Marisa's Clips

For the June issue, I produced a positively huge, 20-page feature on ways to have seasonal, summertime fun in Westchester County. Plenty of my own writing is sprinkled throughout. You can download the PDF, or see it online here.

As part of the Condé Nast Traveler's New York blog, I profiled 10 gardens.

New York City's Outstanding Urban Gardens

Wave Hill

Wave Hill is an interesting combination of historic home and nature conservatory. The mansion, set on a hill overlooking the Hudson River, has had several VIP residents: Theodore Roosevelt's family rented it for summers, Mark Twain leased it for a time, and Arturo Toscanini lived here from 1942 to 1945. After a two-year renovation, the house reopens this July 6 and 7, but you don't have to wait until then to enjoy the rest of this public garden and cultural center. Nab an adirondack chair on the huge sloping lawn; wander the aquatic, herb or flower gardens; hike a short nature trail; or take pictures of the Palisades from the Italianate pergola. If you're lucky you might spot a proposal or a wedding—Wave Hill is a popular place for both.

Click through to read the rest at the Condé Nast Traveler's website.

Photo courtesy of Wave Hill.

Westchester County's Flags Ranked
I talked to someone from the North American Vexillological Association and learned a thing or two about good flag design. Namely, Westchester County is lacking it.

Culture, Etc
Ben Folds Five, Ira Glass, the Westchester Philharmonic, music inspired by Shakespeare, and the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Home Theater
Prometheus, New Girl, and House of Dark Shadows

Everything you need to know about Northeast fall foliage: where to find the longest season, the latest start, the most variety, the least crowded destinations, and the most intense color.

Where to See the Best Fall Foliage

The longest season: New Hampshire's Lakes Region
When to go: Late September through late October
Why go: The secret to finding a lingering foliage season is steering clear of the weather that knocks leaves from their branches. "I would choose those locations away from the wind of the coast and at higher elevations," says Jerry Monkman, co-author of The Colors of Fall Road Trip Guide. This New Hampshire region—which encompasses Lake Winnipesaukee, Squam Lake, Lake Ossipee, Mirror Lake, Newfound Lake and Lake Winnisquam—is protected from the harsh winds of the coast and doesn’t rise more than 600 feet above sea level, giving you the best chance for a long leaf season.
Where to get the best view: Obviously, from the middle of a lake (pick one). Bring a kayak and tone your paddling arms. "You can see red maples along the waterways showing their bright colors on the trees, and then reflected down into the water as well," says Tai Freligh, communications manager for New Hampshire's Division of Travel and Tourism Development.
Insider tip: If boating and hiking feels like too much exertion for a good view, tour the lakes region from a fall foliage train. The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad (603-279-5253, foliagetrains.com, $11 to $15) runs through October 21, and a two-hour round-trip ticket entitles you to a lakeside tour along tracks that were once a part of the Boston & Maine Railroad. Daytime rides come with the option of adding on a "hobo picnic lunch" ($10).

Click through to read the rest at cntraveler.com.

Photo: NHDTTD/George Murphy

Each year, putting together the Fall Arts Preview for the September issue is my favorite assignment. You can read it online, but our designer's layouts really make the feature what it is, so I suggest downloading the PDF. It's long, so I'll break it out into different sections before posting the feature in its entirety. First up: the fall movie preview.

You can read it online, or download the PDF above.

You can read it online, or download the PDF above.

Read it online, or by downloading the PDF above.

And here's the entire thing in one shot. You can read it online,or download the PDF above.

Nabbed!
A round-up of URLs that Westchester-based groups nabbed first, such as artscenter.org and writerscenter.org

Home Theater
The Avengers, Cabin in the Woods, and Damsels in Distress

Culture, Etc.
Amos, Lee, the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Whoopi Goldberg, Dionne Warwick, and The 5 Browns