Sound Shore

Leonard Russ of Bayberry Care Center in New Rochelle sent us this picture, and writeup, of a center resident who marked her 111th birthday (!) today. She actually reached the milestone back on Aug. 11, but the celebration had been delayed, he said.

“Emma Jefferies, who is believed to be the oldest person in the New York metropolitan area and among the 25 oldest in the United States, celebrated her 111th birthday today at Bayberry Care Center in New Rochelle.  Ms. Jefferies, whose grandparents were slaves in Virginia, was born in 1899 and moved to Westchester in 1920.  She worked in a munitions plant during World War II, and spent many years as a Sunday school teacher and “Church Mother” of the Bethesda Baptist Church in New Rochelle.  Her daughters, her many friends and well-wishers were at her side for the milestone birthday celebration.”

We wrote about Jefferies last year when she was celebrating her 110th; it’s great to see her thriving.

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., discussed the economy, unemployment, dysfunction in Albany and Washington, health care, war, housing and the proposed cultural center and mosque in lower Manhattan, in an Editorial Spotlight interview Thursday. You’ll find the entire interview at www.lohud.com/editorialspotlight; click “on demand” and select the video from the menu.

Here are some selected highlights from our interview.

Gillibrand on government transparency:

Via the town of Mamaroneck; this closure starts next Tuesday, Sept. 7:

The Mamaroneck School District will be closing the Hommocks Pool until approximately October 9th, due to a window replacement project. Please check back periodically for further updates.

Temporary arrangements have been made at the Rye YMCA for those wishing to swim by paying a reduced guest fee. For further information, please contact the Recreation Office.

While checking the New Rochelle city calendar I spotted a listing for the upcoming Kids Snapper Fishing Derby, set for Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to noon at Hudson Park in New Rochelle. The event is sponsored by the New Rochelle Committee on the Waterfront, and appears to be organized by the harbormaster, as the ‘for more information’ contact is “Captain Sal” at sgugliar@newrochelleny.com

Here’s the rest of the listing: “Join us for the annual snapper fishing derby at the wall at Hudson Park.  This event is open to kids ages 6 to 16.  Prizes will be given to all participants.  All bait will be supplied along with free entry, giveaways and refreshments.  Bring your own fishing gear.  Children must be accompanied by and adult.  Register at the Marina Office.

The Journal News and LoHud.com wish to hear from candidates vying in local Westchester, Rockland and Putnam races in September and November — including for the state Legislature but excluding statewide and federal offices.

Please send us an e-mail including your full name, home address, daytime phone number and an active e-mail address to elections@lohud.com. In both the subject line and body of the e-mail, be sure to indicate which office you are vying for. The information will be used by our news and opinion staffs to contact and correspond with candidates. Additionally, the e-mail address will be used to send candidates a questionnaire that will form the basis of an online guide for voters.

Kristina Bicher of the Rye Town Park Task Force shows how the park’s trees are protected now an area for 250 cars has been restricted this summer.

task force

Recent policy changes at the park — including increased user fees, better trash pickup,  and reduced parking — has improved the quality of life there,  residents and officials say.

Giving a reporter a tour of the park Friday, Bicher said there is still more work to be done. Task force members would eventually like to see an automated parking pay system and more public transportation to the park.  Bicher said she also wants the traffic pattern changed so cars don’t have to go over a narrow, stone bridge to enter the parking lot.

Freshman Carly Ciardullo, 18, of Mahopac screws in a light bulb as her father Nick, left, and mother Judy help her settle into her dorm room at Purchase College, Aug. 28, 2010 in Purchase. Ciardullo’s roommate Hannah Harris, 18, of Northhampton, Mass. also unpacks with her father Robert. The campus welcomes approximately 716 freshmen from 27 states, 29 countries and 491 transfer students. ( Tania Savayan / The Journal News )

Click here to see more photos of Purchase College’s move-in day.

Salvador Valleda of Port Chester, holds his one year-old son Lester, as he enjoys a carnival ride during the 22nd Annual Port Chester Day at Lyon Park in Port Chester Aug. 28, 2010. Hundreds of area residents enjoyed the festival which included music entertainment, food, vendors and rides for the children. The festival concluded with a fireworks extravaganza. View a gallery of photos from Port Chester Day here at LoHud.com.

The College of New Rochelle’s Castle Gallery will reopen Sept. 7 with “Nature/Culture.” This exhibition features several artists who address the dichotomy of nature and culture through a variety of media, toying with how these two concepts are often considered polar yet overlap; as nature informs culture, culture impacts nature.

Featured artists include Jae Hi Ahn, Mia Brownell, Geoffrey Detrani, Charles A. Gick, Lenka Konopasek, Beili Liu, Julie Anne Mann, Roberta Melzl, Leigh Taylor Mickelson, Mari Ogihara, Troy Richards, Christopher Rose, Marcia Wolfson Ray, and Jason Salavon.  Organized by Katrina Rhein.

A free public reception will be held on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Castle Gallery is located on the Main Campus of CNR, 29 Castle Place, New Rochelle, NY. Castle Gallery Hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.—9 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 9 a.m. –5 p.m. For additional information, tours, and directions to CNR, call (914) 654-5423 or go to http://www.cnr.edu/cg.htm.

Image: Geoffrey Detrani, “Landscape with Trophies”

The New Rochelle school district just announced the following leadership appointments for the 2010-11 school year:

• Franco J. Miele will assume the position of Principal of William B. Ward Elementary School. The Board of Education is expected to ratify a resolution appointing Mr. Miele Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., according to the district.  Miele comes to the district from a job as principal of the Sheafe Road Elementary School in Wappingers Falls; he formerly taught sixth grade at the Lincoln Elementary School in Mount Vernon. He succeeds Kenneth Regan, who is retiring after serving as Ward’s principal since 1988.

• Kimmerly Nieves will move from an assistant principal to principal of Jefferson Elementary School. She was appointed by the Board of Education to the job on June 29 to become the Principal of Jefferson Elementary School, and replaces Cynthia Slotkin, who retired after eight years of serving as principal position. Nieves career includes a stint in Rye Brook as well as time in the New Rochelle schools.

• Jose Martinez, who has been administrative dean at the Isaac Young Middle School for three years, will fill the post of assistant principal at  Jefferson Elementary School, filling the vacancy left by Nieves’ promotion.

• Rodney Arthur, Assistant Director of Middle School Special Education, is transferring into the position of Assistant Director of Special Education assigned to New Rochelle High School, to fill the position formerly held by Linda Ranieri, who retired in June.

• Linda Generoso, a teacher of Special Education in New Rochelle for 34 years, is expected to be appointed to the post of Assistant Director of Middle School Special Education, vacated by Rodney Arthur.