Facts of Life

On Dec. 29, Port Chester and New Rochelle’s gift to the world of salsa dancing, Robina Wolfson, celebrates her birthday. A resident of fabulous Port Chester for 54 years, she continues to light up the dance floors of The Bronx, Manhattan, and the tri-state area like nobody else. And she is an absolute legend in Mexico. Indefatigable, a great mom and grandmother and the best partner that her husband Lorenzo ever could have imagined. Just unforgettable. Happy birthday to the one and only GOAT!

A very happy birthday to Kiah Thomas, who grew up in Port Chester and will be 34 on Dec. 20.

Wishing Joel Simon of Winding Wood Road, Rye Brook, an early happy birthday.

Happy 96th birthday to lifelong Port Chester resident Katherine LaBella who celebrated on Dec. 16.

Happy birthday to Port Chester native Dr. Lisa Licare who celebrates Christmas Day.

Happy birthday to Jamie Giorgi of Pinehurst, N.C., formerly of Port Chester, who celebrates Dec. 22.

Jason Wolf, who grew up in Port Chester and Rye Brook, celebrates his birthday on Dec. 25 in Bath, England. Happy birthday from Mom, Kitty, Sofia and Lucas.

Happy birthday to Lauren Roberts of Newport Beach, Calif., who celebrates Dec. 22. Her mother is the former Leslie Pugatch, a native of Port Chester.

The New York National Guard Adjutant General for the State of New York has announced that Christopher Pulla Sigua and Bryant Sanchez Sanchez, both of Port Chester, have received promotions. Christopher, who is assigned to the 442^nd Military Police Company, received a promotion to Private 1^st Class. Bryant, who is assigned to Company A, New York Army National Guard Recruiting & Retention Battalion, received a promotion to the rank of Private. Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.

Free two-hour parking, sponsored by the Village of Port Chester and the Port Chester-Rye Brook-Rye Town Chamber of Commerce, is available in the downtown Port Chester business district and will continue thru Jan. 1. Free parking on North and South Main streets, Abendroth Avenue, the lower portion of Willett Avenue (from the railroad bridge to Abendroth Avenue), Highland Street/Marvin Place Shoppers Lots, Adee Street, Westchester Avenue and Grace Church Street gives residents and visitors the opportunity to visit local businesses for holiday shopping and dining as they celebrate the season with family and friends.

If you’re looking for a unique holiday gift for a current or former Rye Town resident, the Port Chester Historical Society is selling 2025 calendars with historic photos of Port Chester on every page. These keepsake calendars are for sale at the front desk of the Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library for $20.

Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, has announced that registration is open for their 2025 winter session of Around the World in Clay, a free after-school arts program for Port Chester students only. The program will run from Jan. 6-Mar. 27—ages 7 & 8, Wed., 4-5:30 p.m.; Ages 9 & 10, Thurs., 4-5:30 p.m. middle school, Mon., 4-5:30 p.m. and high school, Tues., 3:30-5:30 p.m. Limited enrollment. Register at www.clayartcenter.org

Playland Park in Rye is offering a special December sale on its 2025 season passes just in time for holiday shopping. Guests can purchase a season pass for just $99.99 thru Dec. 31, marked down from the original price of $150. With the all-access season pass, guests are granted unlimited visits to the park, beach, pool and lake, as well as free parking and other perks such as concerts, firework shows, celebrations and more. For additional information and to access the season pass online, go to www.playland.com.

The next Port Chester High School Marching Band bottle and can recycling collections will be Sun., Jan. 5, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Middle School parking lot on Bowman Avenue, Rye Brook. Collections generally take place on the first and third Sunday of each month. Call 914/200-1464 for updated information.

The next bulk trash pickup in Port Chester will be Wed., Jan. 8. There will be no further green waste pickups until spring.

2025 Mah Jongg cards can be ordered now. Cards are $14 for standard print; $18 for large print. Please pay by cash or leave a check at the home of Leslie Brandeis, 48 Meadowlark Lane or Allene Berman, 20 Mohegan Lane, both in Rye Brook. Cards will be shipped to the address provided. For each card ordered, $8 will be donated by the Mah Jongg League to Congregation K.T.I. All orders must be received by Feb. 2. For additional information, email Leslie at [email protected] or Allene at [email protected]

Family Services of Westchester has received a $15,000 grant from the ACME Markets Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program. This will allow the non-profit organization to enroll its Head Start and Early Start families in vital federal nutrition programs. FSW was chosen to receive this grant because of its commitment to connecting qualified individuals with existing federal meal programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women Infants and Children (WIC).

