HaverstrawLife.com

“Back to the Streets” Student Photography Exhibition Opens at Union Restaurant

HaverstrawLife.com — Wed, 16 May 2012 00:59:12 +0000

Ken Karlewicz and the Riverside Arts Project Proudly Present “Back to the Streets,” a collection of photographs by Ken and his students which capture the colorful life, texture and ever-changing mood of Haverstraw Village’s downtown landscape.

An opening reception for the artists is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

Admission is free and light fare is optional for a $20.00 donation to benefit The Riverside Arts Project’s Youth Photography Programs.

Featured photographers include Sophia Dansky, Elisha Eisen, Emma Karlewicz, Kirsten Kral, Sarah Omer, Spencer Papay, Nakia Powell, Kayla Rudess, Sara Rose Vandenoever and Instructor Ken Karlewicz.

All images will be available for purchase with proceeds to benefit The Riverside Arts Project. The show runs through May 31, 2012.

Gran Fondo Rolls Through Downtown

HaverstrawLife.com — Mon, 07 May 2012 00:02:43 +0000

On May 20, 2012, over 5,000 cyclists will descend upon the Village of Haverstraw (right through Downtown) as they make their way from New York City to the top of Perkins Memorial Drive on Bear Mountain. The Gran Fondo is a 110-mile (177 km) endurance race fashioned after similar cycling events in Italy. Cyclists will climb over 8,500 vertical feet over the George Washington Bridge, the Palisades Escarpment, along the Hudson River, and finally to the top of Bear Mountain in the Highlands. A ‘Medio Fondo’ is offered to cyclists that choose to be non-competitive. See the Gran Fondo cycling route here: http://www.granfondony.com/course.php Riders/cyclists will be moving through the area between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM on Sunday, May 20, 2012. The best place to view the Gran Fondo is from New Main Street and Broadway.

Below, practicing cyclists choose the Bella Rose Cafe on New Main Street to refuel and relax. Image courtesy of Haverstraw resident Andrea Caccuro.

Great American Cleanup 2012

HaverstrawLife.com — Tue, 01 May 2012 00:29:51 +0000

As part of the Keep Rockland Beautiful-sponsored Great American Cleanup 2012, we met for a few hours in the Village (Downtown and the Greenway) to do some spring cleaning. Check out the pics (thanks to Alex Guarino for taking them – that’s why he’s not in the pictures!):

Click to view slideshow.

“Reconnecting Rockland” Column in the Rockland County Times

HaverstrawLife.com — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:21:28 +0000

I started writing a monthly column in the Rockland County Times called “Reconnecting Rockland.” In it I focus on planning, engineering, real estate development, and architecture issues that the County (where Haverstraw is located) is facing. Check out Part 1 and Part 2, aptly named “Back to Our Roots.” Recently, a follow-up to the first two articles was printed: “Get Out & Walk”

Major Haverstraw Spring Weekend! 4/20/2012 to 4/22/2012

HaverstrawLife.com — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:04:33 +0000

Friday, April 20, 2012. “Haverstraw: Bricktown & Its People” Documentary
8:00 PM @ the Central Presbyterian Church, Haverstraw Youth Theatre. $20 suggested donation. Wine & Cheese reception.

Saturday, April 21, 2012. Groundbreaking: Concession Stand Build-Out @ Cpl. Manny Lopez Field, Village of Haverstraw. 9:30AM. Come and help “Community Build” the concession stand. Call Village Hall 845.429.0300 for more information.

Saturday, April 21, 2012. NORTH ROCKLAND CASH MOB – Local Economy Support March & Gathering. 12:00 PM Noon @ the Four-faced Clock, New Main/Maple Avenue – marching to a local business pre-selected by NR residents to receive support. Business TBD – vote now! $20 suggested spend at the local business.

Sunday, April 22, 2012. “Haverstraw Brickyard Sprints” BIG Rowing Regatta.
8:00 AM to 1:00 PM @ the Haverstraw Ferry Landing, Dr. Girling Drive, Haverstraw. Free. Concession/breakfast/lunch available for purchase. Support local activity on the Hudson River! 5 teams from across the region (scholastic and adult).

Sunday, April 22, 2012. Keep Rockland Beautiful Cleanup, 10am -12pm. Help us keep the Village garbage free. Meeting across Village Hall in the square and then pick up garbage along the water and on the Greenway and behind Lady Warren Fire Department. Please bring gloves and water. If you would like to join us please email Steve at: sm8961@att.com and write ROCKLAND CLEANUP in the subject.

Guest Post: Local Business in Haverstraw

HaverstrawLife.com — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:36:41 +0000

The following guest post is authored by Jonathan M. Solis, a Haverstraw Village resident and local entrepreneur. Jonathan created Local Roamer, a local business discount platform, and NutraSol Natural Center (a health food center); Jonathan hopes to eventually open a branch of NutraSol in the Village.

I’ve always said that Haverstraw is a gold mine and it is evident with the amount of new businesses arising in the area. Entrepreneurs are beginning to see the potential in this little village just north of New York City and it is our responsibility as residents of Haverstraw and Rockland County as a whole, to support these businesses and buy local. However, I sometimes feel that we take these local mom and pop shops for granted. Sometimes we overlook the importance of these businesses and the role they play in the lives of local residents in the area.

Just think of the convenience these local businesses offer the Village of Haverstraw. Whether you need to buy some groceries at the local Bodega, need to take your kids to the doctor, or you have to pick up your prescription from the local pharmacy, everything you need is right there close-by and all in walking distance for those who live in the village. Now imagine how much harder things will be for the locals if those businesses didn’t exist. It would be more difficult and more expensive to have to travel a farther distance to get the goods and services elsewhere.

Local businesses stimulate the local economy. There are many people from out of town who visit Haverstraw to have dinner on the Hudson, purchase their homemade candies from Lucas Candy, or get custom cakes from Vilma’s Bakery. The diversity of these businesses all in one village attracts tourists and more business overall. Each of these businesses is actually helping each other. Even the bar and grill restaurants who one would think are competing, are actually helping each other out in some ways too. I see the village of Haverstraw becoming like Nyack where people go for the purpose of bar hopping for a night out. If there would only be one bar, Nyack would not attract as many visitors as it does on the weekends. It’s the same concept in Haverstraw where people are going to start going for a night out with the sole purpose of walking through the strips and visiting various spots. The fact that these local shops are all close-by within walking distance of each other makes the village of Haverstraw a breeding ground for social gatherings where friends and family can have a good time.

Local businesses stimulate the local economy and we have to make the wise decision of buying locally so that we can continue to have the privilege and convenience of having everything we need in our own backyard, the Village of Haverstraw.

Get Your Mob Gear Ready . . .

HaverstrawLife.com — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 23:15:17 +0000

The North Rockland Cash Mob started with a flash. Local resident Ellen Donovan contacted me via Facebook to get a local cash mob initiative launched and generating buzz. Well, the mob is buzzing. Now over 700 members in size, and growing by the hundreds each day, the North Rockland Cash Mob is becoming, well, unruly. The mob will descend upon the Village of Haverstraw on Saturday, April 21, 2012. The mob will convene beneath the four-faced clock at the corner of Maple Avenue, New Main Street, and Main Street at 12:00 PM (high noon!) prompt! From there, the mobsters will strut their stuff to the business that was selected via crowd-sourcing. That business, which has yet to be finalized (vote now!), will get a needed boost in business from the flush-with-cash unruly mob. We’re excited! Join us on April 21st; we’re rowdy and ready to support the local economy!

Here are more reasons how cash mobbing helps the community and brings us together.

Come to the Annual “Brickyard” Sprints: Sunday April 22, 2012

HaverstrawLife.com — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:15:21 +0000

Boys 4-man Boat

Arguably one of the most exciting events to take place in the Village of Haverstraw is the Annual Brickyard Sprints hosted by the North Rockland Rowing Club. This year, the Brickyard Sprints will take place on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at the Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry Landing in the Village of Haverstraw (just north of the Harbors at Haverstraw on Dr. Girling Drive). The races will last from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM, although delays are likely and the racing could continue later into the day depending on weather and conditions on the Hudson River. Four crew teams from across the region will visit the Village of Haverstraw to compete in the Brickyard Sprints. The races are best viewed from the Ferry Landing parking lot, the Haverstraw Elks Club, or from Emeline Park. However, much of the action will be at the Ferry Landing. The race starting line is at Bowline Point Park and stretches down to the Ferry dock, roughly 1500 meters. Stop by and support rowing on the Hudson River! For more information, visit www.northrocklandrowingclub.org or call (845) 942-1030. See you there!

Dog & Cat Sculptures Invade Downtown Haverstraw! Be on the Lookout!

HaverstrawLife.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:00:30 +0000

Unique, life-size dog and cat sculptures have been sighted at several locations (often in downtown storefronts) in Downtown Haverstraw! The sculptures are part of the Great Painted Paw Brigade, a public art exhibition that will culminate in a live auction on June 3, 2012. Below, is a map depicting the known locations of these dogs and cats in the Village of Haverstraw.

View Larger Map

Waterfront Promenade is About to Double in Size

HaverstrawLife.com — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:27:07 +0000

The waterfront promenade, currently stretching from Warren Avenue to the old chair factory peninsula and from the edge of the Tilcon rock quarry to the ferry landing, is about to grow. The Village will connect the two sections of the promenade and effectively double the walkway in length. By receiving a grant from the State of New York in 2008, the Village will spend roughly $1 Million on improvements to the existing sections and filling in the gap. When complete, the promenade will extend from the Harbors at Haverstraw, along the ferry landing, through Emeline Park, around the old chair factory, and through to Warren Avenue where it will eventually connect to the Bowline Point recreation area. Local news article here.