For Immediate Release

WLIW21 New York Public Television’s Seventh Annual
AWARDS IN EXCELLENCE GALA

"Celebrating Our Town – Bridging Communities"
Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 6:30 PM,
The Pierre, New York

A Black-Tie Televised Event Hosted by Ben Vereen
Rhona H. Silver Honored for Excellence in Community Outreach

WLIW21 New York Public Television's seventh annual Awards in Excellence Gala, celebrating "Our Town – Bridging Communities,"
will take place on Wednesday, February 12, 2003 at 6:30pm at The Pierre in New York. Entertainer Ben Vereen hosts, and The
Peter Duchin Orchestra will entertain.

"As a generous community leader and philanthropist, Rhona Silver embodies the theme of this year's Gala - public television's ability to broaden horizons and connect individuals," said WLIW21 President and General Manager Terrel L. Cass. "Just as programs like 'BBC World News,' 'Sesame Street,' WLIW's cultural documentaries, and our Instructional Television Service offer bridges to lifelong learning, Ms. Silver's dedication to the betterment of Long Island is a valuable resource for our community." All proceeds will be dedicated to the continuation of outstanding and innovative programs produced and broadcast by WLIW21.

Rhona Silver was born into the catering business. At age 10 she often helped with her parents' catering facility in the Bronx. She attended Lehman College and Hofstra Law School, graduating in only two years. She taught law in Adelphi's MBA program and worked in a law office but never lost her passion for the catering business. In fact, she catered off-site at prestigious hotels including The Pierre, and her client list read like a "Who’s Who." She has owned the Huntington Townhouse since 1997 and has developed it into the largest catering facility in the country, frequently donating it to worthwhile organizations. Among her many honors for her business expertise and humanitarian accomplishments, Rhona received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2002.

In addition to Ms. Silver the Gala will honor Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan (PBS Celebrity of the Year); The Children's Storefront, An Independent School in Harlem (Excellence in Humanity and Community Service); Louis H. Siracusano President, Video Services Corporation (Excellence in Communications & Engineering); David S. Slackman President, Manhattan Market Commerce Bank (Excellence in Economic Development); and Bill Zanker, President, The Learning Annex (Excellence in Adult Education).

The event's co-chairs are Charlotte Nichoson Ackert, 2nd Vice Chairman of WLIW21 New York's Board of Trustees, and John A. Catsimatidis, Chairman and CEO, Red Apple Group. Gala benefactors are Charlotte and David Ackert, Margo and John A. Catsimatidis, and Commerce Bank. Tiffany & Co has generously donated the awards.

A one-hour broadcast of highlights from the event will air on Thursday, February 20 at 10pm and Sunday, February 23 at 4pm on WLIW21.

WLIW21 New York is the fourth most-watched public television station in the United States, reaching an average weekly cumulative audience of nearly two million households in the New York metropolitan area. As a resource for national public television stations, WLIW21 New York distributes live daily broadcasts of BBC World News and is the producer of PBS specials including a series celebrating the cultural diversity of America and the VISIONS aerial series. Visit WLIW21 online at www.wliw.org.