Westchester View

The photo above is a scene that will be history in a fairly short amount of time.  I took it of the “old” or “current” Tappan Zee Bridge from the River Walk right at the border of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow.  For those who are interested, the Hudson Harbor complex was slightly south and to the left of the shot.

In any case, three designs for the new Tappan Zee Bridge were just released for public consumption.  They are are very different from the original bridge design and will change the landscape forever.  You can view them at this link.  Behind all the ramifications and politics there is an urgent need for a new bridge.  Where many feel the the system has fallen short is with the loss of a proposed mass transit system that would have relieved the traffic flow across the bridge and eased commuting times to NYC for those on the western side of the Hudson  River.  I tend to agree that we need to make the area more mass-transit friendly.

One of the problems with any design is the vast length that has to be traversed.  It is a 3 mile stretch across the Hudson River between Westchester and Rockland counties.

Anyway, for a sneak peak at the designs – here is a link.  I happen prefer design #2.  I’m not wild about design #1 and the arial orientation makes me undecided about design #3.   But anyway – pick  your favorite or your most hated!

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

It’s been a week since the beginning of the Labor Day weekend and the unofficial finale of the summer of 2012.  Most of us are back to our old routines.  Although traditionally we celebrate New Year’s in January, September seems to be a point of demarkation and renewal for most of us.  People begin work refreshed from their summer break, students are back in their classes, everyone is looking ahead at new beginnings.  Many people that I know think that this is the time to clean house, make resolutions and begin anew.  Sometimes its an opportunity for a do-over on the New Years resolutions we broke months ago!  However you look at it, the unofficial end of summer has come and gone.

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

The following is an early experiment in HDR photography to take advantage of the clouds and the color that you see at sunset.  Since HDR and cloud cover, go together like ham and eggs, I decided to  give it a try.  The photo is taken at three exposures and then layerd through an algorithm.  The boats were lined up in the water for the fireworks on the 4th of July.   They were situated to take advantage of the shows that were happening on BOTH sides of the river.  Irvington and Tarrytown on our side and Nyack on the western side.

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

Here’s hoping that everyone had a wonderful Independence Day.  I had a great time with my camera this year.  In the end, I ended up taking photos at two fireworks events.  The first was at the Kensico Dam in Valhalla.  This was a free event that boasted some 20,000 guests.  The place was packed, but I got there early enough to get a reasonably good spot for me and my camera…

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Happy Independence Day everyone!   Each time we celebrate the 4th of July – we tend to think of it in terms of picnics, having fun with friends, a day at the beach and fireworks. But we should never forget the perilous course our founding fathers took and the many twists and turns that could have derailed colonial independence.  There were so many battles to win, so many political compromises to be made.  These days I often feel as if we are throwing it all away in a fit of selfishness and a rampaging case of  willful ignorance.  Yet there are signs of hope.  While I was on the River Walk this evening, there  were young people out on the walk urging unregistered citizens  to register in time for the Novemeber elections and explaining the importance of voting to those who already were registered.  It was good to see since so many under 30 have become disengaged either because  apathy or  cynicism.

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It’s not too early to be thinking about the 4th of July celebrations in Westchester NY.  Here is a fairly large, if partial list of special events for the Independence Day festivities of 2012.   So here it is… I was unable to confirm if Mamaroneck NY was having its Fireman’s Carnival.  I did not see it posted and budget cuts may have had an impact.  If anyone knows anything about the status of that event, feel free to post it in the comments section!

So here it is – and everyone have a happy, healthy, fun and safe Independence Day…

On-Going Events: 

Pirates of the Hudson:

• When: Jun 30 – July 1 and  July 4-8   - Entry times at  2, 3, 4, 5, 6 PM
• Where: Philipsburg Manor – Sleepy Hollow (Route 9)

From the people that brought you Horseman’s Hollow and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, we have a new event for the 4th of July.  The event comes complete with musical pirates, gypsy sword dances, treasure hunts and a pirate shipwreck.  There are temporary tattoos, a talking parrot  – everything you need to become a genuine pirate of the New World.  For more information and tickets (you must purchase them in advance) follow this link: Pirates of the Hudson.

Thursday – June 28:

White Plains Independence Day Celebration:

6PM – 10 PM  – White Plains High School (North Street -White Plains) - Entertainment, rides for the kids, food, topped off by a fireworks display.  Rain date: June 29.

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Hello everyone, this is the longest absence from my blog that I have had since I began it in late 2008.  A brief illness kept me from writing.  I am pleased to say that I am now back at work and just fine.

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.

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.

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.

Hello everyone – I was lucky enough to have my camera with me for a beautiful fiery sunset on the Hudson.  The sun just seems to set so fast at this time of year.  But it does bring to mind that for those thinking of living on or near the Hudson – that one of the perks is a brand new sunset served up every evening.  So if you are interested in living along the river…. a complex like Hudson Harbor or Ichabod’s Landing  or a single family home with westerly views – will give you a front row seat for this type of nightly display. There is something very refreshing and invigorating about simply being able to take in such sight.  It refreshes the mind and soul.

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