Celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in Westchester County, NY. Check out these ideas to enjoy the entire July 4th weekend with your family. For more events, visit our Community Calendar.

If there is inclement weather, please check the links before you head out. Some events could be rescheduled or cancelled. We will do our best to update accordingly. Happy Independence Day!

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June 30th
​Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department's Carnival
​Scarsdale Fireworks Spectacular & Concert
Ossining Fireworks Celebration
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July 1st
Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department's Carnival
White Plains Independence Day Celebration- UPDATE: Independence Day Fireworks postponed to July 6th
​Fireworks at Cross County Shopping Center
​Fireworks at Rye Playland
“Music In The Park” Returns to Lasdon- UPDATE: rescheduled for July 2, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. 
​Satisfaction - Rolling Stones Experience
A Night on Fire

July 2nd
Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department's Carnival
Town of Southeast Fireworks Spectacular
Pops, Patriots, and Fireworks at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts in Katonah
A Night on Fire
“Music In The Park” Returns to Lasdon- UPDATE: rescheduled for July 2, from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. ​

​July 3rd
Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department's Carnival
Kensico Dam Music Fest and Fireworks
​Fireworks at Rye Playland
A Night on Fire
Independence Day BBQ

July 4th
Rotary Club of Bedford-Armonk and John Jay Homestead, Independence Day Fair
Fourth of July Races at Flint Park
Village of Mamaroneck Fire Department's Carnival & Fireworks
Peekskill July 4th Festivities
Dobbs Ferry Fireworks & Festivities
Fireworks on the Yonkers Waterfront, presented by Empire City Casino
​Fireworks at Rye Playland
Larchmont Races, Music & Fireworks
Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Fireworks
Irvington Fireworks
​Spark The Sound 4th of July Fireworks in New Rochelle

​July 6th
White Plains Independence Day Celebration- UPDATE: Independence Day Fireworks postponed to July 6th​
​Fireworks at Cross County Shopping Center UPDATE: WEDNESDAY, July 6 (Concert, 7pm-10pm, fireworks 9:30pm)

Be kind even when the rest of the world isn't.

Be respectful. Respect your elders, women, your peers and other people's beliefs.

Know when to fight back and when to walk away. Never throw the first punch but if need be punch back.

Worry your mother and travel the world. Climb, trek, fly, explore, taste and experience new things.

Follow your heart and have your heart broken because sometimes the only way to know you met “the one” is to first meet the one who “wasn’t”. 

Give Back. If you are lucky enough to have enough remember those who don’t.

Work hard but love what you do and do what you love.

Laugh. A good joke will get you a long way.

Dream big. 

​Be happy.

Marcie Gandell is a full time Westchester NY Mom to three boys and a part-time web designer. She is also a cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, handyman, expert negotiator and an excellent juggler! 

​Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World

It is the last day of school and a celebration for kids everywhere. Moms however watch their kids skipping home with 50 pound backpacks and ask the same old question: “what the hell do we do with all this end of the year crap?” All their stuff accumulated from the entire school year now lies in a messy disgusting pile on your living room floor. 

School supplies once so perfect and new in September now huddle together crumbled and abused after eight months of living in your child’s backpack. Or as I call it the black hole. There are chewed pencils with half eaten erasers, dried up markers with no caps, unused highlighters in 15 different colors, dirty erasers, sticky lollipops, piles of crumpled papers, broken binders, ripped folders,the stapler I have been trying to find for six months and a writing journal with only one entry: “what I did on my summer vacation”.

While every September sales at Staples skyrockets, in June sales of garbage bags at Costco reach an all time high. Well that all depends if you are a newbie school parent or an experienced one with middle schoolers. The newbies keep everything. They lovingly go through every paper written and every art project as well as ohh and ahh, and post them on Facebook. They compile every last item into an expensive glittery box and custom engrave on it “kindergarten masterpieces”. 

The old timers have learned to ditch the sentimental attachment and be practical. We throw everything out. We keep maybe one or two writing samples to have something to show for our ridiculous private school tuition. All other crap goes in the garbage. The sanitation department has to hire extra trucks the week school ends.

Oh, did I mention the science projects. Every semester my son insists on after school science. Every year he comes home with the same disgusting silly putty. (That does not come out of hair easily) This year the teacher mixed up it. Alex came home one week with a bird feeder made from an old sports sock. The following week he made a potato plant wrapped in pantyhose. Either this teacher has a serious foot fetish or is cleaning out her sock drawer.

Now for the school bag. Putting your hand in that bag at the end of the school year is a dangerous and risky move. One never knows what you will find growing at the bottom. Best advice: burn the bag. 

Once the disinfecting is done parents can then enjoy the summer months of no homework and the only mess is ice cream dripping across your kitchen floor. All is balanced and tidy. Well, until the school supply catalogs start arriving in July and the cycle starts once again…

Marcie Gandell is a full time Westchester NY Mom to three boys and a part-time web designer. She is also a cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, handyman, expert negotiator and an excellent juggler!

Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World

It’s that time of year. Graduation time! Awards season! Parents around the world on Facebook are posting photos of the awards their children are winning (sometimes multiple)… Top student, top athlete, top service award, top drama, best cubby organizer, best circle time sitter… and the list goes on.

June has become the academy awards season of elementary school minus the designer gowns. But really with all the same pomp and circumstance. We give out awards for everything and we have become obsessed with giving kids accolades for being the “best”.

But what about the kids who are not at the top of the class, do not get the straight A’s, or are not the sports superstar. Where are those parents’ proud Facebook posts and celebrations. June is a hard time of year for kids who things don’t come easily to them: for the shy introverted child , for the one who does not make the basket, and for the one who struggles in school. For most of these kids their personal successes go quietly unnoticed and in this messed up system unjusticely undeserving of any proper recognition.

And it’s hard for the parents too. Where are their Facebook posts, celebrations and their bragging rights. Do they shout from the Facebook roof tops: My son got a B after studying twice as hard as everyone else, my daughter made it through the day without crying, my son tried out for the team after spending his entire weekend practicing and did not make, my daughter raised her hand in class today… 

Today I dedicate this post to all these children and parents who fly under the radar and struggle on daily basis. To the parents who praise, push, teach, nurture, applaud, cheer on, coach, tutor, instruct, encourage, support and award their kids on a daily basis I take my hat off to you and send you virtual fireworks. 

To the kids who don’t collect the trophies or sparkly certificates at the end of the year please know your accomplishments never go unnoticed. Your strength, determination, hard work, perseverance and dedication make you a winner everyday. And always remember it is not about being the “best” but doing your best. While trophies eventually collect dust in the back of a closet and the sparkles fade from the awards you shine bright everyday.

Marcie Gandell is a full time Westchester NY Mom to three boys and a part-time web designer. She is also a cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, handyman, expert negotiator and an excellent juggler!

Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World

Spoil dad this year with a luxury Father’s Day gift that will wow him! If you’re in search of a premium gift for a dad who deserves more than a goofy tie or cheesy grill master apron, the Soundworks Team in Armonk, NY is ready to inspire you!
 
We’ve got the perfect high-end gifts for techie dads who want a WiFi network as smart as they are, dads who want to outfit their life with high tech home automation, dads who love to rock out to their favorite tunes with indoors sound systems and outdoor speakers, plus the perfect televisions for the dad who wants nothing more than to watch the game while manning the grill!

High Speed Wireless

​Ruckus Wireless Network to Stay Connected
​Give dad a little extra bandwidth with a strong home WiFi network that ensures everyone streams what they want, when they want - with no lagging or glitches. Tech-loving dads who love to stay connected and always have the latest Apple TV, 4K streaming or gaming setup won’t be able to get enough of a smart internet network! A robust Ruckus Wireless network will extend the range of your home WiFi signals and automatically adapt to the way you connect while moving around your home and yard. 

