The Westchester Children’s Museum (WCM) announced that tennis champion James Blake will be this year’s featured celebrity pro at the Annual Tennis Outing. The event will be held at Quaker Ridge Golf Club in Scarsdale on Monday, September 19, 2011. Each tennis outing participant will have the opportunity to rally with Mr. Blake, as well as attend a buffet breakfast and lunch with this tennis legend where he will sign autographs and participate in a Q&A session.

In addition to the tennis outing, the Westchester Children’s Museum will simultaneously host its Fifth Annual Golf Classic at Quaker Ridge Golf Club. This is an opportunity to tee it up on the par-70, 6,772-yard A. W. Tillinghast design – often called “Tillie’s Treasure”. Ranked 40th in the United States by this month’s issue of Golf Magazine, Quaker Ridge is frequently mentioned when accomplished golfers are asked to name the best course in the Metropolitan New York area. As in years past, the event will feature tournament competition, on-course contests, as well as a brunch to kick off the outing. Cocktails and dinner with an auction and raffle will wrap up the eventful day. The Charity Tennis and Golf events will both raise funds for the completion of the Westchester Children’s Museum exhibit designs and construction.

The event’s featured pro, James Blake, is a crowd favorite that has played many historic matches at the US Open. James achieved a career high ATP ranking of number four and has won ten tournament titles. James has also been a regular member of the United States Davis Cup team. In 2007, James won the decisive match for the United States to win the Davis Cup World Group championship. James is also the author of memoir called Breaking Back, which is a New York Times Bestseller. James was born in Yonkers and grew up in Fairfield, CT. He attended Harvard University.

“We are so excited to have James Blake’s support at our annual charity tennis outing,” said Andrea Tucker of Scarsdale, Co-Chair of the event. “With the backing of a renowned world champion, we are more excited than ever to continue our efforts to raise funds for the Westchester Children’s Museum.” Now that the Museum’s lease of the Rye Playland North Bathhouse has been unanimously approved construction and renovations are moving forward.

Tucker, a Heathcote mother of three, offered the following comments on how she became involved with the Museum. “I became interested in helping to bring a children's museum to Westchester after visiting the Long Island Children’s Museum. My kids always enjoyed themselves when visiting and I was disappointed to learn that our community did not have a similar destination for our youth. I found that other local families were committed to developing such a place and then heard about Westchester Children’s Museum. While inquiring about volunteering, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Corinne Zola, a fellow member of Quaker Ridge Golf Club, is President of the museum. “

Tucker continues, “After becoming involved with Westchester Children’s Museum, I assisted in the planning for its annual Quaker Ridge golf outing. Corinne and I strategized how best to engage the community and felt that bringing professional tennis players on board each year would be an added incentive for our supporters. Last year, our inaugural tennis event sold out; it was headlined by Jim Courier. Tennis Champion James Blake will be joining us this year. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to interact on and off court with a top U.S. tennis player while supporting a worthwhile community cause. “

“I must also recognize the many Scarsdale residents who have volunteered their time and effort to make this event a success, from members of the tennis committee to the Board of Directors and donors. Without all the wonderful volunteers who believe in the mission of the Westchester Children’s Museum, none of this would be possible. So a special thank you goes out to my fellow village residents for once again rallying behind a great cause – no pun intended!”

For more information, corporate sponsorship opportunities, golf participation or to purchase tickets to either the tennis or golf event, visit: www.discoverWCM.org/events

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In addition, The Scarsdale Fire Department wants you to putt for pink. On Monday October 3, the Scarsdale Fire Department is holding a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and the UFFA Local 1394 at Fenway Country Club. The scramble golf format begins at 11am that morning, the locker room opens at 9am. For $225 player fee includes greens fee, cart, complimentary t-shirt and gift bag, continental breakfast, lunch and dinner and a reception with an open bar at Saxon Grill. Caddy fee is additional.

Enjoy one of the state’s premier golf courses while helping our town’s bravest and the battle against cancer. Sponsorship advertising opportunities are available. For tickets and more information about the event contact Patrick Gorham at 914-740-5516 or scarsdaleputtforpink@gmail.com.

Would a proposed roundabout ease traffic at the Heathcote Five Corners or simply exacerbate the congestion? That was the question on the table at the League of Women Voters community discussion on Tuesday night September 20th at the Crossway Firehouse. The event drew a cross section of League members, former trustees, Village managers and residents who live near this difficult intersection.

Creighton Manning Engineers, the consultants hired by the Village to analyze the feasibility of a roundabout, presented their Phase II report and Peter Strauss and Assistant Village Manager Justin Datino, were on hand to answer questions. The session was moderated for the LWV by Deb Pekarek who asked for questions, rather than comments, but got some of each.

Former Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens explained that the Village Board had assigned an Ad Hoc Committee to look into a roundabout and they had hired traffic consultants Creighton Manning to do a study at an estimated cost of $35,000. The group was then shown a presentation about how a roundabout could work, including animations of traffic flow and video of a similar roundabout in Glens Falls, New York.

According to the engineers, here are some of the benefits of roundabouts:

• Safest intersections -- reduce conflict points
• High capacity with minimal delay
• Flexible for unusual conditions
• Aesthetic gateway
• Environmentally sound solution - reduced vehicle emissions
• 35% fewer accidents
• 75% fewer fatal accidents
• 45% fewer pedestrian accidents when a roundabout is constructed

The proposed single lane roundabout design for Scarsdale would includes pedestrian islands for safe crossing and lit signage. A landscaped center island would add greenery and aesthetic appeal. The roundabout would be 105 feet in diameter and would require the Village to make right-of-way land acquisitions. Engineers demonstrated how the roundabout would reduce waiting time to get into and around the intersection.

The total estimated cost of the project is $1,900,000, with $1.5 million for construction, $220,000 for engineering and $175,000 for inspections. The Village hopes to fund 75% of the project through state or federal funding.

The presentation included extensive testimony from Glens Falls residents where despite an increase in traffic volume, the roundabout was found to reduce delays.

A merchant there whose business is located right on the circle was skeptical at first but now thinks the roundabout is great. Another resident said, “No one wanted it to begin with and now everyone loves it.”

In the question period, several disgruntled neighbors voiced their concerns about traffic from the Heathcote School at Palmer Avenue and Innes Roads when school lets out. Michael Malina wanted to know how the roundabout would alleviate the gridlock near his home. A Fox Meadow woman questioned how many accidents there have been in the past few years and wanted to know why the Village would spend these funds if accidents were not an issue. Another woman wanted to know if there was data about children’s safety crossing at the pedestrian crosswalks. Larry Bell questioned whether the width of sidewalks would need to be reduced and voiced his concern about a tight overlap at Heathcote Road on Weaver Street.

The group spent a considerable time reviewing the merits and demerits of the proposal and the League will hold their consensus meeting on the issue on October 3rd.

Pictured at top: Former Mayor Carolyn Stevens, Pamela Rubin (member of the Ad Hoc Five Corners Traffic Study Committee), Peter Strauss (Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee), Justin Datino (Assistant to Scarsdale Village Manager), Marylou Green (Scarsdale League of Women Voters President), Deb Pekarek (Scarsdale League of Women Voters Planning and Zoning Chair), and Steve Godlewski (Creighton Manning Engineers). Photo Credit: Angela Manson