Ever listen to some of the self-styled savants who populate the phone lines on sports talk radio? Once a professional sports contest is concluded, notably a home team loss, they rush to judgment and second-guess managers and coaches, exercising uncanny foresight into the past. Nobody has broken the news to these innocents: Being a spectator doesn’t make you a skipper. Being an onlooker doesn’t translate, ipso facto, into being a doer. Joni Mitchell’s plaintive lyrics come in handy here: “I’ve looked at life ...

Since decorating mistakes can be very costly and time consuming, I always urge my clients to do their homework before undertaking any redecorating project. What kind of homework?  A good way to begin is to flip through design and decorating magazines, and visit websites dedicated to interior décor. Start collecting pictures of various design products and styles that appeal to you and you can visualize as your own.  Once you start identifying colors, designs, and various furnishings that illustrate your dream room, ...

Dear Dr. Linda, When I was in eighth grade, I had to memorize the preamble to the Constitution, and then recite it to the class. I loved that assignment. I can recite it to this day. My kids don’t even know what I’m talking about. I think that should still be an assignment. I hope you agree. Suzy Dear Suzy, I agree with you 100 percent and here’s why: Research has shown that learning how to memorize in and of itself is a healthy activity which facilitates brain development for future learning. The ability to ...

Dana Stahl, a learning specialist and educational consultant, will address educational questions and concerns that parents may have regarding their children’s academic development and progress in school. Topics can center on such concerns as how to handle homework dilemmas or what questions to ask at a CSE meeting. Questions can range from “How best do parents advocate for their children?” to “How do parents interpret formal tests that have been administered?” to “Which schools and colleges are right for my ...

National Save for Retirement Week was observed Oct. 18 – 24 this year. And this week has some weight behind it, as it is recognized by the U.S. Senate for its importance in encouraging Americans to prepare themselves financially for retirement. Are you doing all you can? Many of your peers aren’t. About a third of working adults have no retirement savings or pension, according to a survey by the Federal Reserve. And more than half of workers report that the total value of their household’s savings and investments, ...

Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. -Voltaire Last week, at the White House, the unworldly leader and tarnished head of this once-great land, opened a nationally televised meeting of his senior cabinet at work by inviting all to hear about the important business he and his cronies were up to. So, what did the nation hear?  Right out of the North Korean playbook, the Supreme Leader first took time to praise himself as the most accomplished president “with few exceptions”—maybe ...

2 Hollowbrook Place, Cortlandt $550,000.00 This unique 3 family home boasts tremendous curb appeal with a stone and brick exterior. Each unit offers 2 spacious bedrooms, 1 updated full bath, updated kitchens, separate entrances and separate patios. Two of the three units have beautiful brick and stone fireplaces that create a warm and cozy atmosphere in the living rooms. There is plenty of backyard space for tenants to use and ample parking via 1 car attached garage, driveway, gravel parking lot on side of house. Additional unit used ...

Most couples have cute little endearing pet names for each other. Sweetie. Honey. Schmoopy-Boopy-Snuggie-Woogems. My husband also has an endearing name for me. He calls me “Two Sips.” This comes from my tendency to make myself a cup of coffee, take two sips, and then absentmindedly leave the cup somewhere in the house. “Hey Two Sips,” he would say, entering the kitchen with an armful of old coffee mugs. “I collected your stash.” I would glower at him, snatch the cups, and then surreptitiously check ...

We spend so much time teaching our children not to bully one another and not to gossip, but all too often adults don’t practice what they preach, especially given the often toxic and viral nature of social media. Given the series of events last week regarding a disputed story involving the Somers girls and Yorktown boys lacrosse players, it seems that Somers school administrators were bullied into making premature statements. Many people are so quick to judge—and to judge publicly—without any deference to due process ...