Rental: Furnished and Fabulous

 

Year Built: 1972
Square Feet: 2,500

Bedrooms: 3

Property: 4 acres

Location: Bedford (with a Mt. Kisco address), in the back roads near Guard Hill.

Best features: A fine specimen of early 70's design, this house has plenty of panache. Lots of windows and good lines give the rooms a bright, modern feel. The large property is lovely. And there's the furniture—a Steinway piano and classic pieces by Eames and LeCorbusier.

Downside: The wall-to-wall is drab. And if the furnishings aren't your style, you're out of luck.

Monthly Rent: $4,000

Agency: Houlihan Lawrence

Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Flower Looking and Berry Picking

Botanist Carol Levine leads the Bedford Audubon Society's tour of Lasdon Park and Arboretum, pointing out interesting flowers and tree specimens from all over the world. Then the group will head to nearby Amawalk Farm to pick sensational organic raspberries. Thursday, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Wine and Dine

Music, wine, and food—what more could you want? 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar and Dylan's Wine Cellar are joining forces to present a four-course dinner complimented by Spanish wines and a live performance by 5-time Grammy nominated musician Jon Cobert. Wednesday.

Walk About

Almost a decade after moving up yonder from Brooklyn and I still can't get over how wonderful it is to live surrounded by so much natural beauty. Best of all, lots of it is forever protected and open to all to enjoy. Come the warm weather, nothing beats a good hike into the woods, preferably along a babbling brook or perhaps ending up on a summit with a lookout. But finding all of our area's hidden gems can be tricky. The guidebook Walkable Westchester is perhaps the most comprehensive guide to the area's hiking spots. Another great resource is the Yorktown Land Trust's Yorktown Walk Book (right), which has detailed guides and maps to 20 of the town's public preserves. You can also discover the nine preserves of the Westchester Land Trust that are open to the public. My own list of Recreation links (in the sidebar) is another good way to find some of the area's best preserves and parks. Have fun, and enjoy the scenery! find

Weekend Picks

My picks for the best activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

Bird Banding Observe wild song birds being caught, banded, and released as part of a continent-wide science project managed by the US Geological Survey. Saturday, 7:00 to 9:00 am. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Northern Westchester Butterfly Count An annual rite of summer, the butterfly count is a way for all butterfly enthusiasts to help a monitoring effort. Saturday, 10:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

Pleasantville Music Festival The ninth annual festival features headliner Marc Cohn, Sonny Landreth, Augustana, Nicole Atkins and the Black Sea, Scars on 45, Geoff Hartwell, Patti Rothberg, Reignjah, If But When, Remember September, Milton, Lisa Brigantino and many more. Saturday, 12:00 to 8:30 pm. Pleasantville Music Festival

Lasdon Summer Concert The outdoor concert series continues with "Inspired by Nature," featuring music by Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven. Saturday, 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Lasdon Park

William Tell Opera Gioachino Rossini's full opera is performed live. Saturday, 7:30 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

Hands Dancing Across the Page Join hands with performance artist Marcy B. Freedman to create abstract drawings inspired by the rhythms of live music. Saturday, 6:30 pm. Katonah Museum of Art

Hummingbirds by Hand Learn about our area’s smallest summer bird, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and make a hand-held hummingbird feeder. Sunday, 10:00 am. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Tea Fusion Join the herb expert as she explains the many uses for herbs as teas and herbal infusions. Tasty samples will be served. Sunday, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Muscoot Farm 

The Tristen Napoli Trio Enjoy the Jazz/Blues/Rock of the Tristen Napoli Trio. Sunday, 1:00 pm. Peekskill Coffee House

The Barber of Seville on Screen Filmed at the Teatro Regio di Parma in Italy, Rossini's charming comedy is sure to leave you singing "Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!" Sunday, 3:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Crow Hill Colonial

Year Built: 1726

Square Feet: 2,524

Bedrooms: 3

Property: 5 acres

Location: Yorktown Heights (with a Mt. Kisco address and Yorktown Schools)

Best features: Set on a lovely property on beautiful Crow Hill, this antique has lots to like inside and out. Original details and exposed beams give the home warmth and character, while lots of windows keep things bright. Outside, there's a very nicely landscaped pool and a one bedroom guesthouse.

Downside: The taxes are on the higher side. The house's on-again-off-again market history gives a little pause, even in this market when so many homes sit and so many contracts get canceled due to mortgage issues.
Pricing History: I first featured the listing in October 2007, when it was asking $1,295,000. It came back on the market and I re-featured the house in July 2009, with an asking of $895,000. It went to contract in September 2009.

Taxes: $20,860

Asking Price: $899,000

Agency: Ginnel Real Estate

Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Reader Tip: Dressed Up Coffee House

A reader emailed to recommend the display of retro dresses by Alana Felton on display at the Peekskill Coffee House. The nifty outfits can be purchased or custom ordered. Check out the designer's website for details and more fab pics. Alana's wares will be hanging up through July. Thanks, David!

Furniture Finds

If you're looking for high-end and one of a kind pieces for your home, check out Avant Garden in Pound Ridge. The store features a range of interesting items you won't find most places. The website doesn't list prices, which implies that if you need to ask...

Holiday Weekend Picks

My picks for the best music, fun, and fireworks this 4th of July weekend in Northern Westchester

American Roots Music Festival  Enjoy a day of American music with string band, folk, bluegrass, country, blues, gospel, and jazz. Saturday, 12:30 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

Pops, Patriots and Fireworks The Orchestra of St. Luke's and violinist Charles Yang supply the music before the fireworks. Sunday, 8:00 pm. Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

An All-American Celebration Concert The 22-piece orchestra the Big Band Sound provide the opening act for West Point's fireworks display across the river. Monday, 6:00. Boscobel Restoration

An Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebrate America's holiday by playing old-fashioned games and making ice cream. Monday, 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Muscoot Farm

July 4th Jamboree Enjoy patriotic music by the American Colonials Fife & Drum Band, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, kids' Colonial games, a beekeeper, a blacksmith, music, food, and tours of the historic house. Monday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. John Jay Homestead

Fireworks and Music Along with the fireworks above the Hudson, there's a concert at the Riverfront Green Park. Monday, 7:00 pm. Peekskill

Independence Day 1851 Experience a traditional celebration with activities that include ice cream-making, period music, traditional country dancing, and the 19th century's version of baseball. Monday, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Sunnyside

Thursday Night Soul

Singer Songwriter Daphne Willis performs tunes from her latest CD, "Because I Can." Check out the video for a taste of the young artist. Thursday, 8:00 pm. 12 Grapes Music and Wine Bar

Contempo Chateaux

Taking another dip into the deep end, I'm a bit smitten by this massive mod manse. Set on 11 acres on the Beaver Dam River in Bedford, the 5,388 square foot 4 bedroom house has many big open spaces. Built in 1977, the abode boasts some nice details, such as the huge living room's soaring ceilings, the vaulted ceiling in the kitchen, and a number of nifty fireplaces. There's also a pool and a one bedroom pool house. Sweet. The asking price is $5,750,000, and the taxes are $65,467.  
Sotheby's International Realty, Google Map, bing Map

Celtic Music, With a Global Twist

The "Dancing at Dusk" series gets off to a rambunctious start with the Irish tunes of Cady Finlayson and Vita Tanga. Blending traditional Celtic fiddle tunes with American folk and world music influences, the due performs jigs, reels, and more. Wednesday,  5:00 pm, at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.

Cool Stuff

It's that time of year again. When the kids are screaming, try something different and head up to Abbott's Frozen Custard in Shrub Oak. Supposedly "richer and creamier" than ice cream, the frozen custard comes in a variety of flavors. For an in depth look at the hows and whys of Abbott's, check out Small Bites.

Weekend Picks

My picks for the best activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

Fish Tales Walk the river's edge and search for artifacts that lead to incredible, improbable and totally audacious stories. Saturday, 10:00 am. Croton Point Nature Center 

Lenape Life Experience what a day in the life of the indigenous people of the Hudson Hills and Highlands would have been like 400 years ago by visiting a wigwam and longhouse, playing games, and using replicated tools and artifacts. Saturday, 1:00 pm. Teatown Lake Reservation 

Jam and Jelly Making Learn how to make wonderful jams and jellies using what's in season. Saturday 10:00 am. Hilltop Hanover Farm 

Butterflies of Teatown Explore the fields and forest in search of butterflies. Saturday, 10:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservation

Greek Mythology The Traveling Lantern Theatre Company presents stories of gods and heroism from the ancient civilization by the sea. Saturday, 11:00 am. Croton Free Library 

Nest Watch Come along as a naturalist checks and records which nests have eggs and which have babies. Saturday, 10:00 am. Westmoreland Sanctuary

HMS Pinafore Opening night of Gilbert and Sullivan's musical in the Venetian Theater. Saturday, 8:30 pm. Caramoor   

The YaYas Pop folk musicians The YaYas perform their tunes. Sunday, 1:00 pm. Peekskill Coffee House

NPR's "From the Top" Join acclaimed pianist and host Christopher O`Riley and a slew of extraordinary young musicians for a broadcast recording of NPR's "From the Top." Sunday, 4:30 pm. Caramoor

Chelpa Ferro: Visual Sound A Brazilian collective of visual artists, Chelpa Ferro, presents a performance that turns everyday consumer items into sound-creating devices. Sunday, 6:00 pm. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum

Potential, at a Good Price

Year Built: 1900

Square Feet: 1,756

Bedrooms: 3

Property: 0.17 of an acre

Location: Peekskill, downtown and steps from the artist's district.

Best features: This sweet house has great bones and good details. It's easy to imagine this spiffed up and shining. The house is mere steps to restaurants and amenities, and close to the parks and train. And the price is right.

Downside: Work is definitely needed to make this one shine. While its convenient, the location may not be ideal.

Taxes: $6,412

Asking Price: $239,000

Agency: Home Quest Realty (see the listing at the WPAR site)

Maps: Google Map, bing Map

The Once and Future Dylan

The documentary "The Other Side of the Mirror: Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival" tracks the musician's transformation from youthful troubadour to folk-rock star over three appearances. After the screening, author Sean Wilentz, who has written widely on Dylan, will be interviewed by Sam Tanenhaus, editor of the New York Times Book Review. Wednesday, 7:30 pm. Jacob Burns Film Center

For Surreal

Art scholar Dr. Lewis Kachur gives an overview of the Surrealist revolution launched in the 1920s. Dr. Kachur will discuss Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miró, as well as Kay Sage and Yves Tanguy—whose works are on display at the museum. Tuesday, 7:30 pm. Katonah Museum of Art

Weekend Picks

My picks for the best activities and things to do this weekend in Northern Westchester

Trio Shalva The Israeli American jazz collective, Trio Shalva, performs tunes from their debut album "Riding Alone," with its striking blend of Jazz, World Music, and Jewish Folk. Friday, 7:30 pm. Bean Runner Cafe 

Bird Watching Walk Take a morning bird walk through the farm's pastures and hiking trails to identify species. Satureday, 9:30 am. Hilltop Hanover Farm

Hike the Teatown-Kitchawan Trail In honor of National Trails Day, adults and older kids can hike this 6 mile trail with a naturalist. Enjoy views of the Croton Reservoir, stream crossings, and open meadows. Saturday, 10:00 am. Teatown Lake Reservatio

Clearwater's Great Hudson River Revival Pete Seeger and friends are back again to sing, inspire, and raise awareness (and cash) for keeping the Hudson clean and pristine. The festival features lots of music, plus storytellers, family entertainers, boat rides, and more. The fun happens at Croton Point Park, Saturday and Sunday. Clearwater Hudson Festival

