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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 20 February 2014

Created: 20 February 2014

Last Updated: 20 February 2014

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There was a silver lining to the continuous storms that dumped over a foot of snow on Scarsdale and closed schools for a record number of days. The Scarsdale Village Recreation Department seized the day and announced a Snowman Contest – taking the focus away from plowing to building some very creative snowmen.

01/27 

   

Forty families got involved and from these pictures its evident they had loads of fun and were very creative in their approaches. Pictured here are an Olympic snowmen (one riding a snowboard), an igloo, a snowman attending a barbeque, another at the beach, a snow turtle, a veggie snowman sprouting celery for ears and a Lego king snowman plus many more imaginative creations.

The Village awarded winners who will receive prizes courtesy of Imagine Candy – but winning was hardly the point. The contest was a good reason to get outside an enjoy the white stuff before it melted:

Here are the winners as well as many of the other entries:

BEST OVERALL: The Diao Family

BEST ANIMAL: The Fenster Family

BEST TRADITIONAL SNOW (WO)MAN: The Bensche Family

BEST THEME: The Dierking Family

MOST COMICAL: The Baur Family

MOST CREATIVE: The Schwartz Family

MOST ARTISTIC: The Auerbacher Family

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 27 February 2014

Created: 27 February 2014

Last Updated: 27 February 2014

Hits: 4040

This just in from Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner: Due to the impasse between the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Westchester County over the affordable housing settlement the county lost $7.4 million in HUD funding in Community Development Block Grants from fiscal year 2011. According to Feiner, some of these funds were earmarked to help low income neighborhoods in Greenburgh for sidewalks/safety enhancements in north Elmsford (where there was a pedestrian fatality in recent years) and street scaping enhancements on Manhattan Avenue, near Union Baptist Church.

In order to secure the funds, Feiner wrote to HUD and asked them to send the funds to the state, rather than the county – suggesting that the state could allocate the monies to the intended beneficiaries. However, in the letter below from HUD, they say that the $7.4 million in funds has already been "reallocated or otherwise expired."

Feiner says, "I am extremely disappointed that HUD will not provide the grants to any entity other than the county. I think communities like Greenburgh are being penalized for a dispute that is taking place between County Executive Astorino and the federal government – something that we have nothing to do with. The town of Greenburgh is not one of the communities that were ordered by the federal government to build more housing. We have been building affordable housing on our own –voluntarily for many decades. Because of the county government's actions, the Town of Greenburgh is losing significant grants that were earmarked to help low income neighborhoods. Among them: sidewalks/safety enhancements in north Elmsford (there was a pedestrian fatality in recent years) and street scaping enhancements on Manhattan Avenue, near Union Baptist Church.

Here is the text of the letter: (it's puzzling that it's stamped January 28, 2013 – not 2014!)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
WASHINGTON. DC 20410-l 000

ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONGRESSIONAL AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS                                         

JAN 2 8 2013 (stamp receipt)

Paul J. Feiner
Town Supervisor Town of Greenburgh
Office of the Supervisor
177 Hillside Avenue
Greenburgh, NY 10607

Dear Supervisor Feiner:

Thank you for your letters of November 12 and December 24, 2013, to Deputy Secretary Jones urging the Department to provide communities that are members of the Westchester Urban County Consortium with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. HUD appreciates the keen interest you have in this issue, and understands your concerns about the effect that the County's noncompliance has had on services to residents of the Town of Greenburgh.

Like you, HUD is anxious to gain resolution of outstanding issues regarding the County's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, so that the County may move forward with its HUD­ funded housing, community development and homeless assistance programs. Regretfully, the County's refusal thus far to come into compliance has meant that $7.4 million in FY 2011 funds for housing and community development have already been reallocated or otherwise expired. Additionally, HUD has been unable to approve funding for the County for FY 2012 and 2013 and these funds will also be subject to expiration or reallocation without appropriate actions by the County to correct the noncompliance. Should the County resolve the issues, however, the Department will be able to release available funds to the County.

HUD has considered other alternatives-including whether HUD could grant the money to the State to administer within the County or to otherwise get money to serve intended beneficiaries within the County. In fact, HUD was able to reallocate FY 2011 Emergency Solutions Grant funds to the State to administer within the County. Unfortunately, for CDBG and HOME, statutory provisions prevent the Department from providing the grant to any entity other than the County to provide funds within the Urban County Consortium. HUD must ensure that the County's actions and documents comply with statutory and regulatory requirements as well as the terms of the Settlement Agreement before it can approve its action plans. Going forward, the Town of Greenburgh could qualify as an entitlement community and receive direct CDBG entitlement grants separate from the County once the current Urban County Cooperation Agreement period expires at the end of the County's 2014 program year on April 15,2015.

I hope the information provided is helpful. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Dominique M. McCoy
General Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 06 February 2014

Created: 06 February 2014

Last Updated: 11 February 2014

Hits: 4661

Valentine's Day is a week away on Friday February 14th. Avoid a last minute panic by scoping out available gifts this week. Here are a few ideas from local merchants:

Nothing says Valentine's Day like roses. The Scarsdale Flower Shop is offering lovely arrangements of fresh red roses in custom made arrangements. Chose from a dozen long stem roses, a bouquet of pink and white roses, a mixture of roses, lilies and gerbera daisies and more. Or go exotic with a blooming orchid plant or a terrarium. Prices for roses range from $45 to $95. To order, stop by Scarsdale Flower Shop at 7 Harwood Court, call 914-723-0852 or visit their website at scarsdaleflowershops.com.

Current Home at the Heathcote Five Corners has a beautiful array of gifts for the home that will last long after Valentine's Day is over. Here are just a few ways to say "I love you." Lend your shelf a touch of love and style with a bold pair of heart bookends. Red or pink available. $145. Infuse love in the air with their hand jeweled heart fragrance candle. $24. Visit Current Home at 8 Palmer Avenue, Scarsdale, call the store to order at (914) 723-2462 or visit their website at: www.currenthomeny.com

Or, toast your Valentine with wonderful libations from Zachys on East Parkway in Scarsdale. Here are their holiday selections:

-The Rule Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, 19.99: Rule the night! This top selling Cabernet Sauvignon is a hearty and rich red that evokes dark chocolate, vanilla and cherry. Wine and dine your sweetheart with The Rule Cabernet Sauvignon without breaking the bank or skimping on Valentine's Day indulgence.
-Fleury Fleur de LEurope Brut NV 41.99: Champagne is better than Flowers, no? Fleur de L'Europe or the "Flower of Europe" from Champagne Fleury is simply divine. This rich and mouthwatering champagne offers an endless stream of bubbles that will stand out over any bouquet of flowers!
-Piper Heidsieck Brut Rose Sauvage NV 54.00: Pretty in Pink! This eye catching Piper Hiediseick Rose Brut Sauvage is an exuberant and pronounced champagne that is sure to kick off your evening in style. With an explosive POP of color on the label and in the glass this breathtaking 92 point Rose from world celebrated champagne house, Piper Heidseick.
-Slovenia Vodka 37.99: You can't spell Slovenia without LOVE. Celebrate your loved one with a martini crafted from the premium vodka from dream team, Peter X. Kelly, Bill Murray and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Deliciously smooth and dangerously delicious shake up your favorite cocktail with Slovenia Vodka.

Dinner out? Taiim on Boniface Circle in Scarsdale is offering a special Valentine's Day prix fixe dinner for $45 per person. Start with a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a pomegranate and sparkling wine cocktail before your pistachio soup or Piyaz salad with tomatoes, onion, olive, egg and beans. Appetizers include tuna kebab or falafel with yogurt dip. Special entrees are Shish tawook –(sautéed chicken with peppers, paprika, yogurt and tomato, clams, shrimp and scallops or beef kibbee with bulgur, mint, all spice, cinnamon and parsley. Finish with white chocolate bon bons! Call to reserve at (914) 723-6900.

Fig and Olive Westchester hosts the holiday with a $55 prix fixe dinner menu. Check out the menu here: Choose from appetizers like seared scallops and chanterelles, oysters on the half shell and beef tartar. Main course include seared salmon, Chilean sea bass, filet mignon and rack of lamb. Save room for the Valrhona chocolate brownie for dessert.
Fig and Olive Westchester, 696 White Plains Road, Scarsdale, (914) 725-2900.

What else? Who can resist chocolate from Imagine Candy on Harwood Court or chocolate bark from Chocolations on East Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck. Check out Balducci's Valentine's Day menu with lobster bites, a Valentine's seafood platter for two with shrimp, lobster tails and lobster salad –and petit fours and chocolate-dipped strawberries for dessert. On February 14th get a free chocolate bar with every Gourmet on the Go location purchase. More sweet treats are available at Lulu Cake Boutique on Garth Road where they are baking heart-shaped mini cakes for two, hand painted heart cookies, "Conversation Heart" cupcakes and edible chocolate candy boxes made from cake. Yum! Too busy or lazy to leave your desk? If all else fails, go to Paperless Post and send an e-card.

Happy, happy!