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DJ Johnny 'Juice' Rosado

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) in Stony Brook welcomes one of its inductees—legendary Hip-Hop artist DJ Johnny“Juice” Rosado —as an official member of its board of directors.

DJ Johnny ‘Juice’ Rosado

“The LIMEHOF is essential in archiving Long Island’s artistry,” Rosado said. “My decision to join the board was to provide diversity regarding the curating and presentation of artists who otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Hopefully, my voice, along with the other esteemed members of the board, will accurately reflect the full spectrum of innovative artists that Long Island has been known to produce.”

Throughout his life and career, Johnny “Juice” Rosado has been known and admired in many roles. These roles include Emmy and NAACP Image-nominated composer, award-winning producer, turntablist, sound and electronic engineer, musician, b-boy, educator, lecturer, and mentor. He was originally from the Bronx and grew up in Uniondale. With almost 40 years in the music industry, he has contributed to some of Hip-Hop’s greatest works. In addition to being in Public Enemy, over the years, he has lent his production, composition, engineering, and scratching skills to projects by other legendary artists such as the Mandrill, Mavis Staples, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Leaders of the New School, KRS One, DMC, and C&C Music Factory.

“We are thrilled to bring someone of Johnny‘s musical stature to our board,” said LIMEHOF Chairman Ernie Canadeo. “We are looking forward to implementing his ideas and insights and assisting to make LIMEHOF one of the most important musical institutions in the country.”

Inducted to LIMEHOF in 2008 with Public Enemy, Johnny “Juice” has remained a longtime friend and strong supporter of the LIMEHOF organization and museum location in Stony Brook as far back as its first press conference announcement of the signing of the lease for the building in 2022. Before the doors even opened to the public, he DJed at the first museum press conference. Since then, he’s enthusiastically participated, spoken, emceed and lent his talents in several of the concerts and special events. These events included the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop celebration and Q&A panel, the induction of The Fat Boys, and the most recent inductions of DJ Hurricane, Davy DMX, and DJ Jazzy Jay. As a former educator himself, he also is a strong supporter of LIMEHOF’s education programs, and he’s even participated in one of Stevie Van Zandt’s TeachRock workshops held at LIMEHOF.

DJ Johny Juice Rosado is still very active in his music career and is currently on tour with Public Enemy as part of its 2025 Guns N’ Roses tour. For more information about LIMEHOF’s board of directors, visithttps://www.limusichalloffame.org/board-of-directors/

JOHNNY “JUICE” ROSADO Official Biography

DJ Johnny “Juice” Rosado is an Emmy and NAACP Image-nominated composer, award-winning producer, turntablist, sound and electronic engineer, musician, b-boy, educator, lecturer, and mentor. Originally from the Bronx, he witnessed the birth of Hip-Hop right on his doorstep. He is the Global Vice President of The Bronx Boys Rocking Crew, the 1st Latino rocking (breaking) crew and the founders of the original style of floor rocking, established in 1975.

Moving to Uniondale, Long Island in the early 80s, he immediately made an impact on Long Island’s budding Hip-Hop scene. His work, especially with Public Enemy, has been embedded into Hip-Hop history. With almost 40 years in the industry, he has contributed to some of Hip-Hop’s greatest works. Over the years, he has lent his production, composition, engineering, and scratching skills to projects by other legendary artists such as the Mandrill, Mavis Staples, Ben Harper, Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, Leaders of the New School, KRS One, DMC, and C&C Music Factory.

Juice also produces and composes music for TV and film scores and soundtracks. He was nominated for an Outstanding Music Composition Emmy for his work on ESPN’s “Ali Rap,” as well as being nominated for 3 NAACP Image Awards, including Best Album for the soundtrack to the movie “On the Shoulders of Giants.”

Juice is one half of the duo, The Odyssey. Their unique brand of music—blending jazz, soul, funk, pop, and Hip-Hop—won them Best Alternative Video and Video of the Year for their song “Bang Bang” at the International Independent Music Video Awards in 2020. He is also working with the Long Island alternative rock band My World. They are currently performing around the country as well as locally on Long Island. He also works with the youth as a mentor and instructor at Energetic Enterprise Youth Community Studio in Uniondale.

In 2008, he was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame as a member of Public Enemy, and in 2013 he took the stage and performed as Public Enemy were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is currently the Music Director and DJ for Public Enemy.

Outside of his music, he is a computer scientist, electronic engineer, a lifelong martial artist (becoming a Junior Olympic medalist in Tae Kwon Do), and a proud US military veteran.

About LIMEHOF

Founded in 2004, the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the idea that Long Island’s musical and entertainment heritage is an important resource to be celebrated and preserved for future generations. The organization, which encompasses New York State’s Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, and Kings (Brooklyn) Counties, was created as a place of community that inspires and explores Long Island music and entertainment in all its forms. In 2022, LIMEHOF opened its first Hall of Fame building location in Stony Brook, New York. To date, the organization has inducted more than 130 musicians and music industry executives, and offers education programs, scholarships, and awards to Long Island students and educators.  ###

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Marci Lobel. Photo from SBU

The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board have selected Stony Brook University Distinguished Teaching Professor Marci Lobel, PhD, from the Department of Psychology, as the recipient of a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Award for 2025-2026. She was awarded this recognition for her expertise in stress, coping, and their effects on health, particularly reproductive health. Her studies have established the harmful impact of stress on pregnant women and their offspring and identified factors that elevate or alleviate stress.

Professor Lobel will spend part of the next academic year beginning January 2026 at Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, where she will conduct research on stress in pregnant Czech women and teach a unique course in the Psychology of Women’s Health that she introduced at Stony Brook.  This class  is now a model for courses at numerous other universities.

“We’re thrilled that Dr. Lobel has received this award,” said Joanne Davila, distinguished professor and chair of the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. “She’s so well deserving of it. It’s an important opportunity both for her and for her colleagues in the Czech Republic.”

In her teaching, Professor Lobel focuses on women’s unique health experiences and differences between men and women in disease symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, and outcome. These topics, Professor Lobel notes, are critical areas of understanding for healthcare professionals, scientists, and others concerned about women’s health.

“Our research and other studies confirm that high stress during pregnancy increases risk for low birthweight and preterm birth, which are major contributors to poor health and development in infants, children, and adults,” said Professor Lobel. “Yet stress in Czech pregnant women has received little attention. Identifying stress prenatally facilitates prevention and interventions to improve health outcomes for women and children. Masaryk University is an ideal place to expand knowledge about women’s health. The course that I will teach and my research to investigate stress in pregnant Czech women will fill important gaps in the study and treatment of women’s health in the Czech Republic. I am eager to learn about the mental and physical health of Czech women and share innovations between the US and the Czech Republic to promote the health and well-being of women, children, and their families in both countries. I expect to gain new perspectives for my research and teaching from this exciting Fulbright experience.”

Professor Lobel has been an award-winning faculty member in Stony Brook’s Department of Psychology for 35 years and she holds a joint appointment in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine at Stony Brook Medicine. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles.

“My sincere congratulations to Distinguished Professor Marci Lobel on this wonderful news,” said David Wrobel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “The prestigious Fulbright program is a fantastic opportunity for Professor Lobel to continue the important work she is doing to expand knowledge of women’s health. I could not be more pleased that Professor Lobel will be a cultural and intellectual ambassador for the US, CAS and Stony Brook University.”

Research from the Stress and Reproduction Laboratory (STAR Lab) that she directs addresses critical public health issues, including the impact of discrimination on racial disparities in birth outcomes, pandemic-related prenatal stress effects, and psychosocial aspects of infertility and assisted reproductive technologies. Professor Lobel has authored more than 300 scientific articles and presentations and she collaborates in multiple international research projects. She is a recipient of national and university awards for her research, teaching, mentoring, and service. Professor Lobel also conducts research on mentoring and leads workshops on teaching and mentoring.

