Cappelli Announces $250 Million in Financing for Renn Sq. Trump Tower Tops Off.

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WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. By John F. Bailey. August 16, 2004: “SuperDealer” Donald Trump rolled into White Plains in his black limousine in a downpour Monday morning, to appear with his Superpal “SuperDeveloper” Louis Cappelli to celebrate the “Topping Off” of Mr. Trump’s  35-story, 221-residence Trump Tower at City Center. A giant flag was unfurled at the top of the tower and red, white, and blue streamers were launched by paper cannons into the rain from the summit.


 



 


SUPERDEALER, SUPERDEVELOPER AND SUPERMAYOR: Donald Trump, left, Louis Cappelli, second from left, and Mayor Joseph Delfino pull the lever to raise the flag on Trump Tower at City Center. Behind the Mayor, partially hidden is County Executive Andy Spano. Third from left is State Senator, Nicholas Spano. Photo, Courtesy Compelli Enterprises.


 



TRUMP TOWER AT CITY CENTER TOPPING OFF TODAY: 35 Stories, 212 luxury condominiums. Mr. Cappelli saluted the building trades who Cappelli said put up the Trump Tower at a rate of three floors a week. Mr. Cappelli said this would enable to close in the building by November with occupancy expected in the summer of 2005. Photo by WPCNR News


 


 


 



GOIN UP: Renaissance Square on Main Street, hotel-condominum-office complex will rise on this site. It will include a 6-story, 175-room luxury hotel with two residential towers with 290 luxury apartments. The towers will soar 350 feet skyward. A 28-story Office Building is planned on the Hamilton Avenue side. Mr. Cappelli has not named a hotelier yet. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Next, the two titans of triumph joined for a symbolic beginning of demolition of 221 Main Street where Mayor Joseph Delfino, County Executive Andy Spano and Charles Gargano of the Empire State Development Corporation launched a wrecking ball  that collided with facade of the vacant storefronts on Main Street.


 


Mr. Cappelli also announced he had completed financing of $250 Million for the first phase of the hotel-condoplex on Main Street graced with the name, Renaissance Square.





MOB SCENE AT ZANARO’S: Afterwards SuperDealer and SuperDeveloper trooped into Zanaro’s where observers said Mr. Trump was “mobbed.” A who’s who of city, county and state officials milled about Zanaro’s for a Topping off and Tearing Down party, where Mr. Cappelli told WPCNR he has secured financing for Phase 1 of the 221 Cappeli Hotel, with financing for the office building portion of the project to come later. Photo by WPCNR News



DONALD TRUMP PLACES SOME OF HIS CHIPS IN WHITE PLAINS: (WPCNR was not able to be present for the media crush that encircled the celebrity developer, who brought participants in his television show, The Apprentice, with him),  is quoted in the release as saying,  “The opportunity to create a luxurious, beautifully appointed, cutting edge residential tower i the center of Westchester’s leading city is genuinely exciting. I have long seen Westchester County as offering among the finest residential housing opportunities in the nation, and now Trump Tower will deliver a completely new dimension in suburban living. Trump Tower at City Center will offer the finest in luxury living within a downtown that has come alive with new activity and excitement. Downtown White Plains and City Center have quickly emerged as among the hottest destinations in the Metropolitan area to work, play and shop — now with Trump Tower at City Center people will have the opportunity to live in the center of the action.” Photo by Photorazzi.



SuperDeveloper, Louis Cappelli, taking time out to be interviewed by reporters for the VIP Kids Express. Sean Smith, third from the left asked the SuperDeveloper what firm was going to be running his hotel. At far left is Deante Leggetti. In center is Giovanni Mastracchio, Youth Services Coordinator at the Coachman Family Center in White Plains. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Cappelli announces he has his $250 Million in Financing for Renaissance Square.


 


Mr. Cappelli, speaking to WPCNR said that the Bank of Scotland has joined investors in his Cappelli Hotel and condoplex. “They were brought to us by Union State Bank. Union State Bank and Bank of Scotland joined up to do Trump Tower. They provided $86 Million of financing, the two of them for Trump Tower, so it’s wonderful they believe in White Plains. Bob Hales of Union State Bank, and Larry Stewart, they’ve always believed in White Plains and Westchester. They’ve really come to the table in a big way.”


