The Times Does Croton

Praising it's "ahh-inspiring views" and waterfront parks, Sunday's New York Times' "Living In" feature took a look at Croton. The article missed a lot about the town and what makes it special, but nonetheless did a good job of creating a simple snapshot. One thing the reporter got right is the fact that the real estate market is in a "slump." The article notes that the median sales price of a single-family home fell to $486,500 in October, down from $529,000 in October 2008. What bothered me about the article was the description of Maria Elena DiBella's winter activities as going to the malls in White Plains or Rockland County. Ms. DiBella is quoted as saying that she would "like to see a little more activity in town.” While Croton is a bit sleepy—and perhaps far too much so for a young single person like Ms. DiBella—there is actually a fair amount going on in it. And there's certianly lots to do in the immediate area all year round without setting foot in a mall. Perhaps if Ms. DiBella read this blog, she'd be a bit happier.

Weekend Picks

Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

 

Geoff Hartwell Singer/songwriter Geoff Hartwell performs original tunes from his second album, "Hate To See You Go." Friday, 9:30 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar

Keb` Mo` Band Singer-songwriter and guitarist Keb` Mo`s music draws heavily on country blues, with touches of soul and folksy storytelling. Friday, 8:00 pm. The Tarrytown Music Hall

Choices for Sustainable Living Expo The Expo will feature "green" exhibits, informative workshops, local house tours, and events for all ages. Co-hosted by the Hudson Highlands Land Trust and Teatown Lake Reservation. Saturday, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Garrison

Wormania Discover the secret, underground life of worms. Make a worm bin to take home stocked with red worms for home composting. Saturday, 11:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

Sand Candles Collect sand and create candles to take home. Saturday 1:00 pm. Croton Point Park Nature Center

Pinot Noir Exposed Enjoy a tasting of pinot noir from California, Burgundy, Oregon, New Zealand and more. Saturday, From 12:00 to 5:00 pm. Suburban Wines & Spirits 

The Red Balloon Catch the wonderful tale of a boy and a balloon that mysteriously follows him through the streets of Paris. Showing with "White Mane," a magical fable by the same filmmaker. Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm. Jacob Burns Fim Center 

Who Are You? Kids can learn the science of fingerprinting and how to can solve a C.S.I. mystery using chocolate and a paintbrush! Saturday, 11:00 a.m. Croton Free Library

Rising Stars Concerts Young artists perform works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Dvorak and Brahms. Both concerts are appropriate for families. Saturday, 8:00 pm; Sunday, 4:00 pm. Caramoor Center for the Arts

In Search of Animals' Signs Hike along the farm roads in search of animal signs and tracks. Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Muscoot Farm

The Public Tile Project The opening of the Tile Project, which features over 2,000 tiles created by students from across the Hudson Valley. From 1:00 to 2.30 pm there will by activities including making Dutch ware and Dutch flags, straw weaving, creating kaleidoscopes, and decorative paper cutting. At 2:30 pm you can walk the 1½ mile Tile Path from the museum to the Peekskill Waterfront. Sunday 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art 

Caring for the Indoor Garden Learn about the light requirements, watering and fertilizing needs of plants grown indoors. Sunday, 2:00 pm. Lasdon Park, Arboretum & Veterans Memorial

Kicking and Screaming: The Musical! Emmy Award-winning actress Jennifer Jiles performs her 1 woman show about her years at Radio City. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Reading: Parenting Issues Readings by Susan Gregory Thomas, the author of Buy, Buy Baby: How Consumer Culture Manipulates Parents and Harms Young Minds, and Allison Gilbert, author of Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents. Sunday, 4:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writers' Center

Poetry Reading The Katonah Poetry Series and the library present Mark Doty, winner of the 2008 National Book Award for Poetry. Sunday, 4:00 pm. Katonah Village Library

Villager

Year Built: 1925
Square Feet: 1,934
Bedrooms: 3
Property: 0.28 of an acre
Location: Croton, in the center of town and close to all.
Best features: The classic colonial has nice rooms and good bones. It has been nicely renovated and boasts a kitchen that should appeal to most buyers. There's even a pool in the very landscaped yard. The price seems quite reasonable.
Downside: Some of the interior design may be too "taste-specific," as they say. In truth, while there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, the house—and setting—just don't do that much for me.
Taxes: $12,354
Asking Price: $599,000
Agency: Julia B. Fee 
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Author Talk: The Metropolitan Museum's Money

Michael Gross, author of "Rogues' Gallery: The Secret History of the Moguls and the Money that Made the Metropolitan Museum," reads from and discusses his book and the stories behind one of New York's most storied institutions. Thursday, 7:30 pm. Bedford Free Library

Talking About Hawks

Calling all Ornithologisits. The coordinator of Franklin Mountain, a premier hawk watch located in Oneonta, will discuss the mountain's hawk population and the results of last year's hawk count. Wednesday, 7:00 pm. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Discussing Chinese Antiques

The Homestead's curator discusses the Chinese export art in the museum's collection. The topic will include the history of China's trade with America—and participants will get to view some seldom-seen antiques. Wednesday, 7:00 pm. John Jay Homestead 

Something Suspicious

The Paramount's Hitchock series continues with Rear Window, the classic tale of urban anxiety and the importance of a neighborhood watch. Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

October Sales and Deals

October was a lot like September, with little change in the number of houses going to contract in the area this blog covers. As for previously-featured Hot Properties, only two found suitors and only two tied the knot.

