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WINTER2014 VOL. 8 IS
I N S I D E
Message from the BID, NewBusinesses, Maya Linn, Award
Winterscape, Santa House,Tree Lighting, Filming in Yonkers
Restaurant Week, Our LocalCity Councilman, Grand by
Design,Presidents Day, Art of Video Games
About the BID, ContactInformation, Upcoming Events,
Dont be alarmed if you happen to notice Boardwalk Empires Nucky
Thompson (SteveBuscemi) walking around the Yonkers Train Station or
run into The Followings Ryan
Hardy (Kevin Bacon) strolling Main Street. Theyre just a few of
the many actors andactresses lming in Yonkers Downtown Waterfront
area. More on page 4.
Hollywood Comes to Yonkers
Yonkers Downtown .com
Downtown Yonkers really does something for everyone. From trendy
clothing shopsand ne dining to the corner pub and our local
hardware store, Downtown Yonkers
continues to grow. Recently, two new businesses opened. State
Farm Insuranceopened on Warburton Avenue as well as the Inksplosion
Art Gallery. The new owners
explain why they came to Yonkers and more on page 3.
New Businesses Open in the Downtown
Downtown Yonkers celebrated the holiday season in style.
Organizations and
community groups hosted a variety of family events throughout
December, eachbringing joy to hundreds of families. The season was
highlighted by two amazing BID
events, the Annual Yonkers Tree Lighting celebration in historic
Getty Square, andWinterscape - A Holiday Concert in Manor House
Square. More on page 4-5.
Local Holiday Celebrations
p.2-3
p.4-5
p.6-7
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Page 2
A Message From the BIDs Executive Director
This winter may have seen record lowemperatures, but that hasnt
stopped
Yonkers Downtown BID from bringing
reat events to the residents and promot-ng our downtown. Over
the past several
months, we have celebrated an extraordi-ary amount of good news
for the down-own. In November, world renownedrtist Maya Lin and
Daniel Wolf (herusband and international art collector)urchased the
old Yonkers Jail on the
waterfront. They will transform this build-ng into a beautiful
and unique piece ofrchitecture which will act as Ms. Lins
ersonal studio and Mr. Wolfs art gallery.Maya Lin brings
something extraordinarily
nique to our community, which exempli-ed Downtown Yonkers status
as an artnd artist destination. The Downtown BIDlans to work with
Ms. Lin, as well as manyther local artists, to further transform
ourtreets into something beautiful andreative. Specically, the BID
is lookingorward to cleaning up blighted store-ronts and adding art
to those buildings.
The Holiday season was especially impor-ant for everyone in the
BID. This year, weosted three programs to celebrate ourommunity,
our residents, and our history.
The Annual Yonkers Tree lighting is one ofhe oldest and most
loved events that still
takes place in historic Getty Square. Thisyear, Mayor Mike Spano
joined the BID tolight the tree and kickstart our annualholiday
concert. Our next event wasinspired by local business owners
and
volunteers who wanted to give back totheir community. With their
support, wehosted WinterScape, a Holiday Concert atManor House
Square. Hundreds offamilies fought the bitter cold to come tothe
Downtown to dance, listen to greatlive music, meet Santa and his
friends, andenjoy time with their neighbors.
One of the most exciting holidayprograms in the downtown is the
BIDs
weekend Santa Chalet. Each weekend inDecember, Santa and his
elves metchildren in a custom Chalet in GettySquare. Hundreds of
children came everyday to meet Santa and get a gift. The BIDis
grateful for CH Martin for providingcandy canes and presents for
the children.
As 2014 begins, the BID is excited aboutthe future. Our Third
Annual DowntownYonkers International Restaurant Week
was a huge success. People from all overthe region came to our
downtown to eatand enjoy the waterfront. Yonkers isquickly becoming
known as a destinationfor ne cuisine and comfort food.
Every day the BID is working hard to keepour streets safe and
clean, attract newbusinesses, and to utilize art to make lifemore
enjoyable for everyone. I inviteeveryone to come down and ensure
a
rejuvenated downtown.
Daniel LipkaExecutive Director,Yonkers Downtown BID
Downtown BID HoFor Community Se
On Sunday, January 26th, the NewYork City Church of Christ
honored theYonkers Downtown BID for ourcontributions to our local
community. The BID was nominated by DavidMartin, owner of the Fly
Me to theMoon Flower Shop on NorthBroadway.
The BID is honored to receive thisrecognition and will continue
to workwith our community to create a safeand vibrant
atmosphere.
The BID was among several regionalorganizations and individuals
whowere honored, including aWestchester County Legislator,
FireChief, and School Superintendant.
The program concluded with ascreening of the Sundance Award
Winning lm Blood Brother. BloodBrother is the documentary of
oneyoung mans life-changing journeythrough India serving HIV
positiveorphans. This lm exemplies theimpact that one person can
have inthe world. The BID encourageseveryone to get involved in
theircommunity and be part of acollaborative team that has a
positiveimpact. There are numerous
volunteer opportunities in Yonkers,which can be accessed through
theUnited Ways Volunteer Center,www.volunteer-center.org.
We all need to appreciate and valuethat fact that Yonkers is an
amazingand diverse community. There is somuch we can do by working
together.
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t Inksplosion Tattoo, Piercingand Art Gallery we arecommitted to
bringing over 20
ears experience as an art studio andallery. We are unwavering in
providingvenue for local artists to show, not
nly their art, but to show the diversemulticultural panorama
that is theommunity of Yonkers.
As the Downtown area of Yonkerscontinues to undergo its rebirth,
and
more new businesses are introduced,our goal is to be part of
that processthrough our Artistic inuence and theadditional foot
traffic that our customersbring from their diverse neighborhoodsof
the Tri-State area.
We would also like to take thisopportunity to invite all our
neighborsand clients to drop by during ourworking hours or give us
a call so that wemay arrange for a private showing.Come by and
enjoy the art andsculptures that will be displayed in ourspace.
We also will be providing Body Art in themediums of Tattooing
and BodyPiercing. We have on Staff well known
Tattoo Artist Michael Sharky Arboand the expertise and amboyance
of MsAllison Seda, whom is our ProfessionPiercer. We provide a safe
and sterilenvironment. Tattoos, piercing and bodymodications and
art have existed sincethe evolution of man. We appreciate al
styles of art and self-expression no matteif you choose to see
it on our walls odecide for the more permanent form ofhaving them
put on your skin.
Art is embraced here; all genres, styleand forms. So stop in, we
cannot wait tosee you! - Lissette Delgado: Owner
WelcomeOur New Businesses Inksplosion Tattoo, Piercing
& Art Gallery14 Main Street
Yonkers, NY 10701(914) 965-5100
Tues-Sat: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Mayor Mike Spano welcominternationally renowned architectand
artist Maya Lin and her husbandDaniel Wolf to Yonkers. Ms. Lin and
MWolf recently bought the abandonedYonkers Downtown Jail and plan
torefurbish the building, creating artistslofts, and hosts Mr.
Wolfs personal acollection. As Yonkers continues irenaissance, art
and artists wibecome more prominent throughoutthe downtown.
ANKSPLOSION
hen Jocelyn Mizrahi openedher office in Yonkers earlierthis
year, she wanted to be
ble to work with people from allifferent walks of life and
nancialituations. I specically choose
Warburton Avenue to be part of therevitalization of downtown
Yonkers.
State farm is a full service insurancecompany as well as
providing othernancial products, such as banking, lifeinsurance,
retirement rolloevers and 529college savings plans.
Jocelyn and her team of insuranceexperts has a variety of
programs andservices allowing them to customize aplan that is right
for each individual.
Jocelyn graduated from NYU where shestudied nance. Prior to
opening herState Farm office she worked in thenancial sector, most
recently for MorganStanley's wealth managementdepartment.
Office Hours: Weekdays 9-6; Thursday 9-7; Saturday 10-454
Warburton Ave., Yonkers, NY
Jocelyn Alperiz Mizrahi
914-292-4200 jocelynmizrahi.com [email protected]
54 Warburton Ave., Yonkers
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Page 4
Holiday Celebrationsor the fourth straight year, merchants from
NorBroadway joined the Yonkers Downtown BID to hWinterScape, a
Holiday Concert at Manor Ho
Square. This free family event, showcased local musiciand other
wonderful performances. Santa Claus and all hfriends were on hand
to meet with kids and celebrate oucommunity. There was free hot
chocolate, face-paintingames, and more for everyone to enjoy. This
year, we hour largest crowd ever.
WinterScape is held in historic Manor House Square,Downtown
Yonkers. Manor House Square is part of lotreasure Philipse Manor
Hall, built in 1682.
The Yonkers Downtown WinterScape is a perfect examplebusinesses
and community organizations coming togetheto create something
special. This event is the pride of locresidents and a wonderful
way to bring new people into oudowntown area. The Downtown BID
produces WinterScawith support from Fly Me to the Moon Florist,
Commercial Bank, and Warburton River View Owners, LL
WINTERSCAPE 2014
Television productions includingBoardwalk Empire, The Blacklist,
Law &Order: SVU, Hostages, The Followingand Believe, as well as
feature lms
including The Other Woman and GodsPocket, which was recently
featured at
the world renowned Sundance FilmFestival, have all recently lmed
in the
Downtown area.
Just over a year
ago I stood beforethe 32,000 squarefoot Yonkers Stageto
officially launchthe newlyrevamped MayorsOffice of Film
&Photography andFilmYonkers.com.
Today, I am proud to say that Yonkers isnot only open for lming,
but we are nowone of the most sought after cities forlming in the
state. Through our collab-orative efforts, lm and
photographyproduction has tripled over the past yearand Yonkers has
been host to some of thebiggest feature lm and
televisionproductions nationwide.
What makes Yonkers such a great placefor lm and photography
production?The most obvious answer is our citys
strategic location along the HudsonRiver, diverse landscape and
proximity tomajor transportation thoroughfares, justminutes from
Manhattan. But our ideallocation is only as good as our ability
toshowcase Yonkers for all it has to offer,and promote a lm
friendly environment.
The increase in lm production hasbrought in new revenue to the
City andinvestment in local businesses. As lmproductions come to
Yonkers, our goal,working with the Downtown WaterfrontBID, is to
enhance the economic oppor-tunity that exists for local
businesses.Each lm production that comes toYonkers typically brings
hundreds of castand crew members, providing an oppor-tunity for our
city to showcase the manybusinesses and attractions nearby. Itsthis
positive exposure that helps spreadthe word about the great
restaurants andshops, parks and prime waterfront livingthat Yonkers
Downtown Waterfront hasto offer and the word is spreading.
YONKERS DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT TAKES CENTER STAGEBy Mayor Mike
Spano
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Yonkers Downtown .com Page
In Downtown Yonkers
Another great aspect of the Yonkers Tree Lighting is the
opportunity to recognize a localbusiness that has given back to the
community in exceptional ways. This year, the YonkersDowntown BID
honored Domino Sugar. For more than 100 years, the Domino Sugar
factoryhas been operating in Yonkers, providing jobs, vitality, and
deliciously sweet products.Additionally, Domino has been
particularly supportive of local community organizations and
events. Domino Sugar represents the best of what Yonkers has to
offer; they are a thrivingbusiness, they support their community,
and they remember their roots.
Santa Comes to DowntowWith a promise of lunch at X20, the
Yonkers Downtown BIDconvinced Santa Claus to come to Getty Square
each weekend inDecember. Santa and his elves even brought their
magical holidaychalet and set up shop in the heart of our city.
Hundreds of excitedchildren visited Santa everyday he was there,
each with a specialwish to share with St. Nick.
Ive been all over the world, but my favorite city to visit is
Yonkers The children in Yonkers will always have a special place in
my heartsaid Santa. He also gave a shout-out to CH Martin who
providedextra toys and candy canes for all of the children.
The BID isnt as good as Santa, but please send us your wishes
forwhat you would like to see in our downtown. Email us
[email protected] with any ideas.
he Annual Yonkers Tree Lightingis one of the grandest,
traditionalevents in the City of Yonkers.
Presented by the Yonkers DowntownBID, in conjunction with the
City ofYonkers and the Yonkers Department ofParks and Recreation,
this eventbrought hundreds of residents tohistoric Getty Square to
celebrate thebeginning of the holiday season. Thecrowd was treated
to live holiday musicand entertainment, highlighted by 2013Yonkers
Idol winners DaphneThompson and Merissa Beddows(pictured to the
right). Visits from SantaClaus, free hot chocolate, lights, and
awonderful community all cametogether during this time of
celebration.
