Arts & Entertainment

#3 Shauna Nuss recorded the only RBI of the game on Friday. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics

The Stony Brook softball team (6-8, 0-1 CAA) fell to Elon University (7-14, 1-0 CAA), 6-2, in its first-ever CAA contest on March 10 at Hunt Softball Park in Elon, N.C.

The Phoenix got off to an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning courtesy of a two-run home run by Elon’s Claudia Penny. The Seawolves cut their deficit to 2-1 in the top of the third when senior outfielder Shauna Nuss stole home.

STATS: 

Nuss went 2-3 at the plate and recorded the only RBI of the contest. The senior singled to left field to bring home junior outfielder Julianna Sanzone.

Junior infielders Kyra McFarland and Brooke Dye, junior outfielder Alicia Orosco and freshman infielder Naiah Ackerman all recorded a hit in the game.

Sophomore pitcher Maddie Male got the start in the circle, she tossed 2.2 innings before senior Ashton Melaas took over.

Stony Brook would not be able to keep up as the Phoenix would go on to plate four more runs in the bottom of the third off back-to-back hits and ultimately seal the 6-2 victory.

The team heads to Fairfield, C.T. on March 16 to take on Sacred Heart University at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. The games will be broadcast live on FloSoftball.

Celtic Apothecary

A Celtic-themed boutique opened in Port Jefferson on March 15. Located at 128 Main Street in the former Thomas Kinkade Gallery spot, Celtic Apothecary will sell hand poured soy organic candles, body products for women and men, home goods, natural cleaners and farmers markets favorites. Products can also be ordered online. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information, visit www.celticapothecary.com.

Needle felt bunny and chick by Shamma Murphy.

Join the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook this Sunday, March 19 for a spring-themed Needle Felting Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For a registration fee of $50, you will have the opportunity to needle felt your very own springtime critter under the guidance of Shamma Murphy, the Center’s January 2023 featured Artisan of the Month.

Students will work with a selection of pre-prepared, fine and sustainably sourced wool. All needed materials will be provided in the cost of registration. All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration is limited to 15 participants, so be sure to register soon to reserve your space by calling 631-751-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

The award-winning documentayr A House Made of Splinters will be screened at John F. Kennedy Middle School on March 20.
Thursday March 16

Free Health Screenings

Visit Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for free blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, and glucose screenings provided by a registered nurse from Catholic Health from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to all ages 18 and older. No registration required. Questions? Call 631-928-1212.

Stony Brook Walking Tour

In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Ward Melville Heritage Organization in Stony Brook will host a walking tour titled “Against the Grain” at 10:30 a.m. and again at  2:30 p.m. While participants stroll, their guide will share stories recognizing the women who helped shape Stony Brook Village into what it is today. Tours will leave from the Stony Brook Grist Mill, 100 Harbor Road, Stony Brook. Rain date is March 17. Fee is $12 per person. Advance reservations required by calling 751-2244.

Vanderbilt lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents a special lecture titled The Rescue Effect: The Key to Saving Life on Earth on global warming and nature’s inherent resilience with guest speaker Michael Mehta Webster reveals the science behind nature’s resilience at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, free for members. Register at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

An evening of jazz

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook welcomes Rich Iacona’s Bad Little Big Band, featuring vocalist Madeline Kole in concert at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students and $15 children at www.thejazzloft.org.

Friday March 17

Third Friday at the Reboli

The Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Third Friday series at 6:30 p.m. with a screening of the short documentary Betsy’s World which shines a new light on Andrew Wyeth’s greatest works. Shot in the rooms, fields, and private islands that have served as subject, muse, and home to the Wyeths, and featuring rare interviews with both Wyeth sons, Jamie and Nicky. A Q&A will follow. Free. Questions? Call 751-7707.

Wintertide concert

The Port Jefferson Village Center, 101A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson continues  its  Wintertide concert series from 7 to 8 p.m with a Celtic Evening with Gerry Mckeveny and the Serpent & The Fiddle (Instrumentals steeped in Gaelic traditions) in the Sail Loft Room on the third floor. $5 donation at the door. Questions? Call 473-4778.

Saturday March 18

Birdwatch-Architecture Tours

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will offer an early morning Birdwatch and Architecture Tour with the Vanderbilt’s director of curatorial affairs at 8 a.m. Participants will enjoy the unique opportunity to view the Vanderbilt estate in the early dawn hours, when the grounds are still closed but the birds are active. Sturdy hiking footwear is strongly suggested. Participants are asked to bring their own binoculars. Tickets are $12 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Shoreham Garden Club Meeting

Wading River Congregational Church, 2057 North Country Road, Wading River will host a meeting by the Shoreham-Wading River Garden Club at 10 a.m. The meeting will feature a special program  titled The Native Wildflower Garden at Hallock State Park Preserve: A one hour power point presentation/talk by Mary Laura Lamont. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Quilting Day at Hallockville

Join the Hallockville Museum Farm’s Sound Avenue Stitchers, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead in celebrating National Quilting Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring along your current needlework, learn to make a hand-foundation pieced log cabin block, or browse the museum’s new quilting/crafting library. Participants will also be exploring one of the collection quilts for a Spring/Summer re-creation project. Bring your lunch, tea and sweets provided. No registration required.

Fly-Casting Clinic

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown offers a Trout Unlimited Fly-Casting clinic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn the art of fly-casting as well as fly-tying, safety techniques and conservation. The clinic also offers participants, who must be 16 years and older, tips on equipment and tackle needs. Reservations are required to participate. Call 265-1054 for more info.

Art League Open House

Join the Art League of Long Island, 107 Deer Park Road, Dix Hills for an Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn about their year-round classes and summer programs with live art demos, hands-on activities, and free art kits to the first 100 visitors. Free. Visit www.artleagueli.org.

Irish Luck on the Farm

Rescheduled from March 11. The Smithtown Historical Society will hold its annual Irish Luck on the Farm event at the Roseneath Cottage, 239 Middle Country Road, Smithtown from noon to 4 p.m. Experience fun for all ages with a walk-through petting zoo, traditional Irish step dancing performances, and other celebrations of Irish heritage. Entry fee is $5 per person. Questions? Call 265-6768.

Port Jefferson Chili Crawl

Join the Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce for a Chili Crawl with over 10 participating restaurants from 1 to 4 p.m. with horse & carriage rides, custom classic cars throughout the Village, live music and more. Rain date is March 25. Tickets are $25. To order, visit www.portjeffchamber.com.

St. Patrick’s Dinner Celebration

Celebrate St. James hosts a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Celebration at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy a traditional Irish dinner buffet, musical performance by Paul Henry, a special appearance by Niall O’Leary Music & Dance and raffle baskets. Ticket are $45 per person. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org or call 984-0201.

Pub Nite in Northport

Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for their annual Pub Nite from 6 to 10 p.m. featuring live Irish music by O’McSkis Regulars, dinner provided by The Shipwreck Diner, and trivia hosted by Curator & Trivia Master Terry Reid. Ages 21+ only. Tickets are $70, $60 members at www.northporthistorical.org.

Storm Large in concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents Storm Large in concert at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall. A force to be reckoned with, the singer returns for her third outing at the Staller Center, poised to blow the audience away with her “ intoxicating and unmissable cocktail of power and vulnerability.” Tickets range from $42 to $58. To order, call 632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.

Irish Comedy Night

The Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown hosts an evening of Irish Comedy in partnership with Governors Comedy Clubs at 8 p.m. with Richie Byrne, Tim Gage, Debbie D’Amore and Pat O’Rourke. Tickets are $45 per person and includes open bar of wine and beer. Visit www.smithtownpac.org to reserve your seat.

Sunday March 19

Needle Felting Workshop

Join the Reboli Center for Art & History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook this Sunday, March 19 for a spring-themed Needle Felting Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For a registration fee of $50, you will have the opportunity to needle felt your very own springtime critter under the guidance of Shamma Murphy, the Center’s January 2023 featured Artisan of the Month. Students will work with a selection of pre-prepared, fine and sustainably sourced wool. All needed materials will be provided in the cost of registration. All experience levels are welcome. Suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration is limited to 15 participants, so be sure to register soon to reserve your space by calling 631-751-7707 or visit www.rebolicenter.org.

History of Caumsett Hike

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington will host a History of Caumsett Hike from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. On this hilly, moderately long walk (approx. 2 miles) you will study the park’s social, economic, architectural, and political history. Adults only. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.

Lucky 10 Vendor Market

Huntington Moose Lodge, 631 Pulaski Road in Greenlawn will host a Lucky 10 Vendor Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop from over 25 unique local vendors with lots of handmade items — Candles, jewelry, pet items, clothing, picture frames, crystals, beauty/bath products and so much more. Great gifts for Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, teachers, etc. Free admission. 

Art reception in St. James

Celebrate St. James Gallery at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James invites the community to an opening reception of a new juried art exhibit, Celebrating Women & Women’s History, from 1 to 3 p.m. with live music by Lou Mazzaferro and light refreshments. The exhibit runs through April 9. For more info, call 984-0201.

Hungrytown in concert

Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to enjoy the vocal harmonies of folk duo Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson as they perform their original songs evoking old school Appalachia at 1:30 p.m. Open to all. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. 

Field Journaling program

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a Field Journaling program from 1:30 to 3 p.m.  Explore the park with pencil in hand as you sketch and describe the fascinating natural world that you observe. Practice writing and drawing skills while enjoying science and nature. All levels of experience are welcome, and all materials are provided – but feel free to bring your own. For ages 12 and up. To register, please visit www.EventBrite.com.

Sound Symphony concert

Comsewogue High School, 5656 Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station hosts a Sound Symphony Orchestra concert at 2 p.m. Program will include works by Mozart featuring soloist Alexander Liu on piano, Copland and Farrenc. Admission is $20 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students, children under 12 free, at the door. Visit www.soundsymphony.org.

LITMA Contradance 

Long Island Traditional Music Association will hold a Contradance at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown at 2 p.m. with basic instruction at 1:45 p.m. Callers will be Sue Gola & Dylan Simpson with music by Dance All Night featuring Maria Fairchild (banjo), Mary Nagin (fiddle), and Max Rowland (Banjo & Concertina) $15 general admission, $10 LITMA Members, students half price, children under 16 FREE with paid adult. For information, call 369-7854.

Le Petit Salon de Musique concert  – PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket hosts a Le Petit Salon de Musique concert featuring soprano Rachel Schutz and pianist Andrea Christie at 2 p.m. Program will include works by Rachmaninoff, Welsh composer Morfydd Owen and American composers Margaret Bonds and Thomas Osborne. Tickets are $20 in advance for adults, $15 for students, $10 children 12 and under at https://lepetitsalon.org/tickets/. For further information, call 751-0297.

Mark Newman in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook will host a concert by Mark Newman from 3 to 4 p.m. Free with admission to the museum. For more information, call 689-5888 or visit www.limusichalloffame.org.

Monday March 20

ReWilding at the Library

Visit Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station to explore sustainable practices such as composting, recycling, use of water and native plants, and changes to your landscape with ReWild Long Island from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Open to all. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. 

TVHS lecture

The Three Village Historical Society continues its lecture series at the Setauket Neighborhood House, 95 Main St. Setauket tonight at 7 p.m. Guest speaker Rob von Bernewitz will present Graveyards and Cemeteries of Long Island: The Setauket Edition. Zoom option also available. Free for members, suggested donation for all others. Visit www.tvhs.org or call 751-3730 for more information.

SHS Spring lecture

The Smithtown Historical Society continues its Spring Lecture Series at the Frank Brush Barn, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown at 7 p.m. with a lecture titled Classic Hollywood – Lucille Ball with historian Lawrence Wolff. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free. For more information, call 265-6768.

Avalon Astronomy Event – Just added!

Avalon Nature Preserve in Stony Brook hosts an astronomy event from 8 to 10 p.m. The Observatories at Avalon will be hosting a live observing session (weather permitting) focusing on the planet Mars and various deep sky objects. Parking will be permitted in the barn parking lot on Shep Jones Lane. Pre-registration is not required. For more information, call 689-0619.

Tuesday March 21

Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival

The Jazz Loft & Legislator Karah Hahn presents the annual Swing into Spring! A mini Jazz Festival at the Jazz Loft and throughout Stony Brook Village and East Setaukket from March 21 to 25. There will be exciting music events such as the Collegiate Big Band Brawl, live music at local restaurants & shops, Jazz improv workshop and jam, Carlos Jimenez Mambo Dulcet, Community Jazz Night, Aubrey Johnson Quartet, & more!

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station welcomes Charles Henry, DJ, singer and accomplished pianist in all genres of music in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Enjoy a wonderful of hour of entertainment! Bagels, cream cheese and coffee among other refreshments will be served. $5 per person, $3 members. Call 928-3737 for more information.

