Program to Take Place December 2 through December 6 Throughout the County.
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer has announced that “Keys to Safe Driving” – a series of five free sessions sponsored by the County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) – will take place during Older Driver Safety Week from December 2 through December 6, 2024.
These free, in-person sessions have been presented by DSPS’ Older Driver Coalition for over 20 years. They offer tools, tips and techniques for older drivers to stay on the road as safely as possible, for as long as possible. The Program will also explore when it is time to stop driving, and what alternative transportation services are available when seniors decide to relinquish their keys.
Latimer said: “Promoting safe driving for our older adults is particularly important now that we are in the holiday season, with more drivers on the road as well as the potential for inclement weather. We hope that our older adults as well as their families and caregivers take advantage of this informative program to ensure driver, passenger and pedestrian safety now and throughout the year.”
Each of the five sessions will cover similar material. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is preferred. To sign up, please call the contact listed below at the site you would like to attend. SMART Commute staff from Westchester County’s Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) will be at each session to help seniors interested in signing up for the MTA Reduced-Fare MetroCard. For more information, contact Beverly Carter at bdc1@westchestercountyny.gov or (914) 813-6188.
Monday, 12/2 Clinton Street Senior Center, 1A Clinton Street, Pleasantville, NY
Contact: Sarah Johnson
Email: directorseniorservices@
Phone: (914) 769-2021
Tuesday, 12/3 Reformed Church of Bronxville, 180 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY
12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
Contact: Lisa McGovern
Email: BSC@SCC70.org
Phone: (914) 844-5120
Wednesday, 12/4 Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center, 32 Garibaldi Place, Rye Brook, NY
10 - 11 a.m.
Contact: Liz Rothfeld
Email: ERotfeld@ryebrookny.gov
Phone: (914) 939-7904
Thursday, 12/5 Van Tassell House, 98 Primrose Street, Katonah, NY
11 a.m. – noon
Contact: Princess Guerra
Email: pguerra@somersny.com
Phone: (914) 232-0881
Friday, 12/6 Grinton Will Library, 1500 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY
11 a.m. – noon
Conference Room
Contact: Kirsten Hashim
Email: kirsten.hashim@yonkersny.gov
(914) 377-6806
Enjoy a wintery wonderland filled with trains, colorful flowers, beautiful botanical displays and twinkling lights.
(Somers, NY) – The Holidays on the Hill Annual Train Show at Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial in Somers opens Saturday, November 30 through January 5, and it will feature more trains, more exhibits and more holiday fun. And, of course, the jolly man in red himself, Santa, will be on hand to bring cheer to the festivities.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Lasdon’s enchanting holiday exhibits, festive lights and beautifully decorated gardens make it magical at this merry time of year. Its grounds natural beauty blends seamlessly with the holiday cheer to create memorable and heartwarming experiences.”
Westchester Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Families and friends love the Holidays on the Hill Train Show because it fosters tradition and joy. These moments bring warmth, laughter and a sense of belonging, which let people celebrate love and unity in a special, meaningful way.”
Westchester County Parks Commissioner Kathleen O’Connor said: “Santa brings happiness to all by embodying the spirit of giving, magic and togetherness. For youngsters, he represents wonder, excitement and dreams come true, while adults cherish the nostalgia and warmth of shared customs.
Santa will eagerly hear children’s holiday wishes in his cottage on Conservatory Plaza during scheduled dates and times.
The Conservatory will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring whimsical holiday exhibits that lead to the Conservatory. Once inside, visitors will be surrounded by trains chugging along 12 multi-level tracks that run over bridges, through tunnels, under waterfalls and past quaint holiday scenes. Guests can once again revel in select Twilight Trains nights when the choo-choos will be aglow with radiant luminosity.
The show’s colorful characters and enchanting scenes will include all of Santa’s reindeer and playful snowmen, colorful flowers, beautiful botanical displays and twinkling lights.
Tickets will be sold online only with scheduled viewing times; no tickets will be sold on-site.
Tickets are available through January 5. Admission prices: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors (62 and up), $10 ages 2 through 12, and free for children under 24 months.
The exhibit is co-produced by Westchester County Parks and the Friends of Lasdon Park and Arboretum.
Lasdon Park and Arboretum is a Westchester County Park on Route 35 in Somers. The GPS address is 2610 Amawalk Road, Katonah, NY 10536.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit LasdonPark.org or call (914) 864-7268.
Regular weekday service will resume on Friday, November 29.
We wish all of our riders and drivers a Happy Thanksgiving!
For service alerts and bus schedules visit www.westchestergov.com/
Westchester County Executive George Latimer Gives Westchester Weekly Update.
Watch the full News Conference Here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
During the Weekly Westchester Briefing:
WESTCHESTER COUNTY PROMOTES GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT.
Westchester County Department of Health Promotes Tobacco Cessation on November 21.
(White Plains, NY) – It is never too late to quit smoking, and this is underscored by the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout on Thursday, November 21.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lung cancer kills more people than any other cancer, and cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor. The American Cancer Society promotes the third Thursday in November as the Great American Smokeout, and the Westchester County Department of Health encourages County residents to participate by quitting smoking or vaping.
Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “If you are still smoking or vaping, today is a great time to stop. I urge you to join the Great American Smokeout. Find a support group, and tell your friends and family so they can encourage you.”
Current smokers or those who quit within the past 15 years, but who smoked the equivalent of a pack a day for 20 years or two packs a day for 10 years, are advised to ask their doctor for an annual lung cancer screening, which is covered by most insurance.
Support for those who want to quit is available with support from County Executive George Latimer’s Westchester Tobacco Free Programs as follows:
Additional resources are as follows:
To reduce youth tobacco use in Westchester, the County Health Department partners with community organizations to support these efforts:
For service alerts and bus schedules visit www.westchestergov.com/
Diwali Festivities Bring Community Together to Celebrate the Festival of Lights.
(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer hosted a Diwali celebration at the Westchester County Center in collaboration with The Coalition of Hindu Organizations of Westchester County. The celebration highlighted Diwali’s significance as a festival symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, featuring traditional dance performances, music, cultural presentations, and a taste of Indian cuisine. Hundreds of Community members gathered to honor the values of hope, light and unity that Diwali represents.
Latimer said: “Celebrating Diwali is a reminder of the values that bind us all together — hope, unity, and the pursuit of light over darkness. Westchester County is proud to honor this special holiday and stand with our Hindu community to celebrate their rich cultural traditions. Diwali brings light to our County in more ways than one, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful celebration.”
Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “This Diwali celebration is a shining example of Westchester’s commitment to inclusivity and cultural exchange. It’s an honor to stand with our Hindu friends and neighbors to celebrate the Festival of Lights, and we look forward to continuing to embrace the rich diversity of our County through events like these.”
Asian American Advisory Board Chair Marjorie Hsu said: “Diwali represents the joy, light, and unity that all communities can appreciate and celebrate. Events like this remind us of the beauty in learning from one another and fostering connections and culture that make Westchester a stronger, more unified place.”
The Coalition of Hindu Organizations of Westchester County Coordinator Amol Inamdar said: “Diwali is a time for reflection and gratitude, celebrated by the Dharmic community including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and several other communities worldwide. We thank Westchester County for supporting this celebration with the larger community. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, and this event is a wonderful way to share our traditions.”
The Diwali celebration at the County Center reflects Westchester’s dedication to inclusivity and cultural appreciation. Events like this strengthen community ties, bringing residents together to honor and share in the diversity that defines Westchester County.
VIDEO/PHOTO: WESTCHESTER COUNTY KICKS OFF HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE.
Drives Helps Brighten the Holidays for More than 1,000 Vulnerable Children.
[White Plains, NY] — Westchester County’s annual Holiday Gift Drive got underway Thursday, kicking off with a special event at the Michaelian Office Building in White Plains.
The Drive runs through Monday, December 16, collecting gifts and monetary donations to provide a brighter holiday for more than 1,000 children in Westchester who are in foster care, the homeless system, and receiving other protective and preventive social services.
There are six drop box locations throughout Westchester, accessible during business hours, where new, unwrapped toys, appropriate for newborns through 21-year-olds can be donated. (Please, no stuffed animals or violent toys.)
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Nelson Mandela said, 'There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children.' I'm asking the people of Westchester to join us in brightening the holiday for kids who need that brightening the most. For a child who may not have gotten a gift otherwise, that gift you donate does more than cheer them for a moment, it reinforces for them a message that there's joy in the world, and that is the true message of the holiday season.”
Westchester County Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins said: “Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, or another celebration, every kid in Westchester deserves to feel excitement and love this holiday season. It's especially important for kids who find themselves in tough family and financial circumstances. The Holiday Gift Drive is an opportunity to step up to the plate and deliver joy to these young people. Please join us in making sure that the most vulnerable kids in our county get the holiday they deserve.”
Westchester County Department of Social Services Commissioner Leonard G. Townes said: “Many children in Westchester find themselves separated from the things we take for granted during the holidays. The Gift Drive lets residents tangibly impact their lives for the better. For us it's dropping a toy in a box. But for a child, opening that gift is a message that they are remembered and valued.”
