Multicultural Ceramic Mask Making at Seely Place
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- Written by: Joanne Wallenstein
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On Friday, January 9, Artist-in-Residence, Cliff Mendelson shared his expertise and talent as he demonstrated the art of Multicultural Ceramic Mask Making in a workshop for third grade students of Seely Place Elementary funded by Edgemont PTA Cultural Arts Committee.
Students enjoyed learning about the process and effort involved in creating ceramics pieces and gained an appreciation for cultures that are unfamiliar to them. Samples of finished works were discussed in light of the history of art in various cultures and how its applications are alive in the world today.
Students created their own individual clay masks using the style and techniques of many cultures including Greek, African, Asian and Native American. The various symbols, patterns and imagery were utilized in their own works to explore this tradition, rich in ceramic history. Students left feeling inspired and proud of their work that will be on display during the school's Multicultural Feast in May.
"We are all looking forward to the Multicultural Feast which is a culmination of the third grade studies of worldwide cultures. The students are learning about customs, art, history, dance, music and foods that are outside the familiar to give a better understanding of the world we all live in." explained Seely Place Cultural Arts Co-Chairs Laura Kim and Noelle Creed. "The Day in Clay is a special component of a year long mission where the students learn about the world trough explorations of creativity."
For more information contact Laura Kim at [email protected] or 914-720-1105.
(Photo credit: Laura Kim)
Piero's: Old World Italian in Port Chester
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- Written by: Jocelyn Greenky Herz
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Port Chester has become a destination for foodies from far and wide. The city's diverse population is reflected in the range of international cuisine you'll find at restaurants around town, offering good options for everything from Indian, Italian, and Mexican food plus more exotic menus from Peru and Brazil. Even Mario Batali has embraced the scene with his famed Tarry Lodge, and upscale food emporium, Tarry Market.
One restaurant that was here long before Batali discovered Port Chester is Piero's on Regent Street, now in its 19th year of operation. Family-owned and run by brothers Peter and Andre Rosapina, this low key and intimate restaurant serves consistently good food to those lucky enough to get one of the just 17 tables in the rather cramped dining room.
With white tablecloths and mirrored walls Piero's has old-world charm and the décor and delicious aromas brought back memories of my own childhood. Entering the crowded room I heard laughter, clinking glasses and a buzz from the waiters who bustled from table to table serving guests in this small but workable space.
To start, I ordered the special portabella mushroom appetizer only to learn that it was sold out. Figuring I couldn't go wrong with the tri-color salad and 
sautéed spinach with garlic, I asked for those instead. Hey, many times it's the basics that will set a place a part from the rest. The vinaigrette on the salad was bold and I practically licked my fork to savor it. The portion was decent and kept me at bay as I anxiously awaited my Chicken Marsala.
Even though it seemed like an eternity, when the dish finally showed up, it didn't disappoint. The chicken and firm mushrooms were immersed in a rich sauce of butter and Marsala wine. The generous portion filled the entire plate and I offered everyone at the table a bite. They quickly asked for another and when the chicken was gone they took turns dipping bread into the remaining sauce, supping up every bite.
My guests ordered the Veal Milanese, Penne Genovese, and Ravioli with Ricotta. The ravioli was amazing with a light airy taste to the pasta and the ricotta must have been made that day. Both were divine.
There were six choices of wine and we went for a bottle of the Rioja. Although it was a bit young, we polished that off and tried the Super Tuscan which complemented all of our dishes.
A mainstay in Port Chester for nineteen years, there is no doubt that a table at Piero's will remain one of the hottest in Westchester in the decades to come.
Piero's
44 S Regent Street
Port Chester, NY
914 937 2904
http://www.pierosny.com
Lunch: Tuesday – Friday: Noon – 2:30 p.m.
Dinner: Tuesday – Thursday: 5-9:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5-10:30 p.m.
Sunday: 5-9:30 p.m.
Closed Mondays
Beer and Wine Only
BYOB available
(Picutred at top: Keith Underwood, Roberto and Jeanice Cordeiro)
Single in Scarsdale
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- Written by: Stacie M. Waldman
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Though statistics show that 25% of adults in Scarsdale are not married, the perception here is that almost everyone is married. With so many social activities centered around families, if you're single it's hard not to feel like the odd-man or odd-woman out. But whether you've always been single or are newly solo, there is a singles scene out here; you just need to know where to look.
A 50-year-old divorced mom in Scarsdale agreed to give her perspective about being single in Scarsdale. She said, "One good thing about being single in the burbs is that there are plenty of other single people who live in Scarsdale who are divorced as well. Divorced adults find each other through other lovely people, both single and married, who tell us about each other to ensure us that we are not alone. I found that many single men and women are happy to help out with various needs giving rides to children and sharing community and work contacts. In addition, we (single parents) often get together so that the children have a connection and don't feel out-of-the-loop because their parents are divorced. The kids feel comfortable in sharing their feelings with each other. I have personally witnessed the conversation between two 11 year-old boys about their feelings about their fathers.
She continues, "At times, being divorced can feel alienating. Unless you have boyfriend or girlfriend, it's tough to make a plan with other couples. Of course one can be a 3rd or 5th wheel but it's not something that would happen regularly. Naturally, some married people feel uneasy around divorced people because they don't want to expose their crappy marriage or take the risk to have a single woman or man around to test it either."
Where does she go to meet other single? "There are many opportunities to connect with other adults," she said, "no matter what their marital status. She enjoys going to Soul Cycle, Massa, Chat, and Savona. She also mentioned that the sideline of sports fields can be good meeting opportunities, and added, "I have heard that people enjoy Greenwich where there are vastly more options than Scarsdale to go hunting for husband-number –two."
