The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper published 01/14/10 by Long-Islander Newspapers

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Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com VOLUME TWELVE, ISSUE 46

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2010

DIX HILLS

Town: Ice Rink On Time, On Budget Half Hollow Hills photo/Danny Schrafel

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Town officials said their plan to build a second ice rink at Dix Hills Park is within its budget and expected to be finished in late spring, but critics are checking that notion into the boards, arguing the plan is still considerably more expensive than initially promised. The Town approved plans to build the $16.5 million, nearly 80,000 square-foot facility on Feb. 9, 2009, with money to be drawn from reserves, bonds and open space funding. Eleven months later, the project is coming in on time and within budget, thanks to the Engineering Department’s stewardship, Councilwoman Susan Berland said. “[They are] keeping involved in what’s going on during a day-to-day basis, and the company we’re using knows we’re going to keep them on budget,” Berland said. Town spokesman A.J. Carter said the cold snap of recent weeks is setting the project back a “couple of weeks,” but that the delay had been accounted for and the contractor made good on the down time by working on the existing rink. The new ice rink is expected be finished in May or June, and once the new one is up and

Steel beams are up and masonry is ready to go to build a nearly 80,000 square foot, $16.5 million addition to the current Dix Hills Ice Rink, which Town officials say is on time and within budget. running, the existing rink will be closed for five to six months for renovations. “Steel is going up right now and the masonry on the exterior is going up,” Carter said. “It’s proceeding very well and within budget.”

Tom Dana, a real estate broker from Dix Hills and one of the rink’s most outspoken critics, said even if the project is built at its estimated cost, it’s still going to be twice as expensive as initial plans to expand the ice rink and is imprudent to

pursue during a recession. “I believe they could have renovated the original rink and made it a little larger for $2-$4 million and it would have been very adequate for the town,” he said. On Aug. 29, 2006, the Town Board passed a resolution to allocate $8 million from bonds and its capital budget to build a 53,024 square-foot addition to the existing rink. Initial research by the Engineering Department put the estimated final cost between $11 and $12 million, director Pat Del Col said, but when the project was put to bids in October 2007, they came back at about $15 million. The higher-than-expected bids led Town officials to downsize the plan by 8,474 square feet before awarding the project to the L.D. Wenger Company, which specializes in ice rink construction, on Sept. 23, 2008. Berland said the skating community is “very excited” at the prospect of more ice, which could open the door to new, more diverse programs. “We want to have a senior skate, a handicapped skate,” Berland said. “Over the break, there was an autism skate… and they do it once a year. If we can do something like that more often, that’s something we’re looking forward to. (Continued on page A17)

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Man Shot By Cop Not A Suspect PD: Man matching robbery suspect’s description near crime scene ignored officer’s orders Half Hollow Hills photo/Mike Koehler

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Suffolk police admitted Monday that an officer pulled the trigger of his service weapon on a man who was only guilty of not complying with orders. An officer from the Second Precinct shot the 31-year-old man at 4:15 a.m. near Dix Hills Plaza after pulling a car over in connection with the robbery of a Huntington Station Taco Bell just minutes before. “This is a very unfortunate incident. The investigation of this incident is ongoing. We are conducting a thorough investigation,” Chief of Detectives Dominick

A Suffolk County police officer shot a man believed to be involved in the robbery of a Huntington Station Taco Bell on Monday morning. He was later deemed not a suspect.

Varrone said. Varrone refused to name the 14-yearveteran. Police initially responded to the fast food business on New York Avenue after a 911 call reported the robbery. Three Hispanic men armed with handguns stole cash from the manager, Varrone confirmed, before fleeing the scene. Three miles away on Jericho Turnpike, the officer in question was driving a marked patrol car when he initiated a felony car stop of a sedan with three men and called for back-up. All three passengers were Hispanic, causing him to become increasingly suspicious, the chief said. The officer ordered all three men not to move in both English and Spanish. However, police said, the driver abruptly exited the vehicle. He complied with orders (Continued on page A17)

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THE FOODIES DO Gillibrand In Town To Push Spice Village A12 Lending Bill A3 Grill

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A2 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Homeless Rates Are On The Move Half Hollow Hills photo/Danny Schrafel

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Statistically, Huntington has fewer than average homeless residents; just don’t tell the nonprofits in the area. It’s no surprise that the homeless population in Suffolk County has jumped in the past few years. Rolland Hampson, a spokesman for the county’s Social Services department, said the numbers are up “dramatically.” Suffolk had 280 families and 173 childless adults in shelters as of December 2008; those numbers climbed to 356 and 214 last month. “The numbers are up consistently over the last 12 months,” Hampson said. JoAnne Collins with the Family Service League and Marilyn Borghard with the Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative (HI-HI) both said they’ve seen dramatic increases in the number of people using their locally-based services. Borghard said HI-HI, a group of churches, temples and community groups that offer shelter for a night at a time, have taken in more single men than ever in their sixth year of operation. Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Centerport, for example, used to accommodate no more than 20 individuals and only on Saturday nights. Now they provide shelter for 30 people and added some Mondays and Fridays to the schedule.

Clothes, shoes, garbage and other debris surround the tent village in Huntington Station several homeless men were moved from last week. The Town said they urged the men to leave the woods because of fears that frigid temperatures would put their health at risk. Their help was needed last week, when a dozen homeless men were moved from a makeshift tent village in the woods near East Fifth Street in Huntington Station. Town of Huntington code enforcement officers, accompanied by police and representatives of Family Service League, urged the men to take shelter that night through the HI-HI program because temperatures were expected to drop into the 20s that evening. The men were aware of the program and were able to take shelter overnight, but the issue of what to do for

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Sen. Pushes Lending Bill Would free $10B for business borrowers

By Peter Sloggatt psloggatt@longislandernews.com

Banker’s hours went out the window at Bethpage Federal Credit Union this past weekend. At least, they did for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who was at Bethpage Federal’s Huntington branch on Gerard Street Sunday to drum up support for a bill she said will spur small business growth and create jobs by increasing access to loans from credit unions. Gillibrand’s bill, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 2009, would increase access to credit union loans by increasing the percentage of assets they may loan. By a simple change in banking regulations, she said, some $10 billion in credit could be made available to small businesses without increasing govern-

ment spending. “Small businesses just can’t get loans and lines of credit,” said Gillibrand. The bill she has proposed would free up additional money for business loans with no government expense. “This is not a bailout, but a correction of an arbitrary regulation,” said Bethpage Federal’s president and CEO Kirk Kordeleski, who introduced the senator at Sunday’s event. Credit unions currently are required to limit member business lending to 12.25 percent of the credit union’s total assets, he explained. Gillibrand’s bill would raise that cap to 25 percent of total assets and increase the minimum business loan subject to the cap from $50,000 to $250,000. Gillibrand quoted the Credit Union National Association saying that the legislation would help create more than (Continued on page A17)

(Continued on page A17)

DIX HILLS

Rescuers Kept Busy Fire department aids three in accidents By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Dix Hills firefighters were rescuing victims from their second serious motor vehicle accident in as many days when another happened right in front of them. Volunteers first responded to a collision between a Dix Hills firefighters and other rescuers prepare a vicChevrolet sedan and a state tim with a compound fracture to fly to Stony Brook UniDOT dump truck along North- versity Hospital after one of three accidents last week. ern State Parkway near Wolf Hill Road on Jan. 5. Firefighters used was in the front passenger seat. She was heavy extrication tools to remove two out of the car when rescuers arrived, doors and push back the dashboard to Magno said, although it isn’t clear if she climbed out or was thrown out. She susfree the woman driving. The 19-year-old, Second Assistant tained a badly compounded facture on Chief Tom Magno said, was lucky to be her femur and was airlifted in a Suffolk alive. Her car did not have an airbag, but police helicopter to Stony Brook Univerthe truck was sporting a bumper de- sity Hospital. “The air bags probably saved their signed to minimize collisions. “She was lucky,” Magno said. “She has a lives,” the chief said. But while rescuers worked with the fabunch of injuries, but nothing major.” Dix Hills firefighters were called back to ther and daughter victims, two cars in the the Northern State Parkway on Jan. 6 for eastbound lanes collided. Everyone was another accident. A Ford Mustang Cobra treated on the scene, Magno said, and nowas destroyed after crashing into a tree body was taken to the hospital. However, near the Deer Park Avenue exit. Magno he added that accidents like that are a said witnesses saw the sport car speeding major concern when firefighters respond westward before it lost control and went to calls. “That’s a very big concerns of ours, esairborne. The passenger side collided with pecially on the highway,” the chief said, the tree, ripping apart half the car. The man driving the car sustained a adding that heavy rescue vehicles not in laceration on the wrist and other injuries; use at the scene are used to buffer the volDix Hills firefighters took him to Hunt- unteers. “It only has to happen once and ington Hospital. His daughter, however, we could lose a lot of lives.”

Photo by Steve Silverman

Half Hollow Hills photo/Peter Sloggatt

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, explaining legislation that would free up capital for credit unions to lend in the business community, with County Legislator Jon Cooper, left, and Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone.

shelter during the day remained. “If they don’t have work, [we advise them to] go to places where there is heat,” said Peggy Boyd, Family Service League’s vice president for community service and advocacy. “With the interfaith program, yes, it’s an overnight respite, but then we do have to bring them back to the point of homelessness in the morning.” Collins, the director of Homeless Services for the Suffolk County-based nonprofit, said she’s received 30 percent more requests for assistance in 2009 from Suffolk residents – similar to the 26 percent increases Hampson referred to. However, she also said that aid requests from the Town have increased about 20 percent.

“This is a pretty severe increase,” Collins said. “Huntington mirrors the rest of the county.” On the contrary, Hampson said Huntington was home to just 28 cases of homelessness. East Hampton, Shelter Island, Riverhead and other East End towns had single digit totals, while the 84, 131 and 135 in Babylon, Islip and Brookhaven are the most prolific. Suffolk officials also believe 45 homeless people in shelters came from outside county lines. But regardless of how many, every homeless person has access to help, all three sources said. During daylight hours, they are instructed to visit their local social services office, while anyone on the streets at night or on the weekend can call the county’s emergency services hotline at 631-854-9100. Nobody will be denied shelter, Hampson said, although late night callers may be placed at a hospital or Suffolk County police precincts due to logistics. “It would depend on the circumstances,” he said. “We’re not turning people away. The alternative is that they die on the streets. That’s not happening in Suffolk County.” Homeless people who ask for help are actually not placed in shelters owned or operated by the County. Instead, Suffolk officials work with Family Service League and other nonprofits who run the shelters. Every lodging is secure and includes 24-hour supervision. Many also incorporate a free meal.

A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler

Freeze, Thaw, Freeze, Thaw Pothole paradise… I’m having a hard time ad-

When Dogs Attack

too malleable.” Of Spitzer, who would have been the one to make the appointment had he been able to keep his pants on, a Gillibrand spokesperson commented that “because of his own actions it wasn’t his call to make.”

justing to this crazy weather – one day it’s freezing and the next it’s like spring. My aching bones just can’t keep up with the temperature changes. Still, it’s a good IN THE KNOW thing I’m not a road. You heard WITH AUNT ROSIE me right. A road. I didn’t think Poorly looped … I guess it’s anything could complain louder than my creaking a trend because for the past knee and elbow joints, until I hit the road last weekseveral holiday seasons, no one has given me a scarf. end. I can’t say I’ve ever seen potholes this bad in recent years, and the experts say that it’s a result of I mention it because the opposite was true for many years; I could always count on getting one or several temperatures that repeatedly go from below freezing, to warm, then back again. It seems every time we as gifts. Well, for the first time in a long time, I went out and bought myself a scarf, only to discover that warm up or go in the other direction, cracks in the asI’m horribly behind the times when it comes to neckphalt become fissures, then holes, and eventually wear. Seems they make the things much longer than that crevasse that nearly swallowed my Buick on they used to, I guess because the current fashion is to Park Avenue last week. wear them loosely looped several times around one’s Derek and Minka… So much for being discreet. neck. No big deal, right? Wrong. I had no idea it took such talent to have a strip of cloth hang casually from Seems that when word leaked that Yankee shortstop one’s neck. It’s a talent I apparently do not possess Derek Jeter and his main squeeze planned to marry because after 15 minutes in front of a mirror, my new Nov. 5 at Oheka Castle, management at the platinum scarf looked like exactly that – a strip of cloth. weddings venue was mum. Discretion, after all, is a necessity when dealing with celebrities. It took an Enough wrinkles… Another thing I noticed during enterprising reporter (OK, call her sneaky and my scarf search was that wrinkles are in. Lots of deceitful) to get the confirmation. A NY Post reporter scarves, and shirts, too, are manufactured with the broke the story by going in and pretending she was wrinkles all starched into them. Like I need help looking to book a Nov. 5 wedding celebration of her with that! It’s the first time in my life I can actually own. She was told the date was booked, and that no say I was ahead of the fashion curve. amount of money would be likely to budge the already booked couple from their date. She also got a News worthy… To the wise guy who sent an e-mail peek at the reservation book, which said pretty clearasking why Aunt Rosie isn’t on the panel at the ly in large capital letters, JETER wedding. Huntington Chamber’s annual media breakfast… Personally, I like to think that in these parts we’re Thanks, but I think I’m washing my hair that mornjust a little more sophisticated than the typical People ing. Not that the rest of you should miss it. It’s next magazine reader. In fact, we’re pretty jaded. You Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 a.m. at the Huntington don’t have to worry about us. However, if there’s anyone out there with knowledge of a secret tunnel into Hilton. For those unfamiliar, the main event is a panel of journalists discussing the top stories of the Oheka, give me a call. past year. A dozen storytellers passing a microphone Nice comeback… There’s a reason I could never be always makes for a good time. in politics. I hear that while Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in town to hold a press conference Sunday, a reporter asked her about former governor (Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comEliot Spitzer’s comments made a day earlier on the ments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know radio in which he criticized Governor Paterson for the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o appointing her to fill the seat vacated when Hillary Clinton went to the State Department. Spitzer said The Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com) her views on important issues are “either wrong or

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A Dix Hills woman called Suffolk County police on Jan. 10 after her dog was attacked by two others. She told police she was walking her pet along Concord Street that morning when two dogs exited a nearby house and went after her dog. The other owner retrieved the dogs after a few minutes. The victimized animal was taken to the Commack Animal Hospital with extensive injuries. A neighbor confirmed the incident, and the owner wanted it documented.

A Least It Wasn’t For Recreational Use Suffolk police rushed to a Dix Hills home after a resident may have taken too many oxycontin pills just after midnight on Jan. 10. The victim’s wife said he may have taken more than one. The Dix Hills Fire Department took the 49-year-old to Huntington Hospital.

Drunk Knocked To Ground By Bar Staff A Huntington bar employee called Suffolk County police before dawn on Jan. 10 to report throwing a drunk patron out. The employee said the Deer Park man was causing a disturbance in the doorway of the business and had to be removed. When they did, he fell on the sidewalk and injured his hand. The intoxicated man then got up and began running through the streets causing a disturbance. Police officers took him to the train station without further incident.

Drunk Wakes Up At Boss’ A Huntington Station man called Suffolk County police after waking up at his boss’ house shortly after midnight on Jan. 10. He told police he didn’t know where he was. The intoxicated man was taken home by the responding officer.

Fill’er Up For Free? A Dix Hills woman called Suffolk County police after getting fuel oil she did not pay for on Jan. 9. The woman told police she had a standing contract with the company to fill her tank. However, she said she did not renew the contract this year and the company filled her tank on Saturday anyway. She wanted to document the incident.

White Powder Found In Food Boxes A Greenlawn supermarket manager called Suffolk County police to report possible product tampering on Jan. 9. He told police two boxes of Jell-o pudding were returned by an unknown woman the day before and six other boxes were removed from the shelf. Police removed all eight boxes and examined them; the investigation revealed an unknown white powder contained in a zip lock bag in each box. No one is known to have ingested the substance or become ill at this point, but all Jell-o products were removed from the shelves.

Woman Seeing Al-Qaida Everywhere Flees Suffolk police were called after a Huntington woman fled involuntary hospitalization on Jan. 8. A social worker was going to her home to serve the order, when the 24-year-old fled the house. The social worker said she is not suicidal, but the woman believes everyone is out to get her and that everyone is a member of Al-Qaida. The area was checked with no results.

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Time Ripe For Plum Crazy Indoor farmer’s market set to open its doors Half Hollow Hills photo/Sara-Megan Walsh

Plum Crazy, an indoor farmer’s market carrying a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats and dairy products with a full-service deli, is expected to open its doors across from the Huntington LIRR station today. By Sara-Megan Walsh swalsh@longislandernews.com

The Town of Huntington now has a new door to turn to in answering its search for fresh fruits and vegetables year round. Plum Crazy hopes to answer the community’s demand for affordable fresh produce, as the indoor farmer’s market was expected to open its doors for business today. The Huntington Station store will be open seven days a week beginning Jan. 14, offering a selection of fresh fruit, produce, meats and dairy products in addition to a full-service deli. “The way the economy is, it’s crazy to be going into business right now,” coowner Luke Ruzgas admitted. “We want to let the people eat fruit at crazy prices, ‘Plum Crazy’ prices.” Ruzgas has been working with co-owner Mark George to transform the 6,000 square-foot building at 1345 New York Ave., across from the LIRR station, into a colorful farmer’s market since September 2009. Inside, dark purple-hued fruit stands pop alongside bright yellow accents, and a 20-foot deli counter awaits patrons. George said they initially aimed to open Plum Crazy on Nov. 1 but were delayed waiting for necessary building

permits. The owners rushed to put the finishing touches on purchase orders as the first shipments arrived last Friday, to be stored in a state-of-the-art air conditioning refrigeration system. “A variety of people from all over the world will be able to come and shop here,” Ruzgas said. “We are going to be carrying everything from basil to African bitterballs.” The co-owners are relying upon almost 60 years of combined experience to make Plum Crazy stand out from other supermarkets. George said they will carry international foods from fresh herbs to tropical produce, including plantains and yucca. “You want your family to be eating fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s better,” George said. Huntington resident Billy Iarrobino, who owns 13 of his own produce stores, was hired to help select produce, and an on-site butcher from Cold Spring Harbor will offer tips on choice cuts. Iarrobino said Plum Crazy hopes to beat the competition by following a “volume business” model, selling large quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables at low prices. “We have a saying in the business: ‘Let the people eat,’” he said.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Raia: Robocall Twists Facts Messages denounce official for ‘no’ vote By Danny Schrafel

legislation to reduce the budget deficit by $2.7 billion, yet Assemblyman Raia voted no,” If you’re going to diss an DACC Executive Director assemblyman in a robocall to Kathleen Joyce said. “He was his district, at least say his elected to make the tough choicname right. es, yet failed to take even the first A robocall targeted at Andy step in solving the state’s fiscal Raia’s 9th Assembly constituents crisis, despite the fact that fellow distorts his record and is so loose Republican Senators John with the facts that the EnglishFlanagan, Owen Johnson and Assemblyman sounding woman on the other Carl Marcellino did the responAndy Raia end didn’t get his last name right, sible thing and voted yes.” the Republican legislator said. Hogwash, Raia said – the act left the Raia, whose office is in Northport, said state $500 million in debt and teetering on residents in his district have received the brink of insolvency with $383 million calls paid for by the Democratic cash on hand, while cutting education, Assembly Campaign Committee (DACC) health care, higher education and municithat denounce him for voting against the pal aid for Suffolk County and tapping $2.7 billion Deficit Reduction Act. $100 million into the MTA’s coffers. “The Assembly and Senate both passed (Continued on page A17)

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Opinion

Sen

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

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

A Crisis Of Conscience When temperatures stayed in the 20s for a conscionable, even when weather permits. several-day stretch last week, Huntington Some speculate there were undocumented code enforcement officials shut down a long- immigrants among them. Others simply may extant “tent city” that the homeless had es- be too poor to afford housing. tablished in Huntington Station. It wasn’t a When temperatures rise, one crisis will be malicious move, but rather a humane one. over, but another must remain. That people – With temperatures so low, it was a way to many of whom came to this country seeking force even the most reluctant tent dwellers to a better life – are living in the woods is a criseek shelter indoors. sis of conscience that must be Social services agencies and non- EDITORIAL dealt with. profits report that the number of We can house them or feed them homeless seeking shelter and food is on the for a night, or we can help them to help rise. It took a crisis of cold to force action themselves. Putting resources into outreach where something should have been done and education and providing job training long ago. and employment opportunities will bring That there are people living in tents is un- benefits that last far longer.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Humble Thanks DEAR EDITOR: I want to warmly thank you for making me your “Person of the Year.” I was truly humbled by your selection and overwhelmed by the tremendous support from the entire Huntington community. I want to thank all your staff with a special mention to Danny Schrafel who obviously worked very hard on the supplement. I am a truly blessed person to have such wonderful friends and family. I promise to work very hard to make you and the people of the Town of Huntington proud of our decision. Have a very healthy and happy new year. STUART BESEN

East Northport

History Tells A Story, Too DEAR EDITOR: I read with more than a little disgust the claims of the Freedom From Religion Foundation [in The Long Islander, Dec. 24]. Disraeli once said that “statistics don’t lie, but liars use statistics.” The drivel quoted by their copresident is absurd regarding “more people have died in the name of religion than for any other reason.” A historical review of facts would better serve to define what should be allowable versus not. World War II cost 50 million lives, plus tens of millions more

with other wounds and shattered lives and families. Stalin killed up to 25 million of his own people in his infamous purges prior to World War II. None of those had religious bases as the root cause. I can go on ad nauseam. Despots, greed and power are the root cause, not religion. Religions are abused by master manipulators, and those are whom we must guard against. President George Washington was given considerable latitude as our first president to develop the path he felt appropriate to launch our great nation. To quote from [Page 105 of] the book “George Washington, Leadership Lessons” by James C. Rees, the executive director of Mount Vernon, our first President, said, “I was but the humble agent of favouring Heaven, whose benign interference was so often manifested in our behalf, and to whom the praise of victory alone is due.” The Constitution and our Amendments provide for freedom from religious persecution, not freedom from religion. Somewhere along the way, the wires got crossed up. If the agnostics want to show a symbol of their belief, then let them supply one. Do not allow a 14,000-member organization to drive the beliefs of the other 250 million-plus people in our country. Or did we lose the majority rules concept also? I looked at their website, and I agree with many of the con-

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cepts, but concepts require practicality, common sense and respect of other beliefs. That goes both ways. To ignore that is to undermine our society, as well as their mission and credibility. CRAIG NORTHACKER

Executive Director Vets-Help.org, Inc.

Cold Weather Culprits DEAR EDITOR: Have you ever had the misfortune of cleaning up a smelly, wet and very cold mess on a freezing winter day? I hope you haven’t and never do. Thousands of people, however, suffer through this nightmare every year because unprotected water pipes in their homes freeze and break. A more subtle destructive winter wonder is the phenomenon known as ice damming. Snow on your roof can lead to ice dams that damage the roof, gutters, walls, interior ceiling and even items inside the home. Two minutes. That’s about as long as it takes to begin a small trickle of water from your home’s hot and cold faucets and to open the doors of cabinets with water pipes running through them. Two weeks. That could be the length of time needed to find and hire contractors to tear out smelly, water-soaked carpet and wallboard, dry the remaining flooring of your house and replace all that might have been destroyed by flooding

Letters to the editor are welcomed by Long Islander Newspapers. We reserve the right to edit in the interest of space and clarity. All letters must be handsigned and they must include an address and daytime telephone number for verification. Personal attacks and letters considered in poor taste will not be printed. We cannot publish every letter we receive due to space limitations. from burst, frozen pipes. An eighth-inch (three millimeter) break in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day, wrecking floors, furniture and keepsakes. There can be a tremendous advantage to spending a couple of minutes taking simple, nocost precautions to prevent frozen pipes. The saying "time well spent" is certainly an understatement when you consider the soggy consequences of doing nothing. Here are a few additional steps to protect your home or apartment: • Insulate pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. • Use heat tape to wrap pipes. (Use only products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., and only for the use intended, interior or exterior). Closely follow the manufacturer’s installation and operation instructions. • Seal leaks that allow cold air inside, near where pipes are located. • Close air vents leading under the house. • Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. After several days of melting-freezing cycles, it's common for the melted water and ice to work up under the shingles until water enters the at-

Michael Schenkler Publisher Luann Dallojacono Editor Mike Koehler Danny Schrafel Sara-Megan Walsh Reporters

Robert Nieter Sheauwei Pidd Production/ Art Department

tic and eventually does damage to the ceilings, wall and contents. In cases where the ice dam goes unnoticed for an extended period of time, it can do significant damage to the building and its contents. There's no way to guarantee an ice dam won't damage your home, but you can take steps to cut the chances of an ice dam forming in the first place: • Thoroughly clean all leaves, sticks and other debris from your home’s gutters and downspouts. • Make every effort to keep snow on your roof to a minimum. Long-handled devices on the market called “roof rakes” let you stand on the ground and pull the snow off the roof. Keeping heavy snow loads off your roof reduces the chances for both ice dam formation and roof failure due to the weight. • All winter long, keep gutters and down spouts clear of snow and icicles. • Evaluate the insulation and ventilation in your attic. Most experts agree the R-value of attic insulation should be at least R-30 (R-38 is preferable in northern climates). For more information on these and other home safety tips, stop by my office or visit statefarm.com. BRIAN GILL

State Farm Agent Melville

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor

Linda Mazziotto Office / Legals

David Viejo Michele Caro Susan Mandel Account Executives

149 Main Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A7

Celebrating Dr. King’s Lasting Legacy ‘Jubilee’ to honor life and accomplishments of civil rights leader on his birthday By Sara-Megan Walsh swalsh@longislandernews.com

In celebrating one’s freedom, Huntington’s African-American community makes a point of remembering the difficult path to get there. The Huntington NAACP branch will hold its annual “Jubilee” celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday, coinciding with the civil rights leader’s Jan. 15 birthday. The event will focus on the importance of former President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and King’s work in African-Americans’ strides for civil rights. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of the persons we have been able to lift up for the work he has done,” said Dee Thompson, president of the Huntington branch of the NAACP. “We can appreciate the sacrifices he made for all of us,

and I do mean all of us.” The celebration is important, Thompson said, to stress to younger generations how significant both the Proclamation and King’s work were in laying the groundwork for the rights AfricanAmericans now have, including the right to vote, with struggles and sacrifices made to get there. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation will be read with choir performances from local churches. “When we talk about the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, Dr. King exemplifies these issues, giving us a plan and direction to continue to fight for civic rights,” Thompson said. Rev. Roderick Pearson of St. Marks Remnant Ministries will be the keynote speaker. “The civil rights movement, if you go back into American civil rights history and look at the abolition rights movement, it’s all a

faith movement. Our struggle always has been on the fact that faith is at the center of our movement,” Pearson said, noting King was both a civil rights leader and pastor. “We don’t do anything without prayer. We pray first, then we march. We pray, then we demonstrate. We pray, then we move forward.” The “Jubilee” celebration will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church, located at 291 Park Ave. in Huntington. “We have still not arrived. We are still in the forefront fighting for equality,” Thompson said. Thompson will be honored by the Suffolk County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Comission at their 21st Annual Awards Luncheon for her work as the executive director of the Huntington Station Enrichment Center and Huntington branch NAACP president at noon on Friday.

The Huntington NAACP branch will hold its annual “Jubilee” celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15, his birthday, focusing on the importance of former President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and King’s work in African-Americans’ strides for civil rights.

ART

Artwork Mosaic Shows Members’ Talents Annual Sell-A-Bration features pieces in a variety of styles, media at affordable prices Half Hollow Hills photo/Sara-Megan Walsh

By Sara-Megan Walsh swalsh@longislandernews.com

Artwork filling a Huntington village gallery’s walls in vivid splashes of color from flowers to abstract shapes creates “a Grand Central Station” for art lovers. The annual ‘Sell-a-bration’ is gearing up for its final weeks at the b.j. spoke gallery on Main Street. The uniquely member-owned cooperative gallery has let its artists take over the walls creating a mosaic of artwork sure to grab anyone’s attention. Whether you like woodworking or abstract collage, pencil drawings or photography, you can find it priced to bring home. “It’s when we let the artists take over, show off what they want and play with what they want,” said Gallery Manager Marilyn Lavi. The nonprofit gallery’s 27 members and three associate members have put discounted pieces of work on display through Jan. 24. One of the new associate members, photographer Jim Sabiston, has found success, as Lavi said the gallery has sold three copies of his limited edition print “Cardinal in a Snowy Tree.” He has chosen to present his strength in photography with several other black-and-white or sepia-toned prints for sale. In stark contrast to Sabiston, gallery

Huntington’s b.j. spoke gallery members have taken over the walls, displaying a wide variety of artwork across all mediums for sale in “Sell-a-bration” through Jan. 24. member John McPhee makes a bold color statement with his high-gloss acrylics work. An abstract piece featuring circular color patterns may seem like watching eyes to some, brought

alive off the wall. “People walk in and they gawk at it,” Lavi said. “The prices he’s giving people are great because in Manhattan they would be playing close to $5,000.”

Others have used the carte blanche of displaying the artwork of their choice to take a step outside their normal mediums, the manager said. Stan Jorgensen, whose drawings in pen and ink can frequently be found at the Huntington Art Council’s galleries, decided to take enlarged pictures of his pen and ink strokes, a closer view of his work. “This is their chance to unload and create more. They could be experimenting but you still recognize the artists,” Lavi said. Painter Bernice Taplitz often surprises other gallery members with new works, she said, and this winter is no different as she presents photographs of birds including falcons and owls. “We like them to go explore another area, they’re still using their eyes and playing with composition,” the manager said. Even members of the gallery’s Artist Circle, a weekly book group, displays its community project called “The Doll Project 2009” in a corner of the gallery. With so many artists on display, the gallery may seem crowded to regular visitors, but it creates a “grand central station” that opens doors to conversations. Visitors are welcome to browse, Lavi said, and all serious offers will be considered.

A8 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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ART

Doc Draws On Creative Side Part-time artist showcases decoupage pieces at gallery in Northport Tasting Room By Dara Liling info@longislandernews.com

When Roz Marcus was pursuing her Doctorate in psychology from Adelphi University, she never imagined the Northport Tasting Room and Wine Cellar would one day showcase her artwork. Marcus studied art and fashion design in college, but her first career was as a psychotherapist counseling women with grief issues. However, the Plainview woman never let go of her artistic roots, choosing to look at psychology as creative work. She looks at each case as a mystery she must solve. Marcus was drawn back into art by chance, when she received an unexpected gift about 10 years ago. “Someone gave me a camera as a present. Before then I wasn’t really into photography. I immediately got into digital photography,” she said. Marcus’ unusual style gradually developed. She began simply framing and matting – mounting pictures onto other backgrounds. Subjects for her photographs varied, but mainly entailed landscapes and scenery. “After a while, I started to look at the photography and how I could enhance it and put more of myself into the photographs. So I started to decoupage onto

the photographs. Then that went a little further and I began painting onto the decoupage, which were on the photographs,” she said. Marcus uses decoupage – the technique of layering cutouts onto a background image – to create what she describes as “yearnings and oppressions of the subconscious mind.” These prints can have as many as 30 cutouts per piece. “I often see pictures in magazines or coffee table books or National Geographic. I go through the books regularly and I cut out pictures which I find interesting… and save them until the right moment comes,” she said. As Marcus developed her unique style, others became interested in purchasing her artwork. She joined the Northport Arts Coalition – a nonprofit organization that links artists within the community – which connected Marcus with her opportunity. “I think people find her artwork interesting. Because it is collaged, there are many different elements. Every time you look at one of her pieces you find something new,” said Matthew Spirn, owner of the Northport Tasting Room and Wine Cellar. “I have a lot of regular customers who will say, ‘I didn’t notice that before’ and that’s very compelling to the viewer.” The Northport Arts Coalition provides the Northport Tasting Room and Wine Cellar with a new artist every six weeks.

Marcus’s artwork is to be displayed through Feb. 4. Her pieces sell for between $150 and $500 – depending on the size and framing – and three have already been purchased. “It makes you smile to see how she has combined all these different images… every person is probably going to come away from each piece with a different perspective,” said Tasting Room curator Kate Kelly. While these images might appear arbitrary to others, Marcus says her art is based upon “where she is in her own head.” She tries to incorporate scenic photos from her travels to places such as Venice and Turkey with cutouts of objects ranging from vegetables to human figures. “I want to convey that you can combine the familiar things in life with mundane things. The familiar things are backgrounds, figures, people, hands [and] eyes. The mundane things might be fruit or baskets or doors. I try to combine them that so that my photos are both whimsical and fantasies,” said Marcus. However, she has not let her artistic success interfere with her psychology career in the meantime. Marcus still counsels women four days a week at her private practice in Roslyn – combining her knowledge in both fields to

Roz Marcus, whose work is on display at Northport Tasting Room & Wine Cellar, uses decoupage – the technique of layering cutouts onto a background image – to create what she describes as “yearnings and oppressions of the subconscious mind.” help patients. “I encourage psychology clients to use their artistic and creative abilities,” said Marcus. “I feel that I am really fortunate to have two careers at the same time.”

MELVILLE

Rocking Out For MS

Musician Doug Hochlerin presents the Melville-based Long Island chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society with a check for $1,000 after a benefit concert.

Holiday Weekend Skating at the Arches

There are several ways to get the word out about multiple sclerosis, and music is one of them. Doug Hochlerin, of the rock band MAZARIN, and the Deep River Band performed at a reunion show in Port Washington to benefit the Long Island chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, headquartered in Melville. Though MAZARIN had never before considered doing charity events, given the great turnout at their show they

decided to bill next year’s performance as a benefit for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to assist in the delivery of programs to individuals with multiple sclerosis on Long Island. MAZARIN’s music has charted in major markets and been included on collections that feature Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister. They were named “Best Rock Band” three times by Good Times magazine, and represented New York at the South-by-Southwest Music Festival.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A9

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Ski Business Snowballs Sno-Haus boasts two stores after small start Half Hollow Hills photos/Mike Koehler

The log cabin look of Sno-Haus was added three years ago when the building was renovated.

Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Sno-Haus was a small store in Hempstead when Robert Merrill first started working for the ski shop. Forty-six years later, it’s much bigger and the business has an even larger Huntington store. Located on Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station, the store, Merrill boasted, has “everything you could possibly want for skiing and snowboarding.” However, the business has humble beginnings. Oscar Kornblatt first opened Sno-Haus on North Franklin Street in Hempstead in 1959. Merrill came on board in 1963 as Kornblatt’s first employee. “It was the two of us. He was a good merchant and I was a good salesman. We grew at an average rate of 20 percent a year for about 20 years,” he said. Merrill worked at the store for three years before he left to serve in the U.S. Army. His service lasted just six months and he moved onto the Garment Center in Manhattan, although that lasted for a year. In the meantime, Kornblatt took on partner Bob Schreiber in 1962 and opened a store in Huntington, then neighboring Battling Barry’s House of Audio. The partnership failed in 1967 and Schreiber took the Huntington store in the split. But Merrill accepted a proposition to become Kornblatt’s new partner and the duo purchased the then-failed Huntington store. In two years they doubled the business. With business picking up, they moved into a former furniture store – their current location. “When we took over the store it was about 5,000 square feet. It’s about 20,000 square feet now,” Merrill said. Now partnered with Kornblatt’s son, Neal, the owners decided to give their Huntington store a unique twist during a renovation three years ago. Merrill owns property in Colorado, and owning a log cabin was always a dream.

Sno-Haus initially grew its customer base with ski sales, and continues to boast a wide selection today. “I’ve been researching it, I know a bunch of the companies and I said it’d be a good look for Huntington. We contracted a company in Oregon to cut trees down for us,” he said. The log cabin theme is also maintained inside. Whether it’s shopping for skis, goggles or shirts on the first floor, or even snowboards on the second floor, SnoHaus boasts the casual and friendly atmosphere of a ski lodge. And apparently the customers like the business; Sno-Haus has outlasted many other ski shops across Long Island over the years. But even as one of the few survivors, Merrill said business hasn’t been easy lately. “It has its challenges like all business over the past five years,” he said. Still, Sno-Haus isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and the co-owner revealed they may expand in the near future. He confirmed that they are considering opening a third store somewhere on Long Island. “I think we’ll probably expand from here now that the worst is over and there’s not much competition left. We’d probably expand to doing more snowboarding stores,” Merrill said. “We have nowhere to expand on the locations we have now, we’re maxed out.”

There will be a Question & Answer session following his presentation and photo opportunities. Admission $18 Consider being a sponsor of the evening. $250

The Chai Center 501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, NY Please reserve by calling 631-351-8672 or online at www.TheChaiCenter.com

A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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HALF HOLLOW HILLS

‘Star’ Treatment For A Senior VIP Half Hollow Hills graduate and signer Ryan Star surprises grandfather for 90th birthday Half Hollow Hills photos/Sara-Megan Walsh

By Sara-Megan Walsh swalsh@longislandernews.com

One of Long Island’s rising music stars rocked Huntington in a special VIP performance. Indie singer-songwriter Ryan Star gave a surprise performance at Huntington Senior Citizen Center last Tuesday in honor of his grandfather’s birthday. He said there was no better way to honor his grandfather, Huntington resident Nick Pappalardo, as the source of his musical talent and inspiration. “I attribute a lot of my musicality to that side of the family, especially my grandfather and grandmother,” Star said. The musician recounted childhood memories of listening to Pappalardo sing Italian operas between performing his hit song “Brand New Day,” which serves as the introductory song for the television series “Lie to Me,” and “Last Train Home,” a pre-release from his upcoming album “11:59.” His grandfather, who turns 90 on Jan. 20, stood in rapt attention, joining others in clapping along to “Breathe,” but he hasn’t always understood Star’s musical ambitions. “I think my whole life it’s been ‘What is my grandson doing?’ Then about a year ago, it all made sense,” Star said. The Half Hollow Hills West graduate formed his own band in high school, played the New York City club circuit,

Indie singer-songwriter Ryan Star, left, gave a surprise performance at Huntington Senior Citizen Center last week in honor of his grandfather, Huntington resident Nick Pappalardo, who stands watching at right.

Pappalardo and Star, from left, share a moment together after the performance.

was a contestant in the second season of CBS’s “Rock Star” and has opened for KISS and Bon Jovi. Yet Star said his grandfather had a hard time understanding his decision to pursue a musical career in favor of something more traditional. The World War II Army veteran’s perspective changed when the

ing fans out of others at the senior center. “He writes his own music. I think he’s a really great singer,” the grandfather said. “He carries his grandson’s card in his wallet and he shows everyone,” added Program Supervisor Julia Frangione.

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) used Star’s song “This Could Be The Year” to promote its 2008 Survivor Series. “When the WWE played my song, he had tears in his eyes,” he said. Pappalardo has since become one of his grandson’s biggest fans, even mak-

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A11

People In The News Madison National Bank, which has a branch in Melville, has announced three organizational appointments. Kenneth J. Sapanski joins the bank as vice president and credit administration officer. He is responsible for managing the bank’s Loan Administration and Loan Servicing departments, and overseeing commercial, construction and consumer loan operations. Prior to joining Madison National, Sapanski, of Massapequa, held various credit administration management positions with a number of New York-based commercial and savings institutions.

Compiled by Luann Dallojacono

Steven Bucaro of Dix Hills, Alesha Fedner of Dix Hills, Jesse Gaccione of Dix Hills and Christen Samuels of Melville. Michael Barone of Melville and Jessica Palmetto of Dix Hills were named to the Dean’s list at the University of New Haven for the fall 2009 semester. Full-time undergraduate students must have a 3.50 or better cumulative GPA for the semester to be eligible. Michael Shampanier, a resident of Dix Hills, recently received a graduate degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz. His degree was in Visual Arts Education.

Tunes For The Troops As part of its charitable holiday outreach efforts, Bethpage Federal Credit Union donated 200 iTunes gift cards to the American troops in Afghanistan. The cards were given to the troops by Rep. Steve Israel (D – Dix Hills), who traveled to Afghanistan to visit with the troops on Dec. 26, 2009. Credit Union President and CEO Kirk Kordeleski stands with Israel.

ABSOLUTE EYEWEAR Theresa Going

Georgeann Cardace

In addition, Theresa E. Going was promoted to vice president and relationship manager. Her new responsibilities include identifying new market areas, attracting new customers and establishing those relationships for the bank. She joined Madison National in 2007 as vice president and branch manager in charge of opening and managing the Melville location. Prior to joining the bank, Going, of Islip, spent 24 years establishing her career in the banking industry. Georgeann Cardace has also been newly appointed to the position of vice president and market manager. She is responsible for the overall operation, market share and staff development of the bank’s Merrick and Melville branches, as well as the Massapequa branch, which is expected to open soon. Cardace, of Amityville, has been with the Madison National Bank family since it opened in 2007. Prior to this appointment, she was manager of the bank’s Merrick branch. Students at Quinnipiac University hit the books hard last semester, and their hard work paid off. Local students who were named to the Dean’s list for the fall 2009 semester included: Julie Abott of Dix Hills, Jamie Barnstone of Melville,

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Tips For Going Green Saving energy means saving money, and your personal computer is one way to start. For energy savings and convenience, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends turning off your personal computer’s monitor if you aren’t going to use it for more than 20 minutes. You should also turn off both the computer and monitor if you are not going to use them for more than two hours. In addition, make sure your monitors, printers and other accessories are on a power strip or surge protector, and turn off the strip’s switch when this equipment is not going to be used for an extended period of time to prevent them from drawing power even when shut off. If you don’t use a power strip, unplug extra equipment when it is not in use.

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A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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Turning Up The Heat At The Spice Village Grill Foodie photos/D. Schrafel & S. Walsh

The

Foodie SECTION By Danny & Sara foodie@longislandernews.com

Don’t be fooled – Spice Village Grill is not just an Indian restaurant. Born in Lahore, Pakistan in 1952, owner Tabassum Ali came to the United States in 1980, providing a key link to his culinary vision. He watched his mother cook as a young boy, and his roots encouraged him to fuse Indian, Pakistani, Persian and Afghani recipes. Now, he’s turned his hobby into a business. Once he built his roots in the States, Ali racked up as many as 13 storefronts, but sold them all except for his digs on Main

The mixed grill offers a variety of flavors for diners at Spice Village Grill, with different spices for each type of meat. Above, right, Kaukswe soup is an eclectic tasty blend of aromas and flavors.

Street in Huntington – the corner of Main and Wall Streets is just too good to give up, he said. A Huntington resident since 1986, Ali opened a camera shop at the location in 1991, which he closed last January. Then, the family briefly transformed the storefront into a hookah lounge before Spice Village opened about a month ago. The small, cozy dining room, naturally lit through its large windows and dressed in black tablecloths, maroon linens and throw rugs, was filled to capacity during our Friday lunch visit. Ali’s soups of the day – vegetarian Mulligatawny and Kaukswe ($4.50) – are both good starters. The Mulligatawny, with its rich curry and lentil flavor, is thick and satisfying without being dense, while the Kaukswe (pronounced cow-sway) is a unique medley of flavors with rice, chicken and vegetables. The aroma hints at a buttery base, while a bright lemon note emerges after you take a spoonful. Chicken Tikka Masala ($10.99) is mild and savory, and the medallions of chicken pair well with Spice Village’s excellent basmati rice. Soak up the aromatic cream sauce with some naan bread, which will run you no more than $2.50. Torn on our entrée decision, we decided

Owner Tabassum Ali, third from left, has owned the location hosting Spice Village since the early 1990s. From left, sons Farooq and Omar, Tabassum and waiter Robert Page take a breather after the lunch rush. to go for a little of everything, thanks to the Mixed Grill ($14.99). A good place to start for first-time visitors, the platter comes with a small rib eye steak, chicken, lamb and shrimp seekh kebabs, and chicken and lamb tikka. The juicy tender lamb is the zestiest of the bunch; the remarkably tender chicken is next in line on the spicy list. The fresh, juicy shrimp and the rib eye are smoky and mellow, while the seekh kebabs, or meat sausages, are nutty and delicious; the lamb sausage packs an extra, spicy punch. After our entrees, Gulab Jamun, or sugary dough balls, are served warm in sweet, but not oppressive, rosewater-cardamom syrup, and Sooji Halwa is warm, enticing and semisweet semolina browned with cardamom and simmered in scented sugar with almonds and raisins. All five of the restau-

rant’s desserts, which include Zarda Rice, Ras Malai and Milk Cake, run about $5. Thus we took advantage one of the untold joys of splitting a mixed grill for lunch – plenty of room for dessert.

Spice Village Grill 281 Main St. Huntington village 631-271-4800 Cuisine: South Asian-Middle Eastern fusion Atmosphere: Small, laid-back bistro with service to match Price range: Moderate Hours: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A13

Side Dish By Dinehuntington.com foodie@longislandernews.com

PRIME ANNIVERSARY: Prime – An American Kitchen and Bar (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 www.restaurantprime.com) celebrates its fourth anniversary with a special edition of its Jet Set menu. From Jan. 19 - 23, Prime’s Jet Set menu takes diners to Italy. The first-class, three-course dinner is $40 per person, or $50 with the special wine pairings. Enjoy unlimited tastings from an array of vineyards. SISTER ACT: Huntington’s Prime has a new baby sister. Michael & Kurt Bohlsen have opened Verace (599 Main St, Islip 631-277-3800), billed as bona fide Italian and bona fide Bohlsen. Tuscanborn Executive Chef Francesco Torre focuses on fresh ingredients and honest flavors. Portion sizes encourage diners to enjoy three or even five courses starting with sfizi, or little bites. A state-of-theart, Ferrari-red colored Montague cooking suite will get plenty of attention, as will the custom-blended wines-on-tap system, similar to those used in wineries. We expect we’ll hear plenty more about the newest Bohlsen family member in the weeks to come. BISON BURGERS: Canterbury Ales (314 New York Ave., Huntington 631-5494404 canterburyales.com) is featuring farm-raised USDA Buffalo flown in from Montana and Missouri. Bison burgers and steaks have one-third the fat of beef – in fact, they’re lower in fat and cholesterol than turkey or chicken, according to Canterbury’s website. Give it a try!

