Nanuet – Title Boxing, a national chain of boxing and kickboxing clubs, recently opened its first New York location on Route 59 in Nanuet and has already gathered some significant attention from locals and professionals.

Since Title Nanuet’s official opening in late April and the ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 9, owner and general manager Vitaly Sapiro reported “amazing” feedback from new members, attributing the success to a training style focused on balancing large group workouts with individual attention and challenges.

“I wanted to do something that would basically mean you would never have to reserve or share a bag,” Sapiro explained. “We want to keep enough members to maintain both a very good vibe in the class and at the same time an ability for us to deliver what we set out to deliver.”

Workouts at the club commonly consist of group warm-ups, cool-downs, core exercises and training in footwork, striking technique, evasion and other boxing fundamentals, the standard for such fitness outlets.

The new boxing club, which functions as one of over a hundred franchises spread across the country, is Title’s first location in not only Rockland County, but all of New York State. According to Sapiro, Nanuet was chosen for its convenience and accessibility, which make it a prime place for business.

“Given the geography of Rockland County, Nanuet is very central,” Sapiro explained.

The franchise began in Kansas City in 2008 with a partnership of local equipment distributors and boxing personalities, including retired boxer and promoter Danny Campbell. The goal was a desire to bring traditional urban boxing clubs to suburban markets and within a few years, Title had over a hundred franchises.

The club has also managed to attract attention from local boxing personalities as well. Title has already booked a May 26 fundamentals class with former professional heavyweight and Spring valley native Al “Ice” Cole, which will emphasize footwork, a major concern for professionals.

Boxing workouts, which are often heavy on conditioning all areas of the body and enhancing functional strength and speed, is typically characterized as a male sport. However, Sapiro reported the classes are even more popular with women, whom Title hopes to draw with a non-threatening but challenging atmosphere.

Sapiro explained, however, that the workout was designed to be a full investment of body and mind and was often the most successful when it is a full effort between skilled trainers and dedicated members.

“On so many levels, it really engages members, and that’s what keeps them coming back,” Sapiro said.

Full Disclosure: The author of this article joined Title Boxing shortly after its ribbon-cutting ceremony and has been attending regular boxing classes since mid-May

The arrival of the Rockland Academy of Excellence to East Ramapo in Rockland has sparked debate from the community of East Ramapo. They say you can tell the strength of a person by the way they love their children and Rockland loves their children.

We, as a united community, now need to move to a point past charter school vs. community and begin to make sure every student in East Ramapo wakes up in the morning to go to a great school because every child deserves a great education. It is about student achievement and the Rockland Academy of Excellence Charter School will change the culture of education in Rockland for years to come.

The mission of the Rockland Academy of Excellence is “to develop and nurture all students by providing them with the academic, emotional and social skills essential for college and career readiness.” Our mission statement is not just a formula; it provides a foundation and a point of action for the success of our school. It is a living set of principles that allows us to confront difficulties and sets a tone for success.

Here are a few facts for those who are caretakers of the educational status quo: The Rockland Academy of Excellence cherishes public education and we are all entitled to our own opinions but not our own facts. Every door for our children’s education needs to be open.

It is our unfinished task to restore the basic bargain that built this country; if you work hard in school and meet your responsibilities, you can get ahead, no matter where you come from or what you look like. A successful good education should not be determined in Rockland by the place where you had a chance of birth or circumstance nor should a quality education and your destiny because of your language or where you live.

The Rockland Academy of Excellence is a public school and does not charge tuition to its students. Every parent deserves the right to decide how to fund their children’s education with public tax dollars and have choices that best serve their child’s future. The Academy serves all children, not just those who learn the best in traditional classrooms.

The Academy will include students whose parents are looking for a safe learning environment, bi-lingual and tri-lingual households, special needs children, children needing family support and children with disabilities. The Rockland Academy of Excellence will provide a real choice of education for low-income families and families afflicted by poverty.

The Academy will hold lotteries if more students apply than there are seats and will conduct the lottery at one of the local community-based organizations or churches. The academy is not a union-busting entity; the academy will explore unionization for teachers if they desire it. There are claims that the Rockland Academy of Excellence will siphon off money from an already depressed budget in East Ramapo. The fact is that the Rockland Academy of Excellence will be saving the district money on capital impact as outlined in the application.

The Rockland Academy of Excellence is not just different from regular public schools but is the first charter school in the Hudson Valley to use evidence base practices and a rigorous core curriculum to raise student achievement. It will stress a personalized approach to education, including smaller class size, more individual attention and strong parental involvement.

Positive results for students will come from changes in knowledge, skill and behavior of teachers, students and parents. The Rockland Academy will have extended and creative schedules and use test data as diagnostic tools to spot student weaknesses. Teachers will be hired based on subject-matter knowledge, rigorous evaluation, research-based teaching methods and first among our teachers, they must have a belief that all children can learn at a high level.

Success will be defined in student achievement and wrap around holistic services. The Academy will provide opportunities utilizing social capital, family support, incentives, and expectations for the adult family members close to the lives of the students of the Academy to make wise decisions on the behalf of the students.

Stronger families + stronger communities = A stronger school: The Rockland Academy of Excellence

Learn more: http://rocklandacademycharterschool.com/

Juneteenth is a national observance commemorating the announcement by Union General Gorgon Granger of freedom for all slaves, which took place on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. The announcement was made more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the historic Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. In 1997, the 105th Congress of the United States passed Senate Joint Resolution 11 and House Joint Resolution 56 officially recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day in America.

This year’s celebration will feature a 1. 6 mile Fun Run, named in honor of Laurence H. Holland (pictured here), former president of the Nyack Branch of the Laurence_Holland_Receiving_NAACP_Award_JN 2NAACP; The Fun Run and a self-guided walking tour of historic places in the African American experience in Nyack was organized by local authorand scholar Dr. Lori Martin. QR codes will be included so that participants with smart phones can access additional digital information about each of the 26 sites. Docents will be waiting at some locations.

A celebratory program in Memorial Park from 12 – 4:30 will include a tribute to long-time Nyack Public School educator, Ms. D. Anne Nash, food, activities and live music for people of all ages!

Pictured left to right at the Rockland County Youth Bureau Awards Dinner are Director David K. Farrison, Marie Daphney Joseph, Anthony Nunez and Assistant Director Marianne McCarney-Haesche.

The Rockland County Youth Bureau held the 33rd Annual Youth Forum and Awards Dinner on Thursday, May 16, 2013. Two Rockland teenagers were among those being honored for their exceptional volunteer efforts and community service.

County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef said, “Congratulations to this year’s honorees for their dedication to their communities, as well as the citizens of Rockland County. May they serve as role models for others, both young and old, to follow in their footsteps.”

Director David K. Farrison said, “The purpose of the Rockland County Youth Bureau Dinner is to let people know of the tremendous contributions of this agency to changing the lives of Rockland youth. The T.E.E.N. Works Program teaches life skills and workforce preparation training for paid employment. The strengths of our program are the staff members who train the youth to become contributing citizens of Rockland County.”

The Joseph A. Myers Service to Youth Awards were presented to Anthony Nunez, a senior at North Rockland High School and Marie Daphney Joseph, a senior at Nyack High School. Both winners received a plaque and a $1,000 check in recognition of their selfless commitment.

Anthony Nunez said, “I have been a volunteer EMS participant with the Haverstraw Ambulance Corps and it has been a great influence in my life. Serving my community is something that I enjoy doing. Recently, I have become a firefighter at the Thiells and Roseville District 26 Fire Company.”

Marie Daphney Joseph said, “I feel complete as a person when I give back. I was born in Haiti and the people at the Nyack Library were very helpful and supportive in helping me overcome the language barrier when I was young. Years later, I have been volunteering at the library by giving back as a homework mentor in the children’s room, involvement in the Summer Reading Program and as a Book Buddy to help youngsters improve their reading skills.”

Assistant Director Marianne McCarney-Haesche said, “It is great to honor two young people from our schools for their community service. The youth have a voice in making this a healthy community and they act as role models for others. Young people have positive attitudes and skills to give back.”

Other honors presented included: The Father F. Peter Malet Award to Peggy Zugibe, North Rockland School Board Trustee; The Dennis J. Fleming Award to Jerry Staller, Jawonio and The Youth Forum Business Award to LensCrafters, West Nyack. In addition, awards were given to Regina Warren, Ellen McGuire, Miriam Lachenauer, Anita Agarwal, Kelly Quartironi and Joann Saunders in recognition of two plus years of Americorps/Literacy Corps service and support of the Family Resource Centers. Sister Joseph Mary was awarded for thirty-two years of dedicated service to the Rockland County Youth Bureau Volunteer Board of Directors.

The Rockland County Youth Bureau indicated that applications for the T.E.E.N. Work Program (Teen Employment Education Network), a workforce preparation and placement program funded by the County of Rockland, are due on Friday, May 24, 2013. For further information contact 845-638-5166 or www.rocklandgov.com/departments/youthbureau.

STORY AND PHOTO BY JOE RINI

True Met: Retired Mets All-Star infielder Edgardo Alfonzo

When Edgardo Alfonzo returned to Citi Field to help judge the recent Banner Day festivities, Mets fans could be forgiven for wishing they could turn back the clock and insert the former All-Star infielder into the starting lineup again. While we joked about his “credentials” to judge Banner Day, there’s no doubt the four time .300 hitter and Gold Glove winning fielder would be picture perfect for the struggling Mets offense.

Growing up in Venezuela, Alfonzo said his goal was to play pro ball but after his first trip to Shea Stadium in 1992 as a minor leaguer to receive the Doubleday Award from the Mets and seeing major league baseball up close, he knew he wanted to be a major league player. He returned to Shea Stadium for good in 1995 as a 21-year old and batted .278 in his rookie season.

When asked about former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, who took helm of the struggling Mets in 1996 and led them to the National League pennant in 2000, Alfonzo said, “He was what the Mets needed at that time.” Standing on the field behind homeplate, Alfonzo stepped forward as though in the dugout and said, “Bobby wanted to be on the top step.” He said, if you played against him, you wanted to beat him but it was good to play for him.

On August 30, 1999, Alfonzo had perhaps the greatest day ever by a Mets hitter when he went 6 for 6 with three home runs in a 17-1 victory over the Astros in Houston. After homering in the first inning, he thought, “good start” and felt “locked in” the whole night. He hoped to cap the night with his fourth home run in the ninth inning but settled for a long double.

Another memorable moment for Alfonzo occurred in June 1999 when the newly elected President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, threw out the first ball before a Mets game at Shea Stadium and when told Chavez wanted to meet him and have him catch the ceremonial first pitch, he responded “Oh my God.” While Venezuela has long supplied players to the major leagues, including Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio (“He was my guy,” said Alfonzo), he also said, “There’s great talent there,” and that the road from Venezuela to the major leagues has gotten smoother since he signed with the Mets in 1991 because MLB now funds a baseball academy there.

Perhaps it’s appropriate that 14 years after this foray into international diplomacy with President Chavez, Alfonzo is now a Club Ambassador for the Mets, making public appearances on behalf of the team. Having played his final season of winter ball this past year, and contemplating the future, Alfonzo said he would consider coaching. If he coaches as well as he played the game, any team would be fortunate to have him.

The Mets recent problems on offense continued as they were shut out by Cincinnati on Tuesday 4-0. It seems when Mets fans aren’t anticipating, marveling, and basking in the glow of Matt Harvey’s latest appearance, they are fretting Ike Davis, who is in the throes of a canyon deep early season slump for the second year in a row. The debate about sending Davis to the minor leagues has been waged across water coolers, over the airwaves, and within the front office in recent weeks. Davis, whose average has fallen to .149, began to turn things around at this time last year and finished well. Stay tuned.

The Mets enter play on Wednesday in fourth place with a record of 17-26. The current home-stand will conclude with two games against the Yankees at Citi Field on Monday and Tuesday before the two teams conclude the 2013 Subway Series with two games in the Bronx on Wednesday and Thursday.

BY CHRIS HANLY
Investment Consultant, Gary Goldberg Financial Services

With the first half of 2013 coming to a close, I’ve been meeting with clients regularly to review their portfolios and discuss our results from the preceding 6-12 months. Needless to say, there’s been a fair amount of smiling and sincere thanks. While we will certainly pat ourselves on the back for these accomplishments, it doesn’t hurt that the markets are up 15+% YTD. I often express to each of my clients that in the end, the markets make you money. My job is to make sure you’re positioned accordingly during bullish cycles to participate in these gains. Alternatively during bearish cycles, my job and strategy turns defensive and our new goal is preservation of capital. We all know that trees don’t grow to the sky. This is where it’s important to understand the difference between a product and a process.

Investors are often sold products which carry commissions, paid at the point of sale. Where the issue lies (and I know this from experience) is the apprehension to make necessary changes, i.e. buying and selling during volatile time periods. Investors who paid a 5 percent load (commission) to purchase an “A” Share mutual fund will naturally be reluctant to sell 3 months later, only to buy another “A” Share fund and pay another 5% load. Believe it or not, subconsciously the investor would rather “wait for it to come back” rather than sell and reposition into something more attractive.

If you haven’t guessed already, this method of investing in our opinion has no process and unfortunately, the investor can be left burdened during volatile times. On the other hand, investors who hire me and Gary Goldberg Financial Services as their money manager understand that they’re part of a process, and are never sold a product. By utilizing our trademarked Montebello Process, we break down clients assets into three distinct baskets, ensuring ample monies are set aside and prudently invested to cover the short, intermediate and long-term. Short-term monies can be viewed as your emergency basket – which in our opinion should take on little to no market risk (cash equivalents are often appropriate). For medium to long-term monies, the Gary Goldberg Financial Services Strategic Investment Committee provides 15 different model portfolios to choose from – each addressing a specific function on a risk-adjusted basis (capital appreciation, dividend income, insured lifetime income, etc). Moreover, clients pay an annual management fee that absorbs all trading costs. Hence, if and when we see a correction during 2013, we have an opportunity to get defensive in our strategy and make changes to these models on our client’s behalf, without costing them an arm and leg to do so.

Christopher Hanly is an investment consultant with Gary Goldberg Financial Services in Suffern and can be reached at (845) 368-2900 ext. 247 or chris.hanly@garygoldberg.com.

In a cooperative effort, state governors, President Barack Obama and the U.S. Department of Education are adopting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the alleged education of impressionable K-12 students. This will indeed deliver upon the president’s promise to “fundamentally” transform America through a program called “Common Core.”

Common Core is a national education program that includes standards for English Language Arts (“ELA”), mathematics and federally funded national assessments designed to align with these standards. The United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that were officially established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, of which the second of these eight goals is achieving “universal primary education.”

According to the NYS Education Department website, “EngageNY.com is created and maintained by the New York State Education Department,” making Common Core appear as a state-generated initiative. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Common Core State Standards were created through a collaborative effort on behalf of Achieve, Inc., the National Governor’s Association Center for Best Practices and the Council of Chief State School Officers” – none of which are local organizations.

