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WPCNR LABORING. From the New York State Department of Labor. December 19, 2019:
For the 12-month period ending November 2019, private sector jobs in the Hudson Valley increased by 8,200, or 1.0 percent, to 824,100.
Gains were largest in educational and health services (+5,400), leisure and hospitality (+4,300), natural resources, mining and construction (+2,700), and financial activities (+1,600).
Losses were largest in trade, transportation and utilities (-3,600), and other services (+1,500).
The region’s private sector job count reached 824,100 in November 2019 – a record high for the month (series dating back to 1990).
Two sectors posted year-over-year growth of more than 4.5 percent. Aided by strength in its tourism industry, the region’s leisure and hospitality sector grew by 4.7 percent – its strongest year-over-year November growth since 2013.
Within the region, Sullivan County’s private employment sector continued to post the strongest gains year-over-year, up 8.0 percent.
The second fastest growth was recorded in the Kingston MSA (+1.6 percent), followed by the Dutchess-Putnam MSA (+1.4 percent), and the Orange-Rockland-Westchester labor market area (+0.6 percent).
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER, From County Legislator Benjamin Boykin December 19, 2019:
With the conclusion of the 2018-2019 legislative term, Board of Legislators Chairman Ben Boykin (D – White Plains, Scarsdale, Harrison) has released an End of Term Report.
The report, which is attached, details dozens of actions taken by the Board over the past two years to stabilize the County’s finances, restore Westchester’s infrastructure, improve County parks, safeguard the environment, increase affordable housing, protect public health and safety, support working families and make Westchester more fair and inclusive.
“The residents of Westchester elected the most diverse Board in County history for the 2018-2019 legislative term and asked us to confront many challenges,” Boykin said. “Foremost was the need to stabilize the County’s finances, after years of structural budget deficits and dwindling reserve funds. But we also faced a backlog of hundreds of millions of dollars of essential improvements to roads, bridges, parks and facilities, as well as the duty to ensure that our laws and regulations reflect our values. While there is always more work to be done, I’m proud to say that with diligent effort, bipartisan cooperation and a steadfast focus, the Board has been able to achieve these goals.”
Copy of report is attached. It is also available on the BOL website at: https://westchesterlegislators.com/images/PDF/2019_wcbol-year-end-report.pdf
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WPCNR REALTY REALITY. From Hudson Valley Magazine. December 18, 2019:
After a soft 2019, the encouraging prediction for the Hudson Valley housing market is “cautiously optimistic,” according to Joseph Czajka, Senior Vice President at the Center for Housing Solutions and Urban Initiatives in Newburgh.
Susan Strawgate Code, Associate Real Estate Broker at Houlihan Lawrence in Briarcliff agrees, citing their Q3 2019 report that shows a highly positive trend despite an especially unpredictable turnout during earlier quarters.
In general, the market has finally leveled for buyers coping with the challenges of tax reform.
Most importantly, however, reports Czajka, “homes are more affordable than they have been at any time in the past 30 years, with interest rates at near historic lows.”
According to a Berkshire Hathaway Market Report, 63 percent of Westchester residents believe that now is a good time for a house purchase while the activity throughout Dutchess varies greatly. Median sales of single family homes are up 6.3 percent in Dutchess, and in Southeast Dutchess, median sale prices sharply rose 18.2 percent.
In Putnam, median home sales increased 3 percent on average, continuing its trending strength in listings under $800,000. In listings between $800,000 and $1,000,000, the county experienced an impressive 37 percent growth.
Barbara Carter, Associate Broker at Century 21 Alliance Realty in New Paltz, says Ulster’s performance was greatly welcome and unexpected, with many new listings “kicking in just over the last month or so.”
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| The City partners with Bensidoun, the White Plains Farmers Market manager, to present artisan food and craft vendors and a fun holiday shopping experience. Now in its 5th year, this multi-day shopping event will run from Wednesday, December 18 through Monday, December 23 on Court Street between Main Street & Martine Avenue. Enjoy free events and programs including live music, a visit from Santa, face painting, and more. |
| Wednesday, December 18 at 12:30 pmWinterFest Opening DayFree performance and fashion show to kick off this year’s WinterFest. Featuring jazz songwriter and vocalist Kristina Koller. The Loola Doola Fashion Show begins at 1pm. |
| WinterFest schedule:Wednesday, December 18 from 11 am – 7 pm Thursday, December 19 from 11 am- 7 pm Friday, December 20 from 11 am – 9 pmSaturday, December 21 from 11 am – 9 pm Sunday, December 22 from 11 am – 7 pmMonday, December 23 from 11 am – 5 pm |
| EVENTS |
| ARTSWESTCHESTER31 Mamaroneck Avenue, (914) 428-4220 |
| Now – January 25 DataismMany contemporary artists anchor their work in the collection and shaping of data: to engage with this aspect of daily life, probe present realities, and imagine the future. These artists seek to reclaim the mining and interpretation of data as an illuminating and empowering cultural practice. Dataism brings together artists in the tristate region who use both existing data sets and data collected by the artist. They explore various spheres of contemporary life and experience, from interpersonal relationships to climate change, consumerism, social media, financial markets, privacy and surveillance. Learn more. Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday from Noon – 5 pm and Saturday from Noon – 6 pm |
| BARNES & NOBLE230 Main Street, (914) 397-2420 FOR CHILDREN: Saturday, December 21 at 11 am Storytime and Activities Featuring Construction Site on Christmas Night It’s Christmas time at your favorite construction site. After the trucks finish their big, important job, they receive their very own Christmas surprise. Activities to follow. |
| BEAD EVERYTHING175 East Post Road, (914) 644-8191 Bead Everything Classes Bead Everything offers classes for every skill level. Call (914) 644-8191 to register and prepay. Learn more and view the full schedule. Wednesday, December 18 at 6 pm: Introductory Class: Wire Wrapping Friday, December 20 at 11 am: Camille Bracelet Saturday, December 21 at 11 am: Pixie Dust Necklace Sunday, December 22 at Noon: Beadweaving Basics Monday, December 23 at 11 am: Introductory Class: Wire Wrapping |
| CITY CENTER 255 Martine Avenue, (914) 644-8489 |
| Saturday, December 21 from 11 am – 2 pm Holiday Kids Fest Join City Center for a day of free fun. Sparkly the Elf, face painting, photo booth, contests and prizes, dancing and games with the Sparkle Girls. Hosted by Sparklicious. Lear more. Saturday, December 21 from 3 pm – 6 pm Holiday Music at City Center Free holiday music for City Center shoppers. Located in the first floor lobby of City Center. This Saturday, Studio Senakwami presents A Joy to the World, a holiday celebration featuring young talented pianists and singers. |
| GRACE CHURCH OF WHITE PLAINS33 Church Street, (914) 949-0384 |
| Wednesdays at 12:10 pmDowntown Music at Grace Church 30 minute concerts, every Wednesday at 12:10 pm from now until June, 2020. Free admission, donations are greatly appreciated. December 18: Angelica – A visit from this wonderful chamber choir, directed by Marie Caruso, has become a seasonal tradition for the Downtown Music audience. This year, they offer a program of medieval, traditional, and contemporary songs, featuring selections from Heinrich Isaac’s rarely heard Christmas Mass “Introitus, Puer natus est” and “Alleluia, Dies sanctificatus”; premieres by John Milne The Virgin’s Lullaby Lament and Julie Dolphin Lullaby After Christmas; and Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Joining Angelica is harpist Joy Plaisted. |
| LOOLA DOOLA BOUTIQUE 206 Martine Avenue, (914) 468-1168 Wednesday, December 18 at 1 pm Loola Doola Boutique’s Winter Fashion ShowOn opening day of the White Plains WinterFest on Court Street at Main Street, Loola Doola Boutique will be having a fashion show featuring the Lauren M. holiday clutches, beautiful coats from Paris, ponchos and scarves for beautiful gifts for the holidays. |
| STRETCH LAB147 East Post Road, (914) 400-2004 |
