Playland Ice Casino Tradition Since 1929 Opens Wednesday

Posted on September 24, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR ICE CAPADES. From Westchester County Department of Recreation & Parks. (Edited) September 25, 2004: Playland Ice Casino — Westchester’s premier family ice skating facility all spruced up, repainted and bright as S. P. Teri skating blade — will begin the 2004-2005 regular public skating schedule on Wednesday, September 29.

PLAYLAND ICE CASINO. Sketched by N. John LaGattuta of Harrison, NY.

Playland’s Ice Casino’s facilities include three indoor rinks: main, children’s and studio, which can accommodate a total of 1,100 skaters. All are kept at a comfortable temperature for skaters throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons. The Ice Casino also features expanded holiday hours on the main and children’s rinks.

Once again, this year the Ice Casino will host the popular Saturday Family Skating Nights from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Admission to Family Skating Night is only $20, which covers up to four family members and includes admission, skate rentals and one large pizza.

One of the pleasures of ice-skating at Playland Ice Casino, is the nostalgic Boardwalk and the art deco architecture of long ago. It took the fancy of amateur artist N. John LaGattuta of Harrison who has sketched it for his own pleasure. Sketch (c) 2003 by N. John LaGattuta. Used with permission.

Fridays are Party Nights with a D.J. from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Party Nights include special lighting effects, the best of today’s pop and hip-hop music plus prizes and giveaways. Admission is $10 which includes skate rental.

General admission to the Playland Ice Casino is $6 for adults, $5 with a Westchester County Park Pass, and $4 for children 12 and under, $3 if accompanied by a Park Pass holder. Students pay $4 on weekdays, (except Party Nights) and Seniors pay $4 with a Park Pass. Spectators pay $2.

The Dignified Bath House.

Ice skating clinics and classes will be given by professional instructors through Playland’s Ice Skating School; lessons are available by group session or individually by advance reservation, with instruction geared to skaters of every level of ability. Children’s hockey clinics are also offered throughout the season.

Families, schools, corporation and other organized groups can reserve the Ice Casino for birthday parties and other special events. Services and facilities at the casino include a video game room, snack bar and lounge.

A view of the Log Flume, Playland and the famous Playland Tower.

The Playland Ice Casino is a facility of the Westchester County Parks Department. It is located in Rye and can be reached via I-95 (the New England Thruway) to Playland Parkway, exit 19. Follow the parkway directly into Playland Park. Parking for the Ice Casino is free.

For more information about lessons, rental or facilities, call (914) 813-7059. Information about the Playland Ice Casino is also available by logging on to www.ryeplaylnd.org.

Sketch Artist, N. John LaGattuta.

WPCNR noticed the World War II Veteran from Harrison sketching the Casino last week at Playland. WPCNR thanks him for sharing his personal art with our viewers. Photo by WPCNR ArtsCam

THE PLAYLAND ICE CASINO, September 16, 2004. Photo by WPCNR News.

NYPH Research Facility Proton Accelerator Is Obsolete.

Posted on September 24, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR EAST END INSIDER. By John F. Bailey. September 24, 2004: WPCNR has received a communication from the developers of the compact proton accelerators being installed at the proton therapy center in Munich, Germany, as reported on the SwissInfo website Friday.

The Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland has developed a compact proton accelerator that is more powerful, and more precise the Loma Linda, California, Proton Accelerator, which would appear to mean the New York Presbyterian Hospital accelerator planned for the former Driving Range on the NYPH property, that will not come on line on the White Plains NYPH, until 2007 (WPCNR estimate) or later, is obsolete now.

SWISS SHOCKER Received Today at WPCNR. Head of Proton Therapy notes compact proton accelerators far less expensive to install, and are more powerful than Loma Linda model approved for New York Presbyterian Hospital Campus. New York Presbyterian Hospital could not be reached for comment. Photo by WPCNR News.

Swiss Info, “Switzerland’s News and Information Platform,” in an article published today in Europe on the worldwide web reports the new “compact proton accelerators” created and manufactured by the Paul Scherrer Institute are being looked at seriously by Britain, Italy and France to “target tumours.” The service reports the compact accelerators are being installed for use at a private proton therapy clinic in Munich, Germany, and will be treating patients with the “mini-proties” in 2006.

ACCELERATED AFFORDABLE PROTONS HOT IN MUNICH: The complete text of the article from Swiss Info published today may be found at http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=511&sid=4911065. the article notes the effectiveness of the new compact proton accelerators and their economical cost to install. Photo by WPCNR News.

WPCNR contacted the Paul Scherrer Institute in Villigen, Switzerland early Friday morning, asking if their compact accelerators were an improvement on the Loma Linda model NYPH is planning at the present time, which appears on route to an automatic extension by the White Plains Common Council. WPCNR also asked how they compared on a cost-to-construct basis.

WPCNR received an answer from Martin Jermann, Head of the Proton Therapy Program at the Paul Scherrer Institute, in Villegen (PSI) he reported by e-mail to WPCNR today. Here is the text of the e-mail pictured above:

Dear John Bailey

Compared to the Loma Linda facility, our technology is much more advanced.

With the new cyclotron, we can do also intensity modulated proton therapy, with much higher precision of the tumour treatment, compared to the “conventional” proton therapy. This results in a further reduction of the damange to the surrounding healthy tissue. The new 2D scanning system with a fast repainting capacity of our gantry will be able to treat moving tumours (i.e., lung, liver, breast cancer), in the long-term, combined with on-line imaging capabilities.

The compact gantry developed and operated at PSI has a diameter of only 4 meters (12 feet), almost 3 times less than the large onethrough gantries at Loma Linda and Massachussetts General Hospital Boston.

Does More, Better.

Our compact superconductive medical cyclotron, which was developed by Michigan State University, Accel Instruments GmbH and PSI, has a diameter of only 3.2 meters, i.e., 2 to 3 times less than the Loma Linda synchrotron. The ultimate goal of tumour treatment with intensity modulation (IMPT) will be only possible with a cyclotron and not with synchrotrons (the Loma Linda model).

Costs Considerably Less.

We have no data about costs of the planned facility at the New York Presbyterian Hospital ($100 Million estimated), but a cost reduction is obvious, looking at the above smaller dimensions of the rooms needed by the smaller and very compact components of the PSI facility.

Best regards,

Martin Jermann

Head of Proton Therapy Program

Paul Scherrer Institute

5232 Villigen-PSI

Switzerland

WPCNR will continue its delving into the differences. New York Presbyterian Hospital could not be reached for comment.

Five Key Westchester Hospitals Turn Away United Health Care Insurance.

Posted on September 24, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR VITAL SIGNS. From Dean Bender, Thompson & Bender. September 24, 2004: Pinnacle Healthcare Inc., a consortium of five Westchester area hospitals, Hudson Valley Hospital Center (Cortlandt Manor), The Mount Vernon Hospital, St. John’s Riverside Hospital (Yonkers), Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester (New Rochelle) and Westchester Medical Center (Valhalla).announced today its five hospitals have terminated Pinnacle hospital contracts with United Healthcare effective September 25, 2004, tomorrow.

Thousands of members of United Healthcare who use a Pinnacle hospital would be affected by the move.

Pinnacle said that it has been attempting to negotiate a new contract with United Healthcare for more than a year. However, the negotiations have proved unsuccessful.

“This is a very unfortunate situation that will affect not only our hospitals, but our patients and our physicians,” said Helen Turchioe, Pinnacle’s Executive Director.

“In order to maintain the high quality level of care that our patients deserve, we must be compensated fairly for the care that we provide.”

John Federspiel, President of Hudson Valley Hospital Center, noted that, “like many hospitals in the region we have faced significant increases in operating costs and inadequate rates from private insurers.” Contributing to the cost squeeze are factors such as increases in malpractice insurance, staff salaries and benefits, drug and supply costs and the expense of adding new health-related technologies.

United Healthcare Doesn’t Cover Costs.

“United Healthcare’s payment rates are below Pinnacle’s costs of providing medical services. United Healthcare pays us less than comparable insurance companies and government programs although we provide the same services to everyone. We don’t think that’s fair,” said Jim Foy, President/CEO of St. John’s Riverside Hospital. “The financial health of our hospitals is dependent on adequate reimbursement and fair payment policies and we are simply asking United Healthcare to be a fair payer.”

John Spicer, President/CEO of Sound Shore Medical Center of Westchester, noted that the rates United Healthcare pays to hospitals just a few miles away in neighboring Fairfield County, Connecticut are higher than the rates it pays for the same services provided by Pinnacle hospitals, even though hospitals in both counties face similar costs.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience and disruption posed by ending our relationship with United Healthcare. However, we have concluded that we cannot continue to subsidize United Healthcare’s unrealistically low payments,” added Mary Brown, Interim CEO of Westchester Medical Center.

Ms. Turchioe said that Pinnacle would continue discussions with United Healthcare and make a good faith effort to reach agreement on a new contract as soon as possible. “In the meantime, we will work closely with United Healthcare and our medical staff to ensure that United Healthcare members receive the quality care that they need,” she said.

A patient’s coverage and financial responsibility will vary depending on the terms of their individual subscriber contract.

Still Will Treat for 90 Days

The Pinnacle hospitals will continue to provide services to all patients seeking care. Patients undergoing a course of treatment will likely be able to continue the treatment without disruption for a period of at least 90 days. Patients who are in their second trimester of pregnancy will continue to be able to access services at Pinnacle hospitals (including delivery) through post-partum care. Treatment and evaluation for emergency conditions will continue to be covered. Other services at Pinnacle hospitals can be accessed if the member has an out-of-network benefit.

United Healthcare members can call 800-638-3323 for more information about how a contract termination with United Healthcare would affect their health care coverage or to

tell United Healthcare that they care about their local hospitals.

THE FORGOTTEN, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, THE LAST SHOT Open at CC

Posted on September 24, 2004 by John Bailey

WPCNR SCREEN GEMS. From National Amusements. September 24, 2004: City Center Cinema de Lux in White Plains showcases four new premiers this weekend: FIRST DAUGHTER, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, THE LAST SHOT, and THE FORGOTTEN. The weekend schedule, plus previews follow:

THE FORGOTTEN — Julianne Moore stars as a woman struggling with the loss of her eight-year old son. When her psychologist insists she never had a child, she embarks on a search to prove her son’s existence, and her sanity. PG-13

SHAUN OF THE DEAD — This quirky British hit has been described as “a romantic comedy — with zombies!” Rated R

FIRST DAUGHTER — Katie Holmes stars as a college freshman who wants some time and distance away from her home and parents. That’s not easy when home is the White House and her dad is the President of the U.S. Rated PG

THE LAST SHOT — In this comedy, an FBI agent (Alec Baldwin) cooks up an elaborate sting operation to bust a mafia kingpin by pretending to make a Hollywood movie, hiring unwitting director (Matthew Broderick) to helm the project. Rated R

Saturday, September 25, 2004
Wimbledon (PG-13) –12:10;2:35;5:00;7:45;10:10 pm;12:25 am. ;
First Daughter (PG) –1:50;4:30;7:10;9:55 pm;12:25 am. ;
The Forgotten (PG-13) –12:15;2:30;4:45;7:15;9:45 pm;12:15 am. ;
The Bourne Supremacy (PG-13) –7:25 pm;12:15 am. ;
Cellular (PG-13) –1:40;4:05;6:35;9:00;11:30 pm. ;
Resident Evil: Apocalypse (R) –1:55;4:20;6:40;9:20;11:50 pm. ;
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (G) –12:05;2:25 pm. ;
The Last Shot (R) –12:20;2:45;5:10;7:40;10:05 pm;12:30 am. ;
Mr. 3000 (PG-13) –12:30;2:50;5:20;7:50;10:20 pm;12:40 am. ;
Shaun of the Dead (R) –12:05;2:40;5:05;7:30;10:00 pm;12:25 am. ;
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (PG) –1:30;4:10;7:00;9:35 pm;