MAR '11 - The Nyack Villager

TheNyack Villager ® 

An independent monthly news magazine celebrating life and the arts in the Hudson River Villages 

March 

2011 

Photograph © 2011 Shel Haber e Nyack Villager, Nyack NY 

Baby Willow in a basket 

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e Nyack Villager is the only publication mailed to every residential address in all eight river villages—Upper Nyack, Nyack, Central Nyack, 

South Nyack, Grand View, Upper Grandview, Piermont & Palisades NY, as well as to many businesses and professionals in Rockland 

and by subscription everywhere.

2 The Nyack Villager March, 2011

In this issue 

Departments 

3 REPORTER AT LARGE 

• Water that burns 

• Year of Edward Hopper 

• Nyack Saturday Night 

• Will Upper Nyack secede? 

• Streetscape Update by Carol Fleischmann 

• Rep. Engel again scores 100% 

• Household Recycling 2 page 19 

Spring arrives at 

11:21pm March 20 

MARTIUS 

REPORTER 

at large 

Water that burns 

The toxic effects of natural gas drilling 

5 LETTERS to The Nyack Villager 

10 EVENTS IN MARCH Art & entertainment this month 

16 COMMUNITY NOTES What else is happening in March 

20 CALENDAR Highlights in March 

21 OP-CALENDAR PAGE useful local phone numbers 

23 HOUSES OF WORSHIP in the river villages 

Columns 

8 REMEMBER THE DAYS Bullets fly on Elysian Avenue by Jim Leiner 

9 UNDER EXPOSED Consider Martius by Shel Haber 

12 WILDLIFE NEWS Travis Brady on a sweet time of year 

18 HOME TOWN LAW Peter Klose, Esq. on starting a business 

19 THEY GOT WHAT?! Donna Cox on current trends in real estate 

22 MENTAL HEALTH NOTES Daniel Shaw on the control paradox 

Features 

6 SUMMER FUN IS COMING More Summer camps to choose from 

17 FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD J.R. Tillotson on Dublin style fish & chips 

On our March cover 

Baby Willow in a basket 

Photograph by Shel Haber, © 2011 The Nyack Villager, Nyack, NY 

Consider Martius 

see page 9 

A sweet time of year 

see page 12 

The Nyack Villager 

March, 2011 Vol. 15, No. 10 

Mailed on or near the first of each month to every residential address in eight river villages—Upper Nyack, 

Nyack, Central Nyack, South Nyack, Grand View, Upper Grandview, Piermont and Palisades NY. 

On the Internet at www.nyackvillager.com 

E-mail news releases to us at info@nyackvillager.com Deadline for our April issue is March 15. 

Please include a contact name and telephone number 

+ 

+ 

Beer Batter 

Fish & Chips 

see page 17 

More Summer camps 

page 6 

“It’s happening all across America—rural 

landowners wake up one day to find a lucrative 

offer from an energy company wanting to 

lease their property. Reason? e company 

hopes to tap into a reservoir dubbed the Saudi 

Arabia of natural gas. Halliburton developed a 

way to get it out of the ground—a hydraulic 

drilling process called fracking—and suddenly 

America finds itself on a precipice of becoming 

an energy superpower.” 

So begins the Sundance commentary on 

Gasland, a documentary by filmmaker Josh 

Fox, who received just such a cash offer in the 

mail, setting him off to discover what happens 

on the front lines of the industrial process 

known as fracking. What he finds is a desolation 

of “... toxic streams, ruined aquifers, 

dying livestock, brutal illnesses, & kitchen 

sinks that burst into flame. He learns that all 

water is connected and perhaps some things 

are more valuable than money.” 

For the full story visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/21/gasland-documentary 

shows_n_ 619840.html 

In the meantime, some data: 

Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a way to extract 

natural gas from deep wells by injecting 

water, sand and chemicals into the Earth. e 

pressure fractures surrounding rock and opens 

fissures enabling natural gas to flow. 

What they don’t have to tell you: 

Each frack uses between 80 and 300 tons of 

chemicals. Companies engaged in natural gas 

drilling need not disclose which chemicals are 

in use. Among the chemical compounds scientists 

have identified in fracking operations 

are benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene. 

The Halliburton Loophole 

A provision in the 2005 Bush-Cheney Energy 

Bill specifically exempts hydraulic fracturing 

from the Safe Drinking Water Act. e provision 

takes the Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) completely out of the picture. 

continues on page 4 

The Nyack Villager March, 2011 3

4 The Nyack Villager March, 2011 

REPORTER at large 

Water that burns starts on page 3 

e gas that comes to the surface has to be 

separated from the highly toxic wastewater. 

Only 30-50% of the water is typically recovered 

from a well. 

For the time being, NY State has imposed a 

moratorium on fracking. 

ere is a desperate need for us to become informed 

and insist our representatives do our 

bidding. e life you save may be your own 

... or that of your spouse ... or your baby ... or 

your pet ... or the Earth. 

Year of Edward Hopper 

Nyack’s Hopper House Art Center, as part of 

its 40th anniversary, will exhibit Edward 

Hopper’s early art, from May 21 to July 17. 

e show will include rare works from the 

Whitney Museum of American Art, the 

Arthayer R. Sanborn Hopper Collection Trust, 

and some artifacts. e wooden-wheeled bicycle 

(below) was discovered in the basement at 

Hopper House. It was built for an extra-tall 

rider. It is known that Edward Hopper stood 

over six feet tall by the time he was twelve. 

e Nyack Board of Trustees has designated 

July 2, 2011 Edward Hopper Day in honor of 

the famous American painter and Nyack’s native 

son. North Broadway will be unofficially 

renamed Edward Hopper Way and 10 new 

street signs, purchased by the Village, will be 

placed along North Broadway. 

Hopper House is at 82 N. Broadway. 

Rep. Engel again scores 100% 

e League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has 

again given Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY-17) 

a 100 percent rating for his votes on environmental 

issues. LCV is a national organization 

with 40,000 members committed to helping 

ensure that air, water and open spaces are protected 

today, and for our future generations. 

Rep. Engel said, “e Republican majority in 

the House is always thinking of new ways to 

gut environmental regulation in the guise of it 

being bad for business and jobs. ey want to 

Nyack Saturday night 

For the past forty years we at e Nyack Villager 

have enjoyed dropping into the bars and 

restaurants in Nyack at night and we still do. 

Almost all of the bars are good, enjoyable 

friendly places, but their reputation—and 

Nyack’s—are being tarnished by a few bars. 

In the Journal-News for February 22, Steve 

Lieberman reported, An Orangetown police officer 

suffered an arm injury while scuffling with 

two of ten underage drinkers early Sunday at a 

Main Street bar. 

e Nyack Villager was informed by the Orangetown 

PD that summonses were issued 

to the Black Bear Saloon in connection with 

selling alcohol to minors and the matter was 

referred to the State Liquor Authority for potential 

administrative action. 

Orangetown officer Sgt. Sullivan told our reporter, 

Tell everybody to come to Nyack. It is 

safe at night. Enjoy, have a good time—but 

behave yourselves and please—do not drive home 

drunk. 

Will Upper Nyack secede? 

Talk of secession continues in Upper Nyack. 

e issue has to do with the services paid by 

property taxes to Clarkstown. Some residents 

in Upper Nyack seem to doubt they’re getting 

their money’s worth. 

Clarkstown Supervisor Alex Gromack told the 

Upper Nyack Village board that for $2.3 million, 

Clarkstown provides police, parks and 

recreation, recycling, and other governmental 

services. Trustee James Sarna has said, If the 

village as a whole makes a determination that 

we can do it as efficiently or more efficiently, then 

it would make sense for us to try to get on the 

ballot and vote for secession. 

Other feel it will cost too much. If Upper 

Nyack residents wish to split from the township, 

they would be required to present a petition 

signed by five percent of Clarkstown 

voters who cast ballots in the last gubernatorial 

election. e measure would then be 

brought to a townwide vote. 

Have an opinion? Send it to Letters to the 

Editor of e Nyack Villager. 

eliminate the agencies responsible for monitoring 

our air and water and food. We need to 

be more vigilant than ever to make sure we 

have a healthy, clean environment for our children 

and grandchildren. I am honored and 

grateful for the LCV 100 percent rating, and I 

will continue to be an outspoken voice on behalf 

of our environment.” 

Rep. Engel has earned the top rating from the 

LCV and its endorsement for re-election the 

past several years. Ratings are based on legislation 

voted on by House members on such 

Streetscape update 

Nyack’s Streetscape Project is a plan to upgrade 

Main Street between Broadway and Franklin. 

To be improved: lighting, street trees and planters, 

benches, tables & chairs, trash receptacles, bicycle 

racks, sidewalks and curbs, parking, pedestrian 

safety and other details. 

by Carol Fleischmann 

I started the Streetscape project eight years 

ago next month as part of the Nyack Downtown 

Coalition, creating a committee to explore 

the needs of the Nyack business 

district. 

Our committee walked the streets for many, 

many months and developed a preliminary 

plan which we presented to (then-mayor) 

John Shields and the Village Board. With 

their support we continued to develop the 

plan. A few years ago, the Village Board 

hired a landscape design firm, Hakim Associates, 

to design a plan which we presented 

to the public. e plan was well received. 

Within the last year or so, the newly-elected 

Nyack Trustees voted to hire the Nyack engineer 

for the creation of final and formal 

working plans. Committed to the plan, the 

trustees secured funds, awarding the project 

to A-Tech Concrete Company of Edison, 

NJ. 

As e Nyack Villager reported, the project is 

scheduled to begin in July so as not to interfere 

with two important events: the 40th anniversary 

of Hopper House in May and the 

Nyack Art Walk in June. 

A-Tech and the Village Board intends to set 

a reasonable schedule and to work closely 

with the merchants and businesses that will 

be affected by the construction. I will help 

to coordinate that schedule to make it as 

smooth as possible. e end result will be 

wonderful for us all—Nyack’s business community, 

residents and visitors. 

Carol Fleischmann is Chair of the Friends Of the 

Nyacks’ Streetscape Committee, a member of their 

Steering Committee, a member of the Advisory 

Board of the Chamber of Commerce and a psychotherapist 

in private practice. 

matters as the Gulf oil spill response, the 

CLEAR Act which included unlimited liability 

and other reforms governing offshore 

drilling, promotion of energy efficiency, water 

and estuary protection, restoration of the 

Upper Mississippi River, and clean air legislation. 

Rep. Engel said, “is 100 percent rating is a 

tremendous honor and reflects my strong 

commitment to protecting the health of our 

environment and the beauty of our natural resources.” 