Travel Presentation Club

Emma S. Clark Memorial Library, 120 Main St., Setauket hosts a meeting by the Travel Presentation Club at 7 p.m. Guest speakers Carl Safina and Patricia Paladines will speak about their recent trip to “The Enchanted Islands: Galapagos.” All are welcome. 

SBU Faculty Concert

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a faculty recital in the Recital Hall at 7 p.m. Drawing inspiration from his own grandfather’s survival of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Arnaud Sussmann and Michael Stephen Brown will perform works by Jewish composers whose lives were directly impacted by the war. Free and open to all. Call 632-2787 for more info.

Wednesday March 22

Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival

See March 21 listing.

Thursday March 23

Swing Into Spring Jazz Festival

See March 21 listing.

Native American Drumming 

Alls Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook will host a Native American Drumming Meditation workshop from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 655-7798 for more information

Theater

‘Side By Side By Sondheim’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its Mainstage season with Side By Side By Sondheim through March 18 showcasing the early works of Broadway’s greatest composer, Stephen Sondheim. Featuring songs from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, West Side Story, Gypsy, and many others. Unforgettable songs from this dazzling creator and his collaborators include “Send in the Clowns,” “I’m Still Here,” “Another Hundred People,” “Maria,” “Tonight,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Broadway Baby.” Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Tape’

The Theatre at Suffolk County Community College, Ammerman campus, 533 College Road, Selden presents a production of Tape by Stephen Belber in Theatre 119 in the Islip Arts Building on March 16, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. After 10 years apart, three disparate people come together to play out the unresolved drama of their final days in high school. Suspense builds as each character is provoked into revealing his or her true nature and motivation as they choose which cards to play and which cards to hold. Mature content. General admission is $14. For tickets, call 451-4163. See review on page B33.

Festival of One-Act Plays

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents the 24th annual Festival of One-Act Plays through March 25 at The Ronald F. Peierls Theatre, on the Second Stage. Selected from over 750 submissions world-wide, these seven cutting-edge premieres are guaranteed to entertain and engage. Directed by Jeffrey Sanzel, the plays will feature Steve Ayle, Tamralynn Dorsa, Antoine Jones, Brittany Lacey, Phyllis March, Evan Teich, Steven Uihlein, Sean Amato, Ava Andrejko, Angelo DiBiase, Samantha Fierro, Jason Furnari, Melissa Norman, Danielle Pafundi, and Tristan Prin. Adult content and language. Tickets are $20. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘California Suite’

Star Playhouse at SYJCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack presents Neil Simon’s California Suite on March 18 at 8 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m. It is the eve of the Oscars and four different couples are having some type of bad situation all at the same time. Tickets are $32, $25 members, seniors, students. To order, call 462-9800or visit [email protected].

‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’

The swashbuckling musical adventure The Scarlet Pimpernel heads to the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport from March 16 to April 30. Percy Blakeney, a proper Englishman, takes on a sword fighting and dashing double identity as The Scarlet Pimpernel to save French citizens from the blood-hungry guillotine. His exploits soon become the talk of Paris, however, the fanatical Agent Chauvelin will stop at nothing to catch the Pimpernel and send him to the guillotine. With a rousing and passionate score by Frank Wildhorn,  The Scarlet Pimpernel is a thrilling musical! For ticket info, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘Seussical’

Mount Sinai High School, 110 North Country Road, Mt. Sinai presents the musical Seussical on March 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. and March 25 at 2 p.m. This special Theater for Young Audiences version of the Broadway hit has been rewritten and streamlined to engage audience members from age 4 to 94. Tickets are $15, $12 seniors and students at www.Ludus.com/MountSinaiPerformingArts. Questions? call 870-2882.

Film

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’

Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a viewing of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, starring Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, and Danai Gurira on March 16 at 2 p.m. Call 928-1212 to reserve your seat. 

‘Sunset Boulevard’

Catch a screening of the film noir classic Sunset Boulevard at thee Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington on March 16 at 8 p.m. with a post-film in-theatre Zoom discussion with co-star & author Nancy Olson Livingston, hosted by Professor Foster Hirsch. Tickets are $17, $12 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘A House Made of Splinters’

Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its spring season with a viewing of A House Made of Splinters at John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on March 20 at 7 p.m. As the war in Eastern Ukraine takes a heavy toll on poor families living near the frontlines, a small group of strong-willed social workers works tirelessly in a special kind of orphanage to create an almost magical safe space for kids to live in while the state decides the fate of the child and family. Guest speaker is Director Simon Lereng Wilmont via pre-recorded Zoom. Tickets are $10 at www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com or at the door.

* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted

A rendering of the sauropod known as Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum, which had a 15-meter-long neck, about 10 feet longer than a typical school bus. Credit: Júlia d'Oliveira

NEWS FROM STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY:

With their long necks and formidable bodies, sauropod dinosaurs have captured people’s imaginations since the first relatively complete sauropod fossils were discovered in the United States in the late 1800s. Now an international team led by Stony Brook University paleontologist Andrew J. Moore, PhD, has revealed that a Late Jurassic Chinese sauropod known as Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum sported a 15-meter-long neck. The new analysis of this dinosaur, published in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, provides fresh insights on the evolution of the iconic sauropod body.

For sauropods, the long neck was the anatomical key to achieving large body size. To power such a large body, sauropods had to be efficient at gathering foodstuffs, and that’s what a long neck was built for. A sauropod could plant itself in one spot and hoover up surrounding vegetation, conserving energy while taking in tons of food. Having a long neck probably also allowed enormous sauropods to shed excess body heat by increasing their surface area, much like the ears of elephants. This way of life – long neck-fueled, quadrupedal gigantism – is not one that is available to mammals or any other form of life today. The sauropod lifestyle was exceptionally successful: their lineage appeared early in dinosaur evolutionary history and persisted until the final days of the Mesozoic, when an asteroid wiped out all dinosaurs (except birds).

Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum was discovered in approximately 162-million-year-old rocks from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of northwest China in 1987 by the China–Canada Dinosaur Project team, for which it was named in 1993. At approximately 15.1 meters, its neck was more than six times longer than the necks of giraffes, the longest-necked animals alive today, and about 10 feet longer than a typical school bus.

The question of which sauropod had the longest neck is not straightforward. Because of their size, the largest sauropods tend to be some of the most poorly known: it’s very hard to bury such a large animal in sediment and thus safeguard it for fossilization.  Some fragmentary fossils suggest that other sauropod lineages independently evolved necks over 10 meters (32.8 feet) in length. However, poor preservation of these specimens and their closest relatives makes estimates of their neck length speculative.

According to Moore, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomical Sciences in the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, although Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum is known only from a handful of bones from the neck and skull, the research team was able to reconstruct its evolutionary relationships and thus make comparisons to the unusually complete skeletons of its closest relatives. This allowed them to conclude that Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum had a neck approximately 15.1 meters (49.5 feet) long, the longest neck that can be confidently inferred for any known sauropod.

Their research stems from on-going work to comprehensively document the anatomical diversity and evolutionary history of the family Mamenchisauridae, a radiation of particularly long-necked sauropod dinosaurs that roamed East Asia and possibly other parts of the world from the Middle Jurassic to the Early Cretaceous (approximately ­174–114 million years ago).

“All sauropods were big, but jaw-droppingly long necks didn’t evolve just once,” says Moore. “Mamenchisaurids are important because they pushed the limits on how long a neck can be, and were the first lineage of sauropods to do so. With a 15-meter-long neck, it looks like Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum might be a record-holder — at least until something longer is discovered.”

How sauropods managed to evolve such long necks and hulking bodies without collapsing under their own weight remains something of a biomechanical puzzle. Remarkable specimens like Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum provide some clues. For example, like their living cousins, birds, most sauropods had air-filled bones, which would have lightened their skeletons by removing heavy marrow and bone tissue.

Using computed-tomography (CT) scanning, Moore and colleagues found that the vertebrae of Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum were mostly air (about 69–77% of their volume) – comparable to the lightly built skeletons of storks and other birds.

However, such featherweight skeletons would also be more prone to injury. To combat this, Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum had 4-meter-long rod-like cervical ribs, bony extensions of the vertebrae that created overlapping bundles of rods on either side of the neck. These bundles would have stiffened the neck of Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum, increasing its stability and making it possible to build such a lightweight neck.

“Biomechanical studies of the mamenchisaurid neck suggest that it was elevated at only a relatively shallow angle above the horizontal (20-30°). However, even at this relatively shallow angle, the extreme length of the neck would still mean that the animal’s head could reach heights of around 7.5 to 10 m above ground level, facilitating feeding on tree foliage,” says co-author Paul Upchurch, PhD, a Professor of Palaeobiology from the University College London.

“Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum underscores how much we can learn about sauropod evolution even from very incomplete specimens,” adds co-author Ye Yong, director of the Research Center of Jurassic Stratigraphy and Paleontology at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum in China’s Sichuan Province.

The research was funded by numerous organizations including the United States National Science Foundation, The Royal Society of London, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

On Thursday, March 16, the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host Michael Mehta Webster, Professor of Practice in Environmental Studies at New York University (NYU), for an evening lecture on global warming and nature’s inherent resilience. The event will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium.

Webster’s lecture will draw heavily from his 2022 book The Rescue Effect: The Key to Saving Life on Earth (Timber Press). In The Rescue Effect, Webster offers cause for optimism in the often-disheartening discourse around anthropogenic climate change. Through a series of compelling animal stories—from tigers in the jungles of India to cichlid fish in the great lakes of Africa and coral reefs in the Caribbean—Webster will highlight how certain species have adapted to a rapidly changing world.

Webster also will explore how other species, like the mountain pygmy possum, are at risk of extinction without substantive but practicable efforts on the part of conservationists, activists, and concerned citizens of our planet.

Webster argues that we have good reason to expect a bright future because almost everywhere we look, we can see evidence of nature rescuing many species from extinction. The Rescue Effect provides a much-needed roadmap to discovering what we can do to make a healthier Earth for future generations of humans and wildlife.

Tickets are $10 per person, free for members at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

PURCHASE TICKETS

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PSEG Long Island is prepared for potential gusty winds, rain and wet snow expected throughout its service territory today, March 13, through Wednesday, March 15. Potential peak wind gusts of 48 mph may cause tree limbs to break, which can pull down wires, causing outages.

“We continue to monitor the track of the storm and are preparing accordingly,” said Michael Sullivan, vice president of Transmission and Distribution at PSEG Long Island. “We have performed system and logistic checks, and have a full complement of personnel who can jump into storm mode if needed. The forecast for our area is not as severe as the areas north of us. However, in the event of any outages, our crews will work to safely restore service as quickly as conditions will allow.”

Customers should prepare for the potentially bad weather by being cautious and staying alert to their surroundings during and after storms. PSEG Long Island has provided storm preparation tips at https://www.psegliny.com/safetyandreliability/stormsafety.

Customer Safety:

Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Please stay away from them, and do not drive over or stand near them. It is best to maintain a distance of at least 30 feet from a downed power line. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at 800-490-0075 or call 911.

Electric current passes easily through water. If you encounter a pool of slush or standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.

Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.

Stay connected:

Download the PSEG Long Island mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more.

Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report an outage through PSEG Long Island’s app or website at www.psegliny.com/outages or by using the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant[i] app on a smartphone.

To report an outage or downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 800-490-0075, use the web chat feature at www.psegliny.com or 911.

Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and Twitter to report an outage through direct message and for updates before, during and after a storm.

Visit PSEG Long Island’s MyPower map for the latest outage information, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island and the Rockaways at https://mypowermap.psegliny.com/.

Allison McComiskey, chair of the Environmental & Climate Sciences Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine has announced the recipients of the 2023 Women’s Recognition Awards who will be honored at the 37th annual Women’s Recognition Night.

The event, which will be held on Thursday, March 23 at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville at 6 p.m., is sponsored by the Town’s Office of Women’s Services.

Nominated by members of the community, the winners either live or work in the Town of Brookhaven and have demonstrated excellence in a variety of areas. Nominations were considered by members of Brookhaven Women’s Advisory Board and selected based on resumes and letters of recommendation. The 2023 Women’s Recognition Award winners are:

Business: Indu Kaur, resident of Port Jefferson Station

Communications/ Media: Edna J. White, resident of Coram

Community Service Professional: Tijuana Fulford, resident of Mastic Beach

Community Service Volunteer: Joyce A. Bourne, resident of Middle Island

Community Service Volunteer: Erin Dueñas, resident of Sound Beach

Education: Dr. Stephanie Engelmann, resident of Port Jefferson

Health Care Provider: Christina Kocis CNM, DNP, FACNM, Stony Brook Medicine

Law Enforcement: Candice Berezny, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office

Legal Profession: Melissa Negrin-Wiener, resident of Port Jefferson

Medicine: Ramona Rajapaske, MD, resident of Port Jefferson

Religion: Kara Bocchino, resident of Centereach

Science: Dr. Allison McComiskey, resident of Port Jefferson

This year, the Supervisor, and the members of the Town Board each nominated a woman who resides in the Town to receive a Special Commendation for Outstanding Service. They are:

