Issue 02: Be a Tourist in Your Own Backyard

There’s something about September that feels like a fresh start (I’ve also had my Halloween decorations up for a week now and I’m not sorry about it).

Maybe it's leftover back-to-school conditioning, or maybe it's the simple fact that after months of chasing sunsets, squeezing in weekend getaways, and convincing ourselves we'll answer that email on Monday, September quietly hands us permission to begin again.

It's a strange little month. Summer isn't quite over, but you can feel it loosening its grip. The mornings are cooler. The farmers markets are overflowing. Football is back (and for us Giants and Jets fans, a sense of lingering doom). Coffee orders become just a little warmer, sometimes with a few pumps of pumpkin. At Not Upstate, we love this in-between season because it mirrors what our publication has always tried to be: a celebration of places that exist somewhere between city and country, familiar and undiscovered, everyday and extraordinary.

September also reminds us that local matters.

It's easy to dream about the next big trip or the bucket-list destination across the world—and trust me, I'll never stop encouraging you to travel—but there's something incredibly rewarding about becoming a tourist in your own backyard. The best meals, conversations, hikes, bookstores, festivals, and hidden gems are often just a short drive away. Sometimes all it takes is looking at a familiar place with fresh eyes.

So here's to fresh starts, changing leaves, and calendars that somehow fill up faster than we'd like. Here's to supporting small businesses, discovering new favorites, and remembering that great stories don't have to happen somewhere famous to be worth telling.

Thanks, as always, for coming along for the ride.

— Cristiana Caruso
Editor, Not Upstate

Westchester Soccer Club vs. Chattanooga Red Wolves
September 2, 7PM (Doors open at 5:30PM)
The Field at Memorial Stadium, Mount Vernon
Cheer on WSC as they take on one of the fiercest competitors in the league. The evening is also WSC’s business networking night. Mingle and hear from the team’s leadership suite, connect with local business owners, and take in the game from the VIP area.

Trivia on the Hill: Grand Finale
September 3, 6PM-9PM
Ridge Hill, Yonkers
The summer-long trivia series comes down to one last night, and the top prize is $500. Teams have been playing toward this all season. Find it right outside the Yard House.

Bedford Music Festival
September 6
Caramoor, Katonah
Outdoor music festival featuring The Motet, Jamie McLean Band, family programming, food vendors, and more.

Autumn Glow Festival
Opens September 11 (and runs through November)
Glen Island Park, New Rochelle
Immersive illuminated lantern displays and nighttime walking experience.

Yorktown Grange Fair
September 11–13
Yorktown Heights
Westchester's only agricultural fair with carnival rides, livestock, live entertainment, competitions, and food vendors.

Up the River Blues Festival
September 12
Louis Engel Waterfront Park, Ossining
National blues acts, craft beer garden, food trucks, and Hudson River views.

9th Annual Wakanda Celebration
September 12
Mount Vernon
Celebration of African culture, music, dance, art, and community.

Harvest Moon Orchard Truck and Tractor Festival
September 12-13
North Salem
Catch the first whiff of crisp fall air at this family-friendly festival. We dare you to contain yourself to just one apple cider doughnut.

Sugar Cookie Decorating Class
September 15, 7PM-9PM
Yonkers Brewing Company, Yonkers
Yonkers native and dessert master (just ask the Food Network) Andy Ortega will be teaching attendees how to decorate six sugar cookies just in time to wow your friends and family around the holidays. No experience needed and your first drink is free–but hurry, spots are limited, so grab your tickets while you can.

Emo Idol: Live Band Karaoke
September 18, Doors 7PM
Yonkers Brewing Company, Yonkers
My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade turns 20 this year, and Yonkers is throwing it a party. Sing the album front to back with the crowd, then sign up for live band karaoke with more than 65 songs to choose from and Shakeout as your live backing band on stage. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

Lisa Lisa and Frankie Cutlass at Yonkers Riverfest
September 19, 12PM-7PM
1 Larkin Plaza, Downtown Yonkers
Riverfest is going full freestyle this year. Lisa Lisa, the voice behind “Head to Toe” and “Lost in Emotion,” closes out a free day of music, food, art, and community on the Yonkers waterfront, and Grammy-nominated DJ Frankie Cutlass is on the lineup too. Free admission, all ages.

FOOD STORY

For years, 4Bros Pizza has become known for more than perfectly crisp New York-style pies.

