Scarsdale Sisters Explore America
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Straight out of their college and high school graduation robes, Scarsdale sisters Ellen and Nancy DaSilva are off to explore the glorious United States of America. Obsessed with all things America they are now driving across the USA and hitting up the greatest, most American sites. Their route began at home and included Iowa City, Minneapolis, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, Mount Rushmore, The Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Seattle, and Mount St. Helens, Washington. They plan to wind-up their trip in Portland, Oregon.
The girls are keeping a blog to chronicle their voyage and their impressions of the sights and the cities. Here are a few entries from the blog ellenandnancyusa. Read more here:
Iowa: What a pleasantly surprising state! We woke up in Iowa City and took a brief cruise to the Old Capitol Building, which looks as though it is now part of
the University of Iowa campus. After, we drove about 45 minutes on a scenic byway to the Amana colonies. Our guidebook promised an old-fashioned, Amish like village but we thought it was more like a 21st century tourist trap. It was a beautiful drive but the destination itself was not too interesting.
The day really took a turn for the better when we rolled into Des Moines in the early afternoon. As we approached the city, the gilded domes of the Des Moines capitol building rose above the luscious fields of green and welcomed us to a pretty happening city, all things considered. (By "all things", we mean its location in the center of Iowa). Our first stop was right outside the Capitol Building, whose domes inspired Taj Mahal Déjà vu. Ellen found a car with a bumper sticker that boasted 85% ethanol gas. Then onto lunch at Dos Rios restaurant, a local eatery with Mexican inspired soups, salads and sandwiches. We both enjoyed the Ranch Salad (Lettuce, Avocado, Chorizo, Chicken, Tomato, Hard Boiled Egg and Chipotle Vinagrette).
On our way out of Des Moines, we passed by two beautiful suspension bridges that added a very modern look to the city along with many public works of art. All in all, a great and interesting stop. It's so nice to see small, modern and CLEAN cities all over America.
Mall of America: WOW! This mall is simply huge. There are no other words to describe it. As you approach this monstrosity, you see two stadium-sized parking lots on both sides of the mall. However, when we pulled into the military compound/mall, we found ourselves a parking spot right in front of the main entrance. After a standoff with a mom van, we snagged the spot, which we later found out was reserved for expecting mothers or parents with small children. We definitely qualify for the latter.
As we entered the mall, our ears were greeted by high pitched screams that were coming from the FULL SIZED amusement park in the center of the mall. We indulged ourselves and went on the Fairly-Odd Parents roller coaster ride. (Side note: we were screaming our heads off while the 6 year-old in the car with us laughed)
After our excursion in the theme park, we stopped in a few shops, found the aquarium and took some pictures in a photo booth.
St. Paul: We only had time for one tourist stop in St. Paul and that was the home of F. Scott Fitzgerald. As Ellen went into her heavenly state of mind, I took pictures of the beautiful victorian house. We're pretty sure that the house is currently occupied so we didn't try to go inside but just being there seemed to be good enough for Ellen.
Mount Rushmore: Today we had an exciting day, beginning with our entry into the lovely state of South Dakota! (Great faces, great places.) As we drove, we passed through the Black Hills National Forest, which, with its overcast sky, looked incredibly ominous.
We saw 100,000 signs for Wall Drug along the highway, which begin somewhere near the Great Wall of China and build up to the culmination in Wall, SD. This quirky drug store began as an ordinary pharmacy and now boasts a wedding chapel, an 8 foot dinosaur, a mini replica of Mount Rushmore and a fantastic bookstore. (Sounds like Nancy's room). We purchased some goodies and attempted to head out to Badlands National Park but instead ended up shielding ourselves from a lightening and hail storm on the side of the road.
The evening miraculously cleared up and we headed to Mount Rushmore. To all you naysayers out there, Mount Rushmore is awesome. We heard countless times that Mount Rushmore was a blip on the radar: that it is easy to see it, drive by and move on. Well Nancy and I had some patriotic fun and decided to stay for the speech. We were impressed with the Park Ranger who dissected the Pledge of Allegiance, and although the movie was overly politically correct and a little cheesy, we enjoyed ourselves and learned a lot. For such a touristy town (a la the hotel shaped like the White House), we thought the park was an incredibly tasteful, interesting place. Learning about the history of the construction of Mount Rushmore and the politics behind it was fascinating, and we have never been so proud to be Americans!
Read more about Nancy and Ellen's journey here:
Andrew Cuomo to NYS School Districts: Drop Dead
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Governor-in-Waiting Andrew Cuomo loves how lame duck Governor David Paterson has grown a set of balls and has rammed through nearly half the state budget through the piecemeal passage of budget extenders -- daring any legislator who votes no to be accused of voting to shut down state government.
