Monthly Archives: June 2011

Insider’s Guide to the Perfect Hudson Valley Fourth and Fireworks – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch for the Bedford NY real estate market

New York City may have the annual Macy’s fireworks display, boasting 40,000 pyrotechnic shells and two full miles of ooh- and ahh-worthy explosions, but there’s plenty of fantastic Fourth of July color — and fun — to be found close to home.
So with Katy Perry’s voice going boom, boom, boom inside our heads, we’ve created an essential guide to fireworks displays and Fourth of July getaways to fit every mood and moment.
IT’S TRADITION
Port Chester is known for a vibrant restaurant scene that regularly draws visitors from near and far. But it also hosts one of the most impressive fireworks displays throughout the Hudson Valley. Join this longtime family tradition by coming to Ryan Stadium at Port Chester High School, 1 Tamarack Rd., on July 4, well in time for a 9 p.m. fireworks by the famed Grucci family.
The only other local display by the “first family of fireworks” this year will be at Spark the Sound in New Rochelle, which is rain or shine at 9:30 p.m. on the July 4 on the city’s waterfront. New Rochelle suggests the best views can be found at either Hudson and Five Islands Parks or among its waterfront restaurants. The Grucci tradition dates back to 1850 in Bari, Italy, and they count among their clients the Sultanate of Dubai and ABC’s The Bachelor.
PURE AMERICANA
For unadorned historic fun, Katonah’s John Jay Homestead is hosting with the Bedford-Armonk Rotary a July 4th Jamboree from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Homestead. Games, food, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, even a contest to see if your pet has what it takes to be a star. Proceeds from the event will help support the John Jay Homestead, SPCA of Westchester and local community organizations.
Larchmont is hosting races, games and free hot dogs at Flint Park, off Hommocks Rd., sponsored by the Larchmont Fire Department. Stop by at 10 a.m. on July 4.
SWEET SWING AND SOUSA
Speaking of music, Caramoor in Katonah is the place to be this holiday weekend for music lovers. On July 3, it hosts at 8 p.m. “Pops, Patriots and Fireworks” show, a mix of music and pageantry featuring the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, an ensemble called “gorgeously polished” by The Washington Post. Tickets range from $30-$70 with children under 16 half price. Fireworks are for Caramoor concert ticket holders only. Parking is free on-site on a first-come, first-serve basis. If that fills, more parking will be made available with a free shuttle bus. Fireworks begin 15-20 minutes after the concert concludes and picnicking is welcome. Boscobel Restoration in Garrison is another perfect destination for music lovers — a 22-piece band celebrating the Big Band sound will play on July 4. You can begin picnicking (food also available for purchase) at 6 p.m. For details and to purchase advance tickets (recommended) click here. Tickets are $16 adults, $14 seniors, $9 ages 6-14, free under 5.
SAIL AWAY
The picturesque village of Cold Spring in Putnam County offers an impressive family friendly fireworks display right on the Hudson River, regularly drawing thousands to its Dockside Park, and features a maritime visitor that elevates it above your average flash-boom pyrotechnics. Once settled you’ll find fantastic Hudson River views, face-painting, music and food.
The Sloop Clearwater docks at the park for two days this year, which is a great treat for kids and boating enthusiasts. The 106-foot wood replica of an old Dutch sailing sloop — which doubles as a floating clean water classroom — will return this year with free deck tours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and paid public sails from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on both July 3 and 4. Fees are $50 for adults, $35 for members and $15 for children 12 and under. Reserve spots online here. (The Clearwater will also dock in Beacon on July 2 with free deck tours from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and paid public sails from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.) If you arrive early in Cold Spring, on-street parking can be found just a 5- to 10-minute walk from the riverfront taking you past some of the best preserved 19th century structures among all the Rivertowns. There is also a Metro-North stop just steps away from the water. Fireworks start at 9:15 p.m.
ON THE WATERFRONT
The Hudson River continues to be the star of the local July Fourth show with these festivities and fireworks displays:
Ossining hosts fireworks at about 9:15 p.m. at Louis Engel Waterfront Park. Concert starting at 7:30 p.m. with music by “Channel One.”
Peekskill hosts a 10 a.m. parade on July 4 — the route is Highland Avenue, Division Street, South Street, Hudson Avenue, ending at Railroad Avenue — and a concert and fireworks at 7:30 p.m. at Riverfront Green, Route 9 and Hudson Avenue. Fireworks at dusk.
Dobbs Ferry will be sponsoring a fireworks display July 4 at the Waterfront Park. The celebration begins at 12 noon with official opening ceremonies and a flag raising by the American Legion Post # 1048 Honor Guard. Master of Ceremonies Joe Rooney will entertain the crowd with music. Then, from 2-5 p.m., a bouncy castle and slide for the kids. Fireworks after shortly after sunset.
Sleepy Hollow is hosting fireworks on the riverfront on July 4 at 9 p.m., Kingsland Point Park.
BRIGHT LIGHTS, BEYONCE
If you you are heading downtown for the city’s Hudson riverfront for the Macy’s display, it’s best to take public transit. Check Metro-North for details, but the railroad will operate on a Sunday schedule with extra service on the New Haven and Harlem Lines, including two “post-fireworks” trains from Grand Central. Macy’s recommends getting to locations along the West Side Highway from 22nd to 59th Streets by 5 p.m. for prime viewing real estate. There will be an FDNY Fireboat Water Show and a military flyover of four F-15’s from the Air National Guard’s 104th Fighter Wing. NBC will also show the 26-minute long display live starting at 9 p.m. Entertainment includes Beyonce, Braid Paisley and more.
BY THE TZ’S LEE LIGHT
Nyack offers a Family Day Celebration and fireworks starting at 8 p.m. on July 4 at Memorial Park at 53 Piermont Ave.
Pearl River will host an Independence Day celebration July 4 at Central Avenue Field with the Rockland County Concert Band at 7 p.m. and then fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
FOURTH, 1800s STYLE
Modern stresses got you down? Curious about what it was like to experience Independence Day in 1851? Head to Tarrytown to find out. Sunnyside will host ice cream-making demonstrations, period sports and house tours. From 11 a.m.-3 p.m. W. Sunnyside Lane.
If Mount Vernon is closer, head over to the Independence Day Celebration at St. Paul’s Church National Historic Site at 10:30 a.m. Columbus Ave., Mount Vernon.
SOUNDING OFF
There are still plenty more options for those on the Sound Shore. Playland in Rye beefs up its usual summer-time fireworks with displays on July 1, July 3 and 4, then every Wednesday and Friday evening through Sept. 2 at the Westchester County-run park. All shows start at 9:15 p.m. Parking is $5 weekdays and $7 weekends and $10 on July 4. More details and admission prices here.
Mamaroneck’s fireworks off Harbor Island Park are another winner. Starts at dusk on July 4. Boston Post Road, at the intersection of Mamaroneck Avenue.
MILITARY MIGHT
West Point is a short hop for most in the area and a scenic drive to boot. Stop by the famed military academy for music and fireworks, starting at 8 p.m. on July 4 but security is tight, so come early and bring ID. There is plenty to see and do at West Point, so it’s natural to make the day of it. Exceptional river views from Trophy Point. The music is also notable. For northern Westchester-ites who don’t feel like trekking across the river, West Point’s fireworks can often be seen from Garrison, which is hosting its own Independence Day celebration. (See below for details.)
EARLY BIRDS
If you just can’t wait until July 4 to get your fireworks on, these communities get the jump on Independence Day:
—July 2, Lake Carmel, 9 p.m. Route 52 and Route 311 at Lake Carmel in Kent.
—July 3, Kensico Dam Music Fest and Fireworks 9:15 p.m. in Valhalla. Two free music shows: Wanderers at 6 p.m. and the Gerard Carelli Orchestra at 8 p.m. Fireworks in front of the dam at 9:15 p.m. The Kensico Dam Plaza is at the north end of the Bronx River Parkway in Valhalla and can be reached via Route 22 or the Taconic State Parkway.
—July 3, Southeast will offer food, music and fun at 6 p.m. at Scolpino Park, 115 Doansburg Road in Brewster.
—July 3 Scarsdale will host a 7:30 p.m. concert with $2 admission at the municipal pool at 311 Mamaroneck Rd. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
BY BOAT
Insiders know one of the best ways to experience fireworks in the Hudson Valley is to be right on the water, especially on the Hudson River, where the night sky will alight with colorful explosions from Manhattan all the way northward. The Macy’s display will feature two full miles of fireworks and around the Tappan Zee, boaters will be treated to displays on both sides of the river. Sound boaters will also have plenty to see around Rye, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle.
MINI-GETAWAY
Why not take advantage of gas prices that have plummeted all of about 5 cents a gallon in recent weeks — sadly even $3.99 a gallon seems ridiculously cheap these days — and pack the family up for an impromptu day trip or weekend getaway. New Paltz in Ulster County is offering an Independence celebration starting at 5 p.m. on July 2, with free admission, music and fireworks at dusk at Ulster County Fairgrounds, 249 Libertyville Rd. Scheduling other things to do is easy — the village of New Paltz is full of welcoming bohemian vibes and you can easily find great food and while away an afternoon wandering among its many shops and bars. From there you can add whitewater tubing on the Esopus Creek, starting in nearby Phoenicia, NY. Into horses? The Pinegrove Ranch and Family Resort is offering day-only packages where you and the kids can get the dude ranch feel complete with trail rides without committing to an overnight stay. Ulster County tourism will have even more suggestions.
GOOD TO KNOW
— Fireworks are weather-permitting. If it’s raining, call ahead or check with Patch for cancellations.
— Leave Fido at home. Some dogs don’t mind booming explosions, big crowds and unpredictable flashes of light, but most do.
— Early always equals best view, so plan ahead. You know the type, the fireworks pro who snags the perfect spot, unveils the delicious tapas spread, pours the cold drinks and retires to a comfy portable chair or cushy weatherproof blanket. This year it’s your turn!
TRAIN-ING DAY
Metro-North Railroad is offering early “getaway” trains on Friday. Here’s the complete schedule. For more information specific to just the 4th, click here.
On the Hudson Line:
Extra “getaway” trains will depart from Grand Central at:
● 1:47 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street and Croton-Harmon.
● 2:40 p.m. , stopping at Harlem-125th Street and Beacon, New Hamburg and Poughkeepsie.
● 3:25 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street and Beacon, New Hamburg and Poughkeepsie.
● 4:05 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, and Beacon, New Hamburg and Poughkeepsie.
● 5:31 p.m. to Poughkeepsie and the 5:34 p.m. to Beacon are combined, departing at 5:34 p.m., making all stops between Croton-Harmon and Poughkeepsie.
The following trains departing Grand Central will not operate:
● The 5:57 p.m. to Croton-Harmon.
● The 6:20 p.m. to Croton-Harmon.
Hudson Line Connecting Services:
The Hudson Rail Link will begin a peak level of buses beginning with the 3:20 p.m. train from Grand Central.
The Tappan Zee Express will have extra buses available for any extra early passengers.
The Haverstraw – Ossining Ferry will have an early ferry trip to meet the 2:54 p.m. train from Grand Central, which arrives Ossining at 3:39 p.m.; The 5:57 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. trains will not operate. Instead a 6 p.m. train from Grand Central, which arrives Ossining at 6:51 p.m. will be met by the ferry.
The Newburgh – Beacon Ferry will have three early trips meeting the 2:50 p.m., the 3:30 p.m. and 4:05 p.m. trains from Grand Central.
On the Harlem Line:
Extra “getaway” trains will depart from Grand Central at:
● 1:45 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, then all stations between Chappaqua and Southeast.
● 3:12 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, then White Plains and North White Plains only.
● 3:37 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, White Plains, then all stations from Goldens Bridge through Southeast.
● 4:07 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, then all stations between Chappaqua and Southeast.
● The 6:02 p.m. to Wassaic will make additional stops at Bedford Hills and Katonah.
The following trains departing Grand Central will not operate:
● The 5:25 p.m. to Brewster.
● The 5:54 p.m. to Crestwood.
● The 6:09 p.m. to Brewster.
● The 7:04 p.m. to North White Plains.
On the New Haven Line:
The following extra “getaway” trains will depart from Grand Central at:
●1:04 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, Westport, and all stations between Fairfield and New Haven.
●2:04 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, Westport then all stations between Fairfield and New Haven.
●2:31 p.m., making all stops between New Rochelle and Harrison.
●2:59 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, then all stations between Stamford and South Norwalk.
●3:02 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, then all stations between New Rochelle and Harrison.
●3:24 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, Stamford, Westport and all stations between Fairfield and New Haven.
●3:27 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, then all stations between New Rochelle and Harrison.
●3:50 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, and all stations between Fairfield and New Haven.
The following trains usually departing Grand Central will be combined or canceled:
●The 5:17 p.m. to Harrison and the 5:20 p.m. to New Rochelle are combined, departing Grand Central at 5:20 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street and all stations between Mount Vernon East and Harrison.
●The 5:36 p.m. to Harrison will not operate.
●The 5:59 p.m. to Harrison and 6:02 p.m. to New Rochelle are combined, departing Grand Central at 6:02 p.m., stopping at Harlem-125th Street, and all stops between Mount Vernon East and Harrison.
●The 7:11 p.m. to Harrison will not operate.
●The 8:04 p.m. to New Haven will not operate.
Source: Metro-North Railroad

