County Begins $25 Admission Fee to Amusements at Playland Plus Pkng

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED)  November 12, 2008: The amusement section of Playland  Park will no longer be funded by tax dollars under a  new one pay admission plan, that will charge $25 for Westchester Residents and $30 for non-residents, (good for unlimited rides all day), with children under 36 inches tall admitted free,  plus  parking  charge for enjoying the historic Rye park unveiled today by County Executive Andy Spano.



Playland. Entertaining Westchester Since 1928




“Westchester property taxpayers will no longer subsidize the amusement park,” said Spano. “Instead, visitors to the amusement section of the park will pay all costs, both operational and capital. This will save our county property taxpayers about $3 million next year.”






He added, “Over the past several years, we have worked consistently to reduce the costs of the amusement area of Playland to our taxpayers. With this change, we will accomplish our goal to make the ride area a patron-paid-for park.”

In 2005, a card system (replacing tickets) was implemented,  so that revenues could be better monitored.  In 2007 and 2008, the county changed its financial relationships with owners of the rides, buying some (rather than leasing) to generate more revenue to the county.

As a consequence, the amount of taxpayer subsidy to the amusement area of the park has gone down. It was $4.37 million in 2006; $3.49 million in 2007; estimated at $3.17 million in 2008.

Spano’s proposal would affect only the amusement section of the park.

There would be a one-price entrance fee of $25 for residents and $30 for non-residents that would allow for unlimited use of the rides all day. There would be a $5 reduction for both residents and non residents who come at twilight. The  one-price fee for residents would also include miniature golf and entrance to the beach. Visitors from outside the county would have to pay extra for golf and beach entrance.   



Rye Beach Boardwalk, Playland Bathhouses. The vista was used in the movie, “Big,” Starring Tom Hanks. Just Part of the 1928 Slice of Americana, the Playland Amusement Park. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.



Non-riders entering the amusement section of the park to walk, watch the park’s entertainment or  to chaperone others would pay a modest entrance fee of $3 for residents and $5 for non-residents. If they later want to go on a ride they can purchase a ride card at $1 a point.



The Fabulous Ice Casino




As is the case now, there will be no charge for going to the Boardwalk,  pier, fishing arcade, seaside walk, museum, Fountain Plaza, fireworks viewing, food court, lake boating, Read Sanctuary, boathouse, kayak launch,  public picnic areas, Captain Hook’s Restaurant or the area by  mini-golf. Skating fees will continue for  the Ice Casino, although there will still be no entrance fee. 



The Boathouse and Playland Tower



Under Spano’s plan, children who are under 36 inches tall will be allowed in free, irrespective of whether they are residents or non-residents. These youngsters must be accompanied on the Kiddyland rides by an older person who would have to pay.

In addition, parking fees will be reduced to $4 weekdays and $5 weekends. (Currently they are  $5 on weekdays, $7 weekends and $10 on holidays.)

“People who spend many hours at the park on rides will save money with the new price structure,” Spano said.  

Playland is the only amusement park in the nation owned by a county government. It presently has National Historic Landmark status. It dates back to 1923-25 when the then county Parks Commission acquired 313 acres of property along Long Island Sound that included two existing amusement areas.

Since 1928 when it opened, Playland has been the county park system’s most visited park, drawing nearly 900,000 visitors, depending on weather. Of this, about 65 percent come from outside the county. The park will remain under the control of the county’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, as a family-friendly park.

“We are not privatizing the park. We are saving tax dollars as we continue to make sure Playland is affordable and family-friendly,” said Spano. 


 

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Governor Stops Spending Dead at State Agencies

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. November 12, 2008: New York Governor David Patterson has sent a detailed list of new spending procedures to New York State agencies, detailing the areas and procedures he expects the agencies to examine and follow through the rest of the state budget year.


