There Ought To Be A Law Winner Visits Albany

Pelham’s Sarah Jane O’Connor came and visited me in Albany today. O’Connor was the winner of my “There Ought To Be A Law” contest that I held earlier this year.

O’Connor, an eighth-grader in the Pelham Middle School, was awarded first place for proposing that the State mandate insurance coverage for basic hearing aids. I have drafted a bill (A.10300) to mandate insurance coverage of hearing aids in response to O’Connor’s proposal.

It was a pleasure having her here today. I love the thought and care she put into her proposal and will do everything I can to see it become a law. I presented her with a citation and brought her with me onto the Assembly floor.

Enjoying The Holiday Weekend

Dear friends and neighbors,

Can you believe that Memorial Day weekend is already here? May has gone by so fast and we’ll be heading into June following the holiday weekend. Before we do, though, take some time and enjoy the weekend while experience everything the 88^th Assembly District has to offer.

Here’s a closer look at some of the events that are taking place in the 88^th. Have a good weekend and remember that if you have an event you’d like me to include in the coming weeks, send the information to Paulina@Assembly.State.NY.US.

Thursday

• The Junior League of Bronxville will host their annual Women of Distinction Awards Dinner at the Siwanoy Country Club (351 Pondfield Road, Bronxville) at 6:30 p.m. Visit www. jlbwomenofdistinction.weebly.com for more information.
• Author Stephen Silverman will speak at the JCC of Mid-Westchester (999 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale) from 10:30 a.m.-noon about his book “The Catskills: Its History and How It Changed America”. Visit jccmw.org for more information.

 Friday

• The St. Paul’s Church and National Historic Site (897 S. Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon) will host a presentation highlighting the beauty and majesty of Acadia National Park in Maine at 3 p.m. Visit nps.gov/sapa for more information.
• Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle) will present Echoes: Jazz Ensemble from Oberlin Conservatory of Music from 7-11 p.m. Visit alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com for more information.

 Saturday

• The Westchester County beaches, including Glen Island in New Rochelle, will open for the pre-season. The County beaches will only be open on the weekends through June 24. Visit westchestergov.com for more information.
• The Westchester County mobile shredder will be in Bronxville on Palumbo Place behind Village Hall from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit http://preview.tinyurl.com/zntb5b2 for more information.
• The Bushiroad Springfest 2016 will take place at the Westchester County Center from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. and again on Sunday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. All English Edition Bushiroad Trading Card Games, which includes Cardfight! Vanguard Team League, Weiss Schwarz Neo-Showdown and Future Card Buddyfight Buddy Challenge, will be featured.Call 914-995-
  

  Leslie Pintchik Trio

  4050 for more information.

• The Bronxville PTA will host its annual Memorial Day Dog Parade and Show at 11:30 a.m. at 177 Pondfield Road. Visit http://tinyurl.com/hq8o6d5 for more information.
• The Leslie Pintchik Trio will perform at Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle) from 7:30-11 p.m. Visit alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com for more information.

 Sunday

• The Play Group Theatre (One North Broadway, White Plains) will present “Zanna, Don’t: A Musical Fairy Tale” at 2 and 7 p.m. Zanna attends Heartsville High and can change the world with a wave of her wand. Visit playgroup.org for more information.
• The City of New Rochelle will host a Memorial Service & Grave Flag Replacement ceremony at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery (95 Kings Highway, New Rochelle) at 9 a.m. Visit newrochelleny.com for more information.

