New York Health has announced the addition of Dodis Kohan, MD, to its team. Dr. Kohan is a board-certified Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist with over thirty years of experience in providing high-quality OB/GYN care. He will practice at 518 Hawkins Avenue inLake Ronkonkoma.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Kohan to New York Health,” said Dr. Rohit Reejsinghani, FACP, MBA, Executive Director of NY Health. “His passion for providing quality OB/GYN care and his commitment to patient education make him a great fit for our organization.”
“I am excited to be practicing medicine and working directly with patients without the added responsibilities of office administration,” Dr. Kohan said. “At the end of the day, my ultimate goal is to help women have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.”
For more information, call631-676-7390 or visit nyhealth.com.
Deanna M. Eble, Esq. of Kings Park, and partner at the Russo Law Group, P.C., will be honored at the 2023 RichnerLIVE and Herald Community Newspapers fourth annual Premier Business Women Awards. The event will be held on March 22 at The Heritage Club at Bethpage.
Honorees will be formally recognized for their career achievements and community contributions.
“It is with great pride that I accept this award. I take great satisfaction in helping families address their legal needs, so they can focus their energies on spending time with their loved ones,” said Eble.
Eble focuses on Elder Law, Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning and Medicaid Planning, and has practiced in these areas for over 20 years. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association, a Co-Chair of the Health Care Issues Committee, Elder Counsel and is admitted to the New York Bar.
She earned her law degree at Hofstra University School of Law. Deanna frequently presents seminars on Elder Law and Estate Planning throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.
As an attorney, Eble has helped hundreds of families with all levels of planning. She assists families interested in planning in advance for the possibility of incapacity and the need for long-term care.
Eble also helps families in crisis situations—when they have been told that a loved one must enter a nursing home soon, or has already been placed in one, and they need to obtain assistance from Medicaid quickly.
From left Tim Martino, Callie Martino and Dave Striffler as Bacon, Egg and Cheese. Photo courtesy of Callie Martino
The Stony Brook Village Center will welcome the newest addition to its open-air center, Schnitzels, opening this spring. Schnitzels will feature unique dishes with a landscape of flavors for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus on the go eats.
Schnitzels is a new collaboration concept eatery created by the owners of Crazy Beans, Tim and Callie Martino, and the owner of Brew Cheese, Dave Striffler.
An all day menu will feature German bratwurst and pretzels, different variations of schnitzel along with a beer and wine list that will include German style beers and local craft beer on tap. They will be serving eggs for breakfast and lunch sandwiches that will also be available for takeout. For dinner they will be serving appetizers with share plates, as well as entrées.
Schnitzels is taking over the space formerly occupied by the Grist Mill Eatery at 77 Main Street.
Alan Cumming signs a copy of his book,'Baggage: Tales of a Fully Packed Life,' for a fan. Photo by Iris De Vita/ Iris De Vita Photography
Alan Cumming is interviewed by producer and curator Jud Newborn in front of a packed audience. Photo by Iris De Vita/ Iris De Vita Photography
Alan Cumming is interviewed by producer and curator Jud Newborn in front of a packed audience. Photo by Iris De Vita/ Iris De Vita Photography
Alan Cumming has become a stalwart and superbly entertaining supporter of Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre, making yet another appearance there — his third — on Feb. 24.
As at past events, all ticket holders received a copy of Cumming’s second memoir, Baggage: Tales of a Fully Packed Life. Cumming’s documentary, My Old School, was screened first at the sold-out event, followed by an interview with audience Q&A, hosted by producer and curator Jud Newborn.
Audiences were regaled by examples of Cumming’s kaleidoscopic career and his array of award-winning credits in every genre of entertainment. Apart from audience adoration, the main spirit was one of good-natured hilarity — and Cumming left, with a light-hearted “see you next time!”
