Julia B. Fee Sotheby's Supports AmeriCares in Delivering Aid to the Philippines
- Details
- Hits: 3264
Julia B. Fee and William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty announced that the company is contributing over $30,000 to support relief efforts in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. The funds have been donated to AmeriCares, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides both immediate emergency response and long-term assistance programs for those in need all over the world. AmeriCares is participating in emergency relief efforts in the Philippines.
Julia B. Fee and William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty achieved its dollar amount goal one week after announcing the initiative, pledging to match all donations up to $15,000. With ongoing donations from company agents and staff as well as the public through philippinesrelief.williampitt.com reaching more than $15,000, the firm was able to contribute more than $30,000 in total to AmeriCares.
"I am happy to report that we met our goal for the Typhoon Haiyan Americares Relief Fund in only one week's time. Each gift will help to ensure that AmeriCares has the resources required to respond effectively and quickly to this crisis," said Jason Wilson, brokerage manager of Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty's Scarsdale brokerage. "I am proud to be part of such an extraordinary and compassionate organization, and I know that together we can make a difference in helping the families and individuals affected by this devastating storm."
AmeriCares has arranged for an initial emergency shipment of medicines and aid for 20,000 survivors, and for emergency response staff members to travel to the Philippines to assess needs and speed the delivery of additional aid. Believed to have killed nearly 4,000 people, the storm has been referred to in the media as one of the worst storms in recorded history.
Julia B. Fee and William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty has partnered with AmeriCares several times in recent years, participating in the organization's humanitarian efforts in impoverished areas of Guatemala and El Salvador, as well as its work to assist those affected last year by Hurricane Sandy. For more information, contact Jason Wilson at Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty, [email protected] or 914.713.2164.
David M. Brodsky to Chair 2014 Scarsdale Bowl Committee
- Details
- Hits: 8133
David M. Brodsky has been named Chair of the 2014 Scarsdale Bowl Committee. The appointment was announced by Richard Toder, President of the Scarsdale Foundation. As Bowl Committee Chair, Brodsky will head the Scarsdale Bowl nominating committee and the community celebration dinner to be held on Wednesday evening, April 9, 2014 at The Fountainhead in New Rochelle. The Scarsdale Bowl is awarded annually each spring to a Scarsdale resident in recognition of his or her outstanding voluntary public service to the community. The Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Scarsdale Bowl Committee is Deborah Pekarek.
Mr. Brodsky has been active in a range of community and volunteer organizations. He served as Chair of the Scarsdale Procedure Committee that nominates candidates to run for the Citizens Nominating Committee, Chair of the Joint and Administrative Committees of the School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) that nominates candidates to run for the SBNC, and three years as a member of the SBNC. He is a member of the board, and incoming Chair, of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy. He previously served as member of the Board and Chair of the Nominating and Development Committees of Equal Justice Works, and Chair of the Board of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. He is also a member of the Audit Committee of the New York City Bar, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and a Life Member of the American Law Institute.
Brodsky, through Brodsky ADR LLC, is a mediator and arbitrator of complex commercial and financial disputes, and a Member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Formerly a partner at Latham and Watkins LLP, he also served as General Counsel-Americas, Credit Suisse First Boston, and was a partner at. Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP. A graduate of Brown University and Harvard Law School, he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Associate Independent Counsel in the Matter of Michael K. Deaver.
He and his wife Stacey, a Trustee of the Village, have been residents of Scarsdale for more than 20 years; their daughters Isabel and Nell graduated from Scarsdale High School and from Colgate and Brown Universities, respectively. David's son Peter resides in Dallas with his wife Lael and three children.
The Scarsdale Bowl is administered by the Scarsdale Foundation which operates as a not-for-profit community foundation to promote the civic welfare. It does so by supporting institutions and individuals in a manner that encourages educational and human development in the community. The Foundation provides need-based financial aid to Scarsdale High School graduates who are entering their sophomore, junior and senior years in college and to children attending the Recreation Department summer day camp. It also administers a number of special purpose funds, and makes grants for various community needs which have included the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps and the Scarsdale/Edgemont Family Counseling Service.
Spring Forward, Fall Behind: Safety Notes from the Scarsdale Fire Department
- Details
- Hits: 3613
As the time change approaches on Sunday, November 3, the Scarsdale Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives: Changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of 75 percent of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke detectors. Non-working smoke detectors rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke detectors is worn or missing batteries.
Changing smoke detector batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke detectors nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing your smoke detectors every 10 years.
