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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.”

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	View in browser Outbreak Outlook – Northeast – May 6 MAY 6 READ IN APP Welcome to the Northeastern edition of Outbreak Outlook! It is only available to paid subscribers. If you wish to become a paid subscriber and access region-specific information, please click the Subscribe now button below. Thanks for reading! -Caitlin Subscribed (Reprinted with permission) Respiratory Diseases ILI With flu season behind us, very few people are visiting the doctor, the emergency room, or being hospitalized for influenza or influenza-like illness. There were very low rates of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness in the Northeast, with Vermont winning the prize for lowest reported rate at 0.6% of all outpatient visits for ILI. New Jersey has the highest outpatient ILI rate in the region, which at 3.1% is just above that 2.9% cut-off we use nationally to mark the beginning and end of flu season. They saw a notable decrease this week, however, and I expect it to continue to move in that direction in the coming weeks. Northeast Region: Change in ILI Activity Percent of doctors visits for ILI symptoms Emergency department visits for flu are minimal in the Northeast, with most states reporting that less than half of a percent of ED visits were for flu this past week. At the same time, hospitalizations rates for influenza are also very low across the Northeast, with most states reporting 1 or fewer influenza-related hospitalizations per 100,000 population. COVID-19 The Covid-19 burden is minimal right now – enjoy the lull. Wastewater concentrations remain very low, around where they were last June. Emergency department visits for Covid-19 are extremely low in the Northeast, accounting for a tiny fraction (less than one third of one percent) of all ED visits. Hospitalizations are similarly low, with all states reporting fewer than 2 new admissions per 100,000 population. Northeast Region: Change in New COVID-19 Hospitalizations Weekly new hospitalizations per 100,000 Stomach Bugs Norovirus is really hanging on. Test positivity is a little over 12%, about where it has been for the past several weeks. As such, I will repeat the same advice I’ve given for the past several weeks: keep washing those hands. Northeast Region: Norovirus Activity Test Positivity, Percentage Food recalls The following foods are being recalled because they are contaminated. Please check your cupboards and throw out any of these items: New Planters Honey Roasted Peanuts and Deluxe Lightly Salted Mixed Nuts (more info) California Shelled Walnuts, Organic Light Halves and Pieces (more info) Ground beef by Cargill (more info) Previously reported: Trader Joe’s 50% Less Salt Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews (more info) If you have food allergies, you may wish to review these FDA safety alerts and USDA alerts for foods with undeclared allergens. In other news Pennsylvania health officials reported an outbreak of campylobacter linked to raw milk sold by Apple Valley Creamery. Infections from raw milk are common, and with H5N1 currently spreading, I would strongly recommend avoiding it completely.