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WPCNR BAY WATCH. From National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. June 30, 2010:

With a week, two swimmers have disappeared in surf off Long Island, being swept out to deep water by a riptide. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there is definitely a strategy to extracating yourself from such a tide if you retain your composure.

In the most recently accident of Rockaway Beach this morning, there were signs posted on the beach explaining graphically exactly what to do if caught in a rip.

With thousands heading out to the Rockaways, the Hamptons, Fire Island, Jones Beach, Gilgo and Robert Moses State Park this weekend, on Long Island’s South Shore…notorious for it’s big surf and rip currents (due to its shallow water, parents should familarize themselves and instruct their teens and children what to do if caught in a rip current.

Here is what to do if you find yourself caught in a current taking you out into deep water over your head, and you cannot overcome the force of the rip.:

Rip currents are the most hazardous beach condition a swimmer can face. Not only on Long Island beaches, but anywhere there are breaking waves, the Great Lakes included.

Over 100 people drown in rip currents every year. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that rip currents are so very easy to avoid, and very easy to escape if you do happen to get caught up in one.

Rip currents are sometimes mistakenly referred to as riptides and undertow. These names are misnomers because although rip currents pull swimmers away from shore they have nothing to do with the tides and they do not pull swimmers under.

The real danger with rip currents is not that you’re getting pulled away from shore, but how you react.

Most swimmers will panic and try to swim against the current. They will tire quickly and soon go under.

The key to surviving a rip current is to swim out of it, not against it. This is done by swimming parallel to shore.

Since rip currents are fairly narrow you will be out of the “rip” in no time. You can either swim back to shore or let the waves help you back in.

What exactly is a rip current?
A rip current is a narrow stream of water traveling swiftly away from shore. Rip currents are formed when water piles up on the beach instead of flowing sideways away from the breaking waves as it normally does.

Eventually, so much water builds up that the pressure cuts a narrow path through the waves back out sea. The resulting current can be 30 to 100 feet wide and can move at speeds up to 5 miles per hour.

Rip currents are common around piers and jetties so it is wise to avoid swimming near these things.

Spotting rip currents
A rip current looks like a small river on the water’s surface flowing away from the beach. They are sometimes brownish and foamy and can flatten incoming waves making the sea look calm. Once past the breakers the current will disperse frequently forming a mushroom shape.

The danger
Rip currents kill by dragging swimmers out into deep water. While fighting to swim back to shore the swimmer becomes exhausted, can no longer stay afloat and drowns.

Many non-swimmers are caught in rip currents when standing in shallow water. The powerful rip currents knock them off their feet and carry them away. Since they don’t know how to swim they invariably drown.

If you don’t know how to swim but like to wade in the surf, please learn how to recognize rip currents and avoid them.

Surviving a rip current

• Never swim where there are no life guards.
  
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• Before entering the water look around to see if you can spot any rip currents. If so, stay away from those areas.
  
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• If you find yourself being pulled out to sea, don’t panic. You are caught in a rip current that you can swim out of. To get out of the rip swim parallel to shore. That is, swim so that the shore is either to your right or your left. Never swim against the current.

Original files for the following and other safety graphics are available from NOAA’s rip current graphics page (opens in new window)

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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From the Gallery Coverage By John F. Bailey. June 29, 2010: Judge Stephen C. Robinson after hearing both sides persuaded Mr. Zuckerman, the city attorney (of Lamb & Barnosky), to acknowledge that irreparable harm could conceivably be done to certain retirees by the new city policy due to take effect July 1 of requiring retirees to pay 15% of their medical benefits going forward (even, the judge admonished, if only one retiree was unable to pay and lose their health benefits).

After an hour and 20 minutes of fascinating, lively, and weighty thrust and parry between White Plains Retirees Association lawyer, Albert Pirro, Junior and City of White Plains lawyer, Richard Zuckerman, Judge Stephen C. Robinson of the U.S. District Court, southern Division thanked both barristers for their framing of the arguments.

Albert J. Pirro, Jr., leaving Federal Court in White Plains Tuesday afternoon. He has until Thursday to retort in detail to the city’s two citings of case law the city says justify retiree medical premium payments who have received medical coverage without charge for decades.

