westchester localism: Happy 4th of July Everybody…..from Ichabod’s Landing in Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
- 07/04/08 05:43 PM
This year I spent the 4th in Sleepy Hollow near Ichabod’s Landing. I decided to go for the fireworks display after going for a hike with some friends earlier in the day. I found a vantage point and settled in – conversing with all the other “tourists” during the wait.. Since I hadn’t tried this before, I just blindly followed the crowd, trusting the wisdom of the mob! We all ended up planted just above the newly created portion of the Westchester River Walk at Ichabod's Landing. To get a good spot, you had to get there early. To a child, … (8 comments)
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westchester localism: Got TRAIN? – Whistle –Stop Towns and Villages Are Where the Buying Action is in Westchester, NY.
- 06/28/08 09:05 AM
“All real estate is local.” This is a phrase that I have been intoning to my with greater frequency over the past few months. We’ve all heard that phrase “location, location, location” so often that it has almost lost all meaning to us. Even though many regard the phrase as something of cliché – it is more relevant then ever in a changed market. Westchester NY is just outside New York City. Westchester is an ideal example of just how hyper-local real estate can really be. Prices in parts of Westchester have been remarkably “sticky” since the beginning of the real … (10 comments)
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westchester localism: 3rd Friday and the Tarrytown Annual Pet Parade, Tarrytown, NY 10591
- 06/21/08 02:47 PM
Friday was a very busy day for me. I had tried to attend the Annual Pet Parade last year and work got in the way...and I almost had to bypass it this year as well. But I was able to work out a very short and fashionably late attendance and was glad I did. The parade begins on Route 9 and extends down Main Street. Animal rescue and, pet products, and anything to do with pets in general was out in force. There were “Pooch Games” sponsored by Bark & Meow. Greyhound rescue was out in force with dogs that are … (5 comments)
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westchester localism: In Memory of Marc Pollitzer - Age 61 - White Plains Activist
- 06/13/08 10:31 PM
It seems as though I am spending a great deal of time blogging about those who have passed. Marc Pollitzer may not have been Tim Russert, but in White Plains hew was a champion of open space and advocate for responsible development. At the end of the day, politics is local and Marc Pollitzer exemplified the heart and soul of the grass-roots activist. When I heard of his death on May 29th, I felt as though someone had punched me in the stomach. He was at every meeting month after month. I would see him on cable T.V. very calm, forthright … (7 comments)
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westchester localism: Help for I-287 Travelers - Weary of the "Improvements" Happening in White Plains, NY
- 06/12/08 07:34 AM
Since 2006, I287 has been undergoing some massive improvements - Ok the term is relative, but I'm in a charitable mood today. For those who don't know, it is the primary East/West corridor in lower Westchester. Right now the bulk of the work is happening in White Plains around the heavily trafficed downtown area. Exits 6, 7, and 8 are being impacted. But there is a site that can help you anticipate delays. Roadway 287 Improvements offers a “travel advisory” link which is updated with regularly. The site also includes interactive maps and the like which help create a “vision” for … (2 comments)
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westchester localism: Old Meets New in Downtown White Plains (Pt.2) - White Plains, NY 10601
- 06/09/08 04:38 PM
Ok, so I found a couple of more photos in my archives that I hadn't used that I thought would be appropriate for this topic which I actually covered in a previous post. This set of photos was taken on a different day.
1. This was just not one of my favorite pictures. But it's strange how one of the Ritz Carlton towers looms over Grace Church almost like an enormous glassy ghost. The way the light hit the camera, it almost looks as though the glassy steel structure isn't even there - like an optical illusion. It's also striking to … (2 comments)
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westchester localism: Old Meets New in Downtown White Plains....White Plains, NY 10601
- 06/07/08 04:32 PM
Recently, I have been taking more general photos of the White Plains downtown area. I'm often surprised at the clash of architectural styles. I guess part of my surprise is the way in which the clashing styles actually work together. When you see an Art Nouveau building standing directly next to mirrored glass and steel, the effect can be jarring. Here on some shots of the “old” and “new” that I had previously discarded. They are all within about a block to block and a half between each other...
