The Goods

Details: Category: The Goods; Published: 18 March 2013

blowingbubbles I have this serious pet peeve about gum chewing. People who chomp, chew, blow bubbles, or – worst of all – crack gum in my presence: Beware.

I get this trait from my mom. My mother, an easy-going person for the most part, made it very clear when I was a child that there were three things she would not stand for in our house. Loud gum chewing was one; hair twirling, twisting, or curling around a finger was the second; and declaring that something is "so fun," which is, apparently, grammatically incorrect, marked the third offense.
In other words, living with my mom was so much fun.

At college, friends who chose to live with me in our sorority house were sorely disappointed to find out that, by winning the house lottery, they would have to forfeit the right to chew gum for an entire scholastic year.

Living with me was so much fun!

I'd like to say that I have mellowed over time, but I haven't. On public transportation, like a subway or plane, if I am faced with a gum-chewer, I manage to remain calm on the outside, but, inside, I am stewing and boiling and brimming over with white-hot hatred. In the time that it takes to get from 42nd street to Union Square on the Lexington Ave Express, I have imagine-wished all sorts of calamities to befall this classless cow, this masticating marauder, this guileless, clueless, tongue-brandishing stranger, all because of her affinity for Orbit Mist.

By the time I step from the train onto the platform, my brain is screaming obscenities and I'm shaking like a leaf in a hurricane, barely holding on.

So, imagine my surprise when my ten-year-old son, Andrew, came home from school the other day fuming.

"Mom, you know that girl I told you about, the one who chews gum in class? The one who drives me crazy with her...mdtah, mdtah, mdtah?" He imitated an incredibly annoying - and dead on accurate - portrayal of a class A offender.

"Yeah," I said.

"Well, today, our teacher moved our seats in class and now SHE'S SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO ME! ARGH!"

"Okay, calm down," I advised. He was clutching his skull, as if the memory was still sharp enough to hurt. Which I'm sure it was, actually.

I tried to blow it off, but I was secretly worried. How would this sensitive child now score on the upcoming state tests, his concentration completely blown by bubbles?

Could I call the teacher?

And say what? That The Gerstenblatts are completely unreasonable freaks?

"Mom, that's not all." Andrew admitted. "She also plays with her hair."

I did the only thing I could do in this cruel, gum-supporting, lock-twisting world we live in. I looked at Andrew, a glorious dark-haired, brown-eyed, and olive skinned person who looks nothing like me, and hugged him close.

He is, after all, my child.

Columnist and blogger Julie Gerstenblatt writes with humor and candor about her life in Scarsdale, her friends and family, and the particular demands of motherhood and wifedom in modern-day suburbia. Read about her new book Lauren Takes Leave and keep up with the latest from Julie Gerstenblatt at http://juliegerstenblatt.com.

Details: Category: The Goods; Published: 14 March 2013

bored Admit it. By this time in the school year it's tough to think about how to keep the kids occupied over yet another vacation. To combat vacation boredom, here's a list of programs that are both flexible – as in you can send your kids mornings, afternoons, both, one day or several days – and fun. If your child isn't interested in camp but is looking for something out of the ordinary to do for a couple of hours, here are a couple of ideas to keep all age groups busy and happy.

Sports-Related Programs

Squash:
Nothing says Ivy League college like squash, and Pyramid is offering a spring squash camp from March 25-29 with a full day (9am-2pm) and half day (9am-11:30am) option. You don't have to be a member of Pyramid. For those of you who haven't played squash since college, there are classes for adults also (sorry, no adult camp). www.pyramidsquash.com; 30 Elm Street, Tuckahoe (914) 914-961-7529

Tennis:
In nearby Eastchester, the John McEnroe Tennis Academy is offering tennis camp vacation tenniskids week for ages 4 and up. The camp runs 10am-1pm. Experienced players can try out for the afternoon camp, which runs 1pm-4pm. Racquets are provided if your child doesn't have one and you do not have to be a member of the Academy to attend camp. www.johnmcenroetennisacademy.com; Lake Island Country Club (914) 777-5151

Multi-Sport, Baseball, Basketball, Lacrosse:
Before you know it, the spring sports season will be here and it will be time to take the baseball mitts and basketballs out of hibernation. So, get the kids ready for the spring season by sending them to either a full- or half-day program at House of Sports. There are options for kindergarten through 8th grade. www.houseofsportsny.com; 3 Elm Street, Ardsley (914) 479-5419

Soccer:
UK Elite, which runs Scarsdale's soccer program, is offering a part-day clinic at SUNY Purchase. There is a shorter camp for ages 3-5 and a slightly longer day for ages 6-14. Be aware, training takes place outside, so dress your soccer star in layers. www.ukelite.com; (973) 631-9802

(Serious) Swimming: kidsparty
For those kids who want to work on their strokes – really work on their strokes and not splash around in the pool -- Nike Sports Camp/USSC is offering Peak Performance Spring Swim Camp March 25 - March 28 with a short and full day option. Kids swim (indoors) at The Saw Mill Club. www.ussportscamp.com; 1-800-nike-camp

Dance:
The Performing Arts Center of Southern Westchester/Ballet Arts is offering a spring vacation performing arts camp from March 25-29 with full- and half-day options. The schedule changes everyday to include hip-hop, modern, tap, Irish Step, ballet, jazz, African, etc. www.ballet-arts.net; 504 Fifth Ave, Pelham (914)738-8000

