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Alto Jazz saxophonist and composer Charlie Parker broke all the rules of Jazz when he recorded two albums entitled Charlie Parker with Strings, works that attempted to bridge the gap between Jazz and classical music. Nothing like Strings had ever been done before. History has proven Parker’s instincts correct, as these works are now universally recognized as masterpieces.

Jazz enthusiasts will have three opportunities to catch performances of the iconic Charlie Parker with Strings on Thursday, April 4 and Saturday, April 6 at The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Avenue in Stony Brook; and on Friday, April 5 at The Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook. All three concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and will be featuring Chris Donohue and Dayna Sean Stephens, both on alto saxophone.

Parker fans can also take in The Jazz Loft’s new Charlie “The Bird” Parker collection of more than 50 memorabilia items from the Jazz great. The collection includes master acetates from some of his most important recording sessions; a personalized instrument case; his union card; numerous notes, letters and correspondence; and his Birdland contracts. Some of the correspondence documents his challenge with the union as he often had his union card revoked for drug offenses. The letters, from him, his agents, promoters, and friends, show Parker’s struggle to stay clean and work. Parker struggled with a heroin addiction and died at the age of 34.

The items were purchased at a Christie’s of London auction which showcased a vast collection of music memorabilia belonging to the late Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts. Watts, who had been a beloved member of the Stones since 1963, passed away in August 2021.

Ticket prices for all events are $40 for adults; $35 for seniors; $30 for students and $25 for children.

For more information and tickets to The Jazz Loft or The Staller Center shows, visit https://www.thejazzloft.org/tickets or call 631-751-1895.

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Stony Brook, NY; Stony Brook University: Department of Mathematics Assistant Professor Theo Drivas was named a 2024 Sloan Research Fellow.

Stony Brook University Assistant Professor Theodore Drivas, PhD, in the Department of Mathematics has been selected as a 2024 Sloan Research Fellow and awarded $75,000 toward his research investigating the mathematical characteristics of fluid motion.

Sloan Research Fellows are marked as the most auspicious scholars in their fields and are projected to become the next generation of scientific leaders across the United States and Canada. The funding granted to each fellow may be spent over a two-year term on any research-related expenses of choice. Professor Drivas is one of 126 early-career scholars honored in 2024 and the 71st Stony Brook faculty member to receive the distinction since 1961.

“Congratulations to Dr. Drivas for this extraordinary accomplishment that recognizes exemplary early career performance,” said SBU President Maurie McInnis. “As a Sloan Research Fellow, Dr. Drivas is among the top researchers in his field who is also an inspiring educator and mentor to our students. It is a proud moment for Stony Brook, and I look forward to watching the continued evolution of his research and scholarly work in the years to come.”

Drivas, who joined Stony Brook University in 2021, has also received a Charles Simonyi Endowment from the Institute for Advanced Study as well as several awards from the National Science Foundation, including a Faculty Early Career Development grant. He currently teaches an upper-division undergraduate course and a graduate course and has contributed to dozens of studies on fluid dynamics, turbulence theory, differential equations and more.

“This is a tremendous honor for Dr. Drivas, placing him among a select set of researchers recognized for their potential to significantly advance their fields,” said Provost Carl Lejuez. “These prestigious awards are cause for celebration, both for the acclaim they bring to the individual researchers, and for the further elevation of Stony Brook’s reputation as an institution that promotes excellence and innovation in all that we do. I am thrilled for Dr. Drivas to be recognized with a Sloan Fellowship.”

“This has been an exciting year for Theo Drivas, having also recently received an NSF CAREER award in support of his research,” said Scott Sutherland, professor and chair, Department of Mathematics. “In addition to his research program, which is of the highest caliber, Theo has been an exemplary member of the Stony Brook Department of Mathematics. He joins a cohort of distinguished faculty in our Department who have been honored with this prestigious award, and I am exceedingly pleased that the Sloan Foundation has recognized his outstanding achievements. We are very fortunate to have Theo as a member of our Mathematics faculty.”

Before joining Stony Brook University, Drivas was Assistant Professor of Mathematics at Princeton University, where he completed his postdoctoral fellowship. He holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics & Statistics from Johns Hopkins University and a BS in Mathematics & Physics with honors from the University of Chicago. Professor Drivas resides in Stony Brook.

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Children learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories during the Pee Wee Gardening class offered at the Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve.

Spring is in full swing at the Holtsville Ecology Site & Animal Preserve, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville. Brookhaven Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro has announced upcoming dates for both pee-wee and adult gardening classes beginning in April.

“In addition to being a great value, these classes are a fun and educational way to welcome spring,” said Losquadro. “Children will learn about the environment, animals and plants through crafts and stories, while adult participants will learn how to start plants through propagation and create backyard flower arrangements.”

Both classes cost $50 for a five-week session. The adult horticulture classes will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, April 11 and 18, and May 2, 9 and 16. Participants in the pee-wee gardening classes, which are for children ages three to five, can choose from two five-week sessions: Tuesday, April 9, 16, 30, and May 7 and 14, or Wednesday, April 10, 17, and May 1, 8 and 15. Pee-wee classes are offered from either 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Registration is available at www.BrookhavenNY.gov/RecOnline. For more information, call 631-451-5330.

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Photo from Town of Smithtown

The Smithtown Department of Public Safety Fire Prevention Division, and SCPD 4th Precinct Crime Control officers order Hash Convenience Shop closed and deemed unsafe for a second time.

On Monday, March 18, members of the Smithtown Department of Public Safety Fire Prevention Division, together with SCPD 4th Precinct Crime Control officers, responded to a complaint that the Hash Convenience Shop, located at 60 Main Street,  Kings Park owned by Taj & Hash Corporation was operating unlawfully. The complaint came one week after the business was shut down for unlawful dealing with a child and 30 summonses being issued for multiple violations of the fire code.

“Ensuring the safety and well-being of our community is paramount. The repeated closure of Hash Convenience Shop underscores our commitment to upholding the building code, and stringent standards of public safety. We commend the collaborative efforts of The Smithtown Department of Public Safety Fire Prevention Division and SCPD 4th Precinct Crime Control officers in swiftly addressing concerns and taking decisive action. Together, we reaffirm our dedication to the community as we respond, investigate and penalize those businesses illegally operating, when the law has been broken, maintaining a secure environment for our residents and visitors alike,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim in a press release.

Just the week before the Fourth Precinct Crime Section officers along with the Suffolk County Tobacco Enforcement Unit, Town of Smithtown Fire Marshal, and the Town of Islip Fire Marshal conducted an investigation into the sale of nicotine products to minors. The investigation involved the inspection of 32 businesses between Tuesday, March 12 and Wednesday, March 13. Violations were found at seven of these locations, including Hash Convenience Shop. An arrest was made for an illegal transaction with a minor, along with 30 summonses issued by the Department of Public Safety and the Building Department for multiple violations of the fire code, deeming the building unsafe to operate.

On March 18, Fire Marshals and Police confirmed an official complaint, which was issued by members of the community. They found the business was open and operating despite the closure order. Fire marshals issued an additional twelve summonses for multiple violations of the fire code. The building department issued additional summonses for violation of the building code. The business has been declared unsafe and will remain closed until all infractions have been corrected.

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Rocky Point VFW thanks Jerry McGrath for his service. Photo courtesy Rich Acritelli

By Rich Acritelli

On March 29, the federal government will honor the military service of our American citizens through the National Vietnam War Veterans day. 

On Saturday, March 16, VFW Post 6249 Suffolk County World War II and Military History Museum thanked Wading River resident Jerry McGrath for his devotion to fighting for the United States during this conflict. A young man who was in the United States Army in South Vietnam, McGrath was an artillery sergeant in the field during the height of the fighting. 

After his enlistment ended, McGrath became a long time teacher at the Wading River Elementary School. Over his teaching career, McGrath was a beloved figure for the younger generations of students from this North Shore community. 

The affection for this teacher was recently seen as a picture of McGrath and his Vietnam War picture that has been placed in this local museum was placed on Facebook. Students from all decades responded to the kindness that McGrath presented to the boys and girls who he taught at this elementary school. 

As a fifth grader, Eric Strovink was in McGrath’s class in 1981, and affectionately recalled the life-long lessons that he learned from this iconic figure. A physical education teacher at a Mount Sinai Elementary School, Strovink was a talented baseball player and wrestler who later followed in the same career as McGrath.

Speaking in front of members of the VFW Post 6249, Strovink asked McGrath questions about his time in Vietnam, as an educator, and his love of fishing. In 1985, McGrath began instructing courses on recreational fishing. 

The positive character of McGrath and his expertise increased the class sizes through different educational and professional development workshops that were taught at local libraries and for the Suffolk County Parks Department. McGrath’s influence spread to Ward Melville, as one of his students, organized a fishing class at this high school. 

Thank you to Jerry McGrath for his patriotic sacrifices during the Vietnam War.  This disabled veteran from Wading River serves as an important reminder of local and national service that some teachers have experienced during their lifetime.  

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Conceptual plans for the 126-acre Lawrence Aviation Superfund site in Port Jefferson Station. Graphic from Suffolk County Landbank

By Sabrina Artusa

The long-abandoned Lawrence Aviation Superfund site in Port Jefferson Station is now completely demolished, and nearly ready for development.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been pursuing a contract to purchase 40 acres of the property to convert into a rail yard. Another portion is expected to be used for a solar farm. The rest will likely be preserved as open space. 

