WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER TOPS 5 MILLION VISITS IN A YEAR! 5,566,746 VISITS IN ONE YEAR BY 1,769,260 VISITORS 7,631 VISITORS A DAY! IN AUGUST, 247,700 VISITORS MADE 684,903 VISITS (22,830 DAILY)

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Cristin Seidel, WPPAC. August 5, 2005, (Edited):  White Plains Performing Arts Center Board of Directors President, Chauncey Walker and Producing Director, Tony Stimac announced the appointment of Ray Cullom to the position of Managing Director of the White Plains Performing Arts Center Friday afternoon.

Mr. Cullom fills the position formerly held by  Executive Director, Jeffrey Rosenstock, of Queens Theatre in the Park who has played a reduced pro bono role in the theatre’s management since last fall. Mr. and Mrs. White Plains will get an immediate look at Mr. Cullom’s work in September. Cullom is the creator of the first WPPAC production of the fall scheduled to open the WPPAC 2005-2006 season in September, Gilbert & Sullivan in Brief, which debuts September 23.

Mr. Cullom, 39, is currently the Executive Director of The Bethesda Theatre in Maryland, and General Manager/Line Producer for several large-scale productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  Previously, Mr. Cullom has served as Executive Director for The Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick, MD, and the Theatre Row Theatre complex on West 42^nd Street in New York City, which he also helped to design and open.

He has worked behind the scenes on the national tours of many large-scale touring musical productions, including RENT, RAGTIME, FOSSE, CABARET, and directly with Cameron Macintosh on his productions of OLIVER! And OKLAHOMA! Ray also held the position of Vice President of Programming for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte, NC, one of the nation’s largest independent performing arts complexes.

 “Ray brings a national profile and experience to White Plains Performing Arts Center. Every previous institution where he’s been has seen significant growth in resources for the art. This is what White Plains needs most now. Additionally, I am personally thrilled to welcome him as co-leader of the White Plains Performing Arts Center” said an excited Tony Stimac on Mr. Cullom’s appointment.

 “Through the search process, we learned that Ray is regarded by significant figures in the arts world as one of the most promising and innovative arts managers of his generation. The Board of Directors is tremendously excited about the future of the White Plains Performing Arts Center, especially now that we have such a talented new leader to join Tony” said Mayor Joseph Delfino.

 “I am thrilled to join the White Plains Performing Arts Center” said Ray of his new position. He added, “to be a part of a vibrant community and remarkably rich arts scene is a dream come true. I look forward to helping advance the Center’s mission to be the region’s leader in the production and presentation of first-class cultural entertainment, and to provide outstanding education and outreach programs to the community.”

 White Plains Performing Arts Center will open its 3rd season on September 23^rd with the new musical Comedy, Gilbert & Sullivan In Brief, which was created by Mr. Cullom, and premiered at The Kennedy Center last fall.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. Special to WPCNR From the Chicago Bandits. August 5, 2005: Returning home after four games in Long Island with the New York Juggernaut, the Chicago Bandits bounced back on Thursday to take the win over the New York Juggernauts, 1-0 .  The two teams continued competition from four game match the previous weekend in New York.  The Juggernauts captured the final victory, 4-3,  that series after the Bandits won the first three. The Bandits have taken command of the National Pro Fastpitch race down the stretch heading to the Playoffs the last week in August.

Chicago starter Lauren Bay earned the win in her six inning performance by giving up one hit while striking out three.  Circlemate Peaches James fought back with five strikeouts, but at the same time giving up five hits and walking three.

Christina Enea started up the action when she approached the plate with two outs in the inning.  The shot dropped right in between second baseman Carrie Leto and rightfielder Trena Peel, and then rolled past Peel to round Enea to third.  Mackenzie Vandergeest executed by driving the ball right up the middle to bring in the first run of the game.

Peel rebounded from the previous half by sending the ball to left field on one bounce.  After making it safe to the base, she continued on to steal her way around to third on different pitches.  Third base was as far as she could make it as the next two batters were out.

Gina Oaks was the next Bandit to reach a bag in the third inning by a base on balls.  With Liz Bouck up next to bat, Oaks was caught stealing but Bouck copied her by taking a ball four.  Juggernaut short stop sped her way into foul territory to catch Enea’s pop-up, ending the inning.

Chelsea Spencer aggressively grabbed the ground ball Haley Viefhaus hit up the middle, but her momentum continued, forcing her to hold on to the ball.  Laura Harms followed with another hard hit to Spencer who attempted to make the play at second but Viefhaus beat the ball there.

In the fifth inning, Peel had the second hit of the game for herself and the Juggernauts.  She was also the only player with two hits this night.  This time around she could not get any further than first.  Kim Ogee hit a line drive to Viefhaus at third, who gunned it to first for the double play.

Bandits reliefer Amy Harre faced the final four batter to end the game, 1-0

National Pro Fastpitch Standings Aug 5, 2005      W         L           .PCT    GB

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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. August 3, 2005: The new romantic hit of the summer, Must Love Dogs with the youth-oriented superhero flic, Sky High arrive at City Center tomorrow. The schedule at the City Center follows:

In Theatres Now Must Love Dogs Thirty-something pre-school teacher Sarah Nolan has been divorced for eight months, which is much too long for her co-workers and family to bear. With the best of intentions and only her happiness in mind, Sarah’s sisters, Carol and Christine, begin lining up less-than-savory potential suitors. Meanwhile, their widowed father, Bill, is way ahead of the curve, having already cornered the market on internet dates, including his new web squeeze, the free-spirited Dolly. (PG-13) Sky High When you’re the son of the world’s most legendary superheroes The Commander and Jetstream, there is only one school for you – Sky High, an elite high school that is entrusted with the responsibility of molding today’s power-gifted students into tomorrow’s superheroes. The problem is that Will Stronghold is starting with no superpowers of his own and, worst of all, instead of joining the ranks of the “Hero” class, he finds himself relegated to being a “Sidekick.” Now he must somehow survive his freshman year while dealing with an overbearing gym coach, a bully with super speed and a dangerous rebel with a grudge (and the ability to shoot fire from his hands)?not to mention the usual angst, parental expectations and girl problems that accompany teenage life. (PG ) Stealth A squadron of elite pilots embarks on a mission of global consequence to neutralize and out-of-control prototype drone fighter plane equipped with artificial intelligence and the ability to precipitate a nuclear war. (PG-13)

Coming Soon To Theatres The Dukes of Hazzard Hazzard County boasts some of the most axel-busting back roads, hair-raising moonshine, and best-looking farm girls in all of Georgia — and the Duke boys enjoy all three — frequently. The Duke’s family business is moonshine, and the boys’ Uncle Jesse concocts the tastiest brew in Dixie. More often than not, the boys find themselves on the wrong side of the law as they race to make their deliveries, leading the sheriff’s department on some truly wild goose chases in their infamous orange Dodge Charger, the General Lee. (PG-13)

Thursday, August 04, 2005 Bad News Bears (PG-13) 10:20 am 1:05 4:00 6:50 9:45 pm. Batman Begins: The IMAX Experience (PG-13) [IMAX;IMAX Reserved Seating] 9:25 pm. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (PG ) 10:15 11:15 am 12:55 1:55 4:35 7:15 9:55 pm. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience (PG ) [IMAX;IMAX Reserved Seating] 10:45 am 1:25 4:05 6:45 pm. Fantastic Four (PG-13) 11:00 am 1:30 4:25 7:10 10:15 pm. Hustle & Flow (R ) 11:05 am 1:50 4:30 7:20 10:05 pm. March of the Penguins (La Marche de L’Empereur) (G ) 11:30 am 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:40 9:50 pm. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (PG-13) 3:35 pm. Must Love Dogs (PG-13) 11:10 am 1:40 4:10 6:40 9:20 pm. Must Love Dogs (PG-13) [Director’s Hall;Reserved Seating] 6:10 8:50 pm. Sky High (PG ) 10:55 am 1:25 3:55 6:25 8:55 pm. Stealth (PG-13) [RWC/DVS] 10:30 am 1:20 4:10 7:05 10:00 pm. The Devil’s Rejects (R ) 11:50 am 2:25 5:00 7:35 10:10 pm. The Island (PG-13) 12:10 3:20 6:35 9:35 pm. War of the Worlds (PG-13) 10:05 am 12:45 3:30 6:20 9:15 pm. Wedding Crashers (R ) 10:40 am 1:35 4:15 7:00 9:40 pm. Wedding Crashers (R ) [Director’s Hall;Reserved Seating] 10:10 am 1:05 3:50 6:30 9:10 pm.

Friday, August 05, 2005 Bad News Bears (PG-13) 1:05 3:40 6:20 pm. Batman Begins: The IMAX Experience (PG-13) [IMAX;IMAX Reserved Seating] 9:25 pm. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (PG ) 1:55 4:35 7:15 pm. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience (PG ) [IMAX;IMAX Reserved Seating] 1:25 4:05 6:45 pm 12:20 am. Fantastic Four (PG-13) 1:00 3:45 6:25 9:00 11:25 pm. Hustle & Flow (R ) 1:35 4:10 7:25 9:55 pm 12:30 am. March of the Penguins (La Marche de L’Empereur) (G ) 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:40 9:35 11:40 pm. Must Love Dogs (PG-13) 1:50 4:25 6:50 9:45 pm 12:00 am. Must Love Dogs (PG-13) [Director’s Hall;Reserved Seating] 9:15 11:30 pm. Sky High (PG ) 1:40 4:15 6:40 9:05 11:35 pm. Stealth (PG-13) 1:10 4:00 7:05 10:00 pm 12:45 am. The Devil’s Rejects (R ) 10:15 pm 12:35 am. The Dukes of Hazzard (PG-13) [RWC] 2:15 5:00 7:50 10:20 pm 12:40 am. The Dukes of Hazzard (PG-13) [Director’s Hall;Reserved Seating] 1:45 4:30 7:20 9:50 pm 12:10 am. The Island (PG-13) 12:10 3:20 6:35 9:30 pm 12:25 am. War of the Worlds (PG-13) 12:45 3:35 6:30 9:20 11:55 pm. Wedding Crashers (R ) 1:20 4:20 7:30 10:10 pm 12:45 am. Wedding Crashers (R ) [Director’s Hall;Reserved Seating] 12:50 3:50 7:00 9:40 pm 12:15 am.

Saturday, August 06, 2005 Bad News Bears (PG-13) 10:20 am 1:05 3:40 6:20 pm. Batman Begins: The IMAX Experience (PG-13) [IMAX;IMAX Reserved Seating] 9:25 pm. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (PG ) 11:15 am 1:55 4:35 7:15 pm. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience (PG ) [IMAX;IMAX Reserved Seating] 10:45 am 1:25 4:05 6:45 pm 12:20 am. Fantastic Four (PG-13) 10:25 am 1:00 3:45 6:25 9:00 11:25 pm. Hustle & Flow (R ) 10:50 am 1:35 4:10 7:25 9:55 pm 12:30 am. March of the Penguins (La Marche de L’Empereur) (G ) 11:25 am 1:30 3:30 5:30 7:40 9:35 11:40 pm. Must Love Dogs (PG-13) [Director’s Hall;Reserved Seating] 9:15 11:30 pm. Must Love Dogs (PG-13) 11:10 am 1:50 4:25 6:50 9:45 pm White Plains Hospital Center Calls for Immediate Blood Donations. Posted on August 3, 2005 by John Bailey Hits: 0 WPCNR MEDIC. From White Plains Hospital Center. August 3, 2005: White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) is seeking blood donors to fill its Blood Bank, which typically runs low during the summer months.  “Traditionally, the summer means a slowdown for donors, since so many people are on vacation,” said Peggy Nau, WPHC Blood Bank Supervisor.  “However, our need for blood remains the same, and we’re hoping more people will be willing to donate.”    The hospital uses about 400 pints of blood each month, for all types of surgeries, treatment of cancer patients, and other procedures.  Blood is kept for about 35 days.   Blood donors should be between the ages of 17 and 75 and in good health.  All donors receive a mini physical exam, including temperature and blood pressure checks.  All donated blood is tested for AIDS, hepatitis and syphilis.   Located on the fifth floor of the hospital, the Blood Bank is open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Blood donations take about 30 minutes, and donors can rest and enjoy refreshments after giving blood.  Parking will be validated.    To donate blood to the WPHC Blood Bank, please call (914) 681-1057.     For further information, please call  (914) 681-1119 or visit the Hospital’s website:  www.wphospital.org.     Council Creates Affordable Home Ownership Program. Posted on August 2, 2005 by John Bailey Hits: 0 WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. August 2, 2005:  At approximately 11:45 P.M. Monday evening, the Common Council adopted an Affordable Home Ownership Program that increases the amounts prospective developers of future condominium projects pay as a fees in lieu of making “affordable units” available in their condo projects. The program  extends the life of 6% of  affordable rental units in apartments and mixed residences to twenty years with a twenty-year renewable option at the discretion of the Common Council and retains the 6% of units requirement.   The fees in lieu for prospective condominium developers are $30,000 for a Studio, $67,000 for a One Bedroom, $115,000 for a Two Bedroom and $155,000 for a Three Bedroom, and the mix of the 6% of the units will be determined in consultation with the developer with the Common Council having final approval.  JPI, developers of the Jefferson, for example, in a project the subject of a public hearing earlier in the evening will pay a $1,312,000 ( $115,000 each for 5 -2BR units, $67,000 for 11 1-BR Units), if their application to change their development to a condominium is approved. Other projects now subject to these provisions are, WPCNR believes, are the Maple and Hale Avenue Condos. The legislation offers condominium developers will an array of three other “in lieu options: ”   1. Acquiring ownership of rental units and renting such apartments undter the city’s Affordable Rental Housing Program. 2.) Contributing land in the multi-family residential districts in the city, or money for the acquisition of land for the construction of rental or ownership housing, or 3.) contributing to the cost of conzstruction of housing affordable to families at the assistance levels. 4.) Making condominium units available for sale The income levels of families eligible to rent “affordable rental units” or to qualify for affordable housing assistance are households with incomes at or below either 100%, 80% or 60% of median family income based on family size, “as approved by the Common Council.” Loans to families will be made from  developer contributions “in lieu of building units” on a sliding scale, with interest rates to be determined by the Common Council.  The program is under the supervision of the Commissioner of Planning       Council to Adopt Code Limiting Plastic Pipes to Bldgs Under 6 Stories. Posted on August 1, 2005 by John Bailey Hits: 0 WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey. August 1, 2005: Councilpersons Arnold Berstein, Benjamin Boykin,  Larry Delgado, Rita Malmud, Thomas Roach, and Mayor Joseph Delfino indicated in brief remarks at 11:30 P.M. Monday evening they would be voting to adopt a supplemental building code which would allow use of plastic pipe in White Plains, but only permit its use in buildings under six stories or 75 feet. The Mayor and Councilmembers stressed this would not allow use of plastic pipe in high rise buildings. The indication of council sentiment came despite an approximate two-hour procession of opponents of permitting plastic pipe in White Plains. The official vote on the adoption of the amended ordinance, permitting plastic pipe but only in buildings below six stories, will be taken at 5:15 P.M.  Tuesday afternoon. Mayor Joseph Delfino told the council, “You didn’t help developers today. You helped people (homeowners) today.” Greer Forced to Leave Council Meeting. Code Vote Delayed Til Tues PM Posted on August 1, 2005 by John Bailey Hits: 0 WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. By John F. Bailey August 1, 2005, UPDATED 9:31 P.M. E.DT.: Helen Greer, the wife of Councilman Robert Greer, told The CitizeNetReporter moments ago that her husband, forced to leave the Council meeting approximately 9 P.M., was “O.K.” Mrs. Greer told WPCNR, “If he’d stayed for the hearing, it would have been too long for him.” Councilman Robert Greer, who has been suffering from Arterial Lateral Sclerosis was unable to continue the Council meeting this evening, being forced to leave approximately 9 P.M. The departure of Mr. Greer postponed the council’s planned vote on the revision of the city’s building code. Mayor Joseph Delfino announced that Mr. Greer had to leave, but did not offer any explanation as to why Mr. Greer had to depart. Calls to the Mayor’s office for further details met an answering machine. Mayor Delfino explained to the television audience that all council members had to be present to vote on the building code proposal, and that the vote would be held tentatively Tuesday afternoon. Greer had sat through an hour and a half of  hearings on a Westchester Hills Golf Club maintenance structure proposal, which the council approved; a hearing onThe Jefferson; a restaurant request for outdoor dining; and a proposal to build a parking lot at 15-17 Longview Avenue, while the big issue: the building code was held for last. The Jefferson hearing was adjourned to September 6, as was the parking lot proposal for 15-17 Longview.  The council voted to approve the Westchester Hills maintenance structure, and open air dining for Noda’s restaurant. The hearing on the condos at Maple and Hale Avenues was adjourned to September. ↑