalition
building to prevent civil disorder, racism and inter-group hostilities.
The resolution that created the commission
delineated the need for protection from human
rights violations and the essence of human rights
education for Yonkers residents and businesses.
MLK Celebrated at Regency
Extended Care Center
The Regency Extended Care Center hosted a
January celebration of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. by remembering his call for social justice.
Keynote speaker, Councilman Christopher
Johnson, reminded residents that so many like
himself have a path of official leadership paved by
the motivation and concern for others demonstrated by mentors like King. In a carefully prepared
talk, Johnson suggested that many protected rights
and accepted attitudes today are rooted in the civil
rights struggle advanced by mentors like King.
Minority leader Michael Sabatino urged
those present to remember that the celebration of
difference extends to respect for persons of different sexual lifestyles, and Councilwoman Corazon
Pineda suggested her soon-to-be-born baby would
be a beneficiary of a sense of community extend-
ing to the diversity of ethnic groups ever-present
in the Yonkers community.
Bob Stauf, who moderated the program, applauded the fact that “King Day” is a national day
of celebration for all Americans. A moving reading of the “I Have a Dream” speech given by King
was read by resident Maria Iannuzzo, who then as
a Caucasian gave a literary tribute to the contribution of “Black America.”
Resident Elaine Barnett discussed a historical perspective of King from the point of view of
journalist. She ended her comments with a moving
solo of “The Our Father.” Residents enthusiastically joined in singing “The Battle Hymn of the
Republic,” and Program Director Ana Leiva oversaw the program and reception for the enjoyment
of the residents.
PaGe 8 - yoNkeRs RisiNG - FRiday, FebRuaRy 6, 2015
Yonkers High
Continued from Page 1
the girls still show their support by learning and
improving as they watch the more experienced
members.
Through all of the struggles as hard-working
students of an International Baccalaureate school,
these girls have become very supportive of one
another – even off the court. They have become
closer as a whole because they’ve learned to trust
each other, which helps on the court, as well. Supporting each other is the most prominent fundamental of a sports team and the Yonkers girls do
a great job of it.
“I’ve gone through a lot this season and my
team did nothing but support me,” said player Jenna DeDomenico. “Although we didn’t win every
game, just being able to do my favorite thing with
the girls who have become my sisters was enough
to keep me happy.”
First African-American
Continued from Page 1
officer.
On Nov. 19, 1965, Rita was appointed to the
Yonkers Police Department and made history, as
prior to her appointment there was never a fulltime policewoman in YPD.
A decision was finally made to hire a full-time
female policewoman. A special test was created,
which Rita passed, becoming not only the first female policewoman but also the first Africa-American police officer in Yonkers history.
While a member of YPD, she embraced the
opportunity to serve as personal security to visiting
dignitaries such as Richard Nixon, Coretta Scott
King, Dorothy Irene Height, Betty Shabazz and
others. In each capacity, she served the people of
Yonkers with fidelity.
Her main focus, however, has always been
on the children, as she was dedicated to serve and
protect those who needed it the most and who were
often neglected. Upon her retirement from YPD,
she served as director of security of the Hudson
River Museum for 10 years. While there, she also
paved the way for others to come behind her.
She left the museum and was employed at Columbia University as a member of the security department where she trained the safety officers. She
proclaimed her retirement when she left Columbia
University, but was recruited by then-Yonkers
Schools Superintendent Joseph Farmer to come
back and help the children of Yonkers by serving
in the position of court liaison.
Her primary duty was to assist children and
their families safely through the education process,
aid those that have been incarcerated or arrested
that are still of school age, as well as train safety
officers.
She retained the admiration and respect of the
families she helped, the judges, school officials,
court officers and Board of Education employees
that she interacted with. She participated in the Juvenile Law Education Project and was instrumental in developing the “Scared Straight” program,
being dubbed “An Honorary Lifer” by the inmates
of Rahway Correctional Facility where it all began.
Her passion has always been to advocate for
the health, welfare and safety of the children of
Yonkers.
Her fraternal roots run deep. She was a charter member of the Westchester Rockland Guardians, serving as its secretary for six years, and a
charter member of the National Council of Police
Societies, serving as its first vice president. She
actively participated in the inception and development of many black police associations across the
country.
Rita was a proud member of Terrace City
Chapter No. 26, Order Eastern Star, State of New
York, Prince Hall Affiliation. She is past commandress of Elejmal Court No. 171 DOI; State Grand
Associate Loyal Lady Ruler – Order Golden Circle,
past royal commandress Magdalene Court – Order
of Cyrene. She proudly held a seat on the Board
of Directors for the Nepperhan Community Center,
and was a lifetime member of the Runyon Heights
Improvement Association and the Yonkers Branch
of the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People.
