The 803 Podcast

In this episode we say goodbye to one of our favorite seniors Gabby Ahitow, this year’s editor of the Pelham Examiner. If you’re a regular listener, you know that this year Gabby has given us updates on everything PMHS related including monthly high school sports round ups. Gabby gives us the inside track on the end of the spring season and start of some of the playoffs that are happening. We wish Gabby the best and look forward to hearing from her sometime next season.

Meet the Candidates - Darra Gordon, COO and Deputy President of GLAAD joins us in the studio to talk about her background in Pelham and her experience in nonprofit management and how she plans to bring those skills to the BOE if elected. 

Meet the Candidates - Ian Rowe, Founder and CEO of Vertex Partnership Academies and incumbent BOE member and Vice President of the Board joins us to talk about his background and experiences in his professional life and on the BOE and shares with us why he wants to be re-elected and what he hopes to accomplish in another term. 

Meet the Candidates - Current SEPTA co-president Kathryn Cohen sits down with us to share a bit about her background and her work with SEPTA and outlines why she is running and what she would like to accomplish is elected to the BOE. 

Meet the Candidates - In this episode we sit down with Dr. Michael Owen-Michaane incumbent BOE President who shares with us what he's proud to have accomplished in his three years on the board and what he's looking to do in a next term if re-elected. 

We kick off our Board of Education election coverage with an in-depth discussion with Superintendent of Public Schools Dr. Cheryl Champ about the school budget which will be on the ballot on May 21. Learn all about Dr. Champs background and how the budget gets put together as well as we focus on this year's budget.

This Week in The 803 - Sarah Gallagher Trombley joins us to give her expert insight on the challenges and opportunities of parenting in the digital age and how she is working with the PTAs to create awareness for all of us.

This week we are joined by the president of The Pelham Education Foundation Sarah McKee. Sarah discusses all things PEF and why this organization is so integral to supporting our community.

This Earth Day week we have a timely conversation with Nathan Pereira and Aimee Linn Kaplan from the Pelham Preservation and Garden Society. We talk about the history of the organization, the importance of planting trees, and their upcoming projects and initiatives including their upcoming annual fundraiser on Saturday, June 1. 

This week talk all things House & History Tour! This event is the main fundraiser for the PMHS PTA and is a great partnership with Susan Quintin of Junior League of Pelham and Theresa Mohan who current heads the high school PTA. Happening on Sunday April 28th, find out why this year is so special and for sure one you will not want to miss!

Join us this week for a conversation with Pelham’s Angelo Rubbo who has done so much for the community including co-founding PRCA and now spearheading a new project the Pelham Bay Water Project to help increase water access for rowing, kayaking, canoeing, and more in Pelham Bay Park. We then check in with Gabby from The Examiner to get an early update on spring sports.

This week we sit down with Amy Platt, President of the Junior League of Pelham to hear all about the great work they are doing for the community and learn how to get involved and then we get a sneak peek into the high school spring sports season with Gabby. 

In this special election coverage podcast we speak with Maurice Owen-Michaane, who is an incumbent Pelham Manor Trustee and DPW Commissioner and resident of Pelham Manor for nearly a decade. We learn about his background and what he hope to accomplish should he get re-elected.

In this specail VPN election coverage we are joined by Kate Pringle, an accomplished attorney,who has used her professional experience to assist local and national boards.  Kate also gives her time as a volunteer in community organizations throughout Pelham. We talk about her background and what she hopes to accomplish should she get elected.

In this special election coverage podcast we speak with Mark Cardwell who has been a A Pelham Manor resident for over 13 years serving as a volunteer firefighter in the Manor for over 10 years, earning volunteer of the year in 2018, and is currently Vice President of the company. He talks about his background, why he is running for trustee and what he hopes to accomplish if he should get elected.

In this election coverage podcast we speak with Deputy Mayor Breda Bennett, a longtime Pelham Manor resident and incumbent Village Trustee who currently serves as Police Commissioner and is running for re-election. We learn about her background and hear about what she feels VPM needs going forward.

