Yonkers Insider: For Immediate Release: ***NEWS RELEASE***: MAYOR SPANO ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF YONKERS OFFICE FOR THE AGING’S FARMERS MARKET COUPON PROGRAM — NEW SENIOR RESIDENCE DISTRIBUTION SITES ADDED.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Mayor Spano Announces Expansion of Yonkers Office for the Aging’s Farmers Market Coupon Program — New Senior Residence Distribution Sites Added.

 

Expanded Access Supported by Family Service Society of Yonkers and Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers.

 

YONKERS, NY – July 17, 2025 – Mayor Mike Spano today announced the expansion of the Yonkers Office for the Aging’s Farmers Market Coupon Program, which now will offer greater access to eligible seniors through new distribution sites at select senior residences made possible through the support of Family Service Society of Yonkers and Municipal Housing Authority for the City of Yonkers (MHACY). Coupons also will be available for pickup at the Chema Community Center (435 Riverdale Ave.) from Monday, August 4 through Wednesday, August 6, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

 

“We encourage our seniors to make use of this money-saving service that not only entices residents to get out and shop, contribute to our local farms, and enjoy fresh, homegrown produce—but now, with expanded distribution at senior residences, even more of our older adults can benefit from this incredible program,” said Mayor Spano. “I'm thrilled we’re reaching more seniors right where they live.”

The coupons are available to qualified applicants 60 years or older that have a monthly income of $2,413 per month or less for a one-person household, $3,261 per month or less for a two-person household and $4,109 per month or less for a three-person household. Each older adult in a household is eligible to receive a booklet if they meet the age and income requirements. Yonkers seniors must bring photo ID and proof of age.

 

Additional Distribution Sites (Residents Only)

This year, the Yonkers Office for the Aging is expanding its Farmers Market Coupon Program to include additional distributions at senior residential sites, including Curran Court, Loehr Court, Walsh Homes, Kris Kristensen, John E. Flynn, Calcagno Homes, Martinelli Manor and LaMora Senior Apartments. Residents at these locations will receive advance notice of their designated distribution date and time and are expected to collect their coupons exclusively at their respective sites.

 

Yonkers Office for the Aging Director Kelly Chiarella said, “Now more than ever, our older adults need assistance with the cost of food and other necessities. This year, we will receive 1,900 coupons for distribution. These coupons offer a welcome savings on fresh fruits and vegetables—a valuable service that hundreds of residents look forward to each year.”

 

Coupons may be used in many Farmer’s Markets in Westchester County including at St. John’s Church (Getty Square) in Yonkers.

 

The Senior Farmers Market Program is funded through the Food and Nutrition Service division of the United States Department of Agriculture and Markets in cooperation with the NY State Office for the Aging, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: From MPAC.

Celebrate the 10th Annual Arab American Heritage Day!

Join us this Sunday, July 20, at Ridge Road Park in hartsdale ny pavilion number 2 for a vibrant celebration of Arab American culture! Enjoy live music, belly dancing, delicious food, jewelry, henna (mendy), and more from 12 PM to 7 PM. Performances begin around 3 PM.

Free and open to the public.

For more information, contact John at 914-447-0490.

Yonkers Insider: Press Release: Councilmember Merante Continues Pay Raise Giveback Program.

 

Yonkers Councilmember Merante Donates $1,200 to Support National Night Out.

Yonkers, NY – July 15, 2025 — Today, Yonkers 6th District Councilmember Anthony Merante presented a $1,200 donation to the First Precinct Community Council in support of their upcoming National Night Out event. Several members of the Community Council Board were in attendance for the check presentation.

This marks the second consecutive year Councilmember Merante has donated $1,200 to the group in support of this important community initiative.

“This donation is part of my ‘It’s All About You’ campaign,” said Merante. “It fulfills my promise to give back the unwarranted raise that the City Council voted for themselves and the Mayor. I was proud to be the only Councilmember to vote against that raise and have committed to returning my portion to benefit the people of the 6th District.”

The funds will be used by the First Precinct Community Council to provide ice cream for families attending National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Andrus Field, located on Central Park Avenue just south of Tuckahoe Road.

National Night Out is a nationwide community-building campaign that promotes partnerships between police and the neighborhoods they serve. The event is designed to enhance relationships between law enforcement and residents, foster a sense of community, and encourage safer, more caring neighborhoods.

Yonkers Insider: Promotions: Mpac Arab heritage day July 20.

Arab American Heritage Day

Sunday, July 20th, 2025

Ridge Road Park, Hartsdale, NY 10530

12 PM – 7 PM

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of Arab American culture — featuring:

Delicious Middle Eastern food and desserts

Live music

Belly dancer performance

Debka dance group

For more information:

Email: jkhader@mpacnow.com

Phone: (914) 440-0333

Tag your friends and follow us for updates.

#ArabAmericanHeritageDay #MPAC #CelebrateCulture #WestchesterEvents #CommunityStrong 

Submitted by MPAC. 

Yonkers Insider: New York State Senator Shelley Mayer 37th District: For Immediate Release: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** Senator Shelley B. Mayer Testifies Against Con Edison’s Outrageous Rate Hike Proposal.

Senator Shelley B. Mayer Testifies Against Con Edison’s Outrageous Rate Hike Proposal.

(White Plains, NY) – In testimony submitted on Wednesday, July 9 before the New York State Public Service Commission, New York State Senator Shelley B. Mayer emphatically urged the PSC to reject Con Edison’s proposal to increase its rates – which would increase delivery revenues for electricity by 18% and gas delivery revenues by 18.8% – over the next three years. 

“[This increase is an] unacceptably large percentage at any time, but particularly while the cost of living is, frankly, unaffordable to thousands of Westchester residents. The requested increase in electric delivery revenues would mean an average residential monthly delivery bill increase of $26.60 (a 19.1% increase), while the requested increase in gas delivery revenues would mean a total monthly gas bill increase of about $46.42 (a 25.1% increase) for the typical residential customer. I urge you to reject the increases,” Senator Mayer said in her testimony. 

Senator Mayer represents the 37th Senate District in Westchester, where the vast majority of her over 300,000 constituents are dependent on Con Edison for their utilities. The four Westchester public hearings were granted at the request of Senator Mayer and many of her colleagues in the New York State Legislature, including Senator Pete Harkcham (SD-40) and Assembly Members Chris Burdick (AD-93), Mary Jane Shimsky (AD-92), and Dana Levenberg (AD-95), as well as Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. 

My constituents currently do everything possible to reduce their energy usage to lower their bills, including living on one floor rather than two; setting their thermostat too low for comfort; leaving their home cold when they’re away, all to try to save funds — but to no avail. Because their delivery charges are two or three times as high as the supply costs and there is nothing they can do to change that.” 

Second, Senator Mayer addressed Con Edison’s 51 consecutive annual dividend increases and the tremendous financial gain Con Edison shareholders have received over the past several years. “Given the dire situation faced by many Con Edison ratepayers and the fact that Con Edison is a regulated utility that has a monopoly in our service area, I believe it is the obligation of the PSC under the law to place the concerns of ratepayers over excessive returns to shareholders,” Senator Mayer said.  

Third, the process in which rates are set must be revamped to significantly limit the ability of utilities to obtain unreasonable profits at the expense of ratepayers. 

Senator Mayer continued in her testimony, “Judging from Con Edison’s financial statements as well as executive pay, their profits are already high enough. The company is asking for a 10.1% return on equity, more than any New York utility has received in 30 years, and significantly higher than the already too high 8.8% return on equity approved in 2020, and the 9.25% return on equity approved in 2023.” 

“I call once again on the Public Service Commission to (1) reject any rate increase, (2) scrutinize all operating costs, especially utility management salaries and other costs, to protect ratepayers, (3) reject any proposal for a deadband or earnings sharing mechanism in settlement negotiations which unfairly result in utility companies keeping excess profits, and (4) stick resolutely and far more proactively to your legal mandate to protect all New Yorkers.” 

In her testimony, Senator Mayer highlighted three points – first, affordability. In Senator Mayer’s district, 20% of households have incomes of less than $50,000 a year, another 20% make under $100,000, and almost 20% are seniors, many living on fixed incomes. “Middle to upper middle income constituents are also increasingly being pushed to the limit and face a crisis of affordability that you cannot ignore,” Senator Mayer said. 

Yonkers Insider: Promotions: Untermyer Performing Arts Council UPAC.