 


The SuperDeveloper continued, “They have brought The Bank of Scotland, a corresponding bank they do business with. It’s a $6 Billion bank. Bank of Scotland and Union State Bank are leading the financing at 221 Main Street, Renaissance Square. The entire financing package, not  including the office building is approximately $250 Million.”


 



RENAISSANCE SQUARE HOTEL as depicted in June on the night the Renaissance Squre Hotel was approved by the Common Council. Photo Capture from Public Access Television Channel 75 by WPCNR News


 


 


 


The office building which Cappelli proposes to build after the hotel is completed, he expects will require $75 Million in additional financing for a total cost of the Main Street megaplex estimated to be $325 Million. Participating in the $275 Million bankrolling, Cappelli said are Union State Bank, Bank of Scotland, CIBC (of Canada), Union Labor Life Insurance, according to Mr. Cappelli:


 


“All of the banks that I had on City Center have decided to go into 221 Main. They love White Plains. They love the story. City Center is a huge success. Even the Bank of Scotland brought in its Sovereign Bank. They’re coming in in a big way also. So the banks share. For $250 Million no one bank can take that. They all share, $50 Million, $60 Million apiece.”


 


Cappelli said he hoped to have a partial tenant for the office building.


 


Cappelli said he was getting great interest rates “since interest rates are low anyway,” and he negotiated the financing himself. “The banks have been with me so long, we have a relationship.”


 


Asked about the kind of hotel he was planning, Cappelli said, “I think the hotel is going to be mostly a business for the transient I think. It’s a business hotel for the most part.”


 


WPCNR asked if he would make it a casino. Cappelli said, “There’s no gambling coming to White Plains, that’s for sure. Hopefully, in The Concord. That’s for sure. The Concord’s ready to go. It just needs something to happen on the gaming side. But how much to put in.”


 


Asked by WPCNR, if Mr. Trump would lend his name to the hotel, Mr. Cappelli, said, “I don’t know.” Cappelli said he did not know if the hotel was going to be a Westin, a Starwood or a “W” hotel at this time. 


 


Cappelli Enthusiastic About Continuing in White Plains.


 


Asked if he had a statement for the people of White Plains, Mr. Cappelli said, “I love what I do. I love working in the City of White Plains. I’m just going to continue doing what I do for as long as I can do it. Hopefully everybody will get a lot of enjoyment out of what I do — what we all do — what we’ve pulled together to do. It’s specatcular thing that we’ve all accomplished here — putting together City Center and now Renaissance Square.”


 



 


                              A GREAT DAY FOR WHITE PLAINS: Councilman Benjamin Boykin, left, and Mayor Joseph Delfino working the crowd at Zanaro’s. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


An ebullient Mayor Joseph Delfino of White Plains told WPCNR, “This is a very very proud day for the city. It’s not the climax of economic development because there are many more issues facing us, but these are two major projects (Trump Tower and the Cappelli Hotel) in the middle of our city which are going to compliment everything we’ve done. To bring a hotel here in White Plains is something we’ve talked about. We have one. They’re totally booked. Corporations that are here are having a difficult time getting space. They have to go as far as Stamford, nights. It doesn’t make sense. So to have a hotel downtown, one of that quality  I think is going to enhance corporations coming here to the city of White Plains.”


 


The Mayor was honored by Mr. Trump’s coming into White Plains and putting his money down: “As far as Trump Tower is concerned, to have Donald Trump investing in our city is something that all of us should be very very honored. To have it, I never would have believed in my own mind, on Martine Avenue, we would have Trump Tower at City Center. Just to watch the spirit of cooperation as he spoke today gave  me a great sense of feeling that he cares about our city  and is willing to invest to make our city what we all want to make it, the place of Westchester County, the County Seat.”


 


Convention Center. Probably not. 


 


Asked if the new hotel would be a convention center, the Mayor said that was not his understanding, “The latest we talked to him (Cappelli) about,  it’s not a convention center. We’re still talking about meeting space, which is very very important, but not a convention center as such. So we hope it’s somewhere between. I have not sat down with him (Cappelli) and gotten final details. Obviously he (Cappelli) hasn’t pulled the whole package together yet.”


 


Asked if there was any possibility it could be a casino, the Mayor laughed, and said, “I can assure that he won’t have a video game in there.”


Councilman Benjamin Boykin commenting as lunchers holding wine glasses, eating pasta, and munching canolis milled about in the convivial hubbub of Zanero’s, said “I think this has been a wonderful day in White Plains. The additional piece in completing the Renaissance in our city. It shows that people are willing to invest in our city to help us grow and to make this place a great city for the future.”



 




 Casino Gambling Nowhere Yet Bradley Indicates: Assemblyman Adam Bradley gave WPCNR some insights as to the possibilities of casinos being legalized and where the budget stands. Photo by WPCNR News.


 


Asked if the Assembly and the State Senate were using casino gambling as a tradeoff with Governor Pataki for the Governor’s signing the budget, Bradley said, “I don’t think that’s at all part of the tradeoff. We have a bigger issue in the immediate session. That’s probably the slots (machines) which is a different issue than casino gambling. The court decision said the way the funding for slots was done wasn’t constitutional, and we had to change it and that hasn’t occurred yet.”


 


Asked where casino gambling stood as of this moment, Bradley said, “That (legalization) hasn’t really come up. It was not a part of this budget. At this point it’s hard to say (when it would come up) because you have a lot of different views. I don’t think there’s a consensus on casino gambling. Until there is, I think it will be difficult to accomplish.”


 


Bradley was asked what he expected Governor George Pataki would do with the State budget that is now on the Governor’s Desk. “We’ve passed the budget and it’s now before the governor and I’m hopeful the Governor will sign the budget in full. He’s indicated there are things he wants to veto. But, the increase from the Executive Buget this year was 1%. We had a $100 Billion Dollar Executive Budget, and we have a $101 Billion Budget this year. The increases were to save programs like TAP, Tuition Assistance Program, to fund  education properly, which we did by increasing education funding 5%, and health care. So I’m not sure where he (Pataki) intends to cut because we really didn’t submit a budget that was filled with a lot of pork this year. It’s a real serious budget that hopefully the governor will sign.”


 


 


 


 





 


 


 


 


 

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Glen Hockley Carries On. Police, Teachers, Fire, CSEA Hold Fundraiser.

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. August 16, 2004: Glen Hockley, deposed former White Plains councilperson, removed from his seat on the Council by a quo warranto action that was executed by Judge Francis Nicolai three weeks ago is continuing his legal fight to come back to the Common Council. In a letter sent to union members, a fundraiser for Mr. Hockley is to be held under the White Plains Labor Coalition to be held at Dooley Mac’s, September 9 from 4 to 7 P.M. Donations minimum are $50 to $125.  The White Plains Labor Coalition is composed of the leadership of the police, fire, teacher and CSEA unions.

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Pair of Stratford Brakettes Sink Japan, 3-0; Cat, Lovie, Kelly Star

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 16, 2004: It was just a little pop foul off third in the eighth inning hit by Lovie Jung of Team USA with the lead run on third in the international tiebreaker. But the Japan thirdbaser was not wearing sunglasses. Looking up into the high sky, she lost it. It fell. Prolonging Jung’s at-bat. Error. A big error.


Then Jung walked and Kelly Kretschmann, former Stratford Brakette and Florida Atlantic star lofted a short fly to center that the Japanese centerfielder got off a weak throw to the plate on, and the U.S. broke on top in the 8th, 1-0. Ann Topping, pinchhitting, ripped one into right to score a second run, where the Japan rightfielder might have had a play at the plate had she had an arm.


Natasha Whately beat out a Baltimore Chop to score the third run. Meanwhile Cat Osterman, another Brakette and University of Texas windmiller masterfully handled the Japan lineup, fanning eleven hitters of the 24 outs. Team USA goes 3-0 in Preliminary Round play in the Olympics.


The real “Catwoman,” Catherine Osterman, whom tri-state softball fans remember from her championship perfornces with the Stratford Brakettes mystified the Japanese hitters with her assortment of Warren Spahn curves, drop off the table drops and terrorizing riseballs. 


She was hitting the corners and the Japanese hitters simply could not even catch up with her curves. To this reporter’s eye she never threw a changeup all day. All were swinging late and looking overmatched. WPCNR has seen Osterman pitch in person and this is the best performance we have seen her deliver. She came back on deep counts. She pitched with supreme confidence and made no mistakes. It was a money performance.


Meanwhile her Japanese counterpart, Tarayama, in the circle mowed down the Team USA hitters by pitching inside, taking advantage of the 25-30 knot wind blowing out to right. Time after time, USA hitters pulled the ball foul, and were not patient at the plate. Jung’s amazing 15-pitch at-bat in the eighth wore Tarayama down, but Lovie should have been retired on the foul pop. The foul pop simply has to be caught by the Japan third baseman in the eighth and it was not. That prolonged Jung’s at-bat, and allowed Kretschmann’s fly to like, real shallow center to score a run on a sacrifice fly.


But, the amazing thing to me was that after completing losing the fly ball, the Japan Thirdbaser did not go to the bench and get sunglasses! You young players out there should not forget those shades when you’re playing in a high sky situation.


Another key thing about this game was the importance of good arms in the outfield. Japan had weak arms in centerfield and right. I know players who play for White Plains that could have got the ball to the plate on a line to at least make it close on Amanda Freed at the plate. The centerfielder’s throw from like way shallow center was 10 feet off line. The rightfielder’s throw was incredibly weak on Topping’s hit. Two instances that prove the addage that infielders save outs, but outfielders win or lose games.


The outfield play in the first three games of this Olympic preliminary round against the U.S.A. has been awful against the USA. Dropped balls. Misjudgments. Poor throws. Throwing to the wrong base. As has been the pitching. We’ve seen better outfield arms in 14-and-under ball.


At least Japan delivered quality pitching today, after two dreadful performances in the circle the last two days.


And, can the Sports Section of the New York Times, please give us some softball coverage of Team U.S.A.? The demolition of Australia Sunday was given about 15 lines with no pictures in The Times this morning. The way softball is being dissed by The Times in favor of gymnastics, swimming, and what have you, indicates that The Times determination to ignore softball is all too real.


 


 

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Amazing Amanda Notches 14th Win. Oaks 3-Run HR Breaks Open Game

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. August 15, 2004: Gina Oaks 3-run homer in the fifth inning broke open a pitching duel in Stockton,California Saturday night, an provided the big blow in the New York-New Jersey Juggernaut 6-0 sweep of the California Sunbirds at United Sports Complex before 487 fans.



GINA OAKS OUSTS SUNBIRDS: Gina Oaks, one of those good-hitting pitchers supplied the big blast last night in Stockton California. Kelley Pastic, Juggernaut Game Emcee, characterizes Oaks as a true all-around player, who can play outfield, first base as well as pitch and play the positions well. Photo, Courtesy  NY-NJ Juggernaut.


Amanda Scott, meanwhile had one of her best starts, striking out 10 Sunbirds and giving up just one hit. Scott is now 14-7 on the season, the equivalent of a 20-game winner in a 60-game season, and will probably have at least two more starts as the Juggernaut fly to Tucson today to begin a 4-game series against the Heat. WPCNR’s old buddie, Jen Smith singled and drove in a run. Kellie Wilkerson and Lyndsey Klein each had 2 hits.


You can listen to the Nauts in action in Tucson against the Arizona Heat on ProSportsRadio on the internet. The games on Monday night and Wednesday night will be internetcast at www.npf.prosportsradio.com. Monday’s first pitch is at 10:30 P.M. E.D.T., and the Wednesday night game netcast begins at 9 P.M. E.D.T. (Once you reach the Pro Sports Radio site, click on the play-by-play icon in the upper left.)


The Heat played spoiler last night, beating Akron in extra innings to drop Akron 2 games behind Texas in the pennant race, and taking the nightcap of their doubleheader, 5-0.


The National Pro Fastpitch Standings August 15, 2004




















































Texas Thunder 39 16 0.709 – 18-5 21-11
Akron Racers 37 20 0.649 3 20-10 17-9
NY/NJ Juggernaut 35 21 0.625 4.5 20-9 15-12
New England Riptide 24 33 0.411 16 12-14 11-19
Arizona Heat 19 37 0.339 20.5 10-19 9-18
California Sunbirds 14 41 0.255 25.0 9-21 5-20


Saturday Results


NY-NJ Juggernaut 6, California 0


Arizona 2 Akron 1 (8 Innings) (1st Game)


Arizona 5, Akron 0 (2nd Game)


Texas 7 New England 0

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Juggernauts Enjoy California, Beat Sunbirds 5-0 Behind Oaks.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. August 14, 2004: The Juggernaut won their second straight shutout over the California Sunbirds before 478 fans in Stockton, California Friday evening as Gina Oaks (11-8) regained her form whitewashing the Birds on 3 hits. The Nauts plated 4 runs in the first three innings off  Cindy Ball(1-3), taking advantage of 4 Sunbird miscues and moved to 34-21 on the season, with five games to play. Kellie Wilkerson sparked the Nauts at the plate. The Juggernaut close out the three-game set this evening in Stockton, and head to Tucson, Arizona Sunday to complete the National Pro Fastpitch regular season, and return home to prepare for the playoffs. 

Who they will face in the first round of NPF Playoffs is in doubt because the New England Riptide snapped the Thunder’s four game winning streak last night while the Akron Racers won, moving the Racers within one game of the first place Thunder, with both teams having six games left.


NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH STANDINGS  August 14, 2004


                                                                          W     L    Pct.   GB   Home  Away




















































Texas Thunder 38 16 0.704 – 18-5 20-11
Akron Racers 37 17 0.685 1.0 20-8 17-9
NY/NJ Juggernaut 34 21 0.618 4.5 20-9 14-12
New England Riptide 23 32 0.418 15.5 12-13 11-19
Arizona Heat 17 37 0.315 21.0 10-19 7-18
California Sunbirds 14 40 0.259 24.0 9-20 5-20


 


Friday Results


NY-NJ Juggernaut 5 California 0


New England 2, Texas 1


Akron 3 Arizona 2

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Book Tee Times at Hudson Hills online up to 3 weeks in Advance.

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WPCNR FAIRWAY FLYER. From Westchester County Department of Recreation and Parks. August 13, 2004: Making tee-time reservations at Hudson Hills Golf Course is now as easy as a click of a mouse. “The new on-line tee-time reservations are part of our coordinated effort to make golfing on Westchester courses more accessible and affordable,” Parks Commissioner Joseph Stout said.

 

 

Westchester County Park Pass Holders as well as non-County residents can now make on-line reservations. E-golf reservations can be made 24 hours a day.

Westchester County Park Pass Holders can book a tee time up to 8 days in advance for no charge. Park Pass Holders that wish to book 9-22 days in advance can do so for an additional $10 per golfer.

The General Public can book a tee time up to 7 days in advance for no charge. Golfers without a Park Pass can book a tee time 8-21 days in advance for an additional $15 per golfer.

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Rain Out Theatre: Cinema de Lux Movies for a Rainy Weekend.

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WPCNR PIC. From National Amusements. August 14, 2004: The Cinema de Lux at the City Center features The Princess Diaries II: Royal Engagement, Alien vs. Predator, Yu-Gi-Oh and Baby Pictures among other film goodies this weekend as rain is forecast for late Saturday into Sunday coming to town. The Schedules:
 

THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT — After moving into the Royal Palace with her grandmother, Queen Clarisse (Julie Andrews), the new Princess of Genovia (Anne Hathaway) must contend with a parade of suitors who’d all like to be the future king. Rated G.

ALIEN VS PREDATOR — A team of researchers travels to Antarctica after the discovery of an ancient pyramid. There they make an even more terrifying discovery: two alien races engaged in the ultimate battle. Rated PG-13

YU-GI-OH — Yugi, a smaller than average high school student, and an easy target for bullies, is given an ancient Egyptian riddle called the Millennium Puzzle by his grandfather, a local game shop manager. Yugi pieces the puzzle together and unexpectedly becomes the powerful Game King. Now when Yugi gets into sticky situations, the Game King takes over and protects Yugi and his friends.

BABY PICTURES At CITY CENTER 15 Cinema de Lux The August 19th feature is “THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: Royal Engagement”, Rated PG.  **indicates movie is playing in the slightly more expensive Director’s Hall.



Saturday, August 14, 2004  
Collateral **(R) –1:10;4:10;7:15;10:00 pm;12:45 am. ;
The Bourne Supremacy **(PG-13) –6:40;9:20 pm;12:00 am. ;
Fahrenheit 9/11 (R) –9:35 pm;12:05 am. ;
Collateral (R) –1:40;4:40;7:45;9:35;10:30 pm;12:20 am. ;
Thunderbirds (PG) –12:50 pm. ;
Little Black Book (PG-13) –1:05;3:45;6:30;9:15 pm;12:00 am. ;
The Manchurian Candidate (R) –12:45;3:55;6:50;9:55 pm;12:40 am. ;
I, Robot (PG-13) –12:20;3:10;6:00;9:00;11:50 pm. ;
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (R) –3:25;5:35;7:50;10:20 pm;12:25 am. ;
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (G) –12:40;1:20;3:20;4:15;6:10;7:00;9:05;11:45 pm. ;
The Bourne Supremacy (PG-13) –1:30;4:20;7:10;9:50 pm;12:30 am. ;
Spider-Man 2 (PG-13) –12:15;3:15;6:15;9:10 pm;12:15 am. ;
The Village (PG-13) –12:00;2:30;5:00;7:35;10:05 pm;12:30 am. ;
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie (PG) –12:05;2:20;4:55;7:20 pm. ;
Alien vs. Predator (PG-13) –12:00;1:00;2:25;4:25;4:50;6:55;7:30;9:40;10:15 pm;12:10;12:35 am. ;
A Cinderella Story (PG) –1:35;4:05 pm. ;

Sunday, August 15, 2004  
A Cinderella Story (PG) –1:35;4:05 pm. ;
Alien vs. Predator (PG-13) –12:00;1:00;2:25;4:25;4:50;6:55;7:30;9:40;10:15 pm. ;
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie (PG) –12:05;2:20;4:55;7:20 pm. ;
Spider-Man 2 (PG-13) –12:15;3:15;6:15;9:10 pm. ;
The Village (PG-13) –12:00;2:30;5:00;7:35;10:05 pm. ;
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (G) –12:40;1:20;3:20;4:15;6:10;7:00;9:05 pm. ;
The Bourne Supremacy (PG-13) –1:30;4:20;7:10;9:50 pm. ;
I, Robot (PG-13) –12:20;3:10;6:00;9:00 pm. ;
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (R) –3:25;5:35;7:50;10:20 pm. ;
The Manchurian Candidate (R) –12:45;3:55;6:50;9:55 pm. ;
Thunderbirds (PG) –12:50 pm. ;
Collateral (R) –1:40;4:40;7:45;9:35;10:30 pm. ;
Fahrenheit 9/11 (R) –9:35 pm. ;
Little Black Book (PG-13) –1:05;3:45;6:30;9:15 pm. ;
The Bourne Supremacy **(PG-13) –6:40;9:20 pm. ;
Collateral **(R) –1:10;4:10;7:15;10:00 pm. ;

Monday, August 16, 2004  
Collateral **(R) –1:10;4:10;7:15;10:00 pm. ;
The Bourne Supremacy **(PG-13) –6:40;9:20 pm. ;
Fahrenheit 9/11 (R) –9:35 pm. ;
Collateral (R) –1:40;4:40;7:45;9:35;10:30 pm. ;
The Bourne Supremacy (PG-13) –1:30;4:20;7:10;9:50 pm. ;
The Manchurian Candidate (R) –12:45;3:55;6:50;9:55 pm. ;
Thunderbirds (PG) –12:50 pm. ;
Little Black Book (PG-13) –1:05;3:45;6:30;9:15 pm. ;
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (R) –3:25;5:35;7:50;10:20 pm. ;
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (G) –12:40;1:20;3:20;4:15;6:10;7:00;9:05 pm. ;
I, Robot (PG-13) –12:20;3:10;6:00;9:00 pm. ;
Yu-Gi-Oh! The Movie (PG) –12:05;2:20;4:55;7:20 pm. ;
Spider-Man 2 (PG-13) –12:15;3:15;6:15;9:10 pm. ;
The Village (PG-13) –12:00;2:30;5:00;7:35;10:05 pm. ;
A Cinderella Story (PG) –1:35;4:05 pm. ;
Alien vs. Predator (PG-13) –12:00;1:00;2:25;4:25;4:50;6:55;7:30;9:40;10:15 pm. ;

Tuesday, August 17, 2004  
Alien vs. Predator (PG-13) –

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Juggernaut Get Back in the Saddle, Kaci Shuts Out Sunbirds 4-0

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. August 13, 2004: The New York-New Jersey Juggernaut arrived in Sacramento, California Wednesday for a three game set with the California Sunbirds, and went out and beat the Birds, 4-0 before 260 fans in Stockton Thursday night.  Righthander Kaci Clark, ignored as a key starter in the crucial set against Texas, threw a 2-hit shutout fanning 10 to move the Juggernaut to a 33-21 record still 3-1/2 games behind Akron for second place.  Kaci’s record is now  9-6. Akron and Texas both won. Kellie Wilkerson’s 2-run homer in the 4th snapped a scoreless tie as the Sunbirds’ Voak took the loss. Germaine Fairchild drove in a run for the Nauts with a double

The Juggernaut play again this evening in Sacramento and conclude the set on Saturday, before traveling to Tucson to close the season with the Arizona Heat.


THE NATIONAL PRO FASTPITCH STANDINGS. July 13, 2004


                                                                         W       L     Pct.      GB      Home         Away




















































Texas Thunder 38 15 0.717 – 18-5 20-10
Akron Racers 36 17 0.679 2.0 19-8 17-9
NY/NJ Juggernaut 33 21 0.611 5.5 20-9 13-12
New England Riptide 22 32 0.407 16.5 11-13 11-19
Arizona Heat 17 36 0.321 21.0 10-19 7-17
California Sunbirds 14 39 0.264 24.0 9-19 5-20


Thursday Results


NY-NJ Juggernaut 4 California 0


Akron 9, Arizona 0


Texas 4, New England 0

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Alicia Smith, of John Jay, Plays for Sardinian Team, Analyzes USA-Ital. Sftball

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. By Fastpitch Johnny. August 13, 2004, UPDATED August 14, 2004 7:45 A.M.: Team USA Softball opened its Olympic softball competition early Saturday morning at 5 A.M E.D.T. (4 A.M. C.D.T.) from Athens winning the game 7-0.  At the Juggernaut game Wednesday night, WPCNR caught up with Alicia Smith, the former John Jay Cross River softball star, star Centerfielder for the two-time national ASA Champion Stratford Brakettes in 2002 and 2003. She talked with us about her summer in Italy playing with a team in the Italian fastpitch professional league and what to expect in the U.S.A.-Italy game. She turned out to be a great prognosticator.


 



THE STORY ON THE ITALIAN- USA MATCH UP: Alicia Smith, fleet, rangy, freckle-blessed cover-it-all centerfielder for the Brakettes is an Assistant Softball coach for Virginia Tech. Ms. Smith played the past three months for the Langhivano Softball Club in Nuoro, on the island of Sardinia in Italy in the Italian Federation.  Ms. Smith was in the stands for the final big series with the Texas Thunder supporting former Brakette stars on the Juggernaut, Germaine Fairchild, Kaci Clark and Jen Smith. She gave WPCNR a unique perspective on what to expect in the Team USA-Italy softball opener in Athens. And, as it turns out, she was absolutely correct. Team U.S.A. defeated Italy, 8-0 Saturday afternoon in Athens. Lisa Fernandez, Kelly Kretschmann, Jessica Mendoza and Natasha Whatly were the hitting stars. Jessica Finch won it. Cat Osterman, (former Brakette)  snuffed an Italian rally in relief in the fifth. Photo by WPCNR Sports.


