The Science of Bad Habits and Willpower
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If you're wondering how you can stick to your New Year's resolutions, the Scarsdale Public Library is here to help. The library is hosting a two-part discussion with Dr. Caren Baruch-Feldman entitled "The Science of Bad Habits and Willpower". Dr. Baruch-Feldman has given numerous exciting and interactive workshops to children and adults. The workshops provide participants with strategies that they can incorporate into their lives. Providing in-services and presentations is a highlight of Dr. Baruch-Feldman's professional life. Topics of other recent conversations that Dr. Baruch-Feldman has led include Understanding Psychological Evaluations; Functional Behavioral Assessment and BIPs; Executive Functioning; Helping the Disorganized Student; Stress and Anxiety in the Life of Your Child; How You Think Affects How You Feel; Effective CBT Strategies for School- Age Children; Camp Counselor Training; What My Dog Brandy Has Taught Me about Working with Children; and SAFE DOGGY PROGRAM.
Session 1 of the discussion will take place on Friday, January 25th at 10:30 am at the library where Dr. Baruch- Feldman will begin by reviewing the latest research surrounding the struggle to make New Year's Resolutions you will keep. "Do you struggle with willpower? Do you make New Year's resolutions, but fail to keep them?" Dr. Baruch-Feldman asks. "In an effort to provide solutions to these common problems that affect so many of our patrons, the Scarsdale Library is looking forward to hosting the discussions and seeing the ongoing positive impact they are sure to have on the people we interact with most often," commented Elizabeth Bermel, director of the Scarsdale Library.
Participants are encouraged to read one or more of the following bestsellers that discuss some of the scientific principles that will be reviewed during Dr. Baruch-Feldman's lectures.
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do To Get More of
- It by Kelly McGonigal
- Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy F. Baumeister
Register online at www.scarsdalelibrary.org or call the Reference Desk at 914-733-1300 ext. 2. Session 2 will take place on Friday, March 1st at 10:30am and will address "How to Keep Your Willpower and Lose Your Weight".
Caren Baruch-Feldman, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist who maintains a private practice in Scarsdale and works part-time as a school psychologist in the Harrison, NY school district. Her private practice focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for children and adults and Psycho-Educational Evaluations. In addition, Dr. Baruch-Feldman trains camp counselors based on psychological principles, is the past president of the School Division of the Westchester County Psychological Association and co-chair and co- founder of Parents and Professionals Advocating for Students (PAPAS) at Westchester Day School (WDS) in Mamaroneck. Dr. Baruch-Feldman has authored numerous articles and led workshops on topics including cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, helping children and adults with stress and worry, executive functioning, and psychological assessment. Providing in-services and interactive workshops is a highlight of Dr. Baruch-Feldman's professional life.
Dr. Baruch-Feldman received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College of Columbia University and received her doctorate in Clinical-Child Psychology and School Psychology Certificate from St. John's University. She did her internship and post-doctoral training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.
Third Annual Spelling Bee to be held February 1
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On Friday February 1 at 7:30 PM community residents of all ages will swarm to the Scarsdale High School auditorium (Brewster Road entrance) for the third annual Friends of the Scarsdale Library Adult and Teen Spelling Bee. Veteran teams will compete against such newcomers as Scarsdale High School teacher Dominique Padurano and two of her students. At the end of the night, the community's best spellers will be recognized with accolades and Kindle Fire HD's.
The fun starts when the doors open at 7:00 PM for the silent auction and raffles. Notable auction items include an eight-week TestTakers SAT prep course valued at $1995, an iPad 4 valued at $730, a one-year family membership to LIFE – The Place to Be valued at $325, and heavy duty Le Creuset enamel cookware valued at $350. Raffle prizes include SoulCycle classes, passes to Grand Prix NY go-kart racing, baskets of children's games, and more.
Audience members will be regaled not only by the mental gymnastics displayed onstage, but also by trivia quizzes served up between rounds. Ed Coleman, the voice of the New York Mets, will once again play emcee. NY Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Mayor Miriam Levitt Flisser and Library Teen Advisory Board Co-Chair Rachel Josselsohn will serve as judges.
Proceeds from the Spelling Bee will be used to create a "business center" at the Library providing a range of office equipment that will serve the needs of many constituencies, including home-office professionals, small-business owners, members of volunteer organizations, senior citizens and students. The equipment may include a banner maker, cutting-edge copier, laminating machine, photo printer, and more depending on the amount of funds raised.
Businesses and individuals who are interested in sponsoring the Bee by making a donation of $250 or more should contact Renu Lalwani at 472-4310. The Friends are grateful for the generous support received from the sponsors of the Spelling Bee. To date, sponsors at the Diamond Level are Houlihan Lawrence, and Sara and Richard Werder. At the Gold Level, sponsors are Julia B. Fee Sotheby's International Realty, Mercedes-Benz of White Plains, Paul Hastings LLP, Renu and Anil Lalwani, and Margaret and Larry Smith. In addition, anyone can become a "Friend of the Bee" by making a donation of any amount. A donation form is available at the Friends of the Library website.
