When Cats Eat Houseplants

By Sue Sweeney

Houseplants are good for our health, particularly in winter. They add humidity to the air and counteract some pollutants.  Houseplants and cut flowers also provide welcome green and color to lift the spirits. Equally important to our wellbeing are our companion animals; their presence can help us overcome ills ranging from high blood pressure to depression. I have, though, heard people say that you can’t have both plants and pets. Continue Reading →

TIny New York Kitchen: Short Ribs Braised In Coffee Ancho Chile Sauce

By Victoria Hart Glavin of Tiny New York Kitchen

These delicious ribs are flavored with rich coffee, two kinds of chiles, maple syrup, and fresh lime juice. Valentine’s Day is around the corner and these ribs make a wonderful Valentine’s dinner. Serve over polenta. INGREDIENTS

4 Dried Ancho Chiles (Wipe Clean With Damp Cloth)
2 Cup Boiling Water
1 Quartered Medium Onion
3 Chopped Garlic Cloves
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Canned Chipotle Chiles In Adobo Sauce
2 Teaspoons Adobo Sauce
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup (Pure Maple Syrup Only)
1 Tablespoon Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
3 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
6 Pounds Beef Short Ribs
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Brewed Coffee

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Throw away stem from ancho chiles. Continue Reading →

No Left Turn Sign at Rt 1 and Indian Field Rd: Hard to Miss

Just in time. A new traffic signal at intersection of Rt 1, Indian Field Rd and Stanwich Rd. should keep traffic moving and prevent accidents. Credit: Leslie YagerI’m not sure how long this sign has been up, but in my opinion it’s exactly what was needed at the busy intersection. I can’t imagine how many times a westbound driver on Rt 1 held up traffic waiting to turn left onto Indian Field Rd, presumably en route to I-95, only go hold up traffic on Rt 1, or worse, get stuck directly under the traffic light after the light turns red. Continue Reading →

Circle Drive Home in Greenwich Sells for $1.57K

Recent property transfers  from Greenwich Town Hall. 75 William Street from Element 75 William LLC to John Grier Poole on Jan. 31, 2014 for $2,628,700

51 Baldwin Farms North from Terry B Birdsong and Lynn S Birdsong to Ramon Torres Jr and Precilla Torres on Jan. 31, 2014 for $2,557,000

43 Richmond Hill Rd from Leonard Moscati and Margaret Moscati to Steven Warren on Jan. 31, 2014 for $3,700,000

29 Beechcroft Rd from Goodrich, Gail Trustee to Isabelle Schiavi and Andres Schiavi on Jan. Continue Reading →

Tiny New York Kitchen: Moroccan Red Lentil Soup

By Victoria Hart Glavin of Tiny New York Kitchen

My mother lived for many years in Morocco and once told me that Moroccans eat this red lentil soup to ward off the chill of the desert night. Given the weather we’ve been experiencing I think that we all need a delicious soup to ward off the chill, warm our tummies and feel all warm & fuzzy toward our loved ones. You can make my Moroccan Red Lentil Soup one day in advance and keep in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re adding any garnish then add at the moment of serving. INGREDIENTS

1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 Minced Medium Carrot
1/3 Cup Chopped Parsley
1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 1/2 Teaspoons Freshly Ground Pepper
6 Minced Large Garlic Cloves
2 Tablespoons Minced French Ginger
1 Teaspoon Ground Turmeric
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1 1/4 Cup Dried Red Lentils
2 Teaspoons Sweet Hungarian Paprika
28 Ounces Canned Whole Tomatoes With Liquid (Puree)
8 Cups Vegetables Broth

Pour olive oil into a heavy 6-quart pot and place over a medium-high heat. Continue Reading →

Shakespeare on the Sound: Apprenticeships, Gala to Benefit “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”

The 2014 Shakespeare on the Sound summer 2014 production will be The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Theater  students and developing artists can apply to for the SOS apprentice program and have an opportunity to work with some of the country’s leading theater artists. Deadline to apply will be through February, 2014. Interviews scheduled upon receipt of application. Open to all students ages 16-25. Continue Reading →

