White Plains schools are bracing for another difficult budget year, as school officials say they will need to consider an estimated $2 million in budget cuts to remain under the 2 percent tax cap in 2013-14.

Proposed cuts in federal aid and increased pension costs are expected to again be two of the largest obstacles the district faces for next year. 

“Next year’s budget will be a tremendous challenge," said White Plains Board of Education President Rosemarie Eller, "responding to the state-imposed
2 percent property tax levy cap, in addition to the difficult economic situation."

As officials crunch the numbers, several public meetings have been scheduled so the district can hear feedback from parents and residents before the budget is finalized this spring. Two public meetings have already been announced and will be held on Jan. 16 and March 20 at White Plains High School. Those meetings are open to the public and will take place at 7:30 p.m. in room B-1.

There will also be an information session in the White Plains Library on March 17 at 3 p.m. All residents are invited to participate in each meeting, which will include a focused dialogue on spending efficiencies, areas of concern, budget priorities and creative ways to increase revenues. A review of the district’s financial situation, the state’s and city’s financial constraints, and other issues relating to development of the budget will also be presented.

Any community group or organization that would like to host a budget discussion is also encouraged to contact the district.

“We hope to work together with the community to develop a budget that maintains the high quality of education in White Plains and that is fiscally responsible and can be supported by the taxpayers in the May 21st vote,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Chris Clouet.

The preliminary 2013-14 budget will be presented during a public hearing on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. The adopted proposed budget will be presented on May 13. Each of those meetings will be held at the Education House at 5 Homeside Lane at 7:30 p.m.

More information and updates will also be made available on the district's website.

After walking out of Wal Mart with a stolen laptop on Tuesday morning, store security believes a shoplifter returned to the store the following night and used the same method to take a second computer.

Security noticed a man in a black cap and blue sweatpants walking into the store's electronics section just before 12 p.m. Tuesday where he used scissors to cut a security cord securing an Acer laptop to a table. Security told police the man walked out of a fire exit with the $628 computer and left the area on Hamilton Ave.

The following night, at about 9:24 p.m., security says the same man returned to the store and did the same thing, cutting the security cord to a $648 HP laptop and walking out of a fire exit with the computer onto N Broadway.

Wal Mart security has provided the White Plains police with security footage of the thefts, but there are no suspects at this time.

For further reading:

• Moment of Silence for Sleepy Hollow Tragedies
• Photos: Aftermath of the 3-Alarm Bedford Hills Fire
• Walk-In Urgent Care Center Sees Increase In Patients Over First Year

The Moreland Commission on Utility Storm Preparation and Response scheduled a public hearing to solicit comments from residents in Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties on Thursday, January 24.

The hearing begins at 6 p.m. at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center at 735 Anderson Hill Road in Purchase. Community members can also submit testimony before or after the hearing at comments@moreland.ny.gov.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo established the commission on November 13, 2012 under the Moreland Act.

to investigate the response, preparation, and management of New York’s power utility companies to several major storms impacting the state. The storms include Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. In New York, 2.1 million customers lost power from Hurricane Sandy, some of them for as long as 21 days. 

The Moreland Commission already held three public hearings, which focused on two specific issues.  The topics, which the public is asked to address, deal with the emergency preparedness and response of utilities to recent storms and recommendations for restructuring utilities’ oversight in New York to improve the reliable and affordable transmission of power.

When they arrive at the hearing, members of the public can register to speak. Comments will be limited to three minutes in order to allow as many people as possible to share their views.   Moreland Commission spokesman David Neustadt said several commissioners would be present at the hearing in Purchase.

Although the public hearing is called for Rockland, Westchester and Putnam counties, He said speakers are not limited to those areas but can speak about experiences in other parts of the state.

“In any case, the commission wanted to be sure to cover all the areas affected,” said Neustadt.

The commission already held hearings in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties and scheduled two more for the Rockaways/Queens and Staten Island prior to the one in Purchase.

The Commission issued an interim report of almost 60 pages on January 7, much of which dealt with the Long Island Power Authority as well as making recommendations for improvements.  A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the findings is available. 

A pair of hockey games at the Ebersole Ice Rink in White Plains Saturday will also raise money for a Greenburgh-based special needs hockey team.

Saturday's doubleheader, featuring Hockey North America's Ice Breakers and Lighting and special needs teams the New York Raptors and Long Island Blues, will also feature a father-son combination. Steve Grossman plays on the Ice Breakers, part of an adult hockey league, while his son Michael, who is autistic, plays on the Raptors.

The doubleheader serves as a fundraiser for the Raptors, a 30-member team with players aged anywhere from eight to 27 years old. The game will also spread awareness of the remarkable players on each special needs team.

“These are special kids, they are great kids,” said Grossman, whose son has been involved with the Raptors for the last seven years. “Twenty years ago, they just took these kids and threw them aside like they couldn’t do anything.”

Grossman said several Hockey North America teams from across the region are associated with special needs teams. Players from the local adult teams often practice with special needs players.

Saturday's doubleheader will be a chance for the Raptors and Blues to show a larger crowd everything they are capable of.

“This is a learning experience for typical kids to see, any kid, to see that people with special needs may be a little different, but they are not so different," said Grossman. "They can do what they do too.”

The puck will drop for the Ice Breakers and Lighting at 3:30 p.m., and a "chuck a puck" will take place between periods two and three. Tickets to a minor league hockey game between the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Connecticut Whale will be given away between games.

The Blues and Raptors will take the ice at 5:15 p.m., with an award ceremony to follow. 

Admission to both games is free and anyone is welcomed to attend.

One one-bedroom apartment in the Bristol House in White Plains—located at 10 Nosband Ave.—is on the market for $119,900.

The pre-War unit includes hardwood floors—and it pet friendly.

For more photos, click here.

Information provided by AOL Real Estate.

A White Plains woman police say stole a $1,095 Burberry coat from a display rack at Bloomingdale's was arrested Wednesday on a felony larceny charge.

Police say Susan Villani, 60, took the coat from a display rack at about 5 p.m. and walked out of the store. Security stopped Villani near the store's exit on Bloomingdale Rd. and called police.

Villani was transported to police headquarters and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, a felony. She was released on $500 bail.

The mostly elderly clients of Wells Fargo Bank in Ardsley, who put faith in their personal banker William Saffian, may feel some justice knowing that he is currently behind bars and faces several felony charges for allegedly stealing more than $535,000 from 14 clients.

“This defendant carefully targeted his victims, preying on the elderly and those who were not paying close attention to their bank account balances,” said Westchester County District Attorney Janet DiFiore. “His almost daily electronic transfers of thousands of dollars should be a reminder to all of us to monitor our accounts and remain vigilant.” 

Saffian, a Yonkers resident, is accused of creating joint bank accounts between unaffiliated customers and allegedly making dozens of illegal withdrawals and transfers between several accounts while he was employed at the Saw Mill River Road bank between Aug. 23, 2010 and Jan. 10, 2012. 

In order to do this, the 29-year-old allegedly impersonated customers over the phone or Internet and modified the addresses where customer’s statements were sent to make ATM, check and/or counter withdrawals, police said. Most of the victims were over the age of 80. 

The bank notified the district attorney’s office in February 2012, who started an investigated along with the U.S. Postal Inspector and the U.S. Secret Service.

"William Saffian no longer works for the company," said Emily Phillips, the northeast communications consultant for Wells Fargo. "Our customers were not held responsible for unauthorized charges on their Wells Fargo accounts. This is an ongoing legal matter, which is being handled by the Westchester County District Attorney’s office. We can’t comment any further and we continue to cooperate with them."

Saffian was arrested and arraigned in Ardsley Village Court on Thursday. He was charged with: 

• one count of grand larceny in the second degree, a class “C” felony
• three counts of forgery in the second degree, class “D” felonies
• three counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, class “E” felonies
• one count of scheme to defraud in the first degree, a class “E” felony

He was remanded to Westchester County Jail and is expected to appear back in village court on Jan. 28 and could have a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison if convicted on the top count. 

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The Westchester County Department of Public Safety is accepting applications for seasonal park rangers to patrol county parks this summer.

Applications are due by Feb. 22 and are available online at the Department of Public Safety’s web pages: http://www.westchestergov.com/ps.

Public Safety Commissioner George Longworth said that many police officers in Westchester, including himself, had their first exposure to a law enforcement career by working as a park ranger.

“By receiving Police Academy training and working under the supervision of county police officers, park rangers get a unique view into law enforcement and the career opportunities that exist,” Longworth said.

Uniformed park rangers work under the supervision of county police officers to maintain a safe and enjoyable atmosphere in the county’s parks. They assist park users, provide information on park rules and procedures, help in searches for lost children, perform basic first aid on occasion and make regular security checks of buildings and facilities.

Park rangers are "peace officers," but they are not armed.

First-time park rangers are paid $14 hourly. Salaries are higher for those who have worked as a ranger for the county before.

To qualify, applicants must be:

- A high school graduate

- At least 19 years of age

- A U.S. citizen

- A resident of Westchester County

- Possess a valid New York State driver’s license by the time of appointment.

Accepted candidates are required attend a two-week training program at the Westchester County Police Academy.

Reading Time with Fergus at KVL! Jan. 12. 4:30 p.m. Sign up your first through fifth grader for a session with the Katonah Village Library's special reading partner, Fergus. Sessions are 1 minutes each from 4:30pm-4:45pm, 4:45-5pm, and 5pm-5:15pm. Call the Katonah Village Library Children's Room and and sign up today! 914-232-1233. Katonah Village Library, 26 Bedford Rd, Katonah. FREE.

Lawrence Jaeger ping pong tournament. Jan. 13. 7 p.m. Help raise funds for battered women at the annual Lawrence Jaeger Ping Pong Tournament. Montefiore Medical Center - Larchmont Women's Center, 2345 Boston Post Rd, Larchmont. FREE.

Kid's Kingdom Pajama Party. Jan. 16. 6:30 p.m. Get the kids dressed in their pajamas and ready to party at the Kid's Kingdom Pajama Party. They'll eat pizza, play games, play in the "Kingdom" and watch a movie. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Kid's Kingdom, 121 W Nyack Rd, Nanuet. $25.

Cartoonists Against the Holocaust: Art in the Service of Humanity. Jan. 13. Now through the end of the month view the "Cartoonists Against the Holocaust: Art in Service of Humanity" exhibition of 17 panels of political cartoons created in the 1930s and '40s to alert Americans of the plight of European Jews at the onset of the Holocaust. The show is sponsored by the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center at the New Rochelle High School’s Museum of Arts & Culture. New Rochelle High School, 265 Clove Rd, New Rochelle. FREE.

Golden Apple Chorus Seeks New Members. Jan. 15. 7 p.m. If you love to sing, join the Golden Apple Chorus women's barbershop chorus, a chapter of Sweet Adelines International. Rehearsals are open and singers perform songs from the 20s to the 2000s. Rehearsals are every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the Hawthorne Reformed Church Hall, 65 Broadway, Hawthorne, NY. For more information, call Carol at 914-739-5782, or Roe at 914-592-4691, or visit our website, www.goldenapplechorus.com. 65 Broadway, Hawthorne. FREE.

My Brother Martin -- A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Jan. 14. 4:30 p.m. Bring your K through 6th grader to a reading of Christine King Ferris' book My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, followed by activities. White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave, White Plains. FREE.

BLOOD DRIVE. Jan. 15. 1 p.m. Donate blood at Putnam Ridge's first blood drive of 2013. Call the receptionist to make an appointment at 845-278-3636. Donate and receive a voucher for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts. Putnam Ridge, 46 Mount Ebo Rd S, Brewster. FREE.

The following information was provided by the New York State Police:

The New York State Police in Cortlandt report the arrest of Mr. Theodore Kozelka, age 33 of Windle Park Tarrytown, NY, for the charge of Grand Larceny in the 2nd degree, a Class C Felony.

This arrest was the result of an intensive investigation following the report of a larceny of an undetermined amount of scrap metals and equipment, which were being stored on the grounds of the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant, located in Buchanan. 

The theft of these items is believed to have occurred between the months of July and December of 2012, and was subsequently reported to the New York State Police earlier this week by representatives of Entergy. 

At this time, Kozelka, a Maintenance Supervisor Employed by Entergy at Indian Point, is accused of stealing a number of different items including large amounts of copper cable and miscellaneous scrap metal. 

While it is unknown what the exact dollar amount of the actual loss is at this time, it is believed to be well over fifty thousand dollars. Kozelka was arraigned in the Village of Buchanan before Judge Daly and remanded to the the Westchester County Jail in lieu of bail to reappear on January 29, 2013. 

The investigation is continuing, and the State Police ask that anyone that may have information regarding this case contact the State Police at 914-788-8044.   

Katonah-Lewisboro Retains February Holidays

"I chuckled when I read about the concern over lost class time. Obviously this trustee has no idea how many days children have attended classes only to find that the teacher is "out" for the day and they have left a movie for the class to watch! Having had 4 children in this district I cannot even begin to count the number of times this has happened. I would love to see a spreadsheet identifying how many times this has happened across all classes over the course of a year. Then we can have a conversation about lost class time!" -- Mom of 4

"It would be really inexcusable if we lost two more days due to students not making up these days and the district lost its entitled state aid. BOE should have approved making up two days on Feb 18/19 and parents should have just accepted that Sandy, not the the district, was responsible for these makeups. Let's hope that the BOE's decision does not cause the district to not call necessary weather days and put students and staff at risk as a result." -- Concerned Parent

Westchester Reacts: Cuomo's State of the State Address

"state of the state, really. what ? more rhetoric . same old and tired tax breaks for the phantom corporations ,that will come to ny , with all it's anti-business rules and regulations. the governors commitment to re-build the hard hit areas left devastated by hurricane sandy. of, course he leaves out the fact that we need the federal government to give us what we need. he is a true visionary , just look at what he did to the nations housing. all smoke and mirrors, and the other politicians stand in line , to get some crumbs off the table. get real!!" -- frank vecchione

...

"The reforms we need in NY are tax, state defined pensions, reduce the size of NY government, reduce the size of NY welfare, show some back bone and stand up to the teachers and civil service unions then you can run on gun reform. It does not matter how loud Andy boy yells he will lose to Christie next presidential election." -- sayitsnotsojack

... and ...

"The fact that Andrew Cuomo is getting so many negative comments shows me that he is a real and serious threat to the opposite party. I would dare to say that the majority of the nay sayers are of the opposite party. I did watch his whole State of the State speech and personally, I think he was terrific. I do believe he will be successful in many of the things that he will tackle that will be beneficial to the people of New York. He is a breath of fresh air compared to many governors who preceeded him." -- Bea Conetta

(UPDATE) State of the State: Cuomo Calls for 'Toughest Assault Weapon Ban in the Nation'

"Calling for the toughest gun laws in the country.....and simultaneously demanding the NYPD dismantle the most effective method of illegal gun confiscation. Politics. And, stay out of policing, Governor." -- Jacobs ladder

... 

"Stop and frisk deemed unconstitutional by a Brooklyn judge recently - it really is an individual right's issue. 90% of those stopped were of no concern - a pretty skewed percentage for such a far-reaching "policy."" -- Len Martello

... and ...

"As you point out, Frank, gang bangers use pistols, procured illegally as Mayor Bloomberg has on more than one occasion said. And that is a function of the fact that there is not uniformity or consistency among the states; some states regulated and restrictive; some states lax. Read about the VA Tech mass murderer who purchased his 2nd gun online with his parents credit card and address and the 1st at a pawn shop,, Didn't get on the no gun list because wasn't deemed so mentally ill that he required hospitalization. Judge, according to his words, placed him in the least restrictive environment. Appalling and deadly to the victims of his ramage. And many of you think there is not room for change?" -- Ann Fanizzi

Day Laborers Protest Unpaid Wages in Mamaroneck

"There is no excuse for not paying a worker his/her wages. If their work is unsatisfactory then don't rehire them. To continue to use them and owe them in excess of $3,000 and not pay them and then say that there work is subpar is bogus. Yes, bogus. Jeff Meyer Tuckahoe, NY" -- jeff meyer

... and ...