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Law Allows Schools to Borrow Millions, but Cuomo Likely to Veto – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch for The Katonah NY real estate market

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Amidst the passage of a slate of historic legislation, including the legalization of same-sex marriage, a property tax cap and expanded rent-control laws, lawmakers last week quietly approved a bill that would empower school districts to borrow up to $1 billion to cover increases in the costs of employee pensions.
In New York, shortfalls in the state pension fund are closed with taxpayer money. The perfect storm of the recession and a growing number of pensioners as Baby Boomers reach retirement age has significantly spiked the pension burden for school districts statewide.
The bill, which passed both houses, allows districts to sell 15-year bonds, the revenue from which could be used to offset skyrocketing retirement contributions over the next few years. Local governments already have the option, known as amortization or “smoothing.” Supporters say it’s a quick fix that can be paid off in better times.
“School districts have had to make painful choices over the past few years and this short-term option will help these districts navigate through the difficult economy,” said Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers).
Gov. Andrew Cuomo will likely veto the measure, a spokesman said, though he declined to explain further. The first-year governor closed a $10 billion budget gap without raising taxes or borrowing, and made a strict cap on property tax increases a top priority. He also repeatedly called on school districts — sometimes in harsh terms — to work harder to eliminate waste and corruption.
In Yonkers alone, Stewart-Cousins said, the bonding option could restore close to $5 million and avert hundreds of layoffs. The city was among the hardest hit by a $1.3 billion cut in state aid this year.
E.J. McMahon of the Empire Center, a conservative Albany-based think tank, called the proposal “an egregious fiscal abuse” that will bury school districts in debt for years to come and render useless a 2-percent cap on property tax increases that also passed last week.
“If passed, the bill will not only push higher pension costs well into the 2020s and compound them with high interest charges, but it will also represent a massive breach of the tax cap,” McMahon said.
But the measure would also allow school districts to capitalize on historically low interest rates. Carl Korn, a spokesman for New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the state’s largest teachers’ union, said borrowing is a last resort for distressed school districts and the option should be made available before interest rates increase.
“Every good businessman knows the time to borrow money is when interest is low,” Korn said. “Borrowing will save programs and jobs now.”
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Here’s a look at what our local lawmakers were up to between June 17 and June 24. The legislative session ended in historic fashion, with the legalization of same-sex marriages, a 2-percent cap on property tax increases, expanded rent control laws and a number of smaller measures.
Assemblyman Tom Abinanti (D-Greenburgh) introduced a bill that would limit annual growth in pension contributions for local governments and school districts to the lesser of 2 percent or the rate of inflation. Pension obligations that go beyond that cap would be picked up by the state. The bill, which is co-sponsored by Assembly members Bob Castelli, Ellen Jaffee, Steve Katz, George Latimer and Amy Paulin, came one day before legislative leaders announced an agreement to cap annual property tax increases at the same levels. The enacted cap includes an exemption for pension contributions.
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Assemblyman Bob Castelli (R-Goldens Bridge) recently penned an op-ed, along with Scarsdale Police Chief John Brogan, that frames greater investment in early childhood education as a key to fighting crime. “If we can reach young children with help through early intervention, we can set them on a better path that leads toward a law-abiding life, instead of a prison bunk,” the pair wrote. Castelli also used the opportunity to call for passage of a bill that would require daycare centers and pre-schools to implement a state-run evaluation system.
Harrison Patch Editor Zach Oliva looked at a bill, sponsored by Castelli and Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, that would save the town and village of Harrison money by allowing non-police employees to have greater powers as court officers. Harrison’s police chief said the bill, if signed into law by the governor, would free up police resources as well.
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Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) announced Assembly passage of a bill that would allow the legislature to go ‘paperless’ by amending the constitutional requirement that bills be printed and placed on lawmakers’ desks prior to a vote. Instead, legislators would be able to view the bills electronically.
Galef applauded the passage of a bill that allows the town and village of Ossining to merge their respective courts, which are currently housed in the same building. The measure, sponsored in the Senate by Suzi Oppenheimer, was requested by local officials in a bid to save money. Village Mayor Bill Hanauer said the merger would be effective Jan. 1, 2012.
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Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern) was among the speakers at a meeting in Cortlandt this month held to probe safety issues at the Indian Point nuclear power plant. Jaffee is a staunch opponent of the plant, and recently sponsored a resolution calling for federal regulators not to renew the plant’s license when it expires in 2013. The meeting reportedly became raucous at times, with Indian Point opponents shouting “Liars!” at representatives of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
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Assemblyman Steve Katz (R-Yorktown), who has pushed for “green jobs” legislation throughout his first year in Albany, applauded the June 22 passage of the Power NY program, which will allow the state to grant home improvement loans. Homeowners will pay off the loans as part of their utility bills. The Power NY bill also includes the renewal of a law, which expired in 2003, that streamlines the process for building new power plants. Supporters, including Katz, say both provisions will help create jobs.
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Assemblyman George Latimer (D-Rye) won Assembly approval of a bill that would steepen the penalties for broadcasting on a “pirate” radio station. The measure has passed the Senate a number of times, including this year, but has never passed the Assembly. The bill would make operating a radio transmission on AM or FM frequencies a class A misdemeanor; subsequent infractions would be treated as felonies and punishable by incarceration and fines of at least $10,000.
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Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) applauded the Assembly’s passage of a bill that would prohibit any person convicted of misdemeanor or felony domestic violence from purchasing or owning a gun. Paulin pointed to an incident in Poughkeepsie earlier this year in which a man shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and a police officer. The man had previously been convicted of abusing the woman. The bill has already passed the Senate and is expected to be signed by the governor.
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Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D-New City) announced Assembly passage of a bill he sponsored that would expand the state’s “Move Over” law, which requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when approaching stopped police cars, ambulances or fire trucks on the highway. The bill would add all “hazard” vehicles, including snow plows, highway assistance trucks and letter carriers, to the law. The bill passed the Senate in March.
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Sen. Greg Ball (R-Patterson) introduced a bill that would require environmental officials in New York City and Albany to conduct a review and make recommendations to mitigate flooding in areas west of the Hudson River. In a bill memo, Ball cited a disastrous 2005 flood that destroyed homes and killed at least one person.
Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins sent a letter to Ball last week accusing him of stalling a bill that would allow the board to appoint a non-voting member to the county’s Industrial Development Agency. The board wants some oversight at the IDA, a quasi-governmental agency that provides tax breaks and other sweeteners to businesses who create jobs in the area. Jenkins, a Democrat, went on to accuse County Executive Rob Astorino of working “behind the scenes” to convince Ball to stall the bill in his chamber. The Assembly passed the proposal on June 15.
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Sen. David Carlucci (D-Clarkstown) was featured in the latest installment of the Senate’s “Legislative Report” video series. The 15-minute clip touches on a number of issues, including ethics reform, the MTA payroll tax and a bid to rein in auto insurance fraud.
Carlucci was the latest state lawmaker to be ribbed by Daily Show host Jon Stewart. In a bit that aired June 23, Stewart criticized the Senate for taking up, among other things, a bill to designate an official state vegetable while putting off a vote on same-sex marriage. The segment featured a clip of Carlucci, who has lobbied for the onion to win the designation, talking on the Senate floor. The freshman took it in stride, tweeting on June 24 that he’s a “big Jon Stewart fan,” and adding that he agreed the Senate should vote on the marriage bill.
And speaking of gay marriage, Carlucci penned a June 20 op-ed on Nyack News & Views in support of the measure. Carlucci said it was a great honor as Clarkstown town supervisor to officiate over hundreds of weddings, and that gay New Yorkers – “our friends and neighbors, our colleagues, our family and our loved ones” – deserve the same right.
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Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Port Chester) introduced a local bill that would allow the town of Rye to expedite its review of property tax assessment grievances. The town recently reassessed all of its properties, and says it needs the measure in place in order to sort through a large number of grievances, known as certiorari cases.
The Senate on June 23 passed a bill, sponsored by Oppenheimer, that would allow New Rochelle to extend through 2013 an additional 1 percent sales tax. The bill has also passed the Assembly, where its sponsor was George Latimer.
A class of Purchase fifth graders were given the assignment of drawing portraits of the senator. The two best portraits were presented to Oppenheimer earlier this month.
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Both houses last week passed a bill sponsored by Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) that she said will save local governments money and local residents time by allowing land documents, such as deeds and mortgages, to be recorded electronically. The bill, sponsored in the Assembly by George Latimer, was originally requested by Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni.

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Retiring Officer Now a ‘Regular Joe’ – Bedford-Katonah, NY Patch – Thank You Joe Liburdi

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Officer Joseph Liburdi retired yesterday from a law enforcement career that spanned 23 years and covered dog patrol, bike patrol, new officer training and emergency medical services.
He cleaned out his locker, took home his photos and mementos of inside jokes with his co-workers, and left behind his weapon and badge—no longer Officer Joe, but “now I’m a ‘Regular Joe,’” he said.
“This department is like family to me, and I’m going to miss everyone,” said Liburdi, who plans to spend more with his wife, Wendy, and their three boys, twins aged 10, and an 8-year-old.
Born and raised in Bedford, Liburdi, 47, attended Fox Lane High School—where he met his wife—and completed a two-year degree at Westchester Community College. He worked at some “odd jobs” and started his police career part-time with the Lewisboro Police Department. He was hired permanently by the Bedford PD in 1988.
“I’ve been around so long everyone calls me the mayor,” he joked.
Living in the community he served was a plus for Liburdi on the job, said Lt. Jeffrey Dickan, who supervised him for a number of years. “He’s a major part of the community, he knows everyone and everyone loves Joey,” he said. “He’s always upbeat, which helped him bring on new officers.”
Police Chief William Hayes said Liburdi’s service-oriented work ethic contributed to the success of the department. “In addition to his regular patrol duties, Joe has a number of special qualifications that contributed to the success of the department. He taught new hires in the classroom—he gave me my initial orientation back in 1988, in fact. He possesses a skill set that will be difficult to replace,” said Hayes.
Liburdi said his strong work ethic came from his parents, who died in a car accident when he was only 19. His father was a “hardworking man who never called in sick,” and passed along the same drive and sense of community to his four children. The elder Liburdi was a former chief and member of the Bedford Hills Fire Department, and Joe Liburdi and his brother are both ex-chiefs.
When he described his career highlights, Liburdi recalled some painful experiences including “some pretty bad accidents,” but described joyful times when everything went as it should, like the time he assisted in delivering a baby at a home in Bedford Hills.
He said his training as an officer and emergency medical technician gave him the confidence to handle his duties without feeling anxious or nerve-wracked, even during some of his more exciting arrests, like the time he caught burglars breaking into a local car dealership and chased them down the Saw Mill Parkway until they were apprehended.
“That’s what we do—take the bad guys off the streets,” he said. “And you always have backup—it’s like a brotherhood.”
Though he said he already misses the camaraderie of the police department, he plans to maintain his close ties there, and with the fire department, where he now serves as assistant fire chief. After a 2007 bout with cancer, he is looking forward to spending weekends with his family.
“I see things a little differently now—I don’t let the little things bother me. I feel lucky to have had such a great job in a nice, safe area. But it’s time to move on.”
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Mt Kisco NY Homes sees 5 Great Tips for Small Space Living | Mt Kisco NY Real Estate for sale

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This week I’m talking to small house dwellers for an upcoming article in Mother Earth News. I’m inspired by their commitment to minimalist living, and I’m learning a lot of tips and tricks for making the most of tiny spaces. Most of all, though, I’m inspired by the obvious joy and satisfaction that living in a smaller home brings to these folks. Living in a tiny home is a choice that no one regrets. (If you’d like to tell Mother readers your story, send an email to rlawrence@motherearthnews.com.)
This morning, coincidentally, I received an email from Hunter Douglas with five good tips for “living larger with less.” They’re worth sharing.
The Container Store’s Water Hyacinth Bins offer an attractive option for storage in three sizes.
1. Contain It: More items in view means the room appears more crowded and compact. Contain as much as you can in stylish storage. First, designate a spot for every belonging so that there are a few items on tables and desks. Putting small items in neutral-colored boxes or decorative bins. Line up the storage pieces side-by-side and organize books or other items by color for an orderly look that, along with uncluttered surfaces, makes the room feel more spacious.
Viva Terra ’s wool ottoman supports weary feet while storing magazines and media remotes in its secret drawer.
2. Furniture that Fits: Replace large, overstuffed furniture with trim, tailored pieces more in scale with the space. Place the heaviest piece in the room, whether a couch or a chest, along a wall to save space. To create balance, position another weighty item across from it. Place smaller furniture pieces such as chairs diagonally in corners to not only look inviting, but to open up the room. Find something the eye can focus on when entering: a beautifully dressed window or unobstructed view, piece of art, decorative mirror or well-kept fireplace. Lastly, invest in as many multi-tasking pieces as possible, like a coffee table that doubles as seating and also has built-in storage or a compact drop-leaf table that opens up to a desk or dining table.
Interior designer Shelly Handman uses translucent glass and mirrors to create the illusion of more light.
3. Lighten Up: Mirrors can act as virtual windows to enhance the light a room receives. Hang them so they can reflect something you want to see (artwork or the outdoors). Brighten the room with window coverings that make the most of mood-boosting natural light.
Pale yellow walls give this Chicago bungalow a sense of cohesion and space. Photo by Michael Shopenn/Natural Home & Garden
4. Color that Creates Space: Bold and warm hues make a room feel cozy, while light and cool tones instantly expand the space. Try light yellow, soothing soft blue or always-complimentary ivory on walls. Continue with a neutral palette for the overall design to further optimize the space. adding only a few “pop” colors and patterns on pillows, art or tabletop accessories. Keep these cooler hues harmonious throughout the home to break down walls and create a flow.
Hunter Douglas ’s Skyline Gliding Window Panels feature a track system that allows them to be used as room dividers.
5. Divide and Conquer: Create a breakfast nook, home office or even separate bedroom with a decorative divider.

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South Salem NY real estate looks at Crafting the User Experience – Jeffrey Zeldman for South Salem NY Homes for sale

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“IN HER PRESENTATION at An Event Apart in Atlanta, GA 2011 Sarah Parmenter discussed how principles from human psychology can reframe how we think about Web Design. Here’s my notes from her talk:” An Event Apart: Crafting the User Experience.
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Katonah NY Real estate outlook: scattered showers of optimism | Inman News for the Katonah NY real estate market

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Real estate outlook: scattered showers of optimism
Mood of the Market

Real estate has become the bad news bear of an economy that is trying to break out of bearishness. In fact, I Googled the word “doldrums” the other day and one of the first results was a set of news stories about home values!
After four straight years, the virtually incessant onslaught of downer stories about the housing market is exhausting — even though these stories may reflect the actual state of affairs, and I suspect signal a new normal of much slower appreciation than we’re used to, until the job and mortgage markets find some deeper healing.
However, I have come across a few bright spots in the real estate news lately, which I want to share. Negative consumer sentiment in real estate and most other economic markets is truly a self-perpetuating cycle: the more negative we are, the less likely we are to buy homes, and that further depresses the market.
I think this break from the bad is important, and not just for morale, because it exposes us to new definitions of what the “real estate market” actually is for our own purposes, and widens (or narrows, in some cases) our viewpoint in terms of what information we should be consulting as we each make our own real estate decisions and form our opinions about what’s happening in the market.
So, here are the scattered showers of cause for optimism — not necessarily optimism that the whole market will turn around, but optimism about a specific problem or market challenge — which I’ve noticed of late.
REITs
Real estate investment trusts, or REITs, are shares of stock in companies whose whole business is investing in and managing various types of real estate, from self-storage companies, to hospitals and retirement homes, to apartment buildings and even dormitories for college students. Over the last two years, REITs have returned over 29 percent annually to their investors: people like you and me who individually buy shares like you would with a stock, or buy them through their retirement plans.
As Americans get older, the REITs that invest in hospitals, surgical centers and retirement homes have, predictably, done very well. And even the rest of the categories are on the upswing, in spite of the real estate recession. Or, maybe, because of it: two of the market dynamics that are perceived as problems or symptoms in what we would traditionally think of as the real estate market have fueled REITs’ financials over the last couple of years.
The decline in property prices has allowed REITs to buy at a much lower cost than they were able to before. And the decline in the homeownership rate, including foreclosed homeowners who are now renters and would-be buyers who are now afraid to get off the fence, has created more demand for REIT-owned apartment homes and self-storage units.
Makes you rethink the definition of real estate, doesn’t it? Past performance does not in any way guarantee future performance, but I suspect that many real estate investors are looking into REITs as an option.
Stock market sparks one real estate market
Over the last year or so, the tech industry has looked about as opposite from the real estate market as it can get. There is a lot of hiring, loads of new companies, venture capitalists investing billions — and lots of IPOs (the initial public offerings that launch a startup tech company onto the stock market) in the pipeline.
If you’re not familiar with how this works, early employees for these companies take less financial compensation than they might get elsewhere in exchange for stock options.
When the company “goes public,” employees are able to liquidate these options for sometimes many thousands or even millions of dollars, depending on when they entered the company and how large their role there was.
Companies like Groupon, Facebook and Zynga, the creator of online games like Farmville, are all set to have IPOs coming up soon; while other tech companies like LinkedIn and Pandora have recently gone public. How is all this related to real estate? Well, the housing market in Silicon Valley is super hot.
Insiders report homes selling above asking, listings receiving multiple offers, and the average age of buyers declining as the techies of the area start to wield their newfound (or anticipated) cash. And the data bears this out: home prices in cities like Cupertino, Menlo Park and Palo Alto are up as high as 20 percent, year over year, compared with the nation’s average home prices, which are down 3.6 percent on an annual basis.
You might think this means nothing to you if you don’t live south of San Francisco, but that’s not so. This is proof in the fabled pudding of the concept we recently covered here: of real estate microclimates.
Even when the nation’s market is all the way down in the dumps, it bears keeping in mind that individual states, counties, cities and neighborhoods have their own real estate market dynamics that operate independently of even nearby markets.
And especially keep this in mind as you look to make a rent vs. buy decision, or decide where to buy, or even decide how to operate in your community in terms of advocating for and supporting business-friendly local government initiatives.
Bank of America withdraws from reverse mortgages, redirects staffers to loan workout division
Both Bank of America and Wells Fargo recently exited the business of making reverse mortgages, which are loans to homeowners over 62 that require no repayment until after the borrower passes away. That in itself is not particularly positive; fact is, part of the issue was that widespread declines in home equity are rendering fewer and fewer homeowners eligible for the loans every year.
But what is positive is that Bank of America, in particular, states that 300 members of its reverse mortgage workforce will be redirected to processing loan workouts.
As the nation’s largest bank has been under very loud criticism about the inefficiency and understaffing of its loan modification and short sale procedures, this development seems to be somewhat promising or, at the very least, a step in the right direction, from the perspective of the millions of upside-down homeowners who are trying hard to work with the bank to keep their homes or to liquidate them without a foreclosure.
Who among us hasn’t heard that if we don’t have something nice to say, we ought not say anything at all? If I’d followed that advice over the past few years, when it comes to saying nice things about the real estate market, I’d probably be out of business.
But these bright spots, among others, teach us to cast a wider definitional net about what constitutes real estate and about what constitutes “nice,” and we might just find something nice to say even when positive news is tough to find.

