Former Greenacres Resident and Community Volunteer Vivienne Braun Passes Away at 58
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Former Greenacres resident and active community volunteer Vivienne Braun passed away at age 58 on the morning of August 13, 2019 surrounded by her family. A memorial service will be held on Friday August 16 at Westchester Reform Temple.
According to STEP Board members Vivienne “was always strong, enthusiastic and dedicated to her family, friends, STEP and numerous other Scarsdale and worldwide organizations and charities that she whole-heartedly supported.”
Vivienne received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bryn Mawr College, a Masters degree in International Relations from The Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and a Masters degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Manhattanville College
She was an active volunteer in Scarsdale where she lived for 20 years and served in many leadership roles including President of the Scarsdale High School PTA, Vice-President of the Parent-Teacher Council and board member of the Scarsdale-Edgemont Family Counseling Services.
At Westchester Reform Temple, Vivienne was co-chair of the Social Action Committee and tutored elementary school students through a program sponsored by the Westchester Jewish Community Services. She was on the board of the Scarsdale Student Transfer Education Program where she has served as chairwoman and secretary.
As supporters of the Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces, Vivienne and her husband participated in bicycle rides in Israel where they visited military bases and met soldiers.
Former Scarsdale Forum President Robert Berg said this: “Vivienne and I worked on some school and community issues several years ago. As we all know, Vivienne was a tireless supporter of the schools. What I admired most about Vivienne was her willingness to stand up for her principles, even if that might not be the most politic way. Vivienne will be missed. My condolences to her family on her untimely passing.”
Vivienne was a strong advocate for her beliefs. After the Scarsdale School Budget was defeated in 2013 (for the first time in 43 years), speaking before the Scarsdale Forum, Braun said, “Over 1,700 people voted against the budget because they believe the board can do better and can propose a budget that they can support. The people who voted no used their vote to send this message to the board.”
She continued, “We want the BOE to stop spending on fancy window-dressing that may make the Scarsdale "brand" internationally prominent but that we know is a charade if the board ignores the core industry of this town which is to provide our children with a superior education. We are telling the Board of Education to spend responsibly and focus on those items in the budget that directly affect the education of our students.”
“I ask the board to listen and incorporate the views and ideas of the voters. The hallmark of Scarsdale is educational excellence. Spending that is not directed squarely at this imperative will not fly in this economic environment. The vote has shown that if you build it, they will NOT come and if you don't spend wisely, they will not acquiesce.”
After leaving Scarsdale Vivienne and her husband Perry moved to Greenwich, CT where she joined JCC-UJA Greenwich. Vivienne and Perry have three children, Jack, Nicole and Andrew Braun.
A memorial service for Braun will be held Friday morning August 16, 2019 at 11am at Westchester Reform Temple.
Conntributions in Vivienne's name can be made to;
Hunter Hillel
c/o Merav Fine Braun
695 Park Avenue
Room 1317A
New York, NY 10065
Please specify in memo The Vivienne Braun Fund to address food insecurity.
Or
Anti-Defamation League
605 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10158
https://www.adl.org/
Register Now for Classes for Students of All Ages at Hoff Barthelson School of Music
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Student Ensemble: Photo by Steven SchnurAt Hoff-Barthelson, students find a warm, friendly music school dedicated to the highest standards of education, performance, and community service. Students of all ages – 6 months to adult – aptitudes, and levels of interest enjoy a supportive, joyful learning environment; a focus on the whole person; exceptional teaching; and a multifaceted curriculum. A commitment to creativity, collaboration, and community permeates the School.
Once enrolled for music lessons, all students gain complimentary access to a comprehensive program that includes unlimited musicianship classes and ensembles, myriad performance opportunities, master classes with world renowned guest artists, and workshops.
As the School celebrates its 75th Anniversary, a number of exciting new classes and program enhancements have been added to the School’s robust curriculum. A sampling of the new offerings includes: group piano and ukulele classes; songwriting workshops; classes in improvisation, piano history and literature; “Scarsdale Singers,” a chorus for adults; classes in the Alexander Technique; Dalcroze Eurhythmics workshops for all ages; and the implementation of online resources published by the Royal Conservatory of Music to support the School’s long-established grade-level appropriate learning goals.
The school year begins Monday, September 9th. Families wishing to learn about early childhood classes for children ages 6 months through kindergarten are invited to attend an Open House on Friday, September 6, from 10 to 11:30 am, which features a demo class at 10:30 am.
For more information and to register, call 914-723-1169, visit www.hbms.org, or e-mail [email protected].
Scarsdale Business Alliance to Host First Annual Scarchella Music Festival
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On Saturday, September 14th, the Scarsdale Business Alliance (SBA) will host its first annual Scarchella Music Festival, presented by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. The event will take place rain or shine on Chase Road and Boniface Circle in Scarsdale Village from 12-6pm. Join us for a festive day full of live music, food, drinks, and family fun activities.
