Rockland News

Hope Wade is the founder of Rockland Fashion Week, now going on its 7th year - to be held at The Palisades Center on Saturday, November 7th at 5:30 pm.

We've covered the show for the past 3 years, and it's a blast.

There's runway shows, some (literally) top designers in the United States, and a bunch of very unique pieces from talented local artists.

In this 20 minute interview, we talk with Hope Wade about how the show started, and how it has evolved over the years as the pressure to always outdo oneself needs to be...modulated.

If you go, go to this event dressed to impress - you end up feeling like you are a part the celebration of fashion and creativity.

You can learn more about Rockland Fashion Week on Eventbrite.

Event was held at the New City Jewish Center, on Sunday 11/1/2026, at from 9 am to 1 pm. The debate between Weber and Rand commenced at approximately 10 am.

Story of the debate on Rockland News.

Event was held at The New City Jewish Center, on Sunday 11/1/2026 at 9 am.

Story from debate at https://rocklandnews.com.

This episode is sponsored by 99signs!

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Approx. Time | Segment | Topics Covered

00:00–03:00 Welcome to Happy Hour Rockland

Tom and Mike introduce the inaugural show from Burger Loft/District 96 in Nyack, establish the loose happy-hour format and notice the fake/vintage Starbucks storefront across the street.

03:00–09:15 Cable, Streaming, Aging & Generations

Cutting the cord, YouTube TV, streaming costs, getting older, changing lifestyles, Gen Z, Gen X and the "Xennial" generation.

09:15–18:30 Technology, Facebook & How Tom and Mike Met

Rotary phones to smartphones, Slack and Discord versus email, local Facebook groups, Googling people, social media, dating and the story of Tom and Mike first meeting through web design.

18:30–25:10 Nyack, Nightlife, Family & Life Choices

Burger Loft, old Nyack nightlife, music venues, booking bands, parenting, coaching children and different approaches to family life.

25:10–35:50 Mike Dolce: Comics, Publishing & Entrepreneurship

Dren Productions (Nerd spelled backwards), self-publishing versus professional publishing, Secrets of the Sire, Smokey Bear, Beetle Bailey, Paradox Interactive, distribution, promotion, crowdfunding and building a creative business.

35:50–41:10 Rockland Music Fest & Dating StoriesThe final Rockland Music Festival, attendance and memories from the event, followed by stories about dating, bad dates and youthful mistakes.

41:10–52:25 Guest: Nyack Mayor Joe Rand

Nyack's fall events, Porch Fest/music and arts programming, managing public events, downtown businesses, the fake Starbucks movie set, life as mayor, campaign civility and the July 3 fireworks controversy.

54:45–1:03:10 Cybertrucks, Pets & ParenthoodCybertruck design, Burger Loft, dogs versus cats, losing pets, getting pets for children, sleep schedules and animals' internal clocks. Pasted text

1:03:10–1:15:55 Beer, '90s Music, Time & the Multiverse

IPAs and Oktoberfest beer, Nirvana and '90s rock becoming "classic," nostalgia cycles, The Matrix, simulation theory, alternate realities, destiny and Mike's The Mainstream. Pasted text

1:15:55–1:25:10

Sponsors, Smartphones & Telemarketing

99 Signs, business signage, whether phones listen to conversations, targeted advertising experiences, business-loan calls, automated dialing and a Jim Florentine telemarketer bit.

1:25:10–1:41:45

Movies, Star Wars, Star Trek & Creative Execution

Being too busy to enjoy success, The Matrix sequels, introducing children to Star Wars, the prequels and sequels, Star Trek, acting, writing, storytelling and why execution can matter as much as the idea itself.

1:41:45–1:50:20 Language, Podcasting & Happy-Hour Philosophy

The phrase "thank you so much," dating callbacks, Burger Loft, podcasting as a form of conversation and connection, presentation, clothes, comfort and pub culture.

1:50:20–1:56:25 Where Happy Hour Rockland Goes Next

Inviting Rockland restaurants and pubs to host future shows, Rockland News, Facebook, AOL Instant Messenger nostalgia, Instagram, podcasts and local media.

1:56:25–1:59:00 Coaching, Volunteering & Closing

Mike discusses coaching youth basketball and baseball, volunteering and teaching kids. Tom and Mike confirm plans for future episodes and close by promoting the Nyack Neighborhood Music and Arts Festival.

Myles has a rich history in the local metal scene, and is aiming long term to return the genre to a respected art form in Rockland County.

In this episode, prior to his show at The Flowery Cannabis Dispensary in Haverstraw NY, we talk with Myles about his background, and how the music industry has changed over the course of time - and how it has affected local musicians and artists.

This episode is sponsored by Clean Space Maintenance Management Company - get your home decluttered for as low as $199.

In this episode of Rockland News, we interview Heidi Voelpel, Director of Capri Cosmetology in Nanuet NY.

Some history of Capri Cosmetology from their website:

In 1963, Frank Molinari had a vision to create a better beauty school – a school that not only trained their students to pass the NY State Board exams, but a school that was focused on graduating successful beauty industry professionals.