Contracts signed on single-family homes 

September: 71
October: 74

Hot Properties that went to contract

Location:  Peekskill
Featured:  September 15, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $299,900
Last Asking Price: $299,900


Location:  Katonah
Featured: July 29, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $1,199,999
Last Asking Price: $999,999


Hot Properties That Closed

Location: Ossining
Featured: June 23, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $439,222 
Last Asking Price: $439,222
Sold for: $420,500

Location: Mt. Kisco 
Featured: March 31, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $639,000
Last Asking Price: $599,000
Sold for: $565,000

Finding Food and Restaurant Posts

According to the recent survey, most of you like posts on local restaurants and food venues (surprise). To make it easier to find those posts already on the blog, I've created a new label. Click on Food Buzz to find all of the past posts on restaurants and food stores. There are already 32 posts—and more to come. Including...

A "Neighborhood Joint"

The Tavern at Croton Landing
41 North Riverside Avenue, Croton

The New York Times calls the Taverns' burgers "tasty," but the reviewer really raves about the wings, which are made with real wings and come with sauces and dips made from scratch. The wings—"spicy and true" Buffalo, Thai, and Jack Daniel’s—are just 35 cents each on Thursdays and Sundays. Metromix calls it a "great place for a freshly ground half pound burger or a slice of signature thin-crust pizza." It was named the Best Tavern of 2008 by Westchester Magazine, which praised the "amazing country salad...to-die-for artichoke dip, and freshly ground, belly-filling half-pound burgers." Posters on Chowhound call the burgers and pizza "excellent." The Hungry Travels blog says the Tavern has "the musty, pubby feel of a well-patronized neighborhood joint" and is "refreshingly unpretentious." The food is "surprisingly good." The Tavern also has over 100 "fans" on Facebook.
Image: Hungry Travels

Weekend Picks

Haunted happenings and other activities and things to do this holiday weekend in Northern Westchester

Halloween Tales Storyteller Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi performs  tales of goblins, ghosts, and the witch who puts the happy into Halloween. Friday, 4:00 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

Lasdon Costume Party Pass the welcoming committee of ghouls and enjoy live music, refreshments, and an astronomy program. Friday, 6:00 to 10:00 pm. Lasdon Park, Arboretum & Veterans Memorial

The Overlook Hike to the Overlook to enjoy the view and a tasty snack of fruits and cheeses. Saturday, 1:00 pm.  Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Scales and Cold Blooded Tails Learn about the wonderful world of reptiles. Saturday 1:00 pm. Croton Point Park Nature Center

Halloween Parade and Carnival The annual Yorktown Halloween parade kicks off at the corner of Commerce Street and Underhill Avenue. Kids will march to the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center for carnival rides, a costume contest, games, and pumpkin decorating. Saturday, 3:45 pm.

Exploring the Underworld Beneath the leaf litter is a world of mysterious creatures. Find out who is lurking under rocks and leaves. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation

Seeing Stories A uniquely spooky workshop where young children will listen to not-too-scary stories from around the world and tell and act out their own haunted tales. Animated movies and an activity using the green screen will round out this exciting program. Saturday, 10:00 am. Jacob Burns Media Arts Lab

Something Wicked This Way Comes This adaptation of Ray Bradbury's dark fantasy stars Jason Robards and Jonathan Pryce. Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

Haunted House Teachers, students, and community volunteers join artistic forces to create a night of ghoulish fun for all ages. Saturday, 5:00 to 10:00 pm. Katonah Art Center

Frankenstein with Live Music Catch the classic horror film, "Frankenstein" on the big screen with the original score performed live by the BQE Project chamber ensemble. Saturday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Susan Kane Singer-songwriter Susan Kane shares tunes from her second album, Highway Bouquet. Sunday, 1:00 pm. Peekskill Coffee House

At the Heart of Brahms Some of Brahms' most enduring and powerful chamber music is performed by Trio Solisti. Sunday, 4:00 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

where no one can hear you scream

Give your Halloween some zing with the ultimate scary two-fer—Ridley Scott's Alien and James Cameron's Aliens. And feel free to scream. Thursday, Alien at 5:15, Aliens at 7:45. Jacob Burns Film Center

Towering Victorian

Year Built: 1902
Square Feet: 2,760
Bedrooms: 4
Property: 0.47 of an acre
Location: Katonah, in a lovely spot smack in the center of the village and close to all.
Best features: The grand old house retains vintage charm and details and looks to be in great condition. The exterior is stunning and there's a lovely porch from which to view the large front lawn and village life.
Downside: The location is attractive, but may be too central for some since it is on busy Bedford Road. The square footage is per the listing agent, but other sources peg it at 2,352.
Taxes: $14,298
Asking Price: $1,185,000
Agency: Ginnel Real Estate 
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Mozart's Mind

What made Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart tick? Concert pianist and psychiatrist Dr. Richard Kogan looks at the impact of Mozart's complex personality on his creativity—and whether he might have suffered from bipolar disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, or Tourette's disorder. Dr. Kogan will even perform some of Mozart's music. Thursday, 11:00 am. Caramoor Center for the Arts

The Power of Color

In his talk “Painting is Pure Magic,” artist Brian Rutenberg will show images and discuss his richly colored compositions. Thursday, 7:30 pm. Katonah Museum of Art

Food on Film

Frank Bruni, the former New York Times restaurant critic and author of the new memoir Born Round: The Secret History of a Full-Time Eater, will screen the movie Moonstruck and then discuss the role of food in cinema with New York Times film critic Janet Maslin. Thursday, 7:30 pm.  Jacob  Burns Film Center

Ooh, La La

Year Built: 1928
Square Feet: 4,000
Bedrooms: 3
Property: 0.37 of an acre
Location: Ossining, on the northern edge of town.
Best features: Which is better, the house or the view? Or, perhaps, the price? The French Country house is brimming with 20's grace and style, from the casement windows to the arches to the spacious rooms. There's loads to love inside—and outside there's a large terrace and great river views. 
Downside: The kitchen might need some updating. Other than the terrace, there's doesn't appear to be much yard. Also, some sources list the square footage at 3,500—less than what the realtor has listed.
Taxes: $16,181
Asking Price: $629,999
Agency: Judith Guzzi & Associates
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Locovore Feast

Liz Johnson's Small Bites blog reports that the Flying Pig restaurant in Mount Kisco will have a 12 course tasting on Wednesday with 90% of the ingredients coming from nearby Cabbage Hill Farm. While enjoying the farm's lamb, chicken, and beef, diners can the learn about their sustainable practices. There will also be trout, tilapia, bass, and greens produced in the farm's aquaponic greenhouse (which was featured in Scientific American).

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Seasonal Sights

Colorful reflections on the Croton Reservoir in Yorktown.
Photo by richdrogpa.

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Weekend Picks

Activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester 

Halloween Night Hike Take a short hike through the spooky forest to discover tricks and treats left by trolls. Then enjoy cider, games, and a costume contest. Friday, 7:00  pm (kids under 7) and 7:30 pm (kids 8 and up). Westmoreland Sanctuary

Vampires in New England  The documentary by Lalie Madriguera explores New England folk beliefs that flourished for over 100 years. Friday, 7:30 pm. Croton Free Library

Nature Journaling for Kids Turn a hike in the woods into a long-lasting memory by making a nature journal from recycled materials and filling it with sketches and observations. Saturday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation

Spooks ’n Spirits in the Wine Cellars Come to the park's historic wine cellars for an extravaganza of haunting tales about wine making and tasting in the days of old. Saturday, 2:00 pm. Croton Point Park Nature Center

The Sippy Cups The national kid-rock sensation The Sippy Cups perform original material from their new CD, as well as cult classics from the likes of The Beatles and The Ramones. Saturday, 1:00 pm. The Tarrytown Music Hall

Mushroom Hike A prominent mycologist and botanist leads a walk through Westmoreland Sanctuary. A communal lunch and a mushroom identification session will follow. Saturday, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. Bedford Audubon Society

The Blues Buddha Enjoy an evening of classic blues at its best with Tommy Blues Buddha. Saturday, 9:30 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar
 
Kathleen Madigan An American Comedy Award winner, Kathleen Madigan is guarenteed to make you forget the week. Saturday, 8:00 pm. The Tarrytown Music Hall
 
More of The Old Put Author Joe Schiavone will discuss his latest book, “More of the Old Put,” and share information on the old Putnam railroad line. Sunday, 1:00 pm. Yorktown Museum

The Comic Novel Take a comic turn with readings by Christine Lehner, author of Absent a Miracle, and Ed Park, who’s first novel, Personal Days,  lampooned work life. Sunday, 4:o0 pm. Hudson Valley Writers Center

Newfound Treasure and Timeless Classics A performance of works by Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Brahms, presented by the All Seasons Chamber Players. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Ossining Public Library

Story Sunday: Leaf Jumpers Kids will enjoy this story about fall--and a fun leaf-related craft. Sunday, 11:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

The Ruins Part of the "Jonathan Demme's Rarely Seen Cinema" series, The Ruins is based on the best-seller by Scott Smith. After the screening, host Jonathan Demme discusses it with the Academy Award–nominated author and screenwriter. Sunday, 5:00 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

Rubber Soul

 

Discarded rubber tires find new form and meaning in the sculptures of Chakaia Booker. Through March, 2010. Katonah Museum of Art

Spinning Spooky Tales

Get into the spirit with "Shivers & Giggles" as several renowned storytellers tell spooky stories for school-age kids—and their parents. Thursday, 7:00 pm. Ossining Public Library

Laugh Riot

Comic genius and living legend Lily Tomlin brings the funny to the stage. Thursday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts