Shop the 'Dale for Holiday Gifts, Eats and Experiences
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- Written by Joanne Wallenstein
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The holidays are here and Christmas just a few weeks away. Local retailers, restaurants and spas are ready to help you enjoy the season with great gifts, aromatic scents and festive eats for holiday celebrations. Not sure what to buy? Consider a gift card for books, crafts, dinner, music lessons, a spa treatment or a Dale Dollars gift card, to be used at local businesses.
Here’s what’s in store in Scarsdale:
Current Home: Home is where the love is this holiday and Current Home has exactly what everyone needs to make time at home special. Current Home is the go-to destination for a large selection of games the whole family can enjoy.
Family fun always makes a great gift. This new neon acrylic Chinese Checkers is a great twist on an old favorite: $320
This rainbow bookset is a current home exclusive. Each book
has uplifting words that will keep everyone inspired. Bookset $250. Current Home, 1096 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, NYC: 1189 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY
Greenwich Medical Spa: This season, let our nationally recognized team provide you with award-
winning non-surgical facial and body contouring treatments that deliver shining results that celebrate your individuality and reveal your best self. Greenwich Medical Spa, 1132 Wilmot Road, Scarsdale, 914-722-6869, www.greenwichmedicalspa.com
Holsten Jewelers knows the purchase of fine jewelry begins with trust. For 109 years, the Holsten name has been synonymous with elegant design, fine craftsmanship, integrity and impeccable service. Holsten Jewelers prides itself on its service department, an in-store jewelry and watch repair center, appraisals and ear piercing.
We offer an array of high-end bridal vendors for engagement rings and wedding bands. Our fashion jewelry lines range from everyday looks to show stopping designs. We are a gift destination for glassware, frames, religious and home décor. Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m., Thursday to 6 p.m. Holsten Jewelers, 5 Harwood Court, Scarsdale, (914) 472-4554, www.holstenjewelers.com.
Eastchester Fish Gourmet: This holiday season, let Eastchester Fish Gourmet cater your holiday celebrations. Our holiday menu includes many of the favorites from our restaurant and more... shrimp cocktail platters, parmesan encrusted cod, lobster, poached salmon platters, mini crab cakes, baked clams, paella, clam sauce and more. See the holiday menu here.
Looking for the perfect gift? Click here to order a Gift Card online - they never expire! Eastchester Fish Gourmet, 837 White Plains Road, Scarsdale, (914) 725-3450
The Rock Academy: This season give the gift of music with a gift certificate for private music lessons that are both virtual and socially distanced on guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals. The Rock Academy, led by Chris Mongiello, encourages students to love music by teaching each and every student the songs they want to learn. We’ve been teaching in students homes from the children to the parents. Sometimes even grandparents! Do you want to write a song for someone? We can help! Contact us at (914) 560-4172 or (877) 791-1979 and visit us on the web at TheRockAcademy1.com.
The Eye Gallery of Scarsdale invites you to check out the latest sunglasses and eyewear for this holiday season! With new styles from Chanel, Chrome Hearts, Jacques Marie Mage, and Barton Perriera you will never run out of options for holiday gifts this year! And while you’re in town make sure to make an appointment for your annual eye check-up. Eye Gallery of Scarsdale, 8 Spencer Place, Scarsdale, (914) 472-2020.
ScentFluence Aroma Design Studio: Whether you’re looking for a night By the Fire, a walk through the Winter Pine, or the spa-like calm of a soothing Green Tea, ScentFluence has an aromatic scent to enhance and bring a sense of joy and well-being.
ScentFluence has a scented sensory something for everyone; diffuser gift-sets, 65+ unique diffusible scent oils, candles, soaps, lotions, room sprays, and more. Great teacher gifts, host gifts, and corporate gift options that inspire conversation.
For a unique gathering spot for friends or colleagues this holiday season, host a private in-studio Scent-Event. Learn about the power of scent, play games, reconnect, and more. Contact caroline@scentmarketing.org or 914-338-5070. December Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5. ScentFluence, 22 Harwood Court, Scarsdale.
I Am More Scarsdale is a unique women’s retail boutique in Scarsdale Village, featuring the hottest new trends in fashion, accessories and jewelry.
Karen Lazar Bracelets: Karen Lazar’s 14k gold-filled bracelets are versatile and can be dressed-up or dressed-down. They look amazing with a watch, bracelet, or in a stack, and they can feel both bohemian and classic. The bracelets also give women that opportunity for a quick fix—something new and shiny that you can add to your existing collection. Prices range from $48-$95. (Diamond collection $$). 10% discount offered on stacks of 5 or more bracelets.
Evolg Gloves: No More Cold Fingers While Texting! Voted as Oprah’s 
Favorite Things for 2021 our EVOLG Glove collection, all touch screen capable, is the perfect gift this holiday season. $35-$150. I Am More Scarsdale, 6 Spencer Place, Scarsdale, 914-723-6673 (MORE).
Bronx River Books: Get your Season’s Readings at the neighborhood bookshop. Over 15,000 different titles currently in store. Hundreds of thousands more available within three days by special order. Plus jigsaw puzzles (168 designs), bookish gift items, and gift certificates. In-store and website shopping. See their list of holiday book recommendations here. Bronx River Books, 37 Spencer Place, Scarsdale, 914-420-6396.
Bargello is a new needlepoint shop in Tuckahoe featuring a selection of chic, curated canvases for stitchers of all levels. We carry a wide selection of gorgeous fibers and all of the necessary accessories. Beautiful gift certificates available. Bargello Needlepoint, 24 Columbus Avenue, Tuckahoe, 914-361-1014, @bargelloneedlepointny
Private Chef: Rajni Menon-an electrical engineer turned chef specializes in private chef services for your special occasions. She is a Scarsdale resident and she caters to small dinner parties(max-10) where she provides a 3 course plated meal in the comfort of your home. You can spoil your loved one with a nice Romantic Dinner for 2, have a Couple’s Date Night for 4, or a larger dinner party up to 10 guests. Gift cards for a private chef experience is available for purchase. Visit www.creativerajni.com for menu and other details or email her at creativerajni2019@gmail.com.
Hair Saloon and Cafe: Treat yourself and a friend to lunch, a cocktail and a hair appointment or spa treatment at the Hair Saloon and Café on Scarsdale Avenue. Danielle Settembre, with 10 years of experience at Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door and the daughter of restauranteurs, combined her passions to create a new experience for salon goers.
Make an appointment for a haircut, hair dye, make-up, facial, wax or brow treatment and enjoy a wrap or panini with a drink too. A great way to destress during the holidays. Mention Scarsdale10583 and get a free cocktail at your first appointment.
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday from 8:30 to 7 pm, Friday to 8 pm, Saturday to 6 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm. Stop by for a drink from Thursday through Saturday until 9 pm. Covid safe … and a winner of the Best of Westchester 2021. Hair Saloon and Café, 862 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale, 914-881-1233. www.hairsaloonandcafe.com.
SBA Dale Dollars: Not sure what to buy? Then give them a ‘Dale Dollars eGift Card, a community-based digital gift card that makes it fun and easy to keep spending local.
Purchase a ‘Dale Dollars eGift Card here to use at any of the participating shops in the neighborhood. With this card, you can write a personal message and send it to family, friends and colleagues via email, text, or physical copy. Recipients can choose to spend it at one of many participating merchants in Scarsdale —or mix it up and spend flexibly at multiple locations.
All-digital and always available on your phone, the ‘Dale Dollars eGift Card is great for the holidays, birthdays, teacher appreciation, coach gifts, or just to show your appreciation to a friend. Now you can give back to the community while you celebrate the holidays and special occasions!
Designing Your Holiday Table
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- Written by David Cipperman
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There’s more to Thanksgiving than the turkey. Don’t forget to plan ahead for a festive table. Architect and designer David Cipperman has some wonderful tips about how you can set a beautiful table by combining many items you may already have with seasonal fruit, gourds, foliage and candles for a colorful tableau. Now’s the time to pull out the family heirlooms and mix and match them to create a unique look.
You can do the work in advance so that you can concentrate on the food before the big day.
Here are some tips on assembling your holiday table:
1) Take stock of what you have. Take out colorful tablecloths, napkings and pull from different collections of silverware, plates and glasses. Incorporate family heirlooms or items that trigger treasured memories. This will add to the uniqueness of your table and will start a conversation that shares the love and joy these memories recall.
2) Take the holiday decor beyond the tabletop and add a dramatic arrangement of seasonal branches and foliage in front of a primary window or on a sideboard. This will go a long way to extend a warm festive atmosphere. Build your arrangement with cuttings from your own yard and find dried flowers and at Michaels. Buy gourds, pumpkins and pomegranates to decorate the table.
3) Approach the setting of your table as a fun design challenge. Gradually create your table setting by layering each component; from the table linens to the last seasonal leaf or gourd. This will give you a chance to evaluate the progress and effect of your choices.
4) Mix and match plates from different sets.
5) Top each setting with a colorful cloth napkin and a napkin ring.
6) Pull out your candles: tapes, votives and scented for a holiday glow.
Need help with your interior design and home decor? Feel free to visit David Cipperman’s website: www.cippermandesign.com or reach out to him at david@cippermandesign.com.
Have fun and send photos of your holiday table to scarsdalecomments@gmail.com.
Take stock of what you already have.
Use a coloful tablecloth, placemats and napkin rings.
Mix and match plates from different sets.
Scatter the table with pottery, pumpkins, gourds and fruit.
Top each setting with a napkin wrapped in a ring.
Yalin Chi Piano Recital at St. James the Less Episcopal Church on November 14
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Juilliard and Yale graduate Yalin Chi presents works by Beethoven, Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev, along with a solo piano version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
Originally from Beijing, China, Yalin Chi made her début with the Central Opera Orchestra before moving to the United States to study at Interlochen Arts Academy. Yalin has performed at venues including Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, Korea, and ZhongShan Music Hall in Beijing China. Her solo recital last year was selected by the Poughkeepsie Journal as one of the weekend top picks, and Leslie Gerber of the Woodstock Times described her recent recital in the Saugerties Pro Musica concert series as “flowing and masterful,” with “gorgeous tonal coloring.”
Yalin has worked with musicians around the world, including principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic Joseph Alessi, principal trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra Philip Cobb, clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein, and concertmaster of the Seoul Symphony Orchestra Wayne Lin. As an orchestral musician, she regularly performs with Albany Symphony, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, and has held the principal keyboard position at the Hudson Valley Philharmonic since 2014.
Yalin studied with Seymour Lipkin and Jerome Lowenthal at the Juilliard School where she earned both undergraduate and Master of Music degrees, and continued studies with Peter Frankl at Yale School of Music before joining the West Point Band in 2008.
The Church of St. James the Less offers concerts to the greater Westchester area. To make them accessible to everyone, a simple donation of $20 is requested. This is the first event of the season – a great way to celebrate a return to live performances.
For more information, please contact Barbara Palmer, a member of the Music Guild, at BKPalmer58@gmail.com.
Sunday, November 14 at 3:00 PM
$20 donation per person at door
The Church of St. James the Less
10 Church Lane, Scarsdale, NY 10583
914 723-6100
stjamesscarsdale.org
The Scarsdale Public Library Goes Fine Free
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The Scarsdale Public Library is eliminating and forgiving all existing overdue fines, effective immediately. During the November meeting, the Scarsdale Public Library Board unanimously approved the new policy because fines can be a barrier to those seeking literary and community resources. By eliminating fines, the Board aims to further encourage the Scarsdale community to enjoy the library’s extensive collections and visit its recently renovated building.
The American Library Association recommends the elimination of overdue fines to reduce economic barriers to borrowing library materials and increase library usage. Libraries across the country have already gone fine free, including the nation’s largest library system, the New York Public Library, as well several neighboring libraries in the Westchester Library System, including the White Plains Public Library, Greenburgh Public Library, and Eastchester Public Library.
“The collection of fines makes up less than 1% of the library’s budget but can have a hugely negative impact on the use of the library’s resources by all,” stated Felicia Block, President of the Library Board of Trustees. “The library can offset the loss of this income through other revenue streams, such as space rentals, allowing us to focus on our primary mission, to encourage and foster the lifelong joy of reading in Scarsdale. It is the right time to eliminate existing and future fines to best support that goal.”
“The recent renovation of the Scarsdale Library was not just about a new building. It was about creating a welcoming modern community institution that adapts with the times.” Library Director Elizabeth Bermel stated. “That includes eliminating outdated practices that can discourage access to the library for those who can’t afford fines or are embarrassed to be deemed delinquent. All are welcome to enjoy the library!”
The new policy will be in effect immediately and follows the practice established by Scarsdale and many community libraries during the pandemic, as many libraries were closed to the public and/or had limited hours from March 2020 through mid-2021. Patrons will continue to be responsible for lost or damaged materials.
Halloween Painters Create Stunning Artwork on Scarsdale Storefronts
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Grand Prize by Isabell ZhuA nightmarish Halloween scene painted by Isabelle Zhu took the Grand Prize of the 2021 Halloween Window Painting contest. Zhu’s work was among the work of 146 individuals and teams who entered into the window painting contest portion along with the paintings of another 151 families who participated for fun. You can see it on the window of the office of Douglas Elliman at the corner of Scarsdale Avenue and Popham Road.
Halloween Painting took place a bit early this year, and the weather cooperated. According to Jene Davis of the Scarsdale Recreation Department, the number of entrants is comparable to previous years.
To avoid crowding around the windows, painters were assigned either a morning or afternoon time so there was not the usual throng of artists and parents around the windows. But their colorful and amusing work will entertain shoppers in the week to come.
An award ceremony will take place virtually via Zoom in November. Date TBD.
See below for a list of winners by category and photos of their colorful work.
Max Handwerker and Dylan Krisbergh
Isabelle Xie and Carrie Ho
Gia Szuba and Emma McDermott
Sydney Geringer
Jabez Keh and Jaden Galante
Zoe Pollack
Sarah Luo
Yunong Lin
Maia Papale
Evelyn Goldberg
