The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Stacey Pfeffer

A Catering Option, too, at Armonk’s La Mer Seafood

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Ed Wechsler, owner, La Mer Seafood, also actively caters for diffferent events.

Almost three decades ago, Ed Wechsler opened La Mer Seafood on Main Street in Armonk. At the time he was 22-years-old, already armed with a wealth of experience from working in top epicurean stores in surrounding towns. Back then, he focused mostly on fish but as lifestyles changed and consumer demand for organic foods skyrocketed, La Mer Seafood evolved and today it offers full service catering and mostly wild caught organic, locally-sourced fish.

Being in business for so long, Wechsler knows his customers and his fish. While Inside Armonk was in the Cape Cod nautically-inspired store, a customer walked in for lunch and asked for “the usual.” A few minutes later, he walked out with a homemade soup and lobster roll featuring fresh Maine lobster caught daily.

The store focuses on offering healthful and wholesomely prepared dishes. Wechsler believes fish works best with herbs and he avoids using butter, salt, flour and wheat. He can offer suggestions on how to prepare the fish and if you are a reluctant chef, his team can provide a homemade rub, marinade or dipping sauce to ensure a succulent dinner. “As in any five star establishment, our recipes are our own. We’ve been perfecting them for almost 30 years!”

With summer approaching, Wechsler and his team are at the ready preparing clambakes, lobster bakes and elegant hors d’ouvres, buffets and barbeques for pool parties, graduation celebrations and even weddings. Wechsler prides himself on choosing only the most friendly and courteous staff for set up, serving and preparing the food and clean up. In the past few years, La Mer Seafood has expanded its catering services and he now is busy year round with holiday parties and corporate catering events.

“We do a lot of cocktail parties, office parties communions and Bar Mitzvahs mostly in people’s homes. We supply the staff, the rentals, bartenders and everything is prepared from scratch and as healthful as possible.” La Mer Seafood also has partnerships with area caterers by providing seafood for En Vious Events and Culinary Angels, among other endeavors.

In addition to lunch and dinner specials, the “take and bake” option is also very popular with customers these days who are short on time. The staff will season the fish for you, place it in a small tin and then all the customer has to do is bake it in the oven. Wechsler is all about making the customer’s life easy and provides one-stop shopping with breads and other produce available at the store to round out a complete dinner.

It’s no coincidence that Wechsler is known as a “fishmonger extraordinaire.” He has intimate knowledge of every fish that is sold in his store. The fish is bought at the Fulton Fish Market (now located at Hunts Point in the Bronx) and his buyers get there early to get the very best selection. He is also a veritable wealth of nutrition information on virtually every fish in his store.

Wechsler prides himself on knowing where it was caught and how it was caught (wild versus farmed). He knows about fish farming techniques, mercury counts and use of pesticides in farmed products. Fish that is farmed outside of the US, Canada or Central America has different safety regulations and is often laden with pesticides and antibiotics. That’s why Wechsler prefers wild caught, and if he is going to purchase farmed fish, he prefers to buy organic.

Besides knowing his fish backwards and forwards, he knows his customers very well too. Being a mainstay of downtown Armonk for almost 30 years, he has a good rapport with many of his customers. “It’s not uncommon for someone to walk in and say I’ll have the same thing I had last week or my son wants to try something new what would you suggest and I already know her son doesn’t like salmon so I can come up with suggestions. I’m like the local bartender.”

Visit www.lamerseafood.net

 

Keeping Your Pearly Whites Healthy

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The waiting room of Dr. Aki Shirakura’s dental office in a historic home in Armonk is warm and welcoming with cozy armchairs and sunlight peeking through the windows. On top of the coffee table is a binder with patient testimonials and as you peruse through it, you’ll see many comments on his friendliness, professionalism, patience and gentle touch.

Dr. Shirakura has been practicing in Armonk since 2008 and is currently a faculty member at NYU Lutheran in Brooklyn.

