July 2015

ArtWare for Good News from Rwanda

From an ocean and hemisphere away Diana reports great success with her work in Rwanda,

Her company ArtWare for Good has a program called Walls That Unite that combines art and education to create change in the world through the universal language of art.

For the last week she has been in Rwanda with her friends and partners Nancy Uslan and Jeanine Polizzi for the culmination of a recent projects for the Kabwende and Bisate Schools there.The project engaged 5th grade students of the Bullock School in Montclair, NJ and students of Monmouth University to create an art installation and literacy project. Together they wrote and illustrated stories that were published in a book that was distributed to 2,000 children in Rwanda.

The stories were inspired by each letter of the alphabet that were also made into art that became part of a tile wall mural that was brought across the sea and mounted at the schools.

The project was a tremendous success, a life changing experience for all involved.

ArtWare for Good

Like a Kid in a Candy Shop at Suburban Wines

This past weekend I went on an expedition south and east in search of new booze purveyors. My trip took me to Hudson Valley Beverage in Mahopac, NY which was a disappointment and Suburban Wines and Spirits in Yorktown Heights which was an utter delight.

I felt like a kid in a candy shop, so many intriguing wines and liquors to choose from. It is without a doubt the best wine and liquor store in the 20 mile radius from our home base of Garrison Landing.

I am still getting used to this separation in New York. Wines and Spirits under one license and beer and malt liquors under another. In New Jersey you can get both in the same establishment.

Suburban celebrates “vive la différence.” Yes I am stretching the meaning of that phrase to make a point. While you can get the standards, I walked away with my purchases in a Barefoot Wine box, but none of that for me, I like the exciting different and unique finds, and here there are many.

A new Garrison friend suggested I try Suburban as we discoursed on the wine and things. I told him how much I like Viscount and Mid-Valley, but he smiled and said wait till you see Suburban. Frankly the thought of driving down into the congested roads of Yorktown was not encouraging. I enjoy being here in the quiet realm of Putnam, try to avoid leaving at all cost. But leave I must and am so glad I did.

You see Suburban is a place where they call their staff with titles like Wine Maven, Whiskey Fanatic and apt names they are. For even as traveled and seasoned in the world of wines and spirits that I am, I found many new and exciting things here.

Can’t wait to get back for more.

Suburban Wine & Spirits
379 Downing Drive
Yorktown Heights NY 10598
Phone: 914-962-3100

Tasty Event This Weekend Cold Spring

Here is a great event for foodies, beer lovers and music fans alike.

Saturday 7/25 and Sunday 7/26 oysters by the dozen and lobster rolls for sale to go from @brooklynoysterparty and small batch artisan chocolate from @raakachocolate (starting at 10am and 11am) with live music in the evening @7pm paired with raw bar and grill food from @marbledmeatshop

If you are interested in having seafood permanently at the market, stop by and show your support start with pre-orders!

Marbled Meat Shop

The Pantry Cold Spring

Cocktail of the Week “Bon Voyage”

To celebrate and wish well to Diana as she embarks on her trip to Rwanda for a ArtWare for Good. Read more Rwanda Literacy Art Tile Wall and Books

Recipe Here: 100 Negronis

Boss Burgers and Beer at Poppy’s Beacon

We are true burger aficionados that can chalk up tasting experiences the likes of which include an hour of arousing contemplation waiting on line in Madison Park to savor an authentic Danny Meyer Shake Shack Burger and the dramatic sensation of the Foie Gras as we cherished one of the artful burgers at db Bistro Moderne, and so many other fabulous burger places around the country. Corner Bistro, Smash Burger, In-N-Out, we have done so many.

There is a moment of truth as you are about to taste what you hope will be your next great burger, when the question looms — “Will this one delight or disappoint?” You see the down side of enjoying so many great ones is that it becomes harder and harder to delight, yet Poppy’s burgers won! We loved them both.

It helps of course if you have a happy and charming server like Kelley! She knows just what to do and more importantly when you are out for a great burger and beer, knows her beers!

Poppy’s has a few locals brews on tap and more in can and bottles. This one from Single Cut in Queens, NY was awesome.

You won’t be completely happy unless you order a mountain of the perfectly prepared Poppy’s fries. We added a side of the house made aioli. Love mayo on my fries.

What makes this food so good? Very well sourced truly natural ingredients, food that tastes good and feels good. Makes you happy.

The seating is comfy in the simple interior or the cozy backyard garden.

There are vegan options on the menu if meat is not your thing. But at a place like this come on, indulge!

Their mission “to provide affordable, farm-fresh food in a casual environment. We source the best local grass-fed beef. All of our produce is Hudson Valley grown whenever possible. We also proudly serve the best veggie burgers in town and micro-brews that complement our burgers.” Done, Done and Done!

Poppy’s Burger & Fries
184 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
(845) 765-2121 Hours
Monday: 11am to 4pm
Wednesday: 11am to 4pm
Thursday-Sunday: 12pm to 8pm

Hudson Valley Mixed Grill

Inspired by an article in the NY Times a week or so ago, Mixed Grill American Way, we put together a fabulous meal for a big Sunday dinner with our kids.

All from local farmers we had beef back ribs, house made Italian sausage and chorizo, and smoked duck breast all from favorite local butcher Marbled Meat shop.

It took two grills to get it all done, one gas, one charcoal. Fresh vegetables and pretzel rolls came from the Cold Spring Farmers Market which is abundant this time of year. Continue reading Hudson Valley Mixed Grill

A Chilean Wine with Roots in the Hudson Valley

I love wines with a story and this one has one to tell. Made with a grape that Ampelographers consider came from Cariñena, Aragon and was later transplanted to Sardinia where it is used to make one of my very favorite wines, Carignano del Sulcis.

Over the centuries, and especially in the last few decades, this grape has been planted in France, Algeria, Australia, California, much of the “New World.” Maucho Carignan comes from the lush Maule Valley in Chile, from Casa Patronales a prominent vineyard that has unique ties to the Hudson Valley. The families of Castro and Chadwick who built Casa Patronales along with Cesar Baeza own the oldest still operating North American winery, Hudson Valley’s own Brotherhood Winery. Continue reading A Chilean Wine with Roots in the Hudson Valley

Sunday Poem – The Good Survives

I love this poem that appeared in the New York Times

The Good Survives

By Charles Harper Webb

Not the time Jane threw a coffeepot at Don,
but the time they swam with turtles in Puako Bay.

Not getting drunk and crashing your friend’s car,
but handing him your #20 Adams, that’s caught fish all day.

Not the father’s snarl and hissing belt —
the time he played catch for an hour, sick with flu.

Einstein intuited this law, but couldn’t prove it:
Not his mad son and ruined marriage — E = mc².

Not Colly Cibber — Dryden, Swift, and Pope.
Not Sweet Rebel Sword — Moby Dick.

If not in heaven, then in mind, Auschwitz evaporates;
the orchid’s purple stays. Not the boy drowned

in a backyard pool, the girl’s heart missing beats,
then lying still. The way she’d lift her arms up

from her crib, and say, “Kiss. Kiss.” The way he’d throw
open the bedroom door, and say, “Daddy, it’s day.”

charles-harper-webb

Charles Harper Webb is an American poet, professor, psychotherapist and former singer and guitarist. His most recent poetry collection is Shadow Ball (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2009).

Let’s Go Sailing

There are few things to my mind more blissful than sailing. Yes it is some work and you do have to know the tricks, but that moment when the wind is just right, your lines are taught and you can just sit back and guide the rudder, that’s heaven.