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?

Sweet Sabina has been the perfect guest in her foster home. She is fully house trained (not a single accident!), loves other dogs and enjoys nothing more than being close to her foster mom. Sabina loves walks and is so easy on the leash. She sleeps quietly through the night next to the bed (although she would probably prefer to be on the bed) snuggled close.

Sabina is nervous around new people and new situations so a quiet, adult household would be best for her. She looks a lot like a wheaten-poodle mix, but she does shed. Sabina is even much more beautiful in person than in a photo — her dark features just don’t show through in pictures the way they do up close.

She is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm tested and micro-chipped.  The adoption donation for Sabina is $250.  To learn more, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at (914)834-6955 or on the web at  www.NY-PetRescue.org.

Have a pet you love, that needs a home or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project”

Joyce Havinga and friends

A recent article in Slate reports an increase in the number of home births- mothers leaving the hospital completely out of the equation when having a baby.

It’s just not happening around here. In 2010, out of 11,104 births in the County, 34 (0.3%)  were intended home deliveries.

And on top of that, Westchester  County has among the highest C-section rates in the country. About half the births at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, Sound Shore in New Rochelle and the Westchester Medical Center are C-sections. The national average is closer to 34%.

When Joyce Havinga-Droop moved to Larchmont from Holland, she found this startling. Both her daughters had been born at home.

Two years ago (today) Joyce gave birth at home in Larchmont to her youngest daughter. “People expressed a lot of unawareness like ‘I didn’t know it was legal!’,  or ‘Is it safe to give birth at home?’, she said, “and ‘I didn’t know you could do that in the US!’ All clear indications that choices about birth are not well known.”

A few weeks later Joyce quit a career in the diplomatic world to become a doula, someone that provides non-medical support to women and their families during labor and childbirth, and also the postpartum period.She is in the process of becoming certified.

“My passion is to guide and assist pregnant women in giving them the birth they want and delivering them the empowerment it provides.”  Doulas, while rare in Westchester, are available to work in teams in your home environment to comfort, assist and work through various positions during labor.

“Being at home, precious bonding time with our newborn was the big reward,” Joyce says. “She did not have to be separated immediately to go to a warmer or to be weighed. Later her sisters came in to meet their new sibling. I would not have wanted to miss these very intimate moments with my family.”

For more information about home birth, Joyce recommends:

www.hudsonvalleybirthnetwork.com,

www.childbirthconnection.org,

www.birthingnaturally.net,

Pelham police may have a suspect in the recent armed robberies that have taken place in Pelham, Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Harrison during the last month, according to published reports.

Kyle Taylor, 23 of New Rochelle and Mt. Vernon was arrested by Pelham police Feb. 15 following a traffic stop at Lincoln Ave. and Second Avenue. Yonkers police had a warrant out for his arrest in relation to robbery with a handgun.

A Beretta 9 millimeter handgun was recovered on an adjacent lawn near where Mr. Taylor was apprehended. The weapon matches the description of the weapon used in the other robberies.

photo: arenamontanus on flickr

This morning Larchmont resident Gregg Goldshall and some of his neighbors found this injured hawk on Echo Lane.

“We got the hawk off the road, it hopped on its one good leg,” he wrote in an email.

Someone called the Village Animal Hospital, where Sandra Blanco has a wildlife license. She says she contacted Animal Nation and the hawk is now at Rye Harrison Animal Hospital, which handles exotics, and is being treated.

Have a pet you love, that needs a home or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project”

Bruce McNicols (left) seen with his on stage partner Henry Newberger

LMC-TV Executive Director Erik Lewis announced the passing of a man well known to those who have watched and been involved with community TV in Larchmont and Mamaroneck:

It  is with deep sadness that I report that longtime producer and musician Bruce McNichols has died.

Bruce’s banjo and vocals appeared regularly at LMC-TV, first in the show “It’ll Get Better” for which we have records of 390 episodes, and then after a hiatus, in the show “Still Tryin’” which recorded its 100th episode on February 8.

Bruce with his bandmate Henry Newberger and others also lent their lilting good humor and great music to LMC-TV Award Nights on the stage of the Emelin Theater and at numerous LMC-TV holiday parties. Countless volunteers have passed through LMC-TV as crew persons for his shows.

Bruce will be deeply missed by all of us here at LMC-TV.

photo: LMC-TV

Town of Mamaroneck Police Department

Two big hauls this week by thieves in the Town of Mamaroneck:

At the CVS on the Boston Post Road, police report a Grand Larceny on February 7. At 4:20 pm, three men stole 12 types of Kerastase hair products, with a value of over $2000.00.

On Birch Road, another reminder why it’s so important to lock your doors. Between 1:00 am and 7:00 am on Feb. 9,  someone stole a Mac desktop, Mac lap top, Panasonic 100A dux camera, a Nikon 5000 camera and $1,000 in cash. The perp entered through an unlocked rear door to the house.

