2011 WHITE PLAINS COLUMBUS DAY FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2

WHITE PLAINS, NY (September 21, 2011)—A little bit of Italy and more comes to the campus of White Plains High School this fall with the 2nd annual Columbus Day Festival, a fun-filled, three-day celebration held as part of the October Italian Heritage and Culture Month festivities. Organized by The White Plains Columbus Day Parade Committee Inc. in cooperation with The City of White Plains, the event promises to offer something for all ages.

CITY OF WHITE PLAINS ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION HUD GRANT TO JUMP START TRANSFORMATION OF THE WINBROOK NEIGHBORHOOD

White Plains, New York. September 22, 2011. Mayor Tom Roach and White Plains Housing Authority Executive Director Mack Carter today announced that the Housing Authority has secured a $3.5 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant will come through HUD’s Capital Fund Education and Training Community (CFCF) Facilities Program and will be used by the Housing Authority to jump start the transformation of the Winbrook neighborhood in the City. The City of White Plains has also committed to contributing $1.5 million toward the cost of the project.

YOUNG LUNGS AT PLAY FREE PROGRAM

Mayor Thomas M. Roach invites you to join the City of White Plains Smoke FREE Parks initiative. The “Young Lungs At Play” event will feature activities and entertainment with the goal of educating the community about healthy initiative of tobacco free parks in White Plains. This event is Co-sponsored by the White Plains Cares Coalition, and Tobacco Free NYS. For additional information please call the recreation office at 914-422-1336.

White Plains Youth Bureau announces Father & Child Golf Day

Hey Dads, have you ever dreamed of having your own athletic superstar? If so, Golf just might be for you and your child. The White Plains Youth Bureau’s Fatherhood Initiative, in collaboration with the Beta Alpha Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. is sponsoring a FREE Golf Clinic for dads and their children on Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 11:00AM to 1:30PM, at the outdoor field of George Washington Elementary School, 100 Orchard Street, White Plains (gymnasium if it rains).

FALL LEAF SEASON RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Department of Public Works will continue to pick up soft yard debris, including leaves, from the property side of the curb, in biodegradable paper bags* or in dedicated compost containers** through October 8, 2011.

Please do not leave brush, leaves or any type of yard debris in the street, as this can be dangerous to pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and children and may also clog vital storm drains in adverse weather.

City, School and Community Organizers Urge Dads to Take Children to School

White Plains, New York. Mayor Tom Roach will be joined by Superintendent of Schools, Chris Clouet, Youth Bureau Director Frank Williams and scores of White Plains fathers for the annual Dads Take Your Children to School Day on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. The event will include a 30 minute program at each of the nine school campuses throughout White Plains.

Bunge Employees and Students from the White Plains Youth Bureau Greening Project Build Greenhouse in White Plains

Ribbon Cutting Wednesday, September 14, 2011

White Plains, New York. Mayor Thomas Roach and employees from Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG), a global agribusiness and food company headquartered in White Plains, are set to officially cut the ribbon on a newly constructed greenhouse on Wednesday, September 14th, at 2 pm in Delfino Park. Donated by Bunge, the new greenhouse was built in August by students from the Greening Project, a City of White Plains Youth Bureau environmental education program, and employees from Bunge’s White Plains office with the support of the City’s Department of Public Works. The greenhouse was high on the wish list of the Greening Project’s participants. “We are thrilled to have such a great partner in Bunge who understands the importance of educating our children about the environment, locally grown vegetation and the global impact that local action can yield,” said Mayor Roach.

9/11 Exhibit at White Plains Library

The City of White Plains and the White Plains Public Library are honored to host a "New York Remembers" exhibition recognizing the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The exhibit is on display in the 2nd floor gallery of the White Plains Public Library and is free and open to the public during library operating hours, including on Sunday, September 11.

The exhibit includes a detailed time line designed to help visitors understand the sequence of terrorist activity during the decade preceding the attacks. The time line then explains how September 11 unfolded, the timing of the attacks, evacuations and collapse of the towers. The exhibit also includes a door from an NYPD vehicle, a portion of a victims board, and other artifacts.

White Plains was one of 30 sites around the state, and the only site in Westchester County, selected to host a New York Remembers exhibit. The artifacts on display are on loan from the New York State Museum and are part of the Museum's collection. The New York Remembers exhibit was made possible by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

September 11 Honor Service

Mayor Thomas Roach and the City of White Plains Recreation & Parks Department announce plans for the City’s September 11 Commemorative Service. The ceremony honoring and remembering residents of White Plains that were victims of this tragic terrorist attack will be held on Friday, September 9, 2011 at 7 pm. The Location of the ceremony will be Liberty Park on Lake St., the site of the permanent memorial for the residents of White Plains killed on September 11, 2001. Additionally the City invites all Police, Firefighters, EMS workers and members of the Armed Forces who reside and/or work in White Plains to join us for our Line Of Honor at this community gathering of remembrance and hope. Please assemble at 6:30 pm at the park for our line of Honor.

Federal Disaster Assistance for Residents & Businesses

FEMA has opened a Disaster Recovery center at the Westchester County Center. The Center will be open 7 days / week, from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM until further notice. County Center parking fees will be waived for those visiting the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. FEMA recommends applying online or by telephone prior to coming to the Center.

As a result of the federal disaster declaration by President Obama, Westchester residents and businesses may now apply for Individual Assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

To begin the process, contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or visit their website at www.disasterassistance.gov. Those who utilize the website will be able to download and submit an application online. The website also provides important eligibility information for FEMA assistance. Residents and businesses are encouraged to file a claim with their own insurers simultaneously with applying for FEMA assistance.

Mayor Tom Roach would like to thank White Plains' federal representatives, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, as well as Governor Andrew Cuomo for their assistance in securing this aid for White Plains residents and businesses.

White Plains Youth Bureau City-Wide Backpack Challenge 2011

Ah, the excitement of a new school year, the fresh smell of new school supplies, and the joy of a sparkling new backpack! Thanks to the generosity of caring White Plains partners, many children of White Plains will have new book bags and the needed materials to get them off to a fresh start this school year. On Tuesday, September 6th (the very first day of school for White Plains students) at 4:30 pm at Church Street School (295 Church Street), Mayor Tom Roach will hold a special recognition ceremony for the donors and recipients of the first ever City of White Plains Backpack Challenge.