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Vol 110 Number 21
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Memorial Day Has Special
Meaning in Yonkers
Lt. Patrick Murphy, far left, with comrades in Afghanistan.
By Phil Foley
This weekend, the City of Yonkers and
several veterans organizations and neighborhood associations will hold Memorial Day
parades and events to remember, and memorialize, those we lost fighting for our country.
Pictured above is Lt. Patrick Murphy
III, far left, during his tour in Afghanistan.
The Murphy family owns a service station on
McLean Avenue, and Pat is now a member of
the Yonkers Fire Department. We are happy to
report that everyone in the photo made it back
home safely after their deployment.
Lt. Murphy is still a member of the National Guard out of Ford Drum in upstate New
Continued on Page 5
Friday, May 22, 2015
Al Del Bello: He,
Too, Was Yonkers
By Eric W. Schoen
The year was 1982 and the venue was the old Carvel Inn on Tuckahoe Road, where Tom Carvel trained
legions of ice cream store managers
at his “Carvel College of Ice Cream
Knowledge.” People from across the
country would come and learn how
to make “Fudgy the Whale” and
“Cookie Puss.” They would bring to
the heartland of America soft serve
ice cream that despite its creation
when Carvel’s truck broke down
in Hartsdale, expanded through the
world from its humble Yonkers base.
The Carvel Inn (now the Royal
Regency Hotel) had a gigantic banquet room and plenty of parking,
perfect for political rallies as well
as Boy Scout and charity affairs.
The beauty of the place was that if
the event you were attending was
boring, you could walk over to the
Carvel store on premises and get Former Yonkers mayor, Westchester County executive
and lieutenant governor, Al DelBello
a brown bonnet or other ice cream
treat.
his candidacy for lieutenant governor of New
Or get a slice of fresh pound cake or a do- York State. Al was a Yonkers boy (whenever
nut from Dugan’s bakery – hot out of the oven. you are born to parents in Yonkers you are a
On this particular night in 1982, the event “Yonkers boy,” even if you are 80 years old)
was a kick-off rally for Westchester County so the room was filled not only with political
Executive Al Del Bello, who had announced
Continued on Page 8
Saunders High School’s 2015
Valedictorian & Salutatorian
School 21 Earns Mayor’s
School of the Month Honor
Saunders High School Valedictorian Sabrina Madera and Salutatorian Karthik Maddur. Photo
by Bayan Baker.
Students from School 21 in Yonkers recently celebrated earning the mayor’s “School of the
Month” recognition.
By Bayan Baker
Saunders High School Valedictorian Sabrina Madera and Salutatorian Karthik Maddur
recently sat down with Yonkers Rising to discuss
the many ways in which Saunders High School
has prepared them for success and their future.
Sabrina and Karthik held their teachers and the
administration at Saunders in high regards and
appreciate everything the school has done for the
better of their education and future goals.
Sabrina is graduating from Saunders this
June with a 99.6 grade-point average, and Karthik
is graduating with a 97 GPA. When asked about
the teachers they admire the most, Sabrina said
her favorite teacher is also her mentor within the
architecture magnet program, Mr. Carlo Mitrione, who teaches architecture is a “supportive
Continued on Page 8
Mayor Mike Spano presented the city’s
School of the Month Award to School 21 last
week, specifically recognizing the school’s
commitment to its community through an intergenerational program at Coyne Park Senior
Center. Once a week, third-grade students visit
Coyne Park to interact with Yonkers seniors.
“We often talk about our community in
terms of how we can improve it for our chil-
dren, but in reality, sometimes our children are
the ones who improve the community for all of
us,” said Spano. “The impact of the intergenerational program is far reaching and I’m so proud
that a program like this exists in our city.”
School 21 has participated in the intergenerational program with Coyne Park Senior
Center for the past seven years, and several
Continued on Page 8
Yonkers Charter School Hosts Career Day
Yonkers Rising Editor-in-Chief Dan Murphy with CSEE students at Career Day. Photo by Donna Davis. See more photos on page 9.
By Bayan Baker
The Charter School of Educational Excellence
in Yonkers hosted its annual Career Day on May
13, when students heard from several prominent
Yonkers and Westchester professionals, including
Police Commissioner Charles Gardner, News 12
reporter Lisa Reyes, City Councilman Christopher
Johnson, DPW Commissioner Tom Meier, Deputy
Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone and Yonkers
Rising Editor-in-Chief Dan Murphy.
All of the speakers told the audience of students how they got started, where they came from
in life, what career they wanted to be in when they
were young, and their first jobs leading up to their
current positions.
Lessons learned from the students, who asked
interesting and thoughtful questions, included:
* You have to start somewhere with your first
job; working at McDonalds, or any first job, will
give you the experience and the lessons of hard
work for your future career.
* Follow your dreams – pick a job or career
that you want and go for it.
* Study hard, get good grades, listen to your
parents and say “no” to drugs. If CSEE students
follow these four simple lessons, their chances at
future success and the career that they want will
be greater.
Other highlights from the CSEE Career Day
included a visit from the Yonkers Police Department’s K-9 unit, in which students were able to
Continued on Page 9
PAGE 2 - Yonkers Rising - Friday, May 22, 2015
Free Public Kayaking at Yonkers’ JFK Marina
Members of the Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club enjoying the Hudson River off the Yonkers pier.
The Yonkers Paddling and Rowing Club will
again offer free kayaking to the public at JFK Marina in Yonkers this summer, every Thursday from
4 to 7 p.m. from June 18 to Aug.27, as well as
Sundays, July 26 and Aug. 30 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Groups and individuals should register at
www.yprc.org. For more information, email
freekayak@yprc.org.
YPRC has successfully run free kayaking
programs since 2006, putting thousands of youth
and adults on the water and introducing them to
environmental stewardship of area waterways.
“In the summer of 2014, YPRC’s free public
kayaking put more than 1,050 youth and adults on
the water – a threefold increase from the summer
of 2013,” said John Maggioto, a Hastings resident
and Commodore of YPRC. “We expanded our
program to meet this need.”
Individuals are welcome to walk-up and
sign-up on the spot as long as space is available;
YPRC encourages groups of eight or more to register on yprc.org in advance.
“It’s harder than you’d think to kayak in
the Hudson if you don’t have your own boat – if
you’re just beginning, without spending a lot of
money,” said Cathy Bobenhausen, a YPRC member from Dobbs Ferry. “Community groups like
Nepperhan Community Center, Scouting and
Yonkers Bike Club bring people to YPRC’s free
public kayaking. I love to see how much fun families and young people have kayaking for their first
time, and how they progress as they keep com-
ing back. People really learn to love being on the
river!”
YPRC’s free kayaking sessions last approximately 30 minutes, and YPRC provides all equipment including boats (single and double sit-on-top
kayaks), life jackets and paddles. YPRC also provides safety-trained volunteers on and off the water in a protected cove at JFK Marina to make sure
that every participant is safe and has a rewarding
experience on the water.
Phil Giller, a resident of Riverdale and coordinator of the free public kayaking, noted: “This
program is a gift from our members and trained
volunteers to all who want to kayak. It is our hope
that by introducing youths and adults to the natural wonders that can be found in their backyard,
they will begin to form a connection with the environment and become stewards of the waterway.”
YPRC is known for is its community involvement – in particular, its free public kayak sessions
at JFK Marina in Yonkers, which are sponsored
by Hudson River Foundation for Science and Environmental Research, Inc.; Toyota; the City of
Yonkers; and Public Lands Every Day, a National
Environmental Education Foundation Program.
YPRC maintains a close relationship with the
neighboring Beczak Environmental Center and
other community organizations and is involved in
Hudson River clean-up and environmental education projects. It also hosts rescue skills clinics,
paddling skills clinics and a winter boat-building
workshop.
Floating Sculpture on the
Hudson is Awe Inspiring
Look for the “Bottle Sphere: a Floating Sculpture” when walking along the Yonkers
downtown riverfront.
By Robert Pfitzenmeier
“Bottle Sphere – A Floating Sculpture,”
will be anchored off the shore of the north end of
Yonkers’ downtown waterfront area (just north
of the Science Barge) until May 30.
The sphere responds to the ever-changing
currents of the river. Like a boat, it trails down
current and when the current accelerates, the
sphere rotates. After dark, the Sphere is illuminated with solar-powered lights.
