Half Hollow Hills Newspaper - Feb 23, 2012

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Copyright © 2012 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC.

Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com VOLUME FOURTEEN, ISSUE 49

2 SECTIONS, 32 PAGES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012

DIX HILLS

Concerns Over Proposed Mosque Civic group, leaders planning to meet for discussion of parking, traffic implications

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Community leaders are hoping to meet with leaders of the United American Muslim Association’s (UAMA) Dix Hills branch to discuss a proposal to build a new mosque on Deer Park Avenue, the mosque’s president and the civic group’s attorney confirmed Monday.

Members of the Civic Association of Dix Hills hosted a meeting last Thursday at the Half Hollow Hills Community Library to discuss the proposal, which was filed by the United American Muslim Association (UAMA) of Dix Hills. As proposed, the mosque would be three stories tall and just shy of 20,000 square feet;

capped with a dome, the structure would be nearly 60 feet tall. It would be built at 459 Deer Park Ave., which is on the west side of Deer Park Avenue between Parsons Drive and Tiana Place.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a meeting in terms of explaining ourselves and the project in more detail at the meeting,” Mahmut Salihoglu, president of the United American Muslim Association’s Dix Hills branch, said.

Keith Archer, the civic association’s legal adviser, confirmed efforts to schedule a community meeting are underway. The civic association argues the proposed mosque is too large to fit into the R-40 zoned neighborhood and could create

Dix Hills residents are scheduling a meeting with the proponents of a new mosque . to discuss the plans and address concerns, each party confirmed Monday.

(Continued on page A9)

SOUTH HUNTINGTON

St. Anthony’s Grads Playing ‘Hard Rock’ Band faced off in Times Square in competition for chance to open for Bruce Springsteen

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

The Como Brothers Band (from left, St. Anthony’s graduates Andrew Como, Dorian Costanzo, Matt Como) performed at the Hard Rock Café’s Battle of the Bands.

A band with local ties played in Times Square on Tuesday with hopes of opening for Bruce Springsteen this summer.

The Como Brothers Band – made up of St. Anthony’s High School graduates Matt Como, 22, bass player and singer; Andrew Como, 20, guitarist and lead singer; and drummer Dorian Costanzo, 20 – entered the Hard Rock Café’s Battle of the Bands, a competition between 86 Hard Rock locations around the world. For the first round, fans voted on Facebook for their favorite band by downloading their song. Each download represented one vote.

Out of the 800 bands that entered from New York, The Como Brothers Band came out on top. They even received more votes than over 6,500 bands competing throughout the United States.

“We were really excited about it,” Matt Como said. “We

got the most votes in all of the United States.”

The top nine vote-getters from the area performed Feb. 21 for a panel of judges at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Alongside The Como Brothers Band were In Cage from Hillsdale, N.J.; Wool Over Eyes from Brooklyn, N.Y.; Portmanteaux from Brooklyn, N.Y.; The Great Fraud from Fort Lee, N.J.; Odane Whilby from New Rochelle, N.Y.; Morningside Lane from Fort Lee, N.J.; Four Nights Gone from Staten Island, N.Y.; and Flat Five from Stony Point, N.Y. Similar competitions are taking place at Hard Rock Cafes around the world, and winners will represent their respective Hard Rock in a global contest. Their songs will be posted on Facebook, and fans again determine the winner by downloading music and voting for their favorites from April 7-22.

The winner of the global round will open for Springsteen in July.

“We think it would be absolutely amazing because we (Continued on page A9)

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler

You Know What Annoys Me? Rats with wings… Surprise – I’m not a big fan

Please Don’t Leave Your Keys In The Car

ing can stop you. Keep it up, girl!

of seagulls. They always seem to be hovering overA question of tact… As most of you are aware head, if not diving towards me, with waste that’s by now, Whitney Houston unpleasant to clean out of died last week, and a lot of cars, clothing and hair (good IN THE KNOW folks are still trying to wrap luck, my foot!) Now I know WITH AUNT ROSIE their heads around it. But it’s been a warm winter, but one celebrity auctioneer the calendar still says February and my brain is at seems to think it’s time to least partially in winter mentality. So when a seagull put some of her famous swag up for bids, including recently landed next to my car after I had just a black velvet dress of hers and a pair of earrings parked, I was almost as dumbfounded as I was starand a vest she wore in her breakout movie role in tled. The foolish bird didn’t even want to leave right “The Bodyguard.” Also going up for bids – Charlie away, even though I could have clocked him good Chaplin’s cane; Clark Gable’s jacket from “Gone with my car door. Thankfully he got the message With the Wind” and Charlton Heston’s staff from and left so I could go on my merry way. It was only “The Ten Commandments.” While the auctioneer hours later that I figured out it wasn’t my Buick he argues it’s a celebration of her life by selling these was enticed by, but the scraps of food I parked on. now-artifacts, I think this guy should probably wait a little longer than a month after she passed to put Sunblock, anyone? This winter is a perfect exthis stuff on the block. Not forever – just a little ample of why I prefer the phrase “global weirding” longer so her family can grieve. What do you think? over climate change, global warming and other Write to me, kids. turns of phrase intended to explain what’s going on with our weather patterns. (Let’s not even talk We’ll never forget you, Kid… The death of about our little Halloween slush-storm, shall we?)

Mets legend Gary “Kid” Carter is tear inducing simYou know it’s a problem when it actually gets seaply because someone’s child, husband and friend is sonal out and people actually say, “Brr. Where did I no longer with us, but because of the person he was. put my ear muffs?” I’ve had mine all ready to go like I apologize in advance to all you diehard Mets fans, a good girl, but the winter wear hasn’t exactly gotbut I only barely knew of Carter at the time. It was ten a whole load of play so far in 2012. But I’m not impossible not to hear how he started that 10th inputting them away because I know better – one of ning rally in the 1986 World Series, but I can’t tell my brothers was born dead-smack in a blizzard. In you how many home runs he hit or how long he April. My point is this – when the weather’s this played.

What I can tell you is that I only heard stoodd, you’re not off the hook for a little winter wonries of how he played the game with youthful enderland visit for quite a while. thusiasm and passion for the game. Whenever I Talkaboutdetermination… with a helping of God- caught him on television, he always wore a big smile. Later on, he coached a few minor league, colgiven talent. In this week’s paper, you’ll read about lege and independent teams – including the Long Christine Kenney, a 33-year-old triathlete who Island Ducks. It’s always sad when a childhood hero doesn’t let anything get in her way. Despite two bior fan favorite passes, but it’s tragic the world lost cycling accidents, she remains still dedicated to her one of the good guys. craft – in fact, eight weeks after one of her painful wipeouts, she was competition in Hawaii! And here’s the equally amazing part – despite her re(Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have commarkably high-level athletic performance, the Harments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your borfields grad works 70 hours a week and doesn’t neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know have as much time as she’d like to train. Imagine the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o that! It just shows you that when you have determiThe Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY nation – and some good genes – on your side, noth11743. Or try the email at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)

Suffolk police were dispatched to Broadhollow Road in Melville on Feb. 17 about a grand larceny. The complainant said their 2000 Lincoln LS was missing. The keys were in the car.

Assailants Had Gun, Bat Suffolk police responded to Huntington Station on Feb. 17 about a robbery. Two subjects jumped out, one armed with a handgun and the other with a bat, demanding money. The victims fled unharmed.

Rolex Victim in Burglary A Melville resident called Suffolk County police on Feb. 16 about a break-in. The thief apparently entered through a kitchen window and made off with a Rolex watch.

Why Wasn’t The Account Already Closed?

Suffolk police were called about stolen funds on Feb. 15. The complainant reports that a credit card lost several days before was used by an unknown person at a Melville location.

Talk About Lowering Housing Values Suffolk police were dispatched to a Huntington home about criminal mischief on Feb. 15. The complainant said a stove exhaust fan and home heat cable were damaged inside by unknown suspects sometime earlier in the month.

Cops Grab Alleged Thief A Greenlawn man was arrested by Suffolk County police on Feb. 15. The 21-year-old allegedly stole property from a Huntington Station home. He was charged with petit larceny.

Was It Gang-Related?

Suffolk police responded to a South Huntington school on Feb. 14 about graffiti. The responding officer found spray paint on school playground equipment. The complainant said it happened sometime since Jan. 29.

Resident Charged Up Over Theft Send a photo of your pre-school age child or your favorite pet along with a brief anecdotal background and we’ll consider it for “Baby Faces” or “Pet Faces.” For babies, include baby’s full name, date of birth, hometown and names of parents and grandparents. For pets, please include the pet’s name, age, hometown and breed, if applicable. Send to info@longislandernews.com or mail it to: Baby of the Week or Pet of the Week, c/o Long-Islander, 149 Main St., Huntington, NY 11743. Please include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK CHRISTINE KENNEY

“I needed to fill that competitive void that I was missing after playing sports my whole life. I first started running races and that evolved into doing triathlons.”

Local ‘Ironwoman’ Takes On Triathlons, PAGE A11

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Northport Village police were dispatched to Whispering Fields Drive about a possible theft on Feb. 12.

The complainant said he noticed a suspicious man putting something in an older blue-green Nissan Sentra. When confronted, the subject said he was looking for scrap metal to recycle. Half an hour later the resident realized his battery charger was missing from the yard. The suspect was described as a middle-aged white man with a gap in his front teeth. The item was valued at $90.

Donuts Are Only Fun In The Snow Village police received complaints about a cars racing and doing donuts on Porpoise Court on Feb. 11. When the responding officer arrived, the vehicles had fled the area. The complainant told police a red Mustang had been driving erratically. No further police action was necessary at the time.

Mail to: Long-Islander Newspapers, LLC. 149 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Suffolk Term Limits Under Fire DA, Sheriff and County Clerk suing county

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

The former Huntington Councilman who is representing Suffolk County in an upcoming lawsuit over term limits for certain elected officials said it would strictly be a legal case.

Attorney Stuart Besen will handle the county’s defense, due to concerns about conflicts of interest, in the suit brought

by District Attorney Thomas Spota, Sheriff Vincent DeMarco and County Clerk Judith Pascale.

“The facts are not in dispute,” Besen said, noting case law and the New York State Constitution will likely play major roles. “It’s the county’s position they are going to uphold the law they passed.”

The trio of elected officials filed a summons on Feb. 10 to dispose of the 12-year term limits attached to their jobs.

In 1993, Suffolk County capped the maximum term for elected positions at 12 years. However, the plaintiffs contend their jobs are created by the state constitution, not the county, and therefore are immune to county limitations. The sum-

mons identifies them as “constitutional officers.”

“This lawsuit isn’t about the pros and cons of term limits – it’s about righting a wrong from nearly 20 years ago,” Spota’s spokesman Robert Clifford said. “Under our state constitution, Suffolk County did not have the authority to impose term limits on the office of sheriff, county clerk and district attorney.”

DeMarco, who resides in Cold Spring Harbor, learned about the potential conflict five or six years ago from the New York State Sheriff ’s Association. Not a pressing matter initially, the sheriff signed on recently when the issue was directed towards the Suffolk County Supreme Court.

“I think it will just show the county law is flawed where it speaks of the state constitutional offices,” he said.

DeMarco and Pascale are currently in their second four-year term, while Spota is at the end of his final four-year term.

The sheriff refused to speculate on the DA’s motives in the suit, but said he was more interested in a third term than anything beyond 12 years.

MELVILLE

Firefighters Rescue Trapped Driver Photo by Steve Silverman

Firefighters rescue a trapped motorist following a car crash on Route 110 in South Huntington.

Volunteer firefighters and rescue personnel from the Huntington Manor and Melville Fire Departments responded to a two-car collision with a victim trapped on Route 110 and Schwab Road in South Huntington Feb. 16.

Arriving on the scene at about 8:40 p.m., the departments worked together with Suffolk Police Emergency Services to remove a female driver from one of the cars.

The patient suffered non-life-threatening

injuries and was transported to North Shore Plainview Hospital by the Melville Rescue Squad.

Huntington Manor Fire Department was on the scene with two heavy rescues and an engine, under the command of First Assistant Chief Fred Steenson, Jr. Melville Fire Department responded with a heavy rescue, two engines, three ambulances, a paramedic and fire police, under the command of Chief Michael Carrieri.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • A3

A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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Opinion

Sen

d letters to The Editor, : Half Hollow 149 Main S Hills Newspaper, treet, Huntington , New York 11743 or e-m info@long ail us at islanderne ws.com

‘Not the types set up by the printer return their impression, the meaning, the main concern.’

The Term Limit Question An intriguing question is going before the next election in November 2013. courts to determine whether there will be New York City Mayor Michael term limits on a handful of elected county Bloomberg, by a vote of his city council, officials moving forward. successfully skirted a term limit on his ofDistrict Attorney Thomas Spota filed suit fice. There was grumbling when he asked, in State Supreme Court, challenging the but he got himself re-elected and is curlaw that limits him to 12 years, or three con- rently serving that bonus term. secutive terms, in office. He filed the suit on While Spota’s suit may seem self-serving, behalf of himself, the county Sheriff, Vin- it also raises a question of the value, if any, cent DeMarco, and the County Clerk, Ju- of term limits. There is a case to be made on dith Pascale, all of whom Spota claims both sides. On one hand, when the right should not have been included person for the job is in place, when the Suffolk Legislature passed EDITORIAL why throw away years of expeterm limits. rience and apparent voter satThe district attorney argues that his, the isfaction in order to give an inexperienced sheriff ’s and county clerk’s offices should neophyte the job? On the other hand, it not have been included in the county law does level the playing field for newcomers when it was passed in 1993 because those who would otherwise face an uphill battle positions were specifically created by the against entrenched incumbents. state constitution and cannot be altered by We like to think that the voters ultimatea simple vote of the legislature. ly set term limits by voting out officeholders Spota is the only one of the three imme- when it’s time for them to go. We’ve seen it diately affected by the limits as he is in his happen. But since Spota has raised the final four-year term. question, it should be answered by the He’d like to know the answer before the court expeditiously.

