Accompanied by a young, vibrant, and outgoing staff Blackboard Pizza Shop has opened in a great location at 628 North Avenue in New Rochelle across from the CVS Pharmacy and just south of Iona College and will have its Grand Opening Ceremony on Monday, February 13, 2012 at 11:30 AM.

The chefs from the French Culinary Institute in NYC have developed an eclectic mouth watering menu in a well designed layout. You can see the staff preparing the dishes in an open atmosphere that’s fun to watch.

Blackboard is an attempt to keep the real purpose in eating. The title Blackboard comes from their theory that an eatery should be a living, breathing, and ever changing entity. Staging the menu on blackboards grants great culinary flexibility, and keeps the customer excited while providing the best fresh and seasonal dishes.

They take a typical off-campus eatery, and apply a fresh angle and mindset to completely mesh with the young market and surrounding neighborhoods. Blackboard has woven a twist on an outdated formula for the “college town” pizzeria, accompanied by a young, vibrant, and outgoing staff.

Recently, when the host of WNYC's "New Sounds" radio show made casual reference to Derek Bermel, a world-class composer, clarinetist, conductor and New Rochelle native, my fond memories of the Glenwood Lake neighborhood in New Rochelle, where Bermel grew up and where I lived for a decade, got me reminiscing.

Glenwood Lake is one of the best neighborhoods in New Rochelle in which to live. It is conveniently located in the heart of the city yet on the border of Pelham, making it a very easy and pleasant walk to the Pelham train station. It also has easy access to the Hutch and I-95.

Glenwood Lake is a mini-nature preserve. The lake from which the neighborhood derives its name is a magnet for a wide-assortment of ducks, herons, the occasional swan or two, and many other birds.

The Save Our Armory Committee has nominated the New Rochelle Armory for consideration of the prestigious Heritage Award Program administered by City Hall. A detailed application has been submitted for review in an effort spotlight the historic significance of this unique New Rochelle treasure.

We wholeheartedly concur with Mayor Bramson's statement of " By raising public awareness about our past, we help ensure that hiostoric charmremains a vital part of our future". In Fact, we couldn't have said it better.

The application does request the owner to be the one submitting. We hold that, by extension, the residents of New Rochelle are the owners. The taxpaying citizenry, who foot the bills for the city, who essentially buy all the product the city uses. If one were to look at the ownership of city hall, or the fire houses or police station, I doubt the mayor's or councilmember's would be on the paperwork. Good or bad, without the residents, there would be no New Rochelle.

To view the application click

Westchester County Board of Legislators Minority Leader Jim Maisano held his annual Toys for Tots Drive at the On The Waterfront Restaurant in New Rochelle. Hundreds of toys were donated. The United States Marine Corps Reserves recognized Jim, his wife Jean and their son for their outstanding achievement in support of the 2011 Toys for Tots Drive.

Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester congratulates its Director of Adult Day Services Pearl Hacker, LCSW and Nurse Manager Peggy Coll, NP on being named Women of Excellence by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce

New Rochelle, NY – November 16, 2011 – Sound Shore Medical Center (SSMC) congratulates its Director of Adult Day Services Pearl Hacker, LCSW and Nurse Manager Peggy Coll, NP on being named Women of Excellence by the New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce. At its 10th anniversary celebration, the Chamber again recognized individuals for their exceptional contributions to the community of New Rochelle. Ms. Hacker received recognition as the Business and Professional of the Year while Ms. Coll received her honor in the newly-created category, Culture, Arts and Sciences.

A Public Hearing is scheduled for December 6th at 7:30 pm at City Hall, please come out to support public safety and voice your concern.

Consider that New Rochelle Fire Company Ladder 12 is closed today. Since the release of the preliminary budget it has been out of service more than it has been in service. The preliminary budget calls for a reduction of 5 less (almost 20%) fire fighters working per shift since 2009 and to permanently close Ladder 12 for 2012. Ladder 12 is a crucial part of the Fire Departments ability to provide “time of the essence” life-saving service; its primary function includes search and rescue. A normal response to a call requires that 2 engines and 2 trucks respond. If the response happens to be in the North End of New Rochelle and another call comes in on Pelham Road, there will not be another ladder to respond. Even if the call turns out to be a false alarm, the travel time to respond to the other end of the city can be upwards of 21 minutes (as per map quest); the distance between the 2 ends of New Rochelle is more than 8 miles apart.

The Guidance Center identified its most needy clients who enjoyed a holiday treat courtesy of the Mariano Rivera Foundation. The New York Yankee pitcher, his wife, Clara, and his foundation’s President, Naomi Gandia, joined with TGC staff and other volunteers to help distribute 100 bags filled with frozen turkey, potatoes, rice, beans, vegetables, coffee and other non-perishable items. The Riveras said that they are thankful to be in a position to give others some comfort in the holiday season, and the families showed their appreciation with several rounds of applause. The Guidance Center, which has a 70 year history and a sterling reputation of helping people in need in New Rochelle and Westchester County, is delighted to have partnered with The Mariano Rivera Foundation.