Saturday, Nov 23rd

napkinsYou don't have to go far to find great gifts for friends and family in and out of the 'dale this season. We've scouted the area for gifts that will resonate with Scarsdale pals as well as suggestions from selected Scarsdale stores.

Toast the holidays with cocktail napkins that say, "What Happens in Scarsdale, Stays in Scarsdale" and polish champagne flutes with dishcloths adorned with a special Scarsdale inscription that reads, "In Scarsdale we don't believe everything we hear and we don't tell everything we know." Both at La Dentelliere on East Parkway.

Candy n' Cards in Scarsdale Village has a nice array ofcandyncards toiletries from Michelle and chocolates all wrapped for Christmas. Stop in to pick up the perfect hostess gift.

sunglassesThe Eye Gallery on Spencer place invites you to come in and try on new Celine and Dior sunglasses, which make great holiday gifts! Gift certificates available too.

Local writer and Scarsdale10583.com contributor Deborah Skolnik has published a collection of hilarious satirical poems that gently poke fun at our town's most lovable quirks. Based on her smash-hit Facebook page, which has attracted more than 700 followers, 100 Days of Gentle Scarsdale Satire is a surefire hit with not only native Scarsdalians, but anyone who appreciates a good laugh. Available on Amazon for $24.95 plus shipping, but gentlescarsdalesatireScarsdale residents can buy the book for just $19.95 with free delivery--send your name and phone number to Deborah Skolnik at gentlescarsdalesatire@gmail.com.

You'll find loads of candy and chocolates in all shapes and size, as well as plush pants, pillows, and these Scarsdale socks at Imagine Candy on Harwood Court. socksStop by for free candy tastings on Fridays and Saturdays.

Zachys recommends:
For the wine lover: Piper Heidsieck champagneBrut NV Limited Edition Light Box. Piper Heidsieck is the underrated superstar of Champagne and this features the best holiday packaging ever. On sale for $39.99.
For the spirits lover: Widow Jane Straight Bourbon Whisky, from nearby Brooklyn! You heard us right, Kentucky Bourbon from Brooklyn. $68.99.

What better way to say merry, merry than with a contribution to your favorite local organization. There are so many worthwhile groups in town that rely on your support. Keep in mind the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, the Scarsdale High School PTA Scholarship Fund, donationsthe Scarsdale Adult School, the Campaign for the Scarsdale Library, the Friends of the Scarsdale Parks and Scarsdale Family Counseling to name a few.

Shop at Presents For Purpose and they will contribute 15% of sales to the Center @ 862, (formerly the Teen Center.)  Find housewares, stationary, and artisan chocolates, along with a wide array of personalized items.


At the Golden Horseshoe:gingerbreadhouse

All Good Things offers Gingerbread House Construction Kits with candy, marshmallows, gumdrops and icing, Build it there or bring it home. Priced at under $25. Also find the largest jelly belly collection in New York and candy to please everyone on your list.

ponchoBeginnings Boutique: This one-size fits all poncho comes in cream, espresso, grey, and black: $107 each.
For the animal lover in your life, consider these necklaces from Knot Just Pearls priced at $180, each original piece is made by hand, using natural stones.knotjustpearls

Eye Q Optometrists is selling OYO boxes, terrific to store multiple pairs of eyeglasses and sunglasses. They come in many colors and wood finishes and retail from $250 to oyo box$300.

Infinity is stocked with great gifts for kids, tweens and teens. Check out their pajamas, pillows, robes, journals, hats, gloves, jewelry, clothes, Malibu sugar bath soaps, cool socks and headbands.

infinity

MYX Fitness at the Golden Horseshoe invites you to give the gift of sweat! Treat yourself or a friend to a 3-pack of MYX FITNESS classes for $89, and also consider gifting their tanks, tees and sweatshirts.

manorlane1What's behind the stonewall at Heathcote Manor, the new development on Manor Lane off Weaver Street? Apartments ... cluster homes .....townhouses? The project had been approved many years ago but was dormant for decades. I was curious to see what had finally been built and made an appointment to take a tour.

After I turned at a stoplight on Weaver Street and drove up Manor Lane, I found that these were actually single-family homes, and large ones at that. The unit I visited was a generous 5,260 square feet with it own .12-acre yard. I walked upstairs to the entry and initially thought I was in the lobby to the complex, but then realized that this was the entry hall to one of the nine single family homes.

