Hits: 0

WPCNR’S THE REAL DEAL. By The Wedding Jeannie, Jeannie Uyanik. January 6, 2008:  It seems that the ever since Al Gore reached rock ‘n roll status from his documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” the world has quickly shifted towards a lovely shade of green.  And since the wedding industry is usually quick to follow suit when it comes to trends- it’s no surprise that many wedding ideas are starting to shift to the greener side of things as well.  And while C&G Weddings sees the benefits of hugging the earth, we understand that sometimes going green can be more difficult than one would wish!  In this week’s column, Elizabeth West, visits us again with several ideas on going green without going granola. 

While I’m not suggesting that you use an e-vite for a formal wedding invitation, I do want to give you a handful of ideas that will take your wedding from wasteland to wonderland.  With millions of weddings occurring each year, you can imagine the amount of trash and waste these events can produce.  And since this marriage may lead to you and your spouse to producing offspring, I think it’s only appropriate for you to consider a few of these ideas- at least for the sake of your children. 

E-vitations

Let’s start with your stationery.  Let’s face it, many people take one look at your invitation and then throw it in the trash.  And while I previously suggested that I’m not a fan of the e-vite, I do think there are ways to cut down on excessive paper use.  One of the easiest things you can do is double sided printing.  If you plan on including hotel information on your save the date, print it on the back side.  This gives your guest one less piece of paper to keep up with and one less thing to trash. 

Another thing you can do is use a printer that uses recycled card stock.  Many printers have a multitude of recycled stocks and usually don’t charge a premium for using them.  Our couples are often on the fence about doing a program.  Although the ceremony is the most important part of the day, it’s not a terrible idea to forgo the program and just have your guests pay their full attention to the ceremony without trying to read ahead!  Little things like these can add up quickly.  And not only will they make you look eco-savvy, you’ll be saving some money! 

Living Arrangements

Fresh flowers, nine times out of ten, are found in the arrangements during the reception.  But one thing to consider is that these flowers are indeed going to die and be thrown away.  I predict in the next several years we will see a lot of the following:  Living Arrangements.  Living arrangements use plants that have not been cut down or pulled from their life source.  Couples can choose their favorite flowering tree (depending on season) or use potted plants that guests can take home with them at the end of the night.  Another great idea is to donate the trees after the wedding to your local park conservancy.  This way your wedding décor becomes a permanent fixture in your community.  What a great way to honor your vows and to continue the circle of life.

Green Transit — Pedi-Cabs

Transportation is sometimes a necessary evil if you are getting married in one location and having your reception in another.  If at all possible, have both parts in one venue or at least in two venues that are walking distance from one another.  With this format, your guests are getting a nice walking tour of the area and you’re saving the earth and money!  Another great idea of eco-wedding day travel is using Pedi-cabs.  If you’ve ever been to NYC, you’ve probably seen them on every corner.  It makes for a great wedding photo and it’s tons of fun!  For a small wedding in 2006, we arranged for all of the guests to be driven via Pedi-cab from ceremony location to the reception.  It was a huge hit and a lot more creative than having 75 guests trying to find cabs all at once!

Organic Catering

Menu is always important at a wedding.  Many couples have chosen to go vegetarian or organic for their catering.  It turns out that non-local, non-organic food is one of the three largest consumer related causes of environmental damage.  The easiest way to combat this is to eat less meat, choose organic foods, and promote sustainable fishing.  Research organic caterers, and keep in mind, even caterers who don’t advertise their businesses as “organic” can agree to purchase organic ingredients for your wedding now that organic food is available all over the country.  One of our favorite organic caterers in NYC is Cleaver Company.  Their cuisine is healthy yet delicious (which at the end of the day is super important!).  www.cleaverco.com

Carbon Footprint Donations

Another unique thing couples are doing is discovering what their carbon footprint is in terms of their wedding.  Once they know what that value is, they can then reduce those emissions (via ideas mentioned above) or offset it by contributing to organizations such as www.carbonfund.org.  The website has a great calculator that brides and grooms can use to calculate their exact footprint.  http://www.carbonfund.org/site/pages/individuals/category/Weddings/  This is a great source for serious “green” couples even beyond the wedding! 

Once you’ve calculated your “footprint” and made your damage control donation, consider using that donation as your wedding favor!  In general, cheesy favors are out.  People either don’t remember to take them or simply throw them away.  So if you’re donating to an earth-friendly fund anyway- optimize your investment and skip out on the wasteful favor.  Often, we recommend that couples print a line on the bottom of their menu cards mentioning the donation.  This way no extra paper is used and people can celebrate your future and the future of the earth!

Going green often just makes good economical sense.  Cutting back on “stuff” often translates into cutting back on cost.  And although it’s super tempting to go overboard with all the bells and whistles, try to consider what will be thrown away verses what can be reused.  In next week’s article, Jeannie will be discussing another reusable resource:  Rentals.  From the dress to the tables, Jeannie will be exposing all there is to be rented in the wedding and event world.

Hits: 0

WPCNR Quill & Eyeshade. By John F. Bailey. January 4, 2008: Verizon, the newest choice for White Plains cable viewers with the Verizon FIOS system, is the latest recipient of the first big certiorari settlement of 2008. However, City Hall countered this bad news with  good news on assessments today:

111 Main — the Verizon Building– is scheduled to receiver a 50% reduction in their Assessment Monday evening and a $347,000 Tax Refund. However, City assessments are up, City Hall reports today. The Verizon Building is shown at far right of picture, the view is South. The Ritze Carlton is to the left. The Building in the center is the New York Power Authority Building. The picture taken from the WPCNR News Plane is from October 2007.