✫

An open community forum 

Letters 

to the editor 

Opinions expressed are those of each 

letter writer, not necessarily 

those of The Nyack Villager 

A tough question 

To e Nyack Villager— 

Okay, I just want to understand. Presently, 

Nyack cannot support stores like the nearlyperfect 

Gracie's Ravioli, which just closed. 

But when we build a Super Block, it will be so 

attractive that new businesses will come to 

Nyack, fill the new retail spaces and the old 

empty stores, and people will change their minds 

and habits and begin shopping downtown. Am 

I missing something or is that the plan? 

—Tom Dudzick, Nyack 

Where is Current TV? 


Where can we see Current TV—an independent 

cable television channel devoted mostly to 

environmental concerns? Why is it not available 

on Cablevision? We hear Keith Olberman’s 

program is moving there in the Spring. 

—JRT, Piermont 

[Editor’s note: we passed the question to Amelie 

Tseng, Current TV rep, who suggests changing 

cable services and Jim Maiella, of Cablevision’s 

programming department, who thinks you already 

have enough news channels. See below:] 

• Although we are not currently carried on 

Cablevision, Current TV is available to Direct 

TV, Dish, AT&T and Verizon subscribers. 

Channel numbers are available on our homepage 

at www.Current.com Hope this helps. 

—Regards, Amelie Tseng, Current TV PR 

• Cablevision is always evaluating the channels 

we carry, based on consumer interest and other 

factors. Today, our customers receive more 

than a dozen dedicated news and information 

networks, with additional news and public affairs-related 

programming available on many 

other channels. anks very much for being 

in touch on this. 

—Jim Miella, Cablevision 

For Word Hound’s hat collection 


Here’s an addition for the Word Hound. Brick 

in the hat is an expression applied to an intoxicated 

person; meaning he is top-heavy, and 

cannot walk steadily. From 1859 Dictionary of 

Americanisms by John Russell Bartlett, 2nd Ed. 

—Ken McNichol, Palisades 

[Editor’s note: We love it! Never heard this one 

before. Many thanks!] 

Legal littering? 


Where does e Journal-News get off littering 

my lawn with their advertising? We returned 

from a trip to find five pieces of their litter on 

our driveway, announcing “nobody home” to 

any passing thief. How do I get it stopped? 

—Algebra Whiz 

[Editor’s note: Wouldn’t it be nice if residents 

could opt in—request the advertising and the 

coupons before the materials are dumped onto 

their property? Alas, this is not the way the 

world works; you have to opt out. Call 1-888 

426-6388 and say you want the delivery stopped. 

e Journal-News promises to honor your wishes.] 

Starbucks should sweep up 


Just moved to Nyack and love it here. Last 

night while walking in front of Starbucks I 

noticed that there were literally hundreds of 

cigarette butts on the sidewalk in front of the 

store. I'm not sure who is legally responsible 

for sweeping up the sidewalk, the village or 

the store, but it's really disgusting. All store 

owners should take more pride in their stores' 

appearance and that starts with the sidewalk 

directly in front of their store. 

—Jeff Alpert, Nyack 

Letters of the Editor continue on page 16 


photo courtesy Rockland Center For the Arts (RoCA) 

MORE 

SUMMER 

CAMPS 2011 

In our February issue, we included 

a summer camp feature story. 

We offer here a few more excellent 

options for children and families 

to choose from in our area. 

e Elisabeth Morrow School, 

Englewood, New Jersey 

Summer Explorations, offers a unique blend 

of camp and school, with a wide variety of 

choices to stretch a child’s imagination, intellect 

and muscles. e 14-acre wooded campus, 

playgrounds, playing fields, science and 

computer labs provide just the right setting for 

learning and recreation. ree-year-olds 

through grade one explore their world through 

games, movement, music, stories, water play, 

drama and arts and crafts. Students in grades 

two through six investigate special interests, 

develop concepts and extend skills in mathematics, 

reading, writing, science, technology 

and more. In the afternoon, students make 

daily choices, which include sports, arts and 

crafts, technology, cooking, science and other 

special activities. We offer three two-week sessions 

with half or full day options June 27 

through August 5. For more info, please visit 

our website at www.elisabethmorrow.org 

Lightbox Nyack, Summer Programs 

Digital Photography— 

is week-long course for teens will teach the 

basics of digital photography, using our beautiful 

natural available light, as well as studio 

lighting, emphasizing shooting pictures and 

post production. We will go on location in 

Nyack and take a field trip to the Museum of 

Modern Art in NYC. Enhancing, improving, 

archiving, and outputting our pictures (to 

Facebook, slideshows, prints, blogs, etc.) are 

topics that will be covered. Curriculum is 

partially determined by participants. Past projects 

have included portraiture, family documentation, 

blog-making and filmmaking. 

Session 1: July 5—8, Tues thru Fri, 10-4; fee: 

$375. Session 2: July 11—15, Mon thru Fri, 

10–4; fee: $450. 

Fashion Camp— 

Take a whirlwind slideshow tour of fashion 

history, learn how a magazine spread comes to 

life and then become a stylist, putting together 

a fashion “story,” and photographing your own 

looks with professional studio equipment. 

Learn how to become a fashion blogger. e 


photo courtesy Rockland Center For the Arts (RoCA) 

4-day camp includes a field trip to the Fashion 

Institute at the Metropolitan Museum, and a 

visit from fashion industry insiders. Instructor 

Liz Mechem Carroll spent 15 years as a photo 

stylist on both coasts, dressing celebrities and 

toddlers alike. Held July 18-21, Mon thru 

urs, 10-4; fee: $375. Contact Chris Carroll 

at chris@lightboxnyack.com or call (845) 348- 

1843 www.lightboxnyack.com 

Camp Nyack, Nyack, NY 

Camp Nyack, run by Nyack Center is a six 

weeks day program that provides busing to 

and from Nyack Middle School, where Camp 

Nyack is housed. Children are given breakfast 

and lunch and participate in swimming lessons, 

arts and crafts activities, computer time, recreational 

activities, and weekly field trips. e 

program is for children entering first through 

sixth grade and runs from June 27 until August 

5. Fees are on a sliding scale based on 

income. Over 71 scholarships were awarded 

last year. Contact Nyack Center for registration 

in June 2011, South Broadway at Depew, 

Nyack. (845) 358-2600. 

Rockland Country Day School, 

Congers, NY 

is proud to present Billy Roues’ Blues Rock 

Summer Workshops June 14—18, June 21— 

25, July 12—16, July 19—23, August 16—20 , 

August 23—27. Students, ages 10 to 17 with 

photo courtesy Rockland Country Day School 

at least one year of study in guitar, bass, drums, 

keyboards or vocals are encouraged to register. 

ey will learn to play as a band, solo behind 

a singer and accompany each other in a jam. 

Billy Roues is an accomplished performer, 

songwriter and teacher, currently in his 4th 

year of teaching at the Rockland Country Day 

School. Pre-established bands are welcomed. 

Tuition: $350; Early Registration May 31; 

$300. Call for info (845) 268-6802. Coming 

soon: online registration at www.rocklandcds.org 

✫ 

Have a great 

SUMMER ! 


Remember the days? 

by James F. Leiner 

Bullets fly on Elysian 

Avenue 

It was around two on a chilly 

March afternoon in 1967 when a 

young woman walking up 

Prospect Street towards Elysian 

Avenue heard loud voices arguing. 

She looked up and could see 

a man in gray slacks and a beige sport coat 

standing on the front porch roof of the house 

at the top of the block. He was gesturing and 

yelling at a group of men standing in front of 

the house next door. Others in the neighborhood 

heard the yelling, some looked out their 

windows, but most ignored the outbursts; 

they were common in the neighborhood 

where Baker Zada and his family lived. 

A young man a few houses up the block heard 

the arguing getting louder, and went outside 

to see what was going on. He was standing in 

the street watching when, all of a sudden, 

Baker Zada grabbed a rifle from inside his 

house. He turned and fired the rifle at the 

group of men. His neighbor, Howard Cummings 

and his lawyer, Orangetown Justice 

George “Juni” Writer Jr., ran for Howard’s 

house. A shot ripped through the front door 

shattering glass and cutting Writer as a bullet 

passed through his fedora. e other two 

men, Werner Loeb, Zada’s attorney, and local 

land-surveyor Fred Kay, ducked down behind 

their cars as more shots were directed at them. 

Twenty-four year old South Nyack Policeman 

Harry Nolan was patrolling in the area and 

heard the rifle shots. He drove up Prospect. 

Parking his cruiser, he ran towards the Zada 

house; he didn’t get very far. e young man 

across the street heard another shot. It ripped 

into Nolan’s right shoulder. Wounded, and 

bleeding profusely he got back to his patrol 

car and radioed for help. In what seemed like 

only seconds Nyack Police veteran Peter Gentile 

arrived and headed for the front door of 

the Zada house. Within a few short minutes, 

Gentile emerged with Zada in handcuffs. Patrolman 

Nolan was rushed to Nyack Hospital 

where he underwent surgery to remove the 30 

caliber bullet from his shoulder. ankfully, 

Officer Nolan is the only South Nyack Police 

Officer ever shot in the line of duty. Justice 

Writer was treated for cuts on his nose from 

the flying glass. Later that evening Officer 

Gentile was taken to Nyack Hospital with 

chest pains he suffered at the Nyack lock-up. 

It was a stressful day for all involved. 

I’m not sure anybody ever understood Baker 

Zada’s reaction to the meeting that was called 

to discuss a long standing boundary 

dispute with his neighbor 

Cummings. Neighbors said the 

dispute has been going on for a 

long time and there was a previous 

“big-fight” over the disputed 

boundary line that reportedly involved 

less than a few feet of 

property. Zada was later convicted 

of assault, and spent some time in 

the county jail. Tragically as time 

went on, the shots on Elysian Avenue started 

the crime spree of the most notorious crime 

family in the history of the Nyack area. 

e shooting on Elysian Avenue was not the 

last run-in with the law for Baker Zada. On 

December 11, 1969, while on parole for the 

shooting of Officer Nolan, Zada assaulted 

Rockland County parole officer Joseph Barnwell 

when Barnwell sought information about 

an allegation of sexual molestation. Zada 

grabbed a pancake skillet and started flailing it 

at Barnwell and Nyack Police Officer Timothy 

O’Shea who accompanied him. 

In 1973, the oldest son of Baker and Bahrieh 

Zada, Samir Zada, was convicted for the murders 

of Monsey dance instructor Jerry Stout 

and Congers plumber Christian Gunther. 

eir middle son, Nazar Zada, was arrested in 

1977 for promoting prostitution using runaway 

Rockland teenager girls in a Queens 

prostitution operation. He was also convicted 

for weapons possession later that year. Nazar 

died a few years ago when a heroin bag he was 

smuggling into his brother exploded in his intestines. 

