HALF HOLLOW HILLS Copyright © 2013 Long Islander Newspapers, LLC
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N E W S P A P E R
VOLUME FIFTEEN, ISSUE 44
24 PAGES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2013
DIX HILLS SOUTH HUNTINGTON
Fallon: District ‘Not In Debt’ Residents concerned over possible school closures, tax increases Half Hollow Hills photo/Jacqueline Birzon
Friar Finds Perfection On SAT By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com
More than 1.5 million seniors in the class of 2012 took the SAT. Just 360 scored a perfect score. A rare accomplishment indeed, it has happened in South Huntington. When St. Anthony’s High School junior Akash Nandi received the score from his Dec. 1 exam, he saw the numbers 2400. “I’m pretty happy about it. It’s not like anything I’d brag about,” Nandi said. Brother Gary Cregan, principal of the Pidgeon Hill Road Catholic school, said he realized that the junior was extraordinarily bright when he transferred from Syosset High School as a rising sophomore. “It’s not often that a high school has a kid of this caliber,” Cregan said. Cregan said Nandi’s perfect score was the first at St. Anthony’s during the principal’s 10-year tenure. A few weeks before sitting down for the exam, the junior said he went through 10 practice tests in the College Board’s Blue Book. He was confident walking into the test, and the thought that he had gotten a perfect score had crossed his mind, although he admitted there were a few questions he was unsure about walking out. He offered strong praise for the Blue Books when it comes to SAT preparations. “I know a lot of kids go to a lot of hardcore prep classes. I’m sure they’re effective, but I don’t know if the SAT is worth it,” he said. Nandi is no stranger to academic success, having taken many AP classes, including some during summer breaks. He interned with Columbia University this past summer, and come next year, he will be sitting in a college classroom. Nandi applied to Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Mas(Continued on page A19)
A crowd of over 1,000 residents attended the first community meeting in preparation or the 2013-2014 budget at Hills East on Jan. 7. By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com
More than 1,000 anxious Half Hollow Hills residents filled the seats and aisles of the High School East auditorium Monday night for a highly anticipated open forum in preparation for the 2013-2014 budget. District administrators and the board of education put on a brave face as officials outlined options for making $9.5 million in budget cuts, including the possibility of closing schools, eliminating student services and extracurricular activities. School officials outlined the district’s current $222-million budget, which operates within the state’s 2-percent tax levy cap at 2.33 percent. In light of current expenses, administrators said that to retain services under the current budget, the dis-
trict would need to increase the 2013-2014 budget by 7.1 percent, raising the estimated property tax levy by 8.5 percent, a hike which would require the approval of a 60 percent supermajority. Some residents felt it would be worth it to pay an increased property tax while others said the option was unfair to residents who cannot afford to pay significantly higher taxes. The district’s reserve funds, referred to as the “rainy day fund,” is dispersed over seven accounts and has a present balance of $19 million, according to Assistant Superintendent of Finance Anne Marie Marrone Caliendo. For the current school year, the district tapped $9 million in reserve funds to maintain programs and lower the tax levy. For next year, the district needs to close a budget gap of $6,860,000 or pierce
the tax cap. District Superintendent Kelly Fallon stressed that despite the state of the budget, the school is not in debt. Administrators presented their case via PowerPoint, discussing the viability of closing Chestnut Hill Elementary (saving $1 million), Half Hollow Hills High School West (saving $5 million), or Candlewood Middle School either at the end of the academic year (saving $3 million) or in 20142015 (saving $1 million). Officials said that declining enrollment rates make options such as a school closure feasible, and noted they would lease a closed school if enrollment should once again increase. Should enrollment decline at both the elementary and grade-seven levels, the district expects to save an addition(Continued on page A19)
IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION
Manhunt On In Dix Hills Robbery A3
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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Judge Leo Begins A New Chapter Half Hollow Hills photos/Danny Schrafel
By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
State Supreme Court Justice John Leo took his place on the 10th District Bench following a swearing-in ceremony in Centerport Sunday. At Jellyfish restaurant, State Supreme Court Justice William Rebolini, who like Leo, got his start on the dais of the Huntington Town Board, administered the oath of office and praised his new colleague. “John and I have known each other for
HALF HOLLOW HILLS
Moving On With The Judge
Gina Satiro, left, with her mother, Dix Hills civic activist Jean Varrone and her stepfather Al. By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
A Dix Hills native who worked with State Supreme Court Justice John Leo at the Town Attorney’s office in Huntington is beginning a new chapter of her career alongside the newly robed judge. Gina Satiro, who worked for Leo at the Town Attorney’s office for a year, moved with Leo to the State Supreme Court as his law secretary. Satiro said working for Leo and the Town of Huntington has been a great learning experience, and she’s looking forward to continuing that work in the court system. “I’m very excited about moving on to New York State Supreme Court. It’s been a dream of mine since college,” she said. Originally, Satiro said she wanted to be a police officer, but changed gears and proceed to earn her bachelor’s degree in law at NYIT before earning her paralegal certification at Adelphi University. After becoming certified, she worked in personal injury law before moving onto real estate, where she handled commercial law for a decade. From there, she moved onto her most recent stint at the Town of Huntington, which then led to the State Supreme Court job. She is one of two Town Attorney’s office employees who moved with Leo from Huntington Town Hall to the sixth floor of the court building in Central Islip. Former Assistant Town Attorney Johanna Stewart-Suchow is on board with Justice Leo as his chief law clerk. “He’s going to be a fabulous judge,” Satiro said of Leo.
Well-wishers included Congressman Steve Israel, left, with Leo and Rebolini. about 25 years, and I know he has the qualities, the attributes and the wisdom and intelligence to be one of the brightest and best New York State justices,” Rebolini said. The word of the afternoon for Leo was “honored,” one he frequently returned to as he thanked his supporters with his wife and children standing by his side. “I had people like you – people all around that were like you. People that guided, supported and nurtured me over time. You all helped me in some way,” Leo said. He credited his grandparents, who emigrated to America from Italy, for setting his moral foundation, and his tight-knit Italian family in Brooklyn for showing him the importance of caring for family and the importance of education. His family’s experiences taught him the value of hard work, fairness and honor. He highlighted one of his grandfathers, who, despite losing a leg, continued to work hard and support a family. “I saw that, and I saw the dignity they lived with every day as I grew up,” he recalled. Brother Gary Cregan, principal of St. Anthony’s High School, where Leo’s three children are students, led the gathering in prayer and bestowed an ancient Franciscan blessing upon Leo. The new judge said his Catholic education as a child was a key in setting his moral compass as an adult. Supervisor Frank Petrone, who, up until the end of the year was Leo’s boss while he served as town attorney, said he has given both legal and spiritual guidance during his tenure at town hall. “He’s really been a person that has mentored all of us,” Petrone said. “The Supreme Court [and] the people of the State of New York are getting someone not only with a mind as a justice, but person that has a heart that goes along with it.”
State Supreme Court Justice John Leo’s family looks on at Jellyfish restaurant in Centerport as he takes the oath of office from State Supreme Court Justice William Rebolini.
Brother Gary Cregan, principal of St. Anthony’s High School, administers an ancient Franciscan blessing to the new judge. Petrone and town council members Mark Cuthbertson and Susan Berland were on hand to wish the new judge well, as was Congressman Steve Israel, Assemblyman Andrew Raia, Legislator William Spencer and District Court Judge Karen Kerr. With Just Cause, the band headed by Spe-
cial Assistant Town Attorney Jim Matthews, playing in Jellyfish’s veranda, the mood was light-hearted and joyful in the packed house. As he robed the Justice Leo, Rebolini cracked, “How come yours has starch, and mine doesn’t?” “Mine’s new,” Leo said with a smile.
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Enter And Sign In, Please New front-desk procedure part of long-term protocol improvements By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
Visitors to Huntington Town Hall will now be required to sign in as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the building’s security. Public Safety Director Ken Lindahl said Sunday that the new sign-in sheet, which began in the New Year, is part of a longrange project to improve security at town hall. Visitors are asked to write their name, destination and arrival time when they first come in, and when they leave, they are asked to sign out. “The personnel feel safer, and I’ve gotten positive comments from most of the citizens,” Lindahl said.
The sign-in protocol follows an increased Public Safety presence at the town hall welcome desk and town board meetings, which was first implemented several months back. Lindahl, a three-decade veteran of the NYPD, said the change is not tied to any particular incident or threat, but is part of an ongoing project to review and enhance security procedures since he became the Public Safety director in June 2011. “When I first came on board with the town, I recognized there hadn’t been much in the way of security. I had to juggle my staff around – I found the right people to work 9 to 5, be there during business hours, and it all falls into place,” Lindahl said. In addition to improving security, the change can help town hall run more effi-
ciently – by having people available to give directions and distribute timely information. One example of that happening, Lindahl said, is in response to the delayed mailing of town garbage pickup calendars. “There was a rush of people who rely on that information, and in order to short-circuit some of the traffic in the building, we were able to provide Xeroxed copies of the first month of the calendar so people could have access to that, and they didn’t need to impact some of the departments such as Environmental Waste Management,” Lindahl said. The new procedures will be reviewed and tweaked as needed, with the aim of best serving town workers and residents. “It’s constantly in a state of review and analysis,” he said.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A3
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Long Islander Newspapers Sold A new chapter has begun in a long and rich publishing legacy started in Huntington 175 years ago when Walt Whitman published the first edition of The Long-Islander. Long Islander Newspapers, Inc., which includes Huntington’s premier community newspaper as well as The Record and the Half Hollow Hills Newspaper, plus several professional journals for attorneys, has been sold. PFH Media Group NY, LLC has acquired the chain, as well as its sister paper, the Queens Tribune, from Tribco, LLC. Michael Schenkler, president of Tribco, who has guided the Tribune since 1978 and acquired and became publisher of Long Islander Newspapers in 2006, made the announcement on Jan. 2. PFH Media Group NY, LLC, is a branch of Phoenix Financial Holdings, a group
based in Washington, D.C., headed by Chairman Brandy Williams. Phoenix plans to supplement the publications’ present efforts with its business expertise and publishing experience to take the company’s publications to a new level. “I believe that exciting days are ahead for our new publications,” Williams said. “We look forward to building on their historic, journalistic foundations and growing them in the vital communities which they serve.” Long Islander Newspapers will remain a strong presence in the Town of Huntington. The present staff of both the Long Island and Queens operations is being retained, and Schenkler will remain with Phoenix Media as a consultant. One of Huntington’s oldest businesses, The Long-Islander was founded in 1838 by
renowned poet Walt Whitman. The flagship of the newspaper chain, the paper serves the communities of Huntington, Huntington Station, Huntington Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, Lloyd Harbor, Greenlawn and Centerport. The Record, which was established by a competing newspaper 20 years ago and later acquired, today serves Northport, East Northport, Elwood, Asharoken and Commack with the same brand of community journalism that has made its sister paper the premier Huntington newspaper for more than a century-and-a-half. The Half Hollow Hills Newspaper, founded in 1996 for Dix Hills and Melville readers, completes the chain’s townwide coverage. Long Islander Newspapers also produces monthly publications for the legal community, including The Suffolk Lawyer, Queens
Bar Bulletin and The New York County Lawyer. In addition to the Queens Tribune and Long Islander Newspapers, the acquisition includes: the Press of Southeast Queens; Multi-Media (an advertising, promotion and printing company) and DineHuntington (operators of Huntington Restaurant Week).
MELVILLE
Town Board: Tennis Court Cannot Stay By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
Long Islander Newspapers, as well as its sister publications in Queens, will see new ownership in 2013.
DIX HILLS
Suspects Sought In Hold-Up jbirzon@longislandernews.com
Second Squad detectives and Suffolk County Crime Stoppers are probing a New Year’s Eve robbery during which two men robbed a Dix Hills gas station at gunpoint. According to police, two black men wearing masks entered the 765 Deer Park Ave. Sunoco station at approximately 8:42 p.m. and demanded cash and cigarettes. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and were
last seen heading westbound, on foot, down New Jersey Street toward Straight Path. Police said one of the men was wearing a brown jacket with yellow stitching that resembled an Ed Hardy design logo. Crime Stoppers asks that anyone with information regarding this crime anonymously call them at 1-800-220TIPS. A press release issued by the Suffolk County Crime Stoppers said a cash reward of up to $5,000 will be awarded for any information that leads to an arrest.
Photo/Suffolk County Police Department
By Jacqueline Birzon
A surveillance photo from the 765 Deer Park Ave. Sunoco station shows one of the suspects involved in a New Year’s Eve gas station robbery.
