Page <strong>14</strong> THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN THURSDAY, MARCH <strong>14</strong>, <strong>2013</strong>LEAVING ON A JET PLANEBeing There - BonaireContinued from page 13of white-powder sand, stunning coralreefs, and it is consistently recognizedas the top diving destination in the Caribbean.Harbour Village Beach Club.Dive Right InI was told that diving in Bonairewill spoil me for all other dive experiences.So, what’s a newbie diver supposedto do but give it a try. At GreatAdventures Bonaire, a 5-star diveoperation, I met Mark, an instructorof many years experience, who gave mea one-on-one lesson. Before we dove,he explained the use of the regulator(for breathing), the vest (for buoyancycontrol to descend and ascend) and calculator(gauging time underwater). Hethen strapped a 40-lb. air cylinder tomy back and fitted me with a wetsuit,mask and a pair of fins. Mark explainedthat SCUBA stands for “self-contained,underwater, breathing apparatus.” Whoknew? Now I was good to go.We descended to just about 20feet and immediately I was transportedinto another world. All trepidationdisappeared as I lost myself in this underwaterfantasy of the most amazing,weird, gorgeous creatures ever to beseen. There were fat Blue Parrotfish,adorable Angelfish, yellow and blackRock Beauties and, yikes! a SpottedMoray Eel, not to mention exquisitecoral of all shapes, sizes and colors. Becauseof Mark’s calm and confident demeanor,my initial foray into the deepwas all good, start to the finish - about90 minutes later.It Takes a VillageThe lovely village of which I speakis, of course, Harbour Village BeachClub, the exclusive beach-front enclaveand the island’s most luxurious resort.The property consists of clusters ofDutch Caribbean-style one and twobedroomsuites set amid lush tropicalgardens and bordered by a white sandbeach and picturesque marina. On siteis a world-class spa with pamperingfacials, wraps and massages –particularlywel<strong>com</strong>e after a day of diving orwindsurfing. Entering my room, I wasdelighted to find it decorated in typicalColonial Plantation style: dark teakwoodfurniture, tiled floor and romanticnetting enclosing the bed. A doorHarbour Village Beach Club.led to an expansive patio, perfect for doing,well, nothing. Ok, so I dragged myKindle to my lounge chair a few timesbut truth be told, languorously lying supinewas my favored pastime. HarbourVillage was made for this!Star Light, Star BrightOne night, a very special treat - thestaff set up a table for two on the sandfacing the sea. Tiki torches and candleswere our only light, save for a brilliantstarry sky. The sound: just murmuredconversation and waves gently lappingthe shore. I’m told that this is a favoreddining spot for the just-marriedand honeymooners. I fit into neithercategory but dining sur la plage suitedme to a “T.” It was also terrific to experienceinspired cuisine at the resort’sopen air La Balandra Restaurant. Our<strong>com</strong>panion most days was a large greeniguana who stared intently at us until hewas thrown a crumb or two. An AmuseBouche, to be sure.The most fun way to see the islandis from a “tuk tuk”, an open air electricalvehicle. The Bon Tuk <strong>com</strong>pany isoperated by Bas van den Hee and hispartner. Bas drove us around in thiscute cart, stopping frequently so wecould take pictures while he explainedwhat we were seeing. We visited theFlamingo Sanctuary, one of the fewnesting places for Caribbean flamingoswhose population in spring swells to5,000 pretty-in-pink birds. Bas took usto the island’s southern tip to see tinyhut shelters built in the 1800s for Africanslaves that were brought over by theDutch West Indies Company to workthe salt flats.Color it PinkPicture a body of water thatmorphs from sky blue to navy to emeraldgreen. In Bonaire, yes. But, can youbelieve that here you’ll also find waterthat is pink? In the distance on thesalt flats… perfectly pink ponds. Basexplained that the brine in this waterencourages the growth of a bacteriumthat turns the ponds a vivid pink color– and the small crustaceans that live inthe brine turn pink as well. As we gazedat this sight, trying to believe our eyes, alayer of salty foam several inches thickformed on the pond and then blewacross the road, as if from some giantwashing machine run amuck.Wild donkeys grazing by the roadside,pink aviary ambling through theWindsurfing at Jibe City.flats, Disney-colored tropical fish …and back at my dream retreat, a hammockgently swaying in the breeze, justwaiting for me to slip in…Oh yeah, it’seasy to catch this peaceful, laid-backvibe that is Bonaire. Fingers crossed, itwill last long after I’m back home.Images by Michael Sloane, courtesy of MichaelSloane Travel Photography.If You Go:Bonaire Tourist Boardwww.tourismbonaire.<strong>com</strong>Harbour Villagewww.HarbourVillage.<strong>com</strong>1-800-424-0004; 1-305-567-9509Great Adventures BonaireE: reservations@harbourvillage.<strong>com</strong>Bon Tukwww.bontuk.<strong>com</strong>Travel Editor Barbara Barton Sloaneis constantly globe hopping to share herunique experiences with our readers; fromthe exotic to the sublime. As Beauty / FashionEditor she keeps us informed on the capriciousand engaging fashion and beautyscene.Slave Huts. Pink Pond. Luncheon guest.
