Pictured: Left to right: Matthew Schettino, Suffolk Credit Union Senior Vice President Marketing; Frank Trotta, Suffolk Credit Union Board of Directors Vice Chairman; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Michele Dean, Suffolk Credit Union President & CEO; Councilman Neil Foley; Supervisor Daniel J. Panico; Councilman Neil Manzella; Laura Racioppi, Suffolk Credit Union Vice President Corporate & Community Partnerships; Christine Fetten, Commissioner of Recycling and Sustainable Materials Management; and Councilwoman Karen Dunne Kesnig. Photo from Suffolk Credit Union
-Program provides convenient document shredding and disposal of electronics and medications-
Suffolk Credit Union announced it is sponsoring the Town of Brookhaven’s Special Recycling Events in 2024. Twelve E-Waste, Paper Shredding and Drug Take Back events will be held in the spring and fall at various locations.
The initiative will provide thousands of Brookhaven residents with convenient opportunities to safely shred documents and dispose of electronic waste and old medications—keeping harmful material out of landfills and waterways. All shredded documents will be recycled.
Suffolk Credit Union presented a donation of $5,000 at the program launch on February 28, held at the Brookhaven Town Hall. Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico, Town Council members and representatives of the credit union were on hand to express their support for this community program that promotes both financial and environmental safety.
“This is a great way to help prevent identity theft and financial fraud by shredding documents as well as protect our beautiful environment here on Long Island,” said Michele Dean, CEO and President of Suffolk Credit Union. “It aligns with our credit union’s dedication to helping people achieve financial security and ongoing commitment to giving back to our communities.”
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Daniel J. Panico said, “We are happy to have Suffolk Credit Union on board for our recycling events. I thank them for being partners as we work to keep the environment clean. Every year, thousands of residents participate by dropping off their electronics, paper, cardboard and unused prescription medicine. I expect this year to have the same results.”
The 2024 Special Recycling Events will be held on Saturdays between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Following are the dates and locations:
April 13: Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station
April 20: Holtsville Ecology Center, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville
May 4: Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai
May 18: Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook
June 1: Eastport-South Manor Junior-Senior High School, 543 Moriches-Middle Island Road, Manorville
June 15: Middle Island Fire Department, 31 Arnold Drive, Middle Island
Sept. 14: Bayport-Blue Point Public Library, 186 Middle Road, Blue Point
Sept. 28: Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Boulevard, Centereach
Oct. 5: Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai
Oct. 19: Center Moriches Free Public Library, 235 Montauk Highway, Center Moriches
Oct. 26: Setauket Fire Department, 394 Nicolls Road, Setauket
Nov. 2: South Country Library, 22 Station Road, Bellport
About Suffolk Credit Union
Suffolk Credit Union is a local not-for-profit cooperative financial institution owned and operated by its members. It was chartered in 1967 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The volunteer-directed credit union has assets in excess of $1.8 billion, 10 branches and over 70,000 members, including partnerships with Suffolk County employees and unions. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or regularly conducts business in Nassau and Suffolk counties as well as immediate family members of current membership. To learn more, visit www.suffolkcu.org or call 631-924-8000.
Charles Wildbank with his painting Emergence 2, 6'5" x 12'5," acrylic on panel.
The community is invited to an art reception on March 14.
Charles Wildbank: Beyond the Visible, an exhibit of large-scale paintings will be on view at Suffolk County Community College’s Lyceum Gallery on the Eastern Campus in Riverhead from March 7 through April 13, 2024. A reception will be held on Thursday, March 14 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Charles Wildbanks’s work has shifted toward a new abstract Surrealism that bridges past with present. For over 50 years, Wildbank has created mural-size, photorealistic paintings. His recent Emergence series brings viewers on a dynamic journey where color and form swirl in an immersive world. On view are two of Wildbank’s 6.5’ x 12.5’ acrylic paintings that span across multiple panels.
Wildbank comments on this new phase in his work, “With due respect to our world concerns, I’ve composed churning environments. From an array of different senses, I continue to reach, and find ways to portray sensation beyond the visible. Realities, both past and present, overlap and connect, gaining new meaning.”
