As iFF you need to travel long to watch a short, the All Shorts Irvington Film Festival (As iFF) debuts its third season at 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 21 at the Irvington Town Hall Theater (followed by an after-party at Red Hat on the River for all festival ticket-holders and filmmakers). The Fall 2017 program, “A Film For Every Palate,” features nine outstanding short films from Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Syria, and the United States.

The selected short films were chosen out of more than 250 submissions from filmmakers around the world. Some have won numerous prizes at other film festivals such as Cannes and British Academy of Film and Television, while others are New York and United States premieres. Judged and curated by an esteemed jury of film professionals, the program spans a diversity of cultures, emotions, stories, and cinematic styles.

Presented in two sets (each about an hour long) with a short intermission in between, the films range in length from one to 29 minutes. Audience members vote for their favorite film at the end of the evening.  Jury prizes are awarded in a variety of categories by the As iFF Advisory Board (comprising award-winning film editors, animators, writers, actors, directors, and producers).

As iFF premiered in the fall of 2015 to a sold-out audience of mostly local film fans eager to view international shorts on the big screen in their small town. Since then, the festival has attracted viewers from beyond the New York region, with filmmakers traveling from abroad to attend and participate in Q&A’s with the audience. With each festival, the selection process has grown increasingly competitive, and As iFF is now recognized internationally as a sought-after festival by both acclaimed and up-and-coming filmmakers.

“The originality, artistry and quality of filmmaking we are seeing is breathtaking,” said festival director, Laurie Chock. “We have dramatically exceeded our own expectations and put Irvington on the map of international film festivals. We are so grateful that the residents of Irvington, the rivertowns, and beyond have responded with such incredible enthusiasm.”

The October 21 program weaves stories about childhood, aging, and imagination with worlds that are distant for many of us – from a 1970s pioneer camp behind ‘The Iron Curtain’ to a modern-day ‘neighborhood’ in Syria.

“A short has the potential to take an audience so completely far away in a very brief period of time,” explained Chock. “The richness of the cinematography and acting in these films is dazzling. Everyone will experience them differently the way each palate has a unique understanding of sweet, sour, savory, salty, and bitter.”

The selected films illustrate choices we make as well as methodical details that fill one’s life.  Limits of time, voice, and perspective disappear — from a whimsical dance film about a lonely fisherman who thaws out his prehistoric soul brother to the tale of a boy and his dog that is seen and told entirely from the dog’s point of view.

For tickets and more information, visit www.asiffestival.com.  “All Shorts’ Short Shots” (festival facts and previews of the selected films) can be found by following As iFF on Twitter and Instagram (@irvingtonfilm), and on Facebook (@AllShortsiFF).

Brrzaar Bridge Street, Irvington

(L-R:) Chef Dedra illiams, Owner Michelle Leddy and Manager Jennifer Sawchuck at Brrzaar Bridge Street.
— Photo Credit: Jon Marshall

With the grand opening of Brrzaar Bridge Street (formerly Bridge Street Café) on October 2, Brrzaar’s owner, Michelle  Leddy, has formally expanded her highly successful Brrzaar at the Irvington Station fro-yo venue, but this time with a new culinary twist.

Hailing from New Orleans, Leddy has hired chef Dedra Williams, also from NOLA,  to create a daily special that will “bring the best of the Big Easy to the North.” They will be “melding northern and southern food themes,” says Leddy.

Brrzaar Bridge Street will forego offering frozen yogurt, the specialty at the Irvington station location, though smoothies are available. But, the café will continue offerings bagels and lox, croissants, muffins and scones with coffee for breakfast, and will cater to a wide spectrum of dietary wishes: customers can enjoy a morning grain-free breakfast bowl with sauteed vegetables and protein, or cheesy grits, and everything in between, including breakfast brritos or quesadillas, eggs any style and plenty of side orders such as bacon, sausage, potatoes, a variety of toasts, even sauteed kale and spinach.

Lunch includes a vast array of sandwiches: gyros, tuna melt, Reuben, meatball sub, and New Orleans’ favorite – the cold-cut-laden muffuletta – as well as avocado BLT, “construct your own” and more. Brrgrrs,  plenty of salads – chopped, by the pound or mixed greens – and a variety of bottled drinks and chips along with house-made daily soups. Williams’ in-house specialty Southern offerings will also be on the menu, and might be red beans and rice one day or a grits creation the next. For those on the run, a “grab and go” case is filled with bento boxes, fruit cups, Greek yogurt, hummus with veggies and more.