He attended dental school in Buffalo, New York, and also completed three additional intense years in Prosthodontics at Eastman Dental Center at the University of Rochester. He has extensive experience in restoring and replacing teeth through the fabrication of veneers, implants and dentures and has performed full mouth reconstruction. He refers to his dentistry work as an “art”–the teeth must be functional and also improve the patient’s smile. Prior to moving to the United States, he was a dental technician in Tokyo for more than two decades which gives him a unique perspective on what he does and how he helps his patients achieve truly beautiful, healthy smiles.

As a prosthodontist he has worked to restore or replace teeth on patients that have been in accidents, had oral cancer or cleft palates. He also does cosmetic dentistry to help those patients who may have damaged teeth due to age, poor dental maintenance or those who just want to enhance their smiles.

Shirakura and his staff of nine employees provide regular dental check-ups and take care of many Northern Westchester-based patients from young children (even babies) to senior citizens. He recommends that patients follow the American Dental Association guidelines that now suggest that babies be seen as soon as their upper and lower baby teeth erupt so that they are on a good track for preventative care.

Recent scientific research is starting to show a link between oral health and general health. Shirakura urges patients to maintain their oral health with regular check-ups every six months.

Being in the dental field for more than three decades, Shirakura is pleased to see that “implants are becoming more of the gold standard in dental care with some good dental insurances now covering it.”

An implant’s success rate is very high compared to older procedures like a bridge, which can cause tooth decay over time. He also uses a 3-D CT scan on patients, which is safer and more multi-dimensional than traditional X-rays. Shirakura’s office contains an in-house lab, which is a huge bonus if teeth need to be quickly repaired. The practice also offers Invisalign and teeth whitening services. Shirakura is proud to utilize his background in geriatric dentistry to conduct dental check-ups as a volunteer on residents at the Bristal, an assisted living facility in Armonk.

In addition, his practice is an active member of the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. This spring he hopes to teach local Byram Hills kindergarteners and first grade students about the importance of oral health.

Dr. Aki Shirakura and his staff

Aura Salon: The Best Kept Secret on Upper King Street

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The first thing you notice outside the entrance to the Aura Salon on upper King Street is the beautiful flowers in the artfully arranged window boxes.

Once you step inside on the lower floor you’ll be welcomed by four vanities bathed in natural sunlight where make-up artists use the latest Aveda products to enhance your natural beauty. In the mood for beachy waves or a blowout? Check, the stylists can do that too using the high-end Dyson Supersonic blow dryers which have a built-in sensor to protect your luscious locks from any heat damage.

If you need a fabulous cut or color or mani/pedi without all those harsh chemicals, simply walk upstairs and let the magic begin at the salon.

The salon and beauty bar is owned by Leticia Villagran and Chappaqua mom Jenn Filardi. Jenn was actually a client of Leticia’s for many years when Aura Salon focused on hair and nails. Realizing that there was an unmet need for expertly applied make-up and blowouts that won’t break the bank, Leticia teamed up with Jenn to open the Style Bar in February on the first floor of the salon. Having worked in the city at fashion shows and with celebrity stylists, Jenn brings a wealth of knowledge about the latest beauty trends and loves creating updos, braids and signature blowouts, all at an affordable price point.

Both Leticia and Jenn have relatives in the beauty business. Originally from Guatemala, Leticia’s father and grandfather cut hair. She went to cosmetology school there where students learn everything from facials to applying highlights.

Once she came to the U.S., she obtained her license and still takes classes to stay abreast of the latest beauty treatments and trends. She has more than 20 years of experience in the beauty business. Jenn’s grandfather was a barber and says working at the Style Bar is “in her genes. It’s so much fun. It doesn’t feel like work.” She also enjoys educating her clients about the best products to maintain the health of their hair.

With the upcoming prom and wedding season, the salon is ready to pamper clients for special occasions. “We do communions and wedding parties from the bride to the youngest flower girls,” said Villagran. Parties of four or more get a 10% discount and if the client requests it, they can provide at-home services. But Filardi is quick to point out that Aura is also a great destination if you need express services like speedy make-up applications for a night out or a quick blowout on a more regular basis.Villagran and Filardi and their staff have trained with leading beauty experts at Bumble and Bumble, Vidal Sassoon Academy, Wella, the Aveda Institute and Organic Salon Systems. They are passionate about having staff take industry workshops and continuing education so that clients have access to the latest products and styles.

A member of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, the salon’s stylists have volunteered at several events at local schools including a new moms event at World Cup Nursery school and creating a Nordic braid bar at Seven Bridges International Day. They also are proud to have a Greeley senior Clara Perlmutter help them with social media through a LIFE School internship program. Many of the local businesses have helped them get off the ground by promoting their services. “The whole community has been very encouraging and helpful–a real communal effort! “ added Filardi.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF WILLIAM LULOW

Standout Productions at the Westchester Broadway Theater

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Two Family Favorites! Mamma Mia is at WBT through June 25; then it’s on to Annie, June 29-Sept. 10 

If you are looking for a fun-filled evening with a delicious dinner and a musical with catchy infectious disco tunes, be sure to check out the latest production of Mamma Mia! at the Westchester Broadway Theater (WBT) in Elmsford. The show marks WBT’s 200th mainstage production and the cast features nine incredibly talented Actors Equity performers in the lead roles belting out 18 hits such as “Dancing Queen” and “Take a Chance on Me” from the 1970s Swedish pop band ABBA.

Mamma Mia! tells the story of Donna Sheridan, a single mother of a struggling small hotel on an idyllic Greek island who is about to give her daughter Sophie away for her wedding. But trouble looms when Sophie reads Donna’s diary from years ago and discovers that her mother had three boyfriends around the time of Sophie’s conception. In her quest to find out who her real father is, Sophie invites the three ex-boyfriends to her upcoming nuptials and figures she’ll be able to figure out who her real father is so that he can walk her down the aisle. With irresistible songs, show-stopping dance numbers and disco-themed costumes, it’s no wonder why Mamma Mia! was the eighth longest-running show in Broadway history.

WBT is the longest running year-round Equity theatre in the state of New York and was founded in 1974 by Bob Funking and Bill Stutler. It was their vision to create a theater with each show produced exclusively for WBT. Casting and auditions for both performers and theater staff takes place in New York City and many of WBT’s performers have gone on to grace the Great White Way. Originally dubbed “An Evening Dinner Theater” with Kiss Me Kate as their first production, Funking and Stutler eventually changed the name to WBT and founded today’s current venue in 1991 in Elmsford offering a larger performance space and state-of-the art technology.

From a past production of Mary Poppins PHOTO COURTESY of WBT

In addition to Mamma Mia! which runs through June 25th, WBT also puts on special events, concerts and children’s theater productions. Tribute concerts to hit bands such as the Eagles, Motown musicians and comedy nights are also offered. All shows (excluding children’s theater productions) always include a lunch or dinner beforehand.The theater can accommodate almost 400 people and each seat is uniquely situated so that they all offer a good view of the production. WBT also offers luxury box seating which is a very popular option for those celebrating special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and bridal showers, according to Pia Haas, WBT’s Director of Press and Public Relations. The luxury box seating includes enhanced menu options and dining in private for groups of 6-20 people. Upcoming mainstage productions are Annie, Annie Get Your Gun and during the holiday season, The Christmas Voyager.

WBT is a great way for Westchester families to experience top-notch theater close to home. The upcoming production of Annie which runs this summer from June 29- September 10 is a wonderful opportunity for young theatergoers to see the magic of live theater. With on-site free parking and an easy commute to WBT, your family will thank you for introducing them to this local gem. For more info and reservations, please visit www.BroadwayTheater.com or call 914 592-2222.

Holocaust Survivor Stories: As Told by the Next Generation

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(L-R) Ruth Bachner, Fred Bachner and Ellen Bachner Greenberg

Ellen Bachner Greenberg, a Scardale-based life coach, clearly remembers the first time she saw the Holocaust documentary, Night and Fog. She was 10-years-old, and tried to avert her eyes from the screen, which featured raw footage from the concentration camps.

All she saw were emaciated bodies and mass grave pits and she knew that both of her parents were Holocaust survivors who had endured unbelievable hardships. Greenberg recently spoke about her father, Fred, at Congregation B’nai Yisrael Synagogue (CBY) in Armonk as part of an initiative called GenerationsForward launched by the White Plains-based group The Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC).

GenerationsForward was created two years ago. Members of the group are either 2nd or 3rd generation, meaning that they have a connection to the Holocaust through their parents or grandparents. All members participate in an 18-week workshop called ‘Safekeeping Stories’ which helps them learn how to “tell their family’s Holocaust story in a powerful yet concise manner that is suitable for school aged children as well as adult groups,” said Millie Jasper, HHREC’s Executive Director.

Members have had about 20 speaking engagements at synagogues, public and private schools as well as civic groups. Many of the speaking engagements including Greenberg’s coincided with Yom Hashoah, the annual Holocaust Remembrance Day in late April. Jasper said HHREC has received increased requests for speakers from local middle schools and high schools who have seen anti-Semitism or other hateful acts within their schools.

Greenberg’s father Fred was born in Berlin in 1925. Greenberg’s speech was interspersed with photos and video of her father who had participated in The Shoah Foundation’s taped video interviews with Holocaust survivors years ago. In 1935, Fred’s family was stripped of German citizenship as part of the Nuremberg laws and eventually exiled to Chrzanow, Poland when he was 15 years old. Everyone was forced to work and Fred eventually found a job delivering soda and beer to German Army posts, restaurants and even Trzebina, a labor camp.

In 1943, Chrzanow was evacuated by the Nazis and Fred was sent to a concentration camp. He eventually spent time in several concentration camps including Dachau and endured death marches.

Although Greenberg knew that her father had participated in the Shoah Foundation’s project she refused to watch the videotapes. “Those tapes were just too personal and painful for me,” but she had a change of heart following the death of Elie Weisel, an author who wrote prolifically about the Holocaust. When Greenberg initially watched the video footage of her father, she was struck by how many times he used the word ‘lucky.’ “I survived on hope,” he said in the video. Greenberg always marveled at her father’s optimism, perseverance and positive attitude that helped him rebuild a life in America.

Remarkably, Fred was reunited with his brother in Dauchau. His mother did not survive the war. In 1945, Fred and his brother were transported in a railroad car from Dachau that was eventually ambushed by English fighter planes. Fred and his brother decided to jump from the train and they did successfully escaping to freedom.

After the war, Fred and his brother lived in a displaced person camp in Munich. They also decided to return to Berlin where they reunited with their father. The family then immigrated to Washington Heights in Manhattan, an area that at the time was populated with many Holocaust survivors. Fred eventually found work as an automechanic and met Greenberg’s mother Ruth at a Hanukah party in 1951. Ruth also was a Holocaust survivor and had spent her time during the war in Belgium hidden in a convent.

The Bachners ultimately settled in Hartsdale, an area where very few survivors lived but Fred never forgot the experiences of his past. He was very involved in his temple, the Greenburgh Hebrew Center, and often retold his story at other HHREC events. Even prior to his death in 2008, he had purchased a marker for his tombstone that said Holocaust survivor.

Greenberg retold how her life in Hartsdale was a typical post-war suburban upbringing but there were “subtle ways” that her parents’ past was different from her peers. For example, every Thanksgiving her parents would steadfastly refuse to serve sweet potatoes because it reminded them of how they had survived on spoiled potatoes during the war, which eventually turn sweet when rancid.

Greenberg recounts how her father also fought Multiple Sclerosis and leukemia in his old age but whenever she called to speak to him, his reply was always the same. “What could be bad? The sun is out and the sky is blue.”

Other GenerationsForward speakers will be recounting their parents and grandparents stories in lectures throughout the county this year. For a list of speakers and upcoming events, visit www.hhrecny.org.

Stacey Pfeffer is a frequent contributor to The Inside Press; she has written several articles on the Holocaust.