Monday

• The New Rochelle Memorial Day Remembrance will take place in New Rochelle beginning with a 10 a.m. wreath-laying ceremony in Memorial Plaza. There will also be a water service at Glen Island Park at noon followed by a Veteran’s Appreciation Concert and Barbeque, the highlight of which will be a 2 p.m. landing by a USMC aircraft in the park. Visit newrochelleny.com for more information.
• The annual Bronxville Memorial Day Parade and Antique Car Show will begin at 9 a.m. in Leonard Morange Square. Call 914-337-6500 for more information.
• The St. Paul’s Church and National Historic Site (897 S. Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon) will hold a day-long Memorial Day Remembrance Celebration that will include soldier’s stories and songs. Visit nps.gov/sapa for more information.
• The White Plains Memorial Day Parade will kick off at 10 a.m. on Church Street between Main Street and Hamilton Avenue. It will proceed to the Rural Cemetery on North Broadway. The parade will be followed by memorial services and honors at The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in the cemetery. Visit cityofwhiteplains.org for more information.
• The Town of Pelham’s annual Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Esplanade by the Manor Club. This year’s grand marshal is Pelham resident Vito Pisano, who fought in the battles of Saipan and Iwo Jima in WWII. Visit pelhamgov.com for more information.
• The Town of Eastchester’s Memorial Day festivities will begin with a ceremony at Memorial Park on the corner of California Road and Route 22. The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. The parade will travel up Route 22 into Tuckahoe where it will conclude at Depot Square. Another ceremony will take place upon the parade’s completion. Visit eastchester.org for more information.
• Scarsdale’s Memorial Day observance will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Boniface Circle and will be presided over by Congressman Eliot Engel. Visit scarsdale.com for more information.

For information about these and other events in our area, please visit http://www.burbio.com/lists/district-88-events.

 

 

 

 

 

Braving A Chilly April Weekend

Dear friends and neighbors,

It has felt more like winter than spring the last few days and the next few days don’t appear as if they will be much better. Don’t let the weather get you down, though. There is plenty to see and do in the 88^th Assembly District to keep your mind off the weather this weekend.

Here’s a closer look at some of the events that are taking place in the 88^th. Have a good weekend and remember that if you have an event you’d like me to include in the coming weeks, send the information to Paulina@Assembly.State.NY.US.

Thursday

• The St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site (897 S. Columbus Avenue, Mount Vernon) will host a 7 p.m. presentation examining the Lenape Indians, the original settlers of the area surrounding the church. Author and anthropologist Dr. David Oestreicher will lead the discussion. Visit nps.gov/sapa for more information.
• Temple Israel of New Rochelle (1000 Pinebrook Boulevard, New Rochelle) will host Primetime 4 Adults: Bingo, Beer and Bordeaux from 7-10 p.m. Visit tinr.org for more information.
• The Pelham Arts Center (155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham) will host an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. for its High School Art Salon. The exhibition will run for two weeks and will feature student art work from Bronxville, Dobbs Ferry, Fordham Preparatory, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Pelham Memorial, and Scarsdale High Schools. Visit pelhamartcenter.org for more information.
  

  Pelham Art Salon

• The Concordia College (171 White Plains Road, Bronxville) Books and Coffee Program continues with a 7-p.m. discussion led by author Colleen Oakes. Visit concordia-ny.edu/community/books-coffee.cfm for more information.
• The League of Women Voters and the Scarsdale Library (54 Olmstead Road, Scarsdale) will present a community book discussion about “Dark Money: The Hidden History of Billionaires Behind the Radical Right” by Jane Mayer. The program begins at 1 p.m. Visit scarsdalelibrary.org for more information.
• The Eastchester-Tuckahoe Chamber of Commerce Dinner Dance honoring the person/business of the year will take place at Mulino’s at Lake Isle Country Club (660 White Plains Road, Eastchester) at 7 p.m. County legislator Sheila Marcotte and Mickey Spillane’s Restaurant will be honored.

 Friday

• The Ajkun Ballet Theater will present its rendition of “Carmen” at New Rochelle High School’s Whitney Theater (265 Clove Road) at 7 p.m. There will also be a 2 p.m. performance on Saturday. Visit ajkunbt.org for more information.
• Speak with Pelham Weekly/Pelham Plus editor Maggie Klein during her Talk with Maggie Sessions in Pelham. Klein will be at Renaissance Bagel (309 Fifth Avenue) at 8:15 a.m.; at JM Café (129 Wolfs Lane) at 9:30; and Bakery at Four Corners (4668 Boston Post Road) at 10:45. Visit pelhamplus.com for more information.
• “Disney Live – Mickey and Minnie’s Doorway To Magic” will take place at the Westchester County Center in White Plains at 7 p.m. There will also be shows on Saturday at 1 and 5 p.m. and again on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visit countycenter.biz for more information.
  

