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Project Time-Out is taking its respite service for seniors who are caregivers one step further by offering a new escort program. Seniors over age 60 can enlist a carefully screened and specially trained escort to accompany their loved one to a doctor visit, shopping trip, errand run, movie or restaurant.

For nearly 20 years Project Time-Out, a program of Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), has been providing in-home respite services to Westchester families who are caring for either a dependent older person or a child who is mentally retarded or developmentally disabled. The service allows caregivers short-term relief from their responsibilities.

The escort service is free. Users are only responsible for transportation costs for their relative and the escort if they travel by taxi or bus. If Para Transit is used, the escort rides free.

For more information, contact Project Time-Out at 914-949-7699, ext. 308.

For nearly 20 years Project Time-Out, a program of Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS), has been providing in-home respite services to Westchester families who are caring for either a dependent older person or a child who is mentally retarded or developmentally disabled. The service allows caregivers short-term relief from their responsibilities.

The escort service is free. Users are only responsible for transportation costs for their relative and the escort if they travel by taxi or bus. If Para Transit is used, the escort rides free.

For more information, contact Project Time-Out at 914-949-7699, ext. 308.

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The Common Council approved the Fortunoff’s complex proposed for the former Saks Fifth Avenue site Thursday evening. Louis Fortunoff saw groundbreaking in the spring, opening in fall, 2003.

The Council heard the Taxi Fare Increase proposal and agreed to pass the MacMansions Zoning Ordinance as soon as possible in January or February at the latest, after hearing half of all homes in the south end appear to be not in compliance with current zoning.
In a Special Meeting of the Common Council, Louis Fortunoff received unanimous approval of 6-0 for an upscale retail complex on the corner of Bloomingdale Road and Maple Avenue, setting the stage for the creation of White Plains’ own “Million Dollar Mile” by the fall of 2003. Approval of the city proposal to execute the street improvements was delayed because Councilman Benjamin Boykin was not in attendance, (a unanimous vote of the Council being required), however the approval of the street work is expected to be forthcoming.

Mr. Fortunoff thanked the council, saying, “We felt welcome from Day One. The White Plains team of professionals and Common Council did their due diligence and did what they had to do to make it a reality.”

Fall, 2003 is the Fortunoff Target

In an impromptu news conference in the City Hall mezzanine, Mr. Fortunoff spoke of the time schedule. He said the first thing his construction would be doing was to eliminate the asbestos from the Saks Fifth Avenue building, then obtain demolition permits. He said he expected to break ground sometime in the spring and expected to open by Labor Day, September 2003.

Just a few good stores

The complex he said would not be seeking to attract what he described as “boutique” stores, but instead feature only 4 to 7 “larger store units” at ground level wrapping around the Bloomingdale Road, Maple Avenue corner, serving as satellite draws to the Fortunoff’s anchor. He said he would seek one or two restaurants to share the street level arcade presenting on Bloomingdale Road and Maple Avenue.

Holding space off the market he says

Asked to name prospective tenants, he said it was too early. He is thinking of “keeping the space off the market until the economy improves,” delaying seeking tenants until eight months before the opening. Fortunoff pointed out that eight months was the normal amount of time retailers needed to put their retail space in order normally, anyway. He said the economy was not in good shape right now, but “we’re going ahead anyway. We have faith in Westchester’s economy and the American economy.”

Taxi Cab Fare Increases Outlined

Taxi Commission Chairman, Daniel Hickey briefed the Common Council on his proposal for restructuring White Plains taxi rates. Hickey said the had met with Jeffrey Klein, an attorney representing the taxicab drivers and owners, heard their concerns.

He outlined past rate increase history, the last official raise being in 1996 of 10% across the board, followed by a 50-cent surcharge added for cab rides between midnight and 5 AM, and 30 cent timed-out gas surcharges in 2000 and in 2001, a 30-cent surcharge that expired in October to meet rising gasoline prices.

The Wish List

The drivers asked Hickey for a $1.25 across-the-board increase, he said, which the Chairman said would mean a 40% rise in the closest-in zone to a 15% rise in the farthest out zone. (White Plains taxis are based at the Trans Center.) Mr. Hickey added that the drivers wanted changes in the exclusive use policy, the dispatched call issue.

The Hickey Compromise

Mr. Hickey advised the Council he had arrived at a series of compromises to address these issues.

1. A $1.00 surcharge for exclusive use of a cab.

Hickey advised that he expected the cab drivers would be seeking relief from expected rising gas prices very soon, since gas prices are expected to rise sharply.

The Common Council did not raise strong objections to the proposal, and Hickey said he hoped the plan could be put on the agenda for the February 2002 Common Council meeting.

Council finds out more than 50% of homes in south end neighborhoods are “nonconforming” now.

The council heard Deputy Commissioner Susan Habel’s report on how many homes to be affected by the Planning Board so-called “MacMansions” Zoning Ordinance that the Council considered in September, but postponed due to a loud outcry from three persons appearing at the public hearing.

The Habel Dart Survey

Ms. Habel said she assigned David Marinelli, a draftsman in the Planning Department, a person she described as unbiased and not familiar at all with White Plains to throw darts at maps of neighborhoods in the south end, and based where the darts landed, to draw up a survey of how many homes on the “darted” sectors were not in compliance with present zoning. Mr. Marinelli’s “Darted Maps” were shown to the council. Taking randomly selected (by dart throw) maps of areas of Battle Hill, the Highlands and Westminster Ridge, the maps showed that over half the homes on the diagrammed blocks were found to nonconforming to setback regulations now under the present zoning.

Habel said one of the arguments of the “September 3” against the new “MacMansions” proposed zoning ordinance that seeks to limit the footprint of new construction and increase setbacks in the south end residential neighborhoods, was that the new ordinance would make many homes nonconforming, and that few homes were out of conformance now. Habel said the random “dart survey” revealed that this argument simply was not true.

The council, noting this information, and many neighborhood organizations, particularly the Highlands Civic Association, wondering why the “MacMansions” ordinance had not been passed, expressed a willingness to put the zoning ordinance on the agenda for January or February at the latest.

Tom Roach, Councilman Elect, Contributes.

Sitting in on the Common Council meeting, getting comfortable with his seat at the decision-making table was Tom Roach. Roach even made his first contributions, advising council members that in his experience in real estate closings, that the issue of whether a house was nonconforming or conforming “has never come up,” and has never held up or stopped a sale.

Roach said that persons speaking to him about it were simply fearful that if they were made “nonconforming,” they would not be able to rebuild their house. He advanced the theory that if residents were assured they could rebuild or the 70% damage figure raised, (the city building code allows an owner whose home is 70% destroyed to rebuild as before), and that fear of the new ordinance would prohibit them from rebuilding a house that had been nonconforming. Ms. Habel and the Law Department agreed to look into what was involved in raising that 70% percentage.

Loan rates for Community Development Loans, proposed to be lowered

Susan Habel advised the council the city was proposing to lower interest rates to persons seeking city development funds to 2%, 3%, 4% and 6% for persons with incomes less than 50% of median income, 50% to 60% of median income, and 70% and over 100% of median income, respectively. She also said the city wanted to raise the amount senior citizens on fixed incomes could borrow from $6,000 to $10,000.

Nicoletti asks for funding of study to multi-deck Waller and Maple parking lot.

Joseph Nicoletti, Commissioner of Public Works, asked the Common Council to study the feasibility of multi-decking the key Waller and Maple parking lot in the downtown (The lot behind the Acapulco Mexican Restaurant). Nicoletti pointed out that parking could be increased to 290 spaces from 185 by single decking…but the cost would be $30,000 a parking space. However, he said that by multi-decking (up to six decks, providing 800 spaces) the price per space could go down dramatically. He asked the council for permission to pursue a study of the multi-decking costs.

Streetscapes Project Continues

The council was advised by Deputy Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel that IQ Associates would be returning shortly to show the Common Council designs for reconstruction of the “promenade gardens along Mamaroneck Avenue, in upgrading the city street ambience. Lampposts, benches, and refuse receptacles have already been installed. Habel said designs are being worked out with the City Center planners.

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With a third reported burglary in one venerable Main Street landmark building within four months, added to other unreported break-ins at the same location, White Plains Police are encouraging tenants of office buildings without doormen and concierges to store portable office equipment such as laptop computers and palm pilots in secure locked locations on the premises.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Christopher of the White Plains Police told WPCNR Tuesday there was no “outbreak” or “upward trend” in burglaries in office buildings, but said older buildings presented a security problem to tenants:

Speaking by telephone, the detective said, “The problem is, with these older buildings, they are left open on weekends. People have access. These buildings don’t have the security they should have. There are no concierges, no doormen, no person in the lobby.”

