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Pace University, working with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, is hosting a conference on Safety & Security for Faith-Based Institutions on Thursday, October 17. The all-day conference features experts from the FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, New York State Police, and the Port Authority of NYNJ, among other regional emergency departments and first-responders.
The keynote speakers are from the FBI’s New York Field Office, and Rev. Anthony Thompson, pastor of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, whose wife was among nine people killed by a white supremacist during a bible study group. Rev. Thompson is the author of a book about the incident and its aftermath titled, Called to Forgive: The Charleston Church Shooting, a Victim’s Husband, and the Path to Healing and Peace.
The conference will also include a briefing on different types of threats, information on mitigating threats, and steps to take to survive active shooter incidents. The event will provide an opportunity to learn what law enforcement officials in our region are doing to protect their religious and faith-based institutions within the communities they serve.
Who: Officials from Pace University, the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Port Authority of NY&NJ, Westchester Medical center, the New York State Police, and Westchester County Department of Public Safety.
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AN AMERICAN IN PARIS GLOWS WITH INGENUES (DELIGHTFUL DEANNA DOYLE AS LISE with JERRY (DEVOTED, LIGHT ON HIS FEET, WINNING BRANDON HAAGENSON), BEAUTIFUL BENEFACTORESSES, HAPPILY EVER AFTERS. S’ WONDERFUL!
All Photographs, courtesy, Westchester Broadway Theatre by John Vecchiola
WPCNR STAGE DOOR. Theatrical Review by John F. Bailey. October 15, 2019:
An American in Paris, the Westchester Broadway Theatre fall show charms the house!
From the plaintive Bryan Uhl trumpet solo that starts the show of WBT shows (its largest cast ever), wooing you to a Paree with his melancholy siren solo of the first notes of Rhapsody In Blue, (you’ll recognize it) you’re into a new beginning: three guys loose on the squares, deciding to make a new start in post-war Paree.
There’s the G.I. artist, Jerry Mulligan (winningly impressionable song and dance man Brandon Haagenson,right) with sketch pad, drawing the charms of the city; the Paris roue’ Henri Baurel (a highly competitive aristocrat nailed with snooty perfection by Jonathan Young,left), and pianoman composer Adam (played with NY savvy, pathos and Billy Joel toughness by Thomaso Antico (right)– a rollicking trio of hopefuls dance, sing, and fall in love with Paris. And, ladies you will love these leads.
The trio swings into I Got Rhythm and you swing with them to an 11-member orchestra that has its way with the Gershwins’ classics, never overplays.
The hardest working dance ensemble delivers the works, flying across the stage in contemporary dance, reckless lifts, sensitive ballet, clack-clip-slap-shuffle tap a lot of tap that will get you tapping while the songs have their way with your hearts
Baurel (Jonathan Logan) the roue’ is highly protective of the ingénue of ingénues, whom Baurel wants to marry–Deanna Doyle who stops traffic on the square and Mulligan sees her, meets her cute, (just like you’re supposed to). Naturally he has to draw her, and is smitten.
Doyle dances with divinity and stands out in the crowd, and just can’t make up her mind between the rich aristocrat and the kid artist with a dream. Grabs you by the strings of your heart! I tell you AAIP hits you in the heart. Love at first sight and all that great feeling. Mulligan brims with champagne feeling, in his Beginner’s Luck as he cavorts with Lise, who cautions him singing The Man I Love.
The three guys in Paris combine on S’ Wonderful a timeless Gershwins’ standard that speaks to the wonder more than I can say. You have to hear the whirl and spin and see the dancing and you get caught up in the headiness of new love.
But what’s new love without temptation?
That temptation comes when Jerry catches the eye of the elegant woman of interest Milo Davenport, beautiful gallery owner of sophistication. She sets her cap for him. She introduces Jerry around town and fancies him, creating frissons of conflicted passions, the seductive lady of means vs. the angel Lise who empowers his dreams.
Lauren Sprague plays the statuesque Milo with style, class and a j’ne sais quoi hard to resist charisma and dominates the stage especially on her invitation number, Shall We Dance.
The fast moving 1 hour first act leaves just in time, for the dance packed second act as the romantic triangles intrigue.
Adam (Thomaso Antico) the pianoman and narrator, and Lauren Spraugue’s Milo rue their outside-looking-in-at love situation showcasing their disappointment at the way their loves are going (Adam cannot get over Lise, whom he is writing a ballet for). (Milo is frustrated Mulligan fancies Lise). They put all this very human feeling into the bluesy But Not For Me.
The second Act takes the audience on a Stairway to Paradise with three blockbuster dance numbers in a row— I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise, An American in Paris by the Company with a showcase of tap, ballet, modern dance blending seamlessly by Director and Choreographed by Richard Stafford.
Just when it’s just about done and you’re thinking there’s no more you are treated to the best song in the show which sends everyone home ecstatic with their successes in love and thankful for their chances at love, Adam (Tommaso Antico) croons the classic They Can’t Take That Away From Me. His softshoe and silky smooth treatment is just right, and when Henry (Jonathan Baurel) and Jerry (Brandon Haagenson) join him, this fairy tale of love’s ability to sweep you away does it again.
It is Westchester’s Hot Ticket.
An American in Paris dances it up through November 24. Check out www.BroadwayTheatre.com and have your people call the box office at 914-592-2268. A great show and a relaxing dinner, the Gershwin classics, and an ingénue, three guys and a woman of interest and a happy ending.
You’re going to love it.
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WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2020. From Buchwald for Congress. October 14, 2019:
Assemblymember David Buchwald of White Plains announced this weekend his candidacy for Congress in NY-17. His video announcement can be seen here.
“Hi, I’m David Buchwald. Today I announce that am running for NY-17 to serve as a member of Congress in the next election. I want to thank Congressmember Nita Lowey for her years of service, her integrity and for being a strong progressive voice against the dangerous extremism of Donald Trump. I pledge to continue her work with the same integrity, progressive vision and true blue Democratic values. This will not be an easy election, but I have never shied away from a fight.”
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SERENDIPITY LABS HOSTS THE WPCNA
The October meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, 7:30PM at 44 SOUTH BROADWAY (1st Floor).
The WPCNA will be touring the newly opened Serendipity Labs location and will be welcomed by Serendipity Labs staff who will give an overview of the company and answer any questions by attendees. Light refreshments will be served.
Serendipity Labs recently opened their newest location in White Plains. Located on the first floor of the 44 South Broadway building, which is in the BID (Business Improvement District) part of White Plains and adjacent to the Westchester Mall, this location is centrally located for anyone looking to occupy some available work space.
Serendipity Labs is in the hospitality business, not the office rental business. Each Serendipity Labs workplace is staffed by members from the local community. Serendipity Labs network is growing through owned, managed and franchised locations in office buildings, high-rise residential projects, hotels and retail properties, with over 100 locations currently under development.
Membership plans range from full-time, dedicated offices, to co-working plans to occasional drop-in plans, Serendipity Labs offers productive, welcoming environments that meet the on-demand workplace needs of remote and mobile workers, business travelers and project teams.
Their hospitality teams also deliver offsite meeting and corporate event experiences. Serendipity Labs members can choose the way they want to work, connect, collaborate and thrive. Members also get corporate service standards in technology, security, communication, and document management.
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. By Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Supervisor. October 13, 2019:
A PROPOSAL TO HELP COMBAT HATE CRIMES–POLICE, WESTCHESTER SHOULD COMPILE A HATE CRIME REPORTING FORM THAT WOULD BE SHARED AND HELP US TRACK HATE CRIMES
Our county has experienced numerous Anti Semitic incidents in recent months. Scarsdale, White Plains, Pleasantville have experienced Anti Semitic incidents in the last few weeks alone. The problem is escalating.
There have been rallies and commentaries expressing disgust at what has been happening but we need to do more than just be outraged.A suggestion that I think could help us deal with this crisis: a Hate Crime reporting form that would enable us to track hate crimes.
I suggest that a meeting of government officials, the police, representatives of the DAs office, and civic leaders be held to discuss implementation. The hate crime reporting form should be compiled by every law enforcement agency in the county and shared with each municipality. Much of the information should be made public.
To further outline what might be in the form these are suggestions: more about collecting data on the crimes.
It would work like domestic violence stating if police respond to a crime and there is any element of hate they must record:- the location- the offense (graffiti, hate speech, physical violence,..)- the victim (perhaps it is a person or a school facility or a monument)- how the incident/crime is categorized (so many are criminal mischief) or even if a charge is filed
A separate part that is equally as important is:- follow-up process with victim (with DV information is given about local resources, with this my thought was always the Westchester County Human Rights Commission is given as a resource, but there should be other resources listed)-
if the perpetrator is caught- punishment vs. initial charges
We need to first collect data to know what is happening and where. Just getting the police to respond to each incident and record it seems essential. The follow-up might really be with the DA’s office, which is why it is great that you are including them on the email.
