Monthly Archives: August 2011

Bedford NY Patch | 10 Ways to Use Patch During the Hurricane – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

With Hurricane Irene almost certain to batter the Hudson Valley this weekend, the need for up-to-the minute info is even more important. At Patch, we will be working around-the-clock to cover the storm, but as with all our reporting, the more interaction we get from users the more comprehensive our coverage will be.

Here’s how you can use Patch to help paint the local picture of the event.
1. Get the news. When we know about storm-related news, so will you. From important town and village announcements, damages, power outages and floods, we’ll have all the news covered 24-7. Refresh the homepage often, we move fast.
2. Comment. If you have relevant information to add to an article, jump in and make a comment. We’ll follow up and likely add it to the article. These storm stories will continue to evolve as we speak to more officials and locals. You can be a real-time source by commenting.
3. Connect with the local editor. Click your local editor’s name at the top of the homepage to go their profile. All their contact info is listed there. Use them. If you have tips, call, e-mail or more often text to conserve cell phone power.
4. Follow us on Twitter. Before we write an article we tweet the news out to our followers. Want the info the fastest way possible, follow us @BedkatonahPatch
5. Get the iPhone app. If the power goes out, your smartphone may end up being your only tool for getting the info on what’s going on in your community. Click here to get the Patch app for free on iTunes. Not only can you read news on it, but post photos and videos as well.
6. Take photos. Please, stay indoors if you plan to wait out the storm. But any photos you take of the aftermath we’d prominently display on your Patch. Email them to your local editor or upload them directly to articles.
7. Shoot videos. Same goes for video. Our smartphones have put high-powered video cameras in our pockets. Send clips our way to help us report on the effect of Irene in your backyards.
8. Ask a question. If trees are down in your neighborhood but you want to know if your neighbors a few blocks away have the same damage, or if you want to ask someone in a flood-prone area how they waterproofed their house, use our Q&A feature. Questions normally surround natural events like a hurricane. You can look to your community for answers. If no one responds, be sure we’ll get the answer for you.
9. Ask for Volunteers. Our Announcements section lets readers post requests for volunteers. Use it. Depending on the scope of the disaster, volunteers are going to be crucial to mend the community. Any Volunteers Needed announcements posted on the site will be featured prominently on the home page.
10. Blog about it. When all settles, scores of your fellow community members will have “I was there” stories to share. Don’t keep them to yourself. Sign up to be a blogger and let your neighbors know how you held up during the storm.

via bedford.patch.com

Mt Kisco NY Homes | Updated: Hurricane Watch in Effect for Northern Westchester – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane watch for various parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, including Northern Westchester, as Hurricane Irene makes its way towards the East Coast.

According to the alert, the storm could hit the area tomorrow night. “The worst conditions are likely late Saturday night into Sunday afternoon with increasing potential for damaging winds…flooding rains…and signficant coastal flooding across much of the region.”

In Bedford, the NWS forecast for Saturday night calls for a 100 percent chance of rain, with accumulations of about two to three inches and winds hitting as much as 46 mph. On Sunday, the chance of rain stays at 100 percent, with “tropical storm conditions possible.”

Bedford Police Chief Williams Hayes says they are “reviewing all of our procedures and plans” and working together with the other town departments to ensure preparedness.

He urged residents to sign up for the recently reinstated Nixle alerts so as to receive notifications via text or email from the department with updates on road closures, accidents and more. You can sign up for the alerts by going to the town website or at www.nixle.com.

Hayes also suggested residents visit www.ready.gov and to “always have a plan.” Currently, information on important items to have on hand and safety tips can be found on the town’s website.

Officials from the town supervisor’s office says that if the situation is warranted, the Bedford Hills Community House would be opened in case of emergency. The public will be notified of this from the radio and updates posted on the town’s website.

Bill Heidepriem, the superintendent of parks and recreation for the town says the department has been hard at work preparing for the storm, clearing catch basins, putting away trash bins and taking various other measures to try and lessen the damage.

As of now, the pools will likely be open for at least part of the day on Saturday, according to Heidepriem. He says that they’ll be monitoring the situation throughout the day and then determine whether or not to close the pools. They will likely be closed on Sunday, he said.

