Palisadian Visits North Korea

Palisades Community Center Board President Michele Balm recently visited North Korea. On Sunday, Feb 17 she left with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra on their historic Asian tour, which included stops in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, Pyongyang - North Korea, and Seoul. On February 26, there was a live feed directly from the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, so that residents of North America could see this concert in relatively "real" time. Michele was part of the administrative staff responsible for organizing the international concert broadcast from Pyongyang. Photos and an interview with Michele about her experiences during this unprecedented cultural exchange with one of the most inaccessible countries in the globe are forthcoming in our June issue.

Justice Served Thanks to Palisades Support

Roberto Rivera, who runs a successful landscaping business with many clients in Palisades, was recently declared innocent after a jury trial in New City. He had been arrested for drug and weapons possession, based on evidence that had apparently been planted in his truck by business rivals. His lawyer was able to prove that he was framed. This outcome is a huge relief to his many friends in Palisades. Many Palisades residents, including Holly Seeger, Dick Sears, and Mark Morris attended the trial in his support.

Cinderella Concert with Puppets

As part of their Happy Concerts for Young People series for children ages 6 to 12, the Little Orchestra Society is presenting two performances of "Cinderella," with giant puppets and dancers, at Avery Fisher Hall on April 12 at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Lisa Rinehart is the director/choreographer. For more information, go to www.littleorchestra.org

Visual Arts Instruction

Elaine Smollin has created an innovative visual arts program called Drawing the Environment, that will be located within the Palisades Interstate Park in the historic Captain's House (in the Alpine Boat Basin, at the base of the cliffs). The program offers landscape study through drawing. By working in a studio classroom directly in the environment of the Palisades, students may study drawing as it is practiced in both fine art and archaeology. Three sessions are planned: April 19 - June 30, July 6 - August 20, and September 7 - November 9; classes will meet four times a week, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. For further information and prices, and to register, please contact: Elaine Smollin, Director, P.O. Box 66, Palisades, NY, 10964. Cell 401-441-8852 EASmollin@gmail.com

Support Group for Parents of Children with Autism

The Rockland Parent-Child Center, 137 First Ave. in Nyack has a support group for parents of children with Asperger’s and high-functioning autism that meets weekly on Tuesday nights from 8-9:30 p.m. The cost is $170 for each 8-week session, and some financial assistance is available. Please call 358-2702 for more details.

Diplomat Apartments Change in Ownership

The close-knit community of working class residents of the Diplomat apartment complex in Sparkill was recently displaced by a change in ownership of the complex. The new owner, Redbrick Partners LLC, bought the Diplomat Gardens in March for $13.3 million and announced that it will invest $7 million to renovate and convert the apartments to upmarket condominiums. The new condominium complex has been renamed The Overlook.

Local Artist Exhibit

"Walking the dog in the snow" 16" x 12" oil on canvas by Old Tappan painter, Gary Whitehead
(Click to enlarge)

Gary J. Whitehead, a resident of Tappan, will be exhibiting recent oil paintings at The Grape D'Vine, 99 Main Street, Tappan, in March and April, with a wine and cheese reception scheduled for Thursday, March 27th at 7:30 PM. Gary is an award-winning poet, teacher, painter and crossword puzzle constructor. A preview of the show, as well as Gary's other paintings, may be viewed at his web site www.definedprovidence.com

Palisades Seniors Plan Meeting

Last fall, a small group of older Palisadians began to meet to discuss ways of supporting each other as they age in their homes. In January, the group sent out a questionnaire to everyone in the community aged 75 or older asking about problems they might be having and help they might need.

Although the 32 (out of 58) questionnaires that were returned identified a few problems, in general old folks in Palisades appear to be managing well. They are an independent and individualistic group. But the future could bring changes; most of the responders said that they would be willing to attend a meeting to discuss the issue.

On Thursday, March 13, all Palisadians aged 75 or older are invited to a meeting at 3:00 p.m. in the annex of the Palisades Presbyterian Church on Washington Spring Road. The meeting will provide a forum for the discussion of any concerns this age group is having now and might face in the future. Respondents have suggested several areas of interest: having emergency information in some kind of central file; assembling a list of reliable and reasonably priced service providers; finding helpers for odd jobs like snow plowing and shoveling; and locating people to help with transportation. Representatives of the Rockland County Office for the Aging will attend the meeting. The building is handicapped-accessible.

Duke Ocean Grill, Tappan NY

Here’s what’s happening in the former location of Food World–The owners of NY Deli's "Cafe Duke" in New York City are opening a new restaurant called Duke's Ocean Grill. They are in the midst of a major renovation. The rumor is that the new restaurant will be doing catering, and that they are installing real waterfalls inside.