Holiday Shopping In New Rochelle

 

The Curtain Shop

With exactly 7 days before Christmas, the desperation gift shopping is about commence. Don't get caught scrounging the Malls for nicely decorated junk. Why not do your shopping in the Tony Community of New Rochelle?  Here are my picks for best places to shop for quality holiday goods in New Rochelle:

The Curtain Shop-
Located on 541 Main Street, this shop du jour has the perfect gifts for the home at great prices. Stop in and trust me the service and selection are unbeatable. Make sure to go upstairs and investigate what I call a homeowners haven.

Just Funki-
For the woman/man who is into adorning their body in precious stones, Just Funki is the place to be. Each handmade piece is a work of art. If you are looking for something unique look no further. As a bonus, the girts are wrapped free of charge in the most decorative box with a satin ribbon.

Just Funki 37 Division Street 

Alvin Clayton Artiste - 
As the owner of Alvin & Friends, Alvin Clayton holds court in his richly decorated restaurant on Lawton avenue. The food is spectacular and the art adorning the walls is featured in several galleries and you can take a piece home with our after you dine- for a fee of course.

Alvin Clayton 

Sweet Preserves-
Why pay 5th Avenue prices if you don't have to? Sweet Preserves everything you need for that high end hunger. Furs, handbags, jewelery and designer goods. All of the items are in the best condition and the prices can't be beat!

Valentino Cuff - Sweet Preserves 

Juan Williams - Swing Dance Honors

Incendiary journalist Juan Williams is being Honored with the Spirit of Thomas Paine Award on Friday  December 7th with the “In the Spirit of Thomas Paine Award” in New Rochelle. Juan is a recognized political commentator and journalist, formerly of National Public Radio and is now with FOX News. Previous award winners were TV commentator Dick Morris and photojournalist Ben Fernadez.

The award will be presented during a 1940’s Swing Dance, designed to relive New Rochelle’s Big Band past.  The New Rochelle Jazz Revue will provide the music to get you jumping and jiving. Attendees are encouraged to dress in 1940’s costume or party dress. Not to worry if you have two left feet, instructors  will be there to assist  you with swing dance moves. There will also be a Silent Auction, a 50/50 Raffle, a Dessert Buffet and an award for the best 1940’s costume.

December 7th 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM  Trinity St Paul's Episcopal Church 311 Huguenot St New Rochelle
$40 per person, $75 per couple. H&NRHA members will receive a $5.00 discount. For information and reservations, call: 914-632-7745.

Ladies Night- Country Club Shopping with Purpose

December 5th @ the Wykagyl Country Club

There will be a gathering of Gucci at the Wakagyl Country Club tonight, and it all befits a good cause. The Elinor Martin Residence for Mother and Child is hosting a night of shopping and cocktails: Women for Women.The Elinor Martin Residence's primary goal is to help women and children in need. So, come out and spend some cash because it takes a village to raise a child.

Tonight from 6pm-9pm attendees will be able to sip and shop, while doing something good for the community. There are tons of luxury products from Kenneth Cole, Stella & Dot, Kate Spade, Vera Bradley, UGG and Much Much More!  For tickets contact Rose Cappa 914.747.0519 or via email @rose.cappa@cappacrucy.com. 

Brandee Yonger- What's HARPening Now!

Brandee Younger

Have Harp will Travel. Brandee Yonger is indeed young but her resume is an impressive one. Having worked with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, Ryan Leslie, Common & Drake just to name a few, this harpist comes to the PAC House Theater on Saturday December 8th to stroke our ears.

Brandee & Rapper Common (Center)

Brandee grew up on Long Island and sharped her  fingertips by getting a her Bachelor of Music at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford and her Master of Arts from New York University. She maintains a rigorous performing and teaching schedule as well. In addition to performing, Ms. Younger has a private teaching studio in NY. This girl knows her strings! 

From classical to hip-hop she simply won't be boxed in. Tickets are $10 in Advance and $18 at the door. 
Purchase tickets today at SmartTix 212-868-4444

**Accompanying Brandee are EJ Strickland (Drums), Rashan Carter (Bass) and Chelsea Baratz (Sax).

Nutracker Suite - A Tutu for You

The Nutcracker Nov. 30th & Dec. 1st

       The Nutcracker Suite comes to the Whitney Theater in New Rochelle. Begin a truly special holiday season with Ajkun Ballet Theatre's magical Nutcracker, filled with great dancers and adorable children from the Public School District of New Rochelle.  Whether a family tradition or discovering the magic of ballet for the first time, this extraordinary experience will evoke joy and stay with you forever.Make the Nutcracker a celebration to share and plan to give tickets to family, friends and your community! For tickets go to SmartTix.com or By Phone at (212) 868-4444.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving New Rochellean's! From that first celebration in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621; the Pilgrims would have never guessed that they were creating a lifelong tradition. While we assemble around the dinner table around 1pm because no-one can withstand the intoxicating smell of stuffing and sweet potato pie to wait until 5. We then spend the remainder of the afternoon in a food coma passed out in front of the TV while the football game of the moment lulus us to sleep.

If you do not wish to cook and prefer to dial it in, try some of our New Rochelle restaurants catering to the savory tastes of the holidays.

Sweet Potatoes Restaurant is offering to cook for you! This down home pheasant magician will cook for you so that you may impress your monster-in-law with your culinary expertise. Today is the last day to pick-up your order, but if you are lucky, you might be able to purchase a sweet potato pie to pass off as your own.

If they are sold out- you can make your own. Try my favorite recipe below:

Ingredients

• 1 pound 3 ounces sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/4 cups plain yogurt
• 3/4 cup packed, dark brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
• 5 egg yolks
• Salt
• 1 (9-inch) deep dish, frozen pie shell
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Special equipment: steamer basket

Directions

Put cubed potatoes into steamer basket and place steamer basket into a large pot of simmering water that is no closer than 2 inches from the bottom of basket. Allow to steam for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Mash with potato masher and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place sweet potatoes in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment. Add yogurt, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, yolks, and salt, to taste, and beat until well combined. Pour this batter into the pie shell and place onto a sheet pan. Sprinkle pecans on top and drizzle with maple syrup.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until the custard reaches 165 to 180 degrees. Remove from oven and cool. Keep refrigerated after cooling.

No Plain Jane Here - PAC House Tunes

Sarah Jane Cion

As the 1st place winner of the internationally acclaimed 17th Annual Great American Jazz Piano competition, Sarah Jane Cion, can tickle the ivories with the best of them. This New England Conservatory honors graduate has rhythm & music- who could ask for anything more? 

She brings her magical fingers to the PAC House theater on Saturday  November 16th @8pm. For tickets, log onto Smart Tix for a $5 discount before the show. Accompanying her will be Jeffrey Lutz & Ratzo Harris.  This internationally know pianist has performed in Japan, Israel, Portugal and Germany. Her music was featured on All My Children and she  published a Jazz piano instruction manual, which is currently being used as the primary text at several college jazz programs including The Westminster Conservatory at Rider University in New Jersey.

PAC HOUSE - 311 Huguenot Street, New Rochelle