WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER 3,374,995 VISITS IN ONE YEAR—65,000 VISITS A WEEK BY 985,281 VISITORS

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WPCNR Phantom of the Arts. By John F. Bailey. November 10, 2004: Christopher Beach, scion of the Hamilton-Beach fortune, longtime Executive Director of the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center will be stepping down as its Executive Director, WPCNR has learned. Mr. Beach told his staff he would be leaving at a meeting Tuesday morning, according to a WPCNR source. Calls to the Director of Public Relations and Mr. Beach were not returned yesterday or today, however a news release is being prepared confirming Mr. Beach’s departure. Beach is expected to serve through 2005, leaving in 2006, creating a void at one of the most prestigious theatre complexes in area. A source familiar with the SUNY arts center informed WPCNR a national search will be conducted to select a successor to Mr. Beach.

SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center showcases a wide variety of prestigious events throughut the year at a $36 million theatre complex adjacent to White Plains. It grosses $6 Million in revenues, and loses money to the tune of $400,000 a year. Mr. Beach’s career there has spanned approximately 18 years, according to an office source. No reason for the departure was given.

Mr. Beach did not return calls for comment yesterday or this morning when contacted by WPCNR.

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. November 10, 2004:  James J. Jordan, Class of ’48, an award-winning advertising copywriter; Thelma Washington, Class of ’55, White Plains Church Street School elementary teacher; Dr. Andrew Arnold, Class of ’70, a world-recognized leader in endocrinology and cancer research; and the world renowned concert pianist, William Wolfram, Class of ’73, were inducted into the White Plains High School Hall of Fame Tuesday at a reception at WPHS Tuesday afternoon.

Jordan, of the WPHS Class of 1948, was honored posthumously, for being one of the greatest advertising copywriters of all time. He created such legendary slogans as “Us Tarreyton Smokers Would Rather Fight than Switch,” and “Delta is ready when you are.”  Mr. Jordan rose to head the signature Madison Avenue advertising agency of the 1950s and and 60s, Batton, Barton, Durstine & Osborne, and founded his own advertising agency, Jordan, Case & McGrath & Taylor.

Thelma Washington, a resident of Whtie Plains, Class of 1955, and teacher at Church Street School was honored as an active leader in a wide range of community organizations, including the Winbrook Study Center and the Carver Center Tutorial Program.

Dr. Andrew Arnold, Class of 1970 is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Arnold isolated the PRAD 1 cancer cell, and by so-doing revealed the rate at which cancer cells divide.

William Wolfram of the Class of 1973 is a highly-acclaimed and award-winning recitalist, chamber musician and concert piano soloist, who performs for audiences worldwide.

The quartet join 38 other outstanding graduates in the WPHS Hall of Fame, whose photographs hang in the main rotunda of White Plains High School.  The new inductees were selected by a committee of representatives of civic and school groups from nominations submitted by the public.  The Hall of Fame Steering Committee is co-chaired by Amy Geiger and WPHS Principal Ivan Toper.

The Hall of Fame was created by Ms. Geiger in 1995. This is the ninth year of inductions, since it was established in 1996. There are now 42 members from among the 25,000 gradustes from White Plains High School in its 107-year history.

Honored as those graduates who have achieved significant success in their chosen careers and who have contributed to the betterment of society, the 2004 inductees are James J. Jordan, Class of ’48, an award-winning advertising copywriter; Thelma Washington, Class of ’55, White Plains Church Street School elementary teacher; Dr. Andrew Arnold, Class of ’70, a world-recognized leader in endocrinology and cancer research; and the world renowned concert pianist, William Wolfram, Class of ’73.

Arnold, Wolfram and Washington (Mr. Jordan is deceased), will be honored at the Hall of Fame Day ceremonies at White Plains High School November 9, when they will spend time with high school students and staff. The Induction Ceremony will take place in the new Media Center, followed by a reception, and is open to the public.

Jordan, of the WPHS Class of 1948,  Mr. Toper said, created such legendary slogans as “Us Tarreyton Smokers Would Rather Fight than Switch,” and “Delta is ready when you are.” Toper noted that Mr. Jordan rose to head the signature Madison Avenue advertising agency of the 1950s and and 60s, Batton, Barton, Durstine & Osborne, and founded his own advertising agency, Jordan, Case & McGrath & Taylor.

