Facts of LIfe

Happy birthday to Lyndsay Arroyo who celebrates her Sweet 16 on July 23. Love, Mom, Daddy, Johan, Grandpa, aunt and uncle.

Happy birthday to Toni Ganim of Port Chester who celebrates July 24.

Happy birthday to Kathy Federici of Port Chester who celebrates July 26.

Congratulations to former Rye Brook Mayor Joan Feinstein and husband Paul Feinstein who celebrate their 52^nd anniversary July 22.

The next Port Chester High School Marching Band bottle and can recycling collection will be Sun., July 21, 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.

Residents of Port Chester and Rye Brook are eligible for free beach access at Rye Town (Oakland) Beach, 95 Dearborn Ave., Rye, every Tues. thru Aug. 27. Proof of residency is required, and standard parking fees apply. www.townofrye.com

Rye Brook Village offices and the Rye Brook Senior Center will close at 2 p.m. on Fridays in July and August.

New York City Restaurant Week will run Mon., July 22-Aug. 18. Reservations are open for 2-course lunches and 3-course dinners at $30, $45 & $60. For a list of participating restaurants and to make reservations, go to  https://www.nytourism.com/restaurantweek

In a unanimous vote Monday night, July 16, the Westchester County Board of Legislators proposed and approved a referendum to extend the term of a Westchester County Legislator from two to four years. It follows the standard set by more than half the counties in New York State.

This initiative offers several key benefits:

*Substantially decreases taxpayer expenditures on election coordination and administration.

*Redirects these funds towards critical priorities such as public safety, infrastructure investments, and vital social services.

*Empowers Legislators to concentrate on addressing intricate County and district challenges instead of campaign activities, further enabling the creation and passing of impactful legislation and the allocation of resources to projects that enhance the lives of Westchester residents.

The term limit of a maximum of 12 consecutive years would remain in place.

The Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library will present the Virtual Film Club Thurs., Aug. 8, 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. The film title will be announced and can be streamed on Starz. Watch the film in advance then join the discussion via Zoom on Aug. 8. Please email Christina at [email protected] to register and for the Zoom link.

Playland Park in Rye has announced a first-time participation with The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester to offer live music and entertainment at Playland’s Main Stage every other weekend thru-Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. as follows: July 20: Jacknife Lori—90’s All Rock Hits; Aug. 3: Half Step: Grateful Dead tribute; Aug. 17: Damn the Torpedoes—Tom Petty Concert Experience; Aug. 31: Taylor’s Version—A Swiftie Dance Party. In addition, weekly Friday and Saturday night fireworks take place at 9 p.m. thru Aug. 31, launched from the end of the pier at Playland and viewable from the amusement park, the Playland Boardwalk and from Rye Town Park.

Playland and The Capitol Theatre are also presenting The Rock and Roll Playhouse, a family concert series, every other Sunday at 2 p.m. until Sept. 1. It translates some of music’s most recognizable anthems into age-appropriate sing-alongs suitable for listeners of all ages, with classic titles from a variety of genres such as classic rock, new wave, pop, and pop-punk. July 21: The Music of the Talking Heads; Aug. 4: The Music of Taylor Swift & more for kids; Aug. 18: The Music of Blink 182 & more for kids; Sept. 1: The Music of The Beatles and more for kids. For more information, go to https://playland.com

The Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library is offering Summer Reading Bingo for adults and teens thru Aug. 30. Receive a gift for signing up. Complete the whole board and get a prize and a raffle entry. Raffle winners will be notified after Sept. 5. You do not need to be present to win. Please register at the library. For more information, call 914/939-6710 and press 5.

Ashley Cabrera, Michael DiZenzo and Isabella Piston, all of Port Chester, and Christine Ledesma and Sofia Scappatura, both of Rye Brook, received degrees from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. during commencements in May. Ashley was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies; Michael was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; Isabella was awarded a Bachelor of Science in Marketing; Christina was awarded a Master of Arts in Teaching and Sofia was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

Yannely Sanchez of Port Chester was named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. Yannely is a member of the Class of 2027 and was named to the Dean's List for outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester of the 2023-24 academic year. To qualify, students must pass four or more letter-graded courses with no failing grades during the semester and earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Ariana Pareja-Becerra of Port Chester has been awarded the Theodore K. Steele Memorial Scholarship at New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.8 to be awarded this scholarship.

Mackenzie Madden of Rye Brook and Fred Randell of Port Chester have been named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2024 semester at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. Madden and Randell were also both awarded degrees at the university's commencement May 19.

Gianna Villanova of Port Chester has qualified for the Spring 2024 Dean's List at Seton Hall University in S. Orange, N.J. After the close of every semester, undergraduate students completing all courses with a GPA of 3.4, with no grades lower than "C", qualify for the Dean's List.

