A Display of Creativity and Community at Paint the Dale
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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A community art project drew aspiring artists for all ages to Chase Park on Sunday October 26 to lend a hand in painting a large “We Love Scarsdale” mural, designed by local artist Joe Pimentel. 
Dara Gruenberg, Deputy Mayor, Dena Setzer, Chair of the Arts Advisory Council, Joe Pimentel, Mural Artist, Sam Reemer, Executive Director of the SBA and Leah Dembitzer, Chair of the Advisory Council on Human RelationsIn order to get inspiration for what the mural should depict, Pimentel met with members of the Village Board, Manager’s Office, Arts and Human Relations Councils, the SBA and the Village Historians to learn what images represent Scarsdale. He took that information and drew a large mural showing the high school, the Village, the Post office, the clock, parks and local iconography. The mural was suspended on a large wood frame and locals signed up to paint.
Organized by Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, the Arts Advisory Council, the Scarsdale Business Alliance and the Advisory Council on Human Relations, the project offered a chance to express creativity and build community.
Commenting on the project, Pimental said, "I’m happy to share that I finished the mural project this afternoon! It was a wonderful experience working with the community this past Sunday—everyone did an amazing job throughout the entire process. Over the past few days, I received many positive comments filled with appreciation and excitement, which made the project even more rewarding.
The design was inspired by the key elements of the Town of Scarsdale provided by Mayor Justin Arest, Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, Dena Setzer from the Arts Advisory Council, and Deputy Village Manager Stephen Shallo. They were both incredibly supportive through each stage of revisions as we shaped the final mural design. I’d also like to acknowledge the Scarsdale Parks team for constructing a great structure to support and display the mural panels. I applied a protective varnish to ensure the artwork withstands all weather conditions.
The goal of this community mural was to give residents the opportunity to leave their mark, celebrate their shared legacy, and come together as a team—and it truly accomplished that. I’ve completed several outdoor community murals in the past, and this one stands out for the enthusiasm and collaboration everyone brought to it.
I continue to work with schools and districts on similar projects that allow students and teachers to take part in creating lasting, meaningful art for their spaces.
Thank you again for the opportunity to be part of such a positive and creative experience."
While the painting was in process and the Farmer’s Market was in full swing, there were many other activities taking place for both kids and adults. To create a video montage, residents were filmed answering the question, “What do you love about Scarsdale?”
Everyone was invited to paint a rock with an inspirational message. The rocks formed a garden of gratitude and positivity. There were hands on art projects and crafts that kept little hands busy.
The mural is on display in Scarsdale Village. Stop by and take a look!
Mayor Justin Arest and Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg
Letter to the Editor: Pedestrians Should Face Oncoming Traffic
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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(The following letter was submitted by Ginny Ruder)
I know that many people move from NYC and other communities that have sidewalks and never learn how to walk safely on streets that don't have sidewalks.
The CORRECT side of the street to walk on, if there are NO sidewalks is "facing" traffic - the left side. This way you are able to see any vehicle that is coming at you. You will know if you need to step up on the grass, so you don't become a problem for someone driving, especially if you are wearing headphones, or walking with dogs or kids you then take control of your safety. If the vehicle is behind you, when you are on the wrong side of the road you have no idea if they can get around you safely.
Bikes and other vehicles should go with traffic on the right side of the road. It's important that our children understand this.
From Google:
"On a road with no sidewalks, pedestrians should walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic to enhance visibility and allow for quick reactions to approaching vehicles. This practice helps prevent accidents by allowing drivers to see pedestrians and for pedestrians to see and hear approaching vehicles, giving them time to move out of the road."
Thank you.
Ginny Ruder
Scarsdale
Judy Hochberg sent in the following comment:
"Hear, hear! I'm always amazed to see how many pedestrians in this well-educated community walk on the wrong side of the road, even at night. Parents, please teach your kids the safe way to walk, and walk that way yourselves."
Trustees Brief the LWVS on the Pool, Playgrounds, Land Use and More
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What’s happening with the Scarsdale Pool? … Will we have more turf fields? … And some new playgrounds? These were just a few of the subjects covered at a panel discussion with Scarsdale Village Trustees and the Village Manager hosted by the Scarsdale League of Women Voters on Friday September 26 at Scarsdale Library.
LWVS President Beth Cukier welcomed the group and reminded everyone to register to vote. Liz Siprelle reviewed the League’s annual program and Diksha Mudbhary introduced panelists Village Manager Alex Marshall, Mayor Justin Arest, Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, Village Trustees Jason Kofman along with Deputy Village Manager Stephen Shallo who was in attendance.
Mudbhary remarked, “We have no shortage of talent or opinions on how we get things done.”