The principles that Capri New York was built upon, have not changed. Superior training, superior educators, superior equipment, and a progressive, hands-on teaching style that covers basics to advanced.

In 1990, after successfully managing two salons and working with some of the best schools and salons in the United States and Europe, Anthony Fiore began training side by side with Mr. Frank. It was then that he quickly realized they shared the same vision.

To further develop his vision, Anthony purchased Capri from Mr. Molinari and in 2001 moved the school from Spring Valley, NY to a more modern and convenient location in Nanuet, NY.

As the school’s success increased, a second campus, offering programs in Hairdressing & Cosmetology, Esthetics & Make-Up, and Nail Specialty opened in Newburgh, NY in 2007. To meet the demands of increased enrollment in both Cosmetology and Esthetics, the Nanuet campus was expanded and renovated in 2010.

Capri Cosmetology Learning Centers lives up to its mission which is “to improve our students’ quality of life through education.” Since its inception, Capri’s values have not changed. Capri is an organization made up of industry professionals that pride themselves on the success of their students.

Capri's graduates have a reputation in the industry as “the elite!” Their motto, “through these halls walk the future of our industry,” is what we believe in.

Capri’s graduates have gone on to work in high profile salons and spas, in the movie and television industries, as well as owning their own businesses. We have too many success stories to write about here, but we would like to share with you what we think has contributed to the success of our graduates – our impeccable integrity and professional reputation!

In this episode of Rockland News, host Tom Ossa sits down with Nicholas Tzavis of Gyro Point Plus in Stony Point to talk about the family story, traditions, and food behind one of North Rockland’s longtime Greek restaurants.

Nicholas shares how Gyro Point Plus was founded in 2013 by his uncle, George Papadakis, whose passion for cooking was rooted in his family’s upbringing on the island of Crete, Greece. Following George’s passing in 2022, Nicholas’ mother and younger brother, Dino, took over the restaurant, continuing his legacy while preserving the traditional, homestyle Greek food customers have come to know.

The conversation also explores some of Gyro Point Plus’ signature dishes, including gyros, chicken and pork souvlaki, spanakopita, moussaka, and pastitsio, along with the restaurant’s catering services and strong connection to the local community. Nicholas also discusses how the family business has navigated challenges ranging from the pandemic to recent Route 9W construction.

Learn more, view the menu, and explore catering options at https://gyropointplus.com.

Stories at Rockland News

• Nanuet Bank Robbery: Clarkstown police arrested a 22-year-old Nanuet man accused of robbing the Chase Bank on Smith Street and fleeing on foot.

• Bear Mountain Bridge Response: Piermont firefighters joined a multi-agency Hudson River search after a person was reported to have gone over the Bear Mountain Bridge.
• Boulders Reach Conference Final: The New York Boulders advanced to their first Atlantic Conference Finals and opened a best-of-five series against the Ottawa Titans at Clover Stadium.
• Spring Valley Traffic Signal Repairs: Spring Valley began repairing the traffic light at Union and Morris roads, with officials expecting it to return to service within about two weeks.
• Vehicle Break-Ins in Ramapo: Ramapo police and Chaverim are investigating a series of vehicle break-ins reported in New Hempstead and Monsey over the Rosh Hashanah weekend.
• New City House Fire: An early-morning fire on West Burda Place displaced approximately 10 to 12 residents and killed a family dog, with the cause under investigation.
• RCC Earns National Honor: Rockland Community College received its sixth consecutive HEED Award recognizing academic excellence, belonging and community engagement.
• Nyack Remembers September 11: Nyack marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a Memorial Park ceremony and a local “Tribute in Light.”
• Hayden Panettiere Investigation: Investigators are awaiting final toxicology results in the death of Palisades native Hayden Panettiere amid preliminary reports examining possible fentanyl involvement.
• Swift-Water Rescue Training: Pearl River and Nanuet firefighters conducted joint swift-water rescue training to strengthen coordinated responses during flooding and water emergencies.
• Escaped Emu Recovered: Ramapo police used the department’s drone program to locate and safely recover an emu that escaped from a local petting zoo.

Appetite for Destruction will be performing at Rockland Music Fest XII on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Bowline Point Park in Haverstraw NY, along with five other amazing local bands!

In this interview with sit down with John and Mike, who perform in character as Slash and Duff from the legendary GNR band!

Learn more at Rockland Music Fest website.

Aidan Rowan, who is running in District 11 for the Town of Stony Point (Election on Tuesday 6/23/2026), said in an interview with Rockland News that voters should pay closer attention to committee races because, in his view, they help shape which candidates move forward for town and party leadership positions.

Rowan said his campaign is focused on accountability, transparency, taxes, code enforcement and long-term affordability for younger families and retirees who want to remain in Stony Point.

Rowan argued that Stony Point needs “change” at the committee level, saying he believes too many decisions are made without enough open discussion among committee members and voters.

He also pointed to concerns he said he heard while campaigning door to door, including property taxes, neighborhood code enforcement, housing affordability and the future of town leadership.