Port Jefferson Free Library, where the meeting was held. File photo
By Peter Sloniewsky
Port Jefferson Civic Association met Monday, Aug. 12, to discuss the flooding issue in the area, specifically regarding ongoing projects undertaken by the United States Geological Survey, and, also, by Campani and Schwarting Architects.
First, Kristina Masterson, supervisory hydrologist for the Water Resources Integrated Modeling and Analysis Section in the New York Water Science Center, presented an ongoing study run by the USGS that will help to accurately model floods in the Port Jefferson area.
Kristina Masterson. Courtesy USGS.gov
The study, titled “Assessment of compound flood risk from the combined effects of sea level rise on storm surge, tidal and groundwater flooding, and stormwater,” specifically examines compound floods. Locally, there are a variety of flood drivers such as the harbor, stormwater runoff from the underlying 2-square-mile watershed and the area’s high groundwater table.
The project will be in two phases. Phase one, set to be completed in this fall, is described as a “spatial analysis of vulnerability to flooding associated with individual and co-occurring flood drivers.” The conclusion of this phase will be an online interactive map which will allow users to check which relevant factors are most pertinent to flooding in any subsection of the mapped area.
In the second phase, planned for a completion date in winter 2025, USGS will create a “compound flood modeling framework” that will help researchers to better simulate the effects of flooding not only in Port Jefferson, but also in other areas which have been mapped in a similar way. With a more generalized compound flooding model, Masterson expressed hope that scientists and policymakers could better plan infrastructure around simulated flood patterns.
This USGS study is a part of the Long Island Sound Study, which was established in 1985 by Congress to focus on water quality. Since then, it has transformed largely into a focused effort toward resiliency. The current study is funded through the Sustainable and Resilient Communities Work Group, representing a state/federal partnership. USGS is nonregulatory, and the data gathered throughout this project will be publicly accessible after its publication.
The second project, presented by Michael Schwarting and Frances Campani, involved modeling the “steep streets” of Port Jefferson which converge on the harbor to better map out the placement of future damage-mitigation infrastructure projects.
The meeting concluded with a question-and-answer segment. One major theme was concerns about the pragmatism of both projects, asking why money was not spent on infrastructure directly.
Masterson explained, “Our study was funded by the Long Island Sound Study and the EPA. We have to follow through with the purview of the study. Second, we’re not design engineers. We’re trying to introduce foundational work, so that folks will be able to take a look at, and better understand, what the flood risks are, in their respective locations.”
Port Jefferson Mayor Lauren Sheprow clarified at the meeting that the village has grants from both FEMA and the county, and is already in contact with engineering firms to work toward more directly pragmatic endeavors.
The civic association’s next meeting will be held Sept. 9 at the Port Jefferson Free Library.
Michael Christodoulou of Edward Jones, 97 Main Street, Suite F in Stony BrookVillage has been recognized as being among the Forbes 2024 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-In-State. The selection was based on research by SHOOK Research LLC, data as of March 2024. Among the selection criteria were assets under care, compliance records and best practices for serving clients. “I’m deeply honored … I am grateful to everyone who made this possible,” said Christodoulou in a statement.
The movement of the financial markets can seem mysterious — and yet, if we look back over long periods, we can see definite patterns that consistently repeat themselves. As an investor, how should you respond to these market cycles?
When stock prices begin falling dramatically, it can appear that your only option is to sell to limit losses. But we disagree — if you’re a long-term investor, the difference between success and failure may be determined by your actions during a stock market decline.
To begin with, it’s useful to know something about the nature of a market cycle and its connection to the business or economic cycle, which describes the fluctuations of the economy between periods of growth and contraction. Issues such as employment, consumer spending, interest rates and inflation can determine the stage of the business cycle. On the other hand, the market cycle refers to what’s happening in the financial markets — that is, the performance of all the different types of investments.
The market cycle often anticipates the business cycle. In other words, the stock market may peak, or hit bottom, before the business cycle does the same. That’s partially because the financial markets are always looking ahead. If they foresee an event that could boost the business cycle and help the economy, such as the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates, they may become more “bullish” on stocks, thus driving the market up.
Conversely, if the markets think the business cycle will slow down and the economy will contract, they may project a decline in corporate earnings and become more “bearish” on stocks, leading to a market drop.
Once you’re familiar with the nature of market cycles, you won’t be surprised when they occur. But does that mean you should base your investment strategy on these cycles?
Some people do. If they believe the market cycle is moving through a downward phase, they may try to cut their perceived losses by selling stocks — even those with strong fundamentals and good prospects — and buying lower-risk investments. While these “safer” investments may offer more price stability and a greater degree of preservation of principal, they also won’t provide much in the way of growth potential. And you’ll need this growth capacity to help reach your long-term goals, including a comfortable retirement.
On the other hand, when investors think the market cycle is moving upward, they may keep investing in stocks that have become overpriced. In extreme cases, unwarranted investor enthusiasm can lead to events such as the dotcom bubble, which led to a sharp market decline from 2000 through 2002.
Rather than trying to “time” the market, you may well be better off by looking past its cycles and following a long-term, “all-weather” strategy that’s appropriate for your goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and need for liquidity. And it’s also a good idea to build a diversified portfolio containing U.S. and foreign stocks, mutual funds, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury securities and other investments. While diversification can’t protect against all losses, it can help protect you from market volatility that might primarily affect just one asset class.
Market cycles often draw a lot of attention, and they are relevant to investors in the sense that they can explain what’s happening in the markets. Yet, when it comes to investing, it’s best not to think of cycles but rather of a long journey – one that, when traveled carefully, can lead to the destinations you seek. Market declines can test the nerves of even the most patient investors. If you own a diversified mix of quality investments, resist the temptation to sell or make changes based on short-term events.
The next time the market has a hiccup, take a deep breath and remember:
• Market declines are normal, frequent and not a reason to sell quality investments.
• Market declines begin and end without warning.
• Market declines provide an opportunity to buy quality investments at lower prices.
• Market declines return investments to their rightful owners: those who understand why they own what they own.
Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook, Member SIPC.This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.
The Town of Smithtown Board meeting Aug. 13 included discussions on authorizations for construction of a freight yard on Old Northport Road. The majority of the meeting was dedicated to hearing from residents who voiced notable worries concerning the freight yard.
“Many of us here have the same concerns and are here to share our opinions,” said Diane Calderone, a Fort Salonga resident. “To me, there are so many reasons why I don’t think it’s a good idea, and I don’t understand the support for this.”
The Town of Smithtown has previously appeared to support the project. “My number one reason against the freight yard is health concerns. Many people have asthma and respiratory issues, among other ailments. The exhaust and pollution from this freight yard — from the freight trains and the trucks parked there to move materials and goods off the trains onto the trucks for distribution across the island — that’s going to generate a lot of pollution and exhaust. That’s not going to be good for anybody’s health, even if you don’t have asthma or any respiratory conditions today. Who knows what that will create in the future? I think that’s a huge risk this freight yard poses to the public,” she said.
Calderone expressed her desire for support from the board. “I’m here to speak about your support of the freight yard. I hope with us coming here, speaking out, taking time to show that this is important to us, you will reconsider and rescind your support. Instead, you should be helping us, leading us in opposing the freight yard. We can’t do it as individuals, although we are trying as hard as we can.” She closed her speech by cautioning the board that their support is crucial to stopping the project. “We really need you to help us oppose this freight yard.”
Another speaker, Anthony Haberman, expressed apprehension regarding the risk of accidents. “I ask everyone to put themselves in my shoes. I’m a father, a business owner in Commack and I have three small children,” Haberman said. He noted a statistic, stating that the nation faces an average of three derailment incidents daily, which raises concerns about the risk of an accident occurring at this freight yard.
Many of the speakers at the meeting felt the board should reconsider its position on the project.
Primary concerns included pollution, air quality, health risks, increased traffic and the potential for accidents involving both the trains and vehicles traveling to and from the site. The board did not discuss its position in detail after hearing from the speakers.
Priscilla Ewer Pratt of Port Jefferson, died peacefully on July 31. She was 83.
Priscilla was born on March 21, 1941, in Plainfield, New Jersey, to Edmund Addison Pratt and Priscilla Swint Ewer. She graduated from Wheaton College in Illinois with a B.A. in English, earned a Master of Library Science from Rutgers University, and an M.A. in English from SUNY Stony Brook.
Priscilla had a long career as a librarian spanning nearly 54 years in college libraries across Long Island, most recently at Suffolk County Community College, where she worked part-time well into her 80s.
Her love of books was extraordinary, and her intellectual curiosity was lifelong. She excelled at languages, loved poetry and the classics, and participated in book clubs throughout her life. Priscilla also enjoyed writing, history, genealogy, art and nature.
She wrote and published two novels and composed award-winning poetry. Additionally, she played the piano and was an enthusiastic concertgoer and choir member.
Priscilla is survived by her brother, George, and nieces, Cindy, Kathy, Beth, Wendy and Sophie, as well as their families. An inurnment ceremony was held at Caroline Episcopal Church in East Setauket on Sunday, Aug. 11.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Nature Conservancy or the New York Public Library.
Edward G. Leahey. Courtesy The Island Funeral Home & Crematory
Prepared by Leahey family
Edward G. Leahey passed away on Aug. 6 in Hilton Head, South Carolina, at the age of 87.
Ed was born in Far Rockaway, and grew up in Hollis. He attended Cortland State Teachers College. After graduation, he entered the Marine Corps, where he became an officer, and served in both California and the Far East. Following his military service, he became the director of physical education and athletics, at Suffolk County Community College.
Ed later worked in the shipbuilding industry, with E.W. Hazard Associates, and, later, became the owner of a small resort, the Whiteface Chalet, located in Wilmington.
He was involved with local attractions, businesses and sports — even going so far as to serving, along with his wife, Linda, as an official in both the World Cup and the 1980 Olympic Winter Games.”
After selling the chalet, Ed and Linda became general and business managers for large recreational resorts. He was affiliated with Gurney’s Inn, in Montauk, the Sheraton, in Glens Falls, and the Windmill Point Marine Resort, in Virginia.
Ed and his family moved to Hilton Head in 1987, where he and Linda worked in real estate for more than 25 years. He eventually became a teacher of real estate to newcomers in the industry.
Ed is survived by his wife; son, Todd, of Tolland, Conn.; daughter, Michelle Cox, of Columbia, Mo.; and six grandchildren.
Ed will be cremated, and a memorial is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright, right, presented proclamations to, left to right, teacher Susan Archer, lunch monitor Jessica Carioscia and Minnesauke Elementary Student Aidan Sterne. Photo from Steven Englebright’s office
When Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket) heard a Minnesauke Elementary student had been saved from choking at the end of the school year, he knew he had to honor the people involved in saving the fourth grader.
At the Suffolk County Legislature’s July 30th General Meeting, Englebright presented proclamations to Minnesauke student Aidan Sterne, lunch monitor Jessica Carioscia and recently retired fourth-grade teacher Susan Archer.
“What young people can do is incredible, especially when dedicated professionals surround them,” Englebright said.
Aidan, who will begin fifth grade at Minnesauke Elementary School in September, recently saved a friend from choking due to Carioscia’s training and Archer’s recognition of the importance of providing vital lessons in first aid.
At the beginning of each school year, Archer would conduct a lesson on identifying when someone is choking and then demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver for her fourth graders. She would review the lifesaving procedure at the end of the school year.
Aidan was fortunate to be in her class. On the day of the review, he noticed one of his friends in distress and remembered the signs of choking and the importance of notifying an adult.
Aidan quickly alerted Carioscia, who performed the Heimlich maneuver on his friend and was able to clear the food the student was choking on.
As Englebright presented the three with proclamations on July 30, the legislator thanked them for their dedication and vigilance.
“This incident is a testament to the importance of education in raising awareness about health emergencies and first-aid training,” Englebright said. “All three played a vital role in avoiding what could have been a horrific tragedy.”
Art Billadello of Setauket snapped this beautiful sunset overlooking Stony Brook Harbor while attending a summer concert on the Village Green on Aug. 11.
Following a relentless drive to succeed, scientists have a great deal in common with athletes.
In addition to putting in long hours and dedicating considerable energy to improving their results, these talented professionals also enjoy moments of success — large and small — as opportunities to appreciate the victories and then build to greater challenges.
And so it is for Hiro Furukawa, a Professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Hiro Furukawa. Photo courtesy of JMSA
Working with a team of scientists including at Emory University, Furukawa recently published a paper in the prestigious journal Nature in which he demonstrated the long-sought structural process that leads to the opening of an important channel in the brain, called the NMDAR receptor.
When this cellular channel doesn’t function correctly, it can lead to numerous diseases, including Alzheimer’s and depression. Understanding the structural details of this channel could, at some point in future research, lead to breakthrough treatments.
“Each moment of discovery is exciting and priceless,” Furukawa explained. “When I finally see what I have sought for many years — in this case, the mechanism of NMDAR channel opening — it fills me with immense euphoria, followed by a sense of satisfaction.”
That sounds like the kind of mountaintop moment that star athletes whose achievements people applaud share once they’ve reached a long-desire milestone, like, perhaps, winning a gold medal in the Olympics.
The thirst for more for Furukawa, as it is for those with a passion for success in other fields beyond science and athletics, is unquenchable and unrelenting.
“This feeling is fleeting,” he added. “Within a few hours, a flurry of new questions arising from the discovery begins to occupy my mind.”
Indeed, Furukawa suggested that he expects that many other scientists share this experience.
Forming a winning team
Furukawa and Stephen Traynelis, Professor and Director in the Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, started to work together on a series of modulators for the NMDAR protein about eight years ago.
Hiro Furukawa. Photo courtesy of JMSA
This particular protein binds to the neurotransmitter glutamate and to glycine, which is another compound. Once bound to both, the channel, as if responding to the correct combination in a garage door, opens, creating electrical signals that contribute to brain functions.
To study the way the binding of these molecules opened the channel, the researchers needed to figure out how to keep the receptor in the open position.
That’s where a combination of work in the labs of Traynelis and Dennis Liotta, also a Professor at Emory, came in. Liotta’s lab made over 400 analogs that Traynelis ran in his lab.
Liotta created a compound called EU-1622-A, which is now known as EU-1622-240, that upregulates NMDAR activity, Furukawa explained.
“We used cryo-EM [electron microscopy] to capture the NMDAR structure with the compound, validated its conformation through electrophysiology and elucidated the activation mechanism,” he said.
Incorporating EU-1622-240 along with glycine and glutamate into the GluN1-2B NMDAR sample, which is a specific subtype and is the easiest to work with, enabled a visualization of the open channel.
Furukawa described the compound Traynelis created at Emory as the “key factor in capturing the open channel conformation.”
Determining the structure of a functioning protein can provide clues about how to alter those that may be contributing to the onset or progression of a disease.
To be sure, Furukawa recognizes the work as one step in what’s likely to involve an extensive research journey.
“We still have a long way to go, but we’ve made progress,” Furukawa said. “In this study, a compound bound to NMDAR gave us a clue on how to control the frequency of ion channel openings. Both hyperactive and hypoactive functions of NMDAR ion channels have been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, so being able to regulate NMDAR activity would be significant.”
Furukawa can’t say for sure if this compound could alleviate the symptoms of certain diseases, but it serves as a new series of potentially clinically relevant options to test.
The researchers are developing a method to purify NMDAR proteins from animal tissues. Once they accomplish that task, they should be able to isolate NMDAR from Alzheimer’s brains to compare them to a normally functioning protein.
Furukawa suggested that it’s probable that specific NMDAR conformations are stabilized to different extents in various diseases compared to normal brains.
The researchers have not yet presented this work at meetings. First author Tsung-Han Chou, who is a postdoctoral fellow in Furukawa’s lab, plans to present the work at upcoming conferences, such as the Biophysical Society Meeting.
The review process for the research proceeded quickly, as the team submitted the paper in February of this year.
Next steps
As for what’s next, Furukawa suggested that the team planned to solidify their findings.
“We must determine if the channel opening mechanism applies to other types of NMDARs,” he said. “Although we observed that EU1622-A compound binds to NMDAR, its structure was not sufficient resolved.”
To facilitate the re-design of EU1622-240, the scientists will need to improve the cryo-EM map resolution.
Traynelis, meanwhile, said that he and Liotta are synthesizing new modulators in this class and related classes and are working on mechanisms of action for this series at all NMDA receptors as well as actions in neuronal systems.
“We have a robust synthetic program with our collaborator [Liotta], whose laboratory is synthesizing many new modulators in this class and related classes,” Traynelis explained.
Traynelis added that his goal is to “develop new medicines to address unmet clinical needs. We want to find new and effective therapeutic treatments that help patients.”
The Emory professor is excited about the “potential development of positive NMDA receptor allosteric modulators that could enhance NMDA receptor function.”
Broader perspective
Furukawa, who lives in Cold Spring Harbor and whose sons Ryoma, 16 and Rin, 13, attend senior and junior high school, respectively, was interested in international politics and economics when he attended Tufts University as an undergraduate.
These non-science topics provide additional perspective that enrich his life.
“I remain very interested in understanding history and the reasons behind current events in Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S.,” he said. “This endeavor is far more challenging than decoding NMDAR structures and functions.”
As for his collaborations, Furukawa suggested that the findings from this research inspire him to continue to search for more answers and greater scientific achievements.
“We will continue to unravel these mysteries in future studies,” Furukawa said. “The best is yet to come.”
Kimberly Christian. Courtesy Rocky Point Union Free School District
The Rocky Point School District welcomes Kimberly Christian, as its new director of math, science, technology, business education, career and technical education, and family and consumer sciences. Dr. Christian will continue to advance initiatives in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics for the district.
Christian earned an undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University, a Master of Arts in Teaching Biology, a doctorate in science education, and certification in school district leadership from Stony Brook University.
In her new role,Christian aims to provide all students with a comprehensive, 21st-century education to develop information literacy, critical thinking, and analytical skills. She is known for her motivation, innovation, and problem-solving skills. She hopes to foster productive, collaborative relationships among colleagues, parents, students, and community members.
“I am pleased to join the Rocky Point community,” Christian said. “It is a privilege to work alongside our talented educators, supportive staff, and enthusiastic students and families. I look forward to advancing initiatives that will drive student success and inspire a passion for learning.”
Christian has been a science teacher at Smithtown High School East since 2004, where she taught AP Biology and Project Lead the Way: Medical Interventions, as well as Regents Living Environment and Oceans. She contributed to curriculum development and implementation and maintained innovative instructional practices, integrating technology and differentiation.
For the past decade, Christian has served as an instructional specialist at Smithtown High School East, where she facilitated dialogue between colleagues and district leadership. Her work included participating in the science curriculum committee, aligning K-12 science instruction with NYSSLS, and coordinating standardized testing administration, including local and state exams. She also collaborated with the district’s science director on master scheduling, managed materials acquisition, and provided professional development during conference days and department meetings.
She co-authored “NGSS-Based Teacher Professional Development to Implement Engineering Practices in STEM Instruction,” published in 2021 in the International Journal of STEM Education, and “NGSS Teacher Professional Development to Implement Engineering Practices in Science Instruction,” presented virtually at the 2020 International Conference of the National Association of Research in Science Teaching in Portland, Oregon.
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