Town officials said they expect a recent push to address a tennis court that encroaches on a Melville parkland will conclude amicably in the next few weeks. Town spokesman A.J. Carter said the issue at hand is a tennis court, a small storage shed and playground equipment at 24 Elkland Road. But the installation intruded on town property at neighboring Dr. Jeffrey Wenig Memorial Park, previously known as Roundtree Park. According to town property records, the Stacey Schnapp Revocable Living Trust owns the property. “During a routine survey of town properties, it was discovered that the owner of the property had erected a tennis court, a small storage shed and playground equipment on town property,” he said. “It was far enough on town property that it can’t remain in place.” The town issued a notice of violation on Sept. 21, and the town board voted Dec. 18 to “take all appropriate legal and equitable action” to enforce town code and end the trespass onto town property. Those remedies, according to the resolution, could include “monetary relief and other penalties.” But Carter said officials don’t expect the proceedings to go that far. “No one expects that it will come to the point where it will be necessary to sue. We’re working with the owner,” he said. “The owner has been cooperative… The resolution authorizes the town to take legal action if necessary, so to that extent it’s routine. But we have been working with the owner and do not believe legal action will be necessary.” Dan Cahn, attorney for the owners of 24 Elkland Road, agrees with the town’s assessment. He said he expects the issue to be resolved “in a matter of weeks.” “We are working it out with the Town Attorney’s office,” he said. “We understand there was an encroachment and we are trying to make arrangements to have it removed and restore the land to its original condition. We’re working it out.”
A4 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013
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POLICE REPORT Compiled by Mike Koehler
They Didn’t Solve The Cliff…
Maybe They Were Looking For Money
…they just moved the edge to February… Be-
digital timer for those addressing the board. Now, we’re all aware of the three-minute clock and the ubiquitous fore you let your congressmen pat themselves on the “ding” that signifies your time is up. But when one resiback for averting the “fiscal cliff,” there’s something dent started to speak, she sugyou should know. They dealt gested the board spring for a with the taxes bit now. However, IN THE KNOW timer so people knew exactly they’ve put off the deadline for WITH AUNT ROSIE how much time they had left dealing with the “sequester,” and could prioritize their obserwhich are really big, across-the-board federal spending vations accordingly. I like that cuts in lieu of a spending cuts deal, until the end of Febidea a lot. It will not only help speakers streamline their ruary, and the debt ceiling (which we hit Jan. 2, all commentary, it’ll also once and for all do away with the $16.4-trillion of it) is still hanging out there. So don’t “you didn’t give me enough time” grumbling. How get your hopes up. Our fiscal mess – and the whole much could such a timer cost? I know money’s tight, bunch of belly-aching associated with it – is far from but it might be a good time to invest in one, for everyover. Brace yourselves. I fear we’ve only just begun, as body’s peace of mind. Karen Carpenter might say.
About time someone banished the ‘fiscal cliff’… It’s that time again. Every New Year’s Eve since 1975, Lake Superior State University has issued its annual list of words that ought to be “banished” from the English language in the New Year. And, every year, they announce the list with a whimsical press release that crams all the words into the first and last paragraphs of the release – a last hurrah of sorts. I figured it’d be more fun to quote their release (banished prose bolded) than rehash the offenders, so here’s the excerpt in question: “While the U.S. Congress has been kicking the can down the road and inching closer to the fiscal cliff, the word gurus at Lake Superior State University have doubled-down on their passion for the language and have released their 38th annual List of Words to be Banished from the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness… so, let’s see what's trending. Grab your favorite superfood (boneless wings) as the list creators [modified use of banished phrase ‘job creators’] at LSSU reveal (spoiler alert!) their bucket list of misused, overused and generally useless words and phrases. YOLO!”
Time, please… I got a report back from Huntington Town Hall with an idea that I could certainly support – a
Cut bait and run… Apparently there are some bumper stickers using potty mouths to promote local fishermen. By this point I’ve grown to accept that anything is possible on the Internet, but I was scratching my head when I pulled up behind a truck with a bumper and gate adorned by stickers. One read “F*** NOAA” and the other said “F*** NMFS” (without the asterisks). I’m not sure how anyone gets mad at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, especially with all of the warnings and information about Superstorm Sandy, but I didn’t even know what NMFS. Using my Google Finger (patent still pending), I learned it stands for the National Marine Fisheries Service. I also learned both of these bumper stickers are sold by the same guy who sells a “Fishing is not a crime! Support your local fishermen!” sticker. Fishing is part of life on Long Island, whether it’s a Sunday morning hobby or a daily occupation. Not sure who would disagree, or why we need to resort to foul language. (Aunt Rosie wants to hear from you! If you have comments, ideas, or tips about what’s happening in your neck of the woods, write to me today and let me know the latest. To contact me, drop a line to Aunt Rosie, c/o The Long-Islander, 149 Main Street, Huntington NY 11743. Or try the e-mail at aunt.rosieli@gmail.com)
Suffolk police were dispatched to Melville about possible criminal mischief on Jan. 5. The complainant said someone broke the driver’s side window of a 1996 Chevrolet.
Again, Why Bother Breaking Windows? A Hauppauge man was arrested by Suffolk County police on Jan. 5 in connection with criminal mischief. The 22-yearold allegedly threw a rock and broke a car window in Huntington.
Or Mailboxes? A Dix Hills resident called Suffolk County police on Jan. 5 about criminal mischief that occurred the day prior. They reported that someone knocked a mailbox off its post.
Burglar Makes Off With Jewelry A Huntington Station resident contacted Suffolk County police about a burglary on Jan. 3. They told police someone entered the house the day before, making off with jewelry.
No Return Policy On Stolen Wallet Suffolk police responded to a Huntington Station supermarket about a theft on Jan. 5. The complainant said an unknown person took their wallet after leaving it on the checkout counter. The wallet contained money and credit cards.
Thief Pays For Five-Finger Discount A Massapequa man was arrested by Suffolk County police on Jan. 4 in connection with a Dix Hills supermarket theft. The 32-year-old man allegedly entered through a loading dock and stole an inventory scanner.
Hide Your Money Suffolk police responded to Melville about a break in on Jan. 4. The complainant said someone broke into their 2007 Audi the day before, stealing a wallet, money and credit cards.
Good Haul For Thief BABY FACES
Send a photo of your pre-school age child or your favorite pet along with a brief anecdotal background and we’ll consider it for “Baby Faces” or “Pet Faces.” For babies, include baby’s full name, date of birth, hometown and names of parents and grandparents. For pets, please include the pet’s name, age, hometown and breed, if applicable. Send to info@longislandernews.com or mail it to: Baby of the Week or Pet of the Week, c/o Long-Islander, 149 Main St., Huntington, NY 11743. Please include a daytime phone number for verification purposes.
Suffolk police were dispatched to a Melville home on Jan. 4 about a burglary. The complainant said the thief took an Apple TV and jewelry sometime between Dec. 27 and Jan. 1. No signs of forced entry were evident.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK PAULA PACHLER
Maybe It Comes In Stripes Suffolk police responded to a theft at a high-end specialty store at the Walt Whitman Shops on Jan. 4. The complainant said an unknown male took shirts and fled the store.
Speeding Driver Admits Pot Possession
“People need to realize who the unemployed are. They are not your typical unemployed, they’re our neighbors. They are the heart and soul of Long Island.” Hard Times Not Lost On Long Island, PAGE A9
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A 35-year-old Centerport man was arrested by Northport police on Dec. 29 over multiple traffic violations and drug possession. An officer observed a 2007 Dodge go through a stop sign on Woodbine Avenue and driving at an unreasonable speed. When the officer stopped the vehicle, they noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The defendant admitted to possessing a marijuana pipe. A subsequent search revealed 22 bags of the drug, weighing over 25 grams. He was charged with failure to stop at a stop sign, driving at an unreasonable speed and criminal possession of marijuana.
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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
BPA Ban Enacted Half Hollow Hills photo/Danny Schrafel
From left, Legislator Steve Stern, Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition founder Karen Miller and Jackson’s owner Shelby Poole look on as County Executive Steve Bellone signs Stern’s Safer Sales Slip Act. County Executive Steve Bellone signed into law Jan. 3 legislation the Safer Sales Slip Act, will ban thermal paper including bisphenol-A (BPA) that is commonly used for printing receipts. Bellone signed the legislation at Jackson’s Restaurant in Commack, where owner Shelby Poole has already made the switch to BPA-free receipt paper. He was joined by County Legislator Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills), who sponsored the law;
Karen Miller, founding president of the Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition; and a number of cancer and child welfare advocates. The law includes a one-year phase-in period for merchants before the full force of the legislation takes effect in 2014. Stern said the law, which carries a $500 fine for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent violation, will be largely enforced through routine health department inspections. -SCHRAFEL
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Town Backs Land Bank By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com
The Town of Huntington declared its support for establishing a countywide not-forprofit to help revitalize vacant or abandoned properties. The town board on Dec. 18 adopted a resolution urging the state to establish the Suffolk County Land Bank, which would authorize the county to facilitate the revitalization of tax-delinquent, vacant, or abandoned properties. The resolution comes after the passage of New York’s Land Bank Act, an initiative signed by Governor Cuomo in July 2011 which grants counties the opportunity to take control of vacant or tax-delinquent properties that are otherwise privately owned. The application, due Jan. 31, must be approved by the Empire State Development Agency. The statute authorized the creation of 10 land banks throughout New York State, five of which have already been designated. According to the town, Suffolk County has identified at least 50 “environmentally contaminated, tax delinquent, abandoned properties…whose future restoration is problematic,” one of which lies in the Town of Huntington. The Huntington location has been identified as a Brownfield, a site where redevelopment is hindered by either known or perceived contamination resulting from prior land use. According to Catherine Green, Suffolk County’s senior manager of public relations for Economic Development and Planning, the county has a Brownfield working group comprised of representatives from the Department of Economic Development and Planning, Health Services and the Office of the Treasurer. The group reviews tax-delinquent land parcels as well as current and past use of property in order to determine whether or not the site poses and environ-
mental hazard. Article 16 of the New York State Not-forProfit Corporation Law allows foreclosing governmental units (FGUs) or a state “tax district” the ability to form a type C not-forprofit corporation. If approved by the state, a land bank may receive funding for redevelopment through a variety of sources. According to Legislator Steve Stern (DDix Hills), creating a land bank is a way to transfer title of tax delinquent properties into the land bank, ultimately protecting taxpayers from the liability that goes along with contaminated, unattractive properties. Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-N. Babylon), said the system was a “good policy” because it would allow the county to revitalize contaminated properties and turn them into productive, lucrative properties. “The real solution has to come from the state, because counties in these economic times are just strapped, and couldn’t possibly afford to put money into properties and clean them up,” he said. Conversely, if the state denies the county’s request, D’Amaro said the county is back to square one and must find other ways to revitalize Brownfield properties. In a similar efforts, in 2009 the Town of Huntington in applied for a New York State Brownfield Area Opportunity (BOA) grant, which helps communities that have “downtown areas suffering from disinvestment because there are properties in the area that are suspect of environmental contamination, or are undeveloped.” The state first awarded the town with a $100,000 grant which was used toward community outreach efforts and marked Phase One of the Huntington Station BOA process. Phase Two of the BOA process was marked by a second grant, totaling $240,000, which the town used to “microfocus” on studying redevelopment opportunities within the western half-mile radius surrounding the Huntington train station.
THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A5
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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Meet The 10th District’s New Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci takes oath of office during New Year’s Day celebration By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
After ringing in the New Year, Chad Lupinacci began a new chapter of his life as an assemblyman in the 10th district. Using a family Bible brought from Italy by his grandfather, Lupinacci, a longtime Huntington Station resident who now lives in Melville, took the oath of office shortly after midnight Jan. 1. Sworn in by Huntington Councilman Mark Mayoka at Sal D’s Restaurant in Huntington,
he succeeds the late Jim Conte, who held the seat since March 1988 until he died Oct. 16, 2012 following a battle with cancer. Lupinacci, 33, said the magnitude of his victory began to sink in the next day, after a hectic three and a half months marked by loss and a historic hurricane shortly before Election Day that led Team Lupinacci to stuff a 1,200-piece mailer by candlelight. “It was just me, and there was silence. The phone wasn’t ringing, saying I had to go walk. There were no emails going through. It was just me and papers being graded. That’s
when I kind of realized,” he said with a chuckle, “the election was over.” His interest in politics dates back to his younger days, when his family would debate around the dinner table as the spellbound youngsters would sit and watch. “I had one grandfather who was a Union Democrat and my father was a Republican,” he recalled. “They would have friendly, but heated, arguments around the holiday dinner table. We didn’t want to leave the table – the younger cousins stuck around the table to hear those arguments because they were so
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Councilman Mark Mayoka swears in Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci in the earlymorning hours of New Year’s Day in Huntington. interesting.” As he grew older, he put his interest in politics into action. While a student at Hofstra University, he interned with Conte, laying the foundation for his future work with the assemblyman. After completing his internship, Conte hired him for the summer. By 2000, he was tapped to intern with then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. And in 2004, he and high school friend Nick Ciappetta, who was his campaign manager during the assembly run, were elected together to the South Huntington Board of Education in 2004. Now that Lupinacci, an attorney and professor at Hofstra and Farmingdale State College, has officially crossed the threshold to elected office, he said he has plenty on his plate for his first two-year term. For the nineyear school board trustee, education will be a major priority. “We definitely have to look at mandate relief to help with the tax cap. That’s No. 1,” he said. Lupinacci said he hopes the state promotes job creation by establishing tax incentives for hiring new employees and focuses on LIPA reforms following public feedback and the state’s investigation of Hurricane Sandy. As the clamor for LIPA reform intensifies, Lupinacci said the agency could meet the same fate as the Articles of Confederation did at the Second Constitutional Convention in 1787. “When they went to look at the Articles of Confederation, the purpose was to go and amend it,” he said. “In the end, they scrapped it and created a new one… You have to really seriously look at the restructuring of LIPA and whether it needs to be dissolved.” As for the lifestyle changes that elected office require, Lupinacci said he expects to continue fall semester courses and maybe a Friday course during the legislative session. When he comes home to Huntington, he’s expecting his friends and family to hold him accountable for what he does in Albany. “It’s good to know people are paying attention. It’s very exciting,” he said. While Lupinacci officially took office at midnight on Jan. 1, he’ll be sworn in again on Tuesday during a ceremony with all of his fellow freshmen in the Assembly. The ceremony was to be held before Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address on Jan. 9.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A7
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HUNTINGTON STATION
Civic Group Appealing By Danny Schrafel dschrafel@longislandernews.com
The legal wrangling over AvalonBay Communities’ proposed 379-unit Huntington Station community isn’t over quite yet. The Greater Huntington Civic Group announced Jan. 6 they would appeal a Nov. 19 ruling by State Supreme Court Justice Joseph C. Pastoressa, which dismissed their Article 78 lawsuit that aimed to throw out the town’s decision to change the zoning of the 26.5-acre parcel on East 5th Street to allow for AvalonBay’s development to proceed. “The Nov. 19 decision was simply one judge’s opinion,” said Steven Spucces, president of the Greater Huntington Civic Group. “We are disputing his interpretation of the facts presented in the lawsuit.” Pastoressa dismissed the Greater Huntington Civic Group’s lawsuit against the Town of Huntington and AvalonBay Communities Nov. 19, ruling the project proposed for Huntington Station underwent sufficient environmental review and that the group did not prove the town perpetrated illegal spot zoning. However, attorney Ed Yule, who was retained by the civic group on Christmas Eve, said the environmental review would be key as the case goes before the Appellate Court. The civic group argues the town violated SEQRA by not conducting an adequate environmental review.
“One of the most important issues is, did the town take a hard look at the dangerous environmental impact this will have on the community and the residents of Huntington? Did they review it properly? Did they have experts qualified to look at the contamination of the soil?” Yule said. “These are the issues that stand right now, and we don’t think they did.” The civic group also contends that the AvalonBay zone change is inconsistent with the town’s Horizons 2020 comprehensive master plan, and the 14.5 unit-peracre plan far outstrips any level of singlefamily development in the surrounding community. “It's time for the town to focus on preserving the quality of life that drew many of us to Huntington in the first place: wellmaintained homes in safe neighborhoods and a respect for the town's history and diverse cultures,” Spucces said. “The time to stop the slippery slope of over-development is now. Otherwise, the town as we knew it will be gone forever.” Yule said the group has six months from Dec. 24, the date they gave notice of appeal, to file a brief. Huntington spokesman A.J. Carter said the town is confident the lower court’s decision will stand. “We believe the State Supreme Court justice’s decision was correct, and we will make our arguments in the proper forum, which is the Appellate Court,” he said.
Veterans, first responders and their families were treated to a day at the Dix Hills Ice Rink. DIX HILLS
Warm Greeting On Ice Dozens of happy families, veterans and first responders whizzed around the ice Dec. 20 at the “Holiday Skate for Veterans and First Responders.” Hosted by Councilwoman Susan Berland, the event treated attendees to free admission, skate rentals and hot cocoa from D & J. Members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 2207 Band played holiday tunes while Huntington residents skated around the ice. The eightmember brass ensemble has been performing for five years at Coast Guard cer-
emonial events and at public events such as at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum site, community parades and at concerts for hospitalized veterans on Long Island. “The holiday season is the perfect time to offer a heartfelt thank you and some winter fun to our veterans and first responders,” Berland said. “I thoroughly enjoyed spending the evening with Huntington’s selfless residents who have served and continue to serve us every day and I hope they enjoyed the ice.”
HALF HOLLOW HILLS
Pitching In For Kids
Money spent in the community stays in the community.
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IMIE INDUSTRIES GENERAL CONTRACTOR RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL Were you a victim of Hurricane Sandy?- Let Us Help! • Assist with Flood Damage • Electrical Repairs • Roofing • Siding • Windows
We Will Deal Direct With Insurance Companies Lauren Crupnick, an alumnus of Half Hollow Hills High School East and current first-year student at Union College, collected toys for Project T.O.Y. (Treasure Our Youth) with the help of the high school’s Interact Club adviser Patrick Rendon. This is the fourth year Crupnick has collected toys for holiday distribution.
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Opinion
Sen
d letters to The Editor, : Half Hollow 149 Main S Hills Newspaper, treet, Huntington , New York 11743 or e-m info@long ail us at islanderne ws.com
‘Not the types set up by the printer return their impression, the meaning, the main concern.’
Tough Choices Ahead There is no play book for making difficult bers are looking at ways to achieve some sigchoices without pain. We give the Half Hollow nificant cost-cutting, and everything is on the Hills school board credit for doing the next table… cutting programs, reducing staffing, best thing by putting information before the even closing one of the district’s schools and public and seeking input. consolidating. The school board is facing many difficult More than 1,000 residents were at this choices in the months to come as they put to- week’s informational meeting where the board gether the budget for the 2013-14 school year. laid out the options. It is wise to bring the pubBased on current projections, the district will lic into the process early on. It is just one of require an 8.5-percent property tax increase in what will likely be many long and difficult order to maintain programs, staffing and facil- meetings; they will need to keep the informaities at current levels. To meet the tion flowing. state’s newly enacted 2-percent prop- EDITORIAL For their part, residents have a erty tax cap, the district must deal with responsibility to keep informed a nearly $6.86-million budget gap. and participate. There will be disagreement The board is facing tough choices. Piercing and there will be hard choices. There will be the property tax cap would require approval by compromise. No one will get everything they a super-majority of the district’s voters. At this want, but those who participate in the process point, it’s not certain whether voters will be are more likely to walk away with an underasked to do so. For now, school board mem- standing of those choices.
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
‘We Listened’ But I Can’t Believe What Was Said DEAR EDITOR: I opened a letter from Huntington Town Hall with the first line stating “We listened” like it was an accomplishment. The letter was in reference to the proposed 2000-percent parking fee increase at the train station. The whole situation is wrong on so many levels; one can only wonder what is going on in town hall. Let’s begin the list. • Shouldn’t they always listen? • It is only signed by three members of the board. Didn’t they all listen? • 6,500 surveys were sent out to get opinions on a ridiculous idea. Didn’t they realize it was ridiculous to start? • An untold number of letters were sent out stating that they weren’t going to execute a ridiculous idea and they are proud of it. Isn’t that akin to
not hitting yourself in the head with a hammer? • Survey development, mailings, and analysis are not free. How much did it cost to find out it was a ridiculous idea? • Wouldn’t that money have been better spent doing something less ridiculous like unclogging the plugged drains in the south parking garage? • Now, we are seeing a 150percent increase. What makes that increase less ridiculous? The fact that it is not 2,000 percent? The town board should start to apply the rules to itself. They should pay for parking like I have to when I go to work. They should use the town’s transit system to get to work. Better yet, walk to work the same distance they expect people living in the transit-oriented districts to walk. They should park in the lot next to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial and walk to town hall every day regardless of weather. It
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will improve their health and their perspective. Overall, something has to change! Town hall’s controlling party of three and the town’s fractured politics are going to cost the residents more in taxes, fees, and reduced property values while the forced march towards the urbanization of Huntington continues. PATRICK GEIER
Huntington Station
When Quitting Is Good DEAR EDITOR: Quitting smoking is a common New Year’s resolution for residents across the Northeast each year—but it’s easier said than done. Six out of 10 smokers require multiple quit attempts to stop smoking, but planning ahead can greatly improve a person's likelihood of quitting for good. The American Lung Association is highlighting proven tips and
resources that have helped thousands of people pack in smoking permanently: 1. Seek support: You don’t have to quit alone. Ask family, friends, and co-workers for their help and support. Having someone to take a walk with, or just listen, can give a needed boost. 2. Take time to plan: Designate a day to quit on the calendar and stick to it. Avoid peak times of stress, such as the holidays, and gather in advance the tools and medications you will need. 3. Exercise daily: Exercise is proven to help smokers quit. Not only that, it will also combat weight gain and improve mood and energy levels. Walking is a great way to reduce the stress of quitting. 4. Prioritize nutrition and sleep: Eat a balanced diet, drink lots of water, and be sure to get plenty of sleep. 5. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist: They can discuss
Michael Schenkler Publisher
Mike Koehler Danny Schrafel Jacqueline Birzon Reporters
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Peter Sloggatt Associate Publisher/Managing Editor
Luann Dallojacono Editor Ian Blanco Dan Conroy Production/ Art Department
with you the various over-thecounter or prescription medications available to help you quit. The American Lung Association recently introduced Freedom From Smoking Online, a highly successful, self-paced online adaptation of the group clinic that is available 24 hours a day. In the Northeast, a Freedom From Smoking clinic is being offered in New York City and will commence right after the New Year. Additionally, the Lung Association offers Freedom From Smoking facilitator trainings throughout the year so the number of these in-person clinics can be expanded. Those looking for help seeking an in-person quit smoking program near them should call the Lung Association’s Lung HelpLine at 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872).
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Michele Caro Larry Stahl Account Executives
149 Main Street, Huntington, New York 11743 631.427.7000
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A9
Life&Style ARTS
Getting Back To Traditional Woodwork Woodworking genius Jack Sherman traded in his drawing utensils for carpenter’s tools Made In Huntington By Jasmine Weber dschrafel@longislandernews.com
Jack Sherman of Northport, a retired art director and illustrator, has found a new way to satisfy his creative itch. Sherman creates works of art made entirely of wood in his spare time for his family and sometimes to sell online. He worked at Newsday for 20 years, where he was the art director and illustrator. He studied at SUNY Binghamton, where he double majored in Fine Arts and English Literature. After graduating, he held various jobs at magazines and newspapers in upstate New York, even doing illustrations for the Wall Street Journal. Eventually, he moved to Long Island. “After leaving Newsday in 2008 I became more involved in woodworking,” he said. He was mostly self-taught in this practice,
doing projects around his home and designing his wife’s toy store, Earth and Space, in Roslyn Village, which is no longer in business. After leaving his job at Newsday, he worked as a carpenter at the production company where his son was employed. “That got my skills up pretty well,” Sherman said. His most recent wooden creation is a reclining chair made almost entirely of oak with a few walnut accents. He took solid oak and bent it to make rounded arms for the chair. Sherman even manipulated the piece to recline. The project was not a short one. His work time totaled about 35 hours. The chair was on view at St. John’s University in their faculty art show. Sherman also makes and sells 3-D structures online, which he described as an offshoot of his passion for creation. His current available stock includes rubber stamps, which print cartoon characters and catchy sayings, napkin blocks emblazoned with the profiles of famous literary geniuses, a set of blocks and a personal cart to transport them on, and other items. All can be viewed and purchased at www.theblockassociation.com. For Sherman, making money “wasn’t the
Northport artist Jack Sherman sits in his most prized work, a wooden chair he made by hand. goal;” woodworking was to “satisfy the creative itch” and for his own personal gratification. Along with his artistic endeavors and woodwork creations he said, “I’ve always been a reader and a writer… As an art direc-
tor I’ve had to bridge the gap between words and pictures.” Sherman also teaches drawing at St. John’s University and News Literacy at Stony Brook University.
FILM
Hard Times Not Lost On Long Island Documentary to air at Cinema Arts Centre follows five unemployed Long Island families info@longislandernews.com
Economic hardship is not a condition lost on Long Island. On Sunday, Jan. 13 at 11 a.m., Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre will host a screening and panel discussion of director’s Marc Levin’s documentary “Hard Times:Lost on Long Island.” The film follows the stories of five Long Island families who are still facing serious economic hardships as a result of the recession of 2008. Many Long Islanders know where their next meal is going to come from. Each week they return home from work with a paycheck in their pocket, food on their tables and the basic necessities for their families. However, not every family on Long Island is afforded with that luxury. Following the 2008 recession, thousands of Long Islanders faced economic hardship and unemployment. While the recession ended in 2009, news agencies reported that Long Island’s 2012 unemployment rate reached 7.7 percent, and there are still hundreds of people within the community who are facing economic struggles. Among Sunday’s panelists is Paula Pachler, the executive director of Long Island Cares, nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding the hungry on Long Island. Long Island Cares not only provides
struggling families with food, but also with home and cleaning supplies, so that families can spend whatever money is left over on their bills. As executive director of Long Island’s first food bank, Pachler has witnessed the toll the recession has taken on Long Islanders. “The families that I see are normal, hardworking people,” Pachler said. “They’re just trying to come back as strong as they were before the recession.” According to Pachler, many Long Islanders are unaware of the struggles that members of their own community are facing. “People need to realize who the unemployed are,” Pachler said. “They are not your typical unemployed, they’re our neighbors. They are the heart and soul of Long Island.” Pachler encourages everyone to attend Sunday’s event, because he believes it is necessary for people to understand what is happening within their community. “I hope that audiences leave more sympathetic to the situations that these families are facing,” Pachler said. Peggy Boyd of Family Service League will also sit on the panel. Tickets are $9 for members and $14 for the public. Tickets can be purchased online, www.CinemaArtsCentre.org, at the box office or by calling Brown Paper Tickets at 1800-838-3006.
Photo/HBO Documentary Films and Blowback Productions
By Hannah Sarisohn
Nick and Regina Puccio in “Hard Times: Lost on Long Island.”
A10 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013
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PHOTOGRAPHY
Digital Photography Advances In 2013 Through The Lens By Kevin Armstrong info@longislandernews.com
It is entirely natural to want to look back and recap the year as it comes to an end. It’s just as natural to want to look forward as each new year begins. Like a newly unwrapped holiday gift, we look to the New Year with excitement and a natural curiosity to what lies ahead. In the ever-growing world of digital photography, a year is a long time. It is not unusual for some new device or piece of software to be introduced and then updated twice, all within the span of a year. With no malice towards 2012, I would like to focus my attentions to what the world of digital photography might look like in 2013. This is not a top 10 list, but just my impressions of what will be popular or new (or both) in the coming year. I think one of the biggest trends in 2013 will actually be carryover from 2012 – the explosion of social mobile photography. Images posted on sharing sites like Facebook and Instagram have been exploding in popularity. It is now becoming more popular to post a photo of your current activities than posting a sentence or two online. Instagram has been particularly popular recently, and look for that to continue in 2013. Instagram’s big challenge in 2013 will be to manage its popularity, which means finding a way to monetize the app and handle all the spam that always takes aim at popular programs. Instagram will have plenty of competition in the coming year. Apps such as StarMatic and EyeEm are making inroads with mobile users. If you are an Instagram user and have not tried these apps, you should. Mobile photography is becoming more than just a fun pastime; there is money that can be made from this type of photography.
These photos were taken with the Nikon Coolpix S01, a camera that measures 2-inches high and 3-inches long. Websites such as Foap and Scoopshot allow members to sell their mobile images and earn money. Look for 2013 to bring about the birth of the “mobile photographer” as a career position, as more companies look to gain a social image presence as part of the marketing efforts. Individuals who are skilled in the use of mobile devices will be able to leverage this talent and earn a living in the process. Even Google is getting in on the act. With their recent purchase Nik Software, they now own the popular mobile photo editing program Snapseed. The first thing they did was make it free, and they plan to make it an important feature of their increasingly popular social networking site Google+. Traditional camera-makers are well aware of this trend and will try and capitalize in the coming year. What makes mobile photography so popular is not the photographic image quality; rather, it lies in its ability to instantly send that image anywhere. Nikon has just released its first compact camera using the Android operating system. The Coolpix S800c allows you post your photos to any social networking site right from the camera. You can also download and run any apps available to Android devices at the GooglePlay store. You can’t text or make phone calls with this cam-
era, but your images will benefit from a 16 MP sensor and a Nikon lens. Other camera manufactures will soon release their Wi-Fi-enabled “smart” cameras, and by the end of 2013 there will be plenty of models to choose from. Manufacturers know that connectivity needs to be a part of cameras going forward because instant sharing is here to stay. All the attention is now paid to what happens after the image is captured. Camera manufactures will continue to stress those features that set them apart from digital devices – features like long zoom ranges and point-and-shoot cameras with large image sensors. Sony’s new CyberShot RX100 is getting a lot of press because of its point-and-shoot size but offering a large image sensor comparable to the size you would find in a digital SLR camera. Digital cameras also are far better at taking photos in low-light situations; smart devices have never been that good. As I received photo greeting cards this holiday season it was quite evident to me which were taken using a smart phone – they lacked details in the low light. The “big things come in small packages” theme is accelerating and will be important this year. I recently purchased the newly
available Nikon Coolpix S01. To say that this camera is small would be an understatement. At 2-inches high and 3-inches long, this 10 megapixel camera not only fits in your shirt pocket, it can get lost in your shirt pocket. It does everything a point-andshoot camera can do without the bulk, and a price around $99. Camera and device makers will also make great strides this year in making products that will have great computational features. That means you will be able to do more editing of your image within the camera itself. Edits and adjustments currently needing a computer to complete will now be available to you via the camera’s menu set. There will even be features added that can’t be done in a computer currently – how would you like to apply focus after the photo has been taken, to any part of the photograph you choose? Well that’s already here, but needs more work. Keep an eye out for the Consumer Electronics Show this month and you will get a glimpse into what the world of digital imaging will look like in 2013. In a word, it will be amazing. Kevin Armstrong can be reached at kevin@imagesbykevinarmstrong.com.
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
New Year’s Day – Time To Get Wet By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com
The air temperature was about 41 degrees on Jan. 1, 2013 – perfect for Boy Scout Troop 410’s annual Polar Bear Challenge at Steers Beach. “It’s a little tough on Jan. 1 stepping out the front door in a bathing suit and getting into your car,” Scoutmaster Joe Pokorny said, but turnout for the event did not waver. There are no hard and fast rules to the Polar Bear Challenge, but participants are urged to go underwater and stay in the bay as long as they can stand it. Some run out almost as fast as they ran in, Pokorny said, although do last for a while. The troop also has a challenge among the scouts. Whoever can stay in the cold water the longest wins a prize. “Five minutes is like a year. It’s tough to be in there that long,” the scoutmaster said. The swim began five years ago after scouts attended a similar event in Centerport.
They came away thinking not only could they host their own swim, but could convert it into a fundraiser. Enlisting the Northport Fire Department’s Smokeaters, the Polar Bear Challenge has become an annual fundraiser for the Northport Ecumenical Lay Council Food Pantry. Swimmers are asked to collect $5 pledges, while event organizers seek out donations. This past New Year’s swim raised more than $4,000 for the pantry, Pokorny said. “It all just makes for a large communitydriven event,” he said. Not only do members of the fire department go for an icy dip, but volunteers donning dry suits stay in the water in case any swimmers succumb to the cold while paramedics and an ambulance stay near the beach. The event, however, has never seen a medical emergency. Organizers also set up warming tent. Heated by propane donated by Lewisy Fuel, swimmers can also nibble on baked goods donated by Copenhagen Bakery.
Boy Scouts, Smokeaters and other brave souls speed out of Northport Bay after wading in the cold water on New Year’s Day for the Polar Bear plunge.
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TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Building Success Over The Years Greenlawn Hardware Company focuses on knowledge and customer service Half Hollow Hills photo/Mike Koehler
Manny Nunes, seen here with son Jeff, has been the face of the Greenlawn Hardware Company for 49 years.
Spotlight On
Huntington Businesses By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com
The Greenlawn Hardware Company doesn’t have the cheapest prices, nor does it have the largest selection of the latest and greatest tools. Instead, they offer decades of experience listening to local people and guiding them step-by-step through their projects. “It’s a small hometown and community hardware store, focusing on customer service and helping people solve their home improvement problems,” Vice President Jeff Nunes said. Greenlawn Hardware sees thousands of customers every year, Nunes said. Many are regulars, he added, and many live in the community. He estimated that 85 percent of their clientele are homeowners or do-ityourselfers. “I’m also in the fire department, and I see a lot of our customers around town,” Nunes said, adding that they also see shoppers from Dix Hills, Centerport, Huntington, East Northport and other parts of the Town of Huntington. Kevin Wurtz popped his head into the store on Friday evening. A loyal customer for 20 years, he mingled with staff for a few minutes before walking out to his truck parked on the curb. He praised the shop for their knowledge and service. “They do a great job,” he said. When a regular customer does walk through the door, they’re not coming to find power tools or a high-ticket product. Rather, they’re looking for extra screws and glue to finish a home improvement project, snow shovels by the front window for an upcoming storm, to have a spare key made or even parts for the power tools they don’t carry. The store handles propane tanks and fixes screen doors. Of the entire store, Nunes said the most
popular department is the paint section. Partnered with Benjamin Moore, they can make any of the 3,000 colors the paint company offers. The Greenlawn Hardware Company also sells brushes, rollers and other accessories. “The paint department is definitely our best department as far as bringing people into the store,” he added. It doesn’t hurt either that the mom and pop shop is family-owned. Father, Manny, sister, Jen, and Jeff are among two other full-time employees and two part-time employees. “Being in the family for almost 50 years now, it’s come a long way,” the vice president said. Greenlawn Hardware has no shortage of history. The building was originally constructed in 1868 as a general store. As the years passed, several owners controlled the store, including W. J. Goodale – also known for installing Greenlawn’s first telephone. Local entrepreneur John Deans acquired the business in 1899, expanded the building and added new merchandise. Considered by many the defacto mayor of Greenlawn, Deans created their current slogan, “Where Everyone Gets a Square Deal.” It was converted to a hardware store 75 years ago, Nunes said. His father bought the store 49 years ago. Manny also gave it its current name. Business has been rough in recent years, between the weak global economy and the Internet, although neither the family, nor the store, are going anywhere. Nunes said many first-time homeowners come into the store after researching projects and/or buying items online, not knowing what benefits a local hardware store offers. “It’s good to see them survive the onslaught of big corporate business,” Wurtz said.
Greenlawn Hardware Company 83 Broadway, Greenlawn 631-261-0119 www.greenlawnhardware.com
THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A11
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DiRaimo’s Secrets: Keep It Simple foodie@longislandernews.com
In just a few months, DiRaimo Pizza will celebrate its 35th year in Huntington – and in those 35 years, the founders say their key to success has been to stick to the fundamentals. Modesto DiRaimo and Annibale “Joe” DiRaimo opened their Huntington restaurant on April 5, 1978 – a Wednesday, Modesto quickly recalls – and the secret since then has been to keep the changes minimal. They haven’t changed their two main supply houses since they opened, so their customers who enjoy their food know what to expect. “We try our best to keep the quality the same – use good products, and they’ve been doing it for a long time. They know what they are doing,” Modesto’s son Steve DiRaimo, the manager, explained. But it wasn’t always that way. When Modesto got his start in 1966 in the pizza business in Queens – he came to the United States in 1961 – he faced an unexpected baptism fire. As he transferred from construction to the restaurant business, the former owner of the pizzeria he was taking over promised to teach him how to make pizza. “They closed on Monday. He took over on Tuesday – the guy never showed up,” Steve said. So Modesto learned by trial, error and observation. He’d close his pizzeria early so he could study other pizzerias and learn the craft. Modesto’s wife helped him learn how to work on the dough, and after about a
month of experimenting, he got the hang of it. His customers stuck around as he learned. “All the way along, they stayed with me,” Modesto said. That pizzeria would be the first of 16 he would open – DiRaimo’s in Huntington was the last in 1978. And considering his roots, it is little wonder his restaurant focuses on a diverse pizza menu boasting two dozen choices, along with classic Napolitana and Sicilian pies, as well as specialty choices for any palate, topped with meat, vegetables or chicken cutlet and even ziti or ravioli. On the rest of the menu, they stick to traditional Italian-American cuisine, ranging from calzones, rolls and heros to gnocchi, manicotti, homemade baked lasagna (all $10.50) and baked ravioli ($10). Steve is particularly fond of their eggplant dishes ($11 for parmigiana dinner with pasta). They recently overhauled the dining room, creating a calming, rustic and sophisticated space. The DiRaimos are now looking ahead to a possible 35th anniversary celebration. “We don’t know what yet, but we’re working on it,” Steve said.
DiRaimo Pizza 76 Wall Street, Huntington 631-673-5755 Atmosphere: Inviting neighborhood restaurant Cuisine: Pizza and traditional ItalianAmerican Price: Inexpensive
Foodie photo/Danny Schrafel
By Danny Schrafel
Showing off a fresh buffalo chicken pie, Annibale “Joe,” Angelo and Modesto DiRaimo are coming up on their 35th anniversary in Huntington.
The
Foodie SECTION
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Side Dish DINE HUNTINGTON.COM By DineHuntington.com Foodie@longislandernews.com
MASSA’S MOVING IN: Massa’s Coal Brick Oven Pizzeria is making the move to Huntington village. After a spell in Huntington Station, their new sign is up in the village and they’re hard at work on the space next to Rookies formerly home to Guido’s. The Massa’s tradition dates back to 1933, when the family began baking pizzas by brick coal oven in East Harlem. The art of cooking with a coal fired oven is a unique way of baking pizza, where temperatures exceed 900 degrees and the pizza takes less than 4 minutes to bake. We can’t wait to see what they do in the alreadybustling pizza market in the village. GET PRIMED TO CELEBRATE: It’s prime time for celebrating when Prime – An American Kitchen (117 New York Ave., Huntington 631-385-1515. restaurantprime.com) marks its sixth anniversary in Huntington. That’s right, it’s six years since the Bohlsen family opened one of Long Island’s finest restaurants overlooking Huntington Harbor. And even though it’s their anniversary, it’s Prime’s clients that get the gifts. Now through Sunday, Jan. 13, enjoy $10 unlimited wines by the glass with any entrée purchase. Featured wines include Frog’s Leap, Stag’s Leap, Layer Cake, Catena and Robert Foley. Or take 50-percent off their entire wine list – and oh, it’s quite a wine list – all week long. Every wine’s included, even those priced with four-digits before the decimal point, so it’s a great time to try that Chateau Lafitte.
Massa’s is bringing the coal brick oven to Huntington village. ANOTHER CLOSING: Grill 454 is no more. The Commack steakhouse – named for its location on Veterans Highway – aka Route 454 – celebrated with customers one last time, throwing a blow-out New Year’s Eve party Dec. 31. When day dawned on the new year, the doors were locked on Lenny Passarelli’s year-old steakhouse venture. TWISTING BACK: Don’t count Twisted Vine out yet. The tiny restaurant and wine bar opened last year in a space on Clinton Avenue in Huntington village that had been vacated by XO Wine Bar after a kitchen fire. Twisted Vine closed before Christmas, but according to a posting on Facebook, will be re-opening at another Huntington village location later this year.
THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A13
A14 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013
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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
37 Woodedge Dr Bedrooms 3 Baths 2 Price $639,000 Taxes $8,999 Open House 1/12 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 631-673-2222
MELVILLE
3 Barrington Pl Bedrooms 3 Baths 3 Price $699,000 Taxes $15,326 Open House 1/13 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 631-499-919
DIX HILLS
24 Hemingway Dr Bedrooms 6 Baths 5 Price $989,000 Taxes $24,835 Open House 1/13 1pm-2:30pm Signature Premier Properties 631-673-3700
Town Address Beds Baths Greenlawn 23 Butterfield Dr 4 3 Melville 1 Lou Ct 4 3 Huntington 21 Sheppard Ln 3 2 Huntington 251 Park Ave 3 2 Huntington 72 Valentine Ave 3 3 Northport 22 Woody Ln 5 2 Northport 15 Vista Dr 4 2 Dix Hills 37 Woodedge Dr 3 2 Fort Salonga 2 Williamsburg Dr 6 3 Northport 13 Green Knoll Ct 4 4 Commack 1 Cameron Ct 5 4 Dix Hills 4 Oneil Ct 5 5 Dix Hills 4 Croydon Ct 5 4 Fort Salonga 48 Brookfield Rd 4 3 Melville 339 Altessa Blvd 3 3 Centerport 5 Ale Ct 4 5 Huntington Sta 31 Meadow Ct 3 3 E. Northport 31 Meadow Haven Ln 4 2 Northport 31 Wren Ct 3 2 Huntington Sta 13 Barclay St 4 3 Huntington Sta 124 E 23rd St 3 3 Melville 96 Morley Cir 2 2 Northport 14 Westview Rd 2 1 Greenlawn 165 Clay Pitts Rd 3 2 E. Northport 23 Penfield Dr 3 1 E. Northport 30 Ashwood Ct 3 2 Northport 23 Westview Rd 4 4 Huntington Sta 60 Alpine Way 4 4 Melville 1 Plainwood Rd 5 3 Melville 5 Sandgate Pl 3 2 E. Northport 4 Elmore Pl 5 4 Greenlawn 20 W Maple Rd 4 3 Dix Hills 310 Frederick St 5 3 E. Northport 51 Lorijean Ln 4 3 E. Northport 9 Franconia Rd 4 4 Northport 15 Makamah Beach Rd 4 2 E. Northport 14 Brian Ln 5 3 Huntington 10 Henhawk Ln 4 3 Huntington 174 Woodbury Rd 4 2 Huntington 30 Renwick (Howard) Ave 4 3 Melville 3 Barrington Pl 3 3 Northport 10 York Ct 5 3 Dix Hills 10 Parsons Dr 5 4 S. Huntington 90 Pidgeon Hill Rd 5 4 Northport 84 Gun Club Rd 5 4 Cold Spring Hrbr7 Portland Pl 3 4 Dix Hills 3 Beatrice Ct 5 4 Dix Hills 12 Serene Ct 5 4 Huntington 11 Timber Ridge Dr 4 3 Huntington 8 Landing Rd 4 3 Dix Hills 24 Hemingway Dr 6 5 Fort Salonga 11 Marions Ln 3 4 Huntington Bay 27 Kanes Ln 4 4 Dix Hills 2 Dewberry Ct 5 4 Fort Salonga 5 Sleepy Hollow Ct 5 3 Huntington Bay 6 Locust Ln 4 6 Dix Hills 492 Wolf Hill Rd 5 4 Lloyd Neck 4 Southview Ct 5 5 Melville 36 Legends Cir 5 5 Huntington 144 Round Swamp Rd6 5 Lloyd Harbor 20 Beardsley Ln 6 7 Huntington 17 Cherry Ln 4 4
Price $399,999 $410,000 $420,000 $449,000 $459,000 $499,000 $529,000 $639,000 $689,000 $728,900 $739,000 $749,900 $798,000 $799,900 $1,175,000 $1,749,000 $288,900 $344,900 $355,000 $359,000 $359,900 $359,999 $365,000 $419,900 $428,876 $428,876 $429,000 $459,000 $459,000 $469,000 $495,000 $525,000 $529,000 $539,000 $539,000 $549,000 $609,000 $619,000 $679,000 $689,000 $699,000 $699,000 $709,000 $719,000 $742,990 $749,000 $749,000 $764,000 $778,000 $959,000 $989,000 $995,000 $1,195,000 $1,199,000 $1,199,000 $1,299,000 $1,395,000 $1,795,000 $1,895,000 $1,997,860 $3,950,000 $1,675,000
Taxes Date $10,153 1/12 $10,000 1/12 $10,193 1/12 $8,273 1/12 $14,199 1/12 $7,758 1/12 $8,102 1/12 $8,999 1/12 $17,262 1/12 $14,592 1/12 $18,391 1/12 $21,508 1/12 $24,063 1/12 $16,020 1/12 $8,400 1/12 $20,245 1/12 $8,496 1/13 $9,439 1/13 $7,520 1/13 $10,320 1/13 $9,120 1/13 $3,244 1/13 $6,499 1/13 $9,230 1/13 $10,746 1/13 $8,133 1/13 $8,452 1/13 $15,943 1/13 $11,659 1/13 $6,803 1/13 $10,071 1/13 $12,235 1/13 $11,310 1/13 $13,517 1/13 $10,543 1/13 $10,391 1/13 $12,111 1/13 $10,365 1/13 $7,329 1/13 $17,923 1/13 $15,326 1/13 $13,357 1/13 $15,795 1/13 $17,267 1/13 $16,560 1/13 $14,610 1/13 $16,547 1/13 $17,946 1/13 $19,524 1/13 $20,157 1/13 $24,835 1/13 $24,226 1/13 $18,863 1/13 $22,224 1/13 $26,337 1/13 $27,476 1/13 $20,000 1/13 $33,926 1/13 $33,380 1/13 $33,281 1/13 $54,173 1/13 $18,000 1/14
Time Broker 1pm-3pm Signature Premier Properties 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12pm-2pm Realty Connect USA LLC 12pm-2pm Signature Premier Properties 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1:00pm-3:00pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Signature Premier Properties 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12pm-1:30pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2pm-4pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1:00pm-3:00pm Realty Connect USA LLC 1pm-3pm Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc 1:30pm-3:30pm Realty Connect USA LLC 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2:30pm-4pm Signature Premier Properties 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2:30pm-4:30pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2:30pm-4:30pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2:30pm-4:30pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Coach Real Estate Assoc Inc 2:30pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-4pm Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 12:30pm-2pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1pm-2:30pm Signature Premier Properties 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2:30pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12pm-2pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 1pm-3pm Coldwell Banker Residential 2:30pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 12:30pm-2:30pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 1pm-4pm Realty Connect USA LLC 2pm-4pm Douglas Elliman Real Estate 2:30pm-4pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc 12:30pm-2pm Daniel Gale Agency Inc
ting s i l t s e w e n r you
Open House
Attention: Real estate professionals Want to increase traffic to your next open house? Advertise. Call your account executive today. 631-427-7000
Phone 631-673-3700 516-621-3555 877-647-1092 631-673-3700 631-673-6800 631-757-7272 631-757-7272 631-673-2222 631-261-6800 631-754-4800 631-757-4000 631-499-9191 631-673-4444 631-757-4000 516-864-8100 631-427-1200 631-673-6800 631-673-3700 631-757-4000 516-864-8100 631-673-6800 516-681-2600 631-757-4000 631-673-2222 631-261-6800 631-261-6800 631-757-4000 888-236-6319 516-575-7500 877-647-1092 516-864-8100 631-549-4400 631-673-4444 631-499-9191 631-549-4400 631-499-9191 631-673-3700 631-427-1200 631-673-6800 631-673-2222 631-499-9191 631-261-6800 631-427-9100 631-673-2222 516-795-3456 631-757-4000 631-499-9191 516-575-7500 631-673-6800 631-692-6770 631-673-3700 631-261-6800 631-261-6800 631-499-9191 631-261-6800 631-673-6800 631-499-9191 631-692-6770 888-236-6319 631-549-4400 631-692-6770 631-692-6770
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A15
MELVILLE
Free Law Help For Vets
18 Office Locations Serving Long Island!
For more photos and additional information, visit coachrealtors.com
Our Agents of the Month Huntington Office
East Northport Office
Karen Finneran
Elizabeth Fourney
Licensed RE Associate Broker
Licensed RE Salesperson
631-427-1200
631-757-7272
HUNTINGTON
New to market. Renovated bi-level home with a unique open floor plan, 8 sunlit rooms, a master suite w/bath, walk-in closet. Private half acre, tranquil setting. $379,000
Call 631-427-9100 MLS ID# 2545225
Lisa Gordek and her father, Tony, an amputee who served in the Army, chat with Genser Dubow Genser & Cona partner Melissa Negrin-Wiener at the law firm’s free “Aid and Attendance” benefits program event. When Lisa Gordek of Levittown, heard about the complimentary “Aid and Attendance” benefits program that Genser Dubow Genser & Cona, a Melville-based elder law firm, recently held for veterans over age 65, she immediately signed up and brought her father, Tony Tedesco, an amputee who served in the Army for three years active duty. Tedesco had just moved to Long Island from Florida and was about to go into an assisted living facility in Lake Ronkonkoma, but his limited income would not have covered all of his rent, medical and other needs. “I’m so relieved because I really didn’t know where to begin to apply for these benefits, and there is no time for any mistakes,” Gordek said. After interviewing Gordek and her father with regard to benefit eligibility, GDGC will now complete the lengthy and complex application pro bono as they have done for more than 200 other veterans or their spouses. Over 50 people attended the recent GDGC event and many will now receive this valuable and often unknown benefit
for veterans or their spouses who need help with daily living activities (bathing, feeding, toileting) at home or in an assisted living facility. As part of GDGC’s mission to educate veterans on Aid and Attendance, the law firm will continue to offer pro bono application services and help them qualify if they’re not immediately eligible. “Educating veterans and their families about this important benefit is GDGC’s way of giving back to the military community,” said Melissa Negrin-Wiener, Esq., GDGC partner. “Hearing the attendees talk about how this benefit will change their lives and allow them the freedom to remain in the community for longer than they ever expected is truly gratifying.” During the event, Michael Haynes, coordinator of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Long Island Cares, The Harry Chapin Food Bank, spoke about their Military Appreciation Tuesdays program, which gives groceries to Long Island Veterans and their families. GDGC presented him with over 60 pounds of non-perishable food they collected at the event.
Private, landHUNTINGTON scaped half acre in a great location near town and beaches. Many updates inside and out, including new baths, $609,000 central air, heating.
Call 631-673-2222 MLS ID# 2539452 MLS ID# 2277568
GREENLAWN
Currier & Ives charm on a landscaped ½ acre in the Harborfields School District with a new eat-in kitchen and baths, great room, hardwood floors, wainscoting. $419,900
Call 631-673-2222 MLS ID# 2544944
NORTHPORT
New to market, immaculate updated 4-bedroom colonial. Brand new kitchen with maple cabinetry and granite counters, updated baths, oak floors, low taxes. $469,900
Call 631-757-4000 MLS ID# 2544410
SOUTH HUNTINGTON Wonderful expanded 4-bedroom Cape with many updates and refinished hardwood floors. Convenient location on a quiet street. $329,990
Call 631-427-9100
TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Mixing It Up For Cancer
NORTHPORT New to market in a private beach community, offering partial water views from the dining/ living room, taxes under $5,644 w/ basic STAR, 2 bedrooms. $365,000
Bartender, Moonjumpers aim to raise $10K By Mike Koehler mkoehler@longislandernews.com
Stephen Donohue has battled Crohn’s Disease and colon cancer. Doctors say his remaining large intestines will turn cancerous some time in the future. Until then, the 56-year-old Northport resident is focused on living life. Standing at 6’5” and in great shape, likely due to his daily runs, Donohue doesn’t even look sick. “Life goes on,” he said. But the severity of Donohue’s condition is not lost in the wake of his good health. He’s leading the charge to donate $10,000 for childhood cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Donohue partnered with Melville-based Moonjumpers Charitable Foundation to raise the money. They decided on two Northport bar fundraisers: one at The Ritz Cafe on Jan. 9 and another at Napper Tandy’s on Feb. 2. Donohue bartends five days a week at The Ritz. Moonjumpers Vice President Robert
Bensen said their $10,000 goal is achievable so long as the community supports them. “We’re hoping for a decent turnout,” Bensen said. Each event includes a cover fee – $20 for The Ritz and $40 for Napper Tandy’s, which includes a buffet and a free drink. Moonjumpers President Peter Mazzeo and his band, The Hit Squad, will perform at both shows. They’ll also include other live entertainment and raffles, with prizes donated from local businesses. But a St. Baldrick’s event is never complete without someone shaving their head. Donohue agreed to go bald at the Napper Tandy’s event, not willing to wait for the larger March events. “I can’t think of any other kind of way I could come up with that kind of money,” he said. Hair loss was also how the bartender was inspired to get involved. Donohue undergoes maintenance chemotherapy every (Continued on page A19)
MLS ID# 2546036
Call 631-757-4000 MLS ID# 2545798
SMITHTOWN
Welcome to your new home. Drop your bags, move right into this spacious, clean colonial splanch, enjoy the wildlife of neighboring Caleb Smith State Park. $465,000
Call 631-757-7272 MLS ID# 2543818
HUNTINGTON
Outstanding 4bedroom, 2-bath hi-ranch featuring living and dining rooms w/vaulted ceiling, an eat-in-kitchen, den, central air, and Energy Star appliances. $389,000
MLS ID# 2535213
Call 631-427-1200
www.coachrealtors.com
A16 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 THURSDAY Real Estate Seminar
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Calendar O M M U N I T Y
Photo by George Morrish
Renaissance Downtowns sponsors a Community Commercial Real Estate Seminar for all Huntington Station business owners on Jan. 17, 6-8 p.m. at the Huntington Station Public Library to educate business owners on negotiating better leases, seeking loans and financing, and inform them on steps to buying their own buildings. Seminar will be translated into Spanish. RSVP at sourcethestation.com.
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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.
The Northport Symphony Orchestra presebt a free concert on Jan. 11, 8 p.m., featuring Symphony No. 1 by Felix Mendelssohn. David Bouchier, essayist and host of “Sunday Matinee,” a classical music program on public radio station WSHU, will make a guest appearance. The concert will take place at Northport High School, 154 Laurel Hill Road, Northport (corner of Elwood Road). The orchestra will also perform works by Dvorak and Glinka. northportorchestra.org.
See some of New York’s funniest at a fundraising comedy show on Jan. 26. Buffet dinner at 7 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m. $50 for dinner, beer, wine, soda, coffee and dessert. Hosted by Northport American Legion Post #694, 7 Woodside Ave., Northport. Reservations of information, call Larry at 631-807-5066.
Huntington Public Library
Take Your Best Shot The Fr. Thomas A. Judge Knights of Columbus will be hosting the opening round of the annual K of C Basketball Free-Throw Contest on Jan. 14 at Trinity Regional School gym on Fifth Avenue in East Northport. The contest is open to boys and girls ages 10-14 (copy of birth certificate required). Registration begins at 7:15 p.m. Winners move on to the district level contest on Feb. 21. Contact Free-Throw Program Chairman Jerry Dano at 631-368-0425.
Knights of Columbus ’50s Dance The Fr. Thomas A. Judge Knights of Columbus and Columbiettes will host a gala “50’s Dance” at St. Anthony’s Trinity Regional School Hall on Fifth Ave. in East Northport on Jan. 19, 7-11 p.m. to raise funds for various charities. This nostalgic evening will feature Long Island’s own “The New Yorkers” playing rock ’n’ roll favorites from the ’50s and ’60s. $35, includes dancing, dinner, dessert, beer, wine and soda. Call Jackie at 516-318-5809.
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!
SUNDAY Music Fundraiser For Sandy Victims The Concert Festival benefit concert on Jan. 13 will support two families of Concert Festival participants who have suffered great losses and who need help for their children to be able to continue their music education. Faust Harrison Pianos, 277 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, hosts the fundraiser at 5:30 p.m.
MONDAY Knights Host Free-Throw Contest The Fr. Thomas A. Judge Knights of Columbus will be hosting the opening round of the annual K of C Basketball Free-Throw Contest on Jan. 14 at Trinity Regional School gym on Fifth Avenue in East Northport. The contest is open to boys and girls ages 10-14 (copy of birth certificate required). Registration begins at 7:15 p.m. Winners move on to the district level contest on Feb. 21. Contact Free-Throw Program Chairman Jerry Dano at 631-368-0425.
See The Light Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia has organized an exhibit of Huntington Lighthouse artifacts and
Main Branch: 338 Main St., Huntington. 631427-5165. Station Branch: 1335 New York Ave., Huntington Station. 631-421-5053. www.thehuntingtonlibrary.org. • See the artwork and congratulate the teen artists at the Manga Drawing Reception on Jan. 10, 5-7:30 p.m. at the Station branch. For more information, call Beth Barning at 631-427-5165 ext. 236. • Meet local authors of books for adults, teens and children at the local author’s showcase on Saturday, Jan. 19, 2-5 p.m. When you purchase books, 10 percent is donated to Friends of HPL.
Northport-East Northport Public Library
Blood Drive Boy Scout Troop 200 and the Loyal Order of Moose host their sixth annual Blood Drive Jan. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Road, Greenlawn. For more information, email BLOODDRIVE@Troop200ELWOOD.Org. In the subject line, type “Blood Drive Info Requested.”
Dix Hills: 55 Vanderbilt Parkway. 631-4214530; Melville: 510 Sweet Hollow Road. 631421-4535. hhhlibrary.org. • The library is forming a Chamber Music Ensemble led by retired music teacher Stanley Stock, and is looking for musicians. For more information and to register, call 631-498-1229. • A friendly group of people from around the world has fun practicing the English language together every Tuesday from 10 a.m.-noon and Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. in Dix Hills. 31 Broadway, Greenlawn. 631-757-4200. harborfieldslibrary.org. • “A Different Point of View,” the photography of Richard Levy, is on display through Jan. 30. • SeniorNet, with a mission to provide older adults education for and access to computer technologies, presents a workshop on Windows 8 on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 3:30 p.m.
Free Orchestral Concert
Laughing For A Cause
Half Hollow Hills Community Library
Harborfields Public Library
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
famous people in history including: Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Prince Charles (Prince of Wales), Tony Bennett, Richard Chamberlain, Winston Churchill, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Anthony Quinn and Frank Sinatra.
memorabilia to celebrate its centennial anniversary of The Huntington Lighthouse. The display includes correspondence between the Lighthouse Establishment and Lighthouse Keeper Robert McGlone, and an original painting of the lighthouse, which will be auctioned. On display in the Town Hall lobby, 100 Main St, Huntington, MondayThursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. www.huntingtonlighthouse.org. 631-421-1985.
Writers’ Workshop Writers of all levels and genres are welcome to participate in a free, informal, two-hour writing workshop geared towards refining and exploring talent Jan. 14, 7-9 p.m. at Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington. Facilitated by members of the Long Island Writer's Guild, each workshop will include a writing exercise, volunteered presentations of individual work, and personalized college-level critiques of presented works. No RSVP required. 631-2711442.
Power Breakfast Join business professionals at BNI Executive Referral Exchange’s breakfast networking meeting every Wednesday, 7-8:30 a.m. at the Dix Hills Diner, 1800 Jericho Turnpike, Dix Hills. 631-462-7446.
AT THE LIBRARIES Cold Spring Harbor Library 95 Harbor Road, Cold Spring Harbor. 631-6926820. cshlibrary.org. • On display through Jan. 31 in the art gallery is the work of the Cold Spring Harbor School District’s adult education art class. • Is your house ready for winter? Do you know your Home Energy Efficiency score? Discover how well your home uses energy, and how to improve it on Thursday, Jan. 10, 7-8:45 p.m. with the Town Renewable Energy Task Force.
Commack Public Library
TUESDAY Melville Chamber Orientation Members of the Melville Chamber of Commerce can attend the New Member Orientation and Facilitated Networking Event on Jan. 15, 8-10 a.m. at Catapano Engineering Assembly Hall and the Melville Chamber of Commerce headquarters RSVP to the chamber office at 631-777-6260 or email info@melvillechamber.org.
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 Hauppauge and Freeport emergency pantries. Appointments can be made by contacting jrosati@licares.org.
WEDNESDAY Intro To Meditation A free class, “Intro to Meditation and Life Coaching” by John Hinrichsen of Image Cycling and JCH Interactive Coaching will be held Jan. 16, 7 p.m. at Global Treasures, 16B Wall St., Huntington. Space is limited; call 631367-1080 to reserve a spot. globaltreasuresonline@yahoo.com.
18 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4990888. commack.suffolk.lib.ny.us. • Notary Service is available at the library, normally Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday evenings and occasionally on a Saturday or Sunday. Call before you come to the library to make sure there is a notary available upon your arrival. There is a charge of $2 for each document that needs to be notarized. • Students in grades 6-12 can learn basic techniques to revamp any t-shirt or sweatshirt (bring your own) on Monday, Jan. 14, 6:307:30 p.m.
Deer Park Public Library 44 Lake Ave., Deer Park. 631-586-3000. deerparklibrary.org. • Did you get a new tablet for the holidays and need help downloading books or apps? Make a one-on-one appointment with a member of the Tech Team. Call 631-586-3000.
Elwood Public Library 3027 Jericho Turnpike, Elwood. 631-499-3722. www.elwoodlibrary.org. • Be an audience member for a mock trial on Thursday, Jan. 10, 4:45-7:15 p.m. • Many famous people in history were also artists but most people are not familiar with their artwork. A lecture on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2 p.m. will present the artwork of many
Northport: 151 Laurel Ave. 631-261-6930. East Northport: 185 Larkfield Road. 631-261-2313. www.nenpl.org. • The Railroad Museum of Long Island is returning. Tracks will be set up and model trains will be running in the Community Room for the weekend of Jan. 19-20.
South Huntington Public Library 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station. 631-549-4411. www.shpl.info. • Generation, an eight-piece band, will perform rock and roll, swing, funk and more on Saturday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m.
THEATER and FILM Cinema Arts Centre 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www.cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7611. • The sweet and hilarious romantic comedy “Let My People Go!” follows the travails and daydreams of a lovelorn French-Jewish gay mailman living in fairytale Finland. Filmmaker Mikael Buch appears following the screening on Thursday, Jan. 10, 7:30 p.m. $10 members/$15 public. • Meet famed movie producer, Rockabilly star, wrestling promoter, World Women’s Wrestling Champion, and horror archivist Johnny Legend for three nights of movie and TV madness with “TV in Acidland” on Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m.; “The Big T.N.T. Show” on Jan. 18, 11 p.m.; and “Night of the Bloody Apes” on Jan. 19 at 11 p.m. $9 members/$14 public each show.
Dix Hills Performing Arts Center Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Road, Dix Hills. Box Office: 631-656-2148. www.dhpac.org. • After the winter break, the Wild Women of Comedy return Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., featuring comic duo MEL & EL, and comediennes Vanessa Hollingshead and Jessica Kirson.
John W. Engeman Theater At Northport 350 Main St., Northport. www.johnwengemantheater.com. 631-261-2900. • The ongoing Broadway Concert Series continues Friday, Jan. 11, 8 p.m. • In partnership with the Steinway Used Piano Gallery, Steinway Meets Broadway on Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m. features a mix of Steinway & SONY concert pianists and four of New York's finest Broadway performers.
(Continued on page A17)
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A17
(Continued from page A16) Photo by Willis Roberts
The Minstrel Players of Northport At Houghton Hall - Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport Village. 631-732-2926. www.minstrelplayers.org. • Submissions are now being accepted for “It Happened One Act” play festival. Deadline is Jan. 15. Visit the website for more information.
Tilles Center For The Performing Arts LIU Post Campus, 720 Northern Blvd., Brookville. www.tillescenter.org. 516-299-3100. • “Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience” – A parody by Dan and Jeff, will take Tilles Center’s Hillwood Recital Hall by storm Thursday, Jan. 24 and Friday, Jan. 25 at 5 and 8 p.m.
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. • “Go APE,” the annual AP Art student exhibition, exhibits in the Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery Jan. 12-20, with a reception Sunday, Jan. 20, 3-5 p.m.
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.
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. • Explore two of the greatest shipwrecks when “Treasure Quest” shows on Saturday, Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m.
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. 631-3513250. • “Mirrored Images: Realism in the 19th and 20th Centuries” explores the various realist movements. On display through March 24. • “Modernizing America: Artists of the Armory Show” focuses on American artists who participated in the Armory Show and explores the impact of European Modernism on American art in the early years of the 20th century. On display through April 14.
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. • The new permanent exhibit explains the 1920s 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. • An exhibit of photographs and artifacts honoring Abdol-Hossein Sardari, the Iranian envoy stationed in Paris who rescued thousands of Jews from the Nazis, is on display through December.
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 next Lunch & Learn, “The Hamptons of the North Shore,” discusses East Neck (Huntington Bay) during the mid-19th and early 20th centuries at Black & Blue restaurant on Thursday, Jan. 24, 12:30 p.m. $40 members/$45 non-members. RSVP required. 127 Main St., Northport Village. 631-754-8414. www.lamantiagallery.com. • Robert Finale presents captivating landscapes and Richard Johnson displays exquisite paintings of the human face and form.
9 East Contemporary Art 9 East Carver St., Huntington. Gallery hours: Wed.-Sat., 3-8 p.m. or by appointment. 631662-9459. • To celebrate the first anniversary of the gallery, the exhibit “99: A Collection Of Original Small Works” on view through Jan. 20.
Northport Historical Society Museum 215 Main St., Northport. Museum hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 1-4:30 p.m. 631-757-9859. www.northporthistorical.org. • “50 Years Of Preserving and Celebrating Northport's History” honors the society's founders and their concerns and activities.
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. • Women’s clothing store Rexer-Parkes presents a special showing of paintings by Ripe Art Gallery artist Maxine Jurow titled “Black Velvet” through February. 35 Gerard St., Huntington. • Self-taught painter Jim Kogel, of Centerport, works with Renaissance images of women painted on pages from the New York Times mounted onto canvas. Show opens Sunday, Jan. 13, with a reception from 2-5 p.m. Half of all sales will be donated to The Long Island Fund for Women and Girls, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs-Parish Social Ministry, and Family Service League. On display through Feb. 6.
SPLIA Headquarters: 161 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor. Joseph Lloyd Manor House: Lloyd Lane and Lloyd Harbor Road, Lloyd Neck. 631-692-4664. www.splia.org. • “Long Island at Work and at Play,” early 20thcentury photographs from SPLIA’s collections, on display through January 2013, Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Suffolk Y JCC
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. • “Bold,” featuring artists that grab the viewer with their unique and striking artwork at the Art-Trium, runs through Feb. 25. • “Still Life” is now on display in the main gallery.
Huntington Historical Society
Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
Main office/library: 209 Main St., Huntington.
Tickets are still available for the Saturday, Jan. 19 benefit concert “A Diva, A Comedian & Broadway for the Children of Huntington Station,” featuring headliner Melba Moore, at The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-673-7300. www.paramountny.com. The Tony Award-winner and four-time Grammy Award nominee will perform with the Boys and Girls Choirs of Harlem Ensemble and others to raise money for programs and initiatives that benefit children living in Huntington Station. One of the proposed initiatives is a water/splash park.
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 Theatre will present “Cheating Cheaters” by John Patrick through Jan. 20 at the museum's Carriage House Theatre. Call 516-293-0674.
LaMantia Gallery
74 Hauppauge Road, Commack. 631-4629800, ext. 140. Tuesday 1-4 p.m. Admission: $5 per person, $18 per family. Special group programs available. www.suffolkyjcc.org. • The Alan & Helene Rosenberg Jewish Discovery Museum provides hands-on exhibits and programs for children 3-13 years old and their families, classes and camps. Now on exhibit: The Alef Bet of Being a Mensch. “Zye a mensch” is a Yiddish saying that means “be a decent, responsible, caring person,” infusing both the best blessing and the best that an educator can wish for his students.
Huntington Arts Council
A Night With Melba Moore
180 Little Neck Road, Centerport. Museum
MUSIC & DANCE The Paramount
not exceed 120 percent of the HUD median income for Long Island ($129,000 for a family of four). Apply to the Emergency Home Repair Program. Call Susan at Housing Help Inc., 631-754-0373.
VOLUNTEERING Don’t Hibernate. Help. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP SUFFOLK) needs adults 55+ to help in organizations throughout Suffolk County. Dozens of opportunities available in this federally funded program for just about any interest or skill. Visit www.rsvpsuffolk.org or call 631-979-9490 ext.12 for more information.
Be A Friend Of The Bay Friends of the Bay is in need of volunteers who can help convert water quality data, which is currently kept in an excel sheet, into a Microsoft Access database. Assistance is also needed with ArcView GIS, to configure maps of the watershed. Call 516-922-6666 or email info@friendsofthebay.org.
Be A Host Family Huntington Sanctuary is seeking families or individual adults to become Host Homes, which provide temporary shelter to youth between ages 12-17 who are experiencing a family crisis. Contact Jennifer Petti at 631-2712183 for more information.
Helping Furry Friends Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center is looking for volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of animals. Free training provided. Visit www.littleshelter.com or call 631-368-8770 ext. 204.
370 New York Ave., Huntington. 631-673-7300. www.paramountny.com. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. • Tickets now on sale for the Saturday, Jan. 19 concert “A Diva, A Comedian & Broadway for the Children of Huntington Station,” featuring headliner Melba Moore.
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.
Ridotto
Friends At Home
Concerts with a Touch of Theater. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington. www.ridotto.org. 631-385-0373 • “Cantatas of Satire and Sensibility” includes secular cantatas by Handel, Telemann, Vivaldi, and J.S. Bach’s witty Coffee Cantata on Sunday, Jan. 27, 4 p.m. Artists include Soprano Liz Ronan, Tenor Christopher Pfund, Bass-baritone Lars Woodul, members of the PubliQuartet, and Gabe Shuford, harpsichord. $10 (students), $18 (seniors), $20 (adults).
Looking to earn some community service hours while changing a life? As part of the Friends@Home program, a project of The Ariella's Friendship Circle at the Chai Center in Dix Hills, visit a child with special needs in an environment they are most comfortable: their own homes. Together, bake cookies, play games, create arts and crafts, read books and more. Contact Nati or Sara at 631-351-8672 or fcchaicenter@gmail.com.
DONATIONS WELCOME Comfort A Family Suffolk County Legislators William Spencer, Lou D’Amaro and Steve Stern, along with Island Harvest, veterans organizations and homeless advocates, are collecting new or gently used comforters through Jan. 15. Donations for “Comfort-A-Family” can be dropped off at Stern’s office at 1842 East Jericho Turnpike, Huntington; D’Amaro’s district office at 130 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station, or Spencer’s office, 15 Park Circle, Suite 209, Centerport, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information and additional drop-off locations, call Spencer’s office at 631-854-4500.
Food Drive The staff at Genser Dubow Genser & Cona will be donating non-perishable food items to Long Island Cares, The Harry Chapin Food Bank. Bring non-perishable food items to the Susan C. Snowe Caregiver Resource Center, 225 Broad Hollow Road, Suite 200, Melville, through Jan. 31.
AID & ASSICTANCE Help After Sandy Touro Law Center has opened a legal hotline at 631-761-7198 that is staffed Monday-Friday 9-6 by law students and attorneys from the bar associations. Bilingual and Spanish-speaking lawyers are available thanks to the Hispanic Bar Association.
Emergency Home Repair Program Are you “underwater” on your mortgage but making payments on time? Do you need an emergency repair on your home, but can’t get a home equity loan because you are underwater? You could eligible for up to $5,000 for emergency home repairs if your income does
Walt Whitman Birthplace
Helping Runaway Kids Share your ideas and opinions on how Huntington Sanctuary, a program of the Huntington Youth Bureau, can help youth ages 12-21 who run away or who are at risk of running away. The group’s advisory board meets one Thursday a month at 6 p.m. Call 631-2712183.
Eyes For The Blind Suffolk County’s Helen Keller Services is looking for volunteers to visit blind who are homebound to socialize and aid in reading mail, possibly provide transportation. 631-424-0022.
Help American Red Cross The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. The Suffolk County Chapter is looking for volunteers to assist in emergency shelters, at fires and natural disasters, with veterans, at community events or at the office. Free trainings provided. 631-924-6700 ext 212.
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.
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
A18 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A19
DIX HILLS
Teaming Up For A Grieving Family By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com
In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, affected Long Islanders were devastated by the loss of prized material possessions. One family, formerly of Dix Hills, suffered the unimaginable loss of a father. In place of the annual Half Hollow Hills Coaches versus Cancer fundraiser, on Jan. 12 varsity boys basketball head coaches Bill
most loving and deserving people you could imagine. [The news was] completely devastating,” said Gina Lorello, a paraprofessional at Hills West who used to babysit for the two girls, now 12 and 9. For Lorello, a Hills West graduate, this weekend’s fundraiser comes full circle. A former student of Mitaritonna, the coach was the one who referred her as a babysitter to his late friend. In addition, Lorello was the beneficiary of the district’s dodge-
Mitaritonna, for High School West, and Peter Basel, for High School East, are instead hosting the Coaches for a Cause fundraiser. To be held at High School East, all proceeds from the Saturday event will be donated to the grieving family, who moved to Massapequa three years ago. The father, who was a close friend of Mitaritonna, unexpectedly suffered a heart attack in the aftermath of the storm. “They are such an amazing family, the
ball fundraiser last year. The $30,000 raised went toward helping her fund treatment for a brain tumor. Her condition has since improved. Coaches for a Cause will begin at 10 a.m. at Hills East, when the ninth grade boys basketball teams from Hills East and West will face off, followed by the junior varsity teams at noon. The event will conclude with a 2 p.m. non-league game between Hills East and West’s varsity teams.
Schools, staff, programs at risk in $222-mil budget Half Hollow Hills photo/Jacqueline Birzon
Board of Education President James Ptucha speaks with a resident after a community forum Monday night.
(Continued from page A1)
al $2.1 million in staff reductions. However, the numbers outlined at the meeting raised concern among residents over increased class sizes and reduced access to student services. Administrators plan to save money by eliminating elementary summer school ($250,000), secondary summer school ($90,000) and elementary health teachers ($200,000). Other options include changing school schedules from a 9- to 8-period day, or combining junior varsity and varsity athletic teams. Caliendo said the district is also considering closing the Fran Greenspan Administration Building. However, she said the building houses 107 district employees and would require a rewiring of the district’s technological infrastructure which would prove costly in itself. Resident Antoinette Tufano argued there is an excess of district administrators, such as four assistant superintendents, and suggested a state audit would be an unbiased means of assessing expenditures.
John Gezardi, a resident whose son attends Otsego Elementary, said that should the district decide to close a middle school he will send his son to private school. “You don’t move here for beaches or a fancy town; it’s always for the school district. If we close and cut programs, we’ll be just like everybody else,” he said. “You have people running a multi-million dollar business who don’t know how to run a business,” Gezardi added. Despite skepticism and heckles from the crowd, board members maintained that state mandates are to blame for the budget deficit rather than poor management or bad practice. Board of Education President James Ptucha said that next year state mandates will increase pension costs by $5.6 million, as well as increase costs of benefits and salaries, all of which are out of the district’s hands. Ptucha urged residents to attend open board meetings, PTA forums, and rally state assemblymen as advocates for maintaining the diverse and dynamic reputation of the Half Hollow Hills school district.
Friar perfect on SAT (Continued from page A1)
sachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania and Columbia with intentions to skip his senior year of high school. Those results should come back in March. If he isn’t accepted into one of those Ivy League schools, the St. Anthony’s student anticipates taking college classes at a local college while officially remaining a high school student. “I already take my math class at Stony Brook,” Nandi said. His goal is to graduate with a degree in economics, which he plans to use as an entrepreneur. With his principal laughing next to him, the student admitted he tends not to listen to authority and may not do well with a traditional job.
“I want to start my own business, maybe in the computer science industry,” Nandi said. There’s more than brains to this star scholar. When he’s not at school, Nandi enjoys skateboarding, watching movies and relaxing with his friends. He also played basketball, almost making Syosset’s varsity team as a freshman. He hasn’t played competitively at St. Anthony’s – which has a much stronger athletic program than his old school – since his sophomore year due to a bad ankle sprain. He’s also rather humble. Cregan said only found out about Nandi’s perfect score after overhearing other students talk about it in the hallway. “This young man didn’t come near me; I had to seek him out,” the principal said.
