In advance of the early voting dates of August 13-21 and the New York State primary election on Tuesday, August 23, the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island and North Fork will be holding a Republican Congressional candidates primary debate on Zoom on Monday, August 8, 7-8 p.m., hosted by Southampton Town’s SEA-TV.
Invited to participate are the three Republican Congressional candidates in the newly-drawn 1st C.D.—Michelle Bond of Port Jefferson, CEO of the cryptocurrency Association for Digital Asset Markets; Anthony Figliola of East Setauket, a lobbyist with Empire Government Strategies and former Deputy Supervisor of Brookhaven Town; and Nicholas LaLota of Amityville, chief of staff to the Suffolk County Legislature’s Presiding Officer and former Republican Commissioner of the Suffolk County Board of Elections.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democratic Congressional candidate Bridget Fleming of Sag Harbor, an attorney and Suffolk County Legislator, in the general election on Tuesday, November 8.
The August 8 debate can be viewed live at 7 p.m. at www.YouTube.com/c/SeaTVSouthampton and can also be seen anytime afterwards on the same YouTube channel, starting the following day, August 9.
The public is invited to submit questions for the candidates. Email them by August 5 to LWV Voter Services Committee chair Barbara McClancy at [email protected]
For those not able to vote in person on the early voting days of August 13-21 or on primary election day, August 23, absentee ballot applications in English and other languages are available on the NYS Board of Elections website at www.elections.ny.gov . After mailing in the absentee ballot application and receiving the actual absentee ballot back, postmark deadline is August 23.
For questions, call the Suffolk County Board of Elections at 631-852-4500.
Walt Whitman Birthplace Association will be burying a Time Capsule on Friday, August 5 at the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station at 1 p.m. The ceremony will also commemorate William T. Walter, Ph.D. (1931-2020) for his long-time leadership and lasting contributions to WWBA as Trustee, Officer, and Member (1981-2020).
The Time Capsule will contain Whitman memorabilia, related artifacts, written historic texts and books along with newspaper articles of the current times reflecting a significant economic, political, or social news event.
A boulder will be placed at the site with a commemorative plaque inscribed: “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love, If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.” W.W., Song of Myself, Section 52.
This project was initiated during the bicentenary year of Walt’s birth, 2019. The time capsule will be opened during Walt’s 250th birthday celebration in 2069.
The ceremony will take place under a tent with refreshments served. No registration is required, all are welcome.
This project was made possible through the financial support of the Town of Huntington, Suffolk County, and the continued support of New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating a shooting that killed a man in Huntington Station on Aug. 2.
Byron Martinez was shot at the threshold of his residence, located at 212 5th Ave., after he answered a knock at the door at approximately 1:15 a.m. Martinez, 23, was pronounced dead at the scene by a physician assistant from the Office of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner.
Detectives are asking anyone with information on the shooting to call the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 800-220-TIPS.
Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. and Robert Misseri, president and founder of Paws of War, were on hand to greet owners and pets. Photo from Paws of War
Pet owners brought their dogs to be microchipped at the Paws of War location in Nesconset July 29. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Pet owners brought their dogs to be microchipped at the Paws of War location in Nesconset July 29. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Pet owners brought their dogs to be microchipped at the Paws of War location in Nesconset July 29. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Pet owners brought their dogs to be microchipped at the Paws of War location in Nesconset July 29. Photo by Rita J. Egan
Pet owners brought their dogs to be microchipped at the Paws of War location in Nesconset July 29. Photo by Rita J. Egan
July 29 was a hot day as 30 dogs and their owners stopped by Paws of War in the Nesconset Shopping Center for an important mission.
They were there for a free microchip and pet identification service event hosted by Paws of War, which trains and places support dogs with U.S. military veterans. The event was sponsored by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. and Robert Misseri, president and founder of Paws of War, pictured right, were on hand to greet owners and pets.
For three hours, attendees took their dogs inside the Paws of War Mobile Veterinary Clinic to receive the microchips, which are implanted into their skin behind the shoulder blades. The size of a large grain of rice, microchip implants are radio frequency identification tags that provide a permanent form of identification and track a pet’s movements.
When an animal is lost, a microchip scanner can identify to whom a pet belongs. The sheriff’s office’s Lost Pet Network database can also track and locate lost pets when they are microchipped.
A lost pet can wind up in an animal shelter if an owner is not found. Approximately 10 million pets in this country are lost each year, according to the nonprofit American Humane Society’s website (humanesociety.org). The nonprofit also states that out of the lost pets in shelters with no ID tags or microchips, only 15 % of dogs and 2 % of cats are reunited with their owners.
