#15 Anthony Roberts plays defense during Saturday's game.
Photo by Jay Bendlin/Stony Brook Athletics
Powered by a consistent attack throughout, the Stony Brook men’s basketball team (12-6, 4-1 America East) earned its third win in a row, knocking off UAlbany 86-78 at SEFCU Arena on Jan. 22.
The team shot 62.5 percent in the second half and hit four of their six shots from outside to keep their rivals at bay and set up a first-place clash with Vermont on Wednesday night. Anthony Roberts and Jahlil Jenkins paced five Seawolves in double figures, finishing with 18 and 16 points, respectively. They combined to shoot 13-for-21 from the field.
UAlbany jumped out of the gates to a 21-12 advantage at the 12:27 mark of the first half, but Stony Brook would respond with a 10-2 run to cut it down to one. After the hosts hit a three, the Seawolves doubled them up the rest of the way en route to a 40-35 halftime lead.
The Seawolves came storming out of the gates in the second half on a 10-4 run, opening up a double-figure lead that would only get as close as four the rest of the way to secure their third win in a row.
“Very, very, very well-played game for us. I think Albany came out and played super hard. They were prepared and excited,” said head coach Geno Ford. “We kept talking in those timeouts to weather the storm and stick with our gameplan. We’ve had a little tendency to get disjointed when things aren’t going well for us but tonight we didn’t do that and hopefully that’s a big sign of growth for us going forward. I thought Albany played well. The difference in the game was 3-point shooting. Excited for our guys. It was a really hard-fought win.”
Up next, the team welcomed the Vermont Catamounts on Jan. 26 for Round 2 of a series between the top two preseason teams in the America East. Results were not available as of press time.
I don’t have a lot of Asian recipes in my repertoire, but I’m trying to learn some to expand my recipe files and put some variety into my dinner menus. One thing I’ve started with is stir frying. It’s a one-dish meal that puts variety right up on a front burner that is generally quite healthful. The key to doing it well, I’ve found, is having a very hot wok, slicing the veggies very thin (a mandolin is a handy gadget to have for this) or cutting them evenly into bite size pieces and not cooking anything beyond a few minutes or I’ll end up with a mushy mess. And a favorite thing about stir-frying is that I can substitute one veggie or protein or noodle for another. So I hope that if you try any of these recipes you’ll feel free to do that too.
Snow Pea and Soba Stir-Fry
YIELD: Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 to 2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons hot chili oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 cup vegetable broth
2 tablespoons peanut oil
One 10-ounce package frozen snow peas
1 bunch scallions, cleaned and slice
1/2 pound soba noodles, cooked
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium microwave-safe bowl warm peanut butter for 10 seconds to make it soft; add soy sauce, vinegar, hot chili oil, salt and pepper, garlic, ginger, sesame oil and broth; whisk vigorously and set aside. In a large wok, heat peanut oil over medium-high heat; add snow peas and scallions and stir fry for two minutes, then stir in noodles and sauce, reduce heat to medium low and toss just until noodles are heated through; top with cilantro and serve hot with a radish and cucumber salad.
Beef, Bok Choy and Pepper Stir-Fry
YIELD: Makes 2 to 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Coarse salt to taste
1/4 cup sunflower, peanut or vegetable oil
1/2 pound thinly sliced flank steak
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2”strips
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/2” strips
1/2 pound baby bok choy sliced thin
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
4 scallions, sliced thin
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl whisk together garlic, brown sugar, cornstarch and salt; add steak slices and toss to thoroughly coat. In a wok, heat oil over medium-high heat; add steak and cook just until edges start to brown but centers remain pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add soy sauce and toss steak to coat; remove from wok and set aside to keep warm. Add peppers and bok choy to wok and cook, tossing frequently, until al dente, about 2 minutes. Stir in vinegar, then transfer steak back to pan and cook just until warmed through. Top with sesame seeds and scallions and serve hot with rice.
Tofu, Spinach and Sesame Stir-Fry
YIELD: Makes 2 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon vegetable, peanut or canola oil
8 ounces tofu, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
Soy sauce to taste
1/2 pound fresh baby spinach
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
DIRECTIONS:
In a large wok heat the oil over medium heat; add the tofu and cook until it takes on a light golden color; remove and set aside to keep warm. Add garlic, ginger, and hot pepper flakes, then stir about one minute until they release their aroma. Add soy sauce and spinach and cook until the spinach wilts, about one minute. Return tofu to wok, stir in sesame seeds, adjust seasoning and remove contents from heat. Transfer to serving bowl or platter, drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with chives. Serve hot with udon noodles.
The Townwide Fund of Huntington recently gifted a new Accushield Health Screening kiosk to St. Johnland Nursing Center of Kings Park. CEO Mary Jean Weber welcomed Townwide Fund President-Elect Greg Kennedy, Executive Director Alice Marie Rorke, Grants Chair Janice Whelan and Board Member Jim Powers at the installation and dedication of the kiosk in the lobby of the nursing center on Jan. 20.
Pictured are St. Johnland Nursing Center CEO MaryJean Weber, Administrator Nicolas Destinville and Director of Development Trish Rongo with TWF President-Elect Greg Kennedy, Board Members Janice Whelan and Jim Powers with Executive Director Alice Marie Rorke.
Funded by a grant from the Townwide Fund, the Accushield kiosk will automatically scan staff and visitors for a temperature check and ask a series of health questions that will allow for improved safety measures and contact tracing should it be needed. “Resident and staff safety are a priority at St. Johnland, and the gift of this invaluable piece of equipment allows us a streamlined system for tracking visitors and staff,” said Weber.
(Family Features) Adding salmon to your weekly menu can take dinnertime from drab to delicious. Combining it with bright, fresh veggies heightens the savory experience even more for a burst of seafood flavor.
Loaded with salmon and shrimp, this Salmon and Shrimp Coconut Curry is a perfect option for putting together a quick yet delicious meal.
Fast becoming a leading source of seafood worldwide, aquaculture is similar to typical agriculture but with fish, shellfish and seaweeds. Farmed seafood can be raised and harvested in either fresh or seawater, where natural conditions are recreated.
However, not all seafood you find in the grocery aisles is the same. Despite industry advances, aquaculture still faces challenges with fraud, mislabeling and questionable conditions. That’s why it’s important to look for responsible seafood products that are labeled by a trusted certification process.
For example, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council is a non-profit certification program that has created and enforced the world’s strictest and highest standards for seafood farming since 2010. Today, it is transforming the seafood industry with a new level of certification for farmed seafood. This “new way to seafood” includes:
Seafood that can be traced all the way from the farm to the store, ensuring the seafood you buy is what it claims to be
The strictest combination of requirements to protect the environment, workers and communities on the farms where seafood is raised
Improving farmed seafood quality and safety
Visit NewWaytoSeafood.com to find more information about the certification process.
Salmon and Shrimp Coconut Curry
Recipe courtesy of MOWI on behalf of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council
YIELD: Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:
2 pieces of salmon
1 cup wild rice
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 clove garlic, sliced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1 cup pumpkin or butternut squash, diced
1 tablespoon lemongrass, finely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons red curry paste
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1/4 cup tomatoes
4 shrimp
1 lime, quartered
2-3 cilantro leaves, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
Cut salmon into 1/2-inch cubes. Cook rice according to package instructions.
In large skillet, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onion and pumpkin or squash; saute 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent. Mix in lemongrass and curry paste. Cook 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant.
Add coconut milk, fish sauce and tomatoes; mix thoroughly. Add shrimp and salmon; cook until done.
Serve with rice and lime quarters. Sprinkle with cilantro.
“I am really excited about the opportunity to work with our four captains for the 2022 football season. Reidgee Dimanche and Kyle Nunez are returning captains and they did a tremendous job in the 2021 season as leaders. They are joined by Randy Pringle and Delante Hellams Jr., which gives us great leadership. All four guys are sixth-year players and it’s awesome that we have that kind of leadership. Being a captain is about being yourself, you got elected for a reason, it’s probably because you’re a quality person, you set the examples correctly, and you love playing the game on the field. We are going to continue to strive to be successful that way with their leadership as a football program,” said coach Priore.
Dimanche is a returning captain and finished the 2021 season with 79 tackles (41 solo, 38 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, a half of a sack, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 11 games. The linebacker was second on the team in total tackles and ranked 13th in the CAA.
Dimanche recorded a pair of 10-tackle games in 2021. He first made 10 stops in the Seawolves’ 24-3 win at Colgate on September 11. Two weeks later, Dimanche tallied 10 tackles against Fordham on September 25. The Hamilton, N.J. native registered six or more tackles in 10 out of 11 games this past season.
Hellams Jr. recorded 31 receptions for 357 yards in 2021. The wide receiver tallied at least one catch in every game this past season for the Seawolves. Hellams Jr. registered a season-high 66 yards on four receptions on October 2, at Rhode Island. He hauled in a season-long 36-yard reception against the Rams en route to his season-best 66-yard performance. The redshirt senior posted a season-high five receptions in the homecoming win over Richmond on October 23..
Like Dimanche, Nunez is a returning captain. Nunez earned All-CAA honors for the fourth year in a row and was tabbed to the Second Team for the third time in his career. The redshirt senior helped lead the Seawolves to 10 100-plus yard rushing performances in 2021. The team ran for 200 yards or more in three games and racked up a season-high 321 rushing yards in the, 36-14, win over UAlbany to reclaim the Golden Apple.
Nunez helped the running game average 176.1 yards per game, the second-most in the CAA and the Seawolves rushed for 19 touchdowns as a team, which were tied for the second-most in the conference.
Pringle finished the season with 47 tackles (27 solo, 20 assists), three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and blocked kick. Pringle led the team in interceptions and was tied for the sixth-most in the CAA. His 47 tackles were good for the fourth-most on the team this past season. The defensive back helped the Seawolves earn a homecoming win over Richmond as he recorded a pair of interceptions in the win. The following week, Pringle recorded an interception in the road win at Maine on November 6. The Brooklyn native tallied a season-high eight tackles on October 9 at Towson.
Time to warm up and get creative! The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington presents its annual Draw-In Winterfest on Jan. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy a variety of hands-on art activities for kids of all ages and explore the current exhibitions Moonstruck and Richard Mayhew. Free admission. Register at www.heckscher.org. For more information, call 380-3230.
Groundhog Day Warm up – just added!
The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor hosts a Groundhog Day Warm up program on Feb 1 and 2 from 4 to 5 p.m. Learn about Groundhog Day, make a prediction, enjoy story time, hot cocoa and a take home craft. Admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children ages 3 to 12. Call 616-692-6768 for more information.
Star Quest!
Calling all brave explorers! The Whaling Museum, 301 Main St.. Cold Spring Harbor presents Star Quest! Thursdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the week of Feb. 21 to 25. Hunt for star constellations around the museum with a spyglass to navigate your journey, just like mariners at sea. Solve puzzles to find your reward — a glittery star lantern you can decorate in our workshop to light your way home. For ages 5 and older. Admission fee plus $10 per participant. Call 367-3418.
Open Play at the Explorium
The Long Island Explorium, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson will present a series of hands-on interactive STEM explorations centered on the importance of the Tundra Biome and the interactions between the climate, living things, and the layers that exist beneath them all on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. throughout January. Hands-on activities, crafts, and more! $5 per person. Call 331-3277.
Self-Serve Family Crafts
Drop by the Whaling Museum, 301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor Thursdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to enjoy seasonal, self-serve crafts in their workshop. Sit and create with family time! Free with admission of $6 adults, $5 kids and seniors. Members free. Call 367-3418 for more information.
Winter on the Farm
Save the date! Hallockville Museum Far, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead will present a winter break program titled Winter on the Farm from Feb. 21 to 25 from 9 a.m. to noon. Experience winter on the farm as it was centuries ago and as it is today. Daily activities include animal care, museum tours, historical activities, games, cooking and garden prep. For ages 5 to 10. $300 for the week, $75 drop-in if available, $25 discount for additional sibling. To register, call 298-5292 or visit www.hallockville.com.
Theater
‘Puss In-Boots’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson continues its children’s theatre with Puss In Boots, a hilarious re-telling of the tale of a boy and his ingenious feline. When Christopher inherits his father’s cat, he sets out on an adventure that takes him to the palace of King Vexmus and beyond. Join them as this clever cat teaches us that faith comes from within. Remaining performance is on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. All seats are $10. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Disney’s Frozen Jr.
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Disney’s Frozen Jr. Saturdays at 11 a.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. from Feb. 13 to March 13. When faced with danger, princesses Anna and Elsa discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. This enchanting musical features all of the memorable songs from the hit Disney film and will thaw even the coldest heart! Tickets are $20. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
A Royal Princess Party
Come one, come all to a Royal Princess Party at the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. Main St., Smithtown from Feb. 19 to 26 with performances daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join Royal Historians as they guide you through meeting each of the princesses, teaching the morals behind each of their stories and singing along to their favorite songs. Be sure to wear your best princess attire — the special surprises and magical touches make this show a royal treat! Tickets are $16 per person. To order, visit www.smithtownpac.org.
This week’s shelter pet is Betty, a 10 year old, spayed female pit bull mix. Betty is a big couch potato that loves people, belly rubs and all of the treats! Her adorable snore and people-pleasing nature will steal your heart. Betty has significant arthritis and will need a home that can help her manage that. She would do best as the only pet in an adult only home and is available for adoption of Forever Foster.
If you would like to meet Betty, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting.
The Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.smithtownanimalshelter.com.
PSEG Long Island is prepared for the strong winds and heavy snow that may potentially hit the service area Friday night through Saturday.
Depending on how the storm tracks, snow accumulations could range between 6 and 20 inches. The forecast also predicts strong winds with the possibility of peak gusts of up to 65 mph – conditions that could break tree limbs, pull down wires and cause outages.
“PSEG Long Island continues to monitor this nor’easter, and we are prepared to respond,” said Michael Sullivan, vice president of Transmission & Distribution at PSEG Long Island. “We have performed system and logistic checks, and have additional personnel at the ready. However the storm tracks, our crews will safely restore any outages as quickly as these wintry conditions allow.”
More than 900 line workers, tree trimmers, surveyors and other utility personnel will be dedicated to the restoration on Saturday.
During this storm, PSEG Long Island may use an enhancement to its outage communications process to increase the accuracy of estimated times of restoration (ETRs). With this enhancement, customers contacting the Call Center early in the storm may receive an “Assessing Conditions” message rather than an ETR message. This will allow crews to assess storm impact first to provide more precise ETRs. For more information about this new process, visit https://www.psegliny.com/outages/estimatedrestorationtimes.
COVID-19-related storm processes remain in place to ensure the health and safety of employees and the public. To that end, we ask that customers remain in their homes when crews are working nearby. If customers must speak with our crews, we ask them to practice responsible “physical distancing” and remain at least 6 feet away. For more information about how PSEG Long Island continues to live up to its commitment to safety during the pandemic, please visit www.psegliny.com/covid19.
Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Please stay away from them, and do not drive over or stand near them. It is best to maintain a distance of at least 30 feet from a downed power line. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour electric service number at 800-490-0075 or call 911.
Electric current passes easily through water. If you encounter a pool of slush or standing water, stop, back up and choose another path. And remember, downed lines are not easy to see in snow.
Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.
Stay connected:
Download the PSEG Long Island mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more.
Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report your outage through our app, our website at www.psegliny.com/outages or with your voice using the Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant app on your smartphone.
To report an outage or downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at 800-490-0075.
Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and Twitter to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm.
Visit PSEG Long Island’s MyPower map for the latest in outage info, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island and the Rockaways at https://mypowermap.psegliny.com/
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PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.
A scene from 'Baskerville.' Photo by Brian Hoerger
Thursday, January 27
Native American Drumming
All Souls Church of Stony Brook hosts a Native American Drumming Meditation program at its Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, tonight from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer Ric Statler, the meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 655-7798 for more information.
Friday, January 28
Poets in Port
Join the Northport Arts Coalition for a virtual Poets in Port event via Zoom at 7:30 p.m. Featured poet will be J.R. (Judy) Turek, Walt Whitman Birthplace 2019 Long Island Poet of the Year. An open reading will follow. Free. Register at www.northportarts.org.
Saturday, January 29
ShopRite Job Fair
ShopRite has announced it will host a job fair to fill a variety of positions at its grocery stores today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Candidates looking to jump start their careers and gain valuable experience in retail, management, customer service and business are encouraged to drop in to speak with a hiring manager on the spot. Full-time, part-time and management positions are available, depending on location. For more information, visit www.ShopRite.com.
Geology Walks
The Town of Brookhaven will host a Geology Walk for all ages at West Meadow Beach, West Meadow Beach Road, Stony Brook at 10 a.m. (meet at Pavilion) and at Cedar Beach, Harbor Road, Mount Sinai at 2 p.m. (meet at Nature Center) Join them for a guided walk along the beach and trail and explore and observe the unique geology that provides the foundation for the distinct ecosystems and habitats of the beach and salt marsh. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Free. Registration is required by emailing [email protected].
Port Jefferson Ice Festival – this event has been postponed to February 5 and 6
The Port Jefferson BID will present the Village of Port Jefferson’s 3rd annual Ice Festival today and Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Village will transform into a winter wonderland with live ice carvings by renowned sculptor and Guinness Book Of World record holder Rich Daly of Ice Images, Inc., an interactive graffiti wall, horse-drawn carriage rides, live entertainment, ice corn hole, marshmallow roasting, and even the infamous ice queens, Elsa and Anna, will be visiting with Olaf and Kristoff. Free. Rain/snow dates are Feb. 5 and 6. For a full schedule of events, visit www.portjeff.com.
Sunday, January 30
Port Jefferson Ice Festival – this event has been postponed to February 5 and 6
See Jan. 29 listing.
Theatre Three food drive – this event has been postponed to Feb. 13
Theatre Three in Port Jefferson will host a food and personal care items drive to benefit the pantry at Infant Jesus Church from 9 a.m. to noon. Items will be collected at the Infant Jesus convent building at 110 Hawkins St. (off Myrtle Ave.). Donations needed include juice, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, sugar, cooking oil, coffee, pancake mix, pancake syrup, healthy snacks as well as conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, toilet paper, baby shampoo, baby wash, baby wipes and baby powder. Grocery store gift cards and cash also accepted. For more information, call 938-6464.
Huntington Winter Farmers Market
Get your farm fix in the off-season at the Huntington Winter Farmers Market every Sunday through March 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Located behind the senior center at 423 Park Ave., Huntington, visitors will find items ranging from hydroponic greens to artisan breads and vegan treats and everything in between. Call 944-2661.
Port Jeff Winter Farmers Market
The Port Jefferson Winter Farmers Market will be held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101-A E. Broadway, Port Jefferson through April 25. This year’s vendors include Brownies N’ Stuff, Joann’s Desserts, Farm Fresh Potions, Mello Munch Awesome Granola, O Honey Bee Farm, Sweet Melissa Dip, Mr. B’s Hot Sauce, Speedy Kiwi Bakery, Knot of this World Pretzels, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, Spilt Milk Macarons and many more. For more information, call 802-2160.
Declutter in the New Year
Celebrate St. James presents a program titled Your Home – Your Life: in Declutter the New Year at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 Second St., St. James at 1 p.m. Interior designer Natalie Weinstein will help you declutter and organize your home and life with realistic goals with tips, tools and take-home gifts. Donation $25, $20 seniors. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org or call 984-0201.
Ridotto concert
After a 19-month pause due to Covid, Ridotto concerts return to the Huntington Jewish Center, 510 Park Ave., Huntington with a piano concert by Zhu Wang at 4 p.m. The program will feature music by Mozart, Schumann, Zhang Zhou, Nina Shekar and Franz Liszt. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 members and $12 students. To order, call 631-385-0373. For more information, visit www.ridotto.org.
Sound Symphony concert
The Sound Symphony kicks off the new year with a classical concert titled Music That Moves Us at Comsewogue School District’s JFK Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station at 2 p.m. The program will Rossini’s William Tell Overture, Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, Disney Magic and more. Join them for a fun family afternoon that includes aninteractive sing-a-long! Tickets are $15 adults, $10 seniors and students at the door. Children under the age of 12 are free. For more information, visit www.soundsymphony.org.
Monday, January 31
Virtual Movie Trivia Night
Do you know a lot about movies? Well here’s your chance to prove it! Join the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington for a virtual Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Hosted by Dan French, the winning team will get up to four CAC Gift Cards (1 per team member) and bragging rights. Tickets are $10 per team, $7 members. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org to register. Questions? Email [email protected].
Tuesday, February 1
Live Medicaid webinar
Burner Law Group will present a live webinar titled Medicaid at Home and Pooled Income Trusts at 10 a.m.Understanding your options to pay for long term care can be overwhelming. Join Britt Burner, Esq. of Burner Law Group, P.C. as she discusses Medicaid at home, eligibility requirements, and the benefits of the program. She will also discuss the ability to stay at home on Medicaid by preserving income through the use of a Pooled Income Trust. Free. To RSVP, call 941-3434 or email [email protected].
Wednesday, February 2
Holtsville Hal
Virtual Groundhog Day
The Town of Brookhaven’s annual Groundhog Day celebration will be virtual for the second year in a row. Visit the Holtsville Ecology Site’s Facebook page to hear Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro reveal Holtsville Hal’s 2022 prognostication at 7:25 a.m. Six more weeks of winter or an early spring…what do you think it will be?
Atelier Art Talk
The Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James presents an online lecture titled Noctures: A Brief History Art of the Night Sky from 7 to 8:30 p.m. (rescheduled from Jan. 26) Join instructor Randall DiGiuseppe in exploring different artists and landmark works from the Paleolithic Age to modern times and how our ever-evolving understanding of the night sky has influenced art. Free. To register, visit www.theatelieratflowerfield.org.
Jazz Loft Trio in concert
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert and jam by the Jazz Loft Trio led by bassist Keenan Zach at 7 p.m. followed by a jam session at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at 7 p.m., $5 at 8 p.m. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org. For more information, call 751-1895.
Thursday, February 3
Lunch & Learn
The Huntington Historical Society continues its Lunch & Learn series with a lecture titled Long Island Dirt: Recovering Our Buried Past at Encore Luxury Living, 300 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho from noon to 2 p.m. Guest speaker Allison McGovern will be speaking on the archaeological research done at the historic Peter Crippen House, located in Huntington. $50 per person, $45 members includes a two-course gourmet meal with cash bar. To register, visit www.huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org.
An evening of jazz
Join the Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook for a concert by the Jazz Loft Big Band at 7 p.m. The 17-member Jazz Loft Big Band led by Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel will perform jazz standards and original compositions and arrangements written by band members. Tickets are $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, children under 5 free. To order, visit www.thejazzloft.org. For more information, call 751-1895.
Film
‘Angst’
The Town of Brookhaven Youth Bureau will present a virtual screening of the documentary Angst, Raising Awareness Around Anxiety, featuring Olympic Gold Medal winner Michael Phelps, on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. The film shines a spotlight on anxiety and is aimed at inspiring a conversation. The post-film panel discussion and Q&A session features a panel of expert professionals in the field of mental health and regular teenagers who will discuss their experiences with anxiety. To register for this free screening visit www.BrookhavenNY.gov/Angst. For more information, call 451-8011.
Theater
Ken Ludwig’s ‘Baskerville’ – January 29th performance has been canceled
The play is afoot! Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery from Jan. 8 to Feb. 5. The play is afoot! Comedic genius Ken Ludwig transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderously funny adventure. Sherlock Holmes is on the case. The Baskerville heirs have been dispatched one by one and, to find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brave the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest descendant. Watch as the intrepid investigators try to escape a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students $20 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Punk Rock Girl!’
The Argyle Theatre, 34 West Main St., Babylon kicks off the new year with the world premiere of PUNK ROCK GIRL! from Jan. 20 to Feb. 27. With book and arrangements by Tony-nominated Long Island composer Joe Iconis, arrangements and orchestrations by Rob Rokicki and directed and choreographed by Jennifer Werner, the new musical features a score of popular songs written and made famous by female artists and female-fronted bands including Blondie, Pat Benatar, Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, and more. Tickets range from $49 to $77 and may be purchased online at www.argyletheatre.com or by calling 631-230-3500.
‘Rock of Ages’
The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Rock of Ages from Jan. 27 to March 13. The five-time Tony Award®-nominated Broadway musical smash tells the story of a small-town girl, a city boy, and a rock ‘n’ roll romance on the Sunset Strip. But when the bar where rock reigns supreme is set to be demolished, it’s up to these wannabe rockers and their band of friends to save the day — and the music. Rock of Ages’ electric score features all your favorite ’80s rock anthems and power ballads, including “Every Rose has its Thorn,” “I Wanna Know What Love is,” Here I Go Again,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and more! Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘The Marvelous Wonderettes’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents The Marvelous Wonderettes from Feb. 19 to March 26. This blast-from-the-past musical takes you to the 1958 Springfield High School prom, where we meet Betty Jean, Cindy Lou, Missy, and Suzy, four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts! Featuring over two dozen classic ’50’s and ’60’s hits including “Lollipop,” “Dream Lover,” “Wedding Bell Blues,” and “Son of a Preacher Man.” Tickets are $35 adults, $28 seniors and students, $20 children ages 5 and older. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Pierce Brosnan and Kaya Scodelario in a scene from the film. Photo courtesy of Gravitas Ventures
Fan Bingbing and Kaya Scodelario in a scene from the film. Photo courtesy of Gravitas Ventures
William Hurt in the role of Père La Chaise. Photo courtesy of Gravitas Ventures
By Jeffrey Sanzel
Vonda N. McIntyre’s The Moon and the Sun (1997) blended science fiction and historical romance. The novel won the Nebula Award for Best Novel, besting George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones. Among the book’s other accolades were a Publishers Weekly Best Book Award, Locus Recommended Book, and Intergalactic Award for Best Novel. Set in the seventeenth-century French court of King Louis XIV, the story follows the longest-reigning monarch’s search for immortality by ingesting an endangered sea monster’s flesh.
Talk of a movie version can be traced back to 2002, with Natalie Portman attached as the lead. But the film failed to be greenlit. Eventually, The Moon and the Sun was filmed in 2014, set for a 2015 release date, but the film remained on the shelf for nearly seven years. Various reasons have been proffered, including test audiences’ less than positive reaction to the visual effects and a tax evasion scandal involving the film’s mermaid, Fan Bingbing, China’s highest-paid female star. The film has finally been released under the title The King’s Daughter.
It has taken a quarter of a century for The Moon and the Sun to land on the big screen. But sadly, one suspects that this is not what McIntyre had in mind.
Choosing Julie Andrews as narrator probably seemed like a good idea on paper, but the once-upon-a-time illustrated prologue along with Andrews’ unique warmth and whimsy point towards Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Unfortunately, the child-friendly prologue presents the wrong signals for what is—or at least should be—a darker tale.
The opening convent scene features Rachel Griffiths as the Mother Abbess channeling The Sound of Music as she disciplines Marie-Josèphe (Kaya Scodelario) for being too … well, too Maria von Trapp. The Abbess’ departing shot to the girl is that she is going “to a lavish, glimmering hell … where you no doubt will thrive.” If only.
The court seems to be short on courtiers. Outside of a scene of the king (Pierce Brosnan) addressing what looks like the peasants from a road company operetta, the population of Versailles seems to be on holiday. Perhaps they are off buying some of the strangely non-period dresses that occasionally pop up in the oddest places.
Quickly, with very little explanation other than a gift for music, she is whisked away to the court by the king’s personal confessor, Père La Chaise (William Hurt). Louis quickly elevates the feisty lass to court composer.
Meanwhile, sailor Yves De La Croix (Benjamin Walker) has found the sea creature (Bingbing). The villainous court doctor (Pablo Schreiber) has promised the monster’s heart and life force will grant the king eternal life. The mermaid must be sacrificed during the upcoming solar eclipse.
Louis shows particular interest in Marie-Josèphe, as she is his illegitimate daughter, spawning some of the most uncomfortable parent-child scenes ever found outside of the plays of Eugene O’Neill.
The mermaid’s singing draws Marie-Josèphe to the pool in which the creature is imprisoned. The musician uses the siren’s pinging vocalizations to inspire her composition, meeting the king’s immediate approval. In addition, the girl falls for the sailor. However, as the court is in dire financial straits, Louis wants Marie-Josèphe to marry the wealthy merchant-heir Jean-Michel Lintillac (Ben-Lloyd Hughes).
Barry Berman and James Schamus have taken a range of liberties with the source in fashioning their clumsy screenplay. Director Sean McNamara’s lack of nuance does nothing to enhance the performances. Teeth-grinding earnestness fills every line; emotion is replaced by slow motion. Brosnan is always charming and could have excelled in the role, but the writers could not commit to what they wanted their Sun King to be. His relationship with Hurt’s priest seems like lifted from a buddy movie. Scodelario alternates between pleasantly upbeat (though occasionally a bit rom-com) and crying.
Films of this ilk can be saved by style-over-substance. Lady-in-waiting Magali (Crystal Clarke) tells Marie-Josèphe that “color and bravado are the order of the day.” Again, if only. The filmmakers were granted access to shoot at Versailles. Somehow, they made the spectacular palace look cheap—as if shot in the producers’ Hampton’s backyard.
The royal ball in the Hall of Mirrors is a missed opportunity to showcase excess and opulence, further ruined by an excruciating father-daughter dance. The underground cave where they keep the mermaid is quasi-Pirates of the Caribbean (not the film—the ride). The special effects seem generated on an ancient laptop, with the final sequence particularly appalling.
After dithering about souls and morality, the final platitude is “only love is immortal.” Yes. But clear storytelling and character development can be nice, too.
Rated PG, The King’s Daughter is now playing in local theaters.
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