Writers Centers to be Formed at Scarsdale Library
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The Scarsdale Public Library is seeking writers from the community to help develop the brand new Writers Center, a group that will support and promote Scarsdale writers. Elizabeth Bermel, Director of the Scarsdale Library, said the Writers Center will both benefit local writers and reinforce the library's commitment to the cultural and intellectual life of the community. "We are so lucky to have a wealth of talented writers working in all disciplines in this town, from journalism to fiction to children's books and even playwriting," she said. "The Library as an institution celebrates and embraces the world of books, magazines, and digital media. We want to support the work our local writers do, and we think the establishment of a writers group is a great step in this direction."
The Scarsdale Writers Center is the latest in a series of partnerships the Library has forged with different community groups. Currently the library has a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and also works closely with the Adult School, Scarsdale's seniors, C.H.I.L.D., and others.
"The activities at the Writers Center will grow and develop based on feedback from its members," said Barbara Josselsohn, president of the Scarsdale Library Board of Trustees. Possibilities for the time being include regular readings by Scarsdale writers of new works or works-in-progress; critique groups for new or experienced writers; panels or speakers focused on career building and professional advice; forums for Scarsdale High School students interested in pursuing a career in writing; and recommendations of equipment, databases, programs, or other resources the library might obtain that could benefit writers and the wider group of patrons who freelance or work at home.
Both professional writers and those who write just for fun are encouraged to come to one of the first two meetings in the Scott Room at the library. The first meeting will be on April 9th from 9:15 - 10:15am, and the second on April 11th from 7-8pm.
Please contact Elizabeth Bermel ebermel@wlsmail.org with questions or to receive additional information.
Gelfman Raises Funds for MVP Basketball and Wilson Honored by ADA
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MVP Basketball Camp, a nonprofit organization in White Plains has never turned away a camper due to an inability to pay. Through its Youth Development Scholarship Program, over 300 basketball-loving children annually attend a week at MVP at no charge, and receive instruction and mentoring that extends far beyond the four corners of the court.
To meet the challenge of funding this program, a group of former campers from all over Westchester formed a volunteer Junior Board of Directors, led by Board President Max Gelfman of Scarsdale (pictured fourth from the right). The board's first fundraising event, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, raised more than $1,000 and will allow MVP to extend four additional scholarships in the summer of 2013.
The tournament was held at the Highlands Middle School in White Plains on March 10th and attracted more than 80 boys and girls playing in three different divisions. All participants were high school students, and a majority just finished their varsity seasons. Among they players were Max Gelfman, Robbie Irwin, Robbie Keltz, Caleb Krohn, Christian Landegrebe, Michael Rolfe and Sam Squadron of Scarsdale. Six MVP coaches volunteered their time as referees, but this show belonged to the board. They served pizza, organized the brackets, kept score, and still found time to participate in the games and contests. Junior Board member Zach Evans of Harrison took home the trophy in the 3-point contest, and his team also won the boys varsity bracket of the 3-on-3 tournament.
MVP's Junior Board currently has fourteen members, including five who were scholarship recipients during their summers at camp. They meet four times per year and act as an advisory committee for Executive Director Noel Muyskens in addition to running an event. They will also support MVP's next fundraiser, a second annual Ping Pong Family night at the Westchester Table Tennis Center in Pleasantville on the evening of Friday, May 3rd. More information about this event can be found here: www.mvpbasketballcamp.org.
MVP will run six weeks of camp this summer at two convenient locations in Westchester. There are six programs weekly for boys and girls ages 6 – 16. Scholarship awards are given based on financial need, plus a letter of recommendation from school. Forms and online registration are available on MVP's website.
ADA and Father's Day Council Announces 2013 Father of the Year Honorees:
Michael Wilson, of Scarsdale's Wilson & Son Jewelers, was one of four Westchester fathers named as a 2013 Fathers of the Year by the American Diabetes Association at a reception on February 28th at the Tappan Hill Mansion in Tarrytown, NY. The other honorees are:
- Nadem Sayegh, MD, Endocrinologist, Broadway Medical Services and St. Joseph's Medical Center
- Kenneth R. Theobalds, Vice President Government Affairs, Entergy
- Michael W. Weinstock, Group Vice President, M & T Bank
The ADA will honor these men for their outstanding commitment to their children and the values of fatherhood at the 8th annual Father of the Year Awards Gala on June 13th at Trump National Golf Club in Briarcliff Manor, NY.
The American Diabetes Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, call the ADA in Westchester at 914-253-4909 or visit www.diabetes.org.
Trustees Discuss Proposed Changes to Scarsdale's Historic Preservation Law
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Draft amendments to Scarsdale Village's Historic Preservation Law could result in the demolition of even more homes, as under the new law many Scarsdale properties would be able to evade demolition review. Though the revised code could offer some protection to homes and properties listed in Scarsdale's Cultural Resources Survey, others, that some might deem "historic", would not require review before being razed.
The Law and Land Use Committees of the Board of Trustees met on Wednesday 2-27 to discuss draft amendments to Village Code Chapter 182 - Historic Preservation. The Committees undertook a review of the code in light of the Reconnaissance Level Cultural Resource Survey Report (Survey Report) conducted by Li/Saltzman Architects and Professor Andrew M. Dolkart, which listed 13 Vllage landmarks and 68 homes that the surveyors believe warrant protection.
The revised code does not impose designated historic status on these structures (thus barring their demolition); rather, it allows owners to consent to granting historic status. Although property owners would still be allowed to renovate and rehabilitate their homes, several Trustees made the point that it is easier and cheaper to demolish a house than to rehabilitate it. Thus, the Committees must balance property owner cost concerns with the desire to ensure protection of Scarsdale's historic properties. The Committee appears to favor an owner consent rule.
Several Trustees praised the Survey Report, but also expressed reservations about imposing historic status on the structures based on just this survey. Referring to the Survey Report's focus on architectural style, Trustee Stacey Brodsky stated, "a lovely example of architectural style. . .. in and of itself . . . is not a basis on which I would be comfortable imposing over an owner's consent, a designation of the historic value of the house." She thus views the Survey Report as a "starting point," but not sufficient to impose status on a structure over an owner's consent. Village Manager Alfred Gatta agreed, saying that the Trustees would not be able to defend imposing this status based on its current information and if they were going to impose status, costly "in-depth surveys" would have to be conducted. Trustee Robert Steves also praised the Survey Report but agreed that it should not be viewed as "the Bible" of whether a house in Scarsdale has historic value. He also mentioned some due process concerns that could arise if Scarsdale imposes historic status on a property.
Trustee Brodsky emphasized the need to eliminate "demolition permits to no end" and to get the Committee for Historic Preservation out of the "demolition business" and into a role that allows them to participate in the community education process, as suggested in the proposed new code. Ms. Brodsky expressed concern about a strict consent version and spoke in favor of the revised code's tiered structure, which allows for voluntary designation of historic status of properties listed in the Survey Report and, in cases where owners have not consented to such status, uses the Survey Report as a trigger for the CHP's closer examination of a demolition permit application. Several trustees agreed. Trustee Kay Eisenman and a Village resident also suggested offering incentives like loan programs and generous tax rebates to property owners who consent to historic status designation. Once granted, historic status and benefits would stay with the property and bind or benefit future owners.
Associate Village Historian Bill Natbony expressed concerns about a loophole in the proposed law whereby property owners seeking to demolish property not listed in the Survey Report will no longer go before the CHP. Thus, properties outside the Survey Report, that may still be historic, will evade CHP review. Paul Diamond echoed that thought, saying that this loophole deserves repeated attention.
Trustee Brodsky said that revisions to the law are still in the "brainstorming phase," and the group has not yet considered forming historic districts, also suggested in the Survey Report.
Ultimately, the Trustees referred the issue to another Land Use meeting, where they will set a specific agenda. A future public hearing is also likely in order to hear substantive community feedback – particularly from those whose homes have been listed in the Survey Report as warranting protection.
Contributor Lindsay Dembner lives in Scarsdale. She is an English major turned lawyer currently pursuing employment in higher education and education nonprofits.
Bronx River Parkway and Streets in Scarsdale Village to be Closed to Accomodate Bridge Work
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Beginning Monday night March 11, night work will be done on the Bronx River Parkway's Crane Road Bridge Replacement Project and will continue weeknights for a two-week period. The exit ramps at Crane Road, exit 12, will also be closed on weeknights for the two-week period to facilitate this work. There will be street closures in Scarsdale Village during these same five weeknights as well.
The following parkway ramp closures and detours will take place from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
• Southbound Exit 12 ramp to Crane Road closed. Motorists will be directed to Exit 10 Harney Road.
• Northbound Exit 12 ramp to Crane Road closed. Motorists will be directed to Exit 10 Harney Road.
The following local street closures for East Parkway and Crane Road will take place from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.:
• Crane Road westbound between Chase Road and East Parkway will be closed. A detour will be posted using Chase Road and Christie Place.
• East Parkway southbound between Crane Road and Christie Place will be closed. A detour will be posted using Chase Road and Christie Place.
The night work is necessary due to Metro-North Railroad requirements and to remove concrete forms for the north abutment stem walls adjacent to the eastern side of the railroad tracks. The ramp closures and the closure on East Parkway are due to the need to place a crane on the roadway to facilitate a portion of the work.
For more information, contact Westchester County Department of Public Works and Tranportation at 995-2555. Full details on the project are available at westchestergov.com/craneroadbridge.
Mark Bezos to Receive Open Door Award at Gourmet Galaxy
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Scarsdale resident Mark Bezos has been selected to receive the "Open Door Award for Community Service" at this year's Gourmet Galaxy fundraiser, which is sponsored by the Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service. The annual event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, at the Westchester Country Club.
Mark Bezos is a Senior Vice President in charge of Communications and Events at The Robin Hood Foundation, New York's largest private poverty-fighting charity. Mark has been responsible for creating some of the most successful fund-raising events and concerts in history – from a charity gala that raised $88 million in a single night, to the recent "12-12-12 Concert for Sandy Relief," which was seen around the world and raised more than $50 million. A hundred percent of the money that has been raised is earmarked for programs that help the poor.
When he's not fighting poverty, Mark is fighting fires as the Captain of Scarsdale Volunteer Fire Company 2. He has lived in Scarsdale since 2004 with his wife, Lisa, and their four children, three of whom currently attend the Scarsdale schools. Mark, whose childhood was spent outside of New York, observed that it is common for people who grew-up in Scarsdale to make it their home as adults. "It speaks volumes about what an engaged, safe and supportive town Scarsdale is. Having relocated a lot in my youth, I've been moved by seeing families put down roots in such a great community."
For over ninety years, Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service has provided emotional support, outreach to youth and the elderly, and community education. The staff of licensed mental health practitioners, youth outreach workers, and geriatric social workers are available not only in times of crisis, but also during the challenges that accompany every stage of life.
Together with cocktails and a silent auction, the Gourmet Galaxy benefit is unique in featuring a generous selection of culinary specialties from many of Westchester's greatest chefs. For tickets, call 914-723-3281, or e-mail info@sfcsinc.org.
