Westchester’s Stars on Ice Skate in High Style.

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WPCNR PRESS BOX. April 24, 2004: The City of Yonkers Department of Parks, Recre4ation and Conservation with the Yonkers Figure Skating Club “iced” their annual Figure Skating Show,  Broadway Show Stoppers Friday, Saturday and Sunday, entertaining an admiring audience at Murray’s Skating Rink with a well-paced and skillful series of solo performances and group numbers . The highlight was a spectacular staging of Tony and Tina’s Wedding on ice with Wedding Cake, bride, (the first time a wedding dress has been worn in a skating program) and every fabulous Italian love song. Solos of elegant complexity were interpreted divinely by  skaters from all over Westchester County, including Aly and Matty Salinger and Juliana Bailey of White Plains.  The rink runs quality programs, generates community spirit and it makes money. The Skating Center is perhaps the best run operation the City of Yonkers conducts, and it does not ask the state for $500 million on a monthly basis.



WESTCHESTER’S FINEST SOLOISTS appear for the final time Sunday at 3 at Yonkers E.J. Murray Ice Skating Center.  Left to Right are: Jessica Morgan, Patricia Gambardella, Mary Halling,  Mattie Salonger, Nicole Muccio, Juliana Bailey, Aly Salonger, Alexandra Kaplan,  Alyssa Budilius, Sarah Zanolli, and Melody Fernandez. Photo by WPCNR Sports


 



A Sylvia Muccio Spectacular: The Wedding Party in the Tony and Tina’s Wedding Extravaganza, produced and choreographed by Sylvia Muccio, the ice show’s producer, saying so long to the audience at Murray’s Skating Rink in Yonkers Friday night, after their bring down the house number. Photo by WPCNR Sports



ALL SMILES AFTER OPENING NIGHT: Solists celebrate after their glorious performances Friday night.  Left to right are White Plains’ Mattie and Aly Salonger, Tarrytown’s Nicole Muccio, Juliana Bailey of White Plains, Alexandra Kaplan of Riverdale  and Melody Fernandez of Yonkers. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

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Council Likes Payment in Lieu of Units for Condo Affordable Housing Share

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. April 22, 2004: After a long presentation by Susan Habel, Commissioner of Planning, outlining an Affordable Home Ownership program that would require developers of condominiums to kick in cash instead of actual living units for affordable housing, the council got into heated debate over whether the city should make available more units for affordable housing, or create supplemental subsidies to enable residents to purchase their own condominiums and coops, or even land.


As the meeting closed, the Council agreed that developers of condominiums should be required to make a cash payment, not make available units,  and conceded that they had to set a rate or fee per unit that future condo developers would have to pay.


Action would be delayed on the legislation until  City Corporation Counsel Edward Dunphy wrote a legal memorandium outlining the legal pitfalls and limites involved in requiring  what Mr. Dunphy described to WPCNR as “Impact Payments.”


Louis Cappelli, who will be required on his 700 condominums to pay $1,050,000 for that cash payment noted that the city could turn that into $10,000,000 of mortgage leverage to help persons afford homes. Cappelli also said that if the city required payments of $150,000 a unit, that this was “a fantasy,” sayin no developer would consider that.


It was also reported by Susan Habel that the city is having more difficulty than expected in finding renters who are able to meet the credit requirements of owners on the affordable rental housing units being made available. Habel said that families of four making $74,400 (80% of median income) had more credit history problems than the city expected. Those that are being rejected by owners are being referred for credit counseling to aid them in presenting a more acceptable credit profile to owners. Habel said the city is working with those rejected for credit problems.


George Gretsas said that approximately 20% of affordable rental units have been rented so far. Susan Habel said she would get the exact number for WPCNR, but she did not have the numbers because they change daily.


Gretsas cautioned the Common Council not to get hung up and demanding too much payment for affordable housing of developers, pointing out that the city has built more affordable housing than any other community in Westchester County. Gretsas cautioned the Council “not to lose perspective.” He told WPCNR the city has built 200 affordable units of housing since 1997. Prior to that the city had built only one apartment building in 9 years and that was The Seasons, which was a luxury building.

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Trump-i-Tect Unveils Cappelli Hotel Design. Approval In June. No Hotel Signed.

