All the June 2009 stories have been transferred to the Archives

07-04-09
Mt. Vernon
The Ben Gordon New Life Foundation funding new Mount Vernon YMCA playground
Story by Aliyyah Camp

Ben Gordon's mother, Yvonne Gordon (green top), standing by children while they draw pictures of what the new playground should look like.
     About a week ago, the YMCA received great news: the recreational center will be receiving a new playground! The YMCA was selected by the Ben Gordon New Life Foundation and KaBOOM!, a
national non-profit that empowers communities to build playgrounds. In collaboration with these two organizations, the YMCA will involve the community in the entire process – from designing to building
the playground.
     The new playground will serve a wider age range and offer more activities. The Y’s current
playground, which has been in use for almost thirteen years, is optimum only for children aged 2 to 6. But on August 12th, the community will build a playground for children aged 2 to 12. “The children get something new and exciting,” said Karen Watts, Executive Director of the YMCA, “it’ll be different and fabulous.” More

07-03-09
Mt. Vernon
Mount Vernon's Little League had a humble beginning in 1949

The Mount Vernon Little League was organized and founded by Andy Karl in 1949. Karl, a major league pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, founded the four original teams with the help of longtime Mount Vernon resident, Steve Acunto and John Branca, the brother of legendary Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher, Ralph Branca.      Acunto, a former professional boxer and founder of the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing, Inc., who still resides in Mount Vernon, was one of the pioneers of the league and managed one of the first four teams. In the picture (left) he is shown with Rocky Marciano, co-founder of the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing, Inc. Soon after the picture was taken, Marciano was killed in a plane crash.      "I had loved the game since playing at St. Francis Xavier as a youngster, so managing one of the first four teams was gratifying and a worthwhile endeavor. We originally played our games at Longfellow School Field," said

07-03-09
Yonkers
Andrus Children’s Center’s fifth annual GOLF FORE KIDS outing hosted by WABC-TV weatherman Bill Evans

     WABC-TV weatherman Bill Evans, left, hosted the post-play dinner at the Andrus Children’s
Center’s fifth annual GOLF FORE KIDS outing June 22 at Wykagyl Country Club which raised more
than $72,000 for the Center’s work with emotionally troubled children in Westchester County.  Joining
Bill at the podium were, from his left: Tappen Soper, chairman of the Andrus Board of Directors; Rick Schramm of Eastchester, board member; and Nancy Woodruff Ment, CEO and President. 
     The Andrus Children’s Center, founded in 1928, serves 2000 children and families at seven sites around the County and instructs more than 90 child-serving agencies around the world in The Sanctuary Model of treatment.

07-03-09
Bedford Hills
New program targets high-risk-high-need patients who frequent emergency rooms throughout Westchester
Program’s goals include improved health, fewer hospital admissions
     For the down and out in Westchester County, the emergency room entrance is a revolving door, as crisis after crisis — and sometimes just the heat or cold — drives them to seek the most costly and uncoordinated care in the medical system. These individuals make up part of the four percent of Medicaid enrollees nationwide who are responsible for nearly half of all Medicaid spending, according to a 2007 study published in Health Affairs.  
     But now, an innovative new program will try to break the cycle.  Hudson Health Plan has been awarded a $2.75 million New York Department of Health grant to develop the Westchester Cares Action Program, which will coordinate the medical and mental health care of 250 of the neediest Westchester residents who are typically the highest cost and most at-risk Medicaid clients. It is an all-encompassing program, overseeing the medical, psychological, transportation, and housing problems confronting the very ill and homeless. More

07-03-09
Mt. Vernon Police Commissioner
Drive safely during the July 4 holiday weekend
     During the festive and highly traveled July 4th holiday week, where a lot of residents are traditionally traveling and taking summer vacations, the Mount Vernon Police Department reminds travelers of the following safety tips.

1)  Buckle-up, Please use your seat belts and children should be secured in proper child safety seats,
it has been proven that buckling-up saves lives!

2)  Don't drink and drive, drinking impairs your ability to operate a motor vehicle and can lead to tragic consequences.

3)  Use hands-free devices when communicating on cellular phones.  The use of cellular phones commonly distract drivers attention causing accidents.

     The Mount Vernon Police Department will have extra police patrols enforcing these safety regulations.  Our mission is to protect all drivers and pedestrians on this festive holiday weekend.

Thank you
Commissioner Chong

07-03-09
Rye Brook

07-03-09
NYC

The HARLEM BOOK FAIR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES   Together we can promote literacy in urban areas. click here to join us on facebook

At this time, The Harlem Book Fair is currently accepting volunteers                in the following areas...   YOUNG READERS PAVILION - VARIOUS EXHIBITOR LOCATIONS - THE AUTHORS MAIN STAGE

Thank you for your interest in volunteering!   The Harlem Book Fair 2009   DATE: July 17   TIME: 5:00pm-10:00pm LOCATION: Schoenberg Center for Research & Black Culture  515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, New York 10037.

DATE: July 18   TIME: 4:00am-6:00pm   LOCATION: Schoenberg Center for Research & Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, New York 10037. *4:00am-8:00am paid shift, set-up on West 135st and Lenox thru 8 Avenue

DATE: July 19   TIME: 10:00am-4:00pm LOCATION: Schoenberg Center for Research & Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, New York 10037.

Volunteer Information   Two Training Sessions for the Volunteers Volunteers can choose either day to attend training Saturday June 27, 2009 or Saturday July 11, 2009 at 10:00am. The training session will be held at the Schoenberg Center for Research & Black Culture.    Volunteer After Party July 25, 2009 The volunteer party information will be given out after the training session

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07-02-09
Westchester Gov.
BY LAND AND BY SEA, COUNTY POLICE TO STEP UP JULY 4 PATROLS
Parkway and Marine Unit officers to target intoxicated drivers & boaters
     The Department of Public Safety will be out in force on the Independence Day weekend to deter intoxicated persons from getting behind the wheel of cars or boats.
     Motorists can expect to see roving DWI patrols on the county’s parkways as well as a traditional DWI checkpoint. On the Hudson River, boaters will see additional enforcement this weekend from the county police Marine Unit.
     “Thousands of Westchester County residents will be using our parkways and waterways this weekend and our goal is to keep them safe,” County Executive Andy Spano said.
     Westchester County police have a zero-tolerance policy for Driving While Intoxicated and Boating While Intoxicated, Public Safety Commissioner Thomas Belfiore said. He noted that the number of persons arrested by county police for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs has risen dramatically in the past five years.
     In 2008, county police arrested 588 motorists for DWI, a record high for the Department of Public Safety. The figures for the previous years are as follows: 262 arrests in 2004, 352 arrests in 2005, 525 arrests in 2006, and 543 arrests in 2007.  In the first six months of this year, county police have made 309 DWI arrests, putting it on pace to surpass last year’s arrest number.
     Belfiore said the Marine Unit would continue to watch for intoxicated boaters on the river this weekend. Marine Unit officers arrested two persons on BWI charges last weekend during a special enforcement initiative conducted in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard.
     “Those who put others in jeopardy by getting behind the wheel of a car or boat after drinking will be placed under arrest,” Belfiore said.

07-02-09
Mt. Vernon
The City of Mount Vernon and Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site Invite You To Our Annual Independence Day Celebration 

David Osborn, Site Director of Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site, speaking during a past Independence Day Celebration.

    Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. and the City of Mount Vernon, in partnership with Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site, will hold its annual Independence Day Celebration this Saturday, July 4th.
     Operated by the National Parks Service, Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site consists of an 18th Century stone church that served as a Revolutionary War hospital, a cemetery with burial stones dating back to 1704 and the remnant of a Village Green that was the scene of an historic election in 1733 that raised issues of freedom of religion the press.
     The ceremony begins at 10:30am with a concert performed by the Peter Lawrence Orchestra. The concert will be followed by a formal ceremony that includes a keynote speech by radio personality Bob Marrone of WVOX Radio. Also featured will be a reading of text of the Declaration of Independence by John Banning, Jr. This year will mark the 126th consecutive year that a member of the Banning family will have performed this function at this event. Refreshments will be served.
 
What:    City of Mount Vernon's Independence Day Celebration
When:   Saturday, July 4th  - 10:30am - 12:30pm
Where:  Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site, 897 South Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 
More Mt. Vernon news

07-02-09
White Plains
Board of Legislators
CHAIRMAN RYAN SECURES FUNDING FOR CRUCIAL YOUTH PROGRAMS IN WHITE PLAINS
Ryan secures over $150,000 in county funds needed to meet the needs of White Plains youth
     To save vital youth programming, Chairman Bill Ryan (D, I, WFP-White Plains) and the Board of Legislators approved $150,000 over the next three years for the city of White Plains .  These funds will support “Step Up!”, a unique training/mentoring youth development program, designed to foster better relationships between law enforcement and at-risk youth. 
     Launched as a local youth initiative program in 2006, modeled after a Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, Step Up! has quickly become a critical component of the city’s efforts to combat gang activity and street violence.  Once youth become engaged with the program, they receive individual
case management and wraparound services to address such risk factors as truancy, poor school performance, substance abuse, unemployment, homelessness concerns and family separation issues.   
     “Today’s youth face many challenges,” said Ryan.  “In just a short time, White Plains ’ Step Up! has become the very best program of its kind in Westchester . Programs such as these do a tremendous
job in keeping kids out of trouble and off the streets.”  The Step Up! program has serviced more than
110 young people between the ages of 14-21. Some of the program’s most surprising successes are
that 80% of youth within the program go on to college and that 90% of youth becoming employed through the summer youth employment program.
     As the fiscal crisis deepens, now more than ever, the County Board is doing everything possible to help local government preserve vital resources and programs for youth.  Providing our kids with high-quality youth development and delinquency prevention programs and helping families to keep their children safe and engaged in positive and productive activities are important priorities of the County
Board

07-01-09
Mt. Vernon
Legendary Mount Vernon dancer honored during Apollo Theatre's 75th Anniversary Celebration
Ray Brown last appeared on the Apollo Theatre stage in 1959 thru 1960

    
       Ray Brown, standing by the Wall of Stars, which has his faded autograph on it from the 1950's

     Back in June of 2008, The Inquirer did a piece on Ray Brown, a former dancer who is 79 years old
and lives peacefully by himself at Unity Gardens, a senior residence located on South Second Avenue
in Mount Vernon.
     Born and raised in Harlem, NY, Brown was extremely handsome, personable and a
sharp dresser. He was born an albino, with blond hair and blue eyes and had legions of friends during
his younger years.
      As a kid, he attended P.S. 89 in Harlem, where he enjoyed singing and dancing in the school's
music program. And as he got older, he yearned to one day dance on the stage of the famed Apollo Theater. "I knew then that I would never be a singer," he recalled, "but it dawned on me that I wanted to be a dancer. The teachers said I should go on with it because I really had a talent, but I was too young
to know how to go about it," he told Bill Bookman from the Journal News during an interview in 2005.  More

07-01-09
Mt. Vernon
CITY OF MOUNT VERNON TO HOLD DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR ITS FIRST COMMUNITY GARDEN
    Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. and the City of Mount Vernon will hold a dedication ceremony on Thursday, July 2nd for the city’s first community garden.
     The garden, located at Mount Vernon’s Third Street firehouse, will consist of 40 individual plots,
which will be farmed and maintained by local volunteers and community organizations. In attendance at the dedication ceremony will be officials from the city who planned and built the garden, Cornell
University Cooperative Extension representatives who serve as consultants for this project and
community volunteers who will work the garden.
     There will be about 20 young people from the Mount Vernon YMCA who have nurtured bulbs for the past couple of months who will be planting them in the community garden.  Going forward the garden
will be used to foster intergenerational gardening with youth and seniors working together to make the garden flourish.
     The Third Street firehouse ceremony will be start at 11:30 AM and the address is: 50 West Third Street, Mount Vernon, NY.

07-01-09
Mt. Vernon
Hopfer School of Nursing at Mount Vernon Hospital scheduled to
host Open Houses on July 9
    Hopfer School of Nursing at Mount Vernon Hospital is scheduled to host Open Houses on July 9 and August 13 at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM – pre-registration not required.    
     Since it’s founding in 1901 as the Mount Vernon Hospital School of Nursing , Hopfer has provided quality education in the art and science of nursing – providing a strong foundation in theory and hands-on practice. Graduates earn an Associate Degree in Science (Nursing) and are well prepared to take the required state licensing exam for Registered Nurse. Day and Evening program options are available.
     Hopfer Administrators and Instructors will provide an informational session on admission requirements as well as an overview of the two-year nursing program. In addition to a tour of the School, there will be an informal question and answer session at both times.

Location: Hopfer School of Nursing, 53 Valentine Street, Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Telephone: 914-361-6221
Website:  www.Hopfer.

07-01-09
Millwood
Food Bank for Westchester Celebrates Hunger Heroes
Non-profit receives $70,000 grant from Westchester Community Foundation

    
(from left): Catherine Marsh, Executive Director, Westchester Community Foundation (WCF); Christina Rohatynskyj, Executive Director and Eli Gordon, Development Director, Food Bank for Westchester; and Kathy Shea, WCF's Board Chair, with WCF's grant at the Food Bank for Westchester's Fourth Annual Hunger Heroes Awards Breakfast

     The Food Bank for Westchester recently hosted its Fourth Annual Hunger Heroes Awards Breakfast to honor individuals and organizations that have contributed significantly toward the alleviation of hunger
in Westchester. Judy Matson of Mount Kisco and Debbie McCarthy of Chappaqua served as event co-chairs. Tony Aiello, Westchester CBS-TV news reporter, served as emcee for the event.
     Catherine Marsh, Executive Director, Westchester Community Foundation, was the guest speaker, and on behalf of Westchester Community Foundation, she presented a grant for $70,000 to the Food Bank. The grant is one of the largest the Hartsdale-based foundation has given.
     "Since our mission is to improve the quality of life in Westchester, it is our responsibility to support the Food Bank in its efforts to create a hunger-free environment here," said Marsh. "The economic crisis, coupled with job loss and home foreclosures makes that responsibility more important than ever."
     Mount Vernon's Karen O'Brien of Community Services Associates (CSA) at the Sacred Heart Church received the Volunteer Award. O'Brien helps prepare meals for more than 100 adults each day and prepares more than 200 dinners each holiday season for people in Westchester who are hungry. More

07-01-09
Westchester Gov.
SPANO OPPOSES DECISION TO MOVE THE WORKS OF THOMAS PAINE
He recommends that the Westchester County Historical Society house the collection
     County Executive Andy Spano is opposed to moving the writings and papers of Thomas Paine to the New York Historical Society in Manhattan.
     The Paine Museum has recommended the documents be moved to New York City. Spano said that instead the Westchester County Historical Society, which has been working to obtain them, should get them.
     “These documents have been in Westchester County for more than 84 years,” Spano said. “If the Thomas Paine Museum is no longer suited to house these valuable transcripts, then it is only fitting that the Westchester County Historical Society be selected as the repository for them.”
     Spano said that the Westchester County Historical Society collects and preserves books, pamphlets, maps, manuscripts, photographs and newspapers that trace the history of Westchester County.
     “Westchester’s Historical Society maintains the most comprehensive collection of local history and genealogy in the county and it fully capable of housing the works of Thomas Paine,” Spano said.
     Spano noted that the Thomas Paine Museum and Cottage are sited in New Rochelle on what was Paine’s farm. His works have been at the museum since 1925.
     Spano recently wrote to the New York Attorney General’s Office stating his position. The Attorney General’s Charities Bureau has jurisdiction because the Paine Museum is a charity.
     He said, “The Museum and its collections have historical connections to Westchester County. They’ve been here all these year and they should remain here.”

07-01-09
NY State
NYS Consumer Protection Board and Chase Bank Alert Consumers
to New Phishing Scam
    The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) and Chase are joining forces to alert consumers to a new Phishing scam which trades on the name recognition and reputation of Chase Bank, and to warn consumers not to respond.
     WHAT IS THE ISSUE? Chase and the CPB have been contacted by concerned consumers who received an e-mail asking them to complete an online form that requires the disclosure of personal identifiable information. The bogus e-mail purports that the online form is necessary as a result of "new security measures." As is typical with phishing scams, the e-mail looks legitimate.                                                                
     WHAT IS THE SCAM?  Scammers are attempting to illegally obtain personally identifiable information (PII) from consumers for the possible purpose of committing identity theft and fraud.
     Consumers who have responded to these e-mails may already be victims, as the form asks for their name, address, and phone number in combination with credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number (SSn), passwords, and other sensitive information. More

06-30-09
Mt. Vernon
Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s 1st annual Summer Youth
Employment Benefactors Luncheon a resounding success
     On Monday, June 29, at Mount Vernon City Hall Plaza, more than one hundred benefactors and worksite supervisors from various civic, government, profit and non-profit organizations gathered to
support the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s 1st annual Summer Youth Employment Benefactors Luncheon. Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr. publicly acknowledged organizations and individuals who partner with the city to make the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Summer Youth Employment Program a success.
     Although the Youth Bureau works diligently throughout the year to secure funding for youth employment and training services, the operation would not be possible without the commitment of
various organizations who to train and supervise the city’s youth during the summer and after-school hours. More

06-30-09
Westchester Gov.
MOSQUITO LARVICIDING PROGRAM COMPLETED
Residents urged to take precautions against West Nile virus this holiday weekend
     As you make outdoor plans for this holiday weekend, remember to protect yourself and your home from mosquitoes. The Westchester County Department of Health has prepared for the summer mosquito season by applying larvicide briquettes to catch basins throughout the County in an effort to prevent the spread of the West Nile virus.  Residents should do their part, too, by taking personal protection measures and removing standing water where mosquitoes can breed.
     Throughout May and June, field inspectors from the Health Department were busy applying
briquettes of the larvicide Altosid XR (methoprene) - which kills mosquito larvae - into more than 57,000 state and municipal catch basins over the last eight weeks as part of County Executive Andy Spano's Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G. (Stop The Insects' Next Generation). Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G is a multi-level program to reduce mosquito breeding and the possibility of outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus.
     In addition to the catch basins treated with larvicide, more than 12,000 catch basins were evaluated but not treated because the catch basins did not collect water and were an unfit mosquito breeding ground.
     "While this work has been successfully completed, residents are still encouraged to take preventive measures to avoid mosquito bites and to help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds," said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Westchester County Health Commissioner.  “While enjoying outdoor activities this 4th of July weekend, residents should be particularly mindful of taking the necessary steps to prevent mosquito bites.” More

06-30-09
White Plains
County Legislator and Board Vice Chairman
KAPLOWITZ:  STATE SENATE GETS FAILING GRADE FOR TERM – MUST ATTEND ‘SUMMER SCHOOL’!
    County Legislator and Board Vice Chairman Michael B. Kaplowitz (D-I-WF, Somers), joined by angry local residents and business owners, held a press conference today outside the Westchester County’s Department of Social Services Building on Washington St. in Peekskill.  The purpose of the press conference was to present a year-end ‘report card’ on the performance of the NY State Senate.
     “The cost of the State Senate’s immaturity and inaction is going to translate to real dollars for the taxpayers of Westchester County in an already struggling economy,” said Kaplowitz, the immediate past chair and current member of the County Board’s Budget & Appropriations Committee.
     According to Kaplowitz, it is appropriate that the NY State Senate receive a report card, similar to students, at the end of the year’s legislative session.  Given the stalemate in Albany, and the incomplete assignment of doing the people’s business, it is no surprise that Kaplowitz gave the dueling state lawmakers a big, fat ‘F’.
     “Passing these bills is serious business – the people’s business – and our state senators must stop this madness and get back to work,” stated the democratic county lawmaker.  “Just like in school, if you don’t complete the assigned work within the scheduled school year – or in this case, legislative term – then you must go to summer school,” continued Kaplowitz.
     “Enough is enough.  The taxpayers are relying on their state representatives to discharge their duties and bring the relief they promised to Westchester County residents.  They can fight and play games on their own time,” he concluded.

06-30-09
White Plains
FROM THE DESK OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY JANET DIFIORE: MORTGAGE FRAUD

Westchester County has some of the most expensive real estate in the country.      Although we can all be targeted by individuals committing all kinds of frauds during these tough economic times, the elderly can be particularly susceptible. Fourteen percent of the county’s nearly 1 million citizens are 65 years of age or older, who are often targeted in crimes such as mortgage fraud, home equity stripping scams and fraudulent appraisal reports.      Prosecution of mortgage fraud is a resource intensive and extremely time consuming. Investigations can take months of intensive forensic accounting and investigative work.      Accordingly, I have taken the following immediate steps to both alert and

06-29-09
White Plains
Have a Question? Need Information? Visit Clerk’s Website for Answers
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Need to look up your deed, find a legal record, or learn how to become a notary public? Need information on obtaining a pistol permit or hunting license? Want to know when the mobile passport office is coming to your town?  Westchester