Half Hollow Hills - 2/4/2015 Edition

HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2015 Long Islander News

Online at www.LongIslanderNews.com

VOL. 16, ISSUE 52

NEWSPAPER 24 PAGES

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2015 MELVILLE

Coke, Gun Seized In Hotel Lot

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

The Fab Four, the world’s “ultimate” Beatles tribute band, returns to The Paramount Feb. 15.

‘Come Together’: The Fab Four Heads Into Town

By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

Now I’ll tell you something that I think you’ll understand: The Fab Four is coming back to The Paramount on Feb. 15.

That’s right, Emmy Award-winning Beatles tribute band hailing from California will hit Huntington in a little over a week – and this time, Ardy Sarraf, an original founding member of the band, said the (Continued on page A15)

More than a half-pound of cocaine and a loaded handgun were seized Jan. 28 when police busted two men in the parking lot of the Melville Marriott, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office has confirmed.

A spokesman for DistrictAttorney Thomas Spota said John Martin, 53, of North Babylon, and Joseph Rosati, 45, of East Islip, “acted in concert to possess more than 8 ounces of cocaine.”

Martin was charged with attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance, an A felony, and first-degree conspiracy, a B felony.

(Continued on page A15)

John Martin, inset, was one of two charged Jan. 28 tied to allegations of a cocaine conspiracy case. He was arrested in the parking lot of the Melville Marriott. Not pictured – his alleged co-conspirator, Joseph Rosati.

MELVILLE

Fifth-Floor Unlikely For Hotel

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

Citing parking concerns, some members of the Huntington Planning Board are recommending adding a fifth floor to a 160room Hyatt Place hotel planned for Route 110 in Melville.

But, citing strong opposition by civic leaders to a taller building, the applicant’s attorney said it is a suggestion that is unlikely to be taken.

Current plans by OTO Development call for four floors, but some planning board members say adding the fifth will free up more space for parking by making the building’s footprint smaller. Currently, about 170

Despite a suggestion by town planers to build five stories, the developer of a Hyatt hotel planned for Route 110 in Melville is sticking with four floors. spots are proposed.

Member David Pennetta – also the chair of the Melville Plan Committee – said the fifth floor would reduce the size of the hotel’s footprint, planned for a 3-acre parcel located at 500 Broad Hollow Road, on the westerly side of Route 110 just south of the Rubie Corporate Plaza and the LIE. Pennetta said he is concerned that could become a problem that could spill onto neighboring properties.

“It’s just more prudent to go up a story and at least land-bank them [the parking spots],” he said. “If there’s a problem, they could make another 13 spots or so available.”

Planning Board Chairman Paul Mandelik stressed the board supports a hotel being added to the Route 110 corridor – but agreed that parking is a concern.

“As we follow this project along, we would like, as Mr. Pennetta points out, some neces(Continued on page A15)

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HUNTINGTON STATION

PineTree Inn Closes After 56 Years

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

The Pine Tree Inn, the low-key bar and Italian restaurant known by many as Huntington Station’s embodiment of “Cheers,” closed its doors for the last time Monday, and with it, closed the book on a chapter of Huntington Station’s history as well.

It’s fitting that owner Charlie O’Keefe rang the bell at the bar during a farewell party Saturday and saluted his steadfast patrons by playing for them the “Cheers” theme – “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”

In days gone by, if you were in the mood for pizza in Huntington Station, there were three main destinations: Broncotto’s near Walt Whitman High School, J&J Southside Restaurant on Route 110 and the Pine Tree Inn, at 16 West Jericho Turnpike.

Over the years, the “big three” drifted away into the sands of time

Mark Guterman and Faith DeDora enjoy one last visit to the bar during a farewell celebration Saturday.

and changing tastes – Broncotto’s first, then J&J Southside about 10 years ago. All the time, the Pine Tree Inn was a “quiet giant,” O’Keefe said.

On Monday, though, the quiet giant, the last of the Huntington Station mainstays, made its last call, 58 years after opening its doors. A Corona, Queens-based Cuban restaurant, Rincon Criollo, is poised to take the space.

“For this to be gone is going to be devastating for so many people,” patron Patty Albin, a Huntington Station native, said between snapping photos during the farewell celebration Saturday. “It’s a landmark.”

O’Keefe said he made the announcement before Christmas that the Pine Tree Inn would be closing.

What followed was a “tremendous outpouring of people” to bid farewell with a cocktail and a meal.

By Saturday, much of the restaurant’s food stock had been depleted but for a buffet of veggie burgers, lasagna and baked ziti. Sunday was the annual Super Bowl party, and Monday was planned to be last call at the bar.

O’Keefe isn’t retiring, but will take some time off before charting his next move, he said.

“I thought it was time for me to make a change,” he said. “Business has been very good. We’ve been very successful over the years.

We’ve had extremely loyal customers.”

He credits that success to an unpretentious atmosphere, good oldfashioned Italian cooking and a price that couldn’t be beat. His was one of the first restaurants to bring

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Long-Islander News photos/Danny Schrafel

A2 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Cheers, Charlie: Pine Tree Inn owner Charlie O’Keefe leads patrons in a toast Saturday during a farewell party at the restaurant, which closed its doors after 58 years in business. the “bar pie” – old-fashioned, small, thin crust pizza – to Long Island.

“The bar pies were the best here,” longtime customer Faith DeDora said. “You’re never going to get them anywhere else.”

Loyalty to the Pine Tree Inn runs in families, it turns out. Ask Huntington Station’s Al O’Donnell – his grandfather, Pat, began the tradition in his family. Al drove in from Vermont to bid farewell; he wouldn’t have dared missing it. His brother, Chris, would have been there, too, Saturday, if he wasn’t in the hospital.

“The people behind the place, from the people behind the bar to the owner – it’s always been family,” O’Donnell said. “Very tight – it’s like coming home.”

There’s great loyalty to the Pine Tree Inn professionally, too.

O’Keefe was the owner for 33 years and was the third of four generations to work in the family business. His grandfather Edward Pratt and mother Margery O’Keefe launched the

business back in ’56, and a fourth generation of O’Keefes, Charlie’s son, Brian, recently joined the business. Some staff members have been in his employ for two decades or more, like bartender Gary Tarlov, who left right before the holidays after 20 years behind the bar.

“It’s sad,” he said. “There’s no other word for it… It’s a fixture in Huntington.”

The outpouring of support, O’Keefe said, has been overwhelming.

“It’s amazing. It’s been tremendous,” the owner said. “I’ve had men and women come to me, crying about closing and giving me the memories.”

Memories of love connections, good times with friends and hearty meals, now relegated to fond, sentimental thoughts.

“The most important [thing] is that we treated people with respect,” O’Keefe said. “That’s something my mother taught me a long time ago.”

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A3

DIX HILLS

Firefighters Battle Fire And Ice Photos/Dix Hills Fire Department

Volunteers fought this raging fire on Melrose Road in Dix Hills Saturday night.

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

Efforts to extinguish a raging house fire on Melrose Road Saturday night were complicated by bitter cold, knee-deep snow, and ultimately, ice.

The Dix Hills Fire Department responded to their third major structure fire of this year at approximately 11:15 p.m. on Jan. 31.

No injuries were reported, and the Suffolk Police Arson Squad and Town of Huntington Fire Marshal are investigating.

Under the direction of Chief Robert Fling, with the support of Assistant Chiefs Tom Napolitano, Alan Berkowitz and Joe Williamson, over 50 volunteer firefighters battled through the cold and knee-deep snow to extinguish the blaze.

At the time of the fire, temperatures were in the teens and turned everything to ice, creating a very hazardous work environment for firefighters, officials said.

The department responded with five trucks, three ambulances, rehab,

More than 50 firefighters responded to the blaze. first responder and paramedic units.

The Melville Fire Department was requested for an additional engine.

Huntington Manor supplied a Rapid Intervention Team, and Greenlawn provided standby coverage during the blaze.

Suffolk County Fire-Rescue Coordinators were also on the scene assisting with the response.

A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Danny Schrafel

Hot Cocoa For Everybody

Man Stabbed In Hotel Lot

Thank you… to my two dear friends, Peter

gals who operate the plows when most of us are sound asleep really put the and Danny. For those of you who don’t know, hours in when the snow starts Danny is an associate editor here at Long Isfalling, and their efforts are inlander News and Peter is our associate publishvaluable in helping us getting er; both of these fine gentleman IN THE KNOW back to normal after each somehow got to Huntington in WITH AUNT ROSIE snow episode. So if you see a the middle of the blizzard and tired-looking person at the dedicated their Monday and wheel of a snow plow, I think Tuesday last week – and we mean all of Monoffering them a cup of hot coday and Tuesday – to making sure your Long Iscoa certainly is in order. Thanks, all! lander News newspapers got into your hands safely. Thank you, guys – we appreciate the hard Back up carefully… With all the accolades work! going around, a cautionary note – when you are Mobile news team… That being said, I also backing up in the many parking lots around town, don’t forget that until the snow melts have to thank our wonderful news team for stepdown, those parking lots aren’t quite as big as ping up last week – even through the blizzard. you remember them to be. So that means your Thankfully, through the modern marvels of the clearance space behind you will be a bit Internet, our reporters and editors were able to pinched. I’m not going to lie – I’ve forgotten write, edit and communicate all through last that a few times over the years and bumped week – sometimes without even needing to bumpers with another car in the lot, and if I can come into the office. I never cease to be amazed plant the seed in your mind to take special care by the advances technology has been making as you back up, I’ve done my job here. lately; especially since, back in my day, I would have had to walk to this office through that blizzard if I wanted to get my work done!

(Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening And let’s not forget… the wonderful town in your neck of the woods, write to me today and workers and contractors who posted similarly let me know the latest. To contact me, drop a line ridiculous all-night hours to get the roads up and to Aunt Rosie, c/o The Long-Islander, 14 Wall running so we could get here to finish off our Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the e-mail at newspapers in person last week! These guys and aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)

Jewels, Cash Stolen Police are investigating a home burglary that occurred on Maryland Street in Dix Hills. There, someone stole assorted jewelry, cash and paperwork sometime between 11 a.m. Jan. 23 and a call to police Jan. 24.

Two Years Later, Burglar Is Grilled A Melville man, 50, was charged with burglary Jan. 31 more than two years after he allegedly broke into a Styles Drive home in Melville and stole two commercial grills some time between Sept. 12 and Oct. 17, 2012.

‘Shady’ Guy Busted A Melville man, 40, was charged with petit larceny after he allegedly snatched a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses off the counter of a Dunkin’ Donuts on Broad Hollow Road in Melville on Jan. 19.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK ERIC ALEXANDER

BABY FACES BABY’S FIRST BLIZZARD

Police are searching for the person who stabbed a man in the parking lot of the Homewood Suites hotel on Round Swamp Road in Melville Jan. 25. Police said it began as a fight at 3:25 a.m. The complainant was taken by private car to North Shore Plainview Hospital for treatment. Upon his arrival, Nassau County police were called. Police said the victim didn’t know who stabbed him or what he was stabbed with.

Cold Thief Burgles Home

Proud parents Kristin and Jonathan Westin, of Huntington, take a stroll with their bundled-up pride and joy – nine-and-a-half-month-old Harrison – on scenic Nathan Hale Drive in Huntington village on Jan. 27, one day after at least a foot of snow fell on most parts of Huntington.

Photo by Danny Schrafel

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Half-Pound Of Pot Seized A Manorville man was charged with criminal possession of marijuana Jan. 21. Police said that the man was pulled over while driving eastbound on the Long Island Expressway near exit 48, where police discovered him in possession of over 8 oz. of marijuana.

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ADDRESS CITY

“There’s a tremendous demand for mixed-use development. There are people who want to pay a premium to live in a dynamic Main Street, which Huntington is.”

Police are investigating the burglary of a Faulkner Lane home in Melville. Police said that someone smashed a rear window to get in and then stole cable boxes, candles and bed linens between 3 p.m. Jan. 19 and Jan. 24.

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

Police Seek Tips In Jewel Heist Police are asking for the public’s help in cracking a recent jewel heist at Maddaloni Jewelers.

Cops say a pair of masked burglars made made off with “a large amount of jewelry” after breaking into the store through a front window at 4:22 a.m. Jan. 17.

In a Crime Alert released Monday, police said the men used a hammer to break the window. Once inside, the men, dressed in masks and gloves, stole numerous watches and assorted jewelry, from the store.

One of the suspects wore a New York Giants jacket. They fled in a mid-sized silver sedan.

Anyone with information can call SCPD Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-220TIPS. A reward of up to $5,000 is offered for any information that leads to an arrest in the case.

MELVILLE

Cops Step Up Hunt For Burglars Suffolk County Crime Stoppers renewed the call for tips aimed at identifying and arresting the people who broke into a Melville home last June 24. At about 10:45 a.m. that day, police say, the duo broke into the Lattice Court home and stole jewelry, handbags and an iPad. They fled in a black 2014 Chevrolet Impala.

Up to $5,000 is being offered as a reward for information leading to an arrest. Anyone with information can

anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. To see video of the incident, visit YouTube.com/scpdtv and click on the link: Wanted for Burglary Melville CC #14-369003.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A5

A6 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON

By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

Typically, change doesn’t just happen – and it usually comes at a price.

On Jan. 29, as Town of Huntington officials, local government leaders, environmental experts and others gathered at the Northport Yacht Club to talk about Huntington and Northport water quality, Adrienne Esposito preached just that.

“Change isn’t cheap,” Esposito, director of nonprofit Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said.

“We have to pay for the change.”

That change is necessary, Esposito – one of the eight panelists assembled to speak at the water quality seminar – said, because the water found in Huntington and Northport harbors just isn’t up to snuff.

Excessive nitrogen delivery from the land – which can be caused by a long list of factors, but perhaps most severely by septic tanks – is causing toxic algae blooms and low oxygen levels in the waters of Northport and Huntington, experts said.

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski

Boaters, Environmentalists Call For Change

Marine scientist Christopher Clapp answers a question from the crowd at the Jan. 29 forum regarding water quality in Northport and Huntington harbors.

“The 2014 Suffolk County Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan notes the dramatic decline in our drinking waters and our surface waters, particularly with respect to nitrogen,” Suffolk County’s Director of Planning Sarah

Lansdale – who filled in for County Executive Steve Bellone as he was ill – said. “Clean water is important to Suffolk County ecologically and environmentally…

Last year, [Bellone] declared our ‘Reclaim Our Water’ initiative as his top priority of

his administration.”

A county grant and loan to upgrade the Northport sewage treatment plant, which was completed last summer; $150,000 in funding for the Northport Community Sustainable Fisheries Initiative, which allows for the growth of muscles in Northport and Huntington harbors in bio-filtration efforts; and recent installations of advanced septic systems that can reduce nitrogen emissions by more than 50 percent, Lansdale said, are just a few of the ways the county and local governments have been stepping up to clean up the water – but there’s still more work to be done.

“I hope people [understand] that we’ve made some pretty good strides moving forward to improve the water quality, but there’s a heck of a lot more to do,” said Jon Ten Haagen, a member of the yacht club and one of the people who coordinated the panel, which he is hopeful will become an annual event. “We need the people who use the water to be supportive of these efforts.”

Increasing public awareness to the

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...And More Funding

A crowd gathers at the Northport Yacht Club on Jan. 29 before a panel of speakers discusses water quality in Northport and Huntington harbors. issue is one of the means to finding a solution that panelist Ed Carr – also Huntington’s director of maritime services – spoke of during his time. Along with tidal flushing, storm water control, increasing bivalves and the elimination of illicit discharges, Carr said, there are ways to attack the issue from multiple angles However, one of the biggest roadblocks to those improvements is funding. However Huntington

Supervisor Frank Petrone was hopeful that, with the crowd gathered at the yacht club – which consisted of several officials connected to the Town of Huntington – that roadblock will be a bit easier to maneuver.

“These are the people that can make it [improving water quality] happen,” Petrone said before the panel and the gathered crowd. “And, most important, [they can] help us look for funding.”

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A7

A8 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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

Time For Reform The swift and stunning downfall of legislators’ claims for per diem payNew York Assembly Speaker Sheldon ments. Per diems, which reimburse legSilver after his arrest on federal corrup- islators for daily travel expenses and tion charges marks the end of a dynasty lodging when they must be in Albany, for in New York State government. After some legislators are simply a means of more than two decades in the position, giving themselves a $100-a-day raise. the powerful New York City Democrat Now, in principle we have to object to held an ironclad grip over the Assembly, the governor’s demands being tied to the essentially ruling by edict. He dictated budget process. Ethics reforms are a sepwho got committee assignarate issue and holding the ments and leadership posi- EDITORIAL budget hostage to ethics retions and determined what form has the potential for cripbills would get through the legislature, pling state government. That said, it cerincluding those that funded government. tainly underscores the importance of the The term dynasty is a term suitable to issue. a monarchy. It has no place in our form Clearly, reforms are needed. If the of government. Immediate reforms are charges against Silver are true, he has needed. pocketed millions in fees and derived New York Governor Andrew Cuomo personal benefits from the legislative has taken an unusual and bold step to put process. He would hardly be the first, in place needed reforms. He has pledged and it’s unlikely he’ll be the last. But the that unless the legislature overhauls and rogues gallery of Albany lawmakers facadopts ethics reforms, he will not ap- ing charges over the past several years – prove the state budget. That’s a strong including many who were convicted – is signal from a governor who considers it simply too large. a source of pride that under his adminisFull transparency on income sources is tration, the state budget has been adopt- necessary. Is it asking too much? We ed on time, ending years of chronically don’t think so. It will weed out those late budgets. who are in the game to serve themselves Cuomo is giving lawmakers a choice: and not the public and restore confidence either consider their jobs full time and in government. enact a ban on earning outside income, One more thing should be added to the or require full disclosure on all income debate: term limits. The governor left it sources. The governor also wants tight- out of the conversation; it needs to be in ened rules on how legislators can use there. It’s a simple way to ensure against campaign funds and accountability on dynasty building.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Staying Connected During A Storm Editor’s note: The following was adapted from an enewsletter.

DEAR EDITOR: [After the blizzard this

week, here are some tips for staying connected during a storm.]

If you rely on VoIP as your home phone service, remember if you lose internet connectivity, your phone service goes out. Is your cell phone your backup plan?

HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER

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

Copyright © 2015 by Long Islander News, publishers of The Long-Islander, The Record and Half Hollow Hills Newspaper. Each issue of the The Long-Islander and all contents thereof are copyrighted by Long Islander. 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.

Keep your cell phone charged. If you lose power, do you have a cell phone charger in your car?