Not to be outdone, the youngest son, 

Amer Zada, was arrested and convicted in the 

brutal murder and sex slaying of seventeen 

year old Nyack resident, Shirley Smith, on 

June 15, 1979. Both Samir and Amer are still 

in prison in upstate New York. ey both 

have been denied parole on several occasions. 

eir parents, Baker and Bahrieh Zada never 

became US citizens. 

In his book Murder Along the Way, former 

Rockland District Attorney Ken Gribetz, devoted 

an entire chapter to the crimes of the 

Zada family. Titled, e Family that Preys Together, 

it is a detailed account of the crimes 

that I have outlined here. I find it ironic that 

Elysian Avenue, a name derived from Greek 

mythology (Elysian Fields)—the final peaceful 

resting place of the blessed chosen by the gods, 

was the beginning of a crime spree unlike any 

other in the history of our area. 

The Nyack Villager thanks Jim Leiner for helping us 

all ‘Remember the Days.’ ✫ 


Under exposed 

by Shel Haber 

Consider Martius 

Jan, my wife and the editor 

of e Nyack Villager, 

was born in March. 

So was my mother, my 

brother and my son-inlaw—as 

was Albert Einstein, 

Robert Frost, Harriet Tubman, Houdini and 

Dr. Seuss. 

e rubber band was invented in March, 1845 

and the pencil with eraser was patented in March 

1858—two of the most useful things ever made. 

So we should show a lot of respect for March. 

e name March dates from ancient Rome; it was 

called Martius after Mars, the Roman god of war. 

March was the first month of Spring, so it was 

considered a logical time for the beginning of the 

year. Also March was the first month with good 

weather so the Romans considered it a logical time 

to start a war. 

Many memorable events occurred in March. 

e Great Blizzard of 1888, one of the worst 

snowstorms in United States history, happened between 

March 11 and 14. Snowfalls of 50” were 

recorded in the Northeast. Railroads were paralyzed 

and telegraph lines were disabled, isolating 

cities from Boston to Washington, DC for days. 

e good news: after the storm, NY City began 

burying its wires to prevent their destruction. 

March 15, e Ides of March, is the anniversary of 

the assassination of Julius Caesar by Brutus, Cassius, 

Casca and many other well-thought-of Romans. 

Also on March 15, March Madness begins, the national 

Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament, 

beloved by presidents and ticket scalpers alike. For 

weeks it is the nation's most talked-about, mostwatched 

TV event. 

March 17, 1901: creating a sensation, seventy-one 

paintings by Vincent van Gogh are shown in 

Paris—eleven years after the artist’s death. 

March 17, 1780 (St. Patrick’s Day): George Washington 

grants the Continental Army a holiday as 

an act of solidarity with the Irish in their fight for 

independence. 

March 20-21 is the Spring Equinox, when night 

& day are approximately the same length. 

Not so well known are other actual celebrations: National 

Crab Meat Day on March 9, not to be confused 

with National Clams-on-the-Half-Shell Day, 

on March 31. 

Also on March 31 is the Birthday of René 

Descartes, father of modern philosophy, celebrated 

as, I ink erefore I Am Day. 

Shel Haber, a stage, film and television art director, 

is co-publisher of e Nyack Villager. ✫ 


Events 

in march 

Art & Entertainment 

Rockland Center For the Arts, 

27 South Greenbush Rd. West 

Nyack (Exit 12 NYS ruway.) 

Info: visit www.rocklandartcenter.org or call 845-358-0877. 

Hours: M to F, 10-5; weekends, 1-4; closed holidays. 

ree New Exhibitions in March 

• Flowers, Follies, and Other Rites of Spring 

Installations, sculpture, & paintings that explore 

botanical art by ten accomplished artists; curated 

by Kenise Barnes. 

Opening reception Sun, March 6, 1 to 4pm; 

exhibition runs through April 27. 

•e Bliss and Conflict Parade 

Sculptures by Rodger Stevens in an exhibition 

that spans the artist’s work. 



• e Living Room and Seersucker 

Video works by Pat McElnea. 



New March Art Workshops for kids & adults 

• Family Workshop: Shadow Boxes (ages 5 to adult) 

Materials are supplied, but you may bring photos 

or special objects to the workshop. 

Fee:$20 plus $10 materials fee 

1 session Sun, March 20, 1:30 to 3pm 

• Lampworked Glass Bead Workshop 

Intro to traditional techniques of Venetian beadmaking. 

Enrollment limited to 8. 

Fee: $120 plus $25 materials fee 

1 session Sun, March 20 10am to 5pm 

• Fused Glass Workshop 

Design and make a set of 4 plates for Easter, 

Passover or unique wedding gift. Limited to 5 

students. At Colored Window, in Nanuet. 

Fee: $100 

1 session Mon, March 14 9:30am to 1:30pm 

• Toymaking (ages 5 to 7) 

Students learn practical 3-D construction using a 

variety of materials to make dolls, puppets, pull 

toys and more. 

Fee: $105 

6 sessions start Wed, March 16 4:30 to 5:30pm. 

Film Screening at the F.O.R. 

• Languages Lost and Found; Speaking & Whistling 

the Mamma Tongue 

e film celebrates diverse linguistic and cultural 

practices from around the world; narrated by 

William Hurt, music by John McDowell and 

Mama Tongue. 

Sun, March 13 at 2pm at e Fellowship of Reconciliation 

(F.O.R.), 521 North Broadway, Nyack 

An affiliate of Friends of the Nyacks, 

a 501(c)(3) New York not-for profit 

corporation 

• Cherish e Ladies in Concert 

e six women who form the Celtic band deliver 

a thoroughly engaging performance brimming 

with spirit, precision, wit and soul. Sponsored by 

the Irish Arts Forum and Produced by ArtsRock 

& Legislator John Murphy to benefit Brest Buddies 

Campaign Against Cancer. For tickets, $25pp, 

call 866-811-4111 or visit www.artsrock.org 

Sat, March 5 at 8 pm, Pearl River High School, 

275 East Central Avenue, Pearl River NY 

• Arts Rock benefit with Alec Baldwin 

Award-winning actor Alec Baldwin joins ArtsRock 

Artistic Director Elliott Forrest in a lively evening 

of conversation. As a special element, Nyack 

High School students will participate in a Q&A 

about the craft of acting & life in show business. 

Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the door; $15 

students in advance. $100 premium seating & 

private after-party with Alec Baldwin. For tickets, 

call 866-811-4111 or visit www.artsrock.org 

7:30 Sat, March 19 in Nyack HS Auditorium. 

GraceMusic Presents 

Euphonique Saxophone Quartet 

Members of this lively, Brooklyn-based group 

have played with jazz greats—Paul Motian, Joe 

Lovano, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Marian McPartland, 

Lou Rawls—and have composed for various 

groups, including the Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars. 

ey do classical too, fresh transcriptions of Bach, 

Glazounov, and Piazzolla. And they’ll play exciting 

new works written specially for the ensemble 

by great cutting-edge composers. A swinging, 

diverting afternoon! Meet-the-Artists reception 

follows concert. Admission $15, Seniors $10, 

Students $5. Info: 845-358-1297 ext. 16 

March 13 at 4pm at Grace Church, 130 First 

Avenue Nyack, NY 

10 Park Street, Nyack 

Reservations (845) 353-1313 

www.elmwoodplayhouse.com 

• Enchanted April 

is romantic comedy by Matthew Barber is a 

charming tale of four women who find romance, 

hope and, ultimately, liberation during a month's 

holiday in an Italian villa overlooking the sea. 

Directed by Claudia Stefany; Fridays & Saturdays 

Mar 25, 26, April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16 at 8pm; 

urs April 14 at 8pm; Sunday matinees Mar 

27, April 3 & 10 at 2pm. Tickets: $21 Seniors 

(over 65) & students (under 22) $18 except Sat. 

March 25 through April 16 

Artist of the Month 

Bill DeNoyelles’ powerful images in mixed media 

will be on view all this month at e Corner 

Frame Shop in Nyack. 

Artist’s reception will be held March 6, between 

2 to 5pm. e exhibit opens Tues, March 1 and 

continues thru March 31, Tuesdays thru Saturdays, 

10am to 5:30pm at 

e Corner Frame Shop, 40 South Franklin St., 

Nyack. Info: (845) 727-1240. 


Amazing Grace Youth Circus 

• Circus School, After School 

New 6-weeks session starts March 1; Tues, Acrobatics; 

Wed, Aerial; urs, Dance. All classes 

held 4pm-5:30pm for children/teens ages 7 to 

18; professional trainers from Big Apple Circus, 

Lux Entertainment and Acrobrats. $175 per session, 

5% discount for second session. To register 

call Carlo at (845) 348-8740. 

Circus Space, Grace Church, 130 1st Ave. Nyack 

• CIRCUS CIRCUS Cabaret 

(fundraiser for AGC and camp scholarships) 

Dinner, Auction, Entertainment; Vaudeville Fantasy 

Extravaganza Silent Auction & Raffle—$10 

per ticket for new iPad! Tickets: $25pp adult, 

$1pp child. Info, visit website at 

http://www.amazinggracecircus.org 

Sat, April 2 from 6 to 8pm at Circus Space, 

Grace Church, 130 1st Ave. Nyack 

Art Students League in March 

Vytlacil Campus of the Art Students League, 241 Kings 

Highway, Sparkill. For info: call 845/359-1263 or visit 

www.artstudentsleague.org. 

• Student exhibit 

Work by the students of painter Karen O’Neil 

will be on view from March 5 thru 21. Opening 

reception will be March 11, from 5 to 7pm. 

• Open Studio 

Works by Vytlacil’s resident artists will be on display 

later in the month. Featured are Canadian 

sculptor Kthor Nielsen, California painter Hannah 

Harris, Queens artist Trian Mavrikis and 

Chilean printmaker Sebastian Vargas. 

Meet the artists, see what they’ve produced and 

hear about their experiences on March 25, from 

5 to 7pm. 

Both events are free and open to the public. 