The Hudson River has such a powerful presence, in which I am constantly awe struck. I am
delighted by the time I spend on and around it.
Constructed with a stainless steel frame
clad with 720 recycled/reused plastic bottles,
two stabilizing weighted buoys hold the position
to allow it to turn on its axis when the flow is
present.
Sponsored by Groundwork Hudson Valley,
“Bottle Sphere” was launched from the Yonkers
Paddling and Rowing Club floating dock May 1
to kick off Yonkers Arts Weekend. YPRC’s support was essential, special thanks to Commodore
John Magiotto.
I want to acknowledge Bob Walters for his
relentless extraordinary support.
“Bottle Sphere” was constructed over the
six weeks preceding its launch. I was very fortunate to have extensive help from my son Norden, daughter Lhakdon and my wife, Nancy Jo
– along with my family, friends and neighbors
who put in days of prepping parts and assembly,
including Suprina, Glen Madison, Shaun Gorman and Ilona Fabian.
Realizing this sculpture grew to a task I
could not have imagined a month ago!
Winners of Memorial Day
Oratorical Contest Announced
Participants and winners of the Memorial Day oratorical contest.
Students from Yonkers Public Schools recently participated in the annual Memorial Day
Peter Joseph Oratorical Contest, reciting Lincoln’s
“Gettysburg Address” from memory at Yonkers
Middle High School on May 14. The event was
organized in conjunction with the Central Committee of Veterans Organizations, and the winners
were:
Middle School Division (Grades 7 and 8)
Jonathan Guerrido from Khalil Gibran
School, Teacher Moderator Louis DiMonaco, first
place
Kennedy Bordas from Saint Eugene School,
Teacher Moderator Anne Castanaro, second place
Noel Roy from Patricia A. DiChiaro School,
Teacher Moderator Nick Naber, third place
High School Division (Grades 9 to 12)
Denice Moran from Yonkers High School,
Teacher Moderator Tara O’Sullivan, first place
Omaima Pervez from Yonkers Montessori
Academy, Teacher Moderator Sharon Governali,
second place
Chrislyn Webster from Lincoln High School,
Teacher Moderator Aferdita Silverman, third place
FRidAY, MAY 22, 2015 - YoNkERs RisiNG - PAGE 3
Lincoln Teacher Wins
Barnes & Noble Contest
Untermyer Chairman Honored
Untermyer Gardens Conservancy Chairman Stephen Byrns
Lincoln High School teacher Helena Osinloye, recognized for being named Barnes and
Noble’s “My Favorite Teacher” contest winner.
Lincoln High School teacher Helena Osinloye has been named the winner of the Barnes &
Noble “My Favorite Teacher” contest, and was
honored at the Yonkers store April 15.
The recognition is the result of the efforts
of one of Osinloye’s students, Chelsea Reynolds,
who acted on her own initiative and submitted a
winning essay in the Barnes & Noble’s national
“My Favorite Teacher” contest. She named Osin-
loye as her favorite teacher, explaining her reasons in eloquent detail.
Osinloye received a $500 Barnes & Noble
gift card and plaque, and Chelsea was recognized
for her work and read her essay to the audience.
Her essay will be submitted to the national contest where both she and Osinloye stand to achieve
even greater recognition, as well as $5,000 for
Osinloye and $5,000 for Lincoln High School.
Draconian Layoffs & ‘Punishing’
Program Cuts Imminent for YPS
The Yonkers Board of Education continues
the arduous task to provide the City of Yonkers
with a balanced budget for 2015-16 by May 26. At
the special Audit, Budget and Finance Committee
meeting last week, trustees repeatedly noted that
the task before them is not what they believe is
good for Yonkers students – or good for the community.
The actions they are required to take are
forced upon the district due to the lack of adequate
funding, they said.
Dr. Nader Sayegh, board president, reminded
the public that the budget process, which began
last fall with a request for a $584 million budget,
would have restored critical programs and services
that were depleted over the years. “It is a budget
that is right for our students and would have required an additional $89 million to return a sound,
basic education to Yonkers children,” he said.
When it became clear that budget request
would not be funded, Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Michael Yazurlo presented a status quo budget
of $551 million, with no increases in services or
programs over the current year.
At this point, only $525 million is committed to the district for next year from the state and
the city, forcing the trustees to cut $26 million in
personnel and services. By consensus last week,
the trustees agreed to bring to a vote next week
the severe, detrimental and devastating cuts that
include eliminating 60 teachers (20 art teachers, 20
music, 10 physical education and 10 high school
teachers), as well as bus monitors, all sports and
sports and charter trips not funded by grants, and
reducing transportation costs.
There will be a 50 percent reduction in supplies and materials, as well as travel, at the district.
In addition, certified and non-certified overtime
will be reduced; there will be fewer student interns; utility expenses, building repairs, contractual expenses, tuition for out-of-district residents
and special education programs will be reduced.
Also, six administrators will be cut, including an assistant director; as well as 35 civil service
positions, including 13 clerical staff, 15 custodial,
two retirees, three infrastructure support staff and
two sports secretaries.
In addition, the district plans to add four Early
Start schools, including the DiChiaro School, Pulaski School, Family School 32 and Gibran School.
“These cuts are not healthy and not in the best
interest of a learning atmosphere,” said Sayegh.
“Our direction is clear, the board and the superintendent will continue to explore every avenue – local, state and federal – to seek additional funding.
We will not give up our efforts.”
The Superintendent has directed the Central
Office administrators and budget staff to continue
to find efficiencies in the 2015-16 proposal to potentially reduce the number of staff cuts.
The trustees will vote on the cuts at the Audit,
Budget and Finance Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 5:30 p.m. in the Board
Room, One Larkin Center.
Dr. Farrah Gutwain
Rheumatologist
Board Certified
Internal Medicine
Fellowship Trained at
New York Medical College
Specializing in the treatment of
arthritis
lupus
osteoporosis
Now located in
Sleepy Hollow (914) 631-2070
and Croton (914) 269-1700
Accepting new patients
P H E L P S
Phelps Medical Associates
phelpsmedicalassociates.org
The Foundation for Landscape Studies bestowed its Place Maker Award to Stephen F. Byrns, founding chairman of the Untermyer Gardens Conservancy, on May 13 in the Boathouse
in Central Park. Byrns is a partner at BKSK
Architects in New York, and is a resident of the
Bronx. The Place Maker Award is given annually
to an individual “whose vision and imagination
are responsible for the creation of a landscape of
exceptional beauty.”
Untermyer Park and Gardens, owned by
the City of Yonkers, was once the private garden of attorney Samuel Untermyer. It was called
“America’s Most Spectacular Garden” in the national press in the 1920s.
The Conservancy, founded in 2010, works
in a public-private partnership with the City of
Yonkers to restore the great gardens for the benefit of the public.
A few years ago, the Place Maker Award was
presented to the founders of the High Line, now
a sensationally popular park in New York City.
The Foundation for Landscape Studies was
established by Elizabeth Barlow Rogers to foster an active understanding of the importance
of place in human life through scholarly publications, research materials, tours, exhibitions,
awards and guidance to stewards of significant
landscapes. Rogers was the Founder of the Central Park Conservancy in 1980, the first publicprivate partnership chartered to restore a major
American landscape.
On This Day in
Yonkers History…
The Yonkers War Memorial in 1922
Sir Henry Clinton
By Mary Hoar
President emeritus, yonkers historical
Society
monday, may 25
May 25, 1872: Six houses on Main Street
were moved back 25 feet to widen and straighten the road.
May 25, 1903: A petition from several
McLean Avenue residents was presented to the
Common Council. It asked that a section of
their street be called Midland Heights, and it
was allowed.
May 25, 1904: A cow owned by Alfred
Goldstein of Ashburton Avenue created a new
long-distance record. Bossy was found wandering around South Broadway in White Plains after meandering there from her Yonkers pasture.
May 25, 1918: Public Safety Commis-
sioner Mitchell announced the creation of the
Yonkers Police Department Traffic Squad under
the leadership of Lt. Dennis Cooper. The squad
was charged with solving the perplexing matter
of traffic conditions in Yonkers. Cooper was assigned 13 men to train, and the officers would
spend four hours a day on traffic post, two hours
in training, and two hours on general post.
tuesday, may 26
May 26, 1652: Yonkers became a Dutch
colony, and Adriaen Van der Donck was granted
power to bequeath his lands.
