Friday, November 30, 2007

Weekend Events

Some ways to pass the time with the kids:

Family Art Adventures Sesame puppeteer Martin Robinson (the voice and soul of Snuffleupagus, Telly Monster, and Slimey the Worm) will host an afternoon of puppetering. Kids can learn how puppets are made and used--and then can create their own. Saturday, 12:00 to 5:00. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

The Fire Children This musical rendition of an African creation myth is accompanied by Djembe drums and thumb piano. The concert is geared toward children ages 3 to 12. Saturday, 11:30 and 1:00. Reservations required. Caramoor

Fairy Tale Evenings at Lyndhurst Visit Lyndhurst Mansion at night to discover its wintry beauty. Live music, mulled cider, and decorated rooms add to the holiday spirit. Saturdays and Sundays throughout December. Reservations required. Lyndhurst

Amazing Animal Tracks Children will learn about the tracks and habitats of animals that make their home at Croton Point. Saturday, 1:00. Croton Point Nature Center

Celebrate Peekskill Watch the lighting of the tree, see Santa, and listen to some holiday music at the Gazebo. Saturday, 5:00 to 7:00. Celebrate Peekskill

Chanukah Family Celebration This program features stories and instruments from different cultures around the world. Sunday, 2:00. Reservations requested. JCC on the Hudson

Story Sundays: The First Day of Winter Kids can enjoy a seasonal story, meet an animal, make a craft, and take a short hike to learn about nature in winter. Sunday, 1:00. Reservations required. Teatown Lake Reservation

The Velveteen Rabbit The Enchantment Theater Company brings the classic tale to life with puppets, masks, and music. Sunday, 3:00. Paramount Center for the Arts

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Rental: Teatown Cottage


As the real estate slump continues, fewer and fewer new listings are hitting the market. But there are a growing number of rentals available. Of those, this property is certainly one of the most appealing. Located on 2.6 acres in the heart of the Teatown area (with a Croton address), the 2,000 square foot 1950 cottage has 3 bedrooms and a sweet kitchen. Outside there is a pool and plenty of privacy--and the Teatown Lake Reservation is just down the road. Compared to other rentals on the market, the monthly rate seems remarkably reasonable. $2,500
Houlihan Lawrence, Google Map

Feeback, Please

I've always hated bloggers who complain about their readers. So I apologize in advance. But less than 10% of the "returning visitors" who have come to the site since I posted my Reader's Poll have bothered to take it. I wouldn't ask first-timers to do so (though you're welcome to, of course!), but if those of you who come regularly would do so it would help me to improve the site. Thanks. Take the Readers Poll.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Blue Mountain Reservation



With 1,500 acres, the Blue Mountain Reservation has a great variety of parkland. Located on the southern edge of Peekskill, the park has a large landscaped area with a lovely pond, paved paths, and a playground. There's also a huge array of trails through untamed nature, some of which afford breathtaking views of the Hudson Highlands. Google Map

Monday, November 26, 2007

A Lot for Little



While this Ossining colonial's exterior is bland (and looks to be clad in aluminum siding), the interior is lovely. Built in 1900, the 1,600 square foot house has a nicely updated kitchen and some gorgeous original details. With 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and finished attic and basement areas, the house makes the most of it's space. The 0.6 of an acre lot may not be in the most desirable part of Ossining, but it is steps to Main Street, the river, and the train station. Unless I'm missing a major flaw, this is a definite bargain. (While I can't link directly to the property's page, it is worth the effort to find it for the virtual tour.) $369,222
Mark J. Seiden Real Estate, Google Map

Friday, November 23, 2007

Weekend Events

Things to do this holiday weekend:

Afternoon Farm Chores After feeding themselves so well, kids can give thanks and feed the animals. Friday, 2:00. Muscoot Farm

Pete Seeger: The Power of Song This documentary (right) tells the story of the folk musician, from his 17 years on the blacklist to his role in the civil rights and antiwar movements. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Jacob Burns Film Center

Thanksgiving Weekend at Van Cortlandt Manor Wonder what the holiday looked like back in the day? Both Van Cortlandt Manor and Sunnyside will be fully decorated in holiday style. Hands-on workshops and demonstration will entertain and educate. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10:00 to 4:00. Van Cortlandt Manor

Rocks and Minerals for Kids What's the difference between a rock and a mineral? Kids can find out at this fun workshop. Saturday, 1:00. Trailside Nature Museum, Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

After the Turkey Hike Work it off by hiking around the reservation. Saturday, 1:00. Teatown Lake Reservation

Sundad The jazz band Sundad play live. Sunday, 1:00. Peekskill Coffee House

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Reader Feedback

Please take a moment to complete the super-quick Reader's Poll to help me know which features you like most and which you could live without. Thanks!

Take the READER'S POLL

Katonah Carriage House




This just-listed renovated 1890 carriage house has a fair amount of charm on a lovely acre in the village of Katonah. The 3,300 square foot home has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, and some very large and inviting spaces (love that fireplace!). On the con side, the kitchen is looking pretty Home Depot for the asking price. The property is nicely landscaped--and features"Central Park style outdoor lighting," whatever that is--and is close to the village center. $1,350,000

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

To Do on Tuesday

A few ways to help pass the time today:

Mommy Minutes Need some time without the little ones to get ready for the holiday? Drop off your child for this weekly play date led by an early childhood teacher. For children ages 18 months-5 years. Tuesday, 1:00 to 3:00. Rosenthal JCC of Northern Westchester

Aldrich Buddies Children ages 3 to 5 are introduced to the museum's collection by an educator. After viewing the art, kids listen to a storybook and then get to create their own masterpieces. Tuesday, 10:00. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler This new drama adapts the award-winning novel by E.L. Konisberg and follows the adventures of two youngsters at the Metropolitan Museum. Tuesday, 10:30. Tarrytown Music Hall

Monday, November 19, 2007

Fort Hill Victorian


Located in Peekskill's historic district, this 1893 Victorian has loads of details. The 1,850 square foot home has 3 bedrooms, but just one bathroom. The apparently well-maintained home needs updating, but it has plenty of woodwork and original features. The 0.14 of an acre lot is just a block from the soon-to-be enlarged Fort Hill Park and is close to the galleries and restaurants on North Division Street. $369,000
River Towns GMAC, Google Map

Sunday, November 18, 2007

"Excellent" Food in Cortlandt Manor

In the last few years, there has been a welcome explosion of good restaurants in the area. One of the recent additions is Monteverde at Oldstone Manor, which the reviewer in today's New York Times rated as "excellent." The chef, Neil Ferguson, was formerly at Gordon Ramsey's in the city, and offers a menu with "New American flair tamed by English reserve," according to the Times. The restaurant is located in a 1700's mansion just north of Peekskill, which has grand proportions and "knockout river views." The reviewer deems the restaurant in the same league as Zeph's in Peekskill. Prices are high (entrees run from $26 to $42), but it sounds worth a visit for a special occasion.
Source: The New York Times: A Culinary Explorer in a Land of Opportunity

Friday, November 16, 2007

Weekend Fun

Looking for something to do? Here are some ideas:

Sylvan Glen Park Preserve Hike Teatown educators and a Club Fit staff member lead this geologic hike through the 22 acre former quarry. The 5 mile hike is considered moderate and should take about 3 hours. Saturday, 10:00. Teatown Lake Reservation

Escher String Quartet Carmamoor's quartet-in-residence plays Mozart, Zemlinsky, and Beethoven. Saturday, 7:30 pm. Caramoor

Holiday Wreath Class Embrace your inner Martha and get expert guidance on making the perfect wreath. Lasdon Park and Arboretum. Saturday, 9:30. Call (914) 864-7268.

Andean Instruments The Latin American group Wayno performs. Saturday, 2:30. Warner Library, Tarrytown

Stone Barns: Turkeys Adults can learn all about gravy and giblets from the famous chefs at Stone Barns. Saturday, 2:00 Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

The Varick String Trio The trio--all of whom are also members of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra--will perform music by Schubert, Taneyev, Sibelius and Beethoven. Call (914) 245-2186. Sunday, 3:00. First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown

Jelly Bean Concert This interactive musical event is sure to engage the kids. Sunday, 2:15. Tarrytown JCC

Sunday Swing Concert The group Manhattan Jazz will present a selection of songs from George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington and others. Sunday, 2:00. Call (914) 232-5717. Somers Library

Fine Art and Craft Show The Seventh Annual Show and Sale will feature crafts by artists and craftspeople from the Hudson River Valley and beyond. Call (914) 245-2324. Sunday, 11:00. Yorktown Jewish Center

Gobble It Up! Learn about the growing population of wild turkeys in the area and try your hand at turkey calling. Kids can also meet a turkey and do some take-home turkey crafts. Sunday, 1:00. Teatown Lake Reservation

Eye Candy

Katonah library. Photo by Atamsphere.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Events: Thursday-Friday

I never got around to putting together picks for earlier in the week, but here are a few suggestions for the next two days:

Sunflower This movie by Chinese director Zhang Yang tells the story of a painter who returns home from a forced labor camp after the Cultural Revolution. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Christmas Bird Count Join Teatown staff and volunteers for this annual bird count, the longest running "citizen scientist monitoring program" of its kind. Thursday, 7:00 am to dusk. Teatown Lake Reservation

An Object of Great Importance A presentation by a member of the Yorktown Historical Society on the role of the Hudson River during the Revolutionary War. Thursday, 7:30 pm. John C. Hart Memorial Library

Evidence
A performance by the Ronald K. Brown modern dance company blending African, modern, ballet, and hip-hop dance styles. Friday, 8:00 pm. Purchase College Performing Arts Center

The Aldrich Experience A fundraiser featuring cocktails, a raffle, and an auction held amidst the Museum's collection. Friday, 6:30. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Beatlemania Now This two-hour concert features four look-alike and sound-alike musicians performing tunes from the Beatles' arrival in the U.S. through the Sergeant Pepper and Abbey Road periods. Friday, 8:00 pm. The Tarrytown Music Hall

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

And a Blacksmith Shop, Too!


This 1800 homestead in Somers has the usual antique trappings--wide-board floors, exposed beams, and loads of charm. The 3,500 square foot house has 5 bedrooms. The 7 acre property is the real jewel, with lovely gardens, mature plantings, and a number of outbuildings--including an ice house and old blacksmith shop. The house (which has a Katonah address and Somers schools) is located near Somers' town park and library. It is on relatively busy Route 139, but is quite far back from the road. This has been on the market for a bit and the price has been reduced. $999,000
Houlihan Lawrence, Google Map

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Art of Glass


The Katonah Museum of Art just opened Shattering Glass: New Perspectives, an exhibition of contemporary glass works by 22 artists (including Luminous Jellyfish, above, by Eric Ehlenberger). The show features mostly site-specific works and shows glass in it's many forms--stained, cast, cut, sandblasted, etched, slumped, and blown. In conjunction with the exhibit, the Learning Center is holding a Kids Design Glass exhibit and contest. Children can view kids' work and then create drawings to submit--one will be chosen to be transformed into a glass work of art at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. Through February 24. Katonah Museum of Art

Monday, November 12, 2007

It's a Brick House




This 1860 brick colonial offers high style at a pretty low price. The 2,100 square foot house has 3 bedrooms and gracious spaces. On the con side, the kitchen appears to need an update. Set on a 0.67 acre lot in Cortlandt (with a Montrose address and Hendrick-Hudson schools), the house is a short walk to river-front George's Island Park and very close to the train station. Croton and Peekskill are also nearby. $568,000
Houlihan Lawrence, Google Map

Friday, November 9, 2007

Weekend Events

Things to do this weekend:


A Taste of the Paramount Sample live performances by artists who will be performing in the coming year and taste some delicious treats from area restaurants and businesses. Saturday, 12:00-3:00. Paramount Center for the Arts

