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Stark

Welcome to the 40th edition of Paw Prints, a monthly column for animal lovers dedicated to helping shelter pets find their furever home.

 

Simon

Meet Simon

“Simon says, only do what Simon says.” Full of demands, this bossy little seven -year-old Chihuahua mix at Little Shelter in Huntington is confident he’ll soon have you in the palm of his hand, or paw, as the case may be! Looking for someone to do his bidding while taking care of his every need, he promises to be a true blue friend in return, making himself indispensable. Typical of his breed, he is small in stature, big on spicy personality, somewhat judgmental, and loyal to a fault. Reported to love toys, he’s first in line for playtime, doubling down on the fun factor. Then, ready for a power nap, he’ll burrow into his blankets and disappear, only to awake refreshed and ready for round two. Time for a “pup-grade”?  Simon says, stop by to meet me today! 631-368-8770

Norman Rockwell

Meet Norman Rockwell

Handsome Rockwell was found as a stray and never claimed at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. Approximately two years old and weighing 55 pounds, this guy is fun all of the time! He needs a little help focusing on his training, but he wants to please you and he wants to play all day long. Norman would do best in a home without cats and that can provide an active life with lots of walks. 631-360-7575

Spunky

Meet Spunky

Fitting the definition of energetic, courageous, and determined, meet Spunky, a three -year-old Terrier mix available for adoption at Little Shelter in Huntington. In the prime of his life, this active fellow loves walks, toys, pets, and scratches. Very fond of the pack of pups he arrived with, he would also love to have (though not required) a “sibling” in his new home. Undeniably handsome with his lush, flowing coat, he nevertheless knows that it’s what’s inside that truly matters. Dogs don’t need words to teach us loyalty, love, or forgiveness…they carry it in their wagging tails and warm eyes. Add some Spunk(y) to your day by day…stop by to meet this fellow soon!

“My heart just grew four paws.”

*Spunky is fully grown and mostly housebroken*

Meet Stark

This handsome boy is Stark, a 13-year-old domestic long-haired Ragdoll mix with a heart as soft as his fur. Stark came to the Brookhaven Animal Shelter from a difficult situation, but his resilience and loving personality have truly shone through. Stark is a diabetic, but don’t let that scare you—his condition is well-managed with a simple once-daily oral glucose-regulating medication and a prescription diet. Despite his medical needs, Stark is a happy, affectionate, and easygoing guy who just wants a family to call his own. He is also good with other cats! If you’re ready to give Stark the forever home he deserves, come meet him today. Let’s show this sweet boy what love and stability truly feels like! 631-451-6955

Meet Finn

Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton has many cats available for adoption including Finn, a sweet 8-month-old tabby cat who likes baskets and stuffed animals! Come meet him today! 631-727-5731

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Free rabies vaccination clinic

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services in conjunction with the Town of Brookhaven will offer free rabies vaccinations for dogs, cats and ferrets on Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Brookhaven Animal Shelter located at 300 Horseblock Road in Brookhaven. Although the clinic is available to all county residents, the quantity of vaccine is limited and available only while supplies last. All dogs must be on leashes and all cats and ferrets must be in carriers.

New York State and Suffolk County laws require that all dogs, cats, and ferrets be vaccinated against rabies. Vaccinating pets not only provides protection for the animals but also acts as a barrier to keep the rabies virus from spreading between wild animals and people.

“Take the time to protect your beloved pets against rabies. They give us so much joy and love and deserve to be kept safe,” said County Executive Ed Romaine. For more information, call 631-451-6950.

Rescue is a lifestyle. Adopt, don’t shop.

Check out the next Paw Prints in the issue of May 15.

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

 

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By Clyanna Lightbourn

In New York State, thousands of eligible citizens are routinely denied access to the ballot—not because of a law, but because of logistical failure and oversight. These are New Yorkers held in local jails—people who have not lost their right to vote under state law but are effectively unable to exercise it. Voter suppression isn’t always loud or explicit; sometimes it happens quietly, buried in bureaucracy, process, and inaction.

Most people in jail are detained pretrial or serving time for a misdemeanor—circumstances that do not result in the loss of voting rights. As of January 2025, over 12,700 people held in New York’s jails were legally unsentenced and likely eligible to vote, yet very few are able to cast a ballot.

Barriers to voting include a lack of internet access, no access to stamps, minimal information about how to register or request an absentee ballot, and limited or no coordination between jails and Boards of Elections. A 2023 League of Women Voters report found that one-third of counties in New York State either have no jail voter access program or couldn’t describe how it worked. These gaps result in ballots not being cast—not because of disinterest, but because of institutional neglect.

In other institutional settings—like nursing homes and veterans’ hospitals—Boards of Elections conduct in-person visits to help residents register and vote. But even those programs vary widely. When it comes to jails, the disparity is sharper. 

Despite similar absentee voting eligibility, New York State has no consistent jail-based voter access program, unlike what is required in nursing homes under Election Law § 8-407. There are no regular ombudsmen, no uniform voter education, and no state-enforced protocols for voter registration or ballot return. Examples of jail staff coordinating with election officials to deliver and return absentee ballots are rare and highlight the need for uniformity, not ad-hoc goodwill. That’s not how democracy should work.

The Democracy During Detention Act (S440/A2121) provides a bipartisan, commonsense solution. Sponsored by New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie and New York State Assemblymember Latrice Walker, and backed by dozens of legislative co-sponsors, the bill would ensure that every eligible voter held in a local jail has a fair and equal path to the ballot.

The legislation requires county Boards of Elections to provide at least one method of jail-based voting access—either through in-person absentee ballot collection visits, or by establishing on-site polling places for early voting. These programs would be governed by formal coordination between local election and corrections officials, much like those already in place for nursing homes and hospitals. The bill also guarantees privacy, ensures language access, and affirms voting rights under the New York Voting Rights Act.

This isn’t about changing who can vote. It’s about making sure everyone who is already eligible can actually cast a ballot—because voting rights mean nothing without real-world access.

Civic participation also has broader benefits. Research shows that individuals who vote after incarceration are less likely to be rearrested, and more likely to successfully reintegrate. Engagement builds public safety. Exclusion undermines it.

New York has made progress—restoring voting rights to people on parole, expanding early voting—but we’ve left a glaring gap in our jail system. And that gap has a racial and economic edge: in 2021, 78% of New York’s pretrial jail population was Black or Latinx.

The Democracy During Detention Act is more than a policy update—it’s a test of our values. It draws a clear line in the sand: Do we believe in equal access to democracy, or do we allow systemic neglect to continue disenfranchising thousands of our fellow New Yorkers? This is a moment for lawmakers—and for all of us—to decide what kind of democracy we’re building.

If we believe in a democracy that includes everyone—not just the well-connected or the free—then we must ensure that the right to vote is more than a promise on paper. The Democracy During Detention Act draws a clear line: either we uphold access to the ballot for every eligible New Yorker, or we allow silence and neglect to continue disenfranchising thousands. 

This is our moment to choose. Call your lawmakers. Speak out in your community. Join the growing coalition demanding action. Because in a true democracy, no one should lose their voice just because they lost their freedom.

Clyanna Lightbourn is Campaign Director, Democracy During Detention Act for LWVNY.  For more information or sources contact [email protected]

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Easter Mini Cheesecakes

By Heidi Sutton

There’s only one thing that can pry their attention away from the chocolate in the Easter basket: one of these Cheesecake Minis — delicious desserts sure to make everyone’s tastebuds hop, courtesy of Kraft/Heinz.

Easter Cheesecake Minis

Easter Cheesecake Minis

YIELD: Makes 18 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

1-1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup butter, melted

3 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons desiccated unsweetened coconut, toasted

54 speckled chocolate eggs

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 325° F. Mix graham crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter; press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups. Beat cream cheese, vanilla and remaining sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crusts. Bake 25 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool and refrigerate for two hours. Top each cheesecake with 1 tablespoon coconut; shape to resemble bird’s nest. Fill with malted milk eggs.

Chocolate-Pomegranate Cheesecake Minis

Chocolate-Pomegranate Cheesecake Minis

YIELD: Makes 24 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

1 and 1/2 cups finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies

3 tablespoons butter, melted

1-1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided

4 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

4 eggs

3/4 cup pomegranate juice

1/3 cup pomegranate seeds, patted dry

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 325°F. Combine cookie crumbs, butter and 2 tablespoons sugar; press onto bottoms of 24 paper-lined muffin pan cups. Beat cream cheese, vanilla and 1 cup of the remaining sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crust. Bake 20 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool and refrigerate for 2 hours. 

Meanwhile, bring pomegranate juice and remaining sugar to boil in saucepan; simmer on medium-low heat 15 min. or until thickened, stirring frequently. Cool and then refrigerate until ready to use. 

Spoon pomegranate sauce over cheesecakes just before serving; sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.

Blueberry-topped Cheesecake Minis

Blueberry-topped Cheesecake Minis

YIELD: Makes 18 servings

INGREDIENTS:  

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided

3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

3 packages (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

1 cup whipping cream

2 cups blueberries

1 tablespoon lemon zest

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 325° F. Combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and butter; press onto bottoms of 18 paper-lined muffin cups. 

Beat cream cheese, vanilla and remaining sugar with mixer until blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended. Spoon over crusts. Bake 25 min. or until centers are almost set. Cool and refrigerate for two hours. Beat whipping cream with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; spread onto cheesecakes. 

Top with blueberries and zest.

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By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Their names fly by after the final scene amid music that often recapitulates what we’ve just heard in a movie theater or at home during a streaming film. 

In fact, oftentimes, the streaming services will suggest the next film before the credits role, giving us the option to move effortlessly from one movie to the next without pausing to allow the movie to resonate or to squint at the names during the credits.

Every industry is filled with the invisibles. These are the people who make stuff happen, but who are not at the center of an effort.

Take dining out. We see the maitre d’, the waiter or waitress and we might even acknowledge the cook or the sushi chef. But, really, numerous invisibles are a part of the food process, from the fishermen who woke up before sunlight to catch the fresh fish we’re considering eating to the farmer who planted and harvested the vegetables to the truck drivers who ship these products all over the state and the country.

We are often a part of a bigger industry that relies on the services of others, many of whom we don’t know or see but who contribute to our lives.

Products like pharmaceuticals rely on numerous contributions. Patients take a drug during its clinical trials, tended to by doctors and nurses, while scientists may have discovered a potential target for an illness or a disease and then searched for a small molecule that might change our fates or improve our condition.

The invisibles also glide by the way homes and the tops of trees pass as a part of a blurry landscape when we’re riding the Long Island Railroad.

We walk by people as we navigate a crowded sidewalk towards a Broadway show or on our way to an important appointment in the city.

We sit at a traffic light to turn left, waiting for the cars we can see, but not necessarily the people in them, to pass us so we can get to our destination.

When children are young, they see and observe everyone. As my wife and I used to say, “the recorder is always on,” whether someone is lecturing about what children should know or do or is setting an example or, as the case may be, a counter example.

I was on a plane recently when a mother holding a baby in front of her stopped to wait for others to put away their luggage. Unconcerned about social convention, the young child stared at my wife and me, then shifted his eyes and looked directly at the people in the row across the aisle.

The mother continued to look straight, anticipating the moment when she could continue past us on her way to her seat.

Social convention keeps us from looking directly at people for too long. We don’t want to make them uncomfortable and, sometimes, we also don’t want to encourage everyone to engage in conversation with us.

As we pass through various grades, we become selective about our friends, no longer feeling the need to invite everyone in class to birthday parties.

When we’re older, we attend larger gatherings and we greet everyone. Well, no, not exactly everyone. We may not spend much time chatting with the busy waitress, getting to know members of the other family at a wedding, or connecting with the Uber driver who took us to the catering hall.

We don’t need to acknowledge everyone all the time. That would be impossible. Some people also enjoy the freedom a cloak of invisibility provides. Some of my favorite parties, in fact, were those where so few people knew me that I had no social responsibilities or obligations, allowing me to dance with arms flailing and shoulders shimmying with a relaxed grin pasted across my sweaty face.

And yet, there are those times, when someone is sitting alone or is taking another long drive, when a few words might provide the kind of connection that helps them feel seen.

To return to the movie example, we sometimes watch characters who are otherwise ignored or written off who become central to other people’s lives. Those people may be waiting for an opening or an acknowledgement or for the opportunity to feel our recognition and appreciation. We can be moved by people who lived hundreds or thousands of years ago, but we can also move with those who share time and space with us today.

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By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

The bright yellow forsythias and the pink azaleas, along with the dramatic magnolias and the delicate cherry blossoms contradict the miserable March weather we have been enduring. 

But, you can’t fool Nature with adverse temperatures. She has her own calendar. Further proof of the season may be taken from the runny noses and watery eyes of the allergy sufferers, and the appearance of the tiny ants around the kitchen sink. And if you are among the lucky ones, you know what that means: call the sprinkler guys and the pool crew to get on their schedules, check who will be available to mow the lawn this year, and have the air conditioners tuned up and filters changed.

Yup. It’s spring.

If you have a boat, even a small one, it’s time to remove the shrink wrap, polish the teak and the hardware, check the engine, and if it is a sailboat, carefully look over the sails and count the life jackets. Maybe there is a new person who has joined the family.

If you have a garden, this is planting and seeding time. Get out the mulch and start spreading. Straighten the hose lines. Perennials are up, annuals are going in. Take a good look around the neighborhood. There seems to be a riot of daffodils throughout the yards and villages this year. And the fruit trees are bursting with color. Maybe it’s the contrast with the grey and the rain that’s been surrounding us.

There are chores we no longer need to do. I don’t know how many of you remember, but we used to have the snow tires removed and the regular tires put back in their place. We would ask that the winter oil in the car be emptied and replaced with the summer oil at the gas station. We still need to give the car a thorough cleaning, however, and put the snow brush back into the trunk. The shovels and walkway salt go into the garage and, if we have one, the snow blower is returned to the far corner.

Inside the house, we need to put the heavy winter coats in the back of the closet, take off the long underwear if we wear that armor against the cold, put away the turtlenecks and shake out our lighter shirts, blouses and pants to prepare them for the warmer temperatures. Might as well look at the bathing suits, too. Maybe we need a new one this year.

Those who go on trips in the summer may well be studying locations and fares around this time, if they haven’t already. I’m not part of that exodus, however. Where can you go to enjoy the season better than right here on the shores of Long Island? Others agree. They are my warm weather relatives and friends, and I welcome their company. We should start to get the guest room ready.

Amid all that activity and bustle, we must be sure to stop every now and then to enjoy the birdsong coming from the many bushes. And if we look hard enough, we can see birds’ nests in the branches of the trees and under the edges of porch roofs.

On a final note, spring is also the time when the world’s major holidays are observed: Ramadan, Passover and Easter.  The holidays all include prayers for peace. Would that we could all celebrate the holidays concurrently in a world filled with only peace: no more warfare, no more hatred, no more violence.

Since we are all people praying for the same blessing, why has it been so impossible to achieve? Will it ever happen? May we someday truly turn our swords into plowshares?

Enjoy the marvel of the new season in peace.

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Get out and enjoy Spring!

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Ah, the paradox of Spring. Trees and bushes are in full bloom, and flowers are popping up everywhere. For those with seasonal allergies — also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever — it’s challenging to balance the desire to be outside with the discomfort it can bring.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25.7 percent of U.S. adults and 18.9 percent of children were diagnosed with seasonal allergies in 2021 (1). Triggers include pollen from leafy trees, shrubs, grass, flowering plants, and weeds.

What prompts allergic reactions?

Sufferers experience a chain reaction when they inhale pollen. It interacts with immunoglobulin E (IgE), antibodies that are part of our immune system and causes mast cells in the body’s tissues to degrade and release inflammatory mediators. These include histamines, leukotrienes, and eosinophils in those who are susceptible. In other words, it is an allergic inflammatory response.

The revved up immune system then responds with sneezing; red, itchy and watery eyes; scratchy throat; congestion; sinus headaches; postnasal drip; runny nose; diminished taste and smell; and even coughing (3). It can feel like a common cold, but without the virus. If you have symptoms that last more than 10 days and are recurrent, then it is more likely you have allergies than a virus.

If allergic rhinitis is not treated, it can lead to complications like ear infections, sinusitis, irritated throat, insomnia, chronic fatigue, headaches and even asthma (4).

What medications help? 

If you don’t want to seal yourself inside, to prevent allergy attacks, you might consider medications to reduce your symptoms.

Options include intranasal glucocorticoids (steroids), oral antihistamines, allergy shots, decongestants, antihistamine and decongestant eye drops.

The guidelines for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis with medications suggest that you use intranasal corticosteroids (steroids) when your quality of life suffers (5). Two commonly used inhaled steroids are triamcinolone (Nasacort) and fluticasone propionate (Flonase). They need to be used daily and can cause side effects, including headaches.

If itchiness and sneezing are your greatest challenges, second-generation oral antihistamines may be appropriate. These can be taken “as needed.” Examples include loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and fexofenadine (Allegra). These have less sleepiness as a side effect than first-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, but they don’t work for everyone.

Is butterbur an effective treatment?

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) leaf extract has several small studies that indicate its efficacy in treating seasonal allergies. Butterbur is a shrub found in Europe, Asia and North America. 

In one randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 131 patients, results showed that butterbur was as effective as cetirizine (Zyrtec) (6). In another RCT, results showed that high doses of butterbur — 1 tablet given three times a day for two weeks — was significantly more effective than placebo (7). Researchers used butterbur Ze339 (carbon dioxide extract from the leaves of Petasites hybridus L., 8 mg petasines per tablet) in the trial.

A post-marketing follow-up study of 580 patients showed that, with butterbur Ze339, symptoms improved in 90 percent of patients with allergic rhinitis over a two-week period (8). Gastrointestinal upset occurred as the most common side effect in 3.8 percent of the study population.

There are several important caveats about using butterbur. The leaf extract used in studies was free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). PAs have been implicated in causing liver and lung damage and may cause cancer (9). Also, studies used well-measured doses, which may not be the case with over-the-counter extracts. Finally, there are interactions with some prescription medications.

If you are allergic to butterbur-related plants, such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies, butterbur may cause an allergic reaction (9).

Can dietary changes treat seasonal allergies? 

There are no significant studies specifically on using diet; however, there is one literature review that suggests a plant-based diet may reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies in teens, as well as eczema and asthma (10). In my clinical practice, many patients with seasonal allergies have improved and even reversed the course of allergies over time with a vegetable-rich, plant-based diet. This might be due to its anti-inflammatory effects. Analogously, some physicians suggest that their patients have improved after removing dairy from their diets.

While allergies can make you miserable, there are many over-the-counter and prescription options to help. Diet may play a role by reducing inflammation. There does seem to be promise with butterbur extracts, there are caveats. Always consult your doctor before starting any supplements, herbs or over-the-counter medications.

References:

(1) CDC.gov. (2) acaai.org/allergies/types/pollen-allergy. (3) J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003 Dec;112(6):1021-31.. (4) J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Jan;125(1):16-29.. (5) Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015 Feb;2:197-206. (6) BMJ 2002;324:144. (7) Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004 Dec;130(12):1381-6. (8) Adv Ther. Mar-Apr 2006;23(2):373-84. (9) ncchih.nih.gov. (10) Eur Respir J. 2001;17(3):436-443.

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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In last week’s issue, two local hikers walked from Robert Moses to Montauk. Garbage littered their path throughout the journey: a jarring contradiction to the beautiful coastal landscape. In another article, our Long Island Congress members conferred about offshore drilling and wind power. In public hearings over land use, constituents and town officials negotiate green space and vegetative buffers. Environmental issues are interwoven into the fabric of our community, embedded in almost every field or industry. 

The younger generation, as the inheritors of our community, are faced with mounting environmental concerns with energy storage, renewable energy and climate change. While previous generations had leeway to push environmentalism to the side, the younger generations can not afford to ignore the diminishing health of the environment.  Programs such as the one offered at Stony Brook University, are paramount in ensuring that these students have the tools to do so.

At Stony Brook University’s second annual Long Island Youth Climate Summit, teenagers learned how to get involved with environmental movements. We wholeheartedly agree with local officials who recognize the importance of a university program that provides an important and necessary opportunity for students to learn about these issues. 

Further,several political leaders such as Suffolk County legislators and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine attended the conference; however, while democratic officials were well-represented, republicans were in shorter supply. While we don’t know what kept other officials from attending, or if they were aware of the event at all, the disparity suggests a potentially problematic political divide in how we approach environmental topics that can impede progress.

This was only the second time the Climate Summit occurred, but it is a huge step in closing the gap between environmental misinformation and increasing awareness of growing environmental concerns such as the warming climate and weather-related natural disasters. Long Island has its fair share of environmental problems and we have to make sure the next generation is aware and ready, not only out of necessity but out of appreciation for the gift of our world.

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Photo courtesy of StatePoint

By Michael Christodoulou

Michael Christodoulou
Michael Christodoulou

The financial markets always go through periods of instability. And we may see more of that now, given concerns about tariffs, inflation and the economy. As an investor, how can you deal with this volatility?

Some investors try to take advantage of market ups and downs by attempting to follow the age-old advice to “buy low and sell high” — that is, they seek to buy stocks when they feel prices have bottomed out and they sell stocks when they think the market has reached a high point. In theory, this is a great idea, but in practice, it’s essentially impossible, because no one can really predict market highs and lows. 

Rather than trying to anticipate highs and lows, your best strategy for coping with the price fluctuations of the financial markets is to diversify your investment portfolio by owning a mix of stocks, bonds and other types of securities. Different types of financial assets can move in different directions at any given time — so, for example, stocks may be up while bonds are down, or vice versa. If you only owned one of these types of assets, and the market for that asset class was down, your portfolio could take a bigger hit than if you owned a variety of asset types.

And you can further diversify within individual asset categories. Stocks can be domestic or international, large-company or small-company — and these groupings can also move in different directions at the same time, depending on various market forces. As for bonds, they too don’t always move in a uniform direction, or at least with the same intensity — for instance, when interest rates rise, bond prices tend to fall, but longer-term bonds may fall more than shorter-term ones, which are closer to maturity with fewer interest payments remaining. Conversely, when rates are falling, longer-term bonds may be more attractive because they lock in higher yields for a longer time. Consequently, one diversification technique for bonds is to build a “ladder” containing bonds of varying maturities.

Some investments, by their nature, are already somewhat diversified. A mutual fund can contain dozens, or even hundreds, of stocks, or a mixture of stocks and bonds. And different mutual funds may have different investment objectives — some focus more on growth, while others are more income-oriented — so, further diversification can be achieved by owning a mix of funds.

Furthermore, some investors achieve even greater diversification by owning alternative investments, such as real estate, commodities and cryptocurrencies, although these vehicles themselves are often more volatile than those in more traditional investment categories. 

Financial companies have been designing newer securities which help lower the volatility within the security, while allowing the investor to have upside potential and significant monthly income.

While a diversified portfolio is important for every investor, your exact level of diversification — the percentages of your portfolio devoted to stocks, bonds and other securities — will depend on your individual risk tolerance, time horizon and financial goals. I highly recommend you consult with a financial professional about creating the diversified investment mix that’s right for your needs. The tools available today for investors have significantly changes to help manage the volatility. 

Ultimately, while diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can help you reduce some of the risks associated with investing and better prepare you to deal with the inevitable volatility of the financial markets — two key benefits that can help you over the many years you’ll spend as an investor.

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

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

 

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Trinity
Trinity
Trinity

ADOPT TRINITY!

Step into a world of love, loyalty, and husky charm with Trinity, this week’s featured Shelter Pet available for adoption at the Smithtown Animal Shelter. This extraordinary young lady is ready to fill your life with joy, adventure, and unconditional affection.

Trinity is a stunning female Husky, estimated to be just under a year old. With her shimmering white coat delicately outlined in black, she looks as if she stepped straight out of a snow-covered fairytale. Found wandering as a stray, Trinity was brought to the shelter in the hope that her family would come forward—but no one ever did. Now, this beautiful spirit is patiently waiting for a new chapter to begin.

Beneath Trinity’s striking appearance is a heart as warm as sunshine. She adores every person she meets, greeting everyone with a wagging tail and bright, expressive eyes. Her sweet, affectionate nature and gentle demeanor make her instantly beloved by staff and visitors alike. One moment with Trinity, and you’ll understand why she’s impossible to forget.

Like any young Husky, Trinity is smart, energetic, and playful—a pup with a zest for life and an endless supply of curiosity. She thrives on interaction and would flourish in a home that offers an active lifestyle and plenty of mental stimulation. Whether it’s a family hike, a playful romp in the backyard, or a cuddle on the couch, Trinity is ready for it all.

Trinity is showing promising signs of compatibility with other dogs, cats, and children, making her a wonderful fit for many types of households. She’s healthy, vibrant, and brimming with potential—just waiting for the right family to help her shine.

Shelter staff and volunteers agree; Trinity is the kind of dog that leaves paw prints on your heart… She’s affectionate, lively, and endlessly loving. Any family would be lucky to have her.

If you think your home might be the fairytale ending Trinity deserves, we invite you to fill out an application and schedule a Meet & Greet. Spend time with her in the shelter’s cozy domestic spaces, the dog runs, or take a stroll on their Dog Walk Trail—you’ll fall in love before you reach the halfway point.

The Town of Smithtown Animal & Adoption Shelter is located at 410 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Visitor hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sundays and Wednesday evenings by appointment only). For more information, call 631-360-7575 or visit www.townofsmithtownanimalshelter.com.

 

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By Ernestine Franco 

You don’t have to wait until July of 2026 to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. There were a lot of activities going on that led to what became the great experiment in democracy. One such activity is the famous ride of Paul Revere that occurred on the overnight of April 18 to 19. Many of us will remember that we had to memorize it in school. “Listen, my children, and you shall hear/Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere/…/Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch/Of the North Church tower, as a signal light/One, if by land, and two, if by sea.”

So this year join the Sound Beach Civic Association in remembering and celebrating what we all studied as the American Revolution. Don’t just read about it — This year live it. Of course, we don’t have to ride, or drive, from Boston to Lexington, a ride that many consider the opening of the American Revolution. There’s another way: An organization, Two Lights for Tomorrow, is asking us to commemorate that famous ride and use the imagery of that shining light “Of the North Church tower” as a uniting call to action to celebrate and serve.

The celebration begins on April 18, when we are asked to put two lights in our windows commemorating that famous ride. Then, on April 19, we can go and fight our own war – the war against hunger and homelessness. The SBCA continues the celebration of the beginning of our democracy with a day of service. Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. SBCA members as well as Girl Scout Troop 2019 will meet at the Adopt-A-Spot on New York Avenue in Sound Beach to begin their yearly spring cleanup.

Additionally, the SBCA will be collecting nonperishable food items, personal care items, diapers and cleaning supplies to benefit Long Island Lending a Helping Hand in Rocky Point. The SBCA encourages everyone to join this celebration by putting two lights in their windows on April 18, then stop by the Adopt A-Spot on April 19 to help with the cleanup or donate to help those less fortunate in our communities. There are many different types of revolutions, and we can celebrate the revolution that gave us our democracy by paying it forward to our fellow Americans.

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