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Artist studio tours in Huntington

Ever want to tour an artist's studio?

The Heckscher Museum and the Arts League of Long Island are holding their fourth annual self-driving tour of artists' studios tomorrow. The five artists who are featured live in Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and Oyster Bay, and their work includes painting, sculpture, photography and mixed media.

The event runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the museum at 631-351-3250. Tickets are $35 per person, with Heckscher and league members going for $25. Or, you can purchase a car ticket that allows all who fit in your vehicle to attend -- $85 per vehicle, with Heckscher and league members going for $55.

Once you are registered, you will be sent a map and a brief description of the studios to be visited.

Participating artists are John Digby, whose work is as left; Mike Krasowitz; Odlie Montel; Thea Lanzisero Monier-Williams; and Dick Shanley, whose work is above.

The museum itself is closed for renovations.

Pasta party in Centerport

A pasta party at the Centerport United Methodist Church Saturday night will benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Dinners, featuring baked ziti, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, salads and desserts are scheduled for 5 and 7 p.m., with family entertainment scheduled between meals. The cost is $15 for adults; $5 for children under 12.

The church is at 97 Little Neck Road Centerport.

Huntington's museum challenge

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum is one of the stops.

Are you up to the test? Huntington’s Historic Museum Challenge, tomorrow and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., takes you on a trip to the town’s beginnings in 1653 with tours at eight area historic sites. These include the Henry Lloyd Manor House, birthplace of the first African-American poet published in the United States, and the Huntington Lighthouse. Visit all eight this weekend and earn a year’s membership in each of the participating historical groups ($250 value) plus a chance at a prize.

Several local restaurants are offering discounts for lunch breaks. Find out where to buy tour maps ($5) and more at museumchallenge.org or call 631-351-3244.
— Judith H. Bernstein

Happening in town this weekend

Museums across the town hold their challenge this weekend, and artist open up their studios to a tour. We'll have more on those events later in the day, but for now here is a wrap-up of other activities this weekend.

TONIGHT

Commack

Men's Social Club: Lecture, "The Secrets Behind Every Loving Relationship” with buffet lunch, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Rd., $14, 631-462-9800.

Huntington

Music Entertainment: HPL Cafe features singer and guitarist Glen Roethel, 7:30 p.m. at Huntington Library, 338 Main St., free, call to register for open mic (18 and older), 631-427-5165, ext. 242.

Melville

Acoustic Guitarists: Music social, dinner, open mic, 7:30 p.m. at Bertucci's Restaurant, 881 Walt Whitman Rd., $5, reserve, 631-665-3699.

Northport

"Twice Told Tales”: Eerie tales performed, 7:30 p.m. at Northport-East Northport Library, 151 Laurel Ave., free, 631-261-6930.

TOMORROW

Centerport

Folk Music Show: Featuring singer, songwriters and guitarists Marjorie Thompson and Bonnie Lee Panda, 7:30 p.m. at Congregational Church of Huntington, 30 Washington Dr., $10, fmshny.org, 631-661-1278.

John Lennon: A birthday celebration, 7:30 p.m. at Five Towns College, Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts at Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Rd., $20, $15 senior, 631-656-2148.

Mysteries of Magic: With Scott Interrante, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts at Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Rd., $10, $5 children, 631-656-2148.

Huntington

Book Signing: Tom Perrotta will speak about and sign his book, "The Abstinence Teacher,” which exposes the powerful emotions that run beneath the surface of modern American family life, 8 p.m. at Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., free, 631-271-1442.

Northport

”The Wizard Of Oz”: Musical performance for children and adults, noon at John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., $12, must reserve, engemantheater.com, 631-261-2900.

SUNDAY

Cold Spring Harbor

Egg Stripping: Learn about trout reproduction, 1 and 3 p.m. at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, $5, $3 seniors and those 3-17, free younger than 3, 516-692-6768.

Huntington

Fall Rummage Sale: Gently used clothing for men, women, children and infants, toys, books, shoes and assorted household items, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., free admission, 631-427-1089.

Fundraiser: A 5K run-walk, benefits Darfur refugee camps, light social afterward, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Huntington, 109 Browns Rd., $35, $17 younger than 18, 631-427-9547.

Lloyd Neck

Bird Walk for Beginners: Instructional program for the novice adult birder, 2-mile walk, bring binoculars, 2:30-4:15 p.m. at Caumsett State Historic Park, 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd., $3, $6 parking fee, 631-423-1770.

Melville

Slot Car Show and Swap Meet: Buy-sell-trade Aurora HO slot cars and other types, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Hilton Long Island / Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Rd., $5, free admission for children, 203-804-2455.

Northport

Erik's Reptile Adventure: Herpetologist Erik Callendar brings a green iguana, a blue tegu, a mata mata tortoise and other exotic animals to see and touch, 2 p.m., Northport-East Northport Library, 151 Laurel Ave., free, tickets required, 631-261-6930.

Ghosts of Long Island: Kerriann Flanagan Brosky, author of "Ghosts of Long Island: Stories of the Paranormal” and paranormal investigator Joe Giaquinto share tales of Long Island's ghosts, 3:30-5 p.m., Northport Historical Society and Museum, 215 Main St., $3, 631-757-9859.

"Jekyll and Hyde”: Musical thriller based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story, 2 p.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Thursday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, through Nov. 11, at John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., $55, 631-261-2900.

Navy promotes Dix Hills man

Navy Seaman Apprentice Kory E. Burnett, son of Eileen H. and Derrick C. Burnett of Dix Hills, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training and was meritoriously promoted to his current rank at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill., the Defense Department announced this week.

Burnett is a 2000 graduate of Half Hollow Hills High School West of Dix Hills.

During the eight-week program, Burnett 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 in today's U.S. Navy.

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

Arrest in Huntington robbery

By Joy Vestal

Commack

A passenger window on a car on Veterans Memorial Highway was found broken yesterday and the navigation system was stolen.

Dix Hills

The owner of a 1998 Mazda said it was stolen today on Tiana Place.

East Northport

A Burrwood Court resident called police today after she saw some youths making graffiti on her fence.

Elwood

A burglary was discovered yesterday at a house on Godfrey Lane. The police report said entry was made through a bathroom window. The resident said jewelry was taken.

Greenlawn

A resident on Sinclair Drive said his leaf blower was stolen yesterday from his front yard.

Huntington

A man was arrested today on Pidgeon Hill Road and charged with committing a robbery Aug. 3 on Fairground Avenue. The police report said the victim said his cell phone and $400 were taken.

Huntington Station

A woman called police today to report that after her car broke down last week and was towed to a repair shop on West Jericho Turnpike her gas card that was in the car was stolen and used eight times for a total of $300 in charges.

Commack graduate finishes basic training

Defense Department announcement

Army National Guard Spec. Gino F. Pena has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C., the Defense Department announced yesterday.

He is the son of Roseann Pena of Vermont St., Melville, and nephew of Dianne Rapczyk of Firtree Lane, Huntington Station. Pena graduated in 1993 from Commack High School, and received a master's degree in 1999 from Arizona State University, Tempe.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

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

Open house at Dix Hills Fire Dept.

Dix Hills Rescue Squad Paramedic Jim Brangan gives an intubation demonstration to a young visitor during the department's recent annual Open House held during Fire Prevention Week. About 500 visitors were treated to many activities and educational events including fire prevention, personal and home safety, car fire and extrication demonstrations, EMS Rescue Squad, Smokey the Bear, Suffolk Police K-9, New York State Forest Ranger, and the East Northport Fire Department Fire Safety Trailer, which teaches children how to safely escape their house in the event of a fire. Visitors had the opportunity to view all the department's apparatus and ambulances and to see firsthand the equipment that Dix Hills firefighters and EMT's use to protect property and save lives.
-- Photo by Steve Silverman

8 arrested in Huntington Station drug raid

Suffolk police arrested eight people on drug charges early this morning after executing a search warrant at a home in Huntington Station.

Following "multiple community complaints of drug trafficking" police from the Second Precinct conducted a raid shortly after midnight at 28 Columbia St., which they described as a known drug house location. Crack, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were seized.

Those arrested ranged in age from 15 to 47. At least four are from Huntington Station, two from Wyandanch and one from Manhattan. The hometown of the juvenile was not disclosed.

The juvenile was released to his mother’s custody for a future family court appearance. Three suspects were held overnight for arraignment today at First District Court in Central Islip. Four others were released on station house bail for a future First District Court appearance.

Car hit by pumpkin in East Northport

By Joy Vestal

East Northport

A car was broken into Tuesday on 6th Avenue and a digital camera was stolen.

Vandals threw a pumpkin at a car Tuesday on Elwood Road and broke a rear window.

Two windows were broken Tuesday on a car parked on Pulaski Road.

Two tires were slashed and a rear window was broken on a van parked at the Lukoil gas station on 4th Street yesterday.

Elwood

A cell phone was stolen Tuesday from a backpack left on the floor of the library on Elwood Road.

Fort Salonga

A car was broken into yesterday on Wayne Coiurt and money was stolen.

Huntington

A woman told police her pocketbook with all her credit cards in it was stolen Tuesday while she was at the YMCA on Park Avenue.

A resident on Oakland Street called police Tuesday after vandals egged her house and car.

Huntington Station

A man on Townhouse Road told police his wallet and cell phone were taken when he was assaulted and robbed Tuesday.

Graffiti was found Tuesday on the Huntington Coach Corp. building on 10th Avenue.

Melville

Two offices were broken into Tuesday at the Huntington Quad and a DVD player and a iPod music player wre stolen from them.

The tires were stolen yesterday from a car on Bagatelle Road.

Low turnout for budget hearing

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

Only one person spoke at Tuesday night’s Huntington Town Board meeting during a public hearing on the preliminary operating and capital budgets.

Town Supervisor Frank Petrone said it has been the practice over the past five years to have the budget public hearings moved up one hour to 6 p.m., to give residents enough time to comment.

“In case we have a long session,” Petrone said. “But we never know. We’ve been stuck before where people complained that there wasn’t enough time.”

Public notices for the hearings were published, as required by law, in the September 27 editions of two area weekly newspapers.

The lone speaker, Bill Dowler, who is running for election to the town board in November, said the time change is confusing to the residents who are used to the town board meetings starting at 7 p.m. and contributed the change to the low resident turnout. He also was upset that the public hearings, on the operating and capital budgets, were to be separate but were combined into one.

“This is probably one of the more important issues to residents because it has to do with spending our tax dollars,” Dowler said. “Conveniently the meeting time was changed. It’s ridiculous. They short changed the people who had an opinion to express.”

Petrone said the board will vote on the budget next month. He said that meeting will be held on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m., instead of the previous Tuesday because of Election Day.

The 2008 preliminary budget released by the town maintains the current tax rate in the three major town funds: the General Fund, the Part-Town Fund and the Refuse Fund. In addition, for the second consecutive year, there will be no increase in the Highway Fund tax rate.

The budget of $191,313,577 is $2.5 million more than the 2007 fiscal plan. The increase is largely due to an increase in payroll costs and operating expenses. The average town tax payer who is living in a home assessed at $4,100, will pay $759 per year in taxes for the three major funds, which represents no increase from 2007.

The town’s 2008 capital budget is $13.5 million, a decrease of $3.4 million, and includes funding for several major initiatives and new projects. The Capital Budget also includes $1.2 million for the Veteran’s Community Center at Soundview.

Fundshave also been earmarked for several projects including $600,000 to complete drainage improvements on Round Swamp Road; $500,000 for Economic Development Corp. acquisition of property and Huntington Station Revitalization; $250,000 for road and drainage improvements at Bagatelle Road; $100,000 for the Dix Hills Pool locker rooms and $175,000 for GIS Technology in the Highway Department.

“We’ve talked things out before so people pretty much know [what’s going on] that if there’s anything glaring that’s an issue, we’ll make a modification,” Petrone said. “After it’s voted on, it becomes the adopted budget, then it gets sent to the county where they do the warrant to decide the tax rate.”

Meet the Candidate nights coming up

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

The Huntington Chapter of the NAACP will hold a Meet the Candidates night at Bether AME Church, 1841 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, Thursday Oct. 18 at 7:00 p.m.

The Half Hollow Hills Parent Teacher Association will hold a Meet the Candidates night for Babylon and Huntington candidates, at Half Hollow Hills High School East, 50 Vanderbilt Parkway, Dix Hills, Monday Oct. 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Lloyd Harbor trustee resigns

Lloyd Harbor Village Trustee Christopher Seniuk has resigned from the board for personal reasons, Mayor Leland Hairr announced this week.

Hairr, who made the announcement Monday night at the village board meeting, said Seniuk had served the village for approximately 15 years. “He served first on the environmental review board and then he was on the village planning board,” Hairr said. “And then for the last approximately seven years . . . he has been a trustee of the village.”

Seniuk, who was not present at Monday’s meeting and could not be reached immediately for comment, was last elected in June 2005. The board will appoint a replacement who will serve until June, when a special election will be held to fill the remaining year on Seniuk’s four-year term.

“We usually appoint someone who has experience in village government . . . who has served on other boards,” Hairr said. He added that Seniuk would be honored at the next board meeting in November.

Vanderbilt projector funding approved

The Suffolk Legislature voted yesterday 17-1 to $1.5 million to begin replacing the 36-year-old star projector at the Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport.

The planetarium has determined that people coming for the star show generate about a half million dollars a year in revenue for the museum. A second phase of funding, for $1.4 million, would be necessary in a later year to complete the replacement of the aging projector. Yesterday’s measure was sponsored by Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor)

The planetarium, at 180 Little Neck Rd., opened in 1971 on the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate. The main feature of the facility is a 60-foot Sky Theater, where the GOTO star projector can display the sun, moon, stars and planets. According to the museum, the projector can show 11,369 stars, the Milky Way and several deep sky objects, allowing the staff to recreate the visible night sky as seen under perfect observing conditions.

What the neighbors are up to

The town’s Zoning Board of Appeals meets tomorrow at 6 p.m. to discuss the following:

Centerport

Donna Marano seeks to legalize a detached structure (shed) with finished walls and heat to be used as an art studio, east side of McKinley Terrace, west of Centerport Harbor.

East Northport

James Petrosino / Petrosino and Mannibin Architecture, seeks lot-area, lot-width and front- and side-yard variances for first-floor alterations, proposed second floor, roof-over front porch and to legalize shed, west side of West Point Drive, south of Pulaski Road.

Anthony Carrano seeks a special-use permit to convert to a two-family house with office, legalize enclosed porch and decks and parking of commercial equipment and overnight storage requiring site-plan review and setback relief, north side of Brightside Avenue, east of Larkfield Road.

Richard Haufman seeks relief of merger of tax map 050.00 and 051.00 in order to demolish pool and shed on lot 50, build a home on lot 050 and legalize front (long-street side yard) addition CO 063807, too close to property line and legalize deck, southeast corner of Dickinson Avenue and Grant Street.

Huntington

Sally’s Chocolate Llc seeks to utilize municipal parking lot in lieu of on-site parking to utilize premises for a restaurant, north side of Main Street / Route 25A, east of Wall Street.

John Dicke seeks an area variance to legalize an 8-foot by 12-foot detached shed with a rear roof-over on the property line, east side of Blackberry Lane, south of Cherry Place.

Huntington Station

Dennis and Joan Shin seek a use variance to legalize the nonconforming use of property as a multiple-family house (six apartments), north side of West 19th Street, west of New York Avenue.

Melville

RMB Drafting Services, Inc. seeks rear-yard variance to build a two-car, attached garage and requests to legalize shed and deck in conforming location, southeast corner of Breton Avenue and Saxon Street.

2 arrested in Greenlawn burglary

By Joy Vestal

Commack

A car was broken into yesterday on Motor Parkway and a cell phone, laptop computer and the navigation system were stolen.

A resident on Pumpkin Street said vandals threw a pumpkin through his car window today.

Dix Hills

A 1996 Ram 2500 was stolen yesterday on East Jericho Turnpike.

Greenlawn

Two men were arrested yesterday and charged with the burglary of a house on Crown Avenue that police said took place July 2. The police report said a television, video games and a watch were taken.

Huntington

A screen on a front window of a house on Hemlock Avenue was torn off in what police said could have been a attempted burglary yesterday.

Jewelry, money and a camera were all taken yesterday during a burglary at a house on Tuthill Street.

A couple stole baby formula and a bouquet of flowers yesterday from a store on Jericho Turnpike.

Two bicycles were stolen yesterday from a 7-Eleven store on Greenlawn Road and Route 25A.

Huntington Station

Vandals spray painted graffiti on a building on Lowndes Avenue yesterday.

A window was broken on a office trailer on West 11th Street today and a small amount of money and a cell phone were taken.

Graffiti was found today on a fence on Railroad Street.

Lloyd Harbor

A resident on Abbington Drive told police that her pocketbook was stolen today at St. Patrick’s Church on Route 25A in Huntington.

Melville

A woman was arrested today and charged with a DWI on Pinelawn Road.

Learning about Huntington candidates

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

The Northport chapter of the AARP will hold a Meet the Candidates night at the East Northport Public Library, 185 Larkfield Road, tomorrow at 7:30 p.m.

The Huntington League of Women Voters, co-sponsored by the AAUW and Huntington Chamber of Commerce, will host and moderate a Meet the Candidates Night Tuesday, Oct. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harborfields Public Library, 31 Broadway, Greenlawn.

Candidates for the 16th and 17th Suffolk County Legislative Districts, Huntington town clerk, receiver of taxes and town board will be present to answer questions from the public. Attendance is free. For more information, call the League at 631-421-5164.

Here is video of candidates at an earlier meet-the-candidates night in Elwood: the town board, town clerk, receiver of taxes, and county legislature.

In Huntington, we cover the waterfront

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

The Town of Huntington recently extended its contract with Cashin Associates, the Hauppauge-based engineering firm in charge of preparing the town’s local waterfront revitalization plan (LWRP).

As part of the deal, Cashin will receive $8,000 to conduct an environmental review, which the town had originally planned to conduct itself, according to town officials.

“Initially, the town had planned to complete the environmental review in-house,” said town spokesperson Fran Evans, who noted the environmental review would study the potential ecological impacts of the LWRP. “But the Town Board decided it makes more sense for Cashin to handle it, since they are already handling so much of the project.”

The LWRP is the result of 1981 state legislation that encouraged local municipalities to manage development and protect natural resources. The policy of the plan is to cultivate a pattern of development in coastal areas that enhances community character and preserves open space. Huntington’s LWRP excludes the four incorporated villages of Asharoken, Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor, and Northport, which are preparing their own plans.

Five months ago, the town butted heads with residents who were confused over a plan to rezone town-owned underwater land from residential to a “Maritime Zoning” classification, which is needed to get final approval from the state to implement the town’s LWRP plan. Local residents were afraid the rezoning would encroach on their deeded land.

According to Evans, the town’s initial contract with Cashin was approved in 2005 for the amount of $60,000. To date, approximately $57,300 of that allotment has been spent. She was unsure of the timeframe of the environmental review.

Lloyd Harbor passes on traffic change

Trustees Hilary Rolih, Leland Deane, Ralph Alfenito, Mayor Leland Hairr, Trustees Jean Thatcher and William Walsh during last night's vote about the causeway.

By Tim Healy
tim.healy@newsday.com

After a public hearing in which many residents present opposed a proposal to eliminate a passing zone on the West Neck Road/Lloyd Harbor Road causeway, the Lloyd Harbor village board last night decided to retain the passing lane.

The board did vote to reduce the speed limit on the causeway to 35 mpg, from 45, and on an unrelated measure voted to abolish the village police commission and replace it with a police chief.

Twenty-one residents spoke about the causeway proposals, many expressing frustration with the prospect of driving on the lengthy road without the possibility of passing a slow moving vehicle. The passing zone, two-tenths of a mile, is the only place along the road where a car may legally pass another.

Trustee Hilary Rolih, who made the motions to put the speed and passing ordinances up for a vote, said opponents should accept the longer drive. “I’m willing to take the extra five minutes to ensure the safety of our residents.”

The speed limit resolution passed 5-1, with Trustee Ralph Alfenito, at left, casting the opposing vote. He said he had come prepared to support the measure but was swayed by the opposition residents expressed at the hearing. No member of the board would second Rolih’s motion for a vote on the no-passing measure.

The board asked consultants to perform further studies on the road to see if other changes should be considered. For a portion of the original recommendations from Eschbacher VHB engineering, minus the appendix, click here.

Mayor Leland Hairr, when asked if he were surprised by the outcome of the vote on the passing zone, said, “We were very open to see what kind of comments we were going to get from the residents.”

The board also voted to have a police chief run the village’s 12-member department, replacing the police commission. Since 1985, the village police department has been run by a board of police commissioners consisting of two trustees and a chairperson appointed by the mayor, with the approval of the board of trustees.

Hairr said it was not yet determined who would be named to the police chief position. He said the next step was to work with the Suffolk County Civil Service commission to list the position as open.

Police: Good Samaritan assaulted

By Joy Vestal

Commack

A burglary was discovered Friday at a house on Linda Lane. Police said that the thief brought a ladder to gain access to a window of the house.

Jewelry and money were taken Friday during a burglary at a house on Tara Lane.

Graffiti was found yesterday on a fence at a house on Vera Lane.

Dix Hills

A woman was arrested Friday on Bagatelle Road and charged with false personation after she gave the officer a false name.

Police reported Friday that a shoplifter was arrested at the Pathmark store on Old Country Road.

Two front windows were broken Sunday at an empty house on Millet Street.

East Northport

A mailbox was stolen yesterday from a house on Roosevelt Avenue.

A resident on Saratoga Avenue reported a burglary yesterday. The police report said jewelry and money were taken from the master bedroom of the house.

Police reported yesterday that graffiti was found on the handball court at the park on Cedar Road.

Huntington

A man who witnessed a person trying to steal a woman's purse on Broadway and Depew Street was injured Sunday. Police said the good Samaritan grabbed the thief but was then hit and thrown to the ground by the thief, who ran off with the pocketbook.

Huntington Station

A burglary was discovered Friday at an apartment on 1st Avenue. The resident told police his shotgun, cell phone and a game console were stolen.

A car radio was stolen Sunday on Garyley Place.

A resident on Lynch Street reported that his garage was broken into through a back window Sunday and his chainsaw and other tools were stolen.

A car was broken into yesterday on East 17th Street and a computer and the navigation system were stolen.

A man on East 2nd Street said his bicycle was stolen yesterday.

Northport

Police reported that a man was arrested Sunday after he robbed the Metro Mart on Fort Salonga Road. The owner said the man took money from the cash register.

Vandals damaged the west side of the high school building on Elwood Road yesterday.

West Hills

A woman on Forestdale Drive called police Sunday to report that her ring was stolen. She said she had taken the ring off at a nail salon and forgot it. When she returned to the store the ring was gone.

Junior Welfare League helping out

By Lynn Petry
lynn.petry@newsday.com

The Junior Welfare League of Huntington’s goal is, “to provide assistance to their struggling neighbors, while enabling them to maintain their anonymity, their independence and their dignity.” Recently, with a donation to the Huntington Department of Parks and Recreation they did just that, by giving more than 250 children ages 7-12 a chance to attend Project Play Camp 2007.

Project Play, which started in the mid-70s, is held at one of the schools in the Huntington school district and is run by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Those that are chosen to attend, based on a family income criteria, enjoy an array of activities, including arts and crafts, outdoor events and field trips. The camp runs for 6 weeks and is overseen by Park Director Don McKay and Project Play’s coordinator Margaret Breland, along with other assistant coordinators and counselors. According to McKay, “the camp is trying to enhance the educational component of the experience, to give the children a fun summer, along with some learning tools to prepare them for the upcoming school year.”

The Junior Welfare League of Huntington, which was founded in 1933 by seven women, funded $7,500 of that camp dream and continues to raise funds for other worthy causes, including holiday charities, health care funds, and what they considered their most important operation, “The Lift Fund” which is a one-time, emergency financial boost which provides monies to pay hospital, medical and dental bills, mortgage or rent payments, food, clothing, utility bills and other expenses to an otherwise normally independent family who might be going through an unexpected crisis.

The League raises funds through events and fundraisers year round. This year will conclude with “A Taste of the Town,” hosted by Appliance World in the Village of Huntington on Nov. 3. The event features tastings and samplings of food prepared from local restaurants, along with raffles, live music, wine and beer, this gathering will benefit their Holiday Charities fund which includes “adopting” local families to provide them with the necessary food, clothing and all the trimmings for a happy holiday.

Early next year in February 2008, The League will host their Winter Gala to celebrate their 75th anniversary with a black tie dinner at the Oheka Castle, with proceeds going toward “The Lift Fund.” A Spring Luncheon will be held on March 27 at the Crescent Club and their annual Wine Soiree with food, live music and raffle baskets available for purchase on June 7 at the historic Vanderbilt Mansion. For information on any of these events or how to become a member of the Junior Welfare League of Huntington or for sponsorship information, email The League at jrwelfareleague@yahoo.com. The League depends solely on voluntary support and donations, enabling 100 percent of their proceeds to be returned to the people of Huntington.

Funding for Vanderbilt star projector

By Tim Healy
tim.healy@newsday.com

The Suffolk County Legislature is to vote tomorrow on a measure to allocate $1.5 million to begin replacing the 36-year-old star projector at the Vanderbilt Planetarium in Centerport.

“The museum is in agreement that the projector is on its last legs,” explained Legis Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor), “and we really have to move forward at this point.” Cooper, sponsor of the bill, said the planetarium had determined that the people coming for the star show generate about a half million dollars a year in revenue for the museum.

A second phase of funding, for $1.4 million, would be necessary in a later year to complete the project.

“It’s been in the budget for a number of years now,” Cooper said, “but frankly the funds got raided this year and got raided last year and they were reallocated for other programs at the museum.” Cooper said he expected the bill pass overwhelmingly.

The planetarium, at 180 Little Neck Rd., opened in 1971 on the grounds of the Vanderbilt estate. The main feature of the facility is a 60-foot Sky Theater, where the GOTO star projector can display the sun, moon, stars and planets. According to the museum, the projector can show 11,369 stars, the Milky Way and several deep sky objects, allowing the staff to recreate the visible night sky as seen under perfect observing conditions.

Immigration in Huntington

Businesses along Route 110 show the growing influence of the Hispanic community.

Huntington residents have been proud of their community's tolerance and diversity -- nearly 40 percent of students in the school district are minorities. The town created one of LI's first hiring sites. So a recent controversy over the attention two principals paid to Hispanic students and parents has baffled many. For a look at how changing demographics fueled by immigration -- changes being played out across the country -- have affected this community, click here.

In a related story, a controversial redistricting plan to reduce overcrowding has changed racial and ethnic demographics within schools in the district.

Cast a vote: Who should take control on immigration?

Lloyd Harbor schedules hearing on ending police commission

The village board in Lloyd Harbor meets tomorrow night to hold public hearings on three proposed laws involving public safety – including a measure to change the way the police department is managed.

Since 1985, the village police department has been run by a board of police commissioners consisting of two trustees and a chairperson appointed by the mayor, with the approval of the board of trustees. The measure being discussed tomorrow night would abolish the board of police commissioners and replace it with a police chief who would report to the board of trustees.

The village arranged for a study by Melito & Associates, a management consulting firm with experience in police operations. The study pointed out only 20 out of 388 police departments in the state are managed by a police commission, with Lloyd Harbor being the only such department among the 22 in Suffolk County.

According to the village, the report concluded that by having a police chief the village “is likely to get the most oversight and operational value for its police dollars spent.”

The village is also holding hearings on laws to reduce the speed limit on the West Neck Road/Lloyd Harbor Road causeway to 35 m.p.h. – to match the rest of the village – and to double stripe the road as a no-passing zone. Both measures were prompted by traffic accidents along the causeway.

The hearings are scheduled to start at 8 p.m. at the Lloyd Harbor Elementary School on School Lane.

Married in Dix Hills

Diane Bilicki and Michael Darragh were married July 14 at St. Matthew’s Church in Dix Hills. The reception was at Chateau Briand in Carle Place.

She is a teacher in Flushing and is the daughter of Kathy and Jay Bilicki of Dix Hills.

The groom is a financial adviser for Axa Advisors in Manhattan and is the son of Pattie Darragh of Shelton, Conn., and Paul Darragh of Southbury, Conn.

The bride earned a master’s in childhood education from Long Island University’s C.W. Post campus. The groom earned a bachelor’s from Southern Connecticut State University. They live in Flushing.

Oh, the people you'll meet

So far this month on Huntington Local we've been introduced to . . .

Non-profit angels in Northport.

New members of the Arts Council.

Some brainy high school scientists.

A bookshelf worth of local authors.

And candidates for the town board,
town clerk, receiver of taxes, and county legislature.

Candidates in the 16th Legislative district

In addition to the candidates for town office at the Elwood Middle School Wednesday for the Elwood Taxpayers Association's annual "Meet the Candidate Night," there were two people running for the county legislature.

Steve Stern is the incumbent Democrat who represents the 16th district. Matt Groh is his Republican challenger.

Here are the two-minute summary remarks each candidate made. (If you jump from one video player to another, turn the earlier one off.)





Click here for the introductory remarks by the four candidates for town board, click here for the candidates for town clerk, and click here for receiver of taxes.

Police beat: 9 items, 8 involve cars

By Joy Vestal

Commack

A woman was arrested yesterday on the West Commack Road exit of the LIE and charged with DWI.

The driver-side window was broken yesterday on a car parked on Townline Road.

The navigation system was stolen yesterday from a car on Motor Parkway.

East Northport

A car on Stoothoff Road was damaged by vandals yesterday.

The driver-side window was found broken yesterday on a car on Jasmine Lane.

A window was broken on a door of a building on 5th Avenue today.

A car was broken into yesterday on Beach Hill Drive and jewelry, clothing and a purse were stolen.

Huntington Station

The owner of a 2007 Honda Element said it was stolen yesterday on Lake Road.

Melville

A window was broken on a car today on Broadhollow Road and the navigation system was stolen.

Beyond reading and writing

What’s new in Huntington schools? Here’s a sampling of stories:

The bands are coming Sunday for the Home Show.

How to get a schedule for school teams.

One teacher’s brief visit from England.

Meet-the-teachers night draws a crowd.

They've spruced up the grounds at Finley.

Taking taxes in Huntington

Among the 10 candidates present at the Elwood Middle School Wednesday night for the Elwood Taxpayers Association's annual "Meet the Candidate Night" were Ester Bivona, a Democrat who now holds the post of receiver of taxes, and her Republican challenger, Anthony D'Angelis.

Here are the two-minute introductory remarks each candidate was asked to make. The video of D'Angelis is darker because he decided to speak from in front of his chair instead of at the microphone stand. (If you jump from one video player to another, turn the earlier one off.)





Click here for the introductory remarks by the four candidates for town board, and click here for the candidates for town clerk.

Tomorrow we'll post remarks by the candidates for the county legislature's 16th district.

War scenes coming to West Hills

As Veterans Day approaches, the Walt Whitman Birthplace is preparing an exhibit of the work of George Withers, a war artist overseas during World War II who took pictures of battle scenes.

Withers sent home to his family illustrated letters, watercolors, pen and ink drawings and pencil sketches that will make up the exhibit, according to the birthplace, which is a state historic site and interpretive center. The artist was a magazine illustrator for the Saturday Evening Post, Colliers, The New York Times, Newsweek, and Redbook, among other publications. A member of the Society of Illustrators in New York, his style ranged from photo-realism to abstract art, and his most popular works were whimsical, romantic, and sometimes humorous.

The exhibit opens Saturday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow until 5. Admission is $3 for non-members; WWBA members FREE. The birthplace is at 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, West Hills. For more information, call 631-427-5240 or visit www.waltwhitman.org.

Running for Huntington town clerk

On Wednesday night, the Elwood Taxpayers Association held its annual "Meet the Candidate Night" at the Elwood Middle School.

Here are the opening comments from the two candidates for town clerk. (If you jump from one video player to another, turn the earlier one off.)


Jim Kelly is the Democratic challenger.


Jo-Ann Raia is the Republican incumbent.

For statements by the four candidates for town board, click here.

Later today we'll post videos of the candidates for receiver of taxes.

Happening in town this weekend

Youngsters fishing in Cold Spring Harbor during last year's fair.

SATURDAY

Centerport

"Little Red and The Hoods”: "Little Red Riding Hood” told with modern lessons; audience-participation play for youngsters, 4 p.m. at Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Rd., $9, 516-293-0674.

Cold Spring Harbor

Fish Hatchery Fall Fair: Exhibits by environmental groups and conservationists, children's games, fishing for younger than 12, ($2 for 10 minutes), music, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, 1660 Rte. 25A, $5 adult, $3 3-17 and older than 65, free younger than 3, cshfha.org, 516-692-6768.

Greenlawn

Festival: Buffet, square dancing, caricaturist, face painting, raffles, prizes, auction, benefits Camp Pa-Qu-Tuck for handicapped children, 6 p.m. at Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Rd., $35, $15 younger than 12, 631-543-2839.

Huntington

My Sinatra: Featuring Cary Hoffman performing "My Sinatra, The Songs and the Stories,” 8 p.m. at Inter-Media Art Center, 370 New York Ave., $37.50, imactheater.org, 631-549-2787.

SUNDAY

Cold Spring Harbor

Presentation: "Thar She Blows: The Hunt for Oil Then and Now,” by Alexandra Hilgeman, a Girl Scout Gold Award Project, 4:45 p.m. at Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, 301 Main St. (Route 25A), free, cshwhalingmuseum.org, 631-367-3418.

SPLIA Exhibit: ”Antiques That Speak: Collecting Long Island's Past,” acquisitions including paintings, furniture, Colonial clothing and Civil War swords, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, through Jan. 31, at Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, Main Street and Shore Road, $1, splia.org, 631-692-4664.

Dix Hills

Fall Festival: Pumpkin patch, vendors, face painting, noon-4 p.m. at Dix Hills United Methodist Church, 400 Deer Park Ave., free, 631-499-2831.

"The Secret Garden”: Musical based on the 1909 novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett about an orphaned girl who returns to Britain from India and moves in with her widowed uncle and his ailing son and discovers a garden favored by his former wife, 2 p.m. at Five Towns College, Dix Hills Center for the Performing Arts at Five Towns College, 305 N. Service Rd., $15, $12 seniors / students, dhpac.org, 631-656-2148.

Huntington

Apple Festival: Celebrate the harvest season with family-friendly activities, traditional music and dancing, noon-4 p.m. at Daniel W. Kissam House Museum, 434 Park Ave., free, 631-427-7045, ext. 401.

Art Exhibit: "Symbol and Myth: A Personal Journey,” 1-5 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, through Oct. 28, at Huntington Library, 338 Main St., free, 631-427-5165.

Author Lectures: The Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition presents, "At the Bibliotheque” featuring a different guest speaker for each program, 1:30 p.m. at Huntington Library, 338 Main St., $20 per lecture, hbcac.org, 631-547-1518.

Embracing Our Differences: Exhibit of 39 billboard-size artworks on display through Oct. 31, a project of the Suffolk County Center on the Holocaust, Diversity & Human Understanding at Heckscher Park, 2 Prime Ave. at Route 25A, free, farmingdale.edu, 631-420-2400.

Huntington Station

Art Exhibit: "Romantic Expressionism” features oil paintings by artist Edward Tabachnik at Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site and Interpretive Center, 246 Old Walt Whitman Rd., $4, $3 seniors / college students, free younger than 18, waltwhitman.org, 631-427-5240.

Poet Of The Year Ceremony: Vince Clemente is honored and reads from his works, 3 p.m. at Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site and Interpretive Center, 246 Old Walt Whitman Rd., $3, waltwhitman.org, 631-247-5240.

Recital Series: Pianist Olga Vinokur performs, 2:30 p.m. at South Huntington Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Rd., free, 631-549-4411.

Northport

"Burying Grounds, Art, History and Genealogy”: Exhibit features tombstones and mourning artifacts, the history of families buried in local cemeteries, mourning customs and the art of tombstone carving, through March, 1-4:30 p.m. at Northport Historical Society and Museum, 215 Main St., $3, northporthistorical.org, 631-757-9859.

"Jekyll and Hyde”: Musical thriller based on Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story, 2 p.m. Sunday, 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through Nov. 11, at John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., $55, 631-261-2900.

Car break-in in Fort Salonga

By Joy Vestal

Dix Hills

The owner of a Mercedes parked on Euclid Avenue said the car was keyed by vandals yesterday.

East Northport

Two Dyson vacuum cleaners were stolen yesterday from a store on East Jericho Turnpike.

Fort Salonga

A car was broken into today on Beach Hill Drive and items were stolen.

Greenlawn

The owner of Greenlawn Stationery on Broadway told police that he had a film of a woman shoplifting mugs and coin banks yesterday.

Huntington

The owner of a building on West Jericho Turnpike told police it was damaged by vandals yesterday.

Elwood tax group meets the candidates

Ten candidates were on hand Wednesday night when the Elwood Taxpayers Association held its annual "Meet the Candidate Night" at the Elwood Middle School.

Candidates were given two minutes to make introductory remarks, and then they answered questions from the group for nearly two hours before giving concluding statements.

Here are the opening comments from the four candidates for the Town Board. (If you jump from one video player to another, turn the earlier one off.)


Susan Berland is a Democratic incumbent.


Bill Dowler is a Republican challenger.


Glenda Jackson is an incumbent Democrat.


Deborah Poulos is a challenger on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Tomorrow we'll post video of statements by the candidates for town clerk and receiver of taxes. On Saturday, we plan to post statements by candidates for the county's 16th legislative district.

Study of Internet use in South Huntington

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

Nearly 100 students and parents from Stimson Middle School will participate in a cyberspace study this fall designed to measure the consistency between parent perception of their children’s Internet usage and the reality.

“No cyber study has looked at parents and kids at the same time,” said Tim Eagen, South Huntington School District’s supervisor of assessment, mathematics and science and a doctoral student at Hofstra University, who is conducting the study as part of a dissertation. “I want to determine if parents really know as much as they think they know about what their child is doing online.”

To start, Eagen said he’s been inviting parents at Stimson’s various evening events to participate. As of last week, he’d secured 50 families, who will begin by completing a confidential survey.

Being a district employee, Eagen said he chose Stimson for “convenience purposes,” while noting that 85 percent of youngsters establish regular online habits by the seventh grade.

“My ultimate goal is to improve student safety, specifically online,” said Eagen, whose project was approved by the superintendent and board of education in late August.

Greenlawn post taking care of flags

Dennis Madden – vice commander of Post 1244 – “Poppa Joe” Favaloro, Mike Calderone, Rio, Ceasar Santos and Dennis Giunta with the box.

By taking a mailbox headed for recycling and giving it a new mission, American Legion Post 1244 in Greenlawn has made it a little easier to properly dispose of frayed, weathered or soiled American flags.

According to Post 1244’s second vice commander, Dennis Giunta, the post, with Boy Scout Troop 32 of Greenlawn and the Greenlawn Fire Department disposes of discarded flags in a proper ceremony in which the flags are consumed by fire after a service honoring them. It is considered a show of great disrespect to throw a flag out in the trash.

To give people a place to drop off flags, Post Commander Bob Santo, working with Assemb. Andrew Raia (R-Huntington), obtained the mailbox from Postmaster John Juray of the Northport Post Office.


Legionnaire Rob Scarpelli took the mailbox to his Castle Collision shop for an undercoating of automotive white. Then it was transferred to Cycle-Delics of Bay Shore, a motorcycle custom paint and fabrication shop, where “Poppa Joe” Favaloro, Mike Calderone, “Rio” and Ceasar Santos designed and painted the mailbox into a flag collection box. The work at both locations was done for free, and Giunta supervised the operation.

Earlier this month, with approval from Dr. William Swart , superintendent of schools for the Elwood School District,and with the cooperation of Dr. Virginia Cancroft, principal at Harley Avenue School, the Old Glory Deposit Box was placed in the lobby of the school for parents and students to deposit their worn out flags. The box is in the James Boyd Intermediate School now and will move to the Elwood Middle School next week. It will continue to move from school to school about once a week, according to Giunta.

Arrest in Huntington Station theft

By Joy Vestal

Cold Spring Harbor

The front door was reported broken yesterday at the Bank of America on Main Street in what was thought to be a attempt to enter the building.

East Northport

A woman was arrested yesterday and charged with stealing assorted clothing and bedding from the Sears store on East Jericho Turnpike.

Fort Salonga

A resident on Meadow Glen Road said his lawn mower was stolen from his driveway yesterday.

Huntington Station

A man was arrested yesterday and charged with shoplifting at Starbucks on Route 25.

Police reported yesterday that eight blank prescription pads were stolen from a dermatologist's office on Oakwood Road. The doctor told them a pharmacy called her to check when someone tried to use one of them.

A woman called police today from the Big H laundromat to report that her money was stolen from her wallet. A suspect was arrested.

Commack woman dies after house fire

A woman who was rescued from a burning house in Commack last month has died of her injuries, according to Suffolk police.

Mary E. Feltham, 78, died yesterday. An investigation into the Sept 2. fire is continuing, police said.

Police and the Commack Fire Department responded to the blaze, at 42 Walter Court, Commack, at about 8:36 p.m. After determining that the woman was still in the house, Commack Fire Chief Salvatore Formica entered the home and took her out. She was taken to the University Hospital at Stony Brook by Suffolk County Police helicopter where her condition had been listed as critical.

What was that noise? Go to the videotape.

The Huntington Lighthouse foghorn is back after a three-year absence, but for a few days it wouldn't stop sounding. It's fixed now, but if you missed it, you can click above for a video report from when the horn was blaring, or here for Bill Bleyer's story from this morning's Newsday.

They're making the Dilly Beans

Volunteers Heather Tucker, Lori Kepler, Priscilla Jahier, and Carole Witkowski, above, are preparing a specialty called, "Dilly Beans" for the Country Store booth at the Fall Fair scheduled at the Old First Presbyterian Church of Huntington on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Kepler explains:

Dilly beans are like pickles, but they are beans with a brine poured over them. We put them in jars and "can" them. It's sort of old fashioned, but that is why they sell so well. People just don't have the time to make things like "Dilly Beans." By the way they do not have any sugar in them.

Each year volunteers create home baked goods, crafts, and other Country Store items for the fair. Other booths at the fair include: a silent auction, collectibles, books, clothing boutique, toys, white elephant items, vintage linens, jewelry, rummage, silk flower arrangements, and – new this year – a golf shop.

Old First Church is located at 125 Main St., Huntington Village, across from Town Hall. Lunch will be available, featuring homemade chicken salad, homemade clam chowder, and homemade desserts, such as apple pie. The fair runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and proceeds go to local, national, and international charities.

Cops: Forgery charge in East Northport

By Joy Vestal

Commack

A window was reported broken yesterday on a car on South Ketay Drive and clothing left in the auto was taken.

East Northport

A man was arrested and charged with possession of a forged instrument at the Washington Mutual Bank in the Huntington Square Mall yesterday.

Huntington Station

The owner of a restaurant on Route 25 said vandals broke his windows yesterday.

Three men were arrested yesterday and charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing traffic on Route 25 and Melville Road after they were thrown out of a club in the area.

Melville

A employee at a company on Pinelawn Road called police yesterday after he found pellet gunshot holes in all four windows of his car.

Huntington-area authors among LI writers to be honored

Oheka Castle in Huntington, subject of a book by Robert King

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

When Melville native Robert King was in high school, he remembers seeing the Oheka Castle in Huntington looming above the trees one day. At the time, it was being held in lieu of back taxes until developer Gary Melius purchased the site and later hired King to document the painstaking restoration of the 109,000-square-foot mansion in 1984.

“The mansion-filled Gold Coast represents the heyday of Long Island,” said King, who had previously written a book on nearby Ferguson’s Castle in Huntington Bay in 1976. “Having grown up on Long Island, I witnessed the decline of the Gold Coast firsthand, but there was so little written about the homes. My goal is to preserve this era so the memory of these architectural masterpieces can live on.”

King isn’t alone in his passion of the pen. Throughout Long Island, there’s a laundry list of Long Islanders who race home every night to sit in a dimly-lit room with a laptop and a drop of inspiration, according to local writer Valentina Janek of West Hempstead.

"There’s a lot of great writers on Long Island that people don’t even know about,” said Janek, president of Profusion, a local public relations agency. “Sure, we might not be household names, but with the right information and motivation anyone can write a book.”

For the last year, Janek – in conjunction with The Friends of the West Hempstead Public Library – has been planning a celebratory reception to honor little-known writers who call Long Island their home. On Thursday, Oct. 18, the event will materialize when 15 authors – and as many as to 300 visitors – come together in an intimate meet-and-greet fundraiser for the West Hempstead Public Library, which unveils its new $10 million facility this week.

The top honoree is King, who’s authored three books on Long Island’s Gold Coast – including “Raising a Fallen Treasure” in 1984 – which tells the restoration story of Oheka. Another local honoree is Kevin Durst of Greenlawn, whose book, “Glitter That was Once Gold,” is a self-proclaimed, 100-page “bathroom read” filled with trivia on Long Island’s Gilded Age.

“My box of photos and clippings got too big, so I decided to put it into book form,” joked Durst, left, a healthcare manager for New York Hospital of Queens, who sells about 25 books a month through the Book Revue in Huntington. “There’s a lot of people writing stuff who aren’t getting recognized, so this event helps raise awareness for Long Island authors.”

The third local honoree is Jim Ryan of Northport, an inspirational speaker whose book, “Simple Happiness,” shows us how everyday can be a new opportunity to experience joy.

“Writers aren’t always taken seriously, and that’s why this reception is so important,” said Janek, who ultimately hopes to expand the event to other Long Island libraries. “Our local authors are a dedicated bunch, and it’s an honor to give them the spotlight.”

Other authors to be honored are Steven H. Post of Farmingdale, Diane Baumann-Corrado of Baldwin, Gerri Harkins of Port Jefferson Station, Lynn Broder of Rockville Centre, Sheila and Letty Sustrin of Deer Park, Tim McHeffey of Center Moriches, and Lori Gershon of Bethpage.

The Long Island Distinctive Authors Reception is slated for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18. Tickets are $50, and proceeds benefit the West Hempstead Public Library and its programs.

What the neighbors are up to

Compiled by Lynn Petry

The town's Zoning Board of Appeals meets Thursday at 6 p.m. to consider the following:

Centerport
Northeast Drafting seeks a front-yard variance to build an enclosed front porch, west side of Washington Drive, south of Van Buren Street.

Commack
Public Storage seeks a special-use permit to construct a second, two-story building with each floor having an area of 31,350 square feet and total building area of 62,700 square feet, where not more than one main building on a lot is permitted, floor area greater than 60 percent, south side of Jericho Turnpike, west of Calvert Avenue.

Huntington
Jeffrey Richey seeks a special-use permit in order to receive site-plan approval for use of municipal parking lot in order to convert existing building for office retail space on first floor, two, one-bedroom apartments on second floor and cellar storage, on the east side of New York Avenue, north of Gerard Street.

Huntington Station
Joseph E. Shwereb seeks a front- and side yard variance to remove existing enclosed porch and build a two-story addition and build a front roofed over porch, west of Fernwood Road, north of Foxwood Drive.

Anthony and Suzanne Marrone seek a buffer requirement for parking to build a 26-foot by 38-foot detached garage, northeast corner of Birchwood Drive and Hare Place.

Warren Almquist AIA seeks a special-use permit and parking requirements to legalize the existing U-Haul Center for truck rental and self-storage facility, which has occupied the property without obtaining the required permits since 1978, north side of Jericho Turnpike, east of Homecrest Avenue.

Maximilliano Sanchez seeks a front-yard variance to legalize conversion of front porch to living space and to replace expired building permits for a second-story rear addition and detached shed, south side of East 11th Street, west of First Avenue.

Cops: Burglary, beating in Huntington Station

By Joy Vestal

...
Centerport

• A driver-side window was broken on a car on Ridgefield Street on Saturday.

Dix Hills

• The driver-side window was broken on a car on Pineacres Boulevard on Saturday.

Fort Salonga

• A resident on Hayes Hill Drive reported that a pair of diamond earrings were missing from her house on Saturday.

Greenlawn

• A real estate agent called police to report a burglary at a vacant house on Croley Street on Saturday. The police report said a air conditioning unit had been pushed in to gain entry.

Halesite

• The owner of a Volkswagen bug found the rear windshield broken on Saturday.

Huntington

• A lawn mower was stolen from a yard on Lafayette Street on Saturday.
• A man was arrested on East 12th Street and charged with driving while intoxicated on Saturday.
• A 1994 Volvo sedan was stolen on Prime Avenue yesterday.

Huntington Station

• A man was arrested on East Carver Street and charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and disorderly conduct on Saturday.
• The owner of a 2000 Acura told police it was stolen on West Pulaski Road on Saturday.
• Police reported yesterday that a homeless man told them he was hit in the head while he was sleeping in the park on East 5th Street. He was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries.
• Police reported that a resident on West 10th Street was beaten during a burglary at his house yesterday and was taken to a hospital. The man told them a large amount of money was taken but did not provide any other information.

Melville

• A utility shed at a house on Wintergreen Drive was broken into yesterday and tools and a compressor were stolen.
• A clerk at a 7-Eleven store on Broadhollow Road said a customer started a argument with him and then hit him on Saturday. The police report did not indicate what caused the fight.
• An Old East Neck Road homeowner said his mailbox was stolen yesterday.
• An employee at a company on Pinelawn Road called police today after he found pellet gunshot holes in all four windows of his car.

Compiled by Joy Vestal

Cold Spring Harbor Lab selects four local students

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

Four students from the Town of Huntington are among seven islandwide participating in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s "Partners for the Future" program, which allows them to conduct original biomedical research with a mentor. To participate, students were selected from 1,200 applicants islandwide.

"I’m studying the genome of a model plant called arabidopsis thaliana to see how particular genes can affect the mutations of the plant," said Kristen DePre, 17, a senior at Cold Spring Harbor High School, noting that findings could then apply to human biology.

"I’ll be training rats to respond to different odors, and then see if we can inhibit their choices to gain a better understanding of how the brain works," said Bobby Klein, 17, a senior at Cold Spring Harbor High School. "This is all research that’s never been done."

Other students participating are Madelein Jensen of Huntington High School, Katelyn Melgar of North Shore High School, Daniel Minkin of Portledge School in Locust Valley, Damian Moskal of Glen Cove High School, and Sweta Sanghavi of Floral Park High School.

Town board wraps up first debate

Deborah S. Morris
deborah.morris@newsday.com

The first debate of the election season for the Huntington town board saw candidates grilled by members of the local chapter of the AARP.

The candidates, incumbents Susan Berland and Glenda Jackson and challengers Bill Dowler and Deborah Poulos, were grilled for about an hour over issues such as illegal apartments, code enforcement, affordable housing and taxes.

Bob Hauslein, 82, a retired worker with the Pall corporation, said he found the debate unsatisfactory because the candidates waffled when responding to his questions about illegal housing.

“The candidates didn’t really answer questions,” said Hauslein from Halesite. “I wanted to know if the code enforcement, in their opinion, is currently adequate. Yes or no, and if it’s not, do they need more inspectors. It was very simple.”

He said he planned to attend more debates, but admitted he was impressed by at least one of the candidates. Mimi Taylor, 74, a lifelong resident of Huntington and a retired bookkeeper, said her number one issue she would like the town board to deal with is taxes.

“I would like to see a reduction in the school tax which they talk about, but honestly I don’t think it’s going to happen in my lifetime,” Taylor said.

She said she was pleased with the questions and the issues that were raised and was particularly intrigued with some of the responses from the town board candidates.

“I had pretty much made up my mind who I was going to vote for for the board,” Taylor said. “But I might change based upon what they said today. I like what they said."

Also on the dais for the debate were Legis. Steven Stern (D-Dix Hills) running for re-election in the 16th legislative district and his Republican, Conservative and Integrity party challenger William Groh; Bobby Cook running to represent the 17th legislative district on the Republican ticket; Incumbent Town Clerk Jo-Ann Raia; Receiver of Taxes Ester Bivona and her Republican and Conservative party opponent Anthony D’Angelis.

The next debate, sponsored by the Elwood Taxpayers Association, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 10 at the Elwood Middle School at 8 p.m.

Columbus Day Parade set to embark

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

The Town of Huntington will host Long Island’s largest Columbus Day Parade on Sunday, Oct. 7. The parade, sponsored by the Order Sons of Italy in America, kicks off at 12:30 and has it’s Grand Marshals New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and John Caracciolo, president of the The Morey Organization. The Parade route will follow Main Street (Route 25A) in Huntington, beginning at the YMCA and Park Avenue and proceeding west to West Neck Road and Gerard Street.

The Huntington Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival will be in full swing once the parade is over. Paradegoers can look forward to food, carnival rides and games as well as a beer and wine tasting tent. Jets and Giant fans should not despair about missing the game. A 60-inch plasma HDTV showing the match up will be featured in the beer and wine tent.

Cops: Bank robbery in East Northport

East Northport

• A burglary was reported at a vacant house on 5th Avenue on Wednesday.
• A robbery was reported at the Chase Bank on Larkfield Road on Wednesday. The robber gave a teller a note that said there was a package with a bomb in the bank. After the robbery, the police closed down Larkfield Road for part of the day and they later said the package contained a phony bomb.
• A woman on Pulaski Road told police her bicycle was stolen on Wednesday.
• A burglary was reported at a vacant house on Derby Avenue on Wednesday. The owner told police he found the door locks broken when he went to the house.

Huntington

• A man was arrested and charged with menacing with a weapon on Wall Street on Wednesday. The police report said he threatened another person with a steak knife during a argument.
• Both license plates were stolen from a car on Healy Street on Wednesday.

Melville

• Residents on Rivendale Court said vandals damaged their cars on Wednesday. The driver-side mirror was broken on one of the autos.
• A resident on Green Hills Road called police to report a burglary on Thursday. The man said he found his back door broken and damage in the house.

Compiled by Joy Vestal

L.I. Fall Festival kicks off tomorrow

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

If you’re planning a visit to the Long Island Fall Festival this weekend, make sure to get a good night’s rest.

This year, the Huntington Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Huntington plan to pack Heckscher Park with a record number of visitors from as far as New Jersey and Connecticut – if the weather cooperates, of course.

"Right now, the forecast is looking good, but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed," said Larry Kushnick, the festival’s chairman, who expects to attract "hundreds of thousands" of people from Oct. 5-8. "Every year, we try to make the festival a little bit better."

In its 14th year, the free-of-charge festival is considered the largest festival on Long Island with several hundred vendors ranging from civic organizations to restaurants to retailers. The event will also contain four stages, a world-class carnival, two international food courts, wine and micro-brew beer tasting, a farmer’s market, and numerous children’s activities.

"By walking around the park just once, people can see hundreds of businesses they normally wouldn’t have seen," said Kushnick. "This festival helps to promote the town, but more importantly it helps local performers and retail stores to attract new customers."

Other events include an autograph session by former New York Jet Marty Lyons, pony rides, and a re-enactment of a revolutionary encampment by the Huntington Militia.

"Our big event is a concert by Deborah Gibson on Saturday night," said Kushnick, noting that previous year’s music acts ranged from the Village People to Nine Days.

"To pull off this festival, it takes a tremendous amount of people working together on everything from securing vendors to obtaining town and health permits," said Kushnick, adding that this year’s top three sponsors are Verizon, Optimum and Home Depot. "This also lets us give back to the community, so I hope everyone enjoys themselves."

For more information on the 2007 Long Island Fall Festival and a schedule of events, visit the official website: http://www.lifallfestival.com/.

Cops: iPhone, digital camera and vacuum stolen

Commack

• A resident on Cutchogue Lane reported that his van was damaged by vandals on Monday.
• Security personnel at the Costco store on Garet Place called police to report that a man was caught stealing a Kodak digital camera valued at $189 on Monday.

Dix Hills

• A man was arrested on Old Brook Road and charged with menacing on Monday.
• A contractor at a work site on Lamplight Lane told police that tools were stolen on Tuesday.

East Northport

• A Dyson vacuum cleaner worth $120 was stolen at the Bed Bath & Beyond store on Jericho Turnpike on Monday.
• A rear window and mirror were broken on a car parked on Vernon Valley Road on Monday.

Huntington

• A attempted burglary was reported at a store on Route 25 on Monday. The police said a back door was pried open but the building was not entered.
• Vandals spray painted a green Nissan Frontier SUV with white paint in the Long Island Rail Road parking lot on Monday.
• An iPhone was stolen from the Apple store in the Walt Whitman Mall on Tuesday.

Huntington Station

• The wheels and rims were stolen from a car on West 10th Street on Monday.
• A computer was stolen from the basement office of a house on West 11th Street during a burglary on Tuesday.
• A man was caught stealing beer from the King Kullen store on East Jericho Turnpike on Tuesday.

Melville

• A resident on Adriatic Drive said her car was damaged by vandals on Tuesday.
• Newsday reported that the gold Pultizer Prize medals that the paper had won during the years were stolen from their safe in the building on 235 Pinelawn Road.
• A man was seen stealing a pair of sneakers from the Marshalls store on Route 110 on Tuesday. Security personnel chased him but he got away.

South Huntington

• An Equinox was vandalized on New York Avenue on Monday.

West Hills

• Two men were caught and arrested for burglary at a store on Jericho Turnpike and Paumonak Drive on Monday, after the owner called police telling them he heard noises and saw two men in the store. The police report said the two entered the building through a second-floor window and took money.

Compiled by Joy Vestal

Arts Council welcomes new board members

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

The Huntington Arts Council announced the addition of two new board members last week: Kenneth H. Baer of Dix Hills and Patrick Zerbo of Cold Spring Harbor. The two were selected based on leadership and fundraising skills, council officials said.

"[Their] innovative abilities will be greatly appreciated," said Diana J. Cherryholmes, the council’s executive director. "We look forward to working with them and expanding our fundraising efforts to have a greater overall impact on the cultural life of Long Island."

Baer is currently vice president of investments at Baer Financial Group-UBS Financial Services in Melville. He’s previously served on several boards in an executive capacity.

Meanwhile, Zerbo is director of sales for J. D’Addario & Company in Farmingdale, which designs, manufactures and markets musical strings, drumheads and other accessories.

"His communications skills will be a huge help to us, especially because of his interest in reaching more young people through our Arts in Education program," said
Cherryholmes.

In other news, the Arts Council recently commenced its third silent art auction, "L’Art pour L’Art – A Silent Affair," which features work from council artist members in oil, pastel, watercolor, photography and sculpture. Proceeds will help fund council programs at the Main Street Petite Gallery in Huntington and the Art-trium Gallery in Melville.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday until Nov. 2. For more information, visit the Huntington Arts Council’s website at huntingtonarts.org.


Photos: Kenneth H. Baer and Patrick Zerbo (left-to-right) and Webster Stokeley's "Joanne With Flowers" painting on display as part of the silent auction.

Northport Angels earn their wings

By Lynn Petry
lynn.petry@newsday.com

Angels have been found in many religions, and now they’ve been spotted in Northport.

Long time friends, Luke Kennedy and Michael Pellegrino, have formed the Northport Angels Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money for local families in need. Recently, they raised funds to help a local family battle cancer. Their venue was the Great Cow Harbor 10-Kilometer Run held in September.

Along with contributions from more than 100 runners and the sale of t-shirts, they raised $5,000 that went directly to 9-year-old Alec Campo of East Northport, who suffers from a bone cancer called Osteosarcoma. The two young men heard about Alec and his illness through Luke’s younger brother and they immediately decided to reach out and help him and his family.

Raising money for those in need is not new for Kennedy, who ran in the New York City Marathon last year to raise money for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. This year, on Nov. 4, he’ll be running in the New York City Marathon to raise money not only for Sloan-Kettering, but for Alec and the Angels Foundation. After that, Pellegrino and Kennedy plan on raising money during the holidays with local food and toy drives.

The reception that the Angels have gotten from others has been overwelming.

“Everyone knows someone who has cancer, in their family’s circle, a friend’s friend, a neighbor, everyone. We’ve just decided to do something about it,” says Pellegrino, who won’t be running the race on Nov. 4, but cheering from the sidelines. "We want people to contact us if they’re in need, that’s why we’re doing this.”

All the information on the Northport Angel Foundation and their fundraisers is posted on their website: http://www.northportangels.com/.

Pictured above: William Smith and Michael Pellegrino of the Northport Angels were awarded town proclamations for their 10K run last month.