The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wish of local girl

CENTRAL VALLEY-The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley presents a special benefit concert featuring the Beatles tribute band, "Twist and Shout," this Saturday, Oct. 23, for Taylor Jane Wentink. Taylor is 10 years old. She was diagnosed in April 2003 with glioblastoma, a form of brain tumor on the spinal chord. She was operated on in March 2003, but surgeons could only remove 40 percent of the tumor. Since then, she has undergone experimental chemo therapy. Her last MRI at the N.Y.U. Medical Center indicated that the tumor had shrunk a small amount. The Make-A-Wish Foundation arranged for Taylor and her family - parents Maria and John, and her sisters Rebecca, 8, Kayla, 5 and Hope, 15 months - to take a Disney cruise earlier this month. She enjoys school, playing on the computer and is an avid N.Y. Yankees fan. The benefit concert, which includes Rob Schiff and Friends and the Jon George Band as opening acts, begins at 7 p.m. in the Monroe-Woodbury High School Auditorium. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at Artistic Images, Show Case of Awards, Laura Ann Farms, Just a Buck Shop Rite Plaza, GNC Federal Plaza and at all Monroe Woodbury Schools. Sponsors of the event include: Flowers By David Anthony; Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush; Captains Table, Big Mike's Pizza; GNC Federal Plaza; Laura Ann Farms; Bagel World; J.N.M. Barber Pole; and Artistic Images. For more information or to make reservations, call (845) 537-0289. To make donations, send checks payable to "Make A Wish c/o Taylor Wentink," 113 Woodhills Drive, Goshen N.Y. 10924.