Detective Christopher said that the police will schedule “security surveys” for buildings and businesses in them that are victimized by burglars, and that he would be scheduling one at 199 Main Street, the building suffering a burglary over the weekend.

The detective reports three burglaries have been investigated at that premises by the police, with the first two resulting in the apprehension of a suspect, currently facing charges. The suspect in question is alleged to have burglarized one office twice within a two-week period, both break-ins occurring over a weekend.

Sergeant Christopher said he encouraged tenants in office buildings with unsecured entrances to keep laptops and palm pilots in a “secured closet.” He also said the police would perform security checks for concerned office tenants.

The most recent burglary at 199 Main Street, occurred over the past weekend of December 15, 16.

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Review and Comment by Councilman Bill King on the Aisle:Councilman William King reviews the Westco production of Annie which ran over the weekend at Rochambeau School, and relates his impressions of White Plains growing theater community.
My daughter Amanda was in the Westco production of Annie at Rochambeau last Thursday-Saturday, 4 shows. I went to the last 3 which were all complete sellouts (460 seats in theater). I assisted Peter Katz in taping the show on Saturday – Peter was drafted into the show to play Judge Brandeis, his first stage role – 2 lines! So, he taped the first act and I taped the 2nd. The cast, adults and kids, was terrific.

Oliver Warbucks was played by Pauline Oliva’s dentist, Jeff Schlotman, and his wife Paulette played the female lead, Warbucks secretary Miss Farrell. They live in the Hillair Estates area. Their daughter was also one of the lead orphans.

Annie was played by Christy Robinson, a 7th grader at OLS whose family lives on Ralph Ave. She was so good, there were about 20 girls my daughter’s age that stayed after the last show to get her autograph.

I was really impressed by the whole experience – 4-piece live orchestra, audio (20 cast members, including some of the kids, were miked), ‘professional dog’ from the Broadway production of Annie (even came with his own publicity pictures!) .

So was Suzi Oppenheimer, who came to the Friday morning show – she said a few words to the audience between acts. Sue Katz asked me but I declined. Suzi was blown away.

This was a great experience for especially the kids.

The Mayor came to the Saturday evening show and also said a few words between acts, but he didn’t stay for the whole show.

The Schlotmans are an incredibly talented couple – previously did Sound of Music for Westco, among others.

The way Westco packed them in at Rochambeau, I am sure that a 10,000 square foot, 450-seat performing arts theater at the City Center is not big enough, and the reportedly 30-35 high ceiling will not be high enough to do shows like Peter Pan.

Peter Katz reported to the Mayor and me that Pizzeria Uno was reportedly filled by the pre-theater crowd. I said “that’s the halo effect.” Sue Katz said that many of the people on Westco’s mailing list come from as far away as Rockland.

Some of the school groups that came to Friday’s 10 a.m. performance were from Scarsdale and either Yonkers or the Bronx. If White Plains schools kids came, this would represent an even bigger pool of attendees.

This is a regional-drawing company. Many of the kids, if their parents would let them, would gladly perform a week or 2 week’s worth of Annie – they were sorry to see it end.

Steve Sules’ daughter, Chelsea, had a small speaking role and he was at the Saturday evening performance.

The adult cast was very very good. Sue Katz does not oversell her company – to me, if anything, she undersells it. This is a great thing for White Plains to have in our community as well as having the other 2 theater companies, Playgroup and Fort Hill.

Westco, in addition, brings in touring companies, such as one on a national tour from Nova Scotia in February for 2 children’s shows (The Hungry Caterpillar which supposedly is a wild 3D show that even happens over kids’s heads in the audience.)

Susan reports that funding from the Westchester Arts Council is virtually impossible to come by.

Suzi(Oppenheimer) said she wanted to see for the first time what she has helped get funding for over several years – she thinks what she saw should be experienced by older kids as well, at least up to middle school.

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Special to WPCNR:White Plains Hospital Center today announced plans to create a Nuclear Cardiology Center to be named in honor of Sidney P. Zimmerman, M.D., a cardiologist and internist in his 52nd year of practice at the Hospital. The announcement came at a special tribute held on November 28th at the Hospital for Dr. Zimmerman.
The Sidney P. Zimmerman, MD Nuclear Cardiology Center at White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) will effectively double the size of the Hospital’s current Nuclear Cardiology Department and address the present and future need for a more comprehensive facility in which to diagnosis and treat heart disease.

