Local rowers had great success at the US Rowing National Championships this week in Camden, NJ.   Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky; Peter Klose, Joseph Devoe and Tom Chyla, all of Nyack’s River Rowing Association won the men’s quad division for the second year in a row.

This year, the race was close, hard fought, and really exciting, with the RRA hanging on for victory during the last few strokes of the 1000 meter race.  “We worked hard all year, with this in mind, and we were able to pull it out,” said Tom Chyla, the stroke.

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This weekend, see a part of New Jersey far away from Snooki and the Jersey Shore. On a bike.

Join a thousand area riders at the Ramapo Rally on Sunday August 15. The annual BTCNJ (Bicycle Touring Club of North Jersey) event introduces many cyclists to areas of New Jersey they have never seen before. Tree shaded country roads, gated estates, lakes and farmland, including an alpaca and llama farm, unfold before the riders. The Rally starts at Campgaw Ski Area, Mahwah, NJ.

Six different ride lengths are offered: 125, 100, 62, 45, 25 and 12 miles. Continue reading →

Wed June 30 4p-8p Meeting at Palisades Mall

The times when the average person can have an impact on a $16B project planned to last 100 years are few and far between. Two of those times occur this week when the Tappan Zee Bridge/I-287 Corridor Project hosts open houses asking the public to weigh in on plans for a replacement TZB and regional transit system.

Rockland County residents are invited to The Palisades Center’s 4th floor Adler Community Room on Wednesday 6/30 from 4p-8p. On Monday 6/28, officials will hear from the public at the Westchester Marriott from 4-8p.

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Summer is here. Although the time may not be right for dancing in the streets, you can still go hiking in the parks courtesy of the Rockland County Trail Guide Docents.

This Saturday, choose from two 10a walks in Rockland. There’s a a six mile stroll around Rockland Lake or a two mile “photography themed” hike at Reeves Meadow in Harriman State Park.

For more information and a list of all of the planned walks this summer, visit http://www.rocklandsteps.org/calendar, rcamericorps@co.rockland.ny.us or call 845-708-7307.

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Kids of all ages are invited to Memorial Park this Wednesday at 6p for for a free show of music and magic.  Lanti Music Studio will lead off the evening with uplifting sing-a-longs for all followed by a Mario the Magician show full of handcrafted props, inventive routines, slapstick comedy and constant audience participation.

It’s an opportunity for children to experience and participate in two wonderful art forms while taking advantage of Nyack’s beautiful Memorial Park, with its gorgeous views of the mighty Hudson. Look for the free raffle, face painting, giveaways, too! There’s even a chance to win a magic show for your next party and two music lessons at Lanti Music Studio.

Join the fun this Wednesday, May 26 from 6-7p at Memorial Park in Nyack.

by Cliff Weathers

This is one of the saddest days in New York history. The State is closing 41 parks and 14 historic sites as a result of the budget crisis. The sites include the Tallman Mountain State Park swimming pool and the Stony Point Battlefield in Rockland County.

With the State Budget being held hostage by the dysfunctional State legislature, Governor Paterson’s draconian recommendations have kicked in and New York families and communities are the losers.

But one legislator might have an idea, it seems. Sent on the eve of the park closings, in a mailing from State Senator Thomas Morahan, there is a push poll asking constituents if we should privatize our parks. Read on, I’m not making this up.
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by Arthur H. Gunther

Nyack, May 10 — This is a community mostly of the later 1800s and the 20^th century, along the shore of the historic Hudson River. It bustles in its moments, like most villages, though in 2010, much of the movement is by car or truck, with even many pedestrians hopping from those for small jaunts. So much is missed in the process.

Once upon a time, with walkers in the majority, the scenery didn’t just pass by. I rediscovered that fact on a recent four-mile walk from my home in Blauvelt to downtown Nyack.

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Edward Hopper’s use of light will be the subject of a three-part class in June where students will learn digital photography techniques to control light and exposure. The sessions, which will study Hopper’s work and other noted photographers of his era, will include lecture, discussion, on-location photography and review.

Classes will meet on Monday June 7, Friday June 11 and Tuesday June 15. Classes on 6/7 and 6/15 are from 6:30-8:30p and 5:30-7:30 pm on 6/11.

The fee is $85  for non-members and $75 for Hopper House members. Pre-registration required and space is limited. Students should have a basic understanding of their digital camera. All cameras are welcomed.

For more information, call Hopper House 845-358-0774 or email info@hopperhouse.org.

by Bea Friendly

I have no idea whether or not there are any laws against raising bees in Nyack specifically but then I have always been someone who would rather apologize later than ask permission first.

So for now I will be a surreptitious beekeeper.

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Nyack, April 29 — Mother Nature did her part to make one tough decision a little easier for Nyack’s Mayor and Trustees. Nyack’s marina, which loses about $23,000 a year, will be closed for the season. The marina suffered almost $2 million dollars in damage during the March nor’easter.

On April 16 Nyack and Rockland County received word that a FEMA request for disaster aid to repair the marina and shoreline damage to Memorial Park had been approved.

The village board voted unanimously to close the facility for this season on Thursday as they approved the 2010-11 budget‘s 8.52% tax increase.

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