Petra: The New Greek Restaurant in Scarsdale
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- Written by Cynthia Roberts
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My Greek grandmothers are cooking for Scarsdale. Or at least when I closed my eyes during dinner at Petra I imagined they were.
If you have traveled to Greece you will be transported back to the Aegean Islands via your fork. This is authentic Greek food. A wide variety of hot mezedes (appetizers) include keftedakia (spiced meatballs), saganaki (flamed Greek cheese), and steamed mussels with garlic, wine and cheese. Charcoal grilled octopus is my personal gage of quality in a Greek restaurant and it was perfect--tender with a light charring.
Cold mezedes include creamy tzatsiki the classic yogurt, fresh dill and cucumber dip served with grilled pita bread, dolmadakia (grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs), and a roasted eggplant garlic and spice dip, among many others. While there are six lovely salads on the menu from which to choose, we enjoyed the Petra house special salad-a traditional Greek salad of vine ripe tomatoes, cucumbers and feta amended with grilled zucchini, peppers and onions.
Having opened only a few weeks ago, dinner time is already busy at Petra.
My mother chatted in Greek with Mike, the head waiter and charming Zorba look-a-like, who made us feel right at home.
We shared a plate of mousaka, a hearty dish for a cold night. The eggplant and meat filling were topped with a lightly browned, yet fluffy béchamel topping. Having attempted mousaka at home, I know the topping is the challenge. The grilled baby lamb chops were cooked to order and tasty. My husband insisted on trying the grilled jumbo shrimp marinated in lemon, garlic and olive oil and we were all happy that he did.
We spoke with friendly co-owner Philip Varis who hopes that families will come to Petra. While the menu has all of the traditional Greek foods many of which are kid-friendly, they also offer a $6.95 hamburger.
We couldn't resist tasting a homemade dessert. The karidopita, a walnut cake, had just enough honey syrup to moisten, yet not overpower the taste and texture.
We look forward to working our way through the menu and especially want to try the homemade loukoumades (fresh Greek donuts), a favorite of the children of all ages in my extended Greek family.
I hope you enjoy Petra as much as we did.
Petra is located at 66 Garth Road directly across the street from the Repertoire Dance Shop. To help commuters rushing home from the train they provide both take-out and a clever curbside pick-up so you don't have to park. Delivery will be offered shortly and they are awaiting their liquor license.
Phone: (914) 874-5674
Ouch! It's A(nother) Ear Infection
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- Written by Stacie M. Waldman
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By the age of three, 85% of all children will have had at least one ear infection. It is the number one reason parents bring their children to the doctor. Ear infections are most common in the colder months. I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Erik Waldman, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, who answered the most common questions that parents have about kids and ear infections.
I brought my kid to the pediatrician for another issue and he was diagnosed (again) with an ear infection. He has no symptoms. How is this possible?
The two most common types of ear infections are Acute Otitis Media (AOM) and Otitis Media with Effusion (OME). AOM is a symptomatic, infectious disease that causes pain, fever, and irritability and may require antibiotics. OME, however, is non-infectious and is characterized by a build up of fluid in the middle ear. (A pediatrician may be able to diagnose fluid in the ear even though the child is seemingly asymptomatic.) OME may be of concern as it is the main cause of speech delay in children. It usually resolves itself within a month and a half but if fluid persists, your child should have his or her hearing tested by a certified audiologist. You may also consider bringing your child to a pediatric otolaryngologist for an evaluation.
When should I suspect an ear infection in my baby? He can't verbalize that his ear hurts.
Ear infections (and fluid in the ear) are usually followed by a sore throat, cold, or upper respiratory infection. Signs and symptoms of an ear infection in a baby include:
• Tugging at the ear
• Fussiness and crying
• Fever
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fluid draining from the ear
• Trouble hearing or responding to sounds
• Balance issues
If your baby is exhibiting any or all of these signs and symptoms, they should be brought to the pediatrician for a check up and a diagnosis.
What is the treatment for an ear infection?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently revised the guidelines around treating ear infections. The 2013 guidelines state: Antibiotics should be administered for severe cases of acute otitis media in one or both ears for children ages six months and up based on ear pain that is moderate to severe, lasts for at least 48 hours, and is accompanied by a temperature of 102.2 F or higher. For less severe cases or if a definitive diagnosis cannot be made, the patient should be monitored for two to three days (called "watchful waiting") before starting antibiotics. After 48-72 hours, antibiotics should be initiated if symptoms don't improve.