As for the parks, they’re open as well, although Heidepriem noted that if necessary, the department would “barricade park access roads.”

The American Red Cross also issued a “safety and prepardness checkist,” which can be found here and Westchester County is updating their website regularly with information on closures, outages and more, which can be found here.

via bedford.patch.com

Waccabuc NY Homes | Meet Your Farm Market Vendors: Healing Home Foods and Gluten-Free Dessert Kitchen – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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Each week, Bedford-Katonah Patch will introduce you to two vendors from local markets serving the area: Gossett’s Farmer’s Market and the John Jay Homestead Farmer’s Market.

This week we introduce you to Healing Home Foods and The Gluten-Free Dessert Kitchen.

Gossett’s Farmer’s Market is held at Gossett Brother’s Nursery in South Salem every Saturday year-round, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and the John Jay Homestead Farmer’s Market, held at the Homestead in Katonah runs Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. through October.

Healing Home Foods

Vendors: Sandra Lena, Shelley Schultz

Items sold: Organic raw granola, organic herb crackers, bean-free hummus

Location: Pound Ridge, NY

Website: n/a

Phone: (914) 764-0969

The Gluten-Free Dessert Kitchen

Vendors: Ellen Nicholas is the baker for her company The Gluten Free Dessert Kitchen of Harmony Hill.

Items sold: Two-layer cakes with fruit fillings and fresh frostings, including dairy free frostings. Almond, Blueberry or Cinnamon-Pecan Coffee Cakes, Savory Muffins like the Dill Zucchini Ricotta Muffin, Cookies, Bars and Brownies, all gluten-free. Nicholas also caters to people with allergies to soy, nuts and dairy. Special orders can be picked up at the Farmer’s Market in South Salem each Saturday morning.

Location: Harmony Hill B&B in Clermont, NY

Website: http://www.glutenfreedessertkitchen.com

Email: gfdesserts@gmail.com

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North Salem NY Homes | UPDATE: JFK Cancels International Flights; Gov. Suspends Tolls – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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Update 7:15 p.m.: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced that it will close John F. Kennedy International Airport to incoming international flights, beginning noon Saturday, to avoid stranding passengers when the region’s mass-transit systems services are suspended due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene. Many other weekend flights already have been canceled at JFK, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports, so travelers are urged to contact their carriers prior to leaving for the airport.

Also, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the Metropolitan Transit Authority is adding the Throgs Neck and the Bronx-Whitestone bridges to the list of bridges with toll suspensions. Earlier, Cuomo announced that in order to facilitate the mandatory evacuation of residents living in low-lying Zone A areas and the Rockaways, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will suspend certain fares and tolls. Tolls are already suspended at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge.

Starting at 8:00 p.m. today, the following changes will go into effect:

Tolls will be suspended on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Throgs Neck Bridge and Bronx-Whitestone Bridge

Fares will be suspended on buses throughout the city.

Fares will be suspended for subway and rail passengers at stations in the mandatory evacuation area.

Update 4 p.m.: The state Thruway Authority sent out an alert telling motorists to expect road and bridge closures in New York City and the Hudson Valley during Hurricane Irene. These closures may include I-87 and the state Thruway between New York and Albany, including the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Update 3:20 p.m.: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced that New Jersey Transit, ACES and Meadowlands service will be suspended at noon Saturday. Rail service will also be suspended.

Update 3 p.m.: The Metropolitan Transit Authority will institute a system-wide shut-down when trains and buses begin their final runs starting at approximately noon on Saturday. The shut-down will include subways, buses, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, and Access-A-Ride.

Update 2 p.m.: Westchester County Airport has just announced that all incoming and outgoing commercial flights will be cancelled as of 6 p.m. Saturday. Flights are expected to resume at about 3 p.m. Monday. Passengers should contact their respective airlines for further information.

