WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER SETS RECORD VISITS FOR YEAR 7,017,658 VISITS! 2,098,003 VISITORS MADE 6 VISITS A DAY EVERY DAY. 63,330 UNIQUE VISITORS MADE 133,730 VISITS IN DECEMBER. WPCNR AVERAGED 17,284 VISITORS A WEEK, VISITING 31,270 TIMES. | WHITE PLAINS WESTCHESTER DAILY NEWS SERVICE VISITS SINCE 2000 A.D. 25TH YEARl REPORTING THE NEWS YOU NEED TO KNOW News Service Since 2000 A.D. 2026 WILL BE OUR 26TH YEAR OF COVERING WHITE PLAINS NEW YORK USA . John F. Bailey, Editor (914) 997-1607 wpcnr@aol.com Cell: 914-673-4054. News Politics Personalities Neighborhoods Schools Finance Real Estate Commentary Reviews Policy Correspondence Poetry Philosophy Photojournalism Arts. The WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER. TELEVISION: "White Plains Week" News Roundup, 7:30 EDT FRI, 7 EDT MON & the incisive "People to Be Heard" Interview Program 8PM EDT THURS, 7 PM EDT SAT on FIOS CH 45 THROUGHOUT WESTCHESTER AND, ALTICE OPTIMUM WHITE PLAINS CH 1300 Fighting for Truth, Justice and the American Way. TOP 10 VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD :1. USA. 2.BRAZIL3.VIET NAM 4. CHINA 5. JAPAN 6.UK. 7.CANADA. 8.INDIA. 9.AUSTRALIA 10.IRELAND 11.GERMANY 12..ARGENTINA 13.BANGLADESH 14.RUSSIA. 15.NEWZEALAND. 16. FRANCE. 17.MEXICO. 18.UKRAINE. 19.SOUTH AFVRICA. 20. IRAQ.

City Assessibles Increase by $2.4 Million; School Tax Increase Cut to $26/$1G

Posted on March 9, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS. By John F. Bailey. March 9, 2004, Updated 11:15 A.M. E.S.T.: Eyde McCarthy, City Assessor, advised the City School District Monday that the city total of accessed value has risen to $307,076,646, $2,358,187 higher than the $304,718,459 the city had originally reported as the 2004 accessed value to the School District on February 27.

The error, according to the Assistant Superintendent for Business for the City School District, Terrance Schruers, occured because certain exemptions from city taxes did not extend to exempting certain properties from school taxes, allowing the school district to collect tax on those properties while the city cannot.

The effect, Schruers said, lowers the projected increase in school taxes for residents from a projected $29.50 per $1,000 of accessed value to $26 per $1,000 of accessed value. For the owner of a home accessed at $15,000, this means a year-to-year school tax increase of $390 on top of last year’s bill. Last year’s tax rate was $349.03 and this year it goes up, according to the latest total assessibles, to $375 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

Going in to the public presentation of the school budget on March 22 at Education House at 7:30 P.M., the district now projects a 6.89% increase, year-to-year in the budget, coming in at $143,910,784, with the new city assessed value dictating a Tax Rate of 7.62%, 2.23% of it attributed to yesterday’s Assessment/PILOT changes.

2.23% Increase Comes from Assessible Settlements.

According to a table released by Mr. Schruers, if the School District budget remained at the $134,632,632 figure of 2003-004, the school tax would have to increase 2.23% to make up the $2,395,516 in lost revenues from the falloff in assessible values citywide.

Of the $26 year to year increase in the tax rate, $7.80 represents the 2.23% increase in tax rate is attributible to the loss in assessibles. The$18.20 balance of the $26/$1,000 increase is to meet the $9,278,152 rise in the School Budget, from wage increases, pension increases and institution of All Day Kindergarten districtwide.

The new figures released Monday to the School District report the increase in PILOT (Payments In Lieu of Taxes) payments to the city in 2004 as $4,856,650, which reduce the Net Reduction in Assessibles in the city to $6,863,353.

Assessible Declines Permanent, School District Counsel Present at Assessment Settlement Proceedings.

Asked if the $6,863,353 decline in assessibles was a one-time only charge, Schreurs said it was his understanding they were permanent reductions on the tax roll.

Schreurs said that the school board had previously accepted the reassessments and settlements presented them by the city, prompted by Superintendent of Schools Timothy Connors visit to the Mayor February 27, with one exception.

The Nordstrom Department Store lowering of assessment by $1.2 Million has yet to be accepted by the Board of Education, Schreurs said.

Schreurs added that the assessments lowered by the state the Board had no say in, while School Board counsel does sit in on discussions the city has with corporations seeking lowered assessments, and either recommends or rejects the settlement suggestion.

City Center South Citadel, Townhouse on Martine Will Resume Within Month.

Posted on March 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR CITY CENTER DISPATCH. By John F. Bailey. March 8, 2004: A spokesman for Cappelli Enterprises, Geoff Thompson, told WPCNR Monday that construction work on the South Condominium building, and its Martine Avenue construction companion, the smaller townhouse condominium, next door has been holding for about 5 weeks, and will resume shortly, “within a month.”

AWAITING RESUMPTION OF CONSTRUCTION: Thompson said work has been put on hold on the two finishing pieces of the City Center complex due to different design changes that engineers and designers felt had to be made before work proceeded. The Townhouse on Martine is at left, the South Condominium “citadel” is at right. Date of the picture is February 20. Photo by WPCNR News

Thompson said work has been continuing “at a rapid pace” inside North apartments, now being touted as “One City Place,” overlooking Main Street. Thompson said One City Place will open its sales office on the site on March 27. Thompson said the model apartments are just about completed, promising WPCNR a Preopening Tour shortly.

The Martine Avenue Condominium Citadel, now holding at 9 completed floors, is having its mechanical systems redesigned to fit into a different configuration within the building. Thompson said that when the south condo column was architecturally reconfigured and divided into condomiums, it was discovered that the former mechanical design used in the north tower would disrupt the new condominum floor plans Cappelli’s architects had recommended.

Thompson said, it was decided by the organization to hold back now, and retool the entire mechanical systems to work around the new spacious new condo designs, rather than “tearing up the floor” and compromising the interior look of the condo parcels with the former mechanical system. Work is wrapping up on the development of a mechanical system that works aesthestically for the larger number of units per floor.

This explanation is very consistent with what the Super Developer Louis Cappelli remarked to WPCNR when work first stopped, when he said there was redesign being done.

On the Townhouse next door, (topped out in October), Mr. Thompson said that the window treatments are being redesigned before exterior work begins on that building.

Film Festival Features White Plains Morricone’s INTERVENTION at 2 Saturday.

Posted on March 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. By Sunset Boulevard & Westchester County Deparment of Communications.(EDITED) March 8, 2004:

Movie buffs, those of you who want to be in pictures, make pictures, it can happen to you.

Jimmy Hollywood just made it!

Westchester’s Fifth Annual Film Festival moves to the City Center National Amusements Cinema De Lux this week, leading off its Saturday Matinee Schedule with the long-awaited, festival-impressive, Intervention, from Morricone’s Comprehensive Films, produced in 2002 around White Plains, The Bronx and Queens by White Plains own James Morricone, (better known as “Jimmy Hollywood”).

WHITE PLAINS JIMMY MORRICONE with his leads, Carla Fulco, left and Joe De Vito on location in White Plains, September, 2002. Photo by WPCNR Hollywood Archives.

The full-length film was premiered March 4 in Manhattan at Robert De Niro’s personal screening, praised as “a good story” by critic at large, Steve Morton, who was invited to the private screening. Intervention will be shown commercially in White Plains for the first time Saturday. The film stars Magnotta’s Mary Fulco’s daughter, Carla Fulco, the “Catherine Deneuve of the 21st Century” as leading lady in a moody, realistic Italian-American love story set in the 1950s.

