05-27-08
#38
Mt. Vernon middle school student a
sensation at Apollo Theater
 |
|
Kenya Grant, a student at A. B. Davis
Middle school, has become an overnight sensation at the
famed Apollo Theater in Harlem during WaMu's Apollo
Amateur Night.
Grant has advanced to her third round of tough
competition and will be competing again on Wednesday,
June 25.
According to her mother, Grant has been singing since
she was three and has never taken singing lessons - she
is a natural.
Grant first started making a name for herself when she
performed at the Mount Vernon Annual Arts on Third
Festival just last year. She has since be asked to
perform at several events, including school
performances.
Grant and her family attend Mount Zion Baptist in Mount
Vernon, where she sings in the choir.
|
05-27-08
#37A
Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church set to
Celebrate Rev. W. Darin Moore’s 15th
Pastoral Anniversary
Greater
Centennial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church will
celebrate Rev. W. Darin Moore’s 15th Pastoral
Anniversary from Tuesday, June 10th thru
Sunday, June 15th. Activities include a
revival, concert and gala luncheon and feature a
performance by Broadway’s Three Mo’ Tenors.
The revival is on Tuesday, June 10th and
Wednesday, June 11th. Dr. Rudolph W.
McKissick, Jr., Senior Pastor Bethel Baptist
Institutional Church in Jacksonville, FL., and Dr.
Carolyn Showell, a Maryland-based Evangelist,
respectively, will preach. A concert, the “Centennial
Experience in Music,” by the church’s music and dance
ministries, is on Friday, June 13th. Kenneth
Alston, a Three Mo’ Tenors cast member, is
the concert’s special guest artist.
All Three Mo’ Tenors will perform during the
luncheon, on Saturday, June 14th, at the
Hyatt Regency Greenwich, 1800 East Putnam Avenue, Old
Greenwich, CT. The cost is $100.00 per person. The
reception will be held at 11:30 AM, followed by lunch at
12:30 PM. The revival and concert are free and will be
held at Greater Centennial, 312 South Eighth Avenue,
Mount Vernon, NY.
For information call 914-664-1838, ext 101
05-27-08
#37
Colonial Day event taking place at St. Paul's on June 14
The
sights, sounds and smells of colonial times will be on
full display, in a special Colonial Day event, on the
historic Village Green, at St. Paul’s Church National
Historic Site, in Mt. Vernon, NY, on Saturday, June 14,
from noon to 4 PM. The event features crafts and open
hearth cooking demonstrations, music and dancing,
programs on colonial military history, and historic
children’s games and toys. There will also be walking
tours of the colonial burial yard and of the 18th
century church tower, leading to the 250-year-old church
bell, as well as a talk on an infamous election held on
the village green in 1733.
In addition, at 3 PM St. Paul’s concert organist in
residence, Dr. Jan Piet Knijff, offers a recital on the
pipe organ, one of the oldest working organs in the
country.
Parking and admission is free for all events.
05-27-08
#36
The
Wartburg appoints Brian Sidiski Corporate Director of
Therapies
|
Brian Sidiski |
|
Brian Sidiski of Plainview, New
York, was named Corporate
Director of Therapies at The
Wartburg Adult Care Community,
where he has worked as Director
of Rehabilitation since 2005.
Prior to joining The Wartburg,
he served as Director of
Rehabilitation at St. Vincent de
Paul Residence in the Bronx, New
York. Mr. Sidiski holds a Master
of Business Administration
degree from Baruch College of
The City University of New
York/Mount Sinai School of
Medicine in Healthcare
Administration and a Bachelor of
Science degree from State
University of New York, Stony
Brook, NY, in Physical Therapy.
|
|
05-27-08
#35
Today’s Students Tomorrow’s Teachers Hosts 9th
Annual Recognition Breakfast
Dr. Hasna Muhammad congratulates
Mount Vernon High School Senior
Colisha Smith for receiving the
Ossie Davis Memorial Scholarship
during Today’s Students Tomorrow’s
Teachers (TSTT) 9th
Annual recognition breakfast held
earlier this month. Past recipients
Joanna Welles and Jessica Zhinnan
look on. Dr. Muhammad, daughter of
the late actor/activist, is also a
member of the TSTT Board of
Directors. TSTT prepares high school
students for academic success and
career exploration by enhancing
their life skills through skills
training, supervised work experience
and leadership development.
|
05-26-08
#34
Memorial Day Parade in Mount Vernon attended by
thousands due to great weather
Columbus
School students marching in the parade
A spectacular sunny and comfortable day made this year's
Memorial Day parade and ceremonies a resounding success
in Mount Vernon.
The day commenced with a very early morning wreath
laying ceremony at Mount Vernon City Hall Plaza.
Attending the yearly ceremony for the very first time as
the newly elected mayor of Mount Vernon was Clinton I.
Young, Jr., who provided greetings.
The ever popular Will DuBose, Director of the Mount
Vernon Veterans Service Agency, was the Master of
Ceremonies for a wreath laying ceremony that routinely
touches many hearts every year.
Like in previous years, Carmen Palmer, a Gold Star
Mother who lost her son in Iraq, assisted in laying a
wreath at the proposed site of the Gold Star Mothers
Monument.
Go
05-26-08
#33
Internet helps former Brazilian exchange student find
Mt. Vernon family after over 30 years
Maria
de Fatima Feitosa Espino
Here she is pictured in 1971 at the
Maria and Charles Williams pictured with
pictured in '08.
Williams residence.
with daughter, Yolanda in 1971.
in
|
In 1970,
Maria
de Fatima Feitosa Espino was an exchange student from
Brazil living in Mount Vernon and attending Mount Vernon
High School. During her one year stay in Mount Vernon,
she lived with Charles and Marie Williams and their
kids.
After returning to Brazil,
Espino
stayed in touch with the Williams family by mail for a
few years. As the years went by, Espino lost contact
with the Williams, and several attempts to communicate
with them once again failed.