Family was the center of her being, as she
claimed her greatest achievements to be her children, Carol Gross, Celleste Gilbert and Maria
George; her four grandchildren, Keith and Kyle
Gilbert and the late Miranda and Nikhol George
Yoshii; and the newest links in her “dynasty” –
her great-granddaughter Luna Yoshii and her dad
Shige Yoshii.
In addition to her biological children, she
has countless other “children” of different ethnic
and cultural backgrounds. Many of these men and
women were children whose lives she touched, put
her stamp of love upon, held on tight and mutually
chose to never let go of; namely Jim Bostic, Garrett McCallister, Mark Hynes and Mei Ching King
of Hawaii, just to name a few.
She has one biological sister, Vicki Austin
Gaither, and believing that “love is as thick as
blood” has several “sisters from other mothers,”
including Margaret Ali Gross, Eleanor Simmons,
Carolyn Grayson Upshaw, Muriel Grayson Fuller,
Ruth Ellerbe, Phyllis Johnson, Linda Tyson and
Sylvia Muckelvaney; and “brother by love” Andre
Baker Sr. With these extended family members
come a host of nieces and nephews.
She is predeceased in life by her parents,
granddaughter Miranda, and “love sisters” Dorothy Downes and Carrie Morton.
Yonkers Family YMCA CEO Shawyn Patterson Howard summed up Nelson’s life and her
importance to Yonkers.
“Rita Gross Nelson has exemplified a life of
service to the Yonkers Community,” he said. “Her
proud assertion has been that she is ‘Third Generation Yonkers;’ that she ‘gave birth to the fourth, has
lived to see the fifth grow and heralds the recent
Through wins and losses, good and bad, thick
and thin, the Yonkers High School girls’ varsity
basketball team is the real winner when it comes to
dedication and family.
other YPS Hoops Scores
The Gorton girls’ basketball team bounced
back from two devastating loses, to Early College
High School 43-41, and to Saunders 41-39. The
two tight loses showed that Gorton, and Coach Escoto, are building a team that can win.
Gorton bounced back last week with a 43-26
win over Riverside High School, and a 48-23 win
over Solomon Schechter.
The team was led by Dreonna Battle, who
scored 14-10-15 and 32 points in the four games.
Earlier in the year, Battle scored 25 points with
seven steals in a 48-30 victory over Riverside.
Julia Hohn, who has scored in the double digits, and Bria Lockley who plays great defense, are
the other two key players for Gorton.
The Gorton girls are now 6-7 overall, and are
quickly becoming a tough team for any opponent.
arrival of the sixth.’ These strong ties support her
mantra regarding her tie to Yonkers that ‘she is not
just passing through…’”
State Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said Rita never saw a person she didn’t
want to help, heal, protect or serve.
“Her life was a testament to selflessness,
confidence and wisdom,” said Stewart-Cousins.
“When Rita talked about ‘her babies’ – whatever
their age – you knew she had claimed them as her
own and nothing would keep her from giving her
all in their defense or support. Rita was a protector
and an uplifter.
“A trailblazer as Yonkers’ first African-American female police officer, she wore her badge as a
symbol of pride, professionalism and hope. She let
us know – in plain English – that she expected only
our best every day, and we could expect nothing
less from her.”
It is always difficult to be the first pioneer in
any field, and Rita took the role of trailblazer in
style. Part of her first uniform was a black pocketbook that held her handcuffs and her 32-caliber
Smith and Wesson revolver.
Officer Rita Gross was first assigned to the
Detective Division, working in the Juvenile Aid
Bureau. She would later be assigned to the Community Affairs Division where she worked to
foster better relations with the community. Gross
would soon become “Miss Rita” on the streets of
Yonkers, where she became widely known and respected.
In 1972, Rita was transferred to the Youth Division and began to work on juvenile crime investigations. In 1974, she and fellow female officers
were given the same patrol duties as their male
counterparts.
She remained on patrol duty in the North
Command for two years, and held a post that other
cops usually transferred out of. Two years later,
Aug. 24, 1976, Rita was returned to plainclothes
duty in the Youth Services and Community Relations Division.
Can Positive
Continued from Page 1
leadership selection, reform in staffing decisions
and staff authority. We urge the speaker candidates
to commit to reforming and modernizing our institution, and we seek your input on the following
reform ideas.
“Transparency – Should the Assembly be
more transparent? For example, should members
know how decisions are made inside of conference? What role should members play in making
decisions regarding committee assignments, agendas and staff allocations?
“Can technology increase transparency?
Should we expend Assembly resources to update
technology? What are ways to improve technology
– i.e., providing wireless access in the Capitol, updating software to communicate with constituents
through email and social media? Should the public
have access to the Legislative Retrieval System?
Should staff allocation information be distributed
openly?
“Participation – How much input should
members have in conference decision-making?
Should members have a voice in leadership appointments? Should the majority conference leader
be appointed or elected?
“How can members have a greater opportunity to weigh in on policy and budget decisions before legislative negotiations? How can we encourage a real and robust debate in committee meetings
and on the floor?
“Should members have the ability to get bills
voted on in committee and on the floor if there is
broad support among colleagues?
“Leadership reform and staffing – Should
the amount of time in the positions of speaker and
committee chair(persons) be limited in any way?
Should factors aside from seniority be considered
in allocating leadership positions and committee/
subcommittee chair(persons)?
“How should committee and central staff be
hired, and should the speaker continue to have the
sole discretion to hire the staff, direct the staff, and
terminate staff?
“Should members have an equal staff budget?
If not, how should staffing levels be determined in
order to provide high-quality constituent services,
and support legislative and policy work?
“We recognize that implementation of many
of these reforms will require extensive thought,
discussion and further detail. Therefore, we ask
that the candidates for speaker commit to appointing a task force on reform, representing the diversity of the conference. This task force would develop
specific proposals on these and other reforms. In
addition, we ask that all meetings of the task force
be open to all members of the conference.
“We believe that these reforms are the best
way to restore faith in our ability to serve the public. Any change in leadership must be accompanied
by substantial reform in the way the State Assembly functions. Now is the time to move forward to
build a better, stronger Assembly.
“This letter is sent to each member of the
Assembly’s Democratic Conference, and each
is encouraged to sign on. We understand that reform in the Assembly has been a sought-after goal
for many years. We look forward to hearing your
views on these very important issues.” (End of letter.)
In the end, the two remaining candidates for
speaker were Bronx Assemblyman Carl Heastie
and Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan of Queens, with
Heastie collecting a unanimous vote of confidence
in his Democratic Assembly colleagues to become
the next speaker, and the first African-American
Speaker in New York State history.
Nolan served as an alternate option to Heastie,
and would have served as the first female speaker
of the Assembly, and would have eliminated the
“three men in a room” power-sharing in Albany.
“That glass ceiling in Albany is very thick,”
said Nolan. “I hope I shatter it, but even if I put a
little nick, I would consider that a really positive
development.”
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara has commented
on the insanity of “three men in a room” after he
announced his indictment of Silver. “Why three
men? Can there be a woman? Do they always have
to be white? How small is the room that they can
only fit three men? Is it three men in a closet? Are
there cigars?” he asked.
The 44 republican members of the Assembly did not play a role in the selection of a new
speaker. A coalition government, of Republican
and Democratic members, never materialized.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo also called for Silver’s
removal as speaker, once Silver tried to hold on to
power.
Assembly member Mayer commented on her
efforts for reform and on the new speaker.
“Now that we have a new speaker, I’m proud
to support him and I know he is committed to
working with the entire body to restore trust in the
Legislature,” she said. “Too many people have lost
trust in their leaders in Albany and we need to take
steps to make sure we hold ourselves to the ethical
standards that the people expect.
“I was very much part of the group that asked
the next speaker to address the internal issues of
the Assembly for greater democracy,” continued Mayer. “It’s not about only what I can do for
Yonkers in the Assembly. The people of Yonkers
should care more that we have a place of government that they are not cynical about, and that is
open to new ideas, and I will push for that agenda
to happen. We must end the practice of delegating
the most important decisions to ‘[three men in a
room’ and broaden participation in negotiating our
state’s budget.”
On newly-elected Speaker Heastie, Mayer
said he is a “very good team player on behalf of his
constituents.” She said she has worked with Heastie to tout the importance of Yonkers Raceway.
“I think he’ll be an excellent speaker,” she
said. “I urge him to acknowledge how important
this reform movement is and to provide an opportunity to come up with some concrete recommendations for him as speaker over a short period of
time so we can continue to move that needle on
reform.”
Friday, February 6, 2015 - Yonkers Rising - PAGE 9
Food Bank & Coalition
For the Hungry Join Forces
Yonkers Resident Ordained as
Village Lutheran Church Pastor
From left are (seated) Jeanne Blum, vice president of strategic partnerships and advocacy
for the Food Bank for Westchester; Ellen Lynch, president and CEO of the food bank;
(standing) Joseph Pizzimenti, former chairman of the board for the coalition who is now
launching an initiative to provide food bank member agencies with facilities and
construction support; Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino; County Board of
Legislators Chairman Michael Kaplowitz; and Richard Rakow, chairman of the board for the
Food Bank for Westchester.
The two largest organizations addressing hunger in Westchester County officially
joined forces, when the Food Bank for Westchester and the Westchester Coalition for
the Hungry and Homeless recently signed a
merger agreement.
Food Bank President/CEO Ellen Lynch
and Coalition Executive Director Jeanne
Blum signed the merger agreement at a ceremony Jan. 30, which was attended by board
members from both organizations, as well as
County Executive Robert Astorino and County Legislature Chairman Michael Kaplowitz.
Under the merger agreement, which has
been approved by New York State, the White
Plains-based coalition is moving its operations to the food bank’s Elmsford headquarters. The merger will strengthen the mission
of both organizations by enabling them to
operate more efficiently and eliminate redundancies. With the merger, the food bank will
continue to build on the coalition’s efforts and
successes while also finding opportunities for
its volunteers and supporters within the new
structure.
“With the merger complete, we are positioned to provide even better service to
Westchester County; to be a stronger and
more effective organization in leading the
charge against hunger,” said Lynch. “We need
to raise the level of awareness about hunger
in the county and engage as many individuals, companies and community organizations
as possible in the work of finding solutions.
That’s our job. Blending the coalition’s culture and focus on community with our solid
base of experience in the business of food
banking, volunteer engagement and resource
management makes us a formidable advocate
Pastor Morris Mayer with wife, Mutiara, and daughters Stefanie and Diana.
for those in need and a more strategically focused service provider.”
Blum, who will become the vice president of strategic partnerships and advocacy
for the food bank, added: “The merger combines the talent and resources of two outstanding organizations both with long and proud
histories of serving the hungry. We are very
excited about the future as we work collectively to tackle hunger in Westchester.”
“I applaud these two great Westchester institutions for joining forces to combat
hunger,” said CE Astorino. “By improving
efficiencies they will be more effective than
ever in fulfilling their shared mission, and
the county stands ready as a continued strong
partner.”
The food bank and the coalition, which
were both founded in 1988, have operated on
different – yet parallel – tracks.
The food bank, which is one of eight
regional food banks in New York State, distributes more than 7.4 million pounds of food
annually to an estimated 200,000 Westchester
residents.
It acquires, warehouses and distributes
food to more than 265 front-line hunger-relief
programs across the county, including food
pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and adult,
child-care and treatment centers.
The coalition advocates for hunger relief,
provides financial and technical support to
hunger-relief agencies, and is a resource for
those seeking help or information on poverty
issues. It works with autonomous food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and service organizations, and raises money for organizations
to build capacity and to purchase food and
equipment for their programs.
Vicar Morris Mayer was ordained as a
pastor at Village Lutheran Church on Jan. 25.
Mayer was born and raised in Brooklyn
to parents Arnold and Gloria. He grew up in
the Jewish faith and attended Hebrew school
from elementary until high school. He was
also enrolled for a short time in Rabbinical
high school.
Mayer came to the Christian faith as an
adult through the ministry of Village Lutheran Church. In the fall of 2012, he enrolled in
the Specific Ministry Pastor program via distance-learning through Concordia Seminary
in St. Louis, Missouri. SMP students take two
years of distance training while serving as
vicars, are then ordained, and finally complete
their studies with two more years of distance
training.
After his ordination and installation,
Mayer will begin serving VLC in the specific
ministry of a staff pastor. He is scheduled to
complete the SMP program in the summer of
2016.
“Morris is our congregation’s first pastor
to have been trained via distance education
from our seminary in St. Louis,” said the Rev.
Dr. Robert Hartwell, senior pastor of Village
Lutheran Church. In the program, students
take online courses and meet weekly with a
mentor for one-on-one discussion of the curriculum.
Hartwell shared his belief that “Pastor
Morris is ready both theologically and practically to minister the Word and the Sacraments. His remaining time engaging the distance seminary instruction will only help to
build on his solid foundation.”
Mayer is also the owner/operator of Plaza
Park Interiors, a local drapery and upholstery
shop in Yonkers. He will be a pastor in the
worker-priest model as he continues to operate his business and serve the church on a
part-time basis as an SMP adjunct pastor.
“Of course there is no such thing as a
‘part-time’ pastor,” he said. “Like all clergy,
I will always be open to helping others and
sharing God’s love, not just after working
hours.”
Speaking at a reception following the ordination, Mayer added: “I am so grateful to
Village Lutheran Church for its support, both
financial and emotional, to help me reach this
moment and I am so excited to be in ministry
to this community.”
Mayer is married to Mutiara, a lifelong
New Yorker and Lutheran. The Mayers have
been married for more than 16 years and have
two daughters, Stefanie and Diana.
Village Lutheran Church and the Chapel
School is located at 172 White Plains Road,
Bronxville, across from Concordia College.
To learn more, go to www.VLC-NY.ORG.
Celebrate Tu BiShvat Seder
At Lincoln Park Jewish Center
The Jewish holiday of Tu BiShvat marks
the date on which the fruit trees in the land of
Israel start to blossom, and is celebrated as the
New Year of the Trees.
This agricultural holiday was probably
first observed during the period of the First
Temple, but later forgotten, due to most of the
Jewish people exiled from the land and thus
not able to observe it.
Until Tu BiShvat, the 15th day of the
month of Shvat, due to the rainy cold season
and the low temperatures, trees are unable to
absorb water and nutrients from the soil. But
starting on Tu BiShvat, this year occurring
Feb. 4, trees awaken from their dormant season and start to make use of the water in the
soil.
In the mystical Cabalistic practice of Judaism, Tu BiShvat is observed as a holiday
with significance, and the Cabalistic Seder
developed to use the symbolism of the trees
and the sap rising in them as spiritual symbolism, primarily by the Sephardic and later in
the Chasidic communities. In modern times,
Tu BiShvat was joyously resurrected by the
Zionist movement as a holiday that celebrates
our attachment to the land of Israel.
Planting trees symbolize our desire to
develop the land anew. The peels of fruits became symbols of removing varying degrees of
negative energy that surrounds us and distract
us from serving God with a loving, full heart
– summoning all of one’s resources to “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your
God.”
The Lincoln Park Jewish Center invites
area residents to participate in it Cabalistic Tu
BiShvat Seder, led by Rabbi Rigoberto Emmanuel Viñas, starting with the evening Shabbat service Friday, Feb. 6 at 5:30 p.m., at 311
Central Park Ave., Yonkers. A full-course dinner will follow, with salmon, vegetables and
fruits representing the fruits starting to come
to fruition in the land of Israel.
The Seder dinner costs $25 for adults, $15
for children and is free for children younger
than age 7. Call the synagogue office at 914965-7119 to reserve a seat. Payment must be
made before the Sabbath, as payments cannot
be accepted on the Sabbath, or can be made
after.
Editor’s Note: In last week’s Yonkers Rising, Lincoln Park Jewish Center friend Chloe
Dabbay was incorrectly identified in a caption. We apologize for the error.
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PAGE 10 - Yonkers RISING - Friday, February 6, 2015
The Yonkers PAL 2015 Poster Committee with Sgt. Viviano and Officer Viviano Jr., Christina
Ljulic, Colin Nowak, Yonkers PBA President Keith Olson, and Yonkers CLSA President Tom
Phealan.
Mayor Spano and Commissioner Gardner with students and staff from a sixth-grade class at
Montessori Academy.
Photos by Ed Whitman
Mayor Spano and Commissioner Gardner with Sgt. John Viviano and Officer John Viviano Jr.,
and Christina Ljulic and Colin Nowak.
32nd Annual
Continued from Page 1
The two police officers that will appear on
this year’s poster will be Sgt. John Viviano and
his son, Officer John Viviano Jr. This year will
mark the first time that a father-and-son team
from YPD will appear on the poster.
Both were selected by the Yonkers Police
Benevolent Association and the Yonkers Captains, Lieutenants and Sergeants Association.
Spano thanked the PAL for once again providing the people of Yonkers with one of the
most unique and popular programs in the city,
which will provide the hundreds of students who
enter an opportunity to learn about how police
officers are your friend, and how to build selfesteem and confidence.
More than 3,000 flyers with details on how
to enter the poster contest have been sent to
schools throughout the city. Every student who
resides in Yonkers; attends a Yonkers public,
private or parochial school; and is in either the
fifth or sixth grade is eligible to submit a photo.
To enter the contest, send in a photo up to
5-by-7 inches with your name, address, age,
birthday, phone number, school and grade writ-
ten on the back. Students can either give their
photo to a teacher, or mail it to: Attn. Margaret Staruch, PAL New Faces, 127 N. Broadway,
Yonkers, NY 10701; or call Margaret at 914968-7468.
The final competition of the PAL poster
contest will be held Monday, May 4 at City Hall.
Students from the Sacred Heart seventh-grade class with Mayor Mike Spano, Police Commissioner Charles Gardner, teacher Christine Rotella and Assistant Principal Joe Gebbia.
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