The Judge is giving Mr. Pirro until Thursday to submit official rebuttals to two case submissions entered by Mr. Zuckerman earlier this afternoon, and indicated he would issue a decision before July 10 on whether to grant Mr. Pirro’s motion for a preliminary injunction while the case was tried

Mr. Zuckerman contended the city was within their rights to change the amount retirees under previous police contracts  based on two state cases, one of which had ruled that if retirees’ rights (to such entitlements previously in effect) were not specifically addressed in a new contract (such as the one negotiated by police in 1996), the town of Sewanaka had the right to reduce retiree benefits.

Mr. Pirro rejected this interpretation because the case involved pensions, not health care benefits, so “it was not applicable under state law.” In the second case cited by the city’s attorney, Mr. Zuckerman argued that a contract was changed by an ordinance, similar to the city ordinance the Common Council changed the health care premium contribution May 24, having the effect of law. 

Pirro, speaking apparently extemporaneously  countered both cases, pointing out the city position that the police union “could have and should have” negotiated for continuance of previous retiree benefits in the July 1, 1996 contract, was not applicable because the first police contract signed in 1967 contained the  language reading “all conditions not specifically confirmed in this contract should be maintained.” Mr. Pirro in presenting his opening arguments cited a number of cases supporting the retirees’ position

Pirro also argued this city argument fails in his opinion  because the original police contract in 1967 guaranteed rights  contained in a Resolution (which states “public policy”) while an “ordinance” is simply “legislation enacted,” and resolutions (policy) state the intent of the city.

Zuckerman said that the Sewanaka case ruled that retirees not represented by the union were not automatically continued to enjoy benefits enjoyed by the union, unless specifically mentioned and covered by the contract.

Mr. Pirro countered this by pointing out that since retirees were not represented by the union any more meant that because of the contract they were hired under, that the benefits they were hired under and worked under should be continued (using the original police contract language back in 1967).

Zuckerman argued the case really belonged in arbitration because it was a matter of contract intepretation. Mr. Pirro stated to the judge his clients would not consider arbitration because they are no longer part of a union contract, and this was a matter of breach of contract.

Mr. Zuckerman, Mr. Pirro alleged, confused  the conditions of one contract with another in making his arguments to the judge justifying the city’s right to cut their share of medical premiums.

Judge Robinson chided Mr. Zuckerman for arguing recent city union contracts were instruments for changing work rules such as  certain standard procedures like “breaks,” while not reserved for discussion of continuing medical benefits.

Judge Robinson observed to Mr. Zuckerman that the letter from city Commissioner of Finance, Michael Genito, in which failure to pay the first quarter medical premium “may result” in cancellation of health insurance could cause “irreparable harm” to some retirees.

The Judge gave Mr. Pirro until Thursday to give his arguments, (apparently made off the cuff today) in response to arguments submitted by the city quite late.

Court did not convene until 2:20 P.M. Judge Robinson noted he himself had not thoroughly familiarized himself with the caselaw.

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WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. By John F. Bailey. June 28, 2010:

Larry Salley, County Transporation Commissioner up until last Friday, has retired, Westchester County spokesperson Donna Green confirmed to WPCNR today.

She said Salley is the first county commissioner to accept County Executive Rob Astorino’s county retirement incentive plan. Ms. Green told WPCNR that the county is waiting until Thursday when those 270 employees who have announced they are interested in taking county incentive will have to confirm whether they will actually do so. Green said it is unclear at this time whether the county will publish a complete list of those opting for Mr. Astorino’s incentive offer.

Mr. Sallee is currently Chairman of the White Plains Housing Authority, which it is unclear at this time whether he will continue at that position.

Green said Sallee had worked for the county many more years than the 20 required to receive retirement benefits.

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WPCNR MAN ABOUT TOWN By John F. Bailey. June 27, 2010:

The Livanos first family of Westchester restaurateurs latest creation, the Moderne Barn on Route 22 in Armonk, just North of Exit 3S and 3N on I-684 gives singles with Franklins in their wallets a new level of social interaction way above any local sports bar,  with plenty of conversation corners.

MODERNE BARN, ARMONK — MAIN FLOOR MINGLING– Seen from Balcony.

The Livanos Family opens another unique venue! From left, Nick Livano, Corina, John and Bill Livanos.

The Westchester horsey set will enjoy the atmosphere where barristers,realtors and any tycoons left who deal and the insulated hedge fund crowd with the genuine masculine polish of Manhattan sophistication and the diversity of dining tastes. I think will appeal to the culinary standards of the dine out for entertainment crowd.

Entrance (to right).

From the moment you walk in the joint, well you’re somewhere else!  Rugged sophistication radiates from the airy vaulted “barney” rich dark wood décor ceiling that welcomes you in. Globe gaslight design lights, futuristic wagon wheel chandeliers over the seductive close-in bar which will be a magnet for singles,  to the wine loft above your head, the French Quarter catwalk, and the circular sweep of staircase to dining balcony, to the daring touch of horse blanket upholstery in roomy, semi private “dining stalls,” it’s a winning combination of country and city style.

The Wine Loft…and Catwalk.

Friends and customers and distinguished members of the press were guests of The Livanos family at a preview last week. Right away, impeccable, gliding genial wait staff, a trademark of Livanos’ establishments circulated with trays of tasty hors d’oeurvres, which were sophistications of taste by themselves just saying “Manhattan”: pistaccio crusted Roquefort Grapes; refreshing watermelon gazpacho, barn chopped salad, shrimp ceviche in cucumber cups, seared filet on fingerling chips.

Suburban Street’s Jim Benerofe with Bill Livanos, often seen at City Limits in White Plains..(Official Friday Hangout of the White Plains Week News Team).

Then came the hotties: lamb lollipops with lavender honey, pancetta wrapped black mission figs, spinach feta spanakopita with really zesty tzatziki dip, and crab cake fritters to die for, garnishedn with whole grain mustard aoli.

Jim Benerofe of Suburban Street with Brenda Starr at one of the cosy booths fashioned of horse blankets by designer Kim Nathanson, daughter of Livanos designer Moris Nathanson.

Later entrees made their debut, which Brenda Starr and I were unable to stay for. The Moderne Barn features Livanos’ way with seafood, including tortilla crusted salmn, wild striped bass, day boat scallops and lobster cobb salad. There’s pasta: seafood risotto, mint pappardelle, orrechiette, ricotta gnocchi. Meats:the Barn Burger, Freebird Chicken, Veal Milanese and a stable of steaks. You can likely spend about $60  a person with a drink for appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

Moderne Barn features plenty of free parking (get that, White Plains, free parking) for your Rolls to you Corolla, no hitching posts for your horse, though.  It’s reminiscent not in decor but in atmosphere of the legendary hangout on Long Island’s North Shore, Andre’s where Gold Coast hipsters, singles, and sophisticated mansion minglers hung out on Route 25A.

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WPCNR COMMUTER COURIER. From Westchester County Department of Transportation. June 24, 2010:

Service on two Bee-Line shuttle routes will be eliminated and reduced on nine other routes, including the Westchester-Manhattan express bus, on Monday (June 28) when the county’s Department of Transportation implements its summer service changes.  
           

 Shuttle Loop E that serves the Manhattanville Road area in Purchase and Loop T that operates along White Plains Road in Tarrytown will be discontinued.  The Department of Transportation estimates that these schedule changes will save approximately $1.7 million in operating costs this year and over $3 million in 2011. 
            Other changes include:

·       The Westchester-Manhattan express bus will run only peak hour service; all service on weekends and weekday midday and evening hours will be discontinued.  

·       Route 7 trips during off-peak midday hours will be reduced.

·       Route 14 buses will terminate in downtown White Plains instead of Bloomingdale Road.

·       Routes 18 and 31 trips serving the Peekskill railroad station will be reduced.

·       Route 42 weekday evening and Saturday trips will start and end at White Plains Road and East 241st Street in the Bronx instead of East 233rd Street.

·       Some Shuttle Loop B, D and F trips will be discontinued.

·       Route 6 trips on Sundays between White Plains and Valhalla will be discontinued.

·       Routes 75 and 91 daily service to Playland will start on Tuesday, June 29.  However, Route 92 daily summer service between Playland and White Plains will not be offered this year.

New schedules and a brochure explaining the schedule changes are onboard all Bee-Line buses.  Information is also available by calling the Bee-Line hotline at 914-813-7777 or by logging on to www.westchestergov.com/beelinebus.