This and That by JL

The Wild Things

Janet Langsam — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:23:04 +0000

Like many parents of my undisclosed vintage, I raised my kids and grandkids on Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are. His books inspire imagination. They also encourage parents to value their children’s imagination. And, not for nothing, they create an interest in nature. Naughty Max is sent to bed without his supper, yet alone [...]

Throwing Stones

Janet Langsam — Thu, 03 May 2012 18:53:20 +0000

“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” It’s an old adage that probably predates The Glass House designed by Philip Johnson and built in New Canaan, CT in 1945, right after the war when sensibilities were raw. Johnson, known by some to be an “enfant terrible” was a great architect, bon vivant, art [...]

Arts: The Mother of Invention

Janet Langsam — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:08:00 +0000

Every morning, I turn on the treadmill, tune into the Today Show and run until I bank 150 calories to earn a glass of Chardonnay at the end of the day. Matt Lauer and the NBC crew are usually just eye candy and background chatter, but today they hit a nerve talking about college degrees [...]

Treasure Trove of History

Janet Langsam — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 19:30:02 +0000

Whatever happened to Ichabod Crane, the poor soul? I often wonder about his mysterious disappearance so I paid a visit to my colleagues, Waddell Stillman and Peter Pockriss, at Historic Hudson Valley (HHV). They have moved their offices to a brand new brick Georgian style building in Sleepy Hollow country, right across the street from [...]

The Stars Were Out

Janet Langsam — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:27:54 +0000

We are still beaming from the collegial vibes at yesterday’s Arts Award luncheon. Emmy award winning Fox 5 News Anchor Ernie Anastos was charming as our host/emcee. He was right at home with 300 of his Westchester neighbors. First Niagara’s David Ring, our generous title sponsor, announced the bank’s six new Westchester branches and spoke [...]

Go West(chester)

Janet Langsam — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:32:41 +0000

What is there about youth that we’re always chasing it? Can’t we be happy with the wisdom of age? Well, here’s a new twist on both ends of the spectrum. Thought leaders in Westchester are using their wisdom to make Westchester the “in” place for young people to live, work and play. It’s a strategy [...]

Lunching with the Stars

Janet Langsam — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:29:26 +0000

County Executive Rob Astorino will be there applauding. So will BOL Chair Ken Jenkins, TV icon Ernie Anastos and First Niagara Bank prez Dave Ring. We’ll be shining the spotlight on people and places you will want to know at the 2012 Arts Award ceremony and luncheon at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains on [...]

How to Become an Artist

Janet Langsam — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:20:23 +0000

Painting. Drawing. Building. Those were the tools Barry Mason practiced as a kid growing up in Snow Hill, Maryland. These were also the genesis of his sprawling shaped canvases which can be seen March 13th through mid-June, 2012, at The Horizon at Fleetwood, a beautiful contemporary development with numerous amenities. Mason’s work will be on [...]

Ted Mann Remembered

Janet Langsam — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:08:50 +0000

Most of us know Off-Broadway as a creative energetic theater movement of the Fifties. Some say it started as a reaction to the constraints of the commercial theater. Most acknowledge that Theodore Mann, founder and artistic director of the Circle in a Square Theatre, who passed away this week was a dominant force in this [...]

Music is better than medicine

Janet Langsam — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:11:20 +0000

“Music is better than medicine.” That’s what 11 year old Alma told Westchester legislators. Alma went to Albany with Sister Beth Dowd and ten other youngsters of Songcatchers on Valentine’s Day to deliver some love songs and to ask for a boost in arts funding. Songcatchers is an organization that works out of St. Gabriel’s [...]