If you’re sticking around, there’s plenty to do. Here are some suggestions from the Journal News to do with kids, and as always, watch our Coming Up column.

If you’re leaving for the break, listen up:  In light of a marked increase in local break-ins, police say prep the house to make it look like you’re not away.

Speaking at a crime prevention workshop last week, Town of Mamaroneck police urged residents to create a “vacation plan” that includes steps like putting house lights on timers and stopping mail and newspapers. Alerting neighbors to your departure is another wise move, they said.

In addition, the Town also has a “dark house” program that under which residents can notify police that their house is going to be vacant so they can keep a closer eye on it. Residents in other municipalities can request police drive-bys as well.

Holidays, vacations times and summer breaks are burglars’ biggest opportunities, police said.

photo courtesy audobon center on flickr

Molly and Lysha, 4th graders at Murray Avenue School in Larchmont,  are helping to foster these adorable puppies–Brownie, left, and Brenda– that are each looking for homes.

The puppies are both Hound/Lab mixes, about 8-10 weeks old and around 10-15 lbs., but could get up to 60 lb.  Very sweet, friendly and playful.

For more information, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue. (914)834-6955.

Have a pet you love, that needs a home or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project”

The following complaints were recorded by Larchmont police during the last week:

Larceny: On Iselin Terrice someone entered a vehicle that was left parked and unlocked in the victim’s driveway, removing property valued at $500. Feb.4.

Penal Law Arrest: A man from New Rochelle was arrested after a altercation with a cab driver and hitting the cab causing damage. The 23 year old man was released on bail. Feb.5

Penal Law Arrest: In Los Angeles, a woman was arrested based on a Warrant of Arrest filed by Larchmont Police Detectives after an investigation of a Grand Larceny at Citibank on Palmer Avenue on Feb. 3.  Jacqucolyn Sanders was arraigned and remanded to the Westchester County Jail on $7500 bail.

submitted by Loop reader Mark Lane:

There are people who think I am knowledgeable about beer.   Probably because I drink a lot of it.  And because much of the time, no one has ever heard of the strange brands they find me with.  So the topic comes up a lot.  I try to steer people towards a good American-made craft beer, particularly India Pale Ales, which have become an art form in this country in the last decade.

I now have a fairly narrow range of IPA’s that I will drink.  Has to be a strict IPA, not some “chocolate IPA” or something.  I prefer “American style” IPA: basic stuff, not the “San Diego” or “Belgian” style IPA’s, which I regard as abominations and insults to an intelligent palate.

Anyway…you may have noticed, Stop-n-Shop doesn’t stock a wide selection of American craft beers, never mind the elite, high-end IPA’s that I, with my refined tastes, now require.  In fact, I’m hard pressed to find one bottle in the entire selection at any local grocery store, or even “gourmet food store”, that I would consider worth the electricity required to bring it to a proper temperature.

So…where does one get these Most Excellent Beers?   Rye Beverage.   You may have passed this place without much noticing.  It’s on the Post Road, on the left as you are heading into Rye, next to the Gulf station with all the Corvettes.  From the outside, it looks unremarkable.

Go inside, it’s a different story.  Owner Michael Bergenfeld is a true beer enthusiast, who knows his product and will gladly engage you in a discussion of which beer might best suit your tastes.

On one side of the store, you’ll find shelves lined with many of the finest brews available anywhere:   Dogfish Head, Lagunitas, Sixpoint, Heavy Seas, Redhook, Cigar City, Southern Tier, Brooklyn, Flying Dog, Dirty Bastard, and many others.  Plus, of course, all your standards, like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada,  etc.  On the opposite side, most of these are also available chilled in a wall of coolers.  And in the back, growlers.

Growlers have been around for a long time.  Some variety of the thing was used at least as early as the 18th Century, to carry beer home from the local pub.  Modern growlers are ½ gallon glass jugs, which are filled from a tap and snugged with a metal cap.  A properly poured growler can generally be kept (cold) for around 24 hours, maybe a little more.  But what’s the point of that?  Just drink it.

Rye Beverage keeps six fine American craft beers on tap in the store for sale in growlers, including locally brewed Captain Lawrence (which is the same as the Larchmont Tavern’s trademark “LT” ale,) Sixpoint IPA, and Dogfish Head 60.  Stop in, pick up a growler, drink it, and bring the bottle back for more.

Cold turkey commute. Don’t even think about lighting up while waiting for your Metro-North train. Doing so could get you kicked off the platform, up to $50 in fines or a trip to jail.

The MTA‘s new ban on outdoor smoking starts today, following a months-long grace period the agency gave smokers to get used to the idea. The ban, which had a soft launch in November, prohibits smoking on Metro-North and Long Island Railroad outdoor platforms, as well as ticketing and boarding areas.

