RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

When we first moved to Pound Ridge 18 years ago, the slightest zephyr caused a black-out. NOT funny on a certain July day when the refrigerator was packed with food for that evening’s dinner party. I called Albano Appliance & Service and within hours, a repairman was here to remedy the prob. Since 1952, when current owner Fred Albano‘s grandparents founded this Scotts Corners retail mainstay, it has been offering AA+ service. They are also one of the only appliance stores on the east coast to have their own resident chef, Jehan deNoue, who gives monthly cooking classes and demonstrations.

“Albano’s doesn’t just sell appliances, we show customers how to get the most from their purchases,” said Chef deNoue. “Cooking classes demonstrate how to prepare meals that diversify your cooking repertoire with recipes that are easily duplicated at home. Our goal is to inspire participants to go beyond their epicurean comfort zone and experiment with new foods and cultures.”

Upcoming on Thursday, March 5 at noon are demonstrations on Wolf convection ovens and gas ranges. The cooking class menu includes rustic pizzas (duck confit; goat cheese and spiced pumpkin; and tomato, basil & cheese); Moroccan Curry, meat and vegetable empanadas; apple tarts; chorizo and marinated figs wrapped in apple-wood smoked bacon; grilled hanger steaks with Stilton sauce; and broiled salmon with ginger lime sauce.

I’m getting hungry just writing this! Where do I sign up? Call 764-4051 and ask for Patty. Since Chef deNoue will feed you (well) after the demonstration/cooking class, be sure to bring your appetite.

We are sad to note that former Pound Ridge postmaster, Jack Follis, passed away at the age of 88 in Fort Pierce, Fla. Jack was a World War II veteran and participated in the Invasion of Normandy in June 1944. After the war, he came to Stamford, and later purchased the former Wine Connection building on Westchester Avenue, where he lived in an apartment upstairs, opened Jack’s Luncheonette on the right, and the town’s first post office on the left.

“At one time, everyone in town knew Jack,” said Bob Bobletz, who worked with him in the post office for 32 years. “Jack was the nicest man. Truly a peach of a man.”

In the past few weeks, several folks have mentioned how rudeness is rampant. Is etiquette falling by the wayside? With so many mediums in which to communicate, there are simply no excuses to forget politesse. Simple manners go a long way and it’s our responsibility to teach them to our children. Basic, basic etiquette like:

• If you are invited to a party and accept, but later can’t make it, CALL THE HOST. Don’t be a no-show. (Wow, is that rude.)
  

• Don’t let your children run around restaurants. They should be seated like everyone else.
• If you receive a gift (of any sort, including scholarships from local organizations or simply someone’s kindness), say “thank you.” Do it on a note card, via fax, phone or text message, send smoke signals, do SOMETHING!
  
  

Hiram Halle Library will host the gallery opening of “Taking the Silk Road,” by esteemed silk painter Berenice Pliskin, on Sunday, March 8, from 3-5:00 p.m. in the Schaffner Room. Ms. Pliskin’s fine art images about dreams and contemporary issues are painted on silk fabric using highly concentrated dyes. This labor-intensive technique of steaming silk after a figure or scene is painted creates beautiful shimmery imagery.

For the past few years, Pliskin has focused on portraying Latino Day Laborers. In 2007, five of her paintings from this series were displayed at the Katonah Museum in conjunction with a conference on immigration. Most recently, two paintings from this series were selected by Nan Rosenthal, curator of modern art at the Met, for the Tri-State exhibit, “Contemporary Confrontations Art 2009” at the Katonah Museum. The “Day Laborer” series was also featured in the French magazine "Peinture sur Soie,” a publication for silk artists, and in several articles in The New York Times and The Journal News.

"Taking the Silk Road” will be on view at Hiram Halle Library from March 7 to April 18.

In closing, thank you for all of your kind emails about “Talk of the Town.” (See third bullet above.)

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" February 20, 2009

February 20, 2009

"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By Bonni Brodnick


Big news for little things in Scotts Corners. Eileen Godfrey Dollhouses & Miniatures has moved to 74 Westchester Avenue, in the courtyard behind Blind Charlie’s and next to Salon Perri.