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As Hurricane Irene looms closer, transportation agencies have already begun updating their plans for the weekend.
Here’s a list of the latest travel updates. Check back at Patch.com for more updates as they become available:
MTA
The Metropolitan Transit Authority issued a statement warning its customers that there could be full or partial shutdowns to services due to Hurricane Irene.
There will be a complete shutdown of service subways, trains and buses when sustained winds reach at least 39 mph.
“Because of the severity of the wind and rain associated with a hurricane, there may be partial or full shut down of our services to ensure the safety of our customers and employees,” the statement reads.
Customers are urged to check mta.info frequently and to consider possible storm impacts when making travel plans this weekend.
New York/New Jersey Port Authority

Airports have stocked up on hundreds of cases of bottled water, diapers, cots, blankets and pillows to provide to stranded passengers if necessary. Also, at least one food vendor in every passenger terminal will remain open 24 hours so that food is available at any time of day or night. Central office staff will also be deployed throughout the airports if, needed, to monitor conditions and assist with customer service personnel with helping customers find hotel rooms or ground transportation.

Workers in the Tunnels, Bridges and Terminals Department are reviewing high-wind procedures and readying for potential traffic restrictions on vehicles such as tractor-trailers, motorcycles, and car-pulled trailers. All sumps and drains are being checked and sump pits are being pumped down in anticipation of the forecasted heavy rainfall. Important infrastructure, including tunnel sump pumps and emergency generator systems, are being checked and readied.

On the PATH interstate rail system, crews are prepared to combat potential flooding with sandbags and the use of pumps throughout the system, including the deployment of a 1,000-gallon-per-minute, trailer-mounted portable diesel pump that can be used inside PATH tunnels if necessary. Floodgates can be utilized if needed at Hoboken and Exchange Place stations. Portable pumps are being assembled with necessary hoses, and emergency generators are being checked and tested, among other PATH storm preparations.

Staff in the Port Commerce Department have advised tenants to take necessary precautions, which includes placing sandbags at the base of cargo doors to minimize water intrusion, securing and covering cargo stored outdoors if it cannot be transferred to sheltered areas, and securing cranes, barges, warehouse doors and yard equipment.

World Trade Center staff have notified contractors to secure construction sites and take precautionary measures including but not limited to tying down and securing material and loose debris at construction sites; covering electrical equipment; storing loose tools; and securing netting, scaffolding and sidewalk sheds. Engineers also are implementing plans to secure cranes against the hurricane, while crews also are prepared to use pumps, sandbags and other measures to stem flooding at the site.

Amtrak
Amtrak has already canceled most of its service operating south of Washington for today, Saturday and Sunday. Most trains on the Northeast Corridor have not been affected. In addition, other Amtrak services in North Carolina and in Virginia are currently operating as scheduled.
The following cancellations have been made today:

Northeast Regional Trains 67 and 83 (Boston – Newport News) will terminate in Washington

The following cancellations have been made for today, Saturday and Sunday:

Auto Train Trains 52 and 53 (Sanford, Fla. – Lorton, Va.)

Palmetto Trains 89 and 90 (New York – Savannah)

Silver Star Trains 91 and 92 (New York -Tampa – Miami), canceled New York to Jacksonville; train will operate between Jacksonville and Miami

Silver Meteor Trains 97 and 98 (New York – Miami)

The following cancellations have been made for origination dates of Saturday:

Carolinian Trains 79 and 80 (New York – Charlotte, N.C.)

Passengers are encouraged to call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com for schedule information and train status updates.

via bedford.patch.com

Katonah NY Homes | K-L School Board Meeting, Top Pics at Katonah Library – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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School Board Meeting

School starts in just under two weeks and tonight, the Katonah-Lewisboro school board is holding its meeting at 7:30 p.m. at John Jay High School. For a look at the agenda, click here.

Have dinner in New Canaan

Looking to try a new restaurant? Then head to New Canaan, where Restaurant Week begins on Friday. Bonus: Tonight, the Chamber of Commerce is hosting a “Taste of the Town stroll” at 6 p.m. You’ll find lots of details here and here.

Up and Coming Photographers

Read this to find out which photos took top honors in the Katonah Library’s annual competition and then, head to the library to see the pictures for yourself.

Afternoon showers possible

After a pretty couple of days, the weather could be turning on us: there’s a 50 percent chance of rain today, likely happening this afternoon, according to The National Weather Service.