PHOTOS:
1. The Ritz Carlton with Trump Tower and One City … (8 comments)
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westchester localism: River-Walk and Ferry Landing in Tarrytown, NY 10591
- 06/07/08 03:40 PM
Recently, I wrote a series of blogs about Sleepy Hollow. One was about the Sleepy Hollow portion of the River Walk, which is a very ambitious plan to create a long linear park where one could literally walk along the Hudson River from the Putnam County border all the way to the border of the Bronx. I had several photos of the River Walk from Sleepy Hollow from Ichabod’s Landing - which is a work in progress that has stalled because of the controversy surrounding the development at Lighthouse Landing.
Yesterday, I took some time to take a walk along the … (0 comments)
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westchester localism: New Construction Projects in Westchester County Point to Long-Term Optimism
- 06/03/08 07:40 PM
Although the headline in The Journal News appeared somewhat pessimistic, ( Big Plans, ‘Change With Times’) the details revealed the long-term optimism in the housing market by large developers with respect to Westchester County. The article outlined the major building projects that are ongoing on both sides of the Hudson. In Westchester, only two projects have been temporarily derailed and both of those had more to do with local political pressure than the economy. All of this is very exciting and shows the tremendous potential that Westchester has for its current and new residents. Further, it represents over $3.7 billion of … (1 comments)
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westchester localism: Louis Cappelli of Ritz Carlton Fame takes White Plains to Court Over a Granite Slab – While Affordable Housing is STILL Not Cost-Effective
- 05/31/08 01:46 PM
Why do I have this slab of granite featured in my blog? It’s just a slab of granite…..Why all the fuss…? It’s a loooooong story. But I’ll give you the short version. As you can see, the slab of granite has “The Ritz Carlton” engraved on it – and as such, the slab is there because Mr. Cappelli (who built the Ritz Carlton) wants it there. In fact he put it there. But you can also see that said granite is located on a road median. Therein lies the problem. It is located on the median of a PUBLIC road. This … (6 comments)
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westchester localism: Via Quadronno comes to Westchester continuing the trend to “Manhattanize” Downtown White Plains
- 05/28/08 04:19 PM
For Manhattanites, Westchester has always seemed to be some sort of backwater destination. But with prices in NYC soaring to crazy heights, many city dwellers are taking a second and third look at White Plains, NY - and with good reason. Downtown White Plains is booming where high-end shopping and entertainment are the order of the day. Many diehard New Yorkers are discovering that White Plains has almost as much to offer as Manhattan at a much better price point. With Manhattan only a 33 minute train trip, White Plains allows the most ardent New Yorker to feel at home while … (6 comments)
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westchester localism: The Tarrytown Lakes - A One Mile Walking Trail - Tarrytown, NY 10591
- 05/24/08 02:51 PM
Early this evening I took Jade and Tundra on a trail that I don't take very often...The Tarrytown Lakes. It's a short flat trail perfect for a casual stroll or vigorous walk. It is paved and many local residents bike, walk or job this trail quite frequently. It appears to be a favorite for joggers as the hills are minimal. The walk begins (or ends) at Saw Mill Road just off the Saw Mill River Parkway and ends (or begins) right at the edge of the Marymount College entrence. It is a quiet walk where you don't hear the whiz of … (1 comments)
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westchester localism: River Walk - An Ambitious Plan for Westchester - The View From Ichabod's Landing - Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
- 05/22/08 07:00 PM
RiverWalk is an ambitious plan to create a continuous trailway along the Hudson River from the border of Putnam county in the north and the New York City border in the south. Part of that plan was fulfilled with the high-end townhouse devleopment (to be reviewed later) called Ichabod's Landing in Sleepy Hollow, NY. The development was completed in 2004 and includes a portion of the River Walk for the general public in its plan. I wandered down to the River Walk at Ichabod's Landing today. It was a blustery and cold spring day and the wind from the river whipped … (3 comments)
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westchester localism: Mirror, Mirror on the Wall - or on the Ritz Carlton - White Plains, NY 10601
- 05/22/08 06:24 PM
The one thing that I have noticed about the Ritz Carlton condominum/hotel complex is that the mirrored glass gives the building different "moods." The cloudy moody day is reflected in the mirrored glass of the building. I was downtown one cloudy day where rain clouds were threatening to open up and was able to get a few pictures of the Ritz Carlton capturing the mood of the sky. They didn't come out as vividly as I would like, but they are still pretty good, so I thought I would share them here:
This is truly a building of many moods!
… (2 comments)
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westchester localism: Growing up Gosling - Whatever Happened to the Goslings at the Rockefeller Preserve? - Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
- 05/17/08 02:37 PM
A couple of weeks ago I posted some photos of brand new baby goslings out with their "parents" for what appeared to be one of their first outings in Swan Lake. They were so small that they appeared to be like tiny corks in the water, bobbing up and down -making photos a challenge to take.
Well, the goslings have certainly GROWN. Four are now two - unfortunately - but I am pleased to report that the two remaining are thriving in quiet beauty of the Rockefeller Preserve. They are looking more self assured, perhaps a bit too much so, … (0 comments)
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westchester localism: The Peony Monument to the Victims of Sept 11, 2001 - at the Rockefeller Preserve, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
- 05/15/08 06:49 AM
Following the tragedy of September 11, 2001, Yatsuka Cho, a town in Simane Prefecture, Japan offered a gift of over 500 peonies to the United States as a healing memorial. It was also a gesture of solidarity and support from a former enemy of the United States who less than 60 years ago were locked in combat with us during World War II. The peony is considered to Japan’s most noble of flowers and is the “signature flower” for the region. The Rockefeller Preserve accepted the gift and renovated the entrance to the Preserve in order to accommodate the peonies. Planting … (12 comments)
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westchester localism: Spring in Full Bloom - Tibbets Park - White Plains, NY 10601
- 05/06/08 06:54 PM
I took some pictures of Tibbets Park about 2 months ago - just after a major snow. What a difference a couple of months can make. Spring is in full bloom all across Westchester and these photos are brought to you by the White Plains Beautification Foundation and mother nature. I was certainly not the only person interested in pictures that day. I ran into four other photographers taking advantage of the weather and the blooms. But let's face facts, we were all using our cameras as an "excuse" to stay in the park just a little bit longer then perhaps … (12 comments)
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westchester localism: Family Time.....Goslings at the Rockefeller Preserve, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
- 05/05/08 09:48 AM
I was able to escape to one of my favorite places for a nice walk: The Rockefeller Preserve in Sleepy Hollow. Much to my delight, the Geese had been done what geese do in the spring - produce goslings. I was able to spy a mated pair waddling out into Swan Lake with what I imagined was one of the their first times out with their "young family." Making sure all four were in tow they ventured out into the middle of the lake enjoying the late afternoon sunshine. I watched until they were in the middle of the lake. Taking … (11 comments)
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westchester localism: Pet-Friendly Condos: Knickerbocker Lofts (Part 2) – 52 Webster Ave., New Rochelle, NY 10801
- 05/01/08 06:49 PM
Several months ago, I wrote a blog on the Knickerbocker Lofts in New Rochelle. The lofts are one of the few examples of true loft space in lower Westchester. Initially the home of the Knickerbocker printing press company, these lofts offer all that one expects from a genuine loft. Exposed brick, high ceilings, large windows, exposed pipes and old hardwood flooring full of dinks and dents. In my initial blog, I showed a picture of the building at the time it opened for business as a printing press in 1892. The Developer’s Group who is responsible for the current renovations and … (9 comments)
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westchester localism: Spring in Full Bloom – in Westchester, NY – (Part 2)
- 04/21/08 09:30 AM
In my previous post, I had been commenting on how spring had been taking its sweet time in Westchester, NY – but what a difference a few days can make. We had a couple of nice warm days in what has generally been a rather cool spring – and this encouraged the buds to bloom. Here are some pictures of the southern end of White Plains. For those interested in local history, the Cherry trees along the road median of Mamaroneck Ave and Bloomingdale Rd. were the result of the diligent work of the White Plains Beautification Foundation. The idea was … (19 comments)
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This year I spent the 4th in Sleepy Hollow near Ichabod’s Landing. I decided to go for the fireworks display after going for a hike with some friends earlier in the day. I found a vantage point and settled in – conversing with all the other “tourists” during the wait.. Since I hadn’t tried this before, I just blindly followed the crowd, trusting the wisdom of the mob! We all ended up planted just above the newly created portion of the Westchester River Walk at Ichabod's Landing. To get a good spot, you had to get there early. To a child, … (8 comments)
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