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Third Annual Yonkers Downtown InternationalRestaurant Week
Page 6
he Third Annual Yonkers DowntownInternational Restaurant Week
was a delicioussuccess.
From February 3rd to February 9th, DowntownYonkers nest
restaurants offered an across theboard discount to all guests. All
participatingrestaurants offered 20% off lunch and 25% off
dinner.
Restaurant Week showcased a remarkable variety ofculinary
delights all located in Downtown Yonkers.Peter Kellys X2O Xaviars
on the Hudson was votedWestchester/Hudson Valley's Most
Popularrestaurant, and Zagats described X20 asmagnicent and
unbelievably creative.Westchester Magazine voted Zuppa Restaurant
&
A Message from your City Councilman
Khangri Japanese Restaura
Lounge Best Modern Italian Restaurant, and DolphinRestaurant was
voted Best new restaurant. Almostevery restaurant in the downtown
has been acclaimedfor its creativity and cuisine. Cuban, Japanese,
Indian,seafood, Italian, Mexican, and more; DowntownYonkers is an
international destination for food lovers.
Yonkers International Restaurant Week will bring newpeople to
our downtown and our waterfront, allowingeveryone to see the new
renaissance of DowntownYonkers., said Daniel Lipka, Executive
Director of theYonkers Downtown Waterfront BID. Restaurant
Weekgives us a chance to showcase our unique dining
spots and introduce them to a new audience.
T
On Tuesday,January 28, 2014the Yonkers CityCouncil passed ar e s
o l u t i o nproclaiming thatFebruary 2014 willbe observed asBlack
History
Month in the Cityof Yonkers. It is celebrated across thecountry
by people of all backgrounds. Incelebration of Black History Month,
therewill be a Black History Month Receptionon Tuesday, February
11, 2014 at 6:30pmin the Mayors Reception Room at CityHall,
followed by a presentation duringthe City Council Meeting the
sameevening, beginning at 7:30pm.
On Friday, February 28, 2014, at 6:30pm, inthe auditorium of the
Yonkers RiverfrontLibrary, I will host my 3rd Annual BlackHistory
Month Celebration GospelConcert. The concert will be held in
honorof the late Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey as itbelieved that modern
Gospel music was amovement led by Thomas A. Dorsey, acomposer best
known for penning the
lyrics Precious Lord, Take My Hand andPeace in the Valley that
began inChicago in the1930s when the NationalBaptist Convention rst
publicly endorsedthe music. I have petitioned theassistance of
several community choirs to join in the celebration of Black
HistoryMonth by rendering soul stirring GospelMusic, in the hopes
of drawing several tothe Downtown to celebrate.
In a recent announcement by Mayor MiSpano, each contract issued
or executeby the City of Yonkers will containMinority Business
Enterprise/WomBusiness Enterprise tracking form. Twill help the
City in assuring tbusinesses owed by minorities anwomen are getting
equal opportunities todo business with the City.
Always feel free to reach out to my offiby phone 914-377-6311 or
[email protected] there is any way I can be
helpful.
Christopher A. JohnsonYonkers City Council MemberDistrict
One
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attractive to young people and newbusinesses, and it is driving
growth in ourDowntown Waterfront Neighborhood, saidYonkers Mayor
Mike Spano. Thousands o
Yonkers residentsride the train toGrand Central Terminal
everyday on their wayto work. Thisexhibit giveschildren,
familiesand train enthusiasts across WestchesterCounty the
opportunity to slow down,admire Grand Centrals history
andarchitecture and compare it with that ofYonkers Station.
Yonkers Downtown .com Page 7
n January 11, the New York Transit Museums multimediaexhibition
Grand by Design: A
Centennial Celebration of Grand Central Terminal opened at the
Riverfront Libraryin Yonkers. The show features rare artifactsand
photographs from the museumscollection highlighting the Terminals
richhistory. The exhibition was rst created fora six week run in
Vanderbilt Hall to kick offGrand Centrals 100th birthday.