Admission to the Spelling Bee is $5, and refreshments will be available for purchase. Cash and checks will be accepted for raffle tickets and silent auction bids. The snow date will be Friday, March 1.
An Extraordinary Year in Scarsdale
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There was no shortage of excitement in Scarsdale in 2012. With much to discuss in person and online, Scarsdale10583 had a banner year. Here are the top stories on Scarsdale10583 for 2012:
Schools: When former Dean Dave Mendelowitz was indicted in November for patronizing prostitutes, possession of crack cocaine and obstruction of justice, readers roared. Neither parents nor students could reconcile their image of the trusted role model and member of the Drug and Alcohol Task Force with the reports of the Dean's Friday night activities with "Yoyo" and "Suji." What can we say but we thought we knew you?
June saw a changing of the guard at Scarsdale High School when Co-Principals Fred Goldberg and Kelly Hamm retired after a combined 46 years of service to the school. The duo had become of the face of SHS, greeting students and parents each morning, disciplining those that had gone astray, tackling complex scheduling problems and directing hundreds through gridlocked halls. To lose both at once caused "a seismic shift in the landscape," according to Joan Weber, Assistant Superintendent for Personnel at the district.
Celebrities: An unconfirmed rumor that superstars Beyonce, husband Jay-Z and newborn Baby Blue were moving to a manse on Heathcote Road was the talk of the
town in January, 2012. The paparazzi were parked in front of a closed gate at the entrance to 10A Heathcote Road, hoping to get a glimpse of the celebrities. The rumor turned out to be baseless ... but that didn't stop Saturday Night Live from running a spoof of the family's move to the dale. Watch it here:
Openings: As the economy came back to life in Scarsdale, so did retail and restaurants. Diners welcomed Savona, an elegant bistro downtown and have been packing tables ever since their opening in April. Locals were pleased to find West Elm's colorful furnishings in the Vernon Hills Shopping Center and Athleta next to the Gap nearby. Also open this year was MAG Tricote for one-of-a-kind handknit creations on Christie Place, Martines on East Parkway for fresh baked items, lunch and coffee and Skin TheraP on the Popham Road Bridge. Though Morton Williams closed, two new markets appeared ... H Mart and Fresh Market opened, increasing options for groceries and gourmet food shopping in our area.
Hurricane Sandy: Though we would all like to forget it, Mother Nature was probably the biggest force in Scarsdale this year. On October 29 the nor'easter struck, taking down trees and power lines and nothing has been the same since. Many, including yours truly, were without power for 11 long days. Temperatures dropped, tempers flared and generators droned when after four days there was no sign of Con Edison in town. Why was Scarsdale overlooked and what can be done to prevent a similar crisis in the future have been fueling conversations ever since.
Saying Goodbye: Scarsdale mourned the loss of rising SHS junior Tyler Madoff who was swept out to sea during a summer adventure trip on the Big Island of Hawaii. Though Madoff was a strong swimmer and avid rower, he was overcome by the force of the wave. Despite a wide scale search, his body was never recovered.
Not a week later, Greenacres father of three, Pete Sauer died while playing basketball at Gardella Park in White Plains. Sauer, who was 6'7" tall, was the captain of the 1998 Final Four Basketball Team at Stanford University where he played on the team for four seasons. An autopsy revealed that Sauer had an enlarged heart, a condition called cardiomegaly, and also suffered a fractured skull when he fell. The family was already planning to move and tragically left Scarsdale without their dad.
Back from the Dead and Very Much Alive: An Edgemont woman was far more fortunate. What could have been a tragedy turned into an inspirational story of a husband's heroism. While on a scuba vacation in Costa Rica Dr. Hillary Greenberg was also hit by a surge and ended up on the ocean floor without the regulator (breathing tube) in her mouth. Determined to save her, her husband Bill performed CPR for 40 minutes until she could be moved out of the water to a local hospital. Though she remained in a coma for weeks she has made a miraculous recovery and will hopefully return to work as a doctor again this year.
Non-Partisan System: Perennial questions about Scarsdale's Non-Partisan System re-emerged last winter. Is the system too secretive? Is it undemocratic? Would the Village be better served by popular elections for Village Trustees and the Mayor. These and other concerns continued to be debated, but this year some meaningful changes were made to the Non-Partisan Resolution.
Tax Revaluation: Inequities in Scarsdale's real estate taxes were finally addressed this year as Scarsdale undertook a revaluation of all Village properties. Since the last revaluation was done in 1969, the difference between the assessed value and market value on many homes has grown and caused a steep rise in the number of field grievances. To make it fair, all homes and properties are currently being reassessed with the goal of implementing new tax rates in 2014.
People: In April Florie Wachtenheim received the Scarsdale Bowl, the community's most coveted award for volunteerism. Tracking her 
progression from PTA mom to President of the Scarsdale School Board, colleague Linda Chayes credited Wachtenheim for "balancing a seriousness of purpose with a wry sense of humor and a deep appreciation for complexity and nuance."
Another local hero celebrated her 95th birthday this year. Emiily Hirsch who has run Scarsdale Candy 'N Cards for 45 years had an outdoor birthday bash in Scarsdale Village on June 15 sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, catered by Lange's, with coffee from Starbucks and a beautiful birthday cake from La Rennaissance.
Historic preservation was also on the agenda in 2012 – especially when the Scarsdale Historical Society applied to the Scarsdale Zoning Board of Appeals to sell the Cudner Hyatt House on the Post Road and convert it from a museum to a single family house. Turns out that the house had far more defenders than anticipated and a lively meeting ensued where the Scarsdale Arts Council attempted to save what they called "one of Scarsdale's greatest heritage treasures."
Pop Culture: When Scarsdale's Julie Gerstenblatt heard that 50 Shades of Gray author E.L. James was coming to Westchester, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet her. Despite the fact that Gerstenblatt found 50 Shades of Gray "awfully written," like millions of other women, "she couldn't put it down." Here are her thoughts on what E.L.James did not discuss at the event!
Wear It Don't Bear It
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This article was contributed by 2010 Scarsdale High School Alumni Toby Milstein: When news of the shootings this past summer in Aurora, Colorado surfaced, I like all other Americans, was devastated. Though I am from Scarsdale and was not personally impacted by the massacre, I felt the sorrow of my fellow Americans as if it were my own and wanted to do something about it. In the fashion and art world, guns have been a perennially popular symbol of status and power. Immediately, we can think of Andy Warhol's pop-art guns and most recently, our twenty-first century's fetishization of guns (and other dark symbols such as skulls) in jewelry such as that of Jennifer Fisher's sold-out gun pistol necklace, and celebrities like Whitney Cummings, Lindsay Lohan and Rihanna who sport gun necklaces. Moreover, in 2008, Chanel produced very popular shoes with the heel as a gun that Madonna wore to a movie premiere.
I struggled to grapple with the dichotomy of this object as a chic, fashion symbol and the gun as a lethal weapon.
With that in mind, I designed a pendant with the slogan, Wear it Don't Bear It. It's one thing to wear a gun as a fashion/art symbol and it's another to use it for what it was intended for-as a killing machine; hence the catchy Wear it Don't Bear it motto. It also functions to say that we should wear and promote the latter statement: Don't Bear It (it being a gun, of course). My charm has unfortunately become even more relevant after the heinous murder of twenty first-graders and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut on Friday.
In addition from support in the U.S., there has been a lot of interest in the charms from Norway. Ten charms have already been sold to Norwegians who want to show support for grief-stricken American families and those suffering in Oslo after the shootings that left 77 dead last July. Plus I have garnered the support of acclaimed music producer and songwriter, Billy Mann, and The Chancellor of the NY State Board of Regents, Dr. Merryl H. Tisch.
The charms are available here for $25.00 each and 100 percent of the profits from the sales will go to an organization called "The Bereaved Parents of the USA," a non-profit that offers support to grief-stricken family members attempting to rebuild their lives after the loss of a family member
Make a statement about guns by wearing your own "Wear It Don't Bear It" charm and support a good cause. Get yours here:
Scarsdale Kids: A Special Birthday and a Young Author
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Mia Dell'Orto celebrated her twelfth birthday on December 12, 2012. This once in a lifetime date coinciding with Mia's 12th birthday must be a sign of good luck and a bright future! Here's wishing Mia Dell'Orto, a student at Scarsdale Middle School a happy, happy birthday!
Todd Morse, a senior at SHS recently published his first book, The Last Unknown, on the Kindle store. Here's a summary of the book and thoughts on the process of writing and publishing from Todd Morse: The Last Unknown is a young adult novel that follows the adventures of Shawn Gordon, Jackie Summers, Rick Franklin, Peter Williams, Ella Brown, Richard Johnson, and Fate, each from their own points of view. Although the characters seem unrelated at first they soon discover their stories are intertwined when many of them realize they have developed superhuman abilities. These abilities lead them on a perilous journey, escaping and chasing superhuman enemies and a mysterious group that seems bent on their destruction. All the while fate watches over the story, seeing all and providing his comments.
According to Morse, "Publishing the book presented challenges as well. I sent the book to five agents and only one even 
bothered to answer me. I read an article about an author who published to the Kindle all by herself. After reading it, I knew that the Kindle approach was for me. It gave me so much control over my work and bypassed the need to spend months trying to find someone willing to give me a chance."
Morse adds, "Kindle direct publishing is a powerful tool. The 70% royalty rate is almost unbeatable and the widespread access that the internet provides is astounding. In under twelve hours my book was available for sale in Japan, India, the United Kingdom, the United States (of course), and a myriad of other nations. Check it out at www.thelastunknown.net.
