New Rochelle News

September 23, 2009

Local Impacts of Federal "Stimulus" Detailed

Report Describes Funding Streams

Read the analysis of ARRA assistance for New Rochelle.

In recent months, many residents have wondered whether and how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("the Stimulus Bill") has benefited New Rochelle. To greatly simplify things, the City has received substantial assistance through formula-based programs, but relatively little assistance for specific local infrastructure priorities. If you are interested in this subject, the memo HERE contains additional details.

City Rolls Out First Hybrid-Electric Sanitation Truck

New Vehicle Cuts Fuel Use & Greenhouse Gas Emissions

New Rochelle's first hybrid-electric sanitation truck is on the job. The truck, which was converted from standard diesel operation, is the only one in our region to utilize a plug-in parallel hybrid system. The public will benefit from this new vehicle in significant ways:

  1. a 15 to 20 percent reduction in fuel use, with a corresponding savings for the taxpayers;
  2. quieter operation, which will improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods; and
  3. dramatically reduced emissions of particulates and hydrocarbons, which will enhance our air quality and help combat global climate change.

No one is under the illusion that a single truck is going to solve the world's problems or even New Rochelle's problems, but this is one step among many that, together, can build a more sustainable future. The City's Environmental Advisory Committee made the recommendation to obtain a hybrid-electric system and deserves credit for this initiative.

Round-Up Of Fall Events

Oyster Festival on September 25th through September 27th

Oyster Festival information.

New Rochelle will play host to its first Oyster Festival this coming weekend at Five Islands Park. The event will feature rides, games, entertainment, food (of course), and a general good time for all. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for seniors. Children under 12 are admitted free. For additional information about this event, please log on to: www.westchesteroysterfestival.com.

Arts Fest on October 17th & 18th

For more information about Arts Fest, visit the NRCA website

Building on the success of last year's "Clay Fest," the New Rochelle Council on the Arts has coordinated with local arts venues and businesses to create a weekend festival that will include installations in traditional spaces as well as downtown windows, live music, great food, exciting performances, eclectic shopping and a free trolley providing "hop-on/hop-off" transportation to public and private cultural institutions throughout the city.

Participating venues include AOC Wines, Dance Connection, Iona College, Media Loft, the Museum of Arts & Culture, the New Rochelle Public Library, the New Rochelle Art Association, Help Foundation, The College of New Rochelle's Castle Gallery and Mooney Center Gallery, BID Gallery 542, Artists Spaces at 81 Centre Avenue, and St. Gabriel's Church.

For details and a complete calendar of events, visit www.newrochellearts.org.

Dining for the Arts on October 24th

Download the invitation and the reply card for Dining for the Arts.

The New Rochelle Council on the Arts is sponsoring an evening of themed dinners with wine pairings in private homes throughout New Rochelle, all to benefit the local arts and cultural community. Catie and I are privileged to serve on the Host Committee for this event, and it promises to be a great deal of fun. If you are interested in supporting the arts in New Rochelle, then please consider joining us for a terrific evening. You can download an invitation with much more information HERE and a reply card HERE.

The Big Read

Download a Big Read program.

The New Rochelle Public Library has been selected to receive a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host The Big Read in New Rochelle. The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate a great work of literature. New Rochelle's Big Read will focus on The Shawl, by renowned author and New Rochelle resident Cynthia Ozick. Activities will take place between October 18 and November 22, 2009. For a complete list of activities and for more information about the featured work, click HERE.

Personal: Jeremy Begins Kindergarten

So Far, So Good

Every now and then, I can't resist adding a personal photo or story to my e-bulletin. So here is our older son Jeremy waiting for the bus on his first day of kindergarten. To our relief and pleasure, he is having a wonderful time.