playland by june marie sobrito

WESTCHESTER COUNTY– Park it this summer- Passes for over 50 county parks go on sale today.

Passes are available at the Westchester County Center and the Parks Department on 450 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley on Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

• Rye Playland
• Dunwoodie and Sprain Lake Golf Course in Yonkers
• Hudson Hills Golf Course in Ossining
• Maple Moore Golf Course in White Plains
• Saxon Woods Golf Course in Scarsdale
• Ward Pound Ridge Reservation Golf Course in Cross River
• Glen Island Park in New Rochelle (tickets go on sale here May 26)

Some of the County Parks include not only those above, but Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers, Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains and Willson’s Waves in Mount Vernon.

Beginning June 16 passes will be available daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Brook at Tibbetts Brook Park in Yonkers, Saxon Woods Pool in White Plains and Willson’s Waves in Mount Vernon.

More information here.

NEW ROCHELLE– The Paine to Pain Trail Half Marathon is returning for its 5th consecutive year on October 14th, to be run on the Colonial Greenway. Registration is now open. The Greenway, dedicated in 2008, is a massive figure-8 with over 20 miles of trails, incorporating many Westchester communities that nestle Long Island Sound.

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Information:

Mamaroneck

New Rochelle

Rye

Rye Brook

Rye Neck

Scarsdale

White Plains

for those not listed above:

Ardsley | Bedford | Briarcliff Manor | Bronxville | Byram Hills | Chappaqua | Croton-Harmon | Dobbs Ferry | Eastchester | Edgemont | Elmsford | Greenburgh 7 | Harrison | Hastings | Hendrick Hudson | Irvington | Katonah-Lewisboro | Lakeland | Mount Pleasant | Mount Vernon |  North Salem | Ossining | Peekskill | Pelham | Pleasantville | Pocantico Hills | Port Chester | Somers | Tarrytowns | Tuckahoe | Valhalla |  Yorktown |

Did you miss these stories?

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This home is at 48 Greenacres Avenue in Scarsdale.

If you don’t know about Farm Share, you should.

Every week an over-stuffed box of organic vegetables and/or fruit and/or eggs arrives at your door from the Norwich Meadows Farm in Upstate New York, and you  help Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) to thrive.

Farm Share, run by the Brussel family of Larchmont, is available in Southern Westchester, Chappaqua, Mt. Kisco, Bedford, Manhattan, and Stamford and Greenwich, CT. and it’s time to sign up! Shares run 22 weeks from June to November.

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54 Brookby Rd., Scarsdale

This 5 BR, 3 BA,  11 room colonial has a .35 acre property. 3350 sf of vintage architecture and quality renovation featuring a 35×17 family room adjoining the updated eat-in kitchen and large stone patio.

See this home and all the MLS listings at theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

In Scarsdale Undercover, we share some of the more…unnecessary police activity that seems to occur in Scarsdale, New York.

03/25/2012 Female resident reports having a dispute with husband regarding articles of clothing.
Patrol helped to mediate how much each of their clothes could be stored in the coat closet.

03/12/2012 Caller reports finding debris on her property and suspects her neighbor is retaliating against her.  Upon arrival, patrol spoke with the homeowner, who showed patrol a small pile of rocks and bricks on what appeared to be the side of her property. Mrs. *** believes that her neighbor at *** may have left the rocks and bricks their in retaliation for an incident that occurred last fall. Patrol explained to that since she did not have proof that her neighbor put the rocks on her property that there was nothing further that the police department could do.

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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

Irvington

A plethora of listings from our friends at RivertownsGuide.com

Thursday, March 22 from 6pm – 9pm
Best Practices: The Do’s & Don’ts of Social Media [link] | Westchester Burger Company Rye Brook
275 South Ridge Street, Rye Brook
Presented by Westchester Business Connection. Appetizers included, cash bar. Networkin, A Great Social Media Education(Nothing Technical!!!) for “All levels of expertise.”. The event highlights feature: A presentation from Keith S. Chan from The Froogle Institute for Social Media. www.keithschan.com/about/ and www.FroogleInstitute.com

Thursday, March 22 from 6:30 – 8pm and Thursday, March 29 from 6:30 – 8pm
Home Buyers’ Workshop: Two-Part Series | The Warner Library, Tarrytown
Thursday, March 22: Buying a Home:What You Need to Know
Thursday, March 29: Securing a Home Mortgage
Both workshops are FREE. Registration is requested. Please call Reference at 914-631-7734. The Westchester Housing Council will present tips and recommendations for first-time home buyers. Co-Sponsored by Housing Action Council and Key Bank

Friday, March 23, 10:30a.m. – 2:30 p.m
KAPLAN testing service will offer a KAPLAN PRACTICE SAT Test | Warner Library, Tarrytown
for all interested students. Call the library at 914-631-7734 for registration information, or register at 1-800-KAP-TEST. Use Event Code:SKXY2332

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Voters in 15 villages in Westchester go to the polls today to elect local offices.

Contested elections in (alphabetically) Buchanan, Irvington, Pleasantville, Scarsdale, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown.

Elections are uncontested in Briarcliff Manor, Bronxville, Elmsford, Hastings-on-Hudson, Larchmont, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Rye Brook and Tuckahoe.

Find out who’s running: Visit LoHud.com’s Village Elections 2012 guide.

109 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale

In keeping with our Ides of March theme, let’s just say you have $7 million to spend on a house and another $100K on taxes. Would this be the house for you?

The listing describes a brick Georgian Colonial with sophistication.  6 bedrooms, 7 baths, indoor pool and sauna. Grand entrance hall with sweeping staircase. Landscaping with specimen trees.

See this home and all the MLS listings at theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

If you can’t stand paying $4.50 a gallon for gas, we put together this interactive listing of gas prices at stations throughout the area with the help of gasbuddy.com

You can even join gasbuddy to add your own gas price discoveries. As of this morning, White Plains, Scarsdale, New Rochelle and Brewster are the places to pump.

photo: geograph.org

Have you been to the new Imagine Candy store in downtown Scarsdale? Need an excuse?

Imagine is holding a three day March Madness Sale Thursday March 8, Friday March 9 and Saturday March 10.  A large selection of candies, chocolates and gift items will be discounted between 15% and 50%.

In business only 5 months, owners Bill and Donna Halperin say they’re doing this to say thanks to the community for its support of their new venture.

Imagine Candy  22 Harwood Court, Scarsdale 914.723.7887

 If you can’t stand paying $4.50 a gallon for gas, we put together this interactive listing of gas prices at stations throughout the area with the help of gasbuddy.com

You can even join gasbuddy to add your own gas price discoveries. As of this morning, White Plains, Scarsdale, New Rochelle and Brewster are the places to pump.

Scarsdale Police Department

In Scarsdale Undercover, we share some of the more…unnecessary police activity that seems to occur in Scarsdale, New York.

A woman reported that someone broke into her car while it was parked on Garth Road and stole her cell phone. Police called the phone and found it under the passenger side seat. Feb. 29.

911 dispatchers received a hang-up call that, when called back, sounded like it came from a fax machine. Police advised the owner of the malfunctioning machine to disconnect it until fixed. Feb. 27.

A caller reported three individuals loitering on Greenacres School property. They were kids walking through it on their way home. Feb. 29.

A Meadow Road resident reported a man “possibly urinating” on private property. Police could not find him. March 1.

An Axtell Drive resident reported a neighbor walking a dog without a leash.  Police did not see a person or a dog. March. 1.

Residents of 140 Saxon Woods Road, right, are part of group seeking changes at Scarsdale Building Dept. for construction next door, and other issues

Controversy in Scarsdale over the construction of a house on Saxon Woods Road, and other concerns have led 200 residents to sign a petition asking for changes in management at the Village Building Department.

In the most publicized case, Richard and Toril Hanna, who live next door to a construction site at 140 Saxon Woods Road, have complained to both the Mayor and the Building Dept. that the building permit was granted with “no consideration of an underground stream,” which the homeowners say has already caused a pool of water in their yard and other problems.

The new house is already on the market for $1,389,000.

The petition reads:

Dear Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees,
The undersigned residents of Scarsdale strongly request the Trustees to make significant changes in the management of the Building Department as they have clearly demonstrated they do not represent the best interest of established residents.
This is evidenced by the water table increasing to unacceptable levels due to over-development and building without due consideration of the impact these constructions have on the immediate neighboring and Village environment.
We insist on due diligence for each and every incidence that concerns any new construction or improvement.

In public records, Building Dept. head Nunzio Pietrosanti  has responded to the owners, saying  “the Board of Architectural Review only approves look and aesthetics. They have no involvement or jurisdiction as to… the design for drainage.”

Further investigation by the Village showed an open channel once existed between eight of the homes and the Saxon Woods Golf Course, that has since been filled in by individual homeowners, presumably at different times.

“This previously existing open channel, swale or watercourse, unfortunately, may have been completely filled in by the individual property owners” says the Village.

“If a pipe is found and it is deemed to be a necessary part of the Village’s drainage system, the cost to excavate & expose, cut, repair and backfill the exposed section of pipe will be the responsibility of the individual owners.”

Toril Hanna tells theLoop “no pipe has been found.”

Furthermore, writes Pietrosanti, “The attacks on the Building and Engineering Departments as well as the Village Manager’s office are wrong and without basis.”

This very plot has a history. Ms. Hanna tried to stop the demolition of the home that was on the lot, and tried to prove the building known as “the Dollhouse” had a significant link to local African-American history.

To be continued…

Hard to believe nine months have passed since Edgemont’s Lauren Spierer disappeared after a night out with friends in Bloomington, Indiana. Police have made little progress.   Rob and Charlene Spierer continue working to find answers about what happened to their daughter, who has been missing since June 3, now upping the reward for information leading to her whereabouts.

“We continue to seek information, which will lead us to finding Lauren and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance,” the Spierers write on the website, findlauren.com, in announcing the reward’s increase to $250,000.

The Indiana University student’s 21^st birthday was Jan. 17.

We reported just days after Lauren went missing that Bloomington Police suspected foul play. Yet a subsequent search of an Indiana landfill and the ongoing investigation have revealed little new information.

“We remain dedicated to finding our daughter,” the Spierers write. “We offer sincere thanks for any information you can provide.”

Lauren’s parents say that anyone “with information, that leads us to our daughter, will be eligible to receive the reward.”

You may contact Beau Dietl Associates at 1.800.777.9366, www.investigations.com or the Bloomington Police Department at (812) 339-4477.

Poster from findlauren.com

In Scarsdale Undercover, we share some of the more…unnecessary police activity that seems to occur in Scarsdale, New York.

A Gorham Road resident reported a woman pacing in the street looking distressed. The woman told police she was waiting for a ride, which came for her while officers were on the scene. Feb. 20.

A Hamilton Road resident reported that an unknown person rang her doorbell and left a paper bag on her front step.  Police disposed of the bag, which “contained possible animal waste.” Feb. 21.

A 4-year-old girl reported that she and her 1-year-old brother were left home alone by their babysitter. The babysitter had been in the bathroom. Feb. 22.

A Wayside Lane resident reported that a man in a dark SUV was parked in front of her house all day. The man was a private investigator who would be there around-the-clock for several days. Feb. 22.

A Sheldrake Road resident reported someone with a flashlight walking outside a neighbor’s property. That individual turned out to be the homeowner taking out the dog. Feb. 22.

A Stratton Road resident reported hearing animal noises coming from the kitchen cabinets. She also said she has had rats in the past. Police gave her phone numbers of multiple trappers. Feb. 23.

A caller reported a man in the northbound, right side lane of Post Road trying to flag down vehicles. The man told police that he was unfamiliar with the area and needed directions to a diner in White Plains. Police gave them to him. Feb. 25.

A Palmer Avenue resident reported seeing “a pack of coyotes” in her fenced yard. Police did not find them.  Feb. 25.

If you spend any time following #westchester on twitter, you may know the chatty girls at the Chat Shop. We think of it as a virtual talk-fest where no one yells and you can come and go as you please.

Readers have come up with a Westchester “bucket list,” each making a list of some of the local treats they’d like to experience before they well, you know.

Have a peek.

photo: Jacqueline Silberbush

Dr. Elizabeth Thompson

As a radiation oncologist, Elizabeth Chabner Thompson focused much of her career treating breast cancer, a disease her mother battled.  But it wasn’t until Thompson was a patient herself and chose to have preventative mastectomies to reduce the risk of the developing the disease, that she realized how hard it is to be on the other side.

“Getting prepared for treatment, coping with side effects … feeling undignified and exposed, organizing medications and therapies can all make treatment seem overwhelming,” the Scarsdale resident says.

Outdated garments and accessories didn’t help.

Last year Thompson launched  Best Friends for Life, a Scarsdale company that creates and sells products to help make patients’ recovery easier. Specially designed pillows, designer-style BFFL bags filled with comforts like cozy socks, skin cream, and post-surgery needs are among the products currently available. Special bras that patients can wear during treatment and after surgery are among the items that will become available this year.

Thompson has also expanded the business to serve patients battling traumatic brain injury. Inspired by her best friend Sara Kerr Reges, a nurse whose son was in a four-month-long coma after being hit by a car, the BFFL bags geared toward individuals with brain injuries and their caregivers are filled with items from rehab tools to word games.

Recently four local 12 and 13-year-old boys boys – Larchmont twins Will and Jack Powers, Rye’s Gus Rodriguez of Rye and Solomon Thompson of Scarsdale – filled 100 bags assembly line-style, personalizing each with a hand-written note to its recipient. The bags are being donated to help those with brain injuries through Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

The breast bags normally retail for about $100 and the brain bags cost $120, with 15% of the profits going to specific charities.

Photos: Elizabeth Chabner Thompson

When we wrote about the local filmmaker nominated for an Oscar, for Best Documentary (see the trailer in the link- very powerful) we didn’t realize there were more!

Westchester Mag writes, “One of the nominees, God Is the Bigger Elvis, is directed by Rebecca Cammisa of Tarrytown, produced by Julie Anderson of Scarsdale, and centers around Bethlehem, Connecticut, native Dolores Hart. Hart was a successful actress, with a claim to fame that she received Elvis Presley’s first on-screen kiss in the movie Loving You. ”

photo: miheco on Flickr

We found these beauties at Bird Jungle on Central Avenue in Scarsdale.

26 Walbrooke Rd., Scarsdale

This 3 bedroom, 5 bathroom 1920′s era colonial in a desirable neighborhood is renovated and by its description, has plenty of natural light.  The listing boasts the 2nd floor has a large master suite plus 2 bedrooms and hall bath. Third floor has 2 finished rooms and full bath. Lush landscaping & flat property. Short walk to train.

See this home and all the MLS listings at theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

It’s hard to miss on a long stretch of Central Avenue dominated by strip malls, but there it is, looking like a red gift box you got from a crazy aunt. And Nana’s Attic is crazy in a good way, chock a block with antiques, costume jewelry, lamps, gifts, everything you would expect to find in an over-stuffed attic. You can’t possibly see it all in one trip.

Nana’s Attic 414 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale 914-472-3806

Know a Cool Find? email us!

photos: Jacqueline Silberbush

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

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.

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

In Scarsdale Undercover, we share some of the more…unnecessary police activity that seems to occur in Scarsdale, New York.

Police were called because…

A Popham Road resident reported someone damaged her windshield. Police discovered the damage was actually dirt and cleaned it off. Jan. 30.

A driver flagged down police claiming that his car was stolen. It was parked a block away. Jan. 30.

A local woman reported losing her cell phone while in the Village. She found it in her boots. Feb. 1.

A caller reported that his neighbor put his garbage out on the street, possibly causing a hazard. Police, however, didn’t believe the cardboard boxes posed any danger and let the sanitation department know they were there. Later, police received another call, saying the neighbors were having a disagreement over the curbside trash. While police were back at the scene, the neighbors came to an agreement on what to do with the recyclables. Feb. 4.

A Post Road resident complained that someone was at their front door at 8 p.m. and would not leave. When police arrived, they spoke with a neighbor who said he and his wife had been trying to drop off a cake at the resident’s house but nobody came to the door. Jan.21.

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.

In Scarsdale Undercover, we share some of the more…unnecessary police activity that seems to occur in Scarsdale, New York.

Police were called because…

A Burgess Road resident reported two men standing on the curb staring at his home. One of the men was the resident’s neighbor who had come outside to smoke a cigar. Jan. 27

A woman parked in a local parking garage reported that the only key to her new car was missing.  Officers retraced the woman’s steps and found the key at the bakery where she left it. Jan. 23

A Crane Road resident reported a raccoon sitting on her driveway. Jan. 27

A Beechwood Lane resident reported someone stole the house number from the front of his home. Jan. 28

A Heathcote Road resident reported a man sleeping in a blue car parked at the end of his driveway. Turned out that the man was a worker in the home. Jan. 29.

Weinberg Nature Center

Beyonce and Jay Z's house

Each Tuesday, we will feature photos of one of the towns that help define us. Submit your photos to our looppool on Flickr!

At Five Corners

Weinberg Nature Center

photography by Jacqueline Silberbush

rendering of new White Plains campus (courtesy FASNY)

The French American School‘s lower school campus in Larchmont has occupied a section of St. Augustine’s Church for many years, the Upper School is in Mamaroneck and the Pre-School in Scarsdale. Now, with its planned consolodation move to the 129.69 acre site of the Ridgeway Country Club in White Plains, which it purchased a year ago, the new neighbors aren’t happy.

The school has promoted its plans, saying ” The site includes the existing clubhouse and the 18-hole golf course. Our vision for this 129.69 acre property is to create a low-density, park-like campus that will enable us to consolidate all of our school divisions over a period of several years.”

Development is opposed by the Gedney Association, which represents those who live in the adjacent Gedney Farms neighborhood. The Association has been vocal in opposition and White Plains Patch reports that over the weekend about 30 protest signs-”FAS-NO” were taken from residents’ lawns. Police say they don’t know who did it.

Stay tuned.

We hear a fundraiser at the Red Hat in Irvington raised about $30,000 last week towards efforts to find Lauren Spierer. Friends, family and supporters paid $150 per person to attend.

The  21-year-old Indiana University student from Edgemont disappeared June 3rd in Bloomington, 242 days ago.

More information at findlauren.com   twitter: #newsonlaurens

poster from findlauren.com

Here’s an oldie: Five things you may not know about the neighborhood.

Loop TV: Believe it or Not from looptv on Vimeo.

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

Manners 101.

Seen at a Scarsdale bakery by Maura

U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey, who represents most of Westchester and parts of Rockland Counties in Congress, made fast friends with a group of New Rochelle High School seniors during a classroom visit Monday, inviting them to meet again online Tuesday night during President Obama’s State of the Union address.

“I don’t want to talk at you,” Congresswoman Lowey, a Democrat who represents New York’s 18th District, said.  ”I want to have a conversation.”

Lowey’s visit to teacher Darren Gurney’s AP macroeconomics class was a precursor to the virtual Facebook and Twitter chat with students she has planned for before and after the President’s speech. Students can participate by going to Lowey’s Facebook page  or using the hashtag #LoweyChat on Twitter.

She also will meet with New Rochelle High AP government students in Washington later this week.

Lowey reiterated several times her commitment to staying non-partisan during the classroom discussion, which touched on her priorities: creating jobs, investing in education and tax relief.

She did, however, come right out and say how important she thinks it is for young people to get involved in their government as soon as they are old enough.

“It’s sad to me that in this great country of ours such a small percentage of people vote,” she said.

“Whatever you do with your life, I hope you will take some time for public service because it is very rewarding.”

Photo courtesy of Paul Costiglio

Snow loathers may be loving this winter. But Westchester businesspeople who rely on the cold white stuff for their livelihoods are calling it a great, big bust.

