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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From Pace University School of Law. October 19, 2004: The Women’s Justice Center (WJC) of the Pace University School of Law in conjunction with the Committee to Promote Gender Fairness in the 9^th Judicial District and the Westchester Women’s Bar Association will co-host an informative program entitled “Domestic Violence and Responsible Mediation:  A Critical Look at Screening and Safety” at the New York State Judicial Institute, located at the Pace University School of Law, 78 North Broadway, White Plains, New York, Omni Room, on Wednesday, October 27, 2004, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Reflecting wide community interest in mediation within domestic violence cases, this program hopes to bring to light current knowledge about the nature and dynamics of domestic violence and whether and when mediation may be appropriate.

The evening’s panels of speakers reflect a range of perspectives including Westchester County’s Family Court, Integrated Domestic Violence Court, and New York State’s statewide ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) Coordinator.

Hon. Joan O. Cooney, is now the Supervising Judge of the Family Court, Ninth Judicial District. While in the private practice of law, she concentrated in the areas of Family and Juvenile Law, serving as a law guardian for the Westchester County Family Court from 1977-1992. She became a leader in juvenile rights and responsibilities. Elected to Westchester County Family Court in 1992, Judge Cooney has presided in Yonkers Family Court, New Rochelle Family Court, and White Plains Family Court. As Supervising Judge since 1999, Judge Cooney started the first specialized Neglect and Abuse Part in the Ninth Judicial District to help foster children attain a permanent plan. Judge Cooney has also initiated a specialized Juvenile Delinquency Part and has worked to implement the Integrated Domestic Violence Part.

Hon. Daniel D. Angiolillo, is a Justice of the Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District of the State of New York and presides over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court in Westchester County, thereby presiding over criminal, family and matrimonial matters in addition to appellate cases. This court is the first of its kind in New York State and serves as a model for other domestic violence courts around the state.  Prior to being elected to the Supreme Court, in 1993, Judge Angiolillo was elected as a County Court Judge in Westchester County. In 2003, he was appointed Associate Justice of the Appellate Term. Judge Angiolillo has further presided over New York State’s first Domestic Violence Felony/Misdemeanor Court since June 1999. He is a former prosecutor and current adjunct professor of law at Manhattanville College.

Daniel M. Weitz, Esq., is the Statewide ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) Coordinator for the New York State Unified Court System. Mr. Weitz oversees a statewide program of court-annexed ADR initiatives involving mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation and summary jury trial. He also directs the Community Dispute Resolution Centers Program, which provides dispute resolution services as an alternative to civil, family, and minor criminal court litigation in all sixty-two counties of the State. Mr. Weitz has over twelve years of experience in the field of ADR, serving as administrator, professor, trainer, and practitioner. He is an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Cardozo School of Law and has taught ADR and conflict resolution at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Long Island University. Mr. Weitz has served as a mediator in a wide range of matters, including, general civil, family, employment, human rights, community, and police conduct cases.

Beginning with an introduction by Susan L. Pollet, Esq., Executive Director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center, who will also serve as moderator of the panel, the evening’s discussion will take up Mediation in Family Court Mediation in Integrated Domestic Violence Part and will end Screening for Domestic Violence in Mediation Cases. 

WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From White Plains Performing Arts Center. (Edited) October 19, 2004: National television personalities Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford will host the First Anniversary Gala Celebration of the White Plains Performing Arts Center on Monday, November 8, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The event will be held at the Performing Arts Center, located on Level 5 of City Center.  As Honorary Chairpersons of the event, Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford will join in the “Broadway Salutes White Plains” celebration, honoring White Plains Mayor Joseph Delfino for his vision and accomplishments over the years.

Ruppert Holmes and 10 Broadway Stars will perform hits from their shows in the original, one-time-only performance, “Broadway Salutes White Plains,” the second year in a row this unique “review” has been put together by WPPAC producers Tony Stimac and Jeffrey Rosenstock. 

The event will feature singer/songwriter Ruppert Holmes, a production number from the musical, “Swango,” an original piano concerto composed in honor of the special occasion, and 10 performers from various Broadway shows including “Les Miserables,”  “The Producers,” “Hairspray,” and “Spamelot,” a new musical adaptation of the most popular Monty Python movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, opening on Broadway in the Spring of 2005.

The Gala will begin at 6:00 p.m. with wine and hors d’ouevres, followed by performances at 7:30 p.m., and a post-performance coffee and dessert reception at 8:45 p.m.  Ticket prices range from $150 to $250, and all proceeds will benefit the White Plains Performing Arts Center.

For more information, please call the White Plains Performing Arts Center at (914) 328-1600, ext 10.

The White Plains Performing Arts Center is a professional not-for-profit producing and presenting company whose mission is to bring innovative, eclectic and always-entertaining new plays and musicals to this state-of-the-art facility. The Center also hosts local, national and international performing artists whose work reflects Westchester’s diverse population.