Non-Sport Options

Environmental Camp:
Nearby Sheldrake Environmental Center is offering a spring break vacation camp for ages 3-8 March 25-29 with daily options available. During a typical day, children go on an outdoor discovery walk through the 60-acre conservancy property, explore the trails and learn hands-on about animals, nature and the environment. www.sheldrakecenter.org; 685 Weaver Street, Larchmont (914) 834-1443

Pottery:
One of the best pottery programs around, Pottery on Hudson, is running half-day programs for ages 6 and up March 25-28 in its beautiful studio. www.potteryonhudson.com; 145 Palisade Street, Dobbs Ferry (914) 478-2762

Botany:
During this vacation week camp, kids work behind the scenes at The New York Botanical Garden and uncover how discoveries are made and plants are cared for. After visiting with scientists and gardeners, campers use technology such as iPads and microscopes to gather their own data while exploring the forest and wetlands.www.nybg.org; Southern Blvd, Bronx (718) 817 8181

Drop-in Ideas

Rope Climbing:
Palisades Climb has the world's tallest indoor ropes course, standing 85 feet tall. Located indoors on Level 4 of the Palisades Center (who knew?), the ropes course offers a year-round weather-proof challenge for families and adventurers of all ages. The course has varying design and difficulty and contains 75 different challenge elements, including a tremor bridge, tension traverse, a vertical rope ladder, a quarter cargo net, a two line rope bridge, an alternating spaghetti handline and a three line lumber rope bridge. In addition to numerous dining options, the Palisades Mall also has a bowling alley, full size skating rink and, let us not forget, Ferris wheel and carousel. www.palisadesclimb.com; Palisades Center 4590 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack (845) 727-3500

BounceU:
Kids flip for the unbelievable amazing inflatable structures at BounceU in Elmsford. Younger kids can attend the preschool playdates, Monday through Friday at 10 am at $11.95 per child and the whole family can enjoy the all ages open bounce on Mondays through Thursdays from 4 – 5:30 pm. Cost is $11.95 per child and reservations are required. Visit their site to learn more at: elmsford.ny@bounceu.com; 150 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford, New York 10523, (914) 874-5200.

Fun for the Whole Family

I love Chelsea Piers and wish they would pick it up and move the facility 30 minutes closer to Scarsdale. For those who have not been there, the place is amazing. Chelsea Pier's CT is offering a March spring break drop-in program that doesn't align with most Westchester schools (it is March 18-22), but is a great option if your school is off then. For the rest of us, there are other drop in options, so check out the website: www.chelseapiersct.com; 1 Blachley Road, Stamford, CT (203) 989-1000

Details: Category: The Goods; Published: 07 March 2013

annie3 You don't have to go to Broadway to catch a stellar production of Annie! Annie jr. that is, will be on stage at the Scarsdale Middle School this weekend, Friday March 8 and Saturday March 9 at 7 pm. A dedicated group of young thespians, under the direction of middle school teachers Dorothy Golden, Rachele Ketterer and Celia Cuk have been in rehearsal since January, perfecting well-known musical and dance numbers including "Tomorrow" and "It's the Hard-Knock Life."

The show stars Mary Cecil as Annie, Emma Satin as the cruel Miss Hannigan, Lena Proctor as Annie's savior Grace and Robert Chappel as billionaire Daddy Warbucks. To add even more excitement to the production, Scarsdale resident Martin Charnin, who wrote the lyrics to Annie, will be in the audience to see this local rendition of his work.

Tickets are $10 and are on sale in the Scarsdale Middle School Great Hall between 11-1 on Friday and at the door Friday and Saturday nights. annie2 annie4 annie1 annie5 annie6

Details: Category: The Goods; Published: 12 March 2013

pansies The Scarsdale Youth Employment Services office (Y.E.S.) has kicked off its second annual spring flower fundraiser. Residents may purchase quality plants and flowers at easy-on-the-wallet prices for spring planting. Orders for flowers, vegetables, herbs, hanging baskets and color bowls may be placed now through April 4th by visiting https://scarsdale.ny.hs-ses.com/ or clicking here. Plants will be ready for pick up the week before Mother's Day.

Y.E.S. is a nonprofit community organization that matches bright, talented, ambitious Scarsdale teens with prospective individuals and businesses in Scarsdale. Y.E.S. depends solely on donations from the community.

Details: Category: The Goods; Published: 26 February 2013

This information was submitted by Greenburgh Police Chief Joseph DeCarlo: Recently there has been an increase in thefts from vehicles throughout the town and more so in Edgemont. The large majority of the vehicles that were entered were unlocked. To help combat this type of crime please take notice of the following crime prevention tips.

-Lock your doors and roll up the windows: Criminals love to go window-shopping. They walk down neighborhood streets or go through shopping center parking lots looking through the windows of parked cars to see what people have left behind.

-Make sure you leave nothing of value in plain view in your car. Take valuables away with you, or put them in the trunk. If you own a sport utility vehicle, cover your valuables. Don't give thieves that kind of opportunity.

-Remove portable electronic devices such as smart phones and portable GPS navigation systems, including suction cup or beanbag type mounts. (even the visible appearance of a suction cup ring on the glass windshield can be an enticement to a thief to break in and look for the GPS system.)

-Don't leave personal identification documents such as your license, registration to vehicle or credit cards in your vehicle.

-Activate any theft deterrent device you may have. greenburghshield

-Park in a well lit area or under a motion detector light if available.

-If you have a garage, use it.

-Call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity.