Author

CherylOHNM

‘It’s A Calling:’ New Rochelle Fire Department Welcomes Third Generation

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — It’s all in the family at the New Rochelle fire department. Among 21 candidates Friday, the department welcomed a third-generation firefighter. It wasn’t the first time Ann Cordaro hugged and kissed a recent graduate of a fire academy in Westchester County. At this point, you can probably call her a pro. “I couldn’t ask for a better life or better boys,” she said. Her late husband was a New Rochelle firefighter for almost 40 years and so are her sons — all five of them following in their dad’s footsteps. But on Friday, a third generation found room on the same path. “My husband is not here, he’d be so proud of his grandson,” said Ann. “That he became a firefighter also, because my husband loved it.” With a salute to his dad, handshake and a hug, 27-year-old Ted Cordaro became a probationary firefighter. “I think it’s a calling, as cliche that sounds. I really think it is, you just know from a young age what it is you want to do,” said Ted. “He studied hard for it, he worked hard for it and everything kind of fell into place,” said Ted’s father, Salvatore. After 17 weeks of training, Ted and 20 other men graduated. All will be stationed in different fire houses across Westchester Ccounty, but Ted will head right to New Rochelle, working in the same department as his dad and his four uncles. “New Rochelle, we’re a busy job to begin with,” said New Rochelle fire chief Andy Sandor. “There’s a lot of things going on and to get such men of character, it’s just incredible, I am just so fortunate to be able to work with such people.” They’ll be busy, but with Ted’s grandfather as inspiration and his grandmother right here with him, he has support. “I have a scanner so I listen to them when they go out, so I can make sure… Even my husband, when he retired, would make sure he knew where they were,” said Ann. She has six firemen to listen for — it’s like having a full time job, for a woman full of pride. Ted’s aunt also took the firefighter exam, but ended up going into nursing instead.

Go here to read the rest:
‘It’s A Calling:’ New Rochelle Fire Department Welcomes Third Generation

July 13, 2018 0 comment

news

Some Women Say Body-Shaming Billboard In Times Square Has Got To Go

written by CherylOHNM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – In a city full of electric, eye-catching advertisements, one controversial billboard is turning heads in Times Square. The pink billboard prominently place in one of the tourist capitals of the world says “Got cravings? Girl, tell them to #SuckIt” and features a smiling young woman sucking on a lollipop, which the company Flat Tummy says are supposed to suppress your appetite. Sophie Vershbow, 28, who has struggled with eating disorders in the past, says it’s nothing short of a dangerous diet ad. “It’s so potentially harmful to so many people walking by it, and I felt like we finally needed to take a stand and try and get it taken down,” she told CBS2’s Jessica Layton. She tweeted, “Hey Twitter, Let’s use our power for good by guilting @FlatTummyCo into taking down their Times Square billboard advertising appetite suppressants. Love, A former-anorexic teenage girl.” Hey Twitter, Let’s use our power for good by guilting @FlatTummyCo into taking down their Times Square billboard advertising appetite suppressants. Love, A former-anorexic teenage girl pic.twitter.com/Tiyj1fwrpD — Sophie Vershbow (@svershbow) July 9, 2018 “They’re creating the problem by telling you you need a flat tummy to be desirable,” she told Layton. “We need to give people the tools and the education to get them healthy and into a good mindset.” Vershbow’s campaign is catching on, with actress Jameela Jamil tweeting , “EVEN TIMES SQUARE IS TELLING WOMEN TO EAT LESS NOW? Have we actually gone mad? Why aren’t there any boys in the ad? Why is it (expletive) PINK? Because you feel men can look however they want? Their goals are to be successful. But ours are to just be smaller?” Some moms have called it a body-shaming billboard. “Obviously, it’s suggesting that if you have a flat tummy, you’re a better person, and I don’t link that message,” one woman said. “Not really offensive to me,” said another. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian have promoted the product, and while some people say you can’t police every sign you seen, the company’s claim that the 35 calorie pops are natural and safe have not be evaluated by the FDA, Layton reported. Flat Tummy has not responded to CBS2’s request for comment, but the company’s website does say you should consult your doctor before trying any of its products or any dietary supplements at all. The companies that own the billboard also did not return our calls or emails.

Go here to read the rest:
Some Women Say Body-Shaming Billboard In Times Square Has Got To Go

July 13, 2018 0 comment

R&B

A saucy, singing take on Shakespeare tops this weekend's list

written by CherylOHNM

The Bard gets a cheeky musical makeover, an R&B legend lends her voice to Dylan's songbook and a new dance gets its world premiere at sunset on …

Original post:
A saucy, singing take on Shakespeare tops this weekend's list

May 25, 2018 0 comment

Uncategorized

Worries Mount That Cuomo’s Free Tuition Program Could Hurt Private Colleges, Raise Property Taxes

written by CherylOHNM

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Some private colleges have cried foul over a free tuition plan being considered in Albany. As CBS2’s Lou Young reported, the plan would offer free tuition to low income and middle income New Yorkers in their freshman and sophomore years. Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the free tuition plan for New York state colleges and universities back in January, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) at his side. Called Excelsior, the plan allows for two years of classes for anyone with a family income of less than $125,000. Private schools in the state are now worried that it could become too popular if enacted, and it could damage some of their institutions. The Rev. Joseph McShane is president of Fordham University. “We really are asking the governor and the legislators to proceed with great caution; with great care; with an understanding of all the consequences,” McShane said. Robert Gilmore handles admissions at Manhattanville College. “I just need to know more details about what the program is before I really make any decisions on supporting it or not supporting it,” he said. When asked if he was afraid of a stampede out, Gilmore said, “I really kind of am.” If it happened, the free tuition stampede would be a stampede toward state schools. For community colleges, that could mean explosive growth, but also more expenses. Community colleges are paid for, in part, by the counties they sit in, and counties get their money from property taxes. “We already pay the highest property taxes in the state of New York,” said Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. “So adding so-called free tuition is just another tax that would make matters actually worse on our already struggling middle class.” Astorino noted that not everybody has kids heading to college, but everybody does have to pay taxes. He is expected to challenge Cuomo again for the governor’s office, and he would love to strangle the free tuition idea in its cradle. “I think if the governor’s free tuition plan were a term paper, if would get an F — an epic F,” Astorino said. The private educators are framing their concerns in terms of protecting choice. “I do think we need to take a breath,” said Dr. Joseph Nyre, president of Iona College. “I do think we need to hit the pause button and think hard about, how do we support choice?” The governor’s office estimates the Excelsior program would bring new students into higher education, and that fewer than 2 percent would be transfers from private institutions.

View original post here:
Worries Mount That Cuomo’s Free Tuition Program Could Hurt Private Colleges, Raise Property Taxes

March 24, 2017 0 comment