The New Rochelle pizzeria, founded by brothers Danny, Bryan, Will, and Carlos Terrones, has built a reputation on generosity. Whether donating pizzas to local nonprofits, supporting youth sports teams, or creating "pay it forward" meals for neighbors in need, giving back has always been baked into the business model. It was that community-first philosophy that inspired our original feature on the family-owned shop last year.

Now, the roles have reversed.

In a candid video shared across social media, the owners revealed that without a significant increase in business, the restaurant could be forced to close within the next 30 days. Rather than quietly shutting their doors, they made a vulnerable decision: tell the community the truth and ask for help.

The response was immediate.

Thousands of people watched, commented and shared the video, with customers promising to stop in, purchase gift cards and spread the word. Others shared memories of birthdays celebrated over pizza, first dates, family dinners and the countless acts of kindness that have made 4 Bros feel like more than just another neighborhood pizzeria.

For anyone familiar with the Terrones family's story, the announcement feels especially heartbreaking.

The business was born during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic—not in a commercial kitchen, but on a small balcony with a single pizza oven. Working full-time jobs throughout the week, the brothers spent Sundays making pizzas for customers who discovered them on Instagram, quickly building a devoted following before eventually opening their brick-and-mortar shop in downtown New Rochelle.

From the beginning, success was never just about selling pizza.

When I spoke with the family last year, they described wanting to create a place where anyone could afford a quality meal. Growing up, they understood firsthand that eating out wasn't always an option, so they made it a priority to keep prices accessible while investing in fresh ingredients and handmade recipes. They believed pizza had a unique way of bringing people together, regardless of background.

That philosophy extended well beyond the kitchen.

4Bros regularly partnered with local organizations, created charitable menu items, supported community events and looked for ways to ensure someone in need could still enjoy a meal. It wasn't a marketing campaign—it was simply part of who they were.

Which is why their recent message resonated with so many people.

Independent restaurants continue to face mounting challenges, from rising food costs and higher operating expenses to changing consumer habits and fierce competition from national chains and delivery apps. Even restaurants with loyal followings aren't immune. For many small businesses, every slow week matters.

Instead of pretending everything was fine, the owners chose transparency.

Their message wasn't polished or overly produced. It was honest. They admitted they were struggling, acknowledged how difficult it was to ask for help, and invited the community to stop by for a slice, place an order, or simply tell a friend. As part of the campaign, they're even offering free slices to first-time visitors, hoping that one visit might turn into a lifelong customer.

It's a reminder that behind every neighborhood restaurant is a family taking risks, paying bills, supporting employees and hoping enough people walk through the door each day. That hope has always been rooted in the community.

Now, they're asking that same community to rally behind them.

Whether that means ordering pizza on a Friday night, grabbing lunch instead of heading to a chain, or sharing their story online, even small gestures can make a difference.

After all, local businesses spend years showing up for their neighborhoods. Sometimes, they need their neighborhoods to show up for them.

Watch the video here.

FEATURE STORY

Twenty-five years after September 11, 2001, the memories remain vivid for many New Yorkers. But as time passes, the responsibility of keeping those stories alive increasingly falls to the next generation.

That's the driving force behind uSTADIUM's 3rd Annual Charity Golf Classic, taking place on Thursday, September 24 at Harrison Meadows Country Club. Benefiting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the event will bring together more than 250 business leaders, former professional athletes, first responders, media personalities and community members—not simply for a day on the golf course, but to honor the extraordinary sacrifice of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and the thousands of lives forever changed on September 11th.

For uSTADIUM founder and Yonkers native Nick Spano, that's always been the point. "More than anything, I hope the day reminds people of the sacrifices Stephen Siller and so many others made on September 11."

Siller, who had just finished his shift and was reportedly planning to spend the day golfing, immediately turned around after learning of the attacks. Unable to drive through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel because it had been closed, he strapped on nearly 60 pounds of firefighting gear and ran on foot toward the Twin Towers, where he ultimately gave his life while helping others. His story became the inspiration for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which today provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families and the families of fallen first responders, builds specially adapted smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders, and works to combat veteran homelessness.

Spano notes that the connection between Siller's story and a golf outing isn't coincidental. "Stephen was supposed to play golf that day, just like all of us will be doing on September 24th. But when he heard what was happening in Lower Manhattan, he turned around, put on his gear and ran toward danger."

It's that contrast—a day intended for leisure transformed into one of unimaginable courage—that gives the annual event its deeper meaning.

This year's outing arrives during the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a milestone that has prompted communities throughout the region to reflect not only on what was lost, but on how those stories continue to be remembered.

"Everyone has so much going on in their daily lives, and 25 years have passed since 9/11," Spano says. "But we can't forget what happened that day, the lives that were lost or the brave men and women who ran into those buildings to help others."

That philosophy shapes every part of the event. The day includes an 18-hole shotgun scramble, on-course experiences, a First Responder Memorial Dinner, live music, casino night, auctions and appearances from athletes and community leaders—all designed to raise critical funding for Tunnel to Towers while bringing people together around a shared purpose. More than 250 guests are expected to attend, with support from local businesses throughout Westchester and beyond.

The golf classic is now the company's fourth charitable tournament and second benefiting Tunnel to Towers, growing each year into one of its signature community events. But success isn't measured solely by dollars raised or attendance figures.

"If this event can help keep their stories and sacrifices fresh in people's minds, even for a little while," Spano says, "then we can feel good about the work we're putting into it."

As another September arrives in New York, that's perhaps the most meaningful reminder of all: that remembrance isn't confined to one day on the calendar. Sometimes it happens over conversations on a golf course, around a dinner table, or in a community willing to come together so that the legacy of service, sacrifice and courage is never forgotten. For tickets and more info, head to https://ustadium.com/tunneltotowers.

Across Westchester, residents memorialize the tragedy of 9/11 by giving back to the community, volunteering for first responders, or just lending a helping hand where needed. Here are some ways you can get involved and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Volunteer New York!'s annual 9/11 Days of Service has grown into one of the county's largest volunteer initiatives. This year, the event expands to four days—from September 8 through September 11—with projects taking place across White Plains, New Rochelle and beyond. Registration is open to individuals, families, students, and corporate groups.

Volunteer opportunities include:

One of the largest volunteer hubs will take place at the Westchester County Center in White Plains on September 10, while a signature meal-packing event is scheduled for Monroe University in New Rochelle on September 11. For more information and to register for an opportunity near you, check out https://www.volunteernewyork.org/serve.

One blood donation can help save multiple lives, making it one of the most direct ways to honor those who answered the call to help on September 11. As part of the countywide Days of Service, the New York Blood Center will host a blood drive during the volunteer events at the Westchester County Center. Advance appointments are encouraged and parking is free for those donating.

Service doesn't always require a scheduled volunteer shift. Many food pantries throughout Westchester welcome donations of shelf-stable food, toiletries, diapers and household essentials. Consider organizing a neighborhood food drive or dropping off a few extra grocery items while running errands.

Something as simple as a handwritten note to your local fire department, police department, or EMS agency goes a long way. Any gesture of gratitude, small or large, makes the very heavy, very solemn day a little more bearable. If dropping off food, please call ahead to your local department to make sure they can accept it.

Presented by Jon Chattman

Pop goes the Westchester! Welcome to our irregular interview series where we shift the focus away from cheese pulls and memes and ask local luminaries and everyone in between to talk about what’s shaped them IRL.

Here’s our inaugural interview with Pelham legend John Gristina—owner of iconic pizzeria Pizza Fenice. Pizza this good should be illegal but not really because then it’d be pretty expensive on the black market. Anyway…grab your Detroit Roni or Sicilian and give this a quick read.

What song title best sums up how you feel about pizza?

“Kickstart My Heart” - Motley Crue

What movie means the most to you and why?

Rocky. Because among the many subplots is the story of a man who knows he is a good person but doesn’t think very highly of himself and only wants a chance to prove to himself that he isn’t just another bum from the neighborhood. He actually never tells Adrian he loves her until he goes the distance with Creed because until then, he didn’t think he deserved it and after doing what no other boxer could, he had the self confidence to say, “I love you.”

Tell me one pinch me moment you’ve had aka a “self-high five” moment.

When “Fox & Friends” invited me onto their morning show to showcase a pizza I made for a Tik Tok video.

What’s your favorite meal?

Pan-seared Berkshire pork chop cooked medium rare with peppers, onion, and potatoes.

What’s the best advice you ever got?

The best advice was to accept and own up to your mistakes — take the consequences and learn from them.

What album is the soundtrack to your life?

I have several that have been playing over my memories:
Led Zeppelin IV
Bob Marley greatest hits
Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood
Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation
Guns N’ Roses - Appetite for Destruction
Journey’s Greatest Hits

If people came with taglines what would yours or your business’s be?

For me, “Every little thing is gonna be alright”

For the store, “Blast from the past.”

This month's predictions from Persephone, our astral bestie.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

You've spent the summer saying yes to everyone else. September asks a different question: what do you actually want? Your career is picking up speed, but don't confuse being busy with making progress. Outside of work, expect an unexpected invitation that leads to an even more unexpected connection. Say yes—you'll have a good story by the end of it.

Where the Magic Will Happen: On the patio of Captain Lawrence, sipping on a local brew.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Comfort is your love language, and September is delivering. Cozy weekends, comfort food, and familiar faces are calling your name—but don't become so settled that you miss an opportunity sitting right in front of you. A financial decision this month deserves more thought than your first instinct. Read the fine print.

Where the Magic Will Happen: While checking out the county’s latest cafe, Fifth Coffee in Pelham

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Your social calendar is somehow fuller than it was all summer, and you're loving every minute of it. Just remember: not every conversation deserves your energy. Someone from your past may reappear with unfinished business. Whether you reopen the chapter is entirely up to you—but don't let nostalgia make the decision.

Where the Magic Will Happen: Perusing the stacks at Periwinkle Books in Bronxville

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Home is where your focus belongs this month. Maybe it's redecorating, maybe it's finally unpacking that one box that's followed you through three apartments, or maybe it's simply making space for yourself. Emotionally, September feels lighter than August. You're learning that closure doesn't always come with a conversation.

Where the Magic Will Happen: The Pleasantville Farmers Market, picking up in-season produce

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

The birthday spotlight may have faded, but you're still impossible to ignore. September rewards confidence—especially in creative projects you've been hesitant to share. Someone is paying much closer attention than you realize. Let them.

Lucky Spot: Live music under the stars
September Motto: "Take up space."

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Happy birthday, Virgo. This is your annual reset, and honestly, no one loves a fresh start more than you do. You'll feel inspired to organize everything from your closet to your five-year plan. Just don't forget that perfection isn't required before you begin. Your biggest win this month comes from starting before you're ready.

Where the Magic Will Happen: Picking out your birthday stationary at The King’s Scribe in Chappaqua…because you want to relive the whimsy of mailing invites.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Your season begins with a reminder that balance isn't something you find—it's something you create. Relationships take center stage this month, and one conversation changes the trajectory of something you've been quietly questioning. Listen more than you speak.

Where the Magic Will Happen: Taking yourself out on a date to Town House Kitchen + Drinks in New Rochelle to the ice cream speakeasy

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

You're operating three steps ahead of everyone else, as usual. September is excellent for making long-term plans, but resist the temptation to control every outcome. Some of the best moments this month arrive unannounced. Trust your instincts—but don't ignore good advice just because it wasn't your idea.

Where the Magic Will Happen: Going on a walk for some mental detoxing in a neighborhood you’ve yet to explore

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Adventure doesn't always require a passport. September reminds you that your own backyard still has places worth exploring. A spontaneous weekend trip—or even just trying something completely outside your routine—recharges you more than another night scrolling on the couch ever could.

Where the Magic Will Happen: A much needed hike along the Hudson River

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

The work you've quietly been putting in is finally becoming visible. Recognition is nice, but don't let it distract you from what actually matters. Financially, this is a month to build rather than spend. Personally? Give yourself permission to celebrate how far you've already come.

Where the Magic Will Happen: Sipping on a crisp glass of Savy B at Barnstone Grill’s happy hour in Mamaroneck

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

You've been craving change, and September opens a few unexpected doors. Before you rush through the first one, ask yourself whether it's actually aligned with where you're headed. A new hobby or class introduces you to people who think a lot like you—and one who definitely doesn't.

Where the Magic Will Happen: At a pottery class hosted by Honest Art in Ardsley

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Your intuition is especially sharp this month, so stop asking everyone else what they think. You already know the answer. Creativity flows easily in September, making it an ideal time to write, paint, cook, photograph, or simply daydream. Not everything has to become productive to be worthwhile.

Where the Magic Will Happen: A scenic stroll along Tarrytown’s waterfront

Send them Not Upstate. Get three friends to sign up and we'll put two tickets to a Yonkers Brewing show in your name, your pick of the night.

See you in two weeks.

AJ & Cristiana
Not Upstate: A 914 Collective Magazine