via inman.com

Bedford NY Realtor looks at Case-Shiller: 13 of 20 metros see monthly gains | Inman News for the Bedford NY Real Estate market

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Case-Shiller: 13 of 20 metros see monthly gains
Index falls 4% year-over-year in April

After a “double dip” in March, U.S. home prices saw a slight seasonal boost in April, according to the latest Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller National Home Price Indices report released today.
The April indices averaged price data from February, March and April. The 20-city composite index rose 0.7 percent on a monthly, nonseasonally adjusted basis in April, to 138.84 — the first such increase in eight months.
On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the composite remained essentially flat at -0.1 percent. The indices have a base value of 100; indices above 100 indicate appreciation of a typical home in a subject market since January 2000.
Thirteen of 20 metro areas tracked showed monthly gains, including: Atlanta; Cleveland; Dallas; Denver; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; New York; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; and Washington, D.C. Atlanta and Seattle posted the highest monthly increase at 1.6 percent each.
In a statement, David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Indices, called the numbers “a welcome shift,” but cautioned that “the seasonally adjusted numbers show that much of the improvement reflects the beginning of the spring-summer homebuying season. It is much too early to tell if this is a turning point or simply due to some warmer weather.”

via inman.com

North Salem Realtor finds 36 High Quality Templates & Tutorials To Design Business Website | North Salem NY real estate

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36 High Quality Templates & Tutorials To Design Business Website
It’s a solid fact that real world companies have been trying very hard to infuse their brand into the web, due to the popularity of the internet. Apple knows about that, Coca-cola knows about that, even local fresh mart near my home knows about that.
For giant corporation like Nike, they can probably invest a small part of their fund to hire top-notch web designer to build an epic site, but for small companies without funds and design experience, it will be a crucial challenge for them to get their website existed online with nice design and functionality.
This post exists to solve this problem. Here we’ve collected 35 high quality resources which include WordPress themes, HTML templates, PSD mockups and even step-by-step tutorials to help you build a website that meets your business need. You can either download, work on a bit and put it online directly, or hire a web designer to perform the customization until it fulfills your company’s need.
Meanwhile, you can visit some of our collection posts to get more quality design resources:
40 (Really) Beautiful Web Page Templates in Photoshop PSD
40+ Beautiful “WordPress 3.0 Ready” Themes
55 Fresh & High Quality WordPress Themes
38 Free Elegant XHTML/CSS Website Templates
60 High Quality Free Web Templates and Layouts

HTML/CSS Templates
Art of Business
Designed by Template Monster, Art of Business provides you a completely professional corporate environment to showcase your company and products. I must say that the quality of this template exceeds most templates found in premium market.
Corporattica
Another very high quality site template built with brilliant typography, great color scheme, and professional content slider.
Euphoria
Although the site is originally designed for personal work showcase, the site design itself suits very well for business site also.
First
First stands out from common business templates with its fresh, creative and elegant design, making it a great choice for business user.
High Technologies
Just as its name suggests, IT Technologies is perfect for company related with tech.
Industrial Services
Here you go, a HTML5 powered, professionally designed layout with brilliant typography and corporate color scheme.
IT Technologies
Another nicely designed template which suits perfectly to tech-related company.
Lawyer And Attorney
While most business templates are designed with bright color scheme, Lawyer and Attorney offers you a dark yet elegant layout to showcase your company or service.
Mondays
If you are tired of business templates with heavy graphic and color scheme, Mondays probably meets your minimalistic needs with its clean and fresh design.
Smart Biz
Smart Biz is an universal business template with modern touch, which makes it compatible to most kind of business.
WordPress Themes
Boldy
Boldy is a professional WordPress theme released exclusively by Site5 for business user. It includes WordPress-specific features such as image slider, real-time contact form and Twitter integration.
Genoa
Genoa is a business-oriented WordPress theme designed with simplicity and elegance in mind. It also includes built-in page templates to allow you to change the way the content looks with different layouts.
Simplybiz
Just as its name, Simplybiz impresses your site visitor with its simplicity and professionalism. The theme also contains large shortcode collection which makes your works even simpler.
Webfolio
Webfolio comes with ads support, content slider and even Flickr photostream, absolutely a feature-rich theme for your various business needs.
Wise Business
Released by the same company that publishes Webfolio, Wise Business comes with business friendly features like testimonials page templates and real-time contact form with email validation.
PSD Templates
Hongkiat Exclusive: Polo360
Released exclusively by our site, Polo360 is suitable for a wide range of site like portfolio, product page or main business site. The best part of this Photoshop template is it comes with home page, about page, service page, portfolio page, and contact page design, almost everything you need to build a complete website.
Hongkiat Exclusive: Business
Yes, another high quality business template released by our site. The design features a clean, slick and professional layout ideal for modern company. The template also comes with necessary page design like home page, service page and portfolio page.
Corporatix
Designed by GraphicsFuel, Corporatix is a modern business template with completely slick and creative design. Although it looks quite complicated, graphic layers inside the template are well-organized for your easier customization.
Crims Nite
Crims Nite has a completely different design approach with common business template by judging on its color scheme, so it’s suitable for business user who prefers a very different look to his/her company’s site.
Exponet
Exponet is a well designed Photoshop template available to you with a home page and an about page design.
Handmade
Produced by Web Designer Raid, Handmade is another very slick Photoshop layout perfect for business site.
Interpoint
A Photoshop business template built with simplicity and elegance in mind.
Openmint
Besides its clean and modern layout, Openmint includes a content part in the footer area that features company’s partners, which is greatly desired by most companies.
Product Layout
Product layout is actually a freebie released by HVDesigns, followed by the tutorial that teaches how to create this slick layout.
Purios
An one page Photoshop layout with elegance applied, looks simply nice.
Terrion
This free advanced Photoshop template is purposefully designed to suit portfolio, agency or business site.
Tutorials
Create A Business Website Design
Guided by Journey Digital Media, this tutorial will show you the detail to design a clean and solid fictional business layout. You can download the finished result as a Photoshop file as well.
Create A Detailed Portfolio Homepage Design In Photoshop
Let the First Web Designer teaches you the true way to create a slick home page design well-suited for portfolio and business use.
Create A Professional Web 2.0 Layout
Published by web design giant PSDTuts, this tutorial will guide you to create a web 2.0 layout with many Photoshop techniques mentioned.
Create A Sleek, Corporate Web Design
From design to coding, you get to create a complete site template with corporate feel in this guided video series.
Create A Stylish Design Agency Website
An easy to follow tutorial to produce a business site that stands out from other designs.
Create An Amazing Personal Website From Scratch
Yet another comprehensive tutorial that teaches you to create a website from scratch with just shapes, layer styles and fonts. The result design of the tutorial suits very well to business site too.
Create An Extremely Simple Dark Web Design in Photoshop
Here comes a rare tutorial that walks you through the process of creating a dark-theme website layout which features an almost pitch-black color theme with some glowing elements for contrast.
Create Fantastic Landing Page
With proper use of spacing, typography and colors, you can create a professional landing page like below, just follow the tutorial!
Design A Beautiful Website From Scratch
From Nettuts, this tutorial will show you how to create a beautiful website with a modern touch.
Design A Clean Business Website
While most tutorials teach you to create a color-rich layout, this tutorial focuses on creating a very clean yet professional design for portfolio or small business use.
Reflection
Although WordPress themes and site templates showcased here can be put online directly, I strongly recommend business owner to hire a web designer to perform customization until the template matches your brand like logo, color scheme, etc. After all, a great web design should not just look good or function well, but represent the precious brand and the very purpose of the company.
We are willing to hear what you think about these business templates, and possibly your favorite template from this showcase post, sincerely thanks.
Tags:
business website
html template
psd template
templates
tutorial
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Author: Alvaris Falcon
Alvaris is a web designer and developer. He also consider himself a charity runner and blogger in Holy Aviary.
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