Letter in Support of Bob Selvaggio for Village Trustee
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- Written by: John Ferebee
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Letter to the Editor: I write to enthusiastically endorse Bob Selvaggio for Scarsdale Trustee. I have known Bob for 20+ years and know him to have the highest integrity. One of his sons and one of mine went through Scarsdale's school system together and then went on to attend Bucknell University together. Among other shared concerns, Bob and I participate in organizations that promote civic education and free speech. Bob and his wonderful wife Lisa raised their family in Scarsdale, and though their children have flown the nest, they plan to continue living here.
Bob has expert knowledge and skills that would be tremendous assets for our Board of Trustees, especially at a time when the Village is facing serious fiscal issues. He has a PhD in economics and extensive experience in the financial services industry. He is Head of Analytics at a successful financial risk management firm that he co-founded and that includes banks, insurance companies and government agencies and regulators among its client base.
A primary concern for Bob is maintaining the affordability of living in Scarsdale. The steep reduction in the SALT deduction has increased housing expense and depressed real estate values. As Trustee, Bob would aggressively pursue efforts to address these deleterious effects. And he would be very judicious in assessing the Freightway Redevelopment Project, which could bring additional residential apartments to the Village. He is for a transparent project-design process and would be against any design that would not contribute positively to Scarsdale's cash flow or that would result in higher attendance at Scarsdale's schools. I know that Bob has the analytical and due-diligence skills to pose the right questions about these and other issues, and that he would be a dedicated public servant. I urge you to seriously consider voting for Bob Selvaggio for Village Trustee.
John Ferebee
Paddington Road
Scarsdale Foundation Offers Scholarship Aid
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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Students who graduated from Scarsdale High School or lived in Scarsdale during high school and who have completed their first, second, or third years of college are invited to apply to the Scarsdale Foundation for tuition assistance. For the 2019-2020 academic year, the Foundation awarded need-based grants totaling $124,500 to 29 students attending private and state-supported colleges and universities.
Applications for the 2020-2021 academic year should be submitted online from the Scarsdale Foundation’s website: www.scarsdalefoundation.org (click on the College Scholarships link). Completed applications must be submitted by Monday, June 1, 2020. You may contact Scholarship Committee Co-Chairs Anne Lyons or BK Munguia at: [email protected]. Please note "Scarsdale Foundation Scholarship Inquiry" in the subject line of your email.
The Foundation welcomes contributions from the community to augment the funds available for distribution each year. Contributions may be donated to a specially earmarked Scholarship Fund of the Scarsdale Foundation, enabling the Foundation to carry on the tradition of helping our students in need pursue a college education. Donations may be made online by visiting the Foundation’s website or mailed to the Scarsdale Foundation at P.O. Box 542, Scarsdale, NY 10583.
The Scarsdale Foundation also hosts The Bowl Dinner where we recognize those individuals in our community who, through volunteer service, continue to set an example of civic responsibility toward the betterment of the community. This year the Bowl Dinner will be held on April 22 at The Brae Burn Country Club.
For more information regarding the work of the Foundation, please visit their website: www.scarsdalefoundation.org.
Contacts:
Anne Lyons, [email protected], 914-725-9810
BK Munguia, [email protected], 914-472-4053
Register Now to Vote in the Village Election on Wednesday, March 18, 2020
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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If you are not a registered voter but want to vote in the Village Election on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the last day to register with the Westchester County Board of Elections is Friday, March 6.
Mail-in registration forms are available at the Scarsdale Village Clerk’s Office, online from the Westchester County Board of Elections, or in-person at the Westchester County Board of Elections Office, 25 Quarropas Street, White Plains. Please note that although the voter registration form indicates that it must be returned to Westchester County at least 25 days prior to an election, New York State Election Law stipulates that registration for a Village Election must be received by the County at least 10 days ahead of a Village Election date.
In order to register to vote, one must:
• Be a U.S. Citizen;
• Be 18 years of age by the date of the election in which you want to vote;
• Live at your present address at least 30 days before an election;
• Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction; and
• Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
For registered voters who will be out of Westchester County on Village Election Day, an absentee ballot can be obtained by filling out an application form at the Village Clerk’s Office in Village Hall, requesting one from the Village Clerk by phone or mail, or downloading one directly from the Village website. Tuesday, March 10, 2020, is the last day for the Village Clerk to receive an application by mail for an absentee ballot; however, applications made in-person can be accepted until Monday, March 16, 2020.
All Election Districts (Numbers 1 through 19) will be voting on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at the Scarsdale Congregational Church, 1 Heathcote Road, in Dyckman Hall. Hours of the election are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Coronavirus: How Scared Should We Be?
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- Written by: Stacie M. Waldman
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In the two months since “patient 0” was diagnosed with novel coronavirus in Wuhan, China, news of the virus, dubbed 2019-nCoV has topped headlines as the incidence of the disease in humans continues to rise and the mortality rate remains high. This week, several people on a cruise ship docked at a port just south of New York City tested positive for what is being called 2019-nCoV. The Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, Japan has reported that 135 people on board are infected with the virus. Country by country, the viral outbreak is being classified as a public health emergency.
How is it spread?
First thought to be spread only from animal to human, the CDC has now confirmed that the 2019 novel coronavirus is communicable from person-to-person similar to how influenza or other respiratory pathogens are spread (via respiratory droplets after an infected person coughs or sneezes). The “basic reproduction number,” or R0, is used by scientists to determine the average number of people who become infected by a single carrier of the virus. The flu (this flu season) has an R0 value of about 1.3; a study published Jan. 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) estimates an R0 value for the new coronavirus to be 2.2. This very early estimate suggests that each person who tests positive for 2019-nCoV infects an additional 2.2 people.