THE STAR FROM MAGNOTTA’S: Carla Fulco, the daughter of Mary Fulco, a fixture at Magnotta’s Restaurant in White Plains, makes her film debut in Intervention Saturday Afternoon. In this still from the production, Carla is arguing with her movie parents. Photo, Courtesy, Comprehensive Films.

Beginning Thursday from 2 P.M. to 10 P.M., The WFF will offer Jimmy’s movie, plus a line-up of 25 films from around the globe – spotlighting jump-out-and-grab-you movies filmed in New Zealand, Romania, France, Peru and India; giving an insider’s view of life in poverty-stricken Iran; and detailing the struggles of Irish, Chinese and Latino immigrants in the New York area.

LISTEN, SWEETHEART. GIVE ME YOUR MOTIVATION: Anton Evangelista of Comprehensive Films, Directing Carla Fulco in Intervention on a shoot in North White Plains November, 2002. See Carla on the big screen at City Center. Saturday matinee. For more on Intervention, go to Comprehensive Films website at www.comprehensivefilms.com Photo from WPCNR Hollwood Archives.

This year’s Westchester Film Festival event, co-sponsored by Westchester County and Cappelli Enterprises Inc., is a three-day affair running March 11-13 that will also spotlight the county’s newest theatres: National Amusement’s Cinema de Lux at City Center in White Plains. Films will run back-to-back each day from 2 p.m. to about 10 p.m.

See How Salma Hayek Cuts It as a Director on Friday Night: The Maldonado Miracle.

A major highlight, other than the original White Plains production of Intervention will be a free Friday night showing of The Maldonado Miracle, Salma Hayek’s directorial debut starring Peter Fonda and Mare Winningham. Shown at 7 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis, the Emmy-nominated movie tells the story of a mysterious Mexican boy who creates a media sensation when he brings a “miracle” to a desolate and dying town. A “Meet the Filmmaker” session will follow where the audience can meet the producer, Chappaqua resident Eve Silverman (a four-time Emmy Award winner).

A charming family film, Her Majesty, will close the festival with an 8 p.m. Saturday showing. Filmed entirely in New Zealand, the movie is a coming-of-age story of a young girl who realizes her lifelong dream when Queen Elizabeth comes to visit her small hometown. The film has already won three New Zealand film awards and was the first runner-up for Best Film in both Seattle and Cleveland.

Magic Carpet Rides

Four short Iranian movies will make their Western debut in Westchester. All give an insider’s glimpse of life inside Iran and the challenges posed by poverty and the Iran-Iraq war. Two other films are in Spanish, one of which – On the Fringes – hits particularly close to home by looking at the lives of Hispanics living in Westchester.

Other newly announced films will include:

Stuff That Bear! A student film directed by a young Bruno Coppola, a family member of Francis Ford Coppola, includes cameos of the better known Coppolas, including Francis Ford and recent Oscar-winner Sofia. The film won in the Kodak European Showcase for New Talent at the Cannes Film Festival last year. Having already screened in festivals in Romania, England, Denver, San Francisco and Durango, this will be its East Coast premiere.

Out of the Pan into the Fire. A noted New York chef shows the audience what it’s really like to work behind the scenes of a top NYC restaurant.

Beautiful Kid stars best-selling author Frank McCourt, author of “Angela’s Ashes.” This look at Irish-Americans in the Bronx was shot on a beer budget by Irish novelist Colum McCann and first-time screenwriter Michael Carty

FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday, March 11

Screenings for all films begin daily at 2 p.m:

CASTING ADRIFT – Feature. Out-of-work soap opera stars get a shot at fame and fortune – if they can only survive each other’s company. (83 min.)

R.I.P: Rest in Peace – France. Short. In a dark room, six men discuss the future of mankind. (6 min.)

