Bronx River Parkway Lane Closures This Week
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Westchester County has sent out notification that between 9 pm and 5 am on Monday night July 9 and Tuesday night July 10 the right lanes in both directions of the Bronx River Parkway between Crane Road (Exit 12) and Ardsley Road (Exit 11) in Scarsdale and Greenburgh will be closed.
There will also be periodic 5-minute closures of the parkway in one or both directions to accommodate tree work. Delays are expected and drivers are advised to seek alternate routes.
In addition, the northbound right lane of the Bronx River Parkway between Harney Road (Exit 10) and Crane Road (Exit 12) and the northbound Crane Road Exit 12 ramp will be closed starting Wednesday July 11 and continuing through Friday July 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Motorists should use Harney Road (Exit 10) as a detour. Delays are expected and drivers are advised to seek alternate routes.
The lane closures are necessary for tree removal operations as part of the Crane Road Bridge Replacement Project on the Bronx River Parkway. The project began last month and will take three years to complete.
The current bridge, built in 1924, will continue to be operational during most of the project while a new bridge is constructed alongside it. To improve traffic operations and safety, the new bridge will have wider lanes and shoulders and will include a northbound deceleration lane to Crane Road. There will also be sidewalks to enhance pedestrian access to the Bronx River Parkway reservation, and the southbound Metro-North platform will be reconstructed.
The $39.4 million project is being funded by a combination of federal, state and county money and will create approximately 400 construction jobs.
For additional information, contact Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation at 995-2555. Full details on this project are available at westchestergov.com/craneroadbridge.
Arthur Manor Salutes America
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Uncle Sam led the annual 4th of July Parade from Sprague Road to Davis Park at the 84th Arthur Manor Neighborhood Association celebration. He was trailed by parents and kids of all ages. Some traveled on decorated bikes, trikes and strollers and many were dressed in red, white and blue and patriotic costumes. Awards were given for the best patriotic costumes and the best decorated scooters, bicycles, tricycles, carriages and strollers. Also in the parade were creative floats including Our Nation’s Capital, Freedom Rings, Fourth of July BBQ Picnic and 236th birthday cake.
Once in the park, there were races and games for all – including dashes, wheelbarrow races, potato sack races, a parent-child relay, and three-legged races culminating in the annual egg toss. No one went hungry, enjoying baked goods, popcorn, hot dogs and lemonade.
(Pictured Left: Maxwell and Sydney Block take a picture with Uncle Sam (Tegan Lee) after winning 1st Prize for Patriotic Attire.)
See below for a full list of parade winners and race results:
Parade Prizes:
Marchers in Patriotic Costumes
1st place – Sydney & Maxwell Block – “Happy 4th Uncle Sam”
2nd place – Zoey & Max Maidman & Violet & Beatrice Martin – “I Screamers”
3rd place – Taylor & Erin Olender – “Betsy Ross”
Honorable Mention – Lucy & Serena Glik
Scooters
1st place – Amelia Dai, Julia Genin, Caroline Guerney, Eliana Zitrin & Gillian Zitrin
2nd place – Max Maidman
Bicycles
1st place – Sarah Jane Traumer
2nd place – Julia DeVito
3rd place – Angela Hoey
Honorable Mention – Daniel Hoey
Tricycles
1st place – Jacob Traumer
2nd place – Ella Farnsworth
3rd place – Quinn Pruss
Honorable Mention – Laura Chesnut
Carriages & Strollers
1st place – Cole & Quinn Pruss
2nd place – Max Geer
3rd place – Emery Farnsworth
Floats
1st place – Christine Lambert – “Ours Nation’s Capital, Washington, D.C.” (Pictured Below)
