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Allison McComiskey, chair of the Environmental & Climate Sciences Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

The wildfires last week in Quebec, Canada, that brought an orange haze, smoke and record pollution to New York were not only disconcerting, but also were something of a reality check.

These raging fires occurred earlier than normal and, with a so-called cut-off low in Maine acting like a bumper in a pinball game driving the smoke down along the eastern seaboard, created hazardous air quality conditions from New York through Virginia.

“There’s a real concern about this intensity, the size of the fire, happening this early in the season,” said Allison McComiskey, chair of the Environmental & Climate Sciences Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory. “Typically, wildfire season starts later in the summer and extends through the fall. If we’re going to be having wildfires of this size this early in the season and it continues, [there will be] much more of an impact on people in terms of air quality, health, and well being.”

Dry conditions caused by climate change intensified the severity of these fires, making them more difficult to extinguish and increasing the amount of particulates that can cause lung and other health problems thrown into the air.

“Wildfire season is getting longer,” said Dr. Mahdieh Danesh Yazdi, an air pollution expert and environmental epidemiologist from Stony Brook’s University’s program in Public Health. These fires are “spread because we have drier conditions, the vegetation is dry, we have droughts. Those require long-term solutions of trying to tackle climate change on a fundamental level.”

The intensity of the smoke and the cancelation of events like the Yankees and Phillies games has raised awareness of the downwind dangers from wildfires.

“This is like our Hurricane Sandy from an air quality perspective,” said Brian Colle, division head in Atmospheric Sciences at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University. 

Scientists urged a multi-level approach to tackle a wildfire problem that they believe will become increasingly dangerous for human health.

Forest management, including controlled burns, would reduce the available fuel for fires started by natural causes such as lightning.

“Forest management may be one approach,” said Dr. Danesh Yazdi. That alone, however, won’t solve the threat from wildfires amid higher temperatures and more frequent droughts, she added.

McComiskey added that researchers are “certain” that wildfires are going to increase in the future due to climate change and suggested that these events ratchet up the need for getting better predictive models about what these fires will mean for human health and the climate.

The heavy smoke that descended on New York, which some health officials described as creating conditions for those who spent hours outdoors that are akin to smoking several cigarettes, is “a wake up call that we need policies” to deal with the conditions that create these fires, McComiskey said.

The increase by a “fraction of a degree in temperature is really not the point,” McComiskey added. “We need to decarbonize our economy and we need to move toward addressing the bigger causes of climate change.”

A wildfire occurring earlier in the year with smoke filled with particulates could raise awareness and attention to the dangers from such events.

“Having this kind of thing happen in the East Coast through New York and [Washington] DC, as opposed to where we typically think of bad wildfire happening out west, in Washington State and the Rocky Mountains, might help in terms of the awareness and urgency to take some action,” McComiskey added.

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We should be more concerned about fiber than protein.

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Growing up, I often heard admonitions to get enough protein. Even now, I am often asked how to be sure someone is getting enough. Most of us — except perhaps professional athletes or long-distance runners — get enough protein in our diets.

What we should be more concerned about is whether we’re getting enough fiber in our diets. Most Americans are woefully deficient in fiber, consuming between 10 and 15 grams per day. Consumption of legumes and dark green vegetables are the lowest in comparison to other fiber subgroups (1). This has significant implications for our overall health and weight.

So, how much is enough? USDA guidelines stratify their recommendations based on gender and age. For adult women, they recommend between 22 and 28 grams per day, and for adult men, the targets are between 28 and 35 grams (1). Some argue that even these recommendations are on the low end of the scale for optimal health.

Though fiber comes in supplement form, most of your daily intake should be from diet. It is actually relatively painless to increase your fiber consumption; you just have to be aware of which foods are fiber-rich.

Does fiber type make a difference?

One of the complexities is that there are a number of different classifications of fiber, from soluble to viscous to fermentable. Within each of the types, there are subtypes of fiber. Not all fiber sources are equal.

At a high level, we break dietary fiber into two overarching categories: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibers slow digestion and nutrient absorption and make us feel fuller for longer. Sources include oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, flax seed, barley and psyllium. On the other hand, insoluble fibers accelerate intestinal transit, which promotes digestive health. Sources include wheat bran, nuts, berries, legumes and beans, dark leafy greens, broccoli, cabbage and other vegetables. 

Many plant-based foods contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, in varying amounts.

Fiber’s effects on disease progression and longevity

Fiber has powerful effects on our overall health. A very large prospective cohort study showed that fiber may increase longevity by decreasing mortality from cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases and other infectious diseases (2). Over a nine-year period, those who ate the most fiber were 22 percent less likely to die than those in the lowest group.

Patients who consumed the most fiber also saw a significant decrease in mortality from cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases and infectious diseases. The authors of the study believe that it may be the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of whole grains that are responsible for the positive results.

A study published in 2019 that performed systematic reviews and meta-analyses on data from 185 prospective studies and 58 clinical trials found that higher intakes of dietary fiber and whole grains provided the greatest benefits in protecting participants from cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal and breast cancers, along with a 15-30 percent decrease in all-cause mortality for those with the highest fiber intakes, compared to those with the lowest (3).

We also see benefit with prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with fiber in a relatively large epidemiologic analysis of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (4). The specific source of fiber was important. Fruit had the most significant effect on preventing COPD, with a 28 percent reduction in risk. Cereal fiber also had a substantial effect, but it was not as great.

Fiber also has powerful effects on breast cancer treatment. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, soluble fiber had a significant impact on breast cancer risk reduction in estrogen negative women (5). Most beneficial studies for breast cancer have shown results in estrogen receptor positive women. This is one of the few studies that has illustrated significant results in estrogen receptor negative women.

The list of chronic diseases and disorders that fiber prevents and/or treats is continually expanding.

How do I increase my fiber intake?

Emphasize plants on your plate. Animal products don’t contain natural fiber. These days, it’s easy to increase your fiber by choosing bean- or lentil-based pastas, which are becoming more prevalent in general grocery stores. Personally, I prefer those based on lentils. Read the labels, though; you want those that are solely made from lentils without rice.

If you are trying to prevent chronic diseases in general, I recommend getting fiber from a wide array of sources. Make sure to eat meals that contain substantial amounts of fiber, which has several advantages: it helps you avoid processed foods, reduces your risk of chronic disease, and increases your satiety and energy levels.

Certainly, while protein is important, each time you sit down at a meal, rather than asking how much protein is in it, you now know to ask how much fiber is in it.

References:

(1) USDA.gov. (2) Arch Intern Med. 2011;171(12):1061-1068. (3) Lancet. 2019 Feb 2;393(10170):434-445. (4) Amer J Epidemiology 2008;167(5):570-578. (5) Amer J Clinical Nutrition 2009;90(3):664–671.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com or consult your personal physician.

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Blueberry Galette

By Heidi Sutton

Blueberries should be a delicious part of people’s daily diets because this flavorful fruit packs a nutritious punch. Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants, which can help the body fend off various illnesses. 

Various pastries showcase blueberries, including the French galette. A galette is not a pie, but more of a freeform crusty cake. However, it is similar to pie, making it a welcome alternative to that popular pastry. This recipe for “Blueberry Galette,” courtesy of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, is a delicious treat that’s perfect for entertaining.

Blueberry Galette

YIELD: Makes two 12-inch galettes

INGREDIENTS:

Crust

3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt

2 tablespoons sugar

4 ounces lard or shortening, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces and frozen

1 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces and refrigerated

1⁄2 cup ice water

1 teaspoon vodka

Filling

8 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

3⁄4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, separated

31⁄2 tablespoons cornstarch

1⁄4 teaspoon salt

1 lemon, zested

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

DIRECTIONS: 

To make the crust: Combine the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor. Add the butter and lard. Use the food processor to work the butter and lard into the flour by pulsing it until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Whisk the water and vodka together and add it to the flour/butter mixture a few tablespoons at a time. It will start to look shaggy, but not dry. It should hold together when you squeeze it in your hand. 

Gently press the dough into a ball using a pastry scraper or your hands. Divide the dough into two pieces and create round disks. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight.

To make the filling: In a small bowl, combine 3⁄4 cup sugar, cornstarch, salt, and lemon zest. Massage the zest into the sugar. In a large bowl, toss together the blueberries and lemon juice. Add the sugar/lemon zest mixture and gently stir to coat the blueberries. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled pie dough into a 1⁄8-inch-thick-circle. Dust off any extra flour and lay crust onto the prepared pan.

Mound the blueberry filling in the middle of crust. Fold and crimp the dough up so that it covers at least 2 inches of the filling. Freeze the shaped galette for at least 15 minutes to chill the dough. 

Preheat the oven to 425 F and set rack in middle of the oven. Just before baking, beat the egg and water together and brush the edges with egg wash. Sprinkle crust with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake for 30 minutes, then turn the oven down to 350 F and bake for an additional 30 minutes.

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In an all too familiar saga, Suffolk County officials have been decrying the notion of welcoming migrants seeking asylum. Since New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) announced that he would be sending migrants to neighboring counties last month, the Suffolk County Legislature has been doing all it can, including hiring special counsel, to make sure it’s not this county that has to welcome them.

We respect those who feel concerned about the traditional anti-immigration talking points, such as fears of drugs and crime. It’s important to remember that the data says the opposite. A study done by the U.S. Department of Justice in December 2020 found that “relative to undocumented immigrants, U.S.-born citizens are over two times more likely to be arrested for violent crimes, two and a half times more likely to be arrested for drug crimes, and over four times more likely to be arrested for property crimes.”

In essence, the vast majority of migrants, who are usually coming from desperate circumstances, are doing nothing more than trying to stabilize their lives and protect their families. Asylum is a legal process, and those seeking asylum have the right to have their cases heard.

We have all seen the footage on the news media of the often-brutal journeys migrants make from their home countries to land in the United States. If we put ourselves in their shoes, it wouldn’t be the first choice for most of us to, in some cases, walk hundreds of miles from our homes. These people are desperate.

It’s been proven time and time again immigrants benefit this country, state and county. Here at TBR News Media, our ongoing “American Dream” series highlights just a few local business owners, community leaders and neighbors who are immigrants themselves, making stellar and invaluable contributions to our towns and villages each and every day.

This debate also comes at a time when we have a labor shortage. Elderly residents are struggling to find quality home care, and parents quality child care. Since the pandemic, a number of teachers and health care workers have left their professions. Restaurants need helpers, farmers need agricultural workers and so on.

Local politicians have expressed their concerns about the ability to house migrants and provide for them. While we acknowledge these are real, practical concerns, we have found that most asylum seekers are not looking for handouts. Once we give them the tools to work, they will become assets, not burdens to the local economy.

Suffolk County could receive hundreds of people, able and willing to work. This would give us an incredible opportunity to harness new talents and ideas.

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What all cyclists should know

By Shannon Malone, Esq.

Shannon L. Malone, Esq.

If you have read our previous articles, you know New York is a “No Fault” state requiring all vehicle owners to have Personal Injury Protection insurance (PIP). PIP provides coverage for costs sustained as a result of a motor vehicle accident, such as medical bills, medications, transportation costs, and other expenses, regardless of who is “at fault” or who caused the accident. The law also provides that all owners of motor vehicles keep a minimum liability insurance policy of $25,000 to cover injuries to other drivers caused by their negligence.

But what happens when a driver with no insurance causes an accident or you are hit by a driver who leaves the scene before being identified? What happens if you are a pedestrian, bicyclist, or motorcyclist and do not carry your own automobile insurance policy? 

Fortunately, the Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation, or MVAIC, provides New Yorkers with an alternative way to be compensated. Article 52 of the New York State Insurance Law established the MVAIC to cover No-Fault and injury claims when no other auto liability insurance is available.  It was established in 1958 by the New York State Legislature in enacting Article 17-A (now Article 52) of the New York Insurance Law.  MVAIC operates as a non-profit organization and provides no-fault benefits of up to $50,000.00 to cover your own medical bills and provides up to $25,000.00 per person as compensation for anyone injured in a crash. 

The MVAIC is funded through levies on insurance companies providing automobile liability insurance in the State of New York in accordance with Section 5207 of the Insurance Law. Other sources of funds include fees collected from self-insurers by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles under Sections 316 and 370-4 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, investment income, and subrogation recoveries.

There are distinct requirements to qualify for MVAIC Benefits. (1) You must report the accident to the police within 24 hours; (2) there mustn’t be any other car insurance available to cover the loss; (3) the accident must have taken place in New York. (4) Additionally, you cannot own the uninsured car or be the spouse of the uninsured vehicle’s owner. 

For hit-and-run accidents, you must file a Notice of Intention with the MVAIC to file a claim within 90 days of the accident. If the uninsured vehicle’s owner was identified, you must file this notice within 180 days of the accident. Next, you must file an Application for Motor Vehicle No-Fault Benefits or an “NF-2” form which requires a description of the accident and your injuries, the names and addresses of the doctors who treated you, and the treating hospital. You will also need to submit an accounting of your medical bills resulting from the accident and those anticipated in the future. Finally, you must complete a Household Affidavit, which states where you lived and who lived with you at the time of the accident. 

When the MVAIC receives your application, it opens a case file and initiates an eligibility review. As part of the process, an MVAIC claims examiner may interview you, and the MVAIC will notify you whether your application is confirmed or denied.

It is crucial that all cyclists and pedestrians familiarize themselves with the application process and the deadlines detailed above after becoming involved in an accident with a vehicle that leaves the scene of the incident and consult with a lawyer to help process this little-known application.

Shannon L. Malone, Esq. is an Associate Attorney at Glynn Mercep Purcell and Morrison LLP in Setauket. She graduated from Touro Law, where she wrote and served as an editor of the Touro Law Review. Ms. Malone is a proud Stony Brook University alumna.

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By Matthew Kearns, DVM

Dr. Matthew Kearns

I commonly get this question around this time of year — “What can I give my pet (usually my dog) for all the fireworks before, during and after July 4th?” 

Keep in mind that the fear of loud noises is a natural, instinctive behavior in dogs and cats telling them to seek shelter temporarily, alerting them to potential predators in the area, etc. However, I agree that when a pet is over sensitive to this noise stimulus to the point where they cower, shake, pace, urinate/defecate in the house, destroy furniture, or even try to climb on your lap (not too good if you own a Great Dane), it becomes a big problem.

Supplements: Alpha-casozepine, L-theanine (green tea extract), aromatherapy (lavender, chamomile), CBD are the safest but also have the widest range of efficacy. Owner feedback ranges from “just what the doctor ordered” to “I wasted my money.” My advice is it’s great to try these but have a backup plan.

Over The Counter Medications: The only over the counter medication that has been evaluated for sedation is diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). Diphenhydramine can cause drowsiness but I have found that is more effective for dogs that suffer from motion sickness during travel than sedation. My advice is the same. Have a backup plan.

Anti-depressants and SSRIs: These medications can be quite effective the mainstay of anti-depressants in veterinary medicine is a tricyclic anti-depressant (TCA) called clomipramine (Clomicalm®). The mainstay of selected serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) is fluoxetine (Prozac®). The problem is these medications can take a minimum of three weeks and sometimes up to 8 weeks to get to steady therapeutic levels. That means starting before Memorial Day and most pet owners (myself included) do not think that far ahead.

Benzodiazepines: This medication has been studied extensively for all sorts of anxiety and phobias in dogs. I have been less than impressed with the results with the use of benzodiazepines alone. Benzodiazepines are designed to be used in conjunction with a TCA or SSRI where the TCA/SSRI is a maintenance medication and the benzodiazepine is situational. 

Phenothiazines: Phenothiazines are tranquilizers and the most widely used phenothiazine tranquilizer in veterinary medicine is acepromazine. Acepromazine is wonderful if one is looking to keep them still (and not destroy the house) but it does not address phobias or anxiety. I do prescribe it routinely around the 4th of July because it works so well in a “real time” basis but I do not recommend as a long-term medication. 

Dexmedetomidine:  This medication is the newest kid on the block. Initially used for sedation prior to procedures dexmedetomidine (Sileo®) is now used treat anxiety on a short-term basis similar to acepromazine.  

There are choices for sedating our dogs for noise phobias this July 4th. Please check with your veterinarian to determine which is both effective and safe for your dog. Have a happy and safe holiday. 

Dr. Kearns practices veterinary medicine from his Port Jefferson office and is pictured with his son Matthew and his dog Jasmine. 

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Welcome to the 18th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home! 

Meet Donnie

With a name meaning “ruler of the world” (aren’t all Chihuahuas?), this two-year-old fellow is Donnie, currently up for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. Witty and intelligent, he’s the perfect partner to have by your side for family trivia night, ensuring your team will come out on top. Always ready for an adventure, he’s hoping to be included in all your plans, adding an element of fun to everything you do together. Loving and loyal, he would be a great addition to most any household, so don’t delay…stop by Little Shelter to meet Donnie and let the games begin! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Levy

The name Levy is associated with unity and loyalty, a fitting description for any canine! This two-year-old Terrier mix recently arrived at Little Shelter in Huntington via the Passage to Freedom Program. While still finding his footing, he is getting braver every day, trusting that his best life is just around the corner. Looking for a family that will be patient with his progress, he knows that he has a lot to offer someone that will give him time to acclimate, provide him with a sense of stability and already has another dog to give him confidence and show him the ropes. Once he opens up, you’ll discover that he is smart, funny, affectionate and the perfect copilot for all your travels and adventures. Stop by to meet this handsome young lad and leave with a best friend! 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Wilbur

This tall drink of water is Wilbur. In the prime of his life, he’s a six-year-old Terrier mix at Little Shelter in Huntington who’s looking for a forever home and a brand new start. Described by the kennel staff as “spunky”, he loves toys and has a playful, outgoing personality. Enthusiastic about treats, he’s perfected the “good sit”, hoping you’ll be generous with a tasty tidbit as well as your praise. Always happy to see you, he often does a little tippy toe dance to convey his excitement…everyone deserves such a greeting upon entering a room! Simply the best, Wilbur is the one that will steal your heart. 631-368-8770, ext. 21

Meet Joey Biscuits

This outgoing and playful man is Joey Biscuits, a 2.5 year old grey tabby up for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter.  Full of love and energy Joey is extremely outgoing and will go up to just about any person he meets. Joey has an affinity for escape which is what landed him in the shelter and needs a home that will provide him with plenty of enrichment. He is far too friendly and lacks a healthy sense of fear; going outside would end badly for him. He would be a wonderful addition to any family. Come meet him today! 631-360-7575 

Meet Winslet

Winslet is a tabby & white cat who was rescued from Georgia and is now at Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton waiting for his furever home. He is very affectionate and vocal to the people he loves. He has been described as a big teddy bear of a cat! If you’re looking for a cat who adores his human company, Winslet may be for you. Come on in today and meet him and some of his kitty friends. 631-727-5731, ext.

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Little Shelter Raffle

Take part in Little Shelter’s 32nd semi-annual Mercedez-Benz Raffle 2023 and help them rescue homeless animals! Tickets are $100 each and only 800 tickets will be sold. The winner will drive away in an A Class Mercedes-Benz or choose $25,000 cash. The drawing will be held on Saturday, June 24 at 3 p.m. Ticket holder need not be present to win. Visit www.littleshelter.org for more information.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of July 13.

Paw Prints is generously sponsored by Mark T. Freeley, Esq.

 

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Catch a screening of 'Fantastic Mr. Fox' at the Cinema Arts Centre on June 11.
PROGRAMS

Bicycle Rodeo

Town of Brookhaven hosts a Bicycle Rodeo at Safety Town, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville on June 10 from 8 a.m. to noon. Children will learn how to safely ride their bikes in a mock-roadway, kid-sized setting. Safety Town features roads with turning lane arrows; a railroad crossing; and two one-way tunnels to teach children the dangers of one-way streets; and timed traffic lights. Participants of all ages will be evaluated and given feedback on their own bicycle-handling abilities, after proper bicycle safety skills are demonstrated. Free. Call 631-451-5335 to reserve your spot.

Pizza & Painting

Celebrate St. James hosts an afternoon of Pizza & Painting at the St. James Calderone Theatre, 176 Second St., St. James on June 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy a pizza lunch and create a painting to take home. $20 first child and adult, $10 additional child/adult. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org. Call 631-984-0201 for more information.

Crafternoon at the Library

Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to drop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket  on June 10 between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. to choose from a potluck of crafts to make and take home. Free and open to all. No registration required. 631-941-4080.

Flag Retirement Ceremony

The Three Village Historical Society, 93 North Country Road, Setauket will lead a family-friendly, interactive United States Flag Retirement Ceremony at 5 p.m. Girl Scout Troops, BSA Troops, Cub Scout Packs and the community are invited to participate along with members from the Daughters of the Revolution and Veterans of Foreign Wars to learn the steps involved to properly retire the U.S. Flag by fire. 631-751-3730

THEATER

‘Chicago: Teen Edition’

Productions Over the Rainbow presents Chicago: Teen Edition at the Stony Brook School’s Carson Auditorium, 1 Chapman Parkway, Stony Brook on June 9 at 7 p.m. and June 10 at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. Rated PG-13. Tickets are $23 at www.potr.org. For more information, call 631-696-6817.

‘Cinderella’

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson closes its children’s theatre season with its original retelling of the poor waif Cinderella from May 27 to June 17. The classic love story finds its power in a pumpkin, a palace, a prince and a young girl whose belief in herself can overcome any obstacle. When her Fairy Godmother adds a dash of excitement, the magical possibilities are endless. Don’t miss this musical enchantment for the entire family. All seats are $10. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com. 

‘Flat Stanley’

John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley from May 28 to July 2 with a sensory friendly performance on June 10 at 11 a.m. Stanley Lambchop is an ordinary ten-year-old who longs to travel the world and do something amazing! Careful what you wish for, Stanley! One morning, Stanley wakes up really, REALLY flat! In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted and mailed from Hollywood to Honolulu and beyond hoping to once again become three dimensional. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

FILM

‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington continues its Cinema for Kids! series with a screening of Fantastic Mr. Fox on June 11 at noon. After 12 years of bucolic bliss, Mr. Fox breaks a promise to his wife and raids the farms of their human neighbors, Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Giving in to his animal instincts endangers not only his marriage but also the lives of his family and their animal friends. When the farmers force Mr. Fox and company deep underground, he has to resort to his natural craftiness to rise above the opposition. Rated PG. Tickets are $12, $5 children 12 and under. Visit www.cinemaartscentre.org.

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By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief

Had he lived, my brother would have been 95 this week. As it happened, he barely made it to 64 before dying of heart problems. I barely knew him, there being such an age gap and with no siblings between us, and he still disquiets me, like an unfinished story. Perhaps that’s because, by the time I could have gotten to know him, he was gone, gone from the house by the time I was six and from my life when I could have started to pay attention.

I have a number of memories about him, of course. In his 20s, he was quite good-looking, with thick, wavy blond hair and big dark brown eyes, a straight nose and strong chin. I was with him one day when a young woman my family knew gave him a piece of paper with her phone number on it and asked him to call, so I knew he wasn’t just good-looking to me.

My brother also personified great adventure. He rode a motorcycle, flew a twin-engine airplane in the days when plane flight was somehow romantic but becoming commonplace, and he owned a car, a 1948 Plymouth, which was unusual for someone who lived in the midst of New York City. He would drive the family back and forth to my grandfather’s farm in the Catskills and also to get some air along the outer borough highways on hot, sticky summer days. I always sat in the front seat because otherwise, I would throw up from the motion of the car. 

He loved cars and could fix whatever was malfunctioning under the hood. In fact, he loved anything mechanical and might frequently be found tinkering with motors. He also would talk endlessly about the physics of propulsion, telling my friends and me more than we wanted to know. 

I don’t remember his job title, but he had a major role in developing Checker cabs.

For those who are too young to remember them, Checker cabs were big, yellow automobiles with jump seats in the back floor that could unfold and transport a party of five plus one passenger in the front anywhere in the City. 

The real genius of the cab was its modular construction. Until then, if a taxi was in a fender-bender, not an uncommon occurrence in urban heavy traffic, it was off the road being repaired for at least two days. After all, no one wanted to hail a crumpled taxi, and so there was substantial lost revenue. But my brother’s work on the idea of manufacturing fenders that could pop off the body of the cab and be replaced with another in half an hour was considered a major breakthrough for the industry. I believe he collected a small royalty for many years.

There is a photograph of my brother pushing me on a swing. I look to be about three years old. I have no memory of that, but I do well remember his teaching me to shoot a .22 rifle in a country field near my grandfather’s farm and his enthusiasm when I was able to hit the can and knock it off the fence. In my excitement, I turned back to look at him, continuing to point the rifle straight ahead, only now it pointed at him. I guess the incident remains with me for his look of distress and panicked directive to turn back around.

My brother attended my graduation from college, and I was puzzled by his show of pride. I never knew that I was anything growing up but a great distraction as I required our parents’ attention and contaminated the chemicals in his photography dark room. But I do remember that a couple of my classmates asked me how old he was.

We lived in Yorkville, a German section of NYC, and he loved wiener schnitzel with spaetzle and red cabbage. Many years later, I traveled into the City one day to meet him for dinner, and it was at just such a meal that we had one of our first meaningful conversations in a restaurant on East 86th Street and Third Avenue just before he died.

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Turkana Basin Institute: Richard Leakey All photos downloaded with permission from: www.flickr.com Username: turkanabasin Password: knmwt15000

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

What’s possible?

We can spend time criticizing each other, becoming nattering nabobs of negativity, as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said. We can also rue our lot in life or feel an overwhelming sense of dread about problems we can’t solve or conflicts we haven’t resolved.

Or …

Or we can get out and create a remarkable life.

That’s what happened with famed paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey.

Okay, so maybe he had a few advantages, like the fact that his parents Mary and Louis Leakey were already successful in the field and, unlike those of us who grew up on Mud Road near Gelinas Junior High School, he spent his formative years near and around fossils.

I recall digging in the back corner of my yard when I was young, convinced that I would pull up a dinosaur bone or reveal some incredible secret someone had hidden among the prickers and weeds. Yeah, no such luck.

And yet, the life of the late Richard Leakey offers exciting hope and opportunities for inspiration.

He didn’t graduate from high school, but he was successful and world-renowned.

Leakey’s life is “awe-inspiring,” demonstrating the “ability of one person to literally transform the world and leave it a better place,” Lee Berger, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, said in an interview.

National Geographic Society CEO Jill Tiefenthaler described the impact Leakey had on his home country of Kenya as “amazing” and the impact on the field as “remarkable,” particularly because he did it in a non-traditional way.

In an interview, Tiefenthaler credited the “army” of people who supported him with helping him achieve his goals.

“How do you move and get people to move with you?” Tiefenthaler said. “He was this person who saw talent. It wasn’t just about him. He would see [someone] and say ‘you’re going to do this’ and they did.”

Next generation

As for how to get the next generation to believe in themselves and to participate in the scientific process, National Geographic’s Berger and Tiefenthaler shared their vision.

Ensuring transparency in the process helps people trust the science.

“People are with us when we find those fossils, they watch us, we make sure there’s open access when they come out,” said Berger, who considered Leakey a friend and mentor. “Your child can print these things out and they can check.”

For National Geographic, which funded Leakey for decades, the goal is to “try to give people information and let them draw their own conclusions,” Tiefenthaler added.

The next generation of scientists has access to a large educational program through National Geographic, she added.

“I spent my career in higher education,” said Tiefenthaler, who was the president of Colorado College for nine years before becoming the first woman to lead National Geographic in its 135-year history. “We have got to meet them where they are: they are probably not reading the paper magazine with small, dense print.”

National Geographic is on social media and TikTok.

“We are focusing on issues they care about,” Tiefenthaler said. “We know this generation is very concerned about climate change and biodiversity loss.”

Tiefenthaler “loves how much they care about the work we do at National Geographic [Society]. They’re a little mad at [this generation] because of the predicament that we’ve left the world in for them. We made the mess and there are fewer resources to fix things.”

Still, she believes there are leaders and actors among the younger generation who will follow in Leakey’s footsteps and have an important and positive impact on the world.

“We have a generation that’s going to make major progress on this planet,” she said.

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