Just recently, Espino decided to do a search on the
Internet, remembering that Marie Williams had two
daughters, Terrie and Yolanda. She entered Terrie
Williams' name in Google and BINGO - she found her lost
friend, Terrie Williams. Terrie immediately sent Espino
pictures of her mother, Marie, to further confirm she
had made contact with her lost friends from the 1970's.
In return, Terrie has received numerous pictures via
email from Espino, and Marie Williams has already spoken
to her over the telephone on a couple of occasions.
"Fatima was just a marvelous young lady and she was so
grateful about the way we treated her during her stay
with us that one year. She felt very much at home with
us," said Marie.
Espino
is now 52,
and a
practicing dentist. Her husband's name is
Jose,
and is a doctor. She has two children, Bruno, 23 also a
dentist, and Patricia, 22, who is currently a medical
student.
According to her email to Terrie, she is making plans
to visit the Williams family in Mount Vernon within the
next few months.
05-24-08
#32
Mayor Young appoints city's first female
Police Chief
On Friday, May 23, Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr.,
promoted Captain Barbara Duncan to the position
of Chief of the Mount Vernon Police Department
during a special ceremony on the steps of City
Hall. Mayor Young was joined by New York State
Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson; Mount Vernon City
Council President Loretta Hottinger; Council
members Yuhanna Edwards and Steven Horton;
Police Commissioner David Chong, members of the
Mount Vernon Police Benevolent Association and
more than 60 friends and colleagues.
Captain Duncan first became a police officer in Mount
Vernon in January, 1989. She rose through the
ranks being promoted to Sergeant in 1994,
Lieutenant in 2003, and Captain in 2006. During
her time on the force, she enjoyed assignments
as a Patrol Supervisor, Personnel |
|
Officer, Commanding Officer of the Training
Unit, Executive Officer of the Support Services
Division, and Commanding Officer of the Special
Operations Division.
Go |
05-24-08
#31
Mount Vernonite honored by Hudson Health Plan
(l to r)
Isabel Badillo of Bronxville, Cheryl Bordes of Mount
Vernon, Margot Velez of
Middletown, and Kevin Nelson of Yorktown Heights, were
recognized for 15 years of
service by Hudson Health Plan at its annual employee
luncheon May 16, at the
Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown.
05-24-08
#30
Historic site at end of McClellan Avenue
restored by Mount Vernon DPW
Mayor
Young raising the American flag at the restored flagpole
with the
help of DPW Commissioner Terence Horton.
The very end of McClellan Avenue,
alongside the house where the Delaney sisters used to
live, had been neglected for a very long time. Although
considered a historical site by the City of Mount
Vernon due to the significance of a legendary flagpole
that towers over Memorial Field and the city, along with
the Delaney house, the area was neglected by the
previous administration for a very long time.
When the new mayor of Mount Vernon, Clinton I. Young,
Jr. was apprised of the neglect of such an important and
significant area of Mount Vernon, he immediately
instructed his new Commissioner of Public Works, Terence
Horton, and Will DuBose, Commissioner of Veterans
Affairs, to restore the area.
On Thursday, May 22, under pouring rain, and under
tents, an impressive pre-Memorial Day ceremony was held
to commemorate the restoration of the site. Aside from
the importance of restoring the area, which was
completely overrun with weeds, strewn with garbage and
defaced with graffiti, the ceremony focused on "The
Raising of the Flag at McClellan Avenue Historical
Site."
Go
05-23-08
#29
Flags posted
at graves of soldiers who fought in America’s wars at
St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site
A volunteer placing a flag at a grave site
David
Osborn, Site Direct of St. Paul’s Church National
Historic Site is shown placing a flag
at a grave site.
In a pre-Memorial Day commemoration, flags were
posted at the graves of soldiers who fought in America’s
wars from colonial times through the 20th
century, in the historic cemetery at St. Paul’s Church
National Historic Site, in Mt. Vernon, NY, on Friday,
May 23.
The graves included a score of soldiers who served in
the Revolutionary War and more than 50 men who bore arms
for the Union in the Civil War.
Among the Civil War soldiers is former Mt. Vernon
resident Hiram Slagle, a private in the 17th
New York Infantry, whose grave was only recently
memorialized with a granite veterans’ stone. There are
also many veterans of the Spanish American War, World
War I and World War II.
05-23-08
#28
Mt. Vernon Youth
Empowerment Council holds first historic meeting
Members of the newly formed
Youth Empowerment Council
listen to Mayor
Clinton I. Young during inaugural meeting at City Hall.
Like
young executives, nineteen of Mount Vernon's brightest,
responsible and dedicated students met with Mayor
Clinton I. Young on Thursday, May 22, in the mayor's
conference room to formally conduct
the very
first meeting of the Mount Vernon Youth Empowerment
Council.
The council
members of young people will meet regularly throughout
the year to discuss the various issues and challenges
that young people face growing up and living in Mount
Vernon. They will also be responsible for producing
reports and recommendations for action that Mayor
Young’s administration will look to carry out.
“My administration has made the concerns of our young
people a top priority,” said Mayor Young. “This council
will be the driving force of change for policies that
affect the youth of our community. I expect that they
will not shy away from any issues, have consideration
for differing opinions, and come up with real, workable
recommendations for improvement.”
Go
05-23-08
NP
MAYOR YOUNG TO PERSONALLY DISTRIBUTE
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS TO HIGH SCHOOL
STUDENTS IN MT. VERNON
On Wednesday, May 28th
at 3:30 p.m., Mayor Clinton I.
Young, Jr. will host dozens of
prospective high school seniors from
high schools in Mount Vernon. The mayor
will be handing out applications for the
Thomas E. Sharpe Memorial Scholarship.
The Thomas E. Sharpe Memorial Scholarship Program was
established to provide financial
assistance to low and moderate income
students to attend two or four-year
colleges, and vocational or technical
schools who would otherwise find it
difficult to do so.
Over 7,000 scholarships have been awarded since the
program's inception in 1977. Students
that meet eligibility requirements can
receive an award to $400 to 1,200 per
academic year.
Approximately 90% of awards go to students enrolled in
programs that require at least
four-years of study that lead to
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Degrees.
For additional information please contact: Mary Fleming,
Director of Scholarship Program,
914-699-7230, ext. 110
|
05-21-08
#27
My
Sisters’ Place celebrates first anniversary in Mount
Vernon
NY Giants players in rear (l t r) Rich Seubert, Kareem
McKenzie, Darcy Johnson and Michael Matthews pictured
with staff members of
My Sisters’
Place.
My Sisters’ Place (MSP) has recently celebrated the
first anniversary of the opening of their Mount Vernon
office which is located at 100 East First Street. MSP
has been a welcome addition to the Mount Vernon
landscape along with Legal Services for the Hudson
Valley and the Westchester Hispanic Coalition. Then
County Legislator Clinton Young, who now serves as our
Mayor, was the impetus behind the collaboration of
organizations providing much needed services to the
Mount Vernon community.
My Sisters' Place is a not-for-profit organization that
has grown from a grassroots task force and drop-in
center formalized in 1978 into a cutting-edge leader and
resource in the field of domestic violence programming,
advocacy, shelter, and legal services. My Sisters' Place
brings a holistic approach to addressing the many and
varied needs of domestic violence victims and survivors
and the root causes of family violence. My Sisters'
Place has two emergency shelters and a 24 hour
hotline: 1-800-298-SAFE (7233).
Since opening in Mount Vernon, counselor, Michelle
Toone, and domestic violence attorney, Beth Levy, have
helped hundreds of individuals. The office provides
legal representation and advice in domestic violence
cases ranging from custody, orders of protection, child
support, spousal support, divorce, separation, and
immigration matters in addition to individual and group
counseling.
On March 13th My Sisters’ Place
commemorated 30 years of service at their Spring benefit
at the Ritz Carlton Westchester, honoring the New York
Football Giants with their Dreamaker Award.
Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Esq., Executive Director and long
time Mount Vernon resident, was thrilled to recognize
the Giants for their decade of service and support for
My Sisters’ Place. Retired Giant Howard Cross and the
Mara family were on hand to accept the award and Ms.
Cheeks-Lomax thanked them for all that they do on behalf
of the domestic violence community.
For more information about My Sisters’ Place you may go
to their website at
www.mysistersplaceny.org
or for the hotline call:
1-800-298-7233
05-19-08
#27
Mt. Vernon BOE member Gootzeit to
receive
Humanitarian Award
Thomas
McAlvanah, President of The Bronx Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities Council and Chief Operating
Officer of Lifespire, Inc., announced the decision of
The Bronx Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities Council to award Mount Vernon resident
ELIAS S. GOOTZEIT, an attorney and Licensed Clinical
Social Worker, the 2008 Humanitarian Award for 36 years
of dedicated advocacy and program development in behalf
of people with developmental disabilities.
The award will be presented at the Council’s annual
award dinner on June 18, 2008 at Maestro’s Restaurant on
1703 Bronxdale Ave, Bronx ,
NY 10462
.
05-19-08
#26
Dog bite prevention message delivered at
Mount Vernon Post Office
Larie
Pidgeon, Owner of Clawz 'n' Paws, a dog expert, giving
safety tips to prevent dog bites to Mount Vernon letter
carriers.
In order to
accentuate "National Dog Bite Prevention Week," on
Thursday, May 15, a Dog expert and the Westchester
District Postal Service Safety Specialist spoke about
the problem of dog bites to the letter carriers of the
Mount Vernon Post Office located at 15 South First
Avenue.
For every letter carrier bitten, there are, by
comparison, hundreds of children who needlessly suffer
the pain and trauma of dog bites. Whatever the reasons,
dog bites are a serious problem for the entire community
not just our letter carriers. Last year, 3,149 letter
carriers suffered dog bites. That's an average of 11 dog
attacks every delivery day, and that figure does not
include the number of threats that did not result in
injury. These numbers pale in comparison with the more
than 4.7 million people ― mostly children and the
elderly ― who suffer injuries from dog attacks each
year.
Go
05-16-08
#25
Edward Williams School Showcase Choir performs at Pierre
Hotel
Mary Lando surrounded by her talented singers
Mary Lando's
students pictured in a festive mood after their
outstanding
performance at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan.
By Mary
Lando
George Washington once said, “All that I am I owe to my
mother.” As mothers around the country were getting
ready for their special day, three outstanding mothers
were honored at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan on May 8th
at a luncheon to benefit the Save the Children
Foundation. Caroline Kennedy, Elizabeth Edwards and
Vera Wang all received awards for having nurtured their
families, build successful careers and helped improve
the lives of others.
The showcase choir from Edward Williams School, under
the direction of Mrs. Mary Lando, was invited to perform
at the luncheon. They sang “Light the Candles All Around
the World” - impressing the audience of 500 women with
their musical ability and choreography.
The National Mother’s Day Council has sponsored this
event for the past 30 years. To date, the Mother’s
Day/Father’s Day Council has donated nearly $20 million
to meaningful philanthropies dealing with issues
affecting mothers, fathers, and children nationwide.
05-16-08
#24
Mt. Vernon's Brazilian community holds
historic 1st Annual "Brazilians for You" fair (BZ4U)
A group picture of some former professional Brazilian
soccer players
Mount Vernon Brazilians, along with
Brazilians from other tri-state area communities,
flocked to Hartley Park in Mount Vernon on Sunday, May
18, to celebrate the first-ever "Brazilians for You" fair, also known as BZ4U.
The well planned and highly anticipated fair was
sponsored by the Brazilian Civic Center, in an effort to
develop a better understanding and better ties between Mount Vernon's government, especially the Police
Department and the Mount Vernon community as a whole.
The fair started at 10:00 AM with ominous clouds
hovering above Mount Vernon, but the threat of rain did
not deter the hundreds that attended the historic fair
early on.
As the day went on, many from the big population
of Brazilians in Mount Vernon, estimated at 5,000
strong, with a sprinkling of non-Brazilians, were
treated to a day of musical entertainment, a soccer
demonstration, Brazilian food, and medical screenings by
personnel from Mount Vernon Hospital.
Go
05-16-08
#23
Mount Vernon's Raymond Brown performed
with some of the greatest names in show business
A
portrait of Raymond Brown when he was in his prime
Today,
Raymond Brown, a former dancer, is 78 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.
Go
05-16-08
#22
Brazilian Ambassador Oto Maia makes first visit to Mount
Vernon
Ambassador
Oto Maia, undersecretary-general of Brazilian
Expatriates Communities of the Ministry of External
Relations.
Ambassador
Oto Maia, undersecretary-general of Brazilian
Expatriates Communities of the Ministry of External
Relations, made his first visit ever to Mount Vernon on
Friday, May 16. His visit brought much excitement to the
Brazilian community in Mount Vernon, especially since it
came on the eve of BZ4U Day, a Brazilian fair that will
be taking place at Hartley Park on a yearly basis. The
fair is intended to bring the Brazilian community closer
to the overall Mount Vernon community. The fair will be
a way for the Brazilian community to show their
appreciation concerning the way they have been able to
assimilate into the Mount Vernon community throughout
the years in a very positive way.
Go
05-15-08
#21
The
59th Mount Vernon Hospital Annual Spring Gala generates
a record $230,000
Guests enjoying themselves during the gala
The 59th Mount Vernon Hospital Annual Spring Gala was
celebrated on Thursday, May 1, at the Glen Island Harbor
Club. More than 300 friends, family, community leaders
and guests gathered to recognize three outstanding
individuals: Honorable Reginald A. LaFayette, Robert D.
DeBenedictis and Biagio V. Mignone, M.D. All funds
raised will directly benefit the Bold Vision Campaign
for the renovation and expansion of the Emergency
Department at Mount Vernon Hospital.
Guests, dressed in black tie attire, enjoyed an
elaborate cocktail hour before sitting down to a
delicious dinner.
An exciting addition to the evening program this year
was the unveiling of 70 beautiful Jewelry Boxes – with
the winning box containing a canary yellow diamond ring
valued at $6,000.00. All of the exquisite pieces of fine
jewelry were generously donated by Leo Schachter
Diamonds, totaling $35,000.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was none other
than Bill Evans of ABC TV’s Eyewitness News, who kept
the crowd entertained as he carried the program through
the evening. Together, Sound Shore Health System
President and CEO John R. Spicer, Mount Vernon Hospital
Trustee Board President Vincent Bufano and Mount Vernon
Mayor, Clinton I. Young bestowed the honorees with their
awards and proclamations. The honorees were further
applauded for their steadfast support of the 117 year
old institution as well as their generosity to the Mount
Vernon community across the years.
Go
05-15-08
#20
20th
Annual Spring Harvest Canned Food Drive
The
Spring Harvest Food Drive to benefit the Sacred Heart
Food Pantry is now in its twentieth year and continues
to stay strong. This year the Fleetwood Chiropractic
Center will be collecting food from June 2nd thru June
7th. During this time many people have a “sun and fun”
attitude. But it’s no fun if there is no food on the
table. That’s why Drs. Russell and Lucia choose this
time of year to sponsor the drive.
The Spring Harvest has grown from strictly patient
donations to a large project involving Lincoln,
Pennington, Traphagen, Columbus, and Holmes schools. In
addition, the Excelsior Learning Center, Milestone
School, Sts. Peter and Paul School, Our Lady of Victory
School, Sacred Heart School, Mt. Vernon Public Library
Children’s Division, and the Fleetwood Deli-Café will be
involved with the food drive this year. Classes from the
Davis Middle School will also be working to collect food
and raise funds. The National Association of Letter
Carriers will also be collecting food this year as part
of their national effort.
Last year almost 6,000 cans of food were collected and
donated to the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. The Food Pantry
is a service where qualified families can pick up
grocery bags of healthy, well balanced meal items at no
cost. This service is family oriented and has far
reaching affects on the children and their parents who
benefit from these meals.
Last year the pantry provided more than 4725 bags of
food to 325 households. “Our collections last year
provided enough food for the entire summer”, explained
Dr. Russell.
You can help the Spring Harvest be a success in a
number of ways. If your children are enrolled in any of
the schools involved, please donate as much as you can.
If they are not in the schools, you can drop off
donations at the Children’s Division of the Mt. Vernon
Public Library on Second Avenue, or at the Fleetwood
Deli-Café at 525 Gramatan Avenue, where you will receive
a complimentary cup of coffee. Food may also be dropped
off at the Fleetwood Chiropractic Center, 25 East Broad
Street, where they will be providing various
Chiropractic Services including Consultations and Spinal
Examinations at reduced fees in exchange for your
donations. In addition, patients who bring in food
during the drive will receive their Chiropractic Care at
a significant discount.
If you have any questions, please call Dr. Russell at
699-6770. Please do your little bit, and help make a big
difference.
05-15-08
#19
Federation of Women's Clubs presents
"Woman of the Year Award"
Ursula La Motte accepting her award
The Westchester County Federation of
Women’s Clubs held its May meeting at the Davenport Club
in New Rochelle, on Thursday, May 1. The purpose of the
meeting was to install new officers for the Federation
and to honor the person chosen as their “Woman of the
Year.”
Serving in the office of President will be Barbara
Bianco of Rye, 1st Vice President will be Roberta
Bennett of the Dobbs Ferry Club, 2nd V.P. Camille
Odierna of Larchmont, Recording Secretary is Jean Lemak
of Peekskill/Cortlandt, and Corresponding Secretary will
be Maureen Lambert from the Scarsdale Women’s Club.
Elected to the Board are: Flora Machigiani, Nancy Ryan,
Mina Crasson, and Jeanne Wienkoop.