| This holiday season, Stretch Lab is offering one-on-one bundles of three. What better way to start the new decade than with a bundle of three stretches to get you or a loved one on track to reach your flexibility and mobility goals. Whether you’re an athlete looking to get an edge on the competition or just looking to feel and move better, make a 2020 commitment to increasing your range of motion and feeling better. Want to give it a try first? Get a 50-minute stretch for just $49. Learn more. |
| COMEDY CLUB |
| Friday, December 20 at 7:30 pm Todd Barry Todd Barry has released three one-hour stand-up specials including his latest one for Netflix, Spicy Honey. He;s appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan and Late Night With Seth Meyers. His acting credits include The Wrestler, Road Trip, Flight of the Concords, Chappelle’s Show, Spin City, and Sex and the City. You may have heard his voice on the animated series Bob’s Burgers, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, and Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Todd is also the author of the critically-acclaimed 2017 travel memoir Thank You For Coming To Hattiesburg. Learn more and purchase tickets. |
| Friday, December 20 at 10 pm Joselito The Puppet Joselito Dapuppet is a social media sensation who has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Power 105.1 fm in New York city, and cameos for music videos for celebrity Hip Hop artists such as Fat Joe and Baby Bash. Joselito took the internet by storm in 2015 when a bunch of his online comedy skits went viral. Since then he has amassed a cult following of over 300,000 combined social media followers, with an average reach of over a million people a week. In April of 2017, Joselito made his stand up comedy debut, and became the first ever Puerto Rican puppet stand up comedian. Joselito has developed a unique Splangish comedy style that is beloved by the Latino community with dozens of catchphrases that have become fan favorites. Joselito has kinetic observational style that is delivered in a universal way, and even though his show is in Splangish, people of all cultures can enjoy it. Learn more and purchase tickets. |
| WHITE PLAINS PERFORMING ARTS CENTER11 City Place, 3rd Floor, (914) 328-1600 |
| Friday, December 20 – Sunday, January 12 WPPAC Mainstage: NewsiesBased on the 1992 motion picture and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty & the Beast) and Jack Feldman and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring the now classic songs “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills and a timeless message, perfect for the whole family and every audience. Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right! While on Broadway, Newsies received 23 major theatrical nominations – including eight Tony Award nods – and won Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Score and Choreography. Learn more and purchase tickets. |
| WHITE PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY100 Martine Avenue, (914) 422-1400 FOR CHILDREN: Wednesday, December 18 Registration begins for Book Bunch Join The Trove’s book discussion group for 4th and 5th graders held on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Read something new and challenging and talk about it with other kids over pizza. You will be reading The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Pre-registration is required. Register in person in The Trove. When you register, you will receive a free copy of the selected title. FOR TEENS: Wednesday, December 18 from 4 pm – 5 pm Which Craft? Wednesday: DIY Gifts Make a thoughtful card or a small handmade gift for the holidays. Projects will vary; please call for details. For students in grades 6 and up on a first-come, first-served basis. FOR ADULTS: Wednesday, December 18 from 2 pm – 4 pm SCORE : How to Use Social Media to Help Your Business Grow This workshop covers an assortment of social media and digital strategies and tactics for small businesses to employ to grow their business in an increasing all-digital environment. You’ll walk away with strategies and skills to apply immediately. |
| See all events from the White Plains Public Library. |
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link to wpweek of 12-13 on youtube…. https://youtu.be/B56U_-d8lN8
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A 19 year old teen was shot in the arm by a suspect still being sought by White Plains Police. Police say the victim was hospitalized and expected to be O.K. Police said the teen was shot after an argument escalated on Mamaroneck Avenue.
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Statements from the SEIU:
Frank Soults, spokesperson for the SEIU comment on the effect Teamsters’ refusal to serve buildings where SEIU will picket will have : “They (the buildings) are severely affected, in various ways. It’s been a remarkably strong combination when the Teamsters and janitors strike together.”
Soults confirmed remarks made during the demonstrtation by a speaker the Cleaning Company Contractors have not discussed wages, but have demanded the union agree to lower number of sick days and the contractors wanted to make members pay for damaged equipment or property in any mishap.
Soults released a statement Friday from Tom Carey, President of the Westchester-Putnam Labor Central Labor Body, “We will walk the picket lines with you and we will ask our member unions to honor your picket lines.” Their website is here https://www.wpclb.org/
“We want the contractors and building owners to know that cleaners will not be shut out of the economic success we helped build!” said Lenore Friedlaender, Assistant to the President of 32BJ and the head of the union in the Hudson Valley. “With your authorization tonight, you demonstrate your willingness to walk off the job after December 31, to ensure that your families can continue to thrive.”
“Your fight is our fight!” said Louis Picani, President of Teamsters Local 456. “Every day you go to work, breaking your backs, but your bosses do not appreciate your efforts! Let’s let them know you cannot be broken! Let’s win a good contract now, and never give up the fight!”
White Plains Mayor Tom Roach reiterated the message. “I’m here to let you know I’m standing with you in your fight for a fair contract. I know about and am very grateful for the important work you do for everyone here in White Plains. Businesses depend on you to be viable.”
The 3,000 janitors covered under the contract clean some 250 properties across the Hudson Valley and Fairfield County, Connecticut. That amounts to over 85% of the large commercial buildings in the area, from suburban corporate headquarters to downtown office towers, from small universities to sprawling shopping malls.
“This is a simple issue,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “Do we want to live in a country of the haves and have-nots, or do we want to build prosperity together? The policemen, the public employees who work in the County Building, the Teamsters, all deserve a fair contract, and so do the building cleaners of the Hudson Valley…. We call on your employers to negotiate a fair contract you can live with!”
At the height of the gathering, 32BJ Secretary Treasurer Larry Engelstein boarded the flatbed to ask, “Are you ready to tell the bosses that if we don’t get a satisfactory offer from them, we are ready to strike?”
With that, 500 hands lifted cards reading YES in bold letters — unanimously authorizing a potential strike — and the workers began a march through downtown White Plains that passed major buildings that the union members clean every day and night.
“It can be difficult, being in negotiations, but we stand firm together” 32BJ cleaner and bargaining committee member Claudia Rodriguez said from the flatbed before the vote and march. “And what helps us most is the bigger unity behind us. Our great strength is that 3,000 of our brothers and sisters are also united. It’s what you and I do together here, in the streets, and if necessary, in the strike we will take after December 31, that will ensure we get a good contract.”
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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. December 10, 2019:,UPDATED 10:20 PM EST UPDATED DECEMBER 12, 2019. 12:30 PM:
The county sewage treatment system has problems that need to be fixed.
Wednesday afternoon, County Executive George Latimer appointed Mike Kaplowitz the outgoing County Legislator, (who chose not to run for reelection), Deputy Commissioner of Environmental Facilities, and charged him with the specific task to study the County’s 7 Sewer facilities in 13 different communities and find possible cost savings and the facility fixes that are needed. Mr. Kaplowitz will be paid $107,690 in the position.
The news release detailed Mr. Kaplowitz’s qualifications this way:
Kaplowitz has represented the 4th District (Yorktown, New Castle and Somers) since 1998 and has previously served as Vice-Chairman of the Board. On January 6th, 2014, he was elected as Chairman of the Board.
Further, Kaplowitz’s education and expertise as an attorney and certified financial planner led to his appointment as Chair of the Budget & Appropriations Committee in 2003. Kaplowitz is a long-time environmentalist and is also a past Chair of the Westchester County Legislature’s Environment & Energy Committee.