Weekend beach plans?

Speaking of rain, Hurricane Irene could make for a very wet Sunday and Monday. Has the forecast changed your weekend plans? Are you still heading to the beach or camping out in front of the TV instead? Let us know in the comments.

via bedford.patch.com

Bedford NY Homes | Hurricane Readiness, See ‘Moonfleet,’ Discount Drinks – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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Prep for Hurricane Irene

The sun should be out today and temps in the 80s, according to the National Weather Service, but all eyes will be on Hurricane Irene, the now category 3 hurricane that could make its way to our area tomorrow evening. Gov. Cuomo has called a state of emergency and the Bedford PD recommends residents sign up for Nixle alerts. Check back with Patch for continuing updates on the storm.

See Moonfleet

If you’re swapping outdoor activities for indoor ones, here’s an idea: the 1955 flick Moonfleet is showing at Jacob Burns on Saturday and Sunday afternoon with $ tickets for kids. More info here.

Planning a same-sex wedding?

Then head to the Radisson Hotel in New Rochelle tonight at 5 p.m. to check out a variety of different wedding vendors. The event is hosted by the LOFT and you can find more info here.

Farmer’s market

With the latter half of the weekend looking like it could be wash out, get your outdoor fix early Saturday at the John Jay Homestead Farmer’s Market. Bonus: If you’re out and about early, there’s all a free workout class. Info here and here.

Discount drinks

Long week? It’s “Ladies night” at JP’s Lounge at Le Chateau in South Salem. You’ll find more info here and you can check out the menu here.

via bedford.patch.com

South Salem NY Homes | DeCicco’s in Cross River Opens – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch

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After nearly two months without a grocery store, shopping carts were again rolling in Cross River on Friday after the anxiously anticipated grand opening of the new DeCicco’s Market, which replaced the old D’Agostino that anchored Cross River Plaza for three decades.

The shopping center was a bustling beehive of commerce as residents swarmed in for their first peek, with parking at a premium and the occasional exchange of “hello, neighbor!” overheard amidst the deli counter gridlock.

“Everything is going very well and we’ve been consistently busy all day,” said co-owner Christina DeCicco-Capriotti, who supervised the store’s opening. “Feedback from customers has been very good. They seem happy with the pricing and they’re glad to see it cleaner and brighter in here.”

The new market boasts such specialties as a gourmet cheese gallery, smorgasboards of hot and cold prepared foods and a selection of some 450-500 mostly craft beers. Lagerheads will also soon be able to refill their “growlers” from a selection of eight local draft brews including several from Captain Lawrence in Pleasantville, founded by John Jay alum and South Salem native Scott Vaccaro.

Floor managers were also dispatched across the store taking suggestions and stocking requests throughout the day.

Customers eagerly embraced DeCicco’s as a welcome improvement from its predecessor.

“There is no comparison,” commented customer Ellen Elias of South Salem, who by noon had already made her second visit to the new market. “D’Ags wasn’t a supermarket. In fact, I don’t know anybody who shopped there. This is like ‘Extreme Makeover: Supermarket Edition.’”

Elias and her husband, Kenny, previously drove to Turco’s or Wilton, CT to shop and were thrilled to finally have a quality market in town.

“I woke up, watched Train on The Today Show and came straight here,” she said. “We might even be back for dinner and we’ll definitely be back tomorrow for our rotisserie chicken.”

Elizabeth R. of Ridgefield, was returning home from Katonah and doesn’t typically shop on this side of the stateline, but was pleasantly surprised when she stopped in with her daughter to stock up on hurricane supplies.

“We were just passing through, but seeing how nice it is I’ll probably be back. It was just never a draw here before.”

DeCicco-Capriotti expected heavy volume to continue through the weekend—especially for those buying water and batteries.

“We’ve been keeping up fulfilling orders, taking care of customer requests and checking out customers,” she added. “And we have all-new cashiers the morning shift.”

Cross River is the 8th location for the family-owned chain, which also owns markets in Brewster and Jefferson Valley as well as Southern Westchester and Rockland.