Vanessa Asencio-Trezza of Rye Brook and José Deleon Barrios of Port Chester were awarded degrees this spring by the University at Albany. Asencio-Trezza received a Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction; Barrios received a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics.

Sandra Abarca, Silvana Armijos, Zara Burney, Nathan Cabrera, David Carchipulla, Emely Cervantes, David Fry, Guadalupe Conde, Sophia Kamensky, Shelby Lipson, Emelie Madeira, Daniel Marbe, Jonathan Marbe, Karen Pinto and Matthew Williams, all of Port Chester, and Tessa Bernard, Tyler Della Mura, Halle Greaige, Hannah Marasa, Anthony Perrone, Olivia Perrone and Thomas Wemm, all of Rye Brook, have been named to the Dean’s List at Purchase College for the Spring semester. Students who have earned this academic honor have maintained a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher and taken a minimum of 12 credits. For BA and BS programs, a semester GPA of 3.50 is required. For BFA and MusB programs, a semester GPA of 3.75 is required.

Christian Gagnon of Port Chester earned Dean's List honors at The University of Tampa for the Spring 2024 semester. Gagnon was a sophomore majoring in Management. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher to be eligible for the Dean's List.

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 addition to the November 2024 elections which include races for Congress, State Senate and Assembly and judicial offices, in March 2025 there will be LOCAL elections and the Committee is currently interviewing for the following:

Mayoral seat (1)

Trustee seat (6)

The process for those elections starts later in 2024 and early in 2025.

Also, there are several openings on various Port Chester boards and commissions. These are excellent ways to get civically involved. Consult [email protected] or ads seeking candidates in the Westmore News.

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

Purchase College, State University of New York, has been selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Fiske Guide to Colleges, which includes profiles of more than 300 of the “best and most interesting colleges in the U.S., Canada, and U.K.” According to the description in the 2025 guide, Purchase College is especially notable for its “academic environment that provides a strong sense of community yet celebrates individuals for their unique talents and contributions.” The guide singles out the college’s many strong programs in the arts, liberal arts, and sciences including environmental studies, dance, biology, film, new media, playwriting and screenwriting and arts management. The guide also focuses on the academic, professional, and social opportunities afforded by the college’s location near New York City.

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.

Clay Art Center in Port Chester’s Annual Scholarship Appeal is drawing to a close and, thanks to supporters, it has raised 80% of its $30,000 goal. Help CAC cross the finish line and make the $30,000 goal to continue what it does best: provide access to clay, support its students, and deliver high-quality arts education in a professional studio setting. Your best gift today will have a lasting impact on our community! www.clayartcenter.org

The Westchester County Historical Society’s 150^th Anniversary Program provides fun and enriching learning experiences for all ages. Families can register to participate in the free program that allows them to sample more than 300 years of Westchester by visiting 1-3 sites in more than 30 communities. The History Hunt will conclude Sept. 8, with prizes presented in the fall to families or groups that complete the entire hunt and/or have highly creative entries. The WCHS History Hunt mobile app provides GPS-guided directions to the places, then gives a description, images and an audio recording with brief background. As proof of visiting the site, participants are given a simple task. For information go to www.westchesterhistory.com.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles has launched the New York Mobile ID, a highly secure digital version of a state-issued driver license, learner permit or ID on a smartphone. The Mobile ID is a voluntary product designed for the convenience and security of New Yorkers and is available to IOS and Android users. Anyone who has a valid, state-issued driver license, learner permit or non-driver ID can download the secure Mobile ID app through Google Play or the App Store.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer announced the return of free Bee-Line Bus Rides for this summer thru Sept. 2 on all Bee-Line buses including Para Transit. Fare-free service will provide residents and visitors with a convenient and cost-effective transportation option throughout the County. For information on schedules and routes, go to www.westchestergov.com/beeline or call 914/813-7777.

The Westchester County Clerk's Office will be open 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

Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced the debut of the new Westchester Craft Beverage Trail and free online passport. The trail includes more than 24 distilleries, craft breweries and cideries throughout the region. A free, online passport for users 21 and older allows them to easily sip and savor their way across the County while earning rewards for fun items reflecting Westchester’s craft culture. Learn more at www.visitwestchestercounty.com/things-to-do/dining/craft-beverage/trail/

Gov. Kathy Hochul has designated two more Free Fishing Days in New York this year: Sept. 28 and Nov. 11. During these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York’s waters. The Free Fishing Days program provides a great opportunity for aspiring anglers to try freshwater fishing for the first time or former anglers to reconnect with one of America’s favorite pastimes.

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.