This week’s shelter pet is Prince Charles, a mellow, multi-colored rooster currently up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.
Charles was emaciated, stress molting and looking pretty ragged and worn when he was found as a stray in July.He had no energy ad barely made any noise. With just some time and nutrition, this man is thriving and vocal and ready for a flock to call his own.
If you would like to meetPrince Charles, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with him 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.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.
FLY ME TO THE MOON
Join the Heckscher Museum and the Vanderbilt Planetarium for a special collaboration on Sept. 8.
Ongoing
Stone Bridge Nighthawk Watch
Every evening through Oct. 6, from 5:30 p.m. until dusk, the Four Harbors Audubon Society will be tallying migrating Common Nighthawks to better understand nighthawk population trends. Join them at the stone bridge at Frank Melville Memorial Park, One Old Field Road, Setauket to witness nighthawks as they pass over during their migratory journey to their wintering grounds in Brazil and Argentina. Visit www.4has.org for further details.
Thursday September 1
An evening of jazz
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents a concert by The Jazz Loft Big Band, a 17 piece big band directed by Jazz Loft Director Tom Manuel, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children. To order, call 751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
Friday September 2
First Friday at the Heckscher
Celebrate First Friday at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Explore the exhibitions during extended viewing hours and enjoy a special performance by singer Roberta Fabiano beginning at 7 p.m. Free. Call 380-3230 for more info.
Walking with Whitman
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station hosts the 12th season of Poetry in Performance: Walking With Whitman tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Writer-in-Residence George Wallace, the event will feature Nicholas Samaras, author of Hands of the Saddlemaker and Bruce Johnson, author of Borderlands and Dreams. Admission fee for this event is $10 and will be collected at the door. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 427-5240.
Happenings on Main Street
The Northport Arts Coalition concludes its Happenings on Main Street series at the Northport Village Park Gazebo at the harbor at 7 p.m. with a performance by Glen Baldwin & Friends of Jazz. Bring seating. Call 827-6827 or visit www.northportarts.org.
The Edwards Twins return to T3
For a special return engagement, celebrity impersonators The Edwards Twins return to Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jeffersontonight and Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. Remember all the wonderful Variety shows we all grew up on in the 70’s & 80’s? Now is your chance to see them live and re-created by Las Vegas’ number one impersonators of all time. All your favorite legendary Superstars come to life including Sonny & Cher, Billy Joel, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli, Tom Jones, and many, many more with live vocals. Tickets are $59. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
Saturday September 3
The Edwards Twins return to T3
See Sept. 2 listing.
Labor Day Festival
Superior Ice Rink, 270 Indian Head Road, Kings Park hosts a Labor Day Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join them for a day of fun with a hockey tournament, food trucks, music, craft fair, farmers market, water slide, bounce house, dunk tank, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle and Chuck a Duck. Proceeds will be donated to the Silent Night Foundation. Rain date is Sept. 4. Call 269-3900 for further information.
Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest
Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society presents its 13th annual Huntington Lighthouse Music Fest at the Huntington Harbor Lighthouse from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Extraordinary bands of all musical genres will perform fin the middle of the water on top of the lighthouse. There is no fee to attend or registration necessary! Just drop anchor with us and enjoy a day offun, Rain date is Sept. 4. For more information, visit www.lighthousemusicfest.org.
Geneology Workshop
South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station will host a meeting of the Genealogy Workshop of the Huntington Historical Society at 11 a.m. Speaker Michael Cassara will present a lecture titled Intro to Italian Genealogy. Free event, reservations not required. Questions? Call 427-7045.
Sunday September 4
Caumsett Hike
Join the staff at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Huntington for a Late Summer Seasonal Stroll from 9:45 to 11:45 a.m. Witness summer’s slow, subtle change, as she withers and goes to seed during this 1.5 mile hike. Adults only. $4 per person. Advance registration required by calling 423-1770.
Ronkonkoma Street Fair
The Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Labor Day Weekend street fair on Hawkins Road between Portion and Wittridge roads from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring more than 200 vendors, live music, children’s rides, arts and crafts, giveaways and much more. Held rain or shine. Free admission. Call 963-2796 or visit www.ronkonkomachamber.com.