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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. April 22, 2004: Costas Kondylis, the urban archectural legend, and Donald Trump’s high rise architect of choice, made a personal appearance Thursday evening to present the latest enchancements to the Cappelli Hotel Condoplex planned for Main Street. During the meeting, the Council saw Mr. Kondylis new “blue crystals,” as he called it, design for the Cappelli Three Towers on Main Street. The Council viewed Mr. Kondylis’ ground level solution for Main Street “open space,” that he said, provides a European open space ambience along Main Street showcasing Grace Church and the old Reporter Dispatch building.


At the conclusion of the evening, Councilperson Rita Malmud asked Louis Cappelli, the Super Developer, for a letter indicating he had a hotel concern under contract. Mr. Cappelli said he did not, but he was negotiating with two hotel chains at this time. Cappelli said the hotel was originally designed for a Westin. Asked who the two chains were by WPCNR,  if one of them could be the Super Boss,  Donald Trump, (who has toured Cappelli’s Main Street site has been known to build hotels and condominiums), Mr. Cappelli playfully said WPCNR has Trump on its mind, and that WPCNR had been “Trumpisized.”



THE TRUMP-I-TECT:  Costas Kondylis, designer of Trump Tower, talks of the white, light blue, and dark blue glass that will highlight the three “blue crystals” of the Cappelli Three Towers on Main Street. Photo by WPCNR News



MAIN STREET AMBIENCE: Grace Church and the Reporter Dispatch Building would be naturally showcased by a diagonal cutback revealing Grace Church in the detailed Main Street side design unvieled by Mr. Kondylis Thursday evening. A single column would support the corner of the hotel and condominium tower. Pedestrians walking along the curved setback would gradually see the Church and Dispatch building revealed as they walked East on Main Street (top rendering). Photo by WPCNR News.


Over the next month, Commissioner of Planning Susan Habel said, the Cappelli organization would tighten up and coordinate the site plans based on the comments the Commissioners and Department Heads and various city boards submitted on the plans. This would allow the council sufficient time to see coordinated site plans in anticipation of approval in June, not at the May 3 meeting as originally requested by Mr. Cappelli.


Cappelli said this was not a problem, because the Longhitanos whom Cappelli is puchasing the Bar Building annex from, are getting approval to subdivide their property at this time, having just submitted it, he said. “We’re o.k.,”  Cappelli said. Asked by WPCNR if he was negotiating on the Bar Building now, Cappelli said flatly there were no negotiations and that a “friendly silence” described the relationship between the two rival developers.


Design renderings for the Church Street side of the hotel (the main entrance) had not been completed yet and were forthcoming.


Kondylis said a landscape architect had been hired to create planting and open space design on the Church Street side. Bruce Berg, Louis Cappelli’s right hand man, said 23% of open space had been provided “on the ground” as requested by the Common Council.


Tom Roach chaired the meeting while Mayor Joseph Delfino was vacationing in Rumania, George Gretsas, the Mayor’s right hand man said.


 


 


 

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Sculpture Garden Planned to Encircle White Plains Public Library. Artists Donate

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS ART NEWS. April 22, 2004: Commissioner of Recreation and Parks Arne Abramowitz introduced a pilot program featuring works of contemporary sculptors that would introduce a Sculpture Garden encircling three sides of the White Plains Public Library at the Common Council Special Meeting Thursday night.



SURROUNDED BY ART: Abramowitz said the program would be piloted for one year beginning in September with 15 sculptures selected by the New York Sculptors Guild and provided by the artists at no cost to the city. Photo by WPCNR Art News


Abramowitz said a color catalog presenting the artists and describing the works would be prepared for the public.   The statues would be displayed on squares about the Library, would be underwritten by Eli Schonberger, and other arts organizations. The city, he said would undertake a liability policy which also would be underwritten by the arts groups sponsoring the program. Asked if the artists would give a commission on any works sold through the year’s display in White Plains, Mr. Abramowitz said they would not.



THUMBNAILS of Sculptures selected to bedisplayed in the squares surrounding the White Plains Library beginning September. Photo by WPCNR Art News.