In an intriguing play that bridges past with present, Wildbank will also exhibit his memorable David Hockney portraits from the ‘80s with his recent painting of delighted Hockney retrospective attendees with Hockney’s iconic portrait of Henry Geldzahler at the 2017 MOMA Hockney Retrospective.
Born in Roslyn Heights, NY, Wildbank received a B.F.A. (cum Laude) from Pratt Institute in 1970. He was awarded a Yale University School of Music and Art fellowship. He then earned an M.A. in Education at Columbia University in 1972. Wildbank had a studio in Sands Point for a number of years. He moved to Hollywood, CA, for four years, and returned to the east coast in 1989 settling in Jamesport. Throughout his long career, Wildbank designed window displays for Bonwit Teller in NYC and Beverly Hills, CA. In 1983, Cartier on Fifth Avenue presented a salon exhibit of Wildbank’s canvases including his 8’ painting of the famed Cartier Diamond. Wildbank’s work is in the collections of the General Electric offices in Rockefeller Center, the MBNA Bank Headquarters, and the Cunard, Queen Mary 2 cruise ship. Wildbank’s work is in many private collections in the USA and internationally in Japan, Amsterdam, Italy, England, and Martinique.
For more information about Charles Wildbank work visit: www.wildbank.com
Lyceum Gallery hours are:
Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Closed Sundays and holidays
Contact the Lyceum Gallery at Montaukett Learning Resource Center for more information: (631) 548-2536
About Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling approximately 21,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood and Riverhead. Suffolk offers the Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.), and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, as well as a variety of certificate programs. Offering affordable college tuition, a highly respected Honors program, workforce training programs, extensive extracurricular activities, championship athletic teams, and numerous transfer programs, Suffolk is a first-choice college for Long Island students. Visit us online at sunysuffolk.edu.
Even modest exercise can affect your genes. METRO photo
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Last week, I wrote that we should not rely on exercise for weight loss. Exercise is still important, though. It can alter how our genes express themselves and improve our outcomes with diseases and other health issues, such as diabetes, kidney stones, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease and breast, colorectal and endometrial cancers (1).
Despite all the positives, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to exercise. However, there are some simple ways to motivate yourself during exercise. One study showed that those who repeated positive mantras to themselves during exercise were able to persist for longer periods (2).
Why is this so important? Because we are too sedentary, and this is the time of the year when we are especially so. According to data from the 2015-2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the Northeast had among the highest levels of physical inactivity in the U.S., at 25.6 percent of the population (3).
Does exercise alter your genes?
While it may not change our genes, exercise may change how our genes express themselves.
One study’s results showed that thousands upon thousands of genes in fat cells were affected when participants exercised for six months (4). During the study, sedentary men exercised twice a week at a one-hour spin class. According to the researchers, this affected genes that are involved in storing fat and in risk for subsequent diabetes and obesity development. The participants also improved other important health metrics, including their cholesterol, blood-pressure, fat percent and, later, their waist circumferences.
The effect identified on the fat cells is referred to as epigenetics, where lifestyle modifications ultimately lead to changes in gene expression, turning them on and off. This has been shown with dietary changes, but this is one of the first studies to show that exercise also has significant impacts on our genes. It took only six months to see these numerous gene changes with modest amounts of cardiovascular exercise.
Want more encouragement? Another study showed considerable gene changes in muscle cells after one workout on a stationary bike (5). Yet another introduced six weeks of endurance exercise to healthy, but sedentary, young men and identified an abundance of genetic changes to skeletal muscle, which has broad impacts on physical and cognitive health (6).
Can you treat cardiovascular disease with exercise?
What if we could forgo medications for cardiovascular disease by exercising? One meta-analysis examined 57 studies that involved drugs and exercise. It showed similar benefits in mortality with secondary prevention of coronary heart disease with statins and exercise (7). So, in patients who already have heart disease, both statins and exercise reduce the risk of mortality by similar amounts. The same study also showed that for those with pre-diabetes, it didn’t matter whether they took metformin or exercised – they had the same effect.
While these results are exciting, don’t change your medication without consulting your physician.
Does exercise help with kidney stones?
Anyone who has tried to pass a kidney stone knows it can be excruciating. Most treatments involve taking pain medication and fluids and just waiting for the stone to pass. Truly, the best way to treat kidney stones is to prevent them.
In the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, exercise reduced the risk of kidney stones by as much as 31 percent (8). Even better, the intensity of exercise did not change its beneficial effect. What mattered more was exercise quantity. One hour of jogging or three hours of walking got the top results; however, lesser amounts of exercise also saw substantial reductions. This study involved 84,000 postmenopausal women, the population most likely to suffer from kidney stones.
Does sexual activity count as exercise?
We have heard that sex is a form of exercise, but is this a myth or is there actual evidence? According to research, this may be true. In a study, researchers found that young, healthy couples exert 6 METs — metabolic energy, or the amount of oxygen consumed per kilogram per minute — during sexual activity (9).
How does this compare to other activities? We exert about 1 MET while sitting and 8.5 METs while jogging. In terms of energy used, sexual activity can be qualified as moderate activity. Men and women burned almost half as many calories with sex as with jogging, burning a mean of 85 calories over about 25 minutes. Who says exercise can’t be fun?
Movement and exercise not only help you feel better, they may also influence your genes’ expression. In certain circumstances, they may be as powerful as medications in preventing some diseases.
Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.
Stony Brook University’s Division of Finance & Administration broke the largest single-week record for food donated to the University’s on-campus Food Pantry. The largest amount of food received was previously set at 269 pounds. The Division participated in the ‘Adopt a Week’ program during Valentine’s Day week and was able to collect 700 pounds.
“There are members of our Stony Brook community experiencing real food insecurity,” stated Jed Shivers, Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration. “This isn’t surprising given that just over one in ten New York households experience food insecurity, so we were delighted to partner with the Food Pantry to benefit students, faculty and staff here on campus.”
The Stony Brook University Food Pantry is located in the Stony Brook Union and serves university community members (students, staff and faculty) who are at risk of food insecurity. The Food Pantry looks to be a reliable and stable supplemental food source while providing resources to those in need.
Several members of the Division of Finance & Administration helped organize and conduct the food collection for the Food Pantry including: Karla Morrison, Lauren Candela, Christine O’Neill, Carolyn Osiecki, Joseph Caponegro, Jennifer Coggin, Jhovanna Erazo, Kassidy Berke, Diane Brady, Kristine Kondrick, Heather McLaughlin, Jeanmarie Ricciardi, Veronica Brown and Divisional leaders who lent their support including Lyle Gomes, Heather Montague, Simeon Ananou, Bill Herrmann, Larry Zacarese, and Jen Donnelly.
The Friends of St. Patrick have announced that the 72nd annual Miller Place-Rocky Point St. Patrick’s Day Parade is scheduled for Sunday, March 10 starting at 1 p.m. sharp.
Vincent Worthington, a long- standing member and Sergeant of Arms for the organization has been named 2024 Grand Marshal. Worthington has been a proud member of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office since 1996. After moving to Wading River with his wife in 2002, he became involved in the community, and was particularly drawn to The Friends of St. Patrick, becoming a member himself in 2005.
As his family expanded to include 3 sons, Worthington became increasingly involved in raising funds to support the parade and organizing the parade itself. Vincent has traced his Irish ancestry back to 1744. He is the seventh of seven children who were steeped in Irish traditions: dedication to family, strong work ethic, commitment to community and church, music and the Irish sense of humor.
The parade will kick off at Harrison Avenue in Miller Place and ends at Broadway in Rocky Point. For more information, visit www.thefriendsofstpatrick.com.
The concert featured a lecture about Charlie Parker and a tour of The Jazz Loft’s new exhibit. Photo from The Jazz Loft
Chris Donohue holds an example of the saxophone Charlie Parker played at the Feb. 22 event. Photo from The Jazz Loft
It was all things Charlie “The Bird” Parker recently as The Jazz Loft presented “Charlie Parker 101”, a lecture, followed by a concert and tour of the Loft’s new Charlie Parker exhibit on Feb. 22.
The “all things Charlie Parker” celebration included a lecture by Dr. Darrell Smith, who spoke about the amazing achievements and highlights of the jazz saxophonist’s career, while surrounded by actual artifacts from his life.
The new exhibit at The Jazz Loft, which includes more than 50 memorabilia items from Parker, was recently procured by founder Tom Manuel, who traveled to London, England for an auction of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watt’s extensive jazz collection.
A concert of Parker’s music was presented by Tom Manual on trumpet; Darrell Smith on drums; Mala Waldron on piano; Dean Johnson on bass and Chris Donohue on alto saxophone.
'Labyrinth' heads to local theaters on March 6 and 10
Fathom Events and The Jim Henson Company in collaboration with Sony Pictures brings the 1986 fantasy epic “Labyrinth” to select theaters nationwide on Wednesday, March 6 and Sunday, March 10.
Frustrated with babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a teenager with an active imagination, summons the Goblins to take her baby stepbrother away. When little Toby actually disappears, Sarah must follow him into a fantastical world to rescue him from the Goblin King (David Bowie).
Guarding his castle is the labyrinth itself, a twisted maze of deception, populated with outrageous characters and unknown dangers. To get through it in time to save Toby, Sarah befriends inhabitants of the Labyrinth, in hopes that their loyalty isn’t just another illusion in a place where nothing is as it seems.
The film is executive produced by the visionary George Lucas and boasts breathtaking sets and the signature puppetry and effects from director Jim Henson, as well as original music written and performed for the film by David Bowie.
Each screening includes an exclusive introduction by renowned film critic and historian Leonard Maltin, exploring the enduring appeal of Labyrinth, which has helped cement the film as a true cult classic.
Locally the film will be screened at AMC Loews Stony Brook 17 on March 6 at 7 p.m. and March 10 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Island 16 Cinema de Lux in Holtsville on March 6 at 7 p.m. and March 10 at 4 p.m.; Showcase Cinema de lux in Farmingdale on March 6 at 7 p.m. and March 10 at 4 p.m.; and Regal UA Farmingdale on March 6 at 7:10 p.m. and March 10 at 4:10 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.
To order tickets in advance, visit www.fathomevents.com.
‘A Disturbance in the Force’ will be screened at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Port Jefferson Station on May 6.
'Story and Pictures By'
OVERCOME WITH NOSTALGIA
Catch a screening of the documentary ‘Flipside,’ a comical attempt to save a New Jersey record store and confront a mid-life crisis, at Theatre Three on April 8. Photo courtesy of PJDS
'Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty'
'We Are the Warriors'
'Confessions of a Good Samaritan'
'Ukraine: The Other Frontline'
By Tara Mae
From the first actuality motion pictures running a minute or less to present day feature length documentaries, nonfiction films have captured the imagination and provided intimate insight into people and situations that inhabit the world with us.
On select Mondays from March 4 to May 20 at 7 p.m., the Spring 2024 season of the Port Jefferson Documentary Series (PJDS) covers seven tales of the audacity of authenticity, unity in adversity, togetherness in triumph, communal solitude, singular sacrifice for an uncommon goal, and whimsy in misadventure.
Held at either Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson or John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station, screenings will be followed by Q&As led by Tom Needham, executive producer and host of “Sounds of Film” on WUSB. Guest speakers, involved in the film or experts in its subject matter, will answer questions from Needham and audience members.
Documentary filmmaking is a frank language of cinema, and these conversations are a means by which to continue the dialogue.
“Film, like other art forms, provides an emotional connection for people to ideas and to one another,” PJDS co-chair Kelly DeVine said. “…This Spring line-up offers seven films and seven opportunities to celebrate cinema and community. The program spans subject areas and moods.”
Despite divergent topics, emotional comprehension, whether through trauma or triumph, faith or farce, longing for it or security in it, is a theme that permeates the films.
