worth noting this spring

Local author, playwright, producer, poet and songwriter, and baby boomer, Richard Cirulli has released his new book, Demitasse Divorce, which is now in bookstores and online.

DEMITASSE DIVORCE

An erotic love story, the book follows two baby boomers searching for long-denied romance. Brought together at a café in Cold Spring, NY, the amusing, hopeful and philosophical story unfolds on the shores of the majestic and mystical Hudson river, dear to Cirulli’s own heart.

Quite soon, questions arise. Is this romance illicit, after all? Or is it hopeful and promising, but doomed, as a darker undercurrent emerges to ruin the bliss? Can the characters find a way out of this maze together, or will their own past bar them from finding happiness? Flashbacks to the 1960s may offer some clues, but the mystery of these intelligent, longing, yet cautious lovers is ultimately left to the reader to solve.

Fascinated with the existential side of human relationships and drawing inspiration for his interactive stories from his own personal history, Cirulli crafts engaging stories that draw in readers of his own generation. They become immersed in the ever-shifting world of his characters’ thoughts, as he asks the age-old question: Is true love possible, and at what cost?

Demitasse Divorce is for sale on Amazon and Kindle, and at Barnes & Noble. B&N will host Cirulli’s book signing in March (For the specifics, go to demitasseplayers.com/playwrights-book/ ), followed by a reception and fundraiser to benefit mental illness.

PARKINSON’S DANCE CLASS AT STEFFI NOSSEN
Based on the internationally-acclaimed Mark Morris Dance classes, Dance for PD® empowers those with Parkinson’s Disease to explore movement and music in an enjoyable, stimulating and creative group setting.

The Steffi Nossen School of Dance, located on Central Avenue in White Plains, offers this dynamic and fun hour of dance at their studio on Mondays, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Participants come with spouses, partners and siblings. Volunteers are also present to help people with balance or gait issues.

Judith Ross, community relations director for Steffi Nossen, says, “In addition to important physical benefits, most appreciative is fellowship, tip sharing, and socializing.”

Says one spouse, “It gives my husband a chance to get out, do some exercise and be with other people, like himself [with PD]. She adds, “I get the chance to participate and talk with others and be a part of a community with similar needs and concerns.”

Maureen Cafferty, speaking of her sister, noted that the dance classes offer fun and social engagement, and have “truly made a significant difference to her life.”

The program has been ongoing (they break for summer) for the past few years. Classes are taught by Wendy Morsberger, a former professional dancer who has performed with the Royal Ballet (England) and the Frankfurt Ballet in Germany. She also holds a master’s degree in Physical Therapy and has specifically trained in the Mark Morris Dance for PD® program.

For more information, reach out to Judith Ross at jgr@steffinossen.org or 914-328-1900. The program is also offered at the Rye Arts Center.

COLLEGE LIVING AT BROADVIEW
Can you imagine retiring to a college campus where you’ll have opportunities to engage with students and faculty on a regular basis? Well, that’s exactly what the developers of Broadview Senior Living, at Purchase College in Purchase, NY, plan to deliver to their residents.

Prospective residents will be collaborating with Purchase College faculty and staff to help determine a lifelong learning program. It’s expected that Purchase students will be required to participate and engage with residents in order to graduate. But, of course, why wouldn’t they want to do that!

Broadview’s Learning Commons will be located in the community’s clubhouse, which will have everything from classrooms, performance and gallery spaces, to an art studio, theater and learning lab. There will also be a wellness center and heated saltwater pool. The community will have five restaurants including a grab ‘n go and market.

Construction of Broadview will begin once contracts are in place for 70% of the 220 residences. Prices for apartments and villas will range from $250,000 for income-qualifying residents to $1.75 million. Homes will range from 675 to 2,161 square feet and feature living and dining areas, a kitchen, study, fireplace, and a balcony or patio. Their “Lafayette” apartment, a 1,907 square foot space with two bedrooms and a study, has already sold out.

To reserve a spot, Broadview requires a 10% deposit on the selling price, or $10,000 on the above $250,000 apartment. There are additional monthly fees though 90% of the purchase price is refunded when the resident leaves the community.

This will be a continuing life care community, meaning residents can move from independent living to assisted living and/or memory care.

For information or to join one of their group seminars to learn more, call Lisa Errickson Helupka at 914-417-4206.

HERE TO HELP: AARP TAX AIDE PROGRAM
It’s that dreaded time of year. How do we fill in those tax forms? What’s allowed, what’s not?

For over 50 years, the AARP Foundation Tax Aide Program has been helping mostly low- to middle-income taxpayers, primarily people over the age of 50, prepare their tax returns.

The program started up this year on February 1 and will continue through April 15 at 20 libraries throughout Westchester County. Some 100 volunteers have brushed up on the tax code and are ready to take pencil to paper to assist area residents.

Some issues are out of scope for them, including Schedule C businesses with net losses, employees, depreciation and rental property.

To find a list of what you need to bring (including all forms showing income, a photo ID, Social Security number, among other items) and where to go, use the AARP.org site and go directly to: https://secure.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action