Supervisor Edward P. Romaine & Deputy Supervisor Daniel J. Panico: Miriam Gillies, resident of Center Moriches
Councilmember Jonathan Kornreich: Dr. Mei Lin “Ete” Chan, Stony Brook University
Councilman Michael A. Loguercio: Lorraine Kuehn, resident of Bellport
Councilwoman Jane Bonner: Jennifer Carlson, resident of Rocky Point
Councilman Neil Foley: Carol A. Seitz-Cusack, resident of Patchogue
Town Clerk Kevin J. LaValle: Patricia Oakes-Poggi, resident of Centereach

The Town of Brookhaven’s Office of Women’s Services, a Division of the Department of General Services, provides a variety of services for women and their families. For more information about the 37th Annual Women’s Recognition Awards Ceremony, please call 631-451-6146 or visit www.brookhavenny.gov.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

By Heidi Sutton

The luck of the Irish and all things green are celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day, which is on March 17 every year. Initially a day to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, over time the holiday has evolved into a rejoicing of Irish heritage and culture. Of course, no celebration would be complete without delicious food.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Recipe courtesy of New York City Food cookbook by Arthur Schwartz

Corned Beef and Cabbage

YIELD: Serves 6 to 8

INGREDIENTS:

1 4- to 5-pound corned beef brisket

1 teaspoon pickling spices

1 head cabbage

2 pounds boiling potatoes

6 to 8 small carrots (optional)

Parsnips (optional)

Turnips (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Place the corned beef in a pot that holds at least 5 quarts of water. Cover completely with cold water. Place over high heat and bring to a simmer. As soon as bubbles start to break on the surface of the water, adjust the heat so the water simmers very, very gently. With a slotted spoon, skim off the residue that accumulates on the surface. 

When the residue stops coming to the surface, add the pickling spices. Continue to cook, with bubbles just gently breaking on the surface, for 3 to 4 hours, until fork tender. The meat can be safely held in its water for about 2 hours; reheat gently. Cook the vegetables until fork tender in separate pots of boiling fresh water or, especially for the cabbage, use some of the water in which the corned beef was cooked.

Slice the corned beef and serve with  mustard and/or horseradish on a platter, surrounded with some of the vegetables or with vegetables in a separate bowl.

Grandma Freeley’s Irish Soda Bread

Recipe courtesy of Mark T. Freeley, Esq.

Irish Soda Bread

YIELD: Makes 1 bread

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups bread flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon caraway seeds

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup raisins

1 egg

1 cup buttermilk

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl. Stir in the caraway seeds, cut in the butter with a knife until the mix looks like coarse ground grain and stir in the raisins. Beat the egg into the buttermilk, pour into center of bowl, mix in the dry ingredients and turn dough onto a lightly floured board. Knead lightly into a ball and place into a round casserole. Slash the ball with an X. Brush bread with an egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water. Bake for one hour. Test with a toothpick for doneness. Let set for 10 minutes and remove from casserole onto a wire rack to cool.

Photo from SBU

Stony Brook Medicine’s Cardio-Oncology program is the first on Long Island to be recognized as an IC-OS Center of Excellence and awarded an IC-OS Gold Medal by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS).

An IC-OS Center of Excellence is a program within a healthcare institution that is assembled to supply an exceptionally high concentration of expertise and related resources centered on a particular area of medicine, delivering associated care in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary fashion to afford the best patient outcomes possible.

The gold medal designation recognizes a commitment to multidisciplinary patient care, research and publications relevant to cardio-oncology, educational program, quality improvement, program building and cardio-oncology committee involvement.

According to the IC-OS, cancer and cardiovascular disease are the two most common causes of death and disease worldwide. The incidence of both cancer and cardiovascular disease increases with age. Stony Brook’s Cardio-Oncology Program is co-directed by Michelle Bloom, MD, (cardiology) and Lea Baer, MD, (breast oncology), with state-of-the-art cardiac imaging directed by Smadar Kort, MD, and just added cardio-oncologist Kristine Yang, MD. 

Stony Brook is the only program in the region to have a team of IC-OS-certified cardio-oncologists who closely observe and care for patients with cancer who have an existing cardiovascular (CV) condition or who may be at risk for developing a CV-related problem during or after the start of cancer treatment.