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.

A New Trail

Back in September, 2009 I reported that work had began on a new trail to connect Teatown and Kitchawan. Well, the Teatown-Kitchawan Trail (TKT) is now open. On October 6th, Teatown Reservation unveiled the 6.5 mile trail which links the North County Trailway, the Briarcliff-Peekskill trail, and the Old Croton Aqueduct trailway. It also connects to Teatown’s 15 miles of trails and to the Kitchawan Preserve, the John Hand/Bald Mountain, and Croton Gorge Park. Check out Teatown's blog for more details and to download a copy of the trail map (at right).

Weekend Picks

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

Tosca The Taconic Opera performs Pucini's Tosca. Friday through Sunday, multiple showings. Yorktown Stage

Teatown Fall Festival Carve a pumpkin, dress a scarecrow, take a scenic hayride, pet the animals, learn about local wildlife, create an eco-craft, and enjoy live music. Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:30 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation

Mushroom Walk Stinky Squid, Dead Man’s Fingers, Destroying Angels. These are just a few of the mushrooms that one can encounter on this informative hike. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Nature Hike Join a naturalist on a hike through the woods of Hilltop Hanover Farm. Learn plant, insect, and animal identification and some of the natural history of our area. Saturday, 10:00 am. Hilltop Hanover Farm.

Halloween Trains Check out this choo-choo display with a Harry Potter theme. Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial

All About Birds Join Walter Chadwick of Hudson River Audubon Society for this wonderful introduction to birds and birding for kids. Saturday, 10:30 am. Croton Point Park Nature Center

Bounty of the County Celebrate our local farmers and farms with a casual, food-filled night of cultivating community. Saturday, 6:00 pm. Slow Food Westchester

One World, One Peekskill Many local professional and community artists perform together, including the Mount Olivet Baptist Choir, Ecuadoran musical ensemble Inti Andino, and the Children’s Theater Company of Peekskill. Saturday, 7:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Autumn Celebration A day of music, hayrides, farmers market, games, crafts and food. Sunday, 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Muscoot Farm

Reading Series Novelists Jennifer Gilmore and Matthew Aaron Goodman read from their works. Sunday, 4:00 pm. Hudson Valley Writer's Center

What's Public about Public Art? This year's recipient of the Himmel Award, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Dean of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, speaks on the challenges of balancing the vision of an artist with the desires of an audience when creating a work of public art. Sunday, 5:00 pm. Katonah Museum of Art

Modern Fusion

Year Built: 1964

Square Feet: 2,227

Bedrooms: 3

Property: 0.67 of an acre

Location: Ossining, on the outskirts of the village center

Best features: The Asian-infused modern design boasts bright open spaces and many interesting features. The house has lots of windows and great indoor-outdoor flow. This abode looks comfy, yet cool.

Downside: The lot is on a pretty standard "suburban" street, and is quite close to busy Route 9A.

Taxes: $14,633

Asking Price: $610,000

Agency: Houlihan Lawrence, Todd Goddard

Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Comfort Food From a Talented Chef

The recently opened Thyme Restaurant in Yorktown Heights touts itself as offering "freshly picked local produce and hand-selected steaks and seafood." According to Lohud's Small Bites blog, the co-chef is "highly praised" Neil Ferguson, formerly of Allen & Delancey and SoHo House in Manhattan and Monteverde at Oldstone Manor in Cortlandt.

Field of Dreams

The annual Collaborative Concepts at Saunders Farm brings works by over 60 artists to 100 acres of pastoral fields in Garrison. Take a stroll through the lovely setting and enjoy the art and the scenery. Through October 30.

Weekend Picks

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

Poetry Reading Hear poets Emily Fragos and Timothy Donnelly read their work. Friday, 7:30 pm. Hudson Valley Writers' Center

God Tiny Listen to the Indie/Psychedelic/Rock of God Tiny. Friday, 8:00 pm. Peekskill Coffee House 

Going Nutty Beechnuts, acorns, hickory nuts, and more are on the forest floor. Who is feasting on all the goodies that nature provides? Come find out. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation

Rock Trail Hike Climb the newest trail, named for the six rocks which it passes along its route. Experienced hikers only for this 7-mile hike. Saturday, 10:30 am. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

AquaFest Celebrate the Old Croton Aqueduct with two days of tours, music, and "eco-art" all along the trail. Events in Croton and Ossining will be held Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct

Storytime Yoga Kids in grades 3 to 4 can explore playful yoga poses, songs, and breathing techniques. Saturday, 11:00 am. Croton Free Library

