The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper, April 19th, 2012

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THURSDAY, APRIL 19 , 2012

WHEATLEY HEIGHTS

Sax Player Is Music To Their Ears

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

At 6 years old, Curtis Haywood was introduced to the world of music by his mother, who had given him his first musical instrument – a trumpet.

Haywood instantly fell in love. His passion led him to play other instruments, and he is now a professional soprano saxophone player.

The Wheatley Heights resident’s talents took center stage at the fourth annual Got Talent? Long Island competition, which he won on March 30. The talent competition, featuring 20 performing artists, raises funds for the Huntington Arts Council.

“I felt good because you’re sitting there looking to see who was your competition,” Haywood said. “You want to wish everyone well but the bottom line is you want to win.”

Haywood, 45, won a $1,000 cash prize, a $2,000 scholarship from Five Towns College, a casting placement in a TV or movie, a spot on “Live It Up” TV show with Donna Drake, a headshot package by Len Marks Photography, and prize packages from D’Addario and E1 Entertainment.

“I was nervous but confident I was going to place,” the sax player said. “But you just never know what’s going to happen, especially with reality shows.”

Participants ranged from 7 years old to about 50. To Haywood, Summer Penzi, a 7-year-old piano player from Commack, stood out among the rest as a fierce competitor in the competition.

“I had a talk with [Penzi’s] parents and I was really encouraging them to let her pursue piano further,” he said. “She was truly gifted.”

Penzi won the “Rising Star under 14” award along with Madison Greene, of Amityville. Penzi also won the “Audience Choice Award.” “Rising Star over 14” was presented to Trish Torrales, of Wantagh.

Haywood, a Brooklyn native, started playing the trumpet and then moved on to the drums and saxophone. He also plays the flute and the clarinet. King Curtis was Haywood’s greatest musical influence, along with Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, Bob Mintzer and Kenny Garrett.

“Since first grade I knew this was something I naturally excelled at,” he said.

(Continued on page A23)

Curtis Haywood of Wheatley Heights is making a successful career of being a saxophone player.

MELVILLE

Schumer: Approve The ‘Second Track’ Senator argues another LIRR line will boost Suffolk’s airports, Route 110 corridor

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is pressuring his colleagues in the House of Representatives to approve a federal transportation bill that includes additional resources for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to build a second train track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma.

That bill, Schumer said, would clear the way for the MTA to build the longdesired second track by providing additional funding and an additional threeyear waiver from impending deadlines to complete a $750-million GPS-powered positive train control system by 2015. It would also maintain current funding levels in the mass transit account.

A second train line would provide a major economic boost to Long Island, the senator said.

The Senate approved the transportation bill March 14. It is now awaiting approval before the House of Representatives. Schumer urged his colleagues to get the bill off to President Barack Obama’s desk as soon as possible.

“By finally building this much-needed upgrade to the LIRR, we could cut commuting times and grow Long Island’s economy,” Schumer said Monday. “Our bipartisan legislation would give the MTA the flexibility to undertake the Second Track project, and I’m urging the House to stop delaying and pass our legislation so that we can finally make this much-needed upgrade a reality.”

In particular, the second track, paired with a proposed Babylon-Huntington rapid bus route on Route 110, would spur mixed-use redevelopment of the old Republic Station in East Farmingdale and create jobs throughout the 110 corridor.

Re-opening Republic Station, which has

been closed since 1986, is contingent upon the second track being built, Schumer said.

While he was a Huntington councilman, Congressman Steve Israel (D-Dix Hills) founded the Route 110 Partnership. In May 2008, they released a transit village plan which included up to 1.2million square feet of mixed-used development focused around a new Republic train station in East Farmingdale.

Melville Chamber of Commerce President Mike Deluise urged the House and the MTA to act on the second track at once, arguing the project would be a trigger for much-needed infrastructure improvements and thousands of new jobs on Long Island.

“When the economy is in such disarray, it’s just a perfect time to do it,” he said. “It will provide jobs, will make things better for us economically and make it easier to do business… it’s just a

win-win for everybody.”

Funding for the project was initially included in the MTA’s 2010-2014 capital plan but was removed after the MTA cut more than $2 billion from the proposal. Preliminary estimates at the time put the cost of a second track at about $138 million.

The second track, Schumer said, would reap major rewards for the old Republic, Pinelawn, Wyandanch, Deer Park, Brentwood and Central Islip LIRR stations. It would also improve access to the Ronkonkoma hub and MacArthur Airport, reduce delays and increase the numbers of trains that can run at the Ronkonkoma hub, he added.

“A second track would radically reduce commuting times, facilitate the flow of workers into and out of Long Island, spur the growth of MacArthur airport and create a job creation corridor right down the center of the island,” he said.

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler

No Good Deed…

At Least It’ll Let Fresh Air In

…Goes unpunished? You know what they say

unteers who put yourselves in harm’s way to help both here at home and in Manorville. It is a comabout good deeds, right? I’m of the mindset that the mitment to serve as a member – lots of learning, phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” is a terrible hours of practice and meetlie. But as many times as I am ings – and these folks do it proven correct I am also IN THE KNOW without expecting a payproven wrong! I heard a terri- WITH AUNT ROSIE check. And when an emerble, albeit hilarious, story over gency strikes, we count on the weekend. At the close of Easter Sunday, a you to keep us safe and end friend’s daughter really wanted McDonald’s French the disaster.

Whatever insurance and meager benefries. How she wanted fast food after her mother fits they do collect is truly an underpayment. The cooked an amazing rack of lamb is beyond me, but next time I see a fire truck racing past me, I’ll give that’s another story. So she went to the drive-thru them a friendly wave and thank my lucky stars that and, in the spirit of the holiday, paid not only for these folks are watching out for us. her fries, but for the meal of the people in line behind her. She pulled up and watched through her Unfortunately… it does not look like we’re out rear-view mirror, wanting to make sure the car beof danger from wildfires though. From everything hind her didn’t get charged, and the next thing you I’m reading, this warm and dry weather is expected know, she gets rear-ended by the very people she to continue. And combined with the lack of snow just bought the meal for! Now the daughter swears from the winter, everything is still primed to ignite she doesn’t know how this happened – “I pulled up with a single spark. What does that mean for the far enough, Ma, I know I did!” – but nevertheless, summer?

No bonfires at the beach, tiki lights at my friend now has a dented license plate and a dent barbeques or lighters at concerts? The Mayans prein her bumper. dicted 2012 would bring major change, but I really hope droughts aren’t the way of the future.

Hector to the rescue… While we’re on the topic of good deeds, make sure this one is well rewarded.

Am I the only one… who doesn’t care that Brad One of the boys in the office told me about a wonand Angelina got engaged? I know they may or derful act of kindness he witnessed in Huntington may not have a special connection to our area, bevillage last week. As he was walking down New cause they may or may not have stayed here while Street, he saw a fellow from La Bottega charging she was filming “Salt” – I still haven’t been able to down the street, attempting to flag down one of the get a straight answer on that, by the way – but I couples that had just passed him. It turns out that just don’t care anymore. I am so disenchanted by the young woman in the couple left her pocketbook celebrity news these days. These people could sinat La Bottega, and the waiter’s replication of the gle-handedly fix so many things wrong with socie100-yard dash was to ensure she did not leave withty with all of the money they have. It’s really just out it! Needless to say, we were all impressed with terrible. the eatery’s care for its customers, not to mention the waiter’s athleticism, and it once again displayed what makes Huntington such a darn special place.

(Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comHis name, by the way, is Hector – next time he ments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your takes your order, give him a big tip and tell him neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know Rosie sent you. the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o

Thank you… to all the firefighters, EMS and vol-

The Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)

A Huntington Station resident called Suffolk County police on April 13 about damage to a vehicle occurring the day before. The complainant said rocks were thrown at their 1993 Toyota Camry parked in the driveway. The front passenger window was broken.

The Digital Age Of Intimidation A Huntington Station resident called Suffolk County police about aggravated harassment on April 13. The complainant said a known individual sent a text message threatening to kill the complainant’s father.

Guess They Weren’t Good For A Disguise A Wheatley Heights man was arrested on petit larceny charges on April 13. The 18-year-old allegedly stole two hats from a department store at the Walt Whitman shops.

Tire Irons Rarely Solve Arguments An East Northport man was charged with assault in connection to an April 13 incident in Huntington Station. The 38-year-old allegedly attacked a man with a tire iron along New York Avenue. The victim went to Huntington Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Suspicious White Powder Isn’t Dangerous A Melville law firm called Suffolk County police on April 12 after an employee received a letter containing white powder. The powder was tested and determined to be non-hazardous.

Will They Pay Your Taxes Too? A Northport resident contacted Northport Village police on April 11 to report possible identity theft. She told police an unknown person used her identity and tried to file a tax return with her name and Social Security number. The IRS did not process the claim and contacted the complainant. The IRS is also investigating and asked the resident to report the incident to police and a credit bureau.

Next Time, Put It In The Trunk 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 LEGISLATOR WILLIAM SPENCER

Suffolk police were dispatched to a Huntington sports club on April 9 about a grand larceny. The complainant reported that someone broke a window before stealing a purse. Cash, credit cards and a checkbook were inside.

‘Inappropriate Pictures’ Found In Park Suffolk police were summoned to Huntington about aggravated harassment on April 9. The complainant reported that inappropriate pictures were drawn in the clay bocce ball courts at Mill Dam Park.

“In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, there is an island of plastic – plastic bags and bottles, and I understand that island is the size of Hawaii.”

Why Didn’t Anyone Stop The Thief?

Suffolk police were dispatched to a chain discount store in Huntington Station about a theft on April 8. A shopper said her wallet was stolen in the store. She left it at the register, but when she returned to get it, the wallet was gone. Credit cards and cash were inside.

Did You Bring Your Own Bag? , PAGE A3

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012 • A3

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Did You Bring Your Own Bag? Environmental group teams with town to reduce use of plastic at grocery stores Half Hollow Hills photo/ Danny Schrafel

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The Town of Huntington and Northport Village gave their support last Thursday to a new partnership with the Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE) designed to cut down on the public’s use of plastic shopping bags.

Adrienne Esposito, CCE’s executive director, said Americans use more than 100 billion plastic bags each year – an average of 300 to 400 per homeowner.

The resulting pollution, she said, wreaks havoc on the environment.

“Plastic bags pollute our waterways, our beaches our bays our parkways our trees – they clog up storm drains and cause localized flooding,” she said.

“Once plastic bags get into the Long Island Sound and our estuaries, they kill marine life… turtles, dolphins and whales and seals mistake these plastic bags for jellyfish. They eat them, and then they starve to death and suffocate.”

Such pollution, Esposito said, is preventable, and CCE’s “Bring Your Own Bag” campaign is designed to change public behavior by engaging business owners, elected officials and the public in educating the public about the benefits of reusable bags. Citizens Campaign is partnering with Huntington, Northport and Port Jefferson villages in the current campaign, which focuses on waterfront communities.

Supervisor Frank Petrone said promoting alternatives to plastic bags, in partnership with Trader Joe’s, would be

Leaders from the Town and Village of Northport show off Citizens Campaign for the Environment’s reusable shopping bags after announcing a new effort to reduce plastic bag use in waterfront communities. a major part of their upcoming Earth Day Expo on April 21. Changing ingrained behaviors can be difficult, he said, but by building partnerships, it becomes more attainable.

“It’s not as difficult when you team up and when you do this with people who do this on an everyday basis,” he said, speaking of CCE. “They’re doing this because they believe in the program, they believe in the environment, and they believe in the future of our families

and our children.”

CCE Program Coordinator Tara Bono said surveys and site visits revealed that 19 percent of shoppers always bring a reusable bag. Twenty-two percent bring one most times, while 24 percent bring a reusable bag sometimes. However, 35 percent of shoppers said they never bring a reusable bag, and more than half said it was because they forgot it at home or in their car. CCE research indicated free reusable bags, a 5-cent per

bag incentive and prominent signage would boost reusable bag use.

“I know they’ve been very successful with a BYOB program in Westchester,” Councilman Mark Mayoka said, adding the town will educate small businesses owners through their Resource and Recovery center to about the benefits of not using plastic.

Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer, chairman of the health committee, stressed the importance of reducing plastic pollution and suggested utilizing reusable water containers during the warmer months. Simple lifestyle changes by many residents could have a huge impact, he said.

“Once it makes its way into our waterways, [plastic] makes it to our oceans. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, there is an island of plastic – plastic bags and bottles, and I understand that island is the size of Hawaii,” Spencer said.

Reusable bags have already been incorporated into Northport Village’s Farmer’s Markets, Deputy Mayor Henry Tobin said. In addition to preserving the economic and environmental health of their harbor, reusable bags can save business owners a penny and a half per bag and provide other benefits.

“Consider this not just for the good it will do for the environment, the good it will do for the community, but also in the self-interest of the merchant because this is really good advertising when someone walks around with a bag with your name on it,” Tobin said.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Carpooling On The Rise On Long Island State sees more interest in 511NY Rideshare program as gas prices continue to climb

By Emaad Khwaja info@longislandernews.com

With gas prices likely increasing this summer, carpooling is expected to become more popular.

Not only does sharing a ride reduce the amount drivers spend on gas, it

allows for less carbon emissions to be contributed to the atmosphere; and having a companion in the car can make the strenuous journeys just a bit more bearable.

The official carpooling program in New York State is known as 511NY Rideshare. The program is based on the

sharing of travel expenses. 511NY Rideshare involves two main methods of carpooling.

“Carpoolers may either use one driver and share expenses or rotate driving duties and eliminate the need for money to change hands,” said New York State Department of Transportation

DIX HILLS

Updates Planned For Water District

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

An upgrade to the Dix Hills Water District’s emergency backup radio systems was one of three resolutions expected to be considered by the Huntington Town Board on Tuesday.

According to a preliminary resolution, the town was to consider spending $92,657 to contract Farmingdale-based Wire to Water Inc. to install a Spread Spectrum Radio (SSR) as a backup communication tool in the event of power outages.

The Dix Hills Water District first retained Wire to Water in late 2010 to upgrade its supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems to a high-speed

Internet system and install Virtual Private Network appliances at each plant to ensure secure data transmission. But during the last major power outage, the town said the system, which is powered by Cablevision, was not operational and communication was lost to plant sites 2, 4, 6 on Caledonia Road and the main office. The SSR system would be a backup system if another major power outage occurred.

“If the cable goes out, it goes out. That’s part of the problem,” Councilwoman Susan Berland said. “It [the SSR system] acts as a backup for the communication system. If Cablevision goes down, we have the backup to be able to communicate with everybody.”

The board was also expected to consider retaining Melville-based Holzmacher,

McLendon and Murrell (H2M Group), which has been a consultant to the Dix Hills Water District for 45 years, for two projects totaling $46,000. The first would allocate $26,000 to update the Water District’s master plan, which was last updated in 2006; the second would earmark $20,000 for an energy evaluation study for the district.

According to the latter proposal, the district spends 35 percent of its budget on electricity, and H2M said the district could save about $120,000 by optimizing plant operations and implementing a pumpage plan to sequence equipment.

The Huntington Town Board was scheduled to vote on the proposal during Tuesday evening’s town board meeting, which occurred after press time.

Public Information Officer Eileen Peters. “You do not have to carpool every day but as often as your schedule allows.”

The 511NY Rideshare program has seen a rise in the last few years, Peters said.

“Our program has grown significantly since 2010. On Long Island, we had twice the number of new rideshare registrations in 2011 as compared to 2010...Currently, there are approximately 20,000 individuals in our ridematching system and that number is growing,” she added Users of 511NY Rideshare are matched up with potential carpool partners after filling out a user profile on the DOT’s 511NY Rideshare website.

Users select if they would like to participate as drivers or passengers. Riders are paired based on either having similar routes or similar start and end points within a specified radius.

A “quick match” may also be run to get an idea of how many potential candidates there are. From there, people can select from a range of preferences in their carpool partners. Peters said these preferences range “…from smoking or eating in the car, listening to certain radio stations, gender, or participating in the ridematch as the passenger or driver…”

In the future, Peters plans to improve (Continued on page A23)

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LLOYD HARBOR

Cooper Hosts Axelrod At Obama Fundraiser dschrafel@longislandernews.com

David Axelrod, the communications director for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign, was the headliner for a fundraiser at the Lloyd Harbor home of former Legislator Jon Cooper and his husband, Robert, on April 9.

The former Chicago Tribune reporter, who later worked as a top adviser to former President Bill Clinton and a political consultant to a bevy of top Democratic candidates, spent much of the two-hour event tackling questions from the approximately 100 guests, Cooper said.

He said the event exceeded fundraising goals set by the Obama campaign.

Cooper wouldn’t say how much the event raised, but general admission tickets were $500. VIP tickets were $1,000, which included a private recep-

tion with Axelrod. A limited group of $250 “Gen 44” tickets were aimed at young professionals.

“They set a target for the event and we blew through that. They were thrilled,” Cooper said.

Cooper said the fundraiser was an important display of support for the President on Long Island, which is usually one of the more closely contested portions of New York, traditionally a safe Democratic state in recent elections. It was Axelrod’s first event on Long Island, Cooper added. He hopes that will convince the campaign he should host another event around the presidential debate at Hofstra University in mid-October.

Cooper’s goal for the October event? Host a fundraiser with President Obama.

“They’re going to try to make it happen,” he said.

Photo by Ruth Krueger

By Danny Schrafel

Former Legislator Jon Cooper, right, shares a laugh with David Axelrod, communications director for President Obama’s re-election campaign.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Housing Authority Mandates To Be Axed Town says transparency directives are ‘unenforceable,’ should be eliminated from code

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

The Huntington Town Board is considering repealing a portion of town law passed in 1999 to promote transparency at the Huntington Housing Authority because it cannot be enforced, officials said.

The section being considered for repeal was adopted in October 1999 and mandates that the Housing Authority make several periodic disclosures. The law requires the Housing Authority to provide certified copies of its minutes and a treasurer’s report to town hall within 30 days of approval. The Housing Authority must also: submit quarterly financial reports, including itemization of

disbursements and receipts; publish an annual public report, including goals for the following year, by Dec. 31; file meeting agendas with the town clerk at least a week before Housing Authority meetings; provide copies of all audits to town hall within 30 days of receipt; and submit to an annual audit by the town comptroller. The law also requires the agency to ensure no commissioner is denied information or documents related to Housing Authority matters.

The legislation was enacted after a scandal beset the Housing Authority in the mid-1990s, which included a series of indictments, resignations, questionable loans and reports of sizable slush funds created by its members.

However, town spokesman A.J. Carter said the law is up for repeal based on legal opinions determining that it is unenforceable because the Housing Authority is a separate corporate entity and separate from the Town of Huntington.

“Because the Housing Authority does not report to the town board, it could not be legally compelled to do what that part of the town code required them to do,” he said.

Housing Authority attorney Paul Levitt said, to his knowledge, the law had “never been” enforced. If the town wants to inspect records, they will be able to do so by filing a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request.

“The commissioners sitting on the

Housing Authority, other than being appointed by the town, are commissioners that draw their powers from the Huntington Housing Authority,” he said.

“This separate existence makes it unlawful for the town to require a separate standing board to provide those records.”

Since the law was adopted, the Housing Authority has been recognized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for its work, particularly from 2002-2006 for implementing new safeguards and bringing the Authority out of troubled status, Levitt said. The attorney added that HUD reviews the Housing Authority’s records regularly.

HUNTINGTON

New York’s Bravest Box For Lt. James Byler

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

The New York Fire Department and Police Department battled in the boxing ring and raised $6,000 to give to injured U.S. Marine First Lieutenant James Byler, of Huntington, for renovations to his home.

Bobby McGuire, president of the FDNY Bravest Boxing Team, said the team decided in November to raise money for Byler at its 29th annual “Battle of the Badges” event.

“All the intention is that any money goes to charity.

We’ve been doing it for 29 years now and since 9/11, we’ve been doing it for military charities mainly because fire department members have a kinship with marines and armed forces,” McGuire said.

The team presented Byler with a check on April 13 at 2 p.m. at the FDNY headquarters located at 9 Metro Tech Center in Brooklyn NY on the 8th floor.

The FDNY and NYPD battled it out at Madison Square Garden, where they won six bouts each. This was the Battle of the Badges’ first tie since its inception.

“The fire department is the underdogs since there are 40,000 police officers and 8,000 firefighters,” McGuire said, noting the FDNY’s record is 15-13.

Byler graduated from Huntington High School and Purdue University. After college, he went into the Marines. Two months into his service, in 2010, he was severely injured and lost both legs and two fingers after

Firefighter Allan Grdovich of the FDNY connects with a nice left jab to the head of police officer David Robinson.

Firefighter Felipe Irizarry lands a right hand in his bout versus police officer Herbert Medina.

stepping on an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. Byler is currently at the Walter Reed National Military Center in Bethesda, M.D, and will be discharged in two months.

Renovations to his house are underway to make his home handicap accessible.

For nearly 30 years, the FDNY Bravest Boxing Team has raised money for charity though Battle of the Badges. Since 9/11, the Bravest Boxing Team has donat-

ed money to various military charities including the Wounded Warrior Project, Building Homes for Heroes, Vessels for Veterans and the American Legion.

To date, the Bravest Boxing Team has earned close to $100,000 for many charities.

The Bravest Boxing team’s next match is on May 19 in Foxwoods. They’ll be fighting the New England law enforcement Vessels for Veterans, which helps returning GI’s to find work

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Townwide Fund Honorees Oheka event pays tribute to influentials The Townwide Fund of Huntington 50th Anniversary Gala will honor the men and women who have made significant contributions to the Fund’s success through their dedicated work and philanthropy. The fundraising event begins at 6 p.m today at Oheka Castle with a cocktail hour and live piano music, followed by a full night of celebration that includes dance music from Peter Mazzeo and the Hit Squad.

The Townwide Fund of Huntington was founded in 1961 by a group of private citizens who wanted to help local charities raise funds. The organization’s essential mission was to keep money raised in Huntington within the community. Now over 50 years and $10 million later, The Townwide Fund continues to infuse local organizations with the support they need to provide vital health and human services to the people of Huntington.

THE HONOREES Michael Aboff, Aboff ’s Alex Armonas, Armonas Development Corp.

Keith Brown, Brown & Altman. LLP Sal Ferro, Alure Home Improvements

Thomas Finnegan, American Portfolios Ellen Fleury, Fleury Design Dennis Garetano, Family Pet Expo Clark Gillies, Hilton Capital Management Arthur Goldstein, Goldstein & Rubinton Bea Hartigan, Townwide Fund Huntington Township Chamber Of Commerce Lee E. Kilbrith, Prospect Financial Services Andrew W. Lawrence, Lawrence, Sappe & Lawrence Richard Maikis, Maikis Associates Inc. James S. Margolin, Margolin & Margolin Gary Melius, OHEKA Michael Mulè, Rivkin Rader LLP Donald Musgnug, Fuocco Group CPAs Frank Petrone, Huntington Supervisor Gary Pezza, East Neck Development Corp.

James T. Powers, Bohler Engineering Jo-Ann Raia, Huntington Town Clerk Peter Sloggatt, Long Islander Newspapers Cliff Starkins, Adams & Becker CPAs Sal Turano, Abstracts Inc. Russell Vollmer, Vollmer-Adair

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Huntington On Your Cell Huntington @ Your Service? There’s an app for that.

Town officials announced April 10 that the citizen request management system can now be accessed by an app designed especially for Android-based smart phones. Residents can download the app either from the town’s website or through Google Play.

Since March 1, Huntington @ Your Service has given residents a forum to communicate with the town 24-7 either through their official website or their iPhones. The system’s automated rout-

ing is designed to ensure a request for action is quickly forwarded to the right person at the right town department.

Citizens can also track the progress of their request.

Since March 1, the town has received more than 1,000 service requests that were entered into Huntington @ Your Service. Of those, 95 percent have been resolved and closed, officials said.

To view video tutorials for the website and the smart phone app, visit TownofHuntington on YouTube or the town’s Facebook page.

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Leadership Huntington Graduates Class of 2012 Over 140 people joined the Leadership Huntington Foundation at the Harbor Club last Thursday to celebrate the organization’s Class of 2012 graduation. The event commemorated 16 years of service to the Town of Huntington and honored the achievements of three outstanding leaders in the community. Attendees of the gala represented a cross section of sectors in the Town, including the business, not-for-profit, government and arts communities.

The gala commenced with a cocktail hour performance by Khyati Pandya, a traditional Indian dancer, who was followed by 6-year-old Tabla player Yogesh Patel. The evening was emceed by Michael Davies, vice president of the board of directors of Leadership Huntington, who introduced the organization’s Acting Director Katheryn Laible and Program Director Trudy Fitzsimmons.

Remarks were then given by several elected officials, including New York State Senator Carl Marcellino, Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer, Huntington Town Council members Mark Cuthbertson and Susan Berland, and Scott Martella, Suffolk County representative for Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Among other elected officials in attendance were New York State Assemblyman (and Leadership Huntington program graduate) Andrew Raia, and the Hon. William B. Rebolini of Suffolk County’s 10th judicial district.

Following those remarks, three individuals were honored with special awards from the Leadership Huntington Foundation. Elizabeth (Libby) Hubbard,

a long-time civic leader who currently remains a member of the Huntington chapter of the League of Women Voters, as well as the Huntington Township Housing Coalition and Leadership Huntington received the organization’s Founders Award. Terence Smith, a passionate advocate for affordable community health care and administrator of the Dolan Family Health Center, received the Outstanding Community Trustee Award.

And Lawrence Kushnick, a local attorney, active business leader in the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce, graduate of the Class of 1997, and strong supporter of many other community initiatives was honored with the Graduate of Distinction Award.

“It was truly a humbling experience to be honored by Leadership Huntington,” said Kushnick. “What a great organization that has been such an integral part of the Huntington community for 16 years. I look forward to the success of this organization for years to come.”

The evening concluded with the Flagship Program’s Class of 2012 graduation, in which the 13 class members received certificates from the organization as well as local elected officials.

After the ceremony, Vita Scaturro, vice president at Community National Bank and member of the Class of 2012 said, “I look at the leadership program of Huntington as a continuous journey through time. The unification of individuals from all sectors of our community, with different knowledge, backgrounds, and expertise; work together towards a common goal. The experiences and the new relationships that I have gained through

From left are: 2011 Founders Award Recipient Arthur Goldstein, Esq; 2012 Founders Award Honoree Elizabeth Hubbard; NYS Senator Carl Marcellino, Huntington Hospital President/CEO Kevin Lawlor, 2012 Outstanding Community Trustee Terence Smith, Dolan Center Administrator; and 2012 Graduate of Distinction Lawrence A. Kushnick, Kushnick Pallaci PLLC. the program will help me continue to deepen my involvement in our community. This will also allow me to be part of the process to make it a better place to do business, raise a family, and maintain its world-class status."

Leadership Huntington is dedicated to developing, connecting and engaging individuals to identify and advance the best solutions to the complex issues facing our region. The core of this process is the organization’s unique Flagship Program, a nine-month series of workshops held for a class of current and emerging leaders

recruited by the foundation.

This 9-month experience brings approximately 20 people of diverse backgrounds together on a journey to understand the town’s history, a little bit of how the government works, the importance of the nonprofit sector as well as both small business and corporate interests. Together with approximately 100 volunteer mentors from throughout the community who currently participate or contributed to the development of the program, they learn about issues facing the (Continued on page A23)

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DIX HILLS

Crash Victim Rescued Photo by Steve Silverman

Firefighters work to free the driver of this car, which crashed into a light pole and several trees on the Northern State last week.

Dix Hills responders rescued a crash victim on the Northern State last week by using the “Jaws of Life.”

The Dix Hills Fire Department responded to a crash in the eastbound lanes of the Northern State Parkway, west of the Deer Park Avenue exit, on April 11 at 6 p.m. The driver of a Volkswagen sedan was trapped after the car left the roadway, knocking down a light pole and crashing into several trees, fire officials said.

Dix Hills firefighters used the “Jaws of Life” rescue tools to remove the car’s roof and a door to free the driver. The patient was airlifted to Stony Brook University Medical Center by a Suffolk Police Medivac helicopter.

About 40 Dix Hills firefighters and rescue personnel were dispatched with three heavy rescue trucks, an engine, two ambulances, paramedic and fire police units, under the command of Chief Richard Granahan.

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Opinion

Send

letters to: The Editor, Half Hollow Hills News paper, 149 Ma Huntington in Street, , New York 11743 or e-m info@longis ail us at landernew s.com

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

Make It Happen The US Senate has approved funding to Long Island needs jobs and it needs housthe Metropolitan Transportation Authority ing. It particularly needs the kind that will (MTA) for construction of a second rail be- attract a young workforce to Long Island tween the now inactive Republic train sta- and allow workers already here to live in detion in Farmingdale and the railroad’s hub cent and affordable housing. Long Island in Ronkonkoma. If and when House ap- also needs to reduce its reliance on autoproval follows, Long Island can take a ma- mobile transportation. jor step forward by intelligently redevelopThe Republic area redevelopment would ing that area of the Route 110 allow for both while strengthencorridor. ing the Route 110 corridor – an EDITORIAL We say “intelligently” because area that already provides emthe plans, which are contingent on the sec- ployment for more Long Islanders than any ond rail track being added along the LIRR single area of both counties. line, would be for mixed use development At the same time, the addition of a second of residential and commercial projects track would improve access to New York with a focus on use of mass-transit. It’s the City and all of its employment opportunikind of development that’s needed all ties for the Deer Park, Wyandanch, Central across Long Island and we are fortunate to Islip and Brentwood railroad stations. have the model project slated for our own The Melville-Route 110 corridor is albackyard. ready Long island’s jobs powerhouse. ReSen. Charles Schumer is lobbying to have public redevelopment would only strengthhis bill approved in the House of Represen- en the region economically. Let’s make it tatives. We can’t think of a reason not to. happen.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

County Gov’t Needs To Transform DEAR EDITOR: As you know by now, county finances are in a very difficult way. Sadly, this is the fate many local governments have experienced in the wake of the Great Recession and slow recovery.

While each municipality’s circumstances differ slightly, the precipitants of our collective dilemmas are very similar: an increase in demand in services from those still affected the most by the recession and the ever-increasing cost of providing those (and all) services.

While both of those reasons are not caused by the county, we nonetheless must find a way to mitigate them.

To clarify, though, there does not exist a $500-million deficit for this year. That figure is a combined projection for the next three years. And while the number is accurate, it is by no means inevitable. It only exists if we do absolutely nothing over the next three years to eliminate it. Deficits are nothing new to the county.

Unlike the federal government, we can’t just print money

or leave the budget unbalanced. Every year, the cost of providing services goes up, and every year, we in county government do our best to spare you from having to pay for those increases. We actually created a rainy-day fund to mitigate future deficits and back in 2009, we started tapping that reservoir rather than let residents feel the pinch in their pocketbooks. While we had beefed up the reserves of the rainy day fund to impressive levels, not even our best analysts could have predicted the recession would be as profound and long-lasting as it has been. Now those reserves have dwindled. So while an economic rebound is slowly underway, the filling effects on county coffers can no longer be waited on. Going forward, over the next several weeks, months and even years, that means county government will have to totally transform itself and the role it plays in the lives of citizens.

Rest assured that I, my colleagues in the legislature and the county executive are focusing all our combined energies on the task of creating this new I thought I’d start by telling

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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.

you my guiding philosophy in undertaking this Herculean task and then share with you some of the first steps we will be taking. The cost savings and revenue generated by these measures will not only ease our current financial crunch, but in the coming years, will make and save more than one-hundred million dollars.

We must be strategic in reconceptualizing what county government is and how it operates. To fully embrace that means embarking on nothing less than a course of what I have termed “Compassionate Efficiency.”

Compassionate Efficiency means completely rethinking how we can continue to provide the services that are the most critical to the largest number of county residents, while at the same time realizing that government cannot, nor should it ever even try, to be all things to all people.

Understanding Compassionate Efficiency means coming to terms with who we are first before we try to evolve into something different. It means figuring out how to overcome the difference between our long-

engrained psychological views of society and the realities of our evolving world. That means coming to terms with our technological disconnect dilemma.

We live in an age where the answers to all the questions we have are just a broadband away. Our microwave mentalities have grown accustomed to immediate answers. While 3 and 4G can almost instantaneously tell us “who”, “what” or “where” something is, even WiFi can rarely answer the huge question of “why” or the infinitely harder question – how do we deal with it.

That’s because despite our technological advances, governments are still like the great dinosaurs, plodding along, trying to respond swiftly to the growing and ever-faster moving dilemmas they are charged with overcoming. Even with all the power of all the combined computing power of all the microchips in the world, steering society is not like piloting a supersonic stealth jet, but rather like navigating the course of a great ship. We use our ever evolving technology to look further and further out on the horizon for icebergs and other obstacles. But once spotted, all the captains can do is to try to agree on a course of action to trim our collective direction in time from turning into a dangerous and destructive path.

A detailed listing of everything being planned would likely fill this entire edition of this paper. Most of our actions are very technical but some are painfully straightforward.

There are some services we are mandated (by federal and state law) to provide. And while we can do little but beseech Washington and Albany for relief from some of those require-

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

Ian Blanco Dan Conroy Production/ Art Department

ments, we do have self-imposed mandates that we can lift. We will try to maximize revenues in a way that allows us to minimize how much each person will feel it. We will seek to keep more county dollars here in Suffolk instead of sending them to Albany.

Our Stage One Mitigation Plan, set to be released and begin being enacted this month, will save taxpayers more than $160 million over the next three years. Just one of the more straight-forward ways it does that is to create our own Traffic and Violations Bureau. Know this—the intention is not to increase the number of tickets given out. Currently, when you get an infraction for a motor vehicle violation more than 70 percent of your ticket price gets sent to Albany—only 25 percent stays here in Suffolk. A local traffic bureau will reverse that equation and make sure that violators’ fines go towards funding traffic and safety measures here on the Island, not upstate.

The mitigation plan has many other components as well. Will implementing them be easy? Probably not—but what in life of real value is ever truly easy.

What I want you to know is this, I and my colleagues at the Legislature will do everything necessary not just to put the county back on a sound financial footing, but to reconceive county government itself.

When we do, I’m confident that this county we call home will be stronger, wiser and even better equipped to handle the challenges that lie even further down the road.

DUWAYNE GREGORY

Suffolk County Legislature Majority Leader

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor Linda Gilbert Office / Legals

Susan Mandel Advertising Director Michele Caro Larry Stahl Account Executives

149 Main Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012 • A9

Life&Style DANCE

Broadway To Long Island

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Melissa Giattino, choreographer for the John W. Engeman Theater’s production of “42nd Street,” has brought the Broadway production of the musical to the Northport theater.

“It’s such a classic show,” Giattino said. “Audiences love it wherever it’s done – if it’s in a high school or on Broadway or a regional theater – it’s such a crowd pleaser.”

Giattino grew up in Bellport in a family with a theater background, so dance has always been a part of her life. Her mother is the owner of Stage Door School of Dance in East Patchogue, where Giattino received most of her training. Since Manhattan is only a train ride away, the choreographer also took classes in the city at Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway.

“I knew at a very young age [I wanted to be a dancer],” she said. “It was something that I was really passionate about and I felt a sense of freedom when I was on stage.”

Giattino landed her first professional gig for “A Chorus Line” at 17 years old. She then made her way into “Crazy for You” in Philadelphia, Penn. and traveled to London’s West End to perform in the Hal Prince/Susan Stroman production of “Show Boat.” Eventually, she came back home and performed in the Broadway revival of “42nd Street.”

“It’s one of those shows that have been in my life for many years,” Giattino said. “It’s like being home doing it again.”

Although the Engeman Theater has a smaller stage than the Broadway production, with eight women and six men in the ensemble, they still “put in that blood, sweat and tears” into every rehearsal and performance.

“It’s been a real pleasure to be getting on the other side of things and sort of pass the torch on to the next generation of performers and dancers,” Giattino said.

After the conclusion of Engeman’s “42nd Street” on June 17, Giattino and her partner Ron DeStefano will take their two-person tap show, “Two on Tap,” on the road. The founders of “Two on Tap” combined their love for beautiful melodies from the early days of Broadway along with the classic precision of tap choreography. They will head to London and then make their way through the Midwest.

Come on along and listen to the lullabye of Broadway with the Engeman Theater’s production of “42nd Street,” showing through June 17.

THEATER

Toe-Tapping Musical Fun

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Take a trip back to the 1930s with some toe-tapping fun at the John W. Engeman Theater’s production of “42nd Street” in Northport.

As the curtain opens, multicolored tap shoes start the ensemble’s first number.

The talented dancers are auditioning for a part in Julian Marsh’s play “Pretty Lady.” With no step out of line, the dancers get the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be in Broadway’s biggest production.

Small-town gal Peggy Sawyer traveled from Allentown, Penn. to New York City in hopes of becoming the next big star.

Unfortunately, she arrives late to the auditions and doesn’t have a chance to show off her skills.

Until, that is, leading tenor Billy Lawler notices her talent and tells Peggy he will help her be in the show – all the while trying to charm her into accepting a date with him. A flustered Peggy storms out of the room, but not before bumping into the director himself.

Prima Donna Dorothy Brock, once a star in her day, is annoyed when Julian asks Peggy to audition. On opening night, Peggy trips during rehearsal and crashes into Dorothy, knocking the leading lady to the floor and breaking her ankle. Dorothy’s misfortune becomes Peggy’s big break.

Engeman’s cast is tops. Darien Crago portrays Peggy’s innocence and lack of experience as a professional dancer to a tee. Her acting skills are just as perfect as her “pull-backs” and “wings.” Tim Falter’s vocals steal the show, and the audience hangs on to his every note as he brings Billy’s character to life. Patrick Ryan Sullivan, who plays Julian, is amazing, with a powerful demeanor that is displayed well throughout the performance. Christianna Tisdale, playing Dorothy, shines every time she graces the stage with her

Drew Humphrey playing choreographer Andy Lee, with the ensemble rehearsing for “Pretty Lady”. presence.

Director Mark Adam Rampmeyer and Casting Director Stephen DeAngelis did an admirable job selecting the cast and crew. Also, kudos should be given to choreographer Melissa Giattino for bringing Broadway’s “42nd Street” to Northport.

Her toe-tapping choreography makes you feel like you’re watching a Manhattan-quality production.

The musical would not be possible without Music Director Mike Pettry. This is Pettry’s fifth show at the theater.

Scenic Designer Sonoka Fukuma Gozelski makes the audience feel they are backstage at the theater or on Broadway. The designer even brought in local elements, including a sign that read “Paramount.”

Costume Designer Keith Schneider dressed the cast in colorful, vibrant costumes. Characters were decked out in outfits from the ’30s era, with their taps matching their ensemble. Brandyalyn Fulton’s wig and hair design complemented Schneider’s costumes perfectly.

Tim Falter, Evan Teich, Drew Humphrey, Patrick Ryan Sullivan and leading lady Darien Crago in “42nd Street.”

With popular songs like “We're in the Money,” “Lullaby of Broadway,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” and “42nd Street,” Engeman’s production is a musical treat for the whole family. Tickets are $60 and may be purchased by calling 631-2612900, by visiting www.engemantheater.com, or at the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main St., Northport. The musical plays through June 17.

A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012

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Making Friends At The Whale’s Tale

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The

Foodie SECTION Foodie photos/Danny Schrafel

Bang-Bang Shrimp will make your tongue tingle with a spicy sauce and notes of horseradish.

By Danny and Luann foodie@longislandernews.com

To call The Whale’s Tale in Northport a friendly neighborhood spot by the water is an understatement.

Owner Sosh Andriano and his attentive, dedicated staff make visiting the Whale’s Tale a joy, whether you’re sitting by the water or having a drink in the packed, bustling bar that never feels crowded – even when it is. It’s a little slice of iconic Margaritaville, but without the schlep and the wistful longing.

Part of the reason for that cheer is the hard-working kitchen staff, which prepares dish after dish with rapid-fire efficiency and tasteful precision. Case in point – our fairly sizable order was out in a snap on a busy Friday night. The seafood-heavy menu is very affordable – the regular menu entrees top out at $17 – and hits the spot time and time again.

We started with Bang-Bang Shrimp ($8.95), an assortment of tender baby shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy horseradish sauce and served on a bed of shredded lettuce. If you’re sharing apps

From left, Linda Marinelli, Jordan Porter, Maggia Plaia, owner Sosh Andriano and Britney McGuinness show off a selection of what makes the Whale’s Tale shine – its fresh, local seafood. at a large table, a great one to pair the shrimp with is a Bucket O’Mussels ($9.95), a generous serving of juicy PEI mussels. We chose sweet, garlicky white wine sauce that you won’t dare let go to waste. Good thing they give you bread to dunk, drizzle and soak in the broth.

Whale’s Tale is known for its tacos, Andriano said, and during Taco Tuesdays last year ($2 tacos all day long) they sold 33,000 of them – on just about two dozen Tuesdays. The Surf and Turf tacos, which are $8.25 for two on the regular menu, help explain why. A combination of shrimp and steak tossed in chipotle pesto and topped with fried onions, it’s surprisingly complex and incredibly delicious.

The Local Fish Fry menu, averaging at about $15 for either lightly breaded jumbo shrimp; tender, crispy fish filet; juicy scallops; or sweet, juicy soft-shell crab, is another great choice if you’re feeling particularly decadent. Cover all your bases with a $16.95 combo, which includes a sample of each.

Want to go lighter? There’s the Fresh Grill ($16.95) where you get to choose salmon, mahi, swordfish or tuna served Baja, Fish and Lime, Cali Cajun or Pacific Fresh style.

No matter how you like them, melt-inyour-mouth scallops are a must-have at

Whale’s Tale. The Northport Shellfish Stew ($16.95), one of our favorite surprises on the menu, displays this artfully.

In addition to the mussels, we were delighted by a giant tray of hearty whole clams, shrimp and scallops served in a mild, yet zesty, fra diavolo sauce. With most of the seafood coming from local distributor K&B, how can you go wrong?

You sure can’t with this unique stew.

As the season starts heating up, keep an eye out for the Whale’s Tale’s weekly specials. In addition to Taco Tuesday, we’re looking forward to Crabby Mondays, which will boast specials on a wide array of crab dishes. Hump Day To-Go Wednesdays bring 20-percent off all takeout orders, and Taps and Apps on Thursday has half-priced appetizers and twofers on tap beer.

Whale’s Tale Rear of Britannia Marina 81 Fort Salonga Road, Northport 631-651-8844 www.whalestalenpt.com Atmosphere – Summery neighborhood hangout Cuisine – Fresh local seafood Price – Moderate

The Bucket O’Mussels, served in either white or red sauce, is abundant and flavorful.

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Side Dish

By DineHuntington.com foodies@longislandernews.com

TASTE OF THE TOWN: A half-dozen top-notch restaurants and food purveyors from Huntington will dish out their signature dishes for a “Taste of the Town” on Thursday, May 3, 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the gourmet kitchens at Appliance World, 414 New York Ave., Huntington.

The event is a fundraiser to benefit the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mary Robinson Division. Chefs from Fado, Vitae Restaurant and Wine Bar, Nisen of Woodbury, Mr. Sausage, Finnegan’s and Jellyfish will be cooking up favorites, while Fiorello Dolce Bakery and Kim’s Kandies will provide dessert.

You’ll enjoy fabulous food, live music and great raffles for $50 per person. Proceeds will go to support services for battered women and children as well as supporting food pantries in Huntington. (Bring a non-perishable food donation for the food pantries and get one free raffle ticket.) Call MJ Fitzgerald at 631-920-8067 for tickets.

VITAE WINE TASTING: Vitae Restaurant and Wine Bar (54 New St., Huntington 631-385-1919 www.vitaeli.com) will host fine wine expert Maureen Sossi for A Night in Tuscany, a four-course tasting event on Tuesday, May 15 at 7 p.m. Sossi, a consultant with Empire Wines, will talk about the wines paired with Executive Chef Steve Del Lima’s special menu for the night: 2010 Castello Banfi Sant Angelo Pinot Grigio paired with local fluke ceviche; 2009 Banfi’s Rosso Di Montalcino with a cocoa-dust-

ed pork tenderloin; 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Nozzole poured with duck breast; and Michele Chiarlo Moscato D’Asti with citrus crème brulee. Seating is limited; cost is $65 per person and reservations are a must.

BEST COFFEE CONTENDER: Hampton Coffee Company is sending a delegation of coffee professionals to one of the birthplaces of the specialty coffee movement, Portland, Ore, for the Specialty Coffee Association of America's annual coffee convention and trade show. A fourday international event, the convention draws nearly 10,000 coffee professionals from around the globe. Hampton Coffee Company, which is owned by former Town of Huntington spokesperson Jason Belkin, is hosting Friday's coffee break and serving their award-winning Hampton Classic Blend coffee to the entire convention center. The company's Hampton Espresso Blend will be the only espresso served at an espresso-tasting station manned by the world's top Barista Champions on Saturday. What’s more, the company's Organic Peru Norte coffee is in a Top 30 finalist for the annual Coffee of the Year competition. At the convention, it will be whittled down to the top 10, and then convention-goers will text-message votes for the best coffee in the world title. Follow the Hampton Coffee crew's journey to Portland and their experiences at the convention on their Twitter (@hamptoncoffee) and Facebook (hamptoncoffeecompany) feeds. In Huntington, try Hampton Coffee Co. coffees at Wild Flours (11 New St., Huntington village 631-923-1090).

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&

Health Fitness Fifty 50+Plus Small Changes Can Help You Save On Health Care If you’re like many Americans, health care is taking a major bite out of your paycheck. According to the Organization for Economic Development, the average American spends $7,960 on health care annually, representing nearly 20 percent of the average U.S. income of $40,000.

Experts are advising consumers to take a proactive approach toward reducing their health care expenses.

“The best way to reduce health care costs is to prevent them,” says Dr. Andrew Myers, an expert in preventative health and nutrition, and author of “Health is Wealth.” “Living a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic illnesses that are expensive to manage.”

To help, Myers offers some simple healthy living tips: • Get screened: Health and wellness screenings are crucial for early detection of health issues. Know what you are at risk for, so you know what you should be managing.

• Get active: Be more active in your daily life, whether that is exercising, taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking instead of driving. Strive to

get the recommended 30 minutes of heart-healthy exercise three to five times weekly.

• Eat healthier: Set simple goals like incorporating a fruit or vegetable into every meal, or replacing a junk food snack with something nutritious.

• Chart your progress: Keep track of your progress and stay motivated by celebrating your successes. Mark your calendar on the day you start, as well as key dates and benchmarks along the way.

When you reach a goal, make a new one, and be an inspiration to those around you.

• Share the challenge: Invite friends or family members to undertake a health challenge with you. A buddy system keeps you accountable and increases your chance of success.

You don’t need an expensive doctor’s appointment to get important health screenings. Some retailers offer free health screenings that include Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure tests, diabetes screenings, and timely allergy tests in spring and children’s health screenings in advance of the school year.

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&

Health Fitness Fifty 50+Plus Understanding Alzheimer’s Health experts estimate that one out of every eight baby boomers is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, making the need for understanding the disease all the more pressing.

On March 8, Alzheimer’s Association Long Island (AALI) held its Alzheimer’s disease Education Conference and Expo 2012 at the Melville Marriott. Approximately 50 vendors and 400 people attended the event, which coincided with the release of the 2012 Facts & Figures by the Alzheimer Association’s national chapter.

The conference featured numerous breakout sessions, including a caregiver discussion panel facilitated by Ellen Tolle, who encouraged caregivers to discuss the challenges and experiences they encountered when caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, and a session on “Protecting the Family Home from Long-Term Care Expenses” presented by members of the AALI Legal Advisory Committee.

This year’s keynote speaker was Laura Savini, on-air host for PBS and WNET/WLIW, and president of Untamed Hair Marketing & TV Productions. She shared her experiences with caring for a relative with Alzheimer’s disease.

Conference attendees also got a first

Mary Ann Malack-Ragona, right, presents keynote speaker Laura Savini with a plaque in recognition of her efforts to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease at the Alzheimer’s Disease Education Conference and Expo 2012 in Melville. look at an upcoming feature film following singer Glen Campbell’s battle with the disease. Savini has a personal connection to Campbell; her husband, Grammy-winning songwriter Jimmy Webb, wrote many of Campbell’s most memorable songs.

Currently, 5.4 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease and more than 60,000 of them reside on Long Island. By the middle of this century, it is estimated that approximately 1416 million people will have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

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ART

Heckscher Gears Up For Biennial Exhibit Local artists well-represented in showcase of contemporary Long Island artists

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

After holding their first juried Biennial exhibit during their 90th anniversary two years ago, the Heckscher Museum of Art is teaming up again with the Cinema Arts Centre to host a multimedia event they hope will become a tradition in Huntington.

The second Long Island Biennial, which features work from top contemporary artists and filmmakers on Long Island, will open at the Heckscher Museum of Art on April 28 and run through Aug. 12. The Cinema Arts Centre will screen juried video and film entries in July.

Curator Lisa Chaliff said the exhibit attracted nearly 200 entries across diverse media like paper, paintings, sculptures, photographs and mixed media. The entries were selected by jurors Renato Danese of the Danese Gallery in Manhattan; Franklin Perrell, executive director of the Roslyn Landmark Society and former chief curator of the Nassau County Museum of Art; and Lloyd Harbor’s Richard Vaux, artist and Professor Emeritus, in the Department of Art and Art History at Adelphi University.

The trio pared down the field to the final 52 creations to be shown at the Heckscher Museum; a separate jury will choose the films to be screened at Cinema Arts Centre.

The Town of Huntington is well represented in the 52 artists chosen for this Biennnial exhibit at Heckscher.

They include: Keni Fine and Irena Romovacek, of Cen-

terport; Jeffrey L. Hollman, of Cold Spring Harbor; Joseph Constantino, of Commack; Carrie-Anne Gonzalez, of East Northport; Anne Devine and Denise Kasof and Helen Rousakis, of Huntington; Catherine Bezas Krusos, of Lloyd Harbor; Raymond Germann William Grabowski, of Huntington Station; Lorraine Kulik, of Dix Hills and Dan Hittleman, of Melville.

Chaliff said the goal was to focus on contemporary art

by Long Island artists and help the artists become more engaged with the Heckscher Museum and the Huntington community.

“We want to have it ongoing because we want to keep artists involved in the museum. It’s a major part of our constituency,” she said. “We wanted it to be ongoing and that’s why we established this. It is great for the artists, and it’s very interesting for the community to understand how vibrant the art community is on Long Island. All around, I thought everybody benefited from it.”

Opening alongside the biennial exhibit is “Max Weber on Long Island,” a look at one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. The exhibit will include a selection of two dozen of Weber’s finest Long Island landscapes which reveal the modernist strategies for which Weber was best known.

Once the Biennial exhibit opens later this month, all of the submitted entries can be viewed online in The Heckscher Museum of Art Long Island Biennial Gallery at www.heckscher.org.

Inaugurated in 2010, the Heckscher Museum of Art and the Cinema Arts Center are teaming up again for their second Long Island Biennial exhibit, which begins April 28. Dix Hills’ Lorraine Kulik, showing “In The Woods,” is one of the 52 featured artists.

MUSIC

Town Officials Moonlighting At Paramount Zoning Board members, lawyers and others to play free show for military vets

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

The band formerly known as Jimmy’s Garage Band or With A Little Help From Your Friends has agreed to rock out some classic tunes for veterans at The Paramount.

Just Cause, created by James Matthews, attorney for Northport Village and Huntington’s Board of Zoning Appeals, agreed to open for the Huntington village theater’s April 28 comedy show, which is free to all veterans.

“Why not? We’re free and we play stuff they like. It’s fun to play anywhere,” Matthews said.

The band includes Zoning Board Chair Chris Modelewski on drums, zoning board inspector Phil Caldwell on guitar and Zoning Board Secretary Denise Mumm on backup vocals.

Classic rock is their weapon of choice, especially Beatles’ hits. For the upcoming show, “Get Back,” “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Come Together” are on the 10-song set list. Matthews revealed they’ll also play “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” by Credence Clearwater Revival, “If It Makes You Happy” by Sheryl Crow and “Squeeze Box” by the Who. “We like to play songs we like to hear,” Matthews said, noting their popularity.

Neither Matthews nor Modelewski will actually perform at The Paramount due to scheduling issues, although the band founder assured fans the band won’t miss a beat.

Producer Paul Anthony has been organizing the Paramount Comedy Series since it began six months ago. Putting on a comedy show for homeless veterans at the VA Medical Center in Northport last year, Anthony said he wanted to do more once the right venue was available.

With Paramount ownership supporting him, Anthony added the 3 p.m. matinee to their schedule. But he wasn’t content just to offer free seats to veterans and their families; the producer also wanted to add music.

“Jim’s band has been really supportive in the local community. We wanted to reach out to them. They were gracious enough to tell us they would be there,” Anthony said.

But as much as the band’s founder and backup guitarist loves to play, Just Cause has a much more seri-

ous side.

As the name of the band suggests, this act likes to support local causes, charities and people in need.

They played in October to help Huntington lawyer Michael McCarthy’s family after an 11-year-old family member died of cancer, and they’ll be playing at the American Legion hall in Northport after the Paramount show to support youth soccer.

“Our band does 100-percent free stuff for charitable purposes,” Matthews said.

That also entails quite a bit of support for veterans and active members of the armed services. They raised $4,000 for U.S. Marine Lt. James Byler at Madison’s in East Northport and will play at Napper Tandy’s in June to benefit the Sons of American Legion.

“We only started doing this in the past year. It’s just

gathering its own momentum. We got a request through one of my band members that we should support Lt. Byler, so we did that. We just got a request last week to play for this comedy show,” Matthews said on Friday.

Sometimes the venue charges a cover fee to help with the collections, although Just Cause usually passes around a jar during each performance. The band also accepts donations from fans outside of shows.

Matthews said he and his band mates get involved because they like to make a difference, although he admitted there are side-benefits to charity.

“Whatever you can do to give, you make the place a little better and it makes your life better. I knew we do it to help others, but in a self-centered way, you do help yourself,” he said.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Kids Sink Hole-In-One

Captain Lou Delli-Pizzi is flanked by Steve Gramolini and John Nicolette, owners of Monster Mini-Golf in Deer Park, who donated use of their facility for military families.

It was an all-out party for children of military servicemen and women at Monster Mini-Golf in Deer Park.

Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills), chairman of the Veterans and Seniors Committee, hosted the event for military children and their families to commemorate the “Month of the Military Child.” Mon-

ster Mini-Golf owners Steve Gramolini and John Nicolette donated use of their facility for the celebration, which was attended by more than 30 military families.

The children enjoyed mini-golf, video games, pizza and snacks and their parents enjoyed a break and the opportunity to spend time with other military families.

A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012

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MELVILLE

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DIX HILLS

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Town Address Beds Baths Dix Hills 59 Seward Dr 4 3 Dix Hills 9 Old Brook Rd 5 4 Huntington 39 Leigh St 3 1 Huntington 32 Nathan Hale Dr 1 1 Huntington 5 Grange St 3 1 Huntington Sta 21 Crawford Ct 4 2 S. Huntington 48 Rushmore St 3 1 Huntington Sta 15 Aldrich St 4 2 Greenlawn 8 Tanglewood Ct 3 2 Commack 8 Golden Ridge Ct 3 3 Centerport 5 Cotswold Dr 4 4 Huntington Sta 14 David Ct 4 2 Huntington 65 Lynmar Ct 3 2 Centerport 96 Stony Hollow Rd 4 3 Greenlawn 24 Manor (North) Rd 5 4 Huntington Sta 213 Cook St 3 3 Fort Salonga 32 Soundview Dr 4 3 Cold Spring Hbr 83 Woodchuck Hollow Rd 5 3 Dix Hills 495 Wolf Hill Rd 4 4 Dix Hills 21 Cobblers Ln 5 5 Huntington 14 Beaupre Ct 5 3 Melville 11 Treeview Dr 5 4 Melville 7 Esteves Ct 5 3 Cold Spring Hrbr21 Fox Hunt Ln 4 5 Huntington 395 W Main St 1 1 Greenlawn 6 Judith Dr 4 2 Commack 424 Townline Rd 4 1 Huntington Sta 3 William St 3 2 Dix Hills 42 Kenmore St 3 1 Greenlawn 10 Chauser Dr 3 2 Centerport 59 Oakdale Rd 4 3 Huntington 13 Sherman St 2 2 Huntington 23 Homeland Dr 2 3 E. Northport 5 Darien Pl 4 2 Melville 1 Mathews St 3 2 E. Northport 4 Zoranne Dr 3 3 Greenlawn 25 Auburn Dr 3 2 Melville 11 Gilford Ct 3 1 Melville 1 Plainwood Rd 5 3 Dix Hills 15 Mcnulty St 4 3 Dix Hills 66 Stonehurst Ln 3 2 Huntington 36 Fairview St 3 2 S. Huntington 5 Longwood Dr 3 2 Centerport 120 Harrison Dr 4 2 Dix Hills 11 Maryland St 4 3 Centerport 23 Cranbrook Ct 4 3 Dix Hills 16 S Hollow Rd 4 3 Northport 9 Woodfield Ave 3 3 Melville 46 Beaumont Dr 5 3 Dix Hills 6 Brycewood Dr 5 4 Dix Hills 3 Royce Rd 4 2 E. Northport 79 Cornflower Ln 5 3 Huntington 167 Flower Hill Rd 5 2 Centerport 19 Morahapa Rd 4 4 Centerport 345 Jefferson St 4 3 Cold Spring Hrbr59 Turkey Ln 3 4 Dix Hills 11 Cottonwood Dr 4 3 Dix Hills 60 Randolph Dr 5 3 Huntington 61 Windmill Dr 4 3 Dix Hills 44 Rustic Gate Ln 5 4 Dix Hills 20 Seward Dr 5 4 Huntington Bay 316 Bay Ave 5 2 Melville 112 Pembroke Ave 4 3 Dix Hills 17 Pettit Dr 5 4 Dix Hills 4 Stony Run Ct 5 4 Dix Hills 16 Stepping Stone Cres5 4 Huntington 6 Bay Hills Ct 5 5 Melville 38 Treeview Dr 4 3 Melville 32 Treeview Dr 4 3 Melville 147 Rivendell Ct 3 3 Centerport 28 Harned Dr 5 5 Huntington 77 Bay Ave 4 3 Dix Hills 42 N Woods End Rd 6 5 Centerport 52 Laurel Hill Rd 5 4 Melville 105 Redbrook Ct 5 4 Asharoken 225 Asharoken Ave 5 3

Price $799,000 $869,000 $219,000 $260,000 $319,000 $320,000 $363,500 $369,000 $459,000 $469,000 $519,999 $524,000 $529,000 $549,000 $589,000 $599,000 $689,000 $699,000 $699,000 $799,000 $899,000 $899,000 $1,175,000 $1,549,000 $254,000 $262,000 $319,000 $334,000 $359,000 $379,990 $419,000 $419,000 $429,000 $429,900 $479,000 $499,000 $499,000 $499,000 $519,000 $525,000 $525,000 $534,000 $539,000 $549,000 $559,000 $585,000 $599,000 $599,000 $599,990 $649,900 $659,000 $679,000 $679,000 $695,000 $698,876 $729,000 $729,000 $739,900 $775,000 $789,000 $789,500 $799,000 $799,900 $839,000 $845,000 $855,000 $869,000 $869,000 $869,900 $879,000 $899,000 $1,099,000 $1,299,000 $1,399,999 $1,450,000 $1,999,999

Taxes Date $13,100 4/19 $16,300 4/19 $8,261 4/21 $0 4/21 $5,038 4/21 $9,718 4/21 $6,056 4/21 $9,925 4/21 $9,800 4/21 $11,437 4/21 $11,605 4/21 $8,548 4/21 $11,715 4/21 $18,799 4/21 $14,709 4/21 $13,224 4/21 $13,429 4/21 $13,984 4/21 $17,154 4/21 $15,363 4/21 $17,084 4/21 $14,875 4/21 $17,500 4/21 $22,123 4/21 $0 4/22 $8,920 4/22 $9,610 4/22 $9,214 4/22 $7,786 4/22 $8,456 4/22 $12,234 4/22 $8,741 4/22 $9,056 4/22 $12,143 4/22 $12,941 4/22 $11,984 4/22 $11,271 4/22 $9,527 4/22 $11,659 4/22 $16,761 4/22 $14,740 4/22 $11,880 4/22 $17,346 4/22 $7,757 4/22 $11,560 4/22 $14,512 4/22 $14,390 4/22 $14,184 4/22 $13,664 4/22 $15,896 4/22 $13,313 4/22 $14,627 4/22 $16,946 4/22 $16,712 4/22 $15,769 4/22 $7,411 4/22 $15,739 4/22 $17,745 4/22 $17,859 4/22 $18,924 4/22 $15,800 4/22 $13,222 4/22 $16,647 4/22 $14,400 4/22 $25,500 4/22 $22,500 4/22 $20,714 4/22 $19,665 4/22 $16,909 4/22 $12,900 4/22 $12,784 4/22 $17,462 4/22 $20,457 4/22 $29,252 4/22 $19,582 4/22 $17,796 4/22

Time Broker 12:30pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12:30pm-2:30pm RE/MAX Beyond 1pm-3pm Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc 1pm-3pm Signature Premier Properties 11am-1pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 2:30pm-4:30pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-4pm Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 12pm-2pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1:00pm-3:00pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Realty Connect USA LLC 2:30pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 2pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 12:30pm-2:30pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm RE/MAX Beyond 3:15pm-4:30pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 2pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 12pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2pm-4pm Signature Premier Properties 12pm-2pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 2:30pm-4:30pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 2pm-4pm Signature Premier Properties 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 12pm-2pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Adelaide Byers Real Estate 2:30pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2:30pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 2:30pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 12pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2pm-4pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 1pm-3pm Barbara Nadboy Realty 1pm-3pm Realty Executives North Shore 1pm-3pm Realty Connect USA LLC 1pm-3pm Signature Premier Properties 2pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1pm-3pm Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-4pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc NPT

Phone 631-360-1900 631-862-1100 516-575-7500 631-673-3700 631-673-2222 631-549-4400 631-549-4400 631-499-9191 631-673-2222 516-921-2262 631-549-4400 631-757-7272 631-549-4400 631-261-6800 631-673-2222 516-575-7500 631-757-7272 631-692-6770 631-673-6800 516-624-9000 631-549-4400 888-758-9872 631-673-6800 631-692-6770 631-549-4400 631-673-2222 631-673-6800 631-757-7272 631-549-4400 631-543-9400 631-692-6770 631-549-4400 631-427-6600 631-549-4400 631-673-6800 631-499-1000 631-862-1100 516-759-0400 631-499-9191 631-499-9191 631-673-4444 631-673-3700 631-673-6800 631-549-4400 631-499-9191 631-673-3700 631-673-6800 631-499-9191 631-499-9191 631-499-9191 631-499-9191 631-499-0500 631-261-6700 631-673-6800 631-549-4400 631-673-2222 631-673-4444 631-673-4444 631-549-4400 631-673-4444 631-360-1900 631-549-4400 631-499-9191 631-360-1900 631-360-1900 631-360-1900 631-549-4400 631-385-7700 631-499-4040 888-758-9872 631-754-3600 631-427-6600 516-575-7500 631-673-6800 631-941-3100 631-754-3400

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012 • A17

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Reunions Still Big In Digital Age Business owner still organizes up to 125 high school get-togethers every year Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Donna DeFilippis hasn’t seen the latest “American Pie” film to come out, but she doesn’t need a movie about reunions to drum up business.

The owner of Reunions of America said Long Island high school reunions continue to occur on a regular basis despite new generations, a shaky economy and other changes over the years.

“Reunions are never going to go out of fashion. It could be a few less people come,” DeFelippis said. “Despite the economy being what it is and the challenges we all face, coming back to a reunion is an uplifting and special event in your life. At a time when the economy is like this, it’s important we have something special to look forward to.”

Reunions of America is very much a local business, with its office in the Town of Huntington. DeFelippis is a graduate of Walt Whitman High and her daughter is a John Glenn graduate.

In fact, it was the owner’s upbringing in Huntington that led to the business.

DeFilippis described herself as the

oldest daughter in an Italian family, a role that frequently left her cooking and interacting with people. As she got older, DeFilippis found herself hosting parties for hundreds of people.

“My whole life was about hospitality, loving people and bringing people together,” she said.

A friend sought her help planning a high school reunion in 1982. Doing much of the heavy lifting, the Whitman grad realized she loved the work and could make a living with no competition to speak of at the time.

Reunions of America opened the following year. Despite pioneering a new industry, DeFilippis, 24 at the time, took on the risk of fronting the startup costs.

“It’s an undertaking where there are a lot of costs that have to be laid out before you take anything in,” she said. “There is a lot of money you can lose if you don’t do it properly.”

DeFilippis also largely created her business model as she went. She had prior office experience as a manager in a law firm, but was aware of no reunionplanning businesses. Huge learning curves lay in her path, but some 29 years later, Reunions of America is firmly rooted in the community.

“Bringing high school friends together isn’t unlike bringing family together,” she said.

These days, DeFilippis relies on six full-time employees and 30 part-time employees to plan, arrange and host 75125 high school reunions every year. The

After nearly 30 years of organizing high school reunions, Reunions of America has re-connected classmates from every district in the Town of Huntington. company works with a committee of volunteer graduates to contact each member of the class, hire a caterer, find entertainment, decorate the venue and run the actual event. Tickets to their reunions typically run from $80-$125.

Reunions of America has about 2,500 reunions under its belt, with most happening on Long Island. They will do some in Queens or New Jersey from time to time, but most happen in Nassau County and the western two-thirds of

Suffolk County. DeFilippis said it’s simply a matter of knowing their market, admitting they would consider venturing beyond.

“We know what schools bring in what (Continued on page A23)

Reunions of America 631-266-1836 http://reunionsinc.com

THEATRE

Yellow Brick Road Leads To Dix Hills The famous play based on Frank Baum’s classic book about a young girl’s adventures along a yellow brick road is coming to life in Dix Hills next weekend.

The Five Towns College Theater Department will present “The Wizard of Oz” on Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on Sunday, April 29 at noon and 3 p.m. at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10.

Based on the ground-breaking 1939 film, the first major release to feature color, “The Wizard of Oz” was directed by Victor Fleming and based on the classic allegorical novel by Baum. Baum, rather then penning pure fantasy, was making a contemporary political statement about U.S. economic policy in protest of moving to the gold standard rather than silver – leading Americans down a fantasy path paved in gold, that became known only for its yellow bricks in the film.

Whether or not it was Baum’s intention to create a musical, Fleming’s film was a monster hit, often considered one of the top 10 films of all time for its use of new technologies, state-of-the-art special effects and make-up, the show-stopping tune “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” and ground-breaking costume artistry and scenery.

The film also introduced a phenomenal new 14-year-old talent to the country, Judy Garland, and included that era’s popular actors and comedians from Frank Kern as the Wizard to Garland’s (Dorothy) three co-stars, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley.

Despite its historic charm and Wicked

The magical land of Oz comes to life next weekend at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center.

Witch (Margaret Hamilton), whose memorable performance would later spawn the current Broadway hit “Wicked,” the film lost in its attempt to win the Best Picture Oscar for which it

was nominated, losing out to MetroGoldwyn-Meyer’s blockbuster film that year, “Gone with the Wind.” Ironically, both films soon became sought-after favorites in the new television medium that

would emerge following World War II; “The Wizard of Oz” first aired in 1954, while “Gone with the Wind” would wait until Ted Turner purchased the MGM catalog.

Children worldwide have become familiar with what MGM executives once feared was too far-fetched a plot: After a tornado whisks her away to the magical land of Oz, young Kansas farm girl Dorothy Gale teams up with a scarecrow in search of a brain, a tin woodsman seeking a heart, and a cowardly lion wishing for courage, on her journey to find a way back home. The beloved team travel on, avoiding the clutches of the Wicked Witch of the West while seeking to find the great wizard who can return Dorothy to Kansas.

“We are excited to bring this beloved, timeless classic to life on our stage and I know that children of all ages will really enjoy this show,” said Sandy Hinden, executive director of the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center. “We would like to encourage all those who attend to come dressed as their favorite “Oz’ character.

But whether audience members choose to come in costume or not, the show will provide a fun, memorable afternoon – whether it is the first time seeing the story come to life, or the hundredth time.”

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

A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012 THURSDAY Flag Box Tour The Greenlawn American Legion, Post #1244 will be bringing its mobile “Old Glory” flag collection box to the following locations: Sawmill Intermediate, 103 New Highway, April 16-20; Commack Middle School, Vanderbilt Parkway, April 23-27; Rolling Hills School, 25 McCulloch Drive, April 30-May 4; Hubbs Administration Bldg., May 7-11.

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Calendar O M M U N I T Y

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

• On display in April, “Bike Works.” Before it was considered important to act on changing the environment, Robert Mielenhausen was creating images utilizing the bicycle. He returns to this subject with a mixed-media tour.

Thursdays – April 19, 26; May 3 – join the Women’s Center of Huntington and explore values, relationships, dreams and hopes, 7-9 p.m. $10 members/$15 non-members, per session. 631-549-0485.

A Harborfields Musical

Commack Public Library

Harborfields High School students will perform the musical, “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” on April 26, 7 p.m., April 27, 8 p.m., April 28, 8 p.m., and April 29, 2 p.m. in the auditorium at Harborfields High School, 98 Taylor Ave., Greenlawn. $10 students/seniors, $15 adults. 631-754-5360.

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

• Enjoy a lively program of music, toys, and games for toddlers. A parent or adult caregiver must remain with the child during this program. Meets Mondays through April 23.

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

• Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of health information on the internet, and don't how to determine which websites are reliable? Huntington Hospital's Medical Librarian will lead a hands-on workshop to help you identify reliable health resources on the internet Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Blood Drive

Torah Living Join The Chai Center for a weekly dose of thought-provoking practical applications for today’s living based on the weekly Torah portion on Thursdays, 7-8 p.m. 501 Vanderbilt Pkwy, Dix Hills. $7 suggested fee. RSVP required. 631-351-8672. mail@thechaicenter.com.

FRIDAY Evening At Auction The Presbyterian Women of Old First Presbyterian Church, 125 Main St., Huntington, will present “An Evening At Auction” on April 27. Preview and refreshments at 7 p.m.; auction begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $10; proceeds to benefit local, national and international mission projects. A variety of items will be auctioned including antiques, restaurant gift certificates, jewelry, paintings, Hess trucks and furniture. 631-427-2101.

Earth Day Expo The Town of Huntington will be celebrating Earth Day with an expo April 21, 9 a.m.1 p.m. in the Town Hall parking lot at 100 Main St., Huntington. The day includes: opportunity to recycle e-waste; opportunity to shred documents; a Green Showcase about solar energy, composting, organic gardening and kids’ activities; live touch tank from Cornell Cooperative Extension; Touch a Truck event; and shrink-wrap disposal for boaters. 631-351-3171.

Live Music 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!

Praise Him Coffeehouse Enjoy a three-course meal for $20 along with entertainment April 21, 6:30 p.m. at Greenlawn Presbyterian Church, 497 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn, featuring the comedy of John Shea, pianist Ray Melograne, and The SpiritLifters. $20. Call Bob at 631-754-3467 or email bbrant01@yahoo.com.

Earth Day Expo The Town of Huntington will be celebrating Earth Day with an expo April 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Town Hall parking lot at 100 Main St., Huntington. The day includes: opportunity to recycle e-waste; opportunity to shred documents; a Green Showcase about solar energy, composting, organic gardening and kids’ activities; live touch tank from Cornell Cooperative Extension; Touch a Truck event; and shrink-wrap disposal for boaters. 631351-3171.

Lacrosse Jamboree To increase the awareness for Public Access Defibrillation and sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation is hosting the 11th Annual Louis J. Acompora Memorial Lacrosse Jamboree April 21, at Veterans Park, 279 Bellerose Ave., East Northport. In addition to a barbecue and DJ, the jamboree will host three highly ranked boys’ league games and six youth lacrosse games. Check www.la12.org for full schedule.

Bingo/Mystery Dinner Enjoy a mystery dinner at Christ Lutheran

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

• Through April 30, bring in one canned or nonperishable food item with each of your overdue items and your fines will be waived.

Elwood Public Library Church, 189 Burr Road (corner of Burr and Larkfield Roads), East Northport on April 21, 5:30 pm. Adult $15/children $10 includes dinner, dessert show and a bingo card. 631-499-4655.

flarpp@yahoo.com.

Summer Adventures Open House

Meet LI Ducks Owners

Portledge Summer Adventures will host a Summer Fun Day on April 21, 10 a.m.-noon, giving a sampling of free activities including art, science, golf, soccer, fencing, baseball, Legos and a video game creator at 355 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley. The Summer Adventures program offers its participants highly personal programs that stimulate and engage children ages 2-15. www.portledge.org/summeradventures or 516-750-3104.

Meet Long Island Ducks owners Bud Harrelson and Frank Boulton at the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce’s Networking Breakfast on April 24, 7:30-10 a.m. at the Huntington Yacht Club, 95 East Shore Road, Huntington. $25 members/$35 non-members. Milestone anniversaries of chamber members will also be honored. 631-423-6100. www.huntingtonchamber.com.

FRIDAY SATURDAY

AT THE LIBRARIES Cold Spring Harbor Library

Women Inspiring Women

Portledge School will host a blood drive in conjunction with Long Island Blood Services on April 26, 1:30-6:30 p.m. at 355 Duck Pond Road, Locust Valley. All donors must be over 16 years old (with parental consent) and under 76 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good health. Contact Karen Mucciaccio at kmucciaccio@portledge.org or 516-750-3131.

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.

In The Mood?

Commack based M'Yad L'Yad – Long Island's Helping Hands will hold its “In The Mood” spring fundraiser April 22, 6-9 p.m. at The Woodlands in Woodbury, with music provided

by Shades of Red. www.myadlyad.org or 631486-6636. $72.

TUESDAY

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.

WEDNESDAY

LI Authors Group Book Fair

Oheka Wine Tasting

More than 20 of Long Island's best authors will be at Martha Clara Vineyards on April 22 from noon-4 p.m. The free event includes live music by “Hart & Soul,” free drawing for an Amazon Kindle, and samples from Martha Clara. 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. www.longislandauthorsgroup.org.

South Huntington Educational Foundation (SHEF) will host an evening of wine tasting, an art auction, and a tour of Oheka Castle on April 25, 7-10 p.m. Enjoy music by the Walt Whitman Chamber Orchestra while you sample scrumptious hors d’oeuvres specially prepared by Oheka’s chefs. $90. Proceeds held SHEF fund various projects and programs. 631-812-3078.

Spring Rummage Sale Browse gently used and new clothing for men, women, children and infants, as well as baby items, toys, books, shoes and assorted household items, plus many surprises at the Spring Rummage Sale, Sunday, April 22, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and Monday, April 23 (also Bag Day), (9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., sponsored by the Sisterhood of the Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington. 631-427-1089.

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

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

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

• Toddler Time on Saturday, April 21, 10:3011:15 a.m., is a special time and place set aside for you and your child to play and explore together.

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

• Are you a teen entrepreneur? Join Project Excel and find out what it takes to start and run a business on Monday, April 23, 7 p.m. in Dix Hills.

• In these economic times it's imperative to have excellent credit. Learn how to negotiate with vendors and customers, to rebuild credit, and restructure debt on Tuesday, April 24, 7 p.m. in Dix Hills. Speakers include: Stony Brook SBDC Advisors, Lisa Pomerantz, Esq., Stacy Luft, CF Grow, Inc., and Chris Dlugozima, Greenpath Debt Solutions.

Harborfields Public Library 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org.

• The Harborfields High School Fine Arts Exhibition, on display through April 29, showcases talented student artists and photographers from Harborfields High School.

Parents, teachers, students and members of the community are invited to the reception on Monday, April 23, 7 p.m.

• Career counselor Karen McKenna will discuss specific actions any job seeker can take to compete more effectively in today’s challenging job market on Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m.

Networking After Hours Join the Melville Chamber of Commerce for business after hours on April 25, 6-8 p.m. at Tre Scalini restaurant, 196 Main St., Farmingdale. Cash bar, free food. Members free/non-members $30. RSVP to info@melvillechamber.org or call 631-777-6260.

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.

Zumba For A Cause Join instructor Annette Weiss for a great Zumba workout, and help children with autism

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.

• Artist Lisa Ahronee Golub’s “A Visit to the Bronx Zoo” is on display at the Station branch through April 27. Raised in Rome, Italy and Geneva, Switzerland, Golub came to the United States to attend Wellesley College, and later settled in Huntington.

• There will be a special meeting of the board of trustees on Thursday, April 19, 3 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Main branch.

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

• The Northport branch continues its new daytime Film Classics series with Classic Westerns: “A Fistful of Dollars” (1964) on Thursday, April 19, 1:30 p.m.; “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969) on

(Continued on page A19)

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012 • A19

(Continued from page A18) Thursday, April 26, 1:30 p.m.

• The Northport Community Book Club welcomes award-winning author James Brown Wednesday, April 25, 7 p.m. in Northport.

Brown gained a cult following after chronicling his turbulent childhood and spiraling drug addiction in The Los Angeles Diaries.

“This River” picks up where he left off in his first memoir.

Watch Out For ‘The Nerd’ The Minstrel Players of Northport kick off their 2012 season with Larry Shue's outrageous comedy, “The Nerd,” on Saturdays, April 21, April 28, and May 5 at 8 p.m. and Sundays, April 22 and May 6, 3 p.m. at Houghton Hall - Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport Village. $15 adults/$12 seniors and children under 12.

631-732-2926. www.minstrelplayers.org.

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

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

• Russian pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski, who has won numerous awards in international piano competitions, plays the theater Sunday, April 22, 2:30 p.m.

THEATER and FILM Bare Bones Theater at the Posey School, 57 Main St., Northport. www.barebonestheater.com. 1-800-838-3006.

• In Sam Shepard’s dark comedy “True West,” two brothers’ sibling rivalry is both terrifying and hilarious. Runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 19-21 at 8 p.m. $20.

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

• Holocaust Remembrance Day will be honored on Sunday, April 22, 11 a.m. with the U.S. premiere of “Disobedience: The Sousa Mendes Story.” $9 members/$13 non-members – price includes bagel breakfast at 10:15 a.m.

• “Flying on the Wings of Time” is a loving homage to Buenos Aires, a city cherished and loved by the film’s director, Theresa Mular of Huntington, who will appear for breakfast, screening and discussion on Sunday, April 22 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $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.

• The Five Towns College Theater Department’s brings the timeless children’s classic “The Wizard of Oz,” to life on Saturday, April 28 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., and on Sunday, April 29 at noon and 3 p.m. $10.

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

• You’ve got to be a star on “42nd Street,” showing now through June 17.

The Minstrel Players of Northport At Houghton Hall - Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport Village. 631-7322926. www.minstrelplayers.org.

• The 2012 season kicks off with Larry Shue's outrageous comedy, “The Nerd,” on Saturdays, April 21, April 28, and May 5 at 8 p.m. and Sundays, April 22 and May 6, 3 p.m. $15 adults/$12 seniors and children under 12.

Tilles Center For The Performing Arts LIU Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-2993100.

• Music lovers will not want to miss an afternoon of guitar performance that ranges from 16th-Century Spanish music to PostBop classics by Miles Davis and John Coltrane. The multiple Grammy Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) will perform Sunday, April 22, 3 p.m. $42.

hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. 631-462-5400. www.ArtLeagueLI.net.

• Featuring the work of three renowned, innovative printmakers from the metropolitan area, “Bebout, Johnson, Welden: Mixed Media Prints” will be on view through April 29.

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.

• For the April 1-29 show, Elizabeth Ehrlichman shows watercolors and prints in “Fruitful”; Barbara Grey shows watercolors and collage work in “Ancient Visions”; and gallery artists show a variety of styles and themes in “My Choice I.”

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.

• Pollywog Adventures, for kids ages 3-5, offers participants an opportunity to learn about the watery natural world that surrounds us. Every first and third Thursday, April through June, 11 a.m.-noon.

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.

• “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.

fotofoto Gallery 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.

• Dis-Integration by Lois Youmans and Femme

by Lauren Weissler now on display.

Suffolk Counties.

Holocaust Memorial And Tolerance Center

Art League of Long Island 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. 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.

• The paintings of STANKO, on display through April 26, are bold and eye-catching, and depict familiar images such as sunflowers, beach scenes and even grilled cheese sandwiches with bright fields of color outlined in black. STANKO’s unmistakable "New American" style.

Suffolk Y JCC 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-462-9800, 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.

Huntington Arts Council

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

Main Street Petite 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.

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

• “Windows to the Soul” at the Main Gallery represents 34 personal views, on display through May 7.

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.

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 seven-night eastern Mediterranean cruise Oct. 3-14.

• Maira Liriano will describe the genealogy holdings of the Milstein Division at the New York Public Library on Thursday, April 26, 7 p.m. at the South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington. Free.

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

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

Heckscher Museum Of Art

9 East Contemporary Art

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.

• The 16th annual “Long Island’s Best: Young Artists at the Heckscher Museum” exhibition, on view until April 22, features a diverse selection of works by art students in grades 9-12 from more than 52 public and private schools throughout Nassau and

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

• “Earth, Fire and Light,” the works of Hugh McElroy and Richard Vaux, is on display until April 28. This show of recent works represents the pit-fired clay sculptures by McElroy and the nature inspired archetypal lightscapes created using powdered carbon

by Vaux.

Northport Historical Society Museum

LIU Post Chamber Musicians

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS

Ripe Art Gallery

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.

• On display through June 30 is the work of Auschwitz survivor Ludovit Feld. A Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration will be held Sunday, April 15, 1-4 p.m. with special guest Silvia Fishbaum, Feld's former student and lifetime friend.

• “A Walk to Remember” – a memorial event followed by a walk to honor the memory of the children who perished in the Holocaust, will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 22.

AUDITIONS Auditions for the 31st Summer Season of the LIU Post Chamber Music Festival will begin on April 22 and continue with audition dates on May 6, 7, 20 and 21 and June 3, 4 and 11, or by special appointment. The LIU Post Chamber Music Festival offers gifted music students (ages 10-18), college/conservatory students and young professionals the opportunity to study and perform in a rich musical environment. To schedule an audition, call 516-2992103 or visit www.liu.edu/post/chambermusic.

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.

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 ages 3-11 can enjoy a storytelling performance by Sima Freierman, a mother, teacher and performer, on Saturday, April 21, 1-3 p.m. $8/child, two chaperones free.

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.

• Long Island military veterans and their families are welcome to enjoy a free comedy showcase on Saturday, April 28, 3 p.m. Pick up free tickets at the box office or email vets@paramountny.com.

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

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

DONATIONS WELCOME Prom Dresses Wanted The Long Island Volunteer Center, working in conjunction with Nassau Community College Marketing & Fashion students, is collecting new and gently-used prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses and accessories (including dressy shoes, evening bags and costume jewelry) for the 18th Annual Prom Boutique.

Drop off items: on Sunday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Anthony's High School, Villanova Alumni Association, 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington; and from 1-3 p.m. at the Huntington YMCA, 60 Main St., Huntington, and St. John's Episcopal Church, 1670 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. 516-564-5482. www.longislandvolunteercenter.org.

Send us your listings Pop In To ‘Pippin’ The St. Anthony's High School theater company presents its annual spring musical, “Pippin,” on Thursday, April 19, 7 p.m.; Friday, April 20, 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, 8 p.m. at 275 Wolf Hill Road in South Huntington. $10..

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

A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012

www.LongIslanderNews.com

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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

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PA G E

PREMIER CROSSWORD / By Frank A. Longo

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C L A S S I F I E D S

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012 • A21

THE LONG-ISLANDER • THE RECORD • NORTHPORT JOURNAL • HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

DEADLINE is Friday at 2 p.m. All Categories TELEPHONE: (631) 427-7000, FAX: (631) 427-5820 HOURS: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

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A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012 • A23

Leadership Huntington graduates new class

Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce chairman Bob Bontempi with Mark Mediavilla.

(Continued from page A6)

town, consider how all the pieces work together, and contemplate their own visions and values as members of our community.

The Leadership Huntington Founda-

tion is currently recruiting for the upcoming Flagship Program Class of 2013. For more information or to schedule an interview for the program, call 631-470-3990 or visit www.leadershiphuntington.org.

The Leadership Huntington Class of 2012. From left: Nancy Cuccaro, Huntington Hospital; J. Philip Plonski, Prismark Partners, LLC; Melisa Rousseau, Associate Professor of English; Robert Riekert, Town of Huntington; Christopher Sagistano, H2M Group; Vita Scaturro, Community National Bank; Michael DeCristofaro, John W. Engeman Theater at Northport; Robert Benson, National Grid; Ra'chelle Chambers, Walt Whitman Birthplace; Elizabeth Irwin, Marketing & Development Consultant; Dorian Stern, Driven Local; Susan Tully, Donda; Prafulba Vaghela, YACS; Trudy Fitzsimmons, LHF Program Director.

High school reunion business evolving with the times (Continued from page A17)

kinds of numbers. We know what their likes and dislikes are,” she said.

In most cases, the owner added, reunions involve some type of catering venue and range from cocktail parties to full dinners; all including dancing. And when they organize get-togethers in towns like Northport that have annual events like Cow Harbor Weekend or homecoming weekends, those get factored in the mix.

“We try to make the experience of coming home, just that,” DeFilippis said.

Reunions have traditionally relied on

dinner-dances, the owner added, and many classes still use them. However, she has noticed that alumni celebrating their 10-year anniversary these days typically prefer meeting at a bar. But that same class will then use dinner-dances at their 20-year reunions.

She also said the dawn of Facebook, other social media and the Internet have changed the reunion scene. While many people still go away for college, with some remaining off Long Island, technology lets everyone stay in contact.

“Whereas before, once you left high school and came back for your reunion,

DeFilippis has thrown reunions for Half Hollow Hills East, Hills West, Northport, Elwood, Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington, Whitman and Harborfields.

This year, she is organizing reunions for Wildcat classes of 1962, 1972, 1982 and 1992. One group of graduates even hired Reunions of America to host six different get-togethers.

“You establish a relationship. The client comes back time and time again,” she said. “I’m very very fortunate. I’ve had really lovely clients. I wake up every morning happy and excited to come to my desk.”

you were not in contact with 90 percent of your class, today, they’re all friends with each other on Facebook. They are still in touch with each other,” DeFilippis said.

But what has not changed over the years apparently is the desire to go back in time to the good old days. Despite connecting on the Internet, classmates still remain excited to meet each other in person.

“Usually the first hour is when the excitement is really high. There’s a lot of hugging, kissing, screaming and ‘oh-myGod-ing,’” the business owner said.

Carpooling grows as gas prices increase (Continued from page A3)

511NY Rideshare to include “special events, sports games and concerts.”

“We’re also working on a capability which will give employers the ability to institute an employer–specific ridematching system for their employees to rideshare together. This is a unique feature, as it will allow employees to commute to and from work more effectively, allow them to participate in commuter benefits programs, and network with their fellow co-workers,” she said.

Peters attributed the increase in participation to ongoing rises in gas prices.

“In the spring of 2011, the last time gas prices increased significantly, 511NY Rideshare experience an increase in ridematch applications. We expect to see a similar trend with the recent rise in

gas prices this spring,” she said.

“Carpooling will ultimately result in reduced travel costs and tolls, less wear and tear on the vehicle, and improved air quality. Carpoolers will also pay less on gas and have access to high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes,” said Peters.

Robert Sinclair, manager of Public Information for AAA NY, said the the national average per gallon of gasoline is about $3.90. He said prices are “continuing to get slowly, but steadily, worse.”

“It isn’t just the people selling the gas that profit, but also those making predictions,” he added.

A good way to estimate price, Sinclair said, is to look at the closing prices for gasoline on the New York Mercantile Exchange and adding about 65 cents to get the price at the pump in 30 days.

The AAA manager described carpooling as a “lost practice.” He feels that it would be best accomplished on an “employer by employer basis.”

“At many times, drivers are only insured for once person in order to cut back and save money. They save about $50,000 to $100,000, but in the event that they are in an accident, they pay more than that amount. If employers were to sponsor the programs, they would be able to insure the cars and employees would not run such high expenses,” he added.

Huntington resident Eric Sze, who was filling up at the Sunoco on New York Avenue and Prime Avenue last week, has noticed the increase in gas prices over the last few years.

“Gas prices have been going up. I re-

member in summer of 2010 when gas was just $2 a gallon. Since then, the price has almost doubled,” he said Sze also testifys to the correlation between the rising gas prices and number of carpoolers.

“Technically I do carpool, although it is with my family. Some of my friends that work in [New York] city tend to carpool in the morning when they are going to the train station. I feel that people carpool in an attempt to be environmentally conscious, but this consciousness is only realized when people start to notice how much more they are paying for gas.” Sze said.

For more information about 511NY Rideshare, visit their website at www.511NYRideshare.org or call 511 and say “Rideshare.”

Sax player’s sweet sounds win talent show (Continued from page A1)

Curtis was chosen from 5,000 candidates to attend High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan, graduating in 1984. He then attended Berklee College of Music in Boston to study audio engineering. Haywood is currently pursuing a master’s in music therapy and music education at Molloy College in Rockville Centre.

In addition to performing on stage, he wants to teach students music. He plans to use the Five Towns scholarship from the competition to further pursue music education.

Haywood has been a mental health counselor for 15 years and said he deals with cases of severe mental illness and substance abuse problems. This is where he discovered music therapy.

“It’s been around since 1950, so it was another way for me to still play music.

So it has more depth and more meaning than being on stage,” said Haywood, noting that he is not discrediting being on stage.

Curtis released his first album in 2008, with proceeds benefiting relief efforts in Ethiopia with “Feed the Children,” and “Self Help Africa,” as well as

in Haiti with “Community2Community.”

Haywood anticipates releasing his second album by the end of the year. He said when meeting other musicians, it helps to have a CD. “When you give them your CD it’s like giving them your resume and they know you’re serious because you invested your money, blood, sweat and tears into the album,” he said.

A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • APRIL 19, 2012

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HillSPORTS BOYS BASEBALL

Hills East Boys Down, But Not Out Coach remains hopeful given T-Birds’ pitching performances in recent games Half Hollow Hills photos/Stephanie DeLuca

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Half Hollow Hills East’s baseball team had a rough first start to the season, but head coach Tim Belz said he’s still optimistic about the outcome of the year.

The team’s latest defeat was against No. 2 Smithtown West (4-1) on April 13.

Belz said the highlight of the game was from pitcher Michael Ceperano.

“We had a great pitching performance from Mike Ceperano,” he said. “We made a couple errors earlier in the game. We left runners on base and we never got a big hit to get back in the game.”

Smithtown West won over Hills East earlier in the week as well. The boys lost 12-1 at their April 11 game and 8-3 on April 10.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot with crucial errors, and we didn’t hit very well,” Belz said.

The coach said the players hoped to redeem themselves against Whitman, whom they were scheduled to play on April 17, after press time.

Hills East defeated Centereach 7-4 on April 4. Outfielder Ben Noskin scored the go-ahead run in a 4-run sixth inning.

Outfielder Jake Gneiser up at bat.

Noskin finished 3-3 while pitcher/third baseman Stephen Woods had 7 strikeouts in four innings and Ceperano went 3-4 with an RBI. This game was a comeback win from their April 3 loss against Centereach (7-6).

Hills East’s first win of the season was against No. 3 East Islip, 4-3, on March

Pitcher Michael Ceperano was the highlight of the April 13 game against Smithtown West.

30. John Eifdorfer went 2-for-3, including a walk-off in-field single, which led outfielder Noskin to cap a 4-run seventh inning rally. Outfielder Jake Gneiser went 2-for-3 and scored the tying run.

Prior to this game, the T-Birds were

slaughtered by East Islip back-to-back.

The Redmen won over the Hills East, 192, on March 28 and 18-1, on March 27.

“It’s been a tough few games but we do have a good pitching performance,” the coach said.

LACROSSE

A Campaign To Protect Young Athletes 11th annual Louis Acompora Lacrosse Jamboree continues family’s quest to promote heart awareness

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

For the 11th year, supporters of the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation will come together for a day of lacrosse and education about how to spot heart ailments in young athletes.

Players are scheduled to take the field at Veterans Park in Northport for the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Lacrosse Jamboree, on April 21, starting with warm-ups at 10 a.m. and a match-up against Eastport-South Manor and Bayport-Blue Point at 11 a.m. on turf field 4.

Northport will play Corning at 3 p.m., while the girls will play Huntington in a scrimmage starting at 5 p.m. Youth games will run intermittently on turf field 5 and the upper grass field.

The event is named after Louis Acompora, who died on March 25, 2000 of commito cordis, which followed a blow to the chest while he was playing lacrosse during his first high school game. Commito cordis quickly results in sudden cardiac arrest. Louis was just 14 years old.

Since then, his family has been on a mission to raise awareness about the prevalence and susceptibility of young athletes to sudden cardiac arrest. They founded the Louis J. Acompora Memorial Foundation to bring that message to schools and other public institutions

The 11th annual Louis J. Acompora Memorial Lacrosse Jamboree heads to Veterans Park April 21, with a day full of lacrosse competition and education about heart health for athletes. Last year, the foundation dedicated a pair of scoreboards they donated in the memory of 14-yearold Louis Acompora, inset. about the importance of owning automated external defibrillators, a device which would have saved Louis’ life, and to recognize the signs of sudden cardiac arrest.

“The purpose is to, first, to honor Louis’ legacy and bring awareness about defibrillators, CPR, and sudden cardiac arrest to the lacrosse

community. That’s the most important thing,” his mother, Karen Acompora, said, adding that a CPR demonstration tent will be part of the jamboree.

She said the event’s growth over the years has been particularly gratifying.

“It’s been really wonderful,” Karen said. “We have schools asking us to

participate. We used to host preseason scrimmages, and we advanced it to league games and have included the Northport youth organizations as well.”

The jamboree is free to attend. For more information and a complete schedule, visit http://www.la12.org/AboutUs/SpecialEvents.aspx.