“Billy Fortin was kind enough to store some things for us and then generously offered this space,” said Eileen, the renowned maestra of miniatures. The new showroom, which is co-managed by her son, Craig Scolaro, is fully-equipped with everything you will ever need to build/furnish/update your dollhouse. Eileen’s specialty is collections of one-of-a-kind pieces from all over the world. Along with miniature inlaid French desks, English highboys, gold framed oil paintings and oriental rugs, the shop is completely child-friendly and a great little beginning for starting a first dollhouse. For more info, go to eileengodfreyminiatures.com.

Time to UnWINEd at the Symphony Space, at 95 Street and Broadway on the Upper West Side, and hear Pound Ridgers Jody Sandhaus, vocalist, and Pete Malinverni, pianist, at a special program that’s part of “The 1939 Project.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 25 through Friday, Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. this talented duo will perform soulful and spirited tunes from the great American songbook, including “All or Nothing at All,” and “I Didn’t Know What Time it was.” Since 1939 was the year that “The Wizard of Oz” came out, Jody will pay tribute with “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” And as you may know, movie actor Frank Morgan, the Wizard himself, (almost) lived on Fancher Road. According to George Bria in Pound Ridge Past: Remembrances of Our Townsfolk, there’s an old story about Mr. Morgan’s house and how it was “rehabilitated, fumigated, repainted, and cleaned out. He brought his wife to see it; she took one look and departed for Paris, where she got a divorce. So he never actually lived there.”

Trying to figure out in which medium to communicate? Forget the telephone, fax, and email. That’s old hat. Now you can social network via Google Analytics, Twitter, Flikr, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Ning. It’s a rogue frontier but very à la vogue. One hip communicator explained of Twitter, “Think of a flock of birds. They are on a field. A small thing makes them flutter here and there, and there's a pattern to it. That's Twitter. Imho.” (“Imho” = “in my humble opinion)

Westchester Land Trust will inaugurate their first annual Leon Levy Winter Walk and Environmental Symposium with two great events.

On Saturday afternoon, Feb. 28, from 4-6 p.m. in the Carriage House of Waccabuc Country Club, Andrew Revkin, “The New York Times” science reporter, will discuss global warming, sustainability, the news media and land preservation in a talk called "DOT EARTH: 9 Billion People + 1 Planet = ?" Two local experts, Paul Gallagher and Guy Hodges, will give a brief history of the preserve preceding Mr. Revkin.

The following day, on Sunday, March 1 at 1 p.m., gather all ye winter-walk- through-the-woods aficionados at the Leon Levy preserve.

The Environmental Symposium and Winter Walk are in honor of the late philanthropist Leon Levy, principal benefactor of the Leon Levy Preserve, a 386-acre tract in South Salem. The Saturday and Sunday events are organized by Westchester Land Trust and its local chapter, the Lewisboro Land Trust, and are generously sponsored by the Jerome Levy Foundation. Seating for the symposium is limited and reservations are recommended. Take a cyber-hike to info@Westchesterlandtrust.org (put "Leon Levy" in the subject line).

Looking to swap a pair of little girl ice skates in a size 11 for a big girl size 6.5? Need a dog sitter or even a John Deere mower? Check out the new neighborhood on-line hangout on Facebook called Pound Ridge Powwow. The group advertises services, tchotchkes, and curios that you’d like to give away, sell, or are seeking. It’s like a town-y Craig’s List for gewgaws and is a terrific resource. Last time I looked there were 50 members and it’s growing by the day.

The Pound Ridge Powwow is an open group. All are welcome to join and invite others to join. That’s the beauty of Facebook.

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We enjoy hearing about what’s happening to Pound Ridgers near and far, present and past. Please send your quips, blips and blurbs regarding town activities, nature notes, travels afar, scholastic accomplishments, sports achievements, engagements, weddings, new babies and grandchildren to towntalk@optonline.net. All topics are appropriate for inclusion in this column. Alternatively (but not preferred), you may mail info to The Record-Review, P.O. Box 455, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, or leave a message at 244-0533, ext. 13.

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" February 13, 2009

By BONNI BRODNICK


The bays in my attic are organized by holiday, starting with Oct./Halloween (which includes crazy costumes, my witch hat, and other ghostly things); Nov./Thanksgiving (my longtime collection of turkeys and pilgrims); Dec./Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year’s Eve (ranging from boughs to antique tree ornaments, stars and poppers); Feb./Valentine’s Day (hand-made cards going back to when the children were at Pound Ridge Community Church Pre-School; red construction-paper hearts glued on doilies with corny “Roses are Red” poems written by my mom; and pen and ink Valentines from my sister/former Pound Ridger and artist Pamela Morandi; to March/St. Patrick’s Day (green four-leaf clover cut-outs galore), April/April Fool’s Day (Victorian postcards from the 1920s); and May/Mother’s Day (sentimental cards from the husband and kids). After a lull in June, we walk over to the July/Independence Day bay, and pull out flags of all sizes to festoon the house and front planters with Americana. All of these family traditions are what make our home-sweet-home.

Benjamin Baum, a Pound Ridge Elementary School 4th grader, is racking up the wins as he races through the gates with the Thunder Ridge Ski Team in Patterson. A member of the United States Ski & Snowboard Association, the team competes within the Connecticut Youth Ski League and the Tri-State Alpine Ski Racing Association. On snowy days, think of Ben on one of the five local mountains—Southington, Sundown, Mohawk, Powder Ridge, and Berkshire East—as he helps bring his team to another victory on the slopes. Cool stuff.

It was some enchanted evening last Saturday night when we saw “South Pacific” at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center. As if the performance itself wasn’t wonderful enough, after final bows, lead actress, Kelli O’Hara, asked for lights up and said, “On January 15, a catastrophe was averted just blocks away on the Hudson River. We are proud to dedicate this performance to US Airways Pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and his family, who are with us this evening.” And just seats away, there was the new New York hero. The applause was overwhelming as the audience celebrated the Hudson River Pilot.

Thinking theatrically for another moment . . . Pound Ridge Recreation presents The Pound Ridge Theater Company’s PRTC Kids Onstage on Saturdays starting tomorrow, Feb. 14 through April 4. Workshops, stagecraft shops and play shops will take place at Hiram Halle Library and Conant Hall for ages from 4 to 11 and up. Actress Christine D’Amato will encourage our young thespians-to-be to explore their creativity through theater games, structured exercises, pantomime, voice and improv. Professional set designer Kimberly Gerardi will conduct Stagecraft Workshops and teach painting, sculpting and how to create a set for the theater kids’ final production on April 4. So as not to leave anyone out, Pure Joy! Performing Arts instructor Marsha McEwan will simultaneously offer play shops for kids ages 4 – 7 as they experience drama, song and dance. For more information on all of these terrific programs, contact the Recreation Department at 764-0947, x. 3987.

Johnny Ferro, the dreamy actor from Pound Ridge, received word that his latest film, The Video Guys, was accepted into Hollywood’s International Family Film Festival in the feature comedy film category. The story: Love is hard to find but it’s easy to videotape. With more than 2,500 weddings under their belts, the video guys have shot every kind of crazy bride, wacky groom and their clawing in-laws. The greatest challenge comes when one of the characters finds himself filming his ex-wife’s wedding. Johnny plays “Chuck,” the still photographer. He's sort of the hot shot in the group, and it's his job to make sure the video guys don’t mess things up. They all learn that love is, ultimately, strictly business.

Johnny Ferro had a lead role in another film, “Daybreak,” which has been chosen as the opening night film at the Bahamas International Film Festival. The guy is up and coming. And what a great name. You can’t say “Johnny” without adding the “Ferro.”

Roses are tie-dyed, violets are blue. In follow up to last week’s column … please note that florist Joy Serata’s correct number is 764-3395.

Ready for Valentine’s Day tomorrow? Because of the downward spiral of our economy, big spending is out this year. You’re off the hook for diamond earrings or new golf clubs. It’s back to basics. Write a love poem or a make a batch of heart-shaped cookies. Scrawl “I love you” in dry board marker on the hallway mirror. Foregoing the fancy schmancy is fine. Sometimes it’s the simple expressions of true love that are truly 2 good 2 be 4-gotten.

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We enjoy hearing about what’s happening to Pound Ridgers near and far, present and past. Please send your quips, blips and blurbs regarding town activities, nature notes, travels afar, scholastic accomplishments, sports achievements, engagements, weddings, new babies and grandchildren to towntalk@optonline.net. All topics are appropriate for inclusion in this column. Alternatively (but not preferred), you may mail info to The Record-Review, P.O. Box 455, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, or leave a message at 244-0533, ext. 13.

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" February 6, 2009

"TALK OF THE TOWN"
By Bonni Brodnick

Peace. Love. Flower Power. This Valentine’s Day offer your amoré a peace symbol made of tie-dyed roses by florist Joy Serata. On the more traditional side, she can also do long-stem red or pink roses in an old-school white box with red satin ribbon. Pre-orders a must for Valentine’s Day. Call Joy at 764-3395 or shoot her an email at joyserata@gmail.com. Long-stems are always nice, but the tie-dyed roses are a real trip.

Speaking of love-ly things . . . The Pound Ridge Theatre Company will host a Sunday afternoon reading of “Engagement Rules (mostly a comedy),” an original play by Rich Orloff. The reading features Phil Gardiner, Kim Lowden, Phil Cook and Louise Kaminer, and is directed by the talented Sherry Asch.

The story is about two couples—one grappling with obstacles in their young relationship and the other seeking ways to renew the spice in their long-running marriage. All good friends, they advise and learn from one another with humor and affection. It’s a sweet confectionary of friendship. Make a date for Sun., Feb. 15 at 2 p.m. at Conant Hall. Admission is free (donations gratefully accepted). Wine and cheese after the reading, along with meeting the playwright. Nice way to cap the Valentine’s Day weekend. For more info, email prtc01@yahoo.com

Calling all Pound Ridge cupids! Come participate in “Love Thy Neighbor,” an event at Hiram Halle Library on Valentine’s Day (Sat., Feb. 14) from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Charge up your creativity by making Valentine’s to send to someone special (materials like glue, paper and doilies will be supplied). Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to those in need. Please call the Library at 764-5085 to register for this free of charge program. Share the love, baby.

Fox Lane 80s grads listen-up! On Fri., Feb. 13, Lisa Errickson and Suzanne Gardella-Keledjian are hosting a party called “Night of Mayhem” at Public House (140 East 41 Street, between Lexington and 3rd). Per the invitation, the gig starts at 6 p.m. and ends the following day (Valentine’s Day) at 12 noon. So anytime you get there, you won’t be late. (In my book, that’s always a good thing.)

Since HDTV (high definition television) will soon be here and many have old televisions that will no longer function, you may be looking for a place to dispose of them safely. Gail Jankus, chair of the Pound Ridge Conservation Board mentioned that the Pound Ridge Recycling Center will now accept old televisions. Hours of operation: every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon (except holiday weekends.)

Congrats to Jodi Gutierrez, vice president of property management for George Comfort & Sons and on-site property manager of High Ridge Park Corporate Center, a 40-acre park with six Class A office buildings, in Stamford. Our best wishes for receiving the Member of the Year Award from the Building Owners and Managers Association of Southern Connecticut. Jodi was honored for her involvement in the association program committee, board membership, sponsorships, community service efforts and involvement in the The Office Building of the Year awards. Jodi also serves as the 2009 chairperson of the Stamford Inaugural March for Babies for the March of Dimes; is on the board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester; is a member of the President's Council of Northern Westchester Hospital Center and is past president of the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce. In other words . . . Jodi makes us proud.

Green is the new black. The Bedford Environmental Summit at Fox Lane High School last weekend was the bees’ knees. There were hundreds of concerned citizens seeking sustainability. Along with running into lots of Pound Ridgers, I picked up great info and inspiration. For instance, do you have pesky slow drains? Instead of using those bombastic Draino products, pour ½ cup of baking soda followed by ½ cup white vinegar. Let sit 20-30 minutes. Then pour about two quarts of boiling water down the drain.

Helen Keller wrote, “I am only one, but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something.” Let’s all try to do something to help encourage individual and collective actions to make our /home/town/state/country/world more sustainable. In the end, we all breathe the same air and share the large common backyard.

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We enjoy hearing about what’s happening to Pound Ridgers near and far, present and past. Please send your quips, blips and blurbs regarding town activities, nature notes, travels afar, scholastic accomplishments, sports achievements, engagements, weddings, new babies and grandchildren to towntalk@optonline.net. All topics are appropriate for inclusion in this column. Alternatively (but not preferred), you may mail info to The Record-Review, P.O. Box 455, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, or leave a message at 244-0533, ext. 13.

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" / January 30, 2009

By BONNI BRODNICK

Pete Malinverni, Pound Ridge jazz pianist/composer, has been called “audacious and exquisite” by the Village Voice; “one of New York’s great pianists” by Boston Herald; and “a wild cat the way he digs into the piano and emerges with exotic treasure” by The Philadelphia Inquirer. As if that’s not impressive enough, Pete has also earned an entry in the Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Are we surprised that he is making a debut at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall?
Pete will perform his harmonic magic on solo piano and his arrangements for gospel choir members of the Devoe Street Baptist Church Choir of Brooklyn (where he has been Minister of Music for the past 15 years) and members of the Purchase College Soul Voices (which he founded and where he serves on the jazz studies faculty at the Conservatory of Music). It’s a be there/be square happening on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8 p.m. at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. The concert is under the auspices of The Abby Whiteside Foundation. Tickets are $35 ($15 students/seniors) and are on sale at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, CarnegieCharge 212-247-7800, and online at www.carnegiehall.org.

The inauguration of President Obama was a world-stopper. Julia Reingold, Fox Lane High School Class of ’06, who is on-leave from Barnard College in NYC and studying English at University of Edinburgh in Scotland, dashed a note to “Talk of the Town:”
“Over 150 Americans and I congregated at a local pub in Edinburgh where there are a few television screens. We watched the BBC's coverage of the inauguration and Obama's beautiful speech. There was much cheering and rejoicing (and in my case, teary eyes). Many of the bakeries in town sold American flag cookies, a few classes were canceled, and there were half-off inauguration deals at pubs and restaurants. It felt like a genuine holiday.
“Meanwhile . . . all over campus, the Scots and Brits hosted ‘Bye Bye Bush’ parties. At one, they were even selling ‘We Survived Bush!’ t-shirts. In retrospect, I probably should have bought one and preserved it-- but I felt too patriotic!”

Word in from Ann Arbor . . . the University of Michigan head men’s tennis coach announced that senior Peter Aarts was voted by his teammates to serve as a team co-captain for the 2009 dual-match season.
Peter is entering his final dual-match campaign with career records of 49-36 in singles and 26-28 in doubles. In his junior season, he was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference selection where he achieved his first career 20-win singles seasons (22-11). Other career highlights include an Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar-Athlete nomination in 2007 and the team’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honor in 2008. Congratulations, Peter!

Too close for comfort. Remember that US Airways flight that miraculously landed in the Hudson River? Mary Legrand, former “Talk of the Town” columnist, was on that exact piece of aircraft on its leg from Charlotte to LaGuardia just before its fateful takeoff to return to Charlotte on Thursday, Jan. 15. “We landed at about 2:30 p.m., and the plane reloaded and took off as Flight 1549 an hour later to return to Charlotte, taking its diversion into the river. Exact same crew, too.”

Of 800 entrants, Pound Ridge residents Tina Rohrer and Gail Lee are two of 126 artists accepted to exhibit their work at Katonah Museum of Art’s Tri-state exhibition, “Contemporary Confrontations art 2009.” Needless to say, both artists were delighted to be accepted into this prestigious show juried by the distinguished Nan Rosenthal, who recently retired as senior consultant for Modern and Contemporary Art at The Met.

Ground Hog Day is tomorrow, and Valentine’s Day is nigh. It is officially time to put away Christmas decorations. The worst red-letter day collision I’ve yet to see (not kidding) was an election sign, next to pumpkins, next to Christmas lights. Wake up, peops. Pick one, stick with it for a spell, and then put it back in the box for the next go-around. Note: Hold onto the Obama/Biden signs though (you never know).

Happy wreathless, Ground Hog Day!

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We enjoy hearing about what’s happening to Pound Ridgers near and far, present and past. Please send your quips, blips and blurbs regarding town activities, nature notes, travels afar, scholastic accomplishments, sports achievements, engagements, weddings, new babies and grandchildren to towntalk@optonline.net. All topics are appropriate for inclusion in this column. Alternatively (but not preferred), you may mail info to The Record-Review, P.O. Box 455, Bedford Hills, NY 10507, or leave a message at 244-0533, ext. 13.