Fulbright Distinguished Scholar awards are viewed as the most prestigious appointments in the Fulbright Scholar Program. These awards are presented to scholars who have substantial experience in their discipline or area of expertise. Distinguished Scholars are expected to actively engage host institutions in a spirit of promoting mutual understanding and sharing knowledge.

 

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Andrew Singer with students in a newly created makers space in the Engineering Building at SBU. Photo by Debra Scala Giokas/Stony Brook University

By Daniel Dunaief

Andrew Singer. Photo courtesy of SBU

Andrew Singer, the Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Stony Brook University, has bigger numbers in mind. For starters, he’d like to see CEAS increase in size, from 5,000 total students, including 3,500 undergraduates, to as many as 10,000 students.

“We are small as an institution compared to other institutions of our reputation in research,” said Singer, referring both to the overall population of the university and to the college he leads.

He believes growth at the CEAS could occur because there is “that much demand for a Stony Brook College of Engineering and Applied Sciences education right now.”

Singer, who joined Stony Brook in July of 2023, believes that state schools like Stony Brook provide an education that create life changing opportunities for people and their families. The lack of available housing on campus at this point is a rate limiting step in increasing the number of students who can attend.

Getting the word out

Singer, who came to Stony Brook after 25 years in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Illinois, believes public universities have historically seen themselves as being local and serving the mission of the state, without needing to advertise.

“As public funding diminished, many public institutions realized they needed to tell the world that they were serving this tremendous mission and adding tremendous value to society,” Singer said.

Indeed, the late Chemistry Professor Paul Lauterbur helped invent the MRI machine, which has become such an important diagnostic tool in medicine. Lauterbur, who was a tenured professor at Stony Brook from 1963 to 1985, shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with British Physicist Sir Peter Mansfield in 2003.

Singer also wants prospective students to know that John L. Hennessy, the former president of Stanford University and current chairman of Google’s parent company Alphabet, earned his Master’s and PhD degrees from Stony Brook.

“Telling our story not only can help to bring some of the world’s greatest educators and researchers to campus, but can also ensure that the resources needed to continue to build on our successes are available,” said Singer.

Finding funds

Additionally, the CEAS Dean believes professors in the college can diversify their sources of funding.

“One of the things I noticed at Stony Brook is that most of the research is funded through grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy,” he said. “That concentration of funding makes you vulnerable to changes in the funding cycle.”

Additionally, competition for funding from those agencies is extremely high.  Singer has been urging faculty at CEAS to seek funding from industrial sponsors.

“At the end of the day, what’s important is the scholarship you create,” he said.

Singer appreciates how his colleagues at Stony Brook are pursuing funds for larger interdepartmental funds.

Vice President for Research Kevin Gardner has “strong experience in building these larger portfolios of funding for faculty research,” Singer said. Gardner and Singer talk “often about ways we can continue to develop opportunities for faculty to go after new funding and present ideas to industry.”

Gardner described Singer as a “rock star” who has “great ideas” and is “super brilliant with tons of positive energy. He can move things and already has been moving things in a positive direction for CEAS.” 

Gardner believes engineering could and should be twice the size it is and suggested that Singer is “the guy who will get us there.”

Opportunities for growth

Singer appreciates the depth and breadth of faculty interests at the CEAS. “Our faculty are brilliant researchers, working at the forefront of many areas of importance to society, from information and energy systems, to human health and disease prevention, to clean water and security,” he said.  “With nine departments in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, it is difficult to find an area of science and engineering where our faculty are not having impact.”

Singer sees opportunities for growth in areas including artificial intelligence.

The university launched the AI Innovation Institute (AI3) in September of last year, which will expand the Institute for AI-driven Discovery and Innovation, which was established in 2018 from a department-level institute within the CEAS to the university-wide AI3, reporting to Provost Carl Lejuez. Steve Skiena, distinguished professor in the department of Computer Science, is serving as the interim director of AI3 while the university has been searching for an inaugural director.