Sponsored by Maggio Environmental and Wellness; Covati & Janhsen, CPAs; Port Jeff Storage; and the accounting firm Saranto Clamas, CPA with support from Suffolk County and the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, the season opens with Ukraine, The Other Frontline. It follows five Ukrainian journalists who have the courage to continue doing their jobs, and in doing so, become part of the larger story of Ukrainian resistance to Russia’s war in their country.
Story and Pictures By explores the efforts of today’s children’s book authors to create stories as diverse as themselves and their readers.
Flipside chronicles filmmaker Chris Wilcha’s attempt to save the record store that sustained him as a teenager while he examines ideas of artistic identity.
Stuart Udall: The Politics of Beauty traces the life trajectory of Stuart Udall, who served as the Secretary of the Interior for Kennedy and Johnson, championed quality of life over quantity of consumerism, and espoused a political philosophy that celebrated life’s simple pleasures and beauties.
A Disturbance in the Force honors the seemingly nonsensical “Star Wars Holiday Special” that George Lucas produced in 1978.
We are the Warriors depicts citizens of Wells, Maine, contending with the town’s colonial history, how its modern manifestations effect the Indigenous residents, and the 2017 incident that galvanized citizens to seek common ground.
Confessions of a Good Samaritan traces director Penny Lane’s generous decision to donate a kidney to a stranger and how this decision leads her on a quest to unearth the meaning of altruism.
(For dates and times, please see Film Schedule below)
Those involved in arranging and implementing the Series, including PJDS’ film board as well as volunteers, are eager to enjoy these documentaries with audiences and encounter their original reactions.
“[We] are looking forward to another exciting season…” co-chair Wendy Feinberg said. She selected Stories and Pictures By. DeVine selected the other six documentaries. It is the first time that the documentaries were not submitted by individual board members and chosen by vote of the board as a whole.
This change in protocol reflects a shift in leadership. Though they remain on the board, Lyn Boland and Barbara Sverd, co-directors with Feinberg, sought to take a step back from organizing and running the Series. Boland and Weinberg became co-chairs; Sverd is now the community outreach coordinator. Their titles are different this season, but their love for documentaries and PJDS has not waned.
“What I didn’t expect was the bitter-sweet feeling I was left with once I cut the cord. I will miss the relationships made with film makers and the thrill of the chase when trying to land a new film. I do intend to help Kelly during this transition which is going smoothly and remain involved in the PJDS,” Sverd said.
Once a board member, DeVine was invited by Boland to rejoin and lead the Series. She previously worked as a programmer/acquisitions member for the Independent Film Channel (IFC) and still serves as programmer for the Great Peace Film Festival in Florida.
“I really think this was a very lucky break for the documentary series. Kelly is giving us the benefit of things she has seen. I am staying involved, but my role is changing. People should expect some things to be different and much to remain the same,” Boland said.
Even as alterations to its setup were taking place behind the scenes, DeVine and the other board members made sure that key elements of PJDS’ ethos, such as attention to attendees’ interests, stayed essential to its mission.
“I start with the audience when considering a film…For PJDS, I am still centering the community in the curation process,” DeVine said. “While a film series like this one provides the opportunity to bring the world to Port Jefferson, I also look to make connections between these stories and our own lives and concerns.”
By identifying commonalities and spotlighting individuality, PJDS strives to foster communication, artistic recognition, and interpersonal acceptance. It continues to incorporate documentaries that appeal to the Series’ existing patrons and invite new appreciators to participate. It is a community that honors its fans and welcomes fresh faces.
“The most rewarding part of programming is always the audience connection. …I am looking forward to seeing the reaction to the programs, hoping to continue to appeal to the existing audience base for the PJDS while bringing in new audience segments along the way,” DeVine said. “For me, programming is a conversation with audiences, and a conversation that I find enriching.”
An award winning documentary series, organizers, documentarians, and audiences continue to be inspired by PJDS’ dedication to sharing tales well told and amplifying voices that may otherwise be less audible to the public. For those in attendance, it endeavors to offer insights into the world around them and each other.
“The stories are important, but almost as important is the opportunity to come together in asocial setting. The purpose of public arts is to celebrate and sustain community. Watching a film by yourself has one effect, but sharing the experience with others and maybe learning something about yourself or others in the process is something else altogether,” DeVine said.
FILM SCHEDULE:
◆ The Spring 2024 season kicks off with a screening of Ukraine, The Other Frontlineat Theatre Three on March 4 at 7 p.m. How is wartime news produced in Ukraine? A gripping and fascinating insight into the upheavals of everyday life in television newsrooms. Guest speaker will be Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting at SBU.
◆ Story and Pictures By, the first feature documentary to take audiences behind the scenes to meet the boundary pushers who create children’s picture books, will be screened at JFK Middle School on March 25 at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be filmmaker Joanna Rudnick.
◆ Next up is Flipside at Theatre Three on April 8 at 7 p.m. Filmmaker Chris Wilcha revisits the record store he worked at as a teenager in New Jersey, he finds the once-thriving bastion of music and weirdness from his youth slowly falling apart and out of touch with the times. Guest speaker will be Director Chris Wilcha.
◆ Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty will be screened at JFK Middle School on April 15 at 7 p.m. The film examines the trajectory of Udall’s life from his childhood to his years as Secretary of the Interior under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, focusing on his effectiveness as a dedicated, bi-partisan public servant. Guest speaker TBA.
‘A Disturbance in the Force’
◆ The season continues with ADisturbance in the Force at JFK Middle School on May 6 at 7 p.m. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…In 1978 George Lucas was talked in to cashing in on the STAR WARS craze by producing a holiday variety TV special.What could possibly go wrong? Answer: Everything. Guest speaker will be Director Jeremy Coon.
◆ We Are the Warriors will be screened at JFK Middle School on May 13 at 7 p.m.For nearly 70 years, students and alumni of Wells High School in Maine have called themselves the “Warriors.” The school’s mascot, variations of a stoic Native American head in profile with braids and feathered headband, has drawn both support and criticism in the past. However an incident in 2017 shocks the town and reignites the debate. Guest speaker TBA.
◆ Confessions of a Good Samaritan heads to Theatre Three on May 20 at 7 p.m. Director Penny Lane’s decision to become a “good Samaritan” by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. Guest speaker will be filmmaker Penny Lane.
Uncle Joe’s Famous Pizzeria has announced its acquisition of Wading River Pizza in Wading River.
“As we reflect on the past six years we are filled with gratitude for the support and friendship you have shown us at Wading River Pizza,” said owner and pizzaiolo Steven LaBarbera. “It has been an incredible journey serving you and we are truly thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful community.”
Wading River Pizza owner and pizzaiolo Steven LaBarbera will retire in March 2024.
“As we pass the torch to the team at Uncle Joe’s, we do so with confidence that they will continue to uphold the standards of delicious food and courteous service that you have come to expect,” said Wading River Pizza co-owner Kristen LaBarbera. “We trust that they will treat you all like family, just as we have strived to do.”
Led by Tana Gerber and Scott Gerber, Uncle Joe’s Famous Pizzeria will become the new steward of Wading River Pizza.
“We are excited to introduce the Wading River, East Shoreham and Rocky Point communities to some of the specialties that have made us a trusted, family-friendly brand for over 50 years,” said Scott Gerber. “Rest assured, we will preserve the culinary excellence and customer service that Wading River Pizza’s regulars, fans and locals have come to know and love.”
Uncle Joe’s Famous Pizzeria serves Original Long Island Panko pizzas, Classic New York Style pizzas, and Italian specialties, such as Uncle Joe’s Famous Alla Vodka sauce dishes, Parms, Original Sauce Wings and signature Dolci Doughknots.
Uncle Joe’s Famous Pizzeria in Wading River is located at 6324 Route 25A in the Little Bay Shopping Center. The full transition to Uncle Joe’s Famous Pizzeria will occur by spring.
Other Uncle Joe’s Famous Pizzeria locations in Suffolk County include Hampton Bays (42E Montauk Highway) and Miller Place (691 Route 25A). Uncle Joe’s Hampton Bays and Miller Place locations are anticipated to re-open from renovation in March 2024.
