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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 14 December 2016

Created: 14 December 2016

Last Updated: 14 December 2016

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A groundbreaking ceremony was held at Scarsdale Middle School on Wednesday 12-14 to celebrate the beginning of the construction of a new instrumental music room. The new room will provide the district's young musicians with a dedicated space for orchestra rehearsals and storage of musical instruments. Construction is anticipated to be completed in time for the opening of the school year in September 2017.

This project is just one of several that were financed by an $18.2 million bond that was passed with an 86% approval rate by Scarsdale voters in December 2014. Other exciting facilities upgrades include a new learning commons, a design lab, and a fitness center at Scarsdale High School, a new library, office and entrance at Edgewood School and a new multi-purpose room and renovations to the existing multi-purpose room at Heathcote School.

Superintendent Thomas Hagerman said "This groundbreaking is the result of the blood, sweat and tears that got us to this moment.... This is just the beginning of a lot of work to be done at the district. We have focused on curricular improvements and deferred maintenance on our facilities. This work will not just repair the school, but bolster the instrumental music program."

Assistant Superintendent Stuart Mattey said, "Its been a long road to get to this point. It's exciting to stand here and break ground." He thanked architects KG&D and construction management firm Savin, who will ensure that the job is built safely, on time and to specifications. He asked the community to bear with the district and anticipated mud, a shortage of parking spaces and a bit of traffic during the construction process.

School Board President Lee Maude said "This is a great milestone. One year from now we will be inside an orchestra rehearsal room instead of rehearsing on the stage of the auditorium. How lucky are we to have a community with great ties to music and the arts." She thanked former Board Presidents Mary Beth Gose and Suzanne Seiden and the community for their support of the bond.

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Written by: Jordana Rothstein White

Published: 05 December 2016

Created: 05 December 2016

Last Updated: 05 December 2016

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There's a new health food joint in town and two Scarsdale residents are taking charge in the kitchen!

When Organic Pharmer of Rye Ridge opened a second location on Garth Road earlier this year, it gave Chefs Lee and Darleen Gross the chance to work a whole lot closer to home.

While Organic Pharmer's gluten, dairy, soy, corn and egg-free menu items are intended for grab-and-go meals, its soups, salads, snacks, wraps, breakfast options and juice cleanses are also available for delivery in and around Westchester (some restrictions apply, check the website for details.) Better yet, the Organic Pharmer team now offers catering services for small and large parties—with as little as 48 hours notice, an impeccably prepared, fresh whole food meal can be at your door for guests to enjoy!

Excited about the prospect of lighter, flavorful fare in our own backyard, we sat down with the husband-and-wife chef team to learn more about the food they're making and the steps the whole Organic Pharmer team is taking to make Scarsdale that much healthier (and tastier!)

Q: After culinary school you trained at the Kushi Institute, a macrobiotic education center. Can you explain to our readers what macrobiotic eating is all about?

LG: Macrobiotics, in a nutshell, is a method of changing the world through food. In order to change society, you need to change thought processes, which come from the body, which is fueled by food...Basically, macrobiotics makes you see that you are what you eat, which translates to basic dietary techniques—the principle that you should eat a mostly plant-based diet with lots of whole, natural foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains, much like the food we offer at Organic Pharmer.

Q: Organic Pharmer counts Dr. Susan Blum, founder of the Blum Center for Health, as part of its team. How closely do you collaborate with her on menu planning?

LG: Darleen and I work hand-in-hand with Dr. Blum. Our menu is seasonal and changes frequently. As chefs, we generate ideas for new dishes, then coordinate with Susan to make sure that the nutritional profile is in line with the macro nutrient and calorie counts she recommends.

Q: What's your must-have dish at the store?

DG: The Kale and Cauliflower salad is one of the most popular items on our menu. It gets great crunch from our croutons and roasted cauliflower, and lots of creamy, 'cheesy' goodness thanks to aged cashew cheese and an almond flaxseed 'pharmesan' based dressing. So tasty and only 250 calories!

Q: In addition to meals and snacks, Organic Pharmer offers a variety of cleanses. What advice do you give to cleansers trying to select a program?

DG: We have so many customers who cleanse regularly, and will come and do any one of our juice cleanses once a month. But for new cleansers, especially if you're trying to get healthy after over-indulging through the holidays, I'd highly recommend one of our juice and food cleanses. A cleanse that involves food is a bit more familiar to people that are new to cleansing, so they feel less deprived. Especially when it's cold outside, it's nice to have a cleanse option that doesn't just leave you sipping ice cold drinks all day!

Q: Speaking of the holidays, what special offerings do you have for this time of year?

DG: From now through the end of the year, we're making a sweet potato casserole that's a great alternative to those calorie-heavy sweet potatoes with marshmallows. With a pecan pumpkin-seed streusel topping, it makes a perfect sweet and savory side dish. We're also making gluten free croutons from our sprouted "sorghum sandwich bread." When you pick them up at the store, we even give you the recipe for a wild rice and sorghum stuffing that uses the croutons as a base!

Q: Before we let you go, we have to ask: how does it feel to be living and working in Scarsdale?

LG: I actually grew up around here, so it's great to be near family. The schools are wonderful and we're really enjoying the close-knit community. It's also kind of neat to be back on Garth road by the 7-11 where I used to hang out—it's like old times! But, in all seriousness, it's just nice to feel like we're helping bring vibrancy, fun and new life to Scarsdale's downtown.

Organic Pharmer Scarsdale is located at 28 Garth Road, open Monday-Friday, 7am - 6pm,Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, 8am - 5pm. For more information call 914-574-5590 or visit http://www.organicpharmer.com.

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 29 November 2016

Created: 29 November 2016

Last Updated: 29 November 2016

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Metro North Harlem line trains were delayed this morning after a man was hit on the southbound tracks at the Scarsdale Train Station at 4:36 am on November 29. The man was initially seen sitting on a bench at the Scarsdale Train Station around 2 am. However, at around 4:30 am he walked to the end of the platform and descended the steps onto the tracks.

At 4:36 am he was hit by a southbound equipment train that was not carrying any passengers. According to a spokesperson from the MTA the victim was alive after he was hit and was taken to Westchester Medical Center. His name has not yet been released and he was in critical but stable condition as of 4:00 pm this afternoon. The hospital is attempting to advise his family.

The incident caused a 15-minute delay on both north and southbound trains during the morning rush hour.

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Written by: Diane Greenwald

Published: 22 November 2016

Created: 22 November 2016

Last Updated: 22 November 2016

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(This article was submitted by Diane Greenwald, VP of the Library Board) Doing their due diligence and perhaps seeking inspiration, several Village Trustees, along with members of the Library Board, took a field trip on Saturday October 29th to visit two local libraries located in communities that have invested in library improvements.

To Darien, Connecticut: New Construction Library
Guided by Scarsdale Library Director Elizabeth Bermel, the trip began at Darien Public Library, where the group met with Bermel's counterpart, Director Alan Kirk Gray, a well-regarded visionary for the 21st century library. Gray described how Darien's building, completed in 2007, supports a philosophy of patron service and hospitality. "We consider ourselves as caretakers." He explained, "We want you to be comfortable here. If someone has a problem {in the community} we want to be the solution."

Darien Public Library serves a population of 21,000, about 5,000 more than Scarsdale, and is considered the gold standard for modern libraries today. Their new-construction building, at 54,000 SF total, is larger than the Scarsdale Library is now or plans to become, and includes many conveniences and enviable accommodations.

For example, the group was impressed with the sunny children's wing that includes two dedicated program rooms and as well-equipped maker's space; the fully-equipped video conference room that can be rented out as a revenue source; a fixed-seat auditorium with concert-quality acoustics; a dedicated and 'tricked out' teen room; a full business center with Bloomberg Terminals and a large-scale bubble-jet printer; a dedicated technology classroom in addition to walk-up computer stations; a green-screen media production room; an art gallery; a state-of-the-art book sorting machine in the basement connected to self-check in/out machines upstairs; a large and inviting reading gallery; a cozy and inviting periodical gallery; several enclosed offices for sign up use; and every shape and size chair and nook for quiet, semi-quiet and chit-chat. Director Gray described a small café space on the main floor as a well-used convenience that increases patron 'dwell time,' a metric employed to measure their customer service goals.

While many of the features at the Darien Library exceed the program goals for the Scarsdale Library Improvement Project, there are lessons here for creating a more accessible, technologically forward and user-friendly environment. The group did note that the furnishings and interiors were not necessarily fancy, but serviceable, and that the spaces were light-filled and welcoming; bookshelves were relatively low for easy reach; spaces were designated for specific uses/noise levels but designed as flexible for adaptation; and technology was regularly upgraded to support changing digital needs. And these goals are all embedded in Scarsdale's plan.

To Mamaroneck: Renovation and Expansion Library
The group then visited Mamaroneck Public Library, a renovation and expansion of their old 1927 library building, tucked into town block right behind Mamaroneck Avenue. The Mamaroneck reference librarian, Trish Byrne, guided the group through a contemporary space that flanked the renovated old building that she felt, together, gave them 'everything they wanted.' Highlights included a full-floor children's wing with a dedicated program room; a dedicated teen zone and young adult book collection; a multipurpose community room with flexible furnishings; expanded stacks throughout; a technology lab and public computer area; a permanent book sale department; an outdoor reading deck and an art gallery. She did note that a small coffee bar area built instead of a café, now a standard feature in newer libraries, was a disappointment, but it was less critical for them because of their proximity to the many food services on Mamaroneck Avenue.

The 11,000SF expansion impressed thegroup as a handsome, modern juxtaposition to the older, stone traditional building that clearly offered the community significant improvements. It was also noted however, that while the furnishings where aesthetically pleasing, the building was dark and hard to navigate, making it less welcoming than Darien.

Scarsdale Library Director Bermel explained that, as priorities were set for our own project, visits to these libraries and others helped inspire and inform the process, noting, "Not everything we saw was right for us, but we are definitely behind other towns who have brought their library buildings in line with the uses and needs of all patrons today and tomorrow."

Bermel is committed to Scarsdale Public Library's relevance and value as an open and accessible resource, integral to the fabric of our village and our democracy. "A library is not a community center," she offers, "but it is at the center of the community."

Reminder: The Scarsdale Village Trustees will be discussing the Scarsdale Library Improvement Plan on Tuesday November 29, at 6:55pm, and there will be time for the community to make comment.

Learn more about the proposed library improvement project here:

Quick Facts and Library Comparison Chart
Scarsdale Library Improvement Project Website
Full Scarsdale Library Project Binder