Bridge Street tenants and the public will continue to be able to grab breakfast on the way to work, or walk to the café for soup and a sandwich or a “taste of New Orleans” for lunch and dine at long, welcoming wood tables. Online ordering is available with curb-side pick-up.

1 Bridge Street, Irvington

914-231-9333

https://www.facebook.com/brrzaarbridgest/

Baked By Susan at Eatarry

Susan O’Keefe displaying her delectable artisanal baked goods at Tarrytown’s Eatarry.
— Photo Credit: Jon Marshall

Baked by Susan, an old-fashioned bakery located in Croton-on-Hudson, has recently made a pop-up appearance at Tarrytown’s Eatarry on Main Street with a mouth-watering variety of award-winning baked goods delivered fresh daily.

Everything Susan bakes is made from scratch with all natural ingredients: her crusts are made from flour, butter, water and salt – no lard or Crisco. Her puff pastes take 3 hours to complete. Her fruit pies and turnovers are seasonal and sourced from local farmers– no canned fillings allowed; her buttercreams are the real thing – butter, cream and egg whites only. And, you can taste the difference. Baked by Susan offers the finest in baked goods, whether you are munching on one of her divine chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin cookies, her muffins and scones, cupcakes (vanilla, chocolate, red velvet or “stuffed” specialties), or my absolute favorite – her banana pumpkin sugar donuts – these are a MUST.

She creates charmingly decorated cookies: sunflowers, pumpkins or apples, makes her own granola and even doggie bones! Her cinnamon rolls were designated  “Best of Westchester, ” but her honey loaf or her peach and raspberry hand pies, or blondies could win prizes as well. She also bakes a vegan, gluten-free banana bread. A pre-packaged “cookie stack” is a fun way to grab lemon sugar or chocolate chip cookies for a treat while strolling along Tarrytown’s Main Street.

Susan O’Keefe started ber bakery in 2010 after years of baking solo at home for farmers markets and restaurants. She is now in a glass-fronted store with baking in full view. One of four sisters, she grew up in the kitchen cooking with her grandmothers, baking from age 8. “Food is a mood stabilizer,” she said,”Especially something sweet. I like to nourish people.”

She now has 15 employees in an 1100 square foot communal space, and uses all vintage baking equipment. Her husband Chris covers the business side, her oldest son, Hudson, manages her Eatarry location, and her graphics (t-shirts, labels, the free-hand wall logo) were designed and executed by another son, Dillon. Their brother Colgan works Sunday night – it’s definitely a collaborative  family effort. And, Susan makes sure that all of her leftover baked goods are donated to the Croton-on-Hudson Food Bank.

Baked by Susan items are also available wholesale at Gourmet Garage, and at Mrs. Greens, Black Cow, Muddy Water Coffee and Café (in Tarrytown) and many coffee shops. She bakes different items depending upon requests. Muddy Water, for instance, makes sure to have her carrot cake on hand at all times. Special orders are available, so if you need seasonal pies for Thanksgiving, visit her menu at bakedbysusan.com.

Baked by Susan’s pop-up venture at Eatarry is scheduled through December, but she loves the energy in Tarrytown and would enjoy continuing at her new location. Such a culinary addition to Main Street would be sorely missed; one taste and customers will return for more, so let’s hope Baked By Susan is here to stay.

Baked by Susan at Eatarry

25 Main Street, Tarrytown

914-862-0874

Hours: Wed.-Sat. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For special orders please email: bakedbysusan@gmail.com
Or call: 914-862-0874

Website menu: bakedbysusan.com

Eugene Connick, 85

Eugene Edward Connick, a lifelong resident of Irvington, died September 16. He was 85.
Mr. Connick was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy having served in the Korean War. On September 21, 1957, he married his beloved Carol Taylor in Irvington. He was a real history buff and loved to tell stories about the past days of Irvington. He always enjoyed the many trips to Gettysburg and learning the history of the Civil War.
His home away from home was the Amish country in Lancaster, PA. Mr. Connick cherished the time he and his wife spent in Florida every year and watched the Phillies during spring training. He always put his family first.

Everett Weaver, Jr., 78

Everett L. Weaver, Jr., a longtime resident of Sleepy Hollow, died August 30. He was 78.
Mr. Weaver graduated from Washington Irving High School. He was known for his love of the New York Giants, Mets and Rangers. He was an avid fisherman and loved to walk around the Tarrytown Lakes and all throughout the village. He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was store manager of the Tarrytown A&P Supermarket for almost 64 years.

Antonio Iannarelli, 84

Antonio Iannarelli, a longtime resident of Tarrytown, died September 6 surrounded by his beloved family. He was 84.
Born in Barisciano, Italy, he arrived in New York when he was 21 where he later met and married Domenica Scipioni (Iannarelli), his wife of over 60 years. They lived in Croton-on-Hudson until 1974 and then moved to Tarrytown.

Mr. Iannarelli began working in New York City where he excelled in his knowledge of acoustical ceilings and was soon appointed foreman for construction projects at many famous buildings such as the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building, and the Twin Towers. After 25 years of working as a foreman, he established his own company, Tony Iannarelli and Sons Construction in Westchester County.

Some of his best times were spent on his scenic property in the Catskill Mountains in NY. An avid outdoorsman he enjoyed hunting and telling stories of long ago (and not so long ago) on the back porch overlooking the mountains. He loved the area because it was reminiscent of growing up in the Apennine Mountains of the Abruzzo region in Italy.

Russell Watson, 77

Russell Ellsworth Watson III, a resident of Irvington, died at home August 30. He was 77. He graduated from the Hill School in PA and the Shrewsbury School in England. In 1962, he graduated from Princeton University Magna Cum Laude and as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. After starting his career at the Wall Street Journal, he went to work at Newsweek. He spent more than 30 years at the magazine, where he served as Foreign Editor, Chief of Correspondents and Senior Writer. He covered Watergate, Tiananmen Square Massacre and several Middle East conflicts. He travelled extensively while reporting on Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. In the 1970s, he was one of the first journalists to visit China after it was opened to the western press.

Mr. Watson moved to Irvington shortly after marrying Susan Waterbury in 1967. An active member of the community, he was a longtime parishioner at The Church of St Barnabas and was on the Board of Directors of Phelps Hospital for more than 30 years, serving a term as Chairman of the Board. He was an avid photographer and bird watcher.

by Linda Viertel

Logo: Caleb Gleit

With lightning speed, TED (technology, education, design) talks have proliferated throughout the world. A nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, in the form of short powerful talks (19 minutes in length or less), TED invites leading thinkers and doers to present at its annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia which are taped and made available, free, on TED.com. Speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Sir Richard Branson, Daniel Kahneman, Philippe Starck and so many others.

Tedx was created in this spirit of Ideas Worth Spreading – a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience on a local level (the x means an independently organized TED event). Video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. And fortunately Tarrytown residents, Kimberly Marcus, and her co-organizer, Melissa Baer, applied for and received their license to hold TedxTarrytown, previously held at Temple Beth Abraham. “When our application from TED HQ was approved, Melissa and I were so excited. I had attended a TEDx conference in April to enable us to sell over 100 tickets. With the new venue, we will now be able to share the TEDx experience with more people from the rivertowns.”

This year, on October 22, Tedx moves to that new venue: the Irvington Town Hall Theatre, with “Rise”as its theme, inspired by the new bridge depicted on the Tedx logo. “The bridge is rising up,” Marcus explained. “People are rising up. And organizations are rising up. The opposite is ‘fall’; you have to rise up from somewhere, and our eight speakers will explain their various experiences.” Short talks and a musical presentation (from eight to 14 minutes) will be offered by experts in a dizzying variety of fields: Jaron Benjamin (Vice-President for Community Mobilization for Housing Works, Inc), Hugh Locke (President, Smallholder Farmers Alliance), Pablo Mayor (composer and musician), Amy Whitaker (Author, Art Thinking), Jamey Barbas, PE (Project Director, Mario M. Cuomo Bridge), Ethan Schutz (President and CEO, The Schutz Company), Michael Alcee, Ph.D. (Clinical Psychologist), and Jennifer Walford (elementary school teacher, publisher of Found in Yonkers)

The all-volunteer event was organized with one simple promise: to deliver an authentic TED experience to Tarrytown, Irvington and the greater Westchester area. By presenting inspiring speakers, attendees will, hopefully, listen, learn, and grow with one another as a diverse whole. Marcus said, “We believe TEDxTarrytown is a way to share the beautiful flavor of the rivertowns – this is a chance for our area to learn from informative, inspiring, and engaging speakers within our community.”

“I believe in the mission of TED and TEDx,” said Marcus. “It puts great ideas into the world and works to create positive change.  It is another way to make our world a better place.” Please check www.tedxtarrytown.com for tickets and more information.

Local sponsors have generously contributed to the event in order to keep ticket prices low and provide refreshments.TedxTarrytown is grateful for their participation. They are: Tarrytown – Regeneron, llda’s Salon and Spa, Coffee Labs, Bagel Emporium; Irvington – Red Barn Bakery, Dr. Mac; Mt. Kisco – Café Realty; Elmsford – Play Nice Together.

by Morey Storck

By any measure, the Broadway musical comedy classic, Annie Get You Gun, revived by Westchester Broadway Theatre with an extraordinary singing and dancing cast, and a brilliantly directed production, is marvelous, joyous entertainment. Everything about it is appealing.

Let’s start with the score. What an amazing hit-song collection it is: “Doin’ What Comes Naturally,” “You Can’t Get A Man With A Gun,” “The Girl That I Marry,” “They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful,” “I Got The Sun In The Morning,” “I Got Lost In His Arms,” and of course, “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”

The wonderfully talented Devon Perry, as Annie Oakley, gladly accepts the challenge in this WBT production. She is perfect in the role. Adam Kemmerer, as Frank Butler, overcomes the not-being-over-six-foot-tall syndrome to maximize his musical comedy talents. He comes across as masculine, strong, and handsome. He knows how to put over a song, with command when that’s called for, with tenderness when needed, and with comic relief for character development.

Kilty Reidy as Charlie Davenport; Sarah Cline as Dolly Tate; Gary Lynch as Buffalo Bill; Kevin  C. Loomis as Pawnee Bill and Wilson, and Marshall Factora as Chief Sitting Bull, all give excellent character portraits with professional skill. The dance ensemble was well trained, directed, and versatile. The total direction by Richard Stafford is brilliant.

by Robert Kimmel

Given the current controversy over our government’s policies concerning immigrants coming to our shores and across our borders, it might be useful to go back in history to determine how our nation’s first President viewed similar issues. As an example, what might George Washington have said about the current administration’s decision to suspend the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, (DACA)? Or the disparaging racism that has risen of late?

The legislation creating DACA, also known as the “Dream Act,” was signed by President Obama in 2012 to provide a way for some people who came to the U.S. illegally as minors, and often raised here, to have deportation deferred for two years, and have that action renewable. The hundreds of thousands of “dreamers” enrolled also became eligible for a work permit. It was also seen as a pathway to permanent residency.

The Trump administration’s action last month rescinding the program gives Congress six months before implementing deportation, if that is decided, for those currently affected, including about 41,000 in New York State. It has generated fear and confusion among them, some already with their own families.

At a tourist stop in Newport, Rhode Island, there are copies of a letter written by George Washington. The stop is the Touro Synagogue, built in 1759, and our first President’s correspondence is a response to a letter written by a leader of the congregation. That letter, written in 1790, praised President Washington and expressed “gratitude” for “…a government, which to bigotry gives no sanction, to persecution no assistance – but generously affording to All liberty of conscience, and immunities of Citizenship: deeming every one, of whatever Nation, tongue or language equal parts of the great government machine.”

Washington, who was soon to visit Newport, responded, “The citizens of the United States of America have a right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy, a policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that tolerance is spoken of, as if it was the indulgence of one class of people that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights. For happily, the government of the United States, which gives bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens, in giving it on all occasions their effectual support.”

The President’s letter added, “May the children of the Stock of Abraham who dwell in this land, continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants, while everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid.”

Yes, circumstances and time have changed many things, but need more be said?

To the Editor,

Climate change is one of the single biggest threats to our environment, our public health, and our economy. Pumping carbon and methane emissions into the atmosphere is accelerating climate change and is responsible for more extreme weather.  New York State has spent billions of dollars over the past decade working to restore communities that have been devastated by severe flooding brought on by climate change.

I join the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) in calling on all state and local elected officials to say no to the oil and gas industry. Say no to the campaign contributions and personal gifts from corporate oil and gas giants, say no to permitting new fossil fuel infrastructure to be constructed in our state, and say no to climate change!

Our policy makers and representatives need to invest in a clean, green, renewable energy economy that is beneficial to everyone’s health, well-being and livelihood.  I applaud Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for investigating ExxonMobil and other climate change igniters.  Now, let’s see the rest of our representatives and policymakers stand up against climate change too.

Sincerely,

Caroline Eimer
NYPIRG Volunteer, SUNY Purchase College

Reverend Dr. John H. Gilmore

The Reverend Dr. John H. Gilmore was called in 1992 to serve as the fourth Pastor for the congregation at the New Hope Institutional Baptist Church, located at 80-82 Central Avenue in Tarrytown.

Pastor Gilmore came to New Hope with the theme: “Where There Is No Vision, The People Perish.”  Through his vision they have grown.  They have seen the renovation of their “House of Worship;” along with an increase in membership.  He is responsible for birthing the Church Choir, Sunday Evening Worship Services, Baptist Training Classes, New Member’s Classes, Prayer Partners, Children’s Mission Support of African Children, Annual Black Heritage Day Celebration, Vacation Bible School, Men’s & Women’s Retreat Ministry, Carol Adair Praise Dance Ministry, The Everlasting Arms Puppet Ministry, the purchase of a Church Parsonage and Church air conditioning.

A tribute entitled: “The Seasons Of Ministry Through Music” will take place on Saturday, October 14. To ensure ample parking and seating for everyone the service is being hosted at the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church, located at 304 Spring Street in Ossining.  The service will begin promptly at 4 p.m. and conclude at 7 p.m.  There will be the lifting of a “Free Will Offering,” as this is a fundraising event.

The Worship Leader for the Tribute will be the dynamic, powerful, spirit-led Reverend Sandra Baker, Associate Minister of the Mt. Neboh Baptist Church, Harlem.

by Dorothy Conigliaro

Many hands make light — and artful — work when put to a good cause.  This was the case when a group of volunteers lent their time and talents towards the decoration of Adirondack chairs for our community.

Christina Blatt, Art Director for the Neighborhood House in Tarrytown, first imagined the idea, and wondered how it might be done. She recalled, “ArtsWestchester had awarded us a grant to paint a travelling mural. Everyone enjoyed the process of creating something that enhanced the neighborhood in some way. With that in mind, I remembered how Adirondack chairs brought back memories of happy summer vacations.” She discussed the possibility of painting the chairs and placing them around Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, calling on the advice and resources of Francesca Spinner, Chairman of the Neighborhood House board of directors, and Karla Fazzino, the program coordinator.

Because ArtsWestchester provides programs and services that enrich the lives of everyone in Westchester County, it was felt that this project would fulfill those goals admirably. Chris, Francesca, and Karla wrote the proposal, and hearing of its approval, Francesca commented, “We are so pleased that the matching grant (through the New York Council for the Arts) helped to provide a creative outlet for the Art Workshop members, and showed that funding for the arts benefitted the whole community.”

Getting down to business, Chris and Karla searched to find sample painted chairs. Then they found just the right chairs for their project at Home Depot, which were reasonably priced and already primed and painted. Volunteers were enthusiastic about the project, including a youth group, middle school students, and special ed students who rent the Neighborhood House facilities. In addition, talented seniors in Chris’s art class, many of whom come from countries as diverse as Iran, India, Poland, in addition to our own rivertown residents, were eager to take part in the project. Chris has inspired many of her students to use their talents in their own individual ways.

Now it was the job of the volunteers to put their creative ideas into action.  After lightly sanding the chairs, they went to work creating their own patterns.  Some painted patriotic designs, inspirations from Van Gogh, and some painted lighthouses, flowers and animals. The variety of the finished products is a testament to their ability to express their inner artistic skills.

“There were about 20 seniors and students working on the chairs,” says Chris, “and the special ed students painted their chair in the “style of Jackson Pollack” — by carefully throwing paint on their chair (use your imagination!). It will be placed in their garden at the middle or high school. Other students worked on their chairs over the summer, and these will be placed in the school quad. Three chairs have been placed both at the new Tarrytown pool, and at Warner Library (painted by Chris herself), and last week two chairs were presented to Sleepy Hollow.

Not only are the chairs a novelty, but they’re functional as well, and anyone is welcome to sit and relax in them. In the end, the project was a huge success, uniting residents of all ages in the rivertowns in a collaborative effort toward a common goal — the beauty of the community.

Public Service Announcement

The “Route 9 Active Transportation Conceptual Design Plan” is bringing
together residents, merchants and government officials with
transportation professionals to figure out how to make Broadway safe for
people walking and biking.

The study group gathered public input in June.  The community is invited
to learn about the project, discuss potential design alternatives and
get involved in the plan.

Thursday, October 19
6 – 8 pm
Warner Library
121 North Broadway, Tarrytown

Project information:
http://www.route9active.org/