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Supervisor
Kate Murray presents the Town of Hempstead’s 8th Annual
Seaside Spectacular Collector’s Car Show Saturday, September 21st (rain date Sunday, September 22nd)
Town Park Point Lookout Lido Blvd. (at end of Loop Pkwy.) 10 a.m. - 12 Noon Collector Car Check-in ($10 fee) Open to Display Cars 1988 & Older 12 Noon - 4 p.m. Car Show FREE for Spectators
Music • Awards Classic Car Exhibits Snacks & Beverages Special Car Exhibits by: H.R.E Motor Cars & KATE MURRAY Supervisor Council Members Anthony J. Santino Dorothy L. Goosby James Darcy
Angie M. Cullin Gary Hudes Edward A. Ambrosino
Sponsors:
Donald X. Clavin, Jr. Receiver of Taxes Joseph A. Bentivegna
Commissioner of Parks & Recreation
L o n g I s l a n d P r e s s f o r S e p t e m b e r , 2 0 1 3 / / / w w w. l o n g i s l a n d p r e s s . c o m
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SeptembeR 2013
52 Art + Soul
The Line-up by Susie Gach Peelle, arcylic
Staff
In This Issue
EDIT Christopher Twarowski
Off The Reservation p.12
Con Man Overboard By Jed Morey
Editor in Chief/Chief of Investigations
Spencer Rumsey
fortune 52 p.14
Senior Editor
Barbara Pesce: Neighbors Find Hope & Healing Together By Beverly Fortune
Timothy Bolger News/Web Editor
Rashed Mian Staff Writer
Licia Avelar
the portrait p.16
Staff Writer Contributors:
Soledad O’Brien: Reporting Across Racial Lines By Spencer Rumsey
Anna Dinger, Chris Mellides, Steve Smirti, Peter Tannen ART Jon Sasala
Investigations p.18
Officer Down: The Untold Story of One Cop’s Quest for Truth By Rashed Mian Just Saying p.26
Let’s Re-Enact the Spanish Inquisition! By Peter Tannen NEWS FEATURE p.28
Vanished: Dix Hills Father Still Missing After 2 Months By Christopher Twarowski
“What we’re most worried about is an agent getting off this island.”
Art Director
Jon Chim Graphic Artist
MISSING Details on page 28
Jim Lennon Contributing Photographer
Digital Mike Conforti Director of New Media
Distribution Tom Butcher
16 The Portrait
Solodad O’Brien, THE L.I. NATIVE AND FORMER CNN ANCHOR, IS TAKING HER SHOW oN THE ROAD, PRODUCING IN-DEPTH DOCUMENTARIES FOR VARIOUS NETWORKS.
NEWS FEATURE p.47
Inside Plum Island: Mysteries, Myths & Monsters Explained By Timothy Bolger REAR VIEW p.48
Walt Whitman: The Good Grey Poet’s L.I. Roots By Spencer Rumsey and Christopher Twarowski Art & Soul p.52
Art League of Long Island: L.I.’s Masters of Fine Art By Steve Smirti & Christopher Twarowski
Plus Special Pullout Section
Home Improvement
4 Corners p.56
Hurricane and Zombie Preparedness Guide p.31
Car Culture: Mechanic to Racer By Timothy Bolger
Letters p.6
60 Hot Plate Long Island Clam Chowder
Sound Smart p.8 Hot Plate p.60
ExpresS p.10
Long Island Clam Chowder: Longtime Secret Blend Slowly Catching On By Timothy Bolger
sTaff Picks p.58
Connect
Events p.64 CrosswordS p.70 Enterprise Partners
Phone: 516-284-3300 Fax: 516-284-3310 20 Hempstead Tpke., Farmingdale, NY 11735 News: AssignmentDesk@LongIslandPress.com Sales: Sales@LongIslandPress.com Facebook.com/LongIslandPress Twitter.com/LongIslandPress longislandpress.com
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Copyright © 2013. The Long Island Press is a trademark of Morey Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Supervisor
Kate Murray announces Land Shark Sighting and other Seaside Adventure at the…
Family Festival
FREE
by the Sea
Craving Seaside Adventure?
Bring the whole family for a great time… • Live Bands • Sand Sculptures • Crafts and Food • Kids’ Shows • Clam & Rib Eating Contests • Rides and Games
Event Sponsors KATE MURRAY Supervisor Council Members Anthony J. Santino Dorothy L. Goosby James Darcy
Angie M. Cullin Gary Hudes Edward A. Ambrosino
Donald X. Clavin, Jr. Receiver of Taxes Joseph A. Bentivegna
Commissioner of Parks & Recreation
For more event information please call 516-812-3307 L o n g I s l a n d P r e s s f o r S e p t e m b e r , 2 0 1 3 / / / w w w. l o n g i s l a n d p r e s s . c o m
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Readers React
Cross Sound
Here’s what you had to say...
Going to New England? Sail past traffic delays by going the Ferry route. Your LIBOR story reports that former Barclays president Bob Diamond initially responded to the scandal by admitting that while manipulation occurred, it didn’t happen “on the majority of days.” The Economist said Diamond’s response was ‘rather like an adulterer saying that he was faithful on most days.’”
or Cross
That’s almost as nervy as the parentkiller requesting mercy on the grounds that he’s now an orphan to be pitied.
Your Fingers
Richard Siegelman, Plainview
I always liked “coyote in the chicken coup,” but yea, its about the jist. In response to “New Fox, Same Henhouse: Wall Street Takes Over LIBOR.” @wizardofcause
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#Manning won’t get 136 years. As a New Yorker, I expect our Woo-hoo! Yes We Can! Say, @ legislators to do everything in their barackobama, when does #DOJ indict power to protect us from another the war criminals he exposed? In Superstorm Sandy, but the NY senate, response to “Manning Trial: Max especially Senators Dean Skelos and Sentence Reduced” @Mike93434986 Jeffrey Klein, failed to reach an agreement to expand clean and If they closed the beaches renewable solar power in NY. I can’t everytime someone saw a shark, image how this common sense issue they’d never be open! I should just sit failed to pass. Just a few months ago, out there off-shore in Gov. Andrew Cuomo my boat and keep phonlaid out a simple plan ing in sightings one to grow solar power Let us know after another. What that, if passed by the what you think idiots! Any day I can sit Legislature, would have out there and pull in kept 120,000 tons of sharks of all kinds. greenhouse gas Thomas Price Angelus emissions out of our Fitch Letters@LongIslandPress.com atmosphere and powered electricity in Do they still print 400,000 NY homes. #Newsday? If so, does Many areas of NY, anyone read it? In including Skelos’ Facebook.com/LongIslandPress response to “Newsday district in Long Island, Omission in Story on were devastated by Owner’s Rival Raises Sandy. Why couldn’t Questions.” Skelos at least agree to @CJ_Marchello @LongIslandPress pass the governor’s plan for solar? It’s time Just saying..it’s not for our legislators to you, Press.. news stop playing politics, comes in so fast. If you and start solving global don’t jump on it and warming. www.LongIslandPress.com miss the story, you’re Natalie Galarza, Intern screwed. If you do jump with Environment New on a story and there is York 20 Hempstead Turnpike, more than it seems, Farmingdale, NY 11735 you’re screwed. At the Bradley Manning is end of the day, The a hero. We should be Press is the best. All I thanking him and giving want is the truth. Just him a Nobel Peace give me some truth... Prize. He should have Joann Filoseta-Vernell (516) 284-3300
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more than a life with no sentence at all. Another prime example of how we punish the whistleblowers who did what they did for love of their country. Susan Reardon Clennan
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Sound Smart at a Party By Timothy Bolger
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While parents talked with their daughters about Miley Cyrus’ shocking performance at the Video Music Awards, MTV curiously bleeped one un-obscene “We Can’t Stop” lyric: Molly, slang for MDMA, better known as the club drug ecstasy.
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Mention “Long IsLand Press” To redeem This discount
A young family was forced from their home in India when the couple’s 3-month-old son repeatedly caught fire. The family believes the boy suffers from an extremely rare case of spontaneous human combustion (SHC), although experts are trying to rule out all other possibilities. If proven, it would be the first documented case since 2011, when a coroner listed SHC as a 76-year-old Irishman’s cause of death, although most scientists remain skeptical. Researchers found a heightened presence of acetone, an inflammable chemical produced by the human body, as a possible mechanism behind the usually fatal phenomenon. Neighbors, who dubbed the burning boy “fire baby,” were more worried about him setting their village aflame.
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Skinny jeans, the bane or boon of modern leg wear— depending upon who’s asked—have been found to cause meralgia paresthetica, a temporary nerve condition better known as “tingling thigh syndrome.” Trendy women and hipster-emo guys who ignore the risks of skin-tight denim cutting off the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve often suffer numbing, tingling or burning sensations in the thigh, experts say. Of course, the link is doubtful to impact sales of too-tight pants any more than publicly acknowledged adverse health effects of high heels, neck ties and wearing sunglasses at night.
New Species Already at Risk
When news broke last month of the Olinguito—Spanish for “little Olingo”—a nocturnal treetopdwelling raccoon relative that became the first new species discovered in 35 years, reports mostly focused on its fuzzy bear-cat-coon cuteness. But its discovery was simultaneously tinged with the fact that it was found to be at risk of being endangered. Experts who discovered the mammal estimate 42 percent of its suitable South American rain forrest habitat has already been deforested. (Photo by Mark Gurney)
astronomers have found near the center of the Milky Way a pulsar—a neutron star that regularly pulsates radio waves—that scientists can use to measure how black holes warp time and space.
First Amendment Finishes 32nd
The United States ranks 32nd worldwide for freedom of the press behind the top three: Finland, the Netherlands and Norway. While an improvement from last year, Ghana ranked higher than America.
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JUSTIN BIEBER
OFF TARGET The teeny bopper and his entourage allegedly jumped a man outside a Southampton night club last month in a fight over a bowtie. This after he had to create an anti-bullying video for Nassau schools after instigating a Roosevelt Field Mall riot three years ago. Note to prosecutors: This time ban him from LI.
SIR PAUL
BULL’S EYE Nirvana frontman Sir Paul McCartney announces a new album and releases a new song, both titled “New.” The upbeat,
feel-good tune is packed with catchy melodies and arrangements and is his most Beatles-y in decades. We love you, Mr. Walrus. #longlivepaulmccartney
BEN AFFLECK
OFF TARGET The overrated, flop of Daredevil Bostonian somehow managed to weasel his way into the role of one of America’s most beloved superheroes, The Caped Crusader, Batman. Social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook exploded in fury, deservingly so, yet the Bruce Wayne wannabe just won’t take the hint. Argo f**k yourself.
NASSAU COLISEUM
PARTIAL SCORE Nassau County Exec Ed Mangano taps Bruce Ratner, who lured the Islanders to his new Brooklyn Barclays Center, to renovate The Old Barn, which is like the guy who stole your wife giving you marital advice. The lesser of two evils next to the Dolans, who wanted to solidify their monopolistic stranglehold on Long Island, we’ll take the hockey-team siren. At least he’s allowing the team to play a handful of games in Uniondale as part of the deal. Hey, we’ll take what we can get.
THe Target MAYOR FILNER
OFF TARGET Disgraced sleaze ball San Diego Mayor Bob Filner blames the media for stirring up a “lynch mob” over his sexual harassment of at least 17 women, shirking any responsibility for the alleged indiscretions and offering up a weak, half-hearted apology in an ill-fated attempt to save his taxpayer-financed job. This guy’s so Off-Target,
even Hooters refuses to serve him.
ALEC BALDWIN
PARTIAL SCORE Massapequa native/Hollywood hothead Alec Baldwin attacks yet another photographer, twisting the paparazzi member’s arms behind his back and ramming him into the windshield of a car. Now here’s a decent candidate for Batman! #baldwinforbatman
100,000
The number of casualties reported in Syria’s 2½-year-old civil war between President Bashar Assad’s regime and rebel forces opposed to his rule. NATO says up to 1,300 Syrians died in a chemical weapons attack allegedly unleashed by Assad on Aug. 21. Doctors Without Frontiers said there were at least 355 victims of the poison gas.
SENTENCED: Private Bradley Manning, the whistleblower who leaked more than 700,000 military documents and state department cables to WikiLeaks, was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Aug. 21, 2013 by a military judge presiding over his leak case. Manning, who enlisted in 2007 and had been deployed to Iraq as an intelligence analyst in 2009, released cockpit gun-sight footage, dubbed “Collateral Murder,” of U.S. Apache helicopters killing a dozen unarmed civilians and two Reuters photojournalists in Iraq in 2007. Manning said in a statement through his attorney after his sentencing that he would be seeking hormone therapy treatment while in prison. The 25-year-old will now be known as Chelsea Manning. (Photo credit: U.S. Army)
Pink Slip Rick Scott
Rick Perry Paul LePage Tom Corbett Ike Boutwell Donald Trump Chancey Allen Luna & James Francis Edwards Sydney Leathers Robert Mugabe Miley Cyrus To see why go to longislandpress.com/ pinkslip
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Jets QB + Mark Sanchez banged up
“The only way for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” —Suffolk County Park Police Officer Kevin O’Connor, regarding why he hasn’t given up his quest for truth seven years after an illegally driven ATV struck him, leaving him permanently disabled. investigations p. 18
Mets ace + Yanks A-Rod + Giants Eli Manning = Fireman Ed had Matt Harvey pending ban taking the rap the right idea: torn elbow hang it up
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The Rund wn
Re v i e w
IF A, THEN B: HOW THE WORLD DISCOVERED LOGIC
Your To-Do List for this month
1. Check out AHOY EARTH!
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Ed Jermakian and Jared Kessel, two longtime friends right here on Long Island, post their latest creation on the Web and then repost it to Facebook, in the process, injecting their own brand of humor and take on the world into the social media sphere. Ahoy Earth! is a brilliantly drawn, thought-provoking, oftentimes hilarious Webcomic, about two aliens named Heady and Faisal “living on earth killing time like the rest of us,” reads its profile page. The extraterrestrials are not always the protagonists (Ed and Jared often draw themselves into the comic, as well as known superheroes, among many other characters), and topics range from the mundane to the most pressing (its Aug. 28 strip “Deja Boom” deals with the present Syrian crisis). Worth checking out, if not for the laughs, for the art: www.ahoyearth.com.
LOOKOUT FOR THE NEW IPHONE
Apple will likely make their closely guarded official announcement Sept. 10. Judging from past unveilings, the next generation iPhones should be available shortly thereafter. Rumor has it that they’re going gold!
LISTEN TO LIVE FROM THE BARRAGE
Addictive and entertaining—if you need to kill some time on a Friday night (or any night, these are archived), check out this podcast, broadcast live every Friday at 8 p.m. from “The Barrage,” a fully stocked bar built in co-host John Houli’s garage in Queens. Topics run the gamut, from rants about music and politics to hosts Houli, Dave, “Hair Du,” Patrick and Ryan simply busting on each other, you’re sure to have a few laughs. Past guests include Latino rock bank frontman Question Mark, from ? and the Mysterians (96 Tears), legendary audio engineer Steve Albini, “Bootleg Bill” from the Discovery Channel’s Moonshiners, Richie Ramone and many others. Hear for yourself at www.livefromthebarrage.com.
EAT A GRAPE LEAF
DOWNLOAD ZITE
Choose the topics you’re interested in and this app will filter every news source on the Web to find related articles and deliver them, in the blink of an eye, to your phone or mobile device, including Long Island Press stories. Can’t beat that!
Why not? They taste exceptionally magnificent and are healthy for you. There are a host of great Greek restaurants throughout this Island, and therefore, there is really no excuse! Go to bestof.longislandpress.com and check out some of the truly great purveyors. You’re welcome.
BY MICHAEL SHENEFELT & HEIDI WHITE
Who knew that studying the ancient Athenians could help us better understand Fox News today and see through the fallacies in contemporary American politics that threaten to undermine the pillars of our democracy? That’s one happy discovery I found in this important new book by Michael Shenefelt and Heidi White, If A, Then B…, which could prove invaluable when confusion reigns supreme. As the authors say, faulty arguments can be fatal if they’re allowed to go unproven. We’re living with the consequences of that in Iraq and elsewhere every day. Shenefelt and White subject the untruths propagated by the pampered pundits of today’s plutocracy to the cold, clear light of logic, exposing the sophists for who they truly are: liars. But besides explaining what Plato and his followers were up to, this pair of contemporary scholars who teach “Great Books” at New York University’s Liberal Studies Program manage to cover the world, even the role of waterways in the distribution of ideas, while they also span the ages, from the past to the present, when the most logical thing we know is our smart phone! Shenefelt and White give credit to Aristotle, the “greatest of the Greek logicians,” who, the authors say, was the first classical philosopher to turn “the validity of arguments into a distinct object of study.” He also was the tutor of the young Alexander the Great and later the founder of the Lyceum in Athens. “Like the ancient Athenians,” they write, “we often face fundamental questions of power and justice, and like the Athenians again, we often wrestle with sophistry and illusion. Like the inhabitants of sixteenth-century France, we sometimes encounter fanatical enthusiasm, and like the architects of seventeenthcentury science, we must absorb new discoveries made possible by empirical reasoning and experiment.” This impressive, accessible book is like an inoculation of a truth vaccine when the body politic is sick and democracy diseased. I hope it gets the widest readership it deserves—and our country gets a lesson in logic it so desperately needs. Speaking truth to power never goes out of fashion. —Spencer Rumsey
GO TO THE LI APPLE FESTIVAL!
READ A BOOK
September is National Literacy Month, and according to the figures, 90 million Americans read at basic and below-basic levels. To help raise awareness about literacy issues in the United States and to help solve them, Digitalliteracy.gov will be featuring resources exploring the power of the Digital Age in creating a solution. Additionally, free book festivals will be held in communities across the country to help promote literacy and the importance of reading, from the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival Sept. 21-22 to the Brooklyn Book Festival Sept. 22. To find a festival near you, check out: www.read.gov/resources/ index.php.
ORDER A PUMPKIN LATTE
This fall favorite is back in coffee shops, finally! Load up, dear friends. Load up. Winter’s coming.
The 24th Annual Long Island Apple Festival, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at SherwoodJayne Farm in Setauket, is an apple extravaganza not to be missed, from its yearly Apple Pie Contest and sheep shearing to its many apple crafts and cooking! Learn more at www.threevillagehistoricalsociety.org!
PLAY PLANTS VS. ZOMBIES II
The sequel to the highly popular original just came out, transforming all your mobile devices into vegetation-growing, undeadslaying addiction-fueling mini-arcade games. Yes, it’s that much fun.
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Con Man Overboard Off the Reservation
How Wall Street is Preparing to Pull the Plug on the U.S. Economy BY Jed Morey Publisher, Long Island Press www.jedmorey.com @jedmorey
L
ately I’ve been thinking a lot about the economy. Not our economy, the shadow economy run by the corporate masters of America. You can’t see it. No one can. But trust me, it’s booming. It’s estimated that trillions of dollars from corporations, wealthy individuals and governments of small and corrupt nations are teeming through offshore accounts, robbing the home countries of domestic tax revenues. An Economist special report on offshore tax havens in February of this year cites, “James Henry, a former chief economist with McKinsey,” as saying he “believes the amount invested virtually tax-free offshore tops $21 trillion.” Corporations, now considered people by the U.S. Supreme Court, like to refer to this money as “dry powder” just “sitting on the sidelines” waiting to be invested at any time. Indeed it is, in the most nefarious way possible. In this magical world of paper finance the “too big to fail” banks are royalty. Since the banking collapse of 2008, they have emerged even bigger, far more profitable and just as leveraged. Margin debt ratios, the extent to which financial institutions are leveraged in equities, are once again at pre-crash levels. After cooling off in the initial aftermath of the crisis, banks have steadily dipped their big toes back into the debt pool and begun packing on leverage at alarming rates. What’s even more insulting than the obvious recklessness this presents is that they’re not even using their own funds. The Federal Reserve has directed the U.S. Treasury to print money like mad since the crash in an effort to maintain liquidity within the system, with the banks all-too-happy to gobble it up. Given the ridiculously low interest rate environment maintained by the Fed since this time, it makes sense that the banks would take cheap government money and reinvest it. It’s where they have invested it that warrants examination. The easiest place for the public to spot the massive flow of liquidity is in the equity markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has more than doubled since it bottomed out near 6,600 immediately after the crash. And while some corporations have indeed posted substantial profits the past couple of years, overall performance and profitability are nowhere even close to explaining the gains on the Dow. The next, most obvious place bank liquidity showed up, was in the
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’M
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IC
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“Think of it like the mafia. Banks are like caporegimes and hedge funds are their hit men.” commodities markets. The price of oil and certain agricultural products have been high for so long we have forgotten how outrageous the pricing truly is. Non-productive speculation in the commodities market has been upwards of 50 percent over the past few years, a phenomenon Dodd-Frank has yet to fix. This essentially means that nearly half of the price that you pay for a given commodity such as gasoline or milk is due to a bunch of highfrequency traders sitting at computers in Atlanta, Chicago and London. Cheap, easy money from the Fed also means the dollar is relatively weak compared to foreign currencies. This works to the advantage of U.S. export companies, for now. But if our money is cheap, then by definition the flipside of this equation is that money is expensive in other places. The combined effect of a weak dollar and rampant speculation means that we are basically exporting inflation around the globe. The problem
here is the timeless axiom: “What goes around, comes around.” There are a couple of policy issues at play right now that should give everyone in the United States pause. The first is that the Federal Reserve has already indicated that its bond-buyback program is slowly coming to an end. As such, interest rates are gradually beginning to climb. Anyone with an adjustable-rate loan should pay even closer attention to this trend. The other consideration is that the rules of engagement in the swaps and derivatives markets haven’t changed all that much since the banking collapse. Therefore, there are still hundreds of trillions of dollars at stake in markets that no one can see. Now add to the mix that regulators believe they will finally be able to put in place position limits on a good chunk of the activity in the derivatives market by the end of the year, and we are set for a few hairy months of fast and furious transactions as companies look
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to close out riskier investments. These factors alone foretell a period of volatility, particularly when the “recovery” hasn’t been so robust. Oh, and there’s a little matter of who will be the next chair of the Federal Reserve, which actually matters. A lot. Having just vomited a bunch of financial mumbo-jumbo, now let me go back to where we began. I’ve just given you a cursory explanation of why I believe we’re in for some serious upheaval in the financial markets between now and the end of the year. Over the next couple of months I think we will see interest rates continue to climb, a huge (albeit temporary) sell off in the commodities markets as the dollar rises and regulations tighten, and the equities market will be pounded. All of these things, were they to happen, would of course negatively impact most Americans. Higher loan costs, reduced value in pensions, and the beginning of inflation would be crippling to the American economy right now considering how tenuous the recovery is and how, according to the Associated Press, four out of five Americans are either living paycheck to paycheck, unemployed or working parttime, or below the poverty line. Guess who will be just fine? Because the banks are still allowed to engage in proprietary investing–meaning they can own the actual products they trade on the markets–and have trillions of “dry powder” sitting “on the sidelines,” they are more than poised to take advantage of what lies ahead. They’ll be dictating how, when and to what extent it will happen and doing so without leaving fingerprints. Think of it like the mafia. Banks are like caporegimes and hedge funds are their hit men. Using government money the banks pack on debt and send funds to their offshore subsidiaries that, in turn, invest heavily through the hedge funds registered to places like the Caymans or Virgin Islands. Any time the big banks want to pull the plug on the equities market, they’ll do so without hesitation because they’ll have 10 times the money betting that it does. It’s the perfect con. Good thing we’re on to them. The corporate elite and the politicians who do their bidding will have to get up pretty early in the morning to fool the American public again. Unless, of course, there’s some big distraction like a new war in the Middle East or something. But that would be truly ridiculous. There’s no way we’d ever fall for that old gag again. To comment on “Off the Reservation” email Jed at jmorey@longislandpress.com.
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When the Bond Breaks
Fortune 52
Barbara Pesce
Women’s Advocate Director, Over 40 Females, LI Chapter
Neighbors Find Hope & Healing Together By Beverly Fortune bfortune@longislandpress.com
D
ivorce can be overwhelming. It is perhaps one of the most challenging experiences a woman will ever face in her lifetime. When a marriage ends, a woman may feel like she is falling, with nothing solid to stand on. Most women aren’t prepared for the emotional turmoil and the financial impact that comes when a marriage ends. If there are children involved, everything seems magnified. Barbara Pesce, a mother of two from Levittown, had been married for almost 16 years. When her children were very young, Barbara was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, requiring numerous surgeries and radiation treatments. Some couples who have a spouse who is ill may grow closer, but not in Barbara’s case. Though she survived, her marriage did not. To complicate matters further, Barbara and her husband had their own business. Not only was their marriage ending, but their business partnership and subsequent income was dissolving as well. After Barbara’s friends and neighbors learned she was getting divorced, they began sharing their own marital stories with her—and they weren’t all positive. Raising a family in Levittown, a blue color community, meant many of these women were stay-at-home moms who were financially dependent on their husband, making the process of getting a divorce even more difficult. “They were stuck,” she says. “They had no way out.” Barbara was fortunate to have the support of her family, both emotionally and financially. “I had someone to help me,” she says. “I was lucky.”
The group of neighborhood women grew to more than a dozen. Then an idea for a local support group began to take shape. “These women needed someone to help them,” she says. Though Barbara couldn’t give them financial assistance, she could offer them an alternative. “We wanted to help each other, so we started watching each other’s kids when we had to go to court,” she says. With Barbara as their de-facto leader, the women began a grassroots informal co-op, which offered babysitting, transportation, shopping and other errands, as well as lending a hand in other ways. “We would say to each other, ‘This is what I need and this is what I can offer.’” Because these women all lived
issues. “The courts are slow,” she adds, “which can make it difficult for women who are trying to make ends meet.” Barbara’s goals are simple. “I want to educate women on how to protect themselves and help them in their immediate situation,” she says. While she waits for her own divorce to be finalized, Barbara continues to advocate for women going through divorce. She is a member services representative at New England Federal Credit Union (NEFCU) and a board-certified hypnotist. Recently,
“We wanted to help each other, so we started watching each other’s kids when we had to go to court.” in the Levittown school district, their children were on the same schedule. The group became so organized that their kids would have the same visitation weekends with their respectivefathers, allowing the women time to socialize together every other weekend. They began meeting informally at Barbara’s home, which became a safe haven for their impromptu gatherings. Once there, they voiced their concerns, but Barbara said that no “man bashing” was allowed, and added, “We keep our support positive.” “Some were staying in bad situations because they didn’t know how to get out,” Barbara says. For those already in divorce proceedings, there were other
Barbara was named director of the Long Island chapter of Over40Females, a new venture offering women business and social networking. “Our motto at Over40 Females is: ‘Connect, encourage and inspire,’” Barbara says. “The group gives women a boost to promote their own business or to just have a fun girl’s night out.” On Barbara’s immediate agenda is finding a meeting space outside of the Levittown area to establish a support group in another neighborhood or school district to help those women cope with the travails of divorce. Barbara advises women to do some research before they begin any divorce action.
Presented by
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“If you take steps when you are able, you will be a little prepared,” she says. “Find out how the process works. Everyone’s experience is different.” These days Barbara is healthy and enjoys an active lifestyle. “It’s the lasting effects of thyroid cancer that gets you,” she says, “but I manage it well now.” Barbara is committed to helping women on many different levels, whether they are going through a divorce, or looking to meet and network with other successful women and though Barbara may bring them together for different reasons and in different venues, her message stays the same: “Let’s help each other out.” If you’d like to contact Barbara, email her at pesce@aol.com. To learn more about Over40Females, go to www.Over40females.com.
In every issue of the Long Island Press and our sister publication, Milieu Magazine, the Fortune 52 column brings you stories of dynamic women who have made a significant and unique contribution to Long Island. To acknowledge their success, Beverly hosts tri-annual networking events that are attended by hundreds of LI business professionals, non-profit leaders and entrepreneurs. If you are interested in learning more about the Fortune 52, or know a super woman who deserves good Fortune—and a profile—email Beverly at bfortune@longislandpress.com.
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Soledad O’Brien Reporting Across Racial Lines
Long Island native Soledad O’Brien is used to bridging the gaps between people, races and cultures. Her pleasant, inquiring demeanor, epitomized by her inviting smile and her sharp mind, has made her a popular cable TV journalist and anchorwoman—and a fierce pursuer of the truth. After more than a decade at CNN she left early this year when the company’s new president, Jeff Zucker, decided to end her morning show, Starting Point. Then she turned up this summer as a contributor to Bryant Gumbel’s Real Sports series on HBO, and she has other projects in the works through her production company Starfish Media. In fact, CNN just aired her documentary, “Great Expectations: A Black in America Special.” Perhaps the most surprising move is her recently announced affiliation with Al Jazeera America, the inaugural cable news channel, available so far on Long Island through Verizon. Her suburban upbringing is far more complicated than most viewers might think. The daughter of two immigrants, she was born in St. James and raised with her five siblings in Smithtown. Her mother, Estela Lucrecia Maruetti y Mendieta, had left Havana, Cuba, in 1947. She later met Soledad’s father, Edward Ephram O’Brien, who was from Toowoomba, Australia, when they were both students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md. After they were married in Washington, D.C., her dad got a job teaching fluid mechanics at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and her mom eventually taught French and English at Smithtown High School West. “We grew up among well-educated white kids, with a nice home and good schools, and pursued a life that seemed limitless,” she recalled in her book, Latino in America, written with Rose Marie Arce, which came out as a companion piece to a CNN special documentary Soledad anchored in 2009. “My parents hoped that the fact that one of them was white and the other black would not define us.” But it clearly did, as Soledad found out the hard way. When she was 13-year-old girl in middle school, other kids would stop her in the hallway and ask her: “If you’re a n-----, why don’t you have big lips?” Others would query her: “Why is your name so weird?” Yet she mostly ignored them and pursued her studies. “We had plenty of time to study since we didn’t exactly connect with our neighbors, who were mostly white, Jewish, Irish and Italian. It was clear to me I wouldn’t ever date as long as I stayed in Long Island. First of all, my parents would never allow it, and, truth be told, there were no potential suitors. I was also brainy, and that didn’t help.” She went to Harvard, as did her three sisters and two brothers. As Soledad put it, “This ragtag, multiracial gang from Smithtown did all right.” And that’s the truth.
scooped up: Al Jazeera America signed Soledad O’Brien as a special correspondent.
the
Portrait
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By Spencer Rumsey
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Photo By Jim Lennon
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Officer Down Kevin O’Connor Suffered Permanent Injuries When He Was Struck By An Illegal ATV Seven Years Ago. He’s Been Seeking Justice Ever Since.
Kevin O’Connor leans forward and grimaces as the pain
all these years later because of unanswered questions stemming from the Suffolk County police investigation into the incident, and frustration over the outcome shoots through his body. of his attackers’ prosecution after an appeals court overturned a guilty verdict His chair slides back, he reaches for his cane and slowly rises from his seat. rendered by Suffolk County Family Court. “I just gotta stand up,” he tells me. That acquittal is even more heart-wrenching because O’Connor’s attacker His wife Catherine gazes at him from across the kitchen table while their actually confessed to striking him in a civil case—as did his parents admit to kids play in another room. negligently allowing their child to use the ATV that injured him. (The Press has We could stop, but O’Connor wants to keep talking. He’s been waiting seven decided to withhold O’Connor’s attacker’s name from publication due to his years to tell this tale—nearly a decade of doctor visits, surgery, therapy, court status as a minor at the time of the incident.) appearances and haunting images of being struck by a teenager illegally riding Dozens of documents obtained by the Press, including police and court an ATV, which left the former New York Police Department cop and Suffolk records, along with witness statements, paint a portrait of an officer who was County Park police officer disabled for the rest of his life. He needs a cane to assaulted while on the job and who’s walk short distances. His feet turn had to endure great pains for the pale blue if he stands for too long. past seven years to get justice for And the 37-year-old father of four is that attack. They tell how it took relegated to a wheel chair or scooter fellow police officers five days to whenever he leaves his home. interview his assailant’s parents O’Connor lists his many and two neighbors—five days after ailments in a matter-of-fact tone: the accident—despite O’Connor a shattered left ankle rebuilt with a charging that a Suffolk police bone from his hip, fractured right detective tracked down the suspect’s kneecap, torn meniscus, nerve father several hours after he was damage in his back and left leg too struck, and despite initially describserious for surgery and a condition ing the incident, say internal police called “Complex Regional Pain —Suffolk County Park Police Officer Kevin O’Connor records, as assault on a parks police Syndrome,” which leads to chronic officer. That’s a charge that would pain and negatively effects blood regularly constitute a maximum flow and body temperature to the sentence of three to four years in point that all sensations but pain are prison if found guilty. Yet the charges were later dropped to a misdemeanor suppressed. offense of leaving the scene of an ATV accident. At his worst, O’Connor was taking more than 30 different pills—a cocktail Instead of justice, the voluminous paper trail reveals the disabled police of pain and nerve medication. (His pancreas, liver and gall bladder all shut down officer and 9/11 first responder’s pay was docked. He became ensnared in a because of it). He slept 23 hours a day, Catherine says, and couldn’t even finish drawn-out dispute over his disability and retirement classification. his own sentences. His sensory was so out of whack that he couldn’t tell where “They want me to quit,” he blasts. “They just want me to quit, to go away he was being touched. Not knowing what was happening to him was almost and not get paid and not have benefits and just quit. I have four children, my unbearable; terror consumed him whenever Catherine would leave his side— wife; we have to live.” even for the briefest of moments. O’Connor’s leg is elevated on an ottoman while describing the last seven “All you feel is pain all the time,” he says. years of agony. His eyes are glassy; the horrors of his accident seared into his Yet those are just the injuries sustained from being plowed into by an ATV. mind forever. O’Connor, who joined the NYPD in 1998 and worked at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, had all eight sinuses collapse and later had three tumors removed—two of which were attached to his optic nerve. He also had dozens of polyps extracted. April Fool’s Day “The surgeon said at 30 he stopped counting,” he recalls. Suffolk County Park police officer Kevin O’Connor woke up to the sounds After 9/11, O’Connor’s family persuaded the gung-ho cop to leave the of rain against his house April 1, 2006. At 31 years old, O’Connor was comfortNYPD—fearing future terrorist attacks—and he joined the Suffolk County Park able with his decision to leave the prestigious NYPD. He just wanted to strap on Police Department in 2003. The family assumed he’d be safer patrolling the vast a badge and catch bad guys. parks stretching from Wading River to Orient Point and Montauk. “The only way for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing,” is the Who would have guessed it’d be in the typically tranquil forests of Suffolk motto he’s always lived by, he says. where he’d encounter his most vicious assailant. On that day—“April Fool’s Day,” he says with a nervous laugh—O’Connor His pain doesn’t end with his physical injuries. O’Connor still seeks justice Continued on page 20
“They just want me to quit, to go away and not get paid and not have benefits and just quit. I have four children, my wife; we have to live.”
By Rashed Main
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donned his police uniform and met up with his 39-year-old partner. The pair grabbed a stack of complaints before they left the station and hopped into a truck hauling a trailer with ATVs inside. Their plan for the day was simple enough: Patrol the Setauket Woods Nature Preserve and investigate recent complaints of illegal ATVs running rampant in the area. They put the truck in park and unloaded the ATVs from the trailer. Puddles began to form beneath their feet. They drove deep into the preserve, mud kicking off the tires as they accelerated. At about 1:45 p.m., the officers spotted a 25-year-old man riding a dirt bike east of North Belle Mead Road, near the Long Island Power Authority power lines. While issuing a summons to the biker, they became distracted by the sudden, ripping of jackhammer-like sounds thundering through the woods. Within an instant, three ATVs shot from the leafy trees and barreled toward them from the south. The three riders—outfitted in different color helmets, chest protectors and quads (the color of their outfits and ATVs would become an important piece of evidence in the appeal’s court case)— finally emerged from the woods. O’Connor’s partner was the first to react. Perched atop his quad, he drove about 40 yards in the direction of the trio. Two bolted past him on the west side and continued north, forcing him to give chase. “We attempted to flag them down and stop them as they came upon us but they disregarded our demands and took off,” O’Connor’s partner told Suffolk County police six hours later in his written statement. O’Connor, still on foot, spotted the third ATV in the distance and waved his hands over his head, commanding the driver to stop. His warnings went unheeded. In a last-ditch effort to avoid the oncoming machine, O’Connor lunged right, but it turned in his direction and
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Family and friends of Suffolk County Park Police Officer Kevin O’Connor carried signs outside the Suffolk County Legislative building during a recent hearing with the county to show support for the officer who was permanently injured by an illegal ATV in April 2006.
crushed him, he told police, from Stony Brook University Hospital that night. The ATV struck him with such force that O’Connor flipped over its handlebars and was launched into the air. Managing to grab hold of the teen’s clothes, he was dragged for about 10 feet before letting go. With the same lightning-fast speed they’d appeared, all three ATVs then disappeared into the woods. The dirt bike rider O’Connor had been giving a ticket to witnessed the crash and ran to O’Connor’s aid. “I asked the police officer if he was okay,” the man told police eight hours later, according to documents. “And he replied ‘No.’” O’Connor’s partner, unaware of what had happened to him, had already lost the first two ATVs and was returning to O’Connor’s location when he spotted the third, yellow quad. He cut into a wooded trail off of Belle Mead Road. “This rider appeared to be well acquainted with the trails in the area as he pulled further away from me during this chase,” he told investigators. The officer followed the trail to a development under construction at the time, he said. The yellow ATV disappeared. The initial response to the incident was impressive: Suffolk County police, New York State police, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) police and Suffolk County Park police all responded, O’Connor says. After all, one of their own was attacked and injured. He assumed the case a slam dunk: There was an actual witness to the incident and he later discovered that an environmental conservation officer followed the ATV tracks to a house just west of the preserve and notified Suffolk police after he spotted three ATVs—blue,
“We attempted to flag them down and stop them as they came upon us but they disregarded our demands and took off.” —Suffolk County Park Police Officer Kevin O’Connor’s partner, regarding the three ATVs that suddenly emerged from the woods before O’Connor was struck.
black and a “freshly washed” yellow quad—in the garage, he tells me. (The DEC officer, who no longer works on Long Island, declined to comment for this story). Then things got murky. The initial police report makes no mention of police visiting the teen’s house that day, but instead notes the investigators interviewed its residents and two neighbors five days later. They “all stated that there are a lot of people who ride quads in the area,” but did not see any ATV activity the day of the incident, states police documents. The report doesn’t note if the teen was a suspect, either. So the investigation, initially being investigated as “assault 2 on parks police officer,” stalled. “Due to the fact that there are no further leads at this time,” the report said, “this case may be marked as pending.”
Confession
Eight months later, it seemed the O’Connor’s might have finally caught a break. Police had impounded a blue 2004 Yamaha in the Setauket Woods preserve around 1 p.m. on Dec.3, 2006 and the driver, who was 15 at the time, provided information to the officer regarding an incident involving Suffolk County Park police officer O’Connor. One month later, at around 5 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2007, a Suffolk police detective visited the house of another Setauket teenager and left with a sworn statement from the 15-year-old admitting to driving one of the three ATVs the day O’Connor was injured. Obtained by the Press, it states the teen told the detective that he and another friend separated from the driver of the yellow ATV, and that it wasn’t until they crossed paths in the hallway of their high school two days later that they’d learn what had actually happened. “I hit someone with the quad,” the teen admitted to the friend. Still, there was no arrest. Meanwhile, O’Connor and his
wife called Suffolk Police Department’s Sixth Precinct multiple times, along with Suffolk County legislators. Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) asked then-Suffolk County Park Commissioner Ron Foley to address the status of the case at a meeting that year. “We have asked questions of the Suffolk County Police Department about this case,” Foley told legislators, according to the meeting’s minutes. “I am satisfied that they were dealing with it in the same professional manner they deal with everything they do.” Yet quite the opposite was happening, insists O’Connor, who stepped up calls to elected officials for help. He called and wrote letters to thenSuffolk County Executive Steve Levy, former Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer, state legislators, then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, the governor, and even Vice President Dick Cheney. “Nobody was doing anything,” he says. O’Connor, who went back on light duty for two months after the incident but was deemed too unhealthy to work, was battling debilitating injuries as a result from the crash and was in excruciating pain. He would sleep for nearly the entire day and the nerve damage was so painful that the slightest touch whipped his body into a frenzy. Finally, nearly a year later, authorities filed formal charges against the teenager—but not for felony assault, which would’ve landed him before a criminal court judge. Instead, the teen was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving an all-terrain vehicle—a slap on the wrist is the way the O’Connor’s felt about it at the time. (Suffolk police did not respond to requests for comment as of press time. Instead, they said, they were handling the Press’ submitted inquiries as a Freedom of Information Act request). The teen was found guilty in a one-day Family Court hearing and placed on 12 months probation, despite the mother’s alibi testimony that her child was with her at her sister’s house when the incident occurred. It was a brief victory for the O’Connors. The next summer, an appeals court overturned the decision on “legally insufficient evidence.” Two of the witnesses “could not specifically recall riding that day,” according to the decision, even though one teenager admitted in a sworn police statement to being in Setauket Woods that afternoon. The court cited three other reasons for overruling the Family Court decision: that O’Connor and his partner couldn’t identify the rider of the yellow ATV; the two officers had identified the two other quads as black and blue, while the witnesses—the teen’s friends—said they were riding red and white ATVs; and Continued on page 22
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that the yellow ATV was outfitted with knobbed or “holeshot” tires, not the “grooved” tires that O’Connor testified to. It was a crushing blow, especially since the O’Connors felt the teenager’s family had already admitted guilt—though not in a court of law. Even before the appeals court made its decision, the teen’s family filed an insurance claim for an ATV, noting that it was damaged on April 1, 2006—the day O’Connor was injured. The claim was denied. The O’Connors eventually got a full confession—though five years too late. “This confession of judgment is for the debt justly due arising from the following facts,” reads the admission in the civil case. “On April 1, 2006 at Setauket Woods Park in Suffolk County, New York, the debtors…negligently entrusted an All Terrain Vehicle (‘ATV’) to their son…[who] negligently drove this ATV and struck pedestrian Kevin O’Connor, causing serious physical injury.” The O’Connors were awarded $1 million, plus interest, but they have yet to see any of it. The teen’s family filed for bankruptcy soon after. The family did not return a message seeking comment. To make matters even worse, during this time O’Connor had visited a doctor for an Independent Medical Exam (IME), which the state requires prior to certifying an employee for disability retirement—and the doctor noted that O’Connor “has a permanent marked orthopedic disability and is unable to return to work as a park police officer.” About a month later, he received a letter from his lieutenant, Scott Gray, instructing him to notify the personnel office proof that he has filed for disability retirement with the New York State Retirement System within 10 days. “Your failure to adhere to this directive will be considered insubordination and will be dealt with accordingly,” the letter states. After making phone calls to the retirement system, O’Connor says he made the grim discovery that he was a member of the Employees Retirement System, meaning he would not be afforded the same benefits had he remained with the NYPD—which is under the Police & Fire Retirement System. Thus began a new chapter in O’Connor’s nightmare since the ATV accident. Because of the confusion with the
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Suffolk County Park Police Officer Kevin O’Connor is pictured here wearing his New York Police Department uniform. O’Connor joined the force in 1998 before he left for Suffolk Park police five years later. O’Connor still takes pride in what he accomplished in his short career.
retirement system, O’Connor hadn’t filed the proper paperwork as instructed by Gray, but he was in the process of trying to get it all sorted out, he says. In November 2011, O’Connor was brought up on administrative misconduct charges for failing to submit proof of having filed for disability retirement with the state. The letter was signed by then-Deputy Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Tracey Bellone—the wife of Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. An additional misconduct charge read: “On July 29, 2011, you exhibited conduct and behavior unbecoming of a parks police officer when you were insubordinate and refused to comply with a lawful directive.” “Clearly they knew Kevin was looking into retirement,” adds his wife Catherine.
Blame Game
The county is sticking to their guns. “The problem with Mr. O’Connor is that Mr. O’Connor thinks that he is supposed to be in a different system than he really is in and that’s what the issue is,” Acting Director of Labor Relations Jennifer McNamara tells the Press. “It’s the crux of the problem and he continues to think that this is a county issue but it’s actually not, it’s the state that makes the determination as to what retirement system someone’s in when they begin their employment, which for Mr. O’Connor is many years ago. He never challenged it then. But now that it’s time for him to retire into a system he refuses Continued on page PG 24
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8/9/13 2:20 PM
Continued From page 22
to go into the one that he’s in.” “He has no right to be in the Police and Fire system,” she insists. “If that’s the fight that he wants to have, it’s not with the county. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about that.” The New York State Comptroller’s office, which oversees the state retirement system, declined to speak on the record regarding O’Connor’s situation. The only way O’Connor would be able to change retirement systems is through state legislation, officials said. He cannot opt-in himself. A spokesman for a state official, who asked not to be named, said it’s unlikely that the state would step in. When they do, like they did this past year with a Quogue Village police officer, it’s usually to correct a “technicality,” he said. “Essentially what he is saying is ‘I left one system, I became a police officer in another system, I got injured on the job, but my benefits aren’t so good here, I should have the old system,’” the spokesman said. “Well, no.” “This is not clear-cut by any stretch of the imagination,” he added. O’Connor also has other gripes with the county. The family came home from vacation in July 2012 and noticed “weird checks” in the mail for $400. After looking further into it, O’Connor also discovered that he was missing money from his bank account. Apparently, the county had stopped paying him because he failed to comply with the directive to file his disability retirement papers. After filing a grievance, the county reimbursed him for docked salary June 11, 2012 to Aug. 19, 2012, a total of 50 workdays. There’s also the issue of three IMEs the county says O’Connor recently skipped, which he’s mandated to attend pursuant to his contract, resulting in a 30-day suspension earlier this year, according to the county. The state, officials said, only allows those seeking disability retirement to miss two at the most. “There is no excuse. He is disabled,” McNamara says. “Both his contract and the New York State Retirement System require that you go to this exam if you want to be retired. He has not gone for three times despite being directed to do so.” O’Connor contends that he’s been to more IMEs than he can count, adding that he contacted the Deputy Sheriffs Union Police Benevolent Association (Suffolk Park police recently left that union for the Suffolk County PBA) to see if he had to go to the most recent exams and told him they’d look into it. They never called back, he says. The Deputy Sheriffs PBA and Suffolk County PBA both didn’t return messages from the Press left for their respective presidents for this story. O’Connor alleges that a private
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“I always said if he wasn’t going to be a cop he’d be a fireman and run into burning buildings.” —Catherine O’Connor, wife of Suffolk County Park Police Officer Kevin O’Connor.
attorney representing the county actually admitted to him during negotiations that O’Connor is in danger of being fired. “There are often things that are said in the litigation posture that are just that—they’re said, as part of litigation strategy,” McNamara says in response. “We are still hopeful that we will be able to work this out in some way that is favorable to everyone,” she adds. “With as little animosity as possible and that everyone will get what they should get out of this.”
Small Steps
O’Connor has a noticeable limp as he walks through his house. He’s wearing a blue polo shirt emblazoned with the words “Heroes Forever” above a stitching of the Twin Towers wrapped in an American flag. The conversation turns to his career cut short in law enforcement. “I always wanted to be a cop,” O’Connor says. “I did everything I could to join the police force.” And that included terrorist and undercover operations training. “Any training that came up, I took,” he says with pride. He carried over that determination to Suffolk County Park police when he came over from the city, he says. O’Connor remembers arresting a group of Latin Kings, an international street gang, who were having a meeting in the middle of a Suffolk County preserve one evening. He recalls the time he arrested a man who, as it turned out, was responsible for 30 burglarizes. The burglar followed illegal ATV riders home, then hotwired and stole them in the dead of night. “It’s still a police job,” he says of the Suffolk County Park Police Department. “I always said if he wasn’t going to be a cop he’d be a fireman and run into burning buildings,” Catherine adds. Even if he can no longer hop in a police cruiser or ATV to chase down a perpetrator, O’Connor says he’s still committed to doing the right thing. “Doing nothing,” he says, “is doing something.” He just hopes someone would do the same for him and his family.
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J u s t S ay i n g
Let’s Re-Enact The Spanish Inquisition! By Peter Tannen
Our country is in a re-enactment rut, and I think it’s time for a change. I mean, how many times can you re-enact the Civil War? Doesn’t it get boring being shot once again, pretending to be one of the 750,000 soldiers who died (more than in any war in American history)? Isn’t it exasperating to play dead for hours, sprawled out in the hot sun in full uniform, until the battle is officially declared over? And then there’s the appalling choice of fashion colors available. (“Would you like blue or gray, sir?”) But what, you may ask, is left to re-enact? Washington crossing the Delaware in winter? Fuggedaboudit. The Bay of Pigs? No way. The invasion of Granada? You must be joking. We obviously need an exciting, new event—something with more colorful costumes, more interesting roles to play, and certainly better food and wine. So here’s an idea with something for everyone: Let’s re-enact the Spanish Inquisition! The Inquisition, you may remember, was started in 1478 to make sure that people who had converted to Catholicism stayed converted. Especially the Jews and Muslims. The result was more than 300 years of intrigue, murder, torture and mass revolt. Some citizens were even accused of being (Gasp!) Protestants. What great material to work with! Our re-enactment offers hundreds of fascinating Inquisition roles to pick from, each with spectacular costuming opportunities and great-looking weapons. Not to mention the chance to enjoy the beautiful Spanish countryside, wonderful Rioja wines, and
off comfortably under a down quilt. Not only that, but the first 100 re-enactors to sign up will enjoy a private tour of the largest dungeon in Spain and see true-to-life demonstrations of The Rack, The Head Crusher and The Knee Splitter. We’ll need thousands of people to play the roles of victims and jailors, of course. But remember: There are plenty of openings for Princes, Dukes and Caballeros. And you might be one of two lucky re-enactors chosen by lottery to play the roles of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. (No experience necessary.) If you’re interested in becoming part of this ground-breaking re-enactment, just fill out the short questionnaire below.
“You can take part in dozens of thrilling events, including secretly spying on your neighbors, hunting for witches, and going door-to-door to ferret out citizens who have relapsed into heresy.”
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a wide variety of tapas offered by comely Andalusian señoritas. You can take part in dozens of thrilling events, including secretly spying on your neighbors, hunting for witches, and going door-todoor to ferret out citizens who have relapsed into heresy. Imagine the thrill of accusing your friends of blasphemy, sodomy or (even worse in those days) bigamy! Join angry crowds as heretics are burned at the stake! (Note: Simulation only.) Think of wielding absolute power and banishing thousands of people from your country with a dismissive wave of your hand! And in the evening, there’s nothing like retiring to your luxurious hacienda to enjoy a troupe of Flamenco dancers, have a sip of Amontillado sherry and then doze
1. I’d like to play the role of (please give a 1st and a 2nd choice): a. Roman Catholic b. Untrustworthy Jew c. Untrustworthy Muslim d. Untrustworthy Protestant e. Untrustworthy Other 2. I’ve been a victim all my life. I’d prefer to be: a. King b. Queen c. Pope d. Executioner e. Friar Tomás de Torquemada This is an Equal-Opportunity Inquisition. Applicants will be considered for their roles without regard to age, color, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, family history, genetic information or veteran status.
PeteR Tannen is a humor writer who has won multiple awards from the National Press Club (Washington, D.C.), the Press Club of Long Island and the Florida Press Association. His columns can also be heard on select Public Radio stations across the U.S. www.tannenweekly.com
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Vanished N e w s F e at u r e
Dix Hills Father Still Missing After 2 Months By Christopher Twarowski chris@longislandpress.com
Robert Mayer left his Dix Hills home around 4:30 a.m. on Friday, June 14, in his bright red 2004 Pontiac GTO, the same routine he’s had on countless mornings as an electrician, rising before dawn to get to his jobsite—this time, a massive theater complex under construction in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Around 9 a.m., he spoke with his wife Ida about their weekend plans. Father’s Day was that Sunday, and his mother and in-laws were coming by for a barbeque. Ida told him she’d buy some lobster; he asked her to also pick up some oysters. Mayer loved to barbeque. They also talked briefly about an upcoming vacation to Italy that they’d been planning for July 7. “He was happy,” Ida tells the Press. “Everything was good.” Unbeknownst to her, it would be the last conversation she’d have with her husband of 18 years. Robert never came home that night, and has not been seen since. His car—which Ida says he “loved”—was discovered the next day abandoned in the Long Island Rail Road’s Deer Park station parking lot. Its keys were missing, the front seat was moved forward closer to the steering wheel than he’d have it, and the trunk, where Mayer typically would keep his tools, lunchbox and water bottles, was empty; the latter found on the front seat. Ida subsequently discovered Robert’s green mountain bike missing, and found his wallet and $300 cash in a drawer in the garage. A Suffolk County Police Department spokesman tells the Press detectives do not believe Mayer’s disappearance
to be the result of foul play at this stage and that there is an active and ongoing investigation into “all leads.” Ida, however, fears the worst. “This is a man who never once spent a night away from home,” she stresses, between sobs. “Not once, not one night in 18 years was he not with me. “He didn’t like the Long Island Rail Road parking lot because of all the thefts [there],” Ida continues, explaining that they’d go so far as to drive into Queens where relatives lived and hop a subway from there rather than take the LIRR whenever heading into the city. “His car, that was his baby, aside from the family, that was what he loved the most, was his car. He just would never leave it there. To find it there without a Club on it—he wouldn’t park it there. “He wouldn’t walk away from everything he has, everything he’s worked for his whole life,” she adds, weeping. “He had no reason to—and his children. We have two children. My son is 15 and my daughter is 11. They mean the world to him.” Their son plays in a band, and Robert, a drummer, attends his shows and helps set up equipment. Their son had a gig on Saturday, the weekend Robert went missing—he just wouldn’t have missed that show, Ida insists. “I believe that he’s in danger,” she cries. “Something happened to him.” The 6-foot-1, 200-pound electrician was last seen around 2:15 p.m. on June 14 at the Arrow Scrap yard in West Babylon—where he sold scrap metal from his jobsite. His cell phone went dead about a half hour later. An Arrow foreman tells the Press Mayer had been a
longtime, if sporadic, “customer” of the recycling center. “He was a nice, well-composed individual,” he said on Aug. 2—exactly seven weeks to the minute of Mayer’s last known visit—but with little other details to offer. “Over the years, he probably came in here every so often to scrap some metal.” Arrow’s surveillance cameras are aimed at the parking area and the entrance, but the foreman declined to say whether they captured Mayer’s sharp red sports car the day he vanished—a vehicle, said another worker, that would have stood out from the typical daily parade of beat-up pickups and trucks filled with wiring and wreckage that the majority of sellers haul their scraps to the center in. Ida tells the Press that an internal camera did capture Robert that day and “he looked scared. He looked worried.” “So strange,” said the
THE SEARCH CONTINUES: Volunteers from across the Island and country have been strategizing online and conducting searches, such as this one, of Oak Brush Plains Preserve at Edgewood in Deer Park, for clues of Robert Mayer’s mysterious disappearance. (This photo and the photograph of a search at LIRR Deer Park station, Above, courtesy of Bob Savage)
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scrap metal worker, shaking his head and expressing sympathy for Mayer’s family as he clenched the “Missing” flyer. Workers at Heavy Metal Scrap a few blocks away—the other recycling yard in the area that deals with the type of materials Mayer would have sold—did not recognize him, nor his car, when shown the handout. About a week after her husband’s disappearance, Suffolk police detectives informed Ida that a neighbor’s camera had recorded what appeared to be her husband’s car by her driveway at approximately 2:41 p.m., June 14, and then showed it pulling out of the driveway 10 minutes later. Only the top of the car was spotted; the driver and/or passengers weren’t. The camera caught Ida’s car pulling into the driveway at about 3 p.m. Further searching the garage, Ida found Rob’s cell phone, turned off, in another drawer in the garage. The $300 she’d found previously matches the transaction he made June 14 at Arrow, she says. “It means to me that he came home,” says Ida. “It means to me that something happened.” “I feel bad for the family,” says Bob Savage, 53, of Port Jefferson, one of dozens of volunteers—many complete strangers—who’ve been searching for answers and trying to raise awareness about the case since Mayer’s abrupt disappearance. He joined about 60 others on July 7, along with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officials
HAVE YOU SEEN HIM? Robert Mayer, a Dix Hills father of two, was last seen June 14, two days before Father’s Day, at Arrow Scrap Metal in West Babylon. His car was discovered abandoned at the LIRR Deer Park station the next day. Suffolk County Police are seeking any information: 631-854-8252.
and nonprofit Long Island Search and Rescue, scouring 813-acre Oak Brush Plains Preserve at Edgewood in Deer Park. Savage also teamed up alongside about two dozen others handing out flyers and searching for clues and potential witnesses July 21 at the Deer Park train station, which abuts the preserve. He and others have also participated in other, more recent searches. Savage, a photographer and mountain biker who heard about Mayer’s disappearance from a friend, has been contributing photos he’s taken during the searches to the “Robert Mayer Search Group” Facebook page, which currently has nearly 3,000 members. The page serves as a bulletin board for updates and to strategize future searches, flyer-handout drives and media attention. Its members span the country. One woman set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for the family in Robert’s absence. (They’ve also started a dropsubscription drive against the Island’s lone daily newspaper, which has yet to publish an article on the case as of press time.) Another member, Mathew Berkowitz, has taken to the air. The 45-year-old filmmaker and adjunct professor at Five Towns College, with the assistance of a team of volunteers, has been using GoPro Drone Quadcopters—remote-controlled minihelicopters equipped with surveillance cameras—to scour and map the preserve and landfills for signs of Robert. Berkowitz, with the help of the owners of Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre, has also been mass producing “Missing” fliers and posting them across Long Island. He tells the Press he went to school with Robert and made a commitment to Ida “that I would do everything I could to help, so that’s what I’m doing. “People are nothing without other people,” he says. “This is a father and a husband. We’ve got to get him back.” These selfless actions mean the world to Ida, who gets emotional at the mere mention of the grassroots
efforts. She calls them “amazing.” “The community support and just the support of people all over has been overwhelming,” she tells the Press. “Thank God for them, because they’re working so hard to try to find him… They’ve supported me.” “It helps so much,” she says, weeping. “It gives me hope.” Local Union 3, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, has also posted the Mayer’s “Missing” flier on their website. His most recent worksite had been at the Theatre for a New Audience complex on Ashland Place in Downtown Brooklyn’s BAM Cultural District. Robert Mayer has short brown hair, hazel-green eyes and possibly a beard by now. Mayer was wearing a grey polo shirt with a J.C. Electrical logo emblazoned on it, light blue jeans and black work boots. His left middle finger is slightly chopped off at the tip. Until there is “concrete evidence” otherwise, Suffolk police will treat Mayer’s vanishing as a missing persons case, Ida says, despite his lengthy disappearance. Anyone who may have seen Robert or who may have information about his disappearance is asked to call the Suffolk County Police Second Squad detectives at 631-854-8252. Mayer’s family is also offering a $10,000 reward. Ida, who has been completely consumed with grief since Rob’s disappearance, describes her husband as a “homebody” who enjoyed lounging around the house watching TV and playing video games with their children. She said he’s a loving, caring family man who would do anything for his family, friends and neighbors. “His family is the most important thing to him,” she says, between long pauses and sobs, “followed by his friends. During Hurricane Sandy, he was the one helping everyone set up generators and lending them anything they needed. He was the first one out there, and my neighbors will tell you that. “Someone out there knows something,” Ida insists, vowing never to give up on finding her husband. “Whether it’s at the scrap yard or at the worksite in Brooklyn, any of the last places he was seen—or the train station. Someone saw something, someone knows something. “My husband would not just disappear.” L o n g I s l a n d P r e s s f o r S e p t e m b e r , 2 0 1 3 / / / w w w. l o n g i s l a n d p r e s s . c o m
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Meet the Long Island Leaders Who Support a Free and Independent Press TO READ THEIR STORIES AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PRESS PATRON PROGRAM, VISIT LONGISLANDPRESS.COM/PATRONS SAL FERRO President & CEO, Alure Home Improvements
“Remodeling homes on Long Island has been my passion and vocation for decades. That’s because behind every job we do, there’s a family with a story to tell and by fulfilling a family’s home remodeling dream we become part of that story. Maybe that’s why I’m a fan of the Long Island Press. They tell important stories that become part of our lives and connect Long Islanders to one another in a meaningful way.” JOHN D. CAMERON, JR., P.E.
JAMES METZGER Chairman & CEO, Whitmore Group
“THERE’S AN OLD NEWS CLIPPING FROM A 1976 ARTICLE IN THE ORIGINAL LONG ISLAND PRESS HANGING IN MY OFFICE. IT’S A PHOTO OF ME FROM MY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL DAYS IN MID-FLIGHT, BREAKING A TACKLE ON THE WAY TO SCORING FOR HALF HOLLOW HILLS. EVEN IN TODAY’S DIGITAL WORLD, THERE’S SOMETHING REMARKABLE AND COMFORTING ABOUT NEWSPAPERS THAT CHRONICLE OUR LIVES, WHICH IS WHY I’M HAPPY THAT THE PRESS NAME LIVES ON.”
KIRK KORDELESKI, President & CEO, Bethpage Federal Credit Union
“WHEN THE LONG ISLAND PRESS LAUNCHED BACK IN 2003, I HAD MY RESERVATIONS. I HAD FOND MEMORIES OF THE ORIGINAL PRESS WHEN IT WAS A DAILY AND WASN’T SURE IT COULD EVER MEET MY EXPECTATIONS. TEN YEARS LATER, I DON’T THINK I’VE MISSED AN ISSUE. A FREE AND INDEPENDENT PRESS IS SO CRITICAL TO LONG ISLAND, WHICH IS WHY I’M HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE LONG ISLAND PRESS. BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I’M A FAN.”
MICHAEL POSILLICO Executive VP Strategic Business Development, Posillico, Inc.
“My family has been doing business on Long Island for generations. Today Posillico, Inc. is committed to the revitalization of our most environmentally compromised areas of this island we call home. We support the Long Island Press because of their positive editorial influence on environmental matters and believe that independent watchdog journalism is critical to maintaining good governance.”
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PUTTING THE COMMUNITY FIRST IS WHAT MAKES BETHPAGE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION A SPECIAL PLACE TO DO BUSINESS WITH. AT BETHPAGE WE RECOGNIZE THAT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INDICATORS OF A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IS THE VITALITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF ITS LOCAL MEDIA. EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY ON THIS BEAUTIFUL ISLAND WE CALL HOME AND WE KNOW THE STAFF AT THE LONG ISLAND PRESS ENJOYS THEIR ROLE AS MUCH AS WE DO.
MICHAEL BROWN Vice President of Operations, NY Auto Giant
CHARLES VIGLIOTTI President and CEO, Long Island Compost
Managing Partner, Cameron Engineering & Associates, LLP
KEVIN LAW President and CEO, Long Island Association
“I have the greatest job in the world because I get to proudly promote what Long Island has to offer to people all around the state and speak on behalf of our business community. In this role, I also recognize that a strong and independent press is vital to the health of our region. It’s why the Long Island Association is proud to support Long Island’s diverse and vibrant media community.”
I have always had a love and fascination with cars, so doing business in a place with a deeply rooted car culture like Long Island is a dream come true. Along the way I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and help thousands of Long Island families. There are so many things to love about this Island and personally I include the Long Island Press among them. It’s authentic, straightforward and cool. As a car guy, these are traits I can appreciate.
I GREW UP ON LONG ISLAND AND RAISED MY FAMILY HERE. I CANNOT IMAGINE LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE. THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE ADULT LIFE, I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE LABOR MOVEMENT. FOR ME, MAKING PEOPLES’ LIVES BETTER BY GIVING THEM A VOICE IN THE WORKPLACE THROUGH THEIR UNION IS A CALLING, A SACRED RESPONSIBILITY. I KNOW THAT A FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA IS A VITAL BUILDING BLOCK OF OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. WITHOUT IT, NEITHER OUR POLITICAL SYSTEM NOR OUR LABOR MOVEMENT WILL THRIVE. THE LONG ISLAND PRESS HAS EMERGED AS A SIGNIFICANT VOICE ABOUT CULTURE, POLITICS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND EVENTS ON LONG ISLAND. I LOOK FORWARD TO ITS PERSPECTIVES, AND I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SUPPORT IT.
L o n g I s l a n d P r e s s f o r S e p t e m b e r , 2 0 1 3 / / / w w w. l o n g i s l a n d p r e s s . c o m
JOHN R. DURSO President, Local 338, RWDSU/UFCW and President, Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
“Those that know me know how passionate I am about life and all that makes it interesting, fun and worthwhile. Being blessed with a wonderful family, great friends and a profession I love, I have the opportunity to not only protect our natural environment in my daily work but also enjoy its beauty on a regular basis. My favorite place is the beach especially when I’m surfing. All this would not be possible without living on Long Island. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. It’s why I support the things that make our Island great and I count the Long Island Press among them”.
DR. ROBERT SCOTT President, Adelphi University “ADELPHI UNIVERSITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN COMMITTED TO NURTURING THE MINDS OF LONG ISLAND’S YOUTH, OUR MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY. WE VIEW OUR SUPPORT OF THE LONG ISLAND PRESS AND ALL INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM AS PART OF THAT PLEDGE, AS NO REGION OR NATION CAN EXIST WITHOUT A THRIVING FREE AND INDEPENDENT MEDIA.”
presents
Home Improvement Special Pullout Section • September 2013
Long Island Press for September, 2013
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Are You Taking a Bath with Your Remodeling Project?
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KITCHENS ▪ BATHS ▪ BASEMENTS ▪ SUNROOMS ▪ SIDING ▪ ROOFING ▪ WINDOWS ▪ HANDYMAN SERVICES ▪ INSULATION ▪ MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
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Long Island Press for September, 2013
/ / / H o m e I m p r ov e m e n t P u ll o u t S e c t i o n
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Long Island Press for September, 2013
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WE GO TO EXTREMES TO BUILD YOUR DREAMS
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KITCHENS ▪ BATHS ▪ BASEMENTS ▪ SUNROOMS ▪ SIDING ▪ ROOFING ▪ WINDOWS ▪ HANDYMAN SERVICES ▪ INSULATION ▪ DORMERS & EXTENSIONS
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Long Island Press for September, 2013
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Long Island Press for September, 2013
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Long Island Press for September, 2013
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Long Island Press for September, 2013
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Presents
The Hurricane and Zombie Preparedness Guide
With many Long Islanders still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, and with the North Atlantic hurricane season still active until November 30, there’s no better time than the present to start your preparations. Some of Long Island’s top home improvement experts naturally wanted to weigh in, and to pick up the spirit a little bit while doing so, decided to include some pretty crucial tips on how to survive the oncoming Zombie Apocalypse. Turns out they’re experts on that, too.
There are so many great home improvement contractors and specialists on Long Island that can help prepare your home for severe weather. That’s why I want to take this opportunity to talk about what happens after a big storm, like we experienced last year. If your home sustains storm damage, make sure you select a company that is accessible down the road. Whoever you choose to work on your home, whether it is Alure or one of the many other reputable contractors on Long Island, please make sure to do your due diligence. We encourage you to think KIOLI (Keep It On Long Island), but more importantly, we encourage you to be careful, and select a company that you can count on to be there for you when you need it, whether 2 months or 2 years down the road, and preferably, one that has an established presence on Long Island, and whose references you can check out.
—Sal Ferro, Alure Home Improvements
I know people who have generators now who put them up on the second floor of their house and they keep 30 gallons of gas at their home and they dump the gas every three months so that it's fresh. So, you know, you can prepare with gas, you can prepare with generators, but you’ll never have enough. So, I mean barbecues help, fireplaces help, generators help, gas helps, batteries, flashlights, and candles. All preparation.” —Steve Melker, Carpet Depot “Four Seasons is a company that deals predominately with glass. This kind of experience is crucial when building or remodeling a home in areas that are prone to hurricanes. Your starting point is to make sure that the product being used can withstand the forces of nature; then you want to deal with contractors and installers that know how to properly handle the materials.” —Richard Harris, Four Season Sunrooms 38
Long Island Press for September, 2013
“I would tell people on the South Shore to keep all of their motors and pumps above the ground. People were devastated during Hurricane Sandy. A lot of damage could have been avoided by moving equipment indoors, whether it’s in the garage or up on a shelf. Another great option for your swimming pool is a safety cover.” —David Leonard , Dunrite Pools
Caulk around inside and outside of window door frames before winter starts to decrease your winter energy cost. —Scott Garrison, Ambassador
“[Hurricane Sandy] was a shot in the arm for the construction industry on Long Island. It was sad for all of the people. I think a lot of people learned that they need to abide by what the authorities recommend. If they say to evacuate, I think after what has happened and the power of storms now you're best abiding by the rules or the notifications.”
—D.J. Ciliotta , Old Country Tile “Check on your roof. Because people aren't getting a leak in their house that doesn't mean a roof isn’t potentially ready to fail. We found sometimes, under close examination, that the wood underneath it is in very bad shape and there are some early signs that let us know that. Of course if water or snow [goes] underneath it and the wood is not of good strength, then you can have a failure from that.” —Les Levy, Window World / / / H o m e I m p r ov e m e n t P u ll o u t S e c t i o n
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Zombie tips courtesy of Max Brooks, excerpts taken from The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead (Quotes compiled by Chris Mellides)
“Make sure your escape route is planned and your gear ready to go. In the uncertainty of battle, it may be necessary to abandon your home. Perhaps the wall has been breached, perhaps a fire has started, perhaps rescue has arrived but is not close enough. For whatever reason, it’s time to go. Keep your weapon in a readily accessible area, packed, loaded, and ready for action.” —D.J. Ciliotta , Old Country Tile
“Run upstairs and turn on the bathtub. Although this sounds foolish, there is no way of knowing when the water will be cut. After a few days, thirst will become your greatest enemy.” —Scott Garrison, Ambassador Home Improvement
“When the grid goes, you may have enough fuel to run the emergency generators for days, even weeks. Muscle-operated dynamos can be easily modified from the existing generators. Operating these machines will also eliminate the need for an exercise regimen. Your generator may not provide the amount of electricity you had while connected to the grid, but it should provide more than enough for a small to mediumsized group.” —Steve Melker, Carpet Depot
“If you find yourself in a one-story home with no attic, grab whatever supplies you can, take hold of a weapon, and climb onto the roof. Remain on the roof as long as you can, until supplies are exhausted or a rescue patrol arrives.”—Les Levy, Window World
“Hooking on scuba gear and blindly diving into zombieinfested water is a wonderful way to mix the two childhood terrors of being eaten and drowning. Never submerge before thoroughly searching the area from shore, dock, or boat.” —Sal Ferro, Alure Home Improvements
“Lock all of your doors and windows. Although a pane of glass may not stop a zombie, the sound of its shattering will be the best warning you can get.” —Richard Harris, Four Season Sunrooms
Long Island Press for September, 2013
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Winterizing Your Home By Chris Mellides
With winter
fast approaching, Long Islanders must deal with the cold weather once again. Without properly winterizing your home, heating and repair bills can skyrocket. Fortunately, with a little know-how and a bit of effort, you can achieve a greater level of comfort and peace of mind. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 30 percent of energy costs can be attributed to poorly insulated windows and doors. When working
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towards saving money this winter, Richard Harris, the Marketing Director at Four Seasons Home Products suggests that checking doors and windows for air leaks is a good place to start when winterizing your home. “If you ever take a look at the heat map of a house, you'll see that most heat loss occurs through those openings,” says Harris. “Insulation is probably one of the words that most people know, but what they also need to know is that [winterizing] also ties into the windows in a home. So, if you’re using the right product, you
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that are not insulated to the outside, you get freeze ups.” With his experience during Hurricane Sandy, Melker has taken precautions in his own home, making sure that his attic and windows are insulated properly and that his heating system is in working order. He suggests that others do the same. While winterizing can appear tedious, if you plan ahead and take precautionary steps to protect your home before winter hits, braving the elements will be that much easier when the cold winds start to blow.
could substantially reduce energy costs.” Apart from eliminating air leaks in doors and windows in order to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping from the home, some say that additional measures must be taken to winterize it more effectively. Window World of Long Island President Les Levy knows the importance of quality windows and doors, and how they can help protect homeowners against the elements. But he says that gutters and roofs need to be kept in check as well. “A lot of people don’t look at things like their gutters, and when gutters get weakened and snow, rain and ice get in them, they have a tendency to pull off of the house,” says Levy. Late summer to early fall is typically a good time to clean and inspect gutters and make any necessary repairs before the harsher winter weather makes its rounds, according to Levy. “Remember, a gutter getting a little too much ice if it’s been weakened will pull away from the house and that could potentially do more damage as a result.” As you prepare your home for the winter weather, it’s wise to winterize your A/C and water lines as this too is important and could also help save you money next summer, according to The Daily Green, an online consumer’s guide that caters to an eco-friendly environment. Winterizing your A/C and water lines can be done simply by draining any hoses and air conditioner pipes and making sure that no excess water has pooled in the equipment. Additionally, all outside water pipes need to be drained and their valves should be shut off, according to Steve Melker, co-founder of Carpet Depot, a flooring and restoration company. “Drain all of your outside water pipes, drain your sprinkler systems and make sure that there are no exposed pipes in the outer walls of your house,” says Melker. “A lot of people have pipes running along in the walls, but in walls Long Island Press for September, 2013
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Inside Plum Island N e w s F e at u r e
Mysteries, Myths & Monsters Explained By Timothy Bolger tbolger@longislandpress.com
The ferry horn pierces the thick morning fog between Orient Point at the North Fork’s tip and Plum Island, where jet black Great Cormorants perched atop wooden pilings crane their crooked necks to spy visitors aboard the mostly empty boat as it sails into Plum Gut Harbor. After passing through barbed-wire fences, being searched by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents, agreeing not to photograph secure areas and signing affidavits promising to “avoid contact with cattle, sheep, goats, deer and...swine for...5 days,” a small pack of journalists—including this reporter, who first requested a tour years ago—board a navy blue school bus for the two-minute ride to the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. The lab, which last year created a new vaccine that researchers hope will help eradicate foot-and-mouth disease in livestock worldwide, is lifting the veil on their secretive setup as the feds work to move it to Kansas in the coming decade—a plan that has set off a tug-ofwar between New York and Midwestern lawmakers. And since the plan includes selling the 843-acre Island to offset the $1.2-billion cost of building a new lab that will research into incurable airborne deadly animal-to-human diseases, beyond Plum Island’s purvue, it couldn’t hurt to dispel the many conspiracy theories that roll ashore. Montauk Monsters and chronic Lyme disease supposedly escaped from the mysterious pork chop-shaped island Nelson DeMille and others wrote books about. An unidentified man with “very long fingers” and recent brain surgery scars washed up dead here in 2010, sparking suspicions the lab’s scientists were experimenting on humans. And some claim that a top Nazi virologist helped the U.S. Army develop biological weapons after World War II before the Department of Agriculture took over the original lab in the 1950s. “We didn’t have anything to do with any of those,” Dr. Lawrence Bennett, the lab director who maintains the Montauk Monster was just a decomposing dog, says in his Oklahoma accent, as the tour passes the old lab, called Building 257. He blasts a 2004 book on it by Michael Carroll, but not by name, adding that no photos are allowed of the century-old white structure with a
NO MAN’S LAND: The Plum Island Lighthouse guides boaters away from the forbidden shoreline of the heavily protected animal disease research lab, which is slated to move to Kansas in the coming decade.
slaughterhouse-style cattle chute for test cows that were penned outside. The current lab, which opened two decades ago, keeps the animals inside to avoid a potential outbreak blowing in the wind. “What we’re most worried about is an agent getting off this island,” Bennett says, referring to the stringent protocols to prevent the release of diseases. Construction is slated to start next year at Plum Island’s replacement, the new National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, joining four nationwide biosecurity level (BSL) 4 facilities with airlocks, space suits and vacuum rooms designed for researching fatal exotic aerosol-transmitted infections without vaccines, like Ebola. Plum Island is a BSL 3 lab with similarly stringent protocols that require anyone leaving to shower first, where one scientist set a record of 11 showers in one day. DHS credits the need to move nearly 400 LI jobs to a classic case of anti-virus NIMBYism, planned academic synergy at Kansas State University’s nearby Biosecurity Research Institute and the fact that Plum Island’s foreign livestock disease testing facility requires samples be airlifted from America’s agricultural heartland. Modern labs nullified the remote island security strategy—requiring in severe cases that animals be rushed in by helicopter—although doubts persist about
the wisdom of building such a lab in tornado alley, despite protections. But, just before DHS and the General Services Administration (GSA) published Aug. 29 their “record of decision,” a final step before an eventual sale, Town of Southold officials blocked any possibility of Plum Island Estates by zoning most of the island as a preservation district, except for the lab, which they hope to interest other researchers in using. Proposing the island’s conservation in Congress was U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton). “Plum Island is one of the natural treasures of the Northeast,” Bishop said last month of seals, terns and other endangered wildlife living amid overgrown defunct Spanish-American War-era Fort Terry military installations. “If the federal government did not already own Plum Island, it would be seeking to purchase it for conservation as prime habitat for rare birds and plants.” GSA officials have reportedly estimated the sale price of the island as up to $80 million, a drop in the bucket of the Kansas lab cost. Although a price has not been formally assessed, a billionaire bought nearby Robins Island—about half the size of Plum Island—for $12 million in 1994. That’s $36 million when adjusted for inflation and double the acreage, not including the value of features like Plum Island’s circa-1869 lighthouse.
In the meantime, Plum Island scientists forge ahead with their stated mission to protect the $1.5-billion U.S. agricultural industry from the first foot-and-mouth in cattle since ’29. The fast-spreading infection effectively makes livestock lame. Although it doesn’t sicken humans, diseased meat is barred from entering the food chain. Britain culled 6 million cattle exposed to the disease in 2001, costing the industry $16 billion. “There’s so much work that goes into getting our food safe,” says Dr. Ferdinand Torres, head of the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostics Lab at Plum Island. Experts there regularly test samples that come in what they playfully call a box of chocolates, “because you never know what you’re gonna find.” The new vaccine they developed— the first for foot-and-mouth in 50 years— makes it possible to tell vaccinated and unvaccinated cows apart, negating the devastating need to cull entire herds as a precaution, Bennett says. Now, they’re working to make it last longer so the animals don’t need booster shots every six months to save farmers money. “We still have work to do, we can’t just shut this lab down and wait,” says John Verrico, a DHS spokesman. As for the need to move and upgrade—pending congressional funding for the construction—he adds: “There are diseases that are popping up around the world that we don’t study here.”
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Walt Whitman The Good Grey Poet’s L.I. Roots By Spencer Rumsey and Christopher Twarowski srumsey@longislandpress.com
America’s pioneering poet, Walt Whitman, was born in 1819 on his family’s Suffolk County farm in a house built by his father that still stands in West Hills. Of course, the once fertile fields and thick forests that made such an indelible impression on his creativity as he wandered and wondered about have much diminished— but their influence comes through just as strong today as when he first published his seminal work, Leaves of Grass, in 1855. When he was 4, he and his family moved to Brooklyn, but he came back many times over the years: as a teacher, a newspaper publisher and an accomplished wordsmith. The last time Whitman visited his homestead, The Good Grey Poet, as he’d later become known, was 62. Now the quaint two-storied shingled house is run by the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, a nonprofit group, which arose in 1947 when the site was in the way of the newly planned Route 110. Instead, the highway was moved and Whitman’s homestead was preserved for future generations. These days the association is engaged in the long process of applying for National Historic Landmark Status, which would give it greater recognition. This status has already been granted to Whitman’s home in Camden, N.J., the only place he ever owned, where he spent the last years of his life, dying in squalor crippled and broke in 1892 after publishing O Captain! My Captain! and Drum-Taps, among his iconic poems and collections on the Civil War. Cynthia Shor, the executive director of the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, is hopeful about their prospects for the West Hills home. “We are making the case— which we certainly believe—that the environment really imprinted him, —Cynthia Shor, executive director of the and really created the young spirit Walt Whitman Birthplace Association and soul that was Whitman,” she tells the Press. “He revered nature. He wrote three poems that specifically talked about his birth and early childhood. One of them was ‘When a Child Went Forth.’ It’s a list poem: He becomes the birds, he becomes the land, and he becomes the daffodils, so to speak. We infer that he’s telling us that the home of his birth imprinted him mentally, spiritually and characteristically.” That influence is clear to Karen Karbiener, a Whitman scholar at New York University who is working on a book titled Walt Whitman and New York, and is an honorary board member of the birthplace association. “Long Island was Whitman’s America in his youth and, to a great extent, through the creation of the first three editions of Leaves of Grass,” she says. “He knew this region like no other.” It was here, she observes, that he founded Huntington’s newspaper, The Long-Islander, which was bought last month by Huntington businessman James Kelly. He also became interested in politics as an electioneer for Martin Van Buren’s campaign and published his first poem, “Young Grimes,” in the Long Island Democrat on Jan. 1, 1840. From Whitman’s autobiographical work, Specimen Days, he wrote that “the successive growth stages of my infancy, childhood, youth and manhood were all pass’d on Long Island, which I sometimes feel as if I had incorporated.” According to Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Justin Kaplan, no bylined articles have been found from Whitman’s tenure at his own paper, which he sold
“We are making the case that the environment really created the young spirit and soul that was Whitman.”
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after a year because, as he put it, “only my own restlessness prevented me gradually establishing a permanent property there.” But two articles he wrote for the Democrat, which was based in Jamaica, Queens, do survive. One was about “an unfortunate and somewhat singular accident” in July 1838 when a Northport farmer carrying a pitchfork on his way home from his fields was struck by lightning that “killed him on the instant.” Today, Whitman is remembered not for his journalism or his time in the classroom, which he by his own words detested. As was common back then, a teacher in LI’s rural communities would board with the parents of his students and handle a schoolhouse of up to 80 kids ranging in age from 5 to 15 for nine hours a day. In a letter written in 1840 to his friend Abraham Leech, Whitman denounced Woodbury, one of the places he taught, as a “Devil’s den” and “Purgatory Fields,” adding that “when the Lord created the world, he used up all the good stuff, and was forced to form Woodbury and its denizens out of the fag ends, the scrapts and refuse… [I] gnorance, vulgarity, rudeness, conceit, and dullness are the reigning gods of this deuced sink of despair…[h] ere in this nest of bears, this forsaken of all God’s creation; among clowns and country bumpkins, flat-heads, and coarse brown-faced girls, dirty, ill-favoured young brats, with squalling throats and crude manners…” Those words would hardly describe the generation of kids who’ve taken class trips to the birthplace since its opening. Curators have done their best to recreate what his home looked like in the 19th century when he lived there and convey his importance to American culture. But it was never an easy task in the group’s beginning, given the birthplace’s close confines. “School children would come into the house and they would sit on the floor and I would teach them poetry,” recalls Shor. “That was always a delight. And when it was over, I’d hop behind the counter and sell them candy bars to make money for the birthplace.” A visitors’ center was built in 1997 to accommodate class trips, lectures, poetry workshops and showcase Whitman memorabilia, such as a recording the poet made for Thomas Edison, as well as provide offices for the association’s staff. The house itself underwent a much-needed restoration in 2001. In recent years, a larger-thanlife-sized bronze statue of the poet holding a butterfly was donated to the site and now stands within its courtyard. People from across the country and the globe visit the humble bedroom at the back of Whitman’s brown-shingled home where the famous poet entered into this world.
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PROTECTING THE LEGACY: Cynthia Shor, executive director of the Walt Whitman Birthplace in Huntington, is seeking National Historic Landmark Status for the site, which boasts the very bedroom where the famous poet was born and childhood home. (Christopher Twarowski/Long Island Press)
The Walt Whitman Mall, owned by Simon Properties, is less than a football field away from the birthplace. Perhaps the only mall in America named after a poet, the façade facing the parking lot once had excerpts from Leaves of Grass emblazoned on its walls. Built in 1962, the mall has undergone many revisions and expansions, as well as a name change to Walt Whitman Shops in Huntington Station, and it’s currently undergoing yet another renovation. Shor says the lines of poetry may not be on the outside walls when the work is done, but “he will be a presence at the mall and it’s going to be very special in the new revision.” Shor believes Whitman would approve “because he was a self-promoter… One of his great lines is: ‘I celebrate the thing myself, and you shall do likewise.’” “If Walt Whitman were alive today, he would get a kick out of the Walt Whitman Mall,” insists Thomas Fink, a Port Jefferson resident who is a professor of English at City University of New York-LaGuardia College and whose eighth collection of poetry, Joyride, will be published in October. “He wrote catalog poetry, ‘Song of Myself ’ being perhaps the major example, and the mall is one big catalog of diverse stores that themselves are catalogs of diverse elements. And he would love the boisterous, brazen advertising because Whitman was very intent on self-promotion as a poet.” For example, Fink cites how Whitman handled a letter that Ralph Waldo Emerson, then the country’s most illustrious writer, had written him, praising his Leaves of Grass as “the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom
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For over half of a century, we’ve been fighting on behalf of Long Island’s working men and women for better pay, benefits, and working conditions.
HALLOWED GROUNDS: The Walt Whitman Birthplace and Interpretive Center in Huntington offers visitors the chance to witness the beloved poet up-close and personal, through historical pieces, photographs, statues and even a recording of Whitman reciting several lines of a poem. It also hosts lectures and poetry workshops. (Christopher Twarowski/Long Island Press)
Find out how you can get involved to earn the dignity & respect that
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that America has yet contributed.” “When he took Emerson’s praise in a private correspondence and made it an egregious blurb, the Transcendentalist chieftain was taken aback,” Fink says. As Kaplan points out, Whitman’s face “appeared on cigar boxes although he never smoked.” Whitman himself said, “I’ve been photographed, photographed and photographed until the cameras themselves are tired of me.” One of the most famous images was taken by the acclaimed Matthew Brady. But it’s his free-verse poetry eschewing the constraints of set rhythm and rhyme that, Kaplan and other
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scholars say, established him forever as “the bold voice of joy and sexual liberation, the chronicler of the century of democracy, science, progress and steam.” And his influence still inspires. “Poets writing in English owe a great debt to Walt Whitman,” says Sandy McIntosh, author of eight poetry collections and a former literature and creative writing professor at Hofstra University and Long Island University as well as the publisher of Marsh Hawk Press, based in East Rockaway. “He wrote and encouraged others to write in plain, straightforward English, the typically American form of speech. Rather than poetry being found in complex rhyme and rhythm schemes of classical English poetry, Whitman showed that from our commonplace speech real poetry would spring.” The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site and Interpretive Center is located at 246 Old Walt Whitman Road in Huntington Station. Learn about its many treasures and how you can help safeguard Whitman’s legacy for future generations by calling 631-427-5240 or visiting www.WaltWhitman.org.
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ART + S o u l
Dozens of visitors enjoyed Art League of L.I.’s Instructors’ Exhibition August 24.
Art League of Long Island L.I.’s Masters of Fine Art By Steve Smirti and Christopher Twarowski chris@longislandpress.com
T
o the passing motorists humming along Deer Park Road in Dix Hills, the Art League of Long Island’s arching white edifice and paned glass exterior resembles a church. It could indeed double as a cathedral because to the nearly 100 art instructors, students and artists-in-residence who call the spacious gallery home, it’s almost just as holy—a creative sanctum where art in its purest form transcends imaginative divinity and takes shape, becomes tangible to the senses, real. As its two front glass doors swing open and the sun bounces bright slivers of light off the canvas-soaked walls of a vestibule, creating a tidal wave of immaculate hues dancing through the echoing notes of a woman in a shiny blue dress singing Adele, visitors surely know they’ve stumbled onto something magical, unexpected, though not a typical house of worship. “I knew this was a very special place to learn and develop my skills,” says Charlee Miller, the group’s executive director. “I could see from the instructors and the students that it was a place where you just felt very nurtured.” Miller was but one of dozens of artists, art aficionados and fans meandering about Art League’s vast museum and Jeanie Tengelsen Gallery during the group’s recent annual open house and Instructors’ Exhibition—a scene characterized by what appeared to be a haphazard sea of hundreds of artistic creations, yet was in actuality a meticulously choreographed painting in itself. She’s been at the Art League’s helm since January and speaks passionately of its stated mission of “enhancing Long Island’s cultural life by promoting the appreciation, practice and enjoyment of the visual arts,” a commitment the nonprofit’s been fulfilling since its inception in 1954. A banking industry executive for nearly 40 years, Miller has been an active artist since 2004 and took ceramics classes at the Art League for two years prior to her appointment to its top. Instructors stand proudly alongside their work—paintings and sculptures too numerous to count adorning the walls and halls of the Art League’s spacious two-story gallery—while answering questions and trading tips with curious
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(Below): “Sunday Drive #3” by Shain Bard, oil (Left to Right): “The North Sea” by Joseph Perez, oil on board “Huntington Bay” by Ward Hooper, watercolor “Sue Grisell at Her Meal” by Bill Merklein, oil
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“Sophia” by Nanette Fluhr, oil on linen
visitors. The annual open house and exhibition offers each teacher the chance to showcases their work and styles, demonstrating in the process that they are all still student-lovers of the art they dedicate their lives to. Each has his or her own unique story to tell about how art came to command their lives. “There’s a real gutsy quality to it,” says Irene Vitale, one of the Art League’s more than 70 fine art instructors, of why she loves oil painting. “The different layers, thick paint, thin paint, and the range, I think, and the luminosity with oil—it’s just a different sensibility.” Vitale, wearing a sleek red dress, says she began her career at the League in the ‘80s as a student. She gazes at one of her creations, “Rende Family Seascape”— a framed, oil-on-canvas of four young children, two girls and two boys, lazily playing among the waves of a vast bluegreen ocean. The painting is for a client who “didn’t want a traditional suit-andtie family portrait.” Patrons gather around the piece, reflecting on Vitale’s attention to detail— her use of light and shadows transforming the wall of the gallery into a portal into that light-hearted summer day she dreamed up for the family. “We collaborated together, and I said, ‘I want to do something different,’ so she was all in agreement, and she gave me several photographs of all different positions,” she says, explaining that the childrens’ positioning was entirely her decision. That’s something about art Vitale
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says she truly identifies with: freedom. “One of the things I love about art is you edit it. It’s knowing what to leave out, what to put in, how to manage the colors, how to have it be blue, yet cut it with pinks and greens,” she beams. “If you can have someone respond emotionally to your art,” Vitale muses, “there’s no money number to that; it’s a response.” Tiny sparkling gems project miniature glimmering rainbows from a small cabinet nearby, housing local jeweler Peter Messina’s unique piece, “Unchain My Heart”—a sterling silver, 14k- and 18k-gold diamond ring—along with the works of two other jewelers. Messina has been honing his craft—fashioning perfection from precious metals and gemstones, ranging from gemstudded earrings, bracelets, pendants and engagement rings, among other creations—since 1974. Though Messina sells his creations, he confesses a strong attachment to the pieces, which over time, he explains, has evolved into a genuine fondness for both the artwork and their new owners. “In the beginning, when you make a piece that you fall in love with, it’s hard to part with,” he explains while scratching his salt-and-pepper beard. “But as you get into it, the more you start to enjoy presenting and handing it over to the new owner and see how much they enjoy and how much they react to it, it’s a good feeling.” One of these new owners includes Tim Allen, star of the hit ’90s television Continued on page 54
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sitcom Home Improvement. Messina’s brother is Allen’s manager. “I had an ‘in’ there,” he jokes. It takes dedication to one’s vision and commitment to one’s craft to establish oneself as an artist and since that path also means constant evolution and growth, that journey can last a lifetime. And exactly what art means to the individual artists who work toward those visions can be as varying as the limitless colors a painter can conjure from his or her palette. “It means poor,” laughs Carol Jay, the former curator of the gallery, standing beside her work, “Seed XXX”—a transfer oil pastel with pencil on handmade paper. “You wake up in the morning thinking about art. You see things every day that could potentially be art. Art is your life.” And it is art that awakens something inside the human soul, that moves a person to tears at its very sight, that flips a switch in the recesses of their mind whereby, in a split instant, the viewer immediately forms a relationship with what is being conveyed and sometimes also knows just as quickly that they must have that piece, no matter what. As Jay explains, it’s that reaction—positive or negative—that makes it all worthwhile. “It gives me pleasure,” she says. ”It’s more about: if they enjoy, that’s good. If they don’t enjoy, that’s good too, because you’re getting a reaction. A reactionary
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(Top): “Make Your Own Path No. 1, No.2, No.3” (triptych) by Libby Hintz, mosaic (Bottom): Irene Vitale in front of her painting “Rende Family Seascape,” oil on canvas
interaction to me is more important than just looking at it. “I don’t think you can ever be satisfied,” Jay adds. “Few artists ever are. You’re never satisfied with your work but you send it to bed, and you can revisit it if you want or not, and you go on to the next piece. I don’t think anyone is totally satisfied. There’s always room for change.” And Long Island is home to so many talented and successful artists, says Miller. Many of whom, she explains, began their fantastical journey into the arts right here, within the Art League’s painting-laden walls and halls. The League’s more than 70 fine art instructors host workshops for aspiring artists of all ages—boasting students ranging in age from 5 to 95, she adds. “They grow and develop their skills under the supervision of some great teachers,” says Miller. “We have students here who have been coming here for over 40 years. “It’s a very special place.” Art League of Long Island’s Intructors’ Exhibition runs through Sept. 22. For more information about the League, including future exhibits, visit artleagueli.org.
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Celebrating Long Island’s Arts, Culture and Cuisine! Join the fun island-wide and all month long with our entire calendar of Signature Series Events including: September 27 -28 Sag Habor American Music Festival October 2 Long Island’s Finest…Fine Art, Fine Food, Fine Wine, Fine Company Nassau County Museum of Art
This is an Arts Alive LI inaugural event.
October 4 Celebrity Autobiography Madison Theatre at Molloy College Christian White: New Work Gallery North Brazilian Guitarist João Luiz Heckscher Museum of Art October 5
October 10 Jen Chapin with David March Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
October 18 Melissa Errico Tilles Center for the Performing Arts October 19 Latin Soul
October 11 Lou Gramm: Voice of Foreigner Landmark on Main Street
Sol Y Sombra Spanish Dance Company
October 20 David Sedaris
*Win a VIP Ticket Package
October 12 Viva L’Art for Families Hofstra Museum of Art
Staller Center for the Performing Arts
October 21 - 27 Gold Coast Int’l Film Festival
Betty Buckley The Bay Street Theatre
Great Neck Arts Center
*Win a VIP Ticket Package
Cartooning/Illustrating Workshop with Gustafer Yellowgold Cinema Arts Center
October 24 James Hunter 6
YMCA Boulton Center
Concerts • Theater • Dance • Gourmet Food • Fine Art Exhibitions • Find us at our Signature Events • Join us on Facebook and Twitter • * Win giveaways and prizes including:
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/// The Cruiser Marty Himes says thousands flock annually to his Bay Shore home that he has turned into an eponymous museum to Long Island auto racing, and he expects hundreds more for his annual racing reunion. Then he stops to reflect on his need for speed. “I get asked all the time: ‘When was the first race?’” says the 74-year-old historian. “My answer to that is: ‘When they built the second car.’” Sitting in his garage filled with racing helmets, uniforms, flags, signs, photos—even Corn Flakes with Richard Petty on the box from 1993—Himes says he dedicated his life to preserving local speedway history when the tracks began closing, leaving only Riverhead Raceway. “More than likely you’ll never see another racetrack on Long Island again,” he says, voicing the common complaint about a lack of a drag strip. He recalls one of his sons being born while he was racing his ‘56 Ford in Freeport. How he used a blow torch to liberate the sign for Islip Speedway. He lists the national racing champions who came to race here, including Petty and other famous names. “We didn’t make a lot of money, but we didn’t spend a lot of money, either.”
/// The Collector
Chatting up countless folks drawn to his chrome-skull-adorned black 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air parked in the Bellmore train station lot, Joe Congema, an organizer of the nearly 700-member South Side Boys classic car club that founded the Friday night car show here, could be mistaken for mayor of this rockabilly downtown. Except the 69-year-old retired trucker is from East Meadow. And his club’s motto is: “The rules are there are no rules.” Plus mayors don’t usually have hot rods covered in skulls with a trunk mural of the 1973 George Lucas movie American Graffiti. His custom license plate is Falfa, the name of Harrison Ford’s character, whose car explodes in a racing crash. “You get to meet some fascinating people. It brings all different types of people together,” he says, noting that cruise night entry fees often fund charities. But, on a recent August evening, he was all business, selling to his fellow grease monkeys club shirts from his trunk. He wants $35,000 for his hot rod—the same make and model as the first car he bought for $500 as a teenager. Once it’s sold, he has a Model A Ford at home to show off. Looking to fall, he says: “If it’s warm, we’ll be here.”
FOUR Corners
One Common Thread --By Timothy Bolger tbolger@longislandpress.com
/// The Racer
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Speeding around the quarter-mile oval at Riverhead Raceway in his stripped-down ‘77 two-door Chevrolet Caprice Aero Coup last year, Thomas “Smokey” Roberts recalls deciding to crash into the wrecked car in front of him instead of the cement wall. “The car will move, the wall won’t,” he says, remembering the “Boom!” out loud. “When you hit it, it’s like you’re on ice; you don’t know where you’re gonna end up.” The 53-year-old Central Islip auto-auction company worker decided a decade ago to start racing, itching a scratch he got after working in a pit crew. He now ranks in the top 10 in the Enduro Division. “If you wanna race on a very low budget, it’s the best class to get into,” he says. “The first time I went out I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is fun!’ It’s a trip, a total adrenaline rush to get out there on the track and race. Even in my class, where the cars maybe top out at 80 miles per hour.” Most races he walks away from without crashing, but things still get up-close and personal out there while channeling his inner Ricky Bobby. “Rubbin’ is racing, especially at Riverhead, because it’s so small,” he says. “You see an opening, you have to go for it, even if you rub someone.”
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/// The Rebuilder Even if he won the lottery, Bill Carberry, owner of Long Island Classic Car Restoration in Farmingdale, says he’d still spend most of his time under the hood of classics like his green ‘59 Ford Galaxy—although they’d be his cars, not his customers’. “It’s almost a dying profession, working on these old cars,” he says, blaming computerized newer models and younger generations being less interested in learning mechanics. Longer-lasting newer cars are the reason his shop, which specializes in radiator repairs, moved into classic restoration. “It’s taken off really good,” he says. “I park a couple classic cars out there and it’s like a billboard.” Of course, it’s not all work and no play for the man whose career is in his surname. He drag races his ride in Englishtown, N.J., too. “I’d much rather have fun with the car than worry about it getting a nick or a scratch,” he says. “That’s what it’s all about: Rolling up to the light, people checking it out, giving you a thumbs-up.”
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Our Recommendations for the Month TOMOTHY’S PICK LONG ISLAND ODDITIES: CURIOUS LOCALES, UNUSUAL OCCURRENCES AND UNLIKELY URBAN ADVENTURES BY JOHN & LAURA LEITA
If you were born and raised on Long Island, you know that it’s a strange, strange place. Growing up here, you sort of just accept it as such and go about your daily ways. Perhaps in elementary school you learn about the Big Duck and Big Indian Chief. Maybe in middle school you begin to hear stories about Mount Misery and the Massapequa Hell House. By high school you’re making treks out to the Amityville Horror House, King’s Park Psych Center, Pilgrim State and Montauk, smoking cigarettes while snooping around the giant radar tower and cemented-over bunkers where the abductions, mind-control and time-travel experiments took place. By college you know all about Lake Ronkonkoma, the Fire Island Lighthouse and Bellmore Pool Hall. Recently published, this book does a decent job chronicling the trip down memory lane. They left out the chapter about the reptilianoids, though. Now that’s truly odd.
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CHRIS’ PICK THE CLASH HITS BACK & SOUND SYSTEM (LEGACY RECORDINGS)
I don’t care if you’re into rock, reggae, hip-hop, blues, jazz or salsa, this is the Holy Grail of greatest hits and box sets and it will make you and your loved ones that much better human beings. The two-disc Hits Back drops Sept. 9 and replicates the set played at the Brixton Fair Deal (now the Academy) on July 19, 1982, along with crushing numbers that failed to make the gig. Designed by bassist Paul Simonon and invading Sept. 10, 80s boomboxshaped Sound System not only includes newly re-mastered versions of all five Clash LPs—1977’s The Clash, 1978’s Give ‘Em Enough Rope, 1979’s London Calling, 1980’s Sandinista! and 1982’s Combat Rock (!!!)—but three discs of singles, demos, B-sides and rarities, a DVD with all of the band’s videos, including unseen footage, reprints, a new issue of The Only Band That Matters’ fanzine Armagideon Times, a poster, stickers, dog tags, badges and a giant cigarette, among other memorabilia. No armadillos though, unfortunately.
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SPENCER’S PICK An organic home-grown tomato
Our juicy “fruit” of summer: A big red tomato picked from the good Earth at the Robert M. Kubecka Memorial Organic Garden, a 17-acre piece of paradise located just near the intersection of Dunlop and Greenlawn roads that is prime property for the Town of Huntington’s Organic Garden Program. This was our first season. There’s a waiting list to get one of the 20 by 30 feet plots, which rent for $25 a year, but the manure is free and so is the mulch. And the value of harvesting something fresh that has a little bit of your self in every bite is priceless. Because you know—and the blisters on your hands bear mute witness—that you were out there in the hot sun and the rain, tearing up the weeds, fighting the insects to a draw and trying to get an edge on the unknown forces that always threaten to shape the destiny of your produce before it reaches your kitchen counter.
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Unpasteurized and naturally gluten-free, this health heal-all elixir is replete with the amazing “Mother” of vinegar—that thick gooey slick settling at the bottom of the bottle—strand-like chains of protein enzyme molecules that your body needs oh– so-badly. Swig it straight from the bottle, toss it back in a shot glass, or slather it atop some Greek food, apple cider vinegar has been imbibed for thousands of years for its health benefits and pseudo-magical medicinal qualities. These include relieving inflammation, helping the immune and digestive systems, skin, hair and muscles, among so many others. At less than $8 for a 32-oz. jug (this one was purchased at Organic Corner in Massapequa), you simply can’t go wrong. Buy this and drink it! Thank me later, friends.
Moving Forward
At Hofstra University, innovation is central to everything we do. In the past few years, we’ve opened the Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, as well as the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and School of Health Sciences and Human Services. With a rising national reputation, new undergraduate research opportunities, small classes, and a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, in more than 100 areas of study, Hofstra University is more than you expected and all you can imagine. World-renowned resources and facilities. Hands-on learning. Easy access to career and internship opportunities in New York City. Exceptional events and activities, distinguished visitors, a residential campus with a nationally accredited museum, and financial aid for 99 percent of full-time undergraduate students. Discover what Hofstra’s pride and purpose is all about at a Fall Open House, Sunday, October 27 and Saturday, November 16. Find out more at hofstra.edu/fallopen
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Hot Plate
Fish Market, a hidden gem of a seafood restaurant and wholesaler overlooking the Islip canals off Montauk Highway, and Popei’s Clam Bar, the local chain of four seafood eateries that calls the blend “A Popei’s original.” Popei’s, not to be confused with the Louisiana fast-food fried chicken chain, claims to have invented LI clam chowder, dishing it out in bowls large enough that the two remain separate, resembling a liquid white and red target. “We’ve had it since Day One on our menu,” says Joe Reale, owner of Popei’s Clam Bar, which his mother and uncle— nicknamed Popeye after the cartoon SOUP’S ON: Andrea Dunn (L) at character—opened its first location in the Chowder Bar in Bay Shore Bethpage 30 years ago before expanding serves up a bowl of Long Island to Sayville, Coram and Deer Park. clam chowder. From left below: Traditional cups of Manhattan and “People love it.” New England clam chowders. Reale says LI chowder is just as popular as the Manhattan and New England chowders and some people order catered “soup parties” to have chowder—including the LI variety— served by the gallon at their homes by ladle-wielding Popei’s staffers. “Some people prefer to mix it, some people like to locals know to order the mixed eat around the red and save the New clammy brew. England in the middle,” he says. “It’s like Farther east on LI, the there’s no wrong way to eat a Reese’s.” local variations multiply. The Bethpage location, which was Schafer’s of Port Jefferson, an launched after his family set up shop at upscale casual newcomer to a neighborhood farmer’s market, may the popular downtown, has be the farthest west into Nassau that LI Long Island Clam & Corn clam chowder can be found, although Chowder—a blend of LI’s most it also appears on the menu at Embassy famous vegetable chowder Diner in Bethpage. combined with its favorite While mixing two chowders shellfish in a yellowish broth. is relatively simple, Popei’s and The SALT Waterfront Bar and Chowder Bar each arrive at the destinaGrill has cooked up eponymous Shelter tion from different roads. Popei’s prefers Island Clam Chowder, which also won its chowder made with clams from the last year’s Greenport Maritime Festival North Shore. The Chowder Bar relies on chowder contest. baymen plying the nearby Asked what Great South Bay to stock separates Shelter Island Where to their soup. Clam Chowder from the Feast on Both restaurants use pack, Executive Chef Long Island only fresh ingredients, Darren Boyle says: “The Clam Chower nothing jarred or canned. waters that the clams are The Chowder Bar: 123 Maple Ave., Bay Shore. And each continued serving coming in… These clams 631-665-9859. up plenty of all variations are huge. We actually save White Cap Fish: 130 throughout the summer, the juice they come in.” Montauk Hwy., Islip. no matter how much the He also uses local corn 631-581-0125. Island sizzled in the heat. and potatoes—a tastier Schafer’s of Port Jefferson: 111 It could be that there’s one cross between Yukon and West Broadway, extra special ingredient Idaho potatoes that bring Port Jefferson. that keeps chowder lovers a distinctive flavor—and 631-473-8300. coming back for more. apple and cherrywoodSALT Waterfront Bar and Grill: 63 South “We make it with lots smoked bacon made on Menantic Rd., Shelter of love,” says The Chowder Shelter Island. Island. 631-749-5535. Bar’s Nenninger, with a LI chowder is on Popei’s Clam Bar & smile. the menu at White Cap Seafood Restaurant:
Long Island Clam Chowder
Longtime Secret Blend Slowly Catching On By Timothy Bolger tbolger@longislandpress.com
The mouthwatering aroma of fresh, steaming Manhattan and New England clam chowder surrounds patrons saddling up to the quaint, bustling counter at The Chowder Bar in Bay Shore, where the motto aptly proclaims: “Once you’ve nibbled and we’ll have you hooked!” But one soup increasingly being ordered by chowderheads here is not even on the menu: Long Island Clam Chowder, a pinkish mix of half-New England white and half-Manhattan red—a trend servers here note continues rising like the tide since they first heard the request about five years ago. “They call it a Half-andHalf,” one Chowder Bar waitress says while serving up yet another pair of blended bowls. “It’s starting to catch on more now in the last couple of years.” Part geographic pun—LI itself being tucked between New York City and the upper Northeast—part culinary experiment in the vein of the Cronut (a croissant-donut hybrid), LI clam chowder is just one of countless coastal regional varieties from Florida to Chicago. Some such soups can be found locally, like the clear-ish Rhode Island-style clam chowder at Buoy One Seafood Restaurant, which has locations in Huntington, Riverhead and Westhampton. LI clam chowder is still on the fringes, a creamy-tomato-y incantation that has yet to arrive in the mainstream world of soup. Ordering it at a Nassau County clam bar can inspire looks of disbelief and disgust from behind the counter. And despite the often deep-fried innovations rolled out from food truck kitchens at fairs, it could not be found on any menus at the Long Island Maritime Museum Seafood Festival last month. “I’m a big fan of mixing foods,” says Lynda Nenninger, co-owner of The
Chowder Bar for a quarter century, who likens the blend to an Arnold Palmer, made of half iced-tea and lemonade. “If you have one good soup and another good soup, how can it be bad if you mix it together?” When combined, the two form a sort of cream of tomato from the sea. Potatoes join their fellow floating vegetables in harmony, swimming alongside chopped clams reunited after separation at the two soups’ birth. Spoonfuls have hooked adventurous eaters and convinced doubters. The Chowder Bar, tucked between other waterside eateries and boatyards on Maple Avenue, proves an ideal testing ground for the soup’s popularity. Manhattanites shuttling to and from the nearby Fire Island ferry terminals stick with either New England, the eatery’s most popular, or their city folks’ hometown favorite, which is a close second. Only
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Amy Helm Long Island Press Event Listings for September 2013
Hanson
The brother trio continues to take on the pop music scene since their ‘90s mega-hit “MMMBop,” now touring in support of their sixth studio album, Anthem. More mature, though retaining their upbeat and dance-oriented vibe, Isaac, Taylor and Zac’s latest tracks will be sure to have audience members bopping along all night. With singer-songwriter Paul McDonald, of American Idol fame. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Paramountny.com $30-$50. 8 p.m. September 1
Paula Cole
Over the course of her 18-year-long career, Paula Cole has produced six solo albums and received Grammy recognition for a number of her works. With a background in jazz music studies, she has boldly gone above and beyond genre boundaries, creating a unique sound that sets her apart. “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone” is perhaps her most popular song from 2006’s This Fire, the record which earned her the title of first woman in history to produce her own album and consequently receive the Grammy nomination for Best Producer. YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, 37 W. Main St., Bay Shore. Boultoncenter.org $40-$50. 8 p.m. September 6
John Prine The Grammy-winning country/folk singer-songwriter will be performing hits from his more than 40-year career and will be joined onstage by Roseanne Cash and her partner/musical collaborator John Leventhal. Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, Manhattan. www.beacontheatre. com $45-$79.50. 8 p.m. September 6
The singer-songwriter showcases her vocal talents as well as her gifted mandolin and drum playing in diverse mixture of musical genres, including traditional gospel songs, folk music, blues standards and her own original compositions. Helm’s musical experiences include performing with five-piece blues band Ollabelle, as well as Warren Haynes, The Wood Brothers, Donald Fagen, Mercury Rev and Marc Cohn. She also helped her father, legendary The Band drummer Levon Helm, shape and perfect 2004’s Midnight Rambles and co-produced 2007’s Grammy-winning Dirt Farmer. Stephen Talkhouse, 61 Main St., Amagansett. www.stephentalkhouse.com $30, $45. 7 p.m. September 1
Marc Anthony Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale. www.nassaucoliseum.com $50-$150. 8 p.m. September 1
Depeche Mode/Bat For Lashes
The electronic music stalwarts join forces with indie darling Bat For Lashes (a.k.a. Natasha Khan) for a night of dance and emotional upheaval, part of DM’s “Delta Machine World Tour”—a refreshing break from normalcy. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. www. jonesbeach.com $25-$120. 7 p.m. September 8
The Allman Brothers Band This will be the legendary Rock & Roll Hall of Famers’ fourth appearance down at Jones Beach. With Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, 1000 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh. www.jonesbeach.com $25-$120. 7 p.m. September 7
Arnold Newman The photographer passed away in June 2006, but
his images continue to garner praise. A pioneer of “Environmental Portraiture,” a photography technique in which the setting of an image is carefully controlled to try and capture the essence of a person’s life and work, Newman’s subjects include John F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, Pablo Picasso, Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe, Ronald Reagan, Mickey Mantle and Audrey Hepburn, among others. Many will be showcased at this exhibit, titled Arnold Newman: Luminaries of the Twentieth Century in Art, Politics and Culture. Free reception Sept. 10 4-6 p.m. Hofstra University, Emily Lowe Gallery, Hempstead. www.hofstra.edu Free. Tues.-Fri., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 1-4 p.m. September 3 through December 13
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Fall Out Boy/Panic! At The Disco These two powerful pop-rock forces share the stage as part of an arena-focused tour that will last only until the end of the month. Fall Out Boy will be showcasing songs from their latest, Save Rock And Roll, and attendees will surely be treated to Panic!’s recent single, “Miss Jackson.” With schizoid pop duo Twenty One Pilots. Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. www.barclayscenter.com $35-$45. 7:30 p.m. September 7
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370 NEW YORK AVENUE * HUNTINGTON, LONG ISLAND N.Y. 11743 * P: 631-673-7300 * www.paramountny.com
SEPTEMBER 7
SEPTEMBER 10
SEPTEMBER 20
SEPTEMBER 26
OCTOBER 5
OCTOBER 13
OCTOBER 17
OCTOBER 18
OCTOBER 22
OCTOBER 26
NOVEMBER 3
NOVEMBER 9
Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby
NOVEMBER 15
NOVEMBER 16
NOVEMBER 17
NOVEMBER 20
DECEMBER 21
DECEMBER 30 & 31
GLASSJAW
NOVEMBER 21
NOVEMBER 29
ADDING NEW SHOWS DAILY. PLEASE CHECK PARAMOUNTNY.COM FOR UPDATES For a schedule of upcoming events, please visit: www.paramountny.com. All acts, dates, seating, times & lineups are subject to change without notice. Doors open one (1) hour before showtime. Register on our website to receive our free e-newsletter for event updates, special offers, pre-sale codes & much, much, more. Become our fan on Facebook – www.facebook.com/theparamountny or Follow us on Twitter – www.twitter.com/TheParamountNY. Tickets available online via www.ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone @ (800) 745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets & the Paramount Box Office (open daily from 12 noon-6 pm).
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Second Annual
Fiddle & Folk Festival This year’s folk, blues, bluegrass and traditional music extravaganza includes Brother Sun, The Stray Birds, Toby Walker on the back porch and jam sessions, singa-longs, a kids corner, Contra Dancing and “the creative vortex”—a participatory art workshop. Benner’s Farm, 56 Gnarled Hollow Rd., Setauket. www.bennersfarm. com $15 adults, $6 kids. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. September 8
The Rides The Rides is a new collaboration of three really big names in blues rock: Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash), Kenny Wayne Shepard (Kenny Wayne Shepard Band) and Barry Goldberg (Electric Flag). Stills, Al Kooper and Mike Bloomfield’s 1968 classic collaboration Super Session was the inspiration. Touring in support of their August debut album Can’t Get Enough, The Rides’ gigs throughout the month will feature L.A.-based blues rocker Beth Hart as opener. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. www.thetheatreatwestbury.com $49.50. 7 p.m. September 8
Stone Temple Pilots/Filter Linkin Park/Dead By Sunrise
vocalist Chester Bennington replaces ousted longtime frontman Scott Weiland, and the gig will undoubtedly feature a mix of classic STP hits along with new material from their new EP, due out this fall. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Paramountny.com $75-$150. 8 p.m. September 10
Grateful Fest 2 This festival features paintings by 50 different artists and performances from Grateful Dead tribute bands Half Step, The Electrix, Unbroken Chain and Reflections. Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org $15 adults, $5 kids. 12-7 p.m. September 8
Blink 182 A Conversation with Izzy Paskowitz & Daniel Paisner
Michael Sinbad Buble
The bubblegum pop-punk rockers will be ripping through their hits to benefit charities ranging from burn treatment centers and cancer research to diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. With New Beat Fund and DIIV. Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 N. 6th St., Brooklyn. www. musichallofwilliamsburg.com $35. 8 p.m. September 11
World champion longboarder and leading autism advocate Paskowitz joins Port Washington resident Daniel Paisner in a discussion about their book “Scratching the Horizon: A Surfing Life,” which chronicles Paskowitz’s life from childhood through adulthood and onto international surfing stardom. Paskowitz will also be sharing insights about family loyalty and support. He married the woman of his dreams, Danielle, and inspired by the effect of surfing on his autistic son Isaiah, founded the nonprofit Surfers Healing, which has touched the lives of thousands of children and families affected by autism. Landmark On Main Street, 232 Main St., Suite 1, Port Washington. www.landmarkonmainstreet.org Free. 7:30 p.m. September 11
NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960Barclays Brush Hollow Center,Rd., Westbury. 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. www.thetheatreatwestbury.com www.barclayscenter.com $100. $39.30-$59.50. 8 p.m. 9 p.m. September 29 13 September
“The Buddy Holly Story”
Showcasing Holly’s hit songs including “Every Day,” “Peggy Sue,” “Oh Boy,” “Maybe Baby,” “That’ll Be The Day,” “Raining in my Heart” and “Rave On,” among others, this musical chronicles the life and career of a young Buddy Holly on the road to rock ‘n’ roll glory. Gateway Playhouse, 215 S. Country Rd., Bellport. www.gatewayplayhouse. com $25-$65. Call 631-286-1133 for show times. Through September 14
governors is comedy
gift cards available
the biggest names in all of comedy, coming to a club near you! reserve your tickets now online before they’re gone!
kevin downey jr.
tom segura c @ m guires in bohemia friday, 9/6 saturday, 9/7
gilbert gottfried
@ governors saturday, 9/28 @ mcguires saturday, 11/16
from agt
@ governors in levittown friday, 9/6 saturday, 9/7
kevin nealon
@ governors in levittown one night only sunday, 9/29
visit our websites for a complete listing of upcoming shows & to buy tickets online 66
joey kola
andrew “dice” clay
@ the brokerage friday, 9/20 @ mcguires friday, 11/1
@ governors in levittown wednesday 9/18 thru sat. 9/21
steve byrne
pauly shore c
@ governors in levittown friday, 10/4 saturday, 10/5
@ m guires friday, 10/4 @ the brokerage saturday, 10/5 governor’s 90 Division Ave., Levittown (Behind Tri-County Shop Center)
the brokerage 2797 Merrick Rd, Bellmore (Corner of Bellmore Ave)
dov davidoff c
@ m guires in bohemia friday, 9/20 saturday, 9/21
dom irrera
@ the brokerage friday, 10/4 @ mcguires saturday, 10/5
mcguire’s 1627 Smithtown Ave, Bohemia (Across from The Holiday Inn)
516-731-3358 516-781-LAFF 631-467-5413 5
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GOVERNORS COmEdy
dATE: 08-29-13 Publication: LI Press Size: 8.75 x 2.719 (¼ Page Horizontal)
john valby “dr. dirty”
rich vos
ralphie may
godfrey
@ the brokerage one night only saturday, 9/21
@ governors in levittown one night only sunday, 10/6
@ governors friday, 9/27 @ mcguires saturday, 9/28
@ the brokerage in bellmore friday, 10/11 saturday, 10/12
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Riders will be entered into a weekly drawing for a four pack of bus vouchers. Entries are limited to one per bus trip per day within a 24-hour bus period. Entries earned during each weekly sweepstakes will not carry over from one week to another. Winners may only use vouchers on bus ridden on day of entry. Bonus packages are issued to individuals 21 years of age or older. To receive a casino bonus package, passengers must have a Player’s Club card or be able to sign up for a Player’s Club card on day of travel. Proper identification required. Please visit the Bus Marketing Window for official rules. Offer subject to change without notice. mohegansun.com
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41st Annual Irish Feis and Festival
Jason Mraz/Ed Sheeran/ Bridgit Mendler/Austin Mahone These singer-songwriters will be performing in recognition of the 14th Annual T. J. Martell Foundation Family Day, supporting the nonprofit in its fight against leukemia, cancer and AIDS. Hosted by Mendler, star of Disney Channel’s Good Luck Charlie. Ticket costs cover admission, food, drink and unlimited Family Day activities. Roseland Ballroom, 239 W. 52nd St., Manhattan. www. roselandballroom.com $150 adults, $100 kids. 12-5 p.m. September 15
Traditional dance, piping competition and Irish marketplace, presented by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Hofstra University, South Campus, Hempstead. www.hofstra.edu $10 adults, Free for kids under 16. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. September 15
Jewel/ Nelson DeMille
“Kimberly Akimbo”
Asylum Theatre’s production of Kimberly Akimbo, a play about a teenager with a rare condition that causes her body to age quicker than normal, is both funny and deeply moving, dealing with hard-hitting concepts such as difficult family dynamics, psychiatric illness, alcoholism, deceit, mortality and first love. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire; directed by Valeri Lantz-Gefroh. Staller Center for the Arts, SUNY Stony Brook, Stony Brook. www. stallercenter.com $28. 8 p.m. & 2 p.m. September 19-22 & 26-29
The Grammy-nominated singersongwriter will be signing her newest children’s book “Sweet Dreams;” then Long Island’s own New York Times-bestselling author Nelson DeMille will be signing his new book “The Quest.” Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington. www. bookrevue.com Jewel: 5 p.m., September 17; DeMille: 7 p.m., September 18
Pixies
New York City indie trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs will perform new songs from their latest album Mosquito, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, and hopefully sprinkle in a few numbers from 2003’s Fever to Tell. (An editor here at the Press says it’s worth making the trip to Brooklyn just to see them perform Mosquito’s devastatingly crushing-beautiful “Despair,” for which they shot a music video atop the Empire State Building. They’re the only rock band in history to do so.) Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. www. barclayscenter.com $39. 8 p.m. September 19
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An exciting tribute to the legendary rock supergroup, this presentation incorporates television footage, concert and promotional films, documentary selections, footage of Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins, and rare fan footage (such as Gabriel’s “flying” routine) from the 1970s through 1980s. Songs showcased include “Dancing With the Moonlit Knight,” “The Musical Box,” “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway,” “Earl of Mar,” “Your Own Special Way,” “Against All Odds,” “One More Night,” “Take Me Home” and more. With guest speaker Bill Shelley. Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington. www. cinemaartscentre.org $10 members, $15 public. 7:30 p.m. September 17
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering tear through the alt-rock pioneers’ unparalleled arsenal minus founding bassist Kim Deal (though her longtime bandmates say she always has a place in the band). Hopefully these sets will include “Where Is My Mind?” “Wave of Mutilation” “Gouge Away” and “Motorway to Roswell.” Please!? With ReignWolf (and Parquet Courts on September 20). The Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., Manhattan. www.boweryballroom.com $45. 8 p.m. September 17, 18 & 20
TIKI KINGS CAR SHOW & BBQ SATURDAY SEPT. 7TH Cars, Bikes, Food, Fun, Beer
Genesis
B E T H PA G E 4019 Hempstead Tpke. Bethpage N.Y. 11714
y s . c o m
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Graham Nash
Metallica
The four horsemen of metal rock Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater just a week before the debut of their upcoming 3D IMAX movie “Through The Never,” which includes live concert footage from multiple gigs. The band is also teaming up with Sirius XM Radio to bring back Mandatory Metallica, 24/7 commercial-free music, beginning September 13 and airing until October 6 via satellite channel 40. The Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St., Harlem. www.apollotheater.org Win tickets at www.siriusxm.com/MetallicaLive. 9 p.m. September 21
Vampire Weekend The New York City indie rockers make their debut at the future home of the New York Islanders in support of their latest, Modern Vampires of the City. With Solange and Sky Ferreira. Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. www.barclayscenter.com $35-$60. 8 p.m. September 21
Andrew Dice Clay
The bad-boy funny-man brings his unique (and sometimes controversial) style and sense of humor to this special comedic four-night series. Governor’s Comedy Club, 90 Division Ave., Levittown. www.govs.com $55-$85. Call 516-731-3358 for show times. September 18-21
Robert Hunter
The longtime Grateful Dead lyricist and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will be performing a mix of solo material and Dead classics. The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington. Paramountny.com $47.50$96.50. 8 p.m. September 26
The legendary singer-songwriter is a two-time inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has also been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Much of his solo repertoire includes music from his 1971 album Songs for Beginners. NYCB Theatre at Westbury, 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury. www. thetheatreatwestbury.com $40. 8 p.m. September 22
Jamboozi Festival This is a full day of live art and music, with 50
artists painting while Miles to Dayton, The Electrix, Abraxa, Ken Talve Trio and soloist Elana Rivkin paint a psychedelic canvas of their own. Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport. www. vanderbiltmuseum.org $15 adults, $5 kids ages 5-12, Free under 5. 12-7 p.m. September 29
Michael Buble
Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. www.barclayscenter.com $100. 8 p.m. September 29
Steely Dan 16th Annual Craft & Fine Art Festival This gig marks the end of Rock and Roll Hall of Ten thousand visitors are expected to view an $18-million display representing America’s craft Famers Walter Becker and Donald Fagen’s Mood Swings: 8 Miles To Pancake Day Tour and the beginning of a seven-night residency, which will include several classic albums performed in their entirety, greatest hits and audience-requested favorites spanning more than three decades. Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, Manhattan. www.beacontheatre.com $59.50-$220. 8 p.m. September 30 through October 8
masters, ranging from steel sculptures, cashmere, organic cotton, designer apparel in silk, diamonds, rubies and sapphires set in gold and platinum, in addition to fine paintings, furniture, dinnerware, stained glass and handmade creations fashioned from exotic woods. All this, presented by 90 American master fine artists and craftsmen beneath large tents. Oh, and lots and lots of food and desserts. Wow. Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. www.craftsatlincoln.org $7 adults, Free for children under 12. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. & 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., respectively. September 28 & 29
Long Island’s Business Trade Show Wednesday, October 9, 2013 9AM - 3PM • Carlyle on the Green (New Venue)
Come Find Opportunity! Network with over 100 exhibitors Meet over 1,200 key decision makers Attend business seminars and workshops Kickoff Networking Breakfast
Exhibit Booths starting at $645 • Contact: 347-464-0777
• FREE addmissiom with Pre-Registration
For more info go to
NassauTradeShow.com
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Double Xword Pt.1 In At The Finish ACROSS 1 Hire new employees for 8 Judge the value of 14 Percentage on an S&L sign 20 Broadcast medium for much news and talk 21 Ontario metropolis 22 One in a violent mob 23 Singer Timberlake on parole? 25 1844-59 king of Scandinavia 26 Appearance 27 Lemon-hued log house? 29 Anthropoids 33 Another time
36 Swann of the NFL 37 Actress Ellen’s commands? 41 Moral reservation 47 Bit of a song 48 Datum in a used-car ad 51 Virgil hero 52 Letter #19 53 LAX monitor data 56 Strip of vertical shiny fabic? 58 City south of Moscow 59 Whale group 60 Longitude’s opp. 61 - -CIO 62 Almost like 65 Punk rocker Joey 67 Year Bush Jr. took office
Last Month’s Answers State lines
Answers can also be found online! go to facebook.com/longislandpress.
68 Sending to the canvas, in boxing 71 Actor Hoffman cleans the floor? 73 Snazzy sleeveless jacket? 75 Actor Buddy 76 U. URL ender 77 Morgan of country music 78 Diner’s card 79 Article in Argentina 80 The First State: Abbr. 81 “How - ya?” 82 British alphabet enders 84 Old Egyptian sultan while still naive? 88 Blood fluids 89 24-hr. “banker” 92 Go downhill 93 Used-car-lot transaction 95 Virgo-Scorpio link 97 Small cafés 99 Film critic Leonard’s booze? 102 With 100-Down, “Now hold on just a second!” 105 Dike 106 Hades river 107 Off-white seabird? 114 Lohengrin’s bride 116 Bob Marley’s music 117 Sluggers’ cholesterol medication? 124 Bassett of films 125 In spite of it 126 Prehistoric Greeks 127 Top dogs 128 Wish 129 Racy genre
DOWN 1 British rule over India 2 Very big bird 3 Soon-to-be grads: Abbr. 4 Tit-for- 5 Take - view of 6 “-’s Rainbow” (old musical) 7 Precede 8 EarthLink competitor 9 Fr. nun, maybe 10 Don’t leave 11 Soften 12 Get bloated 13 “Alas ...” 14 Pop top with a crimped edge 15 Frisbee or checker 16 - -Fella Records 17 Run - (defer payment) 18 “Mr. Mom” actress Garr 19 Nickname for Ireland 24 Equips with weapons, old-style 28 Carry- - (flight totes) 29 Skilled 30 Shells out 31 Has it wrong 32 Slalom, say 34 Meanie Amin 35 Eddy and Mandela 38 Froster 39 British novelist Charles 40 Fri.-Sun. link 42 Gather leaves again 43 Sailor suits, e.g. 44 Similar to a wooden pin 45 - -di-dah 46 N.Y. hours 49 “- Girls” (CW series)
50 Fill with love 54 Arctic flier 55 Shaded walk 57 Employ 58 Most frequently 59 In demand 62 Lemon drink 63 Stand in (for) 64 Distributors 66 Early Ford 69 Diarist Anaïs 70 Lions’ victim 72 More ridiculous
73 Ivy League university 74 Gibe rudely 77 - guilt trip on (made feel at fault) 83 Painter Salvador 84 Pres. after WJC 85 Cannes king 86 Stir-fry legumes 87 River stopper 88 Whine tearfully 89 Lean against 90 Brad Pitt film
91 German socialist Karl 94 Suffix with Gotham 96 Mensa data 98 Mu - beef 100 See 102-Across 101 Landlady, e.g. 103 Bearer - news 104 - worse than death 107 Cranky type 108 Gambling city 109 Roe, e.g. 110 Gets mellow
111 Like stallions 112 Suffix with 47-Across or 91-Down 113 Classic soft drink brand 115 - cost (for free) 118 Pub 119 Broke bread 120 River isle 121 - chi 122 Execs’ mag 123 Secret govt. group
LEAGUE FOR ANIMAL PROTECTION of Huntington, Inc.
Beautiful, active and smart, Hannah is a dog for all seasons!
If you do not like being showered with doggy kisses and getting snuggled, then Hannah is not the dog for you. This 4 y.o. playful cow-pup is a happy-go-lucky gal who loves everyone she meets. Though we thought she would find a home quickly, she still waits for a loving family to make her their own. For now, she relishes the affections of LAP volunteers. Hannah already knows basic obedience and would make a great jogging partner. She is eager to please and motivated by food and toys which will make continued training easy and fun. If you have children over the age of 10, Hannah would enjoy playing with them in the yard until they tire each other out. Set up a kiddie pool, and watch her swim and splash about... she entertains all with her silly antics and goofy ways! Hannah is UTD with her vaccinations, HW– and on preventative, crate trained and housebroken. She has been socialized with other canines but tends to be dog selective. She does not tolerate cats. If you think Hannah may be a good addition to your family, please call or email LAP to set up a meet and greet.
With coupon only. Cannot be combined w/ any offer coupon, offer or discount
call: 631.757.9373 email: dogs@LAPHuntington.org Limit 2 per customer. With Coupon Only. Cannot be combined w/ any other coupon, offer or discount.
*Not valid on dog food, bulk feed or sale items. With Coupon Only. Cannot be combined with any other coupon, offer or discount.
Check Us Out Online: wwwbtjungle.com Get valuable coupons online! Gift certificates available
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presents
Make Your Appointment Count Talking to Your Doctor About Relapsing MS Come join a LIVE discussion! • • • •
Learn about relapsing MS & a treatment option Hear from an MS LifeLines® Ambassador, who is living with relapsing MS Have the opportunity to ask questions Connect with others
Bring your family and friends. Be a part of this FREE event and REGISTER today!
Call 866-756-0494 Monday, September 9, 2013 Registration: 6:00 PM Program: 6:30 PM
Upsky Long Island Hotel (Formerly Sheraton Long Island Hotel) 110 Motor Parkway Hauppauge, NY 11788 Complimentary parking and meal will be provided.
Kay,
MS LifeLines Ambassador
MS Specialist MS LifeLines® Nurse Marcia Jones George, RN,
BSN, MSCN
MS LifeLines® Ambassador Speakers are sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Sponsored by:
©2013 EMD Serono, Inc. All Rights Reserved US-INF-0513-0081 / RBU574612-01
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Double Xword Pt.2 Secret Swimmers ACROSS 1 “- right with the world” 5 One doing a banishing act 13 Port in Argentina 20 Drop heavily 21 Ramp up 22 Partial floor carpet 23 Many white-coated helpers 25 Dhaka natives’ language 26 Article in Amiens 27 LAX abbr. 28 Military units 30 Quit allowing 31 Fly a plane alone, say 33 Instruction at the location itself
36 Actress Piper 38 Actors Romero and Beatty 39 In the past 40 Beeline 44 Minnesota ex-governor Carlson 46 In plain sight 47 Suvari of the screen 48 “Ouch!” 51 Outrage 54 Spicy sauce 56 Sums of money paid before being earned 60 USCG rank 61 School dance 64 Precious 65 Hesitate 66 It became a state in 1959
Last Month’s Answers Working out the bugs
Answers can also be found online! go to facebook.com/longislandpress.
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71 1/4 gallon 74 Julia of films 75 Part of PTA: Abbr. 76 Lacto- - -vegetarian 79 Senate, e.g. 83 Supported on a stand, as a painting 86 Hooded snake 87 Obsolete 88 In - (routine-bound) 91 Actress Graff or Kristen 92 Tip holders 94 Vanilla ice cream variety 96 Letters after chis 98 - Helens (Wash. volcano) 101 Irritates 102 Taken by surprise 106 Because 110 Port in Scotland 111 Swimming pool additive 112 Wisconsin’s Fond du 113 Jai-alai cry 114 Pooch-pulled vehicle 116 “Canadiana Suite” jazz pianist 120 One slowly collecting 121 Cut to (stop hedging) 122 Work without (risk injury) 123 Waters between Korea and Japan 124 Components of blood pressure readings 125 They’re hidden in this puzzle’s nine longest answers
DOWN 1 Put in - for (endorse) 2 Texas plain 3 Earring sites 4 R&R site 5 Skew 6 Camelot lady 7 Lenovo or Dell products 8 Plate scrap 9 Gathers in from the field 10 Sunbathing evidence 11 Manor 12 Relaxed 13 Tiring work 14 Bullring, e.g. 15 Retiree’s payment 16 Not keep up 17 Language of Qatar 18 University in New Orleans 19 Getting older 24 Decides on 29 Nail-biting NFL periods 32 Verdi’s forte 33 Certain reed instrument 34 Proper 35 Lisbon-to-London dir. 37 Knight suits 40 Fawn over, with “on” 41 Poet Bunin 42 One side in the Civil War 43 Tic- - -toe board 44 Give help to 45 Ramp (up) 48 Flemish river 49 Southern belle Scarlett 50 “- hell”: General Sherman
51 Post-ER site 52 Scale notes 53 Nationality suffix 55 Tax doc. pro 57 “Rolling in the Deep” singer 58 30-day spring mo. 59 Voter’s “no” 62 Gumbo pods 63 Partners of sirs 66 “Odds - ...” 67 P.O. arrival 68 Conduit 69 Fly of Africa 70 - tear
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71 In the role of 72 FedEx alternative 73 iPad buy 76 Roll topper 77 - diagram (logic image) 78 Took too many meds 80 ER technique 81 Includes 82 Unpolished 84 Total quiet 85 “Nightmare” film loc. 89 Mellow 90 Purposes
92 Happy dance 93 Trash barrels 94 Viewpoints 95 Flies a plane 96 Bribe money for a deejay 97 Wells forth 98 L-P bridge 99 Diviners’ cards 100 Having a rustling sound 102 Bum 103 Two and one 104 Part of UHF 105 Wince, say
107 Egypt’s Mubarak 108 Therapeutic plants 109 Penny, to a dime 112 - majesty (high treason) 115 Feline pet 117 It’s between pi and sigma 118 Buddy 119 U.K. flying corps
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Horoscopes
September by Psychicdeb
Virgo
Work, work, work! You need to take time out for yourself and let others empower themselves. Remember, you are in a class all by yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back.
Libra
All you want is balance but lately that’s exactly what you’re not getting. You may feel your world falling apart during this transit. Use meditation techniques to get you through it.
August 23 to September 22
September 23 to October 22
Scorpio
October 23 to November 21
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 to December 21
Capricorn December 22 to January 19
Aquarius
January 20 to February 18
Things have proven to be difficult during this Saturn transit. Will you be the scorpion, eagle or phoenix? Eagles fly above the storm. The phoenix rises out of the ashes. When things get tough, use your power and rise above it. Seek a practical step-by-step application of your big ideas and be certain that these ideas are big enough to encompass your spirit. Your aspirations will be expressed through actions.
Sort out your priorities. You’ll be able to assert yourself in close partnerships to bring about clarity. If disagreements involve finances, you need to stand by what is important to you.
Be prepared to put significant energy into tasks which might not, at first, seem all that rewarding. Take time off to undertake voyages of the spirit to distant lands.
Pisces
Big decisions are needed during this transit so don’t be wishy washy and run away from your responsibilities. Once you’ve completed these tasks, relax with a good book.
Aries
Prepare to juggle your time between your responsibilities to others and your responsibilities to yourself. There are issues to be cleared up even if it causes heated arguments.
February 19 to March 20
March 21 to April 19
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Gemini May 21 to June 20
Cancer June 21 to July 22
Leo
July 23 to August 22
Sway associates to your point of view, particularly in matters of detail or procedure. Be disciplined or you will find problems ignored now will crop up more strongly later. You’ll make the most progress by being innovative. Cultivate your mind and express your ideas. Look carefully at commitments that begin to encroach on your freedom. As they develop, you’ll be more knowledgeable of how to adjust to these commitments several months from now.
Refrain from looking backward to what you have lost; look forward to what you still have left. Don’t let your history fulfill your destiny.
You will be challenged to use what you possess. Focus on work, health and fitness. Moderate exercise is great for relieving tensions and improving your mental outlook.
IF YOU KNOW YOUR RISING SIGN, CONSULT THE HOROSCOPE FOR THAT SIGN AS WELL. Psychicdeb has been a professional astrologer for over 25 yrs. Self-taught, she began her studies in astrology when she was 8 yrs. old learning what she could from her mother’s astrology magazines. As she got older and learned geometry, she searched for books on Astrology and taught herself how to construct a chart. She teaches Astrology for a nominal fee. Psychicdeb also uses the tarot to do psychic readings channeling her spirit guide Helen. Reiki is one of her obsessions. She is a Reiki Master and loves to teach others the benefits of Reiki. Namaste. You can find her at the Original Psychic Fairs on Sundays. A listing of the Fair dates can be found on her website at: www.astro-mate.org
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