The members of the Federation were delighted to
announce that they had chosen Ursula La Motte as their
“Woman of the Year” for 2008. This is the first time
that the recipient has been a member of one of
Westchester’s clubs herself. She is with the Bedford
Hills Woman’s Club.
La Motte has had a long and distinguished career of
public service. She served as County Legislator
beginning in 1995 until this past year. She was also a
Town of Bedford Councilwoman and Deputy Town Supervisor.
As an expert on environmental issues, she served for
seven years as a member of the Westchester County
Planning Board. She helped found the Pound Ridge
Recycling Program and served on their Conservation
Board. Other area groups she has chaired or served on
the Board include The Westchester Children’s
Association, Children’s Aid Society of N.Y., Boys and
Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester, Visiting Nurse
Association of Hudson Valley and Northern Westchester
Hospital Center. It was indeed an honor to present this
prestigious award to such a deserving and dedicated
individual.
05-14-08
#18
Mount Vernon's legendary Sioux Taylor
leaving for South Carolina after 40 years
Sioux Taylor pictured in her study at home
Story
by Joe Parisi
Sioux
Taylor, a legendary longtime activist and resident of
Mount Vernon for the last 40 years, and former
Recreation Commissioner, has decided it is time to move
on and is moving to South Carolina to be near her
daughter and family.
Born and raised in Harlem, NY as the daughter of a
strict Episcopal minister, Taylor attended NYC Schools
and eventually graduated from Fordham University in
1952, and attended postgraduate school at New York
University. After college, Taylor became a Licensed
Master Social Worker and married her late husband of 33
years, Dr. Abram Taylor in 1958.
In 1965 Taylor moved to Mount Vernon, and that same
year she gave birth to her daughter, Kawardra, who is
now an attorney and currently lives in South Carolina
with her husband Steven, also an attorney. They
have a daughter by the name of Bailey.
When Taylor and her husband moved to Mount Vernon, they
bought a lovely home located at 185 Hillcrest
Road, where she still resides today.
Taylor very quickly started playing a very important
and active role in Mount Vernon, becoming the Executive
Director of the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, until her
appointment as Mount Vernon's Department of Recreation
Commissioner. In these positions, she implemented
positive youth development after school and summer
programs, expanded activities for seniors and city-wide
events (i.e., outdoor concerts and the All-City Summer
Games.
Go
05-14-08
#17
Detective Christopher
A. Ridley
posthumously awarded Medal of Honor
Detective Christopher A. Ridley |
|
Story by Joe Parisi
On
Tuesday, May 13, during a picture perfect sunny day,
many gathered at a City Hall Plaza ceremony to
commemorate Police Officer’s Memorial Day. The annual
event recognizes the dedicated and unselfish service by
police officers to the City of Mount Vernon who have
served with distinction and demonstrated acts of
heroism.
This year's event attracted many dignitaries, which
included Westchester County District Attorney, Janet DiFiori, along with many friends and family members of
police officers that were honored.
Highlighting the ceremony was the
presentation of the Medal of Honor, posthumously,
to Detective Christopher Ridley, who was gunned down in
front of the White Plains Social Services
building by Westchester County police while he
was off-duty and trying to apprehend a violent
perpetrator.
Go |
05-12-08
#16
United Lutheran Church of Mount Vernon scheduled to
celebrate 150th anniversary
 |
|
150
years ago in May, The German Evangelical
Lutheran St. Paul’s Church of West Mount Vernon
was organized into a congregation and the Rev.
J. H. Baden was called to be pastor. This was
the oldest of three founding congregations that
eventually formed what is today The United
Lutheran Church of Mount Vernon.
Two other Mount Vernon congregations formed The United
Lutheran Church’s founding congregations. They
were the Swedish Lutheran Emanuel Church, and
the English Evangelical Lutheran Church. T
hese
two congregations merged in 1962 and changed the
name to Christ Lutheran Church.
In 1974, the German Church, which was then simply St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church, consolidated with Christ Lutheran Church
to form |
The United Lutheran Church of Mount Vernon.
Facing financial strains in the 1980s, The
United Lutheran Church sold its church property
and relocated to the Wartburg campus and worship
in the Wartburg Chapel.
Once
on the campus, the congregation became key
members of the Wartburg community, escorting
residents from the skilled nursing facility to
weekly Sunday worship in the Chapel, and
volunteering at special events. In 1990, the
Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod of the
ELCA gave permission for Wartburg’s Chaplain,
the Rev. Dr. James Sudbrock, to become the
minister of the congregation. The tradition of
the chaplain serving as United Lutheran’s pastor
continues today with the ministry of the Rev.
Carol E. A. Fryer.
On Sunday, June 8, during the weekly 10:15 AM service,
the congregation will celebrate their 150th
year and the service of installation for Dolores
McKay, MDiv, as a seminary intern. A reception
for Ms. McKay will follow on the beautiful
grounds of Wartburg’s park-like campus.
Other special events are planned in celebration of the
anniversary year. These include Sunday, May 18,
when the Rev. Faith Lugazia from Bukoba,
Tanzania, will be the guest preacher at the
10:15 AM service in Wartburg Chapel. Rev.
Lugazia was one of the first women to be
ordained in the Northwestern Diocese of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania.
There will also be a guest preacher, The Rev. John Lunn,
on “Missionary Sunday,” June 29. The
United Lutheran Church is one of several
churches that support Rev. Lunn’s mission at
Phebe Hospital in Liberia. Rev. Lunn will give a
presentation after Sunday service, and that will
be followed by a luncheon.
For additional
information about upcoming events at The United
Lutheran Church, please call Pastor Carol E. A.
Fryer, at 914-513-5162. |
05-12-08
#15
Mount Vernon
Hospital announces opening of Transitional Care Unit
 |
|
Mount Vernon Hospital (MVH) is pleased to
announce the New York State Department of Health
approved opening of its state-of-the-art Richard
and Barbara Naclerio Transitional Care Unit (TCU).
Mount Vernon Hospital is one of only five hospitals
statewide – the only one in the Hudson Valley –
chosen in a highly competitive application
process for this important three-year,
Transitional Care Unit demonstration program.
An issue affecting healthcare, nationally, is
the gap in appropriate placement for those
hospitalized patients, usually elderly, who no
longer require acute care but are not ready for
hospital |
discharge.
Mount Vernon Hospital’s TCU is a 20-bed, dedicated unit
for Sound Shore Health System patients. During
stays in the TCU’s sub-acute setting, patients
are involved in enhanced therapy programs to
ready them for return to their home or placement
in the next appropriate level of care.
Mount Vernon Hospital is a founding member of the Sound
Shore Health System (SSHS). Speaking for SSHS,
the President and CEO, John R. Spicer, said,
“Transitional Care Units may be the
steppingstone needed to safeguard the fragile
citizens of our community and the State. We are
pleased that Mount Vernon Hospital was
recognized to help find the much-needed solution
in transitional care.”
For more information on Mount Vernon Hospital's TCU,
please call Judy Cimmino at 914.361.6374. |
05-12-08
#14
June
2008 "Mount Vernon Entrepreneur of the Month" . . .
Jessica Salamone
Jessica
Salamone
After reviewing many recommendations from readers,
The Inquirer decided to choose Jessica Salamone as
"Mount Vernon Entrepreneur of the Month" for the Month
of June.
Salamone is one of several family owners of The
Westchester School of Beauty Culture, located at 6
Gramatan Avenue in Mount Vernon. The popular school has
been providing Mount Vernonites and others with a
lifetime of satisfying and rewarding career
opportunities in the beauty industry for decades.
Interestingly, Salamone actually graduated from The
Westchester School of Beauty Culture way back in 1971,
and soon after became a licensed Esthetician. Early on
she also obtained training in Aromatherapy. And in 1998,
she was designated Director of the beauty culture
business by her fellow family business owners.
Besides her many responsibilities as Director of the
busy school, Salamone also finds time to work as a
hairstylist on a part-time basis.
Founded by Michael P. Salamone in 1960, the school is
presently a thriving family run operation, preparing
qualified applicants for successful careers in the ever
changing beauty industry. Throughout the years, as
Director of the school, Salamone has been active in
Mount Vernon community affairs, and routinely provides
charitable services for the community.
Since 1960, and during many depressed periods in
downtown Mount Vernon, The Westchester School of Beauty
Culture has acted as an anchor store if you might for
the City of Mount Vernon. While many businesses have
left Mount Vernon, to be replaced by others, Salamone
and her family have elected to stay put at the same
location they have occupied for nearly 40 years.
Salamone's commitment and devotion to the Mount Vernon
community is certainly commendable.
Routinely, Mount Vernon students unable to pay the
tuition at the school have received assistance in
seeking financial aid with the help of Salamone. In
addition, the diversity of their students reflects their
philosophy of providing a solid career education for
people of all ages, color, national origins and sexes.
Furthermore, upon the successful completion of the
school's program, Salamone ensures that the students
will have the necessary skills to obtain employment and
become productive taxpaying citizens of Mount Vernon and
other communities.
For all of the above positive reasons, The Inquirer
is proud to have selected Jessica Salamone as "Mount
Vernon Entrepreneur of the Month" for the Month of June
All those wishing to contact Salamone at her school can
call (914)699-2344.
05-12-08
NP
Annual
series of cultural heritage festivals in county parks
kicks off May 31
Experience a variety of cultures from around the world
this summer without leaving Westchester County when the
tenth annual Asian-American Heritage Celebration
kicks off the annual series of cultural heritage
festivals in county parks on Saturday, May 31, 11
a.m. to 6 p.m., at Kensico Dam Plaza in
Valhalla.
The festival is presented by the Westchester and Hudson
Valley Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans.
The event is sponsored by Westchester County Parks and
the Westchester Arts Council.
Go
05-11-08
#13
Klein
releases report on impact of foreclosure crisis on
communities and property values
 |
|
As
the White House threatens to veto comprehensive
subprime legislation and the Federal Reserve
Bank struggles to regulate the mortgage
industry, State Senators Jeff Klein
(D-Bronx/Westchester), Eric Schneiderman
(D-Manhattan/Bronx), and Diane Savino (D-Staten
Island/Brooklyn) and members of the local
community stood at a graffiti covered and
garbage strewn house and released a report:
Preserving Our Neighborhoods, an in depth
analysis of the impact of the foreclosure crisis
on quality of life and property values in NYC,
Westchester, and Nassau counties.
As billions of dollars continue to be drained from the tax
base, |
New York City neighborhoods are feeling the
effects of the foreclosure crisis firsthand as
homes fall into disrepair, attract trespassers
and illegal activity.
“Years of loose credit and lax standards have roiled
the U.S. housing market and taken a toll on New
York neighborhoods. It takes just one boarded up
home to drag down an entire neighborhood and
jeopardize the safety and quality of life of
thousands of hard working families. Communities
are struggling to combat the effects of the
subprime crisis, such as increased crime,
reduced property values, unsightly graffiti, and
unsavory activity at poorly maintained homes.
Banks need to take responsibility for their
properties and keep our communities safe and
strong," said Senator Klein.
Go |
05-10-08
#12
Author and syndicated cartoonist Jerry
Craft conducts cartooning workshop at
Mt. Vernon's Boys & Girl's Club
Jerry Craft, famed author and syndicated
cartoonist, showing his latest comic books at the Boys &
Girls Club workshop.
The gym at Mount Vernon's Boys & Girls
Club was humming with excitement on Friday, April 9, as
nearly 80 children who attend the popular after-school
program at the facility awaited the start of a
cartooning workshop.
When introduced to the kids, Jerry Craft, the famed
author and syndicated cartoonist asked the kids to quiet
down and their response was impressive. The kids
immediately focused their eyes on Craft and you
could hear a pin drop in the spacious gym.
Craft opened the workshop by telling the kids how he
ventured into the field, and also explained and showed
how his magical cartoons are created.
Go
05-08-08
#11
Construction
to start on Petrillo Plaza Mount Vernon
Downtown Mount Vernon will soon undergo a
face-lift. Work to improve the area will begin this
Monday (May 12) at Petrillo Plaza, the area of East
Prospect Avenue between North Third Avenue and Park
Avenue.
The $2.4 million construction project is a joint
initiative of Westchester County and the City of Mount
Vernon. It will enlarge the waiting area for Bee-Line
passengers, install new bus shelters and benches, street
lighting and a landscaped center median along East
Prospect Avenue. The street will also be paved and new
traffic signals installed.
“This project is a springboard for Mount Vernon to
redevelop the downtown area,” said County Executive Andy
Spano. “Not only will it be welcomed by all who visit
the area, but our bus passengers will be able to wait
for buses in comfort and out of the elements.”
County Transportation Commissioner Lawrence C. Salley
said, “With 3,500 daily passengers, Petrillo Plaza is
the third busiest bus stop in the Bee-Line system. We
want to make available to our Mount Vernon passengers
amenities that have been included in the White Plains
and New Rochelle bus terminal projects.”
“Public transportation is vital to Mount Vernon
residents,” said Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young. “This
project will benefit not only bus riders but all those
who visit our downtown area to work or shop.”
Funding for the project came from various Federal
Transit Administration and New York State Department of
Transportation grants.
During construction, Bee-Line Routes 7, 40, 41, 43 and
55 that normally serve passengers on the south side of
Petrillo Plaza will be moved to Elm Avenue next to
Metro-North’s Mount Vernon East railroad
station. Passengers were handed information on the
project last week, and signs have been posted at the bus
stop reminding passengers of the
construction. Passengers who use Routes 53 and 54 will
find their buses at West Prospect Avenue and Gramatan
Avenue.
05-08-08
#10
City of Mount Vernon keeping a close eye
on gas pumps
As prices at
the pumps continue to climb toward and in some instances
exceed $4.00/gallon, Mayor Clinton Young’s
administration has made it a priority to step up
inspections of gas stations.
“We understand how much of a toll rising gas prices
take on your wallet, we are all feeling this burden,”
said Mayor Young. “However, what it is within our
control to do is to make sure that when you pay for $20,
$40, $60 worth of gas, that you are getting the right
amount of product. The results of the inspections
indicate that people who are buying their gas in Mount
Vernon are getting the best bang for their buck.”
In recent weeks, Michael Paulercio, the city’s Sealer
of Weights & Measures, has conducted inspections of 9
stations, a total of 52 petroleum pumps, 34 blended
pumps (where different grades of gas come through the
same pump), and 6 diesel pumps. The result of the
inspections found 9 violations in total, with all but
one of the violations found to be in favor of the
consumer. The pump in violation not in favor of the
consumer was immediately put out of service, but was
fixed and back in operation within a day and a half.
There are also some things that you can do as a
consumer to make sure that you don’t end up getting
cheated at the pump:
- Be
aware of “pump hanging” where the previous
transaction may have not finished, and you could end
up paying for gas that never ended up in your car,
truck, or motorcycle;
- Make
sure the pump starts at ZERO on both Gallons and
Total Price;
- DO
THE MATH! Stop at 1 gallon, check the total price
against the price displayed on top of the pump. Stop
again at 10 gallons and check again, and finally;
-
Always get a receipt. Make sure the receipt matches
the prices and total displayed on the pump.
05-07-08
#8
City of Mount Vernon plants trees at
Brush Park in honor of the city's fallen heroes
Family and friends viewing tree planted in honor of
Detective Christopher A. Ridley
Tuesday, May
6, was a special and memorable day in Mount Vernon,
since Mayor Clinton I. Young, Jr., Public Works
Commissioner Terrence Horton, and Con Edison Director of
Public Affairs Sandy Miller planted twelve new trees at
Brush Park in Mount Vernon. Four of the trees were named
for some of the “Fallen Heroes of Mount Vernon.”
The list of fallen heroes
included:
-
Lieutenant Colonel Nasby Wynn, one of the famed
Tuskegee Airmen, who was the first black police
officer in the City of Mount Vernon.
-
Detective Christopher A. Ridley, who was killed
earlier this year by County Police Officers in a
truly tragic incident. He served the department for
two years.
-
Marine
Corporal Bernard “Brent” Gooden, who was assigned to
the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Division based at Camp
Lejeune, NC, was among the first servicemen to die
in Iraq on April 4, 2003.
-
Raymond
C. Vanderberg, a dedicated twelve-year veteran of
the Mount Vernon Fire Department, who at the time of
his death was next in line to become a lieutenant.
He was also an active member of the Westchester
Vulcans where he pushed for diversity in the fire
department.
Go
|
05-06-08
#7
Mt. Vernon City School District Annual
Art Show impresses many
Superintendent Dr. W. L. "Tony" Sawyer
shown with School District teachers and
Angela Addesso (first row, second from
left).
Mount Vernon has a long unique tradition
of supporting the arts in an effort to
ensure that every child has a strong
foundation in fine arts. On Tuesday, May
6, art work representing students
throughout the entire School District
was on display at the Mount Vernon
Public Library for the public to view.
The student art show, known as
"Visions of Excellence," attracted many
to the library on the first day of the
major exhibit, which is scheduled to
last through the end of May.
"I can't believe how gifted our
students are. This work is absolutely
marvelous," commented Lisa Rivera, a
Mount Vernon resident.
Go
05-06-08
#6
Superintendent Sawyer attends community
"Cottage Party" in his honor
Dr. Sawyer addressing the guests
On Monday, May 5, nearly 75 Mount Vernon
residents turned out for a community
"Cottage Party" in honor of Dr. W. L.
"Tony" Sawyer at Harmony Designs,
located at 115 South Fourth Avenue, in
downtown Mount Vernon. The event was
hosted by Robin and Floyd Myers, and
included a sumptuous buffet, wine, along
with coffee and Italian pastries.