.“I played for the Nuoro Softball program in the Italian Federation. I stayed  2-1/2 months on the island of Sardinia and we competed with 10 teams throughout the mainland of Italy, as well,” the former hard-hitting, slick fielding good-looking centerfielder for the Stratford Brakettes explained. She is home early from her European season due to an ankle injury.  “I pitched for them a little bit, unfortunately I had a little ankle injury, so I ended also having to contribute at shortstop for the first time, and I did a little outfield.”


 


Universal Language of the Ballfield.


 


WPCNR asked about the commitment the Federation expects and how it was for an American woman in Italy playing the game. “They (Longhivano) kind of rely on the foreign players to be pretty versatile, just come in and do what we need you to do. We play a couple of doubleheaders a week, practice all the time. It was probably the most unique experience I’ve ever had. Because not only your communication is a challenge to the utmost because I can’t even speak the language.”


 


“It was an amazing experience with how a group of about 15 girls, ranging in ages from 17 to 31, speaking three different languages on the team can come together and play with that barrier. I can’t recollect the record, but our job is to finish in the top 7 of 10 so they can keep the young squad in the division. They have the bottom two teams in the league drop a division every year.”


 


Experienced Players Brought in to Develop the Young Guns.


 


“We had a very young team, so they bring the foreign players in with the responsibility of kind of helping out fostering their program, helping out the youth programs with coaching and clinics and what not.  Just contributing our knowledge to their program.”


 


Italian Olympic Softball Team Players  have to Play in the Professional League in Italy.


 


Smith talked about the difference between ASA’s Team USA and the Italian Team the American players face in Athens today:


 


“Actually unlike the professional league in the U.S.A. (The National Pro Fastpitch League), the Italian National Team, their players have to play in this softball professional league, (the Italian Federation), as well. The top team, does have an abundance of the players (you will see today from Athens), but it’s great to be able to compete against other nation’s Olympics caliber athletes. You know, here playing with the Brakettes, and my experience in college, I’ve gotten a chance to play against our own as well as the Canada Cup.


 


The Italian Federation is a nice league. We really get to interact with other teams. When we play on the road it’s a very familial setting, despite the fact that it’s severely competitive out there (on the field). When the game’s over, it’s time for big dinners.”


 


Italians will Struggle Offensively.


 


Asked what she expected when Italy plays Whatly, Bustos, Nuveman, and the rest of the Team USA stars early Saturday morning, Smith said, “I think they’re going to struggle with the offense. (They did)The Italian team is not very strong offensively. (They weren’t.) They’re able to benefit because they have several Italian-Americans. So their pitching staff is loaded  with several Italian-Americans from the states here. They’re just going to be mismatched. (They were).”


 


“The USA’s Offense is definitely going to take it to them before they can get to our pitchers.”

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WP Bet on City Center Pays Off: Makes Budgeted Sales Tax Numbers in 4th Quarter

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS MONEY. By John F. Bailey. August 13, 2004, UPDATED 4 P.M. E.D.T.: WPCNR has learned that the city final audited sales tax receipts from the state Department of Taxation and Finance show the city making its projected $37 Million sales tax budget for fiscal year 2003-2004. The city collected $37.7 Million in sales tax for the 12 months from July 1, 2003  through June 30, 2004, which means the city had a record fourth quarter for the city of White Plains. WPCNR noted going into the final quarter that the city had to do better than it has ever done in the final quarter, and it did according to sources close to the figures.


The City Center restaurants Applebee’s (not Zanero’s, they opened in July, thanks to a reader for pointing that out), Legal Seafoods (opening in April), Barnes & Noble,  and Target apparently came through in a big way for the city in providing the record fourth quarter which fits the adopted 2004-2005 city budget. Also contributing heavily was the Fortunoff, Cheesecake Factory doubleplay combination.

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