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File photo by Raymond Janis

A haiku for your consideration

August

South Shore cousins want

tough soles negotiating

Pretty sound beaches

Joan Nickeson

Terryville

Thank you, Father Pizzarelli

It warmed my heart to read Father Francis Pizzarelli’s moving tribute honoring Father Gerald Fitzsimmons, who passed away in July [“Plain Talk: The loss of a bridge builder,” Aug. 8, Arts & Lifestyles, TBR News Media]. Father Fitz, as he was known, was our pastor at St. Mary Gate of Heaven R.C. Church and grade school in Ozone Park, Queens, during my childhood. He was known to be kind and understanding. Years later, he performed our wedding ceremony there in 1986 and, coincidentally, passed away on our anniversary.

I met Father Pizzarelli in junior high school when he was still “Brother Frank” at SMGH. My grade made our holy confirmation under his guidance where we forged unbreakable bonds between our classmates. We were challenged to “dare to be different” as we make our way through life, and we all took that very seriously. 

I’m happy to know that these two extraordinarily compassionate faith leaders were able to spend many years working and supporting each other. Their work has been a blessing to those in need and an inspiration to many more.

Father Fitz will be missed and I feel fortunate to have known him.

Joan Loscalzo Dickinson

Lake Grove

Setting the record straight: the real story behind West Meadow Beach cottages

I would like to address John Hover’s response to my letter to the editor regarding the West Meadow Beach cottages [“Gratitude not complaints,” Aug. 8, The Village Times Herald].

While Mr. Hover is entitled to his perspective, his characterization of the cottage community as one of privilege and exclusivity is not only inaccurate but also deeply unfair to the families who cherished this place for generations.

The cottages at West Meadow Beach were not the domain of the privileged or politically connected. They were a special place for ordinary families who built memories and passed down traditions. To dismiss their attachment as mere privilege is to overlook the genuine love and dedication these families had for West Meadow Beach, whose loss is profound and personal. What’s truly strange and sad is the lack of appreciation, compassion and sensibility toward the pain caused by an extreme and unnecessary legislative action led by political activists, contrary to the narrative used to justify their actions. More troubling is the fact that these people are still doing victory laps two decades later, without any appreciation for the history.

Originally private property, the land at West Meadow Beach was settled in the 17th century as part of the larger Setauket settlement, one of the earliest communities on Long Island. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, West Meadow Beach had become a popular area for summer cottages, where families built seasonal homes and enjoyed the natural beauty of Long Island. Over time, the Town of Brookhaven began acquiring this land, and by the mid-20th century the cottages were on town-owned land leased to families under long-term agreements.

However, starting in the 1960s and 1970s, legal battles emerged over the ownership and use of the land, often framed as environmental concerns. While some pushed for expanded public beach access, which could have been a reasonable compromise, the political activists were not satisfied. They pursued the complete removal of the cottages, pushing for the land to be reclassified as public parkland, which paved the way for the destruction of the cottages. This reclassification was achieved in 1996, when the New York State Legislature passed legislation under the guise of environmental preservation.

However, the true intent of these activists was not to protect the environment but, in fact, to destroy the cottages. This represents a clear case of political lawfare and abuse of office as the actions taken were not for the public good but to satisfy their political agenda. This counters the narrative that the cottages were occupied by a well-connected elite when, in fact, it was the well-connected activists who orchestrated this outcome. Yet somehow, Mr. Hover suggests that those who lived in the cottages should be “quietly grateful” for the time until their land was seized.

The scarcity of these cottages should not be mistaken for exclusivity. Anyone who was interested was eligible to secure a cottage for a modest price. This was not a community of elites but of everyday people who found solace and joy in a simple, beautiful place.

It’s important to remember that the value of heritage and tradition cannot be easily quantified. The families who occupied these cottages did not view them merely as their property but as a legacy, a connection to the past that is increasingly rare in today’s transient, Airbnb-driven culture. The cottages, unlike the opulent mansions in neighboring Old Field, were humble homes that provided a retreat for everyday people. The families who occupied the cottages were stewards of this land, not exploiters of it. Contrary to the false narratives used to justify the actions taken, it’s about more than land — it’s about losing a place that held the stories of their lives. The loss was not because they felt entitled to it, but because a beloved piece of their history was taken from them.

The cottages were rare and precious, and the people who loved them were not motivated by privilege, but by a deep connection to the community and their family heritage.

Jen Schaedel

Stony Brook

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Mediterranean Lentil Salad

By Heidi Sutton

When the weather heats up, it’s time to turn to lighter, fresher ingredients and the following salads do not disappoint. This farro salad combines creamy goat cheese, tangy dried cranberries and fresh baby spinach with a homemade balsamic vinaigrette for a delicious dish that’s ready in just 25 minutes while this lentil salad is packed with of lots of veggies, feta cheese and an easy homemade lemon vinaigrette.

Farro Salad

Recipe courtesy of Grace Vilches/healthyfamilyproject.com

Farro Salad

YIELD: Makes 6 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 cup pearled farro

3 Tbsp. light olive oil

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 Tbsp. honey

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 clove garlic minced

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 cups chopped baby spinach

1/2 cup dried cranberries

3 oz. crumbled goat cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Cook farro according to package directions. Drain and set aside. Meanwhile, add oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper to small mason jar. Place lid on top and shake to combine well. Set aside to let flavors marinate. Once farro has cooled slightly, mix with spinach, cranberries and goat cheese. Pour dressing over top and toss to combine.

Notes: Use a light-tasting olive oil for the dressing. Regular olive oil can have a stronger flavor and effect the flavor of the dish a bit. This recipe can be made ahead of time and keeps in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

Mediterranean Lentil Salad 

Recipe courtesy of Julie Harrington, RD/ healthyfamilyproject.com

Mediterranean Lentil Salad

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS: 

1 cup brown lentils cooked according to package directions

1 English cucumber diced

1 small red onion finely chopped

1 cup grape tomatoes quartered

1/2 red bell pepper diced

1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped

1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled

3 Tablespoons olive oil

3 Tablespoons lemon juice

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons honey

DIRECTIONS:

Combine lentils, cucumber, onion, tomatoes, pepper, parsley, and feta cheese in large bowl. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, mustard and honey in separate bowl or small mason jar. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Notes: Chop veggies into dime-sized pieces or smaller so you can enjoy all the flavors in every bite. This salad is best when prepped 30 minutes or more ahead of time so that the flavors can marinate. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.

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Disabled / handicap parking. METRO photo

By Britt Burner, Esq.

Britt Burner Esq.

For disabled individuals, it can be difficult to navigate public benefits, especially when you have assets or income that exceed the allowable limits. Two commonly used vehicles to manage assets are Achieving a Better Life Experience (“ABLE”) accounts and Supplemental Needs Trusts (SNTs).

In September 2017, New York State passed a law authorizing ABLE accounts for disabled individuals in accordance with the federal law. ABLE accounts allow for money to be saved by someone receiving public benefits, such as SSI, without affecting eligibility.

To qualify for an ABLE account, the beneficiary must be diagnosed with a significant disability before age 26. Contributions can be made to the account by the beneficiary, friends, family members, or 529 college savings account rollover, but the total annual contribution cannot exceed a certain limit, which is pegged to the gift tax exemption. This amount is $18,000 in 2024 and is subject to change year by year. Employed beneficiaries may deposit an additional amount up to the Federal Poverty Line for a one-person household, but only if they are not contributing to a retirement savings account in that year. The 2024 Federal Poverty line amount is $14,580 in the continental US. 

However, ABLE account balances are limited. Under the SSI program, the first $100,000 in the account is disregarded as a resource. Any amount above that is counted as a resource. The SSI resource limit is $2,000. If you exceed this, SSI payments will stop until the resources are below the allowable limit. 

A disabled person may spend their ABLE account funds on “qualified disability expenses,” which are expenses and basic costs of living that are intended to maintain and improve their quality of life. These qualified expenses include but are not limited to education; health and wellness; groceries; housing; transportation; legal fees; assistive technology; personal support services; funeral/burial expenses, etc. 

Depending on the amount of money the recipient of benefits has and the anticipation of future funds, either from earnings or inheritance, it may be prudent to consider creating an SNT (supplemental needs trust) in addition to the ABLE account. 

Like the ABLE account, SNTs allow people with disabilities to save money without affecting their eligibility for public benefits such as SSI. There are two main types of SNTs. A first-party trust is self-funded by the beneficiary of the trust. To create a first-party SNT, the beneficiary must be younger than 65 years old. New funds may not be deposited into this SNT after the beneficiary turns 65. A third-party trust is funded by someone else, such as a parent or grandparent. There are no limits to the amount that can be contributed into either of these trusts per year, and there is no limit to the total asset balances in the trust. 