This week Clay and Jamal talk with Andrea Pace from The Picture House about their upcoming Marquee Night fundraising event and then we get a very timely winter sports update from Gabby from The Pelham Examiner and a sneak peek at Pelham Memorial High School's annual Olympics. 

This week on the 803 we sit down with two women making a difference in Pelham. Join us to learn all about the Pelham Girls Scouts with Stephanie Otero and The Pelham Art Center with Rosemary Maggiore.

This week we are joined by Dave Katz - otherwise known as Depot Dave from the iconic Depot Dave Catering. We talk about how he got his start and what he has to offer this Superbowl season. We also talk bagels. Gaby from The Pelham Examiner joins us and talks high school sports as well as upcoming events at the High School.

This week we had a last minute visit from one of our favorite guests Laura Caruso, Executive Director of Pelham Together who stopped by to fill us in on the upcoming Winterfest then we got the inside scoop on the new restaurant everyone will be talking about, North Pelham from owner Eddie Doda. 

Join us this week for a conversation with Pelham’s own Lisa Horten. Lisa has given back in so many ways to our community and now throughout the County in her role as Chief External Affairs Officer at 914 Cares. On this episode we learn from Lisa why “Quality Equals Dignity” and we also sit down with Gabby Ahitow from The Pelham Examiner for our biweekly Pelham sports wrap up.

On the eve of yet another “rain event” in Pelham we sat down with Village of Pelham Mayor Chance Mullen to discuss proposed plans for flooding mitigation in the Village. It’s a timely episode that you don’t want to miss.

*Correction: the proposed pump stations the Mayor mentions would be 8’ x 20’ not 8’ x 10’

This week on the 803 we chat more about all the great holiday happenings in and around Pelham, we sit down with Joe Solimine Jr to talk about Meridian Risk Management's 20th anniversary and their impact in our community, and learn about the important survey about Pelham's downtown revitalization with Deanna Zammit from the Chamber of Commerce. 

We ahve switched up the format a bit! going forward the 803 will be a more timely listen, focusing on what is happening in the 803 any given week. This week we talk about holiday events happening in and around town, we talk to Danielle and Alyssa about DaniLees Helping Hands and we start our collaboration with The Pelham Examiner as we are joined by Head Editor Gabby Ahitow and get a Pelham High School Winter Sports round up.

Amy and Jamal host this episode as the tables get turned and we learn about Clay's new position as Executive Director of The Picture House. We learn abut the history and the vision of the cultural anchor of our Town.

Courtney Maron can best be described as a whirlwind of energy. At Julia B. Fee Realty - she brings a treasure trove of knowledge, an inspired aesthetic, and innovative resources to both buyers and sellers.

With her family's roots deeply embedded in southern Westchester for over a century, Courtney boasts an extensive network of contacts and insider information. This invaluable local connection ensures she's always in the know about the latest opportunities and trends.

Courtney is an enthusiastic participant in her community. Recently selected for the second time to co-host the Picnic in the Park fundraiser for the Pelham Picture House. She is a board member of the Friends of the Pelham Public Library, a member of the Pelham Chamber of Commerce, the Colonial School PTA, and  the Pelham Country Club. She is also the former President of the Pelhamwood Association.

When Courtney isn't exploring houses, you can spot her supporting local restaurants and businesses. She can also be found in the bleachers of hockey rinks and baseball fields, cheering on her two sons, or in her favorite spot, on her yoga mat.

In this episode we talk with MaryAnne Parent who is the Co-Chair of Brady New York 's Westchester Chapter which is a powerhouse in community education, constituent mobilization, and citizen lobbying. Our grassroots-up approach empowers communities to implement local, state, and federal initiatives to reduce gun violence with the backing of a national organization.

Mom and attorney Kristen Burke has been a Town Council member since 2019 and currently serves as the liaison for legal affairs, the courts, and the constables. Join us as we talk to Kristen and learn more about her background, her expereinces in Pelham and her work on the Town Council. We take a close look at the way the Town Council operates, how it's different from the Villages, all it oversees, and what Kristen looks forward to tackling if re-elected. 

Join us as we talk with Clive Anderson the owner and funeral director of Pelham Funeral Home and a Pelham resident for nine years. We learn about Clive's immigrant journey from Ireland to America, the early life experiences that made him want to serve his community, and how he will look to extend his service background to the Town Council if elected. 

A lifelong Westchester resident, Maura Curtin was first elected to the Pelham Town Council in 2019 and currently serves as the Town Library liaison. In this episode we talk to Maura about her family background which was a motivating factor for her to want to give back to her community, her past professional and volunteer experiences, her work as a Town Council member, and what she hopes to accomplish if she is re-elected. 

Former Village of Pelham Deputy Mayor, Trustee, and current Town Justice Adam Kagan joins us in the studio to talk about his time in Pelham, his priorities and perspective as Town Justice and what he hopes to achieve  in the court if re-elected. We learn about Adam's experience in other local government positions, what made him originally want to seek the Town Justice position, the challenges and rewards of the position, and what he hopes to achieve in the court if re-elected.

John DeChiaro has been a resident of the Town of Pelham for the past 34 years. A practicing attorney for the last 46 years, primarily as a trial and appellate litigator in local, state and federal courts. He was the presiding Justice of the Pelham Town Court for 8 years  from 2012 to 2019, where he presided over civil and criminal cases and wrote legal decisions and presided over both civil and criminal trials. Join us as we talk to John about his professional and personal background and learn why he is again seeking election for Town Justice and what he hopes to accomplish if elected. 

In her 23 years as a Pelham resident, Theresa Mohan has held a number of volunteer positions including as a Village Trustee twice (non consecutively), PTA President of the Hutchinson School, coach of various sports teams, and currently as the president of the PMHS PTA. An attorney and an adjunct professor at Fordham Law School we'll find out why Theresa is seeking to join the Village Board again, the issues that continue to be at the forefront, and what she hopes for for the future of Pelham.

Retired Detective John Hynes was with the Pelham Police Department for over 30 years and started his career in law enforcement in New Rochelle. He is currently the Associate Director of Campus Safety at Iona University and is dedicated to making sure communities and neighborhoods are safe and thriving. Join us as we learn why he's interested in bringing his law enforcement background to local government, why he's running for County Legislator specifically and what he will bring to the office if elected. 

Join us as we take a deep dive into the Village of Pelham's most pressing issues with current Mayor Chance Mullen. Mayor Mullen is running unopposed in this year's election so we used the time to talk about past, present, and future projects and priorities for the Village and we learn a little bit about Mayor Mullen's background and his path to local government. 

Mike Carpenter moved to Pelham in 2012 with his wife, Kate, and two daughters. He was appointed to the Planning Board in 2015 and elected to the Board of Trustees in 2019. We get Mike's unique perspective on Pelham development as a seasoned commercial real estate professional and chat about other pressing issues he sees on the Village's horizon.

Dan McLaughlin is a seasoned finance and operations executive and has been a resident of Pelham since 1985. He has served as a Pelham Town Councilman for the last 16 years, serving as Deputy Town Supervisor for the last 8 years, and serving as Town Supervisor for the last four years. Before his time on the Town Council, he served over 10 years on the Recreation Commission as a member, vice chair and chairman. Join us as we talk to the unopposed candidate about everything the Town Council oversees (it's more than you might think) and why he keeps wanting to give back to his community.

We kick off season with one of Pelham's hottest bands: Today's Outfit, an 80s-influenced keyboards, post punk and classic rock heroics on a bass ranging anywhere from 6 to 10 strings, slight grunge on the drums. Anthemic rock songs with a modern take on dark/new wave.