St. Anthony’s High School Principal Brother Gary Cregan and junior Akash Nandi pose after receiving Nandi’s perfect SAT score.
Bartender cutting hair at St. Baldrick’s benefit (Continued from page A15)
eight weeks. During one of his trips, an 8year-old also battling cancer asked where he had found his wig; Donohue was fortunate to never lose his hair. “I kind of laughed and for three days after that, I cried,” he said. Some time passed and the Northport man found himself at the beach this summer. He
noticed an acquaintance throwing a ball around with a 9-year-old boy, learning they met through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. When Mazzeo stopped by The Ritz a few weeks back, Donohue asked if he could raise money by shaving his head. The answer came back the next day: Yes. “I’ve got a lot of hair,” Donohue added.
No registration was required for the smaller Ritz event, although Bensen said they encouraged guests to buy tickets for the Napper Tandy’s event on their website – www.moonjumpers.org. Moonjumpers was founded about a year ago as a way to earmark charitable funds for local causes. And despite the heavy Northport connec-
tion with these two events, Moonjumpers Board Member Lawrence Kushnick said they use email and social media to contact people across Long Island. Kushnick, also the Huntington Chamber of Commerce president-elect, said he personally has connections with the chamber, civic associations and law associations. “We have huge reach,” he added.
A20 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013
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COMMACK ROAD American Community Bank ANC Food The Everything Bagel Deli Beer Smoke
100 Commack Rd, Commack 134 Commack Rd, Commack 217 Commack Rd, Commack 223 Commack Rd, Commack
JERICHO TURNPIKE Commack Lucille Roberts New York Sports Club The Cutting Edge Hair Design Mozzarello’s Pizza Stop & Shop Bagel Boss Dix Hills Diner The Critic’s Choice Deli Stop & Shop Desi Bazar Brooklyn Pizza Ruby Salon Dunkin’ Donuts Roy’s Deli Golden Coach Diner Bagel USA
6534 Jericho Tpke, Commack 6136 Jericho Tpke, Commack 6065 Jericho Tpke, Commack 1957 E Jericho Tpke, East Northport 3126 Jericho Tpke, East Northport 1941 Jericho Tkpe, Commack 1800 E jericho Tpke, Dix Hills 1153A E Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 1100 E Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 905 E Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 881 E Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 822 East Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 795 East Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 669 East Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 350 W Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station 573 W. Jericho Tpke, Huntington Station
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OLD COUNTRY ROAD/SWEET HOLLOW ROAD Dix Hills Hot Bagels 703 Old Country Road, Dix Hills Half Hollow Hills Library 510 Sweet Hollow Road, Melville ROUTE 110/BROADHOLLOW ROAD Deli Beer Cigar Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station Dunkin Donuts 281 Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington Station Berry Healthy Cafe 350 Walt Whitman Rd, Huntington Station Marios Pizza 1 Schwab Rd #17, Melville International Haircutters 439 Walt Whitman Rd, Melville Bethpage Fed’l Credit Union 722 Walt Whitman Road, Melville Roast 827 Walt Whitman Rd, Melville PIDGEON HILL RD South Huntington Library HAUPPAUGE RD Commack Public Library VANDERBILT PKY Half Hollow Hills Library
145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station 18 Happauge Rd, Commack 55 Vanderbilt Pky, Dix Hills
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A21
THE LONG-ISLANDER • THE RECORD • NORTHPORT JOURNAL • HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER
DEADLINE is Friday at 2 p.m. All Categories TELEPHONE: (631) 427-7000, FAX: (631) 427-5820 HOURS: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Address: Long Islander Newspapers, Inc., Attn.: Classifieds, 149 Main Street, Huntington, NY 11743
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The VA position is full time and requires two evening meetings a month. For a full job description, background requirements and instructions on how to apply visit the Village website at www.huntingtonbay.org.
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PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Suffolk, on the 21ST day of December, 2012, bearing Index No. 12-38153, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 400 Carelton Avenue, Central Islip, New York, grants me the right, upon full compliance with this order, to assume the name David James Price. My present address is 10 Arbor Lane, Dix Hills, New York, 11746 County of Suffolk; the date of my birth is February 5, 1984 ; my present name is David Joseph Pirrone.
A22 • THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013
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SOFTBALL
Great Catch For Softball Hall Of Fame Photos by Steve Silverman
The new Huntington Softball Hall of Fame inductees display their awards. From left are William "Butch" Schultheis, Artie DeAngelis, and Howie Cohen. Inductee Thomas "Garry" Moore was not present for the ceremony. The Township of Huntington Softball Hall of Fame recently held its annual induction and installation dinner, bringing into the fold Howie Cohen of Melville, Artie DeAngelis of St. James, Thomas "Garry" Moore of Huntington Station, and William "Butch" Schultheis of Huntington Station. The four new inductees have a combined total of over 100 years of playing softball on many teams in the Town of Huntington, and were presented with awards marking their achievements. Also recognized were Hall of Fame members Ray Sipel and Tom Mola, who received the President's Award for their outstanding and dedicated service. Outgoing President Mike Gribbin was presented with an award in appreciation of his outstanding and dedicated service by incoming President Pete Gunther Jr. The other 2013 Softball Hall of Fame Of-
Ray Sipel, left, receives the President's Award from Mike Gribbin.
Tom Mola, left, receives the President's Award from Mike Gribbin. ficers are Vice President Sal Silvestri Jr., Secretary James Coschignano Jr., and Treasurer Robert DeAngelis. The directors
are Bill Bicknese, Frank Pagano, James O'Connor, John Cetta, Pam Schultheis, and Pete Misilewich.
People In The News
Jennifer Cona Jennifer Cona, managing partner at Genser Dubow Genser & Cona (GDGC) in Melville, was recently honored with the Long Island Business News “Leadership in Law” Award. The award recognizes individuals whose dedication to excellence and leadership, both in the legal profession and in the community, has had a positive and lasting impact on Long Island. Cona, of Cold Spring Harbor, was selected by a committee of business leaders and was honored, along with nine other recipients
in the Partner category, at a special gala dinner in November. “I am honored to receive this award and to be a part of an elite group of attorneys who not only dedicate their time to superior advocacy on behalf of their clients but who engage in community and pro bono work to help our community members in need,” Cona said. Cona founded the elder law and health care facility representation departments at GDGC 15 years ago, which has grown to include a staff of 30. Her work involves representing, counseling and assisting seniors and their families with a complex range of elder law and estate planning issues. Under Cona’s direction, the firm has expanded its health care facility representation practice to include over 60 skilled nursing facilities on Long Island and throughout the metropolitan New York area, making her firm one of the preeminent law firms in this practice area. Cona is the recipient of numerous prestigious awards for her business acumen and commitment to the community. She was named among Long Island Business News’ 40 Rising Stars Under 40 and was honored by Touro Law School with the Outstanding Pro Bono Attorney award for her legal services provided to a severely disabled woman. In 2007, Cona launched GDGC Charitable Events, a not-for-profit committed to enhancing the quality of life for the elderly and the underprivileged. She dedicates her time to raising money for charitable causes including the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation, Long Island’s Fight for Charity and GDGC’s Midnight
Outgoing Huntington Softball Hall of Fame President Mike Gribbin, left, is presented with an award for his dedicated service by incoming President Pete Gunther Jr. Compiled by Luann Dallojacono
Run relief mission. Cona recently opened the Susan C. Snowe Caregiver Resource Center in the firm’s offices, where visitors can speak to an attorney at no charge. Serving on the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation’s (LIAF) Board of Trustees Ex-
ecutive Committee and Legal Advisory Board, Cona provides legal advice and direction on the issues facing those with Alzheimer’s. She also serves as General Counsel to Life’s WORC, an organization which serves individuals with developmental disabilities.
SOFTBALL
Hills East Standout Moving Up Half Hollow Hills High School East softball star Allison Hecht will be continuing her career next year in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Brandeis University Judges. Hecht, who plays catcher and third base, hit close to .500 with a .769 slugging percentage this summer for her travel softball team, Team Nitro. Brandeis University, which is located in Waltham, Mass., plays in the University Athletic Association (UAA). Hecht was accepted as an Early Decision recruit. “It would be an understatement to say that we are extremely excited about signing Allie,” said Brandeis Judges coach Jessica Johnson. “She is a very talented young woman who will bring depth, added commitment, and enthusiasm to all facets of our program. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach Allie to her potential and beyond over the next four years.”
Hills East’s Allison Hecht will play for Brandeis next year.
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THE HALF HOLLOW HILLS NEWSPAPER • JANUARY 10, 2013 • A23
HillSPORTS BOYS BASKETBALL
Trio Helps Carry Team To The Top Harris, Blackman and Solomon lead team to second place slot in League IV Half Hollow Hills photos/Jacqueline Birzon
Hills West is tied for second place after a dominating win over West Babylon and a tough loss to Deer Park. By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com
Both on and off the court, the Hills West boys varsity basketball team knows how to defend Hills pride. The Colts (3-1 in league, 3-2 overall) are tied for second place with Huntington and Copiague in League IV, despite having a more impressive non-league record than the latter team. The Colts had a triumphant win on Jan 3. against West Babylon, when they doubled up the score against the Eagles by halftime. By the end of the first period aone, Hills West had scored 19 points over
the Eagles’ 2 points in the first period, followed by an additional 25 points in the second. The Colts added 30 points in the third period and stomped the competition 88-29 by the game’s end. Senior captains Terry Harris, Jamir Blackman and Marcus Solomon taught the Eagles a thing or two about taking flight, with Harris scoring 23 points with 6 assists and 8 rebounds, Blackman adding 17 points with 5 assists, and Solomon scoring 15 points with 5 assists and 11 rebounds. Head Coach Bill Mitaritonna said his captains have been a driving force on the team this season.
“In every one of our games, Terry Harris, Jamir Blackman and Marcus Solomon have just been so consistent and such great leaders for us,” Mitaritonna said. Junior forward Ross Greenfield added 6 points and senior center Tyrell Ryan scored 5 points at West Babylon. The Colts experienced a tough loss at Deer Park on Jan 5. when they were shown up by the Falcons, losing 86-57. Despite the loss, Solomon, Blackman and Harris contributed a combined 50 points of the team’s overall 57 points. Deer Park scored 32 points in the first period, an offensive hurdle Mitaritonna said that set Hills West back and required
a game of “catch-up.” While the team’s strong offensive lineup is an asset, the coach said he hopes other players will rise to the occasion during future games. Returning defensive captain Neneyo Mate-Kole, the team’s “inside threat,” is slated to return to play after coming off of an ACL injury. Mitaritonna hopes he will only add to the team’s defensive armory. “I really think we’re still a young and inexperienced team that is learning how to play together,” he said. “That takes times, and I’m not concerned. We’ll be fine.” The Colts played Copiague on Jan. 5 at home, and will take on Huntington on Jan. 10. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lady Colts Saddle Up For Series Of Victories By Jacqueline Birzon jbirzon@longislandernews.com
A disheartening hat trick of losses was not enough to send the Half Hollow Hills West girls basketball team back to the stables. After a rocky start to the winter season, the Lady Colts (4-5 overall, 1-3 leauge) found themselves galloping into a series of midseason victories. On Dec. 29 the team traveled to Oyster Bay with high expectations. While Hills trailed in the first period, they compensated with an additional 19 points in the second
quarter, and by the third period established a 9-point lead on the Lady Baymen. The Lady Colts closed out the game with a 44-33 win, a victory Coach Stefanie Mouzakes attributes to a complete team effort. Senior guard/forward Sydney Sodine led the team with 16 points and 26 rebounds along with 5 steals and 4 blocks. Sophomore guards Olivia Sabatino scored 9 points and Brittany Hodge scored 7 points for Hills. Eighth-grader and guard Tori Harris scored 6 points and had 8 rebounds. Center forward Samantha Pierre-Louis also made 6 points and had 12 rebounds.
“We struggled some that day, but we were able to manage to continue to play tough and get some defensive steals and stops in some key situations,” Mouzakes said. On Jan. 3, the girls hosted West Babylon and had the first League IV victory of the season. The Lady Colts performed from the onset, scoring 15 points in the first period, and maintaining a lead on the Lady Eagles through the games end. Once again, Sodine carried the team with a total of 19 points and 19 rebounds. Arianna Sabatino and Pierre-Louis, who had 6 rebounds, each added 6 points for Hills to lead
them 41-24 over West Babylon. Mouzakes said the dynamic between the team’s strong shooters and defensive efforts gave Hills West the edge during their first league win. “We came out with some intensity and never let up for the entire game. We are definitely relying on our aggressive defense to give us our offense. We try to play a fastpaced game and get some lay-ups. It was a defensive effort by many players on the team to go in and do their part,” the coach said. The Lady Colts will play at Huntington on Jan. 10. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
The only page to turn for complete coverage of the: HALF HOLLOW HILLS EAST THUNDERBIRDS and HALF HOLLOW HILLS WEST COLTS
A24 • THE LONG-ISLANDER • JANUARY 10, 2013
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