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Friday, May 1, 2015 - Yonkers RISING - PAGE 11‘West Side Story’ atWBT is Not to Be MissedFrom left are Ft. Terzo Vinci, honoree Giulio Notaro and Westchester County VeteransService Agency Director Ron Tocci.The Jets ensemble. Photos by John Vecchiolla.Len Spano, center, with honorees Giulio Notary and Luciano Savone.Exchange ClubContinued from Page 1adopted July 30, 1964 by Exchange leadersseeking to heighten awareness of the nation’srich religious heritage. The famous works of theprogram’s title are, of course, taken from thePledge of Allegiance to the flag. Members jointogether to show appreciation of the importantroles religious faith and freedom have playedin the nation’s history, and give thanks for theblessings of liberty bestowed on America.In introducing the honorees, ExchangeClub President Ann Muro stated: “Our honoreesGiulio Notaro and Luciano Savone bothemigrated to America at a young age and haveboth exemplified their love of God, family andour country…”The One Nation Under God project wasadopted July 30, 1964 by Exchange leadersseeking to heighten awareness of the nation’srich religious heritage. The famous works of theprogram’s title are, of course, taken from thePledge of Allegiance to the flag. Members jointogether to show appreciation of the importantroles religious faith and freedom have playedin the nation’s history, and give thanks for theblessings of liberty bestowed on America.In introducing the honorees, ExchangeClub President Ann Muro stated: “Our honoreesGiulio Notaro and Luciano Savone bothemigrated to America at a young age and haveboth exemplified their love of God, family andour country…”Luciano is the son of Giuseppe and AdelmaArduini Savone; he is the brother of Jerry andAntonello Savone. A resident of Yonkers since1972, he and his wife, Patrizia, are the parentsof Anthony J. and Luciana Savone.Luciano has been a Yonkers business ownersince 1985. His restaurants include Luciano’sat 2192 Central Park Ave., Yonkers, and Enzo’sat 451 Mamaroneck Ave., Mamaroneck. Lucianohas been a member of the Sons of Italy (JohnCalandra Lodge) since 1985.Honors received include the Deputy MarshalAward from Yonkers Columbus Committeefor hosting the annual complimentary breakfastfor the Miss Columbus Selection; from WestchesterCommunity College for participationand contribution to Italian Heritage Month; andSponsor Awards from the Yonkers ExchangeClub Golf Outing, Henry S. Richards YouthClub and the Hillcrest Lakers Community Club.Giulio is the son of Giovanni and Lena Notaro,and the brother of Nick, Mario, Tony, Anita,Josephine and Phyllis. A resident of Yonkerssince 1962, when he came to America at the ageof 12, he is the proud father of John Giulio andJanine (Mrs. Jack) Meeney; and grandfather toJack.A Yonkers business since 1979, Giulio’sRestaurant is located at 53 Park Hill Ave.Giulio is a member and former presidentof Villa Fortuna, and a member of the PoliceAthletic League of Yonkers, Rauso Post, PugliesiClub and Vietnam veterans organizations.Honors received include Police Athletic LeagueMan of the Year, CIAO Man of the Year, grandmarshal of the Columbus Celebration Committee,and the Yonkers 25-Year Business Award.We will highlight in more detail the manyyears, and positive attributes, that Giulio andLuciano have provided Yonkers in a future issueof Yonkers Rising.Enrico Fermi Educational FundHosts Scholarship BreakfastThe Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkerswill hold its 52nd annual scholarship breakfastSunday, May 3 at 10 a.m. Westchester Manorin Hastings-on-Hudson. This year, the breakfastwill be dedicated to the memory of Roz Mariani,an outstanding family member, educator, friendand Italian-American woman.Once again, Ken Rosato, anchor for Channel7 Eyewitness News, will reprise his role as masterof ceremonies for the event. Scholarship recipientsand attendees will enjoy breakfast, brief remarksfrom distinguished officials and a keynote addressby guest speaker Dr. Emelise Aleandri, immediatepast president of Lt. Joseph Petrosino Lodge 285(OSIA) and artistic director at Frizzi and Lazzi TheOlde Time Italian-American Music and TheatreCompany.The Enrico Fermi Educational Fund of Yonkersis a non-profit organization that was foundedmore than 50 years ago. It began as a vision of severalindividuals, led by Michael Vitulli, to generatefinancial support for Italian-American studentswho reside in Yonkers to further their education.To date, the organization has provided scholarshipstotaling well over $750,000.Students selected to receive the Fermi scholarshipsdemonstrate outstanding commitment toacademics and their Yonkers communities. Thisyear, the Enrico Fermi Educational Fund has includedone additional scholarship, a science scholarshipthat will be awarded to an Italian-Americanstudent residing in Westchester County who excelsPhotos by Ed WhitmanEnrico Fermiin the sciences and plans to pursue an education,and ultimately a career, in that field.Tickets are $35, and seats must be reservedby April 24. For more information and to purchasetickets, contact Anthony Maddalena at 914-968-5644.Allison Thomas Lee (Anita) and Carly Evans (Maria).By Sue Ann WittFor Rising Media Group“West Side Story” opened at WestchesterBroadway Theatre on April 16 – and what anopening it was! It has taken more than 15 yearsto bring this show back to WBT, and it was wellworth the wait. From the first note to the veryend, this proved to be a superior production inevery way.The story is based on Shakespeare’s “Romeoand Juliet,” but takes place in the 1950s on thestreets of New York. It’s the story of the rivalry oftwo gangs, the Jets and Sharks, and the love storyof Tony, founder of the Jets, and Maria, sister ofBernardo, head of the Sharks. Tony and Mariawant to make a life together in a better world butcan’t escape the violence that surrounds them.While WBT’s shows are always well cast,This portion of New Main Street has been cleared for the uncovering of the Saw Mill River.Photo by Donna Davis.Saw MillContinued from Page 1designated for Phase III of the daylighted SawMill River, which is part of a multi-phase projectwhich includes a new urban river and parksthrough the center of downtown Yonkers. Thedaylighting project revitalizes portions of thelong-buried river, including improving riverbanks and installing plantings to create open,green public space.Phase III of the project creates a 1.25-acrepark in an area of the city known as ChickenIsland – the site of a future large-scale developmentproject. The City of Yonkers demolishedseveral vacant properties in Novemberfor the purpose of the new open public space,which is expected to be completed this fall.Phase I of the daylighting occurred inthe former Larkin Plaza, now Van der DonckPark. The park, and river, have been a hugethis production is head and shouldersabove most of the shows thiswriter has seen in years. Each andevery performer is a standout – yetno one is lost or overpowered byanyone.Carly Evans (Maria) and ZachTrimmer (Tony) have a chemistryon stage that is so natural theaudience forgets they are actorsportraying characters and not anactual couple. Allison Thomas Lee(Anita) is sexy and Brandon Contreras(Bernardo) is suave and bothdemonstrate strong voices andgreat dance ability.Adam Soniak portrays Riff,current Jets leader and XavierReyes is Chino (the boy Maria issupposed to marry). Mike Bolandis Doc/Officer Krupke, Ed Romanoffis Lt. Shrank/Gladhand,and Maggie McGrath is Anybody’s– and all are perfect in their roles.Featured are Sara Brophy, VictoriaCasillo, Alexander Gil Cruz,Warren Curtis, Sarah Gawron, MichaelGraceffa, Anthony Johnson,Tyler John Logan, Erik Magnus,Kelsey Orem, Emilio Ramos, AriannaRosario, Kevin Santos, Scott Shedenhelmand Melanie Wildman, and each one is a standoutas gang members and their girlfriends.The beautiful score by Leonard Bernstein,with lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is enhancedby the quality of the voices of each and everycast member. “Maria,” “America,” “I Feel Pretty,”“Somewhere” and “One Hand, One Heart” areamong the many numbers in the show. The choreographyby Barry McNabb is lively, exciting,expressive and exhilarating – and what agility!The full house audience gave the cast and allconnected with this production a well-deservedstanding ovation. Bravo to one and all.“West Side Story” will be at WBT throughJuly 5. For reservations, call 914-592-2222 or goto www.BroadwayTheatre.com. The theater is locatedat 1 Broadway Plaza, Elmsford.success, and have been enjoyed by residents,visitors, environmental groups – and televisionand movie studios to film at.Phase II of the daylighting moves theriver east and through the Mill Street corridor,which will feature a portion of the river and asmall park and piazza-style courtyard.The Phase III portion of the daylightinghas been discussed in development proposalsfor the Getty Square/Chicken Island area ofdowntown Yonkers for decades. Finally, thecity has moved forward on the project, whichis now ready for the actual opening, or daylighting,of the river to occur.Phase III is also expected to help the cityfind a developer for the adjacent property andChicken Island.State funds for the daylighting, whichcame from former Gov. George Pataki in 2004and former State Sen. Nick Spano in 2006, hasbeen used for all three phases of the daylighting.