CLOSE
Business

by -
0 154
Kieran Johnson. Photo credit @Colorsmediagroup, Jon Collins

The Huntington Arts Council has announced that the Board of Directors has chosen Kieran Johnson as the organization’s new Executive Director.

Most recently HAC’s Director of Community Partnerships and Development, Johnson has been an integral part of the organization since first joining as Business Manager in July of 2017. He currently serves as the Town of Huntington’s Chair of the Public Art Advisory Committee and Co-Chair of the Huntington Township Chamber of Commerce Arts & Experiences Committee. Prior to HAC Johnson was Operations Manager at Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Office Manager/Financial Coordinator for the Richard Avedon Foundation, served as the Chair for the Society for Photographic Education North East, and on the The Penumbra Foundations Associate Board.

Johnson’s work over the last several years has focused on expanding the reach and depth of the Huntington Arts Council. He has dedicated his time as a cultural steward, building meaningful community relationships/partnerships, targeted art initiatives, and strengthening the financial platform of the organization.

“I’m honored to be the next Executive Director of the Huntington Arts Council with its storied history, and it’s stewardship of the arts on Long Island. My lifelong passion has been about increasing accessibility, opening doors, and enforcing that the arts are for everyone,” said Johnson.

An educator and practicing artist, Johnson has exhibited his photographs in New York City at New Century Artists, Rogue Space, and Greenpoint Gallery as well as throughout Michigan at ActiveSite in Grand Rapids, and Delta College in Saginaw. More recent exhibitions include Huntington Art Center, NY, The Memorial Gallery at SUNY Farmingdale, NY, Project Basho in Philadelphia, PA, Ricoh Photo Gallery in Tokyo, Japan and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, Indiana along with being included in the Postcard Collective. In addition to exhibiting his work, he has lectured at Adrian College, Commack High School on Long Island, New York, and at the SPE Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.Johnson holds a BFA from Purchase College School of Art and Design and an MFA from Kendall College of Art and Design.

Johnson fills the Executive Director position vacated by Marc Courtade who retired on Feb. 28 after 7 years with the HAC.

 

by -
0 129
From left, Craig Fligstein, Chief Grants Officer of United Way of Long Island accepts a check for $10,000 from Project Warmth Fuel Fund Committee member Dennis Galvem of Eversource and Brian Tymann of Ørsted in support of United Way of Long Island’s Project Warmth. Photo courtesy of United Way

Ørsted/Eversource of East Setauket contributed $10,000 to United Way’s Project Warmth on March 1. 

United Way of Long Island’s Project Warmth Fuel Fund Committee, a group of key representatives from the energy sector across Long Island including Ørsted/Eversource, is at the forefront of helping to warm the homes and hearts of neighbors in temporary financial distress.

Due to the collective efforts of individuals and corporations, United Way was able to impact over 3,200 adults and children, including seniors and veterans in need of emergency heating assistance this winter season. 

As Long Island’s only island-wide non-governmental emergency heating fund, United Way’s Project Warmth is available as a safety net for individuals and families who are facing energy insecurity. Assistance with an oil delivery or heat-related utility bill means people have room in their budgets to cover essentials like food or medication.

 “Many working or ALICE* families make financial trade-offs during the winter months to make ends meet. This can be as simple as paying for groceries for their family instead of a heating bill. Because of dedicated supporters like Ørsted/Eversource, United Way can be sure that Long Islanders’ homes remain heated, and in a safe manner,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island.

To support Project Warmth for the 2022-23 season, please visit unitedwayli.org/projectwarmth.

by -
0 110
METRO photo
PSEG Long Island urges customers to think twice if someone threatens to immediately shut off their power

On Consumer Protection Week, PSEG Long Island urges customers to understand the ways scammers impersonate utility employees to trick customers out of their money.

“While we are all looking forward to brighter days ahead, the pandemic has created lingering financial hardship for many, many people, and that is a target-rich environment for scammers,” said Rick Walden, PSEG Long Island’s vice president of Customer Services. “They like to create the impression of an urgent problem in the hopes that your panic will prevent you from seeing all the clues that they’re not who they appear to be. PSEG Long Island wants customers to know the signs, take a moment to think, and then contact us directly using the number on their bill if they’re still not sure.”

Some 4,150 scam calls were reported to PSEG Long Island in 2021, down considerably from the more than 5,900 calls customers reported to the company in 2020.

What customers should know about payment scams

  • Scammers impersonating PSEG Long Island most frequently threaten to shut off power immediately unless payment is made.
  • Many scammers use phone “spoofing” technology to make their number display on your phone as “PSEG Long Island.”
  • PSEG Long Island will never request that customers use one specific method of payment.
  • Scammers typically want their victims to transfer money via a web-based electronic payment service, a prepaid debit card, or even Bitcoin, sometimes asking people to buy a prepaid card at the nearest convenience store and then to read them the PIN over the phone.
  • PSEG Long Island does not accept web-based electronic payment services, prepaid debit cards or Bitcoin as payment.
  • Sometimes phone scammers will demand a deposit for a priority meter installation. PSEG Long Island does not require a deposit for meter installations.
  • If a customer has doubts about the legitimacy of a call or an email — especially one in which payment is requested — call the company directly at 1-800-490-0025.

In-person visits

Occasionally, scammers may go door to door impersonating PSEG Long Island employees, flashing a fake ID and/or claiming to be a utility collection representative. The impostors may wear “uniforms” or affix false company signs to their vehicles. The scammers generally ask for personal information, which real utility representatives do not do, or offer bogus discounts. Again, if customers have any doubts, they should not let the person in, and should call 1-800-490-0025 to verify.

PSEG Long Island employees must carry a company ID and present it when requested. If customers have doubts, do not let the person into the house. Call PSEG Long Island at 1-800-490-0025 and a customer service representative will gladly verify if an employee has been dispatched to the location.

Fake websites

Some scammers purchase web domains that closely resemble the actual URL of a utility and create a fraudulent replica of the legitimate website. Their plan is to dupe users who click on these fake sites via search results, or type in an inaccurate web address. Once on the spoofed site, a visitor is presented a number of bill payment options, all pointing back to an outside bill pay site.

PSEG Long Island always uses the “.com” domain. Its real website can be found at www.psegliny.com.

How actual PSEG Long Island reps handle phone calls

Customers should also know what PSEG Long Island will and won’t discuss over the phone. A genuine PSEG Long Island representative will ask to speak to the Customer of Record. If that person is available, the representative will explain why they are calling and provide the account name, address and current balance. If the person on the phone does not provide the correct information, it is likely the customer is not speaking with a PSEG Long Island representative.

If the Customer of Record is not available, the PSEG Long Island representative will not discuss the account at all and ask that a message be left for the Customer of Record to call 1-800-490-0025.

PSEG Long Island is a member of the Utilities United Against Scams (UUAS) collaborative. UUAS, a consortium of more than 145 U.S. and Canadian electric, water, and natural gas utilities and their respective trade associations, has helped to create awareness of common and new scam tactics and to cease operations of nearly 5,000 toll-free numbers used against utility customers by scammers.

For more information on various payment scams reported in the PSEG Long Island service area and around the country, visit https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport/scamsandfraud.

by -
0 323
Pictured from left are Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Victoria (Chef Filomena’s family); chamber members Colette Frey-Bitzas and Michael Ardolino; owner/chef Filomena Lombardi; Scott (Chef Filomena’s Family); Farm to Table Catering and Café staff members; chamber members Martha Stansbury, Kenneth Kroncke and Carmine Inserra; and Jenna Alberti from Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s office. 
Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich with owner Filomena Lombardi

On February 17, Farm to Table Catering and Café by Filomena, located at 2460 Nesconset Highway, Suite #1 in Stony Brook, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony.  The new business is a full-service catering company founded by head chef, Filomena Lombardi. 

The event was attended by Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and Jenna Alberti from NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s office.

“It was a pleasure welcoming Farm to Table Catering & Café by Filomena at their new location in Stony Brook. The food and service brought by Filomena is like no other, offering a homemade variety of avocado toasts, sandwiches, wraps, salads, cookies and baked goods that provide a healthy alternative for those who are looking for a clean diet. I love seeing our local businesses thrive and encourage everyone to try an avocado toast from this new eatery,” said Councilmember Kornreich.  

For more information, call 631-675-9066.

Photos courtesy of Johathan Kornreich’s office.

by -
0 318
1 of 3
Pictured seated from left are Executive Director, Keith A. May; Director Brendan McCann; and Office Manager, Kayla O’Brien. Pictured standing from left are Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Three Village Chamber member Martha Stansbury; Brendan McCann’s wife Kelli McCann; chamber members Carmine Inserra and Eliel Pimentel; Jenna Alberti from NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s office; and Michael Murphy of Douglas Elliman Commercial Real Estate.
Island Sports Physical Therapy ribbon cutting
Executive Director, Keith A. May; Director Brendan McCann; and Michael Murphy of Douglas Elliman Commercial Real Estate

Island Sports Physical Therapy, located at 6 South Jersey Avenue, Unit 6B in East Setauket, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Feb. 16. The new office is the second to open in Brookhaven Town. Services include spinal rehabilitation, sports specific therapy, fitness programming and more.

The event was attended by Town of Brookhaven Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich, Jenna Alberti from NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s office, members of the Three Village Chamber of Commerce and Michael Murphy of Douglas Elliman.

“Our community is so lucky to have a facility like this where patients looking for physical therapy can heal in a supportive environment,” said Councilmember Kornreich. “Island Sports Physical Therapy works together with local businesses, hospitals and schools to provide care for anyone and everyone who need rehabilitative services. I encourage those who are recovering from injuries and those who want to prevent future re-injuries to stop by this location to learn more about their services.” 

Pictured seated from left are Executive Director, Keith A. May; Director Brendan McCann; and Office Manager, Kayla O’Brien. Pictured standing from left are Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich; Three Village Chamber member Martha Stansbury; Brendan McCann’s wife Kelli McCann; chamber members Carmine Inserra and Eliel Pimentel; Jenna Alberti from NYS Assemblyman Steve Englebright’s office; and Michael Murphy of Douglas Elliman Commercial Real Estate.

For more information, call 631-675-1706 or visit www.islandsportspt.com.

by -
0 364
Allied Pediatrics celebrated their grand opening on Feb. 16. Photo from Allied Pediatrics

Allied Physicians Group, an independent provider of high-quality comprehensive family health care services for both children and adults, recently held their grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for its new office, Allied Pediatrics of Rocky Point, at 346 Route 25A, Rocky Point, on Feb. 16. The new office is the 24th Allied location on Long Island, bringing the total number of pediatric offices in the New York Metropolitan Area to 36, and is also Allied’s first office that has been constructed from the ground up.  

The 5,500 sq. ft., state-of-the-art pediatric office has eight employees, with three pediatricians Dr. Nubia Vargas-Chen, Dr. Eric Levene and Dr. Daniel Freidman. With an urgent need for Pediatricians in the area, these physicians will provide the highest quality of care to all patients in the Rocky Point and surrounding communities.  

The event was attended by Councilwoman Jane Bonner on behalf of the Town of Brookhaven.

Councilwoman Jane Bonner presents Dr. Kerry Fierstein, CEO of Allied Physicians Group, with a Certificate of Congratulations from the Town of Brookhaven on Feb. 16.

“I am very happy to welcome Allied Physicians Group’s to the Rocky Point community. This is an important new business in our community and I wish Dr. Fierstein and her staff the best of luck. We have a growing number of families with young children in the area who will be well served. This new office will be convenient for families living here in Rocky Point and the surrounding area,” said Councilwoman Bonner. 

The Rocky Point office has health safety protocols in place to protect patients from the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Design elements include separate sick and well areas and a state-of-the-art HVAC system with UV lighting to improve air quality. Services for patients and families includes wellness care, vaccinations, sick care, a new parent helpline, breastfeeding support, telehealth services, nutrition assistance, asthma control education (ACE) and community education (webinars, CPR classes). 

“Our experienced pediatricians and clinicians are committed to providing high quality care and exceptional service to families and children of the Rocky Point community,” said Dr. Kerry Fierstein, CEO of Allied Physicians Group. “With a growing number of children in the community, this new office is convenient for families in Rocky Point and the surrounding areas.” 

Pictured in top photo are, from left, Lauren Diguisieppe, Angela Holdorf, Ariele Alon, Angela M. Noncarrow, District Office Director for Senator Palumbo, Pat Athanasakes, Nicole Mann, Dr. Gregson Pigott, Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Dr. Nubia Vargas-Chen, lead physician at Allied Pediatrics of Rocky Point, Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner, Dr. Kerry Fierstein, CEO of Allied Physicians Group, Andrew Phillips, Kevin Edwards, SVP of Business Development, Patricia Martin-Quinn, Allen Wirtenson, David Baskin, Jennifer Colamartino, Sylvia DaCunha, Heather Edwards, Executive Director of Allied Foundation, Tina Colangelo, Mary Ellen LaSala, Cathryn Mackie, Margaret Galatioto, Jack Rosebery, Josh Klinger, Brianne Chidichimo, Director of Marketing for Allied Physicians Group.

For more information, call 631-315-7747 or visit www.alliedphysiciansgroup.com.

by -
0 731
Stock photo

The Kraft Heinz Co., the third-largest food and beverage company in North America, has agreed to set a goal to reduce total virgin plastic use following the filing of a shareholder proposal and engagement with As You Sow. 

The proposal asked Kraft Heinz to report on how the company would reduce plastic packaging, including planned reduction strategies or goals, materials redesign, substitution, or reductions in use of virgin plastic.

The company intends to set a substantial virgin plastic packaging reduction goal later this year or in the first quarter of 2023, the company informed As You Sow in a statement. In response, As You Sow agreed to withdraw its shareholder proposal. Kraft Heinz’s commitment continues a steady stream of major U.S. brands and retailers who have agreed to cut virgin plastic use after interaction with As You Sow. 

Kraft Heinz said it would “continue to drive towards its packaging goals and support of a circular economy through a variety of initiatives and investments, including reduction of virgin plastic material, packaging redesign, increased use of recycled content, and continued exploration and scaling of reuse models.”

“We were pleased to reach this agreement with Kraft Heinz that involves a substantial virgin plastic reduction goal for packaging including consideration of packaging redesign and innovative reuse models,” said Conrad MacKerron, senior vice president at As You Sow. “We have similar pending proposals at Amazon, McDonald’s, and Kroger and hope that those companies can agree to reductions in the use of plastic for packaging.”  

Forty-five percent of Kroger shareholders and 35% of Amazon shareholders supported proposals last year asking for reductions in plastic use.

Five other large companies — Keurig Dr Pepper, Mondelez International, PepsiCo, Target Corp., and Walmart — agreed to virgin plastic reductions in 2021 after the filing of shareholder proposals by As You Sow. Target and Keurig Dr. Pepper agreed to reduce virgin plastic in brand packaging by 20%, Walmart agreed to a 15% cut; and Mondelez agreed to cut 5% — all by 2025; and PepsiCo agreed to a 20% cut by 2030. Cumulatively, the reduction in use of virgin plastic announced by these five brands is expected to total more than 700,000 tons. 

As You Sow’s efforts have been catalyzed by a 2020 landmark study by Pew Charitable Trusts, Breaking the Plastic Wave, which said immediate and sustained new commitments throughout the plastics value chain are needed, including actions by brand owners, consumer goods companies, and retailers to reduce at least one-third of plastic demand through elimination, reuse, and new delivery models.

The largest cut in overall plastic use to date by a major consumer goods company was a 2019 commitment by Unilever to cut virgin plastic use by 50%, including a total elimination of 100,000 tons of plastic packaging by 2025.

# # #

As You Sow is the nation’s leading shareholder advocacy nonprofit, with a 30-year track record promoting environmental and social corporate responsibility and advancing values-aligned investing. Its issue areas include climate change, ocean plastics, pesticides, racial justice, workplace diversity, and executive compensation. Click here for As You Sow’s shareholder resolution tracker.

by -
0 111

Farmingdale State College (FSC) and The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) have signed a strategic alliance to drive innovation and support for emerging STEM talent across Long Island. The announcement was made in press release on Feb. 10.  

As part of the collaboration, ELC has leased approximately 40,000 sq. ft. of laboratory and office space at  Broad Hollow Bioscience Park (BHBP), located on the FSC campus. ELC intends to hire talent for more than 30 new scientific R&D roles and in spring 2022 will relocate select teams of employees to the new space.

The collaboration will include an applied learning initiative, which will begin in Fall 2022, and will help prepare students in FSC’s science and engineering programs for potential R&D roles at ELC. It will also include internships and collaborative research activities for FSC students and faculty, adjunct academic opportunities for ELC R&D leaders, and student scholarships.

The arrangement also brings to BHBP an anchor tenant focused on research and development, and marks ELC’s first co-location with an academic institution. The space at BHBP is only two miles from ELC’s skin care, makeup, body, fragrance, basic science and advanced technology R&D labs in Melville.

The Broad Hollow Bioscience Park is a partnership between Farmingdale State College, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, and the Research Foundation of the State University of New York (SUNY). BHBP is home to various biotech companies partnering to grow the bioscience industry along the Route 110 corridor.

“We are thrilled to welcome The Estée Lauder Companies to the Broad Hollow Bioscience Park and Farmingdale State College,” said Dr. John Nader, President of Farmingdale State College (FSC). “This extraordinary public-private alliance brings a premier corporate partner to our campus and will lead to scholarship support and collaboration opportunities for Farmingdale State College students and faculty. This is a victory for Long Island, the College, and the region’s bioscience corridor.” 

The new alliance reinforces ELC’s longstanding commitment to investing in and modernizing its Long Island operations and supporting the local communities in New York State. The company currently, which has been on Long Island for more than 50 years, has thousands of employees across R&D, manufacturing, finance, information technology, and other areas working on its Melville, NY campus. ELC has a strong history of hiring SUNY graduates and also has FSC alumni working at the company. 

 “We are very proud to collaborate with Farmingdale State College and SUNY to further fuel R&D innovation and empower STEM leaders of tomorrow across Long Island and New York State,” said Lisa Napolione, Senior Vice President, Global Research & Development at The Estée Lauder Companies. 

“At ELC, our scientists, researchers, engineers, and product developers thrive on combining science, technology and creativity to formulate transformative prestige beauty products. Our collaborations with universities around the world help us stay on the cutting edge and advance our commitment to scientific excellence and delivering the highest quality, breakthrough prestige beauty products to consumers.”

“This partnership between Farmingdale State College and The Estée Lauder Companies at Broad Hollow Bioscience Park is a testament to how SUNY and the private sector can work together to create limitless opportunities within STEM fields,” said SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley. 

“I’m confident this collaboration will yield hands-on experiences for our students to learn and grow, research and instruction opportunities for our faculty and job creation potential for years to come. Congratulations to Farmingdale State College on this exciting venture, and to our students who are seizing this opportunity and making their mark,” he added.

by -
0 178
TVHS Director Mari Irizarry

The Three Village Historical Society (TVHS) has  announced that Mari Irizarry has been appointed by the Board of Trustees as its new Director. Her appointment comes at an opportune time in the Society’s history, as it will unveil powerful new augmented reality experiences this spring that complement the Spies! exhibit and, plans for the Dominick-Crawford Barn Education Center groundbreaking.

Irizarry has worked with TVHS since 2016 and has emerged as a dedicated visionary after the forced restructuring, in January 2021, brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Mari brings over 20 years’ experience as a leader in non-profit and government sectors, in NYC and Long Island, focusing on leadership, programming, strategy, marketing, and communications.

“The Board is ecstatic to have Mari lead the Three Village Historical Society as we begin our next endeavor of expanding programming in the Three Village area with the addition of the Dominick Crawford Barn Education Center,” said Jeff Schnee, President of the Board of Trustees. “We are thankful that Mari has devoted so much of her time and expertise to the growth of the Society. She has walked with me every step of the way since the Society had to shift operations with Covid-19. In the end, we were compelled by Mari’s unique combination of energy, thought leadership, and experience, as well as her rare ability to toggle effortlessly between vision and action. We could not be more excited about this appointment!”

“I am very proud and honored to be part of this great organization that has been a staple of our Three Village area for nearly 60 years,” said Irizarry. “I look forward to building strategic partnerships and continuing to build on this incredible legacy which has already contributed so much to our community.”

by -
0 92

Organic Krush, an organic eatery with locations in Connecticut, New York and Virginia, has announced a partnership with Stony Brook University Athletics which includes a unique opportunity to fuel the athletes within the athletic arena, giving them direct access to healthy organic meals pre-and post workout. 

Krush worked directly with George Greene, Associate Athletic Director of High Performance and Competitive Success at SBU, to create the program, working together to select dishes based on macro-micro nutritional value, satiety and calories as well as variety, ultimately providing the athletes fueling options that reduce their body burden and allow then to train efficiently.

“Healthy clean eating is the wave of the future for athletes” said Michelle Walrath and Fran Paniccia, co-founders of Organic Krush. “As moms and parents of college athletes, we know the importance of food as fuel. Access to great tasting organic and plant based food can be difficult for college athletes. We started Organic Krush to make healthy food accessible to all. Our partnership with SBU Athletics gives us the opportunity to showcase the benefit of healthy eating to young athletes!”

“Organic Krush is the perfect partner for our athletes” said Greene. “Our goal is to keep our athletes healthy and strong on the field, court, track, and pool. Giving our athletes healthy balanced meals and uniting the passionate fans of SBU with the power of Organic Krush is a slam dunk for us! We are excited to welcome a partner that shares our commitment to improving the lives of our student-athletes as well as in the local community.”

Krush recently opened its 10th store around the corner from the Stony Brook University campus at 1111 Route 25A.

The partnership will kick off with a “Fuel Up with Krush” campaign echoing the importance of eating well for performance. Digital activations and event integrations spotlighting Organic Krush during games and events as well as a community-based summer fun run are planned.

Prev1...242526...88Next Page 25 of 88
TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©