The state fiscal year is nearly one-quarter over -- and there's still no adopted state budget. Governor Paterson has twice rammed through extenders to keep the state government operating -- and incorporated components of his budget proposal each time. Next up, supposedly, is the diciest and arguably most important part of the budget; education. On Fred Dicker's radio show on Friday, Andrew Cuomo suggested that the Governor embed a property tax cap in the next budget extender. What's that about? A property tax cap has nothing to do with the state budget. A bit of advice to the wanna-be Governor: take the job of being governor seriously. I serve on a school board in Westchester County -- and we've taken a look at the cost of state mandates on our budget (ergo our school tax burden) and in the aggregate they total over 15% of our entire school budget. Neither the Governor nor the legislature seems to be able to deal with rolling back state mandates (the unfunded costs for which get pushed down to local municipalities and school districts). That's hard. Advocating for a property tax cap? That's easy.
Fix our state government in Albany before you gut school districts' ways and means to fund the education of kids in New York State.
David A. Singer is a former political consultant/campaign professional and political junkie currently toiling as a lawyer in Westchester and managing real estate and media investments.
Astorino Vows to Cut County Expenses
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Newly elected County Executive Rob Astorino stopped by the Scarsdale Forum on Thursday night June 3rd to update residents on Westchester County government. Though it was his sixth appearance of the day, he looked fresh and alert. Handsome, charming and engaging, he spoke directly and quickly had everyone in the room on his side. His election was a mandate from voters to rein in spending and remove Westchester from the list as the highest-taxed county in the country, and Astorino is serious about delivering on his campaign promise,
He explained some of the challenges of the job and vowed to bring in a balanced budget next year. With 5,600 county employees and a budget of over $2 billion Astorino’s moves will effect many. No one wants to see their salaries or services cut, but it has simply become too expensive to sustain the status quo. Astorino explained that in the past decade two million taxpayers have left New York State, partially due to the high cost of living here. He claims these people have been replaced with millions without resources and in need of services. In his role, he is evaluating County business and deciding what core services we should provide to those truly in need and which should be cut. In his words, we are “providing a Cadillac when we could provide a Chevy.”
If we don’t make changes, the 2011 Westchester County budget deficit is estimated to grow to $166 million. Rather than increase taxes by 30% to cover it, Astorino is examining the following contributing factors:
-The pension cost for County employees is now at $55 million per year and is expected to grow to $125 million per year in three years
-The County now pays $22,000 a year per family for health insurance for County workers who make no contribution to their own insurance. The County provides day care services at a cost of $13,000 per year per child.
-Labor contracts now grant County workers 4% salary increases and though Astorino has asked for concessions from the unions he has received no response from their leadership.
-The Beeline Bus system costs $90 million per year and his administration is looking for ways to trim the system but save bus routes that are heavily utilized or those that run in areas where there is no other available transportation.
Astorino anticipates that tough negotiations with the unions are in store, and fully expects to see the large inflatable union rat on his front lawn. Without any concessions from the unions, Astorino says that up to 1,600 employees may lose their jobs with probable layoffs of 500-700 employees.
He is already meeting opposition from the Democratic Majority of the Legislature who voted on June 7 to authorize the retention of outside counsel to represent the County Board in possible litigation against the Administration to stop their unauthorized budget cuts to day care subsidies that were recently cut to low income families.
According to Democratic Chairman Ken Jenkins, “The Legislature may be forced to seek court intervention in order to protect the rights of Westchester's children and families and to clarify the constitutional authority over who maintains the County's budget,” Although there is a cost associated with the lawsuit, Jenkins says, “the savings to the taxpayers far outweighs the cost of failure to act. It further protects the people’s voice in county government. The County Executive may not agree with the Legislature’s spending priorities, but he is constitutionally and legally bound to follow them by law."
Democrats contend that Astorino has overstepped his bounds by unilaterally implementing these modifications which some feel jeopardize daycare that enables parents to keep working and assure that their children are in a safe environment while their parents work.
At issue are proposed cuts of $5.8 million in social services this year, including $1.5 million in day-care spending by cutting two programs and by raising contributions on a third. Among the changes include the elimination of the Westchester County Child Care Scholarship program, created by the Board of Legislators, a freeze on new Title XX child care subsidies, a federal program that, currently, aids families within the County; and, by increasing parent contributions from families who get low-income child-care subsidies from 15% to 20%.
Astorino answered questions from the audience at the Forum and was asked for developments in the housing settlement with HUD that ordered Westchester to construct 750 units of affordable housing in villages with low percentages of minority representation. Astorino was against the settlement and stated that the $51 million is not sufficient to build 750 new units in the specified villages. The first plan that Westchester submitted in January, 2010 was not accepted by Federal Monitor Jim Johnson, who has now hired an outside company to review it. Astorino believes that both senior housing and workforce housing should be permitted to count toward the required 750 units. In addition, if the County was permitted to rehab or convert existing homes, rather than embark on new construction projects, the funds would go a longer way. He is hopeful that the Monitor will be flexible in the enforcement of an implementation plan.
Astorino ended by saying “I was elected to change things,” and he appeared fully resolved to do so. He welcomed residents to email him suggestions and comments at CEO@westchestergov.com
Prom Debriefed
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Parents' fears about the prom failed to be realized last week as Scarsdale students enjoyed a safe and entertaining evening without incident.
In order to head off trouble, for the first time, Mr. Klemme asked this year’s senior class to move the prom venue from Manhattan to a Westchester location. In past years the prom turned into a bachannal when underage partygoers celebrated their prom in the city, and planned after–prom activities at clubs. In the past, in between the prom and the after parties, enterprising teens hired limos for transport and took out hotel rooms for the purpose of changing from prom to club attire between the two events. Both the limos and the hotel rooms proved to be trouble when underage students purchased liquor and contraband and over-consumed. In 2009 the after-prom party was quickly shut down when students were sick and out of control.
This year, the prom moved to Northern Westchester and problems with over-consumption and misbehavior were avoided. Students took school-supervised coach buses to and from the Trump National Country Club in Briarcliff Manor. The prom went well and upon their return to Scarsdale many students went back to private homes to change before taking party buses to the city. At the club in the city, students were carefully searched and there was little opportunity for hanky panky. Though several students failed to board the party bus home, for the majority of students the evening went as planned.
Perhaps this year’s class avoided trouble as they saw what could become of their prom if they failed to behave. In addition, a tightly planned evening with adequate supervision reduced opportunities for misbehavior. Whatever the reason, there is only good news from the Scarsdale prom this year and the entire community can be proud of our beautiful and well-mannered seniors.
What can be done next year to further improve the event? How about turning the event into a party for the senior class? Sadly not all seniors participated in the prom, some due to lack of a date. It is painful to see some seniors stand on the sidelines while underclassmen attend a prom organized for another class. Wouldn’t it be nice if seniors felt comfortable going to the prom with or without a date?
A Memorable Parade
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On Monday, May 31, hundreds of residents celebrated Memorial Day in the Village of Scarsdale. A glorious, sunny sky glowed above Scarsdale’s 2010 Memorial Day Parade as it wove through the streets of the Village. The Scarsdale High School band was heard throughout the parade playing festive pieces like God Bless America and drum cadences. Participants – from infants to the elderly – showed their spirit and patriotism as individual marching groups dressed in their respective uniforms and onlookers waved American flags. Scouts, Scarsdale Little League players, Veterans, Scarsdale Fire Fighters and Ambulance volunteers, and others marched in honor of America’s
fallen soldiers. Scarsdale fire trucks, including one from the 1940s, and ambulances trailed the marchers at the end of the parade.
After the parade, speakers reminded guests of the often forgotten significance of Memorial Day during a ceremony at Chase Park. Accomplished scouts were honored with awards during the ceremony. Assemblywoman Amy Paulin offered her thoughts, and Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens made the following remarks on the meaning of the day:
“Thank you to the American Legion for organizing today’s events – your efforts are truly appreciated.
As I look around at the crowd here today there is one face that is missing: Gene Rogliano. Gene organized the parade and these events for over 40 years and the community is grateful for the dedication he showed to community and to those fellow soldiers who died for their country. Gene made sure that we did not forget them and their sacrifice and we are better for it.
“Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer: we eat too much at barbeques; pools and beaches open; we can wear our pants and white shoes again; and we attend parties and parades.
But let us not forget the true purpose of this most solemn day –We gather today, just as we have gathered before, to remember and honor those who served, those who fought, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for our country.
This tradition dates back to the Civil War. There are numerous stories of the origins of the this day. My personal favorite is the story of southern women who went to visit the graves of their fallen soldiers and saw the overgrown and bare graves of fallen northern soldiers and laid flowers on them as well. Waterloo, New York has been recognized as the official home of Decoration Day where a druggist closed his shop in 1866 and urged others in his town to do the same to adorn the graves of those who had died to preserve the Union. After World War I, Memorial Day was changed to include all who had died in America’s wars.
Whatever its origins, the true purpose of Memorial Day is to remember and honor the more than one million men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice- from Christopher Snider, a 12 year old boy who was killed 5 days before the Boston Massacre at the start of the Revolutionary War, to 28 year old Sgt. Edwin Rivera of Waterford, Connecticut who was killed in Afghanistan on May 28th, 2010 - all have died that we may be free. These men and women – sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters – valued the life they had in this country but gave up their own lives to preserve it for us; revered freedom but sacrificed their own freedom that we may live free; gave up their pursuit of happiness that we might pursue ours.
As Lincoln dedicated a portion of the battlefield at Gettysburg as a cemetery for those who had died there, he stated in his speech, “that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain. 
Let us too join in that resolve. Remember those who have died - maybe walk over to Boniface Circle and look at the names inscribed there or stop by the Memorial Garden by the pool with its plaques memorializing the role of Scardalians in our country’s conflicts; or the next time you see a game on Dean Field remember it is named for a young Scarsdale man who died in Vietnam. And honor them by being good citizens and do not take the freedoms that they paid for with their blood for granted – remember to vote in elections; inform yourself on the issues; make your voices heard and make sure that we do not send more of our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, to die in a cause less noble than their regard for their call to duty. And honor them by giving up some of your time to give back to your community and country. By serving in your own way you honor their service.
Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it as your own. Remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give. Most of all, remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled our nation and each one of us. “