Yonkers Insider: Promotions: Untermyer Performing Arts Council UPAC. 

And next Saturday!

Untermyer Performing Arts Council UPAC

Yonkers Insider: Statement from Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano.

 

Dear Neighbor,

This week, we partnered with the Yonkers Fire Department, Yonkers Parks and Yonkers Police Department to deliver some relief to our kids during this sweltering heat.

Did you know, our fire department has a device called "The Turtle?" It's used to put out lithium battery car fires, but it can also be used as a sprinkler. That's exactly what we did at Unity Park this week!

This month, we celebrate our parks! Join us on Saturday, July 12, for Yonkers Parks Day from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are making it a throwback to 1975 with entertainment, arts and crafts, and food from fifty years ago.

Have a great weekend!

MIKE SPANO

Mayor 

Yonkers Insider: Statement from Yonkers City Councilwoman Corazon Pineda Issac 2nd District.

 

Our next mobile food pantry in Nodine Hill with Feeding Westchester will be on Tuesday, July 29th at 12pm. We're still waiting for the other 2025-2026 dates to be confirmed, but once we get the green light, I will share those dates as well.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Hon. Corazon Pineda-Isaac

40 South Broadway, Suite 414

Yonkers, NY 10701

(Tel) 377-6312

(Email) corazon.pineda.isaac@yonkersny.gov

Yonkers Insider: City of Yonkers: CITY OF YONKERS FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DEPLOY “TURTLE” TO HELP LOCAL KIDS BEAT THE HEAT (Wed., 7/9 @ 12:30 PM)

CITY OF YONKERS FIRE DEPARTMENT TO DEPLOY “TURTLE” TO HELP LOCAL KIDS BEAT THE HEAT.

 

Mayor Mike Spano, Yonkers Fire Commissioner William Fitzpatrick, Yonkers Parks Commissioner Steve Sansone and members of the Yonkers Fire Department will set up “The Turtle,” a specialized sprinkler at Unity Park for local kids and the community to get a break from the heat on Wednesday, July 9 at 12:30 PM at Unity Park on 104 Elliot Avenue. 

 

The Turtle, provided by the Yonkers Fire Department, will operate at Unity Park from 10:30 AM-1 PM.

 

American Irish Association of Westchester: Irish Heritage Day Festival Event on Sunday, July 13th.

American Irish Association of Westchester:

Less than one week away…

American Irish Association of Westchester: For Immediate Release.

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: American Irish Association of Westchester Hosts Irish Heritage Day on July 13th Hartsdale, New York – The American Irish Association of Westchester (AIAW) in partnership with Westchester County Parks Department is excited to announce its annual Irish Heritage Day Festival on Sunday, July 13 from 12 to 6 p.m. at Ridge Road Park in Hartsdale.

This year’s entertainment is generously sponsored by The Tara Circle, Inc. in recognition of the life-long commitment to the Irish community demonstrated by AIAW Vice President Bob Stauf.

Bob Stauf has been deeply involved in the Irish-American community serving as a former president and board chairman of the AIAW, of which he has been an active member for more than 40 years. Additionally, he was an activist with Former Congressman Eliot Engel in the Northern Ireland peace process as well as a member of the Irish American Unity Conference and chairman of the Yonkers Mayor’s Irish Committee on Irish Affairs. Among many other roles, Stauf is a member of the AOH Myles Scully Division #1 Yonkers, president of the Yonkers Third Precinct Police Community Council and was a longtime board member and former chair of the Board of Directors of the Tara Circle.

AIAW President Maeve Scott said “We are excited about this year’s Irish Heritage Day Event and look forward to a great day of Irish music, dance and entertainment.

About The Tara Circle, Inc.

The Tara Circle was formed in 1992 with the aim to promote and preserve Irish culture, history and heritage through arts, education, athletics and music. It has provided grants as well as sponsored classes and events related to Irish music, dance, history, language, art and literature. The Tara Circle is proud to support the American Irish Association of Westchester’s Irish Heritage Day and delighted to do so this year in honor of Bob Stauf who retired from the Board of Directors this past January after numerous years of dedicated service to the organization and the Irish-American community.

Yonkers Insider: For Immediate Release: ***NEWS RELEASE***: YONKERS MAYOR SPANO APPOINTS NEW COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT AND RECRUITING OFFICER.

 

Effie Phillips, City of Yonkers Community Advancement & Recruitment Officer

(Photo Credit: Maurice Mercado/City of Yonkers)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

YONKERS MAYOR SPANO APPOINTS NEW COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT AND RECRUITING OFFICER.

 

Community Member & Job Readiness Trainer Effie Phillips to Lead Yonkers Diversity & Equity Recruitment Efforts.

 

YONKERS, NY – July 7, 2025 – Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano today announced his appointment of community member and job readiness trainer Effie Phillips as the City’s new Community Advancement and Recruitment Officer. Phillips will serve as a strategic advisor on equity-related hiring practices and strategies to attract, hire, and retain a diverse municipal workforce.

 

"In Yonkers, equity and inclusion are not just values—they are action steps,” said Mayor Spano. “I am confident Effie’s expertise as a job readiness trainer and active community volunteer will continue to diversify Yonkers’ talented workforce and best reflect the community in which we serve.”

 

Phillips will work closely with the Mayor’s Office, Human Resources, department leaders, and community stakeholders to ensure equity is embedded throughout the City’s recruitment and community outreach efforts.

 

Effie Phillips stated, “I knew I always wanted to make a difference in Yonkers. This opportunity, working alongside Mayor Spano and his team, will make that possible. Yonkers, let’s continue be the change we want to see in the world!”

 

Effie Phillips joins the City of Yonkers with 20 years of case management experience with job placement, human resources and community program oversight. Recently, Phillips served as an Election Inspector Coordinator for the Westchester County Board of Elections, where she trained poll inspectors and monitored human resource information and documentation. Previously, she worked for U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel in which she managed constituent services and local issues for the Congressional district. Additionally, Phillips was a case manager and job readiness trainer for the Urban League of Westchester and Westhab. As a community leader, Phillips is the Vice President of the National Council of Negro Women-Hudson Valley Section, a lifetime member of NAACP, Yonkers Branch and member of the Yonkers African American Heritage Committee. Phillips attended Mercy College where she studied Organizational Management.

Statement from Yonkers City Councilmember Anthony Merante 6th District: MPAC Event for Veterans and Senior Citizens.

 

Statement from Yonkers City Councilmember Anthony Merante 6th District:

🎉 THANK YOU TO MPAC FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION! 🇺🇸

(Photos by Brooke Nicole)

We had a wonderful time at the Veterans and Seniors BBQ, hosted by the Mediterranean Political Action Committee (MPAC). It was a meaningful afternoon filled with great food, great company, and a shared sense of pride in our community and country.

MPAC, founded by community leader and my friend, John Khader, is a grassroots civic and political organization based in Yonkers. Their mission is to promote social justice, civic engagement, and equal representation—especially for communities that have historically been underrepresented in local government. We’re proud to stand alongside MPAC in celebrating our veterans, seniors, and the diverse voices that make Westchester strong.

AIA of Westchester: Irish Heritage Day: Sunday, July 13th.

 

AIA of Westchester: Less than two weeks away…all our welcome…to enjoy a fun-filled day of Irish entertainment, music, dance, great food and so much more!!! ☘️☘️

AIA of Westchester: American Irish Association of Westchester: Irish Heritage Day.

Come one Come all:  Enjoy the Annual Tradition of AIA of Westchester Annual Irish Heritage Day to be held on Sunday, July 13th from 12 Noon till 6 P.M. At Ridge Road  Park in Hartsdale.

Mass at 12 Noon. 

AIA of Westchester in Partnership with Westchester County Parks Department.  

Keep this Tradition alive!

Activities for the Kids. 

Great Entertainment. 

Entertainment Sponsored by Tara Circle, Inc. In recognition of Bob Stauf's life long Commitment to the Irish Community.

Food and Beverages available for Purchase. 

Shop a variety of vendors at the Event. 

Admission: $5 dollars per adult.

Children under 14 for free. 

Parking Free. 

Bring your own Chair and Blanket 

No coolers please.

Enjoy this great Event and Yearly Irish Tradition.

For information on the Event: Contact: AIA of Westchester President Maeve Scott 914-294-9024 or AIA of Westchester Chair of the Board Cathy Marshall 914-969-7247.

AIA of Westchester