  Mickey And Minnie’s Doorway To Magic

• The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum (895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park) will present “ACT/REACT: Re-Imagining the Past” at 7 and 8 p.m. and then again Saturday at 5 and 6 p.m. The City Island Theater Group and the Supporting Characters will put on short performances that bring you back in time to certain periods in the history of the mansion. Visit bartowpellmansionmuseum.org for more information.
• The Bronxville School Foundation Spring Swing will take place at 6 p.m. at Bronxville High School (177 Pondfield Road, Bronxville). The Walter Blanding Quintet of Jazz will be performing. Visit bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org for more information.
• Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle) will host “Tango Night in Roscoe’s Room with Mayte Vicens” at 7:30 p.m. Visit alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com for more information.
• The Westchester Italian Cultural Center (One Generoso Pope Place, Tuckahoe) will host an opening reception for “Il Giardino Incantato”, a previously unseen photo exhibit by Tony Vaccaro. Visit http://www.wiccny.org for more information.
• Sarah Lawrence College (1 Mead Way, Bronxville) will host “Coffee With The Professor: Jerrilynn Dodds” as she discusses the arts in Cuba. Visit sarahlawrence.edu for more information.
• The Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale will present pianist Carmel Lowenthal as part of the HB Artist Series in an 8 p.m. performance at Greenville Community Church (270 Ardsley Road, Scarsdale). Visit hbms.org for more information.
• The ArtsWestchester Art Awards Luncheon will take place at the Double Tree Hotel (455 South Broadway, White Plains) at 11:30 a.m. Visit artswestchester.org for more information.

Saturday

• The 12^th annual Aronson Memorial Lecture will take place at the St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site from noon-4 p.m. University of Virginia professor Alan Taylor will explore the themes raised in his 2014 Pulitzer-prize winning book “The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia, 1772-1832”. Visit nps.gov/sapa for more information.
• The Huguenot Memorial Church (901 Pelhamdale Ave, Pelham Manor) will host a free concert to celebrate the dedication of its newly restored organ at 8 p.m. Jan-Piet Knijff of Adema’s Kerkorgelbouw of the Netherlands will be performing. Visit www.huguenotchurch.org for more information.
• The Manor Club Theater (1023 Esplanade, Pelham Manor) will host “Pelican Pop 3”, a revue performed by Pelham Middle and High School students, at 7:30 p.m. Visit themanorclubofpelahm.org for more information.
• PAVE Dance will be hosting a dance benefit at The Linda E. Kelly Theatre (265 Clove Rd, New Rochelle) for Esther’s Aid & American Parkinson’s Disease Association. Visit colemandance.com for more information.
• The Bronxville Library will host the opening of “The Fine Arts Exhibition” from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with a reception scheduled for 1:30 p.m. The theme of the show is “Unexpected Twist”. Contact James Fair at gotart1206@gmail.com for more information.
• The Leslie Pintchik Trio will perform at Alvin & Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle) at 7:30 p.m. Visit alvinandfriendsrestuarant.com for more information.
• The Westchester Moms of Multiples Annual Baby and Kids Tag Sale will take place at the Tuckahoe Community Center (71 Columbus Avenue, Tuckahoe) from 1-4 p.m. and again on Sunday from 9 a.m.-noon. Contact westchestermultiples@gmail.com for more information.
• The Scarsdale Library (54 Olmstead Road, Scarsdale) will host “Field Goods, A Sampling Event for Local Produce Delivery” from 10 a.m.-noon. Field Goods is a produce delivery service with which customers receive five to eight different items each week that are grown by small local farms. Visit scarsdalelibrary.org for more information.
• The Alliance Francaise de Westchester (31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains) will present “The frigate L’Hermione and the Marquis de Lafayette: from France to the American Revolution” at 4 p.m. Captain Yann Cariou will discuss what it is like commanding the current L’Hermione. Visit afwestchester.org for more information.
  

  Lafayette’s Frigate l’Hermione

• The Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse Music Series will continue at Memorial United Methodist Church (250 Bryant Avenue, White Plains) when Brother Sun performs at 7:30 p.m. Visit walkaboutclearwater.org for more information.
• The Stepping Up For Cardinal McCloskey Community Service Walkathon will take place at Iona Prep High School (255 Wilmot Road, New Rochelle) at 10:30 a.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Visit cardinalmccloskey.donorpages.com/Walkathon2016/ for more information.

 Sunday

• The Bronxville Women’s Club (135 Midland Avenue, Bronxville) will host The Beaux Arts Competition and Exhibition from 2-5 p.m. The competition is open to both professional and amateur photographers. There is no charge for the viewing or the reception. Visit bronxvillewomensclub.org for more information.
• The Play Group Theatre (1 N. Broadway, White Plains) will present “A Little Princess” in performances at 2 and 7 p.m. Separated from her father, and the open-hearted Africans who have helped him raise her, young Sara Crewe is sent to boarding school in London. This is her story. Visit playgroup.org for more information.
• Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont & Emanu-El (2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale) will host “Taste of Religious School” from 9-10:30 a.m. There will be music, crafts, food and more. Visit sstte.org for more information.
• The New Rochelle Arts Association will host a 5:15 p.m. reception to celebrate the opening of the Dermot Gale Award Show at the New Rochelle Public Library. Visit nraaonline.org for more information.
• The Scarsdale Library will host author Barbara Ballinger as she discusses her book “The Garden Bible – Designing Your Perfect Outdoor Space” from 2-4 p.m. Visit scarsdalelibrary.org for more information.
• Musicians from the New York Philharmonic will coach student chamber ensembles and perform at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School (25 School Lane, Scarsdale) as part of the Elaine Stamas New York Philharmonic Educational Residency. Showtime is 1:30 p.m. Visit hbms.org for more information.
  

  Chelsea and Larry Weng

• Author Allison Gilbert will discuss her book “Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones” at the New Rochelle Library at 3 p.m. Visit nrpl.org for more information.
• The Downtown Music at Grace Music Series will continue at the Grace Episcopal Church (33 Church Street at Main and Mamaroneck Avenues, White Plains) at 5 p.m. Pianists Chelsea Wang and Larry Weng, with the Downtown Sinfonietta, Vincent Liontii, Conductor, will perform. Visit dtmusic.org for more information.

The Scarsdale Library will be offering community members the opportunity to learn “54 Things at 54 Olmsted” in celebration of National Library Week from April 10-16. All week people will have the opportunity to learn new things at free drop-in workshops and classes.  For the complete schedule of events, visit: www.scarsdalelibrary.org.

For information about these and other events in our area, please visit http://www.burbio.com/lists/district-88-events.

 

 

Honoring The “Tuckahoe Women Of Distinction”

It has become somewhat of a tradition each year that I, as part of a Women’s History Month celebration, like to honor some of the great women in one of the towns in my District.

I celebrated the women of Pelham in 2014 and the women of Bronxville last year. This year, I thought it would be great to honor some of the wonderful women of Tuckahoe. I began the process of accepting nominations in March, which is Women’s History Month, and am pleased to announce that I will present 12 recipients with the “Tuckahoe Women of Distinction Award” during an April 17 awards reception.

Susan Ciamarra, Fay Blasi, Alice White, Swadesh Pachnanda, Stephanie Rusnak, Nicole Pushkal, Janna Conybeare, Karen Kelly, Clare Gorman, Patricia Morgan, Sheila Clarke and Camille DiSalvo will honored during the 4 p.m. awards reception, which will take place at the Tap House (16 Depot Square) in Tuckahoe.

