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TRAIN $49  CAR: $79

The METRO NORTH EXPRESS TO GRAND CENTRAL, 10:37 A.M. arrives. Our engineer was a woman and she rattled off the stations on the line to come with the nostalgic rat-a-tat delivery of conductors of old, crackling  “next stop Hartsdale, Scarsdale, Crestwood  change to Bronx and South, 1-2-5 and Graaaaand Central”  This excitement in her voice thrilled me with the drama of a train,  and she eased her No. 6 gently to stops and on the glide into  111 year old Grand Central she babied the big train into Track 105 to a whisper stop. NO squeak. Positively flawless train engineering. Breathtaking.

The Number 6 (BMT) Subway, roaring in. (MTA photo)

WPCNR TRAFFICA. News & Comment  By John F. Bailey May 13, 2024:

Brenda Starr and I took in a matinee Saturday with friends from Long Island and learned just how much congestion pricing would cost us vs taking the train into The Greatest City in the World would cost us, as well as the environmental experience.

The bottom line: paying the $15 congestion tax scheduled to start July 1,  at whatever entry we choose to enter Manhattan Central Business District by our car would cost us $79 for a Saturday trip while taking the train from White Plains on a Saturday would cost just $49, a $30 saving.

Here is our cost for two going in by train Saturday from White Plains to Grand Central and subway to Bleaker Street:

Parking White Plains Station Parking Facility: $9.75

Round Trip to Grand Central Weekend (2 Persons): $26

BMT SUBWAY N0.6 TRAIN 2 PERSONS TO BLEECKER & BACK: $13.00

Total : $48.75

Cost to Drive from White Plains to Bleaker Street and Parking

CONGESTION TOLL: $15.00

SPUYTEN DUYVIL BRIDGE: $4.00

GARAGE PARKING: $50.00

GAS (35 MILES) $10.00

TOTAL CAR: $79.00

The train trip saves  you $30 over driving your once the Congestion Pricing starts.

42ND STREET OLD BMT TILES OF THE PAST–LOOK FOR THEM.

BLEECKER STREET STATION TILES SPIFFED UP SO OLD NEW YORK BRAND NEW

It saves you the aggravation and danger of the Hutchinson River Parkway, Cross County Parkway and Henry Hudson Parkway, Spuyten Duyvil Bridge  onto the West Side Highway and stress of New York traffic.

The railroad is a clean and scenic ride and treats you to the scenic whisk of an express into Manhattan. You then take the subway uptown or downtown for 3.00  a person with the convenience of credit card tap on the turnstile, followed by the high energy rumble and roar of the greatest subway in the world enabled New York to grow. The cars are cleaner, ride swift, and the antique and nostalgic subway stations regale you with tile designs, explicit signs to look at.

The subways are not good if you are disabled. Hard to find elevators. Entrances from the street level for your return uptown or downtown are stairwells.

And you emerge from the subway into the chock-a-block dazzle of the New York modern with the New York classic architecture. From tenements to majestic exterior designs of century old buildings whose architectural features set your heart soaring with their beauty and whimsy.

Nothing I have ridden on thrills me more than the New York City “Subway In a Hurry!” It takes you new worlds! Better than a roller coaster.

Congestion Pricing  will be recorded by gantry at whatever entry we choose – exits off the West Side Highway beginning at 60^th Street will all have overhead gantries to electronically record E-Z Pass equipped cars, trucks, and vehicles subject to the toll departing the West Side highway at 59th Street. The 59^th Street Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels  and Brooklyn Battery Tunnel are subject to tolls. Previously the bridges were free.

This MTA website explains who pays, and  discount plans here:

https://congestionreliefzone.mta.info/tolling

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s

Mom: The Azalea

Like Mom they are always there always.

An azalea like mom is always with you.

No matter what  the cold bitter days,

The happy joyous days the melancholy Dismays.

The Azalea like Mom conquers and lasts.

Endures personal disappointments.

Rejoices in smiles and hugs in your achievements

Mom The Azalea always comes back in Spring’s presence.

She blooms in cheer brightening life’s drear.

She withers in endless rains but as flowers fade

Her summer’s green cheer grooms recalls  summer shade

As fall days shorten and leaves fall in colorful cascade.

As child turns to adult and drifts away from Mom The Azalea

Building life of the unknown, the unexpected, the joyous day

The crushing losses, the proud triumphs, the mistakes along way,

Mom The Azalea in winter green and loving Mother’s Day softens what be May

The Azalea resplendent in sun and rain this time of year

Reminds you of your mom, the clean-up-your-room Mom.

The fashion mom always enduring unfortunte fashion whims

The always-accepting-coping-solution mom ready with the elizir.

Sweeping through your life even through her life’s essence

No longer manifests, Mom, like The Azalea is omnipresent

There in bloom lifting life’s gloom, her wise advice  echoing

Calming your mind anxiety, with you like God to rely in deciding.

From a mother’s first sight of you being born to your grief

When her presence departed but now is your companion still

A voice of past and present in future with you with steadfast belief

In you, your promise, ability, courage dispensing wisdom and will.

As I write this about my mother, from her cross “Johnny Bailey!”

Or my wife’s mother’s, “Oh dear God, Janet” when Janet misbehaved

Their wisdoms, homilies, and dedication to their children who are old

Is forever there to draw new courage, new wisdom untold.

Mothers are always remembered even when we are unable to go to

The Old Kittle House for a Mother’s Luncheon today in that old white table cloth dining room

Overlooking the immense green on a sunny day.

With Dad in white shirt and tie, children in suits and dresses

This stanza does not rhyme because The Mom The Azalea

Influences, helps, always she loves us.

Thanks Mom. You were my first teacher. My first love. I so admired you

Never knew how much until now.

You’re not gone. You are not a memory. You are a presence in my life always

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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER fROM PAUL FEINER MAY 11, 2024

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en Español Downtown White Plains Business Improvement District is so excited to launch Rock the Block, their new signature summer concert series. Think: FREE Wednesday night live music (2nd Wednesday of each month through August), street closed to traffic and open instead to outdoor dining, family fun, yard games (badminton, ping pong or cornhole anyone?). Eight restaurants will pull out all the stops with outdoor dining, expanding their serving area into the road bed of Mamaroneck Avenue between Maple Avenue and Post Road. The Arts Mobile will be there too, delivering fun to youth in attendance with an activity to craft handmade maracas! Don’t miss “La Playa,” our own answer to the Mexican Rivera. We’ve found a workaround to get you a palm tree and sand beach fix, right in the heart of White Plains. Just throw on some shades and pretend you’re on vacation, sans a flight! Hope to see you there! en Español El Distrito de Mejora de Negocios del Centro de White Plains está muy emocionado de lanzar Rock the Block, su nueva serie de conciertos de verano distintiva. ¡Imagina: música en vivo GRATIS los miércoles por la noche (el segundo miércoles de cada mes hasta agosto), calles cerradas al tráfico y abiertas en su lugar para cenar al aire libre, diversión familiar, juegos de patio (¿alguien para jugar al bádminton, ping pong o cornhole?).   Ocho restaurantes sacarán toda la artillería con cenas al aire libre, expandiendo su área de servicio hacia el lecho de la carretera de la Avenida Mamaroneck entre la Avenida Maple y la Calle Post. El Arte Móvil también estará presente, entregando diversión a los jóvenes asistentes con una actividad para crear maracas artesanales. ¡No te pierdas “La Playa”, nuestra propia respuesta a la Riviera Mexicana! Hemos encontrado una solución para ofrecerte una dosis de palmeras y playa de arena, justo en el corazón de White Plains. ¡Solo ponte unas gafas de sol y finge que estás de vacaciones, sin necesidad de tomar un vuelo! ¡Esperamos verte allí!

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(White Plains, NY) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer signed into law legislation aimed at bolstering Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemptions. This move expands eligibility criteria by excluding social security income from the adjusted gross income calculation for benefits.

Latimer said: “This legislation marks a step towards ensuring our senior citizens receive the support they deserve. By excluding social security income from the calculation, we are providing substantial relief to seniors on fixed incomes, enabling them to better manage their expenses and maintain their homes. It’s crucial that we prioritize the well-being of our elderly residents, and this adjustment reflects our commitment to their financial security and comfort.”

The legislation, which was recently passed unanimously by the County Board of Legislators, aims to alleviate financial strain among senior citizens, empowering them to age in place with dignity and ease.

Department of Senior Programs and Services Commissioner Mae Carpenter said: “Enhancing senior citizen property tax exemptions is a vital aspect of supporting our aging population. This adjustment not only provides much-needed financial relief but also reinforces our dedication to fostering an inclusive and supportive community for all residents.”