Paul Bambara's Blog Posts

Mother snapping turtles all over Rockland  are crossing roads in large numbers. There are so many crossing Western Highway in West Nyack and Blauvelt that signs have been erected.  There

As the pandemic leaves us home bound,  once again, many pictures of black bears, coyotes, fox, eagles, and wild turkeys roaming Rockland neighborhoods are being posted all over social. &

The warm temperatures this past week brought the beautiful tree frog known as the Spring Peeper out of hibernation and into its annual mating ritual. Although a frog of the woods, they mate in any

As we sit here in lock down, outdoor recreation is still allowed and encouraged.Over 10 million Striped bass are beginning their annual spawning run up the Hudson River. It will continue into June

A perennial favorite, Nyack’s nesting pair of falcons are looking to raise a second batch of chicks on top of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The new nesting box is located on the southern face of the

Meteorologists consider winter to be from December through February for record keeping purposes. The normal snow fall for that period here in Nyack is 21 inches. This winter saw only 4.8

The results of water freezing and expanding in our roadways are potholes. Each night the holes grow larger as nature continues to chip away at their edges. Salt and plows just compound the.

The New York Botanical Gardens is holding its 18th annual Orchid show from February 15th through April 19th at its magical grounds in the Bronx. Just a short drive from Rockland, you can be

Dry January is a phenomenon that is sweeping the world. It was started in 2013 in Great Britain by the charity Alcohol Concern. British celebrities Alastair Campbell and Peter Osborne decided to

January is the time of New Year resolutions. Gym memberships surge as people vow to add a healthy work out into their lives. The sad thing is by February, those exercise machines are idle again.

As the winter sets its icy grip upon us I thought this would be a great time to share my favorite chili recipe. “Five alarm” or mild, nothing satisfies like a bowl of piping hot chili. Chili

The 28th annual train show at the breathtaking NY Botanical gardens is open to the public through January 26, 2020. A mere 45 minutes from Nyack, remarkable G-scale model trains chug along a half

Winter 2019-2010 may be warmer and wetter in Nyack.New York should see warmer-than-average temperatures because for the first time in years there are neutral conditions in the Pacific. “Without

A Rockland woman was killed last year on the Palisades Interstate Parkway after colliding with a deer. I will once again repeat my yearly warning that drivers should exercise extreme caution when

Autumn is a glorious time of year I look forward to more than any other seasonal change. Crisp days and cool nights make for great outdoor fun and sleeping. Fall started following the autumnal

As the days grow shorter, it’s time for fall planting. This is a great time to reseed or plant a new lawn as grass grows best on cool nights with warm days. It is also the time to get your,

The Blauvelt Son’s of Italy will hold their tenth annual Italian Feast & Carnival at the Masonic Park Fairgrounds, 98 Western Highway, Tappan from September 12th-15th. Hours for the festival

Lobsterfest will be held Sunday 9/8 from 2-6pm at the Goswick Pavilion in Piermont’s Flywheel Park.  The Piermont Civic Association is hosting this even to raise money to continue funding

Who doesn’t love the relaxed atmosphere and pace of a tasty brunch?  Nyack and the surrounding towns have many great choices often with bottomless Mimosas or Bloody Mary’s to pair with

Turn signals are a built in safety system but you have to manually activate it.  It seems like very few drivers care anymore. I don’t get it! It is for both the driver’s and fellow road

The historic Saratoga race track is worth the scenic 2 ½ hour ride form Nyack. It is a beautiful venue filled with pageantry during the brief racing season. Considered the oldest sporting venue

Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins on June 1 and lasts through November. Named storms this year could be:Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dorian, Erin, Fernand, ,&

It’s that time of year again when all sorts of natures little pests decide to dine on your blood, bite a hole in your skin, or leave an itchy red rash behind. Mosquitoes, horse flies, gnats, no

Once again, many pictures of black bears, coyotes, fox, eagles, and wild turkeys roaming Rockland neighborhoods are being posted all over social media.  This is the County I grew up in. If I

Mother snapping turtles all over Rockland  are crossing roads in large numbers. There are so many crossing Western Highway in West Nyack and Blauvelt that signs have been erected.  There

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture which commemorates the unlikely victory of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over French forces at the battle of Puebla May 5th, 1862. The

The warm temperatures this past week brought the beautiful tree frog known as the Spring Peeper out of hibernation and into its annual mating ritual. Although a frog of the woods, they mate in any

Over 10 million Striped bass are beginning their annual spawning run up the Hudson River. It will continue into June when they will all return to the Atlantic Ocean. They are anadromous fish in

Meteorologists consider winter to be from December through February for record keeping purposes. The normal snow fall for that period here in Nyack is 21 inches. This winter saw only 3.6 inches.

A perennial favorite, Nyack’s nesting pair of falcons have discovered and started to use the new nesting box on the southern face of the east bound span closest to Westchester. The new nest is

The New York Botanical Gardens is holding its 17th annual Orchid show from February 23rd through April 28th at its magical grounds in the Bronx. Just a short drive from Rockland, you can be

The continued rain we have experienced this winter has had a detrimental effect on Nyack’s roads.  Water freezing and expanding in our roadways each night enlarge potholes as nature

The freezing arctic temperature Nyack is predicted to experience tomorrow is a real danger to both people and their pets. Exposure to extreme cold combined with windy conditions can cause

January is the time of New Year resolutions. Gym memberships surge as people vow to add a healthy work out into their lives. The sad thing is by February, those exercise machines are idle again.

When I first stepped into DVine Bar in the quaint little hamlet of Sparkill, I knew Joe Printz of Rockland’s finest wine boutique Grape D’Vine was on to something special. Four years later the

The 27th annual train show at the breathtaking NY Botanical gardens is open to the public through January 21, 2019. A mere 45 minutes from Nyack, remarkable G-scale model trains chug along a half

Winter 2018-2019 may be cold and subject to heavy snow and Nor’easter storms in Nyack.New York should see colder-than-average temperatures driven by the warm water El Nino weather pattern in the

A Rockland woman was killed last night on the Palisades Interstate Parkway after colliding with a deer. I will once again repeat my yearly warning that drivers should exercise extreme caution when

85 miles of beautiful hiking trails are located at the beautiful Mohunk Mountain House grounds in New Paltz. There are challenging hikes over rocks and cliffs or leisurely stroll along manicured

We are at the starting point of the annual leaf change in the Hudson Valley. The NY leaf watch web site says we are 15% changed this week. The spectacular red, yellow, purple, and orange leaves

As the days grow shorter, it’s time for fall planting. This is a great time to reseed or plant a new lawn as grass grows best on cool nights with warm days. It is also the time to get your,

The Blauvelt Son’s of Italy will hold their ninth annual Italian Feast & Carnival at the Masonic Park Fairgrounds, 98 Western Highway, Tappan from September 13th-16th. Hours for the festival

As we sit through yet another rainy weekend I wonder where the sun is?  Turns out this is nowhere near a record breaking rainfall year. That distinction belongs to 2017 where over 68 inches

The historic Saratoga race track is worth the scenic ride form Nyack. It is a beautiful venue filled with pageantry during the brief racing season. Considered the oldest sporting venue in America,

It’s that time of year again when all sorts of natures little pests decide to dine on your blood, bite a hole in your skin, or leave an itchy red rash behind. Mosquitoes, horse flies, gnats, no

Hurricane Beryl is officially the first hurricane of 2018. The memory of Super Storm Sandy is slowly fading throughout the various River Towns as yet another Hurricane season is upon us. Colorado

Once again, many pictures of black bears, coyotes, fox, eagles, and wild turkeys roaming Rockland neighborhoods are being posted all over Facebook  This is the County I grew up in. If I told

