Westchester View

Yes, I know – everyone is gearing up for the Superbowl. But there are many who would like to share in outdoor activities this weekend.

For the past 8 years the Hudson Valley has celebrated the renewed presence and vibrancy of our national bird  in the Hudson Valley.  Many are too young to remember, but in the 1970s the American bald eagle was an endangered species.  Now they are thriving and I have witnessed their presence on more than a couple of occasions.  The photo at the right is one I took at Kingsland Point Park about a year ago.  Apparently, the majestic soul in the portrait was watchful but not fearful of me or my telephoto lens….But the photo shows that my presence did not pass unnoticed…he was well aware of me and watching my every move – with his eagle eye!

This post is more than a bit tardy – and for that I apologize.  The bus tour is sold out. However, there are still ways to participate and learn more about some of our most majestic birds of prey.

The event is hosted by the Teatown Reservation   but the epicenter is at Croton Point Park – There are many ways to participate:

Eagle Theater Schedule:

• 10 AM, 11AM & 12 PM -  Close Encounters with Wintering Eagles and Owls
• 1 PM, 2 PM  – Exclusively Eagles
• 3PM – Flight of the Raptors

Advance Ticket sales are $5.00/person and $10/person when purchased at the door.

Eaglet Stage Schedule:

These shows are free of charge!

• 9 AM – Eagle Identification Tips
• 10:30 AM & 2:15 PM – Jonathan Kruk – Master story teller
• 12 PM – Teatown Birds of Prey Program
• 12:45 – Physics of Flight – Beyond Feathers
• 1:30 – Birding Optics

Additional eagle viewing sites along the Hudson River…

Each area is staffed by eagle experts with spotting scopes.

• Croton Boat Ramp at Croton-Harmon Train Station
• George’s Island Park – Montrose
• Riverfront Green Park – Peekskill
• Kathryn W. Davis Riverwalk Center – Sleepy Hollow
• New Croton Dam – Cortlandt
• Bear Mountain State Park Trailside Museums & Zoo.

What would the Superbowl be without the crazy hats?  I mean really – you gotta have them…Well the Larchmont Library is going to make things easy for you!  They are hosting a hat-making event on Saturday – Feb. 4 for kids aged 7 and up…The event is free and the time is 10:30 AM

• The Event - Crazy Super Bowl Hat Making 
• The Place - The Larchmont Library – Larchmont Ave.
• The Time - 10:30 AM Sat. Feb. 4
• The Cost  - FREE!

Enjoy!

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

Yes, I know its Christmas day – but New Year’s Eve is just a week away…and its not too soon to think about where you will be when 2011 becomes a memory and 2012 is born.

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.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Westchester NY has never been shy about strutting its stuff during the Holiday Season.  Finding displays is not hard.  Getting them to photograph well is more of a challenge.  Particularly when it involves Christmas light displays.  Every December, for the last few years, I have gotten out with my camera and have tried to take as many photos as I could.  So here are some of my favorites….Have a Merry Christmas and Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

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

Union Church of Pocantico Hills has a rich history.  Part of the Historic Hudson Valley  – the church has is closely associated with the Rockefeller family.  It is also very famous for its stained glass windows  by Matisse and Chagall.   From the outside, the church is a chapel-sized field stone structure. Something of a classic Tudor.  But the interior windows are simply breathtaking.  The rose window by Matisse, was his last work of art.   The Chagall windows came later.  All were commissioned by the Rockefellers  as memorials to family members.

The Christmas Eve services are a way for families to come together and get away from the Christmas materialism.  Its a wonderful time to reflect about what Christmas really is all about.  Something that quite honestly seems to get lost in the process of our mall -crazed month of shopping.  The services themselves are marvelous with a mix of music, scriptures and carols and a short sermon. The church is non-denominational and welcomes one and all.  There are three Christmas Eve services, at 3:30, 7:30 and 11 PM.   The latter two services are candlelight services.

Before I sold real estate – I actually sang in that church choir.  Unfortunately working on the weekends and attending a church nearly 30 minutes from my home an office does not mix well, but I have a tremendous affinity and affection for this church and try to get there whenever I can – which sadly is not often!

• The Event – Christmas Eve Services at Union Church
• The Place - Union Church of Pocantico Hills 555 Bedford Rd., Tarrytown NY
• The Time - Dec. 24 at 3:30 7:30,  and 11 PM

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

Westchester NY is rich with history and the Historic Hudson Valley is always busy creating events that bring that history to life for adults and children alike. When I was a child, I remember vividly going to Van Cortlandt  Manor during the holiday season.  It was an event that I looked forward to.  I would go with my parents and often with some friends in tow.  I always had a great time.  This year Van Cortlandt Manor is hosting a Twelfth Night Celebration.

Van Cortlandt Manor  was owned by one of the wealthiest families of the post-Revolutionary era.  Decorations from the era  will adorn the home. Musicians will perform live music in the Parlor.  The orchard will be candle-lit for  a stroll after dark.  There will be a fiddler and dancing at the ferry house.

• The Event: Twelfth Night Celebration at Van Cortlandt Manor – Croton-on-Hudson
• The Day:  December 17th
• The Time: Tours Start at 4 PM and the last tour starts at 8 PM
• The Cost: Adults $14, – Children under 17 $6, – Children under 5 are free.

For more information and tickets follow this link to the Historic Hudson Valley web page.

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

An event full of tradition that the whole family can enjoy!  The Nutcracker Ballet is being performed at the White Plains County Center this weekend.  Sponsored by Westchester County Parks as well as the Westchester Ballet Company, this event is always a crowd pleaser.  Kids and adults alike can create holiday memories.  Several performances are scheduled, so working this one into your busy holiday schedule should be fairly easy:

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.

The Council of the Arts and the newly rebuilt Mamaroneck Library have teamed up to host a holiday Arts & Crafts fair tomorrow – Dec. 10th.  The Council of the Arts has been making a concerted effort  to promote local artists. Their new logo…LOLA (Love Our Local Artists) pretty much says it all.  There has been a major outreach to local artists and the response has been amazing – with local artists all vying for a table at this fair.

This is a great way to experience what local artists have to offer and to get to know your community.  There are 38 vendors of which over 20 are local.  Items for sale will range from the very affordable ($3) to high-end paintings for over $1000.  There is literally something for everyone – including the family pet. I’m sure the gift ideas alone will be truly amazing.  So come on out tomorrow and enjoy yourselves while you support the arts in your local community.  Its also a great way to see the newly refurbished library if you haven’t done so up to now.  5% of the proceeds go to the library to help fund larger events in the future.  Parking is free!

• The Time:  10 AM – 4 PM
• The Place: Mamaronck Public Library (Prospect Ave.)

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

Lower Westchester has  a rich history that dates back to well before the American Revolution.   The Historic Hudson Valley has done a wonderful job of bringing that history to life – particularly for Halloween since the Legend of Sleepy Hollow lends itself to quite a celebration in that season.  However, this year, they have engaged master story teller Jonathan Kruk  to recite Charles Dickens – A Christmas Carol.   The  recitation comes complete with musical accompaniment.  The event takes place in the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow on Route 9.    There is  complementary hot chocolate, cider and cookies are available at nearby Philipsburg Manor.

The Old Dutch Church

Events like this are marvelous for the entire family. Families can spend some quality time together away from the TV and computer while enjoying the season.  The Old Dutch Church is a landmark in the area.  And if you come early, you can see the famous cemetery.  This is a great way for everyone to get in touch with our rich local history while enjoying a classic Christmas tradition.

• The Date: Sat Dec. 10 & Sat Dec 17
• The Time: 4, 5, 6, & 7 PM
• The Place: The Old Dutch Church – Sleepy Hollow NY (Route 9)
• The Price: Adults -  $16 – Children under 18 -  $12,  Members get a discount of $5

Get your tickets online by following this link:   Historic Hudson Valley.  Or call 914-631-8200

Westchester NY – particularly southern Westchester is surrounded by water.  On the south-eastern border up to the southern tip of  Connecticut, the Long Island Sound dominates the area.   The entire span of the western side of the county borders the Hudson River.

The Westchester RiverWalk is  a 51.5 mile planned pathway that lies parallel to the river and will – when completed span the entire county.  The walk itself will actually span 14 different municipalities  and will connect village centers, many of the historic sites along the route, trills such as the Croton Aqueduct trail, as well as esplanades and boardwalks.

I have walked portions of RiverWalk with camera in hand including the areas of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow just north of the Tappan Zee Bridge as well as the downtown Yonkers waterfront.  The slide show my vision of what the RiverWalk is all about – as seen through the lens of my camera…which is often my friendly translator!

For a GoogleEarth Virtual Tour of the RiverWalk -  click here.

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