Rowers Recognized for Athletics and Academics
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Two Scarsdale seniors are team members of the Pelham Community Rowing Association which has qualified as a scholar-athlete team for the ninth consecutive year by the New York State Scholastic Rowing Association. In order to meet this standard, rowers must be in grades 10-12 and maintain a GPA of 90% or better for the season. PCRA has proudly held this distinction since the commendation was begun in 2009.
Scarsdale seniors Paige Mittenthal and Melanie Norman have been rowing with the team since their freshman year. It is a tremendous time commitment as the team practices in three seasons and rowing meets are all day affairs on the weekends and sometimes span both Saturday and Sunday. Though the girls travel to Pelham to participate, Scarsdale High School recognizes crew as a varsity sport during the spring season.
Do rowers have to meet weight requirements to participate? According to the Paige and Melanie, "The lightweight program has a weight maximum: a lightweight female rower should not exceed 130 lbs. during spring season and 135 lbs. during winter and fall season. Though the team rows through the winter, the rowers sometimes have to train on land "when the wind speed is too high." According to Mittenthal and Norman, they train indoors; with ".....practice on the ergometers which stimulate the motion of a stroke on the water. We also lift weights and work on cardio machines." But, do they get enough sleep? Both answered with an emphatic "no!."
We also asked for differences between male and female rowers and here is what they shared: 
"Women are motivated differently than the men. The men's team values power whereas the women value precision."
What have been the highlights of the year? The girls answered, "We have yet to start spring racing but based on winter training, highlights have been the Ergathon, the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and Crash-Bs. For those of us who don't know the lingo, here's an explanation. The Ergathon is PCRA's biggest fundraiser that is run by kids so that they can contribute to the team. Their goal this year is to raise $60,000 to buy the team a new trailer to transport the boats to regattas. The St. Valentine's Day Massacre was an indoor rowing event held at Pelham Middle School in February, which was used as a qualifier for C.R.A.S.H.-B's which is the world's largest indoor rowing championship
The girls agree that they "love the sense of camaraderie, competition and spirit which are all fostered by this dynamic sport." Melanie Norman will row for the Boston University lightweight team in the fall, while Paige, who is currently the team captain, may row on the University of Michigan's club team.
"We are extremely proud of our team's commitment to both books and boats," commented Paisley Kelling, PCRA's Board President. "We try to remind our rowers that the word 'scholar' comes first in the term 'scholar-athlete' for a reason, and that this emphasis will continue throughout their collegiate experiences." "There are many ways to help one's team win, and only some of them occur on the water," added Program Director and Head Coach, Guy Monseair.
Koenig Completes 24,000 Piece Puzzle in his Greenacres Home
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When we last reported on Greenacres resident Ian Koenig he had just set a world record by completing a 32,000 piece jigsaw puzzle in the basement of his Brewster Road home. The 32,000 piece puzzle was comprised of 32 colorful panels of Keith Haring's work. He was the sixth person in the world to complete the puzzle and was entered into the Ravensburger Hall of Fame along with other puzzlers from around the globe.
Now Koenig has done it again, this time completing a 24,000 piece puzzle, the second largest in the world, again in his basement. The puzzle is called Life, The Greatest Puzzle and is a colorful depiction of the cosmos, the ocean, the animal kingdom, birds, fish and everything under the sun. Koenig received this second puzzle as an early Christmas present on November 29 2013. When he opened it, he found four large bags, each containing 6,000 pieces. He continued to work on it during nights and weekends putting together each of the four sections, one at a time. Because the puzzle was so large Koenig reclaimed 3' x 4' cardboard slabs discarded by Costco and used 8 of these to create enough surface area for each of the discreet sections of the larger puzzle.
He didn't realize that his cat would get into the mix. According to Koenig, here's what happened: "When I first started the project, I left it uncovered at night, not realizing that these loose puzzle pieces were perfect "cat toys". I found several on the floor and a few scattered around the house, but two never turned up. Chalk it up to experience."
Koenig created a blog outlining how he approached the puzzle, sorted pieces and identified patterns in the way they are cut. He also chronicled how much time each task consumed.
Above is a photo of Ian Koenig with his sons Jonathan and Robert in front of the completed puzzle. Koenig says, "I am the one holding the cat. Jonathan is holding the dog and Robert is holding Jonathan. Jonathan probably put in about 100 pieces. I let Robert put in the last one. The dog and cat did not put in any -- but the cat lost two pieces. I let them get in the picture anyway."
Learn more about what's going on in your neighbor's basement here.
A Manhattan Seafood Spot with Scarsdale Roots
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On our continuing search for all things Scarsdale, we found our way to Crave Fishbar on Second Avenue in NYC. This informal seafood restaurant is located in east midtown, making it a central location for those who work in the area, people who live on the east side and commuters like us who were looking for an easy spot to meet our son who lives downtown for a birthday dinner.
So what does Crave Fishbar have to do with Scarsdale? Turns out that SHS alumni ('03) Jason Steinthal is a partner and general manager. A Greenacres native, Steinthal comes to Crave Fishbar after tending bar at several restaurants and working as the general manager of South Edison in Montauk. Steinthal stopped by our table to say hello and made recommendations about what to order.
We arrived at 7, just missing Oyster Happy Hour where every oyster from their extensive oyster bar is 
just $1 and a glass of wine can be had for $7. That didn't stop us from ordering a dozen oysters to share from the list of east and west coast oysters. We stuck with Atlantic varieties and sampled the Ningret Cup from Ningret Pond, Rhode Island, Rocky Nook from Kingston, Massachusetts and Ram Island from Long Island Sound. They all had distinctive textures and flavors and we realized that there is much to learn about oysters --which range from briny, to salty to meaty and are both feared and adored.
That night happened to be "Mussel Monday" so we couldn't resist a steaming bowl of two pounds of mussels in a thai-style broth flavored with lemon grass for just $17. Also delicious was the "Plancha Grilled Octopus" which was served over chopped broccoli and covered in a grainey mustard vinaigrette. If you go, order that dish – it was outstanding. Though I would have preferred to make a meal of the appetizers we did go for two entrees – a lobster curry with Japanese eggplant and handmade squid in spaghetti with chopped shrimp in clam stock. For those who prefer fish to shellfish, the menu featured red snapper, salmon, flounder, yellow fin tuna and merzula – though I am not familiar with that one.
At that point we were beyond full but our waiter insisted we try a few desserts and they were notable – especially the Affogato, with espresso and vanilla ice cream, and the "Mil and Honey", milk chocolate peanut butter cake, honeycomb and honey ice cream.
Steinthal also serves as the beverage director of the restaurant which offers an impressive array of beers, wines and innovative crave cocktails like "The Black Smoke Monster" with Kraken rum, Sombra mezcal, smoked ginger and lime and the "Spring Stone" with sparkling wine, gin, meyer lemon and apricot bitters. We'll have to return on a weekend to sip some of these.
The restaurant is located on two floors, both lined in warm wood, softly lit with high ceilings. Though it bustles it's not loud and we enjoyed a pleasant, leisurely dinner. The vibe was welcoming, relaxed and friendly.
Turns out that Steinthal's older brother Andrew (SHS '98) publishes a leading New York food site called Immaculate Infatuation where he reviewed Crave Fishbar in 2012, saying "Crave is a progressive thinking fish restaurant, refined enough to impress a serious gourmand, while maintaining a laid back atmosphere that takes you out of the misery of Midtown East." Read the entire review and some choice words about his little brother here.
Crave Fishbar
945 Second Avenue at 50th Street
(646) 895-9585
http://www.cravefishbar.com/
Open Seven Days a Week
Chris Morin and Scott Silberfein Nominated for Scarsdale School Board
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The 2014 Scarsdale School Board Nominating Committee (SBNC) has nominated a banker and a lawyer for election to the Scarsdale Board of Education on May 20, 2014. On March 24 the committee announced that Chris Morin and Scott Silberfein have been nominated to fill the seats currently held by Jonathan Lewis and Sunil Subbakrishna, who earlier this year announced that, although eligible for reelection, they had decided not to seek a second term. Mr. Morin and Mr. Silberfein are each being nominated to a three-year term on the school board.
SBNC Chair, John Clapp, stated: "Chris and Scott are highly accomplished candidates who, I believe, will serve the school system with distinction. Although this year we were confronted with the decisions of the two incumbents not to run for a second term, we were fortunate to be selecting from a pool of well qualified candidates to fill those vacancies. On behalf of the SBNC, I would like to thank all of the applicants for the time and effort put into their candidacies and their willingness to devote their talents to serving the community in this way. Their participation enriched the process immensely."
Commenting on his nomination, Chirs Morin said, "Education ranks highest among issues that matter to me and my family. It's particularly exciting to join the School Board at the same time that a new superintendent joins the District. As I told the School Board Nominating Committee, I look forward to working with the community to help ensure Scarsdale's future as one of the best school districts anywhere."
Before retiring from banking last year, Chris spent most of his career working in the Investment Banking Department at Credit Suisse in New York, Hong Kong and London, initially as a banker and ultimately as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Strategy. During a five-year absence from Credit Suisse, he worked for the New York Stock Exchange in London, managing the Exchange's business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and for Thomson Financial, where he ran the Investment Banking, Private Equity and Institutional Research Segment. He graduated in economics with honors from Harvard College and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. His wife, Mei, works as a substitute teacher in kindergarten through fifth grades. His son attends Scarsdale Middle School, and his daughter attends Fox Meadow Elementary School. The Morins moved to Scarsdale from Hong Kong in 2009.
Scott E. Silberfein, a Scarsdale resident since 2006, is an attorney at NYC-based law firm Moses
& Singer LLP where he specializes in business, equipment lease financing, employment, bankruptcy and class action defense litigation. He grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey and attended the University of Delaware (1994) and the Cardozo School of Law (1999). In Scarsdale, Scott is active in the Greenacres Elementary School PTA, Vice-President of the Greenacres Neighborhood Association, a member of the board of directors of the Scarsdale Youth Soccer Club, and is a member of the board of trustees of Westchester Reform Temple where he also serves as President of the Men's Club. Scott also serves on the board of the Westchester/Fairfield Chapter of the Crohn's Colitis Foundation of America. He lives on Oak Way with his wife Joey and their three daughters who are in the 5th, 3rd and 2nd grades at Greenacres Elementary School.
Silberfien told Scarsdale10583, ""I am flattered and appreciate the trust that the SBNC has placed in me to continue the excellent tradition of our school board members, including Mr. Lewis and Mr. Subbakrishna. I am passionate about providing the best education for all of our District's children and wholeheartedly believe in the Scarsdale Education for Tomorrow. This is an exciting time in the history of our district as we welcome Dr. Hagerman to Scarsdale, work on a district-wide facilities plan and develop a strategic plan. I am eager to get to work with Mr. Morin, my other future Board colleagues, the administration, and all community stakeholders. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve our high-achieving and well-respected district."
The community will vote on the proposed 2014-15 Scarsdale School budget as well as the two school board candidates on Tuesday, May 20 at the Scarsdale Middle School.
Jacob Burns Film Center Names New Director
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The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC), a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community, has named Edie Demas as its new Executive Director. She will assume the position on May 1st.
Edie brings a wide range of experience to the JBFC. Active in arts education networks locally, nationally and internationally, she has spent 20 years focused on arts appreciation and education programming, including serving as the Director of Education at New York City's New Victory Theater for ten seasons. Under her direction, the Theater's education programs were honored with the Americans for the Arts annual award for Arts Education, and Demas herself received a BAXten (Brooklyn Arts Exchange) award in recognition of her work with teaching artists and young audiences.
David Swope, Chairman of the JBFC's Board of Directors, noted that "we are fortunate to have attracted an individual with this depth of experience. We are excited to bring in such an accomplished arts educator to continue our work in quality film programming and to expand the impact of our innovative visual literacy curricula. Not only does Edie bring a wealth of experience; she has the ideas and vision necessary to enable the JBFC to continue to succeed as one of the country's leading film and media education centers."
Demas was selected after a nation-wide search conducted over six months by an executive search firm that reviewed more than 100 applicants. "There were many highly qualified candidates for this position," Swope said. "But after careful review, our board unanimously concluded that Edie's background, abilities, energy and overall interest in JBFC's mission set her apart."
In assuming the position, Demas becomes the first Executive Director to follow founder Steve Apkon who held the post for 12 years. Apkon is stepping down to head a newly created nonprofit media production company. He will continue to serve on the Board of Directors.
"I am honored by the opportunity to help build upon the great work that has already been accomplished in film programming, education and media literacy in Westchester County as well as at the national and international level," Demas said. "Just as the JBFC is a dual mission organization, I have had a dual mission career. I have always been drawn to opportunities that link arts/culture to education. The more fully these entities are intertwined, the better. Like the JBFC, my work thrives when it is grounded in community engagement. I am very much looking forward to becoming part of such a dynamic organization, stellar team and vibrant community."
Demas leaves her current work consulting with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills to return to New York. From 2001 to 2010, as Director of Education at the New Victory Theater, she designed and grew their education Partnership Program to reach 30,000 school children annually. She also taught at NYU, serving as Adjunct Instructor for the Program in Educational Theatre during that time. Earlier in her career, Demas served as Director and Curator of Unreel, a youth and family festival at the Cork Film Festival in Ireland. Edie holds a Ph.D. in Educational Theatre from New York University.
Demas and her husband, Chuck Graef, a composer, have twin 3-year olds and look forward to joining the Pleasantville community.
Founded in 2001, The Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to presenting the best of independent, documentary and world cinema, promoting visual literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community. The JBFC campus in Pleasantville, NY (30 miles north of Manhattan) includes a three-screen theater complex, the Media Arts Lab, and a residence for visiting artists. Since its founding, over two million people have seen over 4,500 films from more than 40 countries, and more than 100,000 students have engaged in JBFC's innovative education programs. To learn more about the Jacob Burns Film Center and Media Arts Lab, visit burnsfilmcenter.org.
Photo Credit: Russel Peborde