“We’ll be glad when the spring gets here,” says Carl Steiniger, assistant manager of Eastern Mountain Sports in Scarsdale, where sales of winter sporting goods “went into a tailspin” due to the lack of snow.  “Hopefully we’ll have a great kayaking season.”

Banking on a repeat of last winter’s abundant snow, Steiniger convinced company administrators to add cross-country skis — which were in big demand last year — to his inventory this season.

After selling fewer than a dozen pair at the start of the season, “we are starting to ship them up north where buyers might be able to  find some white stuff because they aren’t able to find it down here,” he says.

Bill Homer, owner of East Coast Surf, Skate & Snow, says his Larchmont store is also experiencing a slump in sales of winter outerwear and equipment due to the notable lack of snow. “It’s definitely impacted us,” he says.

Homer says winter sports enthusiasts are grumbling about the skimpy offerings on area ski and snowboard slopes.

That likely won’t change anytime soon. The forecast for Friday and Saturday includes a slight chance of snow. But even that could just as soon wash away with the rain forecasted for Saturday night.

All of which has thrown a wrench in the plans of Larchmont resident Tami Mount, who this season decided to cede to (and possibly even enjoy) winter’s wicked ways for the first time since moving here from California eight years ago.

“I finally bought a real winter coat because I was tired of being crazy cold. But I’ve only worn it two times this year because the weather has been so mild,” she says. “And the family geared up for a season of outdoor snow activities.”

“So I have to ask: Where is the cold snowy weather that I finally gave into?”

– Photos by Jacqueline Silberbush

Weinberg in Fall

The Weinberg Nature Center is a hidden jewel full of trails, trees and animals. It’s rarely crowded and has some really good programs for children.

Have a look:

Meet the Animals

Join Kate Murphy for an hour long Nature Adventure, we may play a game, craft a pro­ject & investigate some clues. Of course…we will get to meet the fury, feathery, scaly, slimy and cuddly animals that we call family.
NEW: Optional hike will start at 12:15. Approximately 30 minutes. Dress appropriately for weather & trail conditions.

FOR: Adults & Children All Ages
DATES: The 2nd  & 4th Saturday of each month January 14 & 28, February 11 &25, March 10 & 24
TIME: 11:00am—12:00pm Hike: 12:15pm
FEE: $3/Person Hike add $2/Person
Weekly Educational Programs
NATURE TOTS

Join Naturalist Kate Murphy for this winter-spring program where children will partici­pate in crafts, stories, eco-dramas & games. Outdoor walks will be brief, but will give us the opportunity to see what creatures & wildlife are surviving in the wild. We will look for footprints, learn about hibernation & migration, talk about baby animals & explore what changes come in the spring.

FOR: Boys and Girls Ages 2-4 with caregiver
DATES: Mondays. February 27, March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 9, 16, 23, 30 May 7 Make up: May 14
TIME: 10:30AM-11:30AM
FEE: $150.00/child for 10 sessions
TRY A SESSION FOR $15.00
LOCATION: Weinberg Nature Center

NATURE KIDS

NEW! Toddlers can join Naturalist, Kate Murphy this winter for a nature drop off pro­gram designed for pre-school students. We will take occasional walks along the trails to observe different things. Children will explore their five senses, the mysteries of win­ter & spring and meet some of our animals. Stories, crafts, games and outdoor and ac­tivities will encourage children to appreciate the natural world.

FOR: Boys and Girls 4-6 (must be potty trained)
DATES: Wednesdays. February 29, March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 11, 18, 25, May 2,9 Make up: May 16
TIME: 12:30PM-2:00PM
FEE: $220.00/ Child for 10 sessions
TRY A CLASS FOR $22.00
LOCATION: Weinberg Nature Center

NATURE EXPLORERS

NEW! Elementary age students can join Naturalist Kate Murphy this winter for an ani­mal & nature based after school club. Experiments, crafts, live animals, and indoor/ outdoor activities will encourage children to appreciate and further explore the natural world.

