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By Fr. Francis Pizzarelli

Father Frank Pizzarelli

It’s hard to believe that the summer is almost over. Many of our college students are already getting ready to begin college for the first time and/or returning back for another full semester.

As our college freshmen are preparing to leave for school for the first time, I am sure there is a lot of excitement about being away, being on one’s own, but also some anxiety on how to manage all of this freedom.

College is not high school where everyone was constantly reminding you of everything you needed to take care of. It is in college where you learn how to act as an independent and responsible adult. No one will chase after you regarding getting to class on time, coming home at a reasonable hour or handing in assignments when they are due.

Time management is in your hands. You will have to design a schedule that works for you. Balance is probably the most important concept that you must learn during your first semester.

It is very easy to get lost in all of the newfound freedom. It’s easy to lose sight of what’s important and how to balance everything out. Balance is not just about your schoolwork and your school related activities; it also relates to your social life and your mental health.

Too many young people are still suffering from post -pandemic stress and anxiety; they have become overwhelmed by the simplest things that too often become overwhelming.

Communication even before the pandemic was weak; now it’s a disaster. Too many young people are obsessed with their technology and devices. They would rather text than talk; social media is their top priority over human relationships.

Interpersonal relationships have gotten lost by the wayside. Human connections for the right reasons are things of the past. We have to work harder at helping this year’s freshman class reclaim some very basic human dynamics.

Over the last three decades, I have watched firsthand this shift in my college classroom. My college students of just a few years back were not afraid to communicate. They valued human connections and were not driven by so much anxiety and depression.

However, what has not been lost in the shuffle is their generosity of spirit; their wanting to reach out to those in need and their commitment to volunteerism. Each freshman class continues to inspire me by their hearts of compassion and commitment. In the midst of all the chaos, they genuinely do care for others. I hope they don’t lose any of that caring concern during their next four years.

They are the hope for tomorrow; may we give them all the support they need to thrive and succeed.

Father Francis Pizzarelli, SMM, LCSW-R, ACSW, DCSW, is the director of Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson.

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Photo from SBU
Photo from SBU
Photo from SBU
Photo from SBU
Photo from SBU

Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis celebrated the successful conclusion of Stony Brook’s 2023 Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund internships which facilitated the university’s Summer Opportunity for Academic Research (SUNY SOAR). SUNY SOAR is a pilot program that provided $250,000 from SUNY to Stony Brook as well as to other SUNY institutions.

The Principal Investigator (PI) on this initiative was Karian Wright, Director of the Center for Inclusive Education (CIE) with co-PIs: Dr. Maria Nagan, Karen Kernan and Lisa Ospitale. SUNY SOAR expanded opportunities for undergraduates with financial need and/or first generation college students and  offered its participants a stipend ($5,000), a meal plan ($800), plus full housing support ($4059/student), a significant factor in recruiting students with financial hardship.  The inaugural group of 25 SUNY SOAR participants (Summer 2023) comprises 20 Stony Brook and 5 non-Stony Brook SUNY students.

Stony Brook was one of the initial participants of the Summer Research Excellence Fund, along with Binghamton University, University at Buffalo, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and SUNY Polytechnic Institute.

“Stony Brook University prides itself on delivering a world-class, affordable education to our diverse student population, many who are the first in their families to attend college,” said Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis. “As a flagship public research institution, we recognize students have a critical role to play in solving society’s biggest challenges. Thanks to the Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund/SUNY SOAR, our students gained essential hands-on experience working closely with faculty researchers who are innovators and leaders in their fields.”

SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. said, “Internships are essential to providing students with real-world, practical experience that will prepare them for their future careers. SUNY has set the goal that every student will be able to participate in an internship by the time they graduate. The Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund was the first step in making that goal a reality and investing in the upward mobility of SUNY students.”

Internships contribute to student success by presenting students with the skills and opportunities they need to succeed in their career through real-world experience and increase their marketability. Sixty percent of employers prefer to hire graduates and workers with internship experience, and a 2022 study found that for each additional high impact internship completed, students boosted their job or continuing education placement odds as well as their starting salary.

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Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.
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Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.
Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.
Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.
Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.
Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.
Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.
Scene from SailAhead's Let's Take A Veteran Sailing event on Aug. 13.

It was a spectacular sunny & breezy day for SailAhead’s Let’s Take A Veteran Sailing event hosted by Centerport Yacht Club (CYC) on Sunday, August 13. Thanks to CYC Officers, staff and over 100 volunteers on 35 boats with skippers & crews, all 140 veterans and guests had a memorable afternoon sailing on Long Island Sound to raise awareness for PTSD and veteran suicides.

Photos by Joan Gallo, Martha Keller & Jenny Duclay

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AHOY MATEY! Visit with pirates at this year's festival. File photo by Aidan Johnson/TBR News Media

By Julianne Mosher 

Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson will turn into a pirate’s paradise this weekend and it’ll make visitors want to shake their “booty.”

On Saturday, Aug. 19, singers from around the world will head to the Village to share the gift of song, and some history, with tunes that came straight from the seas, as part of the 3rd annual Port Jefferson Sea Shanty & Maritime Music Festival.

Amy Tuttle, program director of the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council (GPJAC), said that the free event brings in local sea shanty singers and others from all over New England, Canada, and even the UK. From noon until dusk, visitors can sit and sing along in Harborfront Park, located at 101-A East Broadway, or they might catch glimpses of a few street singers walking around town. 

“Port Jefferson was a shipbuilding community,” Tuttle said. “A lot of the captains and ship builders lived in these very houses that are still standing.”

Tuttle added that over a century ago, Port Jefferson was one of the largest shipbuilding communities in the state. Not only were a large number of big boats created right on these docks, but a huge number of small, wooden boats, as well. 

“Sea shanties were work songs developed by people who worked on and who built the ships,” she said. “They could be considered one of the first genres of world music —wherever there was a port, there would be different influences. It’s really interesting.”

And to really bring the vibe of early century Port Jefferson, across the park at Bayles Boat Shop, which is part of the Long Island Seaport and Eco Center (LISEC) and a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of maritime history on Long Island, will be hosting its annual Sikaflex Quick and Dirty Boat Build. 

Now in its 12th year, the event allows would-be boat designers and builders to have a weekend of fun and showcase their creative skills and talents. Using only a provided supply of plywood, plastic cable ties, and Sikaflex/sealant, two member teams must build, paint and then paddle their design around the village dock in Port Jefferson Harbor located just offshore of Harborfront Park.

Several two-person teams will have five hours on Saturday and return on Sunday to decorate their boats and prepare to race them at 3 p.m. Trophies will be awarded after the races for design, decoration, first built and race winners. “People will be able to watch the boats being built, listen to music and sing along,” Tuttle said. 

Port Jefferson hosted the first Sea Shanty & Maritime Music Festival in 2021. Tuttle said that for many years, Mystic CT would host a Sea Shanty Festival, but unfortunately, it was discontinued. In the time passing, she heard from many of the artists looking for other places to sing their songs, so the GPJAC partnered with the Village of Port Jefferson and the Folk Music Society of New York to bring this whaling town back to its roots.

Featured performers will include John Roberts, David Jones, David Littlefield, Bonnie & Dan Milner, Heather Wood, Joseph Morneault, Geoff Kaufman, and Deirdre Murtha and Alan Short — plus a grand finale concert featuring all the musicians at around 6 p.m. Pirates at Large will be at the “pirate camp” outside the Village Center in character, singing along, too.

“Each year this gets a little bit bigger and we’re so excited to bring it back again,” Tuttle said. “There’s nothing else like it.” For more information, visit www.gpjac.org.

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IT'S PUSS ... IN BOOTS! Catch an outdoor screening of 'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' at Deepwells Farm County Park on Aug. 17.
PROGRAMS

Bubble Buddies

The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St. Cold Spring Harbor continues Friday Summer Fun Workshops with Bubble Buddies on Aug. 18 at noon and again at 2 p.m. Meet the largest-sized bubble-blowers in the world! Find out about how humpback whales work together as a crew to catch food using teamwork, as well as bubble nets. Touch whale baleen from the museum’s collection, and decorate your own bubble wand and jar of bubbles to take home. No registration needed. For ages 5 and up. Admission fee + $10. 631-367-3418.

Lollipop Train Rides

Did you know? Greenlawn-Centerport Historical Association’s John Gardiner Farm, 900 Park Ave., Greenlawn offers rides on the Lollipop Train every Saturday in the summer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. including Aug. 19 and 26 and Sept. 2. Call 631-754-1180 for more info.

Superheroes of the Sky

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown presents Superheroes of the Sky on Aug. 19 from 11 a.m. to noon. Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds the Center’s Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about bald eagles, turkey vultures, owls, hawks and many more. $10 per adult / $5 per child. To register visit www.sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Candy Twisted Balloons

Long Island State Parks Summer Entertainment hosts The Candy Twisted Balloon Show, a combination of comedy, crazy magic, and audience participation, at Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park on Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.  You won’t want to miss the grand finale when Candy climbs inside the biggest balloon you have ever seen! Free. No reservations required. 631-269-4333

Family Scavenger Hunt

Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket continues its 2023 Family Summer Program series on Aug. 22 at 11 a.m. with its annual Family Scavenger Hunt. Meet at Hap’s Red Barn. Free. No registration necessary. 631-689-6146

Museum Together!

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents Museum Together!, a new program for families, on Aug. 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Hall of Fishes marine museum. Join a museum educator for a tour of William K. Vanderbilt II’s collection of marine life and make a creative project together. $10 per person. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org. 

THEATER

‘Seussical Jr.’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center presents an outdoor production of Seussical Jr. on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 E. Main St., Smithtown from July 8 to Aug. 17. Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, JoJo, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird, Yertle the Turtle and all of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters spring to life onstage in this musical extravaganza. Tickets are $18.50 per person. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Cinderella’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Cinderella, the beloved tale of a young girl’s magical night at the Royal Ball where she meets and briefly loses her true Prince Charming, from July 22 to Aug. 27. Only his quest to find the perfect fit for the glass slipper left behind will reunite them. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

FILM

‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’

St. James Chamber of Commerce invites the community to Deepwells Farm County Park, 497 Route 25A, St. James for a screening of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish on Aug. 17 at dusk. Puss in Boots discovers that his passion for adventure has taken its toll when he learns that he has burnt through eight of his nine lives. Come early and have a picnic on the grounds! Bring seating. 631-584-8510

‘Sing’

The Northport-East Northport Drug and Alcohol Task Force will host a free Family Movie Night screening of Sing at Northport Village Park on Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. Bring seating. The first 50 attendees will receive a free lawn blanket. For more info, call 516-361-6540.

‘The Iron Giant’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of The Iron Giant on Aug. 20 at noon. Nine-year-old Hogarth Hughes hears stories of a UFO that crashed into the sea and finds a huge, metal-eating robot with an insatiable curiosity and equally insatiable appetite. Rated PG. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. www.cinemaartscentre.org.

‘DC League of Superpets’

Join St. Johnland Nursing Center for a free community outdoor movie night screening of DC League of Superpets at St. Joseph’s Parish parking lot, 59 Church St., Kings Park  on Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. Admission is free (suggested donation $10 per car) and space is limited. Movie snacks and drinks will be sold. Sponsored by TD Bank.

ONGOING

Throwback Thursdays: Build-A-Boat

Drop by the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor on Thursday afternoons in August from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for a Build-a-Boat workshop where adults and kids can design and build a unique vessel using a variety of wooden materials and a bit of imagination. Go home with your creation! No registration is needed. Admission fee + $10. 631-367-3418.

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HONORING LOCAL HISTORY Catch a special screening of ‘Invisible Threads — From Wireless to War’ at the Cinema Arts Centre on Aug. 20. Photo from CAC
Thursday Aug. 17

St. Joseph’s Family Festival

St. Joseph’s Church, 59 Church St., Kings Park hosts a Family Festival tonight from 6 to 10 p.m., Aug. 18 and 19 from 6 to 11 and Aug. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. with carnival rides, games and food. Fireworks are scheduled for Aug. 18. Free admission. Pay-one-price rides. 631-499-6824

Summer Thursdays at the LIM

The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook continues its Summer Thursdays series with a free concert by musicians from The Jazz Loft from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Pack a picnic supper, enjoy the concert and take a free tour of the Carriage Museum. Held rain or shine. 631-751-0066

Friday Aug. 18

St. Joseph’s Family Festival

See Aug. 17 listing.

Third Friday at the Reboli Center

The Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Third Friday series with a talk by Steve Englebright titled “A Sense of Place: Nature, Joe Reboli’s Landscapes and New England” followed by a Q&A from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Free. No reservations required. 631-751-7707

Travel Back to the 80s Experience

Join the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown for a Travel Back To The 80s Experience at 8 p.m. Immerse yourself in the fun, the fashion, and the sounds of the 80s! Meet familiar characters and personalities while being thrown back in time to a story straight out of the 80s, all set to the tunes you know and love. Arrive dressed up to enjoy yourself to the max! Featuring a live performance by The Ronald Reagans. Tickets are $35. Call 1-800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org to order.

Creedence Revived in Concert

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson  presents Creedence Revived (Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band) in concert on the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Enjoy the original band’s greatest hits including “Travelin’ Band,” and “Down on the Corner.”   Tickets are $59. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Saturday Aug. 19

St. Joseph’s Family Festival

See Aug. 17 listing.

LISEC Sikaflex Boat Build

LISEC and the Bayles Boat Shop will sponsor the 12th annual Sikaflex “Quick & Dirty” Boat Building Competition at Harborfront Park, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson today and Aug. 20.  Up to 12  2-person  teams will construct a boat in five hours on Saturday and return on Sunday to decorate their boats and prepare to race them at 3 p.m. Prizes are awarded after the races for design, decoration, first built and race winners. 631-689-8293, www.lisec.org

Pet Palooza

Join Little Shelter Animal Rescue & Adoption Center, 33 Warner Road, Huntington for its annual Pet-A-Palooza celebration today and Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The two-day event will feature a huge Chinese auction, games for kids, face painting, BBQ, a parade, doggie swimsuit contest and many animals for adoption. For more information visit www.littleshelter.org or call 631-368-8770.

Community & Music Festival

Join the Greater Middle Country Chamber of Commerce for its 2nd annual Community & Music Festival at the Centereach Turf Field, Elks Club Lodge parking lot and surrounding areas along Horseblock Road in Centereach from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enjoy live music by SouthBound and The Day Trippers, craft and business vendor tables, food trucks, beer garden, children’s activities and much more. Held rain or shine. Admission for ages 12 and over is $5. 631-681-8708. 

ELIQG Quilt Show

Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead hosts the Eastern Long Island Quilters’ Guild annual show, “Hopes and Dreams,” today and Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with quilt displays, vendors, exhibits, yard sale featuring fabrics and notions, and raffle baskets. $5 adults, free for children. www.eliqg.com

Sea Shanty Festival

The 3rd annual Port Jefferson Sea Shanty and Maritime Musical Festival heads to Harborfront Park, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson from noon to dusk. Presented by the Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, PJ Village Historian and the Folk Music Society of NY, the event will feature authentic sea shanties, a pirate camp, street singers and more. Free. www.gpjac.org

Chicken Hill Country Picnic & BBQ

Three Village Community Trust invites the community to its 8th annual Chicken Hill Country Picnic and BBQ at the Bruce House, 148 Main St., Setauket from 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy a country picnic, live music, an art raffle, raffle baskets, house tours and talks on the history of the Three Villages. Tickets for adults are $30 in advance at www.threevillagecommunitytrust.org, $35 at the door; tickets for kids ages 5 to 12 are $10, under age 5 free. Rain date is Aug. 20. 631-942-4558

Summer Comedy Night

In partnership with Governor’s Comedy Club, the Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents a night of laughs with comedians Tommy Gooch, Olga Namer, Debbie D Amore and Steve Rocco Parrillo at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.

Larger Than Life Boyband Tribute

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson welcomes Larger Than Life, the #1 boy band experience in the country, in concert on the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Featuring boy band-style singing, dancing, and that iconic pop look, Larger Than Life will perform over 50 boy band songs by the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees, O-Town, Boyz II Men, LFO, One Direction, and many more. Tickets are $49. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Sunday Aug. 20

St. Joseph’s Family Festival

See Aug. 17 listing.

LISEC Sikaflex Boat Build

See Aug. 19 listing.

Pet Palooza

See Aug. 19 listing.

ELIQG Quilt Show

See Aug. 19 listing.

Car Show and Swap Meet

Flowerfield Fairgrounds, Route 25A, St. James hosts a Car Show and Swap Meet by Long Island Cars from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Street rods, classics, muscle cars, antiques, exotics, imports and collectible cars on display. Vendors selling parts and accessories, plus a variety of cars for sale by owners. Admission is $10, under 12 years free. Rain date is Aug. 27. 631-567-5898, www.longislandcars.com

Lake Grove Summer Festival

The Village of Lake Grove will host its annual Summer Festival at the Gazebo and Memorial Park, 980 Hawkins Ave., Lake Grove from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Featuring vendors, magician, face painting, live music by Miles to Dayton, Amber Ferrari Band and Milagro, classic car show, carnival games, food and more. 631-873-0961

Northport Walking Tour

Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport hosts a Walking Tour at 1:30 p.m. Join Dan Sheehan as he weaves the tale of Northport’s Historic Business District during this lively walking tour of Main Street. Travel back in time as you hear the stories of the people and landmarks that helped shape Northport, including Jack Kerouac, Rum Runners and the Trolley. All ages welcome. $7 per person. To register, visit www.northporthistorical.org. 631-757-9859

History Talk with John Avlon

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket hosts a Book Talk and Q&A with CNN Senior Political Analyst John Avlon from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The veteran journalist will discuss his latest book, Lincoln and the Fight for Peace, a timely and insightful look at our nation’s gravest conflict. All are welcome to register at emmaclark.org/programs. 631-941-4080.

