Safety and Security Forum Wednesday at 7 pm
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To the Editor: We write to invite the community to the Safety and Security Forum scheduled for Wednesday, January 23, at 7 pm in the high school auditorium. The Village and School District, along with our community partners, work collaboratively to address these important matters.
The goal of the Forum is to provide an overview of the high-level Village-wide planning in the areas of safety, security and emergency management. We will also share information on upcoming training and workshops.
The Forum will feature presentations from Village and School officials, local houses of worship, Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling, and the business community. A portion of the evening will also be devoted to questions.
We hope you will join us.
Mayor Dan Hochvert
Board of Education President Scott Silberfein
Police Commissioner Jane Veron
Scarsdale’s Legislators Engel and Stewart-Cousins in the Spotlight this Week
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Two of Scarsdale’s representatives are making headlines this week. Now that Democrats control the House of Representatives, Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), who represents Scarsdale, has become the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. With growing suspicions about President Trump's private meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold hearings on Trump’s dealings with Russia. While on television on Monday, Engel said that the committee may have "no choice" but to subpoena an interpreter's notes from a private meeting in 2017 between President Trump and President Putin.
Engel said during an interview on CNN's "At This Hour" that he would prefer "not to have to look at what an interpreter wrote … But we may have no choice. We’ll have to see down the road what happens."
Engel said, “We will be holding hearings on the mysteries swirling around Trump’s bizarre relationship with Putin and his cronies, and how those dark dealings affect our national security.”
Scarsdale’s representative in the NYS State Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins was sworn in as the Democratic Majority Leader on January 9. She is the first woman, and the first black woman, to lead that chamber.
Under her leadership, the state senate passed legislation to improve New York State’s electoral system on Monday, January 14. New York consistently ranks as one of the worst voter turnout states in the nation. The senate passed a series of bills to establish early voting and no-excuse absentee voting, modernize and expand voter registration, impose limits on LLC contributions, extend Primary Election voting hours and ensure uniformity throughout the state.
In a press release from Cousins she says, “Government should be about breaking down barriers, which is why the Senate Democratic Majority is making it easier for those who are eligible to vote. We need more voices in our democracy, not fewer,” Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Easing access to voting and having New Yorkers exercise their Constitutional right to have their voices heard shouldn’t be partisan or controversial. Other states have taken the lead on issues like early voting, same-day registration, pre-registration, and no-excuse absentee voting. It is time for New York State to catch up, so we can once again lead the way forward.”
The historic legislation passed by the Senate Democratic Majority includes:
Early Voting: This bill, S.1102 introduced by Chair of the Elections Committee, Senator Zellnor Myrie, will establish an Early Voting system to permit eligible voters in New York State to vote in person during a designated period.
Consolidation of Federal and State Primaries: This bill, S.1103 introduced by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, will save taxpayer dollars and make state primary elections the same day as federal primary elections. It also ensures that New York State’s election law complies with the federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) Act.
Closing the LLC Loophole: This bill, S.1101, introduced by Senator Brian Kavanagh, will amend Election Law to hold LLC’s to the same aggregate contribution limit of $5,000 that applies to corporations. The amendment would require the disclosure of the identity and proportion of ownership of all direct and indirect owners of the membership interests in the LLC. This legislation will also amend the Election Law to require all contributions made to political committees or campaigns by an LLC be attributed to each member of the LLC in proportion to the member’s ownership interest.
Same-Day Voter Registration: This bill, S.1048 introduced by Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, amends the constitution to remove the ten-day advance voter registration requirement, subject to second passage of the next legislature and approval by a statewide referendum.
No-Excuse Absentee Voting: This bill, S.1049 introduced by Senator Leroy Comrie will amend the state Constitution to allow for any voter to request to vote by mail without declaring reason subject to second passage of the next legislature and approval by a statewide referendum.
Voter Registration Transfers: This bill, S.1099, introduced by Senator David Carlucci, will require the Board of Elections to transfer the registration and enrollment of a voter to wherever they move in New York State.
Voter Pre-Registration: This bill, S.1100, introduced by Senator David Carlucci, will enable 16- and 17-year olds to pre-register to vote and requires local boards of education to adopt policies to promote student voter registration and pre-registration.
Middle Schoolers Complete 1,000 Acts of Kindness
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This month Scarsdale Middle Schoolers in 6th grade Butler house completed 1,000 Acts of Kindness. They were involved with helping people in the school and throughout the community.
As part of their project Butler 6 worked with Fountain 6, their sister house, to collect over 255 toys for the Children's Hospital at Montefiore. Students donated toys for Montefiore's Holiday toy drive. Next week the toys will be distributed to patients at the Children's Hospital Holiday Party.
In addition, Butler 6 started a new program called Adopt-a-Senior. For the holiday season each of the students in Jeanne-Marie Castiello’s social studies classes adopted a senior resident at the Schaffer Extended Care Center at Montefiore. Students purchased a gift for the 100 residents at Schaffer. Commenting on the program, Castiello said, "My students worked so hard this month. They did so many amazing acts like feeding the homeless, volunteering at various charities and of course the work with Montefiore. We teach them to be stewards of change, but it’s heartwarming to see 11 year olds taking action and making a difference in their own community."
Being Comfortable with the Uncomfortable: How to Cope With Anxiety
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Though the term anxiety conjures up uncomfortable associations with pounding hearts and sleepless nights, it turns out that a little bit of anxiety is a good thing. It’s anxiety that prevents us from oversleeping, missing deadlines and keeping commitments. Anxiety also protects us from dangerous activities that imperil our physical safety. So how can we use a little anxiety to help us succeed and prevent overwhelming anxiety from undermining us? Even more perplexing, how do we teach our children how to deal with their worries?
That was the subject of an informative talk from clinical social worker Kimberly Vale at a meeting sponsored by the PT Council and CHILD on Tuesday January 8 at Scarsdale Middle School. In a well-crafted presentation, Vale helped parents identify the signs of anxiety in their children and provided them with some tactics to address it.
Vale explained that anxiety is common among children, with one in eight children meeting the criteria for this mental illness and one in three teens afflicted. Vale explained anxiety as “an evolutionary imprint that protects us,” and “the body’s natural ability to detect danger.” She called it both “necessary and useful.”
However, when anxiety is intense, excessive and persistent and causes kids to avoid normal activities it becomes a problem. This crippling anxiety is out of proportion with the actual danger at hand and is long lasting.
How to deal with it? Vale says that constantly reassuring child that they have nothing to worry about or that they will be okay does not help a child to deal with their anxiety. In fact, this response on a parent’s part can feed their child’s anxiety rather than alleviate it.
Instead Vale recommended a series of tactics to normalize the anxiety and teach kids to combat it. She advocated teaching kids that the anxiety is a “false alarm that is going off,” and emphasizing that fears are temporary. She said, “We are not trying to make them (the fears) go away – just not letting them get in the way.” She tells her patients to give their anxiety a name like “Mr. Baloney,” and to learn to combat their anxious alter egos.
Rather than avoid anxiety-provoking situations, Vale recommended that parents give their kids a small taste of what scares them so that they can learn to cope. For instance, if your child is afraid of dogs, arrange a quick visit to a friend’s house where a dog is present and let the child get used to playing at a house with a dog.
She told parents to encourage their children to talk about their fears and to assure children that as a parent, you are on their team. Since Scarsdale has professional staff at each school, she recommended that parents with anxious children share their concerns with the child’s teacher or school psychologist so that the school staff can also help the child to cope with anxiety.
When to find a therapist? If the anxiety becomes pervasive and prevents children from doing their school work, attending parties, participating in sports – or doing what they want to do – Vale recommended getting some professional help, especially from the personnel at the Scarsdale Schools.
Her talk was followed by a panel discussion with some of the district’s psychologists and youth outreach workers from Scarsdale Family Counseling Service. They are an impressive group and available to parents and kids. Director of Special Education Eric Rauschenbach introduced Leah Furst, Emily Vallario, Jenn Walker,Kristin Oliverio and Elliot Cohen, all available at district schools to assist parents and students confront anxiety.
Learn more from the following resources:
Find a therapist: www.abct.org
Parenting articles: https://childmind.org
“Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents" by Ronald M. Rapee PhD, Ann Wignall D. Psych, Susan Spence, PhD, Vanessa Cobham, PhD, Heidi Lyneham, PhD.
“Freeing Your Child Frm Obsessive Compulsive Disrder, Chansky, Tamar E.,PhD
App guide: https://psyberguides.org/apps
Shop Local for 2018 Holiday Gifts
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No need to leave Scarsdale to find great gifts for family, friends, colleagues, neighbors and everyone you wish to thank at the end of the year. The Scarsdale retail scene is experiencing a resurgence and you can find nice merchandise and support Village businesses by shopping local. Here are just a few places to shop for the holidays:
Bronx River Books: Caffeinate your holidays and 
the new year with an assortment of literary mugs: Austen, Vonnegut, Bronte, Famous First Lines of Literature, Famous Last Lines, Shakespeare Love Quotations, Shakespeare Insults, Disappearing Civil Liberties, more.
Bronx River Books
37 Spencer Place
Scarsdale, New York
914-420-6396
Lulu Cake Boutique has a special holiday menu with signature sweets for Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years. Lulu's holds the original secret recipe to Jespersen's Sarah Bernhardts, crafted with the finest ingredients: Valrhona chocolate, imported Italian almond paste, fresh local cream and butter. Dazzle your guests with this creative confection featuring Santa, a gift list and wrapped presents in red, green, purple and blue. Also on the menu are three variations on "Buche de Noel" in Valrhona chocolate, nutella with candied hazelnuts or pistachio salty caramel with dark chocolate. Find artisan rainbow cakes in apricot pear and almond, lemon and candied ginger and chocolate framboise raspberry as well as yodels, assorted retro twinkies and rugelach.
Order today. Lulu will be open on Christmas Eve, December 24 and New Year's Eve, December 31 for pick-ups from 9 am to 1 pm.
Lulu Cake Boutique
40 Garth Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 722-8300
Trapp Opticians: Holiday Sale! 
Now through December 31, 2018.
50% off selected frames*
15% off prescription sunglasses.**
At Trapp Opticians, We have always offered choices of the very best European and luxury eyeglass frames. We always fabricate your glasses on site and offer the best first quality lines from Hoya, Varilux, Shamir and the newest technology for the best vision.
Trapp Opticians
10 Harwood Court, Scarsdale
(914) 472-8900
*Complete pair purchase required
**Some brands excluded (Maui Jim, Vuarnet. Scarsdale shop only. Please bring this offer or mention at time of purchase. Not valid on prior purchases.
I Am More Scarsdale: Karen Lazar's 14k gold-filled bracelets are versatile and can be dressed-up or dressed-down. They look amazing with a watch, bracelet, or in a stack, and they can feel both bohemian and classic. The bracelets also give women that opportunity for a quick fix-something new and shiny that you can add to your existing collection. Prices for bracelets range from $45- $180. 10% discount offered on stacks of 5 or more bracelets. I Am More Scarsdale is a unique women's retail concept in Scarsdale Village, features the hottest new trends in fashion, accessories and jewelry. I Am More's mission is to empower women to make them feel confident and to give back to local and women's philanthropic organizations.
I Am More Scarsdale
6 Spencer Place, Scarsdale
914-723-6673 (MORE)
Eye Gallery of Scarsdale invites you to see the newest styles. Chrome Hearts handcrafted pure sterling silver and titanium styles with matted metals. Colors and mirrors are alive and well! Barton Perreira is always ahead of the trends with their new butterfly titanium style and Chanel's Winter 2018 Ultra Perle sunglasses are 
handcrafted with subtlety....Find the latest styles for winter from Salt Optics, Thierry Lasry, Matsuda, Mykita, Eyevan 7285, Garret Leight, Celine and countless others!!
Eye Gallery of Scarsdale
8 Spencer Place
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 472-2020
Current Home offers Custom Album Cover Lyric Art: Rock on for the holidays! One Song a million memories! Music brings it all back and these custom plexi-art pieces are the perfect way to remember the soundtrack to your most special moments.
Choose the artist, album cover your love and song we do the rest. These are also perfect gifts for milestone 
birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery.
Current Home
1096 Wilmot Road
Scarsdale
(914) 723-2462 
Holsten Jewelers: For 106 years, the Holsten name has been synonymous with elegant design, fine craftsmanship, integrity and impeccable service. Holsten Jewelers offers jewelry repairs, appraisals, watch repairs and ear piercing all done on site in Scarsdale! This year, consider these secure huggie
earrings featuring pave diamond accents, perfectly sized for everyday wear. This pair has been created in 14kt yellow gold, but is available in 14kt white gold as well. Price: $425. Come to see our full selection.