Letters to the editor are welcomed by Long Islander Newspapers. We reserve the right to edit in the interest of space and clarity. All letters must be handsigned and they must include an address and daytime telephone number for verification. Personal attacks and letters considered in poor taste will not be printed. We cannot publish every letter we receive due to space limitations.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Medicaid Reigns Supreme Among Unfunded State Mandates DEAR EDITOR: Newsday ran an editorial on Jan. 15 in favor of shifting Medicaid costs from the counties to the state government. The oped piece made points which we can no longer afford to ignore.

Reforming how the Empire State finances Medicaid must now be priority number one for anyone who wants to cut the costs Albany passes on to Long Island homeowners and job creators. Our property taxpayers are losing $7.3 billion every year paying for the nation’s costliest unfunded mandate.

We can no longer wait; the time to act is now.

At roughly $53 billion a year, Medicaid spending in the Empire State is more than California’s despite covering 55 percent fewer patients, and costs taxpayers 79 percent over the national average for every Medicaid recipient.

The federal government is

about to expand New York’s already generous Medicaid eligibility even more. Even if we reduce our counties’ payments to the program by 1, 2 or 3 percent a year, ObamaCare’s looming enrollment surge will outstrip any projected savings.

New York is currently only one of a handful of states that requires comparable Medicaid contribution levels between the counties and the state. This means that Washington pays 50 percent, New York State pays 25 percent and taxpayers get stuck with the remaining 25 percent.

This formula is a leading costdriver for higher taxes in Suffolk County and elsewhere.

The property tax cap that was passed in 2011 was a good start to reining in some of the highest property taxes in the nation.

In 2012 we must focus on mandate relief. The Medicaid program, funded by our local property and sales taxes, is the state’s number-one unfunded mandate.

While I applaud Governor Cuomo’s leadership on this issue, slowing the rate of the entitlement program’s growth at the

HALF HOLLOW HILLS N E W S P A P E R

Serving the communities of: Dix Hills, Melville and the Half Hollow Hills Central School District.

Founded in 1996 by James Koutsis Copyright © 2012 by Long Islander Newspapers, publishers of The Long-Islander, The Record, Northport Journal and Half Hollow Hills Newspaper. Each issue of the The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander, LLC. None of the contents or articles may be reproduced in any forum or medium without the advance express written permission of the publisher. Infringement hereof is a violation of the Copyright laws.

county level while shifting some administrative costs to Albany is not enough. A real solution to this problem would be to immediately freeze local contributions to Medicaid while gradually phasing in Albany’s assumption of the program’s costs over the next eight years. As a co-sponsor of Assembly bill 8644, legislation which would turn back the costs of Medicaid to the state, where they belong, I believe eight years is more than enough time for the Governor and Legislature to develop changes to Medicaid in order to ensure a proper safety net for our state’s poor and vulnerable citizens.

Having Albany take over the costs of Medicaid from the counties would bring substantial relief to local governments, school districts and taxpayers. If politicians in our state’s capital want to run the most generous health-care program in the country, then they, not Suffolk County homeowners, must find a way to pay for it.

ANDREW RAIA

Assemblyman Ninth District

Upping The Stalking Charges Editor’s note: The following was adapted from a press release.

DEAR EDITOR: The New York State Senate [Feb. 14] passed a bill, sponsored by Senator Carl L. Marcellino, that would increase the penalties for stalking (S. 924A).

An estimated 3.4 million people are victims of stalking in the United States each year.

The obsessive nature of stalkers is unimaginable until you have suffered as the target of their endless pursuit. Stalking is a serious and potentially lifethreatening crime. It changes the lives of the people who are victimized forever. This heinous behavior often proves lethal and the punishment must fit the crime.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos added that being stalked instills tremendous fear in victims, and often, stalking can result in violence toward the victims. This bill will increase the

Michael Schenkler Publisher Luann Dallojacono Editor Mike Koehler Danny Schrafel Stephanie DeLuca Reporters

James Calandrino Ian Blanco Production/ Art Department

penalties for stalking and will bring a greater measure of protection for victims.

This legislation would change stalking in the fourth degree to a class A misdemeanor from a class B misdemeanor; third degree stalking will become a class E felony from a class A misdemeanor; second degree stalking will become a class D felony from a class E felony; stalking in the first degree will become a class C felony from a class D felony.

Stalking describes specific repeated, unwanted harassing or threatening behavior toward another person; the stalker can be a stranger, but statistics show that most stalkers know their victims and can be a partner, an ex-partner, a family member, or a co-worker.

The bill has been sent to the Assembly.

CARL MARCELLINO

State Senator

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • A5

Life&Style PERFORMING ARTS

Calling All ‘Tenors’ To Dix Hills Stage The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center proudly presents the multi-award winning Broadway madcap screwball comedy “Lend Me a Tenor” Feb. 23-25 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. Winner of three Tony awards, including Best Play, and four Drama Desk awards, including Best Director and Best Actor (David Bosco), “Lend Me A Tenor” is a hilarious comedy about the opera set in Cleveland in 1934.

Written by Ken Ludwig, the play premiered in London’s West end in 1986, produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and directed by David Gilmour. The play opened on Broadway in 1989, and has been translated into 16 languages and produced in 25 countries since then. A Broadway revival opened in 2010, staring Stanley Tucci. A subsequent musical version opened early last year in London, and ended its run last summer.

The play is a farcical romp, replete with fast-paced chases and hilarious twists and turns. The lead character, Saunders, general manager of the Cleveland Grand Opera Company, is primed to welcome world-famous performer Tito Morelli, a.k.a. “Il Stupendo,” the greatest tenor of his generation, scheduled to play one night only to benefit the opera company in the role of Othello.

The star arrives late, and through a hilarious series of mishaps is given a double dose of tranquilizers and passes out.

His pulse is so low that Saunders and his assistant Max believe he is dead. In a frantic attempt to salvage the evening,

Ken Ludwig’s “Lend Me A Tenor” takes the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center’s stage from Feb. 23-26.

Saunders persuades Max to get into Morelli’s Othello costume, and fools the audience into believing he is Il Stupendo.

Max succeeds admirably, but Morelli comes to, and dons his other costume ready to perform. Theatrical mayhem ensues, as two Othellos try to play the role at once amid a series of mistaken identities, innuendo and physical comedy.

The production stars Five Towns College Theatrical students, and is being di-

rected by Five Towns College Professor Jennifer Hart. Tickets are $15 and $12 for seniors and students.

The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center is located at Five Towns College, 305 North Service Road, Dix Hills, New York, 11746-5857. For more information and ticket sales, please contact the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center box office at (631) 656-2148 or visit online at www.DHPAC.org The Dix Hills Performing Arts Center

at Five Towns College is one of Long Island’s most vibrant cultural organizations, combining the finest in worldclass music and performance education in our acoustically superior theater. Five Towns College, founded in 1972, as a community resource for jazz/commercial music education, and today’s Dix Hills Performing Arts Center, provide entertainment, education and inspiration for more than 20,000 Long Islanders each year.

DIX HILLS

‘Art After Dark’ Enlightening Visitors Art League of Long Island program continues evening events with painter and jeweler

By Jasmine Weber info@longislandernews.com

In addition to free lessons the Art League of Long Island has offered since its 1955 inception, the not-for-profit also hosts local musicians and displays artwork created by locals.

The Dix Hills-based Art League has been holding monthly “Art After Dark” programs since September 2011.

Held the last Friday of every month, the upcoming Feb. 24 event will feature a demonstration on oil painting by Howard Rose. The painter and photographer focuses on the dunes of eastern Long Island in his pieces.

Rose is to be accompanied by clothing and jewelry designer Beth Drucker, who will demonstrate felting, the unique process of creating artwork from felt.

The musical performer at the event will be acoustic guitarist and singer Denise Romas.

Art After Dark’s co-chair Linda Louis said attendees stand mesmerized by the intensity and dedication the participat-

Howard Rose and Beth Drucker will be featured artists at this month’s installment of the Art League of Long Island’s Art After Dark. ing artists put in to complete each work of art, able to watch them in the process.

Art After Dark is organized by Louis, also a member of the Art League of Long Island’s board of directors, and Roberta Erlagen, a teacher at the League.

This month’s event is scheduled for 79 p.m. at the Art League, located at 107 East Deer Park Ave. in Dix Hills. For more information call 631 462-5400 or email info@artafterdark-li.org.

Last month’s event, including caricaturist Joe Vissichelli and the Berndt Toast Gang, attracted hundreds to the Art League.

A6 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Sweet Treats Close To Home Blue Devils grad opens Centerport bakery Half Hollow Hills photo/Mike Koehler

blondie’s Bake Shop owner Jessica Kennaugh, flanked by employees Katy Nastro and Shannon Serrantino, in her new Centerport bakery.

Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

blondie’s Bake Shop aspires to be the next community bakery, and it certainly could be.

Jessica Kennaugh just opened the small bakery tucked away in Centerport on Dec. 13. The shop’s been open just two months and her unbridled enthusiasm is contagious.

“I want to share it with everyone,” Kennaugh said.

The owner is a Huntington High School graduate who tapped her passion for baking when she needed a little extra money. She started working at A Rise Above Bakery as a counter girl in 1999, eventually making her way into the kitchen. She continued working at the Huntington village bakery while earning her Master’s degree for elementary education and spending three years doing leave replacement and substitute jobs.

Eventually, Kennaugh decided it was time to move on from low-level teaching jobs and begin exploring her passion. She took several classes at the Institute for Culinary Education, left her job at A Rise Above last November and opened blondie’s the following month.

The name, she admitted, stemmed more from a personal joke than the name of a baked good.

“I’m a blonde and it was always something I used to my advantage when I did something a little ditzy,” she said.

But her decision to open in Centerport has proven to be nothing short of brilliant. Kennaugh loves the small-town feel found within the Town of Huntington, which she said is especially prevalent around her bakery.

After surviving the winter holiday rush in a “baptism by fire,” the owner said locals are taking notice of blondie’s. Business

may have slowed down some since the holidays, but Kennaugh said she already has about 20 regular customers.

“I’ve only been here for two months, but already I can tell these people are excited we’re here,” she said.

Comfort is also part her game plan.

Kennaugh said she wants people to include blondie’s in their daily lives, whether it’s picking up a fresh-baked loaf of bread or grabbing a scone on their way to work. There is always a supply of small, portable treats.

The bakery will also take special orders with advance notice, although they’re already trying their own new recipes. Together with full-time baker Shannon Serrantino – a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America – Kennaugh confirmed she’s experimenting in the kitchen. They’ve already stumbled into one successful concoction known as the Neil Patrick Harris; it’s a layer of brownie, layer of Oreo and layer of chocolate chip cookie dough on top. On Friday, she said they were unveiling a batch of banana coconut cupcakes.

“I think they’ll go pretty well. I think they’re good. I’m learning that as long as we have something familiar in the case, people are willing to try something new,” Kennaugh said. blondie’s may also unveil something else new in the near future. The bakery purchased a truck and is navigating Suffolk County and Town of Huntington red tape to sell their goods on the road. On a Friday night in Huntington village, for example, Kennaugh wants to sell grilled cheese waffles, donuts and other snacks to bar patrons. Should that plan fall through, she said the truck could also just be used for deliveries or catering.

In the meantime, biting into a blondie’s confection requires visiting the store itself. Unlike many other bakeries, blondie’s is open every day of the week.

Kennaugh said she is considering closing Mondays to get organized and finish other business. But until then, it remains just Kennaugh, Serrantino and two parttime employees manning the store a combined 74 hours a week.

“It’s exhausting. It’s a new kind of tired.

I love it; I’m really, really happy,” she said.

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

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Navigating The Real Estate Market

It’s almost the prime season for the real estate market, which means it’s once again time for Long Islander Newspapers to dedicate its monthly LIfe feature section to navigating the market.

There is much to consider in planning a move, the first of which is whether the market will play in your favor. For sellers, real estate continue to stress that

homes are selling in all price ranges – so long as the price is right. Once you decide on an asking price, you need to make your home appealing to a buyer. Buyers seem to be in a favorable position these days, as experts are calling it a “buyer’s market” where they can afford to be patient to find what they want. Then comes deciding how to finance your purchase.

Michael Schenkler Publisher The official newspaper of the Town of Huntington; Half Hollow Hills School District; Harborfields Public Library District; South Huntington Water District; Cold Spring Harbor School District; Greenlawn Water District; South Huntington School District; Village of Lloyd Harbor; Village of Huntington Bay; and the Centerport, Cold Spring Harbor, Dix Hills, East Northport, Greenlawn, Halesite, Huntington, Huntington Manor and Melville Fire Districts.

Luann Dallojacono Editor Mike Koehler Danny Schrafel Stephanie DeLuca Reporters

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor Ian Blanco James Calandrino Production/ Art Department

Linda Gilbert Office / Legals Susan Mandel Advertising Director Larry Stahl Michele Caro Account Executives

This section will walk you through the market, starting with the state of real estate. These pages contain: a focus on downsizing in the current market; the growth of Signature Properties in Huntington; determining when it’s the right time to invest; and a special feature on Oheka Castle, one of Huntington’s most magnificent addresses.

Copyright © 2012 by Long Islander Newspapers, publishers of The Long-Islander, The Record, Northport Journal and Half Hollow Hills Newspaper. Each issue of the The Long-Islander and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander, LLC. None of the contents or articles may be reproduced in any forum or medium without the advance express written permission of the publisher. Infringement hereof is a violation of the Copyright laws.

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

It’s Time To Buy – Maybe Huntington gets high marks but buyers’ expectations also a factor LIfe photo/Mike Koehler

Although more expensive homes like this Cliffwood Drive house in Huntington are not moving quite as quickly, local real estate experts agree now is a great time to buy a house.

