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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS.Governor Cuomo’s Synopsis of his State of the State Address Wednesday. January 9, 2019:
For generations, New York has embodied the progressive philosophy — not just with rhetoric, but with results. That is New York — we are idealists and we are realists, we are dreamers and we are doers. We have accomplished more together than we could have imagined and now we are called on by circumstance to do even more. Our current challenges are daunting — but nothing New York can’t handle at her best. This year, as part of my annual State of the State agenda, I’m excited to advance a blueprint to continue New York’s legacy as the progressive capital of the nation.
Combatting the scourge of violent hate crimes by passing a domestic terrorism law
Legalizing the adult use of cannabis
Protecting our environment by passing a $3 billion ‘Restore Mother Nature’ Bond Act
Expanding the Excelsior Scholarship, New York’s tuition-free college program, to more families
Enacting legislation to ensure that all workers have Paid Sick Leave
Achieving 100% statewide cell phone service
Protecting gig economy workers
Closing a dangerous loophole that allows rapists to escape justice
Legalizing surrogacy so that LGBTQ people and couples struggling with fertility can raise a family
And much, much more
See the full list of State of the State proposals here. I’m confident that we can achieve all this, and more, while continuing our record of fiscal responsibility and lowering middle-class taxes. Unfortunately, these past few years we have witnessed abhorrent acts of racism, discrimination, and anti-Semitism. Only a couple weeks ago, a rabbi and his congregation celebrating Hanukkah were brutally attacked in Monsey, New York. Racism and discrimination are not new. But lately, they have reared their ugly heads again. If we do not confront hate, and if we do not defeat it, it will defeat us — there is no nation on this globe that can beat this nation, but this nation can defeat itself. New York must be the antidote to this virus. So, as we look to the year ahead, we must remember that there is so much more that unites us than divides us, and we must reaffirm that diversity is our greatest strength, not a weakness. Our nation’s motto is E Pluribus Unum. Out of many, one. As long as that philosophy guides us, as long as it prevails over the forces of hate, our state and our country will prosper and we will keep on leading the way forward.
New 33rd Street Entrance, at 7th Avenue Madison Square Garden in background.Broadway EntranceMulti level view of New Penn Station Entrance for LIRR
WPCNR MAIN LINE. From the Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. January 8, 2020:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled final design renderings Monday for the new main entrance to Penn Station.
The new entrance will be located at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, providing much needed direct access to the Long Island Rail Road Main Concourse and the New York City Subway.
The project, which will begin construction in June, will eliminate congestion by doubling customer access and egress capacity to the LIRR level when it is completed in 2020, enhancing safety and security for passengers.
The Governor also announced that the overall Penn Station redevelopment master plan – which includes the creation of the Moynihan Train Hall – continues to move forward, which will fully transform Penn Station into a modern, world-class transportation hub.
“Penn Station was one of the great railroad stations of the world, but now it’s not fit for the greatest city in the nation,” Governor Cuomo said.
“That’s why we are creating a world class train hall at Moynihan and today we are announcing a new East End Gateway to bring more access, safety and light. Passengers will be able to come in that entrance and avoid the front of Penn Station, there will be less traffic and you’ll have access to the subway and the LIRR. It will be a gateway to a world class facility. This is not a proposal – we are getting to work now.”
The entrance will be the main entry point for passengers and is scheduled to open in December 2020.
Passenger traffic has more than tripled since the current Penn Station was built, increasing from 200,000 to 650,000 passengers daily.
Currently 250,000 people take the LIRR every day, along with 235,000 daily customers who use New Jersey Transit.
In addition, 115,000 people use the station each day solely to enter or leave the A/C/E and 1/2/3 subways or to patronize the on-site retail.
GOVERNOR CUOMO TALKS IN THE FOLLOWING NEWS CONFERENCE ON THE DETAILS OF THE NEW PENN STATION, 28 MINUTES:
New Moynihan Hall Overview, preserving the Farley Post Office Facade. reminsent of the former Penn Station and creating a 10 Store Glass Covered Concourse for NJ Transit, AMTRAK lines
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Moynihan Hall Multi Level View Showing Glass Covered Grand Concourse, a throwback to the former Penn Station Glass Canopy
Presently, the Penn Station entrance on 34th Street is the only direct way to enter the LIRR level, and the concourse and its existing egress facilities are highly congested, with congestion certain to increase in the future. By creating the new entrance at 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, the project will relieve this potential congestion and the serious safety concerns it creates.
In doing so, the new entrance helps prepare the transit system for the implementation of Central Business District tolling, which will increase ridership as it reduces congestion in Manhattan and provides critical funding for further improvements.
The new entrance will connect passengers directly to the LIRR Main Concourse from 33rd Street and 7th Avenue, and will include three escalators, a stairway and an elevator. The project will widen the LIRR 33rd Street Concourse from its current 30 feet to 57 feet to allow easier access to trains and reduce potentially dangerous crowding.
The design will also increase the ceiling height to 18 feet across the entire concourse, eliminating the 7 and 8-foot high areas that have, for decades, made the station experience feel cramped and less spacious. Lighting will be improved and more intuitive wayfinding will be provided to passengers. LIRR customers will also have new direct sight lines to track level and there will be additional retail and dining options in the concourse as well.
The project is estimated to cost approximately $600 million, with $170 million of the total being allocated from the current 2015-19 MTA capital program. The remaining funds are being allocated by the State of New York.
Today’s announcement is part of Governor Cuomo’s overall Penn Station redevelopment master plan, which is moving forward and includes additional work to redevelop the remaining areas of Penn Station , as well as completely transforming the old Farley Post Office building into the new Moynihan Train Hall.
As part of the master plan and in collaboration with the MTA, beginning this summer, a functional and operational assessment will take place to develop additional plans to reconfigure the station. This assessment will then be complemented with extensive community engagement to refine the plans.
Five decades after the loss of the original and iconic Pennsylvania Station, the Moynihan Train Hall will once again provide New Yorkers a grand entrance in a McKim, Mead and White architectural marvel. The train hall is also set to open in December of 2020 and will bear the name of one of its great champions – the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
WPCNR HEALTH ISSUES. From the Westchester County Department of Health. January 8, 2019:
With peak flu season at the height of activity, County Executive George Latimer announced that the County Health Department will offer more free flu vaccines for residents by appointment on Tuesday, January 14 and Tuesday, January 21 at the County Clinic in White Plains.
Latimer said: “The flu is widespread this season, and it can be miserable if you come down with the virus. I encourage anyone who did not have a flu vaccine this fall to sign up for one today, to protect you and those around you well into 2020.”
The New York State Department of Health has reported a sharp increase in the number of laboratory-confirmed influenza cases and hospitalizations reported statewide. So far this season in New York, 3,592 flu-related hospitalizations and one flu-associated pediatric death have been reported.
Westchester flu clinics are open to all, especially those without insurance or whose insurance doesn’t cover vaccines. Register online for a free flu vaccine atwww.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic/60. The vaccines will be given at the County Clinic, 134 Court St., White Plains, as follows:
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The County Health Department has focused its public vaccination efforts on people who lack the means to get vaccinated elsewhere by bringing flu shots to homeless shelters, soup kitchens and food pantries throughout Westchester.
Dr. Sherlita Amler and County Executive George Amler
Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD, said: “Everyone six months and older should get a flu shot each year. Flu can be deadly, and the flu vaccine is very safe and the best protection we have. By getting an annual flu shot, you help protect infants too young to be vaccinated, seniors and people with chronic health conditions, who are more vulnerable to flu complications.”
Flu activity usually peaks between December and February, but can last into May. One flu vaccine now provides protection all season long and can prevent illness or reduce the severity of flu symptoms. The vaccine becomes fully effective after about two weeks.
Dr. Amler said that anyone who does get a respiratory infection should cough or sneeze into their elbow, wash their hands frequently with soap and water, stay home until 24 hours after their fever subsides to avoid spreading germs, clean surfaces they touch frequently, such as doorknobs, water faucets, refrigerator handles and telephones, and get plenty of rest.
The Leffell School (Solomon Schechter School) has requested an adjournment for its proposed amendment to allow the premises to be used as a summer day camp program. There is NO Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting tomorrow, Wednesday January 8th.
Instead, representatives from The Leffell School will attend the January 22nd Rosedale Association meeting to make a presentation and answer questions.
All are Welcome to Attend
Wednesday, January 22 7:30PM WP Public School District Bldg 5 Homeside Lane
WPCNR REALTY REALITY. From Houlihan-Lawrence. January 7, 2019:
Luxury markets north of NYC, all distinctive and unique, ended the year on a mixed note. Pricing, inventory levels and buyers changing taste and attitudes played a role in how each area fared in 2019, according to the Houlihan Lawrence Luxury Market Report released today.
In Westchester County, luxury sales ($2M and higher) dipped by 25% in the first half of 2019, a symptom of buyer malaise and concern about tax reform. Buyers returned to the market after tax returns were filed and the impact of tax reform on their personal balance sheet was clarified. Sales moved into positive territory in the third quarter and momentum continued to build in the fourth quarter. Second half gains offset most of first half declines and luxury sales in 2019 posted a modest decline.
The ultra-luxury segment of the market ($5M and higher) was level with 2018, but a sharp drop in selling prices made 2019 look very different from 2018. In 2018, Houlihan Lawrence’s sale of David Rockefeller’s estate sold for 50% over asking price and closed at a record-setting $33M. That same year five sales surpassed the $10M price mark.
In 2019 there were no sales over $10M and the highest sale, originally offered at $12M, closed at $8.1M. Most ultra-luxury sales took one or more price reduction and sold on average 26% off the original list price underscoring buyers’ value driven mentality at the high-end and conservative attitude towards real estate.
Luxury sales ($1M and higher) declined in Putnam and Dutchess counties although pended sales in Putnam increased significantly – a hopeful sign for 2020. Further north in Columbia County, Houlihan Lawrence represented the seller and buyer on a record-breaking $8M sale and established Houlihan Lawrence as the number one brokerage firm in Columbia County.
In Greenwich, luxury sales ($3M and higher) were down in 2019. Pended sales in the $3M-$3.99M price range jumped at the close of the year which may translate into a stronger first quarter.
Above $4M, a buildup of inventory continues to weigh down the market and put pressure on pricing. Motivated sellers have abandoned the notion of aspirational pricing – that is list prices that are disconnected from market values. Their pricing strategy is based on current market conditions, recent comparable sales of homes in similar condition, and market activity.
Sellers who listen to the market arrive at a realistic value that closes the gap between list price and selling price. Sellers may take a loss but their need to move on is stronger than their desire to achieve an unattainable number.
Prices adjusted in Darien and luxury sales ($2M and higher) increased in 2019. Pressure on pricing pulled down the median selling price and the number of sales in the $2M price range swelled at the expense of higher price points. New Canaan’s fourth quarter luxury sales are about level with same period last year and may be on the cusp of improving, similar to neighboring Darien.
Anthony Cutugno, Senior Vice President and Director of Private Brokerage for Houlihan Lawrence, said,
“Unemployment, inflation and interest rates remain low and most economic indicators are strong. 2019 closed with another year of double-digit gains in the stock market though rising portfolios did not translate into ebullient buyers.
The new decade ushers in an election year which is likely to impact luxury sales in the second half as buyers wait to see what the next four years will bring. For sellers who are truly motivated to sell, now is the time to take an objective look at pricing and presentation, adjust as needed, and enter the spring market with a too-good-to-resist offering.”
WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Catherine Parker, Janusary 7, 2018: The Westchester County Office of Economic Development is seeking applications for the next group of budding entrepreneurs for the County’s Element 46 incubator program.
Element 46 incubator provides training, mentoring and free workspace, to enable startups to develop their businesses within a network of peers. Entrepreneurs are embedded in an existing start-up community within Westchester.
The deadline for the latest round of applications is this Friday, January 10. To apply, visit https://www.element46.org/apply.
The next set of entrepreneurs, who will start in March 2020, will take part in a 6-month program.
The program is also seeking mentors and professional service providers. The mentors will assist the startups chosen for the program by offering their expertise, time and support. Mentors are hand-picked leaders with specializations in technology, finance, business strategy, venture capital, marketing or other areas. Mentors wishing to apply can do so at https://www.element46.org/mentors/.
The first group of 12 startups included: Michael Sellers of Journeyman Bakery; Orane Barrett of Kool Nerd Club; Marci Lobel-Esrig of SilverBills; John Bekisz of UASVues; Susanne Shoemaker of Undercare; Jack Martin of JackKnife Sharpening; Lisa Albanese of BioSand Bag Filter; Terence Finn of Velotooler; Alexander Davidas of DF Media; Beth Turner and Katie McCorry of Beyond Flowers and Food; Courtney Stanley of Tobu, and Chris Oates of Blue Yonder Brands, Inc.
To learn more about the Element 46 program, please visit the website at Element4
Wegman’s Food Market sent an email today announcing they would open their new store in Harrison adjacent Lifetime off Westcherster Avenue June 7.
The store also announced via a direct mail flyer they were hiring applicants to start training for positions in the store. You may learn about it at jobs.wegmans.com
IS THIS MY TENOR? Molly McCaskill in a starstruck performance as The Boss’s Daughter Maggie in the arms of a divine Pagliacci , in love with the Clown’s performance, but is it Max (J. Daw) in the madcap second act of Lend Me A Tenor or the womanizing Tito the Star? All photos, courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre by John Vechchiolla
WPCNR STAGE DOOR. Theatrical Review by John F. Bailey. January 5, 2019:
It’s a Sunday in the 1930s in the old West End and Noel Coward brightened up a nervous war wary London bringing the old reliable genre- the impossible farce – a sophisticated combination of slapstick, mistaken identity and incongruous door slamming, hiding in closets, bathrooms, hustling lovers in and out and shuffling corpses, flavored with rapid fire repartee that lifted audiences out of their chairs, from Blithe Spirit to Present Laughter to Private Lives Coward spoofed the upper classes and kept them laughing.
Westchester Broadway Theatre, in a stroke of timely inspiration, takes us deep into the heart and optimism of a show business promoter—with America’s farce master: Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor, winner of 3 Tony awards and 4 Drama Desk awards when it took to Broadway in 1989 then came back in 2010,and nominated for three more.
Flash
to Friday night present to one of those old stuffy WBT Grand Hotel room suites of 1934 with austere wallpaper, small rooms, and tinny doors in Cleveland.
Saunders, the General Manager of the Cleveland Opera Company played with David Merrick panache by the veteran Broadway master, Philip Hoffman, nervously awaits Max (his assistant, J.D. Daw) to transport the star of the night’s sold-out benefit performance to the hotel.
Saunders is distraught when Max arrives without Tito Merelli, (Joey Sorge, recently seen in A Bronx Tale on Broadway) was not on the train. Saunders has a fit and right away you catch his anxiety. A full house and no star!
But the show must go on–no matter who sings.
J.D. Daw shows Maggie (Ms. McCaskill), he has singing chops. Their romance is heated up by Max being “tapped” for stardom.
Saunders immediately hits on the idea of Max, who sings, as possibly replacing Tito. But dismisses it. Maggie (Saunders’ daughter, whom Max adores) enters and it appears Max sings pretty good to her. When Tito arrives with his romantic Italian accent, and possessive wife, Maggie hides in a closet to get his autograph.
THE IMPRESARIO Philip Hoffman as Saunders, tries to calm down Maria Tito the Tenor’s wife, as Kathy Voytko explodes in perfect indignation in high dudgeon as she gives Tito the tenor (the quintessential Italian star Joey Sorg) tries to get a word in edgewise. She’s the top! J.D.Daw as Max cringes at her vintage vitriol. It was Ms. Voytko’s Westchester Broadway Theatre debut ,a hilarious triumph
Tito’s demanding high strung Italian spitfire wife Maria is given high drama, hilarious volatility by Kathy Voytco (never has a perfect Italian nose been held higher), Maria takes umbrage, assuming Maggie is a secret lover. Maria writes Tito telling him she is leaving him.
Emoting, Tito says he is going to kill himself, but Max calms him down.
THIS IS HOW IT’S DONE, KID Joey Sorge as Tito the Tenor (right) captures the colossal egos of every tenor who ever lived, After threatening to kill himself , Tito gives Max (J.D. Daw) singing lessons. Their duet is a satirical simplification of opera cliches worth seeing if you hate opera or love it. The duet ends up saving the day
He gives Max singing lessons and they duet together, momentarily assuaging Tito’s grief. Tito lies down for a nap. When Max goes to get him. Tito is dead.
Saunders is distraught, again he approaches Max that he could impersonate Tito. And the farce rumbles into high, non-stop mayhem.
WHAT’S GOING ON? Enter Max, (Daw) as Maria encounters the post performance liaisons: The comic bellhop, Sam Seferian, obsequiously snarky, Tregoney Shepheard as Julia Chair of the Opera Guild who is pursuing Tito (Joey Sorg) who is pursuing Maggie (Molly McCaskill) , while Philip Hoffman as Saunders is trying to explain Diana the redheaded Soprano Hannah Jane McMurray .
On to the Second Act. Max pulls off the impersonation of
Tito and the audience is deceived (a magnificent joke in itself). Now the door
slamming begins in earnest.
Diana, the soprano looking for her next role with Tito, comes
to the hotel room to meet Tito, who is the real Tito. The case of mistaken
identity engulfs the redhead opera soprano, Hannah Jane McMurray, looking to
meet Tito and possibly get a break. She seduces Tito (who goes along willingly)
works her wiles on him in hilarious style.
Maggie comes
into congratulate Tito on his
performance, thinking he is the real Tito, but instead he is Max, who is all
too willing to accept her praise.
It is hard to tell who is who without a scorecard. Every character is trying to hide from the other.
This was the first performance Friday night and was right on the money with timing, choreography of door slams. Mollie McCasskill, in her WBT debut(Maggie), and Hannah Jane McMurray (Diana) fit their roles like gloves, emulated show business ingénues superbly, and fit in seamlessly frantic in their madcap dashes in and out of closets.
Philip Hoffman as the master producer Saunders steals the show as the plotting mastermind who reacts to every crisis with a fantastic solution, earning big laughs, dominating when is onstage.
Joey Sorge (Tito), the real tenor, struts and emotes with vintage Italian exaggeration, embodies the machismo and ego of a star tenor, and is at his comic best in playing off the ladies whom he does not know. He also lies on a bed for a good portion of the play which is an amusement in itself. Such a ludicrous sight to see.
J. D. Daw (Max) compliments Sorge (Tito) with perfect comic interplay, expressions of bewilderment, shock, and apprehension with deadpans, horror and gazes that keep the audience chuckling, guffawing and laugh out loud bursts. His singing is a bonus!
The play appears to be a take off on the real life incident when the choreographer of 42nd Street died before opening night in 1956, and the producer did not tell the cast of the death until after the opening night performance.
Do yourself a favor, get away from CNN, CSPAN, FOX NEWS, and leave laughing to the last door slam at Lend Me a Tenor, playing through January 26.
Book your suite next door to the doings in the producers’
suite at the WBT Hotel. Call the box office at (914) 592 2222 or go to www.BroadwayTheatre.com.
The Doral Arrowwood Resort has filed notice that it would be closing on January 12, reports WPDH Radio 101.5 on the Boris and Robin Show
The luxury resort features a golf course, pond, and plenty of extra amenities for their upscale guests. The Doral Arrowwood’s website also boasts a fine dining restaurant and English style pub.
All check-outs must be made by Monday, January 6.
The show reported on its website:
“According to a filing with the State of New York, the Doral Arrowwood is closing due to “loss of funding.” It’s unclear what the future of this sprawling property will be but for now, it’s expected to be shuttered later this month after all of the 275 employees are laid off.