The house was bright, well lit and spanking new. manorlaneentryThe spacious foyer led to a new kitchen with high-end appliances, marble counters and an inviting island. The kitchen is connected to a large family room that looks out onto a green yard. Also on the first floor was a formal dining room, a living room and another large first floor room that could be a den or a library. Upstairs there were three family bedrooms, one with an en-suite bath, and a master bedroom suite that would be the envy of anyone living in one of Scarsdale's charming, (aka "old") homes. The master included a fireplace, two roomy walk-in closets and a master bath with an oversized shower, soaking tub and top of the line finishes.

And if that wasn't enough, the basement was finished as well and had room for a large playroom, media room or gym. The lower level leads to a 2-car garage and if needed, the builder will even install an elevator.

I quickly realized that my bias about new construction was unfounded.

manorlanekitchenThe homes are located in Heathcote and students can attend Heathcote Elementary School as well as the Scarsdale Middle School and High School. Priced at $1,698,000, the realtor anticipates that taxes will be around $40,000 per year. There will be a fee for common charges to pay for mowing and landscaping. In my view, the only downside is the lack of a sidewalk along Weaver Street and the  location opposite the shopping center, but that has its advantages too.

The house showed well and four of the nine units are already sold. The complex is built by Pais Built Homes of Pound Ridge and appears to be quality construction. Check them out here

manorlanebath

newhouseHow do you feel about teardowns and new construction in Scarsdale? Are you alarmed by the number of houses being demolished or do you feel that it's good to replenish the housing stock? What about the new homes that are being built? Do you think they're too large or that they meet the needs of today's buyers?

Here's your chance to voice your views on development in our town. Click here to take a short survey:

We'll tally up the responses and publish the results for everyone to see.

Click here to get started:

charityIt's that time of year again. Hanukkah and Christmas are just weeks away and you may be thinking about finding the perfect gifts, tipping those who help you all year round or how you will celebrate the holiday season.

December is also a traditional time to make annual donations to your favorite organizations and charities.

But how much do you give and to whom? We have put together a short survey about giving and hope you will take a minute to answer these 6 questions. Responses are anonymous! Once we tabulate the results we will let you know about your neighbors "giving" behavior ....

It will just take a minute. Click here to let us know what you give:
TakeOurSurvey

shoppingIt's not too early to start your holiday shopping. Mark your calendars to attend three local holiday boutiques in November.

Judaica Craft Show at Bet Am Shalom

The 22nd Annual Judaica Craft Show will be held at Bet Am Shalom Synagogue in White Plains on Saturday November 14 and Sunday November 15. Meet 50 extraordinary artists from the U.S., Canada and Israel. View a wide array of unique contemporary Judaica. Browse a stunning selection of unusual and one-of-a kind jewelry. Select gifts for Hanukkah, life cycle events and your home.

Preview the artists, get information, a voucher and directions at www.betamshalom.org/judaicacraftshow. The entry fee is $8.

Show hours are Saturday November 14, 2015: 8 pm to 11 pm and Sunday November 15, 2015: 10 am to 5:30 pm.

Bet Am Shalom, 295 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 914-946-8851

Fall Shopping Spree at Congregation Kol Ami

Congregation Kol Ami in White Plains will hold their fall shopping spree on Sunday, November 15, 2015, 9am - 4pm.

Find jewelry, handbags, accessories, crafts, skincare, candles, kitchenware, home organization, raffles, food and much, much more! Start your holiday shopping early and support the Kol Ami Sisterhood!

Congregation Kol Ami, 252 Soundview Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Love to Shop at Westchester Reform Temple on December 1st

The Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) at Westchester Reform Temple WRTBoutiquepresents Holiday Boutique 2015 on Dec 1, 10 am to 5 pm. "Love to Shop" at dozens of specialty vendors' tables featuring unique merchandise for every price point and taste, for every selfless gift or self-indulgence. "Shop to Give" as some vendors and WRJ donate a portion of the proceeds to charities (local and worldwide) especially benefitting women and children. Raffle. Free Admission. Checks or Credit Cards welcome. Shop with Friends. Westchester Reform Temple, 255 Mamaroneck Rd., Scarsdale 914-723-7727 or click here to learn more.