Barbara Sabater, Program Coordinator of Constituent Affairs, Westchester County Departments of Social Services and founder of the Gift Drive said, “On behalf of all our kids, we are so appreciative of every single donation. Over the years we’ve also had generous donations from scout groups, school groups, religious groups, foundations and local businesses. If anyone has any questions about how they might participate I invite you to please email me at bms7@WestchesterCountyNY.gov or call (914) 995-1937.”
Drop Off Locations:
Westchester County Michaelian Office Building 148 Martine Avenue, White Plains
Dept. of Social Services Central Office 112 East Post Road, White Plains
Mt. Vernon District Office 100 East First St.
| Peekskill District Office 750 Washington St.
White Plains District Office 85 Court St.
Yonkers District Office 131 Warburton Ave.
|
Monetary donations are accepted in the form of gift cards, Zelle/cash or checks made payable to: “Westchester Child Welfare Holiday Fund.”
Donations may be mailed to: Barbara Sabater 112 East Post Road, Room 637, White Plains, New York 10601
Electronic Donations: Zelle ID email: WCDSSHolidayGiftDrive@gmail.
For questions contact Barbara Sabater at bms7@WestchesterCountyNY.gov or call (914) 995-1937
WESTCHESTER COUNTY URGES RESIDENTS TO CONSERVE WATER AS DROUGHT WATCH CONTINUES.
Westchester County Encourages Voluntary Water Conservation From Residents as Drought Watch Continues.
(White Plains, NY) – New York City issued a Drought Watch that affects Westchester County water supplies. As part of the Drought Watch, Westchester County residents are asked by the County’s Department of Environmental Facilities to practice water conservation measures. Additional notifications will be made should the Drought Watch escalate to a Drought Warning or Drought Emergency.
To support water conservation, the County recommends that residents:
· Limit lawn and garden watering to early morning or evening hours to minimize evaporation
· Check and fix leaks in plumbing, faucets, and hoses
· Run dishwashers and laundry machines only with full loads
· Avoid washing vehicles or hosing down sidewalks
Residents can visit the following sites for drought conservation measures:
https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/water-saving-tips.page
https://www.epa.gov/watersense
(Valhalla NY) – The Westchester County Department of Correction and Aramark Food Service recognized four residents who graduated from a culinary training program at the Westchester County Jail. In partnership with Aramark, this ‘IN-2-WORK’ culinary certificate program requires eight weeks of vocational training, incorporating both in-class lectures and hands-on culinary training, totaling 40 hours of formal instruction. In addition to the hands-on culinary training, this program focuses on kitchen safety in food storage, preparation and serving. Students who successfully completed this formal training received a ServSafe certificate that’s recognized as the national standard in the food service industry. Through coordination with Aramark Food Service, graduating students will have access to a web portal of available employment opportunities, assistance with writing resumes and the availability of scholarships for further study.
In addressing the five graduates, Correction Commissioner Joseph K. Spano stated firmly: “At our agency, we don’t judge incarcerated individuals. From the moment someone is remanded into our care, we focus on assessment, treatment and the rehabilitation process. I thank and commend you for volunteering to participate in this program and many others offered at WDOC. Doing so demonstrates your commitment and desire to get on a better life path, and should greatly aid your transition when you return back to your family and community.”
Aramark District Manager Robert Love said: “Aramark Correctional Services is proud to continue its partnership with Westchester County in offering our IN-2-WORK programming to the residents of Westchester County Correction. For many years, this program has received tremendous support from Commissioner Spano and designated members of his team, including First Deputy Commissioner Nory Padilla and Assistant Warden Jeremiah Tejada. Working together, we have enhanced culinary aspects to the program, and feel that our graduates will have that much more to offer prospective employers when they re-enter the workforce. A special thanks to our local IN-2- WORK facilitator Chef Darnel Pierre and on-site Director Sharron Watkins for being instrumental in building and supporting the new program curriculum.”
Program participant Dominick Labarta said: “I look forward to using what I have learned in the future to meal prep and possibly get a job in a restaurant kitchen.”
Program participant Omar Green said: “The program was a wonderful experience full of knowledge, our instructor did a great job of teaching culinary skills. I love the fact that I can apply for a scholarship and that I can get my family involved in the program upon release.”
Program participant Lyle Long: “I really enjoyed the class and I think it helps inmates stay on a successful path upon re-entry.”
At the conclusion of the graduation ceremony, the twenty-five attendees from WDOC, Aramark and 914 United enjoyed meals prepared by the students.
The Westchester County Department of Correction is considered a national leader in the space, recognized for its robust rehabilitation program system and accreditation certifications through the American Correctional Association, the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare and the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
The Sleepy Hollow/Tarrytown Police and Pack 22 Tarrytown Cub Scouts are spreading extra holiday cheer this year by supporting families in ne...
.jpg)