I am going to copy the District Attorney of Westchester, the Jewish Council of Westchester, the Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Westchester, NAACP, WESPAC and Anti Defamation League and organizations that advocate for individuals of the Muslim faith, CAIR, AMWA and leaders of the LGBT community as well as the Westchester Human Rights offices, the Governor’s office, the County Executive.
This suggestion was originally made to me by human rights activist Jodie Reaver.
The point of collecting the data is to begin to understand t is occurring in our localities. Once that is understood then perhaps education and outreach can occur to address the underlying causes of hate.
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Here’s the YouTube link for WPW of 10-11-19
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WPCNR REALTY REALITY. From the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors. October 9, 2019:
Overall residential sales decreased by 1.6% in Westchester County in the 3rd quarter of the year, due to a 16-1/2% decline in Co-op sales. (from 545 last year’s 3rd quarter down to 455 in July-August-Sept 2019).
Single Family Homes in Westchesterland grew 1% from 1,919 in July-August-September last year to 1,939 this year.
The median price of a Single family home grew 3% to $699,000 from $678,500 a year ago. The average sales price of a single family home sold in this year’s third quarter is $907,900 compared $879,313 last year, a slight rise of 3%.
Condominium sales rose 3.2% from 401-to 414, while the average sale price of a condo rose 2.4% to $467,396 up from $456,396 a year ago, pretty much of a “wash.”
The HGAR analyst are concerbed about low inventory: “There was virtually no relief from the low inventory numbers that Realtors have been bemoaning for several years and that continues to be a hindrance to sales growth. With a low inventory, buyers often find it difficult to find housing that fits their criteria.”
Leah Caro, President of Park Sterling Realty in Bronxville explained the drop in Westchester co-op sales was due to the popularity of co-ops which has increased the average price of co-ops on the market. “When sales go up, prices go up, and people wait until affordability goes down. Now is actually a great time to buy a co-op, but you have to have all your ducks in a row, prepared to meet the average down payment on co-ops which is 10% to 20%.”
Caro said generally co-ops will allow about 80% financing but you as the buyer have to have a cash reserve. Caro noted inventory of co-ops for sale is down, too contributing to the higher prices.
The report from HGAR was bullish on commercial developments: “The region is experiencing an active commercial market with several economic development projects in progress: LEGOLAND in Orange County and a $100 Million film studio in Yonkers.”
The average price of a co-op sold in the last three months was $212,251, up 3% over last year at this time (when it was $205,792. Co-op prices are the lowest priced residential ownership entry market . Caro said the price of a co-op can range from$50,000 to 2 Million.
HGAR touted Westchester County positives : “Tourism in every county in the region had significant increases for 2018 and unemployment remains at historic lows. A healthy economy with low mortgage interest rates indicates that the housing market is on solid ground for the foreseeable future.”
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. From the Board of Directors of the Gedney Association. October 9, 2019:
Dear Members of the Common Council:
As you know the French American School of New York (FASNY) put approximately 48 acres on the market for sale earlier this year. More recently we have learned from potential purchasers that FASNY is entertaining offers for the entire former Ridgeway Country Club property.
The former golf course property is one of the largest remaining open spaces in the City. Importantly, the entire property is designated as an environmentally sensitive site characterized by watercourses, wetlands, steep slopes, a lake and pond. The Comprehensive Plan states that should a golf course no longer be feasible then the property should be developed at the lowest density residential zone.
In recognition of these features, the Common Council, a number of years ago, unanimously rezoned the property to the R-30 zone. The R-30 zone permits detached single-family homes on minimum lots of 30,000 square feet.
The former Ridgeway Country Club property is characterized by other unique features. Primary among them are that:
It is not a single, large 129 acre parcel separated from the adjoining properties. Indeed, the former golf course’s parcels are narrow, ribbon-like tracts that back up upon single-family detached homes. Therefore, it is essential that any proposed development be in conformity with the existing character of the Gedney Farms neighborhood and adhere to the R-30 zoning classification. Any subdivision plan must be carefully designed so all non-buildable areas are deducted before any calculation of the number of R-30 residential lots.
Lastly, The Gedney Association expects the Common Council to mandate preservation of the same amount of usable open space as proposed in earlier applications.
When appropriate, we are prepared to discuss in greater detail the neighborhood’s views and concerns regarding the possible development of this very important property with you.
Very truly yours,
The Board of the Gedney Association