If you have a cell phone extender or booster, remember it's connected to a power source. If you lose power, you'll lose or have very limited

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Send letters to:

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ability to make a cell phone call. What's your backup plan?

If you have a transistor radio, or will rely on your car radio for information (if the power goes out), remember your major commercial Long Island radio stations have no news reporters. Best bet for blizzard news coverage on radio is 1010WINS or CBSNewsradio.

Check the internet now and download emergency information provided by local government, utilities and nonprofits.

Don't wait until you need it -you may lose your connectivity first.

FAIR MEDIA COUNCIL Briarcliffe College Bethpage

New Name, Same Mission DEAR EDITOR:

M’Yad L’Yad Long Island’s Helping Hands announced that it is changing its name to The Lend a Hand Project to better reflect the broad array of services and resources it provides to the people it serves.

The Lend a Hand Project was created 17 years ago as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in response to the growing number of people living at or below the poverty level in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The founders established a local resource that would address

this population in a personal and unique manner. To protect and ensure the dignity of the individuals and families assisted, all services are provided anonymously.

The organization continues to be dedicated to the lives of the needy on Long Island based upon the highest ideals of giving.

We personally match sponsors with impoverished families to extend a helping hand that includes material, financial and emotional assistance. Most importantly, we ask the sponsor to include a personal note to help connect and engage their recipient family, without revealing their identity.

Our new name enables us to more effectively provide outreach right here in our backyard – with a name that is easy to remember and better reflects the important work we do every day to lighten the load of struggling Long Island families.

The Lend a Hand Project, Inc. is headquartered in the Suffolk Y JCC in Commack.

STEVEN JARMON Executive Director Lend a Hand Project Commack DEBORAH BIEDERMAN Co-President MITCHELL BIEDERMAN Co-President

James V. Kelly Publisher/CEO Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor Luann Dallojacono Editor James V. Kelly III Director - Sales and Marketing Danny Schrafel Associate Editor Andrew Wroblewski Reporter

NEWS

Pat Mellon Megan Conroy John Emig Account Executives

Ian Blanco Art Department / Production

14 Wall Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A9

Life&Style BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Big Screen Celebrates Black History Month Domino and Dave Bartholomew and how they turned New Orleans rhythm and blues into rock ’n’ roll.

Next up is a silent flick with live organ accompaniment by MoMA’s Ben Model. “Within Our Gates” – a 1920 silent film starring blues singer Evelyn Preer that portrays the contemporary racial situation in the United States during the early twentieth century, the years of Jim Crow, the revival of the Ku Klux Klan, the Great Migration of blacks to cities of the North and Midwest, and the emergence of the “New Negro” – screens Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. It is the oldest-known surviving complete feature film made by an African-American director, Oscar Micheaux.

The fourth event is a talk with Long Islander Philip Harwood, who will present a portrait of the first African-American actor to receive an Academy Award for Best Actor, Sidney Poitier. Poitier is an actor, director, and diplomat, who has

Photo/United Artists

The big screen at a local arts house will celebrate Black History Month in a big way with five events from Feb. 10-24.

The series, held at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre, kicks off with a big screen tribute to a San Francisco band pivotal in the development of soul, funk, and psychedelic music: Sly and the Family Stone. Music archivist Bill Shelley on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. gives a lecture and shows special clips of Sly and the Family Stone, the first successful rock group whose members were multi-racial and multicultural, using women and men as musicians and singers. This tribute will focus on live performances, including “Everyday People,” “I Want to Take You Higher,” “Dance to the Music,” “Family Affair,” “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” and “Stand.”

Then, watch “The Big Beat: The Story of Fats Domino & His Band” on Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. with speaker, filmmaker Joe Lauro

Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger in “In the Heat of the Night,” showing in a Black History Month event at the Cinema Arts Centre this month. of Sag Harbor, record collector and film archivist. It is a new documentary about the legendary artists who broke racial barriers and influenced music for generations to come.

Lauro profiles the early years of Fats

graced the motion picture screen for over half a century with scenes from such films as “The Defiant Ones” and “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner.” Join Harwood Monday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

The last event is a screening of “Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People” on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. with speaker and writer/producer Don Perry. The first documentary to explore the role of photography in shaping the identity, aspirations and social emergence of African-Americans from slavery to the present, “Through a Lens Darkly” probes the recesses of American history by discovering images that have been suppressed, forgotten and lost.

All films are $15 for the public and $10 for Cinema Arts Centre members. The Cinema Arts Centre is located at 423 Park Ave. in Huntington. Call 631-423-7610 or visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Nearly 30 years ago, actor Michael J. Fox played a character who bounced though time in the popular movie trilogy “Back to the Future.”

In the second movie, Fox’s character Marty McFly finds himself spending much of his time in the year 2015, which for his character is nearly 30 years into the future.

Now that 2015 is here, it turns out some predictions in the movie about what life would be like were accurate, such as large screens in every room and handheld tablet computers. Some are almost here, like dehydrated food and flying cars, and some have never

happened and may never happen, like wearing double ties and the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series.

Recent trends in photography have taken their own form of time travel.

Camera manufacturers, digital devices, apps, and other photo-related products are giving us new technologies wrapped up in retro designs. Nostalgia is now very popular in photography. It seems we long for the days of film, but need to be wrapped in the latest technology, so instead, we achieve the nostalgic “look.” Film is even working its way back into the conversation.

Camera manufacturers have conceded point-and-shoot cameras to Apple and Samsung and instead have concentrated on manufacturing cameras with a more robust feature set.

Olympus was one of the first to recognize this trend with the release a few years back of the 1970s style OM-D E – M5 camera and several updated models since. Fujifilm’s

Photo by Kevin Armstrong

Photography Goes Back To The Future

The nostalgic craze is hitting the photography world, from editing software to the look of cameras. Software can easily give your photo a retro look to them, shown above in these photos of William Armstrong of Northport. popular line of high-quality retrostyle cameras is known simply as the “X” line. In particular the X-T1 and X100T are the most popular. Nikon has entered this space with their Df model, and Panasonic offers a full line of models.

These cameras, with their metal dials and levels, make us feel more connected to the image produced, and that in turn allows us to be more creative. No longer is it just pressing on a button and checking the screen

to see the results. These cameras benefit from decades of tested design engineering, so their smooth form and ease of use is no accident. These cameras help us bring out our inner Andy Warhol while not abandoning our 21st century technology.

Achieving the film look extends past cameras, and the photo-social sharing app Instagram has been leading the way. Instagram allows hundreds of millions of users to create (Continued on page A21)

A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

A familiar face on the Northport Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead as the business organization’s new president for 2015.

Robert Scherer Jr., president of S. Scherer & Sons on Waterside Avenue, has been on the chamber’s board for about a decade and most recently served as first vice president. Now, he’s at the helm.

“This year, they were trying to find somebody to take over the reins,” he said. Debi Triola, owner of Fashions in Flowers on Fort Salonga Road, was president for two years; Scherer was elected at the Jan. 13 board meeting.

Triola, who was credited with steady leadership during a two-year term and a successful effort to secure funding for an information kiosk to be installed this year in downtown Northport, said the chamber is in good hands under Scherer’s leadership.

Getting involved with the chamber was a no-brainer for Scherer – the family business, S. Scherer & Sons, a

ASK THE EXPERT

By Jon L. Ten Haagen, CFP asktheexpert@longislandergroup.com

Q: My spouse and I are in our early 50s. She has a pension offer from a company she worked for a good number of years ago. She has the choice of taking a lump sum of $99K now or waiting until she is 65 and get a pension payment of about $1,500 a month. What should we do and how do we decide?

A: You need to carefully weigh out the pros and cons of a lump sum versus an annuity distribution.

Some pros of an annuity pension distribution include that there are no investment decisions for you to make. In addition, the income is guaranteed for life, however, it most likely does not have a COLA (cost of living adjustment for inflation).

A lump-sum pension distribution,

nursery and garden center on Waterside Road that specializes in aquatic plants like water lilies, predates the chamber.

“My family’s had a business in Northport for 108 years,” he said.

In the upcoming year, Scherer said he hopes to continue the chamber’s series of successful events. That includes its traditional holiday gatherings near Christmastime and its summertime events, like the Thursday concerts in the park and Family Fun Nights on Tuesdays in August. The chamber will also continue in its role as a resource for business owners looking to traverse an ever-changing climate.

Scherer said he’s looking forward to “getting to know everybody and bring people together” from all over Northport.

“My business is not on Main Street, and a lot of the Northport members are… from all over in Northport, even some in East Northport, but a lot of our events take place down around Main Street because that’s the crown jewel of the town,” he said.

Long Islander News photo/Danny Schrafel

BUSINESS New Prez Aims To Expand Chamber’s Reach

Past President Debi Triola has passed the reins to Bob Scherer Jr., the new president of the Northport Chamber of Commerce.

Lump Sum Or Pension Payment? on the other hand, is advantageous because it gives you access to money and, when managed properly, you could generate more income with good management.

There are also negatives with both distribution plans. One con of an annuity pension distribution is that your fixed monthly income will not keep up with inflation. Another con is thatyour guarantees are base4d on the strength of the insurance company.

One con of a lump-sum pension distribution is that money could be poorly managed and not be there when you need it. Another is that it makes it easy for you to get and spend if you are not careful.