Herb Mones, Friends of the Greenway editor-in-chief and president of the Three Village Community Trust, wrote in an email that while there hasn’t been an official sale to either the MTA or to a solar farm firm, it is likely that these sales will happen and that a portion of the Greenway trail will have to be rerouted to accommodate a new rail yard. 

“This is great news for the surrounding community as it finally clears a giant eyesore and place for hanging out,” said Charlie McAteer, chair of Friends of the Greenway. “The idea of relocating the train yard to this site, along with the proposed passive solar farm and one-third of the space as open space, is a great benefit to all.”

The buildings are indeed demolished, but the area may need to undergo further examination to ensure that all harmful chemicals are neutralized. In order to continue with development plans, the Environmental Protection Agency is investigating for any residual contamination. The EPA expects to have more knowledge about the land’s status this summer. If further extensive remediation is required, it will be addressed in a public meeting. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website stated, “Remediation activities will continue for several years to come. The site cleanup activities will also result in site safety and security, allowing for a planned solar farm to be installed in the former footprint of the site buildings.

According to Mones, the MTA and the NYS Department of Transportation are in disagreement over a portion of the Greenway. Reportedly, the NYSDOT is unwilling to relinquish the portion of the Greenway that the MTA plans to use for the new rail yard. 

The MTA hasn’t explicitly stated any intention to electrify the Port Jefferson Branch line. TBR News Media reported MTA CEO Janno Lieber as having said at an October meeting that electrification of the line was under consideration. 

In rerouting, Friends of the Greenway wants to ensure the preservation of the trail experience, and has noted “requirements” such as security barriers between the rail yard and the path, a “significant buffer” between the path and homes, and accessibility. 

“The redevelopment of the Lawrence Aviation property will benefit the wider community,” Mones said. “The removal of the buildings finally brings to an end a decaying, dilapidated industrial site that often attracted criminal activity: vandalism, graffiti, trespassing.”

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By Heidi Sutton

Easter is right around the corner! Celebrate early at one of the following pancake breakfasts with a visit from the Easter Bunny. Don’t forget your camera!

Farmingville

Farmingville Fire Department, 780 Horseblock Road, Farmingville hosts a Breakfast with the Easter Bunny and Chinese Auction on March 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. $15 per person, ages 5 and under free includes pancakes, bacon and sausage, coffee, orange juice, water and one photo with the Easter Bunny.

Mount Sinai

Mt. Sinai Fire Department Company 1, 746 Mt. Sinai Coram Road, Mt. Sinai hosts its 14th annual Pancakes with the Easter Bunny on March 24 from 8 a.m. to noon. Come out and eat some pancakes, see the Easter Bunny and buy some raffles to win awesome prizes. Admission is $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 children, children under age 4 are free. No reservations needed. Pay at the door. For more information, call 631-530-3820.

Port Jefferson Station

The Polish American Independent Ladies Auxiliary presents a Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Polish American Independent Club, 35 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station on March 24 with seatings at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Enjoy pancakes, sausage and fruit served with orange juice, coffee and tea with free photo booth with the Easter Bunny! Tickets are $20 adults, $10 children, under age 5 and under are free at the door. Call 516-383-3456 for more information.

St. James

St. James Volunteer Fire Department Engine #3, 533 North Country Road, St. James presents Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on March 24 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $7 adults, $3 ages 12 and under at the door. Call 631-584-5760 for more information.

Selden

Selden Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting their annual breakfast with the Easter Bunny, at Engine #1, 44 Woodmere Place, Selden on March 24 from 8 a.m. to noon. Come on down and have some pancakes with the bunny, fun for all!  $10 per person at the door, children 3 and under free!
There will also be raffle tickets available for purchase at the breakfast to win some Easter Basket goodies! For more information please email Samanthacotty6@gmailcom

 

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Photo by Lynn Hallarman

By TBR Editorial Board

Within any community, there exist unsung heroes whose dedication and selflessness stand as pillars of strength, ready to respond in times of crisis. Among these heroes are the brave people who serve in our local emergency service organizations.

We owe a debt of gratitude to these individuals who often work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure our safety and well-being.

The landscape of volunteerism in our local emergency services is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. Across the state, we are witnessing a decline in the number of volunteers stepping forward to serve their communities. In 2023, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York reported ranks dropping by more than 30% statewide from 110,000 to under 80,000 in the past 20 years. 

This trend poses a significant challenge as our population continues to grow, placing an increased demand on emergency services.

Volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians have long been the backbone of our emergency response system, providing support ranging from medical crises to natural disasters. Their presence in our neighborhoods not only enhances our safety but also fosters a sense of unity and solidarity among residents.

Yet, as the demands on these services increase, the pool of volunteers is dwindling. The reasons behind this decline are multifaceted. Modern lifestyles often leave little room for the commitment required by volunteer emergency responders. Additionally, stringent training requirements and the inherent risks associated with the role can deter potential volunteers.

The ramifications of this decline in volunteerism are far-reaching. Shortages in staffing can lead to longer response times during emergencies, potentially jeopardizing lives and property. Moreover, the strain on existing volunteers can lead to burnout and reduced effectiveness in delivering timely aid.

We must recognize the importance of supporting our local emergency service organizations. First responders put their lives on the line day in and day out to keep our communities safe. Now more than ever, as our population burgeons and the need for emergency services grows, we must rally behind these invaluable organizations.

One solution lies in fostering a culture of volunteerism within our communities. By promoting awareness and appreciation for the vital role played by volunteer firefighters and EMTs, we can inspire more individuals to step forward and serve. More programs such as those offered by Port Jefferson EMS would help. 

Furthermore, we must invest in the training and resources necessary to equip our emergency service organizations for success. Adequate funding and support from state and local governments are essential in ensuring that our firefighters and EMTs have the tools and training they need to excel in their roles.

We have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of our communities. Supporting our local emergency service organizations is not just a civic duty, it is a moral imperative. 

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Huntington Town Hall

By Rokah Sejour 

Overdevelopment was one of the main concerns throughout the meeting for several residents of the Town of Huntington who joined the Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, March 12, sharing their concerns on the plans to develop the Vineyard Bay Estates property, located at 78 Bay Ave. and 211 Vineyard Road, Halesite. 

“This is not a request, but a plea on behalf of a neighborhood, on behalf of the conservation of wildlife, and the history of Huntington,” said Karen Witkowski, a Huntington resident.

Residents worried that the aftermath of this project would lead to extensive traffic in the area, more parking needs and more exhaust in the air, in a space already limited to handling these increases.

“Both of the roads that I use to leave the neighborhood would be impacted by this because they both would be developed,” said Gillian Inglis Glaser, a new resident of Huntington Bay Village.

Glaser spoke on the lack of notifying the residents on the proposed development, having spoken on the restrictions that would be put on their community not just after but also during the construction process of this project. 

“I think that’s what we are looking for, transparency,” Glaser said. “In general, we need more information and transparency about the process and what’s happening.”

Other residents addressed that only a few members of the community received notification of the plans for development, with some expressing that even with the notification, there was a lack of transparency in the impact that this development would have on the community.

Construction for the development is expected to last at least two years, with the developers intending to build eight homes in the area.

There were further concerns about the outcome of the future on displaced wildlife. Some feared that wildlife would be pushed into the community, into residents’ homes and yards, after being displaced from their natural environment. One resident explained that this is already an issue, which he attributed to past developments.

The Nathan Hale Nature Preserve Committee has requested that the Town of Huntington favorably considers and records a motion to order the Planning Board to vacate its findings that the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act has been met with this subdivision. Furthermore, that there be no significant environmental impacts and the issuance of a negative declaration pursuant to the Planning Board’s review of the environmental assessment data and the regulations as set forth in the resolution filed with the Town Clerk’s office on Feb 6.

There is a call from NHNPC for the Planning Board to undertake a comprehensive assessment of environmental, wildlife, safety, traffic, flora, fauna, water and air issues associated with the development. 

The committee is requesting that the Town Board requires the Planning Board to instruct the developers to immediately stop any further development and create architectural renderings of the project, with detailed depictions of the proposed homes, as situated on the proposed sites, along with the true heights of the 200-foot-long walls that are calculated to be 10 feet high and possibly 20 feet high to hold back the slope. 

“There are countless reasons that this development should be halted,” said Denise Goodwin Pace, a 44-year resident of Huntington and a member of the Nathan Hale committee.

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From left, Madison Klimkoski, Callie Shao, Molly Hyland, Francesca Zins, Abigail Sacco, Sadie Messler and Julia Lucca. Photo courtesy Smithtown CSD

The need: To provide canned food items for those in the community who are going hungry.

The project: Seven Accompsett Middle School students went to their classmates and encouraged their involvement to collect cans of food for those less fortunate.

The result: More than 2,000 cans of food donated and $2,500 raised.

Twice a year, the Lead4Change organization hosts TheLead4ChangeProject, which is a small grants program that showcases the growth of students as leaders and funds their ideas for community impact. 

After collecting 2,384 cans, the students partnered with the Smithtown Township Food Pantry to donate all the cans they had collected.

Lead4Change then donated $2,500 to the pantry to help meet their needs as a community.

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