The tax roll as of January 2, 2008 indicates an overall $1.5 Million increase in the Assessment Roll  from $289.9 Million of Assessed Value to $291.4 Million. This, City Executive Officer Paul Wood said, included the latest Verizon settlement. He said it was the first time since 2002-2003 that the city Assessment Roll had increased. Wood said he would have the exact figure on Monday.

Wood also countered the Verizon assessment news with the report that Lloyd Tasch, the Assessor had been successful in getting the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to increase the critical Equalization Rate from 2.69% to 2.75% which eases the impact on city homeowner taxes and limits slightly the devaluation of commerical properties.

Verizon, according to the Common Council backup material will receive a $346,728.16  tax refund from the city, which will be approved on the consent agenda Monday evening. The refund covers the last four tax years 03/04, 04/05, 05/06, and 06/07, and covers their headquarters on 111 Main Street, in the heart of the city’s burgeoning downtown, one block from The Ritz-Carlton

Based on  the 4 to 1 ratio of School Taxes to City Taxes, the White Plains City School District will owe Verizon approximately a $1.4 Million tax refund. In a long range effect, Verizon’s assessment on the 111 Main Street property has been lowered $822,400, reducing the building current assessment from $1.6 Million to $777,600.

Verizon is the latest beneficiary of the certiorari crusade which some of the city’s premier properties have launched against the city to reduce their property taxes over the last five years. In November, T & J Realty, Hillside Condominiums and Reckson Properties were granted a total of $429,716 in tax refunds from the city that cost the school district a  $1, 424, 204  tax refund.

Wood: Tax Case Could Not Be Considered in Forging Verizon FIOS Franchise Agreement

No connection, but last spring Verizon and the City came to a franchise agreement by which Verizon would pay $250,000 in capital improvement funds to the city’s cable television  Public Access Facility, plus a $1 per subscriber fee over the fifteen year term of the agreement.

Asked why the city did not demand more of a capital payment from Verizon on the cable agreement Paul Wood, City Executive Officer, told WPCNR that the city was prohibited legally from using the Verizon pending tax case as leverage in negotiating the franchise agreement.

He said that in two years the City Assessor would be taking a close look at the 111 Main Street Verizon facility, which Wood described as “a computer hotel,” since it housed mostly Verizon technical equipment and not many office workers. Wood indicated that Lloyd Tasch, the City Assessor would be looking at the building in relation to possible escalating values of land along Main Street over the next two years.

Hits: 0

WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER.  January 5, 2008: The first Common Council meeting of 2008 will convene Monday evening January 7 with the swearing in of Benjamin Boykin for this third  four-year term on the Common Council, Dennis Power for his second full four-year term as councilman, and the swearing in of Milagros Lecouna for her first four year term.

The identify of Common Council President though apparently chosen has not been announced yet.  Dennis Power, the councilman WPCNR spoke to this morning, said he knew who the President would be but declined to reveal the annointee’s identity. When reminded of the Democrats’ promises of open government made during the campaign, the councilperson still refused to divulge the identity of the new leader.  Previously, Councilperson Rita Malmud was Council President, as were Mr. Boykin and Mr. Roach. Mr. Power said he would not be the Common President.

Glen Hockley, who has never been Council President would be the logical choice. However, councilpersons Malmud, Roach, Boykin, Power, Lecuona have disagreed with Mr. Hockley’s positions over the last year, and it is unlikely the honor will be bestowed upon Mr. Hockley.

The agenda is light. One highlight is a resolution approving the design of the construction of 41 affordable  units of housing on 240 Main Street which will satisfy the obligation of Cappelli Enterprises to buld 24 units of affordable prior to the opening of the second residential office building at 221 Main Street, and 17 units affordable housing required as part of the City Center project.

Another resolution approves Capelli Enterprises plan to build 23 units of “affordable housing” to be built on two floors of the City Center garage building.

The Agenda:

Hits: 0

WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. From Melissa Lopez, The Mayor’s Office. January 3, 2008:  Mayor Delfino is pleased to announce that the City of White Plains has been selected as one of five cities nationally to replicate the West Side Story Project. The West Side Story Project is a violence prevention and diversity appreciation youth development initiative that utilizes community resources including the White Plains Police Department, the White Plains Youth Bureau, the White Plains Performing Arts Center, and schools.

White Plains has been selected as one of five cities nationally to replicate the project. Youth are a key partner in the  planning and implementation of this project which originated with the Seattle Police Department, the 5th Avenue Theatre/Seattle, and the Seattle Police Foundation. 

The themes of West Side Story and its inspiration, Romeo and Juliet, are universal and relevant to the lives of today’s youth. These themes provide a catalyst for important conversations and learning by youth on issues of youth violence, police/youth relationships, and issues of diversity and issues facing immigrants. 

The White Plains West Side Story Project will culminate in two Youth Summits for both middle and high school youth featuring workshops based on the film and a performance this spring featuring the highlights.

Hits: 0

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR Roving Photographer. December 30, 2007: The $5.8 Million Loucks Field stadium renovation at the high school awaits lights and the Mondo Olympic Track installation in the spring. The  Field Turf artificial playing surface has been installed, the 3,500 seat aluminum bleachers all but  completed, and the fifteenperson press box completed. Here is how the stadium looked as the year draws to a close.

There is No Bad Seat Thanks to the Splendid 40 degree Rake of the Stands.

View from the Press Box

View from South End Zone. Stands Extend from End Zone to End Zone.

View from the 50, looking South.