Yearly Archives: 2025

By Julianne Mosher

The seats of Theatre Three in Port Jefferson were completely filled on Sunday, Jan. 26 to witness the swearing in and inauguration of Rebecca Kassay to the New York State Assembly for District 4.

A local business owner and former deputy mayor of the Village of Port Jefferson, Kassay beat incumbent Ed Flood (R) last year in a tight race for the seat. District 4 covers several communities including Stony Brook, Setauket, Port Jefferson, Port Jefferson Station, Mount Sinai and Coram. 

The event featured guest speakers including Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Brookhaven Town Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich (D-Stony Brook) and Suffolk County Legislator Steven Englebright (D-Setauket). Administration of Oath of Office was provided by New York State Attorney General Letitia James and a special poem was read by civil rights activist and community organizer Lillie Crowder.

During her final remarks, Kassay thanked her supporters and all of the public servants before her. 

“I know that I carry on work that has been done so long before I was born and I’m working for the people who’ve not yet been born,” she told the crowd. “I’m working for the people who will never hear my name, but hopefully will feel the impact that I had along with these incredible leaders in our community and be better off from it.”

By Jennifer Donatelli  

Lunar New Year, one of the most significant and widely celebrated holidays in many East and Southeast Asian cultures, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and the arrival of spring. With vibrant festivals, family gatherings and time-honored traditions, it is a joyous occasion that spans several days of celebration. The holiday is celebrated on the day of the first new moon of the year, which fell on Jan. 29.

In honor of Lunar New Year, the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington invited families to ring in the Year of the Snake with a lively and educational celebration that explored the rich cultural traditions of Asia. The free event, which took place Jan. 18, was held in collaboration with the United Asian American Alliance and Town of Huntington Asian-American Task Force and offered attendees the opportunity to engage in a variety of fun, hands-on activities while learning about the customs and art associated with Lunar New Year. 

“We’re excited to provide a platform for families to experience the Lunar New Year through the lens of art and culture,” said Joy Weiner, director of education and public programs for the museum. 

The museum was transformed into a hub of cultural exploration, featuring crafts, storytelling, music and interactive performances that highlighted the diversity of Asian traditions. Partnering with local cultural groups, the museum presented live shows, including traditional Chinese lion dances, Korean drumming, Japanese folk music and martial arts. The performances brought the energy and excitement of Lunar New Year celebrations to life and offered a unique opportunity for visitors to learn more about the various customs and traditions observed during this time. 

Patricia Shih, who performed the lion dance, explained, “These performances not only entertain the visitors, but also teach the younger generation about the rich history and significance of these art forms, sparking a sense of connection to their heritage.” 

Young visitors were given a passport book and “traveled” to each country, including China, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines, to participate in a variety of activities that taught them about each country’s culture and art. Visitors created a string spinner and pinwheel inspired by Korean mandalas, made their own Chinese lantern and learned jewelry making using a Feng Shui coin. Hansen Lee from the Town of Huntington Asian-American Task Force held demonstrations on how to fold your own origami. 

Huntington Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci showed her support for the Asian American community by participating in the event. Lupinacci works with the Asian-American Task Force in the Town of Huntington to formulate and implement plans that strengthen Asian American participation in town affairs, addressing issues regarding the Asian American community and promoting greater cultural understanding. She said, “I’ve been in the public sector my entire career and I always love coming to events like this because it brings the entire Long Island community together to learn and appreciate different cultures and ways of life.” 

Shih, who owns a mobile Chinese museum that travels to classrooms on Long Island, brought her own collection of authentic artifacts that showcased the history, art and culture of Chinese traditions. She said, “This event is not only a celebration but also an educational opportunity for the community to learn about the traditions that shape various Asian cultures and how art is integral to those celebrations.” 

Guest artist Joan Kim Suzuki used her artwork to express her respect for Asian cultures. Her paintings, she says, are inspired by her upbringing in Seoul, the stories her grandmother told her and the pride of being Asian American instilled in her by her parents. Suzuki says she wants people to look at her artwork and be happy. 

Jane Kang, a member of the Asian-American Task Force, gave lessons in Chinese paper cutting, which originated in the sixth century when paper was invented. She explained that people would use paper to decorate their homes to celebrate Chinese New Year or for special occasions. The red paper would welcome good fortune and health. Kang says paper cutting “is an art form that doesn’t get enough exposure and it’s a beautiful method of expression.” 

