Mount Vernon Matters

Once again, residents can shop fresh New York produce and dairy products indoors, all winter long

Just because the temperatures have dipped and the leaves are off the trees doesn’t mean that you can’t have farm-fresh produce and products at your family’s dinner table! Once again, Westchester residents will be able to buy farm-fresh New York State produce, cheeses and dairy products, meats and baked goods, and wine directly from farmers all year long during the indoor Farmers Market, to be held on select Sundays from November through March, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.

Dates are Sundays, November 16 and December 14, 2008, and January 4, February 8 and March 15, 2009. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s market will comprise more than 30 vendors who are farmers and food producers, all from New York State. Many vendors from last year are returning to the County Center, along with new food and produce purveyors as well. And, to tempt shoppers and to help them make their selections, vendors will offer samples of their foods.

Shoppers hungry for fresh winter produce can choose from a dazzling array of fresh just-harvested winter crops like squash, turnips, carrots and onions, plus potatoes that come in new and different colors, shapes and sizes, and feature subtle differences in flavor. Winter-grown micro-greens will be available – miniature versions of the better-known field greens but with a greater flavor punch.

There will be a selection of the finest wild and pasture-raised meats, such as pork, beef, lamb, rabbit, venison, goat and poultry. Delicious sausages made from many of these meats will also be available. And, what farmers’ market would be complete without artisan New York State cheeses, crafted from the milk of cows, goats and sheep. Delicious fresh baked desserts, quiches and breads, along with maple syrup and honey products will appeal to the sweet tooth of even the most discriminating shopper. And, a selection of New York State-made juices, cider and wines will round out the selection of goods and products offered in this showcase of fresh and flavorful delights.

As a highlight each month, a special guest chef will offer cooking tips and recipes that incorporate the local foods and produce that are being featured at that month’s market. November’s market will feature Chef Stephen Briganti, culinary director for the highly rated 121 Restaurant and Bar in North Salem.

To add a festive air, the market will feature a variety of “home grown” musical entertainment, courtesy of Tribes Hill community, a group of musicians from the Hudson Valley. November’s performers will feature David Goldman, an award-winning singer/songwriter whose latest CD is “Summer with Juliet,” and vocalist Elza Mueller-Roemer, whose combination of folk-rock, blues and scat were featured on last season’s Hopkins on ABC TV.

Admission is free. Parking at the County Center lot is $4.

The Farmers Market is sponsored by Westchester County Parks.

The Westchester County Center is located at 198 Central Park Avenue in White Plains, at the junction of the Bronx River Parkway and Tarrytown Road (Route 119).

• Mount Vernon residents protest proposed city budget. [JN]
• The Board of Estimate held a meeting yesterday. [JN]
• Gertie Ferrell, a long-time Mount Vernon volunteer will be inducted into the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame. [WN]
• Yonkers parents encouraged to prepare their children for college. [JN]
• Artist Whitfield Lovell's exhibition opened at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers. [NYT]
• A 12-year-old food critic. [NYT]
• Recycled goods for free. [JN]
• Michelle Obama seen as inspiring girls, ending stereotypes. [JN]

Mayor Clinton I. Young's statement regarding the 2009 Proposed Budget:

“Heading into tonight’s Board of Estimate & Contract Public Hearing on the 2009 Proposed Budget, I want to send a clear message for the coming year, “Restore, Restructure, Rebuild.”

There is no denying that our country is experiencing difficult economic times. Our city has bore a fair share of that burden, having seen record-high foreclosures, tumbling property values, and increased unemployment.

When I gave my first State of the City Address, I promised that I would not sugar-coat and run from any of the issues facing this city. I could never say that everything is great, when you and I both know that it is not. When I took office in January, I inherited a city whose infrastructure was crumbling beneath our feet: our buildings had been in desperate need of repair, our garbage trucks had been rotting away for years, and our firehouses had been declared unsafe to be inhabited. Now is the time to draw a line in the sand. Now is the time to reinvest into our city’s future and restore the basic services this city needs to provide.

The initial proposed budget is a working document and calls for a 13.17 percent increase. You, as residents, should know that I do not support this budget in its current form. This number must go down significantly before the budget is passed in its final form. I have met with every single commissioner and department head to cut spending in their departments. I am going to do my best to make sure no one loses their job, but necessary personnel cuts may have to be made. In addition, further evaluation of the revenue side of this budget is going to be required. Concrete justifications are going to have to be given where reductions in revenue have been projected.

Two items that have the most detrimental effect on the 2009 Budget are contractual raises for personnel and the decreased valuation of property in the city, a phenomenon not exclusive to Mount Vernon. Prior negotiated union contracts call for across-the-board salary increases amounting to an overall impact of $3.7 million. On the revenue side of the budget, city property valuations have decreased by $3.5 million.

Please know that these are not excuses to increase your taxes; they are realities of the situation our city has been driven into. I cannot emphasize enough that this is the first budget that is going to put our city back on the right track.

I want you to know that during this year, I have instituted internal controls, a system that has, so far, reduced spending by $1.5 million outside of salaries, wages, and benefits compared to the 2008 Adopted Budget. We foresaw much of this, and as we prepare the 2009 Budget we fully understand what we will face in preparation for the 2010 Budget.

In addition to the traditional infrastructure maintenance issues we are faced with, my administration has found our city is so far behind in the use of technology. The lack of new technology has not only made providing services more difficult, but it has made it more costly. It is imperative to bring our government into the 21st century, so that we can provide services more efficiently. We will also be able to generate more revenue for the city through online bill payments, payment of parking tickets, building department permit fees, etc.

The vision of Mount Vernon that I know many of us share is one greater than the one we have right now. We are all faced with challenges, but my promise to you is that you will see our city do better by this time next year, and in the years to come. Mount Vernon will be the comeback story that emerges from these difficult times in our country’s history.”

Source: City of Mount Vernon New York

Volunteers complete beautification projects at Graham School. [JN]

It is budget season in Mount Vernon, and there are upcoming public hearings. [JN]

A Mount Vernon woman finds her family. [JN]

Bronxville Junior League members donate food to Mount Vernon children in need. [JN]

• A new Mount Vernon citizens group has formed to discuss school-related issues. [JN]
• The Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual awards gala on December 4. [WCA]
• New Rochelle has been named the best place to raise children in New York by Business Week magazine. [JN]

Places worth checking out-

• Space NK, the beauty boutique, has opened in Bloomingdales (White Plains). The salespeople are extremely helpful and knowledgeable about the product lines in a range of price points. Space NK offers some of the best skincare, fragrance, and bodycare brands in the world. [Space NK]
• The Eastchester Fish Gourmet Restaurant is a hidden gem near Lord & Taylor. [EFG]
• The JN did a nice article last week about shopping in Dobbs Ferry. [JN]

The public is invited to attend the Friends of the Mount Vernon Public Library's Fall Book and Bake Sale, on Friday November 21, 2008, and Saturday November 22, 2008. Event hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

The sale will be held at the Mount Vernon Public Library, 28 South First Avenue, in the Community Room (use South Second Avenue entrance). It is a great opportunity to browse for books for the entire family, and enjoy delicious refreshments, all to benefit the city's historic library.

The Friends of the Mount Vernon Library, is a non-profit organization of volunteers, whose purpose is to promote the Library, as a resource for educational, cultural, and recreational activities in our community. Through monetary and service donations, members of the Friends draw public attention to and support the Library's programs, services, activities, facilities and needs.

In the news:

Reaction in Mount Vernon to Barack Obama's historic victory. [JN]

• Mount Vernon Knights will have a basketball clinic this weekend in Bronxville. [JN]
• Mount Vernon native Michael Imperioli stars in the new ABC drama, "Life on Mars." [NYT]
• The City announced a new green initiative program. [JN]
• Mount Vernon is among the small school districts suing for more state aid. [PJ]
• Simone (daughter of the late singer, Nina Simone) pays tribute to her mother at the Blue Note on 11.13.  Simone was born in Mount Vernon. [BW]
• Lola's Tea House in Pelham was profiled in the Quick Bite column of the NY Times. [NYT]

Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Esq., Rodney J. Reynolds, & State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson

On October 14, American Legacy Magazine hosted a ribbon cutting and reception to launch the new My Sisters’ Place Public Service Announcement Campaign. The event was held at the Mount Vernon Public Library.

The organization’s PSA, “No one has the right to abuse you” was placed throughout the Westchester County Bee-Line Bus System, to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

Rodney J. Reynolds, Publisher of American Legacy Magazine, Karen Cheeks-Lomax, Esq., Executive Director of My Sisters’ Place, and State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson provided remarks, highlighting the importance of working together as a community to end domestic violence.

The following domestic violence facts were presented:

• 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
• Approximately 1 in 5 female students will experience some sort of physical or sexual abuse before graduating from high school or college.
• Domestic violence is the most common reason women go to an emergency room for injury related treatment.
• The health related cost of rape, physical assault, stalking and homicide by intimate partners exceeded 5.8 billion dollars each year.
• On average, three or more women are killed by their boyfriend or husband in this country everyday.
• More than 50% of men who batter their female partners also abuse the children in the family.

Since 1978, My Sisters’ Place has provided advocacy, community education, and services to those harmed by domestic violence. The organization’s Mount Vernon office opened in 2007, and shares space with the Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, and the Westchester Hispanic Coalition at 100 East First Street. For more information about My Sisters’ Place, call 1.800.298.SAFE.

Click for All Fired Up! events

The Mount Vernon Public Library, in collaboration with the Westchester Arts Council, is proud to announce the opening of This for That, an exhibition of ceramic art pieces from the collection of Mount Vernon artists Brenda Quinn and Keith Renner.

The exhibition will be on view in the Rotunda Gallery of the Mount Vernon Public Library, 28 South First Avenue, from October 30 - November 30.

Gallery Hours at the library are Monday-Thursday, 10 am-8 pm, Friday-Saturday, 9 am-5 pm, and Sunday 1-5 pm.

For more information call the Mount Vernon Public Library at (914) 668-1840 or visit www.mountvernonpubliclibrary.org.

Totems by Robert Davidson

Some of the twentieth century’s greatest artists, including Alexander Calder, Joan Miró, Henry Moore, George Segal, and Auguste Rodin have their masterpieces on display for free, right here in Westchester County. The Donald M. Kendall Sculpture Gardens at PepsiCo World Headquarters, has more than 45 works located throughout its 168 bucolic acres, that are open to the public.

Russell Page, one of the world’s foremost landscape architects, designed the gardens, which have been extended over the years by François Goffinet. Donald M. Kendall, the former president of the board and chief executive officer of PepsiCo, Inc, collected the sculptures. He conceived the gardens to foster, “an atmosphere of stability, creativity and experimentation that would reflect his vision of the company.” The main headquarters building was designed by architect Edward Durell Stone.

I had the opportunity to visit the other day, amazed by the beauty of the sculptures against the autumnal backdrop. The glorious gardens are open throughout the year, and in warmer weather, it is the perfect place for a picnic, as tables are available onsite. I’ve included a few photographs from my journey.

Giant Trowel II by Claes Ogdenberg

Kiosque l'évidé, 1970 by Jean Dubuffet

Hats Off by Alexander Calder

Girl with a Dolphin, David Wynne (1972)

The Family of Man by Barbara Hepworth

Meridian by Barabara Hepworth and Triad by Arnaldo Pomodoro

For more information:

PepsiCo Sculpture Gardens- 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY

Winter Hours: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (daily)

Admission: Free

FAMILY ICE SKATING!!! All Mount Vernon residents interested in public skating can come and join us at the Ice Hutch every Saturday from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm.

Registration will be held at the Mount Vernon Recreation Department, City Hall room #3 or call (914) 665-2420 from the hours of 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. On-site registration is available during program hours.