To save lives and prevent needless injuries in Scarsdale, the Scarsdale Fire Department has joined forces with Energizer and the International Association of Fire Chiefs for the 26th year of the Change Your Clock Change Your Battery® campaign. The program urges all Americans to adopt a simple, lifesaving habit: changing smoke detector and carbon monoxide batteries when changing clocks back to standard time each fall, this year on November 3.
"The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most families are sleeping," says Fire Chief Thomas Cain. "Smoke detector maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke detector can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely."
In addition, Chief Cain recommends residents use the "extra" hour they save from the time change to test smoke detectors by pushing the test button, planning two ways out of their home, and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
- Children – Approximately 500 children under the age of 14 die each year in home fires.
- Seniors – Adults 75 and older are 2.8 times more likely to die in a home fire.
- Low-Income Households – Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke detectors. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment – a main cause of fatal home fires.
Fire Department Installing Fire Hydrant Markers for Winter
On November 2, 2013 the Scarsdale Fire Department will begin installing red markers on every fire hydrant in the Village, to assist the Department in locating the hydrants during heavy winter snow accumulations. Installation of these highly-visible three-foot tall metal rods will be performed by career and volunteer firefighters working together to ensure that each of the nearly one thousand fire hydrants in the Village is properly marked. The flag markers will be removed by the Water Department in the spring during their annual hydrant maintenance program, to be re-installed again prior to the next winter.
These markers are being installed to enhance public safety. Fire hydrants serve an extremely critical role in the rapid and successful extinguishment of fire, and accumulated, drifting or plowed snow often results in difficulty locating hydrants, especially at night and/or during inclement weather. Precious time can be lost searching for a hydrant buried by snow, and the intent of these tall flag markers is to assist firefighters in locating the hydrant quickly.
Residents with fire hydrants on or near their property can assist the Fire Department in this regard by shoveling snow away from the hydrant. Clearing the snow away from your fire hydrant is a quick and easy way to assist the Fire Department toward helping you and your neighbors.
Please contact the Scarsdale Fire Department at 722-1215 if you have any questions.
Candidates for Citizen's Nominating Committee Need Your Vote
- Details
- Hits: 3152
The 2013 elections of the the Citizens Nominating Committee will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. Residents may vote in person at the Scarsdale Village Hall on that date from 7:00 to 9:30 AM and from 2:00 to 9:00 PM, or by mail-in ballot before Election Day.
The 2013 candidates for each of the five voting districts are as follows:
1. Edgewood - Elissa Bookner, Charles Chesnut, Michael Stevens.
2. Fox Meadow - James Blum, Max Grudin, Joan Mazur Kapner, Christopher Morin.
3. Greenacres - John Baer, Michael Green, Barry Klayman, Maura Wogan.
4. Heathcote - Leonard Benowich, David Brodsky, Daniel Finger, Joel Frank.
5. Quaker Ridge - Diane Chesler, Julie Weinstein.
Booklets containing biographical information on each candidate, a mail-in ballot form and instructions for completing and returning them to the Scarsdale Procedure Committee are being sent this week to Scarsdale residents. Mail-in ballots will also be available from the website of the Scarsdale Procedure Committee at scarsdaleprocedurecommittee.org.
Almost Business as Usual Following Fire at the JCC on Wednesday
- Details
- Hits: 2613
Fire broke out in the men's locker room at the JCC of Mid-Westchester around 5:15 pm on Wednesday, October 23, at approximately 5:15 p.m. The building was immediately evacuated and there were no injuries. Staff returned to the building at 8:15 p.m. The building was closed on Thursday and all programs at the facility were cancelled. To accommodate the many children that participate in the schools, The Early Childhood Center and Toward Tomorrow Program were housed at Beth El Synagogue Center in New Rochelle on Thursday with regular JCC teachers and staff.
"We are grateful that the fire was contained to the men's locker room and that everyone was evacuated safely," said Karen Kolodny, Executive Director. She added, "The JCC takes great pride in the safety and security measures that were followed, and we thank the many people that reached out to us in the aftermath of our fire. As we received emails, calls and visits of support, we were reminded of how comforting it is to be part of a strong community. We appreciate everyone's patience and loyalty as we return to normal operations." While most of the programs were back on schedule today, the pool and cycling will reopen tomorrow, Saturday October 25, 2013. Detailed information will continue to be updated and posted on the web site.
The JCC thanks the firefighters who were on the scene, the New Rochelle police and all the staff who helped to evacuate adults and children.