Smart Home Control

​Savant Home Automation for Full Control
​You thought dad loved having control of the TV remote? Why not give him control of his whole home! This premium gift for Father’s Day is the ultimate luxury in home automation. Splurge on dad with smart home control from Savant Systems that gives him control of 4 zones of audio, 1 thermostat, 5 lighting loads, music streaming and 4 pairs of speakers. 

Outdoor Speaker System

​Origin Acoustics Backyard Sound System
​If dad is the kind of guy who has a playlist for every activity, surprise him this year with an outdoor speaker setup that puts his bluetooth speaker to shame! Soundworks will design a music system that has amazing sound coverage and full control of life’s soundtrack with Origin Acoustics. The Origin Acoustics Landscape Series includes several models of speakers in various performance levels that mimic lighting fixtures. We don’t know what he’ll love more, the high quality sound or how the speakers blend into the landscape so it feels like the music seems to be coming from everywhere! 

Wireless Home Sound System

​Sonos Surround Sound Speakers for Movies or Music
​If dad needs to be fully immersed in his entertainment, upgrade his experience with a Sonos sound system. This gift is great if you’re looking for a luxury gift without a lot of installation. The Sonos PLAYBAR provides epic, full-theater sound for television, movies or gaming with a sleek, unnoticeable design that fits any space. The Sonos PLAY:3 rear speaker delivers great sound to any room while the wireless SUB fills your space with layers of deep sound that let you hear every chord, kick, splash and roll. 

Outdoor Television

​SunBriteTV for Backyard Entertainment
​SunBriteTVs are designed and engineered specifically for the outdoors, which makes them the perfect Father’s Day gift for dads who spend a lot of time in the yard. These LED-LCD televisions wow with superior brightness that can hold up against weather, UV rays and extreme temperatures. You’ll be surprised how much use an outdoor TV will get, whether watching sports or setting up an outdoor movie night. 

Soundworks serves Westchester County, Fairfield County and New York City. Do you live outside these areas? Contact us to see if we can bring luxury home technology to your house.
 
Soundworks is the reliable, local solution for your home technology upgrades. Backed by more than 30 years of experience and industry leading certification, Soundworks offers personalized customization and cutting-edge smart-home technology to empower you to control your world. Soundworks specializes in creating the perfect place for you to live, play, or work - from home theaters, multi-room audio and video, and outdoor solutions to home networking, automated lighting, energy management, and so much more - all controlled with a single touch. www.soundworksny.com

Get ready for a weekend filled with carnivals, culture, food, music and more! Here are our picks for this weekend. There are many more events happening, find a full listing on our Community Calendar. 

Who doesn't love a carnival? It's a great way to get outside and have some old fashioned fun. 

Westchester Magazine's Wine & Food Festival began on Wednesday and runs through Sunday. For children, there are a few events that require pre-registration. 

On Saturday there is a Jr. Chefs Academy cooking class at The Ritz-Carlton. Unfortunately it is already sold out, but perhaps you were one of the lucky ones who already reserved your spot! 

On Sunday, kids age 5-12 can have fun with noodles with the folks at Noodles & Co. at Kids: Use Your Noodle. Located at the Cross County Shopping Center. 

Prophet Elias 2016 Greek Festival begins Friday and goes through Sunday in Yonkers. There will be Greek food, rides, games, raffles, prizes, Greek music and dance, and folk dance performances. 

​The Kids Zone begins Saturday and includes  face painting, jewelry making, sand art, puppet making, design aprons, headbands, visors, frames and more.

The Hastings Flea is on Sunday and includes entertainment for all ages. Shop for unique, locally made and collected items, enjoy several music performances including a children's concert, and take part in activities with Westchester Circus Arts.

The Westchester Italian Cultural Center is hosting a Car Show on Sunday in Depot Square in Tuckahoe. Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and many more luxury Italian cars will be featured.

With the first official day of summer just a few weeks away and temperatures on the rise it’s a great time to mix up your fitness routine. Stand Up Paddling also known as SUP-ing has gained a lot of attention in recent years as it actually works your entire body (literally from head to toe). The art of balancing has also been proven to help offset the natural deterioration of our brains as we age. Not a bad benefit right?
 
Not sure if SUP-ing is right for you? Here are 5 things to know before taking the plunge.
 
How does SUP-ing differ from other workouts today?
Unlike other workouts that isolate certain areas of the body, SUP-ing works almost every single muscle from your head to your toes literally all at once.
 
What are the physical benefits?
SUP-ing is a full body workout. You will work your arms, back, shoulder and leg muscles as well as your core, back and abdominals.
 
It’s also a low impact workout so there is less risk of joint damage. This is appealing for runners in particular who are battling shin splints, knee or hip pain.
 
Will it improve my balance?
Yes. You need to stand upright which requires a significant amount of core stability and leg strength to maintain your balance on the board.
 
Are there any other benefits?
Mastering the art of good balance can increase your focus and balance in your day-to-day life as well. Exercising while gliding through the water is soothing which in turn can reduce stress and positively impact your mental health.
 
Is it expensive?
The pricing is comparable to other workout class rates in Westchester and includes the use of all gear (board, paddle, life vest).  Class sizes are kept small which is a great advantage for learning in a small group environment.

Summertime is a great time to get outside and enjoy street fairs, charity events and festivals! Need a break from the heat? Check out some of Westchester's museums and malls for family events.

Here's our top picks for this weekend, but there are so many more! Check out our Community Calendar for even more fun things to do in Westchester County, NY.

Find many more events like Barnes & Noble Yonkers Summer Reading Triathlon Opening Ceremony, Neuberger Museum of Art Summer Family Festival and Big Truck Day in Cold Spring in our Community Calendar!

The other day when I was at the pool with my three boys I felt myself being watched. The kids were swimming and I was sitting on a lounge chair reading a book. There was a woman staring at me out of the corner of her eye. As I got up to get some water I walked by her. I noticed at a closer glance her messy hair, stained shirt and frazzled look that could only mean one thing: she was the mother of young children.

She looked at me enviously and said, “You are SO LUCKY you don’t have to watch your kids!” I was taken aback by the statement and said the first thing that popped in my head. “Well they were not born this age, I paid my dues. But don’t worry in ten years you can be just like me.” And I walked away laughing to myself. Later that afternoon another disheveled newbie mom told me the exact same thing. Could someone else actually be jealous of me? Did they know how much laundry I did on a daily basis? Did they get what it entailed to relearn equations and geometry? Did they know I had more daily mileage on my car than a NYC Uber driver?

But getting back to dues yes I definitely paid mine. I had premature twins born six weeks early and spent three months on hospital bed rest. I did not wear maternity clothes or have baby showers. I wore hospital gowns and was not allowed to shower. When they came home after two weeks in the NICU I could barely walk and needed a wheelchair. This was followed by the craziest first two years of babyhood…

So honestly my dear frazzled young mothers it gives me great pleasure to watch my children. And no matter how old our children get don’t we always have to watch and worry about them?

When the baby and toddler worries fade, new fresh reasons to fret will bloom. We are parents for life and it never ends no matter how old they get. When my parents come visit the first thing my 72 year old father does is call his 91 year old mother to tell her he has arrived safely. If I don’t call my own mother I get an earful and a true Jewish guilt trip. 

As kids get older it changes from literally watching them to protectively watching over them. We offer guidance, advice, sometimes we push and sometimes we need to step back. 
​
My twins are now thirteen and I have no idea of what to expect from these teenage years ahead. How do I watch over them and protect them in this crazy world?
​
And it does all come full circle. Sometimes I will enviously look at the older mother next to me with her 20 something child who treats her to lunch and drives her home. I can’t help but think to myself, she is so lucky…

Marcie Gandell is a full time Westchester NY Mom to three boys and a part-time web designer. She is also a cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, handyman, expert negotiator and an excellent juggler!

Read more from her at her blog, Random Stupid Thoughts, a Mom's View of the World