Summer Reading Game Kicks Off at Scarsdale Library June 21
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The Scarsdale Public Library's widely popular annual Summer Reading Game kicks off on Friday, June 21, with a performance by the local Scarsdale band, Miss Gigi and the Lend Me a Hand Band, which features interactive songs and musical games.
The kick-off will be held at the Scarsdale Library on Olmsted Road from 3:00 to 3:45 pm. No reservations are required.
The Summer Reading Game encourages children from infants through 4th grade to read or be read to during the summer months. Awards are given based on the number of books read or listened to. After two books, the participating children receive a sticker, after five books, they can dig into the "Treasure Chest" for a fun prize and after 20 books they receive a book. To encourage the children to come to the library, they receive a raffle ticket every time for a drawing for a $5 certificate at Haagen Daz, donated by the local ice-cream store.
"When the children come to the library, we like to have them discuss the books they have read with a librarian or have someone read a book to them," says Karen Zielinski, head of Youth Services. "The program has also become a family event with older children reading to their younger siblings."
Online registration begins on June 21. Parents or children should go to the library website, www.scarsdalelibrary.org, and click on the Summer Reading Program link. Last year 267 children participated in the program and read an impressive total of 4,799 books, about 18 per child.
Zara Lawler’s Flute on its Feet
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On Saturday, June 15th at Hoff-Barthelson Music School, flutist and dancer Zara Lawler will perform "The Flute on its Feet," with dancer and choreographer C. Neil Parsons as part of Flute Plus XXXVII.
The Flute on its Feet is a performance that includes classics of the flute repertoire, new works by American composers, and pieces choreographed for flutist/dancer Zara Lawler by choreographer C. Neil Parsons. The Flute on its Feet offers audiences a unique experience within the world of classical music: instrumental performance fully integrated with dance, theater and storytelling.
Zara Lawler has created a new genre of performance. She uses dance and story to create new entry points into the music for the uninitiated and for the experienced concertgoer. She intends to illuminate the music in a profound and moving way. Lawler offers a new performance standard for the 21st century.
Flute Plus XXXVII is the annual flute celebration at Hoff-Barthelson Music School, hosted by flute professor Elly Ball, and includes a full program by guest artist Zara Lawler, complemented by short performances by the Hoff-Barthelson Music School Flute Choir.
Here is the complete program for Flute Plus XXXVII (name of composer, name of work)
• Lowell Liebermann (b. 1961), Eight Pieces (1997), choreography by C. Neil Parsons
• David Loeb (b. 1939) Shummu (Dreams of a Spring Evening, 1998), choreography by C. Neil Parsons
• Edie Hill (b. 1962), This Floating World (2004/2006), staged by Zara Lawler with texts by Basho
• Georg Philipp Telemann (1681-1767), Fantasies, choreography by C. Neil Parsons
The performance will take place at Hoff-Barthelson Music School at 3:00pm. Admission is free, but reservations are suggested. Please call (914)-723-1169 or email [email protected] to make a reservation or for more information. The Hoff-Barthelson Music School is located at 25 School Lane in Scarsdale.
Circus Performers and Fire Jugglers to Take Over the Hudson Valley
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Come see 'A Night on Fire' and 'Animals & Acrobats' the weekend of Friday, June 21st. These events, inspired by the traditional American Traveling Circus, will be held at two Historic Hudson Valley sites: Sleepy Hollow and Croton-on-Hudson.
During "A Night on Fire," the fire juggling and comedy troupe "A Different Spin" will light up Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow with a fully choreographed, live display of fire arts featuring four flame-wielding, fire-eating performers, twisting, turning, juggling, dancing, spinning and sword fighting.
The event includes two one-hour performances per night that will take place both Friday, June 21, and Saturday, June 22 at 8:15 and 10 p.m. The performances will feature stunts and family friendly humor for audiences of all ages.
Though it is a separate ticketed performance, "A Night on Fire" is a complement to Animals & Acrobats, which takes place 10 AM-5 PM at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson on Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23. Animals and Acrobats features a variety of performers and animal conservation groups. An ambassador wolf, stilt-dancers, soaring acrobats, gargantuan puppets, and the chance to hone your circus skills are some of the event's highlights.
Animals & Acrobats features performances from:
* Boston Circus Guild — A professional troupe melding daring stunts and comedy, offering a wide range of circus magic including high-flying acrobatics, stilt-dancing, gargantuan puppets who roam the crowd, plus contortionists who squeeze themselves into the tightest of spaces.
* Westchester Circus Arts — Kids can learn to act like clowns, walk on a tight-wire, juggle, spin plates and walk on stilts.
* Two by Two Zoo and the Wolf Conservation Center — Groups that teach conservation lessons with wildlife that includes: hopping kangaroos, flying lemurs, monkeys, pythons, parrots, and goats.
Tickets for A Night on Fire are $20 for adults and $15 for children 17 and under. Members of Historic Hudson Valley receive a $5 per ticket discount. Tickets for Animals & Acrobats are $16 for adults, $14 for seniors, $12 for children 3-17, free for children under three and HHV members. Tickets are available in advance online at www.hudsonvalley.org.
****Visitors who purchase tickets for Animals & Acrobats in advance online can get free popcorn for everyone under 18 in their party.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow. N.Y. Van Cortlandt Manor is at 525 South Riverside Avenue in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Take the Croton Point Avenue exit from Route 9 and follow the signs.
For information: Call (914)-631-8200 or visit www.hudsonvalley.org.
Brooke Effman Marries Joe Epstein
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Brooke Effman's passion for animals has led to a career in the veterinary field. Joe Epstein's passion for helping children with challenged abilities has led to a career as a special ed teacher. And their passion for each other has led to a wedding. Theirs.
The bride, daughter of Shelley and Richard Effman of Scarsdale, and the groom, son of Debbie Epstein of Texas and David Epstein of White Plains, were married last Saturday evening (5/18/13) by Rabbi Stephen Klein at the Doral Arrowwood resort in Purchase, NY.
Brooke, a licensed veterinary technician now working for the Hills Science Nutrition Division of Colgate-Palmolive and a graduate of Mercy College, met Joe, a teacher of autistic children at the Learning Spring School in Manhattan, at a New Year's Eve party back in 2009. He was in from Hawaii, she was in from an emergency operation on a neighborhood golden retriever...and they were in for the adventure of their lives!
The couple, who reside in White Plains with their 3 cats and Porterhouse-a mixed breed of questionable heritage-exchanged 
vows before 200+ of their closest friends and relatives. In keeping with the 21st century lifestyle the couple practice, Brooke had just flown back from a business trip late Thursday night before the wedding, and left on another business trip Tuesday following the nuptials. They are planning a honeymoon in August.
The bride's mom, a global managing partner at Young and Rubicam Advertising, commented, "It simply doesn't get any better than this." And no one could possibly disagree!
Artisans Visit Scarsdale Village
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The Westchester Festival of the Arts was back in town the weekend of May 18 -19, bringing 56 artists to Scarsdale Village. Painters, sculptors, photographers, jewelers, digital artists, glass, fiber and ceramic and mixed media artists all displayed their work in tented booths along Chase Road. Since the artists were on hand to discuss their work, visitors had the chance to personally interact with them and learn more about the pieces on display.
Now in its fourth year here, the show got off to a good start on Saturday morning and sales were strong in the early hours. But unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and heavy rain caused an early 3:30 close on Saturday afternoon.
Festival Director Bill Kinney said "we were happily surprised at how well the artists did in that half-day of Saturday morning and early afternoon. Given different weather conditions, we think it would work splendidly."
He added, " People who came liked what they saw and bought. With two good days we think the show will continue its growth. The event has improved in sales for the artists each year since we started. Obviously we were dismayed that the weather turned foul - rained steadily and too hard for too long. It drove people away and certainly prevented others from venturing out."
Lewis Arlt, President of the Scarsdale Chamber of Commerce said there was little disruption caused by the street closing and plenty of parking around the Village. Commenting on the show he said, "We continue to believe it's a benefit to the Village. The benefits may not be realized on the day of the event, but it seems to us it raises the profile of the Village, which benefits everyone."
Photographer Becky Schwartz visited the show and photographed the work. Check it out here and make sure to visit the festival when it returns to Scarsdale next year.