Common Core is a National education program which began in 2009 when the Federal stimulus bill gave $4.35 billion to the Federal Department of Education (“DOE”). The DOE then created the program “Race to the Top” which offered state grants (also known as free taxpayer incentives) to states that agreed to adopt Common Core. Other incentives included “No Child Left Behind” waivers, also conditioned upon adoption of Common Core.

Cash-strapped school districts were so eager to receive the money and be released from the No Child Left Behind program, that they adopted Common Core, basically sight unseen. None of the organizations responsible for drafting Common Core standards were granted legislative authority from the states. The program undermines the US Constitution’s 10th Amendment which grants supremacy of the states over education and other federal laws.

Under Common Core, parents will no longer be able to control or even influence what their children are taught as the program empowers the federal government to control school curriculum. Common Core was also magnanimously funded by the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation to the tune of over $100 million.

Bill Gates just happens to be an avid United Nations supporter who spoke at the United Nations Millennium Development Conference in September of 2012 stating that, “… No sector acting alone can achieve the goals of humanity that are the mission of United Nations … I love Millennium Development Goals…” Mr. Gates may also love the fact that Common Core will require massive upgrades in computer equipment.

More alarming is the student tracking system which collects personally identifiable data such as health history, disciplinary records, family income as well as religious and political affiliations. Similar to other United Nation’s programs adopted in the United States such as Agenda 21, Common Core takes kids away from a free enterprise system and into a managed and controlled society.

Professor of Mathematics James Milgram at Stanford University, the only mathematician on the Common Core Validation Committee, refused to sign off on the math standards. According to Dr. Milgram, “By grade eight, U.S. students would be two years behind their peers in other countries under Common Core math standards.”

Another Validation Committee team member, Dr. Sandra Stotsky, expressed her frustration as she was unable to receive answers to her questions about what countries Common Core was benchmarked with in either mathematics or ELAs. Dr. Stotsky stated, “Common Core’s standards were not going to prepare American students for authentic college level work in any subject.”

Suzanne D. Coyle, local real estate broker at Wright Brother’s Real Estate in Nyack, a lifetime Clarkstown resident and the mother of three school age children attending Clarkstown schools had this to say:

“Common Core math standards are too narrow and too limited. There are too many flaws and not enough topics are covered. Common Core will reduce the development of critical thinking skills in our students. Our children need to be creative, well-rounded individuals. Teachers are going to be strong armed into following a curriculum that is narrow and flawed. They will be forced to teach to the test, as a significant part of their evaluation will be based on test scores.

“What also disturbs me is that the Common Core doesn’t address history, science arts, physical education, health, etc….why not? How are children with disabilities and IEPs, for example, being addressed? I want my children to be taught in a well-rounded environment that is put together by the fabulous teachers in our schools. I don’t tell my children what to think…I teach them how to be well- rounded thinkers who have the freedom to form their own opinions.”

Content standards are set up so that it cannot be changed. In his 2009 speech before the National Conference of State Legislators, Bill Gates stated, “When the tests are aligned to the common standards, the curriculum will line up as well.”

Call your State and Federal representatives today and demand they stop implementing Common Core.

Lynn Teger is a commercial real estate agent and the founder of Citizens for Protection of Property Rights in Rockland County

HealthSav director Lenny Nathan says CPR is often misunderstood by the public for its purpose and when you realize that the word resuscitation (the R in CPR) means to bring back then you will begin to realize that the person who requires CPR is clinically dead. You cannot hurt this person, you can only help. Without public intervention before emergency personnel arrive the death rate out of hospital is near 90 percent. This is all too often because no one is performing CPR before emergency personnel arrive. With early intervention that rate can be reduced from 90 percent to 50 percent as is the case in Seattle Washington where CPR training has been mandatory in schools for 31 years.

HealthSav traditionally offers these free classes on a Sunday at the conclusion of National CPR and AED Awareness Week. Registration is required as space for each class is limited. Registration can be done at www.healthsav.com. Each individual wishing to attend must register separately.