Good News for Goose Lovers
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Animal rights advocates have prevailed in Scarsdale. At Mayor Flisser's final Village Board meeting on Wednesday March 27 she fulfilled her promise to listen and respond to residents' views. Rather than kill the geese that have become a menace at Library Pond in Scarsdale, she changed course on the original plan to retain the USDA to euthanize the geese and instead directed Village staff to investigate other solutions. The Village Board of Trustees had previously passed a resolution to retain the USDA to exterminate the geese and reprocess their meat for human consumption.
However animal rights advocates flocked to Village Hall to object – some from Scarsdale and others from upstate, Rockland and Orange Counties and Long Island. Calling the USDA "contract killers, like thugs or the mafia," they urged the Village to consider other methods of moving the geese out of town. A wide variety of vendors -- with novel solutions to the problem -- appeared at Village Board meetings to vie for a contract with the Village to chase away the unwanted visitors. One proposed using a facsimile of a wolf called a "fearwolf" to frighten the geese away and another suggested that the village use his mechanical eagle and whistle to scare the geese out of the area.
In response to the public outcry, the Village cancelled the contract with the USDA and has now passed a resolution to hire Geesebusters from Northport L.I. to use their humane method of scaring the birds away. According to the company's website, they have "a natural, low cost" solution that uses an "animal scaring device" configured to look like a predatory three-dimensional eagle. The device turns in a "prey seeking" circular motion that is recognized by Canadian geese, seagulls and other problem birds as a real predator and causes them to flee the area. The company promises that "After a little conditioning, all nuisance birds will avoid the area, seeking safer grounds."
So if you see a large prey-seeking mechanical eagle at the pond – don't be frightened. It's not meant to scare you ... just the geese.
Opening Soon?
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Is the commercial real estate market experiencing a bit of a comeback in town? Though there are still many empty storefronts in Scarsdale and Hartsdale, we noticed a few signs of hope and some exciting new developments.
First, the big news is that Lange's is expanding into the space previously occupied by the furrier next door. In this new area, Lange's will install a pizza oven and serve thin crust pizza as well as a host of other entrees for family-friendly dining. According to Tony, the new area will accommodate seating for 55-70 diners who can enjoy pasta, pizzas and a wide selection of entrees that will be served by waiters and waitresses. The restaurant will be open for dinner seven days a week and will welcome family, kids and casual diners.
Around the corner a new day spa is under construction at 46 East Parkway. Other than it's name, Spa Iris, we know little about them or what they will offer. If you have the scoop, please share it with your neighbors in the comments section below.
We also heard a rumor that spin studio Flywheel would be opening on Scarsdale Avenue in the space formerly occupied by Tumblebugs. But calls to Flywheel were not returned and when we visited the storefront we found no evidence that there was a tenant moving in.
Last, in Hartsdale, there will soon be yet another beauty outpost, joining Hartsdale Nails, Beauty Mania and Dare to be Bare. Construction is underway in Hartsdale in the space formerly occupied by Enrico's Bakery. The new spot will be called Salon Candis.
High School Holds International Fair After Delayed Start
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Despite a two-hour delay, on Friday March 8, Scarsdale High School held its annual international fair. The event took place in two parts -- an assembly featuring professional as well as high school performances followed by an international lunch prepared and served by students -- and was considered by students to be a success.
Looming over the fair this past week was the possibility of cancellation due to the winter storm that hit on Thursday and Friday. Originally the plan was to send half the student body to the first assembly and the other half to the second. However, because school began at 10, the administration only managed to fit in the assembly by eliminating the second performance and thus only half the school was able to attend. Because fifth period was not seriously shortened, all students were able to participate in the lunch.
The show featured acts from nations around the world including Korea, France, Ireland, China and India. Event hosts Chris D'Silva and Kunal Sahai began by introducing the fashion show, which featured students wearing the traditional attire from their nations and cultures. The next performance was by the French Club joined by French students from all different grades. The performance, organized annually by French Club advisor Laura Bell, was more serious this year than in past performances and featured a song celebrating children coming together from throughout the world. The next two performances continued the musical theme, with an Irish fiddle performance by Finbar Kantor and a clever Mandarin song performed by several students, titled "My Chinese is Not Good."
The following three performances featured dancing, beginning with a traditional Indian dance choreographed by Sayeef Alam and performed with three other classmates. A professional Chinese "mask changer" then took the stage, switching her mask four times, seemingly without touching her face during the course of her dance. The final performance, a humorous rendition of the wildly popular Korean song, "Gangnam Style" was widely considered the "fan favorite" of the day.
Following the assembly, students flocked to the cafeteria throughout fifth period for what many call their favorite lunch of the year. Dozens of flags from around the world adorned the cafeteria walls while tables were moved to the fringes of the rooms, each featuring a different cuisine. Among the options were tacos, Japanese sticky rice, Korean glass noodles, French crepes, Caribbean dishes and Chinese dumplings.
Check out a video of the performances here:
Written by Brian Solender with photos by Vicki Presser
Rob Astorino Attends Fundraiser in Scarsdale
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County Executive Rob Astorino paid a visit to Scarsdale on Wednesday March 13 for the Scarsdale Republican Town Committee's 5th Annual Fundraiser. The event was held at Crossway Firehouse and attended by members of the Scarsdale High School Young Conservatives Club. Pictured here with Astortino are Scarsdale High School students Matt Mandel, Kate Rabin, and Ethan Shire.
Library to Extend Sunday Hours
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Scarsdale Public Library Will Extend Sunday Hours in April: Effective April 7th, the Scarsdale Public Library will be open for an additional hour on Sundays. The library will open its doors at noon and stay open until 5 P.M.
The library had been open noon to 5 P.M. on Sundays until June 2010 when budget cuts forced them to reduce hours on that one day per week. Since that time, many patrons have commented that they have missed this extra time, so the board is looking forward to reinstating it.
"We understand the importance that leisure time plays in our community members' lives," said Elizabeth Bermel, director of the Scarsdale Library. "We know that it is always difficult to fit things in and create that balance with so many added responsibilities. We are thrilled to be able to bring back this hour on Sundays and we will continue to look for ways to bring added value to our patrons."
Beasts of the Southern Wild to be Shown at Scarsdale Library:
February's independent film is "Beasts of the Southern Wild," an American film nominated for Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is in English (there will be subtitles), runs 1h 33m, and is rated PG-13. The film will be shown on March 13 at 6 pm and March 15 at 2 pm at the library.
Teeming with magic, beauty and pure joy, this crowd-pleasing winner at Sundance Film Festival has emerged as one of the year's most acclaimed films. Newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis is spectacular as Hushpuppy, the tenacious six-year-old force of nature in an isolated community. When her tough but loving father Wink succumbs to a mysterious malady, the fierce and determined girl bravely sets out on a journey to save him. But Hushpuppy's quest is hindered by a "busted" universe that melts the ice caps and unleashes an army of prehistoric beasts.
Mark Your Calendar:
The third annual teen writer's conference will be held on Friday April 5th from 5pm to 8 pm.