Anthony Figliola (left) and Nick LaLota (right) tackled a range of issues during Monday’s Zoom debate.
LaLota’s photo from candidate’s websites; Figliola’s from candidate
Two candidates took to the virtual debate stage on Monday, Aug. 8, as the Republican primary contest for New York’s 1st Congressional District ramps up to succeed Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY1), who is a state gubernatorial candidate.
Hosted by the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island, and the North Fork, declared Republican congressional candidates Anthony Figliola, of East Setauket, and Nick LaLota, of Amityville, squared off for the second time. The debate moderator was Estelle Gellman, who asked questions that were submitted in advance by the public. The third candidate in the race, Michelle Bond, declined the invitation to participate, according to Gellman.
The winner of the Republican primary race will likely face Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming (D-Noyac), the presumptive Democratic nominee, in the general election this November.
Introductions
Figliola was born and raised in Rocky Point and currently resides in East Setauket. After serving as deputy supervisor of the Town of Brookhaven, he is executive vice president of a government relations and economic development business, according to his website. He said he entered the race due to a sense of frustration with Washington, which he believes has neglected ordinary citizens.
“People are hurting tremendously,” he said. “What’s happening is that Washington is not listening to them. I’m a regular working-class individual. Our family, we’re in the struggle with you. We understand what’s going on and I think we need someone who’s a regular, working-class person that’s going to fight for the people of this district.”
LaLota is the designated candidate for both the Republican and Conservative parties of Suffolk County. After graduating from the United States Naval Academy, he was deployed three times overseas and is a former Suffolk County Board of Elections commissioner. He said he is running to address the numerous complex issues facing the nation.
“There are important issues that we need to tackle as a nation,” he said. “Issues with respect to the economy, inflation, public safety, the border, protecting our constitutional freedoms — I’m eager to tackle those issues in Congress. There are good Republican and Conservative solutions to each one of those issues.”
Gun violence
After a proliferation of recent mass shootings around the country, the candidates were asked whether they would support additional restrictions on access to firearms, such as a ban on assault weapons or high capacity magazines.
As a gun owner, Figliola expressed his support for the Second Amendment and added that the majority of gun owners act safely.
“We have some very insane people that are committing these horrendous and heinous crimes,” he said. “I don’t believe we should be throwing the baby out with the bath water.”
Figliola said the issue of mass shootings is a matter of enforcement rather than additional restrictions. To curb mass violence, he believes that the laws on the books should be enforced and that illegal guns should be targeted and removed.
“The issue here is that we are not enforcing the laws,” he said. “When you go to places like Buffalo and that horrendous mass shooting — a shooting of 10 people — there were all these laws that the Democrats and Kathy Hochul, our governor, put in place and they said that that was supposed to stop mass shootings and it didn’t.” He also advocated for adding armed security in schools and for “a solution with mental health, but not going after law-abiding gun owners.”
LaLota said that the majority of gun crimes are committed with unregistered firearms. Like Figliola, he favored tougher enforcement of existing laws. Given his background, he suggests that he has a unique understanding and appreciation for responsible gun ownership.
“I’m a legal gun owner,” he said. “I grew up in a law enforcement family with a deep respect for the Second Amendment and for safely operating a firearm. I furthered that understanding as an officer in the military, where I learned to safely handle firearms.”
For LaLota, the problem of gun safety is closely tied to the issue of criminal justice reform. “In New York, we’re living in tough times with this bail reform law,” he said. “We have some folks out on the streets who should not be out on the streets.” He added, “It’s not a fact of not having enough laws. It’s a fact of not enforcing the laws that are on the books right now.”
Abortion
The recent Dobbs decision out of the U.S. Supreme Court, which overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, has placed a cloud of uncertainty over the future of abortion access nationwide. When asked whether they would support legislation that would legalize abortion nationally, they each declined, opting instead to limit the existing abortion laws in the state.
“The recent Supreme Court decision, which gave the power back to the states and thereby the people, is good,” LaLota said. “This gives the maximum amount of power to we, the people, to hold the politicians accountable and have a policy that comports [with] their values.”
He referred to the existing abortion policies in New York as “radical,” suggesting that the state should modify its abortion laws to eliminate late-term abortions.
“We should celebrate life,” LaLota said, adding, “And the way that we celebrate life is by protecting it. I think that in New York, abortion should be on the ballot this November. We should ask every state assemblymember, every state senator and every candidate for governor: Would you support the repeal of the third trimester abortion provision?”
Figliola also supported the Dobbs decision. He argued that the decision-making power to regulate abortions should be in the hands of the people and their elected representatives rather than the Supreme Court.
“I believe that this current court got it right in giving it back to the states because the court should not be in a position to be legislating,” he said. “As a strict constitutionalist, it is the people who elect their representatives, petition their members of Congress and their state legislatures, and they choose what they want to vote on.”
