November 15, 2009

THE RECORD-REVIEW "Talk of the Town"

By BONNI BRODNICK

It all started with a love of dogs. And shoes. For Tonina Abplanalp of Lower Trinity Pass, Amore dei Cani, represents the marriage of her two passions. With a snappy line of loafers, totes and clutch wallets, the owner/designer/entrepreneur educates consumers about the characters of breeds and the type of family that is best-suited for that breed. Are you a Labrador Retriever, West Highland Terrier or Jack Russell Terrier kind of person? Once you decide, you can have your shoes, tote or wallet customized with a beautiful silver- or gold-finish medallion that captures your dog-of-choice standing at full attention. The shoes also feature rubber soles with the trademark Amore dei Cani paw print, so you can leave your mark wherever you walk.

Tonina started the venture with her twin sister/business partner, Karen Rossitch. A percentage of all profits will be donated to the American Kennel Club Humane Fund, an organization that promotes responsible pet ownership through education.

“There are approximately 74.8 million owned dogs in the U.S., and 39 percent of households own at least one dog. They are part of the family unit. We love them, have pictures of them, and tell stories about them. They’re like our fur-babies,” said the self-proclaimed “nut” about the main dogs in her life, Mo-Mo, Boofy and Minnow. “Amore dei Cani is a way for people to learn more about responsible pet ownership and which breed of dog is best for them and their lifestyles.” Gift-giving season is nigh. Check out those dogs at www.amoredeicani.com.

Many thanks to the music lover in Katonah who touched base about the October 30 “Talk of the Town” column that mentioned WQXR’s new perch at 105.9 FM on the radio dial. We would be remiss not to also mention WMNR Fine Arts Radio that is broadcast out of Monroe, Conn. This non-commercial classical and fine arts music station invites listeners to join. “I enjoy WMNR at 88.9 FM. Start there and you will have another world of lovely sound,” wrote our reader.

Lionheart Gallery at 27 Westchester Avenue will have an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 2 to 7 p.m. for an exhibition of American landscape paintings by artists Ellen Jorgenson, Kendall Klingbeil and Wendy Moore. The landscape, waterway and seascape paintings are of Hudson River, Nantucket and Vermont scenes. “Lionheart Gallery will present their holiday tradition of affordable fine art, featuring paintings of American’s natural treasures: views that lift the spirit. The work will range from mini-masterpieces to grand landscapes,” said Kendall. The upcoming show is dedicated to Bonnie and Richard Bieder and their 25 years of dedication to these artists and the arts. For more info, call the gallery at 764-8689. If you aren’t able to make it to the opening reception, the gallery will also be open on Sunday, Nov.22 from noon to 4 p.m.

There is a popular saying, "If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. But if you give him a fishing rod, you feed him for a lifetime.” The Sunday school children of Pound Ridge Community Church are setting out to raise $5,000 for Heifer International, an amazing organization that works to end world hunger by giving cows, goats and other food and income producing livestock to impoverished families around the world, including the United States. Recipients are trained in animal care and environmentally sound agricultural practices so they can lift themselves out of poverty. Those, who for generations knew only poverty, will be able to build new homes and start business. Children who once headed out to the field to do backbreaking work will be heading into schoolrooms to learn to read. And people who never thought they’d be in a position to help someone else will be able to experience the joy of charitable giving by sharing food and offspring animals with others in their community.

The children of PRCC will be collecting donations at Scott’s Corner Market on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (You may also contribute by sending checks to Pound Ridge Community Church, 3 Pound Ridge Road. Make them payable to PRCC, with Heifer International in the memo. For more info, please call 764-9000.) Thanks to the generosity and good will of our townsfolk, the children will help change the lives of others in positive and meaningful ways.

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