The Watercooler at 21 North Broadway in Tarrytown NY, is a new hotspot for independent professionals as well as those who find themselves working from home.   It is the brainchild of Jennifer Ross who made Tarrytown’s famous 3rd Friday the success that it has become today.  Jennifer has a wonderful outgoing personality that helps create the warm, friendly and unique environment that you find when you walk into the Watercooler. She never does anything half way – and it shows. Located in the heart of the historic village of Tarrytown, the Watercooler offers professionals a space in which to concentrate without the distractions of home while providing excellent networking opportunities.  Office space can be rented for full time use by the month, or temporarily on an as-needed basis.  Mem... 06/01/2012

Date: June 3, 2012Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Event Description The LOCAL Main Street Businesses and Restaurants will be joined by over 80 Crafters and Vendors on Main Street.   Same Day Same Time: Kid's Fest @ Neperan Park - one block from Main Street & Broadway featuring music by Chris Reising, young artists by Tarrytown Arts Council & pony rides & strawberry festival by The Historical Society     05/10/2012

As many of you know who live in the area, Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow have really come back in terms of opening new restaurants and seems to be a happening place again.  After eating burgers with friends at our favorite pub, Bridge View Tavern in Sleepy Hollow, we drove over to Tarrytown to have our after dinner ice cream at Main Street Sweets.We were strolling up the street, where Sweet Grass Grill and Tarry Tavern were still bustling with diners at 9:00 pm at night, when we came across MINT Premier Foods.  Mint used to be a gourmet specialty and sandwich store across the street.  At the end of the year, after 7 years, Hassan expanded his store across the street to 19 Main Street to include a restaurant. Although they do not have a website so far, you can check reviews out on  Yelp whi... 05/05/2012

Early this evening I went in search of photos for a perigee moon.  Of course it was the optimist in me that actually made me believe that with all this cloud cover there might be a picture to take.   But alas, the moon could not been seen through the clouds.  In the end, I wound up on the Hudson River Walk in Tarrytown.   I thought it was a logical place to practice night photography since I know it really  well.  Besides, lately I’ve been obsessed with shooting as many  pictures of the Tappan Zee Bridge as I can –  since it is slated for replacement.  When I got to the river, I saw that the water was like glass and it was reflecting the lights coming from the bridge. For me the Tappan Zee has always been there, its like a fixture, a permanent part of my memories since childhood.  When ... 05/05/2012

OK – so I admit that my low-light photography skills need some help – but tomorrow’s full Moon will be a “super Moon”.   Technically – its called a “perigee moon”.  Full moons vary in size because the moon has an elliptical orbit around the earth. When the moon’s orbit is at perigee it is 50,000 km closer to the earth  than when it is furthest from the the earth (apogee moon). Anyway, the moon was almost full early this evening just before 8 PM.  and very bright in spite of the hazy sky.   I was able to take this photo as a preview for tomorrows event.  I will try to take some photos tomorrow night – although I can not guarantee how they will turn out. Meanwhile – if you want to see the show, watch the sky tomorrow night! © 2012 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All... 05/04/2012

I admit to having a real love of the river towns.  Don’t get me wrong – I love the Sound Shore area as well, but there is a certain wildness and weathered beauty to the western portion of the county.  I was on the Hudson River walk near dusk on a stormy night – or really a pre-stormy night last week. Lately I have been taking a lot of photos of the Hudson and Tappan Zee Bridge…probably because I know that the view will be forever changed as soon as work begins on a new bridge.  This picture from the Marina in Tarrytonw is from a slightly different angle.   This photo would have been great for “Earth Day”.  When I was little, the Hudson was considered a dangerous and dirty river.  Certainly not a place where one would even think of going fishing.  Yet I see people fishing  - successfully... 04/27/2012

As the soaking rains of Sunday showed us – spring blossoms can be here today, gone tomorrow.  So I was out taking a lot of photos last week.  So bring on the backlog!   I haven’t even been able to sort through them all. While shopping in Tarrytown, NY I took a shortcut.  When I saw this Wisteria trained to grow around a wraparound porch – I stopped my car and grabbed the camera. It really looked like something from a bygone era where people sat outside on the porch at night and enjoyed a glass of lemonade.  Here are two versions of the same shot – the second uses some artistic filters from photoshop.    But for need to restock my dog food supply, I would never had seen this while it was blooming. Home sellers should also take note:  This home comes alive with curb appeal because of the ... 04/23/2012

  No matter the ZIP code, the size, or style of the house, there are three design elements that throw homeowners. Last time we covered lighting, today let's talk about window treatments. Now before you roll your eyes and moan- I HATE DRAPES !! (And yes, I know you are doing that!!)-let me ask- did you actually read the word "DRAPES "? No, you did not. But this is where-and why-so many get stuck, so let's understand this first. Energy consciousness was not part of homes built prior to the 1970s, and aside from Scarlett O'Hara's Plan B, "DRAPES" were the original climate control system. Windows were made of wood frames, with a single pane of glass; perhaps with another, slide-down panel as a storm window. In the winter the wood contracted, causing drafts; while summertime light cooked roo... 04/19/2012

Over the past few months I’ve been working to improve my photographic skills.  So I will be posting more photos of Westchester.  As previously noted in post about the importance of the MLS listing –  good photography is like crack cocaine for home buyers, so I consider this to be an integral part of what I do for a living. These were taking a few days ago on a beautiful but brisk spring day.  I was in Tarrytown NY – one of the prettiest villages in Westchester – if not the country.  Sometimes spring blossoms are just uplifting.  They give us a sense of renewal – of new beginnings.  They were an interesting backdrop to the Victorian homes that had seen many a spring renewal over the past century….       Just an FYI, I  have started working as a photographer.   Several agents have asked m... 04/13/2012

Selecting carpet for your home in Tarrytown NY has never been easier...now, you can Shop at Home for your carpeting in Westchester NY. Have you ever gone to a carpet store and just felt lost and overwhelmed?  Sometimes, there are so many options that you don't even know where to start.  Sometimes, you may go into a store and find so many choices that you leave more confused than you felt when you entered?  How do you know what's the best type of carpet for your home in Tarrytown NY?  What's the right one for your budget?  And, what's the right color? We make shopping for carpeting fun and easy. Everything starts with the area you are looking to carpet.  Is it for a bedroom or a lviing room or a family room or basement or the step?  Different rooms require different types of carpeting.  ... 03/29/2012

  Tarrytown Music Hall not only has a variety of entertainment for us “Saturday night” entertainment buffs, but also has numerous daytime events for children of all ages.  Some of the events coming up are: Snow White Workshop on 3/11Theater Workshop USA School Shows: Nate the Great on Thursday 3/15Also showing Martha Speaks on 3/29 among othersThe Paper Bag Player Daytime School is showing Laugh, Laugh, Laugh from Tuesday 3/21 through 3/23High School Musical Jr. Workshop has shows from 3/25 - 4/1. Visit Tarrytown Music Hall and go to their Events page for show times and other great kids events!   Then follow it up with visit to Main Street Sweets - Local Ice Cream Parlor! 03/08/2012

Word Of The Week: RE-CALIBRATE   I love the power of the right word. This series came about because time and time again I noticed how well the 'right' word conveyed an economy of thought, while saving your from a bunch of wrong, and mediocre words. People seemed to 'hear' things differently-BETTER! It also clarifies and elevates things in my own mind. The Word Of The Week is RE-CALIBRATE. From the verb CALIBRATE, it's a powerful, and extraordinarily scientific word. It's goal is PRECISION and ACCURACY. It is MEASURED and SPECIFIC; there is nothing casual or fleeting about it. One web definition is 'to make fine adjustments', another is ' the act of checking or adjusting the accuracy of a measuring instrument'. My favorite-and most compelling is ' adjust (experimental results) to take ex... 03/04/2012

The village of Tarrytown is one of the most popular and bustling of the Hudson River Communities in Westchester County New York. Please follow the link below to learn more about this attractive community, including it's features, housing statistics, schools, houses of worship, recreation, entertainment venues and much more. TARRYTOWN NEW YORK COMMUNITY PROFILE   02/28/2012

Are you looking to sand and refinish hardwood floors in Tarrytown NY?   It's amazing what a difference refinishing your hardwood flooring can make.  Your floors will look brand new and you even have the option to change the color.  You can go light, dark, mid tones, or red tones. It can really give your home (or room) a whole new look.   If you have hardwood underneath your carpets, we can restore the beauty of the hardwood underneath. It's amazing what a big difference this can make in your home.  And, believe it or not, it is usually less expensive to refinish your floors than to recarpet.  Refinishing your wood floors will also improve your home's value and it will be easier to clean and maintain.   At Floor Coverings International, we are a shop at home service.  We will bring the "... 02/16/2012

Event at Rotary Club Date: March 12, 2012Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM http://www.tarrytownrotary.org   Event Description On March 12th, the Rotary Club of the Tarrytowns will hold their Annual Wine & Jazz Event at Abigail Kirsch at Tappan Hill and will recognize the contributions of The Washington Irving Fitness Playground Committee to our community.This is the Rotary Club’s largest fundraiser which raised in the past over $20,000. In addition to awarding over ten scholarships, the Rotray Club supports many organizations within the villages of Irvington, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown.All proceeds go directly back to the communities.Join us on March 12th for a fun night with music by Mark Morganelli and The Jazz Forum All Stars,wine from Grape Expectations, great food, and a silent auction.To p... 02/14/2012

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 le... 01/11/2012

"Social Networking to Social Business"- How it's done, who's doing it right and Trends for 2012 This looks like a wonderful networking event and seminar.  The Professional Women of Westchester is a dynamic group, and I've really enjoyed networking and socializing with these entrepreneurs.  I would definitely attend this event except that I will be away. Speakers: Rose Colonna of Tasteful Treats and Treasures gift baskets Jennifer Ross of W@tercooler Hub Jennifer Maher of Keller Williams Realty Moderated by Lisa Kaslan of Prosper Communications   $15 for PWW members $20 for Non members Includes appetizers and cash bar   Where: Ruth's Chris Steakhouse 670 White Plains Rd, Tarrytown NY 10591 Register online at www.ProfessionalWomenOfWestchester.com When:  Mon 1/9/12 at 6pm   I would defini... 01/03/2012

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... 12/22/2011

WINTER Events Guide for Westchester and The Hudson Valley   Each season, Anthony Stokes Pereira / Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty collects information about community events throughout Westchester and the Hudson Valley. New events are posted weekly, so visit us often for updates on events in your area.  www.anthonystokespereira.com  WESTCHESTER, PUTNAM AND DUTCHESS COUNTIES:   December 17, 8 PM, Tarrytown, NY - A Rockin’ Holiday Doo Wop Celebration at Tarrytown Music Hall, 1008 Brown Street. $37.50 - $57.50. (877) 840-0457. www.tarrytownmusichall.org   This community event is provided as a service. As event information is provided by organizers and can change without notice, we advise you to contact organizers directly to confirm all details. Every effort is made to provide inform... 12/16/2011

Sometimes its just nice to pause and enjoy the season.  I was busy today – running around like crazy.   But at dusk I saw a display that I really loved.  This isn’t one of those over-the top displays.  It has charm and grace.  Not too much, not too little.  Its interesting because this particular display is at the steps of a church.  Nevertheless, it has more of a holiday feel, and at least to my mind, the religious overtones are missing.  Still it captures the spirit of giving and conveys a feeling of warmth and the spirit of giving.  Something sorely needed in these times where the “I’ve got mine” attitude seems to prevail in our day-to-day lives.   Anyway, here is the photo:   ©2011 – Ruthmarie G. Hicks – http://thewestchesterview.com – All rights reserved. 12/15/2011