February 14, 2010

Bedford-Pound Ridge RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town" - February 14, 2010



February 14, 2010

"Talk of the Town"
By Bonni Brodnick


When we asked a few readers how much they doth loveth Pound Ridge, they responded,
“I love the idea that there is not a train nor a bus and that we still have so many pristine nooks, not ruined by us, the so called ‘civilized ones.’” ~ LSM. “I love going for a hike at the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation any time of year with my kids.” ~AB

With Valentine’s Day in the air, heartfelt sentiments and L-O-V-E love are flying. Get ready to express your affection with kind and admiring words and gestures. Things like thoughtful Valentine’s cards, romantic interludes, and/or big boxes of satin-covered heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. What about some jewelry? Do you like flowers? How about some 02? The 02 Living Health Spa, Yoga and Live Food Café at Yellow Monkey Village in Cross River has put together a couples Valentine’s Day special that includes a unisex one-hour yoga practice for beginners and all-levels, a couples 60-minute Swedish massage, followed by assorted handmade truffles served with Goji Berry Tonic (a non-alcoholic juice). Cherish the moment with your favorite guy or gal. For more information on 02 Living, call 763-6320 or check out their website at www.02living.me, which has a bountiful offering of information on wellness and maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Let’s say you’re in business and you’re looking for new executive office space, but you don’t want an expensive lease or the drudgery of a commute to NYC, Greenwich, Stamford or White Plains. Let’s say you’re looking to open a branch office of a major corporation and want to present a polished/professional image, or let’s just say you have a home office and would love to work with other professionals, but it has to be close-by so you’re on-hand for family responsibilities. Office Suites of Pound Ridge at the Business Center is the new venture by the dynamic duo, Elaine and Nick Vazzana. This “ready-to-go” office solution is a new way of looking at workspace in a market traditionally dominated by expensive leases, utilities and services. “We handle all of the time-consuming details of daily operation so that people are free to focus on their core business,” said Nick. Located on Westchester Avenue, Office Suites of Pound Ridge has private offices, a fully-equipped conference room with a large-screen HDTV; executive office furniture and décor; high-speed fiber-optic Internet and telephone service; secure mailbox and shipping; copying, printing and faxing services; a refreshment lounge/kitchenette, and something as simple as natural light. Each office has either a window or a skylight and environmental concerns have been taken into account with heating/AC. You’ll be able to manage your cash flow easily because the all-inclusive monthly bills even cover electrical and cleaning. By 2012 at least 40 percent of the American workforce will be distributed away from a large central office. So whether you’re a professional who needs a second office, an entrepreneur who is moving your office from home, a financial broker who needs a private office, or a corporate employee who needs a satellite office, this could be your solution. Contact Nick Vazzana at 764-3401 or elvaz@aol.com.

Wake up, wake up, wherever you are! It’s that time of year to start thinking about coming out of hibernation and seeing friends and neighbors. Come to the next meeting of Pound Ridge Neighbors and Newcomers Club on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. to help plan the remainder of the season. They welcome your input re: events you’d like held, where to have them and when. Some events on the discussion docket include the Chili Cook-Off, Spring Wine Tasting, Spring Luncheon and Dinner, Real Men Do Cook, and the season’s-end family BBQ. For more information, call PRNNC president Dawn Decker at 764-5190 or email prnnc@hotmail.com.

It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” ~Walt Disney. “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” ~Eleanor Roosevelt. On a blustery February evening, this was just the kind of inspiration we were looking for when we gazed up to read these timeless homilies inscribed in the molding at North Star Restaurant in Scotts Corners. If you’re looking for a delicious meal, attentive service and warm ambiance, check out the restaurant that is becoming another Pound Ridge staple. Many evenings include live music. Go to www.northstar.com or call 764-0200. Go ahead. “Live with passion.” ~Tony Robbins. “Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.” ~Jimi Hendrix.

February 5, 2010

RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

This Valentine’s Day, get the children to show a little love. Pound Ridge Library will host “Love Thy Neighbor,” an event for all ages. Materials will be supplied for making cards and crafts, and Valentine’s Day books from the library collection will be displayed. Be sure to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to those in need. The love-in is next Saturday, February 13 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. Who doesn’t [heart] homemade Valentine’s Day cards? There is no charge for the program, but please register beforehand by calling the Library at 764-5085. For more info on Library happenings, check out www.poundridgelibrary.org.

Trinity, a balm for the body, mind and soul that offers psychotherapy, yoga, and dance right in Scotts Corners, recently held a “Winter Celebration of the Arts.” The event, hosted by psychotherapist and owner Rosemarie Saracione, LCSWR, was presented in honor of the community and the performing arts. Half of the proceeds raised at the event were donated to the Pound Ridge Lions Volunteer Ambulance Corps. (Incidentally, our amazing ambulance corps is an all-volunteer organization of about 20 members, and is totally funded by contributions. New members and financial support are always needed and welcome.) At the Trinity celebration, Stephanie Harding spoke about yoga and meditation; dance instructors Christopher Alvarez gave a presentation on how to salsa and rhumba, and Waldemar Tylinski on how to do the Argentine Tango. (And who hasn’t been thinking about learning to Tango? Classes are Tuesday evenings, 5:15 to 6 p.m.) “It is my hope that Trinity’s Winter Celebration of the Arts is the beginning of many social and philanthropic events that celebrate the arts and integral relations to the three concepts embraced by Trinity ——body, mind, and spirit,” said Rosemarie. Trinity is located at 34 Westchester Avenue. For more information, call 764-1700.

A few helpful hints: Lucy Robin sent in some inspiring information that we can all do, “One Light Bulb at a Time.” In our economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else, even their job. Items like toothpaste, laundry products, light bulbs, even a Hershey’s chocolate bar, may be manufactured outside of the country. The challenge is to start reading labels when you shop for every day things and see what you can find that is made in the U.S.A. Start buying American products, one light bulb at a time. Carrie Sears, a master gardener with Pound Ridge Garden Club, offers some helpful information about de-icing your sidewalks. “It’s better for plants, concrete, and wells to use a sodium-free de-icing product. Look for something that contains calcium magnesium or calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) mixed with sand. CMA is made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid (vinegar). It is less likely to damage plants, concrete, or ground water than rock salt. In addition, the dolomitic limestone will sweeten the soil (raise the pH) and adds calcium, one of the micronutrients used by plants.”

How cool was it that Jessica Best of Pound Ridge and Luke Celenza of Bedford, both students at Fox Lane High School, were selected to participate in The Grammy Foundation’s Jazz Ensembles program? Jess, an alto, was selected for the jazz choir, and Luke, a pianist, was selected for the jazz combo. Along with two other young musicians from Westchester, they traveled to Los Angles for a week-long musical experience, performed at Grammy Week events, got an opportunity to record a CD together, and perform at a Grammy Awards after-party. Ensemble selectees are also eligible for more than $2 million in college scholarships. Between the gigs and festivities, we caught up with Ellen Best, proud mom and Record-Review writer. “We're out here in LA and Jess is singing with jazz greats all over town! What an opportunity for her and Luke!”

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