Predatory Lending: “What You Should Know Before Re-financing”
May 6th, 6-7:30pm
MLK Center at 95 Lincoln Ave in New Rochelle

Learn about No Cost Energy Efficient Services and Potential Grants
Energy Consultants will present info on Energy Efficient Products,Utility Assistance Program, Energy Tips for your Home, Incentive Grant Programs for Home Owners, Renters and Landlords
June 2nd, 6-7:30pm
Yonkers Riverfront Library at 1 Larkin Plaza

Learn How to Protect Your Identity from Theft without Spending a Dime
June 3rd, 6-7:30pm
Yonkers Riverfront Library at 1 Larkin Plaza

RSVP for these Free Seminars at 428-4507 x303 or homebuying@wroinc.org

Posted By: Carol Dorado

You know spring has arrived in Katonah when the Magnolia blossoms burst into full bloom. To help celebrate spring the Katonah Chamber of Commerce participants are having a Spring Fling, Saturday May 16th from 10 - 2. There will be arts and crafts, demonstrations, entertainment and merchant discounts. So walk, drive, or take the train to Katonah. See you there!

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Think about Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. This is the burial place for many illustrious people, among them is Andrew Carnegie, Samuel Gompers, Walter Chrysler, William Rockefeller, Elizabeth Arden, Brooke Astor, Leona Helmsley, and Washington Irvington.

Washington Irving the author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, has many of the characters in his stories buried near him. Of course they have fictious names in his stories. The setting for some of his stories is Sleepy Hollow.

Leona Hemsley’s mausoleum is a large structure with beautiful stained glass windows, and Andrew Carnegie’s burial site is a simple, hard to find marker.

The grounds are beautiful. Dogwoods are about to bloom, and are really glorious. The cemetery gates open M-F 8am-4:30, Saturday and Sunday 8:30-4:30.

If you are visiting this weekend, come to my open house on Sunday April 26, time 1-3 at 9 Hemlock Drive in Sleepy Hollow Manor. I will tell you about some wonderful walks, and wonderful properties in this area. Also there is a book fair at the Warner Library, where you can find books on almost every subject.

Posted By: Barbara Eisert

As a Real Estate Broker, one of my favorite things to do is to tell newcomers to the area the story of both The Old & The New Katonah.

In the 1890's New York City had a need to create a reservoir system to provide a larger fresh water supply to fulfill its increasing needs. They decided to build a new dam and holding area for the water. They declared its right of eminent domain over the original Katonah and an area known as Whitlockville and intended to flood the town with the Croton River. The headlines of 1893 asked "Will Katonah Be Deserted?", "The New York Times" declared "Destruction to Katonah".

Well, the proud people of Katonah were not interested in accepting a buy out (my modern choice of words) for their property and instead contacted the Landscape Design Firm of Frederick Law Olmstead of Massachusetts ( Central Park in NYC being one of their many projects in the Country) to design a new town for them. The plan included his trademark use of green space "with center strips devoted to flowers". The Katonah Land Company syndicate bought a farm a mile south. They then lifted the homes, put them on tracks made from shaved pine trees that were rubbed down with simple yellow laundry soap. Once the horse team pulled the house the length of the rails they then had to pick them up to move them ahead and had to relubricate them with the soap.

People were living in many of the houses as they were being moved. School children would return at the end of the day and the house had moved once again! There is even a report of a wedding taking place while they were being moved. This explains the photograph with the laundry still hung on the porch! There is a wonderful display of memorabilia on the lower level of the Katonah Library. Over 55 homes, businesses and St. Mary's Church made the big move and are still in use today. When we celebrated the Centennial in 1997, there were parades with floats, a grand ball held at The John Jay Homestead and fireworks.

There is a wonderful new "Katonah Walking Tour Guide" that has just been written by the Katonah Village Improvement Society (KVIS). I learned that Katonah had a milliner's shop, a 5& 10 cent store, the Twin Porches Cafe - housed in one of the Victorians and even a movie theater that was very popular until Mt. Kisco (always the Big Town) opened a new theater that featured the "talkies."

If you are interested I would be happy to mail one to you - or just let me know when you are available to visit Katonah and I will be happy to give you the tour myself!

Posted by:Karen Benvin Ransom

Larchmont Friends of the Family is a wonderful organization that reflects the special qualitities that make Larchmont such an extraordinary place to live. It is an all-volunteer group that provides assistance to community families that have experienced a death or serious illness, usually involving one of the parents. That assistance can be providing meals, driving to doctor’s appointments or treatments, supplying children’s clothing, running errands, driving children to and from school and a myriad of other helpful activities, as well as short-term financial assistance. The group is always in need of committed volunteers, and financial donations.

There are many families in Larchmont that have been the beneficiaries of the compassionate support that this wonderful group provides, and for them that support has made a critical difference in their ability to survive some very difficult situations. The activities of this wonderful organization are one of the ties that bind the residents of Larchmont and the immediate surrounding areas together. For further information, please go to LarchmontGazette.com/Guide/Address/Data/FriendsOfFamily.

Posted By: Marjorie Weschler

While I spent time in Bedford Village last weekend and enjoyed the artwork on display throughout the Village I picked up a flyer of future additional Saturday Events sponsored by the Bedford Village Business Association.

Some of the Merchants include: Bedford Wines, Jewel Corner, Bubble & Tweet Kid’s Clothes, Bedford Florist, Bedford Gourmet, Perennial Gardens “Plants & Things,” Consider the Cook - Food Accessories and Near & Natural Foods. Additional Sponsors are Carol JW Kurth - AIA Architects, and Margaret Wilson & Co. Interior Design and The Bedford Historical Society.

On Saturday May 23rd - there is the “Kick Off Memorial Day Weekend w/ Pizza & Tasties” - Wood Fired pizza and various tastings around Bedford Village.

On Friday-Saturday-Sunday June 12th-14th - it will be Bedford Sales Days with sales tables from the local merchants.

On Saturday July 11th - Revisit “The Burning of Bedford” - a reenactment of an event which occurred during the Revolutionary War. Details will follow on this event. Perhaps start or end your day with a meal at Richard Gere’s restored “Bedford Post Restaurant” which is housed in the only building in Bedford that survived the fire set by the British throughout the village.

Of course it may be the perfect time to see and enjoy our entire area: Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, Katonah, Pound Ridge, Bedford Corners, Mt. Kisco, North & South Salem and Waccabuc. There are many lovely properties on the Market right now so just let me know your “Real Estate Wish List” in advance!

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

Little did I know when I bought two huge, juicy heirloom tomatoes last year at the Katonah/Lewisboro Farmers’ Market, I would be growing my own crop this spring.

It all happened as I started cutting one of the heirloom tomatoes and my husband said, “hey, my cousin saved some seeds from his heirlooms and grew plants the next year. Why don’t you save some seeds?” So I scooped out the seeds, rinsed them, put them on waxed paper and left them on the counter to dry. Weeks later I put them in an envelope, and took them out to the garage where they stayed for the winter.

While waiting for spring to arrive I decided to start my seeds. It was the second week of March when I bought a growing container with 72 peat pellets to see if the seeds I saved would sprout. Since the seeds were still stuck together, I ended up putting more than one seed in each pellet, but didn’t think it would matter since I didn’t expect them to all grow. Well they did, and I now have a huge crop of seedlings (over 100) that have been repotted once and will be moving to even larger containers soon. My living room and dining room look like a green house but that’s where they are happy. What to do with over 100 plants will be challenging. I plan to build a raised bed, protect it from the squirrels, chipmunks, deer, rabbits, and ground hogs and that will be a challenge. I’ll give some plants to co-workers and friends and perhaps by August we’ll all be having a tomato party and serving tomato soup!

There are many Farmers’ Market in Westchester. I love the Katonah Lewisboro market held at John Jay High School. I always carry my reusable Houlihan Lawrence cloth bags and visit all the merchants at the market as there are always new and wonderful items to see.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

A favorite weekend evening outing here is a night at both The Meetinghouse Restaurant in Bedford Village for cocktails plus dinner and then a movie right smack next door at The Bedford Playhouse Cinema.

Well, I mixed it up a bit this weekend and on Sunday I went to Brunch at The Meetinghouse Restaurant (Brunch 11-3) and then to a matinee next door at the Bedford Playhouse.

After the movie -“State of Play” (or was it “State of Confusion”?), I then did some browsing at one of my favorite shops - “Small Joys” where Bedford buys those perfect for the season, the day, the moment and the hour Caspari paper cocktail napkins, plus the perfect Shower, Wedding and then Baby Gift (I am old fashioned) and more.

Then onto The Bedford Presbyterian Church for “The Master Singers of Westchester” in their annual performance. Vivaldi’s Magnificat, Haydn’s Missa Brevis in F, a Magnificat from Zelenka - a Czech Baroque composer and contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach. Bach actually told his son, Wilhelm, to copy one of his works. The afternoon ended with six of Bach’s cantatas. Master Singers of Westchester: “Ordinary People Making Extraordinary Music”

I then topped that off by fulfilling my Sunday Obligation at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church right on the Village Green. Quite joyously I may add!

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

7a.m., my day off. It promises to be sunny and my garden is calling – time to plant the Swiss chard, provide stakes for the peas and fence the lettuce away from the rabbits.

But first, as a recent chat with a friend reminded me, summer vacation is upon us. It’s camp registration time and throughout the neighborhood dinner conversations focus on how best to occupy, entertain, educate and maybe even enlighten our children while school is out. For some, a specialty camp is the answer, so here for your consideration are a few located close to home in Westchester:

• Circus Arts Camp - Future Stars runs this camp, one of many, as part of the Summer on Campus program at SUNY Purchase.
• Fox Hill Farms Summer Program - For the child who dreams of horses night and day there is no better place than this family run full-service stable in Pocantico Hills. Something for beginner and experienced riders alike.
• Summer@theLab - Where movie buffs explore behind the scenes at the Jacob Burns Film Center Media Arts Lab in Pleasantville.
• Yorktown Stage Theatre Workshops - In Yorktown Heights, a variety of programs to delight your budding thespian.

More next week and throughout the seasons of places to go, things to see, and what to do around my home and yours in Westchester County, NY.

Posted By: Liz Pereira

Two seedy looking homeless characters in a mountainous setting are trying to decide how to spend the day. They are reminiscing about the past, and can’t decide whether to go on or wait for Godot. A young boy keeps bringing messages from Godot that he will be there tomorrow. Tomorrow comes and goes and the youth brings the same message from Godot.

Couldn’t help thinking about all those customers who have had great opportunities to buy and are waiting for the perfect house, perfect time, perfect price.

The time is now, the prices are right, and no house is perfect.

Posted By: Barbara Eisert

With spring approaching it is time to be mindful of Ticks that are capable of transmitting multiple diseases. Ticks are most active between May and August, so now is the time to beware!

When I work in the yard, walk through the woods, or am in an area where ticks tend to lurk, (near marshy areas, woods, leaf piles, and the great outdoors) I take precautions to avoid the possibility of being bit. One of the best ways is to wear a white long sleeve shirt and long pants then tuck your shirt into your pants, and your pants into your socks. I also wear a hat and then use repellant on any other exposed skin.

As for our dogs, my calendar is marked monthly with a reminder when they need their tick repellant application. In addition, before letting them romp in the woods I spray them lightly with a tick and flea spray as this seems to keep the ticks from hitching a ride into the house before hopping off.

For more information on Ticks and prevention of Lyme disease there are several really great web sites. To learn more about personal protection go to: lyme.org/ticks/personal.html, for amazing facts about ticks check out lyme.org/ticks/facts.html, especially the Tick Pictures link, lyme.org/gallery/ticks.html. New York State also has information to help: Health.State.NY.US/diseases/communicable/lyme. For information on how to remove a tick should you get bit: Placervillevet.com/ticktools.htm. Check out these sites and have a Tick-free spring and summer.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Half Moon Bay, a luxury gated community in Croton-on-Hudson, is the only purely residential condominium complex in Westchester that is directly on the Hudson River.* The setting is just north of the Croton Point peninsula, where the river broadens dramatically into Haverstraw Bay, the widest part of the Hudson at about 3½ miles across. Location.

Only 25 miles upriver from New York City, Half Moon Bay is virtually adjacent to the Croton-Harmon train station, an express stop on the MetroNorth commuter train and an easy - and gloriously scenic – 45-minute ride south along the riverbank to Grand Central. It’s walkable, but a jitney bus takes residents to and from the station during rush hours. Location.

The complex is sandwiched between two waterfront parks. Croton Point Park just south is a 500-acre county park offering year-round events and activities with facilities for camping, hiking and swimming. It is one of the best “birding” sites in Westchester, featuring regular bald eagle-watching events. Adjoining to the north, the village’s Senasqua Park has waterside picnic and recreational facilities for local residents, including the Croton Sailing School, serving both children and adults. Above Senasqua is the Croton Yacht Club, followed by a new village park that just opened in October 2008. Croton Landing Park extends the Westchester Riverwalk pedestrian walkway for another mile along the water’s edge. In the center of these great amenities lies the Half Moon Bay complex, with its own paved promenade along the shoreline. Location.

Oh, did I mention? Half Moon Bay is close enough to walk to many of the village’s key commercial establishments, including at least four of Croton’s best restaurants, the big gourmet food store, the post office, two pharmacies and many others. Location!

The Half Moon Bay complex was first developed in the late 1980s, on one of the few strips of waterside land that was not already occupied by the railroad tracks that have lined the Hudson shore since the mid-19th Century. A second phase of construction, called Discovery Cove, followed in 2004, and the complex now comprises 158 units ranging in size from 900-2600 square feet.

Resort-style amenities make residents feel like they’re on permanent vacation. The complex has two heated pools, two clubhouses, two tennis courts, new state-of-the art exercise facility, sauna, a full-time guard at the gate, and a bike path in addition to the river walk promenade. There is even access to the adjacent Half Moon Bay Marina, an award-winning 173-slip facility that enhances the maritime scenery of the area..

Purchase prices in the last two years have ranged from $360,000 for a 2-bedroom, 2-bath unit with 1160 square feet to $1,450,000 for a 2600 square-foot 3-bedroom, 3-bath unit. Naturally, prices are greatly affected by proximity to and views of the river. That million-dollar unit was the biggest model; it had two decks overlooking the water and every room had a close-up, panoramic river view. Prices for the ten units on the market in April 2009 range from $400,000 to $800,000. Twenty-seven units have sold in the last 24 months, so the turnover averages about one a month. Rentals are also available, but in smaller numbers. Finally, you can buy one of those boat slips, called dockominiums, in the Marina.

I have sold and rented repeatedly in Half Moon Bay, and have listed the only two dockominiums currently available. I would be happy to answer any questions. Bruce@BruceDollar.com

*Ichabods Landing in Sleepy Hollow, the only other condo complex that does not have train tracks between itself and the water, has residential mixed with commercial spaces.

While the temperatures don’t feel like spring yet, it’s time for the Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club’s Spring Clean Up, May 1 & 2nd. Start cleaning out your closets, the garage, and get ready to make your donations to the Bedford Village Chowder and Marching Club.

The club will even arrange to have your donations picked up. For a list of items they will accept and to schedule the pick up, click here.

After moving into the Bedford School district and assisting with fund raising for football and lacrosse, I kept hearing about the Bedford Village Chowder and Marching Club. I thought it was a band that marched in a parade, but soon realized it is a well established club, not a band. They are a non-profit civic organization that raises money to support arts programs, club and school sports, scouts, athletics, youth outreach, scholarship and community service for the children in Bedford. Their giant tag sale in May helps support that effort. If you can’t find anything to donate, then attend the sale and search for treasures. It’s the best giant tag sale in the area.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

The media is full of gloom and doom for the real estate market. What the news media does not tell us is that, despite the much publicized increase in short sales and foreclosures, the vast majority of homeowners either own their homes outright or are current on their mortgage payments. For those who are employed, have a good credit score, and a down payment, mortgage money is available and interest rates will probably never be lower. It is important to remember that if interest rates go up by 1%, purchasing power goes down by 10% so even if prices slide to a somewhat lower level, the increase in interest rates would offset that decrease. Finally, the purchase of a home is not the same as a stock certificate–it is a long term investment that historically always goes up, and has the added value of providing shelter, comfort, memories and a lifestyle. So long as a buyer intends to remain in the home for a period of years, there has never been a better time to buy.

Posted By: Marjorie Weschler

Home buyers who are drawn to Westchester County for its proximity to the majestic Hudson River sometimes insist on a house right on the water, and are willing to pay for it. When told there are virtually no houses with direct water access they are incredulous. Thirty-five miles of shoreline from New York City to Peekskill, and the number of waterfront houses for sale is zero? How is that possible?

The explanation is quite simple: the railroad. In the 19th Century, trains offered a faster, more efficient means of transport than boats, and the shoreline, unlike the rocky hills above it, was flat. Tracks were laid in 1850, and soon attracted factories and warehouses that cemented the character of the riverfront as largely commercial and industrial.

Not that there’s any shortage of houses with great views of the river. And commuters to Manhattan get the full benefit of those Hudson Line tracks, watching the changing seasons as the river scrolls by, and those glorious sunsets on the way home. But homes on the water? Mostly ruled out.

There are a few exceptions. Condos, for instance. In the late 1980s a strip of land on the water side of the tracks in Croton-on-Hudson was reclaimed for development of Half Moon Bay, an upscale, gated condominium complex. (More about that in a future blog posting here.) Similarly, another luxury condo complex, Ichabod’s Landing, has just been constructed where the huge former General Motors assembly plant used to sit, on the water just north of the Tarrytown train station.

Farther north, just above Croton, the tracks suddenly veer inland at Crugers and don’t reappear at the water’s edge till Peekskill, leaving the river hamlets of Montrose, Verplanck and Buchanan on a peninsula free of the railroad. Most of the shoreline here is taken up by a veterans hospital, a county park, a power plant, a yacht club and some light industrial buildings. There are, however, a few tiny enclaves of mostly (but not exclusively) modest houses on the water that very occasionally come on the market. It helps to know an agent who pays attention to these areas who can alert a buyer to an upcoming opportunity.

The next best thing to actual water access is a close-up river view from just behind the tracks, and here there are usually some interesting opportunities, especially between Tarrytown and Ossining, including Sleepy Hollow, Philipse Manor and Scarborough, but also in Croton and a bit farther north. More distant river views are more plentiful, and they too will be addressed in future postings. The point for now is to have realistic expectations of houses with direct water access on the Hudson River.

For more detailed information, contact me at Bruce@BruceDollar.com.

Posted By: Bruce Dollar

Contrast! Compare!

That was the booming voice of the Art History Professor to the darkened lecture hall during an exam. Slides of art lit up the front of the classroom. In the dark we had to write madly until the next set of slides would appear.

Compare! Contrast!

Once again with the sharp staccato of a Ballet Master’s staff.

These are the voices I hear as I go through the installation of the new Lichtenstein Show at The Katonah Museum of Art, “Lichtenstein in Process.” March 29th to June 28th, 2009.

The first two things I have to compare are the differences between the two institutions of art that I lead docent tours of within the Hamlet of Katonah in the Town Of Bedford, New York.

The first is The Rosen House at Caramoor. The permanent beautiful vast collections of Renaissance and Oriental Art plus whole rooms dismantled from convents and castles throughout Europe are retrofitted into the living space created for them. www.caramoor.org. There the collection remains the same and we have the job to help people feel their love of collecting and how it was their home and their daily life. We may decide to study pieces in depth. There are also small shows within the home. “The Art of Majolica” was the last one and “The Female Deities of Chinese Art” will be opening in May. There is a lecture given on each show in advance.

The Katonah Museum of Art - www.katonahmuseum.org - on the other hand has changing shows of many periods and mediums of art several times a year! You really have to be quick on your feet (and in your mind) in order to learn the new material in time. They prepare you by holding lectures on the subject held in the Pound Ridge Library and once the show is hung or displayed you are to tour it at least once again with a Curator and fellow docents to learn it “in situ”. This happens within a day or two of the grand opening.

Then as for Lichtenstein ( pronounced “lick-ten-styne” just as in the Country) we go through his process - view his inspiration, see his sketch and then see his collage phase of the process - basically his “on canvas” workshop. Here he transferred his ideas from the sketch by drawing, painting, covering changes with pieces of paper, using strips of tape, pieces of foil to define his bold outlines and plan the execution of the final piece. The work is done in half scale of the final work. It was then photographed using a 35mm camera and then a slide was made and projected onto a fresh canvas. The final work is then painted. Also there is the use of his famous “Benday Dots” in not only his comic paintings but in his ethereal landscapes.

We are comparing and contrasting his inspiration - the work of Matisse, Picasso, Klein, ancient Chinese scrolls, illustrations from the yellow pages, cheap novellas and even Disney to his interpretation of it. Sign of the times - most asked question - was he ever sued by the Families, Foundations or Companies? He was never sued for interpreting their works.

The Katonah Museum is open Tuesday - Saturday 10-5. Sunday 12-5. Docent led tours are at 2:30 each day. There are also things for the children to do plus a Family Day will be on Sunday May the 3rd 1-4.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

My wife just bought a Kindle 2 (from Amazon) as a present for her father on his 75th birthday. Not only can you get thousands of books on the Kindle, but you can have your newspaper displayed on the Kindle too. Wait, did I just say newspaper? If you are reading this blog, do you actually know what a newspaper is? It is news printed on paper! Yes, paper! Of course, I am kidding, but with newspapers closing or moving to the Internet it won’t be long before we will have to talk about them in the past tense.

In the good old days, the newspaper was the source for jobs and real estate. Those two sections used to have many pages in the Sunday editions of the papers. Now, they are minuscule. Where do you look for real estate nowadays? On the real estate (web)sites of course. There is HoulihanLawrence.com, Trulia.com, Realtor.com and many others. It has become an established fact that potential home buyers spend months on the Internet before ever contacting a real estate agent. The anonymity of the buyer is King and who wants to be bothered by those “obnoxious” real estate agents anyway?

The first step for the home buyer away from the “virtual world” of the Internet is visiting “real world” Open Houses. Here you only need to give up a little bit of your anonymity by showing up “in person” to see the house “off screen.” And this brings me to what we are doing on Sunday, April 19th: We are having an “Open House Extravaganza” in the Sound Shore communities of Rye, Mamaroneck, Larchmont and New Rochelle. Over 25 homes will be shown from 2 - 4 pm. These homes range from a townhouse in the Arbor Glen community of New Rochelle for $499K to an estate in Orienta (Mamaroneck) for $2,850K – with everything else in between. Not only will you see great homes, but you will meet great people, some of them are even real estate agents!! And while you are out, take a stroll through Manor Park in Larchmont. You won’t regret it!

Posted By: H. Juergen Hess

“How to Maintain Good Credit and Lower Your Debt”
April 15th at 5:30pm
MLK Center at 95 Lincoln Avenue in New Rochelle

“Understanding Your Investments in Today’s Market”
May 13th at 5:30pm
Yonkers Riverside Library at 1 Larkin Plaza in Yonkers

Please RSVP at 914-428-4507 or homebuying@wroinc.org

Posted By: Carol Dorado

I have some of my fondest earliest childhood memories of walking with my Mother to the Warner Library in Tarrytown. Pulling open those massive bronze doors in itself was thrilling! What treasures were there for me! I also loved Story Hours. I felt very grown up. Later in life as a young adult when money was more than tight (and now) going to the library held the same thrill and satisfaction. I have thanked Benjamin Franklin a thousand times for this institution.

Many years later I was so excited as a young Mother to introduce my children to books. As soon as the baby nurse left (that is another story!) I had to get to a book store for the very first books for my son. I proudly have double framed photos of each of my children holding open their first books!

Then years later the biggest moment of all - getting their own Library Card! You cannot replace that feeling of satisfaction when you have an armload of books. We are very fortunate to have all grown up in Katonah and having the Katonah Village Library as a great part of our lives. We have even stocked up and filled the car with books on the way to Cape Cod each summer.

The Children’s rooms are very spacious and inviting. There is also a more casual corner with floor cushions and chairs should you not have the patience to wait to get home in order to read your book - or have it read to you. Years later my children had their piano recitals in one of the special performance/gallery rooms.

Then there is Tina the Turtle who is kept in an aquarium tank. They accept donations for her care. This past week my daughter was in another room hanging a John Jay High School Art Show and I could not resist stopping in to see Tina. She has really grown!

Our Library offers many programs for the Children - Summer Reading Clubs, Halloween Story Hour Plus Parade, 6 different age based Story Times for preschoolers, book clubs for all ages, and then movies, books and play reading pizza parties for teens! I have noticed in their new bulletin that they also are having a New Mother’s Tea.

There are so many programs our Library offers that it is best that you discover it on your own. From their bulletin I have learned that in 2008 The Katonah Village Library held 443 programs!

Visit their website: KatonahLibrary.org

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and my friend Heilke and I decided to park at the Rockefeller State Park and hike to the Stone Barns. We walked around the lake and sighted 3 cormorants drying their wings. Making a left turn we entered the Stone Barns Agricultural Center. We noticed some small metal units. There were 6 or 7 pig families each in their own unit. As we tried to get close to one family, mama pig bounced us away. She was protecting her family.

Very soon we saw the glass enclosed areas where volunteers tended to the vegetable gardens. The volunteers are local and city dwellers who come up to see things grow and enjoy the feeling of working with the soil.

We then went past a small area where flowers were being planted. A year ago, I brought my grandchildren here and they were allowed to pick wild strawberries. They loved eating something they had picked.

Next,we headed to the cafe. We gazed at the scrumptious display of sandwiches, salads, cookies, coffee and teas. Couldn’t resist sampling some wonderful cakes and green tea.

Entering the former barns was a delightful treat. It is a handsome restoration. There is a large elegant room upstairs which can be rented for community or family occasions. We peeked into the spotless kitchen where the delights of the farm are prepared.

The restaurant, Blue Hill @ Stone Barn is open for dinner and brunch, expensive but unique and will add to a special celebration.

Before we left, we looked into an interesting shop. Items included unusual toys, books, gifts and t-shirts.

The walk back was faster and easier. We had a wonderful time and felt exhilarated…Try it you will like it.

Posted By: Barbara Eisert

Living in Westchester allows you to participate and use one of the finest library systems! The Bedford Free Library is my favorite, located in the center of Bedford in a historic building dating back to 1903. As part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Westchester Library System is having their 18th Annual Book and Author luncheon which will be held on Thursday April 16, at Abigail Kirsch’s Tappan Hill in Tarrytown, NY.

The event will include a luncheon and author signing where you can meet the authors: Dave Donelson, Hallie Ephron, Marek Fuchs, and Laura Lippman. For more information you can call 914-231-3226 or visit www.WestchesterLibraries.org. Ticket prices vary from General priced at $75.00 to Library Patron Sponsorship $100.00 or more.

Being in real estate not only means that one has to find new homes for homo sapiens – meaning real life people, but in many cases their beloved animals too. Over the years, my clients have had horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, fish and all kinds of other creepy crawly things.

Once you purchase your own house all these animals, well, except maybe the horses, won’t be a problem, at least in most cases. But what if your new home is going to be a condo or worse a co-op? Or if you are renting? A number of real estate agents, like myself, have made it one of their specialties to find homes for people and their pets. We know the places where animals are welcome in our neighborhood. For example, I right now have a rental property, a one bedroom apartment with a den, in a co-op building that allows dogs and other pets (see photo). There is even a website that features real estate with animals, called The Pet Realty Network.

Sometimes it is amazing how real estate agents deal with animals. I encountered two very interesting comments in the “agent only remarks” on listing sheets recently. One was asking to give at least 24 hours notice so that Fred, the dog, can make other arrangements. What a clever (but slow) dog! Another listing sheet stated that the property was vacant … but asked potential buyers and their agents to ring the bell first, since an older dog was living there. The poor dog, all by himself! The property was indeed vacant and the dog must have checked out way before we arrived.

Currently I am looking for a rental home for a European family that asked me if it would be okay for them to bring a pet. Upon inquiry the pet turned out to be a dog. And its size? 130 lbs.! A Saint Bernard!! Just because it is one of the largest dog breeds around isn’t negative at all. For one thing, they sleep much more that a yelpy little Chihuahua! They are gentle souls and because of their size and weight are usually rather mellow. Compared to my two-year old Lab (see photo), a Saint Bernard, is, well, a Saint!

Posted By: H. Juergen Hess

Last evening I had the pleasure to attend an Art Show and Reception held for the artist Elon Brasil.

It was held in the new Manhattanville Student Center at Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. The Show is “Ancestors - Art as Social Awareness.” This is the first time his work has been exhibited by a University.

What the show made us aware of is the contrast of the natives of the rainforests stepping into the modern civilization of Sao Paolo, Brazil. There are beautiful children with their carved and painted cheeks in total amazement as they view the city scenes. It could be any city in the world. You see the wonder and feel the loss of innocence.

They are mostly paintings but one is a painting plus a collage - the one from the invitation which I have featured here. The collage components are newspaper articles dealing with modern strife: international conflict, financial problems and war. This is juxtaposed around the large tranquil face of the native Brazilian. Serving as the cheek carvings and painting of ancient times the articles with their horizontal lines have the same effect. Meaning? Perhaps we are all etched by the strife of modern life imposed not by a familiar hand but by society.

He is a resident of Sao Paolo, Brazil and SoHo in NYC. His art is in the private collections of Samuel L. Jackson, “Magic” Johnson, Forest Whitaker and Don Cheadle among many others. He became known while in residence in Switzerland and is in both private and museum collections around the world.

It was a lovely catered event and I enjoyed meeting current M’ville students and even met two girls that had graduated from my other Alma Mater - Our Lady of Victory Academy in Dobbs Ferry, New York. I am also planning an event with the Alumni Association. I am hoping to have them come for a tour, concert and tea at Caramoor in my current home of Katonah, New York.

The show runs until April the 10th, 2009.

Yes, I was an Art History Major at Manhattanville.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

Did you ever take a ride through Pound Ridge and notice that instead of the usual metal street signs there are signs seemingly hand made and carved of wood? Even more interesting is the fact that they are not a simple pole with a small rectangular name plate for the street but resemble outstretched arms with a hand and a finger pointing to the road it is meant to mark. The name of the street is in black block letters along the arm.

There is an article in the March 2009 “Bedford Magazine” about the “finger pointing” signs of Pound Ridge. They are from the early 1950s when Guy Rainsford, an advertising art director, suggested the motif after seeing similar signs in his travels across the country and the signs were crafted by local men from the Pound Ridge Highway Department. Then again there was such a sign on Mead Street in Waccabuc to the North since the 1940s so perhaps it was just a local influence. They were made by local handymen of wood and later were replaced by metal. They grace the rambling country roads of Pound Ridge and enhance the ambiance of the town. Nonetheless, it gives the feeling that they were from Colonial Times!

They may have been post-Colonial but Pound Ridge actually was a busy center of industry in Colonial times and throughout the decades that followed.

Pound Ridge was settled in 1640 and the industries that became important to the area were basket making, the sale of the oysters and clams brought to the hamlet from the shores of Long Island and the Hudson River to the West, and even factories that made shirts and shoes and employed scores of people.

At the end of the 19th century Pound Ridge became known as Basket Town and the Restaurant “Blind Charlie’s” is named after one local man so deft at basketry that although he was indeed blind, he became a local legend at his craft.

Then the age of “Mad Men” came to the hamlet in the 1950s and breadwinners headed to the Big City of New York, Stamford, CT, Mt. Kisco and White Plains, New York.

Pound Ridge today is a mix of charming original Colonial homes through the age of contemporaries that are juxtaposed against the natural settings. Scotts Corners is named after one of the founding families of Pound Ridge that were the predominant business owners and remains the center of business and services for the hamlet today. Pound Ridge shares a border with Connecticut and the children enjoy the schools of the Bedford Central School System.

Posted By: Karen Benvin Ransom

The Blazer Pub, located on Route 22 between Goldens Bridge and Purdys just east of 684 is a favorite eating (and drinking I suppose) spot well known in Northern Westchester. It offers great food for the entire family at a reasonable price and excellent quality. They are well known for their burgers, though I have never tried one. I am educating my friends to their fantastic Tomato Soup, which according to the menu is claimed to be award winning for several years. I enjoy the soup so much I have tried to find the recipe to make myself, but concluded it is more fun to just stop at the Blazer to ease my craving than to keep trying new and disappointing recipes. They also serve a hearty chili, but I can’t pass up the tomato soup.

If you love burgers, then you’ll love the Blazer! Their chicken finger appetizer is enough for an entire meal and is very crispy and tender. My son loves, loves, loves, their blooming onion and the salads are always crisp and fresh, even in winter, which is a real rare find.

They don’t accept credit cards, but the prices won’t drain your wallet, and gentlemen, no tank tops, or bare feet as indicated on the sign as you enter.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas

Designed with a Parisian Flair! When French born Architect, Berenice DeCirfontaine DeGermay designed her kitchen, it was with thoughts of clean, crisp, sleek lines. Berenice states “charmante petite maison a vivre” (a charming small home for an easy lifestyle!).

The large island also makes a statement. It is ultra modern in design, and features Italian porcelain tiles with glass inlays. This design is carried over to the flooring which continues to the lower level of the split level home. Berenice’s flair for design is also apparent in how the floors are antiqued in sharp contrast to the modern glass dining table. Berenice loves seeking the unusual. She found some wonderful columns which she felt would compliment her patio, and together with the climbing vines, it is obvious this is a tranquil and relaxing place to sit and contemplate life.

Berenice and her family chose the cozy 1968 square foot home, and will miss leaving it. The roof is new, the windows also, and they have also renovated the Master Bathroom with contrasts of warm green hues of marble and beige tile work.

The one change Berenice and her husband, Alexandre did concede to make, was to trim back the hedges. French people like privacy and so the hedges and bushes were purposely grown to afford them just that. They realize that Americans like everything trimmed back, and so that was done prior to placing the home onto the market.

I think that while there are some people who renovate as they know they are selling their home, and wish to optimize the sales price, there are others who simply go about life and home to reflect their personalities, and this split level home offers both charm and elegance. The home located at 75 Ramona Court is MLS# 2909652 priced at $595,000. Ooh la la!

Posted By: Gay Rosen

Not long ago, a new client of mine told me he wanted to check me out via a virtual interview. So he googled me. How many Bruce Dollars could there be? But he gave up. “There were too many,” he said, “and they couldn’t all be you. Obviously the Houlihan Lawrence realtor was you. But then there’s the private detective named Bruce Dollar who investigated a big Madison Avenue ad agency after its top executives defected to another firm. (NY Times) There’s the Bruce Dollar who wrote a widely reprinted article about “Child Care in China.” (college course reading lists), and the one who tailed the car of a notorious Caribbean dictator’s wife in a high-speed chase on the French Riviera. (NY Times), and the one who had a private meeting in a Paris hotel room with an African president l (Amazon.com). There’s the Bruce Dollar who authored a book on Youth Participation, and a book on Youth Tutoring Youth. (Amazon.com) And the one who played a role in a so-called “secret war” between French intelligence services and the Paris-based company where Bruce Dollar was managing director. (Book chapter) Google also found a doctoral dissertation on the politics of school reform by Bruce Dollar on file at Columbia University. There’s even a Bruce Dollar who coaches football in Carlsbad, New Mexico.”

The client was right. The Bruce Dollar who sells houses for Houlihan Lawrence has never coached football in Carlsbad or anywhere else. The rest were me.

I’ve had an interesting life so far–most of it undetected by Google–and I’m still having fun. I like selling houses. It means meeting new people, figuring out the best ways to meet their needs whether it’s buying or selling, and helping them through a process that’s often fraught with challenges and unknowns. And I think my extremely varied experience has prepared me to be a good advocate, guide and problem solver for my clients.

Posted By: Bruce Dollar

It’s Spring?

It’s Spring?

As I opened the back door the evening of March 26th, I gasped with delight at the deafening sound of Tree Peepers. They are a welcoming sound in the spring because it means it’s finally going to be warmer. Much to my disappointment two days later they were silent again. The temperatures outside also fell to the low 30s so it’s no wonder they weren’t singing. I didn’t have a song in my heart that day either as I ventured out for yet another cold spring day with temperatures representing winter.

The Peepers are small frogs that live in the trees near marshy, swamp areas we now refer to as wetlands. They are very small, the size of a thumbnail, so I’ve never seen one and besides they are active at night when it’s dark. While I enjoy hearing the peeps I am glad they are back because they eat insects. Many people confuse their peeping as sounds with those coming from insects, and by the time hot and humid weather begins they are all singing together.

As I prepare and plan my container flower garden for the deck, I am also looking forward to seeing the gray tree frog which will often make a home under the leaves of my Impatiens or cling to the windows at night. To hear the call of the Spring Peeper click here.

Posted By: Sonja Lovas