Wednesday, may 27
May 27, 1862: John Kendrick Bangs was
born in Yonkers. This humorist ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Yonkers in 1894 on the Democratic ticket
Continued on Page 8
PAGE 4 - YoNkERs RisiNG - FRidAY, MAY 22, 2015
Lincoln Park Jewish Center
Indoor Skydiving Adventure
Completes Sale of Unused Parcel
Soars into Ridge Hill
The property at 307 Central Park Ave., Yonkers. Photo by Robert Kalfus.
By Robert kalfus
The Lincoln Park Jewish Center completed
the sale of a small parcel of unused and vacant
property at 307 Central Park Ave., at the south
end of its extensive campus, to the Sterling
Property Group (Thomas Keenan) on May 14
for a final sale price of $155,000
The closing took place at the office of the
buyer’s attorney, Lisa Johnstone, on McLean
Avenue, where Jack Schweizer, president of
LPJC; Sidney Goldman, treasurer; synagogue
attorney Stavan Prasard of the law firm Ivey,
Barnum and O’Mara; and Antonia Smith, representing the New York title research company;
joined the parties in attendance.
This transaction culminated a nine-month
endeavor overcoming many hurdles, delays
and obstacles on the path toward realizing the
synagogue’s mission and vision, reapportioning
the entire property, zoning/survey issues and
tax/assessment review. With the diligent and
focused assistance and cooperation of LPJC
Rabbi Rigoberto Emmanuel Vinas, former Yonkers City Council President Chuck Lesnick and
Yonkers realtor Henry Djonbalaj, the property
sale came to a mutually successful conclusion.
Keenan has not yet expressed any plans
for developing the property, but the sale affords
the opportunity for Lincoln Park Jewish Center
to expand and enhance its vision to continue to
promote the synagogue’s future in the Yonkers
community, with programs of education, learning, celebrating and sharing Jewish culture,
spirituality and Torah learning with neighbors
and friends, for many years to come.
Further, it is believed by LPJC members
that selling this unused piece of property, on
which was a vacant shack painted white –
which appeared as it at one time might have
been intended as a small store selling ice cream,
judging by the front window facing Central
Park Avenue, but went unused for decades –
will help attract new congregants and Jewish
families who wish to attend Modern Orthodox
services, programs, classes and holiday celebrations.
This transaction reinforces Lincoln Park
Jewish Center as the focal point for Judaism in
Yonkers, according to members.
This coming Shabbat marks the completion of the 49-day period between Passover and
Shavuot, culminating in the joyous two-day
holiday, Sunday May 24 and Monday May 25,
of the Jewish people receiving the Torah from
God at Mount Sinai.
The public’s participation is welcome; call
the office at 914-965-7119, or visit www.LPJC.
org for more information.
Yonkers NAACP to Address
Gun Violence at Meeting
The Yonkers Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
will hold its monthly general membership meeting Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Nepperhan
Community Center, 342 Warburton Ave.
The speaker will be Assistant District Attorney Susan Brownbill-Vega, who is director of
community affairs for the District Attorney’s Office. She is part of the team of ADAs who work
with law enforcement and community partners on
the Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative.
GIVE is a New York State-funded collaborative effort of the DA’s Office, the Yonkers and
Mount Vernon police departments, NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
(parole), Westchester County Probation, and oth-
ers to reduce and prevent shootings and homicides.
Brownbill-Vega will discuss how GIVE is
addressing gun violence in Yonkers and Mount
Vernon with strategic law enforcement and community outreach. Community partners include the
school systems of Yonkers and Mount Vernon,
the Nepperhan Community Center, the Yonkers
YMCA, the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, the
Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon, Family
Services of Westchester and others.
The focus of the GIVE community outreach
is to deliver a consistent anti-gun and anti-gang
violence message to parents, children, teens and
community members.
For more information, call 914-423-9316.
Get ready for iFLY Indoor Skydiving at Ridge Hill.
Representatives from Forest City Ratner
Companies, owner of Ridge Hill, and Matt
Ryan, president and COO of iFLY Indoor
Skydiving, came together last week with local
dignitaries to break ground on iFLY’s upcoming location at Ridge Hill.
This new, family-friendly sports attraction will be a perfect addition to the exciting
mix of shopping, dining and entertainment options that make Ridge Hill a popular retail and
recreational destination for families in Westchester and beyond.
iFLY, which currently has 37 locations
around the world and 11 in the U.S., simulates
the sensation of skydiving indoors. Its unique
fan technology generates a controlled wind
tunnel that creates a cushion of air on which
a person can safely float. No special skills are
required, and almost anyone over the age of
3 can safely experience the sensation of free
fall without having to jump out of an airplane.
It is sure to be a draw for families and thrillseekers alike!
The iFLY structure will be located along
the lower portion of Ridge Hill Boulevard,
and is scheduled to open in early 2016.
“iFLY provides our customers with
‘wings’ in a safe environment, making the
dream of flight a reality for all ages,” said
Chief Operations Officer Matt Ryan. “It’s
great to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to
a whole new audience, and we’re very excited
to be part of one of the best shopping centers
on the Eastern seaboard – Ridge Hill.”
Local elected officials joined Matt Ryan
and Kathy Welch, executive vice president
and director of retail development for Forest
City Ratner Companies, in breaking ground
to welcome Ridge Hill’s newest entertainment
attraction. In attendance were Mayor Mike
Spano, Yonkers City Council President Liam
McLaughlin and council members John Larkin, Corozon Pineda and Mike Breen.
“Ridge Hill consistently demonstrates its
commitment to the Yonkers community, making a name for itself not only as a great place
to shop and dine, but to play as well – and now
to sky dive,” said Spano.
iFLY’s extraordinary experience of simulated flight is exciting enough to have entertained millions via television appearances on
multiple occasions. The company’s attractions
have been featured on “The Tonight Show
with Jimmy Fallon” and “Jimmy Kimmel
Live!”
“Shopping is always a thrill, of course,
and now Ridge Hill will offer the adrenalinecharged sensational feel of skydiving, too,”
said Kathryn Welch, executive vice president
and director of retail development for Forest
City Ratner Companies. “There is no doubt
iFLY is a wonderful complement to the already stellar mix of shopping, dining and entertainment that can be found ‘On The Hill.’”
Additionally, iFLY as a company is committed to encouraging excitement around science, technology, engineering and math, at
all educational levels. Its STEM field trips,
organized in partnership with local schools in
the communities in which it operates, include
study of the scientific concepts that enable the
flight experience.
For more information, visit www.iflyworld.com.
Student Achievement at Mount
St. Vincent Research Symposium
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College of Mount Saint Vincent students
from Yonkers presented their original research
and service projects at the fifth annual College
of Mount Saint Vincent Student Research and
Service Symposium on May 14 at the college’s Riverdale campus:
Nicholas Malizia of the Class of 2017
presented “The Clover and the Cross: The
Adverse Long-Term Effects of Irish Immigration;”
Rachel Gabriel, 2016, presented “Correlations Between Peripheral Autonomic Sympathetic Arousals and Cortical EEG Arousals
in Humans;”
William Aqeel, 2015, presented “Evaluation of the Watch-PAT Apparatus as a Reliable
Sleep-Staging Tool;”
Valerie Khayyo, 2015, presented “Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer Cells Utilizing
Newly Synthesized Meso Porphyrins;”
Rachel Daniel and Iryna Koziy, 2016,
presented “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in
the Veteran Population;”
Valerie Khayyo, 2015, Shadi Khayyo,
2017 and Dorina Ismailgeci, 2016 presented
“Synthesis and Characterization of Tri- and
Tetra-Substituted Porphyrins for their Photochemical Applications;”
And Jade Suleiman, 2017, presented “Using Drosophila melanogaster as a Model Organism to Study Reproductive Toxicants.”
The College of Mount Saint Vincent
Student Research and Service Symposium is
held to recognize students who have engaged
in significant research and service initiatives,
as well as the faculty and staff who serve as
their mentors. Students have the opportunity
to present and highlight their recent research
and service accomplishments to the campus
community, along with college benefactors,
peers, parents and local guidance counselors
and principals.
To join the Exchange Club of Yonkers contact
Vice-President David Tubiolo at 646-596-3375
Friday, May 22, 2015 - Yonkers Rising- PAGE 5
Consider Adopting Lulu
Lincoln Students Learn from
Reporter During Career Day
News 12 Westchester reporter Grace Noone recently participated in Lincoln High School’s
annual Career Day in Yonkers. Several professionals, including Noone, spoke to students
about their careers, exposing students to a variety of professions and helping them realize
the abundance of future employment possibilities available to them. Here, Noone speaks with
11th-grade student Eviers Innocent.
Lulu needs a loving home.
There are many pets available for adoption at
the Yonkers Animal Shelter.
Lulu is a mixed-breed dog about 3 years old
and 50 pounds. She’s a mixed Bully Breed who
went to the shelter as a stray dog some months
ago. While she behaves appropriately when walking in the vicinity of other dogs, she would prefer
not to share her home with other pets – she wants
her person all for herself.
She is smart and affectionate and loves to
learn. Lulu knows “sit,” “down” and “give paw.”
She would love a home with a yard to run in or
an active family who would like a hiking partner.
She would be fine with kids age 10 and older.
Visit Lulu at the Yonkers Animal Shelter at
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@gmail.com.
Donate A Boat
or Car Today!
“2-Night Free Vacation!”
1- 800 - CAR - ANGE L
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sponsored by boat angel outreach centers
STOP CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN
DONATE YOUR CAR
Temptations, Tech & Brine
Coming to Yonkers Riverfest
Every year, more than 25,000 people
gather by the Hudson River in downtown
Yonkers to eat, listen to music and learn about
new products and causes. This year, on Sept.
12 starting at noon, thousands of people of all
ages will have the opportunity to enjoy some
exciting new features as part of the 23rd Yonkers Riverfest, a free festival sponsored by the
Yonkers Downtown Business Improvement
District, the City of Yonkers and Domino
Sugar.
It is one of the largest family-friendly
gatherings in Westchester County.
The Legends of Motown (Leonard, Coleman and Blunt) are the showcase act. Including members of the Temptations, the Platters
and the Drifters, the band will play such timeless favorites as “Under the Boardwalk,” “My
Girl” and “Save the Last Dance for Me.”
The “Innovation Station” is based on the
“Maker Faire” model, and will showcase inventions and new technologies, including 3D
printing, home inventions and more.
Yonkers was a birthplace of the pickle
industry, so the BID is bringing the brined
cucumber (and other vegetables) back in a
big way, with a dedicated “Pickle Pavilion,”
where attendees can sample sour wares.
Traditions such as arts and crafts, children’s activities, environmental exhibits and
entertainment on five stages will also continue
to be part of this day-long festival.
“We’re also expanding our sponsorship
outreach to include major national brands,”
said Dan Lipka, executive director of the Yonkers BID. “We’re so grateful to the companies
– both small and big – that enable us to produce this annual event. It’s a great opportunity
for brands to reach a huge, diverse population”
The 2015 sponsorship options are available at www.YonkersRiverfest.com/sponsors.
In addition to Riverfest, the Yonkers
Downtown Waterfront BID is gearing-up for
its spring/summer activities, including a series of free events such as “Movies on Main
Street,” “Friday Night Jazz, Blues and More,”
“Riverwalk” Wednesday children’s shows and
a Fourth of July fireworks concert.
“New York area families are always looking for something fun and interesting to do
during the summer and on weekends,” said
Yonkers developer and BID President Kenneth Dearden. “This year, we want to give
them more reasons to take the short ride up
to the waterfront to see all the unique things
going on in downtown Yonkers!”
Memorial Day
Spano. “Yonkers renews its enduring pledge
to always honor and never forsake its fallen
heroes.”
Additional local Memorial Day events in
Yonkers include:
* City of Yonkers Memorial Day ceremony May 25 at 9 a.m.
* Crestwood Memorial Day parade May
25 at 10 a.m. The parade/ceremony is hosted by Ernest Pasqua American Legion Post
1506, and participating groups include veterans from various posts throughout Yonkers,
Mayor Spano and local elected officials, the
Yonkers Police Honor Guard, Boy Scouts,
Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Yonkers High School
marching band and the Knights of Columbus
and bagpipers.
* Catholic Slovak Club Memorial Day
parade May 25 at noon
* Empire VFW Post 375 Memorial Day
service May 25 at 2 p.m.
The first official recognition of Memorial
Day, known then as Decoration Day, was May
30, 1868. For additional information on all
Yonkers Memorial Day ceremonies, contact
the city’s Department of Veterans Services at
914-377-6700 or visit www.yonkersny.gov.
Wheels For Wishes benefiting
Hudson Valley
*Free Vehicle/Boat Pickup ANYWHERE
*We Accept All Vehicles Running or Not
*100% Tax Deductible
WheelsForWishes.org
x
% Ta
100 tible
uc
Ded
Call: (914) 468-4999
Delivery Driver Needed
Delivery driver wanted for weekly
newspapers in Yonkers and Westchester County. Experience and own
auto preferred. To apply send email
to risingmediagroup@gmail.com
Continued from Page 1
York.
Murphy is one of the many veterans, past
and present, who call Yonkers home. On this
weekend, we salute your service and remember those who never made it home.
The City of Yonkers will remember and
honor members of the armed forces who
sacrificed their lives when it hosts its annual
Memorial Day parade Saturday, May 30 on
McLean Avenue. The city will host the event
in conjunction with the Charles N. Bajart
American Legion Post 1122.
The parade will commence at 1 p.m. with
a ceremony at Stillwell Park (McLean Avenue
at 241st Street) and proceed along McLean
to the American Legion Post at 840 McLean
Ave. A ceremony will conclude the parade at
the post, with the placing of wreaths.
“Memorial Day is an opportunity for all
of us to recognize and thank our veterans in
Yonkers and all across America for their patriotism and devotion, especially to those who
paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mayor Mike
PAGE 6 - Yonkers Rising - Friday, May 22, 2015
Legal Notices
Classifieds
Daylight Savings Time has arrived and so has the WAJE Spring
term! ... Celebrate by joining Westchester
Adult Jewish Education for one or more of these
exciting classes: Jewish Art Workshop (Exploring the connection between your name and soul
through the tradition of the biblical verse) 2 Monday mornings beginning April 20, JCC of MidWestchester); Making Meaning of the Laws of
Shabbat (5 Wednesday evenings beginning April
15 , private home in New Rochelle); The Minor
Prophets (10 Wednesday mornings beginning
April 22, Congregation Kol Ami); Introduction
to Talmud: Two Tractates (9 Monday mornings
beginning April 13, private home in Armonk); or
Talmud From the Inside (8 Thursday mornings beginning May 7, Temple Beth El of New Rochelle).
WE HAVE A CLASS FOR YOU! For more information or registration, visit us online at www.
waje.org, or call Alice Tenney, Director, at 914328-7001 ext. 704.
Delivery Driver Needed-Delivery
driver wanted for weekly newspapers in Yonkers
and Westchester County. Experience and own auto
preferred. To apply send email to risingmediagroup@gmail.com Currently searching for an
experienced Janitorial Facility/
Building Manager to manage all janitorial
responsibilities of a large building in White Plains,
NY. Requirements - YOU MUST MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS: -5+ years janitorial management,
managing one facility 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
612-208-3441 or 612-331-1165 and send your resume to jobs@alliedns.com
Also seeking ---Part Time Janitor/Cleaner Growing janitorial company
is searching for experienced, reliable part-time
janitor / cleaner needed in White Plains, NY. Two
years previous janitorial experience required. Strip
and wax experience as well as carpet cleaning experience a plus. Starting Wage at $22.00 per hour,
with full benefits and vacation available**Must be
extremely reliable with own car and valid driver’s
license. ****Candidates must be prepared to pass
E-Verify and criminal background check.**To
apply please call 612-208-3341. Send resume to
jobs@alliedns.com
ANTIQUES • ART • COLLECTIBLES
Most cash paid for paintings, antiques, furniture,
silver, sculpture, jewelry, books, cameras, records,
instruments, coins, watches, gold, comics, sports
cards, etc. Please call Aaron at 914-654-1683.
Licensed therapists needed - for
Early Intervention SLP, OT, PT, SI, SW, Psych
Cases in Westchester County for ages 0-3 with developmental delays Send resume to HR@skhov.
org
Pregnant: Considering Adoption -Childless, married couple are ready to open our hearts
and home. Promise love, security & opportunity.
Financial help for your pregnancy. Nick & Gloria
855 -385 -5549
SULLIVAN COUNTY REAL PROPERTY
TAX FORECLOSURE AUCTION -350+/ -Properties June10+11 @10AM. Held at “The Sullivan”
Route 17 Exit:109. 800 -243 -0061 AAR Inc. &
HAR Inc. Free brochure: www.NYSAuctions.com
City of North Tonawanda -Tax
Foreclosure Auction. Saturday, June
6, 2015 Registration: 9:00AM Bring ID Auction
Start: 10:00AM Stephen Sikora Post #1322 950
Payne Avenue, North Tonawanda, NY 14120 Sale
Catalogs Now Available at City Hall www.auctionsinternational.com 800 -536 -1401
Donate your car to Wheels
For Wishes, benefiting Make -A -Wish. We
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POST 9/11 G.I. BILL® -VETERANS if
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fees & housing . National Tractor Trailer School,
Liverpool/Buffalo, NY (branch) Job placement
assistance! Consumer Information @ ntts.edu/
programs/disclosures *1 -800 -243 -9300 ntts.edu/
veterans Events
Rinaldi Flea Markets Open Every
Sunday through October. 900 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie. See you there! RINALDIFLEAMARKETS.COM
ATTEND AVIATION COLLEGE– zGet
FAA approved Aviation Maintenance training. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placementassistance. Call AIM for free information 866296-7093
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KILL STINK BUGS! Harris Stink Bug
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Effective results begin after spray dries. Available:
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SUPREME COURT -STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER
CITY OF YONKERS,
Plaintiff,
-againstASCOTT REAL ESTATE, INC., MVP LEASING COMPANY, INC., KENNETH CHILVERS,
NATALIE CHILVERS, SAVERIA SEVERO, SUNTRUST BANK ATLANTA, NEW YORK
STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE and JOHN DOE (said
name being fictitious, it being the intention of plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of
premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any having or
claiming an interest or lien upon said premises) Defendants.
Index No.: 61657/2014
Property address: 350 Ashburton Avenue
Yonkers, New York
Section 2 Block 2060 Lot 8
TO: KENNETH CHILVERS and NATALIE CHILVERS, Defendants
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED and required to serve upon Plaintiff’s attorney an answer
to the complaint in this action within twenty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service, if personally served upon you, or within thirty days after service
is complete, if this summons is not personally served upon you. In case of your failure to
answer, plaintiff will seek a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the
complaint.
Trial is desired in the County of Westchester. The basis of venue is the location of the subject premises.
NOTICE
YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR REAL PROPERTY.
IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A
COPY OF THE ANSWER ON PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY WHO FILED THIS TAX FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE
COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR
REAL PROPERTY. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR
CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING A PAYMENT TO YOUR TAX COLLECTOR WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY
SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF CITY
OF YONKERS AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.
Dated: White Plains, New York
OXMAN TULIS KIRKPATRICK
WHYATT & GEIGER, LLP
By: STUART E. KAHAN, Esq.
120 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 100
White Plains, New York 10605
(914) 422-3900
skahan@oxmanlaw.com
#1369 05/22 – 06/12
Notice of formation of Oak
Street TV LLC Arts. Of Org.
filed with the Sect’y of State
of NY (SSNY) on March 23,
2015. Office location: Westchester County. The street
address is: 99 Kingston Avenue, 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: Stephen
Blanchard, 99 Kingston Avenue, Yonkers, NY, 10701.
Purpose: any lawful act.
#6621 05/08 – 06/12
Friday, May 22, 2015 - Yonkers Rising - PAGE 7
Seniors and Health Care
Honoring our Service
Members on Memorial Day
By Julissa Javier
Social Security assistant district manager,
Yonkers
On Memorial Day, we honor men and
women who died while courageously serving
in the U.S. military. We also recognize active
duty service members, especially those who
have been wounded. Cities and towns across
the United States host Memorial Day parades to
thank our service members and their families for
their sacrifices.
Policymakers put into place laws and benefits to protect our heroes and their families. For
example, Social Security provides survivor, disability, retirement and Medicare benefits. Not
only does Social Security have benefits to protect veterans, we also provide family benefits to
protect service members’ dependents.
Widows, widowers and their dependent
children may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/survivors.
Wounded military service members can
also receive expedited processing of their disability claims. For example, Social Security
will provide expedited processing of disability
claims filed by veterans who have a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs compensation rating of
100 percent Permanent and Total. Depending on
the situation, some family members of military
personnel, including dependent children and, in
some cases, spouses, may be eligible to receive
benefits.
Get answers to commonly asked questions
and find useful information about the application process at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors.
Service members can also receive Social
Security, as well as military retirement benefits.
The good news is that your military retirement
benefit doesn’t reduce your Social Security retirement benefit. Learn more about Social Security retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.
gov/retirement, or visit the military service page
of the Retirement Planner, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/veterans.htm.
Service members are also eligible for Medicare at age 65. If you have health insurance from
the Department of Veterans Affairs, or under
the TRICARE or CHAMPVA programs, your
health benefits may change, or end, when you
become eligible for Medicare.
Learn more about Medicare benefits at
www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare.
In acknowledgement of those who died for
our country, those who served, and those who
serve today, we at Social Security honor and
thank you.
CancerCare Walk/Run for
Hope Raises Funds, Awareness
Men’s 5K winner Christopher Brennan accepts an award from Sandra Tripodi of CancerCare
at the third annual CancerCare Greenwich Walk/Run for Hope at Greenwich Point on May 3,
to raise funds to help those affected by cancer.
More than 250 dedicated members of the
CancerCare family joined together May 3 at
Greenwich Point for the third annual Greenwich
Walk/Run for Hope to celebrate survivors, support
those who are facing cancer and remember those
who have passed away.
Congratulations to the men’s 5K winner
Christopher Brennan of Mamaroneck, with a
time of 18:04.55; and women’s 5K winner Dawn
Marinaccio of Greenwich, Conn., with a time of
20:20.86. Longtime Greenwich resident Evangela
Breitbart was the event’s highest individual fundraiser; and once again, the Lymphomaniacs of
Stamford, Conn., won the award for highest total
for a team.
Kicking off the event, Greenwich native
Hospital Farmers Market
Season Opens With Treats
Wendy Yarish spoke about her own experience as a
breast cancer survivor, and why she was moved to
become an advocate for CancerCare.
“CancerCare’s services are so incredibly important because they help absolutely anyone affected by cancer,” she said. “There aren’t too many
organizations out there that offer such a wide range
of support services for such a wide range of people. They are not only there to support people with
cancer, but also their family members and friends.”
CancerCare is grateful to all the teams, walkers, runners and volunteers who made the event
such a special day in support of CancerCare’s free,
professional services for anyone affected by cancer. To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org or
call 800-813-HOPE (4673).
Lindsay Fastiggi, owner of Spice Revolution, with spices, baked goods and other treats at the
farmers market at NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital.
NewYork-Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital’s farmers market kicked off the season with
jams made from local fruits, spices from far-flung
corners of the globe, and colorful produce plucked
from Orange County’s fertile “black dirt.”
This is not just any farmers market. Greeting visitors at the main entrance to the hospital
at 1980 Crompond Road, the 15 vendors were all
part of the hospital’s Harvest for Health program,
which includes an organic garden, the Peter Kelly
Teaching Kitchen and a locally-sourced food service for patients and employees.
The program uses healthful eating as a way
to prevent chronic disease and to positively influence a patient’s recovery.
“That’s why we’re here, to be ambassadors
of health as well as deliciousness” said Lindsay
Fastiggi, owner of Spice Revolution in Dobbs
Ferry, one of the market’s vendors.
A focus on wholesome and local ingredients
is key to the market, which will operate 11 a.m.
to 4 p.m. every second and four Tuesday of the
month through November
This year – the fourth year of its operation
– the market has more going for it. A shuttle now
stops at five places in Peekskill to bring people to
the vendors at no cost, in an effort to make fresh,
healthy foods more available to people on lower
incomes. The shuttle and community outreach
program is funded with a two-year grant of nearly
$100,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which was also used to obtain an Electronic
Benefit Transfer machine, allowing people to use
their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
benefits to purchase food.
Many of the vendors use local ingredients
in their foods. However, while Fastiggi’s baked
goods boast dairy and eggs from nearby farms,
her array of spices are from a trip around the
world; smoked Spanish paprika, French sweet
curry, cinnamon from Saigon and Aleppo pepper
from Syria are just some of the selections available.
The vendors on Tuesday include Back to
the Future Farm; Bee Hive Farmstand; Brittany
Natural Foods; Do Re Me Farms; Fi-Dough, Inc.;
G&K Sweet Foods; Homestead Floral; Kastania
Olive Oil; Leland Farms; Monty Breads; Perry
Hill Farm’ Spice Revolution; Wright’s Farm;
Florida Bakery and Deli; and B&B Jams.
For more information, visit www.nyp.org/
hudsonvalley or call 914-737-9000.
Celebrating our 125th Anniversary
Spa
Arab nish an
d
ic
prov speakin
ide
g
avai rs are
lable
INTRODUCING THE LATEST MEMBER
OF THE SAINT JOSEPH’S FAMILY
Saint Joseph’s Family Medicine
415 South Broadway
Yonkers, NY 10705
(914) 623-5400
Offering Comprehensive healthcare services for the entire family
Pediatrics • Adults • Older Adults
Ammir Rabadi, MD, Medical Director
Wendy Sylvester, MD • Nadeem Shahid, MD
 Convenient Hours
 Basic Testing Services On-Site
 Most Insurance Plans Accepted
 Same day appointments available
Hours of Operation
Monday-Thursday 8am-8pm • Friday 8am-5pm • Saturday 9am-2pm
FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, PLEASE GO TO OUR ER AT:
Saint Joseph’s Medical Center
127 South Broadway
Yonkers, New York 10701
(914) 378-7000
www.saintjoseph.org
PAGE 8 - Yonkers RIsing - Friday, May 22, 2015
Asian-American Heritage Fest
Features Food, Music & More
The 18th annual Asian-American Heritage
Festival will take place Saturday, May 30 from
noon to 6 p.m. at Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. Admission and parking are free.
The public is invited to bring family and
friends for an afternoon of entertainment featuring experts in traditional Asian dance and song
and masters of the martial arts, including lion
dancers. Professional artists share the stage with
children’s dance troupes in beautiful traditional
costumes, and there will be plenty of activities
for children such as face painting, calligraphy,
Chinese paper cutting, Origami and games.
One of the most popular of the ethnic cultural celebrations on Westchester County’s summer
calendar, the Asian-American Heritage Festival
attracts as many as 7,000 residents each year. It
is also a favorite showcase for small businesses
and non-profits, featuring vendors selling Asianthemed cultural artifacts and handmade goods,
agencies offering educational and health services, and local chefs cooking up a wide array
of Asian foods.
The festival is organized by the OCA-Westchester and Hudson Valley Chapter, sponsored
by TD Bank and ArtsWestchester, and supported
by the Westchester County Parks Department,
the Chinese Schools and nonprofit organizations, Westchester corporations and local restaurants and businesses.
For more information about OCA, visit
www.ocanational.org.
School 21
all of the dedicated teachers, staff and parents,”
said Superintendent Dr. Michael Yazurlo. “The
school’s commitment to community involvement is an invaluable asset to our students’ education and equips them to be active contributors
to society as adults.”
“It’s wonderful to see Yonkers’ schools
collaborating with the community to enhance
instruction and school culture,” added Board of
Education President Dr. Nader J. Sayegh. “On
behalf of the Board of Trustees, we applaud
the efforts of this great school for creating an
environment in which students can thrive and
we congratulate them on receiving this welldeserved award.”
Spano’s School of the Month recognition
program began in January 2014 as a way to celebrate the significant academic success, extracurricular achievements and community volunteerism of the students, teachers, administration
and staff at Yonkers Public Schools.
Continued from Page 1
Yonkers seniors from Coyne Park were in attendance at Wednesday’s School of the Month
presentation.
In addition to placing focus on the community at large, School 21 is active in celebrating
writing and culture. In recognition of April as
National Poetry Month, students at School 21
participated in a multicultural music and poetry
celebration, and first-grade students re-enacted
their performance at the School of the Month
presentation.
“It’s always such a treat to see our young
people expressing themselves and showing us
what they learn in the classroom each and every
day,” said Spano.
“School 21 is a vibrant learning community supported by Principal Timo Hughes and
Saunders High
Continued from Page 1
and organized teacher who lets students work
independently and learn on their own,” she said.
As a result, this class is also her favorite
class throughout the school.
Karthik, who is in the engineering magnet
program, could not decide on one teacher, and
explained that he valued the teachers of Mr. Allan Marche, who teaches electronics computer
circuitry in the 10th grade; Mr. Jose Nunez, who
teaches electronics computer circuitry in the
11th and 12th grades; and Mr. Rick Savage, who
teaches social studies.
When asked about his favorite class, it was
clear to see that Karthik strongly appreciates the
support and favors his electronics computer circuitry above all, as it allowed him to hone his
skills and choose a career in electrical engineering.
Sabrina has taken advanced placement
Spanish language, AP world history, AP U.S.
history, AP calculus and AP statistics during her
time at Saunders High School, and will get college-level credit for these classes.
In addition to taking AP U.S. history and AP
calculus, Karthik also took a web design collegelevel class at Monroe College during the summer, and a psychology class.
Enrolled in a magnet program at their high
school, the students still managed to find time
to participate in a number of extracurricular activities. Sabrina is founder and president of the
Gay-Straight Alliance Club, treasurer for the
Key Club, a member of Skills USA, a member
of the Poetry club, a member of Yonkers Unified Student Council, and was also the treasure
of UNICEF during 2014. Outside of school, she
continues to partake in activities, including being
a tutor through Yonkers Partners in Education for
both an SAT/ACT program, and 10th grade curriculum program.
Sabrina is also treasurer of the youth group
at her local church, a lecturer at her church on
Sundays, and has enjoyed drawing and reading
ever since she was been a child.
Karthik, who has been a long-time member
of the Robotics Club at Saunders, is also a chapter
leader of the Skills USA Club, a member of the
Asian Club, treasurer of UNICEF, co-treasurer of
Club 303, and also tried to form a club known as
“Jammclub.” Out of school, Karthik is a member
of the Youth Leadership Council, Westchester
Senior Youth Council in White Plains, a volunteer through J.D.R. for the Habitat for Humanity Walk in October 2013 and 2014, an assistant
librarian for the library in Saunders, and a math
tutor through YPIE.
Karthik also enjoys playing guitar and has
always been an avid enthusiast of sports, and
therefore spends a lot of time staying active.
Sabrina has applied to and been accepted at
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell
University, Cooper Union and Stony Brook University, and is planning on attending MIT. She
has many goals in her future, and said she finds
happiness in all avenues of her life. She hopes
that upon graduating from college, she’ll take up
a career in civil engineering, or perhaps become
a scientist or a politician.
Karthik has applied to Manhattan College,
Rochester Institute of Technology, Oswego
College, University of New Haven, Kettering
University and the University of Maine, and
plans to either attend Manhattan, Oswego or
RIT, where he will pursue a career in electrical
engineering.
When asked what they love most about their
high school, Sabrina spoke about a number of aspects that appealed strongly to her. She explained
that Saunders is well known for its magnet programs, but many students do not realize how successful and helpful these programs truly are.
“It allows students to see the different possibilities of what their futures might hold by choosing a number of the magnet programs,” she said.
Karthik shared Sabrina’s sentiment, and
said the magnets that Saunders have truly make it
a unique school. “The magnet program teachers
even take you a step further, and they push you to
succeed,” he said. “The Robotics team just came
back from the New York City regionals with an
Inspirational Award.”
The two leave their fellow classmates and
friends with a few words of advice. Valedictorian Sabrina explained that she spent her time at
Saunders by living by these words: “Life is too
short to always be sensible.” She urges students
to work hard, but most importantly, to have fun
doing so and enjoy the time high school gives
you, because “it goes by very fast.”
Salutatorian Karthik added: “Don’t let anyone put you down and tell you what you can and
cannot accomplish. No matter what anyone says,
you should always try because you never know
what may happen if you put forth the effort.”
Congratulations to Sabrina and Karthik, and
best of luck toward your futures!
On This
Continued from Page 3
May 27, 1882: The American branch of the
Bicycle Touring Club made its first annual meet
run from New York City to Yonkers.
Thursday, May 28
May 28, 1893: Electric cars began running
between Yonkers and Mount Vernon.
May 28, 1928: Warburton Avenue artist
Bertha Fanning Taylor held an exhibition of
more than 40 of her oil and water color paintings, drawings and engravings at the Lyceum
Club de France. According to the Paris edition
of the Herald Tribune, she was “a perfect artist
in each of these mediums.”
Taylor had several other works on display in the Salon of the Societe Nationale des
Beaux-Arts and the American Women’s Club.
She remained in Paris for 15 years, then settled
in Norfolk, Va.
May 28, 1932: The City of Yonkers planted 350 trees at Trevor Park in honor of the bicentennial of George Washington’s birth. The
spruce and pine trees were planted at the southern end of the park at the left of the roadway.
Leonora Hobart, chairman of the treeplanting committee, announced, “Every tree
planted throughout the United States this year is
dedicated to George Washington.”
May 28, 1958: Passenger service on the
New York Putnam Railroad was discontinued.
Friday, May 29
May 29, 1779: Sir Henry Clinton made
the Manor House his headquarters; while there,
he planned the attacks on Verplank and Stony
Point.
Saturday, May 30
May 30, 1872: Thomas Ludlow led the
Al Del Bello
Continued from Page 1
supporters, but family and friends.
Al had already started his journey for lieutenant governor, visiting locations throughout
the vast state that is New York. After all the introductions and speeches to excite the crowd,
Del Bello got up to the podium and said something that made a lasting impression on me.
I don’t remember the words exactly, but
the concept was simple: No matter where
in New York State he went, people always
brought the conversation back to Yonkers.
They knew him or his family in Yonkers and/
or had some connection to our fair city.
I thought of that night on Friday when I
learned that Al Del Bello passed away. The
last time I saw Al was at our friend and Yonkers icon Marty Rochelle’s funeral several
months ago, where he was one of the main
speakers. In all the years I have known Al, I
never saw him get as emotional as he did when
talking about his friend Marty. Several of us
commented that Al was starting to realize that
nothing in life is forever.
Walking into the funeral that rainy day,
most of us had rain coats and umbrellas. When
I saw Al, he had neither. I asked him where
his overcoat was and told him I was going to
tell his wife, Dee, that he was out in the rain
uncovered. He told me Dee was inside holding
his protection from the elements. I felt better.
You have read about all of the great things
Al did for Westchester County: Building the
Westchester Medical Center, building a stateof-the-art burn center on its campus, uniting a
fragmented bus system, and focusing county
resources on the arts including the bridge gallery at the County Office Building, where artists would exhibit their work – curated by his
beautiful wife, Dee.
Del Bello became the mayor of Yonkers
at a time when the feds were all over the city
investigating municipal operations. Indictments were flying and Al came into office with
a mandate to clean up the mess in City Hall.
He did, and for the time he was mayor he stabilized the city’s finances.
In Yonkers government, stabilizing city
finances – sadly – to this day doesn’t happen
very often.
I got to know Al during his years as county executive, although I had met him earlier
as a Cub Scout at a flag-raising ceremony at
Yonkers City Hall. I was a college student at
the time.
He was an interesting individual – very
independent; not the type of person you would
go out with for drinks, but you always got the
sense that his heart was in his work and you
knew where he was coming from.
I remember a county executive debate between Al and Sen. Joe Pisani at the Lincoln
Park Jewish Center in Yonkers. I was with Al
handing out campaign literature, and a call
came in on the pay telephone from a longtime friend and confidant of the Del Bello’s
who asked me if Al had his pipe in hand on the
stage. I said yes. The friend went on to tell me
that political debates were not his thing and
smoking the pipe was calming for him.
I remember a political confidant of Al
opposition to the incorporation of Yonkers as
a city with the presentation of a protest to New
York State Gov. Hoffman. According to Ludlow, a majority of the people who lived outside the boundaries of the Village of Yonkers
were opposed to the act. The property, about
16 square miles, was chiefly farmland with few
buildings.
They particularly resented this being done
without consultation, stating this was “against
the spirit of our institutions that any portion of
the people of this state shall be subjected to an
entire change in the form of their municipal government without some authorized expression of
the will of the people to be affected thereby on
that subject.”
Those signing the petition with Ludlow
were Richard Lawrence, H.M. Schefflen, John
Taylor, Thomas Radford, Thomas Knowlton,
B.T. Weeks, G.A. Rollins and J. Henry Williams. Others expressing their displeasure were
the well-known names of Shonnard and Saunders, with the latter claiming the incorporation
was a scheme of just three men and did not
reflect the opinion of the majority of Yonkers
people.
May 30, 1922: The Washington Park War
Memorial designed by Isadore Konti was officially dedicated to those Yonkers citizens who
lost their lives in WW I.
Sunday, May 31
May 31, 1870: St. John’s Riverside Hospital was incorporated.
For more information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming
events, visit www.facebook.com/YonkersHistoricalSociety, or LinkedIn or Twitter @YonkersHistoric. For information on membership in
YHS, call 914-961-8940 or email yhsociety@
aol.com.
who rose to high ranks in state government
and was asked to buy paint to repair some
outdoor political signs. The confidant bought
indoor paint, not realizing that outdoor paint
was what was needed. The man who asked the
confidant to buy the paint was in shock – but it
didn’t phase Al.
Campaigning for Al for lieutenant governor in Little Italy at the San Gennaro feast,
I remember handing out campaign literature
and reminding the old timers, “Del Bello Italiano.”
After Al left the lieutenant governor post
due to boredom, several of us who worked on
his campaign were invited to his new home in
Waccabuc. For this kid from Yonkers, Waccabuc seemed like another planet, driving over
downed branches to get to the house.
I was chatting in a bedroom with a friend
who had been Al’s secretary in Yonkers City
Hall, who said she knew Al and Dee so well
that she bet his shirts were perfectly folded
and stacked in the dresser. As only this woman
would do, she opened the dresser draw and
sure enough, the shirts were perfectly stacked
and folded – better than in a display at a department store.
Several times when I saw Al in private
practice as a lawyer representing developers in Yonkers, he “kvelled” at the task, often
sharing his expansive knowledge of the city
and its people. Several months ago he was at
a public meeting representing developers who
wanted to build a Target in Yonkers near Stew
Leonards, and the crowd wanted no part of it.
Al tried to diffuse the situation, talking about
Yonkers’ past, but the folks in attendance –
most of whom were not around when he was
mayor or county executive – were not buying
his stories. Welcome to Yonkers.
His tenure as mayor was not perfect;
some of the political decisions that were made
to build more than 4,000 units of low-income
housing on the West Side of town and only
200 units on the East Side of Yonkers were
made on his watch. Housing was needed in
Yonkers and he had to work with a City Council consisting of members that did not want
low-income housing east of the Saw Mill River Parkway.
A landmark housing and school desegregation case was brought, and as they say, the
rest is history.
Al’s accomplishments in Yonkers and
Westchester far outweigh any negatives in his
tenure. His strings were not pulled by political party leaders, and he had an independent
streak that was appealing to the residents in a
city of hills where nothing is ever on the level
and a county that gained prestige during his
tenure as the chief executive.
Condolences to Al’s wife, Dee (former
Yonkers Public Schools art teacher), and his
son Damon, a prominent Pediatric Orthopedic
Surgeon.
Alfred B. Del Bello. Yonkers city councilman and mayor. County executive and lieutenant governor. Friend. He, too, was Yonkers!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@
aol.com and follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Catch the Westchester Rising Radio
Show featuring Dan Murphy and Eric Schoen
on Thursdays at 10 a.m. on WVOX 1460 on
the A.M. dial.
Friday, May 22, 2015 - Yonkers Rising - PAGE 9
Cross County Shopping Center
Announces SummerFest Lineup
From left are Councilman Christopher Johnson, CSEE co-founder Sobeida Cruz, Chelsea
Freeman and Donise Lyons from Youth Theatre Interactions, and Ed Birdie.
Cross County Shopping Center’s Summerfest will feature Fit Fest activities, below, and
characters from children’s movies, above, all on the village green.
With warmer temperatures on the horizon,
Cross County Shopping Center has announced a
new lineup of activities for its SummerFest celebration this year. Along with several outdoor
events and promotions, the summer series will include two new elements: a Style Lounge featuring
makeovers and beauty workshops, and Fit Fest, offering outdoor fitness classes that promise to get
participants swim suit ready.
Now in its fifth year, SummerFest is Westchester County’s premier summer festival of music, arts and entertainment.
“We are always so excited when SummerFest
comes around, but this year we’re thrilled to introduce our brand new Style Lounge and Fit Fest for
our shoppers,” said Liz Pollack, senior manager
of marketing for Cross County Shopping Center.
“SummerFest is more than just concerts – there are
a variety of events now that speak to many audiences. The Fit Fest really focuses on shoppers with
an interest in wellness and healthy living, while
the Style Lounge will appeal to shoppers who love
to see and experiment with the latest fashion and
style trends, from hair to clothes to nails and even
fragrances.”
This year, Cross County Shopping Center has
added an extra month to SummerFest 2015 with
activities beginning in May. The events are free to
the public and draw tens of thousands of residents
from Upper Manhattan and the Bronx to White
Plains, and neighboring Westchester communities.
Event attendees can enjoy the annual SummerFest Dining and Savings Guide with special
offers from nearly 30 retailers and restaurants.
The following events are scheduled this year
for SummerFest 2015:
* Style Lounge – Celebrate summer in style
with Cross County Shopping Center’s Style
Lounge, presented by Macy’s. Decked out with all
things glamour in an outdoor tent, shoppers will be
able to walk on the celebrity-style “pink carpet”
and find professional stylists on-hand providing
beauty makeovers and accessorizing tips, conducting mini fashion shows, demonstrating nail art and
more.
* Fit Fest – Get on The Green, stretch your
muscles and get moving during Fit Fest at Cross
County Shopping Center. In partnership with Blink
Fitness, workout classes will be held on The Green
in the center of the mall. Participants can boost
their mood in 30 minutes with a full body workout
News 12 anchor Lisa Reyes with CSEE students.
led by a certified Blink Fitness trainer.
Fit Fest will take place Saturdays, May 30 and
June 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. Participants must be at
least 16 years of age to join the boost camp classes.
* Concert Series – Get ready for the summer’s
best outdoor concerts at Cross County Shopping
Center. With a range of all music genres, a series
of live performances throughout the summer will
include:
The Milagro-Santana Tribute Band on Thursday, July 2 from 7 to 10 p.m.;
The Benjamins on Wednesday, July 8 from 7
to 9 p.m.;
Amish Outlaws on Wednesday, July 15 from
7 to 9 p.m.;
The Nerds on Saturday, July 18 from 4 to 6
p.m.;
NYC Swing Band on Wednesday, July 22
from 7 to 9 p.m.;
Jill Gioia on Wednesday, July 29 from 7 to
9 p.m.;
FDR Drive on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 7 to
9 p.m.;
And British Invasion on Wednesday, Aug. 12
from 7 to 9 p.m.
Shoppers can bring their beach chairs and
blankets to The Green, in the center of the mall, to
enjoy these free performances.
* Fireworks – The July 2 concert by MilagroSantana Tribute includes a fireworks display to celebrate Independence Day. Each year, thousands of
local residents and visitors enjoy the fireworks that
amaze both children and adults.
* Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival – On Saturday,
June 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., throughout the
mall, the community can see amazing works of art
created in chalk by both professional and amateur
artists.
* Children’s Activities – Throughout the summer, a series of kid-friendly shows will take place
at the center of the mall on The Green, on Wednesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. The shows include “Jake and
Neverland Pirates” on May 20, “Super Heroes” on
June 10, and “Friends from Sesame Street” on June
17. A special “Pop Star Show” will take place Saturday, July 18 from 1 to 2 p.m.
For more information about SummerFest
2015 at Cross County Shopping Center, visit
www.crosscountycenter.com or follow the center
on Facebook at Facebook.com/crosscountyshoppingcenter.
CSEE students get a chance to try out a fire hose with Yonkers firefighters.
Photos by Donna Davis
Yonkers Charter
Continued from Page 1
interact with police officers and their canine partner dogs; and a visit from the Yonkers Fire Department, in which students were able to test out the
fire hose and see how strong you have to be to control it and save lives.
Also, a visit from U.S. Army representatives
who drove up to the school in an Army jeep, which
students got a chance to hop into and explore, was
featured.
Yonkers Rising Editor Dan Murphy always
makes a deal with the CSEE students on Career
Day: “If you listen to your teachers and Principal
Cindy Lopez, and study hard, I will take a picture
with you and put it on the front page.”
Stewart-Cousins Discusses
Public Service With Students
State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins reads to Yonkers students.
There were so many classes to read to during
Read Aloud Day in March at Paideia School 15 in
Yonkers that State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins
returned last week at the students’ request to visit a
class she had missed.
Stewart-Cousins, who is also the Democratic
leader in the New York State Senate, read “Wolf!”
by Becky Bloom to the first-grade students and
discussed some of her responsibilities as an elected
official and representative in Albany.
“I always enjoy visiting schools in my district,” said the senator, who represents the 35th
State Senate District. “These children are the future of New York State and we have a responsibility to ensure they receive the high-quality education
they deserve. As a former teacher, I understand the
struggles our state’s educators and students face
each and every day, and that is why I will keep up
the fight to fund and improve education.”
As a former teacher who attended public
school, sent her children to public schools and
whose grandchildren attend public schools, Stewart-Cousins understands the vitally important role
public schools play in educating New York State
children.
The recent visit is the latest one made to a local school as part of the senator’s continuing commitment to education. Last week, Stewart-Cousins
was at the Albert Leonard Middle School in New
Rochelle and spoke to students as part of their Career Day event. She also attended a citizenship and
scholarship award ceremony by the Yonkers Council of Parent-Teacher Associations.
Last month, she spoke at a school district and
parent forum in New Rochelle, attended a Scarsdale discussion on the new teacher evaluations,
and spoke to students at Yonkers Middle-High
School. She also toured White Plains High School,
stopping in several classrooms to observe and
greet students.
Also in April, the senator supported the
Woodlands Falcons Nest Booster Club and middle
and high school PTSAs at their Taste Off to help
raise money for sports programs in Greenburgh. In
February, she was a guest speaker in two classes at
Lincoln High School during Black History Month.
PAGE 10 - Yonkers RISING - Friday, May 22, 2015
School 23 Students Donate to Nepal Earthquake Victims
Marie Martin’s fifth-grade class collected more than $100 for the Nepal/UNICEF fundraising effort.
Staff and students at School 23 in Yonkers
were driven to assist victims of an earthquake
of 7.8 magnitude that struck Nepal on April
25, killing more than 7,000 people and injur-
ing many more, with a school-wide initiative
to raise funds for children in need with 100
percent of donations going directly to UNICEF.
The initiative, titled “Nepal Earthquake:
Help Children Now,” was quickly placed in
motion as nearly 1 million children require
humanitarian assistance. Pre-kindergarten to
eighth-grade students rallied together to all
donate $1 to the mission. School 23 proudly
raised nearly $700 and mailed a check to UNICEF on Friday, May 15.
Yonkers Lawmakers Tell Albany: Our Kids Matter
State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins with YFT President Pat Puleo and City Council members Mike Breen, Dennis Shepherd and Michael Sabatino at a rally for education funding in
Albany.
CSEA President Lionel Turner at the rally outside City Hall.
Mayor Mike Spano with City Council members Sabatino, Christopher Johnson and Corazon
Pineda, as well as parents, students and staff in Albany.
Council Minority Leader Michael Sabatino speaks at the recent rally outside of City Hall.
By Dan Murphy
The City of Yonkers and its elected leaders, parents, teachers and staff, have created a
movement aimed at – once and for all – ending
the education funding problem in Albany that
has plagued the school system for decades. It is
called “Yonkers Kids Matter,” and its Twitter ac-
count is #YonkersKidsMatter.
This week, rallies were held in Albany, on
the steps of Yonkers City Hall, and at the recent
Board of Education meeting where trustees were
forced to make significant cuts to a school system that serves 27,000 students – but has already
been cut to the bone.
Yonkers Public Schools needs an additional
$26 million for the 2015-16 school year in order
to maintain its current level of educational services, which does not include complete sports,
arts and music programs, or enough librarians,
guidance counselors and psychologists for every
school.
There is no news yet of any decision or additional funding from Albany.
The City Council will begin its budget reviews, which include a budget public hearing
Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, where residents and educators
can speak out.