Marks Rd Home in Riverside Sells for $3.3M

 

The following are recent property transfers as recorded in Greenwich Town Hall:

25 River Ave from 25 River LLC to Randall Carey Bingham on Jan. 29, 2014 for $2,000,000

93 Birch Ln (12.94% interest) from Catherine M Brennan to Michael P and Debra A McLaughlin on Jan. 29, 2014 for $217,392

93 Birch Ln (87.06% interest) from Estate of John P Brennan to Michael P and Debra A McLaughlin on Jan. 29, 2014 for $1,462,608

21 Winthrop Drive from Estate of Mary Finneson to 21 Winthrop LLC on Jan. 28, 2014 for $2,200,000

29 Winthrop from Estate of Mark Finneson to 29 Winthrop Developer LLC on Jan. Continue Reading →

Letter to the Editor: “Save the Bethlehem 63”

letter to the editor - Greenwich Free Press

Dear Editor,

Convicted of 15 counts of animal cruelty in Bantam court stemming from his arrest in 2012 on 63 counts of animal cruelty Frederick Acker, SPCA (not affiliated  with  the ASPCA) is appealing a ruling from  a separate civil  case  involving these 63 dogs. Per  the judge in that case “the large dogs don’t feel the cold as much as the smaller dogs,” and custody of the large breeds was ordered  returned to Acker. Not content with this ruling,  Acker appealed and all 63 dogs remain in state custody. Acker’s  attorney has stated that the appeal process could take up to 5 years with the Town of Bethlehem paying the boarding fees, vet bills during this time.  No financial responsibility has been assigned to Acker.   The dogs, all 63 of them, will continue to be held in limbo until the appeals process is exhausted by Acker.  A possible five year sentence behind bars, no hope of adoption. I am appalled that the legal system will be manipulated, submitting these dogs to further cruelty.  It is cruelty to consign dogs that are adoptable to life in a kennel. Continue Reading →

TIny New York Kitchen: Chocolate Layer Cake

By Victoria Hart Glavin of Tiny New York Kitchen

It’s the ultimate old-fashioned, everything-you-could-wish-for Valentine’s Day cake! INGREDIENTS

Cake:

2 Cups Unbleached Flour
2/3 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Not Dutch-Process)
1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 Cup Softened Unsalted Butter
1 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup Sugar
4 Large Eggs (Room Temperature)
1 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 Cups Buttermilk

Frosting:

2/3 Cup Whole Milk
3 Large Egg Yolks
1 Tablespoon Plus 1 Teaspoon Unbleached Flour
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar (Divided)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 1/2 Cups Unsalted Butter (Cut Into Tablespoon Pieces & Softened)
8 Ounces Melted & Cooled Milk Chocolate
2 Ounces Melted & Cooled Unsweetened Chocolate

To Make The Cake: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 9×2 inch round cake pans and line the bottom of each with a round of parchment paper. Butter the paper and dust pans with flour. Knock out any excess. Continue Reading →

February Sunset at Tod’s Point

It was still light at 5 o’ clock on Friday evening. And after the recent marathon of storms, and last week’s Groundhog fail, the longer days are a welcome sign of spring.While a sign on I-95 in Greenwich  warned of a 21 mile delay stretching from Exit 8 to 21, a handful of people and their intrepid dogs — some swimming –  congregated at Tod’s Point to celebrate the weekend.Occasionally, it’s  possible to have the beach and park practically to one’s self, which is just another  perk of living in our awesome town.At dusk the lucky dogs navigated the thickly-crusted snow to reach the sand.For every three steps atop the crust, a paw breached the surface, which can hurt a little when running.Around 5:20p.m. stragglers were treated to a red and pink swirl of a sunset that intensified beyond crusted boulders. As the sun shrunk to a sliver and vanished into the Sound I decided to stop cursing Mother Nature and get down to Tod’s Point more often. Cheers!lig Continue Reading →