An Intimate Conversation with Best-Selling Author Chris Whitaker at Scarsdale Library
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Chris Whitaker and Amy Einhorn at Scarsdale LibraryOn October 9th, Scarsdale Adult School hosted an unforgettable evening with New York Times best-selling author Chris Whitaker, author of All the Colors of the Dark, drawing over 75 captivated attendees to the Scarsdale Public Library. In an intimate and heartfelt conversation with his longtime editor, Amy Einhorn, Whitaker revealed the personal stories and experiences that fuel his storytelling. The warm and genuine rapport between author and editor made for a fascinating captivating discussion, offering insights into the collaborative magic they share, the creative process, the depth of research involved, and the life experiences that shape Whitaker's work. With humor, honesty, and vulnerability, Whitaker provided attendees not only a masterclass in writing but also a profound reflection on the life experiences that have shaped his literary voice.
Scarsdale Adult School Executive Director Jill Serling. Chris Whitaker, Pam Fuehrer Scarsdale Resident and Chair of the Board of Trustees of Scarsdale Adult School
Breakfast at La Casa Bronxville
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Breakfast TacosHeading to a Mexican restaurant for breakfast is something new, cool, fun and delicious to try and La Casa Bronxville have recently launched weekend breakfast offering a mouth-watering selection of Mexican breakfast dishes and more traditional options.
Let’s start with the coffee! Don’t expect Starbucks: you are coming to a contemporary Mexican restaurant that does things their way - and whatever they do is done very well. La Casa makes a traditional Latin Cafe Con Leche and it’s fantastic. The selection of a full flavored Cuban bean is smart and the proportions of coffee to hot milk was spot on, creating a bold, strong, yet creamy and satisfying Cafe Con Leche. We also ordered freshly squeezed orange juice and this too was exactly right. The juice was super fresh, with a gentle sweetness and no sharpness at all.
Cafe con Leche
La Casa’s breakfast menu has oodles of options. Choose from an abundant selection of egg dishes - including Huevos Divorciados and Huevos Rancheros, Breakfast Tacos, an overflowing Breakfast Burrito (which has become an instant hit) as well as pancakes, bacon, sausage and the sides you’d usually expect.
Have you heard of Chilaquiles? They are sublime. Warmed, crunchy tortilla strips - made from house made tortillas - are tossed in a light sauce, then topped with a fried egg plus any add-on you choose. Chorizo is traditional and La Casa makes their own so that’s what we went for. Amazing.
We loved the La Casa Omelette. It’s light, fluffy, and generously overflowing with our selection of add-ins. Another stand out item: home fries! They are fantastic. Bite-size chunks of potato, crisped all over for a delicious crunch, and tender-soft on the inside. Served piping hot in a bowl, they are utterly irresistible, even when you think you are full to bursting. The house-made granola at La Casa is baked, crunchy clusters of grains and nuts, the freshest berries piled on a tart creamy plain yogurt.
Breakfast BurritoEvery dish we tried at La Casa breakfast was cooked to perfection, utterly delicious, and beautifully presented. There is something for everyone - even if the Mexican breakfast dishes don’t appeal. Owner Spencer Pingel, and Chef Viktor “Erik” Lopez are focused and meticulous about sourcing and serving the freshest ingredients in all of their dishes especially when everything on the menu is made from scratch. It shouldn’t be a surprise - voted Westchester Magazine’s 2024 Best Mexican Restaurant they know what they are doing!
Stop by this weekend for breakfast. The party goes all day on Saturdays and Sundays - with Brunch following on from 11.30 - 4pm, then followed by dinner at 4pm.
La Casa Bronxville
Breakfast is served Saturdays and Sundays 9am - 11.30am
www.lacasabronxvile.com
7 Pondfield Road, Bronxville, NY 10708
914-222-9016
Instagram: @lacasabronxville
Steak and Eggs
Granola
Political Polarization: The Solution Might Be at Your Dinner Table
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We’ve all been there. We’re out to dinner with friends and in an instant the tone of the conversation turns from convivial to confrontational, from amicable to aggressive. Alarmed you find yourself kicking your partner under the table, nudging them “not to go there.”
With the country polarized over politics it’s a situation that is hard to avoid.
But instead of skirting all points on which we disagree, is it better to find a way to conduct a civil discussion? How will we understand one another if we can’t discuss the issues that tear up apart?
That’s the subject of the documentary “Undivide Us,” that was shown at the Scarsdale Library on Saturday September 21 at an event hosted by the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale and the Scarsdale Public Library.
The film takes us on a road trip to three swing states, Arizona, Georgia and Pennsylvania where focus groups are conducted with people of divergent viewpoints. Raising subjects like gun control, abortion and the environment, the group leader attempts to show the participants how to conduct productive conversations where they can understand the views of others and also be understood.
Using conversational techniques designed for marriage counseling, participants can reflect on why others feel the way they do in order to bridge gaps. Simply put, a participant can ask, “Can I reflect back to you why I think you think what you think?”
The film was directed by Kristi Kendall, a television news producer, who “has developed an expertise in leveraging the power of story to bring together unlikely collaborators to work synergistically on project that help shape public opinion.” And that’s just what she does in “Undivide Us,” where she contends that in reality, “Only about 20% of Americans are unable to have discussions with people they disagree with ….so the other 80% can chat.”
Valerie Abrahams interviewed Director Kristi Kendall
Following the screening, Kendall was interviewed via Zoom by Valerie Abrahams, former editor of the Scarsdale Inquirer.
Asked for advice on how to bring her ideas to the Scarsdale community Kendall told the people in the room who had viewed the film, “You are now part of the solution. In social circles and at dining tables, treat others with respect and authentic honesty. … seek to understand rather than seek to be understood.”
Sadly, the producers noted that even after hours of conversation no one changed their minds on the issues, but they did change their attitude about people who disagree with them.
In order to spread the word, Kendall recommends the following:
Go to Undivideusmovie.com, and first sign the Undivide Us Pledge for Respect.
See a long list of venues where the film will be shown this fall and request a screening in your community. Share the movie trailer on social media and with friends.
It starts with you. Rather than avoiding touchy subjects, use civil discourse to understand and build mutual respect.
Learn more here: https://undivideusmovie.com/
A Roaring Good Time to Benefit Scarsdale Library: You're Invited
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The Friends of the Scarsdale Library invite you to put on 1920's glam attire to attend A Roaring Good Time in Gatsby’s Library on Thursday, October 17th, at Beach Point Club.
After a long break during COVID, the Friends of the Scarsdale Library (FOSL) is pleased to bring back a gala fundraiser for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, supporting the Scarsdale Public Library. The event will undoubtedly be a night to remember– it will be held at Beach Point Club and will feature food, drinks, music, casino games, interactive raffles, and a silent auction. Whispering Angel will be the exclusive rosé sponsor and there are many great prizes from well loved national brands as well as many local Scarsdale favorites in the beauty, dining, fitness and kids’ classes categories.
The proceeds from the gala will ensure that the Scarsdale Public Library can continue to offer the best to community members of all ages. Specifically, they will support Library programming, including children and teen classes, adult programming, the Maker Space, author talks, as well as museum passes and new technology, and more. There are still exciting sponsorship opportunities for corporate or individual donors. This is also a perfect time to become a ‘Friend’ of the Scarsdale Library or renew your commitment to FOSL.
Your support is appreciated to ensure that Scarsdale Library remains a cultural and intellectual hub for the community. Help us keep this momentum going by joining the Friends of the Scarsdale Library at a Roaring Good Time in Gatsby’s Library, Thursday, October 17th at 7pm. We look forward to celebrating with you!
For further details or to purchase a ticket or become an event sponsor click here.
Gatsby’s Library Contact:
● Daniela Retelny, Gala Co-Chair, daniela.retelny@gmail.com
Thank you to all of our other sponsors and raffle prize contributors to date. Special thanks to these headline sponsors:
Speakeasy sponsor
● Angela Retelny Team at Compass
Glitz & Glamour Sponsor
● The Longevity Space by Dr. Poonam Desai
Roaring 20s sponsor
● Cheryl and Philip Milstein
● Wilson and Son Jewelers
● Breaking Solutions
● Whispering Angel
● Laura Miller Team at Houlihan Lawrence
● Shoreline Painting
● Sabine Poisson, Event Producer & Designer
Celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month
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Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month this September with the Scarsdale Public Library and the American Library Association! The Scarsdale Public Library is inviting everyone to discover the incredible resources and opportunities available at your local library by signing up for a library card.
This back to school season all Scarsdale residents are encouraged to sign up for a library card! There are no fines, and digital materials are available 24/7. Library cards provide access, connection, independence, and responsibility, and parents can sign up their children (of all ages) either in-person or online through the library website. Study rooms are available and students can reserve them ahead of time using their Scarsdale library card through the SPL website or app.
This year, we’re thrilled to have Optimus Prime from the TRANSFORMERS as the ALA’s special ambassador, highlighting that there's more than meets the eye at the library. On Tuesday, September 24, from 5- 7 pm there will be a Library Card Sign Up Month Celebration, where you can meet a 9-ft character - Bumblebee - from the Transformers while exploring library offerings and services.
Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities.
Today’s libraries are vibrant community centers offering books and more! At the library you'll find diverse programs, job search assistance, homework help, book clubs, author talks, storytimes, and more.
Curious about exploring a new hobby or learning a new language? Scarsdale library card holders have access to Craft & Hobby and Mango Languages. Interested in starting or growing a small business? We provide poster printing, color printing, faxing and scanning services, in addition to books and digital databases. Scarsdale Library cardholders also have access to our Makerspace and Maker 101 programs, including Cricut design, 3D printing, sewing and embroidery programs.
During the school year, teens can join the Teen Advisory Board to earn service hours and share their interests and talents with their community. For those who are not yet in school, the Scarsdale Public Library offers a 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program to encourage literacy from birth and up.