The project will involve renovation and the reconfiguration of space to accommodate state-of-the-art technology, exercise equipment, examination rooms and a comfortable waiting area for patients and their families. Work is scheduled to begin immediately with an expected completion date of Spring 2003.

“The creation of the Sidney P. Zimmerman, MD Nuclear Cardiology Center is part of the Hospital’s goal to develop a comprehensive cardiology service,” said Jon B. Schandler, President and CEO of the Hospital. “We already have excellent facilities, but this will expand our services to meet the increasing demand for diagnostic testing and to include angioplasty and cardio-ballooning. Patients will no longer have to go to New York City for these studies and procedures.”

“What’s so exciting is that the funds were given to the Hospital by my patients and friends as a thank you for what I’ve done for the community,” said Dr. Zimmerman, who is 82 and a Rye resident. He formerly lived in White Plains for 40 years. To date, his patients’ contributions have raised three quarters of the $600,000 cost for the project.

“Sidney is truly a remarkable man,” said Jonathan Wynn, M. D., who practices with Dr. Zimmerman in White Plains at Zimmerman, Muehlbauer, Fink, Wynn and Chan. “He is one of those people who is just pleasant to be around—all the time. Most of us have good days and bad days. Sidney has basically good days.”

Peter Post, a member of the Board of Directors of WPHC and Dr. Zimmerman’s son-in-law, said, “White Plains Hospital is recognizing Sidney for his half-century-long commitment to help make the hospital the top-flight facility it is today.”

Colleagues, patients and admirers describe Dr. Zimmerman as someone who loves being a doctor, who has a huge, warm following among hundreds if not thousands of patients. “He’s an unusual mix of country doctor—warm and reassuring, but at the same time with a very modern, scientific approach to medicine,” Mr. Post said.

Dr. Zimmerman received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He received his degree in medicine from Syracuse University magna cum laude and was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha. He trained at Mount Sinai Hospital and did research at Goldwater Memorial Hospital, the New York University Division. Some of the research conducted by Dr. Zimmerman while at Goldwater led to the wide use of the cardiac drug Digoxin—which is still the drug of choice in the treatment of arrhythmia and heart failure. At the same time, he did pioneering work in anticoagulant therapy. During World War II, he was involved in the development of Atabrine to treat malaria in the Far East. He was Chief of Medicine at two hospitals in the Panama Canal Zone while in the Army. During the early part of his practice, he taught cardiology at New York University and Mount Sinai Hospital. For 25 years, Dr. Zimmerman taught at Westchester Medical Center and was an Associate Professor of Medicine at New York Medical College.

Dr. Zimmerman said, “We’ll be one of the few community hospitals in this region to have a nuclear cardiology center.” Referring to the quick treatment and recovery of Vice President Dick Cheney after his recent heart attack, Dr. Zimmerman said, “The future of medicine is related to newer advances in cardiology—especially the diagnostic aspects of nuclear cardiology.” White Plains Hospital Center ranks as a leader in Westchester County in the scope and volume of noninvasive cardiac services it provides. During the last three years, this success has led to a 25 to 30 percent increase in demand for diagnostic testing using nuclear medicine.

Nuclear cardiology plays a pivotal role in the noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease, the assessment of the pumping function of the heart and the prediction of outcomes in patients with heart disease.

In the WPHC Nuclear Cardiology Department, noninvasive techniques are used to detect the extent of heart disease. Radiologists administer small doses of a radioactive isotope, or imaging agent, to patients in order to study blockages of coronary arteries and scarring from heart attack.

Among the most widely used technique for these purposes is myocardial perfusion imaging. Superior to routine exercise stress testing, it provides the necessary information to help identify which patients are at increased risk for heart attack and may be candidates for invasive procedures such as coronary angiography, angioplasty and heart surgery. Radionuclide ventriculography is an additional noninvasive method, which utilizes an imaging agent. It provides information about the pumping function of the heart and can be used to monitor the effect of different drugs on the heart muscle.

For further information on the new Sidney P. Zimmerman, MD Nuclear Cardiology Center, please call Tricia Laine at (914) 681-2264.