So how should you decide? First, look at the number of years until you get the steady pension amount (most likely there is not a COLA adjustment for inflation). If you are within a few years of being eligible, I would wait for the pension because it is a sure steady amount. However, you have 14 years before that option, so you may want to consider taking the lump which can be rolled into an IRA so you avoid current taxes. In fourteen years with average market re-

turns you should be able to build this nest egg so that will generate more than the $1500 from the pension.

Other things to take into consideration: What is the history of your family’s longevity? Does your family have a history of medical problems or are they for the most part long-lived? What is your comfort level with the stock market?

Please seek guidance from a good tax advisor (CPA) and/or a qualified

financial advisor (CFP) before making any decisions. Each individual is different and will have separate considerations.

Disclaimer: The advice offered in this column is intended for informational purposes only. Use of this column is not intended to replace or substitute any professional advice. This column, its author, the newspaper and publisher are not responsible for the outcome of following any advice that appears here.

MEET THE EXPERT Ever wish you had direct access to an expert when it comes to your business or personal finances? Now you do.

Long Islander News introduces its “Ask the Expert” column, in which local experts in the financial and business industries will answer questions from our readers.

Huntington’s Jon L. Ten Haagen, CFP, heads up this bimonthly column. He is an Investment Advisor Representative offering securities and advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc., member Jon Ten Haagen FINRA/SIPC and a registered investment advisor. Ten Haagen Financial Group is not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. or registered as a broker dealer or investment advisor. He is also an active community member, serving on several nonprofit boards and as executive officer of the Greater Huntington Boating Council.

Got a question? Email asktheexpert@longislandergroup.com and see if yours gets answered in our next issue!

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A11

BUSINESS

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

Twelve new luxury apartments went on the market this week as a mixed-use development on Gerard Street in Huntington village nears completion – and already, eager tenants are snapping them up and gearing up to move into Huntington village.

The apartments, located in the Heatherwood Communities’ threestory, mixed-use building at 40 Gerard St., became available Feb. 1, officials said. Previously, the site hosted a onestory commercial structure.

Already, Heatherwood officials said three of the 12 apartments have been rented; new tenants will be able to move in on Feb. 15.

Plans for retail uses on the ground level appear to be taking shape as well. A Heatherwood official said Friday that they are “very close to finalizing some deals” on the groundlevel retail space, but would not elaborate.

Those tenants will be compatible with the apartments, he said, and do not appear to include any restaurants.

Asked if restaurants could lease space downstairs, the spokesman said, “not at this time.”

The apartments range from 495

square-foot studios, going for $2,750 per month; to one-bedroom units priced at $2,950 per month and $3,150 per month; and two-bedroom homes at $3,575 and $3,750 per month.

The Heatherwood development on Gerard Street has been touted by smart-growth advocates as an ideal mixed-use project that promotes walkable downtowns, and is one of a handful in the works in Huntington village.

A similarly styled mixed-use development is in the works on Stewart Avenue at the former Losquadro ice house, where 26 apartments – 10 twobedroom and three one-bedroom homes on the second and third floors – are planned below 8,000 square feet of retail on the ground level.

Elsewhere in Huntington village, the town has signed off on adding apartments atop Classic Galleries on Stewart Avenue; a new mixed-use building at 288 NewYork Ave.; the triangular Sidney Mack building on New York Avenue near Gibson Avenue; and a three-story building at 10 Wall St. A mixed-use two-story building at 425 New York Ave., damaged by fire in March 2014, will be redeveloped as a three-story structure, with 10 apartments on the combined second and third floors and retail on the ground

Long Islander News photo/Danny Schrafel

Tenants Snap Up Downtown Apartments

Shortly after going on the market Feb. 1, three of 12 luxury apartments at the Heatherwood Communities’ Gerard Street complex have been rented. level. Apartments will also be added atop 417 New York Ave., home to Nino Antuzzi’s Red restaurant. A similar mixed-use plan at 328 Main St., which was devastated by fire in late May, calls for apartments; that case goes before the zoning board Thursday.

Eric Alexander, executive director of Northport-based smart-growth advocates Vision Long Island, said the foundation for this current boom in downtown mixed-use development

was set in 2000, an outgrowth of Vision Huntington’s Gerard Street charrette.

Huntington’s approach reflects “a strategic decision to allow for these types of uses, but in a more modest density,” Alexander said.

“There’s a tremendous demand for mixed-use development,” he said.

“There are people who want to pay a premium to live in a dynamic Main Street, which Huntington is.”

Pilot Program Aims To ‘Solarize Huntington’

By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

Town of Huntington officials are looking to brighten up residents’ lives – but they’re opting to do it in an environmentally friendly way.

Planned to begin in March, town spokesman A.J. Carter said, the Town of Huntington – in conjunction with The City University of New York (CUNY) – will kick off a pilot group purchasing program titled Solarize Huntington. Through a tiered pricing structure, community educational events and outreach, and a competitively-selected installer, the program aims to reduce the installed cost of going solar for residents.

“For homeowners, [competition] is a really good thing,” Carter said. “The town has a commitment to sustainability and sustainable initiatives, including solar. This program is

aimed at creating community awareness to the benefits of solar, to increase installation… and create a greater demand.”

One solar energy contractor was selected through a bidding process and is currently being vetted by CUNY officials before it will be designated the installer for Solarize Huntington. The project, which will last for four months, is funded by a federal grant given to CUNY – with no costs to the town, Carter said.

However, some small business owners aren’t thrilled with the initiative. While Sail Van Nostrand – owner and operator of Northport’s residential and commercial solar electric, hot water and geothermal systems installer, Energy By Choice – understands the push to drive more solar, he doesn’t understand the

process of “anointing a winner.” “[Your company] has to be of significant scale to do what they ask for [in being named the contractor],”

Van Nostrand, a Greenlawn resident, said. “A couple of hundred projects in a short period of time, not a lot of contractors can do that.”

With similar programs being rolled out in other areas, like Connecticut, before Huntington, Van Nostrand said the “Solarize” initiative is meant to serve companies of a larger scale than his and drive down the cost of customer acquisition.

That cost is substantial, he said, but by having one contractor be pushed to consumers through the program, he said, it makes it even harder for other companies to get a foothold.

Carter, however, disagreed.

“It’s their decision to offer lower prices,” Carter said. “They reached out so that a broad range of contractors were aware of this… [but] the chosen contractor is just one other option. Nothing is going to keep [the consumer] from taking a quote from another company.”

In the end, Carter said, the consumer will, theoretically, win. Van Nostrand understands that concept, but just isn’t sure if it’s something the town should be involved in.

“My issue with the town is that it has no business meddling in the private sector,” he said. “It’s an unfair situation to establish. I understand wanting to see more solar, but there’s a lot of ways to do it without picking a ‘winner.’ If you want to promote solar, then have a fair and invite contractors [from all over the area].

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A12 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

Sweet Spots For Your Sweetheart

By The Foodies foodies@longislandergroup.com

As Valentine’s Day draws nearer, Cupid’s arrow often turns from the heart to the stomach. How better to wine and dine your special somebody than with a night out on the town at one of Huntington’s fabulous restaurants?

That’s where we come in.

To whoever is making the date in your party, don’t delay – when you see the one for you, just pick up the phone and book your table. Love’s greatest holiday is also a dining bonanza, and the closer you get to Feb. 14, the harder a table is to get.

So, without further ado, some of our favorites: Jonathan’s Ristorante 15 Wall St., Huntington 631-549-0055 Jonathansristorante.com You know our rule at Jonathan’s – pick what you’re in the mood for, and prepare to be wowed. Spread the love and share the secret with a sweetheart this Valentine’s Day. Starters on a special menu include Squash Soup with spiced walnuts and balsamic drizzle ($9), classic Oysters Rockefeller ($16), and organic seared sea scallops with a roasted tomato/pepper compote and 15-year balsamic ($17).

Main courses include Risotto di Mare

($34), a medley of organic scallops, PEI mussels, clams, shrimp, sweet prawn and saffron; homemade spaghetti ($28) with sweet water prawns, red/yellow grape tomatoes and broccoli rabe; sea bass ($34) with roasted potatoes, cipollini, caramelized radish and cranberry coulis; and don’t forget the 1-lb. bone-in rib of beef steak ($44) in Tito’s signature black truffle sauce and paired with a potato puree and asparagus.

Mill Pond House Restaurant 437 E. Main St., Centerport 631-261-7663 millpondrestaurant.com Mill Pond House is offering a $60 p.p., three-course prix-fixe on Feb. 14. For course one, choose from lobster bisque, beet salad, crispy fried calamari, fried artichoke hearts, Filet Mignon “Burnt Ends”, sushi rolls or tuna tartare from the raw bar, or classic shrimp cocktail. For the grand finale, they’ve got all of your bases covered, whether you’re hankering for pork, beef, chicken, fish, duck or a vegetarian delight.

Black & Blue Seafood Chophouse 65 Wall St., Huntington 631-385-9255 blackandbluehuntington.com If you’re in the mood for dancing with dinner, Black & Blue will be

Clockwise from left: dessert at Porto Vivo, oysters with mango pealrs at Be-Ju, and Honu’s signature scallops will set the mood on Valentine’s Day weekend. throwing a Valentine’s Day party featuring performances by The Boggs, starting at 9:30 p.m. See what the Best of Huntington winners for nightlight and happy hour are all about.