Engeman Theater fundraiser
Join the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport for a special fundraiser to benefit Northwell Health’s Huntington Hospital’s Neurosurgery Department at 7 p.m. Broadway and Hollywood stars (and Northport natives) Edie Falco and Chris Messina, will lead a staged reading of Thornton Wilder’s classic American play Our Town along withMarin Ireland, Katie Finneran, Ben Shenkman, Liza Colon-Zayas, Matthew Del Negro, Joe Roseto, Cezar Williams, Darren Goldstein, Kalyne Coleman, and Natalie Seus. Tickets are $200. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Monday September 5
No events listed for this day.
Tuesday September 6
An evening of Goat Yoga
Join the Smithtown Historical Society, 211 E. Main St., Smithtown for a 45 minute session of yoga with friendly, interactive goats from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and again from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m courtesy ofby Steppin’ Out Ponies and Petting Zoo. Tickets are $28 per person and all levels of yoga are welcome. Please bring a mat & towel. The first session will be open to children aged 7 to 17, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Registration required via Eventbrite. For more information, call 265-6768.
Wednesday September 7
No events listed for this day.
Thursday September 8
Atelier at Flowerfield art reception
Join the Atelier at Flowerfield, 2 Flowerfield, Suite 6 & 9, St. James for an opening reception of its latest exhibit, Neill Slaughter 50 Year Retrospective, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The show runs Sept. 8 to Oct. 27. Call 250-9009 or visit wwwtheatelieratflowerfield.org for further information.
Huntington Walking Tour
The Huntington Historical Society will host a Centers of Controversy guided walking tour from 6 to 9 p.m. Visits sites in central Huntington that gave rise over the centuries to scandals, lawsuits, and other controversies. Tour ends at Six Harbors Brewing Company. Tickets are $25, $20 members (drinks not included). Tours will begin at the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building, 228 Main Street,Huntington. Reservations are required. Call 427-7045 or visit www.huntingtonhistorical.org
Fly Me to the Moon event
The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington in collaboration with the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport present Fly Me to the Moon: An Evening of Art, Music, and Celestial Happenings from 7 to 11 p.m. Begin the evening at The Heckscher exploring the exhibition Moonstruck: Lunar Art from the Collection. Join author and radio host Tom Ryan as he explores how the moon and outer space have inspired musicians since the beginning of recorded history. Travel back in time through sound and film clips, from Frank Sinatra to Bruno Mars, and everyone in between! Next, head to the Vanderbilt Planetarium where telescopes will be available to take in fantastic views of the Moon, the planet Saturn, and other celestial objects in the night’s sky! Enjoy a live, 45-minute talk about the night sky, stars, planets, constellations, and moon in the 60-foot domed planetarium theater, housing one of the finest star projection systems in the world. End the night with an amazing Pink Floyd light show, “Laser Dark Side of the Moon.” Tickets are $35 per person. To register, visit www.heckscher.org.
Film
‘Jungle Nights’
Join the Four Harbors Audubon Society at the Smithtown Library Main Branch, 1 North Country Road, Smithtown for a Friday Movie Night screening of BBC’s Night on Earth: Jungle Nights on Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Beneath the jungle’s canopy, the night is alive with fantastic beasts, large and small, who use the darkness to socialize, hunt, climb and crawl. Full of cinematic wonders and nocturnal beauty, this series’ new technology lifts night’s veil to reveal the hidden lives of the jungle’s nocturnal creatures. For the budding environmentalist, and also those curious about how nature and the natural world works. Age appropriate from those in middle school to retirees. Free and open to all. Reservations required by calling 766-3075 or 360-2480, ext. 232.
‘Sin City’
The Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cult Cafe series with a screening of Sin City on Sept. 3 at 10 p.m. In this quartet of neo-noir tales, a mysterious salesman (Josh Hartnett) narrates a tragic story of co-dependency, while a musclebound vigilante (Mickey Rourke) tears his way through the criminal underworld in search of his lost love (Jaime King). In another part of the city, a grizzled cop (Bruce Willis) foils the ambitions of a child-killer (Nick Stahl), and an ex-prostitute (Brittany Murphy) evades her ex-pimp (Benicio Del Toro) with the help of her new boyfriend, Dwight (Clive Owen). Rated R. Tickets are $7, $5 members. To order, visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.
‘Downton Abbey: A New Era’
Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a screening ofDownton Abbey: A New Era starring Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, and Michelle Dockery on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. Registration is required by calling 928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org.
Theater
A FINAL TOAST Catch one of the final performances of ‘On Your Feet!’ at the Engeman Theater in Northport. The show closes on Sept. 3. Photo from Engeman Theater
‘On Your Feet!’
Extended! The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan from July 14 to Sept. 3. From their humble beginnings in Cuba, Emilio and Gloria Estefan came to America and broke through all barriers to become a crossover sensation at the very top of the pop music world. But just when they thought they had it all, they almost lost everything. On Your Feet! takes you behind the music and inside the real story of this record-making, and groundbreaking couple who, in the face of adversity, found a way to end up on their feet. Get ready to get on your feet, and dance to the smash hits “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” “1-2-3,” “Live For Loving You,” “Conga,” and many more. Tickets range from $75 to $80 with free valet parking. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘Henry V’
The Carriage House Players continues its annual Shakespeare Festival at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport with Henry V from Aug. 26 to Sept. 18 on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Performances take place outdoors on stage in the courtyard, where the Spanish-Mediterranean architecture adds a touch of timeless charm and magic. Bring a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show and bring your own lawn chair. Inclement weather cancels. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and children ages 12 and under. To order, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.
‘Guys and Dolls’
Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson kicks off its 52nd season with Guys and Dolls from Sept. 17 to Oct. 22. Considered the perfect musical of Broadway’s Golden Age, this delightful romp gambles in luck and love from Times Square to Havana. High rollers and low characters from Damon Runyon’s mythical New York are joyously presented in Frank Loesser’s bold and brassy score, featuring “Luck Be a Lady,” “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” and “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” An award-winning classic for the entire family! Tickets are $35 adults, $28 senior and students, $20 children ages 5 and up. To order, call 928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘Mystic Pizza’
Up next at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport is the new musical comedy, Mystic Pizza, from Sept. 15 to Oct. 30. Based on the classic 1988 movie starring Julia Roberts, Mystic Pizza charts the lives and loves of three unforgettable waitresses in the harbor town of Mystic, CT. Add in some of the best pop songs of the ‘80s and ‘90s such as “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Addicted To Love,” “Small Town,” “Hold On,” and “Take My Breath Away,” and you have all the ingredients for a romantic comedy–with the works! Tickets range from $80 to $85. To order, call 261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
Vendors Wanted
◆ Davis Town Meeting House Society seeks vendors for its Yard Sale & Craft Fair on Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Davis House, 263 Middle Country Rd., Coram. Rain date is Sept. 11. $25 per table. For an application, call Maryanne at 631-804-2256 or email: [email protected].
◆ Yaphank Historical Society is looking for vendors for its annual Fall Yard sale on Sept. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Hawkins House at 4 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank. Rain date is Sept 18. Vendor fee is only $10 per spot. No advance reservations necessary. Call 631-924-4803 with questions, or visit www.yaphankhistorical.org.
◆ Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead seeks artisan craft & farmers market vendors for its 41st annual Country Fair on Sept. 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details and an application, visit www.Hallockville.org/countryfair.
◆ Port Jefferson Lions Club seeks vendors for its 1st annual Car Show at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Rain date is Sept. 25) Call Warren at 631-258-6165 for more information.
◆ Caroline Episcopal Church of Setauket is sponsoring a Fall Craft Fair & Barn Sale on the Setauket Village Green (Main St. and Caroline Ave.) on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain date is Sept. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Limited spaces still available on the Village Green (10’x10’) and covered Carriage Shed (9’x18’). Reserve your spot at www.depasmarket.com. Questions? Call 631-806-4845.
◆ Stony Brook Community Church, 216 Christian Ave., Stony Brook is seeking vendors for its Apple Festival on Oct.1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Spots (10’ x 10’) are $40 each; vendors can call or text 631-252-0777 for an application.
◆ Parents of Troop 362 will hold a Craft Fair & Basket Raffle at Hope Lutheran Church, 46 Dare Road, Selden on Oct. 1. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (rain date Oct. 2). Vendors wanted -— 10’ by 10’ space for $40 donation. To reserve a space, email [email protected].
◆ St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, 29 Brooksite Drive, Smithtown seeks craft or new merchandise vendors for its Craft Fair and Car Show on Oct. 8 (rain date is Oct. 15 for craft fair only) $50/space. Visit www.stthomasofcanterbury.net or call 631-265-4520 to obtain an application.
◆ Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 716 Route 25a, Rocky Point seeks vendors to be a part of their annual October Festival on Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fee for vendor participation of new items, no raffles is $35 per10’ x 10’ space. Must supply own table and chairs. Visit www.thefishchurch.com Festivals and Events page.
Class Reunions
✴Port Jefferson (ELVHS) Class of 1972’s 50th reunion is planned for September 9 and 10. Please spread the word, and visit Facebook page “Port Jefferson(ELVHS) Class of 1972 50th Reunion” for details or e-mail [email protected].
✴Ward Melville High School Class of 1972’s50th reunion is Oct 1. Please spread the word and visit Facebook page “Ward Melville High School Class 72 50th Reunion” for more information and purchasing tickets. For more information, email [email protected] or call 631-928-5684 and leave your name and contact information for any questions
* All numbers are in (631) area code unless otherwise noted.
Can anyone forget sour cream and onion dip, spinach and artichoke dip or clam dip? They all were party staples in my youth, and hackneyed party fare that they are, I still can remember their taste and never turn down a chance to go down memory lane and binge on them whenever they appear at a party. In those days we scooped them with potato chips that inevitably broke and left pieces languishing in the dip, but today there are so many kinds of new chips plus crudités beyond celery and carrots to choose from that I think it’s time to riff on some new dips too. Here are a few somewhat different concoctions.
Goat Cheese with Fresh Herbs Dip
YIELD: Makes 1 1/2 cups
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 pound fresh soft goat cheese
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives
2 tablespoons finely chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
In a food processor, blend goat cheese, oil and yogurt until smooth; add herbs, salt and pepper and pulse a few times. Transfer to a bowl and serve with bagel chips, toasted baguette slices or crudités.
Baba Ghanoush (Charred Eggplant Dip)
YIELD: Makes 2 cups
INGREDIENTS:
1 head garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 medium eggplants
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 cup light tahini
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
DIRECTIONS:
Place oven rack in top third of oven and preheat broiler. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Slice off top of garlic head and drizzle with a teaspoon of the olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then wrap in foil. With a fork, pierce the eggplants all over; place them and the garlic on the foil-lined baking sheet. Broil, turning occasionally, until garlic is soft and eggplant is charred on the outside and very soft on the inside all the way through to the center, about 35 minutes. When cool enough tohandle, cut the eggplant open and scoop out the flesh; place in a colander to drain for about 30 minutes; discard skin; finely chop eggplant ifany strands remain. Pinch or scoop garlic cloves out of their skin and mash them.
In a large bowl, combine them with the remaining olive oil, eggplant pulp and lemon juice and stir vigorously to further break up the pulp as much as possible. Add tahini, lemon juice and more salt and pepper, if desired. Stir vigorously again, transfer to serving dish and garnish with parsley, red pepper flakes and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve with pita chips and crudités.
Muhamarra (Roasted Red Pepper Dip)
YIELD: Makes 6 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 red bell peppers
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
4 ounces chopped toasted walnuts or almonds
1 garlic clove chopped
2 – 3 tablespoons tomato paste
2/3 cup unflavored bread crumbs
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sumac
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 425 F. Lightly oil a shallow baking dish. Brush peppers with one tablespoon olive oil, place in prepared dish and roast, turning once or twice, until skin is puckered and centers blacken, about half an hour. Place in bowl and cover for 5 to 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, pull and scrape off skin and remove seeds and discard. In bowl of food processor combine pepper pieces, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, nuts, garlic, tomato paste, bread crumbs, molasses, sugar, sumac, salt and pepper and process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate but serve at room temperature with flat bread and crudités.
The Center for Italian Studies at Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook offers Italian classes for the community from October, 2022 to April, 2023. The informal studies program for adults is designed to expose participants to the Italian language and culture. On-line courses using video conferencing and distance learning technologies are offered in Beginner, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Italian; each level offered in a 22-2 hour series of classes (44 hours of instruction). Cost per course is $300. For additional information/registration form, class dates, times and schedule view www.stonybrook.edu/italianstudies or call 631-632-7444.
What is Jazz? Tour takes visitors to seven jazz stops in history
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook, will be presenting two opportunities to take a LIVE tour through jazz history, with its What is JAZZ? Interactive tour on September 10 (starting at 6 p.m.) and October 21 (starting at 7 p.m.). Visitors can arrive at 10-minute intervals-see TICKETS. The tour is comprised of seven stops within the Jazz Loft’s museum and performance space. Each stop in Jazz history is about four minutes, during which patrons will be treated to a brief performance and historical reflection. The entire live music, interactive experience will take about 30 minutes.
Guests begin in the main lobby and are welcomed to America by a lone pianist who introduces them to the BLUES. Each stop is limited to a brief historical reflection and a singular tune leaving guests hungry for more.
As they continue to the Seaman Gallery, inspired by Jazz photography, guests meet a singer who introduces them to the influence of GOSPEL music in Jazz and they hear a melody reminiscent of a tent revival meeting in the deep south.
As the tour continues, we stumble into the Milt Hinton Music Room and are ushered into the birthplace of Jazz, New Orleans as we hear the sounds of EARLY JAZZ presented by banjo/bass duo. Each time warp landing leaves no time for lingering and as the map leads from stop-to-stop patrons head upstairs to the Teddy Charles Room. Transported to the windy city of Chicago and the heyday of the BIG BAND/SWING ERA this stop is fueled by the syncopated vibrations of a clarinet/vibraphone trio reminiscent of Benny Goodman’s unit (the vibraphone, a 1939 Deagan model actually performed with Goodman and is flanked by photos to prove it!).
Six steps up the elevation climbs further to the wow-room and the journey continues as patrons are in the main performance space of the Jazz Loft, an intimate supper club environment complete with a three-tier bandstand reconstructed from the Roseland Ballroom dance floor and the towering 1927 Irving Plaza Ballroom chandelier, fully restored. Bandstand aglow in the history and story of the city that never slept, New York is alive with the energy, pep, vim and verve of BEBOPheralded by a quintet who’s never ceasing and endless energy abounds.
Is there more? YES! Because the story of Jazz is still evolving as told by the singular Avant-guard trombonist in the Loft’s library who shouts and wails the sound of THINGS TO COME and of beyond the now. The tour may seem complete, but this journey of four-minute stops, scheduled so that every group of guests has their own private walk through of the Jazz Loft will certainly leave much to be discussed.
Guests can then proceed to the Basie Garden to enjoy some lingering sounds of LATIN JAZZ to debrief their experience. Patrons can choose from a select list of wines, craft beers, snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Tickets, which are $30, $25 seniors, $20 students and $15 children, can be purchased at TICKETS
For more information, call 631-751-1895 or visit www.thejazzloft.org.
The American College of Cardiology has recognized Stony Brook University Hospital as the only hospital on Long Island to have achieved the prestigious Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention & Resuscitation designation in 2022. The designation recognizes the high-level of staff expertise and exceptional integration of the Stony Brook Cardiology Program, Emergency Medical Services and Cardiovascular Surgery Program. The accreditation also recognizes Stony Brook Medicine’s commitment to treating patients with chest pain. Stony Brook University Hospital is the only facility on Long Island to have received this accreditation during back-to-back cycles.
“Our ACC designation affirms that Stony Brook provides the most advanced and timely evidence-based heart attack or cardiac arrest care to the patients in our community,” saysRobert T. Pyo, MD, Director, Interventional Cardiology; Medical Director, Structural Heart Program and Associate Professor, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. “This can only be achieved through the exceptional skill of our cardiac and emergency services teams in offering the best quality emergency cardiac care available anywhere.”
The Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention & Resuscitation designation means that Stony Brook University Hospital is optimally equipped, trained and staffed to care for patients during or after a heart attack or during a sudden cardiac arrest (when the heart malfunctions and suddenly stops beating). Patients arriving at Stony Brook University Hospital’s ER with symptoms of a cardiac emergency are treated according to quality-of-care measures that are proven to achieve better patient outcomes.
Dr. William Lawson, Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, noted that “Using Stony Brook’s “Code H” protocol, the Stony Brook Heart Institute has reduced the amount of time between a heart attack patient coming into the hospital to the opening and clearing of the blocked arteries with a stent or balloon-tipped catheter (angioplasty) to an average of just 54 minutes. This is a spectacular achievement, being over thirty minutes sooner than the 90 minutes or less specified in American Heart Association guidelines.”
“If you’re having a heart attack, every second counts,” says Julie Mangum, RN, Stony Brook Heart Institute’s Chest Pain Coordinator. “The key is to get treated as quickly as possible so there is less chance of heart muscle damage. Few hospitals can offer the diagnostic testing and the complete array of on-site interventional options that are available at Stony Brook.” In addition, for patients suffering from a cardiac arrest, Stony Brook University Hospital provides a robust hypothermia program that lowers a patient’s body temperature allowing for the best possible chance of meaningful recovery.
Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and have primary PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) available 24/7 every day of the year. In addition, Stony Brook maintains a “No Diversion Policy” for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients which means that at no time are ambulances diverted away from our emergency department.
“By earning this distinguished chest pain center accreditation at Stony Brook, we’re again demonstrating to Long Island that we provide the highest level of cardiac care, even in the most complex cases,” noted Hal Skopicki, MD, PhD, Co-Director, Stony Brook Heart Institute and the Ambassador Charles A. Gargano Chair of Cardiology at Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. “When having a heart attack, It is crucial to immediately seek care from the closest and most skilled facility available. For our community, I’m proud to say, that’s Stony Brook University Hospital.”
For more information about what it means for Stony Brook Heart Institute to be the region’s only accredited Chest Pain Center, visit this link.
About Stony Brook University Heart Institute:
Stony Brook University Heart Institute is located within Stony Brook University Hospital as part of Long Island’s premier university-based medical center. The Heart Institute offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary program for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The staff includes full-time and community-based, board-certified cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, as well as specially trained anesthesiologists, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, surgical technologists, perfusionists, and other support staff. Their combined expertise provides state-of-the-art interventional and surgical capabilities in 24-hour cardiac catheterization labs and surgical suites. And while the Heart Institute’s clinical staff offers the latest advances in medicine, its physician-scientists are also actively enhancing knowledge of the heart and blood vessels through basic biomedical studies and clinical research. To learn more, visit www.heart.stonybrookmedicine.edu.
About the American College of Cardiology:
The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the College and its 54,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC bestows credentials upon cardiovascular professionals who meet stringent qualifications and leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College also provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research through its world-renowned JACC Journals, operates national registries to measure and improve care, and offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions. For more, visit acc.org.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Casting of “street characters” for the 26th annual Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival on Dec. 2, 3 and 4 will be held at the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson on Thursday, Sept. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Actors, singers, prop people, dancers, puppet performers and sound people needed. All ages welcome. Costumes are provided and community service hours will be given to students. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Karen Overin at 631-375-7451 or by email at [email protected].
Lidl has announced that it will open its 23rd store on Long Island on Wednesday, Aug. 31. Located in the Mayfair Shopping Center at 210 E. Jericho Turnpike in Commack, the grocery store will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting at 7:40 a.m. The first 100 customers in line before the ribbon cutting will receive gift cards ranging from $5 to $100 each. Shoppers can also enter to win a $500 Lidl gift card, sample Lidl’s award-winning assortment and take advantage of special giveaways throughout the day, according to the franchise. The 30,000-square-foot store will employ more than 50 people and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Consequences can be greater than snoring and fatigue
By David Dunaief, M.D.
Dr. David Dunaief
Good sleep contributes to our physical and mental wellbeing, however many of us struggle to get quality, restful sleep. For those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), quality sleep is especially elusive.
Sleep apnea is an abnormal pause in breathing that occurs at least five times an hour while sleeping. It can have an array of causes, the most common of which is airway obstruction. Some estimates suggest that about 30 million people suffer from sleep apnea in the United States (1).
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), also known as sleep-disordered breathing, may affect up to 30 percent of adults. OSA diagnoses are classified as either mild, moderate or severe. It’s estimated that roughly 80 percent of moderate and severe OSA sufferers are undiagnosed.
Risk factors for OSA include chronic nasal congestion, large neck circumference, excess weight or obesity, alcohol use, smoking and a family history (2). Many of these factors, however, are modifiable.
Significant symptoms of OSA tend to be quality of life issues and include daytime fatigue, loud snoring, breathing cessation observed by another, impaired concentration and morning headaches. While these are significant, it’s more concerning that OSA is also associated with an array of more serious health consequences, such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and depression.
Fortunately, we have an arsenal of treatment options, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices; oral appliances; lifestyle modifications, such as diet, exercise, smoking cessation and reduced alcohol intake; and some medications.
What is the impact oncardiovascular disease risk?
In an observational study, the risk of cardiovascular mortality increased in a linear fashion with the severity of OSA (3). For those with mild-to-moderate untreated sleep apnea, there was a 60 percent increased risk of death; for those in the severe group, this risk jumped considerably to 250 percent. However, the good news is that treating patients with CPAP considerably decreased their risk by 81 percent for mild-to-moderate patients and 45 percent for severe OSA patients. This study involved 1,116 women over a six-year duration.
Another observational study with male subjects showed similar risks of cardiovascular disease with sleep apnea and benefits from CPAP treatment (4). There were more than 1,500 men in this study with a 10-year follow-up. The authors concluded that severe sleep apnea increases the risk of nonfatal and fatal cardiovascular events, and CPAP was effective in curbing these occurrences.
In a third study, this time involving the elderly, OSA increased the risk of cardiovascular death in mild-to-moderate patients and in those with severe OSA by 38 and 125 percent, respectively (5). But, as in the previous studies, CPAP decreased the risk in both groups significantly. In the elderly, an increased risk of falls, cognitive decline and difficult-to-control high blood pressure may be signs of OSA.
Is there a cancer connection?
In sleep apnea patients under age 65, a study showed an increased risk of cancer (6). The authors believe that intermittent low levels of oxygen, caused by the many frequent short bouts of breathing cessation, may be responsible for the development of tumors and their subsequent growth.
The greater the percentage of time patients spend in hypoxia (low oxygen) at night, the greater the risk of cancer. For those patients with more than 12 percent low-oxygen levels at night, there was a twofold increased risk of cancer development when compared to those with less than 1.2 percent low-oxygen levels.
Does OSA affect male sexual function?
It appears that erectile dysfunction (ED) may also be associated with OSA. CPAP may decrease this incidence. This was demonstrated in a small study involving 92 men with ED (7). The surprising aspects of this study were that, at baseline, the participants were overweight, not obese, on average and were only 45 years old. In those with mild OSA, the CPAP had a beneficial effect in over half of the men. For those with moderate and severe OSA, the effect was still significant, though not as robust, at 29 and 27 percent, respectively.
An array of other studies on the association between OSA and ED have varying results, depending on the age and existing health challenges of the participants. Some study authors have postulated that other underlying health problems may be the cause in some patient populations.
Can diet help?
For some of my patients, their goal is to discontinue their CPAP. Diet may be an alternative to CPAP, or it may be used in combination with CPAP to improve results.
In a small study of those with moderate-to-severe OSA levels, a low-energy diet showed positive results. A low-energy diet implies a low-calorie approach, such as a diet that is plant-based and nutrient-rich. It makes sense, this can help with weight loss. In the study, almost 50 percent of those who followed this type of diet were able to discontinue CPAP (8). The results endured for at least one year.
The bottom line is that if you think you or someone else is suffering from sleep apnea, it is important to be evaluated at a sleep lab and then follow up with your doctor. Don’t suffer from sleep apnea and, more importantly, don’t let obstructive sleep apnea cause severe complications, possibly robbing you of more than sleep. There are many effective treatments.
References:
(1) sleepapnea.org. (2) JAMA. 2004;291(16):2013. (3) Ann Intern Med. 2012 Jan 17;156(2):115-122. (4) Lancet. 2005 Mar 19-25;365(9464):1046-1053. (5) Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;186(9):909-916. (6) Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012 Nov. 15. (7) Sleep. 2012;35:A0574. (8) BMJ. 2011;342:d3017.
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.
The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has awarded a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence to Mather Hospital’s Critical Care team in Port Jefferson.
The Beacon Award for Excellence — a significant milestone on the path to exceptional patient care and healthy work environments — recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. Units that achieve this three-year, three-level award with gold, silver or bronze designations meet national criteria consistent with the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®, the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and the National Quality Healthcare Award.
“I want to extend my congratulations to Mather Hospital’s Critical Care team on earning a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses,” said Mather Hospital CNO/VP for Nursing Marie Mulligan, PhD, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC. “This designation is the highest level of recognition that Critical Care services can achieve for this award.”
“Achieving the gold level AACN Beacon Award for Excellence is a tremendous honor and validates our nursing team’s efforts for providing high quality care and optimal patient outcomes,” said Laura O’Brien RN MSN CRN, NE-BC, Nursing Director of Critical Care at Mather Hospital.
AACN President Beth Wathen, MSN, APRN, CCRN-K, applauded the commitment of the Critical Care caregivers at Mather Hospital for working together to meet and exceed the high standards set forth by the Beacon Award for Excellence. “The Beacon Award for Excellence is a testament to a team’s commitment to providing safe, patient-centered and evidence-based care to patients and families. Creating healthy and supportive work environments empowers nurses and other team members to make their optimal contribution,” Wathen said.
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