Over the past couple of years, I’ve been able to see and capture some very unique floral arrangements in lower Westchseter NY. Here are some photos of my top 3 picks. The flowers themselves though beautiful can not be described as “funky.” However the …shall we say ..”planters” in each of these cases is truly unique. My all time favorite is the truck.
I also rather like the “bathtub” arrangement. I found his in the back of building just behind the Tarrytown Music Hall. The antique cast iron tub makes for quite a “planter.”
Both the truck and the working boot arrangements are from Carlson’s Floral and Gift. The greenhouse is located at 625 Dobbs Ferry Rd. in White Plains, right near the Sprain Brook Parkway access. If you think their funky arrangements are intriguing – you’ll be blown away by their traditional arrangements!
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A friend of mine sent me this link – and I was having a great time playing with it. I can’t embed this deficit calculator on this blog, but here is a link to the Center for Economic and Policy Research’s Deficit Calculator.
With the 2010 House of Representatives elections as well as the 2010 Senate races coming up and the majority in both houses up for grabs – the budget is going to be a huge bone of contention.
Although I can’t embed the calculator – I did play with it – here is what I came up with – There I just solved one of the nation’s most pressing problems!
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The weekend is rolling around again and it is time for me to put up another Westchester events calendar. Here are some nice events for a sultry summer weekend! The number and variety of Westchester County events always ensures that residents will never be bored.
EVERYDAY EVENTS:
Open Gym
The County Center is open to high school students for basketball, foosball, board games, knock hockey and general socializing
6 p.m. to 10 PM – Free to all
Westchester County Center
198 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 995-4050
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20 North Broadway #C313 – White Plains, NY 10601
This Listing is Courtesy of Carolyn Schoemer of Keller Williams Realty NY.
Welcome home to a one-of-a-kind unit in a a one-of-a-kind cooperative.
The Broadlawn is truly unique. Located in the heart of downtown White Plains – it seems a world away from the hustle and bustle of the downtown. Once you walk through the entry – you find yourself in a mature English garden with mature plantings. This is the most unique cooperative complex in the city of White Plains NY and perhaps the most unique of Westchester coops overall.
For more information on the Broadlawn click here.
This elegant 2BR/1BA duplex has unique pine paneling throughout the living area which makes this unit unlike any other. A working fireplace and elegant French doors opening onto to a balcony that overlooks the gardens completes the effect. The modern kitchen with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances has been opened up into the formal dining room creating a wonderfully unique and open space. Upstairs the unique beamed ceilings continue the theme. A beautiful welcoming environment.
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We often hear an agent or brokerage bragging about being on the first page of Google. Many sellers see being on the first page of Google and other major search engines such as Yahoo and Bing as a moot point. It is not – but it all depends on the nature of the search. Being first for long-tail searches for real estate rather than general terms is key. (For those who don’t know what a “long tail” search means – be patient – all we be revealed) A page one Google search for some general search criteria – is meaningless – and that is where the confusion arises. Most of us strive to be on page one of a Google search – but that begs the question: The first page of Google for what search?
I might be on the first page of Google for the search term “real estate in the United States of America.”
What does that do for my seller in New York?
The answer is nothing – absolutely nothing. The same could be said for being on page one for “New York real estate.” That might get me a lot of phone calls, but it does nothing for a seller in a village or town in lower Westchester. People who are searching an entire state may not even be contemplating a purchase. Why are they looking? Who knows? And if – perchance – they are looking to buy a home in that state – they are a looooong way from buying anything. They are cutting a wide swath because they don’t know what they want yet.
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Tarrytown NY is one of those river towns in Westchester that has a vibe all its own. The streets are not rolled up at 6 PM – a night life exists. No – its not the dynamic city-style nightlife of Manhattan or even downtown White Plains, but the village has plenty of fine dining and activities that keep people on the streets well after dark.
One of the listings on my calendar of events Westchester NY was Tarrytown’s 3rd Friday. Yesterday was, of course the 3rd Friday of July and in spite of the blistering heat and humidity – this unique Tarrytown monthly event was well attended. 3rd Friday is a way for merchants to market their wares – offer specials and for vendors to set up booths and for everyone in general to have fun. There is face painting, and activities for the kids, while the adults can dine or check out any number of booths that offer plenty of variety. Jewelry at one booth, tote bags at another. At the other end of the spectrum, Westchester For Change was in evidence for those looking towards the fall election and for initiatives such as an energy policy. In short it offers something for everyone and was well attended this time.