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WHITE PLAINS PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY

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WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. April 22, 2004: The Roving Photographer has not been roving of late, but could not resist this shot of Tibbetts Park on North Broadway where the Cherry Blossom Festival sponsored by the White Plains Beautification Society will take place this Sunday, featuring artists and atractions celebrating of course the coming out of the cherry trees on the tranquil median on White Plains broadest, most famous boulevard.



CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL By The WPCNR Roving Photographer


 

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Saturday Night at the Cinema De Lux: Denzel Debut; 13 GOING ON 13

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WPCNR ENTERTAINMENT TOMORROW NIGHT. From National Amusements. April 22, 2004: Denzel Washington’s new flick, Man on Fire, (the trailers are on t.v.), premiers at the Cinema de Lux at the City Center Friday, along with the teen flick, 13 Going on 13 and Baby Pictures. The weekend schedule, and the lowdown on the new pix:


 

13 GOING ON 13 — Jenna is an awkward 13-year-old girl who can’t wait to grow up. She is humiliated at her own birthday party when she’s locked in the closet for a game of “Seven Minutes in Heaven” and emerges to find that her guests have left. All alone, Jenna wishes she was an adult so she could have the life she’s always wanted. When she awakens the next day, Jenna finds that her wish has come true – she is a beautiful and successful 30-year-old woman. Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo star in this delightful romantic comedy. Rated PG-13

MAN ON FIRE — Denzel Washington stars as a soldier of fortune who has given up on life. He reluctantly agrees to take a job to protect a child (Dakota Fanning) whose parents are threatened by a wave of kidnappings. He eventually grows very close to the child and when she is abducted, he stops at nothing to save her. Christopher Walken also stars in this gripping crime thriller. Rated R

BABY PICTURES At CITY CENTER 15 Cinema de Lux The April 29th feature is “13 Going On 30” rated PG13.


Thursday, April 22, 2004  
The Girl Next Door (R) –1:45;4:25;10:00 pm. ;
Home on the Range (PG) –1:00;3:00;5:00;7:00 pm. ;
Jersey Girl (PG-13) –4:10;6:40 pm. ;
Ella Enchanted (PG) –12:20;2:40;5:05;7:25;9:45 pm. ;
The Prince and Me (PG) –1:05;3:45;6:15;9:00 pm. ;
Kill Bill: Volume 2 (R) –12:50;3:50;6:50;9:15;9:50 pm. ;
Connie and Carla (PG-13) –12:00;2:25;4:50;7:15;9:40 pm. ;
The Ladykillers (R) –1:30;9:20 pm. ;
The Whole Ten Yards (PG-13) –12:30;3:05;5:30;8:00;10:25 pm. ;
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (R) –12:15;2:45;5:15;7:45;10:15 pm. ;
The Alamo (PG-13) –12:30;3:30;6:30;9:30 pm. ;
The Passion of The Christ (R) –1:15;3:55;6:45;9:25 pm. ;
Hellboy (PG-13) –1:20;4:15;6:55;9:35 pm. ;
Johnson Family Vacation (PG-13) –12:10;2:35;5:10;7:30;10:05 pm. ;
The Punisher (R) –1:10;4:00;7:05;9:55 pm. ;
Taking Lives (R) –10:10 pm. ;
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (PG) –12:00;2:20;4:45;7:20 pm. ;

Friday, April 23, 2004  
Hellboy (PG-13) –1:20;4:05;7:20;10:00 pm;12:30 am. ;
Johnson Family Vacation (PG-13) –1:50;4:25;6:55;9:20;11:55 pm. ;
The Alamo (PG-13) –1:00;9:25 pm;12:25 am. ;
The Whole Ten Yards (PG-13) –7:30;10:05 pm;12:25 am. ;
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (R) –1:40;4:20;7:05;9:40 pm;12:10 am. ;
The Passion of The Christ (R) –4:10;6:45 pm. ;
Connie and Carla (PG-13) –1:25;3:55;6:40;9:10;11:30 pm. ;
Kill Bill: Volume 2 (R) –1:15;4:15;7:45;10:40 pm;12:45 am. ;
The Prince and Me (PG) –1:45;4:30;7:10 pm. ;
13 Going on 30 (PG-13) –12:35;3:00;5:30;7:55;10:20 pm;12:35 am. ;
Ella Enchanted (PG) –12:20;2:50;5:15;7:40 pm. ;
Home on the Range (PG) –12:00;2:00;4:00;6:00 pm. ;
Man on Fire (R) –12:30;3:40;7:00;10:10 pm;12:40 am. ;
Jersey Girl (PG-13) –10:00 pm;12:30 am. ;
The Girl Next Door (R) –9:45 pm;12:20 am. ;
Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (PG) –12:15;2:40;5:10 pm. ;
Man on Fire **(R) –12:00;3:10;6:30;9:40 pm. ;
13 Going on 30 **(PG-13) –12:05;2:30;5:00;7:25;9:50 pm;12:15 am. ;
Kill Bill: Volume 2 **(R) –7:15;10:15 pm. ;
The Punisher (R) –12:15;3:15;6:15;9:15 pm;12:15 am. ;