BEYOND SILENCE – Iran. Short. In a bedrock of silence and peace dominating over the house and passing the days of indolence and old age, even the noise of eating an onion at dinner time can be used as an excuse to break the silence. (16 min.)

UNDER THE MANHATTAN BRIDGE – Student Film set in Chinatown. A young Asian boy’s infatuation with an alluring girl has unexpected consequences. (7 min.)

NO NAME STEET – Iran. A coin telephone, a street with no name and lovely people.(17 min.)

BILLY COLLINS: ON THE ROAD WITH THE AMERICAN POET LAUREATE – Documentary. Follows the critically acclaimed American poet who packs halls with his amazing wit and funny bone.(60 min.)

STUFF THAT BEAR! – Student Film shot in Bucharest. A taxidermist attempts to win the love of a stripper in this wacky comedy, a Kodak winner at Cannes. (19 min.)

A ROSE FOR MAJNUN – Iran. Leily, a middle-aged woman, earns her living searching for pieces of scrap iron in the streets . She is exposed to all kinds of dangers including rape. First U.S. screening. (26 min.)

6 p.m. ON THE FRINGES – Documentary. An examination of the lives of undocumented Latinos living and working in Westchester. (53 min.)

8 p.m. ARTWORKS – Feature A beautiful married woman and an art dealer plan the perfect art heist – until love enters the picture. A winner at the California Independent Film Festival. (96 min.)

Friday, March 12

2 p.m.

CUGINI – Feature. A Hollywood star returns to his home of Yonkers, the girl he left behind, and the son he never knew he had. (109 min.)

ETERNITY – France. Jack is in despair until a magic ball flies though time and brings goodness. (9 min.)

APNEA – France. While doing an apnea dive, a man lets his imagination wander to the elements that surround us.(4 min.)

BEAUTIFUL KID – Feature. An Irish- American auto mechanic in the Bronx finds himself at a crossroads, torn between allegiances to family, friends and love. Starring best-selling author Frank McCourt. (99 min.)

THE WOUND OF MY GRANDFATHER– Peru. Documentary. Short. The story of Javier who attempts to produce a documentary about the life of his neighbor’s family. (25 min.)

7 p.m. THE MALDONADO MIRACLE – Feature. When a mysterious Mexican boy takes refuge in the dying town of San Ramos, a “miracle” occurs which suddenly turns the town into a media sensation. This screening, courtesy of Showtime Entertainment Inc, will be free of charge to the first 130 people. A Q&A with producer Eve Silverman. will follow the screening. Starring Peter Fonda.

(138 min.)

Saturday, March 13

2 p.m. INTERVENTION – Feature. Italian-American love story set in 1968 shows how fate can sometimes bring about redemption. (1 hr. 46 mins.)

PRISONERS IN PARADISE – Documentary. Little known story of Italian P.O.W’s in America during World War II. “Impressive..great war stories and love stories.” – Variety (57 mins.)

PECK ON THE CHEEK – India. Feature. A young adopted girl embarks on a perilous journey to find her birth mother in war-torn Sri Lanka. Multiple Festival Winner. (99 mins.)

OUT OF THE PAN INTO THE FIRE – Documentary. A ‘no holds barred’ look behind the scenes of New York City’s top restaurants with chef Tony Burdain, author of ‘Kitchen Confidential’(56 min.)

DON’T NOBODY LOVE THE GAME MORE THAN ME – Short. Gritty street style frames a Shakespearian joust of words amongst four basketball players about who loves the game most. (9 min.)

REX STEELE: NAZI SMASHER – Student Short. Animation. Indiana Jones has nothing on this swashbuckler! (10 min.)

THE LITTLE CAPTAIN – Iran. Short. Children embracing poverty on the ruins of the Iran-Iraq War, life goes on. First U.S. screening. (16 min.)

8 p.m. HER MAJESTY – Feature. A young girl dreams of meeting the Queen of England in this coming-of-age period piece set in New Zealand. Winner: 3 New Zealand Film Awards. Winner: Crystal Heart Award, Heartland Film Festival. Winner: Best Live Action Feature, Chicago Family Film Festival.(100 min.)

9:45 p.m. GREAT LENGTHS – Student short. Comedy. Oh the lengths he’ll go to to win the heart of the girl he loves!

322 Subscriptions to Go for The Watch to Start Watching Again

Posted on March 8, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR MAIN STREET JOURNAL. March 8, 2004: The publisher of the White Plains Watch has sent out another message to White Plains, reporting the suspended monthly publication must sell 322 subscriptions by March 11 to come back to White Plains. On March 11, at 7:30, a special meeting will discuss “Countdown to The Watch.” Here is Ms. Chang’s urgent communication to the citizens of White Plains issued at midnight Sunday night:
March 8, 2004

Dear Friends of the Watch,
      As many of you already know, a large group of White Plains residents
have been hard at work for the last month to raise a sufficient number of
subscriptions to allow the Watch to resume publication. Our initial restart
target is 2000 and we have 322 subscribers to go to reach that goal. We
will be holding a final “count down to publishing” meeting this Thursday,
March 11, at 7:30 PM at Memorial Methodist Church (on Bryant Avenue between
North Street and Mamaroneck Avenue). At that meeting we will try to close
the subscription gap. We urge you all to attend. Nothing less than the
future of your independent community newspaper–and your connection to the
community–is at stake.

      This weekend, as I read over the many, many emails received by the
Watch, I was struck by the variety of ways the paper has served the White
Plains community over the past six years. Without the Watch, would there
have been a public record of your son’s or daughter’s academic achievement,
or an acknowledgement of how a special teacher touched your child’s life?
Would there be a place to spread the word about your sports organization or
the doings of your Boy or Girl Scout troop? Without the Watch how would
neighborhood communicate with neighborhood? How would you know about that
new restaurant that opened downtown?

      Without the Watch, how would you find out what was going on, in an
in-depth way, when it came to new retail and residential developments, open
space and housing issues or where your elected officials stood on these
issues? Without the Watch, would your professional achievements or
volunteer efforts have been celebrated? How would the word have been spread
about the needs of your favorite nonprofit? How would you know about your
city’s history? Perhaps you ran for office and were able to use the Watch
to reach the voters of White Plains in our election forums. Perhaps you
strongly disagreed or agreed with one of our editorials and got the
satisfaction of letting the community know just how deeply you felt by
seeing your letter published in the Watch.

      The Watch has been there for you for the last six years. Now the
Watch truly needs you and your neighbor. If you have not already
subscribed or your neighbor or business associate hasn’t, please bring your
subscription pledge and theirs to Memorial Methodist Church this Thursday.
Or let us know by return email that you will be subscribing. Then mail your
subscription check today to the White Plains Watch, PO Box 348, White
Plains, New York 10602. The costs are as follows:
      $25 for one year mailed within White Plains; $45 for two years
      $35 for out-of-town mailing; $65 for two years

      If you are not sure whether or not you are already a subscriber
please email us and we will let you know. Please note that the PO Box is
348, not 345 as we mistakenly reported in our last email!

      Thank you for your support,

      Susan Arterian Chang, Publisher & Editor

White Plains Watch Community Newspaper
The Independent Voice of the County Seat
email: susan@wpwatch.com
website: www.whiteplainswatch.com

The White Plains Photograph of the Day

Posted on March 7, 2004 by John Bailey

THE WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. March 7, 2004: The Sunday Photo of the Day is of the Westchester County Center, a Neo-Egyptian Art Deco Classic, built in 1932. A combination of Maple Leaf Gardens, the Detroit Olympia and the Montreal Forum in styles, the old arena also has touches of the Baths of Caracalla. Seating 4,000 in a double-deck close-in, reminiscent of a small old Madison Square Garden, not-a-bad-seat-in-the-house set up, it is a classic today as functional as it was when it opened. All it needs is ice-making equipment, and parking. Like Memorial Stadium in Mount Vernon, it is haunted with the spirits of champions past.