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Every two years we have an election cycle in Washington – and every two years its the same-old, same-old. The constitution dictates that members of the house must stand for re-election every two years. So the 2010 house races involve all 435 seats. Even In the United States Senate where the turnover is far from 100% – 37 seats are up for election and the majority in the Senate may hang in the balance. Certainly the 2010 House of Representatives election cycle is bringing out the very worst that our nation’s politics has to dish out.
One of the most confusing issues to the public is the way each party points fingers and indulges in the “blame game.” The Bush adminstration were masters at blaming Clinton for things that happened nearly eight years after Bush had taken office. After blaming Clinton for everything from the terrorist attack of 9/11 and most notably the financial melt-down of 2008 – which happened nearly 8 years after Clinton left office – I find it amazing to see them feigning innocence and taking no responsibility for the deepest recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s. The crisis that pushed us into this hole actually happened on Bush’s watch.
So expect no relief in the months ahead. Clarity of thought in politics is a contradiction in terms. By the time the election finally rolls around, if you aren’t totally confused – - then you are probably only listening to one side of the story a la MSNBC or FOX news. The ability to get a sense of equilibrium and reality requires a requisite loyalty to one “news” channel – and I use the word “news” loosely. Most of today’s news is a cacoffiny of numerous one-sided versions of the same topic – with no common ground between any of them.
This is why I love Jon Stewart Comedy Central – On TheDailyShow - Jon can take the gloves off and call a spade a spade and do it with grace and humor. This was aired a little over two weeks ago, but it doesn’t get dated.
© 2010 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – www.americasbrokenbraintrust.com. All rights reserved.
Here is your weekend Westchester events calendar. There is certainly plenty to do this considering that it is a relatively quiet summer weekend. Westchester county events always have something for everyone.
Everyday Events:
Open Gym
The County Center is open to high school students for basketball, foosball, board games, knock hockey and general socializing
6 p.m. to 10 PM – Free to all
Westchester County Center
198 Central Avenue
White Plains, NY 10606
(914) 995-4050
Thursday July 15:
Flint Park Concert
July 15, 2010, 7:15pm–9:00pm
Flint Park, Bronson Ave & Locust Ave, Larchmont
Wine-coupled dinner
July 15, 2010, 7:00pm
Plates Restaurant, 121 Myrtle Blvd, Larchmont
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Larchmont is one of the most walkable and commutable communities in lower Westchester. This is why Homes for sale Larchomt NY are actually a desired commodity even in a deep housing recession. Homes in the Murray Ave elementary school district are not technically part of Larchmont Village – but are considered to be in the unincorported portion of the of the town of Mamaroneck. However, the neighborhood boasts a Larchmont P.O. and zip code and much of it is located within walking distance of the train and the village. Depending on precise location, many have the option of leaving the car behind for the Larchmont to Grand Central commute as well as shopping and fine dining.
Looking at recent home sales in this neighborhood the data supports a neutral market – perhaps even pushing into what would be a marginal seller’s market. This distinguishes Larchmont homes for sale from many other parts of the county.
As can be seen in the chart below, prices for single family homes the Murray Ave. school district remained stable over the first six months of the year. There was an upward trend for higher-end homes with more than 4 bedrooms. Median price for a 3 BR single family home was $789.5k during the first six months of this year. Down 3.7% from the second half of 2009. 4 BR homes had a median sales price of $1,027k – with no significant change from the second half of 2009 while 5 BR+ homes had a median price of $1,370k – up from $1,198k for the second half of 2009. The median price of a house overall was $977.5k – up from $969k – or less than 1%.
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Want to know the latest Westchester Events? There is plenty to do and see so planning your calendar for Westchester County events is challenging because there is such a wealth of things to choose from – Here is a list to get you started.
Friday July 9
Build a Boat/Construya un Bote
2:30pm
Warner Library, 121 N Broadway, Tarrytown
“Living with Art Collecting Contemporary in Metro New York” 12- 5 PM
Contemporary works of art -from six metro-New York private collections. Including work from emerging as well as established artists/
$5 for adults, $3 for students/seniors
Neuberger Museum of Art – Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Rd.
Purchase NY
914-251-6100
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