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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 21 January 2015

Created: 21 January 2015

Last Updated: 22 January 2015

Hits: 11084

Do we need another sushi restaurant near Scarsdale? Already home to Gyosai, Koko, Yamanoya, Azuma and Haiku – and the sushi counter in De Ciccos, I wonder just how many California rolls locals can consume? So I was a bit skeptical when I ventured into the newly-opened Kumo Sushi Lounge – in the Food Emporium shopping center-- in the space formerly occupied by Johnny Rockets.

I was surprised at the total revamp of the décor and the spacious room before me. Not only was there an impressive, fully-stocked bar area, but the room included scores of tables, inviting banquettes and plenty of space between the tables. Lit by decorative glowing orbs the room also included a long sushi bar where three industrious sushi chefs were busy creating artful sushi platters.

The eager staff gave us a warm greeting and quickly served us warm sake –welcome comfort on another frigid night.

The menu was another pleasant surprise. The colorful booklet looked more like a food magazine than a menu and revealed that in addition to their unique sushi platters, Kumo offers a full repertoire of hot foods including tempura, noodle dishes, entrees and "dinner" boxes.

It was a challenge for our table of four to settle on our selections. While nibbling edamame we decided on our appetizers: miso sea bass, a tuna pizza, roast duck wrap and rock shrimp tempura. We chose wisely because all four were delicious. The sea bass was served over asparagus in warm miso sauce and the crispy rock shrimp was accompanied by sweet and spicy mayonnaise. Both dishes appeared to be inspired by Nobu and were winners.

The tuna pizza is not be missed. Fresh raw tuna is sliced and served atop a tortilla with avocado, tobiko, eel and spicy sauce. I was happy that one of my dining companions does not eat raw fish – so I was able to down her portion as well as mine.

When it came time for our entrees, two at my table went for the "dinner boxes" that included quite an array at a very reasonable cost. With your choice of chicken, beef, salmon, tuna, lobster, duck or sushi you get shrimp, shumai, tempura, a California roll, rick and miso soup or salad all for just $18 to $26. Both of my friends gave high ratings to the dinner boxes and wondered how the restaurant could make a profit on these boxes. Another friend went for the seafood tempura udon – a large steaming bowl of broth, udon noodles, an egg and vegetables topped with a generous portion of seafood tempura. That dish alone looked like it could feed a family of four.

I couldn't resist the sushi. The menu features three pages of innovative sushi rolls with tuna, salmon, crab, lobster and eel plus spicy variations of tuna, yellowtail, crab coupled with crab, asparagus, mango and too many ingredients to list here. I chose the spicy girl roll – spicy salmon, tuna, yellowtail and avocado crunch inside, wrapped in pink soy paper and topped with tobiko and spicy mayo. As if that wasn't enough, it was presented on a plate with a glowing blue light tucked underneath strands of dried noodles. Yum – I plan on having another one of those soon.

And we didn't stop there. Who can resist green tea ice cream? We plunged four spoons in this green palate cleanser and washed it down with hot green tea.

I was impressed enough with my initial visit to return two nights later with a different crowd. While my first dinner was on a weeknight, I came back on a Saturday night and found that others had discovered Kumo too. Though the food was just as good – it was evident that the staff was struggling to keep up with the unexpectedly large crowd, who filled the restaurant.

So to respond to my initial question – do we need another sushi restaurant in town? If it's Kumo Sushi Lounge the answer is yes! I do recommend that you give them a try – especially on a weeknight. You're sure to find something you like.

Kumo Sushi Lounge
777 White Plains Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
www.kumoscarsdale.com
914-713-8899

Hours:
Monday – Thursday 11 am to 10 pm
Friday and Saturday 11 am – 10 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm

Free delivery on orders of $15 or more

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Written by Traci Dutton Ludwig

Published: 27 January 2015

Created: 27 January 2015

Last Updated: 27 January 2015

Hits: 10109

As the incoming Chief of the Scarsdale Police Department, Andrew Matturro's credentials are impressive. His promotion to Chief marks a transition from his role as Captain, an executive officer position that is second in command and oversees all divisions of the department. Before becoming Captain, Matturro served as Patrol Lieutenant, Patrol Sergeant, Detective and Patrol Officer – acquiring an in-depth, hands-on understanding of the various divisions and functions of the police department. In total, Matturro brings 30 years of experience to the job. He was hired by Rye Brook Police Department in 1984 as a patrol officer, and he transferred to Scarsdale in 1988. During the course of his career, Matturro has actively pursued additional training and education. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the LEEDS (Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar) program at Princeton University and the inaugural session of the New York State Law Enforcement Executive Institute. He possesses a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Mercy College and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. But, more his sterling resume, Matturro's day-in and day-out dedication to policing, the needs of the village and the entire SPD team of have prepared him for the role of Chief. Matturro's work ethic and professionalism stand out. In the 27 years he has been with the Scarsdale Police Department, he has only been away from the job on one sick day – and that was when he came to work with a badly injured, heavily bandaged thumb, and retiring Chief John Brogan sent him home. The next day, Matturro removed the bandage, bore the pain of the broken digit and carried on with his work.