Participants at the July 29 event received an ID card and were also able to receive free dog food, leashes, collars and more.
The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office will sponsor two more free microchipping events for residents Aug. 11 outside the Yaphank Correctional Facility, 200 Glover Drive, and Sept. 17 in Patchogue, location still to be determined.
Individuals with gambling addictions can now receive help from a new program offered by Mather Hospital’s Chemical Dependency Program, 75 North Country Road, Port Jefferson. The new service offers individual and group counseling for those 18 and older.
“Most adults gamble as a recreational, fun activity. But for some, it can become an addiction as with alcohol or drugs. This program has been developed to help individuals gain skills to combat addiction,” said Alice Miller, LCSW-R, Director of Outpatient Chemical Dependency at Mather Hospital.
Warning signs of a gambling addiction include lying about gambling behaviors, missing time with family and friends, gambling to escape problems, getting into debt, and unsuccessfully trying to cut back or stop gambling. Some popular forms of gambling include online sports betting, casinos, lottery and scratch-off tickets, horse racing, bingo, raffles and office pools.
For more information about the hospital’s outpatient program contact Alice Miller at [email protected]. To make an appointment, please call the Central Scheduling Department at 631-331-8200.
Diet plays a large role in quality of life as we age
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
What if I told you that approximately 85 percent of the U.S. population is malnourished, regardless of socioeconomic status and, in many cases, despite being overweight or obese (1)? The definition of malnourished is insufficient nutrition, which in the U.S. results from low levels of much-needed nutrients. Sadly, the standard American diet is very low in nutrients, so many have at least moderate malnutrition.
Most chronic diseases, including common killers, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers, can potentially be prevented, modified and even reversed with a focus on nutrients, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Here’s a stunning statistic: more than 50 percent of American adults have a chronic disease, with 27 percent having more than one (2). This is likely a factor in the slowing pace of life expectancy increases in the U.S., which have plateaued in the past decade and are currently at around 77 years old.
I regularly test patients’ carotenoid levels. Carotenoids are nutrients that are incredibly important for tissue and organ health. They are measurable and give the practitioner a sense of whether the patient may lack potentially disease-fighting nutrients. A high nutrient intake dietary approach can resolve the situation and increase, among others, carotenoid levels.
Benefits of high nutrient intake
A high nutrient intake diet is an approach that focuses on micronutrients, which literally means small nutrients, including antioxidants and phytochemicals – plant nutrients. Micronutrients are bioactive compounds found mostly in foods and some supplements. While fiber is not considered a micronutrient, it also has significant disease modifying effects. Micronutrients interact with each other in synergistic ways, meaning the sum is greater than the parts. Diets that are plant-rich raise the levels of micronutrients considerably in patients.
In a 2017 study that included 73,700 men and women who were participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, participants’ diets were rated over a 12-year period using three established dietary scores: the Alternate Healthy Eating Index–2010 score, the Alternate Mediterranean Diet score, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score (3).
A 20 percent increase in diet scores (indicating an improved quality of diet) was significantly associated with a reduction in total mortality of 8 to 17 percent, depending on whether two or three scoring methods were used. Participants who maintained a high-quality diet over a 12-year period reduced their risk of death by 9 to 14 percent more than participants with consistently low diet scores over time. By contrast, worsening diet quality over 12 years was associated with an increase in mortality of 6 to 12 percent. Not surprisingly, longer periods of healthy eating had a greater effect than shorter periods.
This study reinforces the findings of the Greek EPIC trial, a large prospective (forward-looking) cohort study, where the Mediterranean-type diet decreased mortality significantly — the better the compliance, the greater the effect (4). The most powerful dietary components were the fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, legumes and moderate alcohol intake. Low consumption of meat also contributed to the beneficial effects. Dairy and cereals had a neutral or minimal effect.
Improving quality of life
Quality of life is also important, though. Let’s examine some studies that examine the impact of diet on diseases that may reduce our quality of life as we age.
A study showed olive oil reduces the risk of stroke by 41 percent (5). The authors attribute this effect at least partially to oleic acid, a bioactive compound found in olive oil. While olive oil is important, I recommend limiting olive oil to one tablespoon a day. There are 120 calories per tablespoon of olive oil, all of them fat. If you eat too much, even of good fat, it defeats the purpose. The authors commented that the Mediterranean-type diet had only recently been used in trials with neurologic diseases and results suggest benefits in several disorders, such as Alzheimer’s.