Thisadaptation gives visitors the chance tocompare Grand Central to
the Yonkers Train Station, a beautiful Beaux Artsbuilding designed
by the samearchitectural team. The exhibition is freeand will be
open to the public duringregular library hours from
Saturday,January 11, 2014 through Sunday, March16, 2014. Our
proximity to Grand Central Terminal is part of what makes Yonkers
so
Grand By Design
Celebrate Presidents Dayat Phillipse Manor Hall
The Art of Video GamesFebruary 15 - May 18
ne of the rst major exhibitions t
explore the 40-year evolution ovideo games as an artistic medium
The Art of Video Games focuses on thmediums striking graphics,
creativstorytelling, and player interactivity.
The Art of Video Games features the mosinuential artists and
designers across veeras of game development, from earlypioneers to
the contemporary artists, whocreated some of the best games for
20gaming systems that range from the Atari VCSto PlayStation 3.
511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, 914-963-4550
O
OIt was FDR who was elected four times,right? asked the Yonkers
high schooleras she worked on her presidential quiz. That day, the
girl and her sisters took thequiz, completed a scavenger hunt,
andeven made their own sets of GeorgeWashingtons famous false
teeth. Thesisters live in downtown Yonkers, buthad never been
inside Philipse ManorHall, even though they pass it every day.
All three were glad they had stopped in for last years
Presidents Day
festivities and were excited by how much they learned from the
museum.
This years Presidents Day celebration will take place on
Saturday, February15 from 12 PM to 4 PM. All are invited to the
Manor Hall to wish AbrahamLincoln a Happy 205th Birthday with
birthday cake at 2 PM. Visitors can maketheir own candles from
12PM2PM. At 2:30, Lincoln will recite the GettysburgAddress.
Additionally a variety of activities will be going on throughout
theevent. Admission is $1 for children 12 and under and $3 for
adults.
Philipse Manor Hall29 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY. (914)
965-4027 ext. 102.
Fast FactArchitects Warren and
Wetmore designed andbuilt the Yonkers MT
Train Station three yeabefore they designedGrand Central
Station
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About the Yonkers Downtown BIDThe Downtown/Waterfront
BusinessImprovement District, Inc. of Yonkers, NY isa 501(c)(3)
non-prot organization createdin 2002. The BID was formed to
buildworking partnerships, encourageinvestment, and support
initiatives for ahealthier commercial district in the Yonkers
Downtown.
We work to promote and implementeconomic revitalization
initiatives andincrease the quality of life for all those
inDowntown Yonkers. We promote andpreserve the cultural, historic,
tourist andcivic interests while mobilizing public andprivate
resources for these purposes.
Contact Information
Yonkers DowntownWaterfront BID15 Main Street
Yonkers, NY 10704
Phone: 914-969-6660Fax: 914- 969-0331
[email protected]
Executive DirectorDaniel Lipka
www.YonkersDowntown.com
February 1: Third Annual Take Your Child to the LibraryDay.
Riverfront Library, 9:30am - 4:30pm.
February 2: Candlemas: Blessing of Candles. St. John'sChurch,
Getty Square. 10:00am - Noon.
February 3 - 9: Downtown YonkersInternational Restaurant
Week.
February 8: Created Equal: Americas Civil RightsStruggle Film
Screenings and Discussions (1 of 4).Riverfront Library, 2:00pm -
4:00pm.
February 13: Rivertalks: A Lecture Series on Art, Culture,and
Ecology of the Hudson River. Beczak EnvironmentalCenter, 35
Alexander Street Yonkers, 7:00pm - 8:30pm.
Upcoming Events
After each snowstorm, BIDRangers work tirelessly to clean
paths, crosswalks, and busstops. Satefy is one of the
BIDs top priorities.
February 14: Valentines Day
February 15th: The Art of Video Games -Opening Night. Hudson
River Museum, 511Warburton Avenue, Yonkers. 10:00am-1:00pm.
February 15: President's Day Event at Philipse Manor Hall.
29 Warburton Avenue. Noon - 4:00pm.
February 17 -21: Schools closed, Scheduled Winter Recess
February 20: 4th Precinct Community Council Meeting.7:00 -
8:00pm.
February 24: YONY present Seth Godin.Riverfront Library, 6:30pm
- 7:30pm.
February 28: Annual Black History Month Gospel Concert
Riverfront Library, 6:00pm - 8:00pm.Page 8 Yonkers Downtown
com
View details of these events and much
more on the BIDs new online calendar.www yonkersdowntown
com/calendar shtml
