WPCNR MILESTONES. January 16,2012 UPDATED:

Arnold Clinton, a wrestling coach and Junior Varsity coach for White Plains High School passed away unexpectedly Friday, of a sudden illness according to friends' posts on Facebook.

Mr. Clinton was a graduate of White Plains High School in the early 1980s, and was approximately 47 years old.

According to the Facebook page, venue for the services has chanced.

Services will be held for Mr. Clinton at the Bethel Baptist Church in White Plains beginning Tuesday morning at 11 A.M. with a wake followed by the funeral service. More information as it is developed by WPCNR.

WPCNR WESTCHESTER EXCELLENTIAL By John F. Bailey. January 14, 2012:

As Andy Rooney might have said if he was into yoga, “Why is it when I go to yoga the exercise areas are always crowded, noisy, and I always have to look at my body in mirrors and think about anything but my inner self?”

Well former Wall Street strategist Irene Sinyavin (left)and Olga Morozova want to talk to serious yoga enthusiasts--men and women-- about their new European style yoga facility, Scarsdale Yoga Studios. It does away with the "competitive distractions" you will experience at existing Westchester yoga venues.

The SYS  is going to transform yoga in Westchester, creating “a true sanctuary for adults" to “explore and nurture themselves."

The two founders of SYS,Irene and Olga, two living testimonies to the focus, vision and physical benefits of yoga,  will be at their Scarsdale railroad plaza Office,(on the corner of the plaza, as you drive in),  this week to tell you about their new facility that will be Westchester’s most spacious, effective and relaxing yoga experience for members only.

If you’re shopping in Scarsdale or out and about this week, Irene and Olga will be at their Office Kiosk at the Scarsdale train station shopping plaza to talk to serious or beginning yoga enthusiasts beginning all day Monday through Friday, 7 AM. To 8 P.M. all the way up to opening month when they open: February.

Ms. Sinyavin, a devotee of the upper levels of yoga as it is practiced in Europe, recognized the need for a Westchester “best-of-the-best” yoga spa while visiting her friend  Olga in Bronxville several years ago. She conducted surveys and determined there would be the upscale market in the county that would support such a facility. 

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPH OF THE DAY. From the WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER ABOARD THE SOUTHERN CRESCENT. January 2, 2011:

Today's photo is of the Birmingham Alabama yards, shot from the window of Amtrak's  Southern Crescent rolling to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl by a WPCNR correspondent.

A Southern Railways Switcher and Burlington Northern engine await duty in the Birmingham Alabama yards as The Crescent rolls on to New Orleans. Photo by Juliana Bailey

WPCNR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY. By the WPCNR ROVING PHOTOGRAPHER. December 24, 2011:

Santa put in an early appearance; Mayor Tom Roach opened the show; the hockey players demonstrated toughness and dazzling agility in the show in their first appearance ever, fifteen ice princess soloists impressed parents and grandparents as they always do, and all classes performed with poise and tenacity in three group numbers as they every year at the Ebersole Rink Holiday Show this week.

The Ebersole community ice programs are enjoying sustained growth thanks to the fabulous refurbished Ebersole Rink complete with new roof upgradeand Wi-Fi; video screens, and enthusiasm of new beginning skaters in the best supervised instructional programs in the county. Our Roving Photographer captured White Plains Stars-to-Be and Stars on Ice and Old-Timers who never forget their Ebersole Days-- Ebersole is part of growing up in White Plains, New York, USA:

The ever-popular Tots 1, Tots 2 and Special Alpha open the big show!

Click Read More for more Pictures of the Show!

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK.  Reprinted from editions of the San Antonio Express and Grand Rapids Press.  December 4, 2011:

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By “Bull” Allen. November 6, 2011:

Now for a real issue!

Just the news Mets fans have been waiting for!

The Metropolitans announced they are moving in the fences at Citi Field next season.

The euphoria  with which the  fantasizing New York sports press has greeted this announcement last week is laughable.

Bringing them In! Left Field at Citi Field will be moved in to the new blue dimensions below.

NEW CITI FIELD LEFT FIELD WILL APPROACH EBBETS FIELD BANDBOX LEFT FIELD, SHOWN IN 1955

For the money they are going to spend on the fences, they could sign Albert Pujols for a year or two. Or better yet, sign Pujols and Prince Fielder.

That’s whom they need to gain a little credibility!

Memo to the Wilpons: Fans want teams that win. They don't come to see just homeruns.

Pujols and the Prince…that’s who I want. Put Pujols on first and  Fielder in left…it’s going to be so short Fielder’s bottom will be against the fence.