"With my job, if I do it poorly or if I don't finish projects, I get FIRED. With day laborers, if they are guilty of the same shortcomings, what option is there other than suspending their wages until such time as their job is done properly?" -- Mary Too

Coalition Seeks Re-evaluation After Hurricane Damaged Desal Pilot Plant

"A new reservoir is not a practical solution. The environmental impact is huge, clearing acres of vital woodland and the disposal of millions of tonnes of debris and at a cost exceed the desalination plant. A new reservoir would also be subject to the affects of droughts and climate change as it would still be drawing water from within Rockland County which would make it less reliable. A new reservoir would not negate the electrical problem and shutting down the desalination plant for a few days or even weeks would have no affect on our water supply.as production at Lake Deforest and the wells could be temporarily increased to offset the loss. The advantages desalination has is that it is not subject to drought as it draws water from outside Rockland, it is expandable to meet future water needs and has less of an environmental impact. You are however correct, as a capital improvement project the desalination plant would increase profits for UW, but a reservoir more so, as the investment is greater." -- Issy

South Nyack's Rosie O'Donnell Welcomes Baby Girl

"The kid does not have a chance at any kind of a stable life. Who has kids at 50?" -- Watchdog

... and ...

"I know a few people who had kids after 50......Nothing wrong with that...Probably make better parents at 50 then those in their 20's who can't even take care of themselves and then bring children into this world." -- Rob

Cops: Brewster Woman Used Drugs, Endangered Kids

"Instead of schadenfreude, you might want to recognize that the region has a serious drug problem. The war on drug has been a failure. This calls for new policy that must involve all sectors of the community, especially the medical profession which has been too liberal with dispensing pain killers." -- Michael

The 8th Annual Scarsdale High School Cheerleading Competition took place Saturday morning and afternoon at Scarsdale High School. Cheerleaders from across the region participated.

Girls competed in several age groups  and categories including Youth, Recreation, Modified, JV and Varsity.

After the Sandy Hook tragedies in Newtown, organizations and locals came up with ways to give back. Lions District 20R-1, which covers Rockland, Northern Westchester and Putnam, is hosting a benefit concert at Tappan Zee High School on Sunday, Jan. 13 from 2 - 4 p.m.

The Lions clubs is the world's largest service organization made up of local groups that volunteer within their communities. 

This benefit concert features Norm Hathaway Big Band, which appears throughout the Metro area and has played return engagements at the Iridium on Broadway, “New York’s Best Jazz Club” and recently appeared on Satruday Night Live.

Tickets can be bought at the door. Half of the proceeds will go to Hurricane Sandy Relief for Rockland County and the other half will go to the Newtown Lions club who will be in attendance

"When Swing Was King" A Big Band Show that will lift your spirits

• DATE:  Sunday, January 13, 2013 from 2 to 4 pm 
• PLACE: Tappan Zee High School Auditorium, Orangeburg, NY 10962    
• TICKETS:  $30/person;   $50/couple;   $20/seniors;   $10 students
• Call Laurie at 845-893-0040 

"It's going to be neat. I'm really excited," said Barbara Chuck, Nanuet resident and Second Vice District Governor of Lions District 20R-1

Last year, former NFL linebacker Junior Seau committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest. This week, his ex-wife and oldest son spoke to ABC News and ESPN, telling them that Seau’s brain tested positive for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), “a neurodegenerative disease that can lead to dementia, memory loss and depression,” according to ESPN.

The three authors of the ESPN article continued on, writing: “CTE is a progressive disease associated with repeated head trauma. Although long known to occur in boxers, it was not discovered in football players until 2005. Researchers at Boston University recently confirmed 50 cases of CTE in former football players, including 33 who played in the NFL.”

In the interview, Seau’s ex-wife said the family was told the disease was a result of numerous head-to-head collisions. She and their son also spoke about changes in Seau’s behavior later in his life, including mood swings, depression, insomnia and detachment.

Seau played 20 years in the NFL, but was never once listed on an injury report as having a concussion. Some have said that those who play in the NFL know the dangers of the sport, and many are paid handsomely to play.

But an increase in research shows these issues aren’t limited to professional players. In a recent article about the Seau CTE diagnosis, ESPN’s LZ Granderson wrote“Fewer than 69,000 of the 1.1 million high school football players go on to play in the NCAA. Less than 2 percent of college players make it to the pros.”

So, going forward, would you allow your child to play football?

The New York State Thruway Authority confirmed that the Tappan Zee Bridge deck replacement project will continue Jan. 14 through 18. While the deck plates have been replaced, additional work is necessary in the upcoming months. 

The work will take place during the day and cause lane closures. All lanes will be open during the night as no work is scheduled.

Weather-related postponements are possible and will be announced. Variable Message Signs on the highway will alert travelers to traffic conditions. Motorists can also check Highway Advisory Radio 530 AM in the Tappan Zee Bridge corridor and 1610 AM in the Newburgh area.

A real-time webcam of the bridge and its approaches is available here: http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=cameras.

Go to http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/map/index.html?layer=traffic to receive TRANSalert e-mails with information on Thruway traffic incidents. 

Katonah Woman a Victim of Money-Wiring Scam

A Katonah woman interested in renting her Southhold, Long Island property was scammed out of $2,000 by a supposed renter. The scammer sent the woman a check for $3,800, which was $2,600 more than the rental price, and asked to be wired the "extra" $2,000. Upon the second request to wire the remaining "overage" of $600, the woman was advised to contact the police. 

Frosting Distraction Leads to Stolen Cash, iPhone

A person posing as a Sweetooth Katonah customer allegedly distracted an employee and stole $100 in cash and an iPhone. The customer ordered a red velvet cupcake and requested more frosting, at which point the employee went to the back of the shop. When the employee returned, the register was open, $100 was missing, and the employee's iPhone was gone. 

Police: Woman Charged with Strangling Family Member

New York State Police reported that a woman, 48, was arrested for strangling a family member with a belt. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute. 

Indian Point Energy Center Employee Charged with Grand Larceny

A Tarrytown man employed by Indian Point Energy Center was arrested and charged with grand larceny for allegedly stealing scrap metal and equipment from the plant. The arrest was the result of an investigation into a series of thefts believed to have occurred between July and December 2012. The stolen goods are believed to be valued at over $50,000.   

Suspended Corrections Officer's Orangeburg Residence Searched

The home of a suspended Rockland County Sheriff's Corrections Officer was searched by a SWAT team. A bomb squad was also brought in to determine if it was safe for police to open a safe in the home. Items including rifles were taken into custody. The officer has not been charged as of yet. 

Cops: Brewster Woman Used Drugs, Endangered Kids

Police charged a Brewster woman, 28, with two misdemeanor charges after police found her asleep and on drugs while young children were in the residence. Police responded to reports pf drug activity and found the woman asleep and in possession of controlled substances. 

At the Westmoreland Sanctuary Nature Center and Wildlife Preserve in Bedford on Sunday, visitors had the chance to learn about mammals that inhabit our region.

Director Steve Ricker hosted the program and discussed the lives of bears, deer, bats, raccoons, otters, weasels, coyotes, beavers and other mammals that we see in this area, some more often than others.

The visitors looked at and touched the furs of many mammals and got up close looks at animal skulls, noting the different sizes and shapes of the teeth of several animals.

Stricker introduced the crowd to two resident mammals at the center, a ferret and a rabbit, and everyone got to pet them. The center offers programs throughout the year as well as hiking trails and a special bird viewing window.

More information can be found on their website:  westmorelandsanctuary.org

• More than 40 bestselling and award-winning authors and presenters will converge at Mohegan Sun on February 1-2, 2013 for The Big Book Club Getaway, which will benefit The Alzheimer’s Association. From Susan K. McCann
  
• UJA Federation is sponsoring a Hurricane Sandy Rehabilitation Project in Coney Island and Gerritsen Beach over the MLK weekend.  As part of the project, we are gathering gift cards for families in the area. From the UJA Federation
• For anyone who has thought about having backyard chickens but is not quite ready to take the plunge, here is the perfect opportunity --join the InterGenerate Heritage Egg Co-op at John Jay Homestead. From Xenia D'Ambrosi
• The Ars Viva Chamber Orchestra (AVCO) is presenting its first Westchester Youth Concerto Competition Winners Concert on February 9, 2013 at 1:00pm.  The concert will be held at the historic Tarrytown Music Hall. From Jesse Henkensiefken
  
• Hudson Chorale, Westchester’s largest mixed chorus, will launch its 2012-13 season Jan. 26, at 3 pm at Scarborough Presbyterian Church, Scarborough Manor, with an exhilarating concert designed to appeal to all musical tastes from the Classical – to the Modern – to the Great White Way. From Angela Usobiaga
• The Rivertowns League of Women Voters announces a Symposium on Campaign Finance Reform. The symposium is intended to rally public support for election reform. From Ruth Kotecha
• Chelsea’s Agora Gallery will feature the captivating paintings of Tarrytown artist Alan Jacobson in Portals of Perception. The exhibition is scheduled to run from Jan. 16-Feb. 5. From Agora Gallery
  
• Dickie Kay, a longtime Westchester resident and volunteer for Hospice & Palliative Care of Westchester (HPCW) was recently inducted into the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs & Services Senior Hall of Fame. From Co-Communications
• Bronxville schools are holding our Annual Food Drive for the Food Bank for Westchester from January 23 to February 6. There will be collection boxes in elementary, middle, and high school classrooms as well as the Bronxville Middle School office and the MS/HS Library throughout the drive. From Meg Weiss

Here are 5 things to look for in the week ahead:

My Brother Martin: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, January 14, 4 p.m. White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Ave., White Plains, NY. A reading of Christine King Ferris' book My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and other activities. For school-age children grades K - 6 and their families.

Village of Pelham Board of Trustees meeting, Tuesday, January 15, 7:30 p.m. Village Hall, 195 Sparks Ave. Agenda items include continued hearing on proposed changes to the commercial zoning code.

“Civil Rights in Israel,” Tuesday, January 15, 7:30 p.m. Temple Israel of New Rochelle, 1000 Pinebrook Blvd., New Rochelle, NY. The Israel Action Committee of Temple Israel of New Rochelle is hosting an exciting, informative and provocative lecture series about civil rights in Israel. Come on Tuesday, January 15, 7:30 p.m. to meet speaker Noa Sattath, Director of Israel Religious Action Center, who will be speaking about "Civil Rights in Israel: A Perspective on Women's Rights and Rights of the LGBT Community" RSVP today to (914) 235-1800.

What to Consider Before Going Into Business, Wednesday, January 16, 1-3 p.m. Free. 120 Bloomingdale Rd. White Plains, NY. Discussion Includes: Personal Considerations including necessary skills and experience, countless hours owner must devote, risks that must be assumed – both financial and personal. Business Considerations including the products and/or services you plan to sell, marketing and competitive challenges, money needed for successful start-up and where it is coming form, various legal structure options to consider, and introduction to preparing essential elements of a business plan with emphasis on marketing and finance.

Sarah Lawrence College Mini-Courses,  Wednesday, January 16- Friday, January 18. All day. Cost: $45. Sarah Lawrence College Friends of the Library are offering a series of mini-courses that examine organ music as a musical and technological achievement and as an instrument that was central to the music of J.S.Bach. There will be two classes per day at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tom Blum, Sarah Lawrence College vice president, will lecture the morning class and Martin Goldray, Sarah Lawrence music faculty, will lecture in the afternoon. Classes will be held in Sarah Lawrence’s Marshall Field for the first two days and on the last day in Christ Church, Bronxville. Mini-courses are free to current Friend of the Library members. Tea and coffee is provided, a bag lunch is encouraged. For more information, please contact Susan Gleason (914) 395 2472 or sgleason@sarahlawrence.edu.