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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 an  interactive 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.

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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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METRO photo

By Lisa Scott

Bail is a part of our justice system that seeks to ensure that those who are charged with crimes appear in court to be held accountable. When someone is arrested and charged, the court will set an appearance date with a hearing or trial usually weeks or months away. Prior to bail reform, there were no standards and judges did whatever they wanted for any charge to assess the person’s potential to flee and not return to court. Sometimes quantitative tools that can measure “risk” were used, and those have been found to be plagued with bias. 

If the person cannot pay the bail amount, they remain incarcerated until their case is resolved, either through a settlement, a hearing, a trial, or dismissal. If they post bail, the money is not returned until the case is finalized – which can be months or in some cases, years later (less 9% processing fee).

There is an obvious but complex problem inherent in this system. People with good credit or access to funds can post their own bail and go home. People who have no money or credit are held in jail until trial. For those on the bottom of the totem pole, a simple arrest, guilty or not guilty, can destroy a life, or a family. If they had, for instance, a minimum wage job, their incarceration will almost certainly lead to losing it. What happens to the rest of the family? What happens to any stability they may have had in their lives? The collateral damage of an arrest and even a relatively small but unaffordable bail can bring down the house. Average court costs can be over $15,000. 

The question we ask ourselves is not whether the justice system should continue to use bail, but whether or not the bail system is used justly. In America, we are innocent until proven guilty, but the bail system can end up being incredibly punitive even before guilt is established in court. 

New York State’s 2020 Bail Reform Act provided some relief and created uniform standards. For most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies the law now required judges to release people with the least restrictive conditions necessary to reasonably assure the person will come back to court. Previously, the court could impose cash bail on any offense. The reform codified no cash bail and non-monetary bail conditions and provided for a third option of non-secured or partially secured surety bond (a loan due if the charged fails to appear). 

The Reform was amended in April 2020 to include more situations where judges can impose cash bail. They will also have more discretion in setting bail and other conditions of pretrial release. It did not abolish bail but greatly reduced the role of money and enhanced the rule of law in determining whether defendants will be freed or jailed pending trial. 

The new law, however, came under attack during the 2021 mid-term elections, especially from candidates campaigning on a “law and order” platform. Using a handful of instances of bail abuse, some tried to make generalizations about the new bail rules that data does not support. It is important to remember that bail (in its legal conception) was always about making sure people appear before the court, not punishing them before they’ve had their day in court. 

Results of bail reforms so far have been positive. Pre-covid data sets from state level bail reforms in New Jersey, New Mexico and Kentucky as well as reforms in 4 major cities and 5 counties have indicated decreases in pretrial jail population, decreased or unchanged ”new criminal activity” rates and no increase in recidivism. In New York City, data during covid shows that just under 4% of those released pre-trial under bail reform have been rearrested for violent felonies. 

This is a low percentage, yet this number is used to both support and criticize bail reform. As NYS Senator Julia Salazar of Brooklyn said, “It’s not really about facts. It’s about competing narratives about public safety” (City & State NY January 10, 2022). We must remember that bail reform saves lives and families and evens the playing field. The few cases of bail abuse are not enough to outweigh the benefits of these reforms. We support them every time we say the end the pledge of allegiance with “and Liberty and Justice for all.”

For more information: 

–January 18, 2022 article by Steven B. Wasserman in the New York Law Journal

–Brennan Center’s explanation of the NYS Bail Reform law at  https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/new-yorks-latest-bail-law-changes-explained

–True cost of incarceration at https://finesandfeesjusticecenter.org/articles/who-pays-true-cost-incarceration    

Lisa Scott is president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. For more information, visit https://my.lwv.org/new-york/suffolk-county or call 631-862-6860.

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Make exercise a priority — part of the fabric of your life. METRO photo
In some circumstances, exercise may be as powerful as medications

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Exercise has powerful effects in altering how our genes express themselves and can improve our outcomes with specific diseases. Exercise has effects on diabetes and a host of other chronic diseases, including kidney stones, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease and breast, colorectal and endometrial cancers (1).

Despite all the positives, it’s sometime difficult to motivate yourself to realize the benefits. There are, however, simple ways to motivate yourself during exercise. One study showed that those who repeated positive mantras to themselves while exercising were able to persist in their exercise routines for longer periods (2).

Why is this so important now? Because we are too sedentary, and this is the time of the year when we are especially so. According to data from the 2015-2016 National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey, we spend 6.4 hours a day sedentary (3). And this percentage is trending up.

Exercise can alter your genes

While you may be waiting for gene therapy to cure our chronic illnesses, it turns out that exercise may have a significant impact on our genes. No waiting required, this is here and now.

In a study, results showed that thousands upon thousands of genes in fat cells were affected when participants exercised (4). The study involved sedentary men and asked them to exercise twice a week at a one-hour spin class. 

According to the researchers, the genes impacted were those involved most likely in storing fat and in risk for subsequent diabetes and obesity development. Participants’ gene expression was altered by DNA methylation, the addition of a methyl group made up of a carbon and hydrogens. These participants also improved their biometrics, reducing fat and subsequently shrinking their waist circumferences, and improved their cholesterol and blood-pressure indices.

The effect is referred to as epigenetics, where lifestyle modifications can ultimately lead to changes in gene expression, turning them on and off. This has been shown with dietary changes, but this is one of the first studies to show that exercise also has significant impacts on our genes. It took only six months to see these numerous gene changes with modest amounts of cardiovascular exercise.

Do you need more encouragement? Another study showed substantial gene changes in muscle cells after one workout on a stationary bike (5). 

Is exercise as good as drug therapy?

We don’t think of exercise as being a drug, but what if it had similar benefits to certain drugs in cardiovascular diseases and mortality risk? A meta-analysis — a group of 57 studies that involved drugs and exercise — showed that exercise potentially has equivalent effects to statins in terms of mortality with secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (6). This means that, in patients who already have heart disease, both statins and exercise reduce the risk of mortality by similar amounts. The same was true with pre-diabetes and the use of metformin vs. exercise. It didn’t matter which one was used, the drug or the lifestyle change.

Don’t change your medication without consulting your physician.

Reducing the risk of kidney stones

Anyone who has tried to pass a kidney stone knows it can be an excruciating experience. Most of the treatment revolves around pain medication, fluids and waiting for the stone to pass. However, the best way to treat kidney stones is to prevent them.

In the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, exercise reduced the risk of kidney stones by as much as 31 percent (7). Even better, the intensity of the exercise was irrelevant to its beneficial effect. What mattered more was exercise quantity. One hour of jogging or three hours of walking got the top results. But lesser amounts of exercise also saw substantial reductions. This study involved 84,000 postmenopausal women, the population most likely to suffer from kidney stones.

Does sex count as exercise?

We have heard that sex may be thought of as exercise, but is this myth or is there actual evidence? Try not to giggle. Well, it turns out this may be true. In a study published in the PLoS One journal, researchers found that young healthy couples exert 6 METs — metabolic energy, or the amount of oxygen consumed per kilogram per minute — during sexual activity (8).

How does this compare to other activities? Well, we exert about 1 MET while sitting and 8.5 METs while jogging. Sexual activity falls between walking and jogging, in terms of the energy utilized, and thus may be qualified as moderate activity. Men and women burned slightly less than half as many calories with sex as with jogging, burning a mean of 85 calories over about 25 minutes. Who says exercise can’t be fun?

I can’t stress the importance of exercise enough. It not only influences the way you feel, but also may influence gene expression and, ultimately, affects the development and prevention of disease. In certain circumstances, it may be as powerful as medications and, in combination, may pack a powerful punch. Therefore, make exercise a priority — part of the fabric of your life. It may already be impacting the fabric of your body: your genes.

References: 

(1) JAMA. 2009;301(19):2024. (2) Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2013 Oct 10. (3) JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(7):e197597. (4) PLoS Genet. 2013 Jun;9(6):e1003572. (5) Cell Metab. 2012 Mar 7;15(3):405-11. (6) BMJ 2013; 347. (7) JASN online 2013, Dec. 12. (8) PLoS One 8(10): e79342.

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. 

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Camila dos Santos. Photo courtesy of CSHL

By Daniel Dunaief

Pregnancy and lactation can alter genes in specific mammary cells, which may have implications in a defense against cancer.

In mouse models, mice that became pregnant at a young age have so-called epigenetic changes that survive for the animal life span and some of those are linked to a decrease in breast cancer.

In a recent study published in Cell Reports, Cold Spring Harbor Associate Professor Camila dos Santos and her graduate student Amritha Varshini Hanasoge Somasundara found that a protein involved in mammary cells in mice, called CD1d, boosts the immune system after a full pregnancy cycle, protecting it against breast cancer.

“Our research demonstrated that increased levels of CD1d in breast cells serve as a signal to recruit higher numbers of specialized immune cells” called natural killer T-cells, or NKT, “to come and reside within the breast tissue after pregnancy,” dos Santos explained in an email. These NKTs are part of mechanisms that reduce breast cancer risk after pregnancy.

Dos Santos would like to understand the molecular changes that occur from pregnancy and hopes one day to adapt them in the form of a vaccination or pill to decrease the risk of breast cancer.

To be sure, numerous questions about the process of using the immune system to prevent cancer remain, which means that the development of such a preventive pill requires considerable additional research.

Dos Santos has spent the last eight years developing model systems that allow her to discover pregnancy-induced changes that could lead to preventive strategies.

Enhancing the communication between epithelial and immune cells could represent a way to decrease breast cancer development and even treat cases of developed cancer.

To get to that point, dos Santos, the members of her lab, and her collaborators plan to make discoveries like this one to understand the dynamic interaction between the cascade of molecular interactions from pregnancy and the genetic and immunological reactions.

Humans have four CD1 genes, which all play a similar role in immunity. Additionally, there are several types of NKT cells, and each of them has a different immunological function, which means that any prevention or treatment that tapped into this system would need to bring the right CD1 molecule and the right NKT cells.

It is not yet clear whether enhancing CD1 signals protect women who might have a predisposition to breast cancer. Dos Santos is currently exploring this question in animals.

While dos Santos is focusing specifically on pregnancy-driven changes in the mammary gland, she acknowledged that altering CD1d levels in other organs might also decrease other types of cancer.

Dos Santos described pregnancy as being akin to turning on a light. First, during the course of gestation, pregnancy brightens that light to the top. After birth, the dimmer goes to the middle, leaving the system in a different state, which is not only more prepared for the next pregnancy but also to defend itself against alterations like cancer.

In most pregnancy mammary cells in mice, the scientists found a 10-fold increase in the abundance of NKT cells when compared to cells from an individual who had never been pregnant.

When the researchers removed the CD1d protein in mice, they found an association between the absence or low expression and the development of tumors in the breast.

Dos Santos and Hanasoge hypothesize that this protein is recruiting immune cells to monitor breast cells after pregnancy. If the epithelial cells develop cancer, the NKT cells may kill them, preventing the development and advancement of cancer.

In addition to working with mouse models of pregnancy, dos Santos is collaborating with Northwell Health to study cells from healthy women who are undergoing cosmetic surgery. They are analyzing that data, which wasn’t in this paper. 

Dos Santos is investigating several questions, including how the age at pregnancy influences breast tissue. She is creating organoids, which are three-dimensional models of breast cells that react to change in their environment

Joining a family

From left, Amritha Varshini Hanasoge Somasundara and Camila dos Santos

Amritha Varshini Hanasoge Somasundara, who has been a part of dos Santos’s lab for over two years, explained that she felt comfortable and supported instantly when she arrived. She described the atmosphere as extremely collegial and felt as if she were included in a scientific family.

Joining dos Santos’s group was “possibly the best decision I’ve ever made,” said Hanasoge. Dos Santos’s lab is a “really special place” where lab members often have lunch together and support each other’s research.

Hanasoge was drawn to Dos Santos’s mentorship and the overall lab dynamic. Scientifically, she was also interested in the immunology project, exploring NKT cells. Her main project has involved trying to characterize NKT cells further. 

Hanasoge sees plenty of opportunities to address additional questions in this field. “We don’t know if the process of lactation is causing more CD1d and increasing expression,” she said. “We are still trying to characterize what T-cell receptors are being expressed after pregnancy.”