I came upon a mother snapping turtle digging her nest hole along Congers Lake this morning during my run. What a wonderful sight to see. So I urge all drivers to PLEASE avoid the giant turtle in

A perennial favorite, Nyack’s nesting pair of falcons have laid their last brood of eggs atop the old Tappan Zee Bridge this spring. The live feed cam has been down so they can’t be watched as

The warm temperatures this past week brought the beautiful tree frog known as the Spring Peeper out of hibernation and into its annual mating ritual. Although a frog of the woods, they mate in any

Over 10 million Striped bass are beginning their annual spawning run up the Hudson River. It will continue into June when they will all return to the Atlantic Ocean. They are anadromous fish in

The spring equinox heralded the end of winter as daylight is now longer than night until the summer solstice. Somehow Mother Nature didn’t the message! After giving us a March we all want to

As we brace for a second major storm in a week my mind often wonders “what will this really cost the tax payers and business owners of Nyack”. This storm has brought such destruction that many

The New York Botanical Gardens is holding its 16th annual Orchid show from March 3rd through April 22nd at its magical grounds in the Bronx. Just a short drive from Rockland, you can be mesmerized

The results of water freezing and expanding in our roadways are potholes. Each night the holes grow larger as nature continues to chip away at their edges. Salt and plows just compound the.

January is the time of New Year resolutions. Gym memberships surge as people vow to add a healthy work out into their lives. The sad thing is by February, those exercise machines are idle again.

The Arctic blast Nyack is experiencing is a real danger to both people and their pets. Exposure to extreme cold combined with windy conditions can cause permanent damage or even death. Frostbite

The 26th annual train show at the breathtaking NY Botanical gardens is open to the public through January 15, 2018. A mere 45 minutes from Nyack, remarkable G-scale model trains chug along a half

Rob Waxtel has opened an outstanding barbeque & pub food extraordinaire restaurant at 327 N. Highland Ave (9W). Upper Nyack Grill has a menu that is extensive with excellent ribs, pulled pork,

Winter 2017-18 may be colder in Nyack according to a report released by The Weather Company, New York may see a warmer-than-average December-February due to the La Nina pattern developing in the

Drivers should exercise extreme caution when navigating Nyack roads during the month of November. It is the breeding season of the whitetail deer. With only one month to propagate the species,

We should be about a week away from the peak of fall colors in the Hudson Valley. The spectacular red, yellow, purple, and orange leaves will display in all their glory before turning brown and

As the days grow shorter, it’s time for fall planting. This is a great time to reseed or plant a new lawn as grass grows best on cool nights with warm days. It is also the time to get your,

I heard a network meteorologist mistakenly call the recent full moon of September 6th the “Harvest” moon. Often, the September Full Moon is also called the Harvest Moon, but this year

If you think your apple pie is “SPECIAL”, you should consider entering the Piermont Apple pie contest. The event is sponsored by the Piermont Chamber of Commerce.  It will be held Sunday,

I make a yearly visit to the historic Saratoga race track each summer, a few hours from Nyack in  beautiful upstate New York. It is a wonderful venue filled with pageantry during the

As the memory of Super Storm Sandy slowly fades throughout the various River Towns, yet another Hurricane season is upon us. Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project leads the

I have been feeding humming birds for years in my Valley Cottage back yard. They are tiny wonders of nature that never cease to amaze me. They have the ability to hover in mid-air or fly forward,

All cars have a built in safety system but you have to manually activate it.  It seems like nobody signals their turns or lane changes any more. I don’t get it. It is for both the driver�

A rare and endangered Atlantic sturgeon washed up dead in Nyack yesterday. A chunk was missing from its tail. This was undoubtedly the result of a boat propeller or construction equipment at the

Great pictures of a black bear taken on Strawtown Road in West Nyack along Lake Deforest were all over Facebook last week. Today there are wonderful pictures a young bear roaming the

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture which commemorates the unlikely victory of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over French forces at the battle of Puebla May 5th, 1862. The