In addition to the activities, families also had the chance to explore the museum’s current exhibits, many of which reflect Asian influences in art. Visitors were able to view works from renowned artists that connect to the theme of  Lunar New Year, offering a deeper appreciation for the artistic traditions of the continent. 

Weiner explained, “Events bring together the local community and showcase the diversity of culture that we have in our community.” She added, “Art is a way to communicate, even when you don’t understand the language.” 

For more information about upcoming programs and exhibits at Heckscher Museum of Art, visit www.heckscher.org.

METRO photo

Stony Brook Medicine (SBM) is partnering with the Suffolk Academy of Medicine to host a Galentine’s Women’s Health Fair aimed at empowering women in Suffolk County with valuable health resources and information. The free, community-focused event will take place on Wednesday, February 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Long Island Aquarium, 431 East Main Street in Riverhead.

“Stony Brook Medicine is proud to support the well-being of women in our community and provide them with the resources they need to thrive,” says Carol Gomes, chief executive officer of Stony Brook University Hospital. “Initiatives like this —whether aimed at prevention, education, or care—strengthen the foundation of healthier families and a healthier future.”

“We are thrilled to bring this resource to the women of our community,” said Nicole Gerberg, Executive Director of Suffolk Academy of Medicine. “Women play a pivotal role in shaping healthy families and communities, and this event is a way to give back and support their well-being.”

The fair is open to all Suffolk County residents, 16 years and older and will feature:

  • Educational wellness demonstrations
  • Talks with Stony Brook Medicine health professionals, as well as other medical institutions, including experts in breast cancer, breast imaging, radiology, massage therapy, nutrition, exercise physiology and LGBTQ* healthcare services
  • Sweet treats in honor of Valentine’s Day
  • Raffles
  • A cash bar
  • And more!

*To attend the Valentine’s Women’s Health Fair, the public must RSVP. The form can be found at this link.

About Stony Brook Medicine:

Stony Brook Medicine integrates and elevates all of Stony Brook University’s health-related initiatives: education, research and patient care. It includes five Health Sciences schools — Renaissance School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, School of Health Professions, School of Nursing and School of Social Welfare — as well as Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital and more than 200 community-based healthcare settings throughout Suffolk County. To learn more, visit www.stonybrookmedicine.edu.

About Suffolk Academy of Medicine:

The Suffolk Academy of Medicine is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of Suffolk County residents by providing education, resources, and community outreach.

METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

A few years ago, a friend of mine called the night before a major operation.

I could tell he was nervous. His usual, unflappable voice was weaker and unsteady, as if he weren’t sure how things would go and was reaching out for encouragement.

“There’s pretty much nothing you can do at this point,” I said. “You really don’t need to be sharp or focused or even attentive tomorrow. You better hope the doctor is getting plenty of rest and is at his best.”

“That’s true,” he laughed. “Maybe I should send over a good dinner or encourage him to go to bed early tonight.”

Doctors, like so many other people in other professions, deal with activities and routines that are unimaginable for the rest of us.

As a child, I watched my father slowly and carefully remove glass from the eyes of a construction worker who had been in an accident. I also sat in horror as he ate a steak just hours after being in surgery for most of the day to reconstruct the eye of a local patient who had suffered extensive trauma.

The medical world’s ability to get past the “ick” factor is pretty incredible. These professionals, on whom we rely for our overall health and for the health of our specific organs and systems, improve and extend our lives, offering the best of modern medicine to counteract the effect of bad habits, hidden genetic problems that can complicate and threaten our lives, and pathogens that cause damage and destruction.

Recently, I visited a urologist. If you’ve been reading this column long enough, you might recall that I’ve had kidney stones. These are exceptionally unpleasant, causing pain and vomiting, among other discomforts.

Long ago, I shuffled into an emergency room, bent over double from the pain. After I told the admitting nurse what was wrong, she didn’t even bother with paperwork or with taking my blood pressure. She immediately took me to a room, where another nurse almost instantly provided a painkiller. I am still grateful to them years later.

So, you see, I feel the need to monitor the health of this system to reduce the risk of future such episodes.

This year, I was meeting with a new urologist. I tried not to think about the parts that are unpleasant but that are much less problematic than a kidney stone.

He knocked politely on the door, as if he might have been delivering a dish of salmon with steamed vegetables and couscous.

Who is it? I was tempted to ask in a falsetto voice. What difference did it make? Anyone who knocked was coming in regardless of what I said.

He washed his hands – thankfully – sat down and asked me to tell him about myself.

“My health history?” I wondered.

“No, I mean, are you married, do you have kids, what do you do for a living?”

Well, I write about weird meetings like this. But enough about me, how do you do what you do? I wondered. No, I didn’t say that. I smiled and offered the 20 second tour of my life. 

We even chatted about the Yankees losing Juan Soto to the Mets. Would they be better or worse this year?

After he asked me about my health history, he told me to lower my pants and underwear and put my elbows on the examining table.

“You’re going to feel some pressure as I examine your prostate,” he said.

I thought of my dog, whose head is often in my lap or near my face when they probe parts of his body he’d just as soon no human ever touched. He makes a face I imagine was similar to mine at that moment. Shocked expressions transcend species.

Afterwards, the urologist smiled at me, gave me a quick assessment and told me he wished me and the Yankees well this year.

Later, I tried to imagine sitting at a meal with him, chatting in an airport waiting room, or standing outside the backstop of a softball field as we waited for the chance to hit.

I couldn’t do it. Routine as his work might be for him and necessary as it might be for me, I struggle to disconnect from an exam that is a routine part of his work.

But, hey, I’m not anticipating that either of us will call the other on our birthdays this year. I’m glad he’s there, doing his thing and hope not to need additional services.

METRO photo

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

The articles I’ve read recently call it “financial infidelity” and blame it on some percentage of all couples, but especially on Generation Z. “It” refers to hiding money from each other, or if not exactly hiding, then not sharing either the money itself or its existence. And since money seems to be the primary issue couples argue about over the long term, the question of how much to share is highly relevant to any relationship.

A survey by consumer financial services firm Bankrate indicated that 67 percent of 18 to 28- year-olds hide money information from each other in committed relationships. That drops to 54 percent of millennials, 33 percent of Gen Xers and 30 percent of baby boomers, according to Newsweek. For some reason, older than baby boomers aren’t in the survey. I can try to offer that perspective since I am in the older group.

“Hidden debts, undisclosed spending, or secret accounts can, as well as undermining a partner’s trust, disrupt shared financial plans, such as saving for a home, retirement or children’s education, causing long-term financial strain,” according to the article.

Some 40 percent of couples in the United States have kept secrets from each other about money, according to the study involving 2217 adults. These secrets may include spending more than a partner would approve of (33 percent), keeping hidden debt (23 percent), having a secret credit card (12 percent), a secret savings account (15 percent), or a secret checking account (13 percent).

Yet these figures exist despite 45 percent of those surveyed disapproving of what is termed financial infidelity and even equating it with actual unfaithfulness. If a secret financial situation is discovered, it tends to disrupt the trust that relationships are built upon and perhaps cause speculation over what else might be hidden 

One senior industry analyst, Ted Rossman, maintains, “Money secrets can undermine a relationship. It’s hard enough to meet your financial goals when you are pulling in the same direction. It’s almost impossible when you’re pulling in opposite directions.” 

Rossman goes on to say that being open about your finances doesn’t mean you need to combine all your money. A yours-mine-ours is a possible arrangement for those who feel more comfortable that way.

Despite the importance of money in a marriage or committed relationship, half a century ago, when I was married, money was the last thing on our minds. We were entirely caught up in the romance and didn’t consider the business aspect of lifetime coupling. So when the time came to buy a house, my husband and I counted our pennies and came up a little short for the down payment on the mortgage.

“I’ll take a loan from the bank, using my stocks as collateral,” I said.

“Stocks?” he responded with surprise.

“Yes, I think I have just enough to bridge the difference between our savings and what we need,” I said. “I have been buying a couple of shares of stocks each year with my allowance since I was a child,” I explained. 

It had never occurred to me to tell my husband. Needless to say, he was delighted to discover this mysterious side of me. Marriage arrangements were traditional at that time. The husband was the breadwinner, the wife the homemaker. The husband’s paychecks went into a joint bank account and  both drew from that account for expenses. 

Husbands may have laughed at the saying, “What’s mine is hers and what’s hers is hers,” but they subscribed to it. What we brought to the marriage financially was of little concern since we were young and generally without any serious assets, and we didn’t think of pooling those. We wives were advised then, in women’s magazines for example, to keep a little stash on the side for personal expenditures that needn’t be discussed.

Many couples are older now when they marry, and both work, thus the landscape is different. So I don’t know what to advise. Maybe that’s why we elders weren’t polled.

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Tania Gonzalez stole more than $40,000 from victims by misrepresenting herself as an immigration attorney between December 2015 and March 2020

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly recently announced that a Ronkonkoma woman was sentenced to two to four years in prison for stealing more than $40,000 from undocumented immigrants seeking assistance with legal matters over the course of four years by misrepresenting herself as an immigration attorney.

Tania Gonzalez, 48, of Ronkonkoma, pleaded guilty before Judge Terrence Murphy on January 26, 2024, to one count of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree (a D felony) and one count of Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (an E felony).

The defendant was sentenced on Dec. 18  to two to four years in prison and payment of restitution totaling $43,525.02. NCDA recommended a sentence of two-and-a-half to five years in prison.

“Tania Gonzalez exploited and deceived dozens of immigrants by claiming to be an immigration attorney and filing asylum paperwork with the federal government without their knowledge,” said DA Donnelly. “This defendant’s shameless actions cost vulnerable victims thousands of dollars over the course of four years. Today’s prison sentence holds her accountable for crippling so many lives including some who may never financially recover.”

DA Donnelly said that between December 2015 and March 2020, Gonzalez misrepresented herself as an immigration attorney to numerous undocumented immigrants seeking assistance, providing them with advice and giving them the impression that she had the expertise to assist them with their immigration problems. She also went by the name Tania Ayala in the past.

Gonzalez also told some victims that if they had been in the country for 10 years, they qualified for a 10-year visa, even if they had entered the country illegally. No such visa exists under Immigration Law.

The defendant requested substantial down payments from her victims and, as part of her scheme, oftentimes filed a fraudulent Application for Asylum with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) without the victims’ knowledge.

Gonzalez knew that USCIS would provide work authorization documents to individuals with asylum claims that are pending over six months, so that those individuals may support themselves and their families while awaiting processing of their applications. When USCIS provided employment authorization documents to Gonzalez’s clients, she used the issuance of these documents to demonstrate to her victims that she was working on their cases to obtain work permits and a green card. When these asylum applications began to be processed, USCIS became aware that applications were filed without the victims’ knowledge and began investigating the matter.

Gonzalez received funds in excess of $40,000 from the victims as a result of this conduct. She was arrested on June 7, 2021, in Ronkonkoma by Nassau County District Attorney investigators.

The NCDA thanks the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USCIS New York Asylum Office – Fraud Detection and National Security Unit for its dedicated assistance throughout this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Major Financial Frauds Bureau Senior Investigative Counsel Jennifer Contreras under the supervision of Bureau Chief Maureen McCormack, under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan, and with the assistance of Office of Immigrant Affairs Director Silvia Finkelstein. Gonzalez is represented by Kristin Galison, Esq.

 

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Do you recognize this man? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Sixth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identity and locate a woman who allegedly stole from a Medford store in January.

A woman allegedly stole assorted clothing and home goods from Target, located at 2975 Horseblock Road, at 3:54 p.m. on January 24. The merchandise was valued at approximately $250.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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Do you recognize this woman? Photo from SCPD

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers and Suffolk County Police Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers are seeking the public’s help to identify and locate a woman who allegedly stole from an Islandia store in January.

A woman allegedly stole assorted merchandise from Walmart, located at 1850 Veterans Memorial Highway, at 6:24 p.m. on January 16.

Suffolk County Crime Stoppers offers a cash reward for information that leads to an arrest. Anyone with information about these incidents can contact Suffolk County Crime Stoppers to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, utilizing a mobile app which can be downloaded through the App Store or Google Play by searching P3 Tips, or online at www.P3Tips.com. All calls, text messages and emails will be kept confidential.

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The compound built by Roberts Premier on protected Pine Barrens land.

New York Attorney General Letitia James and the Central Pine Barrens Joint Planning and Policy Commission (Pine Barrens Commission) on Jan. 27  filed a lawsuit against Long Island developer David Roberts and his company, Roberts Premier Development, LLC (Roberts Premier), for removing trees and vegetation to construct a commercial cabinetry and woodworking business on protected Pine Barrens land in Manorville without proper approval.

The Pine Barrens are located on top of Long Island’s largest source of drinking water, and their preservation is necessary to ensure residents’ access to clean water. Roberts damaged 13,000 square feet of this land by clearing natural vegetation and grading soil to build a 5,500 square foot commercial barn without authorization from the Pine Barrens Commission, harming the Pine Barrens’ delicate ecosystem. With this lawsuit, Attorney General James and the Pine Barrens Commission seek to require Roberts to remove the barn and associated infrastructure, restore the property to its previous state, and pay civil penalties for the destruction he caused.

“Long Island’s Pine Barrens are one of New York’s most precious environmental treasures, and we are committed to protecting it,” said Attorney General James. “Preserving this land is critical to the health of Long Island’s drinking water. Any bad actor that takes action to harm our protected lands must be held accountable. I am grateful to the Commission for their partnership and look forward to continuing our work together to ensure the Pine Barrens are preserved for generations to come.”

“We’re happy to partner with Attorney General James in this action against Roberts Premier Development. There’s a reason the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act included a Comprehensive Land Use Plan that has for three decades guided land use in this spectacular region,” said Central Pine Barrens Commission Executive Director Judith Jakobsen. “It’s because there’s a place for development in the Central Pine Barrens and a place for ecological preservation. When someone breaks the rules, they should suffer the consequences.”

The Long Island Central Pine Barrens is a 106,000-acre natural area in Suffolk County that is home to some of New York’s greatest ecological diversity, including many endangered or threatened animal and plant species. In 1993, New York adopted the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act, which established the Pine Barrens Commission to safeguard the Pine Barrens and develop and oversee a comprehensive land use plan for the area. The Act designated 55,000 acres of the Pine Barrens as a core preservation area and specified that any entity seeking to engage in development activities such as clearing, excavation, or construction in the area must apply for and receive a waiver from the Pine Barrens Commission.

Roberts Premier acquired a four-acre Pine Barrens property in Manorville, Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk County in July 2022. The property falls within a residential zoning district that strictly prohibits any non-residential use of land. In August 2022, Roberts applied for a permit from the town to build a new 5,500 square foot barn but did not apply for any waiver from the Pine Barrens Commission for its planned clearing, excavation, and construction on protected Pine Barrens land. Before hearing back from the town on his building permit application, Roberts moved forward with the project, clearing vegetation, grading the land, and fully constructing a new barn. Roberts was issued a building permit on November 28, 2022.

In March 2023, the town alerted the Pine Barrens Commission that approximately 13,000 square feet of natural vegetation had been removed from Roberts’ property and that a new barn had been constructed in its place. By this time, Roberts Premier had added storage containers, which are not permitted in residential districts, and set up parking areas and paved roadways on the protected land. The Commission discovered in June 2023 that a custom cabinetry and millwork business, Green Leaf Cabinet Corp., had set up a website citing the Pine Barrens property as its business address and included a map directing potential customers to the newly constructed barn.In April 2023, the Pine Barrens Commission issued a Notice of Violation to Roberts and Roberts Premier, stating that the company had engaged in prohibited conduct by building the new barn for non-residential use and clearing Pine Barrens land without authorization. In June 2023, the Commission inspected the property and found extensive evidence that Roberts was conducting a commercial carpentry business on the property, including industrial-grade manufacturing woodworking equipment and machinery, commercial-grade power supply, construction equipment, and industrial-grade HVAC equipment.

The lawsuit seeks to mandate the removal of the unauthorized structure and associated infrastructure and require the development and implementation of a restoration plan for the affected land under the Commission’s supervision. Attorney General James is also seeking civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation and $1,000 for each day the violations persist. The lawsuit follows unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a resolution with Roberts Premier and Roberts.

This matter was handled for the Pine Barrens Commission by Executive Director Judith Jakobsen, Pine Barrens Manager Julie Hargrave, Enforcement Officer Frank Carbone, and Counsel John C. Milazzo.

This matter was handled for OAG by Assistant Attorney General Abigail Katowitz-Liu and Section Chief Elizabeth Morgan of the Environmental Protection Bureau under the supervision of Deputy Bureau Chief Monica Wagner. The Environmental Protection Bureau is led by Bureau Chief Lemuel M. Srolovic and is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.