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MAGIC IN THE AIR Magician, comedian and ventriloquist Andy Gross heads to Theatre Three on Nov. 1.
Ongoing

Circus Vazquez Comes to Town

Circus Vazquez brings a thrilling new 2024 production to the Walt Whitman Shops, 160 Walt Whitman Road,  Huntington Station from Nov. 1 to 11. Blending the modern with the traditional, and featuring a brand new cast of extraordinary circus superstars, Circus Vazquez presents unforgettable entertainment that is fun for all ages. After the show, the audiences is invited to meet some of the circus stars. Weekday performances are set for 7 p.m. while Saturday and Sunday performances are scheduled for 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.CircusVazquez.com.

Thursday Oct. 31

WMHO Walking Tours

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) presents a walking tour throughout Stony Brook Village, “Hidden Beneath the Floorboards,” at 10:50 a.m. Discover stories of piracy, the Long Island Witch Trials, the history behind the haunting at Country House Restaurant, what ghostly spirits and the occult have to do with the birth of the Suffrage Movement, and the tale of Stony Brook’s Star-Crossed Lovers who meet each year on Halloween. Tickets are $15 per person. To register, call 631-751-2244. For additional information, visit wmho.org.

Halloween at the Mall 

Drop by the Smith Haven Mall, Moriches Road, Lake Grove for a spooktacular, fun trick-or-treating for all the little ghouls and goblins from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (while supplies last*) Retailers and restaurants that have tricks or treats for the little ones will have pumpkin in their windows. Free. 631-724-1433

Safe Trick or Treat

The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Route 25A, Wading River invites all goblins & ghouls & children dressed in costume to enjoy a safe outdoor Trick or Treating from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. 631-929-3500

Halloween at the Heckscher

Families are invited to celebrate Halloween at the Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Ave., Huntington from noon to 5 p.m. Create a spooktacular art activity, make a haunted Digital Action painting, and take home a festive treat! Free admission. Costumes encouraged. Free. 631-380-3230, www.heckscher.org

Halloween Festival

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization hosts its 34th annual Halloween Festival at the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main St., Stony Brook from 2 to 5 p.m. with trick or treating in the shops and restaurants, Halloween parade, games and Monster Mash dancing. Free. 631-751-2244, www.wmho.org

Halloween Costume Parade

The annual Downtown “Hauntington” Village Halloween Costume Parade returns to the Town of Huntington at 4 p.m. Line-up at the Huntington Post Office, 55 Gerard St., Huntington for a parade. Trick or treat at designated village merchants before and after the parade. Free. 631-351-3173

SBU Jazz Faculty Special Concert

Stony Brook University’s Jazz Department presents a special concert at tony Brook University’s Staller Center’s Recital Hall, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook at 5 p.m. The all-star combo of faculty members will present an evening of original compositions featuring The Jazz Loft founder and endowed artist in residence in the Department of Music at Stony Brook University Tom Manuel (cornet); Ray Anderson (trombone); Dayna Stephens; Dario Chiazzolino (guitar); Andrea Veneziani (bass); and Dennis Buloes (drums). Free admission. For more information, 631-751-1895.

Spooky Woods & Trick O’ Treat

Smithtown Historical Society, 239 East Main St., Smithtown presents a family-friendly Spooky Woods and Trick O’ Treat event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Take a spooktacular walk through a haunted trail, where little ones will have a great time seeing Halloween displays on one side and farm animals on the other. Enjoy trick o’ treating and say hi to craft and food vendors (and maybe some jolly ghosts) at this unique Halloween experience for the entire family. Don’t miss the hayride (additional charge) through the spooky woods! $10 per person, kids under 3 free. 631-265-6768

Halloween Magic Show

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Magic Show with magicians Jim Vines and Mike Maione on the Second Stage at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. This spine-chilling event promises to bring local ghost stories to life like never before. Set against the backdrop of Halloween, when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, this immersive show will transport guests into a realm of supernatural intrigue and spectral encounters. *Not suitable for young children. Tickets are $40. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Haunted Firehouse

Farmingville Fire Department, 1080 Portion Road, Farmingville presents a Haunted Firehouse from 7 to 10 p.m. Visitors will step into a world of horror where the firehouse transforms into a haunted haven of the macabre. Tickets are $15 per person at www.longislandhauntedfirehouse.org.

Friday Nov. 1

Military Bridge

Join Union United Methodist Church, 1018 Pulaski Road, East Northport for an evening of Military Bridge starting at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. $15 per person. For more information, call 631-368-7911.

An Evening with Andy Gross

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson  welcomes stand up comic, magician and ventriloquist Andy Gross to the Mainstage at 8 p.m. Gross is one of the hottest entertainers working today as evidenced by his sold out shows and devoted following. His show, Andy Gross: Are You Kidding Me?, will make you laugh out of your seat. Tickets are $65. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Saturday Nov. 2

Christmas Craft Fair in Yaphank

Integrity Church, 1 Old Dock Road, Yaphank hosts its annual Christmas Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free photos with Santa, food trucks, and a magical talking Christmas tree. Shop from over 50 local vendors selling items such as home decor, Christmas ornaments, holiday gifts and more during this outdoor event.  Rain date is Nov. 9. 631-840-7823

Raptor Day at the Vanderbilt

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum will hold its annual Raptor Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with identical sessions at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Meet rescued raptors along with crafts and face painting, vendors, raffles, a short film and more. Tickets, which include admission to the museum, are $20 adults, $10  children 12 and under at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Huntington Christmas Craft Fair

Time to shop! Saint Anthony’s High School, 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington will hosts its annual Mothers’ Guild Christmas Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 300 unique vendors for your shopping pleasure. Free admission. 631-271-2020

North Meets South Fair

Suffolk County Farm, 350 Yaphank Road, Yaphank presents the North Meets South Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Festival-goers will have a wide selection of food options and local beers and wines along with over 60 vendors, axe throwing, permanent jewelry, hair tinsel, jumbo garden games, and henna. Families can enjoy a meet-and-greet with farm animals, face painting, hayrides, live music, and more. Tickets are $7 in advance at www.nmsfair.com, $10 at the door. Rain date is Nov. 3. 631-852-4600

Graveyard & Church Tour

The Landing Ladies Auxiliary presents a Graveyard and Church Tour of Smithtown Landing Methodist Church, 397 Landing Ave., Smithtown from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Built in 1834,  the church holds a wealth of stories waiting to be told. Learn about the church’s vibrant past as the center of activity for the Smithtown Landing area, see the historic interior, preserved through years of dedicated care by the community, and discover the stories behind the gravestones of local legends such as author James E. Handshaw. Proceeds will directly support the ongoing restoration efforts of this historic landmark. Tickets are $15 in advance at www.eventbrite.com, $20 at the door. 

Hallock Homestead Tour

Rocky Point Historical Society’s Hallock Homestead Museum, 172 Hallock Landing Road, Rocky Point will be open for tours from 1 to 4 p.m. and every Saturday through Dec. 7. Take a step back into colonial times with a fascinating fact-filled Docent Tour or take a self-guided tour through the house, which is filled with historic artifacts, photos and stories. $5 donation welcome. Group tours by appointment. 631-744-1776.

Saturdays at Six Concert

All Souls Church, 61 Main St., Stony Brook continues its Saturdays at Six concert series with The Whitman String Quartet at 6 p.m. sharp. The group was founded at Stony Brook University in 2015 and has been performing professionally throughout Long Island since. They perform more contemporary and lesser-known works for string quartet, string trio, and with colleagues in other instrumentations. The group includes Joenne Dumitrascu & Olga Turkina (violins), Stephen Gorgone (viola), and Craig Mehler (violoncello). Free. Call 631-655-7798 for more information.

Us and Floyd in Concert

Us and Floyd returns to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport for two dazzling live concert performances — in sync with two stunning Pink Floyd laser light shows: The Wall at 7 p.m. and Dark Side of the Moon at 9 p.m. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 members and children in advance at www.vanderbiltmuseum.org; tickets are $40 adults $30 members and children at the door.

Baroque Concert

St. James Episcopal Church, 490 North Country Road, St. James welcomes the Anima Baroque Ensemble in concert at 7 p.m. featuring works by Purcell, Frescobaldi, Monteverdi, and others. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors, $15 students, children free at www.libaroque.org or at the door. 

Sunday Nov. 3

Car Show and Swap Meet

Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater at Bald Hill, 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville, hosts a Car Show and Swap Meet by Long Island Cars from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Street rods, classics, muscle cars, antiques, exotics, imports and collectible cars on display with vendors selling parts and accessories, food and entertainment. Rain date is Nov. 10. Admission is $10, under 12 years are free. 631-567-5898, www.LongIslandCars.com

Cedar Beach Clean-Up

Join New York Marine Rescue Center for a clean-up at Cedar Beach, 223 harbor Beach Road, Mt. Sinai from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is part of NYMRC’s “Pick It Up!” initiative to reduce marine debris in our local communities and collect valuable data concerning garbage on Long Island’s beaches. All supplies will be provided. Registration is optional at www.nymarinerescue.org.

CSHL Walking Tour

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor will host a guided walking tour of the campus from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn about the historic and modern architecture, the Nobel legacy, and the advanced cancer, neuroscience, and plant research taking place at the lab. Fee is $7.18 per person. To register, visit www.cshl.edu. 516-367-8844

Como Brothers in concert

The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, 97 Main St., Stony Brook  presents a concert by the Como Brothers from 3 to 4 p.m. Combining a pop and rock easy listening sound with a blues vibe, they have written and recorded multiple albums and EP’s of original songs. The event is free with general admission ticket purchase. 631-689-5888, www.limusichalloffame.org. 

Monday Nov. 4

Movie Trivia Night at the CAC

Join the Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington for a Movie Trivia Night at 8 p.m. Try to answer 50 questions based all around film, actors and actresses, awards, and everything else associated with the world of film. Challenge like-minded film fans in a battle of wits for cash and other prizes. You can form teams, so bring some friends and work together. Feel free to come alone and play solo as well! Hosted by Dan French. Tickets are $11 per person, $7 members at cinemaartscentre.org. 631-423-7610.

Tuesday Nov. 5

NSJC Social Club event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a special concert featuring singer and guitarist Alex Alexander in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

Vanderbilt Lecture

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport continues its lecture series in the Reichert Planetarium with Singing to the Gods: Ancient Egyptian Funerary Rituals Through the Lens of the Chantresses of Amun at 10 a.m. The Museum’s Curator of Ancient Art Roberta Casagrande-Kim will discuss ancient Egyptian funerary art from a female perspective and discuss artifacts such as coffins, statuary, and musical instruments. $10 per person. To register, visit www.vanderbiltmuseum.org.

Wednesday Nov. 6

Shed the Meds

Emma Clark Library, 120 Main St., Setauket will present a Shed the Meds event from noon to 4 p.m. The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office hosts this safe way to properly dispose of unused medications, essential to protect the environment and ensure that old drugs don’t end up in the wrong hands. Please note: The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office cannot accept any liquids, needles, creams, or ointments of any kind. They are only accepting unused or expired medications from individuals (not large quantities from a doctor’s office or health care facility). This service is open to the public.  There is no need to register or to be a Three Village resident to participate. Questions? Email [email protected]

Thursday Nov. 7

Energize Long Island Conference

PSEG Long Island will hold its annual Energize Long Island conference at the Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature more than a dozen educational workshops to help attendees reduce their carbon footprint, maximize efficient energy usage and cultivate renewable energy resources. along with a vendor showcase. Keynote speaker will be New York Mets’ Ron Darling. Registration is free for PSEG Long Island customers at www.energizelongisland.com.

Theater

‘Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fighters’

The Theatres at Suffolk County Community College present Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fighters by William Shakespeare in the Shea Theatre, Islip Arts Building, 533 College Road, Selden on Nov. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 7:30 p.m.  and Nov. 10 and 17 at 2:00 p.m. Featuring 11 of Shakespeare’s Greatest Hits including scenes from Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado, Macbeth, Henry V and of course Taming of The Shrew!  You’ll witness some of the greatest broadsword, rapier and hand to hand stage combat the Great Bard put words to along with the sweetest words of love ever uttered by woman or man.  You will be thrilled and delighted by turns! Tickets are $15 adults, $10 veterans and students 16 years of age or younger,  Suffolk students with current ID get two free tickets. To order, call 631-451-4163.

‘A Christmas Carol’

“I will honor Christmas in my heart…” Celebrate the season with the 40th annual production of A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from Nov. 9 to Dec. 28. Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the meaning of Christmas — past, present, and future. Tickets are $25 through November; $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12 in December. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘9 to 5 The Musical’

Star Playhouse at Stage 74, 74 Hauppauge Road Commack presents 9 to 5 The Musical on Nov. 9 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $32 adults, $25 seniors, students and members. Call 631-462-9800, ext. 136 or visit www.starplayhouse.com to order.

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

Step into a world of pure imagination this holiday season as the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Nov. 14 to Dec. 29. Join young Charlie Bucket and four other lucky Golden Ticket winners as they embark on an unforgettable journey through Willy Wonka’s magical candy factory. With beloved songs from the 1971 film such as “Candy Man,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” “Oompa-Loompa Song,” and “Pure Imagination,” this production promises to be a treat for the entire family. For ticket information, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘Annie Warbucks’

Community Playhouse of Northport presents Annie Warbucks at the Brosnan Theater at 158 Laurel Avenue, Northport on Nov. 15, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 16 (sensory friendly), 17 and 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, visit www.communityplayhousenorthport.org. 631-683-8444

‘(Mostly) True Things’

(mostly) TRUE THINGS returns to The Performing Arts Studio, 224 East Main Street, Port Jefferson on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. with stories that warm us up for upcoming holiday gatherings on the theme FRAMILY: Friends that feel like family, family that feels like friends. Featured performers include Calvin Cato, Jean Le Bec, Dennis DiMaggio, Dawn Borchers and host/creator Jude Treder-Wolff. Tickets are $20 online at www.eventbrite.com, $25 at the door (cash only). 

‘It’s A Wonderful Life’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents It’s A Wonderful Life from Dec. 7 to 29. Based on the story “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern, this beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. This mainstage performance is a family holiday treasure appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors, and $25 students. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’

The Minstrel Players present their annual production of A Christmas Carol at Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport on Dec. 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232.

Film

‘Searching for Amani’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series closes out its Fall 2024 season with a screening of Searching for Amani at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. In the heart of Kenya, a tragedy shatters a young boy’s life. Simon Ali, 13, finds himself in a world of mystery when his father, a respected conservancy guide, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Armed with his video camera and an unwavering desire for truth, Simon and his best friend, Haron, embark on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets behind his father’s demise. In Swahili with English subtitles. Panel discussion to follow. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

Vendors Wanted

Mt. Sinai Congregational Church, 233 North Country Road, Mt. Sinai seeks vendors for its annual Holiday Market  on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Only new or hand-crafted items or antiques; no rummage or corporate items please. Fee is $60 for an 8’ by 6’ space; vendors must supply their own tables. Call 631-473-1582 or email [email protected].

Class Reunion

— Ward Melville High School Class of 2014 will hold its 10 year reunion at The Waterview, 44 Fairway Drive, Port Jefferson  on Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are  $100 — plus ones allowed. Includes open bar, passed appetizers, and dinner. Please email [email protected] for the link to purchase tickets.

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

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Gorgs

MEET SAMMY AND GORGS!

These dapper, domestic short-haired, white tabby, male housemates at the Smithtown Animal Shelter are only two years old. Despite their remarkable resemblance, Sammy and Gorgs are not biological brothers. These beautiful boys were adopted together at the shelter as baby kittens. Sadly, hard times fell upon them when their Dad’s living situation changed, and he was not permitted to take his furry family members with him.

Sammy

Upon making the boys’ acquaintance, you will quickly learn that it doesn’t take Gorgs very long to warm up to people. A little attention and gentle petting will be instantly rewarded with the sweet sound of his endearing purr, and endless affection. Sammy is a bit on the shy side, but once you earn his trust, you will receive unconditional love and loyalty. It is nearly impossible to resist Sammy’s charming nature when he reveals how exceptionally lovable he really is.

This duo will warm your heart and offer a lifetime of cherished memories to share. These boys have been through a lot, therefore the team at the shelter would prefer them to find a forever home together. However, they are not bonded and could be separated for the right situation. Both are healthy and would likely fit purr-fectly in most homes, including those with older children, cats, and calm dogs.

If you are interested in meeting Sammy and Gorgs please fill out an application to schedule time to properly interact with your prospective soul mate in a domestic setting.

All of the felines at the Shelter are current on vaccines and have received a full workup (blood work, Feline HIV & Leukemia tested, physical exam etc) by a board certified Veterinarian.

For more information regarding our rescue animals available for adoption visit:. TownofSmithtownAnimalShelter.com 

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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METRO photo
Lowering inflammation and expanding lung capacity are keys

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Welcome to autumn! It’s the time of year when we revel in the beauty of changing foliage, the joy of Halloween decorations and costumes, and the prevalence “pumpkin spice” everything.

Unfortunately, it’s also the time of year when we are most alert to influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 variants circulating in our communities.

If you have a lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, or if you smoke or vape, the consequences of these viruses are especially concerning.

The good news is that you can do a lot to improve your lung function by exercising, eating a plant-based diet with a focus on fruits and vegetables, expanding your lung capacity with an incentive spirometer, and quitting smoking or vaping (1). 

Does diet improve lung function?

It’s no surprise that your dietary choices can help or hinder your health. What is surprising is diet’s impact on your lung health. Let’s review some of the studies.

In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), results show that asthma patients who ate a high-antioxidant diet had greater lung function after 14 days than those who ate a low-antioxidant diet (2). They also had lower inflammation at 14 weeks, which was measured using a c-reactive protein (CRP) biomarker. Participants in the low-antioxidant group were over two times more likely to have an asthma exacerbation.

The high-antioxidant group had a modest five servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit daily, while the low-antioxidant group ate no more than two servings of vegetables and one serving of fruit daily. Using carotenoid supplementation in place of antioxidant foods did not affect inflammation. The authors concluded that an increase in carotenoids from diet has a clinically significant impact on asthma in a very short period.

In a longer-term analysis of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study, researchers assessed and stratified diets into three tiers to identify the impacts of diet quality on long-term lung health (3). Researchers found that a nutritionally-rich plant-centered diet was associated with significantly less decline in lung function over 20 years, even after adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors influencing lung health.

What is the impact of fiber on COPD risk?

Several studies demonstrate that higher consumption of fiber from plants decreases the risk of COPD in smokers and ex-smokers.

In one study of men, results showed that higher fiber intake was associated with significant 48 percent reductions in COPD incidence in smokers and 38 percent incidence reductions in ex-smokers (4). The high-fiber group ate at least 36.8 grams per day, compared to the low-fiber group, which ate less than 23.7 grams per day. Fiber sources were fruits, vegetables and whole grain. The “high-fiber” group was still below the American Dietetic Association’s recommended intake of 14 grams per 1,000 calories each day.

In another study, this time with women, participants who consumed at least 2.5 serving of fruit per day, compared to those who consumed less than 0.8 servings per day, experienced a highly significant 37 percent decreased risk of COPD (5).

Both studies used apples, bananas, and pears to reduce COPD risk.

What exercise helps improve lung function?

In a study involving healthy women aged 65 years and older, results showed that 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise three times a day improved FEV1 and FVC, both indicators of lung function, in just 12 weeks (7). Participants began with a 15-minute warm-up, then 20 minutes of high-intensity exercise on a treadmill, followed by 15 minutes of stretching.

You do not need special equipment. You can walk up steps or hills in your neighborhood, do jumping jacks, or even dance around your home. It’s most important to increase your heart rate and expand your lungs. If this is new for you, consult a physician and start slowly. Your stamina will improve quickly when you do it consistently.

What is incentive spirometry?

An incentive spirometer (IS) is a device that helps expand the lungs when you inhale through a tube and cause one or more balls to rise. This inhalation expands the lung’s alveoli.

Incentive spirometry has been used for patients with pneumonia, those who have had chest or abdominal surgery and those with asthma or COPD, but it has also been useful for healthy participants (8). A small study showed that those who trained with an incentive spirometer for two weeks increased their lung function and respiratory motion. Participants were 10 non-smoking healthy adults who took five sets of five deep breaths twice a day, totaling 50 deep breaths per day. 

In recent years, some small studies examined the impact of IS on patient COVID-19 outcomes. One study of 48 patients in an outpatient setting found that study participants using an IS three times a day experienced a 16 percent increase in maximal inspiratory volume over a span of 30 days (9).

Another pilot study followed 10 patients diagnosed with moderate COVID-19 to determine whether IS use prevented development of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) (10). IS users had improved PaO2/FiO2 ratio, improved chest X-ray findings, shorter hospital stays, and sooner improvement of symptoms than non-users.

We all should be working to strengthen our lungs. Using a three-pronged approach including diet, aerobic exercise, and incentive spirometer can make a tremendous difference.