Scarchella Music Festival is an event inspired to bring the community together with local musicians who love to share and perform music. Several bands will be performing throughout the day on the main stage, sponsored by Pepe Infiniti. Confirmed bands include Louise in Trouble, Someday Radio, The Big Red Words, The Del Bocas, The Mod Tones, and Where is Phi. In addition, a group of local high school students will also take the stage.
In honor of their 75th Anniversary, Zachys will be sponsoring two large Grand Tasting Tents on Boniface Circle (open from 12-5pm), with hundreds of wines available to sip and enjoy from numerous wineries around the world.
Scarchella will feature a selection of food trucks and local restaurants with savory and sweet offerings. In addition, the Scarsdale Police Benevolent Association will be hosting a cookout barbecue.
The Houlihan Lawrence Family Fun Zone will feature bouncy castles and a variety of kids’ activities, including face painting, balloon artists, a Gaga Pit and more.
Scarchella Music Festival will be donating a portion of proceeds to Backyard Sports Cares (byardsportscares.org) and The Southeast Consortium (secrec.org). Our donation will help fund community programs for those with limited access and special needs right here in Westchester County.
While this is a free community event, there is a suggested charitable donation of $5. In order to enter the wine tents and consume alcohol, you must show ID that you are over 21 and purchase a wristband for $25. All food and non-alcoholic beverages are a pay as you go. Donations and wristbands are available online now for purchase at scarchella.com and will also be available at the festival by cash or credit card.
“There is such an appetite amongst our residents for events that bring people together, foster community and create positive energy,” said Jane Veron, Village Trustee Liaison. “An energized Village Center is a tremendous positive for the entire Scarsdale Community. There’s been a renewed focus on events, public art, and performance. I am incredibly grateful for the ethos of collaboration and new ideas that emanate from our residents, enabling us to bring such positivity to our town.”
Free parking is available in the Freightway Garage and adjacent outdoor parking lot (72 Freightway) as well as the lower two levels of the Christie Place Garage on East Parkway.
Scarchella is a not-to-be missed experience! The SBA is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Village of Scarsdale and its local businesses.
SCARCHELLA EVENT COMMITTEE: Marcy Berman-Goldstein, Darci DeMatteo, Andrew McMurray, ML Perlman, Robert Shire
For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, email [email protected].
Julia B. Fee Sotheby's Congratulates Their Grads
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The realtors of Julia B. Fee Sotheby's in Scarsdale salute their 2019 graduates:
Don’t Follow the Light! The Delicious Menace of Midsommar
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- Written by: Deborah Skolnik
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The darkness, we all know, can be scary indeed. But in the new horror flick Midsommar we learn that unrelenting light is an even more terrifying prospect, leaving nowhere to hide and nowhere to reflect, thus breeding an environment in which logic gives way to rationale. And filmmaker Ari Astor, the mastermind behind last year’s hit Hereditary, paints his characters—and humanity—in a harsh light indeed.
Dani is a young woman who’s very much alone in the world. She moves in rooms that feel empty despite their furnishings, sending e-mails to family that go answered and text messages to a boyfriend who’s slow to respond. That boyfriend, Christian, wants to break up with her—but after a terrible tragedy befalls Dani, he feels obligated to stick around.
His reluctant (shall we say un-Christian) kindness is a variety of cruelty, a type of gaslighting. Dani never feels completely secure, especially around Christian’s friends. Nevertheless, she accepts a begrudging invitation to travel with them to a Swedish village for its nine-day-long “midsommar” festival.
Soon the gang’s in Hårga, where the sun shines nearly 24 hours a day and the white-frocked, flower-crowned natives welcome them into the bosom of their insular community. An episode with hallucinogenic mushrooms ensues, leaving viewers uncertain whether the rest of the sinister tale is merely Dani’s bad trip.
There are feasts, songs and rituals, the last of which grow increasingly eerie, even shocking. Yet somehow there’s always a reason for our characters to stick around—especially Dani, who has unexpectedly found a sense of community among the blissed-out Maypole dancers. It’s a stark contrast to the increasing space, both metaphorical and physical, between her and Christian. In one memorable scene, he surprises her with a piece of birthday cake but can’t manage to light the candle; it’s a vignette that will take on profound meaning as the film’s climax unfolds.
Even as Christian and his friends lose their grounding in Hårga, Dani finds her way. She grows powerful within the tribe, but if Midsommar has a moral message, it’s that power corrupts. Dani’s final smile, as the screen dims, is the definition of chilling—especially because you find yourself cheering for the loss of her moral compass. You won’t return home fearing every odd noise in your house, but you may end up fearing yourself.
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