2nd place – The Conlan, Genin, Lobato & Salazar Families – “Freedom Rings”
3rd place – Tie: Gillian & Eliana Zitrin – “Fourth of July BBQ Picnic”/
Theresa Alarcon, Sophie Cammarata, Hannah Lewis & Jolie Suchin – “236th Birthday Cake”
Honorable Mention – Katie Belbusti & Mary Kate Gorham – “Happy Birthday America”
Dash
1st Heat: 5 yrs. old and under, boys and girls together
1st – Nicholas Bates
2nd – Alex Bates
3rd – Ava Zerbo
2nd Heat: 6 & 7 yrs. old, boys and girls together
1st – James Bates
2nd – Nicolas Peckett
3rd – Matthew Samuels
3rd Heat: 8, 9, & 10 yrs. old, girls
1st – Christine Lambert
2nd – Anne Conlan
3rd – Rebecca Newman
4th Heat: 8, 9, & 10 yrs. old, boys
1st – Luca Schettino
2nd – Brendan Knopp
3rd – Jack Silvers
5th Heat: 11 yrs. old and older, girls
1st – Hannah Lewis
2nd – Phebe Denison
3rd – Samantha Mancini
6th Heat: 11 yrs. old and older, boys
1st – James Conlan
2nd – Eric Jacobson
3rd – Michael Palermo
Wheelbarrow Race - Teams of two, boys and girls mixed
1st Heat: 7 yrs. old and under
1st – James Bates & Matthew Samuels
2nd – Shannon Kelly & James Kelly
3rd – Angela Hoey & Taylor Olender
2nd Heat: 8, 9 & 10 yrs. old
1st – Christine Lambert & Rebecca Newman
2nd – Michael Jamesley & Luca Schettino
3rd – Erin Olender & Gillian Zitrin
3rd Heat: 11 yrs. old and older
1st – Theresa Alarcon & Paige Panessa
2nd – Mary Kate Gorham & Hannah Lewis
3rd – Tie: Sophie Cammarata & Jolie Suchin/Anne Conlan & James Conlan
Potato Sack Race - Girls
1st Heat: 6 yrs. old and under
1st – Ella Mulfinger
2nd – Kate Geller
3rd – Emily Levine
2nd Heat: 7 & 8 yrs. old
1st – Rebecca Newman
2nd – Maeve Jacobson
3rd – Taylor Olender
3rd Heat: 9 & 10 yrs. old
1st – Christine Lambert
2nd – Julie Jamesley
3rd – Anne Conlan
4th Heat: Girls, 11 yrs. old and older
1st – Sophie Hodges
2nd – Mary Kate Gorham
3rd – Phebe Denison
Potato Sack Race – Boys
1st Heat: 6 yrs. old and under
1st – Cole Liebowitz
2nd – Trevor Knopp
3rd – Alex Leroy
2nd Heat: 7 & 8 yrs. old
1st – Michael Jamesley
2nd – Peter Troiano
3rd – Matthew Samuels
3rd Heat: 9 & 10 yrs. old
1st – Brendan Knopp
2nd – Luca Schettino
3rd – Joseph Samuels
4th Heat: 11 yrs. old and older
1st – Eric Jacobson
2nd – James Conlan
3rd – Michael Palermo
Parent and Child Relay
1st Heat: Children 5 yrs. old and under
1st – Sophia & John Mulfinger
2nd – Daniel & Kevin Hoey
3rd – McKinley & Matt Conlan
2nd Heat: Children 6, 7 & 8 yrs. old
1st – Will & Bob Salazar
2nd – Alessia & Ivan Schettino
3rd Heat: Children 9 & 10 yrs. old
1st – Luca & Ivan Schettino
2nd – Christine & Michael Lambert
3rd – Dean Mancini & Jack Daly
4th Heat: Children 11 yrs. old and older
1st – Jeremy & Barry Fein
2nd – James & Matt Conlan
3rd – Aidan & Dan Donovan
Three Legged Race - Teams of Two, Boys and Girls Mixed
1st Heat: 6 yrs. old and under
1st – Violet Martin & Ella Mulfinger
2nd – Ronan Barnea & Patrick Vasilescu
3rd – Cynthia Bekele & Beatrice Martin
2nd Heat: 7 & 8 yrs. old
1st – Angela Hoey & Taylor Olender
2nd – Michael Jamesley & Luca Schettino
3rd – Beatriz Conceicao & Megan Lobato
3rd Heat: 9 & 10 yrs. old
1st – Danielle Eforo & Lily O’Hare
2nd – Eddie Eforo & Brendan Knopp
3rd – Anne Conlan & Sophia Salazar
4th Heat: 11 yrs. old and older
1st – Aidan Donvan & Eric Jacobson
2nd – Alex Eforo & Michael Palermo
3rd – Mary Kate Gorham & Jolie Suchin
Egg Toss
1st – Lou Mancini & Liz Daly
2nd – Sean Covert & Eyal Barnea
3rd – Tie: Michael Porco & Jenn Somboonthun/Michael & Stephen Lambert
Photos by Felicia Block, Kevin Hoey and Harvey Flisser
Who Will Represent You in Congress -- Redistricting Brings Change for Scarsdale
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Remember to vote today - June 26 - in the primary: Congresswoman Nita Lowey has represented Scarsdale for as long as I can remember – in fact she is now serving her 12th term, in Congress. I thought change would come to the district when Lowey, now almost 75 years old, retired. But redistricting brought a surprise to lower Westchester -- and as a results, Scarsdale will now be part of the 16th district where Eliot Engel is running for the seat. In the upcoming Democratic primary, this Tuesday June 26th, Engel faces challenger Aniello A. M. Grimaldi. (Neil) Grimaldi is a lawyer who has served in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office and as a NYC Special Narcotics Prosecutor. Like Engel, before beginning his political career he was a teacher. He is also an ordained reverend and has written a book on wisdom and religion called The Book of Life and Love. It is interesting to note that his website says he is a candidate for U.S. Congress as well as President.
In an effort to learn more about incumbent Eliot Engel, we asked him the following questions and here is what he shared with Scarsdale10583:
Please tell us about yourself: Where you grew up, went to school and what you did before being elected to Congress:
I grew up in a New York City housing project in the Bronx, attended NYC public schools before graduating from Hunter-Lehman College with a BA in History and a Masters in Guidance and Counseling from Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York. Later, I received a law degree from New York Law School. Before election to Congress, I worked as a teacher and guidance counselor in the NYC public school system, and was elected to the NYS Assembly, where I served as an Assemblyman for 12 years.
How did you come to run for Congress and how many years have you served?
After serving for 12 years in Albany, I believed my record was strong enough to embark on a bid for Congress. I wanted to continue serving the people of New York, only now on the federal level. In 1988, I ran against Mario Biaggi in a primary after he had been charged with racketeering in the Wedtech scandal. I began serving in January 1989 – in fact, my dear friend and colleague, Nita Lowey and I were elected on the same day - and have served the people of New York ever since.
What legislation are you must proud of?
I wrote the Syrian Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act in 2003 which imposed sanctions on Syria. This was not only important then, but it is relevant now. We must stand up against the Assad regime’s massacres of its own people. The time has come for serious sanctions on Syria by the international community. We must protect our own national security by encouraging stability in Syria and eliminating their support of terrorism. I also wrote the ALS Registry Act in 2008, which established a national registry for the collection and storage of data on those suffering from ALS. This registry brings new hope to thousands of patients and their families that ALS will one day no longer be a death sentence.
Your new district is economically diverse … what are the challenges in serving the residents of both the Bronx and suburbs like Scarsdale?
I have always represented an economically diverse district and redistricting has not changed that. The challenges are less than one would imagine because families from all over New York – and the country – have the same basic concerns: Providing a good life and strong education for our kids, food on the table, safety for our family, affordable health care and good paying jobs. In other words, a positive quality of life for everyone. The big issues facing our country affect everyone no matter what town they live in and regardless of their background. Since my first day in Congress I have tried to represent each and every one of my constituents as best as I could no matter who they are – and I plan to do the same thing for NY-16.
What is your view on the affordable housing settlement in Westchester and do you feel that Westchester is doing enough to comply?
As a federal representative, it is not my role to tell local governments how to go about their business. What I can do in such cases is help facilitate positive communications between local governments and the federal government to enable both sides to come to an agreement which is acceptable. Should either side need my assistance on facilitating a dialogue, I will be ready and willing to help in whatever manner I am able. I will be listening to my constituents to hear what role they would like me to play in this negotiation. I don’t believe I should be starting out telling them what we should be doing, instead I would like for them to tell me the direction to go.
What are your views on the Race to the Top and new educational mandates for local districts?
The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) and reform of the No Child Left Behind program are two of my top priorities. Race to the Top was an attempt by the President to motivate schools to reform in order to help better educate our children. However, many of the reforms are taking a financial toll on school districts and we must avoid additional cuts to our K-12 education system. Like NCLB, it was rooted in a good idea and the best of intentions but there were serious implementation problems. The best way to address school reform would be through comprehensive reform of ESEA, NCLB and in listening to the experts on the ground – teachers, administrators and parents. This is the best way to reform our education system nationwide. I will continue working with my colleagues to achieve this goal.
Is there anything that can be done on a federal level to help Scarsdale alleviate flooding?
Flooding in Scarsdale is a perfect example of how issues in Washington affect everyone no matter where they reside or their background. Rushing waters know no political affiliation or household income. This is why when Hurricane Irene hit last year, I was on the ground the very next day in my district to assess the damage and to pressure FEMA to set up a headquarters in all regions affected. In Washington, the Republican-controlled House has made cutting the Army Corps of Engineers budget a priority, but a major function of the Corps is flood control. We cannot afford to consider cutting only the cost of programs without remembering their value. People in need of help are left to fend for themselves. We are all Americans, regardless of our differences, and we must help each other in our time of need.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing the House of Representatives today?
Right now, the biggest challenge facing the House is the inability to get past ideological differences. Years ago, both sides would remember why we were elected in the first place – to govern the country and solve its problems. I have always remembered that and I enjoy close relationships with members of the Republican Party and have accomplished a great deal in bipartisan manners. However, politics has become hyper-partisan in recent years, and the 2010 election of the Tea Party faction of the GOP majority has taken things to new levels. It has become impossible for Speaker Boehner to control his majority, and even more impossible for them to be willing to compromise with Democrats in the House, Senate and White House to accomplish anything at all.
How do you think the House leadership can facilitate compromise between disparate factions?
I don’t really know how Speaker Boehner can control his majority. One strategy he could take – although it would be one which would likely end his reign as Speaker – would be to work directly with Democrats to pass legislation which would have a chance of support in the Senate and White House. We could accomplish a great deal if we worked together.
What do you do in your leisure time? What's the last book you read or movie you saw?
I am not someone fortunate enough to have a great deal of leisure time – it’s the nature of the job I am proud to hold. When I do have down time, I enjoy spending time with my family and watching baseball on TV or in person. For obvious reasons, political stories have always been of interest to me – I recently saw on DVD “The Ides of March” with George Clooney, which was a very enjoyable film. I also read many newspapers, magazines and non-fiction publications on policy, domestic issues, politics, history, foreign affairs and other such topics.
Edgemont Writer Publishes Thriller, Double Blind
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Edgemont’s Geoff Loftus has just published his first novel and second book, Double Blind. It’s a thriller about two beautiful women and two deadly secrets. The story line involves a New Yorker who goes on blind dates with two women and is lost in a tangle of Mafia, federal agents, violence, sex, betrayal, and murder. There's graphic sex and violence, and plentiful profanity and if this book were a movie, it would have an "R" rating.
Double Blind is a big departure from Loftus’ first book, Lead Like Ike: Ten Business Strategies from the CEO of D-Day. So we asked Loftus a few questions about writing fiction rather than historical analysis and the writing life in Edgemont and here is what he shared:
How did you do the research for the book and learn about the world of the Mafia?
Geoff: First, this book was not research-intensive. Most of the Mafia story was things I remembered seeing in the news -- and then doing an Internet search to make sure I remembered correctly. The clearest example of that is the moment in Double Blind when the hero reads about the New York cops being convicted of performing murder for hire for the Mob. That actually happened while I was writing, so I incorporated it in a very small way into the story. The other thing I did, especially with regard to the Mafia, was to use popularly accepted notions about what Mafiosi are like -- I borrowed heavily from Goodfellas and The Sopranos. If something's worked for someone else, why not use it?
How long did it take you to write the book and when do you find time to write?
Geoff: It took about 2 years to write this. After all, I've got a 9-to-5 job, so I have to write when I can: weekends, lunchtime, holidays, nights. If I were able to write full-time, I could write something like this in 3 or 4 months.
What can you say about the differences between writing a novel vs. non-fiction?
Geoff: I love the differences. With a novel, you're much freer to express yourself. You can be humorous (assuming you're funny), you can make astute social observations, you can play with language and with narrative voice. You decide where your story is going and how you're going to take it there. With non-fiction, you have to be true to your facts. Your story already happened -- so you're left to tell the story in the way you think best, but that leaves you with a lot fewer options than a novel. On the other hand, if you're doing a fair amount of research, as I did for Lead Like Ike: Ten Business Strategies from the CEO of D-Day, you learn a lot -- and, pardon me for sounding like an 8th-grade suck-up, but I'm not sure if anything is more fun than learning.
What do you think about publishing in the electronic age -- what has been your experience with Amazon and e-readers? Do stores stock hard copies of the book anymore?
Geoff: I have a nook (Barnes & Noble), and my wife reads e-books on her iPad. I love e-books. By and large, they cost less, and I tote around more than 60 titles in my nook. Try that stunt with hard copies and you'll end up with a hernia. As for why I went this route for Double Blind -- Lead Like Ike is in hard copy, audio book, and e-book formats -- it's the economics of e-publishing. My publisher, Saugatuck Books, is primarily an e-book publisher. Because the cost to publish is so low, Saugatuck can offer its authors a much larger slice of the pie. The royalty formula on Double Blind is a lot better for me than the formula for Lead Like Ike. And because the cost is so low, Saugatuck can charge readers less (only $4.99), so everyone wins.
Please provide information about your involvement in Edgemont with the ECC or any other community organizations.
Geoff: I'm about to enter my second year as Edgemont Community Council (ECC) president, my sixth on the ECCboard. The ECC is the Edgemont community's voice in the Town of Greenburgh, and sometimes to Westchester County and even New York State. We've been very active opposing the installation of cell-phone antennas in residential areas and the building of multi-family housing right next to the Greenburgh Nature Center. We've proposed a large number of budget cuts to Town Hall (which have been ignored). And for years, we've been calling for a town-wide reassessment for property taxes, which Town Supervisor Paul Feiner has recently gone on the record as saying will happen.
During the 2010-2011 school year, I was on Edgemont's School Board Nominating Committee. Before I was on ECC, I coached soccer and baseball from 1999-2006 for Edgemont Rec. In 2003, I was on the school district's Long Term Technology Planning Committee.
Where can readers find the book?
Preview a video about Double Blind here, and if you like it, the book is available on Amazon's Kindle or the Barnes & Noble nook, and by using free apps from the two retailers, it's available for iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac, or PC. Here is the link to Amazon:
Scarsdale Health Fair Today at Village Hall
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Mark your calendar for the Scarsdale Health Fair coming to Village Hall this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm. Sponsored by the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce, the fair will feature 40 exhibitors including health care providers, physical therapists, local businesses and more. There will be demonstrations and free giveaways.
The event will have something for the entire family. Kids can enjoy a jumping castle and balloonist and a D.J. will be on site to keep it lively and announce the winners of wonderful raffle prizes. The Scarsdale Farmer’s Market will make its return to Village Hall as well so you can peruse the exhibits and purchase local fare at the same time.
See you at Village Hall, Saturday June 16 from 10 am to 2 pm.