The March of the Proton Accelerators: Hitachi in Hunt for NYPH Facility.

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WPCNR East Ender. By John F. Bailey. October 11, 2004: The Director of Proton Beam Technology North America for Hatachi North America in Tarrytown, Vito Cappello , confirmed to WPCNR Friday in a telephone interview that Hatachi is in the process of negotiations with New York Presbyterian Hospital to build their proton accelerator facility on their White Plains campus. Mr. Cappello also said that his company invests in projects in return for a share of revenues “on a case by case basis.”


Cappello, in addition, confirmed Hitachi is bidding to build the proton accelerator in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania, reported by WPCNR last week.


 In a world two years ago when the northeast medical oncological establishment was not even telling patients about proton accelerator therapy as an option to surgery, suddenly the proton accelerator is the cancer treatment the nation’s major cancer centers want to have. Three new proton facilities, in Houston, Jacksonville, Florida and Philadelphia are on target to open by 2006-07.




The University of Florida at Jacksonville is now building a proton accelerator, Cappello said, using a Belgian vendor, I.B.A., to build its accelerator.


 


In the Hunt.


 


Mr. Cappello confirmed his company is having discussions with White Plains New York Presbyterian Hospital.


 


“We’ve been following the New York Presbyterian Hospital matter, having had discussions with them,” Cappello told WPCNR. “These facilities take a while. We’ve had discussions with them, and trying to move it forward. We’re presenting our technology to them for consideration in their future plans.”


 


WPCNR asked Hatachi’s proton beam master if NYPH had decided yet on their vendor (since New York Presbyterian Hospital has refused to comment to the media, or provide any details directly on the state of their proton accelerator project, its negotiations or status).


 


Cappello said, “At this point, no, they’re still in discussions. I believe they are internal discussions and they’re discussing it with vendors such as Hitachi.”


 


Hitachi and M. D. Anderson Meet-Up


 


WPCNR asked how Hitachi proceeded with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and how long it took before Hiatachi started the construction on the accelerator project there. (Hitachi has been building the M.D. Anderson Proton Therapy Center on the University of Texas campus for one year.)


 


“ We signed this (M.D. Anderson contract) in December of 2002. Our schedule is a 36-month schedule for the treatment of the first patient. We’re right on schedule (to open Spring 2006). (The 36-month schedule) incorporates the designs, the construction and the installation of the equipment, and the commissioning and testing. Keep in mind, our equipment needs to be approved by the F.D.A. Our equipment is for investigative purposes only until approved by F.D.A. The F.D.A. approval will be obtained prior to any treatment.”


 


The Selection Process


 


WPCNR asked how much lead-time was needed to design the facility to the M.D. Anderson specifications. Cappello said it was a speedy process:


 


“It’s all done within three years. Initially the way the sales cycle works when it gets to that point (before the contract is signed), the institution comes up with a broad specification for what they require. They sit down and have the vendors propose. Then the institution sits down with the vendor for two to three months and irons this out and then the subcontract is signed so you have a clear understanding of the specifications required.”


 


Cappello said institutions normally have customizations they want in their facilities: “Many institutions, John, have idiosyncracies they like to follow. There may be a need for additional imagery requirements at certain locations within the proton beam facility, things like that. That, at most would take several months, but much of the details are ironed out during the three years when the final design is made. It takes exactly 36 months. We try and improve on that obviously.”


 


Structuring the Deal.


 


Noting that Hitachi invested capital in the M. D. Anderson facility, we asked if Hitachi might structure a deal where revenues were shared with M. D. Anderson. Mr. Cappello said he was unable to talk about that: “At this point we sell our equipment for investigative purposes only until we get F.D.A. approval. That’s very clear. The way we structure our proposals is first and foremost, Hitachi would like to sell its technology and equipment, that’s our primary focus. That’s our way of doing things, unless there’s something very special and unusual we need to have done.”


 


“The normal course of events, John, is that there’s a need on the part of a large academic institution, they basically put together some preliminary specifications,and the deals are we provide the equipment and software for the proton facility. That’s our basic approach to the market place.”


 


Capital Investment? Possible!


 


I asked if Hitachi invested capital, normally, as it did with the M. D.Anderson facility, but Cappello said that was unusual: “The opportunities we are looking at are of that  nature. Many of the institutions, the hospitals, prefer to have ownership of them. Many of them are not-for-profit institutions. We are not a non-profit institution.”


 


Asked, if in return for an equity stake,  whether the investment (to construct an Hitachi proton therapy center)  would be less, Cappello repeated,  “Our basic approach to the market place is to provide the equipment, and software and the installation of our technology in return for a reimbursement for our equipment and technology.”


 


I asked if Hatachi would be able to offer the equipment for less: “Whatever the future holds, that’s something to be considered later on.”


 


WPCNR asked the ever popular hypothetical question:  “Say the equipment cost a $160 Million, and Hatachi offered the technology for like say $125 Million, for a percentage of the revenues? Would you do that? ”


 


Cappello said, “I think we would consider it on a case by case basis. I can’t give you a blanket statement on that.”


 


Cost Caution.


 


Cappello said of the estimates of $160 million mentioned in previous stories, “when you hear those numbers you have to figure on what’s included or not, whether it’s the building, the accelerator, or the entire complex, and needs of the particular institution. There are no hard and fast rules though.”


 


The Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute, which opened in February of 2004 in Bloomington, Indiana cost $37 Million, according to a story on the Indiana University Media Relations website, because IU already had an existing cyclotron on the Indiana University campus. The same story estimates the cost of a from-scratch proton therapy center as $140 Million. (See the story at http://www.ihif.org/stories/december03/mpri.htm )


 


While the Accel  Instruments GmbH compact proton accelerator going into the Rinecker Proton Therapy Center in Munich, prices at 120 Million Euro, or $160 Million, because it is a complete facility building, according to Udo Klein, Managing Director of Accel Instruments GmbH.


 


The Loma Linda facility was built at a cost of $80 Million in 1990. 


 


Synchrotron comparable to Loma Linda facility.


 


I asked Mr. Cappello how the Hatachi proton accelerator model compared to the Loma Linda technology, how much better is it?


 


 “As far as the technology is concerned, there’s a heart of the proton  facility is two center focuses. One is on the accelerator itself which actually accelerates the proton, and second is the nozzle which basically delivers the treatment to the patient.


           Our system uses a synchrotron which is an accelerator that is fairly high energy, it can generate up to 250 million electron volts that translates into the depth a proton can go into the body. 250mev, as we call it, translates into about 38 centimeters into the body, (approximately one foot). It has been used in proton therapy for a long time. It’s safe, reliable, it’s maintenance is very easy to perform.  It uses a synchrotron as the facility at  Loma Linda uses.”


 


He said he could not comment on how it compares with the Accel proton accelerator, that is being installed at the  Roenicker  Proton Center in Munich, Germany.


 


March of the Proton Accelerators.


 


Cappello said there are currently three accelerators on line in the continental United States: Loma Linda, California, Bloomington, Indiana and Massachussetts General in Boston. He said coming on board are M. D. Anderson in Houston, the University of Florida at Jacksonville, and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, followed by the New York Presbyterian Hospital facility.


 


Cappello, when asked by WPCNR confirmed that Hitachi was definitely applying for the Philadelphia project with the University of Pennsylvania. “We definitely are, yes.”


 


A firm named I.B.A. built the proton beam facility at the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute in Bloomington, Indiana, and is also constructing the University of Florida facility in Jacksonville, Florida. Their latest newsletter can be read at http://www.iba-worldwide.com/root_tg/downloads/IBANews_october2004.pdf


 


For more on the University of Florida facility, you may go to their website at http://www.med.ufl.edu/radonc/AbRT_proton%20therapy.htm


 


WPCNR asked why Cappello thought M.D. Anderson selected Hitachi: 


 


“That’s a good question. We’ve talked with M.D.Anderson, and essentially the reasons were were, number one, the safety and reliability of our system, utilizing a core synchrotron. In addition to that it was our dedication to the advancement of that technology. We spent a lot of money in research and development and enhancing our product. This product is very important to us. This facility is not something you put in and in three years it’s obsolete. You’ve got to keep advancing the technology. So I believe it’s our safety, reliability and our dedication to proton beam from the standpoint of research and development.”


 


Bring on the Options.


 


I asked if it can be upgraded with new technology and software once installed. “Absolutely correct,” Cappello said, “There are components that we try and advance within our R & D and those elements are always applied. Key elements in proton facilities is the ability to control the beam and also to position the patient.”


 


Market Share Enough for Philly and White Plains.


 


Cappello said he did not see the Philadelphia facility competing with the White Plains facility for patients. “There are 1.3 million new cancer patients every year, and about half of those are prostate, lung  and breast cancer (that lend themselves to proton therapy treatment). The population intensity of the northeast I think will satisfy a number of facilities.”


 


Proton Therapy and the Surgeon/Radiologist.


 


I asked if oncologists were turning away from surgery as an option and turning more towards proton therapy as a first treatment option.


 


“I’m not a clinician, John, but I listen to clinicians from the medical, the radiation, and the surgicial, sometimes the multiple modalities are very helpful. So, I don’t think they’ll be an elimination of surgery nor medicine, but the proton beam certainly enhances the outcome of certain cancers, and in certain patients, like the young, because the proton effects are nil when you are treating pediatric cases. I’m repeating what clinicians are saying to me.”


 


I asked if he viewed the proton therapy as the first treatment of choice. He said that depending on the institution.


 


 


Cappello said he appreciated the opportunity to talk about his proton beam, “I think we’re being recognized as one of the best suppliers of this type of technology.”


 


 


 


 

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Dracula, Prince of Darkness, Stalks White Plains at “The Roch”

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WPCNR Stage Door. By John F. Bailey. October 11, 2004, Updated 2:30 P.M. E.D.T.: The Fort Hill Players will present the original horror melodrama for Halloween that has fascinated audiences for over one hundred years, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, written and adapted for Broadway in 1928 by Hamilton Deane and John Balderston, (that was, in turn, adopted for the Bela Lugosi movie in 1931),  debuts this Friday as the original vampire stalks the stage of The Rochambeau School, October 15, 16, 22, and 23 at 8, and Saturday, October 16 at 2. 



 


The mesmerizing Peter Green assumes the classic role of the charismatic Count Dracula, the ingénue Suzanne Davis plays the luscious Lucy Seward, and the Fort Hill Player favorite, Larry Reina The Count’s nemesis, Van Helsing. Dracula in White Plains is a rare opportunity for youth to acquaint themselves with the original story of The King of the Vampires, that debuted in the Bram Stoker novel in the 1850s, and has haunted mankind for decades. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.