Among the mandates: a 10% cut across-the-board in state spending, no new contracts may be executed without review and express consent from the Department of the Budget and State Operations and no new construction Only essential projects will be approved. Essential projects will be considered “essential” only “if failure to complete it will (1) present an immediate, demonstrable threat to public health or safety; (2) directly violate a court order or federal, state, or local law; or (3) result in a substantial reduction in federal aid.” The Governor’s directive follows:


Our state’s fiscal condition has deteriorated to previously unexpected levels due to a deepening financial crisis on Wall Street. New York faces a staggering $47.0 billion budget deficit over the next four years – the largest in our history. These sobering figures include a $1.5 billion current-year shortfall and a $12.5 billion deficit for the next fiscal year.



These unprecedented times require us to take unprecedented steps to reduce spending.


That is why I will convene a second special emergency economic session of the Legislature, during which I will work with the Assembly and Senate to enact $2.0 billion in current-year savings.



But there are further actions we must take immediately to continue the process of getting our state’s fiscal house in order. Today, I am putting in place new measures to ensure that we control spending in these uncertain times.



Agency Spending Controls



Effective immediately, until further notice, all state agencies must implement the following cost-control measures for spending that does not involve federal reimbursement of at least 75 percent or impact public health and safety:


Contracts: All new contracts, contract extensions, or contract modifications, including but not limited to commodities, construction, consultants, equipment, grants, land purchases, leases, printing, and services must receive the joint prior approval of the Division of the Budget (DOB) and the Office of State Operations before an agency engages in any aspect of the contractual process, including requests for proposals, notices of funding availability, and actual awards for funding.


Non-Personal Service: All liabilities for non-personal service expenses must receive strict scrutiny and all non-critical agency spending should be eliminated.


Additionally, all requests for furniture, vehicles, computers, printing, advertising, cell phones, food (outside of institutional settings), and office supplies must receive the joint prior approval of the Division of the Budget and the Office of State Operations.



These initiatives will build upon other agency cost-control measures, which I have previously ordered, including a statewide hard hiring freeze, a ten percent across-the-board spending reduction, and my request that all agencies submit no-growth budget requests for the 2009-10 fiscal year.



Capital Spending Controls



As you know, the current financial crisis has restricted the access of many municipal issuers to the bond market, including those with strong credit ratings like New York State. Demand has slowed and interest rates have climbed to record highs for even the highest quality issuers.



In light of the current market crisis and the potential risk to the state’s finances, it is critical that we prioritize our new capital spending to focus on health and safety projects that address our state’s most important infrastructure needs. To this end, I am instituting a more rigorous review process for all new capital projects.



To begin any new construction or rehabilitation initiative, you must have the joint prior approval of the Division of the Budget and the Office of State Operations.


Only essential projects will be approved.



For the purposes of this directive, a project is considered essential if failure to complete it will (1) present an immediate, demonstrable threat to public health or safety; (2) directly violate a court order or federal, state, or local law; or (3) result in a substantial reduction in federal aid.



The Division of Budget will be issuing further technical guidance related to this directive within the coming days.



I know that the current fiscal crisis has been difficult for State agencies. I want to thank you for your cooperation in the last few months during these trying times. 


As we move forward and make the additional tough choices that will be necessary to protect our state’s finances, I will continue to depend on your commitment to addressing New York‘s fiscal challenges. I look forward to working with you through the difficult months and years ahead.



Sincerely,


David A. Paterson


 


 


 

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Jack Lim: Veteran Still Fighting: Man in Blue Walks Marathon for IPF

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WPCNR HEARTBEAT. By Jack Lim as told to The CitizeNetReporter. November 11, 2008: Umpire Jack Lim found he had an incurable disease with perhaps three years to live by reading a handbook in a hospital waiting room:


I was  in for a pulmonary function test at Phelps Memorial Hospital. There was a handbook on Pulmonary Fibrosis. That’s when I started to read about it. I said, Holy Mackeral, I got a lung disease  where there’s no cure.



