Police beat: $1,000 theft in Huntington

By Joy Vestal

Dix Hills
The property at a house on Maryland Street was found damaged yesterday.

East Northport
A resident on Baylor Place called police yesterday to report that a person was trespassing on his property.

Fort Salonga
A resident on Creston Terrace said her digital camera was stolen today.

Greenlawn
A car on Carrol Place was damaged by vandals yesterday.

Huntington
A burglary was reported today in the early morning hours at Sweetser Pools & Spas on Mill Dam Road. The police report said a glass door was broken to gain entry. The owner said more than $1,000 in pool equipment was stolen.

Huntington Station
A woman shopping at the Old Navy store on New York Avenue told police her pocketbook was stolen yesterday.

Melville
A car was vandalized yesterday at Bertucci’s Restaurant on Walt Whitman Road.

South Huntington
Vandals damaged a car yesterday on Leefield Gate.

Huntington musician wins parenting award

Patricia Shih of Huntington has won a National Parenting Publications Award for her music in the category of children and families.

A musician since the age of 15, Shih has released five albums and one book during her career. The singer-sopngwriter has also appeared as a yearlong host for Cablevision’s family show, “Tell Me a Story.”

In June, she appeared before nearly 200,000 people at the Girl Scouts’ 95th Anniversary Sing-Along at the Washington Monument.

Huntington panel to discuss Broadwater

Plans for a floating natural gas terminal on Long Island Sound, which would be midway between Wading River and the Connecticut shoreline, will be discussed Monday, Sept. 10, at the Huntington Yacht Club.

A panel hosted by the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce will discuss the potential benefits and community concerns involved in the Broadwater Project, which was first proposed in November 2004. The panel will feature Froydis Cameron from Broadwater Energy and Adrienne Esposito from Citizen’s Campaign for the Environment, who will discuss the potential benefits and community concerns related to the Broadwater Project.

The folks behind Broadwater and an unrelated plan for a terminal off Long Beach contend that additional gas supplies in the region will help keep prices more stable. Local environmentalists and some politicians have opposed to the 1,200-foot-long floating gas barge proposed for the Sound.

The panel will meet from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at the yacht club, 95 East Shore Road in Huntington. For registration information contact the chamber at 631-423-6100 or email Info@HuntingtonChamber.com

Huntington hatches new shellfish partnership

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

In Huntington Harbor, reviving oyster and hard clam populations is nothing new. Since 2001, town officials have successfully spawned millions of seed oysters and clams at Gold Star Battalion Beach using simple seed-culturing devices.

But earlier this month, the restoration project took a new direction when the town announced it was teaming up with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. The new partnership, which has been in the works since March, will continue the town’s existing efforts while also boosting educational opportunities for aquaculturally-aware teens.

“Right now, we’re getting a feel for the town’s system,” said Matthew Sclafani, Cornell Cooperative’s senior extension director. “Shellfish are important to Huntington waters, not only because of the harvesting industry, but because of ecological benefits they bring. They provide a forage base for finfish and improve the water quality by filtering algae.”

According to Scalfani, Huntington has ties to shellfish harvesting that date back to the 1600s, although it didn’t become important to the local economy until the 1930s. In recent decades, however, the shellfish population has declined due to severe over-fishing, parasite and disease infections, and fluctuations in natural habitats, among other things.

To combat the problem, the town has used seed-spawning devices called Floating Upwelling System (FLUPSY), which are floating hatcheries that can grow marine animals. The first year, the town raised and released over 270,000 oysters and 750,000 hard clams. By 2004, four FLUPSY units generated one million seed oysters and two million seed clams.

“In FLUPSY units, shellfish can grow double or triple their size in a single month,” said Sclafani, noting that Huntington shellfish will now spawn at Cornell Cooperative’s shellfish hatchery in Centerport, then be released at planting sites in Huntington Harbor.

In anticipation of the new partnership, Councilman Stuart Besen wrote letters to local high schools and colleges encouraging the participation of science-minded students. This summer, five local interns – all of whom were Huntington residents – helped to monitor temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and record growth rates of the cultured shellfish.

“One element that we’re especially excited about is the educational component,” stated Besen, who proposed the partnership along with Councilwoman Glenda Jackson. “This program has opened up internship opportunities that provide real-time training.”

Besides Huntington, Sclafani said restoration efforts are also underway at other North Shore locations, but Cornell Cooperative doesn’t have shellfish population estimates.

Caption: Council members and program participants.

Huntington teacher married

Marisa Moccia and Joseph Damiano were married July 7 at St. Rocco’s Church in Glen Cove. The reception was at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach.

She is a teacher at Jefferson Primary School in Huntington and is the daughter of Benedetto and Nicolina Moccia of Glen Cove.

The groom is a supervisor for the Brickman Group Ltd. in Amityville and is the son of Gaetano and Milena Damiano of Glen Head.

The bride earned a master's in literacy from Adelphi University. The groom earned an associate's from Nassau Community College. They live in Glen Cove.

Police beat: Plasma TV taken in Huntington

By Joy Vestal

Centerport
Jewelry and a small amount of money were taken during a burglary yesterday at a house on Adams Street. The police report said entry was made through a kitchen window.

Yesterday a burglary was reported at a house on East Main Street. The police report said $1,000 and three guitars were taken.

Commack
Luggage was stolen today from a store on Commack Road. The police said the store owner gave them the license plate number of the car the thief was driving.

Dix Hills
A rear window on the driver-side of a car was broken yesterday on Hunting Hill Drive.

CDs and a digital camera were stolen yesterday from a car on Fox Lane.

East Northport
A rear tire was damaged yesterday on a car on Suffolk Place.

A woman was caught who had stolen $1,200 in merchandise from the Sears store on East Jericho Turnpike yesterday.

Greenlawn
A rear window was found broken today on a car on Carrol Place.

Huntington
A plasma television was stolen yesterday from the Option Next store on Main Street.

Vandals yesterday broke the windshield, antenna and rear view mirror on a Mazda on Gerard Street.

Huntington Station
A utility shed was broken into yesterday at a house on Beverly Road and a chain saw and other tools and supplies were stolen.

Money was taken yesterday during a burglary at a house on East 6th Street. The police report said entry was made through a rear window.

Melville
A rear window was broken yesterday on a car parked at Miss Dawn’s Child Care Center on Walt Whitman Road.

Greenlawn fair fires up tonight

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

If you live in or around Greenlawn, then you know all about the fireman’s fair, says John McKenna, chaplain of the Greenlawn Fire Department.

“It’s a big time tradition for everyone who lives here,” said an animated McKenna earlier this week. “People know it’s coming each year, and they really look forward to it.”

This weekend is no different. Starting tonight, the Greenlawn Fireman’s Fair invites families to enjoy rides, prizes and live music on the firehouse’s 3-acre parcel across from the Greenlawn Railroad Station on Boulevard Avenue. In its 105th year, the end-of-summer celebration is considered the oldest and largest fireman’s fair in New York State history.

As always, a colorful parade of Huntington firefighters, fire trucks and bagpipe and brass bands will kick off the four-day festival. The procession begins tonight at 7 p.m. (Show above is a previous parade.)

“Our fair committee has been hard at work all summer,” explained Scott Demarest, chief of the Greenlawn Fire Department. “This year’s grand prize is a 2008 Pontiac Solstice.”

According to McKenna, the annual fair has operated continuously since 1906, when Teddy Roosevelt was U.S. President. In those days, most prizes were homegrown vegetables donated from local family farms or livestock, chickens, ducks and rabbits. At today’s fair, he says, all the bunnies are now “multi-colored and stuffed.” In addition, a merry-go-round has replaced pony rides.

The latest addition to the fair will be a Child Identification Program (CHIP) booth, operated by the Grand Lodge of New York Masons. The program will provide parents with a DVD containing their child’s photograph, fingerprints and other vital information, which is a critical resource should their child ever go missing.

“The fair is a great opportunity for us, because it’s well-attended and full of kids,” stated Roy Puckhaber, a mason member, who hopes to ID over 1,000 children at the fair. “The more children that participate, the more chances we have of making a difference. If we help only one child, that makes it all worthwhile.”

The fair is open through Saturday (closed on Sunday), then wraps up on Monday. Other events at the fair include a performance by Time Was, a 1950s doo-wop quartet. There is no admission charge to the fair.

115 at meeting on Asharoken erosion

By Deborah S. Morris
deborah.morris@newsday.com

Residents of Asharoken gathered last night at a sometimes tense meeting to discuss the court ruling against the village in it’s battle with KeySpan Energy over beach erosion.

Village officials and residents had argued in the $20-million lawsuit that the high-powered expulsion of about 1 million gallons of water per minute from the utility’s Northport power plant into Long Island Sound continues to disturb the flow of sand to the shore.

The village believes that if undisturbed, the sand would build up on the beach, which would create a protective barrier against waves during storms.

Mayor William Kelly (in photo above) was notified July 3 of the judges decision to throw out the 11-year-old suit, which was filed against the former Long Island Lighting Co.

Now after spending $1 million and losing, Kelly wanted to give residents a chance to voice their opinion on what to do next.

“We haven’t made a decision,” Kelly told the 115 people who had gathered in the auditorium of the Laurel Avenue School in Northport. “We won’t make a decision until sometime in September. But I think we have a good chance on appeal.”

Most of those polled said they wanted to appeal the decision.

“I thought the lawsuit would have been in the village’s favor,” said Greg Blower, a six-year Asharoken resident. “So I think we should appeal. No question.”
Others suggested a sit down with KeySpan and other elected officials. Or forget the appeal and have the village buy its own sand.

“I can’t decide to move ahead with the appeal. That is up to the client to decide,” said Richard Dolan, who said his law firm had agreed to a flat fee of $100,000 to mount the appeal, which could take at least a year for a decision. He said a record of appeal was filed on July 30th.

The judge’s decision said the Army Corps of Engineers found a loss of 20,000 cubic square yards of sand, according to Kelly.

Kelly said the village had been in touch with the Army Corps of Engineers to try to enlist its aid. “We didn’t get a decision,” he said, “but we got a promise of a decision,” which is expected next month. He said he is considering suing the Army Corp of Engineers over unenforced permits.

KeySpan Energy, which now owns the plant and inherited the suit, had always disputed the beach erosion was the plant’s fault.

“If the Army Corp does the right thing maybe we won’t have to appeal,” Kelly said. “Let’s wait and see.”

Huntington Station boy aided stray animals

By Tim Healy
tim.healy@newsday.com

Skip the top row for a minute and find the small boy with the proclamation.

He’s Adam “A.J” Swicicki, an 8-year-old from Huntington Station whose recent good deeds were noticed by an official at the town’s animal shelter.

A.J. raised $40 by collecting hundreds of recyclable bottles and cans and used the money to buy toys for homeless cats and dogs at the shelter in Northport.

“We used to go to the animal shelters all the time, just to pet them, and to say hello to them,” explained his mother, Laura Aloe. “And then we always saved cans … so he decided that that’s what we were going to do, go to the store and buy all the animals toys.”

Aloe said shelter workers allowed A.J. to go to each cage and give each animal a toy. Someone from the shelter notified Councilwoman Glenda Jackson about A.J.’s deed, and she arranged for him to receive a proclamation Tuesday night just before the Town Council meeting.

Strays have not been the only recipient of A.J.’s charity. He has been collecting food and donating it to a local church for three years to feed the needy, beginning as a scout. He collected between 250 and 300 cans during November in each of the past two years, according to his mother.

Joining A.J. in the photo above are, from left, Town Council members Jackson, Mark Cuthbertson, Frank Petrone (the supervisor), Susan Berland and Stuart Besen.

Police beat: Bicycles stolen in Dix Hills

By Joy Vestal

Centerport
A resident on North Drive said her lawn signs were stolen yesterday.

Yesterday, a passenger window was broken on a car on Center Shore Road.

Commack
An iPod and radio were stolen from a car on Donna Lane yesterday.

A resident on Pawnee Drive called police yesterday when he saw someone breaking into his car.

Dix Hills
A Charter Avenue resident said his family's bicycles were stolen from their backyard yesterday.

A bicycle was stolen yesterday from the front yard of a house on Dix Hills Road.

Yesterday, tires on construction and landscaping trucks were punctured by vandals on Baldwin Path.

Halesite
The owner of a 1991 Land Rover reported it stolen today on Mill Dam Road.

Huntington
A resident on Southdown Road found her basement window broken yesterday.

Huntington Station
A car was broken into yesterday on Broadway and an ID card and money were taken.

Yesterday, the GPS unit was stolen from a Edward Don Company car on Walt Whitman Road.

Police reported yesterday that a car was set on fire on East 10th Street.

A cell phone and calling card were stolen today from a car on Tippin Drive.

Melville
A 32-inch television was reported stolen yesterday from the American Home Mortgage Company on Expressway Drive South.

Huntington supervisor's new chief of staff

By Sid Cassese
sid.cassese@newsday.com

Fran Evans, the long-time aide to the Nassau County Legislature’s Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs, is leaving to become chief of staff and director of public information for Town of Huntington Supervisor Frank Petrone. “And I’m happy to get her,” he said Wednesday.

Evans, who lives in Huntington, is a former managing editor for all 15 of the weekly Herald community newspapers covering Southwest Nassau County. She has been with Jacobs since 2000. There she first was press secretary, then director of public policy and, at the beginning of last year, named chief of staff. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from SUNY Stony Brook and, according to Petrone, will earn roughly what she earned at the legislature, $111,300 annually and will begin September 10.

Evans’ replacement with Jacobs has not yet been named.

Asharoken meets tonight on erosion

Asharoken’s village board will hold a public meeting tonight at 7:30 to discuss the village’s next step in the wake of a court ruling against it in a long battle with KeySpan Energy over beach erosion.

Mayor William Kelly said the village had been in touch with the Army Corps of Engineers to try to enlist its aid. “We didn’t get a decision,” he said this afternoon, “but we got a promise of a decision,” which is expected next month.

Kelly also said an attorney for the village would be present to talk about appealing the court’s decision to throw out the suit, which had been filed against the former Long Island Lighting Co. Village officials and residents had argued in the $20-million lawsuit that high-powered expulsion of about 1 million gallons of water per minute from the utility's Northport power plant into Long Island Sound disrupts the flow of sand to the shore. The judge's decision said the Army Corps of Engineers found a loss of 20,000 cubic square yards, according to Kelly.

KeySpan Energy, which now owns the plant and inherited the suit, had always disputed the beach erosion was the plant's fault.

Tonight’s hearing is to take place at the Laurel Avenue School in Northport.

Huntington OKs $4.5M water project

The Huntington Town Board gave unanimous approval last night to a $4.5-million plan to increase and improve facilities of the South Huntington Water District and authorized bonds to finance the project.

The largest of the three sections of the project involves building a water treatment plant for two of the wells at the district’s Downs Road facility in West Hills, where trace elements of volatile organic chemicals have been detected in the water. (For more details, click here).

The board also approved the construction of improvements to the Mill Dam Causeway in Centerport, with an estimated maximum cost of $2.5 million, subject to a permissive referendum. The project would be financed with town bonds.

Huntington’s big screen goes old school

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Following a rainout of “Grease” in late July, Huntington officials received swarms of phone calls and emails from disappointed fans.

“It became evident how many people were looking forward to a classic movie,” said Councilman Mark Cuthberston, who directs the town’s Movies on the Lawn program.

On Thursday night, the town is giving residents what they wanted when it presents a drive-in performance at Crab Meadow Beach in Northport of “American Graffiti,” George Lucas’s 1973 film about a group of teens on the final night of their post-graduation summer vacation. Prior to the 8:45 p.m. show time, a classic car display will take place at the beach.

“Since we began the program four years ago, we’ve been asked to present a movie like this,” stated Cuthbertson. “We thought we had that request covered this year when we included ‘Grease’ in the movie lineup, but unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side.”

So far this summer, attendance to Movies on the Lawn has been somewhat spotty, due to weather. Specifically, the opening screening of “Curious George” attracted a modest 250 people and was shortened by rain, while “Grease” was rained out and moved indoors. Earlier this month, “Flushed Away” attracted a sizable crowd of more than 400 spectators.

In this case, “American Graffiti” will be shown outdoors rain or shine, officials say. Gates will open at 6 p.m. for those wishing to display and view vehicles.

“It won’t be a drag race, but I’m sure it’ll bring back memories to many viewers,” joked Cuthbertson, noting the American Film Institute voted the film to its 100-best list.

Parking is limited, so moviegoers wishing to display a car must call 631-351-3112. Overflow parking will be available at the Crab Meadow Golf Course on Waterside Road, and bus service will be provided back and forth to the beach.



Caption: Councilwoman Glenda Jackson and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson in front of some vintage cars.

Police beat: Bias and vandalism

By Joy Vestal

Commack
A car radio was stolen yesterday on Harvest Lane.

A man called police from his doctor's office on Veterans Memorial Highway yesterday after he found bias words written on his parked car.

A theft was reported yesterday at The Gap store on East Jericho Turnpike.

A car drove across the ballfield at Flynn Park on Old Northport Road yesterday and damaged it.

Dix Hills
A burglary was discovered yesterday at a house on Clarendon Street. The police report said the front door was kicked in to gain entry.

A man on Elliott Avenue told police he was robbed yesterday by two men who threatened him with a gun and a knife.

East Northport
Graffiti was found yesterday in the rear of a shopping center and on a Cedarhurst Paper company truck on Larkfield Road.

Huntington Station
A resident on Cortelyou Street told police today he was having a on-going problem with vandals damaging his car and property.

South Huntington
A Greenhills Road resident said vandals damaged her mailbox yesterday.

Northport and Huntington food drive

More than a dozen volunteers turned out for a food drive for people and pets in need at the Stop & Shop supermarket in Northport and at Waldbaum’s in Huntington Village on Friday.

The group, led by Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) collected more than ten shopping carts full of non-perishable canned and boxed food items donated by generous shoppers.

The food was given to the Community Food Council of Huntington, a not-for-profit food pantry in Huntington Station, and to the Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center, a no-kill animal shelter in Huntington.

Caption: Cooper, center, with, from left, Greg Laverriere, Terese Van Schultz, Andrew Klein, Jeanette Allsopp, Alexa Bacchi, Ali Casey and Kevin Casadei.

Greenlawn American Legion seeks riders

An American Legion post in Greenlawn is looking for riders to join a motorcycle association connected with the post.

“We ride in the parades and that type of stuff,” explained Dennis Giunta, the post’s vice commander and the organizer of the group. “But it’s also to promote motorcycle safety,” and to work on American Legion projects. “We collect the flags that have to be burned … that are old.”

Legion members need not be associated with the Greenlawn post to join the Legion Riders. “If someone doesn’t have a chapter in their post they can come and join ours,” Giunta explained. The group now has four members, each a member of the post as well.

“I thought it would be something to bring in some young people as well, because it tends to be a much older organization,” he added.

Legion Riders began in Michigan in 1993, according to the national group’s Web site, and now has members in 48 states. Other Suffolk chapters include Brentwood, Hampton Bays and Sayville.

For information about joining, contact Giunta at 631-754-4281 or e-mail him at dendelion@aol.com

Huntington school chief: Not resigning

By Deborah S. Morris
deborah.morris@newsday.com

As controversy continues to swirl in the Huntington School District over the demotion and later reinstatement of its high school principal, the man at the center of the turmoil dismissed rumors he was stepping down.

“I haven’t resigned and I don’t plan on resigning,” said Richard McGrath, school board president, before a regularly scheduled meeting of the board last night.
McGrath did not attend the meeting because of a previous commitment.

“I have a meeting at my company headquarters in Dallas,” said McGrath, a tax accountant. “The trip was already planned and I couldn’t get out of it. It has nothing to do with last week.”

McGrath, board president since July, district superintendent John Finello and school board vice president Robert Lee were named in a discrimination lawsuit filed by Principal Carmela Leonardi on Aug. 17 after she was demoted.

In the lawsuit, Leonardi alleged the three officials were systematically trying to remove her over her desire to help Hispanic students. She said she was transferred to a post heading the district’s alternative high school, a position created specifically for her by McGrath.

In her suit, Leonardi says district officials’ contempt for her grew after a January board meeting at which she translated for Spanish-speaking parents.

About 35 percent of the high school’s 1,200 enrollment is minority.

At two packed board meetings last week, including a special meeting Thursday night, Leonardi received overwhelming support from those in attendance. At Thursday’s meeting, the seven-member board reinstated her by a vote of 5-1. Lee did not attend that meeting.

During Thursday’s public comment portion, Jefferson Primary School Principal Margaret Evers told the board she, too, had been scolded by a board member for translating part of a Back to School Night speech into Spanish.

McGrath has declined to comment on Leonardi’s transfer, but now that she has been reinstated he said he wants to move forward.

“Dr. Leonardi is my kids’ principal,” he said. “She made the appeal and she was reinstated, so I’m behind her. We’re all behind her.”

Leonardi’s attorney, Steven Morelli, has said they will “wait and see” before deciding whether to proceed with the lawsuit.

Planting a farmer’s market in Northport

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Citing the success of Huntington’s Elm Street market and other local farm stands, the Village of Northport is now harvesting plans for its own flock of fresh food vendors. The new venue should be launched in the coming weeks at the Cow Harbor parking lot, located between Main Street and Woodbine Avenue, according to village officials.

In mid July, Huntington’s Town Board issued the village a unanimous thumbs-up, which was necessary since the Cow Harbor lot is situated on a town-owned parcel of land. Trustee Henry Tobin says he’s now finalizing insurance conditions and securing vendors, a task that’s proven to be a slight challenge so far.

“It’s been hard to find vendors, because Long Island’s farming industry is declining, while the demand for local farmer’s markets has risen,” said Tobin, noting that the village will likely start with a “handful” of sellers and expand the market in the fall or next year. “Most vendors want to wait-and-see the operation before they commit to jump on board.”

Currently, village officials are planning to host the market on Saturday mornings, which will coincide with the town’s 12-vendor venue on Elm Street, just East of Route 10. Since 1997, vendors say the Elm Street spot has seen a 15% boost in business each year, while the number of total vendors have more than doubled since the market’s early days.

“It’s helping farmers survive,” explained Ethel Terry of Orient’s Fred Terry Farms, who also coordinates the Long Island Growers Market, a network of 30 local vendors. “Farmers are like dinosaurs. In 15-20 years, there might be none left on Long Island, so these markets are an important way to keep our farming industry from dying out.”

The vendors—who each occupy a canopy-covered, 10-foot by 10-foot space—sell only what they “make, bake, grow or catch,” Terry says. At the Elm Street location, this includes fresh fruits, vegetables, ravioli, homemade cheese, breads, jellies and jams.

Amy Acierno, the jelly-selling owner of Miss Amy’s Preserves in Blue Point, says she joined the farmer’s market movement in the late 1990s after a trip to California.

“I ended up leaving my corporate job, and I just fell in love with the whole scene,” said Aciero, whose calls her Huntington customers “borderline cult-ish.” “In recent years, people have become more aware of what’s entering their mouth, lately because of trans fats. People also like the intimacy of talking to farmers directly.”

Nick Horman of Horman’s Best Pickles agreed. He calls the farmer’s market scene a “growing phenomenon” that’s spread via word of mouth.

“We really don’t advertise at all,” he explained.

In addition to appearing at Elm Street, Horman also sells his old-fashioned pickles at farmer’s markets in Mineola, Patchogue, Islip, West Hampton, Sag Harbor and Lynbrook. According to Terry, there’s a waiting list of municipalities looking to attract local vendors, but not enough vendors to go around.

“Everyone likes to drive out east and enjoy the beautiful farmland each summer, but it won’t be there much longer unless we buy what they’re producing,” said Acierno.

Vendors interested in Northport’s new market should call Tobin at 631-757-6577.

Police beat: Surf board and bike stolen

By Joy Vestal

Centerport
A car was broken into Saturday on Harbor Circle and some small change was stolen.

Commack
Police reported Friday that a car was set on fire on Marvin Lane.

A 20-inch “Hard” bicycle was stolen Saturday in front of a house on Mare Lane.

East Northport
A pair of eyeglasses were stolen Friday from a car on Abby Drive.

Halesite
A car was broken into today and an iPod adaptor was stolen on Duncan Lane.

Huntington
A surf board valued at $950 was stolen from the Snow, Skate & Surf store on Main Street Friday. The owner told police she accidentally left it outside the store overnight and when she returned in the morning it was gone. However, she said the board did have two locks on it that were removed.

The owner of a 2003 Honda Accord said it was stolen Friday on Valley Lane.

Windows on several cars parked in different locations on Gerard Street were broken and items were stolen Friday.

A Walden Place homeowner found a window on his house broken Saturday.

A pocketbook was stolen Saturday from a car in a parking lot on West Carver Street.

Graffiti was found Sunday on a fence on Henhawk Lane.

Some items were stolen Sunday from a car on Rocklyn Court.

West Hills
A resident on Mark Court reported Friday that her credit cards were stolen and used illegally.

Huntington town board to meet

The Huntington Town Board meets tomorrow night at 7 and is expected to appropriate $4.5 million to increase and improve facilities of the South Huntington Water District. The board is also expected to authorize the issuance of bonds to finance the appropriation.

The largest part of the project involves building a facility to remove contaminants that have been detected in small amounts in water drawn in West Hills. For an earlier, detailed story, click here.

According to the board’s preliminary agenda, it will also consider whether to authorize:

The construction of improvements at the Veterans Park Complex costing an estimated $4.5 million. $3,210,000 of that amount would be paid with available town funds and the rest financed with bonds.

The comptroller to appropriate funds for recommended work at William Byrne Park and Breezy Park.

The construction of improvements to the Mill Dam Causeway in Centerport, with an estimated maximum cost of $2.5 million. That would be financed with town bonds.

Cold Spring Harbor biker back from Coast

He’s home.

Cold Spring Harbor senior Kent Gillin returned to the Island this weekend after completing his 1,045-mile bicycle trip from Vancouver, British Columbia, to San Francisco to raise money for a charity of Hall of Fame hockey player Pat LaFontaine.

Gillin and his father, Paul, raised close to $28,000 on their ride, which they finished on Thursday.

“It was really cool.” Gillin said today. “It’s kind of hard to explain, since I had no idea of what it would be like.” He added that he was most impressed by “Seeing a part of the country I’ve never seen before … that most people never see.”

Gillen kept a daily log of their trip, which began Aug. 5. Here is a portion from the final day:

“The Golden Gate Bridge has a wide walkway on each side, but only the east side was open today. As we pedaled along the walkway we dodged other bikers, pedestrians, Japanese pedestrians that prefer to walk on the left and a straggling band of about 50 nuns that were on some sort of outing. Strangely, as we were going over the bridge a logging truck, heading north, zoomed by and as we have come to expect, showered us with bark. Perhaps a final salute from the Pacific Northwest.”

LaFontaine’s charity, the Companions in Courage Foundation, builds interactive playrooms in children’s hospitals throughout North America.

Click for an earlier story.

Caption: Kent and Paul Gillin at the end of their trip.

Music on Main Street

Coolfish, a Long Island rock and blues band, presents an afternoon concert of classics, including Greatful Dead and Beatles music, today at 4 at St. John's Episcopal Church.

The concert, at the church's "Garden of Blessings" at Main and Prospect streets in Huntington, is free, although donations are accepted. For information, call 631-423-7404. The learn more about the band, visit their Web site.

Weddings with a local connection

Gena Marie Ferrara and Christopher Emerson Topping were married July 13 at Fox Hollow, with a reception following. She is a history teacher at Wheatley High School and is the daughter of Barbara and Angelo Ferrara of East Williston. The groom is a history teacher at Cold Spring Harbor High School and is the son of Cathy Topping of Garden City and Vaughn Topping of Mineola. The bride earned a master’s in history from Fordham University. The groom earned a master’s in history from St. Michael’s College. They live in Garden City.


Kerri McCormick and Travis Daniels were married March 30 at Sunset Da Mona Lisa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with a reception following. She is the daughter of Dolores and Hank McCormick of East Northport. The groom is the son of Joyce and Dave Daniels of Parker, Colo. They live in Denver.

Police beat: No picnic in Centerport

By Joy Vestal

Centerport
A stereo system was stolen Thursday from a car on Meahon Place.

Police Friday reported that a picnic table was set on fire at the park on Little Neck Road.

Commack
A resident on Pickwick Drive found the roof on his car damaged Thursday.

Vandals damaged the property Thursday at a house on Smiths Lane.

Melville
The front lawn was found damaged Thursday at a company on Old Country Road.

Documentary done on Lloyd Harbor site

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

When Jamie Cohen heard that a Hofstra University archeological team would be digging near the Joseph Lloyd Manor House in July, he instantly wanted to get involved.

Cohen, a graduate student and adjunct professor, had been fascinated by the hidden mysteries of the historic site, which is rumored to have once housed Colonial-era slaves. So for five weeks, the outgoing Cohen and fellow student filmmaker Nicole Samartino decided to videotape the 16-person team on their unique quest to unearth Long Island’s past.

"We were a little anxious the first two weeks, because they didn’t find anything," explained Cohen. "But then, they started to uncover old ceramics, pipes and oyster shells. Long Island’s slavery is not well-recorded, so this project is very important in that respect."

According to team leader Chris Matthews, historical records reveal the Lloyd family owned 10 slaves in 1790, while a map shows a structure with a chimney at the dig’s location, but does not label it. During the project, the Hofstra team dug nine holes that revealed the foundations for three of the structure’s four walls. They also found about 1,000 artifacts, which they plan to analyze this winter to surmise whether slaves lived in the building.

Cohen’s documentary tells the story. Entitled "A Sense of Place," the brief piece is currently available for viewing on Current TV’s website, which is an independent media led by former U.S. Vice President, Al Gore. For the most part, the website features "pods," or short programs, of which 30% are created by viewers and are documentary in nature.

"My goal with the documentary is to spread the newly-researched genre of archeology to as many people as possible," explained Samartino, 20, the video’s associate producer, who admitted she was "blown away" by the dig. "All our lives in school we’ve been taught that slaves were in the South and came to the North to be free, but that’s a generalization. These slaves were living right here in our backyards. That’s a pretty intense subject."

Matthews agrees, which is why he’s employing proper archeological processes, so not to "ruin" the site. His team of students and local volunteers dug in horizontal layers, letting the soil tell the story. So far, some of the more noteworthy findings include piles of shells and markings on doorways that might be symbolic of African religious beliefs.

"We’re looking for evidence that shows the space was used by an African culture, versus a European culture," said Matthews, whose team will continue the dig next summer. "Archeological digging is like reading a book from back to front. It’s quite fascinating."

Cohen added that archeology essentially "gives a voice to things forgotten."

"It’s truly amazing to know that people, seemingly slaves, once sat there," he said, noting that Jupiter Hammon, America’s first published black poet, was one of the 10 slaves.

So far, Cohen’s Lloyd Harbor documentary has been viewed about 400 times and garnered positive feedback. If it collects a high number of a "green lights" from viewers, Cohen says it will be aired on Current TV’s nationally syndicated station available via a number of television providers, such as DirecTV and Dish Network, but not Cablevision.

"There’s not an exact number of green lights that leads to a television appearance," said Cohen, who plans to expand the documentary into a longer piece this fall. "So far, we have 45 votes. We’d love to get it on TV and share it with as many people as possible."

To view "A Sense of Place," click on the following link: http://www.current.tv/watch/133242702.

Police beat: A/C condensors and motor stolen

By Joy Vestal

Commack
A trailer was broken into at Arthur’s Nursery on Commack Road, and a leaf blower and weed wacker were stolen on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Dix Hills
A motorist on Otsego Avenue said a pellet gunshot damaged a fender on his car on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

East Northport
A report was made to police that vandals broke a swing set and some windows at the 5th Avenue Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Fort Salonga
A Meadow Glen Road resident found her mailbox damaged on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Greenlawn
A car on Stratsford Avenue was broken into and an iPod was stolen on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Huntington
A Ford mini-van was broken into on Wall Street and makeup and other personal belongings of the owner were taken on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

An outboard motor was reported stolen at Huntington Harbor on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Huntington Station
The driver-side window was broken and the battery cable was cut on a car at the Long Island Rail Road station on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Northport
Two air conditioning condensors were reported stolen from the Washington-Mutual bank on Fort Salonga Road on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

South Huntington
A lawn ornament was stolen from the yard of a house on Pioneer Boulevard on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

A car was broken into on Teed Street and money was taken on Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Road work in Huntington

The YMCA says it has been informed by The Town of Huntington that there will be Road Paving on Jackson Avenue today and tomorrow.

Huntington Station security program

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Since its installation in 2004, Huntington Station’s security program has expanded from a modest three-camera system to 10 cameras worth over $60,000. It’s also assisted the Second Precinct in several car crash investigations, stolen credit card cases, stabbings and even a shooting.

The success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Early last month, the Suffolk County Legislature joined the effort by launching a pilot program to study the town’s model and determine just how effective the security cameras are in reducing crime and apprehending criminals. If all goes according to plan, the Huntington Station prototype could later be implemented in other high-crime areas throughout the county.

“If we want to combat crime from Melville to Montauk with our limited resources, we need to think outside the box,” said Legislative Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Huntington). “I’m thrilled that the task force choose an area representative of Suffolk’s urban character.”

Created by the Huntington Station Business Improvement District Association (BID), the existing program has the $6,000 cameras affixed to buildings on the New York Avenue and Depot Road corridors linked to a computer monitoring station at the BID headquarters. Each location has an indoor digital video recorder (DVR), which saves all captured images.

The high-tech cameras are programmed to record 24 hours a day while regularly sweeping 50-yard sections of their assigned locale.

“Initially, I thought of hiring an off-duty police officer to patrol the district in a car,” explained BID Treasurer Brad Rosen, who developed the organization’s security plan. “But I saw no end to the funding that requires, so I decided to look into installing cameras.”

Cameras and support equipment are financed from a property tax levy on businesses within the Huntington Station district. One business owner is William Ahern, president of Ahern’s Landscape Company on Pulaski Road.

“In Huntington Station, there’s a lot of crime,” he stated. “I really believe this pilot program will be vital to helping the police keep an eye on things and keep people in line.”

According to Cooper’s office, the “Safe Communities Initiative” will last 18 months. To launch the pilot program, Cooper created a 12-member task force of experts from the police department, the district attorney’s office and civic leaders in early 2006. The pilot program officially launched on July 1.

The Second Precinct’s Crime Section and Detective Squad will document the number, types and locations of recorded crimes for a final report completed sometime in early 2009.

Police beat: Tires slashed in Commack

By Joy Vestal

Commack
A resident on Sycamore Lane said vandals broke his lawn lights Tuesday.

Jewelry was taken Tuesday during a burglary at a house on Smiths Lane.

The tires on a car on Starlight Drive were found damaged Tuesday.

Two tires were slashed Tuesday on a car on Pickwick Drive.

Dix Hills
A homeowner on Westcliff Drive called police Tuesday and told them vandals set off fireworks that hit the front door of his house.

East Northport
A Mason Court resident said vandals threw a garbage bag of bottles through a rear window of his car Tuesday.

On Tuesday a utility shed at a house on White Horse Court was broken into and a power washer was stolen.

Greenlawn
Yesterday, a car on Lantern Street was keyed and a windshield and side window were broken.

A car on Ridley Court was broken into and a cell phone and money were stolen Tuesday.

Halesite
A car was broken into Tuesday on Ketewomoke Drive and an iPod, a pair of sunglasses, a hard drive and a wallet were stolen.

Huntington
A car was broken into yesterday on Hildreth Avenue and items were stolen.

Huntington Station
A Carla Court resident said a car hit his mailbox Tuesday.

Police beat: iPods and iPhones taken

By Joy Vestal

Commack A resident on Fulton Boulevard said she found a name scratched on the trunk of her car yesterday.

Dix Hills A burglary was discovered yesterday at the Citgo gas station on East Jericho Turnpike. The police report said some change was taken.

East Northport A Mason Court resident said vandals threw a garbage bag of bottles through a rear window of his car today.

Greenlawn A car window was found broken yesterday at the Long Island Rail Road station.

Huntington A car was broken into yesterday in a parking lot on East Jericho Turnpike and a cell phone, iPod and camera were taken.

Huntington Station A car was broken into yesterday at the Long Island Rail Road station and stereo CD player was stolen.

Huntington Station A window was broken yesterday on a car on 9th Avenue.

Huntington Station A man told police he lost his wallet yesterday at a laundromat on New York Avenue but he called back later to tell them that the attendant said he had found it.

Melville A burglary was discovered today at an AT&T Wireless store on Route 110. The police report said Apple iPhones were stolen.

Northport Today, Copper pipes were reported stolen today from the Engelmann Fuel Oil Company on Fort Salonga Road.

South Huntington A Liberty Street resident said she found three cut marks in the roof of her car yesterday.

Huntington's message: Slow down.

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

For most Long Islanders, the start of a school year means stocking up on pens, pencils and other office supplies. In Huntington, it also means the return of speed machines.

Since 2004, the town’s eight school districts have strategically positioned the units throughout various school zones and crosswalks, hoping to sway drivers to ease off the gas. Overall, the program has reaped positive reviews, although some question its lasting effects.

“We do notice an improvement in speed reduction when the machines are there, but it’s hard to know if people keep it up or return to their ways once we move the device,” said Beth Izzo, spokesperson for Haborfields Central School District.

Currently, Huntington owns eight Galaxy Series RS-20 units—one for each district—with 12-inch matrix LED characters that display speeds ranging from 5 to 99 miles per hour. The school districts are responsible for daily placement until the end of the school year, at which time the devices are returned to the town for summer storage and maintenance.

At a cost of $2,500 each, the speed machines were proposed by Councilman Mark Cuthbertson after he spotted them in Brookhaven Town school zones several years ago.

“After a few weeks, people get used to them and slow down instinctively,” he said. “Our hope is the machines help drivers to become speed conscious, especially near schools.”

A ninth Galaxy machine is available for temporary use by civic organizations or neighborhood watch programs, Cuthbertson said, if they have a trouble spot to monitor.

He did not pinpoint particular roads or intersections benefiting from the units, however, instead saying the aim is to rotate locations and deter speeding in all areas of a school zone.

South Huntington School District, for example, uses a two-week rotation schedule throughout the district, coordinated by its Grounds Department and school principals.

“Wherever the speed machine is in use, drivers respond to the reminder and they do indeed maintain the posted speed,” stated Steve Bartholomew, district spokesperson.

Bartholomew also admitted, however, that there’s no data proving whether drivers continue to obey posted speeds, or return to their previous habits, once machines are moved.

“It really depends on the person,” Izzo said.

Police beat: Cars shot in Dix Hills

By Joy Vestal

Cold Spring Harbor:
A mailbox was damaged Aug. 18 at a house on Glen Way.

Commack:
Patio furniture was reported stolen Aug. 17 from a yard on Leslie Lane.

The front window at the All Island Beauty Supply Store on Jericho Turnpike was broken Aug. 18.

Dix Hills:
A woman shopping at the Stop N Shop store on East Jericho Turnpike Aug. 17 said her pocketbook was stolen.

The front window was broken Aug. 17 on a house on Jeanine Court.

A bronze statue of a elephant was reported stolen from the stoop of a house on Altessa Boulevard Aug. 18.

On Aug. 18 a motorist on Otsego Avenue told police he heard a gunshot and found a bullet hole in his car.

Vandalism was reported Aug. 18 at a house on Balsam Street.

A bullet hole was found Aug. 19 in a car on Millet Street.

A burglary was discovered today, Aug. 20 at the Citgo gas station on East Jericho Turnpike. The police report said some change was taken.

East Northport
Graffiti was found Aug. 17 on a sign at a store on Larkfield Road.

Jewelry was taken during a burglary at a house on 7th Street Aug. 17.

A Pamela Lane resident told police Aug. 18 her pool cabana was broken into and the stereo system was stolen.

A bicycle was reported stolen Aug. 18 from a yard on Graystone Drive.

On Aug. 19 vandals broke three double-pane windows at the Middle School on 5th Avenue.

A report was made yesterday that copper was stolen from a construction site on Larkfield Road.

Fort Salonga
A Heights Road resident said his lamp post was damaged Aug. 17.

Greenlawn
A car was broken into Aug. 18 on Beatty Avenue and a cell phone was stolen.

On Aug. 19 a window was broken on a car on Lawrence Street and credit cards were taken.

Huntington
A resident on Hennessy Drive found his mailbox damaged today, Aug. 17.

A car window was found broken Aug. 18 on New Street.

On Aug. 18 a resident on Edwin Lane found obscene words written in black ink on his car.

A woman on Green Street said she left her car for 40 minutes Aug. 19 and when she returned her pocketbook was missing.

Huntington Station
The license plates were stolen Aug. 17 from a car on Broadway and New York Avenue.

On Aug. 18 a store owner on New York Avenue said three men broke his window.

Graffiti was found Aug. 19 at a house on Ogden Court.

Melville
A burglary was reported today, Aug. 20 at a house on Wilmington Drive. The police report said a rear window was pried open to gain entry and jewelry was taken.

Northport
Gift cards and money were stolen Aug. 18 from a car on Laurel Hill Road.

Huntington High grad mobilized in Army

Defense Department announcement

Army Staff Sgt. James D. Infanger has been mobilized and activated for a future deployment to an undisclosed overseas location in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the Defense Department announced today.

In 1999, Infanger graduated from Huntington High School. He is the son of Daniel J. Infanger of Eisenhower Circle, Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Laura M. Infanger of Fairmont St., Huntington.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Infanger, a platoon sergeant, is normally assigned to the 1st Battalion, 158th Calvary, Easton, Md. The sergeant has six years of military service.

Click here for a gallery of stories about Long Islanders and spouses in the military.

Harborfields grad finished Navy basic

Defense Department announcement

Navy Seaman Matthew P. Kelly, son of Gene M. Kelly of Huntington and Paul J. Kelly of Huntington, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., the Defense Department announced today.

Kelly is a 2005 graduate of Harborfields High School in Greenlawn.

During the eight-week program, Kelly completed a variety of training
which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs,
first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and
aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is "Battle Stations". This exercise
gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the
fleet. "Battle Stations" is designed to galvanize the basic warrior
attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each
recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the
core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly ''Navy''
flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a Sailor.

Click here for a gallery stories about Long Islanders and spouses in the military.

Loaded backpacks for Huntington students

A group from the Old First Presbyterian Church will be meeting tonight to fill more than 60 backpacks with school supplies for needy children.

“Backpacks for Success” started last year, producing 36 loaded packs for students. The group will assemble in room 114 of Huntington Town Hall at 7 p.m. under the direction of Lori Kepler.

“I am a retired teacher,” Kepler said, “and I know how important it is to all students to start the school year off by being prepared.”

Under the program, new backpacks are purchased – mostly with money donated by someone from the church, although a few are purchased by other supporters. Families then buy items from the suggested school supply lists for grades Kindergarten through 12, stuff the backpacks and label them with the student’s first name.
The student list is provided by town’s Office of Human Services.
This year the program is also providing two college students with notebooks and bookstore cards from their colleges to help purchase text books.

Bocce blasts off at Mill Dam Park

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

For the first time, Long Island’s mentally-disabled athletes will face off on the court -- the bocce court.

This Sunday’s event, called “Bocce Blast 2007,” is expected to attract several dozen competitors with a passion for tossing two-pound balls down a narrow 76-foot-long court. It’s also expected to serve as a springboard for the local athletes to prepare for regional, state and world Special Olympics games in the coming years.

“There’s a stereotype that bocce is only played by old men, but we’re changing that,” said Peter Rabito, president of American Bocce Club in Huntington, who is planning the event. “I knew we didn’t have such a program, and it seemed like a really good way to give back.”

According to Rabito, bocce remains one of the Special Olympics’ newer sports, having been introduced at the World Games level for the first time in 1995. Since then, participation has exploded worldwide with over 90,000 mentally-disabled athletes competing, according to the organization’s most recent report released in 2005.

As a result, Rabito says, it seemed like the perfect time to launch “Bocce Blast,” which is being sponsored by the Special Olympics New York - Long Island Region, the Town of Huntington and Rabito’s American Bocce Club, which was created in 2004.

“This is not a tournament,” explained Rabito, who said this event will kickoff the Huntington-based Special Olympics Bocce Training program, which he will be conducting. “It’ll teach athletes the rules, how to play, and give them an overall introduction to the sport.”

Incidentally, “Bocce Blast” will be the town’s second bocce event this month. On August 5, a total of 25 four-person teams did battle at East Northport’s Elwood Park, as part of an annual town showdown between Huntington and Babylon’s bocce posses. This year, Huntington took top honors with resident Peter Vidilich’s team finishing first.

“Originally, it started as only seniors playing, but it’s become people of all ages,” said Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, who hosted along with Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone.

Rabito agreed, adding that people are now using town courts at all hours of the day, “while previously they’d be empty.”

The “Bocce Blast 2007” event will commence at 10 a.m. Sunday at Mill Dam Park in Huntington Village. For more information, call the Special Olympics New York – Long Island Region’s office at 631-254-1465.

Huntington festival goes out with a bang tonight

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

For most musicians, playing PVC pipes using flip-flops might seem a bit unusual. But for Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista, it’s as normal as playing a washboard using his fingernails, which he also does on occasion.


Tonight, Baptista and his high-energy multicultural ensemble Beat the Donkey will bring their unique show to Huntington as part of the town’s Summer Arts Festival. It’ll be the final summer concert for the two-month festival, which has hosted 51 music, theatre and dance acts since late June.

“We’re really going out with a bang,” explained Dianne Matus, public relations and development assistant for the Huntington Arts Council, which is producing the event.

According to Matus, the ensemble’s name, “Beat the Donkey,” emanates from a Brazilian expression that means, “Let’s go, let’s do it.” That description also reflects the band’s polyphonic sound, which is called a blend of jazz, funk, tap dance and martial arts.

From a visual angle, Baptista’s musicians are known to dress in elaborate costumes, while frequently leaving their primitive instruments to break into spontaneous dance.

“They’re fairly wild and crazy,” said Matus.

Born in Brazil, Baptista arrived in the U.S. in 1980. During his extensive career, he has performed on five Grammy Award-winning albums and toured with musicians, such as Yo-Yo Ma, Trey Anastasio, John Zorn, Herbie Hancock, Sting and Paul Simon. In July, he was named 2007 Percussionist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association.

Cyro Baptista and Beat the Donkey bring their rhythms to Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park at 8:30 p.m. tonight. For more information, call the Huntington Arts Council at 631-271- 8423 or visit huntingtonarts.org.

The week so far . . .

We watched local girls sing at Shea.
We saw a student of the "write" stuff.
We learned about a plan to help older residents.
We heard about drinking water pollution
We bid farewell to a Fresh Air Fund kid.
And we met a Space Academy graduate.

Orchestra hopes to pack Heckscher tonight

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com


If the weather cooperates, up to 4,000 Long Islanders could flock to Heckscher Park for the powerful sounds of the Long Island Philharmonic, says Executive Director Steven Belth.

“It’s packed every year,” said an enthusiastic Belth of tonight’s free event. “Hopefully, the weather will be great, because people come out in droves for this show.”

According to Belth, the philarmonic’s “Music Under the Stars” program will include American favorites, such as John Philip Sousa’s traditional tune, “Star & Stripes Forever,” to classics from Richard Rodgers and Leonard Bernstein, such as “West Side Story” selections. David Wiley will also conduct a salute to the armed forces and a medley of movie music.

Other performances will include solo cellist Zuill Bailey and The Metronomes, a collection of 25 string-playing Long Island students.

“It’s music at its highest level,” said Belth, suggesting that spectators bring blankets. “It’s really the ultimate sound. And being outdoors, there’s no amplification used either. It’s just high-quality musicians playing high-quality music.”

In its 28th season, the 60-person Long Island Philharmonic is the region’s largest performing arts organization. It was founded in 1979 by folk singer Harry Chapin and is currently the resident orchestra of the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville.

The Long Island Philharmonic’s performance will take place at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call the Long Island Philharmonics’s office at 631-293-2222 or visit liphilharmonic.org.

Weddings with a local connection

Kristina Kigin and Wayne A. Sitar were married July 20 at St. Kilian’s Church in Farmingdale. The reception was at the Thatched Cottage in Centerport. She is a first-grade special-education teacher for Wood Park Primary School in Commack and is the daughter of Maureen Kigin of Farmingdale and Michael Kigin of San Diego, Calif. The groom works in sales for ADP in Melville and is the son of Jeannie and Wayne Sitar of Commack. The bride earned a master’s in literacy from Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus. The groom earned a bachelor’s in business management from Manhattan College. They live in Commack.



Aisling Mulhern and Kevin Dono were married June 14 at Westwood House Hotel in Galway, Ireland. She is an associate for C.I.B.C. World Markets in Manhattan and is the daughter of Noel and Deirdre Mulhern of Dublin. The groom is a project manager for Misys in White Plains and is the son of Michael and Diane Dono of Commack and Kathy and Bill Massino of Huntington. The bride and groom each earned a bachelor’s from SUNY Albany. They live in Ossining.

For more wedding stories, or to announce your own wedding, visit LI Life and make a choice.

Police beat: Mailboxes damaged

By Joy Vestal

Commack: Vandals damaged a mailbox Thursday at a house on Gannet Drive.

Greenlawn: On Thursday, a Rutgers Lane homeowner said someone kicked her car and dented it.

Huntington: A resident on Browns Road told police her front window was broken by a pellet gunshot Thursday.

Huntington: On Thursday, vandals spray painted graffiti on a laundromat on New York Avenue.

Huntington: A resident on Hennessy Drive found his mailbox damaged today.

Huntington Station: A man on Magerus Steet said he was assaulted and robbed of $60 by three men on thursday.

Huntington Bay school supply drive

There are still two weeks left to contribute to a school supply drive sponsored by the Village of Huntington Bay.

The village is collecting new or unused supplies, including (but not limited to)pens, pencils, notebooks, binders, backpacks, lunchboxes, crayons, markers, rulers, calculators, erasers, scissors and glue.

Supplies, which will be given to the Suffolk County Department of Social Services for distribution, can be dropped off at Village Hall, 244 Vineyard Rd., from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Kristen Gerken at 631-427-2843.

Puppet show with a twist of nature

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Heather Henson, the daughter of late Muppets creator Jim Henson, will bring Florida’s ecosystem to life tonight.

Using translucent puppets, the former actress will create a world of migrating cranes, rolling pink clouds and wildly fluctuating weather that coincides with Florida’s urban sprawl. The unique show, entitled "Panther & Crane," will take place at the Chapin Rainbow Stage in Huntington’s Heckscher Park at 8 p.m.

"It’s a really interesting production," explained Dianne Matus, public relations and development assistant for the Huntington Arts Council, which is producing the event. "It’s also her first time performing here. She’ll have a lot friends and family in attendance."

Henson’s performance – which uses colored light, projections and mythic imagery – is part of two festivals: the Huntington Summer Arts Festival and "Puppets On the Sound." The latter, Matus says, is an international puppet festival that includes over 20 events presented by the Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington Arts Council and The Puppet Company.

"They’re great for both kids and adults," added Matus, noting the show is free.

Henson is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and has also attended the California Institute of the Arts. She also serves on both the Jim Henson Company and the Jim Henson Legacy Board of Directors. Her on-screen appearances include "The Muppets Take Manhattan," "Spies Like Us" and "Little Shop of Horrors" in the mid 1980s.

The "Puppets On the Sound" festival ends tomorrow with a performance by Happy Puppetry Company of Taiwan at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Police beat: vandalism and thefts

By Joy Vestal

Commack: A resident on Gannet Drive said her mailbox was damaged by vandals Aug. 15.

Dix Hills: A resident on Marlin Road said a window on his car was broken Aug. 15.

East Northport: A car was broken into Aug. 15 in a parking lot on Laurel Hill Road and items were stolen.

Greenlawn: A resident on East Maple Road reported a theft Aug. 15.

Huntington: A car was broken into Aug. 15 on Sweet Hollow Road and items were stolen.

Huntington: A car was found damaged Aug. 15 on the corner of Nassau and Woodhull Roads.

Huntington Station: Items were stolen Aug. 15 from a store on West Jericho Turnpike.

Northport: A burglary was reported Aug. 15 at a building on Main Street.

Volunteers sought for Huntington food drive

Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) is looking for volunteers for a food drive at two supermarkets next Friday for both people and pets.

Volunteers at the supermarkets will urge shoppers to buy and donate canned food that will then be given to the Community Food Council of Huntington, a not-for-profit food pantry in Huntington Station, and to the Little Shelter Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, a no-kill shelter in Huntington.

The drive will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Stop-N-Shop at 454 Fort Salonga Rd., Northport, and from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Waldbaum's at 60 Wall St., Huntington Village.

In a previous drive during the winter, more than 15 shopping carts of food were donated.

To volunteer, call Lora Gellerstein at Cooper's office, 631-854-4500.

East Northport woman learns “write” stuff

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Karen Cleveland of East Northport has been writing since she was a little girl, but didn’t “get serious” about her craft until she returned to college a few years ago.

Since then, the Elwood Middle School secretary has earned a B.A. in English from Dowling College, while authoring her first mystery novel, “The Secret at Lakeview Cove.” In mid July, she took her love of literature a step further by spending a week upstate at the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop, a program offered to children’s writers.

“I really wanted my work to become more genre specific,” explained Cleveland, who heard of the workshop through the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. “The program sounded like everything I needed. And it was.”

The Chautauqua-based clinic, which wrapped up its 23rd annual event on July 21, includes one-on-one sessions, roundtables and keynotes from industry leaders for $2,500. Genres span fiction to feature style with a focus on interaction between faculty and students. This year, 100 children’s writers from four countries and 32 states were in attendance.

As part of the program, Cleveland met in manuscript sessions with Joy Cowley, author of the kid’s book “Mrs. Wishy-Washy.” Cowley critiqued Cleveland’s pending novel, a middle-grade mystery about boys who spend the summer at their uncle’s fishing camp.

“She asked me if I had ever done an outline, which I hadn’t done,” said Cleveland, citing an example of Cowley’s advice. “It gave me a better sense of my story’s direction.”

Besides networking and writing tips, Cleveland also learned the value of discipline.

“Regardless of a writer’s busy schedule, we need to make time to write,” she said. “If we focus on writing a certain amount everyday, it really adds up over time.”

Cleveland, whose work is geared to children ages 8-12, is also a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, a worldwide organization for mystery-writing women. She expects to complete her second novel within the next five months and is still seeking a publisher for both books.

Northport student wins governor race

By Michael R. Ebert
michael.ebert@newsday.com

Move over, Eliot Spitzer. There’s a new governor in town. Her name is Julie Raisch, an outgoing senior at Northport High School.

In late June, Raisch was elected governor at the annual New York Empire Girls State, a weeklong “think camp” at SUNY Brockport College that teaches female students about the political process. Hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary, the weeklong workshop saw nearly 400 teenagers live together as self-governing citizens running political campaigns, debating and formulating legislation, among other things.

“I have a very strong interest in government and current events,” explained Raisch, who is currently an intern for Senator Chuck Schumer. “If I can get involved in politics, then I can influence public policy. It’s just something that I’ve always been interested in.”

During the development of their mythical “Girls State,” citizens were divided into 11 counties named for famous women and two political parties: Nationalists and Federalists. They then formed a model state government. Raisch, for example, assembled a 15-person campaign team and obtained both county and party nominations on her path to election.

While some candidates chose to employ a flashy or humorous campaign strategy, the resolute Raisch took a more straightforward approach.

“Ultimately, I think I was successful because I took my platform very seriously,” stated Raisch, who even vetoed one Homeland Security bill that she deemed as unethical.

“It lent itself to racial profiling,” she said.

Still, the biggest issue that concerns Raisch is the nation’s youth voter turnout, despite its rise to 24% of eligible voters between the ages of 18-29 in last fall’s elections, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

“A lot of kids my age don’t vote because they don’t know all the issues,” she said. “Also, they aren’t entirely familiar with how a government works. It takes time to learn.”

In addition to Empire Girls State, Raisch is involved in a number of other activities, including an Intel Research project. She and classmates also visited Nicaragua four times, helping to raise $250,000 for underprivileged people. She plans to major in political science.

Tonight: lecture and Latin jazz

Looking for something to do tonight? Here are two choices.

Arturo O'Farrill, winner of the Latin Jazz USA Outstanding Achievement Award in 2003, brings his trio to perform in Heckscher Park for free at 8:30. Also appearing is the Bobby Broom Trio.

Meanwhile, the Huntington Town Board is sponsoring a community awareness lecture tonight at 7 on the problem of world oil depletion. Sponsored by town councilman Mark Cuthbertson, the seminar is entitled Peak Oil: World Oil Depletion & The Coming Major Energy Problem. Isidore Doroski, chairman of the Riverhead Town Energy Advisory Committee will lead the discussion in room 114 at Town Hall. Doroski's goal, according to a board aide, is “to educate everyone he can on the subject of Peak Oil and motivate people to be part of the solution to this problem.”

Police Beat: Tools and copper pipes taken

Centerport: The owner of a candy store on Washington Drive said he found small round holes in his window that he thought might be from a pellet gun yesterday.

Commack: A car was vandalized yesterday on Motor Parkway.

Commack: A Toyota parked at Appleby's on Veterans Memorial Highway was reported broken into today and the GPS unit and a massage table were stolen.

Dix Hills: A burglary was reported today at a golf shop on Altessa Boulevard.

East Northport: The Fifth Avenue school was broken into today and a floodlight was broken and audio speakers may have been stolen.

Halesite: A Mill Lane resident told police his utility shed was broken into yesterday and tools and supplies were stolen.

Huntington Station: A paint sprayer was stolen yesterday from the Sherwin Williams store on New York Avenue.

Huntington Station: A window was broken yesterday on a car on Route 110 and the navigation system and a iPod were stolen.

Huntington Station: The driver-side window was broken on a Toyota today that was parked on Lowndes Avenue and items were stolen.

Melville: A car window was broken on Melville Park Road yesterday and the GPS unit was stolen.

Melville: The front passenger window was broken on a car on Broadhollow Road yesterday and the navigation system was stolen.

West Hills: Police received a report yesterday that two men were seen stealing copper pipes from a vacant house on Galway Place.

Getting your "Hand on Huntington"

By Tim Healy
tim.healy@newsday.com

The “Hands on Huntington” program wants to get the public’s opinion next week on how to improve access to social, recreational, occupational and health services for people over the age of 60 living in the shaded area of the map above.

The program is trying to establish what’s known as a “naturally occurring retirement community,” in an effort to help older residents stay in their homes while remaining active. The program, funded by the state, is a joint effort of the Town of Huntington and the F.E.G.S Health and Human Services System, working with the North Shore-LIJ Health System and the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center.

The program held its first meeting of a citizens advisory committee on July 26 in the Huntington Senior Activities Center on Park Avenue, where about two dozen residents over 60, or relatives taking care of them, turned out to learn about the program and suggest services that could be provided or improved. Questions were raised about health programs, transportation and volunteering.

The committee, which is still accepting members, is to meet again on Thursday morning, Aug. 23, at 10 in the senior center on Park Avenue, “basically to continue to explore the priorities of the seniors themselves,” said Kathy Rosenthal, a vice president at F.E.G.S, “so that we can build a program that directly addresses their needs and also explores their skills and abilities in ways that we can tap for volunteer programming and participation in the program overall.”

“The bigger the group grows,” Rosenthal added, “the more you get a varied response in terms of what people’s needs are.”

There are 54 such naturally occurring retirement community programs in the state, Rosenthal said, with many of them in New York City. F.E.G.S. is involved in one in New Hyde Park. To qualify, a census tract must have fewer than 2,000 residents, with at least 40 percent over the age of 60.

Tina Block, the director of Hands on Huntington, told the group on July 23 that the program and the outreach leading up to it would be “an opportunity for people to connect with each other.”

What about people outside the zone?

“The can certainly come to the table and help us talk about this,” Rosenthal said. “They can be advocates for us. Helping us advocate for more dollars to expand this kind of program and create other NORC supportive services and programs”

“And the wonderful thing about the Town of Huntington is that it’s got such a rich slate of service for the seniors that we would never turn someone away,” she continued. “Our Hands on Huntington social worker would absolutely help in steering them in a direction to meet whatever needs they have…and most of the needs can be met by the town. What they don’t get is this intensive nursing and social work … services."