If left untreated, AOM can lead to serious complications such as meningitis, facial paralysis, or eardrum perforation and I've seen all of these complications in my practice.
For otitis media with effusion (or fluid in the ear), the only treatment is to wait it out to see if it goes away -- and if it doesn't -- I highly recommend a visit to an otolaryngologist to discuss other options. Otolaryngologists are doctors that are specially trained in ear, nose, and throat issues and are surgeons by trade. Pediatric otolaryngologists are fellowship trained for an additional one to two years subspecializing in pediatric ear, nose, and throat surgery. Many pediatric otolaryngologists work at hospitals that employ pediatric anesthesiologists; this may be another consideration if your child is a surgical candidate.
Natural "remedies" such as various oils do not have data backing their use and may be ineffective, cause a delay in treatment, or even cause more harm than good.
Can I actively do anything to prevent ear infections in my child?
There's a lot of misinformation on the Internet about ear infections. (Eating dairy and gluten does not cause ear infections, so do not eliminate these staples from your child's diet- there's no science behind it.) There are a number ways to reduce your child's risk of ear infections that are backed by scientific studies:
• Vaccinate your child (studies show vaccinated children get far fewer ear infections than children who aren't vaccinated)
• Don't smoke around kids (this is associated with a higher rate of ear infections)
• Do not give your child bottles during naps or at night
• Avoid contact with sick kids and wash hands often
When is surgery indicated?
There are two main indications for surgery. The first is recurrent acute otitis media- if a patient has too many, too frequent, or too severe ear infections. The second is the continuous presence of fluid in the ear.
For more information visit these two sites:
New Guidelines on Treating Ear Infections in Children
NIH Ear Infections
Erik Waldman, M.D. is a board-certified Assistant Professor of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. He is also the Clinical Director of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Program at Columbia. Dr. Waldman did his otolaryngology residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and completed his pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Children's Hospital in Boston. He helps many kids hear better and loves his job.
High School Students Invited to Enter Essay Contest
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The Scarsdale Republican Town Committee has launched its first-ever essay contest, called "Engaging U.S. History: Scarsdale Student Essay Contest". In Scarsdale, high school students study U.S. History during their junior year, and the contest is intended to promote a deeper engagement in an important issue or recurring theme in our nation's history. The SRTC will award a substantial prize to each of the three winners: The John Jay Prize in U.S. History, $500; The Major William Popham Prize in U.S. History, $250; The Emily Ogden Butler Prize in U.S. History, $100. The contest is open to all high school juniors residing in Scarsdale, whether they attend public or private school.
The Essay Topic requires contestants to discuss the Founders' conception of federalism, and then to relate that conception to two or more events in the 1787-1850 period and to a contemporary issue, such as education or same-sex marriage. All essays must be post marked no later than November 24, 2014. James Burkee, an historian at Concordia College, will judge the essays, and the prizes will be awarded at a public ceremony, the date for which will be determined soon.
Linda Killian, Chairwoman of the SRTC, said, "The framers of our Constitution debated many key issues regarding the structure of our government that are still being argued today. We believe the "Engaging U.S. History" essay contest will help focus attention on some of these issues, engage students more deeply in them, and provide a meaningful incentive to participate."
Details about the contest and a required Application Form can be downloaded at: www.scarsdalegop.org.
I've Got Your Number
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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Here is a letter from a Scarsdale10583 reader: We live in a town where seemingly eternal education (and its resultant financial success) is the highly valued norm. Within each household, at least one member's name is followed by MD or JD, or at least one person makes the daily pilgrimage downtown to Wall Street, where the stars of the financial sector shine brightly. Having lived in this community for over 17 years, I could not help but notice that our limitless opportunity (read entitlement) has resulted in an interesting phenomenon; each individual person has come to believe that he is uniquely the most important person alive.
Yet I remain in Scarsdale, ensconced in my community, having found my smaller world – friends with shared values, common beliefs and an appreciation of the fortunate hands we have been dealt. Why, then, put forth the effort, take pen to paper to express my view regarding our privileged neighbors? Sadly, intellect and finance do not necessarily have wisdom as a corollary. I have a pet peeve which is clearly not shared by many in this town, a grievance ignored by most, a simple task which if not undertaken, can only result in harm to oneself and possibly others.
HOUSE NUMBERS! Drive through Scarsdale and notice that it is the rare home that clearly displays a number. Homes large (gigantic) and small (still quite large) remain unidentifiable in conflict with the residential code, building code and fire code for the state of New York. This issue has been difficult for me for many years, as I struggled to locate unfamiliar houses for my children's playdates or attendance of birthday parties. The creation of applications such as Waze has vastly improved my life, by immeasurably diminishing my overwhelming anxiety associated with any sentence beginning with "Mom – can you please drop me off at...?" More importantly, I am not the only one unable to readily locate a specific address – the speed with which ambulance workers, firemen and policemen identify one's house is also impeded by an absence of visible house number. A few years ago, the Scarsdale Fire Department, in an effort to facilitate home identification, even went so far as to provide highly visible, reflective white house numbers on green backgrounds to be placed outside an individual's residence, available at no cost to anyone upon request. Did our citizens avail themselves of this opportunity? While few did, the predominance did not ... perhaps the esthetics of the signs were too displeasing. If so, alternatives include personally acquiring a more elegant house number, or delaying the identification of one's home in the case of emergency (or playdate).
I am left wondering why people with such intelligence, so much education, would not perform a task as simple and helpful as placing a visible street number on their home or property. Enable those who want to help you (or have our children play together) to do so. To our emergency workers, when you are in danger, you truly ARE the most important individual alive... give our responders an opportunity to find and assist you, should the situation arise.
Scarsdale Tennis Team Excels in Conference Matches
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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It's been a thrilling week for the Scarsdale Girls Varsity Tennis team who played in the conference tournament at Harrison High School in post-season matches on Tuesday, October 14 and Wednesday, October 15. The team was in high spirits after a stellar season where they won 12 matches and dropped only 1. Though some of the best teams in the area including Edgemont, Kaio, Clarkstown North, Horace Greeley and Suffern were not in their league this year, Coach Jennifer Roane arranged special matches with some of these teams and Scarsdale excelled in these non-league matches as well. She proudly told me that Scarsdale triumphed in non-league events against Bronxville and Edgemont.
The SHS team sent one singles player and two doubles teams to the conference that 
included teams from 21 schools. Ashley Granieri, who has played singles all season, elected to continue to play singles in the conference, while Kim Zou and Adrienne Travis who had played first and third singles for the team, paired up to play doubles. First doubles team Kate Rabin and Jessica Tsai entered the tournament as well.
For their opening matches on Tuesday, Rabin and Tsai played O'Brien and Grandville from Tappan Zee and won easily 6-2, 6-2. Tsai said they were a bit tight in the beginning but held their ground and succeeded. Later that evening they played their second round against Feitler and Orgielwicz of Mamaroneck and won 6-4, 6-3.
Zou and Travis who were new to doubles as a team also reported being shaky in the first set but beat an team Wolfe and D'Onofrio from Byram Hills 6-4, 6-0. Later that day they met Gray and Luongo of Nyack and barely gave up a game, winning 6-0, 6-2.
In singles Ashley Granieri dominated, beating Kaleigh D'Arcy of White Plains 6-0, 6-0.
All three teams were poised for day two of the conference. Though it was windy and threatening to rain, the matches proceeded and proved to be competitive. We saw Granieri play Deana Giambo of Harrison. Granieri's used her short slices to lure her opponent to the net and then followed up by passing Giambo with a cross-court drive. Granieri won 6-2, 6-3 and will play in the semi-finals of the conference when the rain stops.
Day two was also successful for both of Scarsdale's doubles teams:
Rabin and Tsai were paired against a powerful pair of sisters from North Rockland, Dwyer and Dwyer. They had a very competitive match that looked like it could go either way. The Scarsdale team lost the first set 2-6, won the second 6-4 and pulled out a victory in a close 10-7 tiebreaker.
Travis and Zou played Ursuline rivals Foster and Campose and scored an impressive victory, 6-4, 6-0. We saw Travis playing the backcourt and setting up Zou who has a powerful overhead and was successful at decisively ending many points with strong shots from the net. If the two Scarsdale doubles teams continue to win in the next round, they will end up playing against each other for the conference title.
Out of the twenty-one teams entered into the conference, Scarsdale's three entrants all succeeded to the final rounds. We'll be watching to see what happens in the finals.