Panelists provided an overview of some top items on the agenda and an explanation of how priorities are set. Mayor Justin Arest said, “It’s a combination of balance and planning … weighing community needs and wants against our resources.”
Village Manager Alex Marshall said that Scarsdale has about 18,000 residents in a 6.6 square mile Village. The Village conducts 100 programs annually and manages an $70 million budget.
About stormwater management, Marshall said that culverts have been replaced on Catherine Road using FEMA funding, and grant applications are now being prepared for Westchester County funding for other projects that have been identified.
Another priority is the condition of roadways, as a survey last year found that 28% of Village roads were in poor or fair condition. This year the Village already completed 10.64 miles of re-paving and an updated paving study is in process.
Advocacy for residents is another role of local government. Mayor Arest discussed how Scarsdale is pushing back against rate hikes from Con Edison. He said, “We sent a strongly worded letter to the Public Service Commission and testified in hearings and we entered into a rate case with 40 municipalities.”
The Village recognized Gun Violence Awareness Day, Denim Day (against sexual assault), and is working with NYCOM, the NY Conference of Mayors, and also advocated for the return of a local resident arrested by ICE.
Arest said, “Changes to the Village’s land use code were driven by the community who was concerned with the impact of development on home bulk and aesthetics. We entered into a six month moratorium to examine some changes. As a result gravel is now counted as an impervious surface (reducing lot coverage), we added requirements for construction management plans, additional triggers for site plan review and collaboration with other land use boards.”
He announced a work session of the Village Board on Tuesday September 30, 2025 at 6 pm where the Village Planner will give an update on how the new code is working.
Turning to athletic fields, Arest showed plans to install a multipurpose turf field, a parking lot and a support building at Winston Field. A traffic study for the $5 mm project is now being done.
At Freightway Garage, the Board has authorized $2.2 million in funds to maintain the integrity of the structure. He said trustees plan to continue to operate this as a garage but will examine next steps for its usage.
Changes in parking policies are also afoot in response to complaints that the system was cumbersome. New technology to buy parking permits will come online next year. To address complaints that metered parking regulations lacked clarity, new signage and pay stations will be installed. Parking payments bring in $2mm in revenue each year, or 10% of Scarsdale’s non tax revenue.
In response to requests from residents the Village is looking at ways to improve the quality of sidewalks to expand them.
Trustee Kofman gave an update on sustainability initiatives and cited success on tree canopy goals, LED streetlights and composting which earned Scarsdale the Westchester County Eco Award for the highest percentage of waste reduction in 2024.
This year, Scarsdale took delivery of Westchester’s first electric garbage truck, strengthened regulations concerning tree removals and is consider licensing requirements for tree surgeons and regulations on when trees can be removed.
The Village has recently completed the renovation of Library Pond where there is a beautiful new retaining wall, new stormwater treatment equipment and the turtles have returned.
There’s more good news for young families who use Scarsdale’s playgrounds. Deputy Mayor Gruenberg reported that new equipment has been installed at Greenacres and Willow and Aspen Parks will be replaced by the end of the year. The Village’s Recreation Supervisor has done an assessment of all Village-owned playgrounds and more replacements will be done in future years.
And finally, what about the pool?
Gruenberg reported that the last work session on the pool was held in January 2025. At that time, the feeling was to move forward with plans for an indoor/outdoor pool complex. She said that construction costs are now being estimated along with the operational costs for a year-round facility. The Board plans to have a public presentation on the pool by the end of October and will also reach out to the neighborhood associations to get feedback from residents on this large public works project.
There was further discussion on the Sunday Farmer’s Markets, the Village’s communication program and a potential renovation of Scarsdale Village Hall, which was constructed in the 1960’s and has barely been touched.
It was an informative overview of everything Scarsdale and a demonstration of how volunteers collaborate with the professional staff to run the Village.
Paint the ’Dale: Join the Community Mural Project on October 12
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The Village of Scarsdale and the Scarsdale Business Alliance are pleased to announce Paint the ’Dale: A Community Mural Project, taking place on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Chase Park.
Be part of creating Scarsdale’s newest piece of public art — the “We ♥ Scarsdale” mural, designed by acclaimed Westchester artist Joe Pimentel. Parents and community members can sign up for a 20-minute time slot, and anyone ages five and older will have the chance to add their brushstrokes to the mural. Click here to reserve your painting time.
In addition to the mural painting, the event will feature family-friendly activities, including:
• A Gratitude Rock Garden where participants can paint and share messages of hope and thanks
• Hands-on art projects led by local artists and studios
• Crafts, games, and interactive “We ♥ Scarsdale” experiences for children and families
“This event represents the heart of Scarsdale, bringing together community, creativity, and connection,” said Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, one of the organizers of the event. “We are so proud to invite residents to come together, celebrate our village and create a lasting work of art that reflects our shared spirit and love of Scarsdale,” she added.
More information is available on the Paint the ’Dale event page at scarsdale.gov/paintthedale.
Paint the ’Dale is part of the Destination Scarsdale event series and is proudly presented in collaboration with the Scarsdale Village Arts Advisory Council, the Advisory Council on Human Relations, and the Scarsdale Business Alliance, with valuable input from the Village Historians.
Scarsdale High School Students Navigate New Phone Policy
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- Written by: Claudia Wang
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The start of the school year is always a buzz at Scarsdale High School (SHS): new classes, meeting teachers, making new friends, and this year, a statewide phone ban that has been stirring up quite the debate.|
Under New York’s new ban, all Scarsdale students are now prohibited from using cell phones during school hours (with the exception of teachers requiring cell phone use for class-time activities). What used to be a highly popular electronic tool for music, messaging, and scheduling throughout the school day is now expected to remain entirely out of sight. While the law aims to reduce distractions and promote face-to-face learning, Scarsdale High School students are divided. Some see it as a needed reset with positive outcomes, while others are calling it a communication crisis.
We spoke to three SHS students, all high school tennis players of varying ages with unique perspectives on how the ban is shaping their school life.|
“This Isn’t Helping. It’s Making Things Worse”
For Sophomore Keila Patel, who’s been a part of the Scarsdale school system since elementary school, the phone ban feels like an overcorrection.
“I think that it is a very bad idea,” she states. “No one really abused the old phone rules. Phones stayed in the caddy during class, but we could use them during lunch and free periods. I think it worked well.”
Now, under the new ban, she worries that the drastic shift will actually encourage rule-breaking, and therefore contradicting its purpose. “It’s so extreme that I think more students will try to get around it.”
Beyond policy, Keila points to logistical issues, especially given SHS’s huge campus and packed student schedules. “Lunchtime communication will be so inconvenient. It’s a big school, so how are we supposed to coordinate with friends or group meetings?”
As a varsity athlete, Keila also emphasizes the effect that the ban will have on school sports. “Matches are often rescheduled last minute. Coaches rely on texting or quick updates, and this ban breaks that communication link.”
“It Could Actually Make Us Smarter, If It Lasts”
Sophomore Sophia Fox Khodri, who joined the Scarsdale school system in 7th grade after moving from abroad, sees the phone ban through a different lens.
“I believe it’ll create a positive impact,” she says. “It pushes us to be more social and less reliant on AI tools like ChatGPT, and we can focus on thoroughly learning the class material.”
While she acknowledges the usefulness of cell phones, especially in emergencies, Sophia believes the ban might teach a deeper lesson. “Phones are both a distraction and a tool. It depends on the student. But if we’re constantly glued to them, we miss out on real interactions.”
Still, she remains realistic about the future of the policy. “But I don’t think it’ll last. Students are already figuring out how to sneak phones into the bathrooms without teachers noticing.”
While she sees the potential for more social interaction and growth, she also offers a cautionary note. “Banning phones could backfire. It might actually increase bad behavior. I feel that students may rebel against the ban, leading to bad behavior and therefore, disciplinary actions.”
“I Understand, But It’s Still Frustrating”
As a newcomer to SHS, freshman SHS freshman Jiya enters high school already familiar with an “off and away” phone policy from middle school. However, the high school version, she says, is a different game.
“The middle school had rules, but the high school is way bigger. More students, more clubs, and more sports. I feel that students need their phones sometimes just to stay organized.”
While she agrees that phones can be distracting, she also believes many students are capable of managing their devices responsibly. “Some people definitely need the structure. But others are able to use their phones wisely for homework, schedules, reminders, and communication.”
Jiya notes that transitioning from middle to high school under this policy likely won’t shock her peers socially as they are already used to being apart from their cell phones during school hours, and recognizes both the positives and negative aspects of the phone policy.
The Bigger Picture
Scarsdale High School is known for its academic rigor and highly engaged students. The phone ban touches not just students’ day-to-day lives and convenience, but also deeper questions: What role should technology play in our learning? Are broader rules fair for all students, or should responsibility be handled on a case-by-case basis?
What’s clear is that the policy has already shifted the rhythm of daily life at SHS, from how students coordinate their lunch plans, to how they check in with coaches, teachers, and parents. Whether this policy sticks firm or sparks quiet rebellion behind doors remains to be seen.
For now, the student body is learning to navigate a new school life.