“It’s our distinctive honor to offer Long Island pizzeria owners the opportunity to join the Uncle Joe’s family,” said Tana Gerber. “Uncle Joe’s Famous Pizzeria intends to announce additional acquisitions in the weeks and months ahead.”
For more information, please visit UncleJoes.com or call 631-929-9222.
The New York State Capitol building, located in Albany. Photo by formulanone from Wikimedia Commons
By Lisa Scott
Every year the League of Women Voters of New York State provides members with key information on issues of interest to us. The 2024-2025 state budget is currently under debate in the NYS Legislature and local Leagues are asked to lobby our state Senators and Assembly Members on pre-budget issues before late March since the budget deadline is April 1. The non-budget stand-alone bills are considered in committees and on floors during session in late Apr. and the Legislative session ends on June 1.
In 2024 we are concentrating pre-budget on funding for county boards of elections, election reforms, funding for the public campaign finance board, an expansion of the bottle bill, education financing and fair pay for home care. Post-budget, we will focus on LWV priority issues relating to good government, criminal justice reform, rural issues, healthcare, women’s issues, and environmental issues.
Our pre-budget lobbying requests include:
Elections and Good Government: Keeping $114.5M to support the NYS Public Campaign Finance Program and $8.1M to support the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government, and add $10M in funds directed to County Boards of Elections, $4.5M to implement the Doctor John L. Flateau Voting and Elections Database and Academic Center of New York Act and $51,000 for a voter list maintenance organization like ERIC.
Environment: include the Bigger Better Bottle Bill (S237/A6353) in their one house budgets as well as in the final budget.
Education Financing: We strongly oppose Governor Hochul’s recent decision to alter the formula that is used to distribute aid to school districts. The changes made in her proposed budget will significantly reduce foundation aid to nearly half of all school districts in the state. The Executive altered both the Consumer Price Index methodology and the policy of reducing aid to no district year to year. As a result, nearly half of school districts will be forced to reduce their 2024-25 school budgets or raise local taxes. They will have no time for planning if the budget is not finalized until the end of March 2024. We are asking that the Governor amend her proposal and reinstate full funding to our schools and that the Senate and Assembly do not include this change in their one house budgets.
Healthcare: We ask that Legislators reject Governor Hochul’s proposal to cut $2.55 an hour from home care workers in the consumer directed personal assistance program (CDPAP) and pass the Fair Pay for Home Care Act (S3189/A8821) in the budget.
Other League lobbying later this spring will focus on:
Ethics and Campaign Finance Reform – Public Campaign Finance Board: The League strongly supports the $114.5M allocated for the Public Campaign Finance Board. This year is the first opportunity for New York to demonstrate a commitment to campaign finance reform and reducing the influence of big money in politics. During the 2022 election, the 200 biggest donors outspent over 200,000 small donors in state races. This groundbreaking state program will ensure that New Yorkers’ voices are heard throughout the political process. The funding for this program included in the Executive Budget will ensure that it can help level the playing field, amplify the voices of small donors, and reduce the impact of wealthy special interest groups in New York. We urge the Legislature to include the full $114.5M in the Senate and Assembly one house budgets.
Funding to County Boards of Election: Elections are often the last item on the list when it comes to county budgets and many county boards operate with limited resources. The League urges the Legislature to seriously consider the cost of new election improvements when introducing their proposed budgets and to consider setting up a yearly fund specifically for implementing election reforms at the local level.
The League was glad to see that funds were specifically allocated for local boards of elections to invest in new electronic pollbooks ($14.7 M), to cover the cost of absentee and early vote by mail ballot postage ($7.7M). However, there are still limited funds available for educating voters, poll worker training, staffing, and the establishment of new sites to comply with current mandates. It is not possible for boards to continue to expand voting access without funds devoted to these measures. We ask that a minimum of an additional $10M in funding be allocated to county boards of elections so that they may make the upgrades necessary and hire the staff necessary to effectively run our elections in 2024. This is consistent with the bipartisan proposal submitted by election commissioners across New York State.
All voters should consider discussing the above issues with your NYS Assembly and Senate representatives. Educate yourself, your voice matters.
Lisa Scott is president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit https//my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county.
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