References:

(1) Public Health Rep. 2011 Mar-Apr; 126(2): 158-159. (2) Am J Clin Nutr. 2012 Sep;96(3):534-43. (3) Res Sq  [Preprint]. 2023 Apr 26:rs.3.rs-2845326. [Version 1] (4) Epidemiology Mar 2018;29(2):254-260. (5) Int J Epidemiol Dec 1 2018;47(6);1897-1909. (6) J Phys Ther Sci. Aug 2017;29(8):1454-1457. (8) Ann Rehabil Med. Jun 2015;39(3):360-365. (9) Cureus. 2021 Oct 4;13(10):e18483. (10) Eur Resp J 2022 60: 268.

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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From left, a female and male Pileated Woodpecker. The male can be differentiated from the female by its red cheek stripe and longer red crown that extends to its bill. Pixabay photo

By John L. Turner

Part One 

John Turner

Perhaps you remember, from those good ol’ days in high school biology, the phrase the teacher requested that you memorize: “Form begets function.” This truism reflects a universal fact that a strong correlation exists between the form of an animal or body part and the function it performs.

The long legs of a heron, for example, help it excel at wading in the shallow water of pond edges where it employs its long, dagger-like bill to spear fish and frogs. Similarly, the shape of a barnacle, growing on rocks in the intertidal portion of the ocean where crashing waves can dislodge anchored objects, is shaped to deflect wave energy. 

Nowhere is this “form fits function” rule better exhibited than with our native woodpeckers, birds that grip the vertical surface of bark while hammering away on wood. Indeed, from head to tail woodpeckers are the epitome of the truism. Many of their physical features allow them to excel when pecking on wood.  

Let’s start with the tail. Woodpecker tail feathers, especially the middle two, are quite stiff, much stiffer than, say, a blue jay feather. This rigidity is a major benefit as the tail serves as a brace, similar to a telephone lineman’s legs against the utility pole, helping to anchor the bird against the side of a tree. The other part of the anchor involves very strong feet equipped with sharp and powerful claws enabling the bird to maintain a firm grip, a grip enhanced because a woodpecker’s four toes are aligned with two toes in the front and two in the back to better grip bark, compared to a songbird’s foot with three toes in the front and one in the back. 

A male Pileated Woodpecker. Pixabay photo

These anchor points serve well as the woodpecker uses them to actively probe crevices in the bark, as well as to hammer away wood in search of grubs lurking beneath. And this is where the adaptations in the bird’s skull come into play. According to the definitive text on this bird group “Woodpeckers of North America,” a Pileated Woodpecker may strike with its bill, and by extension its skull, 12,000 times a day. Even more remarkably, the deceleration force each time can be as much as 1,200g. This is equivalent to a human hitting their head against a wall while running at 16 mph — each and every strike.    

How does a woodpecker avoid damage to its brain and eyes from the constant hammering? To protect the brain, the skull has developed two thick spongy sections, one in front of the brain and the other behind it, which help to absorb the shock.  In woodpecker species that spend a great deal of time hammering rather than pecking and flicking, this frontal section is larger. A woodpecker’s behavior can also reduce the impact of the blows by slightly changing the angle of each strike  thereby preventing an impact to the same part of the brain with each blow.

A woodpecker’s eyes are also vulnerable to damage and, not surprisingly, here too they’ve evolved several adaptations to minimize damage. With the bird’s head moving at such speed and then coming to an immediate stop their eyes could be damaged and possibly pop out of their sockets. To prevent this, a nictitating membrane, sometimes referred to as a bird’s “third eyelid,” closes an instant before impact keeping eyes securely in their socket and preventing any wood chips from damaging the eyes. Similarly, a tuft of short feathers situated at the base of the upper bill serves to prevent chips from flying into the eyes.

The adaptations don’t stop here, as woodpecker’s tongues might be the most fascinating example of “form begeting function” in this unique group of birds.  The shape of woodpecker tongues is quite diverse. 

A male Northern Flicker identified by his black whisker. Pixabay photo

Sapsucker tongues, which as their name suggest, lick sap from holes (known as sap wells) they’ve created in tree bark, are brush-like to help lap up the liquid. In contrast, woodpeckers that search for beetle grubs in rotted wood have tongues that are stiff and barbed, with some possessing backward pointing spines like a fish hook to assist in extracting prey. Sticky saliva also helps in capturing prey. 

If you stick out your tongue you can feel it is anchored to the bottom of your mouth, toward the back. Not so with woodpeckers. Remarkably, their tongues are not anchored in their mouths at all; they are anchored in their forehead near the base of the upper bill and wraps entirely around their skull. This makes the tongue quite extendable and in Northern Flickers means they can stick their tongues out a full two inches beyond the tip of the bill, a good skill to have for nabbing ants from a distance.   

Virtually all woodpeckers are cavity nesters with most taking the time to excavate the nesting and roosting cavities they use. In this way, woodpeckers play a crucial role in providing nesting opportunities for other cavity nesting birds such as Screech Owls, Eastern Bluebirds, Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice,  and Great-crested Flycatchers. In total, woodpecker cavities are used by more than 40 bird species in North America for nesting and roosting and provide shelter to several mammals such as flying squirrels and even some snake and lizard species.  

Read Part II of Wonderful Woodpeckers in the issue of November 21 or click here.

A resident of Setauket, author John L. Turner is a naturalist, conservation co-chair of the Four Harbors Audubon Society, and Conservation Policy Advocate for the Seatuck Environmental Association.

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Tony Hale and Anna Kendrick in a scene from the film. Photo from Netflix

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

In the world of truth-is-stranger-than-fiction, Netflix’s Woman of the Hour tackles the story of serial killer Rodney Alcala and his September 13, 1978, appearance on The Dating Game. Directed by Anna Kendrick and written by Ian McDonald, the film tells the story through bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw (played by Kendrick), who selected him, focusing on her experience on the show and dealing with systemic sexism. The film premiered on September 8, 2023, to a positive response at the Toronto Film Festival.

Actor Bradshaw scrapes by in Los Angeles, attempting to make her way into film and television. “I’m working very hard and accomplishing very little,” she reflects. After a particularly depressing audition, her agent gets her a spot on the popular game show. Reluctantly, Bradshaw agrees to appear. The film is mostly taken up with the time from her arrival at the studio through her segments on the show. Intercut are several of Alcala’s horrific rape and murders, beginning with one in Wyoming in 1977, which opens the film.

During the show’s taping, Bradshaw goes rogue, changing the questions to more pointed and revealing interrogations of the three bachelors. The first proves to be a bit of a fool, the second inappropriate, with Alcala coming off as smooth, witty, and a touch thoughtful. 

Bradshaw chooses Alcala, and the second bachelor warns her not to go near him. After leaving the studio, Bradshaw and Alcala have a few drinks in a nearby bar. Quickly, Bradshaw realizes that there is something off about him and exits the bar with him in pursuit. She is only saved by a group of men coming out of the studio.

In her directorial debut, Kendrick proves to be first-rate. She instinctually knows what to show and when to pull back, maintaining a constant tension in the film’s brisk ninety-minute running time.

Sometimes, Alcala’s crimes are shown in all their horror; other times, they are suggested by a sun-drenched landscape with just the sound of the victim. The film is spot-on as an indictment of toxic masculinity and misogyny leading to violence. In both the casual dismissal of women to the horrific rape and torture, Kendrick creates a taught, unflinching, and brutal film. Even the use of Alcala’s photography, particularly the enhanced sound of the shutter clicks, adds to the exceptional storytelling. Additionally, the film captures the visual and auditory essence of 1970s California.

Some of the film’s wisdom is courtesy of the make-up artist, Marilyn (a very strong Denalda Williams): “Is it possible to get a guy in this town who isn’t a total maniac?” Later, she follows this up: “The question beneath the question. Which of you will hurt me?” Her casual statement delivers a wallop and succinctly but pointedly expresses the overall thesis.

As a true crime docudrama, Woman of the Hour is less successful. McDonald has fictionalized a great deal for storytelling purposes, and one must at least pause to consider the validity of the choices. Most viewers will take the film at face value without looking into the actual facts and history. Since the film is short, much information is changed or left out.

The only subplot deals with an audience member, Laura (Nicolette Robinson), recognizing Alcala as the man who most likely murdered her friend after a beach party encounter. The way the security guard deals with her accusation is chilling. Unfortunately, Laura is a fiction. This is one of many introduced changes and additions without indicating where liberties were taken. In reality, Bradshaw stuck to the innuendo-laden questions, and the bachelors were dissimilar to the film’s counterparts.

Kendrick, a first-rate actor, shows dimension, fear, strength, and resolve. Always watchable, she delivers at every moment. Daniel Zovatto succeeds in making Alcala wholly plausible—a sadistic, dangerous, and threatening narcissist who knows how to turn on the charm. Tony Hale is appropriately sleazy and short-tempered as the gameshow host Ed Burke, based on Jim Lange. Some of the finest moments belong to Autumn Best as the runaway, Amy, who survives Alcala’s attack. Her raw performance resonates to her final cut-off scream. (However, the reality of the runaway’s story is very different than that offered in the film.)

At the time of his appearance on The Dating Game, Alcala was responsible for the murder of five women and the attempted murder of eight-year-old Tali Shapiro; he was on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted Fugitives List. He had served thirty-four months for child molestation and spent two-and-a-half years in prison for giving drugs to a thirteen-year-old girl. 

Because there were no background checks—or vetting of any kind—Alcala easily landed a spot on the show. Two years after his Dating Game appearance, Alcala was convicted of the murder of twelve-year-old Robin Samsoe and sentenced to death. The overturned verdict caused a 1986 retrial, where he was found guilty and sentenced to death (the ruling was overturned in 2011). While remaining on California’s death row, he died at the age of natural causes at the age of seventy-seven. Some of this information is presented in the final scroll, but most are not. Alcala was directly linked to eight murders, but his actual crimes could have encompassed up to one hundred and thirty victims. 

Those looking for a detailed account of Alcala’s crimes should seek the three-part documentary series Dating Death. However, viewers open to more flexible telling will find that Woman of the Hour viscerally lays bare both the killer and danger of a hyper-toxic macho culture.

Rated R, the film is now streaming on Netflix.

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Amazon Fresh held a ribbon cutting for its East Setauket store on Oct. 24. Photo from Long Island Cares
Amazon Fresh presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to Long Island Cares/Island Harvest during the Oct. 24 grand opening/ribbon cutting. Pictured from left, Ginger Belesi, Office of Assembly Member Ed Flood; Omar Ventura, Amazon Fresh Store Manager, East Setauket; and Paule Pachter, CEO, Long Island Cares. Photo courtesy of Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh presented a check in the amount of $10,000 to Long Island Cares/Island Harvest during the Oct. 24 grand opening/ribbon cutting. Pictured from left, Ginger Belesi, Office of Assembly Member Ed Flood; Omar Ventura, Amazon Fresh Store Manager, East Setauket; and Paule Pachter, CEO, Long Island Cares. Photo courtesy of Amazon Fresh
The Dash Cart at Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh

By Heidi Sutton

The day has finally arrived. After remaining vacant for nearly two years, Amazon Fresh officially opened in East Setauket in the former Waldbaum’s location on Thursday, Oct. 24. The 42,900-square-foot store in Suffolk Plaza at 4054 Nesconset Highway is the first of its kind in Suffolk County. 

The community was invited to celebrate the momentous occasion at a ribbon cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. featuring music, samples, games, the chance to win $500 toward groceries, and a $5 off $25 coupon. The first 100 customers in line received an Amazon.com gift card and all customers received a free tote while supplies lasted. 

The East Setauket store is one of a handful of new Fresh locations that Amazon has launched in recent months after making some improvements to its business format. The biggest change was the discontinuation of the much touted Just Walk Out cashier-less checkout technology which has been replaced with computerized Dash Carts — smart shopping carts equipped with scanners that track items as customers place them inside —  along with Amazon One, a palm-based payment device, for a more seamless checkout experience.

Shoppers will find a wide selection of popular national and local brands along with Amazon’s private-label products, such as Aplenty, Fresh Brand and 365 by Whole Foods Market, which was acquired by Amazon in 2017. The store also offers prepared foods made fresh daily, as well as produce, meat, and seafood.

Amazon Prime members can save up to 50 percent off on eight to 15 grocery items that rotate each week, according to a company statement and can earn 5% back when they use their Prime Visa card.

The store also offers same day grocery delivery or free grocery pickup and serves as a drop-off location for Amazon return packages. All surplus food will be donated to Long Island Cares.

“We offer great prices on quality items every day at Amazon Fresh, ensuring grocery shopping is convenient and affordable for all our customers,” said Claire Peters, worldwide VP, Amazon Fresh in a statement. “Increasing our weekly deals across thousands of items and expanding the reach of Prime savings at Amazon Fresh is just one way that we’re continuing to invest in competitive pricing and savings for all of our customers — both in-store and online.”

Store hours will be from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. 

The success of the East Setauket store will be watched closely as the company continues to expand in Suffolk County.

Another Amazon Fresh at 3017 North Ocean Ave. in Farmingville was completed last year but remains empty.

“We remain committed to grocery, and will selectively open new Amazon Fresh stores as we see positive customer feedback on the new format,” read a statement from the Seattle-based company. For more information, call 1-800-250-0668.

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VALLEY GIRL IN THE HOUSE Moon Zappa will visit the Cinema Arts Centre to promote her new memoir on Oct. 27.
*Please note 2024 Halloween events on the North Shore are listed in a separate post.
Thursday Oct. 24

Witches Night Out

It’s time for a wicked night out! Village of Cold Spring Harbor presents its 15th Annual Witches Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening of sales, spirits, raffles and more spooky fun along Main Street. Free to attend. All ages welcome. Witches should fly on the same broom to save room, limited parking. www.cshwitchesnightout.com

Native American Drumming

All Souls Parish House, 10 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts a Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Free. 631-655-7798

Walt Whitman Birthplace Tour

Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, 246 Old Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station presents The Mysterious Fate of Walt Whitman’s Brain tonight and again on Oct. 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. Learn about Walt’s autopsy during a candlelit tour of his birthplace. Discover how Walt’s fascination with science and the human brain intersected with macabre Victorian pseudoscience. Light seasonal refreshments will be served. *Not suitable for young children. Tickets are $25 per person. To register, visit www.waltwhitman.org.

Murder Mystery Night at T3

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents a Murder Mystery Night fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Step into the world of ‘Panic At The Speakeasy,’ where anything can happen at a 1920s club run by a notorious mobster. Can you solve the mystery before the club gets raided? Enjoy an evening of interactive fun, filled with improvisation, comedy, and a bit of musical flair. Costumes are strongly encouraged, so come dressed in your best 1920s speakeasy attire and be part of the action—gather clues, ask questions, and maybe even find yourself as a suspect! Tickets are $100 per person and includes 1 drink ticket and hors d’oeuvres. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Friday Oct. 25

Barbra Streisand Tribute

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents An Enchanted Evening with Barbra starring Sharon Owens at 8 p.m. Enjoy all of Streisand’s biggest hits, such as “The Way We Were,” “People,” “Evergreen,” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” along with popular songs from Streisand’s films, including “A Star is Born” and “Funny Girl.” Tickets are $65 per person. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Friday Night Face Off

Long Island’s longest running Improv Comedy Show, Friday Night Face Off, returns to Theatre Three’s Second Stage, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson tonight at 10:30 p.m. Using audience suggestions, FNFO pits two teams of improvisers against each other in an all-out championship! Recommended for ages 16 and up, due to adult content. Tickets are $15 at the door, cash only. 631-928-9100

Saturday Oct. 26

Cars and Coffee

South Huntington Public Library, 145 Pidgeon Hill Road, Huntington Station presents Cars & Coffee from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join the Centurion Cruisers Car Club in the parking lot for a day of classic cars and trucks. Enjoy coffee and meet other car enthusiasts. Free. 

CSHL Walking Tour

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor will host a guided walking tour of the campus from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Learn about the historic and modern architecture, the Nobel legacy, and the advanced cancer, neuroscience, and plant research taking place at the lab. Fee is $7.18 per person. To register, visit www.cshl.edu. 516-367-8844

Elija Farm Fall Festival

Join Elija Farm, 43 Foxhurst Road, South Huntington for a Farm Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy hayrides, children’s games, pumpkin picking, spooky walk, farmers market, food, storytelling, dancing, live music, farm animals and a bounce house. Rain date is Oct. 27. Admission is $20 per person, children ages 2 and under are free. 631-423-2379

Cadillac Car Show

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host a car show by the Cadillac-LaSalle Club, Long Island Region on the Great Lawn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors pay only museum admission of $12 adults, $10 students and seniors, $8 children ages 2 to 12, which includes estate-grounds access.  www.vanderbiltmuseum.org

Fall Fest

Join the Suffolk County Police Department for a Fall Fest at the Holtsville Ecology Center,  249 Buckley Road, Holtsville from 1 to 5 p.m. Enjoy Trunk or Treat, games, face painting, soft play, DJ, food, Safety Town, meet adoptable dogs and visit the animals at the zoo. 631-451-5330

Malevo heads to the Staller Center

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook welcomes Malevo to the Main Stage at 8 p.m. Argentina’s answer to Stomp and Riverdance, this electrifying all-male dance troupe reimagines Malambo, a traditional Argentine folk dance, with a modern and transgressive approach, fusing it with flamenco and urban percussion, creating an extraordinary visual and sensory theatrical experience unlike any other. Tickets range from $48 to $71. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com. 

Long Island Comedy Festival

The largest comedy festival of its kind returns to its birthplace, Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson at 8 p.m. Featuring David Weiss, Andy Pitz, Richie Byrne and Chris Roach plus a surprise guest comedian. Tickets are $50. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Sunday Oct. 27

Mustang Car Show

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport will host a car show by the Mustang and Shelby Car Club of Long Island on the Great Lawn from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors pay only museum admission of $12 adults, $10 students and seniors, $8 children ages 2 to 12, which includes estate-grounds access.   www.vanderbiltmuseum.org

Caumsett Stroll

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Lloyd Harbor hosts a Fall Seasonal Stroll from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  On this short 1.5 mile stroll, observe seasonal changes, and savor autumn’s colorful, leafy splendor. Dress for the possibility of long grass. Adults only. $4 per person. Call 631-423- 1770 to register.

An Afternoon with Moon Zappa

Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington welcomes Moon Zappa at 2:30 p.m. The original Valley Girl will discuss her acclaimed new memoir, Earth to Moon. The afternoon also includes a screening of one of Moon’s favorite comedy classics while growing up “Zappa” in the 80’s, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, plus a special screening of a “Valley Girl” animated anniversary video, followed by a gala book-signing reception with live musical entertainment of the era. Tickets are $42 and includes a copy of the book, film screening, interview with Q&A To order, visit  cinemaartscentre.org. For more information, call 631-423-7611. 

Monday Oct. 28

Flu Shots & Health Screenings

A Catholic Health registered nurse will be at Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station to provide seasonal flu shots and screenings for blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, and glucose from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No insurance is required. Open to all 18+. Questions? Call 631-928-1212.

Science on Stage

Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts Recital Hall will host the annual Science on Stage event at 4 p.m. Inspired by Stony Brook University climate research, the event will feature three one-act plays that explore climate politics, predictive modeling and adaptation strategies through interpersonal conflict and comedy. This year, the event has been expanded to include the debut of a composition by Margaret Schedel titled “Carnival of the Endangered Animals.” Free. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Latecomers will not be admitted. 

Tuesday Oct. 29

NSJC Social Club Event

North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a discussion with Frank McCoy on the benefits of physical therapy for seniors in the Social Hall at 11 a.m. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737

WMHO Walking Tours

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO) presents a walking tour throughout Stony Brook Village, “Hidden Beneath the Floorboards,” today and Oct. 30 at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 10:50 a.m.  Discover stories of piracy, the Long Island Witch Trials, the history behind the haunting at Country House Restaurant, what ghostly spirits and the occult have to do with the birth of the Suffrage Movement, and the tale of Stony Brook’s Star-Crossed Lovers who meet each year on Halloween. Tickets are priced at $15 per person. To register, call 631-751-2244. For additional information, visit wmho.org. 

The Everly Set in Concert

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport continues its Special Events series with a concert by The Everly Set at 8 p.m. Sean Altman and Jack Skuller celebrate The Everly Brothers, featuring “Bye Bye Love,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Cathy’s Clown,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” “When Will I Be Loved,” “Crying In The Rain,” and more hits and rarities in concert. Tickets are $45. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

Wednesday Oct. 30

Walt Whitman Birthplace Tour

See Oct. 29 listing.

WMHO Walking Tours

See Oct. 29 listing.

Senior Halloween Dance – *This event has been postponed to November 15.

Rose Caracappa Senior Center, 739 Route 25A, Mt. Sinai hosts its annual Halloween Dance from 1 to 3 p.m. with music by DJ Louis DelPrete. Costumes are encouraged! This event is open to Town of Brookhaven residents age 60 and older. To register, please call 631-451-5312. 

Thursday Oct. 31

WMHO Walking Tours

See Oct. 29 listing.

Halloween Magic Show

Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson presents Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Magic Show with magicians Jim Vines and Mike Maione on the Second Stage at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. This spine-chilling event promises to bring local ghost stories to life like never before. Set against the backdrop of Halloween, when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, this immersive show will transport guests into a realm of supernatural intrigue and spectral encounters. *Not suitable for young children. Tickets are $40. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

Theater

‘She Kills Monsters’

Minstrel Players presents Qui Nguyen’s She Kills Monsters at Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport on Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 27 at 3 p.m. A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games, She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she stumbles into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was Tilly’s refuge. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232 or email [email protected]. 

