The Learning Collaborative, an independent, informal educational program now in its fifth year, is offering a series of adult education classes designed for those seeking learning enriched by discussion between teachers and students. Expert lecturers made up of retired teachers and professors lead discussions on topics such as science, religion, current affairs, the arts, literature and film.

Here are the public lectures in Lamont-Doherty's Spring Series. They will be held at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964, Monell Building Auditorium

March 18: What Do Dead Plants Tell Us About Earthquakes?
Heather Savage, Ph.D., Lamont Assistant Research Director
Pratigya Polissar, Ph.D., Lamont Assistant Research Professor

Snedens Landing View of the Hudson River
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If you are one of the 90% of Rockland County residents who get their water from United Water New York, you have undoubtedly received numerous cards requesting your support for what is termed the Haverstraw Water Supply Project. United Water New York (UWNY) hopes to construct a desalination plant to supply additional drinking water to Rockland County. It would be located on the Hudson River in West Haverstraw on land owned by US Gypsum, just south of Indian Point Nuclear Energy Plant.

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We continue to make improvements to the building. We are very fortunate to have a building such as this in our community. It is beautiful, it is functional and it has held a prominent position in Palisades for 140 years.

We especially thank the following for lending a hand, giving donations or sharing expertise this fall: Joyce Gavin; Bernie Doyle; Susan Nemesdy; Lisa Rinehart; Alyssa Dreyfuss; Nancy Clucas; Jackie Dreschler; Lincoln Colwell; the Estate of Dinny Price; Chris Chin; Annie Gerard; Grace Knowlton; Cristina Biaggi; Lyn Fowler and Tiger Den/ Pack 88; Jim and Eileen Graney; Larry Bucciarelli; Henry Ottley; Larry Tabor; Cellen Wolk and Richard Rassmussen.

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Christmas Schedule
Only one service will be offered on Christmas Eve this year
The Palisades Presbyterian Church, in a break with tradition, will offer only one service this Christmas Eve at 6:00 pm, Saturday, December 24. There will be Lessons and Carols as well as a collection and presentation of gifts for hospitalized children in Harlem. Please wrap all gifts and indicate whether appropriate for girls or boys and, if applicable, an age range.

In contested races, the Palisades total vote mirrored the total Town and County votes only for Town Supervisor and Rockland County Legislators—District 17 where a Democrat won over a Republican and District 16 where a Republican was the winner. Both Democrats running for Town Council won in Palisades but lost to Republicans in the Town-wide vote, leaving the Town Board comprised of a Democratic Supervisor and four Republican Councilmen.

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NEW LANGUAGE LEARNING SERVICE
With over 90 language options, including English, for speakers of other languages, this service allows patrons to access the system remotely and offers an unprecedented number of learning options. Transparent Language Online features listening, reading, speaking, and writing exercises, as well as integrated pronunciation analysis, vocabulary acquisition exercises, conversational language courses, video grammar lessons, and a robust social community.

Marathoners
Margie Goldstein ran a dozen marathons until she was injured running the New York City marathon five years ago. But it didnʼt dampen her desire to be part of the race. This year, Margie joined Achilles International, an organization that teams up disabled runners with guides to provide physical and emotional support during the marathon. Margie accompanied a disabled physician from Florida. Michelle, walking briskly, and Margie, jogging, finished the course in six and a half hours.

Andy Stewartʼs win in Novemberʼs local elections of the post of Orangetown Town Supervisor is the first good political news I have heard this year. I have known Andy for years; his wife Rachel was a student of mine at the Rockland Project School in the 1970s. He has done admirable work in Rockland County for the last ten years as the director of Keep Rockland Beautiful and is familiar with town issues because he served on the Orangetown Planning Board.

Talk of change within our community is swirling around these days. This is what we have discovered.

Palisades Free Library
Maria Gagliardi, Director of the Palisades Library, reports, "2011 marks the 120th anniversary of the Palisades Library. At this time there are no plans to combine with other South Orangetown libraries. Over the summer the library began a series of interior and exterior improvements. The upgrades will continue through 2012 adding to the functional space and energy efficiency of the building while retaining the library's warmth and historic charm. New lighting and redesign of the central air conditioning system have already made a significant impact on the library's energy usage. Carpet replacement and new seating continues on the interior and two new parking spaces begin the exterior improvements."

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Professor Thaddeus Macgregor, wearing a top hat and psychedelic glasses, was playing the Theremin on the stage when I entered the old Lafayette theatre that cold, fateful October night. This seemed fitting since this early electrical hands-free instrument from the 1920s was used in many horror films of the time and the picture I was about to see was the silent version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame starring Lon Chaney. Consequently, Nelson Page, the manager of the theatre, was far from silent when we sat down in the lobby to talk.

School House 1918. This building, now the Palisades Community Center, was built in 1870 and used as the Palisades School until 1930.
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As always, we appreciate the volunteer efforts and donations from our community, most notably: Lisa Rinehart, Susan Nemesdy, Joyce Gavin, the Graney family, Larry Tabor, Cellen Wolk and Neal Harris of Hey Hoe Garden Design, Grace Knowlton, Ken Carbone, Cristina Biaggi.

Palisades Presbyterian Church
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Harvest Festival
Saturday, October 15, noon to 5:00pm. Our third Harvest festival features delicious home-made soups and baked goods: cookies, cakes, pies and breads, all for sale at reasonable prices. There will be face painting and pumpkin decorating for children, and local crafts people will display their wares. And of course, there will be an exciting silent auction of goods and services. You never know! You might even win the dream vacation of a lifetime, so plan on attending. All proceeds will benefit the on-going programs and outreach of the Church.

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In Memory of Charles Shimel
The trustees and staff of the Palisades Free Library mourn the passing of our friend and colleague, Charles Shimel. Charles joined the board in 2004 and served as Vice-President and Treasurer. Charles made many lasting contributions to the library including maintenance and improvements to the building and serving on the committee that developed the Palisades People Sunday Symposia and the search committee that hired our current director. We have created a memorial fund to purchase an outdoor bench to honor his work and dedication to the library. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please send a check made out to the Palisades Free Library with Charles Shimel in the memo field.

Amid the intermittent sounds of leaf blowers and chain saws in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, I’m reminded that all too soon, the incessant whine of leaf blowers will fill the autumn air. I hope, in the calm before that storm, at least a few Palisadians will read this and begin to seriously consider the alternatives.

Palis-Agers to Meet
The next meeting of the Palis-Agers will take place on Thursday, October 20 at 1:30pm in the community room of the Palisades Presbyterian Church. Coffee and cookies will be served and we will have a chance to talk with each other about our lives.

In February of 2010 when a storm brought down dozens of old trees in the area knocking out electricity for many of us for three long days, a number of savvy locals headed to the IBM Center, taking advantage of their hotel facilities, which had the added bonus of a fitness center. Sure wish I had known about it then.

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The IBM Center on Route 9W with its 106 acres of manicured grounds has been part of the Palisades landscape since 1989. While originally built as a conference and training center for IBM, it opened in the mid 90’s to groups other than IBM and, in 2005, it started hosting social affairs such as weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, rehearsal dinners, sweet sixteen parties and fundraisers. Today only 15% of its business is IBM-related.

The Palisades Market Re-Opens
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As most have probably noticed, The Market has reopened with new owners and a minor makeover. Former food writer Agata Ostrowska and chef Fotis Katz (who happens to be Ostrowska’s brother-in-law) have spruced up the interior and streamlined the food service to feature fresh, and whenever possible, organic and local ingredients prepared with a Mediterranean flair. Rotisserie meats and poultry sizzle enticingly; crusty baguettes and flaky croissants emerge from on-site ovens each morning (sometimes twice a day on weekends) and freshly prepared meals, sandwiches and panini await the harried and non-cookers throughout the day. There’s a cold case of sophisticated cheeses, jars of pickles, jams and vinegars from a Connecticut vendor, an alarmingly good selection of pastries, cookies and muffins and a hefty supply of drinks and power bars for the bikers. But Ostrowska insists that the emphasis is less on running in for a quick sandwich than about hanging out with neighbors and friends. “We want it to be a great experience,” she says, “a place where you can come and get everything you need for the day.”

Oak Tree sidewalk coming soon
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OAK TREE SIDEWALK: We did it!

Thank you to Supervisor Whalen and the Town Council for approving the installation of the Oak Tree sidewalk at the March 8 Town Board meeting which was attended by over two dozen community members. Currently, the road is being surveyed. After the engineers draft their plans, Superintendent of Highways Jim Dean and engi neers will schedule a community meeting to unveil the plans and discuss sidewalk materials with us. Hopefully, this project will begin over the summer.

ROUTE 9W INTERSECTION

Thank you to Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee for arranging an April re-evaluation of the intersection with the NYS DOT. Senator David Carlucci and Supervisor Whalen are also committed to helping us achieve safety improvements at the intersection.