There's something new on Central Avenue in Scarsdale. Welcome Long Island Bagel Café (LIBC). 

As a busy mom I am always looking for convenient places to get delicious to-go food with my family. LIBC has become my new go-to spot. This clean and modern eat-in or take out bagel cafe is not your ordinary bagel store.

First, there are so many bagel choices! Everything from french toast bagels to rainbow bagels and all the traditional favorites, like egg, sesame and everything. The bagels are hand-rolled and fresh baked and come in different shapes and sizes including standard bagels, mini bagels and flagels. 

Second, they have tons of healthy choices and hot food choices so everyone in the family can get what they want under one roof. There are prepared gourmet salads and spreads, fresh create your own chopped salads, delicious sandwiches, eggs, wraps and paninis, daily soups, an on-site bakery and a hot food grill.  They offer low carb, vegetarian and gluten free options as well.  It's really a one stop shop to please the whole family before a trip to the beach, a picnic at the park or to bring home. If you are planning to host an event you can get everything you need in one place. 

Third, the space is new, clean, sleek and pleasant. LIBC is conveniently located in the Archway Shopping Center. Easy parking, indoor dining, and a few picnic tables outside if you prefer.

There were no other establishments quite like it in the area. Franchise Owner/Operator, Michael Stern says, “LIBC is unique and exactly what this area needs. Our address is 365 Central Park Avenue and that is perfect because we will be open 365 days of the year.” As with its sister stores, LIBC Scarsdale intends to plant deep roots in the community and become a long standing business here for years to come. LIBC also has eight highly successful stores on Long Island for the past 20 years. This is their first location in Westchester County.

The store opens daily at 5:30am and closes at 6pm. Visit LIBC today at 365 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale NY 10583, call to place your order 914-607-7172. Website: Libc.com.

LIBC is offering Westchester NY Moms readers a free cup of coffee until September 9, 2020. Just mention this article!

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Apple picking season is here! It's the perfect way to get outside and have some socially distanced fun with your family. Sadly this year will not be filled with hayrides, bounce houses and festivals. But there will be live music, farm animals, corn mazes and other safe attractions that the whole family can enjoy. 

We've rounded up a list of nearby apple orchards that local moms in Westchester County, NY recommend. For each upstate NY farm we have highlighted their opening day for apple picking and specifics around reservations, distancing, events and more. Enjoy!

Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard
130 Hardscrabble Road, North Salem, NY  (Westchester County)

Harvest Moon is a local favorite. It is a family owned and operated farm market and U-Pick fruit and apple orchard in Westchester County. Typically it is open seasonally April-December. During the Fall they do pick-your-own apples and pears and throw a Fall Festival every weekend from Labor Day to Halloween.

Fall 2020 COVID-19 Status: Apple picking begins Saturday, September 5th and runs through the end of October. All apple picking is by reservation only, during weekends, in season. The store and orchard will be open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9am - 5pm. Online reservations will open on Wednesday, August 26th. There will not be any fall festival activities this year. Due to government regulations in New York State, your visit may not exceed two hours. Additional safety guidelines are provided on their website. 

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Outhouse Orchards
139 Hardscrabble Rd, North Salem, NY (Westchester County)
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A seasonal orchard open only in the fall for apples, peaches and pumpkin picking. Donuts, pies, corn maze, live music and more will be available in September and October.

Fall 2020 COVID-19 Status:  Reservations are available on their website. Walk up to the barn and grab yourself a half bushel, pick your own bag and take a tour of our orchard as you find the best apples to fill your bag with. Come early or come late there will always be apples, pears and peaches to pick through the months of September and October even if you have to barrow a pole picker for hard to reach apples, pears and peaches. Pre-pay $30.00 for a small bag (15 lbs of fruit) or $45.00 for a large bag (25 lbs of fruit) for your bag and the orchard and it’s glorious views are yours for the day.In order to ensure the safety of all of our guests and employees this fall season we will be implementing a reservation policy for those wanting to visit the farm. The purpose of this so that we can better control the large volume of visitors to the farm to ensure social distancing is maintained and CDC procedures are followed.
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​Stuart's Fruit Farm
62 Granite Springs Road, Granite Springs, NY (Westchester County)
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Stuart's Fruit Farm is a family-operated farm since 1828 located in Westchester County, New York. Seasonally they offer a varied selection of flowers and vegetable plants in the spring, apple and peach picking as well as a pumpkin patch in the fall, and Christmas trees in the winter. Stuart’s has a very “home-like” feel.

Fall 2020 COVID-19 Status: Apple picking begins September 5th. Reservations are not available or required. Social distancing and masks are a must. The Corn Maze will be open on the weekends. Due to social distancing rules there are no hay rides.  Cash or checks only.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm
1335 White Hill Rd, Yorktown Heights, NY (Westchester County)

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm has been around for over 100 years and is a "no frills farm.” They sell a wide variety of apples, pumpkins and peaches, all available to “Pick-Your-Own” during harvest season. They have three farm markets that sell everything from their own pressed apple cider to freshly baked pies, famous apple cider donuts and gift items. 

Fall 2020 COVID-19 Status: Apple picking begins September 5th. No reservations are required or available. Because capacity is limited, it is recommended that you come early on weekends or consider picking anytime on a weekday so you are not turned away. Picking begins at 10am, seven days a week.

They are diligently following guidelines set forth by CDC and the New York State government. This includes limiting capacity to 50%, masks, social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing stations, no pets or food/picnicking. Due to social distancing rules they will not be offering a tractor ride to and from the orchard. You must be able to walk to and from the orchard. No outside food or bags is allowed (only small diaper bags), containers will be provided for picking. Corn Maze tickets can be purchased in the Farm Market, Bakery or at the Pick-Your-Own Pavilion. The Farm Market & Bakery will be open. Additional safety guidelines are provided on their website. 

Barton Orchards
63 Apple Tree Ln, Poughquag, NY (Dutchess County)
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Barton Orchards is a 175-acre apple orchard and vegetable farm located in Poughquag, New York, that has been in the Barton family for over 40 years. They have a pick your own farm with food, fun park, petting zoo, ice cream and more. 

​Fall 2020 COVID-19 Status: Apple and other fruit and vegetable picking is now open! And that is not all. Barton Orchards has a mot more than apples. Attractions include a playground, animals, Pick-Your-Own veggies, Ice Cream Stand, Gem Stone Mining, Mini Golf, concessions and Farm Stand. Tree Top Adventures, an exciting new climbing and zipline aerial adventure course, is open Thursday-Sunday and requires advance online reservations. There is also music on Friday and Saturday evenings from 5-8 pm. There is no entry fee except during festival weekends (see below). Barton Orchards is open daily, Sun-Wed 11a-6pm, Thurs-Sat 11a-8p.

​Fishkill Farms
9 Fishkill Farm Road, Hopewell JCT, NY (Dutchess County)

Fishkill Farms is an apple orchard and diversified fruit and vegetable farm in the town of East Fishkill, New York. They grow apples, peaches, berries, cherries, and other fruits, all of which are available in season for pick-your-own. Visitors can get produce at the farm store.
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​Fall 2020 COVID-19 Status: Apple  and other fruit/vegetable picking is open. Socially distant picking is available by reservation only. They do not take reservations far in advance (usually no more than 7 days) to ensure they have sufficient crop availability when you visit. They are diligently following guidelines set forth by the CDC and state government. Full details are available on their website.
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JUST ADDED:  The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is now extended to include November 5, November 12, and November 22.
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Original Publish Date 8/24/20
​Good news, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, is a go for fall 2020!

Tickets are already in pre-sale for members and Twitter followers. Tickets officially go on sale tomorrow, August 25. The Blaze is a very popular event that typically sells out and requires advance purchase tickets so if you are interested this is the time to reserve yours.  Tickets are $32 per child (3-17) and $40 per adult.

Located at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns. This year the event runs from September 18- October 31; November 1; 6-8; 13-15; 20-21.
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​The Blaze is operating in strict compliance with New York State-issued “Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment Guidelines.” To ensure the safety and enjoyment visitors, Historic Hudson Valley is limiting capacity. By purchasing a ticket, visitors agree to follow our COVID Courtesy Code, which includes wearing a mask and maintaining at least six feet of social distance. 

New this year, tickets are exchangeable to another date/time slot if that date/time has availability, up to 72 hours in advance of your reserved time slot. There is a $2 per ticket exchange fee. 

If you have not been to this before, you could equate it to the New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show in the sense that this is a seasonal display of sculptures built out of plants, in this case pumpkins. What makes this event even more spectacular is the nighttime ambiance, featuring synchronized lighting and thousands of glowing pumpkins. Amazingly, all of the displays, including 7,000 hand-carved jack o’lanterns, are designed and hand-carved on site.  New for 2020, a fire truck—making a special rescue—and witches stirring up a spell.

​Unlike many other Halloween spectaculars and events, this one is very family friendly and appropriate for kids and adults of all ages-- assuming your children can handle staying up. For the early birds, you could consider going later in the season when the sun sets earlier and show times begin as early as 6:00pm. There are no scary zombies or haunted creatures lurking in the shadows. You can walk through the entire display in about 30-45 minutes. Enjoy!
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The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze 2019 

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"New York City's world-class cultural institutions have long provided comfort and creativity for generations of people in one of the world's most vibrant places, and when the COVID-19 pandemic began to threaten the city and this nation, it was especially heartbreaking to see them close their doors," Governor Cuomo said. "This pandemic is far from over, but we've determined that institutions can reopen if they adhere to strict state guidance and take every precaution to keep visitors safe, and I look forward to seeing them inspire New Yorkers once again. I'm also happy to report that we will be able to open bowling alleys across the state with strict safety protocols in place, providing a level of fun and recreation at a time when New Yorkers really need it."

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​Now that Governor Cuomo has given the green light for in-person school, many of us are thinking about how we can prepare ourselves and our children for back-to-school. Whether it will be in-person at school, virtual, or at-home teaching, we all have a lot of questions. 

These upcoming free webinars can help prepare you and your children for the upcoming school year and the uncertainty ahead in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. They feature experts in parenting, education and psychology to help you navigate through the back-to-school season.

1. NAMI (National Alliances of Mental Illness) Westchester is offering "Your Child's Mental Health and School Reopening."

The virtual presentation will focus on how to prepare you and your child for returning to school in the “new normal.” Speakers include local experts including Andrew Ecker, Ed.D., Coordinator, Guidance & Child Study Center, Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES, Marion Walsh, Esq., Special Education Dept. for Littman Krooks and Marie Considine, MPA, Director of Development for NAMI Westchester and parent of school-age children.

Date: Tuesday, August 18, 7pm-8pm
Registration: Pre-registration is required, free
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2. HUFFPOST is hosting "Navigating Kids' Back-To-School Anxiety"

In this virtual forum, Kate Auletta, HuffPost’s senior culture and parenting editor, and Rebecca Kennedy, a New York-based psychologist and mom of three will talk about what to expect, what to say and how to deal with all the ways heading back to school will be hard on children. They will discuss the emotional and mental health aspects of kids’ return to school ― whatever that might look like. The ways in which parents prepare their children for uncertainty and talk about what’s happening are paramount to how children will remember this unique time.

​Date: Wednesday, August 19, 8pm-9pm
​Registration: Secure your ticket now, free for members, $10 for non members
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3. Positive Parenting guru Amy McCready presents  "Get Kids to Listen the Right Way"

If you haven’t yet tried Positive Parenting (or aren’t even sure what it is), a time of heightened chaos and uncertainty is the perfect time to start. You’re already reinventing schoolwork, working from home, and creating a new temporary lifestyle. You don’t exactly have a lot of time, yet you have more time at home than ever to implement something new. Parenting, even in the best of circumstances, is hard. So, if you’re questioning your sanity right about now, a few Positive Parenting strategies will help you and your family survive–and maximize–the upcoming school year. Are you interested in learning how you can use Positive Parenting during a pandemic (and why you should)?

Date & Registration: Various, click to select the one most convenient for you, free
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Parenting is hard. Last fall I ran out of patience. My children were pushing me and my husband to the limit. They were unappreciative, constantly fighting, talking back, you name it.

It all came to a head on my daughter's 9th birthday when her grandparents joined us to celebrate. What should have been a happy, celebratory moment turned dark. The candles were lit, the cake was out, and we started to sing. Instead of smiles and joy, a fight broke out. The girls started pushing each other and it got heated quickly. Suddenly the birthday girl was crying, yelling, angry. The little one was obviously jealous, but this was over the line! We had it. It was anything but a happy birthday and we knew it was time for a change. Things were out of control.

We began researching classes, child psychologists, books, articles, Pinterest boards, the works. We came upon a recommendation from a local child psychiatrist that changed our life. It was an online class that focused on positive parenting. We were intrigued. 

They were offering a free webinar to learn how to get kids to listen. Why not, I figured, I have nothing to lose. In less than an hour I learned a new parenting "tool" that helped me manage my kids' screen time and calmly got them to put their iPad down when their time was up... without having a fit! A miracle? Perhaps this was the "secret sauce" we were looking for. We were in!

Now that I have completed the class I wanted to share my experience with other parents who may be feeling like we were-- totally fed up and overwhelmed. I figured if it worked for us, maybe it will work for you too. Here are a few things I learned.

I learned that there are positive, simple ways you can transform you child's behavior that does not include punishments, time outs, counting or nagging.

I learned the root cause of why my children were acting in such unpleasant ways and what to do about it.

I learned that encouragement leads to confidence and resilience. And that saying "that sounds like something you can do" is huge.

I learned that relevant consequences are important and that revealing them in advance, with a few other tricks, can really make a difference.

I learned that sometimes you just need to ignore bad behavior... and sometimes you absolutely shouldn't. And which is which.

I learned that family contributions are the foundation to raising unentitled kids. And that rewards don't really do what you think they do.

I learned that "I'm sorry" is not the same as making things right.

I learned that there are positive ways to give my children power and attention and that rescuing them doesn't do them any favors.

I learned so much more than these lessons. In fact I learned over 30 tools that are simple, straightforward and life changing. And I did it all on my own time from home.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want serious help for parenting during this pandemic and beyond, you can try the same free class online I did. 

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