Author Andrew Solomon at Congregation Kol Ami
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3746
Synaplex at Congregation Kol Ami on November 14 will feature Andrew Solomon, best-selling author of "Far From the Tree". Andrew Solomon is a writer and lecturer on psychology, politics, and the arts; winner of the National Book Award; and an activist in LGBT rights, mental health and the arts. His best-selling book, Far from the Tree, is a journey of generosity, acceptance and tolerance...and that love can transcend all prejudice. The New York Times hailed the book, writing, "It's a book everyone should read...there's no one who wouldn't be a more imaginative and understanding parent - or human being - for having done so... a wise and beautiful book." He lives with his husband and son in New York and London and is a dual national.
Congregation Kol Ami's Synaplex™ Initiative is a series of monthly Friday night events that explore the Jewish experience. Its flexible format includes music, dance, spiritual exploration, guest speakers, children's programming, films, ice-cream socials, and other activities.
The evening's schedule opens at 5:00 pm with Explorations in Jewish Music with our new Cantor, David Rosen our accompanist, Lenora Eve. Come and Join us as we unpack the magic of Kabbalat Shabbat. "Shiru Ladonai Shir Chadash-Sing a New Song unto God"---be one of the first people to preview and learn some of the exciting new melodies that will be introduced during our Friday night worship this year.
Following Explorations there is a get together with hors d'oeuvres in Kol Ami's main building. At 5:30 pm there is also Shabbat in the Woods, a service of story and song for families with young children (newborn - kindergarten) followed by free childcare and a light supper.
At the heart of Synaplex™ at Kol Ami are Friday night religious services ushering in the Sabbath at 6:15 pm in the main sanctuary. Religious services will be followed by dinner at 7:15p.m. After dinner, at 8:15 pm, while adults listen to the keynote speaker, young children have a choice of making sandwiches and snacks for a local homeless shelter, arts and crafts and Supervised Sports and Games with Coach Steve Stone, and/or attending the evenings Main Event, if age appropriate. The evening concludes with a festive Oneg at 9:30 pm.
Synaplex™ events are open to both temple members and non-members. All events are free with the exception of the dinner, which costs $25 for adults, $18 for children and teens, and free for children under 5. Reservations are necessary for dinner. For more information or to make a dinner reservation, please call Ilene Miller at 949-4717 ext. 115.
Aakif Ahmad in Scarsdale On October 17
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3419
Aakif K. Ahmad will speak on "Solving Gridlock: How to Turn Conflict into Cooperation and Find Breakthrough Solutions to America's Most Urgent Challenges" at the Scarsdale League of Women Voters Food for Thought Luncheon at Scarsdale Golf Club, 1 Club Way, Hartsdale, NY on Friday, October 17, 2014. Members of the community are invited to attend.
The luncheon will begin at 11:45 am. Tickets are $40 ($45 after October 13) and is payable in advance or at the door. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the League's website at www.lwvs.org and clicking on "Event Tickets" or writing a check made out to LWVS and mailing it to Anne Lyons, 82 Greenacres Avenue, Scarsdale, NY. Questions: please contact Anne Lyons, aulyons@gmail.com.
Aakif K. Ahmad is the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, a national non-profit organization that facilitates consensus-based solutions on urgent and intractable issues confronting the United States. Mr. Aakif Ahmad will talk about why the Convergence approach works and what we can learn from it.
Mr. Ahmad is responsible for organizational and project strategy, finance and fund development, human resources, operations and external communications. He also leads the U.S.-Pakistan Leaders Forum, a multi-year project of Convergence, and its partner organizations, to promote improved U.S.-Pakistan relations by facilitating new leadership networks and incubating new partnerships between the two societies. Mr. Ahmad has spoken in many venues in the U.S. and overseas, and delivered a TEDx Talk on the principles of Convergence:
Convergence was founded in 2009 to offer an alternative approach to addressing urgent social and policy issues that were bogged down in disagreement and discord. Since its founding in 2009 Convergence has undertaken multi-year programs to identify solutions in the following four areas: K-12 education; Nutrition and wellness; Financing long-term supports and services for elderly and disabled; and US-Pakistan relations.
Mr. Ahmad earned a B.A. from Yale University in Ethics, Politics and Economics, and M.B.A from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
The Scarsdale League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization committed to promoting the informed and active participation of citizens in government. League members come together to study problems and advocate solutions, educating residents about issues that impact the community on the local, state and national levels, and evaluating responses by government on those issues. The League provides community members the opportunity to work collectively to effect positive change in the schools and village, to hear from civic and political leaders about pressing local, state and national concerns, and to meet and interact with a cross-generational group of interested, civic-minded individuals.
September Open Houses
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 8127
Fabulous Home with Pool
Public Open House:
Sunday, September 7, 2014 1pm – 3pm
45 Colby Lane, Scarsdale
This fabulous home with pool and exquisite plantings is situated on 1.26 flat acres on a tree lined street. Fully renovated with beautiful details throughout. The first level boosts a spacious master bedroom with two baths, dressing room and doors to yard, three additional bedrooms with two baths, Christopher Peacock kitchen with Viking appliances and 
breakfast room with doors to patio, family room with fireplace, doors to yard and cathedral ceiling, bath, powder room, laundry and back stairs. The second level has a gym, cedar closet, office/bed and two additional bedrooms and playroom. Learn more here:
List Price: $5,099,000
Stately Tudor:
Public Open House: Sunday, September 7 2pm – 4pm
80 Brewster Road, Scarsdale
Stately Tudor in the heart of Fox Meadow, totally renovated in 2007. Beautiful architectural details and high quality finishes throughout. Gourmet kitchen with soap stone countertops and top-of-the-line appliances, large family room with doors to yard, living room with fireplace and dining room with doors to front patio; perfect for entertaining. Additional features: slate roof, copper gutters, and wood floors. An area
above the garage can be finished into a studio or exercise room. Walk to schools, town and train. Learn more here:
List Price: $2,350,000
From the County: Ebola Awareness and Parkway Closing:
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 3837
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino released the following statement on an Ebola inquiry made on Tuesday to the County Department of Health.
"The Westchester County Department of Health has been proactively encouraging hospitals and other medical providers to contact them if they have concerns about the Ebola virus. This is a best practice that is under way out of an abundance of caution. Since August, the health department has received 11 inquires including one made last night. Upon review none of the individuals had any risk factors, exposures or indicators that would even warrant testing for Ebola.
Most of the cases have involved people returning from trips and not feeling well. But again, after review, they have not involved Ebola.
The Health Department continues to encourage hospitals and medical providers to contact them if they have any concerns. These calls allow us to review procedures and to be prepared in the event that an actual case is identified."
For more information on the Ebola virus, please visit the county's website at: www.westchestergov.com/health
Parkway Closed Sunday from 7 am to 2:30 pm
All lanes of the northbound and southbound Bronx River Parkway from the Westchester County Center (Exit 22) in White Plains to the Sprain Brook Parkway in Yonkers will be closed to traffic on Sunday, October 12 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. due to the 10th Annual Westchester Medical Center Running Festival.
Drivers must use alternate routes during the event, such as, the Sprain Brook Parkway, Central Park Avenue or Route 22. Electronic message signs will be used to post alerts. For additional information, contact Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation at 995-2555.
Razed or Saved Plus Open Houses
- Details
- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
- Hits: 4753
Applications for demolitions of Scarsdale homes are average 6-7 homes per month, meaning almost 100 homes will be razed in Scarsdale this year. The Committee for Historic Preservation has limited power to prevent these demolitions unless the home meets criteria that warrant preservation. In addition to considering the following homes at their next meeting on Tuesday August 19, the committee will discuss proposed changes to Village code that will change the way the Village designates properties for landmark status.
Here are the homes that will be 
considered for demolition:
- 2 Lincoln Rd. built in 1950
- 109 Carthage Road built in 1949
- 29 Fairview Road built in 1925
- 11 Black Hawk Road built in 1949
- 12 Willow Lane built in 1952 is on the market for $3.2 million
- 40 Sage Terrace, a charming cottage on a deep lot across from the Greenacres School could also come down. The house was built in 1922.
Recently the demolition of 22 Montrose Road was denied by the CHP. The owner then appealed the
decision to the Board of Architectural Review on July 28 who also denied the application. Here is a current photo of the home.
Are builders going directly to homeowners to make deals to buy and demolish their homes? According to Associate Real Estate Broker Anne Moretti of Julia B. Fee Sotheby's, "Builders are definitely looking for properties more aggressively this year, and there have been some direct sales. Still, most owners realize that MLS exposure typically nets the owner more money, even for a home which has "substantial deferred maintenance" (otherwise known as a teardown)." As for agents, Licensed Realtor Jennifer Constantin of Jula B. Fee Sotheby's agrees, saying, "Agents would rather have a home go to market."
Open House:
10 Morris Lane, Scarsdale,
List Price: $6,200,000
Public Open House: Sunday, August 10 2014
1pm – 3pm
Majestic estate located on a premier block in prestigious Murray Hill. Never before on the market, is this gracious Center Hall Colonial sited on two glorious acres surrounded by lush rolling lawns and exquisite gardens. A fabulous Gunite pool and adjacent tennis 
court enhance the luxury lifestyle. The house boasts nine foot ceilings, elegant finishes and quality appointments, including hardwood floors, arched doorways and walls of wainscoting creating an aura of grace and elegance. The stunning gourmet kitchen features St. Charles cabinetry, all new stainless steel appliances and a breakfast area that opens to the patio. The floor plan is ideal for convenient everyday living and formal entertaining as the indoor leads seamlessly to the beautiful outdoor spaces. Six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a convenient laundry room 
are on the second floor. Learn more here:
