Recycling News: Wax Cartons to be Recycled, Village to Propose Grasscycling
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Cartons with wax lining such as milk and juice cartons can now be recycled with plastic, glass and cans that are collected by the Village.
Village residents should now put all paper containers that have waxy linings such as milk cartons, juice containers, and soup cartons in their recycling bins along with their plastics, glass, and cans. The County has announced that their recycling center, where all of Scarsdale's recyclables are taken, now has the ability to recycle these wax cartons. The facility has new screening equipment to enhance their cardboard and paper recycling capabilities. The new equipment requires less hand-sorting of paper recyclables, which allowed for the redeployment of personnel to hand-sort beverage containers. These cartons should not be included with paper and cardboard recyclables.
Grasscycling: 
The Sustainability Committee of the Village of Scarsdale made a recommendation to the Village Board concerning curbside grass pick-up at their meeting on May 10. The committee recommends that residents practice grass cycling, which is the process of leaving grass clippings on the lawn when it is mowed, rather than collecting and bagging them.
They believe that leaving the clippings on the lawn is a win-win process as it encourages healthier turf growth, retains and adds moisture to the lawn, may reduce watering needs and eliminates the need for bagging and transporting cuttings to the recycling center thus reducing emissions and our carbon footprint.
The Village has practiced grasscycling in village parks and fields for years with no complaints and the Sustainability Committee is asking the asking the Village to end their practice of picking up grass clippings and hauling them to the recycling center.
During the discussion, Benny Salanitro who heads Scarsdale's Department of Public Works reported that the DPW picks up an average of 1,540 tons of organic yard waste, with about half of that, or 770 tons of lawn clippings. If grass clipping pick up were eliminated the DPW would still need to pick up tree branches and other organic waste. Though the collection route would not be eliminated, it would take less time.
His concern about eliminating the pick up of grass clippings is that residents and landscapers might dispose of them in waterways, catch basins and in other inappropriate locations. Salanitro believes, but cannot prove, that curbside pick-up of grass clippings has "reduced the incidence of such illegal dumping," and if pick up were eliminated illegal dumping might increase.
After some discussion, Trustees directed Village staff to draft a resolution to discontinue pick-up of grass clippings, do public outreach and hold a public hearing to assess residents' views on the matter.
Trustee Carl Finger noted, "It's not a question of whether it's a good idea .... it's simply a matter of perception."
Local Synagogue Offers Alternative Payment Plan
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Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El (SSTTE), a reform Jewish congregation with nearly 400 member families has announced the launch of an innovative financial partnership; The Congregation is replacing dues with a pledge commitment plan. SSTTE is offering this non-dues-based membership program to all of its current members, former members and unaffiliated Jewish households.
The announcement of the new financial structure was made on April, 12th, 2016 by Donna Vitale Ruskin, president of the synagogue. The new financial structure – known as a "pledge commitment model" – will be implemented for the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Beginning in July, members, former members, and prospective Jewish members in the Westchester community will be able to continue their membership or join the synagogue by making an annual financial pledge. This annual pledge will be a self-selected amount that will reflect the member's chosen level of financial support for the synagogue. In the past, similar to the vast majority of other synagogues nationwide, members were billed a fixed amount for their dues. Ms Vitale Ruskin explained the reason for the financial structure change and states, "This significant change comes at the end of more than two-and-a-half years of intensive research and engagement, including with UJA-New York. Our clergy, staff, and lay leadership became fundamentally convinced that a fixed dues model was out of alignment with the values of our community. Our board of trustees is as deeply committed to inclusion as it is to fiscal responsibility. Through a series of forums and community conversations, the membership was involved in shaping the decision to adopt the pledge commitment model."
Furthermore Scarsdale Synagogue's senior Rabbi Jeffrey C. Brown gave his insight in regards to the new financial structure and stated, "This new financial initiative is also about reaffirming who and what our congregation is really about. A fixed-dues model suggests that the synagogue operates on a fee for service basis and we are simply not comfortable with that. We don't think of our worship – on the High Holidays or on Shabbat – as being akin to a sporting event or Broadway show. We aspire instead to strengthen the network of collaborative relationships with our members. We are all partners in building and sustaining a Scarsdale Synagogue community that is open to everyone, with the expectation that members will financially support our congregation in a way that reflects both their financial ability and their sense of investment in the future of our communal life." The Synagogue is hopeful that replacing the dues with this new pledge commitment plan will not only allow their own members to be more comfortable with their donations but also draw in new members into their community.
For further information, please contact Roberta Aronovitch, Executive Director, at 914-725-5175 or send an email to roberta@sstte.org
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & Emanu-El is located at 2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. www.sstte.org
3-on-3 Adult Basketball Tournament Raises Over $45K
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Tournament Champions
More than $45,000 was raised at the tournament, which attracted hundreds of basketball enthusiasts, devotees and fans. The proceeds from the event will support BYSC's successful sports programs serving kids from under-served communities and those with special needs.
In a day complimented by great food and lots of fun, NCAA champion and collegiate basketball coach Dereck Whittenburg was on hand taking part in photographs, signing autographs and serving up sagely advice to the players. All the same time, the Westchester Knicks City Dancers took everyone through their latest dance moves while the day was highlighted by an "All Star Game" in which special needs children participated. The Star Kidz, All Starz! inspired the crowd with its rousing rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner."
Backyard Sports Cares founder and Executive Director, Danny Bernstein, stressed how the funds raised by the tournament are used to directly fund programs to help children. "The monies raised will enable young athletes to participate in a number of programs, including 'Friday Night Tennis,' a weekend summer camp for kids from Mount Vernon as well as covering travel fees for children who otherwise would never be able to participate in a Travel Soccer program," Bernstein said. "It has just been a truly great day."
Adult Basketball Tournament Champions and Trophy winners: Westchester Knicks City Dancers Star Kidz
Open - most competitive: BYS Team 1
35 years+ - Barron's Ballers
Adult Recreation: White Plains Finest
High School – grade 9 –12: Pelham Team
Movie Screening: Making a Killing Guns, Greed and the NRA
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The Interfaith Coalition Against Gun Violence will be screening the movie Making a Killing Guns, Greed and the NRA on Wednesday May 4th at 7:00pm at The Scarsdale Congregational Church's Boynton Room. Following the film there will be a discussion with Leah Gunn Barrett, Executive Director of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. The film is free and there is parking across from the church.
Scarsdale Congregational Church
1 Heathcote Road
Scarsdale, NY 10583
For more information, call (914) 723-2111
Seasoned Players and New Talent Shine on Scarsdale Tennis Team
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The season was off to a bright start for the Scarsdale Raiders Boys Tennis team who were 4-1 before their match against league rival Mamaroneck on April 18th. Though they are a young team that graduated nine seniors last year, new talent arrived from the freshman and sophomore classes to fill the spots on the team and Coach Jennifer Roane was calling it a "rebuilding year."
However, on Monday, when first singles player Luke Smith went out to warm up, he experienced pain in his shoulder and couldn't continue to play. He had played in a USTA match the previous weekend, and the shoulder did not feel right. Undefeated so far this season it was a big blow to Smith and the team that he was not able to compete in this important match. So, before the contest against Mamaroneck even began, Scarsdale had to forfeit first singles.
Mamaroneck then moved their first singles player Junior Raf Schott battled in second doubles
Senior Captain Zach Steinberg played a long match in third singles. He was also defeated 6-3, 6-2 and said his opponent was a great net player who surprised him by coming up to the net at least 60% of the time. Steinberg was also previously undefeated.
Seniors Doubles Team Evan Jospehs and Harrison Peltz
Second doubles features a new team of sophomore Suhas Vennan and Junior Alan Chung. After Suhas Vennan and Alan Chung play second doubles for the team.
The third doubles team includes the only freshman on the team, Gus Thompson. He is the youngest player on the team, but the tallest as well and has great wing span at the net. Gus and Junior Jonathan Schwartz pulled out a 6-3, 6-4 victory, by winning their serving games and driving to pass their opponents at the net. Fortunately their power along with their opponents' unforced errors added up to a win for the Raiders.
Seniors Jack Axelrod and Adam Kazan won in two long sets.
There's a long season ahead, with 14 regular matches followed by the playoffs. With 4-5 matches a week the team will have many opportunities to practice and win. Luke Smith looked happy despite a shoulder injury. Freshman Gus Thompson and Junior Jonathan Schwartz prevailed in third doubles.
Zachary Steinberg played a tough match in third singles.
