THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

WPCNR COUNTY CHRONICLE-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Health.:The Westchester County Department of Health today received notification from the New York State Department of Health that three crows, one each found in Mamaroneck, Pound Ridge and White Plains, have tested positive for the West Nile virus. With the addition of these three birds, there have been a total of thirteen positive birds found in Westchester County. The three birds were collected for testing on August 6, 7 and 8.
To date, 91 birds have been tested for West Nile virus, 78 have tested negative. No positive human cases of West Nile virus have been detected in the County. No spraying is planned at this time.

Health Commissioner Dr. Joshua Lipsman again urged residents to take personal protection measures against mosquito bites while in their homes and when spending time outdoors. “It is particularly important that residents remain vigilant in their efforts to reduce their risk of West Nile virus during the late summer months because this is peak mosquito season,” said Dr. Lipsman. Dr. Lipsman recommends that residents take the following personal protection measures against mosquito bites:

• Avoid being outdoors in places and during times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.

• Use insect repellants with no more than 30% DEET (N, N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) when outdoors in such areas at those times. Use 10% or less DEET for children. Do not use DEET on infants. Insect repellants should be used especially at dusk and evening hours when mosquitoes are most likely to bite. Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

• Wear protective clothing such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and socks when outdoors in areas and at times where and when mosquitoes are active and feeding.

• Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace screens that have tears or holes.

Eliminate Habitats!

Mosquitoes capable of carrying West Nile virus lay their eggs in stagnant water. The eggs can develop in any pool or puddle of water that stands undisturbed for more than four days. Mosquitoes will breed in any untreated water, so the County Health Department recommends doing the following around your home:

• Rid your property of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or similar water-holding containers

• Remove discarded tires

• Drill holes in the bottoms of all recycling containers that are left outdoors

• Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use

• Change the water in birdbaths at least twice weekly

• Sweep your driveway after it rains so that it is free of puddles

• Keep storm drains and gutters clear of leaves and debris

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor spas and hot tubs and drain water that collects on their covers.

Under County Executive Andy Spano’s mosquito control program, Operation Mosquito S.T.I.N.G. (Stop The Insect’s Next Generation), the County has applied larvicide to catch basins countywide to kill immature mosquitoes and have been collecting mosquitoes and dead birds for testing.

Since West Nile virus is in the area, it is important that residents take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes and help to eliminate standing water in their neighborhoods that can serve as mosquito breeding sites. The Health Department is encouraging residents to report dead birds and large areas of standing water through its Public Health Information Line at (914) 813-5609 and through its internet site, www.westchestergov.com/health.

WPCNR KING KOMMENTS. By White Plains Councilman William King. August 20, 2002: The “Councilman Columnist” gives some concrete ideas for what a Children’s Museum in White Plains should display. He is working to obtain National Historic Site status for Chatterton Hill and Purdy House in White Plains.
From Indianapolis’s award-winning Children’s Museum, which I just read about:

1. A life-size, moving, roaring Tyranasourus Rex (there are also such T Rex’s at the Norwalk Aquarium and at Toys R Us in Times Square)

2. A carousel (merry-go-round)

3. A replica of a one-room schoolhouse for kids to playact (there also was one at the now defunct City Life Museum in Baltimore which my then 4-year-old daughter loved)

Ideas from Illinois

From the DuPage Children’s Museum in Naperville, IL, which I just visited, the best exhibit was a simulated workshop where kids put on goggles and use hammers and screwdrivers, etc. – it is sponsored by a local hardware chain.

The best exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan was where kids can crawl through “Joe or Jane’s intestines,” although I thought this idea could be improved on maybe to the whole abdomen – similar things have been done on videos in cartoons such as the Magic Schoolbus and Rugrats.

What Should Go In a White Plains Children’s Museum

A children’s museum in White Plains should:

1. Highlight our history – I am working with the White Plains Historical Society separately in applying to the National Park Service for national historic site status of Chatterton Hill (Battle Hill) and the Purdy House.

2. Focus on the arts

No videos, please.

One thing I have seen in a few children’s museums that I have found to be deadly boring and should be avoided at all costs is the use of tv videos, which kids can see just as easily at home.

A “Hot Suburb” Sparks the Imagination.

To generate interest and advertise a fundraising effort, I saw a great idea in Naperville, Illinois. Naperville is a western Chicago suburb with a population now of 130,000+ and is viewed as a “hot suburb” with a Victorian historic district and a “crunchy” downtown, including the DuPage Children’s Museum.

All around Naperville, they have painted carousel horses on poles, each advertising a different charity but many were for a new children’s hospital. At first, I thought the horses were advertising the coming of a carousel in their Downtown which they may also be for.

I’ll try to contact Met Life this week about the Sears store site.

Councilman William King