Wind Down Sundays – This show has been canceled.

The popular summer concert series continues at Hap’s historic Red Barn at Frank Melville Memorial Park, 1 Old Field Road, Setauket with Taylor Ackley and the Deep Roots Ensemble at 5:30 p.m. Bring seating. 631-689-6146, www.frankmelvillepark.org

Celebrate Park Concert

Celebrate St. James continues its summer concert series at Celebrate Park, 369 Lake Ave., St. James with music by SouthBound from 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Bring seating. 631-984-0201

Summer Concert on the Green

Summer concerts are back in front of the Stony Brook Post Office at the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main Street, Stony Brook from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Sunday through Aug. 20, courtesy of the Ward Melville Heritage Organization. Tonight’s concert features the Sound Symphony Orchestra. Free. Bring seating. 631-751-2244, www.wmho.org

Monday Aug. 21

An Evening of Goat Yoga

Join the Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown for a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy of  by Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo. Tickets are $30 per person. Please bring a mat & towel. Registration required via Eventbrite. For more information, call 631-265-6768.

Tuesday Aug. 22

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to enjoy a medley of Yiddish songs sung by Henry Beder accompanied by Thelma Grossman in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Come and immerse yourself in one of the most expressive and emotional languages — especially, if you have never learned Yiddish. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Audubon Summer Lecture

The Bates House, 1 Bates Road, Setauket will host a summer lecture by Four Harbors Audubon Society at 6:30 p.m. Titled Butterflies, Birds, & Habitats with guest speaker Rick Cech, this lecture will explore how butterflies and habitats co-exist, with a comparison to bird life ecology for perspective, and with an emphasis on the U.S.’s East Coast. Free but reservations required by emailing [email protected].

Taiko Drums of Japan

Join Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for a performance of Taiko Drums of Japan on the library lawn from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. With performances drawn from the rick folk heritage of Japan, Ryu Shu presents a diverse program of Taiko drums, folk songs, and dance to immerse you in a traditional Japanese festival experience. Bring a blanket or lawn chair or even pack a picnic! Registration required only if you want to attend the program indoors in the event of rain at emmaclark.org/programs.

Wednesday Aug. 23

Sunset Concerts

Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council continues its Sunset Concerts at Harborfront Park, 101-A East Broadway, Port Jefferson from 6:30 to 8 p.m. with a performance by Gene Casey & The Lone Sharks. Held rain or shine. Bring seating. 631-473-5220, www.gpjac.org

Summerfest Concert

The Northport Chamber of Commerce continues its Summerfest Concerts on Wednesdays in August at the Robert Krueger Bandshell in Northport Village Park, with Santana tribute band Milagro from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Bring seating. 631-754-3905

Thursday Aug. 24

Vanderbilt Architecture Tour

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport presents an Architecture & Collections Tour at noon and again at 1:30 p.m. Learn about the history of the Eagle’s Nest estate, the architectural details and visit the marine, natural history, and cultural artifact collections. Tickets, which include general admission, are $16 adults, $15 seniors/students, $14 children at the door only. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org

Port Jefferson Greek Festival

Greek Church of the Assumption, 430 Sheep Pasture Road, Port Jefferson presents its annual Greek Festival tonight from 5 to 10 p.m., Aug. 25 from 5 to 11 p.m., Aug. 26 from noon to 11 p.m. and Aug. 27 from noon to 10 p.m. with vendors, authentic Greek delights, dancing, music, carnival rides, church tour and giant raffle. Fireworks on Aug. 25 and 26 (weather permitting), raffle drawing on Aug. 27 at 8 p.m. $2 per person, free for children under 12. 631-473-0894, www.portjeffgreekfest.com.

Historic Harbor Tours

The Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport hosts two Historic Harbor Tours today at 6 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. The Society and Seymour’s Boatyard invite you to take a relaxing evening cruise while learning about the history of Northport Harbor, followed by drinks and light fare. Tickets are $60, $50 members. 631-757-9859, www.northporthistorical.org

Holbrook Carnival

Join the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce for its annual Carnival & Festival on the grounds of the Holbrook Country Club, 700 Patchogue-Holbrook Road, Holbrook on tonight and Aug. 25 from 6 to 11 p.m., Aug. 26 from 2 to 11 p.m. and Aug. 27 from 2 to 9 p.m. Games, food, rides, craft vendors, entertainment. 631-471-2725

Weaving with Wine

Huntington Historical Society hosts a Weaving with Wine event at the Conklin Barn, 2 High St., Huntington from 6 to 8:30 p.m. This fun program offers a chance to learn to weave using a traditional manual table loom. At the end of class, you will have a piece of fabric to bring home. You supply the wine, they provide the weaving, glasses and light refreshments. $45 per person.  To register, call 631-427-7045, ext. 404 or visit huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

Native American Drumming

All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming 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 631-655-7798 for more information.

Music Under the Stars

Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach celebrates summer with its Music Under the Stars concert series in its parking lot featuring Shining Star (Earth, Wind and Fire Tribute) at 7 p.m. Bring seating. 631-585-9393

Harborside Concerts

Village of Port Jefferson closes out its Harborside concert series with a final concert featuring Foreign Journey with special guest Randy Jackson at the Ferry Dock tonight at 7 p.m. 631-473-4724 www.portjeff.com

Summer SWAP Concert

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook continues its free “Summer Stage With a Purpose” (Summer SWAP) concerts on its front lawn from 6 to 8 p.m. with the Phoenix Big Band. Guests may purchase refreshments in the Basie Garden beside the venue. Bring seating. 631-751-1895, www.thejazzloft.org

 Theater

‘The Prom’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kick off its 53rd season with The Prom from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21. As the lights dim on four fading Broadway stars, they wildly seek the spotlight. Courting the controversy surrounding a small-town Indiana prom, the quartet invades a community that wants to keep the party straight. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors, $20 students, $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’

The Carriage House Players continue their 34th annual Summer Shakespeare Festival in the mansion courtyard of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with Love’s Labour’s Lost on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. from Aug. 11 to Sept. 8. Tickets are $20, $15 children under 12 at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

‘Rent’

Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown presents Jonathan Larson’s Rent from Sept. 16 to Oct. 22. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, the groundbreaking musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians — Roger, Mimi, Tom, Angel, Maureen, Joanne, Benny and Mark — struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors, $28 students. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘Escape to Margaritaville’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Escape to Margaritaville from July 13 to Sept. 3. This upbeat and energetic new musical features all your favorite Jimmy Buffett classics including “Volcano,” “Fins,”,“Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and of course “Margaritaville.” Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Every Brilliant Thing’

Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, in association with Response Crisis Center, presents Every Brilliant Thing, a one-man show starring Jeffrey Sanzel, on the Second Stage from Sept. 17 to Oct. 8.  With audience members recruited to take on supporting roles, Every Brilliant Thing is a heart-wrenching, hilarious story of depression and the lengths we will go for those we love. All seats are $20. Fifty percent of the gross proceeds of this production will benefit Response Crisis Center. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Film

‘Invisible Threads’

Coinciding with National Radio Day, the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will host a special screening of the award-winning documentary Invisible Threads — From Wireless to War on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. While Nikola Tesla, Guglielmo Marconi and a mysterious German wireless plant compete for radio supremacy off the east coast of Long Island, the unseen casualties of war threaten to divide a nation. The charity screening will benefit the Cinema Arts Centre  and the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, and will feature a live Q&A with filmmaker Joseph Sikorski and Marc Alessi, Executive Director of the Tesla Science Center. Tickets are $25, $20 members at www.cinemaartscentre.org.

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Represented in this illustration is the authors’ finding that DNA hypermethylation disrupts CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) mediated boundaries which in turn lead to aberrant interactions between an oncogene and an enhancer, driving hyperproliferation and subsequently tumorigenesis from normal OPCs. Photo by William Scavone/Kestrel Studio

Study in Cell led by Stony Brook researcher provides unique analysis in a glioma model

Gliomas are incurable brain tumors. Researchers are trying to unlock the mysteries of how they originate from normal cells, which may lead to better treatments. A new study published in the journal Cell centers on epigenetic rather than genetic changes that drive normal cells to form tumors. The work reveals the precise genes that are regulated epigenetically and lead to cancer.

Genes make us who we are in many ways and are central to defining our health. Cancer is often viewed as a disease caused by changes in our genes, thus our DNA. Epigenetics is the study of how behavior, environment, or metabolic changes can cause alterations to the way genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes do not change one’s DNA, and they can be reversed.

“We used tumor samples and mouse modeling to discover and functionally demonstrate the role of epigenetic alterations in gliomas,” says Gilbert J. Rahme, PhD, first author and Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at the Renaissance School of Medicine, and formerly a postdoctoral fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. “By doing this, we discovered genes regulated epigenetically in gliomas, including potent tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes, that drive the tumor growth.”

In the paper, titled “Modeling epigenetic lesions that cause gliomas,” the research team show in the model that epigenetic alterations of tumor suppressor and oncogenes collaborate together to drive the genesis of this brain tumor.

The authors explain that “epigenetic activation of a growth factor receptor, the platelet-derived growth factor receptor A (PDGFRA) occurs by epigenetic disruption of insulator sites, which act as stop signs in the genome to prevent aberrant activation of genes. The activation of PDGFRA works in concert with the epigenetic silencing of the tumor suppressor Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) to transform a specific cell type in the brain, the oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC), driving the formation of brain tumors.”

Rahme says the next step is to test whether therapies that can reverse the epigenetic changes observed in brain tumors can be helpful as a treatment.

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Pixabay photo

By Bob Lipinski

Bob Lipinski

Up in the northern region of Trentino-Alto Adige lies an area known for making some of Italy’s highest quality sparkling wines. It is the only “traditional method” sparkling wine region located high in the mountains, with vineyards planted at up to 3,000 feet above sea level.

The sparkling wines from the province of Trento in Trentino-Alto Adige are known as “Trentodoc,” a trademark name created in 2007. Their sparkling wines were already being made in the early 1900s by Giulio Ferrari, a student at the Imperial Royal Agricultural School of San Michele. He first started the “traditional method” production in Trento, after many study tours to France. Trentodoc sparkling wines officially received their DOC designation in 1993.

Trentodoc wines can be white or rosé and are made from any combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes, and must be made by the classic metodo classico method.

Aging in the bottle varies from a minimum of 15 months for a nonvintage; 24 months for a millesimato (vintage); and a minimum of 36 months for a riserva (aged).

Currently, there are 67 Trentodoc sparkling wine producers. Below are some of my tasting notes.

NV Ferrari “Brut” (100% Chardonnay): Bright straw-yellow. A clean and refreshing aroma of crusty bread, white flowers, green apple, and pears. Medium-bodied and crispy with flavors of citrus, peach, and slightly honeyed. Clean finish and very long and pleasing aftertaste. Serve it with slightly melted Brie.

2016 Rotari “Brut Rosé” (75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay): Aged 24 months. Salmon-colored with tiny, pin-point bubbles. A fresh aroma of cream and raspberries, with complex flavors of spicy cherry and peach. Refreshing acidity with a lingering aftertaste. A simple dish of prosciutto and melon.

NV Cesarini Sforza “Brut” (100% Chardonnay): Subtle bouquet of yellow fruit, tarragon, and freshly made biscuits. Complex flavors of golden Delicious apples, lemon sorbet, and spices. Subtle finish with an aftertaste of nuts and ginger. Fried calamari would be perfect.

NV Monfort “Brut Rosé” (Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir): Lovely rose colored with a fragrant aroma of strawberries and brioche. Light and delicate in the mouth with hints of red apple, citrus, herbs, and spices. Very easy to drink. Serve with a medley of sautéed wild mushrooms.

NV Moser 51,151 “Brut” (100% Chardonnay): Pale-yellow with a subtle bouquet of blueberry, cherry, and lemon tart. Medium-bodied, and dry, with hints of apples and pears. Pair with chilled smoked salmon.

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].

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Laura Gumbus was driving along West Broadway in Port Jefferson on Friday afternoon, August 11 when 12 Canadian geese decided to cross the street to the lush grass in front of Village Hall. The event caused a traffic delay as everyone patiently waited for them to cross and Gumbos pulled out her phone to record the parade.
Send your video or photo of the week to [email protected]

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New research suggests inflammation is associated with early Parkinson's disease­. METRO photo

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the U.S. after Alzheimer’s disease. Estimates put the number of people living with Parkinson’s disease at up to 1.2 million, with 90,000 new diagnoses each year (1).

Patients with PD suffer from a collection of symptoms caused by the breakdown of brain neurons. There’s a lot we still don’t know about the causes of PD; however, risk factors may include head trauma, genetics, exposure to toxins and heavy metals, and lifestyle issues, like lack of exercise.

The part of the brain most affected is the basal ganglia, and the prime culprit is dopamine deficiency that occurs in this brain region (2). Adding back dopamine has been the mainstay of medical treatment, but eventually the neurons themselves break down, and the medication becomes less effective.

Is there hope? Yes, in the form of medications and deep brain stimulatory surgery, but also by modifying lifestyle, considering factors like iron, vitamin D, inflammation, and CoQ10. While the research is not conclusive, it is intriguing and gives us more options.

What impact does iron have on the brain?

This heavy metal is potentially harmful for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis and, yes, Parkinson’s disease. The problem is that it can cause oxidative damage.

In a small, yet well-designed, randomized controlled trial (RCT), researchers used a chelator to remove iron from the substantia nigra, a specific part of the brain where iron breakdown may be dysfunctional. An iron chelator is a drug that removes the iron. Here, deferiprone (DFP) was used at a modest dose of 30 mg/kg/d (3).

The chelator reduced the risk of disease progression significantly on the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) during the 12-month study. Participants who were treated sooner had lower levels of iron compared to a group that used the chelator six months later. A specialized MRI was used to measure the brain’s iron levels.

The iron chelator does not affect, nor should it affect, systemic levels of iron, only those in the substantia nigra region of the brain. The chelator may work by preventing degradation of the dopamine-containing neurons. Your physician may also recommend that you consume foods that contain less iron.

What is the role of inflammation in PD?

In a recent study, researchers tested 58 newly diagnosed PD participants’ blood and compared their results to 62 healthy control participants (4). Some of the PD arm participants had additional testing done, including cerebrospinal fluid samples and brain imaging. All these tests were looking for specific inflammatory markers.

Researchers found that those with PD had significantly higher brain inflammation levels than those without PD in specific regions. Their blood and cerebrospinal fluid also had high inflammatory markers. These measures correlated with worse visuospatial and cognitive scores.

While this study provides hints of possible treatments, we need additional studies to identify whether the inflammation is a cause or an effect of PD.

Regardless, adopting a low-inflammatory foods diet might help mitigate some symptoms of PD or slow its advancement.

Does CoQ10 help slow PD progression?

There is evidence that CoQ10 may be beneficial in PD at high doses.

In an RCT, results showed that those given 1,200 mg of CoQ10 daily reduced the progression of the disease significantly based on UPDRS changes, compared to a placebo group (5). Other doses of 300 and 600 mg showed trends toward benefit, but were not significant. This was a 16-month trial in a small population of 80 patients. Unfortunately, results for other CoQ10 studies have been mixed.

In this study, CoQ10 was well-tolerated at even the highest dose. Thus, there may be no downside to trying CoQ10 in those with PD.

Does Vitamin D make a difference?

Vitamin D may play dual roles of both reducing the risk of Parkinson’s disease and slowing its progression.

In a prospective study of over 3000 patients, results show that vitamin D levels measured in the highest quartile reduced the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by 65 percent, compared to the lowest quartile (6). This is impressive, especially since the highest quartile patients had vitamin D levels that were what we qualify as insufficient, with blood levels of 20 ng/ml, while those in the lowest quartile had deficient blood levels of 10 ng/ml or less.

In an RCT with 121 patients, results showed that 1,200 IU of vitamin D taken daily may have reduced the progression of PD significantly on the UPDRS compared to a placebo over a 12-month duration (7). Also, this amount of vitamin D increased the blood levels by almost two times from 22.5 to 41.7 ng/ml. 

In a 2019 study of 182 PD patients and 185 healthy control subjects, researchers found that higher serum vitamin D levels correlated to reduced falls and alleviation of other non-motor PD symptoms (8).

Vitamin D research is ongoing, as this all seems promising.

So, what are our takeaways? Though medication is the gold standard for Parkinson’s disease treatment, lifestyle modifications can have a significant impact on both its prevention and treatment. Each lifestyle change in isolation may have modest effects, but cumulatively their impact could be significant.

References:

(1) parkinson.org. (2) uptodate.com. (3) Antioxid Redox Signal. 2014;10;21(2):195-210. (4) Movement Disorders. 2023;38;5:743-754. (5) Arch Neurol. 2002;59(10):1541-1550. (6) Arch Neurol. 2010;67(7):808-811. (7) Am J Clin Nutr. 2013;97(5):1004-1013. (8) Neurologica. 2019;140(4):274-280.

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.

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