WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

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ENTRANCE

THE FABULOUS REMODELED BATHHOUSE AND POOL…STEP BACK INTO 1929

THE DRAGON (COASTER) AWAITS THRILLS SCREAMS  AND TO THE RIGHT THE LOG PLUME

THE SWEEP OF RYE BEACH PLAYLAND 2024 RYE NEW YORK USA

THE INLAND SEA: LONG ISLAND SOUND GLEAMING IN THIS MORNING’S SUN

THE FABULOUS FISHING PIER AND TIE UP BASIN AT LOW TIDE THIS MORNING.

MY FAVORITE RIDE SINCE I WAS 4 THE PLAYLAND EXPRESS

PEDAL SWANS AND DRAGONS NEW THIS YEAR ON THE PLAYLAND LAGOON

THE SUMMER HEAT ATTRACTED HUGH CROWDS THIS WEEKEND AND PLAYLAND IS NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK AND SHOULD WITH NEW RESTAURANTS AND ATTRACTIONS SHOULD BRING BACK AROUND 600,000 IN ATTENDANCE THIS YEAR IF THE WEATHER HOLDS.

STANDARD AMUSEMENTS HAS THE NEARLY 100 YEAR OLD PARK LOOKING BRAND NEW AND CLEAN WITH EXTENSIVE FRIENDLY STAFF.

COME ON DOWN! OR COME ON UP!

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White Plains Public Library is the cool place to be this afternoon to come and meet Maria Tavares and see her her big, glorious colorful paintings bigger than life that grab you with intense bold colors and make their subjects just leap out into your soul. The prolific Ms. Tavares is bold, emotional, her paintings of people make them personalities you want to meet, her paintings of objects you know extend them out of their landscape and captures the spirit anew. See these catch-the-eye paintings that you’ll want to linger with awile.

Why do I write this? When I left the White Plains TV Studios Friday the exhibition was just being prepared and the out front and look at me charisma STOPPED ME. I had to look.  On this sweltering afternoon coming up the exhibition is the coolest place you can feel cool and see cool too.  These are portraits that show how the artist felt about her subjects as she painted them which  gives her brush the spirit of the living.

Wow. You have to see them, folks, and with a cool refreshment in your hand, what better thing to do on  a hot summer’s day. You do not even have to use sun blocker…but the art will uplift your souls.

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2024. News & Comment By Professor Stephen Rolandi. June 20, 2024:

 By this time next week, we should know the outcome of the Democratic Party’s marquee primary that has received national interest and has been estimated to be one of the most expensive primaries to date (over $ 20 million).

The primary pits the incumbent Congressman, Jamal Bowman against Westchester County’s popular and term limited County Executive, Georg Latimer. One could say it is almost a “referendum” between the centrist Democrats (Latimer) and the progressive wing of the Democratic Party (Bowman).

As a result of re-apportionment, New York’s 16 C.D. looks somewhat different from the prior 16 C.D. The bulk of the district lies in southern Westchester County, with a small portion contained in the Bronx (county and borough) of New York City.

The ethnic make-up of the 16 C.D. is approximately 40% white, and 60% persons of color — Spanish speaking persons account for 29% and African-Americans 21%. In the Democratic primary, approximately 40% of voters are of the Jewish faith.

The District’s configuration is strongly Democratic, but not as overwhelmingly Democratic as other congressional districts in New York City.

In my view, County Executive Latimer has run a textbook campaign, while Rep. Bowman has had to defend his two term record; and advocate strongly held views on the conflict in Gaza.

Mr. Bowman received only 54% of the vote against several opponents in the 2022 primary.

Mr. Latimer has a strong record as County executive and prior legislative experience in southern Westchester; Rep. Bowman enjoys significant support from younger voters in the 16 C.D.

Bottom line: I forecast George Latimer winning the primary 55% to Bowman’s 45%.    

(Professor Stephen Rolandi previously served as Deputy Commissioner for the New York State Division of Human Rights. A political scientist, he is an Adjunct Professor of Public Administration at Pace University and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY).

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White Plains, NY (June 2024) The Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS® (HGAR), along with six other REALTOR® Associations, recently held their 3^rd  Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Summit at the Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott in Newark, NJ.

HGAR teamed up with the National Association of REALTORS®, the New York State Association of REALTORS®, the New Jersey REALTORS®, the North Central Jersey Association of REALTORS®, the Greater Bergen Association of REALORS® and the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS® to create this two-day presentation.

The goal of the Summit was to build curiosity while exploring understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusions within personal and professional careers. It was also designed to help attendees develop the skills needed to be successful and create actionable steps towards impactful change.

This year’s keynote speaker, Thasunda Brown Duckett, Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2024” and President and CEO of TIAA, shared the stage with Michelle Mills Clement, CEO of Chicago Association of REALTORS®, where they discussed financial inclusion, retirement, building generational wealth, and importance of financial inclusion.

Duckett is determined to put more underserved Americans on a path to financial health and resilience. She helped launch Advancing Black Pathways, an initiative to help more Black Americans achieve sustained economic success. She’s also striving to help the 40% of all Americans at risk of running out of their retirement savings.

The first day of the Summit launched with Bias Override, an approved continuing education course to combat bias in the industry led by certified instructor Matt Difanis. The next day included close to 20 speakers and panelists on various topics.

“With over 200 attendees from several associations mainly from New York and New Jersey, this year’s DEI Summit was our best yet,” said Freddimir Garcia, HGAR’s DEI Officer. “It was uplifting and invigorating to hear a strong support of DEI from our keynote speaker, Thasunda Brown Duckett and Michelle Mills Clement, among others.” The topics covered included advocacy, appraisal bias, advancing DEI, and on the field challenges with the “-isms.”

“This powerful and innovative summit is the leading Realtor DEI event in the Northeast,” added HGAR CEO Lynda Fernandez.  “It engages members of participating Associations, while advancing DEI throughout the region’s real estate markets through collaboration and by securing top speakers and industry leaders who address the latest topics and issues impacting DEI.”

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(White Plains, NY) – The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Westchester County effective from noon on Tuesday, June 18 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19.

The heat is also expected to continue through the end of the week. During this period heat index values are expected to reach between 95 and 100 degrees, and the Westchester County Health Department is warning residents that high temperatures post significant health risks.

Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their families from the effects of the heat. It is important to stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and check on vulnerable family members and neighbors.

Residents who need a place to cool off can check the Cooling Center Finder. When it is too hot at home, senior centers, libraries, community centers and indoor malls offer a respite from the heat. Call before you go to be sure of the hours.

A Heat Advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity is make it feel like it is 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time.

Seniors and those with chronic health problems are at an increased risk. Homes without air conditioning can be much hotter than outdoor temperatures. Use air conditioning to stay cool at home or go to a place that has air conditioning. If you don’t have home air conditioning, continue to seek out cool spaces each day as long as it remains hot.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Health Department recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.

·         Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that claims many lives nationwide each year. Symptoms include hot red, dry skin, shallow breathing, a rapid, weak pulse and confusion. Call 911 if you suspect heat stroke and immediately cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency help to arrive.

·         Another concern during a heat wave is heat exhaustion. Signs include headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness and exhaustion, as well as cool, moist, pale or flushed skin. Anyone suffering from heat exhaustion should move out of the sun and apply cool, wet cloths to their skin.

Westchester County Commissioner of Health Sherlita Amler, MD said: “People who are most vulnerable to adverse effects from the heat include the very young, seniors, people who are obese and those with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or lung conditions. Heat stroke and dehydration can surprise you. High humidity, chronic health conditions and some medications can also increase a person’s risk for heat stroke.”

Amler reminded residents never to leave children, pets or people in a closed car, no matter how brief the time. Closed vehicles can quickly rise to a life-threatening 140º F or more.

Amler continued: “During a heat wave, seniors, young children and people with compromised immunity especially should avoid vigorous outdoor activity, seek the shade, spend time in air-conditioned locations and drink lots of water throughout the day. Especially when they’re swimming and playing in the water, children often forget to drink, so parents and caregivers should prompt children to take breaks to hydrate.”

Those who plan to travel by car should prepare their vehicle before hitting the road. Always travel with a spare battery and avoid leaving radios, phone chargers and other accessories running when the engine is not. Check to make sure your air conditioning is properly functioning and coolant is at the proper level. If you plan to travel in less populated areas, bring water and an umbrella for shade if it becomes necessary to leave the car. Always keep air flowing throughout the vehicle, and try to park in the shade. 

For tips to prevent heat-related illness and places to stay cool, residents can visit the Health Department website at www.westchestergov.com/health.

Residents who need a place to cool off can check the Cooling Center Finder. When it is too hot at home, senior centers, libraries, community centers and indoor malls offer a respite from the heat. Call before you go to be sure of the hours.

Elevated heat and humidity can also lead to unhealthy levels of ozone, a gas produced by the action of sunlight on organic air contaminants from auto exhaust and other sources.  For air quality updates, go to https://www.airnow.gov. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forecasts daily ozone conditions at (http://www.dec.ny.gov), or call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.

The County’s Department of Emergency Services is monitoring the weather forecast, tracking the opening of local Cooling Centers, and is in contact with Con Edison and NYSEG concerning the potential for power outages.