‘Clue’

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents the hilarious musical Clue from Sept. 12 to Oct. 27. Based on the iconic 1985 Paramount movie inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, the farce-meets-murder mystery begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Clue is the comedy whodunit that will leave you in stitches as they try to figure out…who did it, where, and with what! Tickets range from $85 to $95. To order, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com. 

‘Night of the Living Dead’

Smithtown Performing Arts Center 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents Night of the Living Dead from Oct. 5 to 27. Fall out from a satellite probe shot to Venus returns to Earth carrying a mysterious radiation that transforms the unburied dead into flesh-eating zombies. Seven people trapped in an isolated farmhouse, held hostage by the ravenous ghouls, begin to turn on each other as the dead encroach. A gripping terror-filled monochromatic play that brings all the fright of the cult classic to life. *This production is recommended for audiences high school age and up. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors and $25 students. To order, visit smithtownpac.org.

‘A Christmas Carol’

“I will honor Christmas in my heart…” Celebrate the season with the 40th annual production of A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from Nov. 9 to Dec. 28. Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the meaning of Christmas — past, present, and future. Tickets are $25 through November; $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12 in December. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.

‘9 to 5 The Musical’

Star Playhouse at Stage 74, 74 Hauppauge Road Commack presents 9 to 5 The Musical on Nov. 9 and 16 at 8 p.m. and Nov. 10 and 17 at 2 p.m.Tickets are $32 adults, $25 seniors, students and members. Call 631-462-9800, ext. 136 or visit www.starplayhouse.com to order.

‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’

Step into a world of pure imagination this holiday season as the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Nov. 14 to Dec. 29. Join young Charlie Bucket and four other lucky Golden Ticket winners as they embark on an unforgettable journey through Willy Wonka’s magical candy factory. With beloved songs from the 1971 film such as “Candy Man,” “I’ve Got a Golden Ticket,” “Oompa-Loompa Song,” and “Pure Imagination,” this production promises to be a treat for the entire family. For ticket information, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.

‘Annie Warbucks’

Community Playhouse of Northport presents Annie Warbucks at the Brosnan Theater at 158 Laurel Avenue, Northport on Nov. 15, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 16 (sensory friendly), 17 and 24 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, visit www.communityplayhousenorthport.org. 631-683-8444

Film

‘It’s Basic’

The Port Jefferson Documentary Series continues its Fall 2024 season with a screening of It’s Basic at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. When 2020 presidential hopeful Andrew Yang proposed to give every American $1000 in monthly income, it helped bring the issue of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) to national light. By then, several U.S. cities had already begun GBI pilot programs in which they provided $500 per month to a select group of people for one year. It’s Basic follows the progress of the program. Panel discussion to follow. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 students. www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

‘Young Frankenstein’

It’s alive! Cinema Arts Centre, 423 Park Ave., Huntington will screen Young Frankenstein on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. in honor of its 50th anniversary. Part homage and part parody of Universal Pictures 1930s monster movies, Mel Brooks gives the old horror classic a riotous comic twist! Tickets are $16. www.cinemaartscentre.org

‘Ghostbusters’

Join Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station for a screening of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire starring Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, and Bill Murray on Oct. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. Open to all. To reserve your seat, call 631-928-1212 or visit www.cplib.org

Class Reunion

— Ward Melville High School Class of 2014 will hold its 10 year reunion at The Waterview, 44 Fairway Drive, Port Jefferson  on Nov. 30 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are  $100 — plus ones allowed. Includes open bar, passed appetizers, and dinner. Please email [email protected] for the link to purchase tickets. 

CALENDAR DEADLINE  is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.

 

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From left, magicians Jim Vines and Mike Maione will be at Theatre Three on Halloween night.

By Melissa Arnold

Journalism is exciting for many reasons, but for me, getting to have new experiences tops the list. Last week, I had my mind read over Zoom. That’s a first!

Magicians Jim Vines and Michael Maione were eager to share some of their gifts with me at the end of my interview about their upcoming shows. 

Vines is an absolute believer in the supernatural, and he said that a spirit could carry information over the many miles between his home and mine.

To demonstrate, Vines scribbled a three-digit number on a mini chalkboard without showing me. He set down his chalk and smiled. “Well, I’m committed now. Open your heart, and ask the spirit to tell you what I’ve written here.”

I played along, but I was nervous about ruining the trick — there are 900 possible three-digit numbers, after all. The odds of guessing correctly were miniscule. I shrugged and said, “I don’t know about this, Jim, but my number is 781.”

He grinned and showed me what he’d written — 781. Stunned, I screamed. 

Maione shook his head. “That was creepy, Jim. I don’t want any spirits around here. Let’s send them away.”

He made a table appear out of thin air, lit a candle with a snap of his fingers, and then wrote the words “Spirit, go home!” on a piece of paper. He held the paper up to the flame, and the words vanished as the candle flickered out.

Spooky? Yes. Fun? Absolutely. 

On Halloween night, Vines and Maione will invite the daring into a 70-minute experience of magic, mystery and history with Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Experience at Theatre Three.

The show is the first of its kind at the Port Jefferson theater. Following the success of their kid-friendly “Silly Sorcery Showcase” over the summer, Director of Development Douglas Quattrock said they hoped to produce a magic show geared more toward adults.

Add in the intimate, close-up setting of their downstairs second stage, the building’s lengthy history and ongoing rumors of hauntings at the theater, and you have the recipe for the perfect Halloween outing.

“A lot of people that work with us here are really of the belief that there are a couple of ghosts that hang around at the theater, including Fred Griswold, who used to run the machine shop,” Quattrock explained. 

As he began to search for magicians to bring in, Mike Maione reached out in hopes of beginning a long-term partnership with Theatre Three.

Maione is both a skilled illusionist and producer of the Parlor of Mystery magic shows that were previously based in Lindenhurst. With Quattrock looking for magicians and Maione seeking a new venue for the Parlor, it was a win-win situation for everyone. They’re now planning to host magic shows several times a year. 

Vines and Maione have very different magical backgrounds, but they share the same earnestness and curiosity about their craft. There’s always something new to learn, they said, and they’re constantly experimenting with new ways to push boundaries and impress a crowd. They became friends about 10 years ago, with Vines making frequent appearances in Parlor of Mystery shows.

Vines became “completely enamored” with the art of illusion at 12 years old when a classmate made an object disappear. Young Jim was gobsmacked, and immediately dove into reading everything the school library offered on magic and the supernatural. He went on to win national competitions, performing on television, off-Broadway and around the world.

For Maione, magic came along in his 40s. His wife had a friend who always brought a little pocket trick with him whenever he would come over for dinner and would show Maione how it worked. After several dinners, Maione had a whole collection of magic tricks, and his wife suggested he do a show for his daughter and her friends when they were young. Maione now focuses on comedic magic and has performed throughout the northeastern U.S. and as a member of the prestigious Magic Circle in London. He’s also a well-known magic lecturer and Youtuber. 

Both men set performing aside for a time to focus on their families and careers, with Vines working in marketing and Maione as a hospital administrator.

“My wife thought the magic thing was just a phase,” Maione joked. “But once you get bit by the bug, it really stays with you.”

Haunted Encounters represents a departure from their usual material.

“We’re trying to bring together some of the spirits floating around Long Island. We’re going to have a good amount of audience participation, and some wonderful stories to tell. The theater is 150 years old and a lot of interesting, sometimes spooky things are said to have happened there,” Maione said.

Vines is hoping for a truly supernatural experience, and urges people to come to the show with an open mind. Anything can happen on Halloween, he said.

“The elements that we’re bringing into this experience are things we don’t do every day,” he added. “We’ll be experimenting with pendulum magic, a little bit of Tarot and all sorts of other fun surprises. Maybe some spirits will come to join us, too.”

Haunted Encounters: A Halloween Magic Experience will be held at Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. and again 8 p.m. Please note, this show may be frightening for children and is not recommended for those under the age of 13. Parental guidance is encouraged. Tickets are $40. To order, visit www.theatrethree.com or call the Box Office at 631-928-9100. 

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Christopher Reeve played the cinematic hero Superman in four films. Photo courtesy of © Warner Bros./ DC Studios

Reviewed by Jeffrey Sanzel

Born in 1952, Christopher Reeve graduated from Cornell before studying acting at the Juilliard School, appearing in a range of stage productions. His cinematic work encompassed nearly two dozen films, including Somewhere in Time (1980), Deathtrap (1982), and The Remains of the Day (1993). But he will be forever remembered as the legendary Man of Steel in Superman (1978) and its sequels Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). 

In 1985, after learning to ride for the television version of Anna Karenina, Reeve became an avid equestrian. On May 27, 1995, his horse made a refusal (a failure to jump a fence which stops forward movement). Reeve fell and shattered his first and second vertebrae, resulting in a cervical spinal injury that resulted in paralysis from the neck down. 

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story is a well-crafted, riveting documentary chronicling Reeve’s life, emphasizing his career as the cinematic superhero, his accident, and its aftermath. Directors Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui (who co-wrote the script with Otto Burnham) created a loving, dimensional tribute to a beloved personality in a sensitive but unflinching account. 

In the film’s first ten minutes, Reeve is established as Superman and superstar and quickly shifts to the accident: “In an instant, everything changed.” Over one hundred and four well-paced minutes, the filmmakers interview his children from his relationship with British modeling executive Gae Exton—Matthew Reeve and Alexandra Reeve Givens—and his son from his marriage to actor-singer Dana Morosini—Will Reeve. Exton, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeff Daniels, and John Kerry are interviewed, sharing their working and personal relationships with Reeve. 

The film touches on Reeve’s difficult childhood with unsupportive parents who divorced when he was three and remarried. In archival footage, Reeve discusses his father’s perpetual disappointment in his choices. Reeve saw theatre as providing a “neutral place that felt like home.” Theatre offered security with a beginning, middle, and end. The filmmakers emphasize his friendship with Juilliard classmate Robin Williams as well as his early days as a stage actor. While appearing in an off-Broadway play, Reeve flew to London for a Superman audition at Pinewood Studios. (Fellow castmate William Hurt discouraged him from selling out.) Immediately cast, the milestone changed the entire course of his career.

The film alternates between tracing the Superman films with his life post-accident, smartly weaving and contrasting the two worlds. His personal life is respectfully but thoroughly explored, focusing on his time with Exton and the birth of their two children. Realizing that they were incompatible, they separated but shared custody. Over the next several years, Reeve led a more Hollywood lifestyle until meeting Morosini. After a short courtship, Reeve realized he was ready to settle down, and they married in 1992. Their idyllic life was devastated just three years later.

The days immediately following the accident segue into the years of challenges and soul-searching. He states, “I ruined my life and everyone else’s.” The highly active Reeve pondered his shift from intensely “no fail” and “never quit” to a more reflective worldview. His sense of isolation, his weeks on the ventilator, and his fear of not just death but if I live, “Now what?” are part of the many interviews documented with Reeve. His shift in his approach to parenting is intimate and insightful. 

Super/Man draws on hundreds of hours of footage of Reeve’s struggles. (One odd note is the use of clips from the 1998 remake of Rear Window; they seem strangely integrated as they are not indicated as fictional.) Reeve became an outspoken activist, raising awareness for others in similar situations. He and Morosini founded The Christopher Reeve Foundation (later The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation), whose mission is “dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by advancing innovative research and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.” Reeve became a high-profile advocate, beginning with his first public appearance at the 68th Annual Academy Awards.

Central is the committed family bond—all three children, Exton, and, especially, Morosini—supported Reeve, who required twenty-four-hour care. (At the time, the cost was $400,000 a year.) Reeve’s gradual return to film, directing In the Gloaming and occasional acting appearances are traced until his sudden death on October 10, 2004 of heart failure at the age of 52. The coda is Morosini’s cancer diagnosis and passing two years later. 

The film is raw, compelling, and heartbreaking. Reeve lost much but embraced a difficult future: he made his path about giving visibility to those in similar straits. Ultimately, Super/Man is an honest and eye-opening look at the person who once said, “I am not a hero. I never have been, and I never will be.” On the contrary, Reeve was a hero in the real sense of the word—a person who has “the strength to persevere in the face of overwhelming obstacles.” Super/Man celebrates this truth.

The documentary is now playing in local theaters.

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Ron Darling will this year's keynote speaker. Photo from PSEG Long Island

Energy efficiency workshops, products and programs will provide backdrop for Darling’s personal account as player, sports commentator, author and actor

New York Mets World Series champion and recently inducted College Baseball Hall of Fame honoree, Ron Darling, will deliver the keynote address at PSEG Long Island’s Energize Long Island conference on Thursday, Nov. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The all-day event at the Hilton Long Island/Huntington, 598 Broadhollow Road, Melville will feature more than a dozen educational workshops to help attendees reduce their carbon footprint, maximize efficient energy usage and cultivate renewable energy resources. Darling’s inclusion in the program will delight baseball fans and sports enthusiasts in attendance.

“We are thrilled to have Ron Darling as our keynote speaker for the Energize Long Island conference this year as his former team makes a playoff run,” said Michael Voltz, director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables for PSEG Long Island. “I am certain attendees will enjoy hearing about his amazing career as a major league ball player, actor, author and award-winning sports commentator – even as he’s currently calling the Yankees playoff games. We’re glad to provide this value-added opportunity for our attendees. This will be the ninth year we’re providing this venue to educate people on saving money and protecting the planet through energy efficiency measures.”

Energize Long Island is geared for business owners, property managers and developers, architects, engineers, contractors, consultants and consumers interested in implementing cost-effective, proven and sustainable energy efficiency solutions. Led by industry experts, the agenda includes discussions on a wide variety of topics and best practices to benefit business owners and builders, the local economy and environment. The more than 500 expected attendees will learn about financial incentive programs, new technologies and programs that lead to reduced energy usage. Along with Ron Darling as the keynote speaker, attendees will also have the opportunity to see and learn about many products and new technologies that will be on display at a vendor showcase throughout the day.

Registration for the Energize Long Island conference is free for PSEG Long Island customers, and only $50 for all other attendees. Sponsorship and exhibiting opportunities are available. For additional information please visit www.energizelongisland.com.

 

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