The Village Times Herald - April 27, 2023

Obituary

Carol Iwanicki

Carol Iwanicki, a longtime resident of Setauket, passed away peacefully after a brief illness with family by her side in Colleyville, Texas, April 17.

She married George Iwanicki in 1958, and they were together until he passed in 2017. They resided on Strong’s Neck for more than 50 years, raising four children during that time.

A keen reader of novels, she also enjoyed game shows, travel and the company of family throughout her life.

She is survived by her four children, 10 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

She will be laid to rest with her husband at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Coram. The funeral service is being held at Moloney’s Port Jefferson Station Funeral Home, Thursday, April 27.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in Carol’s name to Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket — see www.emmaclark.org — as the library served as her favorite source of reading materials over decades.

— Submitted by the Iwanicki family Carol Iwanicki

Gym set to become storage facility, tennis to continue

BY THOMAS CULLEN DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Long Island Health & Racquet in East Setauket is getting a major facelift. The club, located at 384 Mark Tree Road, was started at the World Gym location in 2019.

The main building, which houses the gymnasium, was built in the early 1970s and is showing signs of age, according to Tito Perez, general manager. He said the gym will close in June and the building will be razed.

A self-storage facility with 790 ministorage units is set to be built on what is now the gym site by SafSTOR, a developer based in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The plan is for the new building to be ready for October 2023, although no official grand opening date has been set. The new courts will be behind what is now the gym. The outdoor heated pool, with a maximum depth of 5 feet, will remain in its current location. In addition to the new indoor courts, the building will also contain the clubhouse, a lobby, offices and men’s and women’s locker rooms.

Three indoor hard surface courts will be added under a new tent-like structure. These will be in addition to its four indoor courts, which are located under an existing bubble structure. As a result there will be 14 tennis courts on the site,

with seven indoor and seven outdoor.

A Town of Brookhaven Planning Board public hearing on March 13 was adjourned after questions arose regarding the height of the building. Residents were also concerned about light pollution and increased traffic. Among other concerns were the length of the project and the noise factor.

Herb Mones, land use chair of the Three Village Civic Association, said the civic “worked to reduce the height of the storage building successfully” but failed to convince the developer that the building should “reflect the historic characteristics of the Three Village community.”

On April 10, the Planning Board approved the project.

No interruptions for tennis facility

During the construction, the club will continue to be open and run its tennis camps.

“Our main idea is to keep providing the tennis service to the community with no interruptions,” Perez said. “We are looking for understanding from our tennis family members and students.”

He is passionate about tennis. “Tennis is my life, I wanted to be a tennis coach since I was 16 years old,” he said. The new courts and upgrades “will be good for the community — tennis is not going anywhere. We are here to stay, serve the community and keep growing.”

Game Set Match Tennis Academy is a program within the Long Island Health & Racquet facility. It’s where kids can come and learn about tennis in a safe, family friendly environment. Perez estimates that about 400 kids will sign up for the season as he puts the word out with the local schools and some nonprofit organizations.

On the wall of his office, Perez keeps an oversized tennis racquet. He uses this when he becomes the “tennis fairy,” during which he dons wings and a tutu when working with

children and encouraging them in camp.

“Tennis is for everyone,” he said. “We want the kids to be happy and safe while they are learning about tennis.”

Aside from teaching children and adults, Perez has also seen famous people come through the clubhouse doors. Tennis players from the past who have visited the club include Ivan Lendl and Leonardo Mayer. Other celebrities such as WWE wrestler Mick Foley, former Islander Derek King and heavy metal rocker Dee Snider of Twisted Sister have also visited the club.

Above, rendering of proposed Long Island Health & Racquet facility. Rendering from Long Island Health & Racquet

SBU will develop $700M climate center on Governors Island

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

With a vision to turn parts of Governors Island into a world-class center that blends into the surrounding greenery, Stony Brook University won the highly competitive process to create a climate solutions center.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and the Trust for Governors Island earlier this week named Stony Brook the lead in teaming up with other universities, nonprofits and businesses to create a $700 million facility that will start construction in 2025 and open in 2028.

Backed by a $100 million donation from the Simons Foundation, a $50 million gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies and $150 million from the City of New York, Stony Brook will create a unique 400,000 squarefoot facility.

The center will house research laboratories and host community discussions, train 6,000 people to work in green energy jobs per year, provide educational opportunities and search for climate solutions, including those that affect low-income communities of color.

“Climate change is here and the danger is real,” Adams said at a press conference on Governors Island unveiling the winner of the competition. “I am proud to announce that we have selected a team led by Stony Brook University to deliver the New York Climate Exchange.”

Adams suggested the Stony Brook team, which includes local partners like Pace University, New York University and the City University of New York, will protect the city’s air and water.

The Trust for Governors Island also anticipates the site, which will include a “semester abroad” on-site, fellowships and internship programs, will host scientific symposiums that can bring together leaders in a range of fields.

In an email, Simons Foundation President David Spergel hopes the center will “nucleate new business that generates jobs in the region, invest in new technologies and advance solutions.”

The foundation is helping to recruit other benefactors to meet the financial needs for the site both by the example of its commitment and through personal interactions, Spergel said.

Stony Brook, meanwhile, which has a deep pool of researchers at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences investigating climate-related issues, doesn’t plan to wait until the buildings are refurbished and constructed to start the conceptual and educational work.

During phase zero, the university will “work with our partners immediately”

on developing programs for kindergarten through grade 12 outreach, on scaling up green workforce development and on developing collaborative research projects across institutions, SBU President Maurie McInnis said in a town hall discussion with the campus community.

Practice what it preaches

In addition to providing space that will generate and test out ideas for solutions to climate change, the New York Climate Exchange buildings will minimize the carbon footprint.

There will be 230,000 square feet of new space and 170,000 square feet of refurbished existing structures. The plans, which were created by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, involve creating the biggest masstimber building in New York City. As an alternative to concrete and steel, mass timber has a lower carbon footprint and is lighter.

Mass timber uses “less material and in a more efficient way,” said Keith O’Connor, principal at SOM, who runs the city design practice in New York and Washington, D.C., in an interview.

SOM designed the tops of the buildings with 142,000 square feet of solar cells, which will generate more than enough power for the site, enabling the center to provide all of its electricity needs and to send some energy

to the city.

“We wanted to work really hard to avoid having a field of solar panels sitting off to the side” or sticking solar panels on each roof, O’Connor said. Instead, the solar panels, which will be at slightly different angles from each other, track the topography of the structures without creating a glaring field of reflected light.

Guests who arrive at Governors Island will notice a solar canopy that is “front and center,” O’Connor said. “It’s about a message for everyone who is visiting — it says that energy generation is critical.”

SOM wanted to find a way to create a warm and welcoming aesthetic that provides energy, O’Connor added.

All of the nondrinking water will come from rainwater and treated wastewater.

The site anticipates diverting 95% of waste from landfills, making it one of the first in the country to achieve true zero-waste certification.

“The concept of the physical structure is astonishing,” David Manning, director of Stakeholder Relations at Brookhaven National Laboratory, which will serve as an adviser on the center, said in an interview. “You want to attract the best and the brightest. You do that with programming. It doesn’t hurt that [the design and the facilities] are also cool.”

An aerial rendering of the island after

construction, which will also include 4.5 acres of new open space, looks more like a park than a typical research station.

Governors Island, which hosts about a million visitors each year who arrive on ferries that run every half hour, plans to double the ferry service, with trips traveling every 15 minutes during the day starting next year. Also in 2024, the city will start using a hybrid electric ferry to reduce emissions.

Considerable collaborative support

McInnis expressed her gratitude to the team at Stony Brook and to her partners for putting together the winning proposal.

McInnis suggested that the university’s commitment to studying, understanding and mitigating climate change, coupled with national and international collaborations, would unite numerous strengths in one place.

“We knew we had the right team to lead this effort,” said McInnis at the announcement on Governors Island. “We also knew we needed a diverse set of partners” in areas including environmental justice, in the business sector and in philanthropic communities.

Other partners include Georgia Tech, University of Washington, Duke University, Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Oxford, England.

BNL’s Manning appreciated the opportunity to attend the kickoff of the project on Governors Island.

Near the tip of Manhattan amid a “stunning blue sky,” the gathering was the “perfect setting” to announce and create solutions that were “this future focused,” Manning said.

Left to right: Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, Simons Foundation president David Spergel, SBU President Maurie McInnis, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Harbor School student Leanna Martin Peterson and Trust for Governors Island President Clare Newman. Photo by John Griffin/Stony Brook University

‘We knew we had the right team to lead this effort.’

— Maurie McInnis

MEMBER • OF • THE • MONTH

Animal Health and Wellness, a full service veterinary o ce serving the community since 2009, is located in East Setauket at 150 Main Street, between 25A and the Emma Clark Library. Steven Templeton, DVM, a long-time resident of East Setauket, always had the goal to open a veterinary o ce close to his home to allow him to provide care for the pets of his friends, neighbors, and community. Dr. Templeton gives back by running events and fundraisers thereby making donations to local causes. Some recipients of the donations from Animal Health and Wellness have been Save-A-Pet Animal Rescue, Long Island Bulldog Rescue, Help the Animals Fund (which supports Brookhaven Animal Shelter, Double D Ranch (farm animal rescue), and Guardians of Rescue). In addition, Animal Health and Wellness has been a long time sponsor at the Woodlands Folk Festival.

Since Dr. Templeton graduated Michigan State University Veterinary College in 1989, he has practiced routine health care as well as 12 years practicing emergency medicine and critical care at Animal Emergency Services in Selden. is combination of emergency experience along with that of regular practice, including all aspects of surgery, dentistry, and internal medicine, has provided him with the expertise to set up the kind of veterinary o ce that exempli es state of the art medical care along with a warm, caring environment for your pets. Animal Health and Wellness o ers the full range of medical services, including individualized vaccine programs, preventative health strategies, dental prophylaxis, laser therapy, cryotherapy and surgery. e o ce also carries a full line of highest quality herbal medications, obtained from Dr. Wen of Hampton Veterinary Hospital, to complement our line of traditional medications and nutraceuticals, food based supplements which promote good health.

In 2022, Dr. Jake Labriola returned to the practice in the capacity of Veterinarian, as he was a Veterinary Intern on our sta , ful lling his practice requirements prior to graduating from Ohio State University Veterinary College.

Dr. Tina Ting, a certi ed veterinary acupuncturist, has been providing the integrative care of eastern and western medicine to treatment plans in our practice since 2014.

As well as providing exceptional care for routine issues, Animal Health and Wellness has complete in-house labs and digital x-ray to provide immediate results for cases where sending blood tests out to the lab is not an option. is means that you can receive the diagnosis and your pet can be treated appropriately without sending you to the local emergency clinic – you get top level emergency care at non-emergency prices from a doctor with a wealth of emergency experience. Animal Health and Wellness Veterinary O ce is open 7 days per week and has late night hours. Animal Health and Wellness and Dr. Templeton were proudly nominated multiple times for Best Animal Hospital as well as Best Veterinarian in the Long Island Press’ “Best of Long Island”, winning rst place several years including 2022. We proudly o er state of the art care and are always adding to the newest care options for our patients. We have a private parking lot, outdoor courtyard, and plenty of lawn and trees for our furry friends and their family. Entry is in the back of the building.. For an appointment, call 631-751-2200. Animal Health & Wellness Veterinary O ce, PC Dr. Steven Templeton, D.V.M. ©

Follow Us!

The following incidents have been reported by Suffolk County Police: Medford

woman arrested for driving with 65 suspensions

Suffolk County Police arrested a Medford woman on April 25 for allegedly driving with a whopping 65 license suspensions. Fifth Precinct officers initiated a traffic stop on eastbound Sunrise Highway, near exit 52 in Patchogue, after a 2000 Honda Accord was observed speeding at 2 a.m. Upon further investigation, it was determined the driver, Janelda Camille, had 65 suspensions on 12 dates. Camille, 23, was charged with alleged Aggravated Unlicensed Operation of a Motor Vehicle 1st Degree. She was also issued a summons for speeding. 4 arrests made during vape and

alcohol compliance checks

Paper Sold Out on the New tand?

In response to community complaints, Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers conducted an investigation into the sale of vape products and alcohol to minors at four stores in the Sixth Precinct on April 21. Anaas Mohamed, 26, of Coram, an employee of Selden Smoke Shop in Selden; Muhammad Danial, 22, of Port Jefferson Station, an employee of Smoke Paradise in Stony Brook; and an 18-year-old employee of MNT Convenience in Mount Sinai were all charged with alleged Unlawful Sale of Nicotine/Vape to Persons Under 21 years of age. Ever ReyesAmaya, 25, of Hauppauge, an employee of BP Gas station in Centereach, sold alcohol to a person under 21-years-old and was charged with alleged Unlawful Dealing with a Child 1st Degree.

Bouncer convicted of manslaughter for killing Centereach man

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond

A. Tierney announced on April 24 that a jury found David Cruz, 32, of Medford, guilty of Manslaughter in the First Degree, for the 2022 beating death of Jake Scott, 32, of Centereach.

The evidence at trial established that on August 21, 2022, Cruz was working as a bouncer at Tailgaters Bar in Holbrook when he got into a verbal dispute with Scott. According to witness testimony, Scott called Cruz a “weirdo” earlier in the evening, which may have been the catalyst for the argument.

At approximately 2:45 a.m., Cruz went outside of the bar and engaged in a further verbal exchange with Scott. During that exchange, Cruz repeatedly attempted to draw Scott out of view of the bar’s surveillance camera. After failing to lure Scott out of the camera’s view, Cruz walked to his vehicle and returned to the

Wanted for petit larceny

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate the woman who allegedly stole a Century welder from Lowe’s, located at 2796 Rt. 112 in Medford, on April 11 at approximately 6 p.m.

front area of the bar a short time later. Once there, Cruz dragged a chair over to the bar’s surveillance camera, stood on the chair, took off his shirt, and then covered the security camera. Apparently unaware that a security camera from a nearby business was filming, Cruz, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 270 pounds, immediately began to assault Scott after he covered the bar’s security camera. The video footage depicted Cruz delivering his first punch while Scott was starting to get up from his seat as Cruz came towards him. Scott then fell onto the cement sidewalk and remained there as Cruz got on top of him, delivering more punches to Scott’s head before fleeing the scene. Cruz surrendered to police three days later, on August 24, 2022.

Scott was taken to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was placed into a medically induced coma. Scott remained in the hospital for 11 days before he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

Cruz is due back in court on May 25 for sentencing, and faces up to 25 years in prison.

— COMPILED BY HEIDI

SUTTON

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA

Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Stony Brook University hosts climate exchange town hall

BY DANIEL FEBRIZIO DANIEL@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Stony Brook University students and faculty gathered Tuesday, April 25, at the Charles B. Wang Center for a special town hall meeting that marked the creation of the New York Climate Exchange on Governors Island in New York City. The event was free and open to the public.

The panelists included Maurie McInnis, SBU president; Jed Shivers, senior vice president for finance and administration; Kevin Reed, associate dean for Research in the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences; and Keith O’Connor, principal at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which has been developing this project.

The event was moderated by Craig Allen, chief meteorologist for WCBS-880 and a former Stony Brook University graduate.

McInnis spoke on her excitement regarding this opportunity for Stony Brook to be the anchor institution for the climate exchange.

“Setting ambitious goals, responding to society’s greatest needs and propelling our university to even higher levels of excellence ... this is the Stony Brook way, and it’s why we’re here today,” McInnis said. She added that SBU is going to “bring together the world’s most innovative organizations across sectors to problem solve and turn solutions into action.”

Shivers explained that “the climate exchange is a separate and distinct charitable organization” from the university and that “no Stony Brook University funds shall be utilized as part of the capital that needs to be raised to do the design or the construction work or support the initial operating expenses.”

Reed followed by noting that while SBU will not be making financial investments, “what Stony Brook is going to get to invest is our ideas and, as the president already mentioned, our problem-solving skills.”

O’Connor spoke on how “all of the energy will be generated on-site” because it is going to be a “100% electric campus.” He added that “one of the objectives is the buildings,

the landscape and the systems all coming together to demonstrate how you build a sustainable long-term campus.”

After the conclusion of the town hall, which included a brief Q&A that allowed some members of the audience to speak, TBR spoke to some attendees to get their reactions to this announcement.

Sergio Perez, a professor from the Marine Engineering Department of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, expressed excitement at the promise and potential of this project since hundreds of millions of dollars will go into it. “We can do a vast improvement to Governors Island,” Perez said. “At the very worst it’s going to create lots of jobs. But at the very best it will have an effect on climate change.”

Sky Freeman, a student studying journalism and political science, said he believes “it’s going to be a fantastic opportunity for Stony Brook to combat climate change.”

“I think if I had the opportunity to get involved, it would definitely be something

I would seriously consider,” Freeman said. “I think the design of the building is very unique, very cool — it’ll create a great atmosphere on the island.”

He added that he does not think that most students are aware of the plans for the climate exchange, but that he knows there is a lot of excitement from the administration and from faculty.

Paul Shepson, dean of the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at SBU, said that he anticipates his school being a “contributor to the success of the exchange.”

“Our faculty will be involved in many ways in developing programs and engaging in some of the research that goes on there,” Shepson said. “I love that Stony Brook is leading in the creation of this exchange where we’re going to be a convener of the best minds in the world in identifying and implementing solutions to the climate crisis.”

While there is still more planning and development to be done, McInnis said it is anticipated that ground will be broken on the project in 2025 for completion by 2028.

Local Starbucks and nonprofit target childhood hunger

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

A local Starbucks location and a nonprofit organization are joining forces to alleviate childhood food insecurity on Long Island.

Last month, The Starbucks Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Starbucks Coffee Company, awarded $10,000 to the Mount Sinai-based nonprofit Agape Meals for Kids through its Neighborhood Grants program.

The grant was mediated by the Starbucks East Setauket location on Route 25A. Through the partnership, leaders of both organizations are working toward an overall goal of eradicating hunger on Long Island and across America.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service indicates that 10.2 percent of U.S. households were food insecure at some time during 2021. Long Island Cares estimates as many as 230,000 Long Islanders are food insecure, 68,000 of whom are children.

“We find that there are [nearly] 70,000 children on Long Island alone that live with chronic hunger and food insecurity,” said Irene Michalos, founder and executive director of Agape Meals for Kids. “That number is horrible, and we need to do something about it.”

Agape is 100% volunteer-run, providing weekend meals for students who rely upon free lunch programs. After being founded in the fall of 2021, the nonprofit organization quickly began branching out into school districts across Long Island, its program supporting students from Comsewogue, Shoreham-Wading River

and Brentwood schools, along with The Thomas Emanuel Early Childhood Center in Corona, Queens.

Witnessing the problem from up close, Michalos has observed food insecure children often exhibit an inability to focus in class, show a tendency to act out and can have health outcomes.

“When you’re hungry, you feel aggravated, frustrated,” she said. “Their behaviors are interpreted as naughty, but they’re not — they’re hungry.”

Barbie Lux, store manager at East Setauket Starbucks, explained how the partnership with Agape first came together. Lux became aware of the program through a mutual contact at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson. After meeting Michalos and learning about Agape’s community impact, she described herself as fully on board.

“I found out about the amazing work that she does with the kids,” the store manager said. “You tell me you’re feeding children, and I’m there to help you.”

Within the New York Metro Starbucks region, which comprises stores across Long Island and New York City, Lux began raising awareness about Agape. First at her store and then others throughout the region, word soon got out.

Lux and Michalos coordinated a food packing event in December, during which Starbucks staff and Agape volunteers filled backpacks with donated foodstuffs, which were later distributed to children in the program. Since then, the two organizations have forged even closer ties.

The Starbucks Foundation’s Neighborhood Grants program enables Starbucks staff to vote

for a nonprofit organization reflective of their organizational and philanthropic priorities. Lux detailed her behind-the-scenes efforts to generate votes for Agape.

“To get 250 to 260 partners to vote for one organization, I hounded them,” she said. “I started to cry when I saw that Agape got $10,000.”

Agape currently feeds approximately 200 children. Michalos said the grant money allows the organization to grow considerably.

“We can comfortably see ourselves, through this incredible grant, being able to add 25 more children from September to December and another 25 between January and June,” she said.

With this momentum, Michalos and her organization are just getting off the ground. She outlined an ambitious goal for both the region and the nation.

“I think that childhood food insecurity and alleviating poverty in this country is something that we can do,” the nonprofit founder said. “There are many programs that we can expand and support to meet the needs of our families and children here.”

Lux added that public awareness of food insecurity represents an essential first step toward a resolution, noting that responsible stewardship of food waste would also play a role.

“There’s so much waste in the world, so much waste of food,” she said. “Just donate it in a timely manner so that it’s fresh and everything … because a child could be hungry.”

Along with East Setauket Starbucks, Agape collection baskets remain open at various Starbucks coffee shops, including at Stony Brook, St. James, Miller Place and Centereach.

Lux said she hopes to continue strengthening

the partnership between Starbucks and Agape, with plans for another food-packing event and related activities already in the works.

The store manager said she does not plan on ending this partnership: “I’ve had so many people I’ve worked with, but the day I met [Michalos], I was like, ‘She’s doing good, we need to help her.’ So it’s not going to end.”

Barbie Lux, store manager at East Setauket Starbucks, left, and Irene Michalos, founder and executive director of Agape Meals for Kids. Photo by Raymond Janis

New York implements new work-zone enforcement program

BY DANIEL FEBRIZIO DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

New York State has introduced its Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program.

The system clocks vehicles traveling above the speed limit in specified work zones. A registered owner of a vehicle will be ticketed by mail if the posted work-zone speed limit is exceeded by more than 10 miles per hour, according to the legislation signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in September, 2021.

The law states that the “owner of a vehicle shall be liable for a penalty” when that “vehicle was traveling at a speed of more than 10 miles per hour above the posted speed limit in effect within such highway construction or maintenance work area, and such violation is evidenced by information obtained from a photo speed violation monitoring system.”

The ny.gov website indicates that this new program will be “located in construction or maintenance zones on New York State controlled access highways and parkways.” It also indicates that signs leading up to the enforcement areas will make it clear that a driver is entering one.

In a phone interview, Stephen Canzoneri, a spokesman for Region 10 of the state Department of Transportation, said that there will be “two signs posted in advance of the camera.” He added that these cameras are “only being placed in active work zones where there are boots on the ground.”

During the first 30 days of the program — which began Monday, April 17, according to

Canzoneri — New York State will issue warnings by mail instead of actual fines. After this initial warning period, drivers violating the posted workzone speed limits in the enforcement areas will receive a $50 fine by mail.

For a second violation, a violator will receive $75 fine, so long as this violation is within an 18-month period of the first violation. Any third or subsequent violations will result in a $100 fine if, once again, these are within 18 months of the first violation.

The website also states that “there will be 30 work-zone speed units ... that will be

moved around to work zones throughout the state.” To see an up-to-date listing of where the speed cameras are currently being utilized, go to www.ny.gov/work-zone-safety-awareness/ automated-work-zone-speed-enforcementprogram and scroll down to “Locations” on the left-hand side. The cameras are “being placed on the limited access highways, such as the Long Island Expressway, Northern State Parkway, a portion of Sunrise [Highway] in central Suffolk,” Canzoneri said.

The ny.gov website clarifies that drivers will not receive points on their licenses for violations

in these zones and that these penalties are strictly “civil in nature, with no criminal implications.”

In 2021, there were 378 “work-zone intrusions” and that more than 50 of these intrusions resulted in injury for either a highway worker or a vehicle occupant. “A work-zone intrusion is defined as an incident where a motor vehicle has entered a portion of the roadway that is closed due to construction or maintenance activity,” the ny.gov website states.

“We are seeing an increase in work-zone intrusions throughout the Island,” Canzoneri said. “More people are back on the roads after the COVID shutdowns. And traffic patterns are returning to what they were. And unfortunately, it means that there’s more danger for our workers on the road.”

In a phone interview, Jaime Franchi, Long Island Contractors’ Association director of communications and government relations, said, “Anything that is a deterrent that makes people pause while they’re driving in a zone where our highway workers are vulnerable is something that we would absolutely advocate for.”

Franchi added that LICA has been advocating for highway safety for many years, particularly on winding stretches of the Southern State Parkway. “They deserve to get home to their families,” Franchi said about highway workers.

Canzoneri agreed. “We want everybody to go home at the end of the day to be with their families,” he said.

The ny.gov website indicates that this five-year program is a joint effort by the state Department of Transportation and the state Thruway Authority.

The decline of commercial real estate values and its impact

BY DANIEL FEBRIZIO DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

noting that the industrial market is doing very well right now but office markets remain questionable.

REAL ESTATE

There have been rumblings recently regarding the state of the commercial real estate market. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people were forced to leave the workplace and instead work virtually, if possible.

Though going back to the office fulltime is now an option for many businesses, some are satisfied with employees working from home. Experts now worry that remote work could be driving down the demand for commercial real estate.

“If these commercial landlords can’t make money, they’re going to file for … property tax relief,” said Martin Cantor, director of the Long Island Center for SocioEconomic Policy, in a phone interview. “And if they get it granted because they’re not making money, that property tax is going to be shifted to residential.”

Deputy Comptroller for New York City Rahul Jain also shed light on the topic,

“Real estate generally pays a higher rate on the value of the property than residential does,” he said in a phone interview. “If you have a real decline in the value of that property … that means somebody else has to pick up the remainder. And so that burden could end up potentially falling on residential taxpayers.”

Phil Shwom, president of the Long Islandbased industrial and commercial realtor Schacker Realty, added further context.

“We’ve seen a couple of deals where they’ve taken an office building and converted it to industrial,” he said in a phone interview. “There’s also been talk about taking down some office buildings and building residential, which I think is happening in the city, but less so on Long Island, although I wouldn’t be surprised if it does happen at some point.”

When asked if commercial property owners might consider repurposing some locations as residential developments, as Shwom said, Jain agreed that that could be a possibility.

“When you look at the economics of it,

it might make sense not only on the demand side,” Jain said, referencing that there are now fewer people going to offices to work. “But on the supply side, there’s clearly some push to increase the number of housing units because housing in the metro area has always been more expensive than the rest of the country.”

Jain emphasized that the burden of

commercial taxes potentially falling on residential taxpayers and the possibility for commercial spaces converting into residential development are very complex issues.

It may still be a few years until the full effects of the pandemic on commercial office spaces become evident and what domino effects may result from that.

Downtown Kings Park. File photo by Rachel Shapiro

The new state program will use photo enforcement technologies to monitor speeding in work-zones. Following a 30-day grace period, violators will receive a fine by mail. Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Community celebrates Earth Day with Greenway cleanup

BY RAYMOND JANIS EDITOR1@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

At the eastern trailhead of the SetauketPort Jefferson Station Greenway trail, a group of volunteers and community members met on Earth Day, April 22, kicking off the first cleanup of the season.

The Friends of the Greenway, a subsidiary of the Three Village Community Trust, hosted the event, which featured volunteers from various community groups, including the Stony Brook-based Avalon Nature Preserve. The cleanup coincided with Earth Day, a global holiday that recognizes the achievements of the environmental movement and the need for sustainable planning.

Greenway: an environmental triumph

“We schedule this [cleanup] in April for Earth Day to celebrate the Earth,” Herb Mones, TVCT president, said during the event.

Mones first became involved with the trail in 1999, when former New York State Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Setauket) asked him to head a task force for its planning. The task force included educational programming and active community collaboration, followed by a planning phase, which took 10 years.

The concept of a multipurpose trail was revolutionary for its time, Mones suggested.

“In Suffolk County in particular, there are very, very few greenways that are multimodality paths — paved paths for residents, pedestrians and bicyclists,” he said. “It was a process of getting people to understand what a bike path would look like.”

The task force’s vision was soon enacted,

and the Greenway has been servicing locals since 2009. Mones described the trail as in “pretty good condition,” though regular pockets of litter have tended to stick around. The Friends of the Greenway organization targets those areas once per month, keeping its community trail tidy and clean.

Celebrating Mother Earth

Volunteer cleanup initiatives are putting the themes of Earth Day into practice at the community level.

Englebright, for whom the trail was renamed in 2022, was present during the cleanup. For him, the convergence of local cleanup efforts with Earth Day reflect the environmental movement’s local and global momentum.

“The volunteerism was very heartening and very rewarding to me,” he said. “When people are volunteering their time and focusing their energies on Earth Day, it’s just a positive vibration and it speaks well for the role of the trail in the maturation of our communities.”

Throughout his time in public life, Englebright has been a vocal advocate for the environment, one of the earliest voices to ring the alarm on overdevelopment and sprawl, open space preservation and water quality protection in Suffolk County.

Over time, however, the former assemblyman said he had observed even greater attention for sustainability and environmental consciousness.

“I’m greatly encouraged to see people of all ages — there were people with white hair and people at various grade levels of our public schools — all working together with their enthusiasm reinforcing one another, reinforcing the premise that Earth Day should be special,” he said.

In Port Jefferson Station, there are several new development proposals, most notably at Jefferson Plaza, just a block from the trailhead. [See story, “Developers pitch plans for Jefferson Plaza,” June 24, TBR News Media website.]

While Mones accepts new development projects as “inevitable,” he said those projects should be grounded by sound community plans, considering the interests of all concerned parties.

“Development and the environment can work together, but it takes kind of a synergy between town planners, the developer and the community to work together to do a plan that works for everybody,” he said.

Englebright said the redevelopment plans for Jefferson Plaza and other projects have been, up to this point, guided by such concepts. He expressed optimism that the Port Jeff Station/Terryville community could hash out a workable compromise.

“When you say redevelopment, it’s also reinvestment into a community,” he said. “I hope that we can bring those projects forward that are being planned for the redevelopment of Port Jefferson Station in a way that lifts all of the boats in the harbor at the same time.”

The North Shore Rail Trail, which connects Mount Sinai to Wading River, was formally opened last summer. The two trailheads at Port Jefferson Station and Mount Sinai are about a mile apart. Englebright remains optimistic that the two may soon intersect, enabling a continuous

bike ride from Setauket to Wading River. “They should be linked up,” he said. “Look, if the Appalachian Trail can go the length of the Appalachians from Maine to Georgia, and they can link that together, then we can link our trails together here on Long Island.”

Make a Statement...

Volunteers gather at the Setauket-Port Jefferson Station Greenway on Saturday, April 22. Photo above by Raymond Janis; photo below by Grechen Mones

Announcements

ANONPROFIT

ORGANIZATIONINEAST

SETAUKETisseekingsealed bidsforinstallationofsecurity perimeterfencing.

Selectioncriteriawillbebased onknowledgeofsurveillance andsecurity,adherenceto workschedule,priorexperience,references,andcost. MWBEvendorsareencouragedtoapply.

Specifications,bid requirementsandtoschedule yoursitevisitcontactusat rchaimg@gmail.com

Allinterestedfirmswillberequiredtosignforproposal documentsandprovideprimarycontact,telephoneand e-mailaddress. Bidswillbeacceptedhand deliveredonlyuntilMay15, 2023andworkistocommencebyJune1,2023and completedby:July14,2023

SCHOOLNUTRITION

ANNOUNCEMENT

TheThreeVillageCentral SchoolDistrictplanstoapplyto theNewYorkStateEducation Departmentforanexemption fromservingbreakfastintheir fiveelementaryschoolsduring the2023-2024schoolyear.This yearlyexemptionwillbebased ontheresultsofasurveytaken byparentsofelementarystudents.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecontacttheChild NutritionOfficeat 631-730-4505.

Auto Services

DRIVEOUTBREASTCANCER

Donateacartoday,Thebenefits ofdonatingyourcarorboat,Fast FreePickup,24hrResponse, TaxDeduction,EasyToDo,Call 24/7855-905-4755.

Automobiles/Trucks

Vans/Rec Vehicles

2004CHEVYTAHOErunsgreat newtires,$3500516-628-8354.

Automobiles/Trucks

Vans/Rec Vehicles

***AAA***AUTOBUYERSHighestCashPaid,AllYears/Conditions,WEVISITYOU,Or Donate,TaxDeduct+Cash. DMVID#1303199.CallLUKE 516-VAN-CARS.516-297-2277

TOPCASHPAIDFORALL TRUCKS,CARS,&VANS. Highestpricespaidforfixable vehicles.CallMark 631-258-7919. SEEDISPLAY ADFORMOREINFORMATION.

Financial Services

AREYOUBEHIND$10kOR MOREONYOURTAXES?Stop wage&banklevies,liens& audits,unfiledtaxreturns,payrollissues,&resolvetaxdebt FAST.Call888-869-5361 (Hours:Mon-Fri7am-5pmPST)

Finds Under 50

CRAFTSMANMOTORCYCLE Jack$40,(631)3321185

JELDWEN4OVER1 THERMOPANEWINDOWS

251/2”by351/2”New$45 631-941-4425.

STORMWINDOW 39“high36”wide Asking$30.00 Call631-744-3722

TORO12”CORDEDTRIM CUTTER(cordnotincluded) $10,631-941-4425.

Garage Sales

TEMPLEISAIAH’S GIANTINDOORSPRING YARDSALE!

SundayApril30th 1pm-3:30pm MondayMay1st 10am-1pm 1404StonyBrookRd., StonyBrook,NY NexttotheFireHouse Greatbargains,&something foreveryone!

VIAGRAandCIALISUSERS! 50PillsSPECIAL$99.00FREE Shipping!100%guaranteed. CALLNOW!855-413-9574

Housesitting Services

TRAVELING? Needsomeonetocheckonyour home?

ContactTenderLovingPet Care,LLC.We’remorethanjust pets.Insured/Bonded. 631-675-1938

Limousine Services

SUFFOLKLIMO

WineTours,Events,Hamptons, NYC,Servingallairports,Professionaldrivers,luxurysuv’s, sedansandSprintervans.Book online,Suffolklimoservice.com 1-800-364-7049,631-771-7991.

Merchandise

1988SR1000CANNONDALE SANTE14speedbicycle, Shimanocliplesspedals,$200 631-332-1185.

CRAFTSMAN30INCH 13:50CCSNOWBLOWER $1100Call631-332-8287.

Miscellaneous

DIRECTV.New2-YearPrice Guarantee.ThemostliveMLB gamesthisseason,200+channelsandover45,000ondemandtitles.$84.99/mofor24 monthswithCHOICEPackage. Somerestrictionsapply.Call DIRECTV1-888-534-6918

DISHTV$64.99For190Channels+$14.95HighSpeedInternet.FreeInstallation,SmartHD DVRIncluded,FreeVoiceRemote.Somerestrictionsapply. PromoExpires1/21/23. 1-888-609-9405

WHEELSFORWISHESBENEFITINGMAKE-A-WISH ® NORTHEASTNEWYORK.Your CarDonationsMatterNOW MoreThanEver!FreeVehicle PickUpANYWHERE.We AcceptMostVehiclesRunning orNot.100%TaxDeductible. MinimalToNoHumanContact. Call:(877)798-9474.CarDonationFoundationd/b/aWheels ForWishes.www. wheelsforwishes.org.

Musical Instruments

BLUESMANPIANOTUNING

Certifiedpianotechnician, 631-681-9723, bluesmanpianotuning@gmail. com, www.bluesmanpianotuning.com

MUSICLESSONS

HOME/VIRTUAL Guitar,Piano,Stringsandmore IntroductoryRatesfornewstudents,AlsoPianoTuningand Repairs. Stringsoundstudios.com O631-476-8946, C631-223-6899

Schools/Instruction/ Tutoring

Novenas

PRAYERTOTHE BLESSEDVIRGIN (NeverKnownToFail)

Oh,mostbeautifulflowerofMt. Carmel,fruitfulvine,splendorof heaven,blessedmotherofthe SonofGod,immaculatevirgin, assistmeinmynecessity.Oh starofthesea,helpme&show meherein,youaremymother. OhHolyMary,MotherofGod, QueenofHeavenandEarth,I humblybeseechyoufromthe bottomofmyhearttosuccorme inthisnecessityTherearenone whocanwithstandyourpower. Ohshowmehereinyouaremy mother.OhMaryconceived withoutsin,prayforuswho haverecoursetothee. (3times).OhHolyMary,Iplace thiscauseinyourhands. (3times).HolySpirit,youwho solveallproblems,lightallroads sothatIcanobtainmygoals. Yougavemethedivinegiftto forgiveandforgetallevilagainst me,andthatinallinstancesof mylife,youarewithme.Iwant inthisshortprayertothankyou forallthingsasyouconfirm onceagainthatIneverwantto beseparatedfromyouineternal glory.Thankyouforyourmercy towardmeandmine. Thepersonmustsaythisprayer 3consecutivedays.Therequest willbegranted.Thisprayermust bepublishedafterthefavorhas beengranted.E.D.

Novenas

PRAYERTOTHE BLESSEDVIRGIN

(NeverKnownToFail)

Oh,mostbeautifulflowerofMt. Carmel,fruitfulvine,splendorof heaven,blessedmotherofthe SonofGod,immaculatevirgin, assistmeinmynecessity.Oh starofthesea,helpme&show meherein,youaremymother. OhHolyMary,MotherofGod, QueenofHeavenandEarth,I humblybeseechyoufromthe bottomofmyhearttosuccorme inthisnecessityTherearenone whocanwithstandyourpower. Ohshowmehereinyouaremy mother.OhMaryconceived withoutsin,prayforuswho haverecoursetothee. (3times).OhHolyMary,Iplace thiscauseinyourhands. (3times).HolySpirit,youwho solveallproblems,lightallroads sothatIcanobtainmygoals. Yougavemethedivinegiftto forgiveandforgetallevilagainst me,andthatinallinstancesof mylife,youarewithme.Iwant inthisshortprayertothankyou forallthingsasyouconfirm onceagainthatIneverwantto beseparatedfromyouineternal glory.Thankyouforyourmercy towardmeandmine. Thepersonmustsaythisprayer 3consecutivedays.Therequest willbegranted.Thisprayermust bepublishedafterthefavorhas beengranted.FH

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! Call 631.751.7663 or 631.331.1154 ©102894

Rescued

@saveapetanimalrescue@saveapetanimalrescue

Health, Fitness & Beauty $29

The Village TIMES HERALD

The Village BEACON RECORD

The Port TIMES RECORD

The TIMES of Smithtown

The TIMES of Middle Country

The TIMES of Huntington, Northport & East Northport tbrnewsmedia.com

GENERAL OFFICE

631–751–7744

Fax 631–751–4165

This Publication is Subject to All Fair Housing Acts

• FIRST

4 Weeks $99.00

DISPLAY ADS Call for rates.

SPECIALS*

ACTION

AD

MAIL ADDRESS

TBR News Media

Classifieds Department P.O. Box 707 Setauket, NY 11733

EMAIL class@tbrnewsmedia.com

The following are someof our available categories listed in the order in which they appear.

EMPLOYMENT/CAREERS

Career Services

COMPUTER&ITTRAINING

PROGRAM!TrainONLINEto gettheskillstobecomeaComputer&HelpDeskProfessional now!GrantsandScholarships availableforcertainprograms forqualifiedapplicants.CallCTI fordetails!844-947-0192(M-F 8am-6pmET).Computerwith internetisrequired.

Help Wanted

PUBLISHER’SEMPLOYMENTNOTICE:Allemploymentadvertisinginthisnewspaperissubjecttosection296 ofthehumanrightslawwhich makesitillegaltoadvertise anypreference,limitationor discriminationbasedonrace, color,creed,nationalorigin, disability,maritalstatus,sex, ageorarrestconvictionrecord oranintentiontomakeany suchpreference,limitationor discrimination.Title29,U.S. CodeChap630,excludesthe FederalGov’t.fromtheage discriminationprovisions.This newspaperwillnotknowingly acceptanyadvertisingforemploymentwhichisinviolation ofthelaw.Ourreadersareinformedthatemploymentofferingsadvertisedinthisnewspaperareavailableonanequal opportunitybasis.

ADVERTISE FOR RESULTS 631-751-7663

Carpentry

LONGHILLCARPENTRY

45yearsexperience

Allphasesofhomeimprovement.Old&HistoricRestorations.Mastercard/VisaLic. #H22336/Ins.631-751-1764

longhill7511764@aol.com

Cesspool Services

MRSEWERMANCESSPOOL SERVICEAlltypesofcesspoolservicing,allworkguaranteed,familyownedandoperatedsince1985, 631-924-7502. LicensedandInsured.

Help Wanted

GROWINGINSURANCE AGENCYF/Tofficesupportstaff forbusyagency,returneeswelcomeornewtotheworkplace, mustbeselfmotivatedandcomputerknowledgeableforapaper lessworkflow,roomforgrowth, Pleasecall631-456-4468.

PARTTIMEASSISTANT/ SECRETARYCongenialStony BrookLawOffice,Hoursflexible, Computer/WordSavy,Fax resumewithcoverletter, 631-751-8665.

P/TSALES/CUSTOMER SERVICE

Insidepositionsellingadvertisingforanaward-winning communitynewsmediagroup, Faxresumeto631-751-4165or emailresumeto Class@tbrnewspapers.com. Seeourdisplayadformore information.

SERVERS/Bar/MAINTENANCE NEEDEDp/t,weekendsapply onlineatMajesticgardens.com SEEOURDISPLAYADFOR MOREINFORMATION

TRAINONLINETODOMEDICALBILLING!BecomeaMedicalOfficeProfessionalonlineat CTI!GetTrained,Certified& readytoworkinmonths!Call 855-543-6440.(M-F8am-6pm ET).Computerwithinternetis required.

Clean-Ups

LETSTEVEDOIT

Clean-ups,yards,basements, wholehouse,painting,tree work,localmovingand anythingelse.Totally overwhelmed? CallSteve@631-745-2598, leavemessage.

Electricians

SOUNDVIEWELECTRICAL CONTRACTING

Prompt*Reliable*Professional. Residential/Commercial,Free Estimates.Ins/Lic#57478-ME. OwnerOperator,631-828-4675

SeeourDisplayAdintheHome ServicesDirectory

F/T Office Support Staff

for busy agency, returnees welcome or new to the workplace, must be self motivated and computer knowledgeable for a paperless work place, room for growth

Please call 631-456-4468

SERVERS/BAR/ MAINTENANCE NEEDED

Part-time, weekends required. Reliable and responsible. Will train, apply online at majesticgardens.com or in person

MAJESTIC GARDENS

420 Rte. 25A, Rocky Point, NY 631.744.9500

Part-Time Sales/ Customer Service

This is an inside position selling advertising for an award-winning community news media group

• Retain & grow client base

• Computer experience and excellent spelling skills helpful

• Sales or customer service experience a must

• Must have good people and communication skills

Fax resume to 631-751-4165 email resume: class@tbrnewspapers.com

Floor Services/Sales

Home Improvement

Home Improvement

CraigAliperti,WoodFloorsLLC. Allworkdonebyowner. 30yearsexperience. Lic.#47595-H/Insured. 631-875-5856

ARBORVITAE6-FOOTREDUCEDto$125/eachFreeInstallation,FreeDelivery. Fastgrowing,High-quality Beautiful&Bushy!Ordernowto reserveforspringdelivery.

Lowcosttreefarm.com 518-536-1367

BATH&SHOWERUPDATESin aslittleasONEDAY!Affordable prices-Nopaymentsfor18 months!Lifetimewarranty&professionalinstalls.Senior&MilitaryDiscountsavailable.Call: 866-393-3636

ADVERTISE FOR RESULTS

631-751-7663

BLUSTARRENOVATIONS

TheNorthShore’sMostTrusted RenovationExperts. 631-751-0751 Welovesmalljobstoo! SuffolkLic.#48714-H,Ins. SEEOURDISPLAYADFOR MOREINFORMATION.

DON’TPAYFORCOVERED HOMEREPAIRSAGAIN! AmericanResidentialWarranty coversALLMAJORSYSTEMS ANDAPPLIANCES.30DAY RISKFREE/$100OFF POPULARPLANS. 833-398-0526

LAMPSFIXED,$65. InHomeService!!Handy Howard.Mycell646-996-7628

GROWING INSURANCE AGENCY

SERVICES

Home Repairs/ Construction

LUXDEVELOPMENTGROUP

Historicalrestorations,Extensions&Dormers,Cedarsiding andClapboardinstallation, basementrenovations,kitchen &Bathrooms,doors&windows, finishedcarpentry&moulding Call631-283-2266

SEEOURDISPLAYADFOR MOREINFORMATION

NOTHINGBUTRETAINING

WALLSrailroadtiewalls,blockwalls,steps/stairs,grading,top soil,owneroperated,over40 yearsexperience,Freeestimate,631-835-7000.Licensed/ InsuredH-50185.

Lawn & Landscaping

SETAUKETLANDSCAPE

DESIGN

StoneDriveways/Walkways, Walls/Stairs/Patios/Masonry, Brickwork/RepairsLand

Clearing/Drainage,Grading/ Excavating.Plantings/Mulch, RainGardens. SteveAntos,631-689-6082 setauketlandscape.com

ServingThreeVillages

Lawn & Landscaping

SWANCOVE LANDSCAPING

LawnMaintenance,Cleanups,Shrub/TreePruning, Removals.LandscapeDesign/ Installation,Ponds/Waterfalls, StoneWalls.Firewood.Free estimates.Lic/Ins.631-6898089

Landscape Materials

SCREENEDTOPSOIL

Mulch,compost,decorative anddrivewaystone,concrete pavers,sand/block/portland. Fertilizerandseed. JOS.M.TROFFA MATERIALSCORP. 631-928-4665,www.troffa.com

Masonry

CARLBONGIORNO LANDSCAPE/MASON CONTRACTOR

AllphasesMasonryWork:Stone Walls,Patios,Poolscapes.All phasesofLandscapingDesign. ThemeGardens.Residential& Commercial.Lic/Ins. 631-928-2110

JOE’SGENERAL CONTRACTING

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper

ALLPROPAINTING

INTERIOR/EXTERIOR

PowerWashing,Staining, WallpaperRemoval.Free estimates.Lic/Ins#19604HI 631-696-8150.Nick

BOB’SPAINTINGSERVICE

25YearsExperience. Interior/ExteriorPainting, Spackling,Staining,Wallpaper Removal,StainingandDeck RestorationPowerWashing. FreeEstimates.Lic/Ins.#17981. 631-744-8859

ADVERTISE FOR RESULTS

631-751-7663

Painting/Spackling/ Wallpaper

LAROTONDA PAINTING&DESIGN

Interior/exterior,sheetrock repairs,taping/spackling,wallpaperremoval,faux,decorative finishings.Freeestimates.Lic. #53278-H/Ins.RossLaRotonda 631-689-5998

WORTHPAINTING

“PAINTINGWITHPRIDE”

Interiors/exteriors.Staining& deckrestoration,powerwashing,FinishingCarpentry, sheetrocktape/spackling, carpentry/trimwork.Leadpaint certified.References.Freeestimates.Lic./Ins.SINCE1989 RyanSouthworth. SEEDISPLAYADFORMOREINFO 631-331-5556

Plumbing/Heating

HEAVYWEIGHTPLUMBING

Arolloftoiletpaperstuffedin thedrainandpleadingfor HeavyweightPlumbingtocome andrescueit.DrainCleaning, 631-986-9516 AllofSuffolk,Lic/ins.

Plumbing/Heating

HEAVYWEIGHTPLUMBING

Arolloftoiletpaperstuffedin thedrainandpleadingfor HeavyweightPlumbingtocome andrescueit.DrainCleaning, 631-986-9516 AllofSuffolk,Lic/ins.

Power Washing

POWERWASHING

Residential-Commercial.Whateverthechallenge,whateverthe grime,Sparklingclean everytime!Callforfreeestimate. 631-240-3313. SEEDISPLAY ADFORMOREINFO.

Satellite TV

BESTSATELLITETVWITH2 YEARPRICEGUARANTEE, $59.99/mowith190 channelsand3monthsfreepremiummoviechannels,Freenext dayinstallation,Call 888-508-5313

Tree Work

ABOVEALLTREESERVICE

Treeremoval,pruning,topping, stumpgrinding,FreeEstimates CallBryan631-928-4544 SEEOURDISPLYADFOR MOREINFORMATION.

ARBOR-VISTATREECARE ACOMPLETETREECARE SERVICEdevotedtothecare oftrees.Maintenancepruning, water-viewwork,sun-trimming, elevating,poolareas,storm thinning,largetreeremoval, stumpgrinding.Woodchips. Lic#18902HI.Freeestimates. 631-246-5377

RANDALLBROTHERS TREESERVICE

Planting,pruning,removals, stumpgrinding.FreeEstimates. Fullyinsured. LIC#50701-H.631-862-9291

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! CALL 631.331.1154 ©105748

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE (877) 516-1160

FREE 7-Year Extended Warranty* – A $695 Value! 139300

Masonry Now’s the Right Time SAVE 30% WITH THE SOLAR TAX CREDIT Call to request a free quote! (888) 871-0194 Purchase a PWRcell and Receive a Free Ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced – valued at over $189!* *Scan the QR code for promo terms and conditions. ^Consult your tax or legal professional for information regarding eligibility requirements for tax credits. Solar panels sold separately. 139330

Prepare for power outages today WITH A HOME STANDBY GENERATOR $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions.

REAL ESTATE

Commercial Property/ Yard Space

ATTORNEYSOFFICE

Smithtownprominantattorney downsizing,offeringadouble suiteoffice,1600squarefeet, recentlyupdatedinSmithtown ProfessionalPark,$489,000 StrathmoreEast631-698-3400.

Real Estate Services

PUBLISHERS’NOTICE

AllrealestateadvertisedhereinissubjecttotheFederalFair HousingAct,whichmakesit illegaltoadvertise“anypreference,limitation,ordiscriminationbecauseofrace,color,religion,sex,handicap,familial status,ornationalorigin,orintentiontomakeanysuchpreference,limitation,ordiscrimination.”

Wewillnotknowinglyaccept anyadvertisingforrealestate whichisinviolationofthelaw. Allpersonsareherebyinformedthatalldwellingsadvertisedareavailableonan equalopportunitybasis.

Rentals

FREEGOLF-LIVEINACOUNTRYCLUBatBrettonWoods,3 bedrooms,21/2baths$3000,2 bedroom11/2baths$2300,2 bedroom,2bath$2500

STRATHMOREEAST

631-698-3400.

PORTJEFFERSONSTATION

3Bedroom,Centralair/heat, granitetops,hardwoodfloors, closetoRR,$2700+utilities

631-680-2101.

SETAUKETHighVisibility,25A, cornerofficesuitewithlarge plateglasswindow,privatebath, ownthermostat,nicelydecorated,offstreetparking,Village TimesBuilding,Call 631-751-7744.

BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG small space

RESULTS

BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG BIG

Editorials

Congrats to Stony Brook University and the planet

Climate change often conjures images of violent storms, rising sea levels and endangered animals.

Scientists around the world warn so often about the dangers to our one and only planet that some couples have decided to hold off — or even not — have children among all the future anxiety.

Amid all that worry, however, New York City, the Trust for Governors Island, Stony Brook University and a team of other universities, nonprofits and businesses are working on the kind of solutions that could lead to a better future.

On a sun-splashed Monday morning at Governors Island just off the southern tip of Manhattan, Mayor Eric Adams (D), SBU President Maurie McInnis, Simons Foundation President David Spergel and a host of other luminaries discussed a new $710 million center for climate solutions, which Stony Brook as the anchor institution has called the New York

Climate Exchange.

With $100 million in backing from the Simons Foundation, $50 million from Bloomberg Philanthropies and $150 million from New York City, the center will serve a host of important functions, including retraining 6,000 workers a year for jobs in the green energy sector, providing incubator space for businesses that are working on climate solutions and educating children from kindergarten through 12th grade.

In addition to the huge win for Stony Brook, which competed against other high-powered public and private universities for this coveted lead role, the effort could be a victory for New York, the surrounding mid-Atlantic states, the country and the planet.

Near the Statue of Liberty, which is a beacon of hope for democracy and an iconic symbol of the country, the Governors Island effort can come up with solutions and alternatives to a doom-and-

gloom scenario while also sparking a commitment from students eager to find an outlet for their energy and creativity.

Will the center on its own help the world avoid the 1.5 degrees Celsius increase in temperature from the pre-Industrial Revolution days that scientists often point to as a tipping point for the planet?

Absolutely not. That’s up to everyone from government and state leaders to huge companies and even individuals in the U.S. and throughout the world.

What the climate center, which will be completed in 2028 and will generate its own electric power without adding greenhouse gasses, will do is encourage dialogue with everyone, offer hope and provide a place for the best and brightest minds to develop answers to some of the world’s most troubling questions.

Coming just a few days after Earth Day, that is worth celebrating.

Ensure construction safety, but be fair

It’s difficult to drive anywhere on Long Island without facing speeding and aggressive drivers. We welcome measures to curtail such behavior, including the recent state Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program, where speed cameras are installed in work zones on highways and parkways.

Construction workers have the right to feel and be safe on the job. We applaud the state for taking action to grant them this right. We further welcome measures the state has taken to try to ensure the program is a fair one, such as the initial 30-day warning period prior to issuing fines.

After the program was announced, the overwhelming response from the public was one of outrage and aggravation. We reject the notion that this is due to people wanting to avoid responsibility. Rather, this is a symptom of the fundamental distrust the average constituent has in their government. Several aspects of the program, and its rollout, give the public good reason to question the state’s motivation for implementing it in the first place.

For instance, a list of the supposed locations of speed cameras has been

heavily circulating on social media. However, when several news outlets asked the state to confirm, they declined. It wasn’t until early this week that details were released. This lack of transparency is a prime example of the perception the public has of the program.

The state website indicates that 30 cameras “will be moved around to work zones throughout the state.” When this does occur, we hope the public will be informed, as the state has promised.

Further, the sporadic location of cameras poses the question of why the cameras will not be instituted in all work zones, if the state is so concerned about safety. We would encourage the state to provide more information to the public, in terms of locations of the cameras, as well as remain equitable in terms of where they place cameras. We wouldn’t want to see cameras be solely allocated to low-income areas, affluent areas or middle-class areas.

Other components of the program, such as issuing violations for as little as 10 miles an hour over the speed limit as per state law, are reasons for further distrust, and why the average

member of the public views this as a money grab.

Such little wiggle room for drivers also points to a lack of empathy from the state for the average Long Islander. We do not condone speeding in work zones, but someone going as little as 10 miles over the speed limit, which drivers sometimes do, could be a parent trying to get to work to pay the bills after getting their children on the bus, a health care worker trying to get to the hospital, or someone simply preoccupied by the stresses of their day who has overlooked their speed.

The state has assured the public that signs will be displayed prior to entering a speed zone. We truly hope this remains the case, so a person is not surprised if a ticket is received.

Lastly, Newsday reported that 60% of fines will pay for work zone projects, and 40% will go to the vendor. This seems like a high take for the corporation involved and a poor use of the public’s money.

Ultimately, we hope the public is considerate of other drivers, as well as road workers, and we hope the state is considerate of the public in implementing this program.

Local residents toast George Washington’s visit

This past Saturday local residents gathered on the corner of Bayview Avenue, East Setauket, and Route 25A to commemorate the 233rd year of our first president George Washington’s visit to Setauket on April 22, 1790. Several in attendance read excerpts about Washington and his life, including a poem written by ChatGPT on Washington’s trip to the Roe Tavern in Setauket.

As many know, Washington came to Setauket during the first year of his presidency to meet with Capt. Austin Roe who ran a small tavern on what is now Route 25A near East Setauket Pond Park. Though the president’s diary was sparse about the true intentions for his five-day trip to Long Island, many believe it was to thank those who had been part of the Culper Spy Ring that was founded in Setauket and critical to Washington’s success against the British troops and mercenaries encamped in New York City.

This is the second year that local resident Rick McDowell and his brother Ken organized the gathering. They are already planning next year’s commemoration for another rousing cheer to our first president and to the Setauket spies who helped him win the War of Independence from Britain.

George Hoffman, Setauket

Maria’s No Mow May campaign

Sadly, Maria Hoffman passed away in 2022. She was someone who was involved in everything and anything that touched our

community — historical preservation, open space protection and environmental issues. There was no issue too large, or too small, that Maria wasn’t part of — and always achieved with a smile on her face. Her involvement was done with a quiet style and grace, and while her voice was soft and light, her influence was great.

Anyone who enjoys West Meadow Beach, the Setauket to Port Jefferson Station Greenway, the cultural, historical and art institutions in the area — they all need to give special thanks to Maria’s legacy.

Maria was an avid beekeeper. She loved her bees and maintained a number of hives.

Her eyes sparkled whenever she spoke about bees — she marveled at their unique abilities and intelligence.

And she was deeply concerned about the declining bee populations across the country.

To honor the legacy of Maria and to protect the bee, butterfly and bird populations, the Three Village Community Trust is kicking off its 1st annual Maria’s No Mow May campaign.

No Mow May is an international movement that first was popularized by Plantlife, an organization based in Salisbury, England\The simple goal of No Mow May is to allow grass to grow during the month of May, creating an important spring habitat for early season pollinators. No Mow May is really easy — do nothing!

Don’t apply any fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides or pesticides.

While community residents might not want to leave their entire lawn unmown for the month of May, just allowing a small area to be part of No Mow May will make a difference to the environment.

You’re likely to see yard signs saying “ join Maria’s No Mow May campaign throughout the community.

Join the Three Village Community Trust, your friends and neighbors in Maria’s No Mow May. Just like Maria — bee special!

Herb Mones President, Three Village Coummunity Trust

OFFICE HOURS

We are open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. After hours, leave a message 24/7 at 631-751-7744.

Rick MacDowell, Julie Fernandez, George Hoffman, Mark Dethloff, Janet MacDowell, Fran MacDowell and Ken MacDowell celebrate George Washington’s visit to Setauket. Photo by Alex Michel

Pizza, cookies and massages made the informal indulgence lists

An indulgence is like a gift we give ourselves.

No, it’s not always healthy, which is why we sometimes limit our indulgences. These indulgences, however, can go a long way to restoring our equanimity.

“decadent indulgence.”

Not everyone enjoys the same sugary treat. Alex appreciates a warm chocolate chip cookie, while his wife Michelle suggested that any dessert would do for her and that she doesn’t discriminate, which, I suppose makes her sugar sensitive.

A neighbor with four young kids enjoys shopping and jewelry, although some of the joy of those moments may come from getting out of the house and spending time on her own.

chocolate eclairs.

Another neighbor whom I’ve seen running regularly didn’t hesitate to add alcohol to the list of indulgences. His drink of choice, which he shared instantly after getting the question, is bourbon.

BY DANIEL DUNAIEF

In a nonscientific survey of people of different ages who were willing to respond to a question about their indulgences, I received a range of interesting responses. Sharing them, I hope, gives you a chance to consider what indulgence could improve your morning, afternoon, day or week.

Several people suggested that desserts were an indulgence. Maybe that’s because so many restaurants market their marquee confection as a “warm indulgence” or a

Chocolate made several people’s lists, although, given the size of the market for chocolate, consumption of this sweet is likely more of a routine than a periodic indulgence.

A close friend suggested that gelato was one of his favorite indulgences. He also shared a list of other pleasures, which includes skiing in fresh powder and sailing in Port Jefferson harbor.

Sticking to the food realm for a moment, a mother and her son both considered pizza an indulgence.

A friend in his mid-20s enjoys jalapeno kettle brand potato chips dipped in sour cream, while his longtime girlfriend partakes in a matcha latte.

In the frozen food section, a friend seeks out Italian ices.

Apart from food and drinks, a host of activities made the list.

A man in his mid-80s who leads an active life appreciates the opportunity to swim as often as possible.

For several people, reading a book without interruption is a welcome indulgence, breaks up the routine and transports them to other places, other times and other thoughts.

Julie, a friend whose company we like to keep regularly, enjoys siting on a beautiful, breezy beach with a book.

Kim, a friend I’ve had for well over a decade when our children started going to birthday parties together, shared a list that includes facials, a spa day, travel and

Noelle, who savors the chance to read a good book as well, loves foot massages, floating in a pool with her eyes closed and breathing underwater. Noelle is a scuba diver who hasn’t breathed underwater in a while, but is building up the momentum to return to the depths to search for some of her favorite aquatic friends.

Several close friends immediately highlighted the joy of a massage. That one resonates for me, as I accumulate stress in my upper back and neck and I can feel myself relaxing the moment someone works out the knots.

Another close friend loves spending time with her mother in a garden, listening to the origin story of flowers that came from the gardens of other relatives.

After listening to all these indulgences, I felt transported into the peace in other people’s lives. Asking about indulgences is a pleasant social icebreaker. To borrow from “Saturday Night Live”: indulgences, talk amongst yourselves.

In the middle of the last century, which is when I was growing up, no one I knew had ever heard of tofu. In fact, restaurants where we might have encountered tofu were few and limited to university campus neighborhoods like the sole Japanese restaurant near Columbia University on the City’s upper west side. But of course, in addition to all the other revolutions in the intervening years, we have eateries offering unending ethnic foods. Dining out has become a gastronomic visit to every corner of the globe. And I, and my family, have discovered tofu.

I love tofu.

has been linked to cancer, and further there was the concern that soy might affect fertility and even cause men to develop feminine characteristics.

In fact, after many years of trials and study, soy has not only been declared safe but also to be of possible benefit to good heart and metabolic health. Tofu offers considerable protein and all nine essential amino acids, B vitamins, healthy unsaturated fatty acids and assorted minerals, including calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. And according to a recent article in The New York Times, while isoflavones can “weakly mimic estrogens, they also seem to have anticancer, antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties.”

States, “those who consumed at least one serving of tofu or soy milk per week were 15 to 16% less likely to die than those who ate less than one serving per month.” There you have it, encouragement to eat tofu for our health. What about taste?

and clear whey are manipulated for different kinds of tofu,” according to The New York Times.”Texture is determined by whether and how the curds are pressed. Basic tofu options include silken, medium, medium-firm, firm, extra-firm and superfirm. Many dishes involve slicing, cubing and mashing tofu, but depending on its density, it can be scooped, crumbled and even grated.”

BY LEAH S. DUNAIEF

Now for a long while, tofu got a bad rap. Tofu is, of course, soy, and soy has relatively high levels of isoflavones, which are similar to the hormone estrogen. This hormone

Not only does soy seem not to promote breast cancer, studies have shown it may even lower such risk for women compared to those who ate little or no soy. It may even protect against prostate and lung cancers. Further studies have largely disproven any association of soy with diminished fertility or sperm count. And in a more than 30-year study of nearly 120,000 health care professionals in the United

Tofu is definitely more than a blob in a square package. It can be smoked, made into noodles, baked, shredded and flavored in unlimited ways. Tofu was invented some 2000 years ago in China and consumed throughout Asia. So now that 9% of United States households use tofu in multiple ways, we can helpfully categorize it as presented in three types: basic, chewy and intensely flavored. Like eggs and chicken, basic tofu’s flavor is neutral, which allows it to incorporate profitably any additional ingredients. It can serve in stir-fries or even crisped in an air fryer and presented with a dipping sauce, for example.

To prepare tofu, “high-protein food grade soybeans are soaked, made into soy milk and coagulated with a salt or edible organic acid or both. The resulting semisolid curds

You may have to visit Chinese or Vietnamese markets to go beyond silken and firm. Pressed (baked) tofu, tofu sheets and fried tofu are all made with chewy tofu. They can look like pasta if cut up into thin strips for a salad. White and red fermented tofu are deeply flavored and sold in jars at Asian markets in the condiments section. They can be fragrant, rich from sesame oil or spicy from chile.

Tofu can be used in place of animal protein, as a substitute for ricotta in lasagna or mozzarella in a caprese, or as a replacement for high carbs. Since it is already cooked, tofu can go anywhere without fuss.

See why I like it?

D. None of the above

Tofu is more than a blob … and why I like it.

Ward Melville holds third annual charity softball game

BY BILL LANDON DESK@TBRNEWSMEDIA.COM

Saturday morning marked Ward Melville’s softball team’s third annual charity softball game this year, recognizing Hampton Bays high school student Julia Scourakis.

Sports

Scourakis suffers from a rare form of Escobar syndrome with Arthrogryposis. There are only 70 cases documented worldwide and none with Julia’s specific genetic sequencing of this disease. Having endured 14 spinal and leg surgeries to date, Scourakis threw out the first pitch in the fundraising event to benefit the Southampton Fresh Air Home.

The Patriots hosted Deer Park in the non-league event where all the players donned T-shirts that said “Sometimes Real Superheroes live in the hearts of Small Children Fighting Big Battles”

Ward Melville eighth-grader Julianna Russ tossed a shutout performance for the Patriots in the 9-0 victory April 21.

Ward Melville 9 Deer Park 0

Photos by Bill Landon

Pictured clockwise from above, Ward Melville’s third annual charity softball game recognizing Hampton Bay’s high school student Julia Scourakis; Ward Melville eighth-grader Julianna Russ throws a shutout; Sara Kropp throws the runner out at first; Isabella Parente makes the play at first; Sophie Reed lays down a bunt; and Alicia Pepitone rips one deep in a home game against Deer Park.