Rockland Jazz & Blues Society’s 

Swingin' Into Spring fundraiser begins Sunday at 

5pm with a performance by the Rockland County 

Youth Jazz Ensemble and ends with a set by 

tenor sax great (& Nyack resident) Houston Person 

at 7:30pm. In between, attendees can enjoy 

hors d'oeuvres, recorded jazz & blues, discounted 

CDs by local artists, and a chance to meet, mingle, 

& party with fellow music lovers, while supporting 

the mission of RCJBS—to bring the best 

in jazz and blues programming and education to 

Rockland County. Info: visit www.rcjbs.org 

Mar 20 at Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave, Nyack 

Free First Friday film 

Piermont Library presents La Règle du Jeu (e 

Rules of the Game) 1939, widely considered one 

of the greatest films ever made, and French director 

Jean Renoir’s masterpiece. A biting satire, it 

is set in France on the brink of World War II. 

Rediscovered after it was thought the film’s negatives 

had been destroyed during the war, it was 

recently restored and re-released. If you love cinema, 

don’t miss this rare screening. 

Fri, Mar 4, at 7:30pm at Piermont Library, 25 

Flywheel Park West, Piermont. Info: (845) 359- 

4595 or visit www.piermontlibrary.org 

Events in March continue on page 13 


Wildlife News 

by Travis Brady 

A sweet time of year 

By now you may be sick of snow and that 

heart-shaped box of chocolates. And even 

though the calendar does not say it is yet 

spring, the animals and trees say otherwise. 

Owls are fledgling, salamanders are swarming 

and the sap is flowing. Sap? Yes, you know 

that sticky stuff that drips from the trees onto 

our cars. For the record, I personally am crazy 

for it. I could go on and on about how sap is 

the fluid food of plants and how cohesion-tension 

transports the hormone and mineral 

filled-water through the xylem into the upper 

reaches of the trees, but lets skip all of that for 

now and get to the good stuff, the really good 

stuff—maple syrup! 

With its distinct climate and forests, New York 

State produces some of the world’s finest 

maple syrup. But before you soak your short 

stack in sweet amber syrup, lets take a crash 

course in Maple Sugaring 101. e art of 

making syrup is called sugaring. To start sugaring 

we need to find a sugar bush— a stand of 

trees, usually maple, from which a farmer collects 

the sap. Collecting the sap starts by 

drilling a hole into the tree a.k.a. tapping the 

tree. A spile (think small funnel) is then in- 

serted into the hole to divert some of the tree’s 

sap into a collection chamber, often just a 

bucket. To complete the process, the sap, 

which is mainly water and sugar, is heated to 

seven degrees above boiling. As the water 

evaporates and the sugar concentration hits 

about 67% the sap is then considered syrup. 

ough no one knows for sure, it is suspected 

that Algonquin tribes, in what is now known 

as New York, were the first people to make 

maple syrup. First or not, they knew late winter 

in New York is prime time for sugaring. 

is is due to the freezing nights combined 

with warmer days. When the tree temperature 

is between 40-45ºF. , the sap is full of 

sugar. Outside of that temperature range, the 

sugars are converted back into starches. 

During the cold nights the sap keeps from 

freezing by hanging out in the roots. Slightly 

warmer daytime temperatures encourage the 

sap out of the safety of the non-freezing roots 

and up the trunk of the trees, right to those 

spiles and buckets. On average, it takes 40 

gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. 

And as the price climbs to over $40 a gallon, 

no wonder maple syrup is considered to be 

liquid gold! 

Travis Brady, a wildlife biologist, owns and operates 

Mosaic Wildlife Services in Nyack. He can 

be reached at www.mosaicwildlife.com 

Environmental Educator Carl Heitmuller gives a Maple Sugar Tour at the Hudson Highlands Nature 

Museum, Cornwall NY. 

Photo by George Potanovic, Jr. 

Chewing Gum timeline 

1869: First patent for chewing gum is issued. 

1880: First flavored gum goes on sale (peppermint & corn syrup). 

1888: First practical vending machine dispenses gum on elevated train platforms in NY City. 

1919: Wrigley Corporation goes public and is listed on NY Stock Exchange. 

1928: First bubble gum goes on sale. Food coloring is added; the only color available is pink. 

1950: Sugarless gum is introduced. 

1981: US gum sales amount to $796million. 


Events start on page 10 

Events 

in march 

A Mighty River 

e Nyack Library and 

the Historical Society 

of the Nyacks will present 

the program, A 

Mighty River: Contributions 

of the Peoples of the 

African Diaspora to the 

Economic Development 

along the Hudson River. 

is program includes 

a dramatic piece entitled, A Brickyard Monologue 

in ree Parts. Jamila Shabaz Brathwaite, Program 

Director of the CEJJES Institute, will introduce 

the video and lead a discussion following 

the screening. 

A Mighty River brings to light many significant 

and previously little-known details of the role 

played by African Americans in the local economy. 

A Brickyard Monologue is about the lives of 

the black workers in the Haverstraw brickyards. 

Info call Bob Goldberg of the Historical Society. 

(845) 268-3838. 

Wed, March 30 at 7:30pm at Nyack Library, 59 S. 

Broadway, Nyack. 

Malley Brickyard, Haverstraw, 1912. Photo 

courtesy of Historical Society of Rockland County. 

Maple Sugar Festival 

To celebrate the opening day of Maple Sugaring 

season, the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum 

will host a Maple Sugar Festival at their Outdoor 

Discovery Center, on Muser Drive, across from 

174 Angola Road, Cornwall NY. Visitors learn 

the history, how to tap a maple tree, how to collect 

the sap, and how the sap boils down in an 

evaporator to become maple syrup. e 45-min 

walking tour ends with a syrup tasting. Be sure 

to dress warmly and wear boots for snow & mud. 

is is a wonderful family outdoor activity. 

Info: visit www.hhnaturemuseum.org or call 

(845) 534-5506, ext. 204. Admission $10 adults, 

$5 children ages 3-11. 

Sat, March 5, 10:30am to 3pm. 

Events in March continue on page 14 


Events in March start on page 10 

Hopper House art center 

82 N. Broadway, Nyack. Gallery hours: 1 to 5pm urs 

thru Sun. Info e-mail info@hopperhouse.org call (845) 358- 

0774 or visit www.hopperhouse.org 

A Year of Edward Hopper Begins 

Tickets for Edward Hopper Prelude: e Nyack 

Years, are selling fast. Don’t miss your chance to 

attend this amazing exhibit, May 21 through 

July 17. is exhibit features Edward Hopper’s 

early work and memorabilia from the Whitney 

Museum of American Art and the Sanborn Collection 

Trust. 

is year, the birthplace and childhood home of 

renowned artist Edward Hopper, celebrates its 

40th anniversary as a non-profit art center. 

e house was built in 1858 by the artist’s 

grandfather and occupied for 107 years by 

members of the Hopper family. Following 

Hopper’s death, the house fell into disrepair 

but was saved from demolition by members of 

the local community. Since 1971, the Edward 

Hopper House has been a not-for-profit art 

center, listed on the National Register of Historic 

Places. For our full schedule of events and 

to purchase tickets. visit edwardhopperhouse.org 

• Hopperesque: Realism & Light in Photography 

Curators: Arthur Gunther and Ken Karlewicz; 

An invitational group exhibition in which photographers 

provide their take on the effects of 

light and realism in Edward Hopper’s painting. 

ru March 27 

Drawing Class at Depew Manor 

Fun With a Pencil, Charcoal, Pastels or a Paintbrush—a 

free drawing class will be given every 

Wednesday in March from 10:45am to 12:15 in 

the Bingo Room at Depew Manor (across from 

Head Start) by artist Stephanie Hughes. All materials 

provided. Sign up by calling 535-3288. If 

she’s out, please tell the answering machine that 

you would like to take the class and leave her 

your name, a call-back number and address. 

Famous Art & 

Antique Street 

Fairs in 2011 

In March at Nyack Center 

58 Depew Avenue, Nyack, NY. (845) 358-2600 

• Women of Leadership and vision Brunch 

As part of Women's History Month, the Nyack 

Center hosts its seventh annual brunch to honor 

community-minded achievers for their vision, innovation 

and leadership towards improving the 

quality of life for others. A catered brunch, entertainment 

and inspirational words are part of 

this special event. is year's honorees: Tashi 

Dolma, Carolyn Fish, Noramie Jasmin, Anna 

Keys, Usha Wright. Tickets $50; call (845) 358- 

2600 to reserve tickets. 

Sat, March 12 at 10am 

• Pull for a Purpose-River Rowing Association 

Put your team together to row and raise money 

for Nyack Center. Pledge forms and more information 

are available at www.riverrowing.org 

Sat, March 19, 11am to 2pm 

Children’s Shakespeare Theatre 

e Rogue Players at the Palisades Presbyterian Church. 

117 Washington Spring Road, Palisades, NY 

• e Merry Wives of Windsor 

Opening Gala & Reception Fri, 3-11 at 7pm; 

also Sat 3-12, Fri 3-18 and Sat, 3-19; tickets and 

info visit www.childrensshakespeare.org or call 

(845) 365-9709. 

• e Strange Bedfellows present e Complete 

Works of Shakespeare Abridged 

Fri & Sat, April 1 & 2 at 7pm; tickets and info 

visit www.childrensshakespeare.org or call (845) 

365-9709. 

Concerts at Nyack College 

at Pardington Hall, 45 South Boulevard Nyack, NY. 

Info: (845) 675-4687 musicoffice@nyack.edu 

• e Amasi Trio Wed, Mar 2 at noon; free 

• Nyack College String Orchestra Wed, Mar 9 

at 8pm; free 

• Liszt & Cameron urs, Mar 10 at 7pm; 

donation suggested 

• Jazz Praises Tues, Mar 22 at 7pm; donation 

suggested. 

e Art, Craft & Antiques Dealers of the Nyacks plan to 

host their Famous Street Fairs this year on these dates: 

• Sun May 15 • Sun, July 17 • Sun, Oct. 9 

ACADA Street Fairs are always held along Main and 

South Broadway, rain or shine, from 10am to 5pm. 

At Nyack Center, South Bdwy at Depew, 

Nyack, NY 

All films presented digitally. Tickets—$10 gen’l adm; $8 

students seniors & gen’l members; $7 student & senior 

members Info: www.rivertownfilm.org or call 353-2568. 

8pm Wednesday, Mar 9 

• The Joneses 

Director’s Cut; USA, 2009, 96 min., rated R. 

Director: Derrick Borte with Demi Moore, 

David Duchovny, Amber Heard. 

Meet the filmmaker: Producer Kristi Zea 

Join two-time Oscar nominee Kristi Zea for 

the director’s cut of e Joneses, never before 

shown in the US. After the film, producer 

Zea (Best Picture nomination for As Good As 

It Gets, Art Direction nomination for 

Philadelphia) takes us behind the scenes to 

learn what happened. 

AT THE LIBRARIES 

Nyack Library 

59 S. Broadway, Nyack. Info & reg: (845) 

358-3370 ext. 214. Registration required 

for all teen activities; call ext. 236. More 

listings and info: http://nyacklibrary.org 

• Just for Dads: 

6-weeks Parenting Workshop Series, run by dads 

who have found men can be loving and nurturing, 

given the opportunity and the right tools. 

Co-sponsored by Every Person Influences Children. 

Free childcare provided. To register, contact 

EPIC at (845) 352-9105. 

Tues, 3/8, 15, 22 & 29, 7pm 

• AARP Defensive Driving Course 

For adults 50 & over. Cost for AARP members 

$12; for non-members $14. Space is limited. To 

register, call Bob Knoebel at (845) 358-4620. 

Wed, 3/30 & urs, 3/31, 12:30-4:30pm 

TEEN EvENTS 

• Knit ‘n Chat 

Learn to knit & crochet and earn Community 


Service credits when you knit scarves or baby 

blankets for those in need. 

Mondays, 3/7, 14, 21 & 28 at 4pm. 

• Beading Basics 

Learn to make a bracelet or ring. Sat, 3/19, 2pm 

Piermont Public Library 

25 Flywheel Park West, Piermont, NY. Open Mon-urs 

10-8pm; Friday, 12-5pm; Saturday, 12-4pm. Closed Sun 

except for special events. Info: (845) 359-4595 or visit 

www.piermontlibrary.org 

• In the Gallery this month 

Abandoned Photographs by Christopher Farrell. 

Opening reception Sun, 3-6 from 2 to 4pm 

• Piermont and the Rising Hudson 

An informative panel discussion, featuring Klaus 

Jacob and Bill Ryan of Lamont-Doherty and 

other distinguished guests. 

e Hudson River has risen 2 feet since the time 

the Onderdonk House in Piermont was being 

built. Scientists say that sea level will rise at an 

accelerating rate another 2 to 4 feet by the end of 

this century as a result of global climate change. 

What will this mean for the riverfront communities? 

is panel of experts will provide scientific, 

historic, and environmental information for Piermont 

and other river communities to consider as 

they attempt to develop strategies to cope with 

the rising tide. Sun 3-20, 3 to 5pm. 

• Toddler Storytime 11am Mondays. 

• Moon River Music Wed, 3/16 at 11:30am 

Palisades Free Library 

19 Closter Rd., Palisades, NY. Phone for details: (845) 359- 

0136. Registration required for all programs. 

• Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss ages 21/2 to 5 

Tues, 3-1 at 4:30pm. 

• Movie: Megamind ages 10 and up 

urs, 3-10, from 7 to 8:30pm. 

• Leapin' Leprechauns! ages 5 and up 

Facts & foolishness about St. Patrick's Day. 

Wed, 3-16, at 4:30pm. 

Valley Cottage Library 

110 Route 303. Handicap accessible. Info: (845) 268-7700. 

M-Th. 10-9pm, Fri-Sat. 10-5pm. You can register for programs 

online and get details at www.vclib.org Books for 

discussion groups are available one month before discussion. 

• Food for ought: Daytime Book Discussion 

eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer, 3-15 at 1pm. 

• Two Books, One Discussion—Mayflower by 

Nathaniel Philbrick and e Wordy Shipmates by 

Sarah Vowel. Discussion led by John Speight. 

3-7 at 7pm. 

• Elder Law Estate Planning—estate planning 

for women. Advice from experts. 3-8 at 1pm. 

• Beading: Introduction to Netted Stitch 

ree-part workshop series leading to a complete 

bracelet. Registration required: 268-7700. 

3-8, 22 & 29 at 7pm. 

• Mother/Daughter Book Discussion 

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson; for grades 6+ 

and adults; set during the Revolutionary War, 

this is a powerful story of an individual’s struggle 

for freedom. Refreshments served. Sat., 3-12 at 

12:30pm. 

• Adult Fiction Discussion 

e Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Discussion 

led by Dr. Vara Neverow. urs 3-24 at 7pm. 

New City Library 

220 North Main Street, New City, NY. Contact: Sally 

Pellegrini, 634-4997 ext. 139; spellegr@rcls.org for details. 

• Great Decisions Discussion Group 

Topic: US National Security. urs, 3-3 at 7pm 

• Say Ah! 

Become a more informed patient. Fri, 3-11 at 1:30pm 

• Herbs with Practical Application 

Foraging for herbs to make pine needle tea and 

salves. Registration required. Call 634-4997, ext. 

139. Sat, 3-12 at 1pm 

• A Special Lady 

Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady, humanitarian, UN 

ambassador, politician, businesswoman and good 

neighbor to Hyde Park residents. Paul Berini discusses 

his new biography. Sun, 3-13 at 1pm 

• Make A Difference 

Lynn Manzione will show her film about Dr. 

Martha MacGuffie and introduce her biography 

of the famed physician. Sun, 3-20 at 2pm. ✫ 


Letters of the Editor start on page 5 

[Editor’s note: Every shop owner is responsible 

for the appearance of the sidewalk in front of 

his/her shop. Perhaps, in addition to frequent 

sweeping, Starbuck’s (and others with butt-laden 

sidewalks) might consider a receptacle where 

smokers can discard their cigarette butts. A big 

food tin filled with sand or kitty litter, would be 

one obvious, inexpensive solution.] 

Whatever happened to June? 


I knew I was feeling strange and out of it 

lately. I didn't see June 5th listed in the Horoscope 

Hubbub in February’s Nyack Villager. 

—Harriet Hyams, Palisades 

[Editor’s note: YIKES! We mislaid a digit. e 

Taurus listing for the proposed new alignment of 

zodiac signs should read, May 13—June 20.] 

From Orangetown’s supervisor 


In Orangetown we are blessed with police officers 

who are truly dedicated to their jobs. Our 

Substance Abuse Committee recognized three 

of those officers for their outstanding work. 

• PO Kirk Vega, who has been with the department 

since 1994, made approximately 65 

traffic arrests in 2010, including 14 DWIs. 

DWI is one of the areas that the Substance 

Abuse Committee looks at very carefully. 


• PO Neil O’Donnell, a police officer since 

1984, with Orangetown since 1991, has been 

active in the Youth Police Initiative Program 

in Nyack, promoting communication between 

the PD and the youth community. 

• Chris Tierney, with the Orangetown PD 

since 2003, assigned to the Rockland County 

Narcotics Task Force in 2008, was instrumental 

in the recent drug bust in Orangetown. 

e Substance Abuse Committee also recognized 

two senior student reps: Tom Butterworth 

and Neil Francis. Both students managed our 

Substance Abuse Committee Facebook page 

and our ongoing High School contest to design 

a banner to use at public events. 

e Substance Abuse Committee is essential 

to the community in efforts to educate our 

community regarding substance abuse and to 

find help for people in need. Regards, 

—Paul Whalen, Orangetown Supervisor 

Taking issue with Thom Kleiner 


Once again the politically charged have spoken 

in a way that simply is unacceptable in 

today's world. In the last issue om Kleiner 

once again tries to divide political opinion 

with his column, From the Outside In. 

On the left we have those who, in their quest 

to trash the right come up with nasty propaganda 

that is dismissed as good healthy political 

debate, but when you look closely, it is exactly 

the kind of talk they say causes all the hostility 

between people of opposing political views. 

He criticizes Fox news, yet leaves out the constant 

attacks by Chris Matthews, who calls the 

opposition bubble heads. at in itself should 

tell you how om thinks—along with most 

of the left in this nation. 

om, you have the power to post articles 

here and please, in the future do it responsibly. 

To even attempt to blame the Tuscon tragedy 

on anyone except one twisted, sick individual 

is maddening to me. e sheriff who came on 

TV immediately after the incident to heap 

blame where it was completely unjustified was 

bad enough; do we as New Yorkers have to endure 

more of the same from the politically 

charged left? 

Wake up. It is not about political Brownie 

Points. It is about making this nation strong 

and taking care of Americans (—you know 

the ones I speak of right? Lately I wonder just 

whom our politicians really care about). 

—Ted Stephens 

THE NYACK VILLAGER 

welcomes your letters. 

The address to send them is 

on page 21 in this issue. 

COMMUNITY NOTES 

Tell e Nyack Villager and we’ll tell the world. 

Deadline for April Community Notes: March 15 

e-mail us at info@nyackvillager.com 

CASINO NIGHT 

A fun-filled evening of poker, roulette, blackjack 

and raffles for high end prizes—all to fund educational 

enrichment programs in the Nyack 

School District. Also—live and silent auctions. 

Visit www.inspirenyack.org or call 353-3200 to 

purchase your ticket to Casino Night. 

Sat, Mar 5, from 7 to 11:30pm at the Nyack 

Seaport, 21 Burd Street; Nyack, NY 

AT BIRCHWOOD CENTER 

85 S. Broadway, Nyack e-mail info@birchwoodcenter.com or 

call (845) 358-6409 for more info. Everyone is welcome. 

• Healing from the Inside Out 

Workshops with Kamini Desai Saturday April 2. 

• Breaking the Patterns that Bind You 

Understanding the Cycle of Karma. Basic principles 

that limiting cycles our ability to lead a full 

and happy life. 1:30 to 4pm 

• Mastering Your Emotions 

is workshop teaches specific yoga-based practices 

you can use to resolve held emotions and 

work through reactions. 5 to 7:30pm 

AT BLUE ROCK SCHOOL 

110 Demarest Mill Road (off Germonds Rd.), West Nyack, 

NY; info visit www.bluerockschool.org or call (845) 627- 

0234. 

• Prospective Parent Introductory Session 

An Introductory Session and Campus Tour for 

families interested in grades K-8 will take place 

Sat, March 12 at 10am e community is invited 

to come learn about Blue Rock School's 

unique, child-centered philosophy and tour their 

beautiful, three-acre wooded campus. 

RSVP Admissions Director, Beverly Stycos, at 

(845) 627-0234. 

NYACK COMMUNITY GARDEN 

Spring is almost here, and Nyack Community 

Garden will soon open for the season. 

Nyack residents interested in obtaining information 

and applications may write to PO Box 223 

Nyack, NY 10960 or send e-mail to this address: 

nyackcommunitygarden@gmail.com 

Community Notes continue on page 19

Food, Glorious Food 

by J.R. Tillotson 

Irish Fish & Chips 

• thE sCIENCE 

Ever wonder how they get 

the fish to stay moist & tender 

on the inside with a super-crispy 

outside crust? 

e magic is in the beer batter. Beer is saturated 

with CO 2 . Most solids, like salt and 

sugar, dissolve better in hot liquids; gases dissolve 

more readily at low temperatures so when 

the batter hits the hot oil, the solubility of the 

CO 2 plummets and bubbles froth up, expanding 

to lend the mix a lacy, crisp texture. 

is only works with beer, not with other 

bubbly liquids. Champagne bubbles burst as 

soon as they appear but beer contains special 

foaming agents. Some are proteins that occur 

naturally in the beer and some are added by 

the brewer to preserve the bubbles and make 

for beer’s creamy, long-lasting head. 

e alcohol in beer also helps to make foods 

crispy. It evaporates faster than water, and so 

cooking time is shorter for foods in beer batter 

than for foods in batters made with other liquids. 

e faster the batter dries, the lower the 

risk of overcooking the food. 

It’s not as hard as you might think to reproduce 

authentic-tasting Dublin style fish & chips. 

• thE FIsh 

One and 1/2 lbs cod fillets, skin & bones removed, 

cut in 2” wide strips, 5 to 6” long and 

patted dry. 

• thE BAttER 

1 (12-ounce) bottle Guiness beer 

2 cups all-purpose flour 

Pour beer into large bowl, whisk in a cup and 

a half of the flour, reserving the rest. 

• thE MEthoD 

Heat 6 cups vegetable oil in a Dutch oven to 

375º. Important: use a thermometer. Season 

fish with garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste, 

dip in batter, dredge in the remaining 1/2 cup 

of four and slide into the hot oil. Fry fish, 

turning frequently 4-5 minutes, until deep 

golden and cooked through. Drain on a 

paper towel-lined baking sheet and keep in a 

250º oven. Fry remaining fish in batches, allowing 

oil to return to 375º between batches. 

• thE ChIps 

Here it's all about the potato. Choose the 

baking type, such as Idaho, not the small waxy 

ones. To serve 4-6 people, use 4 large potatoes 

cut wider and thicker than traditional American 

French fries. Fry them twice for best texture; 

first par-cook them in 375º oil, remove 

with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels 

and chill, then fry again in small batches for 

about 10 minutes. Keep warm in a 250º oven 

—but for no more than 10-12 minutes if you 

would avoid the dreaded sogginess that sets in 

with too long a wait. 

• thE pREsENtAtIoN 

No longer served in a cone made from yesterday’s 

newspaper, Dublin Fish & Chips come 

to you piping hot in a brown paper lunch bag 

with malt vinegar or maybe a lemon wedge, 

plastic knives, forks and paper napkins to soak 

up the grease. You make your own plate by 

tearing open the bag. 

Serve forth with pints of Guiness. 

J.R. Tillotson, a writer, illustrator and long time river 

villager, welcomes comments from our readers. ✫ 


home town Law 

by Peter Klose, Esq. 

so, You’re starting a Business 

e economy is topsy turvy, the job 

unrewarding, the grass always greener 

... so why not start a business? 

America runs on small business (and 

coffee), so let’s consider the basics. 

While insurance will protect your assets sometimes, 

starting a separate entity helps to shield 

you from liabilities. 

A Name to Call yself. Not all names are created 

equal. Take a name, say, e Chocolate Library—creative, 

descriptive, perfect. Turns out 

that under NY State Business Corporation Law, 

libraries are generally known as a collection of 

books and other materials for reading and study. 

So, New York bans the use of school-related 

words such as library, school, academy, institute, 

or kindergarten, in a certificate of incorporation 

unless there is prior consent from the education 

commissioner. 

A Form to Fill. Now that we have a name, 

choose the type of entity for liability and tax 

purposes. NY State recognizes various corporate 

structures, but why choose one over another? 

Your attorney and accountant are best 

prepared to advise you for your particular situation, 

but here are some of the more identifiable 

structures: 

Sole Proprietorship. e simplest form of ownership, 

where all liability passes through to you 

personally. Generally, this is used by very small 

businesses without a physical location and other 

significant liabilities. 

Limited Liability Company. is entity enjoys 

passthrough taxation which allows the member(s) 

to pass the income or losses through their personal 

returns (i.e., no double taxation), but 

owners may owe self-employment tax on income. 

Members are protected from liability for acts 

and debts of the LLC, and can elect to be taxed 

as a sole proprietor, partnership, S-corp or corporation, 

providing much flexibility, with even 

just one natural person (not partnership). ese 

are enduring legal business entities, which, with 

proper planning, may avoid business termination 

issues, including those caused by death. 

An LLC is considered a partnership for Federal 

income tax purposes, so (a) if more than fifty 

percent of the capital or profit interests are sold 

or exchanged within a 12-month period, the 

LLC may terminate for federal tax purposes; (b) 

there may be no ability to offer incentive stock 

options, and no tax free reorganizations. If 

more than thirty percent of losses can be allocated 

to non-managers, the limited liability 

company may lose its ability 

to use the cash method of 

accounting. Overall a very flexible 

entity. e business files income 

through Schedule C of the personal 

income tax return as a sole 

proprietor unless it elects to file 

as a corporation. 

S Corporation. After paying a 

salary to the shareholders working income can 

be passed through as distributions of profits, and 

may not be subject to self-employment taxes. 

As the company grows, if it needs to restructure, 

there are none of the issues that arise in an LLC. 

S corporations can have one shareholder. e 

tax ramifications of an S Corporation are varied 

and complex as to what gain or loss or tax basis 

may be used on death, transfer or termination. 

If the company plans to own real estate, consult 

with an accountant and a lawyer if choosing this 

form of ownership. 

C Corporation. is is essentially an S Corporation 

where there are more formalized accounting 

procedures and paperwork, double taxation 

at the corporate and individual level, however, 

no restrictions on the number of shareholders, 

the types of investments available; or the nature 

of the entity to add or subtract shareholders. 

Generally, these are managed by a Board of Directors, 

which may have too much power over 

the day to day operations. 

Other Types. e remaining types include Limited 

Partnerships, where some partners are responsible 

for the acts of the Partnership only to the 

level of their investment; General Partnerships 

where all partners are fully liable for all debts; 

Limited Liability Partnerships where professionals 

agree to work together under this umbrella. 

Organize or Die (Lose the Protection of the 

Entity). I say this with tongue in cheek, but if 

you go through the process of setting up an organization 

to run your business, use it to run 

your business. Do not, under any circumstance, 

be disorganized with your books and records, especially 

the money and checks. Pay yourself as 

recommended by the accountant, do not mingle 

your personal funds (assets) with the business, 

get a bookkeeper or a program to track your finances, 

and hold meetings for large decisions, so 

that you can avoid the appearance that this new 

corporate entity is really just you in disguise. 

e Bottom Line—lawyers and accountants can 

help you to avoid some pitfalls by incorporating 

properly. en, it’s up to you to run the business 

as a business. 

Peter Klose, Esq. may be reached by e-mail at 

peter@kloselaw.com 

• A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest 

piece. Ludwig Erhard (1897 - 1977) 

• e art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease. 

Voltaire (1694 - 1778) 


y Donna Cox 

Many buyers have 

been sitting on the 

sidelines waiting for home prices to hit bottom. ey want to guarantee 

that they are purchasing at the best possible price. While the price of the 

home is obviously important, buyers should also make sure they are also 

considering the COST of the home. e cost of a home is made up of 

the price and the interest rate. At the moment, home prices in our area 

appear to be stabilizing. Interest rates, however, are beginning to creep up. 

What does this mean to a buyer? A mere half a point increase in interest 

rates (from 4.75% to 5.25%) on a $350,000 mortgage equates to more than $100 per month in additional 

interest payments and a three quarter percent increase equates to more than $160 per month 

in additional payments. Even in the unlikely event prices should fall 10% this year, the cost of the 

same home would actually increase if the interest rates go up more than 1%. So, if you’re thinking of 

buying a home, remember to look at the big picture and focus not just on the price of the home, but 

the total cost as well. With that, here are the homes that sold during January. 

• thE hoMEs LIstED BELoW WERE soLD BY A vARIEtY oF BRokERs pRoUDLY sERvINg thE RIvER vILLAgEs. 

Ranch 

Colonial 

Attached 

Ranch 

Condo 

Co-op 

Co-op 

Colonial 

Ranch 

they got what?! 

STYLE LOCATION ADDRESS BEDROOMS BATHS LIST PRICE SALE PRICE 

C. Nyack 

Nyack 






S. Nyack 

Palisades 

15 Dickinson Ave 

20 Fifth Ave 

147 N Franklin 

18 Haven CT 

6 Burd #2403 

103 Gedney #5N 

38 Fourth Ave #1H 

92 Washington St 

676 Oak Tree Rd 

$ 260,000 

543,000 

539,000 

449,900 

449,000 

299,900 

209,000 

499,000 

500,000 

$ 250,000 

517,500 

487,000 

430,000 

443,500 

285,000 

194,500 

485,000 

425,000 

summary Source: GHVMLS YTD Comparison Report 

December 2010 YTD vs. December 2009 YTD - Single Family Homes 

New inventory (the number of homes going on the market) increased 14% (279 YTD 2010 vs. 245 YTD 2009). 

e number of sales increased 48.5% (101 YTD 2010 vs. 68 YTD 2009). e average sales price of homes 

that have sold increased 5.3% to $664,418. Overall, the average sales price for single family homes that sold in 

Rockland County (inclusive of the river villages) was $448,087, up 0.3% over the same period last year. 

December 2010 YTD vs. December 2009 YTD - Condos 

New inventory (the number of condos going on the market) increased 6.3% (96 YTD 2010 vs.102 YTD 2009). 

e number of sales decreased 20.5% (35 YTD 2010 vs. 44 YTD 2009). e average sales price of condos that 

sold increased 6% to $479,129. Overall, the average sale price for condos that sold in Rockland County (inclusive 

of the river villages) was $265,791, down 0.8% over the same period last year. ✫ 

Household recycling 2 

• hoUsEhoLD hAzARDoUs WAstE 

oil & latex paints, wood preservatives & thinners, 

waxes & polishes, resins & adhesives, pesticides, 

herbicides, fungicides, antifreeze, many kinds of 

chemicals, compact & regular fluorescent bulbs 

batteries, mercury thermometers, TVs, VCRs, radios, 

telephones, cell phones and beepers—all 

may be taken to the Hazardous Waste Drop-Off 

Facility, Fireman’s Memorial Drive, Pomona. 

Driving directions: take Palisades Interstate to Exit 12 

and go South on Rte 45. Turn right at Pomona Rd, 

2 

3 

4 

4 

2 

1 

1 

4 

3 

1 

1 

3.1 

1.1 

2 

1 

1 

3 

1 

then make the first right onto Fireman’s Memorial 

Drive. Facility is at the end of the road on the left. 

For hours call (845) 364-2444. 

• phARMACEUtICAL ALERt 

Do not flush unwanted pharmaceuticals down 

the toilet or throw them in the garbage. ey 

can pollute our drinking water. Bring any prescription 

or non-prescription medication to the 

Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Facility for safe disposal. 

Note: controlled substances and sharps 

are not accepted. To dispose of needles, syringes 

and lancets, call 364 3682. ✫ To be continued. 

COMMUNITY NOTES start on page 16 

MONTESSORI/RIVER SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE 

85 Marion Street, Nyack, NY (enter on 5th Ave.) Info: 

845-358-9209. 

• Programs for children age 2 thru kindergarten 

What are you looking for in a school? Challenging 

academic curriculum? Dedicated, highlytrained 

staff? Classrooms where children can 

work at their own pace? If you answered ‘yes’ to 

any of these criteria, we encourage you to attend 

an informational meeting & open house. 

Sat, Mar 12 at 10am or urs, Mar 24 at 7pm 

ROCKLAND COUNTY GUIDANCE CENTER 

Note new address: 2 New Hempstead Rd, New City, NY 

10956. Space limited. Call to register (845) 638-5666. 

• Empowerment Series 

6 ursdays, March 11 to April 15, 10am-noon 

• Financial Management for Women 

3 Mon, Mar 21, 28 & April 4, 12:30 to 2:30pm 

• Transferable Skills 

urs, Mar 24, 12:30 to 2pm 

AT LAMONT-DOHERTY EARTH OBSERVATORY 

61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY Monell Building Auditorium. 

All events 3 to 4pm; admission $5pp at the door. Light reception 

follows. Wheelchair accessible. Space is limited, 

please register, For more info & registration, e-mail 

events@LDEO.columbia.edu or call (845) 365-8998. 

• A Delicate Balance: Antarctica & Surrounding 

Oceans with Douglas Martinson, Ph.D., Lamont 

Research Professor. Sunday, March 6 

• Ancient Trees Reveal Environmental Histories 

with Neil Pederson, Ph.D., Lamont Assistant Research 

Professor. Sunday, March 13 

• Hudson River: a Swimmable Future? with 

Andrew Juhl, Ph.D., Lamont Associate research 

Professor, Gregory O’Mullan, Ph.D., adjunct Associate 

Research Scientist and John Lipscomb, 

Riverkeeper Boat Captain Sunday, March 27 

• Climate Change in Arctic Tundra: From Wildfire 

to Songbirds with Natalie Boelman, Ph.D., 

Lamont Assistant Research Professor. Sun, April 3 

PALISADES INDOOR FARMERS' MARKET 

675 Oak Tree Road, Palisades, NY. To join the e-mail list 

e-mail PCC@PalisadesNY.com or visit the website at 

www.PalisadesNY.com 

Palisades Indoor Farmers' Market, Rockland's 

Community Notes continue on page 22 


March 2011 

Birthstone: uFlower: 

AQUAMARINE 

i 

DAFFODIL 

symbol of 

symbol of 

truthfulness 

gallantry 

e only thing that saves us from the bureaucracy is inefficiency. An efficient bureaucracy is the greatest threat to liberty. 

—Eugene McCarthy (1916 - 2005) Democratic candidate for president, 1968 

SUN MON TUES WED THU FRI SAT 

new moon 

1 2 3 4 

D 

5 

Nyack Justice FREE 

drawing class Nyack Justice FREE 

Court 5p 

every Court 9:30a First Friday 

Wednesday 

film 

in March 

see page 11 

see page 14 

13 14 15 16 17 Nyack 18 19 

EUPHONIQUE 

SAXOPHONE 

QUARTET at 

GRACEMUSIC 

see page 10 

daylight saving 

time starts 

at Rockland 

Center 

new workshops 

begin 

see page 10 

Nyack Justice 

Court 5p 

Nyack ARB 

7:30p 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

BLUES & JAZZ 

BENEFIT 

see page 11 

27 28 29 30 31 

Nyack ZBA 

7:30p 

AMAZING GRACE 

CIRCUS 

6-WEEKS SESSION 

BEGINS 

see page 11 

HA meets 7p 

Depew Manor 

MARDI GRAS 


Court 5p 

DR SEUSS’ 

birthday 

6 7 8 Nyack Justice 

Ct 5p 

9 10 11 12 

at Rockland Nyack PB 7:30p 


Center 

Chamber meets 

Court 9:30a 

three newart 

shows 

at Provident 

see page 10 

Bank 5;30—7p 

MICHAELANGELO’S 

birthday 

Spring 

arrives 


Court 5p 

Film Society 

presents 

“THEJONESES” 

Meet filmmaker 

KRISTI ZEA 

see page 14 

Nyack PC 

meets 7p 

HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY 

“A MIGHTY 

RIVER” 

see page 13 

Nyack BWC 

meets 4:30p 

Nyack Village 

Bd 7:30p 

Justice Ct 

9:30a 

Nyack EC meets 

7p 

St. Patrick’s Day 


Court 9:30a 

Nyack Village 

Bd 7:30p 


Court 9:30a 

OPEN STUDIO AT 

ART STUDENTS 

LEAGUE 

see page 11 

“ENCHANTED APRIL” 

opens at 

ELMWOOD 

see page 10 

ARTS ROCK 

presents 

“Cherish the 

Ladies” 

see page 10 

CASINO NIGHT 

see page 16 

first quarter 

“WOMEN OF 

LEADERSHIP & 

VISION” 

at 

NYACK 

CENTER 

see page 14 

full moon 

last quarter 

R 

S 

ARTS ROCK 

benefit with 

ALEC BALDWIN 

see page 10 

CALENDAR ABBREVIATIONS 

NYACK COMMITTEES 

VB=Village Board 

PB=Planning Board 

ZBA=Zoning Board of Appeals 

BWC=Bd of Water Commissioners 

HA=Housing Authority 

ARB=Architectural Review Board 

PC=Parks Commission 

EC=Environmental Committee 

R 


the Nyack villager 

Founded in 1994, The Nyack Villager is published monthly, mailed on or about the first of each month to every postal address in eight Hudson River villages—Nyack, 

Upper Nyack, Central Nyack, South Nyack, Grand View, Upper Grandview, Piermont &Palisades (zipcodes 10960, 10964 & 10968). 

Editor 

Contributing Editor 

Correspondent 

Publishers 

Community advisor 

Office Manager 

JAN HABER 

SHEL HABER 

FRANK LoBUONO 

JAN & SHEL HABER 

FRANCES PRATT 

JOYCE BRESSLER 

exchange numbers 845 

unless otherwise noted 

Columnists • PETER SEGALL DVM • JEROME GREENBERG DC 

• DUNCAN LEE, ESQ • JON FELDMAN • JIM LEINER • THOM 

KLEINER • DONNA COX • DAN SHAW, LCSW • VIVIANE 

BAUQUET FARRE • HARRIET CORNELL • PETER KLOSE 

• DOROTHY GOREN Ed.D • HOLLY CASTER • GEORGE 

MANIERE • RIC PANTALE 

NYACK VILLAGER ADDRESSES PO Box 82, Nyack, NY 10960-0082 e-mail: info@nyackvillager.com 

• Editorial / advertising phone (845) 735-7639 • Fax (845) 735-7669 

on the Internet at www.nyackvillager.com The Nyack Villager is on the Internet courtesy of Devine Design. 

Published monthly by Nyack Villager, LLC © 1994—2008 

All rights reserved. Reproduction without written permission is forbidden. 

Phone Numbers 

AMBULANCE CORPS 911 

non-emergency 358 4824 

TO REPORT A FIRE 911 

POLICE EMERGENCY 911 

non-emergency 359 3700 

POISON CONTROL 1-800 + 336 6997 

RPT CHILD ABUSE 1-800 + 342 3720 

BATTERED WOMEN 634 3344 

HOSP EMERGENCY 348 2345 

➤Nyack VIllage Hall, Nyack 9 N Broadway 

OFFICE OF VILLAGE CLERK 

MAYOR'S OFFICE 

OFFICE OF TREASURER 

BUILDING DEPT 

DEPT PUBLIC WORKS 

FIRE INSPECTOR 

JUSTICE COURT 

PARKING AUTHORITY 

WATER DEPT (non emerg) 

WATER PLANT EMERG 

HOUSING AUTH 15 Highvw 

SECTION 8E 

➤South Nyack VIllage Hall 282 S B’wy, S. Nyack 


BUILDING DEPT 

JUSTICE COURT 

POLICE NON EMERGENCY 

➤Upper Nyack VIllage Hall N. Bdwy, U. Nyack 


➤Grand View VIllage Hall 118 River Rd 


BUILDING INSPECTOR 

JUSTICE COURT 

➤Piermont VIllage Hall 478 Piermont Ave 


JUSTICE COURT 

MUNICIPAL GARAGE 

YOUTH RECREATION 

THE NYACK VILLAGER 

358 0548 

358 0229 

358 3581 

358 4249 

358 3552 

358 6245 

358 4464 

358 3851 

358 0641 

358 3734 

358 2476 

358 2591 

358 0287 

358 0244 

358 5078 

358 0206 

358 0084 

358 2919 

348-0747 

358-4148 

359 1258 

359-1258 ext. 310 

359-1717 

359-1258 ext. 326 

735 7639 

NYACK PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

S. ORANGETOWN CENTRAL SCHL DIST 

NYACK PUBLIC LIBRARY 

PALISADES FREE LIBRARY 

PIERMONT PUBLIC LIBRARY 

NYACK POST OFFICE 

PALISADES POST OFFICE 

PIERMONT POST OFFICE 

NYACK CENTER 

HEAD START OF ROCKLAND 

NYACK YMCA 

COMMUNITY GARDEN 

FRIENDS OF THE NYACKS 

ART CRAFT & ANTIQUES DLRS 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 

353 7013 

359 7603 

358 3370 

359 0136 

359-4595 

358 2756 

359 7841 

359 7843 

358 2600 

358 2234 

358 0245 

358 1734 

358 4973 

353 6981 

353 2221 

Starting on the first of each month and while they last, free copies of The 

Nyack Villager are available at Nyack, Piermont, New City & Valley Cottage 

Libraries, Best Western Inn Nyack, Koblin’s Pharmacy, Runcible Spoon, 

Hogan’s in Nyack, Nyack Village Hall and other selected locations. 

Advertisers— 

The Nyack Villager is the only 

magazine that is MAILED every 

month exclusively to every resident 

of all eight river villages 

from Upper Nyack to Palisades 

NY—very choice territory! 

Everybody reads every issue 

cover to cover so you know 

your ad dollars are working 

hard for you. Ad prices start 

as low as $125. 

And, if you want us to, we’ll 

design your first ad for 

you—at no extra cost. 

Call (845) 735 -7639 



Mental Health Notes 

by Daniel Shaw, L.C.S.W 

The Control Paradox 

Humans start needing to have some 

measure of control fairly early in life— 

possibly from about the time we draw 

our first breath. It is ironic, then, that 

uniquely among all living creatures, we 

alone are aware of the inevitability of 

our eventual death, and completely 

without any control whatsoever over when that 

will happen. This may explain to some extent 

why control issues loom large in the human psyche. 

No matter how easy going we may want to 

imagine ourselves to be, control issues are inescapable. 

Our unexamined needs for control can paradoxically 

put us in prisons of our own making. 

Negotiations with significant others around issues 

of control and power can often be baffling, 

frustrating and exhausting. For example, pretty 

much every parent is familiar with the seemingly 

endless struggles one has with one's kids. Are the 

most successful parents the ones who exert the 

most control? We probably all know kids who 

grew up under extremely strict conditions, for 

whom things did not turn out so well—unlike 

the apparently perfect prodigies born to and 

raised by Amy Chua, the "Tiger Mother" who is 

all over the news these days. I certainly talk to 

quite a few people professionally for whom an 

authoritarian upbringing was not the way to get 

to Carnegie Hall, but rather contributed heavily 

to their addiction problems, impotence, divorce, 

alienation from family, depression and anxiety— 

and so on. 

In my work with people affected by authoritarian 

groups (sometimes such groups are thought of as 

cults, or as cult-like), I've talked to scores of people 

who joined such a group searching for freedom 

of one kind or another: from ego, from 

inhibition and fear, emptiness, meaninglessness, 

etc. Where they ended up instead was spending 

some of the best years or decades of their lives 

living like slaves, allowing a charismatic leader to 

dictate every move they made, everything they 


only indoor winter farmers' market, brings locally 

grown and prepared foods to our community 

every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. Look for root 

vegetables, greenhouse greens, apples, cider, fish, 

meat, dairy, breads, cheeses, desserts and more. 

e market continues Saturdays thru June 4. 

NYACK TOASTMASTERS 

Nyack Toastmasters provides a fun, low-pressure 

environment where adults enhance their communication 

and presentation skills. 

Meetings are at Nyack Library, 59 South Broadway, 

Nyack, twice each month—in March on the 

10th and 24th, at 7 to 8:30pm. Guests welcome. 

Info: visit www.NyackToastmasters.org or call 

(845) 358-1175. 

wore, ate, said and did. In all those years before 

they finally left their group, they thought they 

were on the road to liberation. Michael 

Wright's superb recent piece in e 

New Yorker about how the screenwriter 

Paul Haggis got into Scientology, what 

he put up with to stay in it, and why 

he finally left, is a great illustration of 

how one can allow oneself to be controlled 

by others—all the while deceiving 

oneself into believing that the 

subjugation and exploitation one accepts 

is all in the name of self-realization, freedom 

and making the world a better place. 

For many who are struggling to find the right intimate 

partner, control issues can be a stealth 

killer. One strong, highly accomplished woman 

I worked with whom I'll call Sonia easily attracted 

men who showed intense interest in her. These 

were men who seemed masterfully in control—of 

their careers, their wealth, their bodies and their 

sexual performance. Sonia would eventually become 

dismayed to discover that these men also 

expected to be able to control her. When she resisted 

the controlling behaviors, the man in question 

would quickly turn from seductive pursuit 

to belittling rejection. In spite of the repetitive 

disappointments she experienced with men of 

this type, she found herself turned off by and 

made herself unavailable to men who were less 

dominating. Catch-22. 

Like Sonia, we all have unconscious, complicated 

relational patterns that are impacting our way of 

managing our control needs, especially with our 

most significant others. If we believe that it is a 

basic human right to be free - and today, more 

and more people all over the world are beginning 

to assert that it is - then it behooves us to understand 

more about the need for control. There is 

a world of difference between control as a destructive, 

rigidifying tool for domination; and 

control, built on trust, compassion and respect, 

that creates stability, allows for flexibility, and encourages 

freedom. 

Daniel Shaw, LCSW, practices psychotherapy in Nyack 

and in NY City. He can be reached at (845) 548- 

2561 in Nyack and in NY City at (212) 581-6658, 

shawdan@aol.com or www.danielshawlcsw.com ✫ 

VCS EVENTS IN MARCH 

• An Afternoon with Sundance 

—an all-volunteer organization devoted to noncompetitive 

outdoor activities for the LGBT 

community. At Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway 

Nyack. Free 

Sun, March 6 at 3pm 

• vCS Coffee House 

Music, poetry and more. Donation $25pp via 

Pay Pal or at the door and that includes coupons 

for 3 refreshments. At RCC Student Union 

Building, Room 3214. 

Fri, March 25 from 7 to 10pm 

• Film Screening: “No Dumb Questions” 

A fresh perspective on transgender identity from 

a family that insists there are no dumb questions. 

At Nyack Library, 59 S. Broadway Nyack. Free 


Community Notes continue at right


AT THE FELLOWSHIP OF RECONCILIATION 

521 N. Broadway, Nyack, NY. Info (845) 358-4601 ext 32 

• First Sunday Concerts for Peace 

Featuring Mr. Juniper, Reggae Folk Rock: Kaylah 

Bell, Caylen Crawford, Liev Golowasch and 

Jasper Lilac Williams . Suggested Donation: $10. 


• F.O.R. Celebrates the Berrigan Family 

Celtic Musician and others celebrate the Berrigan 

Family’s commitment to Peace. Suggested Donation: 

$10. 

Sat, March 26, at 7pm 

MULCH MADNESS 

Order your garden mulch by March 4 from 

Nyack Center and they will deliver March 18, 

19, & 20. Call (845) 358-2600. 

VENDORS WANTED 

e Village of Nyack will sponsor African American 

Day 2011 on Saturday, May 14 (raindate 

May 21). 

e celebration starts at 2pm with a parade 

through the village to Memorial Park, where there 

will be vendors, entertainment music, a fashion 

show and food. Parade organizers are currently 

looking for marchers, vendors, and entertainment 

artists. Application deadline is April 1. 

Info: please call (845)480-0289. 

SAVE THE DATE 

e Garden Club of Nyack's Annual Plant Sale 

will be held on Sunday, May 22, between 10am 

and 2pm, at 507 North Broadway, Upper Nyack. 

Proceeds benefit the Garden Club's many community 

projects. 

WOMEN’S LUNCHEON 

e Christian Women's Club of Rockland 

County invites all ladies to its Tues March 8, 

luncheon from noon to 1:30pm. at the Casa Mia 

Manor House, 577 Rt. 303, Blauvelt, NY. 

Guest speaker, Regina Coleman, presents, My 

Story, Incorporated with Love, followed by a surprise 

feature. Cost is $16, which includes program 

and tax. Gratuity is not included. Reservations 

are mandatory and must be kept, canceled 

or used by a friend. Call (845) 947-3423. 

ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN 

e Rockland County Branch of AAUW presents 

the following programs: 

• Great Decisions—Public Policy Group Discussion, 

urs, March 3 at 7pm at the New City Library, 

220 North Main Street, New City. Free 

and open to the public. 

• AAUW Rockland Readers' Book Club, urs, 

March 3, 1pm at Barnes & Noble, 140 Rockland 

Plaza, Nanuet. 

• AAUW Rockland Branch Book Group, Wed, 

March 16, 4pm at New City Library. 

• Branch Meeting of the Rockland AAUW will 

be Sun, March 13 at 1pm at New City Library. 

Info: e-mail aauwsam@optonline.net or call 

(845) 358-1680. ✫ 

houses of Worship 

in the River villages 

Phone or check website for service times & details 

Reformed Church of Nyack 

Corner South Broadway and Burd Street, Nyack NY 

(845) 358-5518 e-mail to frchurch@optonline.net 

Pastor Tom Danney 

Grace Episcopal Church 

130 First Avenue, Nyack, NY 10960 

The Rev. Richard L. Gressle, Rector 

The Rev. Emily Sieracki, Assistant to the Rector 

Info: www.gracechurchnyack.org or (845) 358-1297 

Temple Beth Torah 

330 North Highland Ave, Nyack NY; Rabbi Brian Beal; 

on the Internet at www.TempleBethTorah.org 

Info: 358-2248 

Christ Church 

New St., PO Box 177, Sparkill. 

Rev. Thomas Faulkner, Vicar. (845) 359-2858 

http://www.christchurch-sparkill.org 

Hollingsworth Memorial Church 

187 Main Street. Nyack NY 

Dr. Eugene Jones, Pastor; (845) 348-0401 

St.John the Baptist RC Church 

895 Piermont Ave, Piermont NY. Info: 359-0078 

Msgr. John T. Mulligan, pastor; 

www.stjohnspiermont.e-paluch.com 

Congregation Sons of Israel 

300 N. Broadway, Upper Nyack NY 358-3767 

Rabbi Joshua Z. Gruenberg 

St. Ann's Catholic Church 

19 Jefferson Ave. Nyack, NY 10960 

845-358-4707 www.stann-nyack.org 

Fr. Reese Doughty, Pastor. 

Palisades Presbyterian Church 

Washington Spring Road, Palisades, NY 

Church Office phone: 359-3147 www.palpresny.org 

Pastor: Reverend Angela Maddalone 

Piermont Reformed Church 

A center for spiritual development, cultural events, and service to 

the community: visit piermontchurch.org 

361 Ferdon Ave., Piermont 845-359-4637 

Rev. John VandenOever 

Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockland 

130 Concklin Road, Pomona, NY 10970 (Exit 12N, PIP) 

Phone: (845) 354-1789 e-mail: administrator@fusrc.org 

website: www.fusrc.org 

Living Christ Church 

151 South Broadway, South Nyack, NY 10960. (845) 

358-3125 Email: info@lccnyack.org Web site: 

www.LivingChristNY.com 

Rev. Tim Pettit, Senior Pastor (ext 105) 

Marvin E. Nelson, Youth Pastor (ext 103) 

Rockland Center for Spiritual Living 

(Formerly First Interfaith Church of Rockland) 

Aubree Lynn, Spiritual Director; (845) 623-1515 

Best Western Hotel, 26 Route 59. Nyack 

Please notify The Nyack Villager of any changes 

in your information or errors in ours. ✫

MAR '11 - The Nyack Villager

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