Westchester County has been honored with the esteemed 90+ cashVest Award for 2024 in recognition of its exemplary leadership in public finance liquidity management. This honor is given through a collaboration between the National Association of Counties and three+one®, a national financial-technology firm that specializes in evaluating cash-management practices within the public sector. This recognition underscores the County’s commitment to utilizing data-driven insights to maximize every taxpayer dollar. By maintaining a cashVest score of 90 or above for four consecutive quarters, Westchester County has demonstrated its commitment to effective cash management, improving financial stability, and ensuring responsible stewardship of public resources. This award places Westchester County among the top-performing local governments nationally in financial management. The County’s dedication to data-driven decision-making and fiscal responsibility continues to serve as a model for communities across the country.

Port Chester Council for the Arts has announced their upcoming arts programming, Spring Arts at the Mansion for children in grades K-6, to be held at Crawford Park Community Center, 122 N. Ridge St., Rye Brook. Classes will run Jan. 13-Apr. 14 with a make-up class on Apr. 21. Class offerings are as follows: Mon.: World of Art, 1^st-3^rd grade, 4-5 p.m.; 4^th-6^th grade, 5-6 p.m., Tues.: Broadway Magic, K-3^rd grade, 4-5 p.m.; 4^th-6^th grade, 5-6 p.m.; Wed. Triple Threat—Sing, Act, Dance, 4^th-6^th grade, 4-5 p.m., 1^st-3^rd grade, 5-6 p.m.; FunSketch, 4^th-6^th grade, 4-5 p.m., 1^st-3^rd grade, 5-6 p.m. $450 per course; multi-course discount of 10% if registering for more than one class. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd55hsngsHDWDoOSWSE-2zzjS3suTBDaTaK_rj16tjJW0ta-w/viewform by Fri., Jan. 3. For more information, write to [email protected]

There is no overnight parking in the Village of Rye Brook thru Mar. 15, 2-6 a.m., unless posted otherwise.

The Westchester County Department of Public Safety is accepting applications for seasonal park rangers to patrol County parks next summer. Applications are due by Feb. 23 and are available online at https://publicsafety.westchestergov.com. Park rangers assist users, provide information on park rules and procedures, help in searches for lost children, perform basic first aid on occasion and make regular security checks of buildings and facilities. First-time rangers are paid $17 per hour; salaries are higher for those who have worked as a ranger for the county before. Applicants must be a high school graduate, at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen and possess a valid New York State driver’s license by the time of appointment.

The Village of Port Chester’s online portal to apply for and access real time updates on building permits and property information is now live. This portal offers 24/7 real-time permit applications, case status updates, and property information. To apply for a building permit, check permit status, view inspection reports and pay online, you need to "Register for an Account." You will receive an email instruction to activate your account at the end of registration. In the future, you will be able to file a complaint and view code violations, search for fire inspection records, file a planning application and register for an alarm permit. This portal replaces the previous land use application “Municity.” Go to www.portchesterny.gov

The Port Chester Democratic Committee is looking for candidates for the upcoming March 2025 Village Election. They are looking for candidates for Mayor and Trustee. In March 2025 the Mayor and ALL six Trustee seats are up for election.

Also, in November 2025, the Town of Rye will be having an election. Petitions for these offices must be completed by early 2025. The offices up for election for the Town in 2025 are: two Council seats, Receiver of Taxes and judicial candidates.

For information or anyone interested in running for the above seats, please contact Raymond Sculky, Chair, at [email protected] or 914/469-8889 or Hattie Adams, Vice Chair, at [email protected] or 914/426-0782.

The Town of Rye/Port Chester Republican Committee is looking for party/campaign support. Tasks can be done both in person and virtually and on a part-time/as needed basis.

In March 2025 there will be LOCAL elections, and the Committee is interviewing for the following:

Mayoral seat (1)

Trustee seat (6)

The process for those elections occurs in late 2024 and early 2025.

For further information about running for an elected position, please call: Aldo Vitagliano, GOP Village Chairman, at 914/921-0333.

Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, has announced that registration is open for their Winter Session classes for adults in wheel throwing, handbuilding and sculpture. The Winter Session will run from Fri., Jan.10-Tues., Mar. 3. For information and to register, go to www.clayartcenter.org

Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, invites residents to be part of their impact by making a contribution to support their exhibitions and programs. To donate, go to www.clayartcenter.org

The Village of Rye Brook has partnered with Westchester County to offer residents a free cell phone app called RecycleCoach where you can look up your Rye Brook sanitation schedule, view holiday week changes, and receive answers to commonly asked questions such as if a particular item is recyclable. It is a very useful tool, is relatively user-friendly and can be downloaded from the App Store.

Qualified homeowners in Westchester County may be reimbursed for repairs for damage their homes sustained during Hurricane Ida in 2021. The New York State's Department of Homes and Community Renewal has unveiled a new reimbursement and repair program that is now accepting applications through Jan. 17. For information go to https://hcr.ny.giv/general-Ida-programs.

Lifting Up Westchester, a community-based nonprofit agency that provides life-changing support to people who have lost their housing or are struggling to meet their other basic needs, has announced its eighth annual student essay contest. Open to all 7-12^th grade students attending school in Westchester County, this year’s contest is entitled The Gift because it asks students for their perspective on how to best use a substantial, unexpected donation of $1 million. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded in each of the three grade groups: 7^th and 8^th; 9^th and 10^th; and 11^th and 12^th. First prize in each category is $500, second prize is $250, and third prize is $100. Students can enter until Feb. 7 at 5 p.m. Students should enter the contest at www.liftingupwestchester.org/essay-contest and upload their essays. Winners will be announced in early March, and an awards ceremony will take place Apr. 14. Students, teachers, and parents can learn more about how the contest works and review the judging process and criteria by visiting liftingupwestchester.org.

The New York Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) offers heating assistance to eligible low-and middle-income residents to help with winter energy costs. Homeowners and renters may qualify for up to $900 in aid, with potential add-ons based on income, household size and household members’ age or disability status. For assistance, call DSS at 914/993-3333 or apply at MyBenefit.portal

The Department of Environmental Conservation has announced their 20^th annual “Create a Watershed Superhero” poster contest for middle school students. The theme challenges students to create their own superhero to inspire environmental stewardship. Posters will be accepted thru Jan. 3. The winning posters will be featured in DEC and NYWEA’s 2026 Annual Calendar. For information go to https://dec.ny.gov/get-involved/education/teacher-information/poster-contest/create-a-watershed-super-hero-claendar-contest

Congregation K.T.I. is participating again this school year in Food 2 Grown On to provide bags of groceries each weekend and during school vacations to alleviate hunger and food insecurity among elementary-aged children at Edison, Park Avenue and King Street school in Port Chester. Checks made payable to Food 2 Grow On are also welcome and should be mailed c/o the Rotary Club, P.O. Box 26, Port Chester, NY 10573. Food donations requested include healthy cereal, peanut butter (14-16 oz. jars), tuna fish, canned fruit (14-18 oz. size)—store brands are OK. Food donations can be dropped in the box at 48 Meadowlark Rd., Rye Brook or purchased through the Amazon link, Holiday Food Drive 2024. For questions or to arrange a pickup of donations call Leslie at 914/939-8659 or email her at [email protected]

The Westchester County Clerk's Office is open with extended evening hours for their popular mobile passport services weekdays from 5-8 p.m. at 110 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., White Plains. The U.S. Department of State estimates standard passport processing times at 6 to 8 weeks and expedited at 2-3 weeks, with an additional charge. Remember to bring all necessary documents, like proof of citizenship (birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or naturalization certificate) and proof of identity (driver’s license or government-issued ID). For renewal applicants, there are specific guidelines to follow, and for minors under 16, both parents need to be present, unless specific conditions apply. All details and forms are on their website, www.WestchesterClerk.com. Fees: $130 for adults; $100 for minors under 16. Payment is by money order or check payable to the U.S. Department of State, plus a $35 service fee payable to the Westchester County Clerk (credit card, money order, or check). Passport photos are $10 each ($7 for seniors). For questions, call 914/995-3082 during the week or go to the website.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, located in the footprints of the Twin Towers in NYC, offers free admission exclusively to New Yorkers on the first Monday of each month, providing New Yorkers a special opportunity to see the Museum with one another and to reconnect with the feeling of community and cohesion that blanketed the city and nation in the wake of 9/11. The Memorial can be visited daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; the Museum is open Wed.-Mon., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. For regular admission rates, go to https://visit911memorial.org

At Congregation KTI it is a Mitzvah (good deed) moment for all to help feed those in the community who are needy. All food collected in KTI’s ongoing drive is being given to the Salvation Army in Port Chester. Food requested includes cans of tuna, chicken, vegetables, beans and fruit as well as pasta, 10-16 oz. bags/boxes of white rice, snacks, shelf-stable milk, healthy cereals, macaroni and cheese and canned meals like Chef-Boy-r-Dee, chili, etc. The food can be left in bins in Leslie Brandeis Novack's driveway at 48 Meadowlark Rd., Rye Brook.