"I've always believed in coming to work and doing your job the best way you possibly can. Whatever you do, you should give it your all – with no exceptions. The appreciation is nice, but the real reward is in knowing that you have met or exceeded your part of the obligation," Matturro said. "Of course, I've been fortunate to have been supported and mentored by really great people along the way, who have all set excellent examples – particularly Chief John Brogan, who was my sergeant when I started here 27 years ago."

Reminiscing about the past, Matturro recalled the thrill of realizing his dream of becoming a police officer. "Ever since I was a little kid, I knew police work is what I wanted to do. So, I focused on it and went in that direction. ... When I was hired here in Scarsdale, before I started, I had a moment of hoping I made the right decision – which is normal for any young person beginning a new job. But after that first day, I have never looked back. I love coming to work every day. I'm proud to be part of this police department, and I'm honored to work with such a dedicated and talented group of people."

While this kind of commitment is often cultivated in families with traditions of law enforcement careers, this is not the case in Matturro's family. Aside from his great-grandfather's brother, Vito Matturro, who was the first Italian cop in the city of Rye in the early 1900s, no one else in Matturro's family has pursued police work.
According to Matturro, being a Scarsdale police officer involves special aspects of the profession that go beyond typical police work. "Scarsdale is a unique community. Here we are fortunate to be very much supported by both the community and village management, and we accordingly emphasize an attention to service and human compassion on the job. We are always thinking about what the community needs from us and what we can do for the greater good of the village. I always tell officers to treat people exactly as they would want their own family to be treated when encountering a police officer. Everyone who is part of this department understands service is an important part of this job. However, for the people we hire, this generosity and community mindset is part of who they are; it is how they were raised, and so they naturally bring it to the job."

Matturro credits former Chiefs Brogan and Donald Ferraro, who served as Chief prior to Brogan, with establishing the current culture of the department. Their policies, practices and leadership forged and strengthened the department's professionalism, its attention to service and its relationship with the community. As incoming Chief, Matturro intends to build upon these important aspects of the department.

"I want to increase our ability to address to the needs of the village and the community by actively looking at various situations and by listening carefully to input from the community. The goal, of course, is to develop appropriate programs and enhance existing initiatives, such as the department's youth services and services for older adults," he said. Together with the command team, Matturro is currently working on a plan to best solicit and review input from the community.

Several proactive initiatives are already in the works. "We have a police force of incredibly talented individuals with many different interests and strengths. If someone on our team has an idea that can benefit the department and help the community, I encourage that idea to be brought to my attention so it can be discussed and developed," Matturro said.

As an example, Matturro shared the story of an officer who is passionate about reducing incidents of dangerous texting and driving. "When this officer, Armando Nava, pulls someone over for texting and driving or cellphone use, it's not just about writing the ticket; it's really about talking with the person and getting that important message across," Matturro explained. "Supporting this officer by enabling opportunities to officially spread the message about dangerous texting and driving, such as through his upcoming participation in a panel discussion next month, can have a significant, valuable impact in the community. These opportunities can also be professionally satisfying to the officer, who knows he's making a difference. ... This is how you build a committed team that's engaged, active and effective, and it's how you achieve programs that work."

Just as Matturro has always supported the men and women of the department – by ongoing training, professional development and the facilitation of special interest programs – Matturro is wholeheartedly supported by police department members, village management, village staff, and a network of regional colleagues. According to organizers of the promotion ceremony, approximately 70 people were initially anticipated to attend the event at Scarsdale Library, Jan. 22; however, more than 120 guests showed up to offer their support. Among those in attendance were uniformed, off-duty and retired personnel from various jurisdictions, village officials, dignitaries, civic leaders, citizens and Matturo's family – including his wife of 22 years, Kyle, and their daughters Brenna (18), Allaire (14) and Caaelyn (10).

Speakers and guests at the promotion ceremony repeatedly remarked on Matturro's strong, intelligent and directed leadership, as well as on his skills at productively motivating a team. Both of these qualities have been developed not only through Matturro's professional experience in law enforcement, but also through his 20 years of coaching Junior Varsity football at Port Chester High School. Working alongside his cousin and fellow coach, Mark Santora, Matturo inspires his players through encouragement and by holding the kids to high standards and expectations.

"I have three daughters, but with the football team, it's like I also have 30 sons," Matturro said. By believing in the kids, by expecting them to always do their best and by requiring them to behave with good sportsmanship and good citizenship, Matturro has succeeded in molding responsible, respectful and hardworking young men.

"As a coach, these life lessons are more important to me than winning the game," Matturro said. "If I can teach these kids to be good people – to be honest, to work hard at the best of their ability, to be polite, to treat women and other people with respect, to think about their actions, to have good moral character and make good choices, to do the right thing – this is what matters most. If you can influence just one kid or make a difference in just one person's life, this is the measure of real success. You're really coaching life – not just a sport."

Matturro's attitude about coaching – and his way of bringing out the best in others – provides exciting insight into what the future of Scarsdale's police service to the community might mean. As outgoing Chief Brogan told this reporter, "The moment of retirement is bittersweet for me, but Andy [Matturro] is incredibly well prepared to take the reins. Scarsdale is in very good hands."

Photos courtesy of Jon Thaler. See more and purchase photos at JonThaler.com.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 11 January 2015

Created: 11 January 2015

Last Updated: 12 January 2015

Hits: 11209

Christine Ji Woo Kang, the Edgemont teen who has been missing for nine days, was found in a church in Manhattan on  Sunday night January 11. Greenburgh Police Chief Chris McNerney announced that Kang was found at a church right near Grand Central Station.

According to the Edgemont Community Council, when Kang went to St. Agnes Church at 143 East 43rd Street to ask if she could stay there overnight someone recognized her from one of the "missing" flyers that was posted around the city and alerted police. At the time of the announcement, the Greenburgh Police were en route to the city to pick her up.  McNerney gave credit to hundreds of volunteers from Edgemont who searched for Kang in Manhattan and New Jersey. Due to their efforts to spread the word, the missing girl was found.

Surveillance videotape showed Kang leaving Grand Central at 11 pm on January 2. She was located just blocks away from the station. It is not known at this time how she passed the intervening nine days.

After learning the Kang had been found, her parents issued the following statement: "Dear All Members of the Edgemont Family, Our family would like to express our whole-hearted thanks to all of the members of the Edgemont community. We have been, and still are, in great pain, but the tremendous outpouring of support for Christine and our family from the community have enormously helped us to keep strong and continue the pertinacious search for our daughter. We will never stop our efforts until we find her. All of your help and support has been beyond our family's imagination. We are so proud to be a part of this amazing community. Thank you all very much!"

Here is the press release from the Greenburgh Police:

"This department is pleased to announce that 16 year old Edgemont teen Christine (Ji Woo) Kang has been located in Manhattan at Saint Agnes Church 143 East 43rd Street. Christine is safe and in the custody of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department. Greenburgh Detectives are on their way to pick up Christine at this time. The combined effort of the Greenburgh Police, MTA police, members of the Edgemont Cares Community and the media resulted in an individual at Saint Agnes Church recognizing Christine from a "Missing Flyer" and contacting police. Over 200 individuals from the Edgemont community responded to Manhattan yesterday to post "Missing Flyers". This initiative was organized by Edgemont Cares Community representative Aubrey Graf-Daniels."

In an email to the Greenburgh Community from Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, he describes how the girls parents learned that their daughter was safe.

Feiner said, "A very happy ending to a stressful week. Greenburgh Police Chief Chris McNerney, Edgemont Cares Community representative Aubrey Graf-Daniels and the parents of missing teen Christine (Ji Woo) Kang and I were meeting to discuss strategies to enhance the chances of finding Christine early this evening. Toward the end of our meeting we received a phone call from one of the Greenburgh police detectives assigned to the case----Christine is safe. It's a moment one never forgets. The parents, Min Jong Kang and Hyeeun Rose Kwon- were overjoyed. Lots of hugging and tears of joy.

Christine was located in Manhattan at Saint Agnes Church 143 East 43rd Street. Christine is safe and is in the custody of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Greenburgh Police Detectives assigned to this case are on their way to pick up Christine.

This was a combined effort of the Greenburgh Police, MTA police, members of the Edgemont Cares community and the media resulting in the an individual at Saint Agnes Church recognizing Christine from a "missing flyer" and contacting the police. Over 200 individuals from the Edgemont community responded to calls for help in Manhattan yesterday to post "Missing Flyers". Their efforts worked. This initiative was organized by Edgemont Cares community leader Aubrey Graf-Daniels, one of the real heroes in the effort to find Christine and bring her back to safety. Edgemont high school students also participated in the effort to locate Christine. I would also like to thank Chief Chris McNerney for giving this effort his highest priority attention. I am sure that I speak for all Greenburgh residents in thanking the hard working police department for their hard work, dedication and outstanding abilities."