 



The production, directed by Mr. Green’s wife, Carin Zakes, will be one of the most ambitious stagings, according to  White Plains’ Joan Charischak, the show producer, complete with rotating stage, fog, an eerie bat, and an atmosphere of dread as The Rochambeau School is turned into a gloomy estate in the English countryside in the nineteenth century.

 


WPCNR, wearing garlic and a cross, attended a recent rehearsal as Dracula was rising again.


 


Green assumes the role every male lead covets: the enigmatic, immortal charismatic Count Dracula, seeking to establish his legion of vampires in the English countryside. The vampire must  sleep by day on earth from his native Transylvania, and to survive must feed on the blood of the living at night. The object of his designs is Lucy, played by the alabaster fleshed Suzanne Davis, a newcomer to the Fort Hill group.


 


In case, you do not know the plot, to borrow from the Fort Hill Players trailer:


 


Lucy Seward suffers from a mysterious ailment – physically and spiritually fatigued and getting worse day by day.  At his wit’s end, her father summons Professor Van Helsing, an expert on mysterious diseases.  


Van Helsing is convinced Lucy has fallen victim to the seductive spell of charmingly evil Count Dracula. What ensues is a pursuit unlike any other: A chilling journey into supernatural, primal darkness.  A drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat.


 



Suzanne Davis and Peter Green in rehearsals for Dracula. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.


 


I asked Green, why he chose the role. “I do a lot of work with Carin, in part because we’re married and have been for a long time. We do a lot of theatre together. I do some theatre on my own in New Rochelle an around the county, but usually if Carin’s directing, I’ll come out and audition and support her. When she signed on to direct Dracula, I just thought it would be such fun to come out and audition.”


 


I asked if Ms. Zakes, his wife, was a difficult director. “No,” The White Plains Count said diplomatically, “She gives people tremendous room to figure it (the parts) out.”


 



The Hypnotic Count Casts a Spell on Suzanne Ochs, creating an ally. Photo by WPCNR StageCam


 


I asked Peter how he was approaching the most famous stage part from the age of melodrama, next to Sherlock Holmes. “I guess I’m kind of exploring. I think I’m just being given room to figure it (Dracula) out at this moment. But to me, the internal aspect of this character is about hunger, need, desire, control and power. The externals are about style and spookiness, about being creepy. So, there’s certainly especially out of the Victorian era where all, this work comes from, there’s a very very sexual undercurrent. There’s the idea of loss of control, loss of innocence. But it’s so much fun to explore this character to move around in his skin. So much fun.”


 



THE KISS OF THE VAMPIRE. Mesmerized, seized by lust, Suzanne Davis as Lucy invites the Count’s advance. Photo by WPCNR StageCam


 


               Mr. Green’s beautiful foil, Suzanne Davis who plays the object of seduction, Lucy, agreed: “The chance for me to change from innocent, sweet girl to vamp. That’s very fun, changing. It’s not very often you get to completely change a character in one play.”


 



 Vampire’s Delight: Suzanne Davis plays Lucy.  Photo by WPCNR StageCam


 


Ms. Davis is a fan of the genre, and that’s why she tried for the part: “I studied Dracula intensively in college and I’ve loved the story ever since I was very young. My neighbor saw a casting notice for the play, and she drove it right over to my house and gave it to me, saying you have to try out for this you’d be so good. So I came and auditioned. It was a very fun audition.”


 


Ms. Davis described how she is approaching the role of the threatened ingenue: “I’m trying to bring a reality to the play in a sense that the vampire does not exist in reality. The way I think about it is that it is almost like a regular man who is coming into her own bedroom every night and raping her. I act the kind of sentiments that a woman would have, not comfortable sleeping in her own bed at night because she’s being attacked by a vampire.”


 


Two Relationships at play.


 


 


                Green said there are two major themes. “There are two really interesting relationships in the play for Dracula. One is certainly the seduction of Lucy, which happens against her will. I think most of us if we’re approaching a person for a relationship, we don’t know how it’s going to work out. But Dracula holds all the cards. Still, it’s interesting and very exciting. The other relationship is Van Helsing, who is an adversary. And Dracula who is very old, has not had a worthy adversary in a long time.”



MASTER!  Douglas Zimmer as the lunatic, Renfield, pointing to the apparition of Dracula. Stanley Wexler as Seward looks on in awe. Timothy Young as Jonathan Harker, Lucy’s finance comforts Davis as Lucy. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.


 


 


                  Davis, in keeping with her character, is very new to acting. A recent college graduate, and an Ardsley resident, she acted in high school and college and is thinking about pursuing an acting career and graduate school. 


 


                    Green is a graduate of SUNY Purchase, from the Conservatory and spent years in New York as an actor, auditioning and “trying to make a living that way.” He says he has been an amateur actor for about fifteen years, he  acts and he teaches, coaches and directs, “sort of worked at will without the pressure of making a living at it.” He currently is pursuing a Masters in social work at Fordham, “headed for another career change.”


 


  I asked Green if he always wanted to be Dracula. “I don’t know, I don’t think I want to be Dracula. I think every person has a fantasy of control. Everybody wishes you can bend people to their will. You know, in some part of themselves.”


 



Renfield feels his master’s presence as an incredulous Van Helsing played by Larry Reina is horrified. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.


 


                  Doug Zimmer who plays the insane foil to Dracula, Renfield with an edge that makes your flesh crawl, said he could not resist the chance to audition: “I always liked the horror genre. Especially the old classics. I haven’t done it in years. I couldn’t resist the urge to come out and do a real chiller. I had to try and get into it.” Zimmer will also be doing Dracula’s werewolves offstage.


                  Larry Reina, previous star of Art for Fort Hill Players, who plays Van Helsing was seduced by the vampire’s  spell, too. “Just loved the idea of doing a crazy, wonderful, melodramatic seminal play that is such a part of the culture. 1928-29 was when he wrote it, and the whole Dracula industry was spawned from this.  The group is great, to be working with my friend Peter, and Carin.”


 



“MERE PLAYTHINGS OF MAN’S VANITY:” (They don’t write scripts like that anymore), Dracula dodges his non-reflection in a mirror, as Reina (Van Helsing) confronts the Prince of Darkness for the first time, arousing his suspicion. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.


 


                  Reina likes Green as The Count: “He’s wonderful. We’re out there clinching, mano a mano, and I don’t see Peter. I see the King of the Vampires.”


                  Reina agreed with WPCNR that the Van Helsing character in the movie was played too old. He plays a younger, more dashing Van Helsing. “I’m not going to be that old. I’m an early 50ish character, a little bit more youthful vitality. A little bit of humor, varied but serious, a man of action. I’m here I’m ready to do battle. He takes the people. I’m making the plan. He makes mistakes. He learns from them he continues on. He’s so different from other characters I’ve played. I think this will be really fun, spooky, scary. I hope a lot of people come and see it.”



“YOUR WILL IS STRONG.” Van Helsing holds the evil Dracula at bay with a sprig of garlic. Photo by WPNCR StageCam.


 


                 Zakes, The Directoress said the last week in September that the production was on track:  “It’s coming along very well. It’s nice to work with such a small intimate cast. We’re able to run the entire show at every rehearsal now, because we’ve got it locked in on its feet already. So now we can start working on character and the nuances.”


 


This is Ms. Zakes’ first mystery-horror show. “I love the timing of the play,  the fact that we’re doing it in October because it seems a perfect mood for Dracula. It’s not going to be like thrills and chills. In the Halloween sense, it’s going to have a lot of suspense and creepiness, and I hope to infuse it with some surprises. We will see a coffin.”


 



RUNNING THROUGH: Director of Dracula, Carin Zakes, left, and Executive Producer Joan Charischak, following the ancient script at a runthrough in late September. Photo by WPCNR StageCam.


 


Joan Charischak, the producer,  promises to transform “The Roch” at Rochambeau School into appropriate vampire atmosphere.


 


“We have our tried and true lighting designer,David Allman. He does fabulous things. We’re working with a black curtain, so he’s going to have a nice canvas to play off of. As you know the lighting he did for Art was spectacular. And this is the same designer who’s coming back to us again. There’s almost mist, and blackouts, and special lighting.”


 


Regarding the set, she says, “We got our inspiration from the Broadway musical, Dracula,  in that they did not have a fully constructed set. They did wagons, everything moving on and off stage, we thought this was a fun thing to do. So our set designer, Anthony Fabrizio who is a draftsmen and does  wonderful work, has designed these revolving triangles, so when they are configured in three different positions, they create the boudoir of Lucy. In another configuration, they create the crypt at the end, and in the third position, they are the study of Dr. Seward.  The insides of the triangles form the boudoir and the study. The outsides of the triangles form the crypt. We also have a trap door, the moving bookcase where Renfield goes in and out which is a lot of fun.”


 


Asked if this was the most elaborate set Fort Hill has ever done, Joan said, “It’s pretty complicated.


 I must give full credit to a gentleman named Scott Faubel, who was in Art and The Odd Couple. Scott is the Master Carpenter here.”


 


Dracula rises from the grave Friday at 8 at “The Roch,”  Rochambeau School, 228 Fisher Avenue, White Plains, and returns to stalk the night on Saturday, October 16 at 8, Friday, October 22 and Saturday, October 23 at night. Saturday afternoon there will be a rare vampire matinee performance at 2 P.M. To reserve tickets call 914-309-7278 or go to the Fort Hill Players website at www.forthillplayers.com, to order online. Tickets are $15, $12 for students and senior citizens, $6 for children.


 


The writing is dramatic. The spell it casts is haunting. The suspension of belief, that remains to be seen. Ahhh, “Creatures of the Night! What Music They Make!”


 



 


                


 

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Ossining TV Production House Cuts ESPN Show.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. From The Big House. October 7, 2004: The Big House Group, Westchester’s own one-stop television production house in Ossinging, is editing ESPN’s Dream Job.  BH’s Emmy Award winning editor Rob Weir edits “Dream Job” for ESPN for cabling every Tuesday Night at 12 midnight ET / 9pm PT on ESPN.   The show is shot every Tuesday and edited in the scant hours before national airtime on the spot Tuesday evening. 

Hosted by Stuart Scott, the second season of ESPN “Dream Job” will pit contestants against each other in a competition for the ultimate dream job-a one-year contract as a SportsCenter anchor.

Each week, finalists hand-picked from 14 cities around the country will be challenged with nerve-wracking on-air tasks such as sideline reporting, anchoring, play-by-play, and one-on-one interviews with famous sports figures.

It’ll be a high speed, high stakes adventure-and the action will only intensify as finalists are eliminated from the running. The show is tape every Tuesday and airs that night.  Which means that Rob Weir and the production team has a grueling challenge ahead of them to get the show on air in time.  Don’t forget to watch “Dream Job” on ESPN.  Only the best of the best will win, and you”ll have the final say by voting on the “Dream Job” web site. 

The Big House Group a production company specializing in Television Broadcast, is located in downtown Ossining.  Best known for offering Manhattan Quality with Westchester Convenience.  For More information about The Big House you can go to www.bighousetv.com.

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WPCNR Photograph of the Day: Disappearing Main Street.

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WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. October 10, 2004: Today’s photograph captures the demolition of the 221 Main Street properties that was executed most of Saturday by a Cappelli Enterprises construction crew. A steam shovel, methodically tore at the vacated properties with its huge metal claw to  knock down a good portion of the deserted stores between the Bar Building and the former RKO Keiths theatre to the left. The White Plains Arts Council Building can be seen in the distance. The demolition paves the way for the construction of the Renaissance Square Hotel and Condominiums by the Super Developer, Louis Cappelli.



WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY: Renaissance Continues. By the White Plains Roving Photographer.

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Tigers Nuke Roosevelt 42-18. Avery to Morello Connection Key Play.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. October 9, 2004. Updated 9 A.M. October 10, 004: It was second down and the Tigers faced a long, long 20 yards to go for a first down on the Roosevelt 38 yard line this afternoon deep into the third quarter and the Tigers leading only 14-12. Kevin Avery stepped quickly back into the pocket and zipped a quickie to Gary Morello in the right flat and the G-Man was gone DOWN the right sideline, cutting, swerving, scampering flying all the way to the Roosevelt 5 yard line for 33 yardos. Two plays later Ike Nduka, White Plains’ tactical nuclear weapon rammed home for his third of four touchdowns  to break open a tense game against the Indians of Roosevelt which played the Tigers very tough. 


White Plains stopped the Red and White on downs after the K-0, and Nduka rumbled, rambled, straight-armed and twisted through the Roosevelt secondary for 55 yards to set up his fourth touchdown on a fourth and goal at the close of the third quarter. The White Plains Tigers moved to 4-2 on the season.



The G-Man Running to Daylight: Gary Morello at the orange first down marker tacks on bundle dashing 33 yards after a Kevin Avery quick-out on a second and 20, set up the cruncher touchdown with five minutes and change to go in the Third Quarter. Gary told WPCNR that Connor Lantier made a great block to spring him for the key recept and first down run. Morello also intercepted a pass later in the final stanza and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Lantier got into the act and returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown to ice the game, just before Gary’s “Pick.”  Photo by WPCNR Sports.



Ike Nduka the human Nuclear Weapon, lies in the end zone at the far left of this shot, after a dive for the pilon from the 5. The Zebras ruled he was down at the five. Nduka’s 55 yard run through the entire Roosevelt secondary set up Nuke’s fourth touchdown of the afternoon. It was another 150 yard plus day for the workhorse of the Tiger backfield who always has the dirtiest uniform. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 Nevertheless, Head Coach Anthony Fiorilli had the Roosevelt Indians up for this game and competitive deep into the fourth quarter with a chance to win. The contest began with White Plains summoning the strength to play hard another weekend after last week’s referee robbery in the Mount Vernon game.  Number 28, Ike Nduka took over where he left last week for White Plains, ripping off cruising gains of on sweeps left for 15 yards and the left for  27 yards to give White Plains a first down at the Roosevelt 43, but two passes fell incomplete and on 3rd and 7 from the 43, White Plains punted to the Roosevelt 18.


 


Why you don’t pass inside your own 20


 


Inexplicably on first down, Terrell Barner dropped back to pass. Looking, looking, his protection broke down and Shawn Jimison cornered him and kept pushing him back back and instead of taking the sack, Barner kept retreating to the goal line while Jimision played with him like a big cat plays with a mouse, tackling him at the 2. It is a key play. 


 


After a pitch gained only 3 yards, on 3rd and 24 from the 5, Roosevelt tried another pitch play and the runner could not handle the pitch, and the Tigers recovered the fumble at the 2 yard line.  Akin Benton, we believe recovered the fumble. Ike Nduka plunged over on the next play for a 6-0 lead at 5:44 of the first quarter. Pablo Siaba added the point and it was 7-0.


 


The lead was shortlived. On second and 3 on the Indians ensuing series, the Tigers were played by their nemesis last week, a trap play.  Ralph Mckenley found himself in a convoy of red shirts romping 73 yards for the catchup TD. Roosevelt did not convert and it was 7-6 with 4:18 to go.


 


Giveaway Exchange


 


After Roosevelt kicked off, Kevin Avery juggled a snap and fumbled, and a Roosevelt rusher ran the fumble into the end zone from the White Plains 40, but the play was called back due to an early whistle. The called back TD was a huge momentum swing. White Plains punted after not moving it, and on the first play from their own 4, Ramapo messed up another halfback pitch and White Plains recovered at their own 40.


 


Nduka and Scotman – reunited.


 


With Paul Scotman returning to action for the first time in three weeks, Ike Nduka’s game was enhanced and the Tigers reasserted themselves driving 60 yards in 11 plays to take an 8-point lead.


 


Nduka went off tackle for 9. Then broke off-tackle slanting to the right side for 13 yards to the 27. Scotman plowed up the middle to the 23. Then it was Scotman again to the 19. On 3rd and 2, “The Nuke” got the call and swept left to the Roosevelt 12 yard line for a first down and goal, when the First Quarter ended, 7-6 White Plains.


 


It took four tries to get a first down on the 1. Nduka carried to the 8. He carried again for no gain. Gary Morello swept to the five. Ike got the call and swept around right end to the 1 for a first down. And piled over for the Tigers’ second touchdown with 10 minutes to go in the first half on first and goal. Pablo kicked the point after and the Tigers were ahead 14-6.


 


Roosevelt appeared stopped on third down at their own 30 on their next sequence but a Berrell to  Kim Garland pass over the middle gave the Indians a first down on their 48. There was a short gain to the Tiger 45, then  Quarterback Barner scrambled and eluded a posse of Tigers and escaped down the sideline for 43 yards before Gary Morello pushed him out at the Tiger 2 . On the third try from the White Plains 2,  Barner got in and it was 14-12. That was the way it stayed until halftime.


 


The Tigers were moving the ball on their next series getting to the Indian 15. Ike Nduka swept left all the way to the Roosevelt 1, but was stripped of the ball and Roosevelt recovered at the 1 to end the bid.


 


The second half began much like the first quarter did. Both teams stopped each other on their first series when White Plains started their next drive on their 43.


 


The Nduka Beat Goes On.


 


The Tigers went to their meat-and-potatoes. Nduka rip[ped for 5, then burst off-tackle slanting right, into the secondary, brushing past tacklers, straight-arming tacklers and brushing them aside with speed, flash, and dash and gathering momentum as he traveled deep into Indian country at the 22. Two holding penalties put the Tigers back at the Indian 38.


 


Avery to Morello Puts Tigers in Business.


 


Kevin Avery took the snap. Looked right and zipped a quick-out to Gary Morrello in the flat. Gary turned back to his right, two-handed the pass smoothly and outletted to the max, accelerating instantly DOWN the flank, jetting past tacklers thanks to a takeout block by right-end Conner Lantier. Sky Captain glided through the secondary for the first down on the 5. The pattern which had not worked earlier in the game covered 33 yards. It was Avery’s first completion of the day, but the key play of the game.


 



 


 


CLINCHER: Ike Nduka takes over. Nduka leans into the line after taking handoff from Kevin Avery (12) and follows the wall of Tigers two plays later for a  21-12 Tiger lead with 4:16 to go in the third quarter. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


 


After Roosevelet was held to three and out, the Tigers took over on their 33. Ike Nduka ripped off his big gainer of the day—55 yards to the Roosevelt 5. Ike carried 4 straight times before slamming over from the 1 foot line for the 28-12 lead at the close of the third quarter.


 


Roosevelt punted to Connor Lantier who streaked in from 50 yards to make it 35-12. Then Gary Morello picked off a Barnell pass, returning the pick 40 yards for the final Tiger touchdown.


 



WPHS BAND INTRODUCED A GREAT NEW FLUTE NUMBER. Photo by WPCNR BandCam.


 


 


 


A Somber Setting of Pathos.


 


This game was played in a stadium of melancholy, which makes you appreciate the independent School District of the City of White Plains.


 



Tony Dematteo Field: A sad place. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


 


 


The scarred, naked dirt of the Yonkers Roosevelt High School  gridiron, Tony Dematteo Field was reminiscent of old Baker Bowl in Philadelphia from the 30s with its rusty iron railings and graffiti scrawled brick high school wall from which the old concrete grandstand extends from the old high school.  Dematteo Field bares forlorn witness to the Yonkers School District and the City of Yonkers which has disenfranchised the children of this city.


 


The Tigers play on a plush, newly sodded Parker Stadium, the Indians play on dirt. The White Plains City School District sinks its budget into its school facilities, keeps them tuned up and invests in its children, while the Yonkers city administration and school board pays itself before a dime is spent on its facilities.


 


Dematteo Field is pathetically scarred, with a pitted track, a grassless gridiron, and broken rails in the grandstand. Nevertheless, Roosevelt’s football team competed strongly today with pride and passion to the end. Anthony Fiorilli coached  and prepared his team well, treating his players with respect to the end.


 


They were worthy adversaries, and the players and students deserve better.  WPCNR feels for them that they have to play in a school atmosphere where the adults who run the school district simply do not treat them right.


 



WPHS CHEERLEADERS HIGH STEPPING. The Cheerleaders learned this week that their mentor, Mike Colabello had resigned Thursday as their coach and would not be back. They were back in action as coordinated as ever, with Mrs. Santa-Donato presiding over the Tigerettes. A search is now under way for a new cheerleading coach according to Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors.  Photo by WPCNR Sports. 

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Mr. Golf Protests Proposed Privatizing of Maple Moor Golf Course.

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WPCNR In The Clubhouse. By Bob and Jenny Petrucci, “Mr. and Mrs. Golf.” September 5, 2004:  It is time to clarify a word used by the county and certain legislators. More and more, we hear that county golf courses will be “privatized”, starting with Maple Moor in January 2005, just as they did with Hudson Hills this year.

I am reminded by an economist associate-friend that they are NOT being “privatized”, per say.

Are the courses being sold? NO. The county/parks dept still has final say on all things golf. The courses are being given, on concession, to a group to “run” them.


In other words, county courses are being “concessionized”.

Why is that important? Because that is the WORST possible scenario for all county golfers, resident voters, county employees, etc.

Fees (yet again) will go up, just as they already have at Hudson Hills whose weekend fees alone started at THREE times the fees of the other courses. There have already been more than 90 different fee increases on county courses in recent years. 


 County employees will be laid off, just as non-county employees are being used at Hudson Hills. This is a despicable form of union-busting.

The county said that Hudson Hills is to be “self-sufficient” or whatever term they use, meaning that it is not to lose money or require a tax levy increase. Well, that is an already in question since it is reported that they achieved only 25,000 rounds of golf (on a $15-17 million elite, financially-exclusionary MUNICIPAL golf course that is in violation of state law because it was done at that cost without voter approval-referendum).

What’s more, Hudson Hills was built primarily for non-residents (says so in Parks Board Minutes). And then when they didn’t show because they thought it a poor product value at $100 on weekend days, the county raised everyone’s fees there by $5. How convoluted.


Danbury a Model.

“SELF-SUBSIDIZED” is different…as at the prototype municipal course Richter Park in Danbury, whose weekend fees are about $20 for residents. And Richter is a top10 nationally-rated municipal golf course. And…it makes money; whatever comes in, stays in. It is responsible for its own existence…in every way. Period. In other words, no tax levy is charged their residents for it (By the way, the Westchester parks dept will get a “modest” tax levy INCREASE for next year).

If Richter (and Spook Rock in Suffern) can do it successfully, why can’t Westchester County. The answer: It can; It simply doesn’t want to.


As is Putnam National

And then there’s Putnam National, with course fees well less than ours…and they were in the black a couple of months ago.

And then, of course, there is the $600 Season Pass which would help put county golf in the black (for the first time in this administration) in the first month, with all other fees being gravy, bringing back many of those 90,000 lost rounds (due to poor value county golf), increasing cart usage, pro shop usage, restaurant usage, etc. etc…from which the county makes even more money.

Further, a majority of the county legislators (from both sides) like the $600 Season Pass idea including County Legislators Latimer and LaMott. Why? because everybody wins. Why wouldn’t the county be making millions of dollars with it, LOWERING property taxes (instead of increasing them…yet again).


Schwartz Has a High Handicap in Managing Golf Courses?



Acting County Executive Schwartz, who is well-known to be calling the county golf shots (all worm-burners we say), has done absolutely none of those things which are proven successful, professional, marketing practices. He has lost money each and every year of his golf regime. He should be fired now.

It seems more and more apparent that he is out to union-bust the county employees’ union and to restrict access to county municipal courses (discriminate) to the “better, and well to do”.

And none of that is not what “municipal” was intended to be. So again, we urge a full investigation on county golf, including the Board of Legislators’ Parks Subcommittee.

Bob and Jenny Petrucci
County Residents Protection Alliance
Resident Golfers Protection Group  

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White Plains Performing Arts Center Premiers Fall Season Today

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WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Oscar Sales, WPPAC. October 9, 2004: The theatre in downtown, The White Plains Performing Arts Center has begun its fall season. Here is what’s going on at The Little Theatre on Main Street:


Coming up in the weeks ahead:




 


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BALLET FOLKLORICO DE VERA CRUZ

A visual fiesta of culture and folklore featuring many traditional dances from Mexico. With 45 dancers and 10 musicians, this exciting troupe delights audiences with their traditional costumes performed to traditional music. 

October 15 at 8pm
Tickets: $35 – $30

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PUSS IN BOOTS (Children’s Event!)

You saw him in Shrek 2! Now, delight in this musical comedy that will warm your heart and keep you on the edge of your seat. Climb to the peak of Forbidden Mountain and help Puss outwit and conquer the evil Ogre who has been plaguing the kingdom for centuries. For ages 5 and up.

October 23 at 11am & 1pm
Tickets: $12

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JOHNNY PACHECO (A Night of pure SALSA!)

The Latin-music legend heats up White Plains with his classic compositions of pure salsa!

October 23 at 8pm
Tickets: $30 in advance, $35 at the door

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BORN YESTERDAY (Broadway’s Longest Running Comedy!)

Tycoon Harry Brock uses his naive girlfriend, ex-chorus girl Billie Dawn, a “dumb but savvy blonde,” as a front for his shady deals but finds himself embarrassed in Washington society with his illiterate paramour. Delight at her transformation in this Pygmalion-like love story filled with big laughs. One of Broadway’s longest running plays! 

October 29 – November 7
Tickets: $30-$42.50


For more information or to purchase tickets, call the box office toll free at 888-977-2250. And, visit our new and improved web site at www.wppac.com

The White Plains Performing Arts Center is located in Downtown White Plains in the City Center complex – 3 floors above Target, 1 floor above Filene’s Basement and next to the Cinema De Lux movie theatres.

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White Plains Rural Cemetery to Dedicate New Memorial Saturday

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WPCNR North Ender. From White Plains Rural Cemetary. October 8, 2004: The historical White Plains Rural Cemetery, located at 167 North Broadway, announces the dedication of the new Columbarium on Saturday, October 9th, at 11:00 am.


The Columbarium, situated in a garden setting within our well-maintained, park-like cemetery, is the first of more units to be placed in various locations in the cemetery.

The Cemetery Board of Trustees, in response to more and more requests for the interment of “cremains,” have chosen to offer cremorial niches in a pastoral setting.

White Plains Rural Cemetery’s historic house, built in 1797 and rehabilitated in 2000, is included on the National Register of Historic Places.  It is the focal point of the cemetery, located at one of the Gateways of our City, where so much of our history is carved in stone.

We invite all to visit the dedication ceremony and partake of the refreshments.

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LIFEBOAT, the First Survival Movie, Plays the Cinema De Lux at Tuesday Matinee f

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WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. (Edited). October 8, 2004: City Center Cinema De Lux Theatre will present one of the great Alfred Hitchcock dramas at its monthly Silver Screen Classics Matinee Tuesday. It’s LIFEBOAT, released in 1944, which brought home the horrors of the Battle for the North Atlantic to folks on the homefront in the era of 25 cents admissions, JujyFruits and Good and Plenty. The Story:

In the Atlantic during WWII, an Allied ship and a German U-boat are involved in a battle and both ships are sunk. The survivors from the torpedoed ship hurry to gather in one of the remaining lifeboats and find they are from a variety of backgrounds: an international journalist; a rich businessman; the radio operator; a nurse; a steward; a sailor and an engineer with communist tendencies. Trouble starts when they pull a man out of the water who turns out to be a German from the sunken U-boat. This drama was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and stars a host of Hollywood legends: John Hodiack and Constance Porter, with Tallulah Bankhead, William Bendix, Walter Slezak.


 


One critic said, “more drama per square inch. The entire picture takes place in a small lifeboat, with a bickering crew of castaways.” Tallulah Bankhead is characterized as “superb, dahling.”


 


Silver Screen Classics is a monthly series offered at City Center 15: Cinema de Lux.  Enjoy a classic film, popcorn and a soft drink for only $1.00.  This month’s feature is Lifeboat (1944).

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Expert Identifies Fragments from Cappelli Hotel Site as Artifacts

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WPCNR Main Street Journal. By John F. Bailey. October 8, 2004: A professional archeologist working for the Westchester County Department of Recreation and Parks,  has identified and verified that two rock fragments retrieved by a White Plains amateur archeologist, activist, and barrister Dan Seidel as being genuine crafted artifacts from hundreds of years ago when Native Americans “developed”  White Plains.



Dan Seidel, Preserver of the Past: Dan holds up a suspected arrowhead in his right hand and the beginnings of a straight edge knife. Dan found them in the grooves of a Cappelli auger drill that was executing test borings on the Renaissance Square hotel site last Friday. He brought them to the Common Council meeting last Friday where this photograph was taken. Seidel has contended that an archaeological survey should be undertaken before the site is distrubed since the site has never been built on with the exception of the parking lot. Photo by WPCNR News


 


 


 


 


For months, at hearing after hearing, Mr. Seidel has urged the Common Council and Louis Cappelli, the Super Developer to do an artifact sift-through on the site of Mr. Cappelli’s Renaissance Square project before beginning construction to retrieve possible fragments of White Plains past.


Last week, when Mr. Seidel noted Cappelli crews drilling for bedrock on the parking lot that exists there now, he checked the auger of the drill being used on Saturday, having been asked to leave the site last Friday, and found two pieces of rock that looked in his eye to be an arrowhead and a knife edge. (Mr. Seidel is an artifact-hunter as a hobby.)



Mr. Seidel holds what he believed to be a “worked” hand-held knife device on the left, and an arrowhead on the right. Thursday an expert confirmed he was correct. Photo by WPCNR News


Today, Mr. Seidel showed the rocks to Susann Dublin, County Archaeologist at the Croton Point Park Nature Center and she confirmed his analysis.


Mr. Seidel filed this report with CNR:


“Well, they are the real deal!! I was at the Croton Point Park Nature Ctr. Materials Lab this afternoon, met with Susann Dublin, County Archaeologist. She confirmed there’s no doubt, these pieces have been “worked” and they are real.


She can not date them, being out of site and all, but she stated there should be nothing done at that site until the “1B” is done and the shoveling testing done.”


Boring for bedrock was a violation.


“The boring for bedrock was a violation of law and this action should not have been taken at this time. The fact that the action of boring should not have been taken has been confirmed by other people as well (unofficially – the guy doing the work!!).”



Arrowhead? The smooth, “choclately” looking artifact is heated treated chert, a mudlike like stone which gains greater strength and flexibility after being heat treated, Seidel wrote. Photo by WPCNR News



Hand-Knife Edge? The other, Seidel writes is a stone artifact, but was indeed worked and made to fit in one’s hand. Photo by WPCNR News 

“She (Susann Dublin)  is calling Cynthia Blackmore (from Parks, Preservation,Historical Dept of New York State) and also will call Susan Hartgen as well. She was a bit “surprised” that Hartgen did not pick up on the site of limited disturbance. She said Hartgen usually is pretty good. “


Mr. Seidel explained more in a post to the CitizeNetReporter this morning: “The chert piece was found in the center drilling hole debris of the outlined area (outlined in orange dashes to indicate the area of limited disturbance) in the parking lot. It is not natural to this area. The stone “hand knife”  is typical of tools used. There was no way to tell how far down these pieces came from but there was one from each of two piles of “pebble/rock” debris.”



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