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.

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WPCNR THE HOMELESS NEWS. By John F. Bailey. November 12, 2007: The White Plains clergy to date have been unable to establish a “Warming Center” after  representatives of the clergy, Rabbi Lester Bronstein of Temple Bet Am Shalom and the Reverend Carter Via requested a meeting with the city November 1, and were advised by the city they could. Reverend Via has issued a statement on the situation November 7 on the efforts, and The Presbyterian Chuch has furnished it to the CitizeNetReporter:

On November 1,  Rabbi Bronstein expressed the clergy’s interest in establishing a Warming Center at one of three churches in the White Plains downtown. The city was in agreement that the clergy could establish a shelter with a Special Permit (that would be expedited by the Common Council though two members of the Council were concerned about location), depending what church it would host the Warming Center.

As of today, the clergy has not reported  any movement on where that shelter would be. The County has given its blessing to the project.  At the November 1 meeting at City Hall, the clergy made it clear that the Warming Center would have to be funded by the county for providing the service, and the clergy had expressed the requirement that the county would have to staff it.

The last two nights, November 10 and 11 have  been a harbinger of the cold nights to come in White Plains with bone dry cold temperatures in the low 30s. Friday evening, November 9, rains forced the homeless to find overhangs to avoid the cold and exposure.

Rabbi Bronstein is away from White Plains and has not been able to comment on the progress towards establishing a warming center. The Presbyterian Chuch has issued this statement from Reverend Carter Via, issued November 7 in response to a call from WPCNR:

I do not pretend to speak for the White Plains clergy as a collective body.

But here is ‘where I believe we are’ in the face of this immediate challenge/opportunity.

n  We simply want a “safety net” option for those homeless persons, who are currently outside of the “system”

n  In other words, we want an overnight shelter option in White Plains for those homeless persons who cannot, or will not, participate in the primary shelter system

n  This option must have cots and bathrooms at an absolute minimum – not just chairs.

Why do we want this option?  First, the option must exist so that homeless persons do not die of exposure in the cold of winter.  Second, the option (with cots) is the only humane option for human beings who need rest to function.

We are aware of the complex political situation about which we can do very little.  Our deepest and most sincere hope is to collaborate with both the County and the City to come to some resolution.  If this is not possible, we will continue to press forward for some resolution … because in the end, it’s an issue of conscience. 

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WPCNR MOMENTS TO REMEMBER. November 11, 2007: A small band of brothers and dignataries gathered in the brisk raw winds of high autumn at the Rural Cemetary today honor America’s and White Plains Veterans on what used to be known as Armistace Day, recognizing the day World War I officially ended. Today White Plains American Legion Post 135 regnized  the late Jerry Bates of the United States Marine Corps and Living Veteran  James Dwyer for his long service to White Plains and for his dedication to the well-being of Legion Post 135.

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James Dwyer, who served in the U.S. Navy, is recognized as Living Veteran with wife, Jan and daughter Kathy, looking on as Commander Joseph Waldron presents him with his plaque marking the occasion.

Adele Zucker of the Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary in a poignant anecdote encouraged all to seek out a veteran they know and to thank them for their sacrifice, a simple but meaningful gesture. Perhaps the most meaningful moment was delivered by  Chaplain Robert Donnelly at the close of the Service when he observed that in recent years the ceremonies such as this morning’s were mostly made up of veterans recognizing veterans, lamenting that more citizens did not turn out. Chaplin Donnelly closed noting that the veterans have seen too much, watched comrades die, and have tasted the flavor of freedom that no civilian can ever know.

The Firing Squad saluted the memories and the sacrifices with the Rifle Salute firing of their carbines echoing into the sky and Taps was played.

Then the band of rememberers drifted to their cars with their thoughts. I saw one veteran being helped by his daughter, wearing a jacket reading “U.S.S. Hamlin, Iwo Jima, Okinawa.” It was a fitting rememberance of names of places that will always recall where freedom was fought for and defended and the price was paid in blood and dreams.

Thank you.

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WPCNR’S THE REAL DEAL. By The Wedding Jeannie. Jeannie Uyanik November 11, 2007 Part I: Before the first vow is spoken or the first bouquet is made, your stationery will have already set the tone for your wedding day.  In this week’s column, Elizabeth West, stationery expert to the stars and member of the C&G Weddings team, sheds some light on the vast subject of wedding stationery and shares the power of font, color, shape and design of all things paper. What you’ll learn is that making consistent choices with your stationery from start to finish reinforces and enhances the look and feel of your wedding or special event!

Wedding stationery spans beyond just the invitation.  Most brides have anywhere from 7 to 10 pieces of printed material. These items can include save the dates, invitations, programs, escort cards, place cards, menus, table cards, thank you notes, and even the guest book. Not all pieces are mandatory but many people enjoy using the power of paper to create excitement and consistency for their guests!  When choosing all your pieces, keep in mind that basic elements should transfer from piece to piece.  Couples should make a decision on font, ink, paper and motif/artwork once and then use those elements throughout the stationery.

1. The first piece you will send is the Save the Date. 

Save the Dates are traditionally mailed around six months before the wedding and are exceptionally helpful if you are planning a destination wedding or having many out of town guests (in which case mailing them earlier than 6 months before the wedding would be appropriate but never more than a year). With the Save the Date, we recommend including hotel block information as an insert or printed on the back of the card. Many couples take their Save the Dates as an opportunity to do something whimsical and totally out of the ordinary.  We’ve produced everything from printed magnets, coasters, cocktail napkins, puzzles, booklets, CD’s, and luggage tags, to the more traditional cards with printed info or a calendar specifying the date.

 But because the Save the Date is the first thing your guests will receive, it’s more powerful to create something with elements that will transfer easily to your other pieces like a motif, image, monogram, paper color, font, ink color, etc.  Many brides and grooms combine their initials to create a monogram that serves as their “logo” on all the printed materials.  We’ve also had clients that have gotten married in landmark buildings, so they’ve used an image of the building on their stationery.  Some couples take the time of year as inspiration for their stationery. But many just use their color palette to guide their decisions. The possibilities are endless and you should have fun with it!  

2. The Invitation is traditionally more formal than the save the date.

Often they are in double envelopes, the addressing etiquette is much stricter and the wording more formal.  There are many online guides that can help you “follow the rules” when addressing your invitations. Keep in mind, these rules can be tricky, but they can be flexible depending on what you’re comfortable with. 

Nan Deluca, owner of a calligraphy business in NYC, always reminds her clients that abbreviations are not appropriate for formal invitations and lists should be double checked for accuracy before submission.  Her website is a great tool when you start putting together your list for addressing.  www.scribenyc.com  Alternatively, many printers offer machine calligraphy that can be a fraction of the cost compared to hand done calligraphy.  Check with the company before placing your order to see if they offer this service. It’s a fantastic way to save money and match your addressing font to your invitation font.

Although it is more formal in nature, there are still ways to get very creative with your invitations. A refined way to add substance, texture and color to the invitation is through layering. Many companies offer a variety of papers to play with.  And more and more companies are offering recycled stock so you can have fun but still be eco-friendly.  Playing with font size and alignment has also become popular.  Having everything centered in the same black font is a thing of the past!  Many couples super-size their names or have all text either flush left, right or a combination.  

Using different materials to send the invitations (tubes, boxes, envelopes with graphics) also contributes to making the invitation really pop.  Another trend is the “pocket invitation” that holds all the different pieces like the response set, direction card and reception card.  Speaking of which, don’t forget about your inserts! Along with your invitation, you’ll need to purchase a self-addressed reply set which will allow guests to send in their responses. Often you’ll get notes on these little cards expressing good wishes and excitement about your wedding.

If your reception is in a different location and starts at a specific time, it’s useful to break that information out onto a separate card.  And if you think your location is a tricky one to find, a direction card can be useful as well.  

We’ve discussed the major players, the Save the Date and The invitation, but the “paper list” does not end there; many other printed pieces appear at weddings.  Most other pieces are done after all the details are secured, (i.e. menu choices, processional, music, seating arrangement, etc).  And once again, these pieces are additional spots to use your wedding fonts, colors, motifs, etc. to mold the aesthetic.  I’ll be discussing those “set the tone pieces” in my next column! 

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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. By John F. Bailey. November 10, 2007:  A spokesperson from the Governor’s Press Office told WPCNR she could not confirm the statement Governor Eliot Spitzer was reported to have said to a New York Times reporter in San Juan, Puerto Rico Friday, indicating the governor thought licensing illegal aliens was “the right idea from a security perspective. We’ll wait and see.”

In the meantime, the issuing of licenses to illegals is being delayed indefinitely, the spokesperson indicated saying the program would not be implemented until later next year.

Christine Pritchard of the Governor’s press office said she was not in Puerto Rico and could not confirm anything on the Governor’s reported conciliatory position, though she said, “I am very well aware of it (the story). I know that the administration plans to move forward with the drivers license plan.”

WPCNR asked if the plan for licensing persons denied licenses by the state by the Pataki Administration in 2001, (those expected to be issued licenses first in the Governor’s program) would be implemented as originally scheduled in December.

She said: “Because we entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to move forward with drivers licenses that comply with the federal REAL ID act those plans are actually put off until later next year. We’re waiting for the Feds to promulgate their final regulations on REAL ID then we’ll move forward with implementing those plans, then move forward with  the licensing plan for those who want a drivers license that complies with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, those who want a federally approved Drivers License under the REAL ID act, then  a basic New York State Drivers License.”

Asked if this meant the those here in the state illegally would be issued licenses, she replied “We still plan to provide drivers licenses to those individuals.”

The license issued to illegals, though, according to the agreement struck between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the state, announced last week by Michael Chertoff and Governer Spitzer would require that persons in the state illegal would be issued a New York State Drivers License which would say “Not for U.S. Government Purposes” on it.

Law Suit Will Be Contested.

Asked if the state if the governor’s office has any reaction to the lawsuit filed  October 31 in Suffolk County challenging the legality to issue licenses to those without social security numbers, which Department of Motor Vehicle Law and NY Vehicle & Traffic Law forbids. The suit also contests the Governor’s and the Commissioner of Motor Vehcile constitutionality of implementing the policy without approval of the legislature.

Pritchard said, “We are confident in our legal division, and confident we will prevail in court.”

Asked when the license plan the governor proposes might be put in effect, Pritchard said, “Sometime later next year. I don’t have any more information for you.”

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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2008. From Senator Hillary Clinton’s Press Office. November 9, 2007: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton joined several of her colleagues in urging Senate leadership to consider a measure that would provide a new standard deduction on property taxes for the nation’s middle class homeowners who are struggling to keep pace with escalating property tax rates. In a letter, the lawmakers citied the tax package passed by the House Ways and Means Committee which includes property tax relief for millions of middle class Americans, and urged the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee to include a similar homeowner tax relief deduction in the Committee’s tax extender package that is now under consideration.

“New York’s taxpayers are working harder than ever to make ends meet. While property tax rates have skyrocketed over the last six years, the median household income has actually decreased, adding to a financial burden that has threatened homeownership in communities throughout the State and country,” said Senator Clinton. “Enacting property tax relief this year will help balance the field for those taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions, and will provide critical financial assistance to the hardworking middle class.”

U.S. taxpayers are working harder than ever to meet their financial obligations, and rising property tax rates have only increased the burden. Census data shows that from 2000 to 2006,  the total amount of state and local property taxes increased by 50 percent, while inflation increased by only 17 percent. Over that same period of time, median household income dropped by 2 percent.

Taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions may claim the standard federal tax deduction, but this deduction does not adequately take into account the rising property tax values and increases. In 2005 roughly 1.4 million New York tax filers who paid property taxes did not itemize their deductions to account for property taxes. A new standard deduction for property taxes would treat itemizers and non-itemizers more equitably, and would provide relief to the more than 32 million homeowners nationwide who do not itemize their deductions.