Martinis and Tapas

"Karma Lounge is one of the prettiest adult watering holes around... Inside, polished dark and light woods, brick niches and dramatic draped fabrics provide a Zen-like backdrop... But the kitchen’s tapas alone were worth a visit, and those that our table sampled were inspired."
—The New York Times review of Karma Lounge and Martini Bar & Grille in Ossining.

Custom Creations

Looking for something unique? Peekskill's Studio No.9 creates original works of art, handcrafted furniture, and functional objects. The 5,000 square foot studio boasts a wood shop, a metal shop, an art studio, and a gallery. 

Weekend Picks

I only had time to rustle up a few picks, but they're pretty good

The Trapps Tapping into the roots of Americana, folk, and rock and roll, The Trapps wraps it all into a tightly-knit package that is entirely their own. Friday, 8:00 pm. Bean Runner Cafe

Fall Scavenger Hunt Enjoy a wonderful walk as you go in search of nature's hidden treasures. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Locavore Holidays Discover easy, locally grown foods you can choose for the holidays. Saturday, 10:00 am. Croton Point Park Nature Center

The Three Stooges: Shorts Program Moe, Larry, and Curly come back to the big screen in all their eye-poking, shin-kicking, head-knocking slapstick glory. Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

Holiday Origami Workshop Kids can join artist Yoshimi Arai and create a delightful Peace Crane and festive Origami holiday ornaments. Saturday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  The Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden

In Search of Wild Turkeys Take a hike to find turkeys in the wild. Sunday, 1:00 pm. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Jasper String Quartet Continuing their tradition of presenting probing programs, the Jasper String Quartet returns to the Music Room with Schubert’s Quartettsatz, Beethoven’s final Razumovsky quartet, and Aaron Jay Kernis’s second quartet. Sunday, 4:00 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

Book Reading Readings from The Sisters from Hardscrabble Bay, a novel the late author Beverly Jensen. Sunday, 4:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writers' Center

Barn in the U.S.A

Year Built: 1700
Square Feet: 2,100
Bedrooms: 4
Property: 4.4 acres
Location: Bedford Corners, in between Mt. Kisco and Bedford—and next to 684.
Best features: This restored 1700's barn has as much country charm as a, well, a restored 1700's barn. Beams, wide plank floors, stone chimneys, this place has got it all. Whats more, the outdoors is lovely, too, with nice patios, a pool, and gorgeous woods.
Downside: The picture-perfect setting is darn close to major highway 684, which probably reduces some of the bucolic charm.
Taxes: $16,979
Asking Price: $719,000
Agency: Ginel Real Estate
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Bee Movie (and Discussion)

The documentary Queen of the Sun explores the mysterious collapse of the honeybee population and what it may mean for the environment as a whole. After the film, the director Taggart Siegel, producer Jon Betz, and beekeeper Kerry Grefig discuss the movie. Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

Ogling in Ossining

The November issue of Elle Decor sports a feature article on the Ossining home of Doug Turshen and Rochelle Udell.  Located in the Sparta Historic District, part of the house dates to 1789 and part was added in 1921. The owners, both art directors, purchased the place four years ago and then embarked on a six-month renovation—which left the exterior untouched. Inside, they removed woodwork and moldings to pare down the spaces. Their biggest change was in the dining room, which they paneled with quarter-sawn oak. Check out the article for more photos and details. 
Images: Elle Decor

Examining Eastern European Art

What's happening in the art world in Eastern and Central Europe? In conjunction with "After The Fall," an exhibition of emerging contemporary art from East and Central Europe, the US Editor of Flashart, Nicola Trezzi, and Czech painter Daniel Pitin will discuss the current state of art in the former Soviet bloc. Tuesday, 7:00 pm. Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art

From Barenaked Ladies to Bach

Start the week with the Barenaked Ladies performing classics such as "If I had $1,000,000" and "Be My Yoko Ono," as well as new tunes from their 11th album, All In Good Time, which was released in March (Monday, 7:30 pm. Tarrytown Music Hall). Then catch the Bedford Chamber Ensemble playing music for the viola by Bach, Mozart, and Hummel. (Wednesday, 8:00 pm. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church).

Circle in the Square

 

Year Built: 1968
Square Feet: 2,000
Bedrooms: 3 
Property: 0.22 of an acre
Location: Croton, on the hill between the Croton River and Sunset Park.
Best features: A contemporary house in a walkable village setting with a country feel, this abode offers an unusual mix. The open floor plan boasts big, bright spaces and there are some great architectural details (love the stairs). Outside, there's a large deck with winter peeks of the Croton River and the hills beyond, and the back patio is beautifully tucked into the hillside.
Downside: The property is almost all hill, with little or no level green space. Some of the home's design features, like the big bubble window, may seem a tad dated. And the taxes seem pretty high for a mid-size house on a small lot.
Taxes: $16,840
Asking Price: $529,000
Agency: Houlihan Lawrence
Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Save Hilltop Hanover Farm!

We just got this plea from Hilltop Hanover Farm. Please let the County know that the farm is an invaluable resource that must be saved. Help save the farm!

Dear friends,
Today Westchester County released the 2011 budget and slashed the Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center's to just $200,000, resulting in the elimination of half the permanent workforce (two of the four), the entirety of the seasonal staff, and 100 percent of our operating budget. As supporters of Hilltop Hanover Farm, tell the County that this is unacceptable. The Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm, Inc. has been working with the County on this year's budget to find creative solutions and to ensure the Farm's long-term sustainability over a period of five years. Yet, the County has actually crippled our efforts in this clear move to close the gates of the Farm forever. But you can help keep the gates open in three ways:

1. Email County Executive Astorino here or call him at 914.995.2900. Tell him that Hilltop Hanover Farm is an important to you as a County resident, and provides vital services to Westchester County residents and beyond. Tell him to reinstate funding for Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center.

2. Email and call your Legislator (find them here). Tell him or her that Hilltop Hanover Farm is an important to you as a County resident, and provides vital services to Westchester County residents and beyond. Tell him or her to reinstate funding for Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center.

3. Share this email with friends and ask them to join with us in calling for a reinstatement of Hilltop Hanover Farm's funding. Please call and email your elected officials in Westchester County today and tell them to reinstate Hilltop Hanover Farm's funding, which represents just 0.00022% of the County's overall $1.786 billion dollar budget. If you would like to join the Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm to help save this county treasure, you can email us here. 

We need your help!

Helen Brady
President, Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm

Fuzzy Realism

The exhibition of works by Leonardo Silaghi, the Summer 2010 Artist-in-Residence at the HVCCA, features the painter's large scale works. Through December 19, at the Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art

We'll Always Have Bogart

Now is your chance to catch
nine Humphrey Bogart classics
on the big screen. The series 
at the Jacob Burns Film Center
runs through November 23 and
includes: Casablanca, Key 
Largo, The African Queen,
In a Lonely Place, Treasures
of the Sierra Madre, The Big
Sleep, To Have and Have Not, 
and The Maltese Falcon.

Weekend Picks

My picks for what to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

Steve Frieder Quintet The award-winning Steve Frieder Quintet provides an  evening of jazz standards and improvisations. Friday, 7:30 pm. Bean Runner Cafe

Hike to the Leatherman's Cave Come hear the lore of the Old Leatherman on this 2.5 mile hike with renowned storyteller Jonathan Kruk. Saturday, 2:00 pm. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Seeing Stories Kids ages 4 to 5 can listen to stories from around the world and use their imaginations to create, tell, and act out their own tales. Saturday, 10:00 am. Jacob Burns Film Center

Pack Chat Kids will learn about the mythology surrounding wolves and the important role of wolves in the natural world. Saturday, 11:00 am. Wolf Conservation Center

Movie and Discussion Enjoy a screening of Harvest, which tells the story of three generations of a family coming together to spend one last summer with its grand patriarch, followed by a discussion with Director Marc Meyers and Producer Jody Girgenti. Saturday, 8:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Performing Arts

Mozart's Requiem The Croton Chorale perfrom Mozart's Requiem. Saturday, 8:00 pm. Croton Chorale

Hawk Watching Come and catch a glimpse of the hawks. Sunday, 11:00 am. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Farm to Table: Fall Harvest Learn how to celebrate and enjoy the bountiful fall harvest. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Hilltop Hanover Farm

Our Ancestor's Muse Music from Copland House's Derek Bernel joins the world-renowned Borromeo String Quartet for two modern classics: Bermel's Soul Garden, and Osvaldo Golijov's The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Merestead

Poetry Reading Poets Julie Sheehan and Steve Huff read from their works. Sunday, 4:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writers Center

October Sales and Deals

The local market continues to look pretty slow. The number of homes going to contract in the area this blog covers remained flat in October, and just one previously-featured Hot Property went to contract. Not a single one sold.

Contracts signed on single-family homes

September: 63
October: 62

Hot Properties That Went to Contract

Location: Peekskill
Featured:  July 27, 2010
Asking Price When Featured: $375,000
Last Asking Price: $350,000

The Beetle Battle

Teatown’s monthly environmental discussion group continues with Frank Lowenstein, the  director of the Nature Conservancy’s Forest Health Program, giving the lecture “Lurking in the trees: one community’s battle against the Asian long-horned beetle.” Thursday, 7:30 pm, at Teatown Lake Reservation.

More (Better) Bike Racks

The Yorktown Patch reported last week that new bike racks have been installed in a number of Yorktown locales to make it easier for residents to get around on two wheels. The bike racks were created by students at the Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES Tech Center at the request of the Yorktown Energy Advisory Committee. The new racks include Alexa Picone's sculptural "Chain Reaction."
Image: Yorktown Patch

Most Beautiful Homes Around?

You know what they say about beauty. Well, Westchester Home magazine published a list of "The 10 Most Beautiful Homes in Westchester," and I can't say I behold things as they do. But some of their picks sure are beauties. Of the ten, four are in the area this blog covers: in (clockwise, from top left) Bedford, Croton, Yorktown, and Katonah. These are nice indeed (love the Croton place!), but I can think of some others that I prefer. Check out the article for details.
Images: Westchester Home

Weekend Picks

What to do and where to do it this frightful weekend in Northern Westchester

Rocky Horror Picture Show I see you shiver with antici...pation. Costumes welcome, with "participation kits" for sale. Friday, 11:30 pm. Tarrytown Music Hall

Singing Harp Storytelling Theater A Grimm’s fairy tale for families, Saturday, 3:30 pm. John C. Hart Memorial Library

Clash of the Titans The 1981 movie features hordes of monsters. Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

Bats and Bat Houses Come learn about local bat species and their importance for our ecosystem. Then construct bat houses to take home. Saturday, 10:00 am. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Yorktown Halloween Parade and Carnival The parade begins at Yorktown Plaza Park and marches on to the Yorktown Community and Cultural Center, where indoor Halloween activities and costume judging will be provided. Saturday, 4:00 pm. Yorktown

Mischief Night Hike Kids ages 5 and up can take a nighttime walk into the woods. Coyotes may howl, owls may hoot, and bats may swoop! Saturday, 7:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation

Owl Prowl Learn about these fascinating nocturnal creatures by walking the farm at night. Saturday, 7:00 pm. Muscoot Farm 

äj The soulful New York music duo, äj (Andrea and James Rohlehr) bring out their quartet for an evening of impressive jazz. Saturday, 7:30 pm. Bean Runner Cafe

Rising Stars Promising young musicians perform works by Haydn, Webern, Mozart, and Beethoven. Saturday, 8:00 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts


The Phantom of the Opera One of the best horror flicks of all time comes to life with live music by Alloy Orchestra. Sunday, 7:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Halloween Hoedown Enjoy music, a costume contest, and more. Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Peekskill Coffee House

Egg Collecting Learn about the life of a hen on the farm, and join in collecting the eggs. Sunday,  10:00 am. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Village Victorian

Year Built: 1904

Square Feet: 2,484

Bedrooms: 4

Property: 0.223 of an acre

Location: Katonah, on a lovely block steps from the village center and train.

Best features: If you're looking for that small-town feel, this sweet abode could be for you. The vintage house has a nice homely feel, with pleasant spaces and good light. Love the kitchen! The yard is great and the walk-to-everything-location is sure to appeal.

Downside: It's a good size, but not that big for the price. There's no pic or mention of the two bathrooms, so my hunch is that some updating is needed.

Taxes: $18,556

Asking Price: $995,000

Agency: Vincent and Whittemore

Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Hip Hop Violinists

Kev Marcus and Wil b are Black Violin, 
two classically trained musicians who, 
along with DJ TK, combine classical 
and hip-hop music. Part of the Paramount's School Time series, the performance is 
open to all. Thursday at 10:00 am at 
the Paramount Center for the Arts.

Down and Out in Tribeca

Lena Dunham, the writer, director, and star of Tiny Furniture, which won the best feature film award at South by Southwest Film Festival, will discuss the movie with New York Times critic Janet Maslin after the screening. The film is set in Tribeca and is a snapshot of current-day New York. Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

Artful Baskets

The "Fall Leaves" basket 
($750) is one of the 
stunning creations 
in the "Hairy" line
of vessels crafted 
by Kari Lonning 
of Ridgefield.

Weekend Picks

What to do and where to do it this weekend in Northern Westchester

Bird Walk at Croton Point Park This walk will focus on the many species of migrating songbirds, including sparrows, that frequent the point. Saturday, 7:30 am. Bedford Audubon

Soap Making Adults can learn to make soap bars using herbs, colorants, and essential oils. Saturday, 12:30 pm. Muscoot Farm

Fall Foliage Hike Come see the trees at their peak of color. Hike with an educator to learn about color change and enjoy the beautiful autumn landscape. Saturday, 10:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

Special Effects and Make-Up Kids ages 8 to 9 years can lean how to create fake wounds, invent characters and creatures, and use the green screen and the sound stage to create magical illusions.  Saturday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

Backyard Beekeeping for Beginners Join bee specialists in this informative workshop about how to get started with beekeeping. Saturday, 3:00 pm. Hilltop Hanover Farm

The Fred Smith Jazz Ensemble Renowned trumpeter Fred Smith and his accomplished group of musicians,light up the night with Swing. Saturday,  7:30 pm. Bean Runner Cafe

Music from Copland House The musicians perform Native American Portraits and other works. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Copland House 

Family Day Enjoy an afternoon of map-related activities. Meet Caldecott Medal-winning author/illustrator Uri Shulevitz, who will read from his autobiographical book How I Learned Geography. Tour Mapping: Memory and Motion in Contemporary Art, and then participate in map-inspired activities. Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Katonah Museum of Art 

The Richard Thompson Band Named by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the Top 20 Guitarists of all-time, the iconic British folk rock legend Richard Thompson is one of the world's most critically acclaimed and prolific songwriters. Sunday, 7:30 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Charm to Spare

Year Built: 1910
Square Feet: 2,560

Bedrooms: 4

Property: 5 acres

Location: Cortlandt Manor, on the eastern edge of town

Best features: This sweetheart of a house has a great setting, on a hillside in a bucolic area just down the road from Hemlock Hill Farm and steps from the Croton Reservoir. The property has a lovely garden and borders hundreds of acres of County-owned land. There's a perfect screened porch, a lovely living room with stone fireplace, and a number of nice-looking bedrooms.

Downside: The house is quite close to the road and the property is mostly sloping and not "usable" (although it is perfect for hiking and playing in the woods). There are no photos of the kitchen, which always gives pause.

Taxes: $12,895

Asking Price: $650 ,000

Agency: Coldwell Banker

Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Many Faceted Art

Tony Parillo's show "FACED!!" 
highlights the artist's figurative
clay sculpture and etchings, 
including "edifice" (left). 
The show runs through  
October 31 at the
Flat Iron Gallery.