By Eric Wolf Schoen
Hard to believe that summer ended so abruptly and all of a sudden we are wearing our winter coats and hats. We can change a lot of things but you can’t change the weather. I am sure many of you like the colorful leaves and even more colorful trees, but there are many of us that would like summer all year long. Yes we should move to Florida but no, we like the seasons.
The candidates for President this year sadly don’t excite us and many people say they are not going to vote. Don’t do it! It is critical that you vote. If you don’t like a Republican or Democratic candidate, vote for one of the candidates on the other party lines. With so many choices you should read up on them because you don’t want to vote for someone just because you don’t like the major candidates. There has to be one candidate on the Ballot You can support. Remember that unless a miracle happens the Democrat will win New York,
New York now lets people register to vote online making the whole process simple. The important date to remember is October 26. You have to register online, in person, or have your mail in registration form at the Board of Elections by that date. Early voting runs from October 26 to November 3rd. Don’t just go to the polling site you always go to. Find out where the early voting site is before you go. You should receive a card from the Board of Elections that tells you where to go.
To qualify for voter registration in New York State, you must be a United States Citizen; be 18 years old (you may pre-register at 16 or 17 but cannot vote until you are 18);not be in prison for a felony conviction, not be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court and not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
The big day this year is November 5. Polling locations are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You should receive a card with all the details as to where you should go.
If you get to the polling place and they don’t have your card, don’t leave. Demand a paper ballot. If you feel strongly that you registered there are usually Supreme Court Justices at the Board of Elections and at locations throughout the county. The phone number for the WESTCHESTEr County Board of Elections is 914-995-5700.
It’s a long day but the Board of Elections always needs people to work the polls. Call the number above if you are available. You get to meet your neighbors and quite often the candidates. During the quiet time you can read, knit a scarf for me (no wool please) and if you are a student the polls will leave you time to do your homework.
So where does the pizza come in. It doesn’t have to be pizza it can be any food that brings you comfort and joy. After this political season all of us are due for a treat on Election Day for putting up with a race that for many of us started early this year.
Now I like my pizza the normal way with mozzarella and tomato sauce. I wouldn’t step on vegetable pizza or pizza with pineapple. When the local daily paper talks about pizza, they always focus on the newest shops selling funky pizza. Like a clam pie.
We are so blessed in Yonkers to have many small shops that get missed. Right off the parkways on Spruce Street is Carlito’s where $5 buys a slice of pizza and a soda. $4 for children. Luigi’s on Bronx River Road makes a mean white slice and great cheese and tomato sauce pizza. South Broadway has Gino’s,always a favorite going back to the days of the Park Hill Movie Theater.
You might want to do bagels and lox and my friends at GOLDBERG’S across from Cross County Center have what I consider the best bagels in Yonkers. Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. They make bagel twists but you better get there early to get one. GOLDBERG’S has a full appetizing counter with cream cheeses low and full fat. High Ridge Bagels on Central Park Avenue is like all good bagel shops; boils the bagels first than bakes them in the oven. Don’t buy a bagel unless it is boiled then baked.
This week a Paris Baguette opened in the High Ridge Shopping Center. Add delicious cakes and pastries to fresh breads and you can be in Yonkers and feel like you are in Paris. A place some of you may go to if you are not happy with the election results.
So make sure you vote and then splurge on some pizza or fresh bagels or whatever floats your fancy.
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com, or friend him on Facebook Eric Schoen…just look for him in the picture with Joan Rivers!