The provost appreciates the efforts Singer has been making on behalf of the CEAS and the university. Singer is “good at thinking about the big things we need to focus on,” Lejuez said in an interview. Singer has “brought a leadership style that is consistent with the culture we’ve been trying to create over the past few years. We are partners with faculty, staff and students. We are including them not just at the end of decisions.”

Singer is also continuing to pursue his own scientific studies. His research interests include signal processing and communication systems. He has worked on underwater acoustics, where he studied underwater communication for the subsea industry. He has also worked in wireless communications for cellular and radio applications and in fiber optic communication systems.

Singer has two graduate students at Stony Brook and several students who are completing their work at Illinois. His students are working in areas related to audio signal processing, such as improving the performance of hearing aids and devices like noise-cancelling headphones, as well as in underwater acoustics.

Singer has had two companies emerge from research in his lab. He would like to continue to engage in innovation and entrepreneurship and help grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Stony Brook.

Quantum work

CEAS has invested in areas related to quantum communication.

In August 2024, Stony Brook was chosen to lead a project in the National Quantum Virtual Laboratory program. Funded by the National Science Foundation and led by Principal Investigator Eden Figueroa, Stony Brook Presidential Innovation Endowed Professor, the team is designing and implementing a 10-node quantum network connecting labs at Stony Brook, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Columbia University and Yale University.

Stony Brook held a workshop on Quantum Information Science and Communication systems in Manhattan that Figueroa led, in which some of the foremost experts in the field presented their work and discussed collaboration opportunities with Stony Brook, Singer explained.

Stony Brook has its “local and global strengths.” Singer wants to focus on building on those areas and to have SBU becoming well known to students and faculty as a destination of choice.

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'Reflection; by Myungia Anna Koh
'Flight Lesson' by Ross Barbera
'The Day' by Adam Smith
'Isles of Mist by Christopher Hanson
'House of Sand' by Howard Pohl
'Rejuvenation' by Marianne Andresen Main
'Dark Night' by Matthew Mantle
'Blue Bird' by Nicholas Valentino
'Belmont Lake State Park' by Robert Benson

It’s time to honor the best of the best. The Smithtown Township Arts Council will present its annual Winners Showcase Fine Art Exhibition at the Mills Pond Gallery in St. James from March 15 to April 11.

The exhibit features over 60 works of art from nine prize-winning artists from past juried exhibitions in various forms of medium including acrylic, oil, watercolor, pastel, pencil, Silver Gelatin film photography, carved plaster and mixed media. Featured artists include Christopher Hanson, Matthew Manthe, Howard Pohl, Adam D. Smith, Myungja Anna Koh, Robert Berson, Nicholas Valentino, Ross Barbera and Marianne Andresen-Magin.

Christopher Hanson (Rocky Point) specializes in figurative and narrative pieces which range in many different styles and subject matters using Oil and Graphite. Also proficient in digital media, Chris explores many facets of Fantasy, Science fiction, and Horror in his professional illustrations.

Matthew Manthe (Miller Place) has been sketching since childhood, always with a pencil and paper in hand. “I have spent hundreds of hours filling my walls with artwork.”  He exhibits in galleries across the Northeast.  “I have a passion for filling every inch of the page with detail, a practice that has fueled my art for years.”

Howard Pohl (Lindenhurst)  Howard built his first darkroom in which to develop black-and-white film in 1985. Despite the popularity of today’s Digital photography, Howard still finds the traditional method of analog photography to be motivating and continues the process to this day. He is passionate about capturing the blacks, whites, and shades of gray that make up the monochromatic palette which allow him to stay true to the negative image.

Adam D. Smith (Selden) Growing up on family boats on the waters of Long Island,  Adam has always been inspired by the beautiful coastline and the magic of  water. “I relish the challenge of translating our environment onto canvas. Whether a coastal scene, a nautical-inspired work, or simply a water portrait, I love finding the right colors to invoke a response.”

