THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

White Plains Performing Arts Center announces its new productions for the 2016 – 2017 Fall/Winter season:

• Blood Type: Ragu starring Frank Ingrasciotta – September 17
• 
• Louis and Ella! A New Jazzical – September 24
• 
• Heathers The Musical – October 14-23
• Bat Boy: The Musical – November 11-13
• Mooseltoe: A New Moosical – November 25
• 
• Sister Act – A Divine Musical Comedy  – December 16 – January 8
• The Maccabeats – January 21
• Ballet for Young Audiences – Cinderella – January 28
• Chase Padgett – 6 Guitars – February 4
• Linda Eder – February 11
• Jeff Boyer’s Bubble Trouble – February 25
• 
• Frank & Liza Together Again- May 20
• All performances are at the White Plains theatre, located on the third level of City Center off Mamaroneck Avenue and Main Street in downtown White Plains.

The 2016 Fall Season performance schedule  Opens Saturday, September 17 with

Blood Type: Ragu

Saturday, September 17 • 8:00 PM

A hilarious and poignant exploration of the Sicilian immigrant experience based on the life of writer and performer Frank Ingrasciotta.

“It’s not drama… it’s just family! And we all have one.”

“FRANK IS AN INGRATIATING PERFORMER WITH SUFFICIENT WIT TO MAKE THE SHOW TRULY UNIVERSAL” The New York Post

Blood Type: Ragu, the critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway hit, stars award-winning writer and performer Frank Ingrasciotta, giving a tour-de-force portrayal of over 20 characters who live, love and laugh, in this wonderfully funny and genuinely moving solo play exploring an immigrant child’s delicate dance between culture and identity.

This relatable show delighted audiences Off-Broadway at the Actors’ Playhouse in NYC, then touring Capital Repertory Theatre (Albany, NY), 14^th Street Playhouse (Atlanta, GA), Dante Hall Theatre (Atlantic City, NJ), George St. Playhouse (New Brunswick, NJ), Seven Angels Theatre (Waterbury, CT), 2015 Winnipeg Theatre Festival, Shea’s Performing Arts Center produced by Broadway League Vice Chair Albert Nocciolino (Buffalo, NY), and numerous Performing Arts Centers throughout the USA.

It also played to sold-out houses at the Belmont Theatre (NYC), where it became the longest running show in the theatre’s ten-year history.  Blood Type: RAGU is the recipient of the Westchester Arts Council Arts Award for Outstanding Artist, and two time winner at the United Solo Festival Award for Best Comic Actor and Best Comedic Script (nominated alongside Bette Midler, Hugh Jackman & John Leguizamo).

For tickets and showtimes for all shows, go to www.wppac.com or call 914-328-1600

 WPCNR HEALTH BRIEF. From the Westchester County Department of Health. AUGUST 19, 2016:

This season’s first batch of mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus has been confirmed by the Westchester County Department of Health. The area surrounding the positive mosquito batch in Yonkers has been inspected by the health department and nearby catch basins with standing water have been treated to protect against further mosquito breeding in the area.

“The presence of West Nile Virus has been a reality in the Hudson Valley for quite some time now, so this positive test is not a surprise,” said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino. “Nevertheless, it’s a reminder for residents to protect themselves and their families against West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses. For the county’s part, we have implemented a proactive and comprehensive plan to combat mosquito-borne illness for more than a decade, including advice and resources for our residents.”

In 2016, the Westchester County Department of Health has submitted 243 pools of mosquitoes to the New York State Department of Health for testing with only one positive result.

The state health department has identified 195 positive mosquito pools throughout New York so far this year. Symptoms of West Nile encephalitis (a severe infection) usually occur from three to 14 days following the bite and include high fever, headache, confusion, muscle aches and weakness, seizures, or paralysis. Most people who are infected with West Nile Virus will not show any symptoms. Persons over 50 years of age are at the highest risk for a severe disease.

West Nile Virus is not to be confused with Zika. To date, no mosquitoes in New York State have tested positive for Zika and there have been no locally-acquired cases.

“We hope confirmation of mosquitoes with West Nile Virus reminds residents to take precautions,” said Westchester County Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “The best ways to avoid West Nile, and other mosquito-borne illnesses, are to remove standing water from your property.”

According to Dr. Amler, favorite mosquito breeding sites include buckets, plant pot saucers, clogged gutters, pet bowls, old tires, as well as children’s pools and toys. Residents should also minimize spending time outdoors at dawn and dusk, and apply insect repellents according to the label directions when enjoying activities outside.

As in prior years, the county health department prepared for the 2016 mosquito season by evaluating and treating with larvicide, as needed, all catch basins on county and municipal roads throughout Westchester. In addition to larviciding, the county also gave away free fathead minnows and mosquito dunks to residents this spring. The minnows help to curtail the mosquito population in ponds and water features by feeding on mosquito larvae and pupae before they develop into adult mosquitoes. The mosquito dunks serve the same purpose in birdbaths, rain barrels and unused pools. Free mosquito dunks are still available, and residents can make arrangements to pick them up by calling (914) 813-5000.

In 2015, 17 positive mosquito batches were found in Westchester County with the first positive batch collected around this time. The county has been safely applying larvicide since 2001 to suppress the mosquito population.

Residents who notice large areas of standing water on public property that could serve as potential mosquito breeding grounds should report it to the Westchester County Department of Health by calling (914) 813-5000 or emailing [email protected]. For more information about preventing West Nile Virus, visit health.westchestergov.com/west-nile-virus.