Map and Compass Treasure Hunt Use a map and compass to travel through a special course in search of lost treasure. Saturday, 10:00 am. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Wolf Pup 101 Celebrate the arrival of two wolf pups! Enjoy learning about the mythology, biology and ecology of wolf families. Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 am. Wolf Conservation Center 

Los Loney Boys The Texican Rock 'n' roll trio of brothers, Los Lonely Boys, are back on tour in support of their fourth studio album, Rockpango. Saturday, 8:00 pm. Tarrytown Music Hall

Father's Day Fishing A once a year chance for dads and their kids ages 5-12 to fish in the lake (catch and release only). Sunday, 2:00 pm. Westmoreland Sanctuary

Whittling Demonstration Watch a whittler as he demonstrates the art and craftsmanship of a skill that many of our great grandfathers once enjoyed. Sunday 1:00 pm. Muscoot Farm

La Traviata, on Screen One of the most popular operas in the canon, Verdi's "La Traviata" is captured on film. Sunday, 3:00 pm. Paramount Center for the Arts

Deco Lake

Taking a look on the high side of the market, there's this lovely 1930 estate on Journey's End Lake in Yorktown. The 44 acre property boasts an 8 acre lake, two ponds, and miles of trails. In addition to the 7,532 square foot, 8 bedroom main house, there's also a boat house, a 6 bedroom guest house, a caretaker's cottage, and barns. Once the home of silent film star Holbrook Blinn, the abode has a good deal of Hollywood luxe—and features a glass block fireplace surround! How cool is that? That alone makes the $6,600,000 price seem reasonable. The taxes are harder to swallow at $90,533.
Houlihan Lawrence, Google Map, bing Map

From Flowers to Furniture

Located on the eastern edge of Ossining, Sundial Farm sells over 140 varieties of perennials, including everything from Achillea Pretty Belinda to Lavandula Munstead to Veronica Royal Candles. They also sell their own organic veggies. What's more, the farm boasts three barns brimming with delights of a very different sort. The Barn features a range of furniture from Danish Modern to antiques at prices running from low to on the high side. There's also an eclectic array of lighting, ceramics, glassware, and more. So if you're trying to freshen up your garden or your guest room, stop by the farm to check out the offerings.

Back in the Saddle

We apologize for this interruption.

Computer Down, Internet Out

Thursday's storm knocked out my Internet connection, and the momentary loss of power zapped my computer (to use the technical term). While I can do a simple post like this on the iPhone, anything more complicated is more than I can deal with. We're still waiting for Cablevision to come fix the connection, and the Mac is at the shop for a couple of days. All of which is to say that there won't be any new posts until later in the week.

Thomas Paine Slept Here

Year Built: 1734

Square Feet: 3,980

Bedrooms: 6

Property: 1.2 acres

Location: Yorktown Heights, in the Granite Springs area.

Best features: This sweet colonial retains its charm and charisma. There's plenty of original detail, and the rooms exude home-sweet-homeyness. There's a nice looking pool, as well as an apartment and offices for extra income.

Downside: The house is next to and across the street from commercial structures. Inside, some rooms need updating and most look to need some cosmetic care.

Taxes: $17,127

Asking Price: $775,000

Agency: Coldwell Banker

Maps: Google Map, bing Map

Summer Jazz

The three part Shades of Jazz festival at the Katonah Museum of Art kicks off this week. Legendary guitarist John Scofield has invited three of today’s brightest talents in the bebop and free jazz music communities to join him performing in the Sculpture Garden. This Thursday at 6:30 pm, things get going with a solo performance by guitarist Marc Ribot (right). On June 29, Saxophonist Joe Lovano performs with vocalist Judi Silvano, and on August 10 the festival wraps up with a solo performance by percussionist Billy Martin.

New Perspectives

The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art's exhibit First Look III features works by 12 emerging artists, including an installation piece by Gabriel Dawe (above). The show runs through July 24.