XO Restaurant 69 Wall St., Huntington 631-549-7074, Xowinebar.com XO is making Valentine’s Day an all-day affair, starting with a $35 prixfixe lunch from 1-5 p.m. and a $65 p.m. dinner fixe from 5 p.m.-close. At 9:30 p.m., Jukebox Explosion performs; and how can you deny ooeygooey good fondue?

Prime: An American Kitchen & Bar 117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515 restaurantprime.com Starting Thursday, Feb. 12, you’ll have five days to fall in love with at Prime. They’ll be offering an array of specials during an extended, nearly weeklong celebration through Feb. 16.

Porto Vivo 7 Gerard St., Huntington 631-385-8486, porto-vivo.com Porto Vivo stretches out the cele-

bration from Feb. 13-15, with a la carte dining featuring chef Joe Balbo’s “flirtatious specials.” Sounds like a good time to us.

Honu – Kitchen & Cocktails 363 New York Ave., Huntington 631-421-6900 honukitchen.com Celebrate Valentine’s Day all weekend long from Feb. 13-15. Order from the regular menu or choose from Valentine's Day specials: Apps include Polenta Fried Oysters with zucchini salsa and chipotle aioli, and beef carpaccio. Entrees include: Lobster and Roasted Beet Risotto, and Herbed Crusted Rack of Lamb with mushroom-stuffed shrimp. For dessert, stick with the classics: chocolate-covered strawberries.

Be-Ju Sashimi & Sake Bar 400 Broadhollow Road, Melville 631-755-0555 The intimate space at Be-Ju Sashimi & Sake Bar, inside Tom Schaudel’s Jewel restaurant in Melville, is one of the more romantic settings in town. Take advantage of a special multi-course dinner menu for $70 per person on Saturday, Feb. 14.

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DINEHUNTINGTON .COM MUSIC FRIDAYS: What better way to

unwind on a Friday than with some live music? Jewel’s (400 Broadhollow Road, Melville, 631755-5777 www.jewelrestaurantli.com) Friday Night Live music series continues with drink specials and half-price pizza in the bar and lounge. Call for times and dates.

The pork belly at Swallow is a new must-try item.

FESTIVAL OF LOVE: Serenade your one

true love (or your right now love, best PORK BELLY: There’s a new item on friend or anyone else for that matter)

the menu at Swallow (366 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-547-5388 www.swallowrestaurant.com), and we can’t say enough about it. The pork belly is silky and tender, the perfect meat component to your array of dishes at this small plates restaurant.

It’s got the crispiness of bacon with the rich, juiciness of the greatest pork chop you’ve ever had. Add it to your list the next time you find yourself at Swallow. Reservations recommended.

with a song at the Valentine's Day Festival of Love at XO Restaurant and Chocolate Lounge’s (69 Wall St., Huntington 631-549-7074 xowinebar.com) open mic night on Sunday, Feb. 15, 8-11 p.m., hosted by Toby Tobias and Janice Buckner. And if that doesn’t win them over, there’s always owner/chef Jason Kitton’s fondue. A little chocolate goes a long way on Valentine’s Day, especially when it comes from a place called XO.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A13

A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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OPEN HOUSES

Want to get your open houses listed? Get your listings for free on this page every week in Long Islander News papers.

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

Town Dix Hills Greenlawn Dix Hills S. Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington Melville Melville Huntington Huntington Huntington Huntington

CIAL E P S

DIX HILLS

SOUTH HUNTINGTON

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29 Fairfield Dr Bedrooms 5 Baths 4 Price $589,000 Taxes $12,989 Open House 2/5 12:30pm-2:00pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 631-499-9191

45 Pidgeon Hill Rd Bedrooms 1 Baths 1 Price $235,000 Taxes $4,501 Open House 2/8 1:00pm-3:00pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-427-9100

6 Haddon Hall Price $629,000 Open House 2/8 Coach Real Estate

Address Beds 29 Fairfield Dr 5 1 Northgate Dr 4 10 Red Maple Ln 6 45 Pidgeon Hill Rd 1 21 Hartman Hill Rd 3 12 Queens St 3 30 High Oak Ct 2 10 Tanyard Ln 4 94 W Shore Rd 3 21 Central St 3 6 Haddon Hall 4 41 Cawfield Ln 3 3 Greenview Cir 3 52 Huntington Bay Rd 4 175 Huntington Bay Rd 3 19 Timberline Dr 4

TION C E S NG I S I ERT ADV

Baths Price 4 $589,000 3 $439,000 5 $1,379,000 1 $235,000 2 $449,000 2 $479,000 3 $499,000 2 $549,900 3 $579,000 3 $620,000 2 $629,000 3 $649,000 2 $689,000 2 $775,000 4 $799,000 3 $799,000

Taxes $12,989 $11,098 $24,366 $4,501 $11,061 $10,235 $12,690 $13,772 $13,197 $10,640 $14,769 $12,419 $13,364 $14,212 $17,667 $18,449

Date 2/5 2/7 2/7 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8 2/8

Time 12:30pm-2:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 2:30pm-4:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 12:00pm-2:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 2:00pm-4:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 2:00pm-4:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 1:00pm-3:00pm 11:30am-1:30pm 1:00pm-3:00pm

S P R I N G

Bedrooms 4 Baths 2 Taxes $14,769 1:00pm-3:00pm Assoc Inc 631-427-9100

Broker Douglas Elliman Real Estate Douglas Elliman Real Estate Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Douglas Elliman Real Estate Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Daniel Gale Agency Inc Coldwell Banker Residential Douglas Elliman Real Estate Daniel Gale Agency Inc Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Douglas Elliman Real Estate Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc Daniel Gale Agency Inc Daniel Gale Agency Inc Realty Connect USA LLC

Phone 631-499-9191 631-499-9191 631-499-1000 631-427-9100 631-549-4400 631-673-2222 631-427-6600 631-673-6800 631-549-4400 631-427-6600 631-427-9100 516-921-2262 631-427-9100 631-692-6770 631-692-6770 888-236-6319

M A R K E T

Real Estate S H OWC A S E

e h T n O et k r a M

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eal estate industry professionals are getting ready for the busy spring home selling season. Our Spring Market Real Estate Showcase will focus readers’ attention with localized coverage of the real property market – tips for buyers and sellers, a look at some hot spots in the local market, and a peek at some the area’s most interesting listings. Spring Market Real Estate Showcase will be published as a special section in The Long Islander, The Record/Northport Journal & The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper on February 26, 2015... just in time to launch the busy spring selling season.

SPACE RESERVATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 13. CALL YOUR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE TODAY

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Return of The Fab Four (Continued from page A1)

band is ready for what it hopes will be the biggest crowd yet.

“The Paramount is very cool; we always have great crowds there – a few more people each time,” Sarraf, who portrays Paul McCartney in the act, said. “It’s kind of like the same things as when we first got started: Once the word gets out, more and more people come to see us.”

Founded in 1997, The Fab Four started off performing in Orange County where the band performed at a venue every Tuesday, “just to see what would happen.”

“The first month we had 20-30 people come out, but by the second and third month you couldn’t even get into the place,” Sarraf said. “I was teaching myself how to play lefthanded like Paul… We were filming every show and critiquing the performances.”

Eventually, the big break for The Fab Four – which was also founded by Ron McNeil (John Lennon), Rolo Sandoval (Ringo Starr) and Michael Amador (George Harrison) – came on Elvis Presley’s old stage, Sarraf said.

“At the Las Vegas Hilton we started play a six-day-a-week show, and we were really living large at that point,” he said. “We started incorporating more into the act and we still continue to do that. To tell you the truth, that’s why I believe we’re separated from other Beatles tribute bands, because we have so much attention to detail.”

Dressed up fully in costume, the band’s members take the stage during their typically two-hour-long performances and mimic every aspect of the band they grew up loving down to a tee – and even incorporate the changing decades the Beatles endured through those costume changes. Throughout the last 17 years, The Fab Four has taken stages all over the world, including in Japan, Australia, France, Hong Kong and Mexico.

In 2013, the band earned its first Emmy Award for a special it filmed in 2012, which aired on PBS. “Everything is live and it’s just the four of us on stage, we don’t have a fifth guy behind the scenes… and we’re pretty proud of that,” Sarraf, a Los Angeles native, said. “If you’re a Beatles fan, you’ll love the show.”

Performing classics like, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Twist and Shout,” “Here Comes The Sun,” “Hey Jude,” and more, doors are set to open for The Fab Four at 6:30 on Feb. 15th.

Sarraf’s favorite, however, is the 1967 hit, “A Day in the Life.”

“If we do it well and all the cues go where they should be, [that song] really is impressive,” he said.

On stage for the Huntington show will be band members: Gain Pring as George, Gilbert Bonilla as John, Erik Fidel as Ringo, George Trullinger as Ed Sullivan and, of course, Sarraf as Paul. Tickets are available for $20$50 at the box office or go to www.paramountny.com.

Hotel lot drug bust (Continued from page A1)

Rosati faces the same charges plus a felony weapon possession charge for allegedly having a loaded .380 Smith & Wesson during the commission of a felony, the DA’s office said.

According to online court records, the men were arrested at 12:21 p.m. A Suffolk County police spokesperson

wouldn’t comment on the case, calling it a confidential investigation.

Martin was freed on $450,000 bond Jan. 30, according to online court records. He was due back in court after press time Feb. 3. So too was Rosati, who was held on $1.5 million bond and $500,000 bail, according to the district attorney’s office.

Fifth floor unlikely (Continued from page A1)

sary proofs that will be made to the zoning board… that they [the applicant] can support the parking they’re recommending,” Mandelik said.

However, OTO attorney William Bonesso said his client is sticking with the four-story plan. A large reason for that is that civic leaders in Melville, including the Melville Fire Department, “feel very, very strongly about a four-story building,” Bonesso said.

Because full occupancy is rare, and the hotel will not be a meeting or dining destination, “we feel that we’ll be

able to show both the town board and zoning board that that the spaces we have proposed will… still be more than sufficient,” Bonesso said.

Initial plans called for five floors, Bonesso said, but were modified after conversations with civic leaders who fear that a five-story hotel will set a trend for large buildings that could one day overwhelm the corridor.

If built, the Hyatt Place hotel would replace what is currently a vacant one-story, approximately 7,569 square-foot building on the site.

No date has been set for a public hearing related to the hotel.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A15

A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

THURSDAY Divorce Support

If you’re going through or have just gone through a divorce or separation, join the Women’s Center for support on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 125 Main St., Huntington, from 6:30-8 p.m. $7. 516387-8732.

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Calendar O M M U N I T Y

Red Tie Gala

Join the Townwide Fund of Huntington on Feb. 12 at the 2015 Valentine’s Red Tie Gala at Oheka Castle, featuring dancing and dining and honoring: Adelhardt Construction, David Altman, Esq., Brown + Altman; Gene Cook, Huntington Councilman; Inna Gellerman, DDS, Gellerman Orthodontics; Kevin Lawlor, Huntington Hospital; Barry D. Lites, Law Office of Barry D. Lites; Laura Maier, Dairy Queen; and Bob Vallario, QuickChek. Tickets are $225 ($2,000 for a table of 10). Call Executive Director Trish Rongo at 631-629-4950.

FRIDAY Masquerade!

Have a Heart Children’s Cancer Society hosts its 2nd Annual Valentine's Day Charity Masquerade Ball on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Crest Hollow Country Club located at 8325 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury. www.haveaheartcharity.org.

SATURDAY Godspell

Simple Gifts Productions, a Centerportbased performing arts studio for children/teens (grades K-12), will present Godspell on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m.

Performances will take place at Temple Beth El, 660 Park Ave., Huntington.Tickets are available at the door and online. Adults are $18 and children (ages 10 and under) are $15.

Things Getting Hot

The Nickolas Demidovich Memorial Fund Inc. will host its 4th annual Chili Cook-Off. Contest on Saturday, Feb. 7

AT THE LIBRARIES Cold Spring Harbor Library

95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor.

631-692-6820. cshlibrary.org.

• Beginner/Intermediate Knitting meets Wednesdays through Feb. 11, with sessions from 10-11:30 a.m. and 78:30 p.m. Learn to knit, improve your technique, or get help with a current project. In-person registration must be accompanied by a check.

• Learn what information you should bring with you to your next doctor’s appointment at “To Your Health Tuesday” on Feb. 17, 10 a.m.

Senior Advocates

Suffolk County Office for the Aging Senior Advocates meet with interested and needy seniors ages 60 and over this winter at the following locations in the Town of Huntington: Huntington Senior Nutrition Center, 423 Park Ave., Huntington: Wednesdays, Feb. 25 and March 25, 8:30-11:30 a.m.; Paumanack Village I & II, 650 Paumanack Village Drive, Greenlawn: Tuesdays, Feb. 24 and March 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Paumanack Village V & VI, 100 Adriatic Drive, Melville: Thursdays, Feb. 26 and March 26, 8:30-11:30 a.m.; Monday, March 9, 10 a.m.-noon; and South Huntington Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station: Thursday, Feb. 19, 10-11:30 a.m. Advocates assist with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP – formerly known as food stamps), Medicare Savings Program and Heating Emergency Assistance Program (HEAP) applications. 631-853-8200.

Join business professionals at BNI Executive Referral Exchange’s breakfast networking meeting every Wednesday, 78:30 a.m. at the Dix Hills Diner, 1800 Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills. 631-462-7446.

Commack Public Library

A History of Jazz The Ken Kresge Jazz Trio presents a piano trio performance celebrating 100 years of America’s great art form, jazz, on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at the John W. Engeman Theater At Northport. Join the trio as they take you on a musical journey through the history of America’s greatest jazz songs, from Gershwin and Porter, Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis – to Broadway and beyond. $45. 350 Main St., Northport. 631-261-2900. www.johnwengemantheater.com. from 7 p.m. to midnight at The Huntington Elks Lodge, 195 Main St., Huntington. Proceeds will benefit local area boy scouts.

Valentine Roast Beef Dinner

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a roast beef dinner on Feb. 14, 7 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 1018 Pulaski Road, East Northport. Entertainment included. $20. Call 631-261-1303 for tickets.

Argentine Tango Classes

Experience the subtle communication between partners as you learn the passionate dance known as the tango.

Come dressed to impress (but be comfortable) for classes at a new time on Saturdays, 2-4 p.m. at Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station. 631-470-9620 or email noconintended@gmail.com.

Suggested donation: $15 per person/$25 per couple.

Farmer’s Market

Shop at a farmer’s market at Main Street Nursery, 475 West Main St., Huntington, every Saturday until March 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 631-271-0160.

Vendors welcome.

SUNDAY Concerts By The Pond

Dr. Carol Weitner will give an organ recital on Sunday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m. at St. John's Church in Cold Spring Harbor, on its magnificent new Casavant organ.

The program will feature works by composers from eight countries and six centuries. For additional information and directions, visit stjohnscoldspringharbor.org. (Snow date: Feb. 22, 2015). $20 donation, students and children free.

MONDAY Coping With Mental Illness

The Melville-based National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, NAMI, hosts a free, 12week program for family members who are coping with loved ones with severe mental illness. The class is held every Monday from 7-9 p.m. at the Syosset Hospital through March 23. Contact Susan Palmer at 917-838-7436 to register.

TUESDAY Free Mommy And Me Class

Sing! Stretch! Dance! Play! Enjoy a funfilled class that includes parachute play and bubble play and meet other Jewish moms at The Chai Center in Dix Hills.

The free class takes place Tuesdays at 10 a.m. For children ages 6-36 months.

Pre-registration required by phone or online: 631-351-8672. www.thechaicenter.com.

Free Help For Vets

Every Tuesday from 12-4 p.m. is “Military Appreciation Tuesdays,” when Long Island Cares specifically assists veterans, military personnel and their families at the Huntington Station, Hauppauge and Freeport emergency pantries. Appointments can be made by contacting jrosati@licares.org.

WEDNESDAY Open Mic Night

Play your heart out at an acoustic open mic night every Wednesday at Caffe Portofino, 249 Main St., Northport, 7-10 p.m. www.facebook.com/cafportopenmic.

Original songs only.

Power Breakfast

18 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631499-0888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us.

• Enjoy a friendly game of bridge or mah-jongg in the Community Room every Friday, from 1-5:30 p.m.

• Chef Jo-Ann Tiranno of the Passionate Palate will teach you the ins and outs of the Mediterranean Diet including cooking techniques (such as water sauté) and how to prepare a 15th of da Vinci and plate design using da Vinci’s divine ratio on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.

Deer Park Public Library

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

• Through a grant from New York State, the library offers Google Nexus 7 tablets for borrowing. Browse the web, download a book, play games and more with just a touch of your finger.

Tablets can be checked out for two weeks on an adult Deer Park library card.

• Learn about patents, copyrights and trademarks on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m.

Elwood Public Library

3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631499-3722. www.elwoodlibrary.org.

• Watch the library’s weekly Friday afternoon movie at 1 p.m.

• Calling all cooks! The library is publishing a community cookbook and wants your recipes. Visit the website and click on the graphic.

Half Hollow Hills Community Library

Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631421-4530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631-421-4535. hhhlibrary.org.

• 3D printing is here! Watch the MakerBot in action for 50 cents of printing for each 30 minutes. For more information, call the Adult Reference Desk.

• Practice for the SAT in a test-like environment on Saturday, Feb. 7. Bring your own calculator. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Dix Hills.

Harborfields Public Library

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

• Come in for some fun and games every Friday from 1-4 p.m. The game room is stocked with scrabble, bridge and other fun board games.

(Continued on page A17)

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• Celebrate the opening reception for the “Creative Friends: Paintings That Tell a Story” exhibit Saturday, Feb. 7, 2-4 p.m. with Marjorie Eckstein and Mary Jane Macartney.

THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A17

(Continued from page A16)

Manners and Mores of the 19th Century In celebration of its 20th anniversary, on Thursday, Feb. 5, the North Shore Civil War Roundtable’s Frank Hendricks and Linda Pratt present a musical program, “Manners and Mores of 19th Century America,” specializing in the popular music of mid-19th century America. Costumed in period attire and accompanying themselves on piano, guitar and banjo, they present an intriguing and highly entertaining concert program of musical Americana. 7 p.m. at the South Huntington Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station.

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

Huntington Public Library

Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington.

631-427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631421-5053. www.thehuntingtonlibrary.org.

• Op-Ed Fridays are weekly at the main branch. Stop by from 2-5 p.m. and discuss your thoughts on a changing world. Registration is required and light refreshments will be served.

• Tweens through adults are invited to learn about celebrated AfricanAmerican artists on three Sunday afternoons, Feb. 8, and 15, at 2 p.m. at the main branch.

Northport-East Northport Public Library

Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-2616930. East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org.

• Learn to use Windows 8.1 to work with files, folders, applications, and more on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 7-9 p.m. in Northport.

• AARP Tax-Aide, a free service helping low and middle-income taxpayers, will help you prepare your taxes on: Thursdays, Feb. 5 and 12, 9-11 a.m. in East Northport; and Fridays, Feb. 6 and 13, 9-11 a.m. in Northport. Bring current tax records and copies of your last filed federal and state tax returns.

All persons listed on the tax return must be present and must bring a photo ID and Social Security card.

South Huntington Public Library

145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. 631-549-4411. www.shpl.info.

• If you will be seeking a state driver's permit, practice for the written test with a free, online resource offered through the South Huntington Public Library. Budding drivers can take any of 11 practice tests for a driver's permit.

• In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the North Shore Civil War Roundtable’s Frank Hendricks and Linda Pratt present a musical program, “Manners and Mores of 19th Century America,” specializing in the popular music of mid19th century America, on Thursday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m.

THEATER & FILM Cinema Arts Centre

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

• Bart must save the 500 other piano students from their teacher, the evil Dr. T, in “The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T,” a 1953 musical story, screenplay and lyrics by Dr. Seuss. Screening on Sunday, Feb. 8 at noon. Free for Kids under 13/$6 members/$11 public.

• Join Foster Hirsch – the “Dean of Film Noir” – for the 65th anniversary of the ultimate Hollywood Noir, “Sunset Boulevard,” screening Monday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. $10 Members/$15 Public.

John W. Engeman Theater At Northport

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

• “Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike”, the Tony Award-winning play, runs until March 8.

• The Ken Kresge Jazz Trio presents a piano trio performance celebrating 100 years of America’s great art form, jazz, on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. $45.

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.

• Curated by Long Island master printmaker Dan Welden, an exhibition of large-scale woodcuts by Li Kang, one of China’s most celebrated printmakers, will be seen for the first time in the United States at the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery of the Art League of Long Island from February 1 to March 8, 2015. A reception for the artist, who is coming to Long Island for the occasion, will be held on Feb. 8, from 3-5 pm.

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. 631-5495106. www.bjspokegallery.com.

• The Artists’ Choice 2015 Invitational Exhibition is on view from Tuesday, Feb. 3-Sunday, March 1, with a reception on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2-5 p.m.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

279 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor.

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

• The year-long exhibit “Sea Ink: American Sailors and Tattoo Art” explores the culture and significance of nautical tattoos and their historical origins from sailors’ lives at sea. The exhibit features an array of tattoo artifacts, antique machines, early inking tools and Sailor Jerry flash art.

• Explore the amazing world of teeth! In celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, Huntington Bay Dental presents “Toothpalooza” – a funfilled family day of teeth exploration on Sunday, Feb. 8, 12-3 p.m. $10/child.

Adults are regular admission.

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 $6-8/adults, $4-6/seniors, and $4-5/children; members and children

under 10 free. 631-351-3250.

• The museum presents “Modern Alchemy: Experiments in Photography,” on view through March 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.holocaustnassau.org.

• The permanent exhibit explains the 1930s increase of intolerance, the reduction of human rights, and the lack of intervention that enabled the persecution and mass murder of millions of Jews and others: people with disabilities, Roma and Sinti (Gypsies), Jehovah’s Witnesses, gays and Polish intelligentsia.

Huntington Arts Council

Main Street Petite Gallery: 213 Main St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Monday Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday noon-4 p.m. 631-271-8423. www.huntingtonarts.org.

• “Making an Impression III,” a juried printmaking exhibit, is on display until Feb. 9 in the main gallery.

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.

• The Lunch & Learn lecture, this time on Cold Spring Harbor, is at Black & Blue restaurant in Huntington village on Thursday, Feb. 12. $45 non-members/$40 members. Price includes three-course meal. Reservations required. Call 631-427-7045, ext. 404.

Northport Historical Society Museum

215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m. 631-7579859. www.northporthistorical.org.

• “Window Shopping Through Time” is a recreation of 10 stores that were located on Main Street and Woodbine Avenue spanning about 100 years, from the 1880s’ Morris City Grocery with their fresh produce and dry goods to the 1980s 5&10 with their ribbon and toys.

Ripe Art Gallery

1028 Park Ave., Huntington. TuesdayThursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 2-8

p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. www.ripeartgal.com. 631-239-1805.

• Submissions are now being accepted for the gallery’s Ninth Annual Valentine’s Day Group Show. This year’s theme is “Peace, Love and Rock ’n’ Roll.”

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

180 Little Neck Road, Centerport.

Museum hours through April 15: Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday, 12-4 p.m. Grounds admission: $7 adults, $6 students with ID and seniors 62 and older, and $3 children 12 and under.

Mansion tour, add $5 per person. 631854-5555. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

• The planetarium’s new show, “Black Holes: Journey into the Unknown,” has regular showings on Tuesdays and Sundays at 2 p.m.

• Educators lead these fun, creative sessions with visits to the marine, naturalhistory and cultural-artifact galleries and wild-animal habitats, which inspire the hands-on artistic projects that follow, the weeks of Feb. 7-11 and Feb. 16-20. Pre-registration required.

Walt Whitman Birthplace

246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station. Hours: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Admission: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 students, and children under 5 are free. 631-427-5240. www.waltwhitman.org.

• Schedule at a time convenient for your group for high tea and transport yourself back in time as your group experiences High Tea in a private gathering house at the Birthplace. $25/person.

631-427-5240, ext. 120. teaparty@waltwhitman.org.

MUSIC & DANCE Five Towns College Performing Arts Center

Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-6562148. www.dhpac.org.

• Break out your tie-dyed shirts and relive the music, culture and news of the ’60s on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2 p.m. $25-$35.

The Paramount

370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631673-7300. www.paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

• It’s a St. Valentine’s Day Massacre with Misfits and special guests Two Man Advantage & Haunted Hacienda on Friday, Feb. 13. $25-$60.

• The Paramount Comedy Series presents Jim Breuer on Saturday, Feb. 14, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. $19.50-$59.50.

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

10 days prior to publication date.

Send to Community Calendar at 14 Wall Street, Huntington, NY 11743, or e-mail to info@longislandergroup.com

A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A19

Valentine’s Day Lovebirds Flocking To Town Hall Wedding-Thon

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

The Saturday after next is Valentine’s Day – love’s greatest holiday.

And Huntington Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia will be Cupid’s top helper as she weds couples on Feb. 14.

Raia will again host a marriage marathon at Huntington Town Hall, a tradition she has embraced and expanded each year since the first one 20 years ago.

“It’s very heartwarming,” she said.

So far, six couples have signed up to take the plunge in ’15, but Raia said she expects that number to grow as Feb. 14 draws nearer. For that day, the town board room will be transformed into a magical wonderland for weddings thanks to the generosity of local bakers, florists, supermarkets, pharmacies and photographers.

It all got started two decades ago after a change by a marketing company – and a bit of fast thinking by people in the town clerk’s office that day – set the marathon’s foundation.

“Years ago, there was a promotional company that used to give the town clerks and hospitals that wanted to participate little gift baggies,” Raia said.

Raia and her staff would sift through those products and make packages for couples who just got their marriage licenses. But, a couple of weeks before Valentine’s Day 1995, Raia was told the company was no longer offering those promotional items – but had something for Valentine’s Day. “If you do something, the company will donate a 2-pound box of choco-

lates [for every couple getting married],” Raia recalled being told.

Coincidentally, the saleswoman was making her pitch while a local photographer was in the town clerk’s office, who offered to take pictures and give the newlyweds prints. With the foundation in place, Raia reached out to bakeries and flower shops to complete the experience.

“It just blossomed from that point,” Raia said.

It hasn’t all been rose petals along the way – there’s a lot of hard work to make it all happen, and there’s been a couple of close shaves over the years.

Raia recalls scrambling with her staff to decorate the town board room after a daytime meeting left them little lead time before the ceremony. Another year, she married 16 couples – exhilarating, but exhausting.

“I was ready for a bed,” she laughed. “It was rough, but it was fun.”

There have been countless highlights, too. She’s facilitated renewals of vows, and helped spring elaborate surprises – including sending a brideto-be a phony dog summons to get her to Town Hall, where her future husband was waiting, poised to propose.

Along the way, she’s married couples from all walks of life, ranging from a Supervisor’s daughter to cash-strapped newlyweds for whom the Town Hall event is their only reception.

“It’s welcomed by the guests, and it can get very emotional and sentimental at times,” she said.

For more information – or to make an appointment to marry – call 631351-3216.

Social Note Happy 64th Anniversary Joy and Noel, formerly of Cold Spring Harbor, were married Jan. 10, 1951 in Miami, Fla. The Atherlys had four children, Noel Jr., Dr. Susan Atherly, Shelly Atherley and one son, CJ, who passed away of Lou Gehrig’s disease. The Atherlys have four grandchildren and were planning a vacation with all the family for their 64th anniversary. The couple now lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Joy has one brother, Kenneth Jarvis of Huntington, and one sister, Marilyn Treanor White, who passed away.

Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia is Cupid’s right-hand woman this Feb. 14, when she’ll host her annual Valentine’s Day marriage marathon at Town Hall.

A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A21

DIX HILLS

Beware Of Flying Cash Register Police bust pair who allegedly robbed Dix Hills gas station

By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandergroup.com

What’s a good hint that you’re on the right track in the search for two men who just stole a cash register from a gas station?

When one of the guys in the car you’re tailing hurls it out the window.

Two men who allegedly robbed a Dix Hills gas station in the wee morning hours of Jan. 29 were cuffed shortly after they ditched the register at the corner of Majestic Drive and Regency Lane in Dix Hills, according to Suffolk County police.

“That made it pretty obvious he had the right car,” said Second Squad Det. Lt. William Burke. The two were later cornered on Majestic Court, a dead-end road, and arrested.

Charged with second-degree robbery after the incident are Nicholas Schmieder, 21, of Dix Hills, and Shane McAdams, 20, of Huntington Station. They were both arraigned Friday morning in Central Islip.

According to police, the duo barged into a Sunoco station, located at 1888 East Jericho Turnpike in Dix Hills at 3 a.m., shoved the store clerk

and snatched the register.

But they didn’t get very far with it, Burke said. Shortly after the alleged robbery, Second Precinct Patrol Officer Peter Devlin saw the two men in a 2014 Nissan Altima.

He followed them for “just a couple of blocks,” Burke said, until the men were cornered on the dead-end road.

Police arrested McAdams at the scene; Schmieder, police allege, made a run for it. He didn’t get very far, either. Burke said Schmieder ran through two backyards and came out on the front of the property at

Shane McAdams

Nicholas Schmeider

Regency Lane, but Second Precinct Patrol Sergeant William Miller was right there waiting to grab him.

Both were held on $50,000 bail and $150,000 bond, which neither had posted by press time Monday. They were both due back in court after press time on Tuesday.

Winter Storm - Part 2 The second major storm in a week closed schools, snarled the commutes in all directions and served as a reminder that most of us simply don’t like Mondays. Above, Quintree Lane in Melville awaits the plows. Right, a plow operator clears Old Country Road

Photography goes back to the future with retro look (Continued from page A9)

1960s-styled instamatic images to share with the entire world.

Smartphones may represent the pinnacle of 21st century imaging technology, however a large selection of retro-styled apps make them the largest suppliers of retro images.

A new app, WhiteAlbum, takes the film experience literally. It allows your smartphone to take a photo that disappears before you can view it.

After you have completed a “roll” of 24 photos, those images are sent to a lab and you receive high-quality photos on thick stock in the mail.

These prints represent the first time

you see your images, thus recreating the film camera experience.

In addition, VSCO Cam, Vintage Scene, Camera+, Camera Bag and Hipstamatic are some popular vintage photo apps that sell for a dollar or two allowing you to create square images that would make your grandparents smile.

Instagram draws inspiration from the instamatic cameras of the 1960s, but their logo is inspired by another iconic photographic product making a comeback – the Polaroid. The Polaroid name has resurfaced in the last few years in cameras that make small instant prints from their retro-

styled socialmatic cameras. Polaroid is set to release their pocket-sized Zip Mobile printer. This represents the perfect marriage of 21st century technology with a nostalgic product.

Fuji also offers small instant prints with the InstaxShare pocket printer.

This allows you to make small Polaroid-type instants from smartphones and most Fuji cameras.

The nostalgic craze is evident in editing software as well. Google’s NIK software Photoshop plug-in Analog Efex Pro 2 helps you create images with all of film’s shortcomings such as fading, scratches and dust. Adobe, OnOne Software, and

Topaz are but a few of the many software developers that have products designed specifically for creating nostalgic images. Wedding photographers now add these types of photos to their packages because of their popularity.

Instagram and the smartphone have made us comfortable with the idea and process of using filters to create nostalgic images. Now we are looking for ways to bring this to our permanent images and products like the family camera and photo album.

Unlike Marty McFly, your trip through time should be a little more enjoyable and less bumpy.

A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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HillSPORTS WINTER TRACK

Colts,T-BirdsRaceTo SuffolkChampionships

By Andrew Wroblewski awroblewski@longislandergroup.com

The weekend of football’s Big Game – sure, that’s what most folks were focused on when Sunday came around. But for the Colts and Thunderbirds of Half Hollow Hills High Schools East and West, last weekend was about something else: the Suffolk County boys and girls large school winter track championships.

On Friday, the boys first took to the indoor track at Suffolk County Community College in Brentwood where the Colts finished ninth out of 21 teams with 22 points. Following closely behind, the Thunderbirds came in 11th place with 20 points of their own.

Denzel Hardy was one of the Colts’ sources of scoring as he tallied up 8 points with his 1:24.40 time in the 600-meter run. That time put Hardy in second place out of 22 runners. Dashing his way to another second-place finish for the Colts was senior Kory Fitzgerald, a multisport athlete who also handled defense as a captain for Hills West’s soccer team in the fall. Fitzgerald finished with a 35.35 time in the final round of the 300-meter dash – good for another 8 points. Another top contributor was Dante English, a senior Colt, who finished in third place out of 22 jumpers in the long jump competition.

Rounding out Hills West’s day were junior Eric Waugh who finished in 11th out of 22 competitors in the night’s shot put competition, and the team of Cameron Wolk, Christopher Strasser, Mateo Mezic and Andrew Faber, which finished with a time of 9:22.75 in the 4 x 800 meters relay.

As for those Thunderbirds, the

Long Islander News photos/Andrew Wroblewski

All four teams, boys and girls, participated last weekend with county’s best

Blair Braxton, center, a junior Thunderbird, competes in the 55-meter dash on Friday during the Suffolk County boys winter track championships. team of Sam Chimezie, Luke Longo, Richie Hogan and Jonny Perrier took home bronze in the 4 x 400 meter relay with a time of 3:32.86. The boys were just 0:00.75 seconds behind the first-place team in the event, Longwood. Other relay teams included Jon Alabre, Azende Davis, Manny Fuentes and Phillip Portalatin who finished in 12th place with a time of 8:46.60 in the 4 x 800 meter relay; and Blair Braxton, Kevin Jimenez, Noah Kershner and Tajrik Foulke who finished in eighth place out of 17 teams with a time of 1:37.62 in the 4 x 200 meter relay.

Individual competitors were also shining for Hills East. In the high jump, senior Dexter Ward took home 6 points and a third-place finish out of 22 jumpers. Perrier raced to a fourth-place finish with a time of 2:40.45 in the 1000-meter run, and Chimezie was also able to claim fourth place in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.72. In the 600-meter run, Longo clocked in at 1:29.35, good for 13th place.

Finally, Malik Turner and Kodi Ojukwu finished in seventh and ninth place, respectively, in the shot put competition.

As for the girls, the Colts and

Thunderbirds hit Suffolk Community college on Sunday, just hours before the Super Bowl.

Coming in a tie for sixth place out of a total 20 teams were the Colts of Hills West with 24 points. Not far behind were the Thunderbirds, which clocked in at 14 points and in 12th place.

Hills West was led by two firstplace finishes, one by junior Leeyan Redwood in the shot put competition – which earned her school 10 points – and another by the team of Victoria Antoine, Megan Iris and sisters, Olivia Sabatino and Arianna Sabatino in the 4 x 800

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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015 • A23

A senior, Sam Chimezie competes in the 55-meter hurdles for Hills East on Friday at Suffolk County Community College.

Jumping in the long jump competition during Friday’s Suffolk boys winter track championships, Dante English finishes in third place for Hills West. meters relay. They finished with a time of 9:45.63, which was good for 10 points.

More points were accrued for the Colts by Alyssa Jean – who finished with a time of 7.53 in the 55-meter dash finals for 1 point – and Mia Abulencia and Alyssa Jean who finished in fifth and sixth place for 2 points and 1 point, respectively, in the triple jump competition.

Abluencia also finished in ninth place in the long jump. Anya Pawar, a sophomore, placed 14th in the triple jump.

Finishing up for the Colts was the team of Redwood, Alexis D’Alessandro, Abluencia and Jean, which finished in eighth place out of 16 teams with a time of 1:53.18 in the 4 x 200 meters relay.

Hills East spawned a first-place finisher of its own as Mary Chimezie took home the gold with a 41.97 performance in the 300-meter dash; she earned 10 points for the Thunderbirds with that time.

In the relays: Madison Ciuffetelli, Jenna Bottone,

Katrina Barry and Sarah Kaiken finished with a time of 11:35.73 in the 4 x 800 meter; Doyin Ogundiran, Maria Gomis, Chimezie and Ashley Jimenez finished at 4:25.83 in the 4 x 400 meter relay; and Autumn Cheek, Chimezie, Jimenez and Gomis clocked in at 1:50.46 – good for fourth place and 4 points – in the 4 x 200 meter relay.

Elsewhere, the Thunderbirds had performances from Ciuffetelli in the 3000-meter run – she clocked in at 12:00.93. Ogundiran finished 11th in the 600-meter run with a time of 1:43.98, and Bottone placed 12th out of 24 runners in the 1000-meter run with a time of 3:19.28. Amanda Ribeiro also competed in the 600meter run and finished with a time of 1:48.54.

Last, but not least, Brooke Duncanson finished in 16th place during the high jump competition and, in the shot put contest, Jazmyn Hodge and Cierra Jones placed eighth and 13th, respectively, out of 23 competitors.

Kory Fitzgeraldm right, a Hills West senior, finishes with a second-place time on Friday in the 300 meter dash.

Jonny Perrier, second from left, takes off in the 1000-meter run Friday at Suffolk County Community College where the boys winter track county championships were held.

A24 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • FEBRUARY 5, 2015

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