Several of the Westchester.gov Web sites run by the County seem to be back up–at least sporadically– after being hacked Friday.

The hacker’s message poked fun at the county’s computer security, saying “Security is a joke! Your box owned by Mr.XHat Greets To: All Underground Hackers & Mafia Bands.”

The sites were those of Several of Westchester County’s offices, including those for the district attorney, the county clerk and the Board of Legislators.

Did this shutdown affect you? Did it get in the way of your doing business with the County, finding directions, or anything else? Please let us know below.

theLoop received a Letter to the Editor from a reader claiming the Mamaroneck Junior Soccer League (MJSL) engaged in “disrespectful and abusive behavior” against a team from Fox Lane recently.

We asked MJSL for a response, which you can see below it.

To the Editor:

On Saturday night Mamaroneck FC 93 played Fox Lane FC Best Friends in soccer at The Armonk Indoor Soccer League winning the game 5-1 and also a place in the Hall of Shame along with their coach and some of the parents.

(more…)

Vegetarians and Vegans have more and more options when dining in restaurants in Westchester. Our friends at StacyKnows have compiled a list you should have if you don’t eat meat. And if you know any more, please add them in the comments section.

Their Up County picks are:

• Moderne Barn
• Cheesecake Factory
• Haven
• North
• Fig and Olive
• Blue Hill

Read more.

photo: Fotopedia

Happy Anniversary to Vintage 1891 in Larchmont, which opened a year ago this weekend.

For many, Vintage, a beautiful venue in a meticulously renovated old newspaper printing factory, has become the local go-to place for food and wine, events and wine classes.

We asked General Manager Michael Madden how the last year looked from behind the bar.

theLoop: Does it feel like it’s been a year?
Michael: It actually feels longer but in a good way because Vintage 1891 has changed so much since we first opened our doors. Moving from a small plates and cheese venue to a full service restaurant has been challenging but really rewarding. The community has really been behind us and wanting us to succeed.

What was your greatest accomplishment this year?
I feel most proud keeping coworkers that have been here since the beginning excited and motivated as we have grown. Our Wine Director, Alicia Wilbur, and our Special Events Manager, Amy Negri, have been more than instrumental in our success. But of course I’m extremely proud of our new Executive Chef, Jesus Canela who joined us at the end of last year. All of them are an extremely talented and dedicated group of people.

What do you think people like best about Vintage?
It has to be how beautiful and welcoming our space is coupled with our excellent food. It really is an environment that conforms to the guest rather than the other way around. People can come in and just relax and join a group of friends for drinks or have romantic dinners next to the fire place. It definitely breaks some ideas of what a Westchester restaurant could be.

You’ve worked many places, including the Moderne Barn in Armonk. How does Vintage 1891 compare in terms of vibe? Patrons?
I loved my time at Moderne Barn in Armonk. The Livanos family behind that project is very knowledgeable and they work very hard to prove that they are great restaurateurs. That said, Moderne Barn is a very different animal than Vintage 1891. Our vibe tends to be much more relaxed and people have said that we are very “downtown” without all the pretense.

What is your main goal for year 2?
I want to continue to reinforce our message about our delicious food. Also to let people know our wine lists are growing every day. And that we are excited about all the new additions to our beers and spirits.

Congratulations to Vintage1891 on a great first year!

The paperback is now $229.00 on Amazon! Kindle edition $6.99. (And we just learned, $23.95 at Arcade Booksellers in Rye.)

Who has read Fifty Shades of Grey by E L James, the steamy, erotica the Today Show said this morning is “Shaking Up the Suburbs?”

• 50 Things about 50 Shades of Grey (Read React Review)
• I’m Reading 50 Shades of Grey and So Is Everyone else in Armonk (stacyknows.com)
• Fifty Shades of Grey (A review) (apromontoryfirst.wordpress.com)
• Some Fifty to celebrate… (bookishtemptations.wordpress.com)

Come on. Tell us.

Ridge Hill, Yonkers

Speaking of why some towns get shopping and others do not, (and thanks for your comments on the Armonk supermarket story,) with Whole Foods’ announced move into Port Chester, and Ridge Hill opening in Yonkers, Talk of the Sound recently asked what

Best Buy
Whole Foods
Fairway
Target
Barnes and Noble
and Kohl’s

had in common?

They are “some of the retailers who recently took a pass on New Rochelle. The old adage in real estate is location, location, location. Well, for the purposes of future development in New Rochelle, it should be parking, parking, parking.”

How do you think New Rochelle can begin to attract the kinds of businesses it wants, if there are any left?

Over in Armonk, residents have lost their only supermarket, as reported by our friends at AllAboutArmonk.com:

As expected, the Armonk A&P has closed its doors for good. Most of us would agree that it was never a great supermarket, but it served the needs of the community. We stood in the interior of the store as everything remaining was being cut up for scrap material.
The entire store was being demolished and the walls and shelves were cut up and put out in carting bins. The scrap collector was on hand to haul the materials off in big dumpsters. The A&P’s outdoor signs were down.

Residents gathered to say their goodbyes to the employees; unfortunately, customers were turned away at the locked door.

Resident Marla Shechtman said she is heartbroken because the supermarket was the heart of Armonk and a place where she saw so many people in town.

More

If this was your town, what would you do?