Jack Lim, the veteran  county softball umpire is known on diamonds throughout the county and state, and a veteran with the 101st Airborne (1964-1965, paramedic) WPCNR introduced him to  you to last week, when he  walked the New York City Marathon, finishing it in 9 hours and 52 minutes to draw attention to the disease. He is the only person who has staged a fundraiser for pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition, who has staged the event while he is still living to promote awareness. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is often overlooked due to its subtle signs attributed to being “a little out of shape.” He’s shown coming across the finish line wearing his Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation Sweatshirt. Photo, Courtesy, the Lim Family


As Jack told me Sunday in a telephone interview from Florida he discovered he had the disease one year ago:


 


 


 






I had a slight cough in June of 2007 and it didn’t want to go away so I thought it was acid reflex. I went to my primary doctor and he sent me to an ENT doctor in Yorktown Heights. They did the exam in where they insert a tube into your nose down towards  the stomach and they put me on nexine. After a month, I still had the same condition. I thought I was going through my cycle, you know when you’ve got a cold, where the body just takes care of itself?


The crackling sound


It wasn’t until the end of August when I went to a routine exam and Dr. Michelle Duvalli out of the Hudson Valley Cardiology UNIT, heard a crackling sound through the stethoscope, like  you hear when you have a sheet of looseleaf paper and you just crunch it up. I thought nothing of it. I said, OK, I didn’t know what it meant.


 I figured it wasn’t anything they should be concerned about unless they thought it was my heart. She put me on latex, a water pill. I did a chest x-ray, an MRI and she could not come up with anything. The crackling sound was still there. I’m sure she had some ideas about some things.


I went back to my primary doctor. I thought, maybe there’s something they’re not telling me. I thought it was always my heart. My heart doctor assured me my heart was fine. I thought, holy mackerel, I might have cancer. I pressed him. He sent me to a pulmonary specialist about a year ago. I go to Dr. Alex Fijman. After a chest exam, he says, it looks like you’ve got idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. We’re not 100% sure. I thought nothing of it.


The Handbook


He put me on steroids and we’re going to do a pulmonary function test at Phelps Memorial Hospital. In there (Phelps Hospital) there was a handbook on Pulmonary Fibrosis. That’s when I started to read about it. I said, Holy Mackeral, I got a lung disease there’s no cure.


After about a day and a half, I was kind of down on myself. It’s not the end of the world. I said, let’s see what he means by that, let me think about it.


I said to myself, I don’t have lung cancer. People with lung cancer, the quality of life generally is not good and they have generally between six and twelve months. ( I’m watching these people down at Phelps Memorial behind closed doors in a heavily oxygenated environment.)  After some back and forth, the doctors stopped all my medication except for my blood pressure pills.


The News


I went back to the Hudson Valley Cardiology Unit, and I spoke to Dr. Duballi, told her I had idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. She gave me a look, like Holy Mackeral, she knows something, or she’s not happy, something’s not right. I was trying to read in between the lines, but what I got out of it was that gee, I don’t have too much time.


Dr. Fijman decided to schedule a lung biopsy just to confirm that I have the disease. I went for a biopsy February, 2008 at Montifiore Hospital.


I spoke to the doctor, and it’s funny,  all through this whole thing, I run into people who either are involved in softball, or seen me in softball and remember me when they were in high school. The lady who scheduled the appointment with me with the thoracic surgeons remembers me from doing her daughter’s game.


I get the operation (biopsy), and the next day they pull the drainage tubes out of me and one of the ladies, she’s a softball assistant. Two of them were working on me to get the tubes out and they have to do it a certain way, or else they have to get a thoracic surgeon to reinsert the tubes again. They did a good job. They pull it out by a string (attached to the tube).


The Final Word


The doctor from Ossining, New York, didn’t feel he had enough information. Since he’s not affiliated with Montifiore, I had to go back down there and pick up all the slides and specimens and everything else they had down there. He sent them to a pathologist in Syracuse and they confirm I had this disease.


I go back to him and ask him, all right, what are we going to do? He said, well, really there’s nothing they do. He said see me in six months. Basically what I got out of that, he’s going to monitor me.  So, I said, let me see what I can do. I go on the internet, and I went to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation.


I was asking what do I do if this disease gets really bad? What about a lung transplant?  They said a lung transplant was out of the question because quality of life is not good, nobody lives that long on a lung transplant, three years tops. They don’t give you a lung transplant if you’re past 65 because they don’t want to give it to someone younger.


The Lim Legacy.


I got a phone call out of the blue from Dr. Fijman. He says they’re doing a clinical study, trying to find a cure for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, and asked if I was interested in that. I says, Doc,  I’m not doing anything right now. Of course I’m interested.


So I meet this lady Dr. Condos at New York University, I go down with my wife and we sit and we talk with her and she explains to me, you would be a good candidate. She’s a principle investigator. I figure she’s an elite person. So I said all right. They sent me out to Stony Brook University Hospital and I meet another principle investigator


Enter The Nebulizer.


Anyway they put me in this giant machine, it was something like out of the 1950s, a giant X-Ray, a big magnet or something like that. And what happens is, they give me this nebulizer, and they put this liquid in it and I breath the mist in. This nebulizer is expecially for the lungs.


I take it and they have this big screen and they see if it’s getting in my lungs and they like what they see and my body’s doing what it’s supposed to be doing and I’m off and running with this. They do a base test on my lungs where they knock you out and it’s sort of like a colonoscopy, but they’re going in on the other end (through the mouth).


They numb your throat and stick a tube down your throat and they go down there with all sorts of equipment with lights and cameras and all sorts of tools. They get about 10% of the solution (breathed in) back and that goes to another lab and they see what ingredients are in it. I feel kind of groggy coming out of it.


Enter The Bucket List


That brings me up to the point where I saw the movie, The Bucket List, I liked Jack Nicholson. I liked Morgan Freeman. What I decided was, you know something, after being down on myself for 36 hours, I said, you know, people are in worse shape in this world than I am.


Some of my buddies (in the 101st Airborne) never even made it past 18 and 19. You know, I’m not hat bad off. I still got quality of life. I don’t feel that badly except for shortness of breath, and that’s only when I’m going up a hill. I can’t jog, and I limit myself to two games.


So I made a bucket list of things to do. And one of them was to do the Marathon.


As I thought about it, maybe I can maximize this. Since it’s for me, maybe I can make it for somebody else. I thought of the idea let me promote the awareness of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. That’s good, maybe it might spread.


So I come up with this idea. I talk it over with Rita Marsala  and Jim Berger, (two umpire colleagues), and they gave me their approval. So I sent a message to people asking if they’d sponsor me (with a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation) and let the Fibrosis Foundation know.


They got all excited because usually when anybody does a fundraiser for the foundation, it’s generally for someone who has passed away. I looked at past fundraisers on their website to see if any was similar to mine, and every one that’s been done was for someone who had already died, a grandparent, a parent. I said, wow, this is a fundraiser in recognition of someone that’s alive…me.


About IPF


Idiopathic Pulminary Fibrosis involves the scarring of the lung. Gradually, the air sacs of the lungs become replaced by fibrotic (scar tissue). When the scar forms, the tissue becomes thicker causing an irreversible loss of the tissue’s ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream.


The symptoms include, shortness of breath (with exertion), chronic, dry, hacking cough, fatigue and weakness, discomfort in the chest, loss of appetite and rapid weight loss.


The causes according to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation website, http://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org, are  inhaled environmental and occupational pollutants; cigarette smoking, diseases such as Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Sarcoidosis; certain medications and therapeutic radition.


The complete handbook on the disease that Mr. Lim read in the doctor’s office is available on the website.


The “cracking” that Mr. Lim’s doctor heard through the stethoscope, is a key tip off. According to the handbook of the Foundation: The physician will hear crackles or Velcro-like sounds with the stethoscope. These sounds are opening sounds made by the small airways during inspiration. About 50% of patients with IPF may have clubbing of the fingertips. This is a widening of the fingertips due to a lack of oxygen in the bloodf. This is not specific to IPF and occurs in other lung disorders, heart disease and can also be present at birth.”


Next, Jack tells about his experience, pushing himself, despite his shortness of breath to complete the New York City Marathon.



Jack Lim  fighting for truth, justice and the fastpitch way, behind the plate Sectional Championship, June 2007.


If you would like to support Jack’s effort to find a cure for IPF, drop any amount made out to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation to:


Ms. Lindsay Thiemkey


Pulminary Fribrosis Foundation


1332 North Halstead Street   Suite 201


Chicago, IL   60622


 


 


 


 


 


 

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You Can’t Idle in Westchester County in 2009 for More Than 3 Minutes

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Board of Legislators. November 10, 2008: The County Board unanimously approved legislation prohibiting motor vehicles from idling more than three minutes in Westchester County in order to improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gases.


“Tackling climate change is about more than complex treaties and trading systems,” said County Legislator Tom Abinanti (D, I, WF-Greenburgh), Environment & Energy Committee Chair and the sponsor of the legislation. “We also need simple yet effective local actions to chip away at our carbon footprint.”  


 



The new law broadens the county’s current vehicle idling law that applies only to diesel vehicles. Extending the law’s reach beyond diesel vehicles will further reduce smog-causing emissions from cars, trucks, and SUVs.  “This is a big step to help make Westchester’s air cleaner,” said County Legislator Bill Burton, Legislation Committee Chair (D, I – Ossining).


In response to concerns raised by emergency responders, the legislation exempts police, fire or emergency providers while performing their duties.


Idling restrictions already exist in some Westchester municipalities, underscoring the priority they place on reducing emissions and improving air quality. The new county law enables all law enforcement officials throughout the county to enforce its provisions.


The new law will take effect early next year. “With today’s auto technology, idling uses more gas and is worse for motor vehicles than turning them off and on,“ said Abinanti.


 

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Applications for Home Heating Assistance from County Due

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Communications. November 11, 2008: Westchester County is now taking applications for its home heating assistance program.

    
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can help seniors on fixed incomes or low income residents pay for electricity, oil, gas, wood, kerosene, propane or coal heating.
 The federally funded HEAP program, administered by the county Department of Social Services, assists eligible low-income, elderly and disabled persons with their home-heating costs. The amount of payments will vary depending upon what type of fuel is used and on whether heat is included in rent payments. Generally, those who qualify can get up to $800 off their oil bills or $585 for other fuels such as natural gas.


For more information, call 211 or visit our website at www.westchestergov.com


 




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Kriss, Embattled Legislators’ Employee Resigns. Charged w/Theft of Services

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From the Westchester County Board of Legislators. November 10, 2008:   Within hours of  his being charged in White Plains City Court with four misdemeanor counts of theft of services by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office,  Gary Kriss resigned to take retirement when faced with recommendation of his termination by the Legislative Committee investigating Mr. Kriss alleged actions.


Shortly after 4 P.M. yesterday he following statement was issued to the media by Betsy DeSoye, Director of Communications for the Board:


“Late this afternoon, Mr. Gary Kriss faxed a letter to the Board Chairman resigning from his position at the Westchester County Board of Legislators, effective today.”


No other details were included. Kriss had been under fire for months for purchasing products for his alleged home use and charging them to the county.


Apparently the Board of Legislators was about to pass a resolution recommending Mr. Kriss be terminated from his position. The effect of his resignation on his retirement benefits was not explained, however County Executive Andrew Spano issued this statement before Kriss resigned:


“I support the decision that was made today by the  Special Committee on Internal Controls and Procedures,  calling for the termination of Gary Kriss and hope that the full Board of Legislators will support that resolution this evening. It is vital that our residents trust that the actions of their government and its employees are ethical and transparent.”


 


News reports published in The Journal News Tuesday say that Mr. Kriss refused to pay back a portion of the alleged $2,500 in “expenses identified as excessive” by the legislative committee formed to investigate the Kriss matter. The committee recommended Kriss be terminated from his county position and not receive his vacation time. Kriss, rather than be fired, resigned taking retirement.