The pandemic-formed band debuted in 2021 at Toonerville festival headlined by 90s stalwarts The Verve Pipe and Fastball, and returned the following year to open for hard rock legends Living Colour. The band frequently performs in New York City and throughout the greater New York region.

The group’s debut EP released on all streaming platforms in July 2022, recorded at the Loft Studios in Bronxville, NY. Engineered and mixed by Al Hemberger (Rihanna), produced by Matt Dean. The first full-length record is anticipated to arrive later this year.

The band comprises bassist Mark Garufi, drummer Grant Zacharias and lead singer and keyboardist Andrew Wood, whose previously active band Bridges and Powerlines experienced runs on the CMJ top 200 radio charts, played high-profile shows with The Antlers, Adam Duritz, Chris Carrabba and many more, made multiple appearances at SXSW and licensed songs to Showtime’s Shameless and others.

College admissions is a tricky subject and one that many of us with kids will have to tackle at some point. Pelhamite and expert Sara Haberman of Admission Sense sits down with us to take a deep dive into how to navigate what can be an overwhelming process for students and their families. If you are at all curious (or perhaps stressed) about the college process Sara's calm demeanor and rich knowledge will help put you at ease. 

Thrive Barre & Fitness has been helping clients in Pelham and beyond reach their health and wellness goals for years and on this episode we sit down with two of the three owners Danielle Aviezer and Jessica DeDomenico to talk about how they got started, the studio's offerings (it's more than you might think), their recent Best of Westchester awards, and more. If you're looking for a new routine or just curious about what this local business is all about take a listen! 

If you listen to the 803 then you know that the Pelham Market is near and dear to our hearts. In this episode, we have a terrific conversation with Pelham Market co-founder Jane Sweeney and current market operator Pascale Le Draoulec of Morning Glory Markets. We talk about how the market started, where it’s going, and what it is that makes farmers markets so special.

When it comes to raising kids, we can all use help. This week we sit down with expert Rebecca Ford of Confident Parenting to talk about how she works with families and schools to navigate all the challenges of parenting from the terrible twos to teen years.

Just in time for summer reading and days before the release of her latest novel, Pelham based author Rachel Cullen comes on the 803 to give us a sneak peek of her latest debut, An Upper West Side Story. She shares the backstory of how she went from business consultant to independent author and talks about her process that has helped her write 7 books in 8 years. Take a listen and you might just be inspired to start writing yourself! 

Ever wonder what it would be like to meet with an executive coach? Does your team at work need some support? Wildfire Strategies founder and CEO, and Pelham resident Steve Salee joins us to help demystify the process and shares what he calls the five wounds that hold teams back. It's an eye-opening conversation you don't want to miss! 

Happy Father’s Day to all the Pelham dads! In this week’s episode we chat with one of them, Jason Jeffries a founder Toonerville, and hear all about where the music festival got its name, what to look forward to this year, and where he sees this terrific event going in the future. Whether you love live music or not, you’ve got to love the Dads who take the time to help make Pelham so great!

A community is not a community without art. In this episode we sit down with Francile Albright and Ruben Rodriguez from the Village of Pelham Council on the Arts, to talk about their exciting summer programming and what the council is doing to make Pelham the place for arts and culture in Southern Westchester.

Our friend and talented jewelry designer Melissa Panszi Riebe joins us in the studio to talk about her journey from social work to becoming a maker and how she incorporates important social justice issues into her work. We also talk about her own upcoming podcast Make Your Mark(et) where she’ll be introducing us to fabulous, local creative makers.

Architect and owner of Pencil Projects Architecture Studio, Danielle DeVito sits down with us to share insights about working with an architect on any size project. We also talk about her new position on the Architect Review Board and the path that led her to go out on her own and recently open her brand new studio.

Kristen Bischof of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty comes to the studio to talk all things real estate. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell your home, you’ll want to tune in to get her pro tips and expert insight into the Southern Westchester market