Figliola favored drastic changes to existing abortion laws. “The reality is there shouldn’t be abortions at all,” he said. “On Long Island, between the ages of 18 and 24, we have a third of pregnancies that end in abortion. This is horrendous.” He added, “History is going to look back on us and they’re going to look very unkindly on us that we’re not choosing life — and not just the life of that child but the life of that mother and the hope and the amazing life that the two of them could live.”
Public health
The threat of COVID-19 remains a priority even two years after the height of the pandemic. Both candidates were asked whether they would favor mask mandates, quarantines or mandatory proof of vaccination for public events. In addition, they were asked to provide the steps that the federal government should take to promote the health of American citizens.
LaLota emphasized the importance of providing accurate information to the public while also empowering citizens to make their own health decisions.
“The federal government should allow people to have access to real, reliable information and people should be able to make decisions on their own,” he said. “I would be tremendously against any sort of federal law or federal mandate involving these sorts of health issues.”
Figliola condemned what he called “unconstitutional mandates,” which, according to him, have put people out of work. Regarding potential solutions, he suggests that the federal government begins to put together an endgame strategy for the postpandemic United States.
“I think that the pandemic, by and large, is over,” he said. “We’re now in the ‘endemic’ stages of things, and I think politicians want to find a way to control the people. They’re using the pandemic or whatever the next variant is to try to make people subservient.” He continued, “It’s people’s own individual rights to decide what they want to do with their body, with their children, with their health care — and we’re moving away from that.”
The team and their coaches, above, hold the New York State 9-11 Year Old Softball Champions banner at a recent practice. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Shortstop Jiselle Singh of the 9-11 Smithtown Softball club. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Brooke Hanson. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Avery Wierzbicki. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nadia Tomitz of the 9-11 Smithtown Softball club. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Liana Roehrig. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Isabella Russo. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Smithtown 11 and Under batters waiting to hit. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Smithtown 11 and Under teammates are always happy to play and be together. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Vanessa Borowski and Quinn Amari. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Jiselle Singh and Isabella Russo. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Avery Wierzbicki. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Quinn Amari. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Nadia Tomitz. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Members of the 9-11 Smithtown Softball club. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Isabella Russo. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Liana Roehrig and Jiselle Singh. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Members of the 9-11 Smithtown Softball club. Photo by Steven Zaitz
The Smithtown 11 and Under Championship Softball club. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Brooke Hanson. Photo by Steven Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
When you are 10 or 11, and you’re on a team that has accomplished something that no other Smithtown little league squad ever has, life is as sweet as — Krispy Kreme?
“These girls made history because no softball team has ever won the New York State Championship out of Smithtown.”
— Rich Tomitz
The Smithtown 11 and under girls softball team, which is part of the larger St. James/Smithtown Little League family, traveled up to Rochester in late July to win the New York State Softball Championship. They outscored their opposition by a composite 58-6 in their five victories and put an indelible stamp on the softball world as well as the local community.
Left-handed pitcher Isabella Russo was a perfect 4-0 in the tournament and got the win in the title-clinching game against New City — a 14-2 mercy-rule rocking of the team from Rockland. She mixed a power, windmill fastball with a devastating change-up to bedevil opposing hitters throughout the tournament. Quinn Amari also picked up a win on the way to the crown.
“My circle grip change up was working pretty well,” Russo said. “It keeps the hitters off balance.”
“This is going to make all of our summers even more awesome than ever!”
— Brooke Hanson
That pitch fooled more than just the opposition, for whom Smithtown forced mercy rulings in three of the five playoff games.
“She even froze me in the dugout three or four times,” joked Rich Tomitz, head of the entire St. James/Smithtown Little League for baseball and softball and one of four coaches on the championship team. His daughter Nadia plays second base.
“These girls made history because no softball team has ever won the New York State Championship out of Smithtown,” Tomitz said. “I’m so proud of these girls.”
Peter Russo, who coaches with Tomitz and is Isabella’s father, also beams with pride.
“We as coaches are lucky that we got a group of kids that know how to set goals and accomplish that goal,” Russo said. “This championship is great for the team, the coaches and the parents of these girls and it just proves that they can do anything they put their minds to, and no dream is too big.”
“We as coaches are lucky that we got a group of kids that know how to set goals and accomplish that goal.”
— Peter Russo
The community of Smithtown at large also seems to be energized by this tremendous victory.
“A lot of parents grew up in this area and competed athletically in Smithtown at the high school level,” coach Eric Hanson said, who is the father of first baseman Brooke. “Now, our kids are playing community sports for the town itself and hopefully more kids will join the league and play town sports with a greater sense of pride.”
“It felt great to win,” Brooke said. “We are state champions, and nobody can ever take that away from us.This is going to make all of our summers even more awesome than ever!”
Shortstop Jiselle Singh was also awesome, smacking a three-run home run in the tournament finale. She is the stabilizing glue in the middle of the infield for this team and has a good chance of making the Smithtown West Lady Bull team in 2023 — as a middle schooler.
“I love being part of this team and I’m so happy we were able to win,” said Singh, who will attend Accompsett Middle School in the fall. Her father Sean is the coach who always has a fungo bat in
his hands.
“The one thing our team has more so than a lot of teams I’ve been around is chemistry,” the elder Singh said. “They act like they were literally born together; they have fun and that’s what this sport is all about. They’re actually here just enjoying their lives and having the best time of their lives and building lifelong memories, so I think that’s the reason that they’re such a special group of girls.
“We played great and when we won, and we all threw our gloves way up into the air.”
— Gabrielle Krayewski
Catcher Gabrielle Krayewski remembers most vividly the moment the final out of the tournament was made and exactly how she felt when the ball hit her catcher’s mitt and the trophy belonged to Smithtown.
“We played great and when we won, and we all threw our gloves way up into the air,” Krayewski said, who stoked a two run double in the fifth inning against New City to put a little icing on the championship cake. “We all had Krispy Kreme after that, and the whole experience was amazing!”
The other players on this amazing group of 10- and 11-year-olds are outfielders Casey Connelly, Vanessa Borowski, Sydney Wetstein, Liana Roehrig, Avery Wierzbicki and third baseman Riley Connelly — and as the girls on this team embark on their middle school and higher-level athletic careers at different places across the district, they formed an unbreakable, lifelong bond on that last Monday of July in 2022.
“These girls, the coaches, the families and all of the siblings are connected for all eternity,” Tomitz said.
At the site of the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Memorial in Rocky Point Aug. 5, veterans, public officials and community members joined U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY1), the Republican nominee in this year’s New York gubernatorial contest, to champion legislation that would expand peer-to-peer veteran support services nationwide.
The PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Memorial in Rocky Point, the site of this press event.
The Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, initiated in 2012 by Zeldin when he was a state senator, is a peer-to-peer program that assists veterans through support groups and other resources. The program is designed to promote mental health and alleviate the challenges of those affected by post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.
“As I travel around Suffolk County for years, I have had countless veterans tell me that because of the Dwyer program, they are alive, they have a job and they have a family,” Zeldin said. “They credit the support that they have gotten from the Dwyer program for their ability to be able to cope with the mental wounds of war.”
Zeldin credited the success of the Dwyer project to its design, which was tailored to meet the needs of veterans. The peer-to-peer setting, moderated by veterans trained to lead discussions around personal and highly sensitive matters, offers a unique venue for vets to open up to those who are best equipped to understand them.
Zeldin is sponsoring legislation — H.R.1476 PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program Act — that would make these services accessible for veterans nationwide.
“The Dwyer program needs to be expanded nationally,” the congressman said. “To the [other 534] members of Congress … please do everything you can to co-sponsor this bill.” He added, “Get educated on what peer support should be all about and let’s get this over the finish line and passed into law.”
Zeldin was joined by a host of veterans leaders and public officials representing various levels of government. His efforts to expand the Dwyer program were backed by Joe Cognitore, commander of the VFW Post 6249, based in Rocky Point. Cognitore discussed the lasting effects of combat and the difficulties that veterans encounter when they return from active duty.
Joe Cognitore, commander of VFW Post 6249, discusses the challenges of post-traumatic stress disorder
“Post-traumatic stress affects all of us,” the post commander said. “The statue you see behind us was put up this past year and it represents the post-traumatic stress that we all go through — not just veterans but all walks of life.”
State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead) expressed support for the bill as well. She emphasized the uniqueness of the peer support offerings through the Dwyer program.
“Nobody knows the devil and the demons more than veterans,” she said. “Today, New York State has $7.7 million in its budget this year for this program, but it’s not enough,” adding, “I am here at Congressman Zeldin’s plea … to acknowledge our veterans and realize what they need in order to be successful and reintegrate into life after coming home.”
State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead), at podium, on why the Dwyer program should be expanded nationally
State Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) spoke of the success of the Dwyer program locally and the need to bring the program onto the national stage.
“It makes so much sense now to see the success of the program,” he said. “It’s something that should have existed for many, many years, but this is the sort of effort that you need to get those ideas … to ultimately come to fruition and then to show the success that we have seen.”
Suffolk County Legislator Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), the majority leader in the Legislature, shared how the Dwyer program supports those in the community. Caracappa, who also chairs the county veterans committee, stressed that veterans issues are human issues that need to be met with human solutions.
“These are our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters … these are our family members,” Caracappa said. “I’m proud to say that this project is a product of Suffolk County.” Due to its success locally, Caracappa advocated “bringing this forward on a national level.”
Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) offered her support for the proposed legislation
Also on hand was Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point), who was instrumental in helping the town secure the land where the Dwyer memorial now resides. [See TBR News Media story, “Students, elected officials reflect on new Dwyer statue” (Jan. 21, 2021)].
Bonner spoke of the hidden wounds of war. “Not all war injuries are visible,” she said. “So it’s incumbent upon us to do everything that we can do as citizens and residents to make sure that this legislation is passed federally.”
Following the press conference, Zeldin was asked what he would do to relieve the plight of veteran homelessness if elected as governor. He highlighted the need to improve outreach initiatives and bring down any barriers that may impede those efforts.
“Outreach to the homeless, outreach to people who are struggling with mental health issues, is not just about what you say to them, but also about being able to listen to people in need and hear those stories,” the Republican gubernatorial nominee said. “If there’s any type of red tape that’s preventing those conversations, then that red tape needs to get torn down.”
Tensions swelled inside the Rocky Point High School auditorium during a special meeting of the Rocky Point school district board of education on Thursday, July 28.
In early July, the board reversed its longstanding practice regarding book donations, deciding to no longer accept books from the public. The controversy centers around a June donation made by district parent Allison Villafane, who donated several books exploring themes dealing with sexuality, gender identity and race during Pride Month.
“This past June, in keeping with my past practice, I have donated books to promote diversity, equity and inclusion,” she told the board. “These books were best sellers, approved by the library here.”
In an interview, Villafane shared the list of the seven titles that were included in the donation, saying these books were intended to be spread out across different schools throughout the district depending upon age appropriateness. The titles are:
“Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly
“All Different and Beautiful: A Children’s Book about Diversity, Kindness, and Friendships” by Belle Belrose
“Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger: Social Emotional Book for Kids about Diversity and Kindness” by Elizabeth Cole
“Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
“The 1619 Project: Born on the Water” by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson
“Pink Is for Boys” by Robb Pearlman
“The List of Things That Will Not Change” by Rebecca Stead
Jessica Ward, president of the board of education, defended the decision. She said the board did not take its decision lightly and that all five members of the board had arrived at its determination together.
Ward told the public that the decision was motivated by a basic lack of expertise on how to evaluate children’s literature.
“None of us — the five of us on the board — are experts in children’s literature,” Ward said. “None of us has a master’s degree in library science … so we thought it would be best for all of our schools to allow our librarians, who are the experts in children’s literature, to populate their libraries and their catalogs with books of their choosing.”
Villafane detailed her past practice of donating materials, saying she has made several rounds of donations over the years as each of her four children has moved through the school district. In the past, Villafane has donated materials regarding food allergies. In other years, they would focus on promoting diversity or compassion.
She said this most recent donation is not a significant departure from her past practice. Because the books were already in circulation in various school libraries throughout the district, Villafane believed she was performing a service to the school by making the approved books more accessible.
Villafane suggested the board was applying an arbitrary standard to her donation, asking if the board would apply this same standard to the donations of gifts such as piano keyboards and trumpets.
Responding to these charges, Ward said that the board’s decision “wasn’t necessarily in response to the books that you donated. It was in response to all books.”
She added, “Our current policy says … that we may accept gifts, grants … as well as other merchandise. If there was something else [such as] a musical instrument or some other educational or instructional item that you or someone wanted to donate, then we would take that on a case-by-case basis, but we are not taking any donations of books.”
Along with Villafane, other members of the public joined in their criticism of the board’s decision. Ernestine Franco, a resident of Sound Beach, said the board did not apply reason to its decision and that it failed to properly consider the consequences.
“If it was just a change of practice, then they did it very badly,” she said in an interview. “That’s what makes me think it was a political move.” She added, “Even if they wanted to do what they did, there had to be some logic to it and there wasn’t.”
Bea Ruberto, also a Sound Beach resident, concurred with this assessment, arguing the decision was a product of hasty decision-making and primarily motivated by the board members’ political preferences.
“I am convinced that it is political,” Ruberto said in an interview. “I am also convinced that for them to do that, they didn’t look at the practice they had in the past on how to deal with and accept book donations.”
Despite criticism from the public, there were others who responded favorably. One such individual, identified as “Ms. Sarlo” in the meeting’s minutes, defended the decision. According to her, it is best for the board not to consider these materials as there is no universal agreement on their content.
“I think that the decision was the correct one because … not everybody agrees with all of the books,” she said. “There are so many more important things that we need to be talking about that the board could be spending time on instead of book donations.”
Franco disagreed with this assessment, suggesting that it minimizes the issues at stake and offers a convenient excuse for the board to rid itself of accountability.
“I think [Sarlo] was trying to validate what happened by saying it wasn’t important,” Franco said, adding, “But what’s important, at least to me, is not the book but what the book stands for, which is education. … Instead of opening up to a very diverse atmosphere, they’re trying to close up the atmosphere to what kids are going to be exposed to.”
Villafane suggested that the board’s new practice on book donations violates common sense. She believes the board can correct course by adopting a new policy allowing the acceptance of books for titles that are already in circulation.
“It’s not rocket science,” she said. “There is a database of books that have been approved for distribution at various grade levels, so as long as the book you want to donate is within that system, you should feel free to donate it.”
The Rocky Point board of education will reconvene on Monday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m., where deliberations on book donations are likely to continue.
Amid the sound and fury signifying nothing, to borrow from William Shakespeare, Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism has joined a national solutions journalism program.
Stony Brook, NY; Stony Brook University: School of Journalisms Dean Laura Lindenfeld
That means the journalism school will teach its students how to do much more than complain or highlight issues or problems.
Instead, the school will teach developing journalists how to use data, tell compelling stories and search for answers to problems that are as broad and challenging as climate change and institutional racism, among others.
The solutions journalism hub is “going to help attract people to the field [and provide] a sense of learning from each other,” said Laura Lindenfeld, dean of the Journalism School. “I’m really proud that we’re the hub in the northeast.”
The other journalism hubs include the University of Georgia, Northwestern University and Arizona State University.
“These new hub universities are showing a serious commitment to leading this important work in their regions and nationally,” Francine Huff, Solutions Journalism Network’s director of journalism school partnerships, said in a statement. These four journalism schools have an amazing wealth of talent and resources, and the Solutions Journalism Network is excited to partner with them.”
While SJN provides no monetary gain to the schools, Lindenfeld would like to pursue fundraising around this designation.
Being a part of the solutions journalism network “signals to the community of journalism and foundations about what we care about and what we are about,” Lindenfeld said. “A tighter focus and mission is advantageous and genuine.”
Lindenfeld plans to have ongoing interactions with the other three hubs as a part of a learning community.
To be sure, the concept of using data and sharing compelling stories as a part of a solutions driven journalism effort isn’t new to SBU’s journalism effort.
“We were already doing a chunk of this,” Lindenfeld said. The designation ensures the school is more specifically focused on this, even as Stony Brook will still teach other forms of journalism. “It marks a commitment to making sure we are doing deep, rich storytelling that’s data driven and is looking at a response to problems, rather than just pointing them out.”
Solutions journalism can help drive the focus of stories in an increasingly complex and contentious world, the SBU dean continued.
SBU doesn’t plan to replace balance and professionalism with solutions.
“We are not talking about advocacy journalism or advocacy communications,” Lindenfeld said. “We are talking about the highest standard of ethical journalism that seeks fair, balanced perspectives.”
Lindenfeld urges students to figure out if the data supports or refutes any hypothesis they have about a story.
“You’ve got to always be open to the idea that you could be wrong,” she said. “Trust but verify.”
Solutions journalism includes an understanding of history and context.
Stony Brook has integrated a data analysis and storytelling class into the undergraduate curriculum, where the school helps students dig deeper into how to analyze and tell stories about data.
Solutions journalism will become a cornerstone of the master’s program, Lindenfeld said.
Lindenfeld believes this approach to journalism and communication, regardless of the eventual field graduates enter, should help alumni secure jobs.
“How can it hurt to have a better understanding of data analysis?” Lindenfeld asked.
Down the road, she would like to have an endowed chair in solutions journalism at Stony Brook.
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4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths renovated in 2022. Gorgeous kitchen newly renovated in 2022 with new energy star appliances, large island and quartz countertop. Den, stone fireplace, partially finished basement, full attic, inground pool.
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Large sunroom addition and oversized Master Bedroom & Master Bath. Central Air Conditioning. Private, fully fenced flat yard with paver patio. Within walking distance to schools, close to LIRR, parks, shops, restaurants and SB University.
VINTAGE EUROPEAN
The 17th annual Vintage European Sports Car & Motorcycle Show heads to the Stony Brook Community Church on Aug. 13. Photo from Malcolm Bowman
Thursday August 11
Huntington Walking Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will host a Centers of Controversy guided walking tour from 6 to 9 p.m. Visits sites in central Huntington that gave rise over the centuries to scandals, lawsuits, and other controversies. Tour ends at Six Harbors Brewing Company. Tickets are $25, $20 members (drinks not included). Tours will begin at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main Street,Huntington. Reservations are required. Call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistorical.org
Art of the Guitar Festival
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook kicks off the second annual John Monteleone Art of the Guitar Festival tonight at 6 p.m. with a reception, exhibit viewing and two concerts and continues Aug. 12 and 13. The three day event will feature more than 18 musicians over the days and nights and include performances by Monteleone, Russell Malone Quartet, Anthony Wilson Trio, John Pizzarelli Trio, Tal Yahalom Quartet and Ratko Zjaca Duo with James Commack and a screening of the documentary The Chisels Are Calling. Call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org for festival schedule and ticket prices.
Vanderbilt Planetarium lecture
Join the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport for a lecture withEric K. Washington, a New York City-based independent historian, on the life of James H. Williams from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Washington’s lecture will draw heavily from his years of archival research and from his acclaimed 2019 book Boss of the Grips: The Life of James H. Williams and the Red Caps of Grand Central Terminal (Liveright Publishing). Tickets are $10 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Smithtown Library concert
The Dennis Cannataro Family Summer Concert Series concludes at the Smithtown Main Library, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown tonight at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by The Gold Coast Orchestra (Motown). Bring a chair or blanket for seating. For more information, call 360-2480 ext.150 after 3 p.m.
Harborside Concerts
The Village of Port Jefferson continues its free Harborside Concert series at the Show Mobile at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson with Refugee at 8 p.m. Bring seating. For more information, call-473-4724 or visit www.portjeff.com.
Friday August 12
Art of the Guitar Festival
See Aug. 11 listing.
Happenings on Main Street
The Northport Arts Coalition presents a free concert by the Kerry Kearney Band at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor at 7 p.m. as part of its Happenings on Main Street Series. Bring seating. Call 827-6827 or visit www.northportarts.org.
Concert at the Library
Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket invites the community to an outdoor concerts on the lawn from 6:30 to 8 p.m. featuring jazz, blues and Americana ensemble CB Jacobs and the Say Hey Crew (Claudia Jacobs and musical collaborators Mark Coffey, Dan Weymouth, Kevin Twigg and perhaps a secret guest or two). No registration required. Questions? Call 941-4080.
Tribute to Carole King
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its 2022 Summer Concert Series with Carole’s Kings — All Male Tribute to Carole King at 8 p.m. With lush orchestrations from the same team as Broadway’s “Beautiful” and a cast of three incredibly talented New York stage veterans, Carole’s Kings is a dynamic act jam-packed with chart-topping sensations such as “The Locomotion,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “You’ve Got A Friend,” and many more. Tickets are $59. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Comedy In The Café
Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave. Huntington presents Comedy in The Cafe with comedian Nick Griffin at 9:30 p.m. A comic for more than 25 years, Griffin’s smart, sarcastic and hilarious style makes him one of the most well-respected in the business. Tickets are $17, $13 members. To purchase tickets in advance, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
Saturday August 13
Art of the Guitar Festival
See Aug. 11 listing.
Run on the Farm
Get ready, set, go! The 8th Annual Run the Farm 4-Mile Challenge at Bethel Hobbs Community Farm, 178 Oxhead Road, Centereach will kick off at 9 a.m. (Kids Fun Run at 8:30 a.m.) Friends of Hobbs Farm and Town of Brookhaven Councilman Kevin LaValle invite you to lace up those sneakers and traverse a 4-mile course whose fast start on roughly two miles of flat terrain precedes a mile of rolling hills and two mildly challenging ascents before concluding at the historic grounds of the farm. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 on race day. Proceeds will support the farm’s mission is devoted to servicing local food pantries and food programs. To register, visit www.hobbsfarm.info. Call 451-6647 for more information.
LISEC Sikaflex Boat Build
LISEC and the Bayles Boat Shop will sponsor the 11th annual Sikaflex “Quick & Dirty” Boat Building Competition at Harborfront Park, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson today and Aug. 14. Up to 122-personteams will construct a boat in four hours today and return on Aug. 14 to decorate their boats and prepare to race them at 3 p.m. Prizes are awarded after the races for design, decoration, first built and race winners. 631-689-8293, www.lisec.org
All Souls Poetry Reading
Join All Souls Church in Stony Brook for its Second Saturdays Poetry Reading via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Suffolk County Poet Laureate Richard Bronson, the featured poet will be Barbara Segal. An open-reading will follow the featured poet; all are welcome to read one of their own poems. Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/, For more information, call 655-7798.
European Car Show
Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents its 17th annual Vintage European Sports Car & Motorcycle Show on the front lawn of the church from noon to 4 p.m. with live music by the Barking Men and refreshments. Free admission. Rain date is Aug. 14. Call 751-1097 for more information.
U2 tribute concert
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its Concert in the Courtyard series with a performance by Almost U2 paying tribute to the live experience of the iconic band U2 from 7 to 10 p.m. Held rain or shine. Tickets are $30 per person at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Tribute to the Doobie Brothers
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its 2022 Summer Concert Series with Doobie Brothers tribute band Doobie Others at 8 p.m. From the jammin’ rock of “Long Train Runnin” to the Grammy award winning pop of “What a Fool Believes,” the Doobie Others recreate the powerful multi-part harmonies of the pop hitmakers with stunning accuracy in a fun-filled high energy performance covering an amazing catalog of hits spanning both the Johnston and McDonald eras. Tickets are $59. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Sunday August 14
LISEC Sikaflex Boat Build
See Aug. 13 listing.
Art in the Park
Join the Northport Arts Coalition for an Art in the Park festival at Northport Village Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring music, dance, poetry readings and other performances plus more than thirty artists displaying and selling their original work, this free event in Northport Park is a fun day for the entire family. Visit www.northportarts.org
Wind Down Sundays
The popular summer concert series continues at Hap’s historic Red Barn at Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket tonight with The New Students (Rock, Bluegrass, Americana) at 5:30 p.m. Bring seating. Call 689-6146 or visit www.frankmelvillepark.org.
Summer Concerts on the Green
Summer concerts are back in front of the Stony Brook Post Office at the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main Street, Stony Brook from 7 to 9 p.m. every Sunday through Aug. 21, courtesy of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. Tonight’s performance will be by the NY Exceptions, a doo-wop band performing songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. Free. Bring seating.Call 751-2244 or visit wmho.org.
Monday August 15
Tide Mill Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will lead a tour of the Van Wyck-Lefferts Tide Mill, one of the best preserved 18th century tide mills in the country at 1:30 p.m. The tour begins with a short boat ride from Gold Star Battalion Beach into Puppy Cove, past waterfront mansions with sightings of egrets, ospreys, and visiting waterfowl. Your guide will explain the workings of the mill with some related social history, and each tour participant will receive a comprehensive, illustrated booklet. Ticket are $20 per person, $15 members. To purchase, call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
Tuesday August 16
Cooking with the Stars
The Smithtown Historical Society, 239 Main St., Smithtown continues its Cooking With the Stars series, featuring local culinary pros sharing tips, tecnhiques and a taste to bring the community together, with “Vegging Out” tonight from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chef Stephen Gallagher of The Trattoira in St. James will prepare two dishes using seasonally fresh vegetables. This is an outdoor event. $25 in advance, $35 at the door (cash or check). Visit www.eventbrite.com to register. For more information, call 265-6768.
Concerts at The Gazebo
Enjoy Tuesday night concerts at The Gazebo, 127 Smithtown Blvd., Nesconset through Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., courtesy of the Nesconset Chamber of Commerce. Tonight’s performance TBA. Rain dates are the next day. Bring seating. Questions? Call 672-5197 or visit www.nesconsetchamber.org
Wednesday August 17
Cruise Night at The Shoppes
Cruise Nights are back at The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River from 5 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Oct. 26. Visit the Shoppes, enjoy a bite to eat and then check out the fine array of classic and coveted automobiles from car enthusiasts from across Long Island in The Shoppes parking lot. Questions? Call 929-3500 or visit www.eastwindlongisland.com
Summerfest Concerts
The Northport Chamber of Commerce continues off its August Summerfest Concert series at the Northport Village Park Bandshell, Northport with a performance by the Little Wilson Band (Funky Rock ‘n Soul, with a little bit of roll) on Aug. 17 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Bring seating. For more info, call 754-3905.
Port Jefferson Sunset Concert
Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council presents Sunset Concerts at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson every Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 31. Tonight’s performance will be by the Ray Lambiase Band. Bring seating. Call 473-5220 or visit www.gpjac.org.
Thursday August 18
St. Joseph’s Family Festival
St. Joseph Parish, 59 Church St., Kings Park hosts a Family Festival tonight from 6 to 10 p.m., Aug. 19 and 20 from 6 to 11 p.m., and Aug. 21 from 6 to 10 p.m. Enjoy four days of fun with carnival rides, food, raffles, entertainment and more. Fireworks on Aug. 19. Purchase tickets in advance at www.stjoekp.com/festival or at the door.
Film
‘Shark Tale’/’Finding Nemo’
The 5th annual Farmingville Flicks Movie Series continues with Shark Tale on Aug. 11, Finding Nemo on Aug. 18 and Moana on Aug. 25 at the Local Church, 1070 Portion Road, Farmingville at dusk. Presented by Farmingville Hills Chamber of Commerce and Sachem Public Library. Bring seating. Free but registration is required by visiting www.farmingvillechamber.com.
‘Sing 2’
Heritage Park, 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Road, Mount Sinai continues its Movies in the Moonlight series with a screening of Sing 2 on Aug. 13 at 8:15 p.m. Presented by the North Shore Youth Council and Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker. Free. Bring seating. Questions? Call 403-4846.
‘The Thing’
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, John Carpenter’s The Thing will be screened at the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington with new 4K restoration on Aug. 13 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors and students, $5 children 12 and under. To order tickets in advance, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Howl’s Moving Castle’
The Cinema Arts Cenre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema For Kids series with a screening of Howl’s Moving Castle on Aug. 14 at noon. Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, finds her life thrown into turmoil when she is literally swept off her feet by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Waste, jealous of their friendship, puts a curse on Sophie and turns her into a 90-year-old woman leading her on a quest to break the spell. Tickets are $12 adults, $5 children. Call 423-7610.
‘So This Is Paris’
‘So This Is Paris’
As part of its Anything But Silent series, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen Ernst Lubitsch’s So This Is Paris (1926) on Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m. with live theatre organ accompaniment by Ben Model. Tickets are $17, $12 members. To order tickets in advance, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘The Goonies’
Join the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach for an Under the Stars Movie Night free screening of The Goonies on Aug. 17 from 8 to 10 p.m. As this movie will be held outside, patrons should bring their own chairs and blankets. In the event of rain, the program will be rescheduled for Aug. 25. Food truck will be on hand beginning at 7 p.m. Questions? Call 585-9393.
‘Spider Man: No Way Home’
St. James Chamber of Commerce invites the community to Deepwells Farm County Park, 497 Route 25A, St. James for a screening ofSpider Man: No Way Home on Aug. 18 at 7:45 p.m. (rain date is Aug. 25). Free. Bring seating. No pets. Call 584-8510.
‘Encanto’
Northport-East Northport Community Drug and Alcohol Task Force will host a Family Movie Night at Northport Village Park on Aug. 18 at 8:30 p.m. with a free screening of Disney’s Encanto. Bring seating. First 50 attendees will receive a free lawn blanket. Call 516-361-6540 for more info.
Theater
‘Every Brilliant Thing’
Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, in association with Response Crisis Center, presents the Long Island premiere of Every Brilliant Thing, a one-man show starring Jeffrey Sanzel, on the Second Stage Sundays at 3 p.m. from July 10 to Aug. 28. You’re seven years old. Your mother is in the hospital. Your father said she’s “done something stupid.” So, you begin a list of everything that is truly wonderful about the world — everything worth living for. With audience members recruited to take on supporting roles, Every Brilliant Thing is a heart-wrenching, hilarious story of depression and the lengths we will go for those we love. All seats are $20. Fifty percent of the gross proceeds of this production will benefit Response Crisis Center. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘On Your Feet!’
Extended! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan from July 14 to Sept. 3. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making, and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Get ready to get on your feet, and dance to the smash hits “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “1-2-3,” “Live For Loving You,” “Conga,” and many more. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘The Comedy of Errors’
The Carriage House Players continues its annual Shakespeare Festival at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with The Comedy of Errors from July 29 to Aug. 24 on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Performances take place outdoors on stage in the courtyard, where the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of timeless charm and magic. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show and bring your own lawn chair. Inclement weather cancels. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
‘I Love You, You’re Perfect …’
The Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents the hit musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change from Aug. 4 to Aug. 14. This hilarious revue pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, to those who have fallen on their face at the portal of romance, to those who have dared to ask, ‘Say, what are you doing Saturday night?’ Tickets are $45 adults, $40 seniors. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org. Read review on page B22.
Class Reunion
Port Jefferson (ELVHS) Class of 1972’s 50th reunion is planned for September 9 and 10, 2022. Please spread the word, and visit Facebook page “Port Jefferson(ELVHS) Class of 1972 50th Reunion” for details or e-mail [email protected].
Vendors Wante
◆ Nesconset Chamber of Commerce seeks vendors for its Nesconset Day street fair along Smithtown Blvd. in Nesconset on Aug. 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 631-672-5197 for more information.
◆ Davis Town Meeting House Society seeks vendors for its Yard Sale & Craft Fair on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Davis House, 263 Middle Country Rd., Coram. Rain date is Sept. 11. $25 per table. For an application, call Maryanne at 631-804-2256 or email: [email protected].
◆ Port Jefferson Lions Club seeks vendors for its 1st annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Rain date is Sept. 25) Call Warren at 631-258-6165.
◆ Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket is sponsoring a Fall Craft Fair & Barn Sale on the Setauket Village Green (Main St. and Caroline Ave.) on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is Sept. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Limited spaces still available on the Village Green (10’x10’) and covered Carriage Shed (9’x18’). Reserve your spot at depasmarket.com. Questions? Call 631-806-4845.
◆ Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook is seeking vendors for its Apple Festival on Oct.1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Spots (10’ x 10’) are $40 each; vendors can call or text 631-252-0777 for an application.
◆ St. Thomas of Canterbury, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown seeks craft or new merchandise vendors for its Craft Fair and Car Show on Oct. 8 (rain date is Oct. 15 for craft fair only) $50/space. Visit www.stthomasofcanterbury.net or call 631-265-4520 to obtain an application..
◆ Northport Arts Coalition seeks artists and musicians for its annual ArtWalk on Oct. 9 from 1 to 5 p.m. ArtWalk turns the entire Village of Northport into an immersive art experience. Artists in this juried event exhibit and sell their work in shops and offices while musicians serenade visitors on the streets. Artists will need to submit samples of their work to be considered for entry, and musicians will need to submit videos or recordings of live performances. The deadline to submit is Aug.21 and you’ll be notified by Sept. 1 if you’ve been accepted. Visit www.NorthportArts.org/ArtWalk.
◆ Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25a, Rocky Point seeks vendors to be a part of their annual October Festival on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee for vendor participation of new items, no raffles is $35 per10’ x 10’ space. Must supply own table and chairs. Visit www.thefishchurch.com Festivals and Events page.
◆ Suffolk County Farm & Education Center, 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank seeks vendors for its annual Fall Family Dog Day on Oct. 23. Contact Vicki Fleming at [email protected] for details.
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