News from the City of White Plains aa aa a aaaaaa MARCH 2020
MARCH 2020 EVENTS
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White Plains Youth Bureau Celebrates Alumni with the 50 Faces 50 Stories program.
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Summer Camp Opportunities with WP Youth Bureau and Recreation Dept .
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Free Tax Help from AARP. White Plains Public Library, Every Monday and Tuesday from 10 AM to 3:00 PM until April 14th.
All Month
Sat. - 7th
The 15th Annual White Plains Youth Bureau Performing Arts Benefit show celebrating Today’s Performers, Tomorrow’s Stars ! White Plains Performing Arts Center. 7 pm. Purchase tickets at WPPAC .
Sun. - 8th
Daylight Saving Time Begins. Change the batteries in your smoke detector.
Sat. - 14th
White Plains Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade. Steps off at noon. Mamaroneck Avenue to City Hall. Free.
Sat. - 14th
Amanda Browder Community Sew Day Sponsored by Arts Westchester. Alliance Francaise, 11 am - 4 pm.
Mon. - 16th
Shoe Recycling Program Soles for Souls.. Help us reach our goal of 10,000 pairs! Through April 30th.
Fri. - 20th
Jump in and Swim. Join us for Free learn to swim activities! Pre-registration required. Ends April 4th
Sat. - 21st
White Plains 25th Annual Heroes Classic Bravest vs. Finest Charity Hockey Game, To benefit Ronald McDonald House. Ebersole Rink. 6 PM. $5 suggested donation.  
Sat. - 28th
Annual Spring Spectacular Ice Show. 4PM at Ebersole Ice Rink. Free Event. Last Public Skate Session 3/29.
Sun. - 29th
White Plains Sizzles in New Video
We are excited to share our new sizzle reel for White Plains! 
It provides a quick look at all the city has to offer and 
is a great snapshot of our community.…
What do you think? Let us know at feedback@whiteplainsny.gov
Coming Soon! Census 2020
The next federal census will occur this spring, counting people of all ages, races, ethnic groups, citizens as well as non-citizens.

It's vitally important that White Plains achieve a complete count of all of its residents, as the census helps determine where to build new schools, hospitals and businesses; how federal funding is distributed and how congressional seats are apportioned.

What's different about Census 2020 is that the public will be encouraged to complete the census online. Residents will receive a mailing with the information they will need to go online and complete the census.
Don't have a computer, or feel like you might need some assistance? The White Plains Public Library has the staff and computers to help you complete the census successfully. For free, of course.
In March 2020 the Census Bureau will mail census information to homes and the public can begin responding to the census online.

For more about the census visit White Plains Counts: Census 2020 .
Help Get The Word Out

One of the challenges of the Census is that there is so much information being produced. We’ve waded through the literature -- the two flyers below will help answer most questions. We’ve included the English and Spanish versions in PDF format. You can post these, hand them out, or include them with a newsletter.

But remember, the Census Bureau is providing information in a total of 59 languages, including Lithuanian, Somali and American Sign Language! So if you need literature in other languages, let us know and we’ll find it for you.

The Library:
Census Central

The White Plains Public Library is prepared to help citizens complete the Census seven days a week, every hour that they are open. The Library has technology that meets all the requirements regarding security and confidentiality, and the staff has also been trained to help people access the Census.

For those who want to complete the Census online, but lack the technology or skills, send them to the Library! It’s the easiest way to get counted.

If folks throw out their mailing—and lack the code to enter on the Census website—send them to the Library. Based on their address, we should be able to get them counted.
You Could Be a Census Ambassador
The job of Census Ambassador is to provide the public with solid, factual information about the Census as well as answer questions the public may have. Topics include: Why completing the census is so important, confidentiality, what the Census asks, the Census timeline, and where to get assistance in completing the digital Census.

You won't actually help people complete the Census, but you will help spread the word.
Census Ambassadors will staff tables at busy points throughout the City, including the Library lobby, as well as at events. We will arm you with plenty of fact sheets to distribute.

Interested? Register for a brief, 20-minute training session at the White Plains Library. Sessions will be on   Wednesday, March 11 at 6:00 p.m . ;   Friday, March 13 at 2:00 p.m . ; and  Wednesday, March 18 at 10:15 a.m.
Be On The Alert for Census Scams
It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census.

Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:
  • Your Social Security number.
  • Your bank account or credit card numbers.
  • Money or donations.
Also, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.

Report suspected fraud to 800-923-8282.
Great White Plains Dining Opportunities During Restaurant Week -- March 16-29
Get ready to try some new restaurants and visit your old favorites during Hudson Valley Restaurant Week , from Monday, March 16th thru Sunday, March 29th. Three-Course Lunch is offered for $22.95 and Three-Course Dinner at $32.95. Price excludes beverages, taxes and tips.

Here are the participating White Plains restaurants. And remember to refer to the White Plains BID Dining Guide when making dining plans. The Dining Guide lists all 94 eateries in the downtown area.
Hold the Bag! NYS Bag Waste Reduction Act in Effect on March 1st.

In an effort to reduce the number of single-use, non-biodegradable plastic bags in the waste stream and encourage the use of reusable bags, NY State enacted the Bag Waste Reduction Act as part of last year's state budget.

This new law prohibits stores from providing plastic carry-out bags to their customers. It is set to take effect across New York State on March 1st . Certain types of plastic bags are exempt from the law, including fruit & vegetable bags commonly found in the supermarket, newspaper delivery bags, trash bags, food storage bags, garment bags, plastic bags used by restaurants for carry-out or delivery, and pharmacy bags.
Plastic bags have become ubiquitous. Not only are they aesthetically unpleasing when they get stuck in trees and litter our neighborhoods, they are detrimental to our environment and to wildlife. These single-use plastic bags do not biodegrade, and as such, carry significant recycling and disposal issues. The petroleum used to produce these bags creates greenhouse gas emissions. 

Enter the "Do You Know White Plains?" Contest
Harry Bright
The answer to last month's question --   Who were the first two African Americans elected to the White Plains Common Council? -- is Harry Bright who served from 1975 to 1979, and William "Bill" Brown, a council member from 1993 to 1997.
Bill Brown
Congratulations to last month's winners Mary Jenkins, Alice Mae and Laurie Sandler.

This month's question relates, naturally, to the census. What was the population of the City of White Plains 100 years ago, in the 1920 Census? The first person to email in the correct answer (within 1,000 of the exact population) will receive two tickets to an upcoming production at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. All other winners will receive a copy of Images in America: White Plains in the 20th Century.

Email your answer to  feedback@whiteplainsny.gov . Look for the correct answer, and a list of winners, in next month's newsletter.
Comments or story ideas for this newsletter?  Please send them to us.