Mayor Pledges to Address Quality of Life and Traffic Concerns and Invites You to Java with Jane
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- Written by Sammy Silberberg
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The Scarsdale Board of Trustees is off to a running start, thanks in large part to the dedicated and passionate leadership of Mayor Jane Veron. During the May 11, 2021 Board of Trustees meeting, Mayor Veron began her remarks by discussing how her new strategic plan and model for government enables the board to tackle the widest possible variety of issues and anticipate any “surprises” that may arise. While the goal is to avoid unexpected issues, she admits that "of course, we all know the unforeseen happens, and we will swiftly respond, but in the general course of business, we want to be ahead of the curve."
Mayor Veron gave a status update on some major pillars that comprise her government model: Strategic and Financial Planning, Quality of Life, Infrastructure / Municipal Services & Sustainability, and Public Safety.
On the Financial Planning side, Trustees Arest and Lewis have been working with the mayor and Village administration to “identify opportunities for immediate process improvements… [and] the board endorsed [the staff’s] recommendation to implement enhanced technology functionality. The goal is to create efficiencies by eliminating paper dependency and to streamline and systematize processes for cost-effectiveness.”
Addressing some of the Quality-of-Life concerns, Mayor Veron spoke about the newly reopened library, which is a “crown jewel” for the Village. Next, the Mayor spoke to some of the public safety concerns raised by many about the increased traffic during school drop-off and pick-up. Mayor Veron stated that she attends the monthly SNAP meetings with individual neighborhood association presidents, and they will work to “find creative solutions…. It’s not going to be easy with the huge increase in volume of cars headed to the same place at the same time, but we are hoping that working together will make things a bit better.”
During her remarks, Mayor Veron also announced that the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps is stepping in to assist with vaccination efforts for children aged 16 and 17. The Corps will also play a role in vaccinating Scarsdale’s younger students once the FDA approves vaccinations for children aged 12 and up.
Finally, the Mayor publicized her first Java With Jane event, which will be held on Wednesday, May 19. Starting at 5:45 pm in the Dine the ‘Dale tent in the Village center, Mayor Veron will be available to speak with residents about any concerns they would like to address.
Next, Village Manager Pappalardo reported on three items: the presentation of this year’s stormwater annual report, an update to the gas-powered leaf blower ban, and information on funding for the Middle School Comfort Station. Village Engineer Goessl reported the bulk of the stormwater annual report and stated that Scarsdale met all necessary standards and expectations this year even with the additional challenges posed by COVID-19. Addressing the leaf-blower ban, Manager Pappalardo announced that property owners will be held equally responsible as the landscaping companies for enforcing the new rule. Starting this month, warnings will be issued, and repeat violators will be issued a summons. To report a violation between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, residents can call the Scarsdale Building Department (914-722-1140). At any other time, violations can be called into the non-emergency number at the police station (914-722-1200). At this time, the Village has filled the role of a temporary daily enforcement officer who will be managing the ban and leading the enforcement efforts.
Finally, Manager Pappalardo updated the community on the Middle School Comfort station. Months ago, the administration applied for a grant with New York State to offset some of the costs of the project. While the grant application has not been approved yet, Manager Pappalardo announced that if approved in the future, project expenses will be eligible for reimbursement from the date the application was completed and accepted. For this project, that date is January 25, 2021. Because of this rule, project construction can commence as scheduled this summer before the grant is approved by New York State.
Next, the Board held a Public Hearing to solicit community input on potential projects to submit for funding through the Westchester Community Development Block Grant program. Mayor Veron announced that the Board endorses a plan to use these funds to update the Girl Scout House and make improvements to the parking lot. Resident Deb Pekarek spoke in support of this plan and stated that this will help improve the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities who use this facility often. Trustee Crandall spoke on behalf of the Scarsdale Senior Advisory Council and the Scarsdale Chinese Association Senior Group to voice these groups’ support for the project.
Next, Trustee Lewis introduced a resolution to accept a gift from the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC) in honor of John Auerbacher. The gift consists of $730 and will authorize the planting of a red oak tree and accompanying commemorative plaque at Aspen Park for John Auerbacher, who will be dearly missed on the CAC. The resolution was passed unanimously, and CAC member Michelle Sterling later added how much she appreciates the Board’s passage of this resolution, and how much the CAC will miss John’s contributions and presence on the council.
Finally, before the Board moved into Executive Session, Village Treasurer Scaglione reported an update on tax collection. As of April 30, 2021, 94.22% of the county tax levy has been received, which is slightly higher than the 5-year collection average. The school tax collection is at 99.14%, which is slightly lower than the 5-year average. So far, the interest and penalties received on these taxes total over $700,000.
Simone Kestelman Creates an Itinerary of Art in Scarsdale
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Artists in all fields felt deeply the effects of the pandemic last year. Some had to deal with loss of jobs and opportunities; others felt empty of inspiration and energy to create. Scarsdale artist Simone Kestelman, used her talent to bring solace, color and hope to the community. Last summer, Kestelman started the project #ResiliART, installing sculptures in 17 different front yards in Scarsdale. She created an itinerary for walkers, runners and cyclists who took over the streets during the lockdown months. Her sculptures of guardians and ceramic flowers wanted to remind us that inner strength and beauty are the best weapons against difficult times. And of course it made our walks around town much more pleasant.
Kestelman is repeating the project this summer with a new series of installations, now entitled #RestART. This time her work is distributed over 20 front yards around town. Below is a map of the location of all the installations and Kestelman invites you to walk around Scarsdale to see the display which will be up until August.
She partnered with writer Ines Rodrigues, who created the poem below for the event, in a moment where we are gathering strength to go out again, to restart our lives. Rodrigues adds that “we should restart with an eye in the lessons learned over the last year. The pandemic was a time of reflection and sadness, but an invaluable opportunity for us to change our behavior towards the planet and also towards each other.”
Discussing the new guardians and flowers that are part of #RestART Kestelman said, “I make outdoor art because I want my art to be free, vulnerable and strong, all at the same time. I also want my art to change with the seasons, just like we do.” She also loves to produce beautiful things that won’t be hidden from everyone’s eyes. “Anyone can experience outdoor art and feel something, regardless their age, background and skills,” says Kestelman, who’s fascinated by the possibilities of glass and chose this material for the warriors sculptures.
Kestelman thanked Sherman Lee who interned in her studio years ago. Lee now is a senior at Parsons School of Design, graduating next year as a BFA in Product Design. “Lee is very talented and, since we met, he participates in all my projects, working on visual art. He creates the maps, apps and all visual resources,” adds Kestelman.
Poem by Ines Rodriguez
Open the doors,
The windows
Open your eyes
The sky, wide
The sun
Yellow circle, warm
The moon
White circle, dream
In the morning watch the seagulls
Looping above the ocean
Above the fish
Above the dolphins curving in the water
Watch the turtles
Learn the art of slow living
Watch the trees
Changing
From pink to green to yellow to naked
And restart
Nature’s circle
Nature’s art
Full circle
Three hundred and sixty degrees
Three plus six makes nine
Nine months to give birth
And start
Nature’s circle
Nature’s art
Ines Rodrigues/2021
Girl Scouts Learn Geocaching, Fifth Grader Named Finalist in Virtual Science Fair
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Edgewood’s 5th grade Junior Girl Scout Troop and SHS’s 11th grade Lion’s Heart group worked together to geocache and it was a resounding success! Geocaching is the recreational activity of hunting for and finding a hidden object by means of GPS coordinates.
Seven high school girls from the Lion’s Heart Community Service group led the activity.
It began with a Zoom session when the Lion’s Heart girls taught the Girl Scouts about geocaching, named their international “bug” and painted their inspirational rocks in breakout rooms as virtual teams.
On Sunday April 18, 2021 they met at Drake Park where all COVID precautions were taken. They hid their international trackable troop geocacher which is called a “bug,” and located an international trackable geocacher left by someone else.
Then they walked to the high school and Girl Scout house and hid and found one another’s geocachers several times.
Each team was color coded and had corresponding colored candies and rocks hidden in the boxes. As they successfully found a box, they enjoyed a piece of candy.
When they were done, the girls left their inspirational rocks around for others to find. A favorite spot was the tree near the rear of the Girl Scout House.
It was a wonderful day of learning, team building, laughing, physical activity and enjoying the beautiful Scarsdale landscape.
-contributed by Debra Asher
Mia WilsonHeathcote Fifth Grader is a Finalist in the NHL Stem Science Fair
In November, the NHL announced a virtual science fair to allow students in the US and Canada "to show how STEM can enhance the game experience in three categories: virtual fan engagement, sustainability and technology/innovation.”
Heathcote fifth grader Mia Wilson chose the technology/innovation category and designed new transparent corner boards for the rink, as well as increasing visibility for spectators by removing some seats in the same areas.
She suggested alternative revenue sources to replace the revenue lost by removing seats and eliminating some advertising space and designed a testing methodology to track changes in fan appreciation of the changes.
According to her mother Moli, Mia worked very hard on thinking through the various implications of her innovative design. She worked remotely on her own without the assistance of teachers or school personnel, though they are very excited about her success.
Three winners in each grade category were selected from the hundreds of entrants and a remote “awards ceremony” was held with a congratulatory video from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and a New York Rangers alumnus (Brian Mullen) who appeared via Zoom to congratulate her, as well. She won an iPad, some AirPods, and some NHL themed school supplies.
Commenting on her experience, Mia said, "This project was a fun way to apply new innovation and ideas to something I enjoy. I'm so excited the NHL liked my idea. Hopefully, they'll use it someday!"
Mother’s Day the Olfactory Way
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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ScentFluence Aroma Design Studio celebrates Mother’s Day with a tribute to every mom with the power scent! Our sense of smell and olfactory nerve have a strong connection to the mind and memory. As Helen Keller said; “Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived.”
Here are some suggestions for scents for all the Moms in your life:
The Mindful Matriarch who loves a Zen yoga session or savors stealing a moment of meditation. Perhaps, she unwinds by drawing a hot bath, with a glass of Cabernet to decompress after a long day. The perfect scents for mom would be Child’s Pose®, Yoga Nidra®, or Lavender Leaves. Your mother will namaste you for it.
The Wanderlust Woman, who dreams of aromatic holidays on the Amalfi Coast; transport mom back to Capri with the scents indigenous to the Islands with Verbena, Bergamot Orange or Vetiver Bergamot. If the Eastern Shore is where mom finds solace in sea, then to savor those sacred memories with the scent of Surf & Sun.
The Trail Blazer or Mountain Maven, who spends time between the Pines. Pine Trees are known to reduce the levels of anxiety and tension and increase euphoria. Tree Pose®, Deep Cedar and Winter Pine scents help to recreate the feeling of a walk in the woods. If a chalet in Chamonix brings back fireside après ski memories, give her By The Fire or Cognac to warm her heart.
The Green Goddess: Research shows that freshly cut grass, releases a chemical blend that increases joy and relaxation and gratitude. A walk in the park or a picnic in your backyard give field of dreams a who new meaning! To inspire this mood, try the scents of Green Tea, Rosemary or Mint Focus.
The Culinary Queen: Mom who relishes her time in the kitchen preparing family favorites and entertaining loved ones. “Whenever I smell a roast chicken or fresh bread baking or my neighbor’s gingersnaps in the oven, it connects me to my childhood. I feel like I’m passing that on, and that comfort and coziness, as much as I can to my kids, as well as am expectation that they will grow up and they know what health food is” -Jennifer Garner www.goodmorningamerica.com.
Experience Pumpkins Spice, the ultimate blend of sweet Autumn Pumpkin and spirited spicy or Cinnamon Waffles which combines the warmth of waffle batter with a dash of cinnamon.
Caroline Fabrigas from Scentfluence says, “I am so grateful that I get to experience and live vicariously through my clients most precious memories though my business. As Rita Moreno aptly said, “Smell the roses. Smell the Coffee. Whatever it is that makes you happy.” Let ScentFluence be your nose and guide to discover the scent that’s just right for your mom!
I created ScentFluence’s extensive library of curated aromas where a world of sensory experiences awaits. With an array of scents as well we create custom scents for some of the most exclusive resorts and successful businesses in the world.”
ScentFluence is located in the heart of Scarsdale Village and brings the influencing power of scent to home, business and life! Now, at the ScentFluence Aroma Design Studio you can experience the art of fragrance and the science of scent in your home or business as they create custom, signature scents just for you!
Scent Marketing Inc., ScentFluence is a full-service Scent and Sensory Marketing company that has become the trusted resource for Fortune 500 global brands such as Baccarat Hotel & Residences, 1 Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection, Hyatt, Neiman Marcus, The North Face, Campari Brands and Citizen watches to name a few.
ScentFluence also offers a full line of innovative, free-standing or HVAC ready Cold Mist Scent Diffusers to serve a variety of space sizes and dimensions.
Stop by ScentFluence - aroma design studio for scents, diffusers, candles, soaps and other fragrance gifts from $18.00-$80.00. We provide beautiful, complimentary gift wrapping.
22 Harwood Court
Scarsdale, NY, 10583
www.scentfluence.com
Curbside pick-up available.
Private scent library tours and social distanced events available by appointment - call ScentFluence owner -Caroline Fabrigas at: 914 338 5070
Jessica Resnick-Ault is Strategic, Positive and Commited to Education
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(This letter was submitted by Melissa Brown Subin)
I endorse SBNC nominee Jessica Resnick-Ault for the Board of Education because of her incredible positivity, commitment to education, listening skills, and ability to look at the long-term, even while putting a band-aid on immediate crises. I have seen these qualities first-hand in her volunteer leadership of Bake Back America, and know she is eager to put them to work for the District.
My favorite word to describe Scarsdale is “amazing.” Along with my husband Herb, an SHS graduate, I have raised my own two children here. They are now in high school and middle school. I care deeply about our town and schools. As a Scarsdale native and parent, I think Jessica’s magic touch would be a great asset for our district.
Jessica stood out to me early in the COVID-19 outbreak, when she volunteered with my family’s charity organization, Bake Back America. Overnight, Jessica went from helping her daughter bake cupcakes to helping address profound needs during COVID 19, using the relationships we had with schools, hospitals and food pantries to make sure families had the necessities and educational tools they required. Jessica did big picture strategic planning while also delivering toys to food pantries at 6 a.m., rallying volunteers to replace the quarantined, or even tie-dying t-shirts to make sure there were enough for plus-sized kids at a local shelter.
Jessica’s ability to listen to problems and calmly turn them into action items helped the organization grow. Within a month, she became a leader, someone whom I consulted daily on important decisions and who helped shape our vision. That work ethic and broad growth-oriented perspective lends itself to service on the school board.
Jessica recognizes that while being a leader is important, being a partner is more so. Jessica is a team player who brings a dry sense of humor and perspective that make seemingly impossible problems manageable.
Jessica is a key player on a team that has made our organization a national force providing 250 hours a week of tutoring, laptops and extracurricular activities for students in need, necessities for struggling families, and creative volunteer opportunities for kids who want to help out. Jessica is an advocate of diversity and inclusion in our organization and has made sure no population is overlooked either for volunteering or for receiving services.
Jessica has proven that she will carefully research every problem and follow protocol, but the beautiful thing is she will do it quickly and consider others’ perspectives. She can build consensus even when it seems impossible. I have seen this first-hand as she has coordinated Bake Back America’s work with over 45 non-profit organizations during the pandemic.
A school board member must be trustworthy, and I trust Jessica completely.
I appreciate the SBNC’s review process and I urge you to come out to vote on May 18 to support the slate of Jessica Resnick-Ault and Jim Dugan.
Sincerely,
Melissa Brown Subin,
Reimer Road