Yorktown Fall Festival Enjoy music, food, and activities. Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Yorktown Fall Festival

Creature Connections Explore the food web, animal life cycles, and the relationships between predators and prey in this live animal program. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

The New York Uproar Enjoy the Soul, Blues, R&B, and Rock of the New York Uproar. Saturday, 9:00 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar

Pumpkin Picking Take a hayride to the pumpkin field and pick out your favorite pumpkin. Sunday, 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Muscoot Farm 

Walkable Westchester Jane and Walt Daniels, authors of the Walkable Westchester guide, show you where to hike. Sunday, 2:00 pm. Croton Point Nature Center 

Farm to Table Hands-on Cooking Learn how to use hardy, leafy greens for sustained health and vitality. Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Hilltop Hanover Farm

Jazz Jam Come out and play some music! All instruments and vocalists welcome. Hosted by the Jon Osborn Band. Sunday, 6:30 pm. Bean Runner Cafe

September Sales and Deals

If August was slow, so was September. The number of homes going to contract in the area remained flat and just one previously-featured Hot Property went to contract. But a number managed to close—especially in Croton.

Contracts signed on single-family homes

August: 62
September: 63

Hot Properties That Went to Contract

Location: Croton
Featured: June 17, 2010; April 9, 2009
Asking Price When Featured: $999,000
Last Asking Price: $799,900



 

Hot Properties That Sold

Location: Bedford
Featured: June 15, 2010
Asking Price When Featured: $879,000
Last Asking Price: $845,000
Sold for: $812,500

Location: Cortlandt
Featured: June 3, 2010
Asking Price When Featured: $545,000
Last Asking Price: $545,000 
Sold for: $603,500

Location: Croton
Featured:  May 25, 2010
Asking Price When Featured: $429,000 
Last Asking Price: $429,000
Sold for: $415,000

Location: Katonah
Featured: May 13, 2010
Asking Price When Featured: $949,000
Last Asking Price: $949,000
Sold for: $949,000

Location: Croton
Featured:  April 29, 2010
Asking Price When Featured: $598,850 
Last Asking Price: $574,850  
Sold for: $540,000
 

Location: Croton
Featured: March 4, 2010
Asking Price When Featured: $599,900 
Last Asking Price: $559,000
Sold for: $503,000

A World of Crises

The series "Global Watch" showcases 17 films from around the world that examine topics from America's education system to Mexico's legal system to the plight of workers in China. The most well-known of the films is undoubtedly Waiting for Superman, a look at our public schools from filmmaker Davis Guggenheim, the creator of An Inconvenient Truth. Other films include Budrus, which explores life in a Palestinian village, and Sweet Crude, a look at the impact of our addiction to oil. Multiple showings through October 20 at Jacob Burns Film Center

Weekend Picks

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

The Magnets with Kim Clarke One of the best known woman bassist in Jazz, Kim Clarke performs with the MAGNETS. Friday, 8:00 pm. Bean Runner Cafe

Green Gardening Join Maggie Pichura, environmental educator and master gardener to learn about gardening sustainably by using natural methods for controlling weeds, insects, and more. Saturday, 10:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

Stone Barns Harvest Fest Enjoy a daylong festival of food, music, and educational activities including hayrides, farm games, workshops on food and farming, and a farmers market. Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Community Tag Sale The Huntersville section of Yorktown Heights will be having a series of tag sales, with goods for sale at the Community Church as well as homes along Baptist Church Road, Hunterbrook Road, and other streets. Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Huntersville

Legends and Lore of the Little People Storyteller Jonathan Kruk spins tales of leprechaun lairs, elfin dens, faerie eyries, and a troll bridge! Saturday, 2:00 pm. Ward Pound Ridge Reservation

Cerealism! A Collage Making Workshop Join Pop artist Michael Albert for a unique collage workshop. Saturday, 12:00 to 5:00 pm. The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Breakfast With the Hawks Join Hawk Counter Arthur Green and Westmoreland Sanctuary’s Adam Zorn to watch the spectacular annual fall raptor migration. Sunday, 9:00 am. Bedford Audubon Society

Bee Keeping Can one bee hive have 200,000 members? How are bees connected to one third of all the fruit, nuts, and vegetables we eat? Learn the answers to these questions and more. Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Muscoot Farm

Rising Stars The brilliant young musicians from Caramoor’s mentoring programs perform a program of works by Mozart in the magnificent Music Room. Sunday, 4:00 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts