THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

The Hot Cross Bun Tradition.

Posted on March 29, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. A Good Friday reminder From The WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER and joyofbaking.com April 8, 2012:

Hot cross buns
Hot cross buns
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot cross buns

If you have no daughters
Give them to your sons
One a penny
Two a penny
Hot Cross Buns

What would Easter be without that perennial baking favorite from childhood: Hot Cross Buns? Remember?

Not to mention its ecumenical partner, the traditional Challah.

English folklore includes many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. One of them says that buns baked and served on Good Friday will not spoil or become mouldy during the subsequent year. Another encourages keeping such a bun for medicinal purposes. A piece of it given to someone who is ill is said to help them recover.^[4]

The hot Cross Bun with its ever popular partner,Challah…

Remember the HOT CROSS BUNS song you played on that old Golden Record when you were a kid?

The Easter Bunny at The Westchester Takes a Break Until Next Year

Wikipedia tells us about Hot Cross Buns:

In many historically Christian countries, buns are traditionally eaten hot or toasted on Good Friday, with the cross standing as a symbol of the Crucifixion. They are believed by some to pre-date Christianity, although the first recorded use of the term “hot cross bun” was not until 1733.

It is believed that buns marked with a cross were eaten by Saxons in honour of the goddess Eostre (the cross is thought to have symbolised the four quarters of the moon);^[2] “Eostre” is probably the origin of the name “Easter”. Others claim that the Greeks marked cakes with a cross, much earlier.^[3]

According to cookery writer Elizabeth David, Protestant English monarchs saw the buns as a dangerous hold-over of Catholic belief in England, being baked from the dough used in making the communion wafer. Protestant England attempted to ban the sale of the buns by bakers but they were too popular, and instead Elizabeth I passed a law permitting bakeries to sell them, but only at Easter and Christmas.^{[citation needed]}

Superstitions

Sharing a hot cross bun with another is supposed to ensure friendship throughout the coming year, particularly if “Half for you and half for me, Between us two shall goodwill be” is said at the time.

Because of the cross on the buns, some say they should be kissed before being eaten. If taken on a sea voyage, hot cross buns are said to protect against shipwreck. If hung in the kitchen, they are said to protect against fires and ensure that all breads turn out perfectly. The hanging bun is replaced each year.^[4]

Region Adds Jobs Slower in Feb. Ed Strong. Hospitality-leisure Weak

Posted on March 28, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR LABOR LETTER. From Johnnie Nelson, the New York State Department of Labor, White Plains:

For the 12-month period ending in February 2013, private sector employment in the Hudson Valley Region increased 7,800 or 1.1 percent.

The final January 2013 private sector job count for New York State was validated and revised upward to 7,418,500, an all-time high. Included in this number are approximately 300,000 jobs added to New York’s economy since the start of Governor Cuomo’s administration, making New York one of only seven states to have regained all jobs lost during the recession.

The estimated job count for February will be validated in a few weeks and is subject to change with the release of March jobs data. The preliminary estimates for February 2013 show job counts affected by -0.1 percent due to a monthlong strike by New York City school bus drivers. The state’s private sector job count is based on a payroll survey of 18,000 New York employers conducted by the federal government.

Further, New York State’s unemployment rate remained at 8.4%. The unemployment rate as determined by the federal government is calculated primarily on the results of a telephone survey of 3,100 households (out of more than 7 million) in New York State.

The regional job market continues to expand, albeit at a slower pace than last year. In February 2013, private sector employment grew at 1.1 percent, or 7,800 jobs year-to-year. In contrast last year, the sector grew by a robust 1.7 percent or 12,400 jobs.

Nonetheless, there are still more industries in the private sector that are reporting job gains than losses. Educational and health services continued with its rapid pace, posting five consecutive months of at least a 2 percent growth or better.

Year over year, the education sector added 4,100 jobs for a growth rate of 2.2 percent. The region’s leisure and hospitality industry grew by 2.1 percent over the period.

Growth was mostly centered in the northern part of the region, while in the lower Hudson Valley – Putnam-Rockland-Westchester area, the leisure and hospitality industry has shown considerable weakness, declining by about 3.6 percent – largest February decline since 1997.

Employment gains were strongest in educational and health services (+4,100), followed by trade, transportation and utilities (+2,900), professional and business services (+2,300), leisure and hospitality (+1,500), and other services (+900). Job losses were centered in manufacturing (-1,300), financial activities (-1,000), information (-900) and natural resources, mining and construction (-700). The government sector shed 2,400 jobs over the year.

Created Panel to Apply Cuts to the Disabled–Selectively– Not Across the Board

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS.WPCNR EXCLUSIVE From a WPCNR Correspondent. March 27, 2013:

On the eve of the day when the New York State Assembly reconvenes to pass the budget the New York Senate passed yesterday and today, the fate of the Governor’s cuts to the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities previously thought to be a straight 6% across-the-board, appears to have been mitigated. Cuts to voluntary agencies apparently will be decided by a panel or workgroup and will not be retroactive.

Lisa Mount, of NYSACRA a lobbyist for private organizations serving the disabled reports:

As you are aware, the State Legislature and Governor have arrived at consensus on the details of the final 2013-14 State Budget. All budget bills are in print. The State Senate met yesterday and into the early hours of this morning to approve the budget bills.

The State Assembly will reconvene in Albany tomorrow to pass the measures. The Governor is expected to sign the budget prior to April 1st.

While NYSACRA staff continues to review the budget bills and compile our analysis for you, I want to share with you an important provision contained in the Aid to Localities bill related to the 4.5% cut to the voluntary not-for-profit developmental disabilities agencies.

We informed you over the weekend that the cut would most likely not be across-the-board as was proposed in the 30-day amendments, rather the cut may be targeted.

Specific language in the budget creates a workgroup of stakeholders, to be led by the Commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), for the purpose of developing a savings plan to implement the 4.5% cut.

The workgroup will convene not less than 30 days following the enactment of the 2013-14 State Budget and recommendations from the workgroup shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Reducing provider agency administrative costs,

2. Achieving administrative efficiencies, pursuing audit recoveries and providing alternate payment models, services and programming.

At Monday’s Provider Association meeting, OPWDD representatives offered a briefing on the budget language.

A meeting will be held with the state agency next week to discuss new federal programs and corresponding funding as well as to obtain input from stakeholders on achieving the 4.5% targeted reduction.

Following the meeting we anticipate the development of the reduction plan, promulgation of regulations and reduction plan implementation slated to commence this fall.

As we understand, the reductions may not be retroactive. I am consulting with our lobbyist and the NYSACRA board to develop strategies to present to OPWDD and stakeholders next week.

Once again, we will provide members with a full and detailed analysis once the 2013-14 State Budget is enacted.

Albany Gives WP $1.3 Million in Additional School Aid. Mitigates 3.1% Tax Hike?

Posted on March 27, 2013 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. March 27, 2013:

Assemblyman David Buchwald of the 93rd Assembly District announced yesterday that White Plains City School District would receive an increase in school aid for the 2013-14 school year of $1,331,926 — a 9.5% increase.

Fred Seiler, Assistant Superintendent for Business for the city school district told WPCNR, when asked if this mean the proposed 2013-14 school property tax increase of 3.1% could be cut substantially with this new aid, said “He was still looking at it and it would come up Monday at the School Board meeting.