Westchester View

Yes, I know – everyone is gearing up for the Superbowl. But there are many who would like to share in outdoor activities this weekend.

For the past 8 years the Hudson Valley has celebrated the renewed presence and vibrancy of our national bird  in the Hudson Valley.  Many are too young to remember, but in the 1970s the American bald eagle was an endangered species.  Now they are thriving and I have witnessed their presence on more than a couple of occasions.  The photo at the right is one I took at Kingsland Point Park about a year ago.  Apparently, the majestic soul in the portrait was watchful but not fearful of me or my telephoto lens….But the photo shows that my presence did not pass unnoticed…he was well aware of me and watching my every move – with his eagle eye!

This post is more than a bit tardy – and for that I apologize.  The bus tour is sold out. However, there are still ways to participate and learn more about some of our most majestic birds of prey.

The event is hosted by the Teatown Reservation   but the epicenter is at Croton Point Park – There are many ways to participate:

Eagle Theater Schedule:

• 10 AM, 11AM & 12 PM -  Close Encounters with Wintering Eagles and Owls
• 1 PM, 2 PM  – Exclusively Eagles
• 3PM – Flight of the Raptors

Advance Ticket sales are $5.00/person and $10/person when purchased at the door.

Eaglet Stage Schedule:

These shows are free of charge!

• 9 AM – Eagle Identification Tips
• 10:30 AM & 2:15 PM – Jonathan Kruk – Master story teller
• 12 PM – Teatown Birds of Prey Program
• 12:45 – Physics of Flight – Beyond Feathers
• 1:30 – Birding Optics

Additional eagle viewing sites along the Hudson River…

Each area is staffed by eagle experts with spotting scopes.

• Croton Boat Ramp at Croton-Harmon Train Station
• George’s Island Park – Montrose
• Riverfront Green Park – Peekskill
• Kathryn W. Davis Riverwalk Center – Sleepy Hollow
• New Croton Dam – Cortlandt
• Bear Mountain State Park Trailside Museums & Zoo.

What would the Superbowl be without the crazy hats?  I mean really – you gotta have them…Well the Larchmont Library is going to make things easy for you!  They are hosting a hat-making event on Saturday – Feb. 4 for kids aged 7 and up…The event is free and the time is 10:30 AM

• The Event - Crazy Super Bowl Hat Making 
• The Place - The Larchmont Library – Larchmont Ave.
• The Time - 10:30 AM Sat. Feb. 4
• The Cost  - FREE!

Enjoy!

©2012 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

Larchmont homes zoned for the Chatsworth Ave Elementary School feature the best of what a Westchester bedroom community has to offer.  Homes in this particular school zone cover two distinct neighborhoods.

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Larchmont  homes typically evoke tree-lined streets and mature neighborhoods. This area does not disappoint on any of these.  The area is strictly residential – yet for the most part it is walkable neighborhood   – many of the homes being  a mile or less from the train station and parts of the village.   Some areas are somewhat further from town – so walkability depends upon you precise location.  But leaving the car behind is indeed an option for a large portion of this neighborhood.  Because this is a long established neighborhood, Larchmont homes generally  have a distinctive Old -World charm about them. Tudors seem to dominate the area although Colonials are very much in evidence as well.   But don’t let the age of these homes fool you.  Most of them have aged gracefully and boast many upgrades that  can give you the best of both worlds:  old world charm – with modern amenities.  The lot sizes run the gamut from roughly 0.12 acres to over an acre in larger homes.  In general, the homes close in to the village sit on smaller lots.

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One of the most exciting new construction developments is Hudson Harbor – Tarrytown NY.   I’m not normally a big fan of modern architecture, but I have to say that I really love the construction of this complex with its use of fieldstone and old wood beams.  They made it look like Stone Barns which is quite an accomplishment.  But what really makes its special are the views.

So after we saw the development, I went for a walk on the RiverWalk that runs right behind the complex.  (The complex – now in Phase II is right on the river.) and took some photos.  Basically I started with a wide-angle lens and moved to  a tele photo.

The first picture is of the Tappan Zee Bridge.  The Manhattan skyline can be faintly seen under the bridge with the wide angle. The second picture was with a zoom lens – it gives you a perspective of where the Manhattan skyline is in relation to the TZ bridge.  The final was when I zoomed in on the skyline itself.  I’ve taken photos from this perspective before, but it was such a clear – if blustery  day, that the skyline really “popped” particularly with the color of the sky.

Hope you enjoy these – they were fun to take.