Where else to singles go to mingle? Thursday nights are traditionally a night for singles to go out to local restaurants and bars. Wine bars often attract a relaxed and sophisticated crowd and there are great local spots including Pour Wine Bar in Mt. Kisco, Crush Wine Bar in Larchmont, and Gnarley Vine in New Rochelle. Some local restaurants with cosmopolitan bar scenes include BLT at the Ritz-Carlton, Vintage of White Plains, Harry's in Hartsdale, Chat and Savona in Scarsdale, Fig & Olive in Eastchester, Chat 19 in Larchmont, Village Social in Mt. Kisco, and Bar Taco and Arrosto of Port Chester. In Greenwich, L'Escale and Valbella are known for attracting single professionals. Places like Growler's Beer Bistro in Tuckahoe, Black Bear Saloon and Wicked Wolf Tavern in White Plains, and Don Coqui of New Rochelle have a more laid back feel. Some even have karaoke and trivia nights that attract a singles crowd of all ages.
If drinking and singing off key to strangers are not your thing, here some other places to look for a casual date or a serious relationship. There's low-pressure speed-dating http://www.pre-dating.com/westchester-speed-dating/ for the busy professional of any age. If you have time on your hands and want to learn a new skill while meeting people, ballroom dance classes are offered around Westchester and instructors will pair single dancers together. If clubbing is your style, check out the Coliseum in White Plains, Club Infinity in Pleasantville, and Teddy's Ultra Lounge in Mt. Kisco to get your groove on well into the wee hours of the morning.
More organized events include "meet ups" sponsored by Amazing Westchester Singles, Cheap Eats and other Foodie Delights of Westchester, Greenwich-Westchester Singles Group, and Westchester 20 & 30 Somethings are great places to start. There are a number of lesbian and gay meet ups as well. The groups vary in regards to participant's ages and types so your best bet is to check them all out and join the ones that align with your interests. There are other "meet up" interest groups that often attract singles such as the Hudson Valley hiking group http://www.meetup.com/hvhikers/.
Westchester County is known for it's fantastic library books sales. If you're more of a reader than a bar hopper, check out the book sales in Eastchester, Scarsdale, and Greenburgh. Likewise, if you prefer beer to books, check out Oktoberfest in White Plains, always a great bet for meeting people (and drinking beer). The gym can be another place to meet a prospective date since you're likely to see the same people over and over again (wearing spandex or lycra ... potentially a bonus).
Online dating services are an efficient medium for hunting for Mr. or Mrs. Right. In fact, my husband and I would never have gotten together if it hadn't been for JDate. (We've been married for over a decade now.) Match.com, eharmony, and Zoosk are all popular online dating services. One very attractive, successful, divorced woman who works in Scarsdale said that she tried online dating but hasn't had success at it. However, she added, "... I know many people who have had great success and they have told me you have to treat it as a job, spending time on it every day."
Please share your own "single in Westchester" story with Scarsdale10583.com readers. We'd love to hear from you.
Brunch and Brahms at WRT
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Join Scarsdale Adult School in an appetizing afternoon of "Brunch and Brahms" on Sunday, December 15, 2013, at 12:30 p.m. at Westchester Reform Temple, 255 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale. Mark Russ Federman will present a short video from an upcoming PBS film entitled "The Jews of New York," and he will sign his new book, Russ & Daughters: Reflections and Recipes from the House that Herring Built. Edmund Niemann will entertain attendees with a Brahms piano recital. The buffet brunch will be provided by Russ & Daughters and include bagels, salmon, salads, and its renowned herring. Admission is $30 per person. Registration for this event is now open at www.ScarsdaleAdultSchool.org.
Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli: Live at the Scarsdale Library
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Savvy Scarsdalians got a rare free treat this weekend – courtesy of the Friends of the Scarsdale Library -- when vocalists Jessica Molaskey, her husband, famed guitarist John Pizzarelli, and brother and bassist Martin Pizzarelli made a guest appearance at the Scarsdale Library. Just hours after finishing a gig at the Carlisle Café on Fifth Avenue, where an evening for two can cost upwards of $300, the trio drove out to the burbs to perform a delightful set of songs from the American songbook for locals.
When the event was promoted, only Molaskey's name appeared on the flyer – which set anyone who knows her wondering about who would accompany her. Fortunately for us the Pizzarelli brothers braved the cold to do their first performance in a library.
They opened with a duet of "The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing/Nice Girls Don't Stay for Breakfast," and told the audience that they had performed this number for the Supreme Court and received a big laugh from Justice Clarence Thomas.
The show included songs from many decades and composers ranging from Irving Berlin, Harry Warren and Stephen Sondheim, to Neil Young (Harvest Moon) and James Taylor (The Secrets O' Life.) The clever duo often sings original arrangements of two songs at once – in beautiful harmony. What makes their performance fun is their repartee – a bit of sparring for attention laced with love and affection. In "I Want to Be Happy, Sometimes I'm Happy," they bemoan the fact that one can only be happy if the other is too. Recalling sleepless nights as new parents, they sing "The Natives are Restless Tonight," a hilarious riff on sleep deprivation.
In an age where many performers require a stage crew, lighting and large amps, these two are unique. Pizzarelli's guitar and voice resonate with Molaskey's pure tones and with back-up from the bass they are enough to flood the room with melodious tunes.
Following the performance the couple sold signed CD's and business was brisk.
If you missed the concert but want to catch Jessica Molaskey she is in the midst of filming "The Sound of Music" for television with Carrie Underwood and Audra McDonald. The live special will be shown at 8 pm on Wednesday, December 5 on NBC.
Thank you to the Friends of the Scarsdale Library, Jessica Molaskey and the Pizzarelli brothers for a very special Sunday in the Village in a Park.
