Hedrick Smith at the Sunday Speaker Series
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Author and journalist Hedrick Smith will speak at the Scarsdale Forum Sunday Speaker Series on Sunday April 19 at 3:00 pm. The public is invited to attend the event at the Scarsdale Women's Club. This will be the third presentation of the Speaker Series.
Smith is a Pulitzer Prize winning author, journalist and writer and commentator of the American experience. As a television commentator on shows such as "Front Line" and "Washington Week in Review," and through his articles in the New York Times, and his books such as "Reclaiming the American Dream," Smith has covered every important figure of our time from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Duke Ellington and from President Richard M. Nixon to President Barack Obama.
The event promises to be informative and lively. Mr. Smith will be available for a book signing after his presentation.
A Cappella Songfest at The Center @862
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The Yale Westchester Alumni Association (YWAA) will host A Cappella Songfest 2015 on Sunday, April 26, 2015 at The Center @ 862, 862 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale, New York. The concert, which begins at 3:00 p.m., will feature For Good Measure, Scarsdale High School's group, and the Yale Spizzwinks(?). Following the concert, there will be an opportunity to meet the singers and purchase their CDs.
Tickets for the performance are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors (65+) and $10 for students and can be purchased online at www.yalewestchester.org or at the door. For further information, please contact Regina Possavino at 914-977-3532 or reginapossavino@yahoo.com.
For Good Measure
As the only co-ed a cappella troupe in Scarsdale High School, For Good Measure fills all of Scarsdale with music! The group was started by Jessica Chayes during the 2001-2002 school year, and has existed in either co-ed or all-girl incarnations since then. Comprised of both male and female voices, the troupe has left its mark on the Scarsdale community through performances at sports games, a cappella competitions, shows, Valentine's Day Sing-a-Grams, and during the holidays. In addition, For Good Measure has performed in concerts with groups from Yale University, Dartmouth College, Binghamton University, and Kenyon College. For Good Measure's repertoire includes a variety of song types, including oldies as well as contemporary pop songs. The group is not only talented, but always makes their performances fun to watch for all types of audiences.
The Spizzwinks(?)
The Yale Spizzwinks(?) are America's first underclassman a cappella group. Since 1914, they have been entertaining audiences around the world with their unique blend of sweet harmony and tongue-in-cheek humor. Since their historic beginning at Mory's, the Spizzwinks(?) have proudly carried on a tradition of musical excellence and camaraderie as one of America's oldest male choirs. With one eye towards their one hundred year history and the other towards the future, they seamlessly fuse tradition and innovation to bring audiences a unique and unforgettable concert experience.
Three times each year, the Spizzwinks(?) pack their bags and head off to explore the world. When traveling internationally, the Spizzwinks(?) act as cultural ambassadors for the United States, often performing on television and radio, and at large public events. They also promote cultural exchange, singing joint concerts with choirs from universities and other organizations. This year (2014-2015), the Spizzwinks(?) will travel to Cleveland, Ohio in the fall; to San Diego, Ventura, and Albuquerque in the winter; to Florida and South America (Columbia) in the spring; and to South Africa and Turkey in the summer.
Urinetown is a Hit in Edgemont
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As the cast of Edgemont actors and actresses lined up to rehearse their lines for the annual Edgemont Spring Musical try-outs, it was immediately apparent that the musical would be a hit this year. Tackling the satirical comedy of the musical, Urinetown, the Edgemont cast and crew knew this would be a performance like no other. From the talented new actors, such as Josh Roman, to returning singers and actresses including Jackie Brown, Urinetown was what everyone expected and more.
Opening with Officer Lockstock, played by the talented Reed Rosenberg .and street urchin Little Sally, played by Mallory Kostroff, the musical's satire is immediately presented. According to the policeman and little girl, a twenty-year drought has caused a terrible water shortage, making private toilets unthinkable. The show continues to satirize capitalism and corporate management as the audience follows the fight for bathroom freedom between the people of Urinetown and "Urine Good Company."
What really made this musical shine above others was the talented new director, Danny Bernstein, a composer and lyricist who is an Edgemont and Cornell graduate (Class of 2010 and 2014.) Bernstein added infectious enthusiasm on set and created the most popular Edgemont musical in years. With help from assistant director and Edgemont senior Hannah Rothstein, the two made Edgemont history. Junior Peter Jefferies who starred as Senator Fipp responded to the success of the production, saying, "Urinetown is a hilarious production that was directed by an extremely talented director who was able to teach us actors and actresses new acting techniques. Blending our own decisions with Danny and Hannah's input as directors really made the show a hit."
What the Edgemont musical has sadly been missing the past three years is the Edgemont senior class's hidden talent, Josh Roman. Starring as the male role, Bobby Strong, Roman stole the show with his unbelievable voice, acting skills, and dance moves. The audience was shocked to see the Edgemont soccer and lacrosse star belt out Urinetown tunes with Jackie Brown who played the female lead of Hope Cladwell. Amy Baumgarten, junior at Edgemont and supporting actress role of Penelope Pennywise, said, "Josh brought so much energy to practice everyday and really connected with every cast and crew member despite it being his first year. Talented is an understatement for what Josh proved he could do on stage. The show wouldn't have been complete without him!" Cast members, students, and faculty were raving over Josh's unbelievable performance.
The cast, crew, and pit orchestra collaborated to perform one of Edgemont's most talked about musicals. Despite the snow day affecting the Thursday night performance, Urinetown still succeeded and has many Edgemont students, parents, and faculty discussing the level of talent at the school.
Rotary Wine Tasting Raises Funds for Local Charities
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The sixth annual Wine Tasting Fundraiser sponsored by the Scarsdale Rotary Club raised over $40,000 for charity on Thursday March 12th. Hosted at the Scarsdale Woman's Club on Drake Road, the well-attended event featured dozens of raffle items, silent auction items and a live auction selling the services of a professional team of chefs to prepare a fine dinner, a 60" Smart HD TV and many more tempting items.
Fine food and wine were donated by Vintology and local restaurants including Chat, Moscato's, Lange's Deli, Bistro 808, Meritage, Savona and several others.
The event was sponsored by the Scarsdale Agency, WMC HOLDINGS, Value Electronics, Houlihan Lawrence, Webster Bank, the Berk Family, Scarsdale Agency, Scarsdale Improvement Corp, KLS Financial Advisers, UBS, Wilgrin Reality, Christie Spencer Corp, Pepe Mercedes, Red Oak Transportation, Wilson and Son Jewelers, Scott and Robin Gottlieb, Scarsdale Security, Advocate Brokerage Corp, Steve Pitchon, DDS, Lackenback Siegel, LLP, Jason Costanzo, Hirschfield & Costanzo PC, and Sugar Hill Capital Partners.
Almost all of the costs of the event were covered by the Rotary, to allow proceeds to go to charity. This year, the Scarsdale Rotary Club has named five local charities as primary beneficiaries of the event --each to receive approximately 12% of the money raised:
Greenburgh Nature Center
A local 22-acre nature preserve with trails, a pond and gardens. The property is a significant wildlife habitat refuge, both for indigenous species and for the hundreds of species of migratory birds that is used in as a resting place on their spring and fall travels. The property includes two wetland sites and a wildflower meadow, which is used as a nesting area for Eastern box turtles.
Lakota Children's Enrichment, Inc.
A for-purpose corporation with headquarters in Scarsdale NY and founded by Scarsdale resident Maggie Dunne. LCE empowers Lakota youth on the Pine Ridge Reservation in SD and amplifies their voices by providing mentorship and opportunities in the arts, education, sports, leadership and community service. Pine Ridge Reservation is located in three of the USA's poorest counties.
Scarsdale & Edgemont Family Counseling Services
A local community organization that strengthens family and community life by providing individual, family and group therapy. SFCS also provides outreach to youth, services to elders, and public programs relating to family life issues.
The Scarsdale Foundation
The Foundation supports institutions and individuals that encourage educational and human development as well as mutual understanding and recognizes those in the community who through volunteer service continue to set an example of civic responsibility toward the betterment of the community.
Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps
For over 40 years SVAC has answered the call of residents, workers, and communities in the town of Scarsdale by providing emergency ambulance services to the community. SVAC is staffed by a combination of paid paramedics and volunteer emergency medical technicians, and other appropriately trained volunteers.
The remaining funds will be contributed to Polio Plus, Well Water in Haiti, and the Scarsdale Rotary Club's annual grants disbursed through its grant application process.
Photo Credit: Cindy Dunne
An Annual Tradition: Cocoa for a Cause at All Good Things
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When Evan Greenberg was five, he was a big fan of hot cocoa – not drinking it - but giving it to people who were cold. What started as a hot cocoa stand in his garage to support his elementary school's hunger project, has now become an annual event that has raised over $15,000 for various causes, primarily the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.
The tradition began with a bunch of boxes from holiday gifts, some hastily made baked goods and a few hours of work during a winter weekend. Now in it's ninth year, the enterprise has grown into a major endeavor. This year's event, the 9th annual Evan and Joshua's Hot Cocoa Stand for Pediatric Cancer Foundation, will be held at All Good Things in Scarsdale on March 7th from 11-5 and March 8th from 12-6. In addition to cocoa donated by Chocolations in Scarsdale, cups and sugar donated by the Nautilus Diner in Mamaroneck and baked goods from the Mittman family and others, it also features raffles of both sports and non-sports raffles. 
Evan, now 13 and his brother Josh, 11, are big sports fans and the idea of asking sports teams and players to donate items started early. "Evan first asked Ike Davis of the Mets to come to his Hot Cocoa stand, when we met him at a Citibank store opening" said his father, Ken, also the CCO (Chief Cocoa Officer). "When he heard that Jason Bay moved into town, he left a flier in his mailbox and then had the idea to write to many players". While the players did not write back, the teams did and what started as some nice items from the Mets has expanded into tickets and memorabilia from the Mets, Rangers, Yankees, Knicks, Giants, Jets, Nets and Devils. Evan has even started to contact players once again. "Over the summer, I go to lots of Mets games so started waiting afterwards to see if the players would donate something to the Hot Cocoa Stand. Some of the players told me to contact them on Twitter or email their agents. David Wright asked me for my email address. A few days later, the Mets equipment manager emailed me and asked for my home address. About a week later, I received a big box with two bats...one signed by David Wright for the Hot Cocoa Stand and the other for me with the words, "Evan, Keep Up the Good Work". The Rangers have also donated a hockey team with signatures from the team.
Local stores have donated gift certificates for the non-sports raffle. Sponsors include All Good Things, Neil's Sports, Beginnings, Cheers Wine, Standing Room Only, Cheryl's Closet, Infinity and more are expected to donate before the event.
In a winter where hot cocoa was so desperately needed, it's nice to see it warming kids hearts in other ways as well. Do your part to warm some hearts at Evan and Joshua Greenberg's 9TH Annual Hot Cocoa stand while they raise money to support Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The event will take place at All Good Things in the Golden Horseshoe Shopping Center in Scarsdale on Saturday March 7, from 11:0am-5pm and Sunday March 8, 12:00pm-6pm.