What are the symptoms and what is the incubation period after exposure?
According to the CDC, at this point, the incubation period seems to be between 2-14 days and symptoms range from almost none to fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some patients have a much more serious respiratory response, develop severe pneumonia and succumb to the virus. Thankfully, researchers have quickly developed an accurate and rapid method for testing for 2019 nCoV. Patients who have suspected infection or exposure to the infection can be isolated and diagnosed. If you have any of these symptoms after having contact with someone suspected of being positive for 2019-nCoV, contact your health provider immediately.
What are recommended preventative measures?
The CDC recommends regular handwashing and the wiping down of household surfaces to prevent any kind of transmission of illness, including 2019-nCoV. Covering the mouth and nose while sneezing is also suggested. Handwashing with soap and water is more effective than using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, although it should be used when regular handwashing is not possible. In light of the severity of this virus, people should stay home when sick and avoid others who seem sick. The CDC does not recommend that the general public use face masks.
Is there treatment for 2019-nCoV?
There is no vaccine and no anti-viral treatment available at this time. Once a patient has been infected, treatment is simply supportive care.
What are the current numbers for 2019-nCoV?
As of February 10, 2020, there are 12 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the United States and 68 cultures are pending. There have been 42,638 cases in total in 28 countries. A total of 36,080 people are currently infected with 82% experiencing mild symptoms and 18% in serious or critical condition. To date, there have been 1,016 deaths which means a very early mortality rate estimate of around 2.4% which is higher than the mortality rate for seasonal influenza.
What is Westchester County doing about the potential for 2019-n-CoV?
The New York State Department of Health has set up a hotline at (888) 364-3065 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) where Department of Health experts will be available to answer questions and concerns. You can also call your health provider if you are feeling ill or have questions.
Dr. Judy Stone, an infectious disease expert, recommends, "Any new infection is scary because of the unknowns. Just as with influenza, you can markedly reduce your risk of infection by careful and frequent handwashing (and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet!) and keeping your hands away from your face." And as the CDC suggests, stay home if you are sick.
Scarsdale at the Movies
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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This week we noted that three former Scarsdalians are featured in three films currently on view.
First, former Scarsdale resident and famed storyteller Sandi Marx is profiled in a new documentary called THE FABULIST, that follows her life for the past two years. The film chronicles the life of Marx, a successful talent agent for nearly 25 years who decided to take up a new career as a Live Storyteller at an age when most people are retiring. The Fabulist tells her story as she navigates the NY Storytelling and Comedy scene, performing in bar basements and back rooms while battling the challenges of her age and compromised health. Marx calls the film “A love letter to my friends, family, and the story telling community.”
The film has been selection by the Big Apple Film Festival Winter 2020 and will be shown on Tuesday February 11 at 9 pm at the Cinepolis Theater at 260 West 23rd Street. Click here to view the trailer and click here to buy tickets.
Another Scarsdale celebrity Jacob Appel is the subject of a documentary now streaming on Amazon Prime. By all accounts a genius, Appel grew up in Scarsdale where he attended the Heathcote School when he was inspired by teacher Ed Grossman to write his first play. At Scarsdale High School he distinguished himself as the #1 debater in New York State. He went on to study at Brown, and then earned a total of nine advanced degrees, including a masters in American History, an MFA in creative writing, an MFA in playwriting, an MPH from Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, a medical school degree from Columbia University and a law degree from Harvard, all while writing stories and plays at the same time. The movie has some wonderful scenery of Scarsdale and includes retired SHS Teacher Neil Ginsberg who said, “Jacob is so smart but treats everyone as an equal.” For his part, Jacob credits the high school with offering him so many teachers “who cared a lot about me.” Today he writes and teaches ethics at Columbia Medical School.
The description of the 46-minute film says, “He's a doctor, a lawyer, a bioethicist, a college professor, a licensed New York City tour guide, a poet, a playwright, an award-winning novelist, a devoted son and a true friend. In this upbeat documentary profile meet the most prolific, most 
accomplished, least boastful person in America. Brilliant and humble, that's him, alright. That's Jacob Appel.” The movie also features another Scarsdalian, writer and actor Peter Grosz. The documentary, called “Jacob,” is streaming free on Amazon Prime.
Last, we watched Judy, the movie about Judy Garland’s late years, starring Renee Zelwegger, who puts on a stunning performance. The film chronicles Judy’s late career, when she battles her third husband Sidney Luft for custody of their two young children, Lorna (born 1952) and Joey (born 1955). Liza Minelli, her first child was already 22at the time and living in California. The movie largely takes place in London where Judy is attempting to rekindle her career.
So how does Scarsdale figure into this? As it turns out, Liza lived in Scarsdale with Liza, Lorna and Joey from June to December 1961. After Garland divorced Luft, she lived with Lorna and Joey at the home shown below at 1 Cornell Street.
1 Cornell Street, Scarsdale
According to the Scarsdale Cultural Reconnaissance Survey, the home, called Lindenwald is thought to have been erected for the Gail Bordon and his wife Margaret. Gail was the son of the founder of the Borden's Condensed Milk Company.
Here is a memory of the family’s time in Scarsdale. “Both Lorna and Joe have fond memories of their time in Scarsdale, which included a class trip to the zoo and trick-or-treating with their mother dressed as a clown. Liza was enrolled at Scarsdale High School, where she starred in their drama club’s production of The Diary of Anne Frank. The play was so successful that they took the production on a tour of Israel, Athens, and Rome.”
When she died from an overdose at the age of 47 in 1969, Garland was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale. However her remains were ultimately moved to Forever Cemetery in Hollywood so that she could be buried alongside her children Lorna and Joey.
The movie is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