Holiday hours:
Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Friday-Saturday: 10:00am-5:30pm
Holsten Jewelers
5 Harwood Court
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 472-4554
20% off at the JCC of Mid-Westchester: Want to give personal training a try or buy 30 sessions of pilates reformer? This is your chance to do either or buy as a gift for a friend. JCCMW is offering 20% OFF personal training, nutrition consult, Pilates reformer, Reiki and/or massage sessions when purchased between 12/2 and 12/6. To take advantage of 20% OFF, call 914.472.3300 x 356 or stop by 999 Wilmot Road in Scarsdale. Available for purchase by members and non-members. Purchases are unlimited but expire by 3/31/19.
JCCMW
999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale
(914) 472-3300
Fitness Boot Camp: New Year New You: Discover the Scarsdale Fitness Boot Camp that
burns twice the fat, gets you fit and challenges your body every time. Scarsdale Fit Body Boot Camp combines our signature afterburn workouts, which keep your metabolism high and burning extra fat for up to 32 hours after each workout, with smart nutrition coaching and personalized accountability to deliver rapid, lasting, sustainable results.
Come in to Scarsdale Fit Body Boot Camp today to see our positive, welcoming, high-energy community in action and start your journey to getting in the best shape of your life!
Start off the New Year with an awesome fitness regimen: Holiday PIF Special: Pay for a Year and get 3 months free, limited to the first 10 people that come in, the 15 months start 1/01/19 but you can workout the rest of ’18 on us to help you get through the holiday season.
Fitness Boot Camp
1495 Weaver St 2nd Floor
Scarsdale
(914) 713-5650
Spencer Pharmacy has a beautiful array of holiday gifts. Stop by to see their large selection of gifts and greeting cards and save 20% off holiday gifts. Find Lenox collectibles, picture frames, scented candles, Christmas tabletop, a variety of ceramic mugs, scented soaps, plush toys, paper goods and more. For 70 years Spencer has been dispensing medication in Scarsdale Village. Most prescription plans accepted, home delivery available.
Spencer Pharmacy
23 Spencer Place
Open Monday Friday 8 am - 6:45 pm
Saturday 8 am - 5:45 pm
914-723-2808
Zachys: You can't go wrong with the gift of wine or champagne. This year Zachys recommends the following:
Deutz Classic Brut Champagne NV
Item # 21675/Score 92WS/90JS
Price $52.99 Special $39.99
Order here:
Tenuta San Guide Le Difese 2016
Item # 430401
Score 92-93JS/09WA
Price $34.99 Special $25.99
Order here:
Zachys Wine and Liquor
16 East Parkway
Scarsdale, NY 10583
(914) 874-8000
Shop & Dine the 'Dale, Thursday, December 6th through Saturday, December 8th with extended evening hours until 8pm on Thursday.
Light the 'Dale on Friday night November 30 and Shop and Dine the 'Dale December 6-8
Light the ‘Dale, the annual holiday and tree lighting event in Boniface Circle in Scarsdale Village will be held on Friday, November 30, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. This year’s event promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s. There will be singers, food, and holiday lights! Plus all the old favorites, like Santa arriving in style on the fire truck, and hot chocolate courtesy of Lange’s.
Shop & Dine the 'Dale will include over 35 SBA merchants and restaurants from Scarsdale Village, Golden Horseshoe, Five Corners, Colonial Village, Scarsdale Commons, Garth Road and Scarsdale Avenue will be participating in this community-wide event.
The SBA will hold a collaborative grand raffle with gift cards to your favorite stores and restaurants. Make a purchase at a participating store or dine at an SBA establishment to be entered into the raffle. There will be live musical entertainment in Scarsdale Village on Thursday evening December 6th, from 6pm - 7pm, and during the day on Saturday, December 8th from 12pm - 2pm.
Letters to Santa: Kids can submit their wish lists to Santa. Santa will be making his way through Scarsdale to pick up letters from good little girls and boys. Santa's mailboxes are now located by the Chase Bank on East Parkway, the Post Office on Chase Road, in front of Metro Deli on Palmer Ave and in front of the Scarsdale Village Hall. Santa is looking forward to receiving your letters.
The deadline for submitting letters is Tuesday, December 11th.
Breakfast with Santa: The Scarsdale Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the 11th Annual Scarsdale Holiday Breakfast on Saturday, December 8th from 9:00-11:00AM for all Pre-K through 4th grade students and their families. Those who attend will receive special holiday giveaways and have the chance to take their picture with Santa who will be visiting Scarsdale from the North Pole. Cost is $8 per person. Please register online here or at the Recreation Department by December 4th. Thanks to Lange’s Deli for providing breakfast.
