WALKING WITH GRACE Larchmont photographer Sandra Wong Geroux is this month’s featured artist at the Larchmont Library’s Oresman Gallery. The “Walking with Grace” exhibit features a series of poignant photos (like this one on the right) that Sandra took following the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti two years ago. During her time in Haiti, Sandra focused her camera on women amputees at a camp run by Haitian Amputee Mothers Alliance (HAMA). Her fellow Larchmonters were so moved by the images that several of them organized a fundraiser at Larchmont Temple to raise money for the cause. Meet Sandra in person at a reception on SATURDAY, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Oresman Gallery. More
January 2, 2012
December 26, 2011
LET’S MAKE A DEAL Renee Powell is a Larchmont restaurateur, merchant, and as of this week, internet entrepreneur. TODAY Renee launches her new website JCadin (pronounced "jay-kay-den"), a web-based, self-service marketplace where local businesses can sell deals directly to the public. Renee understands firsthand the challenges facing small businesses, particularly in tough economic times. One such challenge is finding ways to promote a business in an effective and profitable way. Like other small business owners, Renee tried a popular deal site and was disappointed with the results. She was frustrated by the restrictions on creating a deal, the hefty fees, and the lack of promised repeat customers. JCadin offers a different solution, and it's a simple one. Local businesses can create a web storefront in minutes and begin selling unlimited custom deals immediately to the public. There are no contracts, no upfront costs, and sellers get paid instantly. Only a small fee (99 cents + 3.5%) is charged per deal sold. For shoppers, there are no “spam” emails cluttering their mailboxes on a daily basis. They shop when they want to shop by entering a zip code in the JCadin search engine to find all the great deals available at businesses in the neighborhood. Once a deal is purchased, they redeem the printed voucher at the appropriate store or restaurant. With JCadin, Renee hopes to create an online environment where shopping and dining are made fun and rewarding for both customers and merchants. She also wants to reinforce the connection between local businesses and residents. JCadin strives to keep local dollars where they belong…locally. A vibrant local business district benefits the entire community. And if Renee’s idea catches on, thriving local economies around the country could give the overall economy a much-needed lift. As part of this week’s launch, Renee created a web store for her restaurant, Pascal’s. If you’re craving French food, this would be a good time to visit. Renee is offering deals on everything from wine to desserts to dinners for two and four people. Click here to visit Pascal’s new web storefront. Questions? Renee can be reached via email at renee@jcadin.com. More
December 19, 2011
BETTER AFTER 50 Is life better after 50? If Felice Shapiro is any indication, the answer is yes. The 54 year old Larchmont mom has spent her career reinventing herself to pursue her passions. Back in the ‘80s, as a new parent, she founded and edited Westchester Family Magazine. After selling her publication in 2000, she took up yoga to relax. For Felice, “relax” is a relative term. Soon she was teaching yoga classes to her fellow Larchmonters. She went one step further by helping to establish a successful Yoga Center on the Rye campus of the once struggling Wainwright House, a non-profit devoted to spiritual development. Her dynamic business skills did not go unnoticed, and with a growing list of businesses asking for her help, she established a practice to coach entrepreneurs. Her new practice led to a teaching gig at New York University, where she taught a class on entrepreneurship. In 2009 she accepted a position at the Tufts Entrepreneurial Leadership Program and spends her time shuttling back and forth between Larchmont and Boston, where her new husband Bill lives. Turning 50 hasn’t slowed down Felice a bit. Like the energizer bunny, she keeps on ticking. Her latest project is the recent launch of an online magazine appropriately named Better After 50. Drawing from her publishing experience, Felice hopes to create an online environment where Baby Boomer women can share articles, hold discussions and inspire each other. Last week Felice held a “posting party” at the Larchmont home of Linda Falk (standing next to Felice on the far right) where several Larchmont women gathered to test out the new website. Jeanne Muchnick (to the far left in the photo) another Larchmonter with a publishing background, is serving as Felice’s chief copy editor. BetterAfter50 is still in its early launch stage. Felice would love to hear feedback on the website from Baby Boomer women. She can be reached at felice@betterafter50.com. More
December 12, 2011
ALL ABOARD THE JOLLY TROLLEY Back in the mid 1800s, a trolley ran from the train station to Larchmont Manor on what is now Chatsworth Avenue. This weekend the trolley returns…sort of. The Larchmont Chamber of Commerce has arranged for a trolley to shuttle holiday shoppers between the Palmer Avenue and Boston Post Road business districts on SATURDAY and SUNDAY from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No need to stress over finding a parking space. Park at the train station and catch "Stella" the trolley at one of two stops: Chatsworth Avenue in front of The Corner Store or Larchmont Avenue in front of Tequila Sunrise. Shoppers with a local shopping receipt for that day will ride for FREE. For everyone else, the ride is $1. The trolley is sponsored by Anna Maria’s Restaurant, Bayside Travel, Giovanni’s Deli, The Coughlin Group, The Golden Shoestring, Rand Realty, and Vintage 1891.
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December 5, 2011
FUN AND FUNKY TRUNK SHOW Two local artists are holding a Funky Art Holiday Trunk Show at Recologie this SATURDAY. There’s a great Larchmont story behind it. At the age of 10, both Beth Nadler and LibbyAnn Denenberg moved to suburban Larchmont from the city around the same time. A friend of LibbyAnn’s family happened to also be friends with Beth’s mom and decided that the two 10 years olds should meet. As it turned out, they ended up in the same class at the Murray Avenue School and became best friends. The new BFFs loved art; LibbyAnn being more crafty while Beth enjoyed painting and illustration. They went their separate ways in college, where they both majored in art, but reunited in the summers where they worked at Playland together (a memory recalled with “horror” and hilarity). After college, LibbyAnn started 
her own dyed clothing line while Beth became a writer/editor at Scholastic. Both married (Libby to another classmate from Murray Avenue), had children, and settled nearby; LibbyAnn in Mamaroneck and Beth in New Rochelle. Their parents remain in Larchmont. Today these two women create art side by side in a Mamaroneck studio. LibbyAnn creates mosaics from buttons, beads, china, and stained glass that she recovers from tag sales. Beth likes to make wall art and buckets from ephermera and vintage wallpaper. Their use of recycled materials made their artwork a perfect fit for an eco-forward boutique like Recologie. For their upcoming trunk show, they will have mirrors, picture frames, fun jewelry, ornaments, buckets and inspirational art –all unique holiday gifts at affordable prices. Beth and LibbyAnn will be at Recologie from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to greet customers and present their work. Stop in and join them for refreshments and cupcakes from nearby Sweet and Social. Can't make the trunk show? You can also find Beth's and LibbyAnn's creations on Etsy.com here and here. More