 


 


 

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White Plains Toney Office Vacancies rise slightly to 14.2%, Rents Off Slightly:

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WPCNR White Plains Economist. From Cushman & Wakefield. November 10, 2008: White Plains Class A Office space vacancies increased to 14.2% in the second quarter according to the quarterly Cushman & Wakefield survey of the county released last month. The vacancy rate rose from 13.4% in the April May June period to 14.2% as of October 16. The present rate is lower than the 14.9% recorded in the third quarter of 2007.


Average Class A rents for the Central Business District was $34.07 per square foot, down slightly from the second quarter average of $34.96 per square foot. Though some properties in White Plains “command in excess of $40 per square foot,” the Cushman & Wakefield report said.


The report, released in October, said that purchases in the third quarter for the county were “sluggish” with decreases in prices expected. “due to the constraints of debt markets and expensive financing.”


C & W noted “investor demand remains strongest for residential rental buildings, retail and select high-quality office buildings,” and that “investment sales will be driven by long-term acquisitions with short-term debt.”

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Donation Needs for Local Charities Up

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. From Don Hughes. November 10, 2008: The financial crisis has not only reduced the amount of money available to the organizations that care for the most needy among us, it has increased the number of people needing help.  If you have any household goods that you are not using and that could be put to better use,  please contact one of the two organizations listed below.  All of your donations will go to benefit local families. Pickup is available.  Please note that GCCC also welcomes volunteers.





For more information: http://www.furnituresharehouse.org/

http://www.gracecommunitycenter.org/

—– Furniture Sharehouse —-

Furniture Sharehouse, Westchester´s Furniture Bank, collects donations of
gently used furniture from the public and redistributes it to needy Westchester
families free of charge.  Gently-used furniture of average size is in great
demand.  Besides it being a ‘green’ choice, donors get a receipt for their taxes,
their treasures go to ONLY local people, and DSS dollars can be used for other
purposes.

Their clients include those moving out of homeless shelters; women and children
escaping domestic violence; working families struggling to stay ahead; young
adults aging out of foster care; victims of fires or other disasters.

Clients are referred by a member network of 28 social service agencies,
ensuring that your furniture goes directly to those who need it most.

Since opening in April 2007, they have served over 320 households – over 850
individuals, including 350 children.

Each household receives 5-10 pieces of basic furniture, plus accessories; to
date, they have distributed over 2000 items of furniture worth over $150,000 free
of charge to clients who could never have afforded to purchase it.

They recycle tons of furniture that would otherwise end up in landfills.

They are a NYS Not-for-Profit Corporation and tax-exempt under Section
501(c)(3) so your donations can be deducted from your taxes.

—- Grace Church Community Center —-

A new neighbor, Grace Church Community Center, Inc.(GCCC), recently moved
into the old American Lung Association Building at Exit 6 off the 287. GCCC is a
registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit social services agency whose mission is to assist
the neediest and most at-risk residents of Westchester County.

Each of GCCC´s programs needs donations of in-kind goods and welcomes
volunteers.  Below are some of the items needed by the programs.  For more
information on how you can donate goods or volunteer your help, please call
Sister Alice Conrad at 949-3098 ext. 100.

Donation Needs:

The Summer Day Camp program needs bathing suits (all sizes including adult),
towels, swim goggles, sunscreen, backpacks and paper cups.  They also need
gift certificates in denominations of $20 and over to be used for Christmas gifts
for homeless children. Gift certificates should be from Modell´s, Sports Authority,
Toys R Us, or Target.  Gift certificates form local food stores in denominations of
$50 are also welcome for distribution to the families of the campers. (914-949-
3098 ext. 100)

The Open Arms Men´s Shelter program welcomes donations for its Bus Token
Fund which enables residents to search for jobs and housing. The shelter also
requires new underwear, socks, pajamas, scarves, gloves, hats and toiletries
from airlines.(914-948-5044)

The Samaritan House Women´s Shelter needs new linens, towels, toiletry items,
nightgowns, bedroom slippers, new underwear, scarves, gloves and hats. (914-
948-3075

The Soup Kitchen needs donations of paper goods such as plates, bowls and
napkins as well as plastic cutlery and cups. In the winter, donations of coats,
sweaters, hats, socks & other warm clothing are welcome. (914-949-3098 ext.
100)

Neighbor’s Home Care Services has need of new or used wheel chairs, walkers
and hospital beds (914-949-3112)

Housing Services needs new linens and towels, non-perishable food items and
cash certificates from local grocery stores in denominations of $50. (914-949-
0925 ext. 3)

Grace Church Community Center, one of the largest social services agencies in
the county, operates nine programs and has been in existence for almost 30
years. The agency´s programs are as follows:

Services for the Homeless and the Hungry:
    Soup Kitchen
    Open Arms shelter for homeless men
    Samaritan House shelter for homeless women
    Project Trust- a daytime shelter for chronically homeless men and women
    Housing Services to prevent homelessness and eviction

Services for Children and Youth:
    Summer Day Camp for homeless and disadvantaged children
    Year-round Mentoring Program for homeless and disadvantaged children

Services for the Elderly and Disabled:
    Neighbors Home Care Services, a licensed home care services agency
    for the elderly and homebound
    Rainbow Outreach- drop-in and referral services for developmentally
    disabled children, adults and their families.

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Final Suozzi Hearing on Property Taxes : Last Stop Syracuse

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WPCNR THE TAX NEWS. From the New York State Office of the Comptroller. November 10, 2008: On Wednesday, November 12 at 1:00, the Commission on Property Tax Relief will hold its final hearing at the Onondaga County Court House in Syracuse. 

The Commission is inviting testimony on Special Education, School District Mandate Relief, the impact of property taxes on the Big Four Large City Dependent School Districts, BOCES and School District Consolidation issues.

After testimony from scheduled speakers, the Commission will receive public comment. Those who wish to provide oral testimony can sign up at the hearing and will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis.

All individuals wishing to provide written testimony can do so via e-mail (comments@cptr.state.ny.us), fax (518-486-6799) or mail (80 South Swan Street, 29th floor, Albany, NY 12210).

A live webcast of the hearing will be made available from the Commission’s website: www.cptr.state.ny.us <https://webmail.state.ny.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cptr.state.ny.us/> 

To view transcripts and webcasts of previous hearings, and for more information on the Commission, please visit: www.cptr.state.ny.us <https://webmail.state.ny.us/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.cptr.state.ny.us/>

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IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE comes to Westchester Broadway Theatre

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Piaa Haas, Westchester Broadway Theatre. November 9, 2008:


It’s a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra’s classic film has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning librettist & lyricist,  Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award winning Composer, Joe Raposo.  The delightful Musical, A Wonderful Life, faithfully follows the plot of the beloved 1946 film which starred Jimmy Stewart. The film was, in turn, based on a 1938 short story by Philip Van Doren Stern called “The Greatest Gift.”  It opens at Westchester Broadway Theatre November 20 running through February 8.


 


 


Frank Capra’s classic film has been brought to vibrant theatrical life through the remarkable collaboration of Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning librettist & lyricist,  Sheldon Harnick and Grammy and Emmy Award winning Composer, Joe Raposo.  The delightful Musical, A Wonderful Life, faithfully follows the plot of the beloved 1946 film which starred Jimmy Stewart. The film was, in turn, based on a 1938 short story by Philip Van Doren Stern called “The Greatest Gift.”


Set in 1945, the musical tells the tale of George Bailey, an average Joe, who spends a lifetime sacrificing his own ambitions for the sake of others and continually setting aside his own dreams in order to keep his late father’s building and loan business afloat.  When the greedy banker, Mr. Potter, manufactures a scandal that threatens to send him to jail, George contemplates suicide, and it’s up to a wingless angel named Clarence, coming down from Heaven by order of St. Matthew, to convince him of his own worth. 


A WONDERFUL LIFE was performed for the first time at the University of Michigan in 1986 and had a successful run at Washington, DC’s Arena Stage in 1991. The show continues to be a favorite of regional theatres across the country.


 


Our production stars Duke Lafoon as George Bailey and Darin DePaul as Angel-wanting-wings, Clarence. Arch nemesis, Mr Potter is played by William McCauley. Juli Robbins will be seen as George’s model wife, Mary Bailey. Featured are Ann-Ngaire Martin (of Chappaqua) as Ma Bailey,  Ryan Foy (of the Vaudeville Foys!) as Harry Bailey, Bob Stoeckle as Tom Bailey,  Jack Hallett as Uncle Billy, PJ Baccari as Ernie, Darrel Blackburn as Bert, Julie Cardia as Mrs Martini & Mrs Hatch, Brian Cooper as Sam Wainwright, and Tara Geisler as Violet Bick.   The ensemble includes; Kendall Kelly, Peter Marinos, Ronnie Nelson, Michael Scibillia, Katie Sina, and Shannon Lea Smith.


The Bailey Children will be played by Sofia Hantzaridis of Tarrytown, Sarah Heinzmann Of Ridgefield, Ct., Sharon Rosenthal of Armonk, Sofia Singer of North Salem and Cosmo Zappoli of Dover Plains      


 


Richard Stafford, who directed our critically acclaimed BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, GYPSY, THE FULL MONTY and CATS, is the Director and Choreographer, with Jonathan Stahl as Associate Director and Stephen Purdy is the Musical Director.  The winning production team includes Steve Loftus (Set Designer), Andrew Gmoser (Lighting Designer), Jon Hatton (Sound Designer), Gail Baldoni (Costumes) and Victor Lukas (Production Stage Manager).


DUKE LAFOON (George Bailey) is reprising this wonderful role at WBT. He was last seen here in Are We There Yet?  Duke last appeared as Edward in the new musical Ace at Signature Theatre. New York credits include I Love My Wife (Queens Theatre), The Drama Desk nominated production The Audience (Transport Group) and as a singing Bill Clinton in Monica the Musical at MTC. Some favorite regional credits include Father Flynn in Doubt at Barksdale Theatre, Clifford in Sideman with Company of Fools and Ace at The Old Globe. TV/Film: Iron Clads for TNT and as Jack Epps in the CBS miniseries Sally Hemings starring Sam Neill


DARIN DEPAUL (Clarence) Broadway: “Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas”. National Tours:Little Shop of Horrors, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Guys & Dolls”,Funny Girl”.  Off Broadway: Classical Theatre of Harlem, NYMF.  Regional: Paper Mill Playhouse, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, California Music Circus, Stages St. Louis, Barter Theatre.  Film:Julie & Julia”, featured voice in “Ice Age”, “Robots” and the short “No Time For Nuts”.  Television:  “Law & Order”, “Miami Vice”, “USA Up All Night”, Nickelodeon’s “Welcome Freshmen.


 


RICHARD STAFFORD (Director/Choreographer) On Broadway, Mr. Stafford was the choreographer for In My Life (Music Box Theatre), the associate choreographer for Aspects Of Love (Broadhurst Theatre), and dance supervisor for CATS (Winter Garden Theatre) Off-Broadway he was the associate director for Summer’69 (John Houseman Theatre) and associate choreographer for The Middle Of  Nowhere (Astor Place Theatre) National Tours include CATS (director/ choreographer), My Fair Lady (choreographer), Joseph/Dreamcoat (choreographer, starring Debbie Gibson and Patrick Cassidy)-Troika Entertainment.  Mr. Stafford also has extensive Regional credits, including Dreamgirls (North CarolinaTheatre), Director and Choreographer for Singin’ In The Rain, Crazy For You,  Fame,  Swing,  Cats (North Shore Music Theatre), Disney’s Beauty And The Beast (Walnut Street Theatre and Ogunquit Playhouse), The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (Ogunquit Playhouse starring Sally Struthers),  Grossinger’s (premier, starring Gavin Macleod) and Dodsworth (premier, starring Hal Linden) both at Pittsburgh CLO.  Mr. Stafford won the Barrymore Award for outstanding choreography for La Cage Aux Folles at the Walnut Street Theatre.  He is happy to return to WBT, where he previously directed Gypsy starring Karen Mason, The Full Monty, and CATS.


 


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                                                             Closing times vary, depending on show sched­ules.

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