The Evolution of Speed

How do animals evolve the ability to move extremely quickly? Professor Sheila Patek will look at two animals—trap-jaw ants and mantis shrimp—that have some of the fastest movements in the animal kingdom. Her lecture, "Airborne Ants and Smashing Shrimp: Accident and Intent in the Evolution of Movement," will explore the mechanics of how they produce these movements and possible scenarios for how they might have evolved. Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Bedford Audubon Society

Front Porch Colonial

Year Built: 1824
Square Feet: 2,148
Bedrooms: 4
Property: 2.5 acres
Location: Ossining, in the north-east corner of town
Best features: This classic colonial has old world charm and original details like gorgeous pine floors. The home has been updated and has the modern features many want. The front porch is picture perfect and the property is lovely. But...
Downside: The house is just a few hundred feet from the Taconic Parkway and must suffer from the noise. Some of the renovations—especially in the kitchen—are far too standard for my taste.
Taxes: $13,015
Asking Price: $699,222
Agency: Mark Seiden Real Estate
Maps: Google Map, bing map

Marketing and Improving Peekskill

Two recent articles point to different ways that Peekskill is trying to improve it's appeal to would-be residents. Sunday's New York Times had a piece on how the city is relaxing it's requirements for eligibility for its artists’ housing. Peekskill's downtown historic district has 49 subsidized live-work rentals over storefronts, as well as 28 co-op lofts. According to the article, the units draw artists from around the region, but tenants have become "scarce" in the current market. The city hopes that relaxing it's definition of "artist" will increase the number of eligible applicants. Another draw could be an improved connection between the downtown artists' district and the city's waterfront. The North County News reported that the city’s planning department recently unveiled a plan to make Central Avenue into a more vibrant and appealing corridor. The city is now creating a more comprehensive plan for the area, which will include code and design guidelines as well as incentives to lure developers into the area.

“Eclectic Illusions!"

The exhibit “Eclectic Illusions!" shows the works of Doris Renza. Through January 10  at The Flat Iron Gallery.

Weekend Picks

Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

Arts and Crafts Show Featuring the work of the Hudson Craft Collective, the Croton Artisans' Group, and loads of jewelry, ceramics, paintings, fiber arts, photo art, wood bowls, and glass work. Friday, 5:00 to 9:00 pm; Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Briarcliff, Croton and Ossining

Dave Fields Guitarist Dave Fields has been tearing up the Blues Charts with his hit songs, "Still Itchin" and "Train To My Heart." Friday, 9:30 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar

Candle Making Learn a little bit of candle-making history and then make your own hand-dipped candle. Registration required. Saturday, 11:00 am. Westmoreland Sanctuary

The Clay of Croton Learn about Native American pottery traditions and build pots from Croton Point clay. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Croton Point Park Nature Center

Ready, Set, Sleep Not everyone heads south for the winter—some animals burrow down into the leaf litter, some even freeze until spring. Discover how local wildlife survives the cold and snow. Saturday, 11:-00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

Wild Tea Party Adults can taste wild teas brewed from such plants as Sweetfern, White Pine, Goldenrod, and Mullein and learn some of the culinary, medicinal, and ceremonial uses of each plant. Saturday, 1:00 pm.  Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Botanical Art Show Opening Works in graphite, colored pencil, and watercolors will be on display. The inspiration for the art comes from the gardens and trees of Lasdon. Saturday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial

Al Jarreau Put a little jazz into your holiday as Grammy Award-winning Al Jarreau performs songs from his first ever Christmas album, “Al Jarreau - Christmas.” Saturday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Westchester Free Arts Day Museums throughout the county will be letting visitors in without charge and will be hosting special performances and events. See Wednesday's post for details. Sunday. ArtsWestchester

Peter Fletcher Classical guitarist Peter Fletcher performs. Sunday, 2:00 pm. John C. Hart Memorial Library

Cynthia Ozick The renowned author Cynthia Ozick reads from her works. Sunday, 2:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writer's Center

A Christmas Candlelight Concert Enjoy works by Mendelssohn, Holst, Saint-Saens, and Handel performed by Charis Chamber Voices. Sunday, 4:00 pm. Bedford Presbyterian Church

The Nutcracker The holiday classic is performed by the New York Theater Ballet. Sunday, 3:00 and 6:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Sonny Rollins Legendary jazz artist Sonny Rollins and his band perform a rare benefit for the Clearwater environmental organization.  Sunday, 2:00 pm. Tarrytown Music Hall

Off the Record With Alex Ross The New Yorker music critic and National Book Critic's Circle Award-winning author speaks about music today, with a performance of works by Aaron Copland. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Merestead

Mid-Century Calm

Year Built: 1950
Square Feet: 3,842
Bedrooms: 5
Property: 5.49 acres
Location: Bedford Hills, close to the village and to Katonah and Mt. Kisco
Best features: With walls of windows and slate floors, this mid-century dwelling exudes modern cool and sophistication. The house is well-sited to catch vistas of the property's lovely landscaping and two ponds.
Downside: The property might be a bit too close to the Saw Mill Parkway for some. And the taxes seem on the high side for the price range.
Taxes: $37,174
Asking Price: $1,695,000
Agency: Ginnel Real Estate
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Free Arts Day

This Sunday is ArtsWestchester's annual Free Arts Day. Museums throughout the county will be letting visitors in without charge and will be hosting special performances and events. Some highlights include:

• Sankofa African Drum and Dance Ensemble at Phillipsburg Manor, 2:30 pm. 
• The Living Theatre Museum Company performs Gift of the Magi at Sunnyside, 12:00 and 1:30 pm.
• Pianist Jim Keyes plays holiday and classical favorites at Van Cortlandt Manor, 2:00 pm
• Urban Fetch (right) plays modern rock at the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art, 4:00 pm.

Essential Funk

Funk/Soul diva Sharon Jones is backed by the Dap-Kings, an eight-piece funk band. Together they are "spearheads of a revivalist movement that aims to capture the essence of funk/soul music as it was at its height in the mid-1960s to mid-1970s," according to Wikepdia. Thursday, 8:00 pm. Tarrytown Music Hall

Blacklisted Hollywood

The documentary Trumbo tells the true story of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, one of the Hollywood Ten who defied the House Un-American Activities Committee by citing the First Amendment. Wednesday, 7:00 pm. Ossining Public Library

November Sales and Deals

The number of houses going to contract in November in the area this blog covers dropped a little from October but was a bit larger than a year ago—which is nothing to brag about. Three previously-featured Hot Properties found would-be buyers, including one very high-end home. Of the three that closed, the house in Yorktown did pretty well on price and time on the market, while the Ossining contempo didn't.

Contracts signed on single-family homes

October: 74
November: 68 
November 2008: 60

Hot Properties That Went to Contract

Location: Katonah
Featured: July 2, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $799,000
Final Asking Price: $695,000



Location: Croton
Featured: May 5, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $1,749,000
Final Asking Price: $1,695,000



Location: Bedford Hills
Featured: December 2, 2008
Asking Price When Featured: $14,500,000
Final Asking Price: $11,950,000




Hot Properties That Closed

 Location: Croton
 Featured: June 30, 2009
 Asking Price When Featured: $459,000
 Last Asking Price: $459,000
 Sold for: $390,000

Location: Yorktown
Featured: May 28, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $999,999
Last Asking Price: $999,999
Sold for: $910,000

Location: Ossining
Featured: November 4, 2008
Asking Price When Featured: $750,000
Last Asking Price: $599,000
Sold for: $525,000

Two Books, A Film, A Murderer

Charles Laughton’s cult hit The Night of the Hunter tells the frightening tale of Harry Powers (played by Robert Mitchum, left), who was hanged for the murders of two widows and three children. After the screening, author Jeffrey Couchman discusses his book The Night of the Hunter: A Biography of a Film, in which he examines the movie and the bestseller on which it was based. Tuesday, 7:30 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center 

Sunday Evening in the Park in Peekskill

Post-Turkey Trot

The annual Bedford Turkey Trot is a great way to burn off the holiday fat—and tension. Run, walk, dash, or stagger through historic Bedford Village. Saturday, 9:00 am.

Wi-Fi and Coffee

Metromix recently did a round-up of the best free Wi-Fi spots in Westchester, and four of them are in our area. They are the BeanRunner Cafe in Peekskill, the Peekskill Coffee House, the Footnote Cafe in the Ossining Public Library (which is run by the folks from the Wobble Cafe), and The Black Cow in Croton. There are certainly loads of other WiFi spots around—but those are definitely some of the best if you want a coffee with your access.
Images: Metromix

Home for the Holidays

Year Built: 1880
Square Feet: 2,644
Bedrooms: 5
Property: 0.11 of an acre
Location: Ossining, just west of S. Highland Avenue and close to everything
Best features: If you're looking for Victorian style and original details, this house might just do the trick. There's loads of woodwork, corner fireplaces, and a gorgeous porch. If you also want a renovated kitchen, this house has that, too—although it won't win any points for design (at least not from me). The price was just reduced from $524,222.
Downside: The exterior has vinyl siding. The house is pretty close to S. Highland Avenue (aka Route 9) and might be a bit noisy.
Taxes: $13,736
Asking Price: $494,222
Agency: Mark Seiden Real Estate
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Famous Folks from the Past

Second and 3rd graders can get to know some amazing inventors, explorers, and adventurers and then do a related craft or science project. Tuesday, 4:15 pm, at the Katonah Village Library.

Waterfowl Watch

According to an informative post on Westmoreland Sanctuary's Nature Notes, from now until the end of December, our area will be visited by Hooded Mergansers (left),  Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Canada Geese, and Ring-billed Gulls. Keep your eyes peeled!

Weekend Picks

Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester:

The Creative Process Watch as mixed media artist Amy A. Crawley sculpts heads, armatures, and body structures. The artist will create figures from polymer clay and discuss her creative process. Friday, 5:00 to 9:00 pm. Tappan Z Gallery

Linda Eder Acclaimed vocalist and Broadway star Linda Eder presents her new concert "All of Me," an evening of Broadway classics and vocal standards. Friday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts 

Morning Farm Chores Join the farm staff as they feed, groom, and take care of the animals. Saturday 8:00 to 9:30 am. Muscoot Farm

Sylvan Glen Hike Join a naturalist and Club Fit hike leader on a geologic tour of one of Yorktown’s hidden gems, a 200-acre former rock quarry. Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation 

Seeing Stories: Animal Adventures Children and a parent can listen to and act out stories about all kinds of furry creatures! There will also be instruments to create sound effects and short animated movies to enrich the experience. Saturday, 10:00 to 11:30 am. Jacob Burns Film Center 

Turkey Time Come learn about wild turkeys and their habits and ecology. Saturday, 10:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation 

Origami Holiday Ornaments Children will discover how to make a peace crane and other ornaments. Saturday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden 

Hands On in the Pasture Kids can lend a hand with a family-friendly farm chore, and help to collect fresh eggs. Saturday, 10:00 am. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Art of Food The 3rd annual innovative and tasty exhibition event. Saturday, 6:00 pm. Rutheny's Brook Street Gallery

An Evening of Coltrane Jazz drummer Bob Meyer and the Youth Quartet will perform works by John Coltrane. Saturday, 7:30 pm. BeanRunner Cafe 

Animals With a Bad Rap Meet a few maligned native species and learn the truth behind the myth. Sunday, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation 

Jasper String Quartet Inaugurating its residency, the Jasper String Quartet explores three quartets from Eastern Europe. Sunday at 4:00 pm. Caramoor Center for Music

More Than 2 Years Later…

I recently took a look back at the houses I featured when I first started this blog. While a handful appear to have been taken off of the market, almost all of the first Hot Properties found buyers. This lovely house is the exception. I featured it back in July, 2007 and it has apparently been on the market ever since. Located in Somers (with a Katonah address and Somers schools), the 2,600 square foot former cow barn was built in the 1850's. The house has 4 bedrooms and lovely original features and is set on 9 acres. The taxes aren't bad at $15,493, and the asking price has been reduced from $1,195,000 to $999,000. Houlihan Lawrence
Google Map, bing Map

Organic and Local

If you're looking for a turkey that is both organic and from nearby, check out Hemlock Hill Farm in Cortlandt Manor. The farm's store—which also sells fresh chickens, beef, pork, lamb, sausages, bacon, eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, and honey—has turkeys for $4.29/lb.  I drove by the farm last weekend and saw the gobblers out on the pasture, along with the Black Angus cattle. The farm's turkeys can also be purchased through My Personal Farmers.

Art for Alzheimers Sufferers

People with Alzheimer's disease and their families or care partners are invited to this gallery tour. Specially trained docents will guide participants through the interactive program, followed by a social hour. Thursday, 2:00 pm. Neuberger Museum of Art

With a Banjo on his...

Often considered the premier banjo player in the world, Béla Fleck joins forces with the Grammy-winning Flecktones, who've been presenting their unique blend of bluegrass and jazz since 1988. Thursday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Original Tunes

Singer/songwriter Mani Cregan takes the stage with his acoustic guitar to share his own songs such as "Happiness Descends" and "Careful What you Wish For." Wednesday, 8:00 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar

Artist Show and Tell

Got art? Bring it to the Katonah Museum of Art to share and discuss with other artisits. Tuesday, 7:30 pm.

Crow Hill Fixer

Year Built: 1864
Square Feet: 3,052
Bedrooms: 4
Property: 7.4 acres
Location: Yorktown, on lovely Crow Hill Road (with a Mt. Kisco address and Yorktown schools)
Best features: The house has charm and details to spare, from the many fireplaces to the original floor boards to the sweet porch. The property is large and lovely, and there's also a separate cottage. The price seems very reasonable. (Zillow, which usually underestimates house values, has the "zestimate" at $1,024,500.)
Downside: The realtor says it needs a "bit of TLC," and that is clear from the photos. The house is very close to the road, which is a pretty busy route into Mt. Kisco. And there's the taxes...
Taxes: $26,017
Asking Price: $619,000
Agency: Houlihan Lawrence
Maps: Google Map, bing Map