3/5/22 to 3/19/22 Constellations:
A Benefit Auction of Rockland Artists, Yesterday and Today. The sale features 75 works by leading Rockland artists.

4/2/22 Charles White: Influences.
This exhibition is in partnership with the Gordon Center for Black Culture and Arts

Oyster Research: Lamont scientists Luca Telesca, Wade McGillis and Braddock Linsley have started a new project at the Observatory’s Field Station at the end of Piermont Pier to study eastern oysters both in the wild and in the laboratory. They hope to determine how oysters are handling rapidly changing climates. A flow-through tank that cycles river water recreating conditions found in the Hudson allows them to determine the amount of reduction in oxygen and pH levels brought about by climate change and how these environmental stressors affect oysters.

Upcoming events at the Union Arts Center
"Peripheral Visions," macrophotography by Laure Leber in Gallery One; "Hometown," oil paintings by Dan Lukens is in Gallery Two. Both run through May 2. An artists’ reception is Sunday March 6 from noon to 3:00 pm. Joel Zelnick and band will be performing on Thursday, March 10, at the JazzLounge. There are two seatings; 6:00 pm and 8:00 pm. 845-359-6700 for reservations or roostinsparkill.com The Union Arts Center, 2 Union Street in Sparkill.

Threat to Home Rule
Currently, New York State operates under Home Rule, which is granted by state constitution or state statute and allocates some autonomy to a local government, if the local government accepts certain conditions. Home Rule implies that each level of government has a separate realm of authority. Last fall, a bill was introduced to the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly that would put New York State government in charge of local zoning. NYS Senator Brad Hoylman, from the 27th District (which covers most of lower Manhattan) introduced bill S7574 that he feels would be a solution to affordable housing and the housing crisis throughout the state. It would allow landowners to build four-family dwellings on any residential lot as a given, without any permission needed from local authorities. In areas near transit hubs six dwellings per lot would be allowable. Imagine if each of your neighbors had permission to build multifamily complexes on their property. In September, the governor of California signed a similar bill that eliminated single-family zoning, allowing four units to be built per lot. Representatives in Rockland, Westchester and upstate are against this movement which would in essence get rid of single-family properties. The bills, which are still in committee, are being watched carefully.