Monday, Dec 23rd

martines250Five Guys Burgers and Fries is opening on Main Street next to City Center in downtown White Plains. The chain has been rated by Zagat every year since 2001 and serves burgers made from fresh ground beef with your choice of toppings as well as fries cooked in peanut oil. They are represented in almost every state in the union and there will soon be one in our backyard.

However Peniche, a wine bar and tapas restaurant at 175 Main Street has closed pending a sale. A popular hangout, it was always crowded when we stopped by and it will be missed.

Also coming to Scarsdale, is Martine's Bakery. They currently run a very successful shop in Tuckahoe, across the street from the Crestwood Station where they sell breakfast pastries, fresh baked artisinal breads, soups, sandwiches, salads, espresso, cappuccino and specialty cakes. They will move into the space previously occupied by Rush Jewelers on East Parkway and are hoping to open before Easter. Baking will be done in Tuckahoe, reserving more space for customer seating at the Scarsdale location. Martine's will have tables inside -- and outside when the weather allows, and will be open from early morning to dinnertime, seven days a week.

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Photo courtesy of Betsy Cadel

doctorappleThe Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their first Health Fair on June 4, 2011* in the Scarsdale Village Hall parking lot from 10 am – 3 pm. The fair will include exhibitors, interactive health-related activities, entertainment for children and a raffle, and it will be held at the same time as the Farmer’s Market to piggyback on their attendance. The summertime market often draws 500 shoppers and the combination of these two events promises to bring many residents to Village Hall.

The Chamber is now seeking healthcare related businesses and practitioners to exhibit at the fair, sponsor an activity and advertise in the event program. They are inviting everyone in Scarsdale and nearby communities whose business is health and well-being. Representatives from local doctors, dentists, therapists, nutritionists, estheticians, exercise and fitness studios, spas, home healthcare providers, hospitals and charitable groups are all invited to take a table at the fair to meet and educate Scarsdale residents. Exhibitors can include demonstrations, and health tests or games to engage visitors at the fair.

There is a nominal fee for a table, chairs, tent and an electrical outlet, so please support the fair by participating. To sign up and get more information, contact Dr. Edward Feinberg at [email protected] .

*Rain date Saturday June 11, 2011

 

 

policeshieldQ: Do you know the name of the police officer in Scarsdale who is responsible for youth activities? A: The Scarsdale Police have just appointed a new person as Youth Liaison officer, Detective Sherry Albano. She is available for any questions that parents or students may have about the law, for example on social hosting laws. She is also a great resource to parents for information and tips on drug and alcohol prevention. Contact Officer Albano at [email protected] or 914-722-1204

This is a monthly conversation starter from the Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs & Alcohol : The Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol is a community action group comprised of parents, students, teachers school administrators; representatives from village, local and civic organizations; and religious institutions. Since its founding in 1984, the Task Force has worked in our community to educate youth and adults about drugs and alcohol, help people develop drug free attitudes and habits, and recommend resources to those whose lives are affected by drug and alcohol dependency.

 

DuckPondWinterThe Committee on Historic Preservation met on February 15 to again ponder the fate of the iconic house at 1 Duck Pond Road. At their last meeting on January 18, committee members asked for more time to review materials supplied by lawyers and architects representing David and Sherrie Matusz who are interested in buying the property and replacing it with a new home.

They are awaiting the decision of the committee on whether or not the house can be taken down before completing their purchase.

The Board members in attendance changed from the January 18 meeting to the February meeting. An architect on the Committee, Bana Choura-Loughran attended the January meeting and defended the house, arguing that it was an example of shingle style architecture and the work of Frank Ackerman who was a renowned architect of the period. At the February meeting it was announced that she was asked to recues herself from discussions about 1 Duck Pond Road and that comments from the 1/18 session should not be considered. No reason was given for her recusal.

On February 18, Linda Blair Doesher and Marjorie Ann Meiman were in attendance and they had not heard the discussion at the previous meeting about the style of the home and whether or not it was the work of an architect of significance.

The Matusz’s brought architect and historian John Milnes Baker who refuted the idea that the house was a significant example of an important building style or period and also argued that it was not unique. Their architect, Paul Benowitz countered the claim that Frank Ackerman had designed an addition to the home and argued that Ackerman had simply drafted plans of the existing structure.

However, Committee Chair Lucas Meyer had consulted Victor D’Ortona, an architect who serves on the committee but was not present. D’Ortona said the home was indeed an example of a shingle style home, but said it was not meritorious of preservation. Meyers also consulted another architect who reviewed the documents and concluded that Ackerman had designed an addition to the home.

The committee discussed their views and Linda Blair Doescher said, “We should consider protecting the Village’s special character and charm.” She added, “Alone, we are the guardian of these houses.” Marjorie Ann Meiman agreed, saying, “This house seems to be a transitional house demonstrative of the transition in styles. It may not be the best example of the period, but I haven’t seen anything quite like it.”

Board members Michael Braun and Robert Scheibe found nothing in the current preservation code to justify the preservation of the house.

When a vote was called, Braun and Scheibe favored the application for demolition; Committee chair Lucas Meyer and Linda Blair Doescher voted to deny it and Marjorie Ann Meiman abstained. Given that the members of the committee were deadlocked, Scheibe advised that the application should be turned over to the Village attorney.

It is interesting to note that if Ms. Choura-Loughran had not been asked to recues herself, one can assume the application would have been denied. Since her vote was pivotal, the facts concerning her recusal should be explained.

So for now, the house stands cold and empty with its fate in the hands of Village Attorney Wayne Esannason.

 

snowdayIf it seems as if you’ve been shoveling overtime, imagine how the village maintenance staff feels. At the Village Board meeting on Tuesday night February 8, Benedict Salanitro who heads up our public works department quantified just how much snow there has been and what it has taken to clear village streets and sidewalks.

You’re not imagining that it’s been a tough winter. According to Salanitro, here are the facts:

  • So far this winter we have had a total accumulation of 58.2 inches of snow in Scarsdale
  • We have had 13 weather events, or 176 cumulative storm hours that required village maintenance
  • This was the snowiest January on record
  • The staff has already dumped 3600 tons of salt on our streets and sidewalks

…and what did the cost? The village had budgeted $694,000 for snow removal for this year – and we have already blown through that budget, spending $755,000. Last year, the total expenditure for the season was $705,000 and this winter is not over. The Village staff is doing their best to keep sidewalks clear as well, using their Bombadier machine. But proceed with caution as the Bombadier is not effective on ice!

Speaking of snow, the Scarsdale Fire Department is asking every resident who has a fire hydrant on or near their property to shovel all the snow away from the firehydranthydrant so that it is accessible by firefighters in case a fire occurs.

Career and volunteer firefighters have been working tirelessly over the past six weeks to keep snow cleared away from every hydrant, but with almost a thousand fire hydrants in the Village and with new snowfalls occurring each week this task is proving to be impossible.

Keeping the snow cleared away from your fire hydrant is a quick and easy way to help us to help you and your neighbors. Your assistance is appreciated!

Please contact the Scarsdale Fire Department at 722-1215 with any questions.