The ban does not apply to Metro-North stations in Connecticut.

Violators have gotten away with just warnings since November. But after several months of  leafleting, signs, announcements and electronic alerts, the MTA now expects passengers to play by the rules.

Lafayette Road, Town of Mamaroneck

(even if it’s just for yourself.)

photo: Jacqueline Silberbush

In the spirit of the Valentine’s season, Spunky looks like she’s wearing her heart on her chest.  Hard to believe a girl displaying that kind of love hasn’t found a family to share it with.

Well-behaved around dogs, cats and the volunteers who take care of her at the New Rochelle Humane Society, Spunky used to be a house cat but when her family moved they left Spunky behind outside to fend for herself. A caring neighbor took care of Spunky and brought her into the shelter when the weather turned could.

As a shelter resident for more than four months, Spunky is an official NRHS Lonely Hearts club, meaning her adoption fee is just $45. She is already spayed, vaccinated, tested negative for Felv & FIV, & microchipped. Adoption fee also includes carrier, collar & ID tag, bag of Science Diet cat food and free vet exam.  For more information visit newrochellehumanesociety.org

Have a pet you love or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project” along with adoptable pets

This was sent to us by Larchmont gallery owner Kenise Barnes:

Leanne is the charming, effusive Gallery Manager at Kenise Barnes Fine Art in Larchmont.  She and Jorge have been a couple since their student days at Stony Brook University.  Friday January 27th marked their six-year “anniversary”, and Jorge, being the romantic type, wanted to give his darling Leanne a surprise she will always remember.

First, it’s important to know:   An ambitious, young professional in the financial field, Jorge has been posted to his company’s Paris office for the last two years. Leanne joined him there for a number of months last summer, but their romance in the past half year has been sustained mostly with Skype and text messages.

The time had come to do something about that.  Leanne and Jorge both knew they were meant to be together, but Leanne had no idea they’d be together on the day of their sixth anniversary.  Or that she would receive a proposal and a diamond and the promise of a many more days together.

To pull this off, Jorge conspired with Leanne’s boss, Kenise Barnes, way back in November, and made her promise that, under no circumstances should Leanne be allowed to take January 27th off.  His worst fear was that she would fly to Paris to surprise him on the exact day he was flying to New York to surprise her.

Kenise, being a romantic type herself, was happy to oblige.  And she recruited Alex, the proprietor of Le Wine Shop on Palmer Avenue, to help.  Alex, as it turned out, was quite a romantic too, and pulled off his role brilliantly.

The plan was simple but ingenious:  Furtively and unannounced, Jorge took a morning flight from Paris to JFK.  (With the diamond ring  he had been nervously carrying around in his pocket for two weeks.)  He made his way to Larchmont, where Alex greeted him showed him to the back of Le Wine Shop.  There he set up his iPod and a camera to record the moment.

On cue, Alex called Kenise to let her know that “…the new wine she wished to sample for her upcoming opening had arrived”, and that she could come over and pick it up.  Leanne liked visiting Le Wine Shop; it gave her an opportunity to practice her French with Alex.

So, conveniently, Kenise decided to send Leanne instead, and watched her walk out the door, directly into the well-laid ploy.

Alex, who is always very helpful, feigned being on the phone when Leanne arrived.  “The wine is in the cooler…” he said as he waved here to the back of the store.

“That’s strange…” thought Leanne as she heard the melody of “their song”.

But that was no match for her surprise when she came around the corner and found Jorge, already with tears of excitement and nervousness, on his knee, with a diamond ring in hand, and a proposal on his lips.

In her joyous shock, Leanne’s first words were, “Oh my God!”, and then “What are you doing here?”, and then, finally:  “Yes.”

It was an artfully directed scene; the couple embraced as a bottle of fine champagne was opened.  Toasts were offered in French and in English before Jorge whisked Leanne off for a picture perfect weekend in New York.

Cheers!

–Mark Graf

The cold air and the wind off the water makes a bone chilling combination at day's end at the edge of the Sound in Manor Park, Larchmont (Jacqueline Silberbush for theLoop)

Submit your local photo by email or to our looppool on flickr, and we’ll post one at the end of every weekday.

Core Fusion Sport in Larchmont

It’s a workout to keep you lean, mean and assure no one utters the words “muffin top” in your vicinity.

Core Fusion Sport is the latest offering at Larchmont’s Debbie Frank Exercise Studio, which is affiliated with Exhale, where this and other amazingly effective fitness and movement programs were developed.

Using core-strengthening exercises facilitated with stretchy bands and a “medicine ball” weighing about 6 lbs., Core Fusion Sport “offers a way to strengthen your body in a safe way that continues out of the classroom,” says instructor Laurie Levy.