I sadly viewed the aftermath of a mother snapping turtle that was hit by a car in Valley Cottage. So I urge all drivers to PLEASE avoid the giant turtle in the road.  It is now egg lying

My wife and I are on our annual Easter pilgrimage to Montreal.   We left Valley Cottage, turned on Pandora, and 5 hours later were totally engulfed in French culture. We walked cobble

SUEZ now has started construction on an ugly and environmentally damaging fence around their reservoir. Luckily our elected officials have put a temporary, and hopefully permanent, stop work order

Today’s spring equinox heralds the end of winter as daylight is now longer than night until the summer solstice. Not a terrible season coming in among the top ten warmest winters on record. That

Travis Koester has opened an outstanding barbeque restaurant in the former Pie Man on Rt. 303 in Valley Cottage. Brookside Smoke House & Tavern has a menu that is extensive with excellent ribs,

The snow is falling thick and heavy this morning.  What will this really cost the tax payers and business owners of Nyack. After numerous searches on the web, I can only conclude that nobody

The New York Botanical Gardens is holding its 15th annual Orchid show from February 18th through April 9th at its magical grounds in the Bronx. Just a short drive from Rockland, you can be

The results of water freezing and expanding in our roadways are potholes. Each night the holes grow larger as nature continues to chip away at their edges. Salt and plows just compound the.

January is the time of New Year resolutions. Gym memberships surge as people vow to add a healthy work out into their lives. The sad thing is by February, those exercise machines are idle again.

Nyack is about to plunge near single digit temperatures for the first time this winter. How cruel of Mother Nature with winter still officially a week away. Exposure to extreme cold combined with

The 25th annual train show at the breathtaking NY Botanical gardens is open to the public through January 16, 2017. A mere 45 minutes from Nyack, remarkable G-scale model trains chug along a half

Winter 2016-17 may be colder in Nyack according to a report released by The Weather Company, New York may see a cooler-than-average December-February, while the rest of the Lower 48 states could

I feel it is important to reprint this warning from last year after witnessing a car/deer collision in Valley Cottage yesterday. Drivers should exercise extreme caution when navigating Nyack roads

As the days grow shorter, it’s time for fall planting. This is a great time to reseed or plant a new lawn as grass grows best on cool nights with warm days. It is also the time to get your,

We should be about a week away from the peak of fall colors in the Hudson Valley. The spectacular red, yellow, purple, and orange leaves will display in all their glory before turning brown and

As the memory of Super Storm Sandy slowly fades throughout the various River Towns, yet another Hurricane season is upon us. Experts are predicting an average season with 12 named storms. We have

Autumn is a glorious time of year I look forward to more than any other seasonal change. Crisp days and cool nights make for great outdoor fun and sleeping. Fall starts following the autumnal

I make a yearly pilgrimage to the historic Saratoga race track each summer. It is a beautiful venue filled with pageantry during the brief racing season. Considered the oldest sporting venue in

Why do we call them we call them the “dog days”? It doesn’t have anything to do with overheated dogs lying around in the blazing sun. The ancient Greeks believed when the star Sirius, also

Wednesday night often finds me in Nyack at 8 North Broadway for their $1.00 oyster special. The chef prepares a different local organic topping each week.  They are a Mediterranean

It’s that time of year again when all sorts of natures little pests decide to dine on your blood, bite a hole in your skin, or leave an itchy red rash behind. Mosquitoes, horse flies, gnats, no

There is a young male black bear roaming the neighborhoods of West Nyack. He has been photographed numerous times at backyard bird feeders and garbage cans. This is the place I grew up and the

I had to stop traffic yesterday to allow a slow moving snapping turtle to finish crossing West Nyack road. It is now egg lying season, and they are crossing Rockland County roads in large numbers.

As the spring weather warms the waters of the mighty Hudson River, upwards of 10 million striped bass will migrate from the Chesapeake Bay past Nyack to spawn in the River’s upper reaches. They

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture which commemorates the unlikely victory of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin over French forces at the battle of Puebla May 5th, 1862. The

I finally tried Communal Kitchen in Nyack last night to my great pleasure. Chef/owner Jed Gidaly has put together a unique and delicious menu. The décor is comfortable, as is the food. The staff

The warm temperatures this past week brought the beautiful tree frog known as the Spring Peeper out of hibernation and into its annual mating ritual. Although a frog of the woods, they mate in any

The spring equinox heralds the end of winter as daylight is now longer than night until the summer solstice. We tied the record set in 2001-02 for the warmest winter ever with an average

A perennial favorite, Nyack’s nesting pair of falcons are supposed to raise yet another family on the Tappan Zee Bridge this spring. The live feed cam has been down so I do not know if they are

Yonkers has started an interesting program where they encourage residents to take pictures of potholes and post to their Facebook page. Every snow fall seems to bring more potholes in Nyack.

It snowed this morning.  What is the true cost of snow to Rockland tax payers and business owners. After numerous searches on the web, I can only conclude that nobody really knows! The cost

It always amazes me to watch the surge of people working out in my gym come January. Machines that often sat vacant for hours at a time now have a line of people. This is great as everybody should

The Arctic blast Nyack is experiencing is a real danger to both people and their pets so I thought a repeat of last year’s warning might be in order. Exposure to extreme cold combined with windy

I received $86 from NY state. It was really easy. I went on the NY State Comptroller’s site for the office of unclaimed fundshttps://www.osc.state.ny.us/ouf/Filled out a brief form and a few weeks

The 20 years running train show at the breathtaking NY Botanical gardens is open to the public through January 18th. Only a short drive from Nyack, remarkable model trains zip past 150 New York

Above average Pacific water temperatures have meteorologists predicting the strongest El Nino effect ever. The last strong El Nino was 1982-83. This typically forebodes a mild winter. Many

Drivers should exercise extreme caution when navigating Nyack roads during the month of November. It is the breeding season of the whitetail deer. With only one month to propagate the species, bucks

This week should be the peak of fall colors in the Hudson Valley. The spectacular red, yellow, purple, and orange leaves are ready to turn brown and fall back to the earth in the endless circle of

My computer CRASHED!! Words that send fear into the heart of the bravest business person. Yes we all have back-ups, and many have multiple computers, but getting a new one up and running can be a

Autumn is a glorious time of year I look forward to more than any other seasonal change. Crisp days and cool nights make for great outdoor fun and sleeping. Fall starts following the autumnal,

As the memory of Super Storm Sandy slowly becomes more distant in Nyack, Piermont and the various River Towns, yet another Hurricane season is upon us. Experts are predicting breaking the record of

If you think your apple pie is “SPECIAL”, you should consider entering the Piermont Apple pie contest. The event is sponsored by Down to Earth Markets and the Piermont Chamber of Commerce. There

In the two years since the Tappan Zee bridge construction began in 2012 over 100 endangered Atlantic and short nose sturgeon have been found dead. By contrast only 13 were found between 2007 and.

My Butterfly Bushes have finally bloomed in my Valley cottage backyard. The deep purple fox tail flowers are beautiful by themselves, but the countless butterflies they attract are the real stars of

Hummingbirds are wonders of nature that never cease to amaze me. They have the ability to hover in mid-air or fly forward, backward and even upside down. The male is spectacularly colored with a

It’s that time of year again when all sorts of natures little pests decide to dine on your blood, bite a hole in your skin, or leave an itchy red rash behind. Mosquitoes, horse flies, gnats, no-

With several fatalities and numerous injuries, car/ bicycle interaction is at a boiling point. It seems both sides have tremendous anger toward the other. Road rage has lead to violent

Did you know the common snapping turtle is the State reptile of New York State? It is now egg laying season, and they are crossing Rockland County roads in large numbers. There are so many crossing

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture which commemorates the unlikely victory over French forces at the battle of Puebla May 5th, 1862 under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza

The nesting pair of peregrine falcons on the Tappan Zee Bridge in Nyack has successfully hatched a new generation of raptors despite the construction going on all around them. It is hard to count

I sit at my computer which overlooks my flower garden here in Valley Cottage and smile at the wonderful purples and blues that abound. There are also hundreds of green sprouts soon to be iris,,

I am just back from my annual Easter pilgrimage from Valley Cottage to Montreal, just a short drive away. As always I walked the cobblestone streets of the old city and was reminded of quaint French

The New York Botanical Gardens is holding its annual Orchid show now through April 19th at its magical grounds in the Bronx. Just a short drive from Rockland, you can be mesmerized by flowers that

The female peregrine falcon has returned on February 26th to join her mate who has been waiting patiently for the past month atop the Tappan Zee Bridge in Nyack. Falcons mate for life and return to

I love all winter activities but truly look forward to the snow getting deep enough for me to pull out my snow shoes. In the deep snow I can go where nobody gets to and observe wildlife like on the

The male peregrine falcon has returned to his nest atop the Tappan Zee Bridge in Nyack. He is awaiting his partner who should arrive soon. Falcons mate for life and return to the same nest each.

“Five alarm” or mild, nothing satisfies like a bowl of piping hot chili. Chili can be made from almost any meat. Beef, turkey, or wild game, chili warms from the inside and sticks to your ribs.

The Arctic blast Nyack is experiencing is a real danger to both people and their pets so I thought a repeat of last year’s warning might be in order. Exposure to extreme cold combined with windy

Fruit baskets are a popular holiday gift and we wound up with a few here in Valley Cottage. A big beautiful pineapple makes a bold visual statement in the middle of all those colorful apples, pears,

Hank and Maureen have opened a real comfort food restaurant in Clarkstown with an unusual menu that just continues to please.  The food is creative with items like duck, lamb, or surf &

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1924. It is 3 hours long, kicking off at 9:00 am, and has been televised nationally since 1952. At the end of every parade ever held, Santa has been

When I first stepped into DVine Bar in the quaint little hamlet of Sparkill, I knew the months of anticipation were well worth the wait. Joe Printz of Rockland’s finest wine boutique Grape D�

Drivers should exercise extreme caution when navigating Nyack roads during the month of November. It is the breeding season of the whitetail deer. With only one month to propagate the species,

This week should be the peak of fall colors in the Hudson Valley. The spectacular red, yellow, and orange leaves are ready to turn brown and fall back to the earth in the endless circle of life.

As the days grow shorter, it’s time for fall planting. This is a great time to reseed or plant a new lawn as grass grows best on cool nights with warm days. It is also the time to get your,

The Blauvelt Son’s of Italy will hold their fifth annual Italian Feast & Carnival at the Masonic Park Fairgrounds, 98 Western Highway, Tappan from September 11th-14th. Hours for the

I got bit twice on my knuckle by an insect in my Clarkstown backyard this week. I have never seen a bug such as this. Tiny, wingless, legless, almost clear beige and mostly like something out“

Watching hummingbirds up close never ceases to amaze me. They have the ability to hover in mid-air or fly forward, backward and even upside down. I love the buzz I hear sitting on my deck in

My garden has been the Didier Dumas of deer patisseries for many years now. My flowers grow these beautiful buds, I go to bed expecting an amazing bloom come morning, only to find a snipped off

I bought marinated skirt steak from the friendly Fairway butcher in Nanuet this weekend. A few minutes on the grill, and I was treated to one of the best beef meals I have ever eaten! We rarely

The New York City watershed system is considered the finest in the world. A series of reservoirs start in upstate New York and deliver water; via a giant aqueduct; to the millions who inhabit the

Its egg laying season for the common snapping turtle and they are crossing Rockland County roads in large numbers. There are so many crossing Western Highway in West Nyack and Blauvelt that signs

Nyack's beloved Strawberry Place, hot spot for breakfast and lunch has now decided to open for Dinner starting Thursday 5/22. The food you savor so much during the day will be available Thursday

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture which started in the 1860’s in Mexican-American communities first in California and then spreading throughout the United States. The tradition

The warm temperatures this weekend brought the beautiful tree frog known as the Spring Peeper out of hibernation and into its annual mating ritual. Although a frog of the woods, they mate in any

The New York Botanical Gardens is holding its annual Orchid show through April 21th at their magical grounds in the Bronx. Just a short drive from Rockland, you can be mesmerized by flowers that

The spring equinox heralds the end of winter as daylight is now longer than night until the summer solstice. It has been a long cold winter, but no records were broken. We had 57” of snow; much

You are driving along a winding Nyack road and CRASH, BANG, BOOM!!! How many teeth jarring, whiplash causing potholes have you bounced through this winter? It is the ones that you don’t see that

Rockland Lake in Congers is frozen with ice thick enough to walk on. You can blame global warming, global cooling, or El Niño, but this the first time in many years the Park Rangers have deemed

As I sit here through yet another of this winters’ seemingly continuous snow storms, I tried to come up with the true cost to us as Rockland tax payers and business owners. After numerous

As the arctic vortex squeezes Rockland in its icy grip, my refuge is often a steaming bowl of spicy chili. Which then begs the question; Beans or No Beans?  Texans, from the birthplace of

The sub-zero temperatures about to engulf Rockland County are more than just an inconvenience; it presents a real danger to both people and their pets. Exposure to extreme cold combined with windy

Known as the “Mother Grain” quinoa (keen-wah) was a staple of the Incan Indians and is still an important food source to the indigenous people along the Andes in South America. I discovered

My never ending quest for the perfect hamburger has uncovered several new contenders in Rockland over the past year. I will run them down from my personal fourth to first. You just can’t go

The November forest fire that charred much of Clausland Mountain Park in Orangetown made for spectacular news and aerial video footage. We can all give thanks that no people were seriously hurt

The brush fire that burned hundreds of acres on Clausland Mountain in Orangeburg is finally under control. With rain in the forecast, it seems all danger has passed without any loss of life or

Drivers should exercise extreme caution when navigating Nyack roads during the month of November. It is the breeding season of the whitetail deer. With only one month to propagate the species,

The often changing restaurant on Route 303 in West Nyack has a new tenant, and this one looks to be a winner. Westchester Burger chose to open their newest burger joint here because of the

We all have seen the pictures of salmon making their way up rapid filled streams in coastal Alaska or British Columbia to complete the circle of life as they spawn then die. Nature feasts on this

Autumn is my favorite time of year. Crisp days and cool nights make for great outdoor fun and sleeping. Fall starts following the autumnal equinox, this year on 9/21, when daylight and night time

My home here in Valley Cottage has turned into Wild Kingdom over the past few years! I have documented my encounter with a praying mantis, my trials and tribulations at the claws of lawn devouring

There is a new and trendy restaurant called Roost that has opened in Sparkill. Owner Kevin Reilly, former chef at Café Barcell in Nyack, has created a fresh and exciting menu with seafood,,

I live on a heavily treed property in Valley Cottage. I love the serenity and privacy, but must give up the ability to grow a lush lawn, as little sunlight filters down through the canopy. I do

We’ve all gotten them in the mail…”come to a free dinner at restaurant XYZ” by Acme investment firm. All have landed in my waste basket, expecting a heavy handed sell in exchange for my

The new buzz for great food in Nyack is Alain’s Tapas and Wine Bar located at 88 Main Street in downtown Nyack. Alain Eigerman of Alain’s Bistro in Central Nyack has done it again with a

At a recent pool party, British guests announced it was going to be a Dark & Stormy night in Valley Cottage. As I looked up at the blazing sun, heating the day to well past 90 degrees, I

As I went to water my Fuchsia plants here in Valley Cottage for the second time today, a surprise jumped out at me. Fuchsia plants require amazing amounts of water during the warm weather, but

It was just a matter of time before recipes to enjoy the swarming bugs started to appear on the internet. Think of it as a once in 17 year culinary delight. Most bug eaters liken them to shrimp

17 years ago cicada nymphs burrowed into the ground and began a very long “Rip Van Winkle” like sleep. 2013 is the year they will return to the surface along the Eastern Seaboard. Early

I was sitting at a wonderful little Bistro in Central Nyack with my wife the other night. Aromas of herbs, spices, and savory food filled out heads with visions of the delicious meal we were about

The stretch of Route 59 from Nanuet to Nyack was under construction for more than two years. Massive traffic delays, cost over-runs, and a great burden were endured by the drivers and tax payers

Strawtown Jewelry is a little gem of a boutique that was originally located in West Nyack and now is found at 40 S. Main Street in New City. Run by Silver Smith; Ellen Arkin, her silver creations

As the spring weather warms the waters of the mighty Hudson River, upwards of 10 million striped bass will migrate from the Chesapeake Bay past Nyack to spawn in the River’s upper reaches.

I almost never read horoscopes, but somehow I have gotten into the habit of reading mine on my birthday each year. When I turned fifty, there was a really meaningful thought. I cut it out and taped

As a last minute vacation, my wife and I jumped in the car, left Valley Cottage, turned on Pandora, and 5 hours later were totally engulfed in French culture. We walked cobble stone streets, ate

I saw all kinds of little green stems, leaves, and buds trying to push their way to sunshine all over Nyack last week. I ran out and mulched my perennial flower bed here in Valley Cottage, and

Hands on a Hardbody, currently in previews, is set to open March 21 at the Brooke Atkinson Theater in the Broadway theater district. Trey Anastasio, guitar virtuosos and front man for the popular

  Bailey’s Smokehouse continues to be the finest source of delicious protein in the entire Hudson Valley. From two types of BBQ ribs to pizza, they never disappoint. Here you can find

A state Supreme Court judge has ordered Rockland County officials to prepare a contract so Brega Transport Corp. can take over operations of the county’s TOR and Tappan ZEExpress bus.

The overlay districts have been completed in 4 of the 5 Hamlets in Clarkstown. Valley Cottage, Nanuet, Congers, and New City have beautiful sidewalks, crosswalks, street lights, curbs, signs, and

I love to cook, but had never made a soup before. My Grandmother used to make a pea soup with ham that was wonderful. Funny thing was I hated peas as a kid, but this pea soup I loved. Grandma being

“Five alarm” or mild, nothing satisfies like a bowl of piping hot chili. Chili can be made from almost any meat. Beef, turkey, or wild game, chili warms from the inside and sticks to

Nature Wars, by Jim Sterba is a book about the incredible story of how wildlife comebacks have turned suburban backyards into wildlife battlegrounds. Jim starts with arrival of the pilgrims and the

“50 Hikes in the Hudson Valley” by Peter Kick, Barbara McMartin, & James Long is a wonderful book for both hikers and history buffs. As the names implies, this book carefully lays

Let’s keep the winter hearty meal theme going. Mary’s lentil soup would be a great first course. This is a great sauce for a multitude of applications to various poultry and meat. It

By 1850 the vast majority of trees in New York State had been cut down. The number of rock walls throughout Rockland is a testament to the lack of wood to build fences. After the Civil War, people

My thoughts sometimes turn to the infamous black panthers of Piermont. NO, not the ‘60s radical underground group, but the very beasts that had villagers clamoring at Town Board meetings with

Here is a quick, easy meal that is as good with chicken as it is with beef.     Poultry or Meat Porto Bello mushrooms...sliced Bella white mushroom...sliced Marsala wine chicken