THE WESTCHESTER GUARDIAN THURSDAY, MARCH <strong>14</strong>, <strong>2013</strong>Page 15VIOLENCEAnti-gang and Gun Violence Program Widely Successful in YonkersYONKERS, NY – State and localleaders in the City of Yonkers arefighting to keep a successful gunand gang violence prevention programcalled SNUG fully funded.At the Friday, <strong>March</strong> 8, <strong>2013</strong>,press conference, Senate DemocraticConference Leader AndreaStewart-Cousins, Senator GeorgeLatimer, Assemblymembers ShelleyMayer and Gary Pretlow werejoined by members of the YonkersCity Council, Yonkers Police CommissionerCharles Gardner, SNUGviolence interrupters, local activistsand members of the clergy to callon the State to provide steady fundingfor the SNUG Program.SNUG has successfully helpedreduce shootings and quell violencein Yonkers and in many citiesthroughout New York State.The press conference was originallyscheduled to take place at thecorner of Elm Street and Oak Streetwhich is the heart of Nodine Hill,one of SNUG’s target areas, but wasmoved to the Yonkers YMCA dueto weather. SNUG has been highlysuccessful in Nodine Hill. In 2010 -the first year of SNUG - there were8 shootings in Nodine Hill, but by2012, that number dropped to 2.Citywide, the statistics are alsodramatic. In 2010, there were 34shootings in the City of Yonkers.In 2011, the number dropped to21, and by 2012, there were only8 shootings in the City. This wasa 76% drop from 2010-2012. TheYonkers Police Department saysSNUG has been key to reducingcitywide shootings.Democratic ConferenceLeader Andrea Stewart-Cousins,who initially brought the SNUGProgram to Yonkers, <strong>com</strong>mented,“SNUG has been enormously successfulat reducing shootings inYonkers and many other <strong>com</strong>munitiesthroughout New York. Butyear after year, the future of thisprogram is uncertain due to fundingconcerns. The SNUG Programhas saved lives and helped youngpeople understand that violenceis not the answer. It has been andwill continue to be a great investmentin our <strong>com</strong>munities. SNUGwas created by the State, and it hasproduced real results, so the Stateshould keep it running.”Senator George Latimer said,“The Yonkers Police Departmentdoes an incredible job keeping thepeople of this City safe. Any opportunitythat we have as Legislatorsand representatives of State Governmentto assist them in doingthat job is a top priority.”Assemblywoman ShelleyMayer said, “I am pleased to standwith my colleagues in calling forfull state funding for SNUG. It hasbeen a tremendously successful programin Yonkers, helping to reducegun and gang violence. It representsthe types of investments that helpus reduce costs over the long term.”“Due to the hard work of ourYonkers Police Department and<strong>com</strong>munity leaders, Yonkers hasseen a double-digit decrease incrime in the last year,” said MayorMike Spano. “The highly successfulSNUG program, working with ourpolice department, has contributedto a multi-faceted approach in thisreduction in gun and gang violence.Let’s keep up the momentum – Iurge our State leaders to recognizethe value of SNUG and the manyyoung lives it has saved and can savein the future by continuing theirsupport of the program.”Yonkers City Council PresidentChuck Lesnick remarked, “Iapplaud our state delegation forfighting for further aid to properlyfund SNUG. Quite simply, SNUGworks and has proven results thatthe program solves crimes, reducesgang violence and curbs shootings.While we have <strong>com</strong>e a long wayin crime reduction, Yonkers needsSNUG along with our Police Department,to continue to make ourstreets safer.”Councilman Wilson Terrero<strong>com</strong>mented, “On behalf of the SecondCouncil District, I would liketo thank Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins for her efforts in fightingfor additional funding necessary tomaintain and continue the operationof the SNUG program here inYonkers. As you know, the City ofYonkers, Mayor Michael Spano,the Yonkers Police Department,local elected officials and I, are determinedto mitigate all types ofviolence and protect the safety andsecurity of this city’s many diverse<strong>com</strong>munities. Gang violence, andviolence in general, is not a problemthat we address alone; we must worktogether with the City’s residents,businesses, and <strong>com</strong>munity andfaith based leaders to ensure that alltype of violent behaviors are eliminatedas an acceptable social norm.This program, and our partnershipwith this program, supplements thefine work of our Police Departmentand Mayor Spano in implementingsuccessful efforts that have reducedcrime and violence---and thus hasmade Yonkers a safer place for everyone.It is imperative that thisprogram continue.”Councilman ChristopherJohnson <strong>com</strong>mented, “SNUG hasplayed a vital role in the decrease inviolent crime in Yonkers. Thanks toAndrea Stewart-Cousins, DemocraticConference Leader, and hercolleagues this effective programwas brought to our <strong>com</strong>munity.Now we are asking for that samesupport to be continued, so thetrend of non-violence be<strong>com</strong>es thenorm.”Councilman Michael Sabatinosaid, “I urge the NY State Senateand Assembly to approve fundstowards this successful worthwhileprogram. Yonkers is the 113th largestcity in the country and one ofthe top ten safest cities. Programslike this help our city to maintainthat high level of safety to our residentsby working with our youth toprevent gun violence.”Police Commissioner CharlesGardner <strong>com</strong>mented, “We supportthe SNUG program whichhas been an important <strong>com</strong>ponentof our department’s very successful& multi-faceted strategy to addressthe program.Since then, despite the program’ssuccess, the future of SNUGhas been a yearly concern due tolack of funding. In 2011, whenSNUG funds had run dry and theprogram was in danger of shuttingdown, the State Division of CriminalJustice Services came throughwith a $150,000 grant to keep theprogram running for the remainderof the year. Recently, the Yonkersgun related violence in Yonkers.”City Council and Mayor Spano allocated$100,000 to keep SNUGDr. Jim Bostic said, “Yonkershas made great strides in reducingrunning until June of this year.gang violence, and this has beenState and local officials on Fridaya direct result of the work of thesaid this uncertainty is not necessary.Yonkers Police Department and thestaff of project SNUG. They haveModeled after the Ceasefirebeen the arms and the legs of theProgram in Chicago, SNUG is aCity of Yonkers’ Violence and Gangfrontline violence prevention initiativewhich directly reaches outprevention coalition on the street.”Page 26 John Thompson, Yonkers The WesTchesTer to at-risk youth. Guardian SNUG violenceSNUG Program Manager said,interrupters are on call every night“One of the best things to happento respondin Yonkers is that it learned how to CLASSIFIEDto and intervene in situationsthat could result in violenceADShandle many of the challenges ofor escalate. The Office SNUG Space workers Available- inthe streets. One of these answersPrime Location, Yorktown HeightsYonkerswas project SNUG,”1,000 are Sq. Ft.: mostly $1800. Contact ex-offenders Wilca: 9<strong>14</strong>.632.12who have turned their lives aroundThe SNUG Program – which isPrime Retail - Westchester Countafter serving“guns” spelled backwards – was createdby the New York State SenateStore $1200.Best time. Location in Yorktown Heights1100 SNUG Sq. Ft. Store programs $3100; 1266 utilize Sq. Ft. store grassrootsneighborhood outreach,$2800 andin 2009 with a $4 million allocation Suitable for any type of business. Contact Wilca: 91public awareness campaigns andin the State Budget. The funding<strong>com</strong>munity mobilization HELP WANTED to engagewas distributed to targeted cities A non profit Performing Arts Center is seeking two job posiyouth. tor of Development- It’s a hands-on, FT-must have a background street-level in develothroughout the State, and Senatorapproachrience fundraising,toknowledgepreventof whatviolencedevelopmentbyentaStewart-Cousins was able to secure ence working with sponsors/donors; 2) Operations Manageshifting good knowledge attitudes, of <strong>com</strong>puters/software/ticketing changing ways systems of$250,000 to bring the program tothinkingoverseeing allandbox office,interruptingconcessions, moviedisputesstaffing, daythe City of Yonkers. After a <strong>com</strong>petitiveprocess, the Yonkers Familystaffing such as Merchandise seller, bar sales. Must be fambefore system and they willing spiral to organize out concessions. of control. Full time plus h438-5795 and ask for Julie or AllisonYMCA was chosen to administerAdvertising SalesOffice: 9<strong>14</strong>-576-<strong>14</strong>81(10:00 AM–6:00 PM)9<strong>14</strong>-216-1674 (Cell)Glenn Weissman: 347-353-6128
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