Using a combination of lateral and twisting movements, the class promises to “chisel and firm your arms, shoulders, legs and butt while focusing on your core – the center of your strength.”

“We hit all the core areas,” Laurie says, “the glutes, ham strings, shoulders, chest, delts, abdominals and back.”

“We’ll make you stronger for tennis, skiing, or even reaching into the back seat of your car.”

Thursdays at 9:30 am, Debbie Frank Exercise Studio, Larchmont 914.833.3059.

Laurie Levy, left, leads clients to strong abs

Larchmont Library

Check out the new Burchell Children’s Library and its great programs for kids. Some of the series have begun, so check with the library for availability.

Rhythm and Rhyme.
Ages 3 months-1 1/2 years.
Tuesdays, February 7, 14 and 21 or Fridays, February 10, 17 and 24 at 10:45. Get a jump start on literacy! We will share developmentally appropriate books, finger plays, songs and rhymes to use from the crib to the car seat. A parent or caregiver must attend. Registration is required by phone, online, or in person and is limited to Larchmont Public Library card holders.

Rhythm and Rhyme.
Ages 1 1/2-3 years.
Tuesdays, February 7, 14 and 21 or Fridays, February 10, 17 and 24 at 10:00. Help your child develop a love of language and literacy early–on. This program teaches new songs, rhymes and finger plays, while celebrating old Mother Goose favorites like Itsy Bitsy Spider. A parent or caregiver must attend.
Registration is required by phone, online or in person and is limited to Larchmont Library card holders.

Young and Restless. Ages 3 months-1 1/2 years. Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15 and 29 at 11:15. Delight and stimulate your baby’s mind with books and music. A parent or caregiver must attend. Registration not required.

Young and Restless.
Ages 1 1/2-3 years.
Wednesdays, February 1, 8, 15 and 29 at 10:30.
Delight and stimulate your baby’s mind with books and music. A parent or caregiver must attend. Registration not required.

Fantastic Fives.
Age 5.
Mondays, February 6, 13, and 27 and Thursdays, February 2, 9, and 16 at 1:00. Make the Library part of your Kindergarten half–day routine! Join us for creative movement and hands on activities surrounding the best children’s literature. Registration not required.

Stories N’ More.
Ages 6-7.
Tuesdays, February 7, 14 and 28 at 4:00.
Up for a story? a craft? or both? Who knows what we’ll do at the next Stories ‘N’ More! Registration not required.

2nd and 3rd Grade Book Club.
Ages 8 and 9. Thursday, February 16 at 3:30.
Join us for reviewing and discussing the book of the month.
Books will be available on the Book Group Shelf in the Reference Room on the Main Floor three weeks before the program. Registration not required.

LEGO Club.
Ages 7 and up.
Saturday, February 18 at 3:30.
Come share your love of LEGOs at the library. The theme this month will be robots. The library will provide the LEGOs. Projects will stay on display in the Burchell Children’s Room and pictures will be posted to youtube. Please register in person or by calling 834–2281

Mardi Gras Mask Parade.
Ages 5 and up.
Tuesday, February 21 at 3:30pm.
You don’t have to be in New Orleans to enjoy beads, bayou music and funky masks! Join us for stories, mask-making, and of course, a parade. Please register by calling (914)834-2281

Talking Drums with Kobla Dente.
Ages 4-12.
Wednesday, February 22 at 11:00.
In a celebration of Black History Month, world class drummer and percussionist Dente will help the audience explore African culture through songs, chants, dance and movement activities. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Larchmont Library and will be held in the Village Center, directly behind the library. Registration is not required but seating is on a first come, first serve basis.

Pirate School With David Engel.
Ages 4 and up.
Thursday, February 23 at 11:00.
In an act that was featured in New York’s Magazine’s “Best of NY: Kids,” bumbling pirate “Billy Bones” will teach Larchmont’s boisterous buccaneers zany lessons on how to stand, talk, laugh, eat and sing like pirates. All mateys are encouraged to come in costume. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Larchmont Library and
will be held in the Village Center, directly behind the library. Registration is not required but seating is on a first come, first served basis.

Leap Into Leap Day with Paulene Greeman.
Ages 4-6.
Wednesday, February 29 at 3:30. Leap around the activity room as we celebrate a day that happens once every four years with stories and creative movement.
Please register by calling (914)834-2281

Mamaroneck Train Station

The armed robberies that targeted Metro-North commuters in Mamaroneck Village and Harrison last Thursday — as well as similar crimes in Mamaroneck Town, Pelham and possibly New Rochelle — are likely related, police say.

The robber behind the Thursday incidents, which occurred one hour apart, could have taken the train between crime scenes, police say.

Each incident involved individuals walking home from train stations being robbed at gunpoint by someone described as a male, 5’10 to 6″0″ with a medium build wearing a mask over his face and dark clothing.He was carrying a black or silver handgun, police say.

Police from around the area, as well as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, are joining forces to nab the robber or robbers.

New York Crime Stoppers is offering up to $2,5oo for information that will lead police to the individuals responsible for the two most recent robberies as well as the earlier ones. Anyone with information regarding any of these robberies is asked to contact NYS Crime Stoppers at its hotline number 1-866-313-TIPS.

Meanwhile, Larchmont residents report that the rash of home burglaries in the Village also continued late last week when a Birch Lane family became the latest victims of a home invasions that started in December. Police have not confirmed that report.

Photo by June Marie Sobrito

Lots of local to love in Saturday’s New York Times piece about tearooms and baked goods like pastries and waffles and scones.

The reporter writes, ” Scouting four local spots on the brink of Valentine’s Day, I narrowed the field of eligible hot drinks and, not able to resist a little matchmaking, ordered attractive sweets and savories to go with them…”

There you’ll see Bread and Cocoa, A Proper Cup (both in Larchmont) and R Patisserie in New Rochelle. Delish.

There is also Didier Dumas Patisserie in Nyack, which sounds great.

And in LoHud, a Mamaroneck resident bemoans drivers that ignore stop signs in her Village. Maybe they’re in a hurry to get hot chocolate.

photo: starshaped on flickr

North Chatsworth Ave. and Myrtle Blvd., Town Of Mamaroneck

Same spot, about 1905 (?)

At one of the busiest intersections in the Town of Mamaroneck, just north of the 1-95 bridge and the train station, there used to be a charming country road with a well-known hotel.

In the photo above, which has not been dated, but was probably a little later than 1900, a banner above the car in the center leads to “Larchmont Heights” straight ahead and there is a sign for”Chatsworth Heights” to the right of center. That sign is touting that it’s a 5 minute walk to the station, lots at low prices on easy terms, high class improvements, reasonable restrictions, and inducements to homeowners from Chatsworth Heights Realty Co, Larchmont NY.

According to the Larchmont Historical Society‘s Lynne Crowley, the hotel was known as J.A.C. Ruppert Commercial Travelers Hotel.  It also had been known as The Larchmont Café with L.B. Tompkins, Proprietor, in the late 1890s according to a street directory of that time.

“Peter Reinstein was operating it as The Larchmont Hotel by 1901 according to our street directories and on through the teens. The building was reportedy razed in 1925.  An article in our files says ‘Peter Reinstein’s Hotel and Bar had a room so large that boxing bouts were held there..’”

Crowley also sent this shot of just The Larchmont Hotel, dated 1919. She says that the person in the doorway to the bar is Frank Branigan, son-in-law of Peter Reinstein.

Dash & Karen on a morning outing

You’re not seeing double – or are you?

Dash and Karen don’t share a home, but the best buddies, who both live in Larchmont, do share just about everything else. Both rescues from a greyhound racetrack in New Hampshire via Long Island Greyhound Transfer, Dash and Karen come from the same long line of racers. Both like long walks and even longer naps. Toughing it out on a racetrack is paying off for the pair; retirement doesn’t get much better than this.

Larchmont: There are real estate bargains to be had

The Grey Lady’s piece today about Westchester real estate quotes local agent Jim Whittemore saying that, “until recently his agency had listed only ‘a sprinkling’ of houses under $600,000. ‘If there were three before, there are now eight,’ he said.

‘As the years have gone by since 2007, prices have steadily gone down. Now they’re stabilizing, interest rates are low and not surprisingly, buyers are jumping in with both feet.’

The example they use is a Dutch colonial built in 1923 with three bedrooms and one bath listed at $499,000. We found the house at 288 Weaver St. The price is the current “mid-range” in the area.

“The median sales price in Mamaroneck, of which Larchmont is a part, was $996,999 last year.” says the Times.

In Scarsdale, a couple scooped up a fixer-upper for $500,000.

Says the Times, “In recent months, similar scenarios have been playing out throughout Westchester in expensive towns and villages like Bedford, Armonk, Larchmont, Irvington and Pelham.”

All together in Westchester, 336 homes priced under $500,000 were in contract as of Dec. 31, up 39 percent from a year earlier.

Be sure and check out theLoop Real Estate Marketplace

photo: Jacqueline Silberbush

Last year, Seniors got very sleeeeeepy

Get Hypnotized: tonight, February 10,  the Mamaroneck High School Student Council presents Hypnotist Extraordinaire, Tom DeLuca, 7:30 PM, McLain Auditorium. Students: $5.00 Adults: $10.00. Tickets will be sold at the door starting at 6:45. This has become a favorite event at MHS and for the entire community.

The Glass Menagerie at CNR

The Glass Menagerie at College of New Rochelle:  CNR Drama will present Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie from February 9 – February 12, 2012, on the Main Campus of The College of New Rochelle.

photo: John Vecchiolla

Children perform Guys and Dolls at the Sandbox

Guys and Dolls at the Sandbox Theatre: Tickets are $15 for all ages. You can purchase tickets by phone at 914 630 0804 or at the door.

The Science of Yoga Book Signing- A reminder that local writer and New York Times reporter William Broad will have a book signing at Anderson’s 2:00 Saturday.

The Poetry of Flowers Book Signing- with local photographer Camille Rankin 11:00 am, at Anderson’s.

Harrison Train Station

Mamaroneck Village And Harrison police report two more armed robberies involving local residents walking home from a train station at night.

According to Mamaroneck Village Det. Sandra DiRuzza,  at about 8 pm, a 59 year old man reported he was approached from behind on Stanley Avenue and robbed at gunpoint. The suspect demanded his (undisclosed) property and fled on foot with it. The victim called 911. He was unharmed.

In Harrison an armed robbery was reported on the South Road Bridge about 9:00 pm Thursday near the train station. Police say the same man is assumed to be involved in the two robberies last night, and possibly all of them. Harrison police say he wore a light colored bandana mask and had a silver handgun.

“Ours does appear to be similar to the crimes in Mamaroneck, Pelham, New Rochelle and Harrison,” said DiRuzza.

The suspect, like that in recent similar crimes in the Town of Mamaroneck, Pelham and New Rochelle (see summary below) is described as approximately 6 ft tall and approximately 185 lbs; in those crimes he was wearing all black including a black mask covering his face.

• On January 12th a Pelham commuter was approached from behind while walking home from the train on Cliff Avenue at 12:10 a.m.
• On January 17th a Mamaroneck commuter was approached from behind on Glenn Road near Chatsworth Avenue at 10:20 p.m.
• On January 29th, two females, one a student at Iona College, was followed into a building on Eastchester Road and White Oak Street at 4:45 a.m.
• On January 31st a commuter was approached while walking home from the train on Monterey Avenue in Pelham at 8:20 p.m

The Town of Mamaroneck held a crime prevention workshop this week.

Crimestoppers has offered a reward for any information. Anyone with information is also asked to call the Village of Mamaroneck Detective Division at 914-825-8541.

Hurricane Irene devastated parts of Mamaroneck

Anyone who’s lived around here long enough knows that flooding is part of life in lower Westchester.

On Thursday, the County said it’s going to help us keep our heads above water. Flood control projects in Larchmont, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle are going to receive funding through a special $9 million county fund dedicated for stormwater management.

The County will pay $2.3 million toward drainage improvements along Pine Brook at Boston Post Road in Larchmont and $2.5 for water management upgrades along the Hutchinson River in New Rochelle.  The municipalities are expected to pay the remaining costs.

Flood control projects in Mamaroneck Village, which is often hit hardest by flooding, will receive $2 million of the money. Parts of Mamaroneck, home to some of the neediest members of our larger community, were devastated by Hurricane Irene last year and the immensely destructive  2007 Nor’ Easter, both of which left families homeless.

photo: Polly Kreisman

A mannequin of many maladies. In the window of a Larchmont drug store.

Submitted by jphresh

Submit your funny, ironic, weird, ridiculous, etc. local photo by email or to our looppool on flickr, and we’ll post one at the end of most every weekday.

Joanne is a charming, quiet type of girl whose beauty speaks for itself. About three years old, the petite cat, currently being cared for by Larchmont Pet Rescue, is a bit shy at first, but is as warm and gentle as they come.

One look into those wise green eyes and you’ll be sold on taking her home.

Joanne is healthy and up-to-date on her vaccinations. She even gets along with other cats. Her adoption fee is just $75.

For more information call 834-6944 or visit NY-PetRescue.org.

Have a pet you love, one that needs a home, or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project.”

Larchmont Train Station 5:17pm, Oct. 20, 2011- Elisabeth Pollaert Smith

On October 20th, 50 photographers, some professionals, most not, fanned out across the Village to document “A Day in the Life of Larchmont,” a project of the Larchmont Historical Society.

From hundreds of images submitted over those 24 hours, just an ordinary day, the LHS created a collection that will open with a reception Sunday, February 12th, from 3-6pm at the Hampshire Country Club, 1025 Cove Road, Mamaroneck.

Two Loop photographers will be among those whose work will be displayed. Here’s a teaser:

Wraps- Heidi Silverstein

Stanz- Sue Girardi

Det.Sgt. Matthew Mehlrose talks to residents about recent crime in TOM

A lot of crime prevention comes down to common sense.

It’s safer to walk in groups then alone. A home alarm that rings inside and out is a better deterrent then the quieter kinds that don’t offend the neighbors. And don’t bother hiding keys under those fake rocks and other gadgets you see in ads.

“The bad guys watch TV too,” said Mamaroneck Town Police Det. Sgt. Matthew Mehlrose.

That was the Town of Mamaroneck Police Department’s message to the 30 or so neighbors who congregated Wednesday night at the VFW on Boston Post Road for a crime prevention workshop.

Rattled by the recent rash of crimes in the area, neighbors wanted to know the best ways to stay safe.

Town leaders reassured said that the Town of Mamaroneck is indeed a safe community; it has not been affected by the recent surge in home burglaries the way neighboring Larchmont has.

In fact, the number of burglaries and robberies in Town has dropped since 2010.

But the brazen armed robbery in January of a man walking home from the Larchmont train station – possibly linked to similar crimes in Pelham and Eastchester – and multiple car break-ins on Friday, show that no one is immune.

All it takes is two to three minutes for burglars to get what they want out of a home, police said. Leaving house and car doors unlocked makes it all the easier.

As Det. Donn Emonds said, “We understand that you should be able to leave your stuff in your car and it should stay untouched.  But realistically, it doesn’t work.”

People walk by the window of Palmer Art Custom Framing at 144 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont, and remark at the cute dog statue in the window. Until it moves.

Rico, a 3 and a half year old Chihuahua mix is owned by Palmer Art’s Carlos Rodriguez. “He sits so still,” says Rodriguez, “people aren’t sure he’s real.”

The two commute in and out together and work side by side. ‘He’s as much a part of this place as I am.”

You may recall our conflicted feelings about the new M-8 rail cars on the Metro-North Red Line.

Your chances of riding a cleaner, more comfortable | more sterile, computer-voice   train between Connecticut and Grand Central just increased. Metro-North and the State of Connecticut added more new cars to the New Haven Line.

As of Monday, 78 new cars are operating on the line — enough to cover about 24% of regular weekday rides.  The new M-8 railcars will cover an even higher percent of weekend travelers.

It will be years, though, before the entire existing fleet is replaced.  There are a total of 380 new cars on order. More sticky floors to enjoy for years to come.

Larchmont has been taking it from thieves and vandals over the last ten days or so, most notably with break-ins to vehicles.  (See Town of Mamaroneck car break-ins from the weekend) Most of them were unlocked. Lock your car!

Some of the complaints at Larchmont PD:

Larceny: A Mamaroneck Town resident reported someone broke into his vehicle, which he had parked in Lot 3, by shattering the front passenger and property valued at $300 missing. Jan. 30

Larceny: The owner of a Palmer Ave establishment reported on that someone entered his work truck and removed tools valued in excess of $3400. Jan. 30

Larceny: Someone broke into a parked, unoccupied and unlocked vehicle in a residents driveway overnight on Brook Place, no property was removed. Feb.3

Larceny: Someone broke into a parked, unoccupied and unlocked vehicle in a residents driveway overnight on Winslow Place, and removed a pair of sunglasses of undetermined value. Feb.3

Larceny: Someone stole a bicycle on Magnolia Ave, valued at $450, from the garage of her residence. Feb.2

Larceny: A Elm Ave resident reported on that someone fraudulently obtained his debit card information made unauthorized purchases in excess of $400. Feb.2

Photos taken February 5, 2012 in New Rochelle (top) and Larchmont.

submitted to the Looppool on flickr by Mockba1_1999

When Baseer Abdul first fled war-torn Afghanistan as a 15-year-old boy, he was virtually alone in New York, earning cash working at fast food restaurants to pay for English classes. By 18, though, he was well on his way to success, managing a rug company while learning the ins-and-outs of the business.

That thirst for learning, and a really good eye, is what makes Baseer Oriental Rugs in Larchmont a treasure trove of floor coverings. As a guy who appreciates artistry and quality, Abdul steers customers right — and not necessarily at premium costs.  His carpet collection includes rugs priced from $100 to $30,000.

Abdul also cleans, repairs, buys and trades rugs. “You can ask me anything,” he says.

Baseer Oriental Rugs, 2104 Boston Post Road, Larchmont. www.nyantiquerugservice.com

send us your Cool Finds!

New York State Crime Stoppers has offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest in armed robberies in Mamaroneck, Pelham and New Rochelle in January.

The Mamaroneck and two Pelham incidents involved commuters walking home from the train station being held up at gunpoint; the New Rochelle robbery victim was a female Iona College student.

The Journal News reports a fourth robbery occurred on Eastchester Road near White Oak Street in New Rochelle on Jan. 29.

In the Mamaroneck, Pelham and New Rochelle robberies, a black man, 5 foot 10 to 6-feet and weighing 175 to 200 pounds, showed a black semi-automatic hand gun, officials said. The suspect, or suspects, was said to have worn a black ski mask and dark clothing.

Crime Stoppers’ announcement came after another weekend touched by the crime wave.

Town police say five cars were broken into while parked overnight Friday at the Carlton House, a North Chatsworth Avenue condominium apartment building in the Town of Mamaroneck.

Car vandalized in lot at Carlton House apartments

News 12 reports New Rochelle had multiple robberies over the weekend. Police arrested a suspect in a Monday afternoon robbery.

The Town of Mamaroneck and Larchmont Gardens Civic Association will host a crime prevention workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday  at the VFW/Senior Center, 1288 Boston Post Road in Larchmont.

Anyone with information on any of the incidents is asked to call NYS Crime Stoppers at 1-866-313-TIPS(8477).

Broken glass from vandalized cars at Carlton House

Sassy was spotted recently waiting patiently outside the Starbucks in Larchmont. She is a 7-year old Golden Retriever, whose owner described her as “An old lady in dog years with the energy of a puppy.”

Especially after a double grand latte.

Have a pet you love or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project.”

PCRA Girls Varsity team

It started, about ten years ago, with a few neighbors who wanted to take advantage of the coastline and do some rowing.

Now the Pelham Community Rowing Association (PCRA) is the only community rowing program in all of Westchester, and its competitive high school rowing team draws students from Mamaroneck High School, Pelham Memorial High School, Ursuline, Harrison High, Fordham Prep, The Masters School and Scarsdale High School and others.

They hit the fall’s largest regional regattas including Head of the Charles, Head of the Housatonic and Head of the Fish. PCRA took home the prestigious Joe Marfuggi Cup as the most outstanding youth program at the Head of the Riverfront Regatta in Hartford, according to spokeswoman Jean Ippolito.

She added that this year also marked PCRA’s most successful college recruiting and admission season to-date. Seniors gained early decision admittance to Harvard University, Dartmouth College, Williams College, Syracuse University, and University of Virginia, among others.

The New York State Scholastic Rowing Association (NYSSRA) awarded the Varsity Team the coveted Scholar Athlete designation for maintaining a team-wide grade-point average of 90% or above during the highly competitive fall season.

PCRA rows out of Glen Island State Park on the 1964 Olympic Time Trial Course that they share with the New York Athletic Club.

For more information about Pelham Community Rowing Association email jippolito.ny@gmail.com.

A local author we interviewed last year and her extraordinary story come to the Larchmont Library February 12. In her gripping and often unsettling memoir, fathermothergod, My Journey Out of Christian Science  Lucia Greenhouse tells of the pains of growing up in a family with fervent Christian Science beliefs.

 Her own thoughts of religion often clashed with her parents’; most forcefully when her mother became seriously ill with cancer and her father consulted Christian Science healers, instead of doctors. Come hear Linda Greenhouse’s profound struggle with family and faith.

Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. in the Larchmont Village Center, 121 Larchmont Avenue. Complimentary wine and snacks at 3:30. The event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by Friends of the Larchmont Public Library.

http://www.friendsoflarchmontlibrary.org  (914-954-7481)

image courtesy of the author

 

Larchmont Police Dept.

Larchmont neighbors are on guard – and continue informing neighbors by email and texting  – following the most recent burglaries in the normally low-crime town.

Late last week, residents circulated a text message urging others to step up protecting themselves against thieves:

Important alert! Make sure all doors are locked @ night & garage too. 2 more burglaries since last week, willow ave & ocean ave. houses were entered at night when people were home.  Pass this on. 

The current rash of burglaries and car break-ins in Larchmont and Mamaroneck started before the December holidays and, according to residents, continue.  The January robbery of a man on Glenn Road in the Town of Mamaroneck as he was walking home from the Larchmont train station left neighbors particularly frightened.

There were two armed robberies near the Pelham train station last month as well and Pelham Police Chief Joe Benefico thinks the suspect in those crimes may be the same as that in the robbery on Glenn Road.

The Town of Mamaroneck and Larchmont Gardens Civic Association will host a crime prevention workshop at 7 p.m. Wednesday  at the VFW/Senior Center, 1288 Boston Post Road in Larchmont.

“I never gave walking home from the train a second thought and now I do,” says Larchmont’s Dave Bradley, one of the victims of a car break-in.

Bradley says he used to be lax about locking doors before becoming a target. “This community was used to not having these things happen,” he says.

“Now we’re getting used to it,” he says. “I know I am.”

Larchmont Village Police continue to be unresponsive to our inquiries.

Giants fans seen Friday within a 1/2 mile of each other this weekend in Larchmont.   Photos: Jacqueline Silberbush

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Photo by flickr looppool user f.lamster, who writes,”Emma and Symon, packed and ready to go” on moving day to Larchmont.

Send us your pet pix and we’ll post them! Upload them to our group photo pool here.