Westchester County Represented at 2004 ESSAE Trade Show for Meeting Planners

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WPCNR BOOSTER BULLETIN. From Traci Boggi of The Westchester County Office of Tourism. July 2, 2004:  A meeting, conference or convention can bring in hundreds of business visitors at a time into Westchester County, visitors who spend money on hotel rooms, meals, and leisure activities.  In a continuous effort to bring meetings into the area, the Westchester County Office of Tourism recently attended the 25th Annual ESSAE (Empire State Society of Association Executives) trade show.




The Westchester County Office of Tourism recently attended the ESSAE (Empire State Society of Association Executives) trade show with sales representatives from several hotels.  The fun 70’s theme of the exhibit, “Groovin’, the Westchester Way”, grabbed the attention of the 300 association meeting planners who attended the show.  Pictured, left to right: Vincent Waters, Rye Town Hilton; Natalee Daley, Crowne Plaza of White Plains; Thomas Walsh, Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown; Kim Boggi, Westchester County Office of Tourism; and Richard Minotta, Renaissance Westchester in White Plains.  Photo, Courtesy, WCOT.


 


 


This year, the ESSAE Trade Show was held on June 22nd at the Saratoga Convention Center in Saratoga. The ESSAE trade show is an annual marketplace attended by approximately 300 meeting planners and executives from associations from across New York State.  Destinations from counties and cities throughout New York and surrounding states are represented through exhibit booth space. 


The theme of the ESSAE show was a Silver Celebration in honor of its 25th anniversary.  Westchester County‘s attention-getting exhibit harkened back to the year 1979, utilizing the theme “Groovin’, the Westchester Way.” The booth re-created a seventies disco with hanging beads, disco lights and other related props.  Westchester County representatives went above and beyond with costumes — Village People, the popular disco music group, as well as a couple of go-go girls from the earlier decade. 


“This tradeshow is not only a great opportunity to network with association meeting planners in a more social environment,” said Kim Boggi, Deputy Director of the Westchester County Office of Tourism, “but it’s also an excellent opportunity to partner with Westchester‘s hotels.”  Hotel partners included Natalee Daley, Crowne Plaza White Plains; Richard Minotta, Renaissance Westchester in White Plains; Thomas Walsh, Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown; and Vincent Waters, Rye Town Hilton. 


Participation in the show is an annual cooperative marketing project, and registration fees and expenses are split among the five entities.  This year, Westchester County took a sponsorship role in the trade show, with cooperation from American Airlines.


 








 

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Adam In Albany: Intros Bill to Support Rise in Minimum Wage to $7.25

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By District 89 Assemblyman Adam T. Bradley. July 4, 2004: A measure I sponsored that would increase the state’s minimum wage to $7.25 an hour has passed the Assembly (A.11698). I urge the Senate to pass this legislation.


People should be able to make livable wages to support their families. Hard-working New Yorkers should be rewarded fairly for their labor.


 


The legislation would increase the state minimum wage to $6.00 per hour on October 1, 2004; $6.75 an hour on June 1, 2005; and $7.25 on January 1, 2006. Food service workers receiving tips would also receive yearly wage increases – climbing to $4.75 an hour on January 1, 2006.


 


Other provisions of the bill allow an employee advocate to bring a wage and hour complaint, and establish the right of the state labor commissioner to have access to wage and hour records when investigating alleged violations.


 


Our state’s antiquated minimum wage of $5.15 an hour is an insult to the New Yorkers who work in some of the toughest jobs. Families need an increased minimum wage to help make ends meet. New York is one of the most expensive states to live in and the minimum wage in New York should not be the same as Mississippi and Montana. I hope the Senate and the governor will join the Assembly in our reasonable effort to improve the lives of hard-working New Yorkers.

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Progressive Web Design Studio Joins Westchester’s Small Business Community

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 TRANSFUTURE, LLC., a new media agency specializing in custom Web design, recently announced its location to Dobbs Ferry, NY. The company hopes that this new location will make them more accessible to both the local and metropolitan communities.

Established in 2001, TRANSFUTURE found its humble beginnings in the home office of President and Co-Founder, Joseph Egan where Mr. Egan, along with Co-Founder Erin Guthan, patiently developed their online portfolio. The two began their business with the desire of combining a mutual love of art and design with their fascination with the Web. “When we began our company, the Web was still a new media form, full of all sorts of interesting glitches and chaos, as well as some of the most independent creativity we’d ever seen,” said Joseph Egan. “We knew that over the next few years the technology on the Web would blossom, and we wanted to be there when it happened”.



Since accepting their first project in 2001, TRANSFUTURE has evolved into a successful Web design team, specializing in custom Web design, online identity development, eCommerce, flash animation and streaming media. Their portfolio, which can be viewed by visiting www.transfuture.com, consists of a wide range of clients, including non-profits, corporations and small businesses.

Having outgrown the home office business model, Mr. Egan and Ms. Guthan began their search for the perfect commercial space. “We explored a lot of spaces in the area”, says Erin Guthan, Co-Founder, “but none of them seemed to be what we were looking for. Then a friend of ours told us about an industrial space on Palisade Street in Dobbs Ferry. Once we saw the space, we knew it was perfect”.

The two business partners say what attracted them most about their new address was the diversity of its tenants. The building is home to several established artists and a wide array of businesses. As Joseph Egan points out, “In our wing alone, there’s a book publisher, a printer, a percussionist and a bagpipe maker. It’s an inspiring place to work and be creative.” Mr. Egan and Ms. Guthan also stress Dobbs Ferry’s close proximity to Manhattan as another deciding factor.

Since relocating to Dobbs Ferry, Mr. Egan plans to increase focus on small businesses who sometimes feel left out of largely corporately funded exposure on the web. “In the past, we’ve marketed more toward larger companies and non-profits who need major overhauls of their online offerings,” he said. “However, this year we’re really looking forward to servicing smaller businesses as well, especially within the local community.”


————-
ABOUT TRANSFUTURE

Founded in 2001, TRANSFUTURE specializes in the design and development of custom websites with lasting impact and dynamic functionality. We work closely with our clients to create new and stunning web identities that leave lasting impressions on their audiences.

Recent Projects:



http://www.katonahmuseum.org

http://www.totalentertainment.com

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California Girls Edge Juggernaut, 1-0, on Marshall Homer in Cali

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. July 3, 2004: The California Sunbirds Jodie Cox, pitching for the second straight night outduelled Kaci Clark and made a 2nd inning homer by Julie Marshall stand up Friday night to snap a Juggernaut 2-game winning streak. The Nauts wrap up their West Coast series tonight.

The Sunbirds’ Julie Marshall, the UCLA graduate, launched her shot off Clark in the second inning. Apparently the “Power Pellets” she chews in a certain way in her mouth at different times of the game (a superstition of hers) were working last night, because Clark did not give the Sunbirds anything after Marshall’s solo mio.  Marshall, who played baseball until she was a freshman in high school, now sells insurance when she isn’t playing for the Sunbirds, was the difference.


Meanwhile, in the circle, Jodie Cox impressed the Stockton California crowd of 416 fans at the United Sports Complex notching her first win against the Nauts after losing Thursday night to Amanda Scott.


She did not allow a Naut to reach third base, a double by Lyndsey Klein the only threat. She stranded 4 Nauts, walked two, fanned four, gave 2 hits and was in command. Meanwhile Kaci Clark whiffed 9 Sunbirds, walked none, but ends up with another tough loss in what was arguably her best start of the season. Kaci is now 3-3.


Nauts Manager Dina DeAquino pinch hit a series of Naut pinchhitters in the lates to try and get something going but could not get Kaci a run. Lyndsey Collins, Ger Fairchild and Jen Smith all took a shot at Cox to get something Nauty going and Cox rose to the occasion, whiffing Collins and Fairchild and inducing Smith to make an out.


The Nauts wrap up their West Coast visit tonight with the Sunbirds and fly home for a showdown with the Texas Thunder Monday night at Montclair State University Softball Stadium. Gametime is 7:35 P.M.


When the two teams met in Houston early this month, Rabbit Blake, Thunder General Manager, said the Thunder was going to give the Nauts “an old-fashioned Texas whuppin,” and they did, sweeping the Nauts in three games, which cost Linda Derk her job. The Nauts, you gotta believe, remember that week in Texas.


Playing to get the Olympians


The series coming up is crucial to the Nauts because they are fighting the Thunder and the Akron Racers for the two best records in the league. The teams with the two best records will play the United States Olympic Team on July 13 in Oklahoma City in a doubleheader, a game that will be televised by ESPN, though not live and not on the same date. You’ll get to see it on July 25, thus killing the rating.


Not televising the NPF teams and the U.S. Olympic Softball Team live, is an indefensible decision by ESPN, and Major League Baseball since they prefer to show a routine dull, ragged major league baseball game instead, filled with pampered pitchers who can’t go 6 innings, and cheap homers.


Wouldn’t you think, since Major League Baseball is “a partner” of National Pro Fastpitch that MLB would tell ESPN, kill the telecast of our game that night and show the softball game live. Wouldn’t you think?


With a partner like Major League Baseball, who needs enemies?


The National Pro Fastpitch Standings  July 3, 2004


                                      W        L       PCT.      GB


Akron Racers                 15        7       .680        ___


Texas Thunder                15        7      .680        ____


The Juggernaut                16       10     .615           1


California Sunbirds            9        16     .360         7.5


New England Riptide         9        16     .360        7.5


Arizona Heat                     9         17     .311          8


Friday’s Results


Texas 1  New England 0


California 1 Juggernaut 0


Akron 5  Arizona 2

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Mario Scarano to Retire As Athletic Director at High School

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. From the City School District. July 2, 2004: The Board of Education in its Tuesday meeting coming up will accept the resignation of Mario Scarano, longtime Athletic Director of White Plains High School, effective July 18, meaning the position and the policies of high school athletics will be under the aegis of a new personality.



PASSING THE BATON: Mario Scarano, WPHS Athletic Director, left, introducing Fastpitcher  Kelly O’Neil at the June 8 Spring Sports Dinner at White Plains High School, a tradition Mr.Scarano created and pioneered, which bonds the high school athletic community. Photo by WPCNR Sports


The resignation is a surprise because this spring Mr. Scarano, asked the district to allow him to concentrate on athletics only, and suggested hiring another specialist to supervise the health education aspects of the Athletic Director position. More details when they become available.


A School Board member told WPCNR Friday evening he expected that Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors would make the selection of Mr. Scarano’s successor. Under Mr. Scarano’s leadership White Plains High teams won 77% of their interscholastic contests this school year.  Mr. Scarano has developed a coaching staff that has developed teams known throughout the area for their sportsmanship, poise, and competitive, “no quit” attitude that respects opponents while never losing their poise.

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Nauts Whitewash Sunbirds on the Coast, 2-0 Behind Amanda Scott.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. July 2, 2004: The New York-New Jersey Juggernaut won their first game on California soil last night before 377 fans at the United Sports Complex in Stockton, California, behind Amazing Amanda Scott who pitched a 3-hit shutout for her seventh win in 10 decisions for the Nauts.

 Santa Ana California girl, Lauren Bauer broke the game open for New York in the third by tripling home  Bay Shore Long Island’s Jacklyn Pasquerella for a 1-0 lead in the third.  The “JackPaq” had singled and stolen second before Bauer’s bash.


Bauer then came home from third on an error for all the runs Scotty needed.


Scott meantime handcuffed the Sunbirds for her league-leading seventh victory, beating Jodie Cox.


The Nauts (16-9)  kept pace with the Texas Thunder and the Akron Racers the three teams tied for first in the National Pro Fastpitch race.


The first and second teams in the National Professional Fastpitch league as of July 5 will play two exhibition games against the U.S. Olympic Softball Team in a doubleheader on July 13 in Oklahoma City. Those games will be televised inexpicably on tape delay on July 25 on ESPN.


The Nauts play two more singletons with the Sunbirds before returning home Monday night, July 5 to Montclair State University Softball Stadium for a first place showdown with the Texas Thunder at 7:35 P.M. They’ll be playing the Thunder also on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:35 P.M. The Nauts will be looking to avenge their being swept in Houston, the first time the two clubs met.


This will be the New York area first look at the Thunder Twirling Trio of Peaches James, Christa Williams and Lindsay Chouinard, the toughest rotation in the league, and the Thunder’s league home run queen so far, Clare Burnam and the RBI Princess, Lindsay Gardner who is hitting .321 with 12 Ribbies. Gardner killed the Nauts in Houston.


National Pro Fast Pitch Standings  July 2, 2004


                                      W      L     Pct.   GB


Texas Thunder                14     7     .667    ___


Akron Racers                  13     7    .650     1/2


The Juggernaut                 16     9     .640    ___


Arizona Heat                      9    15    .375     6-1/2


New England Riptide          9    15    .375     6-1/2


California Sunbirds              8    16    .333      7-1/2


Thursday Results


The Juggernaut 2, California 0


Akron 2, Arizona 1

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Appellate Court Denies Glen Hockley A Stay. Lifts Restrng Order. Hello, Larry

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. July 2, 2004: Jeffrey Binder, the attorney for Larry Delgado, the White Plains “Phantom Councilman,” seeking to have Glen Hockley ousted from the Common Council via a successful quo warranto precedure, reports today that a clerk at the Appellate Division, Second Department in Brooklyn, reports that Mr. Hockley’s motion for a stay of execution of the quo warranto decision has been denied.


Binder says this clears the way for Mr. Delgado to assume office as Councilman replacing Mr. Hockley “once Judge Nicolai signs the Attorney General’s order, and is served on the parties, and the City Clerk strikes Hockley’s name from the public officer role and Delgado is sworn in.”


Binder issued this statement on Mr. Delgado’s behalf: “We are pleased for the voters in White Plains that the Appellate Division has decided to allow the process to go forward that will correct a deeply flawed election. A broken voting machine must never stand in the way of effectuating the will of the electorate.”


The Mayor’s Office has been contacted for comment on the timetable for Mr. Hockley’s departure, once the paperwork is done. However, a last ditch effort to stall the deposement of Mr. Hockley after 27 months of serving on the Common Council as “a usurper,” and 27 months of dodging a runoff election to determine which man White Plains voters would prefer, could be mounted. If Mr. Delgado should succeed in assuming his seat on the council by August he will be able to serve for 17 months through December 2005.


Mr. Binder, speaking to WPCNR this afternoon, expected the Attorney General’s Order requesting Delgado be seated and Mr. Hockley ousted, to be signed by Judge Nicolai this afternoon or next Tuesday. Binder expected that unless the Hockley camp contrives another delaying tactic, that Delgado could be back in the Council saddle again in 5 days.


Binder said the Appellate Court ruled by a 4-0 majority, with no dissenting opinion to reject the stay and lift the temporary restraining order, allowing Delgado to be seated while Glen Hockley’s appeal of the Nicolai decision to make a summary judgment works through the Appellate Court.


Binder said Delgado is elated about returning to the Common Council.

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This is America: White Plains Resident Jailed 6 Months for Disrupting Congress

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. July 2, 2004: While Mr. and Mrs. White Plains are eating hot dogs at a backyard barebecue, beaching at the Hamps, basking in the Berks, hiking in the Pokes or lounging on the Jersey Shore, celebrating the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights on America’s Birthday weekend, White Plains’ Elena Sassower,  a  25-year resident of the city,  founder and Coordinator of the Center for Judicial Accountability in White Plains is in jail for the next six months, and ordered to pay fines of $500 and $250 to the Victims Fund. 


 


She has been in the District of Columbia Capital Jail since Monday. Her crime: disruption of congress.


 



 


WHITE PLAINS’ ELENA SASSOWER: Jailed for asking to speak at Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on the appointment of a Federal Judge. Photo Capture from the Center for Judicial Accountability website.


 


How did this happen? According to the Center for Judicial Accountability, Elena Sassower,  “respectfully  requested, the right to testify at a Congressional public hearing in opposition to President Bush’s appointment of Judge Richard Wesley to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, covering New York,  Connecticut and Vermont. “


 


Citizen Arrested for Addressing a Senate Committee. Tried. Convicted. Jailed.


 


That hearing was on May 22, 2003.  According to the Center for Judicial Accountability,  Senator  Saxby Chambliss, Republican Senator from Georgia,  Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee was notified beforehand of her written request to speak at Wesley’s confirmation hearing.


 


However, Senator Chambliss adjourned the hearing after two hours of favorable testimony towards Judge Wesley without any inquiry by Senator Chambliss “as to whether anyone present wished to be heard.  At this point, Elena Sassower rose to speak and asked,


 


“Mr. Chairman, there’s citizen opposition to Judge Wesley based on his documented corruption as a New York Court of Appeals Judge, May I testify?”


 


 


 



Off to the Dungeon With Her! Cuffed. Isolated. Not One Phone Call.


 


 According to the CJA, “Within eight seconds, Ms. Sassower was thereupon taken out, arrested, handcuffed behind her back, incarcerated for 21 hours, during which she was held incommunicado, and criminally prosecuted for disruption of congress.”


 



SENATOR SAXBY CHAMBLISS: Gavels down the Senate Judiciary Committee Confirmation Hearing on Judge Richard Wesley without asking if anyone wished to be heard. Photo Capture by WPCNR from the Senator’s Website.


 


In April of  2004, Ms. Sassower was tried before Judge Brian  F. Holeman in District of Columbia Superior Court. The trial lasted a week before a jury and Ms. Sassower was convicted, and returned to Washington for sentencing June 1 before Judge Holeman.


  


When WPCNR received the news release of Ms. Sassower’s impending sentencing May 31,  this reporter reviewed it and automatically assumed Ms. Sassower since she appeared not to have threatened the committee in any way, would have received  probation or a fine, or a plea bargain of some sort.


 


I reread the news release Thursday and called to see how the case came out, and was shocked to learn Ms. Sassower had been given a sentence of six months in jail last Monday. (June 28).


 



The Center for Judicial Accountability  calls  the charges “spurious and concocted” and plans to appeal based on the trial court’s many “reversible errors.”


Malicious Prosecution?


The Center feels Ms. Sassower’s sentence is harsh because other protestors at a Senate Committee hearing were let off with no punishment whatsoever May 7  at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee who interrupted the hearing by shouting out for Defense Secretary Rumsfeld to be fired and unfurled a “FIRE RUMSFELD” banner. They were not arrested, according to the CJA.

The Center in a statement  views the criminal case against Ms. Sassower for “disruption of Congress” as “a vicious assault on citizens’  rights – and retaliation for its longtime public advocacy in exposing the corruption of the federal judicial selection process.”


 


Have We Got a Plea Bargain for You: Shut Up or Go to Jail.


 


WPNCR has learned that Ms. Sassower did receive a plea bargain from Judge Brian F. Holeman. But, it is a plea bargain that would essentially prevent Ms. Sassower from pursuing her profession that of watchdog on the court system.


 


To avoid jail time, Ms. Sassower would have had to have essentially given up her right to free speech, according to her attorney, Mark Goldstone.


 


In a statement released Thursday, Mr. Goldstone said,


 


“Judge Holeman offered Ms. Sassower a long list of unconstitutional conditions for her immediate release, which she rejected.”


 


Among the conditions for her release (no jail time) were:


 


1.       Being placed on probation for two years.


2.       Ceasing electronic, verbal and other communication with NY Senators Clinton and Schumer for two years.


3.       To stay away from all Capitol office buildings.


4.       Requiring her to report all her activities as Coordinator of the Center for Judicial Accountability for two years.


5.       Do 400 hours of community service.


6.       Write letters of apology to Senators Clinton and Schumer and their staffers as well as Judge Wesley (the nominee she sought to present opposition testimony).


 


According to Goldstone’s statement detailing the events June 28,  released Thursday, “Ms. Sassower stated (after hearing the conditions to avoid jail), that the conditions exacted by the judge would infringe on her rights of free speech.”


 


Judge Throws Book at Her:  No Stay. Go Directly to Jail.


 


When Judge Holeman heard Ms. Sassower’s rejection of the plea bargain,  he rejected her plea for a stay, pending appeal, doubled the 90 day sentence he originally announced to the six month maximum jail time.


 


“Seconds later” according the CJA account, Judge Holeman bade U.S. Marshals to lock Ms. Sassower up.


 


Ms. Sassower now at this moment is in the DC Capital dungeon, 1901 D Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20003. She may be reached at 1-202-673-8121.


 


“Trumped-up Charge”


 


Doris Sassower, Elena Sassower’s mother,  also a resident of White Plains, in a statement said,


 


 “…an innocent American woman has been condemned to prison for the next six months on a trumped-up criminal charge of Disruption of Congress. It is frightening to think that the charge of Disruption of Congress has been knowingly misapplied to a case of First Amendment protected free speech rights, with no ACT of disruption. To respectfully request to testify at a pubic hearing is not a crime in a democracy when providing legitimate opposition in the pubic interest. When legitimate dissent becomes criminalized by a politically-motivated judicial misapplication of the law, our sacrosanct First Amendment protection of free speech is no more.”


 


Adversary Disposed of.


 


Elena Sassower had filed extensive papers regarding the appointment of Judge Richard Wesley over the last year and a half  with the Senate Judiciary Committee, and members of congress. She is protesting his conduct on the New York State Court of Appeals in which he ruled on a case involving what the Center for Judicial Accountability calls a “corrupt”  New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct.  T


 


The CJA contends Judge Wesley failed to recuse himself  from that case, and in ruling against Ms. Sassower’s position, she alleges he was rewarded by Governor Pataki with nomination to the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. In turn, she feels this makes him unfit to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals.


 


As of yet, Senator Hillary Clinton’s and Senator Charles Schumer’s offices have not responded to WPCNR’s request for comment on the sentencing. The CJA has also been highly critical of Senator Clinton’s and Senator Schumer’s conduct in handling judiciary appointments.


 


For more information on the Center for Judicial Accountability, go to their website, http://www.judgewatch.org.

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County Independence Day Activities

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Westchester County Department of Parks and Recreation. (EDITED). July 2, 2004: If you missed the White Plains fireworks, there are plenty of other county activities to help you celebrate the 4th. People of all ages from all over Westchester will spend the Independence Day weekend listening to music favorites during outdoor concerts, and watching fireworks overhead after dark in County Parks. Here are the county-sponsored activities:


 


FIREWORKS


At Playland, fireworks shows take place at 9:15 p.m. on Friday, Sunday and Monday, July 2, 4 and 5. After this weekend, fireworks shows are every Wednesday and Friday evening through September 3 (weather permitting).


 


On Saturday, July 3, the annual Kensico Dam Music Fest, featuring a program of American classic music by the renowned Westchester Philharmonic, concludes with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.


 


OUTDOOR CONCERTS


Lunch at Lasdon


The ABC’s of Jazz will be perform on the patio of the Shop at Lasdon as residents enjoy their own lunch al fresco Friday, July 2, noon to 2 p.m., at Lasdon Park, Arbroetum and Veterans Memorial in Somers.


 


Kensico Dam Music Fest


The Westchester Philharmonic will perform classic American favorites on Saturday, July 3, 8 p.m., at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. The event also includes a spirited dance exhibition by the Hip Hop Kidz at 5:45 p.m., followed by the Westchester Youth Jazz Ensemble at 6:15 p.m.


 


Big Band Music at Sunset Serenades Debut


The renowned Stan Rubin Orchestra will re-create the sounds of Big Band swing music on the wide lawn as the Sunset Serenades concert series debuts Saturday, July 3, 6 p.m., at Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial in Somers.


 


All programs this weekend are sponsored by the Westchester County Parks Department.

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County Will Be Patrolling highways, waterways for Drunken Drivers and Boaters.

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WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. From Westchester County Department of Communications. (EDITED) July 2, 2004:  County Executive Andy Spano reports,  “The county Department of Public Safety, as well as local police departments, will intensify enforcement of our DWI laws this holiday weekend. I encourage everyone who expects to drink to have a ‘designated driver.’ And those who don’t plan ahead but consume alcohol should call a friend or a taxi relative for a ride, or call a taxi,.”

           


 “The average cost of a drunk driving conviction can be as much as $8,000,” Spano said. “All this can be avoided with an $8 tax ride,” he said.


            In addition to highway and roadway patrols, Spano noted that police officers will be patrolling the waterways to enforce laws against piloting a boat while intoxicated.


           


The county Office of Drug Prevention and STOP-DWI provides thousands of dollars each year to local police departments for added effort patrols and sobriety checkpoints.


            “Just because you do not see a roadblock style sobriety checkpoint do not assume that the police in your community are not looking for drunk drivers, said Tom Meier, director of the STOP-DWI Program.


            The cost of being arrested for DWI can run into the thousands of dollars. In addition to fines, violators face mandatory classes, attorney fees, increased insurance fees and impounding and towing fees, as well as the possibility of license suspension.

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