© 2012  - Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

Real estate in Scarsdale NY has a remarkably sparse number of cooperatives located within  theScarsdale municipality. The famous Garth Road cooperatives – though conveniently located with resepect to Metro-North and village shopping, are not truly in the Village of Scarsdale. If you are looking  a cooperative that is located in the Village of Scarsdale with easy access to the train station as well as shops and Scarsdale restaurants, then the Chateaux of Scarsdale is one complex that  fits the bill. The location couldn’t be better for the commuter -  you can even grab a quick morning drink at Starbucks on your way to the train platform.

The Chateaux in Scarsdale NY:

The Chateaux is an elegant  pre-war  garden complex located just off of East Parkway on Chauteaux Circle.  Mature growth gives and the unique garden-style buildings a  tremendous amount of grace.  The setting is peaceful in spite of being in the middle of the village.  And you can’t ask for a better location.  You can easily leave the car for day to day errands.  Shops are just around the corner, dining out is just steps away.

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When people think of real estate in Scarsdale NY they tend to think of single- family homes and high-end cooperatives with  Old-World charm.  Scarsdale Manor is one of the larger cooperative complexes on the famous Garth Road.  The area reflects the mature elegance of Scarsdale Village  and features many pre-war complexes that were converted into cooperatives in the 1980s.   It is a mature community with very little space for new development.

The area couldn’t be more convenient.  It is highly walkable, you can leave the car behind for most of your day-to-day errands.  A 10 minute stroll puts you on a Metro-North Train to NYC.  The trip to Grand Central station in midtown is a mere 29 minutes by express.

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The cooperatives on Garth Road in the Scarsdale PO are a very popular destination for first time home buyers and those who are scaling back from a home.   Among Westchester coops, the Garth Road location is one of the best known and most sought after.  This is not without good reason.  The location is fairly close to perfect for commuters and those who prefer to leave the car behind and walk to town.

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Union Church of Pocantico Hills has a rich history.  Part of the Historic Hudson Valley  – the church has is closely associated with the Rockefeller family.  It is also very famous for its stained glass windows  by Matisse and Chagall.   From the outside, the church is a chapel-sized field stone structure. Something of a classic Tudor.  But the interior windows are simply breathtaking.  The rose window by Matisse, was his last work of art.   The Chagall windows came later.  All were commissioned by the Rockefellers  as memorials to family members.

The Christmas Eve services are a way for families to come together and get away from the Christmas materialism.  Its a wonderful time to reflect about what Christmas really is all about.  Something that quite honestly seems to get lost in the process of our mall -crazed month of shopping.  The services themselves are marvelous with a mix of music, scriptures and carols and a short sermon. The church is non-denominational and welcomes one and all.  There are three Christmas Eve services, at 3:30, 7:30 and 11 PM.   The latter two services are candlelight services.

Before I sold real estate – I actually sang in that church choir.  Unfortunately working on the weekends and attending a church nearly 30 minutes from my home an office does not mix well, but I have a tremendous affinity and affection for this church and try to get there whenever I can – which sadly is not often!

• The Event – Christmas Eve Services at Union Church
• The Place - Union Church of Pocantico Hills 555 Bedford Rd., Tarrytown NY
• The Time - Dec. 24 at 3:30 7:30,  and 11 PM

© 2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.

As some of my readers know, I am currently on a quest to promote local businesses and merchants in lower Westchester NY.  Westchester retail has come a long way since I was a youngster shopping at the local army and navy.  But local merchants face an uphill climb from big-box creep.  So far the focus has been on Mamaroneck, Larchmont, White Plains, and the River Towns – particularly Tarrytown. After a while, I realized that I was in as much of retail rut as the rest of the world.  Sure I have my favorite haunts – but all of us need to stretch beyond and try new things!

To be totally candid – I had never been into Wendy Gee before this past week.  From the outside, it looked to be well above my price range – and if the truth were to be told some of the higher end items certainly are.   However, you can find just something for just about everyone at Wendy Gee from higher-end but comfortable furnishings for adults to toys for tots.  Even the family pet is included.  Many of the items are geared to adding a sense of style and whimsy to a room.  An accent piece from this store can actually change the feel of room,  by adding a splash of the unique.  As my stager for properties (Marie Graham) would say ” a touch of whimsy an color go a long way.”  Just one or two pieces could help transform  a room from dull to dynamite.

This is a great place to shop for the remaining people on your list for the holidays and beyond.  This is not a big-box bland place to be.   Enjoy the video below an be sure to visit their website:  WendyGee.com.  Better still – stop by for a visit and get some ideas. Wendy Gee is located at 1949 Palmer Ave. in Larchmont NY.

© 2011 – RUthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved.