WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES.

Hits: 0

WPCNR ON THE AISLE. By John F. Bailey. September 17, 2006:  Amazing Judy Collins delivered the concert of a lifetime Saturday evening in salute of Jim Benerofe, the reporter who has been covering city hall for thirty years, who’s been contributing his money and time and ideas to White Plains and Westchester County organizations for a lifetime.

 

 

Ms. Judy Collins appeared in Jim Benerofe’s honor in Westchester for the first time in years thanks to Westco Productions – Westchester’s most successful children’s theatre company – to premier Westco’s 27^th Anniversary season at Irvington Town Hall Theater Saturday night. Photo, WPCNR News

 

Jim and Robin Benerofe greeting friends as they make they way to their seats.

Photo,WPCNR News

 

Ms Collins looking elegantly beautiful, graceful, wise, wonderful and all-knowing and singing with emotion, range and clarity of imagery in voice, enthralled a packed house of 450 persons, including Paul Schaefer and Jane Alexander, putting us all at ease like an old friend should. 

 

From her joyous opener “Old friend, I hope I’m as good to you as you are to me” to her uplifting, powerful  9-11 tribute, 343, “no breaking hearts on a sunny day” her enchanting voice played the audience like a fourth instrument in addition to “The Voice,” piano and keyboard. Thunderous applause greeted each number in a two-hour concert so comfortably paced and modulated by Ms. Collins that it hardly seemed as if two hours had gone by. You could have kept on listening into the night.

 

Earthy  contraltos,  serene soprano,  soft articulations of phrase played our emotions, our hearts, our memories, brightened our futures and had us enjoying every bejeweled aspect of the silver diamond, the one and only Judy Collins.

 

 This reporter saw Ms. Collins perform in the early 70s, and has to say she was great then, but  she is even better now – a master of her craft and her voice. The depths and heights of emotions Ms. Collins effortlessly styles into each selection creates music that through her voice paints pictures you feel. You’re hunching at the steering wheel in the cold wind of a Colorado blizzard,  you feel the brightness of the sun on a Chelsea Morning (her encore), you feel the edge and the irony of  life over the edge “a thousand kisses deep.”

 

Judy Collins Performing Saturday night.

Photo, WPCNR News

 

 

Before singing Jim Benerofe’s special song, Ms. Collins reminisced of music her father liked.  It is a good thing Ms. Collins isn’t considering a nightclub cabaret act otherwise those frowsy songtresses would be out of gigs, because Ms. Collins’ voice can torch. Her up the scale, down the scale version of My Funny Valentine  a capella, awakened my heart to that old feeling.  Snapping her fingers,  she Gershwined  They Can’t Take That Away From Me, before seguing into Send In the Clowns for the honoree, Jim Benerofe sitting in the front row.  Her tour de force of styles was most entertaining. A Streisand or a Krall cannot do Judy Collins, but Judy Collins does them better than they do themselves.

 

On through the evening the favorites came, songs we knew and songs we did not know and we got  to know and want to hear again.  Ms. Collins’ stories about her life and why she sings what she sings made her an instant old friend, from stories of her days in Greenwich Village to stories of her childhood.

 

Considering the thousands of times Ms. Collins has sung Someday Soon, she voice styles it so it is fresh with many depths and heights, enhanced by her years — lingering low on some notes, keening high on other lines embellishint the perennial favorite with everything out of her talent and her rich life. Someday Soon and Both Sides Now – she sings stronger today with only her guitar and brilliant accompanist on piano laying down a multi-layered lifetime of experiences in the instrumentations of her signature songs.

 

 

Her keyboard work that she switched to start the second act, was enthralling particularly haunting on her meaningful Before Dark. This song speaks to the temporary nature of relationships and Ms. Collins voice evokes the unforgettable feelings departure leaves and how all relationships end. Photo, WPCNR News

 

 

Ms. Collins ended her concert with Amazing Grace, which she invited the audience to sing together with her. The gem of Irvington Town Hall Theater with the ceiling fans overhead turning soundlessly turned into an old southern revival hall, filling us with a peace that church services create. Photo, WPCNR News

 

Roared back to the stage, Ms. Collins rewarded the charmed audience with an encore —  Chelsea Morning – just the right song to send us out into the night to face a new day. Just like an evening with an old friend should be like.

 

 

In the After Party at the posh cherry-paneled Carriage House at Lyndhurst Castle, the former tycoon Jay Gould’s estate on the banks of the Hudson River, a select group of over 90 close friends and Ms. Collins saluted the Guest of Honor Jim Benerofe, enjoying wine, cocktails and elegant apple cheesecake, chocolate cheesecake and carrot cake in the high-ceilinged relic of America’s Gilded Age. L to Right, State Senator State Senator  Suzi Oppenheimer, “The Dean of White Plains Journalism,” Jim Benerofe, Judy Collins, and Susan Katz, “The First Lady of Westchester Children’s Theatre.” Photo, WPCNR News

 

 

Susan Katz, founder and Executive Director of Westco Productions said she had known Jim for years and remembered the days when they had talked about bringing theater for kids to the county. She said Jim always listened a lot, spoke softly, but always had a knack for analyzing a situation and when he spoke sized up situations incisively was often funny in the process. Ms. Katz praised him for being such a longtime supporter of the Tickets for Tots program. Steven Slednik, left, Chair of the Westco Board of Directors presented Mr. Benerofe with a crystal Westco “Star” honoring him for his years of encouragement and support. Photo, WPCNR News

 

 

 

State Senator for White Plains, Suzi Oppenheimer, right,  though she left the New York State Proclamation honoring him home on her kitchen table, she said Jim when he visited her in Albany always spoke very quietly, but was always persistent. She noted that he has been very valuable to the City of White Plains, mentioning his work with Westco, the White Plains Public Library and other organizations, and has been such an asset to the community.

 Photo, WPCNR News

 

 

Congresswoman Nita Lowey said she had a proclamation but was not going to read it, but instead said that for many of us we work and come home to spend time with our families, but that we need to involve ourselves in our communities as Jim Benerofe has done because that is what makes the country strong. Photo, WPCNR News

 

Mr. Benerofe, emotionally moved, said, this was the first time anything like this has been done for him since his Bar Mitzvah. He thanked all for coming out to see him, and thanked the opening act, (Ms. Collins). He said he and the Shirley G. Benerofe Foundation named in honor of his mother, have been supporting Westco for some twenty years and is currently supporting their Tickets for Tots Program which enables 4,500 children a year from Head Start programs to attend Westco Theater for Young Audiences performances at no charge, and encouraged the audience to read about the other programs on Westco’s website at www.westcoproductions.com.

 

Thank you, Jim Benerofe, it would not be White Plains without you.

 

Thank you Westco for bringing back two old friends on one great stage.

 

We hear through the Broadway grapevine that Westco is in negotiations to bring Ms. Collins back to Westchester and the Irvington Town Hall Theatre again in the near future, and Ms. Collins loved the audience and wants to come back too. Ms. Collins said to the audience it was so nice to see such a theatre still exists — and she loved the acoustics.

 

Welcome back old friend, it’s so good to see you again!

 

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR IN THE BALCONY. Review by John F. Bailey. September 16, 2006: “Better than the original Broadway production,” was the comment of a seasoned theatregoer after having just seen Westchester Broadway Theatre’s revival of The Full Monty at the Elmsford Bistro/showcase Thursday evening.

 

The not so desperate housewives of The Full Monty:  Dorina Dilullo as Estelle, Amy Barker as Vicki, Melodie Wolford  as Joanie (Mr. Nichols’ wife), Caroline B. Younger as Georgie the hostess of Rombo’s Jerry’s wife, Nicole Mangi as Susan and Laurie-Beth Mraz as Pam, Dave’s wife, critique the “real men” of  The Full Monty singing “The Goods” in the WBT revival of the show of the same name in Elmsford.

Photo by John Vecchiolla, Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre.

 

This “distinguished member of the press,” (Thank you, emcee Steve Calleran),  never having seen the original show, has to agree with  the show’s stopper song that The Full Monty, energetically staged by a lampooning, mugging, naughty, cohesive, brassy,  meaty hunky, hulking male collection and angelic, stylish,  busty and attractive leggy female team is “The Goods!”

Caroline Younger as Georgie Bukatinsky in kinky curls, tight pants and high boots struts on stage at Rombo’s – the “women only male review club”  with her Bronxy-Joisey wisecracks that spill big laughs early.  Georgie introduces Buddy “Keno” Walsh, from the “Big Apple” who launches into a Chippendale-inspired male divestment that touches off a rollicking first act. Freddy Tyson Kimmel creates “Keno” – one of the show’s two signature bits — has the Chippendale thing down – and great abs, girls. The women in the audience were most appreciative! That’s just the start of this marathon 3-hour Monty – with a 30 minute intermission.

 

Meanwhile out in Rombo’s alley, Peter James Zielinski as Jerry Lukowski and Tad Wilson as Dave Bukatinsky laid off from their steel factory in Buffalo, linger outside of the strip club where their wives are watching the male strippers. They’re joined by other laid off factory workers who team in on a group number that laments that they’re now considered Scrap – a number that sets Jerry and Dave’s condition as the We want to thank you Herbert Hoover number does in Annie. Every dance choreographed by Director Richard Stafford and Jonathon Stahl in this show entertains, delights, and delivers “The Goods” –  big laughs with the dancing moves – no pathos about them.

 

 

Sneaking into Rombo’s, Jerry and Dave hide in the men’s room and to their horror their wives and sexy friends come in and rouse the audience to laughter with their rendition of It’s a Woman’s World with great choreography and style. Meanwhile Jerry and Dave listen to all their shortcomings as the not-so-desperate housewife eye candy disses them just beyond the cubicle. It’s a funny scene that is the first house-bring-downer of the evening.

 

When Keno from The Big Apple leaves the club Jerry criticizes Keno’s  sexual orientation, and Keno decks Dave. Dave and Jerry duet on the ode to the every man, Man, filled with humorous characterizations of what they feel is a real man – “We hate Tom Cruise but like Lee Marvin.” Out of this song Jerry hatches the scheme that he and Dave could make big money stripping for women, too.  Jerry needs the bread because his wife Pam played by the cool blonde Laurie-Beth Mraz is threatening to remarry and take custody of their son away. (But, trust me – it’s funny.)

 

I’ve got Friends: Nick Gaswirth as Malcolm on the hood of his car, is turned around by Tad Wilson as Dave Bukatinsky, left and Peter James Zielinski as Jerry Lukowski in the number, Big Ass Rock.

Photo by John Vecchiolla, Courtesy Westchester Broadway Theatre

 

This segues into a marvelous bit where Jerry and Dave meet a fellow worker, Malcolm played by Nick Gaswirth, a guard at the factory, whom Dave happens to save from committing suicide – how? You’ll have to see the show. Jerry and Dave try and prove to Malcolm he has friends and prove it to him by singing the hideously funny, well-timed song Big Ass Rock — to prove what friends they are.

 

They decide to take dancing lessons from Harold Nichols (Joel Briel) who laid Jerry and Dave off at the factory. At the dance studio, we meet the statuesque Amy Barker playing Nichols’ wife who executes another crowd-pleasing number spoofing women’s tastes. Strutting and posing with grace and style she sings “Life With Harold”  with the cajoling refrain “Love That Man.” It is a highlight that the men in audience just love. Nichols agrees to help the men learn Chippendale moves because he does not want his wife to know he is laid off, too.

 

The balance of the first act shows Jerry putting together his review of ordinary real men highlighted by the debut of the acid tongued comicstress, Patti Mariano who dominates the rehearsals, playing piano, as each would-be “real man” attempts to impress Jerry, Dave and Malcolm with their stripping moves.

 

Everyone in the World Loves a Big Black Man. David White gets show into high gear with his “audition” to be one of Jerry’s “Real Men.” Patti Mariano (Jeannette) is on the piano;  Nick Gaswirth as Malcolm (in Police uniform), Tad Wilson as Dave, Michael Herwitz as Nathan and Peter James Zielinski as Jerry and  Joel Briel as Harold Nickels are blown away.

Photo by John Vecchiolla, Courtesy Westchester Broadway Theatre.

 

The sight gags and lampooning get the audience laughing one sight gag after another – but when Horse comes on created  by David White – Mr. White knocks them out – and the WBT crowd with them in the second best tune of the show: Big Black Man. Mr. White singing and moving to the tune of ZZtop’s Sharp-Dressed Man (“everyone in the world loves a Big Black Man”) introduces the audience to a segue of black moves from the James Brown glide to the Mashed Potato. The show is worth seeing just for this number because Mr. White in the divine micry approaching Eddie Murphy just brings the show into high gear with this number. He is so good in this you wait for him to come back just to see him do his stuff again.

 

In Act II, the boys are preparing for their first gig – at a senior citizen’s home which ends them up in a pickle. Jerry borrows from his son, played by  Noah Ruff  of Katonah, to stage the show. Young Mr. Ruff did a fine job of encouraging his father to put on the show. (Michael Herwitz  from Irvington, plays the son on alternate nights.)

 

Patti  Mariano delivers a character tour de force as Amy Barker does in Act One, when she reminisces about her days in Vegas in her song, Jeannette’s Show Biz Number. Georgie (Caroline Younger)  and Vicki (Amy Barker) duet on You Rule My World.

 

 

“It Ain’t The Goods:” The girls critique the Real Men. Photo by John Vecchiolla, Courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre.

 In attempting to rehearse at the Nichols’ residence the “real men” become self-concious of their bodies. In an imaginary number, their wives and the wives’ girl friends perform “The Goods,” where the women in caustic fashion critique the “real men’s” bodies for pimples on their posteriors, big stomachs, and the shortcomings that we real men have.

 

 At the end of each outrageous put-down which every woman and man can identify, which cannot be written in a family website, the women all cross their great legs and pout to the audience “This ain’t the goods.”  It’s scandalously funny. Women laughed louder than the men in the audience on this one.

 

Will the boys, through working as a team, bring their “Review of Real Men” together? Will they recover their self respect? As their big night approaches…well all is answered on stage at the WBT.

 

The Real Men of The Full Monty Performing LET IT GO– the big finale: CENTER, Clockwise: Peter James Zielinski (Jerry)  David White (Horse), Brian Gligor (Ethan),Tad Wilson (Dave), Joel Briel (Harold) and Nick Gaswirth as Malcolm, on knee).

Photo by John Vecchiolla, Courtesy,Westchester Broadway Theatre.

 

 

The conclusion to The Full Monty wraps up with the big question, “Will they take it all off?” Only the CitizeNetReporter knows for sure and to find out – you’ll have to see the show to see what you see when they take it all off. The applause lasted three minutes.

 

 WPCNR Gold Lame G-strings to the entire company for coming together in what is a team show — they seem to enjoy themselves.  There is no one megastar who carries the show. The dance numbers play for laughs, the takeoffs of the ecdysiasts-wanna-be’s mimicking the hip thrusts, booty bumps and crouch and crotch contorsions of Chippendale legend are over the top– that both men and women will enjoy – perhaps for different reasons.

 

The set, making minimal use of backdrops is not a factor, because in this show it’s all about the performers who, like the real men of The Full Monty come together as a team.

 

WPCNR Silver Thongs have to go to the WBT live orchestra lead by John Daniels that sets the mood from the 50s lounge music overture to the rimshots and riffs ranging from rock, soul to thrusts and jerks. (Lady ecdysiasts bump and grind, male ecdysiasts thrust and jerk) One quibble: the sound system distorts the songs at times and needs to be addressed.

 

This Full Monty  (which ran for 2 years on Broadway when it premiered in 2000) is Americanized, is not British in any way and delivers off-color language and situations within it. The “Real Men” and spectacular ladies of The Monty play the WBT boards for laughs through November 22, break for the WBT Christmas Show, Christmas Inn, and return to warm up winter nights again beginning December 28 and running through January 20. For information on this dinner and show, call 592-2222 or visit the WBT website, www.broadwaytheatre.com.

Hits: 0

WPCNR’S CITY HALL NEWS CONFERENCE. By John F. Bailey. September 15, 2006: WPCNR with the cooperation of  The Mayor’s Office is introducing a new feature this week in order that our readers know that WPCNR is attempting to get the answers on  questions raised by news events. Thursday afternoon, Paul Wood, the City’s Executive Officer and David Maloney, Strategic Area Development Officer/Grants Coordinator responded to a number of questions WPCNR left on their voicemails and conducted a telenewsconference:

 

 WPCNR: Does the Mayor have a statement as to what Commissioner of Building, Mike Gismondi has meant to the city, as he departs October 2?

 

Mr. Wood: We wish him luck in his future endeavors.

 

WPCNR:  Does the Mayor have a statement on the county approval of the $1.6 Million lease to HANAC and Bluestone Corp. to build and manage the senior housing project?

 

Mr. Wood: We’re evaluating it. Have you looked at the lease agreement (with HANAC and Bluestone Corporation)? They’re given the right to flip it (sell the lease).

 

WPCNR: Are you planning legal action to stop it?

 

Mr. Wood: We’re evaluating it.

 

Return of the Green Scum

 

 

SILVER LAKE on Liberty Park, viewed from the Harrison (East Side) of Lake looking south to White Plains and Lake Street on August 31, 2006. Photo, WPCNR News

 

WPCNR:  What is causing the new green scum coating Silver Lake for the last three weeks now that temperatures are in the 60s?  Related Question: did the Town of Harrison ever repair their sanitary sewer line as the city was told it would do?

 

Mr. Wood: The cause is biological. It is not sewage from Harrison. Buddy (Commissioner of Public Works sent me a memo explaining the situation).

 

Mr. Maloney: We’ve initiated dialogue with upper level federal elected officials for help in cleaning it (Silver Lake) up. (Mr. Maloney declined to say who the elected officials were the city has contacted.) . The park closes in 7 weeks – we have time to work on a solution for next year.  

 

Silver Lake Scum in the Sunset. August 31. Looking West. Liberty Park dock is at left. Photo, WPCNR News.

 

WPCNR: Is the city requesting federal aid from elected officials to clean up Silver Lake?

 

Mr. Maloney: . Buddy (Nicoletti) is seeking aid from the state, we are holding discussions at the federal level. We’re in the early stages of discussion, it’s too soon to tell what the officials can do. We’re actively pursuing it.

 

Joseph “Bud” Nicoletti Supervising in the field, relining the Main Street Sewer

Commissioner of Public Works.

 

 

A short time later, Mr. Wood shared with  WPCNR this Memorandum he had received from Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph Nicoletti on the causes and efforts to alleviate the return of the Silver Lake scum:

 

It’s not quite like last year when the sewage from Harrison was getting into the lake, but due to natural causes, there are many rooted algae plants that grow there. Arne (Abramowitz, Commissioner of Recreation and Parks) and I noticed this several months ago, and it does hamper the use of our paddle boats.

 

The removal of these “weeds” requires an exhaustive engineering study with much chemical analysis. The removal plan would then have to be submitted to the State DEC (Department of Environmental Conservation) and, after approval, we’d go out for bids to retain the specialized underwater contractors that do this work.

 

That’s why, last December, we jointly applied with Harrison to the State for a $220,000.00 grant to retain an environmental engineering firm to begin the study and come up with a DEC-approved plan. We’ve yet to hear back (from the state) as to the status of this grant.

 

The actual construction work, consisting of dredging of certain parts of the lake (especially near the outfall basin near Lake St.; removal of the lake bottom muck and rooted algae, and the easier to discard, floating algae; treating the water with chemicals which will retard the regrowth of algae, but not enganger one’s ability to potentially drink the water, etc., has an estimated price tag of $500,000.00 to $1,000,000. Presumably, if we got the initial State grant for the design, the State would come up with more money for the actual work.

 

I’ll check with the State next week as to the grant status.

 

  The Dump, The DEC and The City

 

WPCNR: Will the city have to remediate the existing TCE’s from the city dump before executing repairs and reconfiguration of the City Dump Composting site to comply with DEC regulations? Is the DEC allowing the city to leave the TCE contamination in the dump?

 

Mr. Wood said he would be arranging a discussion of the project between WPCNR and Mr. Nicoletti, and the schedule submitted to the DEC

 

(Editor’s Note: Wendy Rosenbach, Spokesperson for the Department of Environmental Conservation told WPCNR Tuesday of this week that the DEC has received a schedule from the Department of Public Works for the construction requirements the DEC seeks to allow the city to keep composting in the City Dump.  Rosenbach advised WPCNR that it has not been decided whether the city will be asked to remediate the TCE (TriChloralEthanes) that remain in the City Dump, or whether the city will be allowed to cap the landfill in a manner that seals off the TCEs and prevents them from leaking into the ground and the Mamaroneck River, which the TCEs have been polluting for thirty years. Rosenbach confirmed to WPCNR that the landfill has to be closed and that the city has begun removing the storm debris and other items they were not supposed to dump in the landfull such as concrete, barrels and general effuse. )

 

CON EDISON

 

WPCNR: Does the Mayor have a statement on how Con Edison cooperated during the Labor Day “Ernesto” electrical outages – were they better, worse, acceptable?

 

Wood declined to answer this question.

 

CITY CENTER SECURITY

 

Does the Mayor have a Statement on Downtown Security Concerns and how the police and the City Center are responding – as did Louis Cappelli?

 

Mr. Wood: There has not been one incident of violence thank god in the downtown…in spite of that, we have been asked to increase patrols on weekend nights to give the appearance of order and safety.

 

WPCNR: How much has security been increased?

 

Mr. Wood: Not much…an additional two officers walking. Several years ago we used to have the paddy wagon there but we were told it looked dangerous so we stopped doing that. I don’t know what enough presence is.  There hasn’t been an incident. We deploy city police based on where incidents are reported. Would you have us move police from areas where there are incidents to where there are less?  It (the downtown atmosphere) is all based on some peoples’ perceptions.  When you have mixed groups you’re going to have that. We’re extremely pleased it has become a vibrant bustling center. It’s safe – what do you do — send a police escort for everybody?

 

Mr. Maloney: Some people just don’t like kids

 

WPCNR: Thank you, Mr. Wood, Thank you Mr. Maloney.

 

 

 

 

Hits: 0

 

 

WPCNR Vital Signs. September 14, 2006:  Kylie and Louis Cappelli were honored with the unveiling of  a plaque naming the White Plains Hospital Center 12-bed Pediatric Emergency Center in recognition of The Cappelli Foundation $1,000,000 gift and $500,000 donated at last year’s Grand Opening Benefit Gala for Trump Tower at City Center towards the construction cost of the PEC.

 

 

Louis Cappelli, “The Super Developer”  told WPCNR “The Foundation’s Mission Statement is we want to help kids. When we heard of this project, we very much wanted to be a part of  it and part of White Plains Hospital Center. We’re building in White Plains. We’re building in Westchester. We always want to give back. It was the right thing.” Mr. Cappelli and his wife, Kylie stand with Paul Weissman,Chairman of White Plains Hospital Center, left, and Jon Schandler, hospital CEO at Wednesday evening’s naming ceremony. Photo, WPCNR News.

 

At a gathering of dignataries who included State Senator Nicholas Spano, ( Shown above with The Super Developer  and Kylie Cappelli), Assemblyman Adam Bradley, Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains, Councilman Glen Hockley, and assorted luminaries, Mr. Cappelli said, “We are also impressed with the comprehensive level of services which will be provided to children in need at the new Pediatric Center.”  The plaque naming the Pediatric Emergency Center for Louis and Kylie Cappelli is framed at the right. Photo, WPCNR News.

 

Dr. Thomas Haydock, Director of Emergency Services, said the Pediatric Emergency Center will open in September 2008, and it will be the first and only emergency treatment facility designed, equipped and customized to treat 12 children at a time, each in private rooms, custom-equipped with medical technology — sized for treating children. Photo, WPCNR News

 

Haydock , who has been guiding the busiest emergency room in Westchester County for the last two years, is enthusiastic about the new level of care the Pediatric Emergency Center offers children. Twelve of the 42 new emergency rooms being built in the hospital’s new emergency wing will be devoted to child care exclusively in the new wing. He said the hospital is in the process of hiring a team of pediatric emergency medicine physicians to staff the new facility. The development of the PEC and selection of staff is being supervised by Dr. Jolie Yuknek.

 

The PEC will separate children from the adult patients, with a separate waiting room in a more comforting environment away from the frightening tumult of the daily emergency room activity. The rooms in the wing Haydock said,would be private and decorated and more comforting than the curtain and open bay environment characterizing the general emergency room, that Haydock said can be very scary for childen.

 

Jon Schandler, Hospital President and CEO of White Plains Hospital Center told WPCNR,  the PEC was “clearly something we wanted to do. We’ve needed it forever. It’s smart for kids, and will have special equipment special treatment.”

 

Schandler said the new Flanzer Emergency Room which will include the Pediatric Emergency Center, would be constructed simultaneously while continuing operations of the present emergency center. He said planning for the simultaneous mix of treatment and construction is underway and one of his major concerns.

 

All Ambulances Come to White Plains

and Private Cars, too.

 

Haydock said White Plains Hospital Emergency Room will serve 47,000 patients in 2006, up from 30,000 patients three years ago. Haydock told WPCNR when asked if the financial decisions that resulted in the closings of United Hospital in Port Chester and St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains had been a miscalculation on the part of the area medical decision-makers, said “that’s part of it.”

 

He also said people have changed the way they seek health care and how they make decisions. He told WPCNR the emergency room traffic has been swelled due to the public developing the habit of going to the emergency room for care immediately instead of waiting to make appointments with their own doctors. “People who have their own doctors, now go to the emergency room to get care,” Haydock said. WPHC’s emergency room has a “sophisticated” triage management team that sorts out seriousness of cases as they come in. Still, waits in the emergency room can be as long as three hours.

 

At 47,000 patients a year going through the WPHC emergency room, this works out to 130 patients a day, 6 patients an hour, on average.

 

Hits: 0

WPCNR PRESS BOX. From Westchester County Department of Recreation and Parks. September 13, 2006: The Playland Ice Casino in Rye — Westchester’s premier family ice skating facility – is now open for the 2006-2007 skating season. The studio rink is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the main and children’s rinks will open on Wednesday, September 27. 

Le Palais du Glace: The Playland Ice Casino, at Westchester’s landmark amusement park,  Playland, Rye, New York. Open for “Flying Lessons.” Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive.

The City of White Plains outdoor  Ebersole Rink, shown here, is scheduled to open Tuesday, October 10, according to the White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks. Here senior figure skaters perform in the end of year ice show last March. For info on programs and classes for city youngsters, contact the rink at 422-1348, the Skating Director at 948-6696 or the White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks at 422-1336.  Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive..

 

            Playland Ice Casino’s facilities include three indoor rinks: main, children’s and studio, which can accommodate a total of 1,100 skaters. All are kept at a comfortable temperature for skaters throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons.

            Once again, this year the Ice Casino will host the popular Saturday Family Skating Night every week from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission to Family Skating Night is only $30, which covers up to four family members and includes admission, skate rentals and one large pizza.

Fridays are Party Night with a D.J. from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Party Night includes special lighting effects, the best of today’s pop and hip-hop music plus prizes and giveaways. Admission is $12, which includes skate rental.

            General admission to the Playland Ice Casino is $8 for adults, $7 with a Westchester County Park Pass, and $6 for children 12 and under, $5 if accompanied by a Park Pass holder. Students pay $6 on weekdays (except Party Nights and holidays) and seniors pay $5 with a Park Pass. Spectators pay $3 on weekends and holidays.

            Ice skating clinics and classes will be given by professional instructors through the Playland Skating School; lessons are available by group session or individually by advance reservation, with instruction geared to skaters of every level of ability. Children’s hockey clinics are also offered throughout the season.