News You Can Use-------December 2024

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Happy Holidays!


Enjoy the Special Holiday Events in White Plains

Check Out the Holiday video!

Events this Month

All Month

Ebersole Ice Rink -- Public Sessions every Fri. - Sun. & Holiday Schedule

Holiday Light Display at Renaissance Plaza. Daily @ Dusk

White Plains Fall & Winter Guide -- Programs & Activities for all

WP Library- Youth & Family Programs, Teen Programs, Adult Programs

White Plains Performing Arts Center.

Sun. 1

White Plains Youth Bureau's Holiday Toy Drive for White Plains children and families begins. Call 914.422.1378 for more information.

Sun. 1 -

Sun. 15

Santa's Mailbox on City Hall steps. 255 Main Street. Drop letters including return address into North Pole Express Mailbox. No stamps needed.

Wed. 11

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Renaissance Plaza. 5:30 pm . All welcome for holiday music and lighting the 24-foot tree. WPHS Band & Stepinac HS Chorus will be performing.

Wed. 11 -

Sun. 22

White Plains Holiday Market. Court Street. 11 am to 6 pm. One-of-a-kind and unique gifts and delicious food from more than two dozen vendors, plus firepits, mini-golf, entertainment and much more.

Sun. 15

Skate with Frosty the Snowman. Ebersole Ice Rink. 1 pm - 3 pm. Regular admission & skate rental rates apply.

Wed. 25

Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! City offices closed. Sanitation Holiday Schedule.

Wed. 25 - Mon. Jan. 1

Happy Chanukah to all who celebrate!

Thurs. 26 - Mon. Jan. 1

Kwanzaa. "Heri za Kwanzaa" to all who celebrate!

Thurs. 26 -

Sun. 29

Public Skate Sessions at Ebersole Ice Rink. Daily 1 pm - 3 pm Christmas week. Plus regular public sessions Friday night, Sat. and Sun. afternoons.

Tues. 31

New Year's Eve Family Spectacular. Downtown. 10:30 pm - 12:30 am.

Wed. Jan. 1

HAPPY NEW YEAR! City Office Closed. Sanitation Holiday Schedule.

Come Join Us on December 3

Ribbon Cutting for Inclusive Swing at Delfino Park

The City of White Plains will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, December 3 at 3:30pm at Delfino Park playground, 110 Lake Street for the We-Go-Swing®. 


This swing is a revolutionary step forward in inclusive play experiences. It is designed to be integrated into the playground setting allowing children of all abilities to play together and experience the thrill of swinging. White Plains features the only The We-Go-Swing® in Westchester County.  Find out more about all White Plains parks here.

The Duet Downtown Apartments Make Its Debut

Mayor Tom Roach, city council members, community leaders and local business owners celebrated the opening of the Duet Downtown, 100 and 99 Hale Avenue, with a ribbon cutting on November 20.


The Duet, adjacent to The Source mixed-use shopping and office center, features 124 apartment homes of various layouts and sizes including 13 affordable units and parking for 170 vehicles. Residents can enjoy flex use private offices, a gaming lounge, an outdoor rooftop terrace, a video game nook, and a state-of-the-art fitness studio. The Duet is also pet-friendly.

 

Click here for more information about The Duet Downtown.

For information about all development projects in White Plains, click here.

Last chance to have your say!

Vision Zero Survey closes December 10!

Be a part of the Vision Zero Initiative!


Join us as we work toward eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries, while increasing safety, health, and fair mobility for all.

Please take a brief Safety Survey.

 

Let’s work together for safer streets!

#VZWP #VisionZero #SafeStreets  

Climate Change Symposium at WP High School

The White Plains High School STEM Club hosted a Climate Change Symposium on November 16 to provide climate information to the public and serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas.

Mayor Roach, shown at right with student presenters, opened the event and Sai Darira, a climate change activist from Columbia University, delivered an inspiring keynote speech.


Several WPHS clubs and community groups presented innovative solutions to combat climate change, while children of all ages enjoyed engaging activities focused on environmental awareness, including a scavenger hunt and visits to the Rye Nature Center trailer on site.


This Climate Change Symposium was one of eight projects funded through the Youth Climate Action Fund grant that the city received from Bloomberg Philanthropies. Check out all the projects here.

We've got lots of news this month. Be sure to scroll all the way down. Thanks!

Drop It In Anytime Through December 15

Santa's Mailbox at City Hall Is Ready for Your Letter

Write your special letter to Santa, place it in an envelope addressed to Santa, North Pole, and drop it in the Special Mailbox on the steps of City Hall.


Remember to include your return address so Santa can send you a personalized reply! No stamp needed. City Hall is located at 255 Main St.

Holiday Tree Lighting December 11, 5:30 pm

Join us for the City Lights, Bright Holiday Nights Tree Lighting on Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 pm at the Renaissance Plaza and Court Street. Free event and all are welcome!


Celebrate the sights and sounds of the season as the Mayor lights the City's holiday tree and starts the Holiday Market.

Make the Holidays Brighter for Your Neighbors

Consider Donating to These Local Holiday Drives

White Plains Professional Firefighters

Santa Express

The Santa Express began in 1976 when members of White Plains Professional Firefighters Local 274 went door to door, singing carols in various White Plains neighborhoods. 


This has grown into members delivering toys and spreading holiday cheer to hospitals, schools, and daycares around the city. 


The Elizabeth Seton Children’s School and the White Plains Senior Center, are two Santa Express visits that are incredibly special to members. 


Santa Express will take place on December 12. Call 914.422.6111 for more information.

White Plains Youth Bureau Youth Council

Annual Toy Drive

The White Plains Mayor’s Youth Council is actively preparing for the 2024 Holiday Gift Drive.


Every year, with the generous support of the White Plains community, the Youth Bureau works to ensure White Plains children receive a gift for the holidays. This year, the Youth Bureau will serve over 320 youth from nearly 90 White Plains families! 


The Mayor Youth Council sorts, wraps, and distributes the Holiday Gift bags.


The Youth Bureau is accepting donations through Monday, December 9 for distribution on December 18 and 19.


Please contact Eric Rios at the White Plains Youth Bureau for more information - 914.422.1378.

Ebersole Ice Rink Holiday Schedule


  • Monday, Dec. 23 & Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1 pm - 3 pm
  • Thursday, Dec. 26, 1 pm - 3 pm
  • Friday, Dec. 27, 1 pm - 3 pm, 6:45- 7:45pm, 8-10 pm
  • Saturday, Dec. 28, 1 pm - 3 pm,
  • Sunday, Dec. 29, 8:30-10:15 am (Adult Only) 1:00-3:00 pm (General Session),
  • Monday, Dec. 30, 1:00-3:00pm 


Click here for more information.

The Downtown White Plains

Winter Village & Holiday Market

11 am to 6 pm -- Wed. December 11 to Sun. December 22

The White Plains Business Improvement District, the City and 914PopUps

are hosting the annual White Plains Holiday Market on Court Street between

Martine Avenue & Main Street from December 11 through December 22.

The Market is free to attend and open to all. It will feature a wide selection of unique gifts from nearly two dozen local vendors from across Westchester.


Each day offers a full schedule of events and activities for all ages, including:

  • Outdoor Firepits
  • Winter mini-golf
  • Dazzling Ice Sculpting Demonstrations
  • Live Entertainment, ranging from holiday characters to carolers and more
  • A New Year’s Eve Wishing Wall
  • Visits with Santa and Seasonal Friends (Pip the Penguin, The Gingerbread Man, The Grinch) and daily children’s crafts
  • Santa’s Mailbox
  • 7 Igloos, offering a warm and cozy spot to connect with friends and family over a board game, or enjoy a take-out meal from local restaurants

Click here for a full vendor and activities list.

Every Day Is a Good Day

To Shop White Plains

White Plains offers hundreds of shopping options from locally owned neighborhood stores to classic department stores and renowned specialty retailers. Downtown Shopping aaaaaa

Downtown Dining aaaaCity CenteraaaaaThe Westchester

Celebrate the Arrival of 2025 in Downtown WP!

Tuesday, December 31

10:30 pm - 12:30 am

Main & Court Street

The city's annual celebration takes place in the heart of White Plains with live music, countdown, ball drop, and fireworks.


Stay Safe, Stay Green

Useful Info for During & After the Holidays

Holiday Home Safety Tips

The holidays are a time to reconnect with family and friends, but they can present seasonal safety hazards. The White Plains Department of Public Safety provides these tips to help keep you and your home safe this holiday season

After the Holidays

The City of White Plains encourages residents to follow sustainable guidelines with their holiday clean-up. It is important to recycle right and know what can or cannot go into your recycle bin. For complete information about White Plains recycling options click here.

Holiday Trees

Holiday trees are picked up at the curb beginning December 26. 


As the trees are mulched for wood chips, please remove all tinsel, lights, 

decorations, tree stands and plastic bags prior to collection.

Winter Storm Guidance Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communications and icy roads.

Be prepared. Sign up for the City's Code Red alerts for winter advisories and special parking conditions.


Click here for information regarding snow removal guidelines and best practices.

Managing Winter Energy Bills

The New York State Department of Public Service provides www.dps.ny.gov/winter -- a webpage dedicated to winter preparedness.


You will find information about how to manage energy bills while staying warm and safe during the cold weather months. Learn about simple, low-cost energy-saving measures to reduce energy use & consider bill payment options and financial assistance programs to help manage energy costs.

Thanks to All Who Contributed to the Successful

White Plains Youth Bureau Holiday Food Basket Drive

During this season of giving, the City of White Plains Youth Bureau was able to provide 100 White Plains families with a Thanksgiving meal. In addition to the Youth Council members who shop, put the bags together, and hand out the meals, we would not have such a successful program without our donors.  


Thank you to the White Plains Fire Department, White Plains Police Department, White Plains Library, White Plains City Staff, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.Pi Iota Omega Chapter, Girls Scouts and the Westchester Street Rod Association, and community members.

Congratulations to Dr. Jim Isenberg

Jim will receive Top Honors at the 42nd Annual Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon on December 6. He is one of the founders of Grandpas United in White Plains, an intergenerational program that provides informal group mentoring, one-on-one mentoring, ongoing activities and special events for youth ages 5-21.

Community Thanksgiving Celebrations

Annual Slater Center

Thanksgiving Feast

on November 16

Thanksgiving Lunch at WP Senior Center

All Smiles was the theme of the day at the Slater Center Annual Thanksgiving feast on November 16.

Mayor Roach joined Slater Center Director Heather Miller, right, and John Rossi, Director of the White Plains Community Action Partnership, for the festivities.

Seniors enjoy the Annual Thanksgiving Lunch with friends on November 26.

Congratulations to Five New

White Plains Eagle Scouts

From Troop 400 - Dominic Portillo


From Troop 73 -- Erik Gunnar Johnsson, Duff Lee Oston Tan Manuel,

Siddhant Vinay Sawant and Angel Gabriel Valencia

Shinnyo-En Buddhist Temple Celebrates 30 Years in White Plains

Shinnyo-en New York, located at 470 North St., is the East Coast hub of Shinnyo-en, an international Buddhist community originally founded in Japan in 1936. The White Plains temple opened in 1994, and since then has supported people's spiritual development, offered buddhist training in the Shinnyo tradition, and has been a good neighbor to all.

The City of White Plains has many accessible events and

welcomes people with disabilities.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding access to an event, please call the sponsoring agency during normal business hours:

Recreation & Parks -- 914.422.1336, Youth Bureau -- 914.422.1378,

Public Works -- 914.422.1221.


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