These women were nominated and chosen because of the extraordinary efforts they have made to improve the Tuckahoe community, either through government, humanitarian work, education or charitable acts.

I am so honored to represent the 88^th Assembly District and when you look at this wonderful group of women you can see why. They are representative of the great people who comprise my district and make it one of the best places to live and work in New York. Congratulations.

Here Comes The Weekend

Happy Holidays everyone.

I send out weekly e-mail blasts about the goings on in the 88th District and all the fun things there are to do and see here on the weekends. I realized, though, that not everyone receives my e-mail blasts so I’ve decided to put the contents of the e-mail and the listing up on my blog. And if you’d like to be added to the e-mail blast mailing list, please write to me at Paulina@assembly.state.ny.us. Enjoy.

Dear friends and neighbors,

We are heading into the first weekend of December and the holiday season gets into full swing. Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday evening and I’d like to wish those who are celebrating a very happy and healthy holiday.

There will be many events to mark the Christmas season as well this weekend in the 88^th Assembly District, including tree-lighting ceremonies, visits from Santa and lots of music.

Here’s a closer look at some of the events that are taking place in the 88th. Have a good weekend and remember that if you have an event you’d like me to include in the coming weeks, send the information to Paulina@Assembly.State.NY.US. Happy holidays everyone.

Friday

• The International Gem and Jewelry Show will take place at the County Center in White Plains beginning at noon. The show will run till 6 p.m. and then again on Saturday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.). Visit intergem.com for more information.
• The Pelham Picture House, at 175 Wolfs Lane in Pelham, will host an advanced screening of “45 Years”, a thriller, accompanied by a question and answer session with director Andrew Haigh at 7:30 p.m. Visit pelhampicturehouse.org for more information.
• The Village of Scarsdale Tree Lighting and Holiday Festival Ceremony will take place at Boniface Circle beginning at 5 p.m. The Hoff-Barthelson girls’ choir will perform, there will be a visit from Santa and hot cocoa will be served. Visit scarsdalechamber.org for more information.
• The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, at 895 Shore Road in Pelham Bay Park, will host a holiday luncheon from 12:30-2 p.m. Illustrator, designer and author Michael Storrings will be signing copies of his book “A Very New York Christmas”. Visit bartowpellmansionmuseum.org for more information.
• Head back to the Bartow-Pell Mansion at 5:30 p.m. for a Holiday First Friday Celebration. The mansion will be decorated for the holidays and the MetropoliTones, an a capella group, will perform from 6-8 p.m.
• The New Rochelle Opera concludes its 30^th anniversary celebration with “Amahl and The Night Visitors” at New Rochelle High’s Linda Kelly Theater. There will be a 7 p.m. show on Friday and Saturday. Visit newrochellearts.org for more information.
• Sarah Lawrence College, at 1 Mead Way in Bronxville, will host a performance of “Tommy’s World” in the Frances Ann Cannon Theatre at 7 p.m. Visit sarahlawrence.edu/events for more information.
• The first annual Tombola Gala Fundraiser, hosted by the Westchester Italian Cultural Center, will take place at 6:30 p.m. at 24 Depot Square in Tuckahoe. There will be live music, cocktails, dinner, a raffle and more. Visit Wiccny.org for more information.
• The Hoff-Barthelson Music School Holiday Music Festival will take place on Friday (7-9:30 p.m.), Saturday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) at 25 School Lane in Scarsdale. There will be performances, a boutique, raffles, a silent auction and much more. Visit hbms.org for more information.
• The Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, at 6 Greenacres Avenue in Scarsdale, will host The New Choral Society as it performs Handel’s “Messiah” and “Fastasia on Christmas Carols” from 8-9:30 p.m. and again on Sunday at 3 p.m. Visit hitchcockpresby.org for more information.
• The Bronxville Chamber of Commerce will host the Hometown Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Ceremony at Leonard Morange Square along Parkway Road from 5-7 p.m. The Chamber also presents Santa’s Workshop from 5:30-7 p.m. and again on Saturday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Visit bronxvillechamber.com for more information.

 Saturday

• The Boy Scouts will host a firewood sale at Scout Field in Bronxville, off Midland Avenue. There will be seasoned hardwood for sale in various bundle sizes. Twenty percent of the proceeds will go to The Wounded Warrior Project. Call Bill Chilson at 914-954-2294 for more information.
• Rocky Middleton will perform at Alvin and Friends Restaurant (14 Memorial Highway, New Rochelle) from 7:30-11:30 p.m. Visit alvinandfriendsrestaurant.com for more information.
• The White Plains Reads Book Fair, sponsored by the White Plains Youth Bureau, will take place at the Barnes & Noble on 230 Main Street in White Plains from noon-6p.m. New York Times best-selling author R.L. Stine (The Goosebumps series) will be on hand from 2-4 p.m. to sign books. Visit cityofwhiteplains.com for more information.
• The Town of Pelham annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony and Candy Cane Lane will highlight a big day in Pelham. The day begins at 10 a.m. with Pelham’s Holiday Boutique at Infusion (600 Fifth Ave.). There will be celebrations throughout the day, including a brief parade at 3:30 p.m. when Santa rides down Candy Cane Lane (Fifth Ave.) in a fire truck. The tree-lighting ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. Visit pelham.gov for more information.
• There will be a Holiday Service of Remembrance at The Pelham Funeral Home (64 Lincoln Ave., Pelham) at 3:30 p.m. This non-denominational service is open to all people who are mourning the loss of a loved one this holiday season. Write to Joan Brisson at joan@pelhamfuneral.com for more information.
• The Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum will host its annual Holiday Family Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sonia Manzano, who plays Maria on Sesame Street, will read and sign copies of her latest book, “Miracle on 133^rd Street”, at 10:15 a.m. and noon. There will be gifts, crafts, homemade treats and Santa Claus is scheduled to make an appearance. Bartow-Pell will host a more adult-themed Festive Party from 7-10 p.m. There will be cocktails, a buffet dinner, caroling and a live auction. Visit bartowpellmansionmuseum.org for more information.
• The Huguenot Memorial Church Charitable Christmas Tree Sale and Alternative Christmas Market will take place from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at the corner of Boston Post Road and Pelhamdale Ave. in Pelham. In addition to trees, there will be pine roping, poinsettias and other holiday decorations for sale. There will also be handmade gifts from Sylvia’s Orphanage. Call 914-738-3488 for more information.
  
• White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Ebersole Ice Rink at Delfino Park (110 Lake Street, White Plains) at 1:15 p.m. following a summer-long renovation project. There will be a public-skating session to follow with Frosty, Rudolph and free hot chocolate.
• Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St. Catharine’s will host its annual Christmas Boutique and Wreath Sale from 4:30-6:00 p.m. and again on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 575 Fowler Avenue in Pelham. Call 914-738-5158 for more information.
• ArtsWestchester, at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains, will host A Holiday Evening of Gypsy Swing and Swing Dancing from 7:30-11 p.m. Doug Munro and La Pompe Attack will be performing. Visit artswestchester.org for more information.
• The Play Group Theater, at 1 North Broadway in White Plains, will put on a performance of “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2 p.m. Visit playgroup.org for more information.
• The Greenwich Ballet Academy will perform “The Nutcracker” at The White Plains Performing Arts Center (11 City Place in White Plains) at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2 p.m. Visit greenwichballetacademy.org for more information.
• Tuckahoe’s Winterfest will take place at Depot Square from 5-8 p.m. There will be ice skating, music, a tree lighting, visits with Santa and more. Visit etcoc.com for more information.
• The Greenburgh Nature Center, at 99 Dromore Road in Scarsdale, will host the Yonkers Model Railroad Club from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The club will display an extensive display of model trains. Visit greenburghnaturecenter.org for more information.
• The seventh annual Hot Cocoa Run to Benefit MAC Angels and ALS will take place take place in New Rochelle at Fifth and Potter Avenues beginning at 8 a.m. Visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NY/NewRochelle/HotCocoaRun for more information.
• The Bronxville Chamber of Commerce will sponsor Holiday Happy Hour from 3-5 p.m. in the village. There will be in-store specials and complimentary refreshments at participating businesses. There will also be free parking from noon to 6 p.m. in the Garden, Kraft and Avalon Avenue lots. Visit bronxvillechamber.com/holiday for more information.

SUNDAY

• The New Rochelle Public Library will host the New Rochelle Arts Association Adolph Grant Award Show all day Sunday and Monday. Visit nraaonline.org for more information.
• The 52nd annual Westchester Musician’s Guild Young Artists Concert will take place in the New Rochelle Library’s Ossie Davis Theater at 2 p.m. Student musicians in grades seven through 12 went through a rigorous and demanding audition process to qualify for a spot in this concert. Visit nrpl.org for more information.
• Tuckahoe’s Winterfest continues from noon-5 p.m. with hayrides, ice skating, food, entertainment and much more. There will also be a Santa Stop from 2-4 p.m. at The Park across from Eastchester Town Hall. Visit etcoc.com for more information.
• The Manor Club, at 1023 Esplanade in Pelham Manor, will host a Victorian Christmas brunch with three performances of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”, performed by the SOOP Theatre Company. The performances will take place 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and are part of the 50^th anniversary celebration of when “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first aired on CBS (Dec. 9, 1965). Visit sooptheatre.org for more information.

For information about these and other events in our area, please visit www.burbio.com/lists/district-88-events.

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There are several important bits of information about the New York State STAR Program and Medicare that I wanted to share with everyone as we head towards the end of the year.

Registration for the STAR Program runs through the end of this month and there are still many eligible residents in my District (88th) who have yet to register.

As of Dec. 3, the following percentages of eligible residents in their respective communities had yet to register:

Bronxville – 41 percent

New Rochelle – 31 percent

White Plains – 30 percent

Scarsdale – 29 percent

Pelham – 26 percent

Eastchester/Tuckahoe – 26 percent

There are two types of STAR exemptions. The Basic STAR is available for owner-occupied, primary residences where the resident owners’ and their spouses income is less than $500,000. This program exempts the first $30,000 of the full value of a home from school taxes.

The second exemption is the Enhanced STAR. This provides an increased benefit for the primary residences of senior citizens (65 and older) with qualifying incomes. It also exempts the first $64,200 of the full value of a home from school taxes as of 2014-15 school tax bills.

All of this information and more can be found at http://www.tax.ny.gov/pit/property/star/index.htm.

As for Medicare, whether you are about to enroll or are a current Medicare recipient, you can get help with your healthcare coverage questions at weekly Senior Benefits Information Centers in many local libraries. No appointment necessary.
Trained counselors are available to help you make the right decisions regarding your coverage:
• Medicare Part A (in-patient) and Part B (out-patient) costs and benefits,
• Part D prescription drug coverage,
• Medicare Advantage Plans, with or without drug coverage, and
• Medicare Savings Plans, Extra Help and EPIC for seniors with more limited incomes.
Some assistance is also available for those who are looking for other financial benefit programs, such as HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and food stamps.

The most convenient SBIC centers for those in my district are:
Greenburgh Public Library, Mondays, 10 am – 1 pm
Will Library, Yonkers, Tuesdays, 10 am – pm; Thursdays, 11 am – 3 pm
New Rochelle Public Library, Fridays, 10 am – 1 pm

Or if you can’t visit the library in person, you can leave a message on the SBIC helpline at 914-231-3260 with your name and number, and whether your interest is in Medicare services or other benefits. A counselor will return your call within two business days. Alternatively, you can ask your question online at: http://www.westchesterlibraries.org/senior-benefits-information-centers/ask-a-counselor/.

A listing of all eight SBIC centers in Westchester libraries can be found at http://www.westchesterlibraries.org/senior-benefits-information-centers/. It includes information for clients in Spanish.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season.