Hall of Champions. By the White Plains Roving Photographer

Bump’s Farewell Moved to 11 A.M. Thursday Morning Mount Hope Church

Posted on March 7, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR Ferris Avenue Reveille. March 7, 2004, UPDATED 10:40 A.M. EST: The funeral arrangements for Jerome “Bump” Robinson, the Ferris Avenue community leader who died suddenly last Thursday have been announced. A wake will be held for Mr. Robinson on Wednesday evening from 7 to 9 P.M. at The Thomas A. Slater Center. The wake will be followed by a service at 11 A.M. (moved up from 10 A.M.) at Mount Hope A M E Zion Church, 65 Lake Street. After interment, a repast will be served at the Slater Center.

Jerome Robinson, 1996. Photo, Courtesy, The Thomas A. Slater Center

THE VOLUNTEER CENTER OF UNITED WAY NAMES WILLIAM ABRAM TREASURER

Posted on March 7, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR NEIGHBORS IN ACTION. March 7, 2004: The Board of Directors of The Volunteer Center of United Way has named William Abram of White Plains, President of Pragmatix, Inc. to serve as its treasurer. The announcement was made at the Board of Directors annual meeting held recently.

As treasurer, Mr. Abram will be responsible for The Volunteer Center financial policies, financial operations, and will oversee financial management of the Centers funds. Mr. Abram joined the Volunteer Center Board of United Way in August 2003.

Since 1949, The Volunteer Center, in a strategic alliance with United Way, has served as a clearinghouse for volunteers, annually recruiting and referring nearly 2000 individuals to over 450 not-for-profit agencies in the Westchester/Putnam area. It offers special services to volunteers 55+ through its Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Retired Executives and Professionals Program (REP).

Mr. Abram is an active member of the Westchester County Association and serves on the board of the Westchester Information Technology Cluster. He is former treasurer of the Association for Electronic Health Care Transactions, and an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. He is a past trustee of Woodlands Community Temple, and has chaired several advisory committees for the Board of Education in Ardsley, NY.

Mr. Abram earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY and an MBA in Finance from Pace University, Pleasantville, NY.

For more information about Pragmatix, Inc. visit their website at www.Pragmatix.com or contact Bill Abram at 914-345-9444.

200 Little League Supporters Honor Founders, Raise $20,000 for Field of Dreams

Posted on March 7, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. March 7, 2004: Over 200 parents, friends, coaches, and patrons of the White Plains Little League, including Mayor Joseph Delfino, Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti, former Councilman John Martin, first Little League Treasurer Dave Coldrick, Dave Bennett, and all the friends and neighbors who coach, instruct and volunteer their services celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the founding of their League in White Plains Saturday night, at the first Annual Little League Field of Dreams Fundraiser Dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

The festive occasion was the kickoff effort in a drive by the Little League to raise $100,000 by the fall to construct a Concession Stand, Press Box and Restrooms at Gedney Field. Gedney Field is the four year old ball park that is the official home of the League and site of District 20 tournament Games in the summer. At the end of the evening, WPCNR estimates the affair had raised close to $20,000.

THE LEAGUE’S ALL HERE: Panaoramic view of former Yankee righthander great, Mike Torres addressing the crowd after receiving a plaque and commemorative Brick recognizing his contribution to helping to found the Little League ten years ago. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

FOUNDERS DAY: President of the White Plains Little League, Rich Massaroni, second from right, congratulates Tom and Cathy Pasqua, left and Mike Torres, right, who were honored with the first Commemorative Bricks to begin the fundraising project, the Walk of Fame, for their roles in bringing the Little League to White Plains in 1994 when Mr. and Mrs. Pasqua organized, liaisoned and negotiated with the city to accept the Little League, and began the league with 6 teams and 84 players. The 2004 White Plains Little League will field 88 Teams with 1,013 boys and girls on Opening Day, April 17. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

LONG TIME LITTLE LEAGUE PARENTS, like the Tompkins family turned out to show their support and trust in the League over the years and pulled out their checkbooks to support the league. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

LEAGUE’S NUMBER ONE FAN, MAYOR JOSEPH DELFINO, checks in with Field of Dreams Committee coordinators, Lisa Fee, left, and Larry Giordano, center. Mayor Delfino’s administration built Gedney Field for the Little League, and the Mayor told WPCNR, “This is what it’s all about. People coming together, building brick by brick. I guarantee you we’re going to get it done.” Giordano said, 95 persons had signed up in advance, 55 more had shown up at the door and by 7:30 folks were still coming in. He estimated $10,000 was possible even before raffles, auctions and memorabilia for purchase proceeds. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

WALKUP CROWD MILLS IN in lobby of the Knights of Columbus Lodge. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

TALKIN’ BALL: Bullpen Pals along the basepaths, longtime coaches reminisce as did the 200 others who attended and they all know each other and all have little league memories and stories to tell. Left to right Al Orfe, Dom Ardino, Todd Oronzio, and Chet and Cindy Gottshall talk the sport they love. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

LEFT SIDE OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE INFIELD: Settled in the festivities began with raffles and presentations to the founders. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

RIGHT SIDE OF THE LITTLE LEAGUE INFIELD: Awaits the action. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

TORRES HONORED: Yankee World Series Hero and Workhorse Righthander, Mike Torres is visibly moved as reades the Commorative Brick dedicated to him by White Plains Little League President Rich Massaroni, who presented Mike Torres with the Commemorative Brick that will be placed in the White Plains Little League Walk of Fame with his name to be laid down at the entrance to Gedney Field. The brick recognized Mr. Torres for his pioneering efforts as Director of Player Development, and as one of the league’s first managers in 1994. The Board of Directors in that first year were Tom Pasqua, President; Daved Coldrick, Vice President and Treasurer; Steve Ambrosino, Player Agent; Eric Lazere, Safety Officer; and Members at Large were Bob Eifler, Billy Delanoy, Orlando Cruz, and Mike Coles. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

TOMMY BALLGAME: Tom Pasqua, founder of the White Plains Little League in 1994, is presented with a personal Commemorative Brick with his name, distinguishing him as founder of the league. The Brick will be laid in the Walk of Fame. Pasqua then took the microphone, and reminisced about the negotiations, and the resistance that he, his wife, Cathy, had to overcome in convincing the city to accept and bring in the Little League to White Plains. He praised former Councilman John Martin for brokering the compromise in which the city accepted six teams as White Plains first Little League organization. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

A KID NAMED CHRIS: Mr. Pasqua said that a single incident pushed him to create the Little League fifteen years ago. It involved a player named Chris Danielli who played for him in the Recreation Department League. He said Chris usually played in right field. “He had not made a catch all season,” Pasqua remembered, “and in the last game of the season the ball was hit to him, he went back and somehow the ball found his glove. The rest of the kids on the team started cheering for him and all raced out to right field and pounded him on the back, congratulating him. It was so special.” Pasqua said that single play inspired him to try and bring the Little League to the city “to give more kids more moments like this.” He said Little League is really all about the kids. Everyone in attendance was touched by this story, and there were quite a few moist eyes in the hall. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

TABLE OF HONOR: Left to right, Tom Grammolini, Secretary of WPLL, Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph “Bud” Nicoletti, Mayor Joseph Delfino, Honorees Mike Torres, Cathy Pasqua, partially hidden,David Coldrick and his wife, and founder, Tom Pasqua. The Mayor has just been thanked by League President Rich Massaroni for his stalwart support of the Little League, and Mr. Nicoletti for his care and upgrading of the Little League fields. Later, speakin to WPCNR, Tom Pasqua praised Mayor Delfino for stepping up to build Gedney Field for the League 5 years ago. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

RAFFLES, MEMORABILIA A HIT: Supporters purchased raffle tickets and a few lucky supporters, including Elise Bronzo, won big. Ms. Bronzo loves her Al Leiter Bobblehead Doll. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

GRANDSTAND OF DREAMS: An architect’s rendering of what the fundraising effort will bring to the League: A concession stand and Press Box located directly behind home plate complete with restrooms. Next will be outfitting Gedney Field with lights and a picnic area. The objective is to allow the Little League to raise money through the sale of inexpensive concessions, provide comfort for fans and children, and deliver a professional staging area (the press box) for management of Tournaments and events. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

BILLY AND BUD: 2003 Little League President Billy Ward, left, and Commissioner of Public Works, Joseph “Bud” Nicoletti, who supervises and provides all groundskeeping services to the league, discussed the city’s role in the Concession Stand/Press Box project. Nicoletti said the Little League would contract for the actual building of the project and the city would help out with site work. Ward is chairing the Field of Dreams fundraising effort which will dedicate Commemorative Bricks for $50 for a 4″ x 8″; $125 for a 8″ x 8″, $250 for an 8″ x 8″, and $1,500 for a 32″ x 32″, engraved with the inscription of the donor’s choice to remember their child, a coach, whomever, to construct a “Walk of Fame” at the entrance to Gedney Field. Donation of a brick is tax-deductible. ( To order a brick, click on the Little League “Anniversary” Button at the right. ) The “Walk of Fame” will be constructed at the entrance to Gedney pictured below. Photo by WPCNR Sports

YOUR FAVORITE LITTLE LEAGUER HERE: (or Mom, Dad, Coach,) Dave Schiavone demonstrates the cornerstone of the White Plains Little League Walk of Fame to be installed at the concourse of Gedney Field. Commemorative Bricks may be purchased by the public and will be added year after year to the growing Walk of Fame to fund Gedney Field improvements…and beyond. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

VIEW FROM ENTRANCE: The New concession stand and Pressbox would be situatiated some 100 feet behind the backstop at Gedney Field with an elevated view of the entire field. Photo by WPCNR Sports.

The Field of Dreams Committee consists of Billy Ward, Dave Schiavone, Lou Tallarini, Lisa Fee, Larry Giordano, and of course, Rich Massaroni. These individuals organized this evening’s Anniversary Dinner.

The White Plains Photograph of the Day

Posted on March 6, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. March 6, 2004: A dense shroud of fog hung over the city of “smoky marshes” in downtown White Plains Saturday morning. A ceiling of 350 feet obscured the upper reaches of the old and the new of White Plains as City Center’s North Citadel, awaiting its first renters, contrasts with the ornate echo of the past, of the former Reporter Dispatch building on the corner of Main & Church Streets your town, downtown, White Plains town today.

SMOKY MARSHES. By The White Plains Roving Photographer

Elvis Lives Tuesday, March 9 Matinee at City Center Cinema De Lux

Posted on March 6, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR IN THE BALCONY. From Jennifer Hansen, National Amusements. March 6, 2004: Elvis lives again at the March Silver Screen Classic showing in Tuesday’s 1 P.M. Matinee of Blue Hawaii at Cinema 15 de Lux at the White Plains City Center. Cinema de Lux in White Plains presents an old-fashioned matinee once every month duplicating that old time movie experience. Come on down to downtown and see “The King” in one of his fabulous musical classics.

WHAT: 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 Blue Hawaii (1964).

Recently released from the Army, Chad Gates (Elvis Presley) returns to his home in the Hawaiian Islands where he enjoys surfing with his buddies. Chad declines his father’s request to work for him and instead goes to work at his girlfriend’s tourist agency. This musical comedy highlights all the beauty and romance of Hawaii and features the classic romantic hit “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

WHEN: Tuesday, March 9, 2004 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: City Center 15: Cinema de Lux

19 Mamaroneck Avenue
Mamaroneck Avenue and Main Street

White Plains, NY

914 -747-6000