Thelma Washington, Class of 1955, and taught at Church Street School. He described her as an active leader in a wide range of community organizations, including the Winbrook Study Center and the Carver Center Tutorial Program.

Dr. Andrew Arnold, Class of 1970 is Chief of the Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Toper said Arnold isolated the PRAD 1 cancer cell, and by so-doing revealed the rate at which cancer cells divide.

William Wolfram of the Class of 1973 was hailed by Mr. Toper as a highly-acclaimed and award-winning recitalist, chamber musician and concert piano soloist, who performs for audiences worldwide.

The quartet join 38 other outstanding graduates in the WPHS Hall of Fame, whose photographs hang in the main rotunda of White Plains High School.  The new inductees were selected by a committee of representatives of civic and school groups from nominations submitted by the public.  The Hall of Fame Steering Committee is co-chaired by Amy Geiger and WPHS Principal Ivan Toper.

The Hall of Fame was created by Ms. Geiger in 1995. This is the ninth year of inductions, since it was established in 1996. There are now 42 members from among the 25,000 gradustes from White Plains High School in its 107-year history.

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WPCNR TIN PAN ALLEY. From John Forster. November 9, 2004: Last night at the White Plains Performing Arts Center, Philip Cutrone’s impression of Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains convulsed the multitudes at the First Anniversary Gala. Mr. Cutrone sang the following song, White Plains, White Plains, composed by John Forster.

HIZZONNER — Phil Cutrone does an impression of Mayor Delfino, with composer John Forster at the keyboard Monday evening. Photo by WPCNR StageCam

Mr. Forster said he and Mr. Cutrone sat down with Mayor Delfino and interviewed him about White Plains, and that’s how he came up with the song. You had to have been there, but for the world here is White Plains, White Plains, the Mayor Delfino Song, reprinted with permission of Mr. Forster who retains the copyright:

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WPCNR PEN, QUILL & EYESHADE. By John F. Bailey. November 9, 2004: By a rough rule of thumb, the WPPAC was about 80% full last night. Depending on the depth and content of the pockets of Mr. and Mrs. Well-Heeled White Plains who attended, and how much production costs were waived, the WPPAC may realize $70,000 out of the event, and depending on silent auction receipts could reach between $90,000 and $100,000.

WPPAC ANGELS Filled the Hall Monday Evening at the White Plains Performing Arts Center Gala Cocktail  Hour. Photo by WPCNR StageCam

$100,000 Handle Before Expenses An Outside Possibility.

The catering was donated by Legal Seafood, Morton’s Steakhouse and Zanaro’s for the cocktail hour and the dessert After-Show coffee.  Here’s what the handle looks like:

Assume 100 seats (first five or six rows) sold at $250: $25,000

Assume an additional 250 seats sold at $150 each:  $37,500

Advertising did appear in the Programs given out at the WPPAC performance but the advertisements were included as part of the ticket deal for some of the advertisers.  However, let us assume most ads were paid at $600 a page, $300 a half-page.

In the two programs there are 30-1/4 pages of advertising at approximately $600 a page for $18,150 of advertising.

So if only a handful of advertisers received free half-pages if they purchased two tickets, then the rough handle adds up to approximately $80,650, right on Paul Wood’s rough estimate to the CitizeNetReporter.  That is before expenses to stage the show:

$150 Tickets:                      $37,500

$250 Tickets:                      $25,000

Advertising, 30-1/4 Pages: $18,150

Estimated House Gross      $80,650

Silent Auction a Sleeper.

Another source of revenue to add to this is the silent auction in which 25 experiences, items, and services were bid on by the gala attendees, with a total minimum bid value of $17,370.

Among the items bid were a round of golf with Donald Trump and Frank Gifford for $5,000; Kathie Lee Gifford’s Manolo Blahnik spike heels, $500; Season Tickets to New York Giants Football in 2005-06; a $1,000 gift certificate to Mary Jane Denzer’s; a Mohonk Mountain House Getaway for $500; a Teeth Whitening Treatment from Dr. Jeffrey Schlotman, the Singing Dentist in White Plains; Enrollment in WPPAC’s Youth Theater Summer Camp in 2005, $600; Two-Months Membership in New York Sports Club, $600;  Four Tickets to Under The Bridge and other gifts from local restaurants, and services.

 If all items went at the minimum bids or did better than minimum the “Gross” could reach $100,000. If the theatre lays off production expenses on other sources, the net could approach the six figures.

Broadway Bright Lights, Actress/Singer Rita Harvey, Center and William Michals, right, stayed after the show to schmooz with patrons. Here the stars talk with Mrs. Joseph Delfino, left. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.

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WPCNR TABLE 50. By John F. Bailey. November 9, 2004: In the crush of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Gala Cocktail Hour Monday evening, a lot was going on.  Everybody was working the angles as White Plains Performing Arts Center was injected with a new transfusion of green blood from White Plains’ Rich and Famous.

IN THE SCHMOOZ ZONE were Louis Cappelli, center,  The Super Developer,  Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel, (left), and the charismatic  Martin Ginsburg (second from right) of Ginsburg Development Corporation exchanging pleasantries. Just three weeks ago, Mr. Ginsburg had complained strongly to the Common Council that they should use eminent domain to take the Corner Nook-Main Street Bookstore-Deli building that Cappelli now owns. Now, Mr. Cappelli reports he has made a deal with Mr. Ginsburg to allow the Pinnacle to proceed. Photo by WPCNR News.

Louis Cappelli told WPCNR when asked if he and Mr. Ginsburg were working on the differences they have over Mr. Ginsburg’s plan for the Pinnacle, and Mr. Cappelli’s concern for his views from Trump Tower at City Center, “There’s a meeting of the minds there somewhere.”

Martin Ginsburg at the Common Council Work Session in October, presenting his Pinnacle Building on Main Street. A 24-Story 148-Unit luxury condominium, priced from $450,000 for a 900-square foot one-bedroom to $2.5 Million for 3,700 square foot penthouses. Photo by WPCNR News.

After the gala was over, the Super Developer provided more details on a possible accommodation with Mr. Ginsburg.

“Here’s the deal:”

Cappelli told WPCNR he liked Mr. Ginsburg’s concept of sidewalk café restaurants across from the entrance of City Center on City Place. Cappelli announced he’s willing to relinquish the Corner Nook-Deli-Main Street Bookstore property (which he owns) to Mr. Ginsburg if Mr. Ginsburg lowers the height of his proposed Pinnacle Condominium-Retal-Plex from 280 feet (24 stories) to 230 feet.

Cappelli said he wants to protect the upper story views from the Trump Tower at City Center which soars 340 feet.

THE PINNACLE, Main Street View. Photo by WPCNR News

Asked if Mr. Ginsburg’s new plans showed a decrease in the height, Cappelli said it was his understanding that the building would be lowered to 23 stories.

Ginsburg Office Has Not Changed Plans on File with Building Department.

Mr. Ginsburg’s office was contacted for comment by WPCNR Tuesday morning, and Bill Madden, President of Madden Communications & Marketing,  a spokesperson for Ginsburg Development Corporation returned the call.

Madden said that as of last Monday, GDC had submitted a request to the city to condemn the corner parcel  and would have no further comment while the city is reviewing that request. Madden said the plans GDC had submitted to the Building Department were unchanged from when originally submitted.

WPCNR asked Madden if this meant GDC was neither confirming nor denying the deal exits, and Madden said, “right.”

A source in the GDC offices originally contacted by WPCNR did confirm the offer exists, saying the height change was from 280 feet down to 230 feet. Asked how the building would change, the source said the building woul take 50 feet off the top (50 feet), and make the building wider.

Wood: City Center Garage rights being arranged to pump up square footage.

Mr. Ginsburg’s request of the Common Council to give him access to portions of the City Center Garage to acquire the square footage he needs to build The Pinnacle project (in addition to the Nook-Deli-Bookstore building) is now being looked on favorably by the city.

Paul Wood, City Executive Officer, told WPCNR Friday that Mr. Ginsburg was advised by the Building Department he had to submit that request to the Urban Renewal Agency, not the Common Council as the appropriate method of aquiring that square footage. He is now going through that process and requesting the square footage from the Urban Renewal Agency.

Mr. Madden, when asked about this new process of going to Urban Renewal and whether it was underway, said he would get back to WPCNR.