In a case-control study that compared those with and without disease, high intake of antioxidants from food was associated with a significant decrease in the risk of early Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), even when participants had a genetic predisposition for the disease (6). AMD is the leading cause of blindness in those 55 years or older.
There were 2,167 people enrolled in the study with several different genetic variations that made them high risk for AMD. Those with a highest nutrient intake, including B-carotene, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, EPA and DHA- substances found in fish, had an inverse relationship with risk of early AMD. Nutrients, thus, may play a role in modifying gene expression.
Though many Americans are malnourished, nutrients that are effective and available can alter this predicament. Hopefully, with a focus on a high nutrient intake, we can improve life expectancy and, on an individual level, improve our quality of life.
References:
(1) dietaryguidelines.gov. (2) cdc.gov. (3) N Engl J Med 2017; 377:143-153. (4) BMJ. 2009;338:b2337. (5) Neurology June 15, 2011. (6) Arch Ophthalmol. 2011;129(6):758-766.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com.
If you think this column is going to be about that ubiquitous traditional casserole made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup and French fried onion rings, it’s not. It’s going to be about fresh green beans, aka string beans, young and slender and just off the vine because green beans, like so many other veggies, just taste so different, so much better when they’re fresh picked, and now is the season to take advantage of that.
You can make them part of a Ligurian pasta dish with potatoes and basil or you can just douse them with lemon juice and olive oil or toss them into a salade Nicoise. You can do the old standby, green beans almandine, or an Asian stir-fry. Or you can try them sautéed with cherry tomatoes, or with hazelnuts and citrus zest or dipped in batter and fried, or even left raw and dunked in your favorite dip.
Pasta with Pesto, Green Beans and Potatoes
YIELD: Makes 8 servings as first course, 4 servings as main course.
INGREDIENTS:
2 1/3 cups packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pignoli nuts
2 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup or more extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup or more freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 pound potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into one-inch lengths
1 pound spaghetti or linguine
DIRECTIONS:
In the bowl of an electric food processor, combine the basil, pignoli nuts, garlic, oil, cheese, and salt and pepper; process, scraping bowl often, until a smooth consistency is achieved. To a large pot of boiling salted water add the potatoes and cook until they are not quite al dente, about 5 to 8 minutes; add green beans and continue cooking until potatoes are tender and beans are bright green and tender, about another 5 to 10 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove potatoes and beans and set aside to keep warm; when potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them into one-inch cubes. To the potato and green bean water add the pasta and cook according to package directions; drain, transfer to large bowl, add vegetables and pesto and toss to coat thoroughly.(If mixture seems too dry, add a little of the cooking water to it.) Serve hot with a tomato and onion salad.
Asian Style Green Beans
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons chunky peanut butter
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons peanut oil
2 tablespoons chopped shallot
2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh ginger root
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons sliced scallions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
DIRECTIONS:
In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, peanut butter and hot pepper flakes. In a large skillet heat oil over medium heat, then add shallot and ginger and, stirring frequently, saute about two minutes, until tender and a little crisp; add green beans and stirring frequently, saute until al dente; add sauce, toss to coat thoroughly, top with scallions and cilantro and serve hot with grilled fish and rice.
Beer Batter-Fried Green Beans
YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup beer
1 cup flour
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for frying
1 pound green beans, trimmed
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the beer, flour, salt ad pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat to 375 F. When oil is ready, dip the beans in the batter, let excess oil drip off, then being careful to avoid getting spattered, gently drop the beans into the oil; fry in batches, and when they are golden brown and crisp, after about 5 to 8 minutes, with a slotted spoon remove them to drain on paper towels. Serve hot or warm with margaritas or dry white wine.
All trusts are not created equally; there are many different types of trusts used for a variety of purposes, such as asset protection planning, financial management, probate avoidance and tax planning. Two common types of trusts in estate and asset protection planning are revocable and irrevocable trusts.
A revocable trust is a trust where you, the trust creator, reserve the right to revoke or change the trust at any time. If properly structured and funded, a revocable trust can be helpful in avoiding probate and allowing for easier management of assets in the event of incapacity. If you own homes in more than one state, it may make sense to place your out-of-state property in a revocable trust to avoid the need for probate in two states. Beware, however, that a revocable trust offers no asset protection. For Medicaid purposes, all of the assets in a revocable trust are considered available and may have to be spent down on the costs of care.
The better option for most older adults is an irrevocable trust. This type of trust cannot be revoked or changed by you alone, but can be with the consent of the trust beneficiaries. The benefit of making a trust irrevocable is that it can be structured as a Medicaid asset protection trust.
An irrevocable trust set up for asset protection purposes can hold almost any type of asset, including your home, bank accounts, and investments. You cannot have access to the principal of the trust, but you can retain the right to receive the income (dividends and interest). After five years have passed, the assets held in the trust are protected with respect to Medicaid. You would not have to spend down those assets on the cost of care; they are protected and will be inherited by your beneficiaries.
By properly planning ahead, your assets can be maintained for quality-of-life items and ultimately left to your heirs. But creating the trust is only the first step. The trust also must be funded, meaning assets must be transferred or re-titled into the name of the trust. For example, bank and brokerage accounts need to be retitled in the name of the trust. When transferring real property to a trust, you will need to sign a new deed naming the trust as the owner of the property.
For many families in the metro NY area, their most valuable asset is their home. As such, we often transfer title to the home to the irrevocable asset protection trust in order to protect its value. You can still sell your home, purchase a new property, keep your real estate tax exemptions, and no one can sell your house without your consent. Other assets can be placed in a trust for asset protection purposes as well, such as investment accounts, bank accounts, mutual funds, and life insurance.
With the escalating cost of healthcare, it is more important than ever for older adults to protect the assets they worked their whole lives to save from a sudden healthcare crisis. An irrevocable trust is an important tool in that asset protection plan.
Be sure your Elder Law and Estate Planning attorney understands the extent of your assets and listens carefully to your concerns and goals so that together you can create a customized trust, estate and elder law plan.
Jennifer B. Cona, Esq. is the Founder and Managing Partner of Cona Elder Law located in Melville and Port Jefferson. The law firm concentrates in asset protection, estate planning, Medicaid benefits, probate and special needs planning. For information, visit www.conaelderlaw.com.
Suffolk County Police Major Case Unit detectives are investigating a robbery that occurred at a bank in Greenlawn on July 31.
A man entered TD Bank, located at 460 Pulaski Road, at approximately 1:10 p.m., and handed a teller a note demanding cash. The teller complied and gave the suspect cash from the drawer. The robber fled on foot.
The suspect was described as a male with an average build. He was wearing dark clothing and a dark face covering.
Anyone with information on this robbery is asked to call the Major Case Unit at 631-852-6553 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.
Short Beach is one of the places Smithtown residents go to feel cool in the summer heat. Photo by Rita J. Egan
While heat waves are an expected part of summer, navigating them isn’t always so simple. This weather can often lead to people suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Our area has experienced relentless heat recently. Only halfway through summer, odds are that more scorching weather is ahead of us.
Most North Shore residents in Suffolk County are fortunate to have some form of air conditioning. For those who don’t, local municipalities can offer relief.
Each summer, the towns of Huntington, Smithtown and Brookhaven have helped residents escape intense heat. Huntington officials set up cooling stations during the hottest days of the year. The town announced July 19 that it would make cooling stations available at locations such as Clark Gillies Arena (formerly Dix Hills Ice Rink) and John J. Flanagan Center/Senior Center last week
Huntington, along with Smithtown and Brookhaven, expands hours at public beaches and pools during such weather events, too. When cooling stations or extended hours are needed, municipalities will post this information on their websites and social media pages.
These means of communication also come in handy during other weather events, such as flooding. While rainstorms can temporarily offset high temperatures, they can also quickly flood areas, presenting a public safety hazard. And we are also in the midst of hurricane season, so residents please keep an eye on those weather reports.
Regarding the heat, some helpful tips may come in handy.
When being exposed to hazardous heat, stay well hydrated, eat light, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, minimize direct sun exposure and reduce time spent outdoors. These precautions should be heeded by all, especially by those who are older, pregnant or suffering from chronic health conditions. Caregivers should also monitor infants and children more closely than usual.
Of course, a visit to an air-conditioned mall to escape the heat can never be underestimated. A couple of hours of strolling and shopping inside can kill some time as the heat rages outside.
Remember, when going into the mall or a store, do not leave your pet in the car. Temperatures inside a parked car can be much higher than outside — up to 30 degrees or more. Never leave a pet unattended in a parked car, even if the window is cracked open.
Also, the same precautions taken by humans apply to pets, so make sure they are getting plenty of water and are not outside during the hottest parts of the day.
While we are fortunate to live in an area with plenty of choices to cool off, many residents are unaware of their options. Check on sick or older neighbors during heat waves just as you would during snowstorms to ensure they have everything they need.
And don’t sweat it; in a couple months, people will soon be enjoying the leaves changing color and a few weeks later will be building snowmen.
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