A Column Promoting a More Earth-friendly Lifestyle
By John L. Turner
METRO photo
You have undoubtedly learned about the value of recycling as it has become commonplace on Long Island, with every town and village here operating recycling programs. Recycling helps to reduce impacts to landfills, reduces air and water pollution, and results in less energy use.
Especially important is recycling aluminum. Why? Because unlike other materials such as paper, aluminum is infinitely recyclable and requires much less energy to make a new aluminum product from recycled aluminum than from virgin ore (bauxite). For example, it takes 20 times the amount of energy to make a can from virgin ore as it does from recycled aluminum. Said another way, creating new aluminum cans from recycled cans uses 95 percent less energy than making new cans from ore. Or how about: Tossing away an aluminum can wastes as much energy as pouring out half of that can’s volume of gasoline!!
To put this in a broader perspective, using an example from around your home: recycling one aluminum can save enough energy to keep a 100-watt bulb burning for almost four hours or run your television for three hours. This adds up as last year 54 billion cans were recycled saving energy equivalent to 15 million barrels of crude oil — America’s entire gas consumption for one day. These examples make it clear that recycling aluminum is a sure-fire way for you to combat climate change. So, please recycle those aluminum pie tins, take-out containers, and cans!
A resident of Setauket, John Turner is conservation chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, author of “Exploring the Other Island: A Seasonal Nature Guide to Long Island” and president of Alula Birding & Natural History Tours.
Terrence Mann and the cast of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel'. Photo from The John W. Engeman THeater
From left, Kevin O’Neill (co-owner), Terrence Mann, Paul Stancato (director), Richard Dolce (co- owner) at Saturday’s show. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
Richard Dolce, co-owner) of Engeman Theater, with Terrence Mann. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
Terrence Mann and 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' director Paul Stancato. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
Paul Stancato (Director), Jonathan Cobrda (Elton), Terrence Mann, Richard Dolce (Co- Owner). Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
Nathaniel Hackmann (Chauvelin), Terrence Mann, Arianne Davidow (Margeurite St. Just), Christopher Behmke (Percy Blakeney/The Scarlet Pimpernel) and Jonathan Cobrda (Elton). Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
The staff and cast of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' with Terrence Mann. Photo from The John W. Engeman Theater
Tony Award-nominated Broadway actor/director Terrence Mann attended the opening night of The Scarlet Pimpernel at the John W. Engeman Theater on March 18.
Mann originated the role of Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel on Broadway in 1997 and originated the role of the Beast in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast for which he earned Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations for best actor for his performance.
Mann also portrayed Javert in the original Broadway company of Les Miserables as well as The Rum Tum Tugger in the original Broadway company of Cats. Highlighting Mann’s other Broadway stage credits include Lennon, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Getting Away with Murder, Rags, Barnum, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway,Pippin, The Addams Family, Finding Neverland, and Tuck Everlasting.
When Mann took the open mic during bows he exclaimed, “I think I have walked into magic land because it only takes three things — the music, a cast like this, and the audience.” He later added, “Good theater is communication. And great theater is communion. And tonight, you all have just created great communion!” He then joined the cast in singing the final reprise of “Into the Fire.”
“We are honored that Terry Mann — the original Chauvelin from the Broadway production — was able to join us for opening night of The Scarlet Pimpernel. To have a true Broadway legend attend the performance, address our audience, and join the cast for the final number onstage made for a night that none of us will forget,” said Richard Dolce, co-owner of the John W. Engeman Theater. The show runs through April 30.
The Port Jefferson Rotary Club and “Call Brian” Senior Services will sponsor a Friends of the Pantry Food and Personal Care Items Drive at the Open Cupboard Pantry at Infant Jesus Church, 110 Hawkins St., Port Jefferson on Sunday, March 26 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Currently the pantry is in extreme need of boxed milk, Ramen soup, juice, pancake mix (complete), pancake syrup, peanut butter, jelly, mac & cheese, pasta sauce, condiments, Maseca flour, cooking oil, cereal oatmeal, canned fruit, black beans, canned mixed vegetables, coffee and healthy snacks.
They are also in need of personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, deoderant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, toilet paper, baby shampoo, baby wash, baby wipes, Enfamil formula, Desitin and lotion. Grocery store gift cards and cash also accepted.
Please help them help those in need during these difficult times. For more information, call 631-938-6464.
Lodi, the largest and most important Central Valley AVA (American Viticultural Area) designated in 1986, is home to over 20 percent of California’s total wine grape production, with over 100,000 acres of vineyards.
Located in the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley, just south of Sacramento, on the eastern edge of the Sacramento River Delta, Lodi is slightly cooler than much of the Central Valley because as temperatures rise, marine breezes are pulled from San Francisco Bay, creating a distinctly cooler climate than the rest of the valley. Lodi’s sub-AVAs are Alta Mesa, Borden Ranch, Clements Hills, Cosumnes River, Jahant, Mokelumne River, and Sloughhouse.
The city was originally called Mokelumne (Mokul is a corruption of the Miwok word for river, and umne means “people of”), and was established as a town in 1869 after a group of major landowners persuaded the Central Pacific Railroad to make it a stop between Stockton and Sacramento. The town of Mokelumne was often confused with the nearby communities of Mokelumne Hill and Mokelumne City, which often delayed mail and shipments of goods and supplies. For these reasons, the town’s name was changed to Lodi in 1874.
Lodi is home to both large brands, like Sutter Home and Robert Mondavi Woodbridge, and over 85 small boutique wineries, many of whom specialize in “old-vine” Zinfandel production. In addition, many leading California wineries buy Lodi grapes, including E. & J. Gallo, Constellation, Fetzer Vineyards, Delicato, Napa Ridge, Ravenswood, and Beringer, among others.
Lodi is considered the “Zinfandel Capital of the World,” producing over 30 percent of California’s premium Zinfandel. Many of the city’s most distinctive Zinfandel wines come from about 2,000 acres of Pre-Prohibition, “old vines,” some dating back to the 1880s. These vines are naturally low-yielding due to age, but consistently produce high-quality grapes. Besides Zinfandel, major grapes grown include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and over a hundred other varieties.
Some recommended wineries to try Zinfandel from are:
Berghold Vineyards
Borra Vineyards
Gnarly Head Wines
Harmony Wynelands
Harney Lane Winery and Vineyards
Ironstone Vineyards
Jeremy Wine Company
Klinker Brick Winery
Lange Twins Family Winery
Macchia Wines
McCay Cellars
Mettler Family Vineyards
Michael David Winery
Oak Farm Vineyards
St. Amant Winery
Van Ruiten Family Vineyards
“What is the best California wine?” Now it is impossible to answer that question as phrased. The range of wines is wide and the list of different types and their makers is long. (Lindley Bynum, Davis Bynum Winery Inc.)
Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR [email protected]
Mather Hospital in Port Jefferson has received a 2023 Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ from Healthgrades. This distinction places Mather Hospital among the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient experience, according to Healthgrades, the leading marketplace that connects people with the right doctor and hospital. Mather Hospital has received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award for three consecutive years (2021-2023).
The award recognizes hospitals that provide an overall outstanding patient experience and is based on ten measures related to doctor and nurse communication, hospital cleanliness and noise levels, and medication and post-discharge care instructions using data from surveys of the hospital’s own patients. Patient experience is the sum of all interactions, shaped by a healthcare organization’s culture, that influence patients’ perceptions across the continuum of care.
“It is our goal at Mather to constantly evaluate and improve every aspect of our patients’ experience from the moment they walk through our doors,” said Executive Director Kevin McGeachy. “This applies not only to the outstanding clinical care they receive but everything from the quality of the food to the cleanliness of their rooms. I am proud of our entire team for this recognition for the third consecutive year.”
Earlier this year, Mather also received Healthgrades 2023 America’s 250 Best Hospitals Award™. In addition, Healthgrades awarded Mather the 2023 America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal Surgery Award™, the 2023 Gastrointestinal Care Excellence Award™, the 2023 Gastrointestinal Surgery Excellence Award™, the 2023 Critical Care Excellence Award™.Mather also received the Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ for an 8th consecutive year (2016-2023) and the Bariatric Surgery Excellence Award™ for a fifth year in a row (2019-2023).
For this annual analysis, Healthgrades evaluated 3,138 hospitals that submitted at least 100 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, covering admissions from January 2021 through December 2021. Of those hospitals evaluated, 419 hospitals outperformed their peers – based on their patients’ responses – to achieve this award.
Healthgrades evaluates performance by applying a scoring methodology to ten patient experience measures, using data collected from HCAHPS survey of the hospital’s own patients.
Survey questions focus on patients’ perspectives of their care in the hospital, from cleanliness and noise levels in patient rooms to medication explanations and hospital staff responsiveness to
patients’ needs. The measures also include whether a patient would recommend the hospital to friends or family and their overall rating of the hospital.
“We applaud all recipients of the Healthgrades 2023 Outstanding Patient Experience Award for putting patient experience front and center within their organizations,” said Brad Bowman, MD, Chief Medical Officer and Head of Data Science at Healthgrades. “We commend these hospitals for their ongoing commitment to prioritizing an exceptional patient experience, while ensuring the health and safety of their patients.”
Consumers can visit healthgrades.com for more information on how Healthgrades measures hospital quality and access the complete methodology here. An easy-to-understand overview of Healthgrades’ complete patient experience methodology is also available here.
Adventureland, 2245 Broadhollow Rd, Farmingdale kicks of its 61st anniversary season this weekend, March 25 and 26. A Long Island establishment since 1962, the park will be open weekends from from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and holidays throughout the spring.
With over 30 adult and kiddie rides, Adventureland has something for everyone. Experience FireBall, North America’s 1st and only RollerBall Coaster. Go for a spin on favorites like Turbulence, Long Island’s only spinning coaster, the Adventure Falls Log Flume or the Route110 Bumper Cars. Visit kiddie land and take a ride on the Alfie Express, Helicopters or the Spinning Cars. Ride as a family on the Ferris Wheel, Antique Cars or the Train. Fulfill your need for speed on thrill rides like the Frisbee, Music Express or Pirate Ship.
Check out the arcade and restaurant and test your skills at midway games like Whopper Water, Whack a Mole, Long Range Basketball and High Striker.
New for 2023 is an upgraded ticketing and season pass system, a new “Fast & Furious” arcade game, new menu items, including Turbo-Nachos and a second Tony’s Tavern location opening just outside the arcade.
Special events include the Egg Scramble, where kids can collect spring surprises from around the park, is April 1 and the park will be open for spring break from April 6 – April 16.
Check the Adventureland Facebook page for updates. Tickets can be purchased online and at the park. For more information, call 631-694-6868.
NeilWatson, the Long Island Museum’s former Executive Director, was among fourteen award recipients made in 2023 that celebrate unique leadership, dedicated community service, transformational visitor experiences, community engagement, and innovative programs that use collections to tell stories of everyone who calls New York home.
Watson will be recognized at the Museum Association of New York 2023 annual conference “Finding Center: Access, Inclusion, Participation, and Engagement” in Syracuse, New York on Monday, April 17 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. at the Syracuse Marriott Downtown.
“New York’s museums and museum professionals are reimagining and reinventing their roles within their communities, how they interpret their stories and collections, and the visitor experience,” said Natalie Stetson, Executive Director of the Erie Canal Museum and MANY Program Committee Co-Chair. “This year’s award winners are outstanding examples for the museum field.”
“We were incredibly impressed with the quality and quantity of award nominations this year, which made the review process highly competitive,” said Clifford Laube, Public Programs Specialist at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum and MANY Program Committee Co-Chair. “Museums and museum staff across the state are demonstrating creative thinking and are inspiring institutional change.”
The Anne Ackerson Innovation in Museum Leadership Award honors a museum professional who during their career made significant contributions to the museum field or to their organization. This award commends a staff leader or board member that saw their organization through a critical challenge or significant opportunity in a creative and effective manner over a sustained period. Award winners are selected for their commitment to accessibility, equity, and inclusion, and their dedicated work towards community engagement, relevance, and sustainability.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said NeilWatson. “When you commit to a career in the arts you prepare for challenges, but I’ve found a life full of joy and connection. I’ve had the pleasure of working side by side with innovative thinkers dedicated to the idea that museums matter. This award is my icing on the cake.”
# # #
About the Museum Association of New York:
The Museum Association of New York is the only statewide museum service organization with more than 730 member museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums. MANY helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. Visit www.nysmuseums.org and follow MANY on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @nysmuseums
About the Long Island Museum:
Located at 1200 Route 25A in Stony Brook, the Long Island Museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults and children with an understanding of Long Island’s rich history and diverse cultures. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit: longislandmuseum.org.
In response to an emergency blood shortage, St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, 50 Route 25A, Smithtown will host a blood drive by the New York Blood Center on Monday, March 27 and Tuesday, March 28 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To make an appointment, please call 800-933-2566 or email [email protected].
Friends of Flax Pond invite the community to join them at the Childs Mansion, 19 Shore Drive, Old Field on Sunday, March 26 at 3 p.m. for a lecture titled “Diamondback Terrapin: the Turtle with the Clown Lips” presented by John Turner.
These amazing turtles inhabit our local coastal areas. Late each spring and early summer the females come ashore to nest on our local beaches. Conservation is key to their continued survival.
Turner will present information about these fascinating creatures as well as some of the local conservation efforts. As always light refreshments will be served. Please bring a reusable coffee mug to reduce waste. The lecture is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Parking is at the Flax Pond Lab, adjacent to the Childs Mansion. If you need other arrangements for parking and have a “handicap parking pass,” please e-mail or text 631-767-6287 to make arrangements.
Woody Harrelson, far right, stars in the new comedy, Champions. Photo by Shauna Townley/Focus Features
Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel
After being ejected for shoving the head coach, disgraced minor league basketball coach Mark Markovich (Woody Harrelson) goes on a bender, hitting a police cruiser. Given a choice between eighteen months in jail or ninety days of community service, he opts for the latter. His sentence is to work with The Friends, the local recreation center’s intellectually challenged basketball team.
“What do I call them?” Mark asks the judge. “I suggest you call them by their names,” the judge replies.
Therein lies the heart and head of Champions, a sweet, predictable, but sincere comedy.
Woody Harrelson in a scene from ‘Champions’. Photo courtesy of Focus Features
Champions is based on Campeones, Javier Fesser’s 2018 Spanish film which was inspired by a team created with people with intellectual disabilities that won twelve Spanish championships between 1999 and 2014.
Bobby Farrelly (working solo for the first time) takes a straightforward approach in directing Mark Rizzo’s workmanlike but satisfying screenplay, resulting in a simple but heartfelt story. Thematically, Champions trods no new ground. Mark is a man who “can’t stick” anywhere, bumping from job to job—Ohio to Greece to Turkey to Iowa—his inability to connect results from a combination of anger and almost terminal self-absorption.
While working with The Friends, Mark is more transformed than transforming. As much as he affects the team, he learns to see the players as human beings—something absent from both his personal and professional lives.
Harrelson’s performance offers nothing surprising, but that does not make it ineffectual. He shows restraint, an ability to listen, and seems fully present. His metamorphosis from ambivalence (texting during their first game) to commitment (running up and down the sidelines) is obvious but acceptable. He manages to make Mark’s retreat from self-destruction believable.
There are the inevitable plot bumps and the requisite speech about what it is to be a champion. A particularly clumsy comedic interlude involves raising money for the trip to Canada. But these are to be expected. Champions is a light narrative, not a revelatory documentary.
Mark becomes involved with Alex, player Johnny’s sister. An actor of a certain age, she tours in her van, presenting Shakespeare to middle school students. The Shakespeare piece integrates later in the film but is a bit forced. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’s Kaitlin Olson makes Alex mildly tough and likable in a mostly limited role. Her fear of Johnny moving into a group home offers an alternate familial insight and provides her with her best moments.
The film triumphs in its small moments. The center’s director, Julio (beautifully methodical Cheech Marin), describes the players, and we are shown moments of their day-to-day lives. One works at an animal shelter; another is a master welder. These glimpses are gentle, tacit, and entirely real. Whether seeing them at work or home, these slivers are wonderfully honest and exposed without feeling intrusive.
Woody Harrelson, center, with the cast of ‘Champions’. Photo courtesy of Focus Features
The soul and driving force of the film are the ten intellectually challenged team members, played not as victims or outsiders but as wholly realized individuals. Whether it is Casey Metcalfe as savant Marlon, expounding a wide variety of trivia, or James Day Keith’s Benny rehearsing a speech to request time off from work, they are riveting in their presence.
Madison Tevlin is delightful as the team’s sole female, the no-nonsense Consentino. Kevin Iannucci mines Johnny for dimension and heart. The most powerful scene involves Joshua Felder’s gifted Darius. A car crash survivor, the confrontation with Mark addresses the horrors of DWI. If a bit facile, the validity cannot be denied.
Is Champions exploitive?
For over a decade, Matt Nelson has worked for Evanston Special Recreation. He has coached basketball, track and field, powerlifting, swimming, volleyball, softball, and flag football. In addition, he has been the assistant athletics coach for Team Illinois at the 2013 USA Games (Seattle) and the 2022 USA Games (Orlando).
In speaking with Matt on this question, he responded: “Champions is super realistic in its portrayal of a Special Olympics team with regards to their athletic abilities and the individual personalities of each athlete. Each one of my athletes comes from a different living situation—group home, living with parents, living on their own. The movie is no different and stresses how each athlete has a unique story to tell. My teams always succeed the most when they work as a team which Champions accurately portrays. And both my team and I loved the ending and thought it was PERFECT.”
The film’s climax occurs at the North American regionals during the Winnipeg Special Olympics. In agreement with Matt and his players, The Friend’s final shot has a reverberating emotional justice.
Those looking for great depth and searing truth will find this a slight outing. But for a feel-good sports movie that gently celebrates a unique group of underdogs, Champions delivers. Ultimately, the moral comes not from Mark but from the team. “We play for each other.”
Rated PG, Champions is now playing in local theaters.
Prev
