April 2013

Features

Westchester County’s Best Places to Live in 2013

Each of these 20 communities has more than a few things that make them special.

By Dana White // Featuring Photography by Stefan Radtke

Westchester’s 2013 Pet Contest: The 10 Cutest Pets in Westchester County

This year, six charismatic canines, two fascinating felines, a fine-feathered friend, and one swell member of the swine family round out our winner’s circle

By Laurie Yarnell // Photography by Darryl Estrine

Departments

Editor's Memo Archive »
	From the Publisher: Westchester Magazine Announces 2013 Pet Contest Winners; Shares Photos of Staff’s Pets A word from Westchester Magazine Publisher, Ralph A. Martinelli By Ralph A. Martinelli//Publisher
Inbox Archive »
Letters to the Editor, April 2013 Letters to the editor regarding the articles in Westchester Magazine's April 2013 issue.
Talk of the County Archive »
Spring Cleaning 101: Tips for Cleaning Your House This Season Get your house spic and span (with—or without— the Spic and Span) By Carol Caffin
Best Local Karaoke Bars For Each Day of the Week Best bets for karaoke in the county By Mark Damon Puckett
Westchester’s Lack of Record Stores Make It Difficult for Music Lovers to Celebrate Record Store Day 2013 Westchester is falling behind when it comes to independent record shops. By Scott Simone
	April Showers (and Concerts and Shopping) Five ways to brighten up a rainy day in Westchester County By Philip Posillipo
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: April Fool’s Day Westchester Magazine takes a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of April Fool’s Day By Ben Brody
	Thru My Eyes Nonprofit Organization Creates Professional Videos for the Terminally Ill Who Want to Leave Messages for Loved Ones A Scarsdale-based organization lets seriously or terminally ill people leave lasting legacies, free of charge, through video. By Carol Caffin
This Month’s Holidays: April 2013 Lesser-known reasons to mark your calendars by Emily Andrews
	How to Blow Your Tax Refund, Celebrity-Style A lesson on boosting the local economy—in go-for-broke celebrity style By Katie O’Donnell
New Rochelle Teen Participates in NASA Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars (WISH) Program Wish come true: High schooler Elisheva Shuter was the only woman from our area to get into the NASA WISH program last year. By Ben Brody
	Top Five: Author and Editor Dorothy Wickenden The Southern Westchester author and editor on her five favorite works of historical nonfiction By Laurie Yarnell
Photo Opportunities Archive »
	Party Pictures from Hudson River Rising’s Dance Your A** Off Party at the Purple Crayon PLUS: Sound Shore’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and more.
Beauty & Style Archive »
Spa Week Returns to Westchester County in 2013 It’s back! Spa Week returns from April 15 through April 21 By Nancy L. Claus
	Open for Business: Oxygen Fitness in New Canaan, Connecticut New fitness center Oxygen Fitness offers complimentary fitness concierge services to members By Nancy L. Claus
	Beauty Tips from Jennifer and JoAnna Sciarrino of Derma Glow of New York in North Salem Instant appeal: exfoliation is the key to having healthy, glowing skin By Nancy L. Claus
	Expert Advice from The Fitness Contrarian, Mike Cola Mike Cola of Mike Cola Fitness in Mount Kisco Reveals Expert Tips on Weight Loss Mike Cola of Mike Cola Fitness in Mount Kisco Reveals Expert Tips on Weight Loss
	What Type of Bangs Look Best on Your Face Shape? Big bang theory: Hair and beauty expert Heather Adessa (makeupbyheathera.com) cuts through the chatter to tell you which style looks best on different shaped faces. By Nancy L. Claus
	Ellen Beck, Owner of E.B. Barrett Boutique in Larchmont, Recommends Annabel Ingall Isabella Item Tote Bag Shopkeeper’s pick: cool carryall By Laurie Yarnell
	Westchester Boutique Openings and Relocations in April 2013 AGE Chic Club Boutique in Bedford Hills and March Boutique in Briarcliff Manor By Laurie Yarnell
	Westchester Boutique Owners’ Favorite Fashion Trends for Spring 2013 Trending now: Looking to spiff up your wardrobe? For a fresh take on what’s hot for spring, we chatted with our area’s au courant boutique owners. By Laurie Yarnell
	Weather-Resistant Gear Brightens Up a Gray Day with Blue Hues Cornflower boots, a navy anorak and other rain-banishing accessories get a splash of the season's wettest color. by Laurie Yarnell
Ask Westchester Archive »
	Cracking the Case on the Elmsford Morning Siren PLUS: Closing the Pipeline Road entrance to the Bronx River Parkway and discovering what lurks under Westchester County. By W. Dyer Halpern
Our Neighbor Archive »
	Bonnie Saran’s “Little” Restaurants Have Generated a Big Brand in Mount Kisco Born in India and raised in an Army household, Saran channels her travel experiences, family ties and culinary talents into a trio of highly successful, authentic restaurants. By Cat Zambito
Profile Archive »
	News 12’s Brian Conybeare’s Surprise Move From Anchorman to Frontman for New Tappan Zee Bridge In a move that raised more than a few eyebrows and caused a slight political stir, the Eastchester resident sank into full PR mode for his role as special advisor to the governor for the new bridge... By Diane Clehane
Amuse Bouche Archive »
	Westchester Restaurant Openings, Closings, Events and News Dobbs Ferry’s Grenadine dishes out customized crêpes, Purchase’s China White preps to open two locations in Scarsdale and Westport, Conn., and other restaurant news. by John Bruno Turiano
	Westchester’s Five Best Dishes in April 2013 Stracciatella soup at Italian Kitchen, Saigon-style pho at Saigonese and other must-try dishes. By Julia Sexton
	Where to Find Westchester’s Best Popovers PLUS: BLT Steak’s popover recipe and defining (or maybe, refining) the Brits’ popover cousin, Yorkshire pudding.
	Mixology’s Popularity Wanes as Straightforward Bartending Gains Favor The days of fizz, syrup and nectar-laden cocktails are giving way to honest ingredients, simply prepared and enjoyed for what they are. by Julia Sexton
	Chef Q&A: Michael Psilakis of Irvington’s MP Taverna He’s cooked for President Obama and ponied up $2,000 for dinner in Italy. It’s safe to say this man knows his food. by John Bruno Turiano
	Versatile Goat Cheese Takes Center Stage at White Plains’ BUtterfield 8 Chef Matt Safarowic uses the tangy cheese on pizza, pasta, salads and desserts. PLUS: His five-ingredient recipe for goat cheese gnocchi. by Diane Weintraub Pohl
Restaurant Reviews Archive »
	White Plains' Noodle+ Dishes Up Reliable, Affordable Asian Comfort Food Dumplings, soup buns and, of course, noodles make for a family-and budget-friendly option that beats the early spring chills. by Julia Sexton
	A Peekskill Locavore and Cocktail Connoisseur Haven in Gleason’s Gleason’s in Peekskill appears to be a modest neighborhood joint, but it surprises with delicious food and fabulous, on-trend cocktails. by Julia Sexton
Main Course Archive »
	Eating at the Bar: Why Forgoing the Reservation and Pulling Up a Stool Guarantees Great Eats Get to know your food and your dining companions at this cozy and dynamic alternative to waiting for that booth to open up. By Jeanne Muchnick
Side Order Archive »
	Somers Resident Peter V. Busatti’s Pizza Train Serves Brick-Oven Pizzas to Westchester Side order: The Pizza Train—a mini pizzeria on wheels—can cook pies in as fast as 90 seconds By John Bruno Turiano
Health Archive »
	Identifying Causes and Types of Foot Pain in Adults Obesity, high heels and high-impact activity all play a role in causing foot pain. Local doctors share their insights for coping with various pain-related issues. By Elana Krasner
Upcoming Archive »
	Beatles Tribute Band Rain Performs at the Westchester County Center This isn't your average tribute group, either. With more than 300 off-Broadway shows to their name, this foursome is more than just the next best thing. Imagine that.
Culture, Etc. Archive »
	Home Theater: Three New Releases to Buy in April 2013 What to add to your queue this month: Hyde Park on Hudson, 30 Rock: Season Seven, John Dies at the End
	Go Behind the Slot Machines with Empire City Casino Host Sal Sciarra The Yonkers resident is a people-person to say the least, and even though we loves to see people win big, his biggest prizes are his friends, family, health and happiness. By Georgette Yacoub
Lego Fun at Lyndhurst Features Lego Robotics, Master Model Builders and More Bring the family to the mansion April 27-28 for the ultimate in child’s play. By Marisa LaScala
	Meg Wolitzer’s “The Interestings” Reading at Spoken Interludes The April 9 event also highlights readings by Jennifer Gilmore and Charles Debow, with a catered spread from Chutney Masala. by Marisa LaScala
	The Black Crowes “Lay Down with Number 13” Tour Stops at the Capitol Theatre Performing April 2-3, Chris Robinson’s hard-rocking band is also promoting Wiser for Time, a four-vinyl release of live performances recorded in New York City in 2010. By Marisa LaScala
	Reduced Shakespeare Company’s 100-Minute “The Complete History of America (Abridged)” Whether you’re cramming for that history final or you love a good show, this shockingly brief portrayal of centuries’ worth of US history at the Emelin Theatre is a can’t-miss. by Marisa LaScala
High Note Archive »
	Westchester Residents Maggie Brohn and Patricia Wilcox Key Staff Members for Broadway’s “Motown: The Musical” The show’s general manager and choreographer, respectively, share their favorite music memories, show experiences and more. By Laurie Yarnell