Business

Pasta Cucina of Stony Point Adds Curb Ramp For Customers With Disabilities

Published

6 years ago

February 16, 2020

Via Richard Fernandez

Tonight, we visited Pasta Cucina, located in Stony Point, NY. We immediately noticed a new curb ramp had been installed at the entrance to the restaurant. We inquired about it, and Mario, the owner, came over and explained that it troubled him to see patrons with mobility issues struggle to get up on the sidewalk to visit the various eateries located at this strip mall, so he took it upon himself to find a solution. As a person with mobility issues, I am genuinely grateful to Mario for being mindful of the struggles people with disabilities encounter. Disability is not the problem; accessibility is! Moreover, we enjoyed another excellent meal, and we were treated like family. Great job, Mario and the Pasta Cucina team.

Richard Fernandez was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (a progressive disease) 26 years ago, but M.S. has never stopped him from volunteering for his community, and he inspires almost everyone he meets.

Rich worked twenty-four years with the NYPD before he retired in 2013. He worked as a Sergeant assigned to the 33rd precinct for nineteen of those twenty-four years. While working at the 33rd precinct, Rich received a Sergeant Special Assignment designation. He was also the sole recipient of the 1998 “Theodore Roosevelt Association Police Award” bestowed on a uniformed member of the service, who like Theodore Roosevelt had overcome severe physical challenges to continue commendable service. During his years of service, Rich received numerous perfect attendance awards, stellar evaluations, and other recognition in spite of his health challenges. Throughout the years, M.S. has temporarily blinded Rich, given him permanent mobility issues and impaired his cognitive function; however; Rich has never used his MS as an excuse not to serve his community.

Rich currently serves as the Vice-president of the North Rockland Board of Education and is the leader of the National Multiple Sclerosis Support Group in New City.

Pasta Cucina of Stony Point
32 S. Liberty Drive, Stony Point
(845) 786-6060

Business

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

Published

5 days 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

4 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.