Myungja Anna Koh (Stony Brook) Anna bases her paintings on inspiration within her mind, specifically to capture and improvise the unique energy of objects. She wants to leave traces of paint on paper or canvas by using momentary, impromptu energy. She works in acrylics, watercolors, and digital art. Also a children’s book author, Anna immerses herself in storytelling in her art and her writing.

Robert Berson (Northport) has lived on Long Island all his life except for a 2-year stint in the army. As a physician for some 40 years, he did not always have the time to take lessons in drawing or painting but periodically would be drawn back to art and try to squeeze it into his days. Now retired  10 years, Robert has become more serious about his pastel art.

Nicholas Valentino (N. Babylon) “Attending Parsons School of Design gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my creativity.” Nick brings a unique and personal perspective to his art. Working with mixed media and “throw-away” items, Nick’s passion is creating a new spin on automotive parts “giving them new life and purpose through my art.”

Ross Barbera (Ronkonkoma) is inspired by the interplay and rich diversity of textural surfaces, form and color in landscape environments. Many of his works explore the visual interaction that occurs between streams, ponds and bodies of water with their surrounding landscape environments.   Ross taught at St. John’s University,  Department of  Art and Design, where he served as  chair  for three years.

Marianne Andresen-Magin (Huntington) has always loved to draw and paint. She specializes in illustration art and loves to  feature animals in her artwork. Working  in many mediums including ink, marker, watercolor, and colored pencils the beauty of nature and animals inspire her. Marianne is also an award-winning children’s book author.

The Mills Pond Gallery is located at 660 Route 25A in St. James. Regular gallery hours are Wednesdays to Fridays from 10 am. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission to the gallery is always free. All parking in rear lot: GPS parking address 176 Mills Pond Rd., St. James, NY 11780.

For information or directions visit millspondgallery.org or call 631-862-6575.

 

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Ash and Ember
Ember
Ash
Ember
Ash

MEET ASH AND EMBER!

This week’s featured shelter pets are Ash and Ember, a stunning brother-sister duo up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.

Both estimated to be approximately seven years old. Ash (male) and Ember (female) both boast beautiful brown tabby coats with adorably unique flecks of white patching. They found their way to the shelter after years of living in a home crowded with many other cats. Nothing would make these inseparable siblings happier than to bring warmth and sparkle to one lucky family’s heart and home.

Ash and Ember’s sweet and loving nature shines through to everyone lucky enough to meet them! While they may be a little shy at first, a gentle touch and a little patience are all it takes to earn their trust—and once you do, you’ll have two lifelong cuddle buddies. Not only are they absolutely stunning, but they’re also incredibly sweet, playful, and full of charm. Get ready for double the purrs, lap naps, and snuggles with this adorable duo! These two will keep you entertained for hours with their playful antics, filling your home with laughter, love, and endless joy. Ash and Ember are guaranteed to brighten your world!

Ash and Ember would thrive in most homes, including a family with other cats, older children and possibly dogs. They are a brother and sister who have never been separated and would do best if adopted together.

If you are interested in meeting Ash and Ember, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with them in the shelter’s Meet and Greet room.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are 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.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

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Children will learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories during the Pee Wee Gardening classes offered at the Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve.

In anticipation of Spring, Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro has announced upcoming dates for both pee-wee and adult gardening classes at the Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville beginning in April.

“In addition to being a great value, these classes are a fun and educational way to welcome Spring,” said Losquadro. “Children will learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories, while adult participants will learn how to start plants through propagation and create backyard flower arrangements.”

The adult horticulture classes will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, April 3, 10, 24, and May 1 and 8. 

Participants in the pee-wee gardening classes, which are for children ages three to five, can choose from two five-week sessions: Tuesday, April 1, 8, 22, 29, and May 6, or Wednesday, April 2, 9, 23, 30, and May 7. Both classes are offered from either 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and cost $50 for a five-week session. 

Registration is available through March 24 at www.BrookhavenNY.gov/RecOnline. For more information, call 631-451-5330.

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Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers
Suffolk County Police Officers from the 6th and 7th Precincts joined about 100 local kids for an afternoon of bowling at Coram Country Lanes. Photo courtesy of Maple Family Centers

About 100 Suffolk County kids spent an afternoon bowling with officers from the Suffolk County Police Department’s 6th and 7th Precincts at Coram Country Lanes in Coram. The second annual event, entitled “Bowling with a Cop,” was free for the kids and took place on Saturday, March 8.

Hosted by the 6th and 7th precincts, the event was sponsored by the 7th Precinct Community Unity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing joy and connection to children and families in need. “Bowling with a Cop” is designed to give kids the opportunity to have fun while getting to know their local police officers in a casual setting.

“We are trying to build relationships between the police department and the children who grow up around us,” said Officer Stacie Pollio, a School Resource Officer with the 7th Precinct who founded the 7th Precinct Community Unity with three other police officers. “We raise money and then put 100% of the funds back into the community to pay for events like Bowling with a Cop, charter boat fishing trips, pumpkin picking, and others, which are all free for children and their families.”

During Bowling with a Cop, several officers, including Pollio, went around from lane to lane to spend time with the kids. In addition to two games of bowling, the kids were treated to pizza and soft drinks.

“We were thrilled to once again work with the men and women in blue on this wonderful community event,” said Joe LaSpina, Vice President of Maple Family Lanes, which owns Coram Country Lanes. “Bowling is a fun activity that brings people of many different ages and backgrounds together, and we enjoyed seeing the smiles on the faces of the kids and officers as they bonded over bowling and pizza.”

 

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From left, Bob Willemstyn, restaurateur and owner of the Country House; Madiran's owner and sommelier, Jacqueline Malenda; Tom Manuel, founder of The Jazz Loft; and Elaine and Enzo Micali, owners of Elaine’s restaurant. Photo courtesy of The Jazz Loft

The signs of spring on the North Shore bring more than warm breezes and the return of the ospreys. Jazz music will once again be filling the air as The Jazz Loft’s Swing Into Swing Festival 2025 returns from March 18 to 22, not only boosting everyone’s spirits but also at local businesses. There will be an assortment of opportunities to hear live Jazz music throughout the community at five local restaurants in the Stony Brook/East Setauket area.

From left are Tom Manuel, founder of The Jazz Loft; Bob Willemstyn, restaurateur and owner of the Country House; Madiran’s owner and sommelier, Jacqueline Malenda; and Enzo and Elaine Micali, owners of Elaine’s restaurant. Photo from The Jazz Loft

Local restaurants featuring live jazz include: Bliss, located at 766 Route 25A in East Setauket; Elaine’s, located at 316 Main Street in East Setauket; The Country House, located at 1175 North Country Road in Stony Brook; Madiran, located at 209 Route 25A in East Setauket; and Schnitzels, located at 77 Main Street in Stony Brook. 

“We are excited to be part of the Jazz Loft’s Swing into Spring event,” said Elaine Micali,  owner of Elaine’s in East Setauket. “It’s a great way to spread a little Jazz throughout the Three Village community!” 

“I believe that the annual Swing into Spring is something to which the community looks forward to,” said Madiran owner and Sommelier Jacqueline Malenda. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to expose our friends and neighbors to such tremendously talented local musicians. It’s how I began a monthly gig with The Jazz Loft a few years ago, and I’m so happy that I have!”

“The Jazz Loft is a gem in our community,” said Jane Taylor, Executive Director of The Three Village Chamber of Commerce. “The quality of the performances are outstanding and we are fortunate to have The Jazz Loft in our backyard with its quality musicians, while also sharing with the community the history of Jazz, and how it has influenced our culture. I would encourage all to take advantage of the upcoming Swing into Spring Festival.”

The five-day music festival will also feature concert performances at The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook including a Community Jazz Night with Carl Safina, Rod Borrie and John Ronconi on March 18; Bakithi Kumalo Ensemble on March 20;  the Mitch Marcus Quintet on March 21 and Frank Vignola and his Birdland Quintet on March 22. 

Funding for the Festival comes in part from the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development & Planning and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Englebright.

“Music has the power to draw people out and bring people together,” said The Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel. “I am always excited each year to bring music with the Swing into Spring festival throughout the Three Village community. I am so proud to partner with our community businesses. It’s a great feeling to see our restaurants bustling with people, and filled with the sound of live Jazz.”

Schedule of Events:
Tuesday March 18:

The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)

Community Jazz Night: Rod Borrie & Free Range, Carl Safina & Moment’s Notice, John Ronconi & Cafe Society

$30, $25, $20, $15, Kids 5 and under FREE

Bliss (6-8PM):

Steve Salerno, guitar, John Marshall, tenor saxophone

Elaine’s (6-8PM):

Tom Manuel, cornet, Phil Rinaldi, piano

Madiran (6-8PM):

Dean Johnson, bass, Al Marino, guitar

 

Wednesday March 19:

Madiran (6-8PM):

Phil Rinaldi, piano, Mark Wade, bass

Bliss (6-8PM):

Steve Salerno, guitar, Tom Manuel, cornet

Elaine’s (6-8PM):

Kevin Clark, guitar, Chris Donohue, tenor saxophone

The Country House (6-8PM):

The Jazz Loft Trio

Dean Johnson, bass, Rich Iacona, piano, Darrell Smith, drums

The Jazz Loft (4-5:30PM):

Improvisation & Jam Session Techniques Workshop

Dean Johnson, bass, Rich Iacona, piano Tom Manuel, cornet, Darrell Smith, drums

$10 All

The Jazz Loft: (7-9:30PM)

Jam Session / The Keenan Zach Trio

$10, $5 at 8PM

Thursday March 20:

Country House (6-8PM):

Mala Waldron, piano

The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)

Bakithi Kumalo Ensemble

Bakithi Kumalo, bass, Miho Nobuzane, piano/vocal, Kate Curran, vocal, Dylan Kries, saxophone, Ray Marchica, drums

 Friday March 21:

Country House (6-8PM):

Rich Iacona, piano, Tom Manuel, cornet

The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)

Mitch Marcus Quintet

Mitch Marcus, tenor saxophone, Evan Francis, alto saxophone/flute, Jeff Miles, guitar, Peter Brendler, bass, Jerad Lippi, drums

$30, $25, $20, $15, Kids 5 and under FREE

 

Saturday March 22:

The Jazz Loft (7-9:30PM)

Frank Vignola Birdland Quartet

Frank Vignola, guitar, Ted Rosenthal, piano, Alex Raderman, drums, Gary Mazzaroppi, bass

$30, $25, $20, $15, Kids 5 and under FREE

Schnitzels (5-7PM)

Vinny Raniolo, guitar, Tom Manuel, cornet

 

All tickets can be purchased by visiting: https://www.thejazzloft.org/tickets

For more information call 631-751-1895.

 

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The Aluminaire House

Frances Campani and Michael Schwarting of Campani and Schwarting Architects in Port Jefferson were recently awarded a coveted Advocacy Citation of Merit from Docomomo, an international organization involved with preserving modern architecture around the world, for their work to save and rebuild the 1931 Aluminaire House in Palm Springs, California. 

The Aluminaire House was conceived and constructed by Lawrence Kocher and Albert Frey as an exhibition house for the Allied Arts and Industry and Architectural League Exhibition of 1931 at the Grand Central Palace in New York City. The house is constructed of mostly aluminum and glass, and was intended to be mass produced and affordable, using inexpensive, off-the-shelf materials. The three-story house was constructed for the exhibit in just ten days, and during its first week on display attracted more than 100,000 visitors.

The husband and wife architect team have worked on this project since 1987 when they rescued it from demolition in Huntington, deconstructed and reconstructed it with their architecture students at the New York Institute of Technology campus in Central Islip. Campani is presently an Associate Professor and Schwarting a Professor Emeritus of NYIT. The campus closed in 2005 and Campani and Schwarting formed the Aluminaire House Foundation and gifted it to the Palm Springs Museum of Art in 2020. It opened on the grounds of the Museum as part of their collection in March 2024. 

The Aluminaire House was selected as one of 16 best American modern preservation projects at the 2024 Docomomo Modernism in America Awards ceremony in West Hollywood. The jurors noted, “This is an almost 100-year-old house that was not meant to last, but it has.” “People have gone to herculean lengths to preserve it, and there is a value in recognizing the individuals who have spent decades in service to preserving this object. The new location in Palm springs makes prefect sense.” “Sometimes the best preservation tool is patience.”

“We are very proud of the results of 35 years of work to save this significant structure,” said Schwarting and Campini in a press release. “There have many people involved to help but it is worth noting the 120 NYIT architecture students that worked and were educated by it.” 

Campani and Schwarting have also published a book, The Aluminaire House by Gibbs-Smith publisher. To learn more, visit the current exhibition about the Aluminaire House at the Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main Street, Stony Brook. The exhibit runs through April 13.

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METRO photo

By Michael Christodoulou

Michael Christodoulou
Michael Christodoulou

Going through a divorce is emotionally painful and can disrupt one’s life in many ways — but does it also have to be financially devastating? Not necessarily. You can help yourself greatly by making a series of moves. Here are some to consider: 

Before the divorce is final …

Determine how you’ll cover the cost of the divorce. To meet the costs of a divorce, which can be tens of thousands dollars, you may need to tap in to your income stream and savings accounts, or even explore alternative options, such as borrowing from your retirement plan, if it’s allowed by a divorce court judge.

Create a budget. You may want to build a temporary budget. Your divorce attorney can advise you on how long your separation period may last in a contested case.

Start building separate bank and brokerage accounts. Consult with your divorce attorney on ways to establish independent bank and brokerage accounts without harming your spouse.

Understand your retirement benefits. Know the value of your and your spouse’s 401(k) or similar plans, IRAs, pensions, stock options and other employer benefits. Also, you might need to negotiate the splitting of retirement benefits through a qualified domestic relations order (QDRO). A tax professional and a financial advisor can help you understand how different QDRO proposals can affect your retirement goals.

After the divorce is final …

Finish building your separate financial accounts. You may want to close any joint accounts or credit cards, change online access to financial accounts, remove your name from bills for which you are no longer responsible and complete any agreed-upon asset transfers, such as dividing retirement assets. 

Create a new budget. You can now create a longer-term budget, incorporating any spouse or child support you receive as income. You may also need to adjust your spending to reflect items in the divorce agreement, such as expenses now covered by your former spouse and court-ordered responsibilities for paying college education expenses for dependent children and possibly the attorneys’ fees for a former spouse.

Review your protection plans. You may need to review your life, homeowners and auto insurance policies. And if you were covered under your spouse’s health insurance plan, you may want to apply for COBRA to stay on that plan up to 36 months or switch to your own employer’s plan, if available. If you don’t have access to an employer’s health insurance, you may want to explore a marketplace plan from the Affordable Care Act or contact a health insurance broker.

Review your estate plans. To reflect your new marital status, you may need to work with your legal professional to change some of your estate-planning documents, such as a will, living trust, advanced health care directive or power of attorney. Also, review the beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, IRAs, annuities and investment accounts, as these designations can likely supersede instructions on your will or trust. 

See your tax professional. You may need to consult with your tax professional on issues such as changing your tax return filing status, claiming a child as a dependent and dealing with tax implications of assets received in the divorce.

Going through a divorce is not easy — but by taking the appropriate steps before and after the divorce is finalized, you can at least help put yourself in a more secure and stable financial position to begin the next phase of your life.

Michael Christodoulou, ChFC®, AAMS®, CRPC®, CRPS® is a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Stony Brook, Member SIPC.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

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