Connect To

08/05/2026

What started as one teenager's idea is helping hundreds of local children start the school year with pride. 🎒

Last week, 12 volunteers gathered to paint sample backpacks for children in need, but that was just the beginning.

Azim, founder of Wellness.topia and an intern at California Closets New York, wanted to recreate something special from his own childhood: the joy of customizing a backpack and making it uniquely yours. When he shared his idea with the owners of California Closets, they loved it so much that they purchased 200 backpacks—along with all the supplies needed to decorate them.

Yesterday and today, children at Ossining Children's Center will personalize the first 100 backpacks alongside volunteers, giving them the chance to head back to school with something they created themselves.

The project doesn't end there. Another 100 backpacks will be decorated at California Closets' new Rockland County showroom (101 Main St., New City) on August 14.

If you know a child who could benefit from this event, please share this post with them and their parents.

A huge round of applause for Azim, a local teen turning an idea into action, and for California Closets for helping make it possible. It's amazing what can happen when a community comes together for its children. ❤️

07/23/2026

Get ready this Saturday! 🎷

The Caramoor Jazz Festival returns to Katonah with a full day of live music from incredible performers, and our booth will be right in the middle of it all.

Swing by and say hi! We’ll be handing out candy and posing a challenge: do your best impression of our mascot Scoop for a chance to win a prize. (Yes, we’re judging. Yes, it’s fun).

Whether you’re there for Emmet Cohen closing set or just vibing to the music on a blanket in the sun, make sure to find us and grab a treat.

📍 Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah, NY
📅 Saturday, July 25

See you there! 🎺

07/22/2026

These days, finding your perfect animal counterpart goes way beyond just cats and dogs. 🐱🐶

In our nature issue, we put together the ultimate "Pet Personality Matchmaker" to help you discover which unique creature truly captures your vibe.

In part 1 of this mini-series, we are matching up the adrenaline junkies, the professional nappers and the high-strung crowd with their perfect wild counterparts.

Watch to find your match and let us know which animal you are!

Don't see your personality type? Stay tuned for part 2, or look in your copy of our nature issue to see the full "Drawn Conclusions."

07/17/2026

Hey everyone, Justin here.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting and photographing a lot of fascinating people for the magazine, but few have left a mark on me quite like Ed Giobbi.

I wanted to share a few of my own memories of Ed. He was a world-renowned abstract artist whose work hangs in the and , WWII veteran, a James Beard Award-winning home cook, and a dear friend of the magazine.

Ed passed away this past May, just two months shy of his 100th birthday.

Tomorrow, on what would have been his actual 100th birthday, Rita Baunok and the team at are hosting an opening reception to celebrate his incredible life, his legacy and of course, his art.

If you love art, history and celebrating the neighbors who make our community so special, I highly encourage you to stop by.

“Edward Giobbi 100” Opening Reception
Tomorrow, July 18 | 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Chroma Fine Art Gallery, Katonah

Want to learn more about the man behind the canvas? Click the link in our bio to read “The Art of Living,” the full tribute Gia and I wrote for him in our nature issue.

07/17/2026

What happens when you invite five educators to dinner to talk about AI?

Last week, we found out.

Over dinner at the Bedford Post Inn Tavern, we hosted a roundtable discussion with educators from different backgrounds to hear how AI is changing education—and where they think it's headed.

The conversation covered everything from the practical ways AI is already being used in local schools to why students and teachers both need AI literacy. Before long, we were asking much bigger questions about the future of education itself.

We went into the evening with pages of prepared questions. We left with even more to think about.

We can't wait to share what we learned in our September/October AI issue. Stay tuned!

07/07/2026

07/06/2026

Here is your ultimate guide to everything happening this month. ☀️

🎸 Summer concerts with Armonk Chamber of Commerce
Bring your lawn chairs to the Gazebo at Wampus Brook Park in Armonk for free live concerts starting July 11. 

🎤 “Here it goes again,” for the 20th year in a row Pleasantville Music Festival
Join thousands of fellow music lovers at the Pleasantville Music Festival on July 11, featuring treadmill-dancing alt-rockers OK Go. 

🍖 Blues + BBQ + Puppies = a perfect Sunday in July George
Head to Bedford Memorial Park on July 12 for an afternoon of live music, dancing and delicious catered BBQ. 

🏃‍♂️ A triathlon just for kids? Yes, and it’s local NeverStopMoving365 ®
Cheer on young athletes ages 6 to 16 as they conquer the TRI the PARK race in Tarrytown on July 19. 

⚾ Kids need to brush up on their baseball skills? You’re JustinTime Justin Sherman
Help your child build confidence and refine their skills with JustinTime Baseball’s fun, high-energy public training programs this summer. (And yes, that is Yankee player Paul O’Neill in the clip!)

events

07/04/2026

Don’t forget to vote for Connect to the Best 2027!
Voting ends August 15. connecttomag.com/best

Happy Fourth! 🇺🇸

07/03/2026

We loved celebrating at Caramoor firework celebration last year, as seen in this videos! 🎆

From spectacular fireworks to festive family fun, there’s so much happening across Westchester. Here’s your guide to celebrating America’s 250th birthday this Fourth of July. 🇺🇸

Caramoor (Katonah) - Pops, Patriots & Fireworks 8 p.m.

Playland Park (Rye) - Fireworks 9 p.m.

Town of Pound Ridge Town Park - Celebration starts at 5 p.m.

City of Yonkers Yonkers Pier - Fireworks 9 p.m.

PCHS - Celebration 6 p.m., Fireworks 9 p.m.