Sound Shore

The Seaside Walk at Playland in Rye hours are changing while the county constructs a new fence. The walk will be open weekdays from 3 p.m. to amusement park closing (times vary). After Labor Day, the walk will be open weekdays from 3 p.m. until dusk. On weekends, the walk is open 9 a.m. until amusement park closing (times vary) through September 12. Beginning September 13, after the amusement park closes for the season, the walk will be open daily from 8 a.m. until dusk.  The Walk is 3/4-mile path which starts at the south boardwalk and ends at the north boardwalk near Playland Lake.

The New Rochelle Police Department is now accepting applications for their Explorer Program, a non-profit organization geared towards young men and women ages 14-20, in good academic standing, who have interests in careers in law enforcement.

From the announement: “Explorers are exposed to all aspects of law enforcement and gain a valuable knowledge of police functions. The cadet program was established under the direction of Commissioner Patrick Carroll, in conjunction with the Boy Scouts of America, with the first Explorer Post beginning in October 2008. The Explorers are organized and run by Detective Fudge and Detective Smith who serve as the Post Advisors. Applications are due by August 4, 2010. Explorers will learn responsibility, teamwork and leadership skills and will receive hands-on training in various techniques used by law enforcement professionals including: Emergency Response Training, Traffic Stops, Search and Seizures, First Aid and CPR, Crime Scene Investigations, Child Safety and Domestic Incidents. Explorers will also participate in events held throughout the city and will assist officers with traffic control.”

More details, including who can apply and how to do it, after the jump.

Grilled chicken on the bone, saffron rice, grilled zucchini and portuguese chips are popular dishes at Piri-Q in Mamaroneck .

Rui Correia, the owner of Piri-Q, checks on the roast chicken at the restaurant.

( Carucha L. Meuse / The Journal News )

Click here for an online gallery of Piri-Q on Lohud.com

The Editorial Board held an Editorial Spotlight interview with Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino on Wednesday. The discussion focused on Astorino’s announcement that he is seeking to merge the public safety and emergency services departments, the projected deficit for 2011, Astorino’s struggles with the Board of Legislators, the future of Playland and Astorino’s standing on affordable housing. Here are some highlight reels, followed by a complete version of the session.

On the merger of public safety and emergency services:

Mark your calendars: The Rye Arts Center’s 10th Annual Painters on Location: A Plein-Air Paint-Out & Live Art Auction is set for Sept. 24-25. Over 40 professional artists from the tri-state area have been invited to paint “on location” on those days, from 7:00am Friday to 2:00pm Saturday, rain or shine. For the second year in a row, painters can do their work throughout the entire Hudson Valley. Check The Rye Arts Center’s website for a list of sites where the artists are painting.

The freshly painted works-landscapes, historic sites and street scenes-will be delivered to The Rye Arts Center (RAC) in time for a public exhibition and festive reception in the RAC’s Gallery from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.  on Saturday. A professional auctioneer will begin the live auction at 6:15 in the RAC’s Performing Arts Room. The reception is free but anyone who is interested in attending the live auction will be asked to purchase a $10 bidding paddle.

There also will be a Silent Auction of existing works by artists participating in the “Paint-out” that will take place in the RAC’ s Gallery starting Sunday, Sept. 12. The Silent Auction will close 15 minutes after the live auction finishes on Sept. 25th.

Pictured: “Fall Meadow” by Kathy Buist

Sound Shore Medical Center’s recent first meeting of a support group for women coping with or who have survived breast cancer came with a little extra excitement. The group, called “Girls Night Out,” brought together 18 women for a cooking demonstration in a hospital atrium.

Chef Brian MacMenamin of Post Road Ale House in New Rochelle ended up setting off the smoke alarm as he seared the filet mignon, resulting, according to a hospital press release, “in an unexpected visit from the New Rochelle Fire Department. After determining there was no reason for concern, one of the firemen – in full gear – jokingly gave a quick stir to the ‘problem’ steaks before leaving.” MacMenamin also prepared an entrée of pasta primavera with chicken and shrimp.

The support group is funded through a community grant from the Junior League of Westchester on the Sound.

The next meeting of Girl’s Night Out is scheduled for September and will feature a cosmetic demonstration.  Anyone interested in attending should call 914.365.3754 to reserve a seat.

The Pelham Chamber of Commerce is planning a  “Fall Fest,” an old-fashioned down-home crafts fair with artisans, homemade food, games, contests and music on Sat., October 16th in conjunction with the Pelham Children’s Center’s Pumpkin Sale and morning race/walks.

The Chamber is seeking exhibitors with hand quality crafts, art, antiques, collectibles and quality retail items. Vendor booth fees are: Retailer $75.00 – Food Vendor $150.00 For additional information  e-mail Chamber Secretary, Christine Farahat at: christine@gracious-living.com.

CENTRE AVENUE BRIDGE: A 43-year-old city man was admitted to the Sound Shore Medical Center with wounds to the head and face after he was beaten by two men who robbed him of $200, New Rochelle police said.The robbery happened on the Centre Avenue Bridge at 1 a.m. Tuesday.

SKYVIEW LANE AND ROBINS ROAD: New Rochelle police are investigating two burglaries which they believe are related. One burglary took place on Robins Road Tuesday night between 7 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. The homeowners found bedrooms in the house ransacked. The second burglary was on Skyview Lane. The house was broken into between 1:30 a.m. Wednesday and 5:45 p.m. Tuesday. A screen and dining room door was removed. An undetermined amount of jewelry was stolen from the house, police said.