Half Hollow Hills Newspaper - Feb 16, 2012

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VOLUME FOURTEEN, ISSUE 48

N E W S P A P E R

LONG ISLANDER NEWSPAPERS TELECOMMUNICATIONS/MEDIA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 20 PAGES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

Half Hollow Hills photo/Mike Koehler

Photos by Felice Kristall

Man Dies In House Fire

Only an empty shell remained of a Deepdale Drive home after fire tore it apart and killed a resident Friday afternoon.

By Mike Koehler

Food, glorious food! Candlewood PTA members serve up different kinds of rice from around the world at Half Hollow Hills’ Unity Fair.

mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Celebrating Diversity It was a day of international entertainment, cultural crafts and foods from around the world as the Half Hollow Hills PTA Council Diversity Committee hosted the district’s 12th annual Unity Fair Feb. 12.

Held at High School West, the day is dedicated to celebrating and embracing the diversity within the school district community. This year’s theme was “D’ARTSity” with a special focus on the (Continued on page A19)

Firefighters desperately tried to save a 78-year-old man as flames devoured his Commack home, but couldn’t reach him.

Louis Donolli was killed Friday afternoon in a blaze that almost captured the life of his son as well.

“It’s a horrible tragedy. Our thoughts

(Continued on page A19)

MELVILLE

Slowing Round Swamp Traffic lights, signs may be coming soon

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Hills students greet visitors to the Unity Fair in the front lobby by the district-wide art project. Top right, a dancer from the Chinese School of Dance.

and prayers go out to the family,” Commack Fire Chief Kieran Keane said.

According to Suffolk County police reports, Donolli and son Timothy Donolli, 48, were on the second floor of their Deepdale Drive home around 1:30 p.m. when the son smelled smoke coming from downstairs. Timothy Donolli went to the first floor and unsuccessfully tried to extinguish

Improvements to Round Swamp Road may finally be coming after a decade of waiting.

Melville residents have long complained about dangerous drivers and road conditions, said Civic Association of Sweet Hollow President Alissa Taff.

“There are so many accidents. The homeowners have had so much damage,” she said.

Taff said her civic association members have been complaining to the Huntington Highway Department for years. They heard tales of widening the one-lane road and other traffic improvements, but never actually saw change.

But at the Feb. 6 Huntington Town Board meeting, the town council authorized spending $23,900 to improve the road in the wake of a traffic study.

Resolution supporter Susan Berland said the town wants to make the road safer, especially the “dangerous stretch” between Jericho Turnpike and Northern State Parkway.

“People are definitely speeding,” she said. “It’s a windy road, so you can’t straighten it out, but you can slow the traffic down.”

While early plans call for a variety of traffic calming improvements, the councilwoman confirmed two primary sites are being examined. The intersection with Mannetto Hill Road is likely to receive a (Continued on page A19)

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School Board Explains $6.8M In Budget Cuts A3

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A2 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

No More Mandatory Mail Orders?

Brick and mortar pharmacies yet to benefit from new state law on drug sales

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

However, he noted the new law does not affect ongoing insurance policies and will never apply to policies negotiated by unions. Customers will only benefit when they begin a new plan or on the anniversary of their policy; most begin on Jan. 1.

“Insurance companies managed to delay this until after Jan. 1,” the manager said.

He also accused insurance companies of hiding, albeit legally, this information.

They’re not heavily promoting this change, Sussman said, and customers continue to learn from pharmacies, not their insurers.

“My gut feeling is it’ll be on page 72 of the contract in very small print,” the manager said.

MELVILLE

Four Teenagers Injured In Crash Four teens were rescued after their car struck a tree on Sweet Hollow Road in Melville on Friday.

Melville Fire Department volunteers responded to a call about a crash around 11:20 p.m. on Feb. 10. A Saturn sedan struck a tree on Sweet Hollow just north of Old Country Road.

The teenagers sustained non-lifethreatening injuries and were transported to North Shore Plainview Hospital by the Melville Rescue Squad. Under the direction of Chief Michael Carrieri, three ambulances and a first responder unit were dispatched to the scene.

Rescue workers tend to one of four teenagers hurt in a crash on Sweet Hollow Road on Friday.

Photo by Steve Silverman

By law, insurance companies cannot force customers to have their drugs delivered by mail, but local pharmacies say they haven’t been able to reap any benefits from that yet.

A bill signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo went into effect Jan. 12. The new law bans insurers from preventing customers from picking up medications at brick and mortar pharmacies, and requires they charge the same co-payment as for mail-order.

“If you get the prescription by mail for free and if you want to go to the local drugstore and they want to charge you a co-payment, you’re obviously not going to the local drugstore,” State Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R-East Northport) said. “This basically gives you the choice.”

Raia, a member of the assembly’s Health Committee, championed the cause for years. Early in his career, when Raia worked as an aide for State Senator Ralph Marino, he learned about local pharmacies. Years later, he watched as CVS and Rite Aid invaded the turf of three independent pharmacies in Greenlawn. Both of the chain stores remain, but only one of the smaller stores survived.

“It’s tough out there. The reimbursement rate is extremely low, especially if you’re dealing with Medicaid and Medicare,” he said, adding that

pharmacies make a profit from nonmedication sales.

That made the new law much needed, said Larry Sussman, a manager at 110 Pharmacy & Surgical in Huntington Station.

“Most of my customers would prefer not to mail order. It’s a hassle,” Sussman said.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A3

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

Hills School Board Details Budget Cuts

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

The community asked, and the Half Hollow Hills School District delivered.

Hills’ board of education provided detailed information of its projected 20122013 budget reductions at its Feb. 6 meeting.

“We have been working extremely hard.

The board of education has been dedicated to presenting to you a responsible budget,” Superintendent Kelly Fallon said. “As I said, the feedback that I did receive, people wanted to see more detail.”

The school district plans to cut $6.8 million from its rollover budget of $228,700,000, to meet the 2-percent tax cap mandated by New York State. The estimated budget sits at $221,900,000.

The board plans to eliminate 35 teaching positions and 26 other staff members.

Fourteen teachers will be excessed from

the elementary level due to declining enrollment. This will save the board $1,645,000.

Since the incoming sixth-grade class is estimated to be smaller than in previous years – estimates are 150 fewer students between the two middle schools – four sixth grade teachers will also be cut, saving $475,000.

Other staffing positions that will be terminated next year include art, music, physical education and health positions at the elementary and middle school level as well as three reading specialists, a special education literacy specialist, a psychologist, a job coach and world language teachers, totaling savings of $870,000.

Any teaching positions terminated will be based on seniority which is governed by New York State Education Law, board members said.

The school board last month voted in favor of a hard salary freeze for administra-

Major Reductions To Hills’ 2012-2013 Budget At A Glance • Teaching positions....$3,310,000 in savings • Other staffing positions....$1,519,000 • Extracurricular clubs….$420,000 • Instituting mandatory lunch period…. $400,000 • Salary freeze for administrators….$1,260,000 over two years tors for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years, which will result in about $1,260,000 in savings over those two years. Fallon said at last month’s meeting no positions will be cut within the two years.

Plans also call for cutting the dean position at Hills East, saving an additional $100,000. This is a teacher-stipend position that serves as an administrative role.

The dean position no longer exists at Hills West. Kevin Hill, the current dean at Hills East, will go back to being a social studies teacher, which is his tenure.

The personnel assistant in the central office will also be eliminated as well as 10 paraprofessional and monitor positions, one custodial position, two clerical positions and one transportation position. Sav(Continued on page A19)

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

Technology Aids College Application Process Naviance software helps students prepare for life after graduating from high school

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Many teens know they want to attend college after high school, but some may be undecided on what major to choose or which school to attend.

To ease the process, the Half Hollow Hills, Huntington and Commack school districts are making an effort to help students and parents prepare for college by implementing a new system called

Naviance Succeed.

Naviance is a software that enables schools to develop and manage multi-year plans for every student to guide them toward graduation while preparing for college and the workplace.

“What we try to provide at the high school level is the comprehensive curriculum of our own, which is really geared toward the individual student,” Rob Citrano, guidance director at Half Hollow Hills High School East, said at the Feb. 6 board

DIX HILLS

Firemen Free Woman Photo by Steve Silverman

Firefighters work to free a woman from this car after she crashed into a tree on the Northern State.

The Dix Hills Fire Department freed a woman trapped in her SUV after it slammed into a tree on the Northern State Parkway last week.

The accident occurred Feb. 7 in the eastbound lanes of the Northern State, east of the Wolf Hill Road exit around 8:20 p.m. Dix Hills firefighters used multiple heavy rescue tools including the “Jaws of Life” to remove all four doors and the roof of the car to free the woman.

The victim sustained traumatic in-

juries and was airlifted to Stony Brook University Medical Center by Suffolk Police Medevac.

The Dix Hills Fire Department was on the scene with 35 firefighters and rescue personnel, using three heavy rescue trucks, two ambulances, and a first responder paramedic unit, under the direction of Chief Richard Granahan.

The crash resulted in the closure of eastbound traffic on the parkway at Wolf Hill Road.

of education meeting. “We try to provide as personalized service as possible to each of our students.”

Each school gives students a log-in and password so they can access the program.

There is also a parent portal.

Hills High Schools East and West lay out the foundation of the college readiness program in ninth grade. Citrano said students will complete a learning style inventory through Naviance, where they can look at themselves and explore the type of learner they are as well as how they respond to their environment.

In 10th grade, students complete a personality inventory called “Do What You Are,” where they learn about different professions and what is entailed in those particular careers.

“If they have aspirations to become a doctor they can specify which medicine they would like to get into [and] the pros and cons in their profession,” Citrano said.

Students and their parents have a oneon-one college conference with their guidance counselor in the spring of junior year.

“What we try to do as we go through this process is provide students with a window of opportunity to help find the right fit in the university,” Citrano said.

Naviance helps students apply to schools in their senior year. Teachers write letters of recommendations through the software and guidance counselors submit PDF versions of their transcripts. If anything is outstanding in their application, the college will notify the high school.

Parents with students who have yet to reach high school but who want to learn to navigate the system can contact their prospective high school and receive a guest log-in to view the site.

Kitty Klein, guidance director at Huntington High School, said the school is in the process of involving all their students in Naviance.

“We have a spin-off of the program on Feb. 29, where students and parents are coming in and we’re showing them how to use the program in an efficient way,” Klein said.

She said Huntington High School had Naviance in the past but hasn’t used it to

its full potential until this year.

To prepare for college, each student and their parent has an opportunity to meet with their counselor once a year with any specific questions they might have, Klein said. They’re also taught how to work through the program and how to conduct their own searches.

Like Hills, Huntington’s college office monitors students’ college applications in terms of transcriptions, sending out letters of recommendations and whether students were accepted or deferred from a university.

Besides Naviance, Huntington High School also has a program called Guidance Direct, which allows students to take a personality test and connect dominant traits they have to find a particular major.

They can then search through different colleges based on the major.

“We’re confident students and parents will benefit through the program,” Klein said. “This is a program we purchased in our district specifically.”

Klein said Guidance Direct is used as early as middle school. She also noted parents have a choice to move over to Naviance or continue through Guidance Direct.

Commack High School also hopped on board with Naviance. Jonathon Macaluso, guidance director at Commack High School, said the school has been using the program for more than four years and recently started to take advantage of submitting college applications through the program.

“Stepping into the application transition went very smoothly and it’s very beneficial to students,” Macaluso said.

“Colleges receive the application more quickly and we can track status of their application.”

Commack High School introduces the program in ninth grade during class meetings and utilizes the inventory portion of career exploration during tenth and eleventh grade, like the other schools.

Macaluso said the school highlights the importance of Naviance during parent and student events. He noted although it is not mandatory to take part in Naviance, it’s a program he finds extremely valuable for the school, parents and students.

A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler

Hands Off My Fruitcake

Hard To Explain All That Paint

Save the fruitcakes… I have ranted about peo- pecially considering that most people ingest a bit of toothpaste at least twice a day. Katz, who is a denple picking on fruitcake before, but I have now tist, says to avoid: FD&C blue dye No. 2, sodium come to the conclusion that the bad reputation lauryl sulfate, triclosan, sacfruitcakes have is undeserved. charin and aspartame, and It’s become the holiday food IN THE KNOW sodium lauryl sulfate. Better you stay away from, re-gift if it WITH AUNT ROSIE safe than sorry, I suppose? comes your way, or just toss in the garbage. I have even heard that there is a “Great Car makeover?... I don’t Fruitcake Toss” in Colorado, where, if you don't own understand people who give their car a makeover. a fruitcake, you can actually rent one for a quarter.

Some during the holidays adorn their vehicle with a But not all fruitcake is created equal. I have had my wreath or antlers and a Rudolph nose. But as I was share of bad ones, but I have also had ones that walking to get my lunch in the village I saw a car were simply delicious. I go on this rant now because with eyelashes over the headlights. What are they I just ate some fruitcake that I froze a few months trying to accomplish by doing that? Do they want to back, and I have to say, I really enjoyed it. That left make sure everyone knows their vehicle is a female? me wondering, how did fruitcake become such a I’m confused. If anyone has an explanation as to hated dish, anyway? Then I remembered… “Tonight why people decorate the outside of their car please Show” host Johnny Carson. He used to tell us that let me know. there was only one fruitcake in the whole world and people kept sending it to each other. Remember You know what I want… An FBI file. That’s that? Well, I’d like to start a campaign to save the what. I just read that the late Apple magnate Steve fruitcake. Think it will catch on?

Jobs’ file was released to one of the newspapers pursuant to a Freedom of Information Law request.

Merry Valentine’s Day? Now I’m not comTurns out President Bush (that’s the father, not the plaining, but I noticed a few Huntington homes son) was thinking about putting Mr. Jobs on some who are still flaunting their Christmas lights. Most board in the early 1990s, so as a result, Steve had to people tend to rip them down shortly after the holifill out all sorts of paperwork, and the government day; my nieces and nephews try to keep them up at interviewed a bunch of his friends and co-workers least until mid-January. But if you drive down Park to see what he was all about. That seems like the Avenue, there is one house with a few multi-colored most likely route for me to get on the FBI’s radar – strands by the door and another with blue lights on I’m not nearly radical enough and I’ve never been a the bushes. Congratulations on keeping the ChristCommunist, so the whole national security threat mas spirit alive and don’t let anyone say otherwise. route is out, undesirable as it is. I guess that only It never seems to last long enough in December. leaves one option – hey, President Obama… got something you need ol’ Aunt Rosie to do for you?

Toothy ingredients… We get a lot of press releases at this newspaper championing a host of issues, stories and causes, but one that caught my eye (Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comthe other day came from “oral health care expert” ments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your Harold Katz, who wanted to warn me about ingreneck of the woods, write to me today and let me know dients in my toothpaste. As if I didn’t have enough the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o to worry about. Nevertheless, I thought I’d pass this The Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY information on to you in case you find it helpful, es11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)

A Huntington man was arrested by Suffolk County police on Feb. 10 for allegedly making graffiti. The 18year-old was allegedly spray painting on walls and doors. He was also charged with possession of graffiti instruments.

Smash And Grab A Huntington resident called Suffolk County police on Feb. 10 to report a break-in. The complainant said the burglar smashed through a rear kitchen window.

Jewelry, cash and a laptop were reported missing.

Was It Mario Or Luigi?

Suffolk police were dispatched to a Greenlawn home on Feb. 9 about a burglary. The resident said a burglar entered through a kitchen window and stole a jar of coins.

No Arrests For Her Black Eye Suffolk police responded to a Huntington Station bar on Feb. 7 about a reported attack. The complainant said an unknown man punched her in the face. She went to Huntington Hospital on her own with a swollen eye, but no broken bones.

Copper Is Worth Money Suffolk police responded to an AT&T cell tower in Dix Hills about a theft on Feb. 7. A company official said someone stole copper wire from the site.

None Of Those Are Small Items A Melville resident called Suffolk County police on Feb. 7 about a theft earlier this winter. The complainant said a mountain bike, minibike, snowblower and golf clubs were taken from a shed on the property.

Window Pains A Lloyd Harbor resident called Suffolk County police on Feb. 6. Someone attempted to gain entry to the home via a window. Nothing was taken.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK COMMACK FIRE CHIEF KIERAN KEANE

BABY FACES BENJAMIN NIETER

At Least The Bills Can’t Arrive Now Suffolk police were dispatched to a Greenlawn home on Feb. 5. The complainant said someone ripped off the top of a mailbox at the curb during the overnight. According to the complainant, several other homes were affected.

Getting High Before Class?

An anonymous complainant called Northport Village police on Feb. 3 about drug paraphernalia at the top of stairs along Gilbert Street leading to a nearby school. The responding officer retrieved and disposed of the materials.

We at this newspaper hope Benjamin Martin Nieter inherited the graphic design skills of his father, Long Islander Newspapers’ former production manager Robert Nieter. Robert and his wife, Concetta, of Fresh Meadows, welcomed Benjamin, their first child, on Jan. 23 at 7:47 p.m. He weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces.

Send a photo of your pre-school age child along with a brief anecdotal background and we’ll consider it for “Baby Faces.” Include baby’s full name, date of birth, hometown and names of parents and grandparents. Send to: Baby of the Week, c/o Long-Islander, 149 Main St., Huntington, NY 11743. Please include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.

HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

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Hands Off My Money A complainant went into Northport Village police headquarters on Feb. 3 to report identity theft. She told police an unknown subject attempted to charge $378.96 to her debit card; she did not actually lose any money. The bank advised her to fill out a police report and the case was forwarded to a detective.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A5

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Town Is ‘At Your Service’ Officials unveil new citizen request system

Half Hollow Hills photo/Stephanie DeLuca

From right, Supervisor Frank Petrone, Councilwoman Susan Berland and Councilmen Mark Cuthbertson and Mark Mayoka unveiled Huntington at Your Service, a new citizen request management system, last week.

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

The Town of Huntington is keeping up with technological advances by launching a new service to help residents easily obtain and request information from Town Hall.

The town partnered with Qscend Technologies of Waterbury, Conn. to create a citizen request management system called Huntington at Your Service.

“We know we have to meet technology at the crossroads and utilize that to the best we can, so that we can bring forth to our residents every possible way that they can receive information,” said Supervisor Frank Petrone.

Residents can access Huntington at Your Service two ways – either on the town’s website or by downloading the application to their iPhone. Councilman Mark Cuthbertson said the application is currently only available on the iPhone but they’re working on having one for Droid users.

Residents can either go online or use the application to find information they

are looking for, whether it’s to report graffiti, a lost dog, a broken street signal, find out permit information, or any other information that can be obtained at Town Hall.

If sending a request, it will be directed to a specific department associated with the request, and the resident will receive an email with a confirmation number.

Town spokesman A.J. Carter said they will respond as soon as possible. “[Residents] should be able to come to Town Hall without being pointed from department to department,” Cuthbertson said. “They should be able to do this in the quickest and easiest way.”

The project, which will cost the town $16,000 a year on a three-year contract, will launch on March 1.

The town will promote the new application by putting Huntington at Your Service bumper stickers on town cars, and all employees will be wearing buttons.

Residents can view tutorials on how to use the new application by visiting YouTube, the town’s website, huntingtonny.gov, or the town’s Facebook account.

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A6 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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HUNTINGTON VILLAGE

Panera Expands To Huntington Village Half Hollow Hills photo/Stephanie DeLuca

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Panera Bread is coming to Huntington village.

A Panera Bread bakery-café, a franchise owned by Doherty Enterprises, will take over the space of the former Guido’s restaurant at 354 Main St. and NOMA Restaurant and Bar at 70 Gerard St. Representatives said the café will have entrances leading to both Main Street and the Gerard Street parking lot.

Tim Doherty, vice president of development at Doherty Enterprises, said Panera Bread has been targeting Huntington village as a potential location for a number of years and finally found the perfect spot.

“We chose this location because we feel that Huntington village is a community that will accept, enjoy and support the Panera Bread brand,” Doherty said.

“The specific location was chosen because it is situated near the heart of the village so that we can be easily accessible to our guests who are walking through town.”

Doherty Enterprises have yet to finalize their budget for the Huntington village location, but they are anticipating investing over $1 million in construction costs, he said.

“We are currently working with the village’s planning and zoning boards and building department,” Doherty said. “We hope to begin construction in the next six to nine months.”

It is uncertain as to when Panera

Panera Bread will be opening up a location in Huntington village, taking over closed Gerard Street restaurants Guido’s and NOMA. Bread will open, Doherty said, but he noted that it takes approximately 120 to 150 days for a café to open its doors after construction begins.

“We are excited to come to the village,” Doherty said. “Like all of our Long Island cafés, the communities are very

receptive to adding a warm and comfortable café with quality fresh-baked offerings, [and it’s] a business that supports many community organizations.”

Panera Bread bakery-cafes offer sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries, coffee and espresso drinks, and of course,

freshly baked bread. The franchise has 21 locations throughout Long Island, including one at the Walt Whitman Mall and one on Jericho Turnpike in East Northport.

Doherty said Panera Bread will hire about 50 employees for the new location.

HUNTINGTON STATION

Hero Honored For Save On Train Tracks dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Huntington Station’s Keith Tetrault, a town Public Safety officer for the last 15 years, was honored by the town board last week for rescuing a man who fell facefirst on to the tracks.

The incident occurred on the south side of the Huntington Rail Road station on Jan. 10.

Deputy Public Safety Director Dennis Ryan said Tetrault’s reaction proves something he knew – that Tetrault is one of the department’s best, especially on the night shift.

“He’s a real dedicated officer. He makes great decisions, he’s up on everything. He goes for training… he’s one of our go-to guys,” Ryan said. “It’s something a lot of people wouldn’t do. It was something that happened and he reacted. A lot of people in that situation would have run.”

That night, commuters rushed to Tetrault and told him what had happened. When he arrived on the scene, Tetrault discovered a grim situation.

“He was unconscious – blood all over his face and on his nose/mouth area,” he said. “He was choking on a lot of blood. It looks like he went down and hit straight on his face.”

Springing into action, Tetrault radioed for police and fire assistance and told LIRR employees in a nearby office of the incident. While they were at work diverting trains and powering down the tracks, Tetrault jumped onto the tracks and began

monitoring the victim’s pulse and keeping his airway clear.

“I felt bad, standing on top of the platform, seeing a man injured, shaking and severely injured,” the rescuer said. “I wanted to make sure I was down there, especially with my training.”

The veteran public safety officer might have been the best person to be on the scene. In addition to being a public safety officer for the town, Tetrault has been a Huntington Manor Fire Department volunteer for 22 years and a member of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad for 12 years. He’s also had emergency training with the LIRR, and participated in a train station drill over the summer.

As a result, he was able to follow his instincts, act on his concerns and let his training guide him.

“It was very, very reactionary. I just reacted,” Tetrault said. “Being in the [Huntington Manor] Fire Department for 22 years and Huntington Community First Aid Squad, we deal with these things…

After seeing all this – being through 9/11, the Avianca plane crash… I got that feeling where I was amped up afterwards because I realized what was going on.”

Before long, his colleagues from the Huntington Manor Fire Department and the Suffolk County Police Department were on the scene, helped Tetrault secure the victim on a backboard and collar, and got him off the tracks and into an ambulance. In the ambulance, the man, who had previously been unresponsive throughout the entire incident, started to

Half Hollow Hills photo/Danny Schrafel

By Danny Schrafel

Public Safety Officer Keith Tetrault is congratulated by the town board and Public Safety Director Ken Lindahl for rescuing a man who fell on the tracks at the Huntington train station. come around.

Huntington Community First Aid Squad spokeswoman Andrea Golinsky described Tetrault as a quiet, dedicated, no-nonsense volunteer.

“He’s a very nice person,” she said. “He does what he needs to do.”

This isn’t Tetrault’s first time being recognized by the town. In 2006, he

was honored for helping evacuate residents and their pets from a house fire in Huntington Station. He later helped find an elderly Alzheimer’s patient who had been missing for several days.

“He’s an outstanding citizen and a dedicated volunteer,” Huntington Manor Second Assistant Chief Frank McQuade said.

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HUNTINGTON

PBA Boss Leads Parade

The planning committee for the annual Huntington St. Patrick’s Parade with Grand Marshal Jeff Frayler, center, president of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association.

Jeff Frayler, President of the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association (PBA), will lead the St. Patrick’s Parade in Huntington as Grand Marshal this year.

Sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians John F. Kennedy Division, Huntington’s St. Patrick’s Parade steps off at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, beginning near the Huntington train station and marching north through Huntington village to the reviewing stand on Main Street at West Neck Road.

A former Marine sergeant and police officer, Frayler has served as PBA president since 1998 and previously as trustee for the organization for nearly a decade.

He is a highly decorated police officer who first joined the police force in 1975.

His awards and commendations include a Combat Gold Award, Exceptional Meritorious Police Duty Award and numerous other awards and commendations.

Frayler’s qualifications in police work are extensive. He is certified as a police instructor, firearms instructor and bomb technician, and trained in such specialized areas as hostage rescue, executive protection, bomb investigation, firearms training and tactical team development.

The parade will be a family affair of sorts.

Sons Brian, an MTA police officer, and Scott, a vice president of Mutual Incorporated, will be among the aides marching at Frayler’s side, and daughter Elizabeth will be one of the Colleens. (Another daughter,

Katie, is on a fellowship in Zimbabwe.) A fair amount of police brass will also be at his side. Additional Aides to the grand marshal will be Pat Lynch, president of the New York City PBA, James Carver, president of Nassau County PBA, James Burke, chief of department for Suffolk County Police, and Mike Applequist, financial secretary for Suffolk PBA. Joining them will be Regis O’Neil, a past grand marshal, and Clark Gillies, former NY Islanders captain.

The parade, the largest and longest running on Long Island, is second only to New York City’s in the number of pipe bands participating. This year, according to Applequist, paradegoers may see a Scottish “tattoo” (a marching band made up of many regiments), made up of piper from Suffolk, Nassau and New York City.

To pay the bands, and all of the other expenses associated with the parade weekend, members of the sponsoring Ancient Order of Hibernians are hitting the streets soliciting area businesses for sponsorship and advertising in the Parade Journal which will be published by Long Islander Newspapers and be included with the March 8 editions of The Long-Islander and Record newspapers.

Businesses can call Journal Chairman Andrew Brady at 631-673-0500 to place an ad.

The parade weekend kicks off with the Grand Marshal’s Ball, held this year at the Huntington Crescent Club.

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Sewer Bank Study OK’d Legislation directing Suffolk County to investigate the feasibility of establishing a sewer infrastructure bank was approved unanimously.

Sponsored by Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills), the law directs the county’s Planning and Public Works departments to file a report on how to create a public-private partnership to fund sewer system expansions and upgrades for existing facilities.

Stern has argued that creating an infrastructure bank would open the door to meeting countywide priorities like economic development, environmental protection and workforce housing.

“In these challenging economic times we are too often faced with the difficult decisions of making draconian cuts to vital services, such as public safety and health care, or repairing and expanding infrastructure,” Stern said. “This publicprivate partnership will support economic development and create local jobs

while protecting essential core services and taxpayer dollars.”

An infrastructure bank would pair seed money from the county with substantial private investments. For example, if the county was pursuing a $60million project, the county might put down $20 million and seek private investments for the remaining $40 million.

Such a bank would appeal to capital markets, pension funds and stakeholders in the sewer district, and investors seeking conservative investments with a reasonable rate of return, Stern said. Interest on the private investments would be paid with revenues from the new sewer district, allowing the county to avoid increased debt and debt service. Financial incentives for the investors would also be given for hitting certain benchmarks, like getting the project done early or under budget.

-SCHRAFEL

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A7

A8 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

Opinion

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ollow Hills Newspaper 149 M , Huntington, ain Street, New Y or e-mail us ork 11743 at info@long islanderne ws.com

Buying Locally… With Flair

It’s important to support the economy in down, is sweetening the deal with specials your own backyard by buying locally. We at the bar for cash mobbers starting at 5 all know it. Right? Yet it seems we all need p.m. to be reminded.

Each month a different location will be The Huntington Township Chamber of “mobbed” and retail locations will be seCommerce does more than its share of lected by a lottery process. that with its “It Starts Here… Buy Locally” What’s it do? It reminds people to supawareness campaign now entering its port the local economy by buying locally. third year. Currently the chamber’s Village What’s that do? It makes for a better Merchants Committee is launching a new community, because the folks who run effort with its first “cash mob” to be staged businesses in our downtowns are our tonight, Thursday, Feb. 16 in Huntneighbors who in turn spend EDITORIAL at their neighbors’ stores. ington village.

A “cash mob” is sort of like a The multiplier effect of “flash mob” – a spontaneous gathering every dollar spent at a downtown shop inbrought together by email or text message stead of on the internet is what keeps our to stage some kind of happening. The cash Main Street occupancy rates high, our mob – the first of what organizers hope to streets vibrant and our real estate values make a monthly event – will converge at 6 up. Through sales tax it funnels money to p.m. sharp at a single retail location, in local government, reducing the burden on this case, Value Drugs. Each member of property tax payers. the “mob,” which organizers hope will be While the cash mob is in Huntington vil100-strong or better – will be asked to lage, the concept of buying locally is one spend at least $20. For their part, the store we should all practice every day. The cash is offering a discount to participants. mob is one way to remind ourselves of that Honu restaurant, located a few doors while having a little fun.

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

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Looking Out For Mass Transit Riders Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the Honorable John Boehner, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

DEAR SPEAKER BOEHNER: We the public transportation riders’ organizations representing commuters around the nation are writing to you on an issue of utmost and immediate concern to millions of Americans who commute to work daily by mass transit. We have come together because, as you know, the cost of commuting by public transportation is a substantial expense for working families, and fare increases resulting from financial strains on transit systems mean that this burden is becoming even greater. Many of our riders rely on pre-tax commuter fringe benefits to defray their cost of commuting. For the last two years, the maximum public transportation

benefit has been made equal to a similar parking benefit available to those driving to work. Because these higher levels were not extended, however, the maximum available transit benefit has nearly been cut in half. This is effectively a tax increase that hardworking Americans can ill afford, and we call on Congress to correct this failure without delay by immediately reinstating and making permanent the higher benefit limits prevailing in 2011.

We urge you to support the permanent restoration of parity between the parking and transit benefit provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, as reflected in H.R. 2412. As Congress failed to act on this vital issue by Dec. 31, 2011, the maximum transit and vanpool benefit reverted from its prior level of $230 per month to $125 per month at the end of 2011. This provision of the tax code is valuable not only to workers, who are able to pay

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

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

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

for commuting with pre-tax dollars or an employer-provided benefit, but also for employers who can exclude these benefits from the calculation of employment-related taxes that they must pay. Allowing parity provisions to expire has unfairly hit the pocketbooks of millions of American mass transit riders and the tens of thousands of employers who provide commuter benefits.

Legislation introduced last year by Congressman Jim McGovern (MA), the “Commuter Benefits Equity Act” (H.R. 2412), would establish permanent parity between workers’ pre-tax parking and transit benefits by increasing the maximum transit and vanpool benefit to a level equivalent to the maximum benefit for parking. We ask that you to personally support the restoration of these higher pre-tax transit benefit limits and to work to promptly approve legislation to accomplish this result.

Action on this issue would resolve uncertainty as to the authorized maximum level of the benefit and would provide American workers with a greater incentive to use public transportation and vanpools for their commute. This would in turn help to ease traffic congestion, reduce dependency on foreign sources of oil, and provide small businesses and other employers with a financial incentive to help employees increase their disposable income. This is a particularly effective example of how targeted federal policy can achieve important aims while improving the economic situation of both employers and workers.

We urge you to give this important matter your prompt attention and to ensure that legislation permanently restoring parity between pretax transit fringe benefits and commuter parking benefits is immediately brought to the floor of the House for ap-

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

James Calandrino Ian Blanco Production/ Art Department

proval. This is a critical issue for American workers, and public transportation commuters and their employers appreciate your support in restoring this important tax provision.

LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD COMMUTER COUNCIL

Along with 17 other public transportation riders’ organizations

Correction In the article “Beating The ‘Silent Killer’ At Its Own Game” on Jan. 19, Huntington Hospital, in conjunction with North Shore-LIJ Health System, did not offer a screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm at their free heart health screening on Feb. 10.

The screening included cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and electrocardiogram.

Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor

Linda Gilbert Office / Legals

Susan Mandel Advertising Director Michele Caro Larry Stahl Account Executives

149 Main Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000

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HISTORY

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A9

Life&Style

Vanderbilt’s Chrysler Nets An ‘Imperial’ $275K Money will be used to launch endowment fund for maintaining archives and exhibits

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com

A one-of-a-kind Chrysler from 1937 has earned the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium $275,000, museum officials announced last week – and the car will be staying on Long Island.

After all of the sealed bids were reviewed, Howard Kroplick of East Hills, was the top bidder, winning the right to buy the museum’s 1937 Chrysler Imperial Town Car for $275,000. Minimum bids started at $125,000; appraisals put the value of the car as high as $307,750.

The money raised by the sale will be used to launch an endowment for care and maintenance of the Vanderbilt’s historic archives, collections and exhibitions.

“Selling this Art Deco gem will enable us to create an endowment fund to preserve and care for the Vanderbilt collections,” Interim Director Lance Reinheimer said. “We’re thrilled that Howard Kroplick, a passionate automotive historian and collector, is going to meticulously restore this unique piece of American automobile history.”

The 4-ton, 19-foot-long luxury car was built for Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, the daughter of Chrysler founder Walter P. Chrysler; her initials were engraved in the vehicle. Powered by a 130-horsepower inline eight-cylinder engine, the special Imperial boasts Art Deco design influences and a hand-hammered aluminum roof and doors. Features include a small, circular porthole window with a privacy cover, a rear passenger clock, leather upholstery, gray horsehair seats

The Vanderbilt Museum’s historic 1937 Chrysler Imperial Town Car, with coach work by LeBaron, has been sold to Vanderbilt Cup and Motor Parkway historian Howard Kroplick for $275,000. and a removable top for the driver’s compartment.

Kroplick, 62, is chairman emeritus of The Impact Group, a medical communications company, and currently serves as the Town of North Hempstead’s historian. He’s also a major Vanderbilt Cup buff who published a book on the topic in 2008 and runs VanderbiltCupRaces.com.

He owns several classic cars, including a 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350H and a 1909 Alco-6 Black Beast racer that won the 1909 and 1910 Vanderbilt Cups and was in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race in 1911.

“I had a lot of fun with that car and I’m looking to revive this car [the Chrysler] as a historic Long Island car so we can show

it throughout Long Island in car shows and bring it back to the Vanderbilt for exhibits and car shows,” Kroplick said.

He is also president of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society, which is dedicated to preserving the first American road built exclusively for automobiles. William K. Vanderbilt II built the road with his business associates.

While Kroplick said the history of the car was a major draw, he was also attracted by the fact that his purchase would directly benefit an organization he supports.

“I have conducted research at the Vanderbilt Museum during the past nine years and am particularly pleased that the proceeds will help maintain the mu-

seum’s historic archives and collections,” he said.

He first learned about the car in September 2010, when he went to the Vanderbilt’s cottage to pick up their 1909 Rio Gentleman’s Roadster for an exhibit.

“I went down to their cottage, and in the corner I saw this very unusual-looking Chrysler,” Kroplick said.

The Imperial Town Car has 25,501 miles on the odometer. The museum decided to sell it because the car had no ties the Vanderbilts and the museum did not have the means to restore it or the venue to display it. Huntington resident Harry Gilbert donated the Imperial and the Gentleman’s to the Vanderbilt in 1959.

Kroplick’s first step will be to bring in experts to analyze the car and determine the next steps on preservation and restoration. After he has a road map, he’ll bring in classic car and Chrysler restoration experts to quote a price and begin work on the historic car.

“The Chrysler is going to be a different kind of project because it’s going to require some massive love and restoration,” he said, comparing it to restoration work for his Alco Black Beast.

The Chrysler, which was on display at the Vanderbilt for a number of years, was later sent to the Long Island Automotive Museum in Southampton, where it remained until June 1992, when it was returned to the Vanderbilt and “de-accessed” months later – in museum lexicon, removing and selling a piece of the museum’s collection. It remained in storage until 2006, when it was returned to the Vanderbilt estate.

ART

Historical Figures Featured In Local Gallery

By Jasmine Weber info@longislandernews.com

Sands Point artist Dan Christoffel has featured historical icons in his art for decades, focusing heavily on worldrenowned poet Walt Whitman and Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th president. The artist’s portraits of both figureheads are currently on display in Huntington at the Huntington Arts Council’s Main Street Petite Gallery.

Christoffel uses a multitude of mediums, including charcoal, acrylics and graphite. He portrays the men with similar, stoic expressions in most of the works, but his additions, some subtle and others obvious, evoke very different emotions in each of his pieces. Most works are on sale for between $500 and $3,000.

In one work, Christoffel gets up close and personal, zooming in on Lincoln’s eyes. In another he displays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on his chest, both made using different mediums. The works may be featuring the same subject, but

are still almost incomparable.

Christoffel was inspired to feature Lincoln in his artwork after he was commissioned for the United States bicentennial in 1976.

“I researched and realized the quintessential American is Abraham Lincoln,” said Christoffel, who collected biographies on the life of the deceased president. “Often great authors and the way they portray Lincoln influences me.”

His passion for Whitman, founder of The Long-Islander, started in the 1990s, prompting him to get involved in the Walt Whitman Society. Next to his portraits in the gallery are some of Whitman’s quotes.

As a child, Christoffel received support from his parents for his passion for art, attending classes at the Art Students League of New York, and going on to major in art at SUNY New Paltz.

At age 74, Christoffel, a grandfather and professional artist, continues to teach art at LIU Post and Adelphi University after retiring from his 40-year

tenure as an art teacher at Bellmore High School.

His exhibition featuring Lincoln and Whitman is on display on 213 Main St. in Huntington in the Main Street Petite

Gallery. The gallery is open to the public weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. until March 19. The gallery’s opening reception will be on March 4 from 2-4 p.m., with a talk by Christoffel at 2:30 p.m.

Artist Dan Christoffel focuses his art on poet Walt Whitman and President Abraham Lincoln.

His portraits of both are on display in Huntington.

A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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The

Foodie SECTION

Zaro’s: A Family Affair

Zaro’s Cafe in Huntington Station brings Greek and Italian cuisine with an eye for freshness steeped in Mediterranean family traditions. From right, business manager Corinne Zaro, restaurant manager Cynthia Zaro-Solunias and their nephew Edmund Zaro Foodie photos/Danny Schrafel

By Danny Schrafel foodie@longislandernews.com

On their website, the owners of Zaro’s Café in Huntington Station lay out a very simple mission statement: “It’s all about the food.” And that food – and their business philosophy – is deeply rooted in family.

Founded in 1993 by Sue and Ed Zaro, the couple called on their Mediterranean roots to bring what they believe was the first Italian-Greek restaurant to Long Island.

Eighteen years later, Zaro’s remains family owned and operated, a community hub rich with familiarity, a personal touch and generous portions. Cynthia Zaro-Solounias, the restaurant’s outgoing, gregarious manager, is the welcoming voice you’ll hear from the counter when you arrive; her sister, Corinne Zaro, handles much of the business operations, and each of the Zaro brothers and sisters pitch in as well.

During our visit, we focused on the Greek classics, although the well-stocked pizza case on the counter certainly caught our attention. Some Italian favorites, Zaro said, include fried calamari ($9.95), Baked Clams Oreganate ($8.25) and Zuppa Di Cosse ($8.50) – steamed mussels served in white wine garlic or garlic plum tomato sauce.

We got started with a generous helping of hummus ($6.75), served with pita wedges, tomatoes, olives and cucumber slices that are ideal for scooping up the Greek chickpea staple. Next was a bowl of Avgolemono, or Greek Lemon soup ($4.50), a creamy, mild dish with chunks of tender chicken, rice and vegetables. It has a bright, citrusy finish.

For the main course, we sampled a platter of Greek classics, including their popular Greek salad ($6.75 small; $9 large), gyros ($6.95 sandwich, $14.50 for dinner platter), chicken souvlaki ($7.25 sandwich, $15.50 for dinner platter) and Spanakopita ($5.50), spinach pie. The gyro was particularly tender and flavorful, which Zaro said is thanks to using top-quality meats, all-natural ingredients and no preservatives. Large, tender chunks of chicken souvlaki have a great

Greek staples like gyro, souvlaki and spanakopita (spinach pie) shine at Zaro’s. peppery, grilled taste. The spinach pie is especially satisfying, crispy and fresh.

From its roots as a neighborhood eatery, Zaro’s Café is expanding its reach into other segments. They offer catering for affairs of all sizes and wholesaling their rich, flavorful tzatziki sauce, marinara sauce, hummus and vinaigrette dressing. Several markets in Manhattan, Corinne added, have picked up their spinach pie, and private labeling is also a growing market for the family business.

As we bid our farewells that afternoon, we were given dessert for the road – homemade baklava ($3.50), crunchy, flaky and sweet, with a little bit of a salty note. Of note are the shaved pistachios atop the baklava. It’s attention to detail like that which will always make you feel like an old friend when you come by.

Zaro’s Café 135-6 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station 631-271-4400 www.zaroscafe.com Atmosphere: Cozy, familiar neighborhood eatery Cusiine: Traditional Greek and Italian Price: Inexpesnive Hours: Closed Monday; TuesdaySaturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 3-9 p.m.

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Side Dish DINE HUNTINGTON.COM

By DineHuntington.com Foodie@longislandernews.com

SMALL PLATES, BIG GLASSES: Vitae Restaurant and Wine Bar (54 New St., Huntington 631-385-1919 www.vitaeli.com) hosts its monthly wine tasting on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 3-5 p.m. The flight includes Argentina and Chile estate wines paired with small plate selections, prepared by Executive Chef Steven Del Lima, at $40 plus tax and gratuity. The tasting will be educational. Conducted by Luciano Castiello of Castello Banfi, it will include: Trivento “Amado Sur” Torrontes – Mendoza, Argentina; Emiliana “Natura” Carmenere, Chile; Trivento “Amado Sur” Malbec Reserve, Argentina; Coyam Emiliana, Colchagua Valley, Chile.

BUY LOCAL, EAT LOCAL, DRINK LOCAL: Planning on joining the “cash mob” converging in Huntington village Thursday? Organized by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce’s Village Merchants Committee, the cash mob will remind folks of the importance of shopping local. Cash mobbers will converge on Value Drugs and start shopping at 6 p.m. sharp on Feb. 16. The store is throwing in a 20-percent discount to cash mobbers, but to make the whole thing even more fun, Honu Kitchen and Cocktails – located right next door – will get folks in a spending mood, offering $5 drinks, wine by the glass, even martinis – along with complimentary hors d’oeurvres to cash

Executive Chef Joseph Balbo has special dishes in store for his Chef’s Week, beginning Feb. 27. mob shoppers beginning at 5 p.m.

THINK ITALIAN: Not that the Foodies need an excuse to eat Italian, but for those who do, Porto Vivo (7 Gerard St., Huntington 631-385-8486 pww.porto-vivo.com) Executive Chef Joseph Balbo has put together Chef ’s Week in celebration of his Italian heritage. From Feb. 27 through March 4, in addition to Balbo’s signature dishes, Porto-Vivo will feature specials on everything Italian – something different every night. Mangia!

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A11

A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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DIX HILLS

Sons Of Italy Lodge Welcomes Songstress

Italian singer Giada Valenti packed the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Feb. 4, delivering a captivating performance of Italian and American classics. The audience was filled with members of the Sons of Italy, including many from the Northport-based Perry Como Lodge, for whom Valenti sang at their anniversary gala in November. After the show, Perry Como Lodge representatives Fran Felpo, editor of the lodge’s newsletter “The Lion’s Raaw,” and President Charlie Lucie gave Valenti the latest copy of the “Raaw,” signed by lodge members.

School Notebook

Compiled by Luann Dallojacono Photo by Felice Kristall

Signal Hill students celebrate the 100th day of school.

The Number Of The Day… 100!

Feb. 13th marked the 100th day of school, leaving only 81 more days of attendance until summer vacation.

Many of the younger elementary students celebrated this milestone in creative ways.

At Signal Hill Elementary, kindergartners created tshirts with 100 stickers, sew-ons, and buttons, wore special hats, and counted 100 beads which were then strung to make a necklace.

At Paumanok Elementary, every second-grader brought in a can of food, collecting 100 cans (plus) for the 100th day, representing 100 acts of kindness. The canned food products will be donated to Manorfield Food Pantry in Huntington Station, a subsidiary of Family Service League.

Hills Hosts Legislative Luncheon There were more aides than elected officials at Half Hollow Hills’ annual Legislative Luncheon, but that didn’t stop student leaders from making the event count.

The Legislative Committee of Half Hollow Hills’ PTA Council hosted their annual Legislative Luncheon at The Fran Greenspan Administration Center earlier this month. Attendees included elected local and state officials, district administrators and high school students.

However, last minute, most officials sent their aides to represent them because Governor Andrew Cuomo scheduled a press conference on Long Island to discuss his budget.

While student leaders emphasized the educational opportunities in Half Hollow Hills, speakers focused on the challenges of the tax cap and multi-million-

Meet the students from Half Hollow Hills High Schools East and West who are participants on the district’s Legislative Committee.

“DJ Mr. B” gets the music pumping at Pauma-Palooza.

Hills East’s Vocal Jazz group, directed by Danielle McCroy, sang The National Anthem. dollar reductions in the school budget. The event was co-chaired by Carolyn Cipriano and Michael Petruzzelli.

The boys on Paumanok’s street… singing karaoke.

A Pauma-Palooza!

This year’s theme for Paumanok Elementary School’s annual curriculum fair was music. Dubbed “PaumaPalooza,” it was a celebration of everything music across the curriculum. Each grade level had a special focus: “Kindergarten Rocks,” first grade – “Rockin’ in the U.S.A.”, second grade – “Moving Through Music,” third grade – “Hall of Fame,” fourth grade – “Let the Music Play,” and fifth grade – “Hard Rock Café.”

The building had a beat of its own Jan. 26, with live performances from the School of Rock, Garage Band technology, Dance Dance Revolution, a DJ booth, and games, crafts, karaoke and brain teasers.

These girls play in musical harmony.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A13

A Place To Call Your Own...

The Chateau hosts only one event per day

The Piano Studio for Kids owner Diane Garetano poses with student in one of her Greenlawn lesson rooms.

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Sweet 16’s, Anniversary Parties & Birthday Celebrations Call now as dates are booking fast!

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Piano teacher expands business in 20 years Spotlight On

Huntington Businesses

By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Music became a way of life for Diane Garetano when she was a child. Now, she wants to return the favor.

Garetano, of Huntington, owns The Piano Studio for Kids. With locations in Greenlawn and Smithtown after 20 years in business, the main goal is solely about sharing the love of music.

“I had a teacher that made it so important and exciting for me,” she said, noting she’s watched her young students grow. “The most exciting thing is watching them grow as musicians and some of my students, who I’ve had since kindergarten, go on to be music majors in college.”

The business had its very beginnings in the basement of Garetano’s Huntington Station home. A music education graduate from Hofstra University, she taught piano lessons while doing other jobs.

Within the first year, Garetano rented her first retail space in Greenlawn. Another year or two later, she hired her first teacher. It’s been about eight years since they opened the Smithtown location.

Just recently, The Piano Studio celebrated the grand opening of their new Greenlawn location. On Broadway, the new venue is an obvious downstairs storefront – an improvement on being tucked away in a second floor.

“There were people who didn’t even know we were there after 20 years,” Garetano said.

About 100 students attend weekly 30minute piano, guitar or violin lessons taught by 12 teachers, including the owner. Students learn scales, how to sight read and prepare for NYSSMA competitions.

Every teacher at The Piano Studio is rigorously trained to ensure they can connect with and properly educate students, said Garetano. That means in addition to their college degrees, each new hire must complete several weeks of training before they can work with students.

“Our teachers are young and fun,” the owner added.

And while Garetano makes an effort to properly train her staff, she only sells what they can provide. Her crew of teachers has success teaching just the three instruments they offer and their boss has no intentions of rapidly expanding the selection.

“I won’t add an instrument until I know I have a great, great teacher teaching it. If I can’t have the kids loving what they do, it’s not a good reflection on me or the studio,” Garetano said, adding that violin lessons are very new.

A month’s worth of weekly lessons at The Piano Store runs $110 a month, regardless of how many lessons that entails. And while the owner boasted about her reasonable prices, she also allows lessons to include multiple students.

“I don’t do this to make a million dollars. I do this because I love it. I’ll allow a parent to send whatever children they want to that time slot. They can have two siblings go together, they can split it up…” she said.

Garetano also participates in the Town of Huntington’s Parks and Recreation’s Saturday program, through which groups of children are taught art, karate, music and a wide variety of other subjects for a very low rate.

“The relationship with the parents and kids is the most important thing.

It’s what I love to do – make the kids happy and love music is the no. 1 goal,” she said.

The Piano Studio for Kids 52 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-754-4100 www.thepianostudioforkids.com

Coindre Hall ,

www.lessings.com

Huntington, New York 101 Brown’s Road 631-751-0339

@

School In Tune With Musical Message

@

TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 THURSDAY Hard Luck Café The Folk Music Society of Huntington takes over the Cinema Arts Centre’s Sky Room Feb. 16 for its’ Hard Luck Café series. Carolann Solebello and Bob Westcott will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. (open mic sign-up at 7 p.m.) $10 general/$7 FMSH and CAC members. 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.fmsh.org.

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O M M U N I T Y

Calendar

Women Inspiring Women

3-On-3 Hoops Tourney

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

SATURDAY

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

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

Group meets Thursdays – Feb. 16 and 23 – 79 p.m. at the Women’s Center, 125 Main St., Huntington. $10 members/$15 non-members, per session. Take time to explore yourself, your values, your relationships, your dreams and your hopes. 631-549-0485 The Town of Huntington Parks and Recreation Department is offering a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for children in grades 5-6 and 7-8 on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 respectively from 9 a.m-1 p.m. at Walt Whitman High School. Teams consist of four players. Trophies and T-shirts will be given out. Children must coach themselves.

No AAU players or teams are permitted. The cost is $78 per team. Registration starts Jan. 26 online at tohparks.com and in person at the Parks and Recreation Department in Town Hall Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. or at the Dix Hills Ice Rink Monday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

Call 631-351-3071.

• Local historian Rex Metcalf highlights notable African Americans in Huntington’s history within the context of several migrations from the 1600s to 1900s, noting what they did, where they lived, and where they were buried, in a presentation Thursday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m. in Huntington.

• Author and playwright Gregory Murphy discusses his book, “Incognito,” Saturday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. in Huntington.

South Huntington Public Library

“Lend Me A Tenor” February ends on a high note at the Dix Hills Performing Arts Center, when the theatrical comedy “Lend Me a Tenor,” is produced Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. Winner of three Tony awards and four Drama Desk awards, Lend Me A Tenor is about the opera, set in 1934. $15 general/$12 seniors and students.

The center is located at Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org. on Thursday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m.- noon.; Paumanack Village V & VI (Melville) on Tuesdays, Feb. 14 and March 13, 9 a.m.noon. and Huntington Library on Monday, March 12, 10 a.m.- noon. 631-853-8200.

learn how to develop your own meditation program Monday, Feb. 20, 7-8 p.m.

• A professional makeup artist will give helpful tips on applying makeup Tuesday, Feb. 21, 78:30 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group

Deer Park Public Library

Conducted by Jewish Association Serving the Aging, a caregiver support group meets Feb. 21, 6-7 p.m. at The Bristal, 760 Larkfield Road, East Northport. RSVP recommended; contact Patricia Damm at 631-858-0100 or pdamm@thebristal.com. This group is intended for but not limited to family members and friends of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease and other memory impairments.

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

• Students in grades 4-6 can use their forensic skills to figure out who committed a crime in the library on Feb. 22, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Lift fingerprints and study hair samples.

145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station.

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

• The Friends of the South Huntington Library have partnered with the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport to offer discount tickets to performances. Library patrons can save $5 per ticket, and in turn, the theater will donate $10 to the Friends of the Library. Use the promo code SHPL. • Social media is everywhere, and if used properly it can aid a person in creating a powerful online presence. A workshop Saturday, Feb. 18, 2:30-4:30 p.m. will walk you through applications like Twitter, Facebook, Google +, YouTube and various blogging platforms.

THEATER and FILM

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

Stopping Bullying Local author Jamie Isaacs will sign her book, “In Jamie's Words,” on Feb. 18, 7 p.m. at Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington. She is a survivor of over six years of intense bullying and helped to write and pass two anti-bullying laws, and to have legislation passed that created an Anti-Bullying Task Force. 631-271-1442.

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

MONDAY

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

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

RSVP a must.

Aging And Saging

Power Breakfast

Deal with changes in your life with a splash of empathy and humor at the Aging and Saging support group. Meets Mondays except holidays from 10 a.m.-noon at the Women’s Center, 125 Main St., Huntington. 631-549-0485. $10 members, $15 non-members, per session.

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

TUESDAY

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

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

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

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

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

• Join the Mother’s Club of Wheatley Heights & Concerned Fathers as they celebrate the achievements of African Americans in a Black History Month celebration Sunday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m.

Bare Bones Theater at the Posey School, 57 Main St., Northport. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/213059.

1-800-838-3006 • “The Monkey King,” an original thriller/comedy written and directed by Long Island native Don Intonato, takes the stage Feb. 16-18, 8 p.m. and Feb. 19, 4 p.m. $20.

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

• The centre celebrates Black History Month with six movies and guests Feb. 17-27: “Pariah” starts Feb. 17 with producer Nekisa Cooper appearing at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 18; “Josephine Baker: Black Diva In A White Man’s World” on Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m.; “The Black Power Mix Tape: 1967-1975” on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.; “Paradox” at 6 p.m. and “One People” at 8 p.m. on Feb. 23; and “From Mambo To Hip Hop: A South Bronx Tale” on Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m. $9 members/$13 public (except “Pariah,” which is regular admission).

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

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

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

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport

AT THE LIBRARIES

Visits From Senior Advocates

Cold Spring Harbor Library

Senior advocates will assist seniors with food stamps, Medicare savings programs, Medicaid applications and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications, as well as answer questions and make additional recommendations and referrals on several days throughout the winter: Huntington Nutrition Center on Wednesdays, Feb. 29 and March 28, 9 a.m.; Paumanack Village I & II (Greenlawn) on Tuesdays, Feb. 21 and March 27, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; South Huntington Library on Thursdays, Jan. 26 and March 22, 10-11:30 a.m.; Paumanack Village III & IV (Greenlawn)

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

• Learn the principles and elements of floral design from award-winning floral designer Liz Piazza on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $35.

• Men’s Bridge meets Tuesday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

• Join instructor Tildet Varon Schoenbrot and

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

• Teens can join others who share a passion of writing and storytelling on Friday, Feb. 17, 5 p.m. Local and published author Teresa Tomasino will offer tips and techniques to enhance your writing.

• Learn how to play Bridge in a six-week class starting Tuesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. $10.

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

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

350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631-261-2900.

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

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

Tilles Center For The Performing Arts On the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-3100.

• Tony award-winning musical “Fiddler on the Roof” comes to Tilles Center for two performances Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 and 7 p.m.

(Continued on page A15)

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A15

(Continued from page A14)

Moves From An All-Male Dance Troupe

Tickets are $77, $62, and $47.

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

Take everything you've ever thought about ballet and modern dance and forget it. The all-male dance troupe Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo perform Friday, Feb. 24, 8 p.m. at the Tilles Center For The Performing Arts, and they are bringing their tutus and tights with them.

The evening's program includes Swan Lake, a post-modern dance movement essay entitled “Patterns in Space,” and “Go for Barocco,” a satire on George Balanchine's choreography. Tickets are $67, $54 and $42. The center is on the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-3100.

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

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

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

• Artists Choice is on display through Feb. 26.

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

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

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

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

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

• Enjoy “Flubber” and fun this President’s Day, Feb. 20, noon and 3 p.m. by watching the Disney film and creating your own batch of slime.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. 631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org.

• Entries for the 10th Annual Juried Portrait Show, which will run from March 23-May 7, are due Feb. 27. Long Island artist Kevin McEvoy will serve as juror. For a prospectus, visit www.huntingtonarts.org or contact Florence Dallari 631-271-8423 ext. 12.

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

Discovery Museum provides hands-on exhibits and programs for children 3-13 years old and their families, classes and camps.

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

Helping Runaway Kids Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

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

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

• Enjoy supper and spirits at the speakeasythemed restaurant Huntington Social Thursday, Feb. 16, 1-3 p.m. Enjoy a special menu and learn about “Huntington's Winter Carnival, 1907-1920,” a lecture by Executive Coordinator Robert “Toby” Kissam. $40 members/$45 non-members (includes lunch & lecture), Call ext. 401 for reservations.

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Take an informative, guided walking tour of Northport's historic Main Street business district Sunday, Feb. 19 at 1:30 p.m. $5.

• “History Takes A Vacation” Feb. 21-23 will educate and entertain children in grades 2-6 with Snowy Scavenger Hunt (Tuesday), OldFashioned Games (Wednesday), and What if You Lived in . . . 1962? (Thursday). 9:30 a.m.-noon. $20/day for members; $25/day for nonmembers. (All three days: $50 members/$65 non-members.)

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

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

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

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

• The Birthplace can keep the kids busy during Presidents’ Week. “Victorian Tea Party” will be offered Monday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m. $8; “Make a Cornhusk Figure” on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2 p.m. $8; “Make an Electric Circuit” on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m., $15. Call ext.

113 or email educator@waltwhitman.org to register.

MUSIC & DANCE Long Island Violin Shop 8 Elm St., Huntington village. 631-427-3569. liviolinshop.com.

• The shop and String Poet present “A Tribute to Nassau County Poets Laureate,” with the poetry of Linda Opyr, Gayl Teller and Maxwell Wheat, and a program of music for violin and piano featuring violinist Janet Packer and pianist Geoffrey Burleson, on Saturday, Feb. 18, 5 p.m. $7 in advance/online, $8 at the door.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• The Alan & Helene Rosenberg Jewish

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

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

Friends At Home Looking to earn some community service hours while changing a life? As part of the

Share your ideas and opinions on how Huntington Sanctuary, a program of the Huntington Youth Bureau, can help youth ages 12-21 who run away or who are at risk of running away. The group’s advisory board meets one Thursday a month at 6 p.m. Call 631-271-2183.

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

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

631-924-6700 ext 212.

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.

Time For Meals On Wheels Meals On Wheels of Huntington is in need of men and women to be volunteers, who work in teams, delivering midday meals to shut-ins. Two hours required, one day a week. Substitutes also needed to fill in when regular drivers are unavailable. There is also a pressing need for nurses who can volunteer to screen potential clients. Times are flexible. 631-271-5150.

Nursing/Rehab Center Needs Help Our Lady of Consolation, a 450-bed nursing and rehabilitative care center located at 111 Beach Drive in West Islip, is seeking compassionate individuals willing to volunteer their time as transporters, Eucharistic Ministers, office assistants, recreational therapy assistants and spiritual care companions. Volunteers needed seven days a week, days and evenings. Age 14 and older only. 631-5871600, ext. 8223 or 8228.

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

A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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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

35 Stonywell Ct Bedrooms 5 Baths 4 Price $899,000 Taxes $17,222 Open House 2/18 1 - 3 pm Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-4444

MELVILLE

4 Inwood Pl Bedrooms 5 Baths 3 Price $549,999 Taxes $5,724 Open House 2/18 1 - 3 pm Coldwell Banker Residential 631-673-4444

Town Address Beds Baths Price Taxes Date E. Northport 104 5th Ave 4 2 $369,990 $7,507 2/16 Huntington 15 Southdown Ct 3 3 $725,000 $18,236 2/16 Dix Hills 101 Fig Dr 5 5 $1,499,000 $25,505 2/16 Northport 901 Fort Salonga Rd 3 2 $349,000 $6,563 2/18 Huntington Sta 75 E Rogues Path 5 4 $439,900 $12,919 2/18 E. Northport 24 Rocco Dr 3 2 $499,000 $7,390 2/18 Northport 22 Glenview Ave 4 2 $529,000 $12,282 2/18 Centerport 19 Morahapa Rd 4 4 $729,000 $16,712 2/18 Northport 22 Brookfield Rd 4 4 $798,876 $18,963 2/18 Dix Hills 35 Stonywell Ct 5 4 $899,000 $17,222 2/18 Cold Spring Hrbr21 Fox Hunt Ln 4 5 $1,549,000 $22,123 2/18 Commack 18 Olga Ln 3 2 $299,000 $10,066 2/19 Huntington Sta 18 Armell St 3 1 $299,000 $7,793 2/19 Northport 6 Louisa Ct 3 1 $339,000 $8,491 2/19 S. Huntington 2 Rushmore St 3 1 $339,000 $8,899 2/19 Huntington 80 Brennan St 5 2 $349,000 $10,581 2/19 Huntington Sta 24 Winoka Dr 3 3 $349,000 $10,364 2/19 E. Northport 31 Meadow Haven Ln 4 2 $359,000 $9,439 2/19 E. Northport 22 Upland Dr 3 2 $449,000 $5,099 2/19 E. Northport 204 Cedrus Ave 4 2 $455,000 $12,197 2/19 Northport 4 N Creek Rd 4 2 $479,000 $14,180 2/19 Melville 44 Villas Cir 3 3 $499,900 $9,550 2/19 Greenlawn 20 Duquesne Dr 6 4 $529,000 $13,479 2/19 S. Huntington 5 Longwood Dr 3 2 $539,000 $17,346 2/19 Melville 4 Inwood Pl 5 3 $549,999 $10,074 2/19 Dix Hills 9 W Shoreham Dr 4 2 $569,000 $15,267 2/19 Huntington 87 Madison St 5 3 $595,000 $14,113 2/19 Huntington 257 Nassau Rd 4 4 $599,000 $17,736 2/19 Dix Hills 19 Crawford Dr 4 2 $599,999 $12,208 2/19 Huntington 55 Saint Andrews Dr 3 2 $679,000 $9,368 2/19 Huntington 9 Alden Ln 4 3 $699,000 $14,287 2/19 S. Huntington 14 Saddle Ln 4 3 $749,000 $13,714 2/19 Dix Hills 60 Buttonwood Dr 4 3 $764,000 $18,413 2/19 Northport 1 Nautilus Ave 4 3 $849,000 $10,744 2/19 Eatons Neck 27 Westview Rd 4 3 $850,000 $15,868 2/19 Huntington Bay 10 Locust Ln 6 4 $1,050,000 $18,012 2/19 Cold Spring Hrbr42 Snowball Dr 5 3 $1,080,000 $25,078 2/19 Asharoken 9 Kew Ct 5 4 $1,699,000 $18,132 2/19 Dix Hills 50 Landview Dr 6 6 $1,799,000 N/A 2/19 Huntington Bay 200 East Shore Rd 3 3 $1,800,000 $23,616 2/19 Melville 12 Westwood Dr 6 4 $2,495,000 $30,247 2/19

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ANSWER TO LAST WEEK’S CRYPTOQUIP OLD-TIME GAME SHOW IN WHICH PLAYERS POSED QUESTIONS TO RICH LOS ANGELES ESTATE OWNERS: “HOLLYWOOD SQUIRES” Published Date Feb 2, 2012 ©2012 by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A17

PA G E

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A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012 • A19

Unity in the community

Students from Hills East dress their traditional best.

Venettes Cultural Workshop sings the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

(Continued from page A1)

artistic talents of students.

Co-chairs Parish Swaby and Michele Cole began the festivities with an inspirational video featuring Candlewood eighthgrader Jake Willinger, followed by a moving tribute to Whitney Houston, sung by Hills West sophomore Ashley Crocker.

Other performances included the Venettes Cultural Workshop, Hills West AASO, Wranglerettes, cheerleaders and steppers, Tri-M Music Society, Candle-

wood’s Jazz Band, West Hollow’s Sweet Sixteeners Choral Ensemble, Vanderbilt’s new Vocal Jazz group, Hills “Idols,” Chinese School of Dance, Hills on Stage, Taiko Drums of Japan, Hills East’s Hip-hoppers and Indian Club, and Jenna Rose from West Hollow.

Craft activities sponsored by various clubs and organizations included button-making, face painting, beading, flower pot decoration, masks, and valentine cards.

Hills “Idols” wowed the crowds with the harmonious rendition of “We Are The World,” led by PTA Council Past President Corrie Ann Young.

Budget cuts explained (Continued from page A3)

ings there total $600,000.

The school board also plans to reduce the use of teacher substitutes and chaperones as well as monitor overtime, which they anticipate will save an additional $580,000.

The proposed budget also calls for a reduction in extracurricular activities and eliminating the combined musical for Candlewood and West Hollow middle schools, which shaves another $445,000.

“When Dr. Karnilow proposed a combined middle school musical eight years ago, he asked if I would direct it,” said Lucille Kenney, former director of the combined musicals. “We started the first Candlewood and West Hollow combined musical and presented ‘Fiddler on the Roof.’ It is sad to see the program ending after such success. However, the District must cut spending in all areas.”

Mandatory lunch at the high schools will be implemented which school officials said will help students effectively schedule electives. The requirement that all high school students have a lunch pe-

riod will result in a reduction in both the number of electives available within the family and consumer science and business departments as well as 2.5 positions in other academic departments.

Other reductions include athletic equipment, textbooks and the Safety Sally program, which teaches students the importance of bus safety, and building supplies, totaling $545,000 in cuts.

The district will no longer be printing and mailing home the district calendar.

The calendar will be available on the district’s website, saving another $11,000.

The supervisor’s building assistants and curriculum liaisons will be eliminated next year, which saves the district $534,000, and changes in the school’s public relations contract will save an additional $30,000.

“It is our hope that we are providing you with the detail that you are looking for,” Fallon said.

Specifics on the budget can be found on the school district’s website.

The next meeting will be at Otsego Elementary School on March 5 at 8 p.m.

Town to spend $24K on Round Swamp Road (Continued from page A1)

traffic light, while the junction with the Northern State could either see a roundabout or traffic light. The state’s Department of Transportation is also involved in discussions about the latter.

The money authorized to GreenmanPederson Engineering and Construction Services for “comprehensive services” is for preliminary work, Berland added.

In the meantime, Taff was ecstatic to see progress. Town officials attended a recent civic meeting after the traffic

study was completed, she said, and Berland put her in touch with Transportation and Traffic Safety Director Stephen McGloin.

“They’ve already put in better lighting.

They’re going to put in ‘rest on red.’ If people are going an acceptable speed, then the light stays green. If they’re speeding, the light turns red,” Taff said.

“People will have to go slower and there will be a lot more warning devices, traffic calming devices and lighting.”

She added that construction along

Route 110 has exacerbated the situation by turning Round Swamp Road into a high-speed detour.

The president, however, noted that the town highway department still needs to clean up brush and trees along the road.

“It’s a narrow winding road, which is dark and not cared for very well as far as brush and tree removal. The neighbors have been telling the town they have to do something,” Taff said.

According to Highway Superintendent William Naughton’s letter in response to

a Round Swamp Road resident back in 2002, speeding vehicles on the narrow roadway were a concern among neighbors. He told the resident they were negotiating with a property owner about acquiring land to remove trees and improve visibility near Manetto Hill Road. Last July, he told McGloin a town right-of-way near the intersection was improved, but more work requiring acquisitions were necessary. McGloin responded in August with a letter asking Naughton to trim vegetation at three separate locations.

Commack fire claims life of man, son escapes (Continued from page A1)

the fire. When he tried to go back for his father, flames blocked his path.

Michael Magner, of Huntington, was working nearby when he noticed the fire.

Magner, 49, entered the burning building and helped Timothy escape.

Keane and his crew responded minutes after the call went out, finding only Louis Donolli inside and fire already lurching through most of the building.

Overgrown vegetation made access to the backyard difficult, but Commack Fire Commissioner Joseph Digiose was able to suit up and access the second floor via ladder. Digiose entered the home through a window, but was immediately chased

out. Keane said the fire was burning so strong the commissioner’s gear almost ignited. He also sustained minor burns to his ear and hand from the attempt.

“It was sad but there was no way anyone was alive in that house,” the chief said. “We tried, we made an attempt. He did the right thing. He went in, feeling his gear burning up and got out.”

A power line fell in the yard shortly after, chasing firefighters away.

Dozens of firefighters from the Commack, East Northport, Brentwood and Dix Hills Fire Departments spent hours battling the conflagration. They finally got it under control after 90 minutes, but needed almost five hours to fully extinguish the

flames and investigate the house.

When they finally could get inside, flames had ripped apart much of the home’s structure. The stairs were gone and holes littered the floor.

“Thank God nobody fell through the floor,” Keane said.

The chief confirmed that two firefighters were treated at scene for heat exhaustion.

Louis Donolli was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner. His son was taken to Stony Brook University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries by Commack Rescue.

Homicide Squad detectives were called

to the scene, but Det./Lt. Gerard Pelkofsky said the fire did not appear to be suspicious, nor was there any evidence of accelerants.

Homicide, along with Arson detectives and the Town of Smithtown Fire Marshal, are investigating. Neither Pelkofsky nor Keane would speculate on the cause of the blaze.

The homicide boss did confirm that Louis Donolli’s wife also lived in the house, although she was not home at the time of the fire.

While Commack firefighters were on the scene, the Greenlawn Fire Department dispatched volunteers to cover the firehouse until they returned.

A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 16, 2012

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HillSPORTS

BOYS LACROSSE

Hills East Student Lands Spot On National Team Of hundreds who tried out, Jesse Parker makes the cut for the National Lacrosse Classic

By Stephanie DeLuca sdeluca@longislandernews.com

Once Jesse Parker stepped on the lacrosse field in fourth grade, he instantly fell in love.

The Half Hollow Hills East junior’s skills and dedication recently landed him a position as the newest player at the National Lacrosse Classic, which enables student-athletes to have an opportunity to gain exposure to the college admissions and athletic recruitment process.

“I was extremely excited [to be a player] because the whole fall and summer I’ve been working really hard,” Parker said.

The National Lacrosse Classic is a national tournament in 16 regions. In order to try out, the player must be a high school student entering 10th, 11th or 12th grade.

He tried out for the team on Dec. 3 at Hofstra University, where he said he was one of approximately 350 hopefuls. About 100 players who made the cut were asked to come back on Jan. 28 for a second try-out.

In the end, Parker landed one out of 25 spots on the National Lacrosse Classic team for the New York region.

“We play a mini tournament from June 29 to July 1 at the Maryland Soccerplex,” he said. “The team that wins the tournament in Maryland will go on to play national games [for the Brogden Cup in Tampa, Fla].”

Parker used to play midfield up until ninth grade, where he then transitioned to attack.

“I like that it’s a fast-paced game and it’s not like sports like tennis or golf where it’s just one person playing,” he said. “The joy of being in a team is unbelievable.

You win as a team and lose as a team.”

Parker shares his love of lacrosse by teaching kids with disabilities at Hills East.

After high school, he hopes to go to college and become a lacrosse coach. Parker is undecided on a major

Hills East junior Jesse Parker landed a spot of the National Lacrosse Classic team for the New York region. or what school to attend, but he noted he wants to get a solid education.

“I would also like to thank my mom and dad for all the sacrifices they make to help me become the best

lacrosse player I could be,” Parker said, adding that he is also grateful for his varsity coaches Gordon Hodgson, George Fox and Michael Conway, as well as his junior varsity coaches Brian Harris and Thomas Maloney.

RUNNING

Townwide Fund Readies For St. Patrick’s Run The biggest tradition next to the parade when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day in Huntington is the Townwide Fund’s race, set for the same day as the holiday, Saturday, March 17.

The 4-mile course will be on the usual scenic route along Huntington Harbor.

The start/finish area might have to be relocated to Coindre Hall due to anticipated roadwork along Route 110 in Halesite,

BASKETBALL

Colts Are On Fire The Colts are at the top of their game, and that isn’t expected to change.

Hills West’s fearless team is at the top of League IV, tied with Deer Park as of Monday. The Colts’ odds against Deer Park look good; they defeated them 68-56 on Feb. 2 and lost to them by only one point earlier in the season.

It was a night of career highs during the Colts’ 90-64 win over Huntington on Feb. 9. Senior and lead-scorer Emile Blackman had a career-high 29 points and added 12 rebounds. Junior Michal

Boyd had a career-high 29 points and senior Denzel Williams had a careerhigh 14 points.

Two days earlier, Hills West took down West Babylon 73-41. Blackman scored 24 points and added 11 rebounds.

The Colts were 12-1 in league play and 14-3 overall as of Monday. They were scheduled to play Bellport on Tuesday, with results coming in after press time. Playoffs begin at the end of the week, and the Colts are likely looking at a high seed.

Carter, DeLuca, Farrell and Schmidt, LLP partner Ray Farrell (third from left) with winners at a previous St. Pat’s run. The law firm returns as main sponsor for the fifth year in a row. making it likely that the American Legion Hall will be inaccessible. Participants are urged to regularly check townwidefund.org for information.

In addition to 4-mile run, a fun run for children will be held and the High School Challenge will once more be part of the main run. Any high school student may gather a team of five and come out for the fun of it in a good cause.

For the fifth year, Melville law firm

Carter, DeLuca, Farrell and Schmidt, LLP will be providing the main sponsorship.

Partner Ray Farrell, a Huntington resident, has run in the race several times, helped with the set up of the venue and congratulated the winners as they received their awards.

The St. Patrick’s Run is the kickoff event for the Townwide Fund of Huntington in its efforts to raise funds for the support of 20 health and human service agencies.

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