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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 09 February 2016

Created: 09 February 2016

Last Updated: 10 February 2016

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Dace Aperans, music teacher at Quaker Ridge Elementary School will receive the Grand Music Award in Latvia on March 1. We asked her to share more about her good news and here is what she said:

The Grand Music Award is the highest Latvian state award in music. Since 1993, the Grand Music award has recognized each year's major musical achievements in various categories. A respected jury of Latvian musicians and musicologists decides upon the nominees and various categories of the award.

I have been nominated, and will receive the award - symbolized by a silver statuette, for "Popularizing the academic (classical) music of Latvia worldwide."

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Latvia and "Latvian Concerts" host the ceremony, which will take place on the stage of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet Theatre in the capitol city of Riga, Latvia. Latvian television and radio will broadcast the event live. I will travel to Riga at the end of the month, in order to attend the ceremony on March 1.

My parents were Latvian immigrants and they instilled in me a deep love and interest in the music and culture of Latvia. In 1989, shortly before Latvia again became an independent country, I first traveled there and was fortunate to meet a group of Latvian composers in Riga. Since I am a composer myself, this was a very meaningful experience for me. After returning home to New York, I began to look for ways to introduce the music of Latvian composers to cultural organizations and performers in North America. Then in 1994, I organized the first International Masterclasses for Young Latvian Musicians in Latvia, a professional music camp with a faculty largely from the Jazeps Vitols Latvian Academy of Music, as well as Latvian teaching artists from around the world, with participants from all of Latvia's music high schools and the Academy of Music.

I have furthered my knowledge of Latvian classical and contemporary music and met many outstanding Latvian performers, educators and talented young artists at these biannual music camps, the twelfth of which will take place this July. Through the years, I have organized concerts and tours for Latvian performers in venues such as the Weill Concert Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Park Avenue Christian Church and others. Last summer, I was delighted to be a contributor for the very first "24 Hours of Latvian New Music" radio marathon for Q2 Music, a division of WQXR/NPR. In Latvia, I have also had the privilege of working with the wonderful announcers and musicologists at the Latvian National Radio "Klasika".

With my first visit to Latvia, I feel as if I began a beautiful and unique journey that to this day continues to enrich my musical and personal life, as well as teaching in countless ways.

Congratulations to Dace Aperans!

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 18 February 2016

Created: 18 February 2016

Last Updated: 18 February 2016

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On Thursday evening, May 12th, Scarsdale Edgemont Family Counseling Service will honor two of Scarsdale's brightest stars at their annual spring fundraiser event, Starry Night at the Scarsdale Golf Club. Long time SFCS employee Emily Vallario and community volunteer Margaret Smith will be honored with SFCS' prestigious Open Door Award. The duo is being recognized for their work in re-vitalizing the Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol, a community action group dedicated to reducing underage alcohol use and all illegal drug use.

Emily wears many hats in Scarsdale where she began her career sixteen years ago. She serves as a Youth Outreach Worker with middle school aged youth and their families and has also filled the role of Youth Services Project Team Leader, Parent Support Group Program Coordinator, and liaison to numerous Scarsdale youth serving organizations.

In July 2014, Emily was promoted to the position of SFCS Director of Community Services, and this past September, she assumed the role of Project Coordinator of the Scarsdale Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol. As coordinator, Emily has worked to re-engage the various community groups and representatives that make up the Task Force, has advocated for meaningful teen representation and is harnessing the power of social media as the means of distributing prevention messages to youth. "What impresses me most about Emily is that after sixteen years, she comes to work every day with the same energy she had during her first week on the job" said SFCS Executive Director, Jay Genova who has known Vallario since they were hired together by SFCS in 2000. When she's not busy with her professional obligations, Emily enjoys spending time with her husband, Steve and her two children, Julia age 10, Joseph age 7 and their dog Tucker.

Community volunteer Margaret Smith has served on multiple boards and in varied leadership positions within the schools and the village. Margaret is the current President of the High School PTA and was previously President of the Heathcote PTA, President of PT Council, and past chair of the School Board Nominating Committee. She is on the board of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library and has also served on the boards of the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale, the Junior League of Central Westchester and as a member of the Rheumatology Council at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Margaret is currently pursuing a master's degree at the New York Medical College's School of Public Health and now works at SFCS on her public heath practicum for her degree. As a Public Health Assistant to SFCS and the Task Force she been instrumental in implementing the Strategic Prevention Framework, an evidence based model of community prevention and developing the communities prevention work plan.

Margaret and her husband Larry have been residents of Scarsdale for 24 years, and have raised three children here. Husband Larry says, "Margaret has the unique ability to bring people together and she works tirelessly to make Scarsdale a better place for all its residents."

Emily and Margaret recently attended a national conference on adolescent drug and alcohol prevention in Washington D.C. where they met with Senator Charles Schumer as part of the conference's legislative rally. Genova said that "Emily and Margaret have breathed life back into the Task Force, educating themselves, sharing their commitment to service and of course their passion for improving the well being of the youth of Scarsdale." "

Members of the Scarsdale community are invited to join SFCS in honoring Emily Vallario and Margaret Smith at an evening filled with fun, friends, dancing and dining.

A Starry Night will serve as SFCS's spring fundraiser, and will feature the live music of The Del Bocas. The event will be held at The Scarsdale Golf Club. To purchase event tickets, or to place an ad in our journal, please go to: www.sfcsinc.org and follow the link to a Starry Night or call 914-723-3281.

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Written by Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 03 February 2016

Created: 03 February 2016

Last Updated: 04 February 2016

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The Personnel Committee of the Village Board is asking residents interested in volunteering to serve on Village Boards, Councils and Committees to submit their names for consideration. New terms will begin April 4, 2016. Candidates interested in serving on any Board, Council or Committee should apply.

Trustee Carl Finger, Chair of the Personnel Committee, said interested residents are encouraged to submit their own names, together with a listing of community service and relevant professional background. It is also helpful for Scarsdale residents to provide written suggestions of individuals who should be considered for appointment. Please submit contact information including email addresses. The information may be submitted in one of two ways:

Via the Village Website – At www.scarsdale.com, click "read more" under:

* Volunteers Needed for Boards and Councils (located under Village News on the home page). On the next screen, complete the on-line application form under "Boards and Councils Applications" and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Via Village Hall – Alternatively, the information may be forwarded to Trustee Carl Finger at Scarsdale Village Hall, 1001 Post Road, Scarsdale NY 10583

All materials should be received at the Village website or Village Hall by March 1, 2016. Residents should feel free to contact the Personnel Committee Chair, Carl Finger e-mail at [email protected]. You may also contact the Village Clerk, Donna Conkling at 914-722-1175 or via e-mail at [email protected] for further information.

Pursuant to the general policy adopted by the Village Board, guidelines for membership on Scarsdale's appointed Boards, Councils and Committees cover four areas:

1. Residency
Boards, Committees and Advisory Councils are comprised of residents of the Village. While comments from outside the community can be sought as needed, actions recommended or taken by Boards, Committees and Advisory Councils should ultimately reflect the views of Village residents.

2. Professional or Business Affiliation
Various professional skills and training are required by Village law or deemed desirable by the Village Board of Trustees for the successful fulfillment of some Board, Council or Committee charters.

3. Civic Interest and Involvement
The majority of the members of Village Boards and Councils are appointed by reason of demonstrated interest in Village affairs, through volunteer involvement. Scarsdale is the beneficiary of a long history of voluntary civic endeavors. Since the overriding purpose of Boards, Committees and Councils is to assure the continuation of high community standards, it is appropriate that members on Boards, Committees and Councils be those residents who have demonstrated willingness and initiative to work in support of this objective.

4. Specialized Knowledge
Certain Boards, Committees and Councils benefit by having one or more members with specialized knowledge. For example, the Cable Television Commission benefits by having people with knowledge of the communications industry; the Advisory Council on People With Disabilities would benefit from the experience of residents with disabilities; the Advisory Council on Youth would benefit from people who have worked with young people; the Advisory Council on Parks and Recreation would benefit from having a parent active in the Recreation Department's Elementary School Sports Program.

Applications:
Applications should be made in writing and should include information on the candidates' civic involvement, work experience or other qualifications in sufficient detail to help the Village Board evaluate the prospective candidate. Applications should be submitted via the Village website or sent to Trustee Carl Finger at Village Hall, 1001 Post Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583 by March 1, 2016.

The following are the terms of office, and responsibilities for members appointed to the Boards, Councils and Committees:

BOARD OF APPEALS - (5 years - one term). Rules on appeals from zoning requirements, including setbacks; on permits for construction of swimming pools and tennis courts, and on non-conforming uses.

BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW - (3 years - two terms). Its basic purpose is to preserve the character and appearance of the Village. Review of all applications involving construction of buildings, or additions to, or reconstruction of existing buildings affecting the exterior appearance.

PLANNING BOARD - (5 years - one term). Advises Village Board on master planning; rules on applications for sub-division of lots, street designations, construction in wetland areas and non-residential buildings.

BOARD OF ETHICS - (5 years - one term). Possible conflicts of interest or other
issues of ethics affecting Village personnel are referred to this Board by the Board of Trustees.

CABLE TELEVISION COMMISSION - (5 years - open-ended terms). Administers and monitors the Cable Franchise Agreements with the Village and encourages use of the cable access channels.

CONSERVATION ADVISORY COUNCIL - (2 years - open-ended terms). Advises the Village Board on such matters as programs, areas, facilities, public relations and other matters pertaining to conservation of the environment.

COMMITTEE FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION - (3 years - two terms). Determines if a structure located in the Village for which a permit for demolition has been requested is a structure of historical importance.

LIBRARY BOARD - (5 years - one term). Responsible for the administrative and operating policies of the Scarsdale Public Library. Operates independently of the Village Board and selects its own President.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES - (2 years - open-ended terms). Advises and assists the Village Board in matters of concern to residents with disabilities. Assists with programs and activities, increases public awareness of the needs of the disabled, acts as liaison with other Advisory Councils, and promotes participation in community affairs by disabled persons.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON HUMAN RELATIONS - (2 years - open-ended terms). Considers and recommends actions at the request of the Village Board to foster mutual respect and understanding among all members of the community.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PARKS AND RECREATION - (2 years - open-ended terms). Promotes the recreation program in the Village and advises the Village Board on the use of Village parks for recreation and passive uses, recommends the use or non-use of all open space, and acts as a liaison between the Village Board and the community on all matters relating to recreation and parks.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON SCARSDALE SENIOR CITIZENS - (2 years - open-ended terms). Advises and assists the Board of Trustees in all matters concerning the senior citizens of the Village of Scarsdale.

TOWN BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW - (5 years – open-ended terms). This Board reviews property tax grievances filed with respect to property tax assessments.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON TECHNOLOGY - (2 years - open-ended terms). This Council has a broad mandate in advising the Village Board and staff on technological matters. It provides advice, explores strategic options, and develops recommendations on how the Village Board can best utilize technology, including the Internet to improve efficiencies.

ADVISORY COUNCIL ON YOUTH - (2 years - open-ended terms). Advises and assists the
Board of Trustees in responding to the needs of Scarsdale's young people and works to
generate a favorable climate for growth and development of youth in the community.

JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE - (5 years - two terms). The Committee's function is to assist the Citizens' Nominating Committee and the Mayor, respectively with the selection of individuals who are qualified for the offices of Village Justice and Acting Village Justice.

REPRESENTATIVE TO SCARSDALE ARTS COUNCIL - (2 years - open-ended terms). At-large representative (total of 4 appointed by the Village Board) to the Scarsdale Arts Council Board. The Council's mission is to encourage the arts to flourish in Scarsdale by, among other methods, improving communication among arts programs and by attracting grant support and to raise public awareness and participation in the arts.

SBNC seeks candidates to run for Board of Education

Following the recent School Board Nominating Committee election, returning and new SBNC members have begun to identify potential candidates to serve on next school year's Scarsdale Board of Education. Over the next few weeks, members of the SBNC will recruit and vet candidates to fill three seats held by Leila Maude (current BOE President), William Natbony (current BOE Vice President) and Suzanne Seiden. Seiden is completing her second and final term at the end of this school year.

At the end of the SBNC season, the voting members will nominate three individuals to the nonpartisan slate in the school board election held in May at the same time and place as the school budget vote.

All Scarsdale School District residents are welcome and encouraged to submit and propose names of qualified individuals to serve as trustees of the Scarsdale School District. A candidate must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, a qualified voter, and a resident of the Scarsdale School District for at least one year prior to the May 17, 2016 school board election date.

Candidates should complete a biographical information form and submit it via email to the SBNC Chair, John Spiro, at [email protected] as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, 23 February 2016. Forms are available at www.scarsdalesbnc.com.

For more information on the SBNC, including the governing Resolution, information on the non-partisan system, and a list of the current SBNC members, please visit the SBNC website or contact the SBNC Chair.