FOR: BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 6-9
DATES: Fridays. March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11 MAKE-UP DATE: MAY 18
TIME: 3:15PM-4:45PM
FEE: $220.00/ Child for 10 sessions
TRY A CLASS FOR $22.00
LOCATION: Weinberg Nature Center

Join Cindy Polera & Kate Murphy for an afternoon adventure of seasonal nature fun. Each program will include interactive demonstrations, take-home craft, themed games, nature walk, and live animals.  Dress for weather & pack a lunch!
Sign up for one or all!

Where: Weinberg Nature Center
For: Boys & Girls, Kindergarten-5th Grade
Time: 12:30pm-2:30pm (drop off at starts at  12:15)
Price: $30/participant for each workshop
Register: Prepay through Scarsdale recreation  department
-OR – Reserve a spot and pay day of, call us at 914-722-1289

January 27 – The wonder of winter birds
Ever wonder how birds survive in the winter, where they come from or go? Why they are so big or small? We will observe our bird haven feeder station and maybe a short hike to find as many different birds as we can and talk about their ability to survive in the winter cold, which ones stay in NY and if not where do they go? Each child will get to take home a pinecone bird feeder.

Other workshops include:

March 8 – Mammals
March 13 – Under the Sea & Ocean Life
March 14 – Rocks, Minerals & Geology
March 23 – Back In Time: Dinosaurs & Fossils
May 18 – Creepy crawlies
May 25 – The Great Reptile & Amphibian Hunt

More information on these workshops can be found on our website

In our vacation camp program, your young ecologist will explore the woods and meadows to discover the activities of animals and even plants. Time will fly by as the children en­joy stories, games, “eco-dramas” and educational fun including crafts and up close and personal visits with Weinberg’s family of animals. Pack a lunch. Dress for weather condi­tions.

WINTER DETECTIVES:
FOR: BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 4-10
DATES: MONDAY FEBRUARY 20-FRIDAY FREBRUARY 24
TIME: 10:30AM -2:00PM
FEE: $55/PARTICIPANT A DAY OR $250/ PARTICIPANT FOR THE WEEK

SPRING DETECTIVES:
FOR: BOYS AND GIRLS AGES 4-10
DATES: MONDAY APRIL 2-THURSDAY APRIL 5, 2012
TIME: 10:30AM -2:00PM
FEE: $55/PARTICIPANT A DAY OR $200/ PARTICIPANT FOR THE WEEK

REGISTRATION

Prepay online or in person at the Scarsdale Parks & Recreation Department 1001 Post Road, Scarsdale NY 10583
OR
TRY A CLASS ! Reserve a spot and pay the day of by calling  us at 914-722-1289

photo: Audrey Lynness

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Scarsdale Police Department

Larceny: On Scarsdale Avenue, a man using a borrowed phone fled with it at 2:51pm Jan.7

Larceny: Someone stole equipment from Dolma Road at 1:30pm. Jan.9

Suspicious Activity: A resident reported a male wearing a grey hoodie wrapped in a blanket under a tarp in her yard on Ferncliff Road at 5:45pm, when police arrived there was no one there. Jan.10

Larceny: Someone broke into a vehicle at Scarsdale High School between 3pm and 6pm by the gym entrance. Jan.11

Burglary: On Fairview Road, someone broke into a residence and stole property at 8:45am. Jan. 12

Identity theft and Fraud: An issued check was altered and fraudulently cashed. Jan. 16

Shopping carts are rolling away. Cars are shaking. Hold onto your hats — and just about everything else.  The strong winds that blew into Westchester this morning, prompting a National Weather Service Wind Advisory, are expected to stick around at least through midnight.

The gusts could reach up to 50 miles per hour, according to the Weather Service, meaning travel could be hazardous.

Flight delays at area airports were already growing long by early afternoon.  Flights at La Guardia, for example, were running an hour and 40 minutes behind schedule at 1 p.m. The speed limit on area bridges, including the Tappan Zee, had reportedly been reduced.

Although the winds are expected to die down overnight, forecasters are calling for a weekend that feels like winter. The Weather Service forecast calls for sunny skies with a high of 37 on Saturday and just 29 on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to bounce back a bit on Monday, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, to a high of 39.