Twenty-five professional artists working in a variety of media transform wheel-less blank decks into works of art ranging from the funky to the clever to the truly beautiful. This year’s artists include painters, sculptors, ceramic artists and multi-media artists. Among the twenty-five artists this year are: potter John Badik, children’s book artist Elizabeth Sayles, colored pencil artist Paula Madawick, surrealist painter Win Zibeon andfi ber artist Beryl Maddelena.

Viewing and bidding hours are Monday and Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to 7:30 pm; Saturday to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Decks can also be viewed and bid on online at www.rocklandartcenter.org. RoCA is located at 27 South Greenbush Road, West Nyack, 10994. For more information call (845) 358-0877.

The Rogue Players Present Othello at Palisades Presbyterian Church

The Rogue Players of Palisades present this edgy modern take on a timeless Shakespeare classic. A moving tale of love and hate, good and evil, it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last shot is fired. Dakota Green is playing Iago. Dylan Sydor of Sparkill is Othello and Kiera Foti of Tappan is Desdemona.

March 6, 13 and 14 @ 8:00 pm; matinee, March 7 @ 4:00 pm. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors, $8 children. Call 845-365-9709 for tickets and information

The OUTSIDE IN Piermont, 249 Ferdon Avenue, Piermont

Sunday, March 15, 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Opening reception for “Faces & Flowers,” new works by American artist and Piermont resident Paul Kostabi. Show runs from March 8 to April 17.

Saturday, April 25, 2:00 to 5:00 pm. Opening reception for group show of works in clay for the inside & out featuring Marlena Krumm-Sanders, Jim Shaughnessy, John Fazzino and Nancy Abramson.

Grace Music

March 22, 2009. Great Passiontide choral works by Couperin, Rameau, Haydn, and others featuring the extraordinary voices of the Grace Church Choir with string quartet and double bass.

April 19, 2009. Fabulous string musicians from New York City and the Metropolitan Opera orchestras play luscious pieces – a great Brahms sextet, Schoenberg’s ecstatic Transfigured Night and more. Performances at 4:00 pm followed by a reception. Grace Church, 130 First Avenue, Nyack. Admission $15, seniors $10, students $5.

Riverspace Happenings

Riverspace will roll out the red carpet to welcome Mike Nichols on Friday, March 6, at 8:00 pm. This rare appearance brings Mike Nichols together with Riverspace co-artistic director Elliott Forrest for a fundraiser as part of its Conversation Series.

One of a few distinguished artists to have won an Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Tony Award, the multi-talented Mr. Nichols is a television, stage and film director, writer and producer. His career began as part of the hilarious Nichols and May comedy team with partner Elaine May. His film career started with the direction of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” This was followed by “The Graduate,” which won him an Oscar for best director. Other film credits include “Carnal Knowledge,” “Catch 22,” “Charlie Wilson’s War” and “Silkwood.” TV credits include “Angels in America” and “Wit;” Broadway shows include “Barefoot in the Park,” “Spamalot” and “The Gin Game.”

Riverspace celebrates Women’s History Month with, Goddess on Earth – Portraits of the Divine Feminine in Contemporary Women, March 7 to March 28. This six-year project by Nyack photographer Lisa Levart, is a collection of over 70 photographic images of women portrayed as the goddess who gives meaning to each of their lives. The Riverspace café will house the multimedia installation with moving and still projections, international music and recorded voices. An opening reception on March 7 is from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Edward Simons conducts the Rockland Symphony in a Spring Concert on Sunday, April 26, at 3:00 pm at Riverspace. For more information see: www. Rocklandsymphony.org. Advance tickets, $20, seniors $15, students $5.

Food Donations Welcome

Mary Whatley, postmaster, writes; “We will try to help those individuals who are less fortunate and may need a special donation of dry goods to brighten their lives. Please help us help others. We are placing a charitable box in our lobby if you would like to drop off food donations. Together we can help each other through this economic struggle. This is a community project.” All donations will be forwarded to People to People, 121 West Nyack Road, Nanuet, N.Y. (8450 623-4900. www: peopletopeopleinc.org.

Pascack Valley Hospital

Although Pascack Valley Hospital is closed there is an emergency room open on site. It is now called Hackensack University Medical Center north at Pascack Valley. Call for information (201) 880-2760 or consult your doctor.

South Orangetown ambulances usually go only to Nyack Hospital, Englewood Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital.

Babysitter/Tutor available

Reliable and responsible college graduate available for babysitting and/or tutoring. Also available for dog walking/running. Contact info: Please call (845) 270-1115 or email pag2107@caa.columbia.edu. Perri Gerard-Little

South Orangetown Central School District

The SOCSD is in the process of developing the preliminary school budget. Residents are encouraged to attend school board meetings to learn about the budget and join in the conversations. Budget Workshops: March 4 & 11 Budget Discussion: March 18 Adoption of 2009-2010 Budget: April 1

Public Hearing (Budget): May 12

Budget vote and School Board Election: May 19 Meetings are generally held at 7;30 pm at the Middle School, 160 Van Wyck, Blauvelt. To learn more visit: www.socsd.org

Orange and Rockland Substaions on Oak Tree Road

O & R has postponed its appearance before the planning board a number of times over the last few months. The next scheduled meeting is March 25. Join the SAVE TAPPAN e-mail list at: Tasull13@ aol.com and visit their website to learn more www. savetappan.