Business

Gentle Giant Brewery, RCC and Hudson Market Host First Virtual Beer and Food Tasting Event

Published

5 years ago

January 14, 2021

Rockland County, New York – Gentle Giant Brewing Company , Rockland Community College, and Hudson Market hosted their first virtual beer and food tasting event in December. Due to its success, they are launching a monthly event series exploring beer and food from local restaurants and breweries, in and around Rockland County, to promote small businesses in the County during the pandemic.

On Tap will broadcast January 28 at 7 pm via Zoom. The event itself is free, but participants who are interested in the food and beer must purchase online for in-person pickup at GGBC. Register for the online event at http://bit.ly/rcctasting by midnight on January 25, then join us for the virtual tasting of delicious beer and mouth-watering food pairings.

Beer and food order information:

 Beer Only $20
Comes with four 25.4-ounce growlers. Must reserve online by 1/21/21 at 11:59pm.
Beers: Pilsner, Hazy IPA, Citrazoic DIPA, and Black Lager
 Beer and Food $40
Comes with four 25.4-crowlers and food for two. Must reserve online by 1/25/21 at 11:59pm.
Beers: Pilsner, Hazy IPA, Citrazoic DIPA, and Black Lager
Food: Collard Greens, Prime Brisket, Meat Kabob, and Pork Belly Burnt Ends

Order online at https://www.gentlegiantbrewing.com/rcc. All beer and food pick-up will be at the Gentle Giant Brewing Company, 7 North Main Street in Pearl River, NY at the date and time specified on the order form. Registered guests will be emailed a Zoom broadcast link to join the virtual session by Rockland Community College prior to the event.

Jessica Stallone, a brewing novice, will be guided through the brewing process by Gentle Giant Brewing Company’s Brew Master, Nick Carnicelli. They will be discussing ingredients, flavor components, and pairings of each beer and will answer viewers’ questions submitted via the Zoom chat.

On tap at Gentle Giant:

 Paleolithic Pils German Pilsner—A crisp Pilsner brewed with a touch of Munich malt to add a slight biscuit flavor profile. Gently hopped throughout the boil with Hallertau Blanc gives it the perfect balance of bitterness and floral aromas.
 Citrazoic Double IPA—Made from the world-renowned Citra hops, this beer pours a medium amber with an intense citrus aroma and flavor including grapefruit and lime aromas along with gooseberry, passion fruit and lychee notes.
 Bobby Doesn’t Know Shea Hazy IPA— You ask and you shall receive. Back by popular demand, we made a New England. IPA. This double IPA has a traditional hazy appearance combined with a soft mouth feel perfectly fitting to the style. Dry hopped intensely with El Dorado and Cashmere, it gives tasting notes of tropical fruit punch and ripe pineapple. Should we keep cranking out New England IPAs? I think we just might.
 Baryonyx Black Lager—Made using bottom-fermenting lager yeast which imparts a dry crispness to this beer, this brew has a malty sweetness and a hoppy bitterness, with notes of coffee and chocolate.

Gentle Giant Brewing Company is located at 7 North Main Street in Pearl River, New York.

Business

Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds Return to Hudson Valley: How to Attract Them

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Ruby-throated hummingbird are arriving across the Northeast, including the Hudson Valley, as part of their annual spring migration from Central America and southern Mexico. Early arrivals begin in mid-to-late April, with populations typically established in Rockland and Bergen counties by late May. Males arrive first to claim feeding territories.

Homeowners can attract hummingbirds by planting nectar-rich, native flowers such as bee balm, columbine, cardinal flower, coral bells, salvia, trumpet vine, and jewelweed. Bright, tubular blooms in red, orange, and pink are especially effective.

Local garden center Down to Earth Living recommends additional steps like using a simple sugar-water feeder (1:4 ratio, no dye), providing shrubs for shelter, adding a water source, and avoiding pesticides.

Beyond their beauty, hummingbirds help pollinate plants, control insects, and support biodiversity. Creating a welcoming habitat can sustain them through their breeding season, which lasts from spring into early fall.

Gardeners can find hummingbird-friendly plants and supplies at Down to Earth Living, which is also offering free repotting with plant or pot purchases this spring.

Business

Down to Earth Living Highlights Benefits of Indoor Plants for Health and Air Quality

Published

3 weeks ago

March 28, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Indoor plants have become a popular addition to homes and workplaces, valued not only for their aesthetic appeal but also for their wide-ranging health benefits. From improving air quality to enhancing mental well-being, these natural elements can transform indoor environments.

Benefits of Indoor Plants

Improved Air Quality
Plants naturally absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. Research, including NASA’s Clean Air Study, has shown that certain plants—such as spider plants, peace lilies, and snake plants—can help remove indoor pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.

Enhanced Mental Health and Productivity
Studies published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology indicate that interacting with plants can reduce stress and promote relaxation. Additional research in Environmental Psychology found that workplaces with plants experienced up to a 15 percent increase in productivity.

Aesthetic Appeal
Indoor plants enhance interior spaces by softening architectural lines and adding natural beauty. Popular varieties like fiddle-leaf figs, pothos, and succulents complement a wide range of décor styles. The National Gardening Association reports that visual appeal is one of the primary reasons people incorporate plants into their homes.

Physical Health Benefits
Plants can increase indoor humidity, potentially reducing issues caused by dry air such as sore throats, coughs, and dry skin. They may also help absorb sound, contributing to quieter indoor environments.

Ease of Care
Many indoor plants are low-maintenance and adaptable to different lighting conditions. Hardy options such as pothos, ZZ plants, and succulents make it easy for beginners to enjoy the benefits of greenery.

Indoor plants do more than enhance décor—they contribute to cleaner air, improved well-being, and a more vibrant living or working space.

Down to Earth Living’s expanded indoor plant showroom is now open for the spring season, offering a wide variety of plants. Customers can also take advantage of a complimentary repotting service with the purchase of a pot.