A resident of Syosset, Hanasoge enjoys reading and said she was fascinated by science when she was growing up in Mysore, Kamataka in India. She asked her parents for a microscope when she was around seven and used it to looked at flower petals and leaves. That toy microscope, which her parents purchased from a science museum in Mumbai, is still in her parent’s house.

Hanasoge is eager to combine basic and translational work and hopes her research has a clinical benefit. She is looking forward to the next steps in her research in dos Santos’s lab.

“I learn from her every day by watching how she interacts with people she mentors, both inside the lab and out,” Hanasoge explained in an email. “Her passion and commitment to being a good mentor and her drive to ask the right questions in our research are inspiring.”

 

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Stock photo

By Michael E. Russell

Michael E. Russell

Interest rate hikes are in the forecast for 2022. But how many?

Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve has a perplexing problem: how to curb inflation, while not derailing the economy. Most analysts are expecting 3 to 4 increases, while Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase CEO thinks 6 or 7 are possible.

What does all this mean? The Consumer Price Index rose7% in December from its year ago level. What caused this? COVID, supply chain issues, the government printing money as if there was an unlimited supply?  Maybe. We need to be aware that no mention is made of our 30 TRILLION-dollar deficit that is growing by the hour. It appears that fiscal irresponsibility is the norm in our Capitol.

Another factor that is being ignored is what is called The Misery Index. This index came about during the Carter administration. During the late 70s, stagflation was rampant. We all know about inflation. I have mentioned price increases in my previous article, but little is mentioned in the media as the effects on middle and lower-income Americans.

A problem that will concern us in the coming months is one in which the Fed stops the repurchase of approximately $60 billion of Treasury and Agency securities each month. This means that the market will have to absorb more than $300 billion of maturing bonds in 2022. This may cause liquidity problems.

What about Crypto? Some investors purchased Bitcoin in 2010 at prices hovering around $100. On January 3 of this year, it rose to a price of nearly $61,000. Wow! A reality check has hit some investors. Those making purchases at that level have seen it fall to a level $36,000, a substantial drop.

As I mentioned previously, the lack of regulation and knowledge on the part of Washington warrants concern.

This week, the Dow Industrials lost 4.6%, the S&P dropped 5.7% and the Nasdaq slumped 7.6%. Is this the start of a 15-20% correction, maybe? The Nasdaq highflyers took some hits the past few weeks. Case in point, Netflix.  On January 3, it was priced at $597 a share. This past Friday, it closed at $397, losing 110 points on Friday — loss of 34% in 3 weeks.

This is the time for investors to evaluate their holdings and determine what their short-term liquidity needs are. Several of us have seen the crash of ’87, the Enron fiasco, the attacks on 9-11 and the severe drop of 2008. Those who stayed the course remained patient and had nice gains in their portfolios.

Remember, there are great companies to invest in. This may be an opportunity to start buying at these levels. I will mention a few that look promising. Nvidia, a chip maker with great earnings potential. I am a big believer that our major oil suppliers will make a transition to cleaner fuel, reducing the carbon footprint. Occidental Petroleum and Exxon Mobil are standouts.

Until next month, buckle up your seat belts!!

Michael E. Russell retired after 40 years working for various Wall Street firms. All recommendations being made here are not guaranteed and may incur a loss of principal. The opinions and investment recommendations expressed in the column are the author’s own. TBR News Media does not endorse any specific investment advice and urges investors to consult with their financial advisor. 

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Pollytia Panagiotou, MD

Pollytia Panagiotou, MD, has joined North Country Primary Medical Care, an internal medicine practice in Stony Brook Medicine’s expanding network of community practices and physicians located at 43 Radio Avenue in Miller Place.

Board certified in both internal medicine and obesity medicine, Dr. Panagiotou’s approach is to control disease with medicine and lifestyle changes to help her patients lead healthy lives and empower them to avoid preventable conditions. “We are very excited to have Dr. Panagiotou be a part of our community physician network,” said Juan Carlos Bucobo, MD, FASGE, President of Stony Brook Medicine Community Medical Group. “Dr. Panagiotou is a bright, energetic primary care physician who is a breath of fresh air to the beloved community of patients previously cared for by Dr. Dhillon. Her experience in obesity medicine and primary care will be a great benefit to our patients.”

 Dr. Dhillon provided care in the community for more than 20 years until his passing in early 2021.  

 “I am very excited to join Stony Brook Medicine and continue the legacy of patient-centered care that Dr. Dhillon provided,” said Dr. Panagiotou. “It is indisputable that he left a noteworthy impression on his patients and I will strive to do the same. My goal is to inspire patients to achieve a higher level of health and provide the care they are accustomed to at North Country Primary Medical Care.”

 Dr. Panagiotou received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Montclair State University and her medical degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine. She then completed her residency in internal medicine at Overlook Medical Center. Dr. Panagiotou is fluent in Greek and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

The practice is currently accepting new patients and has office hours Monday through Friday. For more information, call 631-821-8911.

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Full- and part-time positions available 

ShopRite has announced it will host a job fair to fill a variety of positions at its grocery stores on Saturday, Jan. 29 . Candidates looking to jump start their careers and gain valuable experience in retail, management, customer service and business are encouraged to visit any ShopRite store on Saturday, Jan. 29 to speak with a hiring manager on the spot.

The walk-up job fair is taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at nearly all ShopRite locations throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware and Maryland. Interested candidates can visit the location of their choice and speak with a hiring manager for an immediate interview. Full-time, part-time and management positions are available, depending on location.

Available part-time positions, including general, perishable, front end and stocking clerks, feature flexible hours and a wide variety of cross training to provide team members with the knowledge, skills, and tools to work as a team throughout the store. Training programs include a game-based training app and are designed to provide a solid foundation so each individual can achieve their best at ShopRite.

ShopRite also offers associates entertainment and tuition discounts, as well as scholarship opportunities, and associates can work for family-owned businesses that are part of the retailer-owned supermarket cooperative Wakefern Food Corp.

For more information about ShopRite and career opportunities, please visit: ShopRite’s career website.

 

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Chicken and Chick Pea Stew

By Barbara Beltrami

Many of you have asked me why I don’t feature more chicken recipes. Good question. I don’t know why because chicken has to be one of the most popular, dependable, versatile, economical and healthful foods out there. It’s high in protein and low in fat (minus its skin), and unless you’re a vegan or a vegetarian, it’s a staple on your every day as well as special menus. So here (fanfare please) by popular demand are a few of my favorite chicken recipes.

Chicken Marbella

YIELD: Makes 6 to 8 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

2 chickens, quartered

1/2 head of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

2 tablespoons dried oregano leaves

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup pitted prunes

1/4 cup pitted Spanish green olives

1/4 cup capers, rinsed and drained

3 bay leaves

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS: 

In a large bowl combine chicken, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper, vinegar, oil, prunes, olives, capers and bay leaves; cover, refrigerate and marinate, turning occasionally, at least 8 hours. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large shallow baking dish, arrange chicken in a single layer, then pour marinate over it; sprinkle brown sugar on top and pour wine around edges. Bake 50 to 60 minutes, basting frequently. Chicken is done when thigh joint is pierced and releases clear juice. Remove bay leaves and discard. Transfer chicken to serving platter, spoon a little cooking liquid over it and sprinkle cilantro on top; pass remaining liquid in a gravy boat. Serve with rice or couscous.

Chicken alla Romana

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 frying chicken, quartered

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1/4 cup olive oil

1 slice bacon, diced

2 garlic cloves, halved

1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1/2 cup hot chicken broth

DIRECTIONS: 

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  In a large skillet, heat oil and bacon, then add garlic and chicken. Cook over medium high heat, turning once, until the chicken is golden on both sides, about 6 minutes per side. Add the rosemary and wine, cover and continue cooking until chicken is tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove garlic, stir in tomato paste and broth and cook, uncovered, until liquid is reduced by half. Serve hot with orzo.

Chicken and Chick Pea Stew

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

One 3 – 4 pound chicken, cut up into 8 pieces

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups diced onions

4 garlic cloves, peeled sliced,,

3 cups finely chopped celery

4 cups chopped carrots

4 cups shredded green cabbage

1 dried bay leaf

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

One 14-ounce can chick peas, rinsed and drained

3 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs

1 cup grated  Parmigiano cheese

DIRECTIONS: 

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil; add onions and garlic and cook until they are softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, cabbage, bay leaf and thyme and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken, broth, wine, tomatoes and salt and pepper, then cover and place in oven for an hour. Stir in beans and cook for another half hour; remove bay leaf and thyme stems, sprinkle with fresh herbs and grated cheese. Serve with focaccia and a nice chunk of Asiago cheese.

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The Jazz Loft

The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents the following events in February:

Wed. 2/2     Young at Heart: Here’s to the Ladies at 1 p.m.

The monthly themed afternoon jazz series Young at Heart was originally designed for those with memory issues and their caretakers. It has become a favorite for those that like jazz in the afternoon.

This month music written by women and to women will be performed by The Jazz Loft Trio.

Tickets $10

 

Wed. 2/2     Jazz Loft Trio and Jam at 7 p.m.

The Jazz Loft Trio led by bassist Keenan Zach performs at 7 PM followed by a jam session at 8 PM

Tickets: $10 at 7 PM, $5 at 8 PM

 

Thurs. 2/3    Jazz Loft Big Band at 7 p.m.

The 17 member Jazz Loft Big Band led by Jazz Loft founder Tom Manuel, performs jazz standards

and original compositions and arrangements written by band members.

Tickets: $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, children under 5 free

 

Wed. 2/9       Jazz Loft Trio and Jam at 7 p.m.

The Jazz Loft Trio led by bassist Keenan Zach performs at 7 PM followed by a jam at 8 PM.

Tickets: $10 at 7 PM, $5 at 8 PM

 

Thurs. 2/10   Interplay Jazz Orchestra at 7 p.m.

The 17 member Jazz Loft Orchestra co directed by Joe Devassy, trombonist and Gary Henderson,

trumpet, performs original compositions and arrangements written by band members.

Tickets: $30 adults,$25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, children under 5 free

 

Fri. 2/11       Acoustic In The Living Room at 7 p.m.

NYC based Latvian singer, composer and arranger Arta Jekabsone performs accompanied by Steve Salerno on guitar in the intimate setting of The Jazz Loft living room.

Tickets: $ 40

 

Sat. 2/12     Here’s to the Ladies at 7 p.m.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with The Jazz Loft All Stars, Ray Anderson trombone, Tom Manuel cornet,

Mike Hall bass, Steve Salerno guitar and Ellis Holmes drums. Music for women and by women will be featured. A glass of champagne and chocolate by Stony Brook Chocolate are included with admission.

Tickets: $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students, $25 children, children under 5 free

 

Wed. 2/16   Jazz Loft Trio and Jam at 7 p.m.

The Jazz Loft Trio led by Keenan Zach bassist performs at 7 PM followed by a jam at 8 PM.

Tickets: $10 at 7 PM, $5 at 8 PM

 

Thurs. 2/17   Bad Little Big Band at 7 p.m.

The 12 member Bad Little Big Band led by pianist, composer and arranger Rich Iacona performs the music of The Great American Song Book. Vocalist Madeline Kole accompanies the band.

Tickets: $30 adults, $25 seniors, $20 students, $15 children, children under 5 free

 

Wed. 2/23    Jazz Loft Trio and Jam at 7 p.m.

The Jazz Loft Trio led by bassist Keenan Zach performs at 7 PM followed by a jam at 8 PM.

Tickets: $10 at 7 PM, $5 at 8 PM

 

Fri. 2/25        Acoustic in the Living Room at 7 p.m.

Brazilian guitarist and songwriter Rubens De La Corte, Brazilian singer and actress Corina Sabbas and guitarist Steve Salerno will perform Brazilian, jazz and fusion standards in the intimate setting of The Jazz Loft Living Room.

Tickets: $40

 

Sat. 2/26      Acoustic in the Living Room at 7 p.m.

Taylor Ackley, multi stringed instrumentalist and vocalist and cellist and vocalist, Alison Row perform in the genres of blue grass, folk, Western swing and Old Time music. Steve Salerno guitarist accompanies. Performance will be in the intimate setting of The Jazz Loft living room.

Tickets: $40

 

Tickets are available at www.thejazzloft.org and if available before events. For more information, call 751-1895.

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