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Now is the best time to buy a home on Long Island – if you’re looking for a cheaper home in a certain neighborhood and have cash in hand.

Nearly every aspect of the global economy has been ravaged in recent years. But come spring 2012, several real estate agents within the Town of Huntington believe the local housing market will recover.

“I’m seeing many positive signs. January and February are normally very slow months. This year we’re taking buyers out and getting contracts written,” Jamie Marcantonio, an agent for Coldwell Banker, said.

Katherine Timms, who manages two area Coach Real Estate offices, believes the spring may be the beginning of a big recovery.

“The month of February last year and this February is about the same as far as activity. The year of 2011 was better than the year before,” Timms said. “I expect this year to be better than last year also.”

Both women said the housing market peaked in late 2005 and early 2006. As a result, many homeowners were left holding deeds to structures and properties that rapidly declined in value. Since that apex,

Timms said average home values have dropped by 30 percent.

Some owners continue to sit on their properties until the higher prices return, the real estate agents said, which isn’t likely to happen again any time soon.

“I’d say we’re back at 2002 prices.

This is the part sellers find hard to accept. I don’t know why, it’s an emotional thing. If you bought a stock at $100 and sold it for $50, there’s no discussion,” Timms said.

This mentality apparently can also lead to a property remaining on the market longer. Marcantonio confirmed the current Long Island housing market strongly favors the buyers, and behooves sellers to have realistic expectations. Her customers previously may have seen as many as two dozen houses, but would-be homeowners now will investigate 50 properties.

Joann Mussman, owner of European American Specialists, advised potential sellers to consider the home’s condition, location, school district, transportation and other possible sticking points before listing.

“Selling a house, you should really try to spruce it up before putting it on the market, and resolve any big problems. If you can’t afford to do so, you need to reduce your (Continued on page LI5)

LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

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State of the market (Continued from page LI4)

price substantially,” Mussman said.

While buyers may be favored in this market, real estate agents agree they should follow certain rules if they want the right price on the right house. That begins with establishing priorities – school district, location, price, etc. – and getting qualified by a mortgage broker.

“You don’t show any houses unless they’re qualified, because they don’t know what they can afford,” Timms said.

It’s also important for buyers to have realistic expectations and make legitimate offers. Mussman said clients in the post-2006 market looking for a new house often expect to find the perfect house for an unrealistically low price.

“You can’t get great and cheap. You can get a good value,” she added.

Marcantonio said real estate agents have long fought with buyers to make decent offers.

“If the buyers are not being realistic on their price, the houses are going to sit,” she said. “We’ve been struggling with that. We’ve been trying to educate our buyers and sellers at the same time.”

But unlike prior eras, there are great deals to be had, said Terry White of Adelaide Byers, especially if they come in with cash. Houses in Dix Hills, Northport, Centerport, Huntington are all desirable since they have easy access to train stations and the Long Island Expressway, along with fantastic schools.

The real action, however, is taking place elsewhere. Both Timms and Marcantonio confirmed the most active real

estate markets in the Town of Huntington are homes valued between $300,000 and $500,000. Many of these houses are in East Northport, although some do exist in places like Centerport and Huntington.

“Those are flying off the shelf,” Marcantonio said.

Conversely, more expensive houses are sitting on the market longer. Waterfront homes within the town often remain unsold for 3-6 months, Marcantonio said, with owners often resorting to multiple price reductions.

That same market has also made some previously “unaffordable” homes fall within more budgets. One locale Timms referenced as an example was the Village of Lloyd Harbor.

“In the past you couldn’t get a house under $1 million. You won’t have the biggest house, but you can get in there now,” she said.

The manager confirmed that Huntington Station is a very tough sell, even the nicer parts, because of the frequent reports of crime.

But there is good news for Town of Huntington residents. Real estate agents agree the immediate region is doing better than other parts of Long Island, let alone the country. Mussman said good schools, access to transportation and plenty of shopping continue to make Huntington an attractive community.

Along with the great schools, Marcantonio credited close proximity to water as a major selling point.

“Our phones are ringing. I think it’s attributable to the fact we have great real

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

It’s a good time to buy given the real estate market these days, with low prices, foreclosures and short-sales opening up doors for potential investors.

Agents Say Now Is Time To Invest

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Headlines have claimed the economy is the worst it’s been in years. So is now the best time to invest in real estate?

Real estate agents throughout the Town of Huntington agree that prices aren’t going to get any lower than they are right now.

“Absolutely [they should buy]. It’s the perfect time to buy because interest rates are low as well as prices being down which makes for a better market,” said Karyn Flores, license associate broker at Signature Premier Properties.

Flores noted that if a prospective buyer plans to invest in property in today’s market, it will benefit them in the long run.

Nikki Sturges, licensed associate broker at Daniel Gale Sotheby's, said investors do a lot of their processing through foreclosures, which are bank-owned homes, and short-sales, where the current homeowner still holds the title but owes more on their mortgage than its appraised value.

There are many foreclosures in the Town of Huntington, Sturges said. If a prospective buyer plans to purchase a foreclosure home, they must go to town hall to negotiate the price. They also need to have a certain down payment at the time of the offer and must have it in certified funds and pay it in certain increments.

“I strongly believe our market will recover to a certain degree but I do believe it will recover and there will be proud homeowners… and it’s more beneficial then being a renter,” Sturges said.

Katherine Timms, branch manager at Coach Realtors for Huntington village and Huntington Bay, advised potential in-

vestors to buy cheap property so there is profit to be made.

“As far as investing goes… the financial part has to work. And the only way it works is if you add up financing or the mortgage price, plus the taxes, is there any profit after that?” she said. “The investor won’t buy it unless it could pay for itself right from the beginning.”

Once an investor or potential buyer decides to go for it, most start their research online. Once they find their potential home, they should contact a real estate agent. Then the agent will get them in touch with a bank to see if they pre-qualify for a mortgage, Sturges said.

“You should make sure your credit card is in control and in a manageable range, and have your school loans or car loans in control,” she said.

After pre-qualifying, the agent will take prospective buyers to look at houses. After a decision is made, Sturges said the prospective buyer will make an offer but must have 10 or 20 percent of that payment in cash, or 3.5 percent with a Federal Housing Administration loan, which is a type of federal assistance that allows lower-income buyers to borrow money to purchase a home.

Sturges said prospective buyers should hire an engineer to make sure the home is in working order and hire an attorney to negotiate a contract with the seller’s attorney.

“Purchasing now is the best time because we know how the real estate market is cyclical…we do know historically it will go up at some point,” Sturges said.

Timms said prospective buyers should do their homework before making a decision on a home.

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LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

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The Ins And Outs Of Downsizing Finding a home that’s the right size – and price – in your golden years LIfe photos/Danny Schrafel

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

For 30 years, Huntington’s Joanne McCarthy owned a home near the Flower Hill School, commuting to Queens each day to educate her young elementary school pupils. Back at her suburban homestead, she lived with her husband and together raised their three boys.

But 16 years ago, her husband died and her youngest son was about to finish college. Her other two sons moved away – one to Massapequa and the other all the way to San Francisco. The home she raised her family in was becoming too much of a burden to keep.

So what can people in McCarthy’s – and countless others’ – situations do? Real estate experts, along with some who have gone through the experience themselves, show there are a number of options available.

Coldwell Banker sales associate Jamie Marcantonio, who has been in the field for 17 years, is working with a Kings Park man in his 80s who will soon be signing a contract to buy a condominium at the Knolls, a 55-and-over community in Stony Brook.

“That community has very low taxes, very low maintenance – it’s very affordable for the seniors. He jumped on it,” she said.

“The taxes go higher and higher – on a fixed income, living on Social Security, it’s so incredibly tight that they have to move on.”

But Marcantonio said such opportunities are hard to come by, and many looking to downsize are hesitant to sell their old homes unless they’re confident there’s something new out there for them. Many consider much farther east or out of state – places like North Carolina, for instance – which offer lower property taxes and a new community to learn in their golden years, but has the drawback of more distance from family members.

“Long Island needs to start doing a better job of making affordable housing for senior citizens,” Marcantonio said. “The fact that we have to go all the way out east… that’s pretty sad.”

Another thing to contend with, said Coach Associate Broker Maria Sneden, is the deep emotional attachment to their homes owners develop over several decades.

“I try to tell people that you’ve lived it, you’ve loved it and you’ve raised your family in it, and now it’s time to let somebody else love it,” Sneden said. “It’s hard. Emotionally, there’s so many different factors that go into it at this stage of your life.”

McCarthy tried twice to sell her Flower Hill home. In 1998, she was unable to find a buyer, and after several price reductions, she took the home off the market. Two years later, she sold her home within a few months.

That still left the predicament of finding a new place to live. She moved in with her sister while she searched for a new place. She ultimately settled on a two-bedroom, twoand-a-half bath townhouse in a 39-unit development on High Street. Two months later, her belongings were out of storage and she was in her new place.

“It was pure happenstance. There was an open house listing in Newsday, and I was moving out of my home on Thursday and the open house just caught my eye the previous Saturday,” she recalled. “[Living with

Northport’s Valerie Allocco downsized from a four-bedroom house around the corner to her current address, a cozy two-bedroom cottage.

Pictured in her living room, she shares the home with her husband and three dogs. my sister] lasted two months, and all of a sudden, I found this place.”

Her current residence, McCarthy said, offers manageable size but enough room for her children to sleep over with their families when they visit. She likes her neighbors, a mix of couples and widowers her age, along with some young families. Plus, she doesn’t have to give up Huntington village – she essentially moved from one side of town to the other.

“I’m still in the same community. My life didn’t change,” she said.

Key to making a sale in a timely fashion is pricing the home at an “actionable value” that creates urgency in a buyer, Patricia Bretone, an associate broker at Daniel Gale Sotheby’s Huntington office, said.

“The reality is there is a market value range for every home and it’s important to be in that market range. If you want to shorten

the timeframe your home is on the market and get it done, you have to be on the lower end of that market value range.” If a seller prices their home wisely, they’ll have a deal in about 120 days on average, she added.

But for many, the transition isn’t quite as smooth sailing. In the interim, there are some ways to ease the financial burden.

Susan Lagville, executive director of Greenlawn-based Housing Help, said homeowners should always make sure they are receiving the tax credits and exemptions they are due, ranging from STAR rebates, veterans, firefighters and disability benefits.

The Family Service League, she added, sponsors HomeShare Long Island, which links homeowners over age 60 who have spare bedrooms with other adults who need affordable housing. The applicants must be at least 18, employed or in school, and the tenants pay their way with a combination of

companionship, rent payments or help with household tasks.

“Their program is excellent because they interview and clear all of the applicants,” Lagville said.

One option that is not a good stopgap measure, but something to carefully consider if one wants to stay in their home for the rest of their life, is reverse equity. Open to homeowners over age 62, reverse mortgages convert part of the home’s equity into cash without having to sell or pay additional bills. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there are several reverse mortgage products available, and homeowners should take great care before they sign on the dotted line.

“If they did want to leave something to their children, it’s possible there won’t be any equity left in the home,” Lagville said of reverse equity.

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

Signature’s Expansion Agency opening third location soon LIfe photo/Stephanie DeLuca

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Signature Premier Properties is only a few years old, but the company is rapidly growing here on Long Island.

“I firmly believe the agents are the best in the village in my eyes,” said Kathy KirbyViard, branch manager of the Huntington office. “I feel that we do have the top agents locally… Their business is selling homes and I firmly believe we’re doing right.”

Peter Morris opened Signature’s first location at 17 East Carver St. in Huntington with his partner Barbara Wanamaker in late 2007. Since the location filled quickly, Morris bought land and commissioned a new building at 157 East Main St., which will incorporate the old office. Marisa Brinn, administrator at Signature Premier Properties, said they will be having their grand opening in the next couple of weeks.

Brinn noted Morris did not think Signature was going to be this successful.

“We just opened it with the idea that we wanted to have some small brokerage with experienced people and give people sort of an independent option…he opened it with Barbara Wanamaker and they’ve both been in business in Huntington for over 20 years.”

Though Morris and Wanamaker are no longer partners at Signature Premier Properties, Wanamaker is still a practicing agent.

Morris is also the owner of Morris Constructions, through which he has built

In just a few years, Signature Premier Properties is on the move. A new building on East Main Street will house the agency’s Huntington office. about 300 homes in the Huntington area since he started the company in 1994. He is still in construction.

In 2011, Signature Premier Properties sold 486 houses, Brinn said.

Currently, there are three branches in Suffolk County: 99 Main St. in Cold Spring Harbor, 172 Main St. in Northport and its soon-to-be-open Huntington location.

Kirby-Viard said that Signature will service anyone from Queens all the way to Montauk. All agents are neighborhood specialists who will take clients through the step-by-step process of looking for a home all the way until the closing date.

Brinn said depending on each case, deals often take about three months.

“We top agents that know the market infinitely…We concentrate on our agents and they are us and make us who we are,” Kirby-Viard said.

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

The

INVITE THE FOODIES:

Foodie SECTION

The Foodie crew is out and about townwide. Restaurant owners, chefs and food fans are invited to submit news and notices to The Foodies, c/o Long Islander newspapers, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743, or e-mail foodie@longislandernews.com.

To suggest reviews, e-mail or call Peter Sloggatt at 631-427-7000.

New Chef Reinventing Porto Vivo’s Menu Foodie photos/Peter Sloggatt

By Pete and Rosie foodie@longislandernews.com

In the two-plus years after their a flashy opening, Porto Vivo is settling in and going back to basics. Good food, simple yet diverse menu offerings and an always-comfortable atmosphere are establishing the restaurant as a reliable family favorite.

Porto Vivo burst on the Huntington restaurant scene in 2009 following an extensive renovation of a one-time antiques warehouse on Gerard Street. The showpiece restaurant, featuring multilevel dining rooms with a bustling lounge at its heart, is the brainchild of Home Shopping Network guru Joy Mangano and another chapter in the story of how a single mom converted a good idea to wild business success.

Mangano is known as the “mother of invention,” a play on words that marries her business roots – she’s an inventor who’s turned good ideas into top-selling merchandise – and one of the few things in her life that might be more important to her – motherhood. Mangano is perhaps best known as the inventor of the Huggable Hanger, a sturdy, flat hanger covered in a fabric-gripping velvety material that have changed millions of closets forever.

Hundreds of millions of them – yes, hundreds of millions! – have been sold on the Home Shopping Network, where Mangano is one of the network’s most popular and successful presenters.

For Porto Vivo, Mangano has tapped the showmanship she learned in television while emphasizing the comfort and conviviality that mealtimes bring to Italian households. While any restaurant experience involves a bit of theater and showmanship, the Italian respect for simplicity, freshness and sheer enjoyment of food is always at the forefront at Porto Vivo.

The upscale décor, with its dark woods, clean lines and contemporary details, has a richness that is at the same time comfortable. The main level dining is slightly more casual than the upstairs fireplace room; both are at the same time sophisticated and welcoming. On our recent visit we were seated at our favorite table opposite the kitchen. From our banquette seating we were privy to the workings of the bustling, part-open kitchen across the main dining room.

In his first few months at the helm of that bustling kitchen, Chef Balbo has made his mark. The menu does retain some favorites, like the prosciutto, fig and arugula pizzette ($18), a satisfying marriage of complimentary salty and sweet tastes that’s suitable for sharing to start a meal, or a great late-night meal at the bar. But for the most part, the menu is Balbo’s. It’s simple, yet with a diversity in its offerings. One can go for a simple pizzette and a salad, or choose from a variety of sophisticated menu offerings. On our visit, we went the classic route – appetizer, entrée and dessert – to try as much of the menu as possible.

Appetizers are generous, so there’s enough to share a few among a table full of guests. Porto Vivo crab cocktail ($16), is lump crabmeat in a pool of tomato-vodka soup with a lemon jam and celery “spuma” (Italian for froth) swirled in. It is dramatically presented in an oversized bowl with the individual components providing flavors for both the eyes and mouth.

Delightful a dish as that was, it was overshadowed by the burst of flavors in the Tuna and Watermelon salad ($13). Diced Ahi tuna, watermelon and tomatoes with an intense yuzu emulsion, proved to be a complex and sophisticated mix. Peppery basil, sharp vinegar and pine nuts each brought their own music, and all of it over a sprinkling of sea salt that danced with the sweet watermelon. We could have ended the meal there only because it left us so contented.

Filet Mignon with a cheese-topped crock of Porto Vivo’s sophisticated mac and cheese.

The realm of citrus flavors, vinegars and herbs seems a comfort zone for the chef, and we’re eager to return for another dance with a salad. The house salad with bibb lettuce, endive, pears and blue cheese with a blood orange vinaigrette ($11) sounds like it might do the trick, but we’d also like to take the roasted beet and ricotta salata salad ($9) with aged sherry vinegar, roasted hazelnuts and citrus segments for a spin.

Likewise, intriguing appetizers we’ll try include the roast octopus ($11) with dried chorizo, lemon, garlic, basil and that aged sherry vinegar; and the classic buffalo mozzarella ($13) with its smoked sea salt, olive and basil oils and balsamic reduction.

We skipped the pasta selections, again thinking we’ll return. (“Pass the Meatballs” night beckons, but more about that later.) Instead we dove right into composed entrée plates. Filet mignon ($38) is prime beef served simply with asparagus spears and Porto Vivo mac and cheese, a baked, cheese-topped crock with truffle and a hint of something sherry-like. The meat speaks for itself in this dish.

We also tried a special of slow roasted pork shank over mashed potatoes. The chef’s skills with the spice rack – this dish was rich with tarragon – broke through any heaviness, while broccoli rabe reveled in aromatic garlic.

Roasted lamb loin ($36) sounds similarly complex with its “cumin-scented eggplant” and “grappa-soaked fried grapes,” and it comes with Vivo’s signature sautéed baby artichokes. Yeah, we’ll be back, though next time we’ll probably opt for one of the chef’s tastings menus: five courses for $75 per person; or $45 for a pasta tasting menu. We’ve learned enough to trust the chef’s choices.

Dessert seemed almost superfluous. We kept it simple, choosing pound cake with vanilla gelato ($8) and fresh orange segments only because the restaurant really seems to shine where fresh fruit is involved. Molten chocolate cake with peanut butter gelato tempted, as did a cheese and fruit platter.

Service was attentive throughout the night, even with the demands of two large parties in the restaurant. The only disappointment of the night was the coffee. Our advice is to ask before you order whether they’ve switched to a new supplier.

Being the brainchild of an inventive marketing whiz, Porto Vivo is always trying something new. Live music in the lounge, wine-paired dinners, “Pass the Meatballs”

night and sumptuous Sunday brunch provide something for everyone. Coming up is Italian Week, a seven-night celebration of Italian food with something different every night of the week from Feb. 27 through March 4. A chef’s tasting is set for Thursday.

Roast pork shank with mashed potatoes and broccoli rabe.

Tuna and watermelon salad is a dance of flavors.

LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

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Side Dish DINE HUNTINGTON.COM

By DineHuntington.com Foodie@longislandernews.com

CRAFT BEERS: Beer lovers, save the date.

The Spring Craft Beer Festival is coming to Nassau Coliseum, giving brew fans an opportunity to sample and learn more about regional craft beers. Fifty brewers will be there pouring 100 beers and plenty of draft-infused menu items will be served in the beer garden. The beer fest will be held Saturday, March 10 and tickets are limited so that organizers can assure everyone who pays will be able to sample the beer. Admission is $45 in advance/$55 on event day with a reduced price of $12 for designated drivers. Visit www.springcraftbeerfestival.com for tickets and information.

GLUTEN-FREE EATS: Ruvo Restaurant (63 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-7700 ruvorestaurant.com) has added gluten-free pasta to the menu. The 100-percent gluten free corn pasta is prepared with a variety of sauces: sautéed lobster with spinach, white beans, light tomato and fresh basil broth ($29); slow-cooked Bolognese ($23); Primavera, with seasonal vegetables and garlic broth ($20); Vongole, with local clams, garlic, white or red sauce ($22); shrimp carbonara, with caramelized onions, prosciutto and cream ($27); alla vodka with grilled chicken and prosciutto ($24); or ragu with house-made sausage ($22).

KOSHER COOKING THROWDOWN: Huntington Jewish Center presents an evening of culinary entertainment on Saturday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. The evening features exciting team competitions, guest speaker Chef Shaya Klechevsky, former competitor on The Food Network's "Chopped", bake-off and matzoh ball eating contest, plus raffles and prizes.

Tickets are $50 and include admission, hors d'oeuvres and open bar. It’s at Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington. For more information, call 631-427-6513 ext. 10 or e-mail joligran@gmail.com.

Schafer Hillside Select, selling for up to $511, is on the half-price list at Prime during Winter Wine Week.

MONSOON BLOWS IN: The folks who brought A-list restaurant Prime to Huntington’s harborfront are blowing into Babylon with an Asian-fusion restaurant. Monsoon – An Asian Kitchen and Lounge (48 Deer Park Ave. Babylon 631-587-4400 www.monsoonny.com), is a creation of the Bohlsen Restaurant Group and opens to the public on Friday, Feb 24. Located in the former Bank of Babylon building, extensive renovations, an exciting Asian-inspired menu and those Bohlsen touches promise an exciting dining experience.

Specials! Specials! Specials!

7 nights of Italian indulgence featuring signature dishes you will dream about!

Monday 2/27 Pass the Meatballs Night - Fresh Homemade Pasta and Gourmet Italian Meatball Dinner Special, $25 per person plus $5 glasses of wine in lounge and dining room!

Tuesday 2/28 TEQUILA DINNER: Besito (402 New York Ave., Huntington 631-549-0100 www.besitomex.com) announces a tequila dinner on Wednesday, March 7 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The dinner, featuring Partida Tequila, costs $75 per person plus tax and gratuity and is limited to 40 guests. Guests will enjoy Tacos de Cangrejo, or king crab tacos, paired with Partida Reposado; Costillas Asada with beef short rib paired with Partida Anejo; and lime tart paired with Partida Elegante. Reservations are required.

WINE TIME AT PRIME: Prime – an American Kitchen and Bar (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 www.restaurantprime.com) celebrates its annual Winter Wine Week from Tuesday, Feb. 28 to Sunday, March 4, with half-off all wines over $100. Beverage Director Paulo Villela includes Opus One (regularly $330), Peter Michael (regularly $277) and Shafer Hillside Select (regularly up to $511). Also included are selections from Bryant Family Vineyards (from $960 to $1,450), Harlan Estate (from $962 to $1,924) and Screaming Eagle (regularly $3,300), allowing diners to save up to $1,650. It’s a great time to build a meal around that special bottle you’ve had your eye on.

Chef Balbo offers his specialty pastas for $10 and heavenly Margherita Pizzettes for only $5

Wednesday 2/29 Wine Lovers Wednesday 35% off all bottles $50 and up served table side. In addition, our expert Italian Wine purveyor will offer samples and wine tastings at discounted prices all night long.

Thursday 3/1 A Taste of Southern Italy!

Enjoy Chef Balbos six course dinner menu with Le Cantine Wine pairings , $75 a person. (7pm seating; book ahead)

Friday 3/2

Can you handle the Norbie challenge?

NORBIE MONSTER: Are you up for a burger challenge? The Norbie monster burger pannino at La Bottega of Huntington (9 Wall St. Huntington www.labottegaofhuntington.com) is a heart-stopping pair of grilled ground beef hamburgers with bacon, Pepperoncino cheese and hot peppers, named for the restaurant’s counter-man, Norbie. It’s $12.95 if you’re up to the challenge.

Peroni Beer Night!

Special samplings, tap discounts and food pairings for this Italian beer.

Saturday 3/3 Chef will have Super Specials with Italian wine pairings, featured bottles and wines from our secret cellar list.

Sunday 3/4 2 Sides to Brunch - 11am to 3pm with gourmet brunch specialties; or Pass the Meatballs Night for the dinner hours.

Live Music In our lounge all week long!

Call for Reservations at 631.385.8486

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

The Biggest House On The Block Atop the highest point on Long Island, Oheka Castle is prime real estate Photo by Elliott Kaufman Photography

Today, Oheka Castle is a living testament to Long Island’s famed Gold Coast mansions. It is the second largest private home in America; only the Biltmore in North Carolina is bigger.

By Luann Dallojacono ldallojacono@longislandernews.com

It was arguably the smartest move in Huntington’s modern-day real estate history.

Oheka Castle, the second largest private home in the United States, was in complete shambles, and it was about to belong to Gary Melius.

The Long Island developer said he was on the grounds of the rundown castle for 15 minutes before he put down an offer on the 23-acre Huntington estate. For $1.5 million, it was his, ready or not.

“I wasn’t thinking. I didn’t expect when I made the offer that they’d accept,” Melius said.

Today, he jokes that all the castle needed was a coat of paint, but in reality, on that 1984 day, Melius had taken on 109,000 square feet of devastation. Abandoned for years, the mansion had no doors, windows, electric or plumbing. Graffiti covered the walls, and the rooms had been ransacked.

Thieves had stripped the building of its copper piping and anything else of value.

The castle demonstrated a sort of resilience, however. Although vandals had set more than 100 fires within its walls, the structure, made of concrete and steel, survived. Melius, with his unyielding entrepreneurial spirit, decided to take a chance on an opportunity. His intent was to turn the castle into condominiums.

With the daunting task of cleaning out and securing the castle ahead of him, his plan became to attack the devastation head on.

“The plan was to just… go. So that’s what I did. I just started cleaning up,” Melius said.

The debris filled 300 30-yard containers, and so began what is possibly the largest restoration in American history.

Twenty-eight years and $35 million later, Oheka Castle is estimated to be 70 percent restored to the grandeur it had in the early 20th century as the summer home and weekend retreat of financier Otto Kahn and his family.

Shifting gears from his condominium plan, Melius now operates the 117-room castle, located on West Gate Drive off Jericho Turnpike, as a wedding and event venue as well as a luxury hotel, surrounded by the rolling hills

A young Gary Melius stands in front of the devastated Oheka Castle shortly after he purchased the home and 23-acre estate in 1984. of the Cold Spring Country Club golf course.

It is also his home. He lives on the third floor with his wife Pamela and youngest daughter, Elena.

“For me it’s good because all I do is work.

I’m a work machine,” he said.

All that work has certainly paid off. Oheka has prospered as a business, and the castle and its 23 acres are estimated to be worth about $80 million.

Largest Restoration In American History At the height of its grandeur from 1919 to 1934, Oheka, an acronym for the name of owner Otto Hermann Kahn, was a magnificent residential specimen. Inspired by

chateaux in France, it was where Kahn played host to a world of royalty, heads of state and celebrities with his lavish parties.

The original estate encompassed 443 acres, with the mansion at the top of what still today is Long Island’s highest point.

Kahn made sure of that – his workers spent two years building the hill, making it so high that you can see Cold Spring Harbor.

Construction on the castle itself began in 1917 and lasted two years at a cost of $11 million, equivalent to approximately $110 million in today’s currency.

Designed by architects Delano & Aldrich, one of the Gold Coast’s premier mansion builders, the castle is made of reinforced steel and concrete, with some walls measuring 3½ feet thick. It is virtually fireproof, which is no coincidence; Kahn’s prior home in New Jersey was de-

stroyed by flames.

Kahn died in 1934, and the estate changed hands several times. It served as a retreat for New York sanitation workers, a government training school for Merchant Marine radio operators and, later as the Eastern Military Academy for more than 30 years. The school went bankrupt in 1979, and the glorious Oheka was abandoned until Melius came along.

Melius made it his mission to restore the castle to its original state as accurately as possible. He used the original plans to reconstruct it and called in architects, historians and researchers.

“I felt they did things better those days,” Melius said. “I figured, who am I to try to outdo them?”

To restore the roof, Melius purchased (Continued on page LI 13)

LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

LI 13

Multi-million-dollar restoration turns a profit famous staircase from the Chateau Fontainebleau in France.

The result is a living testament to Long Island’s famed Gold Coast.

“We can’t let these places go, especially on Long Island. They’re one of the most important resources that we have and we’re not valuing them enough,” said Melius’ daughter Nancy, who works as Oheka’s director of marketing and design.

“We need to wake up a little and make sure we save them before there aren’t that many left.”

A Booming Business

Oheka Castle was just short of being in complete disrepair when Melius purchased it. Graffiti covered the walls, there were no doors or windows, and mattresses from its days as a military academy had been piled high and lit on fire. In short, he had his work cut out for him.

(Continued from page LI 12)

4,000 roof slates from the same Vermont quarry Kahn bought the originals. He hired craftsman who did rubber casting to recreate the molding in the rooms, and replaced windows and doors with custom-made replicas. The formal gardens were refashioned using the original drawings created by the Olmsted Brothers.

Restoration was briefly interrupted in 1989 when Melius sold the castle to a Japanese businessman, but Melius quickly got back to work when he leased the prop-

erty in 1993 and outright bought it back in 2000.

“We’ve done our best to try to recreate it,” said Roger Diller, Melius’ architect for Oheka. “We have a ton of photos of the building from back in the day. I can zoom in and start picking out details so we can recreate it. Gary is great at that. He really strives to recreate what was here.”

It seems Melius didn’t miss a detail, all the way down to refinishing the wroughtiron railing of the castle’s signature grand staircase in the entry foyer, inspired by the

Much like it did during the days of Otto Kahn, today Oheka hosts lavish celebrations, from upscale weddings to profitable fundraisers. Its first wedding was held in 1987, and though the castle was only partially restored at the time, the bride and groom thought it was the perfect place to get married. The Terrace Room was added in 2003 to accommodate larger events, upping the castle’s square footage to 115,000.

As a wedding venue, Oheka has caught the eye of Hollywood, with celebrities such as the Jonas Brothers’ Kevin Jonas and NSync’s Joey Fatone choosing it as the place to tie the knot. The castle has also served as the backdrop for photo shoots and music, television and film productions.

Scenes for such films as 1941’s “Citizen Kane” and 2008’s “What Happens in Vegas” were shot at Oheka, and it is the backdrop for USA Network’s television series “Royal Pains.”

The castle is also billed as the perfect

escape for a romantic weekend getaway.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a member of Historic Hotels of America, Oheka’s 32 guest rooms exhibit the same old-world charm as the castle itself.

With its versatile use all year long, operating costs do not come cheap. In addition to the $225,000 in property taxes, Oheka spends $40,000 per month in heat and electric and $4 million per year in payroll.

All In The Family The grounds of Oheka Castle are bustling during the day, with guides leading mansion tours, engaged couples sizing up the castle as a potential wedding venue, employees catering to hotel guests, and maintenance crews tending to the historic building and its 23 acres of land.

But as much as it is a business, it is also a home. Not only does Gary Melius live in the castle; he also is surrounded by his family, who work there in several capacities. The operation includes his oldest daughter Nancy Melius, Oheka’s director of marketing and design; his second daughter Kelly Melius, Oheka’s director of sales; Kelly’s husband John Dipreta, the banquet manager; and sales manager Rick Bellando, who is Kelly’s ex-husband. In addition, Fabian Santibanez, fiancé of Gary’s youngest daughter, Elena Melius, works as the hotel manager, and Gary’s son, Tommy Melius, is a carpenter there.

The royalty of the castle, however, may (Continued on page LI 14)

LI 14

• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

More in store for Oheka family operation Photo by Elliott Kaufman Photography

Gary Melius and his wife Pamela a few years ago at the wedding of his daughter Kelly. The celebration was, of course, held at Oheka Castle.

(Continued from page LI 13)

be the dogs. Mia, a spunky little Shorkie (Shih-tzu and Yorkie), can be found prancing around the offices, and though she doesn’t take to strangers easily, she can put you under her spell with her big brown eyes. Black Labradors Otto and Remy keep to the Melius apartment upstairs.

In many ways, the Oheka family extends beyond the gates of the castle, and that was true from the very beginning.

Gary Melius’ fondest Oheka memory is throwing his first Halloween party a few months after buying the castle. He used generators and port-a-potties, and there was plywood on the windows, but close friends and costumes made the night one to remember. The next year would mark Oheka’s first public event, the Halloween Masquerade Ball in 1985.

Melius also developed strong ties to Oheka’s neighbors by doing sound checks and working with them on their concerns about living so close to an event venue.

“That was really important to my father, to make sure their needs were taken care of,” his daughter Nancy said.

Those ties remain today. The great lawn in the front is where an Easter egg hunt for the local children is held every year, a throwback to the days Otto Kahn would do the same. Oheka is also where not-forprofits like the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, Northport-based A Midwinter Night’s Dream, which raises money for ALS research, and Huntington-based Toys of Hope hold their annual fundraisers. The Townwide Fund of Huntington will hold its 50th Anniversary Gala at Oheka on April 19.

Community ties are also evident through the not-for-profit Friends of Oheka, Inc., a public-private partnership with castle owner Melius, which sponsors free tours for students and scholarships.

The Best Is Yet To Come?

Though architect Diller isn’t related to the Melius family, he has been around long enough to know how Gary Melius thinks and what he wants when it comes to plans for the castle. That will come in handy given Melius’ plans to expand and add value to the estate.

“After all these years I understand exactly what he wants and doesn’t want,” said Diller, who joined the team in 1999. “The template’s here so that makes it easy. I’m

The refinished grand staircase is one of Oheka’s signature characteristics. Its design was inspired by the famous staircase from the Chateau Fontainebleau in France.

Oheka’s 23-acre estate, complete with formal gardens and pools, hosts lavish celebrations, weddings and fundraisers. not inventing or reinventing anything.”

Melius will have a tremendous impact on the Huntington real estate market when he harkens back to his initial condominium idea and breaks ground on the Residences at Oheka project. The 190-unit development will be built on 18.3 acres between the castle and Jericho Turnpike, 13 acres of which was purchased for $52.5 million from the Cold Spring Country Club, his daughter Nancy said. The remaining acreage, which belongs to the Oheka estate, is valued at $10 million.

The proposal is a win for luxury condohunters as well as golfers, since the development rights for the golf course would be transferred to the 18.3 acres,

forever protecting the course from future development.

More is coming for the castle as well.

Melius estimates he has about $20 million in restoration and renovation to go. Diller is currently designing a restaurant for the castle’s main floor, and the castle owner is considering adding several amenities, such as a health spa, outdoor pool, new tennis courts and even a bowling alley.

“We want to try to make it a little different, have a little fun,” Melius said.

Whatever is in store for Oheka Castle, it has for certain created tremendous opportunity for Melius and countless others.

“The greatest thing about it is the people I meet,” Melius said. “I’m an eighth-

grade dropout and the other night I had dinner with [Supreme Court] Justice [Antonin] Scalia. How many people get that opportunity?”

Melius, who has been on his own since he was 15 years old, has always been an entrepreneur. He ran a pizza oven company, tire service and swimming pool business, was involved in the coal business, and even invested in movies. Among his few regrets in life are not having had the college experience and never having served in the military. He did try, but was sidelined due to a shoulder injury.

“I’m a patriot,” he said. “I love this country. I think anybody can make it, and if I ain’t the proof of that…”

LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

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NEW CRYPTOQUIP BOOKS 3 & 4! Send $3.50 for one book or $6.00 for both (check/m.o.) to Cryptoquip Classics Books 3 and 4, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475

LI 15

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LI 16

• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

THURSDAY Red Is For Passion Love the color red and enjoy living it up? The Red Hat women are looking for new members who enjoy going places and making new friends. Their motto: Fun, Frolic and Friendship. 631-271-6470 or flarpp@yahoo.com.

Calendar O M M U N I T Y

Best-selling author Jodi Picoult stops at Huntington High School March 2 to speak about, read from and sign “Lone Wolf,” the story of Luke Warren, a renowned wolf expert, who ends up on life support after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a car accident. Tickets are $28 plus tax, and include a copy of “Lone Wolf” from Book Revue. Without buying a book, a ticket is $5. Special $5 tickets are also available for Huntington School District students. Call Book Revue at 631-271-1442 or visit them in person at 313 New York Ave., Huntington.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library

SATURDAY Movie For Autistic Children

Live local bands take over Finley's of Greene Street, 43 Greene St., Huntington, every Saturday night at 11 p.m. Join in the fun and food!

The End Of The World?

Join astrophysicist Kevin Manning for an entertaining presentation on the “Great 2012 Scare,” followed by Roland Emmerich’s over-the-top disaster flick “2012” on Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m., part of the Science On Screen series at Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. $9 members/$13 public. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611.

WEDNESDAY

Huntington Jewish Center presents an Evening of Culinary Entertainment on March 3, 7:30 p.m. featuring exciting team competitions, guest speaker Shaya Klechevsky (competitor on The Food Network's “Chopped”), a bake-off and a matzoh ball eating contest. $50 includes admission, hors d’oeuvres and open bar.

Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave. 631427-6513 ext.10 or e-mail joligran@gmail.com.

Learn the basics of getting a job at Councilman Mark Mayoka and the Huntington Small Business Resource & Recovery Center’s job workshop at Town Hall in Room 104 on Feb. 28, 7 p.m. Keynote speaker Karen McKenna will present an interactive workshop to teach proactive measures to assist job seekers.

Bernard Ryba from the Stony Brook Small Business Development Center will introduce strategies to aid start-up entrepreneurs and small businesses owners. Contact Allison Lewin at 631-351-3317.

SUNDAY Memorial Blood Drive The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington will hold its second annual Joan McWade and Todd Stutzman Memorial Blood Drive on Feb. 26, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at 109 Browns Road. Guidelines require donors to be over age 16 and under 76, with a parental note needed if age 16, and a doctor's note if over 75. Also required are a photo ID or signature ID, a minimum weight of 110 pounds, and no tattoos received for the previous 12 months.

For questions concerning medical eligibility, call 1-800-688-0900.

Visits From Senior Advocates Senior advocates will assist seniors with food stamps, Medicare savings programs, Medicaid applications and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications, as well as answer questions and make additional recommendations and referrals on several days throughout the winter: Huntington Nutrition Center on Wednesdays, Feb. 29 and March 28, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Paumanack Village I & II (Greenlawn) on Tuesday, March 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; South Huntington Library on Thursday, March 22, 10-11:30 a.m.; Paumanack Village V & VI (Melville) on Tuesday, March 13, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and Huntington Library on Monday, March 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. 631-853-8200.

MONDAY Aging And Saging Deal with changes in your life with a splash of empathy and humor at the Aging and Saging support group. Meets Mondays except holidays from 10 a.m.-noon at the Women’s Center, 125

Zumba For A Cause Join instructor Annette Weiss for a great Zumba workout, and help children with autism and special needs at the same time. Classes are held Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at the Chai Center, 501 Vanderbilt Pkwy, Dix Hills. $5 a class/$25 for six. RSVP to 631-351-8672.

Proceeds goes to the Chai Center Friendship Circle program.

Tips For Business Owners Serious about growing your business? LeTip members are respected professionals who understand how to give and get tips to increase everyone's bottom line. Join them every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at their weekly morning networking meeting. For more information, contact Dave Muller, 631-831-1921.

RSVP a must.

Power Breakfast Join business professionals at BNI Executive Referral Exchange’s breakfast networking meeting every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at the Dix Hills Diner, 1800 Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills. 631-462-7446.

AT THE LIBRARIES

Hilary Davidson Signs Book

Cold Spring Harbor Library

Author Hilary Davidson returns to Book Revue to speak about and sign her book, “The Next One to Fall” on Feb. 28, 7 p.m. 313 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-271-1442.

95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-6926820. cshlibrary.org.

• Enjoy a fun morning of literature brought into action. Play Mother Goose themed games at the library on Feb. 24, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

• Certified yoga instructor Nancy Kelly will teach 10-weekly sessions on Wednesdays, Feb. 29 - May 9, $70, payable by check. The check is nonrefundable. There will be no class on April 11. Sign up at the Information Services Desk. Please bring a yoga mat to class.

Memorial Set A memorial honoring the life of Peggy Teufel will be held April 15, 2 p.m. at the Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. Teufel was instrumental in founding the library and its Friends organization, and many other charitable organizations, including the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Townwide Fund of Huntington, Western Suffolk Girl Scout Council and Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association. She died Dec. 13, 2011 at the age of 91.

warmth of the Women’s Center, 125 Main St., Huntington. 631-549-0485. $10 members/$15 non-members, per session.

TUESDAY Job Workshop

The Little Cow Harbor Run for HOPE, a 4-mile run through Greenlawn, begins at Oldfield Middle School at 9:30 a.m. March 3. A half-mile Kid’s Fun Run, for 10 and under, is at 8:30 a.m. Free pasta dinner for all runners pre-registered by March 2. www.projecthopeny.org. projecthopeny@gmail.com.

Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631-4214530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631421-4535. hhhlibrary.org.

• The Greenlawn American Legion and the Melville branch are sponsoring a flag drop-off program so old flags can be retired and destroyed according to recommendations from the National Flag Foundation. When the library is open, look for the U.S. mailbox with the custom paint job in the lobby until March 5.

• Trained AARP counselors will provide free assistance in completing your income tax forms on Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-2p.m., Feb. 7April 10 in Dix Hills. Bring your W-2 and 1099 forms, last year’s tax statements, and other supporting documents. No appointment is necessary.

• Enjoy “Last of the Red Hot Lovers,” a classic Neil Simon play that will have you laughing out loud. Barry Cashman is a middle-aged man who wants to join the sexual revolution before it’s too late. Feb. 26 from 2-3:30 p.m.

Limit two tickets per person.

Harborfields Public Library Main St., Huntington. 631-549-0485. $10 members, $15 non-members, per session.

Kosher Cooking Throwdown

Little Cow Harbor

44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. www.deerparklibrary.com.

• Celebrate the day with stories, songs and surprises with Saturday stories. Feb. 25, 1011 a.m.

3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-499-3722. www.elwoodlibrary.org.

• Watch “The Way” (PG-13), directed by Emilio Estevez, on Friday, Feb. 24, 1 p.m.

Jodi Picoult Returns

Live Music

Deer Park Public Library

Elwood Public Library

FRIDAY

Assemblyman Jim Conte will host a movie for special-needs children living with autism and other developmental disabilities at the AMC Loews Shore 8, 37 Wall St. in Huntington village, on Feb. 25, 10 a.m. The movie, “The Secret World of Arrietty,” will be presented in a sensory-friendly manner – not too dark or loud – and is being shown at the discounted rate of $6 per person. Families will also be allowed to bring their own gluten-free and casein-free snacks. 631-271-8025.

mostly retired professional and military musicians, has been playing in many venues all over the Island.

Calling All Needleworkers The Suffolk County Chapter of The Embroiderers' Guild of America holds its monthly meeting Feb. 28, 7 p.m. at Half Hollow Hills Library, 55 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills.

All level stitchers welcome. Call Pat at 631423-3738.

Free Help For Vets Long Island Cares dedicates every Tuesday afternoon from 12-4 p.m. to “Military Appreciation Tuesdays,” specifically assisting veterans, military personnel and their families at the Hauppauge and Freeport emergency pantries. Appointments can be made by contacting jrosati@licares.org.

Divorce Support Group Meets Tuesdays – Jan. 17, 24 and 31 – from 7-9 p.m. Share your journey in the safety and

Commack Public Library 18 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4990888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us.

• Celebrate Polar Bear Day with a story time and making crafts. Feb. 25 from 10-10:30 a.m. Ages 3 to Pre-K. • Revisit the days of the Big Bands when the Northport Jazz Band makes its debut performance on Feb. 26 from 2-3:30 p.m. This recently formed 17-piece band, made up of

31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org.

• Children in kindergarten through second grade can make a 3D igloo with penguins sculpture. Feb 27 at 5 p.m.

• IRS-trained AARP representatives will provide tax assistance in completing income tax forms to persons 60 years and older as well as people of all ages with low to moderate income. Sessions are by appointment only.

Last appointment 2 p.m. Call Reference Desk for more information and to make an appointment. Feb. 24, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Huntington Public Library Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631-421-5053. www.thehuntingtonlibrary.org.

• Ross Barbera’s “Sunlit World of the Northeast Landscape” is on display through Feb. 26.

• Computer Fifth Grade for Grownups at Huntington Public Library - Station Branch.

This workshop covers using the Windows Desktop to enhance the user’s work environment. Feb. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m.

• On Monday and Thursday afternoons are showings of newly released, independent and foreign films. All movies begin at 1 p.m.

All welcome.

Northport-East Northport Public Library Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-261-6930. East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org.

• In both branch galleries throughout February is the “Reflections Showcase” of drawings, paintings, photography and literary works by elementary schools in the Northport-East Northport School District • Registration is now open for parenting program “Getting Ready for Adolescence,” for parents of children ages 8-12, on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7 p.m. in Northport. Jane Golub, R.N. will help parents teach about healthy relationships, conflict resolution skills, and responsible decision-making, safely navigating the Internet as well as ways to cope with peer pressure. Use online code NENJ670.

South Huntington Public Library 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station.

631-549-4411. www.shpl.info.

• The Friends of the South Huntington Library have partnered with the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport to offer discount tickets to performances. Library patrons can save $5 per ticket, and in turn, the theater will donate $10 to the Friends of the Library. Use the promo code SHPL. • The North Shore Civil War Roundtable will host a lecture by Kevin Weddle Thursday,

(Continued on page LI17)

LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

(Continued from page LI16)

“Pinkalicious”

March 1 at 7 p.m. Weddle will discuss his book, “Lincoln’s Tragic Admiral: The Life of Samuel Francis DuPont.”

In “Pinkalicious,” a girl can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe. Showing Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through March 25 at the John W. Engeman Theater At Northport as part of the Youth Theater Series. $15. 350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631261-2900.

THEATER and FILM Cinema Arts Centre 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611.

• The centre celebrates Black History Month with six movies and guests through Feb. 27: “Paradox” at 6 p.m. and “One People” at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23; and “From Mambo To Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale” on Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. $9 members/$13 public.

• Join astrophysicist Kevin Manning for an entertaining presentation on the “Great 2012 Scare,” followed by Roland Emmerich’s overthe-top disaster flick “2012” on Wednesday, Feb. 29, 7 p.m., part of the Science On Screen series. $9 members/$13 public.

Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org.

• February ends at the center on a high note, when the theatrical comedy “Lend Me a Tenor,” is produced Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.

Winner of three Tony awards and four Drama Desk awards, Lend Me A Tenor is about the opera, set in 1934. $15 general/$12 seniors and students.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport 350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631-261-2900.

• “The Sunshine Boys” is now playing. This laugh-out-loud comedy follows two faded vaudeville legends, Lewis and Clark, as they reunite to perform their old act one last time.

The only problem is they can't stand each other. $50.

• In “Pinkalicious,” a girl can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents.

Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe. Showing Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. through March 25. $15. Part of the Youth Theater Series.

Tilles Center For The Performing Arts

www.ArtLeagueLI.net.

• “Director's Cut 2012” features a new group of dynamic young artists. Get a preview of what art in the new decade may look like in this exhibit, on display through March 18.

• The next Art After Dark is Feb. 24, 7-9 p.m. featuring live art demonstrations, live music, snacks and refreshments.

b.j. spoke gallery 299 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 631-549-5106. www.bjspokegallery.com.

• Artists Choice is on display through Feb. 26.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday and Sundays until 6 p.m.: $6 adults; $4 children 3-12 and seniors over 65; members and children under 3 are free. 516-692-6768. www.cshfha.org • Features New York State's largest collection of freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians housed in two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds.

• Fun, hands-on learning stations will be available from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 20-24 for any hatchery visitor.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor. Museum hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $4 adults, $3 seniors, $3 students 5 -18, family $12; military and children under 5 are free.

631-367-3418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org.

• A new exhibit, “Right Whales: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” is on display until Labor Day 2012. Thought to be on the brink of extinction, right whales are among the rarest animals on earth.

On the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-3100.

• Take everything you've ever thought about ballet and modern dance and forget it! The allmale dance troupe Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo perform Friday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m., and they are bringing their tutus and tights with them. The evening's program includes Swan Lake, a post-modern dance movement essay entitled “Patterns in Space,” and “Go for Barocco,” a satire on George Balanchine's choreography. Tickets are $67, $54 and $42.

14 W. Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. 631-549-0448. www.fotofotogallery.com.

• A group exhibition will benefit North Shore Holiday House for underprivileged girls.

Township Theatre Group

Heckscher Museum Of Art

631-421-9832. www.townshiptheatregroup.com.

• The Huntington-based group presents Neil Simon’s only musical “They’re Playing Our Song,” about a successful composer who works with a kooky songwriter, on March 2, 3, 9 and 10, 8 p.m.; and March 4 & 11, 2 p.m. at the Helen Butler Hall at Dominican Village, 565 Albany Ave., Amityville. Tickets $20/$18 students and seniors.

2 Prime Ave., Huntington. Museum hours: Wednesday - Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., first Fridays from 4-8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission $68/adults, $4-6/seniors, and $4-5/children; members and children under 10 free. 631-351-3250.

• “Coming of Age in America: The Photography of Joseph Szabo” is the first museum retrospective of this Long Island photographer whose work presents a dual portrait of adolescence on Long Island and summers on iconic Jones Beach. On display through March 25.

• “A Way with Words: Text in Art” presents art that includes words, lettering, or numbers as subject, design element, or to convey information. On display through April 15.

AUDITIONS More ‘Nerd’ Auditions Auditions for a child’s part for Larry Shue's “The Nerd” will be held Monday, Feb. 27, 7 p.m. The part is for “Thor” – a boy or a girl (who would play a boy) between the ages of 6-12.

Rehearsals will either be on Sunday afternoons, Monday or Tuesday nights. Performed by The Minstrel Players of Northport. Performances will be on Saturdays, April 21, 28, and May 5 at 8 p.m., and Sundays, April 22 and May 6 at 3 p.m. at Houghton Hall theatre at Trinity Episcopal Church located at 130 Main St. in Northport Village. Bring a resume and a headshot. Call 631-732-2926 or visit www.minstrelplayers.org.

fotofoto Gallery

Holocaust Memorial And Tolerance Center Welwyn Preserve. 100 Crescent Beach Road, Glen Cove. Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sat.-Sun.: noon-4 p.m. 516-571-8040 ext. 100. www.holocaust-nassau.org.

• “Using the Lessons of the Holocaust to Teach Tolerance,” the center’s new permanent exhibit, is now open. Suggested donation: $10 adults/$5 students/$5 seniors.

Huntington Arts Council Main Street Petite

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS Art League of Long Island 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Gallery hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. 631-462-5400.

Gallery: 213 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday - Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Art in the Art-trium: 25 Melville Park Road, Melville.

Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org.

• Entries for the 10th Annual Juried Portrait Show, which will run from March 23-May 7,

are due Feb. 27. Long Island artist Kevin McEvoy will serve as juror. For a prospectus, visit www.huntingtonarts.org or contact Florence Dallari 631-271-8423 ext 12.

• “Nature’s Bounty” at the Art-trium Gallery runs through April 30.

Huntington Historical Society Main office/library: 209 Main St., Huntington.

Museums: Conklin Barn, 2 High St.; Kissam House/Museum Shop, 434 Park Ave.; Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main St. 631427-7045, ext. 401. www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

• Learn about the Town of Huntington’s role in the Civil War in an exhibit at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building.

• The society is sponsoring a trip to the Italian lakes and Greek islands, featuring a sevennight eastern Mediterranean cruise Oct. 3-14, 2012.

• Pre-registration is required for all February Break programs: Victorian Watercolor Painting on Feb. 20, $22; Kids’ Quilting Klass Feb. 21, 10 a.m., $20; Tea Time with Dolly and Me, Feb 23 and 24, 2 p.m. $25 per child/$10 per adult. Call ext. 404.

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• The Arena Players Repertory Theater presents two comedies, “The Rabbi and the Toyota Dealer” and “A Need for Less Expertise” through Feb. 26. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday ($20) and Saturday ($25), 3 p.m. on Sunday ($20). To purchase tickets, call the Players at 516-293-0674.

Walt Whitman Birthplace 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Admission: $5 adults, $4 seniors/students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240. www.waltwhitman.org.

• Children of all ages will enjoy a performance of Irish dancing Saturday, March 3, 1 p.m. by students from the Mulvihill-Lynch Studio of Irish Dance, known regionally, nationally and internationally as champions on the competitive circuit. The award-winning dancers will also interact with the children by actually teaching them some Irish dance steps. $8 per child.

MUSIC & DANCE The Paramount 370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-673-7300. www.paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• Jane’s Addiction brings its “Theatre of the Escapists” tour to Huntington on Sunday, March 4.

• Jazz greats Rick Braun and Richard Elliot kick off a new jazz music series March 30.

Ridotto, Concerts with a Touch of Theatre At Old First Church, Route 25A in Huntington.

631-385-0373. www.Ridotto.org.

• “Ridotto Piano Recital: Romantic Contrasts,” features internationally renowned pianist Andreas Klein. He will play Beethoven’s Sonata Op. 110, Schumann Fantasie Stucke, and the heroic Wanderer Fantasie by Schubert. Sunday, March 4, 4 p.m. $20, $18 (seniors), $15 (members), and $10 (students).

LaMantia Gallery 127 Main St., Northport Village. 631-754-8414. www.lamantiagallery.com.

• The gallery welcomes back Edward Gordon and introduces Daniel Del Orfano.

9 East Contemporary Art 9 East Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 3-8 p.m. or by appointment. 631662-9459.

• The Inaugural Exhibition continues with the addition of selected new works by Sandra Carrion and Puneeta Mittal in a comprehensive show of 30 two-dimensional and threedimensional works of art is created by the 10 founding guild members, on display through Feb. 28.

Northport Historical Society Museum 215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m. 631-757-9859. www.northporthistorical.org.

• "50 years of Preserving and Celebrating Northport's History" honors the society's founders and their concerns and activities.

Opening reception Feb. 26.

Ripe Art Gallery 67 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-807-5296.

Gallery hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday 2-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com.

• It’s time for the annual Valentine’s Group Show. This year's theme is “Ripe Love.”

Suffolk Y JCC 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4629800, ext. 140. Tuesday 1-4 p.m. Admission: $5 per person, $18 per family. Special group programs available. www.suffolkyjcc.org.

• The Alan & Helene Rosenberg Jewish Discovery Museum provides hands-on exhibits and programs for children 3-13 years old and their families, classes and camps.

Now on exhibit: The Alef Bet of Being a Mensch. “Zye a mensch” is a Yiddish saying that means "be a decent, responsible, caring person,” infusing both the best blessing and the best that an educator can wish for his students.

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. Museum hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12-4 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 12-5 p.m.; closed Mondays except for holiday weeks. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 seniors, students, and $3 children under 12. Museum tour, add $5 per person. 631-854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

VOLUNTEERING Walt Whitman Birthplace If you are interested in literature or history, the Walt Whitman Birthplace has fascinating and rewarding part-time volunteer positions available. Free training provided. 631-427-5420 ext.114.

Friends At Home Looking to earn some community service hours while changing a life? As part of the Friends@Home program, a project of The Ariella's Friendship Circle at the Chai Center in Dix Hills, visit a child with special needs in an environment they are most comfortable: their own homes. Together, bake cookies, play games, create arts and crafts, read books and more. Contact Nati or Sara at 631-351-8672 or fcchaicenter@gmail.com

Helping Runaway Kids Share your ideas and opinions on how Huntington Sanctuary, a program of the Huntington Youth Bureau, can help youth ages 12-21 who run away or who are at risk of running away. The group’s advisory board meets one Thursday a month at 6 p.m. Call 631-2712183.

Eyes For The Blind Suffolk County’s Helen Keller Services is looking for volunteers to visit blind who are homebound to socialize and aid in reading mail, possibly provide transportation. 631-424-0022.

Help American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The Suffolk County Chapter is looking for volunteers to assist in emergency shelters, at fires and natural disasters, with veterans, at community events or at the office. Free trainings provided.

631-924-6700 ext 212.

Send us your listings Submissions must be in by 5 p.m.

10 days prior to publication date.

Send to Community Calendar at 149 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandernews.com

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

Rosie’s ‘Little’ Problem Commack native Rosie O’Donnell’s candor on her fear of little people might get her into some seriously big trouble with the group.

During an appearance on “Chelsea Lately,” she acknowledged “a mild fear or anxiety” around little people. She blamed her nana, who she recalled being afraid of the Wizard of Oz’s Munchkins.

After some more awkward banter, Rosie explained much of her feeling stems from a mental disconnect.

“What the problem is for me is... Rosie O’Donnell is hoping to stay I can't put the two things together. out of hot water following her reThis is an adult person, but it's a lit- cent comments. tle person, but they have adult... it's so hard for me,” she said.

The most objectionable bit to some, though, was how the pair spoke of little people, using phrases often saved for abandoned, unwanted animals, according to published reports. More uncomfortable chatter about little-person birthing and Handler’s sidekick, Chuy Bravo, followed.

So far, Rosie and Chelsea have only had a bit of pushback from one of the featured players from Bravo’s former series, “Little People, Big World,” but with Rosie, one never knows how long it will be before Donald Trump will crash the party.

Dee Snider, You’re Hired!

Speaking of the Donald, Dix Hills resident and Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider is hoping to get on his good side.

If he succeeds, he would pick up $250,000 for the March of Dimes by winning The Celebrity Apprentice’s current season.

Snider made his debut on the Celebrity Apprentice on Feb. 19, and is hoping to emerge from a cast of 18 celebrated folk as the one Trump says, “you’re hired” to at the end of the series.

Snider’s advocacy for the March of Dee Snider is hoping to win Dimes dates back many years. He’s The Donald’s approval. been a celebrity volunteer for many years and has been the Bikers for Babies national spokesman since 2008.

Snider has a particularly personal connection to the March of Dimes – two of his four children were born prematurely.

Check your local listings for future Celebrity Apprentice airdates.

If Only It Were Real A huge cache of counterfeit currency was discovered when a customer at the Chase Bank in Huntington village mistakenly opened the wrong safety deposit box.

The elderly man, a longtime customer, tried to open box No. 142 with his key, according to published reports. When it didn’t fit, an assistant manager noticed the key was labeled for box No. 304. The key did open that box, which was filled with $112,000 in fake bills.

The confused customer returned the next day with two keys – one for each box, while Secret Service agents arrived at

the request of the bank.

As it turned out, the gentleman did have the key for box No. 142, which contained legal documents and several thousand in legal currency. However, he had previously used box No. 304 when the branch was a Bank of New York, but failed to return the key. Apparently Chase never swapped out the locks, because his old key opened the new customer’s box.

The current customer, also identified as a Huntington resident, has not been charged. A piece of tape around the counterfeit bills reportedly included the customer’s initials.

‘The Fonz’ Reads to Lloyd Confidential Harbor students

(left to right) Principal of Lloyd Harbor School Valerie Massimo, librarian Maryellen DiCioccio, and Henry Winkler surrounded by excited Lloyd Harbor students at the Barnes & Noble in East Northport. Winkler previewed his newest novel “Ghost Buddy,” at his very first stop on his nationwide tour.

Affectionately remembered as “The Fonz,” Henry Winkler charmed teachers and entertained students at the Barnes & Noble in East Northport last month.

A few select fourth-graders were lucky enough to be the very first reading group on Winkler’s U.S. tour for his new book series entitled “Ghost Buddy.”

The actor, who recently has had guest spots on USA Network’s “Royal Pains,” previously com-

Lorber, now the director of Business Development for Douglas Elliman Worldwide Consulting, is set to make his TV debut on “Million Dollar Listing New York.” Set to premiere on March

he was in the bottom 3 percent academically in America, he went on to become an actor, director, producer and author.

“Every single one of you has greatness inside of you. Your job is to figure out that greatness and share it with the world,” he said.

He even showed them a medal given to him by the Queen of England. He carries it in his wallet – “An Award of the British Empire” – for sharing his stories.

Shining The Spotlight On LuPone Northport native Patti LuPone has entertained and delighted theater audiences for nearly 40 years on stages across the world.

On March 12, her colleagues will honor her work with a worthy tribute for the actress.

The Acting Company will debut Patti’s Turn at Kaye Playhouse in Manhattan. A number of members from the New York City-based acting company, led

by Kevin Kline and David Schramm, are preparing to sign and share stories celebrating

High-Stakes Wheeling And Dealing He may not be from Huntington, but Long Island native and real estate mogul Michael Lorber has enough money to make an impact in either Nassua or Suffolk county.

pleted a 17-novel series “Hank Zipzer,” inspired by his own life experiences and undiagnosed dyslexia as a child.

He shared his difficulties as an underachiever in school with the Cold Spring Harbor students.

“I was such a bad student. I never thought I was smart enough to write a book! Until I tried, I never knew,” he said.

Winkler encouraged the students by sharing that although

Catch Michael Lorber in “Million Dollar Listing New York.”

7, the Bravo show follows three Manhattan realtors deal with demanding clients and fight for a share of the market.

her career.

LuPone was a founding member of The Acting Company back in the 1970s. In the years since, she’s earned Tony Awards for her roles in Evita and Gypsy, as well as an Olivier Award for her work in Les Miserables.

Tickets, available at the box of- A regular on stage, Patti Lupone’s fice, are priced between $75- fellow actors will honor her on $175.

March 12.

Live From New York…

It’s Lindsay Lohan!

Lindsay Lohan-watchers have We fondly recall one of her some more good news to report – most memorable turns – she was she’s hosting Saturday guest host during one of Night Live on March Rachel Dratch’s first goes 3. as the hilariously dour The former Cold Debbie Downer. Lohan Spring Harbor High quickly broke into a gigstudent is continuing gle fit, and many of the to claw her way back Not Ready for Primetime from a devastating Players soon met the couple of years same fate. Hopefully, marked by substance she’ll make more wonderabuse, DWI arrests Lindsay Lohan ful memories like that and a veritable merrynext weekend and for go-round of jail visits. SNL is fa- years to come. miliar territory for Lohan – this As always, SNL kicks off at will be her fourth time as master 11:35 p.m. on NBC, right after of ceremonies. the late news.

LONG ISLANDER LIFE • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 •

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• FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • LONG ISLANDER LIFE

Please mention The Long Islander Newspapers when doing business with our advertisers.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • A7

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

Premier Photobooths Captures Life’s Memories LI men, including Hills West business teacher, create unique experience for clients

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Pictures capture a moment in time that will never happen again, and two local men launched a business to help their customers preserve those memories forever.

Doug Gannon, Half Hollow Hills West business teacher and varsity soccer coach, and his partner Frank Prinzevalli, of Setauket, created Premier Photobooths about six months ago in order for people to always have a memory of their special day.

“We’ve both been to numerous weddings that had the booths and Doug had one at his wedding and when he had his wedding we talked about getting into it,” Prinzevalli said. “Recently I went to another wedding and it was just the life of the party.”

Premier Photobooths’ mission is to provide their clients with a premier digital photo booth experience at an affordable price. Either Gannon or Prinzevalli, or both, will attend the event and bring along their photo booth, which fits between six and eight people.

“The biggest thing with our company is that we’re owner operated. A lot of people hire a company like this and they just send one of their workers who could be a random person,” said Prinzevalli, noting they’re always on the other end when a client calls.

Gannon said it took them a while to put the business together, but they wanted to

go about it the right way.

“It’s just a great piece to an event where kids ages 5 to adults that are 90 who can go in the booth and have a great time,” Gannon said.

Premier Photobooths uses a Canon T2i 18 Megapixel camera and HiTi Photo Printer – only the top-of-the-line equipment. They also bring along a prop box with hats, wigs, boas and other fun dress-up items.

“People get to dress up in props and wear big hats or funny glasses, and they have a closed booth and they can show their personality,” Gannon said.

Props can be also customized for special occasions. For instance, Prinzevalli said they have a wedding coming up where the groom is Irish, and they have St. Patrick’s Day style glasses and “Kiss Me I’m Irish” buttons and hats for no additional charge. Prinzevalli said the photo booth is a great add-on to any wedding.

“When I got married we spend $1,000 on favors that no one really used,” he said.

Pictures can also be customized. Included in every package is a scrapbook for the host, where their guests get to put their pictures in the book and write a message.

“If you go in the booth, you get two strips of photos,” Prinzevalli said. “One of them you could put in the book for the bride and groom and write something funny, and the other one you could take home and get a frame with

Owners Doug Gannon, left, and Frank Prinzevalli created Premier Photobooths as a way for a host to always remember their special day. that and it seems to be going well. It’s a lot of fun so far.”

Their main clientele is in the Half Hollow Hills, Northport and Huntington area. However, Gannon said they will service anyone on Long Island. Premier Photobooths are available for weddings, Sweet 16’s, corporate events, bar mitzvahs, and bat mitzvahs.

Once a month, Gannon and Prinzevalli will donate the booth for a charity event. Premier Photobooths recently attended a cystic fibrosis charity fundraiser at Larkfield Manor in East Northport, for an assistant principal in the Hills district,

whose two-year-old daughter has the disease. They also customized the pictures with a Team Mati logo.

“They have a fundraiser every year and we donated the booth,” Gannon said.

“The turnout was awesome and so was the feedback from people about the booth. It was an all around great night” The two are working on getting a central office within the next couple of months. Currently, their main location address is in Stony Brook.

Visit www.premierphotoboothsinc.com or www.facebook.com/premierphotoboothsinc for more information.

A8 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012

www.LongIslanderNews.com

Please mention The Long Islander Newspapers when doing business with our advertisers.

HUNTINGTON OPEN HOUSES Want to get your open houses listed? Get your listings for free on this page every week in the Long Islander Newspapers.

Call Associate Publisher Peter Sloggatt at 631-427-7000 or send an e-mail to psloggatt@longislandernews.com.

MELVILLE

60 Wilimington Dr Bedrooms 5 Baths 4 Price $725,000 Taxes $16,434 Open House 2/25 2 - 4 pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 516-922-8500

MELVILLE

1 Mathews St Bedrooms 3 Baths 2 Price $499,000 Taxes $12,941 Open House 2/26 1 - 3 pm Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-6800

DIX HILLS

223 Deer Park Rd Bedrooms 4 Baths 4 Price $635,000 Taxes $12,840 Open house 2/26 1:30 - 3:30 pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 516-921-2262

Town Huntington Lloyd Neck Centerport Melville Dix Hills E. Northport Northport Melville Dix Hills Dix Hills Huntington Sta Huntington Sta Huntington Sta S. Huntington Huntington Sta Huntington Sta S. Huntington Huntington Sta Huntington Sta Huntington Sta Commack Huntington Sta Northport Huntington Huntington S. Huntington E. Northport Huntington Sta E. Northport Huntington Northport Huntington S. Huntington Greenlawn Melville Melville Northport Greenlawn Northport E. Northport Melville Melville Huntington Greenlawn Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills Huntington Huntington Bay Centerport Northport Eatons Neck Melville Dix Hills Northport Dix Hills Huntington Bay Greenlawn

Address Beds Baths Price Taxes Date 4 Sixpence Ct 3 2 $439,000 $11,109 2/23 5 Spring Bay Ln 6 5 $1,850,000 $29,881 2/23 7 Bankside Dr 3 2 $399,000 $11,433 2/25 6 Earl Rd 3 2 $449,000 $11,312 2/25 1070 Westminster Ave 3 2 $539,000 $10,482 2/25 2 Barry Dr 4 3 $575,000 $10,637 2/25 9 Williamsburg Dr 4 4 $699,000 $19,400 2/25 60 Wilmington Dr 5 4 $725,000 $16,434 2/25 24 Sleepy Hollow Ln 3 3 $739,000 $15,334 2/25 2 Wagon Wheel Ln 4 4 $799,000 $19,311 2/25 289 Maplewood Rd 4 3 $285,900 $10,993 2/26 62 Biltmore Cir 2 2 $289,000 N/A 2/26 96 Glen Pasture Ct 3 2 $307,000 $8,854 2/26 6 Kingston Pl 3 1 $319,000 $6,347 2/26 31 Meadow Ct 3 3 $319,900 $8,269 2/26 28 Biltmore Cir 3 3 $324,900 N/A 2/26 2 Rushmore St 3 1 $339,000 $8,899 2/26 97 Glen Pasture Ct 3 3 $344,000 $9,627 2/26 11 Bertlee Dr 4 2 $349,000 $10,793 2/26 118 E 13th St 3 2 $349,000 $8,267 2/26 30 Hayrick Ln 3 2 $359,000 $9,859 2/26 15 Aldrich St 4 2 $369,000 $9,925 2/26 16 Lorraine Ct 4 2 $394,000 $7,132 2/26 32 Briarwood Dr 3 2 $398,876 $10,347 2/26 25 Semon Rd 5 2 $399,000 $9,910 2/26 66 Greenhills Rd 3 3 $399,500 $11,109 2/26 628 6th St 3 2 $399,900 $5,129 2/26 22 Winoka Dr 4 3 $419,000 $9,153 2/26 610 Baylor Pl 6 4 $439,000 $8,289 2/26 11 Horizon Ct 3 3 $449,000 $9,278 2/26 17 Horseshoe Dr 3 2 $469,000 $6,379 2/26 6 N Wesley Ct 3 3 $489,000 $9,874 2/26 21 Darby Dr 5 3 $489,000 $14,267 2/26 25 Auburn Dr 3 2 $499,000 $11,271 2/26 1 Mathews St 3 2 $499,000 $12,941 2/26 44 Villas Cir 3 3 $499,900 $9,550 2/26 9 Dick Ct 4 2 $499,999 $5,277 2/26 34 Pine Hollow Ln 4 3 $509,900 $10,653 2/26 8 Dolores Ln 4 2 $525,000 $13,008 2/26 34 Markwood Ln 7 4 $539,000 $17,088 2/26 7 Leighton Ct 4 3 $549,000 $16,670 2/26 9 Dylan Pl 3 3 $569,000 $8,400 2/26 29 Summit St 3 2 $579,000 $12,530 2/26 157 Clay Pitts Rd 5 3 $599,000 $16,506 2/26 223 Deer Park Rd 4 4 $635,000 $12,840 2/26 34 Rustic Gate Ln 3 5 $699,000 $15,881 2/26 60 Randolph Dr 5 3 $739,900 $17,745 2/26 495 Wolf Hill Rd 4 4 $749,000 $17,154 2/26 270 West Neck Rd 3 3 $749,000 $17,387 2/26 262 Huntington Bay Rd 4 3 $749,000 $17,246 2/26 40 Laurel Hill Rd 3 3 $760,000 $19,998 2/26 23 Carlisle Dr 4 4 $849,000 $16,700 2/26 27 Westview Rd 4 3 $850,000 $15,868 2/26 112 Pembroke Ave 4 3 $859,000 $16,647 2/26 8 Talisman Dr 5 4 $899,000 $16,548 2/26 35 Highland Ave 4 3 $1,150,000 $7,195 2/26 1 Dupont Ct 6 5 $1,299,000 $24,635 2/26 24 Woodland Dr 8 5 $1,995,000 $31,681 2/26 20 Duquesne Dr 6 4 $529,000 $13,479 2/28

Time 12:30pm-2pm 1pm-2pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 2pm-4pm 12pm-2pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 12pm-2pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 10:30am-12pm 12pm-2pm 12pm-2pm 2pm-4pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 12pm-2pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 12pm-2pm 12pm-2pm 12:30pm-2pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-2:30pm 2pm-4pm 2pm-4pm 1pm-3pm 12pm-2pm 1pm-3pm 12pm-2pm 1pm-3pm 12pm-2pm 2:30pm-2:30pm 2pm-4pm 2pm-4pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 1:30pm-3:30pm 1pm-3pm 12pm-2pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 12pm-2pm 1pm-3pm 12pm-2pm 2:30pm-4:30pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 12pm-2pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm 1pm-3pm

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • A9

Mosque plans subject of community meeting 60 feet high. This proposal is 59 feet.”

When services let out currently, the group argued, traffic builds up as congregants make a u-turn to line up to make a left turn on to Deer Park Avenue. If one of the nurseries located across the street are also loading and unloading at the same time, traffic is snarled to a near-standstill.

The group also argues there are not enough parking spaces, which will lead to on-the-street parking in a no standing zone, they argued.

Leaders of the civic association stressed they do not oppose building the facility; however, they argue it should be scaled down as to fit the character of the community.

Carter said the best chance residents would have in achieving alterations to the

planned mosque is to deal directly with the United American Muslim Association of Dix Hills. Because much of the newest proposal seems to be in line with state and town zoning requirements, the town Planning Department “does not have discretion once they’ve been found to have met requirements of the code,” he added.

The planning department is currently reviewing the proposal, which would then go to the planning board for approval. If the planning board signs off, building permits can be issued. No public hearing is required by law, Carter said, but residents can testify during the public portion at planning board meetings. The mosque proposal has not been added to the Planning Board’s agenda.

Neighbors are concerned a new mosque could increase traffic and on-the-street parking.

(Continued from page A1)

traffic and parking problems.

“There are several concerns,” Archer said. “One is the size of the proposed structure, the number of parking stalls that are being provided and what the potential impacts are on the surrounding community, including traffic impacts.”

Salihoglu said the plans to build a mosque on this property have been in play for more than a decade. The current proposal takes into consideration reasons the planning board rejected a previous proposal in the early 2000s.

“Parking has been increased to accommodate the size of the building,” he said.

“Then we reduced the size of the building at the suggestion of the Planning Board.”

There might be a slight change to the

number of parking spots, based on the planning board’s input. Once those are hammered out, “based on all the calculations, everything is in place,” Salihoglu said.

Town spokesman A.J. Carter said UAMA submitted a new site plan about two months ago, which the Planning Department is currently reviewing. The proposal for a mosque has been “kicking around in various stages for almost a decade.”

“What they’ve done over the years is revising the plans so what they would submit does not need a variance,” Carter said.

“According to state building code, [the mosque is to have] an occupancy of 772, which means they are required to have 155 parking stalls. The proposal has that.

Because their setback from the road and the side is sufficient, they can build up to

Band played in NYC (Continued from page A1)

are such huge fans,” Matt Como said.

“Just to meet him would be crazy, but to play and open for him would be a dream come true.”

The musicians created the band in 2007 as teenagers at the South Huntington Catholic high school. Matt Como said the band came up with the name The Como Brothers Band because they wanted a name that had meaning to them. Although Costanzo is not blood related, Matt and Andrew consider him a part of the family.

The band members write all their songs. Their released their first professional EP, “The Speed of Sound,” last month.

The Como Brothers also played on Feb. 17 at The Bitter End in Manhattan from 7:45 to 9 p.m. They gave away free t-shirts and their new CD to anyone who mentioned their name at the door.

To find out more about the band, visit www.reverbnation.com/ComoBrothersBand or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ComoBrothersBand.

C L A S S I F I E D S

A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012 • A11

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Local ‘Ironwoman’ Takes On Triathlons Even after two bike accidents, Harborfields grad Christine Kenney continues to compete

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

There’s nothing better than the feeling of crossing a triathlon finish line for Harborfields High School graduate Christine Kenney - and two accidents and multiple injuries haven’t slowed her down.

Kenney, 33, grew up in Huntington and graduated from Harborfields in 1997, where she played on the varsity basketball and lacrosse teams all four years. She also played field hockey, where she was elevated to the varsity team halfway through her freshman year.

She continued her athletic career as a Division I lacrosse player at Penn State. After she graduated from college, she began pursuing new challenges.

“I needed to fill that competitive void that I was missing after playing sports my whole life. I first started running races and that evolved into doing triathlons,” Kenney said.

Two weeks after she bought her bike, she entered into her first Olympic distance triathlon in Montauk, which consisted of a .9 mile swim, a 24-mile bike ride and a 10K run. She said she placed sixth – a major accomplishment considering how little training she had done.

Kenney continued to compete until 2007 when she had her first bike accident, resulting in 200 stitches in her left arm, right hand and lip. Kenney was out of work and training for six weeks and lived with her parents because she had very little use of her hand and arm.

“In 2008, I was coming back from injuries so I competed a little bit and that’s when I signed up for my first Ironman,” she said. “I needed something to focus on.”

In November 2009, Kenney competed in her first Ironman competition, which was a 2.4-mile swim, 112mile bike and 26.2-mile run in Cozumel, Mexico. Kenney finished second in her age group and was the third-best amateur female overall with a time of 10 hours, 25 min-

utes. This qualified her for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Kenney had another setback in July 2010 with her second bike accident. She had a distal clavicle fracture and torn coracoid ligaments, and she needed to undergo surgery. Ten weeks later, she was competing in Hawaii. Her time was 10:47:07 with a run time of 3:22.

“When we flew to Kona, I didn’t even know if I was going to race. I didn’t know if I could swim 2.4 miles after I got out of surgery but I ended up doing pretty well… It was a pretty cool experience,” Kenney said.

Kenney also won first amateur female overall, eighth female overall including professionals at Ironman in Cozumel, Mexico in November 2011, with a time of 9:57:59. At this race she qualified again for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in October 2012.

In September 2011 she was won first female overall at the Huntington Sprint triathlon and at the Carlsbad Marathon last month.

Kenney competed this month at the Empire State Building Run-Up, which was hosted by New York’s Road Runners Club, to raise money for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. For the second year in a row, Kenney was the first female overall in her division. It took her 15 minutes to run the 86 flights of stairs.

“It went well. We raised a lot of money,” said Kenney, noting it was difficult since it was very dry in the stairwell. “I’m part of a team with two other people and this year our team raised $31,000.”

Kenney said she’s also looking for sponsors for upcoming competitions.

As she works more than 70 hours a week in finance, her schedule doesn’t leave her with much time to train.

However, this is something she will continue to do for years to come.

“It’s a combination of loving sports and the love of competing,” she said.

Harborfields High School graduate Christine Kenney competed and won multiple triathlons despite her two bike accidents.

A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 23, 2012

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HillSPORTS GIRLS BASKETBALL >> SMITHTOWN WEST 49, HILLS EAST 55

Thunderbirds’ Playoff Run Underway After defeating Smithtown West, girls square off with No. 1-ranked Sachem East Half Hollow Hills photo/Stephanie DeLuca

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

The Half Hollow Hills East girls basketball team got off to a good start in the League I playoffs by winning their first playoff game against Smithtown West, 55-49, on Feb. 17.

“It’s the first playoff win in a few years. That’s a big turnaround for them,” coach Chick Hamm said.

Hamm said this is a huge step up from last year’s season where the girls only won four games. This season, they’ve nearly tripled their total wins by earning an 11-8 overall record.

During the Thunderbirds’ first playoff game, the girls came out strong in the first half. Guard Julia Gnieser scored 4 3-pointers in the game, three of which were in the first quarter alone. Guard Ashley Walker scored 10 of her 17 points in the first quarter as well. The Thunderbirds went into halftime with a 15-point lead.

“We were winning by 20 at one point,” Hamm said. “They were a lot bigger than us. We’re not a real big team but we have some good guards.”

Guard Gabby Diamandis added another 9 points.

Fifteenth-seed Hills East was scheduled to play No. 1 Sachem East on Monday, a game that concluded after press time.

“The competition is going to be tough… they’re 17-1 for the season,” Hamm said.

Several Hills East athletes have been recognized for their performance. Gnieser and Walker were named All-League athletes, while freshman Kristen

The Half Hollow Hills East girls basketball team sharpens their skills at practice.

McKenzie was named Rookie of the Year.

The coach said the team would only be graduating two girls this season, Diamandis and Gabrielle Malhotra. Four of the starters will be coming back next

year.

“Hopefully they play more ball over the summer so they come back strong next season,” Hamm said.

2012 OLYMPICS

Hometown Athlete Sets Sail For London St. Anthony’s grad Erik Storck will represent United States in 2012 summer Olympics

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

For Huntington native Erik Storck, sailing is truly a family affair. And the family sport has given him the opportunity to compete for Olympic glory.

Erik’s grandfather taught his father, John, how to sail, and he grew up on the waters of Asharoken. John continued the family tradition, teaching his children the ways of the water.

“We all kind of took a liking to it early on and we’ve been traveling and competing nationally since I was 10,” Erik said.

“I competed in my first international regatta when I was 12, and it’s just kind of gone from there.”

“There” happens to be London, England, where in just a matter of months, Storck and his teammate, Trevor Moore, of Vermont, will compete to bring a gold medal in sailing back to America in the 2012 summer Olympics. The pair will be competing in the 49er class, which was first included in the Sydney Olympics in 2000. A 49er is a double-handed twin trapeze skiff type sailing dinghy, where the two crewmembers handle different tasks on the helm as they make tactical decisions and handle most of the sail control.

Storck and Moore qualified for the Olympic team with a ninth-place finish at the International Sailing Federation’s 2011 World Championships in Perth, Australia in December. Their strong showing got the United States into the Olympic field, and by being the top American finishers in the 49er class, the duo earned the right to compete in London.

When speaking of his Olympic berth, Erik is quick to point out his siblings’ successes as well. One brother is the cohead coach of the varsity sailing team at Dartmouth College, where Erik is a 2007 graduate; his younger brother is currently a freshman on Dartmouth’s sailing team. His sister competed in a transatlantic race this summer as well.

With the Olympics just five months away - the opening ceremony is July 27 Storck will continue a regimen of on-thewater training, competition and physical fitness work. Most years, he will compete in as many as eight regattas and spend the rest of the time they’re not competing training on the water. When he’s at home in Huntington, the 2003 St. Anthony’s graduate works out at the Huntington Y; he’ll be heading to Colorado Springs soon to visit the Olympic training facility before the spring sailing season starts.

Erik Storck and teammate Trevor Moore compete in U.S. Sailing’s 2012 Rolex Miami OCR in late January, where they finished second.

Storck and Moore have plenty of momentum heading into the 2012 Olympiad. Their second place finish at the Rolex Miami Classic regatta, one of seven stops on the International Sailing

World Cup circuit, is the team’s best ever finish in a World Cup event.

Keep up will all of Storck and Moore’s latest news and updates at http://www.storckmooresailing.com