Saturday, April 24, 2004  
The Punisher (R) –12:15;3:15;6:15;9:15 pm;12:15 am. ;
13 Going on 30 **(PG-13) –12:05;2:30;5:00;7:25;9:50 pm;12:15 am. ;
Man on Fire **(R) –12:00;3:10;6:30;9:40 pm. ;
Kill Bill: Volume 2 **(R) –7:15;10:15 pm;12:45 am. ;
The Girl Next Door (R) –9:45 pm;12:20 am. ;
Man on Fire (R) –12:30;3:40;7:00;10:10 pm;12:40 am. ;
Jersey Girl (PG-13) –10:00 pm;12:30 am. ;
Home on the Range (PG) –12:00;2:00;4:00;6:00 pm. ;
The Prince and Me (PG) –1:45;4:30;7:10 pm. ;
Ella Enchanted (PG) –12:20;2:50;5:15;7:40 pm. ;
Kill Bill: Volume 2 (R) –1:15;4:15;7:45;10:40 pm. ;
13 Going on 30 (PG-13) –12:35;3:00;5:30;7:55;10:20 pm;12:35 am. ;
Connie and Carla (PG-13) –1:25;3:55;6:40;9:10;11:30 pm. ;
The Passion of The Christ (R) –4:10;6:45 pm. ;
The Whole Ten Yards (PG-13) –7:30;10:05 pm;12:25 am. ;
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (R) –1:40;4:20;7:05;9:40 pm;

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Adam In Albany: Assembly Votes HMO Accountability Standards

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WPCNR’S ADAM IN ALBANY. By Adam T. Bradley, Assemblyman, 89th District: April 22, 2004: There’s more than just money at stake when insurance and HMO executives refuse to cover medical treatments.  Their decisions sometimes mean the difference between life and death.  That’s why I sponsored legislation, which recently passed the Assembly, holding health maintenance organizations and insurance companies accountable for denying or withholding necessary patient care.


 



This bill will ensure that important medical decisions will be made by the people most qualified to make them, and help ensure HMO’s put patient care above profits by holding insurance companies and HMO’s liable for the consequences of denying or withholding treatment (A.5733).  The measure also prohibits insurers from retaliating against health care providers who criticize them for delays or refusals to cover treatment.


 


I am also continuing my efforts to ensure Westchester’s families are receiving quality, affordable health care by fighting for a fair, responsible budget.  Westchester County Medical Center is facing severe financial difficulties already.  In Westchester, we can’t afford to sacrifice the quality of health care available to our families.


 


The medical center, the largest hospital in the seven-county Hudson Valley region, provides critical care that local hospitals are unable to provide and is one of Westchester’s largest employers.  The governor’s budget threatens to seriously jeopardize the quality of care in Westchester County and may further hinder the medical center’s ability to thrive.


 


I will continue fighting to ensure our families get the care and respect they deserve, and support legislation that ensures health care providers can make patient care their first priority.  Corporate interests must be held accountable when they deny necessary medical treatment from a patient.


 

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Strong Thunderstorms Likely This Afternoon.

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WPCNR WEATHER SCOOP. From National Weather Service. April 22, 2004: A concenrated band of thunderstorms are now located Southwest of Pennsylvania, just at the West Virginia border, with the leading edge making its way into West Virginia as WPCNR writes. The front extends westward along the Ohio River and southern Indiana and moving this way swiftly in a North Northeasterly direction. The National Weather Service has issued a Thunderstorm Watch for the White Plains area late this afternoon. The Official National Weather Service forecast:
…SOME STRONG THUNDERSTORMS POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WITH GUSTY WINDS AND SMALL HAIL…

A COLD FRONT APPROACHING FROM THE WEST THIS AFTERNOON WILL INTERACT
WITH AN INCREASINGLY MOIST AND UNSTABLE ATMOSPHERE AS TEMPERATURES
RISE THROUGH THE 70S.

ANY THUNDERSTORMS THAT FORM ARE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING STRONG GUSTY
WINDS AND SMALL HAIL. AT THIS TIME, THE WINDS ARE EXPECT TO REMAIN
BELOW SEVERE LIMITS…THOUGH A FEW STORMS COULD APPROACH THE SEVERE
THUNDERSTORM WIND GUST CRITERIA OF 50 KNOTS ALONG WITH HAIL OF PENNY
TO NICKEL SIZE IN DIAMETER.

IN ADDITION…THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING WILL BE
CAPABLE OF PRODUCING BRIEF HEAVY DOWNPOURS AND DEADLY CLOUD TO
GROUND LIGHTNING. IF YOU HEAR THUNDER THIS AFTERNOON…IT’S TIME TO
END ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND SEEK SHELTER INDOORS. ONCE THE
THUNDER ENDS…YOU SHOULD WAIT 30 MINUTES BEFORE RESUMING OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES. THE HEAVY DOWNPOUR MAY ALSO CAUSE LOCALIZED PONDING ON
AREA ROADWAYS AND POOR DRAINAGE AREAS.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER
DETAILS OR UPDATES.

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Fortunoff Calls Radio Report They are Selling their Stores, Inaccurate.

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WPCNR DOWNTOWN DAILY. By John F. Bailey. April 22, 2004: A number of residents in White Plains heard the report, so did millions of listeners in the New York metropolitan area. Fortunoff was reported by WCBS Radio, which was quoting a The New York Post report,  to be attempting to sell their six upscale shopping meccas in the New York area for $350 Million. Fortunoff recently opened its newest retail palace in White Plains in September, which they constructed at a cost of $90 Million.


Fortunoff, contacted by WPCNR this morning, is characterizing this report as “inaccurate.”


Catherine Mara, spokesperson for Fortunoff told WPCNR, the Fortunoffs had retained the firm of Peter Solomon, Inc., an investment banker,  to attempt to rasie capital for future expansion of the company into other areas. She characterized  the “leak” of this information as being misconstrued. Here is the official statement released by Fortunoff to WPCNR today:


“Fortunoff has retained the firm of Peter Solomon Inc. in order to look at the possibility of raising capital to finance additional locations and growth opportunities.  Our most recent expansion in White Plains further demonstrates that we have a continued interest in growing and innovating.  We are looking at business options that would allow us to strengthen our strategic position in the market place.  That has been a Fortunoff hallmark for decades.  The Fortunoff families have an obligation to the company’s future, to explore a broad spectrum of options designed to keep the Fortunoff name and reputation strong and robust through future generations.”


Asked by WPCNR where Fortunoff might be considering expanding its reach, Ms. Mara said she did not know.  She also did not know at this time how much  expansion capital Fortunoff was looking to raise.


A local real estate observer remarked to WPCNR that he could not understand why Fortunoff would be selling their line of one-of-a-kind locations  for such a small amount of money, considering they spent $90 Million on their new White Plains store alone.


Another local White Plains attorney, specializing in retail mergers, noted last night to WPCNR that he could not understand why Fortunoff would be selling at this time at the start of what appears to be the beginning of a retail boom. The source said, usually you do not sell at the begining of a market, but at the top.


Peter J. Solomon & Company is an investment banking firm, which most recently advised Land’s End during its $1.9 billion dollar sale to Sears Roebuck in March of this year. To find out more about Solomon, their website is www.pjsolomon.com

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WPHS PTA to Hear Superintendent of Schools on School Budget; Opens Career Center

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WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. April 22, 2004: White Plains High School will host a PTA Council/ WPHS Parent Teacher Association Meeting this evening in which the 2004-2005 School Budget will be presented by Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors. At the conclusion of the meeting the new Careers Center at the high school will be opened officially and its benefits and services highlighted. The Council and PTA meeting will be held in the White Plains High School Library.

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