Its always fun to see what Nancy Schellhas has on display.  Even if you are not looking for a gift, it is a wonderful place to get ideas for your garden. If you are thinking of selling your Westchester home, curb appeal is absolutely essential and Carlson’s is always chock-o-block full of ideas for enhancing curb appeal and making a home “pop”.  Even if you aren’t moving  - or even thinking about moving – enhancing your curb appeal can be fun. Its a gift that most of us can readily give to ourselves.

Carlson’s is located on 625 Dobbs Ferry Road in the White Plains PO.  Just off the Sprain Brook Parkway on route 100B.

Phone # for hours and information:  914-684-6084

As to the photos – I was experimenting with photoshop filters on these.  I felt the flowers really lent themselves to these effects – and heck – it was just plain fun for me to do them this way.

©2012 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks  - http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved

The White Plains Beautification Foundation is responsible for many of the floral displays that are carefully tended in the downtown area as well as suburban sections.    White Plains has been called “the City in the Park” and although some of the downtown buildup over the past 10 years has tended too much towards the concrete and steel (that’s just one person’s opinion)  you still see the “green” influence throughout the downtown residential areas and business district.  That is not to say that the suburban areas are not similarly graced, but these photos show the contrast between green grass, open spaces vs. concrete, steel and glass.

In this photo you can see White Plains’ Trump Tower in the background.  I seem to always want to tone down the city-feel by surrounding my pictures of high-rise buildings with trees, grass and blossoms or foliage. Of course there are times that I just give in to the power of our tall buildings – but the photo below definitely softens the “Trump Effect”.

© 2012- Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – Allrights reserved.

© 2012 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

© 2012 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

White Plains Beautification has held a special place in the hearts of White Plains residents and commuters for many years. White Plains NY has often been called “The City In the Park” and with good reason. Gardens dot the landscape everywhere from the downtown, to our historic monuments to our parks and suburban enclaves.  Much of this is due to the good offices of the White Plains Beautification Foundation. The following is a press release sent to me by White Plains Beautification regarding the Holocaust Memorial Garden on Martine Ave. The memorial Cedar of Lebanon evergreen that was dedicated in 1992 has died, but plans are being made to replace the tree with the help of Alan and Mary Jane Goldman:  More information is below in the press release:

Ruthmarie Hicks

On Sunday, October 25, 1992, a dedication ceremony was held at the Holocaust Memorial Garden – Gates of Remembrance, located on Martine Avenue, as part of the celebration of U.N. Day.  A public meeting followed at the White Plains Public Library with speakers Kofi Annan, then U.N. Assistant Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Sylvan Barnet, U.N. Representative of Rotary International.  White Plains Beautification Foundation participated in the dedication of the garden with the donation of a 16-foot-tall Cedar of Lebanon evergreen tree.

Today, the garden continues to be a lovely niche tucked behind sculpted gates alongside a busy avenue; however the tree has since died and was removed, remembered only by the plaque that still marks its place in the ground.  Prompted by Alan and Mary Jane Goldman of PIP Printing who generously offered to help fund a replacement tree, White Plains Beautification Foundation is purchasing another Cedar of Lebanon to be planted in the garden this April. 

Anyone wishing to contribute to this effort can send a check to White Plains Beautification Foundation, Box 1614, White Plains, NY, 10602.  Donations can also be made via Pay Pal online at our Web site www.wpbf.org.  Please make note on your check or in the comments box on Pay Pal that your donation is for the Cedar of Lebanon tree.  Since WPBF is a 501(c)(3) corporation, your donation is tax deductible.  For more information, email WPBF.cedaroflebanonfund@yahoo.com.

The Saint Patricks Day celebrations begin in earnest this weekend in lower Westchester.  So I thought I would  come back to my blog with some wearing of the green!

White Plains NY:

The White Plains 15th annual St. Patricks Day Parade begins at 12 noon – Saturday March 10  The parade begins at  12 noon at the intersection of Mamaroneck Ave. and Old Mamaroneck or Rd and continue downtown to Main Street.

Mamaroneck NY – (the Sound Shore):

Mamaroneck has picked this year to turn  green!  St. Patty’s Day green, that is.  This is the first year that there will be a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Mamaroneck.  It  will be on Sunday March  18, at 12 noon.  The parade will begin at Nostrand Ave. (near Mamaroneck Ave.) and terminate at Harbor Island off of Boston Post Rd.   There will also be celebratory mass at St. Vito’s Church at 9:30 AM.

Eastchester NY  including Tuckahoe and Broxnville:

Eastchester will celebrate St. Patricks Day on Sunday March 11 with their 8th annual parade.  The parade will begin at 3 PM at the Immaculate Conception Church in Tuckahoe and work its way north on Route 22 to Lake Isle Country Club.

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown NY:

Don’t forget the river towns!  Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown will hold their 16th annual St. Patricks Day Parade on Sunday March 11.   There will be a mass at  Transfiguration Church in Tarrytown at 10 AM.  The parade will start on Main Street in Tarrytown at 1:30 PM.  and will continue on Route 9 into Sleepy Hollow and down Beekman Ave. .

© 2012 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

Buying the Lifestyle – Not Just the Home!

In addition to the convenience of being steps from just about everything, there are plenty of amenities to keep you right at home.   There is a lounge, a fitness center which is very complete.  There is also a spa,  a pool and media room as well as a terrace. There is room service through the hotel as well as maid service.  A jitney whisks commuters to the Metro-North Train Station which is about 0.5 miles from the complex.  Everything is close at hand and very convenient.

The Ritz Carlton Residences of White Plains NY:

The floorplan is open and the floor to ceiling windows expose magnificent views of the Long Island Sound or the Manhattan Skyline.  The kitchens are open and boast walnut cabinetry and Viking appliances, including a wind fridge.   The master bath has Aurora Rose Marble throughout and Kohlar fixtures. There are walk-in closets with custom storage systems  in the Master BR.  Ceilings are generally 9 ft in height giving a feeling of added space with 10 ft ceilings in the penthouses.

The Ritz Carlton – White Plains NY – Pricing and Sales History:

The official opening of the Ritz Carlton could not have happened at a more inauspicious time for the Westchester Housing market.  The complex opened at the end of 2007 – just as the fall out from  the sub-prime loan debacle was hitting the fan.  Sales were sluggish though  the sales volume indicated my figures are artificially low since like most new construction – most sales though done through agents dose not end up on the MLS.  Prices actually inched up during 2008.  But once the financial crisis of 2008 and the stock market crash happened – prices started to fall – reflecting the rest of the market.

The chart below depicts the pricing patterns for 2 BR units at the Ritz from the time of the construction of the first tower in late 2007.   The red bars depict the market before the crash in 2008 and the green bars reflect pricing in the years following.  The median sales price is down about 38% from the highs in 2008.  Some very high-end units made their way into that mix in 2008. So in an apples to apples comparison, the prices are down about 25-30% depending on the type of unit.  Over the past 18 months prices have held steady and have even edged up just a bit.

Right now this is not a buyers market paradise. Sales volume is up 35% from 2010 (from 13 to 20 units sold) which is a good indicator or a recovery in progress.  Buyers need to get real. I’ve been getting a lot of lowball offers at the Ritz and Trump.  Its not that kind of market.  Buyers already have 25-30% savings baked into the cake and a stable market.  You are still getting a great deal.  But pushing the envelope will not fly. Sellers can get market value and do not have to entertain lowball offers.

Sellers need to be realistic. It will be a while before they see the heady prices of 2008. If you need to sell, bite the bullet.  Don’t wait for prices to move up 25-30% – it could be a very long wait.  Nevertheless, if your unit is in good condition, you can expect to get market value for your unit.

