Facts of Life

Happy 4th birthday to Ariella Morocho of Port Chester who celebrates Nov. 17. We love you so much, Princess!

Happy birthday to former Port Chester Mayor Fritz Falanka who celebrates Nov. 18. Wishing him many more.

Happy birthday to former Rye Brook Mayor Larry Rand who celebrates Nov. 19.

Adrienne Macedo of Port Chester was recently elected to membership into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, at Fordham University. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

Gabe Duran, Brandon Lalvay, Leslie Guayliasaca, Daniela Lucas, Shantel Azanon, Daisy Ayavaca, Alexandra Cruz, Kaylee Dugllay, Danny Zhagui Tenesaca and Bayron Aguirre, all of Port Chester, and Sophia Carey of Rye Brook have enrolled in the University at Albany for the Fall 2024 semester. Gabe, Brandon, Daisy, Kaylee, Bayron and Sophia are majoring in Business Administration; Leslie is majoring in Political Science; Danny is majoring in Accounting; Alexandra is majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering; Daniela is majoring in Chemistry; Shantel is majoring in Psychology.

Arlette Peralta of Port Chester was among the participating students in Hofstra Votes LIVE, the award-winning, multi-platform broadcast produced by the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication that aired on election night, Nov. 5. Arlette is a Video/Television and Film major at Hofstra University in Garden City, N.Y.

The next Port Chester High School Marching Band bottle and can recycling collections will be Sun., Nov. 17, 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.

Port Chester Recreation is holding a Coat Drive thru Dec. 11. Donate your unwanted coats to help others stay warm. Drop donations at Port Chester Recreation, 222 Grace Church St. or at Rye Ridge Cleaners, 265 S. Ridge St., Rye Brook, Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For additional information, call 914/939-2354.

Paula’s Pals 14^th Annual Coat Drive is taking place thru Dec. 6. The coat drive is in memory of Paula Paniccia Bertolacci and seeks to collect clean, reusable coats. Collection boxes are located at the Rye Brook Recreation Office, 938 King St., and at Posillipo Center, 32 Garibaldi Pl., both in Rye Brook. For additional information, call 914/939-3235.

Mayor Luis Marino is asking Port Chester residents if they are interested in having an evergreen on their property evaluated to be the Village of Port Chester’s 2024 Christmas tree. If you are interested, please contact Mayor Marino’s office by telephone at 914/939-2200 or send an email to Mary Anne Veltri at [email protected] by Nov. 18. The selected tree should stand approximately 21’ tall to be placed in Liberty Square for the holiday season. The village tree lighting will be held Dec. 5 at 6 p.m.

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.

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

Fall leaf collection in Rye Brook will continue through the third week of December. It is the Village’s goal to provide leaf collection service with a maximum of three weeks between collections at peak periods (weather depending). During the 12- to 13-week program season, highway department employees will travel each street of the Village and collect leaves placed curbside. For equipment to be efficient, leaf piles need to be placed in a row along the curb line, not in the roadway. Please advise your gardeners not to create mounds of leaves at the curb, over storm drains or in the roadway, but to create long rows.

Clay Art Center, 40 Beech St., Port Chester, has announced that enrollment is open for their Fall Session B. Weekly clay classes for adults—mornings, afternoons and evenings has begun and include pottery wheel throwing, sculpture and handbuilding and are available for all levels. For information and to register, go to www.clayartcenter.org

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 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.

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.

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

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/

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.