The

Foodie SECTION

It’s Girl Scout Cookie time. COOKIE TIME: Girl Scout Cookie season is here! To stock up on those Do-Si-Dos, Thin Mints and more, find yourself a Girl Scout. And if you have a difficult time doing that, think about the armed servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. Fortunately for them, there’s Operation:Cookie. Through this program, Long Islanders have sent more than 2 million Girl Scout Cookies to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and to those at Walter Reed Medical Center and the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, MD. Cookies were also sent over with the "Fighting 69th" Infantry National Guard unit. To become a part of Operation:Cookie, go to the Suffolk County Girls Scouts website: www.gssc.us. 550 CALORIE MEALS: Attention, calorie counters: Diners at Applebees Restaurants are finding that they can have their steak, chicken or shrimp and eat it too with Applebee’s “Unbelievably Great Tasting & Under 550 Calories” menu. Selections include: Grilled Shrimp and Island Rice, Asian Crunch Salad, Grilled Dijon Chicken and Portobello Mushrooms, Asiago Peppercorn Steak or Spicy Shrimp Diavolo. Applebees locations are in Huntington Station and Commack. More at applebees.com.

News and reviews from the restaurant capital of Long Island To Advertise Call 631-427-7000 Read past reviews online at www.LongIslanderNews.com

HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY FIRST AID SQUAD INC.

Have You Ever Wondered What It Takes To Become A Member Of Huntington Community? Huntington residents wishing to learn more about becoming a member of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad are welcome to visit our headquarters at 2 Railroad Street in Huntington Station at 2:00pm on the 3rd Sunday of each month January 21st 2010 February 18th, 2010 & March 18th, 2010 RTE/CPR classes starting soon Call for details (631) 421-1263

A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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School Notebook

Compiled by Luann Dallojacono

Crazy Hats In Style At Forest Park

Legislator Steve Stern visits Rissa Zimmerman’s Vanderbilt Elementary students to discuss the role a legislator plays in county government.

Learning From A Pro

A Stand Against Bullying

Second-graders at Vanderbilt Elementary School learned about government from someone on the inside. Legislator Steve Stern (D – Dix Hills) visited to discuss Suffolk County government and the role of a legislator in the community. As part of their social studies curriculum, the children prepared an assignment suggesting ideas for “new laws.” “I always enjoy meeting with our children and teaching them about government and the good things that government can do,” Stern said. “These students are our future leaders, and it is never too soon to become interested in government and to seek new ideas to better our community.”

Recognizing that bullying is a problem that can be prevented, Candlewood Middle School invited Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) to present Step Up and Speak Out, a bullying prevention program for grades 6 and 7. CAPS is Long Island’s leading organization dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and provides violence prevention and child safety education to Nassau and Suffolk schools at no cost. “Statistics suggest that between 35,000 and 55,000 children on Long Island spend each school day in fear of bullies,” said Alane Fagin, executive director of CAPS. “Those are devastating numbers. Candlewood Elementary School deserves credit for taking steps to

Mrs. Kaplan’s fourth-graders at Forest Park Elementary School sport their wildest headgear for Crazy Hat Day. change them for the better and keep their students safe from harm.” Professionally trained volunteers from CAPS facilitated Step Up and Speak Out with students in their classrooms during the week of Nov. 2. It is a two-session, multimedia program designed to promote empathy, prevent bullying and teach strategies for dealing with bullies at the middle school level. Thanks in part to a legislative grant from Senator John Flanagan (R – Northport) and the financial support of concerned community members, CAPS provides Step Up and Speak Out to public and private elementary and middle schools at no cost. To date, over 600,000 Long Island students have participated in CAPS prevention programs.

“The demand for our student programs increases every year, and so we encourage community members who are concerned about our children’s safety to call us if they have an interest in becoming a CAPS volunteer presenter,” said Fagin. Founded in 1982, the Roslyn-based Child Abuse Prevention Services is Long Island’s comprehensive resource center for the prevention of child abuse, bullying, peer harassment and Internet safety. It is a nonprofit underwritten by private donations, grants and legislative appropriations. Information about programs, educational materials and volunteer opportunities are available at www.capsli.org or by calling 516-6210552 or 631-289-3240.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A15

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A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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HUNTINGTON OPEN HOUSES Want to get your open houses listed? Get your listings for free on this page every week in the Long Islander Newspapers. Call Associate Publisher Peter Sloggatt at 631-427-7000 or send an e-mail to psloggatt@longislandernews.com.

DIX HILLS

478 Wolf Hill Rd Bedrooms 4 Baths 3 Price $689,000 Taxes $10,344 Open House 1/16 1 - 3 pm Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-6800

DIX HILLS

3 Firelight Ct Bedrooms 4 Baths 4 Price $848,000 Taxes $12,107 Open House 1/16 1 - 3 pm Prudential Douglas Elliman RE 631-499-9191

COMMACK

72 Burton Ln Bedrooms 3 Baths 1 Price $499,000 Taxes $10,743 Open House 1/17 12 - 2 pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-757-7272

DIX HILLS

4 Hutch Ct Bedrooms 4 Baths 3 Price $769,000 Taxes $14,480 Open House 1/17 2:30 - 4:30 pm Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-6800

MELVILLE

3 Ridge Dr Bedrooms 3 Baths 2 Price $519,000 Taxes $12,512 Open House 1/17 1- 3 pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-427-9100

Town Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills Northport Northport Northport Centerport Commack Commack Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills Dix Hills E. Northport E. Northport E. Northport E. Northport Fort Salonga Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Sta Huntington Sta Huntington Sta Lloyd Harbor Lloyd Harbor Lloyd Harbor Lloyd Neck Melville Melville Melville Northport Northport Northport Northport Dix Hills Dix Hills E. Northport Greenlawn Greenlawn Melville E. Northport E. Northport Greenlawn Huntington Huntington Huntington Sta Huntington Sta Huntington Sta Huntington Sta West Hills

Address Beds Baths Price Taxes Date 478 Wolf Hill Rd 4 3 $689,000 $10,344 1/16 44 Talisman Dr 6 3 $799,000 $17,034 1/16 3 Firelight Ct 4 4 $848,000 $12,107 1/16 17 Chestnut Stump Rd5 4 $839,000 $12,622 1/16 Lot 1 Preston Hllw Ct 6 5 $1,199,000 N/S 1/16 Lot 2 Preston Hllw Ct 5 5 $1,499,000 N/S 1/16 18 Crossman Rd 4 2 $565,000 $9,368 1/17 48 W Wheatfield Ln 3 2 $479,000 $10,023 1/17 72 Burton Ln 3 1 $499,000 $10,743 1/17 1069 CarllsStraght Pth 3 2 $429,000 $8,242 1/17 27 Stonehurst Ln 4 3 $699,000 $16,474 1/17 4 Hutch Ct 4 3 $769,000 $14,480 1/17 19 Wagon Wheel Ln 5 3 $799,000 $16,489 1/17 107B Deer Park Rd 5 4 $899,000 $15,896 1/17 17 Ryder Ave 4 4 $899,000 $13,506 1/17 60 Buttonwood Dr 4 3 $899,000 $16,549 1/17 21 Eldorado Dr 4 3 $399,000 $9,936 1/17 10 Lansing Ln 3 1 $429,000 $9,870 1/17 106 3rd Ave 3 2 $469,000 $6,676 1/17 68 Bellecrest Ave 3 3 $489,000 $8,402 1/17 43 Glenview Ave 4 3 $699,000 $14,779 1/17 106 Vineyard Rd 4 3 $684,000 $12,628 1/17 11 Bartlett Pl 4 3 $749,000 $14,000 1/17 45 Grandview St 4 3 $759,000 $17,535 1/17 75 Dewey St 4 3 $879,000 $15,476 1/17 10 Southdown Ct 3 3 $899,000 $16,908 1/17 2 Forestdale Dr 5 3 $968,000 $17,168 1/17 40 Cedarwood Dr 4 2 $379,900 $6,578 1/17 232 W Pulaski Rd 5 2 $449,999 $7,750 1/17 38 Luyster St 4 3 $629,000 $12,158 1/17 266 Southdown Rd 6 5 $995,000 $16,432 1/17 2 Smugglers Cove 4 4 $1,295,000 $17,979 1/17 20 & 18 Beardsley Ln 4 4 $1,399,000 $19,248 1/17 8 Watch Way 6 5 $1,995,000 $23,013 1/17 3 Ridge Dr 3 2 $519,000 $12,512 1/17 103 Northgate Cir 3 3 $579,000 $10,227 1/17 18 Daisy Ct 4 4 $729,000 $14,816 1/17 14 Essex Dr 4 2 $499,000 $11,836 1/17 10 Cathy Ct 4 3 $549,000 $9,616 1/17 43 Brookfield Rd 4 4 $777,000 $16,140 1/17 29 Essex Dr 4 3 $2,295,000 $24,284 1/17 92 Old Brook Rd 4 3 $699,000 $12,125 1/23 3 Athena Ct 4 3 $729,000 $12,655 1/23 23 Ringler Dr 4 2 $524,900 $11,518 1/23 16 Ann St 3 3 $529,000 $12,055 1/23 197 Stony Hollow Rd 6 2 $649,000 $14,436 1/23 4 Breton Ave 3 2 $485,000 $10,958 1/23 10 Corral Ln 4 4 $428,876 $7,454 1/24 28 Stoothoff Rd 4 3 $579,000 $10,886 1/24 12 Kipling Dr 3 1 $424,900 $9,265 1/24 6 Promenade Dr 3 3 $729,000 $14,804 1/24 7 Bluebird Ln 3 3 $750,000 $16,457 1/24 44 W 11th St 5 2 $349,000 $6,600 1/24 22 Cooper Ave 3 2 $365,500 $7,608 1/24 3 Richwood Pl 4 1 $379,000 $6,738 1/24 15 Kilburn Ave 3 2 $409,000 $8,835 1/24 97 Hartman Hill Rd 4 4 $1,075,000 $21,557 1/24

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

Broker Coldwell Banker Residential Coldwell Banker Residential Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Daniel Gale Agency Inc NPT Daniel Gale Agency Inc NPT Daniel Gale Agency Inc NPT Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Coldwell Banker Residential Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coldwell Banker Residential Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Daniel Gale Agency Inc NPT Coldwell Banker Residential Coldwell Banker Residential Coldwell Banker Residential Century 21 Northern Shores Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coldwell Banker Residential Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Signature Properties of Hunt Daniel Gale Agency Inc NPT Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Daniel Gale Agency Inc Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Signature Properties of Hunt Century 21 Family Realty Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coldwell Banker Residential Signature Properties of Hunt Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Daniel Gale Agency Inc Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc RE/MAX Professional Group Shawn Elliott Luxury Homes Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Coldwell Banker Residential Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coldwell Banker Residential Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Coldwell Banker Residential Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Prudential Douglas Elliman RE Prudential Douglas Elliman RE

Phone 631-673-6800 631-673-6800 631-499-9191 631-427-1200 631-754-3400 631-754-3400 631-754-3400 631-757-7272 631-757-7272 631-499-0500 631-499-9191 631-673-6800 516-921-2262 631-754-3400 631-673-6800 631-673-4444 631-499-0500 631-547-5300 631-261-6800 631-754-4800 631-261-6800 631-673-3700 631-754-3400 516-681-2600 631-427-6600 631-549-4400 631-673-3700 631-754-6400 516-681-2600 631-673-4444 631-673-3700 516-759-0400 631-427-6600 516-624-9000 631-427-9100 631-261-7800 516-364-4663 631-757-4000 631-261-6800 631-360-1900 631-673-6800 631-499-9191 631-673-4444 631-261-6800 631-261-6800 631-757-4000 631-543-9400 631-261-6800 631-499-9191 631-427-9100 631-673-2222 516-921-2262 516-796-4000 631-673-6800 631-499-9191 631-549-4400 516-759-0400

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A17

Officer believed man was involved in robbery (Continued from page A1)

to keep his hands on the roof and the passenger in the front seat left his hands on the dashboard, but a passenger in the back seat refused to comply with orders to show his hands. “When he made a sudden downward thrust with his hands, the officer was fearful for his safety and thought the occupant may have been reaching for a gun,” Varrone said. Police confirmed the officer fired twice through the rear driver’s side window. One bullet struck the suspect in the abdomen while the other is believed to have lodged somewhere in the car. The passenger was taken to Huntington Hospital by the Greenlawn Fire Department, which had no comment. He

was in stable condition, police said, although he remained hospitalized as of Monday evening. All three men will not be charged with any crimes. The other two were taken to the Second Precinct for questioning and were subsequently released. The hospitalized man will be released once he has recovered. “They told us they had been drinking all night, had just left the bar and were coming home. Whether their drinking affected their actions and compliance is something we’re investigating,” Varrone said, refusing to identify the men. “At this juncture, they haven’t done anything wrong.” The officer was also taken to Huntington Hospital for psychological trauma and released. Unlike the NYPD, Varrone

said, the Suffolk County Police Department does not suspend officers after firing their service weapon. The officer has a clean record and never been involved in a shooting before. He will be asked to consider taking some time off and deal with the post-traumatic stress. “He’s not being suspended, unless our continued investigation proves otherwise,” Varrone said. “At this point it appears the involved officer was following procedures.” The Homicide Squad, reportedly under the new leadership of Det./Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky, will investigate the shooting. The chief said that they investigate whenever a Suffolk police officer fires his gun, regardless of the outcome. In the meantime, the Second Squad

Senator in town (Continued from page A3)

7,000 jobs in New York. “This common sense legislation would free up lending at not-for-profit credit unions in every corner of America to small businesses. This would give small businesses more of the capital they need to get off the ground, grow and get thousands of Americans back to work,” Gillibrand said. Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper – until recently, a declared primary candidate for Gillibrand’s senate seat – stood alongside the senator in support. “As a small business owner myself, I understand firsthand how critical Senator Gillibrand’s legislation is to jumpstarting our economy. Long Island – and America – will not see an end to the current recession until credit starts flowing again,” Cooper said. “But the truly great thing about this bill is that it’s not directed to the multinational behemoths that dwell on Wall Street. The new credit union loans will benefit thousands of small mom-and-pop shops like those you

see all around us, helping them to prosper and grow jobs.” Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone reiterated the point. “Credit unions have become the true community-oriented Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand rallied support to ease credit union regulabanking institution, tions for business lending at Bethpage Federal Credit Union in Hunttaking deposits from ington village Sunday. At the press conference, from left, are: Huntlocal residents and ington Chamber Chairman Bob Bontempi, Huntington Councilwoman investing them back Susan Berland, County Legislator Jon Cooper, Gillibrand and Bethin the community, page Federal Credit Union president and CEO Kirk Kordeleski. where they will do their depositors the most good,” he com- from filling the gap. The reforms in the mented. “When enacted, this legislation Small Business Lending Enhancement will clear the way for a new source of nec- Act would increase small business lendessary capital for small businesses, helping by $10 billion within the first year of their enactment, generating more than ing them grow and create jobs.” According to Gillibrand, small busi- 100,000 new jobs nationwide. Bethpage nesses generated nearly two-thirds of all Federal would be able to do $461 million new jobs created in the United States in business loans under this legislation. A companion bill has been introduced over the past 15 years. While banks have tightened their lending, credit unions, in the House of Representatives by Paul which have dollars to lend, are restricted Kanjorski (D-PA) with 48 cosponsors.

Shelters seeing more homeless (Continued from page A3)

“These shelters operated by nonprofits do a great job,” Hampson said. There were 15 homeless shelters, for families or individuals, within Suffolk’s borders as of February 2008, Family Service League officials said at the time. That includes the Linkage Center in Huntington. Opened in 2005, the facility gives 40 single adults a safe place to stay for a night before reporting to Social Services in the morning. Collins refused to comment on the number and location of shelters currently available. However, she confirmed that there are several shelters for families and individuals in the Town of Huntington, including some run by other agencies. In

addition to calling the hotline, needy residents can walk into Family Service League’s offices on Park Avenue and East Fifth Avenue during business hours. More people have recently sought short-term shelter from the lengthy cold snap, Collins and Borghard said. Temperatures have struggled to break the freezing mark and aren’t expected to reach 40 degrees any time soon. “It’s bitter cold,” Borghard said. Both women, along with Hampson, also said the poor economy is likely the source of troubles for people in need of long-term housing help. “With the economy, our first-time homelessness is growing,” the spokesman said.

People using Family Service League offerings, Collins said, are more likely to have rented an apartment than owned a house. Sometimes, she added, tenants paying on time are thrown into the streets when the landlord allows the building to be foreclosed. She added that more people will likely seek refuge at a shelter now. Families tend to seek housing help in time for children to start school and immediately after the winter holidays, while single adults are more seasonal. “When you see a snap like this where it’s so cold, you’ll see higher amounts,” the director said. Danny Schrafel contributed to this report.

Raia stands by deficit reduction vote (Continued from page A5)

“If they had $100 million to give, we should reduce the MTA tax… the net effect of these changes would be to raise property taxes in Suffolk County without getting New York out of debt,” Raia said. “My opponents would rather mislead than lead, and obscure instead of debating what really occurred on Dec. 2.” Joyce bristled at Raia’s suggestion that

the DACC call is dishonest. “The call said he voted ‘no’ on the deficit reduction plan, which is simply the truth,” she said. “Maybe he believes that if he makes enough noise about DACC’s supposed ‘distortion’ of the truth, his constituents won’t notice that he voted against a cut in state spending.” Raia said he’s received feedback at his district office, but perhaps not the kind

DACC was hoping for. The woman recording the message mangled his last name. She said it with the emphasis on the “I,” while he pronounces it with the emphasis on the first “A.” “Most of the people [calling] were pissed that they said my name wrong,” Raia said, laughing. “I got a total of six phone calls and most of them wanted to be my volunteers.”

Detectives are investigating the robbery. A supervisor could not be reached for comment on Monday night. Anyone with information about either case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

On track for spring debut (Continued from page A1)

There are so many programs you can put together if you have the ice time.” Dana said concerns about traffic remain and is calling on the Town to ensure all plans will contribute to maintaining a residential feel and protect the integrity of historic Vanderbilt Parkway. “It is very important that they do not change the front of the park,” he added. “We want to maintain a feel [that is consistent with] a residential neighborhood.” Carter said officials expect the visual impact of the new rink to be “minimal,” and that the plans call for evergreens to be planted around the back of the facility to serve as a buffer. Windows will also be removed from the current ice rink during renovations so that residents will not see the lights needed to illuminate the rink at night.

MONUMENTS MAUSOLEUMS GRANITE - MARBLE BRONZE LETTERING - CLEANING ALL CEMETERIES

JACK CORCORAN MONUMENTS SHOWROOM 88 West Hills Road Huntington Station, NY 11746 Call for more information or brochure

Ph: 631 - 549 - 8207 Fax: 631 - 549 - 1828

A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 THURSDAY Driving Defensively Sharpen your defensive driving skills with a course for insurance and point reduction at St. Matthew’s R.C. Church of Dix Hills, Jan. 14 and 21, 7 – 10 p.m., 35 North Service Road, Dix Hills, sponsored by the National Safety Council. 631-360-9720 to register. $45.

Setting The WWII Stage

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Calendar O M M U N I T Y

Bestselling author of “Flyboys” and “Flags of Our Fathers” James Bradley will speak about and sign his new book, “The Imperial Cruise,” at Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington, on Jan. 21, 7 p.m. In his new book, Bradley, son of John Bradley, one of the men who raised the American flag on Iwo Jima, takes a new look at the events that set the stage for World War II.

Handle With Care Mixed-media artists address a variety of concerns, including the mysterious population decline of honey bees and monarch butterflies, the effects of deforestation, and the accumulation of plastic articles in ocean currents in “Fragile: Handle With Care” at the Art League of Long Island, 107 East Deer Park Road, Dix Hills. Reception on Jan. 17, 3 – 5 p.m. www.ArtLeagueLI.org. 631462-5400.

Rejuvenate Your Gardening Spirit Experiencing the winter blues? Learn about growing dahlias with the Long Island Dahlia Society Jan. 21, 7 p.m., at the HG Williams Community Center, Ritter Avenue, Massapequa. Free. www.LongIslandDahlia.com. 631-754-1002 evening, 516-832-3652 day.

My Father’s Paradise Explore the mysterious and forgotten Jewish community of Kurdish Iraq through an examination of “My Father’s Paradise” at Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington, on Jan. 21 at 7:30 p.m. Written by reporter Ariel Sabar, it is a tale of a father and son and the two worlds that kept them apart and finally brought them together: Iraq and modern America. Free. www.tbeli.org. 631-421-5835, ext. 200.

registration required. 631-351-3112 or Nancy@LongIslandPetProfessionals.com.

Calling All Shutterbugs

FRIDAY Neighbors And Newcomers Join the Huntington Neighbors and Newcomers Club for a program on pain management on Jan. 15, 10 a.m., at Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. The club is made of women who enjoy activities, books, games, coffee and conversation. 631-651-9243.

Thrifty Deals Throughout January, all items except clothing are half-off at the Thrift Shoppe at Commack United Methodist Church, 486 Townline Road, Commack. The Shoppe is open Tuesdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; first and third Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 631-499-7310.

SATURDAY Paws ‘N’ Pins Put your bowling shoes on and get ready to have a “ball” at Little Shelter in Huntington’s Paws ‘N’ Pins bowling fundraiser at JIB Lanes, 67-19 Parsons Boulevard, Flushing, Queens on Jan. 30. Event includes no-tap bowling, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., raffles and free games. $20, portion of the proceeds go to Little Shelter. 631368-8770 ext. 205, jodi@littleshelter.com.

SUNDAY

The Huntington Camera Club meets every Tuesday, September through June, at the Huntington Public Library, 338 Main St., Huntington, in the Main Meeting Room on the lower level, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. Free. www.huntingtoncameraclub.org.

Children’s Story Time Children of all ages can enjoy stories read by a member of Barnes & Noble’s staff every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 - 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble, 4000 East Jericho Turnpike, East Northport. Free. 631-462-0208.

WEDNESDAY Foreign Affairs Leading Likkud member of Israeli Knesset and Chairman of World Likkud Hon. Danny Danon will deliver a foreign policy speech at the Chai Center, 501 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, on Jan. 20, 7 p.m. Q & A to follow, along with a dessert buffet. $18 suggested donation. 631351-8672.

Brightening The Season Listen to the children of South Huntington brighten the season with a free concert on Jan. 20, featuring the Maplewood Intermediate School orchestra, band and chorus, at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Walt Whitman High School, 301 West Hills Road, Huntington Station.

Business Breakfast

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. If interested, contact 631-271-6470 or flarpp@yahoo.com.

Pull on your power suit and join other 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. 800853-9356.

Celebrate Good Times The Huntington High School class of 1952 will be holding a reunion the weekend of July 9 11, 2010 at the Melville Marriot. 631-499-7163 or 301-462-9850.

Help For Kids Of Divorcees Children in grades 3 - 5 can find support at a new separation/divorce group hosted by Family Service League on Wednesday nights, 5:30 6:30 p.m. at 790 Park Ave., Huntington. 631427-3700.

AT THE LIBRARIES

TUESDAY Down, Fido Learn how to be a responsible dog owner at the Town of Huntington’s two-hour class, covering basic dog behavior, training advice, laws, health and dog park etiquette, among other topics, on Jan. 19, 6 p.m., in room 304 at Town Hall, 100 Main St., Huntington. The class is for people only, children over 10 welcome. Pre-

Commack Public Library 18 Hauppauge Rd., Commack. 631-499-0888. • All are welcome to participate in the annual Adult Winter Reading Club. Read five books and win a prize and a chance to win the raffle. Direct questions to Brian Bonelli at the Reference & Information Desk, bonelli@suffolk.lib.ny.us.

151 Laurel Ave., Northport. 631-261-6930. 185 Larkfield Rd., East Northport. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org. • In the East Northport gallery, artist Rich Iaboni shares nautical scenes of Northport Harbor as well as other areas of Long Island. He has been a resident of Northport for over 30 years. • Relive the Titanic’s fateful 1912 voyage as you explore reconstructions of the ship in the library’s Book-A-Trip to The Titanic Exhibit and New York Historical Society on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010. $93. Register in person at the Northport branch. • The Northport Arts Coalition, in cooperation with the library, presents “Do-ing Music, An Homage to Robert Schumann,” featuring soprano Helene Williams, tenor Gregory Mercer and composer/pianist Leonard Lehrman, all formerly with the Metropolitan Opera, on Friday, Jan.22, 7:30 p.m. The program will include classic individual lieder and cycles on poems by von Eichendorff and Heinrich Heine, including one by Lehrman, in English translation. Free.

Cold Spring Harbor Public Library 95 Harbor Rd., Cold Spring Harbor. 631-6926820. www.cshlibrary.suffolk.lib.ny.us. • During the month of January, Spence Ross will show his photography exhibit “We Tread on Diamonds II,” including interpretations of visual experiences from Long Island, New Orleans and New England to Panama and the Philippines.

145 Pigeon Hill Rd., Huntington Station. 631549-4411. www.shpl.info. • The Warren Schein Quartet will present an upbeat mélange of medleys from the Great American Songbook, Broadway musical favorites and a fitting tribute to entertainer extraordinaire, Al Jolson, with snippets from some of the greatest comedy routines that made the rounds at Catskill hotels, on Saturday, Jan. 16, 7 p.m. Free tickets are available to South Huntington cardholders.

THEATER and FILM

Deer Park Public Library 44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. • A representative from the Department of Health Services will discuss various free and low-cost health plans available from New York State, including Child Health Plus and EPIC, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 11 a.m. • On Saturday Feb. 6, 10 a.m., expert quilter Gloria Bleidiner will instruct on techniques that will improve your skills.

Elwood Public Library

Red Is For Passion

MONDAY

Northport-East Northport Public Library

South Huntington Public Library

Love In Every Stitch Love to quilt? Join the quilting group at Old First Church to make quilts for cancer patients, every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. 631-427-2101.

resulting in a fresh musical outlook that stays true to its roots. Free. • Author Alan R. Davis will speak about the process of writing, self-publishing and Kindle on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. He is published in his major fields of mathematics and computer science in addition to writing two science fiction novels.

3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-499-3722. www.elwood.suffolk.lib.ny.us. • Check out the library’s website for the latest on new arrivals.

Half Hollow Hills Library Dix Hills Branch: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631-421-4530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Rd. 631-421-4535. • Learn how to care for loved ones while taking care of oneself at “Caregiver Survival Tips,” Wednesday, Jan. 20, 7 p.m. in Dix Hills. Presented by the Good Shepherd Hospice. • Explore how a Steinway concert grand is made note by note through a feature-length documentary on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2:30 pm. in Dix Hills. Discussion with a Steinway rep will follow. Free.

Harborfields Public Library 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. • Dance your way into the new year in a weekend program for children 3-5, but not in kindergarten, and a parent or caregiver on Saturday, Jan. 16, 11 a.m. - noon. Activities will include age appropriate music, movement and songs. Call the Children’s Room to register.

Huntington Public Library Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631-421-5053. • Explore the photography of Peter Blasl, “Inspired By Nature,” Jan. 9 – Feb. 21 in the Main Art Gallery. Blasl has won numerous awards. He prefers to photograph birds, animals, flowers, and the scenic vistas of the east end of Long Island, where he has been a lifelong resident. • Miller’s Crossing dazzles the HPL Café on Friday, Jan. 15, 7:30 p.m. One of LI’s most popular bluegrass bands, Miller’s Crossing plays bluegrass music the way they feel it,

Arena Players Children’s Theatre 294 Route 109, East Farmingdale. 516-2930674. • Learn about the wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy in “Pinocchio!”, Jan. 9 – Feb. 14. Performances at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, $10.

Arena Players Repertory Theatre 296 Route 109, East Farmingdale. 516-2930674. All Main Stage Productions performed as scheduled. Friday, 8 p.m. $18; Saturday, 8 p.m. $22; and Sunday, 3 p.m. $18. • Enjoy a few laughs about holiday romance in “Under The Yum Yum Tree” by Lawrence Roman, in which a bachelor apartment manager attempts to romance his female tenants, but watch what happens when a boyfriend and meddling marriage counselor are thrown into the mix. On the main stage through Jan. 17.

Cinema Arts Centre 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611. • Guest speaker and Freeport archivist Bill Shelley has un-earthed some of the Grateful Dead’s finest and more rare performances that have never been publicly shown – until now. Shows on Tuesdays, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m. Tribute band the Electrix Jams will play at the reception. $9 members/$12 public. • Co-Presented by the LI Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, enjoy a special New York preview of “Watercolors,” a powerful new drama about a young artist whose first gallery show triggers painful memories of his first love and forces him to explore the impact of the past on his present life, on Thursday, Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m. $9 members/$12 public.

Dix Hills Center For The Performing Arts Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Rd., Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org • Township Theatre Group presents “A Chorus Line”, a musical about Broadway dancers hoping to nail their auditions, featuring Huntington residents Jessica Rover and Lucille Guarino, on Jan. 15, 16 and 17. $22 adults/$20 students/seniors. 631-421-9832. www.townshiptheatregroup.com. • Things at the Center heat up again in January, starting with live comedy by Richie Minervini on Jan. 22 and The Cars tribute on Jan. 23.

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• Watch some of your favorite performances on • DHPAC’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/DHPAC09.

Building A Legacy “Arcadia/Suburbia: Architecture on Long Island, 1930 –2010” highlights the significant architectural history of Long Island over the past 80 years, from Frank Lloyd Wright and Philip Johnson to Marcel Breuer, on display at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington, from Jan. 16 to April 11. The exhibition is a new narrative, charting the region’s development from a largely agrarian society with a significant role as a leisure destination to a mature suburban culture. 631-351-3250.

The Minstrel Players Of Northport Performing at Houghton Hall theatre at Trinity Episcopal Church 130 Main St., Northport Village. 631-732-2926, www.minstrelplayers.org.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport www.johnwengemantheater.com • “Run For Your Wife,” the story of a mischievous cab driver who has two wives, two lives and one crazy schedule, opens Jan. 21.

Star Playhouse At the Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Rd., Commack. 631-462-9800 ext. 136. • “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh!” will be held March 13 and 27, 8 p.m. and March 14, 21 and 28, 2 p.m.

Tilles Center For Performing Arts 720 Northern Boulevard, Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-3100. • Let your hair down and dance the night away with Tony Award-winning musical “Hairspray,” Friday, Jan. 22, 8 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 23, 2 and 8 p.m. $75, $60 and $45. • Student musicians of nonprofit NassauSuffolk Performing Arts perform Sunday, Jan. 31. The Wind Symphony and Concert Band perform at 3 p.m. in the Concert Hall with special guest soloist Stanley Drucker, formerly of the New York Philharmonic. The Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble and Vocal Jazz Ensemble perform “An Evening of Jazz” at 7 p.m. at Hillwood Recital Hall. $20 general admission/$10 students and seniors.

CASTING CALLS Cloggers Wanted The Bruce Spruce Cloggers Dance Company is seeking dancers for future shows on Long Island. Dance background wanted; preferably experience in tap, clog or Irish-step dancing. 631-476-1228.

MUSEUMS & EXHIBITS

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: $6 adults; $4 children 3 - 12 and seniors over 65; members and children under 3 are free. 516692-6768. http://www.cshfha.org/ • Win prizes in the “Trout Challenge” by catching the longest fish each month during the “Catch & Keep Trout Fishing” Fridays Tuesdays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 1 - 3 p.m. $4 per fish. $5 registration fee wavered for the second child fishing on the morning fishing session the first Saturday of December, January and February. • Every Monday until the end of February, “Fish Friends for Mommy and Me” is a 45-minute activity for children ages 3 - 5, 11 a.m. Children can learn about fish, feed trout and do a craft. Pre-registration required.

fotofoto Gallery 372 New York Ave., Huntington. Gallery hours: Friday 5 - 8 p.m., Saturday 12 - 8 p.m., Sunday 12 - 4 p.m. 631-549-0448. www.fotofotogallery.com. • The Short Show, a group exhibition, opens Jan. 29.

Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association P.O. Box 354, Greenlawn. 631-754-1180.

Alfred Van Leon Gallery

Harbor Light Images

145 Pidgeon Hill Road. Huntington Station. 631-549-4411. Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 9 .am. - 9 p.m. Wed. 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun. 1 - 6 p.m. • In “Complimentary Contrast,” two friends exhibit their vastly different work side by side Jan. 9 – Feb. 11. Sylivia Sherwin Goldberg paints in oil pastels using the human form and animals as her subject, while Marsha Gold Gayer uses materials such as charcoal, and nupastels, to draw the human form.

377 New York Ave., Huntington. Gallery hours: Tuesday 11 - 8 p.m., Wednesday, 10 - 3 p.m., Thursday & Friday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 631-629-4444. www.harborlightimages.com

Alpan Gallery 2 West Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Wednesday - Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. 631-423-4433. www.alpangallery.com. • “Contemporary Mark Making: Blurring the Lines Between Drawing and Writing,” a group exhibition focusing on various processes of mark making that merge and overlap line, image and text, on display through Jan 23.

Art League of Long Island 107 East Deer Park Rd., Dix Hills. Gallery hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. weekends. 631-462-5400. www.ArtLeagueLI.org. • Starting Jan. 10, mixed-media artists address a variety of concerns in “Fragile: Handle With Care,” with most focusing on living organisms. Reception on Jan. 17, 3 – 5 p.m.

Artastic Destination 372 New York Avenue, Huntington. Gallery hours: Wed., Thurs. & Sun 1 - 8 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 1 - 10 p.m. 631-424-7074. • Jillian Bernstein presents “Inside Pandora’s Box” alongside Amanda Hawthorne’s “Wondrous Watercolors” through Jan. 31. Hawthorne reception on Saturday, Jan. 16, 7 – 10 p.m.

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 • Through Jan. 26, enjoy “Short Days and Long Nights” and the “Sellabration” membership holiday show, with work sold right off the wall. Crafts and jewelry in abundance, and open house weekends with hot cider, cookies and quality conversation.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A19

Huntington Arts Council 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 Rd., Melville. Gallery Hours: Monday Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. 631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org. • Dazzle your eyes at the juried still life exhibit on display through Jan. 25 in the Petite Gallery, featuring work created in everything from pastels to soap stone to chicken wire and paper. • Member artists present “Life Stories” expressed through art on display through March 8 in the Art-trium.

Heckscher Museum Of Art 2 Prime Ave., Huntington. Museum hours: Wednesday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., first Fridays from 4 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 631-351-3250. Admission $6-8/adults, $4-6/seniors, and $45/children; members and children under 10 free. 631-351-3250. • Bring the family to Family Fun Days at the museum with Huey, the children’s mascot, for creative activities on Saturdays, ongoing. General admission fees apply. • “Arcadia/Suburbia: Architecture on Long Island, 1930 –2010” highlights the significant architectural history of Long Island over the past 80 years, from Frank Lloyd Wright and Philip Johnson to Marcel Breuer, from Jan. 16 to April 11. The exhibition is a new narrative, charting the region’s development from a largely agrarian society with a significant role as a leisure destination to a mature suburban culture.

Huntington Historical Society Main office/library: 209 Main St., Huntington. Museums: Conklin House, 2 High St. Kissam House/Museum Shop, 434 Park Ave. 631-4277045, ext. 401. http://www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org/ • The Society will say thank you all who have helped it in some way at its “Gratitude Gala”

on Jan. 23, 4 – 6 p.m., at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building on Main Street in Huntington.

Joseph Lloyd Manor House Lloyd Lane and Lloyd Harbor Rd., Lloyd Neck Saturday-Sunday 1- 5 p.m. (last tour at 4:30). Adults $3, Children 7 -14, $2, groups by appointment only. 631-692-4664. www.splia.org.

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

Martin Lerman Gallery 716 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-421-0258. Www.martinlermangallery.com Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Works by Nancy Colleary (oils) and Carol Benisatto (mixed media) on display in January.

Northport Historical Society Museum 215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1 - 4:30 p.m. 631-7579859. www.Northporthistorical.org. • The “Low Tech... And That’s the Way It Was” exhibition brings you on a nostalgic trip in time by examining everyday life and the tasks and tools of a simpler era. • Find fantastic deals at the museum shop’s winter weekend sale Saturday, Jan. 23 and Sunday, Jan. 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the downstairs meeting room. Jewelry, glass, china, linens, art and furniture will be featured.

Ripe Art Gallery 67 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-807-5296. Gallery hours: Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday 2 p.m. - 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. 5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com. • “Home for the Holidays,” a special holiday group show, now showing.

Suffolk Y JCC 74 Hauppauge Rd., Commack. 631-462-9800, ext. 140. Tuesday 1 - 4 p.m. Admission: $5 per person, $18 per family. Special group programs available. • With no school on Martin Luther King Day, don’t miss out on fast-paced NHL action as the New York Islanders take on division rival, the New Jersey Devils, on Jan. 18. The day starts with gym and swim at the JCC. Bring lunch or money to buy lunch. Pre-registration required. $66/members, $80 non-members.

$12; military and children under 5 are free. 631-367-3418. www.cshwhalingmuseum.org. • School’s out! Paint a watery craft and watch out for adventure in the film “Nim’s Island” on Monday, Jan. 18, 2:30 p.m. RSVP. Members free/public free with admission.

MUSIC & DANCE Ridotto, Concerts with a Touch of Class At Old First Church, Route 25A in Huntington. 631-385-0373. www.Ridotto.org.

MEETINGS Harborfields BOE To Meet The Harborfields Central School District Board of Education will meet Wednesday, Jan. 20 in the board room of Oldfield Middle School, 2 Oldfield Road, Greenlawn. Possible executive session at 6 p.m., public meeting 7:45 p.m.

VOLUNTEERING A Loving Touch The Hospice Care Network is seeking licensed massage therapists who are passionate and committed to making a difference for their new complementary therapy program, which will provide services at Franklin Medical Center in Valley Stream, Peninsula Hospital Center in Far Rockaway and the Hospice Inn in Melville. Two-day training course provided by the organization. ependleton@hospicecarenetwork.org or 516-832-7100.

Voice For The Children Parents for Megan’s Law and the Crime Victims Center are seeking volunteers to assist with general office duties during daytime hours. Candidates should be positive, energetic and professional with good communication skills. Resume and three references required. 631689-2672 or fax resume to 631-751-1695.

Seeking Volunteer Advocates The Family Service League’s Ombudservice Program of Suffolk County is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for nursing home, adult home and assisted living facility residents to help insure they receive quality care and their rights are protected. 631-427-3700 ext. 240.

Hands-On History The Huntington Historical Society is seeking volunteers to work in the newly restored Museum Shop and serve as Museum Guides giving tours of historic property. No experience necessary; training is provided. 631-427-7045 ext. 403.

Meals On Wheels Huntington’s Meals On Wheels needs volunteers to deliver midday meals to shut-ins for about two hours once a week. Substitutes also needed to fill-in occasionally, as well as nurses to screen potential clients. Call 631-271-5150 weekdays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Thrifty Hands Needed Huntington Hospital Auxiliary’s The Community Thrift Shop needs volunteers for merchandise pricing and floor work on Monday afternoons, Tuesday and Thursday mornings. 631-2713143.

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

Eyes For Blind

180 Little Neck Rd., 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 $3 per person. 631-854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. • Planetarium sky shows are shown yearround. Visit the website for holiday hours and showtimes.

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

Walt Whitman Birthplace 246 Old Walt Whitman Rd, 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 • WWBA Artist in Residence Annabelle Moseley reads from her original works on Sunday, Jan. 31, 1 – 3 p.m.

The 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

Seniors Helping Others The Retired Senior Volunteer Program offers volunteer opportunities throughout Suffolk County ranging from tour guides and soup kitchens to hospitals and mentoring for energized adults 55+. Training, travel reimbursement and liability insurance are included. 631979-0754

Send us your listings Submissions must be in by 5 p.m. 10 days prior to publication date. Send to Community Calendar at 149 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandernews.com

A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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PA G E

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A21

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

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BOYS BASKETBALL

Colts Taking Competition By Storm Hills West squad boasts strong roster, all-star senior with hopes of stellar 2010 season

they played against Deer Park during the Coaches vs. Cancer fundraiser event for the American Cancer Society (ACS). “It went really well,” said Mitaritonna. “We raised a lot of awareness for ACS.” Regardless of the over $1,000 raised during the event, the climax of the event came when 9-year old Raffy Carone spoke about his leukemia. “The highlight was when he spoke about his experiences as such a young age,” Mitaritonna said. Since 2004, when the Colts first started the fundraising event, they’ve managed to raise over $10,000. Now that the event is over, the team will be focusing on the games they have ahead. They host West Babylon tonight, Jan. 14, at 6 p.m.

Coach Bill Mitaritonna gets in on the game with his players. Half Hollow Hills photo/Alessandra Malito

Junior Tavon Sledge and senior Tobias Harris go for the basket for the Colts during the Coaches vs. Cancer game.

Half Hollow Hills photo/Alessandra Malito

amalito@longislandernews.com

Some teams need a little bit of luck throughout the season, but that may not be so for the boys of the Hills West basketball squad, whose roster boats immense talent this season. Coached by Bill Mitaritonna and led by captains Tobias Harris, Chris Kaimis, Mike Catapano and Aaron McCree, the team already has a league record of 3-0. Their goal is to work harder and keep their wins consistent. “Our goal is to get better each day and control today,” the coach said. Thanks to the recent hype surrounding Harris, the team will be taking on some high-profile national games this season, four of which will be featured on ESPN. Because Harris, a senior, was named as one of the top 10 players in the country, “everyone wants to see him play,” Mitaritonna said. Harris will be attending the University of Tennessee next fall. “It doesn’t affect me,” Mitaritonna said of having such a highly recognized player on his team. “He’s the same kid that I’ve known since seventh grade – he’s just bigger now.” He added that Harris is a grounded, responsible individual. “His success has not ruined him,” the coach said. This year, the team has 15 players on the roster hoping to continue sticking together to play as well as they have been. “We always had the talent,” said Catapano, who believes that to achieve maximum success the team must mesh together. The team did just that on Jan. 7, when

Junior Tyler Harris gets past the Deer Park defenders for Half Hollow Hills West. Photo Felice Kristall

By Alessandra Malito

Photo Felice Kristall

Senior Tobias Harris makes a play with brother and teammate junior Tyler Harris and junior Tavon Sledge.

Tyler Harris practices his technique as he puts a shot up.

In Their Own Words Tobias Harris Senior

Aaron McCree Senior

“To win every game and keep players on the team focused.”

“To push everyone to work harder on defense and to keep everybody on board to stay focused.”

What is your goal as captain? Chris Kaimis Junior “To win.”

Mike Catapano Senior “To direct the team in the right direction on and off the court.”

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010 • A23

HillSPORTS WRESTLING>> NEWFIELD 43, HILLS EAST 25

Thunderbirds Take To The Mats Team grapples with how to overcome youthful inexperience in first league meet By Sara-Megan Walsh swalsh@longislandernews.com

The Thunderbirds found themselves grappling with inexperience and required weight classes last Wednesday. Now, they are contemplating whether they can hold on to wrestle their way to the top. Half Hollow Hills East’s wrestling team had its first league meet against Newfield at home on Jan. 6, shortly after winter break. While the midweights hunkered down and held their own, the Thunderbirds grappled unsuccessfully with youthful inexperience and filling-out weight classes in a 43-25 loss. “This is a rebuilding year,” said coach Tom Mangino, adding, “We are in the same situation we were in 2002 – 2003.” Hills East’s wrestling squad graduated a number of senior wrestlers last year, creating a young starting line-up this year with one ninth-grader and four 10th-graders who frequently take on larger, stronger upperclassmen. This has been compounded, Mangino said, by the team’s uneven weight distribution, leaving them pressed to fill out each of the competitive classes. “We had to bump a lot of kids up because we had a lot of empty weight classes. Bumping up a weight class isn’t the easiest thing; going up against

Coaches Take On Cancer On Thursday, Jan. 7, the Varsity Club at Half Hollow Hills High School West hosted their annual “Coaches for Cancer” basketball event, whose proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. At the home game with full grandstands, the Colts defeated Deer Park 64-29. Above, club adviser and boys varsity basketball coach Bill Mitaritonna receives a Certificate of Appreciation for his fundraising efforts on behalf of The American Cancer Society.

hard in practice to be successful,” Touhamy said. “You can always be in better shape and your technique can always be improved.” Sophomore Tom Shair won his match for the Thunderbirds in a tough match, 5-4, against a Newfield upperclassman. “I look at it as every time I wrestle them, I’m getting better and learning from my mistakes,” Shair said, vowing to improve on his feet and on top. Thunderbirds junior Manuel Caballero made the third pin of the match in 3 minutes, 33 seconds in the 145-pound weight class match. “He’s one of the hardest working guys in the room,” the coach said. Spadaro said this victorious streak through the mid-weight classes showed the strength at the heart of the Thunderbirds team. Junior Ryan Skinner, who wrestled for Elwood-John Glenn High School in ninth grade, lost a close match, 7-5. He said junior captain DeShawn McNeil really inspired him to do his best. “It’s good to go in thinking: I’m going to go to war. You should go into every match like it’s your last match,” Skinner said. Overall, the Thunderbirds won five out of the 13 competitive weight classes. The loss puts Hills at 0-1 heading into a six-meet season, with their next match against West Islip on Friday.

Photo by Felice Kristall

BOYS BASKETBALL

someone 10 pounds heavier than you makes a big difference,” said senior Sal Spadaro. The coach remains confident in his team’s ability to perform, given their first meet ended in a close score despite forfeiting two weight classes and starting down 12 points. He cited the team’s ability to rebound, winning the league in 2004 and becoming second in the county in 2005 after a rough year. “This team is just as talented, it’s only time that separates us. Our work ethic is the same,” Mangino said. Newfield took the first three matches of the meet, winning the 103, 119 and 135-pound lightweight classes, though ninth-grader Josh Sycoff fought a hard match, losing by only 1 point, 9-8. Junior captain Nick Terzi snapped the Thunderbirds in the 130-pound weight class, pinning his opponent quickly in 1 minute, 4 seconds. The coach said Terzi shows talent and promise to go far this year, having ranked second in the New York State freestyle last year. Hills East’s second win was from junior Samir Touhamy, in the 135-pound weight class, who pinned his Newfield opponent in the second period after 3 minutes, 51 seconds. “Even though I pinned my kid in the second period I feel like I can still improve. You constantly need to work

In Their Own Words What do you feel is your team’s strength at the start of the 2009-2010 season? Sal Spadaro Senior 160-pound weight class “Everyone gives 110 percent and leaves everything on the practice mats.”

Tommy Shair Sophomore 140-pound weight class “We probably have the hardest practice in the county. Coach Mangino says, ‘Endurance, endurance, endurance.’”

Samir Touhamy Junior 135-pound weight class “We have a desire to win that isn’t matched.”

Ryan Skinner Junior 160-pound weight class “I think the team’s strength is going as hard as you can. They never really give up and go after every match.”

The only page to turn for complete coverage of the: HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS and HALF HOLLOW HILLS WEST COLTS

A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 14, 2010

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