Cider Pressing Wonder how cider is made? Find out at this hands-on demonstration and let the kids try their hand on an old-fashioned cider press. Saturday, 10:00 to 12:00. Pleasantville Farmers' Market

John Gorka Performs Influential folk musician John Gorka plays some of his tunes. Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse

Story Sundays: In a Nutshell Kids can listen to a seasonal story, meet an animal, make a craft, and take a short hike to learn about nature in the fall. For children ages 4 -7. Sunday, 1:00. Teatown Lake Reservation

Sustainability Fair Learn about ways to reduce energy consumption and live a more eco-friendly life at the The Hudson Highlands Land Trust’s Sustainability Fair. Sunday, 9:00 to 1:00. The Garrison Resort, Garrison, NY. Teatown Lake Reservation

Farm Chore: Cover Crops Children can help to plant the cover crops that will keep the fields healthy through the winter. Sunday, 11:00. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Explore Native American Culture Children explore Native American customs through handling artifacts and furs, eating Indian popcorn, and having their faces painted with berry juice. Kids can also fill their own medicine pouch with herbs. Registration required. Sunday, 2:00. Croton Free Library

On a Stage Near You

Northern Westchester is blessed with a number of local theaters and companies. Here's a look at a few of them (click on the theater's name to visit the site):

Blueberry Pond Theatre Now showing Hong Kong, a play by Lloyd Pace. Through Dec. 2.

Fort Hill Players Next production is From the Wings, in January.

Spotlight Theatre Now on stage is Crazy for You, a musical by Ken Ludwig, with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. Through Nov. 18.

Simply Theatre Next production is Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox, in February.

Random Farms Kids' Theater Currently showing Oliver! through November 20.

The Play Group Theater Next production is Grand Hotel, December 9-16.

The Schoolhouse Theater Next production is The Crucible, Arthur Miller's classic. November 15 through December 9.

Westchester Broadway Theatre Currently showing Phantom--not the musical, but a play based on the 1911 novel. Through November 25.

Yorktown Stage Currently showing The Sound of Music. Through November 25.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Crow Hill Road, #3



This is the third house I've recently featured on Crow Hill Road. Like the others, it has a Mt. Kisco address and Yorktown schools. The 3,200 square foot, 1890 structure retains some old world charm, though there are definite signs of major renovations. The 3.6 acres are gorgeous, and the property is on perhaps the nicest stretch of this stunning road. That said, the 3 bedroom home is less appealing to me than the similarly-priced colonial down the road (and both of them are in a totally different price-range than the fixer-upper). $1,285,000
Keller Williams Realty, Google Map

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

This Week: Thursday-Friday

Part 2 of this week's events round-up:

Revelations in Paint David Dunlop lectures on Renaissance paintings. Lunch is provided in The House Museum Music Room. Thursday, 1:00 pm. Caramoor

African Drumming Ensemble Thursday, 8:00 pm. Call 251-6700. Purchase College Peforming Arts Center

Nueberger: Lectures, Panels, and Dialogues A series of special performances and lectures. On Thursday, at 7:00 pm there is a symposium on performance art and social change. On Friday, The Big Read features a discussion of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God and a tour of the Roy R. Neuberger Collection. Neuberger Museum of Art

Checkov Shorts The Paramount's new theater-company-in-residence, the Mighty Theater Company, performs comic plays about Checkov's real-life dramas. Friday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Poetry Reading The Veteran's Day reading features Maxwell Corydon Wheat, Jr. and other community poets and writers. Friday, 7:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writers’ Center

Paula Cole The Grammy-winning musician Paula Cole performs songs from her recent albums. Friday, 8:00 p.m., 877-840-0457. Tarrytown Music Hall

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Ossining Village Colonial



If your looking for country charm in a village setting, check out this 1872 colonial. The 2,600 square foot house has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3 fireplaces, crown moldings, and many other original details. The kitchen has been updated and the lovely third-of-an-acre lot is an easy walk to Main Street and Nelson Park. Unless I'm missing something, this one looks like a pretty good deal. $635,000
Prudential Rand Realty, Google Map