For the Latest Information On Sales and listings at the Ritz Carlton:

For the latest on sales stats and current listings  -  feel free to contact  me by phone – (914-374-5529) or email – ( Ruthmarie.Hicks@gmail.com) or  you can simply fill out the form below – whichever method you prefer.  Don’t worry  – I do not sell, spam, or otherwise abuse your information!
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© 2012 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

The Broadlawn Complex:

The complex consists of  garden style units surrounded by formal  gardens that including  Pergola and  barbecue area.  Built in 1928, the Broadlawn is know for its Old-World charm and architectural details.  Most of the units at the Broadlawn have  two bedrooms.  Many include such wonderful amenities as fireplaces and  balconies overlooking the formal gardens.  Ground floor units often have private patios.   Many units are duplexes.  The ground floor units tend to be simplexes with patios while the upper floor units are generally duplexes. The Broadlawn was able to forgo raising its maintenance fees last year – which speaks well to its financial stability.  The interior hallways have just been given a facelift and they are also in the process of creating a fitness room on the premises.  All of these are positive steps for the owners and are signs of a thriving community.

The Broadlawn – White Plains – Sales History:

The current sales prices reflect the market correction which has been difficult for all sectors of the housing market.  However, the Broadlawn has held up very well in spite of downward pressure on the coop market.   Median sales prices are down 17% from their highs in 2006  of $348,000 for a 2 BR unit  to a median price of $290,000 in 2011.  1 BR units are less common in the complex and more difficult to evaluate.  Units on the first two levels are generally simplexes while units on the 3rd level are duplexes.  Pricing varies with respect to condition, the presence or absence of a fireplace, balcony or patio.  Some units are “fixers” but the fact that they have been selling fairly well in spite of this market speaks well to the stability of the complex.

The charts below show the pricing history and the sales volume history.  As prices dropped in 2011, sales volume increased sharply.  This is a good sign that the “sweet spot” for pricing has been reached.  Although sellers need to be realistic, the increase in volume indicates that buyers should not be greedy.  Inventory as of the end of 2011 has less than six months of inventory – making this a balanced market.

For the Latest Information On Sales and listings at The Broadlawn:

For the latest on sales stats and current listings  -  feel free to contact  me by phone – (914-374-5529) or email – (Ruthmarie.Hicks@gmail.com) or  you can simply fill out the form below – whichever method you prefer.  Don’t worry  – I do not sell, spam, or otherwise abuse your information!

© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

For those who don’t know the history – downtown White Plains used to be a fairly quiet place.  During the housing boom the downtown became built up an is now thought of as a mini-me Manhattan.  Following the opening of Trump Tower and  the Ritz Carlton – a new tradition was born.  White Plains initiated a new tradition of celebrating New Years Eve in the heart of the downtown – including its own ball drop.  The festivities include live music from 10:30 PM to 12:30 AM.  It is a fun-filled event for the entire family.  Last year I was downtown at around 11 PM and was watching as all the downtown residents started walking en masse towards the music.  Parents with children in tow,  and extended families all getting together as a large community.  Its a terrific way to meet your neighbors and just have a great time with the whole family.   At the stroke of midnight the ball drops and it is topped off by a fireworks display that literally lights of the entire sky.

For those who want to make an entire evening of it and eat out – here are some suggestions….

BLT Steakhouse White Plains - in the heart of the downtown in the Ritz Carlton – $125 pp.  First seating 5:30 – 7 PM, Second seating after 9 PM.

Morton’s Steak House – Downtown White Plains – Maple Ave.

Black Bear Saloon & Wicked Wolff Tavern – Downtown White Plains – Mamaroneck Ave.    are hosting a New Years Eve Bash. The doors open at 9 PM. Tickets are $50 pp and include an open bar.

© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

For more information – you can call 995-4050

• The Event: The Nutcracker Ballet:
• The Place:  Westchester County Center in White Plains NY (118 Central Ave., White Plains NY 10606)
• The Day:  Saturday Dec. 17, and Sunday Dec. 18.
• The Time: Saturday the 17th – 12:30 and 4:30.   Sunday the 18th – 2 PM.
• The Cost: Adults – $20,  Children under 10 and seniors over 65 -  $14, All tickets bought on the day of performance $25.

© 2011 Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.