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 10, 2011:

Loucks Field, closed due to wrinkles appearing in its 3 year-old synthetic surface was flattened, cleaned and groomed Saturday morning by Sportcare of Bridgewater, New Jersey, a synthetic turf maintenance firm. 

Loucks Field as of 1 P.M. Saturday looked brand-new, flat and ready to be used despite dark areas of the surface indicating dampness.

A reliable source with knowledge of the present condictions, told WPCNR the water table at the field  remained high, and that an absorbent sock needed to be placed under the bleachers to absorb water coming down underneath the bleacher area as a further precaution

Pending further rains (forecast for this afternoon), the field looked in excellent condition, better than it has looked in sometime.

SportCare workers flattened the wrinkles in the field (existing since August 28,after Hurricane Irene), then groomed and cleaned the field with motorized brushes and rollers. They also filled in a gap near the west sideline bench with field filler material where an airspace had allowed water to get to the surface of the field that hand been created by a boulder creatinga gaps.

Middle of field to the North of the South Goal had contained a 30 yard wrinkle and the wrinkles were squeezed out by hand and is smooth as of 1:15 P.M.

A source familiar with the situation said  SportCare was called  and did the procedure for a fee of approximately $17,000. LandTek, the company that constructed the field that the school district originally was going to bring in to make the repairs was going to charge $62,700, and was expected to take three days. The cost will be paid by school district insurance.

Pending further unexpected effects from the high water table, or rains forecast for later this week, the field  should be playable for next Friday when White Plains is scheduled to play its first football game.

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 8, 2011:

The New York State insurer for hundreds of school districts will pay for repairs to the three year old $5.4 Million Loucks Field storm damage inflicted by Hurricane Irene, the School District Assisstant Superintendent for Business, Fred Seiler told WPCNR today.

After an inspection by a representative from New York State Insurance Reciprocal, Wednesday, the inspector found the three year old Field Turf installation at Loucks could not handle “the excessive amount of rain” (6.2 inches over two days) Hurricane Irene had poured on the field over 15 hours..

According  to Seiler, the expert said fields like Loucks can only handle about 3 inches of rain.  Seiler added  “the underground drains, the rain was too much for them to handle.”

Since the 6.2 inches were delivered by Hurricane Irene that caused the wrinkles which were discovered on the field Monday of last week, the field has sustained 4.81 inches more rain (according to the Westchester County Airport) on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 6, 2011 UPDATED September 7:

 The Assistant Superintendent for Business for the White Plains schools confirmed to WPCNR Monday morning that the “wrinkles” making Loucks Field unplayable were first noticed Sunday, August 28, when Hurricane Irene was leaving the area.

Fred Seiler told WPCNR the district’s insurance company, New York State Insurance Reciprocal (which underwriters school districts exclusively) is sending their expert Tuesday to review the wrinkles with the Acting Director of Facilities, Bob May.

 The wrinkles, still in place after 7 days presently make the three year old Loucks Field unfit for athletic competition due to the possibility of athlete injury.

Seiler attributed the “wrinkles” to “the excessive amount of water coming down the hill there, and there’s a lot of ways the water can come down the hill.”

Seiler said he expected the insurance company would pay the cost of the repairs to the field that would be made by LandTek, the company that installed the field. Seiler also reported there were several other artificial turf fields in the area damaged by the rains, but was unable to name them.

Seiler said the field carried a warranty from LandTek, the installer, for only one year, and the New York State Insurance Reciprocal was the only insurer resource available to pay any repair costs.

According to news reports in Ridgewood, New Jersey, LandTek repaired wrinkles in the Ridgewood field by ironing out the wrinkles at a cost of $21,000. (See WPCNR previous report.)

WPCNR PRESS BOX. By John F. Bailey. September 6, 2011 :

The six inches of rain Hurricane Irene dumped on White Plains August 27-28 ending 8 days ago, has made 30 yards of the southend of the Loucks Field at White Plains High School unplayable eight days later.

Loucks Field Looking to South Goal Sunday afternoon. Wrinkles heaving up have made surface unplayable.

District has Closed the Turf portion of the field to the public.

Sunday, bunched up “wrinkles” averaging an inch and a half to 2 inches  in height in the middle of the field south turf were observed by this reporter. The high stepping wrinkles could cause players to trip in game action. The field showed evidence of saturation Sunday and again this morning.

Wrinkles up to  half a finger’s height exist as of Labor Day morning.

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK By “Bull” Allen. July 31, 2011:

Now for something truly significant.

Thanks to Felix Hernandez, the Seattle Mariners stalwart big righthander, who snapped the Mariners 18-game losing streak Wednesday in Yankee Stadium, and crummy start by Phil Hughes, something truly meaningful has been preserved:

The all-time major league losing streak in the modern baseball era of 23 straight losses by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies that has stood for 50 years, has been preserved for another generation and perhaps for eternity.

BEYOND THE GAME’s annual MLB COACHES CORNER edition features the Pittsburgh Pirates and will be shown WPPA Channel 76 & Fios Channel 45 Friday July 22, 9PM and Tuesday July 26, 10PM. In the National League’s Central Division the Bucs this season are looking to break an 18-yr losing streak. BEYOND THE GAME’s host, John Vorperian said, “The clubhouse doors were graciously thrown wide open for B.T.G. to meet with Manager Clint Hurdle’s brain trust.”

Taped at Citi Field, during batting practice before a contest against the NY Metropolitans, Pittsburgh coaches freely chatted about the challenges and opportunities they have this year to get the Charter NL franchise back on a winning track.

Hitting coach Gregg Ritchie highlights young stars Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker batting styles. Long Island native and former NY Met, now Bucs Pitching coach Ray Searage goes over the team’s arms. Coaches Nick Leyva and Jeff Banister point out the squad’s exposure to Winterball. Coach Luis Silverio assesses the roster and how Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente’s influences still impact the club and city.

At the All-Star break, the Pirates are playing above .500 ball.

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK. By Bull Allen. July 14, 2011:

CitiField From the Right Field Upper Deck. Batting Practice.

Please tell the fans you did not forget, Mr. Met?

Please tell the fans, you look at the standings, Fred?

Throwing in the towel at the the midway point only 7-1/2 games out just to help out a pal?

The Metropolitans' trading Francisco Rodriguez  their "ace reliever" to the Milwaukee Brewers is a deal reminiscent of the Nolan Ryan deal.

The Mets have traded K-Rod to the Brewers. What a surprise!

I nearly swallowed my White Owl panatella when I heard this. And the sportswriters don't even notice this reeks? Hear no evil. See no evil. Speak no evil at the press box buffet!

WPCNR VIEW FROM THE UPPER DECK By Bull Allen (John Bailey) Meets Phil Pepe, the King of the Corona (typewriter) in the Old Yankee Stadium mezzanine open air press box. May 29,  2011:

One of the great shows on Public Access Television White Plains is Beyond the Game, hosted the last decade by John Vorperian, crusading county attorney by day, sportscaster/interviewer, sabermetrician by night.

View from Phil Pepe's seat in the Old Yankee Stadium Press Box in the Mezzenine, 1961, when he covered the greatest Yankee team of them all: the 1961 Yankees and the Maris-Mantle homerun chase.

Mr. Vorperian gets the most interesting sports personalities dropping by his show. Last week, he invited me to meet Phil Pepe, the man who covered the Yankees in 1961 when Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris battled to beat Babe Ruth’s 60-homer record in a season, with the Rajah hitting number 61 on the final day of the season. I saw Maris hit that one on television off Tracy Stallard with Phil Rizzuto making the call on old WPIX Channel 11(Baseball and Ballantine; Baseball and Ballantine).It was fittingly the only run of the game, to beat the Red Sox, 1-0

I was 16 years old when I saw the September 1 Friday night game with the Tigers that year on a 95 degree night that the Yankees won, 1-0 in the ninth on a single by the Moose, Bill Skowron, after a tense duel between the Tigers Don Mossi and a string of Yankee pitchers who kept defusing Tiger threats. Well, I digress.

Mr. Pepe has written a book about the Maris-Mantle race for the home run crown, titled 1961 from Triump Books. (http://www.amazon.com/1961-Inside-Story-Maris-Mantle-Chase/dp/1600783902 That wonderful Yankee season featured the Bombers (they were Bombers then) holding off the Detroit Tigers by 3 games. The CitizeNetReporter interviewed Mr. Pepe after his BEYOND THE GAME appearance.

After Mr.Vorperian's show, I talked with Mr. Pepe about baseball today here’s his view from the Upper Deck:

WPCNR: How has Bud Selig done as Commissioner of Baseball? Good, bad, or what?

Phil Pepe: I think he’s done a terrific job. When he took over, him as an owner,  you thought well….but I think he’s really improved the game. He doesn’t get high marks on the steroids  situation (in the 90s). He should have known. We all should have known.He didn’t react to steroids right away, but he’s made a pretty good comeback since then.