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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.