Mario Cuomo Bridge

The Villages: Climate Smart, Seeger, and Inspired!

Published

April 29, 2019

This week in the villages: Last week Nyack’s green cred was recognized with a bronze certification by New York State. Come to the Nyack Center on Friday to hear what inspires local artists, actors, musicians, painters, film directors, and writers. On Sunday, there’s a Pete Seeger tribute concert on what would have been his 100th birthday.

Village of Nyack

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation awarded Nyack a bronze award for its green initiatives at a press conference in Memorial Park on April 25. The Climate Smart Communities Certification program recognizes greenhouse gas emission reductions and adaptations to a changing climate. The Village of Nyack joins 23 certified Climate Smart Communities previously designated by the NYS DEC. Read what Nyack Mayor Don Hammond had to say about the village’s receiving bronze certification by the DEC.

Get Inspired! by Your Neighbors

Have you ever wondered what inspires creative people? On May 3 at 8p at the Nyack Center, 16 local artists from a variety of disciplines will share sources of their inspiration, using only 10 slides and 20 seconds per slide. It’s a fascinating, fast-paced window into the creative mind. Performance art about art. Participants include documentary filmmaker John Borst, tastemaker Michael Bruno, Cuban percussionist Mayra Casales, jazz drummer Ethan Cohen, film director Sarah Mondale, and more. Tickets are $25 for Rivertown Film members and $30 general admission and may be purchased at rivertownfilm.org.

Final 2019-20 Budget

Curious about how your money is being spent? The 2019-20 budget for the Village of Nyack has now been finalized and is available on the nyack-ny.gov website.

Summer Food Program Employment Opportunities

The Village of Nyack Summer Food Program is accepting applications for a Summer Food Program Site Supervisor and two Summer Food Program Helpers for the program at Waldron Terrace, Valley Cottage Elementary, and Nyack Center. The program will run Monday – Friday 7:30a-1:30p from July 1-August 30. Different sites have slightly different hours and dates. Visit the Village of Nyack Facebook page for job requirements and more information.

Village of South Nyack

Musical Tribute to Pete Seeger

Photo credit: Anthony Pepitone

Pete Seeger, legendary musician, singer, songwriter, and environmental activist, would have been 100 years old on May 3. He was was born in NYC but as a child lived with his family in South Nyack. He said being here was why he developed a deep love and appreciation for the Hudson River. He lived most of his life in the Hudson Valley and became committed to protecting our river. He founded the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater that sails the Hudson today.
A prolific songwriter and singer, he is remembered for “If I had a Hammer,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, and many other songs. His recorded version of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” sold millions of copies. He was the winner of several Grammy Awards.
To honor Pete Seeger’s accomplishments and his contributions to protecting our river, bring a chair or a blanket to the South Nyack Franklin Street Park on Sunday, May 5 from 6–8p for a Musical Tribute for Pete Seeger. Performers will include Leo Vera (with Steve White), Pat Keating, the Compton Maddux Band (w Steve Adler and Ian Moore) and Cool Mess (Pam Hudson and Michelle Solomon).

Town of Clarkstown

Carry the Load – Congers Rally- Monday, April 29
Carry the Load is a national not-for-profit organization founded by veterans to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day with its annual National Relay that travels 2,100 miles, from West Point to Texas, carrying the American flag.
Join the Carry the Load East Coast National Relay Team for a mile-long walk into Congers Station Park. For those that would like to walk with the American Flag into the Town of Congers, please meet at Old Haverstraw Rd and Patricia Ave at 6:15p. If you would like to join the event but not walk, please meet at 5:30p at Congers Station Park for a barbecue, music, and kid-friendly fun while cheering the walkers on as they enter the park around 7p. From there, the American flag will continue with other walkers on its 2,100-mile trek to Dallas, Texas. Carrytheload.org has more information about the East Coast route as it passes by Jackson Hose #3, 86 Catherine St, Nyack.

How to Help Victims of the Mountainview Condos Fire

On April 14 there was a devastating fire affecting 16 families at the Mountainview Condos in Valley Cottage. The Rockland County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (RCVOAD) is helping the displaced residents of Mountainview with food, clothing, and counseling and they have set up and opened the Rockland County Disaster Relief Fund to collect money for the victims of the fire. One hundred percent of the funds collected will go directly to the victims of the fire. To donate, visit United Way’s website (www.uwrc.org) and click on “donate” or call the organization at 845-358-8929.

Clarkstown Military Banner Program

Consider honoring a loved one who has served or is currently serving in the military with a military tribute banner. The banners will be displayed on the light posts in the various hamlet centers from Memorial Day to Veterans Day. The banners are a small way to acknowledge the sacrifice these troops have made serving our community and our country. The cost to sponsor a banner is $150 and the deadline is May 1, 2019. Visit www.militarytributebanners.org or call the Supervisor’s office at 845-639-2050 for more information.

Lifeguards Wanted

The Town of Clarkstown is looking to hire lifeguards for the 2019 summer season. Applicants must be at least 16 years-old and have current Lifeguarding and CPR/AED certifications. Pay rate: $12.00/hour, $14.00 with Water Safety Instruction. For more information, and for an application, call 845-639-6200, or visit town.clarkstown.ny.us.

Town of Orangetown

Request for Proposals for the Potential Town Hall Expansion

The Town of Orangetown is seeking proposals from qualified architectural firms for comprehensive architectural and engineering services, including structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, civil engineering, and other specialty services, such as IT and AV consulting. Interested firms are invited to view and respond to the Request for Proposal by the deadline of May 1, 2019 at 10:30a.

Rockland County

New Guidelines Regarding the Measles Outbreak

Recently, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Commissioner of Health Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert issued new Commissioner’s Orders that will be used moving forward to contain the ongoing measles outbreak. The requirements of the two new Commissioner’s Orders may be found at rocklandgov.com.

T.E.E.N. Works Program Now Accepting Applications for 2019 Summer Session

The Rockland County Youth Bureau is now accepting applications for the 2019 summer session of the T.E.E.N. Works (Teen Employment Education Network) program. T.E.E.N. Works is a workforce preparation and placement program that combines summer work experience with career and life skills training. Designed for youth between the ages of 15 and 20, the four-week program offers pre-employment training and possible job placement upon successful completion. The mission of T.E.E.N. Works is to assist our teens and young adults in growing into successful, contributing members of our local workforce with strong goals for their future.
Applications for T.E.E.N. Works are currently available at rocklandgov.com, at the offices of the Rockland County Youth Bureau in Pomona, or can be requested by emailing RCYB@co.rockland.ny.us. The deadline for submitting an application is June 10, 2019. For more information about T.E.E.N. Works, visit rocklandgov.com or contact the Rockland County Youth Bureau at (845) 364-2929.

News from Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s Office

2019 Congressional Art Competition

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in each congressional district. Each spring, students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their districts and at an annual awards ceremony in June in Washington, DC. The winning works are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol.
All entries must be submitted to Congresswoman Lowey’s New City office by Monday, April 29, 2019. Students may submit their two-dimensional artwork and release form by mail or in person on weekdays between the hours of 9a and 6p The competition is open to high school students who live in the 17th Congressional District only. The judged competition will take place Monday, May 6. In addition to having their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol, the first-place winner will also be invited to attend a reception in Washington, DC, and to meet with Congresswoman Lowey and other nationwide winners. More information and guidelines about the competition may be found at lowey.house.gov.

Mario Cuomo Bridge News

Overnight Lane Closures on Thruway

Tappan Zee Constructors (TZC) is scheduled to install communications equipment near the New York State Thruway (I-87/I-287) in Tarrytown this week. The work will necessitate overnight lane closures on the Thruway in both directions
Specific lane closure times are listed in the chart below.

Lane Closures Near the Bridge

DATE:	CLOSURES BEGIN:	CLOSURES END:	LOCATION:
Mon. 4/29	8p – Two left lanes 10:30p – Three left lanes	5a, Tue. 4/30	Southbound (I-87/I-287) from exit 11 to exit 9
Tue. 4/30	8p – Two left lanes 10:30p – Three left lanes	5a, Wed. 5/1	Southbound from exit 11 to exit 9
Wed. 5/1	9p – Two right lanes	7a, Thur. 5/2	Northbound from exit 9 to exit 11
Thur. 5/2	9p – Two right lanes	7a, Fri. 5/3	Northbound from exit 9 to exit 11
Fri. 5/3	10p – Two right lanes	8a, Sat. 5/4	Northbound from exit 9 to exit 11

Bicycle/Pedestrian Path

Construction of the shared bicycle and pedestrian path continues. At the Rockland landing, crews will construct new curb and sidewalk from Lowland Drive approximately 500 feet north of the South Franklin St. Extension.