Category Archives: Katonah

Australia Housing Report Revives Bubble Fears | Katonah Homes

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Australia’s latest housing data, while promising on the surface, has increased concern the market may be overheating, posing a potential threat to a still fragile economic recovery.

A government report Monday showed the value of home loans approved in Australia rose 1.1% in November from October and 15% from a year earlier, confirming that record-low interest rates are continuing to fuel demand for houses and apartments.

However, the data also highlighted two trends that policy makers will be less thrilled about.

First, the rise in the value of mortgages approved continues to be driven by people looking to invest in property, rather than those seeking to move into houses or apartments. Second, first-home buyers are increasingly being frozen out of a market in which house prices have hit record highs in some large cities.

“While owner-occupier demand is intensifying, investor demand is surging well ahead,” said Janu Chan, a Sydney-based economist at St. George Bank in a note to clients, pointing out that investor loans for housing exceeded 30% in November.

 

 

 

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303819704579317782145387774?mg=reno64-wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702303819704579317782145387774.html

Katonah-Lewisboro Parents Propose New School Redistricting Option | Katonah NY Real Estate

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Edward Burt’s third-grade son may have to change schools in the fall if the Katonah-Lewisboro school board decides to close an elementary school when it votes on the matter Thursday, Jan. 23.

He isn’t alone. The Increase Miller Elementary School parent was one of dozens to attend a forum on the matter Wednesday night, moderated by Goldens Bridge resident and former Assemblyman Robert Castelli.

Mirjana Jovanovic, a mother of two at Increase Miller, asked the two Katonah-Lewisboro school board members present to consider an alternative option to moving 94 students to Katonah Elementary. Since the school runs below capacity, she proposed letting those students stay at Increase Miller and send new and incoming students to Katonah.

The idea caught steam with the board members and parents. Other parents suggested to let just those in fourth and fifth grades finish out their time at Increase Miller.

The school board formed a School Closure Task Force in June to investigate the possibility of closing one or two elementary schools in response to enrollment that has dropped by 700-plus students since 2006. The task force decided closing Lewisboro Elementary would disrupt the fewest students possible and created a redistricting plan that spread the 300-plus students across the remaining three schools.

However, Lewisboro Elementary parents asked the board to alter its redistricting plan to send their kids to only two schools. By sending them in larger groups parents argued this would prevent some students from being torn apart from their friends.

Tobin said the board agreed and the administration develop a second scenario, in which some Increase Miller kids would be redistricted to Katonah Elementary to even out the distribution among the three remaining schools. This, Burt said, would send students, including his son, to Katonah alone, without any of their friends.

“You listened to them, well you should listen to us,” Burt said. “You agreed with them, now here’s the other side of it.”

The other side of it left Burt and scores of parents filling the small room in the Lewisboro Recreation and Parks Building debating which redistricting scenario they prefer, each choosing the one that would impact their child least. Most parents supported Jovanovic’s idea because it would keep their kids together.

The first scenario would give Increase Miller 470 students, Katonah 490 and Meadow Pond 426. The second scenario would give Increase Miller 467, Katonah 472 and Meadow Pond 447.

The second scenario also comes with a lower savings total at $1.74 million, down from $1.89 million.

Tobin said she will bring the parents’ third scenario to the board at its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, where they are scheduled to discuss which scenario is best. If four of the seven agree the phasing in, or grandfather clause should be looked into, the administration will do so, she said.

A public hearing on the school closing is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16 and the final vote is Thursday, Jan. 23.

Parents may email all seven school board members, the superintendent and assistant superintendents ahead of the meeting Thursday, which will be held at the John Jay High School library on 60 Cross River Road, Cross River.

http://bedford.dailyvoice.com/schools/katonah-lewisboro-parents-propose-new-school-redistricting-option

Why 2013 Might be Housing’s Best Year Ever | Katonah NY Real Estate

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After nearly a decade of disaster that reached levels of despair not seen since the Great Depression., the year ending today was more than a turnaround year. Within its short life, it changed housing from a liability to an asset so favorable that it had to power to take the rest of the nation’s economy along for its ride upward, in the eyes of the Bernankes and Obamas.

In some ways, it changed the housing economy for years to come. Like a human life, it’s true place in history won’t be known until it is gone and some time has passed, but it will be hard to argue with the hard numbers of what was achieved in 2013.

Some examples:
◦ Home prices are rising faster than they have since the housing boom. The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property prices in 20 cities released today climbed 13.6 percent from October 2012, the biggest 12-month gain since February 2006, after a 13.3 percent increase in the year ended in September.
◦ Annual existing home sales should reach 5.1 million in 2013, the highest total in seven years, according to NAR. That is 10 percent higher than 2012’s total of almost 4.7 million.
◦ New home sales are on pace to reach 435,100 new homes sold this year, the most since 2008, according to Bloomberg. In November, purchases of new U.S. homes exceeded projections, holding near a five-year high and showing the housing recovery was gaining momentum even as mortgage rates climbed.
◦ Through the third quarter of 2013. more than 3 million homeowners returned to positive equity and homeowner equity increased by $33 billion. Some 7.1 million homes, or 14.5 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage, were still in negative equity at the end of the second quarter of 2013. This figure is down from 9.6 million homes, or 19.7 percent of all residential properties with a mortgage, at the end of the first quarter of 2013, according to CoreLogic.
◦ By the end of October, homeowners in 55 of the nation’s 100 largest markets have now recovered more than half of the equity they lost in the housing crash. Of the 84 all markets that achieved more than a 100 percent rebound in November, 58 were midsize. Additionally, 58 midsize markets (28% of the U.S. midsized markets) now have fully recovered prices.
◦ Mortgage rates rose about one full point during the year, which made buying a home more expensive for many. But at long last lending standards have begun to loosen up, perhaps because many originators are shifting from refinancing to purchase loans. Median FICO scores, for example, were at 729 in November, down from 750 in November 2012. Closing rates were 53.1% compared to 52.3% in 2012.

http://www.realestateeconomywatch.com/2013/12/why-2013-might-be-housing%e2%80%99s-best-year-ever/

Down to Earth Farmers Market | Katonah NY Homes

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Bigger and Better Than Ever:
Mamaroneck’s Winter Down to Earth Farmers Market
Opens Saturday, January 4th, 2014

Every Saturday into May
9:00 am-1:00 pm

Indoors at St. Thomas Episcopal Church
168 West Boston Post Road (at Mount Pleasant Avenue)

Down to Earth Markets is thrilled to announce that Mamaroneck’s Winter Farmers Market keeps growing!

For the 2014 season, help us welcome the largest variety of vendors yet. All winter long, local farmers and food makers will bring seasonal produce, pasture-raised meats and poultry, fresh fish, delicious breads, pickles, savory yogurt, Middle Eastern specialties, pies, pastas, locally-roasted nuts and coffees, and MORE.

On Opening Day, Saturday, January 4th, you’ll find:

American Pride Seafood

Dr. Pickle

Gaia’s Breath Farm

Gajeski Produce

Meredith’s Bread

Orchards of Concklin

Orwarshers Bakery
(Opening Day Special: FREE baguette with purchase of any bread loaf! Reg = $3.50)

Pie Lady & Son

Sohha Savory Yogurt

Stone & Thistle Farm

Taiim Falafel

Tierra Farm

Trotta Foods

Wave Hill Breads

Later in this month, these talented vendors will be joined by:

Bombay Emerald Chutney Company

Calcutta Kitchens

Flourish Baking Company

Kontoulis Family Olive Oil

Mortgage Apple Cakes

Robinson & Co. Catering Services (Fine British pies and more)

And others!

Stay tuned to all market events, day vendor listings, and more
on the Mamaroneck market webpage.

Thank you for supporting local farms and food businesses.

Down to Earth Farmers Markets is a mission-driven company that curates and manages approximately twenty farmers markets in Westchester and Rockland Counties, as well as in New York City. We envision a strong regional food system, built by independent farms and food businesses, that provides everyone with an alternative to industrial food. We believe that seasonal, local food is a vital part of our heritage that ensures the health of our communities and environment.

Consolidated Edison rate freeze announced | Katonah NY Real Estate

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New York officials say Consolidated Edison Co. has agreed to a two-year freeze in electric delivery rates and a three-year freeze in gas and steam distribution rates starting in 2014.

The settlement proposal, pending approval by the state Public Service Commission, could result in rate decreases for some commercial and industrial customers.

The joint proposal recommends spending $1 billion to make more resilient the company’s electric, gas and steam systems.

Con Edison said lower financing costs and other savings will help offset rates, with most customers seeing little change, and will also fund its program to harden equipment against storms.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20140102/ECONOMY/140109995

Teatown Lake Reservation updates | Katonah Real Estate

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January 2, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We look forward to another year of engaging people with nature!

Photo taken by Elissa Schilmeister, Environmental Educator, at our Holi-Daze Mini Camp.

Visit Teatown

1600 Spring Valley Road

Ossining, NY 10562

914-762-2912

www.teatown.org

Nature Center hours:

9:00am-5:00pm everyday

Trails are open 365 days a year from dawn to dusk.

Teatown Lake Reservation’s

mission is to conserve open

space and to educate and

involve the regional community

in order to sustain the diversity

of wildlife, plants and habitats

for future generations.

Your donation can make

an immediate impact to help

conserve and protect the

diversity of wildlife, plants

and habitats…

today and into the future.

In Teatown’s Gallery

Recent Works by
Inez Andrucyk

Inez Andrucyk has exhibited at
The Hudson River Museum,
The Jacob Burns Film Center,
The Katonah Museum, The Arts Exchange, various galleries, colleges and universities, and was a guest speaker at The National Museum in Malta and Rutgers University. Murals are located in New York City (featured on Channel 11 News) and Port Chester, NY.

Photos of her work have been featured in The New York Times, and in “Crimes of the Beats and Unbearables.” Her Community Mural was listed in “On the Wall: Community Murals” by Janet Braun-Reinitz and Jane Weissman.

Inez enjoys teaching art to adults, children, youth and at risk populations. Her long term teaching position is at Silvermine Arts Center.

All photographs are for sale, and all proceeds will be donated to Teatown Lake Reservation.

www.teatown.org

Animal Adventures: Musky Mustelids
Saturday, January 4, 11:00am- 12:00pm

Meet a few of Teatown’s ambassador animals in this program featuring odiferous animals. Families with children 4 & over. Free for members, $5 for non-members.

First Hike of the New Year
Sunday, January 5, 1:00- 2:30pm

Kick off the New Year with a hearty hike in the frosty air. We’ll hike up into Hidden Valley looking for winter wildlife. On our return we’ll toast the New Year with a hot drink. Please dress for the weather and wear appropriate footgear for the trail conditions. All welcome. Free for members, $5 for non-members.

All programs require pre-registration

To register call 914-762-2912 x 110

unless otherwise noted.

Click for more info on Teatown’s upcoming programs.

Teatown’s Hudson River EagleFestsm
General Admission Tickets Now Available!

Click here to purchase general admission tickets.

To purchase bus tour tickets, call 914-762-2912 x 110.

For more information, click here.

Nature Girls

Tuesdays, January 28 – March 25, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Come on girls get your nature on! Led by Elissa Schilmeister, girls will hike and explore natural habitats, engage in team-building activities, conduct mini-experiments and scientific investigations. *No program February 18. Girls ages 10- 14.

For more information, click here.

Little Tree Huggers: Wonderful Winter

Tuesdays, January 28 – March 11, 10:00- 11:15am

This class for 2- 3 year olds is packed with age-appropriate outdoor explorations, stories and activities. *No program February 18. Must be accompanied by parent or caregiver.

For more information,click here.

Reap the rewards

of being a Teatown member.

Click to join today!

Farewell to Jove

Our beloved little kestrel, Jove, passed away earlier last week. He had a beak handicap which meant that he would never survive in the wild. So he came to Teatown and spent the last 6 years educating the public about raptors, falcons, and especially, the right steps to take when encountering baby birds to prevent imprinting. He helped give those birds the chance he would never have – a wild life.

Jove had more character and personality packed into that tiny body of his than you could imagine. I am certain that at some point he landed on every handler’s head in his enclosure. He loved to fly to his dish and be hand fed his minced mouse tartar, making him one of the easiest birds to work with. And, “working” did not phase him – he was comfortable with his audiences, allowing countless people a chance to glimpse a beautiful falcon up very close and personal. He both wow’d and charmed his audiences time and again. He even had his five minutes of fame, starring in the opening scene of the locally filmed movie “A Birder’s Guide to Everything.”

Jove has earned a special place in my heart, and I can honestly say that he will probably be one of the best raptor ambassadors that I’ll ever work with. I know those of you who will miss him most – miss him rousing on your glove, bobbing his head and tail. I think we can all be proud of our little friend’s legacy. He touched many lives and helped instill compassion and respect for wildlife and their local habitats.

-Written by Erin Baker, Teatown’s Animal Care Supervisor & Environmental Educator.

“From Garbage to Black GOLD: Realizing the Value of Food Waste”

January 24, 2014, 8:30 am-10:30am
Greenburgh Public Library

Conservation Cafe´presents

the next Conversations on Conservation.

“From Garbage to Black GOLD:

Realizing the Value of Food Waste”

Moderator: Braeden Cohen, Composting/Sustainability Specialist and educator at the Greenburgh Nature Center will be discussing the scope and expense of the food waste problem in Westchester; composting as a profitable solution to food waste; basic mechanics of composting food along with yard organics.

Jean Bonhotal of the Cornell Waste Management Institute and the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, will be speaking on the economics of food waste composting and case studies of food waste composting operations in New York State.

Terry Laibach, Recycling Specialist at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Region III will talk about the New York State DEC requirements for food waste composting in New York and examples of food waste composting facilities currently in operation or in planning stages in New York State.

Sarah Groat, Manager of Soil, Recycling, and Compost Operations at Stone Barns Center For Food and Agriculture will present on how Stone Barns turns Garbage To Gold as part of both their mission and business operations.

Who Should Attend: Municipal officials, DPW officials, school facility managers, grocery store associations, restaurateurs, homeowners, the agricultural community, gardening enthusiasts, organizations that have high food waste disposal costs and those concerned about waste.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; the program begins at 8:45 a.m.

This is a FREE program, and all are welcome to join.