The team celebrates their win last Friday. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
The No. 5/6 Stony Brook women’s lacrosse team (4-0) used a second half surge to come out on top and earn its third ranked win of the season against No.17 Stanford University (2-3) on March 3 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
The Seawolves were paced by CAA Preseason Midfielder of the Year, Ellie Masera, who tallied a season-high five goals. Graduate attacker Jolie Creo, senior attackers Kailyn Har and Morgan Mitchell and senior midfielder Erin MacQuarrie all added a pair of goals each in the contest.
Stony Brook got off to a slow start as the squad was not able to find the back of the cage in the first quarter and trailed the Cardinal 4-0 heading into the quarter break. Stanford would go on to tally two more goals within the first two minutes of the second quarter from Ashley Humphrey and Annabel Frist.
With 9:35 remaining in the second quarter, Masera got the Seawolves on the board off an assist from junior midfielder Jaden Hampel. Stony Brook added three more goals in the quarter to cut the deficit to 7-4 heading into halftime.
The Seawolves came back on to the field with vengeance, scoring within the first 30 seconds of the third quarter courtesy of Morgan Mitchell who finished a free position shot. The squad tallied five more goals in the quarter, including a go-ahead man-down goal by Masera with four seconds remaining to give Stony Brook its first lead of the game, 10-9.
Masera, Hampel, Creo and Hart all registered goals in the fourth quarter secure the lead for the Seawolves and ultimately the 14-10 comeback victory.
Senior Robert Becker is only the 5th athlete in the history of the IC4A Championships to win the mile race three different times. Photo from Stony Brook Athletics
The Stony Brook University men’s track and field team finished day two of the IC4A Championships in ninth-place overall out of 42 teams on Sunday at Boston University.
Senior Robert Becker added another IC4A title to his collection as he became only the 5th athlete in the history of the IC4A Championships (101 years) to win the mile race three different times.
In 2020, Becker earned his first IC4A title with a final time of 4:02.45. Last season, the graduate student crossed the finish line at 4:01.67. At the championship race today, Becker earned his triple title after finishing at 4:02.18.
Also in the mile race was senior Aiden Smyth. Smyth finished right-behind Becker in third-place, as he crossed the finish line at 4:04.30.
Stony Brook had another student-athlete who created history for the program. Senior Shane Henderson became the first athlete to get under the 8:00 minute barrier in the 3000m, as the Connecticut native crossed the finish line at 7:59.30, giving himself the new program record.
Becker earned a first-place finish in the mile with his final time of 4:02.18, securing his third career IC4A win. The fastest pace Becker ran at was at the end of the race, as he tallied 29.19 and 27.52 to finish at 4:02.18.
Smyth avenged his 4:09.12 finish that earned him ninth-place overall last season at the IC4A Championships with the time of 4:04.30.
Senior Colin Ross earned a 19th-place finish in the 3000 meter by finishing at 8:18.92.
“We are really happy with how everyone competed today. It was a great performance by Becker and Henderson in their last indoor meet as Seawolves. Extremely proud of the way our guys performed,” said head coach Andy Ronan.
Government is a social compact, affecting our lives on many levels. Each of us bears responsibilities includingunderstanding issues, evaluating and deciding which matter most to us, and acting to influence those that do.
The League of Women Voters has chapters on local, county, state and national levels. We are a unique, multi-issue, nonpartisan, political organization, encouraging informed and active participation in government. We influence public policy through advocacy and education and seek positive solutions to the problems confronting our communities and our country.
As LWV, we anticipate taking significant action on key issues in the 2023 New York State Legislative Session (which ends in June). These issues include Election Reform, Good Government Reform, Healthcare, Judicial Issues, Natural Resources, State Finances and Education, Equality of Opportunity, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking, and Rural Issues. Visit our website https://my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county to see our 2023 Legislative Agenda for more information on these key priorities. Beyond these broad categories, we also are gearing up for immediate advocacy related to needed additional funding in the 2023-2024 NYS budget:
Funding for State and County Boards of Elections: 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 enhanced election reforms like early voting and absentee voting. It is not possible for boards of election to continue to expand voting access without funds devoted to the expansion of early voting poll sites, poll worker training, staffing, upgrading of old systems, and the establishment of new sites. The State Board of Elections and county Boards of Elections need a serious funding commitment to ensure that these progressive reforms are not unfunded mandates.
Funding for Election Reform: The passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York was an historic moment in New York. It established rights of actions for denying or abridging the right of any member of a protected class to vote, assisted language-minority groups, required certain subdivisions to receive preclearance for potential violations of the law, and created civil liability for voter intimidation. This year, we expect to see the passage of a database bill that will support this bill. Additional funds should also be provided to counties to ensure compliance with all aspects of the law.
In 2022, Governor Hochul signed legislation to reduce the 25-day statutory voter registration deadline to 10 days prior to the election. As many voters become engaged in the election close to election day, this legislation will allow for easier and more accessible voter engagement and participation in New York. This legislation allows for one “Golden Day” in which a voter can register to vote and vote on the same day. Since the law went into effect on January 1, 2023, it is essential that funds be appropriated to account for the increase in staff and training that will be essential for county boards to successfully implement this new procedure.
Funding for Ethics Reforms: The League was glad to see the continued funding of New York’s new ethics body, the Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. We urge the Legislature to include this funding in their budget as continued support for a commission that holds public officials accountable.
The executive budget has woefully underfunded the matching portion of the new public campaign financing program. 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 last year’s election, the 200 biggest donors outspent over 200,000 small donors in state races.
The League applauds the Governor for including 14.5M in funding to support the administrative needs of the Public Campaign Finance Board. However, underfunding the matching portion of the program by $75M will not build the trust needed for candidates to opt into the program. Multiple studies done by the State Board of Elections indicate that by 2024 the program would need between $119M and $213M in matching funds to operate the program successfully.
Fully funding the matching portion of this program would indicate a strong commitment to reform for New York voters and give candidates the confidence to buy into the program. The program will only see success if candidates participate. We urge the legislature to fully fund the requested $114.5 M for this program.
You too can make your voice heard by becoming more informed, speaking out and contacting your elected officials; and consider joining your local LWV chapter.
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 or call 631-862-6860.
Micronutrient deficiency and obesity are intertwined
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
If you’re trying to lose weight, you’re probably closely watching your calorie intake. We’ve been trained for a lifetime to scrutinize calories and to exercise more willpower in avoiding high-calorie options.
However, the road to weight loss, or even weight maintenance, is complex. Many things influence our eating behavior, including food addictions, boredom, lack of sleep and stress.
Awareness of a food’s caloric impact doesn’t always matter, either. Studies assessing the impact of nutrition labeling in restaurants gave us a clear view of this issue: knowing an item’s calories either doesn’t alter behavior or can encourage higher calorie purchases (1, 2).
The good news is that success is not solely about willpower. Instead, we need to change our diet composition.
In my clinical experience, increasing the quality of food has a tremendous impact. Foods that are the most micronutrient dense, such as plant-based foods, rather than those that are focused on macronutrient density, such as protein, carbohydrates and fats, tend to be the most satisfying. In a week to a few months of focusing on micronutrients, one of the first things patients notice is a significant reduction in cravings.
What is the impact of refined carbohydrates?
Generally, we know that refined carbohydrates don’t help. Looking deeper, a small, randomized control trial (RCT) showed refined carbohydrates actually may cause food addiction (3). Certain sections of the brain involved in cravings and reward are affected by high-glycemic foods, as shown by MRI scans of trial subjects.
Study participants consumed a 500-calorie shake with either a high-glycemic index or a low-glycemic index. They were blinded (unaware) as to which they were drinking. The ones who drank the high-glycemic shake had higher levels of glucose in their blood initially, followed by a significant decline in glucose levels and increased hunger four hours later. The region of the brain that is related to addiction, the nucleus accumbens, showed a spike in activity with the high-glycemic intake.
According to the authors, this effect may occur regardless of the number of calories consumed. Commonly found high-glycemic foods include items like white flour, sugar and white potatoes. The conclusion: Everyone, but especially those trying to lose weight, should avoid refined carbohydrates.
Do macronutrients matter?
We tend to focus on macronutrients — protein, carbohydrates and fats — when looking at diets. But are these the elements that have the greatest impact on weight loss? In an RCT, when comparing different macronutrient combinations, there was very little difference among study groups, nor was there much success in helping obese patients reduce their weight (4, 5). Only 15 percent of patients achieved a 10 percent reduction in weight after two years.
The four different macronutrient diet combinations involved overall calorie restriction. In addition, each combination had either high protein, high fat; average protein, high fat; high protein, low fat; or low protein, low fat. Carbohydrates ranged from low to moderate (35 percent) in the first group to high (65 percent) in the last group. This was another well-designed study, involving 811 participants with an average BMI of 33 kg/m², which is classified as obese.
Again, focusing primarily on macronutrient levels and calorie counts did very little to improve results.
What’s the relationship between micronutrients and weight?
In an epidemiological study looking at National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, results demonstrate that those who are overweight and obese tend to be micronutrient-deficient (6). Micronutrients include carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as vitamin B12, folate and vitamins C, E and D.
Unfortunately, taking supplements doesn’t solve the problem; generally, micronutrients from supplements are not the same as those from foods. With a few exceptions, such as vitamin D and potentially B12, most micronutrient levels can be raised without supplementation, by adding variety to your diet. Please ask your doctor.
How do cortisol levels affect health?
The good news is that once people lose weight, it may be easier to continue to keep the weight off. In a prospective (forward-looking) study, results show that once obese patients lost weight, the levels of cortisol metabolite excretion decreased significantly (7).
Cortisol raises blood-levels of glucose and is involved in promoting visceral or intra-abdominal fat. This type of fat can coat internal organs, such as the liver, and result in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Decreasing the level of cortisol metabolite may also result in a lower propensity toward insulin resistance and may decrease the risk of cardiovascular mortality. This is an encouraging preliminary, yet small, study involving women.
Controlling or losing weight is not solely about willpower or calorie-counting. While calorie intake has a role, the nutrient density of the food may be more important to your success and may play a significant role in reducing cravings, ultimately helping to manage weight in the long run.
References:
(1) Am J Pub Health 2013 Sep 1;103(9):1604-1609. (2) Am J Prev Med.2011 Oct;41(4):434–438. (3) Am J Clin Nutr Online 2013;Jun 26. (4) N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 26;360:859. (5) N Engl J Med 2009 Feb 26;360:923. (6) Medscape General Medicine. 2006;8(4):59. (7) Clin Endocrinol.2013;78(5):700-705.
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.
In addition to Irish Soda Bread, above, Brother's Bread Bakery featured Smores Cookies, Apple Caramel Cookies, Cranberry Walnut Bread, Apple-Cinnamon Raisin Bread, Blueberry Scones, Raspberry and White Chocolate Scones and Brownies on March 5. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media
Apple Caramel Cookies at Brother's Bread Bakery. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media
Peanut Snickers Bark, Smores Cookies and Brownies at Brother's Bread Bakery. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media
Bakery items for sale at Brother's Bread Bakery. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media
Cranberry Walnut Bread, Irish Soda Bread and Apple Cinnamon Raisin at Brother's Bread Bakery. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media
The entrance to Brother's Bread Bakery. Photo by Heidi Sutton/TBR News Media
By Melissa Arnold
Drug addiction can rob a person of everything they once held dear. Relationships with loved ones, a safe place to live and the ability to work can all become jeopardized or lost.
When you have nothing left, finding stability and sobriety can seem like an impossible task. But support and education can make all the difference.
For more than 40 years, Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson has offered a wide variety of services to those struggling with addiction or other hardships, from free counseling and support groups to residential programs and spiritual guidance.
Tucked on the quiet grounds of Little Portion Friary in Mount Sinai is a modest bakery called Brother’s Bread, which provides sweet and savory treats to visitors and job skills for hard-working men in recovery.
The Little Portion Friary campus, now called Hope Academy, was purchased by Hope House in 2016 when the Franciscan brothers who lived there fell on hard times. Since then, the size of the program has doubled, and more than 60 young men live in the family-style residential facility.
The acquisition was a full-circle moment for Hope House.
“The brothers helped out in local churches but also did a lot of baking. At the beginning of each weekend, people would be able to come in and see what was there and make a donation,” explained Father Francis Pizzarelli, director of Hope House Ministries, “When we acquired the friary, we wanted to maintain the bakery, and maintain that same spirit to honor and celebrate the brothers.”
But with the brothers gone, who would run the bakery? Pizzarelli saw it as an opportunity for the young men in addiction recovery at Hope Academy.
With support and donations from the community, Brother’s Bread received a modern makeover, including new ovens. While Pizzarelli oversees the administrative side of things, daily operations are a work of “shared responsibility” for a small group of Hope Academy residents.
“It’s a source of income [for the Academy], but it’s also therapeutic. It gives these men a new set of skills, a sense of accomplishment, and a feeling of giving back,” said Pizzarelli, who is also a social worker and addiction counselor. “I’m committed to the holistic approach of mind, body and spirit for recovery and the bakery feeds into that ideal nicely.”
Some of the residents arrive at Hope Academy with previous cooking or baking knowledge, but there are also opportunities for those who want to learn. Current bakers are always looking to share their skills with other residents, especially as the ultimate goal is graduation from the program. A few local retired bakers volunteer their time to teach as well.
The result is the tempting aroma of fresh bread heavy in the air each weekend. While the bakery is best known for their breads, especially cinnamon raisin and whole wheat, with time the menu has expanded to include other goodies. Brownies, scones, cookies and fruit pies are often available, along with seasonal favorites like Irish soda bread for St. Patrick’s Day and cheese pizzas during Lent.
The Irish soda bread in particular has been the source of a lot of laughter at the bakery and among those who attend weekend Mass at the friary.
Pizzarelli explained that one of the current bakers is from Ireland and was eager to share a bite of home with bakery patrons. People rave over it – well, most people. Pizzarelli has never been fond of Irish soda bread and is regularly teased for it.
Another unique facet of Brother’s Bread is the focus on generosity. The bakery door is always open on the weekends, even if no one is there. Each item has a suggested price, and visitors are encouraged to pay what they can.
“We certainly appreciate all the support we get, and the profits help cover the cost of ingredients and food for the residential program,” Pizzarelli said. “But we also know that there are hungry people out there, so we run on the honor system.”
As with all of Hope House’s programs, the bakery depends on the kindness of others. Financial gifts, volunteer support or donations of ingredients are always welcome.
Pizzarelli never imagined 40 years ago that his ministry would unfold as it has, and while there are many difficulties, he continues to offer a place of welcome to as many as he can. “The friary and Hope Academy have been a source of strength for people that are carrying shame and stigma. People focus on the negative stories, and I am always reminded of the people that we’ve lost, but I also see miracles every day,” he said.
Brother’s Bread and Hope Academy at Little Portion Friary are located at 48 Old Post Road, Mount Sinai. New bakery items are available Fridays after 3 p.m. through Sundays. For more information, call 631-473-0553 or visit www.hhm.org.
'Everything Everywhere All At Once' is the clear favorite to nab an Oscar for Best Picture at the 95th annual Academy Awards.
The Academy Awards will air live on ABC Channel 7 this Sunday at 8 p.m.
By Tim Haggerty and Jeffrey Sanzel
The 95th Academy Award contenders comprise a wealth of options. Better films provide excellent performance opportunities, so the fields are tight ones. As always, there is the potential for a great number of upsets. Who will take home the statues on March 12 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre remains to be seen. But here are a few thoughts.
While all the actors up for Best Actor in a Supporting Role turned in stunning performances, the clear favorite is the once-in-a-lifetime performance of Ke Huy Quan from Everything Everywhere All at Once. Quan gives a dimensional performance that mines both the humor and the day-to-day struggle of the many-faceted character. This he accomplishes with a jaw-dropping facility, finding beauty in sadness but shining in the fantastical shades of the character. While all the other nominees are first-rate, none display Quan’s multiple sides. Barry Keoghan won the BAFTA for The Banshees of Inisherin but is unlikely to bump Quan.
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ is in line to win Best International Feature Film.
Longshots for Actress in a Supporting Role are Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and Hong Chau (The Whale), both presenting excellent work but will be overshadowed by a year of showy performances that had surprising depth. Also unlikely is Kerry Condon’s stern sensibility in The Banshees. Finally, it will come down to Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu, both offering simultaneously eccentric and grounded work in industry favorite Everything Everywhere. It is a toss-up, but veteran Curtis is probably favored, receiving the award for both the film and her body of work.
Much like Supporting Actress, Actor in a Leading Role comes down to two equally worthy possibilities. While Austin Butler gave a good performance as Elvis, the script was weak and did not provide the dimension that would put him on a fast track to winning. Bill Nighy’s Living was too subdued and reserved to receive the Academy’s highest accolade. Paul Mescal’s Aftersun was powerful, but the film did not reach a wide enough audience.
Actor in a Leading Role comes down to Colin Farrell in Banshees and Brendan Fraser in The Whale. Given the raw, heart-breaking performance—and a range unseen in Fraser’s previous oeuvre—the Oscar is his to lose. However, the fact that it is unlike anything in his career gives him an even stronger edge.
Ana de Armas’s Marilyn in Blonde falls into the same problematic situation as Butler. She gives a sympathetic performance in an apathetic and unnecessarily exploitative film. The controversial nomination of Andrea Riseborough (To Leslie) earned her and the film little support—most likely taking the spot from Danielle Deadwyler’s flawless mother in Till. Michelle Williams is always good, but The Fabelmans does not display any surprises. It is a shame that Cate Blanchett’s searing composer (TÁR) and Michelle Yeoh’s multi-universe laundromat owner are up against each other. These are two exceptional performances, and both actresses deserve to stand on the Dolby stage—these are career bests. While a tie would solve the problem, the never-awarded Yeoh has a slight edge over the Oscar-winner Blanchett.
The now glutted Best Picture field includes fillers: the bloated Avatar: The Way of Water (visually stunning but overlong), the ultimate popcorn Top Gun: Maverick (an improvement over the original but still popcorn), and Elvis (clumsy and wrong-headed). Triangle of Sadness was a fascinating exercise, and Women Talking was emotionally gut-wrenching, but both played below the radar. All Quiet on the Western Front will win Best International Feature Film. The critically lauded TÁR and Banshees would have had better chances last season. In another year, Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical The Fabelmans would score the top prize. But the clear favorite is the mind-bending, startling, and outrageous Everything Everywhere All at Once.
As for Directing and Writing (Original Screenplay), the path reflects the Best Picture. In this case, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert will go home with the Oscars for their exceptional work in both categories for the historically unique Everything Everywhere. All Quiet or (possibly) Women Talking will take Writing (Adapted Screenplay).
A few shoutouts:
Animated Feature Film should go to the glorious Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio—the third Pinocchio film of the year—but the only one of any weight (or value). The moving meditation on mental health, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, will take home Best Short Film (Animated). The quirky Christmas Day orphanage Le Pupille will most likely win Short Film (Live Action). The Whale demonstrated true artistry in the transformation of Brendan Fraser, making it the most deserving for Makeup and Hairstyling. Music (Original Score) could go to either the chilling strings of All Quiet or the bombast of Babylon. Avatar’s only hope for an award is Visual Effects, with Sound going to Top Gun: Maverick.
When all is said, 2022 will be remembered as a strong year for original stories. In a business that thrives on remakes and sequels, this year’s films are a wealth of standalone tales.
Prev