A trustee will be designated to control the assets in the trust and oversee the management and disbursement of its funds. SNTs allow the beneficiary to use the funds for expenses not paid for by public benefits. Such expenses can include clothes, entertainment, educational and recreational expenses, and transportation. SNTs may not be used for everyday expenses such as groceries. 

While SNTs do not have contribution or balance limits as ABLE accounts do, they have more complicated rules for what the funds can be used for. A qualifying individual does not need to choose between the two accounts. An SNT can be established for purchases and expenses not covered by public benefits, and an ABLE account can be set up for basic cost of living expenses and everyday expenses. 

Navigating the placement of funds while qualifying for government benefits can be complicated. However, with proper planning, the use of the funds can be maximized to the individual while also receiving the benefit of public assistance.

Britt Burner, Esq. is a Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. focusing her practice areas on Estate Planning and Elder Law. Burner Prudenti Law, P.C. serves clients from New York City to the east end of Long Island with offices located in East Setauket, Westhampton Beach, Manhattan and East Hampton.

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The author with his granddaughter at West Meadow Beach.

By Thomas M. Cassidy

Thomas M. Cassidy

According to a new CNBC poll, Social Security is a top issue for most American voters, so let’s strengthen this vital program rather than water it down. 

Social Security has provided essential economic support for Americans for almost 100 years. The program, which provides workers with inflation-protected retirement, disability and survivorship benefits, is a model for the world: It’s such an effective, efficient and easy-to-understand program that its principal features have been adopted by more than 170 countries.   

Social Security is not a welfare program; it’s paid for by workers. For 2024, workers are taxed 12.4% on their income up to $168,600. If you work for someone, a 6.2% tax is taken out of your paycheck and your employer pays the other 6.2%. If you are self-employed, you pay the full 12.4% when you file your taxes. The more years you work, the more tax you pay and the higher your benefit.

However, the trustees of the Social Security trust fund estimate that Social Security will be able to pay 100% of scheduled benefits only until 2033, and “at that time, the fund’s reserves will become depleted and continuing program income will be sufficient to pay 79 percent of scheduled benefits.” 

One proposed solution has been raising the full retirement age from 67 to 70. But that would hurt millennials and Gen Z workers and gain us only a few more years of solvency. Twenty-five or 30 years from now, monthly Social Security checks might be the only lifeline to keep retired workers from poverty. Keep in mind: People can’t work into their older years if artificial intelligence takes their jobs, and Goldman Sachs estimates that 25% of current work tasks could be automated by AI. 

There is another solution.

Medicare and Medicaid programs have wasted trillions of taxpayer dollars since the beginning of this century, money that could have been used to fully fund the Social Security Trust Fund. For example, the Government Accountability Office estimates the combined Medicare and Medicaid programs paid out more than $100 billion in improper payments in 2023 alone.

As a former senior investigator for the New York State Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, it’s disheartening to see that every year hundreds of billions of dollars are stolen from government health programs, especially knowing that the taxpayer money stolen from these essential, but dysfunctional, programs could keep Social Security on track.

President John F. Kennedy said, “One true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members.” Fully funding Social Security will help us keep our promise for a better life for millennials, Gen Z and future generations of Americans.

Thomas M. Cassidy, an economist, is the creator of the TV series, Manhattan South, which is in development. (ktpgproductions.com)

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Get up close and personal with turtles at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery's Turtle Experience.
PROGRAMS

Turtle Experience

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor offers a Turtle Experience Aug. 22 to Aug. 31 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet the youngest hatchling turtles and adult turtles too. Discover why turtles play an important role in our environment and how you can help protect their habitat and way of life. Get a picture with your favorite turtle. Each session is 20 minutes. $12 per person. Online registration required at cshfishhatchery.org. 516-692-6768

Tiny Tots in a Tiny World

Sunken Meadow State Park, Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park presents a program for ages 3 to 5, Tiny Tots in a Tiny World, on Aug. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Enjoy short walks, story time, animal visitors, and crafts. $4 per child. Reservations taken on eventbrite.com.

First Steps in Nature

Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown continues its First Steps in Nature series for ages 2 to 4 on Aug. 23 at 9:30 a.m. with hands-on exciting activities, crafts, stories and much more. Children will gain a greater appreciation of nature and wildlife while having fun. $20 per child. To register, visit sweetbriarnc.org. 631-979-6344

Game Time!

Children ages 3 to 12 with a parent or caregiver are invited to drop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket for some free play with board games on Aug. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected]

Story & Craft with Nana Carol

The Next Chapter bookstore, 204 New York Ave., Huntington hosts a Story and Craft event with Nana Carol on Aug. 26 at 10:30 a.m. Free. No registration required. Appropriate for ages 0-4. 631-482-5008

Perler Palooza

Children in grades K-6 with a parent or caregiver are invited to stop by Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket to make a Perler bead creation of your choice on Aug. 27 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. No registration required. Questions? Email [email protected]

Growing Up Wild

Town of Brookhaven hosts a children’s program for ages 3 to 6, Growing Up Wild, on Aug. 31 at Cedar Beach Nature Center, Harbor Beach Blvd., Mt. Sinai at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Parents and grandparents are invited to explore nature with their little ones. Each class will focus on a different nature topic and may include a story time, live animals and an activity. Free but registration is required by emailing [email protected]

Field Journaling Workshop

Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, 581 W. Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown presents a Field Journaling Workshop for ages 12 and up on Aug. 31 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.  Explore the Preserve with a pencil in hand as you sketch the natural world. All skill levels are welcome and all materials are provided, but feel free to bring your own. Reservations taken on eventbrite.com.

Art in the Barn

Walt Whitman Birthplace, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station  continues its Art in the Barn series for children in Pre-K to 3rd Grade and their parent/guardian with a workshop on Ancient Hieroglyphics on Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Taught by Lena Massari Sawyer, come learn to write your name in ancient hieroglyphics and try on a pharaoh’s crown.  $35 per child and guardian, $20 second child. Pre-registration is required by visiting  waltwhitman.org.

THEATER

‘Finding Nemo Jr.’

Extended! Summer fun continues at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport with Finding Nemo Jr. from July 20 to Sept. 1. In this musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie, Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as Dory, Crush, and the Tank Gang, Marlin, and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. All seats are $20. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit engemantheater.com.

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Pixabay photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

Fear sells. It’s as true when companies are urging people to buy products to protect themselves, families, homes and cars as it is when politicians are trying to scare you  into voting for them or, just as importantly, voting against their opponent.

Sure, they make some effort to suggest that their policies will help you, but they spend considerably more time showing unnerving images of what might happen if you vote for the other team.

One side suggests that a vote for the other candidate could mean the end of democracy, elections and a host of freedoms, while the other suggests that a vote for the other side could mean an end to the world.

Whatever you believe, we have clearly reached an extreme of brinkmanship. 

On top of that, the news is filled with stories and images of murder and mayhem.

These days, all you need to do is turn on your phone and someone, somewhere, is struggling, threatened, or dying.

On top of that, people are sharing concerns about existential threats to the future, with global warming and declines in the food and water necessary to sustain the population.

Regardless of where people check in with the information of the day, threats lurk around every corner.

It’s no wonder that mental health has declined. The world is a place with dark shadows and horrifying possibilities.

Happily ever after has become the launching pad for fractured fairy tales, where couples can’t find affordable homes and, even if they did, couldn’t carry the mortgage.

This mental health strain and the difficulty of disconnecting from a phone that shares these bad news bulletins in constant alerts may be contributing to the record low fertility rate for the country reported this spring in the National Center for Health Statistics at the CDC. 

Specifically, the rates declined for women aged 20 to 39, hitting a record low for women between 20 and 24.

There are numerous other reasons people are foregoing the spectacularly rewarding and challenging decision to have children. Yes, men and women are pursuing careers.

And, yes, people may be more confident and comfortable having children later, putting off the life-altering decision until after a set of vacations, a work milestone or other goals.

But to know exactly why any one or group of people are making the decisions they do requires more than statistics or even surveys. When people answer questions in a survey, they sometimes offer the kinds of replies that look good or that the questioner expects.

I spoke anecdotally with a few 50’ish parents and some children around 30 and got a range of responses about the decision to have or not have children.

Both sides suggested that developing careers made it tougher to start a family. Parents, some of whom seemed eager to have grandchildren, expressed some frustration and, perhaps, judgement, about the decisions of their children and step-children.

Some of the younger crowd said their friends didn’t receive much parenting help from their partners, making the task of raising children more difficult and exhausting and dissuading them and their friends.

They also shared concerns about the high cost of raising children.

One of the younger set added that her mother had been dealing with a lifelong illness and that she had caretaking responsibilities from the time she was young. Her mother continues to need medical and family attention, which she said has made caring for a child less appealing.

One of the younger set asked me what I thought about being a parent. It has filled me with unbelievable joy, affection, love, and laughter and has helped me understand my own parents and grandparents better. Of course, we’ve had our share of challenges interspersed with stomach dropping moments.

Not to blame the media entirely, as I work and live inside that profession, but I feel like the nonstop stream of information, stories, videos, and social media shaming has left people feeling vulnerable and exhausted.

Parenting requires energy and optimism. When people lose sleep, they don’t have much energy and, if they look at their phones, they risk losing their hold on optimism. 

If we want to encourage this generation to continue the chain, we should let them know when they’re ready and when they ask, about the amazing and fulfilling moments, large and small, that make parenting the role of a lifetime.

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Pixabay photo

By Leah S. Dunaief

Leah Dunaief,
Publisher

Maine is a beautiful state. It is also a long drive from my house, as we knew before we started the drive. We were heading to a wedding in the Camden area, and the nice thing about going by car was that we didn’t have to fit all the special clothes into a suitcase. We could just hang them up in the back seat, put a few basics into a small suitcase, and we were off.

This was to be a unique wedding in our experience: no ceremony. We were going to party all weekend with relatives and dear friends and a bride and groom that had married the week before.

Guests came from all over the United States to party. They came from the northwest states, the Rockies, the Midwest and the South to wish this modern couple well and witness a truly modern event.

It began with invitations via email. When you consider that traditional snail mail wedding invitations from save-the-date to breakfast the day after run a couple about to tie the knot an average of $530, this was a clever cost-saving move. It should be said, though, that this couple is not average.

For one, they are 36 years old, late to the party, which averages 29 for the groom and 27 for the bride nationally. So they have learned a thing or two about wedding costs.

Second, she is an event planner and was able to put her considerable experience helping other couples spend their money to saving for a leaner wedding, notwithstanding the guest list of some 140.

While we did not witness the solemn event during which they would pledge their everlasting love, we did hear remarks from the siblings, cousin, mother and father of the groom, mother and father of the bride in a kind of spontaneous fashion rather than according to ritualistic assignments. We didn’t know who was to speak next until they gave their prepared remarks.

The setting along the shore was both bucolic and rustic. Indoor activities, like dancing and hors d’œuvres, were in a barn-like structure that boasted chandeliers. The building was set on a long, grassy lawn that led to the beach, and guests enjoyed walking its length to the water and, since it was early evening, watching the sun set.

Dress, as you might have guessed, was Maine Cocktail. Many of the men wore trousers and sports jackets. Not many of the younger men wore suits. The women‘s attire was varied, from long dresses to cocktail length and pants, mostly adorned with flowered patterns and lots of summer colors.

The food was as varied as the dress. Appetizers included pastrami knishes, egg roll hot dogs and crab Rangoon. The Maine course included a buffet, offering brisket, mac and cheese, BBQ chicken, a vegetarian dish and copious salad —  all happy food.

As original as this wedding may sound, it is something of a trend today. Just as dating apps and zoom weddings have become accepted, so have text message and email invites joined the era of digital romance. It is all part of a post-pandemic culture shift toward more casual gatherings. Some folks like it better. As Vogue magazine wrote, “The non-wedding wedding with less traditional clothing, casual food and spontaneous photography are growing in popularity.” 

And of course, this movement is prompted by increasing wedding costs. This more relaxed type of wedding is more affordable than the traditional highly structured wedding of yore. And a lot of fun.

PS: I thank Jeff Crilley, who publishes digitally “The Rundown” for journalists, for sharing the above observations.

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METRO photo
Supplements may not have the same benefits

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

A cataract is an opacity or cloudiness of the eye’s lens, which decreases vision as it progresses. Although there are different types of cataracts, most often it’s caused by oxidative stress. As we age, the likelihood increases that cataracts will affect our vision.

In the U.S., estimates suggest that 26.6 million Americans over age 40 have a cataract in at least one eye or have had surgery to remove a cataract (1). By age 80, this increases to approximately 50 percent of Americans.

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and metabolic syndrome; steroid use; and physical inactivity can contribute to your risk.

The good news is that we can take an active role in preventing cataracts. Protecting your eyes from the sun and injuries, quitting smoking, and increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables can improve your odds. Here, we will focus on the dietary factor.

What effect does meat consumption have on cataracts?

Diet has been shown to have substantial effect on cataract risk (2). One of the most expansive studies on cataract formation and diet was the Oxford (UK) group, with 27,670 participants, of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) trial. Participants completed food frequency questionnaires between 1993 and 1999. Then, they were checked for cataracts between 2008 and 2009.

There was an inverse relationship between cataract risk and the amount of meat consumed. In other words, those who ate more meat were at higher risk of cataracts. “Meat” included red meat, fowl and pork.

Compared to high meat eaters, every other group demonstrated a significant reduction in risk as they progressed along a spectrum that included low meat eaters (15 percent reduction), fish eaters (21 percent reduction), vegetarians (30 percent reduction) and finally vegans (40 percent reduction).

There was not much difference in meat consumption between high meat eaters, those having at least 3.5 ounces, and low meat eaters, those having less than 1.7 ounces a day, yet there was a substantial decline in cataracts. This suggests that you can achieve a meaningful effect by reducing or replacing your average meat intake, rather than eliminating meat from your diet.

I’ve had several patients experience cataract reversal after they transitioned to a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet. This positive outcome and was confirmed by their ophthalmologists.

Do antioxidants help prevent cataracts?

Oxidative stress is one of the major contributors to cataract development. In a review article that looked at 70 different trials for the development of cataract and/or maculopathies, such as age-related macular degeneration, the authors concluded antioxidants, which are micronutrients found in foods, play an integral part in eye disease prevention (3).

The authors go on to say that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as well as lifestyle modification with cessation of smoking and treatment of obesity at an early age, help to reduce the risk of cataracts. You are never too young or too old to take steps to protect your vision.

Among antioxidant-rich foods studied that have shown positive effects is citrus. The Blue Mountains Eye Study found that participants who had the highest dietary intake of vitamin C reduced their 10-year risk for nuclear cataracts (4). The same effect was not seen with vitamin C supplements. Instead, a high dose of a single-nutrient vitamin C supplement actually increased cataract incidence (5).

How effective is cataract surgery?

The only effective way to correct cataracts is with surgery; the most typical type is phacoemulsification. Ophthalmologists remove the opaque lens and replace it with a synthetic intraocular lens in an outpatient procedure. Fortunately, this surgery has a very high success rate.

Of course, there are always potential risks with invasive procedures, such as infection, even when the chances of complications are low. In a small percentage of cases, surgery complications have resulted in blindness.

You can reduce your risk of cataracts with diet and other lifestyle modifications, plus avoid potential consequences from cataract surgery, all while reducing your risk of other chronic diseases. Why not choose the win-win scenario?

References:

(1) nei.nih.gov. (2) Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 May; 93(5):1128-1135. (3) Exp Eye Res. 2007; 84: 229-245. (4) Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Jun; 87(6):1899-1305. (5) Nutrients. 2019 May; 11(5): 1186.

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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Stock photo

By Nancy Marr

Many of us are concerned, and puzzled, about the effect of climate change on our weather. Why is it happening and what can we do about it? Greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing as our countries use more power. They blanket the Earth, trapping the sun’s heat in the atmosphere. This leads to changing weather patterns and disruption of the usual balance of nature, posing many risks to human beings and all other forms of life on Earth. Fossil fuels — coal, oil and gas — are by far the largest contributors to global climate change, accounting for over 75 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 90 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions.

In 2019, New York State passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, based on projections by NYSERDA (New York State Climate Impacts Assessment: Understanding and Preparing for our Changing Climate.) The act presents the state with a strategy for taking action, reducing our carbon footprint, making our communities more resilient, and creating the opportunity for citizens and communities to partner with businesses, schools and government to create a green economy. The goal for New York for 2030 is a reduction of 40% from 1990 levels by 2030 and a reduction of 85% by 2050. 

Led by the Climate Action Council, New York State agencies are required to follow the mandates of the Climate Act (CLCPA). The Council will focus on specific sectors —energy efficiency and building electrification, clean transportation, transmission to support offshore wind injections to the electric power system, and renewable energy technologies. It can provide funding and technical assistance to implement energy and transmission programs that reduce greenhouse gas use, grant-funding to support community-based organizations to develop local land-use plans to guide development to reduce emissions, adapt to climate change, and achieve a just transition. 

Support for Smart Growth planning can accelerate mixed-use, mixed-income Transit Oriented Developments around key transit hubs served by rail and bus rapid transit.

An analysis released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021 showed that the most severe harms from climate change fall disproportionately upon underserved communities which are least able to prepare for and recover from heatwaves, poor air quality, flooding, and other impacts. Racial and ethnic minority communities are particularly vulnerable to the greatest impacts of climate change. 

The  Climate Act requires that disadvantaged communities be identified by the Climate Justice Working Group based on geographic, public health, environmental hazard, and socioeconomic criteria. Thirty-five percent of funding should be used to target efforts in disadvantaged and underserved areas.   

Investment in the Climate Change plans will show benefits in addition to the reduction of global warming; in public health, decarbonization can result in improvements in ambient air quality, energy efficiency and weatherization programs in low and moderate homes. Energy efficient and end-use electrification through heat pumps and electric vehicles and funding for school districts to purchase electric buses and their charging stations will be available. Protection of New York’s forests and planting of new trees for large-scale carbon sequestration may be recommended to reduce the emissions.  

The Climate Act is directed to our state’s efforts to replace fossil fuel use with renewable energy. It also considers ways to moderate some of the inequities between the communities that we live in. Our participation as community residents can support the efforts of the state, particularly in the area of waste, which is an important source of methane when collected in landfills or open fields. 

Recycling can re-use some of the waste, but only residents can reduce the amount that they discard by finding ways to reduce how much they acquire. We have a choice about the vehicles we drive, often choosing larger vehicles than we need, and we make choices about how to travel, electing air travel rather than trains. Planning for walkability in our communities would reduce the fumes of gasoline and encourage walking and bicycling. We can influence community planning decisions; do we always think about how our ideas support actions that protect rather than damage our communities?

Nancy Marr is first vice-president of the League of Women Voters of Suffolk County. 

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Downtown Port Jefferson flooded during Superstorm Sandy. File photo

This week’s Port Jefferson Civic meeting devoted a great deal of time to all things flood-related.

Now, of course, flood prevention is not unique. It is something all communities think about — especially, a port town.

But, why did the Village of Port Jefferson feel so strongly about a little bit of water falling from the sky, that they have decided to implement a two-phase plan, to build infrastructure designed to aid areas “[vulnerable] to flooding, associated with individual and co-occurring flood drivers?”

There are a few reasons. The first one is that this problem is not small, at all. It is much more dire than the flooding of yesteryear. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Long Island’s sea level has risen 13 inches from 1880. Just to put that figure into perspective, the global average is 8-9 inches. Secondly, warming temperatures have created hurricanes, with intense conditions, putting our island at increased storm surge-induced flooding, (for this factor, the South Shore is at a much higher risk.) And, lastly, Port Jefferson’s unique geography. Being situated on the harbor front, the village becomes susceptible to the strong flooding a confined harbor can induce.

Additionally, the area’s high groundwater table means that the soil does not have much capacity for additional water, thus exacerbating surface runoff, on an already small watershed. The geography of Port Jeff is, truly, unique, as it is a valley, which creates the imperfect opportunity for water to run down, from all directions — affording it the nickname “Drowned Meadow.”

So, what can we, as a community, do to prevent floods from disrupting our livelihoods? While this issue requires the careful care of our local government, as it is a truly serious issue, here are a few general suggestions:

• Consider purchasing a sump pump, to prevent basement or crawl space flooding.

• Ensure new building and development does not occur in flood-prone areas, or historic hurricane tracks.

• Merge nature-based solutions and infrastructure, to enhance resilience. An example would be improving upon infrastructure in need of flood safeguards, or replenishing beaches, to avoid erosion, and ensure the land’s natural slope and profile stays intact.

• Minimize your greenhouse gas emissions, to reduce the risk of severe storms. Starting is as easy as purchasing home appliances that are Energy Star — products approved by the EPA — certified, and lowering the thermostat.

• Bolster awareness. Talk to neighbors about the dangers of climate-influenced natural disasters, and generate community action. We need it

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