Those who attended the party were
concerned citizens interested in hearing
what Dr. Sawyer had to say about the
School District budget vote, but most
importantly, about his overall strategy
and plan to propel the School District
in a more positive direction. The School
District has been in a tailspin for
several years, and administrators have
failed to meet their targets
academically, and questions remain on
what will be done to improve the
alarming situation.
Go
05-02-08
#2
2nd Annual Relay For Life of Mount
Vernon scheduled for June 13/14
Mayor Clinton I Young addressing
participants at last year's Relay for
Life of Mount Vernon before he became
mayor.
A cancer diagnosis is scary, life
changing and…a reason to
celebrate. Wait…what was that last
one? The American Cancer Society’s Relay
For Life of Mount Vernon invites
the Mt. Vernon community to honor and
celebrate the lives of cancer survivors
within their community. This overnight
event is one of more than 5,000 across
America held to recognize that cancer
doesn’t sleep and neither will we until
we find the cure. Relay For Life is the
largest grassroots fundraiser in the
world and gives everyone an opportunity
to participate in the fight against
cancer. Since the first Relay For Life,
held in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington, the
event has raised over $1.8 billion. In
2007, Relay For Life will raise well
over $300 million. The first annual
Relay For Life of Mt. Vernon raised over
$60,000 and had hundreds of participants
camping out on Memorial Field, showing
their commitment to the fight against
cancer.
Relay For Life opens as cancer
survivors of all ages walk, run, or
otherwise move around the track for the
first lap. This emotional time sets the
stage for the importance of each
participant's contribution. A festive
atmosphere always develops around the
track area as teams of 10 to15 people
make new friends and spend time with old
ones while raising awareness and money
to support cancer research, education,
advocacy and local patient services. Go
05-02-08
#5
Major new
American Cancer Society study looks to
Mt. Vernon for participants
The
American Cancer Society is looking to
Mt. Vernon residents to play a direct
role in improving the lives of future
generations by participating in this
historic study. The Society will be
signing up volunteers for its Cancer
Preventions Study –3 (CPS-3) at the
Relay For Life of Mt. Vernon on June 13th
from 6pm-10pm at Memorial Field.
The study which will enroll a
diverse population of half a million
people across the United States will
help researchers better understand the
lifestyle, environmental and genetic
factors that cause or prevent cancer and
will further efforts to eliminate cancer
as a major health concern for future
generations.
Go
05-01-08
#4
Mount Vernon Police Foundation’s 2nd
Annual Awards Gala a smash hit
Officer
David Clark (l) and Officer Alesander
Jarosz receiving awards
The Mount Vernon Police Foundation's 2nd
Annual Awards Gala, held on Tuesday,
April 29, was a resounding success once
again. Like last year's inaugural gala,
the event was attend by nearly 300
guests and was held at the luxurious
Westchester Manor, located in
Hastings-on-Hudson.
Attending the gala this year were
high profile dignitaries like County
Executive Andy Spano, Westchester
District Attorney Janet DiFiori, and a
long list of others too long to list.
The gathering of so many important
dignitaries is a true indication that
the group is being recognized in a big
way for its many positive
accomplishments until now.
The goal of the relatively new
nonprofit foundation is to enhance the
effectiveness of the Mount Vernon Police
Department by providing resources that
are not covered in the city budget,
which allows police officers to be more
effective in doing their job.
Go
Pelham News
04-30-08
#3
Williams Elementary School students
participate in "The Kids in the
Kitchen" program
Children
enjoying the food donated by Stop & Shop
The Junior League of Pelham announced
their second annual childhood obesity
and nutrition education initiative,
"Kids in the Kitchen," with one of
their events taking place at Mount
Vernon's Williams Elementary School. The
overall goal was to raise awareness and
help reverse the growth of childhood
obesity and its associated health
issues.
“Considering that women in Junior
Leagues across America and in parts of
Canada, Great Britain and Mexico are
taking on the issue of childhood obesity
by engaging kids at a community level, I
believe the Junior League will make a
critical “healthy” difference in the
lives of an upcoming generation,” says
JLP president, Cathie Arquilla. “And I’m
incredibly proud of the Junior League of
Pelham’s Kids in the Kitchen
projects, which are impacting kids right
here in our own service area.”
Go
04-29-08 #1
The Wartburg announces its partnership
in the Gramatan Village Project
The Wartburg Adult
Care Community, a leading name in
eldercare for over a century, is proud
to be a key community partner in the
innovative Gramatan Village, Inc. Based
on the pioneering Beacon Hill Village of
Boston, Gramatan Village will give
residents of the greater Bronxville area
access to services that will allow them
to remain safely and confidently in
their homes for a longer period of
time.
Wartburg professionals have worked
closely with the founding members of
Gramatan Village to map out a network of
health care and social support
partnerships. “We knew from the first
that Gramatan Village would be a perfect
partnership for us. All of our programs
aim at helping people maximize their
independence, whether they live at home
or on our campus,” says Wartburg’s
Business Development Manager, Lisa
Hotchkiss.
The Wartburg will provide Gramatan
Village members with discounted in-home
care through its Licensed Home Care
Services Agency, “No Place Like Home
Care,” and through its Long Term Home
Health Care Program. As members’ needs
change, The Wartburg will also provide
priority access and financial incentives
to a variety of residential, skilled
nursing and rehabilitation services
located on its magnificent 36-acre
campus.
Gramatan Village membership is
available to those who reside in the
greater Bronxville area. For a modest
annual fee, members will be able to call
the “Village” for referral to community
partners, and when necessary, for help
putting appropriate assistance in
place. Members will also enjoy discounts
from local businesses, transportation,
educational, and recreational services.
The Gramatan Village office is
located at 85 Pondfield Road in
Bronxville. For information, call
914-337-1338 or visit the web site at
www.gramatanvillage.org
or send an email to
info.gramatanvillage@verizon.net
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