Archive for the 'Things to do and see in Westchester' Category
After the crash of 2008 and the recession of 2009 Westchester had more than a few financial issues. Cities, towns and villages reeled with the loss of commerce as the public pulled in their horns and stopped spending. This created budget shortfalls as revenues from sales taxes decreased. Shops that had been around for decades were announcing final clearance sales and shuttering their doors for good. Some areas started to look almost abandoned as “for rent” signs for retail spaces started propagating like bunnies. It was a jolt to what is generally a well-heeled and prosperous community.
In early 2010 the problem dragged on. One place particularly hard- hit was a popular portion of Palmer Ave. in Larchmont just a block from the Metro-North trains station. For all practical purposes, this should be a very popular area for retail as the location is a real draw for commuters walking to and from the train. Nevertheless, the area was bereft of retailers willing to step up an plant their flag to make a go of it in the worst recession since the great depression. A few brave shops remained while the other spaces just emptied out.
But by the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 – a real turnaround was starting. New retailers were making their move into these abandoned spaces and storefronts in Larchmont New York were showing signs of life – the “for rent” signs were being replaced bye “Coming Soon..” signs. It was a breath of fresh air.
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Last Friday, I made a few new friends. Not of the human variety – my new pals had feathers and seemed to enjoy spending their time time soaring above the Hudson River near the Yonkers NY waterfront.
I don’t spend that much time down there so I was surprised at the number of seagulls that had made themselves at home in this location. They were perched along the River Walk – Kings of all they survey. They graciously allow us land-locked bipeds to share their habitat with them. And a couple of them obliged me by posing for a photo shoot. The little guy below was particularly generous with his time. He posed for shot after shot. When he finally flew away, I promised I would pick a photo that showed off his best side…I hope his nest has a high-speed connection and that he approves of the shot.
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
Sometimes you learn about something new when you don’t expect to.
I was at the Yonkers Waterfront between appointments the other day – and enjoying the blazing hot sunshine. I don’t get to this location all that often so I hadn’t noticed “The Science Barge” before.
The Science Barge is a sustainable urban farm that serves the dual purpose of being an educational center. It is a functioning sustainable food production system and demonstrates the power of renewable energy. They grow tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce with no net carbon emissions, no pesticides and no runoff.
The Science Barge program is now in the being administered under the Groundwork Hudson Valley
The Barge is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 12-6 PM and $3.00 is the suggested donation.
This is a great and inexpensive way to learn about sustainable farming and fun for the family as well.
For even more information on the science barge – visit their blog - http://thesciencebarge.tumblr.com/
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com
One of the nice things about living in Westchester NY is that every town and village has its own events and unique character that all Westchester residents can enjoy. Larchmont NY Homes are very popular because of all that the village has to offer. This summer Larchmont’s Memorial Park is hosting concerts at 7 PM every Monday from July 11 – August 1. Granted the first concert has already passed us by – but there are three more:
July 18 – A Night of R&B with Reunion
July 25, Caribbean Rock & Roll with Twist of Fate
August 1 – Woodstock Here We Come with Back To The Garden 1969
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For the last two years I have posted a July 4th holiday calendar and judging by the number of people viewing and the phone calls – it has been a huge success.
It’s not too early to think about the 4th of July Weekend – heck it is almost upon us. There is no need to go to Manhattan for great 4th of July fireworks and events – Just look at these Westchester events chock full of fireworks. Save gasoline and stress and forget the city this year. There is plenty to do in your own back yard and you save gasoline and stress.
A NEW FEATURE THIS YEAR – TAKE IT WITH YOU ON YOUR SMART PHONE!
Use the QR Code at the bottom of this page and have these great events with you all weekend – where ever you go. Go to QuiQR to get this feature for your smart phone if you don’t already have it.
Village of Mamaroneck Fireman’s Carnival:
Harbor Island Park – Mamaroneck Ave and Boston Post Rd.
Begins Tuesday June 28 7-11 PM . There is a parade on June 29th and fireworks on July 4th. The event continues through the 5th of July.
This is the Fire Department’s annual fundraiser. But the event itself is special and fun for ALL.
Independence Day Celebration – White Plains
White Plains High School – North St. between Bryant & Ridgeway
June 30 6-10 PM
A fun filled evening of inflatable rides, entertainment and fireworks.
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During these difficult times it is nice to know that there are community centers to fill in the many gaps that our communities are finding in their safety nets. The Carver Center is on such center.
The Carver Center has its roots back to World War II. It was started as a storefront after school program for the children of parents who were working in wartime defense industries. Over the years the Carver Center grew to be a small food pantry and a child care program until today it serves thousands. The Carver Center depends heavily on individual contributions from the community.
Right now the Carver Center is gearing up for its summer session for children. The program will serve 130 children for six weeks during the summer. The program includes
- Academic skills maintenance and building
- Enrichment programs including dance, photography and art
- Recreational activities such as swimming, cheerleading and basket ball.
- Field trips to parks and museums.
- Daily breakfrast, lunch and a snack.
The Carver Center relies on community support and needs your help to keep its programs running. For more information about contributing to any of there programs click here.
They have a great program, worthy of our mention and support!
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.
The White Plains Outdoor Art Festival which started today will be continuing tomorrow at Tibbets Park along the median of North Broadway in White Plains. It’s a wonderful Festival with artisans coming from far and wide. The variety is really quite amazing. I made this video in 2009 and while I was there bought a wonderful lithograph of Yankee Stadium complete with all the famous ball players in their uniforms with their numbers for my father. There was pottery, photography on canvas, oil painting, jewelery, incredible pastels – you name it – it was there. This is no amateur hour. Artisans come from all over for this event… A truly unique experience. The photo below was taken in the festival in 2009. For some more photos and a video of the 2009 arts festival – click here.
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Last night I decided to spend some quality time at Coffee Labs on Main Street in Tarrytown NY. after dinner. It is often a very nice place to relax, grab some bandwidth and enjoy the live music that is offered on Friday and Saturday nights. I arrived fairly late because I had gone out to dinner with friends, but the band was still playing. They were from the Lagond Music School located in Elmsford NY. The performers were all very young to my middle-aged eyes and the quality of the music was excellent.
The Lagond Music School is a not-for-profit school dedicated to music education and performance. They teach contemporary music with the same rigor that is generally ascribed to classical training. The focus is definitely contemporary with jazz, Latin, funk and rock listed as primary categories of study. I studied music when I was in college and my late mother was a professional cabaret singer who sang her way through 28 countries. I was very impressed by the performance. This was not your typical high school or even college group. It was polished in a manner that is rarely seen in contemporary groups. If you go to their website you can see their calendar with an impressive lineup of public performances for their students.
Also – remember Coffee labs for an amazing cup of coffee. They also have a wonderful assortment of teas and other drinks such as smoothies for the summer months ahead.
© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com- All rights reserved.
Each year around this time, people come from miles around to see the blooming of the Peonies at the Rockefeller preserve. Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Yatsuka Cho, a town in Simane Prefecture, Japan offered a gift of over 500 peonies to the United States as a healing memorial. It was also a gesture of solidarity and support from a former enemy of the United States who less than 60 years ago were locked in combat with us during World War II. The peony is considered to Japan’s most noble of flowers and is the “signature flower” for the region. The Rockefeller Preserve accepted the gift and renovated the entrance to the Preserve in order to accommodate the peonies.
This year when we go to the Rockefeller Preserve to admire the monument and see the awe inspiring site of 500 peonies plants all in bloom at the same time, we should remember the ongoing tragedy of Japan as they recover from a devastating natural disaster.
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Having featured the Hudson River and surrounds, I decided to pull a photo from the Long Island Sound side of the Westchester NY. Larchmont NY sits on the Long Island Sound and boasts wonderful views of the water. My father was a long-time resident of Larchmont NY and both he and I enjoyed walking in Manor Park. I took this picture on a midsummer afternoon in 2009. It was warm but not stifling and the good thing about being on the Long Island Sound is that there is always a nice breeze. Manor Park is actually a private park that residents of Larchmont Manor have generously kept open for the residents and guests. It is opened from dawn until dusk and many come to enjoy this wonderfully maintained space. Like the River Walk – it is a focal point that